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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended August 1, 2020
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 001-32545
DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio 31-0746639
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
810 DSW Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (614) 237-7100
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Shares, without par value DBI New York Stock Exchange

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

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

Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of September 1, 2020: 64,591,131 Class A common shares and 7,732,786 Class B common shares.



Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Form 10-Q") may constitute forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions fo the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. Examples of such forward-looking statements include references to our future expansion and our acquisitions. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as "could," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "would," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates," or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q are based upon current plans, estimates, expectations and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, financial condition, growth strategy and liquidity. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition to those factors described under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020 (the "2019 Form 10-K"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 1, 2020 and amended on May 7, 2020, and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 2, 2020, filed with the SEC on June 19, 2020, and herein, and otherwise in our reports and filings with the SEC, there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the following:
risks and uncertainty related to the continued outbreak of the coronavirus ("COVID-19"), any future COVID-19 resurgence, and any other adverse public health developments;
our ability to protect the health and safety of our employees and our customers, which may be affected by current or future government regulations related to stay-at-home orders and orders related to the operation of non-essential businesses;
risks related to our holdings of cash and investments and access to liquidity and the financial markets on terms that are favorable to us, if at all;
risks related to our international operations, including international trade, our reliance on foreign sources for merchandise, exposure to foreign tax contingencies, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
maintaining strong relationships with our vendors, manufacturers, licensors, and retailer customers;
our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses or realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions after we complete our integration efforts;
risks related to the loss or disruption, whether as a result of COVID-19 or otherwise, of any of our distribution or fulfillment centers;
our reliance on our loyalty programs and marketing to drive traffic, sales and customer loyalty;
our ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends, consumer preferences and changing customer expectations;
failure to retain our key executives or attract qualified new personnel;
risks related to the loss or disruption of our information systems and data and our ability to prevent or mitigate breaches of our information security and the compromise of sensitive and confidential data;
risks associated with remote working arrangements;
our ability to comply with privacy laws and regulations, as well as other legal obligations;
the effect of Stein Mart Inc. ("Stein Mart") filing for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code;
our success in growing our store base and digital demand;
our ability to protect our reputation and to maintain the brands we license;
our ability to execute our strategies;
seasonality of our business and fluctuation of our comparable sales and quarterly financial performance;
uncertain general economic, political and social conditions and the related impacts to consumer discretionary spending;
our competitiveness with respect to style, price, brand availability and customer service;
the imposition of increased or new tariffs on our products;
risks related to our qualification under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") for payroll tax credits and deferral of payroll taxes in the U.S., as well as other similar regulations in Canada; and



uncertainty related to future legislation, regulatory reform, policy changes, or interpretive guidance on existing legislation.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from what we have projected. Furthermore, new factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can management assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.




DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
1
2
3
4
5
6
20
29
29
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
29
30
32
32
32
32
33
34

All references to "we," "us," "our," "Designer Brands Inc.," or the "Company" in this Form 10-Q mean Designer Brands Inc. and its subsidiaries.




PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three months ended Six months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Net sales $ 489,714  $ 855,952  $ 972,497  $ 1,729,241 
Cost of sales (452,672) (594,779) (961,915) (1,208,735)
Operating expenses (168,424) (222,370) (355,645) (439,950)
Income from equity investment 2,153  2,464  4,423  4,692 
Impairment charges (6,735)   (119,282)  
Operating profit (loss) (135,964) 41,267  (459,922) 85,248 
Interest expense, net (3,788) (1,972) (5,946) (3,773)
Non-operating income (expenses), net 743  199  656  (143)
Income (loss) before income taxes (139,009) 39,494  (465,212) 81,332 
Income tax benefit (provision) 40,795  (12,087) 151,140  (22,731)
Net income (loss) $ (98,214) $ 27,407  $ (314,072) $ 58,601 
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share $ (1.36) $ 0.37  $ (4.36) $ 0.78 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (1.36) $ 0.37  $ (4.36) $ 0.77 
Weighted average shares used in per share calculations:
Basic shares 72,142  73,529  72,028  75,267 
Diluted shares 72,142  74,316  72,028  76,281 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
1


DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited and in thousands)
Three months ended Six months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Net income (loss) $ (98,214) $ 27,407  $ (314,072) $ 58,601 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) 1,290  461  (2,251) (253)
Unrealized net gain on debt securities   196  195  438 
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) realized in net income (loss)   23  (368) (65)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes 1,290  680  (2,424) 120 
Total comprehensive income (loss) $ (96,924) $ 28,087  $ (316,496) $ 58,721 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2


DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited and in thousands)
August 1, 2020 February 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 206,720  $ 86,564  $ 51,762 
Investments
  24,974  25,504 
Accounts receivable, net
49,240  89,151  85,162 
Inventories
445,044  632,587  706,168 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
69,456  67,534  55,561 
Total current assets
770,460  900,810  924,157 
Property and equipment, net
332,730  395,009  402,779 
Operating lease assets
797,413  918,801  975,963 
Goodwill
93,655  113,644  116,280 
Intangible assets
15,663  22,846  21,112 
Deferred tax assets
182,866  31,863  29,515 
Equity investment
56,690  57,760  55,033 
Other assets
23,780  24,337  32,407 
Total assets
$ 2,273,257  $ 2,465,070  $ 2,557,246 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable
$ 224,693  $ 299,072  $ 289,457 
Accrued expenses
202,831  194,264  173,437 
Current operating lease liabilities
241,694  186,695  185,969 
Total current liabilities
669,218  680,031  648,863 
Debt
393,000  190,000  235,000 
Non-current operating lease liabilities
778,826  846,584  905,546 
Other non-current liabilities
25,586  27,541  38,590 
Total liabilities
1,866,630  1,744,156  1,827,999 
Commitments and contingencies



Shareholders' equity:
Common shares paid-in capital, no par value
980,749  971,380  963,312 
Treasury shares, at cost
(515,065) (515,065) (498,436)
Retained earnings (deficit)
(54,138) 267,094  266,957 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(4,919) (2,495) (2,586)
Total shareholders' equity
406,627  720,914  729,247 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$ 2,273,257  $ 2,465,070  $ 2,557,246 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3


DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
Number of shares Amounts
Class A common shares Class B common shares Treasury shares Common shares paid in capital Treasury shares Retained earnings (deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total
Three months ended August 1, 2020
Balance, May 2, 2020 64,302  7,733  22,169  $ 975,304  $ (515,065) $ 44,076  $ (6,209) $ 498,106 
Net loss
          (98,214)   (98,214)
Stock-based compensation activity 276      5,445        5,445 
Other comprehensive income             1,290  1,290 
Balance, August 1, 2020 64,578  7,733  22,169  $ 980,749  $ (515,065) $ (54,138) $ (4,919) $ 406,627 
Three months ended August 3, 2019
Balance, May 4, 2019 67,434  7,733  18,501  $ 957,100  $ (448,436) $ 257,453  $ (3,266) $ 762,851 
Net income           27,407    27,407 
Stock-based compensation activity 145      6,212        6,212 
Repurchase of Class A common shares (2,668)   2,668    (50,000)     (50,000)
Dividends ($0.25 per share)
          (17,903)   (17,903)
Other comprehensive income             680  680 
Balance, August 3, 2019 64,911  7,733  21,169  $ 963,312  $ (498,436) $ 266,957  $ (2,586) $ 729,247 
Six months ended August 1, 2020
Balance, February 1, 2020 64,033  7,733  22,169  $ 971,380  $ (515,065) $ 267,094  $ (2,495) $ 720,914 
Net loss
          (314,072)   (314,072)
Stock-based compensation activity 545      9,369        9,369 
Dividends ($0.10 per share)
          (7,160)   (7,160)
Other comprehensive loss             (2,424) (2,424)
Balance, August 1, 2020 64,578  7,733  22,169  $ 980,749  $ (515,065) $ (54,138) $ (4,919) $ 406,627 
Six months ended August 3, 2019
Balance, February 2, 2019 70,672  7,733  15,091  $ 953,801  $ (373,436) $ 254,718  $ (2,706) $ 832,377 
Cumulative effect of accounting change           (9,556)   (9,556)
Net income           58,601    58,601 
Stock-based compensation activity 317      9,511        9,511 
Repurchase of Class A common shares (6,078)   6,078    (125,000)     (125,000)
Dividends ($0.50 per share)
          (36,806)   (36,806)
Other comprehensive income             120  120 
Balance, August 3, 2019 64,911  7,733  21,169  $ 963,312  $ (498,436) $ 266,957  $ (2,586) $ 729,247 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4


DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and in thousands)
Six months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ (314,072) $ 58,601 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
44,075  42,485 
Stock-based compensation expense
10,596  9,731 
Deferred income taxes
(152,988) 1,043 
Income from equity investment
(4,423) (4,692)
Distributions received from equity investment
5,493  7,784 
Impairment charges
119,282   
Gain on settlement (8,990)  
Other
403  1,689 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired amounts:
Accounts receivable
30,699  (14,800)
Inventories
186,965  (61,748)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(847) (2,972)
Accounts payable
(67,282) 30,683 
Accrued expenses
26,693  (24,677)
Operating lease assets and liabilities, net
44,777  (8,935)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(79,619) 34,192 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for property and equipment (22,141) (40,259)
Purchases of available-for-sale investments   (3,014)
Sales of available-for-sale investments 24,755  47,764 
Proceeds from settlement 4,166   
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
6,780  4,491 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowing on revolving line of credit
251,000  320,700 
Payments on revolving line of credit
(48,000) (245,700)
Cash paid for treasury shares
  (125,000)
Dividends paid
(7,160) (36,806)
Other
(2,646) (397)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
193,194  (87,203)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances
(199) (286)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
120,156  (48,806)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period
86,564  100,568 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$ 206,720  $ 51,762 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) for income taxes
$ 165  $ 21,796 
Cash paid for interest on debt
$ 5,606  $ 4,052 
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities
$ 62,262  $ 118,563 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment purchases not yet paid
$ 1,981  $ 8,648 
Operating lease liabilities arising from lease asset additions
$ 9,408  $ 9,184 
Increase to operating lease assets and lease liabilities for modifications
$ 23,195  $ 48,029 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Operations- Designer Brands Inc. is a leading North American footwear and accessories designer, producer and retailer. We operate a portfolio of retail concepts in the U.S. and Canada under the DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse ("DSW"), The Shoe Company and Shoe Warehouse banners. Through Camuto LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary doing business as "Camuto Group," we design and produce footwear and accessories. We also own licensing rights for the Jessica Simpson footwear business and footwear and handbag licenses for Lucky Brand and Max Studio. In partnership with Authentic Brands Group LLC, a global brand management and marketing company, we have a 40% stake in ABG-Camuto, LLC ("ABG-Camuto"), a joint venture that acquired several intellectual property rights, including Vince Camuto, Louise et Cie, Sole Society, CC Corso Como, and others, and focuses on licensing and developing new category extensions to support the global growth of these brands. We have a licensing agreement with ABG-Camuto whereby we pay royalties on our net sales from the brands owned by ABG-Camuto. Our Affiliated Business Group ("ABG") partners with other retailers to help build and optimize their in-store and online footwear businesses by leveraging our sourcing network to produce a merchandise assortment that meets their needs.

We present three reportable segments: the U.S. Retail segment, the Canada Retail segment, and the Brand Portfolio segment. The U.S. Retail segment includes stores operated in the U.S. under the DSW banner and its related e-commerce site. The Canada Retail segment includes stores operated in Canada under The Shoe Company, Shoe Warehouse, DSW banners and related e-commerce sites. The Brand Portfolio segment includes the sale of wholesale products to retailers, commissions for serving retailers as the design and buying agent for products under private labels ("First Cost"), and the sale of branded products on direct-to-consumer e-commerce sites. Other operating segments are below the quantitative and qualitative thresholds for reportable segments and are aggregated into Other for segment reporting purposes.

Basis of Presentation- The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, we do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods. The balance sheet at February 1, 2020 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2019 Form 10-K.

Fiscal Year- Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. References to a fiscal year refer to the calendar year in which the fiscal year begins.

Accounting Policies- The complete summary of significant accounting policies is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as presented in our 2019 Form 10-K.

Impact of COVID-19- In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. On March 18, 2020, to help control the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of our customers, employees, and the communities we serve, we temporarily closed all of our stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, we took several actions in late March 2020 to reduce costs and operations to levels that were more commensurate with then-current sales, including furloughs and pay reductions. However, as this continues to be an unprecedented period of uncertainty, we have made and may continue to make adjustments to our operational plans, inventory controls, liquidity management, and reductions to our expense and capital expenditure plans.

With the easing of stay-at-home orders and other state-imposed restrictions on non-essential businesses, during the second quarter and into the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we have re-opened the majority of our stores, discontinued the furlough program, and restored pay for our associates that had taken pay reductions. In July 2020, we implemented an internal reorganization and reduction of our workforce, resulting in the elimination of over 1,000 associate positions, including approximately 220 vacant positions that will not be filled. The charges recorded as a result of this reorganization are included in our integration and restructuring costs discussed below.

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

Given the continuation of overall depressed consumer sentiment, customer behavior has been and may continue to be slow to return to pre-COVID-19 patterns and levels, if at all. We have continued to serve our customers through our e-commerce businesses during the period that our stores were closed and beyond, but store closures resulted in a sharp decline in our net sales and cash flows during the first half of fiscal 2020. Although the majority of our stores are now open, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, significantly reduced customer traffic and net sales. Our retailer customers in the Brand Portfolio Segment are having similar experiences.

As a result of the material reduction in net sales and cash flows during fiscal 2020, we updated our impairment analysis for our U.S. Retail and Canada Retail segments at the store-level, which represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are independent of the cash flows of other assets. The carrying amount of the store asset group, primarily made up of operating lease assets, leasehold improvements and fixtures, is considered impaired when the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the expected future cash flows from the asset group (categorized as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy). In addition, we evaluated other long-lived assets based on our intent to use such assets going forward. During the three months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded an impairment charge of $6.7 million for the U.S. Retail segment. During the six months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded impairment charges of $92.8 million ($73.1 million and $19.7 million for the U.S. Retail and Canada Retail segments, respectively). Also during the six months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded an impairment charge of $6.5 million for the Brand Portfolio segment customer relationship intangible resulting in a full impairment due to the lack of projected cash flows over the remaining useful life (categorized as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy).

We evaluate goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that impairment may exist. As a result of the material reduction in net sales and cash flows due to the temporary closure of all of our stores, the decrease in net sales from our retailer customers and the decrease in the Company's market capitalization due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on macroeconomic conditions, we updated our impairment analysis for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets during the first quarter of fiscal 2020. We calculated the fair value of the reporting units with goodwill primarily based on a discounted cash flow analysis (categorized as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy). Our analysis concluded that the fair value of the First Cost reporting unit within the Brand Portfolio segment did not exceed its carrying value. Accordingly, during the six months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded an impairment charge of $20.0 million for the First Cost reporting unit in the Brand Portfolio segment, resulting in a full impairment. For goodwill within the U.S. Retail segment, which is also the reporting unit, the fair value was in excess of the carrying value.

The U.S. Retail segment inventory is accounted for using the retail inventory method and is stated at the lower of cost or market. Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories reflects reductions for merchandise marked down with charges to cost of sales. As a result, earnings are negatively impacted as the merchandise is marked down prior to sale. Inventories for the Canada Retail and Brand Portfolio segments are accounted for using weighted average cost method and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For all inventories, we also monitored excess and obsolete inventories in light of the temporary closure of stores during our peak spring selling season and reduced traffic experienced since re-opening stores. During the six months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded approximately $64.0 million of additional inventory reserves over the same period last year.

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the CARES Act, which, among other things, provides employer payroll tax credits for wages paid to employees who are unable to work during the COVID-19 outbreak and options to defer payroll tax payments. Based on our evaluation of the CARES Act, we qualify for certain employer payroll tax credits, which are treated as government subsidies to offset related operating expenses, as well as the deferral of payroll and other tax payments in the future. Similar credits and deferrals were also available in Canada. During the three and six months ended August 1, 2020, the qualified payroll tax credits reduced our operating expenses by $3.5 million and $7.9 million, respectively, on our condensed consolidated statement of operations. We expect to record additional payroll tax credits from government agencies in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 to offset qualified wages paid to our employees and we intend to defer qualified payroll and other tax payments where permitted.

We recorded our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and related liabilities based on management’s best estimates. Additionally, we assessed the likelihood of realizing the benefits of our deferred tax assets. One of the provisions of the CARES Act allows net operating losses generated within tax years 2018 through 2020 to be carried back up to five years, including years in which the U.S. federal statutory tax rate was 35%, as opposed to the current rate of 21%. As of August 1, 2020, we did not significantly adjust the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets based on available evidence. However, we will continue to monitor the realizability of our deferred tax assets, particularly in certain jurisdictions where the outbreak has created significant net operating losses. Our ability to recover these deferred tax assets depends on several factors, including the amount
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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

of net operating losses we can carry back and our ability to project future taxable income. Total deferred tax assets as of August 1, 2020 were $182.9 million, which are all related to jurisdictions where we expect to incur significant net operating losses in the near term, although the risks of failing to realize these benefits vary across the jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate changed from 27.9% for the six months ended August 3, 2019 to 32.5% for the six months ended August 1, 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the ability to carry back current year losses to a tax year where the U.S. federal statutory tax rate was 35%.

In addition, during the three and six months ended August 1, 2020, we incurred $6.4 million and $8.1 million, respectively, of incremental costs directly related to COVID-19, including termination fees, pre-open cleaning services, signs used to encourage customers in social distancing, plexiglass shields used at store registers, and supplies of thermometers, masks, gloves, cleaning agents, and other items. We expect to record additional similar costs during the remainder of fiscal 2020 as we strive to protect our associates and serve our customers in the safest way possible and in compliance with applicable government mandates.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains challenging. The continuation of the outbreak or a new surge in cases may cause new and prolonged periods of store closures, further adjustments to store operations, and changes in customer behaviors and preferences, which may necessitate further shifts in our business model, and potential reductions in consumer spending. As such, the ultimate impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak to our businesses remain highly uncertain and we may have additional write-downs of inventories, accounts receivables, long-lived assets, intangibles, and goodwill and an inability to realize deferred tax assets.

Integration and Restructuring Costs- During the three months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, we incurred integration and restructuring costs, which consisted primarily of severance of $7.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, and professional fees and other integration costs of $1.2 million and $7.2 million, respectively. During the six months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, we incurred integration and restructuring costs, which consisted primarily of severance of $9.0 million and $3.6 million, respectively, and professional fees and other integration costs of $1.2 million and $8.5 million, respectively. These costs are included in operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, we had accrued severance of $8.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively, included in accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Lease Modifications- In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we negotiated deferrals of lease payments to be repaid over various time periods, with no substantive changes to the total consideration. For these deferrals, we have elected to treat the changes as modifications to our leases, which resulted in remeasuring the related lease assets and liabilities and including non-lease components per our policy.

Gain on Settlement- During the three months ended August 1, 2020, we recognized a gain of $9.0 million, recorded to operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, due to a settlement with a vendor for costs incurred on internal-use software that was capitalized and impaired in a previous fiscal year. During the three months ended August 1, 2020, we collected $4.2 million, net of legal costs incurred, and recorded a $4.8 million receivable included in accounts receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, which has been subsequently received.

Principles of Consolidation- The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Designer Brands and its subsidiaries, including variable interest entities. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All amounts are in U.S. dollars ("USD"), unless otherwise noted.

Use of Estimates- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Certain estimates and assumptions use forecasted financial information using information reasonably available to us, along with the estimated, but uncertain, future impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. Significant estimates and assumptions are required as a part of accounting for sales returns allowances, customer allowances and discounts, gift card breakage income, deferred revenue associated with loyalty programs, valuation of inventories, depreciation and amortization, impairments of long-lived assets, intangibles and goodwill, lease accounting, legal reserves, foreign tax contingent liabilities, income taxes, and self-insurance reserves. Although we believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based on management's knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, and changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and assumptions, and actual results could differ from these estimates.

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

Fair Value- Fair value is defined as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized using defined hierarchical levels related to the subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair value measurements as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which little or no market activity exists.

We measure available-for-sale investments at fair value on a recurring basis. These investments were measured using a market-based approach using inputs such as prices of similar assets in active markets (categorized as Level 2). The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables and accounts payables approximated their fair values due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of borrowing under our senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Facility") approximates its fair value based on its term and variable interest rate.

Prior Period Reclassifications- Certain prior period reclassifications were made to conform to the current period presentation, consistent with the changes made during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. Commission income previously presented in commission, franchise and other revenue was reclassified to net sales. Other revenue, which primarily included operating sublease income, also previously presented in commission, franchise and other revenue, was reclassified to operating expenses. In addition, we reclassified a previously presented basis difference related to acquisition of commonly controlled entity to common shares paid in-capital within shareholders' equity for all periods presented. The basis difference related to the acquisition of a commonly controlled entity related to a legal entity acquisition in fiscal 2012 from certain Schottenstein Affiliates (as defined below), which legal entity owned property that was previously leased by us. As this was a transaction between entities under common control, the difference between the historical cost carrying amounts and the consideration transferred is reflected as an equity transaction within common shares paid in-capital.

Adoption of ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments- During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, which replaces the previous incurred loss method used for determining credit losses on financial assets, including trade receivables, with an expected credit loss method. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

2. REVENUE

Disaggregation of Net Sales- The following table presents net sales disaggregated by product and service category for each segment:
Three months ended Six months ended
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Net sales:
U.S. Retail segment:
Women's footwear $ 253,539  $ 458,390  $ 513,102  $ 940,511 
Men's footwear 85,012  140,895  155,367  269,884 
Kids' footwear 32,232  34,824  61,415  72,028 
Accessories and other 23,194  43,811  41,166  87,337 
393,977  677,920  771,050  1,369,760 
Canada Retail segment:
Women's footwear 25,329  35,533  41,301  64,159 
Men's footwear 13,970  16,432  20,773  29,440 
Kids' footwear 8,231  8,556  13,787  16,383 
Accessories and other 2,052  2,785  3,050  5,140 
49,582  63,306  78,911  115,122 
Brand Portfolio segment:
Wholesale 15,563  88,577  82,867  180,331 
Commission income 5,018  7,525  10,141  11,204 
Direct-to-consumer 9,877  6,845  19,563  15,958 
30,458  102,947  112,571  207,493 
Other 22,266  29,480  35,889  65,087 
Total segment net sales 496,283  873,653  998,421  1,757,462 
Elimination of intersegment sales (6,569) (17,701) (25,924) (28,221)
Total net sales $ 489,714  $ 855,952  $ 972,497  $ 1,729,241 

Deferred Revenue Liabilities- We record deferred revenue liabilities, included in accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, for remaining obligations we have to our customers. The following table presents the changes and total balances for gift cards and our loyalty programs:
Three months ended Six months ended
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Gift cards:
Beginning of period $ 30,908  $ 30,066  $ 35,461  $ 34,998 
Gift cards redeemed and breakage recognized to net sales (11,343) (21,843) (24,868) (44,098)
Gift cards issued 10,354  20,054  19,326  37,377 
End of period $ 29,919  $ 28,277  $ 29,919  $ 28,277 
Loyalty programs:
Beginning of period $ 14,568  $ 16,153  $ 16,138  $ 16,151 
Loyalty certificates redeemed and expired and other adjustments recognized to net sales (4,277) (9,507) (10,886) (18,828)
Deferred revenue for loyalty points issued 4,506  9,388  9,545  18,711 
End of period $ 14,797  $ 16,034  $ 14,797  $ 16,034 
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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Schottenstein Affiliates

As of August 1, 2020, the Schottenstein Affiliates consisted of entities owned or controlled by Jay L. Schottenstein, the executive chairman of our Board of Directors, and members of his family. As of August 1, 2020, the Schottenstein Affiliates beneficially owned approximately 16% of the Company's outstanding common shares, representing approximately 52% of the combined voting power, consisting of, in the aggregate, 3.7 million Class A common shares and 7.7 million Class B common shares. The following summarizes the related party transactions with the Schottenstein Affiliates for the relevant periods:

Leases- We lease our fulfillment center and certain store locations owned by the Schottenstein Affiliates. See Note 13, Leases, for rent expense and future minimum lease payment requirements associated with the Schottenstein Affiliates.

Other Purchases and Services- During the three months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, we had other purchases and services we incurred from the Schottenstein Affiliates of $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively. During the six months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, we had other purchases and services we incurred from the Schottenstein Affiliates of $2.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

Due to Related Parties- As of August 1, 2020, February 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, we had amounts due to the Schottenstein Affiliates of $0.4 million, $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, included in accounts payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

ABG-Camuto

We have a 40% interest in our equity investment in ABG-Camuto. We entered into a licensing agreement with ABG-Camuto, pursuant to which we pay royalties on the net sales of the brands owned by ABG-Camuto. During the three months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, we recorded $4.6 million and $3.6 million of royalty expense payable to ABG-Camuto, respectively. During the six months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, we recorded $9.0 million and $9.3 million of royalty expense payable to ABG-Camuto, respectively. As of August 1, 2020 and February 1, 2020, we had $0.1 million and $0.3 million payable to ABG-Camuto, respectively, included in accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

4. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic earnings (loss) per share is based on net income (loss) and the weighted average of Class A and Class B common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution of common shares adjusted for outstanding stock options and restricted stock units ("RSUs") calculated using the treasury stock method.

The following is a reconciliation between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, as used in the calculation of earnings (loss) per share:
Three months ended Six months ended
(in thousands)
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
72,142  73,529  72,028  75,267 
Dilutive effect of stock-based compensation awards
  787    1,014 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
72,142  74,316  72,028  76,281 

For the three months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, the number of shares relating to potentially dilutive stock-based compensation awards that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share due to their anti-dilutive effect was 5.9 million and 4.6 million, respectively. For the six months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019, the number of shares relating to potentially dilutive stock-based compensation awards that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share due to their anti-dilutive effect was 5.5 million and 2.9 million, respectively.

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based compensation expense consisted of the following:
Three months ended Six months ended
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Stock options $ 407  $ 563  $ 870  $ 1,386 
Restricted and director stock units 5,272  4,798  9,726  8,345 
$ 5,679  $ 5,361  $ 10,596  $ 9,731 

The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation award activity for the six months ended August 1, 2020:
Number of shares
(in thousands) Stock Options Time-Based RSUs Performance-Based RSUs
Outstanding - beginning of period 3,761  1,687  768 
Granted   3,423  11 
Exercised / vested   (259) (204)
Forfeited / expired (165) (392)  
Outstanding - end of period 3,596  4,459  575 

6. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Shares- Our Class A common shares are listed for trading under the ticker symbol "DBI" on the New York Stock Exchange. There is currently no public market for the Company's Class B common shares, but the Class B common shares can be exchanged for the Company's Class A common shares at the election of the holder on a share for share basis. Holders of Class A common shares are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Class B common shares are entitled to eight votes per share on matters submitted to shareholders for approval.

The following table provides additional information for our common shares:
August 1, 2020 February 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
(in thousands) Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B
Authorized shares 250,000  100,000  250,000  100,000  250,000  100,000 
Issued shares 86,747  7,733  86,202  7,733  86,080  7,733 
Outstanding shares 64,578  7,733  64,033  7,733  64,911  7,733 
Treasury shares 22,169    22,169    21,169   

We have authorized 100 million shares of no par value preferred shares, with no shares issued for any of the periods presented.

Share Repurchases- During the six months ended August 1, 2020, we did not repurchase any Class A common shares. During the six months ended August 3, 2019, we repurchased 6.1 million Class A common shares at a cost of $125.0 million.

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss- Changes for the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows (all amounts are net of tax):
Three months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
(in thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Available-for-Sale Securities Total Foreign Currency Translation Available-for-Sale Securities Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss - beginning of period $ (6,209) $   $ (6,209) $ (3,042) $ (224) $ (3,266)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 1,290    1,290  461  196  657 
Amounts reclassified to non-operating expenses, net         23  23 
Other comprehensive income 1,290    1,290  461  219  680 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss - end of period $ (4,919) $   $ (4,919) $ (2,581) $ (5) $ (2,586)

Six months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
(in thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Available-for-Sale Securities Total Foreign Currency Translation Available-for-Sale Securities Total
Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) - beginning of period $ (2,668) $ 173  $ (2,495) $ (2,328) $ (378) $ (2,706)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (2,251) 195  (2,056) (253) 438  185 
Amounts reclassified to non-operating expenses, net   (368) (368)   (65) (65)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (2,251) (173) (2,424) (253) 373  120 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss - end of period $ (4,919) $   $ (4,919) $ (2,581) $ (5) $ (2,586)

7. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following:
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 February 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Customer accounts receivables:
Serviced by third-party provider with guaranteed payment $ 20,268  $ 54,209  $ 61,494 
Serviced by third-party provider without guaranteed payment 739  365  495 
Serviced in-house 6,248  7,630  10,145 
Other receivables 23,973  28,166  14,460 
Accounts receivable 51,228  90,370  86,594 
Allowance for doubtful accounts (1,988) (1,219) (1,432)
Accounts receivable, net $ 49,240  $ 89,151  $ 85,162 

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

8. INVESTMENTS

Investments in available-for-sale securities consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
August 1, 2020 February 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Carrying value of investments
$   $ 24,831  $ 25,510 
Unrealized gains included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
  143  18 
Unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (24)
Fair value
$   $ 24,974  $ 25,504 

9. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following:
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 February 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Land $ 1,110  $ 1,110  $ 1,110 
Buildings 12,485  12,485  13,445 
Building and leasehold improvements 446,870  449,958  440,425 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 481,962  482,573  489,805 
Software 188,871  189,291  183,226 
Construction in progress 13,798  32,645  41,454 
Total property and equipment 1,145,096  1,168,062  1,169,465 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (812,366) (773,053) (766,686)
Property and equipment, net $ 332,730  $ 395,009  $ 402,779 

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

10. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill- Activity related to our goodwill was as follows:
Six months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
(in thousands) Goodwill Accumulated Impairments Net Goodwill Accumulated Impairments Net
Beginning of period by segment:
U.S. Retail $ 93,655  $   $ 93,655  $ 25,899  $   $ 25,899 
Canada Retail 41,610  (41,610)   42,048  (42,048)  
Brand Portfolio 19,989    19,989  63,614    63,614 
155,254  (41,610) 113,644  131,561  (42,048) 89,513 
Activity by segment:
Canada Retail -
Currency translation adjustment (534) 534    (416) 416   
Brand Portfolio:
Impairment charges   (19,989) (19,989)      
Purchase price and allocation adjustments       26,767    26,767 
(534) (19,455) (19,989) 26,351  416  26,767 
End of period by segment:
U.S. Retail 93,655    93,655  25,899    25,899 
Canada Retail 41,076  (41,076)   41,632  (41,632)  
Brand Portfolio 19,989  (19,989)   90,381    90,381 
$ 154,720  $ (61,065) $ 93,655  $ 157,912  $ (41,632) $ 116,280 

Intangible Assets- Intangible assets consisted of the following:
(in thousands) Cost Accumulated Amortization Net
August 1, 2020
Definite-lived customer relationships $ 2,843  $ (2,507) $ 336 
Indefinite-lived trademarks and tradenames 15,327    15,327 
$ 18,170  $ (2,507) $ 15,663 
February 1, 2020
Definite-lived customer relationships $ 9,360  $ (2,044) $ 7,316 
Indefinite-lived trademarks and tradenames 15,530    15,530 
$ 24,890  $ (2,044) $ 22,846 
August 3, 2019
Definite-lived customer relationships $ 6,661  $ (1,064) $ 5,597 
Indefinite-lived trademarks and tradenames 15,515    15,515 
$ 22,176  $ (1,064) $ 21,112 

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

11. ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 February 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Gift cards and merchandise credits $ 29,919  $ 35,461  $ 28,277 
Accrued compensation and related expenses 29,422  26,768  38,532 
Accrued taxes 22,624  19,399  18,330 
Loyalty programs deferred revenue 14,797  16,138  16,034 
Sales returns 20,713  21,408  19,332 
Customer allowances and discounts 8,644  11,528  9,306 
Other 76,712  63,562  43,626 
$ 202,831  $ 194,264  $ 173,437 

12. DEBT

During the six months ended August 1, 2020, our Credit Facility provided a revolving line of credit with sub-limits for the issuance of up to $50 million in letters of credit, swing loan advances of up to $15 million, and the issuance of up to $75 million in foreign currency revolving loans and letters of credit. On April 30, 2020, the Credit Facility was amended, which resulted in various changes, including:
Provided for a lien on all of the Company's assets;
Redefined the components for calculating the leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio to adjust for certain temporary impacts due to COVID-19;
Changed the maximum leverage ratio covenant to 4.00:1 as of August 1, 2020;
Changed the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio to 1.05:1 as of August 1, 2020; and
Restricted the Company from paying dividends and making share repurchases.

Loans issued under the revolving line of credit bore interest, at our option, at a base rate or an alternate base rate as defined in the Credit Facility plus a margin based on our leverage ratio, with an interest rate of 3.8% as of August 1, 2020. Interest on letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility was variable based on our leverage ratio and the type of letters of credit, with an interest rate of 2.8% as of August 1, 2020. Commitment fees were based on the average unused portion of the Credit Facility at a variable rate based on our leverage ratio. As of August 1, 2020, the Credit Facility provided a revolving line of credit up to $400 million and we had $393.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility and $5.0 million in letters of credit issued, resulting in $2.0 million available for borrowings. Interest expense related to the Credit Facility includes interest on borrowings and letters of credit, commitment fees and the amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs.

13. LEASES

We lease our stores, fulfillment center and other facilities under operating lease arrangements with unrelated parties and related parties owned by the Schottenstein Affiliates. The majority of our real estate leases provide for renewal options, which are typically not included in the lease term used for measuring the lease assets and lease liabilities as it is not reasonably certain we will exercise renewal options. We pay variable amounts for certain lease and non-lease components as well as for contingent rent based on sales for certain leases where the sales are in excess of specified levels and for leases that have certain contingent triggering events that are in effect. We also lease equipment under operating leases.

We receive operating sublease lease income from unrelated third parties for leasing portions or all of certain properties. Operating sublease income and operating expenses for these properties are included in operating expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

Lease income and lease expense consisted of the following for the three and six months ended August 1, 2020 and August 3, 2019:
Three months ended Six months ended
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Operating lease income $ 3,034  $ 2,236  $ 6,197  $ 4,448 
Operating lease expense:
Lease expense to unrelated parties $ 51,162  $ 52,707  $ 104,390  $ 106,061 
Lease expense to related parties 2,270  2,371  4,657  4,713 
Variable lease expense to unrelated parties 18,667  12,981  31,653  26,003 
Variable lease expense to related parties 302  348  669  650 
Total operating lease expense $ 72,401  $ 68,407  $ 141,369  $ 137,427 

As of August 1, 2020, our future fixed minimum lease payments are as follows:
(in thousands) Unrelated Parties Related Parties Total
Remainder of fiscal 2020 $ 133,406  $ 4,624  $ 138,030 
Fiscal 2021 251,414  8,697  260,111 
Fiscal 2022 196,176  7,418  203,594 
Fiscal 2023 155,781  4,573  160,354 
Fiscal 2024 115,788  4,139  119,927 
Future fiscal years thereafter 236,332  11,353  247,685 
1,088,897  40,804  1,129,701 
Less discounting impact on operating leases (104,751) (4,430) (109,181)
Total operating lease liabilities 984,146  36,374  1,020,520 
Less current operating lease liabilities (233,834) (7,860) (241,694)
Non-current operating lease liabilities $ 750,312  $ 28,514  $ 778,826 

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings- We are involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of our business. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any litigation, we believe the amount of any potential liability with respect to current legal proceedings will not be material to the results of operations or financial condition. As additional information becomes available, we will assess any potential liability related to pending litigation and revise the estimates as needed.

Foreign Tax Contingencies- During the due diligence procedures performed related to the acquisition of Camuto Group, we identified probable contingent liabilities associated with unpaid foreign payroll and other taxes that could also result in assessed penalties and interest. We had previously developed an estimate of the range of outcomes related to these obligations and recorded the low-end of the range. During the three months ended August 1, 2020, we reduced our contingent liability by $5.5 million for payments made to taxing authorities and by $12.3 million for changes in estimates due to additional information as a result of negotiations with taxing authorities and we reduced the indemnification asset by $15.2 million. As of August 1, 2020, we have a contingent liability of $10.7 million for the remaining estimated obligations, with $5.8 million included in accrued expenses and $4.9 million included in other non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and an indemnification asset of $9.6 million, with $5.8 million included in accounts receivable and $3.8 million included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, representing the estimated amount as of the acquisition date, which we expect to collect under the terms of the securities purchase agreement with the sellers of Camuto Group (the "Sellers"). We are continuing to assess the exposure, which may result in material changes to these estimates, and we may identify additional contingent liabilities. We believe that the Sellers are obligated to indemnify us for any payments to foreign taxing authorities for the periods up to the acquisition date. Although a portion of the purchase price is held in escrow and another portion is held
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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

in a restricted bank account, there can be no assurance that we will successfully collect all amounts that we may be obligated to settle with the foreign taxing authorities.

Guarantee- As a result of a previous merger, we provided a guarantee for a lease commitment that is scheduled to expire in fiscal 2023 for a location that has been leased to a third party. If the third party does not pay the rent or vacates the premise, we may be required to make full rent payments to the landlord. As of August 1, 2020, the total future minimum lease payment requirements for this guarantee were approximately $11.7 million.

15. SEGMENT REPORTING
The following provides certain financial data by segment reconciled to the condensed consolidated financial statements:
(in thousands) U.S. Retail Canada Retail Brand Portfolio Other Corporate/Eliminations Total
Three months ended August 1, 2020
Net sales:
External customer sales $ 393,977  $ 49,582  $ 23,889  $ 22,266  $   $ 489,714 
Intersegment sales     6,569    (6,569)  
Total net sales $ 393,977  $ 49,582  $ 30,458  $ 22,266  $ (6,569) $ 489,714 
Gross profit (loss) $ 40,097  $ 5,650  $ (11,440) $ 118  $ 2,617  $ 37,042 
Income from equity investment $   $   $ 2,153  $   $   $ 2,153 
Three months ended August 3, 2019
Net sales:
External customer sales $ 677,920  $ 63,306  $ 85,246  $ 29,480  $   $ 855,952 
Intersegment sales     17,701    (17,701)  
Total net sales $ 677,920  $ 63,306  $ 102,947  $ 29,480  $ (17,701) $ 855,952 
Gross profit $ 208,056  $ 21,939  $ 26,786  $ 6,041  $ (1,649) $ 261,173 
Income from equity investment $   $   $ 2,464  $   $   $ 2,464 
Six months ended August 1, 2020
Net sales:
External customer sales $ 771,050  $ 78,911  $ 86,647  $ 35,889  $   $ 972,497 
Intersegment sales     25,924    (25,924)  
Total net sales $ 771,050  $ 78,911  $ 112,571  $ 35,889  $ (25,924) $ 972,497 
Gross profit (loss) $ 7,127  $ 3,339  $ 2,464  $ (5,310) $ 2,962  $ 10,582 
Income from equity investment $   $   $ 4,423  $   $   $ 4,423 
Six months ended August 3, 2019
Net sales:
External customer sales $ 1,369,760  $ 115,122  $ 179,272  $ 65,087  $   $ 1,729,241 
Intersegment sales     28,221    (28,221)  
Total net sales $ 1,369,760  $ 115,122  $ 207,493  $ 65,087  $ (28,221) $ 1,729,241 
Gross profit $ 417,947  $ 37,686  $ 52,459  $ 15,352  $ (2,938) $ 520,506 
Income from equity investment $   $   $ 4,692  $   $   $ 4,692 

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DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Termination of Credit Facility- On August 7, 2020, we replaced our Credit Facility with a five year $400.0 million, senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility ("ABL Revolver") and completed a five year, $250.0 million senior secured term loan ("Secured Term Loan"). Upon the closing of the transactions, we made an initial borrowing in the amount of $150.0 million under the ABL Revolver. These proceeds, along with the proceeds from the Secured Term Loan, were used to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and we terminated the Credit Facility.

ABL Revolver- Our ABL Revolver matures in August 2025 and is secured by substantially all of our personal property assets, including a first priority lien on credit card receivables and inventory and a second priority lien on personal property assets that constitute first priority collateral for the Secured Term Loan. The ABL Revolver provides a revolving line of credit of up to $400.0 million, including a Canadian sub-limit of up to $20.0 million, a $50.0 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit, a $40.0 million sub-limit for swing loan advances for U.S. borrowing, and a $2.0 million sub-limit for swing loan advances for Canadian borrowings. The amount of credit available is limited to a borrowing base based on, among other things, a percentage of the book value of eligible inventory and credit card receivables, as reduced by certain reserves. At the closing of the ABL Revolver, the amount available for borrowing was limited to a borrowing base of $274.3 million with an initial borrowing of $150.0 million and issued letters of credit of $5.0 million resulting in $119.3 million available for additional borrowings.

Borrowings under the ABL Revolver accrue interest, at our option, at a rate equal to: (A) a base rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the prime rate, (ii) the overnight bank funding rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) the adjusted one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 1.0%; or (B) an adjusted LIBOR per annum (subject to a floor of 0.75%), plus, in each instance, an applicable rate to be determined based on average availability.

Secured Term Loan- Our Secured Term Loan requires minimum quarterly principal payments with the remaining outstanding balance due in August 2025. The Secured Term Loan has limited prepayment requirements under certain conditions. The Secured Term Loan is collateralized by a first priority lien on substantially all of our personal and real property (subject to certain exceptions), including investment property and intellectual property, and by a second priority lien on certain other personal property, primarily credit card receivables and inventory.

Borrowings under the Secured Term Loan accrue interest, at our option, at a rate equal to: (A) a base rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) 2.25%, (ii) the prime rate, (iii) the overnight bank funding rate plus 0.5%, and (iv) the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus, in each instance, 7.5%; or (B) an adjusted LIBOR per annum (subject to a floor of 1.25%), plus 8.5%.

Debt Covenants- The ABL Revolver contains a minimum availability covenant where an event of default shall occur if availability is less than the greater of $30.0 million or 10.0% of the maximum credit amount. The Secured Term Loan includes a springing covenant imposing a minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") covenant, which arises when liquidity is less than $150.0 million. In addition, the ABL Revolver and the Secured Term Loan each contain customary covenants restricting our activities, including limitations on the ability to sell assets, engage in acquisitions, enter into transactions involving related parties, incur additional debt, grant liens on assets, pay dividends or repurchase stock, and make certain other changes. There are specific exceptions to these covenants including, in some cases, upon satisfying specified payment conditions. Both the ABL Revolver and the Secured Term Loan contain customary events of default with cross-default provisions. Upon an event of default that is not cured or waived within the cure periods, in addition to other remedies that may be available to the lenders, the obligations may be accelerated, outstanding letters of credit may be required to be cash collateralized and remedies may be exercised against the collateral.

Stein Mart- On August 12, 2020, Stein Mart, one of our ABG retail partners, filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and announced its plan to liquidate inventory. The ultimate outcome of the filing and liquidation sale is subject to the oversight and approval of the bankruptcy court. We are monitoring the status of the filing and are taking appropriate actions to maximize the recovery value of the inventory we own at Stein Mart locations. As of August 1, 2020, inventory we owned at Stein Mart locations was $15.2 million at cost and we had a receivable balance due from Stein Marts of $2.1 million. We do not expect to incur material losses as a result of Stein Mart's actions.

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

Executive Overview

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. On March 18, 2020, to help control the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of our customers, employees, and the communities we serve, we temporarily closed all of our stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, we took several actions in late March 2020 to reduce costs and operations to levels that were more commensurate with then-current sales, including furloughs and pay reductions. However, as this continues to be an unprecedented period of uncertainty, we have made and may continue to make adjustments to our operational plans, inventory controls, liquidity management, and reductions to our expense and capital expenditure plans.

With the easing of stay-at-home orders and other state-imposed restrictions on non-essential businesses, during the second quarter and into the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we have re-opened the majority of our stores, discontinued the furlough program, and restored pay for our associates that had taken pay reductions. In July 2020, we implemented an internal reorganization and reduction of our workforce, resulting in the elimination of over 1,000 associate positions, including approximately 220 vacant positions that will not be filled.

Given the continuation of overall depressed consumer sentiment, customer behavior has been and may continue to be slow to return to pre-COVID-19 patterns and levels, if at all. We have continued to serve our customers through our e-commerce businesses during the period that our stores were closed and beyond, but store closures resulted in a sharp decline in our net sales and cash flows during the first half of fiscal 2020. Although the majority of our stores are now open, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, significantly reduced customer traffic and net sales. Our retailer customers in the Brand Portfolio Segment are having similar experiences.

Our flexible business model has afforded us the opportunity to quickly adapt to the volatile macro environment and business conditions. We implemented inventory control actions that enabled us to decrease total inventory by 37% at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the same period last year. We have been more aggressive with our promotional activity to drive sales, and this markdown activity, along with additional inventory reserves, has materially impacted margins. With our customers staying home, there has been a clear shift in consumer behavior and preferences to increased demand for athleisure and casual products and away from dress and seasonal categories. We have modified receipts to match these expectations and see opportunity ahead of us given our under-penetration in this business.

Over the past several years, we have made significant investments in our digital infrastructure and, as a result, we were able to generate strong digital sales during the first half of fiscal 2020, well above digital sales for the same period last year across all segments. Our unique digital experiences, such as Buy Online Pick Up in Store and Curbside Pickup, and our ability to use our stores for fulfillment have served us well while our stores have been closed to the public. Digital innovation has also helped us pilot a self-checkout option through our mobile app for customers shopping in stores. We anticipate that adapting to operating as a digital-focused retailer during this time will have a lasting influence on how we operate moving forward. Continuing to function as a digital-focused retailer, coupled with our strategic pillars of delivering differentiated products, offering differentiated experiences in-store and online, and focusing on new growth opportunities to increase market share, will guide our decisions as we adjust for the future. We remain one of the largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and accessories in the market and have the advantage of a fully integrated supply chain supported by our acquisition of Camuto Group.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains challenging. The continuation of the outbreak or a new surge in cases may cause new and prolonged periods of store closures, further adjustments to store operations, and changes in customer behaviors and preferences, which may necessitate further shifts in our business model, and potential reductions in consumer spending. As such, the ultimate impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak to our businesses remain highly uncertain and we may have additional write-downs of inventories, accounts receivables, long-lived assets, intangibles, and goodwill and an inability to realize deferred tax assets.

Comparable Sales Performance Metric

We consider comparable sales to be an important indicator of the performance of our retail and direct-to-consumer businesses, and investors may find it useful as such. Comparable sales is a primary metric commonly used throughout the retail industry. We include stores in our comparable sales metric for those stores in operation for at least 14 months at the beginning of the fiscal year. Stores are added to the comparable base at the beginning of the year and are dropped for comparative purposes in the quarter they are closed. Comparable sales includes e-commerce sales. Comparable sales for the Canada Retail segment exclude the impact of foreign currency translation and are calculated by translating current period results at the foreign currency
20


exchange rate used in the comparable period in the prior year. Comparable sales for the Brand Portfolio segment includes the direct-to-consumer www.vincecamuto.com e-commerce site. Comparable sales also includes stores temporarily closed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak as management continues to believe this metric is meaningful to monitor the performance through the temporary closure period and to measure progress as stores re-open. Comparable sales will exclude the sales of Stein Mart beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The calculation of comparable sales varies across the retail industry and, as a result, the calculations of other retail companies may not be consistent with our calculation.

Financial Summary

Net sales decreased to $489.7 million for the three months ended August 1, 2020 from $856.0 million for the three months ended August 3, 2019. The 42.8% decrease in net sales was primarily driven by the COVID-19 outbreak with a 42.7% decrease in comparable sales due to the temporary closure of all stores beginning in March 2020 through much of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and, since re-opening, we are experiencing significantly reduced customer traffic and net sales relative to the same period last year. In addition, we had lower Brand Portfolio segment sales due to orders canceled by our retailer customers.

During the three months ended August 1, 2020, gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 7.6% as compared to 30.5% for the same period last year. The decrease in gross profit was primarily driven by the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on our operations. For the three months ended August 1, 2020, we addressed the temporary closure of stores and, subsequently, the significantly reduced customer traffic upon store re-openings, with aggressive promotional activity. The impact of COVID-19 and the actions we took resulted in higher inventory reserves, increased shipping costs in the current quarter associated with higher digital penetration, and the deleverage of distribution and fulfillment and store occupancy expenses on lower sales volume.

Net loss for the three months ended August 1, 2020 was $98.2 million, or a loss of $1.36 per diluted share, which included net after-tax charges of $6.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, primarily related to impairment charges, integration and restructuring expenses and incremental costs related to the COVID-19 outbreak, offset by governmental credits we claimed and a gain from a settlement with a vendor. Net income for the three months ended August 3, 2019 was $27.4 million, or $0.37 earnings per diluted share, which included net after-tax charges of $8.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, primarily related to integration and restructuring expenses.

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended August 1, 2020 with the Three Months Ended August 3, 2019
Three months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 Change
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Amount % of Net Sales Amount % of Net Sales Amount %
Net sales(1)
$ 489,714  100.0  % $ 855,952  100.0  % $ (366,238) (42.8) %
Cost of sales (452,672) (92.4) (594,779) (69.5) 142,107  (23.9) %
Gross profit(1)
37,042  7.6  261,173  30.5  (224,131) (85.8) %
Operating expenses(1)
(168,424) (34.4) (222,370) (26.0) 53,946  (24.3) %
Income from equity investment 2,153  0.4  2,464  0.3  (311) (12.6) %
Impairment charges (6,735) (1.4)     (6,735) NM
Operating profit (loss) (135,964) (27.8) 41,267  4.8  (177,231) NM
Interest expense, net (3,788) (0.8) (1,972) (0.2) (1,816) 92.1  %
Non-operating income, net 743  0.2  199  0.0  544  273.4  %
Income (loss) before income taxes (139,009) (28.4) 39,494  4.6  (178,503) NM
Income tax benefit (provision) 40,795  8.3  (12,087) (1.4) 52,882  NM
Net income (loss) $ (98,214) (20.1) % $ 27,407  3.2  % $ (125,621) NM
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share $ (1.36) $ 0.37  $ (1.73) NM
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (1.36) $ 0.37  $ (1.73) NM
Weighted average shares used in per share calculations:
Basic shares 72,142  73,529  (1,387) (1.9) %
Diluted shares 72,142  74,316  (2,174) (2.9) %
NM - Not meaningful
(1) We changed our presentation of net sales and gross profit (loss) for all periods presented to include commission income. Previously reported other revenue, which primarily included operating sublease income, was reclassified to operating expenses.

Net Sales- The following summarizes the changes in consolidated net sales from the same period last year:
(in thousands) Three months ended August 1, 2020
Consolidated net sales for the same period last year $ 855,952 
Decrease in comparable sales (323,468)
Net increase from non-comparable sales and other changes 36,365 
Loss of net sales from closed stores (3,614)
Decrease in wholesale net sales from Brand Portfolio segment (73,014)
Decrease in commission income from Brand Portfolio segment (2,507)
Consolidated net sales $ 489,714 

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The following summarizes net sales by segment:
Three months ended Change
(dollars in thousands) August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 Amount % Comparable Sales %
Segment net sales:
U.S. Retail $ 393,977  $ 677,920  $ (283,943) (41.9) % (44.9)%
Canada Retail 49,582  63,306  (13,724) (21.7) % (27.9)%
Brand Portfolio 30,458  102,947  (72,489) (70.4) % 120.5%
Other 22,266  29,480  (7,214) (24.5) % (36.2)%
Total segment net sales 496,283  873,653  (377,370) (43.2) % (42.7)%
Elimination of intersegment net sales (6,569) (17,701) 11,132  (62.9) %
Consolidated net sales $ 489,714  $ 855,952  $ (366,238) (42.8) %

The decreases in comparable sales for all segments, except Brand Portfolio, and in total consolidated net sales, were driven by the temporary closure of stores during our peak selling season and significantly reduced customer traffic since re-opening. This was partially offset by strong performance in our e-commerce channels, including www.vincecamuto.com, which is included in comparable sales for the Brand Portfolio segment, as a certain amount of customer demand shifted online. Brand Portfolio segment net sales was also negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak as retailer customers temporarily closed stores and canceled orders.

Gross Profit (Loss)- The following summarizes gross profit (loss) by segment:
Three months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 Change
(dollars in thousands)
Amount % of Segment Net Sales Amount % of Segment Net Sales Amount % Basis Points
Segment gross profit (loss):
U.S. Retail $ 40,097  10.2  % $ 208,056  30.7  % $ (167,959) (80.7) % (2,050)
Canada Retail 5,650  11.4  % 21,939  34.7  % $ (16,289) (74.2) % (2,330)
Brand Portfolio (11,440) (37.6) % 26,786  26.0  % $ (38,226) NM NM
Other 118  0.5  % 6,041  20.5  % $ (5,923) (98.0) % (2,000)
34,425  262,822 
Elimination of intersegment gross loss (profit) 2,617  (1,649)
Gross profit $ 37,042  7.6  % $ 261,173  30.5  % $ (224,131) (85.8) % (2,290)

The decrease in gross profit was primarily driven by the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on our operations and the temporary closure of stores and significantly reduced customer traffic since re-opening, which we addressed with aggressive promotional activity. The impact of COVID-19 and the actions we took also resulted in higher inventory reserves, increased shipping costs in the current quarter associated with higher digital penetration, and the deleverage of distribution and fulfillment and store occupancy expenses on lower sales volume. The U.S. Retail segment inventory is accounted for using the retail inventory method and is stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventories for the Canada Retail and Brand Portfolio segments are accounted for using the weighted average cost method and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For all inventories, we also monitored excess and obsolete inventories in light of the temporary closure of stores during our peak spring selling season and reduced traffic experienced since re-opening stores.

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Elimination of intersegment gross profit (loss) consisted of the following:
Three months ended
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Elimination of intersegment activity:
Net sales recognized by Brand Portfolio segment $ (6,569) $ (17,701)
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales recognized by Brand Portfolio segment 4,827  14,311 
Recognition of intersegment gross profit for inventory previously purchased that was subsequently sold to external customers during the current period 4,359  1,741 
Gross loss (profit) $ 2,617  $ (1,649)

Operating Expenses- For the three months ended August 1, 2020, operating expenses decreased by $53.9 million over the same period last year, primarily driven by the implementation of temporary leaves of absence without pay for a significant number of our associates and reducing pay for nearly all associates not placed on temporary leave for most of the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Operating expenses during the three months ended August 1, 2020 were offset by a gain from a settlement with a vendor of $9.0 million and government subsidies in the form of qualified payroll tax credits of $3.5 million.

Impairment Charges- During the three months ended August 1, 2020, we evaluated certain long-lived assets based on our intent to use such assets going forward and, as a result, we recorded impairment charges of $6.7 million.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended August 1, 2020 with the Six Months Ended August 3, 2019
Six months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 Change
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Amount % of Net Sales Amount % of Net Sales Amount %
Net sales(1)
$ 972,497  100.0  % $ 1,729,241  100.0  % $ (756,744) (43.8) %
Cost of sales (961,915) (98.9) (1,208,735) (69.9) 246,820  (20.4) %
Gross profit(1)
10,582  1.1  520,506  30.1  (509,924) (98.0) %
Operating expenses(1)
(355,645) (36.6) (439,950) (25.4) 84,305  (19.2) %
Income from equity investment 4,423  0.5  4,692  0.3  (269) (5.7) %
Impairment charges (119,282) (12.3)     (119,282) NM
Operating profit (loss) (459,922) (47.3) 85,248  5.0  (545,170) NM
Interest expense, net (5,946) (0.6) (3,773) (0.2) (2,173) 57.6  %
Non-operating income (expenses), net 656  0.1  (143) (0.0) 799  NM
Income (loss) before income taxes (465,212) (47.8) 81,332  4.8  (546,544) NM
Income tax benefit (provision) 151,140  15.5  (22,731) (1.3) 173,871  NM
Net income (loss) $ (314,072) (32.3) % $ 58,601  3.5  % $ (372,673) NM
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share $ (4.36) $ 0.78  $ (5.14) NM
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (4.36) $ 0.77  $ (5.13) NM
Weighted average shares used in per share calculations:
Basic shares 72,028  75,267  (3,239) (4.3) %
Diluted shares 72,028  76,281  (4,253) (5.6) %
NM - Not meaningful
(1) We changed our presentation of net sales and gross profit (loss) for all periods presented to include commission income. Previously reported other revenue, which primarily included operating sublease income, was reclassified to operating expenses.
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Net Sales- The following summarizes the changes in consolidated net sales from the same period last year:
(in thousands) Six months ended August 1, 2020
Consolidated net sales for the same period last year $ 1,729,241 
Decrease in comparable sales (652,260)
Net increase from non-comparable sales and other changes 2,056 
Loss of net sales from closed stores (8,013)
Decrease in wholesale net sales from Brand Portfolio segment (97,464)
Decrease in commission income from Brand Portfolio segment (1,063)
Consolidated net sales $ 972,497 
The following summarizes net sales by segment:
Six months ended Change
(dollars in thousands) August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 Amount % Comparable Sales %
Segment net sales:
U.S. Retail $ 771,050  $ 1,369,760  $ (598,710) (43.7) % (43.7)%
Canada Retail 78,911  115,122  (36,211) (31.5) % (29.9)%
Brand Portfolio 112,571  207,493  (94,922) (45.7) % 106.5%
Other 35,889  65,087  (29,198) (44.9) % (50.4)%
Total segment net sales 998,421  1,757,462  (759,041) (43.2) % (42.5)%
Elimination of intersegment net sales (25,924) (28,221) 2,297  (8.1) %
Consolidated net sales $ 972,497  $ 1,729,241  $ (756,744) (43.8) %

The decreases in comparable sales for all segments, except Brand Portfolio, and in total consolidated net sales, were driven by the temporary closure of stores during our peak selling season in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and significantly reduced customer traffic since re-opening. This was partially offset by strong performance in our e-commerce channels, including www.vincecamuto.com, which is included in comparable sales for the Brand Portfolio segment, as a certain amount of customer demand shifted online. Brand Portfolio segment net sales was also negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak as retailer customers temporarily closed stores and canceled orders.

Gross Profit (Loss)- The following summarizes gross profit (loss) by segment:
Six months ended
August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019 Change
(dollars in thousands)
Amount % of Segment Net Sales Amount % of Segment Net Sales Amount % Basis Points
Segment gross profit (loss):
U.S. Retail $ 7,127  0.9  % $ 417,947  30.5  % $ (410,820) (98.3) % (2,960)
Canada Retail 3,339  4.2  % 37,686  32.7  % $ (34,347) (91.1) % (2,850)
Brand Portfolio 2,464  2.2  % 52,459  25.3  % $ (49,995) (95.3) % (2,310)
Other (5,310) (14.8) % 15,352  23.6  % $ (20,662) NM NM
7,620  523,444 
Elimination of intersegment gross loss (profit) 2,962  (2,938)
Gross profit $ 10,582  1.1  % $ 520,506  30.1  % $ (509,924) (98.0) % (2,900)

The decrease in gross profit was primarily driven by the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on our operations and the temporary closure of stores and significantly reduced customer traffic since re-opening, which we addressed with aggressive promotional activity. The impact of COVID-19 and the actions we took also resulted in higher inventory reserves, increased
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shipping costs in the current quarter associated with higher digital penetration, and the deleverage of distribution and fulfillment and store occupancy expenses on lower sales volume. The U.S. Retail segment inventory is accounted for using the retail inventory method and is stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventories for the Canada Retail and Brand Portfolio segments are accounted for using the weighted average cost method and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For all inventories, we also monitored excess and obsolete inventories in light of the temporary closure of stores during our peak spring selling season and reduced traffic experienced since re-opening stores. For the six months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded $64.0 million of additional reserves over the same period last year.

Elimination of intersegment gross profit (loss) consisted of the following:
Six months ended
(in thousands) August 1, 2020 August 3, 2019
Elimination of intersegment activity:
Net sales recognized by Brand Portfolio segment $ (25,924) $ (28,221)
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales recognized by Brand Portfolio segment 16,961  21,918 
Recognition of intersegment gross profit for inventory previously purchased that was subsequently sold to external customers during the current period 11,925  3,365 
Gross loss (profit) $ 2,962  $ (2,938)

Operating Expenses- For the six months ended August 1, 2020, operating expenses decreased by $84.3 million over the same period last year, primarily driven by the implementation of temporary leaves of absence without pay for a significant number of our employees and reducing pay for nearly all employees not placed on temporary leave in response to the COVID-19 outbreak for most of the first half of fiscal 2020. Operating expenses during the six months ended August 1, 2020 were offset by a gain from a settlement with a vendor of $9.0 million and government subsidies in the form of qualified payroll tax credits of $7.9 million.

Impairment Charges- As a result of the material reduction in net sales and cash flows due to the temporary closure of all of our stores, we updated our impairment analysis at the store-level. In addition, we evaluated other long-lived assets based on our intent to use such assets going forward. During the six months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded impairment charges of $92.8 million. Also, during the six months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded an impairment charge of $6.5 million for the Brand Portfolio segment customer relationship intangible resulting in a full impairment due to the lack of projected cash flows over the remaining useful life.

Also as a result of the material reduction in net sales and cash flows and the decrease in the Company's market capitalization due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on macroeconomic conditions, we updated our impairment analysis for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Our analysis concluded that the fair value of the First Cost reporting unit within the Brand Portfolio segment did not exceed its carrying value. Accordingly, during the six months ended August 1, 2020, we recorded an impairment charge of $20.0 million for the First Cost reporting unit in the Brand Portfolio segment, resulting in a full impairment.

Income Taxes- Our effective tax rate changed from 27.9% for the six months ended August 3, 2019 to 32.5% for the six months ended August 1, 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the ability to carry back current year losses to a tax year where the U.S. federal statutory tax rate was 35% pursuant to the CARES Act.

Seasonality

Our business has historically been subject to seasonal merchandise trends driven by the change in weather conditions and our customers' interest in new seasonal styles. New spring styles are primarily introduced in the first quarter and new fall styles are primarily introduced in the third quarter. The COVID-19 outbreak negatively impacted our spring peak selling season and we expect that the trends that we have experienced historically may change for the remainder of fiscal 2020. With our customers staying home, there has been a clear shift in consumer behavior and preferences to increased demand for athleisure and casual products and away from dress and seasonal categories, which may result in changes in seasonal cadence.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our primary ongoing operating cash flow requirements are for inventory purchases, capital expenditures for new stores, improving our information technology systems and infrastructure growth. Our working capital and inventory levels fluctuate seasonally. We are committed to a cash management strategy that maintains liquidity to adequately support the operation of the business, pursue our growth strategy and withstand unanticipated business volatility, including the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19. We believe that cash generated from our operations, together with our current levels of cash, as well as the use of our ABL Revolver, are sufficient to maintain our ongoing operations, support working capital requirements, and fund capital expenditures over the next 12 months.

Operating Cash Flows

For the six months ended August 1, 2020, net cash used in operations was $79.6 million compared to net cash provided by operations of $34.2 million for the six months ended August 3, 2019. The change was driven by the net loss incurred during fiscal 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, after adjusting for non-cash activity including impairment charges and the change in deferred income taxes. This was partially offset by measures we implemented to manage our working capital to preserve liquidity, including delaying vendor and landlord payments while we renegotiate terms, reducing inventory orders, and significantly cutting costs.

Investing Cash Flows

For the six months ended August 1, 2020, our net cash provided by investing activities was $6.8 million, which was due to the liquidation of our available-for sale-securities, the proceeds from a settlement from a vendor, and reductions of capital expenditures to $22.1 million in order to preserve liquidity. During the six months ended August 3, 2019, our net cash provided by investing activities was $4.5 million, which was due to proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities exceeding capital expenditures of $40.3 million.

Financing Cash Flows

For the six months ended August 1, 2020, our net cash provided by financing activities was $193.2 million compared to net cash used in financing activities of $87.2 million for the six months ended August 3, 2019. During the six months ended August 1, 2020, we had net borrowings of $203.0 million from the Credit Facility as a precautionary measure to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility considering uncertainty in the U.S. and global markets resulting from COVID-19. We also significantly reduced the amount of dividends paid. As previously disclosed, we reduced the dividends paid during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and did not pay any dividends during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. During the six months ended August 3, 2019, net cash used in financing activities was primarily related to the payment of dividends and the repurchase of Class A common shares partially financed using our revolving line of credit.

Debt

Credit Facility- During the six months ended August 1, 2020, our Credit Facility provided a revolving line of credit with sub-limits for the issuance of up to $50 million in letters of credit, swing loan advances of up to $15 million, and the issuance of up to $75 million in foreign currency revolving loans and letters of credit. On April 30, 2020, the Credit Facility was amended, which resulted in various changes, including:
Provided for a lien on all of the Company's assets;
Redefined the components for calculating the leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio to adjust for certain temporary impacts due to COVID-19;
Changed the maximum leverage ratio covenant to 4.00:1 as of August 1, 2020;
Changed the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio to 1.05:1 as of August 1, 2020; and
Restricted the Company from paying dividends and making share repurchases.

Loans issued under the revolving line of credit bore interest, at our option, at a base rate or an alternate base rate as defined in the Credit Facility plus a margin based on our leverage ratio, with an interest rate of 3.8% as of August 1, 2020. Interest on letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility was variable based on our leverage ratio and the type of letters of credit, with an interest rate of 2.8% as of August 1, 2020. Commitment fees were based on the average unused portion of the Credit Facility at a variable rate based on our leverage ratio. As of August 1, 2020, the Credit Facility provided a revolving line of credit up to
27


$400 million and we had $393.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility and $5.0 million in letters of credit issued, resulting in $2.0 million available for borrowings. Interest expense related to the Credit Facility includes interest on borrowings and letters of credit, commitment fees and the amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs.

Termination of Credit Facility- On August 7, 2020, we replaced our Credit Facility with a five-year $400.0 million, ABL Revolver and completed a five-year, $250.0 million Secured Term Loan. Upon the closing of the transactions, we made an initial borrowing in the amount of $150.0 million under the ABL Revolver. These proceeds, along with the proceeds from the Secured Term Loan, were used to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and we terminated the Credit Facility.

ABL Revolver- Our ABL Revolver matures in August 2025 and is secured by substantially all of our personal property assets, including a first priority lien on credit card receivables and inventory and a second priority lien on personal property assets that constitute first priority collateral for the Secured Term Loan. The ABL Revolver provides a revolving line of credit of up to $400.0 million, including a Canadian sub-limit of up to $20.0 million, a $50.0 million sub-limit for the issuance of letters of credit, a $40.0 million sub-limit for swing loan advances for U.S. borrowing, and a $2.0 million sub-limit for swing loan advances for Canadian borrowings. The amount of credit available is limited to a borrowing base based on, among other things, a percentage of the book value of eligible inventory and credit card receivables, as reduced by certain reserves. At the closing of the ABL Revolver, the amount available for borrowing was limited to a borrowing base of $274.3 million with an initial borrowing of $150.0 million and issued letters of credit of $5.0 million resulting in $119.3 million available for additional borrowings.

Borrowings under the ABL Revolver accrue interest, at our option, at a rate equal to: (A) a base rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the prime rate, (ii) the overnight bank funding rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%; or (B) an adjusted LIBOR per annum (subject to a floor of 0.75%), plus, in each instance, an applicable rate to be determined based on average availability.

Secured Term Loan- Our Secured Term Loan requires minimum quarterly principal payments with the remaining outstanding balance due in August 2025. The Secured Term Loan has limited prepayment requirements under certain conditions. The Secured Term Loan is collateralized by a first priority lien on substantially all of our personal and real property (subject to certain exceptions), including investment property and intellectual property, and by a second priority lien on certain other personal property, primarily credit card receivables and inventory.

Borrowings under the Secured Term Loan accrue interest, at our option, at a rate equal to: (A) a base rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) 2.25%, (ii) the prime rate, (iii) the overnight bank funding rate plus 0.5%, and (iv) the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus, in each instance, 7.5%; or (B) an adjusted LIBOR per annum (subject to a floor of 1.25%), plus 8.5%.

Debt Covenants- The ABL Revolver contains a minimum availability covenant where an event of default shall occur if availability is less than the greater of $30.0 million or 10% of the maximum credit amount. The Secured Term Loan includes a springing covenant imposing a minimum EBITDA covenant which arises when liquidity is less than $150.0 million. In addition, the ABL Revolver and the Secured Term Loan each contain customary covenants restricting our activities, including limitations on the ability to sell assets, engage in acquisitions, enter into transactions involving related parties, incur additional debt, grant liens on assets, pay dividends or repurchase stock, and make certain other changes. There are specific exceptions to these covenants including, in some cases, upon satisfying specified payment conditions. Both the ABL Revolver and the Secured Term Loan contain customary events of default with cross-default provisions. Upon an event of default that is not cured or waived within the cure periods, in addition to other remedies that may be available to the lenders, the obligations may be accelerated, outstanding letters of credit may be required to be cash collateralized and remedies may be exercised against the collateral.

Capital Expenditure Plans

We expect to spend approximately $30.0 million to $35.0 million for capital expenditures in fiscal 2020, of which we invested $22.1 million during the six months ended August 1, 2020. Our capital expenditures for the remainder of the year will depend primarily on the number of store projects, as well as infrastructure and information technology projects that we undertake and the timing of these expenditures.

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Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities and Other Contractual Obligations

We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

We have included a summary of our contractual obligations as of February 1, 2020 in our 2019 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in contractual obligations outside the ordinary course of business since February 1, 2020, except for the increased amount borrowed under the Credit Facility.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We base these estimates and judgments on factors we believe to be relevant, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The process of determining significant estimates is fact-specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience, current and expected economic conditions, product mix, and in some cases, actuarial and appraisal techniques. We constantly re-evaluate these significant factors and make adjustments where facts and circumstances dictate.

While we believe that the factors considered provide a meaningful basis for the accounting policies applied in the preparation
of the condensed consolidated financial statements, we cannot guarantee that our estimates and assumptions will be accurate. As the determination of these estimates requires the exercise of judgment, actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to our condensed consolidated financial statements. There have been no material changes to the application of critical accounting policies disclosed in our 2019 Form 10-K.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We have market risk exposure related to interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. There have been no material changes in our primary risk exposures or management of market risks from those disclosed in our 2019 Form 10-K.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No change was made in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d -15(e), during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved, from time to time, in various legal claims and proceedings incidental to our business. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings, we believe the amount of any potential liability with respect to current legal proceedings will not be material to our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. We accrue legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. We established reserves we believe to be appropriate for pending matters and, after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, we believe that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against us will not materially affect our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

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Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The following risk factors supplement and update our risk factors as set forth in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020, as amended.

The COVID-19 outbreak has had, and may continue to have, a material adverse impact on our business, operations, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. On March 18, 2020, to help control the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of our customers, employees, and the communities we serve, we temporarily closed all of our stores in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, we took several actions in late March 2020 to reduce costs and operations to levels that were more commensurate with then-current sales, including furloughs and pay reductions. However, as this continues to be an unprecedented period of uncertainty, we have made and may continue to make adjustments to our operational plans, inventory controls, liquidity management, and reductions to our expense and capital expenditure plans.

With the easing of stay-at-home orders and other state-imposed restrictions on non-essential businesses, during the second quarter and into the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we have re-opened the majority of our stores, discontinued the furlough program, and restored pay for our associates that had taken pay reductions. In July 2020, we implemented an internal reorganization and reduction of our workforce, resulting in the elimination of over 1,000 associate positions, including approximately 220 vacant positions that will not be filled.

Given the continuation of overall depressed consumer sentiment, customer behavior has been and may continue to be slow to return to pre-COVID-19 patterns and levels, if at all. We have continued to serve our customers through our e-commerce businesses during the period that our stores were closed and beyond, but store closures resulted in a sharp decline in our net sales and cash flows during the first half of fiscal 2020. Although the majority of our stores are now open, we are experiencing, and may continue to experience, significantly reduced customer traffic and net sales. Our retailer customers in the Brand Portfolio Segment are having similar experiences.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains challenging. The continuation of the outbreak or a new surge in cases may cause new and prolonged periods of store closures, further adjustments to store operations, and changes in customer behaviors and preferences, which may necessitate further shifts in our business model, and potential reductions in consumer spending. As such, the ultimate impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak to our businesses remain highly uncertain and we may have additional write-downs of inventories, accounts receivables, long-lived assets, intangibles, and goodwill and an inability to realize deferred tax assets.

Measures intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may negatively impact our operations.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the government mandates implemented to control its spread, most of our corporate office associates are working remotely. If our employees are unable to work effectively as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, including because of illness, quarantines, office closures, ineffective remote work arrangements or technology failures or limitations, our operations would be adversely impacted. Further, remote work arrangements may increase the risk of cybersecurity incidents, data breaches or cyber-attacks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations, due to, among other things, the loss of proprietary data, interruptions or delays in the operation of our business, damage to our reputation and any government-imposed penalty.

COVID-19 may negatively impact our international operations, including, but not limited to, our foreign sources of merchandise.

We have international operations in China, Canada, and Brazil. Our international operations may be adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. For example, all of the products we manufacture in the Brand Portfolio segment come from third-party facilities outside of the U.S., with 83% sourced from China during fiscal 2019, whereas our U.S. Retail and Canada Retail merchandise is purchased from both domestic and foreign vendors. Many of our domestic vendors import a large portion of their merchandise from abroad, with the majority manufactured in China. The COVID-19 outbreak has led to work and travel restrictions within, to, and out of mainland China, which in turn may affect our and our vendors’ manufacturers. The COVID-19 outbreak also may make it difficult for our suppliers and our vendors’ suppliers to source raw materials from, manufacture goods in, and export products from China and other countries. If the severity and reach of the COVID-19 outbreak continues or worsens, there may be significant and material disruptions to our supply chain and operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

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The success of our business is dependent on the strength of our relationships with our retailer customers, and reductions in or loss of sales to such customers as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial performance.

Our major retailer customers have experienced and may continue to experience a significant downturn in their businesses as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and, in turn, these customers have and may continue to reduce their purchases from us, which has had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on the Brand Portfolio segment.

We may be unable to anticipate and respond to fashion trends, consumer preferences and changing customer expectations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

With our customers staying home more as a result of COVID-19, we believe that there will continue to be a clear shift in consumer behavior and corresponding preferences to increased demand for athleisure and casual products and away from dress and seasonal categories. This requires us to anticipate and respond to numerous and fluctuating variables in fashion trends and other conditions in the markets in which our customers are situated. A variety of factors will affect our ability to maintain the proper mix of products, including: local economic conditions impacting customers' discretionary spending; unanticipated fashion trends; our ability to provide timely access to popular brands at attractive prices; our success in distributing merchandise to our stores and our wholesale retailer customers in an efficient manner; and changes in weather patterns, which, in turn, may affect consumer preferences. If we are unable to anticipate trends and fulfill the merchandise needs of our customers, we may experience decreases in our net sales and may be forced to increase markdowns in relation to slow-moving merchandise, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Being an omni-channel retailer is a business necessity to meet customer experience expectations. In the event that our omni-channel strategy does not meet customer expectations or is not differentiated from our competitors, it may have a material adverse effect on our business.

We rely on our strong relationships with vendors to purchase products. If these relationships were to be impaired, we may be unable to obtain a sufficient assortment of merchandise at attractive prices or respond promptly to changing fashion trends, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial performance.

Our success depends, to a significant extent, on the willingness and ability of our vendors to supply us with merchandise that meets our changing customer expectations, especially as we concentrate our receipts to fewer branded vendors. If we fail to maintain strong relationships with these vendors or if they fail to ensure the quality of merchandise they supply us, our ability to provide our customers with merchandise they want at favorable prices may be limited, which could have a negative impact on our business. Decisions by vendors to not sell to us or to limit the availability of their products to us could have a negative impact on our business. In addition, our inability to stock our sales channels with desired merchandise at attractive prices could result in lower net sales and decreased customer interest in our sales channels, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Further, if our merchandise costs increase due to increases incurred by our vendors in raw materials, energy, labor, or duties and taxes on imports, or other reasons, our ability to respond or the effect of our response could adversely affect our net sales or gross profit. During fiscal 2019, three key third-party vendors together supplied approximately 21% of our retail merchandise. For fiscal 2020, we expect these and other high-volume vendors to become more concentrated for our total purchases. The loss of, or a reduction in, the amount and quality of merchandise supplied by any one of these vendors could have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, any negative brand image, wide-spread product defects, or negative publicity related to these key vendors, or other vendors, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and on our business.

We rely on consumer discretionary spending, which may be adversely affected by economic downturns and other macroeconomic conditions or trends and/or exacerbated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our business and operating results are subject to global economic conditions and their impact on consumer discretionary spending. Many factors that may negatively influence consumer spending are becoming increasingly present as a result of COVID-19 and political instability, including high levels of unemployment, higher consumer debt levels, reductions in net worth, declines in asset values and related market uncertainty, fluctuating interest rates and credit availability, fluctuating fuel and other energy costs, general uncertainty regarding the overall future political and economic environment, and recent large-scale social unrest across much of the U.S. Consumer purchases of discretionary items, including our products, generally decline during periods of economic uncertainty, when disposable income is reduced or when there is a reduction in consumer confidence. Additionally, any of these adverse economic, political or social conditions may have the effect of directly or indirectly impacting our operating results in a negative manner. Moreover, we are unable to predict the severity of macroeconomic uncertainty, whether or when such circumstances may improve or worsen, or the full impact such circumstances could have on our business.

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Stein Mart filing for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial performance.

On August 12, 2020, Stein Mart, one of our ABG retail partners, filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and announced its plan to liquidate inventory. The ultimate outcome of the filing and liquidation sale is subject to the oversight and approval of the bankruptcy court. We are monitoring the status of the filing and are taking appropriate actions to maximize the recovery value of the inventory we own at Stein Mart locations. As of August 1, 2020, inventory we owned at Stein Mart locations was $15.2 million at cost and we had a receivable balance due from Stein Marts of $2.1 million. Although we do not expect to incur material losses as a result of Stein Mart's actions, there can be no assurances that we will successfully recover the full value of these assets.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On August 17, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $500 million of Class A common shares under our share repurchase program (the "Repurchase Program"), which was added to the $33.5 million remaining from the previous authorization. The Repurchase Program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time, and we have no obligation to repurchase any amount of our common shares under the program. Shares will be repurchased in the open market at times and in amounts considered appropriate based on price and market conditions. Our Credit Facility as in effect during the second quarter of 2020 prohibited us from making share repurchases, and no share repurchases were made during the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Effective April 30, 2020, our Credit Facility prohibited us from paying dividends. Effective August 7, 2020, upon our entry into the ABL Revolver, we terminated the Credit Facility. The payment of any future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and is based on our future earnings, cash flow, financial condition, capital requirements, changes in taxation laws, general economic condition and any other relevant factors. The ABL Revolver and the Secured Term Loan each contain customary covenants restricting our ability to pay dividends or repurchase stock. Refer to Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt. We currently do not anticipate paying dividends or repurchasing additional shares under the Repurchase Program.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

On September 4, 2020, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the "ATM Agreement") with BMO Capital Markets Corp. ("BMO"), pursuant to which we may offer and sell, from time to time, up to $100.0 million of Class A common shares (the "ATM Offering"). We are not required to sell shares under the ATM Agreement.

The ATM Offering is being made under a prospectus supplement filed on September 4, 2020, and related prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-238121), filed with the SEC on May 8, 2020. Any sales will be made in "at the market offerings" as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), including, without limitation, sales made directly on or through the New York Stock Exchange or on any other existing trading market for the shares sold through the ATM Offering or to or through a market maker or any other method permitted by law. We intend to use any net proceeds from the ATM Offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, debt repayment and working capital.

The ATM Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants by the Company, including obligations of the Company to indemnify BMO for certain liabilities under the Securities Act. Under the terms of the ATM Agreement, we will pay BMO a commission of up to 2.0% of the gross proceeds from sales of shares under the ATM Offering. In addition, we have agreed to pay certain expenses incurred by BMO in connection with the ATM Offering.

The offering of the shares pursuant to the ATM Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) such date that the aggregate gross sales proceeds of shares sold pursuant to the ATM Agreement equal the total dollar amount listed in the ATM Agreement or (ii) the termination of the ATM Agreement by the Company or BMO, in accordance with the terms of the ATM Agreement.

The foregoing description of the ATM Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the ATM Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Form 10-Q and incorporated by reference herein.
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Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, counsel to the Company, has issued a legal opinion relating to the legality of the issuance and the sale of the shares, which is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Form 10-Q.

Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
1.1*
5.1*
10.1
23.1*
31.1*
31.2*
32.1**
32.2**
101* The following materials from the Designer Brands Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 1, 2020, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
104* Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith  


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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
Date: September 4, 2020 By:  /s/ Jared Poff
Jared Poff
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized officer)

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         EXHIBIT 1.1
EXECUTION VERSION

Designer Brands Inc.
Class A Common Shares
(without par value)
EQUITY DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

September 4, 2020

BMO Capital Markets Corp.
3 Times Square
New York, New York 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:
Designer Brands Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), hereby confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with BMO Capital Markets Corp., a Delaware corporation (“BMOCM”), with respect to the issuance and sale from time to time by the Company of the Company’s Class A common shares, without par value (the “Class A Common Shares”), having an aggregate offering price of up to $100 million (the “Maximum Amount”) through or to BMOCM, as sales agent or principal, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-238121) for the registration of the Class A Common Shares (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Rules and Regulations”). The Registration Statement (as defined below) sets forth the material terms of the offering, sale and plan of distribution of the Class A Common Shares and contains additional information concerning the Company and its business. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Registration Statement” means the registration statement, as amended at the time of the registration statement’s effectiveness for purposes of Section 11 of the Act, as such section applies to BMOCM, including (i) all documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference therein and (ii) any information contained or incorporated by reference in a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations, to the extent such information is deemed, pursuant to Rule 430B or Rule 430C of the Rules and Regulations, to be part of the registration statement at the effective time. Except where the context requires, the term “Basic Prospectus” means the prospectus dated May 8, 2020, filed as part of the Registration Statement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein as of the date of such prospectus. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Prospectus
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Supplement” means the most recent prospectus supplement relating to the Class A Common Shares, to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations on or before the second business day after the date hereof (or such earlier time as may be required under the Act), in substantially the form furnished by the Company to BMOCM in connection with the offering of the Class A Common Shares. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Prospectus” means the Prospectus Supplement (and any additional prospectus supplement prepared in accordance with the last sentence of Section 3(cc) and filed in accordance with the provisions of Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations), together with the Basic Prospectus attached to or used with the Prospectus Supplement. “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(g). Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus shall, unless otherwise stated, be deemed to refer to and include the documents, if any, incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference therein, respectively (the “Incorporated Documents”), including, unless the context otherwise requires, the documents, if any, filed as exhibits to such Incorporated Documents. Any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus shall, unless stated otherwise, be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act”) on or after the initial effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of the Basic Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus or such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, and deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.
The Company confirms its agreement with BMOCM as follows:
1.Sale and Delivery of the Class A Common Shares.
(a)Agency Transactions. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and BMOCM agree that the Company may issue and sell through BMOCM, as sales agent for the Company, the Class A Common Shares (an “Agency Transaction”) as follows:
(i) The Company may, from time to time, propose to BMOCM the terms of an Agency Transaction by means of a telephone call (confirmed promptly by electronic mail in a form substantially similar to Exhibit A hereto (an “Agency Transaction Notice”)) from any of the individuals listed as authorized representatives of the Company on Schedule 1 hereto (each, an “Authorized Company Representative”), such proposal to include: the trading day(s) for the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) (which may not be a day on which the Exchange is scheduled to close prior to its regular weekday closing time) on which the Class A Common Shares are to be sold (each, a “Trading Day”); the maximum number of Class A Common Shares that the Company wishes to sell in the aggregate and on each Trading Day; and the minimum price at which the Company is willing to sell the Class A Common Shares (the “Floor Price”).
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(ii) If such proposed terms for an Agency Transaction are acceptable to BMOCM, it shall promptly confirm the terms by countersigning the Agency Transaction Notice for such Agency Transaction and emailing it to an Authorized Company Representative.
(iii) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, BMOCM shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell all of the Class A Common Shares designated in, and subject to the terms of, such Agency Transaction Notice. BMOCM shall not sell any Share at a price lower than the applicable Floor Price. The Company acknowledges and agrees with BMOCM that (x) there can be no assurance that BMOCM will be successful in selling all or any of such Class A Common Shares, (y) BMOCM shall incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other person or entity if it does not sell any Class A Common Shares for any reason and (z) BMOCM shall be under no obligation to purchase any Class A Common Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement (except in the case of a Principal Transaction (as defined below) pursuant to this Agreement and the relevant Terms Agreement (as defined below)).
(iv) The Company, acting through an Authorized Company Representative, or BMOCM may, upon notice to the other party hereto by telephone (confirmed promptly by electronic mail), suspend an offering of the Class A Common Shares; provided, however, that such suspension shall not affect or impair the parties’ respective obligations with respect to the Class A Common Shares sold hereunder prior to the giving of such notice.
(v) If the terms of any Agency Transaction as set forth in an Agency Transaction Notice contemplate that the Class A Common Shares shall be sold on more than one Trading Day, then the Company and BMOCM shall mutually agree to such additional terms and conditions as they deem necessary in respect of such multiple Trading Days, and such additional terms and conditions shall be binding to the same extent as any other terms contained in the relevant Agency Transaction Notice.
(vi) BMOCM, as sales agent in an Agency Transaction, shall not make any sales of the Class A Common Shares on behalf of the Company, pursuant to this Agreement, other than (x) by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions that qualify for delivery of the Prospectus in accordance with Rule 153 of the Rules and Regulations and meet the definition of an “at the market offering” under Rule 415(a)(4) of the Rules and Regulations and (y) such other sales of the Class A Common Shares on behalf of the Company in its capacity as agent of the Company as shall be agreed by the Company and BMOCM in writing.
(vii) The compensation to BMOCM for sales of the Class A Common Shares in an Agency Transaction with respect to which BMOCM acts as sales agent hereunder shall be as set forth on Schedule 4 hereto. BMOCM shall provide written confirmation to the Company (which may be provided by email to an Authorized Company Representative) following the close of trading on the Exchange on each Trading Day on which Class A Common Shares are sold in an Agency Transaction under this Agreement, setting forth (i) the number of Class A Common Shares sold on such Trading Day, (ii) the gross offering proceeds received from such sales, (iii) the commission payable by the Company to BMOCM with respect to such sales and (iv) the net
3


offering proceeds (being the gross offering proceeds for such sales less the commission payable for such sales) (the “Net Offering Proceeds”).
(viii) Settlement for sales of the Class A Common Shares in an Agency Transaction pursuant to this Agreement shall occur on the second Trading Day (or such earlier day as is industry practice for regular-way trading) following the date on which such sales are made (each such day, an “Agency Settlement Date”). On each Agency Settlement Date, the Class A Common Shares sold through BMOCM in Agency Transactions for settlement on such date shall be issued and delivered by the Company to BMOCM against payment by BMOCM to the Company of the Net Offering Proceeds from the sale of such Class A Common Shares. Settlement for all such Class A Common Shares shall be effected by free delivery of the Class A Common Shares by the Company or its transfer agent to BMOCM’s or its designee’s account (provided that BMOCM shall have given the Company written notice of such designee prior to the relevant Agency Settlement Date) at The Depository Trust Company or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto, which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form, in return for payment in same-day funds delivered to the account designated by the Company. If the Company, or its transfer agent (if applicable), shall default on its obligation to deliver the Class A Common Shares on any Agency Settlement Date, the Company shall (i) hold BMOCM harmless against any loss, claim, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company and (ii) pay BMOCM any commission, discount or other compensation to which it would otherwise be entitled absent such default.
(b)Principal Transactions. If the Company wishes to issue and sell the Class A Common Shares other than as set forth in subsection (a) of this Section 1 (each such sale under this subsection (b) of this Section 1, a “Principal Transaction”), the Company will notify BMOCM of the proposed terms of such Principal Transaction. If BMOCM, acting as principal, wishes to accept such proposed terms (which it may decline to do for any reason in its sole discretion) or, following discussions with the Company, wishes to accept amended terms, BMOCM and the Company will enter into an agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (each, a “Terms Agreement”) that sets forth the terms of such Principal Transaction, including, without limitation, the time, date and place of delivery of and payment for the Class A Common Shares to be sold pursuant to such Principal Transaction (each of such date and each Agency Settlement Date, a “Settlement Date”). The terms set forth in a Terms Agreement shall not be binding on the Company or BMOCM unless and until each of the Company and BMOCM has executed such Terms Agreement accepting all of such terms. The commitment of BMOCM to purchase the Class A Common Shares pursuant to any Terms Agreement shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties of the Company herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any Terms Agreement, the terms of such Terms Agreement shall control.
(c)Maximum Number of Class A Common Shares. Under no circumstances shall the Company propose to BMOCM, or BMOCM effect, a sale of Class A Common Shares
4


in an Agency Transaction or a Principal Transaction pursuant to this Agreement if such sale would (i) cause the aggregate gross sales proceeds of the Class A Common Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement to exceed the Maximum Amount, (ii) cause the number of Class A Common Shares sold to exceed the number of Class A Common Shares available for offer and sale under the then effective Registration Statement or (iii) cause the number of Class A Common Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement to exceed the number of Class A Common Shares authorized from time to time to be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement by the Company’s board of directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and notified to BMOCM in writing.
(d)Regulation M. If either party hereto has reason to believe that the exemptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are not satisfied with respect to the Company or the Class A Common Shares, it shall promptly notify the other party and sales of Class A Common Shares under this Agreement shall be suspended until that or other exemptive provisions have been satisfied in the judgment of each party hereto.
(e)Black-out Periods. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no sales of Class A Common Shares shall take place, the Company shall not request the sales of any Class A Common Shares that would be sold and BMOCM shall not be obligated to sell or offer to sell any Class A Common Shares during any period in which the Company is, or could be deemed to be, in possession of material non-public information with respect to the Company.
(f)Continuing Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Any obligation of BMOCM to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Class A Common Shares on behalf of the Company as sales agent shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the continuing satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 4 of this Agreement.
2.Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to, and covenants with, BMOCM as follows:
(a)Effectiveness of Registration. The Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto have become effective. The Company has responded to all requests, if any, of the Commission for additional or supplemental information. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission. (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus) and (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) of the Rules and Regulations) made any offer relating to the Class A Common Shares in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 of the Rules and Regulations, the Company was and is a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations. The
5


Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement”, as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations, and the Class A Common Shares, since their registration on the Registration Statement, have been and remain eligible for registration by the Company on an “automatic shelf registration statement.” The Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form and the Company has not otherwise ceased to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form.
(b)Accuracy of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus. (i) At the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto became effective, (ii) at each deemed effective date with respect to BMOCM pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2) under the Act, (iii) as of each Time of Sale (as defined below), (iv) at each Settlement Date and (v) at all times during such period as the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered (whether physically, deemed to be delivered pursuant to Rule 153 or through compliance with Rule 172 of the Rules and Regulations or any similar rule) in connection with sales of the Class A Common Shares (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”), the Registration Statement complied and will comply in all material respects with the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading. As of each Time of Sale and each Settlement Date and at all times during the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and, together with all of the then issued Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Basic Prospectus (including any amendment thereto) complied when so filed in all material respects with the Rules and Regulations, and the Prospectus (including the Basic Prospectus included therein) delivered to BMOCM for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is identical to the electronically transmitted copy thereof filed with the Commission on its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system or any successor system thereto, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. The foregoing representations and warranties in this Section 2(b) do not apply to any statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to BMOCM furnished in writing to the Company by, or on behalf of BMOCM specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), which, as of the date of this Agreement, constitutes the information set forth in Schedule 2 hereto. “Time of Sale” means, (i) with respect to an Agency Transaction, the time of BMOCM’s initial entry into contracts with investors for the sale of such Class A Common Shares and (ii) with respect to a Principal Transaction, the time of sale of such Class A Common Shares.
(c)Documents Incorporated by Reference. The Incorporated Documents, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and, when
6


read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto become effective, as of each Time of Sale and each Settlement Date and at all times during the Prospectus Delivery Period, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d)Company Not Ineligible Issuer. (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the earliest time that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Rules and Regulations) of the Class A Common Shares and (iii) at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations).
(e)Free Writing Prospectuses. Any free writing prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations. Each free writing prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations. Each free writing prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the offer and sale of the Class A Common Shares or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies BMOCM, did not, does not and will not include any material information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus. Except for the Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus.
(f)Due Incorporation; Subsidiaries.
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. The Company has full power and authority to conduct all the activities conducted by it, to own or lease all the assets owned or leased by it and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business in and in good standing as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the activities conducted by it or the character of the assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary.
(ii) With respect to each subsidiary of the Company that is a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act (each, a “Significant Subsidiary”): (A) each Significant Subsidiary has been duly incorporated or organized, is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (B) each Significant Subsidiary has full power and authority to conduct all the activities conducted by it, to own or lease all the assets owned or leased by it and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and (C) each Significant Subsidiary is duly licensed or qualified to do business in and in good standing as a foreign corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the activities conducted by it or
7


the character of the assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so licensed or qualified or be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, business prospects, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or capitalization of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”). All of the Significant Subsidiaries are listed on Schedule 5 hereto.
(g)Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the caption “Description of Capital Stock,” other than for subsequent issuances, if any, or awards or issuances pursuant to employee benefit plans or equity incentive plans, or upon the exercise of outstanding options or vesting of restricted stock units, in each case either as described in the Prospectus or pursuant to such plans as described in the Prospectus, and other than Class A Common Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement prior to the filing of the Company’s next annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The outstanding Class A Common Shares and any other outstanding capital stock of the Company have been, and the Class A Common Shares will be, when issued in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of an Agency Transaction) or a Terms Agreement (in the case of a Principal Transaction), duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and the Class A Common Shares will not be subject to any preemptive, first refusal, or similar right. The description of the Class A Common Shares included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus is, in all material respects, both complete and accurate. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, or awards granted under employee benefit plans or equity incentive plans, the Company does not have outstanding any options to purchase, or any rights or warrants to subscribe for, or any securities or obligations convertible into, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell, any shares of capital stock of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company or any such warrants, convertible securities or obligations. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (except, in the case of any foreign subsidiary, for directors’ qualifying shares) and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party.
(h)Financial Statements; Independent Accountant.
(i) The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (including the related notes thereto) and schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and present fairly the financial condition of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their respective operations and the changes in their respective cash flows for the periods specified in all material respects; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, except as otherwise disclosed in the financial statement footnotes, and the supporting
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schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus present fairly the information required to be stated therein in all material respects; and the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and presents fairly the information shown thereby in all material respects; and any pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the material assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are reasonable or are included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.
(ii) The accountants (the “Accountants”) who have reported on such financial statements and schedules, are (i) independent accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Act and the Rules and Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), (ii) in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X under the Act and (iii) a registered public accounting firm as defined by the PCAOB whose registration has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn. Except as described in the Prospectus and as preapproved in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 10A of the Exchange Act, the Accountants have not engaged in any “prohibited activities” (as defined in Section 10A of the Exchange Act) on behalf of the Company. The statements included in the Registration Statement with respect to the Accountants pursuant to Item 509 of Regulation S-K of the Rules and Regulations are true and correct in all material respects.
(i)Accounting System. The Company and each Significant Subsidiary (i) makes and keeps materially accurate books and records and (ii) maintains internal accounting controls that provide reasonable assurance that: (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
(j)No Material Adverse Changes. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, or except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been a material adverse change in the business, properties, business prospects, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or capitalization (including any material adverse change resulting from loss or interference with its business from flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, any other natural disaster, accident, theft, sabotage, disease outbreak or other calamity or malicious act, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or
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court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus), of each of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, arising for any reason whatsoever (a “Material Adverse Change”).
(k)Investment Company. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares and the use of the proceeds therefrom as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will not be an “investment company” or an “affiliated person” of, or “promoter” or “principal underwriter” for, an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(l)Litigation. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective officers in their capacity as such, before or by any federal or state court, commission, regulatory body (including, without limitation, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and the Exchange), administrative agency or other governmental body, in each case whether domestic or foreign, wherein an unfavorable ruling, decision or finding would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any authorization, approval, order, license, certificate, franchise or permit, which revocation or modification would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no pending investigations known to the Company involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective businesses or operations, which investigations would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(m)Necessary Licenses, Compliance with Laws and Regulations and Performance of Obligations and Contracts. Each of the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries has (i) all governmental and other regulatory licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations as materially necessary to carry on its business as described in the Prospectus, (ii) complied in all material respects with all laws, regulations and orders applicable to it and its business and (iii) performed all material obligations required to be performed by it, and is not in default under any, in each of the following cases, material, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, voting trust agreement, loan agreement, bond, debenture, note agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument (individually, a “Contract” and collectively, “Contracts”) to which it is a party or by which its property is bound or affected. To the knowledge of the Company, no other party under any Contract to which it or its subsidiaries is a party is in default in any respect thereunder or has given written, or, to the knowledge of the officers and directors of the Company, oral, notice to the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their respective officers or directors of such other party’s intention to terminate, cancel or refuse to renew any Contract, except for such default, termination or non-renewal that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries is not in violation of any provision of its organizational documents. The disclosure included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus concerning the effects of federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations on the business of each of the Company and its subsidiaries as
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currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted is correct in all material respects and does not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(n)No Consent of Governmental Body Needed. No consent, approval, authorization, license, registration, qualification or order of, or any filing or declaration with, any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, agency or body is required in connection with the authorization, issuance, transfer, sale or delivery of the Class A Common Shares by the Company, in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company or in connection with a Terms Agreement or the taking by the Company of any action contemplated hereby or thereby, except as have been obtained under the Act, and such as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws or the by-laws and rules of FINRA in connection with the purchase and distribution by BMOCM of the Class A Common Shares to be sold by the Company hereby or thereby, and for the filing of a Prospectus Supplement and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.
(o)Agreement Duly Authorized and No Breach of Obligations or Charter. The Company has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and each Terms Agreement. This Agreement has been, and any Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and this Agreement constitutes, and any Terms Agreement will constitute, a valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof, as the case may be, except as the enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or general equitable principles. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and any Terms Agreement and the performance of this Agreement and any Terms Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the application of the net proceeds from the offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares to be sold by the Company in the manner set forth in the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds” do not and will not (i) violate the organizational documents of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or (ii) except for such violations, breaches, defaults, liens, charges or encumbrances that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the assets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company pursuant to the terms or provisions of, or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or give any other party a right to terminate any of its obligations under, or result in the acceleration of any obligation under any Contract to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of its properties is bound or affected, or violate or conflict with any judgment, ruling, decree, order, statute, rule or regulation of any court or other governmental agency or body applicable to the business or properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. This Agreement conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.
(p)Title to Real and Personal Property. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or as are not material to the business of the Company
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or its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, the Company and each of its subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all properties and assets described or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as being owned respectively by it, free and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances or restrictions. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has valid, subsisting and enforceable leases for the properties described or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as leased by it, with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such properties by the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(q)Documents Described in Registration Statement. There is no document or Contract of a character required to be described or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that is not described or filed as required. Except, in each case, where the failure to do so or where such default would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all such documents and Contracts described or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement were duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company or the relevant subsidiary of the Company, constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company or such subsidiary of the Company and are enforceable against the Company or such subsidiary of the Company in accordance with the terms thereof.
(r)Statistical and Market Data. All statistical or market-related data included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required.
(s)No Price Stabilization or Manipulation. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers or controlling persons has taken, directly or indirectly, any action intended to cause or result in, or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or which has constituted, stabilization or manipulation, under the Act or otherwise, of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Class A Common Shares.
(t)No Registration Rights. No holder of securities of the Company has rights to register any securities of the Company because of the filing of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the transactions contemplated hereby, except for rights that have been duly waived by such holder, have expired or have been fulfilled by registration prior to the date of this Agreement.
(u)Stock Exchange Listing. Prior to the first Settlement Date hereunder, the Class A Common Shares will be duly authorized for listing on the Exchange, subject only to notice of issuance.
(v)Labor Matters. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is involved in any labor dispute except, where the dispute would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such dispute is threatened.
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(w)Taxes. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has filed all federal, material state and foreign income and material franchise tax returns and has paid all material taxes required to be filed or paid by it and, if due and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against it. The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable financial statements referred to in subsection (h) of this Section 2 in respect of all material federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company has not been finally determined.
(x)Insurance. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries carries, or is covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as it believes is adequate for the conduct of its business and the value of its properties and is customary for companies engaged in similar industries, and all such insurance is in full force and effect. The Company has no reason to believe that it and its subsidiaries will not be able to (i) renew their existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct their business as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted and at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been denied any insurance coverage which it has sought or for which it has applied, where such denial would or has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.
(y)Defined Benefit Plans. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has maintained or contributed to a defined benefit plan as defined in Section 3(35) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). No plan maintained or contributed to by the Company that is subject to ERISA (an “ERISA Plan”) (or any trust created thereunder) has engaged in a “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) that could subject the Company or any of its subsidiaries to any material tax penalty on prohibited transactions and that has not adequately been corrected. Each ERISA Plan is in compliance in all material respects with all reporting, disclosure and other requirements of the Code and ERISA as they relate to such ERISA Plan, except for any noncompliance that would not result in the imposition of a material tax or monetary penalty. With respect to each ERISA Plan that is intended to be “qualified” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code, either (i) a determination letter has been issued by the Internal Revenue Service stating that such ERISA Plan and the attendant trust are qualified thereunder or (ii) the remedial amendment period under Section 401(b) of the Code with respect to the establishment of such ERISA Plan has not ended and a determination letter application will be filed with respect to such ERISA Plan prior to the end of such remedial amendment period. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has ever completely or partially withdrawn from a “multiemployer plan,” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(z)Title to Intellectual Property. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries owns, is licensed or otherwise has adequate rights to use Company technology (including, without limitation, patented, patentable and unpatented inventions and unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), designs, processes, trademarks, trade secrets, know how, copyrights and other works of authorship, computer programs and technical
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data and information (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”) that are material to its business as currently conducted or as currently proposed to be conducted or to the development, manufacture, operation and sale of any products and services sold or proposed to be sold by the Company or its subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any pending threat of or notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (i) there are no third parties who have or, to the knowledge of the Company, will be able to establish rights to any Intellectual Property owned by, or licensed to, the Company or its subsidiaries, except for, and to the extent of, the ownership rights of the owners of the Intellectual Property that the Registration Statement and the Prospectus disclose is licensed to the Company; (ii) to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, there is no infringement by third parties of any Intellectual Property owned by, or licensed to, the Company or its subsidiaries; (iii) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s rights in or to any Intellectual Property owned by, or licensed to, the Company or its subsidiaries, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (iv) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity, enforceability or scope of any Intellectual Property owned by, or licensed to, the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Company is unaware of any facts that could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (v) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that (nor has the Company received any claim from a third party that) the Company or its subsidiaries infringe or otherwise violate any patent, trademark, tradename, service name, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of others, and the Company and its subsidiaries are unaware of any facts that could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (vi) to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, the Company and its subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with the terms of each agreement pursuant to which Intellectual Property has been licensed to the Company and its subsidiaries, and all such agreements are in full force and effect; (vii) to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries there is no patent or patent application that contains claims that interfere with the issued or pending claims of any of the Intellectual Property owned by the Company or its subsidiaries or that challenges the validity, enforceability or scope of any of the Intellectual Property owned by the Company or its subsidiaries; and (viii) to the knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, there is no prior art that may render any patent application within the Intellectual Property owned by the Company and its subsidiaries unpatentable that has not been disclosed to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries are not obligated or under any liability whatsoever to make any material payment by way of royalties, fees or otherwise to any owner or licensee of, or other claimant to, any Intellectual Property, with respect to the use thereof or in connection with the conduct of their respective businesses or otherwise.
(aa)Trademarks. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the full exclusive right to use, all material trademarks and trade names that are used in or reasonably necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the Prospectus. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any
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pending notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any such trademarks or trade names, or challenging or questioning the validity or effectiveness of any such trademark or trade name. The use, in connection with the business and operations of the Company and each of its subsidiaries of such trademarks and trade names does not, to the Company’s knowledge, infringe on the rights of any person. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, each of the Company and its subsidiaries is not obligated or under any liability whatsoever to make any payment by way of royalties, fees or otherwise to any owner or licensee of, or other claimant to, any trademark, service mark or trade name with respect to the use thereof or in connection with the conduct of their respective businesses or otherwise.
(bb) Protection of Intellectual Property. Each of the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries has taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all their Intellectual Property in all material respects, including, without limitation, complying with all duty of disclosure requirements before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and any other non-U.S. Patent Offices as appropriate. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has no reason to believe that such Intellectual Property is not or, if not yet patented or registered, would not be valid and enforceable against an unauthorized user.
(cc) Related Party Transactions. There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Prospectus pursuant to the Rules and Regulations that have not been described or incorporated therein by reference. Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any subsidiary of the Company on the one hand, and the directors, officers, shareholders, customers or suppliers of the Company on the other hand, that is required to be described in the Prospectus pursuant to the Rules and Regulations and that is not so described or incorporated therein by reference. Since the Company became subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Company has not, directly or indirectly, extended or maintained credit, arranged to extend credit or renewed any extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan, to or for any director or executive officer of the Company, or to or for any family member or affiliate of any director or executive officer of the Company, in each case, in violation of applicable laws, including Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
(ab)Environmental Matters. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), has received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of it under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its businesses and is in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except, in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), for any such noncompliance or failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals that would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ac)No Prohibition on its Subsidiaries from Paying Dividends or Making Other Distributions. No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly,
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from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on the subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances from the Company or from transferring any of its property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company of the Company, except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(ad)Controls and Procedures. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus:
(i) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act), that (A) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared; (B) provide for the periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of such disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by the Company’s most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the Commission; and (C) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.
(ii) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Internal Accounting Controls. The Company maintains (i) “effective internal control over financial reporting” as defined in, and in compliance with, Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, and (ii) a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
(iii) No Material Weakness in Internal Controls. Since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(iv) No Deficiencies. The Company is not aware of (A) any significant deficiency in the design or operation of its internal control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or any material weaknesses in internal controls; or (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls.
(ae)Off-Balance Sheet Transactions. There are no material off-balance sheet transactions (including, without limitation, transactions related to, and the existence of, “variable
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interest entities” within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810) arrangements, obligations (including, without limitation, contingent obligations), or any other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or significant components of revenues or expenses.
(af)Audit Committee. The Company’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) has validly appointed an audit committee whose composition satisfies the requirements of Section 10A of, and Rule 10A-3 under, the Exchange Act, and the Board of Directors and/or the audit committee has adopted a charter that satisfies the requirements of Section 10A of, and Rule 10A-3 under, the Exchange Act. The audit committee has reviewed the adequacy of its charter within the past twelve months. Neither the Board of Directors nor the audit committee has been informed, nor is any director of the Company aware, of (i) any significant deficiency in the design or operation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that is reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data or any material weakness in the Company’s internal controls; or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees of the Company who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls.
(ag)Sarbanes-Oxley. The Company is, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares will be, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable effective provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
(ah)Accurate Disclosure. The statements included in the Prospectus under the captions “Description of Capital Stock,” and “Plan of Distribution” and the statements in the Registration Statement under Item 15 thereof, insofar as such statements contain descriptions of the terms of statutes, rules, regulations or legal or governmental proceedings, or contracts or other documents, are fair and accurate in all material respects.
(ai)No Unlawful Contributions or Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director or executive officer of the Company or its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, employee or representative of the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries, has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment of corporate funds or benefit to any foreign or domestic government or regulatory official or employee, including, without limitation, of any government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office; or (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or
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committed an offense under any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director or executive officer of the Company or its subsidiaries has made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. The Company has instituted, maintained and enforced, and will continue to maintain and enforce policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.
(aj)Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental or regulatory agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(ak)No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director or executive officer of the Company or its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, employee or representative of the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries is currently the subject or target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or the target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and Crimea (each, a “Sanctioned Country”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Class A Common Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary , joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or the target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as agent, principal, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. For the past five years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not
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engage in, any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.
(al)Brokers and Finders. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a valid claim against the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or BMOCM for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares.
(am)Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
(an)Cybersecurity. (i)(x) Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has been no security breach or other compromise of or relating to any of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of its respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of it), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”) and (y) the Company and its subsidiaries have not been notified of, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to its IT Systems and Data, except for, in either (x) or (y) above, any such security breach or other compromise of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ IT Systems and Data that would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, in the case of this clause (ii), individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable safeguards to maintain and protect its material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and Data; and (iv) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practices.
Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to BMOCM or to counsel for BMOCM shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as the case may be, to BMOCM as to the matters covered thereby.
3.Agreements of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with BMOCM as follows:
(a)Amendments and Supplements to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus. Other than with respect to any reports
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or documents and any preliminary or definitive proxy or information statement required to be filed by the Company with the Commission in order to comply with the Exchange Act, the Company shall not, during the Prospectus Delivery Period, amend or supplement the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, unless a copy of such amendment or supplement thereto (or such document) shall first have been submitted to BMOCM within a reasonable period of time prior to the filing or, if no filing is required, the use thereof and BMOCM shall not have objected thereto.
(b)Material Misstatements or Omissions and Other Compliance with Applicable Law. If, after the date hereof and during the Prospectus Delivery Period, any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, or to file any document in order to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act, in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if in the opinion of BMOCM it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or to file any document in order to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, in connection with the delivery of the Prospectus, the Company shall promptly (i) notify BMOCM of any such event, development or condition (and confirm such notice in writing) and (ii)(x) prepare (subject to subsections (a) and (g) of this Section 3) an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, necessary in order to make the statements in the Prospectus or such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or so that the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with the Act or the Exchange Act, (y) file with the Commission such amendment, supplement or document in order to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act (and use its best efforts to have such amendment or supplement to be declared effective as soon as possible) and (z) furnish at its own expense to BMOCM as many copies as BMOCM may reasonably request of such amendment, supplement or document.
(c)Notifications to BMOCM. The Company shall notify BMOCM promptly, and shall confirm such notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement becomes effective, (ii) of any request by the Commission for an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the commencement by the Commission or by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of any of the Class A Common Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose, including, without limitation, the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or the threat thereof, (iv) of the happening of any event during the Prospectus Delivery Period that in the judgment of the Company makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the
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making of any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading and (v) of receipt by the Company or any representative of the Company of any other communication from the Commission relating to the Company, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus. If at any time the Commission shall issue any such stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible moment. In connection with the offer and sale of the Class A Common Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Company shall use its best efforts to comply with the provisions of and make all requisite filings with the Commission pursuant to Rules 424(b), 430A, 430B, 430C and 462(b) of the Rules and Regulations and to notify BMOCM promptly of all such filings.
(d)Executed Registration Statements. The Company shall furnish to BMOCM, without charge, two signed copies of the Registration Statement and of any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and all exhibits thereto (including any document filed under the Exchange Act that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus).
(e)Undertakings. The Company shall comply with all the provisions of any undertakings contained or required to be contained in the Registration Statement.
(f)Prospectus. Promptly after the effective date of the Registration Statement, and thereafter from time to time, the Company shall furnish to BMOCM, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto as BMOCM may reasonably request (to the extent not previously delivered or filed on the Commission’s EDGAR system or any successor system thereto) via electronic mail in “.pdf” format and, at BMOCM’s request, to furnish copies of the Prospectus to the Exchange and each other exchange or market on which sales of the Class A Common Shares were or are expected to be effected, in each case, as may be required by the rules or regulations of the Exchange or such other exchange or market. The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by BMOCM during the Prospectus Delivery Period. If BMOCM is required to deliver, under the Act (whether physically, deemed to be delivered pursuant to Rule 153 or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule), a prospectus relating to the Class A Common Shares after the nine-month period referred to in Section 10(a)(3) of the Act, or after that time a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement is required pursuant to Item 512(a) of Regulation S-K under the Act, then, upon the request of BMOCM, and at the Company’s own expense, the Company shall prepare and deliver to BMOCM as many copies as BMOCM may request of an amended Registration Statement or amended and supplemented Prospectus complying with Item 512(a) of Regulation S-K or Section 10(a)(3) of the Act, as the case may be.
(g)Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior written consent of BMOCM, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, shall not make, any offer relating to the
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Class A Common Shares that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations, which is required to be retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations; provided that the prior written consent of BMOCM hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of each of the free writing prospectuses set forth in Schedule 3 hereto. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by BMOCM is herein referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents and agrees that (i) it has treated and shall treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations and (ii) it has complied and shall comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Act applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including, without limitation, in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping. The Company agrees not to take any action that would result in BMOCM or the Company being required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of BMOCM that BMOCM otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.
(h)Registration Statement Renewal Deadline. If, immediately prior to the third anniversary of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement relating to the Class A Common Shares (the “Renewal Deadline”), any of the Class A Common Shares remain unsold by BMOCM, the Company shall prior to the Renewal Deadline (i) file, if it has not already done so (subject to subsection (a) of this Section 3), a new shelf registration statement relating to the Class A Common Shares, in a form satisfactory to BMOCM, (ii) use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective within 60 days after the Renewal Deadline (if the Company is not then eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement) and (iii) take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares to continue as contemplated herein and in the expired registration statement relating to the Class A Common Shares. References herein to the Registration Statement relating to the Class A Common Shares shall include such new shelf registration statement.
(i)Notice of Inability to Use Automatic Shelf Registration Statement Form. If, at any time when the Class A Common Shares remain unsold by BMOCO, the Company receives from the Commission a notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations or otherwise ceases to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form, the Company shall (i) promptly notify BMOCM, (ii) promptly file a new registration statement or post-effective amendment to the existing Registration Statement on the proper form relating to the Class A Common Shares, in a form satisfactory to BMOCM and subject to subsection (a) of this Section 3, (iii) use its best efforts to cause such registration statement or post-effective amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable, and (iv) promptly notify BMOCM upon such effectiveness. The Company shall take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares to continue as contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement that was the subject of the notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or for which the Company has otherwise become ineligible to use. References herein to the Registration Statement relating to the Class A Common Shares shall include such new registration statement or post-effective amendment, as the case may be.
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(j)Filing Fees. The Company agrees to pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Class A Common Shares within the time frame required by Rule 456(b)(1) and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).
(k)Compliance with Blue Sky Laws. The Company shall cooperate with BMOCM and counsel therefor in connection with the registration or qualification (or the obtaining of exemptions therefrom) of the Class A Common Shares for the offering and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as BMOCM may request, including, without limitation, the provinces and territories of Canada and other jurisdictions outside the United States, and to continue such registration or qualification in effect so long as necessary under such laws for the distribution of the Class A Common Shares; provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified, to take any action which would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject (except service of process with respect to the offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares), or subject the Company to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.
(l)Delivery of Financial Statements. For so long as this Agreement remains in effect, the Company shall furnish to BMOCM (to the extent not available on EDGAR), if reasonably requested by BMOCM, copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company may from time to time distribute generally to the holders of any class of its capital stock, and shall furnish to BMOCM a copy of each annual or other report it shall be required to file with the Commission, if reasonably requested by BMOCM.
(m)Availability of Earnings Statements. The Company shall make generally available to holders of its securities and BMOCM as soon as may be practicable but in no event later than the last day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the date hereof, an earnings statement (which need not be audited but shall be in reasonable detail) covering the period of 12 months commencing after the date hereof, and satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act (including Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations).
(n)Reimbursement of Certain Expenses. Whether or not any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company shall pay, or reimburse if paid by BMOCM, all costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, costs and expenses of or relating to (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and exhibits to it, each preliminary prospectus, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (including the filing fees payable to the Commission relating to the Class A Common Shares within the time required by Rule 456 of the Rules and Regulations), (ii) the preparation and delivery of any certificates representing the Class A Common Shares, (iii) the printing of this Agreement, (iv) furnishing (including costs of shipping, mailing and courier) such copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments and supplements thereto, as may be requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares by
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BMOCM, (v) the listing of the Class A Common Shares on the Exchange, (vi) any filings required to be made by BMOCM with FINRA, and the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for BMOCM in connection therewith up to $10,000, (vii) the registration or qualification of the Class A Common Shares for offer and sale under the Act and the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions designated pursuant to subsection (k) of this Section 3, including the fees, disbursements and other reasonable charges of counsel to BMOCM in connection therewith, and, if requested by BMOCM, the preparation and printing of preliminary, supplemental and final Blue Sky or Legal Investment memoranda, (viii) counsel to the Company, (ix) The Depository Trust Company and any other depositary, transfer agent or registrar for the Class A Common Shares, (x) the Accountants, (xi) any marketing of the offering by the Company, (xii) the reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of BMOCM incurred in connection with the offering, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to BMOCM and (xiii) all fees, costs and expenses for consultants used by the Company in connection with the offering.
(o)No Stabilization or Manipulation. The Company shall not at any time, directly or indirectly including, without limitation, through its subsidiaries, take any action intended to cause or result in, or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or which will constitute, stabilization or manipulation, under the Act or otherwise, of the price of Class A Common Shares to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Class A Common Shares.
(p)Use of Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares to be sold by the Company in the manner set forth in the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds” and, except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Class A Common Shares to repay any outstanding debt owed to BMOCM or any affiliate of BMOCM.
(q)Clear Market. Upon the issuance and during the pendency of any Agency Transaction Notice given hereunder, the Company shall not offer to sell, sell, pledge, hypothecate, contract or agree to sell, purchase any option to sell, grant any option for the purchase of, lend, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Class A Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Shares or warrants or other rights to acquire Class A Common Shares or any other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the Class A Common Shares or permit the registration under the Act of any Class A Common Shares, in each case without giving BMOCM at least three business days’ prior written notice specifying the nature and date of such proposed transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, without prior written notice, (i) register the offering and sale of the Class A Common Shares through BMOCM pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) issue Class A Common Shares upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof and referred to in the Prospectus, (iii) issue Class A Common Shares or options to purchase Class A Common Shares granted pursuant to existing employee benefit plans of the Company (iv) issue Class A Common Shares pursuant to any non-employee director stock plan, dividend reinvestment plan or stock purchase plan of the Company, or (v) grant awards pursuant to any employee benefit plan or equity incentive plan of the Company. If notice of a proposed transaction is provided by the Company pursuant to this
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subsection (q), BMOCM may suspend activity of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for such period of time as may be requested by the Company or as may be deemed appropriate by BMOCM.
(r)Stock Exchange Listing. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Class A Common Shares to be listed on the Exchange and to maintain such listing.
(s)Additional Notices. The Company shall notify BMOCM immediately after it shall have received notice or obtained knowledge of any information or fact that would alter or affect any opinion, certificate, letter or any other document provided to BMOCM pursuant to Section 4 below.
(t)Representation Date Certificates. Upon commencement of the offering of the Class A Common Shares under this Agreement, and each time that (i) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus is amended or supplemented (other than a prospectus supplement relating solely to the offering of securities pursuant to the Registration Statement other than the Class A Common Shares), (ii) there is filed with the Commission any document incorporated by reference into the Prospectus (other than a Current Report on Form 8-K that does not include financial statements), and (iii) Class A Common Shares are delivered to BMOCM pursuant to a Terms Agreement (such commencement date, any such recommencement date, if applicable, and each such date referred to in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) above, a “Representation Date”), the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to BMOCM forthwith a certificate dated and delivered as of such date, in form reasonably satisfactory to BMOCM, to the effect that the statements contained in the certificate(s) referred to in Section 4(c) are true and correct at the time of such commencement, recommencement, amendment, supplement or filing, as the case may be, as though made at and as of such time and modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such certificate. The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 3(t) shall be waived for any Representation Date occurring at a time at which no Agency Transaction Notice is pending, which waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers an Agency Transaction Notice hereunder (which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Representation Date) and the next occurring Representation Date; provided, however, that such waiver shall not apply for any Representation Date on which the Company files its annual report on Form 10-K.
(u)Company Counsel Legal Opinions. On each Representation Date, the Company shall cause to be furnished to BMOCM, dated as of such date and addressed to BMOCM, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to BMOCM, the written opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, outside counsel for the Company, as described in Section 4(d), substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto (with the appropriate form to be delivered based on the criteria noted on such Exhibit) but modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such opinion. In lieu of delivering such an opinion for dates subsequent to the commencement of the offering of the Class A Common Shares under this Agreement such counsel may furnish BMOCM with a letter (a “Reliance Letter”) to the effect that BMOCM may rely on a prior
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opinion delivered under this Section 3(u) to the same extent as if it were dated the date of such letter (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented as of such subsequent date).
(v)Comfort Letters. On each Representation Date, the Company shall cause the Accountants to deliver to BMOCM the comfort letter(s) described in Section 4(f).
(w)Due Diligence. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review requested by BMOCM or its counsel from time to time in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or any Terms Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) prior to the open of trading on each intended Purchase Date and any Time of Sale or Settlement Date, making available appropriate corporate officers of the Company and, upon reasonable request, representatives of the Accountants for an update on diligence matters with representatives of BMOCM and its counsel and (ii) at each Representation Date or otherwise as BMOCM may reasonably request, providing information and making available documents and appropriate corporate officers of the Company and representatives of the Accountants for one or more due diligence sessions with representatives of BMOCM and its counsel.
(x)Reservation of the Class A Common Shares. The Company shall reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, Class A Common Shares for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy its obligations hereunder.
(y)BMOCM Trading. The Company hereby consents to BMOCM trading in the Class A Common Shares for BMOCM’s own account and for the account of its clients at the same time as sales of the Class A Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement.
(z)Deemed Representations and Warranties. The Company hereby agrees that each acceptance by it of an offer to purchase Class A Common Shares hereunder shall be deemed to be (i) an affirmation to BMOCM that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of such acceptance as though made at and as of such date and (ii) an undertaking that such representations and warranties will be true and correct as of the Time of Sale and the Settlement Date for the Class A Common Shares relating to such acceptance as though made at and as of each of such dates (except that such representations and warranties shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the date of such acceptance, such Time of Sale or such Settlement Date, as the case may be).
(aa)Board Authorization. Prior to delivering notice of the proposed terms of an Agency Transaction or a Principal Transaction pursuant to Section 1 (or at such time as otherwise agreed between the Company and BMOCM), the Company shall have (i) obtained from its board of directors or a duly authorized subcommittee thereof all necessary corporate authority for the sale of the Class A Common Shares pursuant to the relevant Agency Transaction or Principal Transaction, as the case may be, and (ii) provided to BMOCM a copy of the relevant board resolutions or other authority. In lieu of delivering such resolutions for dates subsequent to the commencement of the offering of the Class A Common Shares under this
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Agreement, the Company may deliver an officer’s certificate indicating that any such previously delivered board resolutions or authority remain in full force and effect.
(ab)Offer to Refuse to Purchase. If to the knowledge of the Company any condition set forth in Section 4(a) of this Agreement shall not have been satisfied on the applicable Settlement Date, the Company shall offer to any person who has agreed to purchase Class A Common Shares from the Company as the result of an offer to purchase solicited by BMOCM the right to refuse to purchase and pay for such Class A Common Shares.
(ac)Exchange Act Reports. The Company shall, subject to subsection (a) of this Section 3, (i) timely file all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for the duration of the Prospectus Delivery Period (filings made within the deadlines of Rule 12b-25 of the Exchange Act shall be considered timely) and (ii) disclose in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in its annual report on Form 10-K a summary detailing, for the relevant reporting period, the number of Class A Common Shares sold through or to BMOCM under this Agreement, the net proceeds received by the Company from such sales and the compensation paid by the Company to BMOCM with respect to such sales. In lieu of compliance with the requirement set forth in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Company may prepare a prospectus supplement with such summary information and, at least once a quarter and subject to subsection (a) of this Section 3, file such prospectus supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act (and within the time periods required by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Act).
4.Conditions of the Obligations of BMOCM. The obligations of BMOCM hereunder are subject to (i) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company on the date hereof, on each Representation Date and as of each Time of Sale and Settlement Date, (ii) the performance of the Company of its obligations hereunder and (iii) the following additional conditions:
(a)No Stop Orders, Requests for Information and No Amendments. (i) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending or are, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission, and the Company shall not have received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Act objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form (ii) no order suspending the qualification or registration of the Class A Common Shares under the securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction shall be in effect and no proceeding for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened or contemplated by the authorities of any such jurisdiction, (iii) any request for additional information on the part of the staff of the Commission or any such authorities shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the staff of the Commission or such authorities and (iv) after the date hereof no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall have been filed unless a copy thereof was first submitted to BMOCM and BMOCM did not object thereto.
(b)No Material Adverse Changes. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
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and the Prospectus, except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there shall not have been a Material Adverse Change.
(c)Officers’ Certificates. BMOCM shall have received, on each Representation Date, one or more accurate certificates, dated such date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to BMOCM, to the effect set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above and to the effect that:
(i) each signer of such certificate has carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (including any documents filed under the Exchange Act and deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus) and each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, if any;
(ii) as of such date and as of each Time of Sale subsequent to the immediately preceding Representation Date, if any, neither the Registration Statement, the Prospectus nor any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(iii) each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are, as of such date and each Time of Sale subsequent to the immediately preceding Representation Date, if any, true and correct; and
(iv) each of the covenants and agreements required herein to be performed by the Company on or prior to such date has been duly, timely and fully performed and each condition herein required to be complied with by the Company on or prior to such date has been duly, timely and fully complied with.
(d)Opinions of Counsel to the Company. BMOCM shall have received, on each Representation Date, an opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, outside counsel for the Company, dated such date and addressed to BMOCM, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto (with the appropriate form to be delivered based on the criteria noted on such Exhibit and with such assumptions and qualifications as such counsel deems appropriate or advisable) or a Reliance Letter in lieu thereof.
(e)Opinion of Counsel to BMOCM. BMOCM shall have received, on each Representation Date, an opinion of Mayer Brown LLP, outside counsel for BMOCM, dated such date and addressed to BMOCM, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to BMOCM.
(f)Accountants’ Comfort Letter. BMOCM shall have received, on each Representation Date, letters dated such date and addressed to BMOCM, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to BMOCM, (i) confirming that the Accountants are an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Act, the Exchange Act and the PCAOB, (ii) stating, as of such date, the conclusions and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to sales agents in connection with registered “at the market” offerings with respect to the audited and unaudited financial statements and certain other
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financial information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (the first such letter, the “Initial Comfort Letter”) and (iii) in the case of any such letter after the Initial Comfort Letter, updating the Initial Comfort Letter with any information that would have been included in the Initial Comfort Letter had it been given on such date and modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, as amended or supplemented to the date of such letter.
(g)Due Diligence. The Company shall have complied with all of its due diligence obligations required pursuant to Section 3(w).
(h)Compliance with Blue Sky Laws. Subject to subsection (k) of Section 3, the Class A Common Shares shall be qualified for sale in such states and jurisdictions as BMOCM may reasonably request, including, without limitation, the provinces and territories of Canada and other jurisdictions outside the United States, and each such qualification shall be in effect and not subject to any stop order or other proceeding on the relevant Representation Date.
(i)Stock Exchange Listing. The Class A Common Shares shall have been duly authorized for listing on the Exchange, subject only to notice of issuance at or prior to the applicable Settlement Date.
(j)Regulation M. The Class A Common Shares shall be an “actively-traded security” excepted from the requirements of Rule 101 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act by subsection (c)(1) of such rule.
(k)Additional Certificates. The Company shall have furnished to BMOCM such certificate or certificates, in addition to those specifically mentioned herein, as BMOCM may have reasonably requested as to the accuracy and completeness at each Representation Date of any statement in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any documents filed under the Exchange Act and deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus, as to the accuracy at such Representation Date of the representations and warranties of the Company herein, as to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, or as to the fulfillment of the conditions concurrent and precedent to the obligations hereunder of BMOCM.
5.Indemnification.
(a)Indemnification of BMOCM. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless BMOCM, the directors, officers, employees, counsel and agents of BMOCM and each person, if any, who controls BMOCM within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, expenses and damages (including, without limitation, any amounts paid in settlement if settled in accordance with Section 5(c) and any and all investigative, legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, any claim asserted), to which they, or any of them, may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, liabilities, expenses or damages arise out of or are based on (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including any information deemed to be a
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part thereof pursuant to Rules 430A, 430B or 430C, as applicable, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Class A Common Shares, including any roadshow or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable to the extent that such loss, claim, liability, expense or damage arises from the sale of the Class A Common Shares in the public offering to any person by BMOCM and is based on an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance on and in conformity with information relating to BMOCM furnished in writing to the Company by BMOCM expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Company might otherwise have.
(b)Indemnification of the Company. BMOCM shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the directors, officers, employees, counsel and agents of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to BMOCM, but only insofar as losses, claims, liabilities, expenses or damages arise out of or are based on any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance on and in conformity with information relating to BMOCM furnished in writing to the Company by, or on behalf of, BMOCM expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus. This indemnity will be in addition to any liability that BMOCM might otherwise have.
(c)Indemnification Procedures. Any party that proposes to assert the right to be indemnified under this Section 5 shall, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party or parties under this Section 5, notify each such indemnifying party of the commencement of such action, enclosing a copy of all papers served, but the omission so to notify such indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party under the foregoing provisions of this Section 5 unless, and only to the extent that, such omission results in the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses by the indemnifying party. If any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of its commencement, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it elects by delivering written notice to the indemnified party promptly after receiving notice of the commencement of the action from the indemnified party, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense of the action,
30


with counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense, the indemnifying party will not be liable to the indemnified party for any legal or other expenses except as provided below and except for the reasonable costs of investigation subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense. The indemnified party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel will be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the employment of counsel by the indemnified party has been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on advice of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or (iv) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel to assume the defense of such action within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the commencement of the action, in each of which cases the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties. It is understood that the indemnifying party or parties shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of more than one separate firm admitted to practice in such jurisdiction at any one time for all such indemnified party or parties. All such fees, disbursements and other charges shall be reimbursed by the indemnifying party promptly as they are incurred. An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any action or claim effected without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of each indemnified party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding relating to the matters contemplated by this Section 5 (whether or not any indemnified party is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising or that may arise out of such claim, action or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this Section 5(c), the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
(d)Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in the foregoing paragraphs of this Section 5 is applicable in accordance with its terms but for any reason is held to be unavailable from the Company or BMOCM, the Company and BMOCM shall contribute to the total losses, claims, liabilities, expenses and damages (including, without limitation, any investigative, legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement
31


of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted, but after deducting any contribution received by the Company from persons other than BMOCM, such as persons who control the Company within the meaning of the Act, officers of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and directors of the Company, who also may be liable for contribution) to which the Company and BMOCM may be subject in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and BMOCM on the other hand. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and BMOCM on the other hand shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the sum of (i) the total compensation to BMOCM pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) (in the case of one or more Agency Transactions hereunder) and (ii) the underwriting discounts and commissions received by BMOCM as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus (in the case of one or more Principal Transactions pursuant to Terms Agreements). If, but only if, the allocation provided by the foregoing sentence is not permitted by applicable law, the allocation of contribution shall be made in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in the foregoing sentence but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and BMOCM, on the other hand, with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, liability, expense or damage, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations with respect to such offering. Such relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or BMOCM, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, liability, expense or damage, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include, for purpose of this subsection (d), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), BMOCM shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the sum of (i) the total compensation to BMOCM pursuant to Section 1(a)(vii) (in the case of one or more Agency Transactions hereunder) and (ii) the underwriting discounts and commissions received by BMOCM as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus (in the case of one or more Principal Transactions pursuant to Terms Agreements), and no person found guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this subsection (d), any person who controls a party to this Agreement within the meaning of the Act will have the same rights to contribution as that party, and each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement will have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the provisions hereof. Any party entitled to contribution, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made under this subsection (d), will notify any such party from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission so to notify will not relieve the party from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it may have under this subsection (d). No party will be liable for contribution with respect to any action or claim settled without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
32


(e)Survival. The obligations of the Company under this Section 5 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to any affiliate of BMOCM and each person, if any, who controls BMOCM or any such affiliate within the meaning of the Act, and the obligations of BMOCM under this Section 5 shall be in addition to any liability which it may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 5 and the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of BMOCM, (ii) acceptance of any of the Class A Common Shares and payment therefor or (iii) any termination of this Agreement.
6.Termination.
(a)The Company may terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time upon giving prior written notice to BMOCM. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to the other party, except that (i) with respect to any pending sale, the obligations of the Company, including, without limitation, in respect of compensation of BMOCM, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination; and (ii) the provisions of Sections 2, 3 (except that if no Class A Common Shares have been previously sold hereunder or under any Terms Agreement, only Section 3(n)), 5, 7(c), 7(e) and 7(h) of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination. In the case of any sale by the Company pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the obligations of the Company pursuant to such Terms Agreement and this Agreement may not be terminated by the Company without the prior written consent of BMOCM.
(b)BMOCM may terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time upon giving prior written notice to the Company. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to the other party, except that (i) with respect to any pending sale, the obligations of the Company, including, without limitation, in respect of compensation of BMOCM, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination; and (ii) the provisions of Sections 2, 3 (except that if no Class A Common Shares have been previously sold hereunder or under any Terms Agreement, only Section 3(n)), 5, 7(c), 7(e) and 7(h) of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination. In the case of any purchase by BMOCM pursuant to a Terms Agreement, BMOCM may, by written notice to the Company, terminate its obligations pursuant to such Terms Agreement at any time prior to or on the Settlement Date if, since the time of execution of the Terms Agreement or the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus:
(i) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market;
(ii) trading generally shall have been suspended or limited on or by, as the case may be, any “national securities exchange” (as defined in the Exchange Act), or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any such exchange, or additional material governmental restrictions, not in force on the date of this Agreement, shall have been
33


imposed upon trading in securities generally by any such exchange or by order of the Commission or any court or other governmental authority;
(iii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal, New York or Delaware authorities;
(iv) the United States shall have become engaged in new hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving the United States or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States or there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be such), or any other calamity or crisis shall have occurred, the effect of any of which is such as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Class A Common Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus;
(v) if the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall have sustained a loss material or substantial to the Company or any of its subsidiaries by reason of flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, any other natural disaster, accident, theft, sabotage, disease outbreak or other calamity or malicious act, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, the effect of any of which is such as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Class A Common Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus; or
(vi) if there shall have been a Material Adverse Change.
(c)This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the earliest to occur of (A) termination of this Agreement pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) above or otherwise by mutual written agreement of the parties, and (B) such date that the aggregate gross sales proceeds of the Class A Common Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, one or more Terms Agreements pursuant hereto) equals the Maximum Amount, in each case except that (i) with respect to any pending sale, the obligations of the Company, including, without limitation, in respect of compensation of BMOCM, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination; and (ii) the provisions of Sections 2, 3 (except that if no Class A Common Shares have been previously sold hereunder or under any Terms Agreement, only Section 3(n)), 5, 7(c), 7(e) and 7(h) of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.
(d)Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in the notice of termination; provided that such termination shall not be effective until the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice by BMOCM or the Company, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Class A Common Shares, such sale shall settle in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 (in the case of an Agency Transaction) or in accordance with the relevant Terms Agreement (in the case of a Principal Transaction).
34


7.Miscellaneous.
(a)Notices. Notice given pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified, shall be mailed, hand delivered or telecopied (i) if to the Company, at the office of the Company, Designer Brands Inc. 810 DSW Drive Columbus, Ohio 43219, Attention: Chief Executive Officer, with a copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice) Morgan, Lewis & Bockius  LLP, One Oxford Centre, Thirty-Second Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219, Attention: Celia A. Soehner, email: celia.soehner@morganlewis.com or (ii) if to BMOCM, at the offices of BMO Capital Markets Corp., 3 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Equity Capital Markets desk, with a copy to the Legal Department (Fax: (212) 702-1205). Any such notice shall be effective only upon receipt. Any notice under Section 5 may be made by telecopy or telephone, but if so made shall be subsequently confirmed in writing (which may include, in the case of BMOCM, electronic mail to any Authorized Company Representative).
(b)No Third Party Beneficiaries. The Company acknowledges and agrees that BMOCM is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Class A Common Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, BMOCM is not advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and BMOCM shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by BMOCM of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of BMOCM and shall not be on behalf of the Company.
(c)Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations, warranties and agreements of the Company contained herein or in certificates or other instruments delivered pursuant hereto (including, without limitation, any Terms Agreement) shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of BMOCM or any of their controlling persons and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Class A Common Shares hereunder.
(d)Disclaimer of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Class A Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the terms of the offering and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and BMOCM, on the other hand, (ii) in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement and the process leading to such transaction, BMOCM owes no fiduciary duties to the Company or its securityholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (iii) BMOCM has not assumed nor will it assume any advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering of the Class A Common Shares contemplated by this Agreement or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether BMOCM or its affiliates has advised or is
35


currently advising the Company on other matters) and BMOCM has no obligation to the Company with respect to the offering of the Class A Common Shares contemplated by this Agreement except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) BMOCM and its affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and (v) BMOCM has not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated by this Agreement and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.
(e)Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH TERMS AGREEMENT, AND ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR SUCH TERMS AGREEMENT, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits for purposes of any action arising from this Agreement or any Terms Agreement brought by the other party hereto to the jurisdiction of the courts of New York State located in the Borough of Manhattan and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
(f)Counterparts. This Agreement and each Terms Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that electronic signatures, whether digital or encrypted, of a party may be included in this Agreement and if so, are intended to authenticate this writing and to have the same force and effect as a manual signature. “Electronic signature” means any electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed and adopted by a party with the intent to sign such record, including facsimile or email electronic signatures.
(g)Survival of Provisions Upon Invalidity of Any Single Provision. In case any provision in this Agreement or any Terms Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
(h)Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Company and BMOCM hereby irrevocably waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any claim based upon or arising out of this Agreement, any Terms Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(i)Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement and any Terms Agreement are for convenience and reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement or such Terms Agreement.
(j)Entire Agreement. Other than the terms set forth in each Transaction Notice delivered hereunder and each Terms Agreement executed and delivered pursuant hereto, this Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Neither
36


this Agreement nor any Terms Agreement may be amended or otherwise modified or any provision hereof waived except by an instrument in writing signed by BMOCM and the Company.
[Signature page follows]
37


Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement between the Company and BMOCM.
Very truly yours,
DESIGNER BRANDS INC.
By: /s/ Jared A. Poff
       Name: Jared A. Poff
       Title: Executive Vice President and
                   Chief Financial Officer
Confirmed as of the date first above mentioned:
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
By: /s/ Eric Benedict
      Name: Eric Benedict
      Title: Co-Head, Global ECM


[Signature Page to Equity Distribution Agreement]



SCHEDULE 1
[AUTHORIZED COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES]


S-1



SCHEDULE 2
[INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY BMOCM]


S-2



SCHEDULE 3
[ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES]

S-3



SCHEDULE 4
[COMMISSION]
S-4



SCHEDULE 5
[SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES]


S-5



EXHIBIT A
[TRANSACTION NOTICE]









EXHIBIT B
[TERMS AGREEMENT]





































EXHIBIT C
[COMPANY COUNSEL LEGAL OPINIONS]



        

EXHIBIT 5.1
IMAGE01.JPG



September 4, 2020


Designer Brands Inc.
810 DSW Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43219

RE: Designer Brands Inc. – Prospectus Supplement to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-238121)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Designer Brands Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of a prospectus supplement, dated September 4, 2020 (the “Prospectus”), by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on September 4, 2020 pursuant to Rule 424(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the offer and sale by the Company of up to $100,000,000 aggregate offering price of shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s Class A common shares, without par value (the “Common Stock”) in an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 of the Act in accordance with the Equity Distribution Agreement, dated September 4, 2020, between the Company and BMO Capital Markets Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Sales Agreement”).
As to all matters of fact (including factual conclusions and characterizations and descriptions of purpose, intention or other state of mind), we have relied, with your permission, entirely upon written actions by the board of directors of the Company and certificates of certain officers of the Company and have assumed, without independent inquiry, the accuracy of those certificates and written actions by the board of directors of the Company.
As counsel to the Company, in rendering the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have examined and relied upon originals or copies of such corporate records, agreements, documents and instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion, including (i) the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Company, (ii) the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto filed with the Commission, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the Sales Agreement, and (v) the written actions of the board of directors referenced above.
This opinion is limited solely to the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio without regard to choice of law, to the extent that the same may apply to or govern the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement. We express no opinion as to the effect of events occurring, circumstances arising, or changes of law becoming effective or occurring, after the date hereof on the matters addressed in this opinion.
Based on such examination and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and sold by the Company and delivered by the Company against payment therefor as contemplated by the Sales Agreement and a Transaction Notice (as defined in the Sales Agreement), will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius llp
One Oxford Centre
Thirty-Second Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-6401  IMAGE11.JPG +1.412.560.3300
United States  IMAGE211.JPG +1.412.560.7001



Designer Brands Inc.
September 4, 2020
Page 2


We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed with the Commission (and its incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement) in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Act and to the reference to this firm therein and under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. In rendering this opinion, we are opining only as to the specific legal issues expressly set forth herein, and no opinion shall be inferred as to any other matter or matters. This opinion is intended solely for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares subject to the Registration Statement and is not to be relied upon for any other purpose.
Very truly yours,

/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP






EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Roger Rawlins, certify that:
1.      I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Designer Brands Inc.;
2.      Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.      Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.      The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.      The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)     Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
September 4, 2020 By: /s/ Roger Rawlins
Roger Rawlins
Chief Executive Officer



EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Jared Poff, certify that:
1.      I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Designer Brands Inc.;
2.      Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.      Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.      The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.      The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)     Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
September 4, 2020 By: /s/ Jared Poff
Jared Poff
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



EXHIBIT 32.1

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION*

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Designer Brands Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 1, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Roger Rawlins, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

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

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
September 4, 2020 By: /s/ Roger Rawlins
Roger Rawlins
Chief Executive Officer
        
* This Certification is being furnished as required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. This Certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise stated in such filing.

A signed original of this written statement required by 18 U.S.C. § 1350 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.



EXHIBIT 32.2

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION*

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Designer Brands Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 1, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Jared Poff, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

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

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
September 4, 2020 By: /s/ Jared Poff
Jared Poff
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
        
* This Certification is being furnished as required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. This Certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise stated in such filing.

A signed original of this written statement required by 18 U.S.C. § 1350 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.