UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 2020
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 0-23071
THE CHILDRENS PLACE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
500 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, New Jersey
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
31-1241495
(I.R.S. employer
identification number)
07094
(Zip Code)
(201) 558 2400
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.10 par value
Name of each exchange on which registered: Nasdaq Global Select Market
Trading Symbol: PLCE
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 (Section 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of
the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10 K or any amendment to this
Form 10 K.
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. (Check one):
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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ?No
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates was $1,346,515,001 at the close of business on August 3, 2019 (the last business day of the registrant’s fiscal 2019
second fiscal quarter) based on the closing price of the common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. For purposes of this disclosure, shares of common stock held by persons
who hold more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock and shares held by executive officers and directors of the registrant have been excluded because such persons may be
deemed affiliates. This determination of executive officer or affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, outstanding at
March 17, 2020: 14,509,215.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of The Children’s Place, Inc. Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 14, 2020 are
incorporated by reference into Part III.
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FIFTY-TWO WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1.
Business
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Properties
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
of Equity Securities
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
PAGE
3
13
24
25
25
25
26
29
31
43
44
44
44
47
47
47
47
47
47
48
#SectionPa
ge#
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Business section and other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain certain forward-looking statements
regarding future circumstances. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain
assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking
statements can also be identified by words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”,
“predicts”, and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions of The
Children’s Place, Inc. (the “Company”) and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, those discussed in the
subsection entitled “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual results, events, and
performance may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Readers of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of
the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements
that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The inclusion of any statement in this Annual Report on Form 10-K does not constitute an admission by the Company or any
other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10 K.
ITEM 1.-BUSINESS
PART I
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “The Children’s Place”, “we”, “us”, “our”,
and similar terms refer to The Children's Place, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday on or nearest to
January 31. Other terms that are commonly used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are defined as follows:
• Fiscal 2019 - The fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 2020
• Fiscal 2018 - The fifty-two weeks ended February 2, 2019
• Fiscal 2017 - The fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 2018
• Fiscal 2020 - Our next fiscal year representing the fifty-two weeks ending January 30, 2021
• GAAP - U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Comparable Retail Sales — Net sales, in constant currency, from stores that have been open for at least 14
consecutive months and from our e-commerce store, excluding postage and handling fees. Store closures in the
current fiscal year will be excluded from Comparable Retail Sales beginning in the fiscal quarter in which the
store closes. A store that is closed for a substantial remodel, relocation, or material change in size will be
excluded from Comparable Retail Sales for at least 14 months beginning in the fiscal quarter in which the closure
occurred. However, stores that temporarily close will be excluded from Comparable Retail Sales until the store is
re-opened for a full fiscal month.
SEC - U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
•
• FASB - Financial Accounting Standards Board
• FASB ASC - FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which serves as the source for authoritative U.S. GAAP,
except that rules and interpretive releases by the SEC are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC
registrants
• CCPSA - Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
• CPSA - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act
• CPSC - U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission
• CPSIA - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008
General
The Children’s Place, Inc. is the largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America. We design,
contract to manufacture, sell at retail and wholesale, and license to sell trend right, high quality children’s apparel, footwear,
and accessories predominately at value prices, under the proprietary “The Children’s Place”, “Place”, “Baby Place”, and
“Gymboree” brand names. Our physical stores offer a friendly and convenient shopping environment, segmented into
departments that serve the wardrobe needs of girls and boys (sizes 4-18), toddler girls and boys (sizes 6 months-5T), and baby
(sizes 0-24 months). Our merchandise is also available online at www.childrensplace.com and www.gymboree.com. Our
3
customers are able to shop online and receive the same merchandise available in our physical stores, in addition to certain
merchandise which is exclusive to our e-commerce sites.
The Children’s Place was founded in 1969. The Company became publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in
1997. As of February 1, 2020, we operated 924 stores throughout North America as well as our online store. During Fiscal
2019, we opened 12 stores and closed 60 stores. During Fiscal 2018, we opened no stores and closed 42 stores. Also, in Fiscal
2019, we continued to expand into international markets through territorial agreements with franchisees, and, in our wholesale
business, we continued to expand categories and distribution to our customers.
Jane Elfers, our President and Chief Executive Officer, established four key strategic initiatives:
1. Superior Product - Product is our number one priority. We are focused on providing the right product, in the right
channels of distribution, at the right time. We offer a full line of footwear and accessories so busy moms can
quickly and easily put together head-to-toe outfits. Our design, merchandising, sourcing, and planning teams
strive to ensure that our product is trend right, while at the same time balancing fashion and fashion basics with
more frequent, wear-now deliveries. We relaunched the iconic Gymboree brand in February 2020 with a
meaningfully improved digital experience on www.gymboree.com, complimented by shop-in-shop locations in
over 200 co-branded stores in the U.S. and Canada.
2. Business Transformation through Technology - Our business transformation through technology initiative has two
key components: digital transformation and inventory management. The transformation of our digital capabilities
continued during Fiscal 2019 with the development of a completely redesigned responsive site and mobile
application, providing a rich online shopping experience geared towards the needs of our “on-the-go” mobile
customers, expanded customer personalization, which delivers unique, relevant content to drive sales, loyalty and
retention, and the piloting of additional omni-channel capabilities by offering save-the-sale with the rollout of our
new state-of-the-art point of sale system. With respect to inventory management, we continue to optimize our
assortment planning, allocation, replenishment, order planning, and forecasting tools.
3. Growth through Alternate Channels of Distribution - International and wholesale expansion continue to represent
meaningful long-term revenue opportunities for the Company. We continued our international expansion program
during Fiscal 2019 with our franchise partners and added 49 net additional international points of distribution
(stores, shop in shops, e-commerce sites) bringing our total count to 266 points of distribution operating in 19
countries. Our wholesale business continues to grow primarily through our relationship with Amazon.
4. Fleet Optimization - We continually evaluate our store fleet as part of our fleet optimization initiative. In an effort
to improve store productivity and profitability, we continue to execute on our plan to close over 300 stores
through Fiscal 2020, which includes the 271 stores closed since the announcement of this initiative.
Overlaying these four strategic initiatives is talent. Talent ultimately defines our success, and, over the past several years,
we have built a best-in-class management team. We believe that our talented team is a significant competitive advantage for our
Company.
Underlying these growth initiatives is a commitment to operational excellence. The Company’s commitment to operational
excellence includes disciplined expense management and a focus on persistent improvement in store and e-commerce
operations, and combined with our finance, compliance, legal, and human resources areas, form the strong base necessary to
support our long-term growth initiatives.
Gymboree Acquisition
On April 4, 2019, we completed the acquisition of certain intellectual property and related assets (the “Gymboree Assets”)
of Gymboree Group, Inc. and related entities, which includes the worldwide rights to the names “Gymboree” and “Crazy 8”
and other intellectual property, including trademarks, domain names, copyrights, and customer databases. Gymboree is an
iconic children’s apparel brand offering colorful, playful, bow-to-toe children’s clothing collections that celebrate childhood
and help families look their best for any occasion. Gymboree collections incorporate themes that come to life through vibrant
color palettes, prints, textures, graphics, and high-quality, durable fabrics. We relaunched the Gymboree branded product in
February 2020 with an enhanced, personalized, online shopping experience at www.gymboree.com and in over 200 co-branded
locations in select The Children’s Place stores across the U.S. and Canada.
Segment Reporting
In accordance with FASB ASC 280--Segment Reporting, we report segment data based on geography: The Children’s
Place U.S. and The Children’s Place International. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at
www.childrensplace.com. Included in The Children’s Place U.S. segment are our U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores and
revenue from our U.S.-based wholesale business. Included in The Children’s Place International segment are our Canadian-
4
based stores, revenue from the Company’s Canada wholesale business, as well as revenue from international franchisees. We
measure our segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct
costs are recorded by each segment. Certain inventory procurement functions such as production and design as well as
corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human resources, legal, and information technology
services, are managed by The Children’s Place U.S. segment. Expenses related to these functions, including depreciation and
amortization, are allocated to The Children’s Place International segment based primarily on net sales. The assets related to
these functions are not allocated. We periodically review these allocations and adjust them based upon changes in business
circumstances. Net sales to external customers are derived from merchandise sales, and we have no major customers that
account for more than 10% of our net sales. The following tables show, by segment, our net sales and operating income for the
past three fiscal years and total assets as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019:
Net sales:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total net sales
Operating income:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total operating income
Operating income as a percent of net sales:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total operating income as a percent of net sales
Total assets:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total assets
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands)
$ 1,671,165
$ 1,727,907
$ 1,650,620
199,502
210,177
219,655
$ 1,870,667
$ 1,938,084
$ 1,870,275
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands)
$
$
77,989
18,369
96,358
$
$
86,983
24,345
111,328
$
$
132,152
29,358
161,510
4.7%
9.2%
5.2%
5.0%
11.6%
5.7%
8.0%
13.4%
8.6%
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
$ 1,080,665
100,732
$ 1,181,397
$
$
651,728
75,318
727,046
See Note 14 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further segment financial data.
All foreign net sales are in The Children’s Place International segment, while certain foreign expenses related to our
buying operations are allocated between the two segments.
5
Key Capabilities
Our objective is to sell high quality, value priced, trend right children’s merchandise. Our merchandise assortment offers
one stop shopping across apparel, footwear, and accessories. Our strategic initiatives are as follows:
Merchandising Strategy
Our merchandising strategy delivers a compelling and coordinated assortment of apparel, footwear, and accessories that
facilitate the purchase of head-to-toe outfits. We merchandise our deliveries by season and flow new product to stores monthly.
High Quality and Value
We believe that offering high quality, value priced, trend right apparel, footwear, and accessories under “The Children’s
Place”, “Place”, “Baby Place”, and “Gymboree” brand names is a competitive advantage.
Brand Image
We focus on our brand image and strengthening our customer loyalty by:
• Consistently offering high quality and age appropriate products and trend right fashion predominately at value
prices in a friendly and convenient shopping environment;
Providing coordinated outfits and accessories for our customers’ lifestyle needs;
•
•
Providing exclusive products on our e-commerce sites to expand the breadth of our offerings;
• Creating strong merchandising and visual presentations to create a compelling in-store experience;
• Emphasizing our great value fashion in marketing visuals to convey a consistent message across our brands;
• Leveraging our customer database to communicate with our customers and personalize communications to
maximize customer satisfaction; and
• Utilizing our MyPLACE Loyalty Rewards program and private label credit card to drive customer engagement.
Low-Cost Global Sourcing
We design, source, and contract to manufacture the substantial majority of the Company’s branded products. We believe
that this is essential to assuring the consistency and quality of our merchandise, as well as our ability to deliver value to our
customers. We have strong relationships with our vendors. Through these relationships and our extensive knowledge of low
cost sourcing on a global scale, we are able to offer our customers high-quality products at predominately value prices. We
maintain a network of sourcing offices globally in order to manage our vendors efficiently and respond to changing business
needs effectively. Our sourcing offices in Hong Kong, China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Ethiopia, and contract associates in
greater Africa, Cambodia, and other countries in which we source products, give us access to a wide range of vendors and
allow us to work to maintain and/or reduce our merchandise costs by capitalizing on new sourcing opportunities while
maintaining our high standard for product quality.
Merchandising Process
The strong collaboration between our cross-functional teams in design, merchandising, sourcing, and planning have
enabled us to build our brands.
Design
The design team gathers information from trends, color services, research, and trade shows.
Merchandising
Each quarter, we develop seasonal merchandising strategies.
Planning and Allocation
The planning and allocation organization works collaboratively with the merchandising, finance, and global sourcing
teams to develop seasonal sales and margin plans to support our financial objectives and merchandising strategies. Further, this
team plans the flow of inventory to ensure that we are adequately supporting floor sets and key promotional periods. Special
attention is paid to our store types, as they differ in brand, capacity, and layout.
6
Production, Quality Assurance, and Responsible Sourcing
During Fiscal 2019, we engaged independent contract vendors located primarily in greater Asia and Africa. We continue
to pursue global sourcing opportunities to support our inventory needs and seek to reduce merchandise costs. We contract for
the manufacture of the substantial majority of the products we sell. We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities.
During Fiscal 2019, we sourced all of our merchandise directly without the use of third-party commissioned buying agents
for The Children’s Place branded product. For the initial launch of Gymboree branded product, we utilized a third-party
commissioned buying agent to reconnect with the key vendors that formerly supported the brand’s elevated expectations for
quality and consistency. We source from a diversified network of vendors, including approximately 17% of our total
merchandise from Cambodia, approximately 14% from China, and approximately 11% from each of India, Vietnam, and
Indonesia. No other country accounted for 10% or more of our production.
In addition to our quality assurance procedures, we conduct a responsible sourcing program that seeks to protect our
Company and enhance our brands by providing guidance in-line with industry standards to our global vendors in their efforts to
provide safe and appropriate working conditions for their employees. These efforts are part of an ongoing process to encourage
the continued improvement by our vendors of factory working conditions, and ultimately, the lives of their employees who
make our product. Additionally, under our responsible sourcing program, we monitor changes in local laws and other
conditions (e.g., worker safety, workers’ rights of association, and political and social instability) in the countries from which
we source in order to identify and assess potential risks to our sourcing capabilities. The components of our program are as
follows:
• Vendor Code of Conduct - By formally acknowledging and agreeing to our code of conduct, our vendors affirm their
commitment to integrate compliance with local law and industry standards into their manufacturing and sourcing
practices. Topics covered by these standards include child labor, involuntary or forced labor, slavery and human
trafficking, coercion or harassment, discrimination, health and safety, transparency and integrity, compensation,
working hours, freedom of association, environment, unauthorized subcontracting, security practices, and undue
influence of independent auditors.
• Ongoing Auditing Program - We administer a factory auditing program staffed by our internal quality assurance and
responsible sourcing teams and/or professional third-party auditors, who visit factory locations to provide insight into
general factory working conditions and other production characteristics in all factories that manufacture The
Children’s Place products. With this information, we can understand factories’ challenges, help the factories identify
non-compliance with legal and industry standards, and offer guidance on corrective action plans for the factories to
achieve better compliance. All factories that are approved for The Children’s Place production must undergo technical
capabilities and responsible sourcing audits prior to any orders being placed and periodically thereafter.
• Corrective Action Plans - Following each audit, a corrective action plan outlines any areas of non-compliance
identified through the factory audit. Each factory is expected to develop a remediation plan and remediation timeline
for any non-compliance found. Through follow-up audits, we assess a factory’s progress in achieving its remediation
plan. It is our preference to work with factories to remediate and achieve compliance rather than terminate our
relationship; however, where there is serious non-compliance of critical standards, repeated non-compliance, or failure
of the factories to invest in continued improvement, we reserve the right to terminate our relationship.
• Vendor Factory Engagement - Our responsible sourcing team provides guidance and training to vendors and factories
in order to help vendors and factories improve compliance with industry standards and local laws. Our goal is to serve
as a resource for vendors and factories as they develop and strengthen their capabilities to better manage the working
conditions of their employees.
• Worker Well Being Programs - The Company’s global responsible sourcing activities involve the Company’s third-
party factories who manufacture the Company’s merchandise. These vendors’ workforce is predominantly women
who work in factories in underdeveloped countries in greater Asia and Africa. In addition to its auditing activities
concerning local laws and ethical business practices, worker health and welfare, working conditions, safety, rights of
association, and other practices at factories, in recent times, the Company’s commitment to responsible sourcing
activities has evolved beyond a compliance-based approach to a more holistic view, focusing not only on compliance
but also on worker training and education. In support of our business and societal objectives and those of our vendors
to create and sustain a healthy and engaged workforce, below are examples of programs sponsored by the Company:
• BSR’s HERproject - This program is designed to positively impact the well-being of women through
workplace-based education and training provided by local non-governmental organizations to promote
health, gender equality, financial inclusion, and other life-needs. The Company continues to sponsor the
program in its key sourcing regions, including in Ethiopia, where the program in the Hawassa Industrial
Park will reach over 7,000 women garment workers.
7
•
•
ILO’s BetterWork program - Partnering with over 30 companies and the International Finance
Corporation, a member of the World Bank, this program works with global brands, factory owners,
governments, unions, and workers to improve working conditions in the garment industry through
assessments, training, advocacy, and research. BetterWork’s gender strategy aims to empower women
workers, address sexual harassment, and close the gender pay gap in the global garment industry. The
BetterWork program is sponsored by the Company in over 50 factories in five countries in Asia and
Africa.
The Social & Labor Convergence Project (“SLCP”) - The SLCP is a multi-stakeholder initiative among
manufacturers, retailers, industry groups, and civil society organizations working to develop a simple,
unified, and effective assessment framework for monitoring factories. Our shared goal is to increase the
effectiveness of factory audits, reduce audit fatigue, and better utilize collective resources in the apparel
industry’s supply chain.
• Nirapon - Nirapon oversees ongoing safety, training, and helpline efforts for factories in Bangladesh.
Nirapon replaces the The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, which concluded in December 2018,
and was a legally binding, multi-stakeholder, five-year commitment of 29 retailers and brands to improve
safety and empower workers in Bangladeshi apparel factories. The Company was a founding member of
the Alliance and supports the extension of its impact through the continuing efforts of Nirapon.
• CARE’s Healthy Food, Healthy Workplace program - This program aims to improve awareness of the
health benefits of nutritious foods and good hygiene. The Company has invested in this program in
Cambodia to support healthy eating choices in order to improve health and combat instances of
workplace fainting which is a widespread phenomenon in the garment industry in Cambodia.
• CCR CSR - In partnership with global brands like the Company, CCR CSR provides education and
training designed to improve the lives of children and parent factory workers. The Company has
invested in the Distance Without Separation program in China to provide migrant parents separated from
their homes and children to find work with tools to better connect with their children, and ultimately,
strengthen parent-child bonds when families are separated due to work commitments. This leads to
parent workers feeling more secure about the well-being of their children, enabling them to be more
engaged and productive in the workplace.
• Environmental Stewardship - In Fiscal 2019, the Company expanded its responsible sourcing activities to encompass
environmental stewardship in the supply chain. To have the greatest impact, we chose to collaborate with non-profit
organizations and other peers in the apparel and footwear industry to work with third-party vendors and their factories
to reduce environmental impacts from manufacturing activities. The Company is committed to a long-term approach
with those vendors that demonstrate sustainability leadership by utilizing their resources more responsibly and
efficiently. The Company’s environmental impact program in the supply chain focuses on:
• Chemical Management - To support more responsible chemical management practices in apparel and
footwear production. The Company is a member of the Apparel & Footwear International RSL
Management Group (“AFIRM”) which works to build safer and more sustainable chemistry within the
apparel and footwear supply chains. With members including some of the largest brands and retailers in
the world, AFIRM continues to be a recognized global center of excellence, providing resources to
enable continuous advancement of chemical management best practices.
• Wastewater and Effluence - To support more sustainable wastewater processes at our third-party
factories, the Company became a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (“SAC”). SAC is an
industry-wide group of more than 230 members working to reduce the environmental and social impacts
of products around the world. Through multi-stakeholder engagement, the SAC seeks to lead the industry
toward a shared vision of sustainability built upon a common approach for measuring and evaluating
apparel, footwear, and textile product sustainability performance that spotlights priorities for action and
opportunities for technological innovation.
• Responsibly Sourced Cotton - To support cotton procurement practices that foster the payment of living
wages and the reduction of pesticide and water use in our global supply chain. The Company is a
member of the Better Cotton Initiative (“BCI”) which is the largest cotton sustainability program in the
8
world. Working with organizations from farming, retail fashion, and textile brands, BCI is an agricultural
standard system helping farmers use less water and fewer chemical pesticides and fertilizers, all while
improving yields, profitability, and workers’ lives.
Company Stores
The following section highlights various store information for The Children’s Place operated stores as of February 1,
2020.
Existing Stores
As of February 1, 2020, we operated a total of 924 The Children’s Place stores in the United States, Canada, and Puerto
Rico, most of which are clustered in and around major metropolitan areas and our online store at www.childrensplace.com. In
addition, our eight international partners operated 266 international points of distribution in 19 countries. We operate 568
stores located in malls, 181 in strip centers, 140 in outlet centers, and 35 in street locations. The following table sets forth the
number of stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada as of the current and prior fiscal year end:
Location
United States
Canada
Puerto Rico
Total Stores
Store Concepts
Number of Stores
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
795
121
8
924
842
122
8
972
At The Children’s Place, our store concepts consist of multiple formats ranging in size from 4,100 to 7,100 square feet,
which have evolved over time in response to market trends, and are strategically placed within each market. We try to create an
open and brightly lit environment for customers. Our stores typically feature white fixtures to ensure the product is the focal
point, using color to brand and create shop identifiers. We opened 12 locations during Fiscal 2019 as part of the 25 stores we
plan to open over the next two years in centers that were highly productive for Gymboree based on our detailed analysis of
prior Gymboree store sales.
Fleet Optimization
As part of our store fleet optimization initiative, we plan to close over 300 stores through Fiscal 2020, which includes the
271 stores closed since the announcement of this initiative. Over the past five fiscal years, we have reduced our total store
square footage from 5.0 million to 4.3 million. These closures have resulted in improved profitability and operating margin
accretion due to sales transfer, low cost of exit, and the elimination of these underperforming locations. In markets where we
have closed stores, we are seeing the neighboring stores and e-commerce business in the area of the closing become more
productive and profitable. These results further our commitment to continue to execute our optimization program while
maintaining a very modest pace of productive new store openings.
We continuously review the performance of our store fleet. We base our decisions to open, close, or remodel stores on a
variety of factors, including lease terms, landlord negotiations, market dynamics, and projected financial performance. When
assessing whether to close a store, we also consider remaining lease life and current financial performance.
E-commerce Sales
Our U.S. and International segments each include an e-commerce business located at www.childrensplace.com and
www.gymboree.com, and digital growth remains one of our top strategic priorities. We are committed to delivering a best in
class, end-to-end user experience including product assortment and website operation, fulfillment, and customer service. We
are further committed to delivering these experiences to our customers when, where, and how they are looking to access our
brands, accounting for cross-channel behavior, growth of mobile devices, and the growing interest in our brands from
international consumers. As such, we will continue to make required investments in back-end infrastructure, as well as front-
end technology to deliver on this commitment. We believe that the critical investments made in areas such as e-commerce
infrastructure and mobile optimization, as well as additional front-end website features, have improved our customer
experience.
9
International Franchises and Wholesale
We continued our international expansion program with our franchise partners and added 49 net additional international
points of distribution (stores, shop in shops, e-commerce site) bringing our total count to 266 points of distribution operating in
19 countries. We generate revenues from our franchisees from the sale of products and sales royalties. Our wholesale business
continues to grow primarily through our relationship with Amazon.
Store Operations
The Children’s Place store operations are organized by geographical region. We have a centralized store operations
function within our corporate offices which oversees the operations of both Place and Outlet stores and to which regional vice
presidents report. A regional vice president oversees a number of district managers residing within each region. Our stores are
staffed by store managers and full-time and part-time sales associates, with additional temporary associates hired to support
seasonal needs. Our store managers spend a high percentage of their time on the store’s selling floor providing direction,
motivation, and development to store personnel. To maximize selling productivity, our teams emphasize greeting,
replenishment, presentation standards, procedures, and controls. In order to motivate our store management, we offer a
monthly incentive compensation plan that awards bonuses for achieving certain financial goals.
Seasonality
Our business is subject to seasonal influences, with heavier concentrations of sales during the back-to-school and holiday
seasons. Our first fiscal quarter results are dependent upon sales during the period leading up to the Easter holiday, our second
and third fiscal quarter results are dependent upon back-to-school sales, and our fourth fiscal quarter results are dependent upon
sales during the holiday season. The business is also subject to shifts due to unseasonable weather conditions. The following
table shows the quarterly distribution, as a percentage of the full year, of net sales and operating income:
Quarterly net sales as a percentage of full year
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2018
Quarterly operating income as a percentage of full year
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2018
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
22.0%
22.5%
22.5 %
23.2 %
28.1%
27.0%
27.4%
27.3%
5.2%
20.7%
4.0 %
9.0 %
60.1%
58.0%
30.7%
12.3%
For more information regarding the seasonality of our business, refer to Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Quarterly Results and Seasonality.
Marketing
The Children’s Place and Gymboree are well-recognized brands, with a trend right offering and a compelling value
proposition. Our direct marketing program utilizes both on-line and off-line channels. We relaunched the iconic Gymboree
brand in February 2020 with a meaningfully improved digital experience on www.gymboree.com, complimented by shop-in-
shop locations in over 200 co-branded stores in the U.S. and Canada, by successfully executing on the specific design,
sourcing, and merchandising characteristics that create Gymboree’s elevated, playful collections.
During Fiscal 2017, we relaunched our customer loyalty program in conjunction with our new private label credit card
program. At the end of Fiscal 2019, members of our MyPLACE Rewards loyalty program and private label credit card
program accounted for approximately 80% of sales. Our private label credit card is issued to our customers for use exclusively
at The Children’s Place stores and online at www.childrensplace.com and www.gymboree.com, and credit is extended to such
customers through a third-party financial institution on a non-recourse basis to us. We promote affinity and loyalty through our
marketing programs by utilizing specialized incentive programs.
10
Distribution
In the United States, we own and operate a 700,000 square foot distribution center in Alabama, which supports both U.S.
retail store operations and U.S. e-commerce operations. In Canada, we lease and operate a 95,000 square foot distribution
center in Ontario for our Canadian retail store operations. We also use a third-party provider to support both our U.S. and
Canadian e-commerce operations. On occasion, we may utilize additional facilities to support seasonal warehousing needs.
We also use a third-party provider of warehousing and logistics services in both Malaysia and China to support our
international franchise business.
Competition
The children’s apparel, footwear, and accessories retail markets are highly competitive. Our primary competitors are
specialty stores, mass merchants, and off-price stores, including Target Corporation, Walmart Stores, Inc., GapKids, babyGap,
and Old Navy (each of which is a division of The Gap, Inc.), Justice (a division of The Ascena Retail Group, Inc.), Carter’s,
Inc., T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s (each of which is a division of TJX Companies, Inc.), Burlington Coat Factory, Inc., J.C. Penney
Company, Inc., Kohl’s Corporation, and other department stores. We also compete with regional retail chains, catalog
companies, and e-commerce retailers. One or more of our competitors are present in substantially all of the areas in which we
have stores.
Trademarks and Service Marks
“The Children’s Place”, “Place”, “Baby Place”, and “Gymboree” and certain other marks have been registered as
trademarks and/or service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in Canada and other foreign
countries. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2019, the Company acquired the Gymboree Assets, which included the worldwide
rights to the names “Gymboree” and “Crazy 8” and other intellectual property, including trademarks, domain names,
copyrights, and customer databases. With respect to the already existing trademarks and the newly acquired “Gymboree” and
“Crazy 8” trademarks, the registration of the trademarks and the service marks may be renewed to extend the original
registration period indefinitely, provided the marks are still in use. We intend to continue to use and protect our trademarks and
service marks and maintain their registrations. We have also registered our trademarks in other countries where we source our
products and where we have established and anticipate establishing franchising operations. We believe our trademarks and
service marks have received broad recognition and are of significant value to our business.
Government Regulation
We are subject to extensive federal, state, local, provincial, and other foreign laws and regulations affecting our business,
including product testing and safety, consumer protection, privacy, truth-in-advertising, accessibility, customs, wage and hour
laws and regulations, and zoning and occupancy ordinances that regulate retailers generally and/or govern the promotion and
sale of merchandise and the operation of retail stores and e-commerce sites. We also are subject to similar international laws
and regulations affecting our business. We believe that we are in material compliance with these laws and regulations.
We are committed to product quality and safety. We focus our efforts to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations
affecting our business, including the provisions of the CPSIA, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics
Act and the Textile Fiber Product Identification Act, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, the Canadian Textile Labelling
Act, the Canadian Care Labelling Program, and various environmental laws and regulations. Each of our product styles
currently covered by the CPSIA and the CCPSA are appropriately tested to meet current standards.
Virtually all of our merchandise is manufactured by third-party factories located outside of the United States. These
products are imported and are subject to U.S. and Canadian customs laws, which impose tariffs, anti-dumping and
countervailing duties on certain imported products, including textiles, apparel, footwear, and accessories. We currently are not
restricted by any such anti-dumping and countervailing duties in the operation of our business. The U.S. currently imposes a
25% tariff on the importation of certain merchandise produced by the Company in China, including backpacks, fashion bags,
lunch bags, and hats, and a 7.5% tariff on the importation of other merchandise produced for the Company in China, including
certain apparel, accessories, and footwear. Approximately 14% of our merchandise was produced in China in Fiscal 2019.
These tariffs are subject to ongoing negotiations of larger trade matters involving the U.S. and China, and there can be no
assurance as to whether these tariffs will be increased, decreased, or otherwise modified. The imposition of additional tariffs
and/or the taking of other steps could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations,
and cash flows.
11
Employees
As of February 1, 2020, we had approximately 17,300 employees, approximately 1,900 of whom were based at our
corporate offices and distribution centers. Approximately 2,000 were full-time store employees and approximately 13,400 were
part-time and seasonal store employees. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Internet Access to Reports
We are a public company and are subject to the disclosure requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”). Accordingly, we file periodic reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC.
Such reports, proxy statements, and other information may be obtained by visiting the SEC website (http://www.sec.gov) that
contains reports, proxy, and information statements and other information regarding us and other issuers that file electronically.
Our website address is www.childrensplace.com. We make available, without charge, through our website, copies of our
Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and
amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably
practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. References in this document to our website are not and
should not be considered part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the information on our website is not incorporated by
reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We also make available our corporate governance materials, including our corporate governance guidelines and our code
of business conduct, on our website. If we make any substantive amendments to our code of business conduct or grant any
waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the code for the benefit of our Chief Executive Officer and President
and our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our
website or in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
12
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investors in the Company should consider the following risk factors as well as the other information contained herein:
Changes in our Comparable Retail Sales and/or quarterly results of operations could have a material adverse effect on the
market price of our common stock.
Numerous factors affect our Comparable Retail Sales and quarterly financial results, including unseasonable weather
conditions, merchandise assortment and product acceptance, the retail price of our merchandise, fashion trends, customer
traffic, number of visits to our e-commerce site, as well as related conversion, economic conditions in general and the retail
sales environment in particular, calendar shifts of holidays or seasonal periods, birth rate fluctuations, timing or extent of
promotional events by our Company or by competitors and other competitive factors, including competitor bankruptcies,
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, macro-economic conditions, such as COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), and our success
in and the cost of executing our business strategies.
Unseasonable weather, for example, warm weather in the winter or cold weather in the spring over an extended period of
time, or the occurrence of frequent or severe storms, may adversely affect our sales and, therefore, our Comparable Retail
Sales. The nature of our target customer heightens the effects of unseasonable weather on our sales. Our target customer is a
value conscious, lower to middle income mother buying for infants and younger children primarily based on need rather than
based on fashion, trend, or impulse. Therefore, for example, our target customer may not purchase warm weather spring
clothing during an extended period of unseasonably cold weather occurring in what otherwise should be warmer weather
months, particularly since infants and younger children tend to outgrow clothing at a faster rate than older children and adults.
Our Comparable Retail Sales and quarterly results have fluctuated significantly in the past due to the factors cited above,
and we anticipate that they may continue to fluctuate in the future, particularly in the highly competitive retail environment in
which we operate, which may result in declines or delays in consumer spending. The investment and analyst community
follows Comparable Retail Sales and quarterly results closely and fluctuations in these results, or the failure of our results to
meet our publicly announced guidance concerning Comparable Retail Sales, earnings per share, margin, and other financial
metrics or our investors’ or analysts’ expectations, may have a significant adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
We may not be able to successfully execute our business strategies.
Our strategic initiatives involve a focus on (i) delivery of product of a quality and value that resonates with our customers,
(ii) transformation of our business systems, including to augment our digital and omni-channel capabilities, align and upgrade
our distribution and logistics operations, and optimize our inventory buys and allocations, (iii) expansion of our channels of
distribution and geographical coverage, and (iv) optimization of our North American retail store fleet. In addition, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of the Company acquired certain intellectual property and related assets of Gymboree Group, Inc. and related
entities including worldwide rights to the name “Gymboree”. We recently launched and plan to use the Gymboree brand to
expand our business across our retail stores, e-commerce, international, and wholesale businesses. The positioning of the
Gymboree brand and its products, relative to our existing products, the fashion choices we make with respect to our products,
and our ability to integrate the Gymboree brand and its products into our existing marketing, sourcing, inventory, sales/e-
commerce, customer relations, and logistics operations and systems will be critical to our ability to leverage the Gymboree
brand to expand our business. Our failure to properly execute our plans, delays in executing our plans, increased costs
associated with executing on our plans, or failure to identify alternative strategies could have a material adverse effect on our
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
During Fiscal 2020, we will continue to implement and refine our business systems transformation initiatives designed to
increase sales and profitability. Our business transformation through technology initiative has two key components: inventory
management and digital transformation. With respect to inventory management, the tools we have implemented are delivering
gross margin and inventory productivity benefits, and although there can be no assurances, we expect that additional tools and
the refinement of existing tools will continue to do the same. With respect to digital transformation, we are in the process of
implementing a personalized customer contact strategy. These initiatives require the execution of complex projects involving
significant systems and operational changes, which place considerable demands on our management and our information and
other systems. Our ability to successfully implement and capitalize on these projects is dependent on management’s ability to
manage these projects effectively and implement and operate them successfully, without adversely affecting the subject and/or
other systems, and on our employees’ ability to affect the required operational changes. If we fail to implement these projects
effectively, including aligning them with our distribution and logistics operations, we experience significant delay, cost
overruns, or unforeseen costs, or the necessary operational changes are not affected properly, we may not realize the return on
our investments that we anticipate, we may adversely affect the operation of other systems, and our business, financial position,
operating results, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
13
Consumer demand, behavior, taste, and purchasing trends, as well as geopolitical conflicts and economic and political
stability may differ in international markets and/or in the distribution channels through which our wholesale customers sell
products and, as a result, sales of our products may not be successful or meet our expectations, or the margins on those sales
may not be in line with those we currently anticipate. We may also face difficulties integrating foreign business operations and/
or wholesaling operations with our current sourcing, distribution, information technology systems, and other operations. Any
of these challenges could hinder our success in new markets or new distribution channels. There can be no assurance that we
will successfully complete any planned expansion or that any new business will be profitable or meet our expectations.
During Fiscal 2020, we will continue our store fleet optimization program, which is intended to increase the profitability of
our existing retail store fleet. Currently, it is planned that this program will close over 300 retail stores through Fiscal 2020,
which includes the 271 retail stores closed between fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2019. Failure to properly identify or measure
underperforming retail stores, failure to achieve anticipated sales transfer rates from closed stores to remaining retail stores and/
or e-commerce sales, and failure to properly identify and analyze customer segmentation and spending patterns could have a
material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, pursuant to generally
accepted accounting principles, we are required to recognize an impairment charge when circumstances indicate that the
carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. If a determination is made that the asset’s carrying value of a long-
lived asset is not recoverable over its estimated useful life, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value.
Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position,
results of operations, and cash flows.
A privacy breach, through a cybersecurity incident or otherwise, or failure to comply with privacy laws could materially
adversely affect our business.
As part of normal operations, we and our third-party vendors and partners receive and maintain confidential and personally
identifiable information about our customers and employees, and confidential financial, intellectual property, and other
information. We regard the protection of our customer, employee, and Company information as critical. The regulatory
environment surrounding information security and privacy is very demanding, with the frequent imposition of new and
changing requirements, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, some of which involve significant costs to
implement and significant penalties if not followed properly.
Our efforts and technology to secure our computer network and systems may not be sufficient to defend us against all
unauthorized attempts to access our information. We have been and may be subject to attempts to gain unauthorized access to
our computer network and systems. To date, prior attempts have not had a material adverse effect on us. A cybersecurity
breach, whether targeted, random, or inadvertent, and whether at the hands of cyber criminals, hackers, rogue employees, or
other persons, may occur and could go undetected for a period of time, resulting in a material disruption of our computer
network, a loss of information valuable to our business, including, without limitation, customer or employee personally
identifiable information, and/or theft.
A breach to the computer networks and systems of our third-party vendors and partners, including those that are cloud-
based, may also occur. Our third-party vendors and partners have been and may be subject to unauthorized attempts to gain
access to their networks and systems, which could lead to a material disruption of our computer network and/or the areas of our
business dependent on the support, services, and other products provided by those third-party vendors and partners who may
have been adversely affected by such unauthorized attempts. As a result, we may experience a decrease in sales and/or a loss of
information valuable to our business, including, without limitation, customer or employee personally identifiable information,
and/or theft. To date, past attempts to gain unauthorized access to the networks and systems of our third-party vendors and
partners have not had a material adverse effect on us.
Any cybersecurity incident could result in any of the following:
•
•
•
theft, destruction, loss, misappropriation, or release of confidential financial and other data, intellectual property,
customer awards or loyalty points, or customer or employee information, including personally identifiable information
such as payment card information, email addresses, passwords, social security numbers, home addresses, or health
information;
operational or business delays resulting from the disruption of our e-commerce site, computer network, or the
computer networks of our third-party vendors and partners and subsequent material clean-up and mitigation costs and
activities;
negative publicity resulting in material reputation or brand damage with our investors, customers, vendors, third-party
partners, or industry peers;
14
•
•
loss of sales, including those generated through our e-commerce websites; and
governmental penalties, fines and/or enforcement actions, payment and industry penalties and fines, and/or class
action and other lawsuits.
Our systems and procedures are required to meet the Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) data security standards, which require
periodic audits by independent third-parties to assess compliance. Failure to comply with the security requirements or rectify a
security issue may result in substantial fines and the imposition of material restrictions on our ability to accept payment by
credit or debit cards. There can be no assurance that we will be able to satisfy PCI security standards or to identify security
issues in a timely fashion. In addition, PCI are controlled by a limited number of vendors who have the ability to impose
changes in PCI’s fee structure and operational requirements on us without negotiation. Such changes in fees and operational
requirements may result in our failure to comply with PCI security standards, as well as significant unanticipated expenses.
Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could result in significant costs and/or materially damage our
reputation and result in lost sales, governmental and payment card industry fines, and/or class action and other lawsuits, which
in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Although we carry
cybersecurity insurance, in the event of a cyber-incident, that insurance may not be extensive enough or adequate in scope of
coverage or amount to reimburse us for damages we may incur. Further, a significant breach of federal, state, provincial, local,
or international privacy laws could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, results of operations,
and cash flows.
Our failure to successfully manage our e-commerce business could have a material adverse impact on our business.
The successful operation of our e-commerce business depends on our ability to maintain the efficient and uninterrupted
operation of our online order-taking and our fulfillment operations and on our ability to provide a shopping experience that will
generate orders and return visits to our site, including by updating our e-commerce platform to stay abreast of changing
consumer shopping habits such as the significantly increased use of mobile devices and apps to shop online. Risks associated
with our e-commerce business include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
risks associated with the failure of the computer systems that operate our website including, but not limited to,
inadequate system capacity, security breaches, computer viruses, human error, changes in programming, failure of
system upgrades, or unintended disruptions occasioned as a result of such upgrades, or migration of these services to
new systems;
risks associated with the integration and relaunch of the Gymboree brand in our stores and via our e-commerce
website;
consumer privacy and information security concerns and regulation;
changes in applicable federal, state, provincial, local, or international regulations;
disruptions in telephone service or power outages;
reliance on third parties for computer hardware and software updates, as well as order fulfillment and delivery of
merchandise to our customers;
increased or unplanned costs associated with order fulfillment and delivery of merchandise to our customers;
rapid technology changes and changes in consumer shopping habits such as the significantly increased use of mobile
devices and apps to shop online;
credit card fraud;
the diversion of sales from our physical stores;
natural disasters or adverse weather conditions;
negative customer reviews on social media; and
15
•
liability for online advertising and content.
Problems in any one or more of these areas could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of
operations, and cash flows, and could damage our reputation and brands.
Damage to, or a prolonged interruption of activities at, any facility that we use in our business operations could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
Our single U.S. corporate headquarters is located in Secaucus, New Jersey. One of our company-operated distribution
centers is located in Fort Payne, Alabama and supports our U.S. stores, wholesale, and e-commerce shipments in the U.S.
Another company-operated distribution center is located in Mississauga, Ontario and supports all of our store fulfillment
activities in Canada. We also use a third-party warehouse provider, with distribution centers located in: (i) Brownsburg,
Indiana, to support our U.S. e-commerce operations; and (ii) Mississauga, Ontario to support our Canadian e-commerce
operations. Our international franchise partners receive the vast majority of shipments of merchandise from our third-party
warehouse provider located in greater Asia. On occasion, we may utilize additional facilities to support our seasonal
warehousing needs. Damage to, or prolonged interruption of operations at, any of these facilities due to a work stoppage,
pandemics or other health issues, such as COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), weather conditions such as a tornado, hurricane or
flood, other natural disaster, fire, or other event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results
of operations, and cash flows.
A material disruption in, failure of, inability to upgrade, or inability to properly implement disaster recovery plans for, our
information technology or other business systems could materially adversely affect our business, financial position, results
of operations, and cash flows.
We rely heavily on various information and other business systems to manage our complex operations, including our
online business, management of our global supply chain, merchandise assortment planning, inventory allocation and
replenishment, order management, warehousing, distribution and shipping activities, point-of-sale processing in our stores,
including credit and debit card processing, gift cards, our private label credit card, our customer loyalty program, and various
other processes and transactions. We continue to evaluate and implement upgrades and changes to our information technology
(“IT”) and other business systems.
Implementing upgrades and changes to our IT and other business systems carries substantial risk, including failure to
operate as designed, failure to properly integrate with, or disruption of, other systems, potential loss of data or information, cost
overruns or unforeseen costs, implementation delays, disruption of operations, inability to properly train associates on new
processes, inability to properly direct change management, failure to implement appropriate security, disaster recovery or
business continuity measures, lower customer satisfaction resulting in lost customers or sales, inability to deliver the optimal
level of merchandise to our stores in a timely manner, inventory shortages, inventory levels in excess of customer demand,
inability to meet the demands of our international franchise partners or our wholesale and retail customers, and the inability to
meet financial, regulatory, and other reporting requirements. There is no assurance that a successfully implemented system will
deliver or continue to deliver any anticipated sales or margin improvements or other benefits to us.
Further, disruptions or malfunctions affecting our current or new information or other business systems could cause critical
information upon which we rely to be lost, delayed, unreliable, corrupted, insufficient, or inaccessible.
We continue to focus on the implementation of IT disaster recovery and/or implementation of high availability readiness
with regard to our e-commerce, finance, reporting, logistics, store operations, merchandising, sourcing, and other key systems
in order to protect against the loss or corruption of critical data. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in
implementing the appropriate disaster recovery plans or high availability readiness to protect against such loss or corruption.
The failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Risks associated with our information technology and other business systems include:
•
•
•
risks associated with the failure or disruption of our information technology and other business systems due to
inadequate system capacity, security breaches, computer viruses, human error, changes in programming, failure of
third-parties to continue to support older systems, system upgrades, or migration of these services to new systems;
inadequacy of disaster recovery processes and the failure to align these processes with business continuity plans;
natural disasters or adverse weather conditions;
16
•
•
•
•
disruptions in telephone service or power outages;
reliance on third parties for computer hardware and software, cloud-based computing services, updates (patches), as
well as delivery of merchandise to our customers;
rapid technology changes; and
consumer privacy and information security concerns and regulation.
Any of these potential issues, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
We also rely on third-party vendors and outsourcing partners to design, program, implement, maintain, and service our
existing and planned information systems, including those operated through cloud-based technology. Any failures of these
vendors to properly deliver their services in a timely fashion, any determination by those vendors to stop supporting certain
systems or components, or any failure of these vendors to protect our competitively sensitive data, or the personal data of our
customers or employees, or to prevent the unauthorized access to, or corruption of, such data, whether in their possession,
through our information systems or cloud-based technology utilized by us, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
We depend on our relationships with unaffiliated manufacturers, transportation companies, and independent agents. Our
inability to maintain relationships with any of these entities, or the disruption to or failure of any of their businesses, could
materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and, therefore, are dependent upon independent third parties for the
manufacture of all of our products. The vast majority of our products are currently manufactured to our specifications,
pursuant to purchase orders, by independent manufacturers located primarily in greater Asia and Africa. We have no exclusive
or long-term contracts with our manufacturers. We compete with other companies for manufacturing facilities, many of which
have greater financial resources than we have or pay a higher unit price than we do. If an existing manufacturer of merchandise
must be replaced for any reason, we will have to find alternative sources of manufacturing or increase purchases from our other
third-party manufacturers, and there is no assurance we will be able to do so or do so on terms that are acceptable to us.
We do not use commissioned buying agents to source any products. Although we believe that we have the in-house
capability to more efficiently source all of our purchases, our inability to do so, or our inability to find adequate sources to
support our current needs for merchandise and future growth, could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows.
The failure of our third-party manufacturers, which we do not control, to adhere to local law, and industry standards and
practices generally accepted as ethical in the United States, including in the areas of worker safety (e.g., fire safety and building
codes), worker rights of association, freedom from harassment and coercion, and social compliance with health and welfare
standards, could result in accidents and practices that cause material disruptions or delays in production or delivery and/or
material harm to our reputation, either of which could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position,
results of operations, and cash flows.
Our merchandise is shipped directly from manufacturers through third-party logistics providers to our or our third-party
providers’ distribution and fulfillment centers, and in turn, to our stores, our e-commerce customers, and our international
franchise partners and wholesale customers. Our operating results depend, in material part, on the orderly, timely, and accurate
operation of our shipping, receiving, and distribution process, which depends, in material part, on our manufacturers’ adherence
to shipping schedules and our third-party providers’ effective management of our domestic and international shipping
functions, distribution processes, facilities, and capacity.
Furthermore, it is possible that events beyond our control, such as political or social unrest, labor disputes, cybersecurity
events affecting our unaffiliated manufacturers, transportation companies or independent agents, a terrorist or similar act,
military action, strike, weather conditions, natural disasters, pandemics or other health issues, such as COVID-19 (novel
coronavirus), government spending cuts, or other disruption impacting the countries that we source from, could result in delays
or disruptions in the production and/or delivery of merchandise to our distribution centers or our stores, international franchise
partners and wholesale customers, or the fulfillment of e-commerce orders to our customers, or require us to incur substantial
additional costs in air freight to ensure timely delivery. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
If our agents, manufacturers, or freight operators experience negative financial consequences, our inability to use or find
substitute providers to support our manufacturing and distribution needs in a timely manner could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
17
Because we purchase our products internationally and from unaffiliated manufacturers, our business is subject to risks
associated with international business, the lack of control of independent manufacturers, and reliance on imported
products.
Virtually all of our merchandise is purchased from foreign suppliers. As a result, we are subject to various risks of doing
business in foreign markets and importing merchandise from abroad, including from less politically or socially stable and/or
less developed countries, such as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
new tariffs or imposition of duties, taxes, and other charges on or costs of relying on imports;
foreign governmental regulations, including, but not limited to, changing requirements in the course of dealing with
regard to product safety, product testing, environmental matters, employment, taxation, and language preference;
the failure of a vendor to comply with local laws or industry standards or ethical business practices, including
concerning labor, health and safety, and environmental matters;
financial, political, or societal instability;
the rising cost of doing business in particular countries, including China;
pandemics or other health issues, such as COVID-19 (novel coronavirus);
bankruptcy or insolvency of our vendors;
fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies;
pressure from non-governmental organizations;
customer acceptance of foreign produced merchandise;
developing countries with less or inadequate infrastructure;
new legislation relating to import quotas or other restrictions that may limit the import of our merchandise;
changes to, or repeal of, trade agreements, and/or trade legislation;
significant delays in the transportation and delivery of cargo due to port security considerations, political unrest,
weather conditions, or cyber-security events;
disruption of imports by labor disputes and local business practices;
regulations under the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; and
increased cost of transportation.
In an attempt to mitigate the above risks within any one country, we maintain relationships with many manufacturers in
various countries. We cannot predict the effect that this, or the other factors noted above, in any country from which we import
products could have on our business. If any of these factors rendered the conduct of business in a particular country undesirable
or impractical, or if our current foreign manufacturing sources ceased doing business with us or we cease doing business with
them for any reason and we were unable to find alternative sources of supply, we could experience a material adverse effect on
our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our vendor guidelines and code of conduct promote compliance with applicable law and industry standards and ethical
business practices. We monitor our vendors’ practices; however, we do not control these independent manufacturers, their
labor practices, their health and safety practices, the physical condition of their factories, the integrity of their information or
other business systems, or from where they buy their raw materials. Any violation of labor, health, environmental, safety (e.g.,
fire or building codes), or other laws, or any deviation of adherence to industry standards, by any of the independent
manufacturers we use or any divergence of an independent manufacturer’s labor and other practices from standards generally
accepted as ethical in the United States and Canada could materially damage our reputation and could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
18
Federal tax legislation has had and will continue to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition,
and cash flows. Other legislative, regulatory, and other actions which might be taken by the current Presidential
administration or U.S. Congress are unpredictable and could have unforeseen consequences having a material adverse
effect on our business.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Tax Act”). The Tax Act significantly
effects U.S. corporate taxation. The major implementation provisions of the Tax Act included a one-time transition tax on
earnings and profits of foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and the revaluation of deferred assets and
liabilities. Other provisions of the Tax Act included a reduction in the U.S. corporate tax rate, certain provisions to broaden the
U.S. tax base, including the elimination of the tax deductibility of certain executive performance-based compensation,
imposition of a minimum tax on income earned by foreign subsidiaries, and an incentive to encourage the repatriation of
foreign sourced income. The Internal Revenue Service has issued numerous regulations and has expressed an intention to issue
additional guidance, some of which may be applied retroactively to Fiscal 2017. The effect of the additional guidance and
regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, financial condition, and cash flows.
In addition, other legislative, regulatory, and other actions continue to be unpredictable and could have unforeseen
consequences having a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
We may experience disruptions at ports used to export or import our products from Asia, Africa, and other regions.
We currently ship the vast majority of our products by ocean. If a disruption occurs in the operation of ports through which
our products are exported or imported (e.g., the impact of pandemics or other health issues, such as COVID-19 (novel
coronavirus)), we and our vendors may have to ship some or all of our products from Asia, Africa, and other regions by air
freight or to or from alternative shipping destinations in the United States or in foreign countries. Shipping by air is
significantly more expensive than shipping by ocean and our profitability could be materially reduced. Similarly, shipping to or
from alternative destinations could lead to significantly increased costs for our products. A disruption at ports (domestic or
abroad) through which our products are exported or imported could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows.
We may suffer material adverse business consequences if we are unable to anticipate, identify, and respond to merchandise
trends, marketing and promotional trends, changes in technology, or customer shopping patterns.
The apparel industry is subject to rapidly changing fashion trends and shifting consumer preferences. Our success
depends, in material part, on the ability of our design and merchandising teams to anticipate and respond to these changes for
our brands and our global sourcing team to source from vendors that produce merchandise which has a compelling quality and
value proposition for our customers. Our design, manufacturing, and sourcing process generally takes up to one year, during
which time fashion trends and consumer preferences may further change. If we miscalculate either the demand for our
merchandise or our customers’ tastes or purchasing habits, we may be required to sell a significant amount of unsold inventory
at lower margins, or below cost, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operation, and
cash flows. Further, our failure to develop and implement uses of technology addressing changes in customer buying behaviors
and/or successful customer marketing programs, including loyalty and private label credit card programs, could have a material
adverse effect on our financial position, results of operation, and cash flows.
A wide variety of factors can cause a decline in consumer confidence and spending which could have a material adverse
effect on the apparel industry and our operating results.
The apparel industry is cyclical in nature and is particularly affected by adverse trends in the general economy. Purchases
of apparel and related merchandise are generally discretionary and, therefore, tend to decline during recessionary and weak
economic periods and also may decline at other times. This is particularly true with our target customer who is a value
conscious, lower to middle income mother buying for infants and children based on need rather than based on fashion, trend, or
impulse. High unemployment levels, increases in tax rates, declines in real estate values, availability of credit, volatility in the
global financial markets, and the overall level of consumer confidence have negatively impacted, and could in the future
negatively impact, the level of consumer spending for discretionary items. This could adversely affect our business as it is
dependent on consumer demand for our products. In North America, we have experienced a decrease in customer traffic,
including at shopping malls, and a highly promotional environment. If the current macroeconomic environment stalls or
deteriorates, there will likely be a negative effect on our revenues, operating margins, and earnings which could materially
adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
In addition to the economic environment, there are a number of other factors that could contribute to reduced customer
traffic and/or reduced levels of consumer confidence and spending, such as actual or potential terrorist acts, including domestic
terrorism, natural disasters, severe weather, pandemics or other health issues, such as COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), political
disruption, or geopolitical conflicts. These occurrences create significant instability and uncertainty in the United States and
19
elsewhere in the world, causing consumers to defer purchases or to not shop in retail stores in shopping malls, or preventing our
suppliers and service providers from providing required products, services, or materials to us. These factors could materially
adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, labor, energy, and services could result in increased product and/or delivery
costs.
Increases in the price of raw materials, including cotton and other materials used in the production of fabric, clothing,
footwear, and accessories, as well as volatility and increases in labor (including increases in minimum wages and wage rates as
a result of change in laws or business practices), energy, shipping, distribution, pandemics or other health issues, such as
COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), and other costs, could result in significant increases in operating costs, as well as cost increases
for our products and their distribution to our and our third-party partners’ distribution centers, retail locations, international
franchise partners, and wholesale and retail customers. To the extent we are unable to offset any such increased costs through
value engineering or price increases, such increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, a shortage of labor for our retail stores and/or such distribution
centers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Profitability and our reputation could be materially negatively impacted if we do not adequately forecast the demand for our
products and, as a result, create significant levels of excess inventory or insufficient levels of inventory.
If we do not adequately forecast demand for our products and inventory purchases, we could experience materially
increased costs and lower selling prices due to a need to dispose of excess inventory. In addition, if we forecast demand for our
products that is lower than actual demand, we may experience insufficient levels of inventory, increased costs to fulfill demand
from alternative locations of inventory, and reputational damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Acts of terrorism, effects of war, pandemics or other health issues, such as COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), natural
disasters, other catastrophes, or political unrest could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Threatened or actual acts of terrorism, including U.S. domestic terrorism, continue to be a risk to the U.S. and global
economies. Terrorism and potential military responses, political unrest, natural disasters, pandemics or other health issues,
such as COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), have disrupted and could disrupt commerce and impact our or our franchisees’ ability
to operate our stores in affected areas, import our products from foreign countries, or provide critical functions necessary to the
operation of our business. A disruption of commerce, or an inability to recover critical functions from such a disruption, could
interfere with the production, shipment, or receipt of our merchandise in a timely manner or increase our costs to do so, which
could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, any of the
above disruptions could undermine consumer confidence, which could negatively impact consumer spending patterns or
customer traffic, and thus have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
For example, the recent outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), first detected in
Wuhan, China, has led to work and travel restrictions within, to, and out of mainland China, which in turn has led to delays in
textile mill and factory openings, and delays in workers returning, which may affect our manufacturers. This viral outbreak
may make it difficult for our suppliers to source raw materials in China and other countries, manufacture goods in such
countries, and export our products from such countries. If the severity and reach of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)
outbreak continues or increases, there may be significant and material disruptions to our supply chain and operations, and
disruptions in the manufacture, shipment, and sale of our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our success depends upon the service and capabilities of our management team. Changes in management or in our
organizational structure, particularly in the most senior positions, or inadequate or ineffective management, could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
Our business and success is materially dependent on retaining members of our senior leadership team, including our chief
executive officer, and other key individuals within the organization, to formulate and execute the Company’s strategic and
business plans. Leadership changes can be inherently difficult to manage and may cause material disruption to our business or
management team. Senior level management establishes the “tone at the top” by which an environment of ethical values,
operating style, and management philosophy is fostered. Changes in senior management could lead to an environment that
lacks inspiration and/or a lack of commitment by our employees, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
20
The highly concentrated nature of our stock holdings could facilitate the approval by stockholders of proposals which are
contrary to positions supported by our Board of Directors or management.
The top holders of our common stock are predominately large multi-national financial institutions. The top ten
institutional holders own over 71% of our outstanding shares of common stock. These holdings would permit these institutions
to approve proposals submitted to the vote of stockholders, which are contrary to positions supported by our Board of Directors
or management.
Product liability costs, related claims, and the cost of compliance with consumer product safety laws such as the CPSIA in
the U.S. or the CCPSA in Canada or our inability to comply with such laws could have a material adverse effect on our
business and reputation.
We are subject to regulation by the CPSC in the U.S., Health Canada in Canada, and similar state, provincial, and
international regulatory authorities. Although we test the products sold in our stores, on our website, and to our international
franchise partners and our wholesale customers, concerns about product safety, including, but not limited to, concerns about
those manufactured in developing countries, may lead us to recall selected products, either voluntarily, or at the direction of a
governmental authority, or may lead to a lack of consumer acceptance or loss of consumer trust. Product safety concerns,
recalls, the failure to properly manage recalls, defects, or errors could result in governmental fines, rejection of our products by
customers, damage to our reputation, lost sales, product liability litigation, and increased costs, any or all of which could harm
our business and have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
The cost of compliance with current requirements and any future requirements of the CPSC, Health Canada, or other
federal, state, provincial, or international regulatory authorities, consumer product safety laws, including initiatives labeled as
“green chemistry” and regulatory testing, certification, packaging, labeling, and advertising and reporting requirements, or
changes to existing laws could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. In
addition, any failure to comply with such requirements could result in significant penalties, litigation, or require us to recall
products, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, and financial position, results of
operations, and cash flows.
We face significant competition in the retail industry, which could negatively impact our business.
The children’s apparel retail market is highly competitive, and we face heightened price and promotional competition. We
compete in substantially all of our markets with Target Corporation, Walmart Stores, Inc., GapKids, babyGap, and Old Navy
(each of which is a division of The Gap, Inc.), Justice (a division of The Ascena Retail Group, Inc.), Carter’s, Inc., T.J. Maxx
and Marshall’s (each of which is a division of TJX Companies, Inc.), Burlington Coat Factory, Inc., J.C. Penney Company, Inc.,
Kohl’s Corporation, and other department stores. We also compete with a wide variety of specialty stores, other national and
regional retail chains, catalog companies, and e-commerce retailers. One or more of our competitors are present in virtually all
of the areas in which we have stores. E-commerce only retailers generally do not incur the geographical limitations suffered by
traditional brick and mortar stores, giving e-commerce only retailers a competitive advantage to and imposing significant
pricing pressure on brick and mortar stores. In addition, while we view our business as a single omni-channel business, our e-
commerce store may divert sales from our brick and mortar stores. Many of our competitors are larger than us and have access
to significantly greater financial, marketing, and other resources than we have. Increased competition, increased promotional
activity, continuing economic pressure on value seeking consumers, and liquidation activities by bankrupt and other struggling
retailers, including selling apparel, footwear, and accessory merchandise at substantial discounts, could also materially
adversely impact our ability to compete successfully, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, and
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. We may not be able to continue to compete successfully against
existing or future competition.
We may be unable to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property rights.
We believe that our trademarks and service marks are important to our success and our competitive position due to their
name recognition with our customers. We devote substantial resources to the establishment and protection of our trademarks
and service marks on a worldwide basis, including in the countries from which we source our merchandise and in which we
have business operations or plan to have business operations, including through foreign franchise partners. We are not aware of
any material claims of infringement or material challenges to our right to use any of our trademarks in the United States or
Canada. Nevertheless, the actions we have taken, including to establish and protect our trademarks and service marks, may not
be adequate to prevent others from imitating our products or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products.
Also, others may assert proprietary rights in our intellectual property, or may assert that we are engaging in activities that
infringe on their own intellectual property, and we may not be able to successfully resolve these types of claims, any of which
could have a negative impact on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, the laws of
21
certain foreign countries may not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States, and we
may not be successful in obtaining our trademarks in foreign countries where we plan to conduct business. Our failure to
protect our intellectual property rights could diminish the value of our brands, weaken our competitive position, and adversely
affect our results.
Because certain of our subsidiaries operate outside of the United States, some of our revenues, product costs, and other
expenses are subject to foreign economic and currency risks.
We have store operations in Canada and sourcing operations in various locations in greater Asia, primarily Hong Kong, as
well as greater Africa, and we have plans to continue to expand our store operations internationally primarily through
franchises.
The currency market has seen significant volatility in the value of the U.S. dollar against other foreign currencies. While
our business is primarily conducted in U.S. dollars, we purchase virtually all of our products overseas, and we generate
significant revenues in Canada in Canadian dollars. Cost increases caused by currency exchange rate fluctuations could make
our products less competitive or have a material adverse effect on our profitability. Currency exchange rate fluctuations could
also disrupt the business of the third-party manufacturers that produce our products, or franchisees that purchase our products,
by making their purchases of raw materials or products more expensive and more difficult to finance.
Changes in currency exchange rates affect the U.S. dollar value of the Canadian dollar denominated prices at which our
Canadian business sells product. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates impact the amount of our reported sales and
expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Additionally, we have foreign currency denominated receivables and payables that are not hedged against foreign currency
fluctuations. When settled, these receivables and payables could result in significant transaction gains or losses.
We depend on generating sufficient cash flows, together with our existing cash balances and availability under our credit
facility, to fund our ongoing operations, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, and share repurchase programs as
well as payment of dividends.
Our ability to fund our ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures, share repurchase programs, payment of
dividends, and debt service requirements will depend on our ability to generate cash flows. Our cash flows are dependent on
many factors, including:
•
•
•
•
•
seasonal fluctuations in our net sales and net income, which typically are lowest in the second fiscal quarter;
the continued operation of our store fleet and e-commerce websites;
the timing of inventory purchases for upcoming seasons, particularly in the second fiscal quarter as our sales are
lowest, and we are purchasing merchandise for the back-to-school season;
vendor, other supplier and agent terms and related conditions, which may be less favorable to us as a smaller company
in comparison to larger companies; and
consumer sentiment, general business conditions, and economic uncertainty or slowdown, including as a result of
events such as acts of terrorism, effects of war, pandemics, or other health issues such as COVID-19 (novel
coronavirus).
Most of these factors are beyond our control. It is difficult to predict the impact that general economic conditions will
continue to have on consumer spending and our financial results. However, we believe that they could continue to result in
reduced spending by our target customer, which would reduce our revenues and our cash flows from operating activities from
those that otherwise would have been generated. In addition, steps that we may take to limit cash outlays, such as delaying the
purchase of inventory, may not be successful or could delay the arrival of merchandise for future selling seasons, which could
reduce our net sales or profitability. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows, we may not be able to fund our ongoing
operations, planned capital expenditures, share repurchase programs, payment of dividends, or debt service requirements, and
we may be required to seek additional sources of liquidity.
Our profitability may decline as a result of increasing pressure on margins.
The apparel industry is subject to significant pricing pressure caused by many factors, including intense competition, the
highly promotional retail environment, the financial health of competitors, and changes in consumer demand. If these factors
22
cause us to reduce our sales prices and we fail to sufficiently reduce our product costs or operating expenses, our profitability
could decline. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our failure to comply with federal, state or local law, and litigation involving such laws, or changes in such laws, could
materially increase our expenses and expose us to legal risks and liability.
If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, particularly wage and hour, accessibility, privacy and
information security, product safety, and pricing, advertising and marketing laws, we could be subject to legal and reputational
risk, government enforcement action, and class action civil litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Changes in regulation and how regulations are enforced, such as taxes,
privacy and information security, product safety, trade, consumer credit, pricing, advertising, and marketing, healthcare or
environmental protection, among others, could cause our expenses to increase, margins to decrease, or tax deductible expenses
to decrease. Changes in tax laws, the interpretation of existing laws, or our failure to sustain our reporting positions on
examination could materially adversely affect our effective tax rate and/or subject us to significant penalties and interest.
Legislative or regulatory changes that impact our relationship with our workforce, such as minimum wage requirements or
overtime regulation and other wage and hour regulations, could increase our expenses and adversely affect our operations.
None of our employees are currently represented by a collective bargaining agreement. However, from time to time there have
been efforts to organize our employees at various locations. There is no assurance that our employees will not unionize in the
future.
Legal and regulatory actions are inherent in our business and could materially adversely affect our results of operations or
financial position or harm our businesses or reputation.
We are, and in the future may be, subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of our business. Some of
these proceedings have been, and in the future may be, brought on behalf of various alleged classes of complainants. The
plaintiffs may seek large and/or indeterminate amounts, including treble, punitive, or exemplary damages in these proceedings.
Substantial legal liability could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash
flows or cause us material reputational harm, which in turn could materially harm our business prospects.
Our litigation and regulatory enforcement and other matters are subject to many uncertainties, and given their complexity
and scope, their outcome cannot be predicted. Our reserves for litigation and regulatory and enforcement matters may prove to
be inadequate. Litigation and regulatory and enforcement matters could materially adversely affect our financial position,
results of operations, and cash flows. In light of the unpredictability of our litigation and regulatory and enforcement matters, it
is also possible that in certain cases an ultimately unfavorable resolution of one or more pending litigation or regulatory and
enforcement matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
If our landlords should suffer financial difficulty or if we are unable to successfully negotiate acceptable lease terms, it
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
If any of our landlords or substantial tenants, such as anchor department stores, should suffer financial difficulty, it could
render our landlords unable to fulfill their duties under our lease agreements and/or could render certain malls to experience
reduced customer traffic. Such duties include providing a sufficient number of mall co-tenants, common area maintenance,
utilities, and payment of real estate taxes. While we have certain remedies under our lease agreements, the loss of business that
could result if a shopping center should close or if customer traffic were to significantly decline as a result of lost tenants or
improper care of the facilities or due to macroeconomic effects, including COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), could have a
material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
The leases for a substantial number of our retail stores come up for renewal each year. If we are unable to continue to
negotiate acceptable lease and renewal terms, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of
operations, and cash flows.
In addition to the changes effected by the Tax Act, other tax matters could impact our results of operations and financial
condition.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, including Canada and Hong Kong. Our
provision for income taxes and cash tax liability in the future could be adversely affected by numerous factors, including, but
not limited to, income before taxes being lower than anticipated in countries with lower statutory tax rates and higher than
anticipated in countries with higher statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and
changes in tax laws, such as the Tax Act, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof, which could adversely
impact our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows in future periods. In addition, we are subject to the
examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service, Canada Revenue Agency, and other tax authorities. We
23
regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our
provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these continuous examinations will not have an
adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Legislative actions and new accounting pronouncements could result in us having to increase our administrative expenses
to remain compliant and could have other material adverse effects.
In order to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act of 2010, future accounting guidance or disclosure requirements by the SEC, future guidance that may come from the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), or future changes in listing standards by the Nasdaq Global Select Market,
we may be required to enhance our internal controls, hire additional personnel, and utilize additional outside legal, accounting,
and advisory services, all of which could cause our general and administrative expenses to increase materially.
Changes to existing tax or other laws, authoritative guidance, and regulations may materially adversely impact our
financial statements. The FASB is continuing its convergence efforts with its international counterpart, the International
Accounting Standards Board, to converge U.S. and International standards into one uniform set of accounting rules. The effect
of changes in tax and other laws or changing accounting rules on our financial statements could be significant. Changes to our
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows could impact our debt covenant ratios or a lender’s perception of our
financial statements causing an adverse impact on our ability to obtain credit, or could adversely impact investor analyses and
perceptions of our business causing the market value of our stock to decrease. In addition, any changes in the current
accounting rules, including legislative and other proposals, could increase the expenses we report under U.S. GAAP and have a
material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Any disruption in, or changes to, our consumer credit arrangements, including our private label credit card agreement, may
adversely affect the ability of our customers to obtain consumer credit.
Credit card operations are subject to numerous federal and state laws that impose disclosure and other requirements upon
the origination, servicing, and enforcement of credit accounts and limitations on the maximum amount of finance charges that
may be charged by a credit provider. Additionally, during periods of increasing consumer credit delinquencies, financial
institutions may reexamine their lending practices and procedures. There can be no assurance that the delinquencies being
experienced by providers of consumer credit generally would not cause providers of third-party credit offered by us to decrease
the availability of, or increase the cost of, such credit.
Any of the above risks, individually or in aggregation, could have a material adverse effect on the way we conduct
business and could materially negatively impact our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our share price may be volatile.
Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Stock markets in general have experienced, and are
likely to continue to experience, price and volume fluctuations, which could have a material adverse effect on the market price
of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, we believe that factors such as quarterly
fluctuations in our financial results, our Comparable Retail Sales results, other risk factors identified here, announcements or
actions by other competitors, the overall economy, legislative, regulatory and other actions resulting from the current
Presidential administration or U.S. Congress, and the geopolitical environment could individually or in aggregation cause the
price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially.
Declarations of quarterly cash dividends, and the establishment of future record and payment dates, are at the discretion of
our Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including future financial performance, general business and market
conditions, and other investment priorities. Any reduction or discontinuance by us of the payment of quarterly cash dividends
could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
ITEM 1B.-UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
24
ITEM 2.-PROPERTIES
We lease all of our existing store locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, with lease terms expiring
through 2029. The average unexpired lease term for our stores is approximately 2.5 years in the United States and Puerto Rico
and in Canada. Generally, we enter into initial lease terms ranging between 3-10 years at inception and provide for contingent
rent based on sales in excess of specific minimums. We anticipate that we will be able to extend those leases which we wish to
extend on satisfactory terms as they expire or relocate to more desirable locations.
The following table sets forth information with respect to certain of our non-store locations as of February 1, 2020:
Location
Fort Payne, AL(1)
Ontario, Canada(2)
500 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ(3)
Hong Kong, China(3)
Brownsburg, Indiana(4)
Use
Approximate
Sq. Footage
Current Lease
Term Expiration
Warehouse Distribution Center
Warehouse Distribution Center
Corporate Offices
Product Support
Warehouse Distribution Center
700,000
95,000
200,000
28,000
180,000
Owned
4/30/2024
5/31/2029
4/30/2021
8/31/2024
____________________________________________
(1) Supports our U.S. stores, wholesale, and e-commerce business.
(2) Supports our Canadian stores.
(3) Supports our U.S. stores, our e-commerce business, our Canadian stores, our international franchisees, and wholesale business.
(4) Supports our U.S. e-commerce business via a third-party provider.
On occasion, we may utilize additional facilities to support seasonal warehousing needs.
ITEM 3.-LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is a defendant in Rael v. The Children’s Place, Inc., a purported class action, pending in the U.S. District
Court, Southern District of California. In the initial complaint filed in February 2016, the plaintiff alleged that the Company
falsely advertised discount prices in violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumer
Legal Remedies Act. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint in April 2016, adding allegations of violations of other state
consumer protection laws. In August 2016, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, adding an additional plaintiff and
removing the other state law claims. The plaintiffs’ second amended complaint seeks to represent a class of California
purchasers and seeks, among other items, injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
The Company engaged in mediation proceedings with the plaintiffs in December 2016 and April 2017. The parties
reached an agreement in principle in April 2017, and signed a definitive settlement agreement in November 2017, to settle the
matter on a class basis with all individuals in the U.S. who made a qualifying purchase at The Children’s Place from February
11, 2012 through the date of preliminary approval by the court of the settlement. The settlement is subject to court approval
and provides for merchandise vouchers for class members who submit valid claims, as well as payment of legal fees and
expenses and claims administration expenses. The court stayed the matter, pending an appellate court ruling in another lawsuit
to which the Company is not a party, from April 2, 2018 through June 17, 2019. On January 28, 2020, the court entered an
order granting preliminary approval of the settlement. The settlement is also subject to the court’s final approval, and the final
fairness hearing is scheduled for July 31, 2020. The settlement, if finally approved by the court, will result in the dismissal of
all claims through the date of the court’s preliminary approval of the settlement. However, if the settlement is ultimately
rejected by the court, the parties will likely return to litigation, and in such event, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate
outcome of this matter. In connection with the proposed settlement, the Company recorded a reserve for $5.0 million in its
consolidated financial statements in the first quarter of Fiscal 2017.
The Company is also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of
management, any ultimate liability arising out of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ITEM 4.-MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
25
PART II
ITEM 5.-MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “PLCE”.
On March 17, 2020, the number of holders of record of our common stock was 37 and the number of beneficial holders of
our common stock was approximately 13,000.
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the following share repurchase programs which were active during
Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018: (1) $250 million in March 2017 (the “2017 Share Repurchase Program”); and (2) $250 million in
March 2018 (the “2018 Share Repurchase Program”). The 2017 Share Repurchase Program has been completed. At
February 1, 2020, there was approximately $108 million remaining on the 2018 Share Repurchase Program. Under these
programs, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in
privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under a program will depend on a
variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market and business conditions. The
Company may suspend or discontinue a program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitute purchases, all without prior
announcement.
During Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, we paid cash dividends of $34.9 million and $33.0 million, respectively. Future
declarations of quarterly dividends, the establishment of future record dates, and the resulting payment dates are subject to
approval by the Company’s Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including business and market conditions, the
Company’s future financial performance, and other investment priorities.
The following table provides a summary of our cash dividends paid by quarter during Fiscal 2019:
Cash dividends declared and paid per common share
Cash dividends paid (in thousands)
Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2020
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Fiscal 2019
$
$
0.56
8,930
$
$
0.56
8,869
$
$
0.56
8,681
$
$
0.56
$
2.24
8,448
$ 34,928
Pursuant to the Company’s practice, including due to restrictions imposed by our insider trading policy during black-out
periods, we withhold and retire shares of vesting stock awards and make payments to taxing authorities as required by law to
satisfy the withholding tax requirements of award recipients who are employees. Also, we acquire shares of our common stock
in conjunction with liabilities owed under a deferred compensation plan, which are held in treasury. The following table
summarizes our share repurchases:
Share repurchases related to:
2017 Share Repurchase Programs (1)
2018 Share Repurchase Programs (2)(3)
Shares acquired and held in treasury
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1, 2020
February 2, 2019
Shares
Value
Shares
Value
(In thousands)
—
—
1,995
244,338
1,585
131,393
4
271
101
2
9,205
248
(1)
(2)
Inclusive of 0.3 million shares for approximately $43.3 million withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of stock awards during Fiscal
2018.
Inclusive of 0.2 million shares for approximately $20.2 million withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of stock awards during Fiscal
2019.
(3) Subsequent to February 1, 2020 and through March 17, 2020, the Company repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares for approximately $13.8
million.
The following table provides a month-to-month summary of our share repurchase activity during the 13 weeks ended
February 1, 2020:
26
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
Approximate Dollar
Value (in thousands)
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
11/3/19-11/30/19 (1)
12/1/19-1/4/20 (2)
1/5/20-2/1/20
Total
153,704
252,346
151,728
557,778
$77.86
62.89
64.53
$67.46
152,897
252,346
151,728
556,971
$134,009
118,138
108,347
$108,347
(1) Includes 807 shares acquired as treasury stock as directed by participants in the Company’s deferred compensation plan and 197 shares
withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of a stock award.
(2) Includes 3,346 shares withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of a stock award.
Equity Plan Compensation Information
On May 20, 2011, our shareholders approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 Equity Plan”). The following table
provides information as of February 1, 2020, about the shares of our Common Stock that may be issued under our equity
compensation plans.
Plan Category
Equity Compensation Plans
Approved by Security Holders
Equity Compensation Plans Not
Approved by Security Holders
Total
COLUMN (A)
COLUMN (B)
COLUMN (C)
Securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options
Securities remaining
available for future
issuances under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
Column (A))
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
415,308
N/A
415,308
27
The following graph compares the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock with the return on the CRSP Total
Return Index for the NASDAQ Stock Market (US Companies) and CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Retail Trade.
The graph assumes that $100 was invested on January 31, 2015 in each of our common stock, the CRSP Total Return Index for
the NASDAQ Stock Market (US Companies), and the CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Retail Trade.
Performance Graph
The table below sets forth the closing price of our Common Stock and the closing indices for the CRSP Total Return Index
for the NASDAQ Stock Market (US Companies) and CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Retail Trade on the last day
of each of our last five fiscal years.
The Children’s Place---“PLCE”
59.95
65.10
94.80
145.60
92.13
59.67
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
CRSP Total Return Index for the
NASDAQ Stock Market (US
Companies)
CRSP Total Return Index for the
NASDAQ Retail Trade
1,736.19
1,763.45
2,194.73
2,347.92
2,409.18
3,696.63
1,111.52
1,126.74
1,188.88
1,282.97
1,345.42
1,474.99
The table below assumes that $100 was invested on January 31, 2015 in each of our common stock, CRSP Total Return
Index for the NASDAQ Stock Market (US Companies), and CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Retail Trade.
28
The Children’s Place---“PLCE”
100.00
109.69
161.27
251.12
169.66
107.67
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
CRSP Total Return Index for the
NASDAQ Stock Market (US
Companies)
CRSP Total Return Index for the
NASDAQ Retail Trade
100.00
101.80
126.72
164.02
168.26
213.46
100.00
100.64
105.93
114.84
121.82
133.55
ITEM 6.-SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
We are the largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America. As of February 1, 2020, we operated
924 The Children’s Place stores across North America and our online store at www.childrensplace.com. The following table
sets forth certain historical financial and operating data for the Company. The selected consolidated financial information
presented below is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements for each of the five years in the period ended
February 1, 2020. The information contained in this table should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
included elsewhere herein.
29
Statement of Operations Data (in thousands,
except earnings per share and dividends):
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
Fiscal Year Ended (1)
February 3,
2018
January 28,
2017
January 30,
2016
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
$1,870,667
$1,938,084
$1,870,275
$1,785,316
$1,725,777
1,215,362
655,305
1,254,488
1,158,920
1,113,723
1,100,645
683,596
711,355
671,593
625,132
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Asset impairment charges
Other costs (income)
Operating income
Interest income (expense), net
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
478,120
74,788
6,039
—
96,358
(7,941)
88,417
15,117
73,300
498,343
68,884
6,096
(1,055)
111,328
(2,804)
108,524
7,564
100,960
476,486
68,159
5,190
10
161,510
(307)
161,203
76,505
84,698
454,143
65,734
4,026
282
147,408
(395)
147,013
44,677
102,336
469,898
62,685
2,371
98
90,080
(698)
89,382
31,498
57,884
Diluted income per common share
Cash dividends declared and paid per
common share
$
$
4.68
2.24
$
$
6.01
2.00
$
$
4.67
1.60
$
$
5.40
0.80
$
$
2.80
0.60
Selected Data:
Number of Company operated stores open
at end of period
Comparable retail sales increase (decrease)
Balance Sheet Data (in thousands):
Working capital (deficit) (2)
Total assets
Revolving loan
Long-term debt
Stockholders’ equity
924
(2.7)%
972
4.6%
1,014
5.8%
1,039
4.9%
1,069
0.4%
$ (145,127)
$
103,996
$
295,980
$
281,966
$
306,286
1,181,397
170,808
—
727,046
48,861
—
940,228
21,460
—
910,499
15,380
—
897,948
—
—
235,187
314,437
473,699
496,287
527,793
____________________________________________
(1) The period ended February 3, 2018 was a 53-week year. The remaining periods presented, including the period ended February 1,
2020, were 52-week years.
(2) Working capital is calculated by subtracting our current liabilities from our current assets. The fiscal year ended February 1, 2020
includes $121.9 million of current lease liabilities related to the adoption of ASC Topic 842 “Leases”.
30
ITEM 7.-MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and notes thereto included
in Part IV, Item 15.-Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking
statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but
not limited to statements relating to the Company’s strategic initiatives. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by
use of terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “plan”, “project”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, and similar words,
although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These forward-looking statements are based upon the
Company’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results and performance to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in Part I, Item 1A-Risk Factors section of this Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020. Included among the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
performance to differ materially are the risks that the Company will be unsuccessful in gauging fashion trends and changing
consumer preferences, risks related to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and its impacts on our markets (including decreased
customer traffic at malls and other places our stores are located, closures of schools causing decreased demand for our
products and negative impacts on our customers’ spending patterns due to decreased income or actual or perceived wealth), the
risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of the Company’s business and its dependence on consumer spending
patterns, which may be affected by changes in economic conditions, the risk that the Company’s strategic initiatives to increase
sales and margin are delayed or do not result in anticipated improvements, the risk of delays, interruptions and disruptions in
the Company’s global supply chain, including disruptions in supply due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) or other disease
outbreaks, foreign sources of supply in less developed countries or more politically unstable countries, the risk that the cost of
raw materials or energy prices will increase beyond current expectations or that the Company is unable to offset cost increases
through value engineering or price increases, various types of litigation, including class action litigations brought under
consumer protection, employment, and privacy and information security laws and regulations, the imposition of regulations
affecting the importation of foreign-produced merchandise, including duties and tariffs, and the uncertainty of weather patterns.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they
were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that
may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to the “Company”, “The Children’s Place”, “we”, “us”,
“our”, and similar terms refer to The Children’s Place, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday on or
nearest to January 31. Other terms that are commonly used in our management’s discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations are defined as follows:
• Fiscal 2019 - The fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 2020
• Fiscal 2018 - The fifty-two weeks ended February 2, 2019
• Fiscal 2017 - The fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 2018
• Fiscal 2020 - Our next fiscal year representing the fifty-two weeks ending January 30, 2021
• FASB- Financial Accounting Standards Board
• FASB ASC - FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which serves as the source for authoritative U.S. GAAP,
except that rules and interpretive releases by the SEC are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC
registrants
• GAAP - U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
SEC- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
•
• AUR- Average unit retail price
• Comparable Retail Sales — Net sales, in constant currency, from stores that have been open for at least 14
consecutive months and from our e-commerce store, excluding postage and handling fees. Store closures in the
current fiscal year will be excluded from Comparable Retail Sales beginning in the fiscal quarter in which the
store closes. A store that is closed for a substantial remodel, relocation, or material change in size will be
excluded from Comparable Retail Sales for at least 14 months beginning in the fiscal quarter in which the closure
occurred. However, stores that temporarily close will be excluded from Comparable Retail Sales until the store is
re-opened for a full fiscal month.
• Gross Margin - Gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales
•
SG&A - Selling, general, and administrative expenses
31
OVERVIEW
Our Business
We are the largest pure-play children’s specialty apparel retailer in North America. We design, contract to manufacture, sell
at retail and wholesale, and license to sell trend right, high quality merchandise predominately at value prices, under our
proprietary “The Children’s Place”, “Place”, “Baby Place”, and “Gymboree” brand names. As of February 1, 2020, we
operated 924 stores across North America, our e-commerce business at www.childrensplace.com, and had 266 international
points of distribution open and operated by our eight franchise partners in 19 countries.
Segment Reporting
In accordance with FASB ASC 280--Segment Reporting, we report segment data based on geography: The Children’s Place
U.S. and The Children’s Place International. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located at
www.childrensplace.com. Included in The Children’s Place U.S. segment are our U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores and
revenue from our U.S.-based wholesale business. Included in The Children’s Place International segment are our Canadian-
based stores, revenue from the Company’s Canada wholesale business, as well as revenue from international franchisees. We
measure our segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct
costs are recorded by each segment. Certain inventory procurement functions such as production and design as well as
corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human resources, legal, and information technology
services, are managed by The Children’s Place U.S. segment. Expenses related to these functions, including depreciation and
amortization, are allocated to The Children’s Place International segment based primarily on net sales. The assets related to
these functions are not allocated. We periodically review these allocations and adjust them based upon changes in business
circumstances. Net sales to external customers are derived from merchandise sales, and we have no major customers that
account for more than 10% of our net sales.
Recent Developments
We are closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), first detected in
Wuhan, China. The virus has affected several industries within China and other countries, including textile production and
manufacturing. COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) has spread to other countries throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. As
such, we may experience delays and other adverse impacts to our supply chain and operations.
As a result of the impact of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), on March 17, 2020, the Company announced the temporary
closure of all of our stores across the U.S. and Canada as of the end of business on March 17, 2020, through March 31, 2020.
During this temporary closure, the Company will continue to serve our customers through our e-commerce sites located at
www.childrensplace.com and www.gymboree.com. The Company will work with government and health officials to assess when
we will reopen our stores.
Additionally, in response to the continuing uncertainty resulting from COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and the temporary
store closures, we have implemented strategic cost reduction strategies, including the reduction of capital expenditures, across
all functional areas. Inventory management will continue to be a strategic focus for the Company. Further, our capital return
program, inclusive of share repurchases and dividends, has been temporarily suspended. The Company maintains strong, long-
term relationships with its vendors, landlords, and banking partners, which helps support our ability to navigate these
challenging times. We cannot reasonably estimate the length or severity of this pandemic, but we currently anticipate a material
adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in Fiscal 2020.
Gymboree Acquisition
On April 4, 2019, we completed the acquisition of the “Gymboree Assets”, which includes the worldwide rights to the
names “Gymboree” and “Crazy 8” and other intellectual property, including trademarks, domain names, copyrights, and
customer databases. Gymboree is an iconic children’s apparel brand that designs colorful, playful, bow-to-toe children’s
clothing collections that celebrate childhood and help families look their best for any occasion. Gymboree collections
incorporate themes that come to life through vibrant color palettes, prints, textures, graphics, and high-quality, durable fabrics.
We relaunched the Gymboree branded product in February 2020 with an enhanced, personalized, online shopping experience at
www.gymboree.com, and in over 200 co-branded locations in select The Children’s Place stores across the U.S. and Canada.
Operating Highlights
Net sales decreased by $67.4 million, or 3.5%, to $1,870.7 million during Fiscal 2019 from $1,938.1 million during
Fiscal 2018. The net sales decrease was driven primarily by a Comparable Retail Sales decrease of 2.7%, the adverse impact of
competitor liquidations, and operating fewer stores. During Fiscal 2019, we opened 12 new stores and closed 60 stores.
32
Gross profit decreased by $28.3 million, or 4.1%, to $655.3 million during Fiscal 2019 from $683.6 million during Fiscal
2018. Consolidated gross margin decreased approximately 30 basis points to 35.0% during Fiscal 2019 from 35.3% during
Fiscal 2018. The decrease in gross margin resulted primarily from the de-leverage of fixed expenses resulting from a decrease
in Comparable Retail Sales and the increased penetration of our e-commerce business, which operates at a lower gross margin
rate due to higher fulfillment costs, partially offset by increased merchandise margins.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased $20.2 million, or 4.1%, to $478.1 million during Fiscal 2019
from $498.3 million during Fiscal 2018. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased approximately 10 basis points to 25.6%
during Fiscal 2019 from 25.7% during Fiscal 2018. The leverage was primarily due to a reduction in expenses associated with
our transformation initiatives and lower incentive compensation, partially offset by the de-leverage of fixed expenses resulting
from the decline in Comparable Retail Sales.
Provision for income taxes increased $7.5 million to $15.1 million in Fiscal 2019 compared to $7.6 million in Fiscal 2018.
Our effective tax rate was 17.1% and 7.0% during Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, respectively. The effective tax rate was higher
for Fiscal 2019 primarily due to a lower excess tax benefit related to the vesting of equity shares during Fiscal 2019 when
applied to income before provision for income taxes year over year.
We reported net income of $73.3 million during Fiscal 2019 compared to $101.0 million during Fiscal 2018, a decrease
of $27.7 million, due to the factors discussed above. Diluted earnings per share was $4.68 in Fiscal 2019 compared to $6.01 in
Fiscal 2018. This decrease in earnings per diluted share is due to lower net income, partially offset by lower diluted weighted
average number of common shares outstanding of approximately 1.2 million shares, virtually all of which is related to our share
repurchase programs.
We continue to make significant progress on our key strategic growth initiatives--superior product, business
transformation through technology, alternate channels of distribution, and fleet optimization.
Focus on product remains our top priority and strong product acceptance is anticipated to deliver gross margin and
inventory productivity benefits. We reintroduced the iconic Gymboree brand in February 2020 on an enhanced Gymboree
website and in co-branded locations in over 200 Company stores in the U.S. and Canada by successfully designing, sourcing,
and merchandising Spring 2020 bow-to-toe collections, capturing the core of what Mom loved most about the Gymboree brand
during its peak.
Our business transformation through technology initiative has two key components: digital transformation and inventory
management. The transformation of our digital capabilities continued during Fiscal 2019 with the development of a completely
redesigned responsive site and mobile application, providing a rich online shopping experience geared towards the needs of our
“on-the-go” mobile customers, expanded customer personalization, which delivers unique, relevant content to drive sales,
loyalty and retention, and the piloting of additional omni-channel capabilities by offering save-the-sale with the rollout of our
new state-of-the-art point of sale system. With respect to inventory management, we continue to optimize our assortment
planning, allocation, replenishment, order planning, and forecasting tools.
With respect to alternate channels of distribution, we continued our international expansion program during Fiscal 2019
with our franchise partners and added 49 net additional international points of distribution (stores, shop in shops, e-commerce
sites) bringing our total count to 266 points of distribution operating in 19 countries. Our wholesale business continues to grow
primarily through our relationship with Amazon.
We continue to evaluate our store fleet as part of our fleet optimization initiative. In an effort to improve store
productivity and profitability, we continue to execute on our plan to close over 300 stores through Fiscal 2020, which includes
the 271 stores closed since the announcement of this initiative.
During Fiscal 2019, we repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares for approximately $131.4 million, inclusive of
shares repurchased and surrendered to cover tax withholdings associated with the vesting of equity awards held by
management, and paid cash dividends of $34.9 million. As of February 1, 2020, there was approximately $108 million in
aggregate remaining on the 2018 Share Repurchase Program.
We have subsidiaries whose operating results are based in foreign currencies and are thus subject to the fluctuations of the
corresponding translation rates into U.S. dollars. The below table summarizes the average translation rates most impacting our
operating results:
33
Average Translation Rates (1)
Canadian Dollar
Hong Kong Dollar
China Yuan Renminbi
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2018
Fiscal 2017
0.7550
0.1277
0.1446
0.7675
0.1276
0.1503
0.7752
0.1283
0.1489
____________________________________________
(1) The average translation rates are the average of the monthly translation rates used during each fiscal year to translate the respective
income statements. The rates represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of each foreign currency.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reported period. In many cases, there
are alternative policies or estimation techniques that could be used. We continuously review the application of our accounting
policies and evaluate the appropriateness of the estimates used in preparing our financial statements; however, estimates
routinely require adjustment based on changing circumstances and the receipt of new or better information. Consequently,
actual results could differ from our estimates.
The accounting policies and estimates discussed below include those that we believe are the most critical to aid in fully
understanding and evaluating our financial results. Senior management has discussed the development and selection of our
critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, which has reviewed our related
disclosures herein.
Inventory Valuation- We value inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using an
average cost method. The estimated market value of inventory is determined based on an analysis of historical sales trends of
our individual product categories, the impact of market trends and economic conditions, and a forecast of future demand, as
well as plans to sell through inventory. Estimates may differ from actual results due to the quantity, quality, and mix of products
in inventory, consumer and retailer preferences, and market conditions. Our historical estimates have not differed materially
from actual results, and a 10% difference in our reserve as of February 1, 2020 would have impacted net income by
approximately $0.1 million. Our reserve balance at February 1, 2020 was approximately $1.5 million compared to $1.4 million
at February 2, 2019.
Reserves for inventory shrinkage, representing the risk of physical loss of inventory, are estimated based on historical
experience and are adjusted based upon physical inventory counts. A 0.5% difference in our shrinkage rate as a percentage of
cost of goods sold would have impacted each quarter’s net income by approximately $0.7 million.
Stock-Based Compensation- We account for stock-based compensation according to the provisions of FASB ASC 718--
Compensation-Stock Compensation.
Time Vesting and Performance-Based Awards
We generally grant time vesting and performance-based stock awards to employees at management levels and above. We
also grant time vesting stock awards to our non-employee directors. Time vesting awards are granted in the form of restricted
stock units that require each recipient to complete a service period (“Deferred Awards”). Deferred Awards granted to employees
generally vest ratably over three years. Deferred Awards granted to non-employee directors generally vest after one year.
Performance-based stock awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units which have a performance criteria that must
be achieved for the awards to be earned in addition to a service period requirement (“Performance Awards”), and each
Performance Award has a defined number of shares that an employee can earn (the “Target Shares”). With the approval of the
Board’s Compensation Committee, the Company may settle vested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards to the employee
in shares, in a cash amount equal to the market value of such shares at the time all requirements for delivery of the award have
been met, or in part shares and cash. For Performance Awards issued during Fiscal 2017 (the “2017 Performance Awards”), an
employee may earn from 0% to 200% of their Target Shares based on the cumulative adjusted earnings per share achieved for
the applicable performance period, which is generally three years, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the
performance period, and adjusted return on invested capital (“adjusted ROIC”) achieved at the end of the performance period.
The 2017 Performance Awards cliff vest, if earned, after completion of the applicable performance period. The fair value of the
2017 Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. For Performance
Awards issued during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2019 (the “2018 and 2019 Performance Awards”), an employee may earn from 0%
to 250% of their Target Shares based on the cumulative adjusted earnings per share achieved for the applicable performance
34
period, which is generally three years, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the performance period, adjusted
ROIC achieved as of the end of the performance period, and our adjusted ROIC relative to that of companies in our peer group
as of the end of the performance period. The 2018 and 2019 Performance Awards cliff vest, if earned, after completion of the
performance period. The fair value of the 2018 and 2019 Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our
common stock on the grant date. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the related service period reduced for
estimated forfeitures of those awards not expected to vest due to employee turnover. While actual forfeitures could vary
significantly from those estimated, a 10% change in our estimated forfeiture rate would have impacted our Fiscal 2019 net
income by approximately $0.8 million.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets- We periodically review our long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying
value may not be recoverable. Such events include a historical or projected trend of cash flow losses or a future expectation
that we will sell or dispose of an asset significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. In reviewing for
impairment, we group our long-lived assets at the lowest possible level for which identifiable cash flows are largely
independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.
We review all stores that have reached comparable sales status, or sooner, if circumstances should dictate, on at least an
annual basis. We believe waiting this period of time allows a store to reach a maturity level where a more comprehensive
analysis of financial performance can be performed. For each store that shows indications of operating losses, we project future
cash flows over the remaining life of the lease, adjusted for lease payments, and compare the total undiscounted cash flows to
the net book value of the related long-lived assets, including right-of-use (“ROU”) assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are
less than the related net book value of the long-lived assets, they are written down to their fair market value. We primarily use
discounted future cash flows directly associated with those assets to determine fair market value of long-lived assets and ROU
assets. In evaluating future cash flows, we consider external and internal factors. External factors comprise the local
environment in which the store resides, including mall traffic and competition and their effect on sales trends. Internal factors
include our ability to gauge the fashion taste of our customers, control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll, and in
certain cases, our ability to renegotiate lease costs. If external factors should change unfavorably, if actual sales should differ
from our projections, or if our ability to control costs is insufficient to sustain the necessary cash flows, future impairment
charges could be material. At February 1, 2020, the average net book value per store was approximately $0.1 million.
Income Taxes- We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in FASB ASC 740--Income
Taxes. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial
statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as for net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which
the basis differences and tax assets are expected to be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than
not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances, we consider
projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies. If, in the future, we determine that we would not
be able to realize our recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would decrease earnings in the period
in which such determination is made.
We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation
of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than
not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of
being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those
income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized
in the financial statements.
Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments- FASB ASC 820--Fair Value Measurement provides a single
definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value
to measure assets and liabilities.
This topic defines fair value 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 and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an
entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The
three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:
• Level 1 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities
• Level 2 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are other than quoted prices but are observable for the assets or
liabilities, either directly or indirectly
• Level 3 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are unobservable for the assets or liabilities
35
Our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, assets of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan, accounts
payable, current lease liabilities, and revolving loan are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts approximate
fair value and fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company stock included in the Deferred Compensation Plan
is not subject to fair value measurement.
Our derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward contracts that are measured at fair value using
observable market inputs such as forward rates, our credit risk, and our counterparties’ credit risks. Based on these inputs, our
derivative assets and liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Our assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets, such as intangible assets, fixed assets,
and ROU assets. We review the carrying amounts of such assets when events indicate that their carrying amounts may not be
recoverable. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at its fair value. The resulting fair value
measurements of the assets are considered to fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Insurance and Self-Insurance Liabilities- Based on our assessment of risk and cost efficiency, we self-insure as well as
purchase insurance policies to provide for workers’ compensation, general liability and property losses, cyber-security
coverage, as well as directors’ and officers’ liability, vehicle liability, and employee medical benefits. We estimate risks and
record a liability based upon historical claim experience, insurance deductibles, severity factors, and other actuarial
assumptions. These estimates include inherent uncertainties due to the variability of the factors involved, including type of
injury or claim, required services by the providers, healing time, age of claimant, case management costs, location of the
claimant, and governmental regulations. While we believe that our risk assessments are appropriate, these uncertainties or a
deviation in future claims trends from recent historical patterns could result in our recording additional or reduced expenses,
which may be material to our results of operations. Our historical estimates have not differed materially from actual results and
a 10% difference in our insurance reserves as of February 1, 2020 would have impacted net income by approximately $0.5
million.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Adopted in Fiscal 2019
In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for hedging activities. This guidance aims to better
align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the
designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The
amendments in the guidance expand and refine hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and
align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements.
We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019. This adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for leases. This guidance applies a ROU model that
requires a lessee to record, for all leases with a lease term of more than 12 months, an asset representing its right to use the
underlying asset for the lease term and a liability to make lease payments. The lease term is the noncancellable period of the
lease, and includes both periods covered by an option to extend the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that
option, and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise that
termination option. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2019 using the modified-retrospective method. Refer to
Note 3, “Leases”, for additional information.
To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2019
In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance related to the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud
computing arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance aims to align 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 and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The
guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019.
We do not expect the guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance related to disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. The amendments
modify current fair value measurement disclosure requirements by removing, adding, or modifying certain fair value
measurement disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning
after December 15, 2019. We plan to adopt the new disclosure requirements on a prospective basis beginning in the year of
adoption. We do not expect the guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
36
In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance related to the accounting for financial instrument credit losses. The guidance aims
to provide more decision useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments by replacing the incurred
loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires
consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance is
effective for annual reporting periods, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. We
do not expect the guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected income statement data expressed as a percentage of net
sales. We primarily evaluate the results of our operations as a percentage of net sales rather than in terms of absolute dollar
increases or decreases by analyzing the year over year change in our business expressed as a percentage of net sales (i.e., “basis
points”). For example, gross profit decreased approximately 30 basis points to 35.0% of net sales during Fiscal 2019 from
35.3% during Fiscal 2018. Accordingly, to the extent that our sales have increased at a faster rate than our costs (i.e.,
“leveraging”), the more efficiently we have utilized the investments we have made in our business. Conversely, if our sales
decrease or if our costs grow at a faster pace than our sales (i.e., “de-leveraging”), we have less efficiently utilized the
investments we have made in our business.
Net sales
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
Gross profit
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Asset impairment charges
Operating income
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Number of stores operated by the Company, end of period
The following table sets forth net sales by segment, for the periods indicated:
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
100.0%
65.0
35.0
25.6
4.0
0.3
5.2
4.7
0.8
3.9%
924
100.0%
64.7
35.3
25.7
3.6
0.3
5.7
5.6
0.4
5.2%
972
100.0%
62.0
38.0
25.5
3.6
0.3
8.6
8.6
4.1
4.5%
1,014
Net sales:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total net sales
Fiscal 2019 Compared to Fiscal 2018
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands)
$ 1,671,165
199,502
$ 1,870,667
$ 1,727,907
210,177
$ 1,938,084
$ 1,650,620
219,655
$ 1,870,275
Net sales decreased by $67.4 million, or 3.5%, to $1,870.7 million during Fiscal 2019 from $1,938.1 million during
Fiscal 2018. The net sales decrease was driven primarily by a Comparable Retail Sales decrease of 2.7%, the adverse impact of
competitor liquidations, and operating fewer stores. During Fiscal 2019, we opened 12 new stores and closed 60 stores.
We believe that our e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail store operations are highly interdependent, with both
sharing common customers purchasing from a common pool of product inventory. Accordingly, we believe that consolidated
omni-channel reporting presents the most meaningful and appropriate measure of our performance, including Comparative
Retail Sales and revenues.
The Children’s Place U.S. net sales decreased $56.7 million, or 3.3%, to $1,671.2 million during Fiscal 2019 compared
to $1,727.9 million during Fiscal 2018. Our net sales decrease resulted primarily from a U.S. Comparable Retail Sales
decrease of 2.8%, the adverse impact of competitor liquidations, and operating fewer stores.
37
The Children’s Place International net sales decreased $10.7 million, or 5.1%, to $199.5 million during Fiscal 2019
compared to $210.2 million during Fiscal 2018. Our net sales decrease resulted primarily from a Canadian Comparable Retail
Sales decrease of 1.6% and unfavorable changes in the Canadian exchange rate.
Total e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to approximately 31% of net sales during Fiscal
2019 from approximately 28% during Fiscal 2018.
Gross profit decreased by $28.3 million, or 4.1%, to $655.3 million during Fiscal 2019 from $683.6 million during Fiscal
2018. Consolidated gross margin decreased approximately 30 basis points to 35.0% during Fiscal 2019 from 35.3% during
Fiscal 2018. The decrease in gross margin resulted primarily from the de-leverage of fixed expenses resulting from a decrease
in Comparable Retail Sales and the increased penetration of our e-commerce business, which operates at a lower gross margin
rate due to higher fulfillment costs, partially offset by increased merchandise margins.
Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues is dependent upon a variety of factors, including changes in the relative sales
mix among distribution channels, changes in the mix of products sold, the timing and level of promotional activities, foreign
currency exchange rates, and fluctuations in material costs. These factors, among others, may cause gross profit as a percentage
of net revenues to fluctuate from period to period.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased $20.2 million, or 4.1%, to $478.1 million during Fiscal 2019 from
$498.3 million during Fiscal 2018. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased approximately 10 basis points to 25.6%
during Fiscal 2019 from 25.7% during Fiscal 2018. The leverage was primarily due to a reduction in expenses associated with
our transformation initiatives and lower incentive compensation, partially offset by the de-leverage of fixed expenses resulting
from the decline in Comparable Retail Sales.
Asset impairment charges were $6.0 million during Fiscal 2019, of which $3.2 million related to the impairment of
primarily 29 stores, and $2.8 million related to the write-down of information technology systems. Asset impairment charges
during Fiscal 2018 were $6.1 million, of which $1.7 million related to the full impairment of 11 stores, and $4.4 million related
to the write-down of information technology systems.
Depreciation and amortization was $74.8 million during Fiscal 2019 compared to $68.9 million during Fiscal 2018,
reflecting increased depreciation associated with our investment in business transformation initiatives and the opening of 12
new stores.
Operating income decreased $14.9 million, or 13.4%, to $96.4 million during Fiscal 2019 from $111.3 million during
Fiscal 2018. As a percentage of net sales, operating income decreased approximately 50 basis points to 5.2% during Fiscal
2019 from 5.7% during Fiscal 2018, due to the factors discussed above.
Provision for income taxes increased $7.5 million to $15.1 million in Fiscal 2019 compared to $7.6 million in Fiscal 2018.
Our effective tax rate was 17.1% and 7.0% during Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, respectively. The effective tax rate was higher
for Fiscal 2019 primarily due to a lower excess tax benefit related to the vesting of equity shares during Fiscal 2019 when
applied to income before provision for income taxes year over year.
Net income was $73.3 million during Fiscal 2019 compared to $101.0 million during Fiscal 2018, a decrease of $27.7
million, due to the factors discussed above. Diluted earnings per share was $4.68 in Fiscal 2019 compared to $6.01 in Fiscal
2018. This decrease in earnings per diluted share is due to lower net income, partially offset by lower diluted weighted average
number of common shares outstanding of approximately 1.2 million shares, virtually all of which is related to our share
repurchase programs.
Fiscal 2018 Compared to Fiscal 2017
Net sales increased by $67.8 million, or 3.6%, to $1,938.1 million during Fiscal 2018 from $1,870.3 million during Fiscal
2017. The net sales increase was driven primarily by a Comparable Retail Sales increase of 4.6%, as well as the reclassification
of certain items due to the adoption of Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, partially offset by an adverse
impact due to the calendar shift related to the 53rd week in Fiscal 2017. During Fiscal 2018, we opened no stores and closed 42
stores.
We believe that our e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail store operations are highly interdependent, with both sharing
common customers purchasing from a common pool of product inventory. Accordingly, we believe that consolidated omni-
channel reporting presents the most meaningful and appropriate measure of our performance, including Comparative Retail
Sales and revenues.
The Children’s Place U.S. net sales increased $77.3 million, or 4.7%, to $1,727.9 million during Fiscal 2018 compared
to $1,650.6 million during Fiscal 2017. Our net sales increase resulted primarily from a U.S. Comparable Retail Sales increase
38
of 5.2% and the adoption of Topic 606, partially offset by an adverse impact due to the calendar shift related to the 53rd week
in Fiscal 2017.
The Children’s Place International net sales decreased $9.5 million, or 4.3%, to $210.2 million during Fiscal
2018 compared to $219.7 million during Fiscal 2017. Our net sales decrease resulted primarily from unfavorable changes in
the Canadian exchange rate compared to the U.S. dollar, the impact of operating fewer stores, and flat Canadian Comparable
Retail Sales.
Total e-commerce sales, which include postage and handling, increased to approximately 28% of net sales during Fiscal
2018 from approximately 23% during Fiscal 2017.
Gross profit decreased by $27.8 million, or 3.9%, to $683.6 million during Fiscal 2018 from $711.4 million during Fiscal
2017. Consolidated gross margin decreased approximately 270 basis points to 35.3% during Fiscal 2018 from 38.0%
during Fiscal 2017. The decrease in gross margin resulted primarily from a decline in merchandise margin related to our
increased competitiveness and increased penetration of our e-commerce business which operates at a lower gross margin rate,
partially offset by the leverage of fixed expenses resulting from the increase in Comparable Retail Sales and reclassification of
certain items due to the adoption of Topic 606.
Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues is dependent upon a variety of factors, including changes in the relative sales
mix among distribution channels, changes in the mix of products sold, the timing and level of promotional activities, foreign
currency exchange rates, and fluctuations in material costs. These factors, among others, may cause gross profit as a percentage
of net revenues to fluctuate from period to period.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $21.8 million, or 4.6%, to $498.3 million during Fiscal
2018 from $476.5 million during Fiscal 2017. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A increased approximately 20 basis points to
25.7% during Fiscal 2018 from 25.5% during Fiscal 2017. The de-leverage was primarily due to the incremental investment in
our transformation initiatives and the reclassification of certain items due to the adoption of Topic 606, partially offset by lower
incentive compensation expense.
Asset impairment charges were $6.1 million during Fiscal 2018, of which $1.7 million related to the full impairment of 11
stores, and $4.4 million related to the write-down of information technology systems. Asset impairment charges during Fiscal
2017 were $5.2 million, of which $2.8 million related to 21 stores, all of which were fully impaired, and $2.4 million related to
the write-down of information technology systems.
Depreciation and amortization was $68.9 million during Fiscal 2018 compared to $68.2 million during Fiscal
2017 reflecting increased depreciation associated with our ongoing investment in business transformation initiatives.
Other income was $1.1 million during Fiscal 2018 related to the settlement of a distribution center lease along with the
termination of a sublease.
Operating income decreased $50.2 million, or 31.1%, to $111.3 million during Fiscal 2018 from $161.5
million during Fiscal 2017. As a percentage of net sales, operating income decreased approximately 290 basis points to 5.7%
during Fiscal 2018 from 8.6% during Fiscal 2017, due to the factors discussed above.
Provision for income taxes decreased $68.9 million, or 90.1%, to $7.6 million in Fiscal 2018 compared to $76.5
million in Fiscal 2017. Our effective tax rate was 7.0% and 47.5% during Fiscal 2018 and Fiscal 2017, respectively. The Fiscal
2017 provision for income tax included $51.8 million of transition tax recorded pursuant to the Tax Act. Excluding the impact
of the $51.8 million recorded for the Tax Act items, the provision for income taxes in Fiscal 2017 would be $24.7 million, or
15.4%, compared to 7.0% in Fiscal 2018. The lower rate in Fiscal 2018 is primarily attributable to a lower U.S. Federal tax rate
due to the reduction in corporate statutory income tax rate under the Tax Act and a favorable mix in income generated in
foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by a reserve release during Fiscal 2017 of $4.0 million.
Net income was $101.0 million during Fiscal 2018 compared to $84.7 million during Fiscal 2017, an increase of $16.3
million, due to the factors discussed above. Diluted earnings per share was $6.01 in Fiscal 2018 compared to $4.67 in Fiscal
2017. This increase in earnings per diluted share is due to higher net income and lower diluted weighted average number of
common shares outstanding of approximately 1.3 million shares, virtually all of which is related to our share repurchase
programs.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Our working capital needs follow a seasonal pattern, usually peaking during the third fiscal quarter based on seasonal
inventory purchases. Our primary uses of cash are working capital requirements, which are principally inventory purchases,
39
and the financing of capital projects, including investments in new systems, and the repurchases of our common stock and
payment of dividends.
Our working capital decreased $249.1 million to a deficit of $145.1 million at February 1, 2020 compared to working
capital of $104.0 million at February 2, 2019, primarily due to the adoption of ASC Topic 842 “Leases”, which resulted in an
increase in current lease liabilities of $121.9 million, and the funding of the Gymboree Assets acquisition. During Fiscal 2019,
we repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares for approximately $131.4 million, inclusive of shares repurchased and
surrendered to cover tax withholdings associated with the vesting of equity awards held by management, and paid cash
dividends of approximately $34.9 million. Subsequent to February 1, 2020 and through March 17, 2020, the Company
repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares for approximately $13.8 million. During Fiscal 2018, we repurchased
approximately 2.1 million shares for approximately $253.5 million under our share repurchase programs, inclusive of shares
repurchased and surrendered to cover tax withholdings associated with the vesting of equity awards held by management,
and paid cash dividends of $33.0 million.
At February 1, 2020, our credit facility provided for borrowings up to the lesser of $325.0 million or our borrowing base,
as defined by the credit facility agreement (see “Credit Facility” below). At February 1, 2020, we had $170.8 million in
outstanding borrowings and $105.1 million available for borrowing. At February 1, 2020, we had $6.2 million of outstanding
letters of credit with an additional $43.8 million available for issuing letters of credit.
We expect to be able to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future by using
our cash on hand, cash flows from operations, and availability under our credit facility.
Credit Facility
We and certain of our subsidiaries maintain a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells
Fargo”), Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as lenders (collectively,
the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Swing Line Lender (the “Credit Agreement”).
The Credit Agreement was amended and restated on May 9, 2019, and the provisions below reflect the terms of the amended
Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement, which expires in May 2024, consists of a $325 million asset based revolving credit facility,
including a $25 million Canadian sublimit, with a $50 million sublimit for standby and documentary letters of credit and an
uncommitted accordion feature that could provide up to $50 million of additional availability. Revolving credit loans
outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at:
(i)
the prime rate plus a margin of 0.38% to 0.50% based on the amount of our average excess availability under the
facility; or
(ii) the London InterBank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR”, for an interest period of one, two, three, or six months, as
selected by us, plus a margin of 1.13% to 1.38% based on the amount of our average excess availability under the
facility.
We are charged an unused line fee of 0.20% on the unused portion of the commitments. Letter of credit fees range from
0.56% to 0.69% for commercial letters of credit and range from 0.63% to 0.88% for standby letters of credit. Letter of credit
fees are determined based on the amount of our average excess availability under the facility. The amount available for loans
and letters of credit under the Credit Agreement is determined by a borrowing base consisting of certain credit card receivables,
certain trade and franchise receivables, certain inventory, and the fair market value of certain real estate, subject to certain
reserves.
The outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain events,
including, among others, non-payment, breach of covenants, the institution of insolvency proceedings, defaults under other
material indebtedness, and a change of control, subject, in the case of certain defaults, to the expiration of applicable grace
periods. We are not subject to any early termination fees.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants, which include conditions on stock buybacks and the payment of cash
dividends or similar payments. Credit extended under the Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in
substantially all of the Company’s U.S. and Canadian assets excluding intellectual property, software, equipment, and fixtures.
As of February 1, 2020, we have capitalized an aggregate of approximately $5.0 million in deferred financing costs
related to the Credit Agreement. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at February 1, 2020 and February 2,
2019 was approximately $0.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Unamortized deferred financing costs are amortized over
the remaining term of the Credit Agreement.
The table below presents the components of our credit facility:
40
Credit facility maximum
Borrowing base (1)
Outstanding borrowings
Letters of credit outstanding—standby
Utilization of credit facility at end of period
Availability (2)
Interest rate at end of period
Average end of day loan balance during the period
Highest end of day loan balance during the period
Average interest rate
____________________________________________
(1) Lower of the credit facility maximum or the total borrowing base collateral.
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In millions)
$
325.0
282.1
170.8
6.2
177.0
$
250.0
250.0
48.9
7.0
55.9
$
105.1
$
194.1
3.4%
6.0%
$
Fiscal 2019
192.0
262.5
$
Fiscal 2018
64.4
156.4
4.0%
4.3%
(2) The sublimit availability for letters of credit was $43.8 million and $43.0 million at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively.
Cash Flows/Capital Expenditures
During Fiscal 2019, cash flows provided by operating activities were $177.9 million compared to $139.9 million during
Fiscal 2018. The net increase of $38.0 million in cash from operating activities resulted primarily from working capital
management. During Fiscal 2018, cash flows provided by operating activities were $139.9 million compared to $214.4 million
during Fiscal 2017. The net decrease of $74.5 million in cash from operating activities resulted primarily from working capital
needs.
Cash flows used in investing activities were $134.4 million during Fiscal 2019 compared to $56.9 million during Fiscal
2018. This change was primarily due to the Gymboree Assets acquisition of $77.0 million during Fiscal 2019. Cash flows used
in investing activities were $56.9 million during Fiscal 2018 compared to $25.1 million during Fiscal 2017. This change was
primarily due to a net redemption of short-term investments into cash and cash equivalents during Fiscal 2018 of $15.0 million
compared to a net redemption of short-term investments during Fiscal 2017 of $34.3 million, and increased capital
expenditures, primarily related to our business transformation initiatives.
During Fiscal 2019, cash flows used in financing activities were $44.4 million compared to $259.2 million during Fiscal
2018. The decrease primarily resulted from an increase in borrowings under our revolving credit facility and a decrease in
purchases of our common stock, primarily related to our share repurchase programs and shares repurchased to cover tax
withholdings associated with the vesting of equity awards. During Fiscal 2018, cash flows used in financing activities were
$259.2 million compared to $140.6 million during Fiscal 2017. The increase primarily resulted from an increase in purchases of
our common stock, primarily related to our accelerated share repurchase program and shares repurchased to cover tax
withholdings associated with the vesting of equity awards.
Our ability to meet our capital requirements in Fiscal 2020 depends on our cash on hand, our ability to generate cash flows
from operations, and our available borrowings under our credit facility. Cash flow generated from operations depends on our
ability to achieve our financial plans. During Fiscal 2019, we were able to fund our capital expenditures with cash on hand and
cash generated from operating activities supplemented by funds from our credit facility. We believe that our existing cash on
hand, cash generated from operations, and funds available to us through our credit facility will be sufficient to fund our capital
and other cash requirements for the foreseeable future.
Derivative Instruments
We are exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates attributable to
inventory purchases denominated in a foreign currency. Specifically, our Canadian subsidiary’s functional currency is the
Canadian dollar, but purchases inventory from suppliers in U.S. dollars. In order to mitigate the variability of cash flows
associated with certain of these forecasted inventory purchases, we enter into foreign exchange forward contracts. These
41
contracts typically mature within 12 months. We do not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation, and we do not
enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
All derivative instruments are presented at gross fair value on the consolidated balance sheets within either prepaid
expenses and other current assets or accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of February 1, 2020, we had foreign
exchange forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $9.6 million, and the fair value of the derivative instruments
was an asset of $1.6 million.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
The following tables summarize our contractual and commercial obligations as of February 1, 2020:
Contractual Obligations (dollars in thousands)
Total
1 year or less
1-3 years
3-5 years
More than 5
years
Operating leases
Total---Other Commercial Commitments
$
$
491,536
491,536
$
$
141,340
141,340
$
$
187,607
187,607
$
$
85,562
85,562
$
$
77,027
77,027
Amounts of Commitment Expiration Per Period
Other Commercial Commitments (dollars in
thousands)
Purchase commitments--merchandise
Purchase commitments--non-merchandise
Standby letters of credit(1)
Total---Other Commercial Commitments
Total---Contractual Obligations and Other
Commercial Commitments
$
$
Amounts of Commitment Expiration Per Period
Total
1 year or less
1-3 years
3-5 years
More than 5
years
146,218
17,763
6,185
146,218
17,763
6,185
—
—
—
—
—
—
170,166
$
170,166
$
— $
— $
—
—
—
—
661,702
$
311,506
$
187,607
$
85,562
$
77,027
____________________________________________
(1) Represents letters of credit issued to landlords, banks, and insurance companies.
We self-insure and purchase insurance policies to provide for workers’ compensation, general liability, and property losses,
as well as directors’ and officers’ liability, vehicle liability, and employee medical benefits, as described in Note 1 of the Notes
to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Insurance reserves of approximately $2.7 million are included in other long-term
liabilities as of February 1, 2020. The long-term portion represents the total amount estimated to be paid beyond one year. We
are not able to further estimate in which periods the long-term portion will be paid.
As discussed more fully in Note 13 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements, our long-term liabilities include
unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $6.8 million, which includes $0.1 million of accrued interest and penalties, at
February 1, 2020. We cannot make a reasonable estimate of the amount and period of related future payments for any of this
amount.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITY
Our quarterly results of operations have fluctuated and are expected to continue to fluctuate materially depending on a
variety of factors, including overall economic conditions, the timing and number of store closures, net sales contributed by new
stores, increases or decreases in Comparable Retail Sales, weather conditions (such as unseasonable temperatures or storms),
shifts in timing of certain holidays, and changes in our merchandise mix and pricing strategy, including changes to address
competitive factors. The combination and severity of one or more of these factors could result in material fluctuations.
The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and selected operating data for each of our last four
fiscal quarters. Quarterly information for Fiscal 2018 is included in Note 16 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial
Statements. The quarterly statement of operations data and selected operating data set forth below were derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements and reflect, in our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary to fairly present the results of operations for these fiscal quarters (unaudited):
42
Net sales
Gross profit
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Asset impairment charges
Operating income
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted weighted average common
shares outstanding
Cash dividends declared and paid per common share
Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2020
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
(In thousands, except earnings per share and dividends declared)
$
412,382
$
420,470
$
524,796
$
513,019
151,976
128,006
18,584
348
5,038
3,327
(1,163)
4,490
138,846
116,417
18,472
121
3,836
1,558
35
1,523
198,125
120,514
18,821
839
57,951
55,796
12,748
43,048
166,358
113,183
18,911
4,731
29,533
27,736
3,497
24,239
$
$
0.28
$
0.10
$
2.77
$
1.61
16,107
15,859
15,546
15,101
0.56
$
0.56
$
0.56
$
0.56
ITEM 7A--QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
In the normal course of business, our financial position and results of operations are routinely subject to market risk
associated with interest rate movements on borrowings and investments and currency rate movements on non-U.S. dollar
denominated assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. We utilize cash from operations and short-term borrowings to fund our
working capital and investment needs.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are normally invested in short-term financial instruments that will be used in operations within
90 days of the balance sheet date. Because of the short-term nature of these instruments, changes in interest rates would not
materially affect the fair value of these financial instruments.
Interest Rates
Our credit facility bears interest at a floating rate equal to the prime rate or LIBOR, plus a calculated spread based on our
average excess availability. As of February 1, 2020, we had $170.8 million in borrowings under the credit facility. A 10%
change in the prime rate or LIBOR interest rates would not have had a material impact on our interest expense.
Foreign Assets and Liabilities
Assets and liabilities outside the United States are primarily located in Canada and Hong Kong. Our investments in our
Canadian and Asian subsidiaries are considered to be long-term. As of February 1, 2020, net assets in our Canadian and Hong
Kong subsidiaries were $30.3 million and $39.9 million, respectively. A 10% increase or decrease in the Canadian and Hong
Kong Dollars would have increased or decreased the corresponding net investment by $3.0 million and $4.0 million,
respectively. All changes in the net investment of our foreign subsidiaries are recorded in other comprehensive income as
unrealized gains or losses.
As of February 1, 2020, we had approximately $68.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, of which $64.8 million of cash
and cash equivalents was held in foreign subsidiaries, of which approximately $17.9 million was in our Canadian subsidiaries,
$42.0 million was in our Hong Kong subsidiaries, and $4.9 million was in our other foreign subsidiaries.
Foreign Operations
We have exchange rate exposure primarily with respect to certain revenues and expenses denominated in Canadian dollars.
As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates impact the amount of our reported sales and expenses. Assuming a 10% change in
43
foreign exchange rates, Fiscal 2019 net sales could have decreased or increased by approximately $17.3 million and total costs
and expenses could have decreased or increased by approximately $21.4 million. Additionally, we have foreign currency
denominated receivables and payables that, when settled, result in transaction gains or losses. At February 1, 2020, we had
foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, including inter-company balances, of $3.0 million and $6.1 million,
respectively.
Our Canadian subsidiary’s functional currency is the Canadian dollar, but purchases inventory from suppliers in U.S.
dollars. In order to mitigate the variability of cash flows associated with certain of these forecasted inventory purchases, we
enter into foreign exchange forward contracts. As of February 1, 2020, we had foreign exchange forward contracts with an
aggregate notional amount of $9.6 million, and the fair value of the derivative instruments was an asset of $1.6 million.
Assuming a 10% change in Canadian foreign exchange rates, the fair value of these instruments could have decreased by or
increased by approximately $0.9 million. Any resulting changes in the fair value of the instruments would be partially offset by
changes in the underlying balance sheet positions.
We import a vast majority of our merchandise from foreign countries, primarily Cambodia, China, India, Vietnam, and
Indonesia. Consequently, any significant or sudden change in these countries’ political, foreign trade, financial, banking, or
currency policies and practices, or the occurrence of significant labor unrest, could have a material adverse impact on our
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
ITEM 8.-FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the consolidated financial statements and
supplementary data set forth in “Item 15-Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules” of Part IV of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
ITEM 9.-CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
44
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed only to provide “reasonable assurance” that the controls and procedures
will meet their objectives. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not
absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the
fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the
inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and
instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have been detected.
Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and President and our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act,
as of February 1, 2020. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and President and our Chief Operating Officer
and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance
level, as of February 1, 2020, to ensure that all information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under
the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms,
and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive, principal accounting, and
principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as
defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of our financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the U.S. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide
absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and President
and our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our evaluation under the
framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial
reporting was effective as of February 1, 2020. Our independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated
financial statements included in this annual report has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial
reporting, which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently
completed fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect,
our internal control over financial reporting.
45
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
The Children’s Place, Inc.
Secaucus, New Jersey:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020,
based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, The Children’s Place, Inc. and
subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of
February 1, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of February 1, 2020, and February 2, 2019, the related
consolidated statement of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years
then ended, and the related notes and our report dated March 19, 2020 expressed unqualified opinion thereon.
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/ Ernst & Young LLP
Iselin, New Jersey
March 19, 2020
46
ITEM 9B.-OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required to be included by Item 10 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Company’s proxy statement for
its 2019 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed within 120 days after February 1, 2020 (the “Proxy Statement”) and is
incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required to be included by Item 11 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is
incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required to be included by Item 12 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is
incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required to be included by Item 13 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is
incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required to be included by Item 14 of Form 10-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is
incorporated by reference herein.
47
PART IV
ITEM 15.-EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019, and
February 3, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended February 1, 2020, February 2,
2019, and February 3, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended February 1, 2020,
February 2, 2019, and February 3, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019, and
February 3, 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
49
52
53
54
55
55
58
48
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
The Children’s Place, Inc.
Secaucus, New Jersey:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries
(the “Company”) as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations,
comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the two years then ended, and the related notes (collectively
referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the two years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
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 1, 2020, based on criteria established in
Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(2013 framework), and our report dated March 19, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Adoption of New Accounting Standard
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method for accounting for leases as a
result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and the related amendments
effective February 3, 2019.
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
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that
was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that
are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The
communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken
as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit
matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
49
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Description of the Matter: As discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, during the year ending February 1,
2020, the Company recorded impairment charges of $3.2 million related to its retail stores. The Company reviews its long-lived
assets, including any right of use asset, for each store, and when events indicate that their carrying values may not be
recoverable, the Company estimates future cash flows over the remaining lease term and compares the total undiscounted cash
flows to the carrying value of the related long-lived assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the related carrying
value of the long-lived assets, they are written down to their fair values.
Auditing the Company’s long-lived asset impairment assessments involved subjective auditor judgment due to the significant
estimation involved in determining the forecasted cash flows used to evaluate the recoverability and estimate the fair values of
long-lived assets for which impairment was indicated.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit: We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating
effectiveness of controls over the Company's long-lived asset impairment review process. These procedures included testing
controls over management’s review of the data used in the cash flow projections and valuation models, as well as the review of
significant assumptions including estimates of future revenue and gross margin.
We performed audit procedures which included, among others, analyzing significant assumptions about future revenue and
operating costs for the relevant retail stores based on historical results and trends by store and testing the data used in the
calculations. We tested the assumed revenue growth and margin rates in comparison to recent actual results and expectations
about future market conditions. We tested assumptions about related operating costs based on historical costs and the existing
relationships between costs and revenues. We compared the assumptions used in the forecasted cash flows with the Company’s
strategic plans.
/S/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
Iselin, New Jersey
March 19, 2020
50
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
The Children’s Place, Inc.
Secaucus, New Jersey
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’
equity, and cash flows of The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the year ended February 3, 2018 and
the related notes and schedule (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of The Company’s operations and its cash flows for the year
ended February 3, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“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 and in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/S/ BDO USA, LLP
New York, New York
March 22, 2018
51
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets
Long-term assets:
Property and equipment, net
Right-of-use assets
Tradenames, net
Deferred income taxes
Other assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Current liabilities:
Revolving loan
Accounts payable
Current lease liabilities
Income taxes payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred rent liabilities
Long-term lease liabilities
Other tax liabilities
Income taxes payable
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands, except par value)
$
$
$
$
$
$
68,487
32,812
327,165
21,416
449,880
236,898
393,820
73,291
12,941
14,567
1,181,397
170,808
213,115
121,868
5,607
83,609
595,007
—
311,908
6,782
17,589
14,924
946,210
69,136
35,123
303,466
27,670
435,395
260,357
—
—
17,750
13,544
727,046
48,861
194,786
—
997
86,755
331,399
44,329
—
5,080
18,939
12,862
412,609
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (SEE NOTE 11)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding
—
—
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 14,762 and 15,873 issued;
14,711 and 15,827 outstanding
Additional paid-in capital
Treasury stock, at cost (51 and 47 shares)
Deferred compensation
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
1,476
139,041
(2,956)
2,956
(13,545)
108,215
235,187
1,181,397
$
$
1,588
146,991
(2,685)
2,685
(14,934)
180,792
314,437
727,046
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
52
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net sales
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
Gross profit
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Asset impairment charges
Other income
Operating income
Interest expense
Interest income
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Net income
Earnings per common share
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic
Diluted
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands, except earnings per share)
$
$
$
$
1,870,667
1,215,362
655,305
478,120
74,788
6,039
—
96,358
(8,194)
253
88,417
15,117
73,300
4.71
4.68
$
$
$
$
1,938,084
1,254,488
683,596
498,343
68,884
6,096
(1,055)
111,328
(3,534)
730
108,524
7,564
100,960
6.10
6.01
$
$
$
$
1,870,275
1,158,920
711,355
476,486
68,159
5,190
10
161,510
(2,222)
1,915
161,203
76,505
84,698
4.82
4.67
15,547
15,653
16,542
16,805
17,569
18,151
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
53
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of income taxes
Total comprehensive income
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
$
73,300
(In thousands)
100,960
$
$
84,698
1,388
1
74,689
$
(2,178)
75
98,857
$
7,350
160
92,208
$
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
54
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except dividends per share)
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Deferred
Compensation
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Treasury Stock
Value
Shares
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
BALANCE, January 28, 2017
17,764
$1,776
$239,940
$2,188
$274,912
($20,341)
(42)
($2,188)
$496,287
Vesting of stock awards
Stock-based compensation
Capitalized stock-based compensation
504
51
(51)
30,797
1,087
Purchase and retirement of shares
(1,011)
(101)
(14,822)
Dividends declared ($1.60 per share)
Unvested dividends
Change in cumulative translation
adjustment
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of
income taxes
Deferral of common stock into
deferred compensation plan
Net income
1,550
(103,656)
(28,101)
(1,550)
7,350
160
248
84,698
(4)
(248)
—
30,797
1,087
(118,579)
(28,101)
—
7,350
160
—
84,698
BALANCE, February 3, 2018
17,257
$ 1,726
$ 258,501
$
2,436
$ 226,303
$
(12,831)
(46)
($2,436) $
473,699
Vesting of stock awards
Stock-based compensation
Capitalized stock-based compensation
711
71
(71)
27,415
176
Purchase and retirement of shares
(2,095)
(209)
(140,343)
Dividends declared ($2.00 per share)
Unvested dividends
ASC Topic 606 Adjustment
Change in cumulative translation
adjustment
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of
income taxes
Deferral of common stock into
deferred compensation plan
Net income
1,313
(112,991)
(33,042)
(1,313)
875
(2,178)
75
249
100,960
(1)
(249)
—
27,415
176
(253,543)
(33,042)
—
875
(2,178)
75
—
100,960
BALANCE, February 2, 2019
15,873
$ 1,588
$ 146,991
$
2,685
$ 180,792
$
(14,934)
(47)
($2,685) $
314,437
Vesting of stock awards
Stock-based compensation
480
47
(5)
16,219
Purchase and retirement of shares
(1,591)
(159)
(25,439)
Dividends declared ($2.24 per share)
Unvested dividends
ASC Topic 842 Adjustment
Change in cumulative translation
adjustment
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of
income taxes
Deferral of common stock into
deferred compensation plan
Net income
1,275
(108,007)
(34,928)
(1,275)
(1,667)
1,388
1
271
73,300
(4)
(271)
42
16,219
(133,605)
(34,928)
—
(1,667)
1,388
1
—
73,300
BALANCE, February 1, 2020
14,762
$ 1,476
$ 139,041
$
2,956
$ 108,215
$
(13,545)
(51)
($2,956) $
235,187
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
55
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
February 1,
2020
Fiscal Year Ended
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
February 3,
2018
$
73,300
$
100,960
$
84,698
Amortization of operating lease assets
Depreciation and amortization
Non-cash stock-based compensation
Asset impairment charges
Deferred income tax (benefit)
Other non-cash charges, net
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories
Accounts receivable and other assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Income taxes payable, net of prepayments
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures
Acquisition of intangible assets
Purchase of short-term investments
Redemption of short-term investments
Change in deferred compensation plan
Net cash used in investing activities
149,006
74,788
16,219
6,039
5,364
229
(23,537)
3,148
2,734
8,574
17,502
(155,464)
177,902
(57,502)
(76,951)
—
—
103
(134,350)
—
68,884
27,415
6,096
(5,568)
699
19,380
(9,127)
3,568
(7,689)
(56,893)
(7,811)
139,914
(71,114)
—
—
15,000
(749)
(56,863)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
Repayments under revolving credit facility
Purchase and retirement of common stock, including shares surrendered for
tax withholdings and transaction costs
Payment of dividends
Net cash used in financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
1,001,039
(879,092)
(131,393)
(34,928)
(44,374)
173
(649)
69,136
68,487
$
861,806
(834,404)
(253,543)
(33,042)
(259,183)
749
(175,383)
244,519
69,136
$
$
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
—
68,159
30,797
5,190
34,894
169
(36,434)
5,386
(318)
6,865
28,930
(13,953)
214,383
(58,657)
—
(15,000)
49,300
(788)
(25,145)
578,186
(572,106)
(118,579)
(28,101)
(140,600)
2,172
50,810
193,709
244,519
56
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
OTHER CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Net cash paid during the year for income taxes
Cash paid during the year for interest
Increase (decrease) in accrued capital expenditures
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands)
$
$
1,310
7,553
(1,853)
$
19,529
3,224
3,398
37,767
1,949
457
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
57
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
The Children’s Place, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is the largest pure-play children’s specialty
apparel retailer in North America. The Company provides apparel, footwear, accessories, and other items for children. The
Company designs, contracts to manufacture, sells at retail and wholesale, and licenses to sell trend right, high-quality
merchandise predominately at value prices, under our proprietary “The Children’s Place”, “Place”, “Baby Place”, and
“Gymboree” brand names.
The Company classifies its business into two segments: The Children’s Place U.S. and The Children’s Place International.
Included in The Children’s Place U.S. segment are the Company’s U.S. and Puerto Rico based stores and revenue from its U.S.-
based-wholesale business. Included in The Children’s Place International segment are its Canadian-based stores, revenue from
the Company’s Canada wholesale business, as well as revenue from international franchisees. Each segment includes e-
commerce businesses located at www.childrensplace.com.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.
Terms that are commonly used in the Company’s notes to consolidated financial statements are defined as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
Fiscal 2019 - The fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 2020
Fiscal 2018 - The fifty-two weeks ended February 2, 2019
Fiscal 2017 - The fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 2018
Fiscal 2020 - The Company’s next fiscal year representing the fifty-two weeks ending January 30, 2021
SEC- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• GAAP - U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
•
•
FASB- Financial Accounting Standards Board
FASB ASC - FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which serves as the source for authoritative U.S. GAAP,
except that rules and interpretive releases by the SEC are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC
registrants
Fiscal Year
The Company’s fiscal year is a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Saturday on or nearest to January 31. Fiscal
2019 and 2018 were 52-week years and Fiscal 2017 was a 53-week year.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements, and amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the period. Actual results could differ from the
assumptions used and estimates made by management, which could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position
or results of operations. Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include
reserves for the realizability of inventory; reserves for litigation and other contingencies; useful lives and impairments of long-
lived assets; fair value measurements; accounting for income taxes and related uncertain tax positions; insurance reserves;
intangible assets; valuation of stock-based compensation awards and related estimated forfeiture rates, among others.
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. As of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, the Company did
not have any investments in unconsolidated affiliates. FASB ASC 810--Consolidation is considered when determining whether
an entity is subject to consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.
58
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Leases
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 “Leases” (“Topic 842”) as of the beginning of Fiscal
2019 using the modified retrospective transition method. Topic 842 requires that all leases greater than 12 months be recorded
on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset with a corresponding liability.
See Note 3 “Leases” for further details on the Company’s adoption of Topic 842.
Inventories
Inventories, which consist primarily of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost
determined on an average cost basis. The Company capitalizes certain buying, design, and supply chain costs in inventory, and
these costs are reflected within cost of sales as the inventories are sold. Inventory shrinkage is estimated in interim periods
based upon the historical results of physical inventory counts in the context of current year facts and circumstances.
Cost of Sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
In addition to the cost of inventory sold, the Company includes certain buying, design, and distribution expenses, shipping
and handling costs on merchandise sold directly to customers, and letter of credit fees in its cost of sales. The Company records
all occupancy costs in its cost of sales, except administrative office buildings, which are recorded in selling, general, and
administrative expenses. All depreciation is reported on a separate line in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company’s stock-based compensation plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors (the “Board”). The Compensation Committee is comprised of independent members of the Board. Effective May 20,
2011, the shareholders approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”). The Equity Plan allows the Compensation
Committee to grant multiple forms of stock-based compensation such as stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted
stock awards, deferred stock awards, and performance stock awards.
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718--
Compensation—Stock Compensation. These provisions require, among other things: (a) the fair value at grant date of all stock
awards be expensed over their respective vesting periods; (b) the amount of cumulative compensation cost recognized at any
date must at least be equal to the portion of the grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date; and (c) that
compensation expense include a forfeiture estimate for those shares not expected to vest. Also, in accordance with these
provisions, for those awards with multiple vest dates, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over
the requisite service period for the entire award. The cumulative expense for performance-based awards reflects changes in
estimated adjusted earnings per share, adjusted operating margin expansion, and adjusted return on invested capital and, as
applicable, ranking of our adjusted return on invested capital relative to that of companies in our peer group as they occur.
Earnings per Common Share
The Company reports its earnings per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260--Earnings Per Share, which requires the
presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share on the consolidated statements of operations. The diluted weighted
average common shares include adjustments for the potential effects of outstanding stock options, Deferred Awards, and
Performance Awards (as both terms are used in Note 6 to these consolidated financial statements), but only in the periods in
which such effect is dilutive under the treasury stock method. Included in our basic and diluted weighted average common
shares are those shares, due to participants in the deferred compensation plan, which are held in treasury stock. Anti-dilutive
stock awards are comprised of stock options and unvested deferred, restricted, and performance shares which would have been
anti-dilutive in the application of the treasury stock method in accordance with FASB ASC 260--Earnings Per Share.
In accordance with this topic, the following table reconciles income and share amounts utilized to calculate basic and
diluted net income per common share:
59
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Basic weighted average common shares
Dilutive effect of stock awards
Diluted weighted average common shares
Accounts Receivable
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
15,547
106
15,653
(In thousands)
16,542
263
16,805
17,569
582
18,151
Accounts receivable consists of credit and debit card receivables, franchisee and wholesale receivables, landlord
construction allowance receivables, and other miscellaneous items. Credit and debit card receivables represent credit and debit
card sales, inclusive of private label credit card sales, for which the respective third-party service company has yet to remit the
cash. The unremitted balance approximates the last few days of related credit and debit card sales for each reporting period.
Bad debt associated with these sales is not material. Franchisee and wholesale receivables represent product sales and sales
royalties in which cash has not yet been remitted by our partners. Bad debt associated with these sales is not material.
Landlord construction allowance receivables represent landlord contributions to our construction costs of building out the
related real estate, primarily new and remodeled stores. Total construction costs are capitalized as property and equipment and
the landlord construction allowances are recorded as a lease incentive, which reduces the initial ROU asset and is amortized as
a reduction of rent expense over the lease term.
Insurance and Self-Insurance Reserves
The Company self-insures and purchases insurance policies to provide for workers’ compensation, general liability and
property losses, cyber-security coverage, as well as director and officers’ liability, vehicle liability, and employee medical
benefits. The Company estimates risks and records a liability based on historical claim experience, insurance deductibles,
severity factors, and other actuarial assumptions. The Company records the current portions of employee medical benefits,
workers compensation, and general liability reserves within accrued expenses and other current liabilities.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter
of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset. All other property and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line
basis based upon estimated useful lives, with furniture and fixtures and equipment generally ranging from 3 to 10 years and
buildings and improvements generally ranging from 20 to 25 years. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
The Company accounts for internally developed software intended for internal use in accordance with provisions of FASB
ASC 350--Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The Company capitalizes development-stage costs such as direct external costs
and direct payroll related costs. When development is substantially complete and the software is ready for its intended use, the
Company amortizes the cost of the software on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the software, which is generally 3
to 10 years. Preliminary project costs and post-implementation costs such as training, maintenance, and support are expensed
as incurred.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically reviews its long-lived assets when events indicate that their carrying value may not be
recoverable. Such events include a historical trend or projected trend of cash flow losses or a future expectation that the
Company will sell or dispose of an asset significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. In reviewing for
impairment, the Company groups its long-lived assets at the lowest possible level for which identifiable cash flows are largely
independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.
The Company reviews all stores that have reached comparable sales status, or sooner if circumstances should dictate, on at
least an annual basis. The Company believes waiting this period of time allows a store to reach a maturity level where a more
comprehensive analysis of financial performance can be performed. For each store that shows indications of impairment, the
Company projects future cash flows over the remaining life of the lease, adjusted for lease payments, and compares the total
undiscounted cash flows to the net book value of the related long-lived assets, including ROU assets. If the undiscounted cash
flows are less than the related net book value of the long-lived assets, they are written down to their fair market value. The
Company primarily uses discounted future cash flows directly associated with those assets to determine fair market value of
60
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
long-lived assets and ROU assets. In evaluating future cash flows, the Company considers external and internal factors.
External factors comprise the local environment in which the store resides, including mall traffic, competition, and their effect
on sales trends. Internal factors include the Company’s ability to gauge the fashion taste of its customers, control variable costs
such as cost of sales and payroll, and in certain cases, its ability to renegotiate lease costs.
Intangible Assets
The Company’s intangible assets includes both indefinite and finite assets. Intangible assets with indefinite lives consist
primarily of trademarks and acquired trade names, which are tested for impairment annually or whenever circumstances
indicate that a decline in value may have occurred. The Company estimates the fair value of these intangible assets based on an
income approach using the relief-from-royalty method. The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of
customer lists and other acquisition-related assets. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful
economic lives and are reviewed for impairment when factors indicate that an impairment may have occurred. The Company
recognizes an impairment charge when the estimated fair value of the intangible asset is less than the carrying value.
Deferred Financing Costs
The Company capitalizes costs directly associated with acquiring third-party financing. Deferred financing costs are
included in other assets and are amortized as interest expense over the term of the related indebtedness. At February 1, 2020,
deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4.1 million, were approximately $0.9 million. At February 2,
2019, deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $3.9 million, were approximately $0.4 million.
Treasury Stock
Treasury stock is recorded at acquisition cost. Gains and losses on disposition are recorded as increases or decreases to
additional paid-in capital with losses in excess of previously recorded gains charged directly to retained earnings. When
treasury shares are retired and returned to authorized but unissued status, the carrying value in excess of par is allocated to
additional paid-in capital and retained earnings on a pro rata basis.
Advertising and Marketing Costs
The Company expenses the cost of advertising over the period the advertising is run or displayed. Included in selling,
general, and administrative expenses for Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017 are advertising and other marketing costs of
approximately $35.0 million, $34.1 million, and $29.9 million, respectively. Deferred advertising, marketing, and promotional
costs, which principally relate to advertisements that have not yet been exhibited or services that have not yet been received,
were approximately $1.7 million and $1.4 million at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively, and were recorded
within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Income Taxes
We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in FASB ASC 740--Income Taxes. Under the
liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis
of assets and liabilities, as well as for net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which the basis differences and
tax assets are expected to be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that any of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances, we consider projected future taxable income
and the availability of tax planning strategies. If, in the future, we determine that we would not be able to realize our recorded
deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would decrease earnings in the period in which such determination is
made.
We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon our evaluation
of the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than
not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of
being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those
income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized
in the financial statements.
61
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income primarily consists of cumulative translation adjustments as well as changes in
the value of cash flow hedges, net of income taxes.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
The Company has determined that the local currencies of its Canadian and Asian subsidiaries are their functional
currencies. In accordance with FASB ASC 830--Foreign Currency Matters, the assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange existing at period-end, and revenues and expenses are
translated at average monthly exchange rates. Related translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of
stockholders’ equity. The Company also transacts certain business in foreign denominated currencies primarily with its
Canadian subsidiary purchasing inventory in U.S. dollars, and there are inter-company charges between various subsidiaries.
Derivative Instruments
The Company is exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates attributable
to inventory purchases denominated in a foreign currency. Specifically, its Canadian subsidiary’s functional currency is the
Canadian dollar, but purchases inventory from suppliers in U.S. dollars. In order to mitigate the variability of cash flows
associated with certain of these forecasted inventory purchases, the Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts.
These contracts typically mature within 12 months. The Company does not use forward contracts to engage in currency
speculation, and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on
the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings within cost of
sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects
earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in earnings within selling,
general, and administrative expenses, consistent with where the Company records realized and unrealized foreign currency
gains and losses on transactions in foreign denominated currencies. All derivative instruments are presented at gross fair value
on the consolidated balance sheets within either prepaid expenses and other current assets or accrued expenses and other current
liabilities based on their position as of the balance sheet date.
Legal Contingencies
The Company reserves for the outcome of litigation and contingencies when it determines an adverse outcome is probable
and can estimate losses. Estimates are adjusted as facts and circumstances require. The Company expenses the costs to resolve
litigation as incurred, net of amounts, if any, recovered through our insurance coverage.
Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments
FASB ASC 820-- Fair Value Measurement provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for
measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities.
This topic defines fair value 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 and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an
entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The
three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:
• Level 1 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities
• Level 2 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are other than quoted prices but are observable for the assets or
liabilities, either directly or indirectly
• Level 3 - inputs to the valuation techniques that are unobservable for the assets or liabilities
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, assets of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan,
accounts receivable, accounts payable, and revolving loan are all short-term in nature. As such, their carrying amounts
approximate fair value and fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company stock included in the Deferred
Compensation Plan is not subject to fair value measurement.
62
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Our derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward contracts that are measured at fair value using
observable market inputs such as forward rates, our credit risk, and our counterparties’ credit risks. Based on these inputs, our
derivative assets and liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets, such as intangible assets,
fixed assets, and ROU assets. The Company reviews the carrying amounts of such assets when events indicate that their
carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at its fair
value. The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered to fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Recently Issued Accounting Updates
Adopted in Fiscal 2019
In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for hedging activities. This guidance aims to better
align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the
designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The
amendments in the guidance expand and refine hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and
align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements.
We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019. This adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to the accounting for leases. This guidance applies a ROU model that
requires a lessee to record, for all leases with a lease term of more than 12 months, an asset representing its right to use the
underlying asset for the lease term and a liability to make lease payments. The lease term is the noncancellable period of the
lease, and includes both periods covered by an option to extend the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that
option, and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise that
termination option. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019 using the modified-retrospective method. Refer
to Note 3, “Leases”, for additional information.
To Be Adopted After Fiscal 2019
In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance related to the accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud
computing arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance aims to align 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 and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The
guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019.
We do not expect the guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance related to disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. The amendments
modify current fair value measurement disclosure requirements by removing, adding, or modifying certain fair value
measurement disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning
after December 15, 2019. We plan to adopt the new disclosure requirements on a prospective basis beginning in the year of
adoption. We do not expect the guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance related to the accounting for financial instrument credit losses. The guidance aims
to provide more decision useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments by replacing the incurred
loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires
consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance is
effective for annual reporting periods, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. We
do not expect the guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
2. REVENUES
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that
reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
63
The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by geography:
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Net sales:
South
Northeast
West
Midwest
International and other
Total net sales
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
$
659,519
$
670,232
429,857
290,290
234,621
256,380
460,682
300,225
245,954
260,991
$ 1,870,667
$ 1,938,084
The Company recognizes revenue, including shipping and handling fees billed to customers, upon purchase at the Company’s
retail stores or when received by the customer if the product was purchased via e-commerce, net of coupon redemptions and
anticipated sales returns. The Company deferred approximately $1.9 million and $1.2 million as of February 1, 2020 and February 2,
2019, respectively, based upon estimated time of delivery, at which point control passes to the customer, and is recorded in accrued
expenses and other current liabilities. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from revenue.
For the sale of goods with a right of return, the Company recognizes revenue for the consideration it expects to be entitled to
and calculates an allowance for estimated sales returns based upon the Company’s sales return experience. Adjustments to the
allowance for estimated sales returns in subsequent periods are generally not material based on historical data, thereby reducing
the uncertainty inherent in such estimates. The allowance for estimated sales returns, which is recorded in accrued expenses and
other current liabilities, was approximately $0.8 million and $0.9 million as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively.
Our private label credit card is issued to our customers for use exclusively at The Children’s Place stores and online at
www.childrensplace.com and www.gymboree.com, and credit is extended to such customers by a third-party financial institution
on a non-recourse basis to us. The private label credit card includes multiple performance obligations, including marketing and
promoting the program on behalf of the bank and the operation of the loyalty rewards program. Included in the agreement with
the third-party financial institution was an upfront bonus paid to the Company. The upfront bonus is recognized as revenue and
allocated between brand and reward obligations. As the license of the Company’s brand is the predominant item in the performance
obligation, the amount allocated to the brand obligation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the initial term. The amount
allocated to the reward obligation is recognized on a point-in-time basis as redemptions under the loyalty program occur.
In measuring revenue and determining the consideration the Company is entitled to as part of a contract with a customer, the
Company takes into account the related elements of variable consideration, such as additional bonuses, including profit-sharing,
over the life of the program. Similar to the upfront bonus, the usage-based royalties and bonuses are recognized as revenue and
allocated between the brand and reward obligations. The amount allocated to the brand obligation is recognized on a straight-line
basis over the initial term. The amount allocated to the reward obligation is recognized on a point-in-time basis as redemptions
under the loyalty program occur. In addition, the annual profit-sharing amount is estimated and recognized quarterly within an
annual period when earned. The additional bonuses are amortized over the contract term based on anticipated progress against
future targets and level of risk associated with achieving the targets.
The Company has a points-based customer loyalty program in which customers earn points based on purchases and other
promotional activities. These points can be redeemed for coupons to discount future purchases. A contract liability is estimated
based on the standalone selling price of benefits earned by customers through the program and the related redemption experience
under the program. The value of each point earned is recorded as deferred revenue and is included within accrued expenses and
other current liabilities. The total contract liability related to this program was $1.6 million and $2.2 million as of February 1,
2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively.
The Company’s policy with respect to gift cards is to record revenue as and when the gift cards are redeemed for merchandise.
The Company recognizes gift card breakage income in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by the customer when the
Company expects to be entitled to breakage and the Company determines that it does not have a legal obligation to remit the value
of the unredeemed gift card to the relevant jurisdiction as unclaimed or abandoned property and is recorded within net sales. Prior
to their redemption, gift cards are recorded as a liability, included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The total
contract liability related to gift cards issued was $16.1 million and $17.9 million as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019,
64
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
respectively. The liability is estimated based on expected breakage that considers historical patterns of redemption. The following
table provides the reconciliation of the contract liability related to gift cards:
Balance at February 2, 2019
Gift cards sold
Gift cards redeemed
Gift card breakage
Balance at February 1, 2020
Contract
Liability
(In thousands)
$
17,867
33,373
(30,005)
(5,135)
16,100
$
The Company has an international expansion program through territorial agreements with franchisees. The Company generates
revenues from the franchisees from the sale of product and, in certain cases, sales royalties. The Company records net sales and
cost of goods sold on the sale of product to franchisees when the franchisee takes ownership of the product. The Company records
net sales for royalties when the applicable franchisee sells the product to their customers. Under certain agreements, the Company
receives a fee from applicable franchisees for exclusive territorial rights and based on the opening of new stores in such franchisee’s
licensed territory. The Company records these territorial fees as deferred revenue and amortizes the fee into gross sales over the
life of the territorial agreement.
3. LEASES
Adoption of ASC Topic 842, “Leases”
On February 3, 2019, the Company adopted ASC Topic 842 “Leases” (“Topic 842”) using the modified retrospective
method. Results for reporting periods beginning in Fiscal 2019 are presented under Topic 842, while prior period amounts are
not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with ASC Topic 840 “Leases” (“Topic 840”).
On February 3, 2019, the Company recognized a cumulative-effect charge of $1.7 million, net of tax, to the opening
balance of retained earnings, which represents the initial impairment of ROU assets related to retail stores.
The lease liability is initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease
commencement date. For operating leases, the ROU asset is initially and subsequently measured throughout the lease term at
the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, less any accrued lease payments and unamortized lease
incentives. For finance leases, the ROU asset is initially measured at cost and subsequently amortized using the straight-line
method generally from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of its useful life or the end of the lease term.
The Company has elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new
standard. Accordingly, we have adopted these practical expedients and did not reassess: (1) whether an expired or existing
contract is a lease or contains an embedded lease; (2) lease classification of an expired or existing lease; (3) capitalization of
initial direct costs for an expired or existing lease.
The Company has made an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not apply the recognition
requirements of Topic 842 to leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. Leases with an initial lease term of 12 months or
less are not recorded on the balance sheet. The Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over
the lease term.
In certain leases, the Company has the right to exercise lease renewal options. Renewal option periods are included in the
measurement of lease ROU assets and lease liabilities where the exercise is reasonably certain to occur.
The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. The Company has elected a policy to account
for lease and non-lease components as a single component for all asset classes.
The discount rate is the rate implicit in the lease unless that rate cannot be readily determined. In that case, the Company is
required to use its incremental borrowing rate. The discount rate for a lease is determined based on the information available at
the later of adoption of Topic 842 or at lease commencement. In general, the Company accounts for the underlying leased asset
65
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
and applies a discount rate at the lease level. However, there are certain non-real estate leases for which the Company utilizes
the portfolio method by aggregating similar leased assets based on the underlying lease term.
As of February 1, 2020, the Company’s finance leases were not material to the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated
statements of operations, or consolidated statements of cash flows.
We have certain lease agreements structured with both a fixed base rent and a contingent rent based on a percentage of
sales over contractual levels, others with only contingent rent based on a percentage of sales, and some with a fixed base rent
adjusted periodically for inflation or changes in fair market value of the underlying real estate. Contingent rent is recognized as
sales occur. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
We have operating leases for retail stores, corporate offices, distribution facilities, and certain equipment. Our leases have
remaining lease terms of less than 1 year up to 10 years, some of which may include options to extend the lease for up to five
years, and some of which may include options to early terminate the lease.
We record all occupancy costs in cost of sales, except administrative office buildings, which are recorded in selling,
general, and administrative expenses.
The following components of lease expense are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Operating lease cost
Variable lease cost1
Total lease cost
1Includes short term leases with lease periods of less than 12 months.
February 1, 2020
(in thousands)
$
$
$
149,006
64,228
213,234
As of February 1, 2020, the weighted-average remaining operating lease term was 4.9 years, and the weighted-average
discount rate for operating leases was 5.0%.
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities in Fiscal 2019 was approximately $154.6
million.
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities were approximately $89.5 million.
As of February 1, 2020, the maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter
Total lease payments
Less: imputed interest
Present value of lease liabilities
66
February 1, 2020
Operating Leases
(in thousands)
141,340
109,042
78,565
52,454
33,108
77,027
491,536
(57,760)
433,776
$
$
$
$
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
During the first quarter of Fiscal 2019, the Company acquired the Gymboree Assets, which included the worldwide rights
to the names “Gymboree” and “Crazy 8” and other intellectual property, including trademarks, domain names, copyrights, and
customer databases. These intangible assets, inclusive of acquisition costs, are recorded in the long-term assets section of the
consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s intangible assets includes both indefinite and finite assets. Intangible assets with indefinite lives consist
primarily of trademarks and acquired trade names, which are tested for impairment annually or whenever circumstances
indicate that a decline in value may have occurred. The Company estimates the fair value of these intangible assets based on an
income approach using the relief-from-royalty method. The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of
customer lists and other acquisition-related assets. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful
economic lives and are reviewed for impairment when factors indicate that an impairment may have occurred. The Company
recognizes an impairment charge when the estimated fair value of the intangible asset is less than the carrying value.
The Company’s intangible assets were as follows as of February 1, 2020:
Gymboree tradename(1)
Crazy 8 tradename(1)
Customer databases(2)
Total intangibles, net
(1)
(2)
Included within Tradenames, net in the consolidated balance sheets.
Included within Other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
February 1, 2020
Useful life
Gross amount
Accumulated amortization
Net amount
(in thousands)
Indefinite
$
69,953
$
5 years
3 years
4,000
3,000
$
76,953
$
— $
69,953
(662)
(827)
(1,489) $
3,338
2,173
75,465
5. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share Repurchase Programs
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the following share repurchase programs which were active during
Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018: (1) $250 million in March 2017 (the “2017 Share Repurchase Program”); and (2) $250 million in
March 2018 (the “2018 Share Repurchase Program”). The 2017 Share Repurchase Program has been completed. At
February 1, 2020, there was approximately $108 million remaining on the 2018 Share Repurchase Program. Under these
programs, the Company may repurchase shares in the open market at current market prices at the time of purchase or in
privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under a program will depend on a
variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, and other market and business conditions. The
Company may suspend or discontinue a program at any time, and may thereafter reinstitute purchases, all without prior
announcement.
Pursuant to the Company’s practice, including due to restrictions imposed by the Company’s insider trading policy during
black-out periods, the Company withholds and surrenders shares of vesting stock awards and makes payments to taxing
authorities as required by law to satisfy the withholding tax requirements of all recipients. The Company’s payment of the
withholding taxes in exchange for the surrendered shares constitutes a purchase of its common stock. The Company also
acquires shares of its common stock in conjunction with liabilities owed under a deferred compensation plan, which are held in
treasury. The following table summarizes the Company’s share repurchases:
67
Share repurchases related to:
2015 $250 Million Share Repurchase Program
program (1)
2017 Share Repurchase Programs (2)
2018 Share Repurchase Programs (3)(4)
Shares acquired and held in treasury
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1, 2020
February 2, 2019
February 3, 2018
Shares
Value
Shares
Value
Shares
Value
(in thousands)
—
—
—
—
1,585 131,393
4.0
271
—
—
974 112,917
1,995 244,338
101
2.0
9,205
248
37
—
4.0
5,662
—
248
(1)
(2)
(3)
Inclusive of 0.3 million shares for approximately $33.1 million withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of stock awards during Fiscal
2017.
Inclusive of 0.3 million shares for approximately $43.3 million withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of stock awards during Fiscal
2018.
Inclusive of 0.2 million shares for approximately $20.2 million withheld to cover taxes in conjunction with the vesting of stock awards during Fiscal
2019.
(4) Subsequent to February 1, 2020 and through March 17, 2020, the Company repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares for approximately $13.8
million.
In accordance with FASB ASC 505--Equity, the par value of the shares retired is charged against common stock and the
remaining purchase price is allocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. The portion charged against
additional paid-in capital is done using a pro-rata allocation based on total shares outstanding. Related to all shares retired for
Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017, approximately $108.0 million, $113.0 million, and $103.7 million was charged to
retained earnings, respectively.
Dividends
Related to Fiscal 2019 dividends, $36.2 million was charged to retained earnings, of which $34.9 million related to cash
dividends paid and $1.3 million related to dividend share equivalents on unvested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards.
Related to Fiscal 2018 dividends, $34.4 million was charged to retained earnings, of which $33.0 million related to cash
dividends paid and $1.4 million related to dividend share equivalents on unvested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards.
Future declarations of quarterly dividends, the establishment of future record dates, and the resulting payment dates are subject
to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including business and market conditions, the
Company’s future financial performance, and other investment priorities.
6. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company generally grants time vesting stock awards (“Deferred Awards”) and performance-based stock awards
(“Performance Awards”) to employees at management levels. The Company also grants Deferred Awards to its non-employee
directors. Deferred Awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units that require each recipient to complete a service
period. Deferred Awards generally vest ratably over three years, except for those granted to non-employee directors, which
generally vest over one year. Performance Awards are granted in the form of restricted stock units which have performance
criteria that must be achieved for the awards to vest in addition to a service period requirement. With the approval of the
Board’s Compensation Committee, the Company may settle vested Deferred Awards and Performance Awards to the employee
in shares, in a cash amount equal to the market value of such shares at the time all requirements for delivery of the award have
been met, or in part shares and cash.
For Performance Awards issued during Fiscal 2017, an employee may earn from 0% to 200% of their Target Shares based
on the achievement of cumulative adjusted earnings per share achieved for the applicable performance period, which is
generally three years, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the performance period, and adjusted return on
invested capital (“ROIC”) achieved at the end of the performance period. For Performance Awards issued during Fiscal 2018
and 2019, an employee may earn from 0% to 250% of their Target Shares based on the cumulative adjusted earnings per share
achieved for the performance period, which is generally three years, adjusted operating margin expansion achieved for the
performance period, adjusted ROIC achieved as of the end of the performance period, and the ranking of our adjusted ROIC
relative to that of companies in our peer group as of the end of the performance period. The Performance Awards cliff vest, if
earned, after completion of the applicable performance period, which is generally three years. The fair value of the
Performance Awards granted is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Stock-based compensation
expense is recognized ratably over the related service period, reduced for estimated forfeitures of those awards not expected to
68
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
vest due to employee turnover. Stock-based compensation expense, as it relates to Performance Awards, is also adjusted based
on the Company’s estimate of the percentage of the aggregate Target Shares expected to be earned.
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense:
Deferred Awards
Performance Awards(1)
Total stock-based compensation expense(2)
____________________________________________
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands)
$
$
18,910
(2,691)
16,219
$
$
12,849
14,566
27,415
$
$
11,891
18,906
30,797
(1) The cumulative expense recognized reflects changes in estimated adjusted earnings per share, adjusted operating margin expansion,
adjusted return on invested capital, and, if applicable, ranking of our adjusted return on invested capital relative to that of companies in
our peer group as they occur.
(2) A portion of stock-based compensation is included in cost of sales. Approximately $3.6 million, $3.5 million, and $4.0 million in
Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017, respectively, were included in cost of sales. All other stock-based compensation is included in
selling, general, and administrative expenses.
The Company recognized a tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense of $4.3 million, $7.2 million, and $8.2
million for Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017, respectively.
At February 1, 2020, the Company had 415,308 shares available for grant under the Equity Plan.
Changes in the Company’s Unvested Stock Awards during Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017
Deferred Awards
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1, 2020
February 2, 2019
February 3, 2018
Number of
Shares
(in thousands)
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Number of
Shares
(in thousands)
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Number of
Shares
(in thousands)
Unvested Deferred Awards at beginning
of year
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
299
264
(126)
(60)
102.21
105.24
112.09
Unvested Deferred Awards at end of year
377
$
97.88
$
99.98
420
$
82.30
469
$
61.19
135
(197)
(59)
299
124.21
75.65
110.63
$
99.98
212
(202)
(59)
420
$
110.17
62.30
83.25
82.30
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested Deferred Awards approximated $18.7 million as
of February 1, 2020, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years.
The fair value of Deferred Awards held by the Company’s employees that vested during Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and
Fiscal 2017 was approximately $13.5 million, $25.3 million, and $23.6 million, respectively.
69
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Performance Awards
February 1, 2020
Fiscal Year Ended
February 2, 2019
Number of
Performance
Shares(1)
(in thousands)
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Number of
Performance
Shares(1)
(in thousands)
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
February 3, 2018
Number of
Performance
Shares(1)
(in thousands)
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Unvested Performance Awards at
beginning of year
Granted
Shares earned in excess of target
Vested shares, including shares earned
in excess of target
Forfeited
Unvested Performance Awards at end
of year
$
352
201
181
90.66
98.49
75.83
(354)
(38)
76.36
110.77
$
544
87
347
(513)
(113)
84.11
123.02
70.09
70.09
114.06
515
172
203
$
68.11
113.76
50.97
(301)
(45)
50.97
86.80
342
$
99.97
352
$
90.66
544
$
84.11
____________________________________________
(1) For those awards for which the performance period is complete, the number of unvested shares is based on actual shares that will
vest upon completion of the service period.
For those awards in which the performance period is not yet complete, the number of unvested shares in the table above is
based on the participants earning their Target Shares at 100%; however, the cumulative expense recognized reflects changes in
estimated adjusted earnings per share, adjusted operating margin expansion, adjusted return on invested capital, and, if
applicable, ranking of our adjusted return on invested capital relative to that of companies in our peer group as they occur.
Based on the current number of Performance Awards expected to be earned, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation
expense related to unvested Performance Awards approximated $8.0 million as of February 1, 2020, which will be recognized
over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9 years.
The fair value of Performance Awards held by the Company’s employees that vested during Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and
Fiscal 2017 was approximately $33.9 million, $69.2 million, and $49.1 million, respectively.
70
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment consist of the following:
Property and equipment:
Land and land improvements
Building and improvements
Material handling equipment
Leasehold improvements
Store fixtures and equipment
Capitalized software
Construction in progress
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
Property and equipment, net
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(in thousands)
$
3,403
$
35,568
53,540
285,955
272,158
265,610
33,240
3,403
35,568
51,934
301,233
273,430
254,064
14,823
949,474
(712,576)
236,898
$
934,455
(674,098)
260,357
$
During Fiscal 2019, the Company performed impairment testing on 924 stores with a total net book value of $65.0 million.
During Fiscal 2019, the Company recorded $6.0 million of impairment charges of which $3.2 million related primarily to the
impairment of 29 stores, and $2.8 million related to the write-down of information technology systems.
During Fiscal 2018, the Company performed impairment testing on 972 stores with a total net book value of $81.4 million.
During Fiscal 2018, the Company recorded $6.1 million of impairment charges of which $1.7 million related to the full
impairment of 11 stores, and $4.4 million related to the write-down of information technology systems.
During Fiscal 2017, the Company performed impairment testing on 1,014 stores with a total net book value of $79.4
million. During Fiscal 2017, the Company recorded $2.8 million of impairment charges primarily related to 21 stores, all of
which were fully impaired. Additionally, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $2.4 million related to the write-
down of information technology systems.
8. CREDIT FACILITY
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries maintain a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., and JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A., as lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Swing
Line Lender. The Credit Agreement was amended and restated on May 9, 2019, and the provisions below reflect the terms of
the amended Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement, which expires in May 2024, consists of a $325 million asset based revolving credit facility,
including a $25 million Canadian sublimit, with a $50 million sub-limit for standby and documentary letters of credit and an
uncommitted accordion feature that could provide up to $50 million of additional availability. Revolving credit loans
outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at:
(i)
the prime rate plus a margin of 0.38% to 0.50% based on the amount of the Company’s average excess availability
under the facility; or
(ii) the London InterBank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR”, for an interest period of one, two, three, or six months, as
selected by the Company, plus a margin of 1.13% to 1.38% based on the amount of the Company’s average excess
availability under the facility.
The Company is charged an unused line fee of 0.2% on the unused portion of the commitments. Letter of credit fees
range from 0.56% to 0.69% for commercial letters of credit and range from 0.63% to 0.88% for standby letters of credit. Letter
of credit fees are determined based on the amount of the Company’s average excess availability under the facility. The amount
available for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Agreement is determined by a borrowing base consisting of certain
71
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
credit card receivables, certain trade and franchise receivables, certain inventory, and the fair market value of certain real estate,
subject to certain reserves.
The outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain events,
including, among others, non-payment, breach of covenants, the institution of insolvency proceedings, defaults under other
material indebtedness and a change of control, subject, in the case of certain defaults, to the expiration of applicable grace
periods. The Company is not subject to any early termination fees.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants, which include conditions on stock buybacks and the payment of cash
dividends or similar payments. Credit extended under the Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in
substantially all of the Company’s U.S. and Canadian assets excluding intellectual property, software, equipment, and fixtures.
As of February 1, 2020, the Company has capitalized an aggregate of approximately $5.0 million in deferred financing
costs related to the Credit Agreement. The unamortized balance of deferred financing costs at February 1, 2020 and February 2,
2019 was approximately $0.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Unamortized deferred financing costs are amortized over
the remaining term of the Credit Agreement.
The table below presents the components of the Company’s credit facility:
Credit facility maximum
Borrowing base (1)
Outstanding borrowings
Letters of credit outstanding—standby
Utilization of credit facility at end of period
Availability (2)
Interest rate at end of period
Average end of day loan balance during the period
Highest end of day loan balance during the period
Average interest rate
____________________________________________
(1) Lower of the credit facility maximum or the total borrowing base collateral.
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In millions)
$
325.0
282.1
170.8
6.2
177.0
$
250.0
250.0
48.9
7.0
55.9
$
105.1
$
194.1
3.4%
6.0%
$
Fiscal 2019
192.0
262.5
$
Fiscal 2018
64.4
156.4
4.0%
4.3%
(2) The sub-limit availability for letters of credit was $43.8 million and $43.0 million at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019,
respectively.
72
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
9. OTHER CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets are comprised of the following:
Prepaid cloud computing
Prepaid income taxes
Prepaid maintenance contracts
Prepaid marketing
Prepaid property expense
Other
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
$
6,930
$
3,698
3,144
1,671
435
5,538
3,925
7,223
5,109
1,421
6,738
3,254
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
21,416
$
27,670
Other non-current assets are comprised of the following:
Prepaid cloud computing
Prepaid maintenance contracts
Customer databases, net
Security deposits
Other
Total other assets
10. OTHER CURRENT AND LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities are comprised of the following:
Accrued salaries and benefits
Customer liabilities
Accrued property expenses
Accrued capital expenditures
Accrued marketing
Accrued store expenses
Accrued freight
Sales taxes and other taxes payable
Insurance reserves
Deferred revenue
Deferred revenue for MyPlace Rewards loyalty program
Accrued professional fees
Other
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities
73
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
$
4,476
$
2,374
2,173
1,570
3,974
5,708
2,793
—
1,944
3,099
$
14,567
$
13,544
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
$
17,731
$
16,100
12,378
17,086
5,450
4,254
3,993
3,993
3,703
3,544
3,409
2,762
1,559
1,215
6,265
6,107
2,434
7,090
3,217
3,330
3,068
2,180
2,220
7,091
15,896
$
83,609
$
14,289
86,755
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Other long-term liabilities are comprised of the following:
Deferred revenue
Insurance reserves
Other
Other long-term liabilities
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
6,026
$
2,743
6,155
7,030
2,548
3,284
14,924
$
12,862
$
$
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
As of February 1, 2020, the Company has entered into various purchase commitments for merchandise for re-sale of
approximately $146.2 million and approximately $17.8 million for equipment, construction, and other non-merchandise
commitments. The Company also has operating lease and standby letters of credit commitments of $491.5 million and $6.2
million, respectively.
12. LEGAL MATTERS
The Company is a defendant in Rael v. The Children’s Place, Inc., a purported class action, pending in the U.S. District
Court, Southern District of California. In the initial complaint filed in February 2016, the plaintiff alleged that the Company
falsely advertised discount prices in violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumer
Legal Remedies Act. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint in April 2016, adding allegations of violations of other state
consumer protection laws. In August 2016, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, adding an additional plaintiff and
removing the other state law claims. The plaintiffs’ second amended complaint seeks to represent a class of California
purchasers and seeks, among other items, injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
The Company engaged in mediation proceedings with the plaintiffs in December 2016 and April 2017. The parties
reached an agreement in principle in April 2017, and signed a definitive settlement agreement in November 2017, to settle the
matter on a class basis with all individuals in the U.S. who made a qualifying purchase at The Children’s Place from February
11, 2012 through the date of preliminary approval by the court of the settlement. The settlement is subject to court approval
and provides for merchandise vouchers for class members who submit valid claims, as well as payment of legal fees and
expenses and claims administration expenses. The court stayed the matter, pending an appellate court ruling in another lawsuit
to which the Company is not a party, from April 2, 2018 through June 17, 2019. On January 28, 2020, the court entered an
order granting preliminary approval of the settlement. The settlement is also subject to the court’s final approval and the final
fairness hearing is scheduled for July 31, 2020. The settlement, if finally approved by the court, will result in the dismissal of
all claims through the date of the court’s preliminary approval of the settlement. However, if the settlement is ultimately
rejected by the court, the parties will likely return to litigation, and in such event, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate
outcome of this matter. In connection with the proposed settlement, the Company recorded a reserve for $5.0 million in its
consolidated financial statements in the first quarter of Fiscal 2017.
The Company is also involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of
management, any ultimate liability arising out of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
74
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
13. INCOME TAXES
The components of income before taxes are as follows:
Domestic
Foreign
Total income before provision for income taxes
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands)
$
$
36,660
51,757
88,417
$
$
49,820
58,704
108,524
$
$
100,288
60,915
161,203
The components of the Company’s provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
Current:
Federal
State and local
Foreign
Deferred:
Federal
State and local
Foreign
Total provision for income taxes
Effective tax rate
$
1,810
1,186
6,757
9,753
4,240
1,066
58
5,364
(In thousands)
$
594
$
2,519
10,019
13,132
(3,418)
(2,324)
174
(5,568)
7,564
$
31,334
(1,341)
11,618
41,611
30,828
3,546
520
34,894
76,505
$
15,117
$
17.1%
7.0%
47.5%
A reconciliation between the calculated tax provision on income based on a U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% for the
years ended February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, and 34.3% for the year ended February 3, 2018, and the effective tax rate
is as follows:
75
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Calculated income tax provision at U.S. federal statutory rate
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit (1)
Foreign tax rate differential (2)
Non-deductible expenses
Excess tax benefits related to stock compensation
U.S. transition taxes on deemed repatriation of foreign earnings
Revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities
Foreign withholding and state tax on unremitted earnings
Unrecognized tax benefits
Change in valuation allowance
Global intangible low-taxed income
Federal tax credits
Other
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands)
$
18,568
$
22,790
$
55,246
1,779
(5,019)
1,491
(1,914)
—
—
—
1,304
(21)
836
(1,790)
(117)
15,117
$
154
(3,801)
861
(11,804)
338
(295)
(244)
1,092
(62)
1,033
(2,188)
(310)
7,564
$
1,449
(10,794)
514
(14,665)
37,607
5,646
7,483
(3,199)
(28)
—
(1,857)
(897)
76,505
Total provision for income taxes
$
(1) The total benefit from Excess tax benefit related to stock compensation includes state tax (net of federal benefit) of $0.5 million, $3.1
million, and $1.9 million for Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017, respectively.
(2) The foreign tax rate differential is due to the Company having a lower foreign effective tax rate as compared to its U.S. federal
statutory tax rate of 21% for Fiscal 2019, 21% for Fiscal 2018, and 34.3% for Fiscal 2017. The Company has substantial operations in
Hong Kong, which has lower statutory income tax rates as compared to the U.S. The Company’s foreign effective tax rates for Fiscal
2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017 were 13.2%, 17.4%, and 19.9%, respectively. This rate will fluctuate from year to year in response to
changes in the mix of income by country as well as changes in foreign jurisdiction tax laws.
The assessment of the amount of value assigned to our deferred tax assets under the applicable accounting rules is
judgmental. We are required to consider all available positive and negative evidence in evaluating the likelihood that we will
be able to realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets in the future. Such evidence includes scheduled reversals of deferred tax
liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and the results of recent operations. Since this evaluation
requires consideration of events that may occur some years into the future, there is an element of judgment involved.
Realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods. We believe that it
is more likely than not that future taxable income will be sufficient to allow us to recover substantially all of the value assigned
to our deferred tax assets. However, if future events cause us to conclude that it is not more likely than not that we will be able
to recover all of the value assigned to our deferred tax assets, we will be required to adjust our valuation allowance accordingly.
The tax effects of temporary differences which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
76
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Noncurrent Assets:
Lease liabilities
ROU assets
Stock-based compensation
Reserves
Inventory
Property and equipment, net
Capitalized research and development, net
Tradenames and customer databases, net
Prepaid expenses
Foreign and state tax on unremitted earnings
Hedging transactions
Net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits
Valuation allowance
Total deferred tax asset, net
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
115,409
(104,392)
2,288
8,994
1,620
(13,016)
4,156
(737)
(735)
(1,561)
(270)
2,101
(916)
12,941
$
$
11,702
—
9,321
7,955
3,401
(13,499)
1,904
—
(958)
(1,806)
(270)
721
(721)
17,750
The Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $0.4 million, which do not expire. The
Company also has an Alternative Minimum Tax credit (“AMT”) in Puerto Rico of approximately $0.6 million and research and
development tax credits of approximately $1.8 million.
Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning
strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. The Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that
certain deferred tax assets cannot be used in the foreseeable future, principally the foreign net operating loss carryforwards and
the AMT credit in Puerto Rico. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been established for these tax benefits. However, to
the extent that tax benefits related to these are realized in the future, the reduction of the valuation allowance will reduce
income tax expense accordingly.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government passed the Tax Act. The Tax Act is comprehensive tax legislation that
implements complex changes to the U.S. tax code including, but not limited to, the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35%
to 21% and a move from a global tax regime to a modified territorial regime, which requires U.S. companies to pay a
mandatory one-time transition tax on historical offshore earnings that have not been repatriated to the U.S. The transition tax is
payable over eight years. Within our consolidated balance sheets, the remaining unpaid transition tax of $17.6 million is
included in long-term liabilities.
In Fiscal 2017, we recorded a provisional amount for the one-time transition tax of $37.6 million. In Fiscal 2018, we
recorded an additional expense of $0.3 million as we finalized the one-time federal transition tax which was $37.9 million. The
transition tax was based on our total accumulated post-1986 prescribed foreign earnings and profits (“E&P”) of $389 million,
which was previously considered to be indefinitely reinvested prior to Fiscal 2017. In Fiscal 2017, we also recorded a
provisional estimate of $5.7 million related to the revaluation of U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the lower enacted
federal income tax rate, of 21%, that was effective January 1, 2018. A benefit of $0.3 million was recorded in Fiscal 2018,
based on the finalization of the 2017 U.S. tax return which was filed in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2018.
While the Company is no longer permanently reinvested to the extent earnings were subject to the transition tax under the
Tax Act, no additional income taxes have been provided on any earnings subsequent to the transition or for any additional
outside basis differences inherent in these entities, as these amounts continue to be permanently reinvested in foreign
operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any additional outside basis differences in
these entities (i.e., basis differences in excess of that subject to the one-time transition tax) is not practicable. The unremitted
foreign earnings earned subsequent to the transition tax which are permanently reinvested are approximately $93.5 million as of
February 1, 2020.
77
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Uncertain Tax Benefits
Tax positions are evaluated in a two-step process. The Company first determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a
tax position will be sustained upon examination. If a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is
measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured as the
largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.
A reconciliation of the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, is as follows:
Beginning Balance
Additions for current year tax positions
Additions for prior year tax positions
Reductions for prior year tax positions
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities
Reductions due to a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations
Impact of foreign currency translation
Ending Balance
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
$
5,002
$
1,399
270
—
(57)
—
41
$
6,655
$
3,905
1,209
101
(118)
(48)
(44)
(3)
5,002
Approximately $6.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, at February 1, 2020
would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that there may be
a reduction of approximately $0.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months as a result of settlements with
taxing authorities and statute of limitations expirations.
The Company accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of the provision for income taxes.
At February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, accrued interest and penalties included in unrecognized tax benefits were
approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Interest, penalties, and reversals, thereof, net of taxes, was an
expense of $0.1 million in Fiscal 2019 and benefit of $0.1 million in Fiscal 2018.
The Company is subject to tax in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, including Canada and Hong Kong. The Company,
joined by its domestic subsidiaries, files a consolidated income tax return for federal income tax purposes. The Company is no
longer subject to income tax examinations by U.S. federal, state and local, or foreign tax authorities for fiscal tax years 2015
and prior, with the exception of Hong Kong, which is open through fiscal tax year 2013 due to ongoing tax examination.
14. SEGMENT INFORMATION
In accordance with FASB ASC 280---Segment Reporting, the Company reports segment data based on geography: The
Children’s Place U.S. and The Children’s Place International. Each segment includes an e-commerce business located
at www.childrensplace.com. Included in The Children’s Place U.S. segment are the Company’s U.S. and Puerto Rico-based
stores and revenue from the Company’s U.S.-based wholesale business. Included in The Children’s Place International segment
are the Company’s Canadian-based stores, revenue from the Company’s Canadian wholesale business, and revenue from
international franchisees. The Company measures its segment profitability based on operating income, defined as income
before interest and taxes. Net sales and direct costs are recorded by each segment. Certain inventory procurement functions
such as production and design as well as corporate overhead, including executive management, finance, real estate, human
resources, legal, and information technology services are managed by The Children’s Place U.S. segment. Expenses related to
these functions, including depreciation and amortization, are allocated to The Children’s Place International segment based
primarily on net sales. The assets related to these functions are not allocated. The Company periodically reviews these
allocations and adjusts them based upon changes in business circumstances. Net sales from external customers are derived
from merchandise sales, and the Company has no major customers that account for more than 10% of its net sales. As of
February 1, 2020, The Children’s Place U.S. owned and operated 803 stores and The Children’s Place International owned and
78
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
operated 121 stores. As of February 2, 2019, The Children’s Place U.S. owned and operated 850 stores and The Children’s
Place International owned and operated 122 stores.
The following tables provide segment level financial information for Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017:
Net sales:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International(1)
Total net sales
Operating income:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total operating income
Operating income as a percent of net sales:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total operating income
Depreciation and amortization:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total depreciation and amortization
Capital expenditures:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total capital expenditures
Fiscal Year Ended
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
February 3,
2018
(In thousands)
$ 1,671,165
199,502
$ 1,870,667
$ 1,727,907
210,177
$ 1,938,084
$ 1,650,620
219,655
$ 1,870,275
$
$
$
$
$
$
77,989
18,369
96,358
$
$
86,983
24,345
111,328
$
$
132,152
29,358
161,510
4.7%
9.2%
5.2%
5.0%
11.6%
5.7%
8.0%
13.4%
8.6%
67,416
7,372
74,788
56,598
904
57,502
$
$
$
$
61,487
7,397
68,884
67,476
3,638
71,114
$
$
$
$
60,732
7,427
68,159
57,360
1,297
58,657
(1) Net sales from The Children’s Place International are primarily derived from revenues from Canadian operations. Our foreign
subsidiaries, primarily in Canada, have operating results based in foreign currencies and are thus subject to the fluctuations of the
corresponding translation rates into U.S. dollars.
Total assets:
The Children’s Place U.S.
The Children’s Place International
Total assets
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
$ 1,080,665
100,732
$ 1,181,397
$
$
651,728
75,318
727,046
79
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Geographic Information
The Company’s long-lived assets are located in the following countries:
Long-lived assets(1):
United States
Canada
Asia
Total long-lived assets
February 1,
2020
February 2,
2019
(In thousands)
$
673,432
$
261,932
44,236
908
10,718
1,251
$
718,576
$
273,901
____________________________________________
(1) The Company’s long-lived assets are comprised of net property and equipment, ROU assets, tradenames, and other assets.
15. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company is exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates attributable
to inventory purchases denominated in a foreign currency. Specifically, our Canadian subsidiary’s functional currency is the
Canadian dollar but purchases inventory from suppliers in U.S. dollars. In order to mitigate the variability of cash flows
associated with certain of these forecasted inventory purchases, we enter into foreign exchange forward contracts. These
contracts typically mature within 12 months. We do not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation, and we do not
enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
The Company accounts for all of its derivatives and hedging activity under FASB ASC 815--Derivatives and Hedging.
Under the Company’s risk management policy and in accordance with guidance under the topic, in order to qualify for
hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be considered highly effective at offsetting changes in either the hedged item’s
cash flows or fair value. Additionally, the hedge relationship must be documented to include the risk management objective and
strategy, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the risk exposure, and how hedge effectiveness will be assessed
prospectively and retrospectively. The Company formally measures effectiveness of its hedging relationships both at the hedge
inception and on an ongoing basis. The Company would discontinue hedge accounting under a foreign exchange forward
contract prospectively (i) if management determines that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the
cash flows of a hedged item, (ii) when the derivative expires or is terminated, (iii) if the forecasted transaction being hedged by
the derivative is no longer probable of occurring, or (iv) if management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedge
instrument is no longer appropriate.
All derivative instruments are presented at gross fair value on the consolidated balance sheets within either prepaid
expenses and other current assets or accrued expenses and other current liabilities. As of February 1, 2020 and February 2,
2019, the Company had foreign exchange forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $9.6 million and $17.9
million, respectively, and the fair value of the derivative instruments was an asset of $1.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
As these foreign exchange forward contracts are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates,
the Company’s credit risk, and our counterparties’ credit risks, they are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Cash settlements related to these forward contracts are recorded in cash flows from operating activities within the consolidated
statements of cash flows.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss
on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings within cost
of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects
earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in earnings within selling,
general, and administrative expenses, consistent with where the Company records realized and unrealized foreign currency
gains and losses on transactions in foreign denominated currencies. During Fiscal 2019, less than $0.1 million of the effective
portion of the gain on the derivative was reclassified into earnings within cost of sales. As of February 1, 2020, the gross value
related to hedges of these transactions in OCI was approximately $1.0 million. Assuming February 1, 2020 exchange rates
remain constant, $0.7 million of gains, net of tax, related to hedges of these transactions are expected to be
80
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
reclassified from OCI into earnings over the next 12 months. Changes in fair value associated with derivatives that are not
designated and qualified as cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings within selling, general, and administrative expenses.
The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with major banks and has risk exposure in the event of
nonperformance by either party. However, based on our assessment, the Company believes that obligations under the contracts
will be fully satisfied. Accordingly, there was no requirement to post collateral or other security to support the contracts as of
February 1, 2020.
16. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements presented below contain all material
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and results of
operations and have been prepared in a manner consistent with the audited financial statements contained herein. Due to the
seasonal nature of the Company’s business, the results of operations in any given interim period are not indicative of operating
results for a full fiscal year.
The following tables reflect quarterly consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated (unaudited):
Net sales
Gross profit
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Asset impairment charges
Depreciation and amortization
Operating income
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
Cash dividends declared and paid per common share
Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2020
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
$
$
$
412,382
151,976
128,006
348
18,584
5,038
3,327
(1,163)
4,490
0.28
16,107
$
$
$
420,470
138,846
116,417
121
18,472
3,836
1,558
35
1,523
0.10
15,859
$
$
$
524,796
198,125
120,514
839
18,821
57,951
55,796
12,748
43,048
2.77
15,546
513,019
166,358
113,183
4,731
18,911
29,533
27,736
3,497
24,239
1.61
15,101
0.56
$
0.56
$
0.56
$
0.56
$
$
$
$
81
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal Year Ended February 2, 2019
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
$
436,314
160,192
118,471
$
448,718
154,806
124,210
$
522,495
204,366
123,207
530,557
164,232
132,455
1,257
—
17,406
23,058
22,761
(8,776)
31,537
1.78
17,734
$
$
3,979
—
16,595
10,022
9,076
1,590
7,486
0.45
16,715
$
$
396
(1,246)
17,404
64,605
63,774
13,861
49,913
3.03
16,496
$
$
464
191
17,479
13,643
12,913
889
12,024
0.74
16,277
0.50
$
0.50
$
0.50
$
0.50
$
$
$
$
Net sales
Gross profit
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Asset impairment charges
Other (income) costs
Depreciation and amortization
Operating income
Income before provision for income taxes
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
Cash dividends declared and paid per common share
17. RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLANS
401(k) Plan
The Company has adopted The Children’s Place 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which qualifies under
Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan
established to provide retirement benefits for employees. The 401(k) Plan is employee funded up to an elective annual deferral
amount and also provides for Company matching contributions up to a certain percentage amount of the employee’s salary.
The 401(k) Plan is available for all U.S. employees who have completed 90 days of service with the Company. Following
guidance in IRS Notice 98-52 related to the design-based alternative, or “safe harbor,” 401(k) plan method, the Company
modified its 401(k) Plan for Company match contributions for non-highly compensated associates, as defined in the Code. For
non-highly compensated associates, the Company matches the first 3% of the participant’s contribution and 50% of the next 2%
of the participant’s contribution, and the Company match contribution vests immediately. For highly compensated associates,
the Company has the discretion to match the lesser of 50% of the participant’s contribution or 2.5% of the participant’s covered
compensation and the Company match contribution vests over 5 years. The Company’s matching contributions were
approximately $3.5 million in Fiscal 2019, $3.5 million in Fiscal 2018, and $3.2 million in Fiscal 2017.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The Company has a deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), which is a nonqualified, unfunded
plan, for eligible senior level employees. Under the plan, participants may elect to defer up to 80% of his or her base salary
and/or up to 100% of his or her bonus to be earned for the year following the year in which the deferral election is made. The
Deferred Compensation Plan also permits members of the Board to elect to defer payment of all or a portion of their retainer
and other fees to be earned for the year following the year in which a deferral election is made. In addition, eligible employees
and directors of the Company may also elect to defer payment of any shares of Company stock that is earned with respect to
deferred stock awards. The Company may, but is not required to, credit participants with additional Company contribution
amounts. Deferred amounts are not subject to forfeiture and are deemed invested among investment funds offered under the
Deferred Compensation Plan, as directed by each participant. Payments of deferred amounts (as adjusted for earnings and
losses) are payable following separation from service or at a date or dates elected by the participant at the time the deferral is
elected. Payments of deferred amounts are generally made in either a lump sum or in annual installments over a period not
exceeding 15 years. During fiscal 2010, the Deferred Compensation Plan was amended to allow for cash deferrals made by
members of the Board to be invested in shares of the Company’s common stock. Such elections are irrevocable and will be
settled in shares of common stock. All other deferred amounts are payable in the form in which they were made; cash deferrals
82
THE CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
are payable in cash and stock deferrals are payable in stock. Earlier distributions are not permitted except in the case of an
unforeseen hardship.
The Company has established a rabbi trust that serves as an investment to shadow the Deferred Compensation Plan
liability; however, the assets of the rabbi trust are general assets of the Company and, as such, would be subject to the claims of
creditors in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency. The investments of the rabbi trust consist of mutual funds and Company
stock. The Deferred Compensation Plan liability, excluding Company stock, is included in other long-term liabilities and
changes in the balance are recognized as compensation expense. The values of the mutual funds are included in other assets
and related earnings and losses are recognized as investment income or loss, which is included in selling, general, and
administrative expenses. Company stock deferrals are included in the equity section of the Company’s consolidated balance
sheet as treasury stock and as a deferred compensation liability. Deferred stock is recorded at fair market value at the time of
deferral, and any subsequent changes in fair market value are not recognized.
The Deferred Compensation Plan liability, excluding Company stock, at fair value, was approximately $2.5 million and
$1.9 million at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively. The value of the Deferred Compensation Plan assets was
approximately $2.5 million and $1.9 million at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively. Company stock was $3.0
million and $2.7 million at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively.
Other Plans
Under statutory requirements, the Company contributes to retirement plans for its Canadian, Puerto Rican, and Asian
operations. Contributions under these plans were approximately $0.7 million, $0.8 million, and $0.9 million in Fiscal 2019,
Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017, respectively.
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to February 1, 2020 and through March 17, 2020, the Company repurchased approximately 0.2 million
shares for approximately $13.8 million.
As a result of the impact of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), on March 17, 2020, the Company announced the temporary
closure of all of our stores across the U.S. and Canada as of the end of business on March 17, 2020, through March 31, 2020.
During this temporary closure, the Company will continue to serve our customers through our e-commerce sites located at
www.childrensplace.com and www.gymboree.com. The Company will work with government and health officials to assess when
we will reopen our stores.
Additionally, in response to the continuing uncertainty resulting from COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and the temporary
store closures, we have implemented strategic cost reduction strategies, including the reduction of capital expenditures, across
all functional areas. Inventory management will continue to be a strategic focus for the Company. Further, our capital return
program, inclusive of share repurchases and dividends, has been temporarily suspended. The Company maintains strong, long-
term relationships with its vendors, landlords, and banking partners, which helps support our ability to navigate these
challenging times. We cannot reasonably estimate the length or severity of this pandemic, but we currently anticipate a material
adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in Fiscal 2020.
83
(a)(3) Exhibits.
Exhibit
Description
3.1
3.2
4.1(1)
4.2(1)
4.3(+)
10.1(*)
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9(*)
10.10(*)
10.11(*)
10.12(*)
10.13(*)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 31, 2016 filed as Exhibit
3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2016 is incorporated by reference
herein.
Sixth Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s Form 8-K
filed on June 7, 2016, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Certificate for Common Stock of the Company filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s Registration
Amended Form of Certificate for Common Stock of the Company filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 2017, is incorporated by reference herein.
Description of capital stock
Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan of the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, is incorporated by
reference herein.
Lease Agreement as of August 12, 2003 between Orlando Corporation and The Children’s Place
(Canada), LP, together with Indemnity Agreement as of August 12, 2003 between the Company and
Orlando Corporation, together with Surrender of Lease as of August 12, 2003 between the Company and
Orlando Corporation and Orion Properties Ltd. (Canadian Distribution Center) filed as Exhibit 10.2 to
by reference herein.
Lease Agreement between the Company and Turnpike Crossing I, LLC (Dayton New Jersey Distribution
the period ended July 31, 2004, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Indemnity Agreement between the Company and certain members of management and the Board
of Directors filed as Exhibit 10.7 to registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
August 2, 2008, is incorporated by reference herein.
Lease Agreement between The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC and 500 Plaza Drive Corp.
effective as of March 12, 2009 (500 Plaza Drive), Secaucus, New Jersey filed as Exhibit 10.67 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, is incorporated by
reference herein.
Guaranty between the Company and 500 Plaza Drive Corp. effective as of March 12, 2009 filed as
Exhibit 10.68 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, is
incorporated by reference herein.
The First Lease Modification Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2009, between The Children’s Place
Services Company, LLC and 500 Plaza Drive Corp. filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 1, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.
The Company Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan effective January 1, 2010 filed as Exhibit 10.82
to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 30, 2010, is incorporated by
reference herein.
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2011, by and between the
Company and Jane T. Elfers filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended April 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.
Amendment No. 1 as of March 23, 2012 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of
March 28, 2011, by and between the Company and Jane T. Elfers filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 2012, is incorporated by
reference herein.
Deferred Stock Award Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2010, by and between the Company and Jane T.
Elfers filed as Exhibit 10.84 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January
30, 2010, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, filed
as Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2011, is incorporated by
reference herein.
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive
Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2011, is
incorporated by reference herein.
84
Exhibit
10.14
10.15(*)
10.16(*)
10.17
10.18(*)
10.19(*)
10.20(*)
10.21(*)
10.22(*)
10.23
10.24
10.25
10.26
Description
Form of Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.41 to the registrant’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 29, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.
Employment Offer Letter, dated as of November 26, 2012, by and between the Company and Michael
Scarpa filed as Exhibit 10.40 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
February 2, 2013, is incorporated by reference herein.
Letter Agreement dated October 3, 2014 between Anurup Pruthi and The Children’s Place Services
Company, LLC filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
ended January 31, 2015, is incorporated by reference herein.
Agreement dated May 22, 2015, by and among The Children’s Place, Inc., Macellum SPV II, LP,
Barington Companies Equity Partners, L.P., Jonathan Duskin, James A. Mitarotonda, certain of their
affiliates listed on Schedule A to the Agreement, and Robert L. Mettler filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference.
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive
Plan (Senior Vice President & above) filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the period ended May 2, 2015, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive
Plan (below Senior Vice President) filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-
Q for the period ended May 2, 2015, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan
(Senior Vice President & above) filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the period ended May 2, 2015, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan
(below Senior Vice President) filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the period ended May 2, 2015, is incorporated by reference herein.
The Company Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan Adoption Agreement No.#001 for use with Fidelity Basic Plan
Document No. 17 entered into by the Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company on September
11, 2015 as filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
January 30, 2016, is incorporated by reference herein.
Credit Agreement dated July 31, 2008 by and among the Company and The Children’s Place Services
Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC, The Children’s Place Canada
Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com, Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance Company, Inc., as guarantors,
Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Swing Line Lender and
as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National Association and JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended August 2, 2008, is incorporated by reference herein.
First Amendment to the Credit Agreement, effective as of March 12, 2009, by and among the Company
and The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC,
The Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com, Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance
Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral
Agent, and Swing Line Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National
Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.65 to the registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2009, by and among the Company and The
Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC, The
Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com, Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance
Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral
Agent, and Swing Line Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National
Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 2, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2009, by and among the Company and The
Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC, The
Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com, Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance
Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral
Agent, and Swing Line Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National
Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 1, 2009, is incorporated by reference herein.
85
Exhibit
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
Description
Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated October 5, 2009, by and among the Company and The
Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC, The
Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance
Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral
Agent, and SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National
Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2009, is incorporated by reference
herein.
Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated August 18, 2010, by and among the Company and The
Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC, The
Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance
Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral
Agent, and SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National
Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 30, 2010, is incorporated by reference
herein.
Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated March 7, 2011, by and among the Company and The
Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC, The
Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com Inc. and Twin Brook Insurance
Company, Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral
Agent, and SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National
Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.43 to the registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 29, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.
Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated August 16, 2011, by and among the Company and The
Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC, The
Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc. and The Childrensplace.com Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo
Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and SwingLine Lender and as a lender,
and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, as
lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended July 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference herein.
Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated January 25, 2012, by and among the Company and The
Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (Virginia), LLC, The
Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc. and The Childrensplace.com Inc., as guarantors, Wells Fargo
Retail Finance, LLC, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, SwingLine Lender and Lender and as a
lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank,
NA, as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.44 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
ended January 28, 2012, is incorporated by reference herein.
Ninth Amendment and Consent Letter to the Credit Agreement, dated May 1, 2012, by and among the
Company and The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place
(International), LLC, The Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., The Childrensplace.com, Inc., TCP IH
I, LLC and TCP IH II, LLC, as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger
to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, SwingLine Lender
and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April
28, 2012.
Tenth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated December 20, 2012, by and among the Company and
The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (International), LLC,
The Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., the childrensplace.com, inc., TCP IH II, LLC, TCP
International IP Holdings, LLC and TCP International Product Holdings, LLC, as guarantors, Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as Administrative
Agent and Collateral Agent, SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A., HSBC Bank
USA, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.42 to the registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February 2, 2013.
Eleventh Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated March 4, 2014, by and among the Company and
The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (International), LLC,
The Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., the childrensplace.com, inc., TCP IH II, LLC, TCP
International IP Holdings, LLC and TCP International Product Holdings, LLC, as guarantors, Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as Administrative
Agent and Collateral Agent, L/C Issuer, SwingLine Lender and as a lender, and Bank of America, N.A.,
HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 2014, is incorporated by
reference herein.
86
Exhibit
10.35
10.36
10.37(*)
10.38(*)
10.39(*)
10.40(*)
10.41(*)
10.42(*)
10.43(*)
10.44
10.45
10.46(*)
21.1(+)
23.1(+)
23.2(+)
31.1(+)
31.2(+)
32(+)
Description
Twelfth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated September 15, 2015, by and among the Company
and The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (International),
LLC, The Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., the childrensplace.com, inc., TCP IH II, LLC, TCP
International IP Holdings, LLC and TCP International Product Holdings, LLC, as guarantors, Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as Administrative
Agent and Collateral Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender and as a lender and Bank of America, N.A.,
HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2015, is incorporated by
reference herein.
The Children’s Place Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan filed as Exhibit 10.1
to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2016 is incorporated by reference herein.
Letter Agreement dated May 16, 2017 between The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC and
Pamela B. Wallack filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended April 29, 2017, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive
Plan (Senior Vice President & above) filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the period ended May 5, 2018, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive
Plan (below Senior Vice President) filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-
Q for the period ended May 5, 2018, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive
Plan (Senior Vice President & above) filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the period ended May 4, 2019, is incorporated by reference herein.
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2011 Equity Incentive
Plan (below Senior Vice President) filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-
Q for the period ended May 4, 2019, is incorporated by reference herein.
Letter Agreement dated February 13, 2019 between The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC and
Claudia Lima-Guinehut filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
period ended May 4, 2019, is incorporated by reference herein.
Letter Agreement dated April 9, 2019 between The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC and Leah
Swan filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 4,
2019, is incorporated by reference herein.
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2019, by and among the Company and The
Children’s Place Services Company, LLC, as borrowers, The Children’s Place (International), LLC, The
Children’s Place Canada Holdings, Inc., the childrensplace.com, inc., TCP IH II, LLC, TCP International
IP Holdings, LLC and TCP International Product Holdings, LLC, as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association (successor by merger to Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC), as Administrative
Agent and Collateral Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender and as a lender and Bank of America, N.A.,
HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lenders, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the
registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 4, 2019, is incorporated by
reference herein.
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 1, 2019, by and among TCP Brands, LLC, as buyer, and
Gymboree Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as sellers, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the registrant’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 4, 2019, is incorporated by reference herein.
Letter Agreement dated June 18, 2019 between The Children’s Place Services Company, LLC and Robert
Karpf filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
November 2, 2019, is incorporated by reference herein.
Subsidiaries of the Company.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young, LLP.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm BDO USA, LLP.
Certificate of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
Certificate of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002.
101.SCH*
101.CAL*
101.DEF*
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
87
Exhibit
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
Description
________________________________________
(1) Exhibit numbers are identical to the exhibit numbers incorporated by reference to such registration statement.
(*) Compensation Arrangement.
(+) Filed herewith.
* Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement
or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.
(b) Exhibits. The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are filed herewith or incorporated by reference.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules and Other Financial Statements.
All other financial statement schedules are omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as they are not required or
applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
88
ITEM 16.-FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Omitted at registrant's option.
89
Supplement*
The Children's Place, Inc.
Board of Directors and Executive Officers+
Board of Directors
Executive Officers
Norman Matthews
(Chairman of the Board)
Retired; formerly President of Federated Department Stores
Jane T. Elfers
Chief Executive Officer and President
Jane T. Elfers
Chief Executive Officer and President,
The Children's Place, Inc.
Joseph Alutto, Dr.
Michael Scarpa
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Leah Swan
Chief Administrative Officer
Distinguished Professor of Organizational Behavior - Emeritus,
Claudia Lima-Guinehut
The Ohio State University
Senior Vice President, Global Merchandising and
John E. Bachman
Retired; formerly Operations Leader of U.S. Assurance Practice
Robert Karpf
Strategic Partnerships
at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP and formerly a partner
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
at the firm
Marla Malcolm Beck
Chief Executive Officer, Bluemercury, Inc.
Elizabeth Boland
Chief Financial Officer of Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.
Joseph Gromek
Retired; formerly President and Chief Executive Officer,
The Warnaco Group, Inc.
Robert L. Mettler
Retired; formerly President of Special Projects at Macy's
Debby Reiner
President, Global Clients at Grey Global Group
* This document, together with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020, constitutes our
2019 Annual Report to Stockholders.
+ As of March 26, 2020
90