Item 1. Business
General
Founded in 1960, MTS, Incorporated ("Tower" or "Company") is one of the largest specialty retailers of recorded music headquartered in the United States in terms of revenues and is one of the largest and most widely-recognized music retailers in the world. As of July 31, 2000, the Company operated a total of 187 stores worldwide, consisting of 115 U.S. stores in 21 states and 72 international stores in 10 countries.
The Company offers a diversified line of music products including compact discs, recorded audio cassettes, recorded video cassettes, DVD and other complementary products, including books, magazines, blank tapes, software titles, personal electronics and accessories.
Tower attracts and retains customers who buy music on a year-round basis by providing an extensive product selection in an interactive, entertaining environment. Tower stores feature extended store hours, in-store listening stations and knowledgeable and motivated sales personnel. The Company believes these factors make Tower stores a preferred shopping destination. Tower offers one of the broadest selections of recorded music, including recent releases, older releases and other various music formats primarily in stand-alone locations in densely populated urban and suburban areas.
Most of the Company's domestic stores exceed 10,000 square feet and carry at least 50,000 music titles. Flagship stores, which are located in major metropolitan areas such as Boston, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Glasgow, Honolulu, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Osaka, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto and Washington, D.C., typically exceed 20,000 square feet and carry between 80,000 and 120,000 music titles.
Due to the Company's high per store sales volume and long-standing relationships with vendors and music manufacturers, the Company receives substantial cooperative advertising allowances, competitive purchasing terms, short lead times on inventory fulfillment, product return rights and drop shipments of orders directly to its stores. Tower monitors the quantity and mix of inventory in each of its stores through a central inventory management system. Additionally, Tower's store managers are given discretion in managing the level and mix of the inventory in their stores in order to most effectively market to each store's demographic customer base.
With the objective of increasing and diversifying its revenue base, Tower became the first U.S.-based music retailer to implement an international growth strategy. This expansion, which commenced in 1979, initially focused on the Japanese market (which is currently the world's second largest market for recorded music), and enabled Tower to become a market leader in Japan for recorded music. Tower implemented a similar expansion strategy in the United Kingdom beginning in 1986. The Company currently has more international locations than any other U.S.-based music retailer and, for the 2000 fiscal year, derived approximately 41% of its total net revenues from international sales. Tower currently operates 43 stores in Japan; eight in England; six in Mexico, five in Argentina, three in Singapore, two each in Taiwan and Canada, and one in Ireland, Scotland and Hong Kong. In addition, the Company has entered into franchise agreements with local operators in Colombia, Ecuador, Israel, Malaysia, The Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.
The Company's business strategy is to continue its growth and improve its operations through (i) the continued expansion and refinement of its store operations in the United States and internationally, (ii) identifying and acting upon under-performing locations worldwide, (iii) providing order fulfillment services for, and co-marketing with, our Internet-based operation and (iv) realizing efficiencies, synergies and economies of scale through an in-depth analysis of corporate operations.
The Company's fiscal year ended July 31, 2000. The Company's sales increased 7.2% during fiscal 2000 to $1.10 billion from $1.03 billion during fiscal 1999. The Company reported an operating profit of $24.8 million, down 22.0% from last year's operating profit of $31.8 million. Declining operating results in Latin America and the United Kingdom, investments in the Company's Internet site, the closing of 22 video rental locations and the change in useful lives of the Company's technology and intangible assets were the major drivers of fiscal 2000's lower operating results. On a consolidated basis, the Company's net loss increased to ($10,139.85) per diluted share compared to ($8,805.57) per diluted share for 1999 due primarily to Internet investments, and losses related to the Latin American and United Kingdom operations in addition to a non-cash foreign currency translation loss primarily relating to translating the Company's yen-denominated debt to U.S. dollars.
OPERATIONS
As of July 31, 2000, Tower operated a total of 187 stores worldwide, consisting of 115 U.S. retail stores in 21 states and 72 international stores in 10 countries. The Company's operating structure consists of (i) its U.S. stores, Internet division and wholesaling operations, (ii) its Asian stores, Internet division and wholesaling operations, and (iii) its U.K., Internet division and Ireland stores and (iv) Latin America. The Company's operations are directed by an Executive Committee comprised of seven executive officers.
UNITED STATES. As of July 31, 2000 the Company's U.S. operations consisted of 115 retail stores. In the United States, Tower has organized its operations into four territories, each headed by a territory manager who has responsibility for sales and merchandising, day-to-day operations and administration. Tower's corporate headquarters provides central support to each territory, including systems, distribution, accounting and national marketing programs. The corporate headquarters also gives final approval for all new store sites and store design and oversees quality standards and other critical elements of the Tower concept.
To pursue growth opportunities through new store formats and merchandising strategies, Tower initiated an operating agreement with The Good Guys!, Inc. ("The Good Guys!"), a leading electronics retailer to open stores under the "WOW!" name. The WOW! stores sell both recorded music and consumer electronics equipment, offering the shopper both convenience and a broad product offering. Five WOW! stores operate in Nevada and California. Under the WOW! store format, Tower and The Good Guys! each manage, operate and lease from the landlord their respective sections of the store. In fiscal 2000, Tower expanded its relationship with The Good Guys! by entering into a licensing agreement and operating a record department within two Good Guys stores in Nevada. Depending upon the success of this venture, this program may be expanded upon in future years.
ASIA. As of July 31, 2000, Tower's Asian operations consisted of forty three stores in Japan, three in Singapore, two in Taiwan and one in Hong Kong. All Asian store managers report to the Director of Asian Operations located in Japan. A portion of the U.S.- sourced product is shipped to the Asian stores through the Company's U.S. distribution facilities. The balance of product is distributed through a variety of sources worldwide.
UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND. As of July 31, 2000, the Company operated eight stores in England, one in Scotland, and one in Ireland. All store managers in the United Kingdom and Ireland report to the Director of European Operations located in London. A portion of U.S.-sourced product is shipped through the Company's U.S. distribution operations. The balance of product is distributed through a variety of sources worldwide.
LATIN AMERICA. The Company operates five stores in Argentina. All store managers in Argentina report to the Director of Latin American operations based in Mexico. A portion of U.S.-soured product is shipped through the Company's U.S. distribution operations. The balance is distributed through a variety of sources worldwide. Because of the continued depressed economic climate in Argentina, the Company is determining whether to continue operations in Argentina.
JOINT VENTURES AND FRANCHISES
The Company has a joint venture operation in Mexico and operates six stores. This arrangement enables Tower to enter into the Mexican market and obtain an improved understanding of local product demand and operating procedures while benefiting from a sharing of capital commitments. Under the joint venture arrangement, Tower manages store operations, utilizing input from local investors. Some product is sourced through Tower's distribution operations. The joint venture operation is managed from Tower's corporate headquarters. The Company anticipates that future expansion in most international markets will be through wholly owned subsidiaries or through franchises rather than joint ventures.
The Company has entered into franchise agreements to operate stores in Colombia, Ecuador, Israel, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand. Additional franchised stores are planned for other countries. The Company has focused its franchising operations in developing markets where the operating environment makes direct operations less desirable. Franchised stores are managed by the local operator with input from the Company on store format and merchandising. The Company benefits from franchise agreements through the distribution of products as well as through royalty income and trademark licensing fees.
TOWERRECORDS.COM
The Company operates an Internet division under the trade name, TowerRecords.com. TowerRecords.com operates as an online retailer of music and complementary entertainment products, and information. TowerRecords.com has garnered high rankings and reviews from Internet and industry experts in surveys of the Internet's best websites. The Company plans to continue to leverage the Internet capabilities of TowerRecords.com to customers in Tower stores. This site offers customers thousands of titles of music and video items in stock and ready for immediate shipping from the Company's state-of-the-art fulfillment and distribution center. Management expects that Tower will provide order fulfillment services to, and will receive revenues from, TowerRecords.com. Tower will continue to focus its business on traditional brick-and-mortar retail operations. The Company markets its Internet site through the same advertising and marketing channels used for its retail stores and also through strategic alliances with well-known Internet companies, such as America on-line, and Liquid Audio.
STORE FORMAT AND LOCATIONS
Tower has differentiated itself from competing music retailers with its strategic store locations, which generally feature a large, centrally located store in a densely populated urban area complemented by nearby urban and suburban stand-alone stores. Tower's flagship stores in major markets typically exceed 20,000 square feet, with the majority of all stores exceeding 10,000 square feet. Newer stores range from 15,000 to 25,000 square feet, depending on the market and location. The Company's larger, stand-alone locations provide it with various operating efficiencies, including lower rent expense than comparable mall-based retailers. The Company's large base of high-volume, stand-alone stores enables it to receive drop-shipments of product directly to store locations (thereby reducing the costs associated with warehousing and distribution). The Company believes that the selection of locations for its stores is critical to the success of its operations. The site-selection process consists of an in-depth analysis of regional demographics, consumer purchasing habits and traffic within a specific area. Senior management is actively involved in this process and grants all final site approval. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000, the Company opened four stores in the United States and eight stores internationally (including four in Japan), while closing seven stores. The Company plans to continue to leverage its strong brand name and proven store format in new and existing markets in locations that meet the Company's demographic and performance criteria.
PRODUCTS
The Company offers a diverse line of products including compact discs, recorded audio cassettes, recorded video cassettes, DVD and other complementary products, including books, magazines, blank tapes, software titles, personal electronics and accessories.
RECORDED MUSIC. The Company's primary source of revenue is the sale of recorded music on compact discs and audiocassettes. For fiscal years 2000 and 1999, recorded music sales accounted for approximately 87.8% and 86.1%, respectively, of Tower's worldwide net revenues. The Company's stores carry a wide selection of compact discs and audio cassettes purchased from all major and most independent recording companies, which, except for new releases and special promotions, are arranged in the stores by genre and alphabetically by artist or group. Tower differentiates itself from its competitors through the breadth and depth of its product selection. Tower's strategy is to offer the broadest selection of recorded music for its customers, including recent BILLBOARD Top 50 releases as well as a comprehensive variety of older releases and diverse music formats. Most of the Company's stores carry at least 50,000 music titles, while flagship stores located in major markets, such as Boston, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Glasgow, Honolulu, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Osaka, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto and Washington, D.C., usually carry between 80,000 and 120,000 music titles.
VIDEO PRODUCTS. In addition to recorded music, the majority of Tower stores sell videocassettes, and DVD products. For fiscal years 2000 and 1999, video sales accounted for approximately 8.6% of Tower's worldwide net revenues. Selected stores also offer video rentals. DVD offers the consumer laser technology in a smaller disc format with superior picture quality and audio fidelity. The Company believes that it is well positioned to capitalize on the growing DVD market.
COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS. To complement music buyers' interests, Tower stores also sell books, magazines, blank tapes, software titles, personal electronics and accessories. As of July 31, 2000, the Company operated 9 stand-alone bookstores. For the fiscal years 2000 and 1999, sales of complementary products accounted for approximately 3.6% and 5.6% respectively, of Tower's worldwide net revenues.
MARKETING, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION
Tower aggressively markets, advertises and promotes its products and its brand images to generate customer awareness of its extensive selection of music titles, knowledgeable customer service and interactive and entertaining store environments. Tower advertises in a variety of national and local print and broadcast media, including television, magazines, newspapers and billboards. Tower targets a wide range of customers, from teenagers to senior citizens, who purchase music on a year-round basis. The Company believes that its clustering of stores in strategic markets allows it to maximize its use of marketing, advertising and promotional U.S. dollars. In addition, Tower attracts large corporate sponsors such as American Express, IBM and MasterCard for promotions and events. Tower also produces several music publications under the names PULSE (U.S.), BOUNCE (Japan), TOP (U.K.), PULSE LATINO (Latin America) and PASS (Taiwan). Tower maintains a reputation for unique marketing through in-store appearances and live performances by recording artists, campaigns and promotions with suppliers and other third parties, book signings, tie-ins with local music events (e.g., Nashville's Fan Fair and the Monterey Jazz Festival) as well as involvement in national music events, such as sponsorship of the 1999 Lilith Tour.
Tower believes that its strong focus on localized marketing provides it with a significant advantage over many of its competitors. The Company's localized marketing approach includes local promotions of concerts and in-store appearances by musicians, as well as providing Tower store managers discretion (subject to parameters set by the Company's territory and national product managers) to customize product inventory in their stores to the demographics and buying patterns of their local market. Depending on local demographics, merchandise mix and promotions can be shifted toward certain music genres. For example, in New York City, Tower's Lincoln Center store places a greater emphasis on its classical music selection than the downtown store, which emphasizes the latest trends in rock music.
As one of the nation's largest music retailers and due to the diversity and depth of its music selection, the Company has developed strong supplier relationships. As a result, the Company receives substantial cooperative advertising allowances, competitive purchasing terms, short lead times on inventory fulfillment, product return rights (subject to certain terms and restocking fees), and drop shipments of orders directly to its stores, all of which have contributed to Tower's historically favorable operating margins. Cooperative advertising funds are provided to promote recorded music products of a specific genre or on a label-wide basis. Tower advertises jointly with recording companies worldwide in local and national media markets and receives substantial financial support from them. Cooperative advertising offsets a significant portion of the Company's advertising expenses.
SUPPLIERS
RECORDED MUSIC. The majority of Tower's music purchases come from five major suppliers with which Tower has developed long-standing relationships. As a result of these relationships and Tower's high sales volume, the Company receives substantial cooperative advertising allowances, competitive purchasing terms, short lead times on inventory fulfillment, competitive pricing programs and drop shipments of orders directly to its stores. In addition, the Company purchases product from numerous independent distributors and labels. Unsold music product may be returned to the manufacturer at any time that the title remains in the current music catalog of a manufacturer; however, restocking fees are generally assessed for returned product. Catalog changes are generally made only after advance notice, allowing the Company to return excess inventory before a title is discontinued. None of the Company's major suppliers limits returns of inventory.
COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS. Book and magazine purchases require coordination with a greater number of vendors than music purchases. Returned books and magazines are not subject to restocking charges. Pre-recorded video cassettes, DVD products, personal electronics and software titles are purchased from a limited number of vendors for shipment through the Company's U.S. distribution operations, or are drop-shipped directly to stores. For the most part, unsold video products and software titles may be returned to distributors for full refunds. Personal electronics are generally not returnable for a full refund.
PURCHASING, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
Unlike most of its competitors, Tower's purchasing is partly decentralized. Tower store managers are given discretion to manage the levels and mix of merchandise in their stores. These managers work closely with territory and national product managers to customize product inventory in their stores to the demographics and buying patterns of their local markets.
The Company's ISP (In Store Processing) system, using the IBM AS/400 computer system, enables management to monitor the levels and mix of its inventory in each of its stores. The ISP system provides store managers instantaneous on-line information regarding quantities on hand, turns at the store level and on a combined basis, historical movement reports by SKU, pricing and cost data and customer service information. The ISP system also identifies slow-moving and deleted titles and overstocked items, and provides suggested replenishment information to store buyers. By utilizing the ISP system, store managers are able to pre-set and adjust quantities on hand and establish "just-in-time" reorder points. This system enables the store managers to carry appropriate levels of deep-catalog product and to maintain sufficient inventory levels for fast-moving product.
The Company's U.S. distribution operations distribute products that are not drop-shipped to Tower stores, and distribute a portion of the product to the Company's international subsidiaries, joint venture and franchises. The Company also wholesales products; particularly independent label recorded music, to other retailers in both the U.S. and international markets, such as Japan. In 1999, the Company closed its wholesaling operation in the United Kingdom. In addition, the Company has an established export-wholesaling branch in Japan. This enables the Company to export international catalog product to music retailers, taking advantage of the economies of scale, while providing prompt delivery.
The Company also sells recorded music both via mail order and over the Internet. The Company maintains a website at http://www.towerrecords.com and an online store on America Online at keyword "TOWER." Mail order and Internet sales are fulfilled through the Company's U.S. distribution facility allowing, in many cases, overnight delivery to customers.
COMPETITION
The retail music and video industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with a wide variety of music retailers, including regional and national mall-based music chains, international chains, deep-discount retailers, mass merchandisers, consumer electronics outlets, record clubs, e-commerce retailers, mail order, and independent operators. In addition, a uniform format has been developed that will enable music companies to sell their products via direct Internet download. The Company believes that sales via the Internet will continue to become more significant over time, and has determined to emphasize order fulfillment for, and co- market with, its Internet division.
The Company believes the principal competitive factors in the retail music industry are brand name recognition, merchandising, selection, pricing, inventory management, marketing, store location and management expertise. The Company believes that it competes favorably with respect to each of these factors.
MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CHAINS. In certain of its major, metropolitan markets, the Company competes directly with HMV and Virgin-- large, international music retailers-that, like the Company, emphasize a broad selection of titles. Management believes that HMV and Virgin tends to cater to a sophisticated and less price-sensitive customer base. Tower's customer base includes not only such customers but also extends to a much broader demographic. HMV and Virgin are expected to open additional stores, some of which may be in locations that would compete directly with Tower.
MALL-BASED MUSIC RETAILERS. The Company also competes with various mall-based music retailers such as Musicland, Trans World Entertainment, and Wherehouse Entertainment.
DISCOUNTERS AND CONSUMER ELECTRONICS STORES. Specialty music retailers have experienced increased competition from the entrance into the retail music industry of large discounters and consumer electronics stores such as Wal-Mart, K-mart, Target, Circuit City, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble and Borders. Many of these large discounters and consumer electronics stores typically feature BILLBOARD Top 50 recordings with minimal or no gross margin with the intent of generating additional store traffic and cross-selling other, higher margin products, such as consumer electronics.
MAIL ORDER CLUBS. The Company also competes with mail order clubs such as BMG Music and Columbia House. The largest mail order clubs are affiliated with major manufacturers of prerecorded music and video and may have advantageous marketing relationships with their affiliates.
INTERNET AND OTHER. The Company expects continued growth in competing home entertainment options, including the Internet and larger numbers of television and music channels offered by cable companies. The further development of Internet and cable technologies, coupled with high quality digital recording technologies, enable direct downloading of recorded music by consumers, which could result in significant changes in existing distribution channels for prerecorded music. Such a development could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Risk Factors-Trends Affecting the Music Industry."
SEASONALITY
Retail music sales in the United States are typically higher during the calendar fourth quarter as a result of consumer purchasing patterns due to increased store traffic and impulse buying by holiday shoppers. As a result, the majority of U.S. music retailers and, more specifically, the mall-based retailers rely heavily on the calendar fourth quarter to achieve annual sales and profitability results. Tower's deep-catalog approach to prerecorded music appeals to customers who purchase music on a year-round basis. Consequently, Tower has historically had reduced seasonal reliance. In addition, international markets exhibit less fourth quarter seasonality than U.S. markets and Tower's international presence has historically further reduced this reliance on the U.S. holiday shopping season. Nevertheless, in each of fiscal 2000 and 1999, the second quarter (November 1 through January 31) accounted for approximately 30% of annual sales. See Note 15 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
TRADEMARKS
Tower regards its trademarks and service marks as having significant worldwide value and as being important to its marketing efforts and brand name recognition. Tower has registered its TOWER RECORDS-VIDEO-BOOKS trademark and variations thereof, along with numerous other trademarks, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the Principal Register. The Company has applications pending for a number of additional trademarks. The Company also has registered its TOWER trademark, or variations thereof, in numerous foreign countries. The Company's policy is to pursue the registration of its trademarks whenever possible and to vigorously oppose any infringement of its trademarks and trade names.
EMPLOYEES
As of July 31, 2000, the Company employed approximately 7,158 persons, of whom approximately 890 were employed on a part-time basis. None of the Company's employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company considers its employee relations to be good.
THE RECAPITALIZATION
Prior to April 1998, substantially all of the capital stock of the Company was owned by a revocable trust established by the Company's founder, Russell M. Solomon (the "Russell Solomon Trust"). In April 1998, the Company consummated certain transactions designed to consolidate substantially all of the Tower business operations in the Company (the "Reorganization") and also transferred certain assets to certain trusts, which were established for the benefit of Mr. Solomon's sons, Michael Solomon and David Solomon (the "Trusts"). As a result of the Reorganization, the Company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company, Tower Records, Incorporated ("Parent"). The Reorganization included an exchange by the Company's shareholders of their common stock in the Company for a controlling equity interest in Parent. As part of the Reorganization, the Trusts and certain Solomon family members contributed to Parent certain business assets (subject to certain liabilities), including wholesale distribution operations, in exchange for the remaining equity interest in Parent. Separately, Parent contributed such assets and liabilities received from the Trusts and such Solomon family members to the Company.
RISK FACTORS
The following is a discussion of certain factors, which could affect the financial results of the Company.
The Company's Substantial Indebtedness May Restrict the Conduct of the Company's Business
The Company is substantially leveraged. The Company's aggregate outstanding indebtedness was $311.6 million and the Company's shareholders' equity was $107.4 million at July 31, 2000. The Company also has substantial rental obligations. The Company's substantial degree of leverage could have the following effects: (i) the Company's ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes in the future could be reduced, (ii) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on its indebtedness, which reduces the funds available to the Company for other purposes, (iii) certain of the Company's borrowings are at variable rates of interest, which exposes the Company to interest rate fluctuation risk, (iv) the Company may be hindered in its ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions, and (v) the Company could be more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or its business.
The Company's cash flow and capital resources may not be sufficient for payment of interest on and principal of its indebtedness in the future. If the Company's cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to fund its debt service obligations, the Company may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek to obtain additional equity capital, or restructure its debt. In the absence of sufficient cash flow and capital resources, the Company could face substantial liquidity problems and could be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet its debt service and other obligations.
The Company's senior credit facility expires on April 23, 2001. The Company's future operating performance and ability to service or refinance its outstanding notes and the credit facility will be subject to the Company's ability to refinance its senior credit facility, future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. There can be no assurance or guaranty that the Company will be successful in renewing or extending its senior credit facility or that any renewal or extension will be on terms that are favorable to the Company. In the event the Company is unable to renew its credit facility, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
The Company's Business Could be harmed by a Lack of Availability of Popular Music
The Company's business is affected by the release of "hit" music titles, which can create cyclical trends in sales distinctive to the music industry. It is not possible to determine the timing of these cycles or the future availability of hit titles. Entertainment product sales depend to some extent upon the availability of hit products. If there are no hit products, entertainment companies may be unprofitable even though the general economy is doing well. The Company cannot determine in advance the timing of these cycles or the future availability of hit products. Hit products are important because they generate customer traffic in our stores. The Company does not control the content of the products it sells and is dependent upon the major music and movie producers to continue to produce hit products. To the extent that new hits are not available, or not available at prices attractive to consumers, the Company's sales may be adversely affected.
The Company's Sales may suffer if the Company Does Not Accurately Predict Which of Any New Product or Distribution Technologies Will Be Accepted By Consumers
The emergence of new technologies may attract consumers from one technology to another and reduce sales and profit margins of existing technologies. For example, the shift from cassettes to CDs reduced the demand for cassettes. New technologies are also increasing the ways products can be offered to the public. A wide selection of music and video services can now be offered to consumers by the Internet, cable companies, direct broadcast satellite companies, telephone companies, and other telecommunications companies. In particular, Internet and cable technologies coupled with high-quality digital recording technologies could allow direct downloading of recorded music by consumers. If technological advances were to result in significant changes in existing distribution channels for prerecorded music, the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations could be harmed. If the Company is unable to predict or participate in new product or distribution technologies that consumers accept widely, the Company's sales may suffer.
Increased Competition from Existing Retailers and Competing Home Entertainment Options May Adversely Affect the Company's Results
The retail music business is highly competitive. The Company competes with a wide variety of music retailers, including regional and national mall-based music chains, international chains, deep-discount retailers, mass merchandisers, consumer electronics outlets, mail order, record clubs and independent operators, some of which have greater financial and other resources than the Company. In retail music sales, some of the Company's competitors have been expanding into the Company's markets. The Company also expects continued growth in competing home entertainment options, including the Internet and larger numbers of television and music channels offered by cable companies. This increased competition may reduce sales at the Company's stores, reduce the Company's gross margins, increase the Company's operating expenses and decrease the Company's profit margins in specific markets. If these competing home entertainment options continue to grow, retail stores may cease being a primary channel for distribution of recorded music, which could hurt the Company's ability to compete within the music retail business. See "Business-- Competition."
A Decline in Current Levels of Consumer Spending Could Reduce Sales
The Company's business is directly affected by the level of consumer spending. One of the primary factors that affect consumer spending is the general state of the local economies in which the Company operates. Lower levels of consumer spending in regions in which the Company has significant operations could have a negative impact on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Inability to Expand the Company's Operations Could Hurt the Company's Operating Results
The Company's future financial prospects will depend in part on its ability to open and operate new stores profitably. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000, the Company opened four new stores in the United States and eight new stores internationally. The Company intends to open additional stores in both existing and new U.S. and international geographic markets. However, the opening of additional stores in an existing market could result in lower net sales from existing Company stores in that market. The success of the Company's planned expansion will be dependent upon many factors, including the identification of suitable markets, the availability and leasing of suitable store locations on acceptable terms, the hiring, training and retention of qualified management and other store personnel, the availability of appropriate financing and general economic conditions. To manage its planned expansion, the Company must ensure the continuing adequacy of its existing product distribution facilities, store management controls, financial controls and information systems. Any failure by the Company to accommodate all of the demands which continuing expansion will impose on its operating systems or to effectively integrate new stores into the Company's existing operations could weaken the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the new geographic markets into which the Company is expanding may present competitive and merchandising challenges that are different from those currently faced by the Company in its existing geographic markets. The Company may incur higher costs related to advertising and distribution in connection with entering certain new markets. If the Company opens stores in new markets that do not perform to the Company's expectations, if new stores do not reach profitability as soon as expected or if stores openings are delayed, the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations could be harmed.
Foreign Currency Fluctuations and Other Risks Relating to the Company's International Operations could Adversely Affect the Company's Results
The Company has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom and Japan. With respect to international operations, principally all of the Company's revenues and costs (including borrowing costs) are incurred in the local currency, except that certain inventory purchases are tied to U.S. dollars. The Company's financial performance on a U.S. dollar-denominated basis has historically been significantly affected by changes in currency exchange rates. Changes in certain exchange rates could negatively affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
International operations are also subject to a number of other special risks, including trade barriers, exchange controls, governmental expropriation, political risks and risks of increases in taxes. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries do not protect the Company's trademark, trade name, copyright and other intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Also, various jurisdictions outside the United States have laws limiting the right and ability of non-U.S. subsidiaries and affiliates to pay dividends and remit earnings to affiliated companies unless specified conditions are met. Earnings of international subsidiaries are subject to income taxes of non-U.S. jurisdictions that reduce cash flow available to meet required debt service and other obligations of the Company.
A Change in One or more of the Company's Vendors' Policies or the Company's Relationship with Those Vendors Could Adversely Affect the Company's Operations
The vast majority of the Company's purchases come from five major suppliers. As is standard in the music industry, the Company does not maintain long-term contracts with its suppliers but instead makes purchases through purchase orders. If the Company fails to maintain customary trade terms or enjoy positive vendor relations, it would have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Any Failure by the Company to Comply with Restrictive Covenants in the Agreements Relating to the Company's Debt Obligations Could Hurt the Company's Business
The Company's existing credit facility contains a number of significant covenants that restrict the manner in which the Company conducts its business and requires the Company to comply with specified ratios and financial tests. The Indenture entered into by the Company in connection with the issuance of its subordinated notes also contains certain restrictive covenants. The Company's ability to comply with these covenant requirements may be affected by events beyond its control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. The breach of any such covenants or restrictions could result in a default under the relevant financing agreements that would permit the relevant lenders or debt holders to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, and the commitments of the lenders under the credit facility to make further extensions of credit thereunder could be terminated.
Loss of Key Personnel Could Harm the Company's Business
The Company believes that its future prospects depend to a significant extent on the services of its executive officers, as well as its ability to attract and retain additional key personnel with the skills and expertise necessary to manage its planned growth. The loss or unavailability of the services of certain of the Company's executive officers and other key management personnel, including its founder, Russell M. Solomon, could harm the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Management."
Control of the Company by Russell M. Solomon May Impede Changes to the Company
Russell M. Solomon, Chairman and a director of the Company, beneficially owns a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company's parent corporation. Accordingly, Mr. Solomon has the ability to elect all of the members of the Board of Directors of the parent corporation and to determine the outcome of any matter submitted to the shareholders for approval, including corporate transactions such as mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's headquarters are located in approximately 91,000 square feet of leased facilities in West Sacramento, California. These facilities house the Company's management, marketing and sales personnel. The lease for these facilities terminates on April 30, 2004. The Company believes that there is sufficient office space available at favorable leasing terms in the Sacramento area to satisfy any additional needs of the Company that may result from future expansion.
As of July 31, 2000, Tower's total leased space consisted of approximately 2.9 million square feet of space worldwide. As of July 31, 2000, the Company was a party to approximately 222 real estate leases and subleases, relating to nearly all of its store locations as well as its administrative and warehouse facilities. Substantially all of these are recorded as operating leases. The leases expire between 2000 and 2024, with renewal options varying between one and 20 years. Lease terms typically provide a minimum payment plus modifications for changes in the consumer price index and/or other specified increases. Most of the U.S. stores operate as stand-alone locations.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is party to various claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company has recently been named and served as a defendant in three antitrust complaints filed following the May 10, 2000 announcement that the major music distributors (EMI Music Distribution, Bertelsmann Music Group, Inc., Warner-Elektra-Atlantic Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., Universal Music and Video Distribution Corp.) had entered into a settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") in response to the FTC's inquiry into the implementation of minimum advertised pricing ("MAP") programs by the major recording companies. The first of these antitrust actions, entitled Arnold Samotny et al vs. BMG Music, et al, was filed on June 2, 2000 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division also naming the major music distributors, retailers and the Company. The Company and its co-defendants have also been named in a consumers' antitrust action entitled State of Florida et al vs. BMG et al filed on August 8, 2000 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by the Attorneys General for 45 states in a consolidated action. A similar action, entitled Allison Lacy et al vs. BMG Music et al was subsequently filed on September 14, 2000 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee naming the major music distributors, retailers and the Company.
These three antitrust cases allege that the named defendants were engaged in a co-conspiracy to fix the prices of CDs in violation of federal and state antitrust, unfair trade practices, and consumer protection statutes. Because these antitrust cases are all still in the preliminary stages of litigation, it is difficult at this time to assess or predict potential damages, nor do these complaints set forth specific claims for monetary damages. The Company believes that the claims against it are without merit. ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of the company's stockholders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
There is no established public market for any class of the Company's common stock. As of July 31, 2000, Tower Records, Incorporated was the only shareholder of record of the Company. See "Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
The Company has not paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not anticipate paying any such dividends in the foreseeable future.
The Company's Credit Agreement with Chase Manhattan Bank restricts the payment of dividends by the Company.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, ----------------------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) INCOME STATEMENT DATA: Net revenues...................... $ 1,099.9 $ 1,026.4 $ 1,008.1 $ 991.8 $ 1,001.0 Cost of sales..................... 745.4 694.9 684.2 669.3 676.1 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Gross profit.................... 354.5 331.5 323.9 322.5 324.9 Selling, general and administrative expenses.......... 301.4 276.3 269.3 267.6 270.4 Depreciation and amortization.................... 28.3 23.4 22.3 26.4 20.9 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Income from operations............ 24.8 31.8 32.3 28.5 33.6 Other income expense: Interest expense.................. 21.0 17.6 14.9 14.3 14.9 Foreign currency translation gain (loss)......... (9.2) (14.7) 1.1 (3.6) (1.4) Other expenses.................... 3.6 4.1 0.5 1.1 0.1 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- (Loss)income before taxes,minority interest,extraordinary item, and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.. (9.0) (4.6) 18.0 9.5 17.2 Provision for income taxes........................... 1.1 3.7 8.1 4.5 7.0 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- (Loss)income before minority inter extraordinay item, and cummulative effect of change in accounting principle (10.1) (8.3) 9.9 5.0 10.2 Other items(a).................... (0.5) 0.0 (1.5) (0.2) Net(loss)income................... --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- $ (10.1) $ (8.8) $ 9.9 $ 3.5 $ 10.0 ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END): Total assets...................... $ 627.3 $ 586.2 $ 545.4 $ 544.6 $ 528.8 Total debt (including current maturities)............. 311.6 283.1 231.9 211.3 202.8 Shareholders' equity.............. 107.4 115.7 120.8 134.0 135.1
Other items is comprised of minority interests in net income of subsidiaries, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and extraordinary item.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with historical consolidated financial information and the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The results shown herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Use of the words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans" and similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. A variety of factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking statements, including among other things, consumer demand for the Company's products, general economic conditions, unexpected increase in competition, including Internet competition and competition resulting from electronic or other alternative methods of music and books, sales volumes, profit margins, the Company's continued availability of adequate capital to fund operations, the ability of the company to secure a renewal or refinance of its Senior Credit Facility, the performance of the Company's strategic initiatives, including the Internet and international expansion, the ability of the Company to implement its business strategy, international issues including currency exchange fluctuations and the impact of labor markets, the ability of the Company to successfully defend itself in ongoing and future litigation, unanticipated costs or problems relating to the information technology systems and new product and new release introductions on the Company's overall profitability. All forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-K are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. For further information on other factors which could effect the financial results of the Company and such forward -looking statements, See "Risk Factors."
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 2000 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1999
NET REVENUES. Net revenues were $1.1 billion for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000, an increase of $73.5 million or 7.2% (or 3.0 % excluding the effects of U.S. dollar foreign translation fluctuations) from $1.0 billion for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999. The Company's net revenues were derived from U.S. revenues of $649.6 million and international revenues of $450.3 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 compared to $616.1 million in the U.S. and $410.3 million internationally for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999. Record and tape sales for the period ended July 31, 2000 represented 87.8% of the Company's net revenues versus 86.1% for the period ended July 31, 1999. Retail sales represented 95.8% of the Company's net revenues for the twelve month period ended July 31, 2000 versus 96.6% for the twelve month period ended July 31, 1999. The increase in the Company's net revenues was primarily due to an increase in new store expansion and same store sales growth. Comparable same store sales growth was .6% which was predominately a reflection of gains in domestic same store sales growth.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $354.5 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000, an increase of $23.0 million or 6.9%, from $331.5 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues decreased slightly to 32.2% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 as compared to 32.3% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999. The Company believes that the primary factor contributing to the slight decline was competitive Internet pricing in the United States associated with the Company's Internet growth and liquidation losses associated with the closing of 22 VHS rental locations.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $301.4 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 an increase of $25.1 million or 9.1% from $276.3 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999. As a percentage of net revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased .5% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 as compared to the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, primarily due to moderate increases in wages and rents in the United States and Japan, increased costs resulting from the Company's Internet activities and increased overhead costs in the United Kingdom and Latin America, resulting from decreasing sales.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization expense was $28.3 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 compared to $23.4 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, an increase of approximately $4.9 million, primarily due to a change in useful lives of its technology and intangible assets, in compliance with SOP 98-5.
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS. Income from operations was $24.8 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 a decrease of $7.0 million from $31.8 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999. As a percentage of net revenues, income from operations decreased to 2.3% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 from 3.1 % for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, due primarily from increased losses associated with the Company's Latin American and Internet operations, the rise in depreciation and amortization expense, and the increase in selling, general and administrative costs.
OTHER EXPENSE. Other expense (net) was ($33.8) million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 compared to ($36.4) million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, which represented a decrease of $2.6 million, primarily due to a reduction in net non-cash foreign currency transaction loss of $9.2 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000 compared to a net foreign currency transaction loss of $14.7 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999. This non-cash loss largely represented the translation back to U.S. dollars at the spot rate of the Company's yen-denominated debt and to a lesser extent, translation of intercompany obligations from the United Kingdom. The Company does significant business transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Exchange losses and gains result from the day- to- day fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, due primarily to the volatile yen and more recently the pound sterling as well as other Asian currencies against the U.S. dollar. Additionally, net interest expense increased to $21.0 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000, as compared with $17.6 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999. This increase was largely due to an increase in borrowings under the credit facility coupled with higher interest costs.
NET LOSS. As a result of the above, the Company reported a net loss of ($10.1) million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000, an increase of $1.3 million from a loss of ($8.8) million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1999 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1998
NET REVENUES. Net revenues were $1.0 billion for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, an increase of $18.0 million or 1.8% or (2.7%) including the favorable effects of U.S. dollar-Japanese yen exchange rate movements, from $1.0 billion for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. The Company's net revenues were derived from U.S. sales of $616.1 million and international sales of $410.3 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 compared to $625.5 million in the U.S. and $382.6 million internationally for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. Record and tape sales for the period ended July 31, 1999 represented 86.1% of the Company's net revenues versus 86.2% for the period ended July 31, 1998. Retail sales represented 96.6% of the Company's net revenues for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 versus 97.3% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. The increase in the Company's net revenues was primarily due to an increase in new store expansion and international same store sales growth. Comparable same store sales growth was (.9%) which was predominately a reflection of a decline in domestic same store sales growth.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $331.5 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 an increase of $7.5 million or 2.3% from $324.0 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues increased slightly to 32.3% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 as compared to 32.1% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. The Company believes that the primary factors contributing to the slight improvement in gross profit margin during this period was management's pricing adjustments of dollar-sensitive product staying matched with the volatile Japanese yen.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $276.3 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 an increase of $7.0 million or 2.6% from $269.3 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. As a percentage of net revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased .2% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 as compared to the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 primarily due to rising occupancy and wage costs resulting from lower economies of scale in relation to lower domestic same store sales.
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS. Income from operations was $31.8 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, a decrease of $.6 million from $32.4 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. As a percentage of net revenues, income from operations decreased to 3.1% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 from 3.2% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998, due primarily from the rise in selling, general and administrative costs.
OTHER EXPENSE. Other expense (net) was ($36.4) million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 as compared to ($14.3) million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998,which represented an increase of $22.1 million which was primarily due to a net non-cash foreign currency transaction loss of ($14.7) million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 compared to a net foreign currency transaction gain of $1.1 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998. This non-cash loss largely represented the translation back to U.S. dollars at the spot rate of the Company's yen-denominated debt. The Company does significant business transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Exchange losses result from the day to day fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, due primarily to the Japanese yen and other currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Additionally, net interest expense increased $2.7 million for the twelve months ended July 31, 1999, as compared with the twelve months ended July 31, 1998, largely due to an increase in borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
NET (LOSS) INCOME. As a result of the above, the Company reported a net loss of ($8.8) million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999, a decrease of $18.7 million or 189% from a profit of $9.9 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's principal capital requirements are to fund working capital needs, the opening of new stores, the refurbishment and expansion of existing stores, and continued development of the Company's technological infrastructure.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $30.2 million and $15.0 million for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. In 2000 net cash used for inventory purchases was $6.8 million versus $14.3 million for fiscal 1999, and was primarily related to inventory requirements associated with store growth, product group expansion and growth of the Company's wholesale business. The increase in cash flow from operations for fiscal 2000 compared to fiscal 1999 were primarily due to decreased demands on the Company's working capital.
Net cash used for investing activities was primarily geared to capital expenditures on stores, including the opening of four stores in the United States, eight stores internationally along with store relocations, refurbishments and technology investments totaling approximately $36.5 million with an additional $3.5 million used for video rental acquisition.
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2000 was $18.2 million, resulting principally from borrowings under the Company's credit facility. Net cash provided by financing in 1999 was $26.8 million, which resulted primarily from net borrowings under the Company's credit facility.
Interest payments on the senior subordinated notes and on the credit facility will continue to impose significant liquidity demands upon the Company. In addition to its debt service obligations, the Company will require liquidity for capital expenditures, lease obligations and general working capital needs. Total capital expenditures for fiscal 2001 are expected to be approximately $37.0 million, of which approximately $7.5 million will be related to maintenance and required technological capital improvements.
The Company's Senior Credit Facility expires in April, 2001. The Company intends to renew the credit facility prior to expiration and believes that the cash flow generated from its operations, together with amounts available under the renewed credit facility, will be sufficient to fund its debt service requirements, lease obligations, working capital needs, its currently expected capital expenditures and other operating expenses for the next twelve months. The existing revolving credit facility provides the Company with available borrowings up to an aggregate amount of $275.0 million, of which approximately $150.0 million can be borrowed in Japanese yen and a portion in British pounds, subject to compliance with the borrowing base formula. As of July 31, 2000, approximately $264.6 million was available under the Senior Credit Facility based upon the borrowing base formula, of which $188.1 million had been drawn. The $188.1 million includes an increase of $5.2 million due to yen debt translated back to U.S. dollars at the spot rate on July 31, 2000. The Company's future operating performance and ability to service or refinance the notes and the credit facility will be subject to the Company's ability to refinance its Senior Credit Facility maturing April 23, 2001, future economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. There can be no assurance or guaranty that the Company will be successful in renewing or extending its Senior Credit Facility or that any renewal or extension will be on terms that are favorable to the Company. In the event the Company is unable to renew its credit facility, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
The credit facility and the senior subordinated notes impose certain restrictions on the Company's ability to make capital expenditures and limit the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness. Such restrictions could limit the Company's ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for unanticipated capital investments or to take advantage of business or acquisition opportunities. The covenants contained in the credit facility and the senior subordinated notes also, among other things, limit the ability of the Company to dispose of assets, repay indebtedness or amend other debt instruments, pay distributions, create liens on assets, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, make investments, loans or advances and make acquisitions.
SEASONALITY
Retail music sales in the United States are typically higher during the calendar fourth quarter as a result of consumer purchasing patterns due to increased store traffic and impulse buying by holiday shoppers. As a result, the majority of U.S. music retailers and, more specifically, the mall-based retailers rely heavily on the calendar fourth quarter to achieve annual sales and profitability results. Tower's deep-catalog approach to prerecorded music appeals to customers who purchase music on a year-round basis. Consequently, Tower has historically had reduced seasonal reliance. In addition, international markets exhibit less fourth quarter seasonality than U.S. markets and Tower's international presence has historically further reduced this reliance on the U.S. holiday shopping season. Nevertheless, in each of fiscal 1999 and 2000, the second quarter (November 1 through January 31) accounted for approximately 30% of annual sales. See Note 15 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
INFLATION
The Company believes that the recent low rates of inflation in the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom, where it primarily operates, have not had a significant effect on its net sales or operating results. The Company attempts to offset the effects of inflation through price increases and control of expenses. However, there can be no assurance that during a period of significant inflation, the Company's results of operations would not be adversely affected.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE MANAGEMENT
The Company has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom and Japan. With respect to international operations, principally all of Tower's revenues and costs (including borrowing costs) are incurred in the local currency, except that certain inventory purchases are tied to U.S. dollars. The Company's financial performance on a U.S. dollar-denominated basis has historically been significantly affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The Company believes that the matching of revenues and expenses in local currency, as well as its foreign exchange hedging activities and borrowings in foreign currencies, mitigate the effect of fluctuating currency exchange rates. Nonetheless, changes in certain exchange rates could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Risk Factors" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk."
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". The provisions of SFAS 133 require all derivative instruments to be recognized on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities at fair value. The Company adopted SFAS 133, as amended, on August 1, 2000. Commencing in fiscal 2001, the Company will record its derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value and reported adjustments to fair value through income. Given the Company's limited use of derivatives, the cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 133 is not expected to be material.
YEAR 2000
To date, the Company has not experienced any significant business disruptions to its operations or business systems as a result of the transition from 1999 to 2000. Although the risks associated with Year 2000 readiness peaked with the change of the date from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000, there is a risk that a Year 2000 related issue could surface within the year. The Company plans to continue to devote the necessary resources to monitor and resolve all significant Year 2000 issues in a timely manner. However, if third parties upon which the Company relies fail to adequately address any of their Year 2000 problems, it could disrupt the Company's business and the Company could experience delays in receiving product from vendors, shipping product to stores, accessing various types of information or communicating effectively with financial institutions or vendors.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to the impact of interest-rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations. The Company does not enter into market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes. In the ordinary course of its business, the Company enters into debt instruments, including instruments with short-term maturities. The Company could be exposed to a higher interest rate at the time such debt instruments are renewed or refinanced. Certain of the Company's debt instruments contain terms that permit the Company to cap the interest rate at a maximum rate. In the past, the Company has purchased interest rate hedges to manage the risk associated with interest rate variations. At present, the Company is party to a yen-denominated interest rate swap in the amount of $20.1 million, and may enter into such arrangements from time to time in the future.
Of the Company's current long-term debt, $110 million bears a fixed interest rate and is payable in 2005. The Company prepared sensitivity analyses of the balance of its financial instruments to determine the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, and the fair value of its financial instruments. The interest-rate analysis assumed a one hundred basis point adverse change in interest rates on all variable rate financial instruments but did not consider the effects of the reduced level of economic activity that could exist in such an environment. Based on the results of such analysis, the Company concluded that a one hundred basis point adverse change in interest rates from year-end 1999 levels would not materially affect the Company's results of operations, cash flows, or the fair value of its financial instruments.
A substantial majority of the Company's revenues, expenses and capital purchasing activities are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, the Company does enter into these transactions in other foreign currencies, primarily Japanese yen. The Company uses forward exchange contracts to hedge intercompany transactions with foreign subsidiaries and affiliates, and in connection with certain of its Japanese subsidiary's purchases of product from third parties. Such instruments are short-term instruments entered into in the ordinary course of the Company's business, in order to reduce the impact of fluctuating foreign currencies on net income and shareholders' equity.
To finance expansion and operations in Japanese markets, the Company has entered into yen-denominated borrowing arrangements. Unrealized gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements on these debt instruments are recognized as other income or expense in the period in which the exchange rates change. Historically, the Company has not entered into foreign exchange contracts to manage the risk associated with such currency fluctuations, but it may do so from time to time in the future.
The Company prepared sensitivity analyses of its yen-denominated financial instruments to determine the impact of hypothetical changes in foreign exchange rates on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and the fair value of its financial instruments. The analysis assumed a 10% adverse change in exchange rates on such financial instruments but did not consider other effects on economic activity that could exist in such an environment. Based on the results of such analysis, the Company concluded such an adverse change in exchange rates from year-end levels would materially affect the Company's results of operations, cash flows or the fair value of its financial instruments, as is the case in the current year, in which the adverse change in the exchange rate was 4.7% from the rate at the end of the prior year, resulting in a foreign currency loss of $5.2 million.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following are included herein:
The Financial Statements are set forth herein commencing on page of this Report. and include herein: REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To MTS, Incorporated and Subsidiaries:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MTS, INCORPORATED (a California corporation) and Subsidiaries as of July 31, 2000 and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholder's equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. 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 management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MTS, Incorporated and subsidiaries as of July 31, 2000 and 1999, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Our audit was made for the purpose of forming and opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in the index of financial statements are presented for purposes of complying with the Securities Exchange Commission's rules and are not part of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly state in all material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Sacramento, California
October 27, 2000
MTS, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF JULY 31, 2000 AND 1999
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
July 31, ---------------------- 2000 1999 ---------- ---------- ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents............................... $ 21,486 $ 24,705 Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2, and $1,896, respectively.................................. 31,457 26,378 Merchandise inventories................................. 293,429 271,713 Prepaid expenses........................................ 12,728 11,212 Deferred tax assets..................................... 12,694 8,241 ---------- ---------- Total current assets................................ 371,794 342,249 Fixed assets, net......................................... 207,440 196,864 Deferred tax assets....................................... 9,648 9,794 Other assets.............................................. 38,396 37,250 ---------- ---------- Total assets........................................ $ 627,278 $ 586,157 ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY Current Liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt.................... $ 191,325 $ 2,971 Accounts payable........................................ 165,701 150,332 Accrued liabilities..................................... 39,456 32,942 Income taxes payable.................................... 95 786 Deferred revenue, current portion....................... 2,959 3,098 ---------- ---------- Total current liabilities........................... 399,536 190,129 Long-term Liabilities: Long-term debt, less current maturities................. 120,238 280,169 Deferred revenue, less current portion.................. 144 157 ---------- ---------- Total liabilities................................... 519,918 470,455 ---------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 11 and 16)
Shareholder's Equity: Common stock: Class B, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2000 and 1999....................................... 6 6 Retained earnings....................................... 126,138 136,278 Accumulated other comprehensive income.................. (18,784) (20,582) ---------- ---------- Total shareholder's equity.......................... 107,360 115,702 ---------- ---------- Total liabilities and shareholder's equity.......... $ 627,278 $ 586,157 ========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
MTS, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 ------------- ---------- ---------- Net revenue.................................. $ 1,099,931 $1,026,379 $1,008,146 Cost of sales................................ 745,376 694,910 684,201 ------------- ---------- ---------- Gross profit.............................. 354,555 331,469 323,945 Selling, general and administrative expenses................................... 301,445 276,262 269,263 Depreciation and amortization................ 28,320 23,387 22,287 ------------- ---------- ---------- Income from operations................... 24,790 31,820 32,395 Other income and (expenses): Interest expense........................... (20,993) (17,596) (14,921) Foreign currency translation gain (loss)................................... (9,204) (14,713) 1,082 Other expenses............................. (3,585) (4,068) (455) ------------- ---------- ---------- (Loss) income before taxes, minority interest and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle......... (8,992) (4,557) 18,101 Provision for income taxes................... 1,148 3,774 8,096 ------------- ---------- ---------- (Loss) income before minority interest and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle................... (10,140) (8,331) 10,005
Minority interest in net income of subsidiaries............................... -- -- 139 ------------- ---------- ---------- (Loss) income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.............................. (10,140) (8,331) 9,866
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income taxes of $317... -- (475) -- ------------- ---------- ---------- Net (loss) income........................ $ (10,140) $ (8,806) $ 9,866 ============= ========== ==========
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share.. $ (10,139.85) $(8,805.57) $ 9,865.72 ============= ========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
MTS, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, 2000, 1999, AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Common Stock ------------------------------------- Accumulated Series A Series B Additional Other --------- -------- --------- -------- Paid-in Retained Comprehensive Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Earnings Income Total -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------- Balance, July 31, 1997...... 500 $ 3 500 $ 3 $ 780 $ 150,238 $ (16,993) $ 134,031 Comprehensive income: Net income................ -- -- -- -- -- 9,866 -- 9,866 Foreign translation adjustment,net of taxes... -- -- -- -- -- -- (7,299) (7,299) --------- Total comprehensive income -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2,567 Trust Distribution.......... -- -- -- -- (780) (15,020) -- (15,800) Conversion of Class A to Class B common shares as part of Reorganization.. (500) (3) 500 3 -- -- -- -- -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------- Balance, July 31, 1998...... -- -- 1,000 6 -- 145,084 (24,292) 120,798 Comprehensive income: Net loss.................. -- -- -- -- -- (8,806) -- (8,806) Foreign translation adjustment, net of taxes.. -- -- -- -- -- -- 3,710 3,710 --------- Total comprehensive income.. (5,096) -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------- Balance, July 31, 1999...... -- -- 1,000 6 -- 136,278 (20,582) 115,702 Comprehensive income: Net loss.................. -- -- -- -- -- (10,140) -- (10,140) Foreign translation adjustment, net of taxes.. -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,798 1,798 --------- Total comprehensive income.. (8,342) -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------- ------------ --------- Balance, July 31, 2000...... -- $ -- 1,000 $ 6 $ -- $ 126,138 $ (18,784) $ 107,360 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========== =========== ============ =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
MTS, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 --------- --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net(loss) income............................. $ (10,140) $ (8,806) $ 9,866 Adjustments to reconcile net(loss)income to net cash provided by operating actvities: Depreciation and amortization.............. 30,658 27,870 28,558 Provision for losses on accounts receivable...................... 289 286 1,087 Loss on disposal of assets................. 7,076 5,547 3,011 Exchange (gain) loss....................... 12,556 14,096 (2,626) Other non-cash (income) expense............ 176 (247) 348 Benefit from deferred taxes................ (3,151) (260) (3,425) Minority interests in net income of subsidiaries............................. -- -- 139 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle................................ -- 475 -- (Decrease) increase in cash resulting from changes in: Accounts receivable...................... (5,079) (3,283) (10,421) Inventories.............................. (21,716) (10,710) 22,394 Prepaid expenses......................... (1,516) (4,593) 2,740 Accounts payable......................... 15,369 (7,111) (21,238) Accrued liabilities and income taxes paya 5,823 1,884 2,697 Deferred revenue......................... (152) (166) 360 --------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by operating activities........................... 30,193 14,982 33,490 --------- --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisition of fixed assets.................. (39,999) (39,799) (30,686) Acquisition of investments................... (3,301) (3,481) (6,179) Increase in deposits......................... (457) (434) (2,165) Refund of deposits........................... 28 247 170 Increase in intangibles...................... (429) (899) (6,410) --------- --------- --------- Net cash used in investing activities.. (44,158) (44,366) (45,270) --------- --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Loans to shareholder, officers and employees................................. -- (277) (90) Proceeds from employee loan repayments....... 280 292 106 Trust distributions.......................... -- -- (240) Principal payments under long-term financing agreements....................... (61,736) (2,495) (220,499) Proceeds from issuance of long-term financing agreements....................... 79,651 29,306 249,493 --------- --------- --------- Net cash provided by financing activities........................... 18,195 26,826 28,770 --------- --------- --------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash........ (7,449) 12,654 (8,988) --------- --------- --------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents..................... (3,219) 10,096 8,002 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period. 24,705 14,609 6,607 --------- --------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period....... $ 21,486 $ 24,705 $ 14,609 ========= ========= =========
Cash paid for interest......................... $ 21,094 $ 17,772 $ 12,872 ========= ========= =========
Cash paid for income taxes..................... $ 6,581 $ 5,709 $ 6,258 ========= ========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NOTE 1--SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
CONSOLIDATION POLICY--The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MTS, INCORPORATED and its majority and wholly owned subsidiaries (Company). As the result of a reorganization in April 1998 of the retail business assets of the shareholder and his family, the financial statements include, on a retroactive basis for the periods prior to the reorganization, the accounts of businesses previously held by two trusts for the benefit of the shareholder's sons (Trusts) as well as the accounts of two S corporations owned by the shareholder's sons (S Corporations) (Note 2).
The Company has a 50% investment in a foreign joint venture that is accounted for using the equity method. In June, 1998, the Company acquired the remaining stock of a joint venture from its former partner; consequently, income or loss of this operation is included in the consolidated statement of operations from the date that the Company acquired a controlling interest.
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
GENERAL--The Company operates retail stores under the name Tower offering a diversified line of recorded music products and other complementary products throughout the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS--The Company considers all highly liquid temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents for purposes of the statement of cash flows.
INVENTORIES--Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined principally by the first-in, first-out method. The Company does not provide an allowance for inventory markdowns, due to music industry return policies, which generally provide for full recovery of cost upon return.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT--Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Depreciation is computed on all fixed assets with the exception of land. Buildings are depreciated over 40 years, leasehold improvements over an average of 15 years, store fixtures over 7 to 10 years, and equipment and vehicles over 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income for the period. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. Amortization of video rental cassettes is calculated based on a straight-line method over three years. When the popularity of renting the new release declines (usually after approximately six months) redundant copies are transferred from rental stock to merchandise inventories for sale to customers at net realizable value. A write down to net realizable value is recorded in cost of sales at the time of the transfer from rental to held-for-sale classification.
The Company records software developed for internal use in accordance with Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." Accordingly, software developed internally for the use by the Company is capitalized only during the application development stage and only certain costs are capitalized.
STORE PREOPENING COSTS--Costs of a noncapital nature incurred prior to opening of new stores are expensed as incurred.
INTANGIBLES--Intangibles primarily represent the excess of cost over the fair value of businesses acquired and debt issuance costs. The Company amortizes goodwill using the straight-line method over 20 years. Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest rate method. Management periodically evaluates intangibles for indications of impairment based on operating results of the related business. If this evaluation indicates that the intangible asset will not be recoverable, as determined based on the undiscounted cash flows related to the intangible asset over the remaining life of the asset, the carrying value of the related intangible asset will be reduced to fair value.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS--Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that 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.
GIFT CERTIFICATES--The Company offers gift certificates for sale. A deferred income account is established for gift certificates issued. When gift certificates are redeemed at the store level, the deferred income account is charged and revenue is credited.
INCOME TAXES--The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Deferred taxes are recorded based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that all, or a portion, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
EARNINGS PER SHARE--Effective 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 128, EARNINGS PER SHARE, which was effective for accounting periods ending after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 128 changed the method of calculating earnings per share and requires a dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 128, earnings per share information for all periods presented have been stated under the methodology and disclosures specified in SFAS No. 128.
REVENUE RECOGNITION--The Company's revenue is primarily from retail sales comprised of recorded music (including compact discs and audio cassettes), video sales (including recorded video cassettes, laser discs and DVD) and other complementary products (including books, magazines, blank tapes, software titles, personal electronics and accessories) through the Company's stores and are recognized at the point of the retail transaction. Reductions of revenues for returns by customers are generally provided at the point of the return due to infrequency and occurrence within short intervals of the sale and immateriality to the financial statements.
TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY--The value of the U.S. dollar rises and falls day-to-day on foreign currency exchanges. Since the Company does business in several foreign countries, these fluctuations affect the Company's financial position and results of operations. In accordance with SFAS No. 52, FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION, all foreign assets and liabilities have been translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the respective balance sheet dates, and all income statement items have been translated using the weighted average exchange rates during the respective years. The net gain or loss resulting from translation upon consolidation into the financial statements is reported as a separate component of shareholder's equity. Some transactions of the Company and its foreign subsidiaries are made in currencies different from their functional currency. Gains and losses from these transactions are included in income as they occur, excluding gains and losses from long-term intercompany balances, that are reported as a separate component of shareholder's equity.
FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS-- The Company enters into forward exchange contracts as an economic hedge against liabilities denominated in foreign currency. Market value gains and losses on hedge contracts are recognized in the statements of operations and offset forward exchange gains and losses recognized on the liabilities denominated in foreign currency. Counter parties to these forward exchange contracts are major financial institutions. Credit loss from counter party nonperformance is not anticipated.
ADVERTISING EXPENSE--Advertising expenses are recorded as an expense when incurred. Cooperative advertising rebates and supplier promotional and in-store advertising reimbursements earned are recognized as reductions to advertising expense in the period the advertisements are run or the merchandising programs are provided. Certain other rebates and listening station fees from media vendors are also credited to advertising expense in the period the related advertising expenses are incurred. Such rebates and reimbursements are in consideration for ad production and placement activities performed by the Company, and are negotiated under contractual agreements on a case-by-case basis. Net advertising and marketing revenue was ($9,060,000), ($8,025,000) and ($4,724,000) for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
USE OF ESTIMATES--The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires 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 during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, REPORTING COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, and SFAS No. 131, DISCLOSURE ABOUT SEGMENTS OF AN ENTERPRISE AND RELATED INFORMATION, in fiscal year 1999, as reflected in the accompanying financial statements and notes herein.
SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. Comprehensive income is a measure of all changes in the equity of the Company as a result of recognized transactions and other economic events of the period other than transactions with shareholders in their capacity as shareholders. Comprehensive income is reflected on the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity.
SFAS No. 131 requires that the Company report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments using the "management approach" model. Under the management approach model, segments are defined based on the way the Company's management internally evaluates segment performance and decides how to allocate resources to segments.
The Company is a worldwide specialty retailer of prerecorded music, video, books and other related products. Certain of the Company's stores offer video and other products for rental. The Company is supported by centralized corporate services and the stores have similar economic characteristics, products, customers, and retail distribution methods, and as such are reported as a single segment. Geographic presentation relating to the Company's foreign operations is disclosed in Note 14.
SFAS No. 133. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". The provisions of SFAS 133 require all derivative instruments to be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges under SFAS 133 must be adjusted to fair value through income. If a derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are either offset against the change in fair value of the underlying assets or liabilities through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings.
The Company adopted SFAS 133, as amended, on August 1, 2000. Commencing in fiscal 2001, the Company will record its derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value and reported adjustments to fair value through income. Given the Company's limited use of derivatives, the cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 133 will not be material.
RECLASSIFICATIONS-- Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior years' financial statements to the current year's presentation.
RISKS RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS--The Company has substantial operations and assets located outside the United States, primarily in Japan and the United Kingdom. With respect to international operations, principally all of the Company's revenues and costs (including borrowing costs) are incurred in the local currency, except that certain inventory purchases are tied to US dollars. The Company's financial performance on a U.S. dollar-denominated basis has historically been significantly affected by changes in currency exchange rates. Changes in certain exchange rates could adversely affect the Company's business, financial position and results of operations.
International operations are also subject to a number of other special risks, including trade barriers, exchange controls, governmental expropriation, political risks and risks of increases in taxes. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries do not protect the Company's trademark, trade name, copyright and other intellectual property rights to the same extent as they do the laws of the United States. Also, various jurisdictions outside the United States have laws limiting the right and ability of non-U.S. subsidiaries and affiliates to pay dividends and remit earnings to affiliated companies unless specified conditions are met. Earnings of international subsidiaries are subject to income taxes of non-U.S. jurisdictions that reduce cash flow available to meet required debt service and other obligations of the Company.
NOTE 2--REORGANIZATION
In April 1998, the Company consummated certain transactions designed to consolidate substantially all of the business operations into the Company (such transactions collectively, the "Reorganization") as a result of which the Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of TOWER RECORDS, INCORPORATED (Parent). The Company also, prior to the Reorganization, transferred certain assets to the Trusts in April 1998.
The Reorganization included an exchange by the Company's shareholders of their common shares in the Company for a controlling equity interest in the Parent. As part of the Reorganization, two irrevocable trusts established by the Company's principal shareholder for the benefit of his sons (the Trusts) and the shareholders of two S corporations (the S Corporations), contributed certain assets, liabilities and equity ownership interests in businesses to the Parent in exchange for the remaining equity interest in the Parent. The assets, liabilities and businesses contributed by the Trusts and the shareholders of the S Corporations consist of one Tower store, land used in the Tower business, trademark rights to the Tower name in Japan and all royalties accrued in connection therewith after February 1, 1998, a recorded music wholesale operation, intercompany receivables and payables, bank debt and the cash surrender value as of April 1998 of certain second-to-die split value life insurance policies on the lives of the Parent's principal shareholder and his wife. The Parent then contributed to the Company the assets and liabilities it received from the Trusts and the shareholders of the S corporations.
The Reorganization was a combination of businesses under common control and, accordingly, has been accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling-of-interests. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities the Company received from the Parent in the Reorganization and the historical results of operations of such business assets are included, on a retroactive basis, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations for all periods presented at the previous accounting basis of the Trusts and shareholders of the S corporations.
Subsequent to July 31, 1998, the Company eliminated by upstream merger the subsidiary of T.R. Services. Additionally, the Company reacquired all minority interests in certain subsidiaries of MTS, INCORPORATED which the Company eliminated through upstream mergers into the Company. The Company also eliminated Tower Domestic, Inc. and Queen Anne Record Sales, subsidiaries of the Company, through upstream mergers into the Company.
Prior to and apart from the Reorganization, the Company transferred to the Trusts certain assets valued at $2,860,000 in exchange for inventory with an equal value. The sale price of these assets was determined based on independent appraisals or estimates of the fair market value of the assets that the Company believes to be reasonable.
In the Reorganization, the Trusts transferred to the Parent certain business assets, liabilities, intercompany accounts, and the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies and retained their cash, certain receivables and other assets and liabilities with an aggregate net book value of $15,800,000, net of related deferred taxes. The principal asset retained is an interest bearing trademark royalty receivable from the Company amounting to $12,891,000, offset by a related deferred tax liability of $5,801,000. Since the Company's consolidated financial statements include the Trust's assets and liabilities on a retroactive basis; the net assets retained by the Trusts are reflected as non-cash distributions of retained earnings on the date of the Reorganization.
In accordance with the Company's articles of incorporation, each outstanding share of its Class A common stock automatically converted to one share of Class B common stock upon exchange of the Company's common shares by the shareholders for shares of the Parent as part of the Reorganization.
NOTE 3--EARNINGS PER SHARE
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share computations under SFAS No. 128 is as follows (in thousands, except per share information):
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- ----------- (Loss) income available to common shareholder before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle..... $ (10,140) $ (8,331) $ 9,866 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.................. -- (475) -- ----------- ----------- ----------- $ (10,140) $ (8,806) $ 9,866 =========== =========== ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding for determination of: Basic earnings per share.............. 1,000 1,000 1,000 =========== =========== ===========
Diluted earnings per share............ 1,000 1,000 1,000 =========== =========== ===========
Basic earnings per share: On (loss) income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle............................ $(10,140.00) (8,330.74) $ 9,865.72 On cumulative effect of change in accounting principle................. -- (474.83) -- ----------- ----------- ----------- On (loss) net income.................. $(10,140.00) (8,805.57) $ 9,865.72 =========== =========== ===========
Diluted (loss) earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share since the Company has a simple capital structure with only common shares outstanding.
NOTE 4--RECEIVABLES
Receivables consist (in thousands):
July 31, ------------------------ 2000 1999 ----------- ----------- Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,597 and $1,312 for 2000 and 1999, respectively................................. $ 20,968 $ 18,449 Officers and employee receivables, including notes, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $588 and $584 for 2000 and 1999, respectively....................................... 870 841 Other receivables.................................... 9,619 7,088 ----------- ----------- $ 31,457 $ 26,378 =========== ===========
The Company has receivables of approximately $9,141,000 and $8,406,000 from sales of product for resale and supplies to unconsolidated foreign joint ventures at July 31, 2000 and 1999 respectively, included in trade receivables.
NOTE 5--FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets consist of (in thousands):
July 31, ------------------------ 2000 1999 ----------- ----------- Land................................................. $ 9,737 $ 9,730 Buildings............................................ 19,118 19,057 Leasehold improvements............................... 169,859 156,506 Video rental......................................... 9,273 13,517 Store fixtures....................................... 51,584 47,722 Equipment............................................ 139,765 117,870 Vehicles............................................. 516 508 ----------- ----------- 399,852 364,910 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization...... 192,412 168,046 ----------- ----------- $ 207,440 $ 196,864 =========== ===========
The cost to build new store fixtures and improvements includes a portion of interest expense. Interest capitalized was $661,000 and $382,000 for the years ended July 31, 2000 and 1999 respectively.
Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets was $30,658,000, $27,280,000 and $27,113,000 for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
NOTE 6--OTHER ASSETS
July 31, ------------------------ Other assets consist of (in thousands): 2000 1999 ----------- ----------- Notes receivable, officers and employees, less current portion............................... $ 1,718 $ 2,320 Investment in foreign joint ventures................. 1,217 1,129 Securities and Artwork .............................. 35 10 Cash surrender value of officers' life insurance..... 18,868 15,650 Deposits............................................. 8,898 8,298 Goodwill, debt issuance costs and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $8,766 for 2000 and $6,286 for 1999, respectively....................................... 7,660 9,843 ----------- ----------- $ 38,396 $ 37,250 =========== ===========
Cash surrender value of life insurance at July 31, 2000 includes $15,432,000 as to split value life insurance policies on the lives of the Company's Parent's principal shareholder and his wife for the benefit of certain family trusts. Under the terms of the policies, the Company will receive the first proceeds of the policies up to the aggregate premiums paid by the Company, except for one group of policies as to which the Company will receive the first proceeds of the policies up to the sum of the aggregate premiums paid by the Company plus $14,674,000 representing the cash surrender value of the policies when received by the Company in April 1998 as part of the Reorganization. The balance of the proceeds will be paid to the Trusts. Premiums on the policies amount to $3.6 million per year, which are recorded as expense, net of increases in the cash surrender value of the policies. Life insurance expense related to these policies amounted to $282,000, $280,000 and $279,000 in the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively.
NOTE 7--LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of (in thousands):
July 31, ------------------------ 2000 1999 ----------- ----------- 9.375% Senior Subordinated Notes, uncollateralized, interest payable semiannually, principal due May 2005............... $ 110,000 $ 110,000 Senior Revolving Credit Facility, collateralized: Dollar-based, variable interest payable monthly (7.39% to 7.51% at July 31, 2000), principal due April 2001......................... 74,000 51,000 Yen-based, variable interest payable monthly (.92% to 1.38% at July 31, 2000), principal due April 2001......................... 114,055 110,537 Other obligations, 7.0% to 12.5%, principal and interest generally due in monthly installments, collateralized by certain real property, equipment and leasehold improvements....................................... 13,508 11,603 ----------- ----------- Total Long-term Debt................................. 311,563 283,140 Less Current Portion................................. 191,325 2,971 ----------- ----------- Non-current Debt..................................... $ 120,238 $ 280,169 =========== ===========
In April 1998 the Company refinanced on a long-term basis certain obligations outstanding under its revolving credit lines senior notes and term notes by consummating an offering of $110.0 million of 9.375% senior subordinated notes (Notes) and entering into a senior revolving credit facility (Credit Facility) of up to $275.0 million.
The Notes have options to redeem in part at various premiums throughout the duration of the indenture. The Credit Facility consists of two sub-facilities (one for a maximum of $125.0 million and one for Japanese yen of Y 19,810,500,000, which amounted to $150.0 million at inception) and matures in April 2001 The Company intends to renew the credit facility prior to expiration. Management believes that the cash flow generated from its operations, together with amounts available under this renewed credit facility, should be sufficient to fund its debt service requirements, and other cash flow needs for the next twelve months. The Company's future operating performance and ability to service or refinance the notes and the credit facility will be subject to the Company's ability to secure a refinance on its Senior Credit Facility maturing on April 23, 2001, future economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control.
Maximum borrowings under the Credit Facility are subject to a borrowing base formula and are collateralized by a majority of the Company's inventory, accounts receivable and a pledge of 65% of the capital stock of its Japanese subsidiary. Subject to borrowing base availability the Credit Facility provides for borrowings by the Company of up to $275,000,000. As of July 31, 2000, $264,608,000 of borrowing capacity was available to the Company under the Credit Facility of which $188,055,000 was outstanding. The Credit Facility bears interest at various variable rates, including (as defined in the agreements) a Money Market Rate, ABR Rate, Yen Base Rate and Euro Rate, plus an annual facility fee payable by the Company.
There are various restrictive terms and covenants under the senior subordinated notes and revolving credit facility relating to occurrence of material adverse financial operating conditions, minimum levels of net worth, minimum fixed charge ratios, balance sheet ratios and leverage ratios, certain debt and certain limitations on additional indebtedness, liens or encumbrances on assets, long-term lease transactions, capital expenditures, and issuance of capital stock, of which the Company is in compliance.
Maturities of long-term debt obligations are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending July 31, Maturities ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- 2001............................................... $ 191,325 2002............................................... 2,078 2003............................................... 1,789 2004............................................... 1,171 2005............................................... 1,091 Thereafter......................................... 114,109 ----------- Total................................... $ 311,563 ===========
NOTE 8--INTEREST RATE INSTRUMENTS
During 2000 and 1999 the Company was party to an interest rate swap covering debt with a total amount of $20.1 million (approximately Y2.200.000.000) outstanding. This swap, currently outstanding and expiring in March 2001, changes the floating interest rate exposure on Y2.200.000.000 of bank loans to a fixed interest rate exposure of 1.49%.
NOTE 9--DISCLOSURE ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments approximates the related carrying value. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Notes Receivable - The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Long-term Debt - The fair value of the Company's fixed rate long- term debt was estimated based upon the discounted amount of future cash flows using rates offered to the Company for debt of a similar nature using remaining average maturities and taking into account the global markets in which funds are available to the Company. The carrying value of the Company's variable rate debt approximates fair value due to the variable nature of interest rates.
Risk Management Instruments - Foreign exchange and interest rate risk management instruments are recorded at their estimated value based on quoted market prices of comparable contracts.
Deposits - The fair value is not determinable since there is no market for these deposits and the date of recovery of the amount on deposit depends on future events.
NOTE 10--SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
COMMON STOCK--The Company's articles of incorporation authorized issuance of two classes of common stock: Class A and Class B. Class A (5,000,000 authorized; none outstanding) and Class B (10,000,000 shares authorized;1,000 outstanding) Common Stock have no par value and have the same rights and privileges except that Class A common has ten votes per share on all matters while Class B common has one vote per share on all matters and Class B common has priority voting rights, as a separate class, to elect twenty-five percent of the total membership of the Board of Directors.
In accordance with the Company's Articles of Incorporation, each share of Class A common automatically converted into one share of Class B common stock upon the exchange by the shareholder's of the Company's common shares for shares of the Parent as part of the Reorganization (see Note 2).
PREFERRED STOCK--Preferred stock (1,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding) may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is authorized to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon unissued series of preferred stock and to fix the number of shares of any such series.
NOTE 11--LEASES
OPERATING LEASES--The Company leases substantially all of its retail stores, warehouses and administrative facilities. Those operating lease agreements expire through 2024 and generally have renewal options of one to twenty years. The terms of the leases provide for fixed or minimum payments plus, in some cases, contingent rents based on the consumer price index, or percentages of sales in excess of specified minimum amounts or other specified increases. The Company is generally responsible for maintenance, insurance and property taxes.
Minimum future obligations on noncancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending July 31, Amount ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- 2001............................................... $ 38,061 2002............................................... 36,801 2003............................................... 35,844 2004............................................... 28,928 2005............................................... 24,454 Thereafter......................................... 140,392 ----------- Total Minimum Future Rental Payments............. $ 304,480 ===========
Total rental expense (including taxes and maintenance, when included in rent, contingent rents and accruals to recognize minimum rents on the straight-line basis over the term of the lease) relating to all operating leases for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows (in thousands):
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- ----------- Minimum rentals......................... $ 74,845 $ 68,507 $ 63,772 Contingent rentals...................... 6,204 5,392 5,136 ----------- ----------- ----------- $ 81,049 $ 73,899 $ 68,908 =========== =========== ===========
NOTE 12--INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes is allocated between income from operations, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt and cumulative translation adjustments to shareholders' equity. The provision for income taxes on income from operations consists of (in thousands):
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- ----------- Current: U.S. Federal.......................... $ 942 $ 1,216 $ 10,055 State and Local....................... 1,786 1,462 1,215 Foreign............................... 1,571 1,356 251 ----------- ----------- ----------- 4,299 4,034 11,521 ----------- ----------- ----------- Deferred: U.S. Federal.......................... (1,328) (761) 124 State and Local....................... (682) (416) (226) Foreign............................... (1,141) 917 (3,323) ----------- ----------- ----------- (3,151) (260) (3,425) ----------- ----------- ----------- Provision for income taxes.............. $ 1,148 $ 3,774 $ 8,096 =========== =========== ===========
The effective tax rates (i.e. provision for income taxes as a percent of income before income taxes) differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ----------------------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Federal income tax, at statutory rate....... ($3,147) -35.0% ($1,595) -35.0% $6,335 35.0% Trust taxes in excess of C corporation rate. -- -- -- -- 246 1.4% State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit................. (352) -3.9% (169) -3.7% 1,023 5.7% State franchise and capital tax.............. 540 6.0% 513 11.3% -- -- Change in valuation allowance................ 3,012 33.5% 3,507 76.9% -- -- Foreign taxes............................... 1,571 17.5% 1,710 37.5% 3,073 17.0% Foreign tax credit recognized............... (1,244) -13.8% (903) -19.8% (3,073) -17.0% Other, principally permanent differences............................... 768 8.5% 711 15.6% 492 2.7% -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Provision for income taxes.................. $1,148 12.8% $3,774 82.8% $8,096 44.8% ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
The effective tax rate prior to the Reorganization in April 1998 was influenced by higher statutory tax rates applicable to trust income than to C Corporation income and deductibility of distributions of trust income within certain time frames when earned.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities consist of the tax effects of temporary differences related to the following (in thousands):
July 31, -------------------- 2000 1999 --------- --------- Deferred tax assets: Foreign translation.........................................$ 7,758 $ 4,596 Foreign tax credits........................................ 3,688 2,294 Cumulative translation adjustment to shareholders' equity.. 13,504 13,740 Tax, but not book, gain on transactions between MTS and Trusts............................................... 2,964 3,292 California state franchise tax............................. 0 279 Vacation Accrual........................................... 895 751 Capitalized inventory costs................................ 629 513 Differences between tax and accounting in inclusion of income from foreign operations.............. 3,964 958 Other nondeductible expenses and accelerated income items............................................. 555 356 --------- --------- Total deferred tax assets................................ 33,957 26,779 --------- --------- Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and amortization.............................. 4,146 4,426 Other accelerated deductions and deferred income items............................................. 811 811 State tax.................................................... 140 --------- --------- Total deferred tax liabilities........................... 5,097 5,237 --------- --------- Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance..... 28,860 21,542
Valuation allowance.......................................... 6,518 3,507 --------- --------- Net deffered tax asset........................................$ 22,342 $ 18,035 ========= =========
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheets as follows (in thousands):
July 31, -------------------- 2000 1999 --------- --------- Current deferred tax assets.................................. $ 12,694 $ 8,241 Non-current deferred tax assets.............................. 9,648 9,794 --------- --------- Net deferred tax assets.................................. $ 22,342 $ 18,035 ========= =========
The Company established a valuation allowance in the amount of $6.5 million and $3.5 million for July 31, 2000 and 1999 respectively, an increase of $3.0 million, against deferred tax assets resulting from operating losses incurred by its subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Argentina, Taiwan, Singapore and Canada.
NOTE 13--EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
PROFIT SHARING-- Substantially all full-time domestic employees with twenty-four months of service who have attained age twenty- one participate in the Company's profit sharing retirement programs. The plans provide for discretionary contributions as determined annually by the Board of Directors of up to 15% of all eligible compensation. Costs under the plans are funded on an annual basis. The trustee of the plan is also an officer of the Company.
The Company also maintains a plan for employees of their Japanese subsidiary. The plan covers substantially all employees of the Japanese operations. The plan provides for a lump sum payment upon termination without cause based on term of service and compensation level. A liability for plan payments is accrued equal to the amount that would result from termination of all employees based on service to date and current compensation levels. As permitted by Japanese law, the plan is not funded.
Pension expense under the pension plans amounted to $2,516,000, $2,329,000 and $2,383,000 for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
SALARY DEFERRAL-- In October 1998, the Company established a salary deferral plan (401(K) Plan). All employees with twelve months of service who have attained age eighteen may join the 401 (K) Plan on January 1st and July 1st each year. All eligible employees may contribute up to 15% or $10,000 of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis.
NOTE 14--SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:
The Company operates predominantly in the recorded music retail industry.
Financial information relating to the Company's principal foreign operations is as follows (in thousands):
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- ----------- Net Revenue: United States: Unaffiliated customer sales....... $ 627,405 $ 591,946 $ 587,565 Interarea transfers............... 22,233 24,136 37,901 ----------- ----------- ----------- 649,638 616,082 625,466 ----------- ----------- ----------- Japan: Unaffiliated customer sales....... 359,909 313,204 288,876 Interarea transfers............... -- -- 0 ----------- ----------- ----------- 359,909 313,204 288,876 ----------- ----------- ----------- Great Britain and Ireland: Unaffiliated customer sales....... 57,805 62,273 64,419 Interarea transfers............... 1,447 3,308 1,215 ----------- ----------- ----------- 59,252 65,581 65,634 ----------- ----------- ----------- Other: Unaffiliated customer sales....... 31,132 31,512 28,170 Interarea transfers............... -- -- 0 ----------- ----------- ----------- 31,132 31,512 28,170 ----------- ----------- ----------- TOTAL $ 1,099,931 $ 1,026,379 $ 1,008,146 =========== =========== ===========
Operating income (loss): United States....................... $ 17,526 $ 21,657 $ 23,310 Japan............................... 13,850 11,988 10,135 Great Britain and Ireland........... (1,279) 676 951 Other............................... (5,307) (2,501) (2,001) ----------- ----------- ----------- $ 24,790 $ 31,820 $ 32,395 =========== =========== ===========
July 31, ------------------------ 2000 1999 ----------- ----------- Identifiable assets: United States....................... $ 431,825 $ 399,811 Japan............................... 135,329 128,910 Great Britain and Ireland........... 27,277 30,488 Other............................... 32,847 26,943 ----------- ----------- $ 627,278 $ 586,157 =========== ===========
United States net revenue includes export sales to non-affiliated customers of $1,435,000, $2,107,000 and $2,583,000 for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
NOTE 15--SELECTED UNAUDITED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (in thousands, except per share)
October 31, January 31, April 30, July 31, Fiscal 1999 2000 2000 2000 2000 ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Sales................. $ 251,470 $ 335,639 $ 255,042 $ 257,780 $ 1,099,931 Gross profits......... 84,832 98,737 85,441 85,545 854,555 Net income (loss)..... (1,429) 2,007 (4,253) (6,465) (10,140) Income (loss) per share........... $ (1,429.18) $ 2,007.34 $ (4,253.50) $ (6,464.51) $ (10,139.85)
October 31, January 31, April 30, July 31, Fiscal 1998 1999 1999 1999 1999 ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Sales................. $ 233,598 $ 302,788 $ 242,467 $ 247,526 $ 1,026,379 Gross profits......... 79,111 93,019 76,029 83,310 331,469 Net income (loss)..... (2,416) 2,406 (2,613) (6,183) (8,806) Income (loss) per share........... $ (2,415.80) $ 2,405.80 $ (2,612.68) $ (6,182.89) $ (8,805.57)
NOTE 16--FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
At July 31, 2000, the Company had outstanding forward exchange contracts maturing on dates through February 2001, to buy approximately $7,600,000 in foreign currency (850 billion yen at the contract rate). The fair value of the contracts as of July 31, 2000 is 864 billion yen. These contracts are for the purpose of hedging liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars. Market value gains and losses on these contracts are recognized in the statement of operations and offset foreign exchange gains and losses recognized on the liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars.
NOTE 17--RELATED PARTIES
The Company has accrued royalty fees payable to the Trusts for royalties charged to them for the use of the Trusts' trademarks and logos. The Company is charged interest on the unpaid balance at current six month U.S. Treasury Bill Rates, plus 250 basis points of 7.04% at July 31, 2000. The outstanding payable to the trust is approximately $12,359,000 and is included in accounts payable.
In addition the Company had a note receivable at July 31, 1998 from the Trusts for the purchase of the Japanese corporate headquarters office. The note was for approximately 620 million yen ($4,283,247 at July 31, 1998) and was included in other current receivables. The note was paid in full during the year ended July 31, 2000.
Additional related-party transactions include royalty expense to the Trusts of $0, $0 and $5,255,000 for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively, and lease expense to an affiliate of $667,000, $609,000 and $588,000 for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
As of July 31, 2000, the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors owed the Company $188,091 under an interest-free loan and a merchandise account, with the Company.
As of July 31, 2000, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, owed the Company $30,197 under an interest-free merchandise account with the Company.
As of July 31, 2000, the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, owed the Company $125,576 under an interest-bearing loan and an interest-free merchandise account, with the Company.
Prior to July 31, 2000, the former Chief Marketing Officer of the Company, owed the Company $100,500 under an interest-free home loan from the Company and $17,255 under an interest-free merchandise account with the Company. Both amounts were forgiven as part of his agreement approved by the Company.
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 following table sets forth the name, age, position and years of service of the individuals who were serving as directors and executive officers of the Company, as of October 31, 2000. Executive officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board.
officers names table
Name
Age
Position
Years with Tower
Russell M. Solomon
Chairman and Board Member
Michael T. Solomon
President and Chief Executive Officer
DeVaughn D. Searson
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director
Stanley L. Goman
Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President
Ronald Nugent
Chief Advertising Officer and Executive Vice President
New
Keith Cahoon
Senior Vice President--Far East Operations
Andy D. Lown
Senior Vice President--European Operations
Robert Lorber
Director
RUSSELL M. SOLOMON serves as Chairman and as a Director of the Company, and is a member of the Company's Executive Committee. Mr. Solomon has served as President of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers ("NARM") and as a Board member of the Video Software Dealers Association. Mr. Solomon is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Good Guys! Mr. Solomon is the father of Michael T. Solomon.
MICHAEL T. SOLOMON serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company and is a member of the Company's Executive Committee. Mr. Solomon was appointed President and CEO of the Company in September, 1998. From 1987 to the date of this appointment, Mr. Solomon was the Company's General Counsel. Mr. Solomon has served on several NARM subcommittees and is a member of the California Bar Association. Mr. Solomon is the son of Russell M. Solomon.
DEVAUGHN D. SEARSON has served as the Company's Chief Financial Officer since 1988 and was appointed Executive Vice President in 1998. Mr. Searson is a member of the Company's Executive Committee. Mr. Searson has also served as a Director of the Company since May 1998. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Searson was President and Managing Partner of Searson & Company, CPAs, the Company's outside accounting firm at the time, and served as the Company's outside accountant for 11 years. Mr. Searson is a certified public accountant.
STANLEY L. GOMAN has been an employee of the Company since 1967 and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. Mr. Goman is a member of the Company's Executive Committee. Mr. Goman presently serves as an Ex-officio member of NARM's Board of Directors, and has also served as Chairman of the NARM Retail Advisory Committee. Mr. Goman has also served on the Country Music Association's Board of Directors.
RONALD NUGENT joined the Company in 2000 as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer. He is responsible for overseeing the development of comprehensive marketing plans to support corporate branding, sales, revenue and profit objectives of the Company. Previously Mr. Nugent has held executive marketing positions at Breuners Home Furnishings Corporation, Lechmere and Montgomery Ward. Mr. Nugent has over 27 years in retail experience in the areas of strategic planning, advertising, consumer and market research, direct marketing, merchandise presentation, event marketing and database marketing.
KEITH CAHOON has served as Managing Director of the Company's Far East Operations since 1984. Mr. Cahoon is a member of the Company's Executive Committee.
ANDY D. LOWN has been an employee of the Company since 1986 and currently serves as Managing Director of the Company's European operations. Mr. Lown is a member of the Company's Executive Committee. Mr. Lown also serves on the Executive Committee, Operations Committee and Supervisory Committee of the British Association of Record Dealers and on the Board of the British Phonographic Association.
ROBERT LORBER became a director of the Company in 1998. Since 1976, Mr. Lorber has been President of Lorber-Kamai Consulting Group, which advises Fortune 500 clients on productivity improvement. He is also a professor at the Graduate School of Management at UC Davis.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth compensation paid by the Company during each of the Company's 2000, 1999, and 1998 fiscal years to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the next four highest-earning executive officers of the company for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2000, (the" Named Executive Officers"):
Annual Compensation --------------------------------------- Other All Annual Other Name and Principal Compensa- Compensa- Position Year Salary Bonus tion tion (a) ---------------------------- -------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- Russell M. Solomon ......... 2000 $671,780 $447,000 $39,000 $7,872 Chairman 1999 602,780 467,774 6,000 7,521 1998 643,260 300,000 0 6,259
Michael T. Solomon ......... 2000 $399,400 $100,000 $39,000 $7,872 President and CEO 1999 428,550 100,000 6,000 7,521 1998 334,783 85,000 6,600 6,259
DeVaughn D. Searson ........ 2000 $240,916 $100,000 $39,000 $7,872 EVP and Chief Financial 1999 221,977 255,000 6,000 7,521 Officer 1998 216,649 112,500 0 7,948
Stanley L. Goman ........... 2000 $210,900 $100,000 $11,437 $7,872 EVP and Chief Operating 1999 208,500 107,950 11,437 7,521 Officer 1998 205,756 85,500 11,437 6,259
Christopher Hopson...........2000(e) $200,500 $50,000 $7,200 1,664,746 EVP and Chief Marketing 1999 197,500 120,156 17,650 7,521 Officer 1998 191,064 82,102 17,047 6,259
Keith Cahoon ............... 2000(b) $189,358 $0 $101,152 $7,872 SVP and Managing Director 1999(c) 181,053 7,544 85,743 7,521 Far East Operations 1998(d) 143,333 17,917 92,206 6,259
(a) Represents Company contributions to the Company's retirement plan on behalf of MTS Named Executive Officers.
(b) Calculated at an exchange rate of 109 Japanese yen per U.S. dollar.
Calculated at an exchange rate of 114 Japanese yen per U.S. dollar.
Calculated at an exchange rate of 145 Japanese yen per U.S. dollar.
Represents amounts paid to Christopher Hopson in connection with the termination of his employment with the Company.
Employment Agreements
The Company has entered into a letter agreement with Ron Nugent in connection with the hiring of Mr. Nugent as the Company's new Chief Marketing Officer. The letter agreement provides for Mr. Nugent to receive an annual base salary of $220,000 per year, subject to discretionary annual increases, and an annual target bonus of up to $75,000. Mr. Nugent is also entitled to receive a relocation allowance and other standard employee benefits in accordance with the Company's benefit plans. Although Mr. Nugent's employment may be terminated by either the Company or Mr. Nugent at any time, in the event that the Company terminates Mr. Nugent's employment without cause, Mr. Nugent will receive severance pay in an amount equal to up to four months' salary for each full year that he is employed by the Company and will be entitled to participate in certain future severance plans if adopted by the Company.
Additional Agreements, Arrangements and Understandings
The Company has entered into an agreement with Christopher S. Hopson, the Company's former Chief Marketing Officer and a former member of the Company's Executive Committee, in connection with Mr. Hopson's departure from the Company. The agreement provides for Mr. Hopson to receive certain payments from the Company in recognition of his over thirty years of service to the Company and in order to resolve certain actual or potential claims or disputes between the Company and Mr. Hopson. Specifically, under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Hopson is entitled to receive a $400,000 bonus, a $500,000 payment for his agreement to generally release the Company from all known and unknown claims, a $500,000 payment for his agreement to waive any federal age discrimination claims, and a $264,746 payment in connection with a dispute over Mr. Hopson's potential ownership interest in a subsidiary of the Company. The Company has also agreed to forgive a $100,500 loan secured by a lien on Mr. Hopson's residence, release Mr. Hopson from any responsibility for a $17,255 balance in Mr. Hopson's merchandise account with the Company, and pay Mr. Hopson $34,805 in accrued vacation benefits. The agreement further provides that Mr. Hopson and his spouse and eligible dependents will continue to receive medical coverage under the Company's group health plan (or substitute coverage in the event of a termination of the Company's group health plan) until such time as Mr. Hopson and his spouse are entitled to receive Medicare benefits, and that the Company will reimburse Mr. Hopson for any loss in benefits Mr. Hopson may incur by reason of the agreement in connection with any future claims by Mr. Hopson under the Company's long term disability program.
The Company's Articles of Incorporation contain provisions that eliminate the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by law and authorize the Company to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. Such limitation of liability does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors containing provisions which are in some respects broader that the specific indemnification provisions contained in the California Corporations Code, including advancement of expenses to the indemnities, the indemnities right to select counsel and continuation of indemnification after indemnities' separation from the Company. The indemnification agreements may require the Company, among other things, to indemnify such officers and directors against certain liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.
Compensation of Directors
Each member of the Board of Directors has been elected to serve until his successor has been elected and qualified. The Company's employees who serve as directors receive $3,000 as separate compensation for their services as directors for each Board of Directors meeting attended. Robert Lorber, the Company's only non-employee director, received $156,000 plus expenses for his service as a director and consultant to the Company during the Company's 2000 fiscal year, which included a monthly fee of $3,000 for each Board of Directors meeting attended.
Item 12.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of October 31, 2000 by (i) each person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company's directors, (iii) The Named Executive Officers, and (iv) all directors and Named Executive Officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes that the beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Percentage Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (a) Ownership(b)( Ownership --------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- Russell M. Solomon (d)............................. 620 62.00% Michael T. Solomon(e).............................. 372 37.20% DeVaughn D. Searson................................ Stanley L. Goman................................... Ronald Nugent...................................... Keith Cahoon....................................... Andy Lown.......................................... Robert Lorber....................................................................... All directors and officers as a group (7 persons).. 992 99.20%
(a) The address of each named individual is the address of the principal executive office of the Company as set forth herein. (b) The numbers presented indicate the number of shares beneficially owned. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person holding such option or warrant for computing the percentage ownership of such person, but are not treated as outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. As of the date hereof, the company had no such options or warrants outstanding. (c) Such share amounts solely reflect indirect ownership of the Class B Common Stock of the Company, the only outstanding class of capital stock of the Company. There are 1,000 shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company outstanding, all of which are owned by the Company's parent corporation, Tower Records, Incorporated, and Russell Solomon beneficially owns 620 shares, or 62% and Michael Solomon, beneficially owns 372 shares, or 37.2%, of the outstanding Common Stock of Tower Records, Incorporated. (d) Russell Solomon has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares as Trustee of the Russell Solomon Trust. (e) Michael Solomon has sole voting and investment power with respect to 364 of such shares as Trustee of the Michael Solomon 1994 Trust (the "Michael Solomon Trust"), the David Solomon 1994 Trust (the "David Solomon Trust"), the Andrew C. Solomon Trust, and the Aaron O. Solomon Trust, which own 180,180, 2 and 2 of such shares, respectively. Michael Solomon is also the beneficiary of the Michael Solomon Trust.
Item 13.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
As of July 31, 2000, Christopher Hopson, the former Chief Marketing Officer of the Company, owed the Company $100,500 under an interest-free home loan from the Company and $17,255 under an interest-free merchandise account with the Company. Both loans were forgiven as part of a severance package granted to Mr. Hopson by the Company in August, 2000.
Life Insurance
The Company maintains split-dollar insurance policies on the lives of Russell M. Solomon and Doris E. Solomon for the benefit of certain family trusts. The aggregate annual premiums on such policies paid by the Company are approximately $3.6 million. The Company will receive the first proceeds of the policies up to the aggregate premiums paid by the Company after the reorganization date plus $14,874,000 representing the cash value of the policies when received by the Company in April 1998.
In addition, the Company maintains key-man life insurance policies on the lives of certain executive officers of the Company. Aggregate annual premiums on such policies are approximately $.3 million. The Company is the beneficiary of the key-man policies.
Certain Indebtedness of Management and Affiliates
As of July 31, 2000, Russell Solomon, the Chairman and a director of the Company, owed the Company the $157,500 and $30,591 under loans from and a merchandise account, respectively, with the Company, both of which are interest-free.
As of July 31, 2000, Michael Solomon, President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, owed the Company $30,197 under a merchandise account with the Company, which is interest-free.
As of July 31, 2000, Stanley Goman, the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, owed the Company $56,214 under a loan from the Company bearing interest at 9.5% per annum and $69,362 under an interest-free merchandise account, with the Company.
Prior to July 31, 2000, Christopher Hopson, the former Chief Marketing Officer of the Company, owed the Company $100,500 under an interest-free home loan from the Company and $17,255 under an interest-free merchandise account with the Company. Both amounts were forgiven as part of his agreement approved by the Company.
The Company has accrued royalty fees payable to the Trusts for royalties charged to them for the use of the Trust's trademarks and logos. The Company is charged interest on the unpaid balance at current six month U.S. Treasury Bill Rates, plus 250 basis points or 7.04% at July 31, 2000. The outstanding payable to the trust is approximately $12,359,000 and is included in accounts payable.
The Company had a note receivable from the Trust for the purchase of the Japanese corporate headquarters office. The note was for approximately 620 million yen ($4,283,247 as July 31, 1998) and was included in other current receivables. The note was paid in full during the year ended July 31, 2000.
Additional related-party transactions include royalty expense to the Trusts of $0, $0 and $5,255,000 for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively, and lease expense to Solomon Properties LLC, an affiliate of the Trust, of $667,000, and $609,000 and $588,000 for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively.
PART IV
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K
(a) Index to Financial Statements (1) Financial Statements: Report of Independent Accountants
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2000 and 1999
Consolidated Statements of Operation for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
Consolidates Statement of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Financial Statement Schedules: (a) Schedule II- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998.
All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not required or are not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the fourth quarter of the Company's last fiscal year. (c) EXHIBITS Reference is made to the Index of Exhibits immediately preceding the exhibits hereto, which index is incorporated herein by reference.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
Signatures
Title
Date
/s/ RUSSELL M. SOLOMON
Russell M. Solomon
Chairman and Director
October 27, 2000
/s/ MICHAEL T. SOLOMON
Michael T. Solomon
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
October 27, 2000
/s/ DEVAUGHN D. SEARSON
DeVaughn D. Searson
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
October 27, 2000
MTS, INCORPORATED
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ DEVAUGHN D. SEARSON
DeVaughn D. Searson
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Description
3.1
+++
Restated Articles of Incorporation of MTS, Incorporated filed with the California Secretary of State on September 22, 1994
3.2
+++
By-Laws of MTS, Incorporated
4.1
+
Purchase Agreement dated as of April 23, 1998 between the Registrant, Chase Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
4.2
+
Indenture dated as of April 23, 1998 (the "Indenture") by and between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Califonia, N.A., as Trustee
4.3
+
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 20, 1998 by and among the Registrant and Chase Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as the initial purchases
4.4
+
$104,720,000 Existing 14A Global 144A Global 9 3/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2005
4.5
+
$5,280,000 Existing Regulation S Global 9 3/8% Senior Subodinated Note due 2005
4.6
+
4.6 Form of New 9 3/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2005
5.1
+++
Opinion of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati regarding legality of securities being registered
10.1
+
Credit Agreement dated as of April 23, 1998 by and among the Registrant, Tower Records Kabushiki Kaisha, the Lenders party thereto, and The Chase manhattan Bank as Administrative Agent
10.2
+++
10.2 Japanese Security Agreement dated as of April 23, 1998
10.3
+++
10.3 MTS, Incorporated Security Agreement dated as of April 23, 1998
10.4
10.4 Christopher Hopson Release Agreement
21.10
+
List of Subsidiaries
23.10
+++
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.20
+++
Consent of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
25.10
+++
Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 for State Street Bank and Trust Company of California, N.A., as Trustee under the Indenture
27.10
Financial Data Schedule
99.10
+++
Form of Letter of Transmittal
99.20
+++
Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
99.30
+++
99.30 Consent of Music Business International
_________________
+ Previously filed with the S4 Registration Statement
++ Previously filed with Amendment No. 1 to the S-4 Registration Statement on July 1, 1998
+++ Previously filed with Amendment No. 2 to the S-4 Registration Statement on July 23, 1998
SCHEDULE II
MTS, INCORPORATED
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Fiscal Years Ended July 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
(in thousands)
Additions ---------------------- Balance Charged Charged Balance at to Costs to at Beginning and Other End of Description of Period Expenses Accounts Deductions Period ------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- ----------- --------- ---- Allowance for doubtful receivables.......... $ 518 $ 1,092 $ $ $ 1,610
---- Allowance for doubtful receivables.......... $ 1,610 $ 286 $ $ $ 1,896
---- Allowance for doubtful receivables.......... $ 1,896 289 $ $ $ 2,185
---------------