UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020

(Fiscal 2019)

 

Commission File Number 01-34219

 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

04-2623104

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

555 Turnpike Street, Canton, MA

 

02021

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(781) 828-9300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbols(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

 DXLG

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

 

 

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

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes      No  

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 emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "non-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 Act).    Yes      No  

As of August 2, 2019, the aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $53.6 million, based on the last reported sale price on that date. Shares of Common Stock held by each executive officer and director and by certain persons who own 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded on the basis that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily determinative for other purposes.

The registrant had 50,635,062 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of March 15, 2020.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 


 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

 

 

Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K

Year Ended February 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

PART I

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

3

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

12

 

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

19

 

Item 2.

 

Properties

 

19

 

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

21

 

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

21

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

21

 

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

23

 

Item 7.

 

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

 

25

 

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

37

 

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

38

 

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

67

 

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

67

 

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 

69

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

70

 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

70

 

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

70

 

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

70

 

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

70

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

71

 

Item 16.

 

Form 10-K Summary

 

71

 

 

 

Signatures

 

76

 

 

 

 

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PART I.

Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Annual Report”) constitute “forward-looking statements,” including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” or the negatives thereof, variations thereon or similar terminology. The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report are generally located under the headings “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” but may be found in other locations as well, and include statements regarding the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Company’s business and results in fiscal 2020 and actions being taken by the Company to mitigate the impact, including to reduce operating expenses and capital expenditures, cancel inventory receipts, and to preserve liquidity. These forward-looking statements generally relate to plans and objectives for future operations and are based upon management’s reasonable estimates of future results or trends. The forward-looking statements in this Annual Report should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the objectives or plans of the Company will be achieved. Numerous factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks relating to the execution of our corporate strategy and ability to grow our market share, and those risks and uncertainties set forth below under Item 1A, Risk Factors. Readers are encouraged to review these risks and uncertainties carefully.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances in which the forward-looking statement is based.

Coronavirus

With the recent outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) in the U.S. and its potential impact on the global economy, the Company has included discussion under Item 1A, Risk Factors, and under Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, to disclose the various actions that the Company is taking with respect to COVID-19 and the associated risks that COVID-19 may have on our financial results for fiscal 2020.  As discussed under Item 1A, Risk Factors, while the Company’s direct business remains operational, on March 17, 2020, the Company temporarily closed its retail stores through at least March 28, 2020.

Item 1. Business

Destination XL Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (the “Company”), is the largest specialty retailer of big & tall men’s clothing and shoes with retail locations in the United States and Toronto, Canada. We operate under the trade names of Destination XL®, DXL®, DXL Men’s Apparel, DXL outlets, Casual Male XL® and Casual Male XL outlets. We currently operate 228 DXL retail stores, 17 DXL outlet stores, 50 Casual Male XL retail stores, 28 Casual Male XL outlet stores and a direct business at www.dxl.com. In fiscal 2018, we launched a wholesale business unit focused on product development and distribution relationships with key retailers offering both private label and co-branded men’s big & tall apparel lines.  Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references to “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” and “the Company” refer to Destination XL Group, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries. We refer to our fiscal years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 as “fiscal 2019”, “fiscal 2018” and “fiscal 2017,” respectively. Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 were 52-week years whereas fiscal 2017 was a 53-week year.

OUR INDUSTRY

We define the big & tall men’s clothing market as starting at a waist size of 42” and greater, as well as tops sized 1XL and greater. Growth in this segment historically has been driven by rapidly changing market demographics. We believe that we can increase our market share by catering to the broader target market, attracting customers from various income, age and lifestyle segments and offering the widest selection of sizes and styles that fit well. An opportunity also exists for market share growth from the lower-size range of our market, that is, men with a 38” to 46” waist size, which we define as our “end-of-rack” customers. These sizes are usually at the high end of the size range for most men’s apparel retailers and, as a result, the selection is usually limited at such retailers.  

HISTORY

Our Company was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1976 under the name Designs, Inc. Until fiscal 1995, we operated exclusively in Levi Strauss & Co. branded apparel mall and outlet stores. In May 2002, we acquired the Casual Male business from Casual Male Corp. at a bankruptcy court-ordered auction. At the time of the acquisition, Casual Male was the largest specialty retailer of men’s clothing in the big & tall market in the United States. As a result of the acquisition, on August 8, 2002, we changed our name to “Casual Male Retail Group, Inc.”

 

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Through fiscal 2010, we primarily operated Casual Male XL retail stores, Casual Male XL outlet stores and Rochester Clothing stores, along with the associated websites and catalogs. We catered to all customers through these three store formats, from our value-oriented customer (Casual Male XL outlets) to our luxury-oriented customer (Rochester Clothing stores). During that year, we tested a new store concept, Destination XL (“DXL”). The DXL store concept merged all of our existing brands under one roof, offering our customers an extensive assortment of products and an increased presence of name brands, without having to shop multiple stores. In addition to offering our customers a wide assortment, we also wanted to provide them with a unique shopping experience. We are focused on providing outstanding customer service through our DXL stores, with everything from larger fitting rooms to professional, trained associates providing both personal attention and on-site tailoring in many locations. With the initial success of this store format, we then made a similar change to our e-commerce business in fiscal 2011 when we launched our DestinationXL.com website (now dxl.com).

OUR BUSINESS

We operate as an omni-channel retailer of big & tall men’s clothing and shoes.  Through our multiple brands, which include both branded apparel and private-label, we provide a premium, personalized shopping experience, whether in-store or online, with a broad range of merchandise at varying price points, catering from the value-oriented customer to the higher-end customer. Our objective is to appeal to all of our customers by providing a good, better, best array of product assortments in all primary lifestyles with multiple and convenient ways to shop.

Our DXL retail stores and e-commerce site, dxl.com, cater to all income demographics and offer our customers merchandise to fit a variety of lifestyles from casual to business, young to mature, in all price ranges and in all large sizes from XL and up. In addition, a complete offering of shoes in sizes 10W to 18W is available at dxl.com.  Our Casual Male XL retail stores primarily carry moderate-priced branded and private-label casual sportswear and dresswear. We also operate Casual Male XL outlets and DXL outlets for our value-oriented customer. Through online marketplaces, we are able to extend our reach, by providing a select offering of our merchandise to new customers who may not be current DXL customers.  In addition to our retail channels, we also launched a wholesale channel in fiscal 2018.  In 2019, we closed our five remaining Rochester Clothing stores.

What is unique about our business is our ability to manage the number of sizes offered to our customers to ensure proper fit and optimizing our in-stock position throughout each season. Our best-selling pant has 47 size combinations as compared to an average retailer who may only have 15 different size combinations.  We maintain a consolidated inventory across all channels that enables us to manage our in-stock position of all sizes effectively, ultimately improving customer service. Moreover, our planning and allocation methodologies, with respect to store assortment planning, help to optimize each location’s market potential without excessive inventory levels.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

In fiscal 2020, we will continue to focus on the objectives we identified in fiscal 2019: increasing customer acquisition, customer retention and customer re-activation leading to top-line sales growth, while improving profitability, and increasing market share.  Our business strategy includes several key initiatives that we believe will drive this growth, while at the same time continually looking at opportunities where we can further improve the efficiency and productivity of our business.  

Harvey Kanter joined the Company as its new President and Chief Executive Officer on April 1, 2019.  Since he came aboard, we have reviewed and redefined our mission, vision and strategic plan.  We have made capital investments in our customer relationship capabilities, our data infrastructure and our data analytics capabilities. We believe these investments are required as we move forward in the digitally-driven retail environment in which we operate today. We also realigned our management team, as we work to execute our strategic plan and work toward building a digitally-centric organization.  We have been working on new customer segmentations over the past year in an attempt to better understand the different “clusters” of customers that we have.  As we head into fiscal 2020, our goal now is to better leverage our data and consumer insights to influence the way we market and merchandise to our customers.  

Some of our most important initiatives for fiscal 2020 include the following:

 

Marketing initiatives. Our marketing approach will be data-driven and therefore more targeted and personalized to our customer segments.  We aim to use our marketing dollars more efficiently, specifically targeting our customer segments with a combination of digital advertising, direct mail, loyalty program and, to a lesser extent, television and radio.  We are taking a fresh look at each of our marketing programs, establishing disciplined “return on ad spend” requirements throughout, particularly with our digital advertising and promotional campaigns.

 

Merchandising initiatives.  Our assortments consist of over 100 national brands and 9 private-label brands, including The North Face and Vineyard Vines, which were added to our list of national brands in fiscal 2018.  During fiscal 2019, we expanded the number of stores that carry our top national brands and also expanded the in-store choice counts for many of

 

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the brands.  As a result of the macro-trend we continue to see with “the casualization of America”, we will be increasing our selection of casual sportswear, with our in-store presentation of tailored clothing being reduced and integrated as part of our sportswear collections.  While the old idea of tailored clothing may be softening, we will be showing our customers how they can modernize their look, with a combination of tailored and sportswear pieces. In addition to the many well-known brand names that we carry, we will also be featuring many of private-label brands, offering great quality at great value.

 

Customer in-store experience.  Our stores represent our largest revenue channel and we are very proud of our in-store customer experience.  Our stores tell our brand story and highlight for our customers the depth of products and brands that we have to offer.  However, store traffic has been challenging across much of the retail industry as more consumers convert to online shopping.  We will focus on revitalizing store traffic through our targeted marketing and merchandise initiatives, while recognizing that our most valuable customers are those who shop both in-store and online.

 

Rebranding of Casual Male XL stores to the DXL store format. Through the end of fiscal 2019, we have rebranded a total of 17 Casual Male retail and outlet stores to 14 DXL retail stores and 3 DXL outlets.  The sales performance of these stores, post rebranding, have been encouraging and, with the limited capital investment required to rebrand the stores, our return on investment has been strong.  We believe this approach will enable us to convert the majority of the remaining Casual Male XL stores to the DXL format, in cases where relocating to a full DXL store is not feasible.  By converting our Casual Male XL stores, we can leverage the marketing investment in DXL.

 

Direct Channel.  Our direct business performed very well in fiscal 2019 and we believe that there is significant opportunity for further growth in this channel, which includes not only our website but also our third-party marketplaces. Our marketing initiatives will play a key role in helping to drive this growth, with improvements in digital spending including paid search, search engine optimization and affiliate marketing.

 

Wholesale Channel. We are excited about the growth in our wholesale business in fiscal 2019.  We are continuing to take a conservative approach with the development of this business to ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure and processes in place to support growth.  Based on customer reviews, product from our wholesale business was very well-received and we look to expand upon this product offering in fiscal 2020.  Over the course of fiscal 2019, we increased the gross margin rates by improving our replenishment program and reducing landing costs.  We believe this business is a strong complement to our retail channel and affords us the opportunity to access new customers who do not currently shop at DXL.  

MERCHANDISE

We offer our customers a broad assortment of apparel that is appropriate to our diverse customer base. Regardless of our customers’ age, socioeconomic status, or lifestyle preference, we are able to assemble a wardrobe to fit their apparel needs. We offer such assortments in both private-label product and a wide array of brand name labels. With over 5,000 styles available, we carry tops in sizes up to 8XL and 8XLT, bottoms with waist sizes 38” to 70”, and shoes in sizes 10W to 18W. Big and tall is all we do. We do not just scale up product from a regular fit like most other retailers; our fit is built from unique specifications for every size and style.

Our stores are merchandised to showcase entire outfits by lifestyle, including traditional, active, denim, young men’s, dress wear and contemporary. This format allows us to merchandise key items and seasonal goods in prominent displays and makes coordinating outfits easier for the customer while encouraging multi-item purchases. This lifestyle layout also allows us to manage store space and product assortment effectively in each market to target local demographics. The key item strategy is also fully integrated by lifestyle, allowing us to focus on merchandise presentation and offer our customers a compelling value proposition.

Merchandise assortments in our DXL stores are organized not only by lifestyle, but within each lifestyle, the assortments are shown in a “good,” “better” and “best” visual presentation.  With the “best” merchandise assortments featured most prominently in the DXL store, our customers are able to visualize current fashion trends and select their wardrobes within their desired price points in a convenient manner. Our website and select DXL stores also offer certain “luxury” brands.

We carry over 100 well-known national brands (“branded apparel”) as well as a number of our own private-label lines within our “good,” “better” and “best” price points.  The penetration of branded apparel in a specific DXL stores can range from 15% to 80%, depending on several factors, but on average, approximately half of the assortment is branded merchandise.  

Higher-End Fashion Apparel -“Best” Merchandise

Within this higher-end price range, we carry a broad selection of quality apparel from well-known branded manufacturers, such as, Brooks Brothers®, The North Face®, Remy, Psycho Bunny®, Coppley, Jack Victor®, Lucky, Michael Kors®, JOE’S® Jeans, Robert Graham®, and Robert Barakett ®. We also carry a private-label line Rochester® that targets traditional luxury styles.

Our website and certain DXL stores also carry a limited selection of Ted Baker®, Santorelli® and 7 for all Mankind®.

 

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Moderate-Priced Apparel -“Better” Merchandise

We offer our customer an extensive selection of quality sportswear and dress clothing at moderate prices carrying well-known brands such as: Buffalo Jeans®, Rainforest, O’Neill®, Retro Brand, Cutter & Buck®, Levis®, Adidas® Golf, Columbia, Berne®, Carhartt®, Callaway®, Jockey®, Lacoste®, Majestic, Polo Ralph Lauren®, Tommy Bahama®, Vineyard Vines® and Tallia®.

In addition, we carry two moderate-priced private-label lines:

 

Twenty Eight Degrees™ is targeted as a contemporary/modern line offering sportswear and loungewear.

 

Society of One is a jeanswear brand catering to the needs of the fashion denim customer.

Value-Priced Apparel -“Good” Merchandise

For our value-oriented customers, we carry Geoffrey Beene®, Cubavera, Nautica® and Nautica Jeans®, Dockers, Lee, Wrangler, Reebok and PX Clothing. In addition, we carry several value-priced private label lines:

 

Harbor Bay® was our first proprietary brand and it is a traditional line that continues to represent a significant portion of our business, specifically in terms of our core basic merchandise.

 

Gold Series™ is our core performance offering of tailored-related separates, blazers, dress slacks, dress shirts and neckwear that blends comfort features such as stretch, stain resistance and wrinkle-free fabrics with basic wardrobe essentials.

 

Synrgy™ targets the customer looking for a contemporary/modern look.

 

Oak Hill® is a premier line catering to those customers looking for slightly more style and quality than our Harbor Bay line but still in a traditional lifestyle.

 

True Nation® is a denim-inspired line consisting of vintage-screen t-shirts and wovens and is geared towards our younger customers.

 

Island Passport® is an island-inspired line of camp shirts, printed woven shirts and relaxed island-inspired pants.

Shoes

Our DXL website offers a full assortment of footwear, with a broad selection from casual to formal, in varying price points. We currently have a selection of more than 600 styles of shoes, ranging in sizes from 10W to 18W, including designer brands such as Cole Haan®, Allen Edmonds®, Timberland®, Calvin Klein® and Lacoste®.

STORE CHANNEL

DXL Men’s Apparel Stores

At February 1, 2020, we operated 228 DXL retail stores.  Our DXL store concept brings all of our brands together in one format. Within this format, we cater to our diverse customer base, with merchandise representing all price points, from our higher-end brands to value-oriented brands, and all lifestyles, from business to denim.  The size of our DXL stores averages 7,600 square feet, but since fiscal 2016 we have opened smaller (5,000-6,500 square feet) DXL stores.  Because of the smaller size of these stores, they carry a smaller product offering than our other DXL stores but are representative of the “good, better, best” merchandise variety. We seek to locate our DXL stores in places that are highly visible, preferably adjacent to regional malls or other high-traffic shopping areas.

Our DXL stores provide our customers a contemporary store with up to three times the product offering of a Casual Male XL store. The merchandise in our DXL stores is organized by lifestyle: active, traditional, modern and denim with a representation of all of our brands and price points, utilizing a “good, better, best” pricing structure. Depending on the customers in each respective market, we can adjust the appropriate mix of merchandise, with varying selections from each of our price points, to cater to each demographic market. Our stores also carry dress wear, including tailored and, in some locations, “made-to-measure” custom clothing, as well as a selection of shoes in extended sizes and a broad assortment of accessories such as belts, ties, and socks. In fiscal 2019, in addition to expanding the number of stores that carry an extended offering of branded apparel, we also began expanding the in-store presentation of certain branded apparel lines in selected stores.  

During fiscal 2019, we rebranded 12 Casual Male XL retail stores and 2 Casual Male XL outlet stores to the DXL store concept.  We expect, based on the strong returns in these stores, that we will rebrand, where possible, many of the remaining Casual Male XL retail and outlet stores. In many markets, rebranding a Casual Male XL store to a DXL store provides a viable alternative to the more costly endeavor of relocating a Casual Male XL store to new DXL real estate. In addition, the converted stores benefit from DXL advertising.

 

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Casual Male XL Retail Stores

At February 1, 2020, we operated 50 Casual Male XL full-price retail stores, located primarily in strip centers or stand-alone locations. The majority of the merchandise carried in our Casual Male XL stores is moderate-priced basic or fashion-neutral items, such as jeans, casual slacks, t-shirts, polo shirts, dress shirts and suit separates. These stores also carry a full complement of our “better” private label collections. The average Casual Male XL retail store is approximately 3,300 square feet.

DXL Outlet /Casual Male XL Outlet Stores

At February 1, 2020, we operated 17 DXL outlet stores and 28 Casual Male XL outlet stores designed to offer a wide range of casual clothing for the big & tall customer at prices that are generally 20-25% lower than our moderate-priced merchandise. Much of the merchandise in our outlet stores is offered at discounted prices to cater to the value-oriented customer. In addition to private-label and branded merchandise at our “good” price tier, our outlets also carry clearance product obtained from DXL and Casual Male XL stores, offering the outlet customer the ability to purchase branded and fashion product for a reduced price.

The average DXL outlet is approximately 4,800 square feet and the average Casual Male XL outlet store is approximately 3,000 square feet.  

Rochester Clothing Stores

During fiscal 2019, we closed our Rochester Clothing stores, including our only store in Europe located in London, England.  Our decision to close the portfolio of Rochester stores was a store productivity and efficiency decision that was driven by the high occupancy costs associated with these prime locations.  Collectively, the five Rochester stores had become unprofitable which was the primary driver behind the decision to close. The Company continues to sell its Rochester-branded merchandise in its DXL stores and on its website.

International

We have two DXL stores in Toronto, Canada. These are the first DXL brand stores operated by the Company outside of the United States. We also have one franchised DXL store in the Middle East at the Symphony Mall in Kuwait City, Kuwait, which was opened in fiscal 2014 pursuant to a franchise agreement with The Standard Arabian Business & Enterprises Company (SABECO).  

DIRECT CHANNEL

Our direct business is a critical channel for growing sales and market share. Our direct channel represented 23.1% of our retail segment sales in fiscal 2019 as compared to 21.0% two years ago.  We define our direct business (which we also refer to as e-commerce) as sales that originate online, whether through our website, those initiated online at the store level, our Guest Engagement Center, or through a third-party marketplace. We want to serve our customers wherever and how they want to shop, whether in-person at a store, over the telephone, or online via a computer, smartphone or tablet.

We have the ability to showcase all of our store inventories online, resulting in additional transactions that are initiated online, but are ultimately completed in store.  In addition, our stores are able to fulfill an order for an item that is out-of-stock in our warehouse.  This capability has not only resulted in incremental sales, but it has also helped us reduce clearance merchandise at the store level and manage margins.

DXL Website

We are focused on providing an outstanding guest experience wherever our customer decides to shop with us, whether in our stores or online.  Our website allows us to reach big & tall consumers in areas where we may not have a store location.  From our website, customers can shop a complete offering of apparel from value-oriented to higher-end price points, and they can tailor their search by brand, size, performance, etc.  In addition, our DXL website offers a complete line of men’s footwear in extended sizes. 

With a growing preference for online shopping, we will continue to make enhancements each year as we strive to meet the changing needs and shopping behaviors of our customers.  In late fiscal 2018, we relaunched an upgraded website and throughout fiscal 2019 continued to make several additional enhancements to improve site performance and the customer’s overall shopping experience.  Traffic to our website also improved during fiscal 2019, due largely to changes in our digital marketing.  We believe that there remains significant growth potential for our website and, as we head into fiscal 2020, we will be making further enhancements to optimize and drive traffic to our website.  

 

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Online Sales at Store Level

In support of our omni-channel approach, our store associates use our website to help fulfill our in-store customers’ clothing needs. If a wider selection of a lifestyle, color or size of an item is not available in our store, then our store associates can order the item for our customer online through our direct channel and have it shipped to the store or directly to the customer. Our customers also have the ability to shop-by-store and pick-up in store on the same day.

Online Marketplaces

We continue to broaden our reach through online, third-party marketplaces, which is another growth initiative for our direct business. A large portion of our assortment is available on Amazon, with Amazon Prime shipping.  Online marketplaces provide us an opportunity to grow our customer base and introduce new customers to our brand.

WHOLESALE CHANNEL

As part of our strategic growth, we implemented a wholesale business focused on the product development, manufacturing and distribution of big and tall product. This strategic growth initiative allows us to leverage our existing infrastructure, including DXL’s expertise in technical design and global sourcing. We believe the wholesale channel is a strong complement to our retail channel allowing us to broaden our presence in the marketplace and provides us an opportunity to access new customers who do not currently shop at DXL. 

MERCHANDISE PLANNING AND ALLOCATION  

Our merchandise planning and allocation function is critical to the effective management of our inventory, store assortments, product sizes and overall gross margin profitability. The merchandise planning and allocation team has an array of planning and replenishment tools available to assist in maintaining an appropriate level of inventory, in-stock positions at the store and for the direct channel, and pre-season planning for product assortments for each store and the direct channel. Additionally, in-season reporting identifies opportunities and challenges in inventory performance. Over the past several years, we have made, and we will continue to make, investments in implementing best practice tools and processes for our merchandise planning and allocation.

Our core merchandise makes up approximately 38% of our merchandise assortment. Our planning and allocation team estimates quantity and demand several months in advance to optimize gross margin and minimize end-of-season merchandise for all seasonal merchandise. We develop customized assortment strategies by store that accentuate lifestyle preferences for each particular store.

Our merchandising data warehouse provides the merchandising team with standardized reporting for monitoring assortment performance by product category and by store, identifying in-stock positions by size and generally monitoring overall inventory levels relative to selling. At season end, we analyze the overall performance of product categories, overall assortments and specific styles by store to focus on the opportunities and challenges for the next season’s planning cycle.

Utilizing a set of specific universal reporting tools, the merchandise planning and allocation team is able to fulfill their daily, weekly and monthly roles and responsibilities. These reporting tools provide focused and actionable views of the business to optimize the overall assortment by category and by store. We are confident that our inventory performance will be optimized by having all members of the merchandise planning and allocation team follow a standardized set of processes with the use of standardized reporting tools.

STORE OPERATIONS  

We believe that our store associates are the key to creating the highest quality experience for our customers. When we first began our conversion of stores from Casual Male XL to DXL, we committed to change the culture in our stores to be more guest centric in an effort to engage and build a relationship with our guests. Our overall goal was to assist our associates in becoming less task-oriented and more attentive to the customers apparel needs.  By establishing this relationship, associates are able to expand our customers’ wardrobe, not only making the customer look good, but helping them feel confident in their apparel choices. In order to accomplish this, we invested in educating our associates.  Our associates are trained to be wardrobe experts, capable of accommodating our customers’ style and fit needs with ready-to-wear clothing. Our associates are well versed in not only the product selection carried in their specific store, but also the product selection carried online.  With a point-of-sale system that can access items online for the customer who is physically in the store, our associates are able to fulfill all of their customers’ needs. Select stores also offer on-site tailoring in order to assist customers in receiving a perfectly tailored fit. In addition to product knowledge, our training approach includes behavioral training as well.  A key component to the success of this program is finding the right caliber of store associates. Our multi-unit, field management team receives extensive training on recruiting associates who are the correct fit for our stores. Our new DXL store management team hires are enrolled in “The DXL Experience Training Program,” with time spent in one of our two

 

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Regional Training Centers. The culture has been created over the last ten years to promote from our internal associates, starting at the Assistant Store Manager level up to, and including, the Vice President of Store Operations and Guest Engagement level. Our Regional Vice Presidents give us touch-points in the field in addition to the Regional Sales Managers and the store management to ensure consistency in executing our standards and all programs and processes we deem important to our success.

Each new member of the store management team spends time in a DXL store, working with certified training managers to solidify his or her training before being released to the respective “home” store.  This allows the new store management team members to apply the skills learned during “The DXL Experience Training Program” so they will have the tools to manage their respective stores successfully. We are able to gauge the effectiveness of our training through measuring sales productivity at each level of the field organization, including individual sales associates. We believe these educational programs, together with monitoring sales metrics to help identify opportunities for further training, will improve sales productivity and strengthen our customer’s brand loyalty.

Each store is staffed with a store manager, assistant manager and associates. The store manager is responsible for achieving certain sales and operational targets. Our stores have an incentive-based commission plan for managers and selling staff to encourage associates to focus on our customer’s wardrobing needs and sales productivity.  Our field organization strives to promote from within a culture that has been building for ten years, with approximately 80% of the field organization’s multi-unit managers having managed one of our retail stores.

Our field organization is overseen by our Senior Vice President of Store Sales and Operations, Vice President of Store Operations and Training, Regional Vice Presidents and Regional Sales Managers, who provide management development and guidance to individual store managers. Each Regional Sales Manager is responsible for hiring and developing store managers at the stores assigned to that Regional Sales Manager’s market, and for the overall operations and profitability of those stores.

MARKETING AND ADVERTISING

We believe that our marketing initiatives are key to driving our top-line sales growth by increasing traffic to our stores and website. We are continuing to shift our marketing strategy away from our broad-based advertising to a more targeted, personalized, data-driven model where we can create personalization and ultimately engage differently with each of our customers based on their shopping behaviors.

We are continuing to rebuild the framework on our marketing program.  As we head into fiscal 2020, our marketing programs are driven by an increasingly stringent analytical perspective.  We are taking a fresh look at how we evaluate the success of a marketing campaign, establishing strong “return on ad spend” throughout, particularly with our digital advertising and CRM campaigns.  This data-driven philosophy will extend across all of our marketing initiatives as we look at new ways to engage our customers.  Our work with our customer segmentation, or “clustering”, is the key to our marketing objective.  While this will be a long-term and on-going project, it will ultimately drive our marketing approach, enabling us to create multiple targeted content and messaging to our various customer clusters. We made progress toward implementing a new CRM platform in fiscal 2019 and expect it to be complete in fiscal 2020.  

Our marketing program includes email, direct mail, loyalty program, direct marketing, digital marketing, social media and television and radio.  Similar to fiscal 2019, our marketing costs in fiscal 2020 will be heavily focused on our direct marketing initiatives, such as digital advertising, direct mail and loyalty incentives.  

GLOBAL SOURCING

We have built a strong internal team who is managing an international network of vendors and suppliers across the globe. We manufacture a significant percentage of our private-label merchandise primarily in Southeast Asian countries consisting of Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia and India. While we do source some merchandise from China, we have diversified our global network outside of China and have moved certain programs into additional countries with duty-free opportunities such as Jordan and Mexico. We have strong-established relationships with many of the leading factories and mills across the globe. Our sourcing network consists of over 28 factories in 7 countries.  In fiscal 2019, approximately 50% of all our product needs were sourced directly.

Our global sourcing strategy is a balanced approach, which considers quality, cost and lead-time, depending on the requirements of the program. We believe our current sourcing structure is sufficient to meet our operating requirements and provide capacity for growth. The growth and effectiveness of our global direct sourcing program is a key component to the strength of merchandise margins.

In an effort to minimize foreign currency risk, all payments to our direct sourced vendors and buying agents are made in U.S. dollars through the use of letters of credit or payment on account.

 

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DISTRIBUTION

All of our retail distribution operations are centralized at our headquarters located in Canton, Massachusetts. We believe that having a centralized distribution facility maximizes the selling space and in-stock position of our stores and reduces the necessary levels of back-room stock. In addition, the distribution center provides order fulfillment services for our e-commerce business. In-bound calls for our e-commerce business are received at our Canton facility and are primarily fulfilled by our distribution center.  If an order cannot be fulfilled by our distribution center, the order is completed at the store level.  For our wholesale business, we currently utilize two coastal third-party cross-dock facilities.

Our supply chain technology provides visibility for imports and domestic deliveries giving our buyers accurate shipping information and allowing the distribution center to plan staffing for arriving freight, resulting in reduced costs and improved receipt efficiency.

In fiscal 2019, we upgraded and enhanced our warehousing application for our distribution center systems, which included a new labor management system.  Our warehousing application enables us to streamline our distribution processes, enhance our in-transit times, and reduce our distribution costs. We will continually work to make improvements and upgrades to our software.

Since 2003, we have utilized United Parcel Services (“UPS”) for all of our store shipments as well as our domestic customer deliveries. By utilizing UPS, we are able to track all deliveries from the warehouse to our individual stores, including the status of in-transit shipments. In addition, we are able to provide our direct customers with Authorized Return Service and Web labels, making returns more convenient for them.  In October 2019, we renewed our contract with UPS through October 2022.

In order to service our International customers, we have contracted with a global e-commerce company for payment and shipment services.  Through this service, international customers view and pay for products in their local currency.  Our vendor then ships directly to our customer, which we believe helps avoid potential fraud and currency exchange rate risks.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The infrastructure of our management information systems is a priority to us. We believe that the investments we have made in this regard have improved our overall efficiency and improved our access to information enabling timely, data-driven decisions.

Our management information systems consist of a full range of retail merchandising and financial systems, which include merchandise planning and reporting, distribution center processing, inventory allocation, sales reporting, and financial processing and reporting. We believe that our current infrastructure provides us the ability and capacity to process transactions more efficiently and provides our management team with comprehensive tools with which to manage our business.

Using a retail business intelligence solution, we are able to integrate data from several sources and provide enterprise-wide analytics reporting. Over the past few years, we have developed a custom Assortment Suite application that leverages business intelligence and predictive analytics to provide high impact insights into core merchandising tasks. In an effort to improve our inventory management, we have created a standardized set of “best practices” for both our merchandise planning and allocation groups.

Our direct and retail channels maintain a shared inventory system and we operate a single-system platform for our DXL and Casual Male XL stores to deliver improved efficiencies.

During fiscal 2019, we upgraded our order management system, which improved our warehouse management and logistics capabilities for enhanced inventory visibility and order fulfillment.  In fiscal 2020, we plan to complete the implementation of a new CRM platform.  During fiscal 2019, we made significant progress toward this initiative; however, due to our current vendor’s exiting the market, the implementation will extend into fiscal 2020.  In the meantime, we are in the process of populating a repository for our data, which makes information more easily accessible.  This step is critical to the complete development of CRM.

We continually work to improve our web environment and the security of our systems. Our mobile and tablet optimized sites capitalize on the growing use of mobile devices to look up store information, review product offerings, and complete purchases. In addition, our current website is fully integrated with a global e-commerce company to accommodate international customers by providing multi-currency pricing, payment processing, and international shipping.

COMPETITION

Our business faces competition from a variety of sources, including department stores such as J.C. Penney and Dillard’s, mass merchandisers such as Kohl’s, other specialty stores and discount and off-price retailers that sell big & tall men’s clothing. While we have successfully competed on the basis of merchandise selection, comfort and fit, customer service and desirable store locations,

 

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there can be no assurances that other retailers, including e-commerce retailers, will not adopt purchasing and marketing concepts similar to ours.  Discount retailers with significant buying power, such as Wal-Mart and J.C. Penney, represent a source of competition for us. The direct business has many competitors, including the King Size catalog and website as well as online marketplaces, such as Amazon.

The United States big & tall men’s clothing market is highly competitive with many national and regional department stores, specialty apparel retailers, single market operators and discount stores offering a broad range of apparel products similar to ours, the similarity being that the clothes they sell are intended for big and tall men. Besides retail competitors, we consider any casual apparel manufacturer operating in outlet malls throughout the United States to be a competitor in the casual apparel market. We believe that we are the only national operator of men’s apparel stores focused exclusively on the men’s big & tall market.

SEASONALITY

Historically, and consistent with the retail industry, we have experienced seasonal fluctuations as it relates to our operating income, net income, and free cash flow. Traditionally, a significant portion of our operating income, net income, and free cash flow is generated in the fourth quarter, as a result of the holiday season.  Our inventory is typically at peak levels by the end of the third quarter, which represents a significant use of cash which is then relieved in the fourth quarter as we sell-down our inventory through the holiday shopping season.

TRADEMARKS/TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENTS   

We own several service marks and trademarks relating to our businesses, including, among others, “Destination XL®”, “DXL®”, “DXL Mens Apparel®”, “Big on Being Better®”, “Casual Male®”, “Casual Male XL®”, “Rochester Clothing®”, “Rochester Big & Tall®”, “Harbor Bay®”, “Oak Hill®”, “Continuous Comfort®”, “Synrgy™”, “Twenty-Eight Degrees™”, “Society of One®” and “True Nation®”. We also hold a U.S. patent for an extendable collar system, which is marketed as “Neck-Relaxer®” and a U.S. copyright for a no-iron hang tag.

EMPLOYEES

As of February 1, 2020, we had approximately 2,353 employees. We hire additional temporary employees during the peak Fall and Holiday seasons. None of our employees is represented by any collective bargaining agreement.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our corporate website is www.dxl.com. Our investor relations site is http://investor.dxl.com. We make available through our website, free of charge, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we have electronically filed such material with, or furnished such materials to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information for issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following risk factors are the important factors of which we are aware that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. We operate in a continually changing business environment and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results, performance or achievements. We cannot assure you that our projected results or events will be achieved or will occur.

Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry

 

Business interruption caused by the recent Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in temporary store closings and could limit our ability to operate our business.

 

The recent outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the U.S. has resulted in the temporary closure of all of our retail store locations effective March 17, 2020.  We are expecting that the stores will remain closed through at least March 28, 2020, but given the uncertainty regarding COVID-19, we cannot assure that our retail store locations will re-open at that time or whether our retail stores will have to remain closed longer.  In addition, as discussed further below, COVID-19 potentially may affect our supply chain and operation of our distribution center.  A significant business interruption such as this may have an adverse effect on our financial results and access to liquidity.  Moreover, the COVID-19 has begun to have indeterminable adverse effects on the world economy, and our business and results of operations could be adversely affected to the extent that this COVID-19 harms the global economy.

 

We may not be successful in executing our strategy and growing our market share.

For us to be successful in the future and maintain growth, we must be able to continue increasing our share of the big & tall men’s apparel market. Our growth is dependent on our ability to continue to build upon our DXL brand, maintain our existing customers and continue to attract new customers. Our failure to execute our strategy successfully could prevent us from growing our market share, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial position, including if we were unable to:  

 

grow our DXL e-commerce business;

 

predict and respond to fashion trends, while offering our customers a broad selection of merchandise in an extended selection of sizes;  

 

develop an effective modern marketing program to build store and digital awareness as well as increase store and online traffic attract customers across all channels and grow sales;

 

grow our existing customer base;

 

attract and retain new customers across all channels;

 

hire qualified store management and store associates, especially in light of low unemployment rates;

 

continue to grow and then sustain number of transactions, units-per-transaction and share of wallet; and

 

operate at appropriate operating margins.

Our marketing programs and efforts to drive traffic to our stores and convert that traffic into an increased loyal customer base are critical to achieving market share growth within the big & tall men’s apparel market and may not be successful.

Our ability to increase our share of the big & tall men’s apparel market is largely dependent on effectively marketing our merchandise to all of our target customers in several diverse market segments so that they will become loyal shoppers who spend a greater portion of their wallet on our product offerings. In order to grow our market share, we depend on the success of our marketing and advertising in a variety of ways, including television and radio advertising, advertising events, loyalty programs, catalogs, and digital marketing, including social media, e-commerce and customer prospecting. Our business is directly impacted by the success of these efforts and those of our vendors. Future marketing efforts by us, our vendors or our other licensors, may be costly and, if not successful, may negatively affect our ability to meet our sales goals and gain market share.

Our direct business is a significant component of our growth strategy, and the failure to develop our e-commerce and internet infrastructure could disrupt our business and negatively impact our sales.

We continue to have increasing levels of sales made through online shopping and via mobile devices.  We have made significant investments in capital spending and labor to develop these channels and invested in digital media to attract new customers. Growth of

 

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our overall sales is dependent on customers’ continuing to expand their online purchases in addition to in-store purchases. We cannot accurately predict the rate at which online purchases will expand.  

Our success in growing our direct business will depend in part upon our development of an increasingly sophisticated e-commerce experience and infrastructure. Increasing customer sophistication requires that we provide additional website features and functionality, in order to be competitive in the marketplace and maintain market share. We continually update our website features, but we cannot predict future trends and required functionality or our adoption rate for customer preferences.  In addition, we are vulnerable to additional risks and uncertainties associated with e-commerce sales, including security breaches, cyber-attacks, consumer privacy concerns, changes in state tax regimes and government regulation of internet activities. Our failure to respond to these risks and uncertainties successfully could reduce our direct sales, increase our costs and diminish our growth prospects, which could negatively affect our operating results.

 

The growth of our wholesale segment may not be successful.  

As part of our strategic growth plan, we launched a wholesale segment in fiscal 2018 focused on product development and distribution relationships with key retailers. We are working on developing and distributing both private label and co-branded big & tall men’s apparel lines. The success of this strategic initiative depends on a number of factors, including our ability to grow our wholesale customer base, develop a cost-effective infrastructure, and sustain adequate liquidity to meet the longer lead times associated with the wholesale business. In addition, because our wholesale customers order merchandise on a “purchase order” basis, as our wholesale business grows, any decision by one of our customers to decrease their order volume or cease purchasing from us could adversely affect our wholesale revenues and profitability.  

If we are unable to develop and implement our omni-channel initiatives successfully, our market share and financial results could be adversely affected.

Our customer’s shopping behavior continues to evolve across multiple channels and we are working to meet his needs.  While we consider ourselves an omni-channel retailer, we continue to make ongoing investments in our information technology systems to support evolving omni-channel capabilities.  

Omni-channel retailing is rapidly evolving and our success depends on our ability to anticipate and implement innovations in sales and marketing technology and logistics in order to appeal to existing and potential customers who increasingly rely on multiple channels to meet their shopping needs.  In addition, our competitors are also investing in omni-channel initiatives, some of which may be more successful than our initiatives.

If the investment in our omni-channel initiatives is not successful, our systems are unable to support such initiatives, or if our competitors are more successful, our financial results and our market penetration may be adversely affected.

The loss of, or disruption in, our centralized distribution center could negatively impact our business and operations.

The majority of our merchandise for our stores and e-commerce operations is received into our centralized distribution center in Canton, Massachusetts, where it is then processed, sorted and shipped to our stores or directly to our customers. We depend in large part on the orderly operation of this receiving and distribution process, which depends, in turn, on adherence to shipping schedules and effective management of the distribution center. Although we believe that our receiving and distribution process is efficient and well-positioned to support our strategic plans, events beyond our control, such as disruptions in operations due to fire or other catastrophic events, employee matters or shipping problems, could result in delays in the delivery of merchandise to our stores or directly to our customers. In addition, the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., including Massachusetts, could disrupt operations at our distribution center, including potential closure if an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19 or there is a governmentally-imposed quarantine or other similar limitations in response to the outbreak.

With all of our management information systems centralized in our corporate headquarters, any disruption or destruction of our system infrastructure could materially affect our business. This type of disaster is mitigated by our offsite storage and disaster recovery plans, but we would still incur business interruption that may impact our business for several weeks.

Although we maintain business interruption and property insurance, we cannot be sure that our insurance will be sufficient, or that insurance proceeds will be timely paid to us, in the event our distribution center is shut down for any reason or if we incur higher costs and longer lead times in connection with a disruption from our distribution center.

 

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Our business may be adversely affected by the failure to identify suitable store locations and acceptable lease terms.  

We currently lease all of our store locations. Identifying and securing suitable store locations and renegotiating leases for current store locations at acceptable lease terms is critical to our store base and positioning.  We generally have been able to negotiate acceptable lease rates and extensions, as needed.  However, we cannot be certain that desirable locations at acceptable lease rates and preferred lease terms will continue to be available.  In addition, if we need to pay higher occupancy costs in the future to secure ideal locations, the increased cost may adversely impact our financial performance and liquidity. Recent trends toward increased landlord consolidation could also negatively affect our ability to obtain and retain locations.  

Our business is highly competitive, and competitive factors may reduce our revenues and profit margins.

The United States big & tall men’s apparel market is highly competitive with many national and regional department stores, mass merchandisers, specialty apparel retailers, discount stores and online retailers offering a broad range of apparel products similar to the products that we sell. Besides retail competitors, we consider any manufacturer of big & tall men’s merchandise operating in outlet malls throughout the United States to be a competitor. It is also possible that another competitor, either a mass merchant or a men’s specialty store or specialty apparel catalog, could gain market share in big & tall men’s apparel due to more favorable pricing, locations, brand and fashion assortment and size availability. Many of our competitors and potential competitors may have substantially greater financial, manufacturing and marketing resources than we do.

The presence in the marketplace of various fashion trends and the limited availability of shelf space also can affect competition. We may not be able to compete successfully with our competitors in the future and could lose market share. A significant loss of market share would adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

In addition, we maintain exclusivity arrangements with several of the brands that we carry.  If we were to lose any of these exclusivity arrangements or brands altogether, our revenues may be adversely affected.

Our business is seasonal and is affected by general economic conditions.

Our business is seasonal. Historically, a significant portion of our operating income has been generated during our fourth quarter (November-January). If, for any reason, we miscalculate the demand for our products during our fourth quarter, our sales in that quarter could decline, resulting in higher labor costs as a percentage of sales, lower margins and excess inventory, which could cause our annual operating results to suffer. In addition, our operations may be negatively affected by local, regional or national economic conditions, such as levels of disposable consumer income, consumer debt, interest rates and consumer confidence. Due to our seasonality, the possible adverse impact from such risks is potentially greater if any such risks occur during our fourth quarter.  

We are dependent on third parties for the manufacture of the merchandise we sell.

We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and are therefore entirely dependent on third parties to manufacture the merchandise we sell. Without adequate supplies of merchandise to sell to our customers in the merchandise styles and fashions demanded by our particular customer base, sales would decrease materially and our business would suffer. We are dependent on these third parties’ ability to fulfill our merchandise orders and meet our delivery terms. In the event that manufacturers are unable or unwilling to ship products to us in a timely manner or continue to manufacture products for us, we would have to rely on other current manufacturing sources or identify and qualify new manufacturers. We might not be able to identify or qualify such manufacturers for existing or new products in a timely manner and such manufacturers might not allocate sufficient capacity to us in order to meet our requirements. Our inability to secure adequate and timely supplies of private label merchandise would negatively impact proper inventory levels, sales and gross margin rates, and ultimately our results of operations.

In addition, even if our current manufacturers continue to manufacture our products, they may not maintain adequate controls with respect to product specifications and quality and may not continue to produce products that are consistent with our standards. If we were forced to rely on manufacturers who produce products of inferior quality, then our brand and customer satisfaction would likely suffer. These manufacturers may also increase the cost to us of the products we purchase from them. The Company publishes a Code of Conduct, which is a part of every agreement requiring compliance by the manufacturing facilities.  If, despite third-party audits, the manufacturing facilities engage in workplace or human rights violations and we are unable to identify or correct it, it may negatively affect our business and harm our brand.

Furthermore, in the event that commercial transportation is curtailed or substantially delayed, we may not be able to maintain adequate inventory levels of important merchandise on a consistent basis, which would negatively impact our sales and potentially erode the confidence of our customer base, leading to further loss of sales and an adverse impact on our results of operations.

 

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Our business may be adversely affected by economic, health and political issues abroad and changes in U.S. economic policies.

Economic and civil unrest, work stoppages, disease epidemics and health-related concerns, including the recent COVID-19 outbreak, in areas of the world where we source merchandise for our global sourcing program, as well as shipping and docking issues, could adversely affect the availability and cost of such merchandise. Disruptions in the global transportation network, such as political instability, the financial instability of our suppliers, merchandise quality issues, trade restrictions, labor and port strikes, tariffs, currency exchange rates, transport capacity and costs, inflation and other factors relating to foreign trade are beyond our control. The recent COVID-19 outbreak may lead to further quarantines and widespread disruptions to travel and economic activity in regions where we have suppliers, similar to what was implemented in China in early 2020.  While we have significantly reduced the percentage of product we source from China, we cannot be assured that our vendors for our branded apparel do not face a material risk to their operations from the COVID-19 outbreak.  At this time, it is unclear what effect, if any, the outbreak and resulting disruptions may have on our supply chain.  In the event of disruptions or delays in deliveries due to economic or political conditions in foreign countries, such disruptions or delays could adversely affect our results of operations unless and until alternative supply arrangements could be made. These and other issues affecting our suppliers could adversely affect our business and financial performance.

While current tariffs have not had a material impact on our business, any further enactment of any new legislation in the U.S. that would impact current international trade regulations, exports or imports or tax policy with respect to foreign activities, or executive action affecting international trade agreements, including the uncertainty concerning the trading status of certain countries and/or retaliatory duties, taxes, quotas or other trade sanctions, could increase the cost of merchandise purchased from suppliers in such countries and could adversely affect our business and financial performance.

Our ability to operate and expand our business and to respond to changing business and economic conditions will depend on the availability of adequate capital.

The operation of our business, the rate of our expansion and our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions depend on the availability of adequate capital, which in turn depends on cash flow generated by our business and, if necessary, the availability of equity or debt capital. We will also need sufficient cash flow to meet our obligations under our existing debt agreements.

The amount that we are able to borrow and have outstanding under our credit facility at any given time is determined using an availability formula based on eligible assets. As a result, our ability to borrow is subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as advance rates and the amount and quality of inventory, which could reduce the funds available to us under our credit facility.

We cannot assure you that our cash flow from operations or cash available under our credit facility will be sufficient to meet our needs. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations in the future, we may have to obtain additional financing. If we incur additional indebtedness, that indebtedness may contain significant financial and other covenants that may significantly restrict our operations. We cannot ensure that we could obtain refinancing or additional financing on favorable terms or at all.

Changes to LIBOR may negatively impact us.

The London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) is the basic rate of interest used in lending between banks on the London interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally. Our current credit facility provides us an option to convert some of our prime-based borrowings into short-term LIBOR contracts.

 

Regulators in the United Kingdom that oversee LIBOR has stated that it cannot guarantee LIBOR's availability beyond the end of 2021. In the absence of a LIBOR rate, our credit facility provides for a comparable or successor rate to be used.  As such, while we do not expect that we will have to renegotiate our credit facility, we do not know what the comparable or successor rate will be and whether it could result in increased interest costs. In the absence of a favorable LIBOR or successor rate, our borrowings bear interest based on the Federal Funds rate. At February 1, 2020, approximately $48.0 million of our total outstanding debt of $54.1 million was in short-term LIBOR-based contracts.  Until a comparable or successor rate is identified, we cannot provide assurance that future interest rate charges will not have a material negative impact on our business, financial position, or operating results.

Our business may be negatively impacted and we may be liable if third parties misappropriate proprietary information of our customers and breach our security systems.

We may be harmed by security risks we face in connection with our electronic processing and transmission of confidential customer information. During fiscal 2019, approximately 86% of our sales were settled through credit and debit card transactions. While our Board of Directors has a Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Committee to oversee the monitoring and management of cyber risk and data privacy for our Company, and we have not had any security breaches to date, any breach could expose us to risks of loss, litigation and liability and could adversely affect our operations as well as cause our shoppers to stop shopping with us as a result of their lack

 

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of confidence in the security of their personally identifiable information, which could have a negative impact on our sales and profitability. We attempt to limit exposures to security breaches and sensitive customer data through the use of “tokens” in connection with both in-store and online credit card transactions, which eliminates the storage of credit card numbers. Like many retailers, we have seen an increase in cyberattack attempts, predominantly through phishing and social engineering scams, and in particular, ransomware. While none of these attempts has been successful, there can be no assurance that our continued security measures will be effective or sufficient in the future.  If third parties are able to penetrate our network security or otherwise misappropriate the personal information or credit card information of our customers or if third parties gain unauthorized and improper access to such information, we could be subject to liability. These liabilities could include claims for unauthorized purchases with credit card information, impersonation or other similar fraud claims, or claims for other misuses of personal information, including unauthorized marketing purposes, and could ultimately result in litigation. Liability for misappropriation of this information could be significant.

Further, if a third party were to use this proprietary customer information in order to compete with us, it could have a material adverse impact on our business and could result in litigation.

We may be unable to predict fashion trends and customer preferences successfully.

Customer tastes and fashion trends are volatile and tend to change rapidly. Our success depends in large part upon our ability to predict effectively and respond to changing fashion tastes and consumer demands and to translate market trends to appropriate saleable product offerings. If we are unable to predict or respond to changing styles or trends successfully and misjudge the market for products or any new product lines, our sales will be impacted and we may be faced with a substantial amount of unsold inventory or missed opportunities. In response, we may be forced to rely on additional markdowns or promotional sales to dispose of excess, slow-moving inventory, which would decrease our revenues and margins. In addition, the failure to satisfy consumer demand, specifically in our DXL stores and website, could have serious longer-term consequences, such as an adverse impact on our brand value and the loss of market share to our competitors.

The loss of any of our key trademarks or licenses could adversely affect demand for our products.

We own and use a number of trademarks and operate under several trademark license agreements. We believe that certain of these trademarks have significant value and are instrumental in our ability to create and sustain demand for and to market our products. We cannot be certain that these trademarks and licensing agreements will remain in effect and enforceable or that any license agreements, upon expiration, can be renewed on acceptable terms or at all. In addition, any future disputes concerning these trademarks and licenses may cause us to incur significant litigation costs or force us to suspend use of the disputed trademarks.

General Risks That May Affect Our Business

If our long-lived assets become impaired, we may need to record significant non-cash impairment charges.

Periodically, we review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever economic events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Specifically, if an individual store location is unable to generate sufficient future cash flows, we may be required to record a partial or full impairment of that store’s assets.  In addition, significant negative industry or general economic trends, disruptions to our business and unexpected significant changes or planned changes in our use of the assets (such as store relocations or closures) may also result in impairment charges. Any such impairment charges, if significant, could adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

Our success depends significantly on our key personnel and our ability to attract and retain additional personnel.

Our future success is dependent on the personal efforts, performance and abilities of our key management, which includes our executive officers as well as several significant members of our senior management. The loss of any of our senior management may result in a loss of organizational focus, poor operating execution, an inability to identify and execute strategic initiatives, an impairment in our ability to identify new store locations, and an inability to consummate possible acquisitions. The competition is intense for the type of highly skilled individuals with relevant industry experience that we require and we may not be able to continue to attract and retain new employees of the caliber needed to achieve our objectives.

Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and finished goods could increase costs.

Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of fabrics or other raw materials used in the manufacturing of our merchandise could have a material adverse effect on our gross margin or on our ability to meet our customers’ demands. The prices for fabrics depend on demand and market prices for the raw materials used to produce them. To the extent that we cannot offset these cost increases with

 

16


 

other cost reductions or efficiencies, such higher costs will need to be passed on to our customers. Such increased costs could lead to reduced customer demand, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flow.

Failure to comply with laws, rules and regulations could negatively affect our business operations and financial performance.

Our business is subject to federal, state, local and international laws, rules and regulations, such as state and local wage and hour laws, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), securities laws, import and export laws (including customs regulations), privacy and information security regulations, unclaimed property laws, the Affordable Care Act and many others. The effect of some of these laws and regulations may be to increase the cost of doing business and may have a material impact on our earnings. In addition, the complexity of the regulatory environment in which we operate and the related cost of compliance are both increasing due to legal and regulatory requirements and increased enforcement. In addition, as a result of operating in Canada, we must comply with their laws and regulations, which may differ substantially from, and may conflict with, corresponding U.S. laws and regulations. We may also be subject to investigations or audits by governmental authorities and regulatory agencies, which can occur in the ordinary course of business or which can result from increased scrutiny from a particular agency towards an industry, country or practice. If we fail to comply with laws, rules and regulations or the manner in which they are interpreted or applied, we may be subject to government enforcement action, class action litigation or other litigation, damage to our reputation, civil and criminal liability, damages, fines and penalties, and increased cost of regulatory compliance, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial performance.

 

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure and Stock

Our stock price has been and may continue to be extremely volatile due to many factors.

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated in the past and may increase or decrease rapidly in the future depending on news announcements and changes in general market conditions. The following factors, among others, may cause significant fluctuations in our stock price:

 

overall changes in the economy and general market volatility;

 

news announcements regarding our quarterly or annual results of operations;

 

quarterly comparable sales;

 

acquisitions;

 

competitive developments;

 

governmental regulation (such as increased wage and paid benefits laws);

 

litigation affecting us; or

 

market views as to the prospects of the retail industry generally.

We may not be able to maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq.

Our common stock currently trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market.  Nasdaq has continued listing standards that we must maintain to avoid delisting, including, among others, a minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share. If our stock closes with a bid price of less than $1.00 for more than 30 consecutive business days, Nasdaq will send a deficiency notice to us for not complying with the minimum bid price requirement. The closing bid price of our common stock has been below a $1.00 consecutively since February 24, 2020.  If the bid price does not exceed $1.00 before April 3, 2020, Nasdaq will send us a deficiency notice, and our common stock may be subject to delisting. 

If we are unable to comply with Nasdaq’s continued listing standards and our common stock is delisted, our common stock would be eligible for quotation on "over-the-counter" markets, which are generally considered to be a less efficient system than listing on markets such as Nasdaq or other national exchanges because of lower trading volumes, transaction delays and reduced security analyst and news media coverage.  Any delisting of our common stock could adversely affect the market liquidity of our common stock and the market price of our common stock could decrease.  Furthermore, if our common stock were delisted it could adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for the continuation of our operations and/or result in the loss of confidence by investors, customers, suppliers and employees. 

Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, limits transfers of our common stock and may, along with state law, inhibit potential acquisition bids that could be beneficial to our stockholders.

Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, contains provisions that restrict any person or entity from attempting to purchase our stock, without prior permission from the Board of Directors, to the extent that such transfer would (i) create or result in an individual

 

17


 

or entity becoming a five-percent shareholder of our stock, or (ii) increase the stock ownership percentage of any existing five-percent shareholder. These provisions provide that any transfer that violates such provisions shall be null and void and would require the purported transferee to, upon demand by us, transfer the shares that exceed the five percent limit to an agent designated by us for the purpose of conducting a sale of such excess shares. These provisions would make the acquisition of our Company more expensive to the acquirer and could significantly delay, discourage, or prevent third parties from acquiring our Company without the approval of our Board of Directors.

In addition, we are subject to certain provisions of Delaware law, which could also delay or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving us. In particular, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in certain business combinations with any interested stockholder for a period of three years unless specific conditions are met. In addition, certain provisions of Delaware law could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including, without limitation, discouraging a proxy contest or making more difficult the acquisition of a substantial block of our common stock. The provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

 

 

18


 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

 

Item 2. Properties

Our corporate offices and retail distribution center are located at 555 Turnpike Street in Canton, Massachusetts. The property consists of a 755,992 gross square foot building located on approximately 27.3 acres. We owned the property until January 30, 2006, at which time we entered into a sale-leaseback transaction, whereby we entered into a twenty-year lease agreement for an initial annual rent payment of $4.6 million, with periodic increases every fifth anniversary of the lease. In fiscal 2006, we realized a gain of approximately $29.3 million on the sale of this property, which was deferred and, through the end of fiscal 2018, the Company was amortizing the gain over the initial 20 years of the related lease agreement. At February 2, 2019, the balance of the deferred gain was $10.3 million.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This ASU is a comprehensive new lease accounting standard that amends various aspects of existing guidance for leases and requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. In accordance with the guidance under ASU 2016-02, as part of our adoption of ASU 2016-02, the remaining balance of the deferred gain of $10.3 million was recognized as a credit to the opening accumulated deficit for fiscal 2019, see Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

As of February 1, 2020, we operated 228 Destination XL retail stores, 17 Destination XL outlet stores, 50 Casual Male XL retail stores and 28 Casual Male XL outlet stores.  We lease all of these stores directly from owners of several different types of centers, including life-style centers, shopping centers, freestanding buildings, outlet centers and downtown locations. The store leases are generally 5 to 10 years in length and contain renewal options extending their terms by between 5 and 10 years. Following this discussion is a listing by state of all store locations open at February 1, 2020.

Sites for new stores are selected based on several factors, including the demographic profile of the area in which the site is located, the types of stores and other retailers in the area, the location of the store within the center and the attractiveness of the store layout. We also utilize financial models to project the profitability of each location using assumptions such as the center’s sales per square foot averages, estimated occupancy costs and return on investment requirements.

See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Expenditures.”

 

 

 

19


 

Store count by state at February 1, 2020

 

United States

 

DXL retail and

outlet stores

 

 

Casual Male XL

retail and outlet stores

 

Alabama

 

2

 

 

2

 

Arizona

 

6

 

 

 

 

Arkansas

 

 

 

 

1

 

California

 

26

 

 

7

 

Colorado

 

3

 

 

2

 

Connecticut

 

3

 

 

2

 

Delaware

 

2

 

 

 

 

District of Columbia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida

 

12

 

 

8

 

Georgia

 

4

 

 

3

 

Idaho

 

1

 

 

 

 

Illinois

 

12

 

 

4

 

Indiana

 

6

 

 

3

 

Iowa

 

3

 

 

1

 

Kansas

 

2

 

 

 

 

Kentucky

 

3

 

 

 

 

Louisiana

 

3

 

 

1

 

Maine

 

2

 

 

 

 

Maryland

 

6

 

 

4

 

Massachusetts

 

5

 

 

2

 

Michigan

 

14

 

 

1

 

Minnesota

 

2

 

 

2

 

Mississippi

 

 

 

 

2

 

Missouri

 

5

 

 

4

 

Montana

 

1

 

 

 

 

Nebraska

 

2

 

 

 

 

Nevada

 

3

 

 

 

 

New Hampshire

 

3

 

 

 

 

New Jersey

 

8

 

 

5

 

New Mexico

 

1

 

 

 

 

New York

 

17

 

 

2

 

North Carolina

 

4

 

 

4

 

North Dakota

 

 

 

 

1

 

Ohio

 

10

 

 

1

 

Oklahoma

 

2

 

 

 

 

Oregon

 

2

 

 

1

 

Pennsylvania

 

11

 

 

7

 

Rhode Island

 

1

 

 

 

 

South Carolina

 

4

 

 

 

 

South Dakota

 

1

 

 

 

 

Tennessee

 

7

 

 

1

 

Texas

 

25

 

 

3

 

Utah

 

2

 

 

 

 

Vermont

 

1

 

 

 

 

Virginia

 

6

 

 

2

 

Washington

 

5

 

 

 

 

West Virginia

 

 

 

 

1

 

Wisconsin

 

5

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toronto, Canada

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

20


 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on our future results of operations or financial position.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

 

 

PART II.

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

Our common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “DXLG”.

Holders

As of March 12, 2020, based upon data provided by the transfer agent for our common stock, there were approximately 86 holders of record of our common stock. The number of holders does not include individuals or entities who beneficially own shares but whose shares are held of record by a broker or clearing agent.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

There were no stock repurchases during fiscal 2019.

 


 

21


 

Stock Performance Graph

The following Performance Graph compares our cumulative stockholder return with a broad market index (Standard & Poor’s 500) and one published industry index (Dow Jones U.S. Apparel Retailers) for each of the most recent five years ended January 31. The cumulative stockholder return for shares of our common stock (“DXLG”) and each of the indices is calculated assuming that $100 was invested on January 31, 2015. We paid no cash dividends during the periods shown. The performance of the indices is shown on a total return (dividends reinvested) basis. The graph lines merely connect January 31 of each year and do not reflect fluctuations between those dates. In addition, we have included a chart of the annual percentage return of our common stock, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones U.S. Apparel Retailers.

 

Annual Return Percentage

 

 

 

Year ended

 

Company/Index

 

 

 

Jan 16

 

 

Jan 17

 

 

Jan 18

 

 

Jan 19

 

 

Jan 20

 

DXLG

 

 

(15.4

%)

 

 

(23.3

%)

 

 

(21.8

%)

 

 

(2.3

%)

 

 

(56.0

%)

S&P 500

 

 

(2.7

%)

 

 

18.3

%

 

 

20.4

%

 

 

(2.0

%)

 

 

19.2

%

Dow Jones U.S. Apparel Retailers

 

 

(2.9

%)

 

 

(4.5

%)

 

 

9.4

%

 

 

8.4

%

 

 

10.8

%

 

Indexed Returns

 

 

 

Base Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan 15

 

 

Jan 16

 

 

Jan 17

 

 

Jan 18

 

 

Jan 19

 

 

Jan 20

 

Company/Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DXLG

 

$

100

 

 

$

84.65

 

 

$

64.96

 

 

$

50.79

 

 

$

49.61

 

 

$

21.85

 

S&P 500

 

$

100

 

 

$

97.26

 

 

$

115.02

 

 

$

138.45

 

 

$

135.67

 

 

$

161.68

 

Dow Jones U.S. Apparel Retailers

 

$

100

 

 

$

97.15

 

 

$

92.75

 

 

$

101.48

 

 

$

110.01

 

 

$

121.94

 

 

The performance graph above shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. This graph will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

 

 

 

22


 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial data of our Company as of and for each of the years in the five-year period ended February 1, 2020 and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

We derived the selected financial data presented below for the periods or dates indicated from our consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the five-year period ended February 1, 2020 were audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 are included in this Annual Report.

For a discussion of certain factors that materially affect the comparability of the selected consolidated financial data or cause the data reflected herein not to be indicative of our future results of operations or financial condition, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  

 

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended (1)

 

 

 

 

February

1, 2020

(Fiscal 2019)

 

 

February

2, 2019

(Fiscal 2018)

 

 

February

3, 2018

(Fiscal 2017)

 

 

January

28, 2017

(Fiscal 2016)

 

 

January

30, 2016

(Fiscal 2015)

 

 

 

 

(In millions, except per share and operating data)

 

 

INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

474.0

 

 

$

473.8

 

 

$

468.0

 

 

$

450.3

 

 

$

442.2

 

 

Gross profit, net of occupancy costs

 

 

204.2

 

 

 

211.3

 

 

 

210.4

 

 

 

204.9

 

 

 

203.8

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

180.7

 

 

 

183.9

 

 

 

193.2

 

 

 

173.3

 

 

 

180.6

 

 

Corporate restructuring and CEO transition costs (2)

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exit costs associated with London operations (3)

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets (4)

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

28.7

 

 

 

31.1

 

 

 

30.2

 

 

 

28.4

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(4.4

)

 

 

(10.1

)

 

 

(18.0

)

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

(5.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(2.6

)

(5)

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(7.8

)

 

$

(13.5

)

 

$

(18.8

)

 

$

(2.3

)

 

$

(8.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - diluted

 

$

(0.16

)

 

$

(0.28

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

(0.05

)

 

$

(0.17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

$

102.4

 

 

$

106.8

 

 

$

103.3

 

 

$

117.4

 

 

$

125.0

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

78.3

 

 

 

92.5

 

 

 

111.0

 

 

 

124.3

 

 

 

125.0

 

 

Total assets

 

 

390.9

 

 

 

226.1

 

 

 

240.4

 

 

 

269.3

 

 

 

274.3

 

 

Total debt

 

 

54.1

 

 

 

56.7

 

 

 

59.4

 

 

 

63.1

 

 

 

68.1

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

58.4

 

 

 

58.6

 

 

 

70.0

 

 

 

88.5

 

 

 

88.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow provided by operating activities

 

$

15.8

 

 

$

15.7

 

 

$

31.0

 

 

$

35.0

 

 

$

18.4

 

 

less: capital expenditures, infrastructure projects

 

 

(9.7

)

 

 

(10.8

)

 

 

(9.7

)

 

 

(9.6

)

 

 

(13.3

)

 

less: capital expenditures for DXL stores and acquisition

   of DXL domain name

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(12.9

)

 

 

(19.6

)

 

 

(20.1

)

 

Free cash flow (Non-GAAP measure)(6)

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

2.8

 

 

$

8.4

 

 

$

5.8

 

 

$

(15.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparable sales percentage

 

 

0.1

%

 

 

3.0

%

 

 

0.9

%

 

 

0.6

%

 

 

4.8

%

 

Gross profit margins

 

 

43.1

%

 

 

44.6

%

 

 

45.0

%

 

 

45.5

%

 

 

46.1

%

 

EBITDA (Non-GAAP measure)(6)

 

$

20.2

 

 

$

18.5

 

 

$

13.0

 

 

$

31.2

 

 

$

23.2

 

 

EBITDA, adjusted for impairment of assets and CEO and restructuring charges and exit costs  associated with London operations  ("Adjusted EBITDA") (Non-GAAP)(6)

 

$

23.5

 

 

$

27.4

 

 

$

17.1

 

 

$

31.6

 

 

$

23.2

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (Non-GAAP measure) (6)

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

5.8

%

 

 

3.7

%

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

5.2

%

 

Operating margin

 

 

(0.9

%)

 

 

(2.1

%)

 

 

(3.9

%)

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

(1.2

%)

 

Number of stores open at fiscal year end

 

 

323

 

 

 

332

 

 

 

342

 

 

 

343

 

 

 

345

 

 

 

 

23


 

 

(1)

Our fiscal year is a 52- or 53- week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal 2017 was a 53-week period; all other fiscal years were 52-weeks. Certain columns may not foot due to rounding.

(2)

In connection with its CEO search and CEO transition, the Company incurred a charge of $0.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively, in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018.  In addition, in fiscal 2018, the Company recorded a charge of $1.9 million related to the Company’s corporate restructuring in May 2018.  See Notes L and M to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(3)

In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company closed its London Rochester Clothing store and recorded a charge of $1.7 million.  Approximately $0.8 million of the charge related to the recognition of the accumulated currency translation adjustment. See Note N to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4)

The impairment charges relate to the write-down of right-of-use assets and property and equipment, related to stores where the carrying value exceeds fair value. Fiscal 2018 also includes the write-off of the Company’s “Rochester” trademark of $1.5 million.  Fiscal 2017 also includes the write-off of $1.9 million for technology projects, which were abandoned in fiscal 2017.  See Note A to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(5)

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, as a result of the elimination of the corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) and the ability to receive a refund for our AMT credit, we recognized an income tax benefit of $2.1 million, associated with reversing the corresponding valuation allowance against this asset. See Note F to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(6)

“EBITDA,” “Adjusted EBITDA,” “Adjusted EBITDA margin” and “Free cash flow” are non-GAAP measures.  See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” for information on these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures, with the exception of Adjusted EBITDA margin, which is calculated by taking Adjusted EBITDA and dividing it by Sales.

 

 

 

 

24


 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

As noted above in Part 1, this Annual Report, including, without limitation, this Item 7, contains “forward-looking statements,” including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results or developments could differ materially from those projected in such statements because of numerous factors, including, without limitation those risks and uncertainties set forth in Item 1A, Risk Factors, which you are encouraged to read. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in light of those risks and uncertainties and in conjunction with our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.

Certain figures discussed below may not foot due to rounding.

Segment Reporting

The Company has historically had two principal operating segments: its stores and direct businesses.  The Company considers these two operating segments to be similar in terms of economic characteristics, production processes and operations, and have therefore aggregated them into one reportable segment, retail segment, consistent with its omni-channel business approach.  In fiscal 2018, the Company launched a wholesale segment, which the Company considers a third operating segment.  However, due to the immateriality of the wholesale segment’s revenues, profits and assets, its operating results have been aggregated with the retail segment for all periods.

Comparable Sales and E-Commerce (Direct) Sales Definition

Total comparable sales include our stores that have been open for at least 13 months and our direct business.  Stores that have been remodeled, rebranded or re-located during the period are also included in our determination of comparable sales. Stores that have been expanded by more than 25% are considered non-comparable for the first 13 months.  If a store becomes a clearance center, it is also removed from the calculation of comparable sales.  Our Rochester stores, which were closed in fiscal 2019, were excluded from our comparable sales for 6 months prior to store closure as each store liquidated its inventory.  The method of calculating comparable sales varies across the retail industry and, as a result, our calculation of comparable sales is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other retailers.  Sales from our wholesale business are not part of the Company’s comparable sales calculation.

Our customer’s shopping experience continues to evolve across multiple channels and we are continually changing to meet his needs.  The majority of our stores have the capability of fulfilling online orders if merchandise is not available in the warehouse.  As a result, we continue to see more transactions that begin online but are ultimately completed at the store level.  Similarly, if a customer visits a store and the item is out of stock, the associate can order the item through our website.  A customer also has the ability to order online and pick-up in a store.  Because this omni-channel approach to retailing is changing the boundaries of where a sale originates and where a sale is ultimately settled, we do not report comparable sales separately for our stores and direct business.  However, as we continue to invest in building our e-commerce platform, bringing a heightened digital focus to our Company, additional disclosure on our e-commerce growth as it relates to our current initiatives is important.  We define store sales as sales that originate and are fulfilled directly at the store level.  E-commerce sales, which we also refer to as direct sales, are defined as sales that originate online, whether through our website, at the store level or through a third-party marketplace.

Non-GAAP Measures

We monitor certain non-GAAP financial measures on a regular basis in order to track the progress of our business. These measures include adjusted net loss, adjusted net loss per diluted share, free cash flow, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.  We believe these measures provide helpful information with respect to the Company’s operating performance and that the inclusion of these non-GAAP measures is important to assist investors in comparing our performance in fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017.  We also provide certain forward-looking information with respect to certain of these non-GAAP financial measures. However, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be considered superior to or as a substitute for net loss, net loss per diluted share or cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP.  See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below for additional information on these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures.

 

25


 

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

 

 

 

Fiscal 2019

 

 

Fiscal 2018

 

 

Fiscal 2017

 

 

 

(in millions, except for per share data)

 

Net loss

 

$

(7.8

)

 

$

(13.5

)

 

$

(18.8

)

Adjusted net loss (1)

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

(12.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

 

20.2

 

 

 

18.5

 

 

 

13.0

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

 

 

23.5

 

 

 

27.4

 

 

 

17.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment charges

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

4.1

 

Exit costs associated with London operations

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEO transition costs

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

Corporate restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(0.16

)

 

$

(0.28

)

 

$

(0.39

)

Adjusted net loss

 

$

(0.06

)

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(0.26

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

 

$

15.8

 

 

$

15.7

 

 

$

31.0

 

Free cash flow

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

2.8

 

 

$

8.4

 

(1)

Adjusted net loss and adjusted EBITDA exclude impairment charges, exits costs associated with London operations, corporate restructuring and CEO transition costs.  Adjusted net loss, for all periods, assumes a normalized tax benefit of 26%. See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.

 

Our net loss for fiscal 2019 was $(0.16) per diluted share as compared to a net loss of $(0.28) per diluted share in fiscal 2018.  On a non-GAAP basis, our results improved to an adjusted net loss of $(0.06) per diluted share in fiscal 2019 as compared to $(0.07) per diluted share in fiscal 2018.

Sales growth for fiscal 2019 was driven by our wholesale business and a 0.1% annual comparable sales increase in our retail segment.  This growth was partially offset by a decrease in store sales from a decline in traffic as well as from the closing of our Rochester Clothing stores.  For fiscal 2019, total sales increased 0.1% to $474.0 million from $473.8 million in fiscal 2018.

Sales from our wholesale business, which we launched in the fourth quarter of last year, were $12.5 million in fiscal 2019 as compared to $2.8 million in fiscal 2018.  We are taking the development of this business slowly, ensuring that we have the infrastructure and processes in place to support future growth.  Gross margins for our wholesale business also improved over the course of the year as we were able to renegotiate certain pricing and improve the efficiency of our processes.  The product reviews of our wholesale merchandise have been strong and we expect our wholesale business will continue to grow.

We were also pleased with the growth in our direct business this year, which represented 23.1% of our retail business, as compared to 21.6% in fiscal 2018.  We made several enhancements this year, which improved our website’s performance, and we are continuing to make changes to our digital advertising, which resulted in increased traffic to our website.  While our stores had positive conversion rates during fiscal 2019, the decline in store traffic and the closure of our Rochester Clothing stores were the primary reasons why we saw a decrease in store sales.  

In fiscal 2018, we tested the rebranding of three Casual Male XL stores to DXL stores.  Rebranding of these stores requires substantially less capital than new real estate and provides us an opportunity to stay in a geographical market without the buildout costs.  Based on the strong sales performance of those three stores, during fiscal 2019 we rebranded another 14 Casual Male XL retail and outlet stores to DXL retail and outlet stores.  These rebranded stores performed well in fiscal 2019 with average comparable sales increases in excess of 20% in their first year of operation and without the level of depreciation associated with new DXL stores.  We expect, based on the strong returns in these stores, that we will rebrand, where possible, many of the remaining Casual Male XL retail and outlet stores.

Although our total sales were less than expected during fiscal 2019, we effectively managed our gross margin and reduced our selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, which contributed to our improved operating results.

We have started to realize operating leverage from the closure of our Rochester Clothing stores.  In March 2019, we closed our Rochester Clothing stores in Washington DC and Miami, Florida.  In September 2019, we closed our store in London.  Finally, in January 2020, we closed our last two remaining Rochester Clothing stores in Beverly Hills, CA and New York, NY.  Our consolidated sales results were negatively impacted by the closure of these five stores in fiscal 2019 and will continue to be impacted throughout fiscal 2020.  However, the closure of these stores will create operating leverage in occupancy costs and selling, general and

 

26


 

administrative expenses in the coming year.  Our Rochester stores generated in excess of $12 million dollars in sales annually, but in aggregate, generated an operating loss.  While we do expect to lose some of our Rochester customers from these store closures, including exiting our London operations, we believe this decision will be beneficial to our long-term profitability. We started to see the benefit from cost savings in the fourth quarter from the closure of these stores.   

From a liquidity perspective, our cash flow from operations were $15.8 million as compared to $15.7 million in fiscal 2018.  After capital expenditures, our free cash flow for fiscal 2019 was $2.4 million as compared to $2.8 million in the prior year.  Our free cash flow for fiscal 2019 was used to pay down our debt levels. We ended fiscal 2019 in a solid liquidity position, with inventory down $4.4 million to $102.4 million, clearance inventory at 10.0% from 10.3% last year, total debt down $2.6 million to $54.1 million and increased availability under our Credit Facility up $2.9 million to $48.5 million at February 1, 2020.  

Financial Outlook

Due to the rapidly changing environment with COVID-19, we are not providing specific sales, earnings, or cash flow guidance for fiscal 2020.  We have temporarily closed all of our retail stores as of March 17, 2020 and expect the stores to remain closed through at least March 28, 2020.  We are evaluating potential business scenarios and are currently taking actions, which include reducing operating expenses, reducing capital expenditures, and reducing inventory purchases while remaining focused on liquidity preservation.  We expect to provide a more detailed outlook on our fiscal 2020 operating strategies after the impact on business from COVID-19 has stabilized.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 were 52-week periods and fiscal 2017 was a 53-week year.

Below is a discussion of our results of operations for fiscal 2019 as compared to fiscal 2018.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2019 (fiscal 2018) includes a discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations comparing fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2017 in Item 7 of Part II, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

SALES

 

 

 

Fiscal year

 

(in millions)

 

2019

 

Fiscal 2018 sales

 

$

473.8

 

Less prior year sales for stores that have closed

 

 

(8.7

)

 

 

$

465.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in comparable sales

 

 

0.3

 

Non-comparable sales

 

 

0.4

 

Wholesale revenues

 

 

9.7

 

Other, net

 

 

(1.5

)

Fiscal 2019 sales

 

$

474.0

 

 

For fiscal 2019, total sales increased 0.1% to $474.0 million from $473.8 million in fiscal 2018. Comparable sales for the full year increased by 0.1%. The increase in sales of $0.2 million was driven by an increase in wholesale revenue of $9.7 million, comparable sales of $0.3 million and non-comparable sales of $0.4 million.  These increases were partially offset by sales from closed stores of $8.7 million and a decrease in other revenue, primarily related to alteration income, of $1.5 million.  Our direct business continued to grow, representing 23.1% of our retail segment in fiscal 2019 as compared to 21.6% in fiscal 2018.

GROSS MARGIN

Gross margin rate for fiscal 2019 was 43.1% compared to 44.6% in fiscal 2018. The decrease of 150 basis points was due to a decrease in merchandise margin of 200 basis points, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy costs as a percentage of sales of 50 basis points.  

The 200 basis point decrease in merchandise margin was largely due to a decrease of approximately 100 basis points related to increased clearance selling and promotional activity as well as a shift to more branded apparel and approximately 80 basis points was

 

27


 

due to the growth of our wholesale segment, which by its nature has lower merchandise margins than our retail business.  The balance of the decrease was due to the write-off of certain aged-inventory in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 of approximately 20 basis points.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we made a change to our inventory aging policy, principally driven by a noticeable shift away from tailored clothing to sportswear.  As such, we recorded a charge of $0.9 million at that time in connection with this change in policy to write-off certain aged inventory.  The $0.9 million charge represented approximately 0.8% of our total inventory cost.  

By its nature, gross margin rates for wholesale are considerably lower than gross margin rates for the Company’s retail segment.  Therefore, if we achieve top-line growth in our wholesale business, we expect to experience a decline in our gross margin rate on a combined basis. On a stand-alone basis, however, we saw improvements in margins from our wholesale business each quarter since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.

The improvement in our occupancy rate of 50 basis points was mainly due to closed stores.  On a dollar basis, occupancy costs for fiscal 2019 decreased 3.2% as compared to fiscal 2018.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales for fiscal 2019 was 38.1% as compared to 38.8% for fiscal 2018.

SG&A expenses for fiscal 2019 decreased $3.2 million, or 1.7%, to $180.7 million as compared to $183.9 million in fiscal 2018.  The decrease was primarily due to reduced payroll costs and incentive accruals of approximately $3.5 million and a decrease in marketing costs of $1.5 million.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in expenses of $0.6 million related to our wholesale segment and $1.5 million in deferred gain recognized in fiscal 2018 related to our sale-leaseback transaction.  As a result of adopting the new lease accounting standard (ASC 842) at the beginning of fiscal 2019, we are no longer receiving the annual benefit of $1.5 million from the amortization of the deferred gain from our sale-leaseback transaction.  

SG&A expenses are managed through two primary cost centers: Customer Facing Costs and Corporate Support Costs. Customer Facing Costs, which include store payroll, marketing, and other store operating costs, represented 22.6% of sales in fiscal 2019 as compared to 23.2% of sales in fiscal 2018.  Corporate Support Costs, which include the distribution center and corporate overhead costs, represented 15.5% of sales in fiscal 2019 compared to 15.6% of sales in fiscal 2018.  We expect to continue to address our SG&A cost structure to improve our EBITDA margins and overall profitability.

EXIT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LONDON OPERATIONS

During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we closed our Rochester Clothing store located in London, England.  In connection with this store closure, we incurred a charge of $1.7 million, which included a non-cash expense of $0.8 million related to the recognition of the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment.  The remainder of the charge primarily related to lease termination and inventory liquidation costs.

CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING

Results for fiscal 2018 include a charge of $1.9 million in connection with the Company’s corporate restructuring in May 2018.  In connection with that corporate restructuring, we eliminated 56 positions, which represented approximately 15% of our corporate work force, or 2% of our total work force.  Of the 56 positions, 36 positions were terminations and 20 positions were open positions that were not filled.  Approximately $1.6 million of the $1.9 million was cash expenditures.

As a result of that restructuring, as noted above, we realized savings of approximately $6.0 million in SG&A expenses in fiscal 2018 and $10.0 million, on an annualized basis.  

CEO TRANSITION COSTS

In connection with David Levin’s retirement and the appointment of Harvey Kanter as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company has incurred certain transition costs in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019.  The Company and Mr. Levin entered into a Transition Agreement dated March 20, 2018, as amended (the “Transition Agreement”) that detailed Mr. Levin’s future retirement and related successor issues.  Mr. Levin resigned as an officer and director of the Company on January 1, 2019.  Under the Transition Agreement, he was entitled to receive his base salary, AIP bonus and LTIP compensation through December 31, 2019.  Because no successor was appointed as of December 31, 2018, the Company and Mr. Levin entered into a Letter Agreement, whereby Mr. Levin served as Acting CEO until April 1, 2019 when Mr. Kanter assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

28


 

In connection with the CEO transition, the Company incurred a total charge of approximately $2.4 million in fiscal 2018.  The $2.4 million charge related to amounts payable to Mr. Levin under his Transition Agreement, CEO search costs and the acceleration of stock-based compensation of approximately $0.5 million, related to his time-based equity awards.  In fiscal 2019, the Company incurred additional charges of approximately $0.7 million for CEO search costs, Acting CEO consulting costs, fiscal 2019 incentive payout to Mr. Levin, housing allowance and legal fees.  

In accordance with the terms of the transition agreement between the Company and Mr. Levin, the Company is accruing, based on management’s current estimates, future cash payments that Mr. Levin will be entitled to under the 2018-2020 LTIP, if and when such targets are achieved.

IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

We recorded asset impairment charges of $0.9 million and $4.6 million for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.  The impairment charges primarily related to the write-down of long-lived assets and right-of-use assets related to stores, where the carrying value exceed fair value.  Included in the $4.6 million impairment charge in fiscal 2018 was the write-off of the “Rochester” trademark for $1.5 million.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we made the decision to close our five remaining Rochester Clothing stores during fiscal 2019.  While we will continue to sell Rochester-branded merchandise in our DXL stores and website, we determined that, without the cash flows from these five Rochester branded retail locations, the “Rochester” trademark was fully impaired.    

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Depreciation and amortization expense was $24.6 million in fiscal 2019 compared to $28.7 million for fiscal 2018. With the majority of our new store growth complete, our depreciation expense is decreasing.

Included in depreciation and amortization for fiscal 2018 was the amortization of our “Casual Male” trademark of $0.3 million.  The “Casual Male” trademark was fully amortized at the end of fiscal 2018.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

Net interest expense for fiscal 2019 was $3.3 million as compared to $3.5 million for fiscal 2018.  Average borrowing during fiscal 2019 increased slightly as compared to fiscal 2018, but interest expense decreased slightly due to favorable rates and lower debt-related expenses.  Although average borrowings were higher in fiscal 2019 as compared to fiscal 2018, total debt at February 1, 2020 decreased $2.7 million from February 2, 2019.

See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for more discussion regarding our credit facility and term loan as well as our future liquidity needs.

INCOME TAXES

Pursuant to accounting rules, realization of our deferred tax assets, which relate principally to federal net operating loss carryforwards expiring from fiscal 2022 through fiscal 2036, is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in the near term.

At the end of fiscal 2013, we entered a three-year cumulative loss and based on all positive and negative evidence at February 1, 2014, we established a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets.  While we expect to return to profitability, generate taxable income and ultimately emerge from a three-year cumulative loss, based on our results for fiscal 2019 and our forecast for fiscal 2020, we believe that a full valuation allowance remains appropriate at this time.  

The discrete tax rate method was used for calculating tax expense. Due to current period losses, our current tax provision for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 was primarily due to current state margin tax, based on gross receipts less certain deductions.  Our tax benefit for fiscal 2018 also included of an income tax benefit of $0.2 million for the recognition of the remaining portion of the AMT that was previously sequestered. See Note F, Income Taxes.  

NET LOSS

Net loss for fiscal 2019 was $(7.8) million, or $(0.16) per diluted share, as compared to $(13.5) million, or $(0.28) per diluted share, in fiscal 2018.

 

29


 

Included in our results for fiscal 2019 were charges of $1.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the exit costs associated with our London operations, $0.7 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in CEO transition costs and $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share in impairment charges.

Included in our results for fiscal 2018 were charges of $1.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the corporate restructuring, $2.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in CEO transition costs and $4.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in asset impairment charges.  

On a non-GAAP basis, before asset impairments, exits costs associated with our London operations, CEO transition costs, corporate restructuring and assuming a normalized tax rate of 26% for both years, adjusted net loss per share for fiscal 2019 was $(0.06) per diluted share, compared to $(0.07) per diluted share for fiscal 2018.  See “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” below.  

SEASONALITY

A comparison of sales in each quarter of the past three fiscal years is presented below. The amounts shown are not necessarily indicative of actual trends, because such amounts also reflect the addition of new stores and the remodeling and closing of other stores during these periods. Consistent with the retail apparel industry, our business is seasonal. Generally, the majority of our operating income is generated in the fourth quarter as a result of the impact of the holiday selling season. A comparison of quarterly sales, gross profit, and net loss per share for the past two fiscal years is presented in Note O of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(in millions, except percentages)

 

Fiscal 2019

 

 

Fiscal 2018

 

 

Fiscal 2017

 

First quarter

 

$

113.0

 

 

 

23.8

%

 

$

113.3

 

 

 

23.9

%

 

$

107.6

 

 

 

23.0

%

Second quarter

 

 

123.2

 

 

 

26.0

%

 

 

122.2

 

 

 

25.8

%

 

 

121.1

 

 

 

25.9

%

Third quarter

 

 

106.6

 

 

 

22.5

%

 

 

107.1

 

 

 

22.1

%

 

 

103.7

 

 

 

22.1

%

Fourth quarter

 

 

131.2

 

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

131.2

 

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

135.6

 

 

 

29.0

%

 

 

$

474.0

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

473.8

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

468.0

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

EFFECTS OF INFLATION

Although our operations are influenced by general economic trends, we do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on the results of our operations in the last three fiscal years.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, we have deployed a number of contingency plans to reduce operating expenses, reduce capital expenditure spending, and cancel inventory receipts.  Given these actions and our current plan, we believe we have sufficient excess availability under our credit facility to weather the impact of this global event. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations and availability under our credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., which was most recently amended in September 2019 (“Credit Facility”). Generally, our current cash needs are primarily for working capital (essentially inventory requirements) and capital expenditures. We plan to manage our working capital and it is expected that excess cash from operations will be directed toward our growth initiatives and debt reductions.  

Our liquidity objective for fiscal 2019 was to generate free cash flow and to reduce outstanding debt levels, which we accomplished. For fiscal 2019, cash flow from operating activities increased by $0.1 million to $15.8 million as compared to $15.7 million.  After capital expenditures, we generated free cash flow of $2.4 million in fiscal 2019 as compared to $2.8 million in fiscal 2018.  The decrease of $0.4 million was driven by an increase of $0.4 million in capital expenditures related to us rebranding a total of 14 Casual Male XL retail and outlet stores during fiscal 2019 as compared to 3 stores in fiscal 2018.  We used our free cash flow to reduce our outstanding debt, which decreased $2.6 million at February 1, 2020 as compared to February 2, 2019.    

The following table sets forth financial data regarding our liquidity position at the end of the past two fiscal years:

 

30


 

 

(in millions)

 

Fiscal 2019

 

 

Fiscal 2018

 

Cash provided by operations

 

$

15.8

 

 

$

15.7

 

Capital expenditures, infrastructure projects

 

$

(9.7

)

 

$

(10.8

)

Free Cash Flow, before capital expenditures for DXL stores and DXL domain name

 

$

6.1

 

 

$

5.0

 

Capital expenditures for DXL stores and acquisition of DXL domain name

 

$

(3.7

)

 

$

(2.2

)

Free Cash Flow

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs

 

$

54.1

 

 

$

56.7

 

Unused excess availability under Credit Facility

 

$

48.5

 

 

$

45.6

 

 

The following is a summary of our total debt outstanding at February 1, 2020, with the associated unamortized debt issuance costs:

 

(in thousands)

 

Gross Debt

Outstanding

 

 

Less Debt Issuance

Costs

 

 

Net Debt

Outstanding

 

Credit facility

 

$

39,578

 

 

$

(277

)

 

$

39,301

 

FILO loan

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

(187

)

 

 

14,813

 

Total debt

 

$

54,578

 

 

$

(464

)

 

$

54,114

 

 

Credit Facility

Our Credit Facility provides for a maximum committed borrowing of $125.0 million, which, pursuant to an accordion feature, may be increased to $175.0 million upon our request and the agreement of the lender(s) participating in the increase (the “Revolving Facility”).  The Credit Facility includes a sublimit of $20.0 million for commercial and standby letters of credit and a sublimit of up to $15.0 million for swingline loans. Borrowings made pursuant to the Revolving Facility under the Credit Facility will bear interest, calculated under either the Federal Funds rate or the LIBOR rate, at a rate equal to the following: (a) the Federal Funds rate plus a varying percentage based on the Company’s excess availability, of either 0.25% or 0.50%, or (b) the LIBOR rate (the Company being able to select interest periods of 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months or 6 months) plus a varying percentage based on the Company’s excess availability, of either 1.25% or 1.50%.  The current maturity date is May 24, 2023.  

Our Credit Facility is described in more detail in Note D to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

We had outstanding borrowings of $39.6 million under the Revolving Facility at February 1, 2020. Outstanding standby letters of credit were $2.8 million and outstanding documentary letters of credit were $1.4 million. The average monthly borrowing outstanding under the Revolving Facility during fiscal 2019 was approximately $57.5 million, resulting in an average unused excess availability of approximately $41.0 million. Unused excess availability at February 1, 2020 was $48.5 million. Our obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by a lien on substantially all of our assets.  

FILO Loan

The Credit Facility also includes a FILO loan for $15.0 million.  The total borrowing capacity under the FILO loan is based on a borrowing base, generally defined as a specified percentage of the value of eligible accounts, including certain trade names, that step down over time, plus a specified percentage of the value of eligible inventory that steps down over time. During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we entered into an amendment that extended these advance rates for approximately one year before they begin to step down.  The FILO loan can be repaid, in whole or in part, subject to certain payment conditions before May 24, 2023.

As a result of extending the advance rates under the FILO loan, the applicable margin rates for borrowings are increased by approximately 50 basis points temporarily through May 24, 2021, at which time the margin rates will revert back to the original terms.  Accordingly, current borrowings made under the FILO loan will bear interest, calculated under either the Federal Funds rate or the LIBOR rate, at a rate equal to the following: (a) the Federal Funds rate plus a varying percentage based on the Company’s excess availability, of either 2.25% or 2.50% or (b) the LIBOR rate (the Company being able to select interest periods of 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months or 6 months) plus a varying percentage based on the Company’s excess availability, of either 3.25% or 3.50%.  At February 1, 2020, the outstanding balance of $15.0 million was in a 1-month LIBOR-based contract with an interest rate of 4.92%.  

INVENTORY

At February 1, 2020, total inventories decreased to $102.4 million from $106.8 million at February 2, 2019. The $4.4 million decrease in inventory was due primarily to the closings of the Rochester Clothing stores in fiscal 2019.  Inventory levels in our wholesale

 

31


 

business were down approximately $1.0 million from last year, primarily due to timing of in-transit merchandise.  We launched our wholesale business in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and therefore inventory levels were higher at that point.  At February 1, 2020, our clearance inventory represented 10.0% of our inventory, as compared to 10.3% at February 2, 2019.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at February 1, 2020, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (Certain amounts in the following table do not foot due to rounding):

 

 

 

Payments due by period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

 

Less than 1 year

 

 

1 to 3 years

 

 

3 to 5 years

 

 

More than 5 years

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Operating leases (1)

 

$

269.0

 

 

$

55.4

 

 

$

103.5

 

 

$

71.9

 

 

$

38.3

 

Long-term debt obligations (2)

 

 

15.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.0

 

 

 

 

Interest on long-term debt obligations (3)

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Merchandise purchase obligations (4)

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

20.0

 

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Commitments (5)

 

$

326.5

 

 

$

66.1

 

 

$

125.0

 

 

$

97.1

 

 

$

38.3

 

 

(1)

Includes amounts due on our lease agreement for our corporate headquarters and distribution center, operating leases for all of our current store locations, certain equipment leases and auto leases.

(2)

Represents the outstanding balance of the FILO loan.  At February 1, 2020, we had $39.6 million outstanding under our credit facility, which is excluded from the above table.

(3)

Interest on long-term obligations is estimated using LIBOR rate at February 1, 2020 for the FILO loan, assuming no principal payment until maturity of the FILO loan.

(4)

Merchandise Purchase Obligations include amounts for which we are contractually committed to meet certain minimum purchases. These commitments are contingent on the supplier meeting its obligations under the contract. Excluded from Merchandise Purchase Obligations in the table above are our outstanding obligations pursuant to open purchase orders. At February 1, 2020, we had approximately $70.6 million in open purchase orders. We estimate that approximately 95% of these purchase orders may be considered non-cancelable.

(5)

At February 1, 2020, we had an unfunded Pension Obligation of $4.7 million and obligations under our Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan of $0.5 million, which are not included in the table because of uncertainty over whether or when further contributions will be required.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

The following table sets forth the open stores and related square footage at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019 respectively:

 

 

 

At February 1, 2020

 

 

At February 2, 2019

 

Store Concept

 

Number of

Stores

 

 

Square

Footage

 

 

Number of

Stores

 

 

Square

Footage

 

(square footage in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DXL Retail

 

 

228

 

 

 

1,729

 

 

 

216

 

 

 

1,684

 

DXL Outlet

 

 

17

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

78

 

Casual Male XL Retail

 

 

50

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

221

 

Casual Male XL Outlet

 

 

28

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

91

 

Rochester Clothing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

51

 

Total Stores

 

 

323

 

 

 

2,060

 

 

 

332

 

 

 

2,125

 

 

 

32


 

Below is a summary of store openings and closings from February 2, 2019 to February 1, 2020:

 

Number of Stores:

 

DXL Retail

 

 

DXL Outlet

 

 

Casual Male

XL Retail

 

 

Casual Male

XL Outlet

 

 

Rochester

Clothing

 

 

Total Stores

 

At February 2, 2019

 

 

216

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

332

 

New stores(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rebranded stores (2)

 

 

11

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Replaced stores(3)

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closed retail stores(4)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(9

)

At February 1, 2020

 

 

228

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

323

 

 

(1)

Represents stores opened in new markets.

(2)

Represents Casual Male XL store that were remodeled and rebranded to a DXL store.

(3)

Represents the total number of DXL stores opened in existing markets with the corresponding total number of Casual Male XL stores closed in such markets in connection with those DXL store openings.

(4)

Represents closed stores for which there were no corresponding openings in the same market.

Our capital expenditures for fiscal 2019 were $13.4 million, as compared to $13.0 million in fiscal 2018.  Capital expenditures for fiscal 2019 consisted of $9.7 million primarily related to management information projects, which included a new order management system, investments towards a new CRM platform and equipment and system upgrades in our distribution facility.  The remaining balance of $3.7 million in capital expenditures was for DXL stores, primarily for the rebranding of 14 Casual Male XL stores to DXL stores as well as opening two DXL retail stores.  This is compared to fiscal 2018, where we only rebranded 3 Casual Male XL stores and opened 2 DXL retail stores and 1 DXL outlet, and purchased the DXL.com domain name.  

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

We monitor certain non-GAAP financial measures on a regular basis in order to track the progress of our business, including the measures below.  We believe these measures provide helpful information with respect to the Company’s operating performance to shareholders, investors and analysts, and that the inclusion of these non-GAAP measures is important to assist investors in comparing our performance in fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, on a comparable basis.  However, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies and should not be considered superior to or as a substitute for operating net loss, net loss per diluted share or cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP.  

Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted Net Loss Per Diluted Share

Adjusted net loss reflects an adjustment assuming a normal tax rate of 26% and the add-back of impairment charges, exit costs associated with London operations, CEO transition costs and corporate restructuring.  We have fully reserved against our deferred tax assets and, therefore, net loss is not reflective of earnings assuming a “normal” tax position.  Adjusted net loss provides investors with a useful indication of the financial performance of the business, on a comparative basis, assuming a normalized tax rate of 26%.

 

33


 

The following table is a reconciliation of net loss and net loss per diluted share (on a GAAP basis) to adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per diluted share (on a non-GAAP basis) (certain amounts may not foot due to rounding):

 

 

 

Fiscal 2019

 

 

Fiscal 2018

 

 

Fiscal 2017

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

$

 

 

Per diluted

share

 

 

$

 

 

Per diluted

share

 

 

$

 

 

Per diluted

share

 

Loss before tax provision, on a GAAP basis

 

$

(7,691

)

 

$

(0.15

)

 

$

(13,581

)

 

$

(0.28

)

 

$

(21,398

)

 

$

(0.44

)

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

$

105

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

(50

)

 

$

(0.00

)

 

$

(2,572

)

 

$

(0.05

)

Net loss, on a GAAP basis

 

$

(7,796

)

 

$

(0.16

)

 

$

(13,531

)

 

$

(0.28

)

 

$

(18,826

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

 

$

889

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

$

4,579

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

4,095

 

 

$

0.08

 

Exit costs associated with London operations

 

 

1,737

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEO transition costs

 

 

743

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

 

2,404

 

 

$

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,904

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

 

105

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

(50

)

 

$

(0.00

)

 

 

(2,572

)

 

$

(0.05

)

Adjusted loss before income taxes

 

$

(4,322

)

 

$

(0.09

)

 

$

(4,694

)

 

$

(0.10

)

 

$

(17,303

)

 

$

(0.35

)

Income tax benefit, assuming a normalized tax rate of 26%, with no AMT Benefit in 2017

 

$

(1,124

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

(1,220

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

(4,499

)

 

$

(0.09

)

Adjusted net loss, non-GAAP basis

 

$

(3,198

)

 

$

(0.06

)

 

$

(3,474

)

 

$

(0.07

)

 

$

(12,804

)

 

$

(0.26

)

 

Free Cash Flow

We calculate free cash flow as cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Free cash flow excludes the mandatory and discretionary repayment of debt.  The following table provides a reconciliation of free cash flow:

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Fiscal 2019

 

 

Fiscal 2018

 

Cash flow from operating activities (GAAP)

 

$

15.8

 

 

$

15.7

 

Capital expenditures, infrastructure projects

 

 

(9.7

)

 

 

(10.8

)

Capital expenditures for DXL stores and acquisition of DXL domain name

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(2.2

)

Free cash flow (non-GAAP)

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

2.8

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are presented because we believe that these measures are useful to investors in evaluating our performance.  With the significant capital investment associated with the DXL transformation, which has resulted in increased levels of depreciation expense, management uses EBITDA as a key metric to measure profitability and economic productivity.

EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as EBITDA before impairment charges, exit costs associated with London operations, CEO transition costs and corporate restructuring.  

 

34


 

The following table is a reconciliation of net loss on a GAAP basis to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, on a non-GAAP basis, for each fiscal year. (Certain amounts in the following table do not foot due to rounding):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Fiscal 2019

 

 

Fiscal 2018

 

 

Fiscal 2017

 

 

Net loss, on a GAAP basis

 

$

(7.8

)

 

$

(13.5

)

 

$

(18.8

)

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(2.6

)

 

Interest expense

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

28.7

 

 

 

31.1

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

20.2

 

 

$

18.5

 

 

$

13.0

 

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exit costs associated with London operations

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEO transition costs

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

23.5

 

 

$

27.4

 

 

$

17.1

 

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES; USE OF ESTIMATES

Our financial statements are based on the application of significant accounting policies, many of which require our management to make significant estimates and assumptions (see Note A to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). We believe that the following items involve some of the more critical judgments in the application of accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on date of grant and recognize compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest.

The fair value of our stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (the “expected term”), the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the expected term and the number of options that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (“forfeitures”). Changes in these subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and, consequently, the related amount recognized as an expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As required under the accounting rules, we review our valuation assumptions at each grant date and, as a result, we are likely to change our valuation assumptions used to value employee stock-based awards granted in future periods. The values derived from using the Black-Scholes model are recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from these current estimates. For performance-based awards, no compensation expense is recognized until the performance targets are deemed probable. For fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, we recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $1.9 million, $2.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively.  

Long-Term Incentive Plans

During fiscal 2019, we had two active Long-Term Incentive Plans (“LTIPs”): The 2018-2020 LTIP and the 2019-2021 LTIP.  See Note H to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of our LTIPs.

All time-based awards granted pursuant to our LTIPs are amortized over each LTIP’s respective vesting periods.  

Our LTIPs contain a dollar-denominated performance-based component.  Equity awards will only be granted if such performance targets are achieved.  Accordingly, each quarter the Company reviews its expected achievement against such performance targets to assess whether an accrual is necessary.  All accruals are recorded as a liability.  If performance targets are achieved and equity awards are granted, the related cost of those awards will be reclassified from the accrual to stock-based compensation on grant date.  

With respect to the performance-based component of the 2018-2020 LTIP and 2019-2021 LTIP, which each approximate $1.9 million, at target, RSUs will be granted at the end of the performance period if the performance targets are achieved. Through the end of fiscal

 

35


 

2019, we have accrued approximately $0.2 million for the achievement of performance targets under the 2018-2020 LTIP.  There is no accrual at the end of fiscal 2019 for the 2019-2021 LTIP.

Inventory

We value inventory at the lower of cost or market, using a weighted-average cost method. We review our inventory to identify slow-moving and broken assortments. We use markdowns to clear merchandise and will record inventory reserves if the estimated future selling price is less than cost. In addition, an inventory shrink estimate is made each period that reduces the value of inventory for lost or stolen merchandise. We perform physical inventories throughout the year and adjust the shrink reserves accordingly.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review our long-lived assets for impairment when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flow estimated to be generated by those assets is less than the assets’ carrying amount. We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment at a store level for all our retail locations. If actual market conditions are less favorable than management’s projections, future write-offs may be necessary.

For fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, we recorded impairment charges of $0.9 million, $4.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively.  Impairment charges primarily relate to the write-down of property and equipment in stores, where the carrying value exceeds fair value; however, the impairment charge for fiscal 2019 included $0.7 million for the write-down of right-of-use assets, fiscal 2018 included the write-off the “Rochester” trademark of $1.5 million and fiscal 2017 included the write-off of $1.9 million for certain technology projects that were abandoned.  

Leases

Effective February 3, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).”  As a result of the adoption, we established our leases as right-of-use assets of $214.1 million and established corresponding lease liabilities of $254.5 million on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at February 3, 2019.  The $40.3 million difference between the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities was primarily attributable to the elimination of certain existing lease-related assets and liabilities as a net adjustment to the right-of-use assets.  In fiscal 2019, we recognized a net credit to opening accumulated deficit of $5.3 million to recognize: (i) the remaining deferred gain of $10.3 million from a sale-leaseback transaction (ii) the recognition of impairments, upon adoption, of certain right-to-use assets of $3.8 million and (iii) the write-off of initial direct costs of $1.2 million. As the interest rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, based on information available at the lease measurement date to determine the present value of future payments. See Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Income Taxes

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, on a quarterly basis, we evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets and, if needed, establish a valuation allowance against those assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we entered into a three-year cumulative loss position and based on forecasts at that time, we expected the cumulative three-year loss to increase as of the end of fiscal 2014. Management determined that this represented significant negative evidence at February 1, 2014 and a full valuation allowance was established against our net deferred tax assets. While we have projected that the Company will return to profitability, generate taxable income and ultimately emerge from a three-year cumulative loss, based on actual results for fiscal 2019 and our forecast for fiscal 2020, we believe that a full allowance remains appropriate at this time.

Our effective tax rates could be affected by numerous factors, such as changes in our deferred tax assets and liabilities and their valuation, and changes in the relevant tax, accounting, and other laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, and interpretation. The 2017 Tax Act significantly changed how corporations are taxed in the United States.  The U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, and other standard-setting bodies may continue to interpret or issue guidance on how provisions of the 2017 Tax Act will be applied or otherwise administered that is different from our interpretation. However, we do not expect that any subsequent interpretations will have a material impact on our financial results.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

We have reviewed accounting pronouncements and interpretations thereof that have effective dates during the periods reported and in future periods. See Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for information on recent accounting pronouncements and the impact of impending standards on our future filings.  

 

36


 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the normal course of business, our financial position and results of operations are routinely subject to a variety of risks, including market risk associated with interest rate movements on borrowings and foreign currency fluctuations. We regularly assess these risks and have established policies and business practices to protect against the adverse effects of these and other potential exposures.

Interest Rates

We utilize cash from operations and from the Revolving Facility of our Credit Facility to fund our working capital needs. Our Credit Facility is not used for trading or speculative purposes. As part of our Credit Facility, we also have an outstanding $15.0 million FILO loan.  In addition, we have available letters of credit as sources of financing for our working capital requirements. Borrowings under the Credit Facility, which expires May 24, 2023, bear interest at variable rates based on Bank of America’s prime rate or LIBOR.

At February 1, 2020, we had outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Facility of approximately $39.6 million, of which approximately $33.0 million were in LIBOR-based contracts with an interest rate of approximately 2.81%. The remainder was prime-based borrowings, with a rate of 5.00%.  At February 1, 2020, the $15.0 million outstanding borrowings under the FILO loan were in a LIBOR-based contract with an interest rate of 4.92%.

Based upon a sensitivity analysis as of February 1, 2020, assuming average outstanding borrowings during fiscal 2019 of $57.5 million under our Credit Facility and $15.0 million outstanding under our FILO loan, a 50 basis point increase in interest rates would have increased interest expense by approximately $0.4 million on an annualized basis.

Foreign Currency

Our two DXL stores located in Toronto, Canada conduct business in Canadian dollars. As of February 1, 2020, sales from these stores were immaterial to consolidated sales. As such, we believe that movement in foreign currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. Our Rochester Clothing store, which was located in London, England and closed in August 2019, conducted business in British pounds.  In connection with that store closing, we recognized an expense of approximately $0.8 million associated with the recognition of the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment.

 

 

 

 

37


 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Destination XL Group, Inc.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019

 

40

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018

 

41

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Fiscal Years Ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018

 

42

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018

 

43

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018

 

44

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

45

 

 

 

 

38


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Destination XL Group, Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Destination XL Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 1, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 1, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 19, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of February 3, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and Accounting Standards Update 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.

Boston, Massachusetts

March 19, 2020

 

 

 

 

39


 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019  

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

 

(Fiscal 2019)

 

 

(Fiscal 2018)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,338

 

 

$

4,868

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

6,219

 

 

 

4,420

 

Inventories

 

 

102,420

 

 

 

106,837

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

10,883

 

 

 

11,535

 

Total current assets

 

 

123,860

 

 

 

127,660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

78,279

 

 

 

92,525

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

186,413

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

 

1,150

 

 

 

1,150

 

Other assets

 

 

1,215

 

 

 

4,741

 

Total assets

 

$

390,917

 

 

$

226,076

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of deferred gain on sale-leaseback

 

$

 

 

$

1,465

 

Accounts payable

 

 

31,763

 

 

 

34,418

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

18,123

 

 

 

30,140

 

Operating leases, current

 

 

41,176

 

 

 

 

Borrowings under credit facility

 

 

39,301

 

 

 

41,908

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

130,363

 

 

 

107,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

14,813

 

 

 

14,757

 

Operating leases, noncurrent

 

 

182,051

 

 

 

 

Deferred rent and lease incentives

 

 

 

 

 

31,839

 

Deferred gain on sale-leaseback, net of current portion

 

 

 

 

 

8,793

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

5,267

 

 

 

4,116

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

202,131

 

 

 

59,505

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized,  63,297,598 and

   62,241,834 shares issued at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively

 

 

633

 

 

 

622

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

312,933

 

 

 

310,393

 

Treasury stock at cost, 12,755,873 shares at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively

 

 

(92,658

)

 

 

(92,658

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(156,054

)

 

 

(153,534

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(6,431

)

 

 

(6,183

)

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

58,423

 

 

 

58,640

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

390,917

 

 

$

226,076

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

40


 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the fiscal years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

 

 

(Fiscal 2019)

 

 

(Fiscal 2018)

 

 

(Fiscal 2017)

 

Sales

 

$

474,038

 

 

$

473,756

 

 

$

467,976

 

Cost of goods sold including occupancy costs

 

 

269,837

 

 

 

262,467

 

 

 

257,619

 

Gross profit

 

 

204,201

 

 

 

211,289

 

 

 

210,357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

180,663

 

 

 

183,868

 

 

 

193,230

 

Exit costs associated with London operations

 

 

1,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CEO transition costs

 

 

743

 

 

 

2,404

 

 

 

 

Corporate restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

 

1,904

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

 

 

889

 

 

 

4,579

 

 

 

4,095

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

24,563

 

 

 

28,653

 

 

 

31,073

 

Total expenses

 

 

208,595

 

 

 

221,408

 

 

 

228,398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

 

(4,394

)

 

 

(10,119

)

 

 

(18,041

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(3,297

)

 

 

(3,462

)

 

 

(3,357

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

 

(7,691

)

 

 

(13,581

)

 

 

(21,398

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

 

105

 

 

 

(50

)

 

 

(2,572

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(7,796

)

 

$

(13,531

)

 

$

(18,826

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

 

$

(0.16

)

 

$

(0.28

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

 

49,992

 

 

 

49,163

 

 

 

48,888

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

41


 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the fiscal years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018

(In thousands)

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

 

 

(Fiscal 2019)

 

 

(Fiscal 2018)

 

 

(Fiscal 2017)

 

Net loss

 

$

(7,796

)

 

$

(13,531

)

 

$

(18,826

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition of accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

(83

)

 

 

(264

)

 

 

393

 

Pension plan

 

 

(957

)

 

 

(394

)

 

 

1,490

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes

 

 

(248

)

 

 

(658

)

 

 

1,883

 

Tax provision related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

(248

)

 

 

(658

)

 

 

1,883

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(8,044

)

 

$

(14,189

)

 

$

(16,943

)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

42


 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the fiscal years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amounts

 

 

Capital

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amounts

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Total

 

Balance at January 28, 2017

 

 

61,637

 

 

$

616

 

 

$

304,466

 

 

 

(10,877

)

 

$

(87,977

)

 

$

(122,567

)

 

$

(6,018

)

 

$

88,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,636

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,636

 

Restricted stock issued, reclass from liability to equity

 

 

425

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

916

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

920

 

Cancellations of restricted stock, net of issuances

 

 

(755

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Directors compensation

 

 

179

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

534

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,878

)

 

 

(4,681

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,681

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized gain associated with Pension Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,490

 

 

 

1,490

 

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

393

 

 

 

393

 

Adjustment to reclassify intraperiod tax allocation to accumulated deficit (Note F)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,108

 

 

 

(2,108

)

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,826

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,826

)

Balance at February 3, 2018

 

 

61,486

 

 

$

615

 

 

$

307,557

 

 

 

(12,755

)

 

$

(92,658

)

 

$

(139,285

)

 

$

(6,243

)

 

$

69,986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,004

 

Restricted stock units (RSUs) granted for achievement of performance-based

compensation, reclassified from liability to equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

381

 

Issuance of common stock, upon release of RSUs

 

 

627

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares withheld for taxes related to net share settlement of RSUs

 

 

(54

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(135

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(136

)

Deferred stock vested

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock option exercise

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancellation of restricted stock, net of issuances

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of directors compensation

 

 

173

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

594

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized loss associated with Pension Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(394

)

 

 

(394

)

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(264

)

 

 

(264

)

Remeasurement and reclassification on stranded tax effect (Note A)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(718

)

 

 

718

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,531

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,531

)

Balance at February 2, 2019

 

 

62,242

 

 

$

622

 

 

$

310,393

 

 

 

(12,755

)

 

$

(92,658

)

 

$

(153,534

)

 

$

(6,183

)

 

$

58,640

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,922

 

RSUs granted for achievement of performance-based compensation, reclassified from liability to equity (Note H)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

304

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

304

 

Issuance of common stock, upon RSUs release

 

 

977

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares withheld for taxes related to net share settlement of RSUs

 

 

(111

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(243

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(244

)

Deferred stock vested

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancellations of restricted stock, net of issuances

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of directors compensation

 

 

196

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

569

 

Change in accounting principle due to adoption of ASC 842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,276

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized loss associated with Pension Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(957

)

 

 

(957

)

Foreign currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(83

)

 

 

(83

)

Recognition of accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment (Note N)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

792

 

 

 

792

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,796

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,796

)

Balance at February 1, 2020

 

 

63,297

 

 

$

633

 

 

$

312,933

 

 

 

(12,755

)

 

$

(92,658

)

 

$

(156,054

)

 

$

(6,431

)

 

$

58,423

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

43


 

 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the fiscal years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018

(In thousands)

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

 

 

(Fiscal 2019)

 

 

(Fiscal 2018)

 

 

(Fiscal 2017)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(7,796

)

 

$

(13,531

)

 

$

(18,826

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating

   activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition of accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred gain on sale-leaseback

 

 

 

 

 

(1,465

)

 

 

(1,465

)

Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs

 

 

139

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

270

 

Write-off of deferred debt issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 

186

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

 

 

889

 

 

 

4,579

 

 

 

4,095

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

24,563

 

 

 

28,653

 

 

 

31,073

 

Deferred taxes, net of valuation allowance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,363

)

Stock compensation expense

 

 

1,922

 

 

 

2,004

 

 

 

1,636

 

Board of directors stock compensation

 

 

569

 

 

 

594

 

 

 

534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,174

)

 

 

(1,374

)

 

 

4,068

 

Inventories

 

 

4,417

 

 

 

(3,505

)

 

 

14,114

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

1,252

 

 

 

(464

)

 

 

(1,110

)

Other assets

 

 

1,797

 

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(2,655

)

 

 

431

 

 

 

2,729

 

Operating leases, net

 

 

(4,254

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred rent and lease incentives

 

 

 

 

 

(3,879

)

 

 

297

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

(4,658

)

 

 

3,341

 

 

 

(4,153

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

15,803

 

 

 

15,741

 

 

 

30,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment, net

 

 

(13,399

)

 

 

(11,811

)

 

 

(22,565

)

Purchase of intangible asset

 

 

 

 

 

(1,150

)

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

 

 

(13,399

)

 

 

(12,961

)

 

 

(22,565

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net borrowings (repayments) under credit facility

 

 

(2,690

)

 

 

(5,334

)

 

 

3,165

 

Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

(12,251

)

 

 

(7,088

)

Costs associated with debt issuances

 

 

 

 

 

(553

)

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,681

)

Tax withholdings paid related to net share settlements of RSUs

 

 

(244

)

 

 

(136

)

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

 

 

(2,934

)

 

 

(3,274

)

 

 

(8,604

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(530

)

 

 

(494

)

 

 

(210

)

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

 

4,868

 

 

 

5,362

 

 

 

5,572

 

End of period

 

$

4,338

 

 

$

4,868

 

 

$

5,362

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

44


 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

 

 

A. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Destination XL Group, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries referred to as the “Company”) is the largest specialty retailer in the United States of big & tall men’s clothing and shoes. The Company operates under the trade names of Destination XL®, DXL®, DXL Men’s Apparel, DXL Outlets®, Casual Male XL® and Casual Male XL Outlets. At February 1, 2020, the Company operated 228 DXL stores, 50 Casual Male XL, 28 Casual Male XL outlets and 17 DXL outlets located throughout the United States, including two stores in Canada and an e-commerce site at www.dxl.com.  In fiscal 2018, the Company launched a wholesale segment focused on product development and distribution relationships with key retailers.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts, transactions and profits are eliminated.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from estimates.

Subsequent Events

All appropriate subsequent event disclosures, if any, have been made in these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Segment Reporting

The Company has historically had two principal operating segments: its stores and direct businesses.  The Company considers these two operating segments to be similar in terms of economic characteristics, production processes and operations, and has therefore aggregated them into one reportable segment, retail segment, consistent with its omni-channel business approach.  In fiscal 2018, the Company launched a wholesale segment, which the Company considers a third operating segment.  However, due to the immateriality of the wholesale segment’s revenues, profits and assets its operating results are aggregated with the retail segment for all periods.

Reclassification

In fiscal 2018, the Company reported its total costs associated with its Corporate restructuring and CEO transition costs of $4.3 million, on a combined basis on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  For comparability with fiscal 2019 presentation, Corporate restructuring and CEO transition costs for fiscal 2018 have been reported separately on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year is a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 were 52-week periods, which ended on February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively. Fiscal 2017 was a 53-week period, which ended on February 3, 2018.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and short-term investments, which have a maturity of ninety days or less when acquired. Included in cash equivalents are credit card and debit card receivables from banks, which generally settle within two to four business days.

 

45


 

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable primarily includes amounts due for rebates from certain vendors and amounts due from wholesale customers. For fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, the Company did not incur any losses on its accounts receivable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value of certain financial instruments. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and short-term borrowings approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements.

The valuation techniques utilized are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related asset or liabilities.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of assets or liabilities.

The Company utilizes observable market inputs (quoted market prices) when measuring fair value whenever possible.

The fair value of long-term debt is classified with Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. At February 1, 2020, long-term debt approximated the carrying amount based upon terms available to the Company for borrowings with similar arrangements and remaining maturities. See Note D, “Debt Obligations, for more discussion.

The fair value of the “dxl.com” domain name, an indefinite-lived intangible asset, is measured on a non-recurring basis in connection with the Company’s annual impairment test and is classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. At February 1, 2020, the fair value of the Company’s “dxl.com” domain name was determined to approximate carrying value.  See Intangibles below.

Stores that have indicators of impairment and fail the recoverability test (based on undiscounted cash flows) are measured for impairment by comparing the fair value of the assets against their carrying value. Fair value of the assets is estimated using a projected discounted cash flow analysis and is classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. See Impairment of Long-Lived Assets below.

Inventories

All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, using a weighted-average cost method.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Major additions and improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is reflected in the results of operations. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives as follows:

 

Furniture and fixtures

  

Five to ten years

Equipment

  

Five to ten years

Leasehold improvements

  

Lesser of useful lives or related lease term

Hardware and software

  

Three to seven years

 

 

46


 

Intangibles

Domain Name

In fiscal 2018, the Company purchased the rights to the domain “dxl.com”, at a purchase price of $1.0 million, plus transaction costs of $150,000.  The Company determined that this domain has an indefinite useful life and, therefore, is not being amortized. At each reporting period, management analyzes current events and circumstances to determine whether the indefinite life classification continues to be valid.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the domain name was tested for potential impairment and the Company concluded that the domain name was not impaired.  

Trademarks and Customer Lists

The Company’s “Casual Male” trademark and customer lists were classified as finite-lived assets and were fully amortized at the end of fiscal 2018. Amortization expense for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 was $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company decided to close its five Rochester Clothing stores in fiscal 2019 and, as a result, determined that its “Rochester” trademark was impaired because the projected future cash flows were insufficient to support the carrying value of the “Rochester” trademark.  As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 to fully write-off the “Rochester” trademark.

Pre-opening Costs

The Company expenses all pre-opening costs for its stores as incurred.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses in-store advertising costs as incurred. Television advertising costs are expensed in the period in which the advertising is first aired. Direct response advertising costs, if any, are deferred and amortized over the period of expected direct marketing revenues, which is less than one year. There were no deferred direct response costs at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019. Advertising expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses, was $22.9 million, $24.4 million and $29.5 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s accounting policies with respect to revenue recognition are discussed in Note B, “Revenue Recognition.

Foreign Currency Translation

At February 1, 2020, the Company had two stores located in Toronto, Canada. Assets and liabilities for these stores are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date. Stockholders’ equity is translated at applicable historical exchange rates. Income, expense and cash flow items are translated at average exchange rates during the period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company closed its Rochester Clothing store in London, England.  In connection with exiting its operations in England, the Company recognized the associated accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment of $0.8 million as an expense in fiscal 2019.  See “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) – (“AOCI”)” below.  

 

47


 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) – (“AOCI”)

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes amounts related to foreign currency and pension plans and is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassifications from AOCI for fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 are as follows:

 

Fiscal 2019

 

 

Fiscal 2018

 

 

Fiscal 2017

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension

Plans

 

 

Foreign

Currency

 

 

Total

 

 

Pension

Plans

 

 

Foreign

Currency

 

 

Total

 

 

Pension

Plans

 

 

Foreign

Currency

 

 

Total

 

Balance at beginning of fiscal year

$

(5,521

)

 

$

(662

)

 

$

(6,183

)

 

$

(5,840

)

 

$

(403

)

 

$

(6,243

)

 

$

(5,237

)

 

$

(781

)

 

$

(6,018

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   before reclassifications, net of taxes

 

(1,597

)

 

 

(83

)

 

 

(1,680

)

 

 

(746

)

 

 

(264

)

 

 

(1,010

)

 

 

820

 

 

 

393

 

 

 

1,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition of accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment (1)

 

 

 

 

 

792

 

 

 

792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated

   other comprehensive income (loss),

   net of taxes  (2)

 

640

 

 

 

 

 

 

640

 

 

 

352

 

 

 

 

 

 

352

 

 

 

670

 

 

 

 

 

 

670

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

   (loss) for the period

 

(957

)

 

 

709

 

 

 

(248

)

 

 

(394

)

 

 

(264

)

 

 

(658

)

 

 

1,490

 

 

 

393

 

 

 

1,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remeasurement and reclassification of stranded tax effect (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

713

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

718

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to reclassify intraperiod tax allocation to accumulated deficit (Note F)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,093

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(2,108

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of fiscal year

$

(6,478

)

 

$

47

 

 

$

(6,431

)

 

$

(5,521

)

 

$

(662

)

 

$

(6,183

)

 

$

(5,840

)

 

$

(403

)

 

$

(6,243

)

 

(1)

In connection with the Company’s closing of its Rochester Clothing store in London, England and exiting its London operations, the Company recognized the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment as an expense and it has been included in “Exit costs associated with London operations” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal 2019.

(2)

Includes the amortization of the unrecognized (gain)/loss on pension plans, which was charged to “Selling, General and Administrative” expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented. The amortization of the unrecognized loss, before tax, was $640,000, $352,000 and $670,000 for fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. There was no corresponding tax benefit.

(3)

Represents the reclassification to retained earnings of the tax benefit associated with comprehensive income earned, adjusted for the effects of ASU 2018-02 which allowed for the reclassification to retained earnings of stranded tax effect as a result of the 2017 Tax Act.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided to recognize the effect of temporary differences between tax and financial statement reporting. Such taxes are provided for using enacted tax rates expected to be in place when such temporary differences are realized. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the full deferred tax asset would not be realized. If it is subsequently determined that a deferred tax asset will more likely than not be realized, a credit to earnings is recorded to reduce the allowance.

ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) clarifies a company’s accounting for uncertain income tax positions that are recognized in its financial statements and also provides guidance on a company’s de-recognition of uncertain positions, financial statement classification, accounting for interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, and disclosure requirements. In accordance with ASC 740, the Company will recognize the benefit from a tax position only if it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon audit based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. The Company’s policy is to recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in its Consolidated Statement of Operations.  The Company has not accrued or paid interest or penalties in amounts that were material to its results of operations for fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017.  

 

48


 

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through fiscal 2001, with remaining fiscal years subject to income tax examination by federal tax authorities.

Net Loss Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the respective period. Diluted earnings per share is determined by giving effect to unvested shares of restricted stock and the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method. The following table provides a reconciliation of the number of shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

FISCAL YEARS ENDED

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares

   outstanding

 

 

49,992

 

 

 

49,163

 

 

 

48,888

 

Common stock equivalents – stock options,

restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs) (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares

   outstanding

 

 

49,992

 

 

 

49,163

 

 

 

48,888

 

 

 

(1)

Common stock equivalents, in thousands, of 408 shares, 497 shares and 134 shares for February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018, respectively, were excluded due to the net loss.

The following potential common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in each year because the exercise price of such options was greater than the average market price per share of common stock for the respective periods or because the unearned compensation associated with either stock options, RSUs, restricted or deferred stock had an anti-dilutive effect.

 

 

FISCAL YEARS ENDED

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

(in thousands, except exercise prices)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options (time-vested)

 

 

755

 

 

 

942

 

 

 

1,196

 

RSUs (time-vested)

 

 

560

 

 

 

754

 

 

 

732

 

Restricted and deferred stock

 

 

114

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

63

 

Range of exercise prices of such options

 

$1.85 - $7.02

 

 

$2.25 - $7.02

 

 

$1.85-$7.52

 

 

Excluded from the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2019 were 720,000 shares of unvested performance stock units.  These performance-based awards will be included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share if, and when, the respective performance targets are achieved.  In addition, 295,604 shares and 204,040 shares of deferred stock for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively, were excluded from basic earnings per share and 30,000 shares of unvested time-based restricted shares in fiscal 2018.  Unvested shares of deferred stock and unvested restricted shares are excluded until such shares vest.

Shares of unvested restricted stock are not considered outstanding for basic earnings per share purposes until vested, but are considered issued and outstanding. A share of unvested restricted stock has all of the rights of a holder of the Company’s common stock, including, but not limited to, the right to vote and the right to receive dividends, which rights are forfeited if the restricted stock is forfeited.  Outstanding shares of deferred stock are not considered issued and outstanding until the vesting date of the deferral period.

Stock-based Compensation

ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model and requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (the “expected term”), the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term and the number of options that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (“forfeitures”). As required under the accounting rules, the Company reviews its valuation assumptions at each grant date and, as a result, is likely to change its valuation assumptions used to value employee stock-based awards granted in future periods. The values derived from using the Black-Scholes model are recognized as expense over the vesting

 

49


 

period, net of estimated forfeitures. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ from the Company’s current estimates.

The Company recognized total stock-based compensation expense, with no tax effect, of $1.9 million, $2.0 million and $1.6 million for fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

The total stock-based compensation cost related to time-vested awards not yet recognized as of February 1, 2020 was approximately $2.6 million and will be expensed over a weighted average remaining life of approximately 29 months.

The total grant-date fair value of awards vested was $3.0 million, $2.0 million and $1.8 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Any excess tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options or the release of restricted shares are recognized as a component of income tax expense.  

Valuation Assumptions for Stock Options

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in fiscal 2018 and 2017 set forth below. There were no grants of stock options in fiscal 2019.

 

Fiscal years ended:

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

Expected volatility

 

48.9% - 57.1%

 

 

49.9%

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

2.55% -2.63%

 

 

1.44%

 

Expected life (in years)

 

3.0 - 4.5

 

 

3.0

 

Dividend rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted

 

$

1.06

 

 

$

0.65

 

 

Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock; the expected life represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and historical exercise patterns; and the risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for events or changes in circumstances that might indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of the assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets over their respective remaining lives can be recovered through projected undiscounted future cash flows. The amount of impairment, if any, is measured based on projected discounted future cash flows using a discount rate reflecting the Company’s average cost of funds. The Company recorded impairment charges of $0.9 million, $4.6 million and $4.1 million in fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.  

Impairment charges primarily relate to the write-down of property and equipment for stores where the carrying value exceeded fair value.  However, the impairment charge for fiscal 2019 also included approximately $0.7 million for the write-down of certain right-of-use assets, fiscal 2018 included the write-off of its “Rochester” trademark of $1.5 million and the impairment charge for fiscal 2017 included the write-off of approximately $1.9 million associated with technology projects that were abandoned.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This ASU is a comprehensive new standard that amends various aspects of existing guidance for leases and requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. It requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for most leases, including those leases previously classified as operating leases under GAAP. The ASU retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous lease guidance. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition for financing or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements” that allows entities to recognize a

 

50


 

cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without adjustment to the financial statements for periods prior to adoption.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on February 3, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and applied the new standard to all leases through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning accumulated deficit.  As a result, comparative financial information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the respective periods.  

On February 3, 2019, the Company recognized leases, primarily related to its stores and corporate headquarters, on its Consolidated Balance Sheet, as right-of use assets of $214.1 million with corresponding lease liabilities of $254.5 million and eliminated certain existing lease-related asset and liabilities as a net adjustment to the right-of-use assets. In connection with this adoption, the Company recorded a transition adjustment, which was a net credit of $5.3 million to opening accumulated deficit. This adjustment reflected the net of (i) the recognition of the Company’s deferred gain from a sale-leaseback of $10.3 million, (ii) the write-off of initial direct costs of $1.2 million and (iii) the recognition of impairments, upon adoption, on certain right-of-use assets totaling $3.8 million. The new standard had a material impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as a result of the recognition of the right-of-use assets, the corresponding lease obligations and the net credit to accumulated deficit of $5.3 million.  Because the Company recognized the outstanding deferred gain from a sale-leaseback of $10.3 million, with the adoption of the new standard, results of operations will not have the future benefit of approximately $1.5 million, which was the annual amortization being recognized over the initial 20-year term of the sale-leaseback of the Company’s corporate office. The adoption of the new standard had no material impact on Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

 

The following is a discussion of the Company’s lease policy under the new lease accounting standard:

 

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the remaining future minimum lease payments, initial direct costs and any lease incentives are included in the value of those right-of use assets. As the interest rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, based on information available at the lease measurement date to determine the present value of future payments.

 

The Company’s store leases typically contain options that permit renewals for additional periods of up to five years each. In general, for store leases with an initial term of 10 years or more, the options to extend are not considered reasonably certain at lease commencement. For stores leases with an initial term of 5 years, the Company evaluates each lease independently and, only when the Company considers it reasonably certain that it will exercise an option to extend, will the associated payment of that option be included in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Renewal options are not included in the lease term for automobile and equipment leases because they are not considered reasonably certain of being exercised at lease commencement. Renewal options were not considered for the Company’s corporate headquarters and distribution center lease, which was entered into in 2006 and was for an initial 20-year term. At the end of the initial term, the Company will have the opportunity to extend this lease for six additional successive periods of five years. The Company elected the lessee non-lease component separation practical expedient, which permits the Company to not separate non-lease components from the lease components to which they relate. The Company also made an accounting policy election that the recognition requirement of ASC 842 will not be applied to certain, if any, non-store leases, with a term of 12 months or less, recognizing those lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

For store leases, the Company accounts for lease components and non-lease components as a single lease component. Certain store leases may require additional payments based on sales volume, as well as reimbursement for real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance, and are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs. Other store leases contain one periodic fixed lease payment that includes real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance. These fixed payments are considered part of the lease payment and included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.  Tenant allowances are included as an offset to the right-of-use asset and amortized as reductions to rent expense over the associated lease term.

 

See Note E ‘‘Leases’’ for additional information.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326) — Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This guidance amends several aspects of the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments, including trade receivables. Topic 326 replaces the existing incurred credit loss model with an impairment model (known as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model), which is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-13 in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and it is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.  

 

51


 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This guidance modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 by removing disclosures regarding transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, by modifying the measurement uncertainty disclosure, and by requiring additional disclosures for Level 3 fair value measurements, among others. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt ASU 2018-13 in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and it is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.  

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” This standard simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740, Income Taxes, while also clarifying and amending existing guidance, including interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is considering early adoption of ASU No. 2019-12 and it is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements, issued or effective during fiscal 2019, have had or are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

B. REVENUE RECOGNITION

On February 4, 2018, the Company adopted Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) using the modified retrospective approach for all contracts not completed as of the date of adoption.  Results for the reporting periods beginning on February 4, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. There was no material impact to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of adopting ASC 606.

The Company operates as a retailer of big and tall men’s clothing, which includes stores, direct and wholesale.  Revenue is recognized by the operating segment that initiates a customer’s order.  Store sales are defined as sales that originate and are fulfilled directly at the store level.  Direct sales are defined as sales that originate online, including those initiated online at the store level, on its website or on third-party marketplaces. Wholesale sales are defined as sales made to wholesale customers pursuant to the terms of each customer’s contract with the Company.  Generally, all revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration in exchange for those goods. Sales tax collected from customers and remitted to taxing authorities is excluded from revenue and is included as part of accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

-

Revenue from the Company’s store operations is recorded upon purchase of merchandise by customers, net of an allowance for sales returns, which is estimated based upon historical experience.

 

-

Revenue from the Company’s direct operations is recognized at the time a customer order is delivered, net of an allowance for sales returns, which is estimated based upon historical experience.

 

-

Revenue from the Company’s wholesale operations is recognized at the time the wholesale customer takes physical receipt of the merchandise, net of any identified discounts in accordance with each individual order. An allowance for chargebacks will be established once the Company has sufficient historical experience.  For the fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, chargebacks were immaterial.

Unredeemed Loyalty Coupons. The Company offers a free loyalty program to its customers for which points accumulate based on the purchase of merchandise.  Over 90% of the Company’s customers participate in the loyalty program. Under ASC 606, these loyalty points provide the customer with a material right and a distinct performance obligation with revenue deferred and recognized when the points are redeemed or expired.  The cycle of earning and redeeming loyalty points is generally under one year in duration.  The loyalty accrual, net of breakage, was $1.0 million and $1.0 million at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively.

 

Unredeemed Gift Cards, Gift Certificates, and Credit Vouchers. Upon issuance of a gift card, gift certificate, or credit voucher, a liability is established for its cash value. The liability is relieved and net sales are recorded upon redemption by the customer. Based on historical redemption patterns, the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of gift cards, gift certificates, and credit vouchers for which redemption is remote, which is referred to as "breakage".  Breakage is recognized over two years in proportion to historical redemption trends and is recorded as sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The gift card liability, net of breakage, was $2.7 million and $2.4 million at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, respectively.

 

Shipping. Shipping and handling costs are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of sales for all periods presented. Amounts related to shipping and handling that are billed to customers are recorded in sales, and the related costs are recorded in cost of goods sold including occupancy costs, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

52


 

Disaggregation of Revenue

As noted above under Segment Information in Note A, the Company’s business at February 1, 2020 consists of one reportable segment, its retail segment. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is generated from its stores and direct businesses.  The operating results from the wholesale segment have been aggregated with this reportable segment for all periods, but the revenues are separately reported below. Accordingly, the Company has determined that the following sales channels depict the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of how revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors for each of the following fiscal years:

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

 

 

 

Store sales

 

$

354,929

 

76.9%

 

$

369,200

 

78.4%

 

$

369,422

 

79.0%

 

Direct sales

 

 

106,585

 

23.1%

 

 

101,714

 

21.6%

 

 

98,069

 

21.0%

 

Retail segment

 

 

461,514

 

100.0%

 

 

470,914

 

100.0%

 

 

467,491

 

100.0%

 

Wholesale segment

 

 

12,524

 

 

 

 

 

2,842

 

 

 

 

 

485

 

 

 

 

Total sales

 

$

474,038

 

 

 

 

$

473,756

 

 

 

 

$

467,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

C. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

(in thousands)

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

$

77,197

 

 

$

76,809

 

Equipment

 

 

23,102

 

 

 

22,141

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

117,694

 

 

 

119,314

 

Hardware and software

 

 

94,489

 

 

 

89,688

 

Construction in progress

 

 

5,525

 

 

 

6,078

 

 

 

 

318,007

 

 

 

314,030

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

 

239,728

 

 

 

221,505

 

Total property and equipment

 

$

78,279

 

 

$

92,525

 

 

Depreciation expense for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $24.6 million, $28.4 million and $30.7 million, respectively.

D. DEBT OBLIGATIONS

Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A.

On May 24, 2018, the Company entered into the Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as agent, providing for a secured $140.0 million credit facility.  On May 31, 2019, the Credit Facility was amended to expand the definition of its borrowing base to include certain receivables, as defined in the First Amendment.  On September 5, 2019, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to the Credit Facility (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment was requested by the Company to improve its excess availability over the next two years and impacts only the $15.0 million “first-in, last out” (FILO) term facility (the “FILO loan”), which is discussed below under long-term debt. The Second Amendment also waived a technical occurrence of an event of default under the credit facility arising from the Company’s disposition of certain immaterial trademark registrations (as amended, the “Credit Facility”).

The Credit Facility provides maximum committed borrowings of $125.0 million in revolver loans, with the ability, pursuant to an accordion feature, to increase the Credit Facility by an additional $50.0 million upon the request of the Company and the agreement of the lender(s) participating in the increase (the “Revolving Facility”). The Revolving Facility provides for a sublimit of $20.0 million for commercial and standby letter of credits and up to $15.0 million for swingline loans.

The Company’s ability to borrow under the Revolving Facility (the “Loan Cap”) is determined using an availability formula based on eligible assets. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0:1.0 if its excess availability under the Credit Facility fails to be equal to or greater than the greater of 12.5 % of the Loan Cap and $7.5 million. After May 24, 2021 and through the maturity date, the percentage of the Loan Cap of 12.5% will be reduced to 10%. The maturity date of the Credit Facility is May 24, 2023. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by a lien on substantially all of its assets.

 

 

53


 

Borrowings made pursuant to the Revolving Facility bear interest, calculated under either the Federal Funds rate or the LIBOR rate, at a rate equal to the following: (a) the Federal Funds rate plus a varying percentage based on the Company’s excess availability, of either 0.25% or 0.50%, or (b) the LIBOR rate (the Company being able to select interest periods of 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months or 6 months) plus a varying percentage based on the Company’s excess availability, of either 1.25% or 1.50 %.  The Company is also subject to an unused line fee of 0.25%.

At February 1, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Facility of $39.6 million, before unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.3 million. Outstanding standby letters of credit were $2.8 million and outstanding documentary letters of credit were $1.4 million. Unused excess availability at February 1, 2020 was $48.5 million. Average monthly borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Facility during fiscal 2019 were $57.5 million, resulting in an average unused excess availability of approximately $41.0 million.

At February 1, 2020, the Company’s prime-based interest rate was 5.00%. At February 1, 2020, the Company had approximately $33.0 million of its outstanding borrowings in LIBOR-based contracts with an interest rate of 2.81%. The LIBOR-based contracts expired on February 3, 2020. When a LIBOR-based borrowing expires, the borrowings revert back to prime-based borrowings unless the Company enters into a new LIBOR-based borrowing arrangement.

The fair value of the amount outstanding under the Revolving Facility at February 1, 2020 approximated the carrying value.

Long-Term Debt

Components of long-term debt are as follows:

(in thousands)

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

FILO loan

 

$

15,000

 

 

$

15,000

 

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(187

)

 

 

(243

)

Total long-term debt

 

 

14,813

 

 

 

14,757

 

Less: current portion of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

$

14,813

 

 

$

14,757

 

 

FILO Loan

The total borrowing capacity under the FILO loan is based on a borrowing base, generally defined as a specified percentage of the value of eligible accounts, including certain trade names, that step down over time, plus a specified percentage of the value of eligible inventory that steps down over time.  The Second Amendment to the Credit Facility extended these advance rates by approximately a year before they begin to step down.  As of May 24, 2019, the FILO loan can be repaid, in whole or in part, subject to certain payment conditions.  The term loan expires on May 24, 2023, if not repaid in full prior to that date.

As a result of extending the advance rates under the FILO loan, the applicable margin rates for borrowings are increased by approximately 50 basis points temporarily through May 24, 2021, at which time the margin rates will revert back to the original terms. Accordingly, borrowings made under the FILO loan will bear interest, calculated under either the Federal Funds rate or the LIBOR rate, at a rate equal to the following: (a) the Federal Funds rate plus a carrying percentage based on the Company’s excess availability, of either 2.25% or 2.50% until May 24, 2021 or 1.75% or 2.00% after May 24, 2021 or (b) the LIBOR rate (the Company being able to select interest periods of 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months or 6 months) plus a varying percentage based on the Company’s excess availability of either 3.25% or 3.50% until May 24, 2021, or 2.75% or 3.00% after May 24, 2021.  At February 1, 2020, the outstanding balance of $15.0 million was in a 1-month LIBOR-based contract with an interest rate of 4.92%.  The LIBOR-based contract expired on February 17, 2020.  When a LIBOR-based contract expires, the Company can enter into a new LIBOR-based borrowing arrangement.

The Company paid interest and fees totaling $3.3 million, $3.0 million and $3.2 million for fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

E. LEASES

 

The Company leases all of its store locations and its corporate headquarters, which also includes its distribution center, under operating leases.  The store leases typically have initial terms of 5 years to 10 years, with options that usually permit renewal for additional five-year periods.  The initial term of the lease for the corporate headquarters was for 20 years, with the opportunity to extend for six additional successive periods of five years, beginning in fiscal 2026. The Company also leases certain equipment and other assets under operating leases, typically with initial terms of 3 to 5 years.  The Company is generally obligated for the cost of

 

54


 

property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance fees relating to its leases, which are considered variable lease costs and are expensed as incurred.

 

Lease costs related to store locations are included in cost of goods sold including occupancy costs on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and expenses and lease costs related to the corporate headquarters, automobile and equipment leases are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

The following table is a summary of the Company’s components of lease cost for fiscal 2019:

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2019

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease cost

 

 

$

53,051

 

Short-term lease costs (1)

 

 

 

 

Variable lease costs(2)

 

 

 

16,248

 

Total lease costs

 

 

$

69,299

 

 

 

(1)

For fiscal 2019, the Company had no short-term lease costs.

 

(2)

Variable lease costs include the cost of property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance fees related to its leases.

 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for fiscal 2019 is as follows:

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows for operating leases

 

$

58,046

 

Non-cash operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

 

$

5,401

 

 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of February 1, 2020 is as follows:

 

Operating leases:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining lease term

 

 

5.4 yrs.

 

Weighted average discount rate

 

 

 

7.10

%

 

The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the next five years and total of the remaining years to the operating lease liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of February 1, 2020:

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

2020

 

$

55,360

 

2021

 

 

54,385

 

2022

 

 

49,154

 

2023

 

 

41,069

 

2024

 

 

30,788

 

Thereafter

 

 

38,274

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

269,030

 

Less: amount of lease payments representing interest

 

 

45,803

 

Present value of future minimum lease payments

 

$

223,227

 

Less: current obligations under leases

 

 

41,176

 

Noncurrent lease obligations

 

$

182,051

 

 

As previously disclosed in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending February 2, 2019, future minimum lease payments for noncancelable operating leases, under the previous lease accounting standard, were as follows at February 2, 2019:

 

 

55


 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

2019

 

$

57,364

 

2020

 

 

52,699

 

2021

 

 

50,380

 

2022

 

 

45,061

 

2023

 

 

36,605

 

Thereafter

 

 

56,638

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

298,747

 

 

 

F. INCOME TAXES

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Under ASC Topic 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The accounting regulation requires current recognition of net deferred tax assets to the extent it is more likely than not such net assets will be realized. To the extent that the Company believes its net deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance must be recorded against those assets.

At the end of fiscal 2013, the Company entered a three-year cumulative loss and based on all positive and negative evidence at February 1, 2014, the Company established a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. While the Company has projected it will return to profitability, generate taxable income and ultimately emerge from a three-year cumulative loss, based on operating results for fiscal 2019 and the Company’s forecast for fiscal 2020, the Company believes that a full allowance remains appropriate at this time.  Realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in the near term.  

As of February 1, 2020, for federal income tax purposes, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards of $141.5 million, which will expire from fiscal 2022 through fiscal 2036 and net operating loss carryforwards of $24.3 million that are not subject to expiration.  For state income tax purposes, the Company has $93.5 million of net operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income, the majority of which will expire from fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2039.  Additionally, the Company has $3.1 million of net operating loss carryforwards related to the Company’s operations in Canada, which will expire from fiscal 2025 through fiscal 2039.

The utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and the realization of tax benefits in future years depends predominantly upon having taxable income. Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, certain substantial changes in the Company’s ownership may result in a limitation on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards, which may be used in future years.

In fiscal 2017, as part of the 2017 Tax Act, the corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) was repealed and the Company’s AMT credit of $2.1 million, net of the applicable sequestration rate, became refundable.  Accordingly, in fiscal 2017, the Company reversed its valuation allowance against the AMT credit, recognized an income tax benefit for $2.1 million and established a receivable of $2.1 million, which will be realized over the next four fiscal years.  Late in fiscal 2018, the IRS issued an announcement that federal sequestration rules would not apply to certain AMT refunds, accordingly, the Company recognized an additional income tax benefit of $0.2 million in fiscal 2018.  At February 1, 2020, the balance of the AMT receivable is $1.1 million.  

In fiscal 2017, the Company reclassified approximately $2.1 million to accumulated deficit from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) due to intraperiod tax allocations.  Approximately $1.4 million of this pertained to years prior to fiscal 2017.  

 

56


 

The components of the net deferred tax assets as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

Deferred tax assets, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforward

 

$

40,921

 

 

$

39,804

 

Gain on sale-leaseback

 

 

 

 

 

2,657

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

 

1,630

 

 

 

2,813

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

57,419

 

 

 

1,598

 

Goodwill and intangibles

 

 

236

 

 

 

510

 

Unrecognized loss on pension and pension expense

 

 

2,156

 

 

 

1,897

 

Inventory reserves

 

 

960

 

 

 

1,414

 

Foreign tax credit carryforward

 

 

486

 

 

 

766

 

Federal wage tax credit carryforward

 

 

824

 

 

 

824

 

Unrecognized loss on foreign exchange

 

 

 

 

 

186

 

State tax credits

 

 

147

 

 

 

147

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

(48,018

)

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

 

(9,205

)

 

 

(4,073

)

Subtotal

 

$

47,556

 

 

$

48,543

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(47,556

)

 

 

(48,543

)

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

 

 

$

 

For fiscal 2019, the Company had total deferred tax assets of $104.8 million, total deferred tax liabilities of $57.2 million and a valuation allowance of $47.6 million.  

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following:

 

 

FISCAL YEARS ENDED

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

 

 

$

(151

)

 

$

 

State

 

 

97

 

 

 

93

 

 

$

(109

)

Foreign

 

 

8

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

(100

)

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

(50

)

 

 

(209

)

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,339

)

State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24

)

Foreign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,363

)

Total provision (benefit)

 

$

105

 

 

$

(50

)

 

$

(2,572

)

 

57


 

The following is a reconciliation between the statutory and effective income tax rates in dollars for the provision (benefit) for income tax:

 

 

FISCAL YEARS ENDED

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax at the statutory rate (1)

 

$

(1,615

)

 

$

(2,852

)

 

$

(7,215

)

State income and other taxes, net of federal tax benefit

 

 

77

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

(407

)

Federal rate change on deferred assets (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,796

 

Federal rate change on valuation allowance (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22,796

)

Section 162(m) limitation

 

 

541

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

45

 

Permanent items

 

 

277

 

 

 

170

 

 

 

518

 

Expiration of capital loss carryforward

 

 

 

 

 

1,618

 

 

 

 

Charge for valuation allowance (3)

 

 

850

 

 

 

992

 

 

 

7,249

 

Refundable AMT credit

 

 

 

 

 

(151

)

 

 

(2,141

)

Other, net

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(76

)

 

 

(621

)

Total provision (benefit)

 

$

105

 

 

$

(50

)

 

$

(2,572

)

(1)

The federal income tax at the statutory rate for fiscal 2017 reflects a blended rate of 33.72%, based on the statutory rate decreasing from 35% to 21% on January 1, 2018. The statutory rate for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 is 21%.

(2)

This represents the federal rate change impact as of the end of fiscal 2017.  The rate change impact on deferred assets and valuation allowance as a result of the 2017 Tax Act was $22.8 million.

(3)

The change in valuation allowance is impacted by the adoption of ASC 842 in the tax-effected amount of $1.4 million.

 

As discussed in Note A, the Company’s financial statements reflect the expected future tax consequences of uncertain tax positions that the Company has taken or expects to take on a tax return, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position.  The liability for unrecognized tax benefits at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019 was approximately $2.0 million and was associated with a prior tax position related to exiting the Company’s direct business in Europe during fiscal 2013.  The amount of unrecognized tax benefits has been presented as a reduction in the reported amounts of the Company’s federal and state net operating losses carryforwards. No penalties or interest have been accrued on this liability because the carryforwards have not yet been utilized.  The reversal of this liability would result in a tax benefit being recognized in the period in which the Company determines the liability is no longer necessary.

For fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company made tax payments of $0.1 million in each fiscal year.

G. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

At February 1, 2020, the Company was obligated under operating leases covering store and office space, automobiles and certain equipment for future minimum rentals.  See Note E, “Leases” for the schedule of future remaining lease obligations. In addition to its lease obligations, the Company is also contractually committed pursuant to a merchandise purchase obligation to meet minimum purchases of $10.0 million in each fiscal year through fiscal 2023.

 

H. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS

The following is a summary of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).  All equity awards granted under these long-term incentive plans were issued from the Company’s stockholder approved 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan. See Note I, “Stock Compensation Plans.”

2017-2018 LTIP

In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) approved a 25% payout of its performance targets for the 2017-2018 LTIP, resulting in awards totaling $0.5 million, with a grant date of March 19, 2019.  On that date, the Company granted 150,299 RSUs, which vested, net of any forfeitures, on August 31, 2019.  In conjunction with the grant of the RSUs, the Company reclassified $0.3 million of the liability accrual from “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” to “Additional paid-in capital” in fiscal 2019. See the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. In

 

58


 

addition to the performance awards, the Company has been recognizing stock-based compensation of approximately $2.0 million for its time-based awards, which is being expensed over thirty-six months, through April 1, 2020.

2018-2020 LTIP and 2019-2021 LTIP

At the end of fiscal 2019, the Company has two active LTIPs: 2018-2020 LTIP and 2019-2021 LTIP. Each participant in the plan participates based on that participant’s “Target Cash Value” which is defined as the participant’s annual base salary (on the participant’s effective date) multiplied by his or her LTIP percentage.  Under each LTIP, 50% of each participant’s Target Cash Value is subject to time-based vesting and 50% is subject to performance-based vesting.  All time-based awards under the 2018-2020 LTIP were restricted stock units (RSUs).  For the 2019-2021 LTIP, 50% of the time-based awards granted were RSUs and 50% were cash.

 

In June 2018, the Company amended its LTIP to, among other things, extend the performance period for awards to three years, beginning with grants in fiscal 2018. Performance targets for the 2018-2020 LTIP and the 2019-2021 LTIP were established and approved by the Compensation Committee on October 24, 2018 and August 7, 2019, respectively.  Awards for any achievement of performance targets will not be granted until the performance targets are achieved and then will be subject to additional vesting through August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2022, respectively.  The time-based awards under the 2018-2020 LTIP and the 2019-2021 LTIP vest in four equal installments through April 1, 2022 and April 1, 2023, respectively.   Assuming that the Company achieves the performance targets at target levels and all time-based awards vest, the compensation expense associated with the 2018-2020 LTIP is estimated to be approximately $3.8 million.  Approximately half of the compensation expense relates to the time-vested RSUs, which is being expensed straight-line over 41 months. Through the end of fiscal 2019, the Company has accrued $0.2 million for performance awards under the 2018-2020 LTIP.  For the 2019-2021 LTIP, assuming that the Company achieves the performance targets at target levels and all time-based awards vest, the compensation expense is estimated to be approximately $3.9 million.  Approximately half of the compensation relates to time-based awards, 50% RSUs and 50% cash, which is being expensed straight-line over 44 months. There was no accrual at February 1, 2020 for performance awards under the 2019-2021 LTIP.

I. STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company has one active stock-based compensation plan: the 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2016 Plan”).  The initial share reserve under the 2016 Plan was 5,725,538 shares of our common stock.  A grant of a stock option award or stock appreciation right will reduce the outstanding reserve on a one-for-one basis, meaning one share for every share granted.  A grant of a full-value award, including, but not limited to, restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock, will reduced the outstanding reserve by a fixed ratio of 1.9 shares for every share granted.  On August 8, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to increase the share reserve by an additional 2,800,000 shares.  At February 1, 2020, the Company had 3,949,513 shares available under the 2016 Plan.

In accordance with the terms of the 2016 Plan, any shares outstanding under the previous 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2006 Plan”) at August 4, 2016 that subsequently terminate, expire or are cancelled for any reason without having been exercised or paid are added back and become available for issuance under the 2016 Plan, with stock options being added back on a one-for-one basis and full-value awards being added back on a 1 to 1.9 basis.  At February 1, 2020, there are 720,572 stock options that remain outstanding under the 2006 Plan.  

The 2016 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is authorized to make all determinations with respect to amounts and conditions covering awards.  Options are not granted at a price less than fair value on the date of the grant. Except with respect to 5% of the shares available for awards under the 2016 Plan, no award will become exercisable or otherwise forfeitable unless such award has been outstanding for a minimum period of one year from its date of grant.

During the fiscal 2019, the Company granted 96,153 RSUs as an Inducement Award outside of the Company’s 2016 Plan.

 

59


 

Stock Option Activity

The following tables summarize the stock option activity under the Company’s 2006 Plan and 2016 Plan, on an aggregate basis, for fiscal 2019:

 

 

 

Number of

Shares

 

 

Weighted-average

exercise price

per option

 

 

Weighted-average

remaining

contractual term

 

Aggregate

intrinsic value

 

Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding options at beginning of year

 

 

957,400

 

 

$

4.50

 

 

 

 

$

16,878

 

Options granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options canceled or expired

 

 

(202,567

)

 

$

3.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding options at end of year

 

 

754,833

 

 

$

4.84

 

 

2.6 years

 

 

 

Options exercisable at end of year

 

 

749,833

 

 

$

4.86

 

 

2.5 years

 

 

 

Vested and expected to vest at end of year

 

 

754,833

 

 

$

4.84

 

 

2.6 years

 

 

 

Non-Vested Share Activity

The following table summarizes activity for non-vested shares under the Company’s 2006 Plan, 2016 Plan and Inducement Awards, on an aggregate basis, for fiscal 2019:

 

 

Restricted

shares

 

 

RSUs (1)

 

 

Deferred

shares (2)

 

 

Fully-vested

shares (3)

 

 

Performance Share Units (4)

 

 

Total number

of shares

 

 

Weighted-average

grant-date

fair value 

 

Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding non-vested shares at beginning of year

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

1,372,628

 

 

 

204,040

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,606,668

 

 

$

2.93

 

Shares granted

 

 

 

 

 

1,400,480

 

 

 

104,727

 

 

 

159,070

 

 

 

720,000

 

 

 

2,384,277

 

 

$

1.73

 

Shares vested/issued

 

 

(10,000

)

 

 

(977,439

)

 

 

(13,163

)

 

 

(159,070

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,159,672

)

 

$

2.87

 

Shares canceled

 

 

(20,000

)

 

 

(374,866

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(394,866

)

 

$

1.89

 

Outstanding non-vested shares at end of year

 

 

 

 

 

1,420,803

 

 

 

295,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

720,000

 

 

 

2,436,407

 

 

$

1.95

 

Vested and expected to vest at end of year

 

 

 

 

 

1,420,803

 

 

 

295,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,716,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

During fiscal 2019, the Company granted 150,299 RSUs in connection with the partial achievement of performance targets under the 2017-2018 LTIP, see Note H, Long-Term Incentives Plans. In addition, the Company granted 464,358 time-based RSUs as new hire awards.  The remainder of the RSUs granted related to time-based awards granted under the Company’s LTIPs.  As a result of net share settlement, of the 977,439 RSUs which vested during fiscal 2019, only 866,418 shares of common stock were issued.  

(2)

The 104,727 shares of deferred stock, with a grant-date fair value of approximately $197,504, represent compensation to certain directors in lieu of cash, in accordance with their irrevocable elections.  The shares of deferred stock vest three years from the date of grant or at separation of service, based on the irrevocable election of each director.

(3)

The 159,070 shares of stock, with a grant-date fair value of approximately $299,987 to certain directors as compensation in lieu of cash, in accordance with their irrevocable elections.  Directors are required to elect 50% of their quarterly retainer in equity.  Any shares in excess of the minimum required election are issued from the Fourth Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Stock Purchase Plan (the “Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan”).  

(4)

On February 19, 2019, the Company granted 720,000 shares of performance stock units (“PSUs”), with a fair value of $1.0 million, to Mr. Kanter.  The PSUs vest in installments when the following milestones are met: one-third of the PSUs vest when the trailing 90-day volume-weighted average closing stock price (“VWAP”) is $4.00, one-third of the PSUs vest when the VWAP is $6.00 and one-third when the VWAP is $8.00.  All PSUs will expire on April 1, 2023 if no performance metric is achieved.  The $1.0 million is being expensed over the respective derived service periods of each tranche of 16 months, 25 months and 30 months, respectively.  The respective grant-date fair value and derived service periods assigned to the PSUs were determined using a Monte Carlo model based on: the Company’s historical volatility of 55.9%, a term of 4.1 years, stock price on the date of grant of $2.50 per share, a risk-free rate of 2.5% and a cost of equity of 9.5%.

Total unrecognized stock compensation of $2.6 million at February 1, 2020 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 29 months.

 

60


 

Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan

In January 2010, the Company established a Non-Employee Director Stock Purchase Plan to provide a convenient method for its non-employee directors to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock at fair market value by voluntarily electing to receive shares of common stock in lieu of cash for service as a director. The substance of this plan is now encompassed within the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.

Non-employee directors are required to take 50% of their annual retainer, which is paid quarterly, in equity.  Any shares of common stock, deferred stock or stock options issued to a director as part of this 50% requirement are issued from the 2016 Plan. Only discretionary elections of shares of common stock will be issued from the Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.

The following shares of common stock, with the respective fair value, were issued to its non-employee directors as compensation for fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017:

 

 

 

Number of shares of

common stock issued

 

 

Fair value of

common stock issued

 

Fiscal 2019

 

 

37,113

 

 

$

69,991

 

Fiscal 2018

 

 

48,896

 

 

$

107,605

 

Fiscal 2017

 

 

42,450

 

 

$

96,856

 

 

J. RELATED PARTIES

Seymour Holtzman and Jewelcor Management, Inc.

Seymour Holtzman currently serves as a director of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).  From August 2014 through January 2019, Mr. Holtzman served as the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board and as its Chairman of the Board from April 2000 to August 2014.  Mr. Holtzman is the chairman, chief executive officer and president and, together with his wife, indirectly, the majority shareholder of Jewelcor Management, Inc. (“JMI”) and is the beneficial holder of approximately 9.5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company at February 1, 2020.

In August 2014, the Company and Mr. Holtzman entered into an Employment and Chairman Compensation Agreement (the “Compensation Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Holtzman was entitled to receive annual compensation of $372,500 for his services as Executive Chairman and $24,000 for his services as an employee of the Company, reporting to the Board. In May 2017, the Compensation Agreement was amended to reduce his compensation as Executive Chairman to $200,000.  Effective August 9, 2018, the Compensation Agreement was further amended to reduce his annual compensation as Executive Chairman to $176,000 and to provide written notification to Mr. Holtzman that the Company would not be extending the term of the Compensation Agreement and, as a result, the Compensation Agreement will terminate on August 7, 2020.  

On January 24, 2019, the Board voted to adopt an independent Board chairman structure and elected John Kyees as the Company’s new independent, non-executive Chairman, replacing Mr. Holtzman. Mr. Holtzman continues to serve as a director of the Company, and will continue to receive his annual compensation of $176,000 as a director and an annual base salary of $24,000 for his services as an employee of the Company through August 7, 2020.

K. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company accounts for its employee benefit plans in accordance with ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits. ASC Topic 715 requires an employer to: (a) recognize in its statement of financial position an asset for a plan’s over-funded status or a liability for a plan’s under-funded status; (b) measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year (with limited exceptions); and (c) recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the year in which the changes occur.

These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic pension cost in the same periods will be recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The amortization of the unrecognized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and expected to be recognized in net periodic pension cost in fiscal 2020 is approximately $658,000.

 

61


 

Noncontributory Pension Plan

In connection with the Casual Male acquisition in May 2002, the Company assumed the assets and liabilities of the Casual Male Noncontributory Pension Plan “Casual Male Corp. Retirement Plan”, which was previously known as the J. Baker, Inc. Qualified Plan (the “Pension Plan”). Casual Male Corp. froze all future benefits under this plan on May 1, 1997.

The following table sets forth the Pension Plan’s funded status at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019:

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

 

in thousands

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

14,975

 

 

$

16,284

 

Benefits and expenses paid

 

 

(869

)

 

 

(809

)

Interest costs

 

 

581

 

 

 

580

 

Settlements

 

 

(490

)

 

 

(509

)

Actuarial (gain) loss

 

 

2,020

 

 

 

(571

)

Balance at end of year

 

$

16,217

 

 

$

14,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

11,365

 

 

$

12,855

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

1,057

 

 

 

(743

)

Employer contributions

 

 

420

 

 

 

571

 

Settlements

 

 

(490

)

 

 

(509

)

Benefits and expenses paid

 

 

(869

)

 

 

(809

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

11,483

 

 

$

11,365

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of funded status:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

16,217

 

 

$

14,975

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

 

11,483

 

 

 

11,365

 

Unfunded status

 

$

(4,734

)

 

$

(3,610

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet classification:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

$

4,734

 

 

$

3,610

 

Total plan expense and other amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 include the following components:

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

Net pension cost:

 

(in thousands)

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

$

581

 

 

$

580

 

 

$

641

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(724

)

 

 

(890

)

 

 

(813

)

Amortization of unrecognized loss

 

 

784

 

 

 

662

 

 

 

842

 

Net pension cost

 

$

641

 

 

$

352

 

 

$

670

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other changes recognized in other comprehensive loss,

   before taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized losses at the beginning of the year

 

$

6,303

 

 

$

5,903

 

 

$

7,280

 

Net periodic pension cost

 

 

(641

)

 

 

(352

)

 

 

(670

)

Employer contribution

 

 

420

 

 

 

571

 

 

 

586

 

Change in plan assets and benefit obligations

 

 

1,124

 

 

 

181

 

 

 

(1,293

)

Unrecognized losses at the end of year

 

$

7,206

 

 

$

6,303

 

 

$

5,903

 

The Company’s contribution for fiscal 2020 is estimated to be approximately $606,000.

 

62


 

Assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019 include a discount rate of 2.72% for fiscal 2019 and 3.98% for fiscal 2018. Assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 included a discount rate of 3.98% for fiscal 2019, 3.68% for fiscal 2018 and 4.00% for fiscal 2017.

The expected long-term rate of return for plan assets was assumed to be 6.50% for both fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018. The expected long-term rate of return assumption was developed considering historical and future expectations for returns for each asset class.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The estimated future benefits for the next ten fiscal years are as follows:

 

 

 

Total

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

(in thousands)

 

2020

 

$

889

 

2021

 

 

904

 

2022

 

 

925

 

2023

 

 

945

 

2024

 

 

952

 

2025-2029

 

 

4,757

 

Plan Assets

The fair values of the Company’s noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan assets at the end of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, by asset category, were as follows:

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

(in thousands)

 

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable

Inputs (Level 3)

 

 

Total

 

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets

for Identical

Assets (Level 1)

 

 

Significant

Observable

Inputs (Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable

Inputs (Level 3)

 

 

Total

 

Asset category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual Funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Equity

 

$

4,157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,157

 

 

$

4,247

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,247

 

International Equity

 

 

3,132

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,132

 

 

 

3,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,144

 

Bond

 

 

3,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,754

 

 

 

3,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,722

 

Cash

 

 

440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

440

 

 

 

252

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

252

 

Total

 

$

11,483

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

11,483

 

 

$

11,365

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

11,365

 

The Company’s target asset allocation for fiscal 2020 and its asset allocation at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019 were as follows, by asset category:

 

 

 

Target Allocation

 

 

Percentage of plan assets at

 

 

 

Fiscal 2020

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

Asset category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

65.0

%

 

 

63.5

%

 

 

65.0

%

Debt securities

 

 

33.0

%

 

 

32.7

%

 

 

32.7

%

Cash

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

3.8

%

 

 

2.2

%

Total

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

The target policy is set to maximize returns with consideration to the long-term nature of the obligations and maintaining a lower level of overall volatility through the allocation of fixed income. The asset allocation is reviewed throughout the year for adherence to the target policy and is rebalanced periodically towards the target weights.

 

63


 

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

In connection with the Casual Male acquisition, the Company also assumed the liability of the Casual Male Supplemental Retirement Plan (the “SERP”).

The following table sets forth the SERP’s funded status at February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019:

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in thousands

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

507

 

 

$

530

 

Benefits and expenses paid

 

 

(33

)

 

 

(33

)

Interest costs

 

 

19

 

 

 

19

 

Actuarial (gain) loss

 

 

54

 

 

 

(9

)

Balance at end of year

 

$

547

 

 

$

507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

 

 

$

 

Employer contributions

 

 

33

 

 

 

33

 

Benefits and expenses paid

 

 

(33

)

 

 

(33

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

547

 

 

$

507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of funded status:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

547

 

 

$

507

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfunded Status

 

$

(547

)

 

$

(507

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet classification:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

$

547

 

 

$

507

 

Other changes recognized in other comprehensive loss, before taxes (in thousands):

 

 

 

February 1, 2020

 

 

February 2, 2019

 

 

February 3, 2018

 

 

 

in thousands

 

Other changes recognized in other comprehensive loss,

   before taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized losses at the beginning of the year

 

$

28

 

 

$

37

 

 

$

157

 

Net periodic pension cost

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(30

)

Employer contribution

 

 

33

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

32

 

Change in  benefit obligations

 

 

40

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

(122

)

Unrecognized losses at the end of year

 

$

82

 

 

$

28

 

 

$

37

 

Assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019 included a discount rate of 2.59% for fiscal 2019 and 3.87% for fiscal 2018. Assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the years ended February 1, 2020, February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 included a discount rate of 3.87% for fiscal 2019, 3.60% for fiscal 2018 and 4.00% for fiscal 2017.

 

64


 

Defined Contribution Plan

The Company has one defined contribution plan, the Destination XL Group, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”).  Under the 401(k) Plan, the Company offers a qualified automatic contribution arrangement (“QACA”) with the Company matching 100% of the first 1% of deferred compensation and 50% of the next 5% (with a maximum contribution of 3.5% of eligible compensation).  As of January 1, 2015, employees who are 21 years of age or older are eligible to make deferrals after 6 months of employment and are eligible to receive a Company match after one year of employment and 1,000 hours.  

In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, in connection with the Company’s cost reduction initiatives, as discussed in Note L, Corporate Restructuring, the Board ratified and approved the recommendation of the Company’s management team to suspend employer contributions to the 401(k) Plan, for the period from July 1, 2018 until December 31, 2019. Effective January 1, 2020, the 401(k) Plan resumed its QACA status, as described above.

The Company recognized $0.3 million, $0.9 million and $2.3 million of expense under the 401(k) Plan in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

L. CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING

In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company committed to a corporate restructuring plan to accelerate the Company's path to profitability by better aligning its expense structure with its revenues.  The Company eliminated 56 positions, which represented approximately 15% of its corporate work force, or 2% of its total work force, in connection with the restructuring. On May 16, 2018, 36 employees were notified of their termination, with the remaining 20 positions representing open positions that were not filled. The Company offered cash severance benefits to the eligible affected employees.  Each affected employee’s eligibility for these severance benefits was contingent upon such employee’s execution (and no revocation) of a separation agreement, which included a general release of claims against the Company.

The Company incurred an aggregate charge of approximately $1.9 million during the fiscal year ending February 2, 2019 for employee severance and one-time termination benefits, as well as other employee-related costs associated with the corporate restructuring. Approximately $1.6 million of the $1.9 million were cash expenditures. At February 1, 2020, no accrued liability remained.

M. CEO SEARCH AND TRANSITION COSTS

 

In connection with David Levin’s retirement and the appointment of Harvey Kanter as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company incurred certain transition costs in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019.  The Company and Mr. Levin entered into a Transition Agreement dated March 20, 2018, as amended (the “Transition Agreement”) that detailed Mr. Levin’s future retirement and related successor issues.  Mr. Levin resigned as an officer and director of the Company on January 1, 2019.  Under the Transition Agreement, he was entitled to receive his base salary, AIP bonus and LTIP compensation through December 31, 2019.  Because no successor had been appointed as of December 31, 2018, the Company and Mr. Levin entered into a Letter Agreement, whereby Mr. Levin served as Acting CEO until April 1, 2019 when Mr. Kanter assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

In connection with the CEO transition, the Company incurred a total charge of approximately $2.4 million in fiscal 2018.  The $2.4 million charge related to amounts payable to Mr. Levin under his Transition Agreement, CEO search costs and the acceleration of stock-based compensation of approximately $0.5 million, related to his time-based equity awards. In fiscal 2019, the Company incurred additional charges of approximately $0.7 million for CEO search costs, Acting CEO consulting costs, AIP incentive accrual for Mr. Levin, housing allowance and legal fees.  

In addition, in accordance with the terms of the transition agreement between the Company and Mr. Levin, the Company is accruing, based on management’s current estimates, future cash payments that Mr. Levin will be entitled to under the 2018-2020 LTIP, if and when such targets are achieved.

N. EXIT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LONDON OPERATIONS

During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company closed its Rochester Clothing store located in London, England.  In connection with this store closure, the Company incurred a charge of approximately $1.7 million, which included a non-cash charge of $0.8 million related to the recognition of the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment.  The remainder of the charge primarily related to lease termination and inventory liquidation costs.  

 

65


 

O. SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

(Certain columns may not foot due to rounding.)

 

 

 

FIRST

QUARTER

 

 

SECOND

QUARTER

 

 

THIRD

QUARTER

 

 

FOURTH

QUARTER

 

 

FULL

YEAR

 

 

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

FISCAL YEAR 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

112,973

 

 

$

123,245

 

 

$

106,581

 

 

$

131,239

 

 

$

474,038

 

Gross profit

 

 

49,413

 

 

 

54,569

 

 

 

43,805

 

 

 

56,414

 

 

 

204,201

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(2,238

)

 

 

881

 

 

 

(6,369

)

 

 

3,332

 

 

 

(4,394

)

Income (loss) before taxes

 

 

(3,102

)

 

 

30

 

 

 

(7,239

)

 

 

2,620

 

 

 

(7,691

)

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(49

)

 

 

183

 

 

 

105

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(3,081

)

 

$

38

 

 

$

(7,190

)

 

$

2,437

 

 

$

(7,796

)

Income (loss) per share – basic and diluted

 

$

(0.06

)

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

(0.14

)

 

$

0.05

 

 

$

(0.16

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FISCAL YEAR 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

113,331

 

 

$

122,206

 

 

$

107,069

 

 

$

131,150

 

 

$

473,756

 

Gross profit

 

 

50,688

 

 

 

56,525

 

 

 

47,060

 

 

 

57,016

 

 

 

211,289

 

Operating loss

 

 

(2,226

)

 

 

(222

)

 

 

(1,229

)

 

 

(6,441

)

 

 

(10,119

)

Loss before taxes

 

 

(3,112

)

 

 

(1,180

)

 

 

(2,027

)

 

 

(7,261

)

 

 

(13,581

)

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(31

)

 

 

(50

)

Net loss

 

$

(3,110

)

 

$

(1,185

)

 

$

(2,005

)

 

$

(7,230

)

 

 

(13,531

)

Loss per share – basic and diluted

 

$

(0.06

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.15

)

 

$

(0.28

)

 

The Company’s fiscal quarters are based on a retail cycle of 13 weeks.  Historically, and consistent with the retail industry, the Company has experienced seasonal fluctuations as it relates to its operating income and net income. Traditionally, a significant portion of the Company’s operating income and net income is generated in the fourth quarter, as a result of the holiday selling season.

 

P. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

Towards the end of December 2019, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged globally. Subsequent to the end of fiscal 2019, and in response to this pandemic, on March 17, 2020, the Company temporarily closed all of its retail locations through at least March 28, 2020.  The Company’s direct business through www.dxl.com remains operational.  The Company’s current contingency plans include the reduction of operating expenses, capital expenditure spending, and the cancellation of inventory receipts in an effort to preserve liquidity.  Although it is not possible to reliably estimate the length or severity of this outbreak and hence its financial impact, any prolonged closing of the Company’s retail stores and/or its distribution center would result in a loss of sales and profits and other material adverse effects.

 

 

 

 

66


 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Management’s Conclusions Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of February 1, 2020. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of February 1, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 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. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurances with respect to financial statement preparation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control- Integrated Framework (2013).

Based on management’s assessment and the above mentioned criteria, management determined that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020.

KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020, which appears below.

 

 

 

 

67


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Destination XL Group, Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Destination XL Group, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 1, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated March 19, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 19, 2020


 

68


 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During fiscal 2019, we adopted new guidance for lease accounting. We implemented internal controls to ensure we adequately evaluated leasing arrangements and properly assessed the impact of the new guidance to facilitate the adoption. Additionally, we implemented new business processes, internal controls, and modified information technology systems to assist in the ongoing application of the new guidance.  There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during fiscal 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information.

None.

 

 

 

69


 

PART III.

Pursuant to Paragraph G(3) of the General Instructions to Form 10-K, the information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) is being incorporated by reference herein from our definitive proxy statement (or an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020 in connection with our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement (or amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K) to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement (or amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K) to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement (or amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K) to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement (or amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K) to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement (or amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K) to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended February 1, 2020.

 

 

 

 

70


 

PART IV.

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

15(a)(1) Financial Statements

The list of consolidated financial statements and notes required by this Item 15(a)(1) is set forth in the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page 38 of this Annual Report.

15(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules have been omitted because the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedules, or because the information required is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

15(a)(3) Exhibits

The list of exhibits required by this Item 15(a)(3) is set forth in the “Index to Exhibits” beginning on page 72 of this Annual Report.

 

 

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

 

Omitted at registrant’s option.

 

 

71


 

Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibits

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

  

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (conformed copy incorporating all amendments through August 9, 2018) (included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 30, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

  

Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws (included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 18, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

Description of Securities

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

  

Company’s 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (included as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 17, 2014 (File No. 001-34219), and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Company’s 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 9, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

  

Form of Non-Qualified Option Agreement for Associates (included as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

  

Form of Non-Qualified Option Agreement for Associates (pursuant to the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan) (included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

  

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Associates (included as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

 

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Associates (pursuant to the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan) (included as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.7

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Associates (included as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.8

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Associates (pursuant to the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan) (included as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.9

 

Form of Deferred Stock Award Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (included as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.10

 

Destination XL Group, Inc. Stand-Alone Inducement Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed December 16, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.11

  

Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (included as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 22, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.12

  

Seventh Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of May 24, 2018, by and among Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the Lenders identified therein, the Company, as Lead Borrower, the Company and CMRG Apparel, LLC, as Borrowers, and the Guarantors identified therein (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 30, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

**

 

 

 

 

 

10.13

 

First Amendment to Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Facility dated as of May 31, 2019, by and among Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the Lenders identified therein, the Company, as Lead Borrower, the Company and CMRG Apparel, LLC, as Borrowers, and the Guarantors identified therein (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 6, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

 

72


 

Exhibits

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.14

 

Waiver and Second Amendment to Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 5, 2019, by and among Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the Lenders identified therein, the Company, as Lead Borrower, the Company and CMRG Apparel, LLC, as Borrowers, and the Guarantors identified therein (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 6, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

**

 

 

 

 

 

10.15

  

Employment and Chairman Compensation Agreement, dated August 7, 2014, between the Company and Seymour Holtzman (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.16

  

First Amendment to Employment and Chairman Compensation Agreement, dated May 25, 2017, between the Company and Mr. Holtzman (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 30, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

 

Second Amendment to Employment and Chairman Compensation Agreement, dated August 8, 2018, between the Company and Mr. Holtzman (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 7, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.18

 

Revised and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of November 5, 2009 between the Company and David A. Levin (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2009 (File No. 001-34219), and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.19

 

Transition Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2018, between the Company and David A. Levin (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 23, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.20

 

First Amendment to the Transition Agreement dated as of June 25, 2018, between the Company and David A. Levin (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on June 25, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.21

 

Second Amendment to the Transition Agreement dated as of July 31, 2018, between the Company and David A. Levin (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on July 31, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.22

 

Letter Agreement between the Company and David A. Levin dated November 27, 2018 (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 30, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

 


 

 

 

 

 

10.23

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Harvey S. Kanter, dated February 19, 2019, which includes the Form of Performance Share Award Agreement and Form of Discretionary Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 20, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.24

  

Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Peter H. Stratton, Jr. dated as of November 27, 2017 (included at Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 23, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.25

  

Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert S. Molloy dated as of January 7, 2010 (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 11, 2010 (File No. 001-34219), and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.26

  

Employment Agreement between the Company and Francis C. Chane dated as of January 8, 2010 (included as Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 19, 2010 (File No. 001-34219), and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.27

  

Employment Agreement between the Company and John F. Cooney dated as of May 17, 2015 (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 27, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.28

  

Employment Agreement between the Company and Anthony J. Gaeta dated as of November 27, 2017 (included as Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 23, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

73


 

Exhibits

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.29

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Allison Surette dated as of May 17, 2018.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.30

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Ujjwal Dhoot dated as of November 19, 2019.

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.31

  

Fourth Amended and Restated Annual Incentive Plan (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.32

  

First Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (included as Exhibit 10.50 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.33

  

Second Amended and Restated Long-Term Inventive Plan (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 22, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

10.34

  

First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 30, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.35

  

Registration Rights Agreement dated November 18, 2003 by and between the Company and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC (included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on December 9, 2003 (File No. 001-34219), and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.36

  

Letter Agreement between the Company and Prescott Group Capital Management, L.L.C., et al, dated December 6, 2017 (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 8, 2017, an incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.37

 

Letter Agreement, dated January 29, 2014, by and between the Company and Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 17, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.38

 

Letter Agreement, dated April 4, 2018, by and between the Company and Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

10.39

 

Letter Agreement, dated June 11, 2018, by and among the Company and J. Carlo Cannell and Capital Cannell LLC (included as 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on form 8-K filed on June 12, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.40

  

Contribution Agreement dated January 30, 2006 by and among the Company, Spirit SPE Canton, LLC and Spirit Finance Acquisitions, LLC (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2006 (File No. 001-34219), and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.41

  

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated January 30, 2006 by and between the Company and Spirit Finance Acquisitions, LLC (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2006 (File No. 001-34219), and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.42

  

Lease Agreement dated February 1, 2006 by and between the Company and Spirit SPE Canton, LLC (included as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2006 (File No. 001-34219), and incorporated herein by reference).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.1

  

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

  

*

 

 

 

 

 

23.1

  

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

  

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

  

*

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

  

*

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

  

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

  

*

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

  

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

  

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

74


 

Exhibits

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

101

  

The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2020, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

  

*

 

*

Filed herewith.

**

Portions of this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a grant of confidential treatment.  

Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

 

 

75


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

March 19, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/   HARVEY S. KANTER

 

 

 

 

Harvey S. Kanter

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

 

/s/ HARVEY S. KANTER

 

Harvey S. Kanter

  

 

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ PETER H. STRATTON, JR.

 

Peter H. Stratton, Jr.

  

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ JOHN F. COONEY

 

John F. Cooney

 

 

Vice President and Managing Director of Finance, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ JOHN E. KYEES

 

John E. Kyees

  

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ JACK BOYLE

 

Jack Boyle

  

 

Director

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ LIONEL F. CONACHER

 

Lionel F. Conacher

  

 

Director

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ SEYMOUR HOLTZMAN

 

Seymour Holtzman

  

 

Director

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ WILLEM MESDAG  

 

Willem Mesdag

  

 

Director

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ WARD K. MOONEY  

 

Ward K. Mooney

  

 

Director

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ MITCHELL S. PRESSER 

 

Mitchell S. Presser

  

 

Director

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

/s/ IVY ROSS

 

Ivy Ross

  

 

Director

 

 

March 19, 2020

 

 

 

76

Exhibit 4.1

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

Destination XL Group, Inc. (the “Company,” “us,” “we,” or “our”) currently have one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, our common stock.

Description of Common Stock

The following description of our common stock is not complete.  You should refer to the applicable provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Charter”) and our Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws (“By-Laws”), each of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.1 is a part. We encourage you read our Charter, our By-Laws and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law for additional information.

The Company is currently authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.  

 

Dividends

Subject to the prior rights of any series of preferred stock, which may from time to time be outstanding, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event we are liquidated, dissolved or our affairs are wound up, after we pay or make adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities, each holder of common stock will receive dividends pro rata out of assets that we can legally use to pay distributions, subject to any rights that are granted to the holders of any class or series of preferred stock.

Voting Rights

Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.  Generally, a matter submitted for stockholder action shall be approved if the votes cast “for” the matter exceed the votes cast “against” such matter, unless a greater or different vote is required by statute, any applicable law or regulation, or our Charter or By-Laws. Other than in a contested election where directors are elected by a plurality vote, a director nominee shall be elected to the board by the majority of the votes properly cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present.

Other Rights

Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, all shares of common stock have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights, except for any appraisal rights provided by Delaware law. Furthermore, holders of common stock have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

Restrictions on Alienability of Common Stock

Our Charter contains provisions that generally restrict any person or entity from attempting to purchase our stock, without prior permission from the board of directors, to the extent that such transfer would (i) create or result in an individual or entity becoming a five-percent shareholder of our stock, or (ii) increase the stock ownership percentage of any existing five-percent shareholder. These provisions provide that any transfer that violates such provisions shall be null and void and would require the purported transferee to, upon demand by us, transfer the shares that exceed the five percent limit to an agent designated by us for the purpose of conducting a sale of such excess shares. By requiring prior permission from the board of directors, this restriction attempts to prevent certain future transfers of our capital stock that could adversely affect our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards to reduce our federal income taxes.  



Provisions of our Charter and By-Laws That May Have Anti-Takeover Effects

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Our By-Laws provide that, except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any series of preferred stock, only our board of directors may call a special meeting of stockholders.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

Our By-Laws include advance notice and informational requirements and time limitations on any director nomination or any new proposal, which a stockholder wishes to make at an annual meeting of stockholders. Generally, a stockholder’s notice of a director nomination or proposal will be timely if delivered to our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting.

Blank Check Preferred Stock

We have shares of preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval, except to the extent holders of preferred stock have a consent right under the terms of their preferred stock. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, our board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of the Company or our stockholders, our board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group. In this regard, our Charter grants our board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of these holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us.


 

Exhibit 10.29

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of May 17, 2018 between DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation with an office at 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts, 02021 (the "Company" which term includes any affiliates and subsidiaries), and Allison Surette (the “Executive”) having an address at 4 Freeport Dr., Burlington, Massachusetts 01803.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires that Executive serve as Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager and Executive desires to be so employed by the Company.

 

WHEREAS, Executive and the Company desire to set forth in writing the terms and conditions of the Executive's employment with the Company from the date hereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual promises, representations and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

     1.        EMPLOYMENT

 

The Company hereby employs Executive and Executive hereby accepts such employment, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth.  Executive shall hold the office of Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager.

 

            2.TERM

 

The term of employment under this Agreement (the “Term of Employment”) shall begin on the date set forth above (the "Effective Date") and shall continue until terminated by either party as hereinafter set forth.

 

            3.         COMPENSATION

 

   (a)During the Term of Employment, as compensation for the employment services to be rendered by Executive hereunder, the Company agrees to pay to Executive, and Executive agrees to accept, payable in equal bi-weekly installments in accordance with Company practice, an annual base salary of Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand Dollars and 00/100 Cents ($285,000.00) (the “Base Salary”).  The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually to ascertain whether, in the judgment of the Company, such Base Salary should be adjusted.  If so, the adjusted Base Salary shall be adjusted for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

     (b) In addition to the Base Salary, during the Term of Employment, Executive is eligible to participate in the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan. Such incentive shall be determined and payable in accordance with the Company's incentive program in effect at the time, subject to change from year to year in the Company’s sole discretion. Executive will participate in the Company’s incentive program and Executive’s target bonus under such plan (if all individual and Company performance conditions are met) shall be 40% of Executive’s actual annual base


earnings (which shall be the total Base Salary as may be paid during the fiscal year (“Base Earnings”)). The actual award under the incentive program, if any, may be more or less than the target and will be based on Executive’s performance and the performance of the Company and payment will be made in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the incentive program then in effect.

 

   (c)In addition, during the Term of Employment, Executive is eligible to participate in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). Such incentive shall be determined and distributable in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions as described in the LTIP documents in effect at the time of the award, subject to change from year to year in the Compensation Committee’s sole discretion. Executive will participate in the Company’s LTIP at a target incentive rate of 70% of Executive’s Base Salary in effect on the Executive’s Effective Date of Participation, for the incentive period, based upon the Company’s targeted performance as defined in the LTIP documents in effect at the time of the award.

 

   4.EXPENSES

 

The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive, in accordance with the Company's policies and procedures and upon presentment of suitable vouchers, for all reasonable business and travel expenses, which may be incurred or paid by Executive during the Term of Employment in connection with Executive’s employment hereunder.  Executive shall comply with such restrictions and shall keep such records as the Company may reasonably deem necessary to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

5.

OTHER BENEFITS

 

(a)During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to such vacations and to participate in and receive any other benefits customarily provided by the Company to its management (including any profit sharing, pension, 401(k), short and long-term disability insurance, medical and dental insurance and group life insurance plans in accordance with and subject to the terms of such plans, including, without limitation, any eligibility requirements contained therein), all as determined from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in its discretion.

 

(b)The Company will, during the Term of Employment, provide Executive with an automobile allowance in the total amount of Eight Thousand Four Hundred Dollars and 00/100 Cents ($8,400.00) annually, in equal bi-weekly payments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. Executive shall pay and be responsible for all insurance, repairs and maintenance costs associated with operating the automobile.  Executive is responsible for Executive’s gasoline, unless the gasoline expense is reimbursable under the Company's policies and procedures.

 

(b)Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s annual performance appraisal process.  

 

 

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6.

DUTIES

 

(a)Executive shall perform such duties and functions consistent with the position of Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager and/or as the Company shall from time to time determine and Executive shall comply in the performance of Executive’s duties with the policies of, and be subject to the direction of the Company.

 

(b)During the Term of Employment, Executive shall devote substantially all of his or her time and attention, vacation time and absences for sickness excepted, to the business of the Company, as necessary to fulfill Executive’s duties.  Executive shall perform the duties assigned to him or her with fidelity and to the best of Executive’s ability.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, and subject to the foregoing, Executive shall not be prevented from accepting positions in outside organizations so long as such activities do not interfere with Executive's performance of Executive’s duties hereunder and do not violate paragraph 10 hereof.

 

(c) The principal location at which the Executive shall perform Executive’s duties hereunder shall be at the Company's offices in Canton, Massachusetts or at such other location as may be temporarily designated from time to time by the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall perform such services at such other locations as may be required for the proper performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, and Executive recognizes that such duties may involve travel.

 

 

7.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; EFFECT OF TERMINATION

 

 

(a)

The Term of Employment may be terminated by the Company at any time:

 

(i)upon the determination by the Company that Executive's performance of his duties has not been fully satisfactory for any reason which would not constitute justifiable cause (as hereinafter defined) or for other business reasons necessitating termination which do not constitute justifiable cause, in either case upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Executive; or

 

(ii)upon the determination of the Company that there is justifiable cause (as hereinafter defined) for such termination.

 

 

(b)

The Term of Employment shall terminate upon:

 

 

(i)

the death of Executive;

 

 

(ii)

the date on which the Company elects to terminate the Term of Employment  by reason of the "disability" of Executive (as hereinafter defined in subsection (c) herein) pursuant to subsection (g) hereof; or

 

 

(iii)

Executive’s resignation of employment.

 

(c)For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "disability" shall mean Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated so as to render Executive incapable of performing the

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essentials of Executive's job, even with reasonable accommodation, as reasonably determined by the Company, which determination shall be final and binding.

 

(d)For the purposes hereof, the term "justifiable cause" shall mean: any failure or refusal to perform any of the duties pursuant to this Agreement or any breach of this Agreement by the Executive; Executive’s breach of any material written policies, rules or regulations which have been adopted by the Company; Executive’s repeated failure to perform Executive’s duties in a satisfactory manner; Executive's performance of any act or Executive’s failure to act, as to which if Executive were prosecuted and convicted, a crime or offense involving money or property of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, or a crime or offense constituting a felony in the jurisdiction involved, would have occurred; any unauthorized disclosure by Executive to any person, firm or corporation of any confidential information or trade secret of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; any attempt by Executive to secure any personal profit in connection with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates; or the engaging by Executive in any business other than the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates which interferes with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.  Upon termination of Executive's employment for justifiable cause, Executive shall not be entitled to any amounts or benefits hereunder other than such portion of Executive's Base Salary and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof as have been accrued through the date of Executive’s termination of employment.

 

(e)If the Company terminates this Agreement without "justifiable cause" as provided in subsection 7(a)(i), the Company shall pay Executive his or her then current base salary for five months after the effectiveness of such termination, payable in equal payments in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices commencing with the first payroll period that begins at least 30 days after the termination of the Executive’s Term of Employment conditioned upon the Executive having provided the Company with an executed general release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “General Release”) and the time for Executive’s revocation of the General Release having expired.  Such payments shall be made in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices until paid in full.     Any payment pursuant to this paragraph 7(e) is contingent upon Executive’s execution of the General Release within 21 days after termination of the Term of Employment (and the Executive’s not revoking that General Release) and will be in lieu of payments to which Executive might have been entitled under any other severance plan of the Company.

 

(f)If Executive shall die during the term of Executive’s employment hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate immediately.  In such event, the estate of Executive shall thereupon be entitled to receive such portion of Executive's base annual salary and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to paragraph 4 as have been accrued through the date of Executive’s death.

 

(g)Upon Executive's "disability", the Company shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment.  Any termination pursuant to this subsection (g) shall be effective on the earlier of (i) the date 30 days after which Executive shall have received written notice of the Company's election to terminate or (ii) the date Executive begins to receive long-term disability insurance benefits under the policy provided by the Company pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof.

 

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(h)Upon the resignation of Executive in any capacity, that resignation will be deemed to be a resignation from all offices and positions that Executive holds with respect to the Company and any of its subsidiaries and affiliates. In the event of Executive’s resignation, Executive shall be entitled only to receive such portion of Executive’s annual Base Salary and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to paragraph 4 as have been accrued through the date of Executive’s resignation.

 

(i)Change of Control.  In the event the Term of Employment is terminated by the Company without justifiable cause (as defined herein) or Executive resigns with Good Reason (as defined herein) within one (1) year following a Change of Control of the Company has occurred, then, in such event, the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to twelve (12) months of Executive’s highest Base Salary in effect at any time during the six (6) month period ending on the date of the Change of Control.  For the purposes of the foregoing, Change of Control shall have the meaning set forth in the Company’s 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan (without regard to any subsequent amendments thereto). For purposes of the foregoing, Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) a material diminution in the Executive’s base compensation; (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; (iii) a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform the services under this Agreement; or (iv) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.  For purposes of this provision, Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist unless the Executive’s termination of employment for Good Reason occurs within 2 years following the initial existence of one of the conditions specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above, the Executive provides the Company with written notice of the existence of such condition within 90 days after the initial existence of the condition, and the Company fails to remedy the condition within 30 days after its receipt of such notice. The Company shall pay the amount required under this paragraph 7(i) in a single payment thirty (30) days after termination of the Term of Employment, subject to and conditioned upon the Executive’s execution of the General Release required pursuant to paragraph 7(k) hereof and such release becoming irrevocable.  Any payments made pursuant to this paragraph 7(i) will be in lieu of payments to which Executive might have been entitled under paragraph 7(e) of this Agreement or under any other severance plan of the Company.  The payments under this Agreement shall be reduced if and to the extent necessary to avoid any payments or benefits to Executive being treated as “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 280G(b)(i).

 

(j)Clawback of Certain Compensation and Benefits

. If, after the termination of the Term of Employment for any reason other than by the Company for “justifiable cause”:

(i)it is determined in good faith by the Company within twelve (12) months after the termination of the Term of Employment (the “Termination Date”) that the Executive’s employment could have been terminated by the Company for justifiable cause under paragraph 7(d) hereof (unless the Company knew or should have known that as of the Termination Date, the Executive’s employment could have been terminated for justifiable cause in accordance with paragraph 7(d) hereof); or

(ii)the Executive breaches any of the provisions of paragraph 10, then, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company in law or equity and/or pursuant

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to any other provisions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment shall be deemed to have been terminated for justifiable cause retroactively to the Termination Date and the Executive also shall be subject to the following provisions:

(A)the Executive shall be required to pay to the Company, immediately upon written demand by the Company, all amounts paid to Executive by the Company, whether or not pursuant to this Agreement (other than such portion of Executive’s Base Salary and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to paragraph 4 hereof as have been accrued through the date of the termination of the Term of Employment), on or after the Termination Date (including the pre-tax cost to the Company of any benefits  that are in excess of the total amount that the Company would have been required to pay to the Executive if the Executive’s employment with the Company had been terminated by the Company for justifiable cause in accordance with paragraph 7(d) above);

(B)all vested and unvested Awards (as that term is defined in the 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan) then held by the Executive shall immediately expire; and

(C)the Executive shall be required to pay to the Company, immediately upon written demand by the Company, an amount equal to any Gains resulting from the exercise or payment of any Awards (as that term is defined in the 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan) at any time on or after, or during the one year period prior to, the Termination Date.  For these purposes, the term “Gain” shall mean (i) in the case of each stock option or stock appreciation right (“SAR”), the difference between the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock underlying such option or SAR as of the date on which the Executive exercised the option or SAR, less the exercise price or grant price of the option or SAR; and (ii) in the case of any Award other than a stock option or SAR that is satisfied by the issuance of Common Stock of the Company, the value of such stock on the Termination Date, and (iii) in the case of any Award other than a stock option or SAR, that is satisfied in cash or any property other than Common Stock of the Company, the amount of cash and the value of the property on the payment date paid to satisfy the Award.

(k) Any payment pursuant to paragraph 7(e) or 7(i) shall be contingent upon Executive’s execution of the General Release within 21 days after termination of the Term of Employment, and the Executive’s not revoking that release.

 

 

8.

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A

(a)

General.  It is the intention of both the Company and the Executive that the benefits and rights to which the Executive could be entitled pursuant to this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated or issued thereunder (“Section 409A”), to the extent that the requirements of Section 409A are applicable thereto, and the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with that intention.  If the Executive or the Company believes, at any time, that any such benefit or right that is subject to Section 409A does not so comply, it shall promptly advise the other and shall negotiate reasonably and in good faith to amend the timing of such benefits and rights such that they comply with Section 409A (with the most limited possible economic effect on the Executive).  

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(b)

Distributions on Account of Separation from Service.  If and to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, no payment or benefit required to be paid under this Agreement on account of termination of the Executive’s employment shall be made unless and until the Executive incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

(c)

6 Month Delay for “Specified Employees”.

(i) If the Executive is a “specified employee”, then no payment or benefit that is payable on account of the Executive’s “separation from service”, as that term is defined for purposes of Section 409A, shall be made before the date that is six months after the Executive’s “separation from service” (or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death) if and to the extent that such payment or benefit constitutes deferred compensation (or may be nonqualified deferred compensation) under Section 409A and such deferral is required to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.  Any payment or benefit delayed by reason of the prior sentence shall be paid out or provided in a single lump sum at the end of such required delay period in order to catch up to the original payment schedule.  There shall be added to any payments that are delayed pursuant to this provision interest at the prime rate as reported in the Wall Street Journal for the date of the Executive’s separation from service.  Such interest shall be calculated from the date on which the payment otherwise would have been made until the date on which the payment is made.

 

(ii) For purposes of this provision, the Executive shall be considered to be a “specified employee” if, at the time of his or her separation from service, the Executive is a “key employee”, within the meaning of Section 416(i) of the Code, of the Company (or any person or entity with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) or Section 414(c) of the Code) any stock in which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise.

(d)

No Acceleration of Payments.  Neither the Company nor the Executive, individually or in combination, may accelerate any payment or benefit that is subject to Section 409A, except in compliance with Section 409A and the provisions of this Agreement, and no amount that is subject to Section 409A shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it may be paid without violating Section 409A.

(e)

Treatment of Each Installment as a Separate Payment. For purposes of applying the provisions of Section 409A to this Agreement, each separately identified amount to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment.  In addition, to the extent permissible under Section 409A, any series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

(f)

Taxable Reimbursements.

(i) Any reimbursements by the Company to the Executive of any eligible expenses under this Agreement that are not excludable from the Executive’s income for Federal income tax purposes (the “Taxable Reimbursements”) shall be made by no later than the earlier of the date on which they would be paid under the Company’s normal policies and the last day of the taxable year of the Executive following the year in which the expense was incurred.  

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(ii) The amount of any Taxable Reimbursements to be provided to the Executive during any taxable year of the Executive shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement to be provided in any other taxable year of the Executive.  

(iii) The right to Taxable Reimbursements shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

9.        REPRESENTATION AND AGREEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE

 

(a)Executive represents and warrants that Executive is free to enter into this Agreement and to perform the duties required hereunder, and that there are no employment contracts or understandings, restrictive covenants or other restrictions, whether written or oral, preventing the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.

 

(b)Executive agrees to submit to a medical examination and to cooperate and supply such other information and documents as may be required by any insurance company in connection with the Company's obtaining life insurance on the life of Executive, and any other type of insurance or fringe benefit as the Company shall determine from time to time to obtain.

 

(c)Executive represents and warrants that Executive has never been convicted of a felony and Executive has not been convicted or incarcerated for a misdemeanor within the past five years, other than a first conviction for drunkenness, simple assault, speeding, minor traffic violations, affray, or disturbance of the peace.

 

(d)Executive represents and warrants that Executive has never been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding that resulted in a judgement, decree, or final order (i) enjoining him or her from future violations of, or prohibiting any violations of any federal or state securities law, or (ii) finding any violations of any federal or state securities law.

 

(e)      Executive represents and warrants that Executive has never been accused of any impropriety in connection with any employment;

 

Any breach of any of the above representations and warranties is "justifiable cause" for termination under paragraph 7(d) of this Agreement.

 

 

10.

NON-COMPETITION

 

(a)

Executive agrees that during the Term of Employment and during the one (1) year period immediately following the Termination Date (the "Non-Competitive Period"), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, trustee, corporate officer, director, licensor, or in any capacity whatsoever, engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, render any consultation or business advice with respect to, accept any competitive business on behalf of, or have any connection with any business which is competitive with products or services of the Company or any subsidiaries and affiliates, in any geographic area in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates are then conducting or proposing to conduct business, including, without limitation, the United States of America and its possessions, Canada and Europe; provided, however, that Executive may own

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any securities of any corporation which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock or securities of such corporation.  In addition, Executive shall not, during the Non-Competitive Period, directly or indirectly, request or cause any suppliers or customers with whom the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates has a business relationship to cancel or terminate any such business relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or otherwise compromise the Company’s good will or solicit, hire, interfere with or entice from the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates any employee (or former employee who has been separated from service for less than 12 months) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

(b)If any portion of the restrictions set forth in this paragraph 10 should, for any reason whatsoever, be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity or enforceability of the remainder of such restrictions shall not thereby be adversely affected.  For the purposes of this paragraph 10, a business competitive with the products and services of the Company (or such subsidiaries and affiliates) is limited to a specialty retailer which primarily distributes, sells or markets so-called "big and tall" apparel of any kind for men or which utilizes the "big and tall" retail or wholesale marketing concept as part of its business.

 

(c)Executive acknowledges that the Company conducts business throughout the world, that Executive’s duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Company are of a worldwide nature, that its sales and marketing prospects are for continued expansion throughout the world and therefore, the territorial and time limitations set forth in this paragraph 10 are reasonable and properly required for the adequate protection of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.  In the event any such territorial or time limitation is deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, Executive agrees to the reduction of the territorial or time limitation to the area or period which such court shall deem reasonable.

 

(d)The existence of any claim or cause of action (a  claim or cause of action is defined as a claim or cause of action which results from a breach of the terms and provisions of this Agreement by the Company, regardless of whether the breach is material) by Executive against the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the foregoing restrictive covenants, but such claim or cause of action shall be litigated separately.

 

11.INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES

 

(a)Upon execution of this Agreement and thereafter, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company, and with all necessary detail for a complete understanding of the same, all existing and future developments, know-how, discoveries, inventions, improvements, concepts, ideas, writings, formulae, processes and methods (whether copyrightable, patentable or otherwise) made, received, conceived, acquired or written during working hours, or otherwise, by Executive (whether or not at the request or upon the suggestion of the Company) during the period of Executive’s employment with, or rendering of advisory or consulting services to, the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates, solely or jointly with others, in or relating to any activities of the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates known to him or her as a consequence of Executive’s employment or the rendering of advisory and consulting services hereunder (collectively the "Subject Matter").

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(b)Executive hereby assigns and transfers, and agrees to assign and transfer, to the Company, all Executive’s rights, title and interest in and to the Subject Matter, and Executive further agrees to deliver to the Company any and all drawings, notes, specifications and data relating to the Subject Matter, and to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further papers, including applications for copyrights or patents, as may be necessary to obtain copyrights and patents for any thereof in any and all countries and to vest title thereto to the Company.  Executive shall assist the Company in obtaining such copyrights or patents during the term of this Agreement, and at any time thereafter on reasonable notice and at mutually convenient times, and Executive agrees to testify in any prosecution or litigation involving any of the Subject Matter; provided, however, after the Term of Employment that Executive shall be compensated in a timely manner at the rate of $250 per day (or portion thereof), plus out-of-pocket expenses incurred in rendering such assistance or giving or preparing to give such testimony if it is required after the termination of this Agreement.

 

12.NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

(a)Executive acknowledges that the Company possesses certain confidential and propriety information that has been or may be revealed to him or her or learned by Executive during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company and that it would be unfair to use that information or knowledge to compete with or to otherwise disadvantage the Company. Executive shall not, during the Term of Employment or at any time following the Term of Employment, directly or indirectly, disclose or permit to be known (other than as is required in the regular course of Executive’s duties (including without limitation disclosures to the Company's advisors and consultants), as required by law (in which case Executive shall give the Company prior written notice of such required disclosure) or with the prior written consent of the Board of Directors, to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity, any confidential information acquired by him or her during the course of, or as an incident to, Executive’s employment or the rendering of Executive’s advisory or consulting services hereunder, relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, the directors of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, any supplier or customer of the Company or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, or any corporation, partnership or other entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any of the foregoing, or in which any of the foregoing has a beneficial interest, including, but not limited to, the business affairs of each of the foregoing.  Such confidential information shall include, but shall not be limited to, proprietary technology, trade secrets, patented processes, research and development data, know-how, market studies and forecasts, financial data, competitive analyses, pricing policies, employee lists, personnel policies, the substance of agreements with customers, suppliers and others, marketing or dealership arrangements, servicing and training programs and arrangements, supplier lists, customer lists and any other documents embodying such confidential information.  This confidentiality obligation shall not apply to any confidential information, which is or becomes publicly available other than pursuant to a breach of this paragraph 12(a) by Executive.

 

(b)All information and documents relating to the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates as herein above described (or other business affairs) shall be the exclusive property of the Company, and Executive shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to prevent any publication or disclosure thereof.  Upon termination of Executive's employment with the

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Company, all documents, records, reports, writings and other similar documents containing confidential information, including copies thereof then in Executive's possession or control shall be returned and left with the Company.

 

13.SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE

 

Executive agrees that if Executive breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any enforceable provision of paragraphs 10, 11 or 12 (the "Restrictive Covenants"), the Company shall have, in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company under law and in equity, the right to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction, it being agreed that any such breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall constitute a waiver by Executive of Executive’s right to contest whether such a breach or threatened breach of any Restrictive Covenant has occurred. In the event of litigation between the parties to this Agreement regarding their respective rights and obligations under paragraphs 10, 11, or 12 hereof, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other all attorneys’ fees and expenses reasonably incurred in obtaining a ruling in the prevailing party’s favor.    Any such damages, attorneys’ fees and costs shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any injunctive relief that may be available to the Company.

 

14.AMENDMENT OR ALTERATION

 

No amendment or alteration of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by both of the parties hereto.

 

15.GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

 

16.SEVERABILITY

 

The holding of any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

17.NOTICES

 

Any notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be sufficient if in

writing, and if delivered by hand or courier, or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the addresses set forth above or such other address as either party may from time to time designate in writing to the other, and shall be deemed given as of the date of the delivery or of the placement of the notice in the mail.

 

18.WAIVER OR BREACH

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It is agreed that a waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate, or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by that same party.

 

19.ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, heirs, distributors, successors and assigns and supersedes any and all prior agreements between the parties whether oral or written.  This Agreement may not be modified except upon further written agreement executed by both parties. Executive agrees that the Company may in its sole discretion, during the term of Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, provide copies of this Agreement (or excerpts of the Agreement) to others, including businesses or entities that may employ, do business with, or consider employing Executive in the future.  Executive further agrees that any subsequent change or changes in Executive’s duties, compensation or areas of responsibility shall in no way affect the validity of this Agreement or otherwise render inapplicable any of the provisions of paragraphs 10 through 13 of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect except as may be modified by a subsequent written agreement.

 

20.SURVIVAL

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the termination of Executive's employment hereunder or the expiration of this Agreement shall not affect the enforceability of paragraphs 7 through 26 hereof, which shall survive the termination or expiration.

 

21.RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

 

Any and all disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with this paragraph 21 and paragraph 15.

 

The parties shall attempt to resolve any dispute, controversy or difference that may arise between them through good faith negotiations.  In the event the parties fail to reach resolution of any such dispute within thirty (30) days after entering into negotiations, either party may proceed to institute action in any state or federal court located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction, and each party consents to the personal jurisdiction of any such state or federal court.  Both parties waive their right to a trial by jury.

 

22.NON-DISPARAGEMENT

 

Executive agrees not to make disparaging, critical or otherwise detrimental comments to any person or entity concerning the Company, its officers, directors, trustees, and employees or the services or programs provided or to be provided by the Company and the Company agrees not to make any disparaging, critical or otherwise detrimental comments to any person or entity concerning Executive.

 

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23.FURTHER ASSURANCES

 

The parties agree to execute and deliver all such further documents, agreements and instruments and take such other and further action as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

24.SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES

 

For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)  “affiliate” means any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company, and “control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of an entity, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such entity; and

 

(b) “subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the then outstanding securities or interests of such corporation or other entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or similar governing body of a non-corporate entity) or in which the Company has the right to receive 50% or more of the distribution of profits or 50% or more of the assets on liquidation or dissolution.

 

25. HEADINGS

 

The paragraph headings appearing in this Agreement are for the purposes of easy reference and shall not be considered a part of this Agreement or in any way modify, amend or affect its provisions.

 


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26.COUNTERPARTS

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, under seal, as of the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

 

 

By: /s/ David A. LevinDate: May 14, 2018

Name:David A. Levin

Its:  President, Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Allison SuretteDate: May 14, 2018

Allison Surette

 


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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF RELEASE

 

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

1.[INSERT EXECUTIVE’S NAME] (“Executive”), for him- or herself and his or her family, heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and their respective successors and assigns, in exchange for good and valuable consideration to be paid after the date of Executive’s termination as set forth in the Employment Agreement to which this release is attached as Exhibit A (the “Employment Agreement”), does hereby release and forever discharge Destination XL Group, Inc. (the “Company”), its subsidiaries, affiliated companies, successors and assigns, and their respective current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders or agents in such capacities (collectively with the Company, the “Released Parties”) from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, controversies, claims and demands whatsoever, for or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, whether known or unknown including, but not limited to, all claims under any applicable laws arising under or in connection with Executive’s employment or termination thereof, whether for tort, breach of express or implied employment contract, wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or defamation or injuries incurred on the job or incurred as a result of loss of employment.  Executive acknowledges that the Company encouraged Executive to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choosing, and through this General Release of Claims encourages Executive to consult with his or her attorney with respect to possible claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) and that Executive understands that the ADEA is a Federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefits and benefit plans.  Without limiting the generality of the release provided above, Executive expressly waives any and all claims under ADEA that he or she may have as of the date hereof.  Executive further understands that by signing this General Release of Claims he or she is in fact waiving, releasing and forever giving up any claim under the ADEA as well as all other laws within the scope of this paragraph 1 that may have existed on or prior to the date hereof.  Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph 1 to the contrary, this General Release of Claims shall not apply to (i) any rights to receive any payments pursuant to paragraph 7 of the Employment Agreement, or any accrued but unpaid benefits under any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company (ii) any rights or claims that may arise as a result of events occurring after the date this General Release of Claims is executed, (iii) any indemnification rights Executive may have as a former officer or director of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies, (iv) any claims for benefits under any directors’ and officers’ liability policy maintained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies in accordance with the terms of such policy,  (v) any rights as a holder of equity securities of the Company, and (vi) any rights or claims that, by law, may not be waived, including claims for unemployment compensation and workers' compensation.  Nothing contained in this Agreement prevents Executive from filing a charge, cooperating with or participating in any investigation or proceeding before any federal or state Fair Employment Practices Agency, including, without limitation, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, except that Executive acknowledges that he or she will not be able to recover any monetary benefits in connection with any such claim, charge or proceeding.

2.Executive represents that he or she has not filed against the Released Parties any complaints, charges, or lawsuits arising out of his or her employment, or any other matter arising

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on or prior to the date of this General Release of Claims, and covenants and agrees that he or she will never individually or with any person file, or commence the filing of, any charges, lawsuits, complaints or proceedings with any governmental agency, or against the Released Parties with respect to any of the matters released by Executive pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof (a “Proceeding”); provided, however, Executive shall not have relinquished his or her right to commence a Proceeding to challenge whether Executive knowingly and voluntarily waived his or her rights under ADEA.

3.Executive hereby acknowledges that the Company has informed him or her that he or she has up to twenty-one (21) days to sign this General Release of Claims and he or she may knowingly and voluntarily waive that twenty-one (21) day period by signing this General Release of Claims earlier.  Executive also understands that he or she shall have seven (7) days following the date on which he or she signs this General Release of Claims within which to revoke it by providing a written notice of his or her revocation to the Company.

4.Executive acknowledges that this General Release of Claims will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within the Commonwealth.

5.Executive acknowledges that he or she has read this General Release of Claims, has been advised that he or she should consult with an attorney before executing this general release of claims, and that he or she understands all of its terms and executes it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance and the consequences thereof.

6.This General Release of Claims shall take effect on the eighth day following Executive’s execution of this General Release of Claims unless Executive’s written revocation is delivered to the Company within seven (7) days after such execution.

 

 

[INSERT EXECUTIVE’S NAME]

 

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Exhibit 10.30

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made effective as of December 16, 2019 (the “Effective Date”)  between CMRG APPAREL, LLC, (the “Company”), a “Related Entity” as defined in the 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended), of Destination XL Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation with an office at 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 (“DXLG” which term includes any affiliates and subsidiaries), and Ujjwal Dhoot (the “Executive”) having an address at 427½ Monmouth Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires that Executive work for the Company and Executive desires to be so employed by the Company as its Chief Digital Officer.

 

WHEREAS, Executive and the Company desire to set forth in writing the terms and conditions of the Executive's employment with the Company from the date hereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual promises, representations and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

     1.        EMPLOYMENT

 

The Company hereby employs Executive and Executive hereby accepts such employment, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth.  

 

            2.TERM

 

The term of employment under this Agreement (the “Term of Employment”) shall begin on the Effective Date and shall continue until terminated by either party as hereinafter set forth.

 

            3.         COMPENSATION

 

   (a)During the Term of Employment, as compensation for the employment services to be rendered by Executive hereunder, the Company agrees to pay to Executive, and Executive agrees to accept, payable in equal bi-weekly installments in accordance with Company practice, an annual base salary of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and 00/100 Cents ($300,000.00) (the “Base Salary”) as of the Effective Date.  The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually to ascertain whether, in the judgment of the Company, such Base Salary should be adjusted.  If so, the adjusted Base Salary shall be adjusted for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

     (b) In addition to the Base Salary, during the Term of Employment, Executive is eligible to participate in the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan. Such incentive shall be determined and payable in accordance with the Company's incentive program in effect at the time, subject to change from year to year in the Company’s sole discretion. Executive will participate in the Company’s incentive program and Executive’s target bonus under such plan (if all individual and Company performance conditions are met) shall be 40% of Executive’s actual annual base earnings (which shall be the total Base Salary as may be paid during the fiscal year (“Base


Earnings”)). The actual award under the incentive program, if any, may be more or less than the target and will be based on Executive’s performance and the performance of the Company and payment will be made in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the incentive program then in effect.

 

   (c)In addition, during the Term of Employment, Executive is eligible to participate in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). Such incentive shall be determined and distributable in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions as described in the LTIP documents in effect at the time of the award, subject to change from year to year in the Compensation Committee’s sole discretion. Executive will participate in the Company’s LTIP at a target incentive rate of 70% of Executive’s Base Salary in effect on the Executive’s Effective Date of Participation, for the incentive period, based upon the Company’s targeted performance as defined in the LTIP documents in effect at the time of the award.

 

(d)    In consideration for the promises in paragraph 10 below, the Company shall pay Executive an inducement award consisting of cash and restricted stock units of the Common Stock of Destination XL Group, Inc. (“RSUs”) (collectively, “Inducement Award”).  The cash amount of the Inducement Award shall be $175,000, with $75,000 payable as of January 3, 2020 and $100,000 payable on April 1, 2020.  In addition, Executive will receive the value of $125,000 of RSUs upon the Effective Date.  The RSUs shall vest on April 1, 2020.  Details will be provided in a formal Stand-Alone Inducement Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.  The Inducement Award is subject to clawback as set forth in paragraph 7(j).

 

(e)Subject to Executive’s continued employment, the Company shall advance Executive a relocation allowance in the amount of $100,000.00 (prior to any applicable taxes) on January 3, 2020 (an “Advance”).  In the event Executive ceases to be employed by the Company due to his voluntary termination (other than for Good Reason) prior to January 30, 2022, Executive shall repay such Advance to the Company within thirty (30) days following Executive’s termination of employment; provided, however, that the amount of the Advance that is required to be repaid shall be reduced by 1/24th of the Advance for each completed month that Executive is employed by the Company following the payment of the Advance.  

 

 

4.EXPENSES

 

The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive, in accordance with the Company's policies and procedures and upon presentment of suitable vouchers, for all reasonable business and travel expenses, which may be incurred or paid by Executive during the Term of Employment in connection with his employment hereunder.  Executive shall comply with such restrictions and shall keep such records as the Company may reasonably deem necessary to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 


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5.

OTHER BENEFITS

 

(a)During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to such vacations and to participate in and receive any other benefits customarily provided by the Company to its management (including any profit sharing, pension, 401(k), short and long-term disability insurance, medical and dental insurance and group life insurance plans in accordance with and subject to the terms of such plans, including, without limitation, any eligibility requirements contained therein), all as determined from time to time by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in its discretion.

 

(b)Executive will be eligible to participate in the Company’s annual performance appraisal process.  

 

 

6.

DUTIES

 

(a)Executive shall perform such duties and functions consistent with the position of Chief Digital Officer and/or as the Company shall from time to time determine and Executive shall comply in the performance of his duties with the policies of, and be subject to the direction of the Company.

 

(b)During the Term of Employment, Executive shall devote substantially all of his time and attention, vacation time and absences for sickness excepted, to the business of the Company, as necessary to fulfill his duties.  Executive shall perform the duties assigned to him with fidelity and to the best of his ability.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, and subject to the foregoing and review by the Company’s Board of Directors, Executive shall not be prevented from accepting positions in outside organizations so long as such activities do not interfere with Executive's performance of his duties hereunder and do not violate paragraph 10 hereof.

 

(c) The principal location at which the Executive shall perform his duties hereunder shall be at the Company's offices in Canton, Massachusetts or at such other location as may be temporarily designated from time to time by the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall perform such services at such other locations as may be required for the proper performance of his duties hereunder, and Executive recognizes that such duties may involve travel.

 

 


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7.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; EFFECT OF TERMINATION

 

 

(a)

The Term of Employment may be terminated by the Company at any time:

 

(i)upon the determination by the Company that Executive's performance of his duties has not been fully satisfactory for any reason which would not constitute justifiable cause (as hereinafter defined) or for other business reasons necessitating termination which do not constitute justifiable cause, in either case upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Executive; or

 

(ii)upon the determination of the Company that there is justifiable cause (as hereinafter defined) for such termination.

 

 

(b)

The Term of Employment shall terminate upon:

 

 

(i)

the death of Executive;

 

         (ii)the date on which the Company elects to terminate the Term of Employment  by reason of the "disability" of Executive (as hereinafter defined in subsection (c) herein) pursuant to subsection (g) hereof; or

 

 

(iii)

Executive’s resignation of employment.

 

(c)For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "disability" shall mean Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated so as to render Executive incapable of performing the essentials of Executive's job, even with reasonable accommodation, as reasonably determined by the Company, which determination shall be final and binding.

 

(d)For the purposes hereof, the term "justifiable cause" shall mean: any failure or refusal to perform any of the duties pursuant to this Agreement or any breach of this Agreement by the Executive; Executive’s breach of any material written policies, rules or regulations which have been adopted by the Company; Executive’s repeated failure to perform his duties in a satisfactory manner; Executive's performance of any act or his failure to act, as to which if Executive were prosecuted and convicted, a crime or offense involving money or property of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, or a crime or offense constituting a felony in the jurisdiction involved, would have occurred; any unauthorized disclosure by Executive to any person, firm or corporation of any confidential information or trade secret of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; any attempt by Executive to secure any personal profit in connection with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates; or the engaging by Executive in any business other than the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates which interferes with the performance of his duties hereunder.  Upon termination of Executive's employment for justifiable cause, Executive shall not be entitled to any amounts or benefits hereunder other than such portion of Executive's Base Salary and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof as have been accrued through the date of his termination of employment.

 

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(e)If the Company terminates this Agreement without "justifiable cause" as provided in subsection 7(a)(i), the Company shall pay Executive his then current base salary for six months (that is, the one month notice period referenced in paragraph 7(a)(i) and five months after the effectiveness of such termination), payable in equal payments in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices commencing with the first payroll period that begins at least 30 days after the termination of the Executive’s Term of Employment conditioned upon the Executive having provided the Company with an executed general release substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or such other form that is acceptable to the Company, in its sole discretion (the “General Release”) and the time for Executive’s revocation of the General Release having expired.  Such payments shall be made in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices until paid in full.  Any payment pursuant to this paragraph 7(e) is contingent upon Executive’s execution of the General Release within 21 days (or such longer period as may be authorized by the Company or otherwise required by applicable law) after termination of the Term of Employment (and the Executive’s not revoking that General Release) and will be in lieu of payments to which Executive might have been entitled under any other severance plan of the Company.

 

(f)If Executive shall die during the term of his employment hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate immediately.  In such event, the estate of Executive shall thereupon be entitled to receive such portion of Executive's base annual salary and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to paragraph 4 as have been accrued through the date of his death.

 

(g)Upon Executive's "disability", the Company shall have the right to terminate Executive's employment.  Any termination pursuant to this subsection (g) shall be effective on the earlier of (i) the date 30 days after which Executive shall have received written notice of the Company's election to terminate or (ii) the date he begins to receive long-term disability insurance benefits under the policy provided by the Company pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof.

 

(h)Upon the resignation of Executive in any capacity, that resignation will be deemed to be a resignation from all offices and positions that Executive holds with respect to the Company and any of its subsidiaries and affiliates. In the event of Executive’s resignation, he shall be entitled only to receive such portion of his annual Base Salary and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to paragraph 4 as have been accrued through the date of his resignation.  In addition, the Inducement Award is subject to clawback pursuant to paragraph 7(j) if Executive voluntarily resigns (without Good Reason) prior to January 30, 2022.

 

(i)Change of Control.  In the event the Term of Employment is terminated by the Company without justifiable cause (as defined herein) or Executive resigns with Good Reason (as defined herein) within one (1) year following a Change of Control of the Company has occurred, then, in such event, the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to twelve (12) months of Base Salary in effect at the time of the termination.  For the purposes of the foregoing, Change of Control shall have the meaning set forth in the Company’s 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan (without regard to any subsequent amendments thereto). For purposes of the foregoing, Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) a material diminution in the Executive’s base compensation; (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; (iii) a material change in the geographic location at which the Employee must perform the services under this Agreement; or (iv) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.  For purposes of

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this provision, Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist unless the Employee’s termination of employment for Good Reason occurs within 2 years following the initial existence of one of the conditions specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above, the Employee provides the Company with written notice of the existence of such condition within 90 days after the initial existence of the condition, and the Company fails to remedy the condition within 30 days after its receipt of such notice. The Company shall pay the amount required under this paragraph 7(i) in a single payment thirty (30) days after termination of the Term of Employment, subject to and conditioned upon the Executive’s execution of the General Release required pursuant to paragraph 7(k) hereof and such release becoming irrevocable.  Any payments made pursuant to this paragraph 7(j) will be in lieu of payments to which Executive might have been entitled under paragraph 7(e) of this Agreement or under any other severance plan of the Company.  The payments under this Agreement shall be reduced if and to the extent necessary to avoid any payments or benefits to Executive being treated as “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 280G(b)(i).

 

(j)Clawback of Certain Compensation and Benefits

.  

(i) In the event the Term of Employment is terminated by Executive (other than for Good Reason) prior to January 30, 2022, Executive shall reimburse the Company the dollar amount of the Inducement Award, including any Gains (as defined below) on the RSUs which were granted, within thirty (30) days following Executive’s termination of employment.

(ii) If, after the termination of the Term of Employment for any reason other than by the Company for “justifiable cause”:

A.it is determined in good faith by the Company within twelve (12) months after the termination of the Term of Employment (the “Termination Date”) that the Executive’s employment could have been terminated by the Company for justifiable cause under paragraph 7(d) hereof (unless the Company knew or should have known that as of the Termination Date, the Executive’s employment could have been terminated for justifiable cause in accordance with paragraph 7(d) hereof); or

B.the Executive breaches any of the provisions of paragraph 10, then, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company in law or equity and/or pursuant to any other provisions of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment shall be deemed to have been terminated for justifiable cause retroactively to the Termination Date and the Executive also shall be subject to the following provisions:

1)the Executive shall be required to pay to the Company, immediately upon written demand by the Company, all amounts paid to Executive by the Company, whether or not pursuant to this Agreement (other than such portion of Executive’s Base Salary and reimbursement of expenses pursuant to paragraph 4 hereof as have been accrued through the date of the termination of the Term of Employment), on or after the Termination Date (including the pre-tax cost to the Company of any benefits  that are in excess of the total amount that the Company would have been required to pay to the Executive if the Executive’s employment with the Company had been terminated by the Company for justifiable cause in accordance with paragraph 7(d) above);

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2)all vested and unvested Awards (as that term is defined in the 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan) then held by the Executive shall immediately expire; and

3)the Executive shall be required to pay to the Company, immediately upon written demand by the Company, an amount equal to any Gains resulting from the exercise or payment of any Awards (as that term is defined in the 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan) at any time on or after, or during the one year period prior to, the Termination Date.  For these purposes, the term “Gain” shall mean (i) in the case of each stock option or stock appreciation right (“SAR”), the difference between the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock underlying such option or SAR as of the date on which the Executive exercised the option or SAR, less the exercise price or grant price of the option or SAR; and (ii) in the case of any Award other than a stock option or SAR that is satisfied by the issuance of Common Stock of the Company, the value of such stock on the Termination Date, and (iii) in the case of any Award other than a stock option or SAR, that is satisfied in cash or any property other than Common Stock of the Company, the amount of cash and the value of the property on the payment date paid to satisfy the Award.

(k) Any payment pursuant to paragraph 7(e) or 7(j) shall be contingent upon Executive’s execution of the General Release within 21 days after termination of the Term of Employment (or such longer period as may be authorized by the Company or otherwise required by applicable law), and the Executive’s not revoking that release.

 

 

8.

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A

(a)

General.  It is the intention of both the Company and the Executive that the benefits and rights to which the Executive could be entitled pursuant to this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated or issued thereunder (“Section 409A”), to the extent that the requirements of Section 409A are applicable thereto, and the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with that intention.  If the Executive or the Company believes, at any time, that any such benefit or right that is subject to Section 409A does not so comply, it shall promptly advise the other and shall negotiate reasonably and in good faith to amend the timing of such benefits and rights such that they comply with Section 409A (with the most limited possible economic effect on the Executive).  

(b)

Distributions on Account of Separation from Service.  If and to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, no payment or benefit required to be paid under this Agreement on account of termination of the Executive’s employment shall be made unless and until the Executive incurs a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

(c)

6 Month Delay for “Specified Employees”.

(i) If the Executive is a “specified employee”, then no payment or benefit that is payable on account of the Executive’s “separation from service”, as that term is defined for purposes of Section 409A, shall be made before the date that is six months after the Executive’s “separation from service” (or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death) if and to the extent that such payment or benefit constitutes deferred compensation (or may be nonqualified deferred

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compensation) under Section 409A and such deferral is required to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.  Any payment or benefit delayed by reason of the prior sentence shall be paid out or provided in a single lump sum at the end of such required delay period in order to catch up to the original payment schedule.  There shall be added to any cash payments that are delayed pursuant to this provision interest at the prime rate as reported in the Wall Street Journal for the date of the Executive’s separation from service.  Such interest shall be calculated from the date on which the payment otherwise would have been made until the date on which the payment is made.

 

(ii) For purposes of this provision, the Executive shall be considered to be a “specified employee” if, at the time of her separation from service, the Executive is a “key employee”, within the meaning of Section 416(i) of the Code, of the Company (or any person or entity with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) or Section 414(c) of the Code) any stock in which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise.

(d)

No Acceleration of Payments.  Neither the Company nor the Executive, individually or in combination, may accelerate any payment or benefit that is subject to Section 409A, except in compliance with Section 409A and the provisions of this Agreement, and no amount that is subject to Section 409A shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it may be paid without violating Section 409A.

(e)

Treatment of Each Installment as a Separate Payment. For purposes of applying the provisions of Section 409A to this Agreement, each separately identified amount to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment.  In addition, to the extent permissible under Section 409A, any series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

(f)

Taxable Reimbursements.

(i) Any reimbursements by the Company to the Executive of any eligible expenses under this Agreement that are not excludable from the Executive’s income for Federal income tax purposes (the “Taxable Reimbursements”) shall be made by no later than the earlier of the date on which they would be paid under the Company’s normal policies and the last day of the taxable year of the Executive following the year in which the expense was incurred.  

(ii) The amount of any Taxable Reimbursements to be provided to the Executive during any taxable year of the Executive shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement to be provided in any other taxable year of the Executive.  

(iii) The right to Taxable Reimbursements shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

9.        REPRESENTATION AND AGREEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE

 

(a)Executive represents and warrants that he is free to enter into this Agreement and to perform the duties required hereunder, and that there are no employment contracts or

8

 


understandings, restrictive covenants or other restrictions, whether written or oral, preventing the performance of his duties hereunder.

 

(b)Executive agrees to submit to a medical examination and to cooperate and supply such other information and documents as may be required by any insurance company in connection with the Company's obtaining life insurance on the life of Executive, and any other type of insurance or fringe benefit as the Company shall determine from time to time to obtain.

 

(c)Executive represents and warrants that he has never been convicted of a felony and he has not been convicted or incarcerated for a misdemeanor within the past five years, other than a first conviction for drunkenness, simple assault, speeding, minor traffic violations, affray, or disturbance of the peace.

 

(d)Executive represents and warrants that he has never been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding that resulted in a judgment, decree, or final order (i) enjoining him from future violations of, or prohibiting any violations of any federal or state securities law, or (ii) finding any violations of any federal or state securities law.

 

(e)      Executive represents and warrants that he has never been accused of any impropriety in connection with any employment;

 

Any breach of any of the above representations and warranties is "justifiable cause" for termination under paragraph 7(d) of this Agreement.

 

 

10.

NON-COMPETITION

 

(a)

In consideration for the Inducement Award referenced in paragraph 3(d) above and the potential to receive additional compensation  pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(i) and 7(e) above, Executive further covenants and agrees that during the Term of Employment and during the one (1) year period immediately following the Termination Date (the "Non-Competitive Period"), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, trustee, corporate officer, director, licensor, or in any capacity whatsoever, engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, render any consultation or business advice with respect to, accept any competitive business on behalf of, or have any connection with any business which is competitive with products or services of the Company or any subsidiaries and affiliates, in any geographic area in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates are then conducting or proposing to conduct business, including, without limitation, the United States of America and its possessions, Canada and Europe; provided, however, that Executive may own any securities of any corporation which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock or securities of such corporation.  In addition, Executive shall not, during the Non-Competitive Period, directly or indirectly, request or cause any suppliers or customers with whom the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates has a business relationship to cancel or terminate any such business relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or otherwise compromise the Company’s good will or solicit, hire, interfere with or entice from the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates any employee (or former employee who has been separated from service for less than 12 months) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

9

 


 

(b)If any portion of the restrictions set forth in this paragraph 10 should, for any reason whatsoever, be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity or enforceability of the remainder of such restrictions shall not thereby be adversely affected.  For the purposes of this paragraph 10, a business competitive with the products and services of the Company (or such subsidiaries and affiliates) is limited to a specialty retailer which primarily distributes, sells or markets so-called "big and tall" apparel of any kind for men or which utilizes the "big and tall" retail or wholesale marketing concept as part of its business.

 

(c)Executive acknowledges that the Company conducts business throughout the world, that Executive’s duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Company are of a worldwide nature, that its sales and marketing prospects are for continued expansion throughout the world and therefore, the territorial and time limitations set forth in this paragraph 10 are reasonable and properly required for the adequate protection of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.  In the event any such territorial or time limitation is deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, Executive agrees to the reduction of the territorial or time limitation to the area or period which such court shall deem reasonable.

 

(d)The existence of any claim or cause of action (a  claim or cause of action is defined as a claim or cause of action which results from a breach of the terms and provisions of this Agreement by the Company, regardless of whether the breach is material) by Executive against the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the foregoing restrictive covenants, but such claim or cause of action shall be litigated separately.

 

11.INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES

 

(a)Upon execution of this Agreement and thereafter, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company, and with all necessary detail for a complete understanding of the same, all existing and future developments, know-how, discoveries, inventions, improvements, concepts, ideas, writings, formulae, processes and methods (whether copyrightable, patentable or otherwise) made, received, conceived, acquired or written during working hours, or otherwise, by Executive (whether or not at the request or upon the suggestion of the Company) during the period of his employment with, or rendering of advisory or consulting services to, the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates, solely or jointly with others, in or relating to any activities of the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates known to him as a consequence of his employment or the rendering of advisory and consulting services hereunder (collectively the "Subject Matter").

 

(b)Executive hereby assigns and transfers, and agrees to assign and transfer, to the Company, all his rights, title and interest in and to the Subject Matter, and Executive further agrees to deliver to the Company any and all drawings, notes, specifications and data relating to the Subject Matter, and to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further papers, including applications for copyrights or patents, as may be necessary to obtain copyrights and patents for any thereof in any and all countries and to vest title thereto to the Company.  Executive shall assist the Company in obtaining such copyrights or patents during the term of this Agreement, and at any time thereafter on reasonable notice and at mutually convenient times, and Executive

10

 


agrees to testify in any prosecution or litigation involving any of the Subject Matter; provided, however, after the Term of Employment that Executive shall be compensated in a timely manner at the rate of $250 per day (or portion thereof), plus out-of-pocket expenses incurred in rendering such assistance or giving or preparing to give such testimony if it is required after the termination of this Agreement.

 

12.NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

(a)Executive acknowledges that the Company possesses certain confidential and propriety information that has been or may be revealed to, or learned by, Executive during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company and that it would be unfair to use that information or knowledge to compete with or to otherwise disadvantage the Company. Executive shall not, during the Term of Employment or at any time following the Term of Employment, directly or indirectly, disclose or permit to be known (other than as is required in the regular course of his duties (including without limitation disclosures to the Company's advisors and consultants), as required by law (in which case Executive shall give the Company prior written notice of such required disclosure) or with the prior written consent of the Board of Directors, to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity, any confidential information acquired by him during the course of, or as an incident to, his employment or the rendering of his advisory or consulting services hereunder, relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, the directors of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, any supplier or customer of the Company or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, or any corporation, partnership or other entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any of the foregoing, or in which any of the foregoing has a beneficial interest, including, but not limited to, the business affairs of each of the foregoing.  Such confidential information shall include, but shall not be limited to, proprietary technology, trade secrets, patented processes, research and development data, know-how, market studies and forecasts, financial data, competitive analyses, pricing policies, employee lists, personnel policies, the substance of agreements with customers, suppliers and others, marketing or dealership arrangements, servicing and training programs and arrangements, supplier lists, customer lists and any other documents embodying such confidential information.  This confidentiality obligation shall not apply to any confidential information, which is or becomes publicly available other than pursuant to a breach of this paragraph 12(a) by Executive.

 

(b)All information and documents relating to the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates as herein above described (or other business affairs) shall be the exclusive property of the Company, and Executive shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to prevent any publication or disclosure thereof.  Upon termination of Executive's employment with the Company, all documents, records, reports, writings and other similar documents containing confidential information, including copies thereof then in Executive's possession or control shall be returned and left with the Company.

 

13.SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE

 

Executive agrees that if he breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any enforceable provision of paragraphs 10, 11 or 12 (the "Restrictive Covenants"), the Company shall have, in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company under law and in equity, the right to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by a court of

11

 


competent jurisdiction, it being agreed that any such breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall constitute a waiver by Executive of his right to contest whether such a breach or threatened breach of any Restrictive Covenant has occurred. In the event of litigation between the parties to this Agreement regarding their respective rights and obligations under paragraphs 10, 11, or 12 hereof, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other all attorneys’ fees and expenses reasonably incurred in obtaining a ruling in the prevailing party’s favor.    Any such damages, attorneys’ fees and costs shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any injunctive relief that may be available to the Company.

 

14.AMENDMENT OR ALTERATION

 

No amendment or alteration of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by both of the parties hereto.

 

15.GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

 

16.SEVERABILITY

 

The holding of any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

17.NOTICES

 

Any notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be sufficient if in

writing, and if delivered by hand or courier, or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the addresses set forth above or such other address as either party may from time to time designate in writing to the other, and shall be deemed given as of the date of the delivery or of the placement of the notice in the mail.

 

18.WAIVER OF BREACH

 

It is agreed that a waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate, or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by that same party.

 

19.ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT

 

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective legal representatives, heirs, distributors, successors and assigns and supersedes any and all prior agreements between the parties whether oral or written.  This Agreement may not

12

 


be modified except upon further written agreement executed by both parties. Executive agrees that the Company may in its sole discretion, during the term of Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, provide copies of this Agreement (or excerpts of the Agreement) to others, including businesses or entities that may employ, do business with, or consider employing Executive in the future.  Executive further agrees that any subsequent change or changes in his duties, compensation or areas of responsibility shall in no way affect the validity of this Agreement or otherwise render inapplicable any of the provisions of paragraphs 10 through 13 of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect except as may be modified by a subsequent written agreement.

 

20.SURVIVAL

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the termination of Executive's employment hereunder or the expiration of this Agreement shall not affect the enforceability of paragraphs 7 through 26 hereof, which shall survive the termination or expiration.

 

21.RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

 

Any and all disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with this paragraph 21 and paragraph 15.

 

The parties shall attempt to resolve any dispute, controversy or difference that may arise between them through good faith negotiations.  In the event the parties fail to reach resolution of any such dispute within thirty (30) days after entering into negotiations, either party may proceed to institute action in any state or federal court located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction, and each party consents to the personal jurisdiction of any such state or federal court.  Both parties waive their right to a trial by jury.

 


13

 


22.NON-DISPARAGEMENT

 

Executive agrees not to make disparaging, critical or otherwise detrimental comments to any person or entity concerning the Company, its officers, directors, trustees, and employees or the services or programs provided or to be provided by the Company and the Company agrees not to make any disparaging, critical or otherwise detrimental comments to any person or entity concerning Executive.

 

23.FURTHER ASSURANCES

 

The parties agree to execute and deliver all such further documents, agreements and instruments and take such other and further action as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

24.SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES

 

For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)  “affiliate” means any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company, and “control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of an entity, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such entity; and

 

(b) “subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the then outstanding securities or interests of such corporation or other entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or similar governing body of a non-corporate entity) or in which the Company has the right to receive 50% or more of the distribution of profits or 50% or more of the assets on liquidation or dissolution.

 

25. HEADINGS

 

The paragraph headings appearing in this Agreement are for the purposes of easy reference and shall not be considered a part of this Agreement or in any way modify, amend or affect its provisions.

 

26.COUNTERPARTS

 

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, under seal, as of the date and year first above written.

 

14

 


 

 

CMRG APPAREL, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Harvey S. KanterDate: November 19, 2019

Name:Harvey S. Kanter

Its:  President, Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ujjwal DhootDate: November 19, 2019

Ujjwal Dhoot


15

 


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

1.Ujjwal Dhoot, (“Executive”), for  himself and his family, heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and their respective successors and assigns, in exchange for good and valuable consideration to be paid after the date of Executive’s termination as set forth in the Employment Agreement to which a form of this release is attached as Exhibit A (the “Employment Agreement”), does hereby release and forever discharge, to the maximum extent permitted by law, CMRG Apparel, LLC (the “Company”), its parent and its parent’s subsidiaries, affiliated companies, successors and assigns, and their respective current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders or agents in such capacities (collectively with the Company, the “Released Parties”) from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, controversies, claims and demands whatsoever, for or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, whether known or unknown including, but not limited to, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. §1001 et seq., the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq., COBRA; the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 29 U.S.C. §206(d), the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA); the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. §1981 et seq., as amended, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the Massachusetts Law Against Discrimination, G.L. c. 151B; the Massachusetts Privacy Statute, G.L. c. 214, § 1B, the Massachusetts Wage Payment Statute, G.L. c. 149, §§ 148, 148A, 148B, 149, 150,150A-150C, 151, 152, 152A, et seq.; the Massachusetts Wage and hour laws, G.L. c. 151§1A et seq; the Massachusetts Sexual Harassment Statute, G.L. c. 214 §1C, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, G.L. c. 93A, the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, G.L. c. 12, § 11, the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act, G.L. c. 93, the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, G.L. c. 12, § 11; the Massachusetts Equal Rights Act, G.L. c. 93; the Massachusetts AIDS Testing statute, G.L. c. 111, §70F; the Massachusetts Employment Leave for Victims and Family Members of Abuse, G.L. c. 149,  §52E, as amended; the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law,  M.G.L. c. 149, § 148C; the Massachusetts Small Necessities Leave Act; and all claims under any applicable laws arising under or in connection with Executive’s employment or termination thereof, whether for tort, breach of express or implied employment contract, wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or defamation or injuries incurred on the job or incurred as a result of loss of employment.  

Executive acknowledges that Executive is specifically advised to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choosing before signing this General Release of Claims, and through this General Release of Claims advises Executive to consult with his attorney with respect to possible claims, including but not limited to claims under the ADEA, and that Executive understands that the ADEA is a Federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefits and benefit plans.  Without limiting the generality of the release provided above, Executive expressly waives any and all claims under ADEA that he may have as of the date hereof.  Executive further understands that by signing this General Release of Claims he is in fact waiving, releasing and forever giving up any claim under the ADEA as well as all other laws within the scope of this paragraph 1 that may have existed on or prior to the date

16

 


hereof.  Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph 1 to the contrary, this General Release of Claims shall not apply to (i) any rights to receive any payments pursuant to the Employment Agreement, or any accrued but unpaid benefits under any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company (ii) any rights or claims that may arise as a result of events occurring after this General Release of Claims is executed, (iii) any indemnification rights Executive may have as a former officer or director of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies, (iv) any claims for benefits under any directors’ and officers’ liability policy maintained by the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies in accordance with the terms of such policy, (v) any rights as a holder of equity securities of the Company, and (vi) any rights or claims that, by law, may not be waived, including claims for unemployment compensation and workers' compensation.  Nothing contained in this Agreement prevents Executive from filing a charge, cooperating with or participating in any investigation or proceeding before any federal or state Fair Employment Practices Agency, including, without limitation, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, except that Executive acknowledges that he will not be able to recover any monetary benefits in connection with any such claim, charge or proceeding.

2.Executive represents that he has not filed against the Released Parties any complaints, charges, or lawsuits arising out of his employment, or any other matter arising on or prior to the date of this General Release of Claims, and covenants and agrees that he will never individually or with any person file, or commence the filing of, any charges, lawsuits, complaints or proceedings with any governmental agency, or against the Released Parties with respect to any of the matters released by Executive pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof (a “Proceeding”); provided, however, Executive shall not have relinquished his right to commence a Proceeding to challenge whether Executive knowingly and voluntarily waived  his rights under ADEA.

3.

Non-Competition.  Executive further covenants and agrees that during the Term of Employment and during the one (1) year period immediately following the date Executive’s employment terminated (the "Non-Competitive Period"), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, trustee, corporate officer, director, licensor, or in any capacity whatsoever, engage in, become financially interested in, be employed by, render any consultation or business advice with respect to, accept any competitive business on behalf of, or have any connection with any business which is competitive with products or services of the Company or any subsidiaries and affiliates, in any geographic area in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates are then conducting or proposing to conduct business, including, without limitation, the United States of America and its possessions, Canada and Europe; provided, however, that Executive may own any securities of any corporation which is engaged in such business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock or securities of such corporation.  In addition, Executive shall not, during the Non-Competitive Period, directly or indirectly, request or cause any suppliers or customers with whom the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates has a business relationship to cancel or terminate any such business relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or otherwise compromise the Company’s good will or solicit, hire, interfere with or entice from the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates any employee (or former employee who has been separated from service for less than 12 months) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

17

 


(b)If any portion of the restrictions set forth in this paragraph 3 should, for any reason whatsoever, be declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity or enforceability of the remainder of such restrictions shall not thereby be adversely affected.  For the purposes of this paragraph 3, a business competitive with the products and services of the Company (or such subsidiaries and affiliates) is limited to a specialty retailer which primarily distributes, sells or markets so-called "big and tall" apparel of any kind for men or which utilizes the "big and tall" retail or wholesale marketing concept as part of its business.

 

(c)Executive acknowledges that the Company conducts business throughout the world, that Executive’s duties and responsibilities on behalf of the Company are of a worldwide nature, that its sales and marketing prospects are for continued expansion throughout the world and therefore, the territorial and time limitations set forth in this paragraph 3 are reasonable and properly required for the adequate protection of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.  In the event any such territorial or time limitation is deemed to be unreasonable by a court of competent jurisdiction, Executive agrees to the reduction of the territorial or time limitation to the area or period which such court shall deem reasonable.

 

(d)The existence of any claim or cause of action (a  claim or cause of action is defined as a claim or cause of action which results from a breach of the terms and provisions of this Agreement by the Company, regardless of whether the breach is material) by Executive against the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the foregoing restrictive covenants, but such claim or cause of action shall be litigated separately.

 

4.Inventions and Discoveries.

 

(a)Upon execution of this General Release of Claims and thereafter, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company, and with all necessary detail for a complete understanding of the same, all existing and future developments, know-how, discoveries, inventions, improvements, concepts, ideas, writings, formulae, processes and methods (whether copyrightable, patentable or otherwise) made, received, conceived, acquired or written during working hours, or otherwise, by Executive (whether or not at the request or upon the suggestion of the Company) during the period of his employment with, or rendering of advisory or consulting services to, the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates, solely or jointly with others, in or relating to any activities of the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates known to him as a consequence of his employment or the rendering of advisory and consulting services hereunder (collectively the "Subject Matter").

 

(b)Executive hereby assigns and transfers, and agrees to assign and transfer, to the Company, all his rights, title and interest in and to the Subject Matter, and Executive further agrees to deliver to the Company any and all drawings, notes, specifications and data relating to the Subject Matter, and to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such further papers, including applications for copyrights or patents, as may be necessary to obtain copyrights and patents for any thereof in any and all countries and to vest title thereto to the Company.  Executive shall assist the Company in obtaining such copyrights or patents during the term of this General Release Of Claims, and at any time thereafter on reasonable notice and at mutually convenient times, and Executive agrees to testify in any prosecution or litigation involving any of the

18

 


Subject Matter; provided, however, that Executive shall be compensated in a timely manner at the rate of $250 per day (or portion thereof), plus out-of-pocket expenses incurred in rendering such assistance or giving or preparing to give such testimony.

 

5.Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)Executive acknowledges that the Company possesses certain confidential and propriety information that has been revealed to him or learned by Executive during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company and that it would be unfair to use that information or knowledge to compete with or to otherwise disadvantage the Company. Executive shall not, at any time following the end of Executive’s employment with the Company, directly or indirectly, disclose or permit to be known (other than as is required in the regular course of his duties (including without limitation disclosures to the Company's advisors and consultants), as required by law (in which case Executive shall give the Company prior written notice of such required disclosure) or with the prior written consent of the Board of Directors, to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity, any confidential information acquired by him during the course of, or as an incident to, his employment or the rendering of his advisory or consulting services hereunder, relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, the directors of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, any supplier or customer of the Company or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, or any corporation, partnership or other entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any of the foregoing, or in which any of the foregoing has a beneficial interest, including, but not limited to, the business affairs of each of the foregoing.  Such confidential information shall include, but shall not be limited to, proprietary technology, trade secrets, patented processes, research and development data, know-how, market studies and forecasts, financial data, competitive analyses, pricing policies, employee lists, personnel policies, the substance of agreements with customers, suppliers and others, marketing or dealership arrangements, servicing and training programs and arrangements, supplier lists, customer lists and any other documents embodying such confidential information.  This confidentiality obligation shall not apply to any confidential information, which is or becomes publicly available other than pursuant to a breach of this paragraph 5(a) by Executive.

 

(b)All information and documents relating to the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates as herein above described (or other business affairs) shall be the exclusive property of the Company, and Executive shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to prevent any publication or disclosure thereof.  Upon termination of Executive's employment with the Company, all documents, records, reports, writings and other similar documents containing confidential information, including copies thereof then in Executive's possession or control shall be returned and left with the Company.

 

6.Specific Performance.  Executive agrees that if he breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any enforceable provision of paragraphs 3, 4 or 5 (the "Restrictive Covenants"), the Company shall have, in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company under law and in equity, the right to have the Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction, it being agreed that any such breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall constitute a waiver by Executive of his right

19

 


to contest whether such a breach or threatened breach of any Restrictive Covenant has occurred.    Any such damages, attorneys’ fees and costs shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any injunctive relief that may be available to the Company.

 

7.Executive is advised that Executive has up to twenty-one (21) calendar days to consider this General Release before signing it.  Executive may knowingly and voluntarily waive that up to twenty-one (21) day period by signing this General Release of Claims earlier. However, in the event Executive’s employment terminated as part of a group termination within the meaning of the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, the up to twenty-one (21) day consideration period shall be enlarged to up to forty-five (45) calendar days, and Executive shall be provided with additional disclosures required by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act prior to the start of the up to forty-five (45) calendar day consideration period.  In either case, Executive also shall have  seven (7) business days following the date on which Executive signs this General Release of Claims within which to revoke it by providing a written notice of his revocation to the Company.  Any such revocation shall be directed to the VP, Managing Director-Human Resources and must be delivered to the VP, Managing Director-Human Resources within that seven (7) day revocation period, or mailed to Destination XL Group, Inc., Attn: VP, Managing Director-Human Resources, 555 Turnpike Street, Canton, MA 02021 and postmarked within the seven (7) day revocation period.

8.Executive acknowledges that this General Release of Claims will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within the Commonwealth.

9.Executive acknowledges that he has read this General Release of Claims, has been advised that he should consult with an attorney before executing this general release of claims, and that he understands all of its terms and executes it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance and the consequences thereof.

10.This General Release of Claims shall take effect on the eighth business day following Executive’s execution of this General Release of Claims unless Executive’s written revocation is delivered to the Company within seven (7) business days after such execution.

 

 

Ujjwal Dhoot

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.38

Destination XL Group, Inc.

555 Turnpike Street

Canton, MA 02021

 

April 4, 2018

 

Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC

10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 925

Los Angeles, CA 90067

 

Re:  Destination XL Group, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Reference is made to:

 

1.the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Charter”), of the Company; and

 

2.that certain letter dated March 11, 2013 from the Company to, and countersigned by,  Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC (“Red Mountain”) regarding the ownership of the Company’s stock (the “2013 Waiver Letter”);

 

3. that certain letter dated January 29, 2014 from the Company to, and countersigned by,  Red Mountain (the “Standstill Agreement”); and

 

4.that certain letter dated December 23, 2014 from the Company to, and countersigned by,  Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC (“Red Mountain”) regarding the ownership of the Company’s stock (the “2014 Waiver Letter” and together with the 2013 Waiver Letter, the “Waiver Letters”)

 

Unless otherwise noted, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Charter.

 

Subject to the restrictions contained herein and your execution and return to us via email of a copy of this letter, the Company hereby authorizes, in accordance with §4.3.2(b) of the Charter and paragraph 5 of the Standstill Agreement, Red Mountain and its Affiliates to increase their aggregate Percentage Stock Ownership interest in the Corporation up to an aggregate of 17.12% of the outstanding common stock of the Company from the 15% ownership level previously authorized by the Waiver Letters and paragraph 5 of the Standstill Agreement.  All other terms of the previous Waiver Letters and the Standstill Agreement remain in effect and are not otherwise amended by this authorization.  For the avoidance of doubt, as set forth in the Waiver Letters, the Percentage Stock Ownership interest in the Company held in the aggregate by Red Mountain, its Affiliates and any other person affiliated with Red Mountain may also increase from the 17.12% threshold up to 20%, but only to the extent such increase is achieved through (a) compensation paid in Corporation Securities to Willem Mesdag pursuant to the Destination XL Group, Inc. Third Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (as

1

 


may be further amended) and/or (b) a reduction in the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.  Any Transfer that is not permitted under the terms of the Waiver Letters, the Standstill Agreement and/or this letter shall be a “Prohibited Transfer” under the Charter, and the Corporation Securities that are the subject of any such Prohibited Transfer shall be “Excess Securities” under the Charter.  

 

The foregoing authorizations to acquire beneficial ownership of additional Corporation Securities are referred to herein, collectively, as the “Authorizations.”

 

In order to fulfill the purpose of the Charter, these Authorizations may be revoked at any time in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof that has been appointed by the Board of Directors) of the Company.  Such revocation shall be in writing and sent by email, fax or letter to Red Mountain and shall be effective immediately.

 

Kindly execute and return to us via email a copy of this letter at which time it shall serve as a binding and enforceable agreement between us in accordance with its terms. By signing this letter, you agree that this letter and its terms shall remain confidential, except to the extent disclosure thereof is required by law, regulation or judicial process.

 

Thank you for your interest in the Corporation.

 

Very truly yours,

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

 

 

By: /s/ David A. Levin

Name:  David A. Levin
Title:    President, CEO

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

RED MOUNTAIN CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC

 

By:    /s/ T Willem Mesdag  
Name:    T Willem Mesdag
Title:      Managing Partner

 

2

 

Exhibit 21.1

DESTINATION XL GROUP, INC.

Wholly-owned unless otherwise indicated

 

Subsidiary:

 

Place of Incorporation:

Casual Male Retail Store, LLC (f/k/a Designs CMAL Retail Store Inc.)

  

Delaware

Casual Male Direct, LLC (f/k/a Designs CMAL TBD Inc.)

 

Delaware

CMRG Apparel Management, Inc.

 

Delaware

CMRG Holdco, LLC

 

Delaware

CMXL Apparel, LP (a)

 

Delaware

CMRG Apparel, LLC (f/k/a Designs Apparel, Inc.) (b)

 

Delaware

Casual Male Store, LLC (f/k/a Designs CMAL Store Inc.)

 

Delaware

Capture, LLC (c)

 

Virginia

Casual Male RBT, LLC

 

Delaware

Casual Male RBT (U.K.) LLC (d)

 

Delaware

DXLG Wholesale, LLC (e)

 

Delaware

DXL Canada, Inc. (f/k/a Casual Male Canada Inc.)

 

Ontario, Canada

Casual Male (EUROPE) LLC

 

Delaware

Think Big Products LLC

 

Delaware

Canton PL Liquidating Corp. (f/k/a LP Innovations, Inc.)

 

Nevada

CMRG Hong Kong Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

(a)

A limited partnership in which CMRG Apparel Management, Inc. is a General Partner owning 1% and CMRG Holdco, LLC is a Limited Partner owning 99%. (Both partners are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Destination XL Group, Inc.)

(b)

100% owned by CMXL Apparel, LP (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Destination XL Group, Inc.)

(c)

100% owned by Casual Male Store, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Destination XL Group, Inc.)

(d)

100% owned by Casual Male RBT, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Destination XL Group, Inc.)

(e)

100% owned by Destination XL Group, Inc.

 

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Destination XL Group, Inc.:

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333‑118966 and 333-90742) on Form S-3 and (Nos. 333-136890, 333-163245, 333-164618, 333-170708, 333-170764, 333-194627, 333-213311, 333-233496, and 333-235534) on Form S-8 of Destination XL Group, Inc. of our reports dated March 19, 2020, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Destination XL Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of February 1, 2020 and February 2, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended February 1, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2020, which reports appear in the February 1, 2020 annual report on Form 10‑K of Destination XL Group, Inc.

Our report on the consolidated financial statements refers to a change in the method of accounting for leases as of February 3, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and Accounting Standards Update 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 19, 2020

Exhibit 31.1

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Harvey S. Kanter, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Destination XL Group, 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.

Date: March 19, 2020

 

 /s/ Harvey S. Kanter

Harvey S. Kanter

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Exhibit 31.2

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Peter H. Stratton, Jr., certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Destination XL Group, 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.

Date: March 19, 2020

 

/s/ Peter H. Stratton, Jr.

Peter H. Stratton, Jr.

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Destination XL Group, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended February 1, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Harvey S. Kanter, President and 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:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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.

This certification is being furnished as an exhibit to the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 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 will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this certification by reference.

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: March 19, 2020

 

 

/s/ Harvey S. Kanter

 

 

 

Harvey S. Kanter

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Destination XL Group, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended February 1, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Peter H. Stratton, Jr., 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:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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.

This certification is being furnished as an exhibit to the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 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 will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this certification by reference.

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: March 19, 2020

 

 

/s/ Peter H. Stratton, Jr.        

 

 

 

Peter H. Stratton, Jr.

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.