Williams-Sonoma
WSM
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Williams-Sonoma - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

--------------

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 1999.

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________ to _______________

Commission file number 000-12704

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

California 94-2203880
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of Incorporation or Organization)

3250 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (415) 421-7900

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year,
if Changed Since Last Report.

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

As of December 6, 1999, 56,413,988 shares of the Registrant's Common
Stock were outstanding.
2

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<TABLE>
PAGE
----
<S> <C> <C>
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (3)
October 31, 1999, January 31, 1999, and November 1, 1998

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Thirteen weeks ended October 31, 1999 and November 1, 1998
Thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 1999 and November 1, 1998

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 1999 and November 1, 1998

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations (8)
and Financial Condition

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure (11)
about Market Risk

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings (13)

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (14)
</TABLE>
3

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
October 31, January 31, November 1,
1999 1999 1998
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,791 $107,308 $ 4,039
Accounts receivable (net) 29,980 20,082 27,496
Merchandise inventories 301,665 173,160 220,267
Prepaid expenses and other assets 10,968 8,985 9,252
Prepaid catalog expenses 27,068 13,154 25,253
Deferred income taxes 4,077 4,077 3,680
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets 378,549 326,766 289,987

Property and equipment (net) 302,718 243,119 233,310
Investments and other assets (net) 9,576 6,360 5,792
-------- -------- --------
Total assets $690,843 $576,245 $529,089
======== ======== ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $106,115 $ 70,964 $ 85,204
Accrued expenses 21,750 24,003 20,127
Line of credit 61,980 -- 19,950
Customer deposits 30,515 26,659 20,592
Income taxes payable 6,481 19,529 --
Current portion of long-term obligations 5,966 6,368 125
Other liabilities 7,691 6,377 8,330
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities 240,498 153,900 154,328

Deferred lease credits 85,610 72,327 72,512
Deferred tax liability 3,339 3,339 2,439
Long-term debt and other liabilities 40,206 44,649 50,384
Commitments and contingencies -- -- --
Shareholders' equity 321,190 302,030 249,426
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $690,843 $576,245 $529,089
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>



See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
----------------------------- ----------------------------
October 31, November 1, October 31, November 1,
1999 1998 1999 1998
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 324,148 $ 241,298 $ 846,823 $ 662,770

Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold and occupancy 192,748 146,494 518,720 409,665
Selling, general and administrative 114,880 85,648 298,062 233,343
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total costs and expenses 307,628 232,142 816,782 643,008
--------- --------- --------- ---------

Earnings from operations 16,520 9,156 30,041 19,762

Gain/(loss) on sale of assets (23) -- 3,977 --
Interest expense (net) 1,226 686 1,901 1,138
--------- --------- --------- ---------

Earnings before income taxes 15,271 8,470 32,117 18,624

Income taxes 6,032 3,472 12,686 7,635
--------- --------- --------- ---------

Net earnings $ 9,239 $ 4,998 $ 19,431 $ 10,989
========= ========= ========= =========

Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.17 $ 0.09 $ 0.35 $ 0.20
Diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.09 $ 0.33 $ 0.20
Shares used in calculation of earnings per share:
Basic 55,827 55,613 55,761 53,988
Diluted 58,908 57,838 58,502 56,326
</TABLE>



See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
-----------------------------
October 31, November 1,
1999 1998
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 19,431 $ 10,989
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 31,126 24,089
Net gain on disposition of assets (2,325) --
Amortization of deferred lease incentives (6,215) (4,694)
Other 165 --
Change in:
Accounts receivable (9,898) (12,258)
Merchandise inventories (131,177) (87,816)
Prepaid catalog expenses (15,543) (11,657)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (1,983) (1,261)
Accounts payable 35,151 26,708
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 2,858 (9,747)
Deferred lease incentives 19,498 21,049
Income taxes payable (13,048) (17,216)
--------- ---------
Net cash used in operating activities (71,960) (61,814)
--------- ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (95,009) (59,202)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 11,192 2,117
Purchase of investment (2,000) --
Other (130) --
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (85,947) (57,085)
--------- ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under line of credit 132,850 36,200
Repayments under line of credit (70,870) (16,250)
Repayment of long-term obligations (6,319) (461)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 4,467 6,235
Repurchase of common stock (4,738) --
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities 55,390 25,724
--------- ---------

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (102,517) (93,175)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 107,308 97,214
--------- ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 4,791 4,039
========= =========

Non-cash financing transaction:

Conversion of Convertible Notes to equity $ 39,004
</TABLE>



See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Thirteen and Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 31, 1999 and November 1, 1998
(Unaudited)

NOTE A. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of October 31, 1999 and November 1,
1998, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the thirteen and
thirty-nine week periods ended October 31, 1999 and November 1, 1998 and the
condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the thirty-nine week periods
ended October 31, 1999 and November 1, 1998 have been prepared by
Williams-Sonoma, Inc., (the Company) without audit. In the opinion of
management, the financial statements include all adjustments (which include only
normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position
at the balance sheet dates and the results of operations for the thirteen and
thirty-nine weeks then ended. These financial statements include
Williams-Sonoma, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Significant
intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The balance sheet
at January 31, 1999, presented herein, has been derived from the audited balance
sheet of the Company included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended January 31, 1999.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been omitted. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with
the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual
Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial
statements to conform to classifications used in the current period.

The results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October
31, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results of the full
year.

NOTE B. DEBT

The Company's amended and restated syndicated line of credit facility, which
expires on May 31, 2001, provides for $50,000,000 in cash advances, and contains
certain restrictive loan covenants, including minimum tangible net worth, a
minimum out-of-debt period, fixed charge coverage requirements and a prohibition
on payment of cash dividends. Additionally, the Company has a one-year
$65,000,000 letter-of-credit agreement expiring on May 31, 2000 with its lead
bank.

During the third quarter, the Company amended its letter-of-credit agreement to
add a facility for up to $50,000,000 in cash advances in order to meet its
seasonal working capital needs. This additional facility expired on December 1,
1999.

At October 31, 1999, the Company had $50,000,000 of borrowings outstanding under
the line of credit facility, $48,316,000 in outstanding letters of credit, and
$11,980,000 of outstanding cash advances under the letter of credit facility.
7

NOTE C. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed as net income divided by the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per
share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares
issuable through stock options, warrants and other convertible securities.

NOTE D. SEGMENT REPORTING

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has two reportable segments: retail and catalog. The
retail segment sells products for the home through its three retail concepts:
Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Hold Everything. The catalog segment sells
similar products through its four direct-mail catalogs: Williams-Sonoma, Pottery
Barn (including Pottery Barn Kids), Hold Everything and Chambers, and the
Internet.

In 1999 the Company sold its Gardners Eden catalog business to Brookstone, Inc.
As a result of this sale, the Company recorded a $3,977,000 pre-tax gain, which
is reflected in catalog earnings before income taxes in the segment information
below.

These reportable segments are strategic business units that offer similar
home-centered products. They are managed separately because each business unit
utilizes two distinct distribution and marketing strategies.

The accounting policies of the segments, where applicable, are the same as those
described in the summary of significant accounting policies detailed in the
Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Williams-Sonoma uses earnings before unallocated corporate
overhead, interest and taxes to evaluate segment profitability. Unallocated
assets include corporate cash and equivalents, the net book value of corporate
facilities and related information systems, deferred tax amounts and other
corporate long-lived assets.

SEGMENT INFORMATION -

Dollars in thousands

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Retail Catalog Unallocated Total
-------- -------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thirteen Weeks Ended October 31, 1999
Revenues $189,732 $134,416 $ -- $324,148
Earnings before income taxes 12,052 21,195 (17,976) 15,271

Thirteen Weeks Ended November 1, 1998
Revenues $153,245 $ 88,053 $ -- $241,298
Earnings before income taxes 7,057 14,851 (13,438) 8,470
</TABLE>

Dollars in thousands

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Retail Catalog Unallocated Total
-------- -------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 31, 1999
Revenues $520,583 $326,240 $ -- $846,823
Earnings before income taxes 33,040 51,395 (52,318) 32,117

Segment Assets 446,693 185,156 58,994 690,843

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended November 1, 1998
Revenues $423,919 $238,851 $ -- $662,770
Earnings before income taxes 26,121 30,899 (38,396) 18,624

Segment Assets 376,329 100,856 51,904 529,089
</TABLE>
8


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
FINANCIAL CONDITION

NET SALES

Net sales consists of the following components (dollars in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
October 31, 1999 November 1, 1998 October 31, 1999 November 1, 1998
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Retail Sales $189,732 58.5% $153,245 63.5% $520,583 61.5% $423,919 64.0%
Catalog Sales 134,416 41.5% 88,053 36.5% 326,240 38.5% 238,851 36.0%
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total Net Sales $324,148 100.0% $241,298 100.0% $846,823 100.0% $662,770 100.0%
</TABLE>

Net sales for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) for the 13
weeks ended October 31, 1999 (Third Quarter of 1999) were $324,148,000 -- an
increase of $82,850,000 (34.3%) over net sales for the 13 weeks ended November
1, 1998 (Third Quarter of 1998). Net sales for the 39-week period ended October
31, 1999 (Year-to-Date 1999) were $846,823,000, an increase of $184,053,000, or
27.8%, from the 39-week period ended November 1, 1998 (Year-to-Date 1998).

RETAIL SALES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Dollars in thousands) October 31, November 1, October 31, November 1,
1999 1998 1999 1998
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total retail sales $ 189,732 $ 153,245 $ 520,583 $ 423,919
Retail sales growth percentage 23.8% 17.3% 22.8% 20.0%
Comparable store sales growth 9.6% 2.4% 7.9% 4.3%
Number of stores - beginning of period 314 285 298 276
Number of new stores 24 27 44 52
Number of closed stores 2 8 6 24
Number of stores - end of period 336 304 336 304
Store selling area at quarter-end (sq. ft.) 1,420,903 1,219,940 1,420,903 1,219,940
Store leased area at quarter-end (sq. ft.) 2,197,588 1,872,709 2,197,588 1,872,709
</TABLE>

Retail sales for the third quarter of 1999 increased 23.8% over retail sales for
the third quarter of 1998 primarily due to a net increase of 32 stores. During
the Third Quarter of 1999, the Company opened 24 stores (9 Pottery Barn, 13
Williams-Sonoma, 1 Hold Everything and 1 Outlet) and closed 2 stores (1 Pottery
Barn and 1 Williams-Sonoma). Pottery Barn accounted for 65.3% of the growth in
retail sales during this period and 63.2% of the growth in Year-to-Date retail
sales. Total retail sales for Year-To-Date 1999 grew 22.8% over the same period
of the prior year, primarily due to new store openings.

Comparable stores are defined as those whose gross square feet did not change by
more than 20% in the previous twelve months and which have been open for at
least twelve months. Comparable store sales are compared monthly for purposes of
this analysis. In any given period, the set of stores comprising comparable
stores may be different than the comparable stores in the previous period,
depending on store opening and closing activity. Comparable store sales grew
9.6% in the Third Quarter of 1999, and 7.9% for Year-to-Date 1999, and were
particularly strong in Pottery Barn.

The prototypical 1999 large-format stores range from 4,500 - 10,200 selling
square feet for Pottery Barn stores and 2,800 - 3,700 selling square feet for
Williams-Sonoma stores. Management believes that the large-format stores enable
the Company to display merchandise more effectively. At the end of the Third
9

Quarter of 1999, 216 stores (123 Williams-Sonoma and 93 Pottery Barn) were in
the large format, comprising 76.8% of the Company's total selling square
footage. Large-format stores accounted for 76.1% of total retail sales in the
Third Quarter of 1999 and 68.7% in the Third Quarter of 1998.

CATALOG SALES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
October 31, November 1, October 31, November 1,
1999 1998 1999 1998
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total catalog sales $ 134,416 $ 88,053 $ 326,240 $ 238,851
Percent growth in catalog sales 52.7% 20.2% 36.6% 13.9%

Percent growth in gross 49.3% 16.8% 26.3% 16.8%
number of pages mailed
Percent growth in number of catalogs mailed 28.4% 3.5% 12.7% 4.5%
</TABLE>

Catalog sales increased 52.7% in the Third Quarter of 1999 and 36.6% for
Year-to-Date 1999, primarily due to the strength of Pottery Barn (which includes
Pottery Barn Kids).

Pottery Barn catalog sales grew 85.3% in the Third Quarter of 1999 as compared
to the same period of the prior year. Pottery Barn Kids, which debuted in
January 1999, accounted for 40.2% of the total growth in Pottery Barn. The
number of pages mailed and number of catalogs mailed for Pottery Barn (excluding
Pottery Barn Kids), increased 55.3% and 26.0%, respectively, in the Third
Quarter of 1999. The growth of Pottery Barn over the last several years and the
initial success of Pottery Barn Kids reflect the Company's development of the
assortment and the enhanced consumer brand recognition achieved through the
Pottery Barn catalogs and Design Studio stores. Excluding Gardeners Eden, which
was sold in May 1999, Pottery Barn accounted for 90.4% of the growth in Third
Quarter 1999 catalog sales as compared to the prior year.

Sales for Williams-Sonoma (excluding Internet) increased 20.2% in the Third
Quarter of 1999 as compared to the Third Quarter of 1998. The Company attributes
this in part to the redesign of the Williams-Sonoma catalog, which was
introduced in the Second Quarter.

In 1999, the Company recognized a $3,977,000 pre-tax gain ($2,406,000 after-tax)
as a result of the sale of the assets of Gardeners Eden to Brookstone, Inc. The
Company decided to sell Gardeners Eden to allow greater focus on existing
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands and the Internet. In June 1999, the Company
launched its Williams-Sonoma Internet Wedding and Gift Registry application, and
on November 1, 1999, the Company launched its Williams-Sonoma e-commerce site.
Management expects to add a Pottery Barn e-commerce site in the summer of 2000.

COST OF GOODS SOLD AND OCCUPANCY

Cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses expressed as a percent of net sales in
the Third Quarter of 1999 decreased 1.2 percentage points to 59.5% from 60.7% in
the same period of the prior year. Merchandise margin improved 0.8 percentage
points, principally due to a lower cost of merchandise. The Company believes
this is a direct result of its investment in product development, sourcing and
quality control personnel over the last several years. Occupancy expenses
expressed as a percentage of net sales improved 0.4 percentage points in the
Third Quarter of 1999 as compared to the same period of the prior year,
principally due to increased sales volume.

For the Year-to-Date 1999, cost of goods sold and occupancy expenses as a
percent of net sales decreased 0.5 percentage points, from 61.8% for the same
period of 1998 to 61.3%. This decrease was primarily due
10

to improved merchandise margins as a result of lower cost of merchandise and an
improved occupancy expense rate.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE

Selling, general and administrative expenses expressed as a percent of net sales
decreased slightly in the Third Quarter of 1999, from 35.5% in 1998 to 35.4% in
1999. The Year-to-Date 1999 selling, general and administrative expense rates
remained unchanged compared with the Year-to-Date 1998.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Net interest expense for the Third Quarter of 1999 increased $540,000 to
$1,226,000 from $686,000 for the Third Quarter of 1998. This is primarily due to
increased borrowing under the Company's line of credit and letter of credit
facilities.

INCOME TAXES

The Company's effective tax rate was 39.5% for the Third Quarter and
Year-to-Date of 1999 and 41.0% for the Third Quarter and Year-to-Date of 1998.
The reduction in the tax rate reflects decreases in state taxes resulting from
revisions in the corporate structure which are being undertaken in order to
conform more closely to the Company's operations.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

For Year-to-Date 1999, cash used in operating activities was $71,960,000
representing an increase of $10,146,000 from the $61,814,000 of cash used in
operating activities for the same period of 1998. This was principally
attributable to an increase in merchandise inventories, partially offset by
higher net earnings and improved cash flow from changes in accounts payable and
accrued expenses as compared to the prior year. Management believes that the
Company's merchandise levels are in line with planned sales for the fourth
quarter.

Net cash used in investing activities was $85,947,000 for Year-to-Date 1999.
Purchases of property and equipment were $95,009,000, which includes
approximately $54,000,000 for stores, $17,600,000 for warehouse and computer
equipment in a new, leased distribution facility and $19,500,000 for systems
development. Net proceeds from the sale of the assets of the Gardeners Eden
catalog were $9,101,000. Additionally, there were net proceeds from the sale of
land of $2,091,000. The Company is planning approximately $130,000,000 -
$135,000,000 of gross capital expenditures in 1999.

For Year-to-Date 1999, cash provided by financing activities was $55,390,000,
comprised primarily of net borrowings under Company's line of credit facility.
For Year-to-Date 1998, cash provided by financing activities was $25,724,000,
principally as a result of net borrowings under the line of credit facility. The
Company's amended and restated syndicated line of credit facility, which expires
on May 31, 2001, provides for $50,000,000 in cash advances, and contains certain
restrictive loan covenants, including minimum tangible net worth, a minimum
out-of-debt period, fixed charge coverage requirements and a prohibition on
payment of cash dividends. Additionally, the Company has a one-year $65,000,000
letter-of-credit agreement expiring on May 31, 2000 with its lead bank.

During the third quarter, the Company amended its letter-of-credit agreement to
add a facility for up to $50,000,000 in cash advances in order to meet its
seasonal working capital needs. This additional facility expired on December 1,
1999.
11

On October 31, 1999, the Company had $50,000,000 of borrowings outstanding under
the line of credit facility, $48,316,000 in outstanding letters of credit, and
$11,980,000 of outstanding cash advances under the letter of credit facility.

IMPACT OF INFLATION

The impact of inflation on results of operations has not been significant.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

As is the case with most other companies using computers in their operations,
the Company is in the final stages of completing its program to address the
"Year 2000" problem. The Company previously identified those areas that could be
affected by the Year 2000 issue, and developed a comprehensive, risk-based plan.
This plan addressed both IT and non-IT systems and products, as well as
dependencies on those with whom the Company does significant business. The
status of this plan is as follows:

Earlier in the year, the Company completed an inventory and risk-assessment of
its computer systems and related technology. In the third quarter of 1999, the
Company substantially completed testing and remediation of its critical business
processes, and believes that all significant issues that were identified as a
result of this process have been resolved. However, the Company can not
guarantee that its systems will not encounter difficulties when attempting to
interface with certain internal or third party systems, whether or not those
systems are claimed to be "compliant", and the Company can not guarantee that
such failure to interface or interconnect will not have a materially adverse
effect on the Company's operations.

With regard to outside vendors, the Company believes the greatest Year 2000
exposure is with its service providers (customs broker, logistics providers,
etc.). The Company believes the Year 2000 risk with its merchandise suppliers is
low because no vendor accounts for more than 3% of purchases and many of the
vendors are small artisan manufacturers with simple business systems. The
Company has completed its compliance review of major vendors, and has resolved
all significant outstanding issues to the best of its ability. Despite this
approach, there can be no guarantee that the systems of other companies on which
the Company is reliant will be converted timely, or that a failure by another
company to convert would not have a materially adverse effect on the Company.

The Company is using both internal and external resources to complete this
project. In total, the estimated fourth quarter cost for the remediation and
testing of computer applications and related products is approximately $250,000.
Approximately $2.5 million of external costs have been expensed to date.

The Company presently believes the Year 2000 problem will not pose significant
operational risk. While the Company can not accurately predict a "worst case
scenario" with regard to its Year 2000 issues, the failure by the Company and or
vendors to complete Year 2000 compliance work in a timely manner could have a
materially adverse effect on the Company's operations. The Company has assessed
these risks and uncertainties, and has developed appropriate contingency plans
and procedures in an attempt to minimize the effects of such a scenario.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to market risks, which include changes in U.S. interest
rates and, to a lesser extent, foreign exchange rates. The Company does not
engage in financial transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk: The interest payable on the Company's bank line of credit is
based on variable interest rates and therefore affected by changes in market
interest rates. If interest rates on existing variable rate debt rose 0.85
percentage points (a 10% change from the bank's reference rate as of October 31,
1999), the Company's results from operations and cash flows would not be
materially affected. In addition, the
12

Company has fixed and variable income investments consisting of cash equivalents
and short-term investments, which are also affected by changes in market
interest rates. The Company does not use derivative financial investments in its
investment portfolio.

Foreign Currency Risks: The Company enters into a significant amount of purchase
obligations outside of the U.S. which are settled in U.S. Dollars, and,
therefore, has only minimal exposure to foreign currency exchange risks. The
Company does not hedge against foreign currency risks and believes that foreign
currency exchange risk is immaterial.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in
this quarterly report are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those set forth in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company's ability to continue to
improve planning and control processes and other infrastructure issues, the
potential for construction and other delays in store openings, the Company's
dependence on external funding sources, the potential for changes in consumer
spending patterns, consumer preferences and overall economic conditions, the
Company's dependence on foreign suppliers, increasing competition in the
specialty retail business, and the Company's ability to successfully resolve its
Year 2000 issues. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in such forward-looking statements include the
risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
13

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings against the Company. The
Company is, however, involved in routine litigation arising in the ordinary
course of its business, and, while the results of the proceedings cannot be
predicted with certainty, the Company believes that the final outcome of such
matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole.
14

ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
------- -------------------
<S> <C>
10.1 Fifth Amendment to Letter of Credit Agreement between
the Company and Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, dated September 22, 1999

10.2 Fourth Amendment to Syndicated Credit Agreement between
the Company and Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, dated September 22, 1999.

10.3 Sixth Amendment to Letter of Credit Agreement between
the Company and Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, dated October 29, 1999

11 Statement re computation of per share earnings.

27 Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>

(b) The Company filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the third
quarter of fiscal 1999.

(1) A report dated September 22, 1999 disclosing the ratification of the
proposed Restated Bylaws of the Company with respect to the indemnification
of officers, directors, and employees, and an advance notice provision
regarding director nominations and shareholder proposals.
15

SIGNATURE

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


WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.

By: /s/ John W. Tate
-------------------------------------
John W. Tate
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer


Dated: December 13, 1999
16

EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
------- -------------------
<S> <C>
10.1 Fifth Amendment to Letter of Credit Agreement between the
Company and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association, dated September 22, 1999

10.2 Fourth Amendment to Syndicated Credit Agreement between the
Company and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association, dated September 22, 1999.

10.3 Sixth Amendment to Letter of Credit Agreement between
the Company and Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, dated October 29, 1999

11 Statement re computation of per share earnings.

27 Financial Data Schedule.

</TABLE>