Sleep Number - 10-Q quarterly report FY2011 Q3

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

For the Quarterly Period Ended October 1, 2011

________________________

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (763) 551-7000

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES T NOo

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).YES T NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO T

As of October 1, 2011, 56,174,000 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

 
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

We prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011 of Select Comfort Corporation and subsidiaries (“Select Comfort” or the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and they reflect, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of October 1, 2011, and January 1, 2011 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Our historical and quarterly results of operations may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full year or any future period.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our most recent audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011 and other recent filings with the SEC.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales, expenses and income taxes during the reporting period. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and, as such, requires the use of judgment. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in these estimates will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. Our critical accounting policies consist of asset impairment charges, stock-based compensation, self-insured liabilities, warranty liabilities and revenue recognition.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Select Comfort Corporation and our subsidiaries. All significant intra-entity balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents included highly-liquid marketable debt securities of $45.0 million at January 1, 2011. At October 1, 2011, we had no highly-liquid marketable debt securities included in cash and cash equivalents. Marketable debt securities included in cash and cash equivalents have an original maturity of three months or less when purchased.

Change in Accounting Principle - Cash and Cash Equivalents

At the beginning of 2011, we changed our accounting policy for payments due from financial services companies for credit card and debit card transactions. Historically, at each reporting period, we classified all credit card and debit card transactions that processed in less than seven days as cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheets. We now classify these credit card and debit card transactions as accounts receivable until the cash is received. We believe that our new policy is preferable because the presentation (i) more appropriately aligns with our view that these credit card and debit card transactions are not part of our cash management processes (i.e., these receivables are non-interest bearing and are not taken into consideration when making cash management decisions), and (ii) is more consistent with the nature of the credit card and debit card receivables, which are subject to the credit risk of the financial services companies. Our new policy resulted in the adjustment of certain amounts in our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows. This change in accounting principle had no effect on our previously reported consolidated shareholders’ equity or consolidated net income.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The change in accounting principle has been applied retrospectively by adjusting all previously reported amounts to conform to our new policy. A summary of the retrospective application is as follows for the periods presented in this Form 10-Q (in thousands):

 

 

Investments

Our investment portfolio is currently comprised of U.S. Treasury securities. The value of these securities is subject to market and credit volatility during the period these investments are held. We classify marketable debt securities as available-for-sale investments and these securities are stated at their estimated fair value. Our investments with original maturities of greater than three months but current maturities of less than one year are recorded as marketable debt securities - current. Our investments with current maturities of more than one year are recorded as marketable debt securities – non-current. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in our consolidated balance sheets. Other-than-temporary declines in market value, if any, from original cost are charged to other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the loss occurs, and a new cost basis for the security is established. In determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in the market value has occurred, we consider the duration and extent that the fair value of the investment is below its cost. There were no other-than-temporary declines in market value during 2011.

Realized gains and losses, if any, are calculated on the specific identification method and are measured and reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated balance sheet to other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Subsequent Events

Events that have occurred subsequent to October 1, 2011 have been evaluated through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of or for the period ended October 1, 2011.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance regarding fair value measurements. The new guidance changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). This guidance also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. As this is a financial statement presentation issue, we do not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. This new guidance will be effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2012 and is to be applied on a prospective basis.

In June 2011, the FASB issued new guidance regarding the presentation of other comprehensive income. The objective of the new guidance is to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. This guidance does not change the items that are required to be reported in other comprehensive income, but changes the presentation of those items in the consolidated financial statements. As this is a financial statement presentation issue, we do not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. This guidance will be effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2012 and is to be applied on a retrospective basis.

In September 2011, the FASB issued new guidance regarding the impairment testing for goodwill. The new guidance allows entities to perform a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit. If the entity determines, based on the qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount, a quantitative calculation would not be needed. This guidance did not change how goodwill is calculated or assigned to reporting units, nor did it change the requirement to test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. In addition, the guidance does not change the requirement to test goodwill for impairment between annual tests if events or circumstances warrant. This guidance will be effective for companies beginning with the first quarter of 2012 with early adoption permitted. We plan to early adopt this new guidance in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The adoption of this new guidance will not have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

The guidance for fair value measurements establishes the authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and outlines the required disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use a three-tier fair value hierarchy based upon observable and non-observable inputs as follows:

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

At October 1, 2011, we had $20.0 million of marketable debt securities – current and $20.1 million of marketable debt securities – non-current. These securities are comprised of U.S. Treasury securities and are classified as Level 1 as they trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

At October 1, 2011 and January 1, 2011, we had $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of marketable securities that fund our deferred compensation plan. We also had corresponding deferred compensation plan liabilities of $1.0 million and $0.8 million at October 1, 2011, and January 1, 2011, respectively. Substantially all of the marketable securities are Level 1 as they trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis. Unrealized gains/(losses) on the marketable securities offset those associated with the corresponding deferred compensation liabilities.

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
 

Investments at October 1, 2011 were comprised of the following (in thousands):
 

(1) See Note 2 for discussion of fair value.

During the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, there were no sales or maturities of marketable debt securities. We held no short-term or long-term investments at January 1, 2011.

Credit Agreement

Our credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Credit Agreement”) provides a $20.0 million secured revolving credit facility for working capital and general corporate purposes, including up to $10.0 million available for issuances of letters of credit. Outstanding letters of credit reduce the amounts available under this credit facility. The Credit Agreement expires on July 1, 2012.

At October 1, 2011, and January 1, 2011, $20.0 million and $17.0 million, respectively, were available under the Credit Agreement, we had no borrowings and we were in compliance with all financial covenants. As of October 1, 2011, we had no outstanding letters of credit. As of January 1, 2011, we had $3.0 million of outstanding letters of credit.

Capital Lease Obligations

We entered into a capital lease totaling $0.1 million for certain computer equipment during the nine months ended October 1, 2011. We had outstanding capital lease obligations of $0.4 million and $0.7 million at October 1, 2011, and January 1, 2011, respectively. At October 1, 2011, and January 1, 2011, $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, were included in other current liabilities and $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, were included in other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

We compensate officers, directors and key employees with stock-based compensation under three stock plans approved by our shareholders in 1997, 2004 and 2010 and administered under the supervision of our Board of Directors. Stock option awards are granted at exercise prices equal to the closing price of our stock on the date of grant. Generally, options vest proportionally over periods of three to four years from the date of the grant and expire after ten years. Compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized ratably over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010, was $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010, was $3.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

Under our profit sharing and 401(k) plan, eligible employees may defer up to 50% of their compensation on a pre-tax basis, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. Each year, we may make a discretionary contribution equal to a percentage of the employee’s contribution. During the three months ended October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010, our contributions, net of forfeitures, were $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively. During the nine months ended October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010, our contributions, net of forfeitures, were $1.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

Other income (expense), net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 

The following computations reconcile net income per share – basic with net income per share – diluted (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 

We excluded potentially dilutive stock options totaling 1.5 million and 1.6 million for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, respectively, and 2.5 million and 2.5 million for the three and nine months ended October 2, 2010, respectively, from our diluted net income per share calculations because these securities’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Sales Returns

The accrued sales returns estimate is based on historical return rates, which are reasonably consistent from period to period, and is adjusted for any current trends as appropriate. If actual returns vary from expected rates, sales in future periods are adjusted.

The activity in the sales returns liability account was as follows (in thousands):
 

Warranty Liabilities

We provide a 20-year limited warranty on our adjustable-firmness beds. The customer participates over the last 18 years of the warranty period by paying a portion of the retail value of replacement parts. Estimated warranty costs are expensed at the time of sale based on historical claims rates incurred by us and are adjusted for any current trends as appropriate. Actual warranty claim costs could differ from these estimates. We classify as noncurrent those estimated warranty costs expected to be paid out in greater than one year.

The activity in the accrued warranty liabilities account was as follows (in thousands):
 

Legal Proceedings

We are involved from time to time in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, including primarily commercial, product liability, employment and intellectual property claims. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, we record a liability in our consolidated financial statements with respect to any of these matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. With respect to currently pending legal proceedings, we have not established an estimated range of reasonably possible additional losses either because we believe that we have valid defenses to claims asserted against us or the proceeding has not advanced to a stage of discovery that would enable us to establish an estimate. We currently do not expect the outcome of these matters to have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Litigation, however, is inherently unpredictable, and it is possible that the ultimate outcome of one or more claims asserted against us could adversely impact our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We expense legal costs as incurred.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Our MD&A is presented in seven sections:

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included herein. This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future plans, events, financial results or performance. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “intend,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these or similar terms. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections.

These risks and uncertainties include, among others:

Additional information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties is contained under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We have no obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Select Comfort designs, manufactures, markets and supports a line of adjustable-firmness mattresses featuring air-chamber technology. The air-chamber technology of our proprietary Sleep Number® bed allows adjustable firmness on each side of the mattress and provides a sleep surface that is clinically proven to provide better sleep quality and greater relief of back pain compared to traditional mattress products. In addition, we market and sell accessories and other sleep-related products which focus on providing personalized comfort to complement the Sleep Number bed and provide a better night’s sleep for consumers.

We generate revenue by selling our products through two complementary distribution channels. Our company-controlled channel sells directly to consumers through our approximately 374 retail stores located across the United States, direct-marketing operations and E-Commerce site at www.sleepnumber.com. Our wholesale channel sells to and through the QVC shopping channel and wholesale customers in Alaska, Hawaii and Australia.

Our mission is to improve lives by individualizing sleep experiences. Our vision is to become the new standard in sleep by providing individualized sleep experiences and elevating people’s expectations above the “one-size-fits-all” solution offered by other mattress brands.

We are executing against a defined strategy which focuses on the following key components:

Quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including increases or decreases in sales, the timing, amount and effectiveness of advertising expenditures, changes in sales return rates or warranty experience, the timing of store openings/closings and related expenses, changes in net sales resulting from changes in our store base, the timing of promotional offerings, competitive factors, changes in commodity costs, any disruptions in supplies or third-party service providers, seasonality of retail and bedding industry sales, timing of QVC shows, consumer confidence and general economic conditions. As a result, our historical results of operations may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for any future period.

Financial highlights for the three months ended October 1, 2011 were as follows:

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our results of operations expressed as dollars and percentages of net sales. Figures are in millions, except percentages and per share amounts. Amounts may not add due to rounding differences.
 

The percentage of our total net sales, by dollar volume, from each of our channels was as follows:

 
 

The components of total sales growth, including comparable sales changes, were as follows:

 
 

 

The number of company-controlled retail stores was as follows:

Net sales increased 25% to $199.6 million for the three months ended October 1, 2011, compared with $160.1 million for the same period one year ago. The sales increase was primarily driven by a 26% comparable sales increase in our company-controlled channel. Company-controlled sales of mattress units increased 12% compared to the same period one year ago. Average mattress sales per mattress unit in our company-controlled channel increased by 11%. Sales of other products and services increased by 34%.

The $39.5 million net sales increase compared with the same period one year ago was comprised of the following: (i) a $38.6 million increase in sales from our company-controlled comparable retail stores and a $1.2 million sales increase resulting from the net change in sales from store openings and closings, (ii) a $0.2 million decrease in direct and E-Commerce sales, and (iii) a $0.1 million decrease in wholesale channel sales.

The gross profit rate increased to 63.0% of net sales for the three months ended October 1, 2011, compared with 62.5% for the prior year period. Approximately 1.6 percentage points (“ppt.”) of the gross profit rate improvement was due to selected product price increases, manufacturing efficiencies, including material cost reductions, and leverage from the higher sales volume. These improvements were partially offset by additional customer-services reserves established in the third quarter of 2011 (0.8 ppt.).

Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended October 1, 2011 increased 23.0% to $83.9 million, or 42.1% of net sales, compared with $68.3 million, or 42.6% of net sales, for the same period one year ago. The $15.7 million increase was primarily due to a $6.6 million, or 38%, increase in media spending, an increase in variable selling expenses due to the higher sales volume, and an increase in customer financing expenses as a larger percentage of our customers took advantage of promotional financing offers. The sales and marketing expense rate declined 0.5 ppt. compared with the same period one year ago due to the leveraging impact of the 25% net sales increase.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses for the three months ended October 1, 2011 remained consistent with the same period one year ago at $14.3 million, but decreased to 7.2% of net sales, compared with 8.9% of net sales in the prior year period. Current period G&A expenses included a $0.6 million increase in employee compensation expenses resulting from (i) higher performance-based incentive compensation, due to the continued strong financial performance in the third quarter of 2011, (ii) salaries and wages increases that were in-line with inflation, and (iii) increased stock-based compensation expense. The $0.6 million increase was offset by reductions in consulting fees and rent expense. The G&A expense rate decreased by 1.7 ppt. in the current period compared with the same period one year ago, due to the leveraging impact of the 25% net sales increase.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended October 1, 2011 were $1.0 million, or 0.5% of net sales, compared with $0.5 million, or 0.3% of net sales for the same period one year ago. The $0.6 million increase was due to costs incurred in the development of bed model enhancements.

During the three months ended October 1, 2011, we recognized asset impairment charges of $7 thousand related to certain store assets. During the three months ended October 2, 2010, we recognized $0.2 million of asset impairment charges related to assets at underperforming stores.

Other income, net was $23 thousand for the three months ended October 1, 2011, compared with other expense, net of $50 thousand for the comparable period one year ago. The current-year improvement in other income (expense), net was mainly due to the increase in our average cash and marketable debt securities balance for the three months ended October 1, 2011 compared with the same period one year ago.

Income tax expense was $9.2 million for the three months ended October 1, 2011 compared with $6.2 million for the same period one year ago. The effective tax rate for the three months ended October 1, 2011 decreased to 34.9% compared with 37.3% for the prior-year period. The current-year effective tax rate benefited from an increase in the tax deduction related to manufacturing activities.

Net sales increased 21% to $554.1 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2011, compared with $457.0 million for the same period one year ago. The sales increase was primarily due to a 24% comparable sales increase in our company-controlled channel. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in direct and E-Commerce sales, a year-over-year decline in sales due to a net decline in the number of retail stores we operated, and a decrease in wholesale channel sales. Company-controlled sales of mattress units increased 11% compared to the same period one year ago. Average mattress sales per mattress unit in our company-controlled channel increased by 9%. Sales of other products and services increased by 29%.

The $97.1 million net sales increase compared with the same period one year ago was comprised of the following: (i) a $103.1 million increase in sales from our company-controlled comparable retail stores, partially offset by a $1.7 million sales decrease resulting from the net decline in the number of stores we operated, (ii) a $2.9 million decrease in direct and E-Commerce sales and (iii) a $1.4 million decrease in the wholesale channel sales.

The gross profit rate improved to 63.4% of net sales for the nine months ended October 1, 2011, compared with 62.3% for the prior year period. Approximately 1.6 ppt. of the gross profit rate improvement was due to manufacturing efficiencies, including material cost reductions, a more profitable promotional sales mix, selected product price increases and leverage from the higher sales volume. These improvements were partially offset by additional customer-service reserves established in the third quarter of 2011 (0.3 ppt.).

Sales and marketing expenses for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 increased 17% to $234.7 million, or 42.4% of net sales, compared with $201.3 million, or 44.1% of net sales, for the same period one year ago. The $33.4 million increase was primarily due to a $16.0 million, or 31%, increase in media spending, an increase in variable selling expenses due to the higher sales volume and an increase in customer financing expenses as a larger percentage of our customers took advantage of promotional financing offers. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in fixed expenses resulting from the reduction in our store base. The sales and marketing expense rate declined 1.7 ppt. compared with the same period one year ago due to the leveraging impact of the 21% net sales increase and expense savings from store closures.

General and administrative expenses increased to $43.1 million, or 7.8% of net sales, for the nine months ended October 1, 2011, compared with $40.4 million, or 8.8% of net sales, for the same period one year ago. The $2.7 million increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to a $3.6 million increase in employee compensation expenses including higher performance-based incentive compensation resulting from our strong financial performance during the first nine months of 2011, salaries and wages increases which were in-line with inflation, and increased stock-based compensation expense. The $3.6 million increase was partially offset by the benefit from a $1.1 million reduction to previously recorded contingent liabilities in the second quarter of 2011. The G&A expense rate decreased by 1.0 ppt. in the current period compared with the same period one year ago, primarily due to the leveraging impact of the 21% net sales increase and the reduction in contingent liabilities.

Research and development expenses for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 were $3.0 million, or 0.5% of net sales, compared with $1.7 million, or 0.4% of net sales for the same period one year ago. The $1.3 million increase was due to costs incurred in the development of bed model enhancements.

During the nine months ended October 1, 2011, we recognized asset impairment charges of $0.1 million related to production machinery, computer equipment and certain store assets. During the nine months ended October 2, 2010, we recognized asset impairment charges of $0.2 million related to assets at underperforming stores.

Other expense, net was $37 thousand for the nine months ended October 1, 2011, compared with $1.8 million for the same period one year ago. Other expense, net for the nine months ended October 2, 2010 included a $1.1 million write-off of unamortized debt costs as we entered into a new credit agreement on March 26, 2010 and terminated our prior credit agreement. The remaining reduction is primarily due to lower debt amortization costs associated with our current credit agreement as compared with our prior credit agreement.

Income tax expense was $25.3 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2011, compared with $14.6 million for the same period one year ago. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 decreased to 36.0% compared with 37.4% for the prior-year period. The current-year effective tax rate benefited from an increase in the tax deduction related to manufacturing activities.

As of October 1, 2011, we had cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities of $136.4 million compared with $76.0 million as of January 1, 2011. The $60.4 million increase was primarily due to $74.5 million of cash provided by operating activities offset by $14.5 million of cash used to purchase property and equipment.

Effective in the first quarter of 2011, we changed our accounting policy for payments due from financial services companies for credit card and debit card transactions. Historically, at each reporting period, we classified all credit card and debit card transactions that processed in less than seven days as cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheets. We now classify these credit card and debit card transactions as accounts receivable until the cash is received. We believe that our new policy is preferable because the presentation (i) more appropriately aligns with our view that these credit card and debit card receivables are not part of our cash management processes (i.e., these receivables are non-interest bearing and are not taken into consideration when making cash management decisions), and (ii) is more consistent with the nature of the credit card and debit card receivables, which are subject to the credit risk of the financial services companies. Our new policy resulted in the adjustment of certain amounts in our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows. This change in accounting principle had no effect on our previously reported consolidated shareholders’ equity or consolidated net income. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation, for further information and a summary of the effect of the adjustments on our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows presented in this Form 10-Q.

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010 (dollars in millions). Amounts may not add due to rounding differences:
 

Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 was $74.5 million compared with $70.6 million for the nine months ended October 2, 2010. The $3.9 million year-over-year increase in cash from operating activities was comprised of the $20.7 million improvement in our net income compared with the same period one year ago and a $3.2 million increase in adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, partially offset by a $19.9 million decrease in cash from changes in operating assets and liabilities. The $3.2 million increase from reconciling adjustments was primarily due to changes in deferred income taxes resulting from accelerated tax depreciation in accordance with recent federal tax legislation, partially offset by decreased depreciation and amortization due primarily to the write-off of unamortized debt costs related to our prior credit agreement in the first quarter of 2010. The $19.9 million decrease in cash from changes in operating assets and liabilities was mainly due to the timing of payments and receipts, including income taxes and the payment of prior year performance-based incentive compensation in the first quarter of 2011.

Investing activities for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 included a $40.0 million investment in marketable debt securities (U.S. treasury securities). Property and equipment purchases for the nine months ended October 1, 2011 increased to $14.5 million, compared with $3.5 million for the same period one year ago. Capital expenditures, primarily for new and remodeled retail stores and investments in information technology, are projected to be approximately $25.0 million in 2011 compared with $7.3 million in 2010. After netting planned store openings and closings, we expect to end fiscal 2011 with approximately 380 stores. In addition, during the current year we replaced an outstanding letter of credit held by our workers’ compensation insurance carrier with a $2.7 million restricted cash deposit.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.0 million for the nine months ended October 1, 2011, compared with net cash used in financing activities of $0.2 million for the same period one year ago. Book overdrafts and payments on capital lease obligations are included in the net change in short-term borrowings.

As of October 1, 2011, the remaining authorization under our stock repurchase program was $206.8 million. There is no expiration date governing the period over which we can repurchase shares.

Our credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Credit Agreement”) provides a $20.0 million secured revolving credit facility for working capital and general corporate purposes, including up to $10.0 million available for issuances of letters of credit. Outstanding letters of credit reduce the amounts available under this credit facility. The Credit Agreement expires on July 1, 2012. We are subject to certain financial covenants under the Credit Agreement, including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum net worth requirements, and maintenance of an aggregate principal balance of zero under the Credit Agreement for a period of not less than 30 consecutive days in each fiscal year. The Credit Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in our assets and those of our domestic subsidiaries.

At October 1, 2011, and January 1, 2011, $20.0 million and $17.0 million, respectively, were available under the Credit Agreement, we had no borrowings and we were in compliance with all financial covenants. As of October 1, 2011, we had no outstanding letters of credit. As of January 1, 2011, we had $3.0 million of outstanding letters of credit.

Our $136.4 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities, cash generated from ongoing operations, and cash available under our credit facility are expected to provide sufficient operating liquidity and funding for capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. In addition, our business model, which can operate with minimal working capital, does not require significant additional capital to fund operations or organic growth.

We have an agreement with GE Money Bank to offer qualified customers revolving credit arrangements to finance purchases from us (“GE Agreement”). The GE Agreement contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum tangible net worth requirement and a minimum cash requirement. As of October 1, 2011 we remained in compliance with all financial covenants.

In addition to disclosing results that are determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we are also providing non-GAAP financial data that we believe enhances the understanding of our ongoing operations and financial liquidity. Our non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, or preferable to GAAP financial data. We have provided reconciliations from our non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.

We define earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) as net income plus: income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation and asset impairments consistent with the definition used in our debt covenant calculations. Management believes EBITDA is a useful indicator of our financial performance and our ability to generate cash flows from operations. Our definition of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled definitions used by other companies. The table below reconciles EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to the comparable GAAP financial measure.

The following table summarizes our EBITDA calculations for the three months and trailing-twelve months ended October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010 (dollars in thousands):
 

The following table summarizes our free cash flows calculations for the nine months and trailing-twelve months ended October 1, 2011, and October 2, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

We do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships. As of October 1, 2011, we were not involved in any unconsolidated special purpose entity transactions. Other than our operating leases, we do not have any off-balance-sheet financing. There were no outstanding letters of credit at October 1, 2011.

There has been no material change in our contractual obligations since the end of fiscal 2010. See Note 5, Debt, of the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our credit agreement and capital lease obligations. See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011 for additional information regarding our other contractual obligations.

We discuss our critical accounting policies and estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011. There were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies since the end of fiscal 2010.

Changes in the overall level of interest rates affect interest income generated from our short-term and long-term investments in marketable debt securities. If overall interest rates were one percentage point lower than current rates, our annual interest income would not change by a significant amount based on our short-term and long-term investments in marketable debt securities as of October 1, 2011. We do not manage our investment interest-rate volatility risk through the use of derivative instruments.

At October 1, 2011, we had no borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended October 1, 2011, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

We are involved from time to time in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, including primarily commercial, product liability, employment and intellectual property claims. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, we record a liability in our consolidated financial statements with respect to any of these matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. With respect to currently pending legal proceedings, we have not established an estimated range of reasonably possible additional losses either because we believe that we have valid defenses to claims asserted against us or the proceeding has not advanced to a stage of discovery that would enable us to establish an estimate. We currently do not expect the outcome of these matters to have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Litigation, however, is inherently unpredictable, and it is possible that the ultimate outcome of one or more claims asserted against us could adversely impact our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We expense legal costs as incurred.

Our business, financial condition and operating results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including both those that are specific to our business and others that affect all businesses operating in a global environment. Investors should carefully consider the information in this report under the heading, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and also the information under the heading, “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risk factors discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q do not identify all risks that we face because our business operations could also be affected by additional risk factors that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial to our operations.

(a) – (b)  Not applicable.

(c)           Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 

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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.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 

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