The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the appropriate application of certain accounting policies, many of which require us to make estimates and assumptions about future events and their impact on amounts reported in the financial statements and related notes. Since future events and their impact cannot be determined with certainty, the actual results will inevitably differ from the Company’s estimates. Such differences could be material to the financial statements.
The Company believes that its application of accounting policies, and the estimates inherently required by the policies, are reasonable. These accounting policies and estimates are constantly reevaluated, and adjustments are made when facts and circumstances dictate a change. Historically, the Company has found the application of accounting policies to be appropriate, and actual results have not differed materially from those determined using necessary estimates.
The Company’s accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the Financial Statements, located in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2009. The Company has identified certain critical accounting policies that are described below.
Factors considered in the determination of permanent markdowns include current and anticipated demand, customer preferences and age of the merchandise, fashion trends and weather conditions. In addition, inventory is also evaluated against corporate pre-determined historical markdown trends. When a decision is made to permanently markdown merchandise, the resulting gross margin reduction is recognized in the 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 locations 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.
Results of Operations
Thirteen weeks Ended May 29, 2010 Compared to Thirteen weeks Ended May 30, 2009
Net sales increased by $71.2 million or 142% to $121.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010. Sales were $50.3 million in the comparable period last year. This increase was primarily the result of the acquisition of Filene’s in June 2009 which contributed $74.4 million of the sales increase. In addition, comparable store sales, which are only for the Syms stores, increased 4.5% and contributed $2.0 million of the sales increase in the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010. Comparable store sales in the prior year period decreased 20.5%. The increase in comparable store sales was the result of a higher average transaction size partially offset by a decrease in the number of transactions. The Company’s comparable store sales computation only includes stores that have been owned and operated by the Company for a period of at least twelve months. Partially offsetting the above sales increases, was the loss of sales resulting from the closing of five stores during the past year.
Gross profit increased by $32.7 million to $53.7 million during the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 from $21.1 million during the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009. Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased by 240 basis points to 44.3% during the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 from 41.9% during the comparable prior year period. This increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Filene’s which had a higher gross profit rate than the Syms stores results last year. In addition the Syms stores had an improvement in their gross profit rate as a result of lower markdowns this year.
Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) increased $17.8 million to $34.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 as compared to $16.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009 primarily as a result of the Filene’s acquisition. As percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased approximately 500 basis points to 28.5% of net sales during the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 from 33.5% of net sales in the comparable prior year period. Excluding the acquisition costs incurred during the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009, SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased by 420 basis points, primarily as a result of the Filene’s acquisition and the related leveraging of expenses over a larger sales base.
Advertising expense for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 was $2.5 million or 2.1% of net sales as compared to $0.8 million or 1.5% of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009. Advertising expense for the thirteen week period ending May 29, 2010 increased primarily due to the acquisition of Filene’s and higher radio expenditures at Syms.
Occupancy costs (net) were $14.4 million or 11.9% of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 as compared to $3.4 million or 6.8% of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009 with the increase primarily related to the Filene’s acquisition. Included as an offset to net occupancy cost is rental income from third parties. For the thirteen week period ended May 29, 2010 and May 30, 2009, rental income was $563,000 and $606,000, respectively. Occupancy costs for the thirteen week period ended May 29, 2010 included occupancy costs for Filene’s of $11.3 million. For the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 as compared to the same period last year, occupancy costs for Syms, exclusive of Filene’s, decreased by $0.3 million, predominately as a result of the closure of five store locations during the past year.
Depreciation and amortization expense was $3.4 million or 2.8% of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 as compared to $1.9 million or 3.8% of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009. Depreciation and amortization expense for the thirteen week period ended May 29, 2010 included depreciation and amortization expense for Filene’s of $1.2 million. For the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 versus the same period last year, depreciation and amortization expense for Syms, exclusive of Filene’s, increased by $0.3 million due primarily to capital expenditure additions over the past twelve months.
Interest expense was $0.2 million or 0.2% of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 as compared to $0.2 million or 0.5% of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009. For the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 interest expense was a result of borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit
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facility. During the prior year period, interest expense was primarily due to borrowing against the cash surrender value of officers’ life insurance policies.
As a result of the above-noted items, the loss before income taxes for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 was $1.4 million as compared to a loss of $2.1 million for the same period last year.
For the thirteen week period ended May 29, 2010 the effective income tax rate was 44.1% as compared to 4.0% for the comparable period a year ago. The difference between the effective income tax rate and the federal statutory rate and the reason for the increase in effective income tax is due to permanent differences in deductibility of expenses for book and tax purposes. In addition, in 2009, the Company recorded certain expense adjustments related to prior years.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working capital as of May 29, 2010 was $53.8 million, a decrease of $3.2 million as compared to $57.1 million as of May 30, 2009. This decrease in working capital is primarily attributable to higher accounts payable and lower cash partially offset by higher inventory. The increases in accounts payable and inventory are to support the business needs of Filene’s. Cash has decreased as a result of the cash used to partially fund the Filene’s acquisition.
Net cash used by operating activities totaled $2.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010 as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $4.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009. This decrease resulted largely from increases in merchandise inventory levels partially offset by increases in accounts payable, both attributed to the acquisition of Filene’s.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $2.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010, as compared to $1.9 million used in investing activities for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009. The proceeds from the sale of land, building and other assets of two former store locations largely accounts for this increase. Capital expenditures for property and equipment increased from $1.9 million during the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009 to $3.8 million during the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010. The increase is largely attributed to the larger store base as a result of the Filene’s acquisition.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 29, 2010, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $16 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 30, 2009. This decrease was the result of an advance of $16 million on the cash surrender value of officers’ life insurance last year.
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, and expires on August 27, 2012. In connection with the new Bank of America facility, the company recognized approximately $1.1 million of deferred financing costs, which are being amortized over the term of the agreement. This facility calculates availability to borrow utilizing a formula which considers accounts receivable, inventory and certain real estate and bears interest at various rates depending on availability under formula, currently Prime +2.25%. The Company is in compliance in all respects with the Bank of America facility at May 29, 2010. As of May 29, 2010, approximately $9.8 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 May 29, 2010 and May 30, 2009 the Company had outstanding letters of credit of $7.9 million and $0, respectively.
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
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cash, internally generated funds, trade credit and funds available from the revolving credit facility will be sufficient for working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the fiscal year ending February 26, 2011.
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 Consolidated 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.
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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.
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Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
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 May 29, 2010. 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 May 29, 2010 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.
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.
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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 27, 2010 (Fiscal 2009), which could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results. The risks |
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| 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 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 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 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 Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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: July 1, 2010 | By | /s/ Marcy Syms | |
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| | | MARCY SYMS | |
| | | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | |
| | | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
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| Date: July 1, 2010 | By | /s/ Seth L. Udasin | |
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| | | SETH L. UDASIN | |
| | | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | |
| | | CHIEF FINANCIAL and ADMINISTRATIVE 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 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 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 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 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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