10-Q 1 kirkq2201910q.htm 10-Q KIRKLANDS Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
x
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended August 3, 2019
or
¨
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ______to ______.

Commission file number: 000-49885
kirklandsnewlogoa03.jpg
Kirkland’s, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Tennessee
62-1287151
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
 
5310 Maryland Way
 
Brentwood, Tennessee
37027
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (615) 872-4800

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
KIRK
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). YES x NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
¨
Accelerated filer
 
x
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
Smaller reporting company
 
x
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES ¨ NO x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, no par value - 13,890,218 shares outstanding as of August 21, 2019.




KIRKLAND’S, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KIRKLAND’S, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share data)



 
August 3,
 
February 2,
 
August 4,
 
2019
 
2019
 
2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
14,650

 
$
57,946

 
$
35,359

Inventories, net
108,233

 
84,434

 
95,466

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
8,662

 
15,561

 
21,053

Total current assets
131,545

 
157,941

 
151,878

Property and equipment:
 
 
 
 
 
    Equipment
21,575

 
21,425

 
21,025

    Furniture and fixtures
81,184

 
81,523

 
81,371

    Leasehold improvements
126,812

 
126,784

 
124,133

    Computer software and hardware
72,121

 
69,444

 
63,474

    Projects in progress
10,791

 
8,344

 
12,637

         Property and equipment, gross
312,483

 
307,520

 
302,640

    Accumulated depreciation
(209,917
)
 
(196,697
)
 
(185,572
)
Property and equipment, net
102,566

 
110,823

 
117,068

Operating lease right-of-use assets
219,648

 

 

Deferred income taxes
9,010

 
1,703

 
1,344

Other assets
6,229

 
6,681

 
7,248

Total assets
$
468,998

 
$
277,148

 
$
277,538

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
60,537

 
$
40,004

 
$
42,849

Accounts payable to related party vendor

 
8,166

 
6,747

Income taxes payable

 
701

 

Accrued expenses
24,646

 
37,665

 
35,345

Operating lease liabilities
53,561

 

 

Total current liabilities
138,744

 
86,536

 
84,941

Deferred rent

 
51,871

 
53,080

Operating lease liabilities
218,700

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 
411

Other liabilities
9,148

 
7,941

 
9,049

Total liabilities
366,592

 
146,348

 
147,481

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at August 3, 2019, February 2, 2019, or August 4, 2018, respectively

 

 

Common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 13,961,029; 14,504,824; and 15,741,818 shares issued and outstanding at August 3, 2019, February 2, 2019, and August 4, 2018, respectively
170,869

 
169,477

 
168,198

Accumulated deficit
(68,463
)
 
(38,677
)
 
(38,141
)
Total shareholders’ equity
102,406

 
130,800

 
130,057

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
468,998

 
$
277,148

 
$
277,538

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

3


KIRKLAND’S, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except per share data)


 
13 Weeks Ended
 
26 Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
 
August 4,
 
August 3,
 
August 4,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net sales
$
119,885

 
$
133,899

 
$
249,533

 
$
276,353

Cost of sales
88,536

 
86,765

 
171,992

 
172,330

Cost of sales related to merchandise purchased from related party vendor
4,776

 
10,336

 
14,749

 
21,913

Cost of sales
93,312

 
97,101

 
186,741

 
194,243

Gross profit
26,573

 
36,798

 
62,792

 
82,110

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
27,162

 
26,020

 
54,218

 
53,869

Other operating expenses
16,656

 
17,965

 
34,790

 
35,284

Depreciation (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales)
1,736

 
1,774

 
3,575

 
3,538

Asset impairment
1,981

 

 
3,859

 

Total operating expenses
47,535

 
45,759

 
96,442

 
92,691

Operating loss
(20,962
)
 
(8,961
)
 
(33,650
)
 
(10,581
)
Interest expense
68

 
66

 
138

 
131

Other income
(226
)
 
(270
)
 
(554
)
 
(601
)
Loss before income taxes
(20,804
)
 
(8,757
)
 
(33,234
)
 
(10,111
)
Income tax benefit
(3,684
)
 
(2,042
)
 
(7,193
)
 
(2,514
)
Net loss
$
(17,120
)
 
$
(6,715
)
 
$
(26,041
)
 
$
(7,597
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(1.21
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(1.83
)
 
$
(0.48
)
Diluted
$
(1.21
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(1.83
)
 
$
(0.48
)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
14,110

 
15,726

 
14,241

 
15,925

Diluted
14,110

 
15,726

 
14,241

 
15,925


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


4


KIRKLAND’S, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share data)



 
Common Stock
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Balance at February 2, 2019
14,504,824

 
$
169,477

 
$
(38,677
)
 
$
130,800

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 
(331
)
 
(331
)
Employee stock purchases
6,880

 
68

 

 
68

Stock-based compensation expense

 
560

 

 
560

Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(287,056
)
 

 
(2,368
)
 
(2,368
)
Net loss

 

 
(8,921
)
 
(8,921
)
Balance at May 4, 2019
14,224,648

 
$
170,105

 
$
(50,297
)
 
$
119,808

Employee stock purchases
22,354

 
77

 

 
77

Restricted stock issued
70,725

 

 

 

Net share settlement of stock options and restricted stock
(10,792
)
 
(44
)
 

 
(44
)
Stock-based compensation expense

 
731

 

 
731

Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(345,906
)
 

 
(1,046
)
 
(1,046
)
Net loss

 

 
(17,120
)
 
(17,120
)
Balance at August 3, 2019
13,961,029

 
$
170,869

 
$
(68,463
)
 
$
102,406


 
Common Stock
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Balance at February 3, 2018
15,977,239

 
$
167,501

 
$
(26,740
)
 
$
140,761

Employee stock purchases
10,969

 
82

 

 
82

Exercise of stock options
20,834

 
23

 

 
23

Stock-based compensation expense

 
393

 

 
393

Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(315,548
)
 

 
(2,972
)
 
(2,972
)
Net loss

 

 
(882
)
 
(882
)
Balance at May 5, 2018
15,693,494

 
$
167,999

 
$
(30,594
)
 
$
137,405

Employee stock purchases
7,306

 
79

 

 
79

Exercise of stock options
146,692

 

 

 

Restricted stock issued
108,900

 

 

 

Net share settlement of stock options and restricted stock
(137,478
)
 
(378
)
 

 
(378
)
Stock-based compensation expense

 
498

 

 
498

Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(77,096
)
 

 
(832
)
 
(832
)
Net loss

 

 
(6,715
)
 
(6,715
)
Balance at August 4, 2018
15,741,818

 
$
168,198

 
$
(38,141
)
 
$
130,057


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


5


KIRKLAND’S, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)



 
26 Weeks Ended
 
August 3,
 
August 4,
 
2019
 
2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(26,041
)
 
$
(7,597
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation of property and equipment
14,295

 
14,390

Amortization of debt issue costs
27

 
27

Asset impairment
3,859

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
(331
)
 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment
139

 
177

Stock-based compensation expense
1,291

 
891

Deferred income taxes
(7,307
)
 
1,283

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Inventories, net
(23,799
)
 
(14,211
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,116

 
(581
)
Accounts payable
19,438

 
(3,067
)
Accounts payable to related party vendor
(8,166
)
 
(776
)
Accrued expenses
(2,428
)
 
(3,527
)
Income taxes refundable
(959
)
 
(9,427
)
Operating lease assets and liabilities
(4,295
)
 
(223
)
Other assets and liabilities
635

 
124

Net cash used in operating activities
(31,526
)
 
(22,517
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(8,457
)
 
(18,282
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(8,457
)
 
(18,282
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Cash used in net share settlement of stock options and restricted stock
(44
)
 
(378
)
Proceeds received from employee stock option exercises

 
23

Employee stock purchases
145

 
161

Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(3,414
)
 
(3,804
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(3,313
)
 
(3,998
)
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
Net decrease
(43,296
)
 
(44,797
)
Beginning of the period
57,946

 
80,156

End of the period
$
14,650

 
$
35,359

 
 
 
 
Supplemental schedule of non-cash activities:
 
 
 
Non-cash accruals for purchases of property and equipment
$
2,367

 
$
2,741

Operating lease assets and liabilities recognized upon adoption of ASC 842
295,240

 

Increase of operating lease liabilities from new or modified leases
16,518

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

6


KIRKLAND’S, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


Note 1 - Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Kirkland’s, Inc. (the “Company”) is a specialty retailer of home décor in the United States operating 431 stores in 37 states as of August 3, 2019, as well as an e-commerce enabled website, www.kirklands.com. The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Kirkland’s, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kirkland’s Stores, Inc., Kirkland’s DC, Inc., and Kirkland’s Texas, LLC. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019.

It should be understood that accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than those at fiscal year-end. In addition, because of seasonality factors, the results of the Company’s operations for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 3, 2019 are not indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31, resulting in years of either 52 or 53 weeks.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions used.

Changes in estimates are recognized in the period when new information becomes available to management. Areas where the nature of the estimate makes it reasonably possible that actual results could materially differ from amounts estimated include, but are not limited to, impairment assessments on long-lived assets, inventory reserves and self-insurance reserves.

In the beginning of fiscal 2019, the Company adopted lease accounting guidance as discussed in Note 10 and Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Adoption of the new lease accounting guidance had a material impact to the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures, and resulted in the recording of additional right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $295.2 million as of the date of adoption. This guidance was applied using the optional transition method, which allowed the Company to not recast comparative financial information but rather recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date in the period of adoption. An adjustment of $0.3 million was made to retained earnings as a result of right-of-use assets that were impaired upon the adoption of this guidance. See Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion. Consistent with the optional transition method, the financial information in the condensed consolidated balance sheets prior to the adoption of this new lease accounting guidance has not been adjusted and is therefore not comparable to the current period presented. The standard did not materially impact the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. For additional information, including the required disclosures, related to the impact of adopting this standard, see Note 10 and Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Certain other amounts in the fiscal 2018 operating activities section of the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2019 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported net loss.

The Company uses the redemption recognition method to account for breakage for unused gift card amounts where breakage is recognized as gift cards are redeemed for the purchase of goods based upon a historical breakage rate. In these circumstances, to the extent the Company determines there is no requirement for remitting card balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws, such amounts are recognized in the consolidated statement of income as a component of net sales.

The table below sets forth selected gift card liability information (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
August 3, 2019
 
February 2, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Gift card liability, net of estimated breakage
$
11,705

 
$
13,032

 
$
10,384



7


The table below sets forth selected gift card breakage and redemption information (in thousands) for the periods indicated:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Gift card breakage revenue
$
252

 
$
265

 
$
531

 
$
552

Gift card redemptions recognized in the current period related to amounts included in the gift card contract liability balance as of the prior period
2,130

 
2,047

 
4,210

 
3,966


Note 2 - Income Taxes

An estimate of the annual effective tax rate is used at each interim period based on the facts and circumstances available at that time, while the actual effective tax rate is calculated at year-end. For the 13-week periods ended August 3, 2019 and August 4, 2018, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of 17.7% and 23.3% of the loss before income taxes, respectively. For the 26-week periods ended August 3, 2019 and August 4, 2018, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of 21.6% and 24.9% of the loss before income taxes, respectively. The decrease in the tax rate for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 3, 2019 was primarily due to the realization of discrete shortfall expense related to stock forfeitures and vesting of restricted stock.

Note 3 - Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period presented. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of stock equivalents outstanding during the applicable periods using the treasury stock method. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options to purchase stock were exercised into common stock and if outstanding grants of restricted stock were vested. Stock options and restricted stock units that were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share, because to do so would have been antidilutive, were approximately 1.7 million and 1.4 million shares for the 13-week periods ended August 3, 2019 and August 4, 2018, respectively, and 1.6 million and 1.4 million shares for the 26-week periods ended August 3, 2019 and August 4, 2018, respectively.

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.  These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their short maturities.

The Company maintains The Executive Non-Qualified Excess Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”). The Deferred Compensation Plan is funded, and the Company invests participant deferrals into trust assets, which are invested in a variety of mutual funds that are Level 1 inputs. The plan assets and plan liabilities are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis. Deferred Compensation Plan assets and liabilities were approximately $1.7 million, $1.9 million and $2.1 million as of August 3, 2019, February 2, 2019 and August 4, 2018, respectively, and were recorded in other assets and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company measures certain assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis including the evaluation of long-lived assets for impairment using Company-specific assumptions which would fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses market participant rents to calculate the fair value of right-of-use assets and discounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group using a discount rate that approximates the cost of capital of a market participant to quantify fair value for other long-lived assets. See Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies

The Company has been named as a defendant in a putative class action filed in May 2018 in the Superior Court of California, Miles v. Kirkland’s Stores, Inc. The case has been removed to Federal Court, Central District of California, and trial is not yet set. The complaint alleges, on behalf of Miles and all other hourly Kirkland’s employees in California, various wage and hour violations. Kirkland’s denies the material allegations in the complaint and believes that its employment policies are generally compliant with

8


California law. To date, the parties have exchanged the court mandated initial disclosures. The Company believes the case is without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against the allegations.

The Company is also party to other pending legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of business. Although the outcome of such proceedings and claims cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s management is of the opinion that it is unlikely that such proceedings and any claims in excess of insurance coverage will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

Note 6 - Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains equity incentive plans under which it may grant non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, or stock appreciation rights to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods of each grant. There have been no material changes in the assumptions used to compute compensation expense during the current year. The table below sets forth selected stock-based compensation information (in thousands, except share amounts) for the periods indicated:

13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Stock-based compensation expense (included in compensation and benefits on the condensed consolidated statements of operations)
$
731

 
$
498

 
$
1,291

 
$
891

Stock options granted

 
157,700

 
430,493

 
157,700

Restricted stock units granted
243,472

 
110,900

 
458,717

 
110,900

 
Note 7 - Related Party Transactions

The Company had an agreement with a related party vendor to purchase merchandise inventory. The vendor was considered a related party for financial reporting purposes because its principal owner is the spouse of the Company’s former Vice President of Product Development and Trend. As of June 14, 2019, the vendor is no longer a related party. The table below sets forth selected results related to this vendor, for the time period that the vendor was a related party, in dollars (in thousands) and percentages for the periods indicated:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Related Party Vendor:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
$
6,177

 
$
13,086

 
$
19,577

 
$
24,522

Purchases as a percent of total merchandise purchases
9.2
%
 
20.1
%
 
16.0
%
 
20.3
%

Note 8 - Stock Repurchase Plan
On August 22, 2017, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $10 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. This stock repurchase plan was completed during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. On September 24, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $10 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Repurchases of shares will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made from time to time in the open market or by negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including stock acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The stock repurchase plan does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the Company may terminate the repurchase plan at any time. As of August 3, 2019, the Company had approximately $0.3 million remaining under the current stock repurchase plan. The table below sets forth selected stock repurchase plan information (in thousands, except share amounts) for the periods indicated:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Shares repurchased and retired
345,906

 
77,096

 
632,962

 
392,644

Share repurchase cost
$
1,046

 
$
832

 
$
3,414

 
$
3,804



9


Note 9 - Senior Credit Facility
The Company is party to a Joinder and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders named therein (the “Lenders”). The Credit Agreement includes a senior secured revolving credit facility of $75 million, a swingline availability of $10 million, a $25 million incremental accordion feature and a maturity date of February 2021. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 125 to 175 basis points with no LIBOR floor, and the fee paid to the Lenders on the unused portion of the credit facility is 25 basis points per annum.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are subject to certain conditions and contain customary events of default, including, without limitation, failure to make payments, a cross-default to certain other debt, breaches of covenants, breaches of representations and warranties, a change in control, certain monetary judgments and bankruptcy and ERISA events. Upon any such event of default, the principal amount of any unpaid loans and all other obligations under the Credit Agreement may be declared immediately due and payable. The maximum availability under the facility is limited by a borrowing base formula which consists of a percentage of eligible inventory and eligible credit card receivables, less reserves.

The Company is subject to an Amended and Restated Security Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) with its Lenders. Pursuant to the Security Agreement, the Company pledged and granted to the administrative agent, for the benefit of itself and the secured parties specified therein, a lien on and security interest in all of the rights, title and interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets to secure the payment and performance of the obligations under the Credit Agreement.

As of August 3, 2019, the Company was in compliance with the covenants in the Credit Agreement, and there were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, with approximately $72.5 million available for borrowing.

Note 10 - Leases

The Company leases retail store facilities, corporate office space, warehouse facilities and certain vehicles and equipment under operating leases with terms generally ranging up to 10 years and expiring at various dates through 2029. Most of the retail store lease agreements include an initial term with renewal options and provide for minimum fixed rental payments. The Company does not include lease renewal options in the lease term for calculations of its right-of-use assets and liabilities until it is reasonably certain that the Company plans to renew these leases. A few retail store lease agreements have only variable lease payments based on a percentage of sales, while other store leases contain contingent rentals based on sales performance in excess of specified minimums in addition to minimum fixed rentals.

The majority of the Company’s leases have monthly fixed rent with variable components (e.g., real estate taxes and insurance costs) and variable non-lease components (e.g., common area maintenance). These variable payments are excluded from the calculation of the lease liability and right-of-use asset. For leases where the lease and non-lease components are fixed, the Company has elected an accounting policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component. The Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, so the incremental borrowing rate, based on the information available at commencement or modification date, is used in determining the present value of lease payments. For operating leases that commenced prior to the date of adoption of the new lease accounting guidance, the Company used the incremental borrowing rate that corresponded to the remaining lease term as of the date of adoption.


10


The Company’s classification of lease cost on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations is as follows (in thousands):
 
13 Week Period Ended (1)
 
26-Week Period Ended (1)
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 3, 2019
Cost of sales (2)

 
 
Operating lease cost
$
13,474

 
$
27,062

Short-term lease cost
384

 
708

Variable lease cost
260

 
517

Total lease cost in cost of sales
$
14,118

 
$
28,287

Other operating expenses

 
 
Operating lease cost
$
730

 
$
1,460

Short-term lease cost
42

 
88

Total lease cost in other operating expenses
$
772

 
$
1,548

(1) 
Total lease cost for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 3, 2019 excludes expense for variable non-lease components including common area maintenance and excludes costs that are not a component of the lease including real estate taxes, insurance, sales taxes and utilities for the Company’s leases.
(2) 
Cost of sales includes all distribution center lease costs and store occupancy-related lease cost.

As of August 3, 2019, future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under all operating leases with initial terms of one year or more consist of the following (in thousands):
 
Operating Leases
2019 (excluding the 26 weeks ended August 3, 2019)
$
28,946

2020
65,264

2021
56,366

2022
46,709

2023
38,245

After 2023
85,770

Total lease payments (1)
321,300

Less: Interest
(49,039
)
Present value of lease liabilities
$
272,261

(1) Operating lease payments exclude $7.6 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed but not yet commenced for four new store leases.

The Company’s lease term and discount rate is as follows:
 
August 3, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
6.1

Weighted-average discount rate
5.6
%

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities is as follows (in thousands):
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 3, 2019
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
16,152

 
$
32,917



11


The Company adopted new lease accounting guidance as of the beginning of fiscal 2019 as discussed in Note 1 and Note 12, and as required, the following disclosure is provided for periods prior to adoption. As of February 2, 2019, future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under all operating leases with initial terms of one year or more consist of the following (in thousands):
 
Operating Leases
2019
$
67,354

2020
62,102

2021
53,164

2022
44,087

2023
35,606

Thereafter
91,629

Total minimum lease payments
$
353,942



Note 11 - Impairments
The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying amounts of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances dictate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. This review includes the evaluation of individual underperforming retail stores and assessing the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets related to the stores. Future cash flows are projected for the remaining lease life. If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, the Company records an impairment charge equal to the difference between the assets’ fair value and carrying value. The fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach considering such factors as future sales levels, gross margins, changes in rent and other expenses as well as the overall operating environment specific to that store. The amount of the impairment charge is allocated proportionately to all assets in the asset group with no asset written down below its individual fair value.
In connection with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, the Company reviewed its store portfolio for possible impairment, as right-of-use assets are now included as part of the long-lived asset group that is evaluated for impairment. As a result of this review, eight stores were identified for which the carrying amounts of the store assets were not expected to be recoverable. In the first 13 weeks of fiscal 2019, the Company recorded an adjustment to increase the opening balance of accumulated deficit by approximately $0.3 million for the cumulative effect of the adoption of ASC 842 for right-of-use assets at six of the impaired stores. During the 13-week period ended August 3, 2019, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million for right-of-use assets at two impaired stores. The Company also recorded an impairment charge totaling approximately $1.5 million and $3.4 million for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 3, 2019, respectively, for leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment at three stores and eleven stores, respectively, for which the carrying value exceed the fair value of these assets. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company shifted to estimating the fair value of long-lived fixed assets based on orderly liquidation value as the Company believes this method better reflects the fair value of the assets. The Company previously used the age-life method for calculating the fair value of long-lived fixed assets.
Note 12 - New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which supersedes the existing guidance for lease accounting, Leases (Topic 840) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for both operating leases and finance leases on the balance sheet at the lease commencement date. For operating leases, the lessee would recognize a straight-line total lease expense, while for finance leases, the lessee would recognize interest expense and amortization of the right-of-use asset. The Company currently only has operating leases. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged, and the Company is not a lessor in any lease agreements. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

There have been multiple standard updates amending this guidance or providing corrections or improvements on issues in the guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements,” which provides an optional transition method in addition to the existing modified retrospective transition method by allowing a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Under this transition method, companies may continue to report comparative periods under ASC 840, although they must also provide the required disclosures under ASC 840 for all periods presented under ASC 840. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical

12


Expedient for Transition to Topic 842.” This update permits an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate land easements that exist or expired before the entity’s adoption of ASU 2016-02 and that were not accounted for as leases under previous lease guidance.

The Company adopted this guidance as of the beginning of the first 13 weeks of fiscal 2019, and as a part of that process, made the following elections:

The Company elected the optional transition method, which allows for the lessee to not recast comparative financial information but rather recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date in the period of adoption.
The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which, among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward its prior lease classification under ASC 840, not reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases and not reevaluate initial direct costs for existing leases.
The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient for all leases.
The Company elected to make the accounting policy election for short-term leases, for which the Company does not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities, resulting in lease payments being recorded as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The majority of the Company’s leases have variable non-lease components. For leases where the non-lease components are fixed, the Company has elected an accounting policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component.
The Company elected the land easement practical expedient.

Adoption of the new standard had a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, statement of shareholders’ equity and related disclosures, and resulted in the recording of additional right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $295.2 million as of the date of adoption. Right-of-use assets are recorded based upon the present value of remaining operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepaid and deferred rent, including deferred construction allowances from landlords and initial direct costs. The Company also recorded an adjustment to increase the opening balance of accumulated deficit by approximately $0.3 million for the cumulative effect of the adoption of ASC 842 for right-of-use assets for stores with impairment indicators at adoption. The standard did not materially impact the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations or cash flows.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles–Goodwill and Other–Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is A Service Contract” (“ASU 2018-15”). This update clarifies the accounting treatment for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for determining when the arrangement includes a software license. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.  The amendments may be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company adopted this guidance in the first 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 using the prospective adoption method. This guidance could have a material effect on future financial results depending on whether or not the Company implements new software as a service solutions with significant implementation costs, as they would be deferred and expensed over the term of the agreement. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s current consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Note 13 - Subsequent Events

Subsequent to August 3, 2019, the Company borrowed $10 million under its senior secured revolving credit facility.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide an understanding of our financial condition, change in financial condition, cash flow, liquidity and results of operations. The following MD&A discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements that appear elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2019 (the “Annual Report”). The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could

13


differ materially from those discussed or referred to in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to any differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” and under Part II, Item 1A - “Risk Factors”.

General

We are a specialty retailer of home décor in the United States, operating 431 stores in 37 states as of August 3, 2019, as well as an e-commerce enabled website, www.kirklands.com. Our stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including holiday décor, furniture, art, fragrance and accessories, ornamental wall décor, decorative accessories, mirrors, lamps, textiles, artificial floral products, gifts, housewares, outdoor living items, frames and clocks. Our stores offer an extensive assortment of holiday merchandise during seasonal periods as well as items carried throughout the year suitable for gift-giving. We provide our customers an engaging shopping experience characterized by a diverse, ever-changing merchandise selection reflecting current styles at prices which provide discernible value. This combination of ever-changing and stylish merchandise, value pricing and a stimulating online and store experience has led to our emergence as a key player in home décor and enabled us to develop a loyal customer base.

Overview of Key Financial Measures

Net sales and gross profit are the most significant drivers of our operating performance. Net sales consists of all merchandise sales to customers, net of returns, shipping revenue associated with e-commerce sales, and gift card breakage revenue and excludes sales taxes. We use comparable store sales to measure sales increases or decreases from stores that have been open for at least 13 full fiscal months. Stores closed during the year are included in the comparable store sales calculation only for the full fiscal months of the year the stores were open. Relocated stores are removed from the comparable store base when the existing store closes, and the new replacement store is added into the comparable store sales calculation after 13 full fiscal months of activity. E-commerce store sales, including shipping revenue, are included in consolidated comparable store sales. Increases in comparable store sales are an important factor in maintaining or increasing the profitability of existing stores.

Gross profit is the difference between net sales and cost of sales. Cost of sales has various distinct components including: product cost of sales (including inbound freight, damages and inventory shrinkage), store occupancy costs (including rent and depreciation of leasehold improvements and other property and equipment), outbound freight costs (including e-commerce shipping) and central distribution costs (including operational costs and depreciation of leasehold improvements and other property and equipment). Product and outbound freight costs are variable, while occupancy and central distribution costs are largely fixed. Accordingly, gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales can be influenced by many factors including overall sales performance.

Store Growth

The following table summarizes our store openings and closings during the periods indicated:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
New stores opened during the period
1

 
6

 
4

 
16

Stores closed during the period
1

 
5

 
1

 
8


The following table summarizes our stores and square footage under lease:
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Number of stores
431

 
426

Square footage
3,430,072

 
3,372,584

Average square footage per store
7,958

 
7,917



14


13-Week Period Ended August 3, 2019 Compared to the 13-Week Period Ended August 4, 2018

Results of operations. The table below sets forth selected results of our operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

 
13-Week Period Ended
 
 
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
Change
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
Net sales
$
119,885

 
100.0
 %
 
$
133,899

 
100.0
 %
 
$
(14,014
)
 
(10.5
)%
Cost of sales
93,312

 
77.8

 
97,101

 
72.5

 
(3,789
)
 
(3.9
)
Gross profit
26,573

 
22.2

 
36,798

 
27.5

 
(10,225
)
 
(27.8
)
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
27,162

 
22.7

 
26,020

 
19.5

 
1,142

 
4.4

Other operating expenses
16,656

 
13.9

 
17,965

 
13.4

 
(1,309
)
 
(7.3
)
Depreciation (exclusive of depreciation included in cost of sales)
1,736

 
1.4

 
1,774

 
1.3

 
(38
)
 
(2.1
)
Asset impairment
1,981

 
1.7

 

 

 
1,981

 
100.0

Total operating expenses
47,535

 
39.7

 
45,759

 
34.2

 
1,776

 
3.9

Operating loss
(20,962
)
 
(17.5
)
 
(8,961
)
 
(6.7
)
 
(12,001
)
 
133.9

Interest expense
68

 
0.1

 
66

 
0.1

 
2

 
3.0

Other income
(226
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(270
)
 
(0.2
)
 
44

 
(16.3
)
Loss before income taxes
(20,804
)
 
(17.4
)
 
(8,757
)
 
(6.5
)
 
(12,047
)
 
137.6

Income tax benefit
(3,684
)
 
(3.1
)
 
(2,042
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(1,642
)
 
80.4

Net loss
$
(17,120
)
 
(14.3
)%
 
$
(6,715
)
 
(5.0
)%
 
$
(10,405
)
 
155.0
 %

Net sales. Net sales decreased 10.5% to $119.9 million for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to $133.9 million for the prior year period. Comparable store sales, including e-commerce sales, decreased 11.2%, or $14.5 million for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to the prior year period. This was partially offset by the impact of net new store growth, which contributed an increase in net sales of $0.5 million. Comparable store sales, including e-commerce sales, decreased 3.9% in the prior year period. For the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019, e-commerce comparable sales increased 21.5%, while comparable store sales at brick-and-mortar stores decreased 16.1%. For brick-and-mortar stores, the comparable store sales decrease was primarily due to a decrease in store traffic and a decline in the average ticket, which was partially offset by an improvement in conversion. For e-commerce, comparable sales benefited from an increase in website traffic and conversion, partially offset by a decrease in average ticket due to decreases in both average retail price and items per transaction. The merchandise categories contributing most to the comparable store sales decrease for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 were ornamental wall décor, art, decorative accessories, and lamps, which were partially offset by increases in floral and outdoor living.

Gross profit. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased 530 basis points from 27.5% in the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2018 to 22.2% in the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019. The overall decrease in gross profit margin was due to higher store occupancy costs, higher central distribution expenses, lower merchandise margin and higher outbound freight costs. Store occupancy costs increased approximately 240 basis points as a percentage of net sales, primarily due to sales deleverage. Central distribution costs increased 150 basis points as a percentage of net sales, primarily due to a change in the process of estimating when warehousing costs are expensed, as well as sales deleverage. Merchandise margin decreased approximately 130 basis points from 53.2% in the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2018 to 51.9% in the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 because of unfavorable product margin due to increased promotions and unfavorable damages results, partially offset by favorable shrink results. Outbound freight costs, which include e-commerce shipping, increased approximately 10 basis points as a percentage of net sales, which was driven by deleverage of distribution center to store shipping costs.

Compensation and benefits. Compensation and benefits as a percentage of net sales increased approximately 320 basis points from 19.5% in the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2018 to 22.7% in the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019, primarily due to sales deleverage of both store and corporate payroll expenses, as well as corporate severance agreements and higher executive stock compensation expense.


15


Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses as a percentage of net sales increased approximately 50 basis points from 13.4% in the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2018 to 13.9% in the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019. The increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to sales deleverage.

Asset impairment. For the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million for right-of-use assets at two impaired stores and an impairment charge of approximately $1.5 million for leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment at three stores, for which the carrying value exceed the fair value of these assets.

Income tax benefit. We recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $3.7 million, or 17.7% of the loss before income taxes during the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019, compared to an income tax benefit of approximately $2.0 million, or 23.3% of the loss before income taxes during the prior year period. The decrease in the tax rate for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the realization of discrete shortfall expense related to stock forfeitures and vesting of restricted stock.

Net loss and loss per share. We reported a net loss of $17.1 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 as compared to a net loss of $6.7 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2018.

26-Week Period Ended August 3, 2019 Compared to the 26-Week Period Ended August 4, 2018

Results of operations. The table below sets forth selected results of our operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

 
26-Week Period Ended
 
 
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
Change
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
Net sales
$
249,533

 
100.0
 %
 
$
276,353

 
100.0
 %
 
$
(26,820
)
 
(9.7
)%
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation as shown below)
186,741

 
74.8

 
194,243

 
70.3

 
(7,502
)
 
(3.9
)
Gross profit
62,792

 
25.2

 
82,110

 
29.7

 
(19,318
)
 
(23.5
)
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
54,218

 
21.7

 
53,869

 
19.4

 
349

 
0.6

Other operating expenses
34,790

 
14.0

 
35,284

 
12.8

 
(494
)
 
(1.4
)
Depreciation
3,575

 
1.4

 
3,538

 
1.3

 
37

 
1.0

Asset impairment
3,859

 
1.6

 

 

 
3,859

 
100.0

Total operating expenses
96,442

 
38.7

 
92,691

 
33.5

 
3,751

 
4.0

Operating loss
(33,650
)
 
(13.5
)
 
(10,581
)
 
(3.8
)
 
(23,069
)
 
218.0

Interest expense
138

 
0.1

 
131

 

 
7

 
5.3

Other income
(554
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(601
)
 
(0.2
)
 
47

 
(7.8
)
Loss before income taxes
(33,234
)
 
(13.3
)
 
(10,111
)
 
(3.6
)
 
(23,123
)
 
228.7

Income tax benefit
(7,193
)
 
(2.9
)
 
(2,514
)
 
(0.9
)
 
(4,679
)
 
186.1

Net loss
$
(26,041
)
 
(10.4
)%
 
$
(7,597
)
 
(2.7
)%
 
$
(18,444
)
 
242.8
 %

Net sales. Net sales decreased 9.7% to $249.5 million for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to $276.4 million for the prior year period. Comparable store sales, including e-commerce sales, decreased 10.9%, or $29.2 million for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to the prior year period. This was partially offset by the impact of net new store growth, which contributed an increase in net sales of $2.3 million. Comparable store sales, including e-commerce sales, decreased 1.2% in the prior year period. For the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019, e-commerce comparable sales increased 15.9%, while comparable store sales at brick-and-mortar stores decreased 15.0%. For brick-and-mortar stores, the comparable store sales decrease was primarily due to a decrease in store traffic and a decline in the average ticket, which was partially offset by an improvement in conversion. For e-commerce, comparable sales benefited from an increase in website traffic and conversion, partially offset by a decrease in average ticket due to decreases in both average retail price and items per transaction. The merchandise categories contributing most to the comparable store sales decrease for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 were ornamental wall décor, art, decorative accessories and lamps, which were partially offset by increases in floral.

16



Gross profit. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased 450 basis points from 29.7% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 to 25.2% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019. The overall decrease in gross profit margin was due to the deleverage of store occupancy costs, lower merchandise margin, higher central distribution expenses and higher outbound freight costs. Store occupancy costs increased approximately 200 basis points as a percentage of net sales, primarily due to sales deleverage. Merchandise margin decreased approximately 130 basis points from 54.6% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 to 53.3% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 due to unfavorable product margin due to increased promotions and higher inbound freight costs. Central distribution costs increased 90 basis points as a percentage of net sales, primarily due to a change in the process of estimating when warehousing costs are expensed, as well as sales deleverage. Outbound freight costs, which include e-commerce shipping, increased approximately 30 basis points as a percentage of net sales, which was driven by deleverage of distribution center to store shipping costs.

Compensation and benefits. Compensation and benefits as a percentage of net sales increased approximately 230 basis points from 19.4% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 to 21.7% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019, primarily due to sales deleverage of both store and corporate payroll expenses.

Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses as a percentage of net sales increased approximately 120 basis points from 12.8% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 to 14.0% in the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019. The increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to sales deleverage and increased advertising expenses.

Asset impairment. For the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million for right-of-use assets at two impaired stores and an impairment charge of approximately $3.4 million at 11 stores for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 for leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment, for which the carrying value exceed the fair value of these assets.

Income tax benefit. We recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $7.2 million, or 21.6% of the loss before income taxes during the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019, compared to an income tax benefit of approximately $2.5 million, or 24.9% of the loss before income taxes during the prior year period. The decrease in the tax rate for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the realization of discrete shortfall expense related to stock forfeitures and vesting of restricted stock.

Net loss and loss per share. We reported a net loss of $26.0 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 as compared to a net loss of $7.6 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018.

Adjusted net loss and adjusted loss per share. To supplement our unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, we provide certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted loss and adjusted diluted loss per share. These measures are not in accordance with, and are not intended as alternatives to, GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally in analyzing our financial results and believe that they provide useful information to analysts and investors, as a supplement to GAAP measures, in evaluating our operational performance.

We define adjusted net loss and adjusted diluted loss per share by adjusting the applicable GAAP measure to remove the impact of special items.

Non-GAAP measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standard meanings prescribed by GAAP. Use of these terms may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. Each non-GAAP measure has its limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP.


17


The following table shows a reconciliation net loss and diluted loss per share to adjusted net loss and adjusted diluted loss per share for the 13 weeks and 26 weeks ended August 3, 2019 and August 4, 2018:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Net loss
$
(17,120
)
 
$
(6,715
)
 
$
(26,041
)
 
$
(7,597
)
Special Items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CEO transition costs, net of tax

 
344

 

 
1,154

Severance charges, net of tax
631

 

 
813

 

Asset impairment, net of tax
1,628

 

 
2,978

 

Total special items, net of tax
$
2,259

 
$
344

 
$
3,791

 
$
1,154

Adjusted net loss
$
(14,861
)
 
$
(6,371
)
 
$
(22,250
)
 
$
(6,443
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted loss per share
$
(1.21
)
 
$
(0.43
)
 
$
(1.83
)
 
$
(0.48
)
Adjusted diluted loss per share
$
(1.05
)
 
$
(0.41
)
 
$
(1.56
)
 
$
(0.40
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
14,110

 
15,726

 
14,241

 
15,925


Included in the reported net loss for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 are asset impairment charges of approximately $1.6 million and severance charges of approximately $0.6 million, net of tax, which increased the net loss for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2019 by approximately $0.16 per diluted share. Included in the reported net loss for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2018 are severance and transition charges of approximately $0.3 million, net of tax, associated with our Chief Executive Officer transition. These charges increased the net loss for the second 13 weeks of fiscal 2018 by approximately $0.02 per diluted share.

Included in the reported net loss for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 are asset impairment charges of approximately $3.0 million and severance charges of approximately $0.8 million, net of tax, which increased the net loss for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 by approximately $0.27 per diluted share. Included in the reported net loss for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 are severance and transition charges of approximately $1.2 million, net of tax, associated with our Chief Executive Officer transition. These charges increased the net loss for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018 by approximately $0.08 per diluted share.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal capital requirements are for working capital and capital expenditures. Working capital consists mainly of merchandise inventories offset by accounts payable, which typically reach their peak by the early portion of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Capital expenditures primarily relate to new store openings; purchases of equipment or information technology assets for our stores (including e-commerce), distribution facilities and corporate headquarters; and existing store expansions, remodels or relocations. Historically, we have funded our working capital and capital expenditure requirements with internally-generated cash.

Cash flows from operating activities. Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $31.5 million during the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 as compared to approximately $22.5 million for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018. Cash flows from operating activities depend heavily on operating performance and changes in working capital. The change in the amount of cash from operations as compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a decline in operating performance and an increase in inventories, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable.

Cash flows from investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 consisted of $8.5 million in capital expenditures as compared to $18.3 million in capital expenditures for the prior year period. The table below sets forth capital expenditures by category (in thousands) for the periods indicated:

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26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Distribution center and supply chain enhancements
$
2,293

 
$
1,262

Existing stores
2,232

 
1,814

New stores
1,978

 
9,233

Technology and omni-channel projects
1,863

 
3,390

Corporate
91

 
2,583

Total capital expenditures
$
8,457

 
$
18,282


The capital expenditures in the current year period related primarily to distribution center and supply chain enhancements, improvements to existing stores, the opening of four new stores during the period and information technology system investments. Capital expenditures in the prior year period related primarily to the opening of sixteen new stores during the period, information technology system investments, corporate hardware lease buyouts, investments in our existing stores and improvements to our supply-chain.

Cash flows from financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $3.3 million for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2019 compared to $4.0 million for the first 26 weeks of fiscal 2018. In each fiscal year, net cash used in financing activities was primarily related to the repurchase and retirement of common stock pursuant to our stock repurchase plan, slightly offset by employee stock purchases.
Senior credit facility. We are party to the Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the Lenders. The Credit Agreement includes a senior secured revolving credit facility of $75 million, a swingline availability of $10 million, a $25 million incremental accordion feature and a maturity date of February 2021. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 125 to 175 basis points with no LIBOR floor, and the fee paid to the Lenders on the unused portion of the credit facility is 25 basis points per annum.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are subject to certain conditions and contain customary events of default, including, without limitation, failure to make payments, a cross-default to certain other debt, breaches of covenants, breaches of representations and warranties, a change in control, certain monetary judgments and bankruptcy and ERISA events. Upon any such event of default, the principal amount of any unpaid loans and all other obligations under the Credit Agreement may be declared immediately due and payable. The maximum availability under the facility is limited by a borrowing base formula which consists of a percentage of eligible inventory and eligible credit card receivables, less reserves.
We are subject to a Security Agreement with our Lenders. Pursuant to the Security Agreement, we pledged and granted to the administrative agent, for the benefit of itself and the secured parties specified therein, a lien on and security interest in all of the rights, title and interest in substantially all of our assets to secure the payment and performance of the obligations under the Credit Agreement.
As of August 3, 2019, we were in compliance with the covenants in the Credit Agreement, and there were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, with approximately $72.5 million available for borrowing. Subsequent to August 3, 2019, we borrowed $10 million on the senior secured revolving credit facility.
At August 3, 2019, our balance of cash and cash equivalents was approximately $14.7 million. We believe that the combination of our cash balances, availability under our Credit Agreement and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Stock repurchase plan. On August 22, 2017, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $10 million of our outstanding common stock. This stock repurchase plan was completed during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. On September 24, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $10 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Repurchases of shares will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made from time to time in the open market or by negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including stock acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The stock repurchase plan does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares, and we may terminate the repurchase plan at any time. As of August 3, 2019, we had approximately $0.3 million remaining under our current stock repurchase plan. The table below sets forth selected stock repurchase plan information (in thousands, except share amounts) for the periods indicated:

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13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Shares repurchased and retired
345,906

 
77,096

 
632,962

 
392,644

Share repurchase cost
$
1,046

 
$
832

 
$
3,414

 
$
3,804


Related Party Transactions

We had an agreement with a related party vendor to purchase merchandise inventory. The vendor was considered a related party for financial reporting purposes because its principal owner was the spouse of our former Vice President of Product Development and Trend. As of June 14, 2019, the vendor is no longer a related party. The table below sets forth selected results related to this vendor, for the time period that the vendor was a related party, in dollars (in thousands) and percentages for the periods indicated:
 
13-Week Period Ended
 
26-Week Period Ended
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
 
August 3, 2019
 
August 4, 2018
Related Party Vendor:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
$
6,177

 
$
13,086

 
$
19,577

 
$
24,522

Purchases as a percent of total merchandise purchases
9.2
%
 
20.1
%
 
16.0
%
 
20.3
%
Cost of sales
$
4,776

 
$
10,336

 
$
14,749

 
$
21,913

Payable amounts outstanding at fiscal period-end

 
6,747

 

 
6,747


Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Construction Commitments. As of August 3, 2019, the Company had no material commitments related to construction projects extending greater than 12 months.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during fiscal 2019 other than the change in calculation of the fair value of long-lived assets as discussed in Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Refer to the Annual Report for a summary of our critical accounting policies.

New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 12, New Accounting Pronouncements, to the condensed consolidated financial statements for recently adopted accounting pronouncements.

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The following information is provided pursuant to the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain statements under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to these provisions. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Words such as “should,” “likely to,” “forecasts,” “strategy,” “goal,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” and similar expressions, may identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
The factors listed below under the heading “Risk Factors” and in the other sections of this Form 10-Q provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.

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We caution readers that the following important factors, among others, have in the past, in some cases, affected and could in the future affect our actual results of operations and cause our actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

If we do not generate sufficient cash flow, we may not be able to implement our growth strategy.
If we are unable to profitably open and operate new stores at a rate that exceeds planned store closings, we may not be able to adequately execute our growth strategy, resulting in a decrease in net sales and net income.
Our success depends upon our marketing, advertising and promotional efforts. If we are unable to implement them successfully, or if our competitors market, advertise or promote more effectively than we do, our revenue may be adversely affected.
We may not be able to successfully anticipate consumer trends, and our failure to do so may lead to loss of consumer acceptance of our products resulting in reduced net sales.
We may not be able to successfully respond to technological change, our website could become obsolete and our financial results and conditions could be adversely affected.
Inventory loss and theft and the inability to anticipate inventory needs may result in reduced net sales.
Inability to successfully develop and maintain a relevant and reliable omni-channel experience for our customers could adversely affect our sales, results of operations and reputation.
Our results could be negatively impacted if our merchandise offering suffers a substantial impediment to its reputation due to real or perceived quality issues.
We face an extremely competitive specialty retail business market, and such competition could result in a reduction of our prices and a loss of our market share.
Weather conditions could adversely affect our sales and/or profitability by affecting consumer shopping patterns.
We are exposed to the risk of natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, global political events, war and terrorism that could disrupt our business and result in lower sales, increased operating costs and capital expenditures.
Our performance may be affected by general economic conditions.
Our profitability is vulnerable to inflation and cost increases.
Our business is highly seasonal and our fourth quarter contributes a disproportionate amount of our net sales, net income and cash flow, and any factors negatively impacting us during our fourth quarter could reduce our net sales, net income and cash flow, leaving us with excess inventory and making it more difficult for us to finance our capital requirements.
Failure to control merchandise returns could negatively impact the business.
We may experience significant variations in our quarterly results.
Our comparable store net sales fluctuate due to a variety of factors.
Our freight costs and thus our cost of goods sold are impacted by changes in fuel prices.
New legal requirements could adversely affect our operating results.
Litigation may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Product liability claims could adversely affect our reputation.
If we fail to protect our brand name, competitors may adopt trade names that dilute the value of our brand name.
Failure to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employees could expose us to litigation and damage our reputation; the expansion of our e-commerce Business has inherent cybersecurity risks that may result in business disruptions.
Our hardware and software systems are vulnerable to damage that could harm our business.
We depend on a number of vendors to supply our merchandise, and any delay in merchandise deliveries from certain vendors may lead to a decline in inventory which could result in a loss of net sales.
We are dependent on foreign imports for a significant portion of our merchandise, and any changes in the trading relations and conditions between the United States and the relevant foreign countries may lead to a decline in inventory resulting in a decline in net sales, or an increase in the cost of sales resulting in reduced gross profit.

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Our success is highly dependent on our planning and control processes and our supply chain, and any disruption in or failure to continue to improve these processes may result in a loss of net sales and net income.
We depend on key personnel, and, if we lose the services of any member of our senior management team, we may not be able to run our business effectively.
Our charter and bylaw provisions and certain provisions of Tennessee law may make it difficult in some respects to cause a change in control of Kirkland’s and replace incumbent management.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results.
The market price for our common stock might be volatile and could result in a decline in the value of your investment.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor does it utilize leveraged financial instruments. There have been no material changes in the market risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2019.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Both our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15(d)-(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) have concluded that as of August 3, 2019 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Change in internal controls over financial reporting. There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the foregoing evaluation that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company has been named as a defendant in a putative class action filed in May 2018 in the Superior Court of California, Miles v. Kirkland’s Stores, Inc. The case has been removed to Federal Court, Central District of California, and trial is not yet set. The complaint alleges, on behalf of Miles and all other hourly Kirkland’s employees in California, various wage and hour violations. Kirkland’s denies the material allegations in the complaint and believes that its employment policies are generally compliant with California law. To date, the parties have exchanged the court mandated initial disclosures. The Company believes the case is without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against the allegations.

The Company is also party to other pending legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of business. Although the outcome of such proceedings and claims cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s management is of the opinion that it is unlikely that such proceedings and any claims in excess of insurance coverage will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to factors set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the ‘Safe Harbor’ Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,” in Part I - Item 2 of this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this report and in our Annual Report are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company during the 13 weeks ended August 3, 2019 were as follows:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program (in 000s)
May 5, 2019 to June 1, 2019
104,407

$
4.95

104,407

$
794

June 2, 2019 to July 6, 2019
131,548

2.55

131,548

458

July 7, 2019 to August 3, 2019
109,951

1.76

109,951

265

Total
345,906

$
3.02

345,906

$
265


On August 22, 2017, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $10 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. This stock repurchase plan was completed during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. On September 24, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $10 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  Repurchases of shares will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made from time to time in the open market or by negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including stock acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The stock repurchase plan does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the Company may terminate the repurchase plan at any time.


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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a)
Exhibits.

 
* Incorporated by reference.
+ Management contract of compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURES

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 hereunto duly authorized.
 
KIRKLAND’S, INC.
Date: September 5, 2019
/s/ Steve C. Woodward
 
Steve C. Woodward
Chief Executive Officer

Date: September 5, 2019
/s/ Nicole A. Strain
 
Nicole A. Strain
Chief Financial Officer




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