UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
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(X)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
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For the
fiscal year ended February 1, 2009
or
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(
)
TRANSITION REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
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Commission
File Number
0-20269
DUCKWALL-ALCO
STORES, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kansas
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48-0201080
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(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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401
Cottage Street
Abilene,
Kansas
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67410-2832
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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Registrant's
telephone number including area code:
(785)
263-3350
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NONE
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value
$.0001 per share
(Title of
Class)
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes_____ No __
X
_
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes___ No _
X
__
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes
X
No
_____
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.
See definitions of “accelerated filer", "large accelerated filer” and "smaller
reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer [
] Accelerated filer [X] Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller
reporting company) [ ] Smaller reporting company [ ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ____ No _
_X
__
The
aggregate market value of the 3,820,591 shares of Common Stock, par value $.0001
per share, of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant is
$42,523,178 on August 3, 2008, based on a closing sale price of $11.13. As of
April 16, 2009, there were 3,797,947 shares of Common Stock
outstanding.
Documents
incorporated by reference: portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the
2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III
hereof.
DUCKWALL-ALCO
FISCAL 2009 FORM 10-K
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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PART
I
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Item
1.
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Business
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3
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Item
1A.
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Risk
Factors
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6
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Item
1B.
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Unresolved
Staff Comments
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8
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Item
2.
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Properties
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8
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Item
3.
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Legal
Proceedings
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8
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Item
4.
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Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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8
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PART
II
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Item
5.
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Market
for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
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9
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Item
6.
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Selected
Financial Data
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11
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Item
7.
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Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
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12
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Item
7A.
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Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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20
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Item
8.
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Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data
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21
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Item
9.
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Changes
in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
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37
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Item
9A.
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Controls
and Procedures
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37
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Item
9B.
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Other
Information
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39
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PART
III
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Item
10.
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Directors
and Executive Officers of the Registrant
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39
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Item
11.
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Executive
Compensation
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40
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Item
12.
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Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
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40
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Item
13.
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Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
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40
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Item
14.
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Principal
Accountant Fees and Services
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40
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PART
IV
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Item
15.
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Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules
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41
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Signatures
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42
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PART
I
ITEM
1. BUSINESS.
History
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc., (the “Company” or “Registrant”), was founded as a general
merchandising operation in 1901 in Abilene, Kansas by A. L. Duckwall. From its
founding until 1968, the Company conducted its retail operations as small
variety or “dime” stores. In 1968, the Company followed an emerging trend
to broad line retailing when it opened its first ALCO store. The
Company's overall business strategy involves identifying and opening stores in
towns that will provide the Company with the highest return on investment.
This strategy includes opening ALCO stores. As of February 1, 2009, the
Company operates 258 stores located in the central United States,
consisting of 208 ALCO stores and 50 Duckwall stores.
The
Company was incorporated on July 2, 1915 under the laws of Kansas. The Company's
executive offices are located at 401 Cottage Street, Abilene,
Kansas 67410-2832, and its telephone number is (785) 263-3350.
General
The
Company is a regional retailer operating 258 stores in 23 states in the central
United States. The Company's strategy is to target smaller markets not served by
other regional or national broad line retail chains and to provide the
most convenient access to retail shopping within each market. The Company's
ALCO stores offer a broad line of merchandise consisting of
approximately 35,000 items, including automotive, candy, crafts, domestics,
electronics, fabrics, furniture, hardware, health and beauty aids, housewares,
jewelry, ladies', men's and children's apparel and shoes, pre-recorded music and
video, sporting goods, seasonal items, stationery and toys. The Company's
smaller Duckwall stores offer a more limited selection of similar
merchandise.
Of the
Company's 208 ALCO stores, more than 70% operate in primary markets that do
not have another broad line retailer. The ALCO stores account for 96% of
the Company's net sales. The current ALCO store averages approximately 20,500
square feet of selling space. However, the Company's store expansion program is
primarily directed toward opening stores with a design prototype of
approximately 26,000 square feet of selling space.
All of
the Company's stores are serviced by the Company's 352,000 square foot
distribution center in Abilene, Kansas.
For
fiscal 2009 and 2008, the percentage of sales by product category were as
follows:
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Percentage
of Sales
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2009
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2008
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Merchandise
Category:
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Consumables
and commodities
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32%
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30%
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Electronics,
entertainment, sporting goods, toys and outdoor living
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26%
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25%
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Apparel
and accessories
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19%
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20%
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Home
furnishings and décor
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13%
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14%
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Other
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10%
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11%
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Total
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100%
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100%
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Business
Strategy
The
Company intends to focus on executing a business strategy that includes the
following key components:
Markets:
The Company intends to open ALCO stores primarily in
towns with populations of typically less than 5,000 that are in trade areas with
populations of less than 16,000 where: (1) there is no direct competition from
national or regional broad line retailers; (2) economic and demographic criteria
indicate the market is able to commercially support a broad line retailer; and
(3) the opening of an ALCO store would significantly reduce the likelihood of
the entry into such market by another broad line retailer. This key component of
the Company's strategy has guided the Company in both its opening of new stores
and in its closing of existing stores.
Market Selection
:
The Company utilizes
a detailed process to analyze under-served markets which includes examining
factors such as distance from competition, trade area, demographics, retail
sales levels, existence and stability of major employers, location of county
government, disposable income, and distance from the Company’s distribution
center. Markets that are determined to be sizable enough to support an ALCO and
that have no direct competition from another broad line retailer are examined
closely and eventually selected or passed over by the Company's experienced
management team.
Store Expansion:
The Company's expansion program is designed primarily
around the prototype Class 26 Store. This prototype details shelf space,
merchandise presentation, store items to be offered, parking, storage
requirements, as well as other store design considerations. The 26,000 square
feet of selling space is large enough to permit a full line of the Company's
merchandise, while minimizing capital expenditures, labor costs and general
overhead costs. The Company will also consider opportunities in acceptable
markets to open ALCO stores in available space in buildings already
constructed.
Advertising and Promotion:
The
Company utilizes full-color photography advertising circulars of eight to 20
pages distributed through newspaper insertion or, in the case of inadequate
newspaper coverage, through direct mail. During fiscal 2009, these circulars
were distributed 38 times in ALCO markets. In its Duckwall markets, the Company
discontinued advertising in fiscal 2008. The Company’s marketing program is
designed to create awareness and recognition of its competitive pricing on a
comprehensive merchandise selection for the whole family. During fiscal
2010, the Company will distribute approximately 50 circulars in ALCO
markets.
Store Environment:
The
Company's stores are open, clean, bright and offer a pleasant atmosphere with
disciplined product presentation, attractive displays and efficient check-out
procedures. The Company endeavors to staff its stores with courteous, highly
motivated, knowledgeable store associates in order to provide a convenient,
friendly and enjoyable shopping experience.
Store
Development
The
Company expects to open approximately 8 to 12 ALCO stores during fiscal year
2010. During fiscal 2009, the Company opened fifteen ALCO
stores, of which four were in markets previously occupied by a
Duckwall store. Eleven ALCO stores were closed and four Duckwall stores were
closed, resulting in a year end total of 258 stores. The Company's
strategy regarding store development is to increase sales and profitability at
existing stores by continually refining the merchandising mix and improving
operating efficiencies and through new store openings in the Company's targeted
base of under-served markets in the central United States. The following table
summarizes the Company's store development during the past three fiscal
years:
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2009
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2008
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2007
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ALCO
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Duckwall
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ALCO
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Duckwall
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ALCO
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Duckwall
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Stores
Opened
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15
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-
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18
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-
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7
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-
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Stores
Closed
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11
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8
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3
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9
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1
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1
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Net
New Stores
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4
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(8)
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15
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(9)
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6
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(1)
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As of
February 1, 2009, the Company owned three ALCO locations and one Duckwall
location, and leased 205 ALCO locations and 49 Duckwall locations. The Company's
present intention is to lease all new stores; however, the Company may own some
of the ALCO locations. The investment to open a new prototype ALCO store
that is leased is approximately $1.0 million for the equipment and
inventory.
Store
Environment and Merchandising
The
Company manages its stores to attractively and conveniently display a full line
of merchandise within the confines of the stores' available square footage.
Corporate merchandising direction is provided to each store to ensure a
consistent company-wide store presentation. To facilitate long-term
merchandising planning, the Company divides its merchandise into three core
categories driven by the Company's customer profile: primary, secondary, and
convenience. The primary core receives management's primary focus, with a wide
assortment of merchandise being placed in the most accessible locations within
the stores and receiving significant promotional consideration. The secondary
core consists of categories of merchandise for which the Company maintains a
strong assortment that is easily and readily identifiable by its customers. The
convenience core consists of categories of merchandise for which ALCO will
maintain convenient (but limited) assortments, focusing on key items that are in
keeping with customers' expectations for a broad line retail store.
Secondary and convenience cores include merchandise that the Company feels is
important to carry, as the target customer expects to find them within
a broad line retail store and they ensure a high level of customer
traffic. The Company continually evaluates and ranks all product lines, shifting
product classifications when necessary to reflect the changing demand for
products.
Purchasing
Procurement
and merchandising of products is directed by the Executive Vice President -
Chief Operating Officer. The Company employs nineteen merchandise buyers. Buyers
are assisted by a management information system that provides them with current
price, volume information and on-hand quantities by SKU (stock keeping unit),
thus allowing them to react quickly with buying and pricing adjustments dictated
by customer buying patterns.
The
Company purchases its merchandise from approximately 2,400 suppliers. The
Company generally does not utilize long-term supply contracts. Only one supplier
accounted for more than 5% of the Company's total purchases in fiscal 2009 and
competing brand name and private label products are available from other
suppliers at competitive prices. The Company believes that its relationships
with its suppliers are good and that the loss of any one or more of its
suppliers would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Pricing
The
Company's pricing strategy, with its promotional activities, is designed to
bring consistent value to the customer. In fiscal 2010, promotions on various
items will be offered approximately 50 times through advertising
circulars.
Distribution
and Transportation
The
Company operates a 352,000 square foot distribution center in Abilene, Kansas,
from which it services all stores. The distribution center is responsible for
distributing approximately 79% of the Company's merchandise, with the balance
being delivered directly to the Company's stores by its vendors. The
distribution center maintains an integrated management information system,
allowing the Company to utilize such cost cutting efficiencies as perpetual
inventories, safety programs, and employee productivity software.
Management
Information Systems
The
Company has made a significant investment in the purchase and implementation of
industry standard technology with the intent to lower costs, improve customer
service, improve associate productivity, provide necessary controls and enhance
general business planning and execution.
In general, the
Company's merchandising systems are designed to integrate the key retailing
functions of seasonal merchandise planning, purchase order management,
merchandise distribution, sales information and inventory maintenance and
replenishment.
All
of the Company's ALCO stores have POS computer terminals that capture sales
information and transmit to the Company's data processing facilities where it is
used to drive management, financial, and supply chain functions.
The
Company has committed significant efforts towards establishing a technical
infrastructure, and a core of operational systems, that will support the
Company’s future needs. The Company will continue to maintain and
leverage this core of systems, plus adding industry leading business area
specific solutions to meet business objectives. The Company has
established an integrated infrastructure of data, processes, and technology that
provides the necessary business and regulatory controls, while positioning for
future growth and efficiency. The Company is aligned on the need to
use technology to enhance customer service, support fact based decision making,
improve associate productivity and drive business functionality and
efficiency.
Store
Locations
As of
February 1, 2009, the Company operated 208 ALCO stores in 23 states located in
smaller communities in the central United States. The ALCO stores average
approximately 20,500 square feet of selling space, with an additional 5,000
square feet utilized for merchandise processing, temporary storage and
administration. The Company also operates 50 Duckwall stores in 9 states. The
geographic distribution of the Company's stores is as follows:
Duckwall
Stores
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ALCO
Stores
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Colorado
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4
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Arizona
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7
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Montana
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1
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Iowa
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3
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Arkansas
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4
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Nebraska
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16
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Kansas
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21
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Colorado
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13
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New
Mexico
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8
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Nebraska
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6
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Florida
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1
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North
Dakota
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10
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New
Mexico
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1
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Georgia
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3
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Ohio
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4
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North
Dakota
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1
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Idaho
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5
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Oklahoma
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9
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Oklahoma
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5
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Illinois
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10
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South
Dakota
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11
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South
Dakota
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1
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Indiana
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14
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Texas
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28
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Texas
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8
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Iowa
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9
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Utah
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6
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Kansas
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26
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Wisconsin
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1
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Minnesota
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12
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Wyoming
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3
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Missouri
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7
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Competition
While the
broad line retail business in general is highly competitive, the Company's
business strategy is to locate its ALCO stores in smaller markets where
there is no direct competition with larger national or regional broad line
retail chains, and where it is believed no such competition is likely to
develop. Accordingly, the Company's primary method of competing is to offer its
customers a conveniently located store with a wide range of merchandise
at value prices in a primary trade area population under 16,000 that does
not have a large national or regional broad line retail store. The Company
believes that trade area size is a significant deterrent to larger national and
regional broad line retail chains. Duckwall stores are located in very
small markets, and like the ALCO stores, emphasize the convenience of location
to the primary customer base.
In
the broad line retail business in general, price, merchandise
selection, merchandise quality, advertising and customer service are all
important aspects of competing. The Company encounters direct competition with
national broad line retail stores in approximately 23% of its ALCO
markets, and another 5% of the ALCO stores are in direct competition with
regional broad line retail stores. The competing national broad line retailers
are generally larger than the Company and the stores of such competitors in the
Company's markets are substantially larger, have a somewhat wider selection of
merchandise and are very price competitive in some lines of merchandise. Where
there are no national or regional broad line retail stores directly
competing with the Company's ALCO stores, the Company's customers nevertheless
shop at broad line retail stores and other retailers located in regional trade
centers, and to that extent the Company competes with such broad
line stores and retailers. The Company also competes for retail sales with
other entities, such as specialty retailers, mass merchandisers, dollar
stores and the internet. In the 114 markets in which the Company operates a
Class 18 Store, only 10 markets have direct competition from a national or
regional broad line retailer. The Company competes with dollar stores in
approximately 85 percent of its ALCO stores and approximately 40 percent of its
Duckwall stores.
Employees
As of
February 1, 2009, the Company employed approximately 4,200 people. Of these
employees, approximately 440 were employed in the store support center and
distribution center in Abilene, Kansas, and 3,760 in the store locations.
Additional employees are hired on a seasonal basis, most of whom are sales
personnel. We offer a broad range of company-paid benefits to our employees,
including a 401(k) plan, medical and dental plans, short-term and long-term
disability insurance, paid vacation and merchandise discounts. Eligibility for
and the level of these benefits varies depending on the employees' full-time or
part-time status and/or length of service. There is no collective bargaining
agreement for any of the Company's employees. The Company considers its
relations with its employees to be excellent.
Seasonality
The
Company, like that of most retailers, is subject to seasonal
influences. The Company’s highest sales levels occur in the fourth
quarter of its fiscal year, which includes the Christmas holiday selling
season. For more information on seasonality, see “Item 7 Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation –
Seasonality and Quarterly Results.”
Trademarks
and Service Marks
The names
“Duckwall” and “ALCO” are registered service marks of the
Company. The Company considers these marks and the accompanying name
recognition to be valuable to the business.
Available
Information
The
Company files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”),
including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current
reports on Form 8-K and other reports as required. The public may read and copy
any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room
at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
The Company is an electronic filer and the SEC maintains an Internet site
at
www.sec.gov
that contains the reports, proxy and information statements, and other
information filed electronically.
The
Company’s internet website is
www.ALCOstores.com
. Through
the “Investors” portion of this website, we make available, free of charge, our
proxy statements, Annual Reports on Form 10-K, SEC Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any
amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such
material has been filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Charters
of our Board of Directors’ Audit Committee and Compensation Committee; and Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors and Senior Officers as well as for
Associates have also been posted on our website, under the caption “Investors -
Corporate Governance.”
Information
contained on the Company’s website is not part of this Annual Report on Form
10-K. The materials listed above will be provided without charge to any
stockholder submitting a written request to the Company’s Secretary at 401
Cottage, Abilene, Kansas 67410-2832.
ITEM
1A. RISK
FACTORS.
Our
business is subject to a variety of risks, most of which are beyond our
control.
Adverse
economic conditions in the markets and regions we serve may disproportionately
affect us.
Similar
to other retail businesses, the Company’s operations may be affected adversely
by general economic conditions and events which result in reduced consumer
spending in the markets served by its stores. Our stores are concentrated in
Kansas, Texas and Nebraska. Also, smaller communities where the Company’s
stores are located may be dependent upon a few large employers or may be
significantly affected by economic conditions in the industry upon which the
community relies for its economic viability, such as the agricultural industry.
This may make the Company’s stores more vulnerable to a downturn in the
particular regions where they are located and in a particular segment of the
economy than the Company’s competitors, which operate in markets which are
larger metropolitan areas where the local economy is more
diverse.
We
may be forced to lower prices to effectively compete, which would adversely
affect our financial results.
The
Company operates in the broad line retail business, which is highly
competitive. Although the Company prefers markets that don’t have direct
competition from national or regional broad line retail stores, competition
still exists. Even in non-competitive markets, the Company’s customers shop at
broad line retail stores and other retailers located in regional trade
centers. The Company also competes for retail sales with other entities, such
as specialty retailers, mass merchandisers, dollar stores and the
internet. This competitive environment subjects the Company to the
risk of reduced profitability because the Company may be forced to lower its
prices, resulting in lower margins, in order to maintain its competitive
position.
If
we cannot effectively open new stores, our ability to improve our financial
results will be adversely affected.
The
growth in the Company’s sales and operating net income depends to a substantial
degree on its expansion program. This expansion strategy is dependent upon the
Company’s ability to open and operate new stores effectively, efficiently and on
a profitable basis. The Company prefers to locate its ALCO stores in smaller
retail markets where no competing broad line retail store is located
within the primary trade area. The Company’s ability to open new stores
timely and to expand into additional market areas depends in part on the
following factors: availability of store locations, the ability to hire and
train new store personnel, the ability to react to consumer needs and trends on
a timely basis, and the availability of sufficient capital for
expansion.
Disruptions
in credit markets could result in banks' not honoring funding commitments, which
would be adverse for our liquidity.
Disruptions
in the capital and credit markets, as have been experienced during fiscal 2009,
could adversely affect the ability of lenders to meet their commitments. Our
access to funds under the credit facility is dependent on the ability of the
banks that are parties to the facility to meet their funding commitments. Those
banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments to us if they experience
shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of
borrowing requests within a short period of time.
Constrained
capital markets could threaten our liquidity and capital resources. Longer
term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty,
changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives, or failures of
significant financial institutions could adversely affect our access to
liquidity needed for our business. Any disruption could require us to take
measures to conserve cash until the markets stabilize or until alternative
credit arrangements or other funding for our business needs can be arranged.
Such measures could include deferring capital expenditures and reducing other
discretionary uses of cash. We believe operating cash flows and current
credit facilities will be adequate to fund our working capital requirements,
scheduled debt repayments and to support the development of our short-term and
long-term operating strategies.
If
we cannot effectively implement or use information technology, our financial
results and operations would be adversely affected.
If we
cannot effectively implement technology upgrades, it could have a material
impact on the Company’s results of operations. The Company depends on
information systems to process transactions, manage inventory, purchase, sell
and ship goods on a timely basis. Any material disruption or slowdown of our
systems could cause information to be lost or delayed which could have a
negative effect on our business.
Changes
in federal, state or local news and regulations, or our failure to comply with
such laws and regulations, could increase our expenses and expose us to legal
risks.
Our
business is subject to a wide array of laws and
regulations. Significant legislative changes that impact our
relationship with our workforce (none of which is represented by unions as of
the end of fiscal 2009) could increase our expenses and adversely affect
our operations. Examples of possible legislative changes impacting
our relationship with our workforce include changes to minimum wage
requirements and health care mandates. In addition, certain aspects
of our business, such as credit card operations, are more heavily regulated
than other areas. Changes in the regulatory environmental regarding
topics such as banking and consumer credit, privacy and information
security, product safety or environmental protection, among others, could cause
our expenses to increase. In addition, it we fail to comply with
applicable laws and regulations, particularly wage and hour laws, we could be
subject to legal risk, including governmental enforcement action and class
action civil litigation, which could adversely affect our results of
operations.
A
failure to design, implement or maintain an adequate system of internal controls
could adversely affect our ability to manage our business or detect
fraud.
The
Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a
process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting
includes: maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly
reflect our transactions; providing reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded as necessary for preparation of the financial statements; providing
reasonable assurance that our receipts and expenditures of our assets are made
in accordance with management authorization; and providing reasonable assurance
that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have
a material effect on the financial statements would be prevented or detected on
a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a
misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected. Any
failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial
reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and
timely or to detect and prevent fraud. The Company continues to refine and
test its internal control over financial reporting processes.
Our
results are subject to seasonal variations.
Quarterly
results of operations have historically fluctuated as a result of retail
consumers purchasing patterns, with the highest quarter in terms of sales and
profitability being the fourth quarter. Quarterly results of operations will
likely continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of such patterns and may
fluctuate due to the timing of new store openings.
Our
stock price may be volatile.
No
assurance can be given that operating results will not vary from quarter to
quarter, and any fluctuations in quarterly operating results may result in
volatility in the Company’s stock price.
We
are dependent on key personnel.
The
development of the Company’s business is largely dependent on the efforts of its
current management team headed by Larry J. Zigerelli and five other executive
officers. The loss of the services of one or more of these officers could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
We
are exposed to interest rate risks.
The
Company is subject to market risk from exposure to changes in interest rates
based on its financing requirements. Changes in interest rates could have a
negative impact on the Company’s profitability.
If
we fail to anticipate and respond quickly to changing consumer preferences, our
sales, gross margin and profitability could suffer.
A substantial part of our business is
dependent on our ability to make trend-right decisions in apparel, home décor,
seasonal offerings and other merchandise. Failure to accurately predict
constantly changing consumer tastes, preferences, spending patterns and other
lifestyles decisions could lead to lost sales, increased markdowns on inventory
and adversely affect our results of operations.
Interruptions
in our supply chain could adversely affect our results.
We are dependent on our vendors to
supply merchandise in a timely and efficient manner. If a vendor
fails to deliver on its commitments, whether due to financial difficulties or
other reasons, we could experience merchandise shortages that could lead to lost
sales. In addition, a large portion of our merchandise is sourced,
directly or indirectly, from outside the United States, with China as our single
largest source. Political or financial instability, trade
restrictions, tariffs, currency exchange rates, the outbreak of pandemics, labor
unrest, transport capacity and costs, port security or other events that could
slow port activities and impact foreign trade are beyond our control and could
disrupt our supply of merchandise and adversely affect our results of
operations.
Product
safety concerns could adversely affect our sales and results
operations.
If our merchandise offerings, including
food, drug and children’s products, do not meet applicable safety standards or
our guests’ expectations regarding safety, we could experience lost sales,
experience increased costs and be exposed to legal and reputational
risk. All of our vendors must comply with applicable product safety
laws, and we are dependent on them to ensure that the products we buy comply
with all safety standards. Events that give rise to actual, potential
or perceived product safety concerns, including food or drug contamination,
could expose us to governmental enforcement action or private litigation and
result in costly product recalls and other liabilities. In addition,
negative customer perceptions regarding the safety of the products we sell could
cause our customers to seek alternative sources for their needs, resulting in
lost sales. In those circumstances, it may be difficult and costly
for us to regain the confidence of our customers.
If
we fail to protect the security of personal information about our customer, we
could be subject to costly government enforcement actions or private litigation
and our reputation could suffer.
The nature of our experience involves
the receipt and storage of personal information about our
customers. If we experience a data security breach, we could be
exposed to governmental enforcement actions and private
litigation. In addition, our customers could lose confidence in our
ability to protect their personal information, which could cause them to
discontinue usage of our credit card products or stop shopping at our
stores altogether. Such events could lead to lost future sales and
adversely affect our results of operations.
ITEM
1B.
|
UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS.
|
None.
The
Company owns facilities in Abilene, Kansas that consist of a store support
center (approximately 35,000 square feet), the Distribution Center
(approximately 352,000 square feet) and additional warehouse space adjacent to
the store support center (approximately 95,500 square feet).
Three of
the ALCO stores and one of the Duckwall stores operate in buildings owned by the
Company. The remainder of the stores operate in properties leased by the
Company. As of February 1, 2009, such ALCO leases account for approximately
4,200,000 square feet of lease space, which expire as follows: approximately
465,000 square feet (11.1%) expire between February 2, 2009 and January 31,
2010; approximately 550,000 square feet (13.1%) expire between February 1, 2010
and January 30, 2011; and approximately 400,000 square feet (9.6%) expire
between January 31, 2011 and January 29, 2012. The remainder of the leases
expire through 2024. All Duckwall store leases have terms remaining of 36 months
or less. The majority of the leases that are about to expire have renewal
options with lease terms that are the same as the existing lease.
ITEM
3.
|
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS.
|
Other
than routine litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of business,
the Company is not a party to any material litigation.
ITEM
4.
|
SUBMISSION
OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY
HOLDERS.
|
No
matters were submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company during the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended February 1, 2009.
PART
II
ITEM
5.
|
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON
EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY
SECURITIES.
|
The
Common Stock of the Company is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market tier of The
NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol “DUCK”. The following table sets forth the
range of high and low bid information for the Company's Common Stock for each
quarter of fiscal 2009 and 2008.
Fiscal
2009
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
First
quarter
|
|
$
|
23.88
|
|
|
$
|
10.55
|
|
Second
quarter
|
|
$
|
16.05
|
|
|
$
|
9.04
|
|
Third
quarter
|
|
$
|
16.29
|
|
|
$
|
10.51
|
|
Fourth
quarter
|
|
$
|
13.15
|
|
|
$
|
7.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2008
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
First
quarter
|
|
$
|
41.49
|
|
|
$
|
34.44
|
|
Second
quarter
|
|
$
|
40.50
|
|
|
$
|
36.51
|
|
Third
quarter
|
|
$
|
40.88
|
|
|
$
|
35.13
|
|
Fourth
quarter
|
|
$
|
37.00
|
|
|
$
|
21.53
|
|
The
following graph compares the cumulative total return of the Company, the NASDAQ
Stock Market Index, and the S&P Retail Index (assuming dividends reinvested
at the end of each subsequent fiscal year). The graph assumes $100 was invested
on February 2, 2004 in Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. Common Stock, the NASDAQ Stock
Market Index, and the S&P Retail Index.
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
NASDAQ
Composite Index
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
|
99.91
|
|
|
|
112.72
|
|
|
|
121.28
|
|
|
|
118.40
|
|
|
|
59.00
|
|
S&P
Retail Index
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
|
115.41
|
|
|
|
122.43
|
|
|
|
140.37
|
|
|
|
113.09
|
|
|
|
69.07
|
|
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc.
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
|
128.21
|
|
|
|
176.07
|
|
|
|
234.40
|
|
|
|
148.61
|
|
|
|
65.33
|
|
Based
upon the data reflected in the table, at February 1, 2009, a $100 investment in
the Company's Common Stock in 2004 would have a total return value of $65.33, as
compared to $59.00 for the Composite NASDAQ Index and $69.07 for the S&P
Retail Index.
There can
be no assurances that the Company's stock performance will continue into the
future with the same or similar trends depicted in the graph
above. The Company does not make or endorse any predictions as to
future stock performance. We did not sell any equity securities during
fiscal 2009 which were not registered under the Securities Act.
As of
April 16, 2009, there were approximately
1,200 holders of record
of the Common Stock of the Company. The Company has not paid cash dividends on
its Common Stock during the last five fiscal years. The terms of the
Security Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2008, between the Company and Bank
of America allow for the payment of dividends unless certain loan covenants are
triggered, which did not occur in fiscal 2009 and are not expected to occur
during fiscal 2010.
Company
Repurchases of Common Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Number
|
|
|
Maximum
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
Shares
|
|
|
of
Shares
|
|
|
|
Total
Number Of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased
as Part
|
|
|
that
May Yet
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Average
Price Paid
|
|
|
of
Publicly Announced
|
|
|
Be
Purchased Under
|
|
Period
|
|
Purchased
|
|
|
per
Share
|
|
|
Plans
or Programs
|
|
|
the
Plans or Programs
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
196,663
|
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
196,663
|
|
Third
Quarter
|
|
|
14,031
|
|
|
|
13.65
|
|
|
|
14,031
|
|
|
|
182,632
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/03/08
- 11/30/08
|
|
|
5,766
|
|
|
|
11.93
|
|
|
|
5,766
|
|
|
|
176,866
|
|
12/01/08
- 01/04/09
|
|
|
2,400
|
|
|
|
10.46
|
|
|
|
2,400
|
|
|
|
174,466
|
|
01/05/09
- 02/01/09
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
174,466
|
|
|
|
|
8,166
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,166
|
|
|
|
174,466
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
of February 1, 2009
|
|
|
22,197
|
|
|
$
|
12.86
|
|
|
|
22,197
|
|
|
|
174,466
|
|
On July
1, 2008, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Lawrence J.
Zigerelli as part his starting employment at the Company. Mr. Zigerelli
purchased 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The purchase price was
$9.05 which was the closing price of the stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on
the date of the agreement. The agreement was executed in reliance upon the
exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act. The proceeds of this transaction were used by the Company for
general purposes.
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered
Securities
The
Company did not sell any equity securities during fiscal 2009 that were not
registered under the Securities Act.
Securities
Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
See the
information provided in the “Equity Compensation Plan Information” section of
the Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on or about June
4, 2009, which information is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM
6. SELECTED
FINANCIAL DATA.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(dollars
in thousands, except per share and store data)
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
53
Weeks
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
|
February
1,
|
|
|
February
3,
|
|
|
January
28,
|
|
|
January
29,
|
|
|
January
30,
|
|
Statement
of Operations Data
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
490,021
|
|
|
|
481,770
|
|
|
|
446,870
|
|
|
|
408,619
|
|
|
|
385,451
|
|
Cost
of sales
|
|
|
336,117
|
|
|
|
329,405
|
|
|
|
304,869
|
|
|
|
277,298
|
|
|
|
256,786
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
153,904
|
|
|
|
152,365
|
|
|
|
142,001
|
|
|
|
131,321
|
|
|
|
128,665
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
147,846
|
|
|
|
138,349
|
|
|
|
123,661
|
|
|
|
117,223
|
|
|
|
115,978
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
9,302
|
|
|
|
9,464
|
|
|
|
6,513
|
|
|
|
5,632
|
|
|
|
6,153
|
|
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(3,244
|
)
|
|
|
4,552
|
|
|
|
11,827
|
|
|
|
8,466
|
|
|
|
6,534
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
1,867
|
|
|
|
3,382
|
|
|
|
2,729
|
|
|
|
1,272
|
|
|
|
1,230
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations before
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
income taxes and discontinued operations
|
|
|
(5,111
|
)
|
|
|
1,170
|
|
|
|
9,098
|
|
|
|
7,194
|
|
|
|
5,304
|
|
Income
tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
(2,090
|
)
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
|
3,204
|
|
|
|
2,469
|
|
|
|
1,605
|
|
Earning
(loss) from continuing operations before
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
discontinued operations
|
|
|
(3,021
|
)
|
|
|
782
|
|
|
|
5,894
|
|
|
|
4,725
|
|
|
|
3,699
|
|
Income
(loss) from discontinued operations, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of income tax
|
|
|
(1,955
|
)
|
|
|
(1,006
|
)
|
|
|
(190
|
)
|
|
|
(2,776
|
)
|
|
|
223
|
|
Net
earnings (loss) (1)
|
|
$
|
(4,976
|
)
|
|
|
(224
|
)
|
|
|
5,704
|
|
|
|
1,949
|
|
|
|
3,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per
Share Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) per share - basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) before discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
(0.79
|
)
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
1.55
|
|
|
|
1.16
|
|
|
|
0.84
|
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
(0.68
|
)
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
|
$
|
(1.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
|
0.89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) per share - diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) before discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
(0.79
|
)
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
1.54
|
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
|
|
0.83
|
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
(0.67
|
)
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
|
$
|
(1.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
1.49
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
0.88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
3,809,109
|
|
|
|
3,807,033
|
|
|
|
3,792,202
|
|
|
|
4,083,798
|
|
|
|
4,391,538
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
3,809,109
|
|
|
|
3,807,033
|
|
|
|
3,828,928
|
|
|
|
4,117,922
|
|
|
|
4,464,416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stores
open at year-end
|
|
|
258
|
|
|
|
243
|
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
|
219
|
|
|
|
215
|
|
Stores
in non-competitive markets at year-end (2)
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
186
|
|
|
|
171
|
|
|
|
169
|
|
|
|
169
|
|
Same-stores
open at year-end
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
|
219
|
|
|
|
215
|
|
|
|
209
|
|
|
|
203
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage
of total stores in non-competitive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
markets (2)
|
|
|
77.5
|
%
|
|
|
76.5
|
%
|
|
|
76.0
|
%
|
|
|
77.2
|
%
|
|
|
78.6
|
%
|
Percentage
of net sales from stores in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
non-competitive markets , excluding fuel (2)(3)
|
|
|
77.2
|
%
|
|
|
76.9
|
%
|
|
|
75.1
|
%
|
|
|
75.1
|
%
|
|
|
74.6
|
%
|
Same-store
sales (decrease) increase for all stores,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
excluding fuel (3)
|
|
|
(5.1
|
)
%
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
|
|
7.6
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
8.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
$
|
208,775
|
|
|
|
185,386
|
|
|
|
195,420
|
|
|
|
178,922
|
|
|
|
163,118
|
|
Total
Debt (includes capital lease
obligation
and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,841
|
|
|
|
33,013
|
|
|
|
29,988
|
|
|
|
26,240
|
|
|
|
8,605
|
|
Stockholders'
equity
|
|
$
|
102,040
|
|
|
|
107,172
|
|
|
|
106,060
|
|
|
|
102,147
|
|
|
|
114,676
|
|
(1)
|
Effective
January 29, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS no 123(R),
Share-Based Payments
.
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses is $186 of
share-based compensation in fiscal 2009 and $1.1 million in fiscal
2008, respectively. No expense was recorded for share-based
compensation in earlier
years.
|
(2)
|
“Non-competitive”
markets refer to those markets where there is not a
national or regional broad line retail store located in the
primary market served by the Company. The Company's stores in such
non-competitive markets nevertheless face competition from various
sources. See Item 1
“Business-Competition”.
|
(3)
|
Percentages,
as adjusted to a comparable 52 week year, reflect the increase or decrease
based upon a comparison of the applicable fiscal year with the immediately
preceding fiscal year for stores open during the entirety of both
years. For fiscal 2008, sales were reduced by the week 53
amount.
|
(4)
|
An asset
impairment charge is included in depreciation and amortization, of $1.3
million for fiscal 2009, $2.1 million for fiscal 2008 and $130 for fiscal
2007, respectively. For fiscal 2009, $299 of the impairment
is
attributable to writing down the carrying value on property held for
sale.
|
ITEM
7.
|
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATION.
|
Overview
Operations
. The Company is a
regional broad line retailer operating in 23 states in the central
United States.
The
Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31. Fiscal years
2009, 2008 and 2007 consisted 52 weeks, 53 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively. For
purposes of this management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and
results of operations, the financial numbers are presented in
thousands.
Strategy.
The Company's
overall business strategy involves identifying and opening stores in towns that
will provide the Company with the highest return on investment. The Company
prefers markets that do not have direct competition from national or
regional broad line retail stores. The Company also somewhat competes for
retail sales with other entities, such as mail order companies, specialty
retailers, stores, manufacturer's outlets and the internet.
The
Company is constantly evaluating the appropriate mix of merchandise to improve
sales and gross margin performance. The Company uses centralized purchasing,
merchandising, pricing and warehousing to obtain volume discounts, improve
efficiencies and achieve consistency among stores and the best overall results.
The Company utilizes information obtained from its new POS system and regular
input from its store associates to determine its merchandise
offerings.
The
Company continually implements new merchandising and marketing initiatives in an
effort to increase customer traffic and same-store sales. The Company is also
adding new items and brands to its assortments and has made changes to its
advertising program that combines promotional pricing and solution
selling.
Recent Events.
·
|
Lawrence
J. Zigerelli joined the Company on July 1, 2008 to become the President –
Chief Executive Officer.
|
|
·
|
Donny
R. Johnson was promoted to Executive Vice President - Chief Financial
Officer on July 1, 2008 after serving as Interim Chief Executive
Officer.
|
|
·
|
Jane
F. Gilmartin joined the Company on July 24, 2008 to become the Executive
Vice President – Chief Operating Officer.
|
|
·
|
Anthony
C. Corradi, Senior Vice President - Technology and Supply Chain resigned
from the Company on August 1, 2008.
|
|
·
|
Edmond
C. Beaith joined the Company on August 25, 2008 to become the Senior Vice
President - Chief Information Officer.
|
|
·
|
On
September 3, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with Accenture,
LLP to provide the Company with consulting services to increase the
Company's operating efficiency and reduce shrink "Store Transformation
Project".
|
|
·
|
James
M. Spencer joined the Company on December 15, 2008 to become the Senior
Vice President - Store Operations.
|
|
·
|
Phillip D. Hixon,
Senior Vice President was terminated on January 29, 2009.
|
|
Key Items in Fiscal 2009.
The
Company measures itself against a number of financial metrics to assess its
performance. Some of the important financial items during fiscal 2009
were:
·
|
Net
sales increased 1.7% to $490,021. Same-store sales decreased 5.1%,
excluding the Company's two fuel centers, compared to the prior
year, as adjusted for 52 week comparability.
|
|
·
|
Gross
margin decreased to 31.4% of sales, compared to 31.6% in the prior
year. Excluding the first quarter $1.3 million inventory review
initiative charge, fiscal 2009 gross margin is
31.7%.
|
|
·
|
Selling,
general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were 30.2% of sales,
compared to 28.7% in the prior year. Excluding executive and staff
severance and Store Transformation Project expenses, fiscal 2009 SG&A
expenses were 29.3%.
|
|
·
|
Net loss
per share was ($1.30), compared to a loss of ($0.05) per share in the
prior year.
|
|
·
|
Return
on average equity was (4.8%), compared to (0.2%) in the prior
year.
|
|
Same
store sales growth is a measure which may indicate whether existing stores are
maintaining their market share. Other factors, such as the overall economy, may
also affect same store sales. The Company defines same stores as those stores
that were open as of the first day of the prior fiscal year and remain open at
the end of the reporting period (this may also be referred to
as same-stores).
Gross
margin percentage is a key measure of the Company's ability to maximize profit
on the purchase and subsequent sale of merchandise, while minimizing promotional
and clearance markdowns, shrinkage, damage and returns. Gross margin percentage
is defined as sales less cost of sales, expressed as a percentage of
sales.
Selling,
general and administrative expenses are a measure of the Company’s ability to
manage and control its expenses to purchase, distribute and sell
merchandise.
Earnings
per share ("EPS") growth is an indicator of the returns generated for the
Company's stockholders. EPS from continuing operations was $(0.79) per basic
share for fiscal 2009, compared to $0.21 per basic share for the prior fiscal
year. Return on average equity is a measure of how much income was
produced on the average equity of the Company.
Results of Operations.
The
following table sets forth, for the fiscal years indicated, the components of
the Company's consolidated statements of operations expressed as a percentage of
net sales:
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
53
Weeks
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
|
February
1,
|
|
|
February
3,
|
|
|
January
28,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Cost
of sales
|
|
|
68.6
|
|
|
|
68.4
|
|
|
|
68.2
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
31.4
|
|
|
|
31.6
|
|
|
|
31.8
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
30.2
|
|
|
|
28.7
|
|
|
|
27.7
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
|
|
30.7
|
|
|
|
29.2
|
|
Operating
income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations before income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
taxes
and discontinued operations
|
|
|
(1.1
|
)
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
Income
tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
(0.4
|
)
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations before discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
1.3
|
|
Earnings (loss)
from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit
|
|
|
(0.4
|
)
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
|
|
(1.1
|
)
%
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
%
|
|
|
1.3
|
%
|
Critical
Accounting Policies
Our
analysis of operations and financial condition is based on our consolidated
financial statements, prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP). Preparation of these consolidated financial
statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements,
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and
related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. In the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements, we describe our significant accounting
policies used in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Our estimates
are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are drawn from historical experience and
other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Actual results could differ under different assumptions or conditions. The
following items in our consolidated financial statements require significant
estimation or judgment:
Inventory
: As discussed in
Note 1(d) to the Consolidated Financial Statements, inventories are stated at
the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost determined using the
last-in, first-out “LIFO” method. Merchandise inventories in our stores are
valued by the retail method. The retail method is widely used in the retail
industry due to its practicality. Under the retail method, cost is determined by
applying a calculated cost-to-retail ratio across groupings of similar items,
known as departments. As a result, the retail method results in an averaging of
inventory costs across similar items within a department. The cost-to-retail
ratio is applied to ending inventory at its current owned retail valuation to
determine the cost of ending inventory on a department basis. Current owned
retail represents the retail price for which merchandise is offered for sale on
a regular basis reduced for any permanent or clearance markdowns. Use
of the retail method does not eliminate the use of management judgments and
estimates, including markdowns and shrinkage, which significantly impact the
ending inventory valuation at cost and the resulting gross margins. The Company
continually evaluates product categories to determine if markdown action is
appropriate, or if a markdown reserve should be established. The Company
recognizes that the use of the retail method will result in valuing inventories
at lower of cost or market if markdowns are currently taken as a reduction of
the retail value of inventories. Management believes that the retail
method provides an inventory valuation which reasonably approximates cost and
results in carrying inventory at the lower of cost or market. For LIFO, the
Company determines lower of cost or market by pool.
Insurance
: The Company
retains significant deductibles on its insurance policies for workers
compensation, general liability, medical claims and prescriptions. Due to the
fact that it often takes more than one year to determine the actual costs, these
costs are estimated based on the Company’s historical loss experience and
estimates from the insurance carriers and consultants. The Company completes an
actuarial evaluation of its loss experience twice each year. In between
actuarial evaluations, management monitors the cost and number of claims and
compares those results to historical amounts. The Company’s actuarial method is
the fully developed method. The Company records its reserves on an undiscounted
basis. The Company’s prior estimates have varied based on changes in assumptions
related to actual claims versus estimated ultimate loss calculations. Current
and future estimates could be affected by changes in those same assumptions and
are reasonably likely to occur.
Consideration received from
vendors:
Cost of sales and SG&A expenses are partially offset by
various forms of consideration received from our vendors. This
“vendor income” is earned for a variety of vendor-sponsored programs, such as
volume rebates, markdown allowances, promotions, warehouse cost reimbursement
and advertising. Consideration received, to the extent that it
reimburses specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred to date, is
recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the same period as
the associated expenses are incurred. Reimbursements received that are in excess
of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred to date are recognized
as a reduction to the cost of the merchandise and are reflected in costs of
sales as the merchandise is sold. The Company establishes a
receivable for the vendor income that is earned but not yet
received. Based on provisions of the agreements in place, this
receivable is computed by estimating when the Company has completed its
performance and the amount has been earned. The majority of year-end
receivables associated with these activities are collected within the following
fiscal quarter.
Analysis of long-lived assets
for impairment:
The Company reviews assets for impairment at
the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows, usually at the
store level. The carrying amount of assets is compared with the
expected undiscounted future cash flows to be generated by those assets over
their estimated remaining economic lives. If the undiscounted cash
flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the asset is written
down to
fair value. Factors that could result in an impairment review include, but
are not limited to, a current period cash flow loss combined with a history of
cash flow losses or a projection that demonstrates continuing losses
associated
with the use of a long-lived asset or significant changes in a manner of use of
the assets due to business strategies or competitive environment. Additionally,
when a commitment is made to close a store beyond the quarter in which the
disclosure commitment is made, it is reviewed for impairment and depreciable
lives are adjusted. The impairment evaluation is based on the estimated
cash flows from continuing use until the expected disposal date plus the
expected terminal value. Actual results could vary from management
estimates.
Income Taxes:
The Company
adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”)
interpretation No 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), on January 29, 2007.
FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement standard for
the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or
expected to be taken in a tax return. The recognition and measurement of tax
benefits is often highly judgmental. Determinations regarding the recognition
and measurement of a tax benefit can change as additional developments occur
relative to the issue. Accordingly, the Company’s future results may include
favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our unrecognized tax
benefits.
The
Company records valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets, when
necessary, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) No. 109,
“Accounting for Income
Taxes.”
Realization of deferred tax assets (such as net operating loss
carryforwards) is dependent on future taxable earnings and is therefore
uncertain. The Company will assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets
in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates will be recovered from future
taxable income. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to
recognize the extent to which, more likely than not, the future tax benefits
will not be realized.
Share-Based Payments:
Effective January 30, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 "
Share-Based Payment
" ("SFAS
123(R)") and began recognizing share-based compensation expense for its
share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards. Share-based payments
consist of stock option grants. SFAS 123(R) requires share-based compensation
expense recognized since January 30, 2006 to be based on the following: a) grant
date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123
for unvested options granted prior to the adoption date and b) grant date fair
value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R) for all
share-based payments granted subsequent to the adoption date. For Executives,
Directors and non-Executives, the Company estimates a forfeiture rate for each
group. An actual turnover rate, lower or higher than historical trends and
changes in estimated forfeiture rates would impact the share-based compensation
expense recorded by the Company.
Fiscal
2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008
Net sales
for fiscal 2009 increased $8.3 million or 1.7% to $490.0 million compared to
$481.8 million for fiscal 2008. During fiscal 2009, the Company
opened fifteen ALCO stores, of which four were in markets
previously occupied by a Duckwall store. Eleven ALCO stores were closed and four
Duckwall stores were closed, resulting in a year end total of 258 stores. Net
sales for all stores open the full year in both fiscal 2009 and 2008
(same-stores), decreased by $22.6 million or (5.1%), excluding the two fuel
centers, in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008, as adjusted for 52 week
comparability.
Gross
margin for fiscal 2009 increased $1.5 million, or 1.0%, to $153.9 million
compared to $152.4 million in fiscal 2008. As a percentage of net sales, gross
margin decreased to 31.4% in fiscal 2009 compared to 31.6% in fiscal
2008. Fiscal 2009 gross margin was positively impacted by continued shrink
improvement and increased vendor considerations, offset by inventory review
initiative expenses. Excluding the first quarter $1.3 million inventory
review initiative charge, fiscal 2009 gross margin is 31.7%.
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased $9.5 million or 6.9% to $147.8
million in fiscal 2009 compared to $138.3 million in fiscal 2008. As a
percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 30.2%
in fiscal 2009 and 28.7% in fiscal 2008. This increase is primarily
attributable to operating 33 new stores along with $2.2 million in fees
to Accenture associated with the Store Transformation Project and executive
and staff severance of $1.9 million. This increase of new stores
contributed to increased employee labor and benefits of $5.6 million and real
property rent of $4.7 million. In addition to the Store
Transformation Project fees of $2.2 million, also impacting SG&A expenses
were executive and staff severance of $1.9 million and reduced co-op
advertising offset of $603. These expense increases were somewhat
mitigated by reduced share-based compensation of $944, reduced floor care
services of $520 and reduced advertising expense of $631. Excluding
share-based compensation, preopening store costs, Store Transformation
Project fees and executive and staff severance (Adjusted SG&A expenses)
were 28.9% and 27.9% respectively for the fiscal 2009 and fiscal
2008.
Depreciation
and amortization expense decreased $162 or (1.7%) to $9.3 million in fiscal 2009
compared to $9.5 million in fiscal 2008. The decrease is attributable to
reduced asset impairment for fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008 offset by
increased depreciation from stores opened in fiscal 2009 and 2008.
Operating
income (loss) from continuing operations decreased $7.8 million, or (171.3%), to
($3.2) million in fiscal 2009 compared to $4.6 million in fiscal 2008. Operating
income (loss) from continuing operations as a percentage of net sales was (0.7%)
in fiscal 2009 compared to 0.9% in fiscal 2008.
Interest
expense decreased $1.5 million or (44.8%), to $1.9 million in fiscal 2009
compared to $3.4 million in fiscal 2008. The decrease in interest expense was
due to the reversal of accrued interest of $587 related to the FIN 48
liability of the Company and lower interest rates. Interest expense
may increase if the Company expands its borrowing to fund capital expenditures
or other programs.
Income
tax expense (benefit) on continuing operations were ($2.1) million in fiscal
2009 compared to $388 in fiscal 2008. The Company's effective tax rate was 40.9%
in fiscal 2009 and 33.2% in fiscal 2008. The effective tax rate is higher due to
the impact of permanent book and tax differences which have remained relatively
constant over the reporting periods as compared to a decrease in book
income.
Loss from
discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit was $2.0 million in fiscal
2009, compared to $1.0 million in fiscal 2008.
Fiscal
2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007
Net sales
for fiscal 2008 increased $34.9 million or 7.8% to $481.8 million compared to
$446.9 million for fiscal 2007. During fiscal 2008, the Company opened eighteen
ALCO stores, of which two were in markets previously occupied by a Duckwall
store. Three ALCO stores were closed and nine Duckwall stores were closed,
resulting in a year end total of 262 stores. Net sales for all stores open the
full year in both fiscal 2008 and 2007 (same-stores), increased by $17.5 million
or 4.2%, excluding the Company's two fuel centers and adjusted for 52 week
comparability, in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007.
Gross
margin for fiscal 2008 increased $10.4 million, or 7.3%, to $152.4 million
compared to $142.0 million in fiscal 2007. As a percentage of net sales, gross
margin decreased to 31.6% in fiscal 2008 compared to 31.8% in fiscal
2007. Fiscal 2008 gross margin was positively impacted by an increased
initial mark-on percentage, offset by reduced vendor considerations and
additional shrinkage reserve.
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased $14.7 million or 11.9% to $138.3
million in fiscal 2008 compared to $123.7 million in fiscal 2007. As a
percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 28.7%
in fiscal 2008 and 27.7% in fiscal 2007. The increase in selling, general
and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was due in part to
decreased vendor participation in CO-OP advertising, increased
payroll, credit card fees, advertising, utilities, new store rents and
professional services and software maintenance fees associated with rollout of
IT initiative.
Depreciation
and amortization expense increased $3.0 million or 45.3% to $9.5 million in
fiscal 2008 compared to $6.5 million in fiscal 2007. The increase is
attributable to a full year depreciation on stores opened in fiscal 2007, new
stores opened in fiscal 2008 and a long-lived asset impairment of $2.1
million.
Operating
income from continuing operations decreased $7.2 million, or (61.5%), to $4.6
million in fiscal 2008 compared to $11.8 million in fiscal 2007. Operating
income from continuing operations as a percentage of net sales was 0.9% in
fiscal 2008 compared to 2.7% in fiscal 2007.
Interest
expense increased $653 or 23.9%, to $3.4 million in fiscal 2008 compared to $2.7
million in fiscal 2007. The increase in interest expense was attributable to
increased borrowings by the Company during fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007.
Income
taxes on continuing operations were $388 in fiscal 2008 compared to $3.2 million
in fiscal 2007. The Company's effective tax rate was 33.2% in fiscal 2008 and
35.2% in fiscal 2007. The effective tax rate is lower due to the increase
in employment tax credits. Employment tax credits increased
significantly over prior year; however, this increase in favorable credits was
partially offset by an increase in state tax expense and share-based
compensation.
Loss from
discontinued operations, net of income taxes was $1.0 million in fiscal 2008,
compared to $190 in fiscal 2007.
SG&A
Detail; Certain Financial Matters
The
Company has included Adjusted SG&A and Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP
performance measures, as part of its disclosure as a means to enhance its
communications with stockholders. Certain stockholders have specifically
requested this information as a means of comparing the Company to other
retailers that disclose similar non-GAAP performance measures. Further,
management utilizes these measures in internal evaluation; review of performance
and to compare the Company’s financial measures to that of its peers. Adjusted
EBITDA differs from the most comparable GAAP financial measure (earnings from
continuing operations before discontinued operations) in that it does not
include certain items, as does Adjusted SG&A. These items are excluded
by management to better evaluate normalized operational cash flow and expenses
excluding unusual, inconsistent and non-cash charges. To compensate for
the limitations of evaluating the Company's performance using Adjusted SG&A
and Adjusted EBITDA, management also utilizes GAAP performance measures
such as gross margin return on investment, return on equity and cash
flow. As a result, Adjusted SG&A and Adjusted EBITDA may not
reflect important aspects of the results of the Company’s
operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
the Years Ended
|
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
53
Weeks
|
|
SG&A
Expenses Breakout
|
|
February
1, 2009
|
|
|
February
3, 2008
|
|
Store
support center (1)
|
|
$
|
26,427
|
|
|
|
21,430
|
|
Distribution
center
|
|
|
9,470
|
|
|
|
9,327
|
|
401K
expense
|
|
|
462
|
|
|
|
480
|
|
Same-store
SG&A
|
|
|
92,792
|
|
|
|
98,768
|
|
Non
same-store SG&A (2)
|
|
|
18,509
|
|
|
|
7,214
|
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
186
|
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
Final
SG&A as reported
|
|
|
147,846
|
|
|
|
138,349
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
(186
|
)
|
|
|
(1,130
|
)
|
Preopening
store costs (2)
|
|
|
(1,846
|
)
|
|
|
(2,783
|
)
|
Executive
and staff severance (1)
|
|
|
(1,942
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Store
Transformation Project
|
|
|
(2,220
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Adjusted
SG&A
|
|
$
|
141,652
|
|
|
|
134,436
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
SG&A as % of sales
|
|
|
28.9
|
%
|
|
|
27.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
per average selling square feet (3)
|
|
$
|
111.95
|
|
|
|
119.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
gross margin dollars per average selling square feet
(3)(4)
|
|
$
|
35.47
|
|
|
|
37.78
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
SG&A per average selling square feet (3)
|
|
$
|
32.36
|
|
|
|
33.33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
EBITDA per average selling square feet (3)(5)
|
|
$
|
3.11
|
|
|
|
4.45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
inventory per average selling square feet (3)(6)(7)
|
|
$
|
28.29
|
|
|
|
27.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
selling square feet (3)
|
|
|
4,377
|
|
|
|
4,033
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
stores operating beginning of period
|
|
|
262
|
|
|
|
256
|
|
Total
stores operating end of period
|
|
|
258
|
|
|
|
262
|
|
Total
stores less than twelve months old
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
non same-stores
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
Data: (8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Same-store
gross margin dollar change
|
|
|
(8.4
|
)%
|
|
|
7.8
|
%
|
Same-store
SG&A dollar change
|
|
|
(6.1
|
)%
|
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
Same-store
total customer count change
|
|
|
(10.4
|
)%
|
|
|
(3.1
|
)%
|
Same-store
average sale per ticket change
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
|
8.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
Store Support Center includes executive and staff
severance
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
Non same-stores are those stores opened in fiscal 2009 and fiscal
2008 and includes preopening costs
|
|
(3)
Average selling square feet is (beginning square feet plus ending square
feet) divided by 2
|
|
(4)
Adjusted gross margin includes $1.3 million inventory review initiative
charge added back
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
Adjusted EBITDA per selling square foot is a non-GAAP financial measure
and is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by selling square
feet
|
|
(6)
Average inventory is store level merchandise inventory for fiscal 2009 and
fiscal 2008, respectively (beginning inventory plus ending inventory)
divided by 2
|
|
(7)
Excludes inventory for unopened stores
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8)
Same-store information has not been adjusted to 52 weeks for
comparability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008
Store support center
expenses for fiscal 2009 increased $5.0 million, or 23.3%. The
increase was primarily due to severance costs of $1.9 million and Store
Transformation Project costs of $2.2 million.
Same-store
SG&A expenses decreased $6.0 million, or (6.1%). The
decrease is primarily due to labor efficiencies of $4.9 million, decreased
advertising expenses of $1.3 million, decreased floor care services expenses of
$655 and decreased information technology expenses of $476 offset by reduced
coop advertising of $892 and increased real property rent expense of
$816.
Non
same-store SG&A expenses increased $11.3 million. The Company has opened 15
stores in 2009 and 18 stores in 2008.
Reconciliation and
Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The
following table shows the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA from net earnings
(loss) from continuing operations:
Adjusted
EBITDA from net earnings (loss) from continuing
operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53
Weeks
|
|
For
the Thirty- Nine Week Periods Ended
|
|
53
Weeks
|
|
Thirteen
Weeks
|
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2008
|
|
November
2, 2008
|
|
October
28, 2007
|
|
November
2, 2008
|
|
February
1, 2009
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2009
|
|
Net
earnings (loss) from continuing operations (1)(5)(6)
|
|
$
|
782
|
|
|
(2,379
|
)
|
|
(223
|
)
|
|
(1,374
|
)
|
|
(642
|
)
|
|
1,005
|
|
|
(3,021
|
)
|
Plus:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
3,382
|
|
|
1,219
|
|
|
2,526
|
|
|
2,075
|
|
|
648
|
|
|
856
|
|
|
1,867
|
|
Taxes
(1)(6)
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
(2,405
|
)
|
|
(271
|
)
|
|
(1,746
|
)
|
|
315
|
|
|
659
|
|
|
(2,090
|
)
|
Depreciation
and amortization (1)(6)
|
|
|
9,464
|
|
|
5,793
|
|
|
5,352
|
|
|
9,905
|
|
|
3,509
|
|
|
4,112
|
|
|
9,302
|
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
893
|
|
|
271
|
|
|
152
|
|
|
237
|
|
|
186
|
|
Preopening
store costs (2)
|
|
|
2,783
|
|
|
1,837
|
|
|
1,521
|
|
|
3,099
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
1,262
|
|
|
1,846
|
|
Inventory
review initiative
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,345
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,345
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,345
|
|
Executive
and staff severance
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,942
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,942
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,942
|
|
Store
Transformation Project (7)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
937
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
937
|
|
|
1,283
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,220
|
|
=Adjusted
EBITDA (1)(3)(4)(5)(6)
|
|
|
17,929
|
|
|
8,323
|
|
|
9,798
|
|
|
16,454
|
|
|
5,274
|
|
|
8,131
|
|
|
13,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
EBITDA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Same-stores
(6)
|
|
|
47,722
|
|
|
31,147
|
|
|
32,865
|
|
|
46,004
|
|
|
12,814
|
|
|
14,728
|
|
|
44,090
|
|
Non
same-stores (3)
|
|
|
1,650
|
|
|
1,615
|
|
|
641
|
|
|
2,624
|
|
|
672
|
|
|
1,080
|
|
|
2,216
|
|
Store
support center (5)
|
|
|
(22,116
|
)
|
|
(17,066
|
)
|
|
(16,761
|
)
|
|
(22,421
|
)
|
|
(5,930
|
)
|
|
(5,297
|
)
|
|
(23,054
|
)
|
Warehouse
|
|
|
(9,327
|
)
|
|
(7,373
|
)
|
|
(6,947
|
)
|
|
(9,753
|
)
|
|
(2,282
|
)
|
|
(2,380
|
)
|
|
(9,655
|
)
|
Reconciled
Adjusted EBITDA (1)(3)(4)(5)(6)
|
|
|
17,929
|
|
|
8,323
|
|
|
9,798
|
|
|
16,454
|
|
|
5,274
|
|
|
8,131
|
|
|
13,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
5,501
|
|
|
5,320
|
|
|
4,525
|
|
|
5,320
|
|
|
4,744
|
|
|
5,501
|
|
|
4,744
|
|
Debt
|
|
|
33,013
|
|
|
58,303
|
|
|
55,759
|
|
|
58,303
|
|
|
49,841
|
|
|
33,013
|
|
|
49,841
|
|
Debt,
net of cash
|
|
$
|
27,512
|
|
|
52,983
|
|
|
51,234
|
|
|
52,983
|
|
|
45,097
|
|
|
27,512
|
|
|
45,097
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
These amounts will not agree with the 2008 fiscal 2008 10-K filing due to
the 14 stores the Company closed in the first quarter of fiscal
2009. These stores are now shown in discontinued
operations.
|
(2) These
costs are not consistent quarter to quarter as the Company does not open
the same number of stores in each quarter of each fiscal year. These
costs are directly associated with the number of stores that have or will
be opened and are incurred prior to the grand opening of each
store.
|
(3) For
fiscal 2009, the average open weeks for the Company's 33 non same-stores
is 54 weeks.
|
(4) During fiscal 2009, the Company made
a change in its Executive Management team and Board of Directors resulting
in several initiatives to reduce certain SG&A expenses.
For
fiscal 2009, these initiatives resulted in $7.5 million reduced
SG&A expenses when compared to the prior fiscal year.
The
initiatives include, but not limited to, executive and staff
reduction, reduced ALCO same-store hourly
wages, advertising expenses, net of coop offset and floor care
services along with reduced total Company insurance and
travel expenses.
|
(5)
Since the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company has incurred
approximately $1.3 million in charges related to staff and executive
management changes, relocations and professional fees related to tax
planning strategies, including tax method changes, which have reduced
these reported amounts. This $1.3 million is also inclusive of
charges incurred during the first quarter related to Board of Directors
changes.
|
(6)
These amounts will not agree to the first, second and third quarter 10-Q
amounts due to the Company closing an ALCO store during the fourth quarter
of fiscal 2009. This store is shown in discontinued
operations.
|
(7) The
Store Transformation Project is defined on page 11 in the under recent
events.
|
Seasonality
and Quarterly Results
The
following table sets forth the Company's net sales, gross margin, income from
operations and net earnings during each quarter of fiscal 2009 and
2008.
|
|
|
First
|
|
|
Second
|
|
|
Third
|
|
|
Fourth
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2009
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
105.7
|
|
|
|
129.3
|
|
|
|
114.9
|
|
|
|
140.1
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
31.7
|
|
|
|
43.3
|
|
|
|
37.1
|
|
|
|
41.8
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(4.3
|
)
|
|
|
3.5
|
|
|
|
(1.5
|
)
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
|
|
(5.9
|
)
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
(1.7
|
)
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2008
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
105.9
|
|
|
|
118.7
|
|
|
|
110.0
|
|
|
|
147.2
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
32.7
|
|
|
|
39.4
|
|
|
|
35.7
|
|
|
|
44.6
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(1.8
|
)
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
(1.4
|
)
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
|
|
(2.2
|
)
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
|
(1.6
|
)
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
An
asset impairment charge of $1.3 million and $2.1 million negatively
impacted net earnings for fiscal 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
|
See
Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for quarterly
earnings per share information.
The
Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. The Company’s highest
sales levels occur in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year which includes the
Christmas holiday selling season. The Company's results of operations in any one
quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that can be
expected for any other quarter or for the full fiscal year. The Company's
results of operations may also fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of
the amount and timing of sales contributed by new stores and the integration of
the new stores into the operations of the Company, as well as other factors. The
addition of a large number of new stores can, therefore, significantly affect
the quarterly results of operations.
Inflation
Management
does not believe that its merchandising operations have been materially affected
by inflation over the past few years. The Company will continue to monitor
costs, take advantage of vendor incentive programs, selectively buy from
competitive vendors and adjust merchandise prices based on market
conditions.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
At the
end of fiscal 2009, working capital (defined as current assets less current
liabilities) was $119.5 million compared to $107.7 million at the end of fiscal
2008 and $106.4 million at the end of fiscal 2007.
The
Company's primary sources of funds are cash flow from operations, borrowings
under its revolving loan credit facility, vendor trade credit financing, term
loan and lease financing. In fiscal 2007 the Company completed a sale-leaseback
of a number of its owned stores. The proceeds from this transaction amounted to
$12.6 million. No real estate sale-leaseback transactions were completed in
fiscal 2009 or 2008.
Cash (used
in) provided by operating activities aggregated ($3.2) million, $11.1
million, ($4.0) million, in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The
decrease in cash provided in fiscal 2009 relative to fiscal 2008 resulted
primarily from an increase in merchandise inventory, net of accounts
payable. The increase in cash provided in fiscal 2008 relative to
fiscal 2007 resulted primarily from a decrease in merchandise inventory, net of
accounts payable.
The
Company uses its revolving loan credit facility and vendor trade credit
financing to fund the build up of inventories periodically during the year for
its peak selling seasons and to meet other short-term cash requirements. The
revolving loan credit facility provides up to $105 million of financing in the
form of notes payable and letters of credit. The loan agreement expires in
January 2011. The revolving loan note payable and letter of credit balance at
February 1, 2009 was $47.0 million, resulting in an available line of credit at
that date of approximately $55.0 million, subject to a borrowing base
calculation. Loan advances are secured by a security interest in the Company’s
inventory and credit card receivables. The loan agreement contains various
restrictions that are applicable when outstanding borrowings exceed $77.5
million, including limitations on additional indebtedness, prepayments,
acquisition of assets, granting of liens, certain investments and payments of
dividends. The Company's loan agreement contains various covenants including
limitations on additional indebtedness and certain financial tests, as well as
various subjective acceleration clauses. The balance sheet classification of the
borrowings under the revolving loan credit facility have been determined in
accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force of the Financial Accounting Standards
Board as set forth in EITF Issue 95- 22,
Balance Sheet Classification of
Borrowings Outstanding under Revolving Credit Agreements that Include both a
Subjective Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box
Arrangement
. As of April 16,
2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and subjective
acceleration clauses of the debt agreements. Accordingly, this obligation has
been classified as a long-term liability in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheet. Short-term trade credit represents a significant
source of financing for inventory to the Company. Trade credit arises from the
willingness of the Company's vendors to grant payment terms for inventory
purchases.
In fiscal
2009, the Company had net cash borrowing of $20.0 million on its revolving
credit facility and made cash payments of $3.2 million to reduce its long-term
debt and capital lease obligations. The Company received $90 in proceeds from
the exercise of outstanding stock options. During fiscal 2009, the Company
exercised an early buyout of an operating lease for store level point-of-sale
equipment of $5.1 million. This buyout was financed through the revolving
credit facility. In fiscal 2008, the Company had net cash pay downs on its
revolving credit facility of $362 and made cash payments of $2.1 million to
reduce its long-term debt and capital lease obligations. In fiscal
2008, the Company entered into a term loan for $5.5 million representing the
equipment costs associated with the fiscal 2008 opened stores. This
proceeds amount was used to pay down the revolving credit facility. In
fiscal 2007, the Company had net cash borrowing on its revolving
credit facility of $4.0 million and made cash payments of $2.1 million to reduce
its long-term debt and capital lease obligations and repurchased $2.0 million of
Company stock. The Company received $113 in proceeds from the exercise of
outstanding stock options.
The
Company’s long-range plan assumes growth in the number of stores and, in
accordance with this plan, for fiscal 2009, 15 new ALCO stores, of
which four were in markets previously occupied by a Duckwall store,
were opened. In fiscal 2008, 18 new ALCO stores, of which two
were in markets previously occupied by a Duckwall store, were
opened. Seven new ALCO stores were opened in fiscal 2007.
Approximately 8 to 12 new ALCO stores are expected to be opened in fiscal
2010. The Company believes that with the $105 million line of credit, sufficient
capital is available to fund the Company’s planned expansion.
Cash
(used in) provided by for acquisition of property and equipment in fiscal 2009,
2008 and 2007 totaled ($14.2) million, ($11.7) million and $6.5 million,
respectively. A sale-leaseback transaction of several store buildings was
completed in fiscal 2007 in the amount of $12.6 million and $1.6 from the sale
of other assets.
On March
23, 2006, the Board of Directors approved a new plan authorizing the repurchase
of 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 25,534 shares have
been repurchased at an average cost of $15.16. As of February 1, 2009, 174,466
shares remain available to be repurchased.
The
following table summarizes the Company’s significant contractual obligations
payable as of February 1, 2009 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments
due by Period (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less
than
|
|
|
2 - 3
|
|
|
4 -
5
|
|
|
After
|
|
Contractual
Obligations
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1
year (2)
|
|
|
years
|
|
|
years
|
|
|
5
years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revolving
loan credit facility
|
|
$
|
40,714
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
40,714
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
FF&E
term loan
|
|
|
4,227
|
|
|
|
1,362
|
|
|
|
2,865
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Capital
lease obligations
|
|
|
5,679
|
|
|
|
2,266
|
|
|
|
2,638
|
|
|
|
775
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Operating
leases
|
|
|
164,362
|
|
|
|
18,752
|
|
|
|
32,035
|
|
|
|
26,282
|
|
|
|
87,293
|
|
Transportation
contract
|
|
|
247
|
|
|
|
247
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Consulting
contract
|
|
|
1,920
|
|
|
|
1,920
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contingent
rentals
|
|
|
12,679
|
|
|
|
1,468
|
|
|
|
3,070
|
|
|
|
3,256
|
|
|
|
4,885
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
contractual cash obligations
|
|
$
|
229,828
|
|
|
|
26,015
|
|
|
|
81,322
|
|
|
|
30,313
|
|
|
|
92,178
|
|
(1)
|
The
principal amount of the Company’s Revolving Loan Credit Facility is shown
in its contractual obligations table as the amount being paid during the
year that the current agreement on the credit facility expires. Interest
related to the Revolving Loan Credit Facility is dependent on the level of
borrowing and variable interest rates as more fully described in Note 3 to
the consolidated financial statements and is not shown in this
table.
|
(2)
|
Total
liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits were $54 and $2.4 million, as of
February 1, 2009 and February 3, 2008, respectively and are classified on
the Company's consolidated balance sheet within "Other current
liabilities" and are not included in the
table.
|
Expansion
Plans
The
continued growth of the Company is dependent, in large part, upon the Company’s
ability to open and operate new stores on a timely and profitable basis. The
Company plans to open approximately 8 to 12 ALCO stores in fiscal 2010. While
the Company believes that adequate sites are currently available, the rate of
new store openings is subject to various contingencies, many of which are beyond
the Company’s control. These contingencies include the Company’s ability to
hire, train and retain qualified personnel, the availability of adequate capital
resources and the successful integration of new stores into existing operations.
The plans of the Company are also dependent on the ability of our landlords and
developers to find appropriate financing in the current credit market.
There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve satisfactory sales
or profitability.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
The
Company has not provided any financial guarantees as of year-end fiscal
2009.
The
Company has not created and is not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance
sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating
the business. The Company does not have any arrangements or
relationships with entities that are not consolidated into the financial
statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s
liquidity or the availability of capital resources.
New
Accounting Standard
2008
Adoptions
In
July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Interpretation No. 48, "
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109
" (FIN 48). FIN 48
prescribes the financial statement recognition and measurement criteria for tax
positions taken in a tax return, clarifies when tax benefits should be recorded
and how they should be classified in financial statements and requires certain
disclosures of uncertain tax matters. The Company adopted the
provisions of FIN 48 at the beginning of the first quarter of 2008 and the
details of our adoption of FIN 48 are described in
Note 7.
2009
and Future Adoptions
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 141(R),
"Business
Combinations"
(SFAS 141(R)), which changes the accounting for
business combinations and their effects on the financial statements.
SFAS 141(R) will be effective at the beginning of fiscal 2010. The adoption
of this statement is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated
net earnings, cash flows or financial position.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 160,
"Accounting and
Reporting of Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an
amendment of ARB No. 51"
(SFAS 160). SFAS 160 requires
entities to report non-controlling interests in subsidiaries as equity in their
consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 will be effective at the
beginning of fiscal 2010. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have
a material impact on our consolidated net earnings, cash flows or financial
position.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT
FUTURE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, FINANCIAL CONDITION OR BUSINESS
Certain
statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not statements
of historical fact may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties, as described below. Examples of forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues,
income or loss, earnings or loss per share, capital expenditures, store
openings, store closings, payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure
and other financial items, (ii) statements of plans and objectives of the
Company’s management or Board of Directors, including plans or objectives
relating to inventory, store development, marketing, competition, business
strategy, store environment, merchandising, purchasing, pricing, distribution,
transportation, store locations and information systems, (iii) statements of
future economic performance, and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying the
statements described in (i), (ii) and (iii). Forward-looking statements can
often be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as
“believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “intends,” “plans,”
“estimates”, “projects” or “anticipates,” variations thereof or similar
expressions.
Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They involve
risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company’s future results of
operations, financial condition and business operations may differ materially
from the forward-looking statements or the historical information stated in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Stockholders and investors are cautioned not to put
undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.
There are
a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results of
operations, financial condition or business contemplated by the forward-looking
statements to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements made herein or elsewhere orally or in writing, by, or on behalf of,
the Company, including those factors described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” above.
Other factors not identified herein could also have such an effect.
ITEM
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK.
The
Company is subject to market risk from exposure to changes in interest rates
based on its financing, investing and cash management activities. The Company
maintains a secured line of credit at variable interest rates to meet the
short-term needs of its expansion program and seasonal inventory increases. The
credit line available is $105 million which carries a variable rate of interest.
On January 18, 2008, the Company agreed to extend the existing line of credit
with Bank of America, which was due on April 15, 2010. The repayment of funds
borrowed under the line of credit is now due on January 18, 2011.
The
Company’s borrowing arrangement contains no limitation on the change in the
variable interest rate paid by the Company. Based on the Company’s average
borrowing outstanding during the year of approximately $32.5 million, a 1%
change either up or down in the LIBOR rate would have changed the Company’s
interest expense by approximately $325.
The
Company was not party to any derivative financial instruments in fiscal
2009.
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
INDEX
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm……………………..
|
22
|
|
|
|
Financial
Statements:
|
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets --
|
|
|
February
1, 2009 and February 3, 2008………………………………..
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations --
|
|
|
Fiscal
years Ended February 1, 2009,
|
|
|
February
3, 2008 and January 28, 2007……………………………….
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders'
|
|
|
Equity
-- Fiscal years Ended February 1, 2009,
|
|
|
February
3, 2008 and January 28, 2007……………………..………..
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows --
|
|
|
Fiscal
years Ended February 1, 2009,
|
|
|
February
3, 2008 and January 28, 2007………………………………..
|
26
|
|
|
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements……………………………………..
|
|
|
|
27
|
Financial
Statement Schedules:
|
|
|
|
|
|
No
financial statement schedules are included as they are
|
|
|
not
applicable to the Company
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board
of Directors and Stockholders
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc.:
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Duckwall-ALCO Stores,
Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of February 1, 2009 and
February 3, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended February 1, 2009. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of
February 1, 2009 and February 3, 2008, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
February 1, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
As
discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January
29, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes
. As discussed in Notes 1 and 14, effective January
30, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value method of accounting for
share-based compensation as required by Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123(R),
Share-Based Payment,
and adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108,
Considering the Effects of Prior
Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial
Statements
.
We also
have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting as of February 1, 2009, based on criteria established in
Internal Control – Integrated
Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated April 16, 2009 expressed
an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG
LLP
Kansas
City, Missouri
April 16,
2009
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc.
|
|
And
Subsidiaries
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
|
|
(dollars
in thousands, except share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
February
1,
|
|
|
February
3,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
4,744
|
|
|
|
5,501
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
5,142
|
|
|
|
4,905
|
|
Prepaid
income taxes
|
|
|
5,753
|
|
|
|
768
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
146,620
|
|
|
|
128,545
|
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
|
|
4,143
|
|
|
|
3,101
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
5,348
|
|
|
|
7,094
|
|
Assets held for sale
|
|
|
1,505
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
173,255
|
|
|
|
149,914
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, at cost:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land
and land improvements
|
|
|
1,420
|
|
|
|
2,205
|
|
Buildings
and building improvements
|
|
|
11,369
|
|
|
|
11,931
|
|
Furniture,
fixtures and equipment
|
|
|
69,019
|
|
|
|
58,911
|
|
Transportation
equipment
|
|
|
1,322
|
|
|
|
1,310
|
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
|
|
13,974
|
|
|
|
15,419
|
|
Construction
work in progress
|
|
|
745
|
|
|
|
1,282
|
|
Total
property and equipment
|
|
|
97,849
|
|
|
|
91,058
|
|
Less
accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
65,591
|
|
|
|
64,019
|
|
Net
property and equipment
|
|
|
32,258
|
|
|
|
27,039
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
under capital leases
|
|
|
11,015
|
|
|
|
13,571
|
|
Less
accumulated amortization
|
|
|
7,958
|
|
|
|
8,654
|
|
Net
property under capital leases
|
|
|
3,057
|
|
|
|
4,917
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
non-current assets
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
|
262
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,254
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
208,775
|
|
|
|
185,386
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
and Stockholders' Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
maturities of long-term debt
|
|
$
|
1,362
|
|
|
|
1,278
|
|
Current
maturities of capital lease obligations
|
|
|
1,853
|
|
|
|
1,860
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
30,233
|
|
|
|
19,134
|
|
Accrued
salaries and commissions
|
|
|
5,375
|
|
|
|
3,711
|
|
Accrued
taxes other than income
|
|
|
4,941
|
|
|
|
4,301
|
|
Self-insurance
claim reserves
|
|
|
5,309
|
|
|
|
4,571
|
|
Other
current liabilities
|
|
|
4,676
|
|
|
|
7,360
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
53,749
|
|
|
|
42,215
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long
term debt, less current maturities
|
|
|
2,865
|
|
|
|
4,227
|
|
Notes
payable under revolving loan
|
|
|
40,714
|
|
|
|
20,715
|
|
Capital
lease obligations - less current maturities
|
|
|
3,047
|
|
|
|
4,933
|
|
Deferred
gain on leases
|
|
|
4,598
|
|
|
|
4,985
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
138
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
noncurrent liabilities
|
|
|
1,624
|
|
|
|
1,139
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
106,735
|
|
|
|
78,214
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.0001 par value, authorized 20,000,000
shares;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
issued
and outstanding 3,797,947 shares and 3,810,591 shares
respectively
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
38,615
|
|
|
|
38,766
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
63,424
|
|
|
|
68,405
|
|
Total
stockholders' equity
|
|
|
102,040
|
|
|
|
107,172
|
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$
|
208,775
|
|
|
|
185,386
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
|
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc.
|
|
And
Subsidiaries
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations
|
|
Fiscal
Years ended February 1, 2009, February 3, 2008 and January 28,
2007
|
|
(dollars
in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
53
Weeks
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Net
Sales
|
|
$
|
490,021
|
|
|
|
481,770
|
|
|
|
446,870
|
|
Cost
of sales
|
|
|
336,117
|
|
|
|
329,405
|
|
|
|
304,869
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
153,904
|
|
|
|
152,365
|
|
|
|
142,001
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
147,846
|
|
|
|
138,349
|
|
|
|
123,661
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
9,302
|
|
|
|
9,464
|
|
|
|
6,513
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
157,148
|
|
|
|
147,813
|
|
|
|
130,174
|
|
Operating
income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(3,244
|
)
|
|
|
4,552
|
|
|
|
11,827
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
1,867
|
|
|
|
3,382
|
|
|
|
2,729
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(5,111
|
)
|
|
|
1,170
|
|
|
|
9,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
(2,090
|
)
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
|
3,204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations before discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(3,021
|
)
|
|
|
782
|
|
|
|
5,894
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from discontinued operations, net of income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tax
benefit of $1.2 million, $626 and $116 in 2009, 2008 and 2007,
respectively
|
|
|
(1,955
|
)
|
|
|
(1,006
|
)
|
|
|
(190
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
|
$
|
(4,976
|
)
|
|
|
(224
|
)
|
|
|
5,704
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing
operations
|
|
$
|
(0.79
|
)
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
1.55
|
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing
operations
|
|
$
|
(0.79
|
)
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
1.54
|
|
Discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
1.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc.
|
|
And
Subsidiaries
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders' Equity
|
|
Fiscal
Years ended February 1, 2009, February 3, 2008 and January 28,
2007
|
|
(dollars
in thousands, except share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
shares
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
paid-in
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
stockholders'
|
|
|
|
outstanding
|
|
|
stock
|
|
|
capital
|
|
|
earnings
|
|
|
equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
January 29, 2006
|
|
|
3,786,953
|
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
|
36,411
|
|
|
|
65,735
|
|
|
|
102,147
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
earnings for the year ended January 28, 2007
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
5,704
|
|
|
|
5,704
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative
change for accounting for inventory (Note 14)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(2,695
|
)
|
|
|
(2,695
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase
and retirement of
common shares
|
|
|
(3,337
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit related to exercise of stock options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
exercised to purchase shares
|
|
|
10,687
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
134
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
134
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
January 28, 2007
|
|
|
3,794,303
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
37,315
|
|
|
|
68,744
|
|
|
|
106,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for the year ended February 3, 2008
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(224
|
)
|
|
|
(224
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principle (Note 7)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(115
|
)
|
|
|
(115
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit related to exercise of stock options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
exercised to purchase shares
|
|
|
16,288
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
307
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
307
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
February 3, 2008
|
|
|
3,810,591
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
38,766
|
|
|
|
68,405
|
|
|
|
107,172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for the year ended February 1, 2009
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(4,976
|
)
|
|
|
(4,976
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase and
retirement of common shares
|
|
|
(22,644
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(285
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(285
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(142
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(142
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
186
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
186
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale
of company stock
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit rate change for stock options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
February 1, 2009
|
|
|
3,797,947
|
|
|
$
|
1
|
|
|
|
38,615
|
|
|
|
63,424
|
|
|
|
102,040
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc.
|
|
And
Subsidiaries
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
Fiscal
Years ended February 1, 2009, February 3, 2008 and January 28,
2007
|
|
(dollars
in thousands)
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
53
Weeks
|
|
|
52
Weeks
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
$
|
(4,976
|
)
|
|
(224
|
)
|
|
|
5,704
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
9,346
|
|
|
9,867
|
|
|
|
6,801
|
|
Gain
(loss) on sale of assets
|
|
7
|
|
|
(180
|
)
|
|
|
(307
|
)
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
186
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
|
821
|
|
Tax
benefit of stock options exercised
|
|
-
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
Deferred
income tax expense, net
|
|
5,050
|
|
|
(1,428
|
)
|
|
|
(3,465
|
)
|
Changes
in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables
|
|
(237
|
)
|
|
(1,846
|
)
|
|
|
(325
|
)
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
|
(1,042
|
)
|
|
(1,540
|
)
|
|
|
1,060
|
|
Inventories
|
|
(18,075
|
)
|
|
22,861
|
|
|
|
(20,673
|
)
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
11,099
|
|
|
(16,129
|
)
|
|
|
6,963
|
|
Prepaid
income taxes
|
|
(4,985
|
)
|
|
(2,560
|
)
|
|
|
752
|
|
Accrued
salaries and commissions
|
|
1,664
|
|
|
(469
|
)
|
|
|
(1,821
|
)
|
Accrued
taxes other than income
|
|
640
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
(501
|
)
|
Self-insurance
claim reserves
|
|
738
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
|
567
|
|
Other
assets and liabilities
|
|
(2,583
|
)
|
|
1,294
|
|
|
|
358
|
|
Net
cash (used in) provided by operating activities
|
|
(3,168
|
)
|
|
11,098
|
|
|
|
(4,015
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from real estate sale-leasebacks
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
12,563
|
|
Proceeds
from the sale of assets
|
|
185
|
|
|
637
|
|
|
|
1,563
|
|
Acquisition
of property and equipment
|
|
(14,402
|
)
|
|
(12,293
|
)
|
|
|
(7,627
|
)
|
Net
cash (used in) provided by in investing activities
|
|
(14,217
|
)
|
|
(11,656
|
)
|
|
|
6,499
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
borrowings (pay downs) under revolving loan credit
agreement
|
|
19,999
|
|
|
(362
|
)
|
|
|
4,015
|
|
Refinancing
costs on revolving loan and term loan fees
|
|
-
|
|
|
(256
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Proceeds
from exercise of outstanding stock options
|
|
-
|
|
|
307
|
|
|
|
113
|
|
Excess
tax benefit on stock options exercised
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
Proceeds
from stock sale
|
|
90
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Income
tax benefit rate change for stock options
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Repurchase
of stock
|
|
(285
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(2,012
|
)
|
Net (pay
downs) borrowings under term loan
|
|
(1,278
|
)
|
|
5,505
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Principal
payments under capital lease obligations
|
|
(1,893
|
)
|
|
(2,118
|
)
|
|
|
(2,125
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
16,628
|
|
|
3,076
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease)
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(757
|
)
|
|
2,518
|
|
|
|
2,511
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
|
5,501
|
|
|
2,983
|
|
|
|
472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of year
|
$
|
4,744
|
|
|
5,501
|
|
|
|
2,983
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosure of non-cash activity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
benefit related to stock options exercised
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Assets
acquired under capital lease
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,858
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DUCKWALL-ALCO
STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
February
1, 2009, February 3, 2008 and January 28, 2007
(dollars
in thousand, except for per share amounts)
1.
|
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
|
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) is engaged in the business of
retailing general merchandise throughout the central portion of the United
States of America through broad line department store outlets.
Merchandise is purchased for resale from many vendors, and any one transaction
with individual vendors and customers does not represent a significant portion
of total purchases and sales.
|
(b)
|
Principles
of Consolidation
|
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany account balances have been eliminated in
consolidation.
|
(c)
|
Basis
of Presentation
|
The
Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest to January 31.
Fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2007 consist of 52 weeks, while fiscal 2008 consists
of 53 weeks.
Inventories
are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost determined
using the last-in, first-out “LIFO” method. Merchandise inventories in our
stores are valued by the retail method. The retail method is widely used in the
retail industry due to its practicality. Under the retail method, cost is
determined by applying a calculated cost-to-retail ratio across groupings of
similar items, known as departments. As a result, the retail method results in
an averaging of inventory costs across similar items within a department. The
cost-to-retail ratio is applied to ending inventory at its current owned retail
valuation to determine the cost of ending inventory on a department basis.
Current owned retail represents the retail price for which merchandise is
offered for sale on a regular basis reduced for any permanent or clearance
markdowns. Use of the retail method does not eliminate the use of
management judgments and estimates, including markdowns and shrinkage, which
significantly impact the ending inventory valuation at cost and the resulting
gross margins. The Company continually evaluates product categories to determine
if markdown action is appropriate, or if a markdown reserve should be
established. The Company recognizes that the use of the retail method will
result in valuing inventories at lower of cost or market if markdowns are
currently taken as a reduction of the retail value of inventories.
Management believes that the retail method provides an inventory valuation which
reasonably approximates cost and results in carrying inventory at the lower of
cost or market. For LIFO, the Company determines lower of cost or market by
pool.
|
(e)
|
Property
and Equipment
|
Depreciation
is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the
assets. Amortization of capital leases is computed on a straight-line basis over
the terms of the lease agreements.
Major
improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do not extend
the useful life of the asset are charged to expense as incurred.
Estimated useful lives are as follows:
Buildings
|
25
years
|
Building
improvements
|
10
years
|
Software
|
3 -
5 years
|
Furniture,
fixtures and equipment
|
3 -
15 years
|
Transportation
equipment
|
3 -
5 years
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
2 -
10 years
|
For
fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, depreciation and amortization, including asset
impairment charge for continuing operations was $9.3 million, $9.5 million
and $6.5 million, respectively.
The
Company has sold and leased back certain stores (land and buildings) and the
resulting leases qualify and are accounted for as operating leases. The
Company does not have any retained or contingent interests in the
stores, nor does the Company provide any guarantees, other than a
guarantee of lease payments, in connection with the sale-leasebacks. The net
proceeds from the sale-leaseback transactions amounted to approximately $0, $0,
and $12,563 for fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. If a gain results
from the sale-leaseback transaction, such gains are deferred and are being
amortized over the term of the related leases (15 - 20 years).
The
Company accounts for operating leases over the initial lease term without regard
to available renewal options. The Company considers free rent periods and
scheduled rent increases in determining total rent expense for the initial lease
term. Total rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over that
term.
The
Company retains significant deductibles on its insurance policies for workers
compensation, general liability, medical claims and prescriptions. Due to the
fact that it could take more than one year to determine the actual costs, these
costs are estimated based on the Company’s historical loss experience and
estimates from the insurance carriers and consultants. The Company completes an
actuarial evaluation of its loss experience twice each year. In between
actuarial evaluations, management monitors the cost and number of claims and
compares those results to historical amounts. The Company’s actuarial method is
the fully developed method. The Company records its reserves on an
undiscounted basis. The Company’s prior estimates have varied based on changes
in assumptions related to actual claims versus estimated ultimate loss
calculations. Current and future estimates could be affected by changes in those
same assumptions.
The
Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating
loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company reflects changes in estimates related to prior period income taxes
as a component of current period income tax expense.
Sales are
recorded in the period of sale. The Company excludes sales taxes from revenue.
The Company has established sales returns allowance based on the historical
returns pattern experienced by the Company.
|
(j)
|
Net
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
|
Basic net
earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the
weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted net earnings (loss) per
share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if contracts to issue
securities (such as stock options) were exercised. See note 9.
|
(k)
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
|
For
purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers
cash and cash equivalents to include currency on hand and money market funds.
During fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, the following amounts were paid for
interest and income taxes:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Interest,
excluding interest on capital lease obligation and amortization of debt
financing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
costs
(net of capitalized interest of $0 in fiscal 2009, $0 in fiscal 2008 and
$0 in fiscal 2007)
|
|
$
|
2,242
|
|
|
|
2,823
|
|
|
|
1,713
|
|
Income
taxes
|
|
|
987
|
|
|
|
3,716
|
|
|
|
5,738
|
|
Management
of the Company has made certain estimates and assumptions in the reporting of
assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses to prepare these consolidated
financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The
Company reviews assets for impairment at the lowest level for which there are
identifiable cash flows, usually at the store level. The carrying
amount of assets is compared with the expected undiscounted future cash flows to
be generated by those assets over their estimated remaining economic
lives. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying
amount of the asset, the asset is written down to fair value. Factors
that could result in an impairment review include, but are not limited to, a
current period cash flow loss combined with a history of cash flow losses or a
projection that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a
long-lived asset or significant changes in a manner of use of the assets due to
business strategies or competitive environment. Additionally, when a commitment
is made to close a store beyond the quarter in which the disclosure commitment
is made, it is reviewed for impairment and depreciable lives are
adjusted. The impairment evaluation is based on the estimated cash
flows from continuing use until the expected disposal date plus the
expected terminal value. Actual results could vary from management
estimates. Charges for asset impairment of $1.3 million, $2.1 million and
$130 in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are included in depreciation
and amortization expense in the consolidated statements of
operations. For the fiscal 2009 impairment, $299 is attributable to
writing down the carrying value on property held for sale.
As of February 1, 2009, the Company has $1.5 million classified as
assets held for sale. These properties are recorded at their net
realizable value, net of disposal costs. The majority of the property is
land. Two former ALCO store locations include buildings also. The
Company used the services of a local real estate broker to determine the fair
value of each property.
|
(n)
|
Store
Closings and Discontinued
Operations
|
A
provision for store closure expenses is recorded when the Company discontinues
using the facility. A summary of the expense and liability (included in other
current liabilities) related to store closures as of and for the years ended
February 1, 2009, February 3, 2008, and January 28, 2007 is as
follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Store
closure liability at beginning of year
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
|
477
|
|
Store
closure (income) expense (included in discontinued
operations)
|
|
|
769
|
|
|
|
(71
|
)
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
Payments
|
|
|
(506
|
)
|
|
|
(34
|
)
|
|
|
(342
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Store
closure liability at end of year
|
|
$
|
263
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
105
|
|
The
Company has determined that generally each store is a component of the entity
and that for each closed store (i) the operations and cash flows of the
component have been eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity and
(ii) the entity will not have any significant continuing involvement in the
operations of the component after the store is closed. This is a result of the
Company’s stores being geographically disbursed. The results of operations for
stores that have been closed by the Company (15, 10 and one stores in
fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively) have been reclassified to
discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations for all periods presented. The Company does not allocate interest
expense to discontinued operations. A liability is recognized for costs
associated with store closings, primarily future lease costs (net of estimated
sublease income), and is charged to income when the Company ceases to use the
leased location.
|
(o)
|
Consideration
Received from Vendors
|
Cost of
sales and selling, general and administrative expenses are partially offset
by various forms of consideration received from our vendors. This
“vendor income” is earned for a variety of vendor-sponsored programs, such as
volume rebates, markdown allowances, promotions, warehouse cost reimbursement
and advertising. Consideration received, to the extent that it
reimburses specific, incremental, and identifiable costs incurred to date, is
recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the same period as
the associated expenses are incurred. Reimbursements received that are in excess
of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred to date are recognized
as a reduction to the cost of the merchandise and are reflected in costs of
sales as the merchandise is sold. The Company establishes a
receivable for the vendor income that is earned but not yet
received. Based on provisions of the agreements in place, this
receivable is computed by estimating when the Company has completed its
performance and the amount has been earned. The Company performs
detailed analyses to determine the appropriate level of the receivable in the
aggregate. The majority of year-end receivables associated with these
activities are collected within the following fiscal quarter.
The
Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The Company records payments
from vendors representing reimbursements of specific identifiable costs as a
reduction of that cost. Advertising expenses of $7.9 million, $8.5 million
and $7.8 million in the fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are
included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated
statements of operations. Advertising vendor income that offset
advertising expenses were $3.9 million, $4.5 million and $5.0 million in fiscal
2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Newspaper
circulars made up the majority of our advertising costs in all three
years.
|
(q)
|
Share-based
Compensation
|
Prior to
January 30, 2006, the Company accounted for share-based payments using
the intrinsic-value-based recognition method allowed by Accounting Principles
Board Opinion No. 25, "
Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees
," ("APB 25"). As stock options were granted at an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date
of grant, no share-based compensation was reflected in operations
prior to adopting Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) "
Share-Based Payment
" ("SFAS
123(R)").
Effective
January 30, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) and began recognizing
compensation expense for its share-based payments based on the fair value of the
awards. As the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) under the
modified-prospective-transition method, results from prior periods have not been
restated. However, the remaining grant date fair value for unvested awards
granted prior to adoption has been recorded as share-based compensation using
the fair value as determined in the Company's pro-forma disclosures in
accordance with SFAS No. 123(R). The Company has elected to amortize the
share-based compensation for service based awards on a straight-line basis
over the requisite service period.
As of
February 1, 2009, there are no outstanding options issued under the pre-adoption
of SFAS No. 123(R).
The
following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and net earnings per
share as if the Company applied the fair value recognition provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "
Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation"
("SFAS 123") to options granted under the Company's
stock plans in all periods presented prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R).
SFAS 123 established a fair value based method of accounting for employee
stock options or similar equity instruments. In order to calculate fair value
under SFAS 123, the Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to
estimate the grant date fair value of options granted in fiscal years through
2006. For purposes of this pro forma disclosure, the value of the
options is estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model for all option
grants:
|
|
2006
|
|
Net
earnings as reported
|
|
$
|
1,949
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
forma share-based compensation, net of tax
|
|
|
(250
|
)
|
Pro
forma net earnings
|
|
|
1,699
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
earnings per share as reported:
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.48
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
earnings per share, pro forma:
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.42
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
0.41
|
|
Under
SFAS 123(R), forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and reduce
share-based compensation ratably over the vesting period. This estimate is
adjusted periodically based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or
are expected to differ, from the previous estimate. Under SFAS 123 and APB 25,
the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occurred.
|
(r)
|
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
|
On February 3, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value
Measurements" ("SFAS 157"). This statement defines fair value, establishes
a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 establishes a
three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair
value as follows:
Level 1:
observable inputs
such as quoted prices in active markets
Level 2:
inputs other than the
quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or
indirectly
Level 3:
unobservable inputs
in which there is little or no market data, which requires the Company to
develop its own assumptions
This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data,
when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining
fair value.
The
Company has determined the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance
with SFAS No. 157,
Disclosures About Fair Value of
Financial Instruments.
For notes payable under revolving loan, fair value
approximates the carrying value due to the variable interest rate. Based on the
borrowing rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms,
the fair value of long-term debt at February 1, 2009 approximates its carrying
amount of $4.2 million. For all other financial instruments including
cash, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, the carrying amounts
approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those
instruments.
The costs
of start-up activities, including organization costs and new store openings, are
expensed as incurred.
|
(t)
|
Future
Accounting Pronouncements
|
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 141(R),
"Business Combinations"
(SFAS 141(R)), which changes the accounting for business combinations and
their effects on the financial statements. SFAS 141(R) will be effective at
the beginning of fiscal 2010. The adoption of this statement is not expected to
have a material impact on our consolidated net earnings, cash flows or financial
position.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 160,
"Accounting and Reporting of
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of
ARB No. 51"
(SFAS 160). SFAS 160 requires entities to
report non-controlling interests in subsidiaries as equity in their consolidated
financial statements. SFAS 160 will be effective at the beginning of fiscal
2010. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material impact
on our consolidated net earnings, cash flows or financial position.
Inventories
at February 1, 2009 and February 3, 2008 are stated at the lower of cost or net
realizable value as determined under the LIFO method of accounting. Inventories
at February 1, 2009 and February 3, 2008 are summarized as
follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FIFO
cost
|
|
$
|
150,867
|
|
|
|
132,385
|
|
Less
LIFO and markdown reserves
|
|
|
(4,247
|
)
|
|
|
(3,840
|
)
|
LIFO
Cost
|
|
$
|
146,620
|
|
|
|
128,545
|
|
3.
|
Credit
Arrangements, Notes Payable and Long-term
Debt
|
The
Company has a loan agreement that provides a revolving loan credit facility of
up to $105 million of long-term financing which expires January 18, 2011. The
amount advanced (through a note or letters of credit) to the Company bears
interest at (i) the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1% or (b)
Bank of America, N.A. prime rate plus a margin, as defined in the agreement,
which varies based on the amount outstanding or (ii) based on the LIBOR rate
plus a margin, as defined in the agreement. Additionally, the Company is
currently obligated to pay a commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused
capacity. The amount advanced is generally limited to 85% of eligible inventory
and eligible receivables. The loan agreement contains various restrictions that
are applicable when outstanding borrowings reach certain thresholds, including
limitations on additional indebtedness, prepayments, acquisition of assets,
granting of liens, certain investments and payments of dividends. The Company's
loan agreement contains various covenants including limitations on additional
indebtedness and certain financial tests, as well as various subjective
acceleration clauses. The balance sheet classification of the borrowings under
the revolving loan credit facility have been determined in accordance with
Emerging Issues Task Force of the Financial Accounting Standards Board as set
forth in EITF Issue 95-22, Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowings
Outstanding under Revolving Credit Agreements that Include both a Subjective
Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box Arrangement.
As of April 16,
2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and subjective
acceleration clauses of the debt agreements. Accordingly, this
obligation has been classified as a long-term liability in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet.
Notes
payable outstanding at February 1, 2009 and February 3, 2008 under the revolving
loan credit facility aggregated $40.7 million and $20.7 million,
respectively. The lender had also issued letters of credit aggregating $6.3
million and $4.0 million, respectively, at such dates on behalf of the
Company. The interest rate on $15 million of the outstanding borrowings at
February 1, 2009 was 1.66% and the remaining $25.7 million was at 3.25%. The
Company had additional borrowings available at February 1, 2009 under the
revolving loan credit facility amounting to approximately $54.5
million.
The
Company also had a term loan to fund new store fixtures and equipment and
is secured by such fixtures and equipment. The interest rate on $3.6
million of the outstanding borrowings at February 1, 2009 was 6.35% and the
remaining $659 was at 6.54%. Principal and interest payments are due
in monthly installments through December 2011.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments
due by Fiscal Period
|
|
Contractual
Obligations
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
Revolving
loan credit facility
|
|
$
|
40,714
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
40,714
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
FF&E
term loan
|
|
|
4,227
|
|
|
|
1,362
|
|
|
|
1,451
|
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
$
|
44,941
|
|
|
|
1,362
|
|
|
|
42,165
|
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Interest
expense on notes payable and long-term debt in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007
aggregated $1.3 million, $2.8 million, and $1.7 million,
respectively.
On
February 1, 2006, the Company amended its Profit Sharing Plan to include a
401(k) component. The Company matches the employee’s contribution to half of the
first 4% contributed by the employee with a cash contribution to the plan.
Contributions by the Company vest with the participants over a seven-year
period. Expense arising due to Company matches amounted to $462, $480 and $478
for fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectfully.
5.
|
Self-Insurance
Claim Reserves
|
Changes
to the self-insurance reserves for fiscal 2009 and 2008 are as
follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Beginning
balance
|
|
$
|
4,571
|
|
|
|
4,322
|
|
Reserve
additions
|
|
|
2,326
|
|
|
|
1,791
|
|
Claims
paid
|
|
|
(1,588
|
)
|
|
|
(1,542
|
)
|
Ending
balance
|
|
$
|
5,309
|
|
|
|
4,571
|
|
The
Company is lessee under long-term capital leases expiring at various dates. The
components of property under capital leases as of February 1, 2009 and February
3, 2008 are as follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Buildings
|
|
$
|
2,494
|
|
|
|
3,375
|
|
|
|
14,375
|
|
Fixtures
|
|
|
1,663
|
|
|
|
3,338
|
|
|
|
3,338
|
|
Software
|
|
|
6,858
|
|
|
|
6,858
|
|
|
|
6,858
|
|
|
|
|
11,015
|
|
|
|
13,571
|
|
|
|
24,571
|
|
Less
accumulated amortization
|
|
|
7,958
|
|
|
|
8,654
|
|
|
|
17,618
|
|
Net
property under capital leases
|
|
$
|
3,057
|
|
|
|
4,917
|
|
|
|
6,953
|
|
The
Company also has noncancelable operating leases, primarily for buildings that
expire at various dates.
Future
minimum lease payments under all noncancelable leases, together with the present
value of the net minimum lease payments pursuant to capital leases, as of
February 1, 2009 are as follows:
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Operating
|
|
|
|
Leases
|
|
|
Leases
|
|
Fiscal
year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
$
|
2,266
|
|
|
$
|
18,752
|
|
2011
|
|
|
1,933
|
|
|
|
16,853
|
|
2012
|
|
|
705
|
|
|
|
15,182
|
|
2013
|
|
|
455
|
|
|
|
13,897
|
|
2014
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
12,385
|
|
Later
years
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
87,293
|
|
Total
minimum lease payments
|
|
|
5,679
|
|
|
$
|
164,362
|
|
Less amount representing interest
|
|
|
779
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present
value of net minimum lease payments
|
|
|
4,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less current maturities
|
|
|
1,853
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
lease obligations, less current maturities
|
|
$
|
3,047
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $564 under
operating leases due in the future under noncancelable subleases. They also do
not include contingent rentals, which may be paid under certain store leases on
the basis of percentage of sales in excess of stipulated amounts. Contingent
rentals applicable to capital leases amounted to $77, $95 and $120 for fiscal
2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The
Company entered into a software lease and a flexible lease financing proposal
regarding the lease of point-of-sale hardware with General Electric Capital
Corporation (“GECC”) on December 1, 2005 and December 5, 2005, respectively. The
software lease, which is a capital lease, began on January 1, 2006 and has a
term of five years. The Company leased an additional $1.9 million during fiscal
2007 under this capital lease. The hardware lease, which is an operating
lease, began on September 30, 2006, and had a term of four years. The
Company entered into a buyout agreement with GECC on December 18, 2008 to
purchase the remaining balance of the hardware lease.
The
interest on capital lease obligations in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 aggregated
$225, $306 and $381, respectively.
The
following schedule presents the composition of total rent expense for all
operating leases for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Minimum
rentals
|
|
$
|
20,136
|
|
|
|
15,180
|
|
|
|
12,488
|
|
Contingent
rentals
|
|
|
1,323
|
|
|
|
1,468
|
|
|
|
1,496
|
|
Less
sublease rentals
|
|
|
(74
|
)
|
|
|
(51
|
)
|
|
|
(51
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
21,385
|
|
|
|
16,597
|
|
|
|
13,933
|
|
The
Company’s income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax expense (benefit) allocated
to continuing
operations
|
|
$
|
(2,090
|
)
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
|
3,204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit allocated
to discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(1,217
|
)
|
|
|
(626
|
)
|
|
|
(116
|
)
|
Total
income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
$
|
(3,307
|
)
|
|
|
(238
|
)
|
|
|
3,088
|
|
Income
tax expense (benefit) attributable to continuing operations for fiscal 2009,
2008, and 2007 consists of:
|
|
Current
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Total
|
|
2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$
|
(4,278
|
)
|
|
|
2,420
|
|
|
|
(1,858
|
)
|
State
|
|
|
(466
|
)
|
|
|
234
|
|
|
|
(232
|
)
|
|
|
|
(4,744
|
)
|
|
|
2,654
|
|
|
|
(2,090
|
)
|
2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
1,538
|
|
|
|
(1,221
|
)
|
|
|
317
|
|
State
|
|
|
278
|
|
|
|
(207
|
)
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
|
|
1,816
|
|
|
|
(1,428
|
)
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
5,772
|
|
|
|
(2,889
|
)
|
|
|
2,883
|
|
State
|
|
|
897
|
|
|
|
(576
|
)
|
|
|
321
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,669
|
|
|
|
(3,465
|
)
|
|
|
3,204
|
|
Income
tax expense (benefit) attributable to continuing operations was ($2,090), $388,
and $3,204 for fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, and differs from the
amounts computed by applying the Federal income tax rate of 34% in 2009 and 2008
and 35% in 2007 as a result of the following:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Computed
“expected” tax expense (benefit)
|
|
$
|
(1,738
|
)
|
|
|
398
|
|
|
|
3,184
|
|
State
income taxes, net of the federal
income tax benefit
|
|
|
(153
|
)
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
211
|
|
Adjustment
for prior period taxes
|
|
|
(48
|
)
|
|
|
(76
|
)
|
|
|
(115
|
)
|
Federal
employment credits
|
|
|
(291
|
)
|
|
|
(242
|
)
|
|
|
(166
|
)
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
|
121
|
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
(2,090
|
)
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
|
3,204
|
|
The tax
effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of
deferred tax assets and liabilities at February 1, 2009 and February 3,
2008 are presented below:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Deferred
tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital leases
|
|
$
|
283
|
|
|
|
335
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
1,682
|
|
|
|
1,205
|
|
Insurance reserves
|
|
|
1,650
|
|
|
|
1,863
|
|
Vacation
and sick pay accrual
|
|
|
801
|
|
|
|
894
|
|
Property
and equipment, due to differences in depreciation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
205
|
|
Inventory
|
|
|
4,068
|
|
|
|
3,939
|
|
Deferred gain property and equipment
|
|
|
1,825
|
|
|
|
1,989
|
|
Net
operating loss carryforwards
|
|
|
1,326
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
Total
deferred tax assets, net of $0 valuation allowance
|
|
|
11,635
|
|
|
|
10,475
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, due to differences in depreciation
|
|
|
4,284
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Property taxes
|
|
|
303
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
481(a) adjustments
|
|
|
1,329
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
509
|
|
|
|
127
|
|
Total
deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
6,425
|
|
|
|
127
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
deferred tax asset
|
|
$
|
5,210
|
|
|
|
10,348
|
|
At
February 1, 2009, the Company has total state net operating loss deferred tax
assets of $314, which are available to offset future state taxable income in
those states. These net operating losses begin expiring in fiscal
year 2015. Due to the history of earnings and projected future
results, the Company believes it is more likely than not those future operations
will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax
assets. As such, at February 1, 2009 and February 3, 2008 there is no
valuation allowance on the net operating losses.
In
assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether
it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets
will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in
which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of
available carryback and carryforward periods) and projected future taxable
income. In order to fully realize the deferred tax asset, the Company will need
to generate future taxable income of approximately $12,100 in future periods.
Taxable income for the years ended February 1, 2009, February 3, 2008 and
January 28, 2007 were ($15,758), $3,477 and $14,393, respectively. Fiscal 2009
resulted in a taxable loss due mainly to a pre-tax net loss of $5.1 million, tax
method changes related to prepaid maintenance expenses, modified lien date for
real and personal property taxes, and changes to depreciation class lives, in
addition to accelerating current year bonus depreciation, all totaling $8,500 in
deductions. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and
projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax
assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the
Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences. The amount of
the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the
near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period
are reduced.
The
Company also has federal credits available in the amount of $993 to offset
future taxable income. Approximately $704 of these credits will begin
to expire in fiscal year 2028, and the remaining credits have no
expiration.
During
fiscal year 2009, the Company finalized their exam with the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) for fiscal 2006 with no significant adjustments.
In July
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued interpretation
No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in
income tax recognized in the financial statements in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes."
FIN 48 provides that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax
position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position
will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any
related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical
merits. Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not
recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized upon the adoption
of FIN 48 and in subsequent periods. This interpretation also
provides guidance on measurement, derecognition, classification, interest and
penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.
The
Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 29, 2007. As a
result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized approximately
$115 increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was
accounted for as a reduction to the January 29, 2007 balance of retained
earnings.
A
reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of
gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Gross
unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning of:
|
|
$
|
2,521
|
|
|
|
2,124
|
|
Increases
related to prior period tax positions
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
Decreases
related to prior period tax positions
|
|
|
(2,481
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Increases
related to current year tax positions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
346
|
|
Settlements
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Expiration
of the statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Gross
unrecognized tax benefits at the end of:
|
|
$
|
57
|
|
|
|
2,521
|
|
|
None of
the amounts included in the $57 and $2,521 of unrecognized tax benefits at
February 1, 2009 and February 3, 2008, respectively, would affect the effective
tax rate if recognized. The Company also accrued potential interest of $18 and
$134 related to these unrecognized tax benefits during fiscal 2009 and 2008,
respectively. No amounts were accrued for penalties with respect to
unrecognized tax benefits.
It is
expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next
twelve months due to the Company pursuing tax planning opportunities which would
eliminate the remainder of the gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately
$57. This tax planning would also eliminate the interest
accrual.
The
statute of limitations for the Company’s federal income tax returns is open for
fiscal 2006 through fiscal 2008. The Company files in numerous state
jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitation. The statute of
limitations for the Company’s state returns are open from fiscal 2005 through
fiscal 2008 or fiscal 2006 through fiscal 2008, depending on each state’s
statute of limitations. The Company is not currently under audit of
income taxes by any state jurisdiction.
On March
23, 2006, the Board of Directors approved a plan authorizing the repurchase
200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 25,534 shares have been
repurchased at an average cost of $15.16. As of February 1, 2009, 174,466 shares
remain available to be repurchased.
The
following is a reconciliation of the outstanding shares utilized in the
computation of earnings per share:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding (basic)
|
|
|
3,809,109
|
|
|
|
3,807,033
|
|
|
|
3,792,202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
of dilutive options to purchase common stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
36,726
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
adjusted for diluted calculation
|
|
|
3,809,109
|
|
|
|
3,807,033
|
|
|
|
3,828,928
|
|
The
impact of certain options was excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings
per share for fiscal 2009 and 2008 because the effects are
antidilutive. For fiscal 2009 and 2008, antidilutive options were
26,645 and 42,702, respectively.
10.
|
Share-Based
Compensation
|
Effective
with fiscal 2007, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123(R)
Share-Based Payment
(SFAS
123(R)), using the modified-prospective-transition method, and began
recognizing compensation expense for its share based payments based on the fair
value of the awards. Share based payments granted by the Company consist of
stock option grants, which are equity classified in accordance with SFAS 123(R).
SFAS 123(R) requires share-based compensation to be based on the following: a)
grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of
SFAS 123 for unvested options granted prior to the adoption date and b) grant
date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R) for
all share based payments granted subsequent to the adoption date. The
benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense are
reported as a financing cash flow.
Total
share-based compensation (a component of selling and general and
administrative expenses) is summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based
compensation before income taxes
|
|
$
|
186
|
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
|
821
|
|
Income
tax benefits
|
|
|
(76
|
)
|
|
|
(375
|
)
|
|
|
(289
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based
compensation net of income benefits
|
|
$
|
110
|
|
|
|
755
|
|
|
|
532
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
on:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
earnings per share
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
Diluted
earnings per share
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
Under
SFAS 123(R), forfeitures are estimated at the time of valuation and reduce
expense ratably over the vesting period. This estimate is adjusted periodically
based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to
differ, from the previous estimate. The Company grants awards to a limited
number of key employees and officers, thus, actual forfeitures can vary
significantly from estimated amounts.
Actual forfeitures exceeded
estimated forfeitures for fiscal 2009 resulting in a reduction of
previously recorded share-based compensation of $480.
On July
1, 2008, the Company entered into a Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement with
Lawrence J. Zigerelli as part of his employment with the
Company. Under the terms of the Agreement Mr. Zigerelli was granted
the right to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase
price of $9.05, which was equal to the closing price of the common stock on the
NASDAQ Global Market Exchange on the grant date. The options will
vest in equal amounts over a four year period unless certain Company events
occur. The options will terminate if Mr. Zigerelli ceases to be a
full time employee of the Company. The options will also terminate,
if unexercised, five years from the date of grant. The Company issued
these shares from the unissued shares authorized.
Stock
Incentive Plan
Under the
Company's 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan, options may be granted to officers
and key employees, not to exceed 500,000 shares. According to the terms of the
plan, the per share exercise price of options granted shall not
be less
than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and such options
will expire no later than five years from the date of grant. The options vest in
equal amounts over a four year requisite service period beginning from the grant
date. In the case of a stockholder owning more than 10% of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company, the exercise price of an incentive stock option may
not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant
and such options will expire no later than five years from the date of grant.
Also, the aggregate fair market value of the stock with respect to which
incentive stock options are exercisable on a tax deferred basis for the first
time by an individual in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. In the event
that the foregoing results in a portion of an option exceeding the $100,000
limitation, such portion of the option in excess of the limitation shall be
treated as a nonqualified stock option. At February 1, 2009, the Company had
103,250 remaining shares authorized for future option grants. Upon
exercise, the Company issues these shares from the unissued shares
authorized.
Under the
Company’s Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Management Directors, up to
200,000 options to purchase common stock may be granted to Directors
of the Company who are not otherwise officers or employees of the Company.
According to the terms of the plan, the per share exercise price of options
granted shall not be less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of
grant and such options will expire five years from the date of grant. The
options vest in equal amounts over a four year requisite service period
beginning from the grant date. All options under the plan shall be non-qualified
stock options. As of February 1, 2009, the Company had 45,000 shares remaining
to be issued under this plan. Upon exercise, the Company will issue
these shares from the unissued shares authorized.
The
estimated fair value of each option is recorded as share-based
compensation recorded on a straight-line basis beginning with the grant
date for the respective award. The Company has estimated the fair value of all
stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying a Black-Scholes
pricing valuation model. The application of this valuation model involves
assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of the
fair value. The weighted average assumptions used in determining the
fair value of options granted in the last three fiscal years and a summary of
the methodology applied to develop each assumption are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected
price volatility
|
|
|
36.60
|
%
|
|
|
25.64
|
%
|
|
|
37.40
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risk-free
interest rate
|
|
|
2.54
|
%
|
|
|
4.79
|
%
|
|
|
5.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average expected lives in years
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
yield
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
EXPECTED
PRICE VOLATILITY -- This is a measure of the amount by which the stock price has
fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. The Company uses actual historical
changes in the market value of its stock to calculate expected price volatility
because management believes that this is the best indicator of future
volatility. The Company calculates daily market value changes from the date of
grant over a historical period equal to the expected life to determine
volatility. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation
expense.
RISK-FREE
INTEREST RATE -- This is the U.S. Treasury rate for the date of the grant over
the expected term. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase
compensation expense.
EXPECTED
LIVES -- This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected
to remain outstanding and is based on management’s expectations in relation to
the holders of the options. Options granted have a maximum term of five years.
An increase in the expected life will increase compensation
expense.
DIVIDEND
YIELD --- The Company has not made any dividend payments nor does it have plans
to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
A summary
of stock option activity since the Company’s most recent fiscal year-end is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
Intrinsic
|
|
|
|
Of
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
Value
(in
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Term
|
|
|
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
February 3, 2008
|
|
|
531,375
|
|
|
$
|
29.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
414,500
|
|
|
|
12.26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited/Expired
|
|
|
(390,500
|
)
|
|
|
26.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
February 1, 2009
|
|
|
555,375
|
|
|
$
|
18.86
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested
and expected to vest at February 1, 2009
|
|
|
475,300
|
|
|
$
|
18.88
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable
at February 1, 2009
|
|
|
95,375
|
|
|
$
|
31.90
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
The
aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represents the total difference
between the Company's closing stock price on February 1, 2009 and the option
respective exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options as
of February 1, 2009. As of February 1, 2009, total estimated unrecognized
compensation expense related to non-vested stock options is $1.6 million with a
weighted average recognition period of 2.8 years.
Other
information relative to option activity during the fiscal years ended February
1, 2009, February 3, 2008 and January 28, 2007 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Grant Date Fair Value of Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
Granted (per share)
|
|
$
|
4.16
|
|
|
$
|
10.93
|
|
|
|
10.59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Fair Value of Stock Options Vested
|
|
|
632
|
|
|
|
1,262
|
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Intrinsic Value of Stock Options Exercised
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
396
|
|
|
|
184
|
|
11.
|
Quarterly
Financial Information (Unaudited)
|
Financial
results by quarter are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
|
|
|
Second
|
|
|
Third
|
|
|
Fourth
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter(1)(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2009
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
105,688
|
|
|
|
129,260
|
|
|
|
114,941
|
|
|
|
140,132
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
31,736
|
|
|
|
43,348
|
|
|
|
37,144
|
|
|
|
41,676
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(4,325
|
)
|
|
|
3,452
|
|
|
|
(1,506
|
)
|
|
|
(642
|
)
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
|
|
(5,852
|
)
|
|
|
3,256
|
|
|
|
(1,665
|
)
|
|
|
(715
|
)
|
|
Net
earnings (loss) per share (2):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
(1.54
|
)
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
(1.54
|
)
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2008
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
105,946
|
|
|
|
118,713
|
|
|
|
109,974
|
|
|
|
147,137
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
32,715
|
|
|
|
39,379
|
|
|
|
35,735
|
|
|
|
44,536
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(1,827
|
)
|
|
|
2,982
|
|
|
|
(1,378
|
)
|
|
|
1,005
|
|
|
Net
earnings (loss)
|
|
|
(2,232
|
)
|
|
|
2,594
|
|
|
|
(1,635
|
)
|
|
|
1,049
|
|
|
Net
earnings (loss) per share (2):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
(0.59
|
)
|
|
|
0.68
|
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
(0.59
|
)
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
(1)
|
An
asset impairment charge of $1.3 million and $2.1 million negatively
impacted net earnings for fiscal 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
|
|
(2)
|
Earnings
per share amounts are computed independently for each of the quarters
presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share in
fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 does not equal the total computed for the
year.
|
12.
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
The
Company had as its landlord, a member of the Board of Directors, for five store
locations. This Board Member resigned from the Board during
the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Operating lease payments to related
parties (board member) amount to approximately $607 and $699, in fiscal 2008 and
2007, respectively.
The
Company’s business activities include operation of ALCO stores and
Duckwall stores. Even though the Company has two types of stores, it is
operating them as a single segment.
The
Company has many suppliers with which it conducts business. For fiscal years
2009 and 2008, only one vendor represented more than 5% of the Company
merchandise purchases. For both years, the supplier was Proctor & Gamble.
The loss of this one vendor would not have adverse effects on the ability to
obtain like products and overall results of operations.
For 2009
and 2008, the percentage of sales by product category were as
follows:
|
|
Percentage
of Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Merchandise
Category:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consumables
and commodities
|
|
|
32
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Electronics,
entertainment, sporting goods, toys and outdoor living
|
|
|
26
|
%
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
Apparel
and accessories
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
Home
furnishings and décor
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
14.
|
Staff
Accounting Bulletin 108 (SAB 108)
|
In
September 2006, the SEC staff published Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108,
"Considering the Effects of
Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year
Financial Statements"
(SAB 108). The transition provisions of
SAB 108 permit the Company to adjust for the cumulative effect on retained
earnings of errors relating to prior years. In accordance with SAB 108, the
Company adjusted beginning retained earnings for fiscal 2006 in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements for the items described below which had
previously been considered immaterial.
Capitalized Cash Discounts:
The Company adjusted its beginning retained earnings for
fiscal 2007 related to recording cash discounts taken directly to cost of goods
sold rather than being shown as a reduction in inventory. It was determined that
the Company had improperly excluded approximately $752 which should have been
shown as a reduction in inventory.
LIFO:
The Company
adjusted its beginning retained earnings for fiscal 2007 related to a historical
difference between the previously established policy of determining lower of
cost or market adjustments on the aggregate for all LIFO pools rather than on a
pool by pool basis. It was determined that the Company had improperly not
recorded a LIFO reserve of $4.2 million.
The
cumulative effect of each of the items noted above for fiscal 2007 beginning
balances are presented below:
Description
|
|
Current
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
Income
Taxes
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Inventory
|
|
$
|
(4,344
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,344
|
|
Deferred
tax asset
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,649
|
|
|
|
(1,649
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
(4,344
|
)
|
|
|
1,649
|
|
|
|
2,695
|
|
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
None
ITEM
9A. CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES.
(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management
of the Company, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the
Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation
of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule
13a-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of February
1, 2009. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures were effective as of February 1, 2009. Except as set forth below,
there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the fiscal year for which this Form 10-K is
filed that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting.
(b) Management’s
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management
of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining internal
control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s internal control
system is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles. 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.
Management
assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting as of February 1, 2009 based on the criteria established in
Internal Control- Integrated
Framework
issued
by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). As a result of
this assessment, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting was effective as of February 1, 2009.
Our
independent auditor, KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm
that audited the financial statements included in this report on Form 10-K and,
as part of its audit, has issued an attestation report, included herein, on the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
(c) Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the fourth quarter
of fiscal year 2009, the Company completed remediation efforts relating to a
material weakness in that
the Company did not have sufficient trained
resources to effectively operate the year-end closing process controls for
fiscal year 2008
.
The Company had significant changes to its accounting and finance
personnel during the first quarter of fiscal 2009. These changes have
resulted in improvements in the Company's internal controls over financial
reporting. The Company replaced three positions with individuals
who had obtained Bachelors of Science accounting degrees. These
positions were previously held by individuals without this
education. The Company replaced one position with an individual who
has achieved their certified public accountant license. The person
who had previously held this particular position did not have this
license.
Other
than the change outlined above, there were no changes that materially affected,
or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting.
(d) Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board
of Directors and Stockholders
Duckwall-ALCO
Stores, Inc.:
We have
audited Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company’s) internal
control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2009, based on criteria
established in
Internal
Control – Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 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 Item 9A(b)
Management’s 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
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 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.
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.
In our
opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal
control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2009, based on criteria
established in
Internal
Control – Integrated Framework
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), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company
as of February 1, 2009 and February 3, 2008, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended February 1, 2009, and our
report dated April 16, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements.
/s/
KPMG LLP
Kansas
City, Missouri
April 16,
2009
ITEM
9B.
OTHER
INFORMATION
.
None
PART
III
ITEM
10. DIRECTORS AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
For
information with respect to the Company’s Directors, the Board of Directors’
Audit Committee and the written code of ethics, see the information provided in
the “Proposal One – Election of Directors,” “Information About Directors
Nominees,” “Code of Ethics” and “Certain Information Concerning the Board and
Its Committees” sections of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders on or about June 4, 2009, which information is incorporated herein
by reference. For information with respect to Section 16 reports, see
the information provided in the “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance” section of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders on or about June 4, 2009, which information is incorporated herein
by reference.
The
Company’s executive officers as of April 16, 2009, are as follows:
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
|
|
|
Lawrence
J. Zigerelli
|
50
|
President
- Chief Executive Officer
|
Jane
F. Gilmartin
|
53
|
Executive
Vice President
|
Donny
R. Johnson
|
48
|
Executive
Vice President
|
Edmond
C. Beaith
|
45
|
Senior
Vice President
|
Tom
L. Canfield
|
55
|
Senior
Vice President
|
James
M. Spencer
|
42
|
Senior
Vice President
|
Except as
set forth below, all of the executive officers have been associated with the
Company in their present position or other capacity for more than the past five
years. There are no family relationships among the executive officers of the
Company.
Lawrence J. Zigerelli
has
served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since July 1,
2008. From January 2007 to January 2008, Mr. Zigerelli served as Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture. Prior thereto,
Mr. Zigerelli served as a retail consultant to Prentice Capital Management,
L.P. He began his career with Procter & Gamble in 1980 and rose
to the position of Vice President and General Manager of Puerto Rico/Caribbean,
food and beverage for Latin America. In 1999, he joined drug store
CVS Corp. as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and eventually
added the role of Executive Vice President of Marketing. In September
2002, he joined supercenter retailer Meijer Inc. as Senior Vice President of
Marketing and Merchandising. He became President and a member of the
Board of Directors of Meijer in April 2005 and served in that capacity until
November 2006. Mr. Zigerelli has approximately 28 years experience in
the consumer products and retail industries.
Jane F. Gilmartin
has served
as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since
July 24, 2008. From July 2006 to February 2007, Ms. Gilmartin served
as Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Levitz Furniture,
Inc. Prior thereto, Ms. Gilmartin served as Executive Vice President
and Chief Merchandising Officer for Linens ‘N Things from August 2005 to March
2006, Senior Vice President of Ross Stores, Inc. from November 2003 to August
2005, and Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President of International Art,
Inc. from January 2002 to November 2003. Ms. Gilmartin has
approximately 30 years experience in the retail industry.
Donny R. Johnson
has served
at Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Company since July
1, 2008. Mr. Johnson served as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive
Officer from February 22, 2008 to June 30, 2008. Mr. Johnson served
as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from August 1, 2007 until
February 21, 2008. For the five years prior to that, he was Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Brookshire
Brothers. Mr. Johnson has approximately 20 years experience in the
retail industry.
Edmond C. (Ted) Beaith
has
served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer since August 25,
2008. From August 2007, Mr. Beaith was the Senior Retail Practice Manager
- Western US for Capgemini USA, after serving as Managing Principal of the
Retail Consulting Group of Agilysys, Inc., from April 2001 to July 2007.
Prior to his consulting career, Mr. Beaith has approximately 20 years in retail
experience, including roles as Chief Information Officer of Brookshire Brothers
and the Kohlberg Grocery Companies.
Tom L. Canfield
,
Jr.
has served as Senior Vice
President, Logistics and Administration since 2006. From 1973 to
2006, Mr. Canfield served in various capacities with the Company. Mr.
Canfield has approximately 35 years of experience in the retail
industry.
James M. Spencer
has served
as Senior Vice President of Operations since December 15, 2008. For
the five years prior to that, Mr. Spencer served as the Senior Vice President of
Development & Business Transformation, The Seiyu Ltd. (Walmart
International), Vice President of International Operations, Senior Director of
International Operations, and District Manager of U.S. Operations for Wal-Mart,
Inc. Mr. Spencer has approximately 20 years of store operations and
retail management experience.
ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION.
The
Registrant's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on or about June 4, 2009, contains under the
caption “Executive Compensation and Other Information” the information required
by Item 11 of Form 10-K, and such information is incorporated herein by this
reference.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The Registrant's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held on or about June 4, 2009, contains under the
caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and
Management” the information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K and such
information is incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM
13. CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The
Registrant's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on or about June 4, 2009, contains under the caption
“Compensation Committee Interlocks and Related Party Transactions” the
information required by Item 13 of Form 10-K and such information is
incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
The Registrant's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held on or about June 4, 2009, contains under the
caption “Ratification of Selection of Independent Public Accountants” the
information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K and such information is
incorporated herein by this reference.
PART
IV
ITEM
15. EXHIBITS AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a)
|
Documents
filed as part of this report
|
(1)
|
Consolidated Financial
Statements
|
|
The
financial statements are listed in the index for Item 8 of this Form
10-K.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Financial Statement
Schedules
|
|
All
schedules are omitted because they are inapplicable, not required, or the
information is included elsewhere in the Consolidated Financial Statements
or the notes thereto.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Exhibits
|
|
The
exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference in this report are listed
below:
|
Number
Description
3.1
|
Articles
of Incorporation of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc., amended as of June 13,
1994 and restated solely for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 1, 2004 and incorporated herein
by reference).
|
|
|
3.2
|
Bylaws
of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 1, 2004 and
incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen
of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. Common Stock Certificate. (filed
as Exhibit 4.1 to Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended August 3, 2008 and incorporated herein by
reference).
|
|
|
4.2
|
Reference
is made to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation described
under 3.1 above and Bylaws described under 3.2 above.
|
|
|
10.1
|
Employment
Agreement dated July 1, 2008 between the Company and Lawrence J.
Zigerelli is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated July 3,
2008.
|
10.2
|
Stock
Purchase Agreement dated July 1, 2008 between the Company and Lawrence J.
Zigerelli is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated July 3, 2008.
|
|
|
10.3
|
Non-Qualified
Stock Option Agreement dated July 1, 2008 between the Company and Lawrence
J. Zigerelli is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated July 3,
2008.
|
10.4
|
Employment
Agreement dated July 24, 2008 between the Company and Jane F.
Gilmartin is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated July 24,
2008.
|
10.5
|
Employment
Agreement dated August 25, 2008 between the Company and Edmond C.
Beaith is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report
on Form 8-K of the Company dated August 25, 2008.
|
|
|
10.6
|
Separation
Agreement and Release, dated as of August 1, 2008, between the Company and
Anthony C. Corradi is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated August 1,
2008.
|
|
|
10.7
|
Employment
Agreement dated December 11, 2009 between the Company and Jim M.
Spencer is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report
on Form 8-K of the Company dated December 17, 2009.
|
|
|
10.8
|
Separation
Agreement and Release, dated as of February 4, 2009, between the Company
and Phillip D. Hixon is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated February 4,
2009.
|
23.1
|
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
|
31.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. dated April 16,
2009, pursuant to Rule 13a-4(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2003.
|
31.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. dated April 16,
2009, pursuant to Rule 13a-4(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2003.
|
32.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc, dated April 16,
2009, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which is furnished with this Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2009 and is not treated
as filed in reliance upon § 601(b)(32) of Regulations
S-K.
|
32.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc., dated April 16,
2009, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which is furnished with this Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2009 and is not treated
as filed in reliance upon § 601(b)(32) of Regulations
S-K.
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
DUCKWALL-ALCO
STORES, INC.
by
/s/
Lawrence
J.
Zigerelli
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Dated:
April 16, 2009
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 and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature
and Title
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Lawrence J. Zigerelli
|
|
|
April
16, 2009
|
Lawrence
J. Zigerelli
|
|
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Donny R. Johnson
|
|
|
April
16, 2009
|
Donny
R. Johnson
|
|
|
|
Executive
Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Raymond A.D. French
|
|
|
April
16, 2009
|
Raymond
A.D. French
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
James G. Hyde
|
|
|
April
16, 2009
|
James
G. Hyde
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Dennis E. Logue
|
|
|
April
16, 2009
|
Dennis
E. Logue
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Lolan C. Mackey
|
|
|
April
16, 2009
|
Lolan
C. Mackey
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Royce L. Winsten
|
|
|
April
16, 2009
|
Royce
L. Winsten
|
|
|
|
Director
- Chairman of Board
|
|
|
|
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