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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File No. 0-23397
U. S. Vision, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 22-3032948
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
incorporation or organization)
1 Harmon Drive
Glen Oaks Industrial Park
Glendora, New Jersey 08029
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (609) 228-1000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share 7,761,544
(Title of class) (Number of Shares Outstanding
as of April 27, 1998)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant is approximately $38,638,274. This amount was calculated by
reducing the total number of shares of the registrant's common stock
outstanding by the total number of shares of common stock held by officers,
directors, and stockholders owning in excess of 10% of the registrant's common
stock, and multiplying the remainder by the average of the bid and asked price
for the registrant's common stock on April 27, 1998, as reported on the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System.
The information provided shall in no way be construed as an admission that any
officer, director, or more than 10% stockholder of the registrant may be
deemed an affiliate of the registrant or that such person is the beneficial
owner of the shares reported as being held by such person, and any such
inference is hereby disclaimed.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement concerning
the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A
are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report. The Proxy
Statement will be filed by the Commission not later than 120 days after the
Registrant's fiscal year ended January 31, 1998.
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PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS.
The Company
U.S. Vision, Inc. ("U.S. Vision" or "Company") was founded in 1967 by
William A. Schwartz, Jr., the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer. In March 1990, the Company completed a leveraged
buyout of Royal International Optical Corporation ("Royal"), and became a
publicly traded retail optical company. Royal also owned Styl-Rite Optical
Mfg. Co., Inc. ("Styl-Rite"), which currently manufactures, imports and
distributes optical frames and sunglasses principally for sale in the
Company's retail optical stores, as well as for sale to third party optical
retailers.
The majority of the outstanding common stock, $0.01 par value (the
"Common Stock") of the Company was acquired by Royal Associates Acquisition
Partnership ("RAA") in December 1994 and, in May 1995, the Company effected a
one-for-one thousand reverse stock split and deregistered its Common Stock
from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market. In March 1997, the Company changed its state
of incorporation from Pennsylvania to Delaware. In December 1997, the Company
completed its initial public offering of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock. The
Company's Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq")
under the symbol "USVI".
Prior to January 31, 1996, the Company's fiscal year ended on March
31. Effective January 31, 1996, the Company changed its fiscal year end to
January 31. References herein to "fiscal 1994" refer to the Company's fiscal
year ended March 31, 1995. Similarly, references to "fiscal 1995," "fiscal
1996" and "fiscal 1997" refer to the ten months ended January 31, 1996, the
fiscal year ended January 31, 1997 and the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998,
respectively. The differences in period durations must be considered in making
period-to-period comparisons. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
U.S. Vision maintains its corporate headquarters at 1 Harmon Drive,
Glen Oaks Industrial Blvd., Glendora, New Jersey, 08029. The Company's
telephone number is (609) 228-1000.
General
The Company is a retailer of optical products and services through
retail optical departments licensed to operate within national and regional
department host stores and through a limited number of freestanding retail
locations. As of January 31, 1998, the Company operated 570 locations in 48
states, consisting of 507 licensed departments and 63 freestanding stores. The
Company currently operates 381 J.C. Penney Company, Inc. ("J.C. Penney")
retail optical departments and is J.C. Penney's primary optical licensee. In
addition, the Company operates 58 Sears retail optical departments and 68
retail optical departments in regional department stores. The Company's
freestanding stores are generally located in malls and shopping centers.
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U.S. Vision's retail optical departments are generally full-service
retail vision care stores that offer an extensive selection of designer brands
and private label prescription eyewear, contact lenses, sunglasses and
accessories with an on-premises, independent optometrist who performs complete
eye examinations and prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses. The Company's
extensive selection of designer and private label branded eyewear allows the
Company to tailor its merchandise selection to meet the needs of the Company's
host store customers. See "Business -- Products and Services -- Merchandise
Selection" and "Store Operations."
U.S. Vision operates a single, modern optical laboratory,
distribution and lens grinding facility where it fills customer orders for
prescription eyewear and maintains a central inventory of frames. Customer
orders are placed at the retail stores and are phoned or electronically
transmitted into the central optical laboratory daily, where the lenses are
ground, cut, finished and custom fitted to optical frames in the size and
style selected by the customer. The finished eyewear is then shipped to the
retail store for delivery to the customer within one day upon request,
otherwise generally within three days. See "Business -- Optical Laboratory and
Distribution." Through Styl-Rite, the Company manufactures, imports and
distributes optical frames and sunglasses principally for sale in its optical
stores and to a lesser extent for sale to third party retailers.
Since 1991, the Company has been a national provider of managed
vision care benefits through its participation in managed vision care programs
which offer comprehensive eyewear benefits to managed care participants. The
Company currently generates approximately 32% of its revenues from its
participation in managed vision care programs. See "Business -- Managed Vision
Care."
Products and Services
Merchandise Selection. U.S. Vision carries a full selection of men's,
women's and children's eyeglass frames, a complete line of contact lenses,
sunglasses and ancillary products for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Prescription eyewear and accessories accounted for 86% of the Company's sales
during fiscal 1997. The Company offers an extensive selection of designer and
private label branded eyewear. Designer eyeglass frames offered include Guess,
Nautica, Halston and Perry Ellis, among others and, at certain stores, Giorgio
Armani, Calvin Klein and Polo Ralph Lauren. The Company also offers private
label branded eyeglass frames such as Hunt Club, Arizona, Ashley Stewart,
Oliver Winston and Rascals, among others. U.S. Vision offers a wide variety of
value-added eyewear features and services on which it realizes a higher gross
margin such as lightweight, virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lenses,
including Kodak progressive lenses and plastic photochromic lenses, as well as
scratch resistant and anti-reflective coatings. The Company carries a complete
line of contact lenses by major contact lens manufacturers such as Bausch &
Lomb, Wesley Jessen, and Johnson & Johnson, including daily wear and extended
wear soft contact lenses and cosmetic tinted lenses. During fiscal 1997,
contact lenses accounted for approximately 14% of the Company's sales.
Pricing. U.S. Vision maintains a promotional pricing strategy which
stresses a quality product delivered with superior service at a competitive
price. The Company's frames and lenses are generally competitively priced,
with prices varying based on geographic region. While the Company earns a
higher gross margin on its private-label lines, designer frames generally
command premium prices, resulting in higher gross profit dollars per
transaction.
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Full Customer Service. U.S. Vision strives to provide its customers
with exceptional care and value by combining the personal service typically
associated with a private optometrist with the broad product selection and
competitive prices of a large optical retailer. Management believes that
providing superior customer service from knowledgeable and courteous employees
complements the customer-oriented policies of its department store hosts.
Managed Vision Care
Since 1991, U.S. Vision has been a participating provider of managed
vision care benefits primarily through Vision One, a national vision care
program which offers comprehensive eyewear benefits to over 40 million covered
lives through a network of over 2,000 optical locations. Managed care programs
are marketed directly to employers, employee benefit plan sponsors and
insurance companies such as General Motors, Metropolitan Life, Aetna, Cigna,
John Hancock and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Managed care programs give employers
the opportunity to offer their employees a group discount at retail optical
locations of participating providers with minimal direct cost to the employer.
The discounts vary under the plans from fixed percentage discounts to fixed
dollar amounts with the balance paid by the subscriber. As a result of these
benefits, management believes that many managed care participants have vision
examinations on a regular basis and may become more frequent customers of U.S.
Vision. In addition, managed care participants frequently apply their
discounts and allowances toward the purchase of premium eyeglass products and
related accessories. Under the terms of the Company's contract with Cole
National, a competitor of the Company and the owner of the Vision One program,
the Company pays an administrative fee for each Vision One member transaction.
The Company's contract with Cole National expires in 2002. The Company retains
the right, though it has not exercised it in the past, to refuse to
participate in particular Vision One programs under which it cannot profitably
provide goods and services, and to participate in other managed care vision
plans under certain conditions. Approximately 32% of the Company's revenues
are generated from its participation in various managed vision care programs.
Store Operations
Location and Layout. U.S. Vision operates most of its stores on the
premises of national and regional host department stores. These stores
generally operate under names such as "J.C. Penney Optical Center" and "Sears
Optical," which associate the departments with the host store. The Company's
retail optical departments generally operate under a lease or license
arrangement through which the host store collects the sales receipts, retains
an agreed upon percentage of sales, which is recorded as rent expense by the
Company, and remits the remainder to the Company on a regular basis. The
Company's leased retail optical departments typically range in size from 500
to 800 square feet. The Company's retail optical departments are located
within the host department store near the host store's other licensed
departments such as the beauty salon and photography studio. Management
believes that the location of its retail optical departments within a host
store influences the Company's ability to take full advantage of the host
store's customer traffic.
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Each store follows a standard merchandise layout plan which is
designed to emphasize fashion, invite customer browsing and enhance the
customer's shopping experience. All of the Company's stores are similar in
appearance and are operated under certain uniform standards and procedures.
The Company has developed a new store prototype design and all of the
Company's new and remodeled retail optical departments are designed in
accordance with this prototype.
U.S. Vision's freestanding stores operate under various trade names
such as Royal Optical, Service Optical and Wall & Ochs and are located in
malls and shopping centers. A limited number of these stores are housed in
freestanding buildings with adjacent parking facilities. The Company's
freestanding stores generally range in size from 900 to 1,400 square feet.
Store Management. The Company's store management structure consists
of field managers and store managers. The store managers, along with two to
three associates known as Optechs, are responsible for the day-to-day
operations of each of the Company's retail optical departments. Optechs
undertake a comprehensive training program that familiarizes them with the
Company's product lines, customer services, store procedures and automated
systems. The Company's national Director of Training is responsible for
overseeing the training of the Optechs and updating the Company's training
materials. Management believes that providing knowledgeable and responsive
customer service is an important element of its success and, accordingly, has
developed and implemented a variety of employee training and incentive
programs.
On-Site Independent Optometrist. The Company has made arrangements
with licensed optometrists to provide eye examination services at or adjacent
to its retail locations in those states where it is permitted. See "Government
Regulations." The independent optometrists sublease space and equipment from
the Company or from the host store. The Company and the optometrists do not
share in each other's revenues. Management believes the presence of the
optometrists at the stores leads to repeat customers and reinforces the
quality and professionalism of each store.
Relationship with Host Stores
Most of the Company's stores operate as licensed optical departments
within a host department store such as J.C. Penney, Sears, Federated (Rich's,
Burdines and Lazarus), May (Strawbridge's, Kaufmann's, Famous Barr and L.S.
Ayres), Marshall Field's and Carson Pirie Scott, among others. Management
believes that the Company's relationships with its host stores provide several
competitive advantages such as: (i) low operating expenses; (ii) low initial
capital investment; (iii) loyal host store customer base; (iv) established
host store advertising and marketing programs; (v) one-stop shopping
convenience; and (vi) access to the host store's private label credit card.
Management believes its hosts' reputation of quality, trust and value further
enhances the Company's customer relations.
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Management believes it has developed excellent relationships with the
host stores in which it operates. Management strives to continue to enhance
these relationships. The Company routinely consults with the host stores about
the size and placement of the Company's optical departments within newly
opened or remodeled host stores.
The Company's retail optical departments within J.C. Penney stores
are subject to a master lease that expires in December 2003. Since 1992, the
Company has opened 138 retail optical departments within J.C. Penney and
currently has 381 locations within J.C. Penney. The Company's master lease
with J.C. Penney provides that only a limited number of the Company's J.C.
Penney optical centers may be closed by J.C. Penney in any calendar year
without cause. This limitation, however, does not apply if J.C. Penney closes an
entire J.C. Penney department store, either temporarily or permanently. The
lease also provides that J.C. Penney will reimburse the Company for certain
costs relating to the closed department. The Company's optical departments
within Sears stores are each subject to a lease which provides for a
year-to-year term, subject to early termination by either party, without
cause, on thirty-days prior written notice. The Company's retail optical
departments located within other department stores are subject to lease
arrangements which contain short notice lease termination provisions. These
leases provide for monthly lease payments based upon a percentage of the
Company's sales at each location.
Marketing and Advertising
U.S. Vision engages in a variety of marketing and promotional efforts
to maintain and strengthen its customer base. The Company's advertising
program is targeted at the department store consumer and is designed to convey
a message of value, fashion, convenience and trust to its customer base. The
Company works with each of its host stores to design advertising programs that
convey this message in a manner consistent with that of the host store and are
targeted at the specific customer base. For example, the Company works with
J.C. Penney to develop targeted catalog inserts which advertise the Company's
J.C. Penney optical departments. These advertising promotions generally
mention the availability of on-site professional eye examinations and the
Company's acceptance, as a participating provider of managed vision care
benefits, of the discounts and allowances offered by managed vision care
plans. These targeted inserts are mailed to selected customers based on
previous spending patterns at the host store. The Company actively supports
its stores by providing local advertising in individual geographic markets.
U.S. Vision has an in-house advertising department which permits it to respond
quickly to fashion trends, competitor advertising and promotional initiatives.
Optical Laboratory and Distribution
U.S. Vision operates a 60,000 square foot modern optical laboratory,
distribution and lens grinding facility adjacent to its headquarters in
Glendora, New Jersey. Customer orders for prescription eyewear, sunglasses and
contact lenses are phoned in or, as stores are brought on-line with the
Company's new management information system, electronically transmitted daily
from each of the Company's store locations to its central laboratory. See
"Business -- Management Information Systems." Customer orders generally
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are processed and shipped to stores within three working days and can be
completed overnight if requested by the customer. Most prescription lenses are
completed from semi-finished polycarbonate or plastic lenses obtained from
third-party suppliers. These lenses are finished in a highly technical process
that grinds the surface of the lens to fit the prescription utilizing modern
grinding equipment, much of it computer-guided. The lenses are then custom
fitted to optical frames in the size and style selected by the customer. Other
prescriptions, including many standard prescriptions, can be manufactured by
cutting and edging a prefinished lens, also purchased from a third-party
supplier, to fit the frames selected. Contact lenses, accessories and
non-prescription sunglass orders are filled from available stock and shipped
to the Company's retail optical departments.
The Company's laboratory is furnished with machinery capable of
custom grinding, polishing, cutting, edging, tinting and coating prescription
lenses. In fiscal 1997, the Company purchased new anti-reflective coating
equipment for the laboratory to improve the turnaround time for this specialty
coating. Management believes it has the manufacturing capacity in its
laboratory to accommodate all of the Company's projected growth for the
foreseeable future.
Purchasing
The Company's relationships with its vendors and Styl-Rite's
manufacturing and importing capability have enabled the Company to gain access
to a wide array of brand name product offerings. As a leading retailer of
eyewear in the United States, U.S. Vision purchases significant quantities of
frames, lenses and contact lenses from its suppliers. In most cases, such
purchases are not made under long-term contracts. In fiscal 1997, no single
supplier or manufacturer accounted for 10% or more of total purchases. All raw
materials for products manufactured by the Company are available from numerous
suppliers.
Through Styl-Rite, the Company manufactures, imports, and distributes
optical frames and sunglasses for sale primarily in its own stores, and for
sale to third party optical retailers. Through various licenses and
sublicenses, Styl-Rite imports metal frames and manufactures plastic frames
which bear the designer, brand name and private label names sold by the
Company.
Management Information Systems
Currently, customer prescription orders for the Company's optical
products are prepared by the stores on order forms and the details of each
order are phoned in daily to the Company's centralized laboratory. These
orders are then entered into the laboratory's order entry system which, for
lenses, also makes the necessary optical calculations to grind and finish the
lenses to the correct prescription and shape them to the dimensions of the
frame selected by the customer. The present laboratory order entry system also
tracks each order through every step of the manufacturing process until the
finished product is shipped to the retail optical department.
In fiscal 1997, the Company began to design an integrated management
information system, which includes an automated order entry system at each of
its optical stores, and new manufacturing and financial systems in the
Company's corporate headquarters. This new integrated system is designed to
facilitate the transmission of the order to the laboratory and provide the
Company with improved order pricing and costing capability. This new system is
also designed to provide the stores with the capability to capture sales and
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customer information, including prescription data, enhancing the Company's
ability to monitor sales and merchandise trends and to improve customer
service after the sale. In addition, the automated order entry system is
designed to enable the stores to validate, at the time of sale, whether a
particular frame selected by the customer is in stock and whether the
combination of the customer's prescription, selected lenses and frame is
within manufacturing tolerances. The integrated information system is expected
to enhance the Company's operating efficiencies by permitting all orders to be
electronically transmitted from the stores to the laboratory. The Company has
completed its implementation of the new financial accounting and reporting
systems in its corporate headquarters and commenced the implementation of the
integrated manufacturing systems in its laboratory. The Company is currently
in the design and testing phase of the automated order entry portion of the
system. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to implement
and operate this information system effectively or that the system will
produce the expected benefits.
Year 2000 Compliance
The Company is in the process of assessing Year 2000 Compliance for all
of its software applications. Although the Company may incur some expenses in
connection with making certain modifications to its software applications to
make them Year 2000 compliant, in the opinion of management, any such expenses
are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operations or financial condition.
Competition
The Company competes with other national, regional, and local retail
optical chains and independent optical retailers. Optical retailers generally
serve individual or local markets, and, as a result, competition is fragmented
and varies substantially among locations and geographic areas. Although the
retail optical industry is highly competitive, management believes none of the
Company's competitors has more than a 7% market share based on revenue. The
principal competitive factors affecting the Company's retail operations are
merchandise selection, quality and consistency of products and services,
price, location within the host store, convenience, availability of on-site
professional eye examinations and access to a host store's private label
credit card. The retail optical industry engages in price-related promotions
as a standard marketing practice. Several of the Company's competitors have
greater financial and other resources than the Company, which may enable
competitors to pursue more aggressive pricing and promotional strategies at
the expense of profits for longer periods of time than the Company.
The ability of the Company to achieve its growth strategy by opening
new retail optical departments in existing and new host stores is dependent on
the Company's ability to obtain suitable optical locations within existing and
new host stores. Management does not believe that the Company's growth
strategy will be adversely effected by the fact that some competitors operate
more retail optical departments in host stores than the Company. In addition,
the Company's ability to obtain locations within host stores is dependent on
whether or not the host store's management decides to include an optical
department within a particular host store.
Additionally, the Company faces competition from advances in vision
correction technologies, including laser surgery and other surgical vision
correction procedures. This could result in decreased demand for eyeglasses
and contact lenses.
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To the extent U.S. Vision's customers may not be covered by its eye
care benefit plans, the Company may compete with other vision care benefit
plans and retailers who provide alternative vision care plans. As the number
of national and regional managed vision care programs increase, competition
for customers will intensify among the various vision care programs.
Employees
As of January 31, 1998, the Company had approximately 2,425 full-time
and part-time employees, of which: (i) approximately 1,950 were employed in
the Company's retail outlets; (ii) 300 were employed in manufacturing and
distribution in the Company's laboratory in Glendora, New Jersey; (iii) 75
were employed at the Company's Styl-Rite manufacturing facility in Miami; and
(iv) 100 were employed in administrative, marketing and managerial positions
at the Company's headquarters in Glendora.
Approximately 60 of the Company's employees at the Styl-Rite facility
are subject to a collective bargaining agreement with the United Optical
Workers that expires in 2000. The Company has never experienced a work
stoppage or other organized labor dispute and considers its labor relations to
be good.
Government Regulation
The Company is subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws,
rules and regulations affecting the health care industry and the delivery of
health care services. State and local legal requirements vary widely among
jurisdictions and are subject to frequent change. Federal legal requirements
are also subject to change.
Relationships between the Company and independent optometrists and
ophthalmologists are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations.
State laws generally prohibit the practice of medicine and optometry by
unlicensed practitioners. In addition, many states prohibit medical
practitioners and optometrists from splitting fees with business corporations
such as the Company and prohibit the practice of medicine and optometry by
corporate entities. Some states have enacted laws governing the ability of
ophthalmologists and optometrists to enter into contracts to provide
professional services with business corporations or lay persons. Some states
prohibit the Company from computing its fee for rent, equipment leases and
management services provided by the Company based on a percentage of the gross
revenue of the ophthalmologists and the optometrists. Such requirements are
particularly comprehensive in California and Texas, where the Company operates
a significant number of stores. Further, some states restrict the location of
optometric offices in relation to optical stores, such as the Company's, and
regulate advertising and the solicitation of prospective patients.
Relationships between the Company and independent ophthalmologists
and optometrists are also subject to the fraud and abuse provisions of the
federal Social Security Act which include the "anti-kickback" laws. The
anti-kickback laws prohibit the offering, payment, solicitation or receipt of
any direct or indirect remuneration for the referral of Medicare or Medicaid
patients or for the ordering or providing of Medicare or Medicaid covered
services, items or equipment. Violations of these laws may result in
substantial civil or criminal penalties for individuals or entities and
exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Several
states, including states in which the Company operates, have adopted similar
laws that cover patients with private health insurance coverage as well as
those covered by government programs.
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Although management believes it is not in violation of the anti-kickback laws,
the applicability of these provisions has been subject to only limited
judicial and regulatory interpretation. In addition, certain of the Company's
products, specifically frames manufactured by Styl-Rite, must comply with
standards set by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
The Company, as well as the independent optometrists providing
services in or adjacent to the Company's stores, from time to time receive
inquiries from regulatory bodies regarding its compliance with applicable
state and local regulations. If the Company's relationships with
ophthalmologists and optometrists are challenged, the Company may be required
to alter the manner in which it conducts its business. There can be no
assurance that a review of the Company's business by courts or regulatory
authorities will not result in determinations that could adversely affect the
operations of the Company or that new laws, regulations or interpretations of
current laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
The Company owns a 20,000 square foot facility in Glendora, New
Jersey, which serves as the Company's corporate headquarters and a neighboring
60,000 square foot optical laboratory and distribution facility. The real
property on which these facilities are located, as well as the buildings and
certain equipment located therein, secure the Company's obligations under the
DRPA Term Loans. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Conditions and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Styl-Rite, the Company's frame manufacturing and importing operation, owns and
operates a 40,000 square foot facility in Miami, Florida. The real property on
which this facility is located, as well as the building, secure the Company's
obligations under the revolving line of credit and term loan. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
In fiscal 1997, the Company leased a 24,000 square foot warehouse
adjacent to its corporate headquarters in Glendora, New Jersey. The lease has
a three-year term and expires in 2000. The Company has an option to purchase
this facility.
U.S. Vision's freestanding store locations are subject to lease
arrangements which contain varying terms and are not subject to short notice
lease termination provisions. The leases provide for monthly base lease
payments plus, under certain circumstances, include an additional rent
provision based on a percentage of the Company's sales at each location.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The Company is subject to various pending and threatened litigation
from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Although all litigation
involves some degree of uncertainty, in the opinion of management,
liabilities, if any, arising from such litigation or threat thereof are not
expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
None.
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PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The Company's Common Stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol
"USVI." The Company completed its initial public offering of 2,500,000 shares
of Common Stock on December 5, 1997 and the first day of trading in the Common
Stock was December 1, 1997.
For the period indicated below, the following table sets forth the
high and low bid information of the Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq,
rounded to the nearest eighth of a dollar.
Fiscal 1997 High Low
----------- ---- ---
December 1, 1997 - January 31, 1998 $9.75 $8.50
As of April 27, 1998, there were 58 record holders of the Company's
Common Stock. The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends on the
Common Stock since its organization. Under the terms of the Company's
revolving bank line of credit, the Company's ability to pay cash dividends to
its stockholders is restricted.
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Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The selected consolidated financial information regarding the
Company's financial position and operating results set forth below for the
years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997, the ten months ended January 31, 1996,
and the years ended March 31, 1995 and 1994 have been derived from the audited
consolidated financial statements of the Company which have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent certified public accountants. The selected
consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with
the consolidated financial statements of the Company and related notes thereto
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations" included elsewhere in this report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ten Months
Ended
Year Ended January 31, January 31, Year Ended March 31,
1998 1997 1996(1) 1995 1994
---- ---- --------- ---- ----
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statements of Operations Data:
Net sales............................ $122,763 $ 111,544 $ 91,172 $112,283 $116,468
Cost of sales........................ 38,584 34,273 29,652 35,139 34,851
------- ------ -------- -------- -------
Gross profit......................... 84,179 77,271 61,520 77,144 81,617
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and
administrative..................... 73,367 68,366 61,598 70,506 77,741
Depreciation and amortization....... 3,390 3,271 2,608 3,654 4,563
Write-off of goodwill(2)............ -- -- 8,067 -- --
Writedown of Dallas facility(3) -- -- 1,305 2,100 --
Store closings and
disposals(4)...................... (389) -- 10,473 -- 272
------- ------ -------- -------- -------
Total operating expenses 76,368 71,637 84,051 76,260 82,576
------- ------ -------- -------- -------
Operating income (loss).............. 7,811 5,634 (22,531) 884 (959)
Interest income (expense), net....... (2,486) (3,499) (2,041) (1,443) 144
------- ------ -------- -------- -------
Income (loss) before income tax
(benefit)........................... 5,325 2,135 (24,572) (559) (815)
Income tax (benefit)................. -- -- (1,686) (463) 175
------- ------ -------- -------- -------
Net income (loss).................... $ 5,325 $2,135 $(22,886) $ (96) $ (990)
======= ====== ========= ========= ========
Net income (loss) per share(5)....... $ .90 $ .41 $ (4.33) $ (0.02) $ (0.39)
======== ======== ========== ========= ==========
Shares used in computing net
income (loss) per share -- (5).... 5,651,954 5,261,543 5,282,668 5,119,041 2,544,042
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Net income (loss) per share --
assuming dilution (6)................ $ 0.89 $ 0.40 $ (4.33) $ (0.02) $ (0.39)
======= ======= ========= ========= =========
Shares used in computing net
income (loss) per share --
assuming dilution (6)............... 5,758,411 5,368,700 5,282,668 5,119,041 2,544,042
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Net income per share --
pro forma(7)........................ $ 0.96
=======
Shares used in computing net
income per share -- pro forma(7) ... 7,868,700
=========
</TABLE>
Footnotes on following page.
11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ten Months
Ended
Year Ended January 31, January 31, Year Ended March 31,
1998 1997 1996(1) 1995 1994
---- ---- --------- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected Operating Data:
Stores open at end of period:
Licensed departments ....... 507 488 467 452 440
Freestanding stores ......... 63 66 73 143 202
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total stores ................ 570 554 540 595 642
Comparable store sales
increase(8) ................ 9.2% 8.3% 6.3% 10.4% 2.9%
Net sales per store(9) ...... $220,000 $200,000 $185,000 $178,000 $162,000
January 31, March 31,
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
---- ---- ---- ---- ------
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash ........................ $ 365 $ 374 $ 1,529 $ 3,528 $ 588
Working capital ............. 17,967 11,321 12,252 20,617 14,351
Total assets ................ 60,129 54,403 53,033 64,587 61,310
Long-term debt .............. 8,296 22,623 21,516 15,649 15,626
Stockholders' equity ........ 38,818 13,810 11,897 35,287 29,161
</TABLE>
- - --------
(1) The difference in duration of this period must be considered in making
period-to-period comparisons. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
(2) Represents write-off of goodwill related to the 1990 acquisition of
Royal. The goodwill was attributed to the closing of the Dallas facility
and closed or otherwise liquidated stores described in notes (3) and (4)
below, respectively. The write-off was determined based upon a
measurement of the remaining undiscounted operating cash flows of the
Company.
(3) Represents the writedown of the Dallas facility, which was closed by the
Company in connection with its plan to consolidate its laboratories into
a single facility.
(4) Represents lease termination costs, write-off of leasehold improvements
and other related costs associated with the closing and disposal of
stores during fiscal 1992 through 1995. As a result of favorable
settlements on the terminated leases, the Company realized a gain in
fiscal 1997.
(5) Net income per share has been computed using the weighted average number of
shares outstanding after giving effect for all periods presented to the
64-for-1 stock dividend and the conversion of all outstanding Series A
Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock into Common Stock upon the
closing of the Company's initial public offering as described in Note 1 to
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Cash dividends on preferred
stock of $217,000 were deducted from net income in computing net income
per share for the year ended January 31, 1998.
(6) Net income per share -- assuming dilution has been computed using the
weighted average number of shares outstanding after giving effect for all
periods presented to the 64-for-1 stock dividend and the conversion of all
outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock into
Common Stock upon the closing of the Company's initial public offering as
described in Note 1 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In
addition, common share equivalents such as stock options are included in
the computation for the years ended January 31, 1998 and 1997. Cash
dividends on preferred stock of $217,000 were deducted from net income
in computing net income per share - assuming dilution for the year ended
January 31, 1998.
(7) Net income per share -- pro forma is calculated by dividing net income
after adjustment for applicable interest expense, net of tax ($2,207,700)
by the adjusted number of weighted average shares outstanding after
giving effect to the 2,500,000 shares that were sold at the initial
public offering price to repay $20,375,000 of debt.
(8) Comparable store sales reflect existing stores that were open on the
first day of the prior fiscal period.
(9) Net sales per store is determined by dividing net sales by the average
number of stores in operation at the beginning and end of each fiscal
period. For the ten months ended January 31, 1996, this figure has been
calculated on an annualized basis.
12
<PAGE>
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
General Overview
The Company's net sales consist primarily of retail sales of prescription
eyewear and contact lenses, net of refunds and allowances for customer
returns. The Company's sales are influenced by customer traffic in its host
department stores, the successful implementation of its promotional programs
and its participation in various managed vision care plans. The principal
components of the Company's cost of sales include the cost of materials,
including eyeglass frames and lenses, as well as manufacturing, assembly,
labor and overhead costs associated with operating the Company's centralized
optical laboratory. Prices of frames vary widely, from the very inexpensive to
high-end designer brands.
The Company's selling, general and administrative expenses include
primarily labor-related expenses at the store level, rent and occupancy costs,
managed vision care costs, advertising and administrative expenses. The
Company's rent paid to the host store is calculated as a percentage of net
sales within each retail optical department. Freestanding store rent is
generally a fixed monthly payment plus, in many cases, a percentage of net
sales above certain revenue levels. Flat fees per transaction are paid by the
Company to vision care plans in which the Company participates.
Unusual charges in fiscal 1995 include the write-off of goodwill,
writedown of the closed Dallas optical laboratory and former corporate
headquarters and reserves for lease terminations and other costs associated
with store closings and disposals. Management believes that the Company has
adequately reserved for all previous store closing costs. The Company's other
expenses include principally interest paid or accrued on outstanding
indebtedness.
Prior to January 31, 1996, the Company's fiscal year ended on March 31.
Effective January 31, 1996, the Company changed its fiscal year end to January
31. References herein to "fiscal 1994" refer to the Company's fiscal year
ended March 31, 1995. Similarly, references to "fiscal 1995," "fiscal 1996"
and "fiscal 1997" refer to the ten months ended January 31, 1996, the fiscal
year ended January 31, 1997 and the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998,
respectively. The differences in period durations must be considered in making
period-to-period comparisons.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth selected statement of operations items
expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ten Months
Ended
Year Ended January 31, January 31,
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales ............................ 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales ........................ 31.4 30.7 32.5
----- ----- -----
Gross profit ........................ 68.6 69.3 67.5
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative . 59.8 61.3 67.6
Depreciation and amortization ....... 2.7 2.9 2.8
----- ----- -----
Operating income (loss), excluding
unusual charges ..................... 6.1 5.1 (2.9)
Unusual charges (gains) .............. (0.3) -- 21.8
----- ----- -----
Operating income (loss) .............. 6.4 5.1 (24.7)
Other expense ........................ 2.1 3.2 2.2
Net income (loss) .................... 4.3% 1.9% (25.1%)
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE>
Fiscal 1997 Compared to Fiscal 1996
Net sales increased $11.2 million, or 10.0%, from $111.5 million for
fiscal 1996 to $122.8 million for fiscal 1997. A 9.2% increase in comparable
store sales accounted for $9.5 million of the increase in net sales and new
store openings accounted for the remaining $1.7 million of the increase. The
increase in comparable store sales was the result of an increase in the number
of eyeglasses sold, as well as an increase in value added eyewear features, such
as anti-reflective coating and accessory kits.
Cost of sales increased by $4.3 million, or 12.6%, from $34.3 million
in fiscal 1996 to $38.6 million in fiscal 1997. The increase was due principally
to the $11.2 million increase in net sales. As a percentage of net sales, cost
of sales increased from 30.7% in fiscal 1996 to 31.4% in fiscal 1997. The
increase was attributable to increased sales of designer and branded frames and
lenses. Although the Company realizes a lower gross margin on the sale of these
products, designer and branded frames and lenses provide the Company with higher
gross profit dollars per transaction.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $5.0 million,
or 7.3%, from $68.4 million in fiscal 1996 to $73.4 million in fiscal 1997. The
increase was principally due to an increase in retail salaries associated with
new store openings and greater department store rents which are tied directly to
sales volume. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative
expenses decreased from 61.3% in fiscal 1996 to 59.8% in fiscal 1997 as
increases in revenue enabled the Company to leverage its fixed expenses and take
advantage of operating efficiencies.
Depreciation and amortization increased slightly by $0.1 million, or
3.6%, from $3.3 million in fiscal 1996 to $3.4 million in fiscal 1997.
Unusual gains for fiscal 1997 of $0.4 million consisted of $0.7 million
income resulting from favorable settlements of lease liabilities that were
established in connection with the closing and disposal of freestanding stores
in fiscal 1995, net of a $0.3 million loss recognized on the sale of the Dallas
facility.
Other expense, representing principally interest expense, decreased by
$1.0 million, or 28.9%, from $3.5 million in fiscal 1996 to $2.5 million in
fiscal 1997. The decrease was due to: (i) a reduction of the interest rate on
the Company's subordinated debentures (the "Subordinated Debt") from an accrual
rate of 20% in fiscal 1996 to 12% in fiscal 1997 when the Company agreed to make
cash interest payments and (ii) the repayment of debt in connection with the
completion of the initial public offering in December 1997. See "Liquidity and
Capital Resources."
Fiscal 1996 Compared to Fiscal 1995 (ten month period)
Net sales increased by $20.4 million, or 22.3%, from $91.2 million
for fiscal 1995 to $111.5 million for fiscal 1996. This increase was due to:
(i) $21.1 million in net sales in February and March 1995 not included in
fiscal 1995 due to the change in year end; (ii) an $8.1 million increase in
comparable store sales resulting from a higher number of eyeglasses sold; and
(iii) a $3.6 million increase attributable to new stores, offset by: (i) a
$12.2 million decrease due to store closings; and (ii) a $0.2 million decrease
in third-party sales at Styl-Rite in fiscal 1996.
Cost of sales increased by $4.6 million, or 15.6%, from $29.7 million
in fiscal 1995 to $34.3 million in fiscal 1996. The $20.4 million increase in
net sales accounted for $6.1 million of the increase in cost of goods sold,
which was offset by a one-time inventory write-off of $1.5 million recorded in
fiscal 1995. This write-off was taken on merchandise that was rendered
unsalable due to the closing of 87 underperforming freestanding stores and 52
Super Kmart optical departments. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales
decreased from 32.5% in fiscal 1995 to 30.7% in fiscal 1996 due primarily to
the write-off.
14
<PAGE>
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $6.8
million, or 11.0%, from $61.6 million in fiscal 1995 to $68.4 million for
fiscal 1996. This net increase was attributable to $12.3 million in February
and March 1995 operating expenses not included in fiscal 1995 due to the
change in year end, which was offset by a $5.5 million decrease in fiscal 1996
in salaries, rent and advertising due to the closure of non-performing stores
in fiscal 1995. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and
administrative expenses decreased from 67.6% for fiscal 1995 to 61.3% for
fiscal 1996. The decrease, as a percentage of sales, was primarily due to: (i)
the leverage achieved by the 8.3% increase in comparable store sales in fiscal
1996; and (ii) the elimination in fiscal 1996 of expenses relating to the 139
unprofitable stores that were open for most of fiscal 1995.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $0.7 million, or 25.4%,
from $2.6 million in fiscal 1995 to $3.3 million in fiscal 1996 due
principally to the change in year end and resulting ten-month period in fiscal
1995.
Unusual charges for fiscal 1995 included the write-off of $8.1
million in goodwill caused by the cumulative effect of the closure of 194
stores over the last three years and the closure of the Dallas production
facility. Also in fiscal 1995, the Company recorded a charge of $10.5 million
related to the closure of 139 stores in fiscal 1995 and an additional $1.3
million writedown of the Dallas facility to reflect a revision to its
estimated net realizable value.
Other expense, representing principally interest expenses, increased
by $1.5 million, or 71.4%, from $2.0 million for fiscal 1995 to $3.5 million
for fiscal 1996. The increase was caused principally by: (i) the $1.6 million
in additional interest in fiscal 1996 accrued as a result of the Subordinated
Debt that was put in place in the beginning of fiscal 1996; and (ii) a $0.4
million fee paid in connection with the renewal of the Subordinated Debt in
January 1997, offset by a $0.7 million reduction in fiscal 1996 of interest
paid on bank debt related to a decrease in total borrowings.
Quarterly Fluctuations
The Company's financial position and results of operations are affected
by seasonal fluctuations in sales and operating profits. The Company's sales
and operating profits are generally lower in the fourth quarter, due to the
Christmas season, which has historically been a period of reduced sales of
prescription optical products. This trend has been mitigated somewhat by the
increase in vision care sales under plans which are on a calendar year basis
and require participants to use or lose their benefits annually. Quarterly
sales can also be affected by the timing and amount of sales contributed by
new stores. Accordingly, the results of operations for interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year.
15
<PAGE>
The following tables set forth certain unaudited financial data for the
quarters indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1997 Quarter Ended Fiscal 1996 Quarter Ended
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 30, July 31, Oct. 31 Jan. 31 April 30, July 31, Oct. 31 Jan. 31
1997 1997 1997 1998 1996 1996 1996 1997
--------- -------- ------- ------- --------- -------- ------- -------
(In thousands, except percentages)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales ............... $ 31,239 $ 30,815 $ 31,509 $ 29,200 $ 29,616 $ 27,756 $ 27,972 $26,200
Gross profit............. 21,597 21,018 21,710 19,854 20,370 19,257 19,504 18,140
% of net sales........... 69.1% 68.2% 68.9% 68.0% 68.8% 69.4% 69.7% 69.2%
Operating income......... $ 2,370 $ 1,778 $ 1,814 $ 1,849 $ 2,169 $ 1,468 $ 1,484 $ 513
% of net sales........... 7.6% 5.8% 5.8% 6.3% 7.3% 5.3% 5.3% 2.0%
Net income (loss)........ $ 1,780 $ 1,153 $ 1,165 $ 1,227 $ 1,385 $ 700 $ 682 ($632)(1)
% of net sales........... 5.7% 3.7% 3.7% 4.2% 4.7% 2.5% 2.4% (2.4%)
Net income per share.... $ 0.32 $ 0.21 $ 0.22 $ 0.15 $ 0.26 $ 0.14 $ 0.13 ($0.12)
Net income per share --
assuming dilution..... $ 0.32 $ 0.20 $ 0.22 $ 0.15 $ 0.26 $ 0.13 $ 0.13 ($0.12)
</TABLE>
- - --------
(1) Includes $0.4 million fee paid in connection with the renewal of the
Subordinated Debt.
Income Taxes
As of January 31, 1998, the Company had net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $23,000,000 which will begin to expire in the
year 2006. Approximately $12,500,000 of these carryforwards are available to
offset future taxable income without limitation and approximately $10,500,000
of these carryforwards (the "Restricted NOLs") are significantly limited due
to ownership changes experienced by the Company prior to 1998. As a result of
these limitations, approximately $780,000 of the Restricted NOLs will become
available for use each year through the year 2008. The remaining Restricted
NOLs are expected to expire unutilized. A valuation allowance has been
established to fully reserve the future benefit of all the net operating loss
carryforwards.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's capital requirements are generally related to new store
openings, remodeling of existing stores and upgrading product for existing
stores. Starting in fiscal 1996 and continuing through fiscal 1999 the Company
has required and will require additional capital to fund the development and
implementation of an integrated management information system. The Company's
working capital requirements are also seasonal and traditionally peak at the
end of the fourth quarter and the beginning of the first quarter. Cash and
working capital at January 31, 1998 were $365,000 and $18.0 million,
respectively, compared to $374,000 and $11.3 million, respectively at January
31, 1997. The increase in working capital at January 31, 1998 is primarily
attributable to: (i) an increase in accounts receivable due to increased
sales; (ii) a decrease in accrued interest and the current portion of
long-term debt due to the repayment of outstanding debt from proceeds of the
December 1997 initial public offering; and (iii) the reduction of lease
termination liabilities as a result of the settlement of leases on
freestanding stores closed in fiscal 1995.
For the year ended January 31, 1998, cash provided by operating
activities was $1.8 million compared to $4.2 million in fiscal 1996. The
decrease was due principally to: (i) a $1.9 million increase in accounts
receivable due to an increase in billable managed care sales as well as an
increase in sales from new store openings; and (ii) an $0.5 million decrease
in accrued expenses, including a decrease in the lease termination accrual.
Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 1997 was $5.2 million
compared to $4.5 million in fiscal 1996 and $4.8 million in fiscal 1995.
Capital expenditures in fiscal 1997 of $6.2 million were primarily for new
store openings and the initial development work on the integrated management
information system. In fiscal 1998, the Company expects to spend approximately
$7.8 million on capital
16
<PAGE>
expenditures, 45% of which will be for the integrated management information
system, 30% for new store openings and 25% for new laboratory equipment and
other capital expenditures. Historically, the Company has funded capital
expenditures through a revolving line of credit, debt financing activities,
including capital leases, and operating cash flow.
The Company's principal external source of liquidity is its $7.0
million revolving line of credit with Commerce Bank, N.A. The revolving line
of credit facility carries a floating interest rate of 0.5% above the prime
rate, which was 8.5% on January 31, 1998, is due in December 1999 and renews
automatically for a one-year period, subject to either party's right to
terminate by notice of non-renewal. As of January 31, 1998, the Company had
$1,907,000 outstanding under its revolving line of credit and $5,093,000 of
availability. The loan agreement prohibits the payment of dividends to common
stockholders and contains customary covenants. The Company must also maintain
certain financial ratios pertaining to its net worth, current ratio, ratio of
debt to net worth and ratio of cash to fixed charges. See Note 6 to Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company is currently in compliance with
all financial covenants and management does not believe that the financial
covenants set forth in its revolving line of credit will have an adverse
impact on its operations or future plans.
Regarding other financing activities engaged in by the Company, in
December 1996, the Company borrowed $8,000,000 through the placement of a term
loan. The term loan, which is owed to Commerce Bank, N.A., carries a floating
rate of 1.0% above the prime rate, which was 8.5% on January 31, 1998. The
term loan requires a final payment due December 31, 2001. The term loan is
secured by substantially all the assets of the Company. The balance of the
term loan as of January 31, 1998, was $214,000.
In addition, in fiscal 1994 and 1995, the Company invested $5.6
million in capital expenditures related to the consolidation of the Company's
laboratory operations and the purchase of its current corporate headquarters
in New Jersey. These expenditures were partially financed with a 2% term loan
provided by the Delaware River Port Authority ("DRPA"). The first DRPA term
loan, which had a balance of $1,117,000 as of January 31, 1998, is due in
February 2010 and is secured by the real property and building in which the
Company maintains its corporate headquarters. The second DRPA term loan, which
had a balance of $2,123,000 as of January 31, 1998, is due in February 2010
and is secured by the real property and building in which the Company
maintains its optical laboratory and distribution facility. The third DRPA
term loan, which had a balance of $893,000 as of January 31, 1998, is due in
June 2005 and is secured by certain equipment located in the Company's optical
laboratory and distribution facility. See Note 6 to Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
In December 1997, the Company used the net proceeds of its initial
public offering to: (i) retire the Subordinated Debt (and interest thereon) in
the amount of $8,837,000; (ii) repay $6,600,000 of the term loan to Commerce
Bank, N.A.; and (iii) paydown $4,938,000 of the outstanding balance of the
Company's revolving line of credit. Based upon its current operating and new
store opening plans, the Company believes that it can fund its working capital
and capital expenditure needs for the foreseeable future through borrowings
under the revolving line of credit and cash generated from operations.
Effects of Inflation
The Company believes that the effects of inflation on its operations
have not been material during the past three years.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In addition to the recently issued accounting standards described in
Note 2 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board recently issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No.
130, "Comprehensive Income: Financial Statement Presentation" and No. 131,
17
<PAGE>
"Segment Disclosures and Related Information," which are both effective for
financial statements issued with fiscal years beginning after December 15,
1997. The disclosure standards of FAS 130 and FAS 131 will have no impact on
the Company's financial position or results of operation.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The Company occasionally makes forward-looking statements concerning its
plans, goals, product and service offerings, store openings and closings and
anticipated financial performance. These forward-looking statements may
generally be identified by introductions such as "outlook" for an upcoming
period of time, or words and phrases such as "should", "expect", "hope",
"plans", "projected", "believes", "forward-looking" (or variants of those
words and phrases) or similar language indicating the expression of an opinion
or view concerning the future.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
based on a number of factors and actual results or events may differ
materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. These
factors include, but are not limited to: the Company's ability to maintain its
relationship with its host stores such as J.C. Penney and Sears, as well as
with Cole National Corporation, a competitor of the Company and the owner of
the Vision One managed vision care plan in which the Company participates; the
growth rate of the Company's revenue and market share; the Company's ability
to effectively manage its business functions while growing the Company's
business in a rapidly changing environment; and the quality of the Company's
plans and strategies, and the ability of the Company to execute such plans and
strategies.
In addition, forward-looking statements concerning the Company's expected
revenue or earnings levels are subject to many additional uncertainties
applicable to competitors generally and to general economic conditions over
which the Company has no control, such as the performance of its host stores.
The Company does not plan to generally publicly update prior forward-looking
statements for unanticipated events or otherwise and, accordingly, prior
forward-looking statements should not be considered to be "fresh" simply
because the Company has not made additional comments on those forward-looking
statements.
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The Financial Statements together with the report thereon of Ernst &
Young LLP are included in this report commencing at Page F-1.
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
18
<PAGE>
PART III
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
The information set forth under the heading "Election of Directors"
and "Management" of the definitive proxy statement for the Company's 1998
Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K
Annual Report.
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information set forth under the heading "Executive Compensation"
of the definitive proxy statement for the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders is incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K Annual Report.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
The information set forth under the heading "Ownership of Common
Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" of the definitive proxy
statement for the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is
incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K Annual Report.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The information set forth under the headings "Election of Directors
- - -- Compensation of the Company's Directors" and "Executive Compensation --
Transactions with Management and Related Parties" of the definitive proxy
statement for the Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is
incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K Annual Report.
19
<PAGE>
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
Financial Statements
The following financial statements of the Company are filed as a part
of this report:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................... F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets for the Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 1998 and 1997............................... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations -- For the Fiscal Years Ended
January 31, 1998 and 1997 and the Ten Months Ended January 31, 1996.......................................... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity -- for the Fiscal Years Ended
January 31, 1998 and 1997 and the Ten Months Ended January 31, 1996.......................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows --For the Fiscal Years Ended
January 31, 1998 and 1997 and the Ten Months Ended January 31, 1996.......................................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................................................... F-7
</TABLE>
All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are
not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto.
Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K have been filed by the Company during the last
quarter of fiscal 1997.
20
<PAGE>
Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:
Exhibit
Number Exhibit
- - ------ -------
3.1* Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
3.2* Bylaws of the Company
10.1* Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Commerce
Bank, as amended
10.2* Stock Option Plan, including form of Stock Option Agreement
10.3** Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement
10.4** Amendment to Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement
10.5** J.C. Penney License Agreement
10.6** Vision Care Agreement
10.7** Employment Agreement for William A. Schwartz, Jr.
10.8** Employment Agreement for Reid V. Eikner
10.9** Employment Agreement for George T. Gorman
10.10** Employment Agreement for Gayle E. Schmidt
10.11** Employment Agreement for George E. McHenry, Jr.
10.12** Form of Non-Statutory Option Agreement
10.13** Form of Indemnification Agreement
10.14** Stockholders' Agreement
10.15** Form of Sears Lease
10.16** Commerce Bank Mortgages and Schedules
10.17** DRPA Loan Documentation
21+ Subsidiaries of the Company
27+ Financial Data Schedule
- - ----------
* Previously filed as an exhibit to the Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-35819) filed
with the Commission on September 17, 1997.
** Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Form S-1 (Reg. No.
333-35819) filed with the Commission on October 29, 1997.
+ Filed herewith.
21
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
U. S. VISION, INC.
April 30, 1998 By: /s/ William A. Schwartz, Jr.
-------------------------------
William A. Schwartz, Jr.,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities indicated on April 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Capacity
--------- --------
<S> <C>
/s/ William A. Schwartz, Jr. President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
- - ---------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
William A. Schwartz, Jr.
/s/ Kathy G. Cullen Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- - ---------------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Kathy G. Cullen
/s/ Dennis J. Shaughnessy Director
- - ---------------------------
Dennis J. Shaughnessy
/s/ J. Roger Sullivan, Jr. Director
- - ---------------------------
J. Roger Sullivan, Jr.
/s/ Richard K. McDonald Director
- - ---------------------------
Richard K. McDonald
/s/ E. Theodore Stolberg Director
- - ---------------------------
E. Theodore Stolberg
/s/ G. Kenneth Macrae Director
- - ---------------------------
G. Kenneth Macrae
/s/ David M. Tracy Director
- - ---------------------------
David M. Tracy
/s/ Peter M. Troup Director
- - ---------------------------
Peter M. Troup
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Auditors
Board of Directors and Stockholders
U.S. Vision, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of U.S. Vision,
Inc. as of January 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the two
years in the period ended January 31, 1998, and the ten months ended January 31,
1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of U.S. Vision, Inc.
at January 31, 1998 and 1997, and the consolidated results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 31, 1998
and the ten months ended January 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 17, 1998
F-1
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data and per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 31,
1998 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current assets:
Cash ................................................................ $ 365 $ 374
Accounts receivable ................................................. 11,730 8,706
Inventory ........................................................... 18,155 18,125
Prepaid expenses and other .......................................... 349 423
--------- ---------
Total current assets ................................................... 30,599 27,628
Property, plant, and equipment, net .................................... 26,003 23,380
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $402 and $319, respectively 2,917 3,000
Other .................................................................. 610 395
--------- ---------
$ 60,129 $ 54,403
========= =========
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable--trade ............................................. $ 6,000 $ 7,173
Accrued expenses .................................................... 5,581 7,141
Current portion of obligation under capital lease ................... 809 586
Current portion of long-term debt ................................... 242 1,407
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities .............................................. 12,632 16,307
Obligations under capital lease ........................................ 2,199 567
Long-term debt, less current portion ................................... 6,097 22,056
Other long-term liabilities ............................................ 383 1,663
Stockholders' equity:
9% Series A cumulative preferred stock; $100,000 face value:
Authorized shares--200, Issued and outstanding shares--158
at January 31, 1997............................................... -- 15,765
9% Series C cumulative preferred stock; $63.50 face value:
Authorized shares--300,000, Issued and outstanding
shares--120,969 at January 31, 1997 .............................. -- 7,682
Common stock, $0.01 par value:
Authorized shares--15,000,000, Issued and outstanding
shares--7,761,544 and 895,765, at January 31, 1998 and ........... 78 9
January 31, 1997, respectively
Additional paid-in capital .......................................... 115,583 70,683
Accumulated deficit ................................................. (76,843) (80,329)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity ............................................. 38,818 13,810
--------- ---------
$ 60,129 $ 54,403
========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-2
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
10 months ended
Year ended January 31, January 31,
1998 1997 1996
------------------------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 122,763 $ 111,544 $ 91,172
Cost of sales 38,584 34,273 29,652
--------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 84,179 77,271 61,520
Operating expenses:
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses 73,367 68,366 61,598
Depreciation and amortization 3,390 3,271 2,608
Write-off of goodwill -- -- 8,067
Write-down of Dallas facility -- -- 1,305
Store closings and disposals (389) -- 10,473
--------- --------- ---------
76,368 71,637 84,051
--------- --------- ---------
Operating income (loss) 7,811 5,634 (22,531)
Interest expense, net 2,486 3,499 2,041
--------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before income tax benefit 5,325 2,135 (24,572)
Income tax benefit -- -- (1,686)
Net income (loss) $ 5,325 $ 2,135 $ (22,886)
========= ========= =========
Net income (loss) per share $ .90 $ .41 $ (4.33)
========= ========= =========
Net income (loss) per share - assuming
dilution $ .89 $ .40 $ (4.33)
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
(In thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
9% Series A 9% Series C
Cumulative Cumulative
Preferred Stock Preferred Stock
($100,000 face value ($63.50 face value
per share) per share)
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Shares Amount Shares Amount
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at March 31, 1995 134 $ 13,390 103,000 $ 6,541
Net loss
Cash in lieu of fractional shares after
reverse stock split
Additional cost of equity exchange
Dividends on preferred stock 10 1,032 7,936 503
------- ------- -------- ---------
Balance at January 31, 1996 144 14,422 110,936 7,044
Net income
Additional cost of equity exchange
Dividends on preferred stock 14 1,343 10,033 638
------- ------- -------- ---------
Balance at January 31, 1997 158 15,765 120,969 7,682
Net income
Dividends on preferred stock 11 1,088 8,417 534
Conversion of warrants (3,895) (247)
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock (169) (16,853) (125,491) (7,969)
Proceeds from initial public offering
Initial public offering costs
======= ========= ======== =========
Balance at January 31, 1998 -- $ -- -- $ --
======= ========= ======== =========
</TABLE>
F-4
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (continued)
(In thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock
($0.01 par value per
share) Additional Total
---------------------- Paid-In Accumulated Stockholders'
Shares Amount Capital Deficit Equity
--------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at March 31, 1995 916,890 $ 9 $ 71,409 $ (56,062) $ 35,287
Net loss (22,886) (22,886)
Cash in lieu of fractional shares
after reverse stock split (407) (407)
Additional cost of equity
exchange (97) (97)
Dividends on preferred stock (1,535)
--------- ----- ----------- ------------ ---------
Balance at January 31, 1996 916,890 9 70,905 (80,483) 11,897
Net income 2,135 2,135
Additional cost of equity
exchange (21,125) (222) (222)
Dividends on preferred stock (1,981)
--------- ----- ----------- ------------ ---------
Balance at January 31, 1997 895,765 9 70,683 (80,329) 13,810
Net income 5,325 5,325
Dividends on preferred stock (1,839) (217)
Conversion of warrants 1,607,775 16 231
Conversion of preferred stock
to common stock 2,758,004 28 24,794
Proceeds from initial public
offering 2,500,000 25 22,475 22,500
Initial public offering costs (2,600) (2,600)
--------- ----- ----------- ------------ ---------
Balance at January 31, 1998 7,761,544 $ 78 $ 115,583 $ (76,843) $ 38,818
========= ===== =========== ============ =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ten months ended
Year ended January 31, January 31,
1998 1997 1996
---------------------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 5,325 $ 2,135 $ (22,886)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 3,390 3,271 2,608
Interest expense - 1,637 -
Deferred tax benefit - - (1,958)
Decrease in deferred taxes - - (26)
Goodwill write-off - - 8,067
Write-down of Dallas facility - - 1,305
Store closings and lease termination payments (2,399) (3,513) 640
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (3,024) (1,101) 287
Inventory (30) 538 1,240
Other (150) 330 318
Accounts payable - trade (1,173) (647) 2,807
Accrued expenses (141) 1,522 6,081
------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 1,798 4,172 (1,517)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant, and equipment, net (6,241) (4,492) (4,825)
Disposal of Dallas facility 1,000 - -
------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash used in investing activities (5,241) (4,492) (4,825)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Costs to exchange debt for equity - (222) (97)
Cash in lieu of shares after reverse stock split - - (407)
Preferred stock dividend (217) - -
Proceeds from initial public offering 22,500 - -
Initial public offering costs (2,600) - -
Proceeds from borrowings:
Revolving line of credit 128,611 106,034 90,805
Term loans - 8,000 7,200
Other 1,650 - -
Repayments of borrowings:
Revolving line of credit (128,847) (111,988) (92,348)
Term loans (16,825) (2,099) -
Other (838) (560) (810)
------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities 3,434 (835) 4,343
------------- -------------- -------------
Net decrease in cash (9) (1,155) (1,999)
Cash at beginning of period 374 1,529 3,528
------------- -------------- -------------
Cash at end of period $ 365 $ 374 $ 1,529
============= ============== =============
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow data:
Interest paid $ 2,496 $ 990 $ 1,799
============= ============== =============
Capital lease obligations incurred $ 980 $ 1,070 $ 306
============= ============== =============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
January 31, 1998
1. Organization
U.S. Vision, Inc. (formerly Royal International Optical Inc.) and Subsidiaries
(the Company) was formed in March 1990 and incorporated in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. In March 1997, the Company reincorporated in the State of
Delaware. The Company's principal business activity is the retail sale and
manufacturing of prescription eyewear through approximately 570 stores located
throughout the United States.
On May 12, 1995, the Board of Directors of the Company effected a 1-for-1,000
reverse stock split. All shareholders who had fractional shares after the
reverse split received cash at the rate of $1.25 per pre-split share. The
Company paid $407,000 for the fractional shares. Subsequent to the reverse
split, the Company deregistered its common stock under the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and delisted its common stock for trading on
the Small Cap-Tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market. All share data for all periods
presented herein reflects the reverse stock split.
In December 1997, the Company completed a public offering of 2,500,000 shares of
the Company's common stock. The initial public offering price was $9.00 per
share. The net proceeds to the Company were used to retire the $8,837,000
outstanding balance of its 12% subordinated debentures due March 1998 (See Note
6), to repay $6,600,000 on its bank term loan due 2001 (see Note 6), and to
repay $4,938,000 on its revolving line of credit which expires on December 31,
1999 (see Note 6). In conjunction with the sale of common stock, the Company
recapitalized its common stock and authorized a 64-for-1 stock dividend.
Additionally, in conjunction with the initial public offering described above,
the holders of the Series A cumulative preferred stock and Series C cumulative
preferred stock converted all the outstanding shares of preferred stock for
common stock at the public offering price. The liquidation values of the Series
A and the Series C preferred stock plus accumulated dividends at the date of the
conversion of $16,853,000 and $7,969,000, respectively, were converted into
1,872,592 and 885,412 shares of common stock, respectively. Per share data have
been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the stock dividend and conversion of
the preferred stock in all periods presented.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Fiscal Year
Effective January 31, 1996, the Company changed its fiscal year from March 31 to
January 31. Fiscal years are identified according to the calendar year in which
they begin. The fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, will be referred to as
"fiscal 1997."
F-7
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions
and balances have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Net Income Per Share
In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". Statement 128
replaced the previously reported primary and fully diluted earnings per share
with basic and diluted earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings per share,
basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants, and
convertible securities. The Company has adopted this method effective January
31, 1998, and has restated, where necessary, all prior periods presented to
conform to the Statement 128 requirements.
Net income per share has been computed using the weighted average number of
shares outstanding (5,651,954, 5,261,543 and 5,282,668 in fiscal 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively) after giving effect for all periods presented to the
64-for-1 stock dividend and the conversion of all outstanding Series A preferred
stock and Series C preferred stock for common stock upon the closing of the
Company's initial public offering as described in Note 1. Net income per share-
assuming dilution is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of
shares outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effect of stock options
(106,457 and 107,157 in fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively). Stock options
outstanding in fiscal 1995 are not included in the computation since their
effect is antidilutive. Preferred cash dividends of $217,000 were deducted from
net income in computing basic and diluted net income per share in fiscal 1997.
F-8
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Net Income Per Share (continued)
Pro forma net income per share for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998 was
$0.96. Pro forma net income per share gives effect to the initial public
offering and the related pay down of the debt (See Note 1) as of the beginning
of fiscal 1997. Pro forma net income per share is calculated by dividing net
income after adjustment for applicable interest expense, net of tax
($2,207,700), by the adjusted number of weighted average shares outstanding,
assuming dilution, after giving effect to the 2,500,000 shares that were sold
to repay $20,375,000 of debt.
Inventory
Inventory, consisting principally of frames and lenses, is valued at the lower
of cost or market, determined by the first-in, first-out method.
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation, which includes
assets under capital leases, is computed using the straight-line method for
financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes.
The general range of useful lives for financial reporting is 10 to 30 years for
buildings and improvements, and 3 to 10 years for automobiles, machinery and
equipment, and furniture and fixtures. Depreciation expense totaled $3,297,000,
$3,178,000, and $2,347,000 in fiscal 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, which principally include property, plant, and equipment,
and goodwill arising from business acquisitions, are amortized on a
straight-line basis over the expected period to be benefited up to 40 years. In
accordance with FASB Statement No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," the Company
periodically evaluates the realizability of long-lived assets as events or
circumstances indicate a possible inability to recover their carrying amounts.
Long-lived assets are grouped and evaluated on a per store basis by applying
various analyses, including undiscounted cash flows and profitability
projections. See Note 9 for charge-offs relating to long-lived assets.
F-9
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Advertising
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense was
$7,594,000, $6,766,000, and $6,426,000 in fiscal 1997, 1996, and 1995,
respectively.
Store Openings and Closings
The noncapital expenditures incurred in opening new stores or remodeling
existing stores are expensed as incurred. When a store is closed, the remaining
investment in leasehold improvements and the amount estimated to terminate the
lease are expensed.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is generally recognized when merchandise is delivered or shipped to the
customer.
Reclassification
Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
current-year presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statements of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Comprehensive Income: Financial
Statement Presentation" and No. 131, "Segment Disclosures and Related
Information," which are both effective for financial statements issued with
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The disclosure standards of FAS
130 and FAS 131 will have no impact on the Company's financial position or
results of operations. Management has not completed its determination of the
effect these statements will have on financial statement disclosure.
F-10
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3. Inventory
Inventory is as follows (In thousands):
January 31,
1998 1997
-------------- --------------
Finished goods $ 14,695 $ 15,204
Work-in-process 1,043 1,196
Raw materials 2,417 1,725
-------------- --------------
$ 18,155 $ 18,125
============== ==============
4. Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment is as follows (In thousands):
January 31,
1998 1997
-------------- --------------
Land and buildings $ 6,319 $ 7,341
Leasehold improvements 8,762 8,612
Machinery and equipment 18,646 17,143
Furniture and fixtures 20,734 15,684
Automobiles 506 482
-------------- --------------
54,967 49,262
Less accumulated depreciation 28,964 25,882
-------------- --------------
$ 26,003 $ 23,380
============== ==============
5. Sale of the Dallas Facility
In February 1995, the Company decided to move its manufacturing operations from
Dallas, Texas to Glendora, New Jersey. As part of the move to New Jersey, the
Company decided to sell the Dallas facility. Accordingly, in fiscal 1995 the
Company recorded a charge of $1,305,000 to reduce the book value of the Dallas
facility to its revised estimate of net realizable value of $1,300,000. In
fiscal 1997, the Company sold the building for $1,000,000. The loss from the
sale of the Dallas facility has been offset in the fiscal 1997 consolidated
statement of operations against the gain realized on favorable settlements of
lease termination liabilities (See Note 9).
F-11
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
6. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt is as follows (In thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 31,
1998 1997
--------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
$7,000,000 Revolving Line of Credit which expires on December 31, 1999 (with
automatic one year extensions). Interest was payable monthly at prime, as
defined, plus 1.0% through November 1997, when the rate was reduced to prime
plus 0.5% (9% at January 31, 1998). The revolving line of credit is secured by
substantially all the assets of the Company. $ 1,907 $ 2,142
$8,000,000 Term Loan. Interest was payable monthly at prime, as defined, plus
1.5% through November 1997, when the rate was reduced to prime plus 1.0% (9.5%
at January 31, 1998). Requires a final payment on December 31, 2001. The term
loan is secured by substantially all the assets of the Company. 214 8,000
DRPA Term Loan due February 1, 2010. Requires quarterly payments of $13,322,
which includes principal and interest at 2%. Final payment of $702,434 is due
on January 31, 2010. The term loan is secured by the land and building of the
Corporate headquarters. 1,117 1,148
DRPA Term Loan due February 1, 2010. Requires quarterly payments of $25,313,
which includes principal and interest at 2%. Final payment of $1,334,625 is
due on January 31, 2010. The term loan is secured by the land and building of
the New Jersey manufacturing facility. 2,123 2,181
DRPA Term Loan due on June 7, 2005. Requires quarterly payments of $33,175,
which includes principal and interest at 2%. The term loan is secured by
certain of the equipment located in the New Jersey manufacturing facility. 893 1,007
Subordinated Term Loan payable to investors. Interest accrued at
12% per annum. The principal balance and all accrued interest was
paid in full on December 5, 1997.
- 8,837
Other 85 148
---------- ----------
6,339 23,463
Less current portion 242 1,407
---------- ----------
$ 6,097 $ 22,056
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
6. Long-Term Debt (continued)
The revolving credit and term loan agreements contain various financial
covenants pertaining to net worth, current ratio, and ratio of cash flow to
fixed charges. The revolving credit agreement also prohibits the payment of
dividends to common stockholders. At January 31, 1998, the Company was in
compliance with all financial covenants.
Borrowings under the revolving line of credit are limited based upon a formula.
Total availability as determined by the formula, at January 31, 1998, was
$7,000,000, of which $1,907,000 was outstanding and $5,093,000 was available.
The carrying amounts of the Company's borrowings approximate their fair values.
Maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five years and thereafter are
as follows (In thousands):
Year ended January 31,
----------------------
1999 $ 242
2000 2,356
2001 227
2002 229
2003 224
Thereafter 3,061
------------
$ 6,339
============
7. Lease Commitments
Capital lease obligations are machinery and equipment leases which expire on
various dates through 2003. Assets under capital leases at January 31, 1998 and
1997, were $3,718,000 and $1,303,000, net of accumulated amortization of
$287,000 and $768,000, respectively, and are included as a component of
property, plant, and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets.
F-13
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
7. Lease Commitments (continued)
Future minimum payments required under noncancelable capital leases and
operating leases with lease terms in excess of one year as of January 31, 1998,
are as follows (In thousands):
Capital Operating
Year ended January 31, Leases Leases
- - ---------------------- ------ ------
1999 $ 1,031 $ 1,644
2000 855 1,294
2001 604 841
2002 496 413
2003 321 212
Thereafter - 122
------------ ------------
Total lease payments 3,307 $ 4,526
============
Less amount representing interest 299
------------
Present value of minimum capitalized
lease payments 3,008
Less current portion 809
------------
Long-term portion $ 2,199
============
At January 31, 1998, the Company operated 63 of its retail stores under
operating leases with varying terms. The leases expire at various dates from
fiscal 1998 to fiscal 2006, and many have renewal options for up to five
additional years. The leases provide for minimum lease payments and, in many
cases, require payment of additional rents if sales exceed stipulated levels.
These additional rents are not significant. The leases also require, in most
cases, payment of taxes and common area expenses such as maintenance, security,
and other expenses.
The Company also operated 507 licensed optical departments under leases with
expiration dates ranging from 5-years to 60-days. These leases provide for
monthly lease payments calculated as a percentage of sales. Rent expense under
these leases was $14,212,000, $12,580,000, and $9,244,000 in fiscal 1997, 1996,
and 1995, respectively.
The Company also operated other facilities under operating leases. Rent expense
for all operating leases, including those on its retail stores and licensed
optical departments described above, was $17,010,000, $15,519,000, and
$13,974,000 in fiscal 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
F-14
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. Income Taxes
The components of income tax provision (benefit) are as follows (In thousands):
Ten months
ended
Year ended January 31, January 31,
---------------------- -------------
1998 1997 1996
------- ------- --------
Current provision (benefit) $ 85 $ -- $ 272
Deferred benefit (85) -- (1,958)
------- -------- ---------
Income tax (benefit) $ - $ -- $ (1,686)
======= ======== =========
Deferred income tax liabilities and assets result from differences in the tax
basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated
financial statements. Significant components of the Company's deferred income
taxes are as follows (In thousands):
Year ended January 31,
1998 1997
-------- ----------
Deferred tax liability:
Depreciation $ 1,280 $ 1,739
Deferred tax assets:
Store closing reserves 289 1,324
Inventory costs 483 423
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit 85 --
Other 190 104
Net operating loss carryover 8,766 10,366
-------- --------
9,813 12,217
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (8,448) (10,478)
-------- --------
Total deferred tax assets 1,365 1,739
-------- --------
Net deferred tax assets $ 85 $ --
======== ========
The deferred tax valuation reserve decreased $2,030,000 and $866,000 for fiscal
1997 and 1996, respectively. The valuation reserve has been established to
eliminate the benefit of all net deferred tax assets except for the credit on
the Alternative Minimum Tax.
F-15
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. Income Taxes (continued)
A reconciliation of the income tax provision (benefit) with amounts determined
by applying the U.S. Statutory rate to income (loss) before income tax benefit
is as follows (In thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ten months ended
Year ended January 31, January 31,
1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income tax provision (benefit) at the statutory rate $ 1,810 $ 726 $ (8,355)
Amortization of goodwill 28 28 2,828
Nontaxable income (57) - -
Nondeductible expenses 32 32 53
Change in realization of deferred asset - (13) 19
Increase(decrease) in deferred tax asset valuation
reserve (2,030) (866) 4,141
State income tax provision (benefit) and other taxes 217 93 (372)
------------- ------------- -------------
Income tax benefit $ - $ - $ (1,686)
============ ============ =============
</TABLE>
As of January 31, 1998, the Company had net operating loss carry forwards of
approximately $23,000,000 which will begin to expire in the year 2006.
Approximately $12,500,000 of these carry forwards are available to offset future
taxable income without limitation and approximately $10,500,000 of these carry
forwards (the "Restricted NOLs") are significantly limited due to ownership
changes experienced by the Company. As a result of these limitations,
approximately $780,000 of the Restricted NOLs will become available for use each
year through the year 2008. The remaining Restricted NOLs are expected to expire
unutilized. A valuation allowance has been established to fully reserve the
future benefit of all the net operating loss carry forwards.
F-16
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9. Store Closings and Goodwill Write-off
In fiscal 1995, the Company recorded a charge of $10,473,000 related to the
closing of approximately 139 retail stores. All such stores were closed prior to
January 31, 1996. Sales and operating losses for these 139 stores totaled
$10,554,000 and $2,737,000 for fiscal 1995. The charge includes $6,500,000 for
estimated lease termination liabilities, $1,483,000 of property and equipment
write-offs for leasehold improvements and other equipment located in the closed
stores, $1,600,000 of inventory previously stocked in these stores, and $890,000
in other costs associated with the closings.
Additionally, in fiscal 1995, the Company wrote off goodwill of $8,067,000 which
reduced the remaining unamortized balance to $3,083,000 at January 31, 1996. A
significant portion of goodwill was attributable to assets that were closed or
otherwise liquidated prior to January 31, 1996, including 194 stores over the
prior three fiscal periods and the Dallas lab facility. Consequently, the
Company determined that the cumulative effect of store closings and the closing
of the Dallas facility was material and indicative of a significant impairment
of goodwill.
In fiscal 1995, the Company further evaluated inventory determined to be slow
moving and, as a result, wrote off an additional $1,500,000 of inventory. This
charge was recorded as a component of cost of sales.
Approximately $3,459,000 of unpaid lease liabilities recorded in fiscal 1995
remained at January 31, 1997, of which $1,825,000 was recorded as a current
liability and $1,634,000 was classified in other long-term liabilities. At
January 31, 1998, approximately $762,000 of these liabilities remain unpaid, of
which $407,000 is classified as current and $355,000 as long-term. In fiscal
1997, the Company realized a $689,000 gain as a result of favorable settlements
on certain of these freestanding store leases. This gain is included net of the
loss on the sale of the Dallas facility (See Note 5) in the fiscal 1997
consolidated statement of operations.
10. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company, in the normal course of business, has become the defendant or is
the plaintiff in various legal proceedings. Management of the Company believes
that, in all cases, the outcome of such legal proceedings will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
condition.
Approximately 66% and 62% of the Company's sales were in licensed departments of
one retailer for fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively. A termination of the
licensed departments could cause a loss of sales, which would affect operating
results adversely.
F-17
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
11. Stock Options
In February 1996, the Board of Directors authorized the formation of an
incentive stock option plan. As of January 31, 1998, various members of
management had options to purchase 639,665 shares of common stock under this
plan. These options were issued in March 1996, vested immediately, are
exercisable at $7.69 per share (estimated fair market value at the date of
grant) and expire on October 1, 2004.
In October 1994, the Company issued options to certain directors to purchase
96,525 shares of Common Stock at $7.69 per share. These options expire on
October 30, 2004.
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," (APB 25) and related interpretations
in accounting for its employee stock options because the alternative fair value
accounting provided for under FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," requires use of option valuation models that were not
developed for use in valuing employee stock options. The effect of applying
Statement 123's fair value method to the Company's stock-based awards results in
pro forma earnings per share that are not different from amounts reported.
12. Employee Benefit Plan
The Company implemented an employee savings plan (the "plan") during fiscal 1995
pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All employees who have
been credited with at least 250 hours of service within three consecutive months
are eligible to participate in the plan. Employees may elect to contribute to
the plan through payroll deductions in an amount not to exceed the amount
permitted under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company has the discretion to
make matching contributions on behalf of the participants. Employees are fully
vested in their contributions. Company contributions vest at a rate of 20% on
each anniversary date of the plan provided that the participant has completed
1,000 hours of service with the Company as of such date. During fiscal 1997 and
1996, the Company contributed $98,000 and $90,000 respectively to the plan.
There were no Company contributions to the plan in fiscal 1995.
F-18
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Exhibit
- - ------ -------
3.1* Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
3.2* Bylaws of the Company
10.1* Loan and Security Agreement between the Company and Commerce
Bank, as amended
10.2* Stock Option Plan, including form of Stock Option Agreement
10.3** Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement
10.4** Amendment to Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement
10.5** J.C. Penney License Agreement
10.6** Vision Care Agreement
10.7** Employment Agreement for William A. Schwartz, Jr.
10.8** Employment Agreement for Reid V. Eikner
10.9** Employment Agreement for George T. Gorman
10.10** Employment Agreement for Gayle E. Schmidt
10.11** Employment Agreement for George E. McHenry, Jr.
10.12** Form of Non-Statutory Option Agreement
10.13** Form of Indemnification Agreement
10.14** Stockholders' Agreement
10.15** Form of Sears Lease
10.16** Commerce Bank Mortgages and Schedules
10.17** DRPA Loan Documentation
21+ Subsidiaries of the Company
27+ Financial Data Schedule
- - ----------
* Previously filed as an exhibit to the Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-35819) filed
with the Commission on September 17, 1997.
** Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Form S-1 (Reg. No.
333-35819) filed with the Commission on October 29, 1997.
+ Filed herewith.
<PAGE>
U.S. Vision, Inc.
Exhibit 21 - Subsidiaries of the Company
Names of Subsidiaries State of Incorporation
--------------------- ----------------------
USV Optical, Inc. Texas
Styl-Rite Optical Mfg. Co., Inc. Florida
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT JANUARY 31, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1998
<CASH> 365,000
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 11,730,000
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 18,155,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 30,599,000
<PP&E> 54,967,000
<DEPRECIATION> (28,964,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 60,129,000<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 12,632,000
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 78,000
<OTHER-SE> 38,740,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 60,129,000
<SALES> 122,763,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 122,763,000
<CGS> 38,584,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 76,368,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (13,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,499,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> 5,325,000
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,325,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 5,325,000
<EPS-PRIMARY> .90
<EPS-DILUTED> .89
<FN>
<F1>Provision for doubtful accounts and inventory provision included in total costs.
</FN>
</TABLE>
