Item 1. BUSINESS
General J. Baker, Inc. ("J. Baker" or the "Company", which term shall include all subsidiaries of the Company) is engaged in the retail sale of apparel and footwear in three niche markets. The Company is engaged in the retail sale of apparel through (i) its chain of Casual Male Big & Tall men's stores, which sell fashion, casual and dress clothing and footwear to the big and tall man and (ii) its chain of Work 'n Gear work clothing stores, which sell a wide selection of workwear as well as health-care apparel and uniforms for industry and service businesses and its RX Uniforms stores, which exclusively sell healthcare apparel. The Company sells footwear through self-service licensed footwear departments in discount department stores.
The Company's businesses are seasonal. The Casual Male Big & Tall division generates its largest sales volumes in June (Father's Day) and the Christmas season, and the Work 'n Gear division generates its largest sales volume during the second half of the fiscal year. The Company's largest footwear sales volume is generated in the Easter, back-to-school and Christmas seasons. On a combined basis, the Company's sales during the second half of each fiscal year have consistently exceeded sales during the first half of each fiscal year. Unseasonable weather may affect sales of shoes and boots, as well as cold weather related apparel and work clothing, especially during the traditional high-volume periods.
The Company is required to carry a substantial inventory in order to provide prompt deliveries to its Casual Male Big & Tall and Work 'n Gear stores and its licensed footwear departments. Order backlogs, however, are not material to the Company's business. The inventories needed in the operation of the Company's apparel and footwear businesses are currently available from a number of domestic and overseas sources, with no single source accounting for more than seven percent of the Company's merchandise.
The Company benefits by "most favored nation" provisions in trade agreements between the United States and certain countries in which the Company's suppliers are located. From time to time, the United States Congress has proposed legislation that could result in such provisions being struck from particular trade agreements, which could, in turn, result in higher costs to the Company. There has been extensive Congressional debate with respect to the "most favored nation" provision of the trade agreement between the United States and China, which was renewed for one year in July, 1992 and has since been extended through July, 1999. The failure of this provision to be renewed would likely result in substantially increased costs to the Company in the purchase of footwear from China. However, the Company believes its competitors in the footwear industry would be similarly affected.
Recent Developments
Potential Repp Acquisition. On April 12, 1999, the Company executed a letter of intent for the acquisition (the "Repp Acquisition") of all of the assets of the Repp Ltd. Big & Tall and Repp Ltd. by Mail divisions of Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. ("Edison"). Edison is currently operating as a debtor-in-possession under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended. The proposed purchase price of $33 million, subject to adjustment, is for the acquisition of 175 United States and Canadian Repp Ltd. Big & Tall retail locations (subject to the Company's right to compel Edison to reject the leases for up to 30 locations) and the Repp Ltd. by Mail catalog business. The Company has also executed a letter of intent with Grafton-Fraser, Inc., which operates big & tall stores in Canada, for the disposition of up to 16 Canadian Repp Ltd. Big & Tall locations.
On April 15, 1999, each of the Board of Directors of the Company and Edison approved entering into a definitive purchase agreement with respect to the Repp Acquisition. Closing of the Repp Acquisition, however, is subject to the approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware after conducting a procedure in the bankruptcy court for the submission of higher and better offers for the Repp Ltd. Big & Tall and Repp Ltd. by Mail businesses (the "Auction"). The date of the Auction is anticipated to be on or about May 15, 1999. The closing of the Repp Acquisition is further contingent upon the Company's completion of its due diligence review and the securing of adequate financing to consummate the Repp Acquisition.
Ames Department Stores Acquisition of Hills Stores Company On November 12, 1998 Ames Department Stores, Inc. ("Ames") entered into an agreement for the acquisition of Hills Stores Company ("Hills"). The Company has operated licensed footwear departments in each of Ames' and Hills' stores pursuant to license agreements with each such entity. On December 31, 1998, Ames acquired control of Hills through its acquisition of substantially more than a majority of Hills' outstanding common stock and convertible preferred stock and notes. In March, 1999 Ames consummated the merger of Hills into a subsidiary of Ames.
At the time of the acquisition, Hills operated 155 discount department stores in twelve states. In February, 1999, Ames began a program to remodel and convert 150 of the acquired Hills stores to Ames stores in three sequential phases of approximately 50 stores each. Upon the completion of the remodeling and conversion process, all such stores will be incorporated into the Company's license agreement with Ames on the same terms and conditions as presently exist. The first stage of remodeling, involving 50 stores, is complete and the remodeled stores opened on April 22, 1999. The second stage, involving 54 stores, is scheduled to be completed in July, 1999 and the final stage, involving 46 stores, is scheduled to be completed in September, 1999. During these three stages of store closings, the Company has participated in liquidation sales of its footwear inventory in each store. The first stage of liquidation sales ended on February 22, 1999, and the second and third stages are scheduled to be completed on May 21 and July 26, 1999, respectively. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Bradlees Reorganization On June 23, 1995, Bradlees Stores, Inc. ("Bradlees"), a licensor of the Company, filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, the Company had outstanding accounts receivable of approximately $1.8 million due from Bradlees. On April 13, 1998, Bradlees filed its Joint Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement (the "Plan") with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, which, as amended, was confirmed on November 18, 1998. The Plan became effective on February 2, 1999 (the "Effective Date"), the Company's license agreement with Bradlees was amended and assumed and the reorganized Bradlees emerged from bankruptcy. Pursuant to the amended agreement, ten days after the Effective Date Bradlees made a cash distribution to the Company in the amount of $360,000 and shall pay the unpaid balance of the Company's pre-petition claim in thirty-six equal monthly installments commencing on March 1, 1999, with interest on such outstanding balance commencing with the seventh monthly payment. As provided in the amended licensed agreement, upon the occurrence of certain events, the entire unpaid balance of the Company's claim shall be paid within 30 days after such occurrence, without penalty or interest. The Company's sales in the Bradlees chain for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999 were $43.9 million. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other On March 10, 1997, the Company sold its Parade of Shoes division to Payless ShoeSource, Inc. ("Payless") of Topeka, Kansas. For additional information on the sale of the Parade of Shoes division, see Industry Segments, Footwear, Footwear Restructuring, and Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
On March 5, 1997, the Company sold its Shoe Corporation of America ("SCOA") division to an entity formed by CHB Capital Partners of Denver, Colorado along with Dennis B. Tishkoff, President of SCOA, and certain members of SCOA management. For additional information on the sale of SCOA, see Industry Segments, Footwear, Footwear Restructuring, and Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Industry Segments The Company is engaged in the sale of apparel and footwear manufactured by others. Financial information with respect to the Company's industry segments can be found in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Apparel
Casual Male Big & Tall Division Casual Male Big & Tall, the Company's chain of big and tall apparel stores, provides fashion, casual and dress clothing and footwear for the big and tall man. The chain specializes in a wide range of high quality apparel and accessories for big (waist sizes from 40" to 66") and tall (6'2" or taller) men at moderate prices. The Company believes the clothing demands of these customers historically have not been met through traditional men's apparel stores. The big and tall customer frequently has difficulty finding an adequate selection of apparel in his size in department and men's specialty stores. Furthermore, only a limited number of big and tall specialty stores exist and these typically have a narrow selection of current sportswear fashions.
Casual Male Big & Tall stores offer private label as well as brand name casual sportswear and dress wear in a broad array of styles, colors and fabrics with a focus on basic merchandise such as sports coats, dress pants and shirts and a wide variety of casual clothing, including footwear. The stores target the middle-income customer seeking good value at moderate prices and as a result, Casual Male limits the amount of high-fashion oriented and low-turnover tailored clothing offered and focuses primarily on basic items and classic fashion sportswear, thereby minimizing fashion risk and markdowns. Management believes its type and selection of merchandise, favorable prices and ability to obtain desirable store locations are key factors in enabling it to compete effectively. Casual Male Big & Tall started fiscal 1999 with 459 stores and ended the year with 453 stores in 47 states, having opened 10 stores and closed 16 stores. Sales in Casual Male Big & Tall stores accounted for 45.8%, 43.4% and 26.9% of the Company's total revenues for the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997, respectively.
The Company's Casual Male Big & Tall division faces competition from a variety of sources, including department stores, specialty stores, discount stores and off-price and other retailers that sell big and tall merchandise. In addition, sales of apparel through catalogs, e-commerce and home shopping networks or other electronic media provide additional sources of competition. Casual Male faces competition on a local level from independent retailers and small, regional retail chains, as well as on a national scale from chains such as Rochester Big & Tall and Repp Ltd., a division of Edison Brothers, Inc. For additional information, see Recent Developments, Potential Repp Acquisition. While Casual Male has successfully competed on the basis of merchandise selection, inventory replenishment on an on-going basis by color and size, favorable pricing and desirable store locations, there can be no assurance other retailers will not adopt purchasing and marketing concepts similar to those of Casual Male Big & Tall. In addition, discount retailers with significant buying power, such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target stores, represent an increasing source of competition for Casual Male. The bulk of the merchandise carried by these department stores is classified as commodity, or "basic" items, but the stores' buying power provides them with a competitive edge and an ability to charge low prices for such items.
In deciding to open Casual Male stores, the Company reviews market demographics, drive-by visibility for customers, store occupancy costs and costs to build and stock each location. Considering these factors and others, Company management projects sales volumes and estimates operating costs for each location and decides to open a store if such projections demonstrate an acceptable return on the Company's inventory and fixed asset investment can be realized. New Casual Male stores require an average inventory and fixed asset investment of approximately $185,000 to $220,000, composed of approximately $100,000 to $120,000 for fixed assets and $85,000 to $100,000 for inventory.
The Company makes decisions to close Casual Male locations when management believes these locations are not generating acceptable profit levels. Most store closings occur at lease expiration, unless lease buyout is a more economical option for the Company. The costs to close stores are expensed at the time the decision is reached to close the store.
Work 'n Gear Division Work 'n Gear is the Company's specialty retail chain focused entirely on utility workwear, uniforms, healthcare apparel and footwear. Work 'n Gear stores carry a wide selection of workwear products, including rugged specialty outerwear, work shirts and pants, cold weather accessories and footwear, as well as a complete line of uniforms for industry and service businesses and healthcare apparel. Work 'n Gear started fiscal 1999 with 66 stores and ended the year with 67 stores (two stores are operated under the name RX Uniforms, which exclusively sell healthcare apparel), having opened 1 store. The 67 stores are located in 13 states in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. In addition, Work 'n Gear sells its products through a direct corporate sales force, which markets workwear and uniforms to large corporate accounts, including supermarket chains and private security companies.
The National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors estimates approximately 26 million people in the United States work force wear workwear. Although manufacturing industries are generally on the decline in the United States, service industries are among the fastest growing and traditionally have accounted for a large portion of uniform wearers in the United States. For example, the U. S. Government Bureau of Labor Statistics cites security and healthcare as two of the service industries where there will be significant growth over the next five years. Work 'n Gear stores seek to address the needs of three major groups: (i) customers who buy work clothing to be worn on the job, including industrial tops and bottoms, jeans, work boots, rugged outerwear and other accessories, (ii) corporate customers who either supply uniforms or provide a clothing allowance to their employees to purchase uniforms, and (iii) customers who work in the healthcare industry and related fields.
Competition for the sale of workwear is fragmented. Traditional Army and Navy stores offer a large assortment of workwear items, but supplement with fishing, hunting and other product lines. Other competitors include large specialty chains, such as Bob's Stores, and full service department stores, which typically have more narrow product offerings. To the Company's knowledge, no specific specialty stores similar to Work 'n Gear exist on a national basis. Competition for corporate workwear (purchased by employers) comes from large manufacturers such as WearGuard/ARAMARK, Uniforms to You, Crest Uniform and Fashion Seal, as well as small, independent uniform dealers. In the healthcare apparel business, competition is dominated by three entities: (i) Life Uniform, the largest retailer with approximately 300 stores, (ii) catalog operations, led by J. C. Penney and including Tafford, Uniform World, Sears Roebuck & Company and Jasco, and (iii) over 2,000 independent operators of healthcare apparel businesses. Management believes its strategy of servicing all three segments of the workwear market--consumer, corporate and healthcare--combined with its retail expertise, affords Work 'n Gear a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Work 'n Gear stores are generally located in strip shopping centers or are free standing. Locations in active strip centers are a preferable criterion for site selection, as the close proximity to other stores increases traffic into Work 'n Gear stores, particularly for healthcare apparel and accessories. Site locations must take into consideration proximity of major medical facilities, active retail environments, population density, business presence in the market and competition.
Sales in Work 'n Gear stores accounted for 9.7%, 8.9% and 5.9% of the Company's total revenues for the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997, respectively.
Footwear
JBI Footwear Division In a licensed footwear department operation, a discount department store chain and the Company enter into a license agreement under which the Company has the exclusive right to operate a footwear department in the host stores for a specified period of years. The department is operated under the store name, in space supplied by the store, and the store collects payments from customers and credits the Company. The Company pays the discount department store chain a license fee, generally a percentage of net sales, for the right to operate the footwear department and for use of the space. The license fee ordinarily covers utilities, janitorial service, cash collection and handling, packaging and advertising. In some circumstances, the license fee also covers staffing costs.
In its licensed footwear department operations, the Company sells a wide variety of family footwear, including men's, women's and children's dress, casual and athletic footwear as well as work shoes, boots and slippers. Most of the footwear offered by the Company in its licensed footwear departments is sold under the Company's private labels or on an unbranded basis, although the Company also sells name brand merchandise at discounted prices in its licensed accounts.
The Company's licensed footwear departments are operated on a self-service basis. The Company's personnel employed in particular departments are responsible for the stocking and layout of shelves, responding to customer inquiries and related administrative tasks. In certain accounts, the Company's licensed footwear departments are serviced in a similar manner by employees of the licensor.
The Company and its predecessors have operated licensed footwear departments in mass merchandising department stores for more than forty years. Sales in the JBI Footwear division accounted for 44.5%, 44.7% and 33.8% of the Company's total revenues in the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997, respectively. At January 30, 1999, the Company operated a total of 875 licensed footwear departments under license agreements with 14 discount department store operators. During fiscal 1999, the Company opened 29 departments and closed 13 departments, representing a net increase of 16 units for the year. The Company intends to concentrate its resources in the JBI Footwear division on the major chains in which it operates licensed footwear departments. The Company's licensed footwear departments are located in 39 states and in the District of Columbia.
The Company conducts its licensed footwear department operations under written agreements for fixed terms. Of the 875 licensed footwear departments the Company operated at January 30, 1999, 419, or 47.9%, are covered by agreements with terms expiring in less than five years and 456, or 52.1%, are covered by an agreement, which expires in July, 2009, with Ames, a major mass merchandising retailer in the eastern United States. For additional information, see Recent Developments, Ames Department Stores Acquisition of Hills Stores Company. For the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999, Ames accounted for 16.3% of the Company's total revenues and on a pro forma basis, sales in Ames and Hills combined accounted for 25.3% of the Company's sales.
The Company's licensed footwear department business faces competition at two levels: (i) for sales to retail customers and (ii) for the business of the department store chains who are its footwear licensor customers. The Company's success in its licensed footwear department operations is substantially dependent upon the success of the department store chains in which the Company operates licensed footwear departments. Within the particular market served by the department store chains, the Company believes the primary competitive factors are the quality, price and the breadth and suitability of the selection of footwear offered, as well as store location, customer service and promotional activities.
The Company also faces potential competition from the in-house operational capabilities of its licensors. Because of the large scale of many licensing arrangements and years of commitment involved, the Company has observed that changes in these arrangements do not frequently occur and are more often initiated by external factors, such as mergers or acquisitions involving the licensors or business terminations by other licensees, rather than by competition among licensees for the business of a licensor. To the extent there is active competition for new business in this area, the Company believes the principal factors weighed by a potential licensor are the quality of the licensee's operations, as reflected by sales results, and the price paid to the licensor in the form of the license fee.
Footwear Restructuring During the past several years, the Company restructured its footwear operations (the "Footwear Restructuring") in order to focus its efforts on the management, development and growth of its Casual Male Big & Tall and Work 'n Gear apparel businesses. In connection with the Footwear Restructuring, in March, 1997 the Company completed the sales of its SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses. In addition, the Company reduced its investment in its JBI Footwear (then known as Licensed Discount division) business. The Company decided to concentrate its efforts in the JBI Footwear division primarily on its five largest licensors while exploring future strategic options for this business and continuing to close departments upon the termination of licenses where the Company believed it appropriate to do so. As a result, the Company undertook an evaluation of the value of the assets in the JBI Footwear business, wrote off certain assets which did not benefit future operations and wrote down other assets to estimated fair value. In fiscal 1997, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $166.6 million ($117.1 million, or $8.42 basic loss per share, on an after-tax basis) related to the sales of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses, the write-down to estimated fair value of certain assets related to the JBI Footwear business, and severance and consolidation costs related to the downsizing of the Company's administrative areas and corporate facilities. Of the pre-tax charge, $122.3 million was included as a separate component of results of operations in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the year ended February 1, 1997, and the majority of the remaining charge, which related to the reduction of the JBI Footwear division's inventory valuation, was included in cost of sales. Also, in fiscal 1996, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $69.3 million ($41.6 million, or $3.00 basic loss per share, on an after-tax basis) related to the liquidation of its Fayva footwear business. The Company's decision to dispose of Fayva was due to the continued operating losses generated by the division along with Fayva's declining market share in an already crowded discount retail footwear industry. For additional information, See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Trademarks
The Company has no franchises or concessions except for agreements granting it the right to operate licensed footwear departments. The Company owns certain trademarks, which it uses in its business, and owns one patent. The Company does not consider these trademarks and patent to be materially important to its business.
Research and Development
The Company does not engage in any Company-sponsored research or customer-sponsored research.
Environment
The Company has not been required to make any material capital equipment expenditures, or suffered any material effect on its earnings or competitive position, as a result of compliance with federal, state or local environmental laws.
Employees
As of January 30, 1999, the Company employed approximately 3,126 persons full-time and 3,028 persons part-time, of whom approximately 2,257 full-time and 3,008 part-time employees were engaged in retail operations at the store level. Approximately 323 of the Company's full-time and part-time employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company believes its employee relations are generally good.
Executive Officers of the Company
Mr. Baker has been Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors since March, 1990. From 1970 until March, 1990, Mr. Baker served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and its predecessor.
Mr. Weinstein has held the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer since November, 1996 and March, 1997, respectively. From September, 1996 through March, 1997, Mr. Weinstein served as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Weinstein also currently serves as Acting President of the Company's Work 'n Gear division. From July, 1985 through September, 1996, Mr. Weinstein held the positions of Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company. He was also appointed Chief Administrative Officer in 1988. Mr. Weinstein joined the Company's predecessor in 1968 as Assistant Controller and has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in finance and administration since that time.
Mr. Glasser has held the positions of Senior Executive Vice President of the Company since June, 1998 and President and Chief Executive Officer of The Casual Male, Inc. since September, 1997. Prior to joining the Company, from January, 1991 until September, 1997, Mr. Glasser was an Executive Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of men's, boy's, children's and cosmetics for Bloomingdales, a division of Federated Department Stores, Inc. Prior to 1991, Mr. Glasser served as President and Chief Executive of the department store division of Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. and prior to that he served as an Executive Vice President of Lord & Taylor.
Mr. Fine has held the positions of Executive Vice President of the Company and President of the JBI Footwear division since September, 1998. Prior to joining the Company, from June, 1996 until June, 1998, Mr. Fine was Group President of the Footwear and Women's divisions of Edison Brothers, Inc. and from November, 1994 until May, 1996, he was President of Edison Brothers' chain of 5-7-9 stores. Prior to joining Edison Brothers, from December, 1992 until November, 1994, Mr. Fine was a senior merchant at Payless ShoeSource, Inc. Previously, he held the position of Divisional Merchandise Manager at various retailers, including the Foxmoor and Hit or Miss chains of stores, as well as the Filene's division of Federated Department Stores, Inc.
Mr. Rosenberg has held the position of Executive Vice President since September, 1996 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in March, 1997. From September, 1996 through March, 1997, Mr. Rosenberg served as Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In addition, Mr. Rosenberg has held the positions of Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer since June, 1992. Mr. Rosenberg joined the Company's predecessor in May, 1970 and has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in finance and administration since that time.
Item 2.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
The executive and administrative offices of the Company, the JBI Footwear division and the Work 'n Gear division are located at 555 Turnpike Street in Canton, Massachusetts. This facility also serves as the distribution center for the Company's Casual Male Big & Tall, Work 'n Gear and JBI Footwear divisions. The facility is located on 37 acres of land (the "Canton Property") and is owned by JBAK Canton Realty, Inc. ("JBAK Realty"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of JBAK Holding, Inc. ("JBAK Holding") and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of J. Baker, Inc. In December, 1996, JBAK Realty obtained a $15.5 million mortgage loan from The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Mortgage Loan"), secured by the real estate, buildings and other improvements owned by JBAK Realty located at the Canton Property. JBAK Realty leases the Canton Property to JBI, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of J. Baker, Inc. This facility contains approximately 750,000 square feet of space, including approximately 150,000 square feet of office space.
The Company leases a building at 437 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts, which serves as administrative offices for Casual Male Big & Tall. The building contains approximately 53,000 square feet of office space. The lease on this facility expires January 31, 2008.
The Company leases space in a building at 330 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts, which serves as administrative offices for the Company's loss prevention department and as an additional distribution center for the Company's Work 'n Gear division. The space contains approximately 41,000 square feet, including approximately 14,000 square feet of office space. The lease on this facility expires October 31, 2003.
The Company leases a building in Readville, Massachusetts, which served primarily as the distribution center for Casual Male Big & Tall. The building contains approximately 75,000 square feet of office space and approximately 375,000 square feet of warehouse/distribution space. The lease on the Readville facility expires May 31, 1999 and the Company intends to vacate the building on that date.
As of January 30, 1999, the Company operated 453 Casual Male Big & Tall stores, all in leased premises ranging from 1,710 to 5,987 square feet, with average space of approximately 3,262 square feet and total space of approximately 1,478,000 square feet. A majority of the leases run for initial terms of five years. Most are renewable at the option of the Company for one or more five-year terms.
As of January 30, 1999, the Company operated 67 Work 'n Gear stores (including 2 stores under the name RX Uniforms, which exclusively sell healthcare apparel), all in leased premises ranging from 2,400 square feet to 6,200 square feet, with average space of approximately 4,295 square feet and total space of approximately 288,000 square feet. A majority of the leases run for initial terms of five years. Most are renewable at the option of the Company for one or more five-year terms.
See "Item 1. BUSINESS--Industry Segments, Footwear, JBI Footwear Division", for information regarding the Company's licenses to operate footwear departments in retail stores of its licensors.
Item 3.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not currently a defendant in any material legal proceedings.
Item 4.
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
PART II -------
Item 5.
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Market Information
The Company's common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) (Nasdaq) under the symbol "JBAK".
The following table sets forth the last reported high and low sales prices, as reported by Nasdaq, for the Company's common stock for each quarterly period during the years ended January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998. The prices set forth below do not include retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions.
Holders
There were approximately 728 holders of record of the Company's common stock as of April 1, 1999. The Company believes the actual number of beneficial owners of the Company's common stock is substantially greater than the stated number of holders of record, because a portion of the outstanding common stock is held in "street name".
Dividends
On March 2, 1987, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a policy of paying quarterly dividends. For each quarter thereafter, the Company has paid a dividend of 1 1/2 cents per share.
The Company's secured credit agreements and its senior subordinated notes agreement limit the amount of cash dividends that may be paid to stockholders. For additional information, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other
On December 15, 1994, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") designed to enhance the Company's ability to protect shareholder interests and to ensure shareholders receive fair treatment in the event any future coercive takeover attempt of the Company is made. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right (the "Right") for each share of the Company's outstanding common stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 6, 1995. Each right entitles the holder to purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one ten thousandth (1/10,000) of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, at a cash exercise price of $70 per unit, subject to adjustment, upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Rights Agreement. These events include the earliest to occur of: (i) the acquisition of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock by any person or group; (ii) the commencement of a tender or exchange offer that would result upon its consummation in a person or a group becoming the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock; or (iii) the determination by the Board of Directors that any person is an "Adverse Person", as defined in the Rights Agreement. The Rights are not exercisable until or following the occurrence of one of the above events and will expire on December 14, 2004, unless previously redeemed or exchanged by the Company, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
Item 6.
Item 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data for the Company are derived from the consolidated financial statements that have been audited and reported on by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the more detailed consolidated financial statements and the independent auditors' report thereon appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. In recent years, the Company sold its SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses in fiscal 1998, disposed of its Fayva footwear business during fiscal 1996 and has also experienced a number of licensor bankruptcy filings. The sales of SCOA and Parade of Shoes, the liquidation of Fayva and licensor bankruptcy filings affect the comparability of the financial information herein. For further discussions, see "Item 1. BUSINESS" and Notes 9 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
J. BAKER, INC. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
J. BAKER, INC. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 7.
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
All references herein to fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 relate to the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997, respectively. To the extent the Company may have incurred increased costs resulting from inflation, the Company believes it has been able to offset these costs through higher revenues. Accordingly, the Company believes inflation has had no significant impact on its operations.
Results of Operations
Fiscal 1999 versus Fiscal 1998
The Company's net sales decreased by $7.9 million to $584.3 million in fiscal 1999 from $592.2 million in fiscal 1998, primarily due to the disposition of the Company's SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses in March, 1997. Sales in the Company's apparel operations increased by $14.8 million to $324.3 million in fiscal 1999 from $309.5 million in fiscal 1998, primarily due to a 3.4% increase in comparable apparel store sales (comparable apparel store sales increases/decreases are based upon comparisons of weekly sales volume in Casual Male Big & Tall stores and Work 'n Gear stores open in corresponding weeks of the two comparison periods) and an increase in sales generated by Work 'n Gear to its corporate customers. Excluding net sales of $17.7 million in the Company's SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses in fiscal 1998, sales in the Company's footwear operations decreased by $5.0 million to $259.9 million in fiscal 1999 from $264.9 million in fiscal 1998, primarily due to a 2.4% decrease in comparable retail footwear store sales (comparable retail footwear store sales increases/decreases are based upon comparisons of weekly sales volume in licensed footwear departments open in corresponding weeks of the two comparison periods).
The Company's cost of sales constituted 55.5% of sales in fiscal 1999, compared to 55.4% of sales in fiscal 1998. Cost of sales in the Company's apparel operations was 52.4% of sales in fiscal 1999, compared to 52.8% of sales in fiscal 1998. The decrease in such percentage was primarily attributable to lower markdowns as a percentage of sales and a higher initial markup on merchandise purchases. Cost of sales in the Company's footwear operations was 59.4% of sales in fiscal 1999, compared to 58.2% of sales in fiscal 1998. Cost of sales in the Company's JBI Footwear division was 59.4% of sales in fiscal 1999, compared to 58.5% of sales in fiscal 1998. The increase in such percentage was primarily attributable to the January, 1999 acquisition of Hills Stores Company ("Hills") by Ames Department Stores, Inc. ("Ames"), both of which are footwear department licensors of the Company, which resulted in a $3.6 million non-recurring charge to cost of sales for costs associated with the liquidation of the Company's inventory in the 155 Hills stores prior to their remodeling and reopening as Ames stores, coupled with higher markdowns as a percentage of sales, partially offset by a higher initial markup on merchandise purchases.
Selling, administrative and general expenses increased $288,000, or 0.1%, to $226.4 million in fiscal 1999 from $226.2 million in fiscal 1998. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in management information systems costs, coupled with the inclusion of a benefit realized from the curtailment of the Company's defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 1998, partially offset by the elimination of costs recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 associated with the Company's former SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses. As a percentage of sales, selling, administrative and general expenses were 38.8% of sales in fiscal 1999, compared to 38.2% of sales in fiscal 1998. Selling, administrative and general expenses in the Company's apparel operations were 39.7% of sales in fiscal 1999, compared to 39.4% of sales in fiscal 1998. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in management information systems costs, coupled with the inclusion of a benefit realized from the curtailment of the Company's defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 1998. Selling, administrative and general expenses in the Company's footwear operations were 37.6% of sales in fiscal 1999, compared to 36.9% of sales in fiscal 1998. Selling, administrative and general expenses in the Company's JBI Footwear division were 37.6% of sales in fiscal 1999, compared to 36.3% of sales in fiscal 1998, primarily due to an increase in store level expenses as a percentage of sales and an increase in management information systems costs, coupled with the inclusion of a benefit realized from the curtailment of the Company's defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 1998.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $665,000 to $15.8 million in fiscal 1999 from $15.1 million in fiscal 1998, primarily due to an increase in depreciable and amortizable assets.
During the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded litigation settlement charges of $3.4 million ($2.1 million on an after-tax basis), related to the settlement of two patent infringement lawsuits brought against the Company, reflecting costs of the settlement not previously accrued for. For additional information, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As a result of the above, the Company's operating income decreased to $17.7 million ($21.3 million excluding the $3.6 million non-recurring Hills related charge in cost of sales) in fiscal 1999 from $19.6 million ($23.1 million excluding the litigation settlement charges) in fiscal 1998. As a percentage of sales, operating income was 3.0% of sales (3.7% of sales excluding the non-recurring charge in cost of sales) in fiscal 1999, compared to 3.3% of sales (3.9% of sales excluding litigation settlement charges) in fiscal 1998.
Net interest expense increased by $1.1 million to $14.5 million in fiscal 1999 from $13.4 million in fiscal 1998, primarily due to higher interest rates on bank borrowings and higher average levels of bank borrowings in fiscal 1999 versus fiscal 1998.
Taxes on earnings for fiscal 1999 were $1.1 million, yielding an effective tax rate of 36.0%, as compared to taxes on earnings of $2.4 million in fiscal 1998, yielding an effective tax rate of 39.0%. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to adjustments recorded in fiscal 1999 to deferred taxes and the related valuation reserve.
Net earnings for fiscal 1999 were $2.0 million, compared to net earnings of $3.8 million in fiscal 1998.
Fiscal 1998 versus Fiscal 1997
The Company completed its Footwear Restructuring in order to focus its efforts on the management, development and growth of its Casual Male Big & Tall and Work 'n Gear apparel businesses. In connection with the Footwear Restructuring, in March, 1997 the Company completed the sales of its SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses. In addition, the Company reduced its investment in its JBI Footwear business. The Company decided to concentrate its efforts in the JBI Footwear division primarily on its five largest licensors while exploring future strategic options for this business and continuing to close licensed footwear departments, upon the termination of licenses, where the Company believed it appropriate to do so. In fiscal 1997, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $166.6 million ($117.1 million, or $8.42 basic loss per share, on an after-tax basis) related to the sales of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses, the write-down of certain assets related to the JBI Footwear division to estimated fair value, and severance and consolidation costs related to the downsizing of the Company's administrative areas and corporate facilities. Of the pre-tax charge, $122.3 million was included as a separate component of results of operations as "Restructuring and other non-recurring charges" in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the year ended February 1, 1997. The Company also recorded a charge to cost of sales of $37.3 million related to a reduction in the JBI Footwear division's inventory to estimated fair value. The remaining $7.0 million of the charge includes an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the JBI Footwear division's accounts receivable and losses incurred from actions taken in order to maximize the cash proceeds received for the assets sold in the SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses.
The Company's net sales decreased by $305.3 million to $592.2 million in fiscal 1998 from $897.5 million in fiscal 1997, primarily due to the disposition of the Company's SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses in March, 1997. Sales in the Company's apparel operations increased by $15.7 million to $309.5 million in fiscal 1998 from $293.8 in fiscal 1997, primarily due to an increase in the number of Casual Male Big & Tall stores in operation at the end of fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997 and a 0.7% increase in comparable apparel store sales. Excluding net sales in the Company's SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses of $17.7 million in fiscal 1998 and $300.7 million in fiscal 1997, sales in the Company's footwear operations decreased by $38.1 million to $264.9 million in fiscal 1998 from $303.0 million in fiscal 1997. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the number of licensed footwear departments in operation during fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997 and a 5.1% decrease in comparable retail footwear store sales.
The Company's cost of sales constituted 55.4% of sales in fiscal 1998, compared to 60.4% in fiscal 1997. Cost of sales in the Company's apparel operations was 52.8% of sales in fiscal 1998, compared to 52.1% of sales in fiscal 1997. The increase in such percentage was primarily attributable to higher markdowns as a percentage of sales and a lower initial markup on merchandise purchases. Cost of sales in the Company's footwear operations was 58.2% of sales in fiscal 1998, compared to 64.4% of sales in fiscal 1997 (which, exclusive of the $37.3 million write-down of the JBI Footwear division's inventory, was 58.3% of sales in fiscal 1997). Cost of sales in the Company's JBI Footwear division was 58.5% of sales in fiscal 1998, compared to 70.7% in fiscal 1997 (which, exclusive of the $37.3 million write-down of the JBI Footwear division's inventory, was 58.4% of sales in fiscal 1997).
Selling, administrative and general expenses decreased $121.8 million, or 35.0%, to $226.2 million in fiscal 1998 from $348.0 million in fiscal 1997, primarily due to the disposition of the Company's SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses in March, 1997 and the downsizing of the JBI Footwear division and the Company's administrative areas and corporate facilities, coupled with the benefit realized from the curtailment of the Company's defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 1998. As a percentage of sales, selling, administrative and general expenses were 38.2% of sales in fiscal 1998, compared to 38.8% of sales in fiscal 1997. Selling, administrative and general expenses in the Company's apparel operations were 39.4% of sales in fiscal 1998, which was comparable to 39.4% of sales in fiscal 1997. Selling, administrative and general expenses in the Company's footwear operations were 36.9% of sales in fiscal 1998, compared to 38.5% of sales in fiscal 1997. This decrease was primarily due to the increased proportion of JBI Footwear department sales to total footwear sales in fiscal 1998 versus fiscal 1997. The Company's JBI Footwear division has lower selling, administrative and general expenses as a percentage of sales than the aggregate selling, administrative and general expenses as a percentage of sales in the divested SCOA and Parade of Shoes divisions. Also included in selling, administrative and general expenses in fiscal 1998 is a non-recurring charge of $700,000 ($427,000, or $0.03 basic loss per share on an after-tax basis) recorded to write off costs associated with an abandoned high-yield debt offering.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $14.3 million to $15.1 million in fiscal 1998 from $29.4 million in fiscal 1997, primarily due to lower depreciable assets attributable to the write-off of certain fixed and intangible assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997 related to the overall restructuring of the Company's footwear businesses. This decrease was partially offset by depreciation recorded on fiscal 1998 capital expenditures.
During fiscal 1997, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $166.6 million related to the divestitures of its SCOA and Parade of Shoes divisions and the downsizing of its JBI Footwear division and the Company's administrative areas and corporate facilities. Of the pre-tax charge, $122.3 million was classified as restructuring and other non-recurring charges. Such charges included the losses on the sales of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes divisions, the write-off of assets and obligations related to the reduction of the Company's investment in its JBI Footwear division, severance and related costs, and lease obligations and write-offs of assets for excess corporate facilities. For additional information, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
During the third quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded litigation settlement charges of $3.4 million ($2.1 million on an after-tax basis) related to the settlement of two patent infringement lawsuits brought against the Company reflecting costs of the settlement not previously accrued for. For additional information, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As a result of the above, operating income increased to $19.6 million (operating income of $23.1 million excluding litigation settlement charges) in fiscal 1998 from an operating loss of $144.5 million (operating income of $22.1 million excluding the $166.6 million pre-tax charge) in fiscal 1997. As a percentage of sales, operating income was 3.3% of sales (operating income of 3.9% of sales excluding litigation settlement charges) in fiscal 1998, compared to an operating loss of 16.1% of sales (operating income of 2.5% of sales excluding the $166.6 million pre-tax charge) in fiscal 1997.
Net interest expense increased $586,000 to $13.4 million in fiscal 1998 from $12.8 million in fiscal 1997, primarily due to a change in the Company's method of financing foreign merchandise purchases with bank borrowings in fiscal 1998 versus the use of bankers' acceptances in fiscal 1997, partially offset by lower interest rates on bank borrowings and lower average levels of bank borrowings in fiscal 1998 versus fiscal 1997.
Taxes on earnings for fiscal 1998 were $2.4 million, yielding an effective tax rate of 39.0%, compared to an income tax benefit of $45.8 million in fiscal 1997, yielding an effective tax rate of 29.2%. The difference in the effective tax rate primarily reflects the impact of the additional valuation reserve applied against deferred tax accounts as of February 1, 1997. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of taxes on earnings.
Net earnings for fiscal 1998 were $3.8 million, compared to a net loss of $111.4 million in fiscal 1997.
Financial Condition
January 30, 1999 versus January 31, 1998
The decrease in accounts receivable at January 30, 1999 from January 31, 1998 was primarily due to the receipt of litigation settlement proceeds in April, 1998.
The increase in merchandise inventories at January 30, 1999 from January 31, 1998 was primarily due to an increase in in-transit inventory.
The decrease in net property, plant and equipment at January 30, 1999 from January 31, 1998 is the result of recording $13.6 million in depreciation expense during fiscal 1999, partially offset by capital expenditures of $9.9 million incurred by the Company in fiscal 1999, primarily for opening new stores and the renovation of existing units.
The decrease in other assets at January 30, 1999 was primarily due to receipt of funds held in escrow related to the sales of the Company's Parade of Shoes and SCOA footwear businesses.
The increase in accounts payable at January 30, 1999 from January 31, 1998 is primarily due to the increase in in-transit inventory. The ratio of accounts payable to merchandise inventory was 34.0% at January 30, 1999, compared to 32.7% at January 31, 1998.
The decrease in accrued expenses at January 30, 1999 from January 31, 1998 was primarily due to payments of costs related to the restructuring of the Company's footwear operations, including severance and employee benefits, lease obligations and other various restructuring costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's primary cash needs have historically been for operating expenses, working capital, interest payments, capital expenditures for ongoing operations and acquisitions. In fiscal 1999, the Company's primary source of capital to finance its cash needs was cash provided by operating activities.
The Company's pending Repp Acquisition is contingent upon securing additional financing for the purchase price and working capital needs for the operation of the approximately 159 United States Repp Ltd. Big & Tall retail locations and the Repp Ltd. by Mail catalog.
On May 30, 1997, the Company established two separate revolving credit facilities, both of which are guaranteed by J. Baker, Inc., to finance its apparel and footwear businesses. The apparel facility was a $100 million revolving credit facility with Fleet National Bank, BankBoston, N.A., The Chase Manhattan Bank, Imperial Bank, USTrust, Wainwright Bank & Trust Company and Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A. (the "Apparel Credit Facility"). The Apparel Credit Facility is secured by all the capital stock of The Casual Male, Inc. and four other subsidiaries of the Company. The aggregate commitment under the Apparel Credit Facility was reduced from $100 million to $90 million on December 31, 1997, by amendment was increased to $95 million on April 3, 1998, was reduced by $10.0 million on December 31, 1998 and will automatically reduce by $10.0 million on December 31, 1999. Borrowings under the Apparel Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates and can be in the form of loans, bankers' acceptances and letters of credit. This facility expires May 31, 2000.
To finance its JBI Footwear business, the Company obtained a $55 million revolving credit facility, secured by substantially all the assets of JBI, Inc. and Morse Shoe, Inc., with BankBoston Retail Finance Inc. (formerly known as GBFC, Inc.) and Fleet National Bank (the "Footwear Credit Facility"). The aggregate commitment under the Footwear Credit Facility was reduced by $5 million on June 30, 1997. Aggregate borrowings under the Footwear Credit Facility are limited to an amount determined by a formula based on various percentages of eligible inventory and accounts receivable. Borrowings under the Footwear Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates and can be in the form of loans or letters of credit. This facility expires May 31, 2001.
As of January 30, 1999, the Company had aggregate borrowings outstanding under its Apparel Credit Facility and its Footwear Credit Facility totaling $63.7 million and $31.2 million, respectively, consisting of loans and obligations under letters of credit.
Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 1999 was $19.3 million, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $23.4 million in fiscal 1998. The $42.8 million increase was primarily due to lower inventory expenditures and lower payments related to the restructuring of the Company's footwear operations in fiscal 1999 versus fiscal 1998, and a decreased in net accounts receivable in fiscal 1999 (primarily due to receipt of litigation settlement proceeds) versus an increase in net accounts receivable in fiscal 1998. Net cash used in operating activities for fiscal 1998 was $23.4 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $9.6 million in fiscal 1997. The $33.0 million decrease was primarily due to expenditures related to the Footwear Restructuring and the receipt of an $8.3 million federal income tax refund in the first six months of fiscal 1997.
Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 1999 was $7.8 million, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $51.9 million in fiscal 1998. The $59.7 million change was primarily due to receipt of $60.1 million in proceeds from the sales of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses in fiscal 1998 versus receipt of $2.9 million in sale proceeds in fiscal 1999. Net cash provided by investing activities for fiscal 1998 was $51.9 million, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $14.5 million in fiscal 1997. The $66.4 million increase was primarily due to the receipt of $60.1 million in proceeds from the sales of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses in fiscal 1998.
Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal 1999 was $11.8 million, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $28.5 million in fiscal 1998. The $16.7 million change was primarily due to net repayment of $11.6 million of indebtedness during fiscal 1999 versus net repayment of $27.8 million of indebtedness during fiscal 1998. Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal 1998 was $28.5 million, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $5.6 million in fiscal 1997. The $34.1 million decrease was primarily due to a net repayment of indebtedness of $27.8 million in fiscal 1998, compared to repayment of indebtedness of $8.7 million in fiscal 1997 and the receipt of $14.9 million in net proceeds from the Mortgage Loan, referred to below, in fiscal 1997.
The Company invested $9.9 million, $8.8 million and $16.4 million in capital expenditures during fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997, respectively. The Company's capital expenditures generally relate to new store and licensed footwear department openings and remodeling of existing stores and departments, coupled with expenditures for general corporate purposes.
On December 30, 1996, JBAK Canton Realty, Inc. ("JBAK Realty"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of JBAK Holding, Inc. ("JBAK Holding") and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of J. Baker, Inc., obtained a $15.5 million mortgage loan from The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Mortgage Loan") secured by the real estate, buildings and other improvements owned by JBAK Realty at 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts (the "Canton Property"). JBAK Realty leases the Canton Property to JBI, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of J. Baker, Inc. The Canton Property is used as the Company's corporate headquarters. Proceeds of the Mortgage Loan were used to pay down loans under the Company's revolving credit facility.
In June, 1992 the Company issued $70 million of 7% convertible subordinated notes due 2002. The notes are convertible at a conversion price of $16.125 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
The Company expects to open approximately 15 Casual Male Big & Tall stores and 5 JBI Footwear departments and to close approximately 10 Casual Male Big & Tall stores, 2 Work `n Gear stores and 12 JBI Footwear departments in fiscal 2000. These numbers do not reflect the closing and reopening of the approximately 150 Hills /Ames stores during fiscal 2000 nor do they reflect any additional units which may be opened in the Repp Acquisition.
The Company believes amounts available under its revolving credit facilities, along with other potential sources of funds and cash flows from operations, will be sufficient to meet its operating and capital requirements for its existing businesses for the foreseeable future. From time to time, the Company evaluates potential acquisition candidates, including the pending Repp Acquisition, in pursuit of strategic initiatives and growth goals in its niche apparel markets. Financing of potential acquisitions will be determined based on the financial condition of the Company at the time of such acquisitions and may include borrowings under current or new commercial credit facilities or the issuance of publicly issued or privately placed debt or equity securities.
Year 2000 Compliance
The statements in this section include "Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure" within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act.
The Company is faced with "Year 2000" remediation issues. Many computer programs were written with a two-digit date field, which, if not made Year 2000 compliant, will be unable to correctly process date information on or after January 1, 2000.
The Company's State of Readiness The Company established a Year 2000 committee comprised of senior management of the Company and also engaged an independent consulting firm to assist in remediation of the Company's Year 2000 issues. The Company evaluated its internal computer systems and while the data processing systems were found to be impacted to some extent, Year 2000 issues were found to be most significant in connection with various mainframe computer programs. In fiscal 1997, the Company developed a plan to address Year 2000 issues as they related to the mainframe computer programs and began the process to convert such computer programs to be Year 2000 compliant. During fiscal 1999, the Company completed the conversion of its three primary mainframe computer programs to be Year 2000 compliant.
During fiscal 1999, the Company undertook an inventory of its non-information technology systems. Such inventory is substantially complete and, where appropriate, the Company has made contingency plans in order to minimize any adverse effect Year 2000 issues may have on such non-information technology systems.
During fiscal 1999, the Company communicated with and completed a compilation of detailed information regarding its key business partners and major suppliers to determine to what extent the Company may be vulnerable to third party Year 2000 issues. Although the Company does not currently anticipate it will experience any material business interruptions or shipment delays from its key business partners and major suppliers due to Year 2000 issues, at this time, the Company is unable to estimate the nature or extent of any potential adverse impact resulting from the failure of its key business partners and major suppliers to achieve Year 2000 compliance.
The Company is not dependent on a single source for any products or services. In the event a third party is unable to provide material products or services to the Company due to a Year 2000 computer systems failure, the Company believes it has adequate alternate sources for such products or services. If alternate sources are used, there can be no guarantee that similar or identical products or services would be available on the same terms and conditions or that the Company would not experience some adverse effect as a result of switching to such alternate sources.
Costs to Address the Year 2000 The Company's total Year 2000 expenditures are estimated to be approximately $4.0 million, of which approximately $2.0 million are for incremental costs, and are being funded through operating cash flows. Certain other non-Year 2000 computer system projects were deferred in order to ensure completion of the Company's Year 2000 compliance efforts. Although management believes deferring such projects has not had a material adverse effect on the Company's operations, it expects these projects, when implemented, will positively impact future results. The Company is expensing all costs associated with Year 2000 computer system changes as the costs are incurred. To date, the Company has expended approximately $3.5 million on Year 2000 projects.
Risk Analysis Similar to most large business enterprises, the Company is dependent upon its own internal computer technology and relies upon timely performance by its key business partners and major suppliers. Although the full consequences are not known, the failure of either the Company's systems or those of material third parties to conform to the Year 2000, as noted above, could impair the Company's ability to deliver product to its stores in a timely fashion, which could result in potential lost sales opportunities and additional expenses. The Company's Year 2000 project seeks to identify and minimize this risk and includes testing of internally generated systems and purchased hardware and software to ensure, to the extent feasible, all such systems will function before and after the year 2000.
Contingency Plans The Company has developed contingency plans, which will attempt to minimize disruption to the Company's operations in the event of Year 2000 computer systems failures. While no assurances can be given, because of the Company's extensive efforts to formulate and carry out an effective Year 2000 program, the Company believes its program will be completed on a timely basis and should effectively minimize disruption to the Company's operations due to Year 2000 issues.
Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results
The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Form 10-K or made by management of the Company involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors. Company management may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in other documents it files with the SEC, in its annual report to stockholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by officers, directors or employees of the Company. You should not rely on forward-looking statements, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. The following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company's financial performance and actual results, and could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company for fiscal 2000 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements: changes in consumer spending patterns, consumer preferences and overall economic conditions, availability of credit, interest rates, the impact of competition and pricing, the weather, the financial condition of the retailers in whose stores the Company operates licensed footwear departments, changes in existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas, availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms, ability to hire and train associates and costs, timing and effectiveness of Year 2000 conversion. You should carefully review and consider all of these factors and should be aware there may be other factors that could cause these differences. These forward-looking statements were based on information, plans and estimates at the date of this report, and the Company does not promise to update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes.
Item 7(a). QUANTITATive and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
None.
Item 8.
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
All schedules have been omitted as they are inapplicable or not required, or the information has been included in the consolidated financial statements or in the notes thereto.
Independent Auditors' Report ----------------------------
The Board of Directors and Stockholders J. Baker, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of J. Baker, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 30, 1999. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Company's management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of J. Baker, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998, and their results of operations and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 30, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Boston, Massachusetts March 17, 1999
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Earnings For the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity For the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997
(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies ------------------------------------------
Nature of Operations J. Baker, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is engaged in the retail sale of apparel and footwear. As of January 30, 1999, the Company's Casual Male Big & Tall, Work 'n Gear and JBI Footwear businesses operated a total of 1,395 locations in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The Company operates the 453 store chain of Casual Male Big & Tall stores, which sell fashion, casual and dress clothing and footwear to the big and tall man; the Work 'n Gear chain, consisting of 65 work clothing stores, which sell a wide selection of workwear as well as healthcare apparel and uniforms for industry and service businesses, and 2 RX Uniforms stores, which exclusively sell healthcare apparel; and 875 self-service licensed footwear departments in discount department stores. See Note 9 for information regarding the Company's restructuring of its footwear operations and the related divestitures of the Company's Shoe Corporation of America ("SCOA") and Parade of Shoes divisions.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires Company management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Fiscal Year The Company follows a 52 to 53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest January 31.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. Fair value of the Company's long-term instruments is estimated based on market values for similar instruments. At January 30, 1999, the difference between the carrying value of long-term instruments and their estimated fair value is not material.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less and are stated at cost, which approximates market.
Merchandise Inventories Merchandise inventories, which consist entirely of finished goods, are valued at the lower of cost or market, principally by the retail inventory method.
Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Plant and Equipment and Other Assets Depreciation and amortization of the Company's property, plant and equipment and other assets are provided on the straight-line method over the following periods:
Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals or replacements are capitalized. When properties are retired or otherwise disposed of, the asset and related reserve account are relieved and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is credited or charged to earnings.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of On February 4, 1996, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 ("SFAS No. 121"), "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of". SFAS No. 121 requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Adoption of SFAS No. 121 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share In February, 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("EPS"), which the Company adopted in fiscal 1998. Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares, after giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.
The calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share includes the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and warrants for fiscal 1999. Stock options and warrants are excluded from the calculation for fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 because their effect would be antidilutive. The common stock issuable under the 7% convertible subordinated notes due 2002 and the convertible debentures was not included in the calculation for fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 because its effect would be antidilutive. All net earnings (loss) per common share amounts for all periods presented have been restated to conform to SFAS No. 128 requirements.
Net earnings (loss) and shares used to compute net earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted, are reconciled below:
Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue in its retail stores and licensed footwear departments at the time of sale.
Store Opening and Closing Costs Store opening costs are expensed as incurred. All costs related to store closings are expensed at the time the decision is reached to close the store.
Stock Options Prior to February 4, 1996, the Company accounted for stock options in accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and related interpretations. As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. On February 4, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", which permits entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period the fair value on the date of grant of all stock-based awards. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also allows entities to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net income and pro forma earnings per share disclosures for employee stock option grants made in fiscal 1996 and future years as if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied. The Company elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Income Taxes Deferred taxes are provided for using the asset and liability method for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting.
Effect of Accounting Changes In fiscal 1999, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" and SFAS No. 132, "Employers Disclosures About Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits". Current financial statements are presented in accordance with these SFAS.
Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements of prior years to conform to the 1999 presentation.
(2) Accounts Receivable -------------------
Trade accounts receivable are comprised principally of amounts due from licensors of the Company's JBI Footwear division. The Company performs regular credit evaluations of its licensors and generally does not require collateral from its licensors.
The following is a summary of the activity affecting the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997.
(3) Debt ---- Long-Term Debt Long-term debt at January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998 was comprised of:
On May 30, 1997, the Company established two separate revolving credit facilities, both of which are guaranteed by J. Baker, Inc., to finance its apparel and footwear businesses The apparel facility was a $100 million revolving credit facility with Fleet National Bank, BankBoston, N.A., The Chase Manhattan Bank, Imperial Bank, USTrust, Wainwright Bank & Trust Company and Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A. (the "Apparel Credit Facility"). The Apparel Credit Facility is secured by all the capital stock of The Casual Male, Inc. and four other subsidiaries of the Company. The aggregate commitment under the Apparel Credit Facility was reduced from $100 million to $90 million on December 31, 1997, by amendment was increased to $95 million on April 3, 1998, was reduced by $10 million on December 31, 1998 and will automatically reduce by $10.0 million on December 31, 1999. Borrowings under the Apparel Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates and can be in the form of loans, bankers' acceptances and letters of credit. This facility expires May 31, 2000.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
To finance its JBI Footwear business, the Company obtained a $55 million revolving credit facility, secured by substantially all the assets of JBI, Inc. and Morse Shoe, Inc., with BankBoston Retail Finance Inc. (formerly known as GBFC, Inc.) and Fleet National Bank (the "Footwear Credit Facility"). The aggregate commitment under the Footwear Credit Facility was reduced by $5 million on June 30, 1997. Aggregate borrowings under the Footwear Credit Facility are limited to an amount determined by a formula based on various percentages of eligible inventory and accounts receivable. Borrowings under the Footwear Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates and can be in the form of loans or letters of credit. This facility expires May 31, 2001.
As of January 30, 1999, the Company had aggregate borrowings outstanding under its Apparel Credit Facility and its Footwear Credit Facility totaling $63.7 million and $31.2 million, respectively, consisting of loans and obligations under letters of credit.
On December 30, 1996, JBAK Canton Realty, Inc. ("JBAK Realty"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of JBAK Holding, Inc. ("JBAK Holding") and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, obtained a $15.5 million mortgage loan from The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Mortgage Loan") secured by the real estate, buildings and other improvements located at 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts (the "Canton Property") owned by JBAK Realty. JBAK Realty leases the Canton Property to JBI, Inc. ("JBI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Canton Property is used as the Company's corporate headquarters. Neither JBAK Holding nor JBAK Realty have agreed to pay or make their assets available to pay creditors of the Company or of JBI. Neither the Company nor JBI have agreed to make their assets available to pay creditors of JBAK Holding or of JBAK Realty. Proceeds of the Mortgage Loan were used to pay down loans under the Company's revolving credit facility. This loan is being repaid in equal monthly payments of principal and interest over 15 years.
Senior Subordinated Debt In June 1989, the Company issued $35 million of senior subordinated notes with detachable warrants, which enable the holders to purchase 600,000 shares of the Company's common stock at a price of $20 per share, subject to adjustments, and which expire in May, 1999. At January 30, 1999, the detachable warrants enable holders to purchase approximately 640,000 shares at $18.80 per share. Subject to certain conditions, the Company may repurchase all, but not less than all, of the outstanding warrants at a price equal to the product of (a) the aggregate number, as of such time, of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant by (b) $18.80 and multiplying the product thereof by 50%. The senior subordinated notes of $1,498,023 at January 30, 1999 ($2,990,111 at January 31, 1998) are presented net of $1,977 ($9,889 at January 31,1998), which reflects the unaccreted portion of the $1,710,000 value originally assigned to the detachable warrants. The value of the warrants was recorded as additional paid-in capital and is being accreted using the effective-interest method.
The senior subordinated debt was reduced by $27.5 million in June, 1992 with proceeds from the $70 million 7% convertible subordinated notes referred to below. The senior subordinated notes are due in installments of $1.5 million per year beginning in May, 1995 with a final payment in May, 1999. Interest, currently at 13.21%, is payable quarterly.
Convertible Subordinated Debt Convertible subordinated debt at January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998 was comprised of:
In June 1992, the Company issued $70 million of 7% convertible subordinated notes due 2002. The notes are convertible into common stock at a conversion price of $16.125 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
The convertible debentures began accruing interest on January 15, 1997 at a rate of 8% and no principal will be payable until January 15, 2002. The debt is subject, under certain circumstances, to mandatory conversion. Approximately 6,500 shares of J. Baker common stock are reserved for any future conversions of the convertible debentures.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company's revolving credit facilities and senior subordinated notes contain various covenants and restrictive provisions, including restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, the payment of dividends and the maintenance of specified financial ratios, minimum levels of working capital and other financial criteria. As of January 30, 1999, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants except for certain of its Footwear Credit Facility covenants, for which compliance was waived.
The Company is restricted, under various debt agreements, from paying cash dividends unless tangible net worth exceeds certain required levels. As defined by the most restrictive of those agreements, minimum tangible net worth, as so defined, was $67.1 million at January 30, 1999. At January 30, 1999, the Company's tangible net worth, as so defined, was approximately $76.1 million.
Scheduled principal repayments of long-term debt, senior subordinated notes and convertible subordinated debt for the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:
(4) Taxes on Earnings -----------------
Income tax expense (benefit) attributable to income (loss) from operations consists of:
The following is a reconciliation between the statutory federal income tax rate and the Company's effective rate for the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997:
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998 are presented below:
At January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998, net deferred tax asset consisted of the following:
At January 30, 1999, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLS") and general business credit carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $195.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively, which expire in years ended January, 2002 through January, 2013. SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", requires the tax benefit of such NOLS be recorded as an asset to the extent the Company assesses the utilization of such NOLS to be "more likely than not". The NOLS available for future utilization were generated principally by restructuring and other non-recurring charges, which are not expected to continue. The Company has determined, based upon the history of prior operating earnings in its ongoing businesses and its expectations for the future, that its operating income will more likely than not be sufficient to fully utilize the $195.0 million of NOLS prior to their expiration in the year 2013.
The Company has minimum tax credit carryforwards of approximately $4.0 million available to reduce future regular federal income taxes, if any, over an indefinite period.
(5) Pension and Profit Sharing Plans --------------------------------
The Company has a noncontributory pension plan (the "Pension Plan"), which covers substantially all non-union employees and is administered by Trustees who are officers of the Company. In March 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the Pension Plan, which resulted in the freezing of all future benefits under the plan as of May 3, 1997. As a result, the Company recognized a gain of $3.7 million, which had an after-tax effect of $2.2 million, in fiscal 1998. The curtailment gain is included in selling, administrative and general expenses for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table sets forth the Pension Plan's funded status at January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998:
In December 1993, the Board of Directors of the Company established a Supplemental Retirement plan (the "Supplemental Plan") to provide benefits attributable to compensation in excess of $160,000 but less than $267,326. In December, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the Supplemental Plan, which resulted in the freezing of all future benefits under the Plan as of December 31, 1998. As a result, the Company recognized a gain of $250,000. The curtailment gain is included in selling, administrative and general expenses for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999. The following table sets forth the Supplemental Plan's funded status at January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998:
Assumptions used to develop the Plans' funded status were discount rate (7.0%) and increase in compensation levels (4.5%).
Plan assets of the Pension Plan consist primarily of common stock, U.S. government obligations, mutual funds and insurance contracts.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Net pension cost (benefit) for the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997 includes the following components:
Assumptions used to develop the net periodic pension cost for fiscal 1999 were discount rate (7.0%), expected long-term return on assets (9.0%) and increase in compensation levels (4.5%).
In January, 1992, the Company implemented a qualified 401(k) profit sharing plan available to eligible full-time employees. Under the 401(k) plan, the Company matches 50% (25% for the year ended February 1, 1997) of the qualified employee's contribution up to 6% of the employee's salary (3% for the year ended February 1, 1997). The total cost of the matching contribution was $867,000, $897,000 and $379,000 for the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997, respectively.
The Company has established incentive bonus plans for certain executives and employees. The bonus calculations are generally based on achievement of certain profit levels, as defined in the plans. For the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997, $180,000, $70,000 and $145,500, respectively, was provided under the bonus plans.
The Company does not provide post-retirement benefits, other than pensions as defined under SFAS No. 106.
(6) Stock Options, Performance Share Awards and Restricted Stock Awards -------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company has options outstanding under the Amended and Restated 1985 Stock Option Plan, the 1992 Directors' Stock Option Plan and the 1994 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Stock Option Plans"). In addition, the Company has granted options which are not part of any Stock Option Plan.
The Amended and Restated 1985 Stock Option Plan provided for the issuance of incentive and non-qualified stock options to officers and employees at an option price of not less than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. Under this plan, no shares of common stock are available for grant at January 30, 1999, as no options could be granted thereunder after June, 1995.
In fiscal 1995, the Company established the 1994 Equity Incentive Plan, which provides for the issuance of one million shares of common stock to officers and employees in the form of stock options (both incentive options and non-qualified options), grants of restricted stock, grants of performance shares and unrestricted grants of stock. Under this plan, at January 30, 1999, there are 130,550 shares of common stock available for grants of performance shares and 588,094 shares of common stock available for all other types of grants.
Options granted under the Amended and Restated 1985 Stock Option Plan and the 1994 Equity Incentive Plan become exercisable either ratably over four or more years or upon grant, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and expire ten years from date of grant.
The 1992 Directors' Stock Option Plan provides for the automatic grant of 2,500 shares of the Company's common stock upon a director's initial election to the Board of Directors and at the close of business on the fifth business day following the Company's annual meeting of stockholders. Options under the Directors' Plan are granted at a price equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 1992 Directors' Plan are exercisable in full upon grant and expire ten years from date of grant. Under this plan, at January 30, 1999, there are 77,500 shares of common stock available for grants.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company applied APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock options. Accordingly, $275,112 of compensation cost has been recognized for stock options in the Company's results of operations for fiscal 1999. Had the Company recorded a charge for the fair value of options granted consistent with SFAS No. 123, net earnings and net earnings per common share would have decreased by $1,786,500 and $0.13 in fiscal 1999 and $1,458,000 and $0.10 in fiscal 1998, respectively, and net loss and net loss per common share would have increased by $940,000 and $0.07 in fiscal 1997.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes options pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in fiscal 1999, 1998,and 1997:
The effect of applying SFAS No. 123 is not representative of the pro forma effect on net earnings in future years because it does not take into consideration pro forma compensation expense related to grants made prior to fiscal 1996.
Data with respect to stock options for fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997 is as follows:
Effective as of February 5, 1996, the Board of Directors offered all employee participants in the Stock Option Plans the opportunity to reprice to $9.00 per share any then outstanding stock options with an exercise price in excess of $9.00 per share. On February 5, 1996, the fair market value of the Company's common stock was $5.25 per share. Pursuant to the repricing program, employees electing to reprice outstanding stock options were required to accept a reduced number of option shares commensurate with the reduction to $9.00 from the original grant price. Each repriced option retained the vesting schedule associated with the original grant. Holders of original option grants totaling 650,876 shares elected to reprice such options to $9.00, resulting in a reduction of such options held to 345,148 shares, which is contained in the number of options granted in fiscal 1997.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table sets forth a summary of the stock options outstanding at January 30, 1999:
During fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1998, the Company granted Performance Share Awards, which entitled certain officers to shares of the Company's common stock in fiscal 1999 if the price of the common stock attained a "Target Price" (the average closing price of the Company's common stock for certain defined periods) between $10.00 and $15.00. In fiscal 1999, the Company granted 21,750 shares of the Company's common stock to eligible officers.
During fiscal 1999, the Company granted certain officers stock price performance based restricted stock awards, pursuant to which the officers purchased, in the aggregate, 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at a purchase price of $10.18 per share. Each of such officers executed a promissory note with the Company as consideration for the aggregate purchase price. Each note will be ratably forgiven over five years provided each of such officers remain employed by the Company during such time. In the event certain stock price appreciation criteria are not met during the performance period, the Company has the right to repurchase a portion of the shares, up to a maximum of 80% of each officer's shares, as defined in each agreement.
(7) Commitments and Contingent Liabilities --------------------------------------
Leases The Company leases its retail stores, computers, vehicles and certain of its offices and warehouse facilities. The Company also operates from leased premises under license agreements generally requiring payment of annual rentals contingent upon sales.
The Company remains liable under certain leases and lease guaranties for premises previously leased by the Company for the operation of Parade of Shoes and Fayva footwear stores (the "Excess Property Leases"). The total liability under the Excess Property Leases is approximately $32.0 million as of January 30, 1999. The Company has reduced its actual liability by assigning or subleasing substantially all of the Excess Property Leases to unaffiliated third parties.
At January 30, 1999, minimum rental commitments under operating leases are as follows:
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Rent expense for the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997 was as follows:
Other Commitments and Contingencies The Company has employment agreements with certain of its officers under which it is committed to pay an aggregate of approximately $3.0 million through September, 2000.
During fiscal 1996, the Company's Board of Directors adopted executive severance agreements, which create certain liabilities in the event of termination of the covered executives within three years following either a change of control of the Company or termination of certain key executives of the Company. The aggregate commitment amount under these executive severance agreements, should all 9 covered employees be terminated, is approximately $1.6 million.
At January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998, the Company was contingently liable under letters of credit totaling $4.4 million and $8.8 million, respectively. These letters of credit, which have terms ranging from one month to one year, are used primarily to collateralize obligations to third parties for the purchase of the Company's inventory. The fair value of these letters of credit is estimated to be the same as the contract values based on the nature of fee arrangements with the issuing banks. No material loss is anticipated due to non-performance by counterparties to these arrangements.
(8) Stockholders' Equity --------------------
The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized by vote or votes, from time to time adopted, to provide for the issuance of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix and state the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof.
On December 15, 1994, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") designed to enhance the Company's ability to protect shareholder interests and to ensure shareholders receive fair treatment in the event any future coercive takeover attempt of the Company is made. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, the Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right (the "Right") for each outstanding share of the Company's common stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 6, 1995. Each right entitles the holder to purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one ten thousandth (1/10,000) of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, at a cash exercise price of $70 per unit, subject to adjustment, upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Rights Agreement. These events include the earliest to occur of: (i) the acquisition of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock by any person or group; (ii) the commencement of a tender or exchange offer that would result upon its consummation in a person or a group becoming the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock; or (iii) the determination by the Board of Directors that any person is an "Adverse Person", as defined in the Rights Agreement. The Rights are not exercisable until or following the occurrence of one of the above events and will expire on December 14, 2004 unless previously redeemed or exchanged by the Company, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(9) Restructuring and Other Non-Recurring Charges ---------------------------------------------
In the year ended January 30, 1999, the Company recorded a non-recurring charge of $3.6 million ($2.3 million, or $0.17 per share on an after-tax basis), related to the January, 1999 acquisition of Hills Stores Company ("Hills") by Ames Department Stores, Inc. ("Ames"), both of which are footwear department licensors of the Company. This charge, which is included in cost of sales, reflects the estimated costs associated with the liquidation of the Company's inventory in all 155 Hills stores prior to their remodeling and reopening as Ames stores. The Company will continue to operate the footwear departments in the former Hills stores upon their reopening.
During fiscal years 1998 and 1997, the Company restructured its footwear operations (the "Footwear Restructuring") in order to focus its efforts on the management, development and growth of its Casual Male Big & Tall and Work 'n Gear apparel businesses. In connection with the Footwear Restructuring, in March, 1997 the Company completed the sales of its SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses. In addition, the Company reduced its investment in its JBI Footwear (then known as Licensed Discount) division. In fiscal 1997, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $166.6 million ($117.1 million, or $8.42 basic loss per share, on an after-tax basis) related to the sales of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses, the write-down to estimated fair value of certain assets related to the JBI Footwear division, and severance and consolidation costs related to the downsizing of the Company's administrative areas and corporate facilities. Of the pre-tax charge, $122.3 million was included as a separate component of results of operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the year ended February 1, 1997. The Company also recorded a charge to cost of sales of $37.3 million related to the reduction to estimated fair value of the JBI Footwear division's inventory. The remaining $7.0 million of the charge included an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the JBI Footwear division's accounts receivable and losses incurred from actions taken in order to maximize cash proceeds received for the assets sold in the SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses.
Asset write-offs included in the restructuring and other non-recurring charges totaled $99.6 million, while the balance of the charge required cash outlays, primarily in fiscal 1998. Restructuring and other non-recurring charges included $63.7 million for the loss on the sales of the SCOA and Parade of Shoes businesses, $36.8 million for asset write-offs related to the reduction of the Company's investment in its JBI Footwear division, $9.3 million for severance and employee benefit costs, $9.7 million for lease obligations and asset write-offs for excess corporate facilities, and $2.8 million for other costs and expenses.
In addition, in the year ended February 3, 1996, the Company liquidated its Fayva footwear business and recorded restructuring charges related to employee severance and other benefits, fixed asset write-offs, losses on the disposal of inventory, and costs related to the disposition of the Fayva store leases.
A summary of the restructuring activity is presented below:
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Sale of Shoe Corporation of America Division On March 5, 1997, the Company sold its SCOA division to an entity formed by CHB Capital Partners of Denver, Colorado, along with Dennis B. Tishkoff, President of SCOA, and certain members of SCOA management. The transaction involved the transfer to the buyer of the division's inventory, fixed assets, intellectual property and license agreements for the various department and specialty store chains serviced by SCOA, as well as the assumption by the buyer of certain liabilities of the SCOA division. In connection with the sale of SCOA, the Company paid a total of $3.0 million to former SCOA stockholders in order to satisfy a contractual contingent payment obligation, based on earnings, owed to such former SCOA stockholders. Net cash proceeds received from the sale, reduced by the amount of the contingent payment, a $1.4 million one-year escrow account balance and transaction expenses of $1.3 million, totaled approximately $40.0 million. The Company also remained as guarantor on certain of SCOA's license agreements for a period of up to one year.
Sale of Parade of Shoes Division On March 10, 1997, the Company sold its Parade of Shoes division to Payless ShoeSource, Inc. ("Payless"). The transaction involved the transfer to Payless of the division's inventory, fixed assets, intellectual property and leases on the 186 then remaining Parade of Shoes stores. Net cash proceeds from the transaction, reduced by a $2.7 million two-year escrow account balance and the retained accounts payable of the division, were approximately $20.0 million. The Company remains contingently liable under certain of the Parade of Shoes store leases assigned to Payless. By March, 1999, the Company had received $2.4 million in escrow proceeds, with the balance remaining in escrow until resolution of a dispute between the Company and Payless.
Revaluation and Downsizing of JBI Footwear Division As part of the Footwear Restructuring in fiscal 1997, the Company made a determination to reduce its investment in its JBI Footwear business. As a result, the Company undertook an evaluation of the value of the assets in the JBI Footwear business, wrote off certain assets which did not benefit future operations and wrote down certain other assets, including deferred lease acquisition costs, systems development costs and excess of costs over net assets acquired, to estimated fair value. Included in the restructuring and other non-recurring charges for the year ended February 1, 1997, are write-offs of intangible assets of $33.9 million, which the Company deemed to have no future value, and accrued costs of $2.8 million relating to repositioning and downsizing the JBI Footwear business. In addition, the Company recorded a charge of $37.3 million to cost of sales, representing the write-down of the JBI Footwear division's inventory to estimated fair value, and a charge of $2.2 million to selling, administrative and general expenses, representing an increase to the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts related to amounts expected to be realized from the settlement of Chapter 11 claims with various licensors. The Company currently intends to continue to concentrate the JBI Footwear division's efforts on its major licensors, while exploring future strategic options for this business.
Settlement of Litigation On September 17, 1997, the Company settled a patent infringement lawsuit brought against it and its Morse Shoe, Inc. subsidiary by Susan Maxwell. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, both cases were dismissed with prejudice with no admissions of liability and the parties executed a mutual release of all claims. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company agreed to make payments to Ms. Maxwell of $4,137,000, in the aggregate, over a three-year period. In connection with the settlement, the Company recorded a one-time charge to earnings of $3.4 million ($2.1 million on an after-tax basis) during the third quarter of fiscal 1998 reflecting costs of the settlement not previously accrued for.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(10) Bankruptcy Filings of Licensors -------------------------------
On June 23, 1995, Bradlees Stores, Inc. ("Bradlees"), a licensor of the Company, filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, the Company had outstanding accounts receivable of approximately $1.8 million due from Bradlees. On April 13, 1998, Bradlees filed its Joint Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement (the "Plan") with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, which, as amended, was confirmed on November 18, 1998. The Plan became effective on February 2, 1999 (the "Effective Date"), the Company's license agreement with Bradlees was amended and assumed and the reorganized Bradlees emerged from bankruptcy. Pursuant to the amended agreement, ten days after the Effective Date Bradlees made a cash distribution to the Company in the amount of $360,000 and shall pay the unpaid balance of the Company's pre-petition claim in thirty-six equal monthly installments commencing on March 1, 1999, with interest on such outstanding balance commencing with the seventh monthly payment. As provided in the amended licensed agreement, upon the occurrence of certain events, the entire unpaid balance of the Company's claim shall be paid within 30 days after such occurrence, without penalty or interest. The Company's sales in the Bradlees chain for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999 were $43.9 million.
On October 18, 1995, Jamesway Corporation ("Jamesway"), then a licensor of the Company, filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Subsequently, Jamesway ceased operation of its business in all of its 90 stores. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, the Company had outstanding accounts receivable of approximately $1.4 million due from Jamesway. Because Jamesway ceased operation of its business, the Company filed a claim for damages, as its contract with Jamesway was rejected. The Company negotiated a settlement of the amount of its claim with Jamesway, which was approved by the Bankruptcy Court. The Jamesway plan of liquidation was confirmed on June 6, 1997 and during the second quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company received a partial distribution of the amount owed to it under the settlement. In August, 1997, the Company assigned its rights to any further distributions from Jamesway to a third party and received, in consideration therefor, an additional percentage of the amount owed to the Company under the settlement of its claim with Jamesway.
On April 26, 1990, Ames Department Stores, Inc., and related entities ("Ames"), a significant licensor of the Company (see Note 11), filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Pursuant to Ames' Plan of Reorganization, the Company settled its $13.7 million pre-petition claim with Ames and in return, received $5.0 million in cash and a promissory note issued by Ames in the amount of $8.7 million bearing interest at the rate of 6.0% per annum and having a final maturity on December 1, 1997. During fiscal 1998, the Company received payments totaling $2.9 million from Ames representing the outstanding balance of the Ames promissory note and discharged a mortgage lien and security interest in Ames' real property and buildings located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
(11) Principal Licensor ------------------
Sales in licensed footwear departments operated under the Ames license agreement accounted for 16.3%, 15.4% and 10.5% of the Company's net sales in the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997, respectively. On a pro forma basis, sales in Ames and Hills combined (see Note 9) accounted for 25.3% of the Company's net sales in the year ended January 30, 1999.
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(12) Segment Information ------------------- The Company is a specialty retailer conducting business through retail stores in two business segments: apparel and footwear. The Company's chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, evaluates the performance of the Company's segments based on operating profit and cash flow. Operating profit includes all revenues and direct expenses attributable to the segment, and excludes certain expenses that are managed outside the segment, primarily general corporate expenses. General corporate expenses are comprised primarily of administrative functions such as management, finance, information systems and human resources. Corporate assets include the Company's headquarters facility, distribution center and management information systems. Information about operations for each business segment is summarized as follows:
J. BAKER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(13) Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) ---------------------------------------------
(14) Advertising Costs -----------------
Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company incurred advertising costs of $10.8 million, $11.7 million and $14.8 million in the years ended January 30, 1999, January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997, respectively.
(15) Supplemental Schedules to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ---------------------------------------------------------------
Item 9.
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III --------
Item 10.
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information appearing in the Proxy Statement under the captions "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS", "Information About Board of Directors and Committees", "Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on Executive Compensation", "Executive Compensation" and "Employment and Severance Arrangements" is incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 11.
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation", "Employment and Severance Arrangements", "Information About Board of Directors and Committees" and "Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on Executive Compensation" is incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 12.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" and SECTION 16(a) "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE" is incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 13.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information appearing in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" is incorporated herein by this reference.
PART IV -------
Item 14.
Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Financial Statements. The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1,2. The financial statements, notes thereto, and independent auditors' report listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8.
3. Exhibits. The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index. Exhibits 10.16 through 10.43 constitute all the management contracts and compensation plans and arrangements of the Company required to be filed as exhibits to this Annual Report.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K. None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
J. Baker, Inc. -------------- (Registrant)
By/s/Sherman N. Baker By/s/Alan I. Weinstein - --------------------- ---------------------- Sherman N. Baker Alan I. Weinstein Chairman of the Board President and Chief Executive Officer
By/s/Philip G. Rosenberg - ------------------------ Philip G. Rosenberg Executive Vice President and Principal Financial Officer
April 26, 1999
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
/s/Sherman N. Baker /s/J. Christopher Clifford - ------------------- -------------------------- Sherman N. Baker, Director J. Christopher Clifford, Director
/s/Douglas Kahn /s/Harold Leppo - --------------- --------------- Douglas Kahn, Director Harold Leppo, Director
/s/David Pulver /s/Theodore M. Ronick - --------------- --------------------- David Pulver, Director Director
/s/Melvin M. Rosenblatt /s/Nancy Ryan - ----------------------- ------------- Melvin M. Rosenblatt, Director Nancy Ryan, Director
/s/Alan I. Weinstein Alan I. Weinstein, Director - ---------------------------
All as of April 26, 1999
EXHIBITS
Filed with
Annual Report on Form 10-K
of
J. BAKER, INC.
555 Turnpike Street Canton, MA 02021
For the Year Ended January 30, 1999
EXHIBIT INDEX -------------
* Incorporated herein by reference ** Included herein