UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

(UNAUDITED) 

 

Neiman Marcus Group LTD LLC (the "Company") is a luxury omni-channel retailer conducting store and online operations principally under the Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Last Call brand names. References to "we," "our" and "us" are used to refer to the Company or collectively to the Company and its subsidiaries, as appropriate to the context.

The Company is a subsidiary of Mariposa Intermediate Holdings LLC ("Holdings"), which in turn is a subsidiary of Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent"). Parent is owned by entities affiliated with Ares Management, L.P. and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (together, the "Sponsors") and certain co-investors. The Sponsors acquired the Company on October 25, 2013 (the "Acquisition"). The Company's operations are conducted through its direct wholly owned subsidiary, The Neiman Marcus Group LLC ("NMG").

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements set forth financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to July 31.  Like many other retailers, we follow a 4-5-4 reporting calendar, which means that each fiscal quarter consists of thirteen weeks divided into periods of four weeks, five weeks and four weeks.  All references to (i) the firstsecond quarter of fiscal year 2019 relate to the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2018 andJanuary 26, 2019 (ii) the firstsecond quarter of fiscal year 2018 relate to the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017.January 27, 2018, (iii) year-to-date fiscal 2019 relate to the twenty-six weeks ended January 26, 2019 and (iv) year-to-date fiscal 2018 relate to the twenty-six weeks ended January 27, 2018.

 

We have prepared the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 28, 2018. In our opinion, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the applicable interim periods.

 

The luxury retail industry is seasonal in nature, with higher sales typically generated in the fall and holiday selling seasons. Due to seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the firstsecond quarter of fiscal year 2019 are not necessarily comparable to, or indicative of, results of any other interim period or for the fiscal year as a whole.

Certain prior period income statement amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the current year presentation related to the inclusion of income from our credit card program within revenues.revenues and the correction of our previous income statement classification of certain reserves for sales returns and promotional programs. The reclassifications have no net impact on the presentation of net earnings (loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

A detailed description of our critical accounting policies is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 28, 2018.

 

While we believe that our past estimates and assumptions have been materially accurate, the amounts currently estimated are subject to change if different assumptions as to the outcome of future events were made. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an

We believe the following critical accounting policies, among others, encompass the more significant estimates, assumptions and judgments used in the preparation of the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)("Revenue Standard"), to clarify the principles for revenue recognition. The standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenues arising from contracts with customers and supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance. We adopted the revenue recognition requirements of this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 using the modified retrospective adoption method and applied the ASU only to contracts not completed as of July 29, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, but impacted the presentation of certain revenue transactions. These changes include (i) the gross balance sheet presentation of estimates for sales returns and related recoverable inventories within other current assets and (ii) the inclusion of income from our credit card program within revenues. Prior to the adoption of this guidance, our estimates of recoverable inventories were netted with our reserves for estimated sales returns.returns within accrued liabilities. In addition, the adoption of this guidance accelerated the recognition of (i) online sales to the time of shipment versusrather than delivery to(to coincide with the point in time whentransfer of control has transferred to the customercustomer) and (ii) direct response advertising costs as incurred.to incurrence. Upon adoption, we recorded a net cumulative effect adjustment to reduce beginning accumulated deficit of $7.1 million.

In addition, we have determined that our previous income statement classification of certain reserves for sales returns and promotional programs resulted in the overstatement of previously reported revenues and cost of goods sold by $24.6$2.1 million in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal year 2018 and $26.7 million in year-to-date fiscal 2018. We evaluated the effects of these overstatements on prior periods' consolidated financial statements, individually and in the aggregate, and concluded that no prior period is materially misstated. However, we have revised our consolidated financial statements for the periods presented herein. The corrections had no impact on net earnings (loss).

We recognize revenues at the point-of-sale or upon shipment of goods to the customer. Shipping and handling costs are expensed as a fulfillment activity at shipping point. Revenues are reduced when our customers return goods previously purchased. We maintain reserves for anticipated sales returns based primarily on our historical trends and our expectations of future returns. Revenues exclude sales taxes collected from our customers.

Other Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit

2. Distribution to Parent

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, we adopted the Revenue Standard using the modified retrospective adoption method and applied the ASU only to contracts not completed as of July 29, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, but impacted the presentation of certain revenue transactions.

Other revenues, net is principally composed of payments we receive related to our proprietary credit card program pursuant to an agreement (the "Program Agreement") with a third-party credit provider. We have credit cards and non-card payment plans under both the "Neiman Marcus" and "Bergdorf Goodman" brand names. We receive payments based on sales transacted on our proprietary credit cards. These payments are based on the profitability of the credit card portfolio as determined under the Program Agreement and are impacted by a number of factors including credit losses incurred and our allocable share of the profits generated by the credit card portfolio, which in turn may be impacted by credit ratings as determined by various rating agencies. In addition, we receive payments for marketing and servicing activities we provide.provide, which are immaterial to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognize income from our credit card program when earned. The Program Agreement expires July 2020, subject to early termination provisions.

Contract Liabilities. ContractUnder the new Revenue Standard, contract liabilities relate to the transfer of goods or services to customers, consisting principally of unearned revenue, gift cards, loyalty points and other credits outstanding, and are included within accrued liabilities. The contractContract liabilities aggregated $255.3$250.0 million at October 27, 2018January 26, 2019 and $210.4$218.8 million at July 28, 2018.

 

Certain of our assets and liabilities are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability. Assets and liabilities are classified using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value as follows:

The following table shows the Company’s financial asset and liability that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

The fair value of the interest rate swaps is estimated using industry standard valuation models using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves.

Because Parent is privately held and there is no public market for its common stock, the fair market value of Parent's common stock is determined by the Board of Directors of Parent (the "Parent Board") or the Compensation Committee, as applicable.  In determining the fair market value of Parent's common stock, the Parent Board or the Compensation Committee, as applicable, considers such factors as any recent transactions involving Parent's common stock, the Company’s actual and projected financial results, the principal amount of the Company’s indebtedness, valuations of the Company performed by third parties and other factors it believes are material to the valuation process. Significant inputs to the common stock valuation model are updated as applicable and the carrying value of the obligation is adjusted to its estimated fair value at each reporting date.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, credit card receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.  We determine the fair value of our long-term debt on a non-recurring basis, which results are summarized as follows:

We estimated the fair value of long-term debt using (i) prevailing market rates for debt of similar remaining maturities and credit risk for the senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (as amended, the "Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility") and the senior secured term loan facility (as amended, the "Senior Secured Term Loan Facility" and, together with the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility, the "Senior Secured Credit Facilities") and (ii) quoted market prices of the same or similar issues for the $960.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.00% Senior Cash Pay Notes due 2021 (the "Cash Pay Notes"), the $658.4 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75%/9.50% Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2021 (the "PIK Toggle Notes") and the $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.125% Debentures due 2028 (the "2028 Debentures" and, together with the Cash Pay Notes and the PIK Toggle Notes, the "Notes").

 

In connection with purchase accounting, we adjusted the carrying values of our long-lived and intangible assets to their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The fair value estimates were based upon assumptions related to the future cash flows, discount rates and asset lives utilizing currently available information, and in some cases, valuation results from independent valuation specialists (Level 3 determination of fair value). Subsequent to the Acquisition, we determine the fair value of our long-lived and

 

Total amortization of all intangible assets recorded in connection with acquisitions for the current and next five fiscal years is currently estimated as follows (in thousands):

 

The significant components of our long-term debt are as follows:

 

Availability under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base.  The Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit (up to $150.0 million, with any such issuance of letters of credit reducing the amount available under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis) and for borrowings on same-day notice.  The borrowing base is equal to at any time the sum of (a) 90% of the net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory, net of certain reserves, plus (b) 90% of the amounts owed by credit card processors in respect of eligible credit card accounts constituting proceeds from the sale or disposition of inventory, less certain reserves, plus (c) 100% of segregated cash held in a restricted deposit account.  To the extent that excess availability is not equal to or greater than the greater of (a) 10% of the lesser of (1) the aggregate revolving commitments and (2) the borrowing base and (b) $50.0 million, we will be required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. Additional restrictions will apply if this condition is not met for five consecutive business days, including increased reporting requirements and additional administrative agent control rights over certain of our accounts. These restrictions will continue until the condition is satisfied and their imposition may limit our operational flexibility.

The Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility permits us to increase commitments under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility or add one or more incremental term loans to the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility by an amount not to exceed $200.0 million. However, the lenders are under no obligation to provide any such additional commitments or loans, and any increase in commitments or incremental term loans will be subject to customary conditions precedent.  If we were to request any such additional commitments and the existing lenders or new lenders were to agree to provide such commitments, the size of the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility could be increased to $1,100.0 million, but our ability to borrow would still be limited by the amount of the borrowing base.  The cash proceeds of any incremental term loans may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

At October 27, 2018,January 26, 2019, borrowings under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the prime rate of Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch (the administrative agent), (2) the federal funds effective rate plus ½ of 1.00% and (3) the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus 1.00% or (b) LIBOR, subject to certain adjustments, in each case plus an applicable margin of 0.75% with respect to base rate borrowings and 1.75% with respect to LIBOR borrowings at October 27, 2018.January 26, 2019. The applicable margin is based on the average historical excess availability under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility, and is up to 1.00% with respect to base rate borrowings and up to 2.00% with respect to LIBOR borrowings, in each case with one 0.25% step down based on achievement and maintenance of a certain senior secured first lien net leverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement governing the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility). The weighted average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings pursuant to the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility

If at any time the aggregate amount of outstanding revolving loans, unreimbursed letter of credit drawings and undrawn letters of credit under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility exceeds the lesser of (a) the aggregate revolving commitments and (b) the borrowing base, we will be required to repay outstanding loans or cash collateralize letters of credit in an aggregate amount equal to such excess, with no reduction of the commitment amount.  If the excess availability under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility is less than the greater of (a) 10% of the lesser of (1) the aggregate revolving commitments and (2) the borrowing base and (b) $50.0 million for a period of five or more consecutive business days, funds held in a collection account maintained with the agent would be applied to repay the loans and other obligations and cash collateralize letters of credit. We would then be required to make daily deposits in the collection account maintained with the agent under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility.

We may voluntarily reduce the unutilized portion of the commitment amount and repay outstanding loans at any time without premium or penalty other than customary breakage costs with respect to LIBOR loans. There is no scheduled amortization under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility. The principal amount of the revolving loans outstanding thereunder will be due and payable in full on July 25, 2021 (or July 25, 2020 if our obligations under our Senior Secured Term Loan Facility or any permitted refinancing thereof have not been repaid or the maturity date thereof has not been extended to October 25, 2021 or later).

 

The Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by Holdings and each of our current and future direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries (subsidiary guarantors) other than (a) unrestricted subsidiaries, (b) certain immaterial subsidiaries, (c) foreign subsidiaries and any domestic subsidiary of a foreign subsidiary, (d) certain holding companies of foreign subsidiaries, (e) captive insurance subsidiaries, not for profit subsidiaries, or a subsidiary which is a special purpose entity for securitization transactions or like special purposes and (f) any subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable law or contractual obligation from acting as a guarantor or which would require governmental approval to provide a guarantee. At October 27, 2018,January 26, 2019, the assets of non-guarantor subsidiaries, primarily Nancy Holdings LLC, which holds legal title to certain real property used by us in conducting our operations, aggregated $89.7$88.6 million, or 1.2% of consolidated total assets. All obligations under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility, and the guarantees of those obligations, are secured, subject to certain significant exceptions by substantially all of the assets of Holdings, the Company and the subsidiary guarantors.

The Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility contains covenants limiting, among other things, dividends and other restricted payments, investments, loans, advances and acquisitions, and prepayments or redemptions of other indebtedness. These covenants permit such restricted actions in an unlimited amount, subject to the satisfaction of certain payment conditions, principally that we must have (x) pro forma excess availability under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility for each day of the 30-day period prior to such actions, which exceeds the greater of $90.0 million or 15% of the lesser of (a) the revolving commitments under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility and (b) the borrowing base and (y) a pro forma fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0, unless pro forma excess availability for each day of the 30-day period prior to such actions under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility would exceed the greater of (1) $200.0 million and (2) 25% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate revolving commitments under the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility and (ii) the borrowing base. The Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility also contains customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including a cross-default provision in respect of any other indebtedness that has an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50.0 million.

For a more detailed description of the Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility, refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 28, 2018.

The Senior Secured Term Loan Facility permits us to increase the term loans or add a separate tranche of term loans by an amount not to exceed $650.0 million plus an unlimited amount that would result (a) in the case of any incremental term loan facility to be secured equally and ratably with the term loans, a senior secured first lien net leverage ratio equal to or less than 4.25 to 1.00, and (b) in the case of any incremental term loan facility to be secured on a junior basis to the term loans, to be subordinated in right of payment to the term loans or unsecured and pari passu in right of payment with the term loans, a total net leverage ratio equal to or less than the total net leverage ratio as of October 25, 2013.

At October 27, 2018,January 26, 2019, borrowings under the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility bore interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the prime rate of Credit Suisse AG (the administrative agent), (2) the federal funds effective rate plus ½ of 1.00% and (3) the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%, or (b) an adjusted

Subject to certain exceptions and reinvestment rights, the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility requires that 100% of the net cash proceeds from certain asset sales and debt issuances and 50% (which percentage will be reduced to 25% if our senior secured first lien net leverage ratio, as defined in the credit agreement governing the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, is equal to or less than 4.0 to 1.0 but greater than 3.5 to 1.0 and will be reduced to 0% if our senior secured first lien net leverage ratio is equal to or less than 3.5 to 1.0) from excess cash flow, as defined in the credit agreement governing the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, for each of our fiscal years (commencing with the period ended July 26, 2015) must be used to prepay outstanding term loans under the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility at 100% of the principal amount to be prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We were not required to prepay any outstanding term loans pursuant to the annual excess cash flow requirements for fiscal year 2018.

 

We may repay all or any portion of the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility at any time, subject to redeployment costs in the case of prepayment of LIBOR borrowings other than the last day of the relevant interest period. The Senior Secured Term Loan Facility amortizes in equal quarterly installments of $7.4 million, less certain voluntary and mandatory prepayments, with the remaining balance due at final maturity.

 

The Senior Secured Term Loan Facility is guaranteed by Holdings and each of our current and future subsidiary guarantors other than (a) unrestricted subsidiaries, (b) certain immaterial subsidiaries, (c) foreign subsidiaries and any domestic subsidiary of a foreign subsidiary, (d) certain holding companies of foreign subsidiaries, (e) captive insurance subsidiaries, not for profit subsidiaries, or a subsidiary which is a special purpose entity for securitization transactions or like special purposes and (f) any subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable law or contractual obligation from acting as a guarantor or which would require governmental approval to provide a guarantee. At October 27, 2018,January 26, 2019, the assets of non-guarantor subsidiaries, primarily Nancy Holdings LLC, which holds legal title to certain real property used by us in conducting our operations, aggregated $89.7$88.6 million, or 1.2% of consolidated total assets. All obligations under the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, and the guarantees of those obligations, are secured, subject to certain significant exceptions, by substantially all of the assets of Holdings, the Company and the subsidiary guarantors.

The credit agreement governing the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility contains a number of negative covenants and covenants related to the security arrangements for the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility. The credit agreement also contains customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including a cross-default provision in respect of any other indebtedness that has an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50.0 million.

For a more detailed description of the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 28, 2018.

annually in arrears on each April 15 and October 15.  The Cash Pay Notes are guaranteed by the same entities that guarantee the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, other than Holdings.  The Cash Pay Notes are unsecured and the guarantees are full and unconditional.  At October 27, 2018,January 26, 2019, the redemption price at which we may redeem the Cash Pay Notes, in whole or in part, as set forth in the indenture governing the Cash Pay Notes, was 102.000%. The Cash Pay Notes mature on October 15, 2021.

Interest on the PIK Toggle Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on each April 15 and October 15. Prior to October 2018, interest on the PIK Toggle Notes, subject to certain restrictions, was payable (i) entirely in cash ("Cash Interest"), (ii) entirely by

For a more detailed description of the PIK Toggle Notes, refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 28, 2018.

For a more detailed description of the 2028 Debentures, refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 28, 2018.

The previous table does not reflect future excess cash flow prepayments, if any, that may be required under the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility.

 

We designated the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. As cash flow hedges, unrealized gains on our outstanding interest rate swaps are recognized as assets while unrealized losses are recognized as liabilities. Our interest rate swap agreements are highly, but not perfectly, correlated to the changes in interest rates to which we are exposed. As a result, unrealized gains and losses on our interest rate swap agreements are designated as effective or ineffective. The effective portion of such gains or losses will be recorded as a component of other comprehensive earnings (loss) while the ineffective portion of such gains or losses will be recorded as a component of interest expense.

In addition, we realize a gain or loss on our interest rate swap agreements in connection with each required interest payment on our floating rate indebtedness. The realized gains or losses effectively adjust the contractual interest requirements pursuant to the terms of our floating rate indebtedness to the interest requirements at the fixed rates established in the interest rate swap agreements. These realized gains or losses are reclassified to interest expense from accumulated other comprehensive loss.

A summary of the recorded amounts related to our interest rate swaps reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows: