of, raw materials, services and labor. All of these factors may affect our ability to access suitable merchandise on acceptable terms, are beyond our control and could have an adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.
We are dependent on certain key personnel and our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and increases in the cost of employee compensation and benefits could effect our financial results and cash flows
Our business is dependent on attracting and retaining quality employees. Many of our employees are in entry-level or part-time positions with historically high rates of turnover. We also face challenges in recruiting and retaining talent in other areas, including management, merchandising and information technology for reasons such as talent availability in our geographic areas and otherwise. Our ability to meet our labor needs while controlling our labor costs, including hourly wages and costs of providing retirement, health and other employee benefits, and hiring and training new employees is subject to external factors such as unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, minimum wage legislation, changing demographics, health and other insurance costs, including health care legislation. Departures of key personnel could be viewed in a negative light by investors or analysts, which could cause a decline in the price of our common stock. In addition, the increased costs associated with hiring and training new employees could affect our results of operations.
The seasonality of our business and fluctuations in sales and operating results could cause volatility in the price of our common stock
Our business is seasonal with our highest sales occurring in the first and fourth quarters, which include the spring and holiday seasons. Our annual operating results depend significantly upon sales generated during these quarters, and any factor that negatively affects these selling seasons could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for the entire year. Comparable store sales and quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and are expected to continue to fluctuate in the future. Our stock price is influenced by these financial fluctuations, as well as other factors, including economic conditions, the timing of promotional events, actions of competitors, inventory management, changes in fashion trends and unseasonable weather conditions.
If we experience any business interruptions or disruptions in the distribution process, our profitability could be materially affected
We may not anticipate, respond adequately to or control all of the challenges of operating our distribution operations. In the event that the orderly receipt and distribution of merchandise is disrupted, including by labor disputes at ports of entry, impeding the timeliness or fulfillment quality of the products being distributed, or any of our distribution centers becomes inaccessible, or is otherwise not fully usable, it would have a material adverse effect on our ability to distribute our products, which in turn would have a material adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.
We are subject to risks associated with importing merchandise from other countries
Much of the fashion and brand name merchandise we acquire through vendors is sourced from various foreign countries. Political or financial instability, terrorism, trade restrictions, tariffs, currency exchange rates, raw material shortages, disruptions, strikes, work stoppages and other factors beyond our control could affect the availability of our merchandise inventory. Current discussion regarding increases in tariffs or reductions in deductibility for merchandise sourced from foreign vendors could materially affect our inventory costs, and if we are unable to pass those increases on to our customers, the increases could have a material adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.
Additionally, we require our vendors and the third parties from whom they source merchandise to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and our own sourcing policies such as the use of labor practices which are considered ethical in the United States and not using fur in our merchandise. We do not have the ability to control our vendors, their manufacturers or their employment and business practices. The failure of our vendors and their suppliers to comply with applicable laws and our policies could affect the availability and price of merchandise, damage our reputation or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.
Failure of information technology could disrupt operations and harm our business
The operation of our business and the effective execution of our merchandising and distribution strategies as well as our financial reporting and online selling processes are dependent in large measure on the effectiveness of our information technology systems as well as those of external service providers. The reliability and capacity of these technology systems are critical and any disruptions may have a material adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.
We could be adversely affected by unfavorable results of legal proceedings
We are continually involved in various unresolved legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business involving matters such as pricing and wage and hours matters. Often these claims are presented as potential class-action litigation. Regardless of the merit of particular claims, litigation may be expensive, time-consuming and disruptive to our operations and distracting to management. In recognition of these considerations, we may enter into arrangements to settle litigation.
7