period the markdown is recorded. The timing of the decision, particularly surrounding the balance sheet date, can have a significant effect on the results of operations.
Shrinkage is estimated as a percentage of sales for the period from the date of the last physical inventory to the end of the fiscal year. Physical inventories are taken at least annually for all stores and inventory records are adjusted accordingly. The shrinkage rate from the most recent physical inventory, in combination with historical experience, is used as the standard for the shrinkage accrual following the physical inventory.
The Company has found the use of these estimates to be appropriate and actual results have not differed materially. However, the Company is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause its future estimates to differ materially from past experience.
Net sales for the three months ended November 28, 2009 were $135,159,000, an increase of $70,829,000 (110.1%) as compared to net sales of $64,330,000 for the three months ended November 29, 2008. For the nine months ended November 28, 2009, net sales were $261,852,000 an increase of $73,904,000 (39.3%) as compared to net sales of $187,948,000 for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. Net sales for the three and nine month periods ended November 28, 2009 included sales from Filene’s from June 19, 2009 (first date of operating ownership) of $78,773,000 and $111,358,000 respectively. Comparable store sales, which are for Syms stores only, decreased 9.9% for the three months and 17.8% for the nine months ended November 28, 2009 as compared to the comparable periods in the prior fiscal year. In our comparable store computation, we only include stores that have been opened for a period of at least 12 months and stores that were open during both fiscal years. Syms closed a store in Virginia and opened a new store in close proximity to the previous location. This location is included in the comparable store comparisons. We did not have any expansion in square footage in the three months and nine months ended November 28, 2009. The decrease in same store sales in the three and nine months ended November 28, 2009 is attributable to declines in store traffic commensurate with the recessionary trend in the U.S. economy and, to a lesser extent, to the closing of one store earlier this fiscal year. The increase in sales for the three and nine months ending November 28, 2009 is attributable to the purchase of Filene’s offset by generally decreased sales from declines in store traffic commensurate with the recessionary trend in the U.S. economy.
Gross profit for the three months ended November 28, 2009 was $57,868,000 (42.8% as a percentage of net sales) as compared to $26,632,000 (41.4% as a percentage of net sales) for the three months ended November 29, 2008. Gross profit for the nine months ended November 28, 2009 was $107,102,000 (40.9% as a percentage of net sales) as compared to $77,950,000 (41.5% as a percentage of net sales) for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. Gross profit for the three and nine month periods ended November 28, 2009 included gross profit from Filene’s from June 19, 2009 (first date of operating ownership) of $35,069,000 and $47,059,000 respectively. The Company’s gross profit may not be comparable to those of other entities, since some retail entities may include all costs related to their distribution network in cost of goods sold while others, like the Company, exclude a portion of those costs from gross profit and, instead, include them in operating expenses such as selling and administrative expenses and occupancy costs. The increase in gross profit dollars for the three and nine months ended November 28, 2009 compared to a year ago is attributable to the purchase of Filene’s offset by generally decreased sales from declines in store
traffic commensurate with the recessionary trend in the U.S. economy. The increase in gross profit percentage for the quarter is attributable to lower markdowns commensurate with lower aged merchandise.
Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) increased $15,853,000 to $35,339,000 (26.2% as a percentage of net sales) for the three months ended November 28, 2009 as compared to $19,486,000 (30.3% as a percentage of net sales) for the three months ended November 29, 2008. SG&A increased $22,620,000 to $80,358,000 (30.7% as a percentage of net sales) for the nine months ended November 28, 2009 as compared to $57,738,000 (30.7% as a percentage of net sales) for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. SG&A for the three and nine month periods ended November 28, 2009 included SG&A from Filene’s from June 19, 2009 (first date of operating ownership) of $17,143,000 and $29,112,000 respectively. For the three and nine months ended November 28, 2009 vs. the same period last year, SG&A for Syms, exclusive of Filene’s, decreased by $1,290,000 and $6,492,000 respectively, predominately as a result of reductions in personnel and other controllable expenses commensurate with reductions in sales previously discussed.
Advertising expense for the three months ended November 28, 2009 was $4,501,000 (3.3% as a percentage of net sales) as compared to $2,723,000 (4.2% as a percentage of net sales) for the three months ended November 29, 2008. Advertising expense for the nine months ended November 28, 2009 and November 29, 2008 was $6,406,000 (2.5% of net sales) and $5,367,000 (2.9% of net sales) respectively. Advertising expense for the three and nine month periods ended November 28, 2009 included advertising expense from Filene’s from June 19, 2009 (first date of operating ownership) of $2,381,000 and $2,324,000 respectively. For the three and nine months ended November 28, 2009 vs. the same period last year, advertising expense for Syms, exclusive of Filene’s, decreased by $603,000 and $1,285,000 respectively, primarily due to shifts away from TV advertising to a lower-cost and more geographically focused usage of radio, e-mail and in-store promotional activities.
Occupancy costs (net) were $14,126,000 (10.5% as a percentage of net sales) for the three months ended November 28, 2009 as compared to $3,850,000 (6.0% as a percentage of net sales) for the three months ended November 29, 2008. Occupancy costs (net) were $30,181,000 (11.5% as a percentage of net sales) for the nine months ended November 28, 2009 as compared to $11,682,000 (6.2% as a percentage of net sales) for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. Included as an offset to net occupancy cost is rental income from third parties. For the three and nine month periods ended November 28, 2009, rental income was $582,000 and $1,763,000 respectively, as compared to $459,000 and $1,537,000 for the three and nine month periods ended November 29, 2008. The increase in rental income is primarily due to increased occupancy in certain rental properties. Occupancy costs for the three and nine month periods ended November 28, 2009 included occupancy costs from Filene’s from June 19, 2009 (first date of operating ownership) of $10,656,000 and $19,426,000 respectively. For the three and nine months ended November 28, 2009 as compared to the same period last year, occupancy costs for Syms, exclusive of Filene’s, decreased by $380,000 and $927,000 respectively, predominately as a result of the closure of one store location.
Depreciation and amortization expense was $2,991,000 (2.2% as a percentage of net sales) for the three months ended November 28, 2009 as compared to $1,971,000 (3.1% as a percentage of net sales) for the three months ended November 29, 2008. Depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended November 28, 2009 was $7,958,000 (3.0% as a percentage of net sales) as compared to $5,834,000 (3.1% as a percentage of net sales) for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. Depreciation and amortization expense for the three and nine month periods ended November 28, 2009 included depreciation and amortization expense from Filene’s from June 19, 2009 (first date of operating ownership) of $1,202,000 and $2,402,000 respectively. For the three and nine months ended November 28, 2009 vs. the same period last year, depreciation and amortization expense for Syms, exclusive of Filene’s, decreased by $182,000 and $278,000 respectively due primarily to assets reaching fully depreciated status.
In conjunction with the acquisition of Filene’s, the Company determined that the fair values of assets acquired exceeded the purchase price by approximately $9.7 million, resulting in a bargain purchase gain, based upon valuations of inventory, fixed assets, equipment and intangible assets, net of deferred taxes, customer obligations and other adjustments. Acquisition costs inclusive of investment banking, legal, professional and other costs aggregating $4.8 million were expensed in the periods incurred.
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Other income was $24,764,000 for the three months ended November 28, 2009 as compared to $19,000 for the three months ended November 29, 2008. Other income for the nine months ended November 28, 2009 was $24,781,000 as compared to $31,000 for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. This increase is due to the accrual of life insurance proceeds from officers’ life insurance policies on the Company’s founder, who deceased on November 17, 2009.
As a result of the above-noted items, income before income taxes for the three months ended November 28, 2009 was $25,274,000 as compared to a loss of $1,415,000 for the three months ended November 29, 2008. Income before income taxes for the nine months ended November 28, 2009 was $10,281,000 as compared to a loss before taxes of $2,090,000 for the nine months ended November 29, 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working capital as of November 28, 2009 was $84,610,000 an increase of $37,742,000 as compared to $46,868,000 as of November 29, 2008. This increase in working capital is primarily attributable to the accrual of insurance proceeds from officers’ life insurance policies. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.98 to 1 as of November 28, 2009 as compared to 2.21 to 1 as of November 29, 2008.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $9,062,000 for the nine months ended November 28, 2009, as compared to $2,469,000 for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. This increase resulted largely from increases in accounts payable offset by increases in merchandise inventory levels, both attributable to the acquisition of Filene’s.
Net cash used in investing activities was $48,909,000 for the nine months ended November 28, 2009, as compared to $11,228,000 used in investing activities for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. The acquisition of the assets of Filene’s largely accounts for this increase.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $49,022,000 for the nine months ended November 28, 2009, as compared to net cash used by financing activities of $669,000 for the nine months ended November 29, 2008. The financing related to the acquisition of the assets of Filene’s through our debt facility and an advance of $16,000,000 of cash value of officers’ life insurance accounts for this increase.
The Company had an unsecured $40 million, revolving credit facility with Israel Discount Bank (“IDB”) through June 4, 2009, the agreement for which contained various financial covenants and ratio requirements. There were no borrowings under this facility during its term and the Company was in compliance with its covenants during the period in which this facility was available. Effective June 5, 2009 the Company revised this facility to a secured $40 million, revolving credit facility with the same bank and in connection with the acquisition of Filene’s, borrowed $24.0 million under this facility. On August 27, 2009 the Company entered into a $75 million, secured, revolving credit facility with Bank of America which replaced the IDB facility. The Company is in compliance in all respects with this facility at November 28, 2009. As of November 28, 2009, $33 million is outstanding under this facility. Each of the Company’s loan facilities have had sub-limits for letters of credit which, when utilized, reduce availability under the facility. At November 28, 2009, February 28, 2009 and November 29, 2008 the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $6,000,000, $741,000 and $779,000 respectively.
The Company had budgeted capital expenditures of approximately $8 million for the fiscal year ending February 27, 2010. Through the nine month period ended November 28, 2009, the Company has incurred $9.9 million of capital expenditures related to operations of Syms. Capital expenditures exceeded budget due primarily to expenditures to refurbish certain Filene’s locations which were not known at the time the budget was prepared. Additional changes in fixed assets were the result of the acquisition of such fixed assets through the Filene’s acquisition.
The U.S. economy is continuing to experience weakness across virtually every sector. Such continued weakness could negatively affect the Company’s cash, sales and/or operating performance and, further, could limit additional capital if needed and increase concomitant costs. Management believes that existing cash, internally generated funds, trade credit and funds available from the revolving credit facility will be
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sufficient for working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2010.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Although the Company cannot accurately determine the precise effect of inflation on its operations, it does not believe inflation has had a material effect on sales or results of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Financial Statements for a description of the Recent Accounting Pronouncements including the respective dates of adoption and the effects on Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company’s operations are not currently subject to material market risks for interest rates, foreign currency rates or other market price risks.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
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a) | Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended November 28, 2009. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended November 28, 2009 to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports.
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b) | Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting |
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13(a)-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the Exchange Act during the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report on Form 10Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. However, there has been an initiative that commenced this quarter relating to the acquisition integration that when considered in the aggregate, currently represents a material change in our internal controls over financial reporting. Filene’s, which was acquired during the second quarter, utilizes a separate information and financial accounting system the financial information from which has been included in our consolidated financial statements. The acquisition and integration of the new system implementations involves necessary and appropriate changes in management controls that are considered in our annual assessment of the design and operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We expect our assessment of the changes in internal control to be completed in 2010.
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Part II. Other Information |
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Item 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
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| The Company is a party to routine legal proceedings incidental to our business. Some of the actions to which the Company is a party are covered by insurance and are being defended or reimbursed by the Company’s insurance carriers. |
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Item 1a. | RISK FACTORS |
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| In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2009 (Fiscal 2008), which could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or operating results. |
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Item 6. | EXHIBITS |
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| (a) | Exhibits filed with this Form 10-Q |
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| | 31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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| | 31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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| | 32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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| | 32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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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 thereunto duly authorized.
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| SYMS CORP |
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Date: January 11, 2010 | By | /s/ Marcy Syms |
| | MARCY SYMS |
| | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
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Date: January 11, 2010 | By | /s/ Philip A. Piscopo |
| | PHILIP A. PISCOPO |
| | VICE PRESIDENT |
| | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER |
| | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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