Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Subsidiaries
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RELATED MATTERS
A. Nature of Operations
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an omni-channel retailer that makes it easy for its customers to feel at home. The Company sells a wide assortment of merchandise in the Home, Baby, Beauty & Wellness markets and operates under the names Bed Bath & Beyond ("BBB"), buybuy BABY ("BABY"), and Harmon, Harmon Face Values, or Face Values (collectively, "Harmon"). Customers can purchase products either in-store, online, with a mobile device or through a customer contact center. The Company generally has the ability to have customer purchases picked up in-store, curbside or shipped direct to the customer from the Company’s distribution facilities, stores or vendors. The Company also operates Decorist ("Decorist"), an online interior design platform that provides personalized home design services. In addition, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.
We offer a broad assortment of national brands and a growing assortment of proprietary Owned Brand merchandise – including eight new Owned Brands launched in Fiscal 2021 – in key destination categories including bedding, bath, kitchen food prep, home organization, indoor décor, baby and personal care.
We account for our operations as one North American Retail reporting segment. In Fiscal 2020 and 2019, we accounted for our operations as two operating segments: North American Retail and Institutional Sales, the latter of which was divested in October 2020, did not meet the quantitative thresholds under GAAP and, therefore, was not a reportable segment. Net sales outside of the U.S. for the Company were not material for Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019. As the Company operates in the retail industry, its results of operations are affected by general economic conditions and consumer spending habits.
B. Fiscal Year
The Company’s Fiscal year is comprised of the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Saturday nearest February 28th. Accordingly, Fiscal 2021, Fiscal 2020, and Fiscal 2019 represented 52 weeks and ended on February 26, 2022, February 27, 2021, and February 29, 2020, respectively.
C. Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company accounts for its investment in the joint venture referred to above under the equity method.
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
D. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2020-04 Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendment provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR. These updates are effective immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating its contracts and the optional expedients provided by this update, but does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact to the financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes, to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The guidance eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocations, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences related to changes in ownership of equity method investments and foreign subsidiaries. The guidance also simplifies aspects of accounting for franchise taxes, enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard in Fiscal 2021; upon adoption, this guidance did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
E. Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to establish accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that it believes to be relevant under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. In particular, judgment is used in areas such as inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of auction rate securities, goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets, accruals for self-insurance, litigation, store opening, expansion, relocation and closing costs, the provision for sales returns, vendor allowances, stock-based compensation and income and certain other taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
F. Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents are credit and debit card receivables from banks, which typically settle within five business days, of $47.9 million and $64.0 million as of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, respectively.
Short-term restricted cash was zero and $5.0 million as of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, respectively, and is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Long-term restricted cash of $31.4 million and $49.2 million as of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, respectively, is included in other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
G. Investment Securities
Investment securities consist primarily of auction rate securities, which are securities with interest rates that reset periodically through an auction process, and U.S. Treasury Bills, when outstanding. The U.S. Treasury Bills with original maturities of greater than three months were classified as short term held-to-maturity securities and stated at their amortized cost which approximated fair value. Auction rate securities are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value, which had historically been consistent with cost or par value due to interest rates which reset periodically, typically every 7, 28 or 35 days. As a result, there generally were no cumulative gross unrealized holding gains or losses relating to these auction rate securities. However, during the global financial crisis of 2008 the auction process for the Company’s auction rate securities failed and continues to fail. These failed auctions result in a lack of liquidity in the securities and affect their estimated fair values at February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, but do not affect the underlying collateral of the securities (see "Fair Value Measurements," Note 4 and "Investment Securities," Note 5). All income from these investments is recorded as interest income.
Those investment securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity are classified as held-to-maturity investments and are stated at amortized cost.
Premiums are amortized and discounts are accreted over the life of the security as adjustments to interest income using the effective interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.
H. Inventory Valuation
Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs are primarily calculated using the weighted average retail inventory method.
Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to the retail values of inventories. The inputs associated with determining the cost-to-retail ratio include: merchandise purchases, net of returns to vendors, discounts and volume and incentive rebates; inbound freight expenses; and import charges, including duties, insurance and commissions.
The retail inventory method contains certain management judgments that may affect inventory valuation. At any one time, inventories include items that have been written down to the Company’s best estimate of their realizable value. Judgment is required in estimating realizable value and factors considered are the age of merchandise, anticipated demand based on factors such as customer preferences and fashion trends, and anticipated changes in product assortment (including related to the launch of Owned Brands) as well as anticipated markdowns to reduce the price of merchandise from its recorded retail price to a retail price at which it is expected to be sold in the future. These estimates are based on historical experience and current information about future events which are inherently uncertain. Actual realizable value could differ materially from this estimate based upon future customer demand or economic conditions, including uncertainty related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (see "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Note 2).
The Company estimates its reserve for inventory shrinkage throughout the year based on historical shrinkage and any current trends, if applicable. Actual shrinkage is recorded at fiscal year end based upon the results of the Company’s physical inventory counts for locations at which counts were conducted. For locations where physical inventory counts were not conducted in the fiscal year, an estimated shrink reserve is recorded based on historical shrinkage and any current trends, if applicable. Historically, the Company’s shrinkage has not been volatile.
The Company accrues for merchandise in transit once it takes legal ownership and title to the merchandise; as such, an estimate for merchandise in transit is included in the Company’s merchandise inventories.
I. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (40 years for buildings; 5 to 20 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment; and 3 to 10 years for computer equipment and software). Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of their estimated useful life or the life of the lease. Depreciation expense is primarily included within selling, general and administrative expenses. (see "Property and Equipment," Note 6).
The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to earnings as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs amounted to $80.0 million, $117.7 million, and $133.9 million for Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
J. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may exceed their current fair values. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale are separately presented in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet (see "Assets Held for Sale and Divestitures," Note 16). In Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020, the Company recorded non-cash pre-tax impairment charges of $30.8 million and $92.9 million, respectively, for certain store-level assets, including leasehold improvements and operating lease assets. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that a long-lived asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these long-lived assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.
K Goodwill and Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Included within other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, respectively, are $16.3 million and $22.0 million for indefinite lived tradenames and trademarks.
The Company reviews its intangible assets that have indefinite lives for impairment annually as of the end of the fiscal year or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets might exceed their current fair values. Impairment testing is based upon the best information available including estimates of fair value which incorporate assumptions marketplace participants would use in making their estimates of fair value. Significant assumptions and estimates are required, including, but not limited to, projecting future cash flows, determining appropriate discount rates and terminal growth rates, and other assumptions, to estimate the fair value of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets. Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates made are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact its reported financial results.
Other indefinite lived intangible assets were recorded as a result of acquisitions and primarily consist of tradenames. The Company values its tradenames using a relief-from-royalty approach, which assumes the value of the tradename is the discounted cash flows of the amount that would be paid by a hypothetical market participant had they not owned the tradename and instead licensed the tradename from another company. For the fiscal years ended February 26, 2022, February 27, 2021, and February 29, 2020, the Company completed a quantitative impairment analysis for certain other indefinite lived intangible assets, by comparing the fair value of the tradenames to their carrying value and recognized non-cash pre-tax tradename impairment charges of $5.7 million, $35.1 million, and $41.8 million, respectively, within goodwill and other impairments in the consolidated statement of operations. As of February 26, 2022, for the remaining other indefinite lived intangible assets, the Company assessed qualitative factors in order to determine whether any events and circumstances existed which indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of these other indefinite lived assets did not exceed their carrying values and concluded no such events or circumstances existed which would require an impairment test be performed. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that an asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.
As of June 1, 2019, the Company completed a quantitative impairment analysis of goodwill related to its reporting units by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The Company performed a discounted cash flow analysis and market multiple analysis for each reporting unit. Based upon the analysis performed, the Company recognized non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment charges of $391.1 million for the North American Retail reporting unit. Cumulatively, the Company has recognized non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment charges of $676.2 million and $40.1 million for the North American Retail and Institutional Sales reporting units, respectively. The Institutional Sales unit was divested in October 2020. As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the Company did not have any goodwill recorded on its consolidated balance sheet.
L. Self-Insurance
The Company utilizes a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks including workers’ compensation, general liability, cyber liability, property liability, automobile liability and employee related health care benefits (a portion of which is paid by its employees). Liabilities associated with the risks that the Company retains are not discounted and are estimated by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Although the Company’s claims experience has not displayed substantial volatility in the past, actual experience could materially vary from its historical experience in the future. Factors that affect these estimates include but are not limited to: inflation, the number and severity of claims and regulatory changes. In the future, if the Company concludes an adjustment to self-insurance accruals is required, the liability will be adjusted accordingly.
Beginning in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020, the Company began insuring portions of its workers' compensation and medical insurance through a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary (the "Captive") to enhance its risk financing strategies. The Captive is subject to regulations in Vermont, including those relating to its levels of liquidity and other requirements. The Captive was in compliance with all regulations as of February 26, 2022.
M. Shareholders’ Equity
The Company has authorization to make repurchases of its common shares from time to time in the open market or through other programs approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations (see "Shareholders' Equity," Note 14).
N. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts payable, long term debt and certain other liabilities. The Company’s investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, which are stated at amortized cost, and auction rate securities consisting of preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds, which are stated at their approximate fair value. The book value of the financial instruments, excluding the Company’s long term debt, is representative of their fair values (see "Fair Value Measurements," Note 4).
O. Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at the inception of the contract. The Company’s leases generally contain fixed and variable components. Variable components are primarily contingent rents based upon store sales exceeding stipulated amounts. Lease agreements may also include non-lease components, such as certain taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, which the Company combines with the lease component to account for both as a single lease component. Lease liabilities, which represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease, and corresponding right-of-use assets, which represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, are recognized at the commencement date of the lease, which is typically the date the Company obtains possession of the leased premises, based on the present value of fixed future payments over the lease term. The Company utilizes the lease term for which it is reasonably certain to use the underlying asset, including consideration of options to extend or terminate the lease. Incentives received from landlords are recorded as a reduction to the lease right-of-use assets. The Company does not recognize lease right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities for leases with initial terms of 12 months or less.
The Company calculates the present value of future payments using the discount rate implicit in the lease, if available, or its incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term at an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The Company determined discount rates based on the rates of its unsecured borrowings, which are then adjusted for the appropriate lease term and effects of full collateralization. In determining the Company's operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities, the Company applied these incremental borrowing rates to the minimum lease payments within each lease agreement.
For operating leases, lease expense relating to fixed payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and lease expense relating to variable payments is expensed as incurred. For finance leases, the amortization of the asset is recognized over the shorter of the lease term or useful life of the underlying asset (see "Leases," Note 10).
P. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, respectively, are $198.2 million and $595.2 million, which includes income tax receivables as of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021 of $26.5 million and $318.1 million, respectively (see "Provision for Income Taxes," Note 8).
Q. Revenue Recognition
Sales are recognized upon purchase by customers at the Company’s retail stores or upon delivery for products purchased from its websites. The value of point-of-sale coupons and point-of-sale rebates that result in a reduction of the price paid by the customer are recorded as a reduction of sales. Shipping and handling fees that are billed to a customer in a sale transaction are recorded in sales. Taxes, such as sales tax, use tax and value added tax, are not included in sales.
Revenues from gift cards, gift certificates and merchandise credits are recognized when redeemed. Gift cards have no provisions for reduction in the value of unused card balances over defined time periods and have no expiration dates. In Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020, the Company recognized net sales for gift card and merchandise credit redemptions of approximately $72.3 million and $98.0 million, which were included in merchandise credit and gift card liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of February 27, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively.
Sales returns are provided for in the period that the related sales are recorded based on historical experience. Although the estimate for sales returns has not varied materially from historical provisions, actual experience could vary from historical experience in the future if the level of sales return activity changes materially. In the future, if the Company concludes that an adjustment is required due to material changes in the returns activity, the liability for estimated returns and the corresponding right of return asset will be adjusted accordingly. As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the liability for estimated returns of $23.6 million and $36.2 million is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and the corresponding right of return asset for merchandise of $14.6 million and $23.4 million, respectively, is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, respectively.
The Company sells a wide assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. Domestics merchandise includes categories such as bed linens and related items, bath items and kitchen textiles. Home furnishings include categories such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares, general home furnishings (including furniture and wall décor), consumables and certain juvenile products. Sales of domestics merchandise and home furnishings accounted for approximately
37.4% and 62.6% of net sales, respectively, for Fiscal 2021, 34.7% and 65.3% of net sales, respectively, for Fiscal 2020 and 35.2% and 64.8% of net sales, respectively, for Fiscal 2019.
R. Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise, buying costs and costs of the Company’s distribution network including inbound freight charges, import charges (including duties), distribution facility costs, receiving costs, internal transfer costs and shipping and handling costs.
S. Vendor Allowances
The Company receives allowances from vendors in the normal course of business for various reasons including direct cooperative advertising, purchase volume and reimbursement for other expenses. Annual terms for each allowance include the basis for earning the allowance and payment terms, which vary by agreement. All vendor allowances are recorded as a reduction of inventory cost, except for direct cooperative advertising allowances which are specific, incremental and identifiable. The Company recognizes purchase volume allowances as a reduction of the cost of inventory in the quarter in which milestones are achieved. Advertising costs were reduced by direct cooperative allowances of $35.8 million, $28.9 million, and $30.9 million for Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
T. Store Opening, Expansion, Relocation and Closing Costs
Store opening, expansion, relocation and closing costs, including markdowns, asset residual values and projected occupancy costs, are charged to earnings as incurred.
U. Advertising Costs
Advertising expenses related to direct response advertising are expensed on the first day of the direct response advertising event. All other advertising expenses associated with store advertising are charged to earnings as incurred. Net advertising costs amounted to $407.1 million, $347.8 million, and $478.5 million for Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
V. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and records such expense, net of estimated forfeitures, in its consolidated financial statements. The Company’s stock-based compensation relates to restricted stock awards, stock options, restricted stock units and performance stock units. The Company’s restricted stock awards are considered nonvested share awards (see "Stock-Based Compensation," Note 15).
W. Income Taxes
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Income tax returns are also filed with each taxable jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business.
The Company accounts for its income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.
In assessing the recoverability of its deferred tax assets, the Company evaluates the available objective positive and negative evidence to estimate whether it is more likely than not that sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of existing deferred tax assets in each taxpaying jurisdiction. For any deferred tax asset in excess of the amount for which it is more likely than not that the Company will realize a benefit, a valuation allowance is established. A valuation allowance is a non-cash charge, and does not limit the Company's ability to utilize its deferred tax assets, including its ability to utilize tax loss and credit carryforward amounts against future taxable income.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Act. The Tax Act included a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and as a result, all previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been previously accrued has now been subject to U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, the Company intends to continue to reinvest the unremitted earnings of its Canadian subsidiary. Accordingly, no additional provision has been made for U.S. or additional non-U.S. taxes with respect to these earnings, except for the transition tax resulting from the Tax Act. In the event of repatriation to the U.S., it is expected that such earnings would be subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes offset, in whole or in part, by U.S. foreign tax credits.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities.
Judgment is required in determining the provision for income and other taxes and related accruals, and deferred tax assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Additionally, the Company's various tax returns are subject to audit by various tax authorities. Although the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates (see "Provision for Income Taxes", Note 8).
X. Earnings per Share
The Company presents earnings per share on a basic and diluted basis. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, including the dilutive effect of stock-based awards as calculated under the treasury stock method.
Stock-based awards of approximately 2.9 million, 2.4 million, and 5.4 million shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive for Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
2. IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. That same month, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company began to temporarily close certain store locations that did not have a health and personal care department, and as of March 23, 2020, all of the Company's retail stores across the U.S. and Canada were temporarily closed except for most stand-alone buybuy BABY and Harmon stores, subject to state and local regulations. In May 2020, the Company announced a phased approach to re-open its stores in compliance with relevant government directives, and as of the end of July 2020, nearly all of its stores re-opened. During portions of Fiscal 2021, a limited number of stores in Canada either closed temporarily or continued to operate under restrictions in compliance with local governmental orders. As of February 26, 2022, all of the Company's stores were operating without restriction subject to compliance with applicable mask and vaccine requirements.
In the first half of Fiscal 2020, the Company had also suspended its plans for debt reduction and postponed share repurchases, but lifted the debt repurchase suspension in August 2020 and the postponement of share repurchases in October 2020.
Similar to other retailers, the Company also withheld portions of and/or delayed payments to certain of its business partners as the Company negotiated revisions to its payment terms, in order to further maintain liquidity given the temporary store closures (see "Leases," Note 10).
Further, on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") was enacted in the United States. The CARES Act is an emergency economic aid package to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, the CARES Act provides certain changes to tax laws, which may impact the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The Company is currently implementing certain provisions of the CARES Act such as deferring employer payroll taxes. As of February 27, 2021, the Company had deferred $3.1 million of employer payroll taxes, which were deposited by December 2021. In addition, during Fiscal 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded credits of approximately $7.8 million and $33.3 million, respectively, as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses as a result of the employee retention credits and rent and property expense support made available under the CARES Act for U.S. employees and under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy for Canadian employees and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.
During the Fiscal years ended February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, under the CARES Act, the Company recorded income tax benefits of $18.7 million and $152.0 million, respectively, as a result of the Fiscal 2020 and Fiscal 2019 net operating losses that were carried back to prior years during which the federal tax rate was 35%.
The COVID-19 pandemic materially adversely impacted the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021. Numerous uncertainties continue to surround the pandemic and its ultimate impact on the Company. Further discussion of the risks and uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic is disclosed in "Risk Factors" under Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K.
3. RESTRUCTURING AND TRANSFORMATION ACTIVITIES
Fiscal 2021 Restructuring and Transformation Initiative Expenses
The Company recorded $281.2 million in its consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 for costs associated with restructuring and other transformation initiatives, of which approximately $137.2 million is included in cost of sales and approximately $144.0 million is included in restructuring and transformation initiative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. These charges were comprised of, and classified in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations, as follows:
Cost of Sales
•$125.2 million primarily related to the Company’s initiatives to introduce certain new Owned Brand merchandise and, to a lesser extent, to redefine certain existing Owned Brands and to rationalize product assortment across the Bed Bath & Beyond banner store base. The costs incurred in connection with these activities included higher markdowns on inventory sold in Fiscal 2021, as well as an adjustment to reduce to its estimated realizable value inventory on hand that will be removed from the product assortment as part of these initiatives.
•$12.0 million related to store closures for which the closing process had commenced, related primarily to higher markdowns on inventory sold during the period between final announcement of closing and the final closure of the store.
Restructuring and Transformation Initiative Expenses
•Store Closures. During Fiscal 2021, the Company closed 63 mostly Bed Bath & Beyond stores as part of its store fleet optimization program which commenced in Fiscal 2020 and included the closure of 207 mostly Bed Bath & Beyond stores through the end of Fiscal 2021 (including the 144 stores closed in Fiscal 2020). For the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022, the Company recorded costs associated with store closures for which the store closing process has commenced of $2.4 million of severance costs and $45.5 million of lease-related and other costs within restructuring and transformation initiative expenses in its consolidated statements of operations. At this point, the Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of amounts expected to be incurred in connection with future store closures.
•Other transformation initiatives. During the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022, the Company recorded costs of $96.1 million which include costs recorded in connection with other transformation initiatives, including technology transformation and business strategy and operating model transformation programs across core functions including merchandising, supply chain and finance.
Fiscal 2020 Restructuring Charges
The Company recorded $149.3 million within cost of sales and restructuring and transformation initiative expenses in its consolidated statement of operations for Fiscal 2020 for costs associated with its planned store closures as part of the fleet optimization plan for which the store closure process has commenced, workforce reduction and other transformation initiatives.
As part of the Company's ongoing business transformation, on July 6, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the planned closure of approximately 200 mostly Bed Bath & Beyond stores by the end of Fiscal 2021 as part of the Company's store fleet optimization program, 144 of which were closed as of February 27, 2021. In Fiscal 2020, the Company recorded costs associated with its planned store closures for which the store closing process has commenced of $21.0 million within cost of sales,
$5.3 million of severance costs and $39.2 million of lease-related and other costs within restructuring and transformation initiative expenses in its consolidated statements of operations.
In addition, during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, the Company announced a realignment of its organizational structure as part of its transformation initiative, to further simplify the Company's operations, support investment in its strategic growth plans, and provide additional financial flexibility. In connection with the organizational realignment, the Company implemented a workforce reduction of approximately 2,800 roles from across its corporate headquarters and retail stores. During the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, the Company recorded pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $23.1 million within restructuring and transformation initiative expenses in its consolidated statements of operations, related to severance and associated costs for this workforce reduction, all of which have been paid during Fiscal 2020.
During Fiscal 2020, the Company also recorded costs of approximately $26.1 million within cost of sales and $34.6 million within restructuring and transformation initiative expenses in its consolidated statements of operations related to other transformation initiatives.
Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Charges
During Fiscal 2019, the Company expensed pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $102.5 million, primarily for severance and related costs in conjunction with its transformation initiatives and extensive leadership changes, within selling, general and administrative expenses in its consolidated statement of operations.
As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the remaining accrual for severance and related costs related to these various initiatives was $15.0 million and $23.0 million, respectively.
4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., "the exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches, including quoted market prices and discounted cash flows. The hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect a company’s judgment concerning the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an asset or liability must be classified in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value. The fair value hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
•Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that the Company is able to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
•Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for instruments that are similar, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar instruments, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
•Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts payable, long term debt and certain other liabilities. The book value of the Company's financial instruments, excluding long term debt, is representative of their fair values. The Company’s investment securities at February 26, 2022 consisted primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, which are stated at amortized cost and are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments (Level 1 valuation). As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the fair value of the Company’s long term debt was approximately $956.0 million and $1.118 billion, respectively, which is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments (i.e., Level 1 valuation), compared to the carrying value of approximately $1.184 billion and $1.195 billion, respectively.
The Company did not have any financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs included long term investments in auction rate securities consisting of preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds (see "Investment Securities," Note 5).
5. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
As of both February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the Company’s long term available-for-sale investment securities represented approximately $20.3 million par value of auction rate securities, less temporary valuation adjustments of approximately $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Since these valuation adjustments are deemed to be temporary, they are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit, and did not affect the Company’s net earnings. The Company had no short-term available-for-sale investment securities as of February 26, 2022 or February 27, 2021.
6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | February 26, 2022 | | February 27, 2021 |
Land and buildings | $ | 21,597 | | | $ | 24,840 | |
Furniture, fixtures and equipment (1) | 594,443 | | | 502,869 | |
Leasehold improvements | 746,365 | | | 721,039 | |
Computer equipment and software | 1,494,457 | | | 1,355,758 | |
Total | 2,856,862 | | | 2,604,506 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation (1) | (1,829,475) | | | (1,686,088) | |
Property and equipment, net | $ | 1,027,387 | | | $ | 918,418 | |
________________________(1) Furniture, fixtures and equipment includes $39.0 million in assets held under finance leases as of February 26, 2022. Accumulated depreciation includes $0.2 million in accumulated depreciation for assets held under finance leases as of February 26, 2022.
Depreciation expense was $292.3 million, $338.7 million, $339.0 million in Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
7. LONG TERM DEBT
Senior Unsecured Notes
On July 17, 2014, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.749% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2024, $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.915% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2034 and $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.165% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2044 (collectively, the "Notes"). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year.
The Notes were issued under an indenture (the "Base Indenture"), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture (together, with the Base Indenture, the "Indenture"), which contains various restrictive covenants, which are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture. The Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the Notes as of February 26, 2022.
During Fiscal 2021, the Company purchased approximately $11.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 3.749% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2024. The total consideration paid for the notes accepted for purchase of $11.4 million during the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 included accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the early settlement date. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.4 million in its consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022, including the write off of unamortized debt financing costs related to the extinguished portion of the notes accepted for purchase and reacquisition costs.
During Fiscal 2020, the Company purchased $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 4.915% senior unsecured notes due 2034 and approximately $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 5.165% senior unsecured notes due 2044. The total consideration paid for the notes accepted for purchase of $220.9 million included an early tender premium of $50 per $1,000 principal amount of the notes accepted for purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the early settlement date. The Company recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of $77.0 million in its consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021, including the write off of unamortized debt financing costs related to the extinguished portion of the notes accepted for purchase and reacquisition costs. The Company did not purchase any of its outstanding unsecured notes during Fiscal 2019.
As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the Company’s 3.749% senior unsecured notes due 2024, 4.915% senior unsecured notes due 2034 and 5.165% senior unsecured notes due 2044 were $4.6 million and $5.0 million, respectively, and are included in long-term debt in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Asset-Based Credit Agreement
On August 9, 2021, the Company amended its asset-based credit agreement (the "Amended Credit Agreement") among the Company, certain of the Company’s U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the "Agent"), and the lenders party thereto, which replaced the Company's previous $850.0 million Credit Agreement which was due to mature on June 19, 2023.
The Amended Credit Agreement provides for an asset-based revolving credit facility (the "ABL Facility") with aggregate revolving commitments established at closing of $1.0 billion, including a swingline subfacility and a letter of credit subfacility. The Amended Credit Agreement has an uncommitted expansion feature which allows the borrowers to request, at any time following the delivery of an initial field exam and appraisal, an increase in aggregate revolving commitments under the ABL Facility or elect to enter into a first-in-last-out loan facility, collectively, in an aggregate amount of up to $375.0 million, subject to certain customary conditions. The Amended Credit Agreement matures on August 9, 2026.
As of February 26, 2022, the Company had no loans outstanding under the ABL Facility, but had outstanding letters of credit of $96.4 million.
The ABL Facility is secured on a first priority basis (subject to customary exceptions) on all accounts receivable (including credit card receivables), inventory, certain deposit accounts and securities accounts, and certain related assets, of the Company and its subsidiaries that are borrowers or guarantors under the ABL Facility. Amounts available to be drawn from time to time under the ABL Facility (including, in part, in the form of letters of credit) are equal to the lesser of (i) outstanding revolving commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement and (ii) a borrowing base equal to the sum of (a) 90% of eligible credit card receivables plus (b) 90% of eligible inventory, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a weighted average cost basis, minus (c) customary reserves.
Subject to customary exceptions and restrictions, the Company may voluntarily repay outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility at any time without premium or penalty. Any voluntary prepayments made will not reduce commitments under the ABL Facility. If at any time the outstanding amount under the ABL Facility exceeds the lesser of (i) the aggregate revolving commitments and (ii) the borrowing base, the Company will be required to prepay outstanding amounts or cash collateralize letter of credit obligations under the ABL Facility.
Outstanding amounts under the Amended Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the applicable borrower’s election: (i) in the case of loans denominated in U.S. dollars, such loans shall be comprised entirely of Alternate Base Rate ("ABR") loans and London Inter-Bank Offered ("LIBO") Rate loans and (ii) in the case of loans denominated in Canadian dollars, such loans shall be comprised entirely of Canadian Prime Rate loans and Canadian Dollar Offered Rate ("CDOR") loans, in each case as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement, plus an interest rate margin based on average quarterly availability ranging from (i) in the case of ABR loans and Canadian Prime Rate loans, 0.25% to 0.75%; provided that if ABR or the Canadian Prime Rate is less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00%, as applicable, and (ii) in the case of LIBO Rate loans and CDOR Loans, 1.25% to 1.75%; provided that if the CDOR or LIBO Rate is less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.00%, as applicable.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, events of default and financial, affirmative and negative covenants for facilities of this type, including but not limited to a springing financial covenant relating to a fixed charge coverage ratio, and restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments and acquisitions, asset dispositions, restricted payments
and prepayment of certain indebtedness. The Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the Amended Credit Agreement as of February 26, 2022.
As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facilities were $7.4 million and $6.1 million, respectively, and were recorded in other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The Company amortizes deferred financing costs for the Notes and the ABL Facility over their respective terms and such amortization is included in interest expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest expense related to the Notes and the revolving credit facilities, including the commitment fee and the amortization of deferred financing costs, was approximately $64.1 million, $73.6 million, and $73.0 million for the fiscal years ended February 26, 2022, February 27, 2021, and February 29, 2020, respectively.
8. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The components of the (benefit) provision for income taxes are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended |
(in thousands) | February 26, 2022 | | February 27, 2021 | | February 29, 2020 |
Current: | | | | | |
Federal | $ | (43,740) | | | $ | (336,506) | | | $ | 2,455 | |
State and local | 3,397 | | | 1,211 | | | (7,973) | |
| (40,343) | | | (335,295) | | | (5,518) | |
| | | | | |
Deferred: | | | | | |
Federal | 73,006 | | | 150,861 | | | (124,578) | |
State and local | 54,304 | | | (1,555) | | | (20,941) | |
| 127,310 | | | 149,306 | | | (145,519) | |
| $ | 86,967 | | | $ | (185,989) | | | $ | (151,037) | |
At February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, included in other assets are net deferred income tax assets of $(0.1) million and $130.0 million, respectively. These amounts represent the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | February 26, 2022 | | February 27, 2021 |
Deferred tax assets: | | | |
Inventories | $ | 4,077 | | | $ | 13,040 | |
| | | |
Operating lease liabilities | 473,397 | | | 484,290 | |
Insurance | 6,416 | | | 9,086 | |
Stock-based compensation | 1,592 | | | 1,014 | |
Merchandise credits and gift card liabilities | 56,690 | | | 52,584 | |
Accrued expenses | 23,412 | | | 31,914 | |
| | | |
Intangibles | 1,685 | | | 1,008 | |
Goodwill | 90 | | | 1,596 | |
Carryforwards and other tax credits | 189,746 | | | 86,914 | |
Other | 34,991 | | | 34,104 | |
| | | |
Valuation allowance: | (249,529) | | | (26,011) | |
| | | |
Deferred tax liabilities: | | | |
Depreciation | (146,970) | | | (105,649) | |
| | | |
Prepaid expenses | (1,155) | | | (26,356) | |
Operating lease assets | (376,079) | | | (409,535) | |
Other | (18,499) | | | (17,977) | |
| $ | (136) | | | $ | 130,022 | |
At February 26, 2022, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of $67.2 million (tax effected), of which $4.6 million will expire between 2025 and 2039, state net operating loss carryforwards of $87.1 million (tax effected), which will expire between 2021 and 2041, California state enterprise zone credit carryforwards of $2.1 million (tax effected), which will expire in 2023, but require taxable income in the enterprise zone to be realizable.
In assessing the recoverability of its deferred tax assets, the Company evaluates the available objective positive and negative evidence to estimate whether it is more likely than not that sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of existing deferred tax assets in each taxpaying jurisdiction. For any deferred tax asset in excess of the amount for which it is more likely than not that the Company will realize a benefit, the Company establishes a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance is a non-cash charge, and does not limit the Company's ability to utilize its deferred tax assets, including its ability to utilize tax loss and credit carryforward amounts, against future taxable income.
The Company assessed all available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of existing deferred tax assets in each taxpaying jurisdiction. On the basis of this evaluation, as of February 26, 2022, a valuation allowance of $224.3 million was recorded against the Company's net federal and state deferred tax assets as it is not more likely than not that these assets would be realized.
As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the Company had also recorded a valuation allowance of $25.2 million and $15.5 million, respectively, relative to the Company's Canadian net deferred tax asset, as the Company did not believe the deferred tax assets in that jurisdiction were more likely than not to be realized.
The following table summarizes the activity related to the gross unrecognized tax benefits from uncertain tax positions:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | February 26, 2022 | | February 27, 2021 |
Balance at beginning of year | $ | 105,749 | | | $ | 51,781 | |
| | | |
Increase related to current year positions | 1,125 | | | 69,106 | |
| | | |
Decrease related to prior year positions | (1,902) | | | (2,797) | |
Settlements | (2,340) | | | (4,981) | |
Lapse of statute of limitations | (7,114) | | | (7,360) | |
| | | |
Balance at end of year | $ | 95,518 | | | $ | 105,749 | |
Gross unrecognized tax benefits are classified in non-current income taxes payable (or a contra deferred tax asset) on the consolidated balance sheet for uncertain tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) on a tax return. As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, approximately $95.5 million and $105.7 million, respectively, of gross unrecognized tax benefits would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits included approximately $8.6 million and $8.1 million, respectively, of accrued interest. The Company recognizes interest and penalties for unrecognized tax benefits, as applicable, in income tax expense. The Company recorded an increase to accrued interest of approximately $0.5 million for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 and a decrease of approximately $1.5 million for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021 for gross unrecognized tax benefits in the consolidated statement of earnings.
The Company anticipates that any adjustments to gross unrecognized tax benefits which will impact income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitations, could be approximately $5.8 million in the next twelve months. However, actual results could differ from those currently anticipated.
As of February 26, 2022, the Company operated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico and files income tax returns in the United States and various state, local and international jurisdictions. The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax year 2017. The Company is open to examination for state, foreign and local jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations, generally ranging from 3 to 5 years.
The following table summarizes the reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the federal statutory rate:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fiscal Year Ended |
| | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 | February 29, 2020 |
| | | | |
Federal statutory rate | | 21.00 | % | 21.00 | % | 21.00 | % |
State income tax rate, net of federal impact | | 3.87 | | 3.94 | | 4.28 | |
Uncertain tax positions | | 2.16 | | 1.63 | | 1.33 | |
| | | | |
Goodwill non-deductible impairment charges | | — | | — | | (4.84) | |
Tax deficiencies related to stock-based compensation | | (0.81) | | (3.18) | | (3.07) | |
Tax credits | | 0.38 | | 0.41 | | 0.49 | |
CARES Act | | 0.94 | | 35.98 | | — | |
Valuation Allowance | | (48.01) | | (7.74) | | — | |
Canadian Branch Earnings | | 1.60 | | 0.78 | | 0.90 | |
Other | | 0.47 | | 2.35 | | (0.34) | |
| | (18.40) | % | 55.17 | % | 19.75 | % |
9. TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES WITH RELATED PARTIES
On April 21, 2019, Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein transitioned to the role of Co-Founders and Co-Chairmen Emeriti of the Board of Directors of the Company. As a result of this transition, Messrs. Eisenberg and Feinstein ceased to be officers of the Company effective as of April 21, 2019, and became entitled to the payments and benefits provided under their employment agreements that apply in the case of termination without cause, which generally include continued senior status payments until May 2027 and continued participation for Co-Founders (and their spouses, if applicable) at the Company’s expense in employee plans and programs. In addition, the Co-Founders remain entitled to supplemental pension payments specified in their employment agreements of $200,000 per year (as adjusted for a cost of living increase), until the death of the survivor of the applicable Co-Founder and his spouse, reduced by the continued senior status payments referenced above.
Pursuant to their respective restricted stock and performance stock unit agreements, shares of restricted stock and performance-based stock units granted to Messrs. Eisenberg and Feinstein vested upon their resignation as members of the Board of Directors effective May 1, 2019, subject, however, to attainment of any applicable performance goals and the certification of the applicable performance-based tests by the Compensation Committee, as provided under their award agreements.
10. LEASES
The Company leases retail stores, as well as distribution facilities, offices and equipment, under agreements expiring at various dates through 2041. The leases provide for original lease terms that generally range from 10 to 15 years and most leases provide for a series of five year renewal options, often at increased rents, the exercise of which is at the Company's sole discretion. Certain leases provide for contingent rents (which are based upon store sales exceeding stipulated amounts and are immaterial in Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019), scheduled rent increases and renewal options. The Company is obligated under a majority of the leases to pay for taxes, insurance and common area maintenance charges.
The Company subleases certain real estate to unrelated third parties, all of which have been classified as operating leases. The Company recognizes sublease income on a straight-line basis over the sublease term, which generally ranges from 5 to 10 years. Most sublease arrangements provide for a series of five year renewal options, the exercise of which are at the Company's sole discretion.
The Company regularly negotiates lease terms with landlords, including in connection with its transformation initiatives. Beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2020, in order to maintain liquidity given temporary store closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (see "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Note 2), the Company withheld portions of and/or delayed or deferred payments to certain landlords, including in connection with renegotiations of lease terms. In some instances, the renegotiations led to agreements with landlords for rent abatements or rental deferrals. In Fiscal 2021, the Company has continued to withhold payments to certain landlords in connection with certain negotiations of payment terms. Total payments withheld and/or delayed or deferred as of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021 were approximately $1.9 million and $9.6 million, respectively, and are included in current liabilities.
In accordance with the FASB’s Staff Q&A regarding rent concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has elected to account for the concessions agreed to by landlords that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee as though enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions existed in the original lease agreements and the Company has elected to not remeasure the related lease liabilities and right-of-use assets. For qualifying rent abatement concessions, the Company has recorded negative lease expense for the amount of the concession during the period of relief, and for qualifying deferrals of rental payments, the Company has recognized a non-interest bearing payable in lieu of recognizing a decrease in cash for the lease payment that would have been made based on the original terms of the lease agreement, which will be reduced when the deferred payment is made in the future. During the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the Company recognized reduced rent expense of $2.7 million and $10.3 million, respectively, related to rent abatement concessions.
The components of total lease cost for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | Statement of Operations Location | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 |
Operating lease cost | Cost of sales and SG&A | $ | 449,394 | | $ | 582,168 | |
Finance lease cost: | | | |
Depreciation of property | SG&A | 184 | | 2,500 | |
Interest on lease liabilities | Interest expense, net | 1,886 | | 7,755 | |
Variable lease cost | Cost of sales and SG&A | 152,259 | | 189,485 | |
Sublease income | SG&A | (43,922) | | (12,574) | |
Total lease cost | | $ | 559,801 | | $ | 769,334 | |
As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, assets and liabilities related to the Company's operating and finance leases were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | Consolidated Balance Sheet Location | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 |
Assets | | | |
Operating leases | Operating lease assets | $ | 1,562,857 | | $ | 1,587,101 | |
Finance leases | Property and equipment, net | 38,790 | | — | |
Total Lease assets | | $ | 1,601,647 | | $ | 1,587,101 | |
| | | |
Liabilities | | | |
Current: | | | |
Operating leases | Current operating lease liabilities | $ | 346,506 | | $ | 360,061 | |
Finance leases | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 2,494 | | — | |
Noncurrent: | | | |
Operating leases | Operating lease liabilities | 1,508,002 | | 1,509,767 | |
Finance leases | Other liabilities | 35,447 | | — | |
Total lease liabilities | | $ | 1,892,449 | | $ | 1,869,828 | |
At February 26, 2022, the Company has entered into two operating leases, which have not yet commenced, for a regional distribution center and a store, both expected to open in Fiscal 2022. The aggregate minimum rental payments over the term of the lease of approximately $107.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively, are not included in the above table.
As of February 26, 2022, the Company's lease liabilities mature as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | Operating Leases | | Finance Leases | | |
Fiscal Year: | | | | | | |
2022 | | $ | 444,562 | | | $ | 7,369 | | | |
2023 | | 388,183 | | | 11,636 | | | |
2024 | | 334,178 | | | 11,636 | | | |
2025 | | 272,790 | | | 11,636 | | | |
2026 | | 202,690 | | | 11,636 | | | |
Thereafter | | 643,824 | | | 59,531 | | | |
Total lease payments | | $ | 2,286,227 | | | $ | 113,444 | | | |
Less imputed interest | | (431,719) | | | (75,503) | | | |
Present value of lease liabilities | | $ | 1,854,508 | | | $ | 37,941 | | | |
The Company's lease terms and discount rates were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 |
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) | | | |
Operating leases | | 7.0 years | 6.8 years |
Finance leases | | 10.0 years | — | |
Weighted-average discount rate | | | |
Operating leases | | 6.0 | % | 6.4 | % |
Finance leases | | 8.4 | % | — | % |
Other information with respect to the Company's leases is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | February 26, 2022 | February 27, 2021 |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | | | |
Operating cash flows from operating leases | | $ | 450,082 | | $ | 646,981 | |
Operating cash flows from finance leases | | 1,886 | | 9,295 | |
Financing cash flows from finance leases | | 1,033 | | — | |
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | | 359,933 | | 305,614 | |
Financing lease assets obtained in exchange for new financing lease liabilities | | 38,974 | | — | |
In Fiscal 2019, the Company completed a sale-leaseback transaction on approximately 2.1 million square feet of owned real estate, which generated approximately $267.3 million in proceeds. As a result of the transaction, the Company recorded a loss, including transaction costs of approximately $5.7 million, of approximately $33.1 million which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020. All leases entered into as a result of the sale-leaseback transaction were classified as operating leases. For certain assets included in the transaction, the Company determined that the fair value of the assets was less than the consideration received. As a result, the Company recognized a financing obligation in the amount of $14.5 million, for the additional financing obtained from the buyer. As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the financing obligation amounted to approximately $13.0 million and $13.8 million, respectively, of which approximately $0.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively, is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and approximately $12.3 million and $13.1 million, respectively, is included in other liabilities, in the consolidated balance sheets.
11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company has three defined contribution savings plans covering all eligible employees of the Company (the "Plans"). Participants of the Plans may defer annual pre-tax compensation subject to statutory and Plan limitations. In addition, a certain percentage of an employee’s contributions are matched by the Company and vest over a specified period of time, subject to certain statutory and Plan limitations. The Company’s match was approximately $6.2 million, $10.6 million, and $13.7 million for Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, which was expensed as incurred.
Defined Benefit Plan
During Fiscal 2020, upon the divestiture of CTS, the Company retained liability for a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for CTS employees hired on or before July 31, 2003, who met specified age and length-of-service requirements.
During Fiscal 2021, the Company received final approval to terminate the plan, upon which the Company contributed $5.1 million to the plan. Using plan assets, the Company purchased a non-participating group annuity contract for certain participants and made lump sum distributions to all remaining participants. Net periodic pension cost included in the consolidated statement of operations includes the pre-tax release of $13.5 million from other comprehensive income in connection with the settlement of the plan, which is recorded within loss on sale of businesses. As of February 26, 2022, the Company had no liability remaining related to the plan.
During Fiscal 2020, the Company released $2.1 million from other comprehensive income in connection with the partial settlement of the plan, recorded within loss on sale of businesses, including impairment of assets held for sale, in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, as of February 27, 2021, the Company recognized a loss of $8.4 million, net of tax of $3.0 million, within accumulated other comprehensive loss. As of February 27, 2021, the Company had liabilities of $3.6 million, which is included in other liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
The remaining net periodic pension cost recorded during Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was not material to the Company’s results of operations.
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
A putative securities class action was filed on April 14, 2020 against the Company and three of its officers and/or directors (Mark Tritton, Mary Winston (the Company’s former Interim Chief Executive Officer) and Robyn D’Elia (the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer)) in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (the "New Jersey federal court"). The case, which is captioned Vitiello v. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-04240-MCA-MAH, asserts claims under §§ 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of the Company’s securities from October 2, 2019 through February 11, 2020. The Complaint alleges that certain of the Company’s disclosures about financial performance and certain other public statements during the putative class period were materially false or misleading. A similar putative securities class action, asserting the same claims on behalf of the same putative class against the same defendants, was filed on April 30, 2020. That case, captioned Kirkland v. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-05339-MCA-MAH, is also pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. On August 14, 2020, the court consolidated the two cases and appointed Kavin Bakhda as lead plaintiff pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (as consolidated, the "Securities Class Action"). Lead plaintiff and additional named plaintiff Richard Lipka filed an Amended Class Action Complaint on October 20, 2020, on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of the Company’s securities from September 4, 2019 through February 11, 2020. Defendants moved to dismiss the Amended Complaint on December 21, 2020.
After a mediation held in August 2021, a settlement in principle was reached between the Company and lead plaintiff in the Securities Class Action. The settlement has been executed and was preliminarily approved by the New Jersey Federal Court in February 2022. If the settlement is granted final approval, the Securities Class Action will be fully resolved and the matter will be dismissed. The Company has recorded a liability for the Securities Class Action, based on the agreed settlement amount and insurance coverage available.
On July 10, 2020, the first of three related shareholder derivative actions was filed in the New Jersey federal court on behalf of the Company against various present and former directors and officers. The case, which is captioned Salu v. Tritton, et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-08673-MCA-MAH (D.N.J.), asserts claims under §§ 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and waste of corporate assets under state law arising from the events underlying the securities class actions described above and from the Company’s repurchases of its own shares during the class period pled in the securities cases. The two other derivative actions, which assert similar claims, are captioned Grooms v. Tritton, et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-09610-SDW-RDW (D.N.J.) (filed July 29, 2020), and Mantia v. Fleming, et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-09763-MCA-MAH (D.N.J.) (filed July 31, 2020). On August 5, 2020, the court signed a stipulation by the parties in the Salu case to stay that action pending disposition of a motion to dismiss in the Securities Class Action, subject to various terms outlined in the stipulation. The parties in all three derivative cases have moved to consolidate them and to apply the Salu stay of proceedings to all three actions. The court granted the motion on October 14, 2020, but the stay was subsequently lifted. On January 4, 2022, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss this case.
On August 28, 2020, another related shareholder derivative action, captioned Schneider v. Tritton, et al., Index No 516051/2020, was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings. The claims pled in the Schneider case are similar to those pled in the three federal derivative cases, except that the Schneider complaint does not plead claims under the Exchange Act. On September 21, 2020, the parties filed a stipulation seeking to stay that action pending disposition of a motion to dismiss in the securities class action, subject to various terms and conditions.
On June 11, 2021, an additional related derivative action was filed on behalf of the Company against certain present and former directors and officers. This Complaint is entitled Michael Anthony v Mark Tritton et. al., Index No. 514167/2021 and was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Kings County. The claims are substantially the same as in the other two derivative actions. On October 26, 2021, the court consolidated the Schneider and Anthony actions, and the plaintiffs subsequently filed a consolidated complaint. On January 10, 2022, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss this case.
The derivative cases were not included in the August 2021 settlement referred to above, but after mediation, a settlement in principle was reached subsequent to year-end. The settlement remains subject to documentation and must be approved by the Court.
The District Attorney's office for the County of Ventura, together with District Attorneys for other counties in California (together, the "District Attorneys"), recently concluded an investigation regarding the management and disposal at the Company’s stores in California of certain materials that may be deemed hazardous or universal waste under California law. On March 19, 2019, the District Attorneys provided the Company with a settlement demand that included a proposed civil penalty, reimbursement of investigation costs, and certain injunctive relief, including modifications to the Company’s existing compliance program, which already includes associate training, ongoing review of disposal rules applicable to various product categories, and specialized third-party disposal. During Fiscal 2020, the Company and the District Attorneys agreed to final terms on a settlement payment of approximately $1.5 million to resolve the matter. The Company has also agreed to spend $171,000 over the next 36 months on refinements to its compliance program. The Company and District Attorneys executed a Stipulated Judgment to this effect, which was recently filed with the court. As of February 29, 2020, the Company had recorded an accrual for the estimated probable loss for this matter, and the Company made the related settlement payment during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020.
On April 21, 2019, Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein transitioned to the role of Co-Founders and Co-Chairmen Emeriti of the Board of Directors of the Company. As a result of this transition, Mr. Eisenberg and Mr. Feinstein ceased to be officers of the Company effective as of April 21, 2019, and became entitled to the payments and benefits provided under their employment agreements that apply in the case of a termination without cause, which generally include continued senior status payments until May 2027 and continued participation for the Co-Founders (and their spouses, if applicable) at the Company’s expense in employee plans and programs. In addition, the Co-Founders remain entitled to supplemental pension payments specified in their employment agreements of $200,000 per year (as adjusted for a cost of living increase), until the death of the survivor of the applicable Co-Founder and his spouse, reduced by the continued senior status payments referenced above.
Pursuant to their respective restricted stock and performance stock unit agreements, shares of restricted stock and performance-based stock units granted to Messrs. Eisenberg and Feinstein vested upon their resignation as members of the Board of Directors effective May 1, 2019, subject, however, to attainment of any applicable performance goals and the certification of the applicable performance-based tests by the Compensation Committee, as provided under their award agreements.
The Company’s former Chief Executive Officer (the "Former CEO") departed the Company effective as of May 12, 2019. In accordance with the terms of the Former CEO's employment and equity award agreements, the Former CEO was entitled to three times his then-current salary, payable over three years in normal payroll installments, except that any amount due prior to the six months after his departure, was paid in a lump sum after such six month period. Such amounts will be reduced by any compensation earned with any subsequent employer or otherwise and will be subject to the Former CEO's compliance with a one-year non-competition and non-solicitation covenant. On October 21, 2019, the Former CEO entered into an agreement (the "Former CEO PSU Settlement Agreement") with the Company to reduce the PSUs held by him by an excess amount of outstanding PSUs granted to the Former CEO in the Company’s 2018 fiscal year as a result of the use of the Fiscal 2017 peer group in lieu of the Fiscal 2018 peer group. Further, as a result of this departure, the time-vesting component of the Former CEO's stock-based awards accelerated, including (i) stock options (which were "underwater" and expired without having been exercised by the Former CEO), (ii) PSU awards which had previously met the related performance-based test, had been certified by the Compensation Committee, and remained subject solely to time-vesting, and (iii) PSU awards (assuming target level of performance) which remain subject to attainment of any performance goals and the certification of the applicable performance-based tests by the Compensation Committee, as provided under his award agreements and subject to the terms of the Former CEO PSU Settlement Agreement.
In addition, the Company maintains employment agreements with other executives which provide for severance pay.
In connection with the sale of PMall (see "Assets Held for Sale and Divestitures", Note 16), the Company agreed to indemnify 1-800-FLOWERS.COM for certain litigation matters then existing at the time of the close of the transaction, including certain matters for which the Company is entitled to indemnification from the former owner of PMall in connection with the Company's purchase of PMall in Fiscal 2016. During Fiscal 2021, the Company recorded a liability for one such matter and a corresponding asset based on the Company's assessment of the ability to recover the expected loss under the indemnification provided at the time of its purchase of PMall.
The Company records an estimated liability related to its various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business when and to the extent that it concludes a liability is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Such estimated loss is based on available information and advice from outside counsel, where appropriate. As additional information becomes available, the Company reassesses the potential liability related to claims and legal actions and revises its estimated liabilities, as appropriate. The Company expects the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. The Company also cannot predict the nature and validity of claims which could be asserted in the future, and future claims could have a material impact on its earnings.
13. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The Company paid income taxes of $5.2 million, $4.8 million, and $44.8 million in Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. In addition, the Company had interest payments of approximately $66.0 million, $75.5 million, and $81.2 million in Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
In Fiscal 2021, the Company acquired property, plant and equipment of approximately $39.0 million under finance lease arrangements.
The Company recorded an accrual for capital expenditures of $63.4 million, $44.6 million, and $36.9 million as of February 26, 2022, February 27, 2021, and February 29, 2020, respectively.
In addition, the Company recorded an accrual for dividends payable of $0.9 million, $2.1 million, $26.4 million as of February 26, 2022, February 27, 2021, and February 29, 2020, respectively.
14. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
The Company has authorization to make repurchases of shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations.
Between December 2004 and April 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, through several share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $12.950 billion of its shares of common stock. The Company also acquires shares of its common stock to cover employee related taxes withheld on vested restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock unit awards. Since the initial authorization in December 2004, the aggregate total of common stock repurchased is approximately 262.2 million shares for a total cost of approximately $11.685 billion. The Company had approximately $1.267 billion remaining of authorized share repurchases as of February 26, 2022.
Decisions regarding share repurchases are within the discretion of the Board of Directors, and are influenced by a number of factors, including the price of the Company's common stock, general business and economic conditions, the Company's financial condition and operating results, the emergence of alternative investment or acquisition opportunities, changes in business strategy and other factors. The Company's share repurchase program could change, and could be influenced by several factors, including business and market conditions, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company reviews its alternatives with respect to its capital structure on an ongoing basis. Any future share repurchases will be subject to the determination of the Board of Directors, based on an evaluation of the Company's earnings, financial condition and requirements, business conditions and other factors, including the restrictions on share repurchases under the ABL Facility (see "Long Term Debt," Note 7).
In connection with its share repurchase program, during the twelve months ended February 26, 2022, the Company repurchased approximately 27.7 million shares of its common stock, at a total cost of approximately $574.9 million, including fees. Additionally, during the twelve months ended February 26, 2022, the Company repurchased approximately 0.6 million shares of its common stock, at a total cost of approximately $14.5 million, to cover employee related taxes withheld on vested restricted stock, restricted stock unit awards and performance stock unit awards.
In the first quarter of Fiscal 2020, the Company had postponed share repurchases, but lifted this postponement in October 2020. In October 2020, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association to repurchase $225.0 million of its common stock, subject to market conditions, which settled in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020, resulting in the repurchase of a total of 10.8 million shares. In January 2021, the Company entered into a second accelerated share repurchase agreement to repurchase an aggregate $150.0 million of its common stock, subject to market conditions. This resulted in the repurchase of 5.0 million shares in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020, and an additional 0.2 million shares received upon final settlement in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021.
During Fiscal 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a quarterly dividend program. In March 2020, the Company suspended its future quarterly declarations of cash dividends as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, total cash dividends of $0.7 million, $23.1 million, and $85.5 million, respectively, were paid. Any future quarterly cash dividend payments on its common stock will be subject to the determination by the Board of Directors, based on an evaluation of the Company’s earnings, financial condition and requirements, business conditions and other factors, including the restrictions on the payment of dividends contained in the Amended Credit Agreement (see "Long Term Debt," Note 7).
Cash dividends, if any, are accrued as a liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and recorded as a decrease to retained earnings when declared.
15. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company measures all stock-based compensation awards for employees and non-employee directors using a fair value method and records such expense, net of estimated forfeitures, in its consolidated financial statements. Currently, the Company’s stock-based compensation relates to restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and stock options. The Company’s restricted stock awards are considered nonvested share awards.
Stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022, February 27, 2021, and February 29, 2020 was approximately $35.1 million, $31.6 million, and $45.7 million, respectively. In addition, the amount of stock-based compensation cost capitalized for the years ended February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021 was approximately $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
Incentive Compensation Plans
The Company may grant awards under the Bed Bath & Beyond 2018 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2018 Plan") and the Bed Bath & Beyond 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2012 Plan"). The 2018 Plan includes an aggregate of 4.6 million common shares authorized for issuance of awards permitted under the 2018 Plan, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, performance awards and other stock based awards. The 2018 Plan supplements the 2012 Plan, which amended and restated the Bed Bath & Beyond 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2004 Plan"). The 2012 Plan includes an aggregate of 43.2 million common shares authorized for issuance of awards permitted under the 2012 Plan (similar to the 2018 Plan). Outstanding awards that were covered by the 2004 Plan continue to be in effect under the 2012 Plan.
The terms of the 2012 Plan and the 2018 Plan are substantially similar and enable the Company to offer incentive compensation through stock options (whether nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options), restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other stock based awards, and cash-based awards. Grants are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company for those awards granted to executive officers, and by the Board of Directors of the Company for awards granted to non-employee directors. Stock option grants generally become exercisable in either three or five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant. Restricted stock awards generally become vested in five to seven equal annual installments beginning one to three years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units generally become vested in one to three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant. Performance stock units generally vest at the end of the performance period dependent on the Company's achievement of performance-based tests. Vesting of each of these types of awards is subject, in general, to the recipient remaining in the Company's service on specified vesting dates.
The Company generally issues new shares for stock option exercises, restricted stock awards and vesting of restricted stock units and performance stock units. The 2018 Plan expires in May 2028. The 2012 Plan expires in May 2022.
As described in further detail below, in Fiscal 2020 and 2019, the Company granted stock-based awards to certain of the Company’s new executive officers as inducements material to their commencement of employment and entry into an employment agreement with the Company. The inducement awards were made in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and were not made under the 2012 Plan or the 2018 Plan.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become vested in five to seven equal annual installments beginning one to three years from the date of grant, subject, in general, to the recipient remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. Vesting of restricted stock is based solely on time vesting. As of February 26, 2022, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Company’s restricted stock awards was $8.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.
Changes in the Company’s restricted stock awards for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Shares in thousands) | | Number of Restricted Shares | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
Unvested restricted stock awards, beginning of period | | 935 | | | $ | 34.34 | |
Granted | | 47 | | | 29.58 | |
Vested | | (324) | | | 39.01 | |
Forfeited | | (186) | | | 29.96 | |
Unvested restricted stock awards, end of period | | 472 | | | $ | 32.38 | |
Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs")
RSUs are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become vested in one to three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, subject, in general, to the recipient remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. RSUs are converted into shares of common stock upon vesting. As of February 26, 2022, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Company’s RSUs was $29.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
Changes in the Company’s RSUs for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Shares in thousands) | | Number of Restricted Stock Units | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
Unvested restricted stock units, beginning of period | | 2,270 | | | $ | 14.04 | |
Granted | | 1,108 | | | 24.91 | |
Vested | | (420) | | | 17.03 | |
Forfeited | | (358) | | | 22.16 | |
Unvested restricted stock units, end of period | | 2,600 | | | $ | 17.07 | |
Performance Stock Units ("PSUs")
PSUs are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant using the following performance periods and performance metrics. The performance metrics generally include one or more of Earnings Before Interest and Taxes ("EBIT"), Total Shareholder Return relative to a peer group ("TSR"), Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") or Gross Margin Percentage ("GM") compared with the Company's peer groups as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Fiscal Year | Performance Period | Performance Metrics | Target Achievement Range (%) |
2019 | 3 years | TSR and EBIT | 0% - 150% |
2020 | 3 years | TSR | 0% - 150% |
2021 | 3 years | TSR and GM | 0% - 200% |
For the PSUs granted in Fiscal 2018, the three year performance-based tests based on a combination of EBIT margin and ROIC were not met in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 and therefore, there was no payment of these awards following vesting.
Vesting of PSUs awarded to certain of the Company’s executives is dependent on the Company’s achievement of a performance-based test from the date of grant, during the performance period and, assuming achievement of the performance-based test, vest at the end of the performance period noted above, subject, in general, to the executive remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. PSUs are converted into shares of common stock upon payment following vesting. Upon grant of the PSUs, the Company recognizes compensation expense related to these awards based on the Company’s estimate of the percentage of the award that will be achieved. The Company evaluates the estimate on these awards on a quarterly basis and adjusts compensation expense related to these awards, as appropriate. As of February 26, 2022, there was $15.8 million of unrecognized compensation expense associated with these awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.
The fair value of the PSUs granted in Fiscal 2021 for which performance during the three-year period will be based on a relative three-year Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") goal relative to a peer group was estimated on the date of the grant using a Monte Carlo simulation that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.
| | | | | | | | |
| | Fiscal Year Ended |
Monte Carlo Simulation Assumptions | | February 26, 2022 |
Risk Free Interest Rate | | 0.29 | % |
Expected Dividend Yield | | — | % |
Expected Volatility | | 52.21 | % |
Expected Term (in years) | | 3 years |
Changes in the Company’s PSUs for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Shares in thousands) | | Number of Performance Stock Units | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
Unvested performance stock units, beginning of period | | 1,475 | | | $ | 14.36 | |
Granted | | 634 | | | 29.00 | |
Vested | | (17) | | | 12.38 | |
Forfeited | | (794) | | | 17.62 | |
Unvested performance stock units, end of period | | 1,298 | | | $ | 19.55 | |
Stock Options
Stock option grants were issued at fair market value on the date of grant and generally became exercisable in either three or five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, subject, in general, to the recipient remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. Option grants expired eight years after the date of grant. All option grants were nonqualified. During the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021, the remaining 822,633 options outstanding were forfeited and there were no options outstanding as of February 27, 2021.
For the fiscal years ended February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, no stock options were granted. For stock options granted in Fiscal 2019, the fair value of these stock options granted were estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that used the assumptions noted in the table below. The weighted average fair value for the stock options granted in Fiscal 2019 was $4.18.
| | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended |
Black-Scholes Valuation Assumptions (1) | February 29, 2020 |
Weighted Average Expected Life (in years) (2) | 7.6 years |
Weighted Average Expected Volatility (3) | 39.41 | % |
Weighted Average Risk Free Interest Rates (4) | 2.39 | % |
Expected Dividend Yield (5) | 4.34 | % |
________________________
(1) Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.
(2) The expected life of stock options was estimated based on historical experience.
(3) Expected volatility was based on the average of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility was determined by observing actual prices of the Company’s stock over a period commensurate with the expected life of the awards. The implied volatility represented the implied volatility of the Company’s call options, which were actively traded on multiple exchanges, had remaining maturities in excess of twelve months, had market prices close to the exercise prices of the employee stock options and were measured on the stock option grant date.
(4) Based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate whose term was consistent with the expected life of the stock options.
(5) Expected dividend yield was estimated based on anticipated dividend payouts.
No stock options were exercised during Fiscal 2021 and 2020. The total intrinsic value for stock options exercised during Fiscal 2019 was $0.1 million.
Inducement Awards
In Fiscal 2020 and 2019, the Company granted stock-based awards to certain of the Company’s new executive officers as inducements material to their commencement of employment and entry into an employment agreement with the Company. These inducement awards were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and did not require shareholder approval in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
RSUs granted as inducement awards are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become vested in one to three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, subject, in general, to the recipient remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. Changes in the RSUs granted as inducement awards for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Shares in thousands) | | Number of Restricted Stock Units | | Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
Unvested restricted stock units, beginning of period | | 949 | | | $ | 7.36 | |
Granted | | — | | | — | |
Vested | | (512) | | | 8.43 | |
Forfeited | | — | | | — | |
Unvested restricted stock units, end of period | | 437 | | | $ | 6.10 | |
On November 4, 2019, in connection with the appointment of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company also granted inducement awards consisting of 273,735 PSU awards, which are not included above. The PSUs vested over two years, based on performance goals requiring the President and CEO to prepare and deliver to the Board of Directors key objectives and goals for the Company and the strategies and initiatives for the achievement of such objectives and goals, and the President and CEO's provision of updates to the Board of Directors regarding achievement of such goals and objectives. Vesting of the PSUs was also subject, in general, to the President and CEO remaining in the Company’s service through the vesting date of November 4, 2021. On November 2, 2021, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determined that the performance goals established for the awards had been met, and the awards vested in full.
Other than with respect to the vesting terms described above for the inducement awards to the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, inducement awards are generally subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as awards that are made under the 2018 Plan.
During Fiscal 2020, the Company granted 816,158 RSUs to executive officers of the Company, pursuant to inducement award agreements. During Fiscal 2021, an executive officer's employment with the Company was terminated and, as a result, 160,255 awards vested in accordance with the terms of the awards.
As of February 26, 2022, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Company's inducement awards was $1.6 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years. Each inducement award recipient must hold at least fifty percent (50%) of the after-tax shares of common stock received pursuant to the inducement awards until they have satisfied the terms of the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.
16. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DIVESTITURES
Assets Held for Sale
The Company has included businesses classified as held for sale within its continuing operations as their dispositions do not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. As of February 26, 2022 and February 27, 2021, the Company did not have any businesses classified as held for sale.
Prior to the end of Fiscal 2020, certain assets and liabilities of Cost Plus World Market, Personalization Mall.com ("PMall") and One Kings Lane ("OKL") were classified as held for sale on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. CPWM, PMall, and OKL were sold during Fiscal 2020, as further described below.
Divestitures
Cost Plus World Market. On December 14, 2020, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to sell Cost Plus World Market to Kingswood Capital Management. On January 15, 2021, the Company completed the sale of Cost Plus World Market. Proceeds from the sale were approximately $63.7 million, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments. The Company recognized a loss on sale of approximately $72.0 million in loss on sale of businesses including impairment of assets held for sale in its consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021. The $72.0 million loss on sale includes an impairment of $54.0 million recorded in the third quarter of Fiscal 2020 to remeasure the disposal group that was classified as held for sale to the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell, recorded in impairments, including on assets held for sale.
Christmas Tree Shops. On October 11, 2020, the Company entered into definitive agreements to sell Christmas Tree Shops ("CTS") to Handil Holdings LLC and to sell one of the CTS distribution facilities to an institutional buyer, with a leaseback term of nine months, to provide business continuity to the Company for some of its operations currently using the facility. These transactions were completed during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020, generating approximately $233.3 million in proceeds, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments, and the Company recognized a loss on sale of approximately $53.8 million, which was recorded in loss on sale of businesses including impairment of assets held for sale in its consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021. In Fiscal 2021, the Company recorded an additional loss of sale of CTS of $13.5 million related to the settlement of the CTS Pension Plan.
Linen Holdings. On October 11, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell Linen Holdings to The Linen Group, LLC, an affiliate of Lion Equity Partners. On October 24, 2020, the Company completed the sale of Linen Holdings for approximately $10.1 million, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments, and recognized a loss on the sale of $64.6 million, which was recorded in loss on sale of businesses including impairment of assets held for sale in its consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021.
PersonalizationMall.com. On February 14, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell PersonalizationMall.com ("PMall") to 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. for $252.0 million, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments. The buyer was required to close the transaction on March 30, 2020, but failed to do so. Accordingly, the Company had filed an action to require the buyer to close the transaction. On July 20, 2020, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with respect to the litigation. Under this agreement, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM agreed to move forward with its purchase of PMall from the Company for $245.0 million, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments. The transaction closed on August 3, 2020. Net proceeds from the sale of PMall were $244.6 million, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments, and the Company recognized a gain on the sale of approximately $189.3 million, which was recorded in loss on sale of businesses including impairment of assets held for sale in its consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended February 27, 2021. Upon the close of the transaction, Bed Bath & Beyond withdrew the litigation against 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and 800-FLOWERS, INC.
In connection with the sale of PMall, the Company agreed to indemnify 1-800-FLOWERS.COM for certain litigation matters then existing at the time of the close of the transaction, including certain matters for which the Company is entitled to indemnification from the former owner of PMall in connection with the Company's purchase of PMall in Fiscal 2016 (see "Commitments and Contingencies" Note 12 for additional information.)
One Kings Lane. On April 13, 2020, the Company completed the sale of One Kings Lane ("OKL"). Proceeds from the sale were not material.
During the fiscal year ended February 26, 2022, the Company recognized approximately $18.2 million of loss on the sale of these businesses primarily associated with the Fiscal 2021 settlement of the CTS pension plan (see "Employee Benefit Plans" Note 11) and certain working capital and other adjustments related to the above divestitures.