UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

 

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2022

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                              to                             .

 

Commission file number: 000-04957

 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

73-0750007

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

5402 South 122nd East Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma

74146

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (918) 622-4522

 

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

 

Common Stock, $.20 par value

EDUC

NASDAQ

(Title of class)

(Trading symbol)

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes ☒   No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

Yes ☒   No ☐

 

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

 

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☒

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☒

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging Growth Company ☐

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes ☐   No ☒

As of June 28, 2022, there were 8,698,838 shares of Educational Development Corporation Common Stock, $0.20 par value outstanding.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

3

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

13

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

20

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

20

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

21

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

21

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

21

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

21

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

21

Item 5.

Other Information

21

Item 6.

Exhibits

22

Signatures

23

 

 

CAUTIONARY REMARKS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The information discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “achievable,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “potential,” “should,” “could,” and similar terms and phrases. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and we can give no assurance that such expectations or assumptions will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are described under “Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2022 and in this quarterly report. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Other than as required under the securities laws, we do not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise.

 

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

 

   

May 31,

   

February 28,

 

ASSETS

 

2022

   

2022

 

CURRENT ASSETS

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,419,400     $ 361,200  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of

$265,000 (May 31) and $336,700 (February 28)

    3,842,900       3,638,800  

Inventories - net

    66,699,500       71,553,600  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    1,021,600       960,500  

Total current assets

    72,983,400       76,514,100  
                 

INVENTORIES - net

    3,851,600       2,055,300  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - net

    29,997,100       30,484,000  

DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSET

    117,300       118,700  

OTHER ASSETS

    728,000       761,600  

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 107,677,400     $ 109,933,700  
                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

CURRENT LIABILITIES

               

Accounts payable

  $ 6,712,800     $ 12,411,800  

Line of credit

    22,508,900       17,723,500  

Deferred revenues

    1,718,000       681,600  

Current maturities of long-term debt

    2,517,500       2,542,200  

Accrued salaries and commissions

    1,620,500       1,890,200  

Dividends payable

    -       870,700  

Income taxes payable

    279,100       241,900  

Other current liabilities

    2,718,900       3,897,900  

Total current liabilities

    38,075,700       40,259,800  
                 

LONG-TERM DEBT - net

    21,820,100       22,409,500  

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

    475,300       498,900  

Total liabilities

    60,371,100       63,168,200  
                 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Common stock, $0.20 par value; Authorized 16,000,000 shares;

Issued 12,702,080 (May 31 and February 28) shares;

Outstanding 8,698,838 (May 31) and 8,707,247 (February 28) shares

    2,540,400       2,540,400  

Capital in excess of par value

    12,642,900       12,246,600  

Retained earnings

    44,740,900       44,525,100  
      59,924,200       59,312,100  

Less treasury stock, at cost

    (12,617,900

)

    (12,546,600

)

Total shareholders' equity

    47,306,300       46,765,500  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

  $ 107,677,400     $ 109,933,700  

 

See notes to condensed financial statements (unaudited).

 

 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)

 

   

Three Months Ended May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

GROSS SALES

  $ 31,338,200     $ 52,391,600  

Less discounts and allowances

    (10,085,200

)

    (15,954,100

)

Transportation revenue

    1,907,900       4,370,400  

NET REVENUES

    23,160,900       40,807,900  

COST OF GOODS SOLD

    7,851,500       12,029,900  

Gross margin

    15,309,400       28,778,000  
                 

OPERATING EXPENSES

               

Operating and selling

    3,770,600       6,442,600  

Sales commissions

    6,871,800       12,966,700  

General and administrative

    4,384,300       5,139,000  

Total operating expenses

    15,026,700       24,548,300  
                 
                 

INTEREST EXPENSE

    388,100       167,800  

OTHER INCOME

    (390,700

)

    (598,700

)

                 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    285,300       4,660,600  
                 

INCOME TAXES

    69,500       1,222,500  

NET EARNINGS

  $ 215,800     $ 3,438,100  
                 

BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

               

Basic

  $ 0.03     $ 0.43  

Diluted

  $ 0.03     $ 0.41  
                 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON AND EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING

               

Basic

    8,086,427       8,029,264  

Diluted

    8,473,610       8,481,980  

Dividends per share

  $ -     $ 0.10  

 

See notes to condensed financial statements (unaudited).

 

 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2022

 

   

Common Stock

(par value $0.20 per share)

                   

Treasury Stock

         
   

Number of

Shares

Issued

   

Amount

   

Capital in

Excess of

Par Value

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Number of

Shares

   

Amount

   

Shareholders'

Equity

 
                                                         

BALANCE - February 28, 2022

    12,702,080     $ 2,540,400     $ 12,246,600     $ 44,525,100       3,994,833     $ (12,546,600

)

  $ 46,765,500  

Sales of treasury stock

    -       -       39,000       -       (7,771

)

    24,400       63,400  

Forfeiture of restricted share awards

    -       -       95,700       -       16,180       (95,700

)

    -  

Share-based compensation expense (see Note 6)

    -       -       261,600       -       -       -       261,600  

Net earnings

    -       -       -       215,800       -       -       215,800  

BALANCE - May 31, 2022

    12,702,080     $ 2,540,400     $ 12,642,900     $ 44,740,900       4,003,242     $ (12,617,900

)

  $ 47,306,300  

 

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021

 

   

Common Stock

(par value $0.20 per share)

                   

Treasury Stock

         
   

Number of

Shares

Issued

   

Amount

   

Capital in

Excess of

Par Value

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Number of

Shares

   

Amount

   

Shareholders'

Equity

 
                                                         

BALANCE - February 28, 2021

    12,410,080     $ 2,482,000     $ 10,863,900     $ 39,683,000       4,063,480     $ (12,769,100

)

  $ 40,259,800  

Sales of treasury stock

    -       -       26,600       -       (1,714

)

    5,400       32,000  

Dividends declared ($0.10/share)

    -       -       -       (834,800

)

    -       -       (834,800

)

Share-based compensation expense (see Note 6)

    -       -       261,600       -       -       -       261,600  

Net earnings

    -       -       -       3,438,100       -       -       3,438,100  

BALANCE - May 31, 2021

    12,410,080     $ 2,482,000     $ 11,152,100     $ 42,286,300       4,061,766     $ (12,763,700

)

  $ 43,156,700  

 

See notes to condensed financial statements (unaudited).

 

 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

   

Three Months Ended May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

               

Net earnings

  $ 215,800     $ 3,438,100  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:

               

Depreciation

    599,600       432,000  

Deferred income taxes

    1,400       237,500  

Provision for doubtful accounts

    (63,600

)

    37,600  

Provision for inventory valuation allowance

    -       60,000  

Share-based compensation expense

    261,600       261,600  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    (140,500

)

    (665,100

)

Inventories - net

    3,057,800       (4,928,000

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    (31,400

)

    (235,400

)

Accounts payable

    (5,699,000

)

    (577,400

)

Accrued salaries and commissions and other liabilities

    (1,472,300

)

    (3,617,000

)

Deferred revenues

    1,036,400       (288,000

)

Income taxes payable

    37,200       967,700  

Total adjustments

    (2,412,800

)

    (8,314,500

)

Net cash used in operating activities

    (2,197,000

)

    (4,876,400

)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

               

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (108,800

)

    (1,617,200

)

Net cash used in investing activities

    (108,800

)

    (1,617,200

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

               

Payments on term debt

    (614,100

)

    (142,300

)

Proceeds from term debt

    -       3,896,200  

Sales of treasury stock

    63,400       32,000  

Net borrowings under line of credit

    4,785,400       3,487,200  

Dividends paid

    (870,700

)

    (835,100

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

    3,364,000       6,438,000  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    1,058,200       (55,600

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD

    361,200       1,812,200  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD

  $ 1,419,400     $ 1,756,600  
                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

               

Cash paid for interest

  $ 370,200     $ 152,400  

Cash paid for income taxes

  $ 52,300     $ 17,200  

 

See notes to condensed financial statements (unaudited).

 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Note 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim condensed financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements include all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed herein. Accordingly, the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. However, we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These interim Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended February 28, 2022 included in our Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year due to the seasonality of our product sales.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 2022 condensed statement of cash flows to conform to the classifications used in fiscal 2023. These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.

 

COVID-19 Update

 

The Company has taken numerous steps, and will continue to take further actions, in its approach to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective May 1, 2021, we lessened our safety and health practices in the office and warehouse based on the recommendations from the local Tulsa Health Department. We are closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and continually assessing its potential effects on our business. The long-term severity and duration of the pandemic are uncertain and the extent to which our results are affected by COVID-19 cannot be accurately predicted. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information on the impact COVID-19 had during the current fiscal period.

 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

 

The preparation of the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

Our significant accounting policies, other than the adoption of new accounting pronouncements separately documented herein, are consistent with those disclosed in Note 1 to our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended February 28, 2022 included in our Form 10-K.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) periodically issues new accounting standards in a continuing effort to improve standards of financial accounting and reporting. We have reviewed the recently issued accounting standards updates (“ASU”) and concluded that the following recently issued accounting standards apply to us:

 

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04: Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease potential accounting impacts associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This ASU includes practical expedients for contract modifications due to reference rate reform. Generally, contract modifications related to reference rate reform may be considered an event that does not require remeasurement or reassessment of a previous accounting determination at the modification date. This ASU is effective March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. With the execution of the Fifth Amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan Agreement the Benchmark Replacement for LIBOR is defined as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR") published by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The change from LIBOR to SOFR did not require remeasurement or reassessment of a previous accounting determination and did not have a material impact to our condensed financial statements.

 

 

Note 2 – INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

   

May 31, 2022

   

February 28, 2022

 

Current:

               

Book inventory

  $ 67,093,400     $ 72,064,400  

Inventory valuation allowance

    (393,900

)

    (510,800

)

Inventories net – current

  $ 66,699,500     $ 71,553,600  
                 

Noncurrent:

               

Book inventory

  $ 4,269,900     $ 2,437,600  

Inventory valuation allowance

    (418,300

)

    (382,300

)

Inventories net – noncurrent

  $ 3,851,600     $ 2,055,300  

 

Inventory in transit totaled $590,700 and $2,732,400 at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively.

 

Book inventory quantities in excess of what we expect will be sold within the normal operating cycle, based on 2½ years of anticipated sales, are included in noncurrent inventory.

 

Significant portions of our inventory purchases are concentrated with an England-based publishing company, Usborne Publishing Limited (“Usborne”). Our distribution agreement includes an annual minimum purchase volume, which if not met may modify the termination provisions from not less than 12 months to not less than 30 days. Purchases received from this company were $3,577,300 and $12,288,300 for the three months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Total inventory purchases received from all suppliers were $5,978,600 and $17,785,200 for the three months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

Note 3 – LEASES

 

We have both lessee and lessor arrangements. Our leases are evaluated at inception or at any subsequent modification. Depending on the terms, leases are classified as either operating or finance leases if we are the lessee, or as operating, sales-type or direct financing leases if we are the lessor, as appropriate under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842 - Leases. Our lessee arrangements include two rental agreements where we have the exclusive use of dedicated office space in San Diego, California, as well as warehouse and office space in Layton, Utah, and both qualify as an operating lease. Our lessor arrangements include three rental agreements for warehouse and office space in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and each qualify as an operating lease under ASC 842.

 

Operating Leases Lessor

 

We recognize fixed rental income on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as other income on our condensed statements of earnings.

 

Future minimum payments receivable under operating leases with terms greater than one year are estimated as follows:

 

Years ending February 28 (29),

       

2023

  $ 1,182,100  

2024

    1,577,900  

2025

    1,547,100  

2026

    1,524,300  

2027

    1,554,800  

Thereafter

    6,536,200  

Total

  $ 13,922,400  

 

The cost of the leased space was $10,834,300 for both May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively. The accumulated depreciation associated with the leased assets was $2,700,000 and $2,603,300 as of May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Both the leased assets and accumulated depreciation are included in property, plant and equipment - net on the condensed balance sheets.

 

 

Note 4 – DEBT

 

Debt consists of the following:

 

   

May 31, 2022

   

February 28, 2022

 
                 

Line of credit

  $ 22,508,900     $ 17,723,500  
                 
                 

Advancing term loan #1

  $ 4,551,200     $ 4,782,600  

Advancing term loan #2

    9,652,700       9,868,400  

Term loan #1

    10,180,800       10,349,100  

Total long-term debt

    24,384,700       25,000,100  
                 

Less current maturities

    (2,517,500

)

    (2,542,200

)

Less debt issue cost

    (47,100

)

    (48,400

)

Long-term debt, net

  $ 21,820,100     $ 22,409,500  

 

The Company executed an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement on February 15, 2021 (as amended the “Loan Agreement”) with MidFirst Bank (“the Bank”), which includes multiple loans. Term Loan #1 Tranche A (“Term Loan #1”), originally totaling $13.4 million, has a fixed interest rate of 3.12% with principal and interest payable monthly and a stated maturity date of December 1, 2025. Term Loan #1 is secured by the primary office, warehouse and land.

 

The Loan Agreement also provides a $20.0 million revolving loan (“line of credit”) through April 11, 2023 with interest payable monthly at the Bank-adjusted Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio, with a minimum rate of 3.00% (the effective rate was 4.02% at May 31, 2022). On April 11, 2022, the Company executed the Fifth Amendment to the Loan Agreement which temporarily increased the maximum revolving principal amount from $20.0 million to $25.0 million. The temporary increase period began on April 11, 2022 and ends on September 15, 2022, at which time the maximum revolving principal will automatically revert back to $20.0 million. Available credit under the revolving line of credit was approximately $582,300 and $2,276,500 at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively.

 

In addition, the Loan Agreement provides a $6.0 million Advancing Term Loan #1 and a $10.0 million Advancing Term Loan #2. The Advancing Term Loan #1 required interest-only payments through July 15, 2021, at which time it was converted to a 60-month amortizing term loan maturing July 15, 2026. Advancing Term Loan #2 is a 120-month amortizing loan maturing November 19, 2031. The Advancing Term Loans #1 and #2 accrue interest at the Bank-adjusted SOFR plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio, with a minimum rate of 3.00% (the effective rate was 4.02% at May 31, 2022).

 

Adjusted Funded Debt is defined as all long-term and short-term bank debt less the outstanding balance of Term Loan #1. EBITDA is defined in the Loan Agreement as net income plus interest expense, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization expenses. The Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio includes Adjusted Funded Debt to trailing twelve months EBITDA, reduced by specific rental income received from a non-related third party (see Note 3). The $25.0 million line of credit is limited to advance rates on eligible receivables and eligible inventory levels.

 

The advancing term loans and the line of credit accrue interest at a tiered rate based on our Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio. The variable interest pricing tiers are as follows:

 

Pricing Tier

 

Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio

 

SOFR Margin (bps)

I

 

> 2.50

 

330.00

II

 

> 2.00 but < 2.50

 

305.00

III

 

> 1.50 but < 2.00

 

280.00

IV

 

< 1.50

 

255.00

 

The Loan Agreement contains a provision for our use of the Bank’s letters of credit. The Bank agrees to issue or obtain issuance of commercial or stand-by letters of credit provided that no letters of credit will have an expiry date later than April 11, 2023 and that the sum of the line of credit plus the letters of credit would not exceed the borrowing base in effect at the time. As of May 31, 2022, we had no letters of credit outstanding.

 

 

The Loan Agreement also contains provisions that require the Company to maintain specified financial ratios and limits any additional debt with other lenders. Additionally, the Loan Agreement places limitations on the amount of dividends that may be distributed and the total value of stock that can be repurchased using advances from the line of credit.

 

The following table reflects aggregate future scheduled maturities of long-term debt during the next five fiscal years and thereafter as follows:

 

Years ending February 28 (29),

       

2023

  $ 1,878,900  

2024

    2,567,300  

2025

    2,622,300  

2026

    10,469,300  

2027

    1,517,700  

Thereafter

    5,329,200  

Total

  $ 24,384,700  

 

Note 5 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding nonvested restricted stock awards. Diluted EPS includes the dilutive effect of issued unvested restricted stock awards and additional potential common shares issuable under stock warrants, restricted stock and stock options. We utilized the treasury stock method in computing the potential common shares issuable under stock warrants, restricted stock and stock options.

 

The computation of weighted average common and common equivalent shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS is shown below:

 

   

Three Months Ended May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

Earnings:

               

Net earnings applicable to common shareholders

  $ 215,800     $ 3,438,100  
                 

Weighted average shares:

               

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

    8,086,427       8,029,264  

Issuance of nonvested restricted shares

    387,183       452,716  

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

    8,473,610       8,481,980  
                 

Earnings per share:

               

Basic

  $ 0.03     $ 0.43  

Diluted

  $ 0.03     $ 0.41  

 

Note 6 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

We account for share-based compensation whereby share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, are measured at estimated fair value at the date of grant. For awards subject to service conditions, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Awards subject to performance conditions are attributed separately for each vesting tranche of the award and are recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. The probability of restricted share awards granted with future performance conditions is evaluated at each reporting period and share awards are updated and compensation expense is adjusted based on updated information.

 

In July 2018, our shareholders approved the Company’s 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2019 LTI Plan”). The 2019 LTI Plan established up to 600,000 shares of restricted stock available to be granted to certain members of management based on exceeding specified net revenues and pre-tax performance metrics during fiscal years 2019, 2020 or 2021. The Company exceeded all defined metrics during these fiscal years and 600,000 shares were granted to members of management according to the Plan. The granted shares under the 2019 LTI Plan “cliff vest” after five years from the fiscal year that the defined metrics were exceeded.

 

 

In July 2021, our shareholders approved the Company’s 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2022 LTI Plan”). The 2022 LTI Plan establishes up to 300,000 shares of restricted stock available to be granted to certain members of management based on exceeding specified net revenues and pre-tax performance metrics during fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The number of restricted shares to be distributed depends on attaining the performance metrics defined by the 2022 LTI Plan and may result in the distribution of a number of shares that is less than, but not greater than, the number of restricted shares outlined in the terms of the 2022 LTI Plan. Restricted shares granted under the 2022 LTI Plan “cliff vest” after five years from the fiscal year that the defined metrics were exceeded.

 

During fiscal year 2019, the Company granted 308,000 restricted shares under the 2019 LTI Plan with an average grant-date fair value of $9.94 per share. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, 5,000 of these restricted shares were forfeited. These shares were made available to be reissued to remaining participants upon forfeiture. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, 10,000 of these restricted shares were forfeited, along with 969 additional shares purchased with dividends received from original issue date. The fiscal year 2023 forfeitures will not be reissued under the 2019 LTI Plan. The remaining compensation expense for the outstanding awards, totaling approximately $472,900, will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period of approximately 9 months.

 

During fiscal year 2021, the Company granted 297,000 restricted shares under the 2019 LTI Plan, including the 5,000 aforementioned shares that were previously forfeited and held in Treasury, with an average grant-date fair value of $6.30 per share. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, 5,000 of these restricted shares were forfeited, along with 211 additional shares purchased with dividends received from original issue date. These shares will not be reissued under the 2019 LTI Plan. The remaining compensation expense of these awards, totaling approximately $1,062,000, will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period of approximately 33 months.

 

As of May 31, 2022, no shares have been granted under the 2022 LTI Plan.

 

A summary of compensation expense recognized in connection with restricted share awards follows:

 

   

Three Months Ended May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 
                 

Share-based compensation expense

  $ 261,600     $ 261,600  

 

The following table summarizes stock award activity during the first three months of fiscal year 2023 under the 2019 LTI Plan:

 

   

Shares

   

Weighted Average Fair Value (per share)

 
                 

Outstanding at February 28, 2022

    600,000     $ 8.14  

Granted

    -       -  

Vested

    -       -  

Forfeited

    (15,000

)

    8.73  

Outstanding at May 31, 2022

    585,000     $ 8.12  

 

As of May 31, 2022, total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested granted or issued restricted shares was $1,534,900, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 25.6 months.

 

Note 7 – SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS

 

We classify shipping and handling costs as operating and selling expenses in the condensed statements of earnings. Shipping and handling costs include postage, freight, handling costs, as well as shipping materials and supplies. These costs were $3,562,600 and $6,356,400 for the three months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

 

Note 8 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

We have two reportable segments: Usborne Books & More (“UBAM”) and Publishing. These reportable segments are business units that offer different methods of distribution to different types of customers. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. Our UBAM segment markets its products through a network of independent sales consultants using a combination of internet sales, direct sales, home shows and book fairs. Our Publishing segment markets its products to retail accounts, which include book, school supply, toy and gift stores and museums, trade and specialty wholesalers, through commissioned sales representatives and our internal tele-sales group.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the rest of the Company. We evaluate segment performance based on earnings before income taxes of the segments, which is defined as segment net revenues reduced by cost of sales and direct expenses. Corporate expenses, depreciation, interest expense and income taxes are not allocated to the segments but are listed in the “Other” row below. Corporate expenses include the executive department, accounting department, information services department, general office management, warehouse operations and building facilities management. Our assets and liabilities are not allocated on a segment basis.

 

Information by reporting segment for the three-month period ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, are as follows:

 

NET REVENUES

 
                 
   

Three Months Ended May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

UBAM

  $ 20,016,800     $ 37,616,900  

Publishing

    3,144,100       3,191,000  

Total

  $ 23,160,900     $ 40,807,900  

 

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 
                 
   

Three Months Ended May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

UBAM

  $ 3,331,200     $ 7,861,200  

Publishing

    749,800       861,600  

Other

    (3,795,700

)

    (4,062,200

)

Total

  $ 285,300     $ 4,660,600  

 

Note 9 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The following methods and assumptions are used in estimating the fair-value disclosures for financial instruments:

 

 

-

The carrying amounts reported in the condensed balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

 

-

The estimated fair value of our term notes payable is estimated by management to approximate $23,364,100 and $24,521,600 as of May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Management's estimates are based on the obligations' characteristics, including floating interest rate, maturity, and collateral.

 

Note 10 – DEFERRED REVENUES

 

The Company’s UBAM division receives payments on orders in advance of shipment. Any payments received prior to the end of the period that were not shipped as of May 31, 2022 or February 28, 2022 are recorded as deferred revenues on the condensed balance sheets. We received approximately $1,718,000 and $681,600, as of May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively, in payments for sales orders which will be shipped subsequent to the end of the period.

 

Note 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

None.

 

 

Item 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Factors Affecting Forward-Looking Statements

 

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, our success in recruiting and retaining new consultants, our ability to locate and procure desired books, our ability to ship the volume of orders that are received without creating backlogs, our ability to obtain adequate financing for working capital and capital expenditures, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory changes and other uncertainties, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as those factors discussed below and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2022 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may or may not occur. See Cautionary Remarks Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in the front of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Overview

 

We are the exclusive United States Multi-Level Marketing (“MLM”) distributor of Usborne Publishing Limited (“Usborne”) children’s books and the owner and exclusive publisher of Kane Miller Book Publisher (“Kane Miller”). Significant portions of our inventory purchases are concentrated with Usborne. Our distribution agreement includes an annual minimum purchase volume, which if not met may modify the termination provisions from not less than 12 months to not less than 30 days. In the past five years, we have exceeded the new annual minimum purchase commitments with Usborne. We operate two separate segments, UBAM and Publishing, to sell our Usborne and Kane Miller children’s books. These two segments each have their own customer base. The UBAM segment markets its products through a network of independent sales consultants using a combination of home shows, internet party plan events and book fairs. The Publishing segment markets its products on a wholesale basis to various retail accounts. All other supporting administrative activities are recognized as other expenses outside of our two segments. Other expenses consist primarily of the compensation of our office, warehouse and sales support staff as well as the cost of operating and maintaining our corporate office and distribution facility.

 

The following table shows our condensed statements of earnings data:

 

   

Three Months Ended May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

Net revenues

  $ 23,160,900     $ 40,807,900  

Cost of goods sold

    7,851,500       12,029,900  

Gross margin

    15,309,400       28,778,000  
                 

Operating expenses

               

Operating and selling

    3,770,600       6,442,600  

Sales commissions

    6,871,800       12,966,700  

General and administrative

    4,384,300       5,139,000  

Total operating expenses

    15,026,700       24,548,300  
                 

Interest expense

    388,100       167,800  

Other income

    (390,700

)

    (598,700

)

Earnings before income taxes

    285,300       4,660,600  
                 

Income taxes

    69,500       1,222,500  

Net earnings

  $ 215,800     $ 3,438,100  

 

See the detailed discussion of revenues, gross margin and general and administrative expenses by reportable segment below. The following is a discussion of significant changes in the non-segment related general and administrative expenses, other income and expenses and income taxes during the respective periods.

 

 

Non-Segment Operating Results for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2022

 

Total operating expenses not associated with a reporting segment decreased $0.7 million, or 15.6%, to $3.8 million for the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $4.5 million for the same quarterly period a year ago. Operating expenses decreased primarily as a result of a $0.6 million decrease in labor and a $0.3 million decrease in freight handling expenses, both resulting from a decrease in gross sales, offset by $0.2 million increase in depreciation expense primarily driven by the addition of two new pick/pack/ship lines.

 

Interest expense increased $0.2 million, or 100.0%, to $0.4 million for the three months ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $0.2 million for the same quarterly period a year ago, due to increased borrowings against our line of credit and the addition of the $10.0 million Advancing Term Loan #2 at the end of the previous fiscal year, which was not utilized in the same quarterly period a year ago.

 

Income taxes decreased $1.1 million, or 91.7%, to $0.1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2022, from $1.2 million for the same quarterly period a year ago, primarily resulting from a decrease in gross sales. Our effective tax rate decreased to 24.3% for the quarter ended May 31, 2022, from 26.2% for the quarter ended May 31, 2021 due to sales mix fluctuations between states. Our tax rates are higher than the federal statutory rate of 21% due to the inclusion of state income and franchise taxes.

 

UBAM Operating Results for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2022

 

The following table summarizes the operating results of the UBAM segment:

 

   

Three Months Ended May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

Gross sales

  $ 24,731,100     $ 45,535,700  

Less discounts and allowances

    (6,619,500

)

    (12,285,700

)

Transportation revenue

    1,905,200       4,366,900  

Net revenues

    20,016,800       37,616,900  
                 

Cost of goods sold

    6,162,000       10,249,900  

Gross margin

    13,854,800       27,367,000  
                 

Operating expenses

               

Operating and selling

    2,985,500       5,344,700  

Sales commissions

    6,735,700       12,858,300  

General and administrative

    802,400       1,302,800  

Total operating expenses

    10,523,600       19,505,800  
                 

Operating income

  $ 3,331,200     $ 7,861,200  
                 

Average number of active consultants

    32,200       55,100  

 

UBAM net revenues decreased $17.6 million, or 46.8%, to $20.0 million during the three months ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $37.6 million during the same period a year ago. The average number of active consultants in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was 32,200, a decrease of 22,900, or 41.6%, from 55,100 average active consultants selling in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Our consultant numbers declined this year due to consultants returning to full-time employment, as well as families experiencing children returning to the classroom, therefore requiring less learning from home materials than they had in the prior year. In addition, sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2023 were negatively impacted by the recent record inflation. Record inflation that resulted from high fuel costs and food price increases has impacted the disposable income of our customers. We expect this impact on sales to continue as inflationary pressures continue. Historically, when we have experienced these difficult inflationary times, our UBAM active consultant numbers have been positively impacted as more families look for non-traditional income streams to offset rising costs of living.

 

Gross margin decreased $13.5 million, or 49.3%, to $13.9 million during the three months ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $27.4 million during the same period a year ago. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues decreased 3.6%, to 69.2% for the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, when compared to 72.5% the same period a year ago. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net revenues is attributed to a change in order mix and less transportation revenue of $0.4 million and rising ocean freight costs on inbound inventory of $0.2 million.

 

 

UBAM operating expenses consists of operating and selling expenses, sales commissions and general and administrative expenses. Operating and selling expenses primarily consists of freight expenses and materials and supplies. Sales commissions include amounts paid to consultants for new sales and promotions. These operating expenses are directly tied to the sales volumes of the UBAM segment. General and administrative expenses include payroll, outside services, inventory reserves and other expenses directly associated with the UBAM segment. Total operating expenses decreased $9.0 million, or 46.2%, to $10.5 million during the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $19.5 million reported in the same quarter a year ago. Operating and selling expenses decreased $2.3 million, or 43.4%, to $3.0 million during the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $5.3 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, primarily due to a decrease in outbound freight from fewer sales and shipments. Sales commissions decreased $6.2 million, or 48.1%, to $6.7 million during the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $12.9 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, due primarily to the decrease in net revenues. General and administrative expenses decreased $0.5 million, or 38.5%, to $0.8 million during the three months ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $1.3 million during the same period a year ago, due primarily to reduced bank fees from fewer credit card transactions during the quarter ended May 31, 2022.

 

Operating income of the UBAM segment decreased $4.6 million, or 58.2% to $3.3 million during the three months ended May 31, 2022, when compared to $7.9 million reported in the same quarter a year ago. Operating income of the UBAM division as a percentage of net revenues for the three months ended May 31, 2022 decreased to 16.6%, compared to 20.9% for the three months ended May 31, 2021. This change primarily resulted from the decrease in net revenues and gross margin.

 

Publishing Operating Results for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2022

 

The following table summarizes the operating results of the Publishing segment:

 

   

Three Months May 31,

 
   

2022

   

2021

 

Gross sales

  $ 6,607,100     $ 6,855,900  

Less discounts and allowances

    (3,465,700

)

    (3,668,400

)

Transportation revenue

    2,700       3,500  

Net revenues

    3,144,100       3,191,000  
                 

Cost of goods sold

    1,689,500       1,780,000  

Gross margin

    1,454,600       1,411,000  
                 

Total operating expenses

    704,800       549,400  
                 

Operating income

  $ 749,800     $ 861,600  

 

Our Publishing division’s net revenues decreased slightly by $0.1 million, or 3.1%, to $3.1 million during the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, from $3.2 million reported in the same period a year ago, with sales orders remaining consistent between the periods.

 

Gross margin increased slightly by $0.1 million, or 7.1%, to $1.5 million during the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, from $1.4 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, with consistent sales. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues increased to 46.3% during the three-month period ended May 31, 2022, from 44.2% reported in the same quarter a year ago. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues fluctuates primarily from the different discount levels offered to customers as well as changes in the mix of products sold between Kane Miller and Usborne.

 

Total operating expenses of the Publishing segment increased $0.2 million, or 40.0%, to $0.7 million, from $0.5 million, during the three-month periods ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This change was due to an increase of $0.1 million in payroll expenses from our acquisition of Learning Wrap-Ups in December 2021 and a $0.1 million increase in other various expenses.

 

Operating income of the Publishing segment decreased $0.2 million, or 22.2%, to $0.7 million from $0.9 million for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This change is primarily driven by the increase in our operating expenses.

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

EDC has a history of profitability and positive cash flow. We typically fund our operations from the cash we generate. We also use available cash to pay down outstanding bank loan balances, to pay for capital expenditures, to pay dividends, and to acquire treasury stock. We have utilized a bank credit facility and other term loan borrowings to meet our short-term cash needs, as well as fund capital expenditures, when necessary.

 

During the first three months of fiscal year 2023, we experienced cash outflows from operations of $2,197,000. These cash outflows resulted from:

 

●net earnings of $215,800

 

Adjusted for:

 

●depreciation expense of $599,600

●share-based compensation expense of $261,600

●deferred income taxes of $1,400

 

Offset by:

 

●provision for doubtful accounts of $63,600

 

Positively impacted by:

 

●decrease in inventories, net of $3,057,800

●increase in deferred revenues of $1,036,400

●increase in income taxes payable of $37,200

 

Negatively impacted by:

 

●decrease in accounts payable of $5,699,000

●decrease in accrued salaries and commissions, and other liabilities of $1,472,300

●increase in accounts receivable of $140,500

●increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $31,400

 

Cash used in investing activities was $108,800 for capital expenditures, primarily for software upgrades to our proprietary systems that our UBAM consultants use to monitor their business and place customer orders.

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $3,364,000, which was comprised of cash received in treasury stock transactions of $63,400 and net borrowings under the line of credit of $4,785,400, offset by payments of $870,700 for dividends and payments on term debt of $614,100.

 

During fiscal year 2023, we continue to expect the cash generated from our operations and cash available through our line of credit with our Bank will provide us the liquidity we need to support ongoing operations. Cash generated from operations will be used to purchase inventory in order to expand our product offerings and to liquidate existing debt. Any excess cash is expected to be distributed to our shareholders.

 

We have an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement with MidFirst Bank executed on February 15, 2021 which replaced the prior loan agreement and includes multiple loans. Term Loan #1 Tranche A (“Term Loan #1”), originally totaling $13.4 million, was part of the prior loan agreement. Term Loan #1 has a fixed interest rate of 3.12%, with principal and interest payable monthly and a stated maturity date of December 1, 2025. Term Loan #1 is secured by the primary office, warehouse and land. The outstanding borrowings on Term Loan #1 were $10.2 million and $10.3 million as of May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively.

 

 

In addition, the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement provides a $6.0 million Advancing Term Loan #1 to be used to finance planned equipment purchases. The Advancing Term Loan #1 required interest-only payments through July 15, 2021, at which time it was converted to a 60-month amortizing term loan maturing July 15, 2026. The Advancing Term Loan #1 accrues interest at the Bank-adjusted Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio, with a minimum rate of 3.00%. Our borrowings outstanding under the Advancing Term Loan #1 at May 31, 2022 were $4.6 million.

 

The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement also provides a $20.0 million revolving loan (“line of credit”) through April 11, 2023 with interest payable monthly at the Bank-adjusted SOFR plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio, with a minimum rate of 3.00% (the effective rate was 4.02% at May 31, 2022). The line of credit was temporarily increased from $20.0 million to $25.0 million with the execution of the Fifth Amendment. The temporary increase period began on April 11, 2022 and ends on September 15, 2022, at which time the maximum revolving principal will automatically revert back to $20.0 million. Our borrowings outstanding on our line of credit at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022 were $22.5 million and $17.7 million, respectively. Available credit under the revolving line of credit was approximately $0.6 million and $2.3 million at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively.

 

Advancing Term Loan #2 was executed on November 19, 2021 in the principal amount of $10.0 million and is a 120-month amortizing loan maturing November 19, 2031. Advancing Term Loan #2 accrues interest at the Bank-adjusted SOFR plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio, with a minimum rate of 3.00% (the effective rate was 4.02% at May 31, 2022). Our borrowings outstanding under the Advancing Term Loan #2 at May 31, 2022 were $9.7 million.

 

The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement also contains a provision for our use of the Bank’s letters of credit. The Bank agrees to issue or obtain issuance of commercial or stand-by letters of credit provided that the sum of the line of credit plus the letters of credit issued would not exceed the borrowing base in effect at the time. As of May 31, 2022, we had no letters of credit outstanding. The agreement contains provisions that require us to maintain specified financial ratios, place limitations on additional debt with other banks, limit the amounts of dividends declared and limits the number of shares that can be repurchased using funding from the line of credit.

 

The following table reflects aggregate future maturities of long-term debt during the next five fiscal years and thereafter as follows:

 

Years ending February 28 (29),

       

2023

  $ 1,878,900  

2024

    2,567,300  

2025

    2,622,300  

2026

    10,469,300  

2027

    1,517,700  

Thereafter

    5,329,200  

Total

  $ 24,384,700  

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States(GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to our valuation of inventory, allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable, allowance for sales returns, long-lived assets and deferred income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.

 

Actual results may materially differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Historically, however, actual results have not differed materially from those determined using required estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes accompanying the financial statements included elsewhere in this report. However, we consider the following accounting policies to be more significantly dependent on the use of estimates and assumptions.

 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Sales associated with product orders are recognized and recorded when products are shipped. Products are shipped FOB shipping point. UBAM’s sales are generally paid at the time the product is ordered. Sales which have been paid for but not shipped are classified as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. Sales associated with consignment inventory are recognized when reported and payment associated with the sale has been remitted. Transportation revenue represents the amount billed to the customer for shipping the product and is recorded when the product is shipped.

 

Estimated allowances for sales returns are recorded as sales are recognized. Management uses a moving average calculation to estimate the allowance for sales returns. We are not responsible for product damaged in transit. Damaged returns are primarily received from the retail stores of our Publishing division. Those damages occur in the stores, not in shipping to the stores, and we typically do not offer credit for damaged returns. It is industry practice to accept non-damaged returns from retail customers. Management has estimated and included a reserve for sales returns of $0.2 million as of May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

We maintain an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments and a reserve for vendor share markdowns, when applicable (collectively “allowance for doubtful accounts”). An estimate of uncollectible amounts is made by management based upon historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances, age of customer receivable balances, customers’ financial conditions and current economic trends. Management has estimated and included an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.3 million at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022.

 

Inventory

 

Our inventory contains over 2,000 titles, each with different sell through rates depending upon the nature and popularity of the title. We maintain very few titles that are topical in nature. As such, the majority of the titles we sell remain current in content for several years. Most of our products are printed in China, Europe, Singapore, India, Malaysia and Dubai resulting in a six to eight-month lead-time to have a title printed and delivered to us.

 

Certain inventory is maintained in a noncurrent classification. Management continually estimates and calculates the amount of noncurrent inventory. Noncurrent inventory arises due to occasional purchases of titles in quantities in excess of what will be sold within the normal operating cycle, due to minimum order requirements of our suppliers. Noncurrent inventory was estimated by management using the current year turnover ratio by title. Inventory in excess of 2½ years of anticipated sales is classified as noncurrent inventory. These inventory quantities have additional exposure for storage damages and related issues, and therefore have higher obsolescence reserves. Noncurrent inventory balances prior to valuation allowances were $4.3 million and $2.4 million at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Noncurrent inventory valuation allowances were $0.4 million at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022.

 

Our principal supplier, based in England, generally requires a minimum reorder of 6,500 or more of a title in order to get a solo print run. Smaller orders would require a shared print run with the supplier’s other customers, which can result in lengthy delays to receive the ordered title. Anticipating customer preferences and purchasing habits requires historical analysis of similar titles in the same series. We then place the initial order or reorder based upon this analysis. These factors and historical analysis have led our management to determine that 2½ years represents a reasonable estimate of the normal operating cycle for our products.

 

Consultants that meet certain eligibility requirements may request and receive inventory on consignment. We believe allowing our consultants to have consignment inventory greatly increases their ability to be successful in making effective presentations at home shows, book fairs and other events; in summary, having consignment inventory leads to additional sales opportunities. Approximately 7.1% of our active consultants have maintained consignment inventory at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Consignment inventory is stated at cost, less an estimated reserve for consignment inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned to the Company. The total cost of inventory on consignment with consultants was $1.2 million and $1.4 million at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively.

 

Inventories are presented net of a valuation allowance, which includes reserves for inventory obsolescence and reserves for consigned inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned to the Company. Management estimates the inventory obsolescence allowance for both current and noncurrent inventory, which is based on management’s identification of slow-moving inventory. Management has estimated a valuation allowance for both current and noncurrent inventory, including the reserve for consigned inventory, of $0.8 million and $0.9 million at May 31, 2022 and February 28, 2022, respectively.

 

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

We account for share-based compensation whereby share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, are measured at estimated fair value at the date of grant. For awards subject to service conditions, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Awards subject to performance conditions are attributed separately for each vesting tranche of the award and are recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. Any cash dividends declared after the restricted stock award is issued, but before the vesting period is completed, will be reinvested in Company shares at the opening trading price on the dividend payment date. Shares purchased with cash dividends will also retain the same restrictions until the completion of the original vesting period associated with the awarded shares.

 

The restricted share awards under the 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2019 LTI Plan”) and 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2022 LTI Plan”) contain both service and performance conditions. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense only for the portion of the restricted share awards that are considered probable of vesting. Shares are considered granted, and the service inception date begins, when a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions between the Company and the employees have been established. The fair value of these awards is determined based on the closing price of the shares on the grant date. The probability of restricted share awards granted with future performance conditions is evaluated at each reporting period and compensation expense is adjusted based on the probability assessment.

 

During the first three months of fiscal year 2023, the Company recognized $0.3 million of compensation expense associated with the shares granted.

 

 

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer).

 

Based on that evaluation, these officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were designed and were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to them, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported in accordance with the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the first quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report on Form 10-Q, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Not required by smaller reporting company.

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Period

 

Total # of Shares

Purchased

   

Average Price

Paid per Share

   

Total # of Shares

Purchased as

Part of Publicly Announced Plan (1)

   

Maximum # of Shares that may

be Repurchased under the Plan (1)

 
                                 

March 1 - 31, 2022

    -     $ -       -       514,594  

April 1 - 30, 2022

    -       -       -       514,594  

May 1 - 31, 2022

    -       -       -       514,594  

Total

    -     $ -       -          

 

(1)

 

On February 4, 2019 the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan, replacing the former 2008 stock repurchase plan. The maximum number of shares which can be purchased under the new plan is 800,000. Amounts in the table reflect the remaining number of shares available to be repurchased. This plan has no expiration date.

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

3.1*

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated April 26, 1968 and Certificate of Amendment thereto dated June 21, 1968 are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to Registration Statement on Form 10-K (File No. 0-04957).

 

 

 

3.2*

 

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated August 27, 1977 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 20.1 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended February 28, 1981 (File No. 0-04957).

 

 

 

3.3*

 

By-Laws, as amended, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 20.2. to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended February 28, 1981 (File No. 0-04957).

 

 

 

3.4*

 

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated November 17, 1986 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended February 28, 1987 (File No. 0-04957).

 

 

 

3.5

 

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated March 22, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended February 28, 1997 (File No. 0-04957).

 

 

 

3.6

 

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated July 15, 2002 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 2003 (File No. 0-04957).

 

 

 

3.7

 

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated August 15, 2018 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated August 21, 2018 (File No. 0-04957).

     

10.1

 

Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated April 11, 2022 by and between the Company and MidFirst Bank, Tulsa, OK is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to form 10-K dated February 28, 2022 (File No. 0-04957).

 

 

 

10.2†

 

Usborne Distribution Agreement dated May 16, 2022 by and between the Company and Usborne Publishing Limited, London, England.

     

31.1**

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Educational Development Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2**

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of Educational Development Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1**

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

 

 

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

* Paper Filed

** Filed Herewith

† Filed Herewith – Portions of this exhibit have been redacted in compliance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(10).

 

SIGNATURES

 

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: July 7, 2022

By

/s/ Craig M. White

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

23
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Exhibit 10.2

 

Confidential Treatment by Educational Development Corporation

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made 16 May 2022

 

 

PARTIES

 

 

(1)

USBORNE PUBLISHING LIMITED of 83-85 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8RT, England (Usborne); and

 

 

(2)

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION a Delaware Corporation with its principal place of business at 5402 S 122ND East Ave Tulsa, OK, 74146-6007 United States (Distributor).

 

BACKGROUND

 

 

A.

Usborne is involved in publishing books and other publications.

 

 

B.

The Distributor is involved in the marketing, sale, warehousing and distribution of books to consumers through its multi-level marketing sales channels.

 

 

C.

The parties entered into an agreement for the distribution of Usborne books on 25th November 1988 as amended and restated pursuant to certain variation agreements including Amendment Agreement dated 1 November 1990, Amendment Agreement dated 1 January 1992, Letter dated 5 September 1994, Letter dated 6 May 1999, Letter dated 12 November 2002, Letter dated 8 October 2009, Letter dated 16 October 2013 and Letter dated 10 September 2018 (the “Previous Distribution Agreement”).

 

 

D.

The parties also entered into an agreement for the sale of Products through book-selling parties on 1 November 1990 as amended and restated pursuant to certain variation agreements including Letter dated 15 February 1995, Letter dated 6 May 1999, Name Change Amendment dated 24 July 2009, Letter dated 16 October 2013 and Letter dated 10 September 2018 (the “Previous Party Plan Agreement”).

 

 

E.

The parties also entered into a License Agreement dated 26 May 1999 under which Usborne granted the Distributor the right to create certain interactive Licensed Products (as defined in the License Agreement) based on Usborne books using CD ROMs and a Trademark License Agreement dated 8 December 1993 under which Usborne granted the Distributor the right to use the trade mark “Usborne” in connection with Kid Kits (as defined in the Trademark License Agreement) containing Usborne books distributed by EDC (together the “Previous License Agreements”).

 

 

F.

The parties now wish to terminate the Previous Distribution Agreement, the Previous Party Plan Agreement and the Previous License Agreements and wish to enter into this agreement for the marketing, sale, warehousing and distribution of the Products (as defined below and supplied to Distributor by Usborne on a firm sale basis only) to consumers through the Distributor’s EDC MLM Channels (as defined below) in the Territory on the terms set out below.

 

 

G.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement supersedes and extinguishes the Previous Distribution Agreement, the Previous Party Plan Agreement, the Previous License Agreements and any other agreement between the parties entered into at any time prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

AGREED TERMS

 

Definitions

 

Affiliate: means any entity directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with a party to this Agreement.

 

Commencement Date: means the date of signature of this Agreement.

 

EDC MLM Channels: the Distributor’s MLM Channels limited to sales direct to private individual end consumers by the Distributor using its network of such consultants either through the EDC Website, Distributor-provided consultants’ replicated microsites forming part of the EDC Website book selling parties, internet sales events (being online party plan events or held via such consultants’ social media channels) and for the avoidance of doubt excluding all distribution and or sales made pursuant to exercise of any of the Reserved Rights set out in Clause 1.4.

 

EDC Website: myubam.com (until the end of the Rebranding Period) and then such replacement site as the Distributor shall notify to Usborne.

 

Existing Stock: has the meaning set out in Clause 5.18.

 

Fiscal Year: means, (i) initially, the period from 1st February 2022 until 31st January 2023 and, (ii) thereafter, each successive period of 12 months commencing on 1st February 2023 and ending on the 31st January in the next following calendar year.

 

Initial [***]

 

Licensed Languages: means English.

 

MLM Channels: multi-level marketing channels used to sell books and related products direct to private individual end consumers using a network of independent sales consultants.

 

Price: has the meaning set out in Clause 6.1.

 

Prior Agreements: means the Previous Distribution Agreement and the Previous Party Plan Agreement.

 

Products: means Usborne books and other related products (including toys games and jigsaws) published in the Licensed Languages under Usborne's name, which Usborne has in print or distributes as of the date of this Agreement or distributes, publishes or reissues after the date of this Agreement and which Usborne notifies the Distributor are available for sale to private individual end consumers via the EDC MLM Channels in the Territory from time to time and which are the subject of orders placed by the Distributor in accordance with Clause 5.2. Electronic books, audio and e-book versions of Usborne books are excluded from this definition of Products.

 

Rebranding Period: has the meaning set out in Clause 4.1.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

Reserved Rights: has the meaning given in Clause 1.4.

 

Restricted Brand Names: “Usborne Books & More”, “Usborne Books and More” and “UBAM”.

 

Territory: the United States of America, its territories and possessions.

 

Trade Mark and Brand Guidelines: the guidelines relating to use of the Trade Marks attached to this Agreement at Schedule 2 as may be amended and replaced by Usborne from time to time.

 

Trade Marks: means the name "USBORNE" and the "Balloon" device as depicted in Schedule 1 together with any other trade marks expressly notified in writing as being included in Schedule 1 by Usborne to the Distributor from time to time (which, for the avoidance of doubt shall include “That’s Not My”).

 

Transition Period: has the meaning given in Clause 13.1. The following rules of interpretation will apply:

 

(a)

references to Clauses and Schedules are to the clauses and schedules of this Agreement;

 

 

(b)

a person includes a natural person, corporate or unincorporated body (whether or not having separate legal personality) and that person's personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

 

 

(c)

a reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time;

 

 

(d)

use of the word including (or any similar expression) is illustrative and does not limit the meaning of the words which precede it;

 

 

(e)

a reference to writing or written includes email; and

 

 

(f)

if a party agrees not to do something, that includes not allowing the thing to be done.

 

 

1.

Appointment of the Distributor

 

 

1.1.

The parties acknowledge and agree that the Previous Distribution Agreement, the Previous Party Plan Agreement and the License Agreements together with any other agreements entered into between the parties before the date of this Agreement shall all be superseded and extinguished by this Agreement with effect from the Commencement Date save for such accrued rights (including, without limitation, for payment of any products supplied by Usborne to the Distributor pursuant to such other agreements) as shall exist pursuant to such agreements as of the date of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this shall not include any rights set out in the “Effects of Termination” provisions set out in clause 16 in the Previous Distribution Agreement and/or clause 12 of the Previous Party Plan Agreement which provisions shall be of no force or effect from and after the date of this Agreement. [***].

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

1.2.

Subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof, Usborne hereby appoints the Distributor as the exclusive distributor to market, promote and resell Products through the EDC MLM Channels in the Territory for the term of this Agreement. The Reserved Rights (as set out in Clause 1.4 below) are specifically excluded from the scope of this Appointment.

 

 

1.3.

Subject to the Distributor’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement, Usborne agrees, for the duration of this Agreement, not to appoint any other distributor nor itself to sell or distribute the Products through MLM Channels in the Territory.

 

 

1.4.

Notwithstanding Clauses 1.2 and 1.3, Usborne reserves all rights, other than those expressly granted to the Distributor under Clause 1.2 of this Agreement, to sell its Products either itself or through other distribution channels including without limitation:

 

 

(i)

the right to sell all Products to retail outlets and wholesalers of retail outlets in the Territory, including all and any online sales (including, without limitation, sales through any online retailer) other than sales direct to private individual end consumers through the EDC Website as permitted under Clause 1.2;

 

 

(ii)

to engage other distributors to sell the Products within the Territory;

 

 

(iii)

to supply Products itself or via third parties to schools, book fairs and libraries in the Territory; provided always that sales by one of EDC’s independent MLM sales consultants to private individual end consumers (always excluding all and any school boards, school districts, school and/or home school suppliers, wholesalers and/or libraries) via a book fair held by any such consultant in a school and/or library setting and/or pursuant to Distributor’s 'Reach for the Stars!! program' shall (a) be permitted by Usborne on the terms of this Agreement, (b) not be deemed to breach Usborne’s rights, and (c) not be deemed to be part of the EDC MLM Channels nor subject to the exclusivity rights set out in Clause 1.2 above;

 

 

(iv)

to sell Products to any other distributors or retailers outside the Territory without restriction whatsoever; and

 

 

(v)

to sell to freelance or commissioned sales representatives selling to trade channels and toy and gift retailers,

 

(the “Reserved Rights”).

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

1.5.

Usborne additionally grants the Distributor the non-exclusive right during the Initial [***] only to sell Existing Stock (on a firm sale basis only and without any obligation for Usborne, its agents or partners in the Territory to accept returns) to certain trade customers subject to the following provisions:

 

 

(i)

The Distributor may sell Existing Stock to such existing trade customers as are listed in Part 1 of Schedule 6, to whom the Distributor undertakes it has been actively selling Usborne titles during the last 12 months under the Previous Distribution Agreement.

 

 

(ii)

The Distributor may not sell Existing Stock to any trade customers as are listed in Part 2 of Schedule 6 and the rights granted under this Clause 1.5 expressly exclude sales to those trade customers set out in Part 2 of Schedule 6.

 

 

(iii)

Usborne may at any time in its sole discretion and on immediate written notice (which may be by email) to the Distributor withdraw the rights granted under this Clause 1.5 in respect of any or all trade customers listed in Part 1 of Schedule 6 in which case such trade customer will be deemed to have been added to Part 2 of Schedule 6.

 

 

(iv)

The Distributor shall accept all and deal with all returns made by trade customers under sales made by the Distributor to such trade customers either under this Clause 1.5 or under the Previous Distribution Agreement. Any such returns will not be accepted by Usborne, its agents or partners in the Territory.

 

 

(v)

The Distributor shall, no later than 3 months before the end of the Initial [***], notify all trade customers listed in Part 1 of Schedule 6 in writing and using a form of letter approved by Usborne in writing that new trade distribution arrangements for Usborne’s products will be in place from the end of the Initial [***] and that all returns of products sold to such trade customers by the Distributor will need to be made to the Distributor and will not be accepted by Usborne.

 

 

1.6.

The Distributor shall not resell or distribute or otherwise make available Products to customers based outside the Territory and will promptly refer all such enquires for Products to Usborne.

 

 

2.

Distributor Obligations

 

 

2.1.

The Distributor undertakes by employing an adequate number of suitably qualified and trained staff and by use of its distribution system and EDC MLM Channels, to use its best endeavours to resell, promote and market the Products to all its existing and potential future customers through the EDC MLM Channels within the Territory. In this regard, the Distributor assumes all the following costs and responsibilities:

 

 

(i)

Creation of promotional materials and catalogues which feature the Products. The Distributor may include: (a) copies of the front covers, (b) finished page spreads (not to exceed a maximum of two (2) double‐page spreads (in relation to books consisting of 24 pages or more) or such lesser spread(s) as shall be reasonable pro rata to the size of the related book), (c) illustrations from books for use as catalogue page fillers and/or (d) external packaging only (including such Trade Marks as are visible) of all Products in its promotional materials; all of which items (a) to (d) must (i) remain unchanged, (ii) contain appropriate copyright notices (including as set out in the related Trade Mark guidelines and closely associated with the related title of the book and an artist credit each in a format large enough to be easily read) and (iii) be shown only for the purpose of selling the related book from which such material is extracted (and, therefore, in relation to items (b) and (c) be shown with the cover page of the related title); provided always, that in each case the proposed use of such materials (x) shall be submitted to Usborne for review a reasonable period prior to print and (y) is subject to Usborne’s prior written approval. The Distributor may not otherwise without Usborne’s express prior consent in writing use any of the Trade Marks or use in full or part any content, artwork or illustrations from any Products as part of its catalogues or promotional materials.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

(ii)

Regular independent consultant contacts by its internal and external sales and marketing staff throughout the sales area.

 

 

(iii)

Management of warehousing and despatch, paying sales and any other commissions, paying for marketing software, management of discounts, and all other relevant expenses.

 

 

(iv)

Inclusion of the Products in the Distributor's invoicing and despatch systems.

 

 

(v)

Inclusion of advance information of the Products and catalogue in the Distributor’s relevant distribution system, including handling and postage.

 

 

(vi)

Supplying Usborne on a quarterly basis with up to date market analysis based on the Distributor's classifications and any other market information reasonably requested by Usborne from time to time in relation to sales of Products via the EDC MLM Channels.

 

 

(vii)

Performance of all relevant bookkeeping associated with invoicing, including issuing warnings to debtors.

 

 

(viii)

Guarantee of complete transparency of all relevant distribution information and processes concerning sales of Products.

 

 

(ix)

Use of its customer base and its customer data bank to support sales of the Products.

 

 

(x)

Providing to Usborne on a monthly basis details of all sales of Products, stock, outstanding customer orders, outstanding orders placed by the Distributor with Usborne and any other information relating to the performance of its obligations that Usborne may reasonably request from time to time.

 

 

(xi)

Providing to Usborne direct access to the sales stock management system for the sole purpose of stock and sales analysis via a FTP portal or other equivalent means agreed between the parties (with sufficient support from Distributor to ensure that (x) the related information is presented in a readily usable format and (y) such access is available at such times as may be required by Usborne during its normal business hours); Usborne shall maintain the confidentiality of information provided pursuant to this subclause (xi) using the same means employed to protect its own commercially sensitive information.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

(xii)

Maintaining an inventory of Products at levels which are appropriate and adequate for the Distributor to meet all customer delivery requirements for the sales of Products in the Territory based on historic sales levels and its forecast for the then current Fiscal Year.

 

 

(xiii)

Keeping full and proper books of account and records showing clearly all enquiries, orders and transactions relating to the Products.

 

 

(xiv)

Allowing Usborne, on reasonable notice, access to its accounts and records relating to the Products for inspection in accordance with Clause 14.

 

 

(xv)

Keeping all stocks of Products in conditions appropriate for their storage and providing appropriate security for Products at its own cost.

 

 

(xvi)

Dealing with all sales, distribution and product-related queries after delivery of the Products.

 

 

(xvii)

Compilation and distribution of a catalogue and other independent listings of the Products Payment of duty on all imports and obtaining any import licences or permits necessary for the entry of the Products into the Territory.

 

 

2.2.

The Distributor shall ensure that it notifies its independent consultants that the Products are only supplied for re-sale within the Territory.

 

 

2.3.

The Distributor shall apply for and obtain all necessary licences, permits or other authorisations required by the laws of the Territory in relation to promotion, marketing and sale of the Products.

 

 

2.4.

The Distributor shall, at its own expense, comply with all laws and regulations relating to its activities under this Agreement, and with any conditions binding on it in any applicable licences, registrations, permits and approvals.

 

 

2.5.

The Distributor shall keep Usborne informed of all laws and regulations affecting the marketing and sale of Products under this Agreement that are in force in the Territory during the term of this Agreement and give Usborne as much advance notice as reasonably possible of any prospective changes which could negatively affect the parties’ operations within the Territory.

 

 

2.6.

The Distributor shall inform Usborne immediately of any changes in ownership or control of the Distributor or any change (other than a de minimis change) in its organisation or method of doing business. Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, upon receipt of such notice, Usborne reserves the right to terminate this Agreement on not less than 30 days’ written notice. Such termination does not remove Distributor’s rights to continue to sell its existing Usborne inventory in the Territory in accordance with 13.1 Termination.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

3.

Distributor Restrictions

 

 

3.1.

The Distributor shall not use, or license any person to use, any of the Products as premiums, or for advertising or endorsement purposes in connection with third party publications, products or services, without Usborne's prior written consent.

 

 

3.2.

During the term of this Agreement, the Distributor shall not and shall not allow its Affiliates and/or independent consultants to, directly or indirectly:

 

 

(i)

publish, distribute, sell or market anywhere in the world any books which are in any way copies or imitative of (including but not limited to attributes such as overall look and feel, layout, and style of illustration) or otherwise infringe any copyright in, any books published by or licensed for publication by Usborne anywhere in the world ("Usborne Publishing Books");

 

 

(ii)

enter into any strategic or contractual relationship with any third party anywhere in the world with respect to the publication or distribution of any books which are in any way copies or imitative of, Usborne Publishing Books.

 

 

3.3.

Any breach by the Distributor of Clauses 3.1-3.2 shall be deemed a material, irremediable breach of this Agreement which shall entitle Usborne to terminate this Agreement on immediate written notice in accordance with Clause 12.2.

 

 

3.4.

The Distributor shall not at any time:

 

 

(i)

represent itself as an agent of Usborne for any purpose;

 

 

(ii)

pledge Usborne's credit;

 

 

(iii)

give any condition or warranty on Usborne's behalf;

 

 

(iv)

make any representation on Usborne's behalf;

 

 

(v)

commit Usborne to any contracts; and/or

 

 

(vi)

otherwise incur any liability for or on behalf of Usborne.

 

 

3.5.

The Distributor may not, without Usborne’s prior written consent, remainder or otherwise sell Products otherwise than as expressly set out in this Agreement and/or on terms substantially different than those normally offered by the Distributor.

 

 

4.

Use of Restricted Brand Names

 

 

4.1.

The Distributor and its independent consultants selling via the EDC MLM Channels may, for a period starting on the Commencement Date and ending [***] (the “Rebranding Period”), continue to use the Restricted Brand Names in its catalogues, advertising materials including social media and on the EDC Website and on any Distributor-provided consultants’ replicated microsites forming part of the EDC Website to promote and market resale of the Products via the EDC MLM Channels in the Territory provided that the Distributor:

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

(i)

within the initial Fiscal Year orders a sufficient volume of Products such that Usborne’s revenue from such orders is at least [***] all of which is invoiced in full during the initial Fiscal Year (and which volume shall include all orders placed pursuant to the Prior Agreements during the initial Fiscal Year as set out in Schedule 4 attached hereto);

 

 

(ii)

complies at all times with its payment obligations under Clause 6;

 

 

(iii)

phases out all use of the Restricted Brands during the Rebranding Period;

 

 

(iv)

ensures that any registration in Mexico of the Previous Distribution Agreement is removed; and

 

 

(v)

itself complies and ensures that its independent MLM sales consultants comply at all times with the Trade Mark and Brand Guidelines.

 

 

4.2.

After the end of the Rebranding Period, the Distributor undertakes, on behalf of itself and its independent consultants selling via the EDC MLM Channels:

 

 

(i)

to immediately cease using and transfer to Usborne all rights in the following domain names: (a) myubam.com; (b) usbornebooksandmore.com; (c) ubamlibrary.com; and

(d) veryfirstreading.com; and

 

 

(ii)

not to make itself or via its independent MLM sales consultants (and to prevent its independent consultants from making) any further use whatsoever of any of the Restricted Brand Names (including as part of their trading, business, online and/or social media account names) in the Territory.

 

 

5.

Orders, Delivery, Storage and Title Orders

 

 

5.1.

Usborne will give the Distributor access to a wide range of Usborne’s current titles for Distributor to select Products to be ordered. The Distributor will place all orders for Products with Usborne in writing. No order will be deemed to be accepted by Usborne until Usborne has confirmed acceptance in writing to the Distributor.

 

 

5.2.

Unless otherwise agreed between the parties in writing as part of an order and subject to Clause 5.3, the Distributor shall purchase Products from Usborne in the following minimum order quantities for each title:

 

 

(i)

[***] copies for each new title; and

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

(ii)

[***] copies for re-prints for solo printing of US editions for the Distributor.

 

 

5.3.

Usborne may, at its sole discretion, agree a lower minimum order quantity for Products where the titles ordered can be co-printed together with editions to be resold in alternative channels (not reserved to the Distributor) in the Territory. Usborne may also, at its option from time to time, require higher minimum order quantities for Products with novelty formats (including, without limitation, “That’s not My” and “Sticker Dolly”). Any changes to the minimum order quantities set out in Clause 5.2 will be notified by Usborne to the Distributor in writing.

 

 

5.4.

Usborne reserves the right in its sole discretion to decline any order from the Distributor which Usborne determines in its sole discretion is not profitable.

 

 

5.5.

Usborne may at any time remove any title from the list of Products available for the Distributor to order. Usborne will give the Distributor notice of any titles which are due to be removed at least 90 days before the planned issue date of the Distributor’s next bi-yearly MLM catalogue (provided the Distributor has notified Usborne of the planned issue date for its catalogue more than 180 days in advance).

 

 

5.6.

The Distributor undertakes in each Fiscal Year to order and pay in full for a sufficient volume of Products such that Usborne’s revenue from such orders during the related Fiscal Year is no less than [***] (save in relation to the first Fiscal Year in relation to which such minimum revenue shall be no less than [***] and, in relation to the second Fiscal Year, in relation to which such minimum revenue shall be no less than [***]).

 

Delivery

 

 

5.7.

Usborne shall supply the Products to the Distributor in finished and saleable form, suitable for resale in the Territory. The “Usborne” name and logo will appear in the same position and style on Products sold by the Distributor as on the corresponding editions sold in the United Kingdom but will be supplied with different ISBN numbers; provided always that no such Product is to be registered by the Distributor at the Library of Congress. All Products will include the recommended retail price for sale in the Territory in US dollars which will be determined by Usborne in accordance with Clause 6.1.

 

 

5.8.

Usborne shall use reasonable endeavors to deliver the quantity of Products ordered by the Distributor. The Distributor shall accept a printing and binding tolerance of five percent of the quality ordered and delivered. If the quantity delivered is in excess of this tolerance, the Distributor shall not be obliged to accept the excess number of Products. If the quantity delivered is less than such tolerance, the Distributor shall accept the delivery provided that Usborne supplies the quantity ordered but not delivered at the same unit cost, within a reasonable period of time.

 

 

5.9.

Usborne shall deliver the Products CIF Port of Houston, Texas or such other US Port as may be agreed in writing by the parties from time to time.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

Storage

 

 

5.10.

The Distributor shall keep all stocks of Products in conditions appropriate for their storage and provide appropriate security for Products, all at its own cost.

 

 

5.11.

The Distributor agrees to obtain and maintain at their own expense insurance cover on the Products to at least their replacement value from the time they are delivered to their designated distribution warehouse providing standard 'all risks' cover (including fire and flood) until such time as they are paid for in full.

 

 

5.12.

The Distributor shall provide Usborne with a copy of the insurance policy at any time on Usborne's request and shall not do or omit to do anything which (or the omission of which) may invalidate such insurance cover. Without limiting any liability of the Distributor pursuant to this Agreement, until title to the Products passes to the Distributor in accordance with Clause 5.13, the Distributor will be liable to Usborne for any loss, theft or damage to the Products.

 

Title

 

 

5.13.

Title to the Products shall not pass to the Distributor until the earlier of:

 

 

(i)

when Usborne receives payment in full (in cash or cleared funds) for the Products ordered, and any other goods that Usborne has supplied to the Distributor, in respect of which payment has become due, in which case title to the Products shall pass at the time of payment of all such sums; or

 

 

(ii)

when the Distributor resells the Products in which case title in the Products will pass to the Distributor immediately before the time at which resale by the Distributor occurs.

 

 

5.14.

Until title to the Products has passed to the Distributor, the Distributor shall:

 

 

(i)

store the Products separately from all other products held by the Distributor so that they remain readily identifiable as Usborne's property;

 

 

(ii)

not remove, deface or obscure any identifying mark or packaging on or relating to the Products; and

 

 

(iii)

maintain the Products in satisfactory condition.

 

 

5.15.

If at any time before the Distributor has paid for the Products in full the Distributor suffers or, in Usborne’s reasonable opinion, is likely to suffer an insolvency event or ceases to do business, then without limiting any other right or remedy Usborne may have, Usborne may at any time require the Distributor or its administrators to return all Products in its possession (being an aggregate of all Products which the Distributor has not paid for and/or Products with an equivalent value to any such Products which have been sold by the Distributor but which the Distributor has not paid for). If the Distributor fails to do so within such period of time required by Usborne, Usborne or its agents may enter any premises of the Distributor where the Products are stored in order to recover them.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

5.16.

The Distributor shall observe all applicable laws in the Territory in regard to the storage and distribution of the Products.

 

 

5.17.

The Distributor will regularly (and at a minimum every six months) notify Usborne in writing of any titles which have been purchased by the Distributor (either under the Previous Distribution Agreement or this Agreement) which have since gone out of print. The Distributor undertakes within 28 days of sending such notification to pulp all current stock of out of print titles.

 

Existing stock

 

 

5.18.

The parties acknowledge that, under the terms of the Previous Distribution Agreement and the Previous Party Plan Agreement, the Distributor has previously (a) ordered those products set out in Schedule 4 attached hereto during the initial Fiscal Year; (b) purchased significant stocks of Usborne books and associated products (including publications in the Spanish language) and (c) received on a consignment basis certain stocks of Usborne books and associated products (“Existing Stock”). Usborne hereby agrees that (subject to payment in full for all such Existing Stock being made when due) the Distributor may, for the duration of this Agreement and the Transition Period, (i) continue to sell all Existing Stock through the EDC MLM Channels under the terms of this Agreement and (ii) additionally, during the Initial [***] only and provided that the Distributor complies at all time with the provisions of Clause 6, continue to sell those Products specifically listed in Schedule 5 attached hereto through the EDC MLM Channels on an exclusive basis under the terms of this Agreement, following which Usborne may exercise all and any of the Reserved Rights in relation to such Products (in each case other than titles that the Distributor has notified Usborne as being out of print and which the Distributor is required to pulp in accordance with Clause 5.17). All references in this Agreement to Products shall, to the extent applicable, also apply to Existing Stock.

 

 

5.19.

To the extent that Existing Stock consists of titles held by the Distributor on a consignment basis:

 

 

(i)

title to such Existing Stock shall remain with Usborne until sold by the Distributor and the Distributor shall store such Existing Stock in accordance with the requirements of Clause 5.14; and

 

 

(ii)

the Distributor shall remit payment to Usborne within [***] days of the end of each calendar month for all sales of consigned titles during that month. The amount of payment due to Usborne each month shall be [***] of Usborne’s recommended retail price for the consigned titles sold, less credited returns.

 

 

6.

Payment

 

 

6.1.

Except as agreed otherwise in writing by Usborne in accordance with Clause 6.3, the price payable by the Distributor for Products and any products ordered pursuant to the Prior Agreements (“Price”) shall be [***] of the recommended retail price of the Products. The recommended retail price for sale of Products in the Territory will be determined by Usborne in its sole discretion.

 

 

6.2.

The Distributor shall pay [***] invoice which shall be the same date as the bill of lading for the related order and [***]. The Distributor shall pay the Price for products already ordered as of the date of this Agreement (and as listed in Schedule 4) within [***] days of the date of invoice, which invoice shall be the same date as the bill of lading for the related order. Time for payment and compliance by the Distributor with the other provisions of this Clause 6 shall be of the essence in relation to this contract.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

6.3.

Usborne may, in its sole discretion, make available to the Distributor from time to time special offers for Products with an alternative and more favourable basis for calculation of the Price and/or payment terms. The Price and payment terms for any special offer will be as notified by Usborne in writing and such terms will apply only to orders for those Products which Usborne has notified the Distributor in writing are included in and subject to such special offer.

 

 

6.4.

As security for the outstanding payment, the Distributor shall:

 

 

(i)

establish and maintain no later than 30 November 2022 at Distributor’s sole cost and expense a standby letter of credit in an amount no less than [***] and form acceptable to Usborne, upon which Usborne can draw down for unpaid invoices owed under or in relation to this Agreement; and

 

 

(ii)

[***]

 

 

6.5.

All monies shall be paid in US dollars and in cleared funds to a bank account nominated in writing by Usborne’s CEO or CFO from time to time.

 

 

6.6.

The Distributor shall make all payments hereunder net of all bank charges and without any set off or deduction other than any withholding tax which they are required by law to deduct. Should the Distributor be obliged by law to deduct withholding tax, the Distributor shall take all reasonable steps to reduce the amount required to be deducted and shall send corresponding withholding tax certificates stating each of the titles and the amount of tax deducted to Usborne within 90 days of making such a payment.

 

 

6.7.

If the Distributor fails to pay any invoice when due, without prejudice to any other remedy available to it, Usborne may (at its sole option):

 

 

(i)

apply interest to the overdue sum from the due date until payment of the overdue sum, whether before or after judgment. Interest under this Clause 6.7(i) will accrue each day at [***] a year above the Bank of England's base rate from time to time; and/or

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

(ii)

decline future orders, withhold future deliveries (including to cease performance of any orders in progress at the time of the default) and/or require payment in cash upon future deliveries or payment secured in full by a letter of credit or by some other means of security acceptable to Usborne.

 

 

7.

Compensation claims of customers

 

 

7.1.

Usborne shall accept full responsibility for bona fide complaints to the Distributor from its customers about the quality of the Products supplied as a result of any actual faults or defects in the Products where Usborne is satisfied that the faults or defects reported occurred prior to shipping to the Distributor by Usborne.

 

 

7.2.

For the avoidance of doubt, Clause 7.1 shall not apply where any fault or defects in the Products is caused or contributed to by the Distributor or any other party once the Products are under the Distributor’s control.

 

 

8.

Warranties and Indemnity

 

 

8.1.

Each party hereby warrants, represents and covenants in favour of the other that it has and shall continue to have the full right, power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

8.2.

Usborne further warrants that it has and shall continue to have for the duration of this Agreement the right to publish each of the Products as contemplated, that to its knowledge the Products do not infringe any intellectual property rights of any other party, and that it has not received any communications alleging that they do so.

 

 

8.3.

Each party undertakes that it shall perform its obligations under this Agreement with all due skill, care and diligence and in a professional manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws, and shall at all times act towards the other party dutifully and in good faith.

 

 

8.4.

The Distributor undertakes that it shall immediately notify Usborne by email if:

 

 

(i)

The Distributor stops or suspends payment of any of its debts or is unable to, or admits its inability to, pay its debts as they fall due;

 

 

(ii)

The Distributor commences negotiations, or enters into any composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement, with one or more of its creditors (excluding Usborne) with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness (because of actual or anticipated financial difficulties).

 

 

(iii)

A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of the Distributor.

 

 

(iv)

Any action, filing, proceedings, procedure or step is taken in relation to:

 

 

the suspension of payments, a moratorium in respect of any indebtedness, winding up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (using a voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement, proceedings under the US Bankruptcy Code or otherwise) of the Distributor; or

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of the Distributor; or

 

 

the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of the Distributor or any of its assets.

 

 

(v)

The value of the Distributor's assets is less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities).

 

 

(vi)

Any event occurs in relation to the Distributor that is analogous to those set out in Clause 8.4(i) to Clause 8.4(v) (inclusive) in any jurisdiction (including, without limitation, in the USA under the US Bankruptcy Code).

 

 

8.5.

The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless Usborne and their respective officers, employees, agents, licensees, successors, agents, contractors and assignees (each hereinafter referred to as an "Indemnified Party") from and against any and all losses suffered, incurred or sustained by any Indemnified Party as a result of, or in connection with:

 

 

(i)

any breach by the Distributor of any provision of this Agreement;

 

 

(ii)

any exercise by the Distributor of any of the rights granted to it under this Agreement (except to the extent that such losses are due to any act or omission by Usborne); or

 

 

(iii)

any act or omission of the Distributor or any of its independent consultants selling via the EDC MLM Channels whether or not arising out of, or in connection with, any matter or thing approved by Usborne under this Agreement.

 

 

8.6.

The Distributor shall defend, compromise or settle any and all claims, proceedings, actions or demands (hereinafter referred to as the "Claim") that may fall within the scope of the indemnity by the Distributor in this Agreement, at the Distributor's expense, provided that any compromise or settlement of the Claim shall not include any admission of liability by Usborne without Usborne's prior written consent. Usborne may participate in the defence, compromise or settlement of the Claim, at its own expense, through counsel of its own choosing.

 

 

9.

Intellectual Property Rights

 

 

9.1.

Usborne grants to the Distributor a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited licence during the Term to make reasonable and appropriate use of (i) the Trade Marks and (ii) the Restricted Brand Names (during the Rebranding Period only and subject always to the provisions of Clause 4), in accordance with the Trade Mark and Brand Guidelines and in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 9 for the purpose of the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Distributor may, in its contracts with its independent MLM sales consultants, permit them to use the Trade Marks, the Restricted Brand Names and Usborne’s copyright materials, all solely to the extent set out in the Trade Mark and Brand Guidelines. Any use of the Trade Marks other than as specifically permitted under the Trade Mark and Brand Guidelines must be approved in advance in writing by Usborne. This licence shall automatically cease on termination of this Agreement for any reason. The Distributor shall, and shall ensure that its independent MLM sales consultants and any other parties under the Distributor’s control who derive their usage rights via the Distributor, comply at all times with the Trade Mark and Brand Guidelines. If the Distributor becomes aware of any breach of the Trade Mark and Brand Guidelines, it will immediately notify Usborne and take all such action at its sole cost as Usborne reasonably requires to ensure such breach is remedied as soon as possible.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

9.2.

The Distributor acknowledges and agrees that it, in accordance with Clauses 4.1 and 4.2, it shall not use and shall ensure that none of its independent MLM sales consultants selling via the EDC MLM Channels use any of the Restricted Brand Names or any other name which is confusingly similar to any of the Restricted Brand Names or includes the name “Usborne” (including as part of their social media account names) at any time after the end of the Rebranding Period.

 

 

9.3.

Subject to Clause 9.4, Usborne agrees not to conduct its business in the Territory using any of the Restricted Brand Names for the duration of this Agreement provided that this does not restrict Usborne in any way from using its name and Trade Mark “Usborne” or any of its logos in the Territory.

 

 

9.4.

Usborne is the owner of and reserves all of its rights in relation to the Trade Marks, the Restricted Brand Names and any other Usborne trade marks, brand names and logos its uses in any context. The parties acknowledge and agree that Usborne is and shall continue to be the exclusive owner and holder of any and all intellectual property rights (including but not limited to the copyright) in the Products and in any translations or any versions thereof of whatever nature and in whatever medium presently held or which may in the future be acquired by it, in the Restricted Brand Names and in the Trade Marks.

 

 

9.5.

The Distributor undertakes that it shall not:

 

 

(i)

remove, alter or otherwise tamper with any Trade Marks featured on the Products or any packaging or promotional materials which come into the Distributor's possession, custody or control, and shall not place any trade mark or trade name of its own on the Products or any packaging or promotional materials;

 

 

(ii)

use any part of the Trade Marks or any trade marks or trade names confusingly similar to the Trade Marks as part of any corporate or business name or style or domain name, on its website or as a twitter tag or other social media identification other indication of the Distributor, except in promotional material for the Products which have been supplied or approved by Usborne in writing;

 

 

(iii)

seek to use or allow anyone else to use the Trade Marks for any purpose other than as permitted under this Agreement;

 

 

(iv)

apply to register any of the Trade Marks, Restricted Brand Names or any trade marks, service marks, trade names, company names or domain names in English or in translation identical to or (in the sole opinion of Usborne) confusingly similar to any of the Trade Marks whether by themselves or as part of any other device or name;

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

(v)

seek to copy or reproduce or allow anyone else to make copies of or reproduce any of the content of any Products or create similar or derivative works based on the content of any Products;

 

 

(vi)

do or omit to do anything which could invalidate or be inconsistent with Usborne's ownership of or the validity and enforceability of (a) Usborne's intellectual property rights in the Products or (b) the Trade Marks; or

 

 

(vii)

do or omit to do anything that is detrimental to the value or reputation of the Trade Marks or the goodwill or reputation of Usborne or its business.

 

 

9.6.

Any breach by the Distributor of Clauses 9.1, 9.2 or 9.5 shall be deemed a material and irremediable breach of this Agreement which is incapable of remedy and which will entitle Usborne to terminate the Agreement on written notice in accordance with Clause 12.2, claim damages for such breach in accordance with Clause 11 and take such other action as it considers necessary including pursuing any of the remedies referred to in Clause 11.4.

 

 

9.7.

Any goodwill derived from the use by the Distributor of the Trade Marks or the Restricted Brand Names under this Agreement will accrue to Usborne. Usborne may, at any time, require the Distributor to execute a document confirming the assignment of that goodwill and the Distributor shall immediately do so.

 

 

9.8.

The Distributor shall immediately notify Usborne if it becomes aware of:

 

 

(i)

any actual, suspected or threatened infringement in the Territory of the Trade Marks or the copyright in the Products;

 

 

(ii)

any proceedings in which the ownership, validity or registration of any of the Trade Marks or the copyright in the Products is called into question; or

 

 

(iii)

any claim by any third party that the import or sale of the Products into or in the Territory infringes any rights of any other person, in which case Usborne shall, in its absolute discretion, decide what action to take in respect of the matter (if any) and shall conduct and have sole control over any consequent action (including litigation or other legal proceedings) that it deems necessary to protect the intellectual property rights in the Products. The Distributor shall, on Usborne’s request, provide all such assistance and support with any action taken by Usborne under this Clause 9.8 as Usborne reasonably requires. Such assistance and support shall be at the cost of the Distributor if the infringement results from any action (or inaction) by the Distributor or any of its independent MLM sales consultants.

 

 

9.9.

The Distributor shall take comprehensive measures to protect Usborne’s Products against any form of piracy. If Usborne provides anti-counterfeit stickers to the Distributor, the Distributor shall affix such stickers to each copy of the Products before distribution or sale. The Distributor shall advise on and propose measures as well as support and co- operate with any anti- counterfeit or anti-piracy procedures or initiatives put in place by Usborne from time to time.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

10.

Publishing division

 

 

10.1.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Distributor (i) shall cease trade sales of any Products or titles in the Distributor’s stock and paid for in full through its publishing division with effect from the Commencement Date and (ii) undertakes that neither it nor any of its independent sales MLM sales consultants shall sell any Products or other titles held in the Distributor’s stock or supplied to such consultants save as expressly permitted hereunder in Clause 1.5.

 

 

11.

Liability for breach

 

 

11.1.

A breach of any provision of this Agreement by a Party shall constitute a breach of this Agreement by that Party, in which case, the breaching Party shall be liable for such breach to the non-breaching Party and shall compensate all direct economic losses suffered by the non- breaching Party in connection with such breach, including but not limited to direct economic losses and other reasonable expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, litigation and arbitration costs, etc.) incurred by the non-breaching Party due to such breach, provided however that no Party shall be liable for the other Party's special, incidental, punitive, exemplary, indirect or consequential damages.

 

 

11.2.

The total liability of Usborne to the Distributor in respect of all loss or damage arising under or in connection with this Agreement in any [***] period, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, shall in no circumstances exceed the aggregate of the amounts paid by the Distributor to Usborne in the previous [***] period.

 

 

11.3.

For the avoidance of doubt, a delay of any payment due or failure to pay the amount in full when due by the Distributor under Clause 6 shall constitute a material breach by the Distributor.

 

 

11.4.

The Distributor acknowledges and agrees that a failure to strictly comply with or a breach of any provision of this Agreement may cause irreparable damage to Usborne. Usborne shall therefore be entitled to the remedies of injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of this Agreement.

 

 

12.

Term, and termination, of contract

 

 

12.1.

This Agreement shall come into force on the Commencement Date, and shall continue in force indefinitely unless terminated by either party by giving the other not less than [***] written notice.

 

 

12.2.

Either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice if the other commits a material breach of this Agreement which is irremediable or, if capable of being remedied, is not remedied within [***] after receipt of a written notice requiring it to be remedied, or if the other party becomes insolvent or ceases business. In these circumstances, this Agreement will terminate on the date given for termination by the notifying party in such notice which may be (i) with immediate effect on, or (ii) on any date falling within the period of [***] from and after, the date of receipt of such notice.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

12.3.

Usborne reserves the right to terminate this Agreement on not less than [***] written notice if:

 

 

(i)

in accordance with Clause 2.6, Usborne receives notice of a change in ownership or control of the Distributor, or any change (other than a de minimis change) in its organisation or method of doing business; or

 

 

(ii)

the Distributor acquires another entity which distributes Usborne’s books; or

 

 

(iii)

Usborne’s revenue from orders placed by the Distributor does not exceed the relevant minimum agreed revenue target of [***] in the first Fiscal Year, [***] in the second Fiscal Year and thereafter, [***] in any Fiscal Year in accordance with Clause 5.6.

 

 

12.4.

On termination of this Agreement for any reason the Distributor shall have no claim against Usborne for compensation for loss of distribution rights, loss of goodwill or any similar loss.

 

 

13.

Effect of termination

 

 

13.1.

On expiry or other termination of this Agreement the Distributor may continue to sell on a firm sale (and no returns) basis only any remaining Products in stock under the terms of this Agreement for a period of [***] from the date of termination or such earlier date as the parties may agree in writing (the “Transition Period”); provided that where this Agreement is terminated under Clauses 12.2 or 12.3 owing to the Distributor’s default, (i) the Distributor shall forthwith pay Usborne any payments due or owing to Usborne, (ii) although such Transition Period shall apply, it shall be for a duration of [***] from the date notice of termination is served and (iii) any proceeds of sale of Products made during the Transition Period must first be applied in satisfaction of any sums due or owing to Usborne.

 

 

13.2.

On termination of this Agreement (or expiry of the Transition Period where such period comes into effect), the Distributor undertakes:

 

 

(i)

to return or dispose of all Products in stock or subsequently returned by customers or consultants in accordance with Usborne's directions. The costs of such disposal or return shall be paid by the party terminating the Agreement unless termination is due to material breach in which case such costs will be paid by the party in breach. For the avoidance of doubt, Usborne shall not be obliged to repurchase or accept return of any of the Distributor’s remaining stock of Products upon termination of this Agreement, during or on expiry of the Transition Period;

 

 

(ii)

to return to Usborne all publicity material supplied and used in connection with the promotion of the Products;

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

(iii)

forthwith to cease to use any intellectual property (including the Trade Marks) of Usborne (the Distributor’s licence to use being terminated) and to sign such confirmation of the cessation of use of the intellectual property as is required by Usborne; and

 

 

(iv)

subject as mentioned below in Clause 13.3, forthwith to cease carrying on the business of promoting and selling the Products.

 

 

13.3.

The expiry or termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any rights, which already accrued to either of the parties under this Agreement.

 

 

14.

Usborne's right of inspection and audit

 

 

14.1.

Usborne shall have the right, on reasonable notice, to instruct its duly authorised representative to inspect and audit during normal working hours once in each twelve month period (or at any time should Usborne have good reason to believe there has been a material breach of the Agreement) during the term hereof the Distributor's stock of Products (wherever stored) and the books, accounts and all other documents and correspondence of the Distributor which relate to the distribution of and payment for the Products and to take copies thereof or extracts therefrom.

 

 

15.

Anti-Bribery

 

 

15.1.

The Distributor shall:

 

 

(i)

comply with all applicable provisions of the Bribery Act 2010 and all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and codes relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption in the jurisdiction of the Distributor (Anti-Bribery Laws);

 

 

(ii)

not do anything which, or omit to do anything the omission to do which, would or might lead to Usborne being in breach of any Anti-Bribery Laws;

 

 

(iii)

comply with Usborne's Anti-Bribery Policy, a copy of which as at the date hereof is attached to this Agreement as Schedule 3 (Anti-Bribery Policy);

 

 

(iv)

maintain in place throughout the term of this Agreement its own policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Anti-Bribery Laws and the Anti-Bribery Policy, and take all necessary steps to enforce them where appropriate;

 

 

(v)

promptly report to Usborne any request or demand for any undue financial or other advantage of any kind received by the Distributor in connection with the performance of this Agreement;

 

 

(vi)

immediately notify Usborne (in writing) if a foreign public official becomes an officer or employee of the Distributor or acquires a direct or indirect interest in the Distributor (and the Distributor warrants that it has no foreign public officials as officers, employees or direct or indirect owners at the date of this Agreement);

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

(vii)

within three months of the date of this Agreement, and annually thereafter, certify to Usborne in writing signed by an officer of the Distributor, compliance with this Clause 15.1 by the Distributor and all persons associated with it under Clause 15.1(viii)). The Distributor shall provide such supporting evidence of compliance as Usborne may reasonably request;

 

 

(viii)

ensure that any person associated with the Distributor (including all independent MLM sales consultants) who is performing services or providing goods in connection with this Agreement does so only on the basis of a written contract which imposes on and secures from such person terms equivalent to those imposed on the Distributor in this Clause 15 (Relevant Terms). The Distributor shall be responsible for the observance and performance by such persons of the Relevant Terms, and shall be directly liable to Usborne for any breach by such persons of any of the Relevant Terms.

 

 

15.2.

The Distributor acknowledges that breach of this Clause 15 shall be deemed a material, irremediable breach of this Agreement.

 

 

16.

Anti-Slavery

 

 

16.1.

In performing its obligations under the Agreement, the Distributor shall:

 

 

(i)

comply with all applicable anti-slavery and human trafficking laws, statutes, regulations and codes from time to time in force in the jurisdiction of the Distributor including the Modern Slavery Act 2015;

 

 

(ii)

not engage in any activity, practice or conduct that would constitute an offence under sections 1, 2 or 4, of the Modem Slavery Act 2015 if such activity, practice or conduct were carried out in the UK;

 

 

(iii)

include in contracts with its direct subcontractors and suppliers provisions which are at least as onerous as those set out in this Clause 16;

 

 

(iv)

notify Usborne as soon as it becomes aware of any actual or suspected slavery or human trafficking in a supply chain which has a connection with this Agreement; and

 

 

(v)

maintain a complete set of records to trace the supply chain of all services provided to the Distributor (including by independent MLM sales consultants) in connection with this Agreement; and permit Usborne and its third-party representatives to inspect the Distributor’s premises, records, and to meet the Distributor's personnel to audit the Distributor's compliance with its obligations under this Clause 16.

 

 

16.2.

The Distributor represents and warrants that it has not been convicted of any offence involving slavery and human trafficking; nor has it been the subject of any investigation, inquiry or enforcement proceedings regarding any offence or alleged offence of or in connection with slavery and human trafficking.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

16.3.

The Distributor acknowledges that any breach of this Clause 16 shall be deemed a material, irremediable breach of this Agreement.

 

 

17.

Confidentiality

 

 

17.1.

In this Clause, "Confidential Information" means all information of a confidential nature disclosed by one party to the other by any means and includes confidential information concerning the other party's business, pricing, affairs, finances, customers, suppliers, transactions, operations, plans, market opportunities, future publications or trade secrets.

 

 

17.2.

Each party undertakes that it shall not, either during or after the term of this Agreement, disclose to any person any Confidential Information of the other party except as provided in Clause 17.3.

 

 

17.3.

Each party may disclose the other party's Confidential Information to those of its employees, officers, representatives or advisers who need to know such information for the purpose of carrying out the party's obligations under this Agreement (and subject to such persons being under confidentiality obligations) or to the extent ordered to do so by law or a regulatory authority to which it is subject.

 

 

17.4.

Each party may only use such Confidential Information to the extent necessary to perform its obligations or exercise its rights under this Agreement.

 

 

18.

Other terms

 

 

18.1.

Neither party shall be liable to the other for any delay in performing or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement to the extent that it is prevented from performing its obligations by circumstances beyond its reasonable control. In such circumstances the affected party shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of the time for performing such obligations. If the period of delay or non-performance continues for three months or more, the party not affected may terminate this agreement by giving 30 days' written notice to the affected party.

 

 

18.2.

This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties as to its subject matter and supersedes any prior agreement between the parties whether written or oral. Each party acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it does not rely on any representation, warranty or other term except as expressly set out herein, but nothing in this Agreement affects the liability of either party for fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

 

18.3.

The Distributor shall not assign, transfer, mortgage, charge, subcontract, delegate, declare a trust over or deal in any other manner with any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

18.4.

No verbal variations of this contract shall be valid. Alterations shall only be valid if they are agreed in writing, and signed by both parties.

 

 

18.5.

If any provision or part-provision of this Agreement becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed deleted, but that shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of this Agreement. The parties shall negotiate in good faith to agree a replacement provision that best corresponds to the intention of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall make the parties partners or joint venturers or make the Distributor an agent of Usborne.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

18.6.

No extension of time or other indulgence which may be granted by either party to the other shall constitute a waiver of that party's rights under this Agreement. A waiver of any right or remedy is only effective if given in writing and shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent right or remedy.

 

 

18.7.

Each of the parties shall give notice to the other of change of any address, telephone or email address as soon as practicably possible and in any event within 48 hours of such change.

 

 

18.8.

Any notice required or authorised to be given by either party to the other shall be in writing and shall be sent by first class mail or email to the last known place of business of the other party and it shall operate and be deemed to have been delivered at the expiration of 6 working days from the time of being posted (if sent by first class post) or at the time of sending (if sent by email during the recipient’s normal business hours or otherwise deemed received at the start of normal business hours on the next working day)). This Clause does not apply to the service of any proceedings or other documents in any legal action.

 

 

18.9.

A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall not have any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Agreement.

 

 

18.10.

The Distributor shall forthwith at its own expense take all necessary steps to effect and maintain in force at all times all such registrations (other than the registration of the Trade Marks), approvals and consents as are required in the Territory in respect of this Agreement, including those required for the import of the Products and the payment of all sums due to Usborne pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

18.11.

The laws of England and Wales shall apply to this Agreement, which shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such law and each party agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

 

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of it.

 

 

For and on behalf of

 

 /s/ Nicola Usborne                                             

 

USBORNE PUBLISHING LIMITED

For and on behalf of

 

                  /s/ Craig White                                                                       

 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

 

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

SCHEDULE 1 TRADE MARKS

 

  Usborne Name: 

[***]

 

 

     
  Usborne Balloon Device:

[***]

     
     
  Usborne Trade Mark: [***]

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

Schedule 2

 

 

[***]

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

SCHEDULE 3

 

Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy

 

 

1.

POLICY STATEMENT

 

Usborne Publishing Ltd ("we", "our" and "us") operates a zero tolerance approach to the making or receiving of bribes or corrupt payments, in any form. It is Usborne Publishing Ltd's policy to conduct business in an honest and ethical way, and without the use of corrupt practices or acts of bribery to obtain an unfair advantage. This type of conduct is absolutely prohibited whether committed by employees or anyone else acting on behalf of Usborne Publishing Ltd.

 

Usborne Publishing Ltd will uphold all laws relevant to countering bribery and corruption in all jurisdictions in which we conduct business. However, we remain bound by UK laws, including the Bribery Act 2010, in respect of our conduct both home and abroad.

 

 

2.

SCOPE

 

This Policy sets out the general rules and principles that Usborne Publishing Ltd requires all employees (whether permanent, fixed term or temporary), agents, consultants, volunteers, wholesalers, suppliers, distributors and joint venture partners to follow.

 

It is a criminal offence to offer, promise, give, request, or accept a bribe. Individuals found guilty can be punished by up to 10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine. As an employer if we fail to prevent bribery we can face an unlimited fine, exclusion from tendering for public contracts, and damage to our reputation. We therefore take our legal responsibilities very seriously.

 

The prevention, detection and reporting of any bribery in any form is the responsibility of all employees and entities over which Usborne Publishing Ltd has control. Any employee who breaches this Policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct. Any breach of this Policy by organisations working for us will be regarded as a serious matter and will result in termination of contracts/relationships and possible prosecution.

 

 

3.

WHAT ARE BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION?

 

Bribery is the offer or receipt of any gift, loan, payment, reward or other advantage to or from any person as an encouragement to do something which is improper in the conduct of Usborne Publishing Ltd's business. A person acts improperly where they act illegally, unethically, or contrary to an expectation of good faith or impartiality, or where they abuse a position of trust.

 

Corruption is the misuse of entrusted power for private gain. Examples of prohibited conduct under this Policy include:

 

 

Making unofficial payments to officials in order to obtain any permission, permit or stamp in connection with importing or exporting goods.

 

 

Appointing any third party or supplier to act on behalf of Usborne Publishing Ltd who you know or suspect to have been engaged in any corrupt or unlawful conduct.

 

 

Paying any third party for the purpose of being a "fixer" to open doors and make connections for Usborne Publishing Ltd.

 

 

Offering, paying, soliciting or accepting bribes in any form, including facilitation payments.

 

 

4.

GIFTS AND HOSPITALITY

 

Gifts, entertainment and hospitality including the receipt or offer of gifts, meals or tokens of appreciation and gratitude, or invitations to events, functions or other social gatherings in connection with matters related to Usborne Publishing Ltd's business are acceptable, provided they fall within reasonable bounds of value and occurrence and subject to the principles listed below, namely that any gift or hospitality:

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

 

a)

is not made with the intention of influencing a third party to obtain or retain business or a business advantage, or to reward the provision or retention of business or a business advantage, or in explicit or implicit exchange for favours or benefits;

 

 

b)

is given in the name of the organisation, not an individual's name;

 

 

c)

does not include cash or a cash equivalent (such as gift certificates or vouchers);

 

 

d)

is of an appropriate type and value, taking account of the reason for the gift and its timing. For example, in the UK, it is customary for small gifts to be given at Christmas;

 

 

e)

is given openly, not secretly; and

 

 

f)

complies with any applicable local law.

 

Additionally, no gift may be offered to or accepted from government officials or representatives, or politicians or political parties, without the prior approval in writing of the person named at the end of this Policy.

 

 

5.

DONATIONS

 

Usborne Publishing Ltd only makes charitable donations and provides sponsorship that are legal and ethical under local laws and practices and which are in accordance with our internal policies and procedures. We does not make contributions to political parties.

 

 

6.

RECORD-KEEPING

 

Usborne Publishing Ltd maintains financial records and has appropriate internal controls in place which evidence the business reason for making payments to third parties. You must declare and keep a written record of all hospitality or gifts given or received, which will be subject to managerial review. You must also submit all expenses claims relating to hospitality, gifts or payments to third parties in accordance with our expenses policy and record the reason for expenditure.

 

 

7.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

 

You must ensure that you read, understand and comply with this Policy. The prevention, detection and reporting of bribery and other forms of corruption are the responsibility of all those working for or under the control of Usborne Publishing Ltd.

 

You should assess the vulnerability of any of your areas of responsibility to the risks of bribery and corruption and use due diligence to assess who you and Usborne Publishing Ltd are dealing with. This assessment process should be proportionate to the potential risk. Therefore you will need to ensure you do more to prevent bribery if Usborne Publishing Ltd is operating in an overseas market where bribery is known to be commonplace, compared to markets where bribery is not prevalent. Any due diligence must be completed before the contract is offered or renewed. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this Policy.

 

 

8.

RAISING CONCERNS

 

Usborne Publishing Ltd encourages you to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of bribery or corruption at the earliest possible stage. You can notify your manager (if you are an employee), your primary contact at Usborne Publishing Ltd (if you are a third party organisation) or the person named at the end of this Policy. For example, if a client or potential client offers you something to gain a business advantage with us, or indicates to you that a gift or payment is required to secure their business. Even if you are unsure about whether a particular act constitutes bribery or corruption, you are encouraged to raise it anyway.

 

Usborne Publishing Ltd aims to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this Policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of refusing to take part in bribery or corruption, or because of reporting in good faith their suspicion that an actual or potential bribery or other corruption offence has taken place, or may take place in the future.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

You must not threaten or retaliate against another individual who has refused to commit a bribery offence or who has raised concerns under this Policy.

 

 

9.

TRAINING

 

Usborne Publishing Ltd provides training on this Policy for all individuals who work for us. Our zero- tolerance approach to bribery and corruption must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and as appropriate thereafter.

 

 

10.

QUESTIONS

 

If you have any queries about this Policy or you are in doubt as to whether a potential act constitutes bribery or corruption, you should refer the matter to Andrea Parsons, Finance Director, Usborne Publishing Ltd.

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

SCHEDULE 4

 

Orders Placed pursuant to Prior Agreements

 

 

[***]

 

 

 

 

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

SCHEDULE 5

 

 

List of Products to be sold on an exclusive basis by EDC through the EDC MLM Channels during the Initial [***]

 

 

[***]

 

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.


 

 

SCHEDULE 6

 

 

Part 1 – Approved Trade Customers

 

 

[***]

 

 

Part 2 – Excluded Trade Customers

 

 

[***]

 

 

Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material, would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed and is the type that the registrant treats as confidential. [***] indicates where information has been redacted.

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Craig M. White, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Educational Development Corporation;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

a.

 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

b.

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

c.

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

d.

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

a.

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

b.

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 7, 2022

 

/s/ Craig M. White

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Dan E. O’Keefe, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Educational Development Corporation;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

a.

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

b.

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

c.

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

d.

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

a.

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

b.

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: July 7, 2022

 

/s/ Dan E. OKeefe

Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

In connection with the quarterly report of Educational Development Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13 (a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

Date: July 7, 2022

By

/s/ Craig M. White

 

 

Craig M. White

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: July 7, 2022

By

/s/ Dan E. OKeefe

 

 

Dan E. O’Keefe

Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)