Quarterlytics / Consumer Defensive / Household & Personal Products / Helen of Troy Limited

Helen of Troy Limited

hele · NASDAQ Consumer Defensive
Claim this profile
Ticker hele
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Household & Personal Products
Employees 1883
← All annual reports
FY2021 Annual Report · Helen of Troy Limited
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K 
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021

OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 001-14669 

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Bermuda                                                                                                  

74-2692550 

Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, Bermuda 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

1 Helen of Troy Plaza, El Paso, Texas 
(Registrant’s United States Mailing Address) 

   79912 
(Zip Code)

(915) 225-8000 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

  Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Shares, $0.10 par value per share  

HELE

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to 
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 
of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit 
such files).  Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company 
or  an  emerging  growth  company.    See  the  definitions  of  “large  accelerated  filer,”  “accelerated  filer,”  “smaller  reporting  company”  and  “emerging 
growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

   Large accelerated filer ☒ 
              Accelerated filer                  ☐ 
  Non-accelerated filer    ☐                                                                                                     Smaller reporting company ☐ 
                                                                                                                               Emerging growth company  ☐ 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any 
new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  has  filed  a  report  on  and  attestation  to  its  management’s  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  its 
internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm 
that prepared or issued its audit report.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).   Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of August 31, 2020, based upon 
the closing price of the common shares as reported by The NASDAQ Global Select Market on such date, was approximately $5,201.1 million.

As of April 22, 2021, there were 24,450,072 common shares, $0.10 par value per share, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be filed within one hundred and twenty days of the fiscal 
year ended February 28, 2021 (2021 Proxy Statement) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report to the extent described herein.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                     
PAGE

3
10
24
24
24
24

25
27
28
60
62
105
105

106
106

106
106
106

107

111

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I 

Business

Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.

Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures

PART II 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities
Reserved
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

PART III 

Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

Item 13.
Item 14.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and  Management  and  Related  Shareholder 
Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services

PART IV 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Signatures

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In this report and the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes, unless 
otherwise indicated or the context suggests otherwise, references to “the Company”, “our 
Company”, “Helen of Troy”, “we”, “us”, or “our” refer to Helen of Troy Limited and its 
subsidiaries.  We refer to our common shares, par value $0.10 per share, as “common stock.”  
References to “EMEA” refer to the combined geographic markets of Europe, the Middle East and 
Africa.  References to “Far East” refer to the geographic markets of Asia Pacific.  We use product 
and service names in this report for identification purposes only and they may be protected in the 
United States and other jurisdictions by trademarks, trade names, service marks, and other 
intellectual property rights of ours and other parties.  The absence of a specific attribution in 
connection with any such mark does not constitute a waiver of any such right.  All trademarks, 
trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective owners.  
References to “fiscal” in connection with a numeric year number denotes our fiscal year ending 
on the last day of February, during the year number listed.  References to “the FASB” refer to the 
Financial Accounting Standards Board.  References to “GAAP” refer to accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America (the “U.S.”).  References to “ASU” refer to the 
codification of GAAP in the Accounting Standards Updates issued by the FASB.  References to 
“ASC” refer to the codification of GAAP in the Accounting Standards Codification issued by the 
FASB.

2

Table of Contents

Item 1. Business

Our Company

PART I

We incorporated as Helen of Troy Corporation in Texas in 1968 and were reorganized as Helen of Troy 
Limited in Bermuda in 1994.  We are a leading global consumer products company offering creative 
products and solutions for our customers through a diversified portfolio of brands.  We have built leading 
market positions through new product innovation, product quality and competitive pricing. We go to 
market under a number of brands, some of which are licensed. Our Leadership Brands are brands which 
have number-one or number-two positions in their respective categories and include the OXO, 
Honeywell, Braun, PUR, Hydro Flask, Vicks, Hot Tools and Drybar brands.

Segment Information

We currently operate in three business segments, which are included in our financial statements in 
continuing operations:

• Housewares: Provides a broad range of innovative consumer products for the home and on the 
go to help with food preparation, cooking, cleaning, organization, beverage service, and other 
tasks to ease everyday living for families.  This segment sells primarily to retailers as well as 
through our direct-to-consumer channel.

• Health & Home: Provides healthcare and home environment products including health care 

devices, water filtration systems and small home appliances.  Sales for the segment are primarily 
to retailers, with some direct-to-consumer channel sales.

• Beauty: Provides mass and prestige market beauty appliance and personal care products 

including hair styling appliances, grooming tools, decorative haircare accessories, and liquid-, 
solid- and powder-based personal care and grooming products.  This segment sells primarily to 
retailers, beauty supply wholesalers and through our direct- to- consumer channel.

Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are presented from continuing operations.  Discontinued 
operations refers to our former Nutritional Supplements segment, which was divested on December 20, 
2017.  See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations (“MD&A”) and Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more 
information.

For more segment and geographic information concerning our net sales revenue, long-lived assets and 
operating income, refer to Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Our Strategic Initiatives

In fiscal 2015, we launched a five-year transformational strategy designed to improve the performance of 
our business segments and strengthen our shared service capabilities.  Fiscal 2019 marked the 
completion of Phase I of our multi-year transformation strategy, which delivered performance across a 
wide range of measures.  We improved organic sales growth by focusing on our Leadership Brands, 
made strategic acquisitions, became a more efficient operating company with strong global shared 
services, upgraded our organization and culture, improved inventory turns and return on invested capital, 
and returned capital to shareholders.

Fiscal 2020 began Phase II of our transformation, which is designed to drive the next five years of 
progress.  The long-term objectives of Phase II include improved organic sales growth, continued margin 
expansion, and strategic and effective capital deployment.  Phase II includes continued investment in our 
Leadership Brands, with a focus on growing them through consumer-centric innovation, expanding them 

3

Table of Contents

more aggressively outside the U.S., and adding new brands through acquisition.  We are building further 
shared service capability and operating efficiency, as well as focusing on attracting, retaining, unifying 
and training the best people.  Additionally, we are enhancing and consolidating our Environmental, Social 
and Governance (“ESG”) efforts and accelerating programs related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
(“DE&I”) to support our Phase II transformation.

On January 23, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Drybar Products LLC (“Drybar Products”), for 
approximately $255.9 million in cash.  Drybar is an innovative, trend-setting prestige hair care and styling 
brand in the multibillion-dollar beauty industry.  As part of the transaction, we granted a worldwide license 
to Drybar Holdings LLC, which has subsequently been assumed by WellBiz Brands, Inc., as successor 
owner of Drybar blowout salons, to use the Drybar trademark in relation to the franchising and operation 
of Drybar salons. The salons exclusively use, promote, and sell Drybar products globally.  The acquisition 
of Drybar Products added an 8th Leadership Brand to the Company.

Consistent with our strategy of focusing resources on our Leadership Brands, during the fourth quarter of 
fiscal 2020, we committed to a plan to divest certain assets within our Beauty segment's mass channel 
personal care business (“Personal Care”).  The assets to be disposed of include intangible assets, 
inventory, certain net trade receivables and fixed assets relating to our mass channel liquids, powder and 
aerosol products under brands such as Pert, Brut, Sure and Infusium.  Accordingly, we classified the 
identified assets of the disposal group as held for sale.  We expect the divestiture to occur during the first 
quarter of fiscal 2022.

Our Products

The following table summarizes the types of products we sell by business segment:

Segment
Housewares

  Product Category
 Food Preparation and Storage

  Primary Products
 Food preparation tools and gadgets, food storage containers and 
storage and organization products

Coffee and Tea

Coffee makers, grinders, manual pour overs and tea kettles

 Cleaning and Bath

 Infant and Toddler

 Household cleaning products, shower organization and bathroom 
accessories

 Feeding and drinking products, child seating, cleaning tools and 
nursery accessories

 Hot and Cold Beverage and Food 
Containers

 Insulated water bottles, jugs, thermoses, drinkware, travel mugs, food 
containers and accessories

Health & Home

 Healthcare

 Thermometers, blood pressure monitors and humidifiers

 Water Filtration

Beauty

 Home Environment
 Appliances and Accessories

 Faucet mount water filtration systems and pitcher based water 
filtration systems

 Air purifiers, heaters, fans and humidifiers
 Mass, professional and prestige market hair and skin care 
appliances, grooming brushes, tools and decorative hair accessories

Personal and Hair Care (1)

Mass and prestige market shampoos, liquid hair styling products, 
treatments and conditioners.

(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we committed to a plan to divest certain assets within our Personal Care 

business.  The assets to be disposed of include intangible assets, inventory, certain net trade receivables and fixed assets 
relating to our mass channel liquids, powder and aerosol products.  We have classified the identified assets as held for 
sale.  For additional information see Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

4

 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Our Trademarks

We market products under a number of trademarks that we own and sell certain of our products under 
trademarks licensed from third parties.  We believe our principal trademarks, both owned and licensed, 
have high levels of brand name recognition among retailers and consumers throughout the world.  
Through our favorable partnerships with our licensors, we believe we have developed stable, enduring 
relationships that provide access to unique brands that complement our owned and internally developed 
trademarks.

The Beauty and Health & Home segments rely on the continued use of trademarks licensed under 
various agreements for a substantial portion of their net sales revenue.  New product introductions under 
licensed trademarks require approval from the respective licensors.  The licensors must also approve the 
product packaging.  Some of our license agreements require us to pay minimum royalties.

The following table lists our key trademarks by segment:

Segment

  Owned

Housewares

 OXO, Good Grips, Hydro Flask, Soft Works, OXO tot, OXO Brew

Health & Home  PUR

Beauty

 Drybar, Hot Tools, Brut, Pert, Sure, Infusium

  Licensed

 Honeywell, Braun, Vicks

 Revlon, Bed Head

Patents and Other Intellectual Property

We maintain utility and design patents in the U.S. and several foreign countries.  We also protect certain 
details about our processes, products and strategies as trade secrets, keeping confidential the 
information that we believe provides us with a competitive advantage.

Sales and Marketing

We currently market our products in over 90 countries throughout the world.  Sales within the U.S. 
comprised approximately 79% of total net sales revenue in both fiscal 2021 and 2020 and 78% of total 
net sales revenue in fiscal 2019.  Our segments primarily sell their products through mass 
merchandisers, drugstore chains, warehouse clubs, home improvement stores, grocery stores, specialty 
stores, beauty supply retailers, e-commerce retailers, wholesalers, and various types of distributors, as 
well as directly to consumers.  We collaborate extensively with our retail customers and, in many 
instances, produce specific versions of our product lines with exclusive designs and packaging for their 
stores, which are appropriately priced for their respective customer bases.  We market products 
principally through the use of outside sales representatives and our own internal sales staff, supported by 
our internal marketing, category management, engineering, creative services, and customer and 
consumer service staff.  These groups work closely together to develop pricing and distribution strategies, 
to design packaging and to help develop product line extensions and new products.

Research and Development

Our research and development activities focus on new, differentiated and innovative products designed to 
drive sustained organic growth.  We continually invest to strengthen our product design and research and 
development capabilities, including extensive studies to gain consumer insights.  Research and 
development expenses consist primarily of salary and employee benefit expenses and contracted 
development and testing efforts associated with development of products.

5

  
Table of Contents

Manufacturing and Distribution

We contract with unaffiliated manufacturers, primarily in China and Mexico, to manufacture a significant 
portion of our finished goods for the Beauty appliances and accessories, Housewares, Healthcare, Water 
Filtration, and Home Environment product categories.  The North American region of the personal care 
category of the Beauty segment sources most of its products from U.S. manufacturers.  Finished goods 
manufactured by vendors in the Far East comprised approximately 80%, 76% and 74% of finished goods 
purchased for fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

We occupy owned and leased office and distribution space in various locations to support our operations.  
These facilities include our U.S. headquarters in El Paso, Texas, and distribution centers in Southaven, 
Mississippi, and Olive Branch, Mississippi, which are used to support a significant portion of our domestic 
distribution.

Customers

Sales to our largest customer, Amazon.com Inc.,  accounted for approximately 20%, 18% and 16% of our 
consolidated net sales revenue in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Sales to our second largest 
customer, Walmart, Inc. (including its worldwide affiliates), accounted for approximately 13%, 14% and 
16% of our consolidated net sales revenue in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Sales to our third 
largest customer, Target Corporation, accounted for approximately 11%, 9% and 10% of our consolidated 
net sales revenue in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  No other customers accounted for 10% or 
more of consolidated net sales revenue during these fiscal years.  Sales to our top five customers 
accounted for approximately 52%, 50% and 51% of our consolidated net sales revenue in fiscal 2021, 
2020 and 2019, respectively.

Order Backlog

When placing orders, our individual consumer, retail and wholesale customers usually request that we 
ship the related products within a short time frame.  As such, there usually is no significant backlog of 
orders in any of our distribution channels.

Seasonality

The following table illustrates the seasonality of our net sales revenue by fiscal quarter as a percentage 
of annual net sales revenue for the periods presented:

May

August

November

February

Fiscal Quarters Ended Last Day of Month

2021

2020

2019

 20.0 %

 25.3 %

 30.4 %

 24.3 %

 22.0 %

 24.2 %

 27.8 %

 26.0 %

 22.7 %

 25.2 %

 27.6 %

 24.5 %

Our sales are seasonal due to different calendar events, holidays and seasonal weather patterns.  
Historically, the third fiscal quarter produces the highest net sales revenue during the fiscal year.

Competitive Conditions

We generally sell our products in markets that are very competitive and mature.  Our products compete 
against similar products of many large and small companies, including well-known global competitors.  In 
many of the markets and industry segments in which we sell our products we compete against other 

6

 
Table of Contents

branded products as well as retailers' private-label brands.  We believe that we have certain key 
competitive advantages, such as well recognized brands, engineering expertise and innovation, sourcing 
and supply chain know-how, and productive co-development relationships with our Far East 
manufacturers.  We support our products with advertising, promotions and other marketing activities, as 
well as an extensive sales force in order to build awareness and to encourage new consumers to try our 
brands and products.  We are well positioned in the industry segments and markets in which we operate, 
often holding a leadership or significant market share position.  We believe these advantages allow us to 
bring our retailers a differentiated value proposition.

The following table summarizes our primary competitors by business segment:

Segment
Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty

  Competitor

Lifetime Brands, Inc. (KitchenAid), Newell Brands Inc., Simple Human LLC, Yeti Holdings, Inc., Bradshaw 
Home, Inc.

Exergen Corporation, Omron Healthcare, Inc., Crane Engineering, Newell Brands, Inc., Lasko Products, 
LLC., The Clorox Company (Brita), Zero Technologies, LLC, Vornado Air Circulation Systems, Dyson Ltd, 
Unilever (Blueair), Guardian Technologies LLC.  
Conair, Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. (Remington), Newell Brands, Inc., The Procter & Gamble 
Company, Unilever N.V., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Coty Inc., Dyson Ltd

Environmental and Health and Safety Matters

Our operations are subject to national, state, local, and provincial jurisdictions’ environmental, health and 
safety laws and regulations.  Many of the products we sell are subject to product safety laws and 
regulations in various jurisdictions.  These laws and regulations specify the maximum allowable levels of 
certain materials that may be contained in our products, provide statutory prohibitions against 
misbranded and adulterated products, establish ingredients and manufacturing procedures for certain 
products, specify product safety testing requirements, and set product identification, labeling and claim 
requirements.

Additionally, an emerging trend with both governments and our retail customers is to prescribe public and 
private social accountability reporting requirements regarding our worldwide business activities.  In our 
product space, some requirements have already been mandated and we believe others may become 
required in the future.  Examples of current requirements include conflict minerals content reporting, 
customer reporting of foreign fair labor practices in connection with our supply chain vendors, and 
evaluating the risks of human trafficking and slavery.

We believe that we are in material compliance with these laws, regulations and other reporting 
requirements.  Further, the cost of maintaining compliance has not had a material adverse effect on our 
business, consolidated results of operations and consolidated financial condition, nor do we expect it to 
do so in the foreseeable future.  Due to the nature of our operations and the frequently changing nature 
of compliance and social reporting standards and technology, we cannot predict with any certainty what 
future material capital or operating expenditures, if any, will be required in order to comply with applicable 
laws, regulations and other reporting mandates.

ESG Initiatives 

We seek to maintain best-in-class level of corporate governance on behalf of our stakeholders, including 
our associates, customers, consumers, communities, and shareholders.  We also recognize the 
importance of environmental and social factors related to how we operate our business.  We are 
enhancing and consolidating our ESG efforts and accelerating programs related to DE&I to support our 
Phase II transformation.

7

 
 
 
Table of Contents

We have expanded the oversight responsibilities of the Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of 
Directors to include ESG matters and convened an internal ESG Task Force with representatives from 
our business segments and global shared services.  The ESG Task Force, in conjunction with our internal 
ESG resources, will lead the development and implementation of our strategic ESG plan with the goal of 
aligning our ESG performance with relevant standards such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards 
Board (“SASB”) and the Task Force on Climate Finance Disclosures (“TCFD”).  We will also continue to 
advance our DE&I efforts as part of our ESG initiatives to support our focus on attracting and retaining 
top talent, and to help promote a work environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow to their 
fullest potential.  

We believe progress on our ESG initiatives will have a positive impact on our shareholders, consumers, 
customers, our talented worldwide employees and the communities in which we are proud to live and 
work.  

Human Capital

Overview

We are committed to fostering a positive and engaging culture of inclusion, care, and support where all 
people throughout our global workforce can thrive.  Resources provided to enhance employees' “total 
well-being” include learning and development opportunities, charitable leave policy, financial advice and 
stock purchase programs, health and wellness programs, and product discounts.  Perks and benefits 
vary by region and office. We also monitor our culture and associate engagement through a number of 
methods, including an annual culture survey.

We have a robust performance evaluation and feedback program for all our associates.  We encourage 
career planning at all levels of the organization. Opportunities for advancement are available to all of our 
employees fairly and equally.  Our senior leadership team develops and recommends to the Board of 
Directors succession plans for all of our senior management.

We believe our culture, fair pay, benefits, healthy-living initiatives, collaborative projects, and open 
communication between management and staff enables us to attract and retain talented associates.  

Our Associates

As of February 28, 2021, we employed approximately 1,769 full-time employees worldwide.  We also use 
temporary, part-time and seasonal employees as needed.

None of our U.S. employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.  Certain of our 
employees in Europe are covered by collective arrangements or works counsel in accordance with local 
practice.  We have never experienced a work stoppage, and we believe that we have satisfactory working 
relations with our employees.

DE&I

We believe that a diverse workforce is essential to innovation, growth, and the well-being of our 
associates.  We celebrate the diversity of our people and value the unique perspectives they bring.  We 
are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture where all of our associates can thrive.

We are advancing short- and long-term initiatives which include: leadership coaching and training to build 
awareness and sponsorship, targeted recruitment actions to increase diversity of new hires, associate 
learning programs to develop skills that foster inclusion, and associate affinity groups to further support 
inclusion.

8

Table of Contents

Communities

We have a 50-plus-year tradition of supporting the communities where we live and work through 
charitable donations from both the Company and its associates.  In addition, we provide our associates 
two paid community service days to donate their time to organizations that matter most to them.  We 
believe our community engagement and good corporate citizenship will lead to stronger communities and 
shared success for our Company.

Available Information

We maintain our main Internet site at: http://www.helenoftroy.com.  The information contained on this 
website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this report.  We make available on 
or through our main website’s Investor Relations page under the heading “SEC Filings” certain reports 
and amendments to those reports that we file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the “SEC”) in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
“Exchange Act”).  These include our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, 
our current reports on Form 8-K, our proxy statements on Schedule 14A, amendments to these reports, 
and the reports required under Section 16 of the Exchange Act of transactions in our common stock by 
directors and officers.  We make this information available on our website free of charge as soon as 
reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC.  The SEC 
maintains a website at https://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and 
other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.  Also, on the Investor Relations 
page, under the heading “Corporate Governance,” are our Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Corporate 
Governance Guidelines and the Charters of the Committees of the Board of Directors.

9

Table of Contents

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Carefully consider the risks described below and all of the other information included in our Annual 
Report on Form 10-K when deciding whether to invest in our securities or otherwise evaluating our 
business.  If any of the following risks or other events or circumstances described elsewhere in this report 
materialize, our business, operating results or financial condition may suffer.  In this case, the trading 
price of our common stock and the value of your investment might significantly decline.  The risks listed 
below are not the only risks that we face.  Additional risks unknown to us or that we currently believe are 
insignificant may also affect our business.

Business, Operational and Strategic Risks

We expect the current public health crisis resulting from the outbreak of novel coronavirus 
disease (commonly referred to as “COVID-19”) to continue to adversely impact certain parts of 
our business, which could have a material impact on our operating results and financial 
condition.  We must successfully manage the demand, supply, and operational challenges 
associated with the actual or perceived effects of COVID-19 and any similar future public health 
crisis, pandemic or epidemic.

Our business may be negatively impacted by the fear of exposure to, or actual effects of, pandemics and 
epidemics or similar public health crises.  In response to a public health crisis, national, state and local 
authorities may implement a variety of measures to limit the spread of a disease, such as travel 
restrictions, social distancing or imposing quarantine and isolation measures on the population.  The 
impacts of a public health crisis may include, but are not limited to:

•

•

•

•

significant reductions in demand or significant volatility in demand for our products, which may be 
caused by, among other things, the temporary inability of consumers to purchase our products 
due to illness, self-quarantine, travel restrictions, financial hardship, restrictions that limit access to 
or close customer stores, or shifts in demand away from one or more of our more discretionary or 
higher priced products to lower priced products;
inability to meet our customers’ needs and achieve costs targets due to disruptions in distribution 
capabilities or our supply chain caused by the loss or disruption of essential manufacturing and 
supply elements such as raw materials or other finished product components, restricted 
transportation or increased freight costs, reduced workforce, or other manufacturing sources and 
distribution processes;
failure of third parties on which we rely, including our suppliers, customers, distributors, 
commercial banks, and external business partners, to meet their obligations to us, or significant 
disruptions in their ability to do so, which may be caused by their own financial or operational 
difficulties and may adversely impact our operations; or
significant changes in the political environment in which we manufacture, sell or distribute our 
products, including quarantines, governmental authority actions, closures or other restrictions that 
limit or close operating and manufacturing or distribution facilities, restrict employees’ ability to 
travel or perform necessary business functions, or otherwise prevent our external business 
partners, suppliers, or customers from sufficiently staffing operations, including operations 
necessary for the production, distribution, sale, and support of our products, which could 
adversely impact our results.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a pandemic.  
COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S. and the world, with the continued potential for 
catastrophic impact.  As a result of these and other effects, we expect COVID-19 to continue to adversely 
impact certain parts of our business, which could be material.  The impact includes the effect of 
temporary closures of certain customer stores or limited hours of operation, and materially lower store 
traffic. The COVID-19 pandemic is also impacting our third-party manufacturers, most of which are 
located in the Far East, principally China.  As a result, COVID-19 has disrupted certain parts of our supply 

10

Table of Contents

chain, which in certain cases, has limited our ability to fulfill demand.  Due to the evolving COVID-19 
pandemic and related consumer demand for certain of our products, trends are emerging that may 
impact our ability to fulfill some orders on a timely basis or make marketing investments with an 
acceptable return.  Additionally, surges in demand and shifts in shopping patterns related to COVID-19 
have strained the global freight network, which is resulting in higher costs, less capacity, and longer lead 
times.  These factors may impact our ability to fulfill some orders on a timely basis.   

The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our business and financial results will depend largely on future 
developments, including the duration of the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak within the U.S. and 
globally, the availability, adoption and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, the impact on capital and 
financial markets and the related impact on consumer confidence and spending.  These future 
developments are outside of our control, are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted and may further 
increase the difficulty of planning for operations.  These and other potential impacts of the current public 
health crisis could therefore materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows 
and results of operations.  Although the favorable impacts of COVID-19 outweighed the unfavorable 
impacts for fiscal 2021, this situation continues to change rapidly, and additional impacts or more 
pronounced adverse impacts may arise that we are not currently aware of today.  Additionally, the extent 
of COVID-19’s impact on the demand for certain of our product lines in the future will depend on future 
developments, including the duration, spread and intensity of the pandemic, our continued ability to 
source and distribute our products, as well as any future government actions affecting consumers and the 
economy generally, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict considering the rapidly evolving 
landscape.  Accordingly, our liquidity and financial results could be impacted in ways that we are not able 
to predict today, including, but not limited to, non-cash write-downs and asset impairment charges 
(including impairments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets).

Our ability to deliver products to our customers in a timely manner and to satisfy our customers’ 
fulfillment standards are subject to several factors, some of which are beyond our control.

Retailers place great emphasis on timely delivery of our products for specific selling seasons, especially 
during our third fiscal quarter, and on the fulfillment of consumer demand throughout the year.  We cannot 
control all of the various factors that might affect product delivery to retailers.  Vendor production delays, 
difficulties encountered in shipping from overseas, customs clearance delays, and operational issues with 
any of the third-party logistics providers we use in certain countries are on-going risks of our business.  
We also rely upon third-party carriers for our product shipments from our distribution centers to 
customers.  In certain circumstances, we rely on the shipping arrangements our suppliers have made in 
the case of products shipped directly to retailers from the suppliers.  Accordingly, we are subject to risks, 
including labor disputes, inclement weather, public health crises (such as pandemics and epidemics), 
natural disasters, possible acts of terrorism, port and canal backlogs and blockages, availability of 
shipping containers, and increased security restrictions associated with the carriers’ ability to provide 
delivery services to meet our shipping needs.  Further, our delivery process must often accommodate 
special vendor requirements to use specific carriers and delivery schedules.  Failure to deliver products 
to our retailers in a timely and effective manner could damage our reputation and brands and result in the 
loss of customers or reduced orders, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
operating results and financial condition.

Large customers may take actions that adversely affect our gross profit and operating results.

With the continuing trend towards retail trade consolidation, we are increasingly dependent upon key 
customers whose bargaining strength is substantial and growing.  We may be negatively affected by 
changes in the policies of our customers, such as actions to respond to a public health crisis, on-hand 
inventory reductions, limitations on access to shelf space, use of private label brands, price and term 
demands, and other conditions, which could negatively impact our business, operating results and 
financial condition.

11

Table of Contents

Certain of our customers source and sell products under their own private label brands that compete with 
our products. Additionally, as large traditional retail and online customers grow even larger and become 
more sophisticated, they may continue to demand lower pricing, special packaging, shorter lead times for 
the delivery of products, smaller more frequent shipments, or impose other requirements on product 
suppliers.  These business demands may relate to inventory practices, logistics or other aspects of the 
customer-supplier relationship.  If we do not effectively respond to these demands, these customers 
could decrease their purchases from us.  A reduction in the demand for our products by these customers 
and the costs of complying with their business demands could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, operating results and financial condition.

We are subject to risks related to our dependence on the strength of retail economies and may be 
vulnerable in the event of a prolonged economic downturn, including from the effects of 
COVID-19.

Our business depends on the strength of the retail economies in various parts of the world, primarily in 
North America and to a lesser extent EMEA, Asia and Latin America.  These retail economies are 
affected for the most part by factors such as consumer demand and the condition of the retail industry, 
which, in turn, are affected by general economic conditions and specific events such as natural disasters, 
public health crises (such as pandemics and epidemics), terrorist attacks and political unrest.  Consumer 
spending in any geographic region is generally affected by a number of factors, including local economic 
conditions, government actions, inflation, interest rates, energy costs, unemployment rates, gasoline 
prices, and consumer confidence, all of which are beyond our control.  Consumer purchases of 
discretionary items tend to decline during recessionary periods, when disposable income is lower, and 
may impact sales of our products.  Measures imposed, or that may be imposed, by national, state and 
local authorities in response to COVID-19 may have impacts of uncertain severity and duration on 
domestic and foreign economies.  The effectiveness of economic stabilization efforts, including 
government payments and loans to affected citizens and industries, is uncertain.  Any sustained 
economic downturn in the U.S. or any of the other countries in which we conduct significant business, 
may cause significant readjustments in both the volume and mix of our product sales, which could 
materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our operating results are dependent on sales to several large customers and the loss of, or 
substantial decline in, sales to a top customer could have a material adverse effect on our 
revenues and profitability.

A few customers account for a substantial percentage of our net sales revenue.  Our financial condition 
and operating results could suffer if we lost all or a portion of the sales to any one of these customers.  In 
particular, sales to our two largest customers accounted for approximately 33% of our consolidated net 
sales revenue in fiscal 2021.  While only three customers individually accounted for 10% or more of our 
consolidated net sales revenue in fiscal 2021, sales to our top five customers in aggregate accounted for 
approximately 52% of fiscal 2021 consolidated net sales revenue.  We expect that a small group of 
customers will continue to account for a significant portion of our net sales revenue.  Although we have 
long-standing relationships with our major customers, we generally do not have written agreements that 
require these customers to buy from us or to purchase a minimum amount of our products.  A substantial 
decrease in sales to any of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial 
condition and operating results.  We expect that the creditworthiness of some of our customers may be 
vulnerable to the impact of the current public health crisis.  We regularly monitor and evaluate the credit 
status of our customers and attempt to adjust sales terms as appropriate.  Despite these efforts, a 
deterioration in the credit worthiness or bankruptcy filing of a key customer could have a material adverse 
effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. 

12

Table of Contents

Expectations regarding recent acquisitions, and any future acquisitions or divestitures, including 
our ability to realize related synergies, along with our ability to effectively integrate acquired 
businesses or disaggregate divested businesses, may adversely affect the price of our common 
stock.

We continue to look for opportunities to make strategic business and/or brand acquisitions.  Additionally, 
we frequently evaluate our portfolio of business products and may consider divestitures or exits of 
businesses that we no longer believe to be an appropriate strategic fit.  Our financial results could be 
impacted in the event that changes in the cash flows or other market-based assumptions or conditions 
cause the value of acquired assets to fall below book value, or we are not able to deliver the expected 
benefits or synergies associated with acquisition transactions, which could also have an impact on 
associated goodwill and intangible assets.  Any acquisition or divestiture, if not favorably received by 
consumers, shareholders, analysts, and others in the investment community, could have a material 
adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

In addition, any acquisition involves numerous risks, including: 

•

•
•
•

•

•

•
•

difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, technologies, products, and personnel associated 
with the acquisitions;
challenges in integrating distribution channels;
diversion of management's attention from other business concerns;
difficulties in transitioning and preserving customer, contractor, supplier, and other important third-
party relationships;
challenges realizing anticipated cost savings, synergies and other benefits related to an 
acquisition;
risks associated with subsequent losses or operating asset write-offs, contingent liabilities and 
impairment of related acquired intangible assets;
risks of entering markets in which we have no or limited experience; and
potential loss of key employees associated with the acquisitions.

We rely on our Chief Executive Officer and a limited number of other key senior officers to 
operate our business.  The loss of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect 
on our business.

The loss of our Chief Executive Officer or any of our key senior officers could have a material adverse 
effect on our business, operating results and financial condition, particularly if we are unable to hire and 
integrate suitable replacements on a timely basis.  Further, as we continue to grow our business, we will 
continue to adjust our senior management team.  If we are unable to attract or retain the right individuals 
for the team, it could hinder our ability to grow our business and could disrupt our operations or otherwise 
have a material adverse effect on our business.

We rely on central global Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) systems and other peripheral 
information systems.  Obsolescence or interruptions in the operation of our computerized 
systems or other information technologies could have a material adverse effect on our operations 
and profitability.

Our operations are largely dependent on our ERP system.  We continuously make adjustments to 
improve the effectiveness of the ERP and other peripheral information systems, including the installation 
of significant new subsystems.  Any failures or disruptions in the ERP and other information systems or 
any complications resulting from ongoing adjustments to our systems could cause interruption or loss of 
data in our information or logistical systems that could materially impact our ability to procure products 
from our factories and suppliers, transport them to our distribution centers, and store and deliver them to 

13

Table of Contents

our customers on time and in the correct amounts.  In addition, natural disasters or other extraordinary 
events may disrupt our information systems and other infrastructure, and our data recovery processes 
may not be sufficient to protect against loss.

The occurrence of cyber incidents, or failure by us or our third-party service providers to maintain 
cybersecurity and the integrity of confidential internal or customer data could have a material 
adverse effect on our operations and profitability.  Such incidents may also result in faulty 
business decisions, operational inefficiencies, damage to our reputation or employee and 
business relationships, and/or subject us to costs, fines, or lawsuits.

Information systems require constant updates to their security policies, networks, software, and hardware 
systems to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, malicious destruction of data or information theft.  We 
rely on commercially available systems, software, tools, third-party service providers and monitoring to 
provide security for processing, transmission and storage of confidential information and data.  While we 
have security measures in place, our systems, networks, and third-party service providers have been and 
will continue to be subject to ongoing threats.  Therefore, our security measures may be breached as a 
result of employee error, failure to implement appropriate processes and procedures, advances in 
computer and software capabilities and encryption technology, new tools and discoveries, malfeasance, 
third-party action, including cyber-attacks or other international misconduct by computer hackers or 
otherwise.  This could result in one or more third-parties obtaining unauthorized access to our customer 
or supplier data or our internal data, including personally identifiable information, intellectual property and 
other confidential business information.  Third-parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees 
into disclosing sensitive information such as user names, passwords or other information in order to gain 
access to customer or supplier data or our internal data, including intellectual property, financial, and 
other confidential business information.  We believe our mitigation measures reduce but cannot eliminate 
the risk of a cyber incident.  Because techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or sabotage 
systems change frequently and generally are not identified until they are launched against a target, we 
may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative or mitigation 
measures.  Though it is difficult to determine what harm may directly result from any specific interruption 
or breach, any failure to maintain performance, reliability, security and availability of our network 
infrastructure or otherwise maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of data that we store or 
otherwise maintain on behalf of third-parties may harm our reputation and our employee, customer and 
consumer relationships.

If such unauthorized disclosure or access does occur, we may be required to notify our customers, 
consumers, employees or those persons whose information was improperly used, disclosed or accessed.  
We may also be subject to claims of breach of contract for such use or disclosure, investigation and 
penalties by regulatory authorities and potential claims by persons whose information was improperly 
used or disclosed.  We could also become the subject of regulatory action or litigation from our 
consumers, customers, employees, suppliers, service providers, and shareholders, which could damage 
our reputation, require significant expenditures of capital and other resources, and cause us to lose 
business and revenue.  Additionally, an unauthorized disclosure or use of information could cause 
interruptions in our operations and might require us to spend significant management time and other 
resources investigating the event and dealing with local and federal law enforcement.  Regardless of the 
merits and ultimate outcome of these matters, we may be required to devote time and expense to their 
resolution.  In addition, the increase in the number and the scope of data security incidents has increased 
regulatory and industry focus on security requirements and heightened data security industry practices.  
New regulation, evolving industry standards, and the interpretation of both, may cause us to incur 
additional expense in complying with any new data security requirements.  As a result, the failure to 
maintain the integrity of and protect customer or supplier data or our confidential internal data could have 
a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

14

Table of Contents

We are dependent on third-party manufacturers, most of which are located in the Far East, and 
any inability to obtain products from such manufacturers could have a material adverse effect on 
our business, operating results and financial condition.

All of our products are manufactured by unaffiliated companies, most of which are in the Far East, 
principally in China.  For fiscal 2021, finished goods manufactured in the Far East comprised 
approximately 80% of total finished goods purchased.  This concentration exposes us to risks associated 
with doing business globally, including: global public health crises (such as pandemics and epidemics); 
changing international political relations; labor availability and cost; changes in laws, including tax laws, 
regulations and treaties; changes in labor laws, regulations and policies; changes in customs duties, 
additional tariffs and other trade barriers; changes in shipping costs; currency exchange fluctuations; local 
political unrest; an extended and complex transportation cycle; the impact of changing economic 
conditions; and the availability and cost of raw materials and merchandise.  In recent years, increasing 
labor costs, regional labor dislocations driven by new government policies, local inflation, changes in 
ocean cargo carrier capacity and costs, the impact of energy prices on transportation, and fluctuations in 
the Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. Dollar have resulted in variability in our cost of goods sold. In the 
past, certain Chinese suppliers have closed operations due to economic conditions that pressured their 
profitability.  Although we have multiple sourcing partners for certain products, occasionally we may be 
unable to source certain items on a timely basis due to changes occurring with our suppliers.  We believe 
that we could source similar products outside of China, if necessary, and we continuously explore 
expanding sourcing alternatives in other countries.  However, the relocation of any production capacity 
could require substantial time and increased costs.  The political, legal and cultural environment in the 
Far East is rapidly evolving, and any change that impairs our ability to obtain products from 
manufacturers in that region, or to obtain products at marketable rates, could have a material adverse 
effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

The current global public health crisis has disrupted our ability to receive manufactured products from the 
Far East and has disrupted our suppliers located elsewhere who rely on products from the Far East. If we 
continue to experience supply disruptions as a result of the global public health crisis, we may not be able 
to develop short-term sourcing alternatives.  Any disruption to our supply chain, even for a relatively short 
period of time, could cause a loss of revenue, which could adversely affect our operating results.

With most of our manufacturers located in the Far East, our production lead times are relatively long.  
Therefore, we must commit to production in advance of customer orders.  If we fail to forecast customer 
or consumer demand accurately, we may encounter difficulties in filling customer orders on a timely basis 
or in liquidating excess inventories.  We may also find that customers are canceling orders or returning 
products.  Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results 
and financial condition.

Our business is subject to weather conditions, the duration and severity of the cold and flu 
season and other related factors, which can cause our operating results to vary from quarter to 
quarter and year to year.

Sales in our Health & Home segment are influenced by weather conditions.  Sales volumes for 
thermometry, humidifiers and heating appliances are higher during, and subject to the severity of, the cold 
weather months, while sales of fans are higher during, and subject to weather conditions in, spring and 
summer months.  Weather conditions can also more broadly impact sales across the organization.  
Additionally, natural disasters (such as wildfires, hurricanes and ice storms), public health crises (such as 
pandemics and epidemics), or unusually severe winter weather may result in temporary unanticipated 
fluctuations in retail traffic and consumer demand, may impact our ability to staff our distribution facilities 
or could otherwise impede timely transport and delivery of products to and from our distribution facilities.  
Sales in our Health & Home segment are also impacted by cough, cold and flu seasonal trends, including 

15

Table of Contents

the duration and severity of the cold and flu season.  These factors could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Certain of our U.S. distribution facilities are geographically concentrated and operate during peak 
shipping periods at or near capacity.  These factors increase our risk that disruptions could occur 
and significantly affect our ability to deliver products to our customers in a timely manner.  Such 
disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Most of our U.S. distribution, receiving and storage functions are consolidated into two distribution 
facilities in northern Mississippi.  Approximately 69% of our consolidated gross sales volume shipped 
from facilities in this region in fiscal 2021.  For this reason, any disruption in our distribution process in 
either of these facilities, even for a few days, could adversely affect our business, operating results and 
financial condition.  For example, in connection with the current public health crisis, government 
mandated or suggested isolation protocols could limit or disrupt the distribution process at either facility, 
or even cause the closure of either facility, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
operating results and financial condition.

Additionally, our U.S. distribution operations may incur capacity constraints during peak shipping periods 
as we continue to grow our sales revenue through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions.  
These and other factors described above could cause delays in the delivery of our products and 
increases in shipping and storage costs that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, 
operating results and financial condition.

We rely on licensed trademarks from third parties and license certain trademarks to third parties 
in exchange for royalty income, the loss of which could have a material adverse effect on our 
revenues and profitability.

A substantial portion of our sales revenue comes from selling products under licensed trademarks, 
particularly in the Beauty and Health & Home segments.  As a result, we are dependent upon the 
continued use of these trademarks.  Additionally, we license certain owned trademarks to third parties in 
exchange for royalty income.  It is possible that certain actions taken by us, our licensors, licensees, or 
other third parties might diminish greatly the value of any of our licensed trademarks.  Some of our 
licensors and licensees also have the ability to terminate their license agreements with us at their option 
subject to each parties’ right to continue the license for a limited period of time following notice of 
termination.  If we or our licensees were unable to sell products under these licensed trademarks, or one 
or more of our license agreements were terminated or the value of the trademarks were diminished, the 
effect on our business, operating results and financial condition could be both negative and material.

To compete successfully, we must develop and introduce a continuing stream of innovative new 
products to meet changing consumer preferences.

Our long-term success in the competitive retail environment depends on our ability to develop and 
commercialize a continuing stream of innovative new products that meet changing consumer preferences 
and take advantage of opportunities sooner than our competition.  We face the risk that our competitors 
will introduce innovative new products that compete with our products.  There are numerous uncertainties 
inherent in successfully developing and commercializing new products on a continuing basis and new 
product launches may not deliver expected growth in sales or operating income.  Additionally, the effects 
of COVID-19 could delay our development or introduction of new products or require us to make 
unexpected changes to our products.  If we are unable to develop and introduce a continuing stream of 
competitive new products, it may have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial 
condition.

16

Table of Contents

Our operating results may be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, 
expropriations, and other risks associated with domestic and foreign operations.

The economies of foreign countries important to our operations, including countries in Asia, EMEA and 
Latin America, could suffer slower economic growth or economic, social and/or political instability or 
hyperinflation in the future.  Our international operations in countries in Asia, EMEA and Latin America, 
including manufacturing and sourcing operations (and the international operations of our customers), are 
subject to inherent risks which could adversely affect us.  Additionally, there may be uncertainty resulting 
from political changes in the U.S. and abroad, ongoing terrorist activity, and other global events.  The exit 
of the U.K. from European Union (the “EU”) membership (commonly referred to as “Brexit”) could cause 
disruptions to, and create uncertainty surrounding our business, including affecting our relationships with 
our existing and future customers, suppliers and employees, which could have an adverse effect on our 
business, financial results and operations.  These factors are outside of our control, but may nonetheless 
cause us to adjust our strategy in order to compete effectively in global markets.

The domestic and foreign risks of these changes include, among other things:

•

•
•
•
•

•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•

protectionist policies restricting or impairing the manufacturing, sales or import and export of our 
products;
new restrictions on access to markets;
lack of required infrastructure;
inflation (including hyperinflation) or recession;
changes in, and the burdens and costs of compliance with, a variety of U.S. and foreign laws and 
regulations, including environmental laws, occupational health and safety laws, tax laws, and 
accounting standards;
social, political or economic instability;
acts of war and terrorism;
natural disasters and public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics (including 
COVID-19);
reduced protection of intellectual property rights in some countries;
increases in duties and taxation;
restrictions on transfer of funds or exchange of currencies;
currency devaluations;
expropriation of assets; and
other adverse changes in policies, including monetary, tax or lending policies, encouraging 
foreign investment or foreign trade by our host countries.

Should any of these events occur, our ability to sell or export our products or repatriate profits could be 
impaired, we could experience a loss of sales and profitability from our domestic or international 
operations, and/or we could experience a substantial impairment or loss of assets, any of which could 
materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Legal, Regulatory and Tax Risks

Significant changes in regulations, interpretations or product certification requirements could 
adversely impact our operations.

As a global company, we are subject to U.S. and foreign regulations, including environmental, health and 
safety laws, and industry-specific product certifications.  Many of the products we sell are subject to 
product safety laws and regulations in various jurisdictions.  These laws and regulations specify the 
maximum allowable levels of certain materials that may be contained in our products, provide statutory 

17

Table of Contents

prohibitions against misbranded and adulterated products, establish ingredients and manufacturing 
procedures for certain products, specify product safety testing requirements, and set product 
identification, labeling and claim requirements.  For example, thermometers distributed by our Health & 
Home segment must comply with various regulations governing the production and distribution of medical 
devices.  Additionally, some of our product lines within our Health & Home segment are subject to product 
identification, labeling and claim requirements, which are monitored and enforced by regulatory agencies, 
such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Food 
and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Significant new 
regulations, material changes to existing regulations, or greater oversight, enforcement or changes in 
interpretation of existing regulations, could delay or interrupt distribution of our products in the U.S. and 
other countries, result in fines or penalties or cause our costs of compliance to increase.  Additionally, we 
cannot guarantee that our products will receive regulatory approval in all countries.  Similarly, some of our 
Beauty segment’s customers demand that our Beauty appliances comply with various safety 
certifications, including UL certifications.  Significant new certification requirements or changes to existing 
certification requirements could delay or interrupt distribution of our products, or make them more costly 
to produce.

We are not able to predict the nature of potential changes to, or enforcement of laws, regulations, product 
certification requirements, repeals or interpretations.  Nor are we able to predict the impact that any of 
these changes would have on our business in the future.  Further, if we were found to be noncompliant 
with applicable laws and regulations in these or other areas, we could be subject to governmental or 
regulatory actions, including fines, import detentions, injunctions, product withdrawals or recalls or asset 
seizures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Recent global legal developments regarding privacy and data security could result in changes to 
our business practices, penalties, increased cost of operations, or otherwise harm our business.

As a global company, we are subject to global privacy and data security laws, regulations, and codes of 
conduct that apply to our various business units.  These laws and regulations may be inconsistent across 
jurisdictions and are subject to evolving and differing interpretations.  Government regulators, privacy 
advocates and class action attorneys are increasingly scrutinizing how companies collect, process, use, 
store, share and transmit personal data.  This increased scrutiny may result in new interpretations of 
existing laws, thereby further impacting our business.

New and emerging global and local laws on privacy, data and related technologies, as well as industry 
self-regulatory codes are creating new compliance obligations and expanding the scope of potential 
liability, either jointly or severally with our customers and suppliers.  While we have invested in readiness 
to comply with applicable requirements, these new and emerging laws, regulations and codes may affect 
our ability to reach current and prospective consumers, to respond to consumer requests under the laws 
(such as individual rights of access, correction, and deletion of their personal information), and to 
implement our business models effectively.  The costs of compliance or failure to comply with such laws, 
regulations, codes of conduct and expectations could have a material adverse impact on our financial 
condition and results of operations.

Our judgments regarding the accounting for tax positions and the resolution of tax disputes may 
impact our net earnings and cash flow.

Significant judgment is required to determine our effective tax rate and evaluate our tax positions.  We 
provide for uncertain tax positions when such tax positions do not meet the recognition thresholds or 
measurement criteria prescribed by applicable accounting standards.  Fluctuations in federal, state, local 
and foreign taxes or a change to uncertain tax positions, including related interest and penalties, may 
impact our effective tax rate and financial results.  Additionally, we are subject to audits in the various 
taxing jurisdictions in which we conduct business.  In cases where audits are conducted and issues are 

18

Table of Contents

raised, a number of years may elapse before such issues are finally resolved.  Unfavorable resolution of 
any tax matter could increase the effective tax rate, which could have an adverse effect on our operating 
results and cash flow.  For additional information regarding our taxes, see Note 20 to the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements.

Changes in laws and regulations, including environmental, health and safety and tax laws, and 
the costs and complexities of compliance with such laws could have a material adverse impact on 
our business.

The impact of future legislation in the U.S. or abroad, including such things as employment and health 
insurance laws, climate change related legislation, tax legislation, regulations or treaties is always 
uncertain.  Federal and local legislative agendas from time to time contain numerous proposals dealing 
with environmental policy, energy policy, taxes, financial regulation, transportation policy and 
infrastructure policy, among others that, if enacted into law, could increase our costs of doing business.  
Changes in government administrations in the U.S. or abroad, increase the uncertainty of future changes 
in legislation, enhanced regulations, and greater oversight, or more stringent interpretations, of existing 
policies by regulatory agencies.  Changes in such laws, regulations or oversight could cause us to incur 
material capital or operating expenditures in the future to comply with applicable laws and regulations, 
delay or interrupt distribution of our products, or make them more costly to produce, all of which could 
have a material adverse impact on our business.   

As additional tax or financial regulatory guidance is issued by the applicable authorities and accounting 
treatment is clarified, we perform additional analysis on the application of the law and we refine our 
estimates.  Our final analysis may be different from provisional amounts, which could materially affect our 
tax obligations, effective tax rate and operating results in the period completed.

Under current tax law, favorable tax treatment of our non-U.S. income is dependent on our ability 
to avoid classification as a Controlled Foreign Corporation.  Changes in the composition of our 
stock ownership could have an impact on our classification.  If our classification were to change, 
it could have a material adverse effect on the largest U.S. shareholders and, in turn, on our 
business.

A non-U.S. corporation, such as ours, will constitute a “controlled foreign corporation” or “CFC” for U.S. 
federal income tax purposes if its largest U.S. shareholders together own more than 50 percent of the 
stock outstanding.  A U.S. shareholder is defined as any U.S. person who owns directly, indirectly, or 
constructively: (1) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock, or (2) 10 
percent or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock.  If the IRS or a court determined that 
we were a CFC at any time during the tax year, then each of our U.S. shareholders as defined above 
would be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes its pro rata share of 
our “subpart F income” (and the subpart F income of any of our subsidiaries determined to be a CFC) for 
the period during which we (and our non-U.S. subsidiaries) were deemed a CFC.  In addition, any gain 
on the sale of our shares realized by such a shareholder may be treated as ordinary income to the extent 
of the shareholder’s proportionate share of our and our CFC subsidiaries’ undistributed earnings and 
profits accumulated during the shareholder’s holding period of the shares while we were deemed to be a 
CFC.

Legislation  enacted  in  Bermuda  and  Barbados  in  response  to  the  European  Union’s  review  of 
harmful tax competition could adversely affect our operations.

Our jurisdiction of organization is Bermuda and one of our subsidiaries is organized in Barbados, two of 
the countries identified in the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (“ECOFIN”) report issued in 
December 2017 listing non-cooperative tax jurisdictions.  In response to the ECOFIN report, “economic 

19

Table of Contents

substance” legislation was enacted in Bermuda and Barbados and ECOFIN subsequently declared that 
both countries “cooperate with the EU” and are considered to have “implemented all commitments.”

The economic substance legislation in each of Bermuda and Barbados requires certain entities engaged 
in “relevant activities” in that country to maintain a substantial economic presence in the country, and to 
satisfy economic substance requirements.  The list of “relevant activities” in the respective statutes 
includes carrying on as a business any one or more of several enumerated activities, such as 
headquarters, shipping, distribution and service center, intellectual property and holding entities.  Any 
entity that is required to satisfy economic substance requirements must file a declaration with the 
Bermuda Registrar of Companies and the Ministry of International Business and Industry in Barbados, as 
applicable.  Failure to comply with the economic substance requirements could result in automatic 
disclosure of relevant information to competent authorities in the EU (and perhaps elsewhere).  Other 
sanctions include financial penalties, restriction or regulation of business activities and/or being struck off 
as a registered entity in Bermuda or Barbados.

Although the local authorities have released some implementing guidelines, the impact of the foregoing 
legislation and developments is unclear, including how the requirements will be measured and whether 
additional or revised requirements may be enacted by Bermuda or Barbados.  We are evaluating the 
guidelines and will be implementing changes as needed to comply with the legislation.  However, we 
cannot predict the effect of Bermuda’s or Barbados’s current or future economic substance requirements 
on our business, which may impact the manner and jurisdictions in which we operate, and which could 
adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

If significant tariffs or other restrictions are placed on imports from China or Mexico or any 
retaliatory trade measures are taken by China or Mexico, our business and results of operations 
could be materially and adversely affected.

We purchase our products from unaffiliated manufacturers, most of which are located in China, Mexico 
and the U.S.  This concentration exposes us to risks associated with doing business globally, including 
changes in tariffs.  Any alteration of trade agreements and terms between China, Mexico and the U.S., 
including limiting trade with China or Mexico, imposing additional tariffs on imports from China or Mexico 
and potentially imposing other restrictions on exports from China or Mexico to the U.S. may result in 
further and or higher tariffs, or retaliatory trade measures by China or Mexico, all of which could have a 
material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

Our business involves the potential for product recalls, product liability and other claims against 
us, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial 
condition.

We are, from time to time, involved in various claims, litigation matters and regulatory proceedings that 
arise in the ordinary course of our business and that could have a material adverse effect on us.  These 
matters may include personal injury and other tort claims, deceptive trade practice disputes, intellectual 
property disputes, product recalls, contract disputes, warranty disputes, employment and tax matters and 
other proceedings and litigation, including class actions.  It is not possible to predict the outcome of 
pending or future litigation.  As with any litigation, it is possible that some of the actions could be decided 
unfavorably, resulting in significant liability and, regardless of the ultimate outcome, can be costly to 
defend.  Our results and our business could also be negatively impacted if one of our brands suffers 
substantial damage to its reputation due to a significant product recall or other product-related litigation 
and if we are unable to effectively manage real or perceived concerns about the safety, quality, or efficacy 
of our products.

We also face exposure to product liability and other claims in the event that one of our products is alleged 
to have resulted in property damage, bodily injury or other adverse effects.  Although we maintain liability 

20

Table of Contents

insurance in amounts that we believe are reasonable, that insurance is, in most cases, subject to large 
self-insured retentions for which we are responsible.  We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to 
maintain such insurance on acceptable terms, if at all in the future, or that product liability or other claims 
will not exceed the amount of insurance coverage, or that all such matters would be covered by our 
insurance.  As a result, these types of claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
operating results and financial condition.

Financial Risks

If our goodwill, indefinite-lived and definite-lived intangible assets, or other long-lived assets 
become impaired, we will be required to record impairment charges, which may be significant.

A significant portion of our non-current assets consists of goodwill and intangible assets recorded as a 
result of past acquisitions.  We do not amortize goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, but rather 
review them for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable.  We review intangible assets 
with definite lives and long-lived assets held and used for impairment if a triggering event occurs during 
the reporting period.  We evaluate long-lived assets held for sale quarterly to determine if fair value less 
cost to sell has changed during the reporting period.  We record impairment charges to the extent the 
carrying values of these assets are not recoverable in accordance with the applicable accounting 
standards.  

Considerable management judgment is necessary in reaching a conclusion regarding the 
reasonableness of fair value estimates, evaluating the most likely impact of a range of possible external 
conditions, considering the resulting operating changes and their impact on estimated future cash flows, 
determining the appropriate discount factors to use, and selecting and weighting appropriate comparable 
market level inputs.  The recoverability of these non-current assets is dependent upon achievement of 
our projections and the continued execution of key initiatives related to revenue growth and profitability.  
The rates used in our projections are management’s estimate of the most likely results over time, given a 
wide range of potential outcomes.  The assumptions and estimates used in our impairment testing involve 
significant elements of subjective judgment and analysis by our management.  While we believe that the 
assumptions we use are reasonable at the time made, changes in business conditions or other 
unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that cause actual results to differ materially from 
projected results and this could potentially require future adjustments to our asset valuations.

Events and changes in circumstances that may indicate there is impairment and which may indicate 
interim impairment testing is necessary include, but are not limited to: strategic decisions to exit a 
business or dispose of an asset made in response to changes in economic, political and competitive 
conditions; the impact of the economic environment on our customer base and on broad market 
conditions that drive valuation considerations by market participants; our internal expectations with regard 
to future revenue growth and the assumptions we make when performing our impairment reviews; a 
significant decrease in the market price of our assets; a significant adverse change in the extent or 
manner in which our assets are used; a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business 
climate that could affect our assets; an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount 
originally expected for the acquisition of an asset; and significant changes in the cash flows associated 
with an asset.  As a result of such circumstances, we may be required to record a significant charge to 
net income in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill, 
indefinite-lived and definite-lived intangible assets or other long-lived assets is determined.  As a result of 
such circumstances and the current public health crisis, we may be required to revise certain accounting 
estimates and judgments such as those related to the valuation of goodwill, indefinite-lived and definite-
lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets, which could result in material non-cash impairment 
charges.  Any such impairment charges could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

21

Table of Contents

Our operating results may be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency for the Company and all of its subsidiaries.  Changes in the 
relation of other foreign currencies to the U.S. Dollar will affect our sales and profitability and can result in 
exchange losses because we have operations and assets located outside the U.S.  We transact a portion 
of our international business in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar (“foreign currencies”).  Such 
transactions include sales, certain inventory purchases and operating expenses.  As a result, portions of 
our cash, trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable are denominated in foreign currencies.  
Accordingly, foreign operations will continue to expose us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, 
which may result in the recognition of foreign exchange losses upon remeasurement to U.S. Dollars.  
Additionally, we purchase a substantial amount of our products from Chinese manufacturers in U.S 
Dollars, who source a significant portion of their labor and raw materials in Chinese Renminbi.  The 
Chinese Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. Dollar in recent years.  During fiscal 2021, the average 
exchange rate of the Chinese Renminbi strengthened against the U.S. dollar by approximately 2% 
compared to the average rate during fiscal 2020.  Chinese Renminbi currency fluctuations have the 
potential to add volatility to our product costs over time.

Where operating conditions permit, we seek to reduce foreign currency risk by purchasing most of our 
inventory with U.S. Dollars and by converting cash balances denominated in foreign currencies to U.S. 
Dollars.  We use derivative financial instruments including forward contracts, cross-currency debt swaps 
and zero-cost collars to mitigate certain foreign currency exchange rate risk inherent in our transactions 
denominated in foreign currencies.  It is not practical for us to mitigate all our exposures, nor are we able 
to accurately project the possible effect of foreign currency remeasurement on our operating results or 
future net income due to our constantly changing exposure to various foreign currencies, difficulty in 
predicting fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. Dollar and the significant 
number of currencies involved.

The impact of future foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations cannot be 
accurately predicted.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that foreign currency exchange rates:

• will be stable in the future;
•
• will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

can be mitigated with currency hedging or other risk management strategies; or

Increased costs of raw materials, energy and transportation may adversely affect our operating 
results and cash flow.

Significant increases in the costs and availability of raw materials, energy and transportation may 
negatively affect our operating results.  Our suppliers purchase significant amounts of metals and plastics 
to manufacture our products.  In addition, they also purchase significant amounts of electricity to supply 
the energy required in their production processes.  Middle East tensions, related political instabilities and 
many other factors may drive up fuel prices resulting in higher transportation prices and product costs.  
We are heavily dependent on inbound sea, rail and truck freight.  We are also heavily dependent on 
outbound truck freight. Disruptions in the supply chain or freight networks may limit inbound and 
outbound shipment capacity and increase our cost of goods sold and certain operating expenses.

The cost of  raw materials, energy and transportation, in the aggregate, represents a significant portion of 
our cost of goods sold and certain operating expenses, which we may not be able to pass on to our 
customers.  Our operating results could be adversely affected by future increases in these costs.  
Additionally, the loss or disruption of essential manufacturing and supply elements such as raw materials 
or other finished product components, restricted transportation or increased freight costs, reduced 
workforce, or other manufacturing and distribution disruption could adversely impact our ability to meet 
our customers’ needs.

22

Table of Contents

Our projections of product demand, sales and net income are highly subjective in nature and our 
future sales and net income could vary in a material amount from our projections.

From time to time, we may provide financial projections to our shareholders, lenders, investment 
community, and other stakeholders of our future sales and net income.  Since we do not require long-
term purchase commitments from our major customers and the customer order and ship process is very 
short, it is difficult for us to accurately predict the demand for many of our products, or the amount and 
timing of our future sales, related net income and cash flows.

Our projections are based on management’s best estimate of sales using historical sales data and other 
relevant information available at the time.  These projections are highly subjective since sales to our 
customers can fluctuate substantially based on the demand of their retail consumers and related ordering 
patterns, as well as other risks described in this Annual Report.  Additionally, changes in retailer inventory 
management strategies could make our inventory management and sales forecasting more difficult.  Due 
to these factors, our future sales and net income could vary materially from our projections.

The extent of the impact of the current public health crisis on our business and financial results will 
depend largely on future developments, including the duration of the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak 
within the U.S. and globally, the availability, adoption and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, the 
impact on capital and financial markets and the related impact on consumer confidence and spending, all 
of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.  Consequently, these and other potential impacts 
could also cause future sales and net income to vary materially from our projections.  This situation is 
changing rapidly, and additional impacts may arise that we are not currently aware of.

Our liquidity or cost of capital may be materially adversely affected by constraints or changes in 
the capital and credit markets and limitations under our financing arrangements.

We need sufficient sources of liquidity to fund our working capital requirements, service our outstanding 
indebtedness and finance business opportunities.  Without sufficient liquidity, we could be forced to curtail 
our operations, or we may not be able to pursue business opportunities.  The principal sources of our 
liquidity are funds generated from operating activities, available cash, credit facilities, and other debt 
arrangements.  If our sources of liquidity do not satisfy our requirements, we may need to seek additional 
financing.  The future availability of financing will depend on a variety of factors, such as economic and 
market conditions, the reaction by banks and financial institutions to a public health crisis (such as 
pandemics and epidemics), the regulatory environment for banks and other financial institutions, the 
availability of credit and our reputation with potential lenders.  Further, disruptions in national and 
international credit markets could result in limitations on credit availability, tighter lending standards, 
higher interest rates on consumer and business loans, and higher fees associated with obtaining and 
maintaining credit availability.  Disruptions may also materially limit consumer credit availability and 
restrict credit availability to us and our customer base.  In addition, in the event of disruptions in the 
financial markets, current or future lenders may become unwilling or unable to continue to advance funds 
under any agreements in place, increase their commitments under existing credit arrangements or enter 
into new financing arrangements.  These factors could materially adversely affect our liquidity, costs of 
borrowing and our ability to pursue business opportunities or grow our business, and threaten our ability 
to meet our obligations as they become due.  In addition, covenants in our debt agreements could restrict 
or delay our ability to respond to business opportunities, or in the event of a failure to comply with such 
covenants, could result in an event of default, which if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse 
effect on us.

In addition, the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the interest rate benchmark used as a 
reference rate on our variable rate debt and related interest rate swaps, is expected to be phased out 
beginning at the end of calendar year 2021, with the one-month LIBOR, which we generally utilized as a 
reference rate historically, ceasing immediately after June 30, 2023.  A reference rate based on the 

23

Table of Contents

Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), or another alternative benchmark rate, is expected to be 
established to replace LIBOR.  If LIBOR is no longer available, we may need to amend our variable rate 
debt agreements and related interest rate swaps, to replace LIBOR with an agreed upon replacement 
index, which could result in higher interest rates and adversely affect our interest expense.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

As of February 28, 2021, we own, lease or otherwise utilize through third-party management service 
agreements various properties worldwide for sales, procurement, research and development, 
administrative and distribution facilities.  Our U.S. headquarters are located in El Paso, Texas, and we 
have two main distribution facilities in Southaven and Olive Branch, Mississippi, which service all of our 
segments.  We believe our facilities are adequate to conduct our business.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various legal claims and proceedings in the normal course of operations.  We believe 
the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial 
position, results of operations or liquidity.  See Note 14 to the accompanying consolidated financial 
statements for further discussion.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

24

Table of Contents

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer 
Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information for Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under symbol: HELE.

Approximate Number of Equity Security Holders of Record 

Our common stock is our only class of equity security outstanding at February 28, 2021.  As of April 22, 
2021, there were 132 holders of record of our common stock.  A substantially greater number of holders 
of our common stock are “street name” or beneficial holders whose shares are held of record by banks, 
brokers and other financial institutions.

Cash Dividends

Our current policy is to retain earnings to provide funds for the operation and expansion of our business, 
common stock repurchases and for potential acquisitions.  We have not paid any cash dividends on our 
common stock since inception.  Any change in dividend policy will depend upon future conditions, 
including earnings and financial condition, general business conditions, any applicable contractual 
limitations, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In May 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million of our outstanding 
common stock.  The authorization is effective until May 2022 and replaced our former repurchase 
authorization, of which approximately $107.4 million was outstanding at the time the new authorization 
was approved.  These repurchases may include open market purchases, privately negotiated 
transactions, block trades, accelerated stock repurchase transactions, or any combination of such 
methods.  The number of shares purchased and the timing of the purchases will depend on a number of 
factors, including share price, trading volume and general market conditions, working capital 
requirements, general business conditions, financial conditions, any applicable contractual limitations, 
and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities.  See Note 12 to the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Our current equity-based compensation plans include provisions that allow for the “net exercise” of share-
settled awards by all plan participants.  In a net exercise, any required payroll taxes, federal withholding 
taxes and exercise price of the shares due from the option or other share-based award holders are 
settled by having the holder tender back to us a number of shares at fair value equal to the amounts due.  
Net exercises are treated as purchases and retirements of shares.

25

Table of Contents

Share repurchase activity during the three-month period ended February 28, 2021, was as follows:

Period

December 1 through December 31, 2020

January 1 through January 31, 2021

February 1 through February 28, 2021

Total

Total Number of
Shares 
Purchased (1)

Average Price
Paid per Share

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (1)

Maximum Dollar 
Value of Shares 
That May Yet Be 
Purchased Under 
the Plans or 
Programs 
(in thousands) (2)

—  $ 

64 

1,390 

1,454  $ 

— 

220.58 

229.57 

229.17 

—  $ 

64 

1,390 

1,454 

190,019 

190,004 

189,685 

(1) The number of shares above includes shares of common stock acquired from employees who tendered shares to: 1) 
satisfy the tax withholding on equity awards as part of our long-term incentive plans or 2) satisfy the exercise price on 
stock option exercises.  For the periods presented there were no common stock open market repurchases. 

(2) Reflects the remaining dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under our current stock repurchase authorization 

through the expiration or termination of the plan.  For additional information, see Note 12 to the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements.

26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Performance Graph

The graph below compares the cumulative total return of our Company to the NASDAQ Composite Index 
and a Peer Group Index, assuming $100 was invested on February 29, 2016.  The Peer Group Index is 
the Dow Jones - U.S. Personal Products, Broad Market Cap, Yearly, and Total Return Index.  The 
comparisons in this table are required by the SEC and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of the 
possible future performance of our common stock.

The Performance Graph shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or 
subject to the liabilities of Section 18 under the Exchange Act.  In addition, it shall not be deemed 
incorporated by reference by any statement that incorporates this annual report on Form 10-K by 
reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that 
we specifically incorporate this information by reference.

Item 6. Reserved

27

Table of Contents

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) 
should be read in conjunction with the other sections of this report, including Part I, Item 1., “Business” 
and Part II, Item 8., “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”  The various sections of this MD&A 
contain a number of forward-looking statements, all of which are based on our current expectations.  
Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including those discussed in Item 
1A.,“Risk Factors,” and in the section entitled “Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” 
preceding this MD&A, and in Item 7A., “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”  
Throughout MD&A, we refer to our Leadership Brands, which are brands that have number-one and 
number-two positions in their respective categories and include OXO, Honeywell, Braun, PUR, Hydro 
Flask, Vicks, Hot Tools and Drybar.

This MD&A, including the tables under the headings “Operating Income, Operating Margin, Adjusted 
Operating Income (non-GAAP), and Adjusted Operating Margin (non-GAAP) by Segment” and “Income 
from Continuing Operations, Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations, Adjusted Income from Continuing 
Operations (non-GAAP), and Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations (non-GAAP)” reports 
operating income, operating margin, income from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share 
(“EPS”) from continuing operations without the impact of non-cash asset impairment charges, acquisition-
related expenses, restructuring charges, tax reform, amortization of intangible assets, and non-cash 
share-based compensation for the periods presented, as applicable.  These measures may be 
considered non-GAAP financial information as set forth in SEC Regulation G, Rule 100.  The tables 
reconcile these measures to their corresponding GAAP-based measures presented in our consolidated 
statements of income.  We believe that adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted 
income from continuing operations, and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations provide useful 
information to management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to our financial 
condition and results of operations.  We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, in combination 
with our financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP, provide investors with additional 
perspective regarding the impact of such charges and benefits on applicable income, margin and 
earnings per share measures.  We also believe that these non-GAAP measures facilitate a more direct 
comparison of our performance to our competitors.  We further believe that including the excluded 
charges and benefits would not accurately reflect the underlying performance of our continuing 
operations for the period in which the charges and benefits are incurred, even though such charges and 
benefits may be incurred and reflected in our GAAP financial results in the near future.  The material 
limitation associated with the use of the non-GAAP financial measures is that the non-GAAP measures 
do not reflect the full economic impact of our activities.  Our adjusted operating income, adjusted 
operating margin, adjusted income from continuing operations, and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing 
operations are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, are not an alternative to GAAP financial 
information and may be calculated differently than non-GAAP financial information disclosed by other 
companies.  Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on non-GAAP information.  These non-
GAAP measures are discussed further and reconciled to their applicable GAAP-based measures 
contained in this MD&A beginning on page 44.

In addition to the above non-GAAP financial measures, we also refer to a number of financial measures 
which are not defined under GAAP.  We believe these measures provide management and investors with 
important information that is useful in understanding our business results and trends.  The following 
represents our key financial measures:

• Accounts receivable turnover: Twelve-month trailing net sales revenue divided by the average 
of the current and prior four fiscal quarters’ ending accounts receivable balances.  This result is 
divided by 365 days to express turnover in terms of average days outstanding.

• Core business sales: Net sales revenue associated with strategic business that we expect to be 

an ongoing part of our operations.

28

Table of Contents

• Current ratio: Current assets divided by current liabilities at the end of a reporting period, 

expressed as a ratio.

• EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense.
• Ending debt to ending equity ratio: Total interest bearing short- and long-term debt divided by 

stockholders’ equity at the end of a reporting period, expressed as a ratio.

• Gross profit margin: Gross profit divided by the related net sales revenue expressed as a 

•

•

•

percentage.
Inventory turnover: Trailing twelve month cost of goods sold divided by the average of the 
current and prior four fiscal quarters’ ending inventory balances to express turnover in terms of the 
number of times per year.
Leadership Brand sales revenue, net: Net sales revenue from brands which have number-one 
and number-two positions in their respective categories and include OXO, Honeywell, Braun, 
PUR, Hydro Flask, Vicks, Hot Tools, and Drybar.
Leverage ratio: Total current and long-term debt plus outstanding letters of credit, divided by 
EBITDA plus non-cash charges and certain allowed addbacks, less certain non-cash income, plus 
the pro forma effect of acquisitions and certain pro forma run-rate cost savings for acquisitions 
and dispositions, as defined in our Credit Agreement.

• Non-Core business sales: Net sales revenue associated with business or assets (including 
assets held for sale) that we expect to divest within a year of its designation as Non-Core.
• Online channel net sales: Direct to consumer online net sales, net sales to retail customers 

fulfilling end-consumer online orders and net sales to pure-play online retailers.

• Operating margin: Operating income for the Company or a business segment divided by the 

related net sales revenue for the Company or a business segment.

• Organic business sales: Net sales revenue associated with product lines or brands after the first 
twelve months from the date the product line or brand was acquired, excluding the impact that 
foreign currency remeasurement had on reported net sales revenue.

• Return on average equity: Trailing twelve month net income divided by the average of the 

current and prior four fiscal quarters’ ending stockholders’ equity.

• SG&A ratio: Total selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) divided by net sales 

revenue.

• Working capital: Current assets less current liabilities.

29

Table of Contents

Overview

We are a leading global consumer products company offering creative products and solutions for our 
customers through a diversified portfolio of brands.  We have built leading market positions through new 
product innovation, product quality and competitive pricing.  We currently operate in three segments 
consisting of Housewares, Health & Home and Beauty.

In fiscal 2015, we launched a five-year transformational strategy designed to improve the performance of 
our business segments and strengthen our shared service capabilities.  Fiscal 2019 marked the 
completion of Phase I of our multi-year transformation strategy, which delivered performance across a 
wide range of measures.  We improved organic sales growth by focusing on our Leadership Brands, 
made strategic acquisitions, became a more efficient operating company with strong global shared 
services, upgraded our organization and culture, improved inventory turns and return on invested capital, 
and returned capital to shareholders.

Fiscal 2020 began Phase II of our transformation, which is designed to drive the next five years of 
progress.  The long-term objectives of Phase II include improved organic sales growth, continued margin 
expansion, and strategic and effective capital deployment.  Phase II includes continued investment in our 
Leadership Brands, with a focus on growing them through consumer-centric innovation, expanding them 
more aggressively outside the U.S., and adding new brands through acquisition.  We are building further 
shared service capability and operating efficiency, as well as focusing on attracting, retaining, unifying 
and training the best people.  Additionally, we are enhancing and consolidating our ESG efforts and 
accelerating programs related to DE&I to support our Phase II transformation.

In fiscal 2018, we announced a restructuring plan (referred to as “Project Refuel”) intended to enhance 
the performance primarily in the Beauty and former Nutritional Supplements segments.  Project Refuel 
includes charges for a reduction-in-force and the elimination of certain contracts.  During the first quarter 
of fiscal 2019, we expanded Project Refuel to include the realignment and streamlining of our supply 
chain structure.  We are targeting total annualized profit improvements of approximately $10.5 million to 
$12.5 million over the duration of the plan.  During fiscal 2021, we incurred $0.4 million of pre-tax 
restructuring costs related to Project Refuel consisting of employee severance and termination benefits 
and contract termination costs.  We estimate the plan to be completed during fiscal 2022 and expect to 
incur total restructuring charges of approximately $10.3 million over the duration of the plan, of which 
$9.2 million have been incurred through the end of fiscal 2021.  See Note 13 to the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements for additional information.

On January 23, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Drybar Products, for approximately $255.9 million 
in cash.  Drybar is an innovative, trendsetting prestige hair care and styling brand in the multibillion-dollar 
beauty industry.  As part of the transaction, we granted a worldwide license to Drybar Holdings LLC, 
which has subsequently been assumed by WellBiz Brands, Inc., as successor owner of Drybar blowout 
salons, to use the Drybar trademark in relation to the franchising and operation of Drybar salons.  The 
salons will exclusively use, promote, and sell Drybar products globally. 

Consistent with our strategy of focusing resources on our Leadership Brands, during the fourth quarter of 
fiscal 2020, we committed to a plan to divest certain assets within our Personal Care business.  The 
assets to be disposed of include intangible assets, inventory, certain net trade receivables and fixed 
assets relating to our mass channel liquids, powder and aerosol products under brands such as Pert, 
Brut, Sure and Infusium.  Accordingly, we classified the identified assets of the disposal group as held for 
sale.  We expect the divestiture to occur during the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

On December 22, 2020, we entered into an amended and extended Trademark License Agreement with 
Revlon to license Revlon’s trademark for hair care appliances and tools (the “Revlon License”).  The 
Revlon License grants us an exclusive, global, fully paid-up license to use the licensed trademark to 

30

Table of Contents

manufacture, sell and distribute licensed merchandise in accordance with the terms of the agreement.  
The Revlon License has an initial term of 40 years, which will automatically renew at the end of the initial 
term for three consecutive additional 20-year periods unless we give notice of non-renewal.  The Revlon 
License amends and restates the existing Revlon trademark licensing agreements entirely, and 
eliminates ongoing royalties we have historically paid and recognized as expense within SG&A in 
accordance with such agreements.  In exchange for this exclusive global license, we paid a one-time, up-
front license fee of $72.5 million, which was recorded as an intangible asset at cost and is being 
amortized on a straight-line basis over a useful life of 40 years, representing the initial term.  As a result of 
the Revlon License, we are no longer obligated to pay royalties to Revlon, and thus have not recognized 
royalty expense after December 22, 2020, the effective date of the Revlon License.

Significant Trends Impacting the Business

Impact of COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) 
to be a pandemic.  COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S. and the world, with the continued 
potential for catastrophic impact.  The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have had an unfavorable impact 
on certain parts of our business.  The impact includes the effect of temporary closures of certain 
customer stores or limited hours of operation, and materially lower store traffic. COVID-19 has disrupted 
certain parts of our supply chain, which in certain cases has constrained our ability to fulfill demand.   
Additionally, surges in demand for certain products and shifts in shopping patterns related to COVID-19, 
as well as other factors, have strained the global freight network, which is resulting in higher costs, less 
capacity, and longer lead times.  These factors may impact our ability to fulfill some orders on a timely 
basis.

COVID-19 has favorably impacted the demand for our product lines that are more defensive, meet 
certain healthcare or healthy living needs, or meet the needs of consumers that are spending more time 
at home as a result of the pandemic.  COVID-19 has also favorably impacted our online channel, as brick 
and mortar shopping options have been limited or considered unsafe by consumers.  Although the 
favorable impacts of COVID-19 outweighed the unfavorable impacts for fiscal 2021, this situation 
continues to change rapidly, and additional impacts or more pronounced adverse impacts may arise that 
we are not currently aware of today.  Additionally, the extent of COVID-19’s impact on the demand for 
certain of our product lines in the future will depend on future developments, including the duration, 
spread and intensity of the pandemic, our continued ability to source and distribute our products, as well 
as any future government actions affecting consumers and the economy generally, all of which are 
uncertain and difficult to predict considering the rapidly evolving landscape.  Accordingly, our liquidity and 
financial results could be impacted in ways that we are not able to predict today.

Future developments are outside of our control, are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.  If the 
COVID-19 impact or potential economic downturn is prolonged, then it can further increase the difficulty 
of planning for operations.  These and other potential impacts of the current public health crisis could 
therefore materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of 
operations.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, as part of a comprehensive approach to preserve our cash flow and 
adjust our cost structure to align to lower anticipated revenue related to the business disruption and 
uncertainty of COVID-19, we implemented a number of temporary precautionary measures.  These 
measures included the following:

•

•
•

a graduated salary reduction for all associates, including named executive officers and the other 
members of the Company’s executive leadership team;
a reduction in the cash compensation of the Company's Board of Directors;
suspension of merit increases, promotions and new associate hiring;

31

Table of Contents

•

•

•

•

•

the furlough of associates in specific areas directly tied to sales volume, with assistance to 
maintain health insurance coverage, as well as a reduction of external temporary labor and 
reduced work hours;
reduction or deferral of marketing expense, while continuing to support brands with strong 
consumer demand and to keep brands top of mind with the consumer;
limited reduction of investment in new product development and launches, in anticipation of more 
normalized economic activity;
elimination of travel expense in the short term and a significant reduction in the second half of 
fiscal 2021; and
reduction of consulting fees and capital expenditures for projects that are not critical.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, we reversed a number of these temporary measures including a 
restoration of all wages, salaries, and director compensation to pre-COVID-19 levels.  We also increased 
levels of investments in marketing activities, new product development and launches and capital 
expenditures.  In the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2021, we continued to increase the amount of 
these investments to continue progressing our Phase II transformation plan and the longer-term 
opportunities we see to further grow our business.  In addition, during the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we 
reinstituted merit increases, promotions and new associate hiring. 

In certain cases, some of these trends limited our ability to make marketing expenditures as we would not 
be able to derive an adequate return on investment.  In certain categories, where macro-trends like 
COVID-19 drove demand significantly higher than historical levels or in situations where supply or 
distribution capacity was constrained, we believe that driving additional demand through incremental 
marketing activities would compound potential shipment delays or out of stocks.  In these situations, 
planned marketing investments designed to drive incremental short-term demand were not made.

For additional information on our related material risks, see Item 1A., Risk Factors.

Freight Costs and Constraints
During fiscal 2021, we experienced strong demand trends related to COVID-19 in several of our product 
categories, especially with respect to thermometry, air filtration, water filtration and various products 
within Housewares, which caused demand to outpace supply and in some cases resulted in out of 
stocks.  Additionally, surges in demand for certain products and shifts in shopping patterns related to 
COVID-19, as well as other factors, have strained the global freight network, which resulted in carrier-
imposed capacity restrictions, carrier delays, and longer lead times.  More recently, demand for Chinese 
imports has caused shipment receiving and unloading backlogs at many U.S. ports that have been 
unable to keep pace with unprecedented inbound container volume.  The situation has been further 
exacerbated by COVID-19 illness and protocols at many port locations. Due to the backlog and 
increasing trade imbalance with China, many shipping containers are not being sent back to China, or are 
being sent to China empty.  With continued increases in demand for containers, limited supply and freight 
vendors bearing the cost of shipping empty containers, the market cost of inbound freight has increased 
by several multiples compared to calendar year 2020 averages.  In addition to increasing cost trends, our 
third party manufacturing partners are not equipped to hold meaningful amounts of inventory and if 
shipping container capacity remains limited or unavailable, they could pause manufacturing, which could 
ultimately impact our ability to meet consumer demand on a timely basis. 

Potential Impact of Tariffs
During fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (‘‘USTR’’) imposed, and 
in certain cases subsequently reduced or removed, additional tariffs on products imported from China.  
We purchase a high concentration of our products from unaffiliated manufacturers located in China.  This 
concentration exposes us to risks associated with doing business globally, including changes in tariffs. 
Any alteration of trade agreements and terms between China and the U.S., including limiting trade with 
China, imposing additional tariffs on imports from China and potentially imposing other restrictions on 

32

Table of Contents

exports from China to the U.S. may result in further and/or higher tariffs or retaliatory trade measures by 
China.  Furthermore, in certain cases, we have been successful in obtaining tariff exclusions from the 
USTR on certain products that we import.  These exclusions generally expire after a designated period of 
time and are required to be re-applied for with the USTR.  In the case that a tariff exclusion is not granted 
or renewed, higher tariffs would be assessed on the related products.

Potential Impact of Brexit
The transitional exit of the U.K. from E.U. membership (commonly referred to as “Brexit”) could cause 
disruptions to and create uncertainty surrounding our business, including affecting our relationships with 
our existing and future customers, suppliers and employees, which could have an adverse effect on our 
business, financial results and operations.  Negotiations are ongoing to determine the future of trade 
deals between the U.K. and the E.U.  The parties have signed an EU-UK Trade and Cooperation 
Agreement (the “TCA”), which became provisionally applicable on January 1, 2021 and will become 
formally applicable once ratified by both the U.K. and the EU.  The ultimate effects of Brexit will depend, 
in part, on how the terms of the TCA take effect in practice and on any other agreements the U.K. may 
make with the EU.  These measures and any future trade negotiations could potentially disrupt the 
markets we serve and the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, adversely change tax benefits or 
liabilities in these or other jurisdictions, and cause us to lose customers, suppliers, and employees.  In 
addition, Brexit could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as 
the U.K. determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations
Due to the nature of our operations, we have exposure to the impact of fluctuations in exchange rates 
from transactions that are denominated in a currency other than our functional currency (the U.S. Dollar).  
Such transactions include sales, certain inventory purchases and operating expenses.  The most 
significant currencies affecting our operating results are the British Pound, Euro, Canadian Dollar, and 
Mexican Peso.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on consolidated U.S. Dollar 
reported net sales revenue of approximately $0.4 million, or less than 0.1% for fiscal 2021, $7.0 million, or 
0.4% for fiscal 2020, and $1.2 million, or 0.1% for fiscal 2019.

Consumer Spending and Changes in Shopping Preferences
Our business depends upon discretionary consumer demand for most of our products and primarily 
operates within mature and highly developed consumer markets.  The principal driver of our operating 
performance is the strength of the U.S. retail economy.  Approximately 79% of our consolidated net sales 
revenue in both fiscal 2021 and 2020 were from U.S. shipments compared to 78% of consolidated net 
sales revenue in fiscal 2019.

Our concentration of sales reflects the evolution of consumer shopping preferences to online or 
multichannel shopping experiences.  For fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, our net sales to retail customers 
fulfilling end-consumer online orders and online sales directly to consumers comprised approximately 
26%, 24% and 19%, respectively, of our total consolidated net sales revenue and grew approximately 
32%, 34% and 28%, respectively, over the prior fiscal year periods.

With the continued growth in online sales across the retail landscape, many brick and mortar retailers are 
aggressively looking for ways to improve their customer delivery capabilities to be able to meet customer 
expectations.  As a result, it will become increasingly important for us to leverage our distribution 
capabilities in order to meet the changing demands of our customers, as well as to increase our online 
capabilities to support our direct-to-consumer sales channels and online channel sales by our retail 
customers.

33

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit

SG&A

Restructuring charges

Operating income

Table of Contents

Variability of the Cough/Cold/Flu Season
Sales in several of our Health & Home segment categories are highly correlated to the severity of winter 
weather and cough/cold/flu incidence.  In the U.S., the cough/cold/flu season historically runs from 
November through March, with peak activity normally in January to March.  The 2020-2021 cough/cold/flu 
season experienced historically low incidence levels due to COVID-19 prevention measures including 
mask-wearing, remote learning, work from home, and reduced travel, brick and mortar shopping, and 
group gatherings.  For the 2019-2020 season, cough/cold/flu incidence was slightly higher than the 
2018-2019 season, which was a below average season.

Results of Operations

The following table provides selected operating data, in U.S. Dollars, as a percentage of net sales 
revenue, and as a year-over-year percentage change.

(in thousands)

2021 (1)

2020 (1)

2019

2021

2020

2019

21/20

20/19

Fiscal Years Ended 
Last Day of February,

% of Sales Revenue, net

% Change

Sales revenue by segment, net

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty

$  727,354  $  640,965  $ 523,807 

 34.7 %  37.5 %  33.5 %  13.5 %  22.4 %

  890,191 

  685,397 

  695,217 

 42.4 %  40.1 %  44.4 %  29.9 %  (1.4) %

  481,254 

  381,070 

  345,127 

 22.9 %  22.3 %  22.1 %  26.3 %  10.4 %

Total sales revenue, net

 2,098,799 

 1,707,432 

 1,564,151 

 100.0 %  100.0 %  100.0 %  22.9 %

 1,171,497 

  972,966 

  923,045 

 55.8 %  57.0 %  59.0 %  20.4 %

  927,302 

  734,466 

  641,106 

 44.2 %  43.0 %  41.0 %  26.3 %  14.6 %

  637,012 

  511,902 

  438,141 

 30.4 %  30.0 %  28.0 %  24.4 %  16.8 %

 9.2 %

 5.4 %

Asset impairment charges

8,452 

41,000 

— 

 0.4 %

350 

3,313 

3,586 

 — %

 2.4 %

 0.2 %

 — %  (79.4) %

*

 0.2 %  (89.4) %  (7.6) %

  281,488 

  178,251 

  199,379 

 13.4 %  10.4 %  12.7 %  57.9 %  (10.6) %

Non-operating income, net

559 

394 

340 

 — %

 — %

 — %  41.9 %  15.9 %

Interest expense

12,617 

12,705 

11,719 

 0.6 %

 0.7 %

 0.7 %  (0.7) %

 8.4 %

Income before income tax

  269,430 

  165,940 

  188,000 

 12.8 %

 9.7 %  12.0 %  62.4 %  (11.7) %

Income tax expense

15,484 

13,607 

13,776 

 0.7 %

 0.8 %

 0.9 %  13.8 %  (1.2) %

Income from continuing operations

  253,946 

  152,333 

  174,224 

 12.1 %

 8.9 %  11.1 %  66.7 %  (12.6) %

Loss from discontinued operations (2)

— 

— 

(5,679) 

 — %

 — %  (0.4) %

 — %

*

Net income

$  253,946  $  152,333  $ 168,545 

 12.1 %

 8.9 %  10.8 %  66.7 %  (9.6) %

(1) Fiscal 2020 includes approximately 5 weeks of incremental operating results from Drybar Products, acquired on January 

23, 2020, and fiscal 2021 includes a full year of operating results.  For additional information see Note 8 to the 
accompanying consolidated financial statements.

(2) During fiscal 2018, we divested our Nutritional Supplements segment, which is reported as discontinued operations for all 

periods presented.  For additional information see Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

*  Calculation is not meaningful.

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Fiscal 2021 Financial Results

• Consolidated net sales revenue increased 22.9%, or $391.4 million, to $2,098.8 million compared 

to $1,707.4 million for the same period last year.

• Consolidated operating income increased 57.9%, or $103.2 million, to $281.5 million, compared to 

$178.3 million for the same period last year.  Consolidated operating margin increased 3.0 
percentage points to 13.4%, compared to 10.4% for the same period last year.  Consolidated 
operating income for fiscal 2021 includes pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges of $8.5 
million and pre-tax restructuring charges of $0.4 million related to Project Refuel.  Consolidated 
operating income for fiscal 2020 included pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges of $41.0 
million, pre-tax restructuring charges of $3.3 million related to Project Refuel, and pre-tax 
acquisition-related expenses of $2.5 million.

• Consolidated adjusted operating income increased 24.2%, or $65.1 million, to $334.4 million, 

compared to $269.3 million for the same period last year.  Consolidated adjusted operating margin 
increased 0.1 percentage point to 15.9% of consolidated net sales revenue, compared to 15.8% 
for the same period last year.

•

Income from continuing operations increased 66.7%, or $101.6 million, to $253.9 million, 
compared to $152.3 million for the same period last year.  Diluted EPS from continuing operations 
increased 67.4% to $10.08, compared to $6.02 for the same period last year.

• Adjusted income from continuing operations increased 24.7% to $293.7 million, compared to 
$235.6 million for the same period last year.  Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations 
increased 25.3% to $11.65, compared to $9.30 for the same period last year.

• Net income increased 66.7%, or $101.6 million, to $253.9 million, compared to $152.3 million for 
the same period last year.  Diluted EPS was $10.08, compared to $6.02 for the same period last 
year.

35

Table of Contents

Fiscal 2020 Financial Results

• Consolidated net sales revenue increased 9.2%, or $143.3 million, to $1,707.4 million in fiscal 

2020, compared to $1,564.2 million in fiscal 2019.

• Consolidated operating income decreased 10.6%, or $21.1 million, to $178.3 million in fiscal 2020, 

compared to $199.4 million in fiscal 2019.  Consolidated operating margin decreased 2.3 
percentage points to 10.4% in fiscal 2020, compared to 12.7% in fiscal 2019.  Consolidated 
operating income for fiscal 2020 included pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges of $41.0 
million, pre-tax restructuring charges of $3.3 million related to Project Refuel, and pre-tax 
acquisition-related expenses of $2.5 million.  Consolidated operating income for fiscal 2019 
included pre-tax restructuring charges of $3.6 million.

• Consolidated adjusted operating income increased 12.6%, or $30.1 million, to $269.3 million in 
fiscal 2020, compared to $239.2 million in fiscal 2019.  Consolidated adjusted operating margin 
increased 0.5 percentage points to 15.8% of consolidated net sales revenue in fiscal 2020, 
compared to 15.3% in fiscal 2019.

•

Income from continuing operations decreased 12.6%, or $21.9 million, to $152.3 million in fiscal 
2020, compared to $174.2 million in fiscal 2019.  Diluted EPS from continuing operations 
decreased 9.1% to $6.02 in fiscal 2020, compared to $6.62 in fiscal 2019.

• Adjusted income from continuing operations increased 11.1% to $235.6 million in fiscal 2020, 
compared to $212.1 million in fiscal 2019.  Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations 
increased 15.4% to $9.30 in fiscal 2020, compared to $8.06 in fiscal 2019.

•

There were no results from discontinued operations in fiscal 2020, compared to a loss from 
discontinued operations of $5.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in fiscal 2019.

• Net income was $152.3 million in fiscal 2020, compared to $168.5 million in fiscal 2019.  Diluted 

EPS was $6.02 in fiscal 2020, compared to $6.41 in fiscal 2019.

36

Table of Contents

Consolidated and Segment Net Sales Revenue

The following tables summarize the impact that Organic business, foreign currency, and acquisitions had 
on our net sales revenue by segment:

Fiscal Year Ended Last Day of February,

(in thousands)

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty

Total

Fiscal 2020 sales revenue, net

$ 

640,965 

$ 

685,397 

$ 

381,070 

$  1,707,432 

Organic business

Impact of foreign currency

Acquisition (1)

Change in sales revenue, net

85,916 

473 

— 

86,389 

202,786 

2,008 

— 

57,110 

(2,926) 

46,000 

204,794 

100,184 

345,812 

(445) 

46,000 

391,367 

Fiscal 2021 sales revenue, net  

$ 

727,354 

$ 

890,191 

$ 

481,254 

$  2,098,799 

Total net sales revenue growth (decline)

Organic business

Impact of foreign currency

Acquisition

 13.5 %

 13.4 %

 0.1 %

 — %

 29.9 %

 29.6 %

 0.3 %

 — %

 26.3 %

 15.0 %

 (0.8) %

 12.1 %

 22.9 %

 20.3 %

 — %

 2.7 %

Fiscal Year Ended Last Day of February,

(in thousands)

Housewares 

Health & Home 

Beauty

Total

Fiscal 2019 sales revenue, net

$ 

523,807 

$ 

695,217 

$ 

345,127 

$  1,564,151 

Organic business

Impact of foreign currency

Acquisition (1)

Change in sales revenue, net

118,446 

(1,288) 

— 

117,158 

(5,349) 

(4,471) 

— 

(9,820) 

31,157 

(1,253) 

6,039 

35,943 

144,254 

(7,012) 

6,039 

143,281 

Fiscal 2020 sales revenue, net

$ 

640,965 

$ 

685,397 

$ 

381,070 

$  1,707,432 

Total net sales revenue growth (decline)

Organic business

Impact of foreign currency

Acquisition

 22.4 %

 22.6 %

 (0.2) %

 — %

 (1.4) %

 (0.8) %

 (0.6) %

 — %

 10.4 %

 9.0 %

 (0.4) %

 1.7 %

 9.2 %

 9.2 %

 (0.4) %

 0.4 %

(1) On January 23, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Drybar Products.  As such, fiscal 2020 includes approximately 5 
weeks of operating results from Drybar Products.  Drybar Products sales prior to the first annual anniversary of the 
acquisition are reported in Acquisition in fiscal 2021 and consist of approximately 47 weeks of incremental operating 
results.  For additional information see Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

In the above tables, Organic business refers to our net sales revenue associated with product lines or 
brands after the first twelve months from the date the product line or brand was acquired, excluding the 
impact that foreign currency remeasurement had on reported net sales revenue.  Net sales revenue from 
internally developed brands or product lines is considered Organic business activity.

We define Core business as strategic business that we expect to be an ongoing part of our operations, 
and Non-Core business as business or assets (including assets held for sale) that we expect to divest 
within a year of its designation as Non-Core.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we committed to a 
plan to divest certain assets within our Personal Care business.  As a result, sales from our Personal 
Care business are included in Non-Core business for all periods presented.

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

The following tables summarize the impact that Core business and Non-Core (Personal Care) business 
had on our net sales revenue by segment:

Fiscal Year Ended Last Day of February,

(in thousands)

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty

Total

Fiscal 2020 sales revenue, net 

$ 

640,965 

$ 

685,397 

$ 

381,070 

$  1,707,432 

Core business

Non-Core business (Personal Care)

Change in sales revenue, net

86,389 

— 

86,389 

204,794 

— 

204,794 

114,176 

(13,992) 

100,184 

405,359 

(13,992) 

391,367 

Fiscal 2021 sales revenue, net  

$ 

727,354 

$ 

890,191 

$ 

481,254 

$  2,098,799 

Total net sales revenue growth (decline)

Core business

Non-Core business (Personal Care)

 13.5 %

 13.5 %

 — %

 29.9 %

 29.9 %

 — %

 26.3 %

 30.0 %

 (3.7) %

 22.9 %

 23.7 %

 (0.8) %

Fiscal Year Ended Last Day of February,

(in thousands)

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty

Total

Fiscal 2019 sales revenue, net 

$ 

523,807 

$ 

695,217 

$ 

345,127 

$  1,564,151 

Core business

Non-Core business (Personal Care)

Change in sales revenue, net

117,158 

— 

117,158 

(9,820) 

— 

(9,820) 

46,796 

(10,853) 

35,943 

154,134 

(10,853) 

143,281 

Fiscal 2020 sales revenue, net 

$ 

640,965 

$ 

685,397 

$ 

381,070 

$  1,707,432 

Total net sales revenue growth (decline)

Core business

Non-Core business (Personal Care)

 22.4 %

 22.4 %

 — %

 (1.4) %

 (1.4) %

 — %

 10.4 %

 13.6 %

 (3.1) %

 9.2 %

 9.9 %

 (0.7) %

Leadership Brand and Other Net Sales Revenue

The following table summarizes our Leadership Brand and other net sales revenue:

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of 
February,

$ Change

% Change

(in thousands)

2021

2020

2019

21/20

20/19

21/20

20/19

Leadership Brand sales revenue, net (1) $ 1,706,545  $ 1,360,059  $ 1,243,600  $ 346,486  $ 116,459 

 25.5 %  9.4 %

All other sales revenue, net

392,254 

347,373 

320,551 

  44,881 

  26,822 

 12.9 %  8.4 %

Total sales revenue, net

$ 2,098,799  $ 1,707,432  $ 1,564,151  $ 391,367  $ 143,281 

 22.9 %  9.2 %

(1) Fiscal 2021 includes a full year of operating results from Drybar Products, acquired on January 23, 2020, compared to 

approximately five weeks of operating results in fiscal 2020.  For additional information see Note 8 to the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements.

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Consolidated Net Sales Revenue

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Consolidated net sales revenue increased $391.4 million, or 22.9%, to $2,098.8 million, compared to 
$1,707.4 million.  Growth was driven by an Organic business increase of $345.8 million, or 20.3%, 
primarily due to:

•
•
•

growth in consolidated online sales;
an increase in consolidated international sales; and
higher consolidated brick and mortar sales.

The Drybar Products acquisition also contributed $46.0 million, or 2.7%, to consolidated net sales 
revenue growth.

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•
•

the impact of COVID-19 related store closures and lower store traffic at certain retail customers;
a soft back-to-school season due to COVID-19 related school closures; and
a net sales revenue decline in Non-Core business.

Net sales revenue from our Leadership Brands was $1,706.5 million, compared to $1,360.1 million, 
representing growth of 25.5%.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Consolidated net sales revenue increased $143.3 million, or 9.2%, to $1,707.4 million, compared to 
$1,564.2 million.  Growth was driven by an Organic business increase of $144.3 million, or 9.2%, 
primarily due to:

•
•
•

growth in consolidated online sales;
an increase in brick and mortar sales in our Housewares segment; and
an increase in sales in the appliance category in the Beauty segment.

The Drybar Products acquisition also contributed $6.0 million, or 0.4%, to consolidated net sales revenue 
growth.

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•
•

a decline in Non-Core business within the Beauty segment;
lower sales in our Health & Home segment; and
the unfavorable impact from foreign currency fluctuations of approximately $7.0 million, or 0.4%.

Net sales revenue from our Leadership Brands was $1,360.1 million, compared to $1,243.6 million, 
representing growth of 9.4%.

Segment Net Sales Revenue

Housewares

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Net sales revenue increased $86.4 million, or 13.5%, to $727.4 million, compared to $641.0 million.  
Growth was driven by an Organic business increase of $85.9 million, or 13.4%, primarily due to:

•

•
•
•

higher demand for OXO brand products as consumers spent more time at home cooking, 
cleaning, organizing and pantry loading in response to COVID-19, which resulted in increases in 
both online and brick and mortar sales;
higher sales in the club channel;
growth in international sales; and
new product introductions.

39

Table of Contents

These factors were partially offset by:

•

•

•

the COVID-19 related impact of certain retail brick and mortar store closures and reduced store 
traffic on the Hydro Flask and OXO brands; 
a soft back-to-school season due to COVID-19 and increased competitive activity primarily 
impacting the Hydro Flask brand; and
lower closeout channel sales.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Net sales revenue increased $117.2 million, or 22.4%, to $641.0 million, compared to $523.8 million.  
Growth was driven by an Organic business increase of $118.4 million, or 22.6%, primarily due to:

•
•
•

point of sale growth with existing domestic brick and mortar customers;
an increase in online sales; and
new product introductions.

These factors were partially offset by lower international sales and the unfavorable impact from foreign 
currency fluctuations of approximately $1.3 million, or 0.2%.

Health & Home

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Net sales revenue increased $204.8 million, or 29.9%, to $890.2 million compared to $685.4 million.  The 
increase was primarily driven by an Organic business increase of $202.8 million, or 29.6%, primarily due 
to strong consumer demand for healthcare and healthy living products in domestic and international 
markets, in both brick and mortar and online channels, mainly attributable to COVID-19, and air purifier 
demand further driven by greater wildfire activity on the west coast of the U.S.

These factors were partially offset by declines in non-strategic product categories.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Net sales revenue decreased $9.8 million, or 1.4%, to $685.4 million compared to $695.2 million.  The 
decline was mostly driven by an Organic business decrease of $5.3 million, or 0.8%, primarily due to:

•
•
•

lower domestic sales driven by net distribution changes year-over-year;
the unfavorable comparative impacts of more wildfire activity in fiscal 2019; and
lower international sales.

Net sales revenue was also unfavorably impacted by net foreign currency fluctuations of approximately 
$4.5 million, or 0.6%.

These factors were partially offset by new product introductions and increased demand for certain 
products, particularly thermometers, related to the global impact of COVID-19 late in the fourth quarter.

Beauty

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Net sales revenue increased $100.2 million, or 26.3%, to $481.3 million compared to $381.1 million.  The 
increase was driven by an Organic business increase of $57.1 million, or 15.0%, as well as the net sales 
revenue contribution of $46.0 million, or 12.1% growth from the acquisition of Drybar Products.  The 
Organic business increase primarily reflects:

•
•
•

growth in the appliance category driven by the strength of the One-Step family of products;
expanded distribution, primarily in the club channel; and
an increase in international sales.

40

Table of Contents

These factors were partially offset by

•
•

a net sales revenue decline in Non-Core business; and
the closure of key domestic customers, lower brick and mortar store traffic, and lower overall 
discretionary demand due to high unemployment and consumer uncertainty as a result of 
COVID-19.

Net sales revenue was also unfavorably impacted by net foreign currency fluctuations of approximately 
$2.9 million, or 0.8%.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Net sales revenue increased $35.9 million, or 10.4%, to $381.1 million compared to $345.1 million.  The 
increase was driven by an increase in Organic business of $31.2 million, or 9.0%, primarily due to:

•
•
•

increased demand in the appliance category;
growth in the online channel; and
an increase in international sales.

Net sales revenue growth also benefited from approximately 5 weeks of net sales revenue of $6.0 million, 
or 1.7%, from the Drybar Products acquisition.

These factors were partially offset by a decline in net sales revenue in Non-Core business and the 
unfavorable impact of net foreign currency fluctuations of approximately $1.3 million, or 0.4%.

Consolidated Gross Profit Margin

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Consolidated gross profit margin increased 1.2 percentage points to 44.2%, compared to 43.0%.  The 
increase in consolidated gross profit margin was primarily due to:

•
•
•

a favorable product mix within the Health & Home segment and the Organic Beauty business;
the favorable impact of the Drybar Products acquisition; and
a favorable channel mix within the Housewares segment.

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•
•

an unfavorable product mix in the Housewares segment; 
higher inbound freight expense; and 
the unfavorable comparative impact of tariff exclusion refunds received in the prior year period.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Consolidated gross profit margin increased 2.0 percentage points to 43.0%, compared to 41.0%.  The 
increase in consolidated gross profit margin was primarily due to:

•
•
•

•

a higher mix of Housewares sales at a higher overall gross profit margin;
a favorable product and channel mix within the Housewares segment;
tariff exclusion refunds received for certain duties expensed in the second half of fiscal 2019 and 
the first quarter of fiscal 2020; and
a lower mix of shipments made on a direct import basis.

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•
•

unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations;
the dilutive impact of higher tariffs; and
higher inbound freight expense.

41

Table of Contents

Consolidated SG&A

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Consolidated SG&A ratio increased 0.4 percentage points to 30.4%, compared to 30.0%.  The increase in 
the consolidated SG&A ratio was primarily due to:

•
•
•
•
•

increased marketing and new product development expense;
increased freight and distribution expense;
increased legal, patent defense and other professional fees;
increased customer chargeback activity; and
higher performance-based annual and long-term incentive compensation expense.

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•

•
•

the impact that higher overall net sales revenue had on operating leverage;
lower personnel expense as a percentage of sales due to COVID-19 cost reduction initiatives that 
were in place during the first half of fiscal 2021;
lower amortization expense; and
travel expense reductions due to COVID-19.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Consolidated SG&A ratio increased 2.0 percentage points to 30.0%, compared to 28.0%.  The increase in 
the consolidated SG&A ratio was primarily due to:

•
•
•
•

higher short- and long-term performance-based incentive compensation expense;
higher advertising expense;
higher freight and distribution expense; and
higher amortization expense.

These factors were partially offset by the impact from tariff related pricing actions taken with retail 
customers and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange and forward contract settlements.

Asset Impairment Charges

Fiscal 2021
As a result of our quarterly impairment evaluation of long-lived assets held for sale, we recorded a non-
cash asset impairment charge of $8.5 million ($7.4 million after tax) to reduce the goodwill of our 
Personal Care business during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.

Fiscal 2020
As a result of our annual testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks, we recorded non-cash asset 
impairment charges primarily related to goodwill and intangible assets of $41.0 million ($36.4 million after 
tax) in continuing operations.  The charges were related to Personal Care goodwill and trademark assets 
within our Beauty segment, classified as held for sale in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Fiscal 2019
We did not record any asset impairment charges.

Restructuring Charges

Fiscal 2021
We incurred $0.4 million of pre-tax restructuring costs related to employee severance and termination 
benefits and contract termination costs under Project Refuel.  During fiscal 2021, we made total cash 
restructuring payments of $1.1 million and had a remaining liability of $0.1 million as of February 28, 
2021.

42

Table of Contents

Fiscal 2020
We incurred $3.3 million of pre-tax restructuring costs related to employee termination benefits and 
contract termination costs under Project Refuel.  During fiscal 2020, we made total cash 
restructuring payments of $3.8 million and had a remaining liability of $0.8 million as of February 29, 
2020.

Fiscal 2019
We incurred $3.6 million of pre-tax restructuring costs related to employee termination benefits under 
Project Refuel.  During fiscal 2019, we made total cash restructuring payments of $3.1 million and had a 
remaining liability of $1.2 million as of February 28, 2019.

43

Table of Contents

Operating Income, Operating Margin, Adjusted Operating Income (non-GAAP), and Adjusted 
Operating Margin (non-GAAP) by Segment

In order to provide a better understanding of the impact of certain items on our operating income, the 
tables that follow report the comparative pre-tax impact of non‑cash asset impairment charges, 
acquisition-related expenses, restructuring charges, amortization of intangible assets, and non‑cash 
share‑based compensation, as applicable, on operating income and operating margin for each segment 
and in total for the periods presented below.  Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin 
may be considered non-GAAP financial measures as contemplated by SEC regulation G, Rule 100.  For 
additional information regarding management’s decision to present this non-GAAP financial information, 
see the introduction to this Item 7., “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations.”

Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2021

(in thousands)

Housewares 

Health & Home

Beauty (1)

Total

Operating income, as reported (GAAP)

$  122,487 

 16.8 % $  94,103 

 10.6 % $  64,898 

 13.5 % $  281,488 

 13.4 %

Asset impairment charges 

Restructuring charges

Subtotal

— 

249 

 — %  

 — %  

— 

(6) 

 — %  

 — %  

8,452 

 1.8 %  

8,452 

 0.4 %

107 

 — %  

350 

 — %

  122,736 

 16.9 %  

94,097 

 10.6 %  

73,457 

 15.3 %   290,290 

 13.8 %

Amortization of intangible assets

2,055 

 0.3 %  

8,611 

 1.0 %  

Non-cash share-based compensation

10,278 

 1.4 %  

9,191 

 1.0 %  

6,977 

6,949 

 1.4 %  

17,643 

 1.4 %  

26,418 

 0.8 %

 1.3 %

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)

$  135,069 

 18.6 % $  111,899 

 12.6 % $  87,383 

 18.2 % $  334,351 

 15.9 %

Fiscal Year Ended February 29, 2020

(in thousands)

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty (1)

Total

Operating income (loss), as reported (GAAP)

$  123,135 

 19.2 % $  68,166 

 9.9 % $  (13,050) 

 (3.4) % $  178,251 

 10.4 %

Acquisition-related expenses 

Asset impairment charges 

Restructuring charges

Subtotal

— 

— 

 — %  

 — %  

1,351 

 0.2 %  

— 

— 

93 

 — %  

2,546 

 0.7 %  

2,546 

 — %  

41,000 

 10.8 %  

41,000 

 — %  

1,869 

 0.5 %  

3,313 

 0.1 %

 2.4 %

 0.2 %

  124,486 

 19.4 %  

68,259 

 10.0 %  

32,365 

 8.5 %   225,110 

 13.2 %

Amortization of intangible assets

2,055 

 0.3 %  

10,539 

 1.5 %  

8,677 

 2.3 %  

21,271 

Non-cash share-based compensation

7,218 

 1.1 %  

9,717 

 1.4 %  

5,994 

 1.6 %  

22,929 

 1.2 %

 1.3 %

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)

$  133,759 

 20.9 % $  88,515 

 12.9 % $  47,036 

 12.3 % $  269,310 

 15.8 %

Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2019

(in thousands)

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty

Total

Operating income, as reported (GAAP)

$  100,743 

 19.2 % $  68,448 

 9.8 % $  30,188 

 8.7 % $  199,379 

 12.7 %

Restructuring charges

Subtotal

926 

 0.2 %  

686 

 0.1 %  

1,974 

 0.6 %  

3,586 

 0.2 %

  101,669 

 19.4 %  

69,134 

 9.9 %  

32,162 

 9.3 %   202,965 

 13.0 %

Amortization of intangible assets

1,980 

 0.4 %  

10,925 

 1.6 %  

1,299 

 0.4 %  

14,204 

Non-cash share-based compensation

7,974 

 1.5 %  

9,204 

 1.3 %  

4,875 

 1.4 %  

22,053 

 0.9 %

 1.4 %

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP)

$  111,623 

 21.3 % $  89,263 

 12.8 % $  38,336 

 11.1 % $  239,222 

 15.3 %

(1) Fiscal 2021 includes a full year of operating results from Drybar Products, acquired on January 23, 2020, compared to 

approximately five weeks of operating results in fiscal 2020.  For additional information see Note 8 to the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements.

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Consolidated Operating Income

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Consolidated operating income was $281.5 million, or 13.4% of net sales revenue, compared to $178.3 
million, or 10.4% of net sales revenue.  Fiscal 2021 includes pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges 
of $8.5 million and pre-tax restructuring charges of $0.4 million, compared to pre-tax non-cash asset 
impairment charges of $41.0 million, pre-tax restructuring charges of $3.3 million and pre-tax acquisition-
related expenses of $2.5 million in the same period last year.  The effect of these items favorably 
impacted the year-over-year comparison of consolidated operating margin by a combined 2.3 percentage 
points.  The remaining 0.6 percentage points increase in consolidated operating margin was primarily 
driven by: 
•
•
•
•

the favorable impact that higher overall net sales revenue had on operating leverage;
a favorable product mix within Health & Home and the Organic Beauty business;
a favorable channel mix within the Housewares segment;
lower personnel expense as a percentage of sales due to COVID-19 cost reduction initiatives that 
were in place during the first half of fiscal 2021;
lower amortization expense; and
travel expense reductions due to COVID-19.

•
•

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•
•
•
•
•

an unfavorable product mix in the Housewares segment;
the unfavorable comparative impact of tariff exclusion refunds received in the prior year period;
increased inbound freight expense;
increased marketing and new product development expense;
increased freight and distribution expense; and
higher performance-based annual and long-term incentive compensation expense.

Consolidated adjusted operating income increased 24.2% to $334.4 million, or 15.9% of net sales 
revenue, compared to $269.3 million, or 15.8% of net sales revenue.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Consolidated operating income was $178.3 million, or 10.4% of net sales revenue, compared to $199.4 
million, or 12.7% of net sales revenue.  Fiscal 2020 included pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges 
of $41.0 million, pre-tax acquisition-related charges of $2.5 million and pre-tax restructuring charges of 
$3.3 million, compared to pre-tax restructuring charges of $3.6 million in fiscal 2019.  The effect of these 
items in both years unfavorably impacted the year-over-year comparison of consolidated operating 
margin by a combined 2.5 percentage points.  The remaining increase in consolidated operating margin 
was driven by:

•
•
•
•

tariff exclusion refunds received for certain duties expensed in the second half of fiscal 2019;
a higher mix of Housewares sales at a higher overall operating margin;
a favorable product and channel mix within the Housewares segment; and
the favorable impact of increased operating leverage from net sales growth.

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•
•
•
•

higher short- and long-term performance-based incentive compensation expense;
higher advertising expense;
higher freight and distribution expense;
higher amortization expense; and
the net unfavorable impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Consolidated adjusted operating income increased 12.6% to $269.3 million, or 15.8% of net sales 
revenue, compared to $239.2 million, or 15.3% of net sales revenue.

45

Table of Contents

Housewares

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Operating income was $122.5 million, or 16.8% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $123.1 
million, or 19.2% of segment net sales revenue.  The 2.4 percentage point decrease in segment 
operating margin was primarily due to:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

a less favorable product mix;
higher inbound freight expense;
higher outbound freight and distribution expense to support strong demand;
increased customer chargeback activity;
increased marketing expense;
higher royalty expense; and
increased legal, patent defense and other professional fees.

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•
•

•

the favorable impact that higher overall net sales revenue had on operating leverage;
a more favorable channel mix;
lower personnel expense as a percentage of sales due to COVID-19 cost reduction initiatives that 
were in place during the first half of fiscal 2021; and
travel expense reductions due to COVID-19.

Adjusted operating income increased 1.0% to $135.1 million, or 18.6% of segment net sales revenue, 
compared to $133.8 million, or 20.9% of segment net sales revenue.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Operating income was $123.1 million, or 19.2% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $100.7 
million, or 19.2% of segment net sales revenue.  Segment operating margin remained the same in both 
periods as the margin impact of a more favorable product and channel mix was offset by:

•

•
•
•

higher freight and distribution center expense to support increased retail customer shipments and 
strong direct-to-consumer demand;
higher annual incentive compensation expense;
higher advertising expense; and
the favorable impact of increased operating leverage from net sales revenue growth.

Segment adjusted operating income increased 19.8% to $133.8 million, or 20.9% of segment net sales 
revenue, compared to $111.6 million, or 21.3% of segment net sales revenue.

Health & Home

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Operating income was $94.1 million, or 10.6% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $68.2 million, 
or 9.9% of segment net sales revenue.  The 0.7 percentage point increase in segment operating margin 
is primarily due to:

•
•

•

the favorable impact that higher overall net sales revenue had on operating leverage;
lower personnel expense as a percentage of sales due to COVID-19 cost reduction initiatives in 
place during the first half of fiscal 2021; and
the impact of a more favorable product mix.

46

Table of Contents

These factors were partially offset by:

•
•
•
•
•
•

higher marketing and new product development expenses;
the unfavorable comparative impact of tariff exclusion refunds received in the prior year period;
higher inbound freight expense;
higher outbound freight and distribution expense to support increased retail customer shipments;
increased customer chargeback activity; and
higher performance-based annual incentive compensation expense.

Adjusted operating income increased 26.4% to $111.9 million, or 12.6% of segment net sales revenue, 
compared to $88.5 million, or 12.9% of segment net sales revenue.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Operating income was $68.2 million, or 9.9% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $68.4 million, 
or 9.8% of segment net sales revenue.  The 0.1 percentage point increase in segment operating margin 
was primarily due to:

•
•

tariff exclusion refunds received for certain duties expensed in the second half of fiscal 2019; and 
lower advertising expense.

These factors were partially offset by:
higher royalty expense;
the dilutive impact of tariff increases;
higher share-based compensation expense;
the net unfavorable impact of foreign currency fluctuations; and
unfavorable operating leverage from the decline in sales.

•
•
•
•
•

Segment adjusted operating income decreased 0.8% to $88.5 million, or 12.9% of segment net sales 
revenue, compared to $89.3 million, or 12.8% of segment net sales revenue.

Beauty

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Operating income was $64.9 million, or 13.5% of segment net sales revenue, compared to operating loss 
of $13.1 million, or 3.4% of segment net sales revenue.  Operating income in fiscal 2021 includes pre-tax 
non-cash asset impairment charges of $8.5 million and pre-tax restructuring charges of $0.1 million.  
Operating loss in fiscal 2020 included $41.0 million of pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges, $2.5 
million of pre-tax acquisition-related expenses and $1.9 million of pre-tax restructuring charges.  The 
effect of these items favorably impacted the year-over-year comparison of segment operating margin by 
10.2 percentage points.  The remaining 6.8 percentage point increase in segment operating margin was 
primarily due to:

•
•
•
•
•

the favorable impact that higher overall net sales revenue had on operating leverage;
a more favorable product mix;
reduced royalty expense as a result of the amended and restated Revlon License;
lower amortization expense; and
travel expense reductions due to COVID-19.

These factors were partially offset by:
increased marketing expense;
higher personnel expense related to the acquisition of Drybar Products;
higher performance-based annual incentive compensation expense; and
higher legal and other professional fees.

•
•
•
•

Adjusted operating income increased 85.8% to $87.4 million, or 18.2% of segment net sales revenue, 
compared to $47.0 million, or 12.3% of segment net sales revenue.

47

Table of Contents

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Operating loss was $13.1 million, or 3.4% of segment net sales revenue, compared to operating income 
of $30.2 million, or 8.7% of segment net sales revenue.  Operating loss in fiscal 2020 included $41.0 
million of pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges, $2.5 million of pre-tax acquisition-related expenses 
and $1.9 million of pre-tax restructuring charges. Fiscal 2019 included pre-tax restructuring charges of 
$2.0 million.  The effect of these items unfavorably impacted the year-over-year comparison of operating 
margin by 11.4 percentage points.  The remaining 0.8 percentage point decline in segment operating 
margin was primarily due to:

•

•
•
•

higher annual incentive and share-based compensation expense related to short- and long-term 
performance;
higher amortization expense;
the impact of higher freight expense to meet strong demand in the appliance category; and
the unfavorable margin impact of a lower mix of Personal Care sales.

These factors were partially offset by the favorable impact of increased operating leverage from net sales 
revenue growth.

Segment adjusted operating income increased 22.7% to $47.0 million, or 12.3% of segment net sales 
revenue, compared to $38.3 million, or 11.1% of segment net sales revenue.

Interest Expense

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Interest expense was $12.6 million, compared to $12.7 million.  The decrease in interest expense was 
primarily due to lower average interest rates compared to the prior year, partially offset by higher average 
borrowings outstanding and unfavorable interest rate swap settlements year-over-year.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Interest expense was $12.7 million, compared to $11.7 million.  The increase in interest expense was 
primarily due to incremental borrowings to fund the acquisition of Drybar Products on January 23, 2020, 
unfavorable interest rate swap settlements year-over-year and higher deferred financing costs.

Income Tax Expense

The period-over-period comparison of our effective tax rate is often impacted by the mix of taxable 
income in our various tax jurisdictions.  Due to our organization in Bermuda and the ownership structure 
of our foreign subsidiaries, many of which are not owned directly or indirectly by a U.S. parent company, 
an immaterial amount of our foreign income is subject to U.S. taxation on a permanent basis under 
current law.  Additionally, our intellectual property is largely owned by our foreign subsidiaries, resulting in 
proportionally higher earnings in jurisdictions with lower statutory tax rates, which decreases our overall 
effective tax rate.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was 
enacted and signed into law.  The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package in response 
to the COVID-19 outbreak that contains numerous tax provisions.  Among other things, the CARES Act 
included technical corrections to the effective date language in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted into 
law on December 22, 2017 (the “Tax Act”), related to net operating loss carrybacks.

Upon the enactment of the Tax Act in fiscal 2018, there was a net operating loss on our balance sheet, 
which was measured using the U.S. statutory tax rate in effect prior to enactment.  As a result of the Tax 
Act, we were required to record a one-time charge of $17.9 million in fiscal 2018, which included a charge 
of $9.4 million to remeasure the net operating loss at the reduced rate at which it was expected to 

48

Table of Contents

reverse in the future.  The CARES Act effectively reversed the impact of the Tax Act on our net operating 
loss, resulting in a corresponding tax benefit of $9.4 million recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.  
Fiscal 2021 income tax expense as a percentage of income before income tax was 5.7% compared to 
income tax expense of 8.2% for fiscal 2020, primarily due to this benefit.  Income tax expense for fiscal 
2021 also includes other discrete benefits to include reductions of U.S. BEAT tax (Base Erosion and Anti-
Abuse) and GILTI tax (Global Intangible Low-Tax Income), the recognition of excess tax benefits from 
share-based compensation settlements, and one-time benefits related to the transition of our Macau 
entity from offshore to onshore status, partially offset by increases in liabilities related to uncertain tax 
positions.

During fiscal 2017, we received an assessment from a state tax authority which adjusted taxable income 
applicable to the particular state resulting from interpretations of certain state income tax provisions 
applicable to our legal structure.  During the time the dispute was ongoing, we believed we accurately 
reported our taxable income and vigorously protested the assessment through administrative processes 
with the state.  During fiscal 2021, we reached an agreement to settle the $6.0 million assessment in 
dispute for $0.5 million.

Fiscal 2020 income tax expense as a percentage of income before tax was 8.2% compared to 7.3% in 
fiscal 2019.  The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily due to shifts in the mix of taxable income 
in our various tax jurisdictions, increases in certain statutory tax rates and the comparative impact of 
discrete benefits recorded in fiscal 2019.

Our Macau subsidiary generates income from the sale of the goods that it has sourced and procured.  
This subsidiary is responsible for the sourcing and procurement of a large portion of the products that we 
sell.  We previously had an indefinite tax holiday in Macau conditioned on the subsidiary meeting certain 
employment and investment thresholds. The Macau Offshore Law and its supplementary regulations that 
grant tax incentives to approved offshore institutions was abolished on January 1, 2021.  Existing 
approved offshore institutions such as ours continued to operate under the offshore regime until the end 
of the calendar year 2020.  Beginning in calendar year 2021, our Macau subsidiary transitioned to 
onshore status and is now subject to a statutory corporate income tax of approximately 12%.  We expect 
the impact of this change to increase our overall effective tax rate by 1.5 to 2.0 percentage points on an 
annual basis, beginning with our fiscal 2022.  Because our Macau subsidiary is not directly or indirectly 
owned by a U.S. parent, there is no U.S. tax liability associated with the income generated in Macau.

49

Table of Contents

Income from Continuing Operations, Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations, Adjusted Income 
from Continuing Operations (non-GAAP), and Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations 
(non-GAAP)

In order to provide a better understanding of the impact of certain items on our income and diluted EPS 
from continuing operations, the tables that follow report the comparative after-tax impact of non-cash 
asset impairment charges, acquisition-related expenses, restructuring charges, tax reform, amortization 
of intangible assets, and non‑cash share‑based compensation, as applicable, on income and diluted EPS 
from continuing operations for the periods presented below.  For additional information regarding 
management’s decision to present this non-GAAP financial information, see the introduction to this Item 
7., “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Income From Continuing Operations Diluted EPS From Continuing Operations

Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2021

Tax

Net of Tax

Before Tax

Tax

Net of Tax

(in thousands, except per share data) Before Tax
As reported (GAAP)

Asset impairment charges
Restructuring charges
Tax reform
Subtotal
Amortization of intangible assets
Non-cash share-based compensation  

Adjusted (non-GAAP)

$  269,430  $  15,484  $  253,946  $ 
1,009 
2 
9,357 
25,852 
865 
1,926 
$  322,293  $  28,643  $  293,650  $ 

8,452 
350 
— 
278,232 
17,643 
26,418 

7,443 
348 
(9,357)   

252,380 
16,778 
24,492 

Weighted average shares of common stock used in computing diluted EPS

10.69  $ 

0.34 
0.01 
— 
11.04 
0.70 
1.05 

12.79  $ 

0.61  $ 
0.04 
— 
0.37 
1.03 
0.03 
0.08 
1.14  $ 

10.08 
0.30 
0.01 
(0.37) 
10.02 
0.67 
0.97 
11.65 

25,196 

Income From Continuing Operations Diluted EPS From Continuing Operations

Fiscal Year Ended February 29, 2020

Tax

Net of Tax

Before Tax

Tax

Net of Tax

(in thousands, except per share data) Before Tax
As reported (GAAP)

Acquisition-related expenses
Asset impairment charges
Restructuring charges
Subtotal
Amortization of intangible assets
Non-cash share-based compensation  

Adjusted (non-GAAP)

$  165,940  $  13,607  $  152,333  $ 

2,546 
41,000 
3,313 
212,799 
21,271 
22,929 

38 
4,574 
161 
18,380 
1,245 
1,803 
$  256,999  $  21,428  $  235,571  $ 

2,508 
36,426 
3,152 
194,419 
20,026 
21,126 

Weighted average shares of common stock used in computing diluted EPS

6.55  $ 
0.10 
1.62 
0.13 
8.40 
0.84 
0.91 

10.15  $ 

0.54  $ 
— 
0.18 
0.01 
0.73 
0.05 
0.07 
0.85  $ 

6.02 
0.10 
1.44 
0.12 
7.68 
0.79 
0.83 
9.30 

25,322 

Income From Continuing Operations Diluted EPS From Continuing Operations

Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2019

Tax

Net of Tax

Before Tax

Tax

Net of Tax

(in thousands, except per share data) Before Tax
As reported (GAAP)

Restructuring charges
Subtotal
Amortization of intangible assets
Non-cash share-based compensation  

Adjusted (non-GAAP)

$  188,000  $  13,776  $  174,224  $ 

3,586 
191,586 
14,204 
22,053 

215 
13,991 
372 
1,395 
$  227,843  $  15,758  $  212,085  $ 

3,371 
177,595 
13,832 
20,658 

Weighted average shares of common stock used in computing diluted EPS

50

7.15  $ 
0.14 
7.28 
0.54 
0.84 
8.66  $ 

0.52  $ 
0.01 
0.53 
0.01 
0.05 
0.60  $ 

6.62 
0.13 
6.75 
0.53 
0.79 
8.06 

26,303 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Income from continuing operations was $253.9 million compared to $152.3 million.  Diluted EPS from 
continuing operations was $10.08 compared to $6.02.  Diluted EPS from continuing operations increased 
primarily due to:

•

•
•
•

higher operating income in the Beauty segment, which includes the favorable comparative impact 
of lower after-tax non-cash asset impairment charges and restructuring charges;
an increase in operating income in the Health & Home segment;
a lower effective income tax rate; and 
lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding. 

Adjusted income from continuing operations increased $58.1 million, or 24.7%, to $293.7 million 
compared to $235.6 million.  Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations increased 25.3% to $11.65 
compared to $9.30.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Income from continuing operations was $152.3 million compared to $174.2 million. Diluted EPS from 
continuing operations was $6.02 compared to $6.62. Diluted EPS from continuing operations decreased 
primarily due to after-tax non-cash asset impairment charges of $36.4 million in the Beauty segment and 
higher interest expense, partially offset by higher operating income in the Housewares segment and the 
impact of lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding compared to fiscal 2019.

Adjusted income from continuing operations increased $23.5 million, or 11.1%, to $235.6 million 
compared to $212.1 million.  Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations increased 15.4% to $9.30 
compared to $8.06.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Selected measures of our liquidity and capital resources for fiscal 2021 and 2020 are shown below:

Accounts receivable turnover (days) (1)
Inventory turnover (times) (1)
Working capital (in thousands)
Current ratio
Ending debt to ending equity ratio
Return on average equity (1)

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,

2021

2020

68.6 
3.2 
357,045 
1.6:1
 27.7 %
 20.7 %

$ 

67.0 
3.0 
343,940 
2.0:1
 29.2 %
 14.0 %

$ 

(1) Accounts receivable turnover, inventory turnover and return on average equity computations use 12 month trailing net 
sales revenue, cost of goods sold or income from continuing operations components as required by the particular 
measure.  The current and four prior quarters' ending balances of accounts receivable, inventory and equity are used for 
the purposes of computing the average balance component as required by the particular measure.

We principally rely on our cash flow from operations and borrowings under our Credit Agreement (as 
defined below) to finance our operations, capital and intangible asset expenditures, acquisitions and share 
repurchases.  Historically, our principal uses of cash to fund our operations have included operating 
expenses, primarily SG&A, and working capital, predominantly for inventory purchases and the extension 
of credit to our retail customers.  We have been able to typically generate positive cash flow from 
operations sufficient to fund our operating activities.  In the past, we have utilized a combination of 
available cash and existing, or additional, sources of financing to fund strategic acquisitions, share 
repurchases and capital investments.  We generated $314.1 million in cash from continuing operations 
during fiscal 2021 and had $45.1 million in cash and cash equivalents at February 28, 2021. As of 
February 28, 2021, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries was 
$33.9 million, of which, an immaterial amount was held in foreign countries where the funds may not be 

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

readily convertible into other currencies.  Capital and intangible asset expenditures in fiscal 2021 were 
$98.7 million, which includes $72.5 million for the one-time upfront license fee payment to Revlon for our 
use of the trademark for the next 100 years.  We have no existing activities involving special purpose 
entities or off-balance sheet financing.

Our anticipated material cash requirements in fiscal 2022 include the following:

•

•
•

operating expenses, primarily SG&A and working capital predominately for inventory purchases 
and to carry normal levels of accounts receivable on our balance sheet;
repayment of a current maturity of long term debt of $1.9 million;
estimated interest payments of approximately $9.9 million based on outstanding debt obligations, 
the weighted average interest rates in effect at February 28, 2021, and the impact of our interest 
rate swaps;

• minimum operating lease payments under existing obligations of approximately $8.4 million;
• minimum royalty payments under existing license agreements of approximately $6.4 million; and
capital and intangible asset expenditures between approximately $100 million to $125 million to 
•
support ongoing operations and future infrastructure needs, including initial construction and 
equipment expenditures related to a new 2 million square foot distribution center. 

Our anticipated material cash requirements beyond fiscal 2022, include the following:

•

•

•

operating expenses, primarily SG&A and working capital predominately for inventory purchases 
and to carry normal levels of accounts receivable on our balance sheet;
outstanding long-term debt obligations maturing between fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2026, in an 
aggregate principal value of approximately $345.7 million, with $329.0 million of that amount 
maturing in fiscal 2026 (refer to Note 15 for additional information);  
estimated interest payments of approximately $8.2 million, $7.3 million, $5.0 million and 
$0.2 million in fiscal 2023, fiscal 2024, fiscal 2025, and fiscal 2026, respectively, based on 
outstanding debt obligations, the weighted average interest rates in effect at February 28, 2021, 
and the impact of our interest rate swaps (refer to Note 15 for additional information);

• minimum operating lease payments of approximately $51.8 million over the term of our existing 

operating lease arrangements (refer to Note 3 for additional information);

• minimum royalty payments of approximately $20.9 million over the term of the existing 

•

arrangements (refer to Note 14 for additional information); and
capital and intangible asset expenditures to support ongoing operations and future infrastructure 
needs, including construction and equipment expenditures related to a new 2 million square foot 
distribution center that we expect to be operational sometime in fiscal 2023. 

Based on our current financial condition and current operations, we believe that cash flows from 
operations and available financing sources will continue to provide sufficient capital resources to fund our 
foreseeable short- and long-term liquidity requirements.

We continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities on a regular basis.  We may finance acquisition activity 
with available cash, the issuance of shares of common stock, additional debt, or other sources of 
financing, depending upon the size and nature of any such transaction and the status of the capital 
markets at the time of such acquisition.  We may also elect to repurchase additional shares of common 
stock under our Board of Directors' authorization, subject to limitations contained in our debt agreements 
and based upon our assessment of a number of factors, including share price, trading volume and 
general market conditions, working capital requirements, general business conditions, financial 
conditions, any applicable contractual limitations, and other factors, including alternative investment 
opportunities.  We may finance share repurchases with available cash, additional debt or other sources of 
financing.  For additional information, see Part II, Item 5., “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, 
Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” in this report. 

52

Table of Contents

Operating Activities

Comparison of Fiscal 2021 to 2020
Operating activities from continuing operations provided net cash of $314.1 million compared to $271.3 
million.  The increase was primarily driven by:
an increase in cash earnings;
an increase in accounts payable primarily for inventory; and
accrued expenses primarily for customer incentives, advertising, annual incentive compensation 
and freight.

•
•
•

These factors were partially offset by an increase in cash used for inventory.

Comparison of Fiscal 2020 to 2019
Operating activities from continuing operations provided net cash of $271.3 million compared to $200.6 
million.  The increase was primarily driven by higher cash earnings and a decrease in cash used for 
inventory.  These factors were partially offset by an increase in cash used for receivables.

Investing Activities

Investing activities used cash of $98.7 million, $273.6 million, and $25.2 million in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 
2019, respectively.

Highlights from Fiscal 2021

• We made investments in capital and intangible asset expenditures of $98.7 million, primarily for 

the extension of the Revlon License and use of the trademark royalty-free for the next 100 years, 
for which we paid a one-time, up-front license fee of $72.5 million.  In addition, capital 
expenditures of $26.2 million were made for molds, production and distribution equipment, 
information technology equipment, and software.

Highlights from Fiscal 2020

• We acquired Drybar Products for $255.9 million.  In addition, we invested in capital expenditures 
of $17.8 million primarily for leasehold improvements; computers, furniture and other equipment; 
and tools, molds and other production equipment.

Highlights from Fiscal 2019

• We invested in capital expenditures of $26.4 million primarily for leasehold improvements; 

computers, furniture and other equipment; tools, molds and other production equipment.

Financing Activities

Financing activities used cash of $194.8 million in fiscal 2021, provided cash of $14.9 million in fiscal 
2020, and used cash of $178.9 million in fiscal 2019.

Highlights from Fiscal 2021

•
•
•
•

•

we had draws of $937.4 million under our Credit Agreement;
we repaid $928.4 million drawn under our Credit Agreement;
we repaid $1.9 million of long-term debt; 
we paid $3.8 million of financing costs in connection with the amendment of our Credit 
Agreement; and
we repurchased and retired 1,030,023 shares of common stock at an average price of $197.37 
per share for a total purchase price of $203.3 million through a combination of open market 
purchases and the settlement of certain stock awards.

53

Table of Contents

Highlights from Fiscal 2020

•
•
•
•

we had draws of $771.3 million under our Credit Agreement;
we repaid $752.5 million drawn under our Credit Agreement;
we repaid $1.9 million of long-term debt; and
we repurchased and retired 77,272 shares of common stock at an average price of $131.61 per 
share for a total purchase price of $10.2 million through the settlement of certain stock awards.

Highlights from Fiscal 2019

•
•
•
•

we had draws of $667.3 million under our Credit Agreement;
we repaid $635.5 million drawn under our Credit Agreement;
we repaid $1.9 million of long-term debt; and
we repurchased and retired 1,934,493 shares of common stock at an average price of $112.43 
per share for a total purchase price of $217.5 million through a combination of open market 
purchases and the settlement of certain stock awards associated with employee and director 
share-based compensation.

Credit Agreement and Other Debt Agreements

Credit Agreement

We have a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative 
agent, and other lenders that provided for an unsecured total revolving commitment of $1.0 billion.  
Borrowings accrued interest under one of two alternative methods (based upon a Base Rate or LIBOR) 
as described in the Credit Agreement.  With each borrowing against our credit line, we could elect the 
interest rate method based on our funding needs at the time.  We also incurred loan commitment and 
letter of credit fees under the Credit Agreement.

On March 13, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement.  The amendment extended 
the maturity of the commitment under the Credit Agreement from December 7, 2021 to March 13, 2025.  
Further, the amendment increased the unsecured revolving commitment from $1.0 billion to $1.25 billion. 
The accordion was amended to increase it from $200 million to $300 million and to include the ability to 
use it for term loan commitments.  The accordion permits the Company to request to increase its 
borrowing capacity, not to exceed the $300 million commitment in the aggregate, provided certain 
conditions are met, including lender approval.  Any increase to term loan commitments and revolving loan 
commitments must be made on terms identical to the revolving loans under the Credit Agreement and 
must have a maturity date of no earlier than March 13, 2025.  Following the amendment, borrowings 
under the Credit Agreement bear interest at either the Base Rate or LIBOR, plus a margin based on the 
Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 0% to 1.0% and 1.0% to 2.0%, respectively, 
for Base Rate and LIBOR borrowings.  Outstanding letters of credit reduce the borrowing availability 
under the Credit Agreement on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  We are able to repay amounts borrowed at any 
time without penalty.

As of February 28, 2021, the outstanding revolving loan principal balance was $329.0 million (excluding 
prepaid financing fees) and the balance of outstanding letters of credit was $19.2 million.  During fiscal 
2021, borrowings under the Credit Agreement incurred interest rates ranging from 1.11% to 4.75%.  As of 
February 28, 2021, the amount available for borrowings under the Credit Agreement was $901.8 million.  
Covenants in the Credit Agreement limit the amount of total indebtedness we can incur.  As of February 
28, 2021, these covenants effectively limited our ability to incur more than $874.4 million of additional 
debt from all sources, including the Credit Agreement, or $901.8 million in the event a qualified 
acquisition is consummated.

54

Table of Contents

Other Debt Agreements

As of February 28, 2021, we had an aggregate principal balance of $18.6 million (excluding prepaid 
financing fees) under a loan agreement (the “MBFC Loan”) with the Mississippi Business Finance 
Corporation (the “MBFC”), which was entered into in connection with the issuance by MBFC of taxable 
industrial development revenue bonds (the “Bonds”).  The borrowings were used to fund construction of 
our Olive Branch, Mississippi distribution facility.  Since March 2018, the MBFC Loan can be called by the 
holder at any time.  The remaining loan balance is payable as follows: $1.9 million annually on March 1, 
2021 and 2022; and $14.8 million on March 1, 2023.  Any remaining outstanding principal and interest is 
due upon maturity on March 1, 2023.

On May 14, 2020, Helen of Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the Sixth Amendment 
to Guaranty Agreement (the “Amended Guaranty”) in favor of Bank of America, N.A.  The Amended 
Guaranty amends the Guaranty Agreement (as amended, the “Guaranty Agreement”), dated March 1, 
2013, made by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. and other 
lenders.  Certain of the representations and warranties, and covenants in the Guaranty Agreement were 
amended by the Amended Guaranty to include or modify certain baskets, exceptions and other 
customary provisions.

The Bonds were issued under a Trust Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2013 (as supplemented, the 
“Indenture”), by and between MBFC and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).  On 
May 14, 2020, MBFC and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, entered into the Fifth 
Supplemental Trust Indenture, effective May 14, 2020 (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”), with the 
consent of Kaz USA, Inc. (“Kaz USA”) and Bank of America, N.A., the purchaser of the Bonds.  As 
amended by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Bonds and the related loans to Kaz USA will bear 
interest at a Base Rate or LIBOR plus a margin based on the Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Fifth 
Supplemental Indenture).  The Fifth Supplemental Indenture amended the pricing grid for the LIBOR and 
Base Rate margins.

All of our debt is unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by the Company and certain of 
its subsidiaries.  Our debt agreements require the maintenance of certain key financial covenants, 
defined in the table below.  Our debt agreements also contain other customary covenants, including, 
among other things, covenants restricting or limiting us, except under certain conditions set forth therein, 
from (1) incurring debt, (2) incurring liens on our properties, (3) making certain types of investments, (4) 
selling certain assets or making other fundamental changes relating to mergers and consolidations, and 
(5) repurchasing shares of our common stock and paying dividends.  Our debt agreements also contain 
customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest when due, among others.  Our 
debt agreements are cross-defaulted to each other.  Upon an event of default under our debt 
agreements, the holders or lenders may, among other things, accelerate the maturity of any amounts 
outstanding under our debt agreements.  The commitments of the lenders to make loans to us under the 
Credit Agreement are several and not joint.  Accordingly, if any lender fails to make loans to us, our 
available liquidity could be reduced by an amount up to the aggregate amount of such lender’s 
commitments under the Credit Agreement.

55

 
Table of Contents

The table below provides the formulas currently in effect for certain key financial covenants as defined 
under our debt agreements:

Applicable Financial Covenant

Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio

Maximum Leverage Ratio

Credit Agreement and MBFC Loan
EBIT (1) ÷ Interest Expense (1)

Minimum Required:  3.00 to 1.00

Total Current and Long Term Debt (2) ÷
EBITDA (1) + Pro Forma Effect of Transactions

Maximum Currently Allowed:  3.50 to 1.00 (3)

Key Definitions:

EBIT: 

EBITDA: 

Pro Forma Effect of 
Transactions:

Earnings + Interest Expense + Taxes + Non-Cash Charges (4) + Certain Allowed Addbacks 
(4) - Certain Non-Cash Income (4)

EBIT + Depreciation and Amortization Expense
For any acquisition, pre-acquisition EBITDA of the acquired business is included so that the
EBITDA of the acquired business included in the computation equals its twelve month 
trailing total. In addition, the amount of certain pro forma run-rate cost savings for 
acquisitions or dispositions may be added to EBIT and EBITDA.

(1) Computed using totals for the latest reported four consecutive fiscal quarters.
(2) Computed using the ending debt balances plus outstanding letters of credit as of the latest reported fiscal quarter.
In the event a qualified acquisition is consummated, the maximum leverage ratio is 4.25 to 1.00 for the first fiscal 
(3)
quarter after the qualified acquisition and then steps down until the maximum leverage ratio is 3.75 to 1.00 at the end of 
the fifth fiscal quarter after the qualified acquisition is consummated.

(4) As defined in the Credit Agreement and Guaranty Agreement.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that are both most important to the portrayal of a 
company's financial condition and results, and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex 
judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently 
uncertain.  We consider the following policies to meet this definition and represent our more critical 
estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes
We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining our provision for income tax expense.  
The provision for income tax expense is calculated on reported income before income taxes based on 
current tax law and includes, in the current period, the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from 
those used previously in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities.  Tax laws may require items to be 
included in the determination of taxable income at different times from when the items are reflected in the 
financial statements.  Deferred tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the 
financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, as well as from net 
operating losses and tax credit carryforwards, and are stated at enacted tax rates in effect for the year 
taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.

Deferred tax assets represent tax benefits for tax deductions or credits available in future years and 
require certain estimates and assumptions to determine whether it is more likely than not that all or a 
portion of the benefit will not be realized.  The recoverability of these future tax deductions and credits is 
determined by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including the 
future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years, estimated 
future taxable income and available tax planning strategies.  Should a change in facts or circumstances 
lead to a change in judgment about the ultimate recoverability of a deferred tax asset, we record or adjust 
the related valuation allowance in the period that the change in facts and circumstances occurs, along 
with a corresponding increase or decrease in income tax expense.

56

Table of Contents

In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities requires us to account for uncertainties in the application of 
complex tax regulations.  We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on the two-step 
process prescribed within GAAP.  The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by 
determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will 
be sustained upon examination by the tax authority based upon its technical merits assuming the tax 
authority has full knowledge of all relevant information.  To be recognized in the financial statements, the 
tax position must meet this more-likely-than-not threshold.  For positions meeting this recognition 
threshold, the second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that 
has greater than a 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  It is inherently 
difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires us to determine the probability of 
various possible outcomes.  We reevaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis.  This 
evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in 
tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, historical experience with similar tax matters, guidance from 
our tax advisors, and new audit activity.  For tax positions that do not meet the threshold requirement, we 
record liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits as a tax expense or benefit in the period recognized or 
reversed and disclose as a separate liability in our financial statements, including related accrued interest 
and penalties.  A change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or 
an additional charge to the tax provision in the period in which the change occurs.

Customer Credit Risk and Estimates of Credits to be Issued to Customers
Our trade receivables subject us to credit risk, which is evaluated based on changing economic, political 
and specific customer conditions.  We assess these risks and make provisions for collectability based on 
our best estimate of the risks presented and information available throughout the year.  The use of 
different assumptions may change our estimate of collectability.  We extend credit to our customers 
based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and credit history and generally do not 
require collateral.  Our credit terms generally range between 30 and 90 days from invoice date depending 
upon the evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and history, pricing and the relationship with the 
customer.  We monitor our customers’ credit and financial condition in order to assess whether the 
economic conditions have changed and adjust our credit policies with respect to any individual customer 
as we determine appropriate.  These adjustments may include, but are not limited to, restricting 
shipments to customers, reducing credit limits, shortening credit terms, requiring cash payments in 
advance of shipment or securing credit insurance.

We regularly receive requests for credits from retailers for returned products or in connection with sales 
incentives, such as cooperative advertising and volume rebate agreements.  We reduce sales or increase 
SG&A, depending on the nature of the credits, for estimated future credits to customers.  Our estimates 
of these amounts are based on either historical information about credits issued, relative to total sales, or 
on specific knowledge of incentives offered to retailers.  This process entails a significant amount of 
subjectivity and uncertainty.

Valuation of Inventory
We record inventory on our balance sheet at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.  Recording 
our inventories at the lower of average cost or net realizable value requires us to estimate the point in 
time at which an item's net realizable value drops below its recorded cost.  We regularly review our 
inventory for slow-moving items and for items that we are unable to sell at prices above their original cost.  
When we identify such an item, we reduce its book value to the net amount that we expect to realize 
upon its sale based on our estimate of expected future selling prices less expected disposal costs.  This 
process entails a significant amount of inherent subjectivity and uncertainty.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles and Related Impairment Testing
A significant portion of our non-current assets consists of goodwill and intangible assets recorded as a 
result of past acquisitions.  Accounting for business combinations requires the use of estimates and 

57

Table of Contents

assumptions in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in order to properly 
allocate the purchase price.  Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate 
consideration paid and the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets received in the acquisition 
of a business.  The estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based 
upon assumptions believed to be reasonable using established valuation techniques that consider a 
number of factors, and when appropriate, valuations performed by independent third-party appraisers.

We review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more 
frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be 
recoverable.  We consider whether circumstances or conditions exist which suggest that the carrying 
value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets might be impaired.  If such circumstances or 
conditions exist, we perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that 
the assets are impaired.  We evaluate goodwill at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level 
below an operating segment).  If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely 
than not that the assets are impaired, further steps are required in order to determine whether the 
carrying value of each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeds its fair market value.  
An impairment charge is recognized to the extent the goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible asset recorded 
exceeds the reporting unit’s or asset's fair value.  We perform our annual impairment testing for goodwill 
and indefinite-lived assets as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of our fiscal year.

Our impairment test methodology primarily uses estimated future discounted cash flow models (“DCF 
Models”).  The DCF Models use a number of assumptions including expected future cash flows from the 
assets, volatility, risk free rate, and the expected life of the assets, the determination of which require 
significant judgments from management.  In determining the assumptions to be used, we consider the 
existing rates on Treasury Bills, yield spreads on assets with comparable expected lives, historical 
volatility of our common stock and that of comparable companies, and general economic and industry 
trends, among other considerations.  When stock market or other conditions warrant, we expand our 
traditional impairment test methodology to give weight to other methods that provide additional 
observable market information in order to better reflect the current risk level being incorporated into 
market prices and in order to corroborate the fair values of each of our reporting units.  Management will 
place increased reliance on these additional methods in conjunction with its DCF Models in the event that 
the total market capitalization of its stock drops below its consolidated stockholders’ equity balance for a 
sustained period.

Considerable management judgment is necessary in reaching a conclusion regarding the 
reasonableness of fair value estimates, evaluating the most likely impact of a range of possible external 
conditions, considering the resulting operating changes and their impact on estimated future cash flows, 
determining the appropriate discount factors to use, and selecting and weighting appropriate comparable 
market level inputs.  For both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the recoverability of these 
amounts is dependent upon achievement of our projections and the continued execution of key initiatives 
related to revenue growth and profitability.  The rates used in our projections are management’s estimate 
of the most likely results over time, given a wide range of potential outcomes.  The assumptions and 
estimates used in our impairment testing involve significant elements of subjective judgment and analysis 
by our management.  While we believe that the assumptions we use are reasonable at the time made, 
changes in business conditions or other unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that cause 
actual results to differ materially from projected results and this could potentially require future 
adjustments to our asset valuations.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review intangible assets with definite lives and long-lived assets held and used if a triggering event 
occurs during the reporting period.  If such circumstances or conditions exist, further steps are required in 
order to determine whether the carrying value of each of the individual assets exceeds its fair market 
value.  If our analysis indicates that an individual asset’s carrying value does exceed its fair market value, 

58

Table of Contents

the next step is to record a loss equal to the excess of the individual asset’s carrying value over its fair 
value.   We evaluate long-lived assets held for sale quarterly to determine if fair value less cost to sell has 
changed during the reporting period.  This analysis entails a significant amount of judgment and 
subjectivity.  See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information 
on our assets held for sale impairment analysis.  

Economic Useful Lives of Intangible Assets
We amortize intangible assets, such as licenses, trademarks, customer lists and distribution rights over 
their economic useful lives, unless those assets' economic useful lives are indefinite.  If an intangible 
asset’s economic useful life is deemed indefinite, that asset is not amortized.  When we acquire an 
intangible asset, we consider factors such as the asset's history, our plans for that asset and the market 
for products associated with the asset.  We consider these same factors when reviewing the economic 
useful lives of our previously acquired intangible assets as well.  We review the economic useful lives of 
our intangible assets at least annually.  The determination of the economic useful life of an intangible 
asset requires a significant amount of judgment and entails significant subjectivity and uncertainty.  We 
complete our analysis of the remaining useful economic lives of our intangible assets during the fourth 
quarter of each fiscal year or when a triggering event occurs.

Share-Based Compensation
We account for share-based employee compensation plans under the fair value recognition and 
measurement provisions in accordance with applicable accounting standards, which require all share-
based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), 
restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance restricted stock awards (“PSAs”) and performance stock 
units (“PSUs”), to be measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards.  The resulting expense 
is recognized over the periods during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for 
the award.  The estimated number of PSUs and PSAs that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to 
the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be 
recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised.

Stock options are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values using an option pricing 
model at the date of grant.  We use a Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of 
options.  This model requires various judgmental assumptions including volatility and expected option life.

For a more comprehensive list of our accounting policies, refer to Note 1 included in the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements.  Note 1 describes several other policies, including policies governing 
the timing of revenue recognition, that are important to the preparation of our consolidated financial 
statements, but do not meet the SEC's definition of critical accounting policies because they do not 
involve subjective or complex judgments.

New Accounting Guidance

For information on recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 to the 
accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain written and oral statements in this Form 10-K may constitute “forward-looking statements” as 
defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  This includes statements made in this 
report, in other filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in certain other oral and written presentations.  
Generally, the words “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “seeks”, 
“estimates”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue”, “intends”, and other similar words identify forward-
looking statements.  All statements that address operating results, events or developments that may 
occur in the future, including statements related to sales, EPS results, and statements expressing general 

59

Table of Contents

expectations about future operating results and the effect of COVID-19 on our financial results, cash 
flows and operations, are forward-looking statements and are based upon our current expectations and 
various assumptions.  We believe there is a reasonable basis for our expectations and assumptions, but 
there can be no assurance that we will realize our expectations or that our assumptions will prove correct.  
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks that could cause them to differ materially from actual 
results.  Accordingly, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.  We 
believe that these risks include but are not limited to the risks described in this report under Item 1A., 
“Risk Factors” and that are otherwise described from time to time in our SEC reports as filed.  We 
undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new 
information, future events or otherwise.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates are our primary financial market risks.

Foreign Currency Risk
The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency for the Company and all of its subsidiaries.  By operating 
internationally, we are subject to foreign currency risk from transactions denominated in currencies other 
than the U.S. Dollar (“foreign currencies”).  Such transactions include sales, certain inventory purchases 
and operating expenses.  As a result of such transactions, portions of our cash, trade accounts receivable 
and trade accounts payable are denominated in foreign currencies.  Approximately 12%, 14%, and 13% 
of our net sales revenue was denominated in foreign currency during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, 
respectively.  These sales were primarily denominated in British Pounds, Euros, Mexican Pesos, and 
Canadian Dollars.  We make most of our inventory purchases from the Far East and use the U.S. Dollar 
for such purchases.

In our consolidated statements of income, foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses resulting from 
the remeasurement of foreign taxes receivable, taxes payable, deferred tax assets, and deferred tax 
liabilities are recognized in their respective income tax lines, and all other foreign exchange gains and 
losses are recognized in SG&A.  We recorded foreign currency exchange rate net losses in SG&A, 
including the impact of our cash flow hedges and cross-currency debt swaps, of $0.6 million during fiscal 
2021 and net gains of $2.2 million and $1.3 million during fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively.

We identify foreign currency risk by regularly monitoring our foreign currency denominated transactions 
and balances.  Where operating conditions permit, we reduce our foreign currency risk by purchasing 
most of our inventory with U.S. Dollars and by converting cash balances denominated in foreign 
currencies to U.S. Dollars.

We mitigate certain foreign currency exchange rate risk by using a series of forward contracts and zero-
cost collars designated as cash flow hedges and mark-to-market derivatives to protect against the foreign 
currency exchange rate risk inherent in our forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies.  
Our primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of net earnings, cash flows, and the 
net asset value associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  Our foreign currency risk 
management strategy includes both hedging instruments and derivatives that are not designated as 
hedging instruments, which generally have terms of up to 18 to 24 months.  We do not enter into any 
derivatives or similar instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.  We expect that as currency 
market conditions warrant, and our foreign currency denominated transaction exposure grows, we will 
continue to execute additional contracts in order to hedge against certain potential foreign currency 
exchange rate losses.  

As of February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, a hypothetical adverse 10% change in foreign currency 
exchange rates would reduce the carrying and fair values of our derivatives by $14.2 million and $8.1 
million on a pre-tax basis, respectively.  This calculation is for risk analysis purposes and does not purport 

60

Table of Contents

to represent actual losses or gains in fair value that we could incur.  It is important to note that the change 
in value represents the estimated change in fair value of the contracts.  Actual results in the future may 
differ materially from these estimated results due to actual developments in the global financial markets.  
Because the contracts hedge an underlying exposure, we would expect a similar and opposite change in 
foreign currency exchange rate gains or losses over the same periods as the contracts.  Refer to Note 17 
to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information regarding these 
instruments.

A significant portion of the products we sell are purchased from third-party manufacturers in China, who 
source a significant portion of their labor and raw materials in Chinese Renminbi.  The Chinese Renminbi 
has fluctuated against the U.S. Dollar in recent years and in fiscal 2021 the Chinese Renminbi 
strengthened against the U.S. Dollar by approximately 2.0% compared to the average rate during fiscal 
2020.  If China’s currency continues to fluctuate against the U.S. Dollar in the short-to-intermediate term, 
we cannot accurately predict the impact of those fluctuations on our results of operations.  Accordingly, 
there can be no assurance that foreign exchange rates will be stable in the future or that fluctuations in 
Chinese foreign currency markets will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations and financial condition.

Interest Rate Risk
Interest on our outstanding debt as of February 28, 2021 is based on variable floating interest rates.  As 
such, we are exposed to changes in short-term market interest rates and these changes in rates will 
impact our net interest expense.  We hedge against interest rate volatility by using interest rate swaps to 
hedge a portion of our outstanding floating rate debt.  Additionally, our cash and short-term investments 
generate interest income that will vary based on changes in short-term interest.  As of February 28, 2021 
and February 29, 2020, a hypothetical adverse 10% change in interest rates would reduce the carrying 
and fair values of the interest rate swaps by $0.1 million and $0.6 million on a pre-tax basis, respectively.  
This calculation is for risk analysis purposes and does not purport to represent actual losses or gains in 
fair value that we could incur.  It is important to note that the change in value represents the estimated 
change in the fair value of the swaps.  Actual results in the future may differ materially from these 
estimated results due to actual developments in the global financial markets.  Because the swaps hedge 
an underlying exposure, we would expect a similar and opposite change in floating interest rates over the 
same periods as the swaps.  Refer to Notes 15 and 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial 
statements for further information regarding our interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities.

61

Table of Contents

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 28, 2021

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
February 28, 2021

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
February 28, 2021

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 28, 
2021

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Information
Note 2 - New Accounting Pronouncements
Note 3 - Leases
Note 4 - Assets Held for Sale
Note 5 - Discontinued Operations
Note 6 - Property and Equipment
Note 7 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Note 8 - Acquisition of Drybar Products
Note 9 - Goodwill and Intangibles
Note 10 - Share-Based Compensation Plans
Note 11 - Defined Contribution Plans
Note 12 - Repurchases of Common Stock
Note 13 - Restructuring Plan
Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies
Note 15 - Long-Term Debt
Note 16 - Fair Value
Note 17 - Financial Instruments and Risk Management
Note 18 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Note 19 - Segment and Geographic Information
Note 20 - Income Taxes
Note 21 - Earnings Per Share

Financial Statement Schedule:

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
February 28, 2021

PAGE

63

64

66

67

68

69

70

71
71
78
79
80
81
82
82
82
84
85
88
88
89
89
90
92
94
97
97
99
103

104

All other schedules are omitted as the required information is included in the consolidated financial 
statements or is not applicable.

62

Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Helen of Troy’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control 
over financial reporting as defined by Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act.

Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

•

•

•

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our 
transactions and dispositions of assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of 
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our 
receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our 
management and Board of Directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, 
use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, including the 
possibility that misstatements may not be prevented or detected.  Furthermore, the effectiveness of 
internal controls may become inadequate because of future changes in conditions, or variations in the 
degree of compliance with our policies or procedures.

Our management assesses the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the 
criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) 
in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.  Based on our assessment, we have concluded that our 
internal control over financial reporting was effective as of February 28, 2021.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP, has issued an audit report on the 
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  Their report appears on the following page. 

63

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Helen of Troy Limited

Opinion on internal control over financial reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Helen of Troy Limited and subsidiaries (the 
“Company”) as of February 28, 2021, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated 
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our 
opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
February 28, 2021, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by 
COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended February 28, 
2021, and our report dated April 29, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for 
its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm 
registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the 
U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and 
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting 
was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over 
financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and 
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we 
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting 
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, 
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable 
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made 
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may 
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or 
procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Dallas, Texas
April 29, 2021 

64

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Helen of Troy Limited

Opinion on the financial statements 
We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Helen  of  Troy  Limited  and  subsidiaries  (the 
“Company”)  as  of  February  28,  2021  and  February  29,  2020,  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  income, 
comprehensive  income,  stockholders’  equity,  and  cash  flows  for  each  of  the  three  years  in  the  period  ended 
February 28, 2021, and the related notes and schedule (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our 
opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of 
February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three 
years  in  the  period  ended  February  28,  2021,  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the 
United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2021, based on 
criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated April 29, 2021 expressed an unqualified 
opinion.

Basis for opinion 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with 
the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal 
securities  laws  and  the  applicable  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and  the 
PCAOB. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan 
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material 
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of 
material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that 
respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial 
statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical audit matters
Critical  audit  matters  are  matters  arising  from  the  current  period  audit  of  the  financial  statements  that  were 
communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures 
that  are  material  to  the  financial  statements  and  (2)  involved  our  especially  challenging,  subjective,  or  complex 
judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2008. 

Dallas, Texas
April 29, 2021

65

Table of Contents

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except shares and par value)
Assets
Assets, current:

Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables - principally trade, less allowances of $998 and $1,461
Inventory
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Assets held for sale
Income taxes receivable
Total assets, current

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $140,379 and $132,340
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $151,240 and $148,891
Operating lease assets
Deferred tax assets, net
Other assets
Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities, current:

Accounts payable, principally trade
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Income taxes payable
Long-term debt, current maturities
Total liabilities, current

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
Lease liabilities, non-current
Deferred tax liabilities, net
Other liabilities, non-current
Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:

February 28, 
2021

February 29, 
2020

$ 

45,120  $ 

382,449 
481,611 
16,170 
39,867 
6,720 
971,937 

24,467 
348,023 
256,311 
9,229 
44,806 
— 
682,836 

$ 

$ 

136,535 
739,901 
357,264 
32,533 
21,748 
3,570 

132,107 
739,901 
300,952 
32,645 
14,635 
807 
2,263,488  $  1,903,883 

334,807  $ 
271,179 
7,022 
1,884 
614,892 

341,746 
38,352 
5,735 
23,416 
1,024,141 

152,674 
183,157 
1,181 
1,884 
338,896 

337,421 
40,861 
4,224 
20,758 
742,160 

Cumulative preferred stock, non-voting, $1.00 par. Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued  
Common stock, $0.10 par. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; 24,405,921 and 25,193,766 shares 
issued and outstanding
Additional paid in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings
Total stockholders' equity

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 

— 

— 

2,519 
2,441 
268,043 
283,396 
(7,005) 
(11,656)   
898,166 
965,166 
1,161,723 
1,239,347 
2,263,488  $  1,903,883 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020
$  2,098,799  $  1,707,432  $  1,564,151 
923,045 
641,106 

1,171,497 
927,302 

972,966 
734,466 

2019

637,012 
8,452 
350 
281,488 

559 
12,617 
269,430 

15,484 
253,946 
— 

511,902 
41,000 
3,313 
178,251 

394 
12,705 
165,940 

13,607 
152,333 
— 

$ 

253,946  $ 

152,333  $ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

10.16  $ 
— 
10.16  $ 

6.06  $ 
— 
6.06  $ 

10.08  $ 
— 
10.08  $ 

6.02  $ 
— 
6.02  $ 

438,141 
— 
3,586 
199,379 

340 
11,719 
188,000 

13,776 
174,224 
(5,679) 
168,545 

6.68 
(0.22) 
6.46 

6.62 
(0.22) 
6.41 

24,985 
25,196 

25,118 
25,322 

26,073 
26,303 

Table of Contents

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands, except per share data)
Sales revenue, net
Cost of goods sold

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”)
Asset impairment charges
Restructuring charges
Operating income

Non-operating income, net
Interest expense

Income before income tax

Income tax expense
Income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income

Earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) - basic:

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total EPS - basic

EPS - diluted:

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total EPS - diluted

Weighted average shares used in computing EPS:

Basic
Diluted

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020
152,333  $ 

2021
253,946  $ 

2019
168,545 

$ 

623 
(5,274)   
(4,651)   
249,295  $ 

(8,331)   
135 
(8,196)   
144,137  $ 

(1,573) 
2,133 
560 
169,105 

$ 

Table of Contents

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in thousands)
Net income
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Cash flow hedge activity - interest rate swaps
Cash flow hedge activity - foreign currency contracts
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

Comprehensive income

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

68

 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(in thousands, including shares)

Balances at February 28, 2018

Income from continuing operations

Loss from discontinued operations 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

Exercise of stock options

Issuance and settlement of restricted stock

Common Stock

 Shares

Par
Value

Additional 
Paid in 
Capital

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss)

Retained 
Earnings

Total 
Stockholders' 
Equity

  26,576  $  2,658  $  230,676  $ 

631  $ 780,494  $ 

1,014,459 

—   

—   

—   

126   

147   

31   

—   

—   

—   

13   

15   

3   

—   

—   

—   

6,262   

(15)   

2,392   

—    174,224   

174,224 

—   

(5,679)   

(5,679) 

560   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

560 

6,275 

— 

2,395 

Issuance of common stock related to stock purchase plan  

Common stock repurchased and retired

(1,934)   

(194)   

(14,783)   

—    (202,516)   

(217,493) 

Share-based compensation

Cumulative effect of accounting change 

—   

—   

—   

—   

22,053   

—   

—   

—   

—   

(157)   

22,053 

(157) 

Balances at February 28, 2019

  24,946  $  2,495  $  246,585  $ 

1,191  $ 746,366  $ 

996,637 

Net income

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Exercise of stock options

Issuance and settlement of restricted stock

Issuance of common stock related to stock purchase plan  

Common stock repurchased and retired

Share-based compensation

Balances at February 29, 2020

Net income

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Exercise of stock options

Issuance and settlement of restricted stock

—   

—   

93   

202   

30   

(77)   

—   

—   

—   

9   

20   

3   

(8)   

—   

—   

—   

5,344   

(20)   

2,833   

(9,628)   

22,929   

—    152,333   

152,333 

(8,196)   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

(533)   

—   

(8,196) 

5,353 

— 

2,836 

(10,169) 

22,929 

  25,194  $  2,519  $  268,043  $ 

(7,005)  $ 898,166  $ 

1,161,723 

—   

—   

21   

194   

27   

—   

—   

2   

20   

3   

—   

—   

1,592   

(20)   

3,608   

—    253,946   

253,946 

(4,651)   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

(4,651) 

1,594 

— 

3,611 

Issuance of common stock related to stock purchase plan  

Common stock repurchased and retired

(1,030)   

(103)   

(16,245)   

—    (186,946)   

(203,294) 

Share-based compensation

Balances at February 28, 2021

—   

—   

26,418   

—   

—   

26,418 

  24,406  $  2,441  $  283,396  $ 

(11,656)  $ 965,166  $ 

1,239,347 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)
Cash provided by operating activities:

Net income
Less: Loss from discontinued operations
Income from continuing operations

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided 
by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization
Amortization of financing costs
Non-cash operating lease expense
Provision for credit losses
Non-cash share-based compensation
Non-cash asset impairment charges
Loss (gain) on the sale or disposal of property and equipment
Deferred income taxes and tax credits
Changes in operating capital, net of effects of acquisition of business:
Receivables
Inventory
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Other assets and liabilities, net
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accrued income taxes
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations
Net cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations
Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash used by investing activities:

Capital and intangible asset expenditures
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired
Net cash used by investing activities

Cash (used) provided by financing activities:

Proceeds from line of credit
Repayment of line of credit
Repayment of long-term debt
Payment of financing costs
Proceeds from share issuances under share-based compensation plans
Payments for repurchases of common stock
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning balance
Cash and cash equivalents, ending balance

Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid
Income taxes paid, net of refunds

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

70

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2021

2019

$ 

253,946  $ 

152,333  $ 

— 
253,946 

— 
152,333 

37,718 
1,021 
6,895 
2,093 
26,418 
8,452 
193 
(4,400)   

(38,149)   
(220,817)   
(2,033)   
(6,613)   

175,784 
73,010 
588 
314,106 
— 
314,106 

37,409 
1,620 
6,269 
529 
22,929 
41,000 
188 
(5,696)   

(60,562)   
45,482 
863 
19,488 
7,166 
5,296 
(3,021)   

271,293 
— 
271,293 

168,545 
(5,679) 
174,224 

29,927 
1,015 
— 
1,097 
22,053 
— 
(540) 
7,636 

(5,812) 
(50,828) 
239 
7,549 
14,219 
(1,526) 
1,315 
200,568 
(5,265) 
195,303 

(98,668)   

(17,759)   

— 
— 

(98,668)   

3 

(255,861)   
(273,617)   

(26,385) 
1,138 
— 
(25,247) 

937,400 
(928,400)   
(1,900)   
(3,796)   
5,205 
(203,294)   
(194,785)   

771,300 
(752,500)   
(1,900)   
— 
8,189 
(10,169)   
14,920 

667,250 
(635,450) 
(1,900) 
— 
8,670 
(217,493) 
(178,923) 

20,653 
24,467 
45,120  $ 

12,596 
11,871 
24,467  $ 

(8,867) 
20,738 
11,871 

11,640  $ 
19,692 

12,777  $ 
23,279 

11,292 
4,277 

$ 

$ 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share data, unless indicated otherwise)

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Information

Corporate Overview

When used in these notes, unless otherwise indicated or the context suggests otherwise, references to 
“the Company”, “our Company”, “Helen of Troy”, “we”, “us”, or “our” refer to Helen of Troy Limited and its 
subsidiaries, which are all wholly-owned.  We refer to our common shares, par value $0.10 per share, as 
“common stock.”  References to “the FASB” refer to the Financial Accounting Standards Board.  
References to “GAAP” refer to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 
(the “U.S.”).  References to “ASU” refer to the codification of GAAP in the Accounting Standards Updates 
issued by the FASB.  References to “ASC” refer to the codification of GAAP in the Accounting Standards 
Codification issued by the FASB.

We incorporated as Helen of Troy Corporation in Texas in 1968 and were reorganized as Helen of Troy 
Limited in Bermuda in 1994.  We are a leading consumer products company offering creative products 
and solutions for our customers through a diversified portfolio of brands.  As of February 28, 2021, we 
operated three segments: Housewares, Health & Home, and Beauty.  Our Housewares segment provides 
a broad range of innovative consumer products for the home and on the go to help with food preparation, 
cooking, cleaning, organization, beverage service, and other tasks to ease everyday living for families.  
The Health & Home segment provides healthcare and home environment products including health care 
devices, water filtration systems, and small home appliances.  Our Beauty segment provides mass and 
prestige market beauty appliance and personal care products including hair styling appliances, grooming 
tools, decorative haircare accessories, and liquid-, solid- and powder-based personal care and grooming 
products.

Our business is seasonal due to different calendar events, holidays and seasonal weather patterns.  Our 
fiscal reporting period ends on the last day in February.  Historically, our highest sales volume and 
operating income occur in our third fiscal quarter ending November 30th.  We purchase our products from 
unaffiliated manufacturers, most of which are located in China, Mexico and the U.S.

On December 20, 2017, we completed the divestiture of the Nutritional Supplements segment through 
the sale of Healthy Directions LLC and its subsidiaries to Direct Digital, LLC.  The results of the Nutritional 
Supplements operations and the related loss on sale have been reported as discontinued operations for 
all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements (see Note 5).  All other footnotes present 
results from continuing operations.

On January 23, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Drybar Products, for approximately $255.9 million 
in cash.  Drybar is an innovative, trendsetting prestige hair care and styling brand in the multibillion-dollar 
beauty industry (see Note 8). 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we committed to a plan to divest certain assets within our Beauty 
segment's mass channel personal care business (“Personal Care”).  The assets to be disposed of include 
intangible assets, inventory, certain net trade receivables and fixed assets relating to our mass channel 
liquids, powder and aerosol products under brands such as Pert, Brut, Sure and Infusium.  Accordingly, 
we classified the identified assets of the disposal group as held for sale.  We expect the divestiture to 
occur during the first quarter of fiscal 2022.  See Note 4 for additional information.  

71

Table of Contents

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) 
to be a pandemic.  COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S. and the world, with the continued 
potential for catastrophic impact.  The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have had an unfavorable impact 
on certain parts of our business.  The impact includes the effect of temporary closures of certain 
customer stores or limited hours of operation, and materially lower store traffic.  COVID-19 has disrupted 
certain parts of our supply chain, which in certain cases has limited our ability to fulfill demand.  
Additionally, surges in demand and shifts in shopping patterns related to COVID-19, as well as other 
factors, have strained the global freight network, which is resulting in higher costs, less capacity, and 
longer lead times.  These factors may impact our ability to fulfill some orders on a timely basis.

COVID-19 has favorably impacted the demand for our product lines that are more defensive, meet 
certain healthcare or healthy living needs, or meet the needs of consumers that are spending more time 
at home as a result of the pandemic.  COVID-19 has also favorably impacted our online channel, as brick 
and mortar shopping options have been limited or considered unsafe by consumers.  Although the 
favorable impacts of COVID-19 outweighed the unfavorable impacts for fiscal 2021, this situation 
continues to change rapidly, and additional impacts or more pronounced adverse impacts may arise that 
we are not currently aware of today.  Additionally, the extent of COVID-19’s impact on the demand for 
certain of our product lines in the future will depend on future developments, including the duration, 
spread and intensity of the pandemic, our continued ability to source and distribute our products, as well 
as any future government actions affecting consumers and the economy generally, all of which are 
uncertain and difficult to predict considering the rapidly evolving landscape.  Accordingly, our liquidity and 
financial results could be impacted in ways that we are not able to predict today.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and include 
all of our subsidiaries.  Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. Dollars.  All 
intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to 
make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial 
statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results may differ materially from those estimates.

Reclassifications

We have reclassified, combined or separately disclosed certain amounts in the prior years’ consolidated 
financial statements and accompanying footnotes to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.  
We maintain cash and cash equivalents at several financial institutions, which at times may not be 
federally insured or may exceed federally insured limits.  We have not experienced any losses in such 
accounts and believe we are not exposed to any significant credit risks on such accounts.  We consider 
money market accounts to be cash equivalents.

Receivables

Our receivables are principally comprised of trade receivables from customers, primarily in the retail 
industry, offset by an allowance for credit losses.  Our allowance for credit losses reflects our best 
estimate of expected credit losses over the receivables' term, determined principally based on historical 
experience, specific allowances for known at-risk accounts, and consideration of current economic 
conditions and management’s expectations of future economic conditions.  Our policy is to write off 

72

Table of Contents

receivables when we have determined they will no longer be collectible.  Write-offs are applied as a 
reduction to the allowance for credit losses and any recoveries of previous write-offs are netted against 
bad debt expense in the period recovered.

We have a significant concentration of credit risk with three major customers at February 28, 2021 
representing approximately 18%, 16%, and 15% of our gross trade receivables, respectively.  As of 
February 29, 2020, our significant concentration of credit risk with three major customers represented 
approximately 18%, 14%, and 13% of our gross trade receivables, respectively.  In addition, as of 
February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, approximately 58% and 54%, respectively, of our gross trade 
receivables were due from our five top customers.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Related Derivative Financial Instruments

The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency for the Company and all of its subsidiaries and is also the 
reporting currency for the Company; therefore, we do not have a translation adjustment recorded through 
accumulated other comprehensive income.  All our non-U.S. subsidiaries' transactions denominated in 
other currencies have been remeasured into U.S. Dollars using exchange rates in effect on the date each 
transaction occurred.  In our consolidated statements of income, foreign currency exchange rate gains 
and losses resulting from the remeasurement of foreign taxes receivable, taxes payable, deferred tax 
assets, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized in their respective income tax lines and all other foreign 
currency exchange rate gains and losses are recognized in SG&A.

In order to manage our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, we use forward 
contracts, zero-cost collars and cross-currency debt swaps to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. 
Dollars at specified rates.  Derivatives for which we have elected and qualify for hedge accounting 
include our forward contracts and zero-cost collars (“foreign currency contracts”).  Our foreign currency 
contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with 
changes in fair value recorded in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (“OCI”) until the hedged 
forecasted transaction affects earnings, at which point amounts are reclassified from Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive (Loss) Income (“AOCI”) to our consolidated statements of income.  Derivatives for which 
we have not elected or do not qualify for hedge accounting include our cross-currency debt swaps and 
any changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in our consolidated statements of income.  
We evaluate our derivatives designated as cash flow hedges each quarter to assess hedge effectiveness.  
Any material ineffectiveness is recorded in our consolidated statements of income.  We do not enter into 
any derivatives or similar instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold

Our inventory consists almost entirely of finished goods.  Inventories are stated at the lower of average 
cost or net realizable value.  We write down a portion of our inventory to net realizable value based on the 
historical success of product lines and estimates about future demand and market conditions, among 
other factors.  Our average costs include the amounts we pay manufacturers for product, tariffs and 
duties associated with transporting product across national borders, freight costs associated with 
transporting the product from our manufacturers to our distribution centers, and general and 
administrative expenses directly attributable to acquiring inventory, as applicable.

General and administrative expenses directly attributable to acquiring inventory include all the expenses 
of operating our sourcing activities and expenses incurred for packaging.  We capitalized $33.9 million, 
$44.6 million, and $47.7 million of such general and administrative expenses into inventory during fiscal 
2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  We estimate that $15.1 million and $16.0 million of general and 
administrative expenses directly attributable to the procurement of inventory were included in our 
inventory balances on hand at February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively.

73

Table of Contents

The “Cost of goods sold” line item in the consolidated statements of income is comprised of the book 
value of inventory sold to customers during the reporting period.  When circumstances dictate that we 
use net realizable value as the basis for recording inventory, we base our estimates on expected future 
selling prices less expected disposal costs.

For fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, finished goods purchased from vendors in the geographic markets of 
Asia Pacific (“Far East”), comprised approximately 80%, 76%, and 74%, respectively, of total finished 
goods purchased.  During fiscal 2021, we had one vendor (located in China) who fulfilled approximately 
11% of our product requirements compared to 7% and 9% for fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively.  
Additionally, during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, we had one vendor (located in Mexico) who fulfilled 
approximately 9% of our product requirements compared to 11% for fiscal 2019.  For fiscal 2021, 2020 
and 2019, our top two manufacturers combined fulfilled approximately 20%, 18%, and 20% of our product 
requirements, respectively.  Over the same periods, our top five suppliers fulfilled approximately 38%, 
39%, and 38% of our product requirements, respectively.

Property and Equipment

These assets are recorded at cost.  Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated 
useful lives of the assets.  Expenditures for repair and maintenance of property and equipment are 
expensed as incurred.  For tax purposes, accelerated depreciation methods are used where allowed by 
tax laws.

License Agreements, Trademarks, Patents, and Other Intangible Assets

A significant portion of our sales are made subject to trademark license agreements with various 
licensors.  Our license agreements are reported on our consolidated balance sheets at cost, less 
accumulated amortization.  The cost of our license agreements represent amounts paid to licensors to 
acquire the license or to alter the terms of the license in a manner that we believe to be in our best 
interest.  Certain licenses have extension terms that may require additional payments to the licensor as 
part of the terms of renewal.  We capitalize costs incurred to renew or extend the term of a license 
agreement and amortize such costs on a straight-line basis over the remaining term or economic life of 
the agreement, whichever is shorter.  Royalty payments are not included in the cost of license 
agreements.  Royalty expense under our license agreements is recognized as incurred and is included in 
our consolidated statements of income in SG&A.  Net sales revenue subject to trademark license 
agreements requiring royalty payments comprised approximately 41%, 43%, and 41% of consolidated 
net sales revenue for fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  During fiscal 2021, two license 
agreements accounted for net sales revenue subject to royalty payments of approximately 15% and 12% 
of consolidated net sales revenue.  No other license agreements had associated net sales revenue 
subject to royalty payments that accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net sales revenue.

We also sell products under trademarks and brand assets that we own.  Trademarks and brand assets 
that we acquire through acquisition from other entities are generally recorded on our consolidated 
balance sheets based upon the appraised fair value of the acquired asset, net of any accumulated 
amortization and impairment charges.  Costs associated with developing trademarks internally are 
recorded as expenses in the period incurred.  In certain instances where trademarks or brand assets 
have readily determinable useful lives, we amortize their costs on a straight-line basis over such lives.  In 
some instances, we have determined that such acquired assets have an indefinite useful life.  In these 
cases, no amortization is recorded.  Patents acquired through acquisition, if material, are recorded on our 
consolidated balance sheets based upon the appraised value of the acquired patents and amortized over 
the remaining life of the patent.  Additionally, we incur certain costs in connection with the design and 
development of products to be covered by patents, which are capitalized as incurred and amortized on a 
straight-line basis over the life of the patent in the jurisdiction filed, typically 12 to 14 years.

74

Table of Contents

Other intangible assets include customer lists, distribution rights, patent rights, and non-compete 
agreements that we acquired.  These are recorded on our consolidated balance sheets based upon the 
fair value of the acquired asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the asset 
as determined either by a third-party appraisal or the term of any controlling agreements.

Goodwill, Intangible and Other Long-Lived Assets and Related Impairment Testing

Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid and the fair 
value of the net tangible and intangible assets received in the acquisition of a business.  The estimates of 
the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based upon assumptions believed to be 
reasonable using established valuation techniques that consider a number of factors, and when 
appropriate, valuations performed by independent third-party appraisers.  

We review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more 
frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be 
recoverable.  We consider whether circumstances or conditions exist which suggest that the carrying 
value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets might be impaired. If such circumstances or 
conditions exist, we perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that 
the assets are impaired.  We evaluate goodwill at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level 
below an operating segment).  If the results of the qualitative assessment indicate that it is more likely 
than not that the assets are impaired, further steps are required in order to determine whether the 
carrying value of each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeds its fair market value.  
An impairment charge is recognized to the extent the goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible asset recorded 
exceeds the reporting unit’s or asset's fair value. We perform our annual impairment testing for goodwill 
and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of our fiscal year (see Note 
9). 

We review intangible assets with definite lives and long-lived assets held and used if a triggering event 
occurs during the reporting period.  If such circumstances or conditions exist, further steps are required in 
order to determine whether the carrying value of each of the individual assets exceeds its fair market 
value.  If our analysis indicates that an individual asset’s carrying value does exceed its fair market value, 
the next step is to record a loss equal to the excess of the individual asset’s carrying value over its fair 
value.  We evaluate long-lived assets held for sale quarterly to determine if estimated fair value less cost 
to sell has changed during the reporting period.  See Note 4 for additional information on our assets held 
for sale impairment analysis. 

The assumptions and estimates used in our impairment testing involve significant elements of subjective 
judgment and analysis.  While we believe that the assumptions we use are reasonable at the time made, 
changes in business conditions or other unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that cause 
actual results to differ materially from projected results and this could potentially require future 
adjustments to our asset valuations.

Economic Useful Lives and Amortization of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of license agreements, trademarks, brand assets, customer lists, 
distribution rights, patents, patent rights, and non-compete agreements.  We amortize intangible assets 
over their economic useful lives, unless those assets' economic useful lives are indefinite.  If an intangible 
asset’s economic useful life is deemed indefinite, that asset is not amortized.  When we acquire an 
intangible asset, we consider factors such as the asset's history, our plans for that asset and the market 
for products associated with the asset.  We consider these same factors when reviewing the economic 
useful lives of our previously acquired intangible assets as well.  We review the economic useful lives of 
our intangible assets at least annually.  The determination of the economic useful life of an intangible 
asset requires a significant amount of judgment and entails significant subjectivity and uncertainty.  We 

75

Table of Contents

complete our analysis of the remaining useful economic lives of our intangible assets during the fourth 
quarter of each fiscal year or when a triggering event occurs.  For certain intangible assets subject to 
amortization, we use the straight-line method over appropriate periods ranging from 5 to 40 years for 
licenses, 15 to 30 years for trademarks and 5 to 24 years for other definite-lived intangible assets (see 
Note 9).

Sales Returns

We allow for sales returns for defects in material and workmanship for periods ranging from two to five 
years.  We recognize an allowance for sales returns to reduce sales to reflect our best estimate of future 
customer returns, determined principally based on historical experience and specific allowances for 
known pending returns.

Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other 
current liabilities, and income taxes payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these 
items.  The carrying amounts of receivables approximate fair value due to the effect of the related 
allowance for credit losses.  The carrying amount of our floating rate long-term debt approximates its fair 
value. 

We use derivatives to manage our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which 
include foreign currency forward contracts, zero cost collars and cross-currency debt swaps. In addition, 
we use interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. All of our derivative 
assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value. See Notes 16, 17 and 18 for more information on our fair 
value measurements and derivatives.  

Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions

The provision for income tax expense is calculated on reported income before income taxes based on 
current tax law and includes, in the current period, the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from 
those used previously in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities.  Tax laws may require items to be 
included in the determination of taxable income at different times from when the items are reflected in the 
financial statements.  Deferred tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the 
financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, as well as from net 
operating losses and tax credit carryforwards, and are stated at enacted tax rates in effect for the year 
taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.

Deferred tax assets represent tax benefits for tax deductions or credits available in future years and 
require certain estimates and assumptions to determine whether it is more likely than not that all or a 
portion of the benefit will not be realized.  The recoverability of these future tax deductions and credits is 
determined by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including the 
future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years, estimated 
future taxable income and available tax planning strategies.  Should a change in facts or circumstances 
lead to a change in judgment about the ultimate recoverability of a deferred tax asset, we record or adjust 
the related valuation allowance in the period that the change in facts and circumstances occurs, along 
with a corresponding increase or decrease in income tax expense.

We record tax benefits for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s evaluation of the 
information available at the reporting date.  To be recognized in the financial statements, the tax position 
must meet the more-likely-than-not threshold that the position will be sustained upon examination by the 
tax authority based on its technical merits assuming the tax authority has full knowledge of all relevant 
information.  For positions meeting this recognition threshold, the benefit is measured as the largest 

76

Table of Contents

amount that has greater than a 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  We 
reevaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis.  This evaluation is based on factors 
including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled 
issues under audit, historical experience with similar tax matters, guidance from our tax advisors, and 
new audit activity.  For tax positions that do not meet the threshold requirement, we record liabilities for 
unrecognized tax benefits as a tax expense or benefit in the period recognized or reversed and disclose 
as a separate liability in our financial statements, including related accrued interest and penalties.

Revenue Recognition

We adopted the provisions of ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, and we elected to adopt the 
standard using the retrospective method.  The core principle of the guidance is that a company should 
recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that 
reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or 
services.

Our revenue is primarily generated from the sale of non-customized consumer products to customers.  
These products are promised goods that are distinct performance obligations.  Revenue is recognized 
when control of, and title to, the product sold transfers to the customer in accordance with applicable 
shipping terms, which can occur on the date of shipment or the date of receipt by the customer, 
depending on the customer and the agreed upon shipping terms.  Payment terms from the sale of our 
products are typically due to us in thirty to ninety days after the date of sale.

We measure revenue as the amount of consideration for which we expect to be entitled, in exchange for 
transferring goods.  Certain customers may receive cash incentives such as customer discounts 
(including volume or trade discounts), advertising discounts and other customer-related programs which 
are accounted for as variable consideration.  In some cases, we apply judgment, such as contractual 
rates and historical payment trends, when estimating variable consideration.  In accordance with the 
guidance, most variable consideration is classified as a reduction to net sales.  In instances when we 
purchase a distinct good or service from our customer and fair value can be reasonably estimated, these 
amounts are expensed in our consolidated statements of income in SG&A.  The amount of consideration 
granted to customers recorded in SG&A was $27.1 million, $20.9 million, and $17.0 million for fiscal 
2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Sales taxes and other similar taxes are excluded from revenue. We have elected to account for shipping 
and handling activities as a fulfillment cost as permitted by the guidance.  We do not have unsatisfied 
performance obligations since our performance obligations are satisfied at a single point in time.

Advertising

Advertising costs include cooperative retail advertising with our customers, traditional and digital media 
advertising and production expenses, and expenses associated with other promotional product 
messaging and consumer awareness programs.  Advertising costs are expensed in the period in which 
they are incurred and included in our consolidated statements of income in SG&A.  We incurred total 
advertising costs of $110.7 million, $71.4 million, and $62.4 million during fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, 
respectively.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expenses consist primarily of salary and employee benefit expenses and 
contracted development efforts and expenses associated with development of products.  Expenditures for 
research activities relating to product design, engineering, development and improvement are generally 
charged to expense as incurred and are included in our consolidated statements of income in SG&A.  We 

77

Table of Contents

incurred total research and development expenses of $30.6 million, $17.8 million, and $13.0 million 
during fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Shipping and Handling Revenue and Expense

Shipping and handling revenue and expense are included in our consolidated statements of income in 
SG&A.  This includes distribution center costs, third-party logistics costs and outbound transportation 
costs we incur.  Our net expense for shipping and handling was $140.1 million, $102.7 million, and $89.4 
million during fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation Plans

We grant share-based compensation awards to non-employee directors and certain employees under our 
equity plans.  We measure the cost of services received in exchange for equity awards, which include 
grants of stock options, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance 
stock awards (“PSAs”), and performance stock units (“PSUs”), based on the fair value of the awards on 
the grant date.  Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period 
during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, unless the awards 
are subject to performance conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the 
requisite service period to the extent performance conditions are considered probable.  The estimated 
number of PSAs and PSUs that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or 
updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative 
adjustment in the period estimates are revised.  All share-based compensation expense is recorded net 
of forfeitures in our consolidated statements of income.

The grant date fair value of RSAs, RSUs, PSAs, and PSUs are determined using the closing price of our 
common stock on the date of grant.  We determine the grant date fair value of stock options using a 
Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires various judgmental assumptions including volatility, 
forfeiture rates and expected option life.  See Note 10 for further information on our share-based 
compensation plans.

Note 2 - New Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted that are expected to have a 
material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Adopted

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the 
Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional expedients 
to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting and other transactions 
affected by reference rate reform to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market 
transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to 
alternative reference rates.  This ASU was effective upon issuance, on March 12, 2020, and may be 
applied through December 31, 2022.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our 
consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the 
Accounting for Income Taxes, which provides for certain updates to reduce complexity in the accounting 
for income taxes, including the utilization of the incremental approach for intra-period tax allocation, 
among others.  The amendments in ASU 2019-12 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within 
those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted.  We adopted this 

78

Table of Contents

ASU during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and the adoption did not have a material impact on our 
consolidated  financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): 
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (with subsequent targeted amendments), which 
modifies the measurements of expected credit losses for certain financial instruments and financial 
assets, including trade receivables.  This ASU was effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and 
the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure 
Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.  ASU 2018-13 
removes certain disclosures, modifies certain disclosures and adds additional disclosures.  Certain 
disclosures in ASU 2018-13 would need to be applied on a retrospective basis and others on a 
prospective basis.  This ASU was effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and the adoption of 
this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software 
(Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing 
Arrangement That is a Service Contract.  ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing 
implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements 
for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software.  This ASU was 
effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material 
impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 - Leases

We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception and determine its 
classification as an operating or finance lease at lease commencement.  We primarily have leases for 
office space, which are classified as operating leases.  Operating leases are included in operating lease 
assets, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and lease liabilities, non-current in our 
consolidated balance sheets.  Operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized 
based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term at commencement date.  As 
most of our lease contracts do not provide an explicit interest rate, we use an estimated secured 
incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the 
present value of lease payments.

We include options to extend or terminate the lease in the lease term for accounting considerations, when 
it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.  Our leases have remaining lease terms of less 
than 1 year to 12 years.  Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over 
the lease term.  We do not recognize leases with an initial term of twelve months or less on the balance 
sheet and instead recognize the related lease payments as expense in the consolidated statements of 
income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  We account for lease and non-lease components as 
a single lease component for all asset classes.  Our lease agreements do not contain any material 
residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Operating lease expense recognized within SG&A in the consolidated statements of income was $7.0 
million and $6.4 million, for fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively.  Short-term lease expense is excluded 
from this amount and is not material.  Rent expense related to all our operating leases was $9.5 million, 
$7.8 million, and $7.9 million for fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  The non-cash component of 
lease expense is included as an adjustment to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash 
provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

79

Table of Contents

A summary of supplemental lease information is as follows:

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)
Weighted average discount rate
Year-to-date cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

February 28, 2021
9.6
 6.03 %

February 29, 2020
10.8
 6.13 %

Operating cash flows from operating leases

Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

$ 
$ 

6,951  $ 
4,163  $ 

4,579 
166 

A summary of our estimated lease payments, imputed interest and liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)
Fiscal 2022
Fiscal 2023
Fiscal 2024
Fiscal 2025
Fiscal 2026
Thereafter
Total future lease payments
Less: imputed interest

Present value of lease liability

(in thousands)
Lease liabilities, current (1)
Lease liabilities, non-current
Total lease liability

February 28, 2021

$ 

$ 

8,365 
6,363 
5,332 
5,762 
5,035 
29,335 
60,192 
(15,868) 
44,324 

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

$ 

$ 

5,972  $ 

38,352 
44,324  $ 

3,641 
40,861 
44,502 

(1)

Included as part of “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheet.

Note 4 - Assets Held for Sale

We record assets held for sale in accordance with ASC 360 “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” and 
present them as single asset amounts in our consolidated financial statements.  Assets held for sale 
consist of assets that we expect to sell within the next year.  The assets are reported at the lower of 
carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.  We cease recording depreciation on assets that are 
classified as held for sale.  If the determination is made that we no longer expect to sell an asset within 
the next year, the asset is reclassified out of held for sale.  We review assets held for sale each reporting 
period to determine whether the existing carrying amounts are fully recoverable in comparison to 
estimated fair values less costs to sell.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we committed to a plan to divest certain assets within our 
Personal Care business.  The assets to be disposed of include intangible assets, inventory, certain net 
trade receivables and fixed assets relating to our mass channel liquids, powder and aerosol products 
under brands such as Pert, Brut, Sure and Infusium.  Accordingly, we classified the identified assets of 
the disposal group as held for sale during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.  During the fourth quarter of 
fiscal 2020, we recorded non-cash asset impairment charges of $41.0 million ($36.4 million after tax) 
related to goodwill and intangible assets.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, our quarterly impairment evaluation of long-lived assets held for 
sale resulted in a non-cash asset impairment charge of $8.5 million ($7.4 million after tax) to reduce the 
goodwill of our Personal Care business to reflect the disposal group at fair value less cost to sell.  We 
expect the divestiture to occur during the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets for our Personal Care business that were classified 
as held for sale are as follows:

(in thousands)
Receivables, net of allowance of $30
Inventory
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $403
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment of $80,445 and $71,993
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $4,474

Assets held for sale

$ 

$ 

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

7,979  $ 

12,667 
100 
1,397 
17,724 
39,867  $ 

— 
17,150 
83 
9,849 
17,724 
44,806 

The following table summarizes income (loss) before income tax for our Personal Care business:

(in thousands)
Income (loss) before income tax

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2019

2021

$ 

8,705  $ 

(29,760)  $ 

23,190 

Income (loss) before income taxes includes non-cash asset impairment charges of $8.5 million and $41.0 
million for fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively, and amortization of intangible assets of $7.8 million and 
$1.0 million for fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively.  No asset impairment charges were recorded in fiscal 
2019 and no amortization of intangible assets was recorded in fiscal 2021 for our Personal Care 
business.  Income (loss) before income taxes also includes corporate overhead expenses that are 
allocable to the business.

Note 5 - Discontinued Operations

In December 2017, we completed the divestiture of the Nutritional Supplements segment through the 
sale of Healthy Directions LLC and its subsidiaries (“Healthy Directions”) to Direct Digital, LLC.  The 
purchase price from the sale was comprised of $46.0 million in cash, which was paid at closing, and a 
supplemental payment with a target value of $25.0 million, payable on or before August 1, 2019.  During 
fiscal 2019, the final amount of the supplemental payment was adjusted to $10.8 million based on a 
settlement with respect to the calculation of the performance of Healthy Directions through February 28, 
2018.  The adjustment resulted in a corresponding pre-tax charge of $5.8 million ($4.4 million after tax) to 
discontinued operations in fiscal 2019.  The supplemental payment of $10.8 million was received during 
the second quarter of fiscal 2020.  Also, during fiscal 2019, we recorded an additional pre-tax charge of 
$1.5 million ($1.3 million after tax) to discontinued operations, resulting from the resolution of certain 
contingencies.  In conjunction with the sale of the business, we provided certain transition services that 
ceased during the second quarter of fiscal 2020.  There were no balance sheet amounts related to 
discontinued operations at either balance sheet date presented.  Additionally, there was no investing 
activities for discontinued operations for any period presented in the consolidated statements of cash 
flows.

81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Note 6 - Property and Equipment

A summary of property and equipment is as follows:

(in thousands)
Land
Building and improvements
Computer, furniture and other equipment
Tools, molds and other production equipment
Construction in progress

Property and equipment, gross
Less: accumulated depreciation
Property and equipment, net

Estimated Useful Lives (Years) Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,

2021

2020

3
3
3

—
—
—
—
—

40
15
7

$ 

$ 

12,644  $ 

116,652 
97,810 
42,729 
7,079 
276,914 
(140,379)   
136,535  $ 

12,644 
115,592 
89,257 
37,652 
9,302 
264,447 
(132,340) 
132,107 

We recorded $20.1 million, $16.1 million and $15.7 million of depreciation expense including $6.8 million, 
$4.3 million and $4.1 million in cost of goods sold and $13.3 million, $11.8 million and $11.6 million in 
SG&A in the consolidated statements of income for fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Note 7 - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

A summary of accrued expenses and other current liabilities is as follows:

(in thousands)
Accrued compensation, benefits and payroll taxes
Accrued sales discounts and allowances
Accrued sales returns
Accrued advertising
Other
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Note 8 - Acquisition of Drybar Products

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,

2021

2020

$ 

$ 

66,385  $ 
59,426 
29,434 
50,923 
65,011 

271,179  $ 

49,624 
34,176 
22,972 
31,351 
45,034 
183,157 

On January 23, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Drybar Products LLC (“Drybar Products”) for 
approximately $255.9 million in cash.  Acquisition-related expenses incurred during fiscal 2020 were 
approximately $2.5 million before tax.  The purchase price was funded by borrowings under the 
Company's revolving credit agreement.

Drybar is an innovative, trend setting prestige hair care and styling brand in the multibillion-dollar beauty 
industry.  As part of the transaction, we granted a worldwide license to Drybar Holdings LLC, which has 
subsequently been assumed by WellBiz Brands, Inc., as successor owner of Drybar blowout salons, to 
use the Drybar trademark in relation to the franchising and operation of Drybar salons.  The salons 
exclusively use, promote, and sell Drybar products globally.  

We accounted for the acquisition as a purchase of a business and recorded the excess purchase price as 
goodwill.  We completed our analysis of the economic lives of the assets acquired and determined the 
appropriate fair values of the acquired assets.  We assigned $30.0 million to trade names and are 
amortizing over a 15 year expected life.  We assigned $17.0 million to customer relationships and are 
amortizing over a 14.5 year expected life.  We used historical attrition rates to assign the expected life. 
We assigned $10.0 million to a consulting agreement and $6.0 million to a non-compete provision, and 
we are amortizing these assets over expected lives of 5 and 10 years, respectively.

82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

The following table presents the net assets recorded upon acquisition of Drybar Products at January 23, 
2020:

 (in thousands)
Assets:

Receivables
Inventory
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Property and equipment
Goodwill
Trade names - definite
Other intangible assets - definite
Subtotal - assets

Liabilities:

Accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Subtotal - liabilities

Net assets recorded

$ 

$ 

7,710 
16,603 
190 
1,472 
172,933 
30,000 
33,000 
261,908 

1,948 
4,099 
6,047 
255,861 

The fair values of the above assets acquired and liabilities assumed were estimated by applying income 
and market approaches.  Key assumptions include various discount rates based upon a 12.6% weighted 
average cost of capital; royalty rates used in the determination of trade names and customer relationship 
asset values of 5.0% and 3.0%, respectively; and a customer attrition rate used in the determination of 
customer relationship values of 6.7% per year.

The impact of the acquisition of Drybar Products on our consolidated statements of income for fiscal 2020 
is as follows:

January 23, 2020 (acquisition date) through February 29, 2020
(in thousands, except earnings per share data)
Sales revenue, net
Income from continuing operations

EPS from continuing operations:

Basic
Diluted

Fiscal Year Ended 
February 29, 2020
6,039 
$ 
1,483 

$ 
$ 

0.06 
0.06 

The following supplemental unaudited pro forma information presents our financial results as if the 
acquisition of Drybar Products had occurred on March 1, 2018.  This supplemental pro forma information 
has been prepared for comparative purposes and would not necessarily indicate what may have occurred 
as if the acquisition had been completed on March 1, 2018, and this information is not intended to be 
indicative of future results:

(in thousands, except earnings per share data)
Sales revenue, net
Income from continuing operations

EPS from continuing operations:

Basic
Diluted

83

Fiscal Years Ended the Last 
Day of February,

2020

2019

$  1,773,592  $  1,621,117 
179,550 

162,114 

$ 
$ 

6.45  $ 
6.40  $ 

6.89 
6.83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Note 9 - Goodwill and Intangibles

We do not record amortization expense for goodwill or other intangible assets that have indefinite useful 
lives.  Amortization expense is recorded for intangible assets with definite useful lives and is reported 
within SG&A in our consolidated statements of income.  Some of our goodwill is held in jurisdictions that 
allow deductions for tax purposes, however, in some of those jurisdictions we have no tax basis for the 
associated goodwill recorded for book purposes.  Accordingly, the majority of our goodwill is not 
deductible for tax purposes.  We perform annual impairment testing each fiscal year and interim 
impairment testing, if necessary.  We write down any asset deemed to be impaired to its fair value.

Impairment Testing in Fiscal 2021 - During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, our quarterly impairment 
evaluation of long-lived assets held for sale resulted in a non-cash asset impairment charge of $8.5 
million ($7.4 million after tax) to reduce the goodwill of our Personal Care business to reflect the disposal 
group at fair value less cost to sell.  See Note 4 for additional information. 

Impairment Testing in Fiscal 2020 - We recorded non-cash asset impairment charges related to 
goodwill and intangible assets of $41.0 million ($36.4 million after tax).  The charges were related to 
Personal Care, which was written down to its estimated fair value, and classified as held for sale.  

Impairment Testing in Fiscal 2019 - We did not record any impairment charges.

The following table summarizes the changes in our goodwill by segment for fiscal 2020:

(in thousands)
Gross carrying amount as of February 28, 2019
Accumulated impairment as of  February 28, 2019

Acquisitions
Impairment charges
Reclassification to held for sale (1)

Gross carrying amount as of February 29, 2020
Accumulated impairment as of February 29, 2020 
Net carrying amount as of February 29, 2020

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty 

Total

$ 

282,056  $ 

284,913  $ 

— 
— 
— 
— 
282,056 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
284,913 
— 

81,841  $ 
(46,490)   
172,933 
(25,503)   
(9,849)   

172,932 
— 

$ 

282,056  $ 

284,913  $ 

172,932  $ 

648,810 
(46,490) 
172,933 
(25,503) 
(9,849) 
739,901 
— 
739,901 

(1)

In fiscal 2020, we reclassified the remaining goodwill associated with our Personal Care business of $9.8 million, including 
the related accumulated impairment of $72.0 million to assets held for sale. See Note 4 for additional information.

There were no changes to the gross carrying amount or accumulated impairment of our goodwill 
associated with our assets held and used during fiscal 2021.

The following table summarizes the components of our other intangible assets as follows:

(in thousands)
Indefinite-lived:

Licenses
Trademarks

Gross Carrying 
Amount

February 28, 2021
Accumulated 
Amortization

Net Carrying 
Amount

Gross Carrying 
Amount

February 29, 2020
Accumulated 
Amortization

Net Carrying 
Amount

$ 

7,400  $ 

188,200 

—  $ 
— 

7,400  $ 

7,400  $ 

188,200 

188,200 

—  $ 
— 

7,400 
188,200 

Definite-lived:

Licenses
Trademarks
Other Intangibles

Total 

$ 

87,946 
30,150 
194,808 
508,504  $ 

(14,800)   
(2,327)   
(134,113)   
(151,240)  $ 

73,146 
27,823 
60,695 

357,264  $ 

30,747 
30,150 
193,346 
449,843  $ 

(28,552)   
(322)   
(120,017)   
(148,891)  $ 

2,195 
29,828 
73,329 
300,952 

84

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

On December 22, 2020, we entered into an amended and extended Trademark License Agreement with 
Revlon to license Revlon’s trademark for hair care appliances and tools (the “Revlon License”).  The 
Revlon License grants us an exclusive, global, fully paid-up license to use the licensed trademark to 
manufacture, sell and distribute licensed merchandise in accordance with the terms of the agreement.  
The Revlon License has an initial term of 40 years, which will automatically renew at the end of the initial 
term for three consecutive additional 20-year periods unless we give notice of non-renewal.  The Revlon 
License amends and restates the existing Revlon trademark licensing agreements entirely, and 
eliminates ongoing royalties we have historically paid and recognized as expense within SG&A in 
accordance with such agreements.  In exchange for this exclusive global license, we paid a one-time, up-
front license fee of $72.5 million, which was recorded as an intangible asset at cost and is being 
amortized on a straight-line basis over a useful life of 40 years, representing the initial term.  

The following tables summarize amortization expense related to intangible assets as follows:

Aggregate Amortization Expense (in thousands)
Fiscal 2021
Fiscal 2020
Fiscal 2019

Estimated Amortization Expense (in thousands)
Fiscal 2022
Fiscal 2023
Fiscal 2024
Fiscal 2025
Fiscal 2026

Note 10 - Share-Based Compensation Plans

$ 

$ 

17,643 
21,271 
14,204 

11,881 
11,860 
11,739 
11,134 
9,086 

During the fiscal year, we had equity activity under one expired and two active share-based 
compensation plans.  The expired plan consists of the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”).  The 
active plans consist of the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) and the 2018 Employee Stock 
Purchase Plan (the “2018 ESPP”).  The plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the 
Board of Directors, which consists of non-employee directors who are independent under the applicable 
listing standards for companies traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

2018 Plan

On August 22, 2018, our shareholders approved the 2018 Plan.  The 2018 Plan permits the granting of 
stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSAs, RSUs, PSAs, PSUs, and other stock-based awards.  The 
aggregate number of shares for issuance under the 2018 Plan will not exceed 2,000,000 shares.

85

      
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

A summary of shares available for issue under the 2018 Plan follows:

Shares originally authorized
Less share awards issued
Plus forfeitures
Less share awards previously vested and settled

Subtotal

Less RSUs, RSAs, PSUs and PSAs issuable upon vesting
Less maximum PSUs and PSAs issuable upon vesting (1)

Shares available for issuance at February 28, 2021

2,000,000 
(10,083) 
105,611 
— 
2,095,528 
(444,973) 
(208,406) 
1,442,149 

(1) Reflects incremental PSUs and PSAs issuable upon vesting between achievement of plan target at 100% and 

maximum achievement of 200% of plan target, adjusted for actual forfeitures to date.

2018 ESPP

On August 22, 2018, our shareholders approved the 2018 ESPP.  The aggregate number of shares of 
common stock that may be purchased under the 2018 ESPP will not exceed 750,000 shares.  Under the 
terms of the plan, employees may authorize the withholding of up to 15% of their wages or salaries to 
purchase our shares of common stock, not to exceed $25,000 of the fair market value of such shares for 
any calendar year.  The purchase price for shares acquired under the 2018 ESPP is equal to the lower of 
85% of the share's fair market value on either the first day of each option period or the last day of each 
period.  The plan will expire by its terms on September 1, 2028.  Shares of common stock purchased 
under the 2018 ESPP vest immediately at the time of purchase.  Accordingly, the fair value award 
associated with their discounted purchase price is expensed at the time of purchase.  During fiscal 2021, 
there were 26,830 shares purchased under the plan.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

We recorded share-based compensation expense in SG&A as follows:

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2019

2021

$ 

$ 

19  $ 

685 
24,737 
977 
26,418 
(1,926)   
24,492  $ 

189  $ 
604 
21,351 
785 
22,929 
(1,803)   
21,126  $ 

829 
526 
20,047 
651 
22,053 
(1,395) 
20,658 

(in thousands)
Stock options
Directors stock compensation
Performance based and other stock awards
Employee stock purchase plan

Share-based compensation expense

Less: income tax benefits
Share-based compensation expense, net of income tax benefits

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Stock Options

There have been no new grants of options since fiscal 2017.  A summary of stock option activity under 
our expired plan is as follows:

 (in thousands, except contractual term and per share data)
Outstanding at February 29, 2020

Exercises

Outstanding at February 28, 2021
Exercisable at February 28, 2021

Options 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
(per share) 
71.78 
74.76 
70.42 
70.42 

69  $ 
(21)   
48  $ 
48  $ 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)

Intrinsic
Value 

3.2 $ 

2.5 $ 
2.5 $ 

6,333 
2,782 
6,866 
6,866 

During fiscal 2021, two thousand options vested with a weighted average grant date fair value of $90.51.  
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, was $2.8 million, 
$9.1 million, and $6.4 million, respectively.

Director Restricted Stock Awards

During fiscal 2021 we issued under the 2018 Plan, 3,619 RSAs to non-employee members of the Board 
of Directors with a total grant date fair value of $0.7 million or $189.18 per share.  The RSAs vested 
immediately, and accordingly, were expensed immediately.  The total fair value of RSAs granted to our 
non-employee members of the Board of Directors that vested immediately on grant dates in fiscal 2020 
and 2019 was $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Restricted Share Awards

We grant RSAs and RSUs to employees, which primarily vest ratably over four years or have specified 
graded vesting terms over 3 years.  For the purpose of our disclosures, the term “Restricted Share 
Awards” applies to RSAs and RSUs collectively.  A summary of Restricted Share Award activity during 
fiscal 2021 follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)
Outstanding at February 29, 2020

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Outstanding at February 28, 2021

Number of 
Restricted Share 
Awards

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
(per share)

168  $ 

50 
(78)   
(14)   
126  $ 

106.17 
179.30 
110.50 
132.69 
129.52 

The total fair value of Restricted Share Awards that vested in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was 
$14.0 million, $10.8 million, and $3.9 million, respectively.  The weighted average grant date fair value of 
Restricted Share Awards granted during fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $179.30, $118.76 and $106.28, 
respectively.

Performance Share Awards

We grant performance-based awards (PSAs and PSUs) to certain officers and employees, collectively 
“Performance Share Awards”, which cliff vest after three years.  The vesting of these awards is contingent 
upon meeting one or more defined performance metrics over a three year performance period.  The 
quantity of shares ultimately awarded can range from 0% to 200% of “Target”, as defined in the award 

87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

agreement as 100%, based on the level of achievement against the defined performance metrics.  A 
summary of Performance Share Award activity during fiscal 2021 follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)
Outstanding at February 29, 2020 (1)

Granted (1)
Vested (2)
Forfeited

Outstanding at February 28, 2021

Number of 
Performance Share 
Awards 

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
(per share)

370  $ 
221 
(56)   
(65)   
470  $ 

104.82 
170.27 
97.05 
155.62 
129.53 

(1)

Includes PSUs granted during fiscal 2019 at Target and PSAs granted during fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 at maximum 
achievement of 200% of Target. 

(2) Excludes the vesting of an additional 56 shares, which resulted from the performance of the fiscal 2018 awards exceeding 

Target.

The total fair value of Performance Share Awards that vested in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was 
$18.6 million, $15.0 million, and $9.1 million, respectively.  The weighted average grant date fair value of 
Performance Share Awards granted during fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $170.27, $111.98 and 
$86.97, respectively.

Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense

As of February 28, 2021, our total unrecognized share-based compensation for restricted stock (RSUs, 
RSAs, PSUs and PSAs) was $20.7 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average 
amortization period of 1.9 years  This unrecognized share-based compensation for PSUs and PSAs 
estimates target achievement for the awards granted in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020.

Note 11 - Defined Contribution Plans

We sponsor defined contribution savings plans in the U.S. and other countries where we have 
employees.  Total company matching contributions made to these plans for fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019 
were $5.0 million, $4.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

Note 12 - Repurchases of Common Stock

In May 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million of our outstanding 
common stock.  The authorization is effective until May 2022 and replaced our former repurchase 
authorization, of which approximately $107.4 million was outstanding at the time the new authorization 
was approved.  These repurchases may include open market purchases, privately negotiated 
transactions, block trades, accelerated stock repurchase transactions, or any combination of such 
methods.  The number of shares purchased and the timing of the purchases will depend on a number of 
factors, including share price, trading volume and general market conditions, working capital 
requirements, general business conditions, financial conditions, any applicable contractual limitations, 
and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities.  As of February 28, 2021, our 
repurchase authorization allowed for the purchase of $189.7 million of common stock.

Our current equity-based compensation plans include provisions that allow for the “net exercise” of share-
settled awards by all plan participants.  In a net exercise, any required payroll taxes, federal withholding 
taxes and exercise price of the shares due from the equity holder can be settled by having the holder 
tender back to us a number of shares at fair value equal to the amounts due.  Net exercises are treated 
as purchases and retirements of shares.

88

 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

The following table summarizes our share repurchase activity for the periods shown:

(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Common stock repurchased on the open market:

Number of shares
Aggregate value of shares
Average price per share

Common stock received in connection with share-based compensation:

Number of shares
Aggregate value of shares
Average price per share

Note 13 - Restructuring Plan

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2019

2021

960,829 
191,606  $ 
199.42  $ 

— 
—  $ 
—  $ 

1,875,469 
212,080 
113.08 

69,194 
11,688  $ 
168.92  $ 

77,272 
10,169  $ 
131.61  $ 

59,024 
5,413 
91.70 

$ 
$ 

$ 
$ 

In October 2017, we announced a restructuring plan (referred to as “Project Refuel”) intended to enhance 
the performance primarily in the Beauty and former Nutritional Supplements segments.  Project Refuel 
includes charges for a reduction-in-force and the elimination of certain contracts.  During the first quarter 
of fiscal 2019, we expanded Project Refuel to include the realignment and streamlining of our supply 
chain structure.  We are targeting total annualized profit improvements of approximately $10.5 million to 
$12.5 million over the duration of the plan.  We estimate the plan to be completed during fiscal 2022, and 
expect to incur total restructuring charges of approximately $10.3 million over the duration of the plan, of 
which $9.2 million have been incurred through the end of fiscal 2021.  Restructuring provisions are 
determined based on estimates prepared at the time the restructuring actions are approved by 
management and are revised periodically.

We incurred $0.4 million, $3.3 million and $3.6 million of pre-tax restructuring costs related to employee 
severance and termination benefits and contract termination costs during fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, 
respectively, which are included in “Restructuring charges” in the consolidated statements of income.   
During fiscal 2021, we made total cash restructuring payments of $1.1 million and had a remaining 
liability of $0.1 million as of February 28, 2021.  Since implementing Project Refuel, we have made total 
cash restructuring payments of $9.1 million as of February 28, 2021.

Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies

Indemnity Agreements

Under agreements with customers, licensors and parties from whom we have acquired assets or entered 
into business combinations, we indemnify these parties against liability associated with our products.  
Additionally, we are party to a number of agreements under leases where we indemnify the lessor for 
liabilities attributable to our actions or conduct.  The indemnity agreements to which we are a party do 
not, in general, increase our liability for claims related to our products or actions and have not materially 
affected our consolidated financial statements.

Legal Matters

In May 2018, we settled a patent infringement dispute related to two forehead thermometer models sold 
by our subsidiary, Kaz USA, Inc., in the U.S. and made a settlement payment of $15.0 million, which was 
accrued in prior periods along with related legal fees and other costs.

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

We are involved in various other legal claims and proceedings in the normal course of operations.  We 
believe the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial 
position, results of operations or liquidity.

Commitments

We sell certain of our products under trademarks licensed from third parties.  Some of these trademark 
license agreements require us to pay minimum royalties.  As of February 28, 2021, we estimate future 
minimum annual royalty payments over the noncancelable term of these arrangements to be 
approximately $6.4 million, $6.2 million, $6.2 million, $5.6 million, and $2.9 million per year, during the 
next five fiscal years.

Note 15 - Long-Term Debt

A summary of our long-term debt follows:

(in thousands)
Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Loan (the “MBFC Loan”) (1)
Credit Agreement (2)

Subtotal

Unamortized prepaid financing fees

Total long-term debt

Less: current maturities of long-term debt
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

February 28, 2021
$ 

18,607  $ 

February 29, 2020
20,507 
320,000 
340,507 
(1,202) 
339,305 
(1,884) 
337,421 

329,000 
347,607 

(3,977)   

343,630 

(1,884)   
341,746  $ 

$ 

(1) The MBFC Loan is unsecured and bears floating interest based on either LIBOR plus a margin of up to 2.0%, or a Base 
Rate plus a margin of up to 1.0%, as determined by the interest rate elected and the Net Leverage Ratio defined in the 
Indenture.

(2) The Credit Agreement (defined below) is unsecured and bears floating interest at either the Base Rate or LIBOR, plus a 
margin based on the Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 0% to 1.0% and 1.0% to 2.0% for Base 
Rate and LIBOR borrowings, respectively. These floating interest rates are hedged with interest rate swaps to effectively 
fix interest rates on $225 million of the outstanding principal balance under the Credit Agreement (see Notes 16, 17, and 
18 for additional information regarding interest rate swaps).

Aggregate annual maturities of our long-term debt as of February 28, 2021 are as follows: 

(in thousands)
Fiscal 2022
Fiscal 2023
Fiscal 2024
Fiscal 2025
Fiscal 2026
Thereafter
Total

Credit Agreement

$ 

$ 

1,900 
1,900 
14,807 
— 
329,000 
— 
347,607 

We have a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative 
agent, and other lenders that provided for an unsecured total revolving commitment of $1.0 billion.  
Borrowings accrued interest under one of two alternative methods (based upon a Base Rate or LIBOR) 
as described in the Credit Agreement.  With each borrowing against our credit line, we could elect the 
interest rate method based on our funding needs at the time.  We also incurred loan commitment and 
letter of credit fees under the Credit Agreement.

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

On March 13, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement.  The amendment extended 
the maturity of the commitment under the Credit Agreement from December 7, 2021 to March 13, 2025.  
Further, the amendment increased the unsecured revolving commitment from $1.0 billion to $1.25 billion. 
The accordion was amended to increase it from $200 million to $300 million and to include the ability to 
use it for term loan commitments.  The accordion permits the Company to request to increase its 
borrowing capacity, not to exceed the $300 million commitment in the aggregate, provided certain 
conditions are met, including lender approval.  Any increase to term loan commitments and revolving loan 
commitments must be made on terms identical to the revolving loans under the Credit Agreement and 
must have a maturity date of no earlier than March 13, 2025.  Outstanding letters of credit reduce the 
borrowing availability under the Credit Agreement on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  We are able to repay 
amounts borrowed at any time without penalty.

As of February 28, 2021, the outstanding revolving loan principal balance was $329.0 million (excluding 
prepaid financing fees) and the balance of outstanding letters of credit was $19.2 million.  As of February 
28, 2021, the amount available for borrowings under the Credit Agreement was $901.8 million. 
Covenants in the Credit Agreement limit the amount of total indebtedness we can incur.  As of February 
28, 2021, these covenants effectively limited our ability to incur more than $874.4 million of additional 
debt from all sources, including the Credit Agreement, or $901.8 million in the event a qualified 
acquisition is consummated.

Other Debt Agreements

As of February 28, 2021, we have an aggregate principal balance of $18.6 million (excluding prepaid 
financing fees) under an unsecured loan agreement with the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation 
(the “MBFC”), which was entered into in connection with the issuance by MBFC of taxable industrial 
development revenue bonds (the “Bonds”).  The borrowings were used to fund construction of our Olive 
Branch, Mississippi distribution facility.  Since March 2018, the MBFC Loan can be called by the holder at 
any time.  The loan can be prepaid without penalty.  The remaining loan principal balance is payable as 
follows: $1.9 million annually on March 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022; and $14.8 million on March 1, 2023.  
Any remaining outstanding principal and interest is due upon maturity on March 1, 2023.

On May 14, 2020, Helen of Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the Sixth Amendment 
to Guaranty Agreement (the “Amended Guaranty”) in favor of Bank of America, N.A. The Amended 
Guaranty amends the Guaranty Agreement (as amended, the “Guaranty Agreement”), dated March 1, 
2013, made by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. and other 
lenders.  Certain of the representations and warranties, and covenants in the Guaranty Agreement were 
amended by the Amended Guaranty to include or modify certain baskets, exceptions and other 
customary provisions.

The Bonds were issued under a Trust Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2013 (as supplemented, the 
“Indenture”), by and between MBFC and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).  On 
May 14, 2020, MBFC and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, entered into the Fifth 
Supplemental Trust Indenture, effective May 14, 2020 (the “Fifth Supplemental Indenture”), with the 
consent of Kaz USA, Inc. (“Kaz USA”) and Bank of America, N.A., the purchaser of the Bonds.  As 
amended by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Bonds and the related loans to Kaz USA will bear 
interest at a Base Rate or LIBOR plus a margin based on the Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Fifth 
Supplemental Indenture).  The Fifth Supplemental Indenture amended the pricing grid for the LIBOR and 
Base Rate margins.

Debt Covenants

All of our debt is unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by the Company and certain of 
its subsidiaries.  Our debt agreements require the maintenance of certain key financial covenants defined 

91

Table of Contents

in the accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations - Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Credit Agreement and Other Debt 
Agreements.  Our debt agreements also contain other customary covenants, including, among other 
things, covenants restricting or limiting us, except under certain conditions set forth therein, from (1) 
incurring debt, (2) incurring liens on our properties, (3) making certain types of investments, (4) selling 
certain assets or making other fundamental changes relating to mergers and consolidations, and (5) 
repurchasing shares of our common stock and paying dividends.  Our debt agreements also contain 
customary events of default, including failure to pay principal or interest when due, among others.  Our 
debt agreements are cross-defaulted to each other.  Upon an event of default under our debt 
agreements, the holders or lenders may, among other things, accelerate the maturity of any amounts 
outstanding under our debt agreements.  The commitments of the lenders to make loans to us under the 
Credit Agreement are several and not joint.  Accordingly, if any lender fails to make loans to us, our 
available liquidity could be reduced by an amount up to the aggregate amount of such lender’s 
commitments under the Credit Agreement.

As of February 28, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants as defined under the terms of the 
Credit Agreement and our other debt agreements.

The following table contains information about interest rates and the related weighted average 
borrowings outstanding under our Credit Agreement and the MBFC Loan for the periods presented 
below:

(in thousands)
Credit Agreement:

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2019

2021

Average borrowings outstanding (1)
Average effective interest rate (2)
Interest rate range
Weighted average interest rates on borrowings outstanding at year end

$ 

334,400  $ 
 1.7 %
1.1% - 4.8%
 1.1 %

286,640  $ 
 3.2 %
2.6% - 5.5%
 2.7 %

290,860 
 3.2 %
2.8% - 5.5%
 3.6 %

MBFC Loan:

Average borrowings outstanding (1)
Average effective interest rate (2)
Interest rate range 
Weighted average interest rates on borrowings outstanding at year end

$ 

18,987  $ 

20,887  $ 

 1.4 %

1.1% - 2.6% 

 1.1 %

 3.1 %
2.6% - 3.5%
 2.6 %

22,787 
 3.2 %
2.9% - 3.5%
 3.5 %

(1) Average borrowings outstanding is computed as the average of the current and four prior quarters ending balances 

outstanding.

(2) The average effective interest rate during each year is computed by dividing the total interest expense associated with the 

borrowing for a fiscal year by the average borrowings outstanding for the same fiscal year.

Note 16 - Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an 
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques under the 
accounting guidance related to fair value measurements are based on observable and unobservable 
inputs. These inputs are classified into the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable for the 

asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; 
quoted prices for similar or identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and 

92

 
Table of Contents

model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers 
are observable; and

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions.

When circumstances dictate the transfer of an asset or liability to a different level, we report the transfer 
at the beginning of the reporting period in which the facts and circumstances resulting in the transfer 
occurred. There were no transfers between the fair value hierarchy levels during the periods presented.

Our financial assets and liabilities are classified as Level 2 because their valuation is dependent on 
observable inputs and other quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, or model-derived valuations 
whose significant value drivers are observable.  The following tables present the carrying amount and fair 
value of our financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and 
classified as Level 2 as follows:

(in thousands)
Assets:

Cash equivalents (money market accounts)
Foreign currency derivatives

Total assets

Liabilities:

Interest rate swaps
Foreign currency derivatives

Total liabilities

Carrying Amount and Fair Value

February 28, 2021

February 29, 2020

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

1,631  $ 
33 
1,664  $ 

9,941  $ 
6,550 

16,491  $ 

2,648 
2,083 
4,731 

10,717 
159 
10,876 

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities and 
income taxes payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items.  The carrying 
amounts of receivables approximate fair value due to the effect of the related allowance for credit losses.  
The carrying amount of our floating rate debt approximates its fair value. 

We use derivatives to manage our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which 
include foreign currency forward contracts, zero cost collars and cross-currency debt swaps.  In addition, 
we use interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. All of our derivative 
assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value.  See Notes 1, 17 and 18 for more information on our 
derivatives.  

Assets remeasured to fair value on a non-recurring basis during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 represent 
long-lived assets held for sale related to our Personal Care business, which were impaired.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we committed to a plan to divest certain assets within our 
Personal Care business.  The assets to be disposed of include intangible assets, inventory, certain net 
trade receivables and fixed assets relating to our mass channel liquids, powder and aerosol products 
under brands such as Pert, Brut, Sure and Infusium.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we 
recorded non-cash asset impairment charges related to goodwill and intangible assets.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, our quarterly impairment evaluation of long-lived assets held for 
sale resulted in a non-cash asset impairment charge to reduce the goodwill of our Personal Care 
business to reflect the disposal group at fair value less cost to sell. 

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

The fair value of the long-lived assets held for sale presented in the tables below represent the remaining 
carrying value and were estimated based on current market values less costs to sell.  Refer to Note 4 for 
additional information on assets held for sale.

(in thousands)
Held for sale
Total

February 28, 2021
$ 
$ 

39,867  $	
39,867  $	

Level 1

Fair Value Measurements 
Level 2

Level 3

Fiscal 2021 Asset  
Impairment Charges

—	 $ 
—	 $ 

—  $ 
—  $ 

39,867  $ 
39,867  $ 

(8,452) 
(8,452) 

(in thousands)
Held for sale
Total

February 29, 2020
$ 
$ 

44,806  $	
44,806  $	

Level 1

Fair Value Measurements 
Level 2

Level 3

Fiscal 2020 Asset  
Impairment Charges

—	 $ 
—	 $ 

—  $ 
—  $ 

44,806  $ 
44,806  $ 

(41,000) 
(41,000) 

Note 17 - Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Foreign Currency Risk

The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency for the Company and all of its subsidiaries and is also the 
reporting currency for the Company.  By operating internationally, we are subject to foreign currency risk 
from transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar (“foreign currencies”).  Such 
transactions include sales, certain inventory purchases and operating expenses.  As a result of such 
transactions, portions of our cash, trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable are 
denominated in foreign currencies.  Approximately 12%, 14%, and 13% of our net sales revenue was 
denominated in foreign currencies during fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  These sales were 
primarily denominated in British Pounds, Euros, Mexican Pesos and Canadian Dollars.  We make most of 
our inventory purchases from the Far East and primarily use the U.S. Dollar for such purchases.

In our consolidated statements of income, foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses resulting from 
the remeasurement of foreign taxes receivable, taxes payable, deferred tax assets, and deferred tax 
liabilities are recognized in their respective income tax lines, and all other foreign currency exchange rate 
gains and losses are recognized in SG&A.   We recorded foreign currency exchange rate net losses in 
SG&A, including the impact of our foreign currency contracts and cross-currency debt swaps of $0.6 
million during fiscal 2021 and net gains of $2.2 million and $1.3 million during fiscal 2020 and 2019, 
respectively.

We mitigate certain foreign currency exchange rate risk by using a series of foreign currency contracts, 
which include forward contracts and zero-cost collars, designated as cash flow hedges, and mark-to-
market cross-currency debt swaps to protect against the foreign currency exchange rate risk inherent in 
our forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies.  We do not enter into any derivatives or 
similar instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.  Our foreign currency contracts are 
designated as cash flow hedges and are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair 
value recorded in OCI until the hedge transaction is settled, at which point amounts are reclassified from 
AOCI to our consolidated statements of income.  Derivatives for which we have not elected hedge 
accounting consist of our cross-currency debt swaps, and any changes in the fair value of the derivatives 
are recorded in our consolidated statements of income.  We evaluate our derivatives designated as cash 
flow hedges each quarter to assess hedge effectiveness.  Any ineffectiveness, which is not material for 
any year presented, is immediately recognized in our consolidated statements of income.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest on our outstanding debt as of February 28, 2021 is based on floating interest rates.  If short-term 
interest rates increase, we will incur higher interest expense on any future outstanding balances of 

94

Table of Contents

floating rate debt.  Floating interest rates are hedged with interest rate swaps to effectively fix interest 
rates on $225.0 million of the outstanding principal balance under the Credit Agreement, which totaled 
$329.0 million as of February 28, 2021.  Our interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and 
are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in OCI until the hedge 
transaction is settled, at which point amounts are reclassified from AOCI to our consolidated statements 
of income.  We evaluate our derivatives designated as cash flow hedges each quarter to assess hedge 
effectiveness.  Any ineffectiveness, which is not material for any year presented, is immediately 
recognized in our consolidated statements of income.

The following tables summarize the fair values of our derivative instruments at the end of fiscal 2021 and 
2020:

February 28, 2021
Prepaid
Expenses
and Other
Current
Assets

Other
Assets

Notional 
Amount

Accrued
Expenses
and Other
Current
Liabilities

Other
Liabilities
Non-current

 (in thousands)

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

Forward contracts - sell Euro

Forward contracts - sell Canadian Dollars

Forward contracts - sell Pounds

Hedge
Type

Cash flow

Cash flow

Cash flow

Final
Settlement
Date

2/2022

2/2023

2/2023

€39,000  

$34,000  

£34,500  

Forward contracts - sell Australian Dollars

Cash flow

11/2021

A$4,000  

Interest rate swaps

Subtotal

Cash flow

1/2024

$225,000  

Derivatives not designated under hedge accounting

Cross-currency debt swaps - Euro

Cross-currency debt swaps - Pounds

(1)

(1)

04/2022

04/2022

€6,000  

£4,500  

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

33 

— 

— 

— 

33 

— 

— 

— 

1,851 

1,061 

2,026 

18 

4,407 

9,363 

— 

— 

— 

837 

202 

— 

435 

12 

— 

1,560 

473 

27 

500 

— 

— 

— 

23 

— 

— 

23 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

144 

— 

— 

3,489 

3,633 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

21 

— 

5,534 

5,555 

817 

756 

1,573 

7,128 

— 

15 

— 

— 

— 

— 

7,228 

7,243 

— 

— 

— 

Subtotal

Total fair value

 (in thousands)

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

Hedge
Type

Final
Settlement 
Date

$ 

—  $ 

33  $ 

9,363  $ 

February 29, 2020
Prepaid
Expenses
and Other
Current
Assets

Other
Assets

Notional 
Amount

Accrued
Expenses
and Other
Current
Liabilities

Other
Liabilities
Non-current

Cash flow

2/2021

€8,000 $ 

74  $  —  $ 

—  $ 

Zero-cost collar - Euro

Forward contracts - sell Euro

Forward contracts - sell Canadian Dollars

Zero-cost collar - Pounds

Forward contracts - sell Pounds

Forward contracts - sell Mexican Pesos

Interest rate swaps

Subtotal

Cash flow

5/2021

€25,875  

Cash flow

Cash flow

Cash flow

Cash flow

Cash flow

2/2021

2/2021

5/2021

5/2020

1/2024

$14,000  

£6,500  

£13,000  

$10,000  

$225,000  

Derivatives not designated under hedge accounting

Cross-currency debt swaps - Euro

Cross-currency debt swaps - Pounds

(1)

(1)

04/2020

04/2020

€4,400  

£5,000  

Subtotal

Total fair value

$ 

2,060  $ 

23  $ 

3,633  $ 

7,243 

(1) These cross-currency debt swaps, for which we have not elected hedge accounting, adjust the currency denomination of 
a portion of our outstanding debt to the Euro and British Pound, as applicable, for the notional amounts reported, creating 
an economic hedge against currency movements.

95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

The pre-tax effects of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for fiscal 2021 and 2020 
were as follows:

(in thousands)
Foreign currency contracts - cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps - cash flow hedges
Total

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,

Gain (Loss) 
Recognized in OCI 
2021

2020

Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into 
Income

Location

2021

2020

$ 

(7,932)  $ 
(3,673)   

3,198  SG&A

(11,152)  Interest expense

$  (11,605)  $ 

(7,954)   

$ 

$ 

(1,564)  $ 
(4,449)   
(6,013)  $ 

2,977 
(262) 
2,715 

The pre-tax effects of derivative instruments not designated under hedge accounting for fiscal 2021 and 
2020 were as follows:

(in thousands)
Cross-currency debt swaps - principal
Cross-currency debt swaps - interest
Total

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
Gain (Loss) 
Recognized in Income

Location

2021

2020

SG&A
Interest Expense

$ 

$ 

(1,432)  $ 
72 
(1,360)  $ 

574 
147 
721 

We expect a net loss of $9.3 million associated with foreign currency contracts and interest rate swaps 
currently recorded in AOCI, to be reclassified into income over the next twelve months.  The amount 
ultimately realized, however, will differ as exchange rates and interest rates change and the underlying 
contracts settle.  See Notes 1, 16 and 18 to these consolidated financial statements for more information.

Counterparty Credit Risk

Financial instruments, including foreign currency contracts, cross-currency debt swaps and interest rate 
swaps, expose us to counterparty credit risk for non-performance.  We manage our exposure to 
counterparty credit risk by only dealing with counterparties who are substantial international financial 
institutions with significant experience using such derivative instruments.  We believe that the risk of 
incurring credit losses is remote.

Risks Inherent in Cash and Cash Equivalents

As the levels of our cash and cash equivalents change, they can become more subject to foreign 
currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk.  Cash consists of interest-
bearing, non-interest-bearing and short-term investment accounts.  We consider money market accounts 
to be cash equivalents.

The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents at the end of fiscal 2021 and 2020:

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February
2020

2021

(in thousands)
Cash, interest and non-interest-bearing accounts
Money market accounts
Total cash and cash equivalents

Carrying
Amount

$ 

$ 

43,489 
1,631 
45,120 

96

Range of
Interest Rates
0.00% to 0.30% $ 
0.01% to 2.47%  

Carrying
Amount

21,819 
2,648 
24,467 

  $ 

Range of
Interest Rates
0.00% to 0.30%
0.15% to 5.39%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Note 18 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The changes in AOCI by component and related tax effects for fiscal 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at February 28, 2019

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
Tax effects
Other comprehensive (loss) income 

Balance at February 29, 2020

Other comprehensive loss before reclassification
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
Tax effects

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Balance at February 28, 2021

Foreign
Currency
Contracts

Interest
Rate Swaps
$ 

132  $ 

(11,152)   
262 
2,559 
(8,331)   
(8,199)  $ 
(3,673)   
4,449 

(153)   
623 
(7,576)  $ 

$ 

$ 

1,059  $ 
3,198 
(2,977)   
(86)   
135 
1,194  $ 
(7,932)   
1,564 
1,094 
(5,274)   
(4,080)  $ 

Total

1,191 
(7,954) 
(2,715) 
2,473 
(8,196) 
(7,005) 
(11,605) 
6,013 
941 
(4,651) 
(11,656) 

See Notes 1, 16 and 17 to these consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding 
our cash flow hedges.

Note 19 - Segment and Geographic Information

Segment Information

The following tables summarize segment information included in continuing operations for the periods 
presented:

(in thousands)
Sales revenue, net
Asset impairment charges
Restructuring charges
Operating income
Capital and intangible asset expenditures
Depreciation and amortization

(in thousands)
Sales revenue, net
Asset impairment charges
Restructuring charges
Operating income (loss)
Capital and intangible asset expenditures
Depreciation and amortization

Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2021

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty (1)

Total

$ 

727,354  $ 

890,191  $ 

— 
249 
122,487 
10,369 
9,333 

— 
(6)   

94,103 
12,854 
15,453 

481,254  $  2,098,799 
8,452 
350 
281,488 
98,668 
37,718 

8,452 
107 
64,898 
75,445 
12,932 

Fiscal Year Ended February 29, 2020

Housewares 

Health & Home

Beauty (1)

Total

$ 

640,965  $ 

685,397  $ 

— 
1,351 
123,135 
10,602 
7,298 

— 
93 
68,166 
5,853 
16,113 

381,070  $  1,707,432 
41,000 
3,313 
178,251 
17,759 
37,409 

41,000 
1,869 
(13,050)   
1,304 
13,998 

97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

(in thousands)
Sales revenue, net
Restructuring charges
Operating income
Capital and intangible asset expenditures
Depreciation and amortization

Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2019

Housewares

Health & Home

Beauty

$ 

523,807  $ 
926 
100,743 
16,023 
6,048 

695,217  $ 
686 
68,448 
8,508 
17,058 

345,127 
1,974 
30,188 
1,854 
6,821 

Total
1,564,151 
3,586 
199,379 
26,385 
29,927 

(1) Fiscal 2020 includes approximately five weeks of operating results from Drybar Products, acquired on January 23, 2020, 
and fiscal 2021 includes a full year of operating results.  For additional information see Note 8 to the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements.

We compute segment operating income (loss) based on net sales revenue, less cost of goods sold, 
SG&A, restructuring charges, and any asset impairment charges associated with the segment.  The 
SG&A used to compute each segment’s operating income is directly associated with the segment, plus 
shared service and corporate overhead expenses that are allocable to the segment.  We do not allocate 
non-operating income and expense, including interest or income taxes, to operating segments.  Our chief 
operating decision maker reviews balance sheet information at a consolidated level.

Geographic Information

The following table presents net sales revenue by geographic region, in U.S. Dollars:

(in thousands)
U.S.
Canada
EMEA
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Total sales revenue, net

2021
$  1,666,324 
92,150 
183,398 
118,000 
38,927 
$  2,098,799 

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020
 79.4 % $  1,357,345 
71,417 
138,858 
99,378 
40,434 
 100.0 % $  1,707,432 

2019
 79.5 % $  1,221,806 
66,855 
143,024 
90,073 
42,393 
 100.0 % $  1,564,151 

 4.2 %  
 8.1 %  
 5.8 %  
 2.4 %  

 4.4 %  
 8.7 %  
 5.6 %  
 1.9 %  

 78.1 %
 4.3 %
 9.1 %
 5.8 %
 2.7 %
 100.0 %

Worldwide sales to our largest customer, Amazon.com Inc., accounted for approximately 20%, 18% and 
16% of our consolidated net sales revenue in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Sales to our 
second largest customer, Walmart, Inc. (including worldwide affiliates) accounted for approximately 13%, 
14% and 16% of our consolidated net sales revenue in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Sales to 
our third largest customer, Target Corporation, accounted for approximately 11%, 9% and 10% of our 
consolidated net sales revenue in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.  No other customers 
accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net sales revenue during these fiscal years.  Sales to our top 
five customers accounted for approximately 52%, 50% and 51% of our consolidated net sales revenue in 
fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Sales to these largest customers include sales across all of our 
business segments.  

98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Our domestic and international long-lived assets were as follows:

(in thousands)
U.S.
International:
Barbados
Other international

Subtotal

Total

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2019

2021

145,798  $ 

147,806  $ 

117,572 

18,254 
5,016 
23,270 

11,969 
4,977 
16,946 

169,068  $ 

164,752  $ 

9,019 
3,747 
12,766 
130,338 

$ 

$ 

The table above classifies assets based upon the country where we hold legal title.  Long-lived assets 
included in the table above include property and equipment and operating lease assets.

Note 20 - Income Taxes

We reorganized the Company in Bermuda in 1994 and many of our foreign subsidiaries are not directly or 
indirectly owned by a U.S. parent.  As such, a large portion of our foreign income is not subject to U.S. 
taxation on a permanent basis under current law.  Additionally, our intellectual property is largely owned 
by foreign subsidiaries, resulting in proportionally higher earnings in jurisdictions with lower statutory tax 
rates, which decreases our overall effective tax rate.  The taxable income earned in each jurisdiction, 
whether U.S. or foreign, is determined by the subsidiary's operating results, and transfer pricing and tax 
regulations in the related jurisdictions.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (the “ARM”) was enacted and signed into law.  The 
ARM is an economic stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, which contains tax 
provisions that are not expected to have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.  In 
accordance with accounting standards for income taxes, the impact of this new tax legislation will be 
taken into account in our first quarter of fiscal 2022, the period in which it was enacted.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was 
enacted and signed into law.  The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package in response 
to the COVID-19 outbreak that contains numerous tax provisions.  Among other things, the CARES Act 
included technical corrections to the effective date language in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted into 
law on December 22, 2017 (the “Tax Act”), related to net operating loss carrybacks.

Upon the enactment of the Tax Act in fiscal 2018, there was a net operating loss on our balance sheet, 
which was measured using the U.S. statutory tax rate in effect prior to enactment.  As a result of the Tax 
Act, we were required to record a one-time charge of $17.9 million in fiscal 2018, which included a charge 
of $9.4 million to remeasure the net operating loss at the reduced rate at which it was expected to 
reverse in the future.  The CARES Act effectively reversed the impact of the Tax Act on our net operating 
loss, resulting in a corresponding tax benefit of $9.4 million recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

The Tax Act introduced new provisions for U.S. taxation of certain global intangible low-taxed income 
(“GILTI”).  The Company elected to account for the tax on GILTI as a period cost and therefore has not 
recorded deferred taxes related to GILTI on its foreign subsidiaries.

In connection with the Tax Act, we repatriated $48.3 million of cash held in our U.S. owned foreign 
subsidiaries without such funds being subject to further U.S. federal income tax.  As of February 28, 
2021, we had approximately $23.0 million of undistributed earnings in U.S. owned foreign subsidiaries.  
While U.S. federal tax expense has been recognized as a result of the Tax Act, no deferred tax liabilities 
with respect to items such as certain foreign exchange gains or losses, foreign withholding taxes or state 
taxes have been recognized.

99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

No deferred taxes have been provided on the undistributed earnings of our subsidiaries since these 
earnings will continue to be permanently reinvested.  Due to the number of legal entities and jurisdictions 
involved, our legal entity structure, and the tax laws in the relevant jurisdictions, we believe it is not 
practicable to estimate the amount of additional taxes which may be payable upon distribution of these 
undistributed earnings.

Our components of income before income tax expense are as follows:

(in thousands)
U.S.
Non-U.S.
Total

Our components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

(in thousands)
U.S.

Current
Deferred

Non-U.S.
Current
Deferred

Total

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2021

2019

$ 

$ 

48,693  $ 

40,146  $ 

220,737 
269,430  $ 

125,794 
165,940  $ 

32,135 
155,865 
188,000 

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2021

2019

$ 

$ 

10,232  $ 
(5,623)   
4,609 

16,732  $ 
(4,789)   
11,943 

2,460 
10,480 
12,940 

9,652 
1,223 
10,875 
15,484  $ 

2,571 

(907)   

1,664 

13,607  $ 

2,102 
(1,266) 
836 
13,776 

Our total income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. statutory tax rate 
to income before income taxes.  An income tax rate reconciliation of these differences are as follows:

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2021

2019

Effective income tax rate at the U.S. statutory rate

Impact of U.S. state income taxes
Effect of statutory tax rate in Macau
Effect of statutory tax rate in Barbados
Effect of statutory tax rate in Switzerland
Effect of income from other non-U.S. operations subject to varying rates
Effect of foreign exchange fluctuations
Effect of asset impairment charges
Effect of U.S. tax reform
Effect of uncertain tax positions
Effect of non-deductible executive compensation
Effect of base erosion and anti-abuse tax
Other items

Effective income tax rate

 21.0 %
 0.6 %
 (3.4) %
 (15.4) %
 (1.5) %
 3.8 %
 (0.1) %
 0.3 %
 (3.5) %
 3.2 %
 1.0 %
 (0.6) %
 0.3 %
 5.7 %

 21.0 %
 1.6 %
 (13.6) %
 (5.5) %
 (0.4) %
 2.3 %
 0.7 %
 2.4 %
 — %
 (1.7) %
 1.4 %
 — %
 — %
 8.2 %

 21.0 %
 1.2 %
 (10.3) %
 (5.9) %
 (1.9) %
 1.8 %
 0.2 %
 — %
 (0.1) %
 (0.6) %
 0.9 %
 1.0 %
 — %
 7.3 %

Our Macau subsidiary generates income from the sale of the goods that it has sourced and procured.  
This subsidiary is responsible for the sourcing and procurement of a large portion of the products that we 
sell.  We previously had an indefinite tax holiday in Macau conditioned on the subsidiary meeting certain 

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

employment and investment thresholds.  The Macau Offshore Law and its supplementary regulations that 
grant tax incentives to approved offshore institutions was abolished on January 1, 2021.  Existing 
approved offshore institutions such as ours continued to operate under the offshore regime until the end 
of the calendar year 2020.  Beginning in calendar year 2021, our Macau subsidiary transitioned to 
onshore status and is now subject to a statutory corporate income tax of approximately 12%.  We expect 
the impact of this change to increase our overall effective tax rate by 1.5 to 2.0 percentage points on an 
annual basis, beginning with our fiscal year 2022.  Because our Macau subsidiary is not directly or 
indirectly owned by a U.S. parent, there is no U.S. tax liability associated with the income generated in 
Macau.

Each year there are significant transactions or events that are incidental to our core businesses and that 
by a combination of their nature and jurisdiction, can have a disproportionate impact on our reported 
effective tax rates.  Without these transactions or events, the trend in our effective tax rates would follow 
a more normalized pattern.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets 
and liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)
Deferred tax assets, gross:

Operating loss carryforwards
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Operating lease liabilities
Accrued expenses and other
Total gross deferred tax assets

Valuation allowance
Deferred tax liabilities:

Operating lease assets
Depreciation and amortization

Total deferred tax assets, net

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,

2021

2020

$ 

14,785  $ 

8,905 
12,432 
10,388 
10,731 
57,241 
(15,021)   

(7,500)   
(18,707)   
16,013  $ 

$ 

13,908 
5,467 
8,751 
10,451 
7,692 
46,269 
(14,073) 

(7,573) 
(14,212) 
10,411 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that 
some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  We consider the scheduled reversal of 
deferred tax liabilities, expected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in assessing the 
ultimate realization of deferred tax assets.  If recovery is not likely, we must increase our provision for 
taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that we estimate will not be 
recoverable.  In fiscal 2021, the $0.9 million net increase in our valuation allowance was principally due to 
changes in estimates of the operating loss carryforwards to be used in the future.

101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

The composition of our operating loss carryforwards at the end of fiscal 2021 is as follows:

(in thousands)
U.S. state operating loss carryforward
Non-U.S. operating loss carryforwards with definite carryover periods
Non-U.S. operating loss carryforwards with indefinite carryover periods

Subtotal

Less portion of valuation allowance established for operating loss 
carryforwards
Total

Tax Year
 Expiration
Date Range
2030-2038
2022-2038
Indefinite

February 28, 2021

Deferred
Tax
Assets

Operating
Loss
Carryforward

$ 

$ 

334  $ 

1,899 
12,552 
14,785  $ 

(14,257) 
528 

4,550 
7,387 
46,066 
58,003 

Any future amount of deferred tax asset considered realizable could be reduced in the near term if 
estimates of future taxable income during any carryforward periods are reduced.

During fiscal 2021 and 2020, changes in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest 
and penalties) were as follows:

(in thousands)
Total unrecognized tax benefits, beginning balance

Tax positions taken during the current period
Changes in tax positions taken during a prior period
Settlements

Total unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance

Less current unrecognized tax benefits

Non-current unrecognized tax benefits

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,

2021

2020

$ 

$ 

113  $ 

1,542 
4,280 

(499)   

5,436 
— 
5,436  $ 

3,205 
— 
(2,819) 
(273) 
113 
— 
113 

If we are able to sustain our positions with the relevant taxing authorities, approximately $5.4 million 
(excluding interest and penalties) of uncertain tax position liabilities as of February 28, 2021 would 
favorably impact our effective tax rate in future periods.  We do not expect any significant changes to our 
existing unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months resulting from any issues currently 
pending with tax authorities.

We classify interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense.  At the end of fiscal 
2021 and 2020, the liability for tax-related interest and penalties included in unrecognized tax benefits 
was $2.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  Additionally, during fiscal 2021, we recognized tax 
expense from tax-related interest and penalties of $2.9 million and tax benefits of $0.5 million and $0.5 
million during fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively, in the consolidated statements of income.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various states and foreign jurisdictions.  
We do not expect that any proposed adjustments from these tax jurisdictions will have a material impact 
on our consolidated financial statements.

102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

As of February 28, 2021, tax years under examination or still subject to examination by material tax 
jurisdictions are as follows:

Jurisdiction

Tax Years Under Examination

Open Tax Years

United Kingdom

U.S.

Switzerland

Hong Kong

China

- None -

- None -

- None -

- None -

2009-2018

2020

2017

2017

2014

2009

—

—

—

—

—

2021

2021

2021

2021

2021

During fiscal 2017 we received an assessment from a state tax authority which adjusted taxable income 
applicable to the particular state resulting from interpretations of certain state income tax provisions 
applicable to our legal structure.  During the time the dispute was ongoing, we believed we accurately 
reported our taxable income and vigorously protested the assessment through administrative processes 
with the state.  During fiscal 2021, we reached an agreement to settle the $6.0 million assessment in 
dispute for $0.5 million.

Note 21 - Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per share using the weighted average number of shares of common stock 
outstanding during the period.  We compute diluted earnings per share using the weighted average 
number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the effect of dilutive securities.  Dilutive securities at 
any given point in time may consist of outstanding options to purchase common stock and issued and 
contingently issuable unvested RSUs, PSUs, RSAs, PSAs and other stock-based awards (see Note 10).  
Anti-dilutive securities are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share under the 
treasury stock method.

The following table presents our weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding for the periods 
shown:

(in thousands)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic
Incremental shares from share-based compensation arrangements

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

Fiscal Years Ended Last Day of February,
2020

2019

2021

24,985 
211 
25,196 

25,118 
204 
25,322 

26,073 
230 
26,303 

Anti-dilutive securities

112 

197 

262 

103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:

Year Ended February 28, 2021
Year Ended February 29, 2020
Year Ended February 28, 2019

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance:

Year Ended February 28, 2021
Year Ended February 29, 2020
Year Ended February 28, 2019

Beginning Balance

Additions (1)

Deductions (2)

Ending Balance

$ 
$ 
$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 

1,461  $ 
2,032  $ 
2,912  $ 

14,073  $ 
17,086  $ 
17,747  $ 

2,093  $ 
529  $ 
1,097  $ 

948  $ 
—  $ 
—  $ 

2,556  $ 
1,100  $ 
1,977  $ 

—  $ 
3,013  $ 
661  $ 

998 
1,461 
2,032 

15,021 
14,073 
17,086 

(1) Additions to the allowance for credit losses represent periodic net charges to the provision for doubtful receivables, 
inclusive of any recoveries of receivables previously written off.  In fiscal 2021, the addition to the deferred tax asset 
valuation allowance was principally due to changes in estimates of the operating loss carryforwards to be used in the 
future.

(2) Deductions to the allowance for credit losses represent uncollectible balances written off.  Deductions to the deferred 

tax asset valuation allowance in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 were primarily due to changes in estimates of the operating 
loss carryforwards to be used in the future.

104

 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer 
(“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and 
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the 
Exchange Act as of February 28, 2021.  Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that 
our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to 
disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to 
management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required 
disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the 
SEC’s rules and forms.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management’s report on internal control over financial reporting and the attestation report on internal 
controls over financial reporting of the independent registered public accounting firm required by this item 
are set forth under Item 8., “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on 
Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In connection with the evaluation described above, we identified no change in our internal control over 
financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act that occurred during 
our fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially 
affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

105

Table of Contents

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III

Information in our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the 
“Proxy Statement”) is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 10, as noted below:

•

•
•

•

•

information about our Directors who are standing for re-election is set forth under “Election of 
Directors”;
information about our executive officers is set forth under “Executive Officers”;
information about our Audit Committee, including members of the committee, and our 
designated “audit committee financial experts” is set forth under “Corporate Governance” and 
“Board Committees and Meetings”;
information about Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance is set forth under 
“Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”; and
information about any material changes to procedures for recommending nominees to the board 
of directors is set forth under “Board Committees and Meetings.”

We have adopted a Code of Ethics governing our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, 
Principal Accounting Officer, and finance department members.  The full text of our Code of Ethics is 
published on our website, at www.helenoftroy.com, under the “Investor Relations-Governance” caption.  
We intend to disclose future amendments to, or waivers from, certain provisions of this Code of Ethics on 
our website or in a current report on Form 8-K.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information set forth under the captions “Director Compensation”; “Executive Compensation”; 
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis”; “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider 
Participation”; and “Report of the Compensation Committee” in our Proxy Statement is incorporated by 
reference in response to this Item 11.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 
Shareholder Matters

Information set forth under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 
Management” and “Executive Compensation” in our Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference in 
response to this Item 12.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information set forth under the captions “Certain Relationships - Related Person Transactions”; 
“Corporate Governance”; and “Board Committees and Meetings” in our Proxy Statement is incorporated 
by reference in response to this Item 13.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information set forth under the caption “Audit and Other Fees Paid to our Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm” in our Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 14.

106

Table of Contents

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

PART IV

(a)

1. Financial Statements: See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” under Item 8 in this 

Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2. Financial Statement Schedule: See “Schedule II” in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.
3. Exhibits

The exhibit numbers succeeded by an asterisk (*) indicate exhibits physically filed with this Form 10-K.  
The exhibit numbers succeeded by two asterisks (**) indicate exhibits furnished with this Form 10-K that 
are not deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise 
are not subject to liability.  All other exhibit numbers indicate exhibits filed by incorporation by reference. 
Exhibit numbers succeeded by a cross (†) are management contracts or compensatory plans or 
arrangements.

2.1

3.1

3.2

4.1

10.1†

10.2†

10.3†

10.4†

10.5

10.6

10.7

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 8, 2010, among Helen of Troy Texas 
Corporation, KI Acquisition Corp., Kaz, Inc., the Company, and the Kaz, Inc. shareholders 
party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2010).
Memorandum of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's 
Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 33-73594, filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on December 30, 1993).
Amended and Restated Bye-Laws (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the 
Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, File No. 001-14669, filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2016).
Description of the Company's Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities 
and Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020, filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2020).
Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the 
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2014, filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2014).
Helen of Troy Limited 2008 Non-Employee Directors Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by 
reference to Appendix C to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A.  
File No. 001-14669, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2008).
Helen of Troy Limited Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2015).
Amended and Restated Helen of Troy Limited 2011 Annual Incentive Plan (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on 10-Q, filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 11, 2016).
Loan Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, by and between Kaz USA, Inc. and 
Mississippi Business Finance Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on March 26, 2013 (the “2013 8-K”)).
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2013, by Helen of Troy Limited and certain of its 
subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of 
the 2013 8-K).
Trust Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2013, between Mississippi Business Finance 
Corporation and Deutsche Bank National Trust, as trustee (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.3 of the 2013 8-K).

107

 
 
Table of Contents

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

10.17

10.18

First Amendment to Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2014, made by Helen of 
Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, Helen of Troy, L.P., Helen of Troy Limited, a Barbados 
company, HOT Nevada, Inc., Helen of Troy Nevada Corporation, Helen of Troy Texas 
Corporation, Idelle Labs Ltd., OXO International Ltd., Helen of Troy Macao Commercial 
Offshore Limited, Kaz, Inc., Kaz USA, Inc., Kaz Canada, Inc., and Pur Water Purification 
Products, Inc., in favor of Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on February 10, 2014).
Second Amendment to Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2014, made by Helen of 
Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 17, 2014).
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated January 16, 2015, by and among Helen of 
Troy, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, Bank of 
America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 20, 2015 (the “2015 8-K”)).
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 7, 2016, by 
and among Helen of Troy, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, Helen of Troy Limited, a 
Bermuda company, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders 
party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2016).
Amended and Restated Guaranty, dated March 1, 2018, made by Helen of Troy Limited and 
certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. and other lenders, pursuant to 
the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated January 16, 2015 (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended February 28, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 
2019).
Third Amendment to Guaranty Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2015, made by Helen of 
Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the 2015 8-K).
Fourth Amendment to Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2016, made by Helen 
of Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended February 28, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 
1, 2017 (the “2017 10-K”)).
First Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2014, by and between Mississippi 
Business Finance Corporation and Deutsche Bank National Trust, as trustee (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended February 28, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 
29, 2015).
Second Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of February 18, 2015 but effective February 
1, 2015, by and between Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and Deutsche Bank 
National Trust, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's 
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
February 23, 2015).
Third Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of December 7, 2016, but effective December 
1, 2016, by and between Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and Deutsche Bank 
National Trust, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of the 2017 10-K).
Second Amendment, Assumption, Consent and Ratification Agreement, dated effective as 
of March 1, 2018, by and among Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, Helen of Troy 
Texas Corporation, a Texas corporation, Helen of Troy L.P., a Texas limited partnership, the 
guarantors party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other 
lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 
2018).

108

Table of Contents

10.19

10.20†

10.21†

10.22†

10.23†

10.24

10.25

10.26

10.27

10.28†

10.29†

10.30†

10.31†

21*
23.1*

Third Amendment and Commitment Increase to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, 
dated March 13, 2020, by and among Helen of Troy Texas Corporation, a Texas 
corporation, Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, Bank of America, N.A., as 
administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on March 17, 2020).
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement among Helen of Troy Nevada Corporation, 
Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, Helen of Troy Limited, a Barbados company, 
and Julien Mininberg, effective March 1, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on November 7, 2018).
Helen of Troy Limited 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex B of 
the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on June 28, 2018 (the “2018 Proxy”)).
Helen of Troy Limited 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Annex C of the 2018 Proxy).
Severance Agreement among Helen of Troy Nevada Corporation, a Nevada corporation, 
Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, and Brian L. Grass, effective June 17, 2019 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 21, 2019).
Fourth Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated effective as of September 28, 2018, by and 
between Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association 
(successor to Deutsche Bank National Trust Company), as trustee (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period 
ending November 30, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 
9, 2019 (the “2019 10-Q”)).
Fifth Amendment to Guaranty Agreement, dated effective as of September 28, 2018, made 
by Helen of Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N. A. 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the 2019 10-Q).
Sixth Amendment to Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020, made by Helen of 
Troy Limited and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2020 (the “May 2020 8-K”)). 
Fifth Supplemental Trust Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2020, by and between Mississippi 
Business Finance Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the May 2020 8-K).
Waiver Letter, dated March 30, 2020, to the Amended and Restated Employment 
Agreement among Helen of Troy Nevada Corporation, Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda 
company, Helen of Troy Limited, a Barbados company, and Julien Mininberg (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period 
ending May 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 10, 2020 
(the “2020 10-Q”)).
Waiver Letter, dated March 30, 2020, to the Severance Agreement among Helen of Troy 
Nevada Corporation, Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, and Brian L. Grass 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the 2020 10-Q).
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement among Helen of Troy Nevada Corporation, 
Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, Helen of Troy Limited, a Barbados company, 
and Julien Mininberg, effective March 1, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on December 10, 2020 (the “December 2020 8-K”)).
Amendment to Severance Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2020, among Helen of Troy 
Nevada Corporation, a Nevada corporation, Helen of Troy Limited, a Bermuda company, 
and Brian L. Grass (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's December 
2020 8-K.
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Grant Thornton LLP.

109

Table of Contents

31.1*

31.2*

32**

101.INS*
101.SCH*
101.CAL*
101.DEF*
101.LAB*
101.PRE*
104

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) 
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) 
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Joint certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002.
Inline XBRL Instance Document
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101

110

Table of Contents

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused 
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

HELEN OF TROY LIMITED

By: /s/ Julien R. Mininberg
Julien R. Mininberg
Chief Executive Officer and Director
April 29, 2021

Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Exchange Act,  this  report  has  been  signed  below  by  the  following 
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/ Julien R. Mininberg
Julien R. Mininberg
Chief Executive Officer, Director and Principal 
Executive Officer
April 29, 2021

/s/ Brian L. Grass
Brian L. Grass
Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer 
and Principal Accounting Officer
April 29, 2021

/s/ Gary B. Abromovitz
Gary B. Abromovitz
Director, Deputy Chairman of the Board
April 29, 2021

/s/ Timothy F. Meeker
Timothy F. Meeker
Director, Chairman of the Board
April 29, 2021

/s/ Beryl B. Raff
Beryl B. Raff
Director
April 29, 2021

/s/ Darren G. Woody
Darren G. Woody
Director
April 29, 2021

/s/ Vincent D. Carson
Vincent D. Carson 
Director
April 29, 2021

/s/ Krista L. Berry
Krista L. Berry
Director
April 29, 2021

/s/ Thurman K. Case
Thurman K. Case
Director
April 29, 2021

111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

The following is a list of subsidiaries of Helen of Troy Limited as of February 28, 2021, omitting 
subsidiaries which, considered in the aggregate, would not constitute a significant subsidiary.

Name

Incorporation

Doing Business as

Helen of Troy Limited

Helen of Troy Macao Limited

Helen of Troy L.P.

Idelle Labs, Ltd.

OXO International Ltd.

HOT (UK) Limited

Steel Technology, LLC

Kaz, Inc.

Kaz USA, Inc.

Pur Water Purification Products, Inc.

Kaz Europe Sarl

Helen of Troy Texas Corporation

Drybar Products LLC

Barbados

Macau

Texas

Texas

Texas Limited

Same Name

Same Name

Same Name, Helen of Troy and Belson Products

Same Name

Same Name

United Kingdom

Same Name, HOT UK and OXO Goodgrips

Oregon

New York

Massachusetts

Nevada

Switzerland

Texas

Delaware

Same Name and Hydro Flask

Same Name

Same Name

Same Name

Same Name

Same Name

Same Name

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our reports dated April 29, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements, 
schedule,  and  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  included  in  the  Annual  Report  of  Helen  of  Troy 
Limited  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended  February  28,  2021.    We  consent  to  the  incorporation  by 
reference of said reports in the Registration Statements of Helen of Troy Limited on Forms S-8 (File No. 
333-154525; File No. 333-154526; File No. 333-178217; File No. 333-227074; and File No. 333-227075).

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP 

Dallas, Texas 
April 29, 2021

CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 31.1

I, Julien R. Mininberg, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Helen of Troy Limited;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit 
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under 
which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 
report, fairly present in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash 
flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining 

disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and 
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 
for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and 

procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to 
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those 
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over 

financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented 
in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, 
as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that 
occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in 
the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially 
affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of 
internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the 
registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control 
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to 
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a 

significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2021

/s/ Julien R. Mininberg
Julien R. Mininberg
Chief Executive Officer,
Director and Principal Executive Officer

CERTIFICATION

I, Brian L. Grass, certify that:

EXHIBIT 31.2

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Helen of Troy Limited;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit 
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under 
which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this 
report, fairly present in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash 
flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining 

disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and 
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 
for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and 

procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to 
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those 
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over 

financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented 
in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, 
as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that 
occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in 
the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially 
affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of 
internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the 
registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control 
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to 
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a 

significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2021

/s/ Brian L. Grass
Brian L. Grass
Chief Financial Officer,
Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer

CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 32

In connection with the Annual Report of Helen of Troy Limited (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the 
fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
“Report”), and pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Chapter 63, Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of 
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer of the Company, hereby certifies that to the best of their knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange 

Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition 

and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: April 29, 2021

/s/ Julien R. Mininberg
Julien R. Mininberg
Chief Executive Officer,
Director and Principal Executive Officer

/s/ Brian L. Grass
Brian L. Grass
Chief Financial Officer,
Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer

This certification is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, or 
otherwise subject to the liability of that section.  This certification is not deemed to be incorporated by 
reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to 
the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.