UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 8-K
 


CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 24, 2020

 

J.JILL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 


Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
001-38026
(Commission File Number)
45-1459825
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

4 Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02169
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(617) 376-4300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
JILL
 
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company  ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐


Item 3.01
Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing
On March 24, 2020, J.Jill, Inc. (the “Company”) received written notice (the “Notice”) from the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) that the Company is no longer in compliance with the NYSE continued listing standards set forth in Section 802.01C of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual, which requires listed companies to maintain an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period.

The Company has a period of six months following the receipt of the Notice to regain compliance with the minimum share price requirement.  In order to regain compliance, on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period, the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Shares”), must have (i) a closing price of at least $1.00 per share and (ii) an average closing price of at least $1.00 per share over the 30-trading day period ending on the last trading day of such month.  If the Company is unable to regain compliance, the NYSE will initiate procedures to suspend and delist the Common Shares.

The Notice has no immediate impact on the listing of the Company’s Common Shares, which will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE during the cure period, subject to the Company’s compliance with the other listing requirements of the NYSE.  The Common Shares will continue to trade under the symbol “JILL.BC” to indicate the status of the Common Shares as “below compliance” with the NYSE continued listing standards. The “.BC” indicator will be removed at such time as the Company regains compliance.

The Notice does not affect the Company’s business operations or its reporting obligations with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and it does not conflict with or cause an event of default under any of the Company’s material debt or other agreements.

Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
On March 30, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing the receipt of the Notice.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this report (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains, and oral statements made from time to time by our representatives may contain, “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include statements identified by words such as “could,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “continues,” “projects” and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding capital market conditions, our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the Company and the economy as a whole, the Company’s ability to develop a plan to regain compliance with the continued listing criteria of the NYSE; the NYSE’s acceptance of such plan; the Company’s ability to execute such plan and to continue to comply with applicable listing standards within the available cure period; risks arising from the potential suspension of trading of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE; regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions, including risks regarding our ability to manage inventory or anticipate consumer demand; changes in consumer confidence and spending; our competitive environment; our failure to open new profitable stores or successfully enter new markets and other factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019. Any forward-looking statement made in this report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. J.Jill undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)           Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
   
99.1



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 30, 2020
  J.JILL, INC.  
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Mark Webb  
  Name: 
Mark Webb
 
  Title: 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
       
 



EXHIBIT 99.1



J.JILL, INC. RECEIVES CONTINUED LISTING STANDARD NOTICE FROM THE NYSE
Quincy, MA – March 30, 2020 – J.Jill, Inc. (NYSE:JILL) today announced that on March 24, 2020, it received notice (the “Notice”) from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) that it is no longer in compliance with the NYSE continued listing standards set forth in Section 802.01C of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual, which requires listed companies to maintain an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period.
The Company has a period of six months following the receipt of the Notice to regain compliance with the minimum share price requirement.  In order to regain compliance, on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period, the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Shares”), must have (i) a closing price of at least $1.00 per share and (ii) an average closing price of at least $1.00 per share over the 30-trading day period ending on the last trading day of such month.  If the Company is unable to regain compliance, the NYSE will initiate procedures to suspend and delist the Common Shares.
The Notice has no immediate impact on the listing of the Company’s Common Shares, which will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE during the cure period, subject to the Company’s compliance with the other listing requirements of the NYSE.  The Common Shares will continue to trade under the symbol “JILL.BC” to indicate the status of the Common Shares as “below compliance” with the NYSE continued listing standards. The “.BC” indicator will be removed at such time as the Company regains compliance.
The Notice does not affect the Company’s business operations or its reporting obligations with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and it does not conflict with or cause an event of default under any of the Company’s material debt or other agreements.
About J.Jill, Inc.
J.Jill is a premier omnichannel retailer and nationally recognized women’s apparel brand committed to delighting customers with great wear-now product. The brand represents an easy, thoughtful and inspired style that reflects the confidence of remarkable women who live life with joy, passion and purpose. J.Jill offers a guiding customer experience through more than 280 stores nationwide and a robust e-commerce platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston. For more information, please visit www.jjill.com or http://investors.jjill.com. The information included on our websites is not incorporated by reference herein.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, and oral statements made from time to time by our representatives may contain, “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include those identified by words such as “could,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “outlook,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “continues,” “projects” and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding capital market conditions, our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the Company and the economy as a whole, the Company’s ability to develop a plan to regain compliance with the continued listing criteria of the NYSE; the NYSE’s acceptance of such plan; the Company’s ability to execute such plan and to continue to comply with applicable listing standards within the available cure period; risks arising from the potential suspension of trading of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE; regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions, including risks regarding our ability to manage inventory or anticipate consumer demand; changes in consumer confidence and spending; our competitive environment; our failure to open new profitable stores or successfully enter new markets and other factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. J.Jill undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

1


Contacts:
Investor Contacts:
Caitlin Churchill
ICR, Inc.
investors@jjill.com
203-682-8200
Media Contact:
Chris Gayton
J.Jill, Inc.
media@jjill.com
617-689-7916



2