FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this prospectus supplement, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or made by our Company or our management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential” and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this prospectus supplement, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or otherwise made by our Company or our management:
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general economic conditions, inflation, consumer confidence, consumer spending patterns and market disruptions including pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events;
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the COVID-19 pandemic has had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations;
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the seasonality of our business;
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the anticipated benefits from the Victoria’s Secret & Co. spin-off may not be realized;
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the spin-off of Victoria’s Secret & Co. may not be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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our dependence on Victoria’s Secret & Co. for information technology services;
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difficulties arising from turnover in Company leadership or other key positions;
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our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified associates and manage labor-related costs;
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the dependence on store traffic and the availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms;
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our continued growth in part through new store openings and existing store remodels and expansions;
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our ability to successfully operate and expand internationally and related risks;
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our independent franchise, license and wholesale partners;
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our direct channel business;
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our ability to protect our reputation and our brand image;
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our ability to successfully complete environmental, social and governance initiatives, and associated costs thereof;
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our ability to attract customers with marketing, advertising and promotional programs;
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our ability to maintain, enforce and protect our trade names, trademarks and patents;
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the highly competitive nature of the retail industry and the segments in which we operate;
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consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to manage the life cycle of our brand, develop new merchandise and launch new product lines successfully;
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our ability to source, distribute and sell goods and materials on a global basis, including risks related to:
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political instability, wars and other armed conflicts, environmental hazards or natural disasters;
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significant health hazards or pandemics, which could result in closed factories and/or stores, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in impacted areas;