Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on our evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 28, 2023. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 28, 2023 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is included herein.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Caleres, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Caleres, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 28, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Caleres, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 28, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Caleres, Inc. as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, the related consolidated statements of earnings (loss), comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 28, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a), and our report dated March 28, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
March 28, 2023
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Caleres, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Caleres, Inc. (the Company) as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, the related consolidated statements of earnings (loss), comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 28, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 28, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 28, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) and our report dated March 28, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.
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Inventory Markdown Reserve
Description of the Matter
As described in Note 1 and Note 8, the Company had inventories of $580.2 million as of January 28, 2023 which included finished goods of $558.5 million, net of related reserves of $43.9 million. The Company provides markdown reserves to reduce the carrying values of inventories. In determining markdown reserves, the Company considers recent and forecasted sales prices, the length of time the product is held in inventory, quantities of various product styles contained in inventory as well as demand, among other factors.
Auditing the Company’s Brand Portfolio markdown reserves was complex and involved a high degree of subjectivity, as it included assessing the significant assumptions, including forecasted sales prices and demand, considering the length of time the product is held in inventory and quantities of various product styles contained in inventory.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company's markdown reserves determination process. This included controls over the Company’s review of the significant assumptions underlying the markdown reserves estimate, as outlined above.
We performed audit procedures which included, among other procedures, testing the accuracy and completeness of the underlying data used in the estimation calculations and evaluating significant assumptions, including forecasted sales prices, and demand, considering the length of time the product is held in inventory and quantities of various product styles contained in inventory. For example, we compared recent sales of inventory items on-hand at year-end, performed a retrospective review analysis comparing sales activity in the current year to the inventory markdown reserves estimated by the Company in the prior year to evaluate management’s ability to accurately estimate the markdown reserves, and developed an independent expectation of the markdown reserves using historical activity and compared our independent expectation to the markdown reserves recorded. In addition, we performed inquiries of the Company’s management to evaluate the Company’s estimate of the markdown reserves.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1917.
St. Louis, Missouri
March 28, 2023
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Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ thousands)
January 28, 2023
January 29, 2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
33,700
$
30,115
Receivables, net of allowances of $ 30,820 in 2022 and $ 29,930 in 2021
132,802
122,236
Inventories, net of adjustment to last-in, first-out cost of $ 6,301 in 2022 and $ 1,255 in 2021
580,215
596,807
Income taxes
17,527
33,073
Property and equipment, held for sale
16,777
5,455
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
50,434
48,790
Total current assets
831,455
836,476
Prepaid pension costs
83,396
99,139
Lease right-of-use assets
518,196
503,430
Property and equipment, net
160,883
150,238
Goodwill and intangible assets, net
215,392
227,503
Other assets
27,150
27,140
Total assets
$
1,836,472
$
1,843,926
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement
$
307,500
$
290,000
Trade accounts payable
229,908
331,470
Employee compensation and benefits
87,041
88,034
Income taxes
7,650
22,622
Lease obligations
136,051
128,495
Other accrued expenses
143,046
164,992
Total current liabilities
911,196
1,025,613
Other liabilities:
Noncurrent lease obligations
444,074
452,909
Income taxes
7,786
2,464
Deferred income taxes
19,001
14,731
Other liabilities
28,302
24,822
Total other liabilities
499,163
494,926
Equity:
Common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 35,715,752 and 37,635,145 shares outstanding in 2022 and 2021, respectively
357
376
Additional paid-in capital
180,747
168,830
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
( 26,750 )
( 8,606 )
Retained earnings
266,329
157,970
Total Caleres, Inc. shareholders’ equity
420,683
318,570
Noncontrolling interests
5,430
4,817
Total equity
426,113
323,387
Total liabilities and equity
$
1,836,472
$
1,843,926
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss)
($ thousands, except per share amounts)
2022
2021
2020
Net sales
$
2,968,138
$
2,777,604
$
2,117,070
Cost of goods sold
1,683,265
1,550,287
1,330,021
Gross profit
1,284,873
1,227,317
787,049
Selling and administrative expenses
1,067,636
1,008,028
889,489
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
—
—
286,524
Restructuring and other special charges, net
2,910
13,482
96,694
Operating earnings (loss)
214,327
205,807
( 485,658 )
Interest expense, net
( 14,264 )
( 30,930 )
( 48,287 )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
—
( 1,011 )
—
Other income, net
12,971
15,378
16,834
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
213,034
189,244
( 517,111 )
Income tax (provision) benefit
( 33,339 )
( 51,081 )
78,117
Net earnings (loss)
179,695
138,163
( 438,994 )
Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
( 2,047 )
1,144
120
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.
181,742
137,019
( 439,114 )
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders
$
4.98
$
3.59
$
( 11.80 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders
$
4.92
$
3.56
$
( 11.80 )
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Net earnings (loss)
$
179,695
$
138,163
$
( 438,994 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
( 907 )
( 611 )
637
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments
( 17,719 )
1,207
22,146
Derivative financial instruments
—
—
92
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
( 18,626 )
596
22,875
Comprehensive income (loss)
161,069
138,759
( 416,119 )
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
( 2,529 )
1,210
288
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.
$
163,598
$
137,549
$
( 416,407 )
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Operating Activities
Net earnings (loss)
$
179,695
$
138,163
$
( 438,994 )
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
32,449
34,069
41,644
Amortization of capitalized software
4,451
5,693
5,911
Amortization of intangible assets
12,111
12,568
12,984
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount
407
874
1,359
Share-based compensation expense
17,311
12,297
8,097
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
1,369
472
2,890
Impairment charges for property, equipment, and lease right-of-use assets
1,803
4,135
56,343
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
—
—
286,524
Adjustment to expected credit losses
( 262 )
( 2,242 )
10,575
Deferred income taxes
4,270
6,487
( 37,034 )
Fair value adjustments to Blowfish mandatory purchase obligation
—
15,424
23,934
Blowfish mandatory purchase obligation
—
( 45,562 )
—
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
—
1,011
—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables
( 10,302 )
7,002
22,465
Inventories
16,242
( 108,772 )
130,796
Prepaid expenses and other current and noncurrent assets
( 1,971 )
( 11,843 )
( 12,400 )
Trade accounts payable
( 101,450 )
50,936
13,373
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
( 34,590 )
32,656
30,181
Income taxes, net
5,896
15,831
( 32,600 )
Other, net
( 1,550 )
( 758 )
305
Net cash provided by operating activities
125,879
168,441
126,353
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment
( 55,913 )
( 18,393 )
( 16,786 )
Capitalized software
( 8,124 )
( 5,752 )
( 5,274 )
Net cash used for investing activities
( 64,037 )
( 24,145 )
( 22,060 )
Financing Activities
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement
859,500
632,000
438,500
Repayments under revolving credit agreement
( 842,000 )
( 592,000 )
( 463,500 )
Redemption of senior notes
—
( 200,000 )
—
Dividends paid
( 10,184 )
( 10,648 )
( 10,764 )
Acquisition of treasury stock
( 63,225 )
( 16,965 )
( 23,348 )
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net
( 5,387 )
( 3,910 )
( 1,135 )
Contributions by noncontrolling interests, net
3,142
—
139
Blowfish Malibu mandatory purchase obligation
—
( 8,996 )
—
Debt issuance costs
—
( 1,190 )
—
Other
—
( 676 )
( 1,198 )
Net cash used for financing activities
( 58,154 )
( 202,385 )
( 61,306 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
( 103 )
( 91 )
90
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
3,585
( 58,180 )
43,077
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
30,115
88,295
45,218
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
33,700
$
30,115
$
88,295
See notes to consolidated financial statements, including the supplemental disclosures on cash flows in Note 1.
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Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Accumulated
Other
Total
Comprehensive
Caleres, Inc.
Non-
($ thousands, except number of shares
Common Stock
Additional
(Loss)
Retained
Shareholders’
controlling
and per share amounts)
Shares
Dollars
Paid-In Capital
Income
Earnings
Equity
Interests
Total Equity
BALANCE FEBRUARY 1, 2020
40,396,757
$
404
$
153,489
$
( 31,843 )
$
523,900
$
645,950
$
3,180
$
649,130
Net (loss) earnings
( 439,114 )
( 439,114 )
120
( 438,994 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
469
469
168
637
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax of $ 31
92
92
92
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax of $ 7,671
22,146
22,146
22,146
Comprehensive income (loss)
22,707
( 439,114 )
( 416,407 )
288
( 416,119 )
Contributions by noncontrolling interests, net
139
139
Dividends ($ 0.28 per share)
( 10,764 )
( 10,764 )
( 10,764 )
Acquisition of treasury stock
( 2,902,122 )
( 29 )
( 23,319 )
( 23,348 )
( 23,348 )
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net
471,569
5
( 1,140 )
( 1,135 )
( 1,135 )
Cumulative-effect adjustment from adoption of ASC 326
( 2,146 )
( 2,146 )
( 2,146 )
Share-based compensation expense
8,097
8,097
8,097
BALANCE JANUARY 30, 2021
37,966,204
$
380
$
160,446
$
( 9,136 )
$
48,557
$
200,247
$
3,607
$
203,854
Net earnings
137,019
137,019
1,144
138,163
Foreign currency translation adjustment
( 677 )
( 677 )
66
( 611 )
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax of $ 444
1,207
1,207
1,207
Comprehensive income
530
137,019
137,549
1,210
138,759
Dividends ($ 0.28 per share)
( 10,648 )
( 10,648 )
( 10,648 )
Acquisition of treasury stock
( 661,265 )
( 7 )
( 16,958 )
( 16,965 )
( 16,965 )
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net
330,206
3
( 3,913 )
( 3,910 )
( 3,910 )
Share-based compensation expense
12,297
12,297
12,297
BALANCE JANUARY 29, 2022
37,635,145
$
376
$
168,830
$
( 8,606 )
$
157,970
$
318,570
$
4,817
$
323,387
Net earnings (loss)
181,742
181,742
( 2,047 )
179,695
Foreign currency translation adjustment
( 425 )
( 425 )
( 482 )
( 907 )
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments, net of tax of $ 6,145
( 17,719 )
( 17,719 )
( 17,719 )
Comprehensive (loss) income
( 18,144 )
181,742
163,598
( 2,529 )
161,069
Contributions by noncontrolling interests, net
—
3,142
3,142
Dividends ($ 0.28 per share)
( 10,184 )
( 10,184 )
( 10,184 )
Acquisition of treasury stock
( 2,622,845 )
( 26 )
( 63,199 )
( 63,225 )
( 63,225 )
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net
703,452
7
( 5,394 )
( 5,387 )
( 5,387 )
Share-based compensation expense
17,311
17,311
17,311
BALANCE JANUARY 28, 2023
35,715,752
$
357
$
180,747
$
( 26,750 )
$
266,329
$
420,683
$
5,430
$
426,113
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
Caleres, Inc., originally founded as Brown Shoe Company in 1878 and incorporated in 1913, is a global footwear company. The Company’s shares are traded under the “CAL” symbol on the New York Stock Exchange.
The Company provides a broad offering of branded, licensed and private-label athletic, casual and dress footwear products to women, men and children. The footwear is sold at a variety of price points through multiple distribution channels both domestically and internationally. The Company currently operates 965 retail shoe stores in the United States, Canada, China and Guam under the Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and Allen Edmonds names. In addition, through its Brand Portfolio segment, the Company designs, sources, manufactures and markets footwear to retail stores domestically and internationally, including online retailers, national chains, department stores, mass merchandisers and independent retailers. Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Company’s revenue by category and Note 7 for discussion of the Company’s business segments.
The Company’s business is seasonal in nature due to consumer spending patterns with higher back-to-school and holiday season sales. Although the third fiscal quarter has historically accounted for a substantial portion of the Company’s earnings for the year, the Company has experienced more equal distribution among the quarters in recent years.
Certain prior period amounts in the notes to the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not affect net earnings (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated financial statements result from the accounting for noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries or affiliates. In 2019, the Company entered into a joint venture with Brand Investment Holding Limited ("Brand Investment Holding"), a member of the Gemkell Group, to sell branded footwear in China, including Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and other brands. The Company and Brand Investment Holding are each 50 % owners of the joint venture, which is named CLT Brand Solutions ("CLT"). In 2022, capital contributions of $ 6.3 million were made to CLT, including $ 3.1 million received from Brand Investment Holding. In addition, during 2020, CLT was funded with $ 3.0 million in capital contributions, including approximately $ 1.5 million from the Company and $ 1.5 million from Brand Investment Holding. As of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, assets of CLT were $ 19.8 million and $ 13.8 million, respectively, and liabilities were $ 9.1 million and $ 5.4 million, respectively. Net sales of CLT were $ 16.9 million and $ 17.5 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Operating losses of CLT were $ 2.7 million for 2022, compared to operating earnings of $ 1.2 million in 2021. Net sales and operating earnings were immaterial in 2020.
The Company consolidates CLT into its consolidated financial statements on a one-month lag. Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests represents the share of net earnings or losses that are attributable to Brand Investment Holding. Transactions between the Company and the joint venture have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Period
The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending the Saturday nearest to January 31. Fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020, all of which included 52 weeks, ended on January 28, 2023, January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021, respectively.
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Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
COVID-19 Pandemic
During 2020, the United States and global economies were adversely impacted by COVID-19. The Company’s financial results were also adversely impacted , driven by the temporary closure of all retail store locations for a portion of the first half of 2020 . In response to the impact COVID-19 was having on the United States economy, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act was enacted. The CARES Act includes a provision that allowed the Company to defer the employer portion of social security payroll tax payments that would have been paid between the enactment date and December 31, 2020, with 50% payable by December 31, 2021 and 50% payable by December 31, 2022. During 2020, the Company deferred $ 9.4 million of employer social security payroll taxes, of which $ 5.0 million were payable by December 31, 2022 and presented in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 29, 2022. The deferred payroll taxes were paid in December 2022 and therefore, there is no corresponding deferral on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 28, 2023. In addition, as further discussed below and in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the CARES Act permits the carryback of certain current operating losses to prior years, which resulted in an incremental tax benefit of $ 8.2 million in 2020.
Refer to further discussion of the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s business throughout this document, including Note 4, Note 6, Note 10 and Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for credit and debit card transactions. These receivables typically settle in five days or less. The Company had an immaterial amount of restricted cash as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022.
Receivables
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, the Company estimates and records an expected lifetime credit loss on accounts receivable by utilizing credit ratings and other customer-related information, as well as historical loss experience. The allowance for expected credit losses is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company recognized adjustments to the provision for expected credit losses of $ 0.3 million and $ 2.2 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and a provision for expected credit losses of $ 10.6 million in 2020. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial results of many of the Company’s wholesale customers were adversely impacted due to store closures during the first half of 2020. Many of those customers also experienced deterioration in their credit ratings, which resulted in higher expected credit losses for the Company and an increase in expense in 2020, as well as a corresponding increase in uncollectible accounts written off in 2021.
Customer allowances represent reserves against the Company’s wholesale customers’ accounts receivable for margin assistance, product returns, customer deductions and co-op advertising allowances. The Company estimates the reserves needed for margin assistance by reviewing inventory levels on the retail floors, sell-through rates, historical dilution, current gross margin levels and other performance indicators of the Company’s major retail customers. Product returns and customer deductions are estimated using historical experience and anticipated future trends. Co-op advertising allowances are estimated based on customer agreements. The Company recognized provisions for customer allowances of $ 27.6 million, $ 26.1 million and $ 20.4 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Customer discounts represent reserves against the Company’s accounts receivable for discounts that wholesale customers may take based on meeting certain order, payment or return guidelines. The Company estimates the reserves needed for customer discounts based upon customer net sales and terms of the respective agreements. The Company recognized a provision for customer discounts of $ 11.4 million in 2022, $ 7.5 million in 2021 and $ 11.7 million in 2020.
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Inventories
The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market for approximately 86 % of consolidated inventories, which represents divisions using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. For the remaining portion, the Company’s inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For inventory valued at LIFO, the Company regularly reviews the inventory for excess, obsolete or impaired inventory, and writes it down to the lower of cost or market. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. If the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method had been used, consolidated inventories would have been $ 6.3 million and $ 1.3 million higher at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively. In 2022, the Company recorded a LIFO provision of $ 4.7 million on certain inventories at the Famous Footwear segment as a result of product cost inflation. I n 2020, a reduction in inventory quantities associated with the ongoing exit of the Naturalizer retail business resulted in a liquidation of LIFO layers and reduction of the LIFO reserve of $ 2.9 million, with a corresponding reduction of cost of goods sold. Refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to inventories.
The Company applies judgment in determining the market value of inventory, which requires an estimate of net realizable value, including current and expected selling prices, costs to sell and normal gross profit rates. The method used to determine market value varies by business division, based on the unique operating models. At the Famous Footwear segment and certain operations within the Brand Portfolio segment, market value is determined based on net realizable value less an estimate of expected costs to be incurred to sell the product. Accordingly, the Company records markdowns when it becomes evident that inventory items will be sold at prices below cost. As a result, gross profit rates at the Famous Footwear segment and, to a lesser extent, the Brand Portfolio segment are lower than the initial markup during periods when permanent price reductions are taken to clear product. For the majority of the Brand Portfolio segment, the Company determines market value based upon the net realizable value of inventory less a normal gross profit rate. The Company believes these policies reflect the difference in operating models between the Famous Footwear and Brand Portfolio segments. Famous Footwear periodically runs promotional events to drive sales to clear seasonal inventories. The Brand Portfolio segment generally relies on permanent price reductions to clear slower-moving inventory.
The determination of markdown reserves for the Brand Portfolio segment requires significant assumptions, estimates and judgments by management, and is subject to inherent uncertainties and subjectivity. In determining markdown reserves, management considers recent and forecasted sales prices, historical gross profit rates, the length of time the product is held in inventory and quantities of various product styles contained in inventory, as well as demand, among other factors. The ultimate amount realized from the sale of certain products could differ from management estimates.
The costs of inventory, inbound freight and duties, markdowns, shrinkage and royalty expense are classified in cost of goods sold. Costs of warehousing and distribution are classified in selling and administrative expenses and are expensed as incurred. Such warehousing and distribution costs totaled $ 121.0 million, $ 99.5 million and $ 84.0 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Costs of overseas sourcing offices and other inventory procurement costs are reflected in selling and administrative expenses and are expensed as incurred. Such sourcing and procurement costs totaled $ 21.4 million, $ 22.2 million and $ 18.6 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company performs physical inventory counts or cycle counts on all merchandise inventory on hand throughout the year and adjusts the recorded balance to reflect the results. The Company records estimated shrinkage between physical inventory counts based on historical results.
Computer Software Costs
The Company capitalizes certain costs in other assets, including internal payroll costs incurred in connection with the development or acquisition of software for internal use. Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets include $ 16.0 million and $ 14.1 million of computer software costs as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively, which are net of accumulated amortization of $ 88.5 million and $ 130.3 million as of the end of the respective periods. In addition, other assets on the consolidated balance sheets include $ 5.6 million and $ 7.7 million of implementation costs for software as a service as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively, which are net of accumulated amortization of $ 4.7 million and $ 2.7 million as of the end of the respective periods.
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Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining lease terms, where applicable, using the straight-line method.
Interest Expense
Interest expense generally includes interest for borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit agreement, fees paid for the unused portion of the line of credit, and amortization of the deferred debt issuance costs. Interest expense for 2021 and 2020 also included interest for the Company’s long-term debt and related amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and debt discount, as well as fair value adjustments on the mandatory purchase obligation from the acquisition of Blowfish Malibu, as further described in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other , the Company is permitted, but not required, to qualitatively assess indicators of a reporting unit’s fair value when it is unlikely that a reporting unit is impaired. If a quantitative test is deemed necessary, a discounted cash flow analysis is prepared to estimate fair value. A fair value-based test is applied at the reporting unit level, which is generally at or one level below the operating segment level. The test compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to the carrying value of those reporting units. This test requires significant assumptions, estimates and judgments by management, and is subject to inherent uncertainties and subjectivity.
The Company performs its goodwill impairment assessment and impairment tests on its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the first day of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year unless events indicate an interim test is required. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if and when impairment indicators are present. Refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of goodwill and intangible assets.
Self-Insurance Reserves
The Company is self-insured and/or retains high deductibles for a significant portion of its workers’ compensation, health, disability, cyber risk, general liability, automobile and property programs, among others. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated by considering historical claims experience, trends of the Company and the industry and other actuarial assumptions. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be affected if development of costs on claims differ from these assumptions and historical trends. Based on available information as of January 28, 2023, the Company believes it has provided adequate reserves for its self-insurance exposure. As of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, self-insurance reserves were $ 9.7 million and $ 11.4 million, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Retail sales, recognized at the point of sale, are recorded net of returns and exclude sales tax. Wholesale sales are recorded, net of returns, allowances and discounts, when obligations under the terms of a contract with the consumer are satisfied. This generally occurs at the time of transfer of control of merchandise. The Company considers several control indicators in its assessment of the timing of the transfer of control, including significant risks and rewards of ownership, physical possession and the Company’s right to receive payment. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring merchandise. Reserves for projected merchandise returns, discounts and allowances are determined based on historical experience and current expectations. Revenue is recognized on license fees related to Company-owned brand names, where the Company is the licensor, when the related sales of the licensee are made. The Company applies the guidance using the portfolio approach in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, because this methodology would not differ materially from applying the guidance to the individual contracts within the portfolio. The Company excludes sales and similar taxes collected from customers from the measurement of the transaction price for its retail sales.
Gift Cards
The Company sells gift cards to its customers in its retail stores, through its e-commerce sites and at other retailers. The Company’s gift cards do not have expiration dates or inactivity fees. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards when (i) the gift card is redeemed by the consumer or (ii) the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed by the consumer
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is remote (“gift card breakage”) and the Company determines that it does not have a legal obligation to remit the value of unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdictions. The gift card breakage rate is determined based upon historical redemption patterns. Gift card breakage is recognized during the 24-month period following the sale of the gift card, according to the Company’s historical redemption pattern. Gift card breakage income is included in net sales in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss) and the liability established upon the sale of a gift card is included in other accrued expenses within the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized gift card breakage of $ 1.1 million, $ 1.0 million and $ 0.7 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Loyalty Program
The Company maintains a loyalty program at Famous Footwear, through which consumers earn points toward savings certificates for qualifying purchases. Upon reaching specified point values, consumers are issued a savings certificate that may be redeemed for purchases at Famous Footwear. Savings certificates earned must be redeemed within stated expiration dates. In addition to the savings certificates, the Company also offers exclusive member discounts. The value of points and rewards earned by Famous Footwear’s loyalty program members are recorded as a reduction of net sales and a liability is established within other accrued expenses at the time the points are earned based on historical conversion and redemption rates. Approximately 77 % of net sales in the Famous Footwear segment were made to its loyalty program members in 2022, compared to 78 % in 2021. As of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, the Company had a loyalty program liability of $ 17.7 million and $ 18.8 million, respectively, which is included in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.
Store Impairment Charges
The Company regularly analyzes the results of all of its stores and assesses the viability of underperforming stores to determine whether events or circumstances exist that indicate the stores should be closed or whether the carrying amount of their long-lived assets may not be recoverable. After allowing for an appropriate start-up period, unusual nonrecurring events or favorable trends, property and equipment at stores and the lease right-of-use asset, indicated as impaired are written down to fair value as calculated using a discounted cash flow method. The Company recorded asset impairment charges, primarily for operating lease right-of-use assets, leasehold improvements, and furniture and fixtures in the Company’s retail stores, of $ 1.8 million, $ 4.1 million and $ 56.3 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Impairment charges were higher in 2020 as a result of the adverse economic conditions driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advertising and Marketing Expense
Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred, except for the costs of direct response advertising that relate primarily to the production and distribution of the Company’s catalogs and coupon mailers. Direct response advertising costs are capitalized and amortized over the expected future revenue stream, which is generally one to three months from the date the materials are mailed. External production costs of advertising are expensed when the advertising first appears in the media or in the store.
In addition, the Company participates in co-op advertising programs with certain of its wholesale customers. For those co-op advertising programs where the Company has validated the fair value of the advertising received, co-op advertising costs are reflected as advertising expense within selling and administrative expenses. Otherwise, co-op advertising costs are reflected as a reduction of net sales.
Total advertising and marketing expense was $ 138.0 million, $ 118.1 million and $ 77.9 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These costs were offset by co-op advertising allowances recovered by the Company’s retail business of $ 6.0 million, $ 5.4 million and $ 3.4 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total co-op advertising costs reflected as a reduction of net sales were $ 18.5 million in 2022, $ 10.8 million in 2021 and $ 7.2 million in 2020. Total advertising costs attributable to future periods that are deferred and recognized as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets were $ 4.6 million and $ 4.4 million at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of its assets and liabilities. The Company establishes valuation allowances if it believes that it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless it concludes that it is more-likely-
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than-not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, in its judgment, is greater than 50% likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions within the income tax (provision) benefit on the consolidated statements of earnings (loss).
Operating Leases
The Company leases all of its retail locations, a manufacturing facility and certain office locations, distribution centers and equipment under operating leases. Approximately 35 % of the leases entered into by the Company include options that allow the Company to extend the lease term beyond the initial commitment period, subject to terms agreed to at lease inception. Some leases also include early termination options that can be exercised under specific conditions. In accordance with ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The majority of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate and therefore, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date, including implied traded debt yield and seniority adjustments, to determine the present value of future payments. Lease expense for the minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred. The Company has elected to account for COVID-19-related lease concessions as though the enforceable rights and obligations existed in the original lease and accordingly, treated those lease concessions as variable rent.
Contingent Rentals
Many of the leases covering retail stores require contingent rental payments in addition to the minimum monthly rental charge based on retail sales volume. The Company excludes from lease payments any variable payments that are not based on an index or market. If payment for a lease is fully contingent on sales, such as a percentage of sales gross rent lease, none of the lease payments are included in the lease right-of-use asset or the lease liability.
Construction Allowances Received From Landlords
At the time its retail facilities are initially leased, the Company often receives consideration from landlords to be applied against the cost of leasehold improvements necessary to open the store. The Company treats these construction allowances as a lease incentive. In accordance with ASC 842, the allowances are recorded within the lease right-of-use asset and amortized to income over the lease term as a reduction of rent expense.
Straight-Line Rents and Rent Holidays
The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term for all of its leased facilities. For leases that have predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rentals, the Company recognizes the related rental expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the recognized rental expense and amounts payable under the lease as the lease right-of-use asset. At the time its retail facilities are leased, the Company is frequently not charged rent for a specified period of time, typically 30 to 60 days, while the store is being prepared for opening. This rent-free period is referred to as a rent holiday. The Company recognizes rent expense over the lease term, including any rent holiday, within selling and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of earnings (loss).
Pre-opening Costs
Pre-opening costs associated with opening retail stores, including payroll, supplies and facility costs, are expensed as incurred.
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share Attributable to Caleres, Inc. Shareholders
The Company uses the two-class method to calculate basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders. Unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating units because they entitle holders to non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents during the vesting term. Under the two-class method, basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders is computed by dividing the net earnings (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders is computed by dividing the net earnings (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities by the weighted-average number of common shares and potential dilutive securities outstanding
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during the year. Potential dilutive securities consist of outstanding stock options and contingently issuable shares for the Company’s performance share awards. Refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the calculation of earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) primarily includes the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments and pension and other postretirement benefits adjustments.
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
For certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into United States dollars at the period-end exchange rate or historical rates as appropriate. Consolidated statements of earnings (loss) amounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period. The cumulative translation adjustments resulting from changes in exchange rates are included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in total Caleres, Inc. shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss).
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Adjustments
The Company determines the expense and obligations for retirement and other benefit plans using assumptions related to discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on invested plan assets, expected salary increases and certain employee-related factors. The Company determines the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the January 31 measurement date. The unrecognized portion of the gain or loss on plan assets is included in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in total Caleres, Inc. shareholders’ equity and is recognized into the plans’ expense over time. Refer to additional information related to pension and other postretirement benefits in Note 5 and Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.
Litigation Contingencies
The Company is the defendant in several claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes the outcome of such proceedings and litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company accrues its best estimate of the cost of resolution of these claims. Legal defense costs of such claims are recognized in the period in which the costs are incurred. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of commitments and contingencies.
Environmental Matters
The Company is involved in environmental remediation and ongoing compliance activities at several sites. The Company is remediating, under the oversight of Colorado authorities, the groundwater and indoor air at its owned facility and residential neighborhoods adjacent to and near the property, which have been affected by solvents previously used at the facility. In addition, various federal and state authorities have identified the Company as a potentially responsible party for remediation at certain other sites. The Company’s prior operations included numerous manufacturing and other facilities for which the Company may have responsibility under various environmental laws to address conditions that may be identified in the future. Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Environmental expenditures relating to an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed. Based upon independent environmental assessments, liabilities are recorded when remedial action is considered probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated and are evaluated independently of any future claims recovery. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitment to a formal plan of action, and our estimates of cost are subject to change as new information becomes available. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are discounted to their present value in those situations requiring only continuing maintenance and monitoring based upon a schedule of fixed payments.
Share-Based Compensation
The Company has share-based incentive compensation plans under which certain officers, employees and members of the Board of Directors are participants and may be granted restricted stock, stock performance awards and stock options. Additionally, share-based grants may be made to non-employee members of the Board of Directors in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) payable in cash or the Company’s common stock. The Company accounts for share-based
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compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation , and ASC 505, Equity , which require all share-based payments to employees and members of the Board of Directors, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized as expense in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values. The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing formula that requires assumptions for expected volatility, expected dividends, the risk-free interest rate and the expected term of the option. Stock options generally vest over four years , with 25 % vesting annually and expense is recognized on a straight-line basis separately for each vesting portion of the stock option award. Expense for restricted stock is based on the fair value of the restricted stock on the date of grant. Expense for graded-vesting grants is recognized ratably over the respective vesting periods, which is generally 50 % over two years and 50 % over three years , and expense for cliff-vesting grants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is generally one year . Expense for stock performance awards is recognized based upon the fair value of the awards on the date of grant and the anticipated number of shares or units to be awarded on a straight-line basis over the respective term of the award, or individual vesting portion of an award. Expense for the initial grant of RSUs is recognized ratably over the one-year vesting period based upon the fair value of the RSUs, and for cash-equivalent RSUs, is remeasured at the end of each period. The Company accounts for forfeitures of share-based grants as they occur. If the anticipated number of shares to be awarded changes significantly, share-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period. Refer to additional information related to share-based compensation in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures
The Company made payments for federal, state and international taxes, net of refunds, of $ 17.4 million, and $ 29.3 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and received refunds, net of payments, of $ 0.6 million in 2020. Refer to Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding income taxes.
Cash payments of interest for the Company’s borrowings under the revolving credit agreement and long-term debt during 2022, 2021 and 2020 were $ 12.5 million, $ 20.4 million and $ 23.6 million, respectively. Refer to Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s financing arrangements.
Impact of Prospective Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-04, Liabilities – Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations . The guidance requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures about supplier finance programs in annual financial statements, including key terms of the programs, amounts outstanding, balance sheet presentation and a rollforward of amounts outstanding during the year. For interim periods, the ASU requires disclosure of total obligations outstanding that have been confirmed as valid. The ASU is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2022, except for the rollforward requirement, which is effective in fiscal year 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in the ASU will be applied retrospectively, except for the annual rollforward requirement, which will be applied prospectively. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.
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2. REVENUES
Disaggregation of Revenues
The following table disaggregates revenue by segment and major source for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
2022
Eliminations and
($ thousands)
Famous Footwear
Brand Portfolio
Other
Total
Retail stores
$
1,467,968
$
60,113
$
—
$
1,528,081
E-commerce - Company websites (1)
233,977
218,434
—
452,411
E-commerce - wholesale drop-ship (1)
—
148,825
( 5,649 )
143,176
Total direct-to-consumer sales
$
1,701,945
$
427,372
$
( 5,649 )
$
2,123,668
Wholesale - e-commerce (1)
—
207,779
—
207,779
Wholesale - landed
—
548,838
( 54,078 )
494,760
Wholesale - first cost
—
125,091
—
125,091
Licensing and royalty
2,105
13,604
—
15,709
Other (2)
1,043
88
—
1,131
Net sales
$
1,705,093
$
1,322,772
$
( 59,727 )
$
2,968,138
2021
Eliminations and
($ thousands)
Famous Footwear
Brand Portfolio
Other
Total
Retail stores
$
1,494,595
$
59,269
$
—
$
1,553,864
E-commerce - Company websites (1)
251,823
189,564
—
441,387
E-commerce - wholesale drop-ship (1)
—
93,783
( 2,427 )
91,356
Total direct-to-consumer sales
$
1,746,418
$
342,616
$
( 2,427 )
$
2,086,607
Wholesale - e-commerce (1)
—
157,195
—
157,195
Wholesale - landed
—
468,436
( 49,263 )
419,173
Wholesale - first cost
—
100,467
—
100,467
Licensing and royalty
1,010
12,138
—
13,148
Other (2)
863
151
—
1,014
Net sales
$
1,748,291
$
1,081,003
$
( 51,690 )
$
2,777,604
2020
Eliminations and
($ thousands)
Famous Footwear
Brand Portfolio
Other
Total
Retail stores
$
983,669
$
52,796
$
—
$
1,036,465
E-commerce - Company websites (1)
279,353
149,090
—
428,443
E-commerce - wholesale drop-ship (1)
—
87,226
( 4,192 )
83,034
Total direct-to-consumer sales
1,263,022
$
289,112
$
( 4,192 )
$
1,547,942
Wholesale - e-commerce (1)
$
—
125,797
—
125,797
Wholesale - landed
—
408,752
( 44,770 )
363,982
Wholesale - first cost
—
69,172
—
69,172
Licensing and royalty
—
9,478
—
9,478
Other (2)
529
170
—
699
Net sales
$
1,263,551
$
902,481
$
( 48,962 )
$
2,117,070
(1) Collectively referred to as "e-commerce" below
(2) Includes breakage revenue from unredeemed gift cards
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Retail stores
Traditionally, the majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from retail sales where control is transferred and revenue is recognized at the point of sale. Retail sales are recorded net of estimated returns and exclude sales tax. The Company records a returns reserve and a corresponding return asset for expected returns of merchandise.
Retail sales to members of the Company’s loyalty programs, including the Famously You Rewards program, include two performance obligations: the sale of merchandise and the delivery of points that may be redeemed for future purchases. The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations based on the relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling price for the points is estimated using the retail value of the merchandise earned, adjusted for estimated breakage based upon historical redemption patterns. The revenue associated with the initial merchandise purchased is recognized immediately and the value assigned to the points is deferred until the points are redeemed, forfeited or expired.
E-commerce
The Company also generates revenue from sales on websites maintained by the Company that are shipped from the Company’s distribution centers or retail stores directly to the consumer, or picked up directly by the consumer from the Company’s stores (“e-commerce - Company websites”); sales from the Company’s wholesale customers’ websites that are fulfilled on a drop-ship basis (“e-commerce - wholesale drop-ship”); and other e-commerce sales (wholesale - e-commerce”), collectively referred to as “e-commerce”. The Company transfers control and recognizes revenue for merchandise sold that is shipped directly to an individual consumer upon delivery to the consumer.
Landed wholesale
Landed sales are wholesale sales in which the Company obtains title to the footwear from the overseas suppliers and maintains title until the merchandise clears United States customs. The merchandise is shipped directly to the customer from the Company’s warehouses. Many customers that purchase footwear on a landed basis arrange their own transportation of merchandise and, with limited exceptions, control is transferred at the time of shipment. Landed sales generally carry a higher profit rate than first-cost wholesale sales as a result of the brand equity associated with the product along with the additional customs, warehousing and logistics services provided to customers and the risks associated with inventory ownership.
First-cost wholesale
First-cost sales are wholesale sales in which the Company purchases merchandise from an international factory that manufactures the product and subsequently sells to a customer at an overseas port. Many of the customers then import this product into the United States. Revenue is recognized at the time the merchandise is delivered to the customer’s designated freight forwarder and control is transferred to the customer.
Licensing and royalty
The Company has license agreements with third parties allowing them to sell the Company’s branded product, or other merchandise that uses the Company’s owned or licensed brand names. These license agreements provide the licensee access to the Company’s symbolic intellectual property, and revenue is therefore recognized over the license term. For royalty contracts that do not have guaranteed minimums, the Company recognizes revenue as the licensee’s sales occur. For royalty contracts that have guaranteed minimums, revenue for the guaranteed minimum is recognized on a straight-line basis during the term, until such time that the cumulative royalties exceed the total minimum guarantee. Up-front payments are recognized over the contractual term to which the guaranteed minimum relates.
The Company also licenses its Famous Footwear trade name and logo to a third-party financial institution to offer Famous Footwear-branded credit cards to its consumers. The Company receives royalties based upon cardholder spending, which is recognized as licensing revenue at the time when the credit card is used.
Contract Balances
Revenue is recorded at the transaction price, net of estimates for variable consideration for which reserves are established, including returns, allowances and discounts. Variable consideration is estimated using the expected value method and given the large number of contracts with similar characteristics, the portfolio approach is applied to determine the variable
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consideration for each revenue stream. Reserves for projected returns are based on historical patterns and current expectations.
Information about significant contract balances from contracts with customers is as follows:
($ thousands)
January 28, 2023
January 29, 2022
Customer allowances and discounts
$
21,917
$
20,328
Loyalty programs liability
17,732
18,814
Returns reserve
12,038
12,468
Gift card liability
6,659
6,804
Changes in contract balances with customers generally reflect differences in relative sales volume for the period presented. In addition, during 2022, the loyalty programs liability increased $ 36.6 million due to points and material rights earned on purchases and decreased $ 37.7 million due to expirations and redemptions. During 2021, the loyalty programs liability increased $ 36.3 million due to points and material rights earned on purchases and decreased $ 31.5 million due to expirations and redemptions.
Allowance for Expected Credit Losses
The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s allowance for expected credit losses for 2022 and 2021:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
Balance, beginning of period
$
9,601
$
14,928
Adjustment for expected credit losses
( 262 )
( 2,242 )
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries
( 436 )
( 3,085 )
Balance, end of period
$
8,903
$
9,601
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3. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The Company uses the two-class method to compute basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders. In periods of net loss, no effect is given to the Company’s participating securities since they do not contractually participate in the losses of the Company. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders:
($ thousands, except per share amounts)
2022
2021
2020
NUMERATOR
Net earnings (loss)
$
179,695
$
138,163
$
( 438,994 )
Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests
2,047
( 1,144 )
( 120 )
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc.
$
181,742
$
137,019
$
( 439,114 )
Net earnings allocated to participating securities
( 7,716 )
( 4,982 )
—
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities
$
174,026
$
132,037
$
( 439,114 )
DENOMINATOR
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders
34,930
36,741
37,220
Dilutive effect of share-based awards
475
354
—
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders
35,405
37,095
37,220
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders
$
4.98
$
3.59
$
( 11.80 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders
$
4.92
$
3.56
$
( 11.80 )
There were no outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock in 2022. Options to purchase 16,667 shares of common stock in 2021 and 22,667 shares of common stock in 2020 were not included in the denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders because the effect would be antidilutive. Due to the Company’s net loss attributable to Caleres, Inc. in 2020, the denominator for diluted loss per common share attributed to Caleres, Inc. shareholders is the same as the denominator for basic loss per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders.
The Company repurchased 2,622,845 , 661,265 and 2,902,122 shares at a cost of $ 63.2 million, $ 17.0 million and $ 23.3 million during the years ended January 28, 2023, January 29, 2022, and January 30, 2021, respectively, under the 2019 and 2022 publicly announced share repurchase programs. The 2019 repurchase program permits repurchases of up to 5.0 million shares and the 2022 repurchase program permits the repurchase of up to 7.0 million shares, as further discussed in Item 5, Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities .
4. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER INITIATIVES
Organizational Change
During 2022, the Company incurred costs of $ 2.9 million ($ 2.7 million on an after-tax basis, or $ 0.07 per diluted share) related to a CFO transition at the corporate headquarters. These costs were recognized as restructuring and other special charges in the consolidated statement of earnings (loss) within the Eliminations and Other category. There were no corresponding charges in 2021 or 2020.
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Blowfish Mandatory Purchase Obligation
On July 6, 2018, the Company acquired a controlling interest in Blowfish Malibu. The remaining interest was subject to a mandatory purchase obligation after a three-year period, which ended on July 31, 2021, based upon an earnings multiple formula as specified in the purchase agreement. Approximately $ 9.0 million was initially assigned to the mandatory purchase obligation and fair value adjustments on the mandatory purchase obligation were recorded as interest expense. The fair value adjustments on the mandatory purchase obligation totaled $ 15.4 million ($ 11.5 million on an after-tax basis, or $ 0.30 per diluted share) in 2021 and $ 23.9 million ($ 17.8 million on an after-tax basis, or $ 0.48 per diluted share) in 2020. The mandatory purchase obligation was settled for $ 54.6 million on November 4, 2021. The settlement of the $ 9.0 million initially assigned to the mandatory purchase obligation is presented within financing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows and the remaining $ 45.6 million is presented within operating activities, in accordance with ASC 230, Statement of Cash Flows . There were no corresponding charges during 2022.
Brand Portfolio – Business Exits
During 2021, the Company incurred costs of $ 13.5 million ($ 11.9 million on an after-tax basis, or $ 0.31 per diluted share) related to the strategic realignment of the Naturalizer retail store operations. These costs primarily represented lease termination and other stores closure costs, including employee severance, for the 73 stores that were closed during the first quarter of 2022. These charges are presented in restructuring and special charges on the consolidated statement of earnings (loss) within the Brand Portfolio segment. As of January 29, 2022, reserves of $ 0.4 million were included in other accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets related to the strategic realignment of the Naturalizer retail store operations, with no reserves as of January 28, 2023.
During 2020, the Company incurred costs of $ 16.4 million ($ 14.9 million on an after-tax basis, or $ 0.40 per diluted share) related to the decision to close all but a limited number of its Naturalizer retail stores and exit the Fergie Brand. Of these charges, which are all reflected within the Brand Portfolio segment, $ 12.4 million is presented as restructuring and other special charges and primarily represents non-cash impairment of property and right-of-use lease assets, incremental rent and lease termination costs, and severance costs. An additional $ 4.0 million is presented as cost of goods sold and represents the incremental inventory markdowns required to reduce the value of inventory for these two brands to net realizable value.
COVID-19-Related Impairments and Expenses
The Company incurred costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts on the Company’s business, totaling $ 114.3 million ($ 115.5 million on an after-tax basis, or $ 3.10 per diluted share) during 2020. These costs included non-cash impairment of property and equipment and lease right-of-use assets, incremental inventory markdowns, employee severance and other direct expenses specific to the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations. Of the $ 114.3 million in charges, $ 80.9 million is presented in restructuring and other special charges, net and $ 33.4 million is reflected as cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss). Of the $ 80.9 million presented as restructuring and other special charges, $ 63.7 million is reflected in the Brand Portfolio segment, $ 16.6 million is reflected in the Famous Footwear segment and $ 0.6 million is reflected within the Eliminations and Other category. The $ 33.4 million presented as cost of goods sold represents incremental inventory markdowns, of which $ 27.4 million is reflected in the Brand Portfolio segment and $ 6.0 million is reflected in the Famous Footwear segment. There were no corresponding charges in 2022 or 2021.
Vionic Integration-Related Costs
On October 18, 2018, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Vionic Group LLC and Vionic International LLC. The Company incurred integration-related costs associated with the acquisition totaling $ 3.4 million ($ 2.6 million on an after-tax basis, $ 0.07 per diluted share) during 2020. Of the $ 3.4 million in charges in 2020, which were presented as restructuring and other special charges in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss), $ 3.3 million is reflected within the Brand Portfolio segment and $ 0.1 million is reflected within the Eliminations and Other category, and represent non-cash impairment of assets, severance and other related costs. There were no corresponding charges during 2022 or 2021.
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5. RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFIT PLANS
The Company sponsors pension plans in both the United States and Canada. Under the domestic plans, salaried, management and certain hourly employees’ pension benefits are based on a two-rate formula applied to each year of service. Participants receive the larger of the accrued benefit as of December 31, 2015 (based on service commencing at the date of hire and a 35 -year service cap and an average annual salary for the five highest consecutive years during the last 10-year period) and the benefit calculated under the current plan provisions from the date of hire. Generally, under the current plan provisions, a participant receives credit for one year of service for each 365 days of employment as an eligible employee with the Company commencing after the employee’s date of participation in the plan, up to 30 years . Except for grandfathered employees and certain hourly associates in the Company’s retail divisions, final average compensation, taxable covered compensation and credit service for purposes of determining accrued pension benefits were frozen as of December 31, 2018.
The Company’s Canadian pension plans cover certain employees based on plan specifications. Under the Canadian plans, employees’ pension benefits are based on the employee’s highest consecutive five years of compensation during the 10 years before retirement. The Company’s funding policy for all plans is to make the minimum annual contributions required by applicable regulations. The Company also maintains an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company sponsors unfunded postretirement life insurance plans that cover both salaried and hourly employees who became eligible for benefits by January 1, 1995. The life insurance plans provide coverage of up to $ 20,000 for qualifying retired employees.
Benefit Obligations
The following table sets forth changes in benefit obligations, including all domestic and Canadian plans:
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2022
2021
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
355,286
$
365,570
$
1,143
$
1,249
Service cost
7,143
7,494
—
—
Interest cost
11,977
11,236
35
35
Plan participants’ contribution
10
11
4
5
Plan amendments
407
—
—
—
Actuarial (gain) loss
( 70,775 )
( 13,962 )
( 85 )
( 50 )
Benefits paid
( 15,440 )
( 15,062 )
( 79 )
( 96 )
Settlements
( 3,032 )
—
—
—
Curtailments
13
—
—
—
Foreign exchange rate changes
( 17 )
( 1 )
—
—
Benefit obligation at end of year
$
285,572
$
355,286
$
1,018
$
1,143
The accumulated benefit obligation for the United States pension plans was $ 280.5 million and $ 348.8 million as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation for the Canadian pension plans was $ 3.3 million and $ 3.9 million as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively.
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
Weighted–average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations, end of year
2022
2021
2022
2021
Discount rate
5.20
%
3.40
%
5.20
%
3.40
%
Rate of compensation increase
3.00
%
3.00
%
N/A
N/A
As of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, the Company used the PRI-2012 Bottom Quartile mortality table, projected using generational scale MP-2021, a base mortality table issued by the Society of Actuaries in 2021, to estimate the plan liabilities. Actuarial losses related to the change in mortality projection scales from the MP-2020 scale used in 2020 increased the projected benefit obligation by approximately $ 1.1 million as of January 29, 2022.
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Plan Assets
Pension assets are managed in accordance with the prudent investor standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). The plan’s investment objective is to earn a competitive total return on assets, while also ensuring plan assets are adequately managed to provide for future pension obligations. This results in the protection of plan surplus and is accomplished by matching the duration of the projected benefit obligation using leveraged fixed income instruments and, while maintaining an equity commitment, managing an equity overlay strategy. The overlay strategy is intended to protect the managed equity portfolios against adverse stock market environments. The Company delegates investment management of the plan assets to specialists in each asset class and regularly monitors manager performance and compliance with investment guidelines. The Company’s overall investment strategy is to achieve a mix of approximately 97 % of investments for long-term growth and 3 % for near-term benefit payments with a wide diversification of asset types, fund strategies and fund managers. The target allocations for plan assets for 2022 were 70 % equities and 30 % debt securities. Allocations may change periodically based upon changing market conditions. Corporate stocks – common did not include any Company stock at January 28, 2023 or January 29, 2022.
Assets of the Canadian pension plans, which total approximately $ 4.5 million on January 28, 2023, were invested 55 % in equity funds, 42 % in bond funds and 3 % in money market funds. The Canadian pension plans did not include any Company stock as of January 28, 2023 or January 29, 2022.
A financial instrument’s level within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Refer to further discussion on the fair value hierarchy in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. Following is a description of the pension plan investments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such investments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
● Cash and cash equivalents include cash collateral and margin as well as money market funds. The fair values are based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency and therefore are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
● Investments in U.S. government securities, the mutual fund, exchange-traded funds, corporate stocks - common and S&P 500 Index put and call options (traded on security exchanges) are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency. Interest rate swap agreements and certain U.S. government securities are not traded on an exchange but are based on observable inputs that can be corroborated. Therefore, these investments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The preferred securities were offered in a private placement. The fair value of these investments is based on unobservable prices and therefore, they are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
● The alternative investment fund is an investment in a pool of long-duration domestic investment grade assets. This investment is measured using net asset value per share, and therefore, is not classified within the fair value hierarchy.
● The unallocated insurance contract is measured at net asset value per share, and therefore, is not classified within the fair value hierarchy.
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The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets at January 28, 2023 by asset category were as follows:
Fair Value Measurements at January 28, 2023
($ thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Asset
Cash and cash equivalents
$
12,962
$
12,962
$
—
$
—
U.S. government securities
80,522
45,872
34,650
—
Interest rate swap agreements
( 2,793 )
—
( 2,793 )
—
Mutual fund
29,548
29,548
—
—
Exchange-traded funds
92,338
92,338
—
—
Corporate stocks - common
132,138
132,138
—
—
Preferred securities
335
—
—
335
S&P 500 Index options
( 2,634 )
( 2,634 )
—
—
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
$
342,416
$
310,224
$
31,857
$
335
Investments measured at net asset value:
Alternative investment fund
14,293
—
—
—
Unallocated insurance contract
36
—
—
—
Total investments measured at net asset value
14,329
—
—
—
Total investments at fair value
$
356,745
$
310,224
$
31,857
$
335
The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets at January 29, 2022 by asset category were as follows:
Fair Value Measurements at January 29, 2022
($ thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Asset
Cash and cash equivalents
$
11,714
$
11,714
$
—
$
—
U.S. government securities
102,525
46,668
55,857
—
Interest rate swap agreements
( 232 )
—
( 232 )
Mutual fund
31,595
31,595
—
—
Exchange-traded funds
120,323
120,323
—
—
Corporate stocks - common
155,014
155,014
—
—
Preferred securities
523
—
—
523
S&P 500 Index options
5,694
5,694
—
—
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
$
427,156
$
371,008
$
55,625
$
523
Investments measured at net asset value:
Alternative investment fund
16,891
—
—
—
Unallocated insurance contract
44
—
—
—
Total investments measured at net asset value
16,935
—
—
—
Total investments at fair value
$
444,091
$
371,008
$
55,625
$
523
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The following table sets forth changes in the fair value of plan assets, including all domestic and Canadian plans:
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2022
2021
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
$
444,091
$
444,717
$
—
$
—
Actual return on plan assets
( 69,361 )
14,322
—
—
Employer contributions
494
104
75
91
Plan participants’ contributions
10
11
4
5
Benefits paid
( 15,440 )
( 15,062 )
( 79 )
( 96 )
Settlements
( 3,032 )
—
—
—
Foreign exchange rate changes
( 17 )
( 1 )
—
—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
$
356,745
$
444,091
$
—
$
—
Funded Status
The over-funded status as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 for pension benefits was $ 71.2 million and $ 88.8 million, respectively. The under-funded status for other postretirement benefits was $ 1.0 million and $ 1.1 million as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively.
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
…..
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2022
2021
Prepaid pension costs (noncurrent assets)
$
83,396
$
99,139
$
—
$
—
Accrued benefit liabilities (current liability)
( 5,189 )
( 3,755 )
( 182 )
( 189 )
Accrued benefit liabilities (noncurrent liability)
( 7,034 )
( 6,579 )
( 836 )
( 954 )
Net amount recognized at end of year
$
71,173
$
88,805
$
( 1,018 )
$
( 1,143 )
The projected benefit obligation, the accumulated benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets and for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets, which includes only the Company’s SERP, were as follows:
Projected Benefit Obligation Exceeds the
Accumulated Benefit Obligation
Fair Value of Plan Assets
Exceeds the Fair Value of Plan Assets
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2022
2021
End of Year
Projected benefit obligation
$
12,223
$
10,334
$
12,223
$
10,334
Accumulated benefit obligation
11,392
9,247
11,392
9,247
Fair value of plan assets
—
—
—
—
The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation exceeds assets for all of the Company’s other postretirement benefit plans.
The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit income at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 are as follows:
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2022
2021
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Net actuarial loss (gain)
$
25,967
$
8,807
$
( 410 )
$
( 424 )
Net prior service credit
( 20 )
( 565 )
—
—
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
$
25,947
$
8,242
$
( 410 )
$
( 424 )
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Net Periodic Benefit Income
Net periodic benefit income for 2022, 2021 and 2020 for all domestic and Canadian plans included the following components:
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
2022
2021
2020
Service cost
$
7,143
$
7,494
$
8,492
$
—
$
—
$
—
Interest cost
11,977
11,236
12,205
35
35
41
Expected return on assets
( 27,987 )
( 28,437 )
( 31,498 )
—
—
—
Amortization of:
Actuarial loss (gain)
3,088
2,410
2,718
( 103 )
( 108 )
( 110 )
Prior service credit
( 314 )
( 514 )
( 1,354 )
—
—
—
Settlement cost
320
—
1,353
—
—
—
Curtailments
13
—
( 189 )
—
—
—
Total net periodic benefit income
$
( 5,760 )
$
( 7,811 )
$
( 8,273 )
$
( 68 )
$
( 73 )
$
( 69 )
The non-service cost components of net periodic benefit income are included in other income, net in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss). Service cost is included in selling and administrative expenses.
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement Benefits
Weighted–average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit income
2022
2021
2020
2022
2021
2020
Discount rate
3.40
%
3.10
%
3.25
%
3.40
%
3.10
%
3.25
%
Rate of compensation increase
3.00
%
3.00
%
3.00
%
N/A
N/A
N/A
Expected return on plan assets
7.20
%
7.25
%
7.50
%
N/A
N/A
N/A
The net actuarial loss (gain) subject to amortization is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average future service of active plan participants as of the measurement date. The prior service credit is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average future service of active plan participants benefiting under the plan at the time of each plan amendment.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on historical and projected rates of return for current and planned asset classes in the plan’s investment portfolio. Assumed projected rates of return for each asset class were selected after analyzing experience and future expectations of the returns. The overall expected rate of return for the portfolio was developed based on the target allocation for each asset class.
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Expected Cash Flows
Information about expected cash flows for all pension and postretirement benefit plans follows:
Pension Benefits
Other
Postretirement
($ thousands)
Funded Plan
SERP
Total
Benefits
Employer Contributions
2023 expected contributions to plan trusts
$
91
$
—
$
91
$
—
2023 expected contributions to plan participants
—
5,323
5,323
187
2023 refund of assets (e.g. surplus) to employer
135
—
135
—
Expected Benefit Payments
—
2023
$
15,174
$
5,323
$
20,497
$
187
2024
15,591
2,348
17,939
153
2025
16,272
3,011
19,283
124
2026
16,855
675
17,530
101
2027
17,302
856
18,158
81
2028-2032
91,942
1,641
93,583
217
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company’s domestic defined contribution 401(k) plan covers certain salaried employees. For eligible salaried employees, the Company makes a core contribution of 1.5 % and a matching contribution of up to 50 % of the first 6 % of the employees’ contributions. The Company’s expense for this plan was $ 4.6 million in 2022, $ 5.5 million in 2021, and $ 4.0 million in 2020. In addition to the core and matching contributions, the Company has the discretion to contribute up to an additional 2 % profit-sharing benefit based on the Company’s performance. The Company’s expense for the profit-sharing contribution was $ 2.6 million for 2022 and $ 3.3 million for 2021.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The Company has a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) for the benefit of certain management employees. The investment funds offered to the participants generally correspond to the funds offered in the Company’s 401(k) plan and the account balance fluctuates with the investment returns on those funds. The Deferred Compensation Plan permits the deferral of up to 50 % of base salary and 100 % of compensation received under the Company’s annual incentive plan. The deferrals are held in a separate trust, which has been established by the Company to administer the Deferred Compensation Plan. The assets of the trust are subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors in the event that the Company becomes insolvent. Consequently, the trust qualifies as a grantor trust for income tax purposes (i.e., a “Rabbi Trust”). The liabilities of the Deferred Compensation Plan of $ 7.9 million and $ 7.5 million as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively, are presented in employee compensation and benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The assets held by the trust of $ 7.9 million and $ 7.5 million as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively, are presented within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with changes in the deferred compensation charged to selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings (loss).
Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors
Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan, whereby deferred compensation amounts are valued as if invested in the Company’s common stock through the use of phantom stock units (“PSUs”). Under the plan, each participating director’s account is credited with the number of PSUs equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that the participant could purchase or receive with the amount of the deferred compensation, based upon the fair value (as determined based on the average of the high and low prices) of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the fiscal quarter when the cash compensation was earned. Dividend equivalents are paid on PSUs at the same rate as dividends on the Company’s common stock and are re-invested in additional PSUs at the next fiscal quarter-end. The PSUs are payable in cash based on the number of PSUs credited to the participating director’s account, valued on the basis of the fair value at fiscal quarter-end on or following termination of the director’s service. The liabilities of the plan of $ 1.8 million as of both January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 are based on 60,067 and 64,227 outstanding PSUs, respectively, and are presented in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
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Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the PSUs are charged to selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings (loss).
6. INCOME TAXES
The components of earnings (loss) before income taxes consisted of domestic earnings before income taxes of $ 168.0 million and $ 152.5 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and domestic loss before income taxes of $ 441.5 million in 2020. The Company’s international earnings before incomes taxes were $ 45.0 and $ 36.7 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and international losses before income taxes were $ 75.6 million in 2020.
The components of income tax provision (benefit) on earnings (loss) were as follows:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Federal
Current
$
11,506
$
36,388
$
( 37,140 )
Deferred
6,975
( 227 )
( 45,145 )
Total federal income tax provision (benefit)
18,481
36,161
( 82,285 )
State
Current
6,660
4,012
1,532
Deferred
3,421
6,531
( 9,038 )
Total state income tax provision (benefit)
10,081
10,543
( 7,506 )
International
Current
4,759
4,615
2,288
Deferred
18
( 238 )
9,386
Total international income tax provision
4,777
4,377
11,674
Total income tax provision (benefit)
$
33,339
$
51,081
$
( 78,117 )
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The differences between the income tax provision (benefit) reflected in the consolidated financial statements and the amounts calculated at the federal statutory income tax rate were as follows:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Income taxes at statutory rate
$
44,737
$
39,741
$
( 108,593 )
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
8,981
8,361
( 17,433 )
International earnings taxed at differing rates from U.S. statutory
( 1,974 )
( 3,588 )
( 5,210 )
Share-based compensation
( 602 )
94
1,094
Provision for valuation allowance, net of utilization
( 20,743 )
8,978
41,019
Non-deductibility of 162(m) limitations
3,363
3,377
1,005
GILTI, BEAT and FDII provisions
422
346
—
Non-deductibility of goodwill impairment
—
—
20,179
Impairment of international trade name taxed at higher rate
—
—
( 1,440 )
CARES Act NOL, net carryback benefit (1)
—
365
( 8,203 )
International entity restructuring (2)
—
( 6,697 )
—
Other (3)
( 845 )
104
( 535 )
Total income tax provision (benefit)
$
33,339
$
51,081
$
( 78,117 )
(1) The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law during 2020. Among the Internal Revenue Code provisions modified by the CARES Act was a five-year carryback period for net operating losses incurred in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 tax years; temporary removal of the 80% limitation on net operating loss usage, reinstated for tax years after 2020; a temporary increase in the interest expense limitation and acceleration of refundable AMT credit. The five-year carryback presented an opportunity to carry back net operating losses from years with a statutory 21 % federal tax rate to years when the rate was 35 % .
(2) Reflects the deferred tax impacts of the liquidation of certain international subsidiaries, with related impacts presented in the provision for valuation allowance, net of utilization line in the table above.
(3) The other category of income tax provision (benefit) principally represents the impact of expenses that are not deductible or partially deductible for federal income tax purposes and the impact of any return-to-provision adjustments.
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Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
($ thousands)
January 28, 2023
January 29, 2022
Deferred Tax Assets
Lease obligations
$
147,910
$
149,123
Goodwill
38,407
43,510
Net operating loss carryforward/carryback
13,303
14,441
Accrued expenses
19,478
25,314
Employee benefits, compensation and insurance
17,350
15,751
Accounts receivable
6,304
5,735
Inventory capitalization and inventory reserves
6,642
6,013
Impairment of investment in nonconsolidated affiliate
1,470
1,470
Postretirement and postemployment benefit plans
228
259
Other
1,261
1,261
Total deferred tax assets, before valuation allowance
252,353
262,877
Valuation allowance
( 39,540 )
( 58,959 )
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
$
212,813
$
203,918
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Lease right-of-use assets
$
( 136,618 )
$
( 134,888 )
Intangible assets
( 12,054 )
( 10,624 )
LIFO inventory valuation
( 46,551 )
( 37,675 )
Retirement plans
( 19,381 )
( 23,718 )
Capitalized software
( 3,309 )
( 5,042 )
Depreciation
( 10,823 )
( 3,818 )
Other
( 3,078 )
( 2,884 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
( 231,814 )
( 218,649 )
Net deferred tax liability
$
( 19,001 )
$
( 14,731 )
As of January 28, 2023, the Company had various federal, state and international net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards with tax values totaling $ 13.3 million. The state NOLs totaling $ 5.5 million have carryforward periods ranging from one to 20 years . The Company has NOLs in Canada and the United Kingdom of $ 5.7 million and $ 2.1 million, respectively. The Canada NOLs have carryforward periods ranging from 18 to 19 years , while the United Kingdom NOLs have no expiration. As of January 28, 2023, the Company is in a three-year cumulative loss position for federal, state and certain international tax jurisdictions. The Company experienced significant losses before income taxes in 2020, which were driven by the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets during the pandemic. During 2021, the Company also experienced operating losses at its Canadian business division, which were driven by exit-related costs associated with the Naturalizer retail stores in the first quarter of 2021. As a result of the strong earnings before income taxes in both 2021 and 2022, the Company’s net deferred tax asset position declined. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company released approximately $ 17.4 million of its valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, reducing the valuation allowance to $ 39.5 million as of January 28, 2023.
As of January 28, 2023, no deferred taxes have been provided on the accumulated unremitted earnings of the Company’s international subsidiaries that are not subject to United States income tax, beyond the amounts recorded for the one-time transition tax for the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative international earnings, as required by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Company periodically evaluates its international investment opportunities and plans, as well as its international working capital needs, to determine the level of investment required and, accordingly, determines the level of international earnings that is considered indefinitely reinvested. Based upon that evaluation, earnings of the Company’s international subsidiaries that are not otherwise subject to United States taxation are considered to be indefinitely reinvested, and accordingly, deferred taxes have not been provided. If changes occur in future investment opportunities and plans, those changes will be reflected when known and may result in providing residual United States deferred taxes on unremitted international earnings. If the Company’s unremitted international earnings were not considered indefinitely reinvested as of January 28, 2023, an immaterial amount of additional deferred taxes would have been provided.
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Uncertain Tax Positions
ASC 740, Income Taxes , establishes a single model to address accounting for uncertain tax positions. The standard clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. The standard also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. As of January 28, 2023, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits. As of January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $ 1.0 million and $ 1.5 million, respectively, associated with international jurisdictions.
For federal purposes, the Company’s tax filings for fiscal years 2019 to 2021 remain open to examination but are not currently being examined. The Company also files tax returns in various international jurisdictions and numerous states for which various tax years are subject to examination and currently involved in audits. While the Company is involved in examinations in certain jurisdictions, it does not expect any significant changes in its liability for uncertain tax positions during the next 12 months.
7. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company’s reportable segments are Famous Footwear and Brand Portfolio. The Famous Footwear segment is comprised of Famous Footwear, famousfootwear.com and famousfootwear.ca. Famous Footwear operated 873 stores at the end of 2022, selling primarily branded footwear for the entire family.
The Brand Portfolio segment is comprised of wholesale operations selling the Company’s branded footwear, and the retail stores and e-commerce sites associated with those brands. This segment sources, manufactures and markets branded, licensed and private-label footwear primarily to online retailers, national chains, department stores, mass merchandisers and independent retailers as well as Company-owned Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Naturalizer and Allen Edmonds stores and e-commerce businesses. The Brand Portfolio segment included 63 branded retail stores in the United States and 29 branded retail stores in China at the end of 2022.
The Company’s Famous Footwear and Brand Portfolio reportable segments are operating units that are managed separately. These reportable segments reflect the level at which the Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates financial performance and allocates resources. Operating earnings (loss) for the reportable segments represents gross profit, less selling and administrative expenses, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and restructuring and other special charges, net. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Intersegment sales are generally recorded at a profit, and intersegment earnings related to inventory on hand at the purchasing segment are eliminated against the earnings.
Corporate assets, administrative expenses and other costs and recoveries that are not allocated to the operating units, as well as the elimination of intersegment sales and profit, are reported in the Eliminations and Other category.
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Following is a summary of certain key financial measures for the respective periods:
Famous
Brand
Eliminations
($ thousands)
Footwear
Portfolio
and Other
Total
Fiscal 2022
Net sales
$
1,705,093
$
1,322,772
$
( 59,727 )
$
2,968,138
Intersegment sales
—
59,727
—
59,727
Depreciation and amortization
20,585
21,812
6,614
49,011
Operating earnings (loss)
195,837
112,345
( 93,855 )
214,327
Segment assets
767,575
921,110
147,787
1,836,472
Purchases of property and equipment
41,755
4,170
9,988
55,913
Capitalized software
—
42
8,082
8,124
Fiscal 2021
Net sales
$
1,748,291
$
1,081,003
$
( 51,690 )
$
2,777,604
Intersegment sales
—
51,690
—
51,690
Depreciation and amortization
20,333
23,762
8,235
52,330
Operating earnings (loss)
276,415
35,928
( 106,536 )
205,807
Segment assets
705,063
944,241
194,622
1,843,926
Purchases of property and equipment
12,480
3,977
1,936
18,393
Capitalized software
121
8
5,623
5,752
Fiscal 2020
Net sales
$
1,263,551
$
902,481
$
( 48,962 )
$
2,117,070
Intersegment sales
—
48,962
—
48,962
Depreciation and amortization
23,090
28,889
8,560
60,539
Operating loss
( 23,821 )
( 408,444 )
( 53,393 )
( 485,658 )
Segment assets
765,754
851,027
250,269
1,867,050
Purchases of property and equipment
7,693
6,486
2,607
16,786
Capitalized software
870
153
4,251
5,274
Products purchased for the Famous Footwear segment from three key third-party suppliers (Nike, Skechers and adidas) represented approximately 24 %, 26 % and 25 % of consolidated net sales for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Following is a reconciliation of operating earnings (loss) to earnings (loss) before income taxes:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Operating earnings (loss)
$
214,327
$
205,807
$
( 485,658 )
Interest expense, net
( 14,264 )
( 30,930 )
( 48,287 )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
—
( 1,011 )
—
Other income, net
12,971
15,378
16,834
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
$
213,034
$
189,244
$
( 517,111 )
For geographic purposes, the domestic operations include the Company’s domestic retail operations, the wholesale distribution of licensed, branded and private-label footwear to a variety of retail customers, including the Famous Footwear and Brand Portfolio stores, as well as the Company’s e-commerce businesses.
The Company’s international operations consist of wholesale and retail operations primarily in Eastern Asia, Canada and Europe. The Eastern Asia operations primarily include first-cost transactions, where footwear is sold at international ports to customers who then import the footwear into the United States and other countries.
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A summary of the Company’s net sales and long-lived assets, including lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment, by geographic area were as follows:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Net Sales
United States
$
2,763,896
$
2,600,848
$
1,984,713
Eastern Asia
146,700
119,857
77,793
Canada
44,484
43,789
46,781
Other
13,058
13,110
7,783
Total net sales
$
2,968,138
$
2,777,604
$
2,117,070
Long-Lived Assets
United States
$
656,840
$
630,519
$
703,642
Eastern Asia
11,614
8,357
2,660
Canada
10,441
14,687
20,246
Other
184
105
192
Total long-lived assets
$
679,079
$
653,668
$
726,740
8. INVENTORIES
The Company’s net inventory balance was comprised of the following:
($ thousands)
January 28, 2023
January 29, 2022
Raw materials
$
21,172
$
16,764
Work-in-process
569
614
Finished goods
558,474
579,429
Inventories, net
$
580,215
$
596,807
As of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, the Company’s inventory balance included $ 0.2 million and $ 0.1 million, respectively, of finished goods product subject to consignment arrangements with wholesale customers.
9. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
($thousands)
January 28, 2023
January 29, 2022
Land and buildings
$
37,394
$
48,355
Leasehold improvements
204,378
197,218
Technology equipment
50,628
49,550
Machinery and equipment
106,197
98,308
Furniture and fixtures
130,761
127,125
Construction in progress
20,504
3,066
Property and equipment
549,862
523,622
Allowances for depreciation
( 388,979 )
( 373,384 )
Property and equipment, net
$
160,883
$
150,238
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Useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:
Years
Buildings
5 - 30
Leasehold improvements
5 - 20
Technology equipment
2 - 10
Machinery and equipment
4 - 20
Furniture and fixtures
3 - 10
After allowing for an appropriate start-up period, property and equipment at stores and any lease right-of-use assets indicated as impaired are written down to fair value as calculated using a discounted cash flow method. The Company recorded charges for impairment of $ 1.8 million, $ 4.1 million and $ 56.3 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily for operating lease right-of-use assets, leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures in the Company’s retail stores and capitalized software. All of the charges in 2022 and 2021 are presented in selling and administrative expenses. Of the $ 56.3 million of impairment charges in 2020, $ 55.3 million is reflected in restructuring and other special charges and $ 1.0 million is reflected in selling and administrative expenses. Fair value was based on estimated future cash flows to be generated by retail stores, discounted at a market rate of interest. Refer to Note 4, Note 12 and Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of these impairment charges.
Property and Equipment, Held for Sale
During 2021, the Company began actively marketing for sale its nine -acre corporate headquarters campus (the “Campus”) located in Clayton, Missouri. In January 2023, the Company entered into a letter of intent to sell the Campus. Subsequent to fiscal year-end, in February 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Campus, subject to certain closing conditions. The Company expects the Campus to qualify as a completed sale within the next year. Accordingly, the Campus, primarily consisting of land and buildings, has been classified as property and equipment, held for sale within the Eliminations and Other category on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 28, 2023. The Company evaluated the Campus asset group for impairment and determined that no indicators were present as of January 28, 2023. As of January 29, 2022, the Company was in negotiations to sell the campus and expected only a portion of the campus to qualify as a completed sale within twelve months. That portion of the campus, which was included in the Eliminations and Other category, was classified within property and equipment, held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 29, 2022.
10. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill and intangible assets were as follows:
($ thousands)
January 28, 2023
January 29, 2022
Intangible Assets
Famous Footwear
$
2,800
$
2,800
Brand Portfolio
342,083
342,083
Total intangible assets
344,883
344,883
Accumulated amortization
( 134,447 )
( 122,336 )
Total intangible assets, net
210,436
222,547
Goodwill
Brand Portfolio (1)
4,956
4,956
Total goodwill
4,956
4,956
Goodwill and intangible assets, net
$
215,392
$
227,503
(1) The carrying amount of goodwill as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 is presented net of accumulated impairment charges of $ 415.7 million.
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The Company’s intangible assets as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 were as follows:
($ thousands)
January 28, 2023
Estimated Useful Lives
Accumulated
Accumulated
(In Years)
Cost Basis
Amortization
Impairment
Net Carrying Value
Trade names
2 - 40
$
299,488
$
121,928
$
10,200
$
167,360
Trade names
Indefinite
107,400
—
92,000
15,400
Customer relationships
15 - 16
44,200
12,519
4,005
27,676
$
451,088
$
134,447
$
106,205
$
210,436
January 29, 2022
Estimated Useful Lives
Accumulated
Accumulated
(In Years)
Cost Basis
Amortization
Impairment
Net Carrying Value
Trade names
2 - 40
$
299,488
$
112,061
$
10,200
$
177,227
Trade names
Indefinite
107,400
—
92,000
15,400
Customer relationships
15 - 16
44,200
10,275
4,005
29,920
$
451,088
$
122,336
$
106,205
$
222,547
Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $ 12.1 million in 2022, $ 12.6 million in 2021 and $ 13.0 million in 2020. The Company estimates $ 11.9 million of amortization expense related to intangible assets in 2023, $11.0 million in 2024, 2025 and 2026 , and $10.9 million in 2027.
Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it might be impaired, using either the qualitative assessment or a quantitative fair value-based test. During 2022 and 2021, the goodwill impairment testing was performed as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter, which resulted in no impairment charges. During the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the significant decline in the Company’s share price and market capitalization and the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s business operations, the Company determined that an interim assessment of goodwill was required. A quantitative assessment was performed for all reporting units as of May 2, 2020. The assessment indicated that the carrying value of the goodwill associated with the Brand Portfolio and Vionic reporting units was impaired, resulting in total goodwill impairment charges of $ 240.3 million, which are reflected within the Brand Portfolio segment. In addition to the interim assessment, the Company performed an impairment review of the remaining goodwill balance, which is associated with the Blowfish Malibu reporting unit, as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter. That review indicated no impairment.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment as of the first day of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year unless events or circumstances indicate an interim test is required. The Company did not record any impairment charges for intangible assets during 2022 or 2021. As a result of the triggering event from the economic impacts of the pandemic, an interim assessment was performed as of May 2, 2020. The interim indefinite-lived trade name impairment review resulted in total impairment charges of $ 22.4 million, including $ 12.2 million associated with the indefinite-lived Allen Edmonds trade name and $ 10.2 million of impairment associated with the indefinite-lived Via Spiga trade name. In addition to the interim assessment, the Company tested the indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter. As a result of the impairment indicator for Allen Edmonds, the Company also tested the definite-lived Allen Edmonds customer relationships intangible asset. Those reviews resulted in additional impairment totaling $ 23.8 million, consisting of $ 19.8 million associated with the Allen Edmonds trade name and $ 4.0 million associated with the Allen Edmonds customer relationships intangible asset. Total intangible asset impairment charges of $ 46.2 million in 2020 are reflected within the Brand Portfolio segment.
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11. FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
Credit Agreement
The Company maintains a revolving credit facility for working capital needs. The Company is the lead borrower, and certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Sidney Rich Associates, Inc., BG Retail, LLC, Allen Edmonds LLC, Vionic Group LLC and Vionic International LLC, are co-borrowers and guarantors. On April 8, 2022, Blowfish, LLC was joined to the revolving credit facility as a co-borrower and guarantor.
On October 5, 2021, the Company entered into a Fifth Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as so amended, the "Credit Agreement") which, among other modifications, decreased the amount available under the revolving credit facility by $ 100.0 million to an aggregate amount of up to $ 500.0 million, subject to borrowing base restrictions, and may be increased by up to $ 250.0 million. The Credit Agreement also decreased the spread applied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or prime rate by a total of 75 basis points.
Borrowing availability under the Credit Agreement is limited to the lesser of the total commitments and the borrowing base ("Loan Cap"), which is based on stated percentages of the sum of eligible accounts receivable, eligible inventory and eligible credit card receivables, as defined, less applicable reserves. Under the Credit Agreement, the Loan Parties’ obligations are secured by a first-priority security interest in all accounts receivable, inventory and certain other collateral.
Interest on borrowings is at variable rates based on LIBOR (with a floor of 0.0 %) or the prime rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus a spread. The interest rate and fees for letters of credit vary based upon the level of excess availability under the Credit Agreement. There is a fee payable on the unused portion under the facility and a letter of credit fee payable on the outstanding face amount under letters of credit.
The Credit Agreement limits the Company’s ability to create, incur, assume or permit to exist additional indebtedness and liens, make investments or specified payments, give guarantees, pay dividends, make capital expenditures and merge or acquire or sell assets. In addition, if excess availability falls below the greater of 10.0 % of the Loan Cap and $ 40.0 million for three consecutive business days, and the fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 1.25 to 1.0, the Company would be in default under the Credit Agreement and certain additional covenants would be triggered.
The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to similar obligations, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, judgment defaults and the failure of any guaranty or security document supporting the agreement to be in full force and effect. If an event of default occurs, the collateral agent may assume dominion and control over the Company’s cash (a “cash dominion event”) until such event of default is cured or waived or the excess availability exceeds an amount as defined in the Credit Agreement for 30 consecutive days, provided that a cash dominion event shall be deemed continuing (even if an event of default is no longer continuing and/or excess availability exceeds the required amount for 30 consecutive business days) after a cash dominion event has occurred and been discontinued on two occasions in any 12-month period. The Credit Agreement also contains certain other covenants and restrictions. The Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions under the Credit Agreement as of January 28, 2023.
The maximum amount of borrowings under the Credit Agreement at the end of any month was $ 380.5 million and $ 290.0 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of January 28, 2023, the Company had $ 307.5 million of borrowings outstanding and $ 10.6 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement, with total additional borrowing availability of $ 181.9 million. Average daily borrowings were $ 356.4 million and $ 172.8 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and the weighted-average interest rates approximated 3.6 % and 2.5 % for the respective periods.
Senior Notes
On July 27, 2015, the Company issued $ 200.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due on August 15, 2023 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes bore interest at 6.25 %, which was payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The Senior Notes were guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that is a borrower or guarantor under the Credit Agreement. On August 16, 2021, the Company redeemed $ 100.0 million of Senior Notes at 100.0 %. In addition, on January 3, 2022, the remaining $ 100.0 million of Senior Notes were redeemed at 100.0 %, extinguishing the Company’s long-term debt.
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Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt
In conjunction with the redemptions of the Senior Notes in August 2021 and January 2022, prior to the maturity in August 2023, the Company incurred losses on early extinguishment of debt totaling $ 0.8 million. In addition, the Company incurred a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $ 0.2 million associated with the amendment of the revolving credit facility prior to its maturity.
12. LEASES
The Company leases all of its retail locations, a manufacturing facility, and certain office locations, distribution centers and equipment. At contract inception, leases are evaluated and classified as either operating or finance leases. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.
Lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The majority of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate and therefore, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of future payments. Lease expense for the minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred.
The Company regularly analyzes the results of all of its stores and assesses the viability of underperforming stores to determine whether events or circumstances exist that indicate the stores should be closed or whether the carrying amount of their long-lived assets may not be recoverable. After allowing for an appropriate start-up period, unusual nonrecurring events, property and equipment at stores and the lease right-of-use assets indicated as impaired are written down to fair value as calculated using a discounted cash flow method. The fair value of the lease right-of-use assets is determined utilizing projected cash flows for each store location, discounted using a risk-adjusted discount rate, subject to a market floor based on current market lease rates. The Company recorded asset impairment charges of $ 1.8 million during 2022, primarily related to capitalized software. The Company recorded asset impairment charges of $ 4.1 million and $ 56.3 million during 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily related to operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment associated with underperforming retail stores. The impairment charges recorded in 2020 primarily reflect the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s retail operations and estimates of remaining cash flows for each store, as well as the decision to close all but two of the Company’s Naturalizer retail stores. Refer to Note 4 and Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion on these impairment charges.
As a result of the temporary store closures during the first half of 2020 associated with the pandemic, certain leases were amended to provide rent abatements and/or deferral of lease payments. Deferred payments continue to be reflected in the lease obligations on the consolidated balance sheets. Under relief provided by the FASB, entities could make a policy election to account for the lease concessions related to COVID-19 as if the enforceable rights existed under the original contract, accounting for them as variable rent rather than lease modifications. The Company made a policy election to account for rent abatements as variable rent. Accordingly, in 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded $ 1.3 million, $ 2.1 million and $ 5.4 million, respectively, in lease concessions as a reduction of rent expense within selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss). Rent concessions for leases that were extended were recognized as a lease modification.
The weighted-average lease term and discount rate as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022 were as follows:
January 28, 2023
January 29, 2022
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)
6.0
6.5
Weighted-average discount rate
4.5
%
4.2
%
During 2022, the Company entered into new or amended leases that resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease obligations of $ 162.2 million on the consolidated balance sheets. As of January 28, 2023, the Company has entered into lease commitments for six retail locations for which the leases have not yet commenced. The Company anticipates that the leases for four of the new retail locations will begin in the next fiscal year and two will begin in fiscal year 2024.
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Upon commencement, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $ 2.6 million and $ 1.8 million will be recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
The components of lease expense for 2022, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Operating lease expense
$
148,299
$
149,850
$
167,624
Variable lease expense
40,233
40,654
48,443
Short-term lease expense
4,059
2,837
4,512
Sublease income
( 59 )
( 652 )
( 96 )
Total lease expense (1)
$
192,532
$
192,689
$
220,483
(1) Net of lease concessions recognized of $ 1.3 million, $ 2.1 million and $ 5.4 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The aggregate future annual lease payments at January 28, 2023 were as follows:
($ thousands)
2023
$
156,589
2024
129,221
2025
100,282
2026
80,255
2027
58,171
Thereafter
139,877
Total minimum operating lease payments
$
664,395
Less imputed interest
( 84,270 )
Present value of lease obligations
$
580,125
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Cash paid for lease obligations (1)
$
167,163
$
179,921
$
145,552
Cash received from sublease income
59
652
96
(1) Cash paid for lease obligations in 2021 includes payment of certain lease payments deferred in 2020, as described above, as well as lease termination costs associated with the Naturalizer retail store closures, as further discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements. In addition, cash paid for lease obligations in 2020 was significantly lower than comparable periods, reflecting the deferral of lease payments during the onset of the pandemic.
13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair Value Hierarchy
Fair value measurement disclosure requirements specify a hierarchy of valuation techniques based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques reflect assumptions other market participants would use based upon market data obtained from independent sources (“observable inputs”) or reflect the Company’s own assumptions of market participant valuation (“unobservable inputs”). In accordance with the fair value guidance, the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value are categorized into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:
● Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets that are unadjusted and accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
● Level 2 – Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and
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● Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
In determining fair value, the Company uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Company also considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. Classification of the financial or non-financial asset or liability within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Measurement of Fair Value
The Company measures fair value as an exit price, the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, using the procedures described below for all financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets and Liabilities
The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) for the benefit of certain management employees. The investment funds offered to the participants generally correspond to the funds offered in the Company’s 401(k) plan, and the account balance fluctuates with the investment returns on those funds. The Deferred Compensation Plan permits the deferral of up to 50 % of base salary and 100 % of compensation received under the Company’s annual incentive plan. The deferrals are held in a separate trust, which has been established by the Company to administer the Deferred Compensation Plan. The assets of the trust are subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors in the event that the Company becomes insolvent. Consequently, the trust qualifies as a grantor trust for income tax purposes (i.e., a “Rabbi Trust”). The liabilities of the Deferred Compensation Plan are presented in other accrued expenses and the assets held by the trust are classified within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Changes in deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities are charged to selling and administrative expenses. The fair value is based on unadjusted quoted market prices for the funds in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency (Level 1).
Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors
Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan with deferred amounts valued as if invested in the Company’s common stock through the use of phantom stock units (“PSUs”). Under the plan, each participating director’s account is credited with the number of PSUs equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that the participant could purchase or receive with the amount of the deferred compensation, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the fiscal quarter when the cash compensation was earned. Dividend equivalents are paid on PSUs at the same rate as dividends on the Company’s common stock and are re-invested in additional PSUs at the next fiscal quarter-end. The liabilities of the plan are based on the fair value of the outstanding PSUs and are presented in other accrued expenses (current portion) or other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the PSUs are presented in selling and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings (loss). The fair value of each PSU is based on an unadjusted quoted market price for the Company’s common stock in an active market with sufficient volume and frequency on each measurement date (Level 1).
Restricted Stock Units for Non-Employee Directors
Under the Company’s incentive compensation plans, cash-equivalent restricted stock units (“RSUs”) of the Company were previously granted at no cost to non-employee directors. These cash-equivalent RSUs are subject to a vesting requirement (usually one year ), earn dividend-equivalent units and are settled in cash on the date the director terminates service or such earlier date as a director may elect, subject to restrictions, based on the then current fair value of the Company’s common stock. The fair value of each cash-equivalent RSU payable is based on an unadjusted quoted market price for the Company’s common stock in an active market with sufficient volume and frequency on each measurement date (Level 1). Additional information related to RSUs for non-employee directors is disclosed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.
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The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022. The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during 2022, 2021 or 2020.
Fair Value Measurements
($ thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Asset (Liability)
January 28, 2023:
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets
$
7,890
$
7,890
$
—
$
—
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities
( 7,890 )
( 7,890 )
—
—
Deferred compensation plan liabilities for non-employee directors
( 1,662 )
( 1,662 )
—
—
Restricted stock units for non-employee directors
( 2,028 )
( 2,028 )
—
—
January 29, 2022:
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets
7,463
7,463
—
—
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan liabilities
( 7,463 )
( 7,463 )
—
—
Deferred compensation plan liabilities for non-employee directors
( 1,770 )
( 1,770 )
—
—
Restricted stock units for non-employee directors
( 2,568 )
( 2,568 )
—
—
Impairment Charges
The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers important that could trigger an impairment review include underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, a significant change in the manner of the use of the asset or a negative industry or economic trend. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the aforementioned factors, impairment is measured based on a projected discounted cash flow method. Certain factors, such as estimated store sales and expenses, used for this nonrecurring fair value measurement are considered Level 3 inputs as defined by FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement . Long-lived assets held and used with a carrying amount of $ 562.2 million, $ 545.1 million and $ 615.7 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were assessed for indicators of impairment. This assessment resulted in the impairment charges presented in the table below, primarily for operating lease right-of-use assets, leasehold improvements, and furniture and fixtures in the Company’s retail stores, as well as capitalized software. Higher impairment charges were recorded in 2020, reflecting adverse economic conditions, driven in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Long-Lived Asset Impairment Charges
Famous Footwear
$
200
$
1,241
$
14,900
Brand Portfolio
1,603
2,894
41,443
Total long-lived asset impairment charges
$
1,803
$
4,135
$
56,343
The Company performed its annual impairment review of intangible assets, which involves estimating the fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The intangible asset impairment reviews performed in 2022 and 2021 resulted in no impairment charges. As a result of its annual impairment testing, the Company recorded $ 46.2 million in impairment charges in 2020, as further discussed in Note 1 and Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.
During 2022 and 2021, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter. The reviews indicated no impairment. During 2020, the Company performed an interim impairment test of goodwill, as further discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. A quantitative assessment was performed for all reporting units as of May 2, 2020, which involved estimating the fair value of the reporting units using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The assessment indicated that the carrying values of the goodwill associated with the Brand Portfolio and Vionic reporting units were impaired, resulting in total goodwill impairment charges of $ 240.3 million. The quantitative assessment performed as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2020 resulted in no further impairment charges. Refer to Note 1 and Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the goodwill impairment tests.
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Fair Value of the Company’s Other Financial Instruments
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and trade accounts payable approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
The fair values of the borrowings under revolving credit agreement of $ 307.5 million and $ 290.0 million as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively, approximate their carrying value due to the short-term nature of the borrowings. (Level 1).
14. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Company Stock
The Company’s common stock, which has a $ 0.01 par value per share, is listed for trading under the ticker symbol “CAL” on the New York Stock Exchange. Holders of the common shares are entitled to one vote per share. The Company is also authorized to issue preferred shares with a $ 1.00 par value per share.
The following table provides additional information regarding the Company’s common and preferred stock:
(in thousands)
January 28, 2023
January 29, 2022
Common
Preferred
Common
Preferred
Authorized shares
100,000
1,000
100,000
1,000
Outstanding shares
35,716
—
37,635
—
Treasury shares
10,371
—
8,452
—
Stock Repurchase Programs
On September 2, 2019 and March 10, 2022, the Board of Directors approved stock repurchase programs (“2019 Program" and "2022 Program", respectively) authorizing the repurchase of the Company’s outstanding common stock of up to 5.0 million shares in the 2019 Program and 7.0 million in the 2022 Program. The Company can use the repurchase programs to repurchase shares on the open market or in private transactions from time to time, depending on market conditions. The repurchase programs do not have an expiration date. Repurchases of common stock are limited under the Company’s debt agreements. During 2022, the Company repurchased 2,622,845 shares under the share repurchase programs. In total, 5.0 million shares have been repurchased under the 2019 Program and there are no additional shares authorized to be repurchased. There are 6,367,379 additional shares authorized to be repurchased under the 2022 Program as of January 28, 2023.
Repurchases Related to Employee Share-based Awards
During 2022, 2021 and 2020, employees tendered 246,688 , 205,213 and 160,101 shares, respectively, related to certain share-based awards. These shares were tendered in satisfaction of the exercise price of stock options and/or to satisfy tax withholding amounts for non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and stock performance awards. Accordingly, these share repurchases are not considered a part of the Company’s publicly announced stock repurchase programs.
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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table sets forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Pension and
Accumulated
Foreign
Other
Other
Currency
Postretirement
Derivative
Comprehensive
($ thousands)
Translation
Transactions (1)
Transactions (2)
(Loss) Income
Balance February 1, 2020
$
( 580 )
$
( 31,171 )
$
( 92 )
$
( 31,843 )
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
469
20,351
87
20,907
Reclassifications:
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
—
2,418
6
2,424
Tax benefit
—
( 623 )
( 1 )
( 624 )
Net reclassifications
—
1,795
5
1,800
Other comprehensive income
469
22,146
92
22,707
Balance January 30, 2021
$
( 111 )
$
( 9,025 )
$
—
$
( 9,136 )
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
( 677 )
( 116 )
—
( 793 )
Reclassifications:
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
—
1,788
—
1,788
Tax benefit
—
( 465 )
—
( 465 )
Net reclassifications
—
1,323
—
1,323
Other comprehensive (loss) income
( 677 )
1,207
—
530
Balance January 29, 2022
$
( 788 )
$
( 7,818 )
$
—
$
( 8,606 )
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
( 425 )
( 19,776 )
—
( 20,201 )
Reclassifications:
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
—
2,991
—
2,991
Tax benefit
—
( 934 )
—
( 934 )
Net reclassifications
—
2,057
—
2,057
Other comprehensive loss
( 425 )
( 17,719 )
—
( 18,144 )
Balance January 28, 2023
$
( 1,213 )
$
( 25,537 )
$
—
$
( 26,750 )
(1) Amounts reclassified are included in other income, net. Refer to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information related to pension and other postretirement benefits.
(2) Amounts reclassified are included in net sales, costs of goods sold and selling and administrative expenses.
15. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has share-based incentive compensation plans under which certain officers, employees and members of the Board of Directors are participants and may be granted restricted stock, stock performance awards, restricted stock units and stock options.
ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation , and ASC 505, Equity , require companies to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of all share-based payments granted to employees over the requisite service period for each award. In certain limited circumstances, the Company’s incentive compensation plan provides for accelerated vesting of the awards, such as in the event of a change in control, qualified retirement, death or disability. The Company has a policy of issuing treasury shares in satisfaction of share-based awards.
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Share-based compensation expense of $ 17.3 million, $ 12.3 million and $ 8.1 million was recognized in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as a component of selling and administrative expenses. The following table details the share-based compensation expense by plan for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Expense for share-based compensation plans, net of forfeitures:
Restricted stock
$
10,974
$
7,308
$
6,840
Stock performance awards
5,190
3,904
147
Restricted stock units
1,147
1,085
1,109
Stock options
—
—
1
Total share-based compensation expense
$
17,311
$
12,297
$
8,097
The Company issued 703,452 , 330,206 and 471,569 shares of common stock in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, for restricted stock grants, stock performance awards issued to employees, stock options exercised and common and restricted stock issued to non-employee directors, net of forfeitures and shares withheld to satisfy the tax withholding requirement.
The Company recognized an excess tax benefit of $ 0.6 million in 2022 and an excess tax provision of $ 0.1 million in 2021 and $ 1.1 million in 2020, respectively, related to restricted stock vestings and dividends, performance share award vestings and stock options exercised. The excess tax benefit or provision for the respective periods were recorded in income tax (provision) benefit.
Restricted Stock
Under the Company’s incentive compensation plans, restricted stock of the Company may be granted at no cost to certain officers, key employees and directors. Plan participants are entitled to cash dividends and voting rights for their respective shares. The restricted stock awards limit the sale or transfer of these shares during the requisite service period. Expense for restricted stock grants is recognized on a straight-line basis separately for each vesting portion of the stock award based upon fair value of the award on the date of grant. The fair value of the restricted stock grants is the quoted market price for the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Number of
Nonvested
Weighted-
Restricted
Average Grant
Shares
Date Fair Value
Nonvested at February 1, 2020
1,271,795
$
26.77
Granted
707,931
6.99
Vested
( 430,837 )
28.27
Forfeited
( 151,662 )
22.19
Nonvested at January 30, 2021
1,397,227
16.74
Granted
616,442
19.40
Vested
( 540,647 )
26.39
Forfeited
( 82,625 )
15.37
Nonvested at January 29, 2022
1,390,397
14.24
Granted
848,678
21.76
Vested
( 525,399 )
12.87
Forfeited
( 109,716 )
15.67
Nonvested at January 28, 2023
1,603,960
$
18.57
Of the 848,678 restricted shares granted during 2022, 10,470 shares have a cliff-vesting term of one year , 63,614 shares have a graded-vesting term of two years , and 774,594 shares have a graded-vesting term of three years . Of the 616,442 restricted shares granted during 2021, 4,910 shares have a cliff-vesting term of one year , 20,000 shares have a cliff-vesting term of two years and 591,532 shares have a graded-vesting term of three years . Of the 707,931 restricted shares granted during 2020, 12,748 shares have a cliff-vesting term of one year and 695,183 shares have a graded-vesting term of three
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years. The shares that have a graded-vesting term of two years vest 50 % after one year and 50 % after two years and shares that have a graded-vesting term of three years vest 50 % after two years and 50 % after three years .
The total grant date fair value of restricted stock awards vested during the years ended January 28, 2023, January 29, 2022 and January 30, 2021, was $ 6.8 million, $ 14.3 million and $ 4.4 million, respectively. As of January 28, 2023, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock grants was $ 15.0 million, which will be amortized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of 1.7 years.
Performance Share Awards
Under the Company’s incentive compensation plans, common stock or cash may be awarded at the end of the performance period at no cost to certain officers and key employees if certain financial goals are met. Under the plan, employees are granted performance share awards at a target number of shares or units, which generally vest over a three-year service period. At the end of the vesting period, the employee will have earned an amount of shares between 0 % and 200 % of the targeted award, depending on the attainment of certain financial goals during the service period. If the awards are granted in units, the employee will be given an amount of cash ranging from 0 % to 200 % of the equivalent market value of the targeted award. Expense for performance share awards is recognized based upon the fair value of the awards on the date of grant and the anticipated number of shares or cash to be awarded on a straight-line basis for each performance period of the share award.
In connection with the Company’s CFO transition during 2022, the Company approved the accelerated vesting of 30,000 performance-based share awards, representing the maximum payout of two of the four award tranches from the 2020 performance award. The performance conditions had been satisfied for the two award tranches based on the achievement of financial goals for the 2020 and 2021 fiscal periods. The modification to accelerate vesting eliminated the remaining service requirement. These awards had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $ 13.05 per share, but were revalued using a fair value on the date of modification of $ 24.31 per share. The modification of these awards resulted in incremental compensation expense of $ 0.4 million, which is presented in restructuring and other special charges on the consolidated statements of earnings for 2022.
The following table summarizes performance share award activity for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
Number of Nonvested
Number of Nonvested
Performance Share
Performance Share
Awards at Target
Awards at Maximum
Weighted-Average
Level
Level
Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at February 1, 2020
476,000
952,000
$
27.16
Granted
87,750
175,500
7.47
Vested
( 153,000 )
( 306,000 )
26.90
Forfeited
( 25,000 )
( 50,000 )
18.64
Nonvested at January 30, 2021
385,750
771,500
23.33
Granted
160,500
321,000
13.05
Vested
( 148,000 )
( 296,000 )
31.84
Forfeited
( 7,500 )
( 15,000 )
11.19
Nonvested at January 29, 2022
390,750
781,500
16.12
Granted
77,750
155,500
21.00
Vested
( 172,500 )
( 345,000 )
23.50
Forfeited
( 15,000 )
( 30,000 )
14.24
Nonvested at January 28, 2023
281,000
562,000
$
13.64
As of January 28, 2023, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested performance share awards was $ 0.4 million, which will be recognized over the remaining service period of one month .
During 2022, the Company granted long-term incentive awards payable in cash for the 2022-2024 performance period, with a target value of $ 8.3 million and a maximum value of $ 16.6 million. During 2021, the Company granted long-term incentive awards payable in cash for the 2021-2023 performance period, with a target value of $ 7.3 million and a maximum
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value of $ 14.6 million. These awards, which vest after a three-year period, are dependent upon the attainment of certain financial goals of the Company for each of the three years and individual achievement of strategic initiatives over the cumulative period of the award. The estimated value of the award, which is reflected within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, is being accrued over the three-year performance period. There were no long-term cash incentive awards granted by the Company during 2020.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted to employees at exercise prices equal to the quoted market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. Stock options generally vest over four years and have a term of 10 years . Compensation cost for all stock options is recognized over the requisite service period for each award. No dividends are paid on unexercised options. Expense for stock options is recognized on a straight-line basis separately for each vesting portion of the stock option award. The Company granted no stock options during 2022, 2021 and 2020. The remaining 16,667 options outstanding at January 29, 2022 were canceled during 2022 and therefore, there are no options outstanding or exercisable as of January 28, 2023.
Restricted Stock Units for Non-Employee Directors
Equity-based grants may be made to non-employee directors in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) payable in cash or common stock at no cost to the non-employee director. The RSUs are subject to a vesting requirement (usually one year ), earn dividend equivalent units and are payable in cash or common stock on the date the director terminates service or such earlier date as a director may elect, subject to restrictions, based on the then current fair value of the Company’s common stock. Dividend equivalents are paid on outstanding RSUs at the same rate as dividends on the Company’s common stock, are automatically re-invested in additional RSUs and vest immediately as of the payment date for the dividend. Expense related to the initial grant of RSUs is recognized ratably over the vesting period based upon the fair value of the RSUs. The RSUs payable in cash are remeasured at the end of each period. Expense for the dividend equivalents is recognized at fair value immediately. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the RSUs payable in cash subsequent to the vesting period and through the settlement date are recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings (loss). Refer to Note 5 and Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding the deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors.
The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity for the year ended January 28, 2023:
Nonvested
Outstanding
Accrued (3)
RSUs
Weighted-
Number of
Number of
Total
Total
Average
Vested
Nonvested
Number of
Number of
Grant Date
RSUs
RSUs
RSUs (2)
RSUs
Fair Value
January 29, 2022
524,824
45,079
569,903
554,876
$
23.56
Granted (1)
5,354
37,112
42,466
30,251
27.64
Vested
39,747
( 39,747 )
—
13,093
27.45
Settled
( 114,242 )
—
( 114,242 )
( 114,242 )
27.91
January 28, 2023
455,683
42,444
498,127
483,978
$
23.49
(1) Granted RSUs include 5,821 RSUs resulting from dividend equivalents paid on outstanding RSUs, of which 5,354 related to outstanding vested RSUs and 467 to outstanding nonvested RSUs.
(2) Total number of RSUs as of January 28, 2023 includes 360,448 RSUs payable in shares and 137,679 RSUs payable in cash.
(3) Accrued RSUs include all fully vested awards and a pro-rata portion of nonvested awards based on the elapsed portion of the vesting period.
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The following table summarizes RSUs granted, vested and settled during 2022, 2021 and 2020:
($ thousands, except per unit amounts)
2022
2021
2020
Weighted-average grant date fair value of RSUs granted (1)
$
27.09
$
26.88
$
10.12
Fair value of RSUs vested
$
998
$
2,370
$
1,125
RSUs settled
114,242
—
88,370
(1) Includes dividend equivalents granted on outstanding RSUs, which vest immediately.
The following table details the RSU compensation expense and the related income tax (benefit) provision for 2022, 2021 and 2020:
($ thousands)
2022
2021
2020
Compensation expense (income)
$
335
$
907
$
( 613 )
Income tax (benefit) provision
( 86 )
( 233 )
158
Compensation expense (income), net of tax
$
249
$
674
$
( 455 )
The aggregate fair value of RSUs outstanding and currently vested at January 28, 2023 is $ 12.5 million and $ 11.4 million, respectively. The liabilities associated with the accrued RSUs totaled $ 2.0 million and $ 2.6 million as of January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively.
16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental Remediation
Prior operations included numerous manufacturing and other facilities for which the Company may have responsibility under various environmental laws for the remediation of conditions that may be identified in the future. The Company is involved in environmental remediation and ongoing compliance activities at several sites and has been notified that it is or may be a potentially responsible party at several other sites.
Redfield
The Company is remediating, under the oversight of Colorado authorities, the groundwater and indoor air at its owned facility in Colorado (the “Redfield site” or, when referring to remediation activities at or under the facility, the “on-site remediation”) and residential neighborhoods adjacent to and near the property (the “off-site remediation”) that have been affected by solvents previously used at the facility. The on-site remediation calls for the operation of a pump and treat system (which prevents migration of contaminated groundwater off the property) as the final remedy for the site, subject to monitoring and periodic review of the on-site conditions and other remedial technologies that may be developed in the future. In 2016, the Company submitted a revised plan to address on-site conditions, including direct treatment of source areas, and received approval from the oversight authorities to begin implementing the revised plan. The Company has received permission from the oversight authorities to convert the pump and treat system to a passive treatment barrier system and will begin implementing that conversion in 2023.
Off-site groundwater concentrations have been reducing over time since installation of the pump and treat system in 2000 and injection of clean water beginning in 2003. However, localized areas of contaminated bedrock just beyond the property line continue to impact off-site groundwater. The modified workplan for addressing this condition includes converting the off-site bioremediation system into a monitoring well network and employing different remediation methods in these recalcitrant areas. In accordance with the workplan, a pilot test was conducted of certain groundwater remediation methods and the results of that test were used to develop more detailed plans for remedial activities in the off-site areas, which were approved by the authorities and are being implemented in a phased manner. The results of groundwater monitoring are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of these activities. The Company continues to implement the expanded remedy workplan that was approved by the oversight authorities in 2015 and to work with the oversight authorities on the off-site work plan.
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The cumulative expenditures for both on-site and off-site remediation through January 28, 2023 were $ 33.1 million. The Company has recovered a portion of these expenditures from insurers and other third parties. The reserve for the anticipated future remediation activities at January 28, 2023 is $ 9.8 million, of which $ 8.8 million is recorded within other liabilities and $ 1.0 million is recorded within other accrued expenses. Of the total $ 9.8 million reserve, $ 5.0 million is for off-site remediation and $ 4.8 million is for on-site remediation. The liability for the on-site remediation was discounted at 4.8 %. On an undiscounted basis, the on-site remediation liability would be $ 13.1 million as of January 28, 2023 . The Company expects to spend approximately $ 0.6 million in the next year , $ 0.1 million in each of the following four years and $ 12.1 million in the aggregate thereafter related to the on-site remediation.
Other
Various federal and state authorities have identified the Company as a potentially responsible party for remediation at certain other sites. However, the Company does not currently believe that its liability for such sites, if any, would be material.
The Company continues to evaluate its estimated costs in conjunction with its environmental consultants and records its best estimate of such liabilities. However, future actions and the associated costs are subject to oversight and approval of various governmental authorities. Accordingly, the ultimate costs may vary, and it is possible costs may exceed the recorded amounts.
Litigation
The Company is involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such ordinary course of business proceedings and litigation currently pending is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Legal costs associated with litigation are generally expensed as incurred.
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SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Col. A
Col. B
Col. C
Col. D
Col. E
Additions
Balance at
Charged to
Charged to Other
Balance at
Beginning
Costs and
Accounts -
Deductions -
End of
Description
of Period
Expenses
Describe
Describe
Period
($ thousands)
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 28, 2023
Deducted from assets or accounts:
Allowance for expected credit losses
$
9,601
$
( 262 )
$
—
$
436
(A)
$
8,903
Customer allowances
17,857
27,559
—
26,792
(B)
18,624
Customer discounts
2,472
11,357
—
10,536
(B)
3,293
Inventory valuation allowances
30,455
53,787
—
40,331
(C)
43,911
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
58,959
( 19,419 )
—
—
(D)
39,540
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 2022
Deducted from assets or accounts:
Allowance for expected credit losses
$
14,928
$
( 2,242 )
$
—
$
3,085
(A)
$
9,601
Customer allowances
15,151
26,100
—
23,394
(B)
17,857
Customer discounts
1,892
7,459
—
6,879
(B)
2,472
Inventory valuation allowances
32,628
23,825
—
25,998
(C)
30,455
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
49,981
8,978
—
—
(D)
58,959
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 2021
Deducted from assets or accounts:
Allowance for expected credit losses
$
1,813
$
10,575
$
2,521
(E)
$
( 19 )
(A)
$
14,928
Customer allowances
25,816
20,355
—
31,020
(B)
15,151
Customer discounts
1,198
11,692
—
10,998
(B)
1,892
Inventory valuation allowances
20,610
63,543
—
51,525
(C)
32,628
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
4,809
45,434
—
262
(D)
49,981
(A) Accounts written off, net of recoveries.
(B) Discounts and allowances granted to wholesale customers of the Brand Portfolio segment.
(C) Adjustment upon sale of related inventories.
(D) Reductions to the valuation allowances for the net operating loss carryforwards for certain states based on the Company’s expectations for utilization of net operating loss carryforwards.
(E) Adjustment upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) .
ITEM 9 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.