Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

 

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended May 4, 2013,

or

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                      to                      .

Commission file number: 000-49885

 

 

KIRKLAND’S, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Tennessee   62-1287151

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

2501 McGavock Pike, Suite 1000  
Nashville, Tennessee   37214
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (615) 872-4800

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES   x     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” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES   ¨     NO   x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, no par value — 17,085,655 shares outstanding as of May 28, 2013.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

KIRKLAND’S, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 4, 2013 (unaudited), February  2, 2013, and April 28, 2012 (unaudited)

     3   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the 13-week periods ended May 4, 2013 and April  28, 2012 (unaudited)

     4   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the 13-week period ended May  4, 2013 (unaudited)

     5   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the 13-week periods ended May  4, 2013 and April 28, 2012 (unaudited)

     6   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

     7   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     8   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     13   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     13   

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION:

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     13   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     13   

Item 6. Exhibits

     14   

SIGNATURES

     15   

EXHIBIT 10.1

  

EXHIBIT 31.1

  

EXHIBIT 31.2

  

EXHIBIT 32.1

  

EXHIBIT 32.2

  

EXHIBIT 101

  

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     May 4,
2013
(Unaudited)
    February 2,
2013
    April 28,
2012
(Unaudited)
 

ASSETS

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 74,111      $ 67,797      $ 73,162   

Inventories, net

     47,889        49,577        47,484   

Income taxes receivable

     1,015        —          —     

Deferred income taxes

     1,638        1,602        1,725   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6,576        9,370        8,118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     131,229        128,346        130,489   

Property and equipment, net

     76,964        78,499        61,414   

Non-current deferred income taxes

     —          —          1,150   

Other assets

     1,680        1,559        1,496   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 209,873      $ 208,404      $ 194,549   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

   $ 20,933      $ 21,642      $ 18,050   

Income taxes payable

     —          520        1,931   

Accrued expenses

     21,719        21,009        18,637   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     42,652        43,171        38,618   

Deferred rent

     38,572        39,303        34,369   

Non-current deferred income taxes

     3,057        3,128        —     

Other liabilities

     5,206        4,927        4,264   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     89,487        90,529        77,251   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

      

Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at May 4, 2013, February 2, 2013, or April 28, 2012, respectively

     —          —          —     

Common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 17,085,655; 17,078,092; and 18,170,236 shares issued and outstanding at May 4, 2013, February 2, 2013, and April 28, 2012, respectively

     154,107        153,369        151,235   

Accumulated deficit

     (33,721     (35,494     (33,937
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     120,386        117,875        117,298   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 209,873      $ 208,404      $ 194,549   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     13-Week Period Ended  
     May 4,
2013
    April 28,
2012
 

Net sales

   $ 101,233      $ 97,788   

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation as shown below)

     61,827        59,319   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     39,406        38,469   

Operating expenses:

    

Compensation and benefits

     19,928        19,296   

Other operating expenses

     12,851        12,988   

Depreciation

     3,791        3,015   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     36,570        35,299   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     2,836        3,170   

Interest expense, net

     67        80   

Other income, net

     (61     (83
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     2,830        3,173   

Income tax expense

     1,057        1,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1,773      $ 1,955   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.10      $ 0.11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.10      $ 0.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share:

     17,083        18,269   

Effect of dilutive stock equivalents

     350        503   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share

     17,433        18,772   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     Common Stock      Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
     Shares      Amount       

Balance at February 2, 2013

     17,078,092       $ 153,369       $ (35,494   $ 117,875   

Exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchases

     7,563         75         —          75   

Stock-based compensation expense

     —           663         —          663   

Net income

     —           —           1,773        1,773   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at May 4, 2013

     17,085,655       $ 154,107       $ (33,721   $ 120,386   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     13-Week Period Ended  
     May 4,
2013
    April 28,
2012
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 1,773      $ 1,955   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation of property and equipment

     3,791        3,015   

Amortization of landlord construction allowances

     (1,312     (1,066

Amortization of debt issue costs

     19        19   

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

     66        (5

Cash received for landlord construction allowances

     2,653        1,271   

Stock-based compensation expense

     663        793   

Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options and restricted stock

     —          (28

Deferred income taxes

     (107     (110

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Inventories, net

     1,688        (178

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     706        (485

Other noncurrent assets

     (140     (212

Accounts payable

     (709     (3,542

Income taxes refundable / payable

     (1,535     (1,187

Accrued expenses and other current and noncurrent liabilities

     1,005        (2,973
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     8,561        (2,733
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (2,322     (4,109
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,322     (4,109
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Refinancing costs

     —          (7

Excess tax benefits from exercise of stock options and restricted stock

     —          28   

Exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases

     75        65   

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

     —          (3,205
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     75        (3,119
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

    

Net increase (decrease)

     6,314        (9,961

Beginning of the period

     67,797        83,123   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of the period

   $ 74,111      $ 73,162   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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KIRKLAND’S, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

Kirkland’s, Inc. (the “Company”) is a specialty retailer of home décor and gifts with 317 stores in 35 states as of May 4, 2013. The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Kirkland’s, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Kirkland’s Stores, Inc., Kirkland’s DC, Inc., Kirkland’s Texas, LLC, and Kirklands.com, LLC. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2013.

It should be understood that accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than those at fiscal year-end. In addition, because of seasonality factors, the results of the Company’s operations for the 13-week period ended May 4, 2013 are not indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31, resulting in years of either 52 or 53 weeks. All references to a fiscal year refer to the fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 of the following year.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions used.

Changes in estimates are recognized in the period when new information becomes available to management. Areas where the nature of the estimate makes it reasonably possible that actual results could materially differ from amounts estimated include, but are not limited to impairment assessments on long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations, inventory reserves, self-insurance reserves, income tax liabilities, stock-based compensation, employee bonus accruals, gift card breakage, customer loyalty program accruals and contingent liabilities.

Note 2 — Income Taxes

An estimate of the annual effective tax rate is used at each interim period based on the facts and circumstances available at that time, while the actual effective tax rate is calculated at year-end. For the 13-week period ended May 4, 2013, the Company recorded an income tax expense of 37.3% of pre-tax income. In the prior year period, the Company recorded income tax expense of 38.4% of pre-tax income.

Note 3 — Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period presented, which excludes non-vested restricted stock units. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of stock equivalents outstanding during the applicable periods using the treasury stock method. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if options to purchase stock were exercised into common stock. Stock options that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive were 709,000 and 440,000 shares for the 13-week periods ended May 4, 2013, and April 28, 2012, respectively.

Note 4 — Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is party to pending legal proceedings and claims. Although the outcome of such proceedings and claims cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s management is of the opinion that it is unlikely that these proceedings and any claims in excess of insurance coverage will have a material effect on the financial condition, operating results or cash flows of the Company.

 

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Note 5 — Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains equity incentive plans under which it may grant non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, or stock appreciation rights to employees, non-employee directors and consultants.

No stock options or restricted stock units were granted during the 13-week periods ended May 4, 2013 or April 28, 2012. Total stock-based compensation expense (a component of compensation and benefits) was $663,000 for the 13-week period ended May 4, 2013, compared to $793,000 for the comparable prior year period. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods of each grant. There have been no material changes in the assumptions used to compute compensation expense during the current quarter.

Note 6 — Related Party Transactions

In July 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with a related party vendor to purchase merchandise inventory. The vendor is considered a related party for financial reporting purposes because its principal is the spouse of the Company’s Vice President of Merchandising. During the 13-week periods ended May 4, 2013 and April 28, 2012, purchases from this vendor totaled approximately $6.4 million, or 14% of total merchandise purchases, and $5.8 million, or 12% of merchandise purchases, respectively. Included in cost of sales for the 13-week periods ended May 4, 2013 and April 28, 2012 were $6.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively, related to this vendor. Payable amounts outstanding to this vendor were approximately $3.3 million and $800,000 as of May 4, 2013 and April 28, 2012, respectively. The Company’s payable terms with this vendor are consistent with the terms offered by other vendors in the ordinary course of business.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward Looking Statements

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (MD&A) is intended to provide an understanding of our financial condition, change in financial condition, cash flow, liquidity and results of operations. The following MD&A discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements that appear elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed April 18, 2013. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s plans, estimates and beliefs. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed or referred to in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to any differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” and under Part II, Item 1A — “Risk Factors”.

General

We are a specialty retailer of home décor and gifts in the United States, operating 317 stores in 35 states as of May 4, 2013. Our stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, wall décor, candles and related items, lamps, decorative accessories, accent furniture, textiles, garden-related accessories and artificial floral products. Our stores also offer an extensive assortment of holiday merchandise during seasonal periods as well as items carried throughout the year suitable for gift-giving. In addition, we use innovative design and packaging to market home décor items as gifts. We provide our predominantly female customers an engaging shopping experience characterized by a diverse, ever-changing merchandise selection at prices which provide discernible value to the customer. Our stores offer a unique combination of style and value that has led to our emergence as a leader in home décor and has enabled us to develop a strong customer franchise.

During the 13-week period ended May 4, 2013, we opened one new store and closed seven stores. The following table summarizes our stores and square footage under lease:

 

     As of
May 4,
2013
     As of
April 28,
2012
 

Number of stores

     317         297   

Square footage

     2,321,868         2,068,702   

Average square footage per store

     7,325         6,965   

 

 

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13-Week Period Ended May 4, 2013 Compared to the 13-Week Period Ended April 28, 2012

Results of operations. The table below sets forth selected results of our operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

 

     13-Week Period Ended        
     May 4, 2013     April 28, 2012     Change  
     $     %     $     %     $     %  

Net sales

   $ 101,233        100.0   $ 97,788        100.0   $ 3,445        3.5

Cost of sales

     61,827        61.1     59,319        60.7     2,508        4.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     39,406        38.9     38,469        39.3     937        2.4

Operating expenses:

Compensation and benefits

     19,928        19.7     19,296        19.7     632        3.3

Other operating expenses

     12,851        12.7     12,988        13.3     (137     (1.1 %) 

Depreciation

     3,791        3.7     3,015        3.1     776        25.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     36,570        36.1     35,299        36.1     1,271        3.6

Operating income

     2,836        2.8     3,170        3.2     (334     (10.5 %) 

Interest expense, net

     67        0.1     80        0.1     (13     (16.3 %) 

Other income, net

     (61     (0.1 %)      (83     (0.1 %)      22        (26.5 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     2,830        2.8     3,173        3.2     (343     (10.8 %) 

Income tax expense

     1,057        1.0     1,218        1.2     (161     (13.2 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1,773        1.8   $ 1,955        2.0   $ (182     (9.3 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales. Net sales increased 3.5% to $101.2 million for the first fiscal quarter of 2013 compared to $97.8 million for the prior year period. The impact of net new store growth contributed an increase to net sales of $5.6 million. This increase in net sales was offset by a decline in comparable store sales, including e-Commerce sales, of 2.3%, accounting for a $2.1 million decline versus the prior year quarter. Comparable store sales decreased 1.2% in the prior year period. The e-Commerce business was up 19.1% versus the prior year period, while comparable store sales at brick-and-mortar stores were down 3.1%. For brick-and-mortar stores, the comparable store sales decrease was primarily due to a decrease in number of transactions, partially offset by a slight increase in the average ticket. The decrease in transactions resulted from a decline in traffic, partially offset by an increase in conversion. The increase in the average ticket reflected an increase in items sold per transaction, offset partially by a decline in average retail selling price. The merchandise categories contributing most to the comparable store sales decline were art, furniture and frames.

Gross profit . Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased from 39.3% in the first quarter of 2012 to 38.9% in the first quarter of 2013. The overall decline in gross profit margin was primarily due to a lower merchandise margin which decreased from 55.5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 to 55.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Merchandise margin is calculated as net sales minus product cost of sales (including inbound freight), inventory shrinkage, and loyalty reward program discounts. Merchandise margin excludes outbound freight, store occupancy and central distribution costs. The decrease in merchandise margin was primarily the result of higher inbound freight container rates, which accounted for a decrease in the margin of 1.0%. The decrease was partially offset by a reduction in promotional activity and markdowns. Store occupancy costs and outbound freight costs as a percentage of net sales were flat in the first quarter of 2013 as compared to the prior year period. Central distribution expenses increased slightly as a percentage of sales due to comparable store sales deleverage.

Compensation and benefits. Compensation and benefits expenses for stores decreased for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the first quarter of 2012 due to better store-level payroll management. At the corporate level, the compensation and benefits ratio increased over the prior year period primarily due to increased incentive pay accruals.

Other operating expenses . Other operating expenses decreased in dollars and as a percentage of net sales versus the prior year period due primarily to a reduction in marketing expenses.

Depreciation. The increase in depreciation as a percentage of sales reflects an increase in capital expenditures in recent fiscal years and the implementation of major technology upgrades during fiscal 2012.

 

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Income tax expense. We recorded income tax expense of approximately $1.1 million, or 37.3% of pre-tax income during the first quarter of fiscal 2013, versus approximately $1.2 million, or 38.4% of pre-tax income, in the prior year quarter.

Net income and earnings per share. As a result of the foregoing, we reported net income of $1.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to net income of $2.0 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal capital requirements are for working capital and capital expenditures. Working capital consists mainly of merchandise inventories offset by accounts payable, which typically reach their peak by the early portion of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Capital expenditures primarily relate to new store openings; existing store expansions, remodels or relocations; and purchases of equipment or information technology assets for our stores, distribution facilities and corporate headquarters. Historically, we have funded our working capital and capital expenditure requirements with internally generated cash and borrowings under our credit facility.

Cash flows from operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $8.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2012. Cash flows from operating activities depend heavily on operating performance, changes in working capital and the timing and amount of payments for income taxes. The change in the amount of cash provided by operations as compared to the prior year period was primarily the result of better inventory control and an increase in tenant allowance collections, combined with increased accounts payable and accrued expense balances, due to timing of payments.

Cash flows from investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 consisted of $2.3 million in capital expenditures as compared to $4.1 million in capital expenditures for the prior year period. The capital expenditures in both periods primarily related to new store construction and information technology assets. During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we opened one store compared to five stores during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. We expect that capital expenditures for all of fiscal 2013 will be approximately $20 to $23 million, primarily to fund the leasehold improvements of new stores, make improvements in our information technology infrastructure, and maintain our investments in existing stores and our distribution center.

Cash flows from financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $75,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, and related to the exercise of employee stock options as well as employee stock purchases. Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $3.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, and primarily related to the repurchase and retirement of common stock, partially offset by the exercise of employee stock options, employee stock purchases, and the related tax benefits.

Revolving credit facility. On August 19, 2011, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2011 (the “Credit Agreement”), with Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders named therein (the “Lenders”), replacing our prior credit agreement entered into in 2004. The Credit Agreement increased our senior secured revolving credit facility from $45 million to $50 million and extended the maturity date to August 2016. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 175 to 225 basis points with no LIBOR floor. Additionally, a fee of 0.375% per annum is assessed on the unused portion of the facility.

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, borrowings are subject to certain customary conditions and contain customary events of default, including, without limitation, failure to make payments, a cross-default to certain other debt, breaches of covenants, breaches of representations and warranties, a change in control, certain monetary judgments and bankruptcy and ERISA events. Upon any such event of default, the principal amount of any unpaid loans and all other obligations under the Credit Agreement may be declared immediately due and payable. The maximum availability under the facility is limited by a borrowing base formula which consists of a percentage of eligible inventory and eligible credit card receivables, less reserves.

Also on August 19, 2011, we entered into an Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2011 with our Lenders. Pursuant to the Security Agreement, we pledged and granted to the administrative agent, for the benefit of itself and the secured parties specified therein, a lien on and security interest in all of the rights, title and interest in substantially all of our assets to secure the payment and performance of the obligations under the Credit Agreement.

As of May 4, 2013, we were in compliance with the covenants in the facility and there were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, with approximately $31.1 million available for borrowing.

 

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At May 4, 2013, our balance of cash and cash equivalents was approximately $74.1 million. We do not anticipate any borrowings under the credit facility during fiscal 2013. We believe that the combination of our cash balances and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Related Party Transactions

In July 2009, we entered into an agreement with a related party vendor to purchase merchandise inventory. The vendor is considered a related party for financial reporting purposes because its principal is the spouse of our Vice President of Merchandising. During the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and 2012, purchases from this vendor totaled approximately $6.4 million, or 14% of total merchandise purchases, and $5.8 million, or 12% of merchandise purchases, respectively. Included in cost of sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and 2012 were $6.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively, related to this vendor. Payable amounts outstanding to this vendor were approximately $3.3 million and $800,000 as of May 4, 2013 and April 28, 2012, respectively. Our payable terms with this vendor are consistent with the terms offered by other vendors in the ordinary course of business.

Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

Construction commitments

The Company had commitments for new store construction projects totaling approximately $800,000 at May 4, 2013.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during fiscal 2013. Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2013, for a summary of our critical accounting policies.

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The following information is provided pursuant to the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain statements under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to these provisions. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Words such as “should,” “likely to,” “forecasts,” “strategy,” “goal,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” and similar expressions, may identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

The factors listed below under the heading “Risk Factors” and in the other sections of this Form 10-Q provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.

We caution readers that the following important factors, among others, have in the past, in some cases, affected and could in the future affect our actual results of operations and cause our actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

 

   

If We Do Not Generate Sufficient Cash Flow, We May Not Be Able to Implement Our Growth Strategy.

 

   

If We Are Unable to Profitably Open and Operate New Stores, We May Not Be Able to Adequately Execute Our Growth Strategy, Resulting in a Decrease in Net Sales and Net Income.

 

   

Our Success Depends Upon our Marketing, Advertising and Promotional Efforts. If We are Unable to Implement Them Successfully, or if Our Competitors are More Effective Than We are, Our Revenue May Be Adversely Affected.

 

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We May Not Be Able to Successfully Anticipate Consumer Trends and Our Failure to Do So May Lead to Loss of Consumer Acceptance of Our Products Resulting in Reduced Net Sales.

 

   

Our Results Could be Negatively Impacted if our Merchandise Offering Suffers a Substantial Impediment to its Reputation Due to Real or Perceived Quality Issues.

 

   

We Face an Extremely Competitive Specialty Retail Business Market, and Such Competition Could Result in a Reduction of Our Prices and a Loss of Our Market Share.

 

   

Product Liability Claims Could Adversely Affect Our Reputation.

 

   

Weather Conditions Could Adversely Affect Our Sales and/or Profitability by Affecting Consumer Shopping Patterns.

 

   

Our Performance May Be Affected by General Economic Conditions.

 

   

Changes in Accounting and Tax Rules and Regulations May Adversely Affect our Operating Results.

 

   

Our Freight Costs and thus Our Cost of Goods Sold are Impacted by Changes in Fuel Prices.

 

   

New Legal Requirements Could Adversely Affect Our Operating Results.

 

   

The Market Price for Our Common Stock Might Be Volatile and Could Result in a Decline in the Value of Your Investment.

 

   

Our Comparable Store Net Sales Fluctuate Due to a Variety of Factors.

 

   

Failure to Protect the Integrity and Security of Individually Identifiable Data of Our Customers and Employees Could Expose Us to Litigation and Damage Our Reputation; The Expansion of Our e-Commerce Business Has Inherent Cybersecurity Risks That May Result in Business Disruptions.

 

   

We Depend on a Number of Vendors to Supply Our Merchandise, and Any Delay in Merchandise Deliveries from Certain Vendors May Lead to a Decline in Inventory Which Could Result in a Loss of Net Sales.

 

   

We Are Dependent on Foreign Imports for a Significant Portion of Our Merchandise, and Any Changes in the Trading Relations and Conditions Between the United States and the Relevant Foreign Countries May Lead to a Decline in Inventory Resulting in a Decline in Net Sales, or an Increase in the Cost of Sales Resulting in Reduced Gross Profit.

 

   

Our Success Is Highly Dependent on Our Planning and Control Processes and Our Supply Chain, and Any Disruption in or Failure to Continue to Improve These Processes May Result in a Loss of Net Sales and Net Income.

 

   

Our Business Is Highly Seasonal and Our Fourth Quarter Contributes a Disproportionate Amount of Our Net Sales, Net Income and Cash Flow, and Any Factors Negatively Impacting Us During Our Fourth Quarter Could Reduce Our Net Sales, Net Income and Cash Flow, Leaving Us with Excess Inventory and Making It More Difficult for Us to Finance Our Capital Requirements.

 

   

We May Experience Significant Variations in Our Quarterly Results.

 

   

Our Hardware and Software Systems Are Vulnerable to Damage that Could Harm Our Business.

 

   

We Depend on Key Personnel, and if We Lose the Services of Any Member of Our Senior Management Team, We May Not Be Able to Run Our Business Effectively.

 

   

Our Charter and Bylaw Provisions and Certain Provisions of Tennessee Law May Make It Difficult in Some Respects to Cause a Change in Control of Kirkland’s and Replace Incumbent Management.

 

   

Concentration of Ownership among Our Existing Directors, Executive Officers, and Their Affiliates May Prevent New Investors from Influencing Significant Corporate Decisions.

 

   

If We Fail to Maintain an Effective System of Internal Control, We May Not Be Able to Accurately Report Our Financial Results.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor does it utilize leveraged financial instruments. There have been no material changes in the market risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2013.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures . Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15(d)-(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) have concluded that as of May 4, 2013 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Change in internal controls over financial reporting . There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the foregoing evaluation that occurred during our last fiscal quarter 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

The Company is party to pending legal proceedings and claims. Although the outcome of such proceedings and claims cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s management is of the opinion that it is unlikely that these proceedings and claims in excess of insurance coverage will have a material effect on the financial condition, operating results or cash flows of the Company.

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

In addition to factors set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the ‘Safe Harbor’ Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,” in Part I — Item 2 of this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2013, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

10.1    Amended and Restated 2002 Equity Incentive Plan
31.1    Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2    Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1    Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2   

Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

101    Interactive Data File (Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended May 4, 2013, furnished in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language))

 

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

      KIRKLAND’S, INC.
Date: June 13, 2013      

/s/ Robert E. Alderson

      Robert E. Alderson
     

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: June 13, 2013      

/s/ W. Michael Madden

      W. Michael Madden
     

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Document

10.1    Amended and Restated 2002 Equity Incentive Plan
31.1    Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2    Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32.1    Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2    Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101    Interactive Data File (Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended May 4, 2013, furnished in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language))

 

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EXHIBIT 10.1

KIRKLAND’S, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2002 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(Amended and Restated Effective June 4, 2013)

1. Purpose; Definitions.

The purpose of the Kirkland’s, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) are to (a) enable Kirkland’s, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and its affiliated companies to recruit and retain highly qualified employees, directors and consultants; (b) provide those employees, directors and consultants with an incentive for productivity; and (c) provide those employees, directors and consultants with an opportunity to share in the growth and value of the Company.

For purposes of the Plan, the following initially capitalized words and phrases have the meanings defined below, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

(a) “ Award ” means the grant of Options, SARs, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units or Performance Awards pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

(b) “ Award Agreement ” means, with respect to any particular Award, the written document that sets forth the terms of that particular Award.

(c) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time; provided, however , that if the Board appoints a Committee to perform some or all of the Board’s administrative functions hereunder pursuant to Section 2 , references in this Plan to the “Board” will be deemed to also refer to that Committee in connection with administrative matters to be performed by that Committee.

(d) “ Cause ” exists when a Participant (as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion):

(i) engages in any type of disloyalty to the Company, including without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, or dishonesty in the course of his employment or engagement, or otherwise breaches any fiduciary duty owed to the Company;

(ii) is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(iii) enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

(iv) discloses any proprietary information belonging to the Company without the consent of the Company; or

(v) breaches any agreement with or duty to the Company.

However, notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Participant is bound by the terms of an employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary that includes a definition of “cause,” the determination of whether that Participant has been terminated for “Cause” will be made in accordance with that employment agreement.

(e) “ Change in Control ” means (i) the sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition (including by merger or consolidation) by shareholders of the Company, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of more than 50% of the voting power represented by the then outstanding capital stock of the Company to one or more persons, (ii) the sale of substantially all the assets of the Company, or (iii) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(f) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

(g) “ Committee ” means a committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 2 of this Plan.

 

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(h) “ Director ” means a member of the Board.

(i) “ Disability ” means a condition rendering a Participant Disabled.

(j) “ Disabled ” means, with respect to any Participant (i) entitled to benefits under a long-term disability policy or program of the Company, or (ii) if the Participant is not covered by any such policy or program, when the Participant is prevented by a physical or mental impairment from engaging in any substantial, gainful activity for a period of at least six (6) months, as determined by the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Participant is bound by the terms of an employment agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary that includes a definition of “disabled” or disability,” the determination of whether that Participant is “Disabled” for purposes of this Plan will be made in accordance with that employment agreement.

(k) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(l) “ Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date: (i) the closing price of the Shares as reported on the principal nationally recognized stock exchange on which the Shares are traded on such date, or if no Share prices are reported on such date, the closing price of the Shares on the last preceding date on which there were reported Share prices; or (ii) if the Shares are not listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a nationally recognized stock exchange, the closing price of the Shares as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market on such date, or if no Share prices are reported on such date, the closing price of the Shares on the last preceding date on which there were reported Share prices; or (iii) if the Shares are not listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a nationally recognized stock exchange or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board acting in its discretion, which determination will be conclusive.

(m) “ Incentive Stock Option ” means any Option intended to be and designated as an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(n) “ Non-Employee Director ” will have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided, however , that the Board may, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code or regulations thereunder, require each “Non-Employee Director” to also be an “outside director,” as that term is defined in regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(o) “ Non-Qualified Stock Option ” means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

(p) “ Option ” means any option to purchase Shares (including Restricted Shares, if the Board so determines) granted pursuant to Section 5 hereof.

(q) “ Participant ” means an employee, consultant or director of the Company or a Subsidiary to whom an Award is granted.

(r) “ Performance Award ” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof.

(s) “ Restricted Shares ” means Shares that are subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 8 hereof.

(t) “ Restricted Share Unit ” means a contractual right that entitles the Participant, subject to the restrictions in Section 8 hereof, to receive one Share.

(u) “ SAR ” means a share appreciation right granted under the Plan and described in Section 6 hereof.

(v) “ Share ” means a share of common stock, no par value, of the Company, subject to substitution or adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) hereof.

(w) “ Subsidiary ” means, in respect of the Company, a subsidiary company, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Sections 424(f) and (g) of the Code.

 

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2. Administration.

The Plan will be administered by the Board; provided, however , that the Board may at any time appoint a Committee to perform some or all of the Board’s administrative functions hereunder; and provided further , that the authority of any Committee appointed pursuant to this Section 2 will be subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe and will be coextensive with, and not in lieu of, the authority of the Board hereunder.

Any Committee established under this Section 2 shall consist of one or more members of the Board (who may also be officers of the Company); provided that, for purposes of the grant and administration of Awards to members of the Board or “officers” of the Company (within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act), any Committee appointed by the Board will be composed solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. From time to time the Board may increase the size of any Committee and appoint additional members thereto, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefore, fill vacancies however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan.

Members of the Board who are eligible for Awards or have received Awards may vote on any matters affecting the administration of the Plan or the grant of Awards, except that no such member will act upon the grant of an Award to himself or herself, but any such member may be counted in determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board or Committee during which action is taken with respect to the grant of Awards to himself or herself.

The Board will have full authority to grant Awards under this Plan. In particular, but without limitation, the Board will have the authority:

(a) to select the persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder (consistent with the eligibility conditions set forth in Section 4 );

(b) to determine the type of Award to be granted hereunder;

(c) to determine the number of Shares, if any, to be covered by each such Award;

(d) to establish the terms of each Award Agreement;

(e) to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may be exercised without a payment of cash under Section 5(f) ;

(f) subject to Section 9 hereof, establish the performance conditions relevant to any Award and certify whether such performance conditions have been satisfied following the end of the relevant performance period;

(g) to determine whether and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in cash; and

(h) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Award, to extend the post-termination exercise period of an Award and to otherwise modify or amend the terms of an Award, subject to Section 10 .

The Board will have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it, from time to time, deems advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary to carry out the intent of the Plan.

All decisions made by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Plan will be final and binding on all persons, including the Company and Participants. No member of the Board will be liable for any good faith determination, act or omission in connection with the Plan or any Award.

3. Shares Subject to the Plan.

(a) Shares Subject to the Plan . The Shares to be subject or related to awards under the Plan will be authorized and unissued Shares of the Company, whether or not previously issued and subsequently acquired by the Company. The maximum number of Shares that may be the subject of awards under the Plan is 3,500,000 and the Company

 

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will reserve for the purposes of the Plan such number of Shares. All Shares authorized for issuance hereunder may be issued in respect of Incentive Stock Options. No Participant will receive Options or SARs with respect to more than 500,000 Shares in any calendar year. The maximum number of Shares issuable to any Participant in any one calendar year with respect to Performance Awards denominated in Shares will be 500,000. The maximum amount payable to any Participant in any one calendar year with respect to Performance Awards denominated in cash will be $1,600,000.

(b) Effect of the Expiration or Termination of Awards . If and to the extent that an Award expires, terminates or is canceled or forfeited for any reason without having been exercised in full, the Shares associated with the expired, terminated, canceled or forfeited portion of the Award will again become available for grant under the Plan. If any Share is received in satisfaction of the exercise price payable upon exercise of an Option, or if the issuance of any Share is withheld pursuant to Section 15(d) in settlement of a tax obligation associated with an Award, that Share will become available for grant under the Plan.

(c) Other Adjustment . In the event of any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, stock split or combination, stock dividend or other similar event or transaction (including, without limitation, any “corporate transaction,” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.424-1(a)(3)), substitutions or adjustments will be made by the Board: (i) to the aggregate number, class and/or issuer of the securities reserved for issuance under the Plan; (ii) to the number, class and/or issuer of securities subject to outstanding Awards; and (iii) to the exercise price of outstanding Options or SARs, in each case in a manner that reflects equitably the effects of such event or transaction. For avoidance of doubt, a substitution or adjustment that reflects equitably the effects of a given event or transaction will include (but will not be limited to) any substitution or adjustment consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.424-1(a) or any successor provision.

(d) Change Control . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Plan, upon or in anticipation of any Change in Control, the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the need for the consent of any Participant, take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of that Change in Control: (i) cause any or all outstanding Awards to become vested and immediately exercisable (as applicable), in whole or in part; (ii) cause any outstanding Option to become fully vested and immediately exercisable for a reasonable period in advance of the Change in Control and, to the extent not exercised prior to that Change in Control, cancel that Option upon closing of the Change in Control; (iii) cancel any Option in exchange for an option to purchase common stock of any successor corporation, which new option satisfies the requirements of Treas. Reg. § 1.425-1(a)(4)(i) (without regard to whether the original Option was intended to be an Incentive Stock Option), (iv) cancel any Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Unit or SARs in exchange for a restricted shares, restricted share units or stock appreciation rights with respect to the capital stock of any successor corporation or its parent, (v) redeem any Restricted Share or Restricted Share Unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the Fair Market Value on the date of the Change in Control, and/or (vi) cancel any Option or SAR in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the (A) the number of Shares subject to that Option or SAR, multiplied by (B) the difference between the Fair Market Value on the date of the Change in Control and the exercise price of that Option or SAR, provided , that if the Fair Market Value on the date of the Change in Control does not exceed the exercise price of any such Option or SAR, the Board may cancel that Option or SAR without any payment of consideration therefor.

In the discretion of the Board, any cash or substitute consideration payable upon cancellation of an Award may be subjected to (i) vesting terms substantially identical to those that applied to the cancelled Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (ii) earn-out, escrow, holdback or similar arrangements, to the extent such arrangements are applicable to any consideration paid to stockholders in connection with the Change in Control.

4. Eligibility.

Employees, directors, consultants and other individuals who provide services to the Company or its Subsidiaries are eligible to be granted Awards. Persons who are not employees of the Company or a Subsidiary are eligible to be granted Awards, but are not eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options.

5. Options.

Options may be either: (i) Incentive Stock Options or (ii) Non-Qualified Stock Options. The Award Agreement evidencing any Option will incorporate the following terms and conditions and may contain such additional terms and conditions (not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan) as the Board deems appropriate, in its sole discretion:

(a) Option Price . The exercise price per Share purchasable under any Option will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of the grant. However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any Participant who, at the time the Option is granted, owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of a Subsidiary will have an exercise price per Share of not less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date of the grant.

 

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(b) Option Term . The term of each Option will be fixed by the Board, but no Option will be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date the Option is granted. However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any Participant who, at the time such Option is granted, owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of a Subsidiary may not have a term of more than five (5) years. No Option may be exercised by any person after expiration of the term of the Option.

(c) Method of Exercise . Subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and the termination provisions set forth in Section 7 , Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time and from time to time during the term of the Option, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. Such notice will be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price, either by certified or bank check, or such other means as the Board may accept. As determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, at or after grant, payment in full or in part of the exercise price of an Option may be made in the form of previously acquired Shares based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised or through means of a “net settlement,” whereby the Option exercise price will be satisfied by the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable upon such exercise, such that the number of Shares issued upon such exercise will be equal to: (i) the product of (A) the number of Shares as to which the Option is then being exercised, and (B) the excess of (1) the then current Fair Market Value over (2) the Option exercise price, divided by (ii) the then current Fair Market Value.

No Shares will be issued upon exercise of an Option until full payment therefore has been made. A Participant will not have the right to distributions or dividends or any other rights of a shareholder with respect to Shares subject to the Option until the Participant has given written notice of exercise, has paid in full for such Shares, and, if requested, has given the representation described in Section 15(a) hereof.

(d) Incentive Stock Option Limitations . In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary will not exceed $100,000. For purposes of applying the foregoing limitation, Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the chronological order in which they were granted. Any Option not meeting such limitation will be treated for all purposes as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

(e) Termination of Employment . Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement, Options will be subject to the terms of Section 7 with respect to exercise following termination of employment.

(f) Transferability of Options . Except as may otherwise be specifically determined by the Board with respect to a particular Option, no Option will be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Options will be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant or, in the event of his Disability, by his personal representative.

6. Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a) Grant . The grant of an SAR provides the holder the right to receive the appreciation in value of Shares between the date of grant and the date of exercise. SARs may be granted alone (“Stand-Alone SARs”) or in conjunction with all or part of any Option (“Tandem SARs”). In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, a Tandem SAR may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Option. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, a Tandem SAR may be granted only at the time of the grant of such Option.

(b) Exercise .

(i) Tandem SARs . A Tandem SAR or applicable portion thereof will terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Option or portion thereof, except that, unless otherwise determined by the Board, in its sole discretion at the time of grant, a Tandem SAR granted with respect to less than the full number of Shares covered by a related Option will be reduced only after such related Option is exercised or otherwise terminated with respect to the number of Shares not covered by the Tandem SAR.

A Tandem SAR may be exercised by a Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the related Option, only at such time or times and to the extent that the Option to which such Tandem SAR relates will be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 and this Section 6 . Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, will no longer be exercisable to the extent the related Tandem SARs have been exercised.

 

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Upon the exercise of a Tandem SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive, upon surrender to the Company of all (or a portion) of an Option in exchange for cash and/or Shares, an amount equal to the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value, as of the date such Option (or such portion thereof) is surrendered, of the Shares covered by such Option (or such portion thereof) over (B) the aggregate exercise price of such Option (or such portion thereof).

Upon the exercise of a Tandem SAR, the Option or part thereof to which such Tandem SAR is related, will be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the limitation set forth in Section 3 of the Plan on the number of Shares to be issued under the Plan, but only to the extent of the number of Shares issued under the Tandem SAR at the time of exercise based on the value of the Tandem SAR at such time.

A Tandem SAR may be exercised only if and when the Fair Market Value exceeds the per Share exercise price of such Option.

(ii) Stand-Alone SARs . A Stand-Alone SAR may be exercised by a Participant giving notice of intent to exercise to the Company, provided that all or a portion of such Stand-Alone SAR will have become vested and exercisable as of the date of exercise.

Upon the exercise of a Stand-Alone SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive, in either cash and/or Shares, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the Fair Market Value, as of the date such SAR (or portion of such SAR) is exercised, of the Shares covered by such SAR (or portion of such SAR) over (B) the Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by such SAR (or a portion of such SAR) as of the date such SAR (or a portion of such SAR) was granted.

(c) Terms and Conditions . The Award Agreement evidencing any SAR will incorporate the following terms and conditions and will contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Board deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion:

(i) Term of SAR . Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, the term of a Tandem SAR will be identical to the term of the associated Option, and the term of a Stand-Alone SAR will be ten (10) years.

(ii) Exercisability . SARs will vest and become exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as will be determined by the Board at the time of grant; provided that, unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, a Tandem SAR will vest and become exercisable in the same manner and at the same time as the associated Option.

(iii) Termination of Employment . Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, SARs will be subject to the terms of Section 7 with respect to exercise upon termination of employment.

7. Termination of Service.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular Award, Options or SARs granted hereunder will remain exercisable after termination of employment only to the extent specified in this Section 7 .

(a) Termination by Reason of Death . If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of death, any Option or SAR held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent then exercisable or on such accelerated basis as the Board may determine, at or after grant, by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the Participant under the will of the Participant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Board at or after the time of grant, (ii) if not specified by the Board, then one year from the date of death, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, then upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option or SAR.

(b) Termination by Reason of Disability . If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of Disability, any Option or SAR held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant or his personal representative, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Board may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Board at

 

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or after the time of grant, (ii) if not specified by the Board, then one year from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, then upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option or SAR.

(c) Cause . If a Participant’s service is terminated for Cause: (i) any Option or SAR not already exercised will be immediately and automatically forfeited as of the date of such termination, and (ii) any Shares for which the Company has not yet delivered share certificates will be immediately and automatically forfeited and the Company will refund to the Participant the Option exercise price paid for such Shares, if any.

(d) Other Termination . If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates for any reason other than death, Disability, or Cause, any Option or SAR held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination or on such accelerated basis as the Board may determine at or after the time of grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Board at or after the time of grant, (ii) if not specified by the Board, then 90 days from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, then upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option or SAR; provided, however , that if the Board does not specifically provide for any post-termination exercise period, then any Option or SAR held by such terminated Participant will expire immediately upon the date of such termination.

8. Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units.

(a) Issuance . Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units may be issued either alone or in conjunction with other Awards. The Board will determine the time or times within which Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units may be subject to forfeiture, and all other conditions of such Awards.

(b) Awards and Certificates . The Award Agreement evidencing the grant of any Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units will contain such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Board deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion. The prospective recipient of an Award of Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units will not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has executed an Award Agreement and has delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award. The purchase price for Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units may, but need not, be zero.

Any share certificate issued in connection with an Award of Restricted Shares will bear the following legend and/or any other legend required by this Plan, the Award Agreement, the Company’s shareholders’ agreement, if any, and any applicable law:

THE TRANSFERABILITY OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE KIRKLAND’S, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2002 INCENTIVE PLAN AND AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE REGISTERED OWNER AND KIRKLAND’S, INC. COPIES OF THAT PLAN AND AGREEMENT ARE ON FILE IN THE PRINCIPAL OFFICES OF KIRKLAND’S, INC. AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

Any certificates evidencing Restricted Shares shall be held in custody by the Company or in escrow by an escrow agent until the restrictions thereon have lapsed. As a condition of any Restricted Share award, the Participant may be required to deliver to the Company a share power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such Award.

(c) Restrictions and Conditions . The Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units awarded pursuant to this Section 8 will be subject to the following restrictions and conditions, as applicable:

(i) During a period commencing with the date of an Award of Restricted Shares and ending at such time or times as specified by the Board (the “ Restriction Period ”), the Participant will not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan. The Board may condition the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units upon the continued employment or service of the recipient, the attainment of specified individual or corporate performance goals, or such other factors as the Board may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

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(ii) Except as provided in this Paragraph (ii)  or Section 8(c)(i) , once Restricted Shares have been issued to a Participant, the Participant will have, with respect to those Shares, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the Shares, and the right to receive any cash distributions or dividends. The Board, in its sole discretion, as determined at the time of award, may permit or require the payment of cash distributions or dividends to be deferred and, if the Board so determines, reinvested in additional Restricted Shares to the extent Shares are available under Section 3 of the Plan. Any distributions or dividends paid in the form of securities with respect to Restricted Shares will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Shares with respect to which they were paid, including, without limitation, the same Restriction Period. A Participant whose Award consists of Restricted Share Units shall not have the right to vote or receive dividend equivalents with respect to such Restricted Share Units.

(iii) Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement, if a Participant’s service with the Company terminates prior to the expiration of the Restriction Period, all of that Participant’s Restricted Shares or Restricted Share Units that then remain subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

(iv) If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Shares subject to such Restriction Period (or if and when the restrictions applicable to Restricted Shares lapse, pursuant to Sections 3(d) ), any certificates representing such Shares will be replaced with new certificates, without the portion restrictive legends described in Section 8(b) applicable to such lapsed restrictions, and such new certificates will be promptly delivered to the Participant, the Participant’s representative (if the Participant has suffered a Disability), or the Participant’s estate or heir (if the Participant has died).

9. Performance Based Awards.

(a) Performance Awards Generally . The Board may grant Performance Awards in accordance with this Section 9 . Performance Awards may be denominated in Shares or cash and may be earned based upon achievement or satisfaction of performance conditions specified by the Board. In addition, the Board may specify that any other Award shall constitute a Performance Award by conditioning the vesting or settlement of the Award upon the achievement or satisfaction of such performance conditions as may be specified by the Board. Subject to Section 9(b) , the Board may use such business criteria or other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing the relevant performance conditions and may, in its discretion, adjust such criteria from time to time.

(b) Qualified Performance-Based Compensation Under Section 162(m) . Performance Awards intended to constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code will be granted by a Committee composed solely of two or more “outside directors” (as that term is defined in regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code) and will be subject to the terms of this Section 9(b) .

(i) Performance Goals . The grant, vesting and/or settlement of a Performance Award subject to this Section 9(b) will be contingent upon achievement, during a specified performance period, of one or more of the following business criteria (subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 9(b)(ii) , below): (1) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified percentage increase in, net sales, revenues, market share, operating income, income before income taxes, net income, pretax income before allocation of corporate overhead and bonus, earnings before income tax, earnings before interest and taxes and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or a combination of any or all of the foregoing; (2) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax profits including that attributable to continuing and/or other operations; (3) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, operational cash flow; (4) the achievement of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in, all or a portion of, the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of such cash balances and/or other specified offsets; (5) the attainment of a specified level of, or specified percentage increase in, earnings per share or earnings per share from continuing operations; (6) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, return on capital employed or return on invested capital or assets; (7) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax return on stockholders’ equity; (8) appreciation in and/or maintenance of certain target levels in the Fair Market Value; (9) the attainment of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of or rate of increase in all or a portion of specified expenses. The performance goals for a particular performance period need not be the same for all Participants.

(ii) Adjustments to Performance Goals . The Committee may provide, at the time performance goals are established in accordance with Section 9(b)(i) , that adjustments will be made to those performance goals to take into account, in any objective manner specified by the Committee, the impact of one or more of the following: (1) gain or loss from all or certain claims and/or litigation and insurance recoveries, (2) the impairment of tangible or

 

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intangible assets, (3) stock-based compensation expense, (4) extraordinary items, (5) restructuring activities reported in the Company’s public filings, (6) investments, dispositions or acquisitions, (7) loss from the disposal of certain assets, (8) gain or loss from the early extinguishment, redemption, or repurchase of debt, (9) cash or non-cash charges related to store closing expenses, (10) changes in accounting principles, or (11) any other item, event or circumstance that would not cause an Award to fail to constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. For purposes of item (4) above, “extraordinary items” shall mean all items of gain, loss or expense for the fiscal year determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to a corporate transaction (including a disposition or acquisition) or related to a change in accounting principle, all as determined in accordance with standards established by Opinion No. 30 of the Accounting Principles Board. Any adjustment shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards, unless such other objective method of measurement is designated at the time performance goals are established. In addition, adjustments will be made as necessary to any performance goals related to the Company’s capital stock to reflect changes in corporate capitalization, including a recapitalization, stock split or combination, stock dividend, spin-off, merger, reorganization or other similar event or transaction affecting the Company’s capital stock.

(iii) Absolute or Relative Measurements . Performance goals and adjustments thereto may be established on a Company-wide basis or with respect to one or more business units, divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, or products; and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.

(c) Other Terms of Performance Awards . The Board may specify other terms pertinent to a Performance Award in the applicable Award Agreement, including without limitation the treatment of that Award in the event of a Change in Control prior to the end of the applicable performance period.

10. Amendments and Termination.

The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan at any time, but, except as otherwise provided in Section 3(d) of the Plan, no amendment, alteration or discontinuation will be made that would impair the rights of a Participant with respect to an Award that is outstanding under the Plan without the Participant’s consent, or that, without the approval of such amendment within one year (365 days) of its adoption by the Board, by a majority of the votes cast at a duly held shareholder meeting at which a quorum representing a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting shares is present (either in person or by proxy), would: (i) increase the total number of Shares reserved for the purposes of the Plan (except as otherwise provided in Section 3(c) ), or (ii) change the persons or class of persons eligible to receive Awards.

11. Prohibition on Repricing Programs.

The Company will not implement any cancellation/re-grant program pursuant to which outstanding Options or SARs are cancelled and replaced with new Options or SARs with a lower exercise price per Share or otherwise reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or SARs (other than pursuant to Section 3(c) ) without approval of majority of the votes cast at a duly held shareholder meeting.

12. Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries.

No Award or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to, or in favor of, or subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to, any party, other than the Company or any Subsidiary, or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Awards and rights shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its discretion, provide that Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) are transferable, without consideration, to immediate family members (i.e., children, grandchildren or spouses) or to trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members and/or the Participant. In addition, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Board, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant, and to receive any distribution payable with respect to an Award, upon the death of the Participant. A beneficiary, guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Board, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board.

13. Liability of Company.

(a) If the Company cannot, by the exercise of commercially reasonable efforts, obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction over the issuance of Shares under this Plan, and such authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of those Shares, the Company will be relieved of any liability for failing to issue those Shares.

 

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(b) If Shares subject to an Award exceed, as of the date of grant, the number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan without additional shareholder approval, that Award will be contingent with respect to such excess Shares, on the effectiveness under applicable law of a sufficient increase in the number of Shares subject to this Plan.

(c) The Company will pay all amounts payable under this Plan only to the applicable Participant, or beneficiaries entitled thereto pursuant to this Plan. The Company will not be liable for the debts, contracts, or engagements of any Participant or his or her beneficiaries, and rights to cash payments under this Plan may not be taken in execution by attachment or garnishment, or by any other legal or equitable proceeding while in the hands of the Company.

14. Unfunded Status of Plan.

The Plan is intended to be “unfunded.” With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein will give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Board may authorize the creation of grantor trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Shares or payments in lieu of Shares or with respect to Awards.

15. General Provisions.

(a) The Board may require any Participant to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring securities of the Company for investment purposes and without a view to distribution thereof and as to such other matters as the Board believes are appropriate. Any certificate evidencing an Award and any securities issued pursuant thereto may include any legend which the Board deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer and compliance with securities laws.

All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan will be subject to such share-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any other applicable Federal or state securities laws, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

(b) Nothing contained in the Plan will prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

(c) The adoption of the Plan will not confer upon any person the right to continued employment or engagement by the Company or such Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or such Subsidiary to terminate the employment or engagement of any of its service providers at any time.

(d) No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includable in the gross income of the Participant for Federal income tax purposes with respect to any Award, the Participant will pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Board regarding the payment, of any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the minimum required withholding obligations may be settled with Shares, including Shares that are part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement. The obligations of the Company under this Plan are conditioned on such payment or arrangements and the Company will, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the Participant.

(e) The Company makes no representations or warranties concerning the tax consequences of participation in the Plan under Code Section 409A or any other federal, state or local tax law.

(f) By acceptance of any Award, a Participant will be deemed to acknowledge that such Award will be subject to any clawback policy adopted by the Company, as in effect from time to time.

 

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16. Effective Date of Plan.

This amended and restated Plan will become effective on the date that it is duly approved by the Company’s stockholders.

17. Term of Plan.

This Plan will continue in effect until terminated in accordance with Section 10 ; provided, however, that no Incentive Stock Option will be granted hereunder on or after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of the most recent shareholder approval of the Plan; but provided further, that Incentive Stock Options granted prior to such tenth (10th) anniversary may extend beyond that date.

18. Invalid Provisions.

In the event that any provision of this Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any applicable law, such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed as rendering any other provisions contained herein as invalid or unenforceable, and all such other provisions will be given full force and effect to the same extent as though the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained herein.

19. Governing Law.

This Plan and all Awards made and actions taken thereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws and judicial decisions of the State of Tennessee, without regard to the application of the principles of conflicts of laws.

20. Board Action.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Plan, any and all actions of the Board taken under or in connection with this Plan and any agreements, instruments, documents, certificates or other writings entered into, executed, granted, issued and/or delivered pursuant to the terms hereof, will be subject to and limited by any and all votes, consents, approvals, waivers or other actions of all or certain stockholders of the Company or other persons required by:

(i) the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time);

(ii) the Company’s Bylaws (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time); and

(iii) any other agreement, instrument, document or writing now or hereafter existing, between or among the Company and its stockholders or other persons (as the same may be amended from time to time).

21. Notices.

Any notice to be given to the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan will be addressed to the Company in care of its Secretary (or such other person as the Company may designate from time to time) at its principal executive office, and any notice to be given to a Participant will be delivered personally or addressed to him or her at the address given beneath his or her signature on his or her Award Agreement, or at such other address as such Participant may hereafter designate in writing to the Company. Any such notice will be deemed duly given on the date and at the time delivered via personal, courier or recognized overnight delivery service or, if sent via telecopier, on the date and at the time telecopied with confirmation of delivery or, if mailed, on the date five (5) days after the date of the mailing (which will be by regular, registered or certified mail). Delivery of a notice by telecopy (with confirmation) will be permitted and will be considered delivery of a notice notwithstanding that it is not an original that is received.

 

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EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Robert E. Alderson, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Kirkland’s, Inc. (“registrant”);

 

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(s) 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(s) 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: June 13, 2013      

/s/ Robert E. Alderson

      Robert E. Alderson
      President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, W. Michael Madden, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Kirkland’s, Inc. (“registrant”);

 

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(s) 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(s) 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: June 13, 2013      

/s/ W. Michael Madden

      W. Michael Madden
      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Kirkland’s, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended May 4, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert E. Alderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, 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.

 

/s/ Robert E. Alderson

President and Chief Executive Officer
June 13, 2013

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Kirkland’s, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended May 4, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, W. Michael Madden, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, 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.

 

/s/ W. Michael Madden

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
June 13, 2013