Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Apparel - Retail / Aritzia

Aritzia

atz · TSX Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker atz
Exchange TSX
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Apparel - Retail
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2019 Annual Report · Aritzia
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Annual Report 2019

Aritzia is a vertically 
integrated, 
innovative design 
house of exclusive 
fashion brands.

We believe in high-quality, beautifully designed product. 
We believe in aspirational environments and experiences. 
And we believe that all of this should come at a price that 
is truly attainable. 

From our Founder,  
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman

FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS: 

I’m delighted to share our results for Fiscal 2019. 
Our performance reflects the dedication of our 
people, and the support from you, our shareholders. 
I want to express my deep appreciation for your 
ongoing confidence in our business and team.  

Today’s fashion industry is evolving at a rapid pace, 
and I have, on occasion, been asked for my perspective 
on the shifting landscape. One change that is top of 
mind of late is in the motivation behind consumers’ 
choices, which used to be made primarily based on style 
preferences, including personal taste and current trends. 
However, clients now demand more. Today, companies 
must have conviction and purpose—a reason to exist 
that goes beyond financial motives. 

I’m extremely proud that Aritzia has always operated 
with a strong sense of purpose: our commitment to 
championing and empowering women has been core 
to our company values for 34 years. Women make up 
85% of our team, including 54% of the Aritzia Leadership 
Team and 40% of our Named Executive Officers. We are 
passionate about supporting women’s growth and equal 

opportunity in the communities where we live and work. 
We have contributed more than $16 million in product 
donations, financial support and volunteer hours to 
organizations helping women and girls succeed at work 
and in life. 

We recognize that there are still—and will always 
be—many improvements to make. We will continue 
working to effect positive change, as we know that  
our long-term success depends on our commitment 
to act responsibly and sustainably. With every decision,  
we seek to reinforce our commitment to our people, to  
our corporate responsibility, and to leaving a lasting  
impact greater than ourselves. My pride in Aritzia stems 
from these deeply held values, as well as from our 
past achievements and plans for the future, which I am 
pleased to share with you. 

FISCAL 2019 HIGHLIGHTS 

Our methodical approach and ability to execute against 
our proven business model has resulted in another 
strong year for Aritzia. Here are a few of the highlights 
we achieved: 

Financial 
 · Growing affinity for the brand, coupled with our 
beautiful, high-quality product and aspirational shopping 
experience, fueled net revenue growth of 17.6%. We are 
particularly pleased with the performance of our U.S. 
business, which saw growth of nearly 36% for the year. 

·   We continued to see consistent comparable sales 
strength. Comparable sales increased 9.8% for the year, 
and our fourth quarter marked our 18th consecutive 
quarter of comparable sales growth. 

· In eCommerce, our digital marketing efforts drove 
client acquisition and retention, resulting in a 38% 
increase in traffic for the year. In particular, celebrity  
and influencer partnerships, search engine optimization, 
and core site enhancements drove incremental sales in 
both Canada and the U.S. 

· A full slate of Aritzia boutique openings included 
expanded flagships in New York City (SoHo) and Toronto 
(Bloor St.), and locations in two new U.S. markets: 
Washington, DC and San Diego. We opened our first A-OK 
Cafés (premium coffee bars within our boutiques) to  
further enhance our clients’ shopping experience.

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brand 
 · Our collections’ consistently beautiful design and high- 
quality craftsmanship resulted in strong performance 
across all product categories. We elevated and expanded 
our portfolio of brands and successfully entered a new 
category with the launch of a denim brand, Denim Forum. 

· We increased our brand awareness by cultivating relat- 
ionships with our A-list celebrity following, which 
includes Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex as well  
as Kendall Jenner, Ariana Grande, and Hailey Bieber, 
among others. 

· We partnered with celebrated fine-art and fashion 
photographer Juergen Teller, a prestigious coup for our 
annual Artistic License series. His work was featured on 
our packaging and in our boutiques.  

Culture 
· We expanded our talent pool across all workplaces with 
candidates sourced from our robust internal pipeline  
and complemented by seasoned professionals from 
outside our organization. 

Operations 
· We completed the relocation of our Vancouver distri- 
bution centre—tripling its size—and upgraded our 
Warehouse Management System. With these upgrades, 
distribution and fulfillment are now not only a core  
competency, but also a competitive advantage for Aritzia. 

OUR  GROWTH STRATEGIES 

Looking towards the future, we continue to leverage 
new ways to meet our clients’ needs and surpass their 
expectations across all channels.  

Grow eCommerce 
 We have made great progress and remain focused on  
our multi-year eCommerce initiatives: driving client 
acquisition and retention through digital marketing, 
enhancing the aritzia.com experience, growing our 
clienteling program, building seamless omni-channel 
capabilities, and enhancing our site for top interna- 
tional countries. Over the last few years, we have put 
significant resources behind our eCommerce business  
and we look forward to seeing the benefits of these 
strategic investments and initiatives. 

our brand for both existing and new clients. In the U.S., 
our growing brand awareness has resulted in numerous 
opportunities to negotiate premier locations with 
landlords. We plan to open six boutiques in the U.S. in fiscal 
2020, four of which will be in new markets. 

Drive Exclusive Brand and Product Innovation 
We will build on our portfolio of exclusive brands, with  
a continued focus on delivering beautiful and high-
quality products that delight our clients. We will pursue 
further expansion into new categories, some of which  
may be exclusive to aritzia.com. 

Enhance Long-Term Profitability 
 In addition to continually seeking to elevate the quality 
of our product, long-term profitability is at the core of 
our decision making, with a focus on driving sourcing 
efficiencies to contribute to the growth of our bottom 
line.  

Drive Brand Awareness 
 Driving brand awareness remains the primary focus  
of our marketing initiatives. We will expand our successful 
organic and paid influencer programs and further 
enhance our social media capabilities to attract new 
clients. 

As I look back on this year and forward to our future,  
I am proud of what we’ve accomplished and confident  
that we will achieve our Fiscal 2021 targets. We remain  
well positioned to drive long-term revenue and earnings 
growth and I am tremendously excited about the 
opportunities ahead.  

In March, we marked a significant milestone, completing  
a secondary offering and concurrent repurchase of 
Berkshire Partners’ remaining shares in Aritzia. I would 
like to thank Berkshire for a very successful 14-year 
relationship, as well as for their collaboration over the 
years. 

I would also like to express my deep appreciation to our 
people. Our strong performance is due, above all else, 
to the talent, passion and dedication of our team. When 
Aritzia launched 34 years ago, I simply would not have 
imagined where we are today—nearly a billion-dollar 
company with our 100th boutique just around the corner. 
My heartfelt thanks for all that you do each and every day.  

Sincerely,

 Expand Our Boutique Network 

We will continue to grow our boutique network across 
North America, creating memorable interactions with 

Brian Hill

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A Portfolio of  
Exclusive Brands

We conceive, create, develop our own brands, and sell 
them under the Aritzia banner. Approaching each brand 
as an independent label with its own aesthetic, we 
address a  broad range of style preferences and lifestyle 
requirements.  Our exclusive brands currently represent 
over 90% of our net revenue. 

Fall 1994

Winter 2015

Fall 2016

Spring 2006

Spring 2009

Fall 2009

Tna

Fall 1997

Spring 2017

Fall 2006

Fall 2018

Spring 2017

Fall 2017

3

A Record of  
Consistent Growth

NET REVENUE GROWTH (C$ MILLIONS)

We attribute our proven track record of consistent net 
revenue growth to our distinct market position, 
operational excellence and relentless focus on long-
term objectives.

17.2%
CAGR

$667

$743

$874

$322

$353

$377

$542

$427

$189

$207

$244

$153

FY 2008

FY 2009

FY 2010

FY 2011

FY 2012

FY 2013

FY 2014

FY 2015

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

MEASURED STORE GROWTH

We have never closed an Aritzia store in our 34-year  
history — a testament to our disciplined and measured  
store-growth strategy.

11.3%
CAGR

42

7
35

47

8

39

51

10

41

54

12

42

62

14

48

64

15

49

36

31

28

26

79

19

60

85

22

63

74

17

57

91

24

67

FY 2008

FY 2009

FY 2010

FY 2011

FY 2012

FY 2013

FY 2014

FY 2015

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

Canada

US

4

Differentiated Global  
Sourcing Strategy

We have a differentiated global-sourcing strategy that 
allows us to continually refine our supply chain, elevating 
our product, increasing the value to our customer and 
growing our gross margin. Our product teams plan, dev-
elop and design our seasonal collections, then partner  
directly with our mills, our suppliers and our manufacturers 
to deliver exceptional value at attainable price points.

5

Innovative Creative 
Development

Our innovative creative development covers our  
product, our stores and website, and our marketing and 
communications. Our innovative design house offering 
a strategic mix of exclusive brands, combined with a 
refined and proven merchandise strategy, ensures that we 
provide the balanced assortment of high-quality, 
beautifully designed and constructed products that 
our customer desires. Our stores and website deliver 
on both form and function, creating an unrivaled 
customer experience. Our communications and 
marketing strategies are both brand propelling 
and sales driving through both traditional and digital 
channels.   

6

Aspirational Omni-Channel 
Shopping Experience

We offer our products to our customers through a 
seamless omni-channel approach and delight our 
them with an aspirational shopping experience, both in 
our premier real estate locations and on aritzia.com. We 
focus on every detail of delivering exceptional service no 
matter where our customers choose to shop our brand.

7

Selected Financial Metrics1:

9.8% comparable sales growth in Fiscal 2019, following 
6.6% in Fiscal 2018

Net Revenue (C$ millions)

18 consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales 
growth with continued strong momentum from our 
eCommerce business

Significant free cash flow generation – Adjusted EBITDA 
grew 21.3% to $161.0 million in Fiscal 2019

17.2%
CAGR

$743

$874

$667

$542

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

Adjusted EBITDA2 (C$ millions)

23.6%
CAGR

$133

$161

$118

$85

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

Adjusted Net Income2 (C$ millions)

32.9%
CAGR

$95

$76

$65

$40

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

1. In addition to using financial measures prescribed under International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), this annual report makes reference to certain 
non-IFRS measures, including certain retail industry metrics. These measures are 
not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning 
prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar mea-
sures presented by other companies. Please refer to the section entitled  
“Non-IFRS Measures Including Retail Industry Metrics” in the Management’s 
Discussion & Analysis within this Annual Report for a discussion of the defini-
tions, components, reconciliations, and use of these measures

2. Figures adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation, unrealized FX (gains) 
losses on forward contracts, IPO and Secondary Costs, and a lease exit cost in 
Fiscal 2019. 

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Management’s Discussion 
& Analysis

9

Aritzia Inc.  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  
Fiscal Year Ended March 3, 2019 

May 9, 2019 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) dated May 9, 2019 is intended to assist readers 
in understanding the business environment, strategies and performance and risk factors of Aritzia Inc. (together with 
its consolidated subsidiaries, referred to herein as “Aritzia”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”). This MD&A provides 
the reader with a view and analysis, from the perspective of management, of the Company’s financial results for the 
fourth quarter and the fiscal year ended March 3, 2019. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the 
Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for Fiscal 2019 (as hereinafter 
defined). 

Basis of Presentation  

Our  audited  annual  consolidated  financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes  have  been  prepared  in 
accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”),  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting 
Standards Board (“IASB”), using the accounting policies described therein. All amounts are presented in thousands of 
Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. We manage our business on the basis of one operating and reportable 
segment.  

All references in this MD&A to “Q4 2019” are to our 14-week period ended March 3, 2019, and to “Q4 2018” 
are to our 13-week period ended February 25, 2018. All references in this MD&A to “Fiscal 2019” are to our 53-week 
period ended March 3, 2019, to “Fiscal 2018” are to our 52-week period ended February 25, 2018, to “Fiscal 2017” 
are to our 52-week period ended February 26, 2017, and to “Fiscal 2020” are to our 52-week period ended March 1, 
2020. In addition, references to “Q1 2019” are to our 13-week period ended May 27, 2018, to “Q2 2019” are to our 
13-week period ended August 26, 2018, to “Q3 2019” are to our 13-week period ended November 25, 2018, and to 
“Q1 2020” are to our 13-week period ended June 2, 2019. 

The audited annual consolidated financial statements and  accompanying notes for Fiscal 2019 and this MD&A 

were authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors. 

Non-IFRS Measures Including Retail Industry Metrics  

This  MD&A  makes  reference  to  certain  non-IFRS  measures  including  certain  retail  industry  metrics.  These 
measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are 
therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are 
provided  as  additional  information  to  complement  those  IFRS  measures  by  providing  further  understanding  of  our 
results  of  operations  from  management’s  perspective.  Accordingly,  these  measures  should  not  be  considered  in 
isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. We use non-IFRS measures 
including “EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA”, “Adjusted Net Income”, “Adjusted Net Income per diluted share” and “gross 
profit margin”. This MD&A also makes reference to “comparable sales growth”, which is a commonly used operating 
metric  in  the  retail  industry  but  may  be  calculated  differently  compared  to  other  retailers.  Our  comparable  sales 
growth  calculation  excludes  the  impact  of  foreign  currency  fluctuations.  These  non-IFRS  measures,  including  retail 
industry metrics, are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus 
highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We 

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believe  that  securities  analysts,  investors  and  other  interested  parties  frequently  use  non-IFRS  measures,  including 
retail  industry  metrics,  in  the  evaluation  of  issuers.  Our  management  also  uses  non-IFRS  measures,  including  retail 
industry metrics, in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual 
operating budgets and forecasts and to determine  components of management compensation.  For  definitions and 
reconciliations  of  these  non-IFRS  measures  to  the  relevant  reported  measures,  please  see  the  “How  We  Assess  the 
Performance of Our Business” and “Selected Consolidated Financial Information” sections of this MD&A. 

Forward-Looking Information  

Certain statements made in this MD&A may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities 
laws. These statements may  relate to our future financial outlook and anticipated events  or results  and include, but 
are  not  limited  to,  expectations  regarding  the  quality  of  our  products  and  our  channel-agnostic  client  experience, 
expectations  regarding  our  technology  and  infrastructure,  outlook  for  revenue  growth  and  gross  profit  margin  in 
Fiscal  2020  as  further  described  below,  the  expansion  and  repositioning  of  our  boutique  locations,  expectations 
regarding the Company meeting or exceeding its stated fiscal 2021 performance targets, and other statements that 
are  not  historical  facts.  Particularly,  information  regarding  our  expectations  of  future  results,  targets,  performance 
achievements,  prospects  or  opportunities  is  forward-looking  information.  As  the  context  requires,  this  may  include 
certain  targets  as  disclosed  in  the  prospectus  for  our  initial  public  offering,  which  are  based  on  the  factors  and 
assumptions, and subject to the risks, as set out therein and herein. See also the “Outlook” section of this MD&A. 

Often but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology 
such  as  “may”  “will”,  “expect”,  “believe”,  “estimate”,  “plan”,  “could”,  “should”,  “would”,  “outlook”,  “forecast”, 
“anticipate”,  “foresee”,  “continue”  or  the  negative  of  these  terms  or  variations  of  them  or  similar  terminology. 
Forward-looking  statements  are  current  as  of  the  date  of  this  MD&A  and  are  based  on  applicable  estimates  and 
assumptions  made  by  us  in  light  of  our  experience  and  perception  of  historical  trends,  current  conditions  and 
expected  future  developments,  as  well  as  other  factors  that  we  believe  are  appropriate  and  reasonable  in  the 
circumstances. However, we do not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of 
new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws in Canada. There can 
be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. 

Implicit in forward-looking statements  in respect of the Company’s expectations  for  Fiscal  2020  to deliver low 
double digit revenue growth and flat gross profit margin, as compared to fiscal 2019, are certain current assumptions, 
including, among others, the opening of six new boutiques in the U.S. including the Hudson Yards boutique in New 
York  already  opened  in  Q1  2020,  three  boutique  expansions  or  repositions  in  Canada  including  the  Mapleview 
boutique in Greater Toronto already opened in Q1 2020,  gross profit margin is expected to be slightly higher in the 
first half of the year due to occupancy cost leverage being partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar, 
and  slightly  lower  in  the  second  half  of  the  year  due  to  higher  raw  material  costs  for  the  fall/winter  season,  the 
continued ability to drive growth in our eCommerce business, SG&A to grow faster than revenue, as we will continue 
to  make  strategic  investments  in  technology  and  infrastructure  to  support  our  long  term  growth,  a  portion  of  the 
investments  related  to  our  eCommerce  platform  improvements,  omni-channel  capabilities  and  other  infrastructure 
including the product life-cycle management and data analytics platforms will be expensed within SG&A, incremental 
SG&A expenses related to these initiatives in Fiscal 2020 are expected to be approximately $7 million to $8 million, 
and  occur  primarily  in  the  second  and  third  quarters,  net  capital  expenditures  in  the  range  of  $45  million  to  $50 
million,  assumptions  regarding  the  overall  retail  environment  and  currency  exchange  rates  for  Fiscal  2020. 
Specifically, we have assumed the following exchange rates for Fiscal 2020: USD:CAD = 1:1.33.  

This  forward-looking  information  and  other  forward-looking  information  are  based  on  our  opinions,  estimates 
and assumptions in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future 
developments, as well as other factors that we currently believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. 
Despite a careful process to prepare and review the forward-looking information, there can be no assurance that the 
underlying  opinions,  estimates  and  assumptions  will  prove  to  be  correct.  Certain  assumptions  in  respect  of  the 
expansion  and  enhancement  of  our  boutique  network;  the  growth  of  our  eCommerce  business;  our  ability  to  drive 
comparable sales growth; our ability to maintain, enhance, and grow our appeal within our addressable market; our 
ability  to drive ongoing development and innovation of our exclusive brands  and product categories;  our ability  to 
continue directly sourcing from third party mills, trim suppliers and manufacturers for our exclusive brands; our ability 
to build our international presence; our ability to retain key personnel; our ability to maintain and expand distribution 
capabilities; our ability to continue investing in infrastructure to support our growth; our ability to obtain and maintain 

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existing financing on acceptable terms; currency exchange and interest rates; the impact of competition; the changes 
and trends in our industry or the global economy; and the changes in laws, rules, regulations, and global standards 
are material factors made in preparing forward-looking information and management’s expectations. 

Many  factors  could  cause  our  actual  results,  level  of  activity,  performance  or achievements  or  future  events  or 
developments  to  differ  materially  from  those  expressed  or  implied  by  the  forward-looking  statements,  including, 
without  limitation,  the  factors  discussed  in  the  “Risk  Factors”  section  of  this  MD&A  and  in  the  Company’s  annual 
information form  dated May  9, 2019 for the fiscal year ended  March 3, 2019 (the “AIF”). A copy of the AIF  and the 
Company’s other publicly filed documents can be accessed under the Company’s profile on the System for Electronic 
Document  Analysis  and  Retrieval  (“SEDAR”)  at  www.sedar.com.  These  factors  are  not  intended  to  represent  a 
complete list of the factors that could adversely affect the Company’s results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, 
uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place 
undue reliance on such information. These factors should be considered carefully. 

The  purpose  of  the  forward-looking  statements  is  to  provide  the  reader  with  a  description  of  management’s 
current  expectations  regarding  the  Company’s  financial  performance  and  they  may  not  be  appropriate  for  other 
purposes;  readers  should  not  place  undue  reliance  on  forward-looking  statements  made  herein.  To  the  extent  any 
forward-looking information in this MD&A constitutes future-oriented financial information or financial outlook, within 
the  meaning  of  applicable  securities  laws,  such  information  is  being  provided  to  demonstrate  the  potential  of  the 
Company  and  readers  are  cautioned  that  this  information  may  not  be  appropriate  for  any  other  purpose.  Future-
oriented  financial  information  and  financial  outlook,  as  with  forward-looking  information  generally,  are  based  on 
current  assumptions  and  subject  to  risks,  uncertainties  and  other  factors.  Furthermore,  unless  otherwise  stated,  the 
forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are made as of the date of this MD&A, and we have no intention 
and  undertake  no  obligation  to  update  or  revise  any  forward-looking  statements,  whether  as  a  result  of  new 
information,  future  events  or  otherwise,  except  as  required  by  applicable  securities  laws.  The  forward-looking 
statements contained in this MD&A are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. 

Overview  

Aritzia  is  a  vertically  integrated,  innovative  design  house  of  exclusive  fashion  brands.  We  design  apparel  and 
accessories for our collection of exclusive brands. We conceive, create, develop and sell a strategic mix of women’s 
fashion products directly to our clients with a depth of design and quality that provides compelling value. Our unique 
multi-brand portfolio and product mix affords us enhanced flexibility to address evolving fashion trends and enables 
us to appeal to our clients across multiple life stages, resulting in strong and enduring client loyalty. 

We connect our  clients to the energy of our culture through the products we sell, the environments  we create 
and  the  ways  in  which  we  communicate.  We  currently  operate  67  boutiques  in  Canada  and  25  boutiques  in  the 
United States, averaging approximately 6,000 square feet, all of which are in prime locations within high performing 
retail  malls  and  high  streets.  We  sell  our  products  exclusively  through  our  boutiques  and  aritzia.com,  giving  us 
complete  control  of  the  presentation  of  our  brand  and  the  relationships  with  our  clients.  This  strategy  allows  us  to 
present our brand in a consistent manner, including pricing, marketing and product presentation. We strive to offer 
our  clients  an  aspirational  shopping  experience  and  exceptional  level  of  service  at  every  interaction.  Our  culture  is 
highly focused on the client, and our sales associates and eCommerce support teams are trained to provide shopping 
experiences that are personalized to exceed our clients’ wants and needs. 

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Secondary Offerings 

On August 7, 2018, we completed a secondary offering (the “August 2018 Secondary Offering”) on a bought 
deal basis of our subordinate voting shares through a secondary sale of shares by certain shareholders. The August 
2018  Secondary  Offering  of  6,050,000  subordinate  voting  shares  raised  gross  proceeds  of  $100.1  million  for  the 
selling  shareholders,  at  a  price  of  $16.55  per  subordinate  voting  share.  We  did  not  receive  any  proceeds  from  the 
August  2018  Secondary  Offering.  As  part  of  the  August  2018  Secondary  Offering,  certain  selling  shareholders 
exchanged 5,880,000 of their multiple voting shares for subordinate voting shares. Underwriting fees were paid by 
the selling shareholders, and other expenses related to the August 2018 Secondary Offering of $0.6 million are being 
paid by us. 

Subsequent  to  the  year  ended  March  3,  2019,  on  March  8,  2019,  we  completed  a  secondary  offering  (the 
“March 2019 Secondary Offering”) on a bought deal basis of our subordinate voting shares through a secondary sale 
of  shares  by  certain  shareholders.  The  March  2019  Secondary  Offering  of  19,505,000  subordinate  voting  shares 
raised gross proceeds of $329.6 million for the selling shareholders, at a price of $16.90 per subordinate voting share 
(the  “March  2019  Offering  Price”).  We  did  not  receive  any  proceeds  from  the  March  2019  Secondary  Offering. 
Underwriting fees were paid by the selling shareholders.  

Concurrent with the completion of the March 2019 Secondary Offering, on March 8, 2019, we also completed a 
repurchase  of  6,333,653  subordinate  voting  shares  and  multiple  voting  shares  (the  “Shares”)  for  cancellation  from 
certain  shareholders,  including  an  investment  vehicle  (the  “Berkshire  Shareholder”)  managed  by  Berkshire  Partners 
LLC (“Berkshire”) (the “Share Repurchase”). The purchase price per Share paid by us under the Share Repurchase was 
the same as the March 2019 Offering Price and resulted in an aggregate purchase price of $107.0 million paid to the 
selling  shareholders.    Total  expenses  related  to  the  March  2019  Secondary  Offering  and  Share  Repurchase  of  $2.5 
million  are  being  paid  by  us  and  are  being  reimbursed  by  the  selling  shareholders  participating  in  the  Share 
Repurchase, including the Berkshire Shareholder.  

Upon completion of the March 2019 Secondary Offering and Share Repurchase on March 8, 2019, the Berkshire 

Shareholder has no remaining equity interest in us. 

Financial Highlights  

We refer the reader to the section entitled “How We Assess the Performance of Our Business” of this MD&A for 
the  definition  of  the  items  discussed  below  and,  when  applicable,  to  the  section  entitled  “Selected  Consolidated 
Financial Information” for reconciliations of non-IFRS measures with the most directly comparable IFRS measure. 

Q4 2019 Compared to Q4 2018  

Select financial highlights include the following:  

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  Comparable sales growth(1) was 5.5%, the 18th consecutive quarter of positive growth. 

  Net  revenue  increased  by  17.9%  to  $259.1  million  from  $219.8  million  in  Q4  2018,  with  positive 

performance across all geographies and all channels.  

  Gross profit margin  was  36.2%, compared  to  37.9% in  Q4 2018. The decline was primarily  due  to the 

weakening of the Canadian dollar.  

  Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by 11.7% to $42.6 million from $38.1 million in Q4 2018.  

  Net income increased by 17.7% to $18.7 million from $15.9 million in Q4 2018. 

  Adjusted  Net  Income(1)  increased  by  11.5%  to  $25.1  million,  or  $0.21  per  diluted  share(1),  from  $22.5 

million, or $0.19 per diluted share(1) in Q4 2018.  

Fiscal 2019 Compared to Fiscal 2018 

Select financial highlights include the following:  

  Comparable sales growth(1) was 9.8%, following 6.6% comparable sales growth in Fiscal 2018.  

  Net revenue increased by 17.6% to $874.3 million from $743.3 million in Fiscal 2018. 

  Gross profit margin was 39.2% compared to 39.8% in Fiscal 2018.  

  Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by 21.3% to $161.0 million from $132.7 million in Fiscal 2018.  

  Net income increased by 37.9% to $78.7 million from $57.1 million in Fiscal 2018.  

  Adjusted  Net  Income(1)  increased  by  24.5%  to  $94.5  million,  or  $0.81  per  diluted  share(1),  from  $75.9 

million, or $0.65 per diluted share(1) in Fiscal 2018.  

Strategic accomplishments for Fiscal 2019  

  Grew boutique network with seven new boutiques: five in Canada, including one in a new market 

(Quebec City), and two in the United States, both in new markets (San Diego and Washington, D.C.). All 
boutiques opened in Fiscal 2019 are performing at or above expectations. 

  Expanded or repositioned four boutiques, including two expanded flagship locations (Bloor Street in 

Toronto and Soho in New York).  

  Achieved significant eCommerce growth, driven by a continued focus on search engine optimization 

and core site enhancements. 

  Drove product innovation with the successful launch of a leather program and denim brand, as well as 

an enhanced outerwear program. 

 

Increased social media and influencer marketing efforts, which fueled brand awareness in the U.S. and 
contributed to 36% U.S. revenue growth. 

  Advanced omni-channel capabilities by opening a new 225,000-square-foot  Greater Vancouver 

distribution centre and upgrading the warehouse management system. 

Notes : 
(1)  
See the sections below entitled “How We Assess the Performance of our Business” and “Selected Consolidated Financial Information” for 
further details concerning comparable sales growth, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per diluted share and for a 
reconciliation to the most comparable IFRS measure. 

5 

14

 
 
                                                 
Summary of Factors Affecting Performance  

We  believe  that  our  performance  and  future  success  depend  on  a  number  of  factors  that  present  significant 
opportunities for us. These factors are also subject to a number of inherent risks and challenges, some of which are 
discussed below. See also the “Risk Factors” section of this MD&A and in our AIF. 

Our Brand  

Aritzia is a growing, vertically integrated, innovative design house of exclusive fashion brands that creates and 
develops  fashion  apparel.  We  have  become  a  well  known  and  deeply  loved  brand  by  our  clients  in  Canada  with 
growing client awareness and affinity in the United States and outside of North America. Maintaining, enhancing and 
growing our brand appeal within our addressable market is critical to our continued success.  

Product Innovation and Merchandise Planning Strategy  

 We  believe  that  our  differentiated  multi-brand  strategy  is  a  key  driver  of  our  continued  year-over-year  net 
revenue growth and comparable sales growth. Each of our exclusive brands is treated as an independent label with 
its own vision and aesthetic point of view, and is supported by our own dedicated in-house design team focused on 
creating  beautiful  products.  We  believe  our  expansion  into  categories  such  as  leather  and  denim  will  help  drive 
increased  wallet  share  among  our  existing  clients  as  well  as  attract  new  clients.  Our  demand-driven  merchandise 
planning, buying and inventory strategies have been developed and refined over many  years, and are designed to 
ensure that we have the right product, at the right time, at the right price, in the right quantity and in the right place.  

Boutique Network Expansion and Enhancement  

 We have a meaningful opportunity to continue to grow our boutique network across North America, particularly 
in  the  United  States.  Our  growing  brand  awareness  among  both  consumers  and  landlords  continues  to  fuel  new 
opportunities to secure premier locations in the best markets. In addition to opening new Aritzia and exclusive brand 
boutiques (e.g. Wilfred, Babaton and TNA), we have generated attractive returns on capital by enhancing elements of 
our existing boutiques (including footprint, layout and assortment) through carefully considered boutique expansions 
and repositions. As a result of our disciplined real estate selection process and compelling boutique economics, we 
have never closed an Aritzia boutique in our 34-year history. 

The following table summarizes the change in our boutique count for the periods indicated.  

    Q4 2019 

Q4 2018  Fiscal 2019  Fiscal 2018 

Number of boutiques, beginning of period 
New boutiques added 
Boutique repositioned into a flagship boutique(2) 

Number of boutiques, end of period 
Boutiques expanded or repositioned 

92 
- 
(1) 

91 
1 

84 
1 
- 

85 
2 

85 
7 
(1) 

91 
4 

79 
6 
- 

85 
7 

(2)  Q4 2019 and Fiscal 2019 includes the reposition of one of our banner locations into the flagship boutique located on the same street. 

Subsequent to year end, we opened our Hudson Yards boutique located in New York, and one pop-up boutique 

(North Park in Dallas), along with the reposition of our Mapleview boutique in Burlington.    

6 

15

 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
eCommerce Growth  

Our  eCommerce  business  was  launched  in  fiscal  2013  and  quickly  surpassed  our  growth  expectations  with 

continued growth in online traffic. 

We believe the following factors will support the net revenue growth of aritzia.com: 

  Capitalizing on digital marketing channels to drive client acquisition and retention - We are focusing on 
digital marketing to engage our existing clients, acquire new clients and drive further brand awareness. 
Digital marketing programs include search engine optimization enhancements, refinement of our email 
marketing and further leveraging our social media.   

  Improving the digital experience to enhance the shopping experience online – aritzia.com is an evolving 
digital representation of our brand, which is designed to inspire our clients’ digital shopping experience 
at every touch point of their journey.   

  Growing our clienteling program using personalization  –  We  are  in  the  early  phases  of  leveraging 
advanced  business  intelligence  and  behaviour  analytics  to  further  enhance  our  understanding  of  our 
clients  which  will  enable  us  to  predict  their  needs  and  exceed  their  expectations.  This  includes 
optimizing our online operations to enhance personalization, which we believe will allow us to tailor an 
experience specific to a client and drive higher conversion and client loyalty.  

  Driving our omni-channel growth and capabilities – Our clients shop both online and  in our boutiques, 
and we believe there are synergies between our  boutique network and aritzia.com, with the success of 
each  channel  benefiting  the  other  through  increased  brand  awareness  and  affinity.    The  successful 
implementation  of  our  new  point-of-sale  system  is  the  foundation  for  a  multi-year  strategy  that  is 
intended to align our people, processes and systems so our  clients can shop and receive our products 
through any of our channels they choose. 

  Enhancing our efforts in international eCommerce business  –  Our  work  to  enhance  our  international 
website, together with our ability to ship to international markets via aritzia.com is setting the foundation 
for  future  expansion  by  gaining  brand  awareness,  gathering  intelligence,  and  identifying  international 
markets to expand our boutique network. 

Sourcing and Production  

 We  contract  and  maintain  direct  relationships  with  a  diversified  base  of  independent  suppliers  and 
manufacturers  for  our  exclusive  brands,  which  provide  us  with  the  flexibility  to  source  high  quality  materials  and 
products at competitive costs. We source the majority of our raw materials directly from suppliers and manufacturers, 
which we believe to be best-in-class, located primarily in Asia and Europe that uphold our standards for quality, lead 
time and cost. By partnering closely with long-standing manufacturers as well as adding new innovative and scalable 
manufacturers,  we  have  been  able  to  drive  lower  product  costs.  We  also  maintain  a  formalized  quality  assurance 
program whereby we inspect our manufacturers’ factories to ensure quality control. We engage independent expert 
service providers to conduct factory audits for compliance with local laws and regulations and global standards. 

Infrastructure Investments  

We continue to strategically invest in infrastructure to safeguard and maximize our existing business, as well as 
enable growth. In Fiscal 2018, we successfully completed the implementation of our new point-of-sale (“POS”) system 
in all of our boutiques and our client care centre. This new POS system provides us with a robust platform on which to 
build and evolve the services and experience we offer to our clients. It has provided us with world class infrastructure, 
labour efficiencies, greater access to more reliable data and specifically, a foundation to evolve our omni-channel and 
clienteling  capabilities.  The  new  POS  system  provides  near  real-time  visibility  to  inventory  and  sales  data.  This  has 
already allowed us to respond more nimbly in managing our inventory to maximize sales, as well as begin providing 
true omni-channel capabilities to give our clients even more flexibility in how they shop and receive Aritzia products. 
In  Fiscal  2019,  we  implemented  verified  eCommerce  returns  and  integrated  payments,  which  allows  us  to  further 
enhance our clients’ experience. 

7 

16

 
 
In August  2018, we successfully completed the opening of our Greater Vancouver distribution centre,  moving 
from  an  83,000  square  foot  facility  into  a  new  225,000  square  foot  flagship  facility  with  an  upgraded  warehouse-
management system. The new distribution centre primarily services the west coast and serves as a hub for the rest of 
our network. 

The  next  business  transforming  foundational  technology  we  are  implementing  is  a  Product  Lifecycle 
Management (“PLM”) system. The PLM system will manage all of the data and support all of the processes to bring a 
product  to  market.  This  will  enable  us  to  focus  on  innovation,  drive  quality,  reduce  speed  to  market  where 
appropriate, and ultimately, optimize costs in our manufacturing processes. 

We  are  also  working  to  drive  our  digital  strategy,  which  is  creating  additional  opportunities  throughout  the 
organization as we use digital tools to heighten our clients’ overall experience with the brand. Our focus on building 
our  digital  infrastructure  impacts  everything  we  do.  In  our  view,  digital  is  about  more  than  just  our  technology  and 
eCommerce business, it runs through the business all the way from design to the service we deliver in boutiques. 

We also continue to expand our talent pool across the organization. We are continuing to find exceptional talent 

at all levels to facilitate our expected future growth.  

These investments in systems, infrastructure and people are expected to drive increased efficiencies and enable 

our growth for the long term. 

Consumer Trends  

The women’s apparel industry is subject to shifts in consumer trends, preferences and consumer spending and 
our revenue and operating results depend, in part, on our ability to respond to such changes in a timely manner. Our 
differentiated multi-brand strategy gives us control over our products and provides us with the flexibility to optimize 
our brand mix as needed to address changes in consumer demand and fashion preferences, which has been a critical 
driver  of  the  consistency  of  our  growth.  Our  diversified  mix  of  exclusive  brands  satisfies  a  broad  range  of  fashion 
needs,  which  allows  us  to  attract  a  wide  client  base  and  increases  our  addressable  market.  Our  revenue  is  also 
impacted  by  discretionary  spending  by  consumers,  which  is  affected  by  many  factors  that  are  beyond  our  control, 
including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, consumer disposable income levels, consumer confidence 
levels, consumer debt, the cost of basic necessities and other goods and the effects of weather or natural disasters. 
We believe that our track record demonstrates the success of our exclusive brand strategy at responding to changes 
in fashion demands through all stages of economic cycles. 

Seasonality  

Our business  is  seasonal,  with a higher proportion  of net revenue  and operating  cash flows generated during 
the  second  half  of  the  fiscal  year,  which  includes  the  back-to-school  and  holiday  seasons.  We  also  have  higher 
working  capital  requirements  in  the  periods  preceding  the  launch  of  new  seasons  as  we  receive  and  pay  for  new 
inventory. We manage our working capital needs through cash flow from operations and our  revolving credit facility 
(as hereinafter defined). 

Average quarterly share of annual net revenue over the last three completed fiscal years is as follows: 

First fiscal quarter 
Second fiscal quarter 
Third fiscal quarter 
Fourth fiscal quarter 

Yearly total 

  19% 
  23% 
  28% 
  30% 

100% 

8 

17

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weather  

 Extreme weather conditions in the areas in which our boutiques are located could adversely affect our business 
and  financial  results.  For  example,  frequent  or  unusually  heavy  snowfall,  ice  storms,  rainstorms  or  other  extreme 
weather  conditions  over  a  prolonged  period  could  make  it  difficult  for  our  clients  to  travel  to  our  boutiques  and 
thereby reduce our revenue and profitability. This  is potentially mitigated by our  clients’ ability to buy our products 
through aritzia.com.  Our  business  is  also  susceptible  to  unseasonable  weather  conditions.  For  example,  extended 
periods  of  unseasonably  warm  temperatures  during  the  winter  season  or  cool  weather  during  the  summer  season 
could  render  a  portion  of  our  inventory  incompatible  with  those  unseasonable  conditions,  which  could  adversely 
affect sales of these seasonal items.  

Competition  

 We operate in the women’s apparel industry, primarily within the North American market. We compete on the 
basis  of  several  factors  that  include  our  strategic  mix  of  exclusive  brands,  offering  high  quality  products  at  an 
attainable  price  point,  our  proven  and  sophisticated  merchandise  planning  strategy,  our  focus  on  providing 
exceptional  client  service,  our  premier  real  estate  portfolio  and  our  market  positioning.  We  believe  the  industry  is 
evolving to benefit players like us that have the scale needed to leverage their infrastructure and capabilities in areas 
such as brand equity creation, real estate selection, boutique design, supply chain and eCommerce.  

Foreign Exchange  

 The majority of our net revenue is derived in Canadian dollars while the vast majority of our cost of goods sold 
is denominated in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar could 
materially affect our gross profit margins and operating results.  From time to time, we use foreign currency forward 
contracts to mitigate risks associated with forecasted U.S. dollar merchandise purchases sold in Canada, but there can 
be  no  assurances  that  such  strategies  will  prove  to  be  successful.  See  “Financial  Instruments”  and  “Risk  Factors” 
sections of this MD&A.  

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business  

In  assessing  the  performance  of  our  business,  we  consider  a  variety  of  financial  and  operating  measures  that 

affect our operating results.  

 Net Revenue  

Net  revenue  reflects  our  sale  of  merchandise,  less  returns  and  discounts.  Retail  revenue  at  point-of-sale  is 
measured at the fair value of the consideration received at the time the sale is made to the customer, net of discounts 
and  an  estimated  allowance  for  returns.  For  merchandise  that  is  ordered  and  paid  in  a  boutique  and  subsequently 
picked up by or delivered to the customer, revenue is deferred until control of the merchandise has been transferred 
to  the  customer.  eCommerce  revenue  is  recognized  at  the  date  control  has  been  transferred  to  the  customer,  and 
measured  at  the  fair  value  of  consideration  received,  net  of  discounts  and  an  estimated  allowance  for  returns. 
Revenues  are  reported  net  of  sales  taxes  collected  for  various  governmental  agencies.  See  “Significant  New 
Accounting Standards Recently Adopted – IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” 

Comparable Sales Growth 

 Comparable  sales  growth  is  a  retail  industry  metric  used  to  compare  the  percentage  change  in  sales  derived 
from  the  established  boutiques  of  a  certain  period  as  compared  to  the  sales  from  the  same  boutiques  in  the  same 
period in the prior year. Comparable sales growth helps to explain our revenue growth in established boutiques and 
eCommerce.  Comparable  sales  is  calculated  based  on  revenue  (net  of  sales  tax,  returns  and  discounts)  from 
boutiques that have been opened for at least 56 weeks including  eCommerce revenue (net of sales tax, returns and 
discounts),  and  excludes  boutiques  that  were  expanded  or  repositioned,  boutiques  in  centres  where  we  opened  a 
new  additional  boutique,  boutiques  significantly  impacted  by  nearby  construction  and  other  similar  disruptions 
during  this  period  and  week  53  net  revenue,  if  applicable.  Our  comparable  sales  growth  calculation  excludes  the 

9 

18

 
 
impact  of  foreign  currency  fluctuations.  We  apply  the  prior  year’s  average  quarterly  exchange  rate  to  both  current 
year and prior year comparable sales to achieve a consistent basis for comparison (i.e. on a constant currency basis).  

Gross Profit  

Gross profit reflects our net revenue less cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold includes inventory and product-
related  costs  and  occupancy  costs,  as  well  as  depreciation  and  amortization  expense  for  our  boutiques  and 
distribution  centres.  Our  cost  of  goods  sold  may  include  different  costs  compared  to  other  retailers.  Gross  profit 
margin  is  impacted  by  the  components  of  cost  of  goods  sold,  product  mix  and  markdowns.  Currently  our  product 
costs  have  been  pressured  by  rising  materials  costs,  particularly  wool,  silk,  down,  cotton  and  polyester.  We  define 
gross profit margin as our gross profit divided by our net revenues. 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses  

Our  SG&A  expenses  consist  of  selling  expenses  that  are  generally  variable  with  net  revenue  and  general  and 
administrative  operating  expenses  that  are  primarily  fixed.  Our  SG&A  expenses  also  include  depreciation  and 
amortization expenses for all support office assets and intangible assets. We  expect our SG&A expenses to increase 
as we continue to open new boutiques, grow our eCommerce business, increase brand awareness and invest in our 
infrastructure and people.  

SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenue are usually higher in the lower-volume first and second quarters, 
and  lower  in  the  higher-volume  third  and  fourth  quarters  because  a  portion  of  these  costs  are  relatively  fixed.  Our 
SG&A expenses may include different expenses compared to other retailers.  

EBITDA  

We  define  EBITDA  as  consolidated  net  income  before  depreciation  and  amortization,  finance  expense  and 

income tax expense.  

Adjusted EBITDA  

We  believe  Adjusted  EBITDA  is  a  useful  measure  of  operating  performance,  as  it  provides  a  more  relevant 
picture of operating results in that it excludes the effects of financing and investing activities by removing the effects 
of  interest,  depreciation  and  amortization  expenses  that  are  not  reflective  of  underlying  business  performance  and 
other  one-time  or  non-recurring  expenses.  We  use  Adjusted  EBITDA  to  facilitate  a  comparison  of  our  operating 
performance  on  a  consistent  basis  from  period-to-period  and  to  provide  for  a  more  complete  understanding  of 
factors  and  trends  affecting  our  business.  We  define  Adjusted  EBITDA  as  consolidated  net  income  before 
depreciation  and  amortization,  finance  expense  and  income  tax  expense,  adjusted  for  the  impact  of  certain  items, 
including non-cash items such as stock-based compensation expense, unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses on 
forward  contracts  and  other  items  we  consider  non-recurring  and  not  representative  of  our  ongoing  operating 
performance.  Because  Adjusted  EBITDA  excludes  certain  non-cash  items,  we  believe  that  it  is  less  susceptible  to 
variances in actual performance resulting from depreciation and amortization and other non-cash charges. 

Adjusted Net Income (per diluted share) 

We believe Adjusted Net Income (per diluted share) is a useful measure of performance, as it provides a more 
relevant  picture  of  results  by  excluding  the  effects  of  expenses  that  are  not  reflective  of  underlying  business 
performance and other one-time or non-recurring expenses. We use Adjusted Net Income to facilitate a comparison 
of our performance on a consistent basis from period-to-period and to provide for a more complete understanding of 
factors and trends affecting our business. We define Adjusted Net Income as consolidated net income, adjusted for 
the impact of certain items, including non-cash items such as stock-based compensation expense, unrealized foreign 
exchange gains or losses on forward contracts and other items we consider non-recurring and not representative of 
our ongoing operating performance, net of related tax effects. We define Adjusted Net Income per  diluted share by 
dividing  Adjusted  Net  Income  by  the  weighted  average  number  of  diluted  shares  outstanding.  For  purposes  of 
reporting  our  Adjusted  Net  Income  per  diluted  share,  we  have  adopted  the  IFRS  method  for  calculating  weighted 
average  number  of  diluted  shares  outstanding  since  Q1  2019.  Please  see  “Summary  of  Consolidated  Quarterly 

10 

19

 
 
Results  and  Certain  Performance  Measures”  for  a  comparison  of  the  impact  of  the  current  diluted  share  calculation 
versus our prior methodology.  

Selected Consolidated Financial Information  

The following table summarizes our recent results of operations for the periods  and fiscal years indicated. The 
selected  consolidated  financial  information  set  out  below  for  Fiscal  2019,  Fiscal  2018  and  Fiscal  2017  has  been 
derived  from  our  audited  annual  consolidated  financial  statements  and  related  notes.  The  selected  consolidated 
financial information set out below for Q4 2019 and Q4 2018 is unaudited.  

Q4 2019 
14 weeks 

Q4 2018 
13 weeks 

Fiscal 2019 
53 weeks 

Fiscal 2018  
52 weeks  

Fiscal 2017 
52 weeks 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Consolidated Statements of Operations: 
Net revenue 
Cost of goods sold 

$ 

259,050  $ 
165,203 

219,804 
136,519 

$ 

874,296 
531,383 

$ 

743,267 
447,776 

$ 

667,181 
401,658 

Gross profit 

93,847 

83,285 

342,913 

295,491 

265,523 

Operating expenses 
Selling, general and administrative 
Stock-based compensation expense 

Income (loss) from operations 
Finance expense 
Other expenses (income) 

Income (loss) before income taxes 
Income tax expense 

59,349 
2,596 

31,902 
1,219 
4,416 

26,267 
7,544 

50,738 
5,599 

26,948 
1,318 
(291) 

25,921 
10,020 

215,297 
11,540 

116,076 
4,821 
(395) 

111,650 
32,922 

183,857 
17,240 

94,394 
5,221 
1,890 

87,283 
30,190 

178,773 
103,044 

(16,294) 
10,455 
(1,362) 

(25,387) 
30,722 

Net income (loss) 

$ 

18,723  $ 

15,901 

$ 

78,728 

$ 

57,093 

$ 

(56,109) 

100.0% 
63.8% 

100.0% 
62.1% 

100.0% 
60.8% 

100.0% 
60.2% 

36.2% 

37.9% 

39.2% 

39.8% 

Percentage of Net Revenue: 
Net revenue 
Cost of goods sold 

Gross profit 

Operating expenses 
Selling, general and administrative 
Stock-based compensation expense 

Income (loss) from operations 
Finance expense 
Other expenses (income) 

Income (loss) before income taxes 
Income tax expense 

Net income (loss) 

Other Performance Measures: 
Year-over-year net revenue growth 
Comparable sales growth 
Capital cash expenditures (excluding proceeds 

from leasehold inducements) 

$ 

Number of boutiques, end of period 
New boutiques added 
Boutiques expanded or repositioned(3) 

22.9% 
1.0% 

12.3% 
0.5% 
1.7% 

10.1% 
2.9% 

7.2% 

17.9% 
5.5% 

14,677  $ 
91 
- 
- 

100.0% 
60.2% 

39.8% 

26.8% 
15.4% 

(2.4%) 
1.6% 
(0.2%) 

(3.8%) 
4.6% 

23.1% 
2.5% 

12.3% 
0.6% 
(0.1%) 

11.8% 
4.6% 

24.6% 
1.3% 

13.3% 
0.6% 
(0.0%) 

12.8% 
3.8% 

24.7% 
2.3% 

12.7% 
0.7% 
0.3% 

11.7% 
4.1% 

7.2% 

9.0% 

7.7% 

(8.4%) 

11.9% 
6.0% 

18,784 
85 
1 
2 

$ 

17.6% 
9.8% 

62,010 
91 
7 
3 

$ 

11.4% 
6.6% 

66,330 
85 
6 
7 

$ 

23.0% 
14.1% 

31,136 
79 
5 
5 

Note: 
(3) 

Q4 2019 and Fiscal 2019 includes the reposition of one of our banner locations into the flagship boutique located on the same street. 

11 

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net 

Income, Adjusted Net Income per diluted share and Comparable Sales to Net Revenue for the periods indicated. 

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to 

Adjusted EBITDA: 

Net income (loss) 
Depreciation and amortization 
Finance expense 
Income tax expense 

Q4 2019 
14 weeks 

Q4 2018 
13 weeks 

Fiscal 2019 
53 weeks 

Fiscal 2018 
52 weeks  

Fiscal 2017 
52 weeks 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

$ 

18,723  $ 
7,355   
1,219   
7,544   

$ 

15,901 
5,961   
1,318   
10,020   

$ 

78,728 
27,065   
4,821   
32,922   

$ 

57,093 
22,844 
5,221 
30,190 

(56,109) 
21,129 
10,455 
30,722 

EBITDA 

34,841   

33,200   

143,536   

115,348 

6,197 

Adjustments to EBITDA: 

Stock-based compensation expense 
Lease exit cost 
IPO and Secondary Offering costs 
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss  on 

forward contracts 

Other non-recurring items(4) 

Adjusted EBITDA 

Adjusted EBITDA as a Percentage of Net 

Revenue 

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to 

Adjusted Net Income: 

Net income (loss) 
Adjustments to net income (loss): 

Stock-based compensation expense 
Lease exit cost 
IPO and Secondary Offering costs 
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss  on 

forward contracts 

Refinancing costs related to debt 

modification at the IPO 
Other non-recurring items(4) 
U.S. tax reform impact(5) 
Related tax effects 

Adjusted Net Income 

Adjusted Net Income as a Percentage of Net 

Revenue  

Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares 

Outstanding (thousands) 

Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share 

2,596   
5,725   
(594)   

-   
-   

5,599   
-   
-   

(698)   
-   

11,540   
5,725   
(171)   

415   
-   

17,240 
- 
(115) 

(233) 
476 

103,044 
- 
8,604 

(181) 
- 

$ 

42,568  $ 

38,101 

$ 

161,045 

$ 

132,716 

$ 

117,664 

16.4% 

17.3% 

18.4% 

17.9% 

17.6% 

$ 

18,723  $ 

15,901 

$ 

78,728 

$ 

57,093 

$ 

(56,109) 

2,596   
5,725   
(594)   

-   

-   
-   
-   
(1,378)   

5,599   
-   
-   

(698)   

-   
-   
1,503   
184   

11,540   
5,725   
(171)   

415   

-   
-   
-   
(1,694)   

17,240 
- 
(115) 

(233) 

- 
476 
1,503 
(30) 

103,044 
- 
8,604 

(181) 

2,867 
- 
- 
6,402 

$ 

25,072  $ 

22,489 

$ 

94,543 

$ 

75,934 

$ 

64,627 

9.7% 

10.2% 

10.8% 

10.2% 

9.7% 

  117,488 

$ 

0.21  $ 

  116,622 
0.19 

117,358 
0.81 

$ 

116,280 
0.65 

$ 

104,787 
0.62 

$ 

___________________________ 
Notes: 
(4) 
(5) 

Other non-recurring items in Fiscal 2018 relate to separation costs for a senior Company executive departure.  
On December 22, 2017, the US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act  (“U.S. tax reform”) was enacted, reducing the United States federal corporate 
income tax rate from 35% to 21%.  As a result, our US deferred income tax asset was remeasured at the reduced rate, resulting in a 
nonrecurring charge of $1.5 million to deferred income tax expense in Q4 2018 and Fiscal 2018. 

12 

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Q4 2019 
14 weeks 

Q4 2018 
13 weeks 

Fiscal 2019 
53 weeks 

Fiscal 2018 
52 weeks 

Fiscal 2017 
52 weeks 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Reconciliation of Comparable Sales to Net Revenue: 
Comparable sales(6) 
Non-comparable sales 

$ 

205,064  $ 

53,986 

160,897  $ 
58,907 

644,957  $ 
229,339 

540,915  $ 
202,352 

478,517 
188,664 

Net revenue 

$ 

259,050  $ 

219,804  $ 

874,296  $ 

743,267  $ 

667,181 

___________________________ 
Notes: 
(6) 

The comparable sales for a given period represents revenue (net of sales tax, returns and discounts) from boutiques that have been opened 
for at least 56 weeks including eCommerce revenue (net of sales tax, returns and discounts) within that given period. This information is 
provided to give context for comparable sales in such given period as compared to net revenue reported in our financial statements. Our 
comparable sales growth calculation excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the 14th week and 53rd week of Q4 2019 and 
Fiscal 2019, respectively. For more details, please see the “Comparable Sales Growth” subsection of the “How We Assess the Performance 
of Our Business” section of this MD&A. 

The following table provides selected financial position data for the periods indicated.  

As at 
March 3, 2019 

As at 
February 25, 2018 
(restated)(7) 

$ 

629,374  $ 
164,454 

568,376 
176,948 

Selected Consolidated Financial Position Data: 
Total assets 
Total non-current liabilities 
___________________________ 
Notes: 
(7) 

See the section below entitled “Significant New Accounting Standards Recently Adopted” for further details concerning the restatement 
relating to the adoption of new accounting standards. 

Results of Operations  

Analysis of Results for Q4 2019 to Q4 2018 

The following section provides an overview of our financial performance during Q4 2019 compared to Q4 2018.  

Net Revenue  

Net revenue increased by 17.9% to $259.1 million in Q4 2019 from $219.8 million in Q4 2018. The 53rd week of 
Fiscal 2019 provided $12.2 million of net revenue. Comparable sales growth of 5.5% was driven by momentum in our 
eCommerce business as well as positive performance across our boutique network in both the U.S. and Canada. Net 
revenue growth also reflects the addition of seven new boutiques and four expanded or repositioned boutiques since 
Q4 2018.  

Gross Profit  

Gross  profit  increased  by  12.7%  to  $93.8  million  compared  to  $83.3  million  in  Q4  2018.  As  a  percent  of 
revenue, gross profit margin declined 170 basis points to 36.2% due primarily to a 140 basis point impact related to 
the weakening of the Canadian dollar compared to Q4 2018, as well as, continued pressure from higher raw material 
costs. These factors were partially offset by the benefit from sourcing initiatives, lower markdowns and leverage from 
rent. 

13 

22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A Expenses  

SG&A  expenses increased  by  17.0% to $59.3 million,  compared to $50.7 million in Q4 2018. SG&A  expenses 
were 22.9% of net revenue, a decrease of 20 basis points from Q4 2018. Leverage on fixed costs was partially offset 
by continued investments in people, technology and infrastructure.  

Other Expenses (Income) 

Other expenses were $4.4 million in Q4 2019, compared to other income of $0.3 million in Q4 2018.  

Other expenses of $4.4 million in Q4 2019 primarily relates to: 

  a lease exit cost of $5.7 million, partially offset by 

  offering transaction cost recoveries of $0.6 million, 

 

interest income of $0.6 million, and 

  unrealized and realized operational foreign exchange gains of $0.1 million. 

Other expenses during Q4 2019 primarily consisted of a one-time expense of $5.7 million related to the exit of a 
lease commitment for the planned repositioning of one of our flagship boutiques. The commitment was made due to 
the  uncertainty  of  remaining  in  the  existing  location  as  a  result  of  redevelopment  plans  which  were  subsequently 
abandoned. For  brand and financial reasons,  we exited the alternative lease commitment, resulting in  the one-time 
expense. 

Other income of $0.3 million in Q4 2018 primarily relates to: 

  unrealized foreign exchange gains on forward contracts of $0.7 million; and 

 

 

interest income of $0.3 million, partially offset by  

realized foreign exchange losses on the settlement of forward contracts of $0.7 million.  

Adjusted EBITDA  

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 11.7% to $42.6 million, or 16.4% of net revenue in Q4 2019, compared to $38.1 

million, or 17.3% of net revenue in Q4 2018, primarily due to the factors discussed above. 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense 

Stock-based compensation decreased by $3.0 million to $2.6 million in  Q4 2019, compared  to  $5.6 million in 

Q4 2018.  

Included in Q4 2019 is $2.1 million in expenses primarily related to the accounting  for options under our new 

option plan and $0.5 million in expenses related to the accounting for options under our legacy option plan.   

Included in Q4 2018 is  $4.3 million in expenses primarily related to the accounting  for options under our new 
option  plan,  $1.2  million  in  expenses  related  to  the  accounting  for  options  under  our  legacy  option  plan,  and  $0.1 
million in expenses related to the accounting for our deferred share units. Included in the expense for options under 
our new option plan  was $2.3 million recognized from the cancellation of 671,899 time-based options granted to a 
director and officer. The cancellation of these options results in accelerated vesting in accordance with IFRS 2.  

Finance Expense  

Finance expense decreased by  $0.1 million to  $1.2 million in Q4 2019, compared to $1.3 million in Q4 2018. 
The decrease was primarily driven by lower average debt outstanding associated with the amendment of our credit 
facilities in June 2018, partially offset by higher interest rates. 

14 

23

 
 
 
Income Tax Expense 

Income  tax  expense  is  recognized  based  on  management’s  best  estimate  of  the  weighted  average  annual 
income tax rate expected for the full fiscal year. To the extent that forecasts differ from actual results, adjustments are 
recognized in subsequent periods. The statutory income tax rates for Q4 2019 and Q4 2018 were 26.9% and 26.4%, 
respectively.   

Income  tax  expense  decreased  by  $2.5  million  to  $7.5  million  in  Q4  2019,  compared  to  $10.0  million  in  Q4 
2018  and  the  effective  tax  rates  for  Q4  2019  and  Q4  2018  were  28.7%  and  38.7%,  respectively.  The  decrease  in 
income tax expense is mostly due to a re-measurement of deferred tax assets at a reduced tax rate passed by the U.S. 
tax reform, resulting in a one-time charge of $1.5 million to deferred income tax expense in Q4 2018. The decrease in 
the  effective  tax  rate  is  primarily  driven  by  this  re-measurement  adjustment  and  a  decrease  in  stock-based 
compensation expense which is not deductible for tax.  

Net Income 

Net  income  increased  by  17.7%  to  $18.7  million  in  Q4  2019,  compared  to  net  income  of  $15.9  million  in  Q4 
2018.  This  increase is primarily the result of  an 17.9%  increase in  net revenue as  well as a decrease  in stock-based 
compensation expense and income tax expense, partially offset by a decrease in gross profit margin, along with an 
increase in SG&A expenses and other expenses. 

Adjusted Net Income  

Adjusted Net Income increased by 11.5% to $25.1 million, or $0.21 per diluted share in Q4 2019, compared to 

$22.5 million, or $0.19 per diluted share in Q4 2018 primarily due to the factors described above.  

Analysis of Results for Fiscal 2019 to Fiscal 2018 

The following section provides an overview of our financial performance during  Fiscal 2019 compared to Fiscal 

2018.  

Net Revenue  

Net revenue increased by 17.6% to $874.3 million in Fiscal 2019, including $12.2 million from the extra week, 
compared  to  $743.3  million  in  Fiscal  2018.  The  increase  was  primarily  driven  by  the  revenue  from  new,  expanded 
and  repositioned  boutiques,  as  well  as  comparable  sales  growth  of  9.8%,  resulting  from  continued  strength  in  our 
eCommerce business as well as strong performance in boutiques. 

Gross Profit  

Gross profit increased by 16.0% to $342.9 million in Fiscal 2019, compared to $295.5 million in Fiscal 2018. As a 
percent  of  revenue,  gross  profit  margin  declined  60  basis  points  to  39.2%  due  primarily  to  increased  warehousing 
and distribution costs and the weakening of the Canadian dollar compared to last year. 

SG&A Expenses  

SG&A  expenses  increased  by  17.1%  to  $215.3  million,  or  24.6%  of  net  revenue  in  Fiscal  2019,  compared  to 
$183.9 million, or 24.7% of net revenue in Fiscal 2018. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to variable 
selling  expenses  driven  by  higher  sales  volume,  as  well  as  the  impact  from  continued  investments  in  our  strategic 
growth initiatives and infrastructure. 

Other (Income) Expenses 

Other income was $0.4 million in Fiscal 2019, compared to other expenses of $1.9 million in Fiscal 2018.  

Other income of $0.4 million in Fiscal 2019 primarily relates to: 

15 

24

 
 
 

 

 

realized foreign exchange gains on the settlement of forward contracts of $2.3 million,  

realized and unrealized operational foreign exchange gains of $2.3 million, 

interest income of $1.7 million, and 

  offering transaction cost recoveries of $0.2 million; partially offset by 

  a lease exit cost of $5.7 million, and 

  unrealized foreign exchange losses on forward contracts of $0.4 million. 

The lease exit cost of $5.7 million related to the exit of a lease commitment for the planned repositioning of one 
of our flagship boutiques. The commitment was made due to the uncertainty of remaining in the existing location as a 
result of redevelopment plans which were subsequently abandoned. For brand and financial reasons,  we exited the 
alternative lease commitment, resulting in the one-time expense. 

Other expenses of $1.9 million in Fiscal 2018 primarily relates to: 

 

 

 

realized foreign exchange losses on the settlement of forward contracts of $2.2 million, and  

realized and unrealized operational foreign exchange losses of $0.8 million; partially offset by  

interest income of $0.9 million, and 

  unrealized foreign exchange gains on forward contracts of $0.2 million. 

Adjusted EBITDA 

Adjusted  EBITDA  increased  by  21.3%  to  $161.0  million,  or  18.4%  of  net  revenue  in  Fiscal  2019,  compared  to 

$132.7 million, or 17.9% of net revenue in Fiscal 2018 primarily due to the factors described above.  

Stock-Based Compensation Expense 

Stock-based compensation decreased by $5.7 million to $11.5 million in Fiscal 2019, compared to $17.2 million 

in Fiscal 2018. 

Included in Fiscal 2019 is  $8.6 million in expenses related to the accounting for options under our new option 
plan, $2.4 million in expenses related to the accounting for options under our legacy option plan and $0.5 million in 
expenses related to the accounting for our deferred share units. Included in Fiscal 2018 is $11.2 million in expenses 
related to the accounting for options under our new option plan, $5.7 million in expenses related to the accounting 
for  options  under  our  legacy  option  plan  and  $0.3  million  in  expenses  related  to  the  accounting  for  our  deferred 
share units and restricted share units. 

Finance Expense  

Finance  expense  decreased  by  $0.4  million  to  $4.8  million  in  Fiscal  2019,  compared  to  $5.2  million  in  Fiscal 
2018.  The  decrease  is  primarily  driven  by  lower  average  debt  outstanding  associated  with  the  amendment  of  our 
credit facilities in June 2018, partially offset by higher interest rates. 

Income Tax Expense 

Income  tax  expense  is  recognized  based  on  management’s  best  estimate  of  the  weighted  average  annual 
income tax rate expected for the full fiscal year. To the extent that forecasts differ from actual results, adjustments are 
recognized  in  subsequent  periods.  The  statutory  income  tax  rates  for  Fiscal  2019  and  Fiscal  2018  were  26.9%  and 
26.4%, respectively.  

Income tax expense increased by $2.7 million to $32.9 million in Fiscal 2019, compared to $30.2 million in Fiscal 
2018 and the effective tax rates for Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 were  29.5% and 34.6%, respectively. The increase in 
income tax expense is due to an increase in income from operations. The decrease in the effective tax rate compared 

16 

25

 
 
 
to  Fiscal  2018  is  due  to  a  decrease  in  the  amount  of  stock-based  compensation  expense  and  a  one  time  re-
measurement of deferred tax assets at a reduced rate passed by the U.S. tax reform in the prior year.  

Net Income 

Net  income  increased  by  37.9%  to  $78.7  million  in  Fiscal  2019,  compared  to  net  income  of  $57.1  million  in 
Fiscal 2018. This increase is primarily the result of a 17.6% increase in net revenue and an increase in other income, as 
well as a decrease in stock-based compensation expense and finance expense, partially offset by  lower gross profit 
margin and higher SG&A expenses and income tax expense. 

Adjusted Net Income  

Adjusted Net Income increased by 24.5% to $94.5 million, or $0.81 per diluted share in Fiscal 2019, compared 

to $75.9 million, or $0.65 per diluted share in Fiscal 2018, primarily due to the factors described above.  

17 

26

 
 
 
Summary of Consolidated Quarterly Results and Certain Performance Measures 

The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the last eight most recently completed quarters. 
This  unaudited  quarterly  information,  other  than  Adjusted  EBITDA,  Adjusted  Net  Income  and  comparable  sales 
growth, has been prepared in accordance with IFRS. Due to seasonality, the results of operations for any quarter are 
not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the fiscal year.  

Q4 

Fiscal 2019 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

14 weeks    13 weeks 

13 weeks    13 weeks 

  13 weeks 

Fiscal 2018 
Q3 
13 weeks 

Q2 

Q1 

13 weeks    13 weeks 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Consolidated Statements of 

Operations: 

Net revenue 
Gross profit 
Income from operations 
Net income  

Percentage of Net Revenue: 
Net revenue 
Gross profit 
Income from operations 
Net income 

Adjusted EBITDA (8) 
Adjusted Net Income (8) 

Weighted average number of diluted 
shares – IFRS (in thousands) 
Total number of diluted shares – prior 

$ 

259,050 $ 
93,847   
31,902   
18,723   

242,876  $  205,359  $  167,011  $  219,804  $  204,449  $  173,968  $  145,046 
57,538 
83,285 
104,789 
12,028 
26,948 
45,339 
8,129 
15,901 
32,600 

91,538 
39,904 
28,073 

76,734 
21,681 
15,115 

63,130 
15,514 
4,990 

67,543 
16,731 
12,290 

100.0%   
36.2%   
12.3%   
7.2%   

100.0% 
43.1% 
18.7% 
13.4% 

100.0% 
37.4% 
10.6% 
7.4% 

100.0% 
40.4% 
10.0% 
7.4% 

100.0% 
37.9% 
12.3% 
7.2% 

100.0% 
44.8% 
19.5% 
13.7% 

100.0% 
36.3% 
8.9% 
2.9% 

    100.0% 
39.7% 
8.3% 
5.6% 

$ 

42,568 $ 
25,072   

57,093  $ 
35,933 

33,032  $ 
18,295 

28,352  $ 
15,243 

38,101  $ 
22,489 

49,962  $ 
30,595 

20,700  $ 
10,380 

23,953 
12,470 

117,488   

117,681 

  117,410 

  116,780 

  116,622 

  116,168 

  116,244 

  116,375 

methodology (in thousands) 

118,049   

118,785 

  117,995 

  117,519 

  117,253 

  116,851 

  116,745 

  117,206 

Other Performance Measures: 
Comparable Sales Growth(8) 

Boutiques 
Number of boutiques, beginning of 

period 

New boutiques added 
Boutique repositioned into a flagship 

boutique(9) 

Number of boutiques, end of period 

Boutiques expanded or repositioned 
___________________________ 

Note: 

5.5%   

12.9% 

11.5% 

10.9% 

6.0% 

6.3% 

5.4% 

9.3% 

92   
-   

(1)   

91   

1   

90 
2  

-  

92  

-  

87 
3 

- 

90 

1 

85 
2 

- 

87 

2 

84 
1 

- 

85 

2 

83 
1 

- 

84 

3 

81 
2 

- 

83 

1 

79 
2 

- 

81 

1 

(8)  See “How We Assess the Performance of our Business” for definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Comparable Sales Growth, which are non-IFRS 
measures including Retail Industry Metrics. See also “Non-IFRS Measures”. 
(9)  Q4 2019 includes the reposition of one of the Company’s banner locations into the flagship boutique located on the same street. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources  

Overview  

 Our principal uses of funds are for operating expenses, capital expenditures and debt service requirements. We 
believe that cash generated from operations, together with amounts available under our credit facilities, are expected 
to  be  sufficient  to  meet  our  future  operating  expenses,  capital  expenditures  and  future  debt  service  requirements. 
Our  ability  to  fund  operating  expenses,  capital  expenditures  and  future  debt  service  requirements  will  depend  on, 
among  other  things,  our  future  operating  performance,  which  will  be  affected  by  general  economic,  financial  and 
other  factors,  including  factors  beyond  our  control.  See  “Summary  of  Factors  Affecting  Performance”  and  “Risk 
Factors”  of  this  MD&A  for  additional  information.  We  review  investment  opportunities  in  the  normal  course  of  our 
business  and  may  make  select  investments  to  implement  our  business  strategy  when  suitable  opportunities  arise. 

18 

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Historically, the funding for any such investments has come from cash flows from operating activities and/or our credit 
facilities.  

Credit Facilities  

On  June  28,  2018,  we  amended  our  term  loan  and  revolving  credit  facility  (collectively  the  “Credit  Facilities”) 
with our syndicate of lenders. The amendment agreement included a reduction of the term loan from $118.7 million 
to  $75.0  million  and  an  increase  of  the  revolving  credit  facility  from  $70.0  million  to  $100.0  million.  The  amended 
Credit Facilities mature on May 22, 2022 and have no scheduled principal payments prior to maturity. Interest is paid 
on a monthly basis. Under the amended Credit Facilities,  we have the option to borrow using Banker’s Acceptance 
borrowings, LIBO rate borrowings, or Canadian prime rate borrowings plus a marginal interest rate between 0.50% 
and 2.50%.  As part of the amendment, we made a $43.7 million term loan repayment on June 27, 2018.  

In addition, we also have letters of credit facilities of $75.0 million, secured pari passu with the Credit Facilities. 

The interest rate for the letters of credit is between 1.00% and 2.50%.   

As at March 3, 2019, the aggregate amount outstanding under our term loan credit facility was $75.0 million. No 
amounts  were  drawn  on  the  revolving  credit  facility  as  at  March  3,  2019.  The  term  loan  credit  facility  requires 
mandatory  loan  prepayments  by  us  of  principal  and  interest  if  certain  events  occur.  See  “Contractual  Obligations  – 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Commitments” for letters of credit issued.  

The  credit  agreement  contains  restrictive  covenants  customary  for  credit  facilities  of  this  nature,  including 
restrictions on us and each credit facility guarantor, subject to certain exceptions, to incur indebtedness, grant liens, 
merge, amalgamate or consolidate with other companies, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all 
of  its  assets,  liquidate  or  dissolve,  engage  in  any  material  business  other  than  the  fashion  retail  business,  make 
investments, acquisitions, loans, advances or guarantees, make any restricted payments, enter into transactions with 
affiliates,  repay  indebtedness,  enter  into  restrictive  agreements,  enter  into  sale-leaseback  transactions,  ensure 
pension  plan  compliance,  sell  or  discount  receivables,  enter  into  agreements  with  unconditional  purchase 
obligations, issue shares, create or acquire a subsidiary or make any hostile acquisitions. 

Cash Flows  

The following table presents cash flows for the periods and fiscal years indicated.  

    Q4 2019    Q4 2018    Fiscal 2019    Fiscal 2018 
52 weeks 

13 weeks   

53 weeks   

14 weeks   

Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities 
Net cash used in financing activities 
Net cash used in investing activities 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash 

equivalents 

$ 

(7,386)  $ 
(56) 
(14,677) 

38,809  $ 
(12,694) 
(18,784) 

96,175  $  105,358 
(5,974) 
(46,193) 
(66,330) 
(62,010) 

(24) 

(35) 

450 

(106) 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 

$ 

(22,143)  $ 

7,296  $ 

(11,578)  $ 

32,948 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Analysis of Cash Flows for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2019  

Cash Flows (Used in) Generated from Operating Activities  

For  Q4  2019,  cash  flows  used  in  operating  activities  totalled  $7.4  million,  compared  to  cash  flows  of  $38.8 
million  generated  in  Q4  2018.  This  decrease  was  primarily  attributable  to  a  higher  use  of  working  capital  due  to 
increased  volume  and  the  timing  of  inventory  purchases  and  a  decrease  in  proceeds  received  from  deferred  lease 
inducements, partially offset by higher Adjusted EBITDA.  

For  Fiscal  2019,  cash  flows  generated  from  operating  activities  totalled  $96.2  million,  compared  to  $105.4 
million for  Fiscal 2018. This  decrease was primarily attributable to  a higher use of working capital due to  increased 
volume  and  the  timing  of  inventory  purchases,  partially  offset  by  higher  Adjusted  EBITDA,  and  lower  income  tax 
payments made in Fiscal 2019. 

19 

28

 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities  

For Q4 2019, cash flows used in financing activities totalled $0.1 million, compared to $12.7 million used in Q4 
2018.  This  change  was  primarily  due  to  a  repayment  on  our  Credit  Facilities  made  in  Q4  2018,  partially  offset  by 
higher  net  proceeds  received  from  options  exercised  in  Q4  2018,  and  repurchase  of  subordinate  voting  shares  for 
cancellation in Q4 2019 under our normal course issuer bid. 

For Fiscal 2019, cash flows used in financing activities  totalled $46.2 million, compared to $6.0 million used in 
Fiscal 2018. This change was primarily due to a $43.7 million term loan repayment made in Q2 2019 as a result of our 
debt  refinancing  and  the  repurchase  of  subordinate  voting  shares  for  cancellation  in  Fiscal  2019  under  our  normal 
course issuer bid. See “Current Share Information” below. 

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities  

For  Q4  2019,  cash  flows  used  in  investing  activities  totalled  $14.7  million,  compared  to  $18.8  million  in  Q4 

2018.  Investing activities in Q4 2019 relate to new boutiques and boutique expansions and repositions. 

For Fiscal 2019, cash flows used in investing activities totalled $62.0 million, compared to $66.3 million in Fiscal 
2018. Investing activities in Fiscal 2019 relate to new boutiques and boutique expansions and repositions, as well as 
investment in our new Greater Vancouver distribution centre. 

Contractual Obligations  

The  following  table  summarizes  our  significant  undiscounted  maturities  of  our  contractual  obligations  and 

commitments as at March 3, 2019.  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Assumed interest on long-term debt(10) 
Debt(11) 

$ 

62,736  $ 

-  $ 

2,668 
- 

5,952 
75,000 

-  $ 
- 
- 

62,736 
8,620 
75,000 

Less than 
1 year 

1 to 
5 years  

More than 
5 years 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Total 

Total contractual obligations 
 ___________________________ 
Notes:  
(10)  Based on interest rate in effect as at March 3, 2019.  
(11)  The  Credit  Facilities  require  mandatory  loan  prepayments  by  Aritzia  of  principal  and  interest  if  certain  events  occur.  The  Credit  Facilities 

146,356 

65,404  $ 

80,952  $ 

-  $ 

$ 

mature on May 22, 2022 and have no scheduled principal payments prior to maturity.   

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Commitments  

The following table summarizes our off-balance sheet arrangements and commitments as at March 3, 2019.  

Less than 
1 year 

1 to 
5 years 

5 years   
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

More than 

Total 

Operating leases 
Product purchase obligations 

$ 

83,551  $ 
45,636 

356,517  $ 

235,354 $ 

- 

- 

675,422 
45,636 

Operating  leases  for  certain  of  our  premises  include  renewal  options,  rent  escalation  clauses  and  free-rent 
periods.  The  operating  lease  commitment  reflects  minimum  annual  commitments  for  our  operating  leases  for  our 
premises (excluding other occupancy charges and rent based on a percentage of revenue).  

$ 

129,187  $ 

356,517  $ 

235,354 $ 

721,058 

20 

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Our  third  party  manufacturers  purchase  raw  materials  on  our  behalf  to  be  used  for  future  production.  As  at 
March  3,  2019,  we  had  purchase  obligations  of  $45.6 million,  which  represent  commitments  for  fabric  to  be  used 
during upcoming seasons, made in the normal course of business.  

We  enter  into  trade  letters  of  credit  to  facilitate  the  international  purchase  of  inventory.  We  also  enter  into 
standby letters of credit to secure certain of our obligations, including leases and duties related to import purchases. 
As at March 3, 2019, letters of credit totalling $43.1 million have been issued.  

Other than those items disclosed here and elsewhere in this MD&A and our consolidated financial statements, 

we do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments as at March 3, 2019.  

Subsequent  to  year  end,  we  entered  into  additional  operating  leases,  increasing  the  total  minimum  lease 

commitments by $20.4 million (excluding other occupancy charges and rent based on percentage of revenue).  

See also “Significant New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted – IFRS 16 – Leases” below. 

Financial Instruments  

From  time  to  time,  we  use  foreign  currency  forward  contracts  to  manage  our  exposure  to  fluctuations  with 
respect to the U.S. dollar for U.S. dollar merchandise purchases sold in Canada. The fair value of the forward contracts 
is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets or in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, depending on 
whether they represent assets or liabilities to us. Changes in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts are 
recorded in net income. As at March 3, 2019, we did not have any outstanding foreign currency forward contracts. 

 Related Party Transactions (in thousands of Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated) 

Prior to the August 2018 Secondary Offering, we were ultimately controlled by Canada Retail Holdings, L.P., our 
ultimate  parent  and  the  Berkshire  Shareholder.  Effective  August  7,  2018,  upon  completion  of  the  August  2018 
Secondary  Offering,  neither  Canada  Retail  Holdings,  L.P.  nor  any  other  entity  maintained  ultimate  control  of  us. 
Subsequent  to  the  year  ended  March  3,  2019,  upon  completion  of  the  March  2019  Secondary  Offering  and  Share 
Repurchase,  the  Berkshire  Shareholder  sold  its  entire  investment  in  us.  As  a  result,  effective  March  8,  2019,  the 
Company is ultimately controlled by AHI Holdings Inc., an entity controlled by a director and officer of the Company 
(“Principal Shareholder”).  

We entered into the following transactions with related parties: 

Total reimbursements to Berkshire for travel, lodging and other costs for the year ended March 3, 2019 was $59 
(February  25,  2018  -  $66).  As  at  March  3,  2019,  $nil  was  included  in  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities 
(February 25, 2018 - $nil). 

In  connection  with  the  March  2019  Secondary  Offering  and  Share  Repurchase,  we  incurred  an  aggregate  of 
$2.5  million  in  professional  fees  and  other  costs,  $185  of  which  are  costs  incurred  on  behalf  of  the  selling 
shareholders. At March 3, 2019, $2.5 million was included in accounts  receivable, which represents the full amount 
being  reimbursed  by  the  selling  shareholders  participating  in  the  Share  Repurchase,  including  the  Berkshire 
Shareholder. Also in connection with the March 2019 Secondary Offering and Share Repurchase, $0.7 million in costs 
relating to our IPO, previously included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, was extinguished. 

During  the  year  ended  March  3,  2019,  we  paid  $4.1  million  (February  25,  2018  -  $3.6  million),  for  rent  of 
premises and $0.9 million (February 25, 2018 - $0.4 million) for the use of a leased asset wholly or partially owned by 
companies  that  are  owned  by  a  director  and  officer  of  the  Company.  As  at  March  3,  2019,  $71  was  included  in 
accounts payable and accrued liabilities (February 25, 2018  - $100) and $52 was included in prepaid expenses and 
other current assets (February 25, 2018 - $nil).  

During the year ended February 25, 2018, we purchased $8.3 million of merchandise from a company partially 
owned  by  private  equity  funds  managed  by  Berkshire.  In  August  2017,  Berkshire  exited  its  investment  from  the 
merchandise  company;  as  such,  purchases  from  the  merchandise  company  subsequent  to  August  2017  are  not 
considered related party transactions.  

Transactions with Key Management  

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Key  management  includes  our  directors  and  executive  team.  Compensation  awarded  to  key  management 

includes:  

  Q4 2019 
  14 weeks 

  Q4 2018 
  13 weeks 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Fiscal 2019   
53 weeks   

Fiscal 2018 
52 weeks 

Salaries, directors’ fees and short-term benefits  $ 
Stock-based compensation expense(12) 

980  $ 
645 

852  $ 

3,326 

3,478  $ 
3,695   

3,117 
7,358 

Notes:  
(12) 

Included in the expense for  Q4 2018 and Fiscal 2018 was $2.3 million of expense recognized from the cancellation of 671,899 time-
based  options  granted  to  a  director  and  officer  of  the  Company.  The  cancellation  of  these  options  resulted  in  accelerated  vesting  in 
accordance with IFRS 2. 

  $ 

1,625  $ 

4,178  $ 

7,173  $ 

10,475 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments  

The  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  IFRS  requires  management  to  make 
judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of 
assets,  liabilities,  income  and  expenses.  Estimates  and  assumptions  are  continuously  evaluated  and  are  based  on 
management’s  best  judgments  and  experience  and  other  factors,  including  expectations  of  future  events  that  are 
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in 
which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. Actual results may differ from these estimates.  

The  following  discusses  the  most  significant  accounting  judgments  and  estimates  made  by  management  in 

preparation of the consolidated financial statements:  

Valuation of Finished Goods Inventory  

Inventory, consisting of finished goods, is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined 
using weighted average costs. Cost of inventories includes the cost of merchandise and all costs incurred to deliver 
the inventory to our distribution centres including freight and duty. 

We  periodically  review  our  inventories  and  make  provisions  as  necessary  to  appropriately  value  obsolete  or 
damaged goods. In addition, as part of inventory valuations, we accrue for inventory shrinkage for lost or stolen items 
based on historical trends from actual physical inventory counts.  

Impairment of Assets  

Goodwill and intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortization and are tested 
annually  for  impairment  or  more  frequently  if  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  they  might  be 
impaired.  

Other assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying 

amount may not be recoverable.  

An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable 
amount.  The  recoverable  amount  is  the  higher  of  an  asset’s  fair  value  less  costs  of  disposal  and  value  in  use. The 
recoverable value is determined using discounted future cash flow models, which incorporate assumptions regarding 
future events, specifically future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates.  

For  the purposes  of assessing  impairment, assets  are grouped at the  lowest levels  where there are separately 
identifiable  cash  inflows  which  are  largely  independent  of  the  cash  inflows  from  other assets  or  groups  of  assets 
(cash-generating  unit).  Non-financial  assets,  other  than  goodwill,  that  suffered  an  impairment  are  reviewed  for 
possible reversal of the impairment at the end of each reporting period.  

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31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Stock-Based Compensation Expense 

 Stock-based  compensation  expense  requires  the  use  of  estimates  in  the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model, 

including stock price volatility and the expected life of options. 

Gift Card Breakage 

 Recognition of gift card breakage requires the use of judgment in defining our average gift card breakage rate, 
based on historical redemption rates. The resulting revenue from breakage is recognized in proportion to actual gift 
card redemptions. 

Income Tax Expense 

Income  tax  expense  requires  judgment  to  determine  when  tax  losses,  credits  and  provisions  are  recognized 

based on tax rules in various jurisdictions.  

Significant New Accounting Standards Adopted  

IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

Effective  February  26,  2018,  we  adopted  IFRS  15  issued  in  May  2014,  and  amended  in  September  2015  and 
April  2016.  IFRS  15  outlines  a  single  comprehensive  five-step  framework  for  the  recognition,  measurement  and 
disclosure  of  revenue  from  contracts  with  customers,  excluding  contracts  within  the  scope  of  the  accounting 
standards on leases, insurance contracts and financial instruments. IFRS 15 is effective for annual periods beginning 
on or after January 1, 2018. We adopted the standard using the full retrospective approach. The adoption of IFRS 15 
did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  our  consolidated  financial  statements  other  than  on  the  recognition  of  our  sales 
return  allowance.  Under  IAS  18,  “Revenue”,  the  sales  return  allowance  on  the  consolidated  Statement  of  Financial 
Position  was  recognized  on  a  net  basis,  with  no  adjustment  to  other  current  assets.  Upon  adoption  of  IFRS  15,  the 
sales return allowance is recognized on a gross basis, resulting in an adjustment of the Statement of Financial Position 
line  items  noted  below.  As  the  impact  is  limited  to  these  two  financial  statement  line  items,  a  February  25,  2018 
opening Statement of Financial Position has not been presented. 

23 

32

 
 
The financial impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 is as follows: 

As at February 25, 2018 

As at February 26, 2017 

Prepaid expenses and other 

current assets 

Accounts payable and accrued 

liabilities(13) 

As 
previously 
reported 

15,307 

66,594 

(13) Includes current portion of lease obligation 

IFRS 15 
adjustments 

As  
restated 

As 
previously 
 reported 

IFRS 15 
adjustments 

As  
restated 

698 

698 

16,005 

12,743 

67,292 

51,250 

696 

696 

13,439 

51,946 

IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement and Impairment 

Effective  February  26,  2018,  we  adopted  (i)  IFRS  9,  issued  in  July  2014,  which  replaces  IAS 39,  “Financial 
Instruments:  Recognition  and  Measurement”,  and  (ii)  related  amendments  to  IFRS  7,  “Financial  Instruments: 
Disclosures”.  The  new  standard  introduces  new  requirements  for  classification  and  measurement  of  financial  assets 
and liabilities, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning 
on or after January 1, 2018. We applied the requirements of the new standard retrospectively. 

IFRS  9  contains  a  new  classification  and  measurement  approach  for  financial  assets  that  reflects  the  business 
model  in  which  the  assets  are  managed  and  their  cash  flow  characteristics.  Financial  assets  are  classified  and 
measured based on three categories: amortized cost; fair value through other comprehensive  income; or fair value 
through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are classified and measured based on two categories: amortized cost or fair 
value through profit or loss. 

IFRS 9 replaces the incurred loss model in IAS 39 with a forward-looking expected credit loss model (“ECL”). This 
new model applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost. Under IFRS 9, credit losses are recognized earlier 
than under IAS 39.  

The adoption of IFRS 9 did not result in a material change in classification, measurement or the carrying amount 

of our financial assets and liabilities. 

Amendments to IFRS 2 – Share-based Payment 

Effective  February  26,  2018,  we  adopted  amendments  to  IFRS  2,  issued  in  June  2016,  which  clarify  how  to 
account  for  certain  types  of  share-based  payment  transactions.  The  amendments  provide  requirements  on  the 
accounting for: (i) the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of cash-settled share-based 
payments; (ii) share-based payment transactions with a net settlement feature for withholding tax obligations; and (iii) 
a modification to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment that changes the classification from cash-settled 
to  equity-settled.  The  amendments  to  IFRS  2  are  effective  prospectively  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after 
January  1,  2018.  The  adoption  of  the  amendments  to  IFRS  2  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  our  consolidated 
financial statements. 

Significant New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted  

IFRS 16 - Leases 

In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16, which sets out a new model for lease accounting replacing IAS 17, 
“Leases”.  The  standard  introduces  a  single  lessee  accounting  model  and  requires  a  lessee  to  recognize  assets  and 
liabilities  for  all  leases  with  a  term  of  more  than  12  months,  unless  the  underlying  asset  is  of  low  value.  A  lessee  is 
required  to  recognize  a  right-of-use  asset  representing  its  right  to  use  the  underlying  asset  and  a  lease  liability 
representing  its  obligation  to  make  lease  payments.  Lessors  continue  to  classify  leases  as  finance  and  operating 
leases.  Other  areas  of  the  lease  accounting  model  have  been  impacted,  including  the  definition  of  a  lease. 

24 

33

 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transitional provisions have been provided. IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 
2019. Early adoption is permitted if IFRS 15 has been adopted.  

We  will  apply  the  new  standard  for  Fiscal  2020  using  the  modified  retrospective  method.  The  modified 
retrospective  method  applies  the  requirements  of  IFRS  16  retrospectively  with  no  restatement  of  the  comparative 
period.  

The new standard is expected to materially increase the assets and liabilities on the consolidated statement of 
financial  position  as  the  majority  of  our  operating  leases  disclosed  in  the  “Contractual  Obligations”  section  of  this 
MD&A are in scope for IFRS 16. Based on the information as at March 3, 2019, as a result of the initial application of 
the  standard,  we  estimate  to  recognize  approximately  $460  million  to  $510  million  of  lease  liabilities  and  $340 
million to $390 milion of right-of-use assets on our consolidated statements of financial position. The difference, net 
of the deferred tax impact, will be recorded in opening retained earnings. The right-of-use assets will be depreciated 
on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  remaining  lease  term.  The  lease  liability  will  be  carried  at  amortized  cost  with  a 
finance charge recorded from the amortization of the lease liability discount.  The depreciation expense of the right-
of-use assets and the finance charge of the lease liability will partially replace the lease-related expenses recorded in 
costs of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses, previously recognized on a straight-line basis 
over the lease term under IAS 17. Variable lease payments will continue to be expensed as incurred. 

The  new  standard  will  not  change  the  amount  of  cash  transferred  between  the  lessor  and  lessee,  but  will 
change the presentation of the operating and financing cash flows presented in  our consolidated statement of cash 
flows.  

We have elected to apply the following practical expedients, as described under IFRS 16: 

i) 

ii) 

iii) 

recognition exemption of short term leases; 

recognition exemption of low-value leases; and 

grandfather prior conclusions on contracts containing leases. 

Annual Improvements 

In  December  2017,  the  IASB  issued  amendments  to  IAS  12,  “Income  Taxes”  and  IAS  23,  “Borrowing  Costs”  to 
clarify  existing  requirements.  These  clarification  amendments  will  be  effective  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or 
after  January  1,  2019.  The  implementation  of  these  clarification  amendments  is  not  expected  to  have  a  material 
impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

Outlook 

The first quarter of Fiscal 2020 is off to a strong start with the spring and summer collections being well-received by 
clients, with quarter to date comparable sales growth trending sequentially higher than Q4 2019. 

For Fiscal 2020, we currently expect the following:  

  Net revenue growth in the low double-digits. 

  Six new boutiques in the U.S., including the Hudson Yards boutique in New York already opened in the first 

quarter. 

  Three boutique expansions or repositions in Canada, including the expansion of the Mapleview boutique in 

greater Toronto already opened in the first quarter. 

  Gross profit margin flat as compared to Fiscal 2019. Gross profit margin is expected to be slightly higher in 
the first half of the year due to occupancy cost leverage being partially offset by the weakening of the 
Canadian dollar, and slightly lower in the second half of the year due to higher raw material costs for the 
fall/winter season. 

  SG&A to grow faster than revenue, as we will continue to make strategic investments in technology and 
infrastructure to support our long term growth. A portion of the investments related to our eCommerce 

25 

34

 
 
 
platform improvements, omni-channel capabilities and other infrastructure including the product life-cycle 
management and data analytics platforms will be expensed within SG&A.  Incremental SG&A expenses 
related to these initiatives in Fiscal 2020 are expected to be approximately $7 million to $8 million, and occur 
primarily in the second and third quarters. 

  Net capital expenditures in the range of $45 million to $50 million.  

Overall, we remain on track to meet or exceed our stated fiscal 2021 performance targets. 

See “Forward-Looking Information”. 

Risk Factors  

For a detailed description of risk factors associated with the Company, refer to the “Risk Factors” section of  our 

AIF, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 

In  addition,  we are exposed to a variety  of financial risks  in the normal  course of operations  including  foreign 
exchange,  interest  rate,  credit  and  liquidity  risk,  as  summarized  below.  Our  overall  risk  management  program  and 
business practices seek to minimize any potential adverse effects on our consolidated financial performance.  

Risk management is carried out under practices approved by our Audit Committee. This includes reviewing and 
making  recommendations  to  the  Board  on  the  adequacy  of  our  risk  management  policies  and  procedures  with 
regard to  identifying  the  Company’s principal risks  and implementing  appropriate systems and controls to manage 
these risks. Risk management  covers many areas of risk including, but not limited to, foreign exchange risk, interest 
rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.  

Foreign Exchange Risk  

We source the majority of our raw materials and merchandise from various suppliers in Asia and Europe with the 
vast majority of purchases denominated in U.S. dollars. Our foreign exchange risk is primarily with respect to the U.S. 
dollar but we have limited exposure to other currencies as well. We  may use foreign exchange forward contracts to 
mitigate risks associated with forecasted U.S. dollar merchandise purchases sold in Canada.  

Interest Rate Risk  

We  are  exposed  to  changes  in  interest  rates  on  our  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  bank  indebtedness  and  long-
term debt. Debt issued at variable rates exposes us to cash flow interest rate risk. Debt issued at fixed rates exposes 
us to fair value interest rate risk. During Fiscal 2019, we had only variable interest rate debt.  

Credit Risk  

Credit risk refers to the possibility that we can suffer financial losses due to the failure of our counterparties to 
meet their payment obligations. We are exposed to minimal credit risk. We do not extend credit to our clients, but do 
have  some  receivable  exposure  in  relation  to  tenant  improvement  allowances.  To  reduce  this  risk,  we  enter  into 
leases  with  landlords  with  established  credit  history,  and  for  certain  leases,  we  may  offset  rent  payments  until 
accounts receivable are fully satisfied. We deposit our cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions that 
have  been  assigned  high  credit  ratings  by  internationally  recognized  credit  rating  agencies.  We  only  enter  into 
derivative contracts with major financial institutions, as described above, for the purchase of foreign currency forward 
contracts.   

Liquidity risk  

Liquidity risk is the risk that we cannot meet a demand for cash or fund our obligations as they come due. We 
manage liquidity risk by continuously monitoring actual and projected cash flows, taking into account the seasonality 
of our revenue, income and working capital needs. The Credit Facility is used to maintain liquidity.  

26 

35

 
 
  
Controls and Procedures 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

Management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  a  system  of  controls  and  procedures  over  the 
public  disclosure  of  financial  and  non-financial  information  regarding  the  Company.  Such  controls  and  procedures 
are  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  all  relevant  information  is  gathered  and  reported  to  senior 
management  on  a  timely  basis,  including  the  CEO  and  the  CFO,  so  that  they  can  make  appropriate  and  timely 
decisions  regarding  public  disclosure,  including  information  contained  in  annual  and  interim  filings,  including  the 
consolidated  financial  statements,  MD&A,  Annual 
Information  Form,  and  other  documents  and  external 
communications. 

As  required  by  CSA  National  Instrument  52-109  - Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim 
Filings (“NI 52-109”), an evaluation of the adequacy of the design (quarterly) and effective operation (annually) of the 
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures was conducted under the supervision of management,  including the 
CEO and CFO, as at March 3, 2019. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that the design 
and operation of the system of disclosure controls and procedures were effective as at March 3, 2019. 

Although the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were operating effectively as of March 3, 2019, 
there can be no assurance that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of 
persons  within  the  Company  to  disclose  material  information  otherwise  required  to  be  set  forth  in  the  Company’s 
regulatory filings. 

Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

Management  is  also  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal  controls  over  financial 
reporting  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of 
financial  reports  for  external  purposes  in  accordance  with  IFRS.  The  Company’s  internal  controls  over  financial 
reporting  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,  detailed  policies  and  procedures  relating  to  financial  accounting  and 
reporting,  and  controls  over  systems  that  process  and  summarize  transactions.  The  Company’s  procedures  for 
financial reporting also include the active involvement of qualified financial professionals, senior management and its 
Audit Committee.  

As also required by NI 52-109, management, including the CEO and CFO, evaluated the adequacy of the design 
(quarterly) and the effective operation (annually) of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined 
in  NI  52-109,  as  at  March  3,  2019.  In  making  this  assessment,  management,  including  the  CEO  and  CFO,  used  the 
framework  set  forth  in  the  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that the 
design  and  operation  of  the  Company’s  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting,  as  defined  by  NI  52-109,  were 
effective as at March 3, 2019. 

In designing such controls, it should be recognized that due to  inherent limitations, any control, no matter how 
well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and 
may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements.  Additionally,  management  is  required  to  use  judgment  in  evaluating 
controls  and  procedures.  Therefore,  even  when  determined  to  be  designed  effectively,  disclosure  controls  and 
internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to disclosure, reporting 
and financial statement preparation. 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter and year ended 
March  3,  2019  that  have  materially  affected,  or  are  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  our  internal  controls  over 
financial reporting. 

Current Share Information 

On May  10, 2018, we announced the commencement of a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) to purchase and 
cancel  up  to  5,429,658  subordinate  voting  shares  commencing  May  15,  2018  and  ending  May  14,  2019.  During 
Fiscal  2019,  we  repurchased  549,880  subordinate  voting  shares  for  cancellation  at  an  average  price  of  $17.07  per 

27 

36

 
 
subordinate  voting  share,  for  total  cash  consideration  of  $9.4  million.  Due  to  the  Share  Repurchase,  we  have 
suspended further purchases under our NCIB. We will evaluate renewing our NCIB in due course.  

On May 31, 2018, we entered into an automated share purchase plan (“ASPP”) with a designated broker for the 
purpose  of  permitting  us  to  purchase  our  subordinate  voting  shares  under  the  NCIB  during  self-imposed  blackout 
periods.  The  volume  of  purchases  is  determined  by  the  broker  in  its  sole  discretion  based  on  purchase  price  and 
maximum  volume  parameters  established  by  us  under  the  ASPP.  We  record  a  liability  for  purchases  that  are 
estimated to occur during blackout periods based on the parameters of the NCIB and ASPP. On March 3, 2019, we 
cancelled our ASPP.  

Shareholders  may  receive  a  copy  of  the  TSX  notice  in  respect  of  the  NCIB,  without  charge,  by  contacting  the 

Company. 

As  of  May  8,  2019,  an  aggregate  of  83,238,108  subordinate  voting  shares,  24,537,349  multiple  voting  shares 
and  no  preferred  shares  are  issued  and  outstanding.  All  of  the  issued  and  outstanding  multiple  voting  shares  are, 
directly or indirectly, held or controlled by the  Principal Shareholder. As of May 8, 2019, an aggregate of 9,617,605 
options to acquire subordinate voting shares are outstanding.  

See “Secondary Offerings” section of this MD&A for further details on current share information. 

Additional Information 

Additional  information  relating  to  the  Company,  including  the  Company’s  AIF,  is  available  on  SEDAR  at 
www.sedar.com.  The  Company’s  Shares  are  listed  for  trading  on  the  Toronto  Stock  Exchange  (“TSX”)  under  the 
symbol “ATZ”.  

28 

37

 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 

Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report 

To the Shareholders of Aritzia Inc. 

Our opinion 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, 
the financial position of Aritzia Inc. and its subsidiaries (together, the Company) as at March 3, 2019 and 
February 25, 2018, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). 

What we have audited 
The Company’s consolidated financial statements comprise: 













the consolidated statements of financial position as at March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018; 

the consolidated statements of operations for the years then ended; 

the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years then ended; 

the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the years then ended; 

the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years then ended; and 

the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of significant 
accounting policies. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our 
responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit 
of the consolidated financial statements section of our report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
opinion. 

Independence 
We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our 
audit of the consolidated financial statements in Canada. We have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Place, 250 Howe Street, Suite 1400, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3S7 
T: +1 604 806 7000, F: +1 604 806 7806 

“PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership. 

39

Other information 

Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis, which we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report and the information, 
other than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor's report thereon, included in the Annual 
Report, which is expected to be made available to us after that date. 

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not 
and will not express an opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the 
other information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially 
inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of 
this auditor’s report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. When we read the information, other 
than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor's report thereon, included in the Annual 
Report, if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the 
matter to those charged with governance. 

Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the 
consolidated financial statements 

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial 
statements in accordance with IFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary 
to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the 
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate 
the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process. 

40

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as 
a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s 
report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee 
that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards will always 
detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise 
professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also: 













Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, 
whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and 
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk 
of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from 
error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the 
override of internal control. 

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. 

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 
estimates and related disclosures made by management. 

Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, 
based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or 
conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s 
report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are 
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to 
the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to 
cease to continue as a going concern.  

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, 
including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the 
underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. 

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 
business activities within the Company to express an opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. 
We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion. 

41

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope 
and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal 
control that we identify during our audit.  

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant 
ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other 
matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related 
safeguards. 

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is John DeLucchi. 

(signed) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants 

Vancouver, British Columbia
May 9, 2019 

42

Aritzia Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position 
As at March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018  

(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Assets 

Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents  
Accounts receivable 
Income taxes recoverable 
Inventory 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 

Total current assets 
-- 
Property and equipment 

Intangible assets 

Goodwill 

Other assets 

Deferred tax assets 
Total assets 

Liabilities 

Current liabilities 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Income taxes payable 
Current portion of long-term debt 
Deferred revenue 

Total current liabilities 

Other non-current liabilities 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Long-term debt 
Total liabilities 

Shareholders’ equity 
Share capital 
Contributed surplus 
Retained earnings 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 
Total shareholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

Subsequent events (notes 1, 18 and 19) 
Commitments and contingencies (note 18) 

    Note 

March 3, 
2019 

February 25, 
2018 
(Restated - 
note 2) 

$ 

16 
5 

6 

7 

7 

16 

  $ 

8  $ 

16 
10 

9 

16 

10 

12 

$ 

$ 

$ 

100,897 
4,355 
- 
112,183 
18,422 

235,857 

167,593 

64,427 

151,682 

2,209 

7,606 
629,374 

62,736 
3,644 
- 
24,231 

90,611 

69,828 

20,002 

74,624 
255,065 

199,517 
65,806 
109,339 
(353) 
374,309 

$ 

629,374 

$ 

112,475 
2,413 
1,728 
78,833 
16,005 

211,454 

135,672 

61,387 

151,682 

1,664 

6,517 
568,376 

67,292 
- 
19,127 
19,308 

105,727 

59,566 

17,922 

99,460 
282,675 

171,130 
76,522 
38,613 
(564) 
285,701 

568,376 

Approved by the Board of Directors  
___________Brian Hill                               Director                            _______Marnie Payne                            Director 

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

43

 
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Operations  
For the years ended March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares and per share amounts) 

Net revenue 

Cost of goods sold 

Gross profit 

Operating expenses 
Selling, general and administrative 
Stock-based compensation expense 

Income from operations 

Finance expense 
Other (income) expenses 

Income before income taxes 

Income tax expense 

Net income 

Net income per share 
Basic  
Diluted  

Weighted average number  

of shares outstanding (thousands) 

Basic  
Diluted  

    Note 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

17  $ 

874,296  $ 

743,267 

15 

15 
  13, 15 

15 
  11, 15 

16 

531,383 

342,913 

215,297 
11,540 

116,076 

4,821 
(395) 

111,650 

32,922 

447,776 

295,491 

183,857 
17,240 

94,394 

5,221 
1,890 

87,283 

30,190 

  $ 

78,728  $ 

57,093 

14  $ 
14 

  0.70 
  0.67 

$ 

0.52 
0.49 

14 
14 

113,015 
117,358 

110,180 
116,280 

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

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
For the years ended March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Net income 

Other comprehensive income (loss) 
Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to net 

income: 

Foreign currency translation adjustment 

Comprehensive income 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25,  
2018 

$ 

78,728  $ 

57,093 

211 

(187) 

$ 

78,939  $ 

56,906 

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

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Aritzia Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
For the years ended March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

  Note 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25,  
2018 

Operating activities 
Net income for the year 
Adjustments for: 

$ 

78,728  $ 

Depreciation and amortization 
Finance expense 
Stock-based compensation expense 
Amortization of deferred rent and deferred lease 

inducements 

  6, 7 
15 
13 

11 
16 

20 

10 
10 
13 
12 

6 
7 

Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) on 

forward contracts 

Income tax expense 

Proceeds from deferred lease inducements 

Cash generated before non-cash working capital balances 

and interest and income taxes 

Net change in non-cash working capital balances 

Cash generated before interest and income taxes 
Interest paid 
Income taxes paid 

Net cash generated from operating activities 

Financing activities 
Repayment of lease obligations 
Repayment of long-term debt 
Payment of financing fees 
Proceeds from options exercised 
Subordinate voting shares repurchased for cancellation 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Investing activities 
Purchase of property and equipment 
Purchase of intangible assets 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash 

equivalents 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of year 

Cash and cash equivalents - End of year 
Supplemental cash flow information (note 20) 

27,065 
4,821 
11,540 

(905) 

415 
32,922 
12,148 

166,734 
(39,616) 

127,118 
(4,709) 
(26,234) 

96,175 

(454) 
(43,738) 
(667) 
8,057 
(9,391) 

(46,193) 

(56,425) 
(5,585) 

(62,010) 

450 

(11,578) 

112,475 

57,093 

22,844 
5,221 
17,240 

4,947 

(233) 
30,190 
7,077 

144,379 
13,013 

157,392 
(5,314) 
(46,720) 

105,358 

(928) 
(15,321) 
- 
10,275 
- 

(5,974) 

(61,061) 
(5,269) 

(66,330) 

(106) 

32,948 

79,527 

  $ 

100,897  $ 

112,475 

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

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

1  Nature of operations and basis of presentation 

Nature of operations 

Aritzia Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) is a vertically integrated design 
house of exclusive fashion brands. The Company designs apparel and accessories for its collection of 
exclusive brands. The Company’s assortment of women’s fashion apparel and accessories addresses a 
range of style preferences and lifestyle requirements. As at March 3, 2019, the Company had 91 boutiques 
(February 25, 2018 – 85 boutiques). 

Aritzia Inc. is a corporation governed by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The address of 
its registered office is 666 Burrard Street, Suite 1700, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6C 2X8. 

On August 7, 2018, the Company completed a secondary offering (the “August 2018 Secondary Offering”) 
on a bought deal basis of its subordinate voting shares through a secondary sale of shares by certain 
shareholders. The August 2018 Secondary Offering of 6,050,000 subordinate voting shares raised gross 
proceeds of $100.1 million for the selling shareholders, at a price of $16.55 per subordinate voting share. 
The Company did not receive any proceeds from the August 2018 Secondary Offering. As part of the 
August 2018 Secondary Offering, certain selling shareholders exchanged 5,880,000 of their multiple 
voting shares for subordinate voting shares. Underwriting fees were paid by the selling shareholders, and 
other expenses related to the August 2018 Secondary Offering of $0.6 million are being paid by the 
Company. 

Subsequent to the year ended March 3, 2019, on March 8, 2019, the Company completed a secondary 
offering (the “March 2019 Secondary Offering”) on a bought deal basis of its subordinate voting shares 
through a secondary sale of shares by certain shareholders.  The March 2019 Secondary Offering of 
19,505,000 subordinate voting shares raised gross proceeds of $329.6 million for the selling shareholders, 
at a price of $16.90 per subordinate voting share (the “March 2019 Offering Price”).  The Company did not 
receive any proceeds from the March 2019 Secondary Offering. Underwriting fees were paid by the selling 
shareholders.  

Concurrent with the completion of the March 2019 Secondary Offering, on March 8, 2019, the Company 
also completed its purchase of 6,333,653 subordinate voting shares and multiple voting shares (the 
“Shares”) for cancellation from certain shareholders, including an investment vehicle (the “Berkshire 
Shareholder”) managed by Berkshire Partners LLC (“Berkshire”) (the “Share Repurchase”). The purchase 
price per Share paid by the Company under the Share Repurchase was the same as the March 2019 
Offering Price and resulted in an aggregate purchase price of $107.0 million paid to the selling 
shareholders.  Total expenses related to the March 2019 Secondary Offering and Share Repurchase of $2.5 
million are being paid by the Company and are being reimbursed by the selling shareholders participating 
in the Share Repurchase, including the Berkshire Shareholder.  

Upon completion of the March 2019 Secondary Offering and Share Repurchase on March 8, 2019, the 
Berkshire Shareholder has no remaining equity interest in the Company. 

48

(1) 

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

The Company’s subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the stock 
symbol “ATZ”. 

Basis of preparation 

The Company’s fiscal year-end is the Sunday closest to the last day of February, typically resulting in a 52-
week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2019 was a 
53-week year. Fiscal 2018 was a 52-week year. All references to 2019 and 2018 represent the fiscal years 
ended March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018, respectively. 

Seasonality of operations 

The Company’s business is affected by the pattern of seasonality common to most retail apparel 
businesses. Historically, the Company has recognized a significant portion of its operating profit in the third 
and fourth quarters of each fiscal year as a result of increased net revenue during the back-to-school and 
holiday seasons. 

Statement of compliance 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (“IASB”). The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except 
for derivative instruments, deferred share units and restricted share units, as disclosed in the accounting 
policies set out in note 3. 

These consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on May 9, 
2019. 

2  Significant new accounting standards 

Standards recently adopted 

IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

Effective February 26, 2018, the Company adopted IFRS 15 issued in May 2014, and amended in 
September 2015 and April 2016. IFRS 15 outlines a single comprehensive five-step framework for the 
recognition, measurement and disclosure of revenue from contracts with customers, excluding contracts 
within the scope of the accounting standards on leases, insurance contracts and financial instruments. IFRS 
15 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company adopted the 
standard using the full retrospective approach. The adoption of IFRS 15 did not have a material impact on 
the Company’s consolidated financial statements other than on the Company’s recognition of its sales 
return allowance. Under IAS 18, “Revenue”, the sales return allowance on the consolidated Statement of 
Financial Position was recognized on a net basis, with no adjustment to other current assets. Upon adoption 
of IFRS 15, the sales return allowance is recognized on a gross basis, resulting in an adjustment of the 

(2) 

49

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Statement of Financial Position line items noted below. As the impact is limited to these two financial 
statement line items, a February 25, 2018 opening Statement of Financial Position has not been presented. 

The financial impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 is as follows: 

As at February 25, 2018 

As at February 26, 2017 

As 
previously 
reported 

IFRS-15 

adjustments    As restated 

As 
previously 
reported 

IFRS-15 

adjustments    As restated 

Prepaid expenses and other 

current assets 
Accounts payable and 

accrued liabilities(1) 

15,307   

66,594   

698 

698 

16,005 

12,743 

67,292 

51,250 

696 

696 

13,439 

51,946 

(1) Includes current portion of lease obligation 

IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement and Impairment 

Effective February 26, 2018, the Company adopted (i) IFRS 9, issued in July 2014, which replaces IAS 39, 
“Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”, and (ii) related amendments to IFRS 7, “Financial 
Instruments: Disclosures”. The new standard introduces new requirements for classification and 
measurement of financial assets and liabilities, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. IFRS 9 
is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The Company applied the 
requirements of the new standard retrospectively. 

IFRS 9 contains a new classification and measurement approach for financial assets that reflects the 
business model in which the assets are managed and their cash flow characteristics. Financial assets are 
classified and measured based on three categories: amortized cost; fair value through other 
comprehensive income; or fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities are classified and measured 
based on two categories: amortized cost or fair value through profit or loss. 

IFRS 9 replaces the incurred loss model in IAS 39 with a forward-looking expected credit loss model 
(“ECL”). This new model applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost. Under IFRS 9, credit losses 
are recognized earlier than under IAS 39.  

The adoption of IFRS 9 did not result in a material change in classification, measurement or the carrying 
amount of financial assets and liabilities of the Company. 

Amendments to IFRS 2 – Share-based Payment 

Effective February 26, 2018, the Company adopted amendments to IFRS 2, issued in June 2016, which 
clarify how to account for certain types of share-based payment transactions. The amendments provide 
requirements on the accounting for: (i) the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the 
measurement of cash-settled share-based payments; (ii) share-based payment transactions with a net 
settlement feature for withholding tax obligations; and (iii) a modification to the terms and conditions of a 
share-based payment that changes the classification from cash-settled to equity-settled. The amendments 
to IFRS 2 are effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. The 

(3) 

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

adoption of the amendments to IFRS 2 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated 
financial statements. 

Standards issued but not yet adopted 

IFRS 16 – Leases 

In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16, which sets out a new model for lease accounting replacing IAS 
17, “Leases”. The standard introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires a lessee to recognize 
assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low 
value. A lessee is required to recognize a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying 
asset and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. Lessors continue to classify 
leases as finance and operating leases. Other areas of the lease accounting model have been impacted, 
including the definition of a lease. Transitional provisions have been provided. IFRS 16 is effective for 
annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted if IFRS 15 has been 
adopted.  

The Company will apply the new standard for fiscal 2020 using the modified retrospective method. The 
modified retrospective method applies the requirements of IFRS 16 retrospectively with no restatement of 
the comparative period.  

The new standard is expected to materially increase the assets and liabilities on the consolidated statement 
of financial position as the majority of the Company’s operating leases disclosed in note 18(a) to these 
consolidated financial statements are in scope for IFRS 16. Based on the information as at March 3, 2019, as 
a result of the initial application of the standard, the Company estimates to recognize approximately $460 
million to $510 million of lease liabilities and $340 million to $390 million of right-of-use assets on its 
consolidated statements of financial position. The difference, net of the deferred tax impact, will be 
recorded in opening retained earnings. The right-of-use assets will be depreciated on a straight-line basis 
over the remaining lease term. The lease liability will be carried at amortized cost with a finance charge 
recorded from the amortization of the lease liability discount.  The depreciation expense of the right-of-use 
assets and the finance charge of the lease liability will partially replace the lease-related expenses recorded 
in costs of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses, previously recognized on a 
straight-line basis over the lease term under IAS 17. Variable lease payments will continue to be expensed 
as incurred. 

The new standard will not change the amount of cash transferred between the lessor and lessee, but will 
change the presentation of the operating and financing cash flows presented in the Company’s 
consolidated statement of cash flows.  

The Company has elected to apply the following practical expedients, as described under IFRS 16: 

i) 

recognition exemption of short term leases; 

ii)  recognition exemption of low-value leases; and 

iii)  grandfather prior conclusions on contracts containing leases. 

(4) 

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Annual Improvements 

In December 2017, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12, “Income Taxes” and IAS 23, “Borrowing Costs” 
to clarify existing requirements. These clarification amendments will be effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The implementation of these clarification amendments is not 
expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

3  Summary of significant accounting policies 

Principles of consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned 
subsidiaries, including Aritzia LP and United States of Aritzia Inc. All intercompany transactions and 
balances are eliminated on consolidation, and consistent accounting policies are applied across the 
Company. 

Functional and presentation currency 

The functional currency for each entity included in these consolidated financial statements is the currency of 
the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. These consolidated financial statements 
are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency.  

U.S. operations 

Assets and liabilities of the Company’s U.S. operations have a functional currency of U.S. dollars and are 
translated into Canadian dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the reporting date. Revenues and 
expenses are translated into Canadian dollars at average exchange rates during the reporting period. The 
resulting unrealized translation gains or losses are included in other comprehensive income (loss). 

Translation of other foreign currency transactions and balances 

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are translated into 
the functional currencies at the exchange rate at that date. Other consolidated statement of financial 
position items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currencies at the 
exchange rate prevailing at the respective transaction dates. Revenues and expenses denominated in 
foreign currencies are translated into the functional currencies at average exchange rates during the 
period. The resulting gains or losses on translation are included in the determination of net income. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and term deposits with an original maturity of less than 
three months. As at March 3, 2019, the Company had $44.9 million in cash held in term deposits classified 
as cash equivalents (February 25, 2018 - $108.3 million). 

52

(5) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets comprise of prepaid expenses, deposits and packaging 
supplies. 

Inventory 

Inventory, consisting of finished goods, is carried at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is 
determined using weighted average costs. Cost of inventories includes the cost of merchandise and all 
costs incurred to deliver inventory to the Company’s distribution centres including freight and duty.  

The Company periodically reviews its inventories and makes provisions as necessary to appropriately value 
obsolete or damaged goods. In addition, as part of inventory valuations, the Company accrues for 
inventory shrinkage for lost or stolen items based on historical trends.  

Property and equipment 

Property and equipment are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment 
losses. Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset, including any 
costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to a working condition for its intended use. Purchased 
software that is integral to the functionality of the related equipment is capitalized as part of that 
equipment. 

The Company capitalizes borrowing costs incurred as part of the financing of the acquisition and 
construction of property and equipment. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Cost and 
related accumulated depreciation for property and equipment are removed from the accounts upon their 
sale or disposition and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in the results of operations. 

Depreciation is recognized in net income on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each 
component  of  an  item  of  property  and  equipment,  commencing  when  the  assets  are  ready  for  use,  as 
follows: 

Computer hardware and software 
Furniture and equipment 
Leasehold improvements 

3 - 10 years 
3 - 10 years 
shorter of lease term and 
estimated useful life 

Estimates of useful lives, residual values and methods of depreciation are reviewed annually. Any changes 
are accounted for prospectively as a change in accounting estimate. Depreciation expense is recorded in 
the consolidated statements of operations in cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative 
expenses. 

(6) 

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Intangible assets 

Intangible assets are recorded at cost and include trade names, trademarks, non-competition agreements, 
retail leases and internally developed computer software. 

Significant costs to purchase any trademarks from third parties are capitalized and amortized over the 
useful lives of the assets. Cost includes all expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition or 
development of the asset. 

The Company capitalizes, in intangible assets, direct costs incurred during the application and 
infrastructure development stages of developing computer software for internal use. All costs incurred 
during the preliminary project stage, including project scoping, identification and testing of alternatives, 
are expensed as incurred. 

The Aritzia trade name has been determined to have an indefinite life and is not amortized. The remaining 
intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows: 

Other trade names and trademarks 

Retail leases included in other intangible assets   
Computer software 

  term of registration or up to a   
maximum of 20 years   
term of lease   
3 - 7 years   

Estimates of useful lives, residual values and methods of amortization are reviewed annually. Any changes 
are accounted for prospectively as a change in accounting estimate. Amortization expense is recorded in 
the consolidated statements of operations in cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative 
expenses.  

Goodwill 

Goodwill represents non-identifiable intangible assets acquired on business combinations. 

Impairment of assets 

Goodwill and intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortization and are 
tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they 
might be impaired. Other assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount 
by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the 
higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. For the purposes of assessing 
impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows 
which are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets (cash-generating 
unit or “CGU”). Non-financial assets, other than goodwill, that suffered an impairment are reviewed for 
possible reversal of the impairment at the end of each reporting period. 

54

(7) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Operating leases 

The Company carries on its operations in premises under leases of varying terms, which are accounted for 
as operating leases. Operating leases are recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease 
beginning on the possession date. Accordingly, reasonably assured rent escalations are amortized over the 
lease term, and free-rent periods are allocated a portion of rent expense. The difference between the 
recognized rental expense and the total rental payments is reflected in the consolidated statements of 
financial position as a deferred lease liability. Contingent rental payments based on sales volumes are 
recorded in the period in which the sales occur. 

Tenant allowances are recorded as deferred lease credits on the consolidated statements of financial 
position and amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the respective leases.  

Provisions 

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a 
past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and 
a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. If the effect of the time value of money is 
material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, where appropriate, the risks 
specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time 
is recognized as a finance cost.  

An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived 
assets that the Company may be required to settle. The Company’s asset retirement obligations are 
primarily associated with leasehold improvements that the Company is contractually obligated to remove 
at the end of a lease. At inception of a lease with such conditions, the Company recognizes the best 
estimate of the fair value of the liability, with a corresponding increase in the carrying value of the related 
asset. The liability, recorded in other non-current liabilities, is estimated based on a number of assumptions 
requiring management’s judgment, including store closing costs, cost inflation rates and discount rates, 
and is accreted to its projected future value over time. The capitalized asset is depreciated over its useful 
life. Upon satisfaction of the asset retirement obligation conditions, differences between the recorded asset 
retirement obligation liability and the actual retirement costs incurred are recognized as a gain or loss in 
the consolidated statements of operations.  

Financial instruments 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the 
contractual provision of the financial instrument. Financial assets are derecognized when the contractual 
rights to receive cash flows from the financial asset expire and financial liabilities are derecognized when 
obligations under the contract expire, are discharged or cancelled. The Company’s financial assets, which 
includes cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, are classified as amortized cost. The 
Company’s financial liabilities, which includes accounts payable and accrued liabilities and long term debt, 
are classified as amortized cost. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts, if any, are classified as 
fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”). 

(8) 

55

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Financial assets are initially measured at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the 
effective interest method if both of the following conditions are met and they are not designated as FVTPL:  

(i) 

the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets to 
collect contractual cash flows; and  

(ii) 

the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise, on specified dates, to cash flows that are 
solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. All financial assets 
not classified as amortized cost as described above are measured at FVTPL.  

Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, less any directly attributable transaction costs, and 
subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value using a valuation hierarchy for disclosure 
of fair value measurements. The determination of the applicable level within the hierarchy of a particular 
asset or liability depends on the inputs used in the valuation as of the measurement date, notably the 
extent to which the inputs are market-based (observable) or internally derived (unobservable). Observable 
inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data 
obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs based on a company’s own 
assumptions about market participant assumptions using the best information available. The hierarchy is 
broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows: 

Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that a 
company has the ability to access at the measurement date. 

Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are 
observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through corroboration with observable 
market data. 

Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value 
measurement. 

Offsetting financial instruments 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated 
statements of financial position when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts 
and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. 

Share capital 

Multiple voting shares and subordinate voting shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. Incremental 
costs directly attributable to the issuance of shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the 
proceeds of the issuance. When share capital recognized as equity is re-purchased for cancellation, the 
amount of consideration paid, which includes directly attributable costs, net of tax, is recognized as a 

(9) 

56

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

deduction from equity. The excess of the purchase price over the carrying amount of the shares is charged 
to retained earnings. 

Revenue recognition 

The Company recognizes revenue when control of the goods or services has been transferred to the 
customer. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the amount of consideration to which the Company 
expects to be entitled to, including variable consideration, if any, to the extent that it is highly probable that 
a significant reversal will not occur. 

Net revenue reflects the Company’s sale of merchandise, less returns and discounts. Retail revenue at 
point-of-sale is measured at the fair value of the consideration received at the time the sale is made to the 
customer, net of discounts and estimated allowance for returns. For merchandise that is ordered and paid 
for in a boutique and subsequently picked up by or delivered to the customer, revenue is deferred until 
control of the merchandise has been transferred to the customer. eCommerce revenue is recognized at the 
date  control has been transferred to the customer, and measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received, net of discounts and an estimated allowance for returns.  

Revenues are reported net of sales taxes collected for various governmental agencies. 

Receipts from the sale of gift cards are treated as deferred revenue. When gift cards are redeemed for 
merchandise, the Company recognizes the related revenue. The Company estimates gift card breakage, to 
the extent there is no requirement for remitting card balances to government agencies under unclaimed 
property laws, and recognizes revenue in proportion to actual gift card redemptions as a component of net 
revenue.  

The Company recognizes promotional gift cards as a reduction of revenue upon redemption. 

Cost of goods sold 

Cost of goods sold includes inventory and product-related costs and occupancy costs, as well as 
depreciation expense for the Company’s stores and distribution centres. 

Selling, general and administrative 

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of selling expenses that are generally variable with 
revenues and general and administrative operating expenses that are primarily fixed. Selling, general and 
administrative expenses also include depreciation and amortization expense for all support office assets 
and intangible assets. 

Store opening costs 

Store opening costs are expensed as incurred. 

(10) 

57

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Employee benefits 

Short-term employee benefit obligations, which include wages, salaries, compensated absences and 
bonuses, are expensed as the related service is provided. 

Termination benefits are recognized as an expense when the Company has demonstrated commitment, 
without realistic possibility of withdrawal, to a formal detailed plan to terminate employment before the 
normal retirement date. 

Income tax expense 

Current and deferred income taxes are recognized in the Company’s net income, except to the extent that 
they relate to a business combination or items recognized directly in equity or other comprehensive 
income. 

Current taxes are recognized for the estimated taxes payable or receivable on taxable income or loss for 
the current year and any adjustment to income taxes payable in respect of previous years. Current income 
taxes are determined using tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
year-end date. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized where the carrying amount of an asset or liability differs 
from its tax base, except for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill and 
temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a 
business combination, and at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable income or 
loss. In addition, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on 
investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures where the reversal of the temporary difference 
can be controlled and it is probable that the difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The 
amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the 
carrying amount of the asset and liability, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the year-end 
date.  

A deferred tax asset is recognized for unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences, 
to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be 
utilized. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each statement of financial position date 
and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to 
allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset 
current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities 
relate to income tax levied by the same taxation authority on either the taxable entity or different taxable 
entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis. 

58

(11) 

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Stock-based compensation expense 

Stock Option Plans 

Prior to the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”) the Company had a legacy equity incentive plan 
(the “Legacy Plan”) pursuant to which it has granted time-based and performance-based stock options to 
directors, employees, consultants and advisors.  

Concurrent with the IPO, the Company implemented a new stock option plan (the “Option Plan”), pursuant 
to which it can grant time-based stock options to acquire subordinate voting shares to directors, executive 
officers, employees and consultants. 

For awards with service conditions that are subject to graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a 
straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the 
award was, in substance, multiple awards. In addition, the total amount of compensation expense to be 
recognized is based on the number of awards expected to vest and is adjusted to reflect those awards that 
do ultimately vest.  

Deferred Share Units and Restricted Share Units 

The Company has a Director Deferred Share Unit (“DSU”) Program for non employee board members. 
Effective October 3, 2018, the Company adopted a Restricted Share Unit (“RSU”) Program for employees 
and consultants. DSUs and RSUs are grants of notional subordinate voting shares that are redeemable for 
cash based on the market value of the Company’s shares and are non-dilutive to shareholders. The cost of 
the service received as consideration is initially measured based on the market value of the Company’s 
shares at the date of grant. The grant-date fair value is recognized as stock-based compensation expense 
with a corresponding increase recorded in other liabilities. DSUs and RSUs are remeasured at each 
reporting date based on the market value of the Company’s shares with changes in fair value recognized as 
stock-based compensation expense for the proportion of the service that has been rendered at that date. 

Net income per share 

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing the net income for the fiscal year attributable to 
shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of multiple voting shares and subordinate 
voting shares outstanding during the year. 

Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing the net income for the fiscal year attributable to 
shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of multiple voting shares and subordinate 
voting shares outstanding during the year, plus the weighted average number of subordinate voting shares 
that would be issued on exercise of dilutive options granted, as calculated under the treasury stock 
method.  

(12) 

59

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

4  Critical accounting estimates and judgments 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to 
make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the 
reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Estimates and assumptions are continuously 
evaluated and are based on management’s best judgments and experience and other factors, including 
expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Revisions to 
accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future 
periods affected. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

Significant judgments and estimates made by management in the process of applying accounting policies 
and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial 
statements include the following: 

 

 

The provision recorded to remeasure inventories based on the lower of cost and net realizable value 
(note 5), which is a critical estimate. 

Property and equipment impairment testing, which is influenced by judgment in defining a CGU and 
determining the indicators of impairment, and estimates used to measure impairment losses, if any 
(note 6). These estimates include future cash flow projections, growth rates and discount rates. 

  Goodwill and indefinite life intangible asset impairment testing, which requires management to make 
critical estimates in the impairment testing model. On an annual basis, the Company tests whether 
goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are impaired. The recoverable value is determined using 
discounted future cash flow models, which incorporate assumptions regarding future events, 
specifically future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates (note 7). 

 

Stock-based compensation expense, which requires the use of judgment in determining the most 
appropriate inputs, including estimates and assumptions with respect to expected life, risk-free 
interest rate, volatility and forfeiture rate (note 13). 

  Gift card breakage, which requires the use of judgment in defining the Company’s average gift card 
breakage rate, based on historical redemption rates (note 3). The resulting revenue from breakage is 
recognized in proportion to actual gift card redemptions. 

 

Income taxes, which requires judgment to determine when tax losses, credits and provisions are 
recognized based on tax rules in various jurisdictions (note 16). 

60

(13) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

5 

Inventory 

Finished goods 
Finished goods in transit 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

$ 

$ 

98,324 
13,859 

$ 

112,183 

$ 

60,385 
18,448 

78,833 

The Company records a reserve to value inventory to its estimated net realizable value. This resulted in an 
expense in cost of goods sold of $3.2 million for the year ended March 3, 2019 (February 25, 2018 - $2.0 
million). No inventory write-downs recorded in previous periods were reversed. 

All of the Company’s inventory is pledged as security for the Credit Facilities (note 10). 

6  Property and equipment  

Leasehold 
improvements 

Furniture 
and 
equipment 

Computer 
hardware 

Computer 
software 

Construction- 
in- 
progress 

Total 

Cost 
Balance, February 26, 2017  $ 
Additions 
Transfers from construction-

in-progress 

Dispositions 
Foreign exchange 

Balance, February 25, 2018 
Additions 
Transfers from construction-

in-progress 

Dispositions 
Foreign exchange 

131,305  $ 
29,906 

30,837  $ 
7,317 

10,122  $ 
4,000 

8,128  $ 
981 

14,482  $ 
20,194 

194,874 
62,398 

9,844 
- 

(1,450)   

169,605 
26,596 

24,099 
(15,011)   
2,022 

718 
(337)   
(321)   

38,214 
9,085 

6,216 
(4,057)   
407 

355 
(1,784)   
(68)   

12,625 
3,348 

290 
(1,011)   
195 

8 

(2,847)   
(149)   

6,121 
356 

864 
(240)   
(87)   

(10,925)   

- 
(402)   

23,349 
14,566 

(31,469)   

- 
1,835 

- 
(4,968) 
(2,390) 

249,914 
53,951 

- 
(20,319) 
4,372 

Balance, March 3, 2019 

$ 

207,311  $ 

49,865  $ 

15,447  $ 

7,014  $ 

8,281  $ 

287,918 

Accumulated depreciation 
Balance, February 26, 2017  $ 
Depreciation 
Dispositions 
Foreign exchange 

Balance, February 25, 2018 
Depreciation 
Dispositions 
Foreign exchange 

Balance, March 3, 2019 

Net carrying value 
Balance, March 3, 2019 
Balance, February 25, 2018 

$ 

$ 

67,372  $ 
13,846 
- 
(849)   

80,369 
16,389 
(15,011)   
1,169 

18,716  $ 
3,465 

(185)   
(180)   

21,816 
4,677 
(4,057)   
442 

7,210  $ 
2,300 
(1,679)   
(66)   

7,765 
2,859 
(1,011)   
57 

5,881  $ 
1,321 
(2,770)   
(140)   

4,292 
783 
(240)   
26 

-  $ 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

99,179 
20,932 
(4,634) 
(1,235) 

114,242 
24,708 
(20,319) 
1,694 

82,916  $ 

22,878  $ 

9,670  $ 

4,861  $ 

-  $ 

120,325 

124,395  $ 
89,236 

26,987  $ 
16,398 

5,777  $ 
4,860 

2,153  $ 
1,829 

8,281  $ 

23,349 

167,593 
135,672 

Construction-in-progress includes store build costs for stores not yet opened and support office projects 
not put into use. 

(14) 

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

During the year ended March 3, 2019, interest of $182 was capitalized to assets under construction 
(February 25, 2018 - $239). These interest costs relating to qualifying assets were capitalized at a weighted 
average rate of 3.97% (February 25, 2018 – 3.21%). 

7  Goodwill and intangible assets 

Indefinite life 
trade name 

Definite life 
trade name 

  Trademarks 

Computer 
software 

Other 
intangible 

assets   

Construction-
in- 
progress 

Total 
intangible 
assets 

$ 

46,092  $ 

- 

17,175  $ 

- 

1,709  $ 
- 

21,910  $ 

4,815 

3,519  $ 

-   

-  $ 
- 

90,405 
4,815 

46,092 
- 

17,175 
- 

1,709 
210 

26,725 
3,989 

3,519   
-   

- 
1,198 

95,220 
5,397 

Cost 
Balance, February 

26, 2017 

Additions 

Balance, February 

25, 2018 

Additions 

Balance, March         

3, 2019 

$ 

46,092  $ 

17,175  $ 

1,919  $ 

30,714  $ 

3,519  $ 

1,198  $ 

100,617 

Accumulated 

amortization 
Balance, February 

26, 2017 
Amortization 

Balance, February 

25, 2018 
Amortization 

Balance, March         

3, 2019 

Net carrying value 
Balance, March         

3, 2019 

Balance, February 

25, 2018 

$ 

$ 

$ 

-  $ 
- 

- 
- 

9,583  $ 
657 

1,709  $ 
- 

17,110  $ 

1,255 

3,519  $ 

-   

-  $ 
- 

31,921 
1,912 

10,240 
657 

1,709 
- 

18,365 
1,700 

3,519   
-   

- 
- 

33,833 
2,357 

-  $ 

10,897  $ 

1,709  $ 

20,065  $ 

3,519  $ 

-  $ 

36,190 

46,092  $ 

6,278  $ 

210  $ 

10,649  $ 

46,092 

6,935 

- 

8,360 

-  $ 

-   

1,198  $ 

64,427 

- 

61,387 

Construction-in-progress includes internally generated computer software not put into use. 

Until December 19, 2005, the operations of the Company were owned by a private, closely held Canadian 
company. On December 19, 2005, Berkshire purchased the majority of the operations through a newly 
created company, Aritzia Capital Corporation. The acquisition transaction was treated as a business 
combination and the identified assets and liabilities that were acquired were measured at their acquisition 
date fair values, including goodwill and the indefinite life trade name. During the years ended March 3, 
2019 and February 25, 2018, there were no additions to goodwill. 

Goodwill and the indefinite life trade name are monitored and allocated to the group of CGUs at a country 
level, based on the expected future benefits to be derived. 

In assessing goodwill and the indefinite life trade name for impairment, the Company compared the 
aggregate recoverable amount of the assets included in each of the CGUs to their respective carrying 
amounts. The recoverable amounts have been determined based on the higher of the value in use and fair 
value less costs of disposal. The Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill and the 
indefinite life trade name on the first day of the fourth quarter in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018. 

(15) 

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

The recoverable amount of goodwill and the indefinite life trade name was based on value in use, 
calculated using discounted cash flows over five years with a terminal value generated from continuing use 
of the CGUs. Cash flows were projected based on actual operating results and growth assumptions of 
2.00% to account for what management believes approximates inflationary increases. A pre-tax discount 
rate of 10.64% was used in the model. Reasonably possible changes in key assumptions would not cause 
the carrying amount to exceed the estimated recoverable amount.  

As at March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018, management has determined that there was no impairment of 
goodwill or the indefinite life trade name. 

8  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Trade accounts payable 
Other non-trade payables 
Employee benefits payable 

9  Other non-current liabilities 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25, 
2018 
(Restated - 
note 2) 

$ 

$ 

$ 

35,411 
11,687 
15,638 

62,736 

$ 

44,141 
7,108 
16,043 

67,292 

Deferred lease liability 
Deferred lease inducements 
Director Deferred Share Unit Program and Restricted Share Unit 

$ 

Program liability (note 13) 

Asset retirement obligations 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

40,256 
28,131 

$ 

1,097 
344 

37,529 
20,617 

504 
916 

$ 

69,828 

$ 

59,566 

(16) 

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

10  Bank indebtedness and long-term debt 

The Company has a term loan and revolving credit facility with its syndicate of lenders.  

a) 

Long-term debt 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

Term loan 
Less:  Deferred financing fees 

$ 

75,000 
(376) 

$ 

Term loan, net of deferred financing fees 
Less:  Current portion 

74,624 
- 

118,738 
(151) 

118,587 
(19,127) 

Long-term debt 

$ 

74,624 

$ 

99,460 

On June 28, 2018, the Company amended its term loan and revolving credit facility (collectively the 
“Credit Facilities”) with its syndicate of lenders. The amendment agreement included a reduction of 
the term loan from $118.7 million to $75.0 million and an increase of the revolving credit facility from 
$70.0 million to $100.0 million. The amended Credit Facilities mature on May 22, 2022 and have no 
scheduled principal payments prior to maturity. Interest is paid on a monthly basis. Under the 
amended Credit Facilities, the Company has the option to borrow using Banker’s Acceptance 
borrowings (“BA”), LIBO rate borrowings (“LIBO”), or Canadian prime rate borrowings (“Prime”) plus a 
marginal interest rate between 0.50% and 2.50% (February 25, 2018 – 0.75% and 3.00%). As part of 
the amendment, the Company made a $43.7 million term loan repayment on June 27, 2018. As part of 
the amendment, the Company incurred $0.7 million of financing fees which have been deferred and 
are being amortized over the term of the Credit Facilities.  

During the year ended March 3, 2019 the Company incurred $3.4 million of interest (February 25, 
2018 - $4.1 million), at a weighted average rate of 3.97% (February 25, 2018 – 3.21%). As at March 3, 
2019, the interest rate on the loan was 3.57% (February 25, 2018 – 3.58%), based on a one-month BA 
rate. 

The term loan requires mandatory loan prepayments by the Company of principal and interest if 
certain events occur. As at March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018, the Company was not required to 
make a mandatory loan prepayment. 

The Company defers third party costs and creditor fees directly associated with acquiring long-term 
debt. These deferred costs are classified against long-term debt and bank indebtedness and are 
amortized as finance expense over the expected life of the related indebtedness using the effective 
interest rate method. 

64

(17) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

b)  Bank indebtedness 

The Company has a revolving credit facility of $100.0 million (February 25, 2018 - $70.0 million). The 
revolving credit facility bears interest at BA, LIBO or Prime plus a marginal rate between 0.50% and 
2.50% (February 25, 2018 – 0.75% and 3.00%). As at March 3, 2019, there were no open letters of 
credit against the revolving credit facility. As at February 25, 2018, the amount available under the 
revolving credit facility was reduced to $54.1 million by certain open letters of credit (note 18(c)). Up to 
$10.0 million of the facility can be drawn upon by way of a swingline loan.  

As at March 3, 2019 and  February 25, 2018, no advances were made under this revolving credit 
facility. 

The Company also has letters of credit facilities of $75.0 million, secured pari passu with the Credit 
Facilities. The interest rate for the letters of credit is between 1.00% and 2.50%. The amount available 
under these facilities is reduced to $31.9 million (February 25, 2018 - $70.0 million) by certain open 
letters of credit (note 18(c)). 

The Credit Facilities are collateralized by a first priority lien on all assets, leased real property interests and 
inventory. In addition, the Company is to maintain certain financial covenants. As at March 3, 2019 and  
February 25, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.  

11  Derivative financial instruments 

From time to time, the Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to 
fluctuations with respect to the U.S. dollar for U.S. dollar merchandise purchases sold in Canada. The fair 
value of the forward contracts is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets or in accounts 
payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position, depending on whether 
they represent assets or liabilities to the Company.  

The amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of operations in other (income) expense include the 
unrealized change in fair value of foreign currency forward contracts during the year ended March 3, 2019, 
which was a loss of $0.4 million (February 25, 2018 – gain of $0.2 million). During the year ended March 3, 
2019, the Company also realized a gain of $2.3 million (February 25, 2018 – a loss of $2.2 million), in other 
(income) expense, arising from the settlement of foreign currency forward contracts. 

The foreign currency forward contracts generally have a term of no more than 12 months. The notional 
amount of these contracts outstanding as at March 3, 2019 was $nil (February 25, 2018 - $30.3 million U.S. 
dollars at an average forward rate of 1.2494). As at February 25, 2018, the forward contracts had a positive 
fair value of $0.4 million. 

(18) 

65

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

12  Share capital 

On May 10, 2018, the Company announced the commencement of a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) to 
purchase and cancel up to 5,429,658 subordinate voting shares over the 12-month period commencing 
May 15, 2018 and ending May 14, 2019. All repurchases are made through the facilities of the Toronto 
Stock Exchange and are done at market prices. As purchases are made, the Company reduces share capital 
for the average book value of the subordinate voting shares repurchased, and charges retained earnings 
for the difference between the price paid and the average book value. During the year ended March 3, 
2019, the Company repurchased 549,880 subordinate voting shares for cancellation at an average price of 
$17.07 per subordinate voting share, for total cash consideration of $9.4 million. 

On May 31, 2018, the Company entered into an automated share purchase plan (“ASPP”) with a 
designated broker for the purpose of permitting the Company to purchase its subordinate voting shares 
under the NCIB during self-imposed blackout periods. The volume of purchases is determined by the 
broker in its sole discretion based on purchase price and maximum volume parameters established by the 
Company under the ASPP. The Company records a liability for purchases that are estimated to occur during 
blackout periods based on the parameters of the NCIB and ASPP. On March 3, 2019, in connection with the 
Share Repurchase, the Company cancelled its ASPP.  

On February 19, 2019, in connection with the March 2019 Secondary Offering and Share Repurchase, 
certain selling shareholders exchanged 5,344,234 of their multiple voting shares for subordinate voting 
shares.  

As at March 3, 2019, there were 44,531,768 multiple voting shares and 69,409,683 subordinate voting 
shares issued and outstanding. There were no preferred shares issued and outstanding as at March 3, 
2019. Neither the multiple voting shares nor the subordinate voting shares issued have a par value. 

13  Stock options  

The Company has granted stock options under the Legacy Plan and the Option Plan.  

Legacy Plan 

Following completion of the IPO, no additional options will be granted under the Legacy Plan, and the 
outstanding options under the Legacy Plan are exercisable for subordinate voting shares of the Company. 
The options vest annually pro rata on the anniversary of the grant date over a period of five years. All issued 
options expire after 10 to 15 years from the date granted.  

Transactions for stock options granted under the Legacy Plan for the years ended March 3, 2019 and 
February 25, 2018 were as follows:  

66

(19) 

 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

March 3, 2019 

February 25, 2018 

Number 
 of 
stock 
 options 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

Number 
 of 
stock 
 options 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

Outstanding, at beginning of year 

7,748,370 

$ 

4.09 

  11,288,672 

$ 

Exercised 
Forfeited 
Expired 

(2,345,238) 
(321,415) 
- 

2.68 
5.76 
- 

(3,258,882)  
(260,026)  
(21,394) 

Outstanding, at end of year 

5,081,717 

$ 

4.64    

  7,748,370 

$ 

3.82 

3.15 
4.28 
2.36 

4.09 

Exercisable, at end of year 

3,993,040 

4.25 

  5,546,773 

$ 

3.44 

Information relating to stock options outstanding under the Legacy Plan and exercisable as at March 3, 
2019 is as follows: 

Exercise prices 
per share 

$0.01 to $3.88 
$3.89 to $5.24 
$5.25 to $7.09 

Stock options outstanding 

Stock options exercisable 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
life 
(in years) 

2.51 
3.71 
6.91 

4.41 

Number of 
stock 
options 

1,585,944 
1,790,653 
1,705,120 

5,081,717 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

$2.47 
$4.76 
$6.52 

Number of 
stock 
options 

1,500,534 
1,665,514 
826,992 

$4.64 

3,993,040 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
life 
(in years) 

2.35 
3.55 
6.89 

3.79 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

$2.42 
$4.80 
$6.45 

$4.25 

Stock-based compensation expense in relation to the options under the Legacy Plan for the year ended 
March 3, 2019 was $2.4 million (February 25, 2018 – $5.7 million).  

Option Plan 

Options to acquire subordinate voting shares under the Option Plan may be granted to directors, executive 
officers, employees and consultants of the Company. The options vest annually pro rata on the anniversary 
of the grant date over a period of five years. All issued options expire after seven years from the date 
granted. 

Transactions for stock options granted under the Option Plan for the years ended March 3, 2019 and 
February 25, 2018 were as follows: 

(20) 

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

March 3, 2019 

February 25, 2018 

Number 
 of 
stock 
 options 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

Number 
of 
stock 
 options 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

Outstanding, at beginning of year 

4,947,348 

$ 

14.80 

  3,263,759 

$ 

16.12 

Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 
Cancelled 

Outstanding, at end of year 

Exercisable, at end of year 

305,721 
(114,750) 
(370,592) 
- 

4,767,727 

1,214,409 

$ 

$ 

16.00 
15.50 
15.51 
- 

  2,786,295 
- 
(430,807) 
(671,899) 

14.81 

  4,947,348 

15.13 

456,929 

$ 

$ 

13.75 
- 
16.07 
16.00 

14.80 

16.14 

Information relating to stock options outstanding under the Option Plan and exercisable as at March 3, 
2019 is as follows: 

Exercise prices 
per share 

$12.99 to $14.12 
$14.13 to $18.16 

Stock options outstanding 

Stock options exercisable 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
life 
(in years) 

5.76 
4.91 

5.33 

Number of 
stock 
options 

2,343,083 
2,424,644 

4,767,727 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

$13.64 
$15.93 

Number of 
stock 
options 

446,688 
767,721 

$14.80 

1,214,409 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
life 
(in years) 

5.74 
4.73 

5.10 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

$13.66 
$15.99 

$15.13 

The weighted average fair value of the time-based stock options granted during the year ended March 3, 
2019 was estimated at the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the 
following assumptions: 

Dividend yield 
Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life 
Exercise price  
Weighted average fair value of stock 

0.0% 
38.0% to 41.0% 
1.9% to 2.4% 
6.0 years 
$12.99 to $18.16 

options estimated at the date of grant  

$6.58 

Stock-based compensation expense in relation to the options under the Option Plan for the year ended 
March 3, 2019 was $8.6 million (February 25, 2018 - $11.2 million). Included in the expense for the year 
ended February 25, 2018 was $2.3 million recognized from the cancellation of 671,899 time-based options 
granted to a director and officer of the Company. The cancellation of these options resulted in accelerated 
vesting in accordance with IFRS 2. 

68

(21) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Director Deferred Share Unit (“DSU”) Program 

Each eligible director receives a portion of his or her annual director retainer in DSUs. DSUs vest when 
granted, but are not redeemable for cash settlement until the eligible director ceases to be a member of 
the Board. DSUs are granted quarterly and the Company is required to record a liability for the potential 
future settlement of the DSUs at each reporting date by reference to the fair value of the liability. The fair 
value of the recorded liability in relation to the DSUs was $1.1 million as at March 3, 2019 (February 25, 
2018 - $0.5 million), with an expense of $0.5 million for the year ended March 3, 2019 (February 25, 2018 - 
$0.3 million), recorded as stock-based compensation expense. 

Transactions for DSUs granted for the years ended March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 were as follows:  

Outstanding, at beginning of year 

Granted 

Outstanding, at end of year 

Vested, at end of year 

Restricted Share Unit (“RSU”) Program 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

Number of 
DSUs 

Number of 
DSUs 

40,220 

24,971 

65,191 

65,191 

10,990 

29,230 

40,220 

40,220 

Effective October 3, 2018, the Company adopted the RSU Program for employees and consultants. RSUs 
vest on the third anniversary of the award date and at that time, are redeemable for cash based on the 
market value of the Company’s shares. The Company is required to record a liability for the potential future 
settlement of the RSUs at each reporting date by reference to the fair value of the liability. The fair value of 
the recorded liability in relation to the RSUs was $30 as at March 3, 2019, with an expense of $30 for the 
year ended March 3, 2019, recorded as stock-based compensation expense. The amount of RSUs granted 
for the year ended March 3, 2019 was 38,099 units and no units were vested as at March 3, 2019.  

(22) 

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

14  Net income per share 

a)  Basic 

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing the income attributable to shareholders of the 
Company by the weighted average number of multiple voting shares and subordinate voting shares 
outstanding during the period. As all the classes of shares are subject to the same distribution rights, 
the Company performs the net income per share calculations as if all shares are a single class. 

Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year 

$ 

(thousands) 

March 3, 
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

78,728  $ 

57,093 

113,015 

110,180 

Basic net income per share 

$ 

0.70  $   

0.52 

b)  Diluted 

Net income per diluted share is calculated by dividing the income attributable to shareholders of the 
Company by the weighted average number of multiple voting shares and subordinate voting shares 
outstanding during the period adjusted for the effects of potentially dilutive stock options.  

Net income attributable to shareholders of the Company 
Weighted average number of shares for net income per diluted 

share (thousands) 

Net income per diluted share 

  March 3, 2019   

February 25, 

2018 

$ 

$ 

78,728  $ 

57,093 

117,358 

116,280 

0.67  $   

0.49 

70

(23) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

15  Expenses by nature 

Inventory and product-related costs and occupancy costs  
Depreciation expense 

Salaries, wages and employee benefits 
Stock-based compensation expense  

Interest expense and banking fees 
Amortization of deferred financing fees 

Realized foreign exchange (gain) loss 
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) 
Lease exit cost (1) 
Offering transaction cost recovery (note 1 and note 19 (a)) (2) 
Interest income 

Cost of goods sold 

March 3, 
 2019 

February 25, 
2018 

510,135  $ 

21,248 

429,969 
17,807 

531,383  $ 

447,776 

Personnel expenses 
March 3, 
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

177,152  $ 

11,540 

147,708 
17,240 

188,692  $ 

164,948 

Finance expense 

March 3, 
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

4,636  $ 

185 

4,821  $ 

5,029 
192 

5,221 

Other (income) expenses 

March 3, 
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

(3,003)  $ 
(1,250) 
5,725 
(171) 
(1,696) 

(395)  $ 

2,750 
- 
- 
- 
(860) 

1,890 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(1) The lease exit cost of $5.7 million related to an expense for the exit of a lease commitment for the 
planned repositioning of one of the Company’s flagship boutiques. However, the Company was later able 
to secure a long term lease extension for its original flagship location. 

(2) Offering transaction cost recovery of ($115) in Fiscal 2018 was recorded in selling, general and 
administrative expenses.   

(24) 

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

16  Income taxes  

a) 

Income tax expense 

Current tax expense  

Current period 
Adjustment for prior period 

Deferred tax expense 

Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Adjustment for prior period 
Changes in substantively enacted tax rates 

  March 3, 2019   

February 25, 

2018 

$ 

31,592  $ 
44 

31,636 

1,291 
(44) 
39 

1,286 

26,310 
(492) 

25,818 

2,273 
270 
1,829 

4,372 

Income tax expense 

$ 

32,922  $ 

30,190 

b)  Reconciliation of effective tax rate 

The Company’s income tax expense differs from that calculated by applying the combined 
substantively enacted Canadian federal and provincial statutory income tax rates for the years ended 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 of 26.9% and 26.4%, respectively, as follows: 

Income before income taxes 

Expected income tax expense  
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from 

Non-deductible stock-based compensation 
Charitable contributions 
Foreign tax rate differences 
Changes in substantively enacted tax rates 
Other 

  March 3, 2019   

February 25, 

2018 

$ 

$ 

111,650  $ 

87,283 

30,000  $ 

23,060 

2,942 
(269) 
238 
39 
(28) 

4,468 
- 
766 
1,829 
67 

Income tax expense  

$ 

32,922  $ 

30,190 

72

(25) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

c)  Deferred income tax 

The tax effects of the significant temporary differences that comprise deferred tax assets and liabilities 
as at March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 are as follows: 

Deferred tax assets 

Deferred lease liability 
Stock-based compensation 
Financing and share issuance costs 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Charitable contributions 
Other 

Total deferred tax assets 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Goodwill and intangible assets 
Property and equipment 
Other 

Total deferred tax liabilities 

Net deferred tax liability 

  March 3, 2019   

February 25, 

2018 

$ 

20,258  $ 
295 
1,281 
1,254 
153 
2,619 

25,860 

(22,788) 
(15,427) 
(41) 

17,067 
135 
1,558 
596 
- 
2,631 

21,987 

(20,869) 
(12,485) 
(38) 

(38,256) 

(33,392) 

$ 

(12,396)  $ 

(11,405) 

The net change in deferred income tax liabilities is recorded as follows: 

Deferred tax expense recorded in net income 
Deferred tax expense recorded in other comprehensive 

income (loss) 

  March 3, 2019   

February 25, 

2018 

$ 

$ 

1,286  $ 

(296) 

990  $ 

4,372 

332 

4,704 

Of the deferred income tax balances, the Company expects $4.4 million of the deferred tax assets to 
be recovered within 12 months and $4.0 million of the deferred tax liabilities to be settled within 
12 months. 

The Company intends to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries; 
accordingly, the Company has not recorded a deferred tax liability on these earnings. 

(26) 

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

17  Segment information 

The Company defines an operating segment on the same basis that it uses to evaluate performance 
internally and to allocate resources by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”). The Company 
has determined that the Chief Executive Officer is its CODM and there is one operating segment. 
Therefore, the Company reports as a single segment. This includes all sales channels accessed by the 
Company’s customers, including sales through the Company’s boutiques and eCommerce website. 

The following table summarizes net revenue by geographic location of customers: 

Canada 
United States 

March 3, 
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

609,070 
265,226 

$ 

548,728 
194,539 

874,296 

$ 

743,267 

$ 

$ 

The Company’s non-current, non-financial assets (property and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill) 
are geographically located as follows: 

Canada 
United States 

March 3, 
2019 

February 25, 
2018 

316,344 
67,358 

$ 

291,270 
57,471 

383,702 

$ 

348,741 

$ 

$ 

74

(27) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

18  Commitments and contingencies 

a)  Operating leases 

The Company conducts operations from leased boutiques, distribution centres and administrative 
offices.  For the year ended March 3, 2019, the rent expense under these operating leases was $117.0 
million, including $5.3 million of contingent rent (February 25, 2018 - $103.3 million, including $2.0 
million of contingent rent). 

Leases for certain premises of the Company include renewal options, rent escalation clauses, and 
free-rent periods. Minimum annual commitments for the Company’s operating leases for its premises, 
excluding other occupancy charges and rent based on a percentage of sales, are as follows: 

Less than 1 year 
Between 1 and 5 years 
More than 5 years 

Total 

$ 

$ 

83,551   
356,517   
235,354   

675,422   

Subsequent to period end, the Company entered into additional operating leases, increasing the total 
minimum lease commitments by $20.4 million.  

b)  Product purchase obligations 

As at March 3, 2019, the Company had purchase obligations of $45.6 million (February 25, 2018 - 
$24.2 million), which represent commitments for fabric expected to be used during upcoming 
seasons, made in the normal course of business. 

c) 

Letters of credit 

At March 3, 2019, the Company had open letters of credit of $43.1 million (February 25, 2018 - $20.9 
million). 

19  Related party transactions 

Prior to the August 2018 Secondary Offering, the Company was ultimately controlled by Canada Retail 
Holdings, L.P., being the Company’s ultimate parent and  the Berkshire Shareholder. Effective August 7, 
2018, upon completion of the August 2018 Secondary Offering, neither Canada Retail Holdings, L.P. nor 
any other entity maintained ultimate control of the Company. Subsequent to the year ended March 3, 2019, 
upon completion of the March 2019 Secondary Offering and Share Repurchase, the Berkshire Shareholder 
sold its entire investment in the Company. As a result, effective March 8, 2019, the Company is ultimately 
controlled by AHI Holdings Inc., an entity controlled by a director and officer of the Company.  

(28) 

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

The Company entered into the following transactions with related parties: 

a)  Total reimbursements to Berkshire for travel, lodging and other costs for the year ended March 3, 

2019 was $59 (February 25, 2018 - $66). As at March 3, 2019, $nil was included in accounts payable 
and accrued liabilities (March 3, 2019 – $nil). 

In connection with the March 2019 Secondary Offering and Share Repurchase, the Company incurred 
an aggregate of $2.5 million in professional fees and other costs, $185 of which are costs incurred on 
behalf of the selling shareholders. As at March 3, 2019, $2.5 million was included in accounts 
receivable, which represents the full amount being reimbursed by the selling shareholders 
participating in the Share Repurchase, including the Berkshire Shareholder. Also, in connection with 
the March 2019 Secondary Offering and Share Repurchase, $0.7 million in costs relating to the 
Company’s IPO, previously included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, was extinguished. 

b)  During the year ended March 3, 2019, the Company paid $4.1 million (February 25, 2018 - $3.6 

million), for rent of premises and $0.9 million (February 25, 2018 - $0.4 million) for the use of a leased 
asset wholly or partially owned by companies that are owned by a director and officer of the Company. 
As at March 3, 2019, $71 was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (February 25, 2018 - 
$100) and $52 was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets (February 25, 2018 - $nil).  

c)  During the year ended February 25, 2018, the Company purchased $8.3 million of merchandise from a 
company partially owned by private equity funds managed by Berkshire. In August 2017, Berkshire 
exited its investment from the merchandise company; as such, purchases from the merchandise 
company subsequent to August 2017 are not considered related party transactions.  

d)  Key management includes the Company’s directors and executive team. Compensation awarded to 

key management includes: 

Salaries, directors’ fees and short-term benefits 
Stock-based compensation expense (1) 

  March 3, 2019   

February 25, 

2018 

$ 

$ 

3,478  $ 
3,695 

3,117 
7,358 

7,173  $ 

10,475 

(1) 

Included in the expense for the year ended February 25, 2018 was $2.3 million of expense recognized from 
the cancellation of 671,899 time-based options granted to a director and officer of the Company. The 
cancellation of these options resulted in accelerated vesting in accordance with IFRS 2. 

76

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Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

20  Supplemental cash flow information 

Net change in non-cash working capital balances 

Accounts receivable 
Inventory 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 
Other assets 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Deferred revenue 

Supplemental cash flow information 

Accrued purchases of property and equipment 
Accrued purchases of intangible assets 

21  Financial instruments and risk management 

  March 3, 2019   

2018 

February 25, 

$ 

(1,545)  $ 

(34,457) 
(1,714) 
(217) 
(6,181) 
4,498 

(Restated – 

note 2) 
941 
(5,155) 
(2,432) 
300 
15,640 
3,719 

$ 

$ 

(39,616)  $ 

13,013 

4,470  $ 
- 

6,799 
271 

The Company is exposed to a variety of financial risks in the normal course of operations including 
currency, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk, as summarized below. The Company’s overall risk 
management program and business practices seek to minimize any potential adverse effects on the 
Company’s consolidated financial performance.  

Risk management is carried out under practices approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. This 
includes reviewing and making recommendations to the Board on the adequacy of the Company’s risk 
management policies and procedures with regard to identifying the Company’s principal risks and 
implementing appropriate systems and controls to manage these risks. Risk management covers many 
areas of risk including, but not limited to, foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity 
risk.  

(30) 

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Financial instruments by category 

The classification of financial instruments and their carrying amounts are as follows: 

Financial assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Accounts receivable 
Foreign currency forward contracts 

Financial liabilities 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Long-term debt (net of deferred financing fees) 

March 3,  
2019 

February 25, 
2018 
(Restated – 

note 2) 

100,897  $ 
4,355 
- 

112,475 
 2,413 
414 

62,736  $ 
74,624 

67,292 
118,587 

$ 

$ 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued 
liabilities approximates their fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial 
instruments. The fair value of the lease obligations is approximately equal to their carrying value. For the 
other financial liabilities, the fair value is as follows: 

Long-term debt (Level 2) 
Foreign currency forward contracts (Level 2) 

  March 3, 2019   

$ 

75,000  $ 

- 

February 25, 

2018 

118,738 
414 

a)  Market risk 

Currency risk 

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk on foreign currency denominated transactions, 
monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency, and net investments in foreign 
operations. The Company sources the majority of its raw materials and merchandise from various 
suppliers in Asia and Europe with the vast majority of purchases denominated in U.S. dollars. In 
addition, the Company operates boutiques in the U.S. The Company’s foreign exchange risk is 
primarily with respect to the U.S. dollar and the Company has limited exposure to other currencies. 
Foreign currency forward contracts are used, from time to time, to mitigate risks associated with 
forecasted U.S. dollar merchandise purchases sold in Canada. 

As at March 3, 2019, a $0.01 variation in the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar on net monetary 
accounts in U.S. dollars would, with all other variables being constant, have an approximate favourable 
(or unfavourable) impact of $0.3 million on net income. 

78

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Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

Interest rate risk 

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates on its cash and cash equivalents, bank 
indebtedness and long-term debt. Debt issued at variable rates exposes the Company to cash flow 
interest rate risk. Debt issued at fixed rates exposes the Company to fair value interest rate risk. During 
the year, the Company had only variable rate debt. An increase (or decrease) in interest rate by 1% 
would result in an increase (or decrease) of $0.9 million in interest expense on the Credit Facilities.  

b)  Credit risk 

Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its 
contractual obligations. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk 
consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and derivative contracts used to hedge 
market risks. The Company offsets credit risks associated with cash and cash equivalents by depositing 
its cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions that have been assigned high credit 
ratings by internationally recognized credit rating agencies. The Company is exposed to credit risk on 
accounts receivable from its landlords for tenant allowances. To reduce this risk, the Company enters 
into leases with landlords with established credit history and, for certain leases, the Company may 
offset rent payments until accounts receivable are fully satisfied. The Company only enters into 
derivative contracts with major financial institutions, as described above, for the purchase of its foreign 
currency forward contracts. 

c) 

Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company cannot meet a demand for cash or fund its obligations as 
they come due. Liquidity risk also includes the risk of not being able to liquidate assets in a timely 
manner at a reasonable price. The Company manages liquidity risk through various means, including 
monitoring actual and projected cash flows, taking into account the seasonality of its revenue, income 
and working capital needs. The Company’s revolving credit facility is used to maintain liquidity. As at 
March 3, 2019, the Company had available credit of $100.0 million (February 25, 2018 - $70.0 million) 
under its revolving credit facility, of which $nil (February 25, 2018 - $nil) was drawn, and had no 
outstanding letters of credit (February 25, 2018 - $15.9 million of outstanding letters of credit, which 
reduced the availability under the revolving credit facility). Any amount drawn under this credit facility 
is presented as bank indebtedness in current liabilities based on the Company’s estimate of what it 
expects to settle in the next 12 months (note 10). As at March 3, 2019, the Company also had available 
credit of $75.0 million under trade finance agreements (February 25, 2018 – $75.0 million), of which 
$43.1 million of letters of credit were outstanding (February 25, 2018 – $5.0 million). 

(32) 

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aritzia Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
March 3, 2019 and February 25, 2018 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) 

The following table identifies the undiscounted contractual maturities of the Company’s financial 
liabilities as at March 3, 2019: 

  Within one year 

After one but 
 not more than 
5 years 

  After 5 years 

Total 

Accounts payable and accrued 

liabilities 

Assumed interest on long-term 

debt (1) 
Long-term debt 

Total 

$ 

$ 

62,736  $ 

-  $ 

-  $ 

62,736 

2,668 
- 

5,952 
75,000 

- 
- 

8,620 
75,000 

65,404  $ 

80,952  $ 

-  $ 

146,356 

(1) 

Based on interest rates in effect as at March 3, 2019. 

22  Capital management 

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to: 

 

 

ensure sufficient liquidity to enable the internal financing of capital projects thereby facilitating its 
growth; 
provide a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain 
future development of the business; and 

  maintain a flexible capital structure that optimizes the cost of capital at acceptable risk and preserves 

the ability to meet financial obligations. 

The Company defines capital as its Credit Facilities and shareholders’ equity. The Company’s primary uses 
of capital are to finance increases in non-cash working capital along with capital expenditures for new store 
additions, existing store expansion and renovation projects, and other infrastructure investments. The 
Company currently funds these requirements out of its internally generated cash flows and Credit Facilities. 

The Company is subject to financial covenants and collateral pursuant to the Credit Facilities presented in 
note 10. 

80

(33)