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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS
13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 29, 2000
OR
/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to__________
Commission File Number: 000-24603
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 51-0379406
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(State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification Number)
931 South Matlack Street
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 610/430-8100
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.01 par value
(Title of Class)
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 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 / /
The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates, based upon
the closing sale price as reported on the NASDAQ National Market on April 6,
2000, was approximately $438,940,077.
At April 6, 2000, there were 22,224,814 shares of common stock outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.
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FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 2000
INDEX
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PART I Page
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Item 1 - Business 1
Item 1A - Executive Officers of the Company 15
Item 2 - Properties 16
Item 3 - Legal Proceedings 16
Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 16
PART II
Item 5 - Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters 17
Item 6 - Selected Financial Data 18
Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations 20
Item 7A - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 24
Item 8 - Consolidated Financial Statements 26
Item 9 - Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure 42
PART III
Item 10- Directors and Executive Officers of the Company 42
Item 11- Executive Compensation 42
Item 12- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 42
Item 13- Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 42
PART IV
Item 14 - Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
42
SIGNATURES 45
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PART I
PRELIMINARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
WHEN USED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, THE WORDS "EXPECT,"
"ESTIMATE," "ANTICIPATE," "INTEND," "PREDICT," "BELIEVE," AND SIMILAR
EXPRESSIONS AND VARIATIONS THEREOF ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF AND SUBJECT TO THE SAFE HARBOR CREATED BY THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
APPEAR IN A NUMBER OF PLACES IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND INCLUDE
STATEMENTS REGARDING THE INTENT, BELIEF OR CURRENT EXPECTATIONS OF ELECTRONICS
BOUTIQUE, ITS DIRECTORS OR ITS OFFICERS WITH RESPECT TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS: (I)
TRENDS AFFECTING ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE'S FINANCIAL CONDITION OR RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS; AND (II) ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE'S BUSINESS AND GROWTH STRATEGIES.
READERS ARE CAUTIONED THAT ANY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE NOT
GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE AND INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, AND THAT
ACTUAL RESULTS OR OUTCOMES MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN THE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF VARIOUS FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET
FORTH IN ITEM 1. "BUSINESS - RISK FACTORS".
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. ("Electronics Boutique") believes it is
among the world's largest specialty retailers of electronic games. We sell video
games and PC entertainment software, supported by the sale of video game
hardware, PC productivity software, PC accessories and related products. We
offer our products through our large and growing store base, which, as of
January 29, 2000, included 619 stores located in 46 states, Puerto Rico, Canada,
Australia and South Korea, operating primarily under the names Electronics
Boutique and Stop 'N Save Software and through our web site at WWW.EBWORLD.COM.
In addition to our retailing activities, we provide management services for
Electronics Boutique, plc ("EB-UK"), a leading specialty retailer of electronic
games in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Ireland, and for Waldensoftware stores
on behalf of Borders Group, Inc. Our stores are primarily located in high
traffic areas in regional shopping malls and average 1,200 square feet in size.
Our core customer is the electronic game enthusiast who demands immediate
access to new title releases and who generally purchases more video game titles
and PC entertainment software than the average electronic game consumer. We
believe that we attract the core game enthusiast due to our:
- specialty store focus on the electronic game category,
- ability to stock sought-after new releases,
- breadth of product selection, and
- knowledgeable sales associates.
Our "FIRST TO MARKET" strategy establishes our stores and web site as the
destination of choice for electronic game enthusiasts. We believe that our
vendors recognize the importance of our core game enthusiast customer base and,
consequently, often reward us with disproportionately large allocations of
newly-released products. We plan to grow our revenues and operating income by:
- expanding our domestic new store base,
- focusing on online retailing,
- increasing store productivity, and
- pursuing international opportunities.
We believe we were one of the first video game and PC entertainment software
specialty retailers to offer a web site with product reviews and online
purchasing. Our core customer tends to be Internet savvy, making e-commerce a
necessary and natural progression of our retailing platform. We believe our
success in store-based retailing, our strong market identity and existing
infrastructure differentiates EBWORLD.COM from other online retailers.
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RISK FACTORS
DEPENDENCE ON NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS. We are highly dependent on the
introduction of new and enhanced video game and PC hardware and software for our
success. If manufacturers fail to introduce new games and systems, we would have
difficulty attracting and retaining customers to buy the products we sell. Any
failure to attract and retain customers could adversely affect our business.
Many of the factors that impact our ability to offer new products, and to
attract and retain customers, are largely beyond our control. These factors
include:
- dependence upon manufacturers to introduce new or enhanced video game
systems,
- reliance upon continued technological development and the continued use of
PCs,
- dependence upon software publishers to develop popular game and
entertainment titles for future generation game systems or PCs, and
- the availability and timeliness of new product releases at our stores.
VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE PRODUCT CYCLES. Demand for video game
systems and software fluctuates in relation to the introduction of
next-generation hardware and related software titles. Following the introduction
of next-generation products, sales of the new products increase steadily, while
sales of the prior-generation products steadily decrease. Manufacturers have
historically introduced next-generation systems every four to five years. Peak
sales of prior-generation hardware tend to occur in the year of introduction of
next-generation systems, while peak sales of prior-generation software titles
tend to occur in the year following the peak of prior-generation hardware. If
leading video game systems manufacturers fail to introduce next-generation
systems, or fail to make significant enhancements to existing systems, our sales
of hardware systems and related titles will decrease, which decrease could have
a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
See "Business-Products."
TECHNOLOGICAL OBSOLESCENCE. The video game and PC industries are
characterized by swiftly changing technology, evolving industry standards,
frequent new product introductions and rapid product obsolescence. These
characteristics require us to respond quickly to technological changes and to
understand their impact on our customers' preferences. In particular, many video
games and other entertainment software are readily available on the Internet.
The ability to download electronic games onto PCs or video game console systems
could make the retail sale of video games and PC entertainment software
obsolete. If this technology continues to expand our customers' ability to
access software through other sources, our revenues and earnings could decline.
NEW STORE OPENINGS. Our growth will depend on our ability to open and
operate new stores profitably. We currently intend to open approximately 100 to
125 new stores in the current fiscal year. Our ability to open new stores timely
and profitably depends upon several contingencies, many of which are beyond our
control. The contingencies include:
- our ability to locate suitable store sites, negotiate acceptable lease
terms, and build out or refurbish sites on a timely and cost-effective
basis,
- our ability to hire, train and retain skilled associates, and
- our ability to integrate new stores into its existing operations.
In addition, our services agreement with EB-UK significantly restricts our
ability to open stores in Europe. See "Business - Management Services." We
cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve our planned expansion or that
our new stores will achieve sales and profitability levels comparable to our
existing stores. See "Business - Retail Operations."
COMPETITION. The electronic game industry is intensely competitive and
subject to rapid changes in consumer preferences and frequent new product
introductions. We compete with:
- video game and PC software specialty stores located in malls and other
locations,
- mass merchants,
- toy retail chains,
- online retailers,
- mail-order businesses,
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- catalogs,
- direct-to-consumer software publishers, and
- office supply, computer product and consumer electronics superstores.
Increased competition may lead to reduced profit margins on video games and
PC entertainment software. In addition, customers can rent video games from many
video stores and cable television providers. Further, it is likely that other
methods of distribution will emerge in the future, which would result in
increased competition. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories
and significantly greater financial, managerial, creative, sales and marketing
and other resources than we have. We also compete with other forms of
entertainment activities, including movies, television, theater, sporting events
and family entertainment centers. If we do not compete effectively, our revenues
and earnings may be adversely affected. See "Business - Competition."
SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY RESULTS. Our business is affected by seasonal
patterns. We historically generate our highest net sales, management fees and
net income during the fourth quarter, which includes the holiday selling season.
During the year ended January 29, 2000 ("fiscal 2000"), approximately 43% of our
net sales and approximately 68% of our operating income were generated during
the fourth quarter. Accordingly, any adverse trend in net sales during the
holiday selling season could hurt our results of operations for the quarter as
well as for the entire year.
In addition, our results of operations may fluctuate from quarter to quarter
depending upon a variety of factors, most of which we cannot control. These
factors include:
- the timing of new product introductions and new store openings,
- net sales contributed by new stores,
- increases or decreases in comparable store sales,
- adverse weather conditions,
- shifts in the timing of certain holidays or promotions, and
- changes in merchandise mix.
Any one or more of these factors could affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations, and this makes the prediction of results of
operations on a quarterly basis difficult. Also, it is possible that our
quarterly results of operations may be below the expectations of public market
analysts and investors. This could adversely affect the price of our common
stock. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations - Seasonality and Quarterly Results."
DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIERS. We rely heavily upon our suppliers to provide us
with new products as quickly as possible. We purchase a significant amount of
products from Nintendo of America ("Nintendo"), Electronic Arts, Inc.
("Electronic Arts"), Sega of America, Inc. ("Sega"), and Sony Computer
Entertainment ("Sony") and often receive shipments of new release products which
are disproportionately large relative to our share of the overall consumer
market. During fiscal 2000, we purchased products from Electronic Arts,
Nintendo, Sega and Sony, which represented 10.5%, 10.4%, 8.7% and 7.1%,
respectively, of our net purchases. We believe that the loss of any of these
suppliers could reduce our product offerings, which could cause us to be at a
competitive disadvantage. In addition, our financial performance largely depends
upon the business terms we obtain from suppliers, including competitive prices,
unsold product return policies, advertising and market development allowances,
freight charges and payment terms. Our failure to maintain favorable business
terms with our suppliers could adversely affect our ability to offer products to
consumers at competitive prices.
During fiscal 2000, approximately one-third of our product purchases were
from domestic distributors of products manufactured overseas, primarily in Asia.
To the extent that our distributors rely on overseas sources for a large portion
of their products, any event causing a disruption of imports, including the
imposition of import restrictions, could hurt our business. In addition, in the
recent past, many Asian currencies were devalued significantly in relation to
the U.S. dollar, and financial markets in Asia experienced significant turmoil.
We cannot assure you that these events will not occur again in the future, and
if these events do occur, our business could be harmed. Trade restrictions in
the form of tariffs or quotas, or both, applicable to the products we sell could
also affect the importation of those products generally and could increase the
cost and reduce the supply of products available to us.
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GROWTH OF INTERNET AS MEANS OF E-COMMERCE. If the e-commerce market does not
grow or grows more slowly than we expect, our business may not grow as quickly
as we anticipate. A number of factors could prevent the acceptance and growth of
e-commerce, including the following:
- e-commerce is at an early stage and buyers may be unwilling to shift their
traditional purchasing to online purchasing,
- increased government regulation or taxation may adversely affect the
viability of e-commerce, and
- adverse publicity and consumer concern about the reliability, cost, ease
of access, quality of services, capacity, performance and security of
e-commerce transactions could discourage its acceptance and growth.
E-COMMERCE STRATEGY. Our e-commerce strategy depends in part on our ability
to significantly increase sales of our products over the Internet. We are
pursuing opportunities to sell our products over the Internet through our web
site EBWORLD.COM as well as through Internet marketing partnerships with America
Online, MSN, and Snowball.com. This is a relatively new business and marketing
strategy for us and involves risks and uncertainties. We may not succeed in
marketing our products over the Internet. In addition, our Internet strategy
will require us to significantly increase our advertising and marketing
expenditures. If these expenditures do not result in significant sales, our
results of operations will be adversely affected. See "Business - Online
Retailing."
RISK OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS. We have retail operations in various
foreign countries, including Canada, South Korea and Australia, and we intend to
pursue opportunities that may arise in these and other countries. Net sales in
these foreign countries represented 12.2% of our net sales in fiscal 2000. We
are subject to the risks inherent in conducting business across national
boundaries, any one of which could negatively impact our business. These risks
include:
- economic downturns,
- currency exchange rate fluctuations,
- changes in governmental policy,
- international incidents,
- military outbreaks,
- government instability,
- nationalization of foreign assets, and
- government protectionism.
We cannot assure you that one or more of these factors will not impair our
current or future international operations and, as a result, harm our overall
business.
LEASE EXPIRATIONS AND TERMINATIONS. As of January 29, 2000, 84 of our stores
(13.6% of all stores) were operated under leases with terms that expire in less
than one year. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our
existing store locations as leases expire, that we will be able to locate
suitable alternative sites on acceptable terms or find additional sites for new
store expansion. If we fail to maintain existing store locations, locate to
alternative sites or find additional sites for new store expansion, our revenues
and earnings may decline. See "Business Properties."
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. Our success depends upon our ability to
attract, motivate and retain key management associates for our stores and
skilled merchandising, marketing and administrative personnel at our
headquarters. In the past, we have been successful in maintaining the continuity
of our management team, including our executive officers, Joseph J. Firestone,
our President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey W. Griffiths, our Senior Vice
President of Merchandising and Distribution and President of EBKids, Seth P.
Levy, our Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer and the President
of EBWORLD.COM and John R. Panichello, our Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer and President of BC Sports Collectibles. However, we cannot
assure you that we will continue to be successful in attracting and retaining
such personnel.
CONTROL BY MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER. EB Nevada Inc. ("EB Nevada"), a company
indirectly controlled by James Kim, his wife and certain trusts for the benefit
of his children, beneficially own approximately 61.5% of the
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outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly, the Kim family effectively
control Electronics Boutique. Under a credit facility we have with Fleet Capital
Corporation, the Kim family is obligated to own, directly or indirectly, not
less than 25% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Electronics
Boutique. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources."
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
The electronic game industry is segmented into two primary product
platforms: video games and PC entertainment software.
VIDEO GAMES. Video game play requires two components, video game consoles,
known as hardware, and video game titles, known as software. Video game consoles
are connected to a free-standing monitor or, typically, a television set. Video
game titles are small cartridges or CD-Roms that are inserted into a video game
console. From 1996 to September 1999, the video game market was dominated by two
manufacturers, Nintendo and Sony, each of which manufactures proprietary
hardware in the form of console systems and publishes game titles that run on
their console systems but cannot run on their competitors' systems. In September
1999, the Sega Dreamcast console system was introduced in the U.S. Third-party
publishers also produce a wide range of game titles for each of these major
hardware systems. Growth in the industry has been driven by the continued
improvements in systems technology, the substantial growth in the number of
titles available across game categories and the emergence of well-capitalized
software publishers with significant advertising budgets to support new
releases.
Total domestic retail sales of video game titles, hardware and accessories
were approximately $7.2 billion in 1999, which represents an increase of 14%
over 1998. This increase was primarily the result of the introduction of the
Sega Dreamcast console and related software titles and the continuing
penetration of the 32/64 bit, fourth generation of video game hardware
technology, originally introduced in 1995 and 1996 under the Sony PlayStation
and Nintendo 64 brands. As with each prior generation, the introduction of a new
hardware technology has led to an increase in the installed base of game console
systems. Enhanced technological features of new hardware expand gaming
capabilities, encourage existing players to upgrade their hardware platforms,
and simultaneously attract new video game players to purchase their first
systems.
We believe that Sega Dreamcast, which was introduced to the U.S. and
Canadian markets in September 1999, represents the first significant improvement
in graphics performance, processing power and audio quality over the current
32/64 bit systems. Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft have also announced plans to
introduce their next-generation consoles. Sony's PlayStation 2, expected to be
introduced in 2000, will feature significant performance improvements and
importantly, backward compatibility with current-generation PlayStation
software, which may reduce obsolescence of current-generation software titles.
Nintendo's console, expected to be introduced in 2001, code named Dolphin, will
also feature significant performance enhancements over the current N64 system
and will be based on DVD technology as compared to the current cartridge-based
technology. Microsoft's X-Box, also expected to be introduced in 2001, is
expected to provide significant graphical improvement over current generation
systems as well as internet connectivity. Historically, just prior to the
introduction of next-generation hardware and software products, sales of
prior-generation hardware products peak and the sales of prior-generation
software titles peak in the following year. We believe that the current
transition to next-generation platforms may result in less cyclical sales for
current-generation systems and software. This is due to:
- the continuing strong pace of introductions by software publishers of
new releases for the current 32/64 bit and next generation systems,
- significant mass media advertising and promotional activity to support
new titles,
- consumer anticipation that the next-generation Sony game console
system will be backward compatible with current-generation games.
At year end 1999, the current installed base of video game hardware systems
in the United States totaled 21.8 million Sony PlayStation units, 13.2 million
Nintendo 64 units, and 1.3 million Sega Dreamcast units.
PC ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE. PC entertainment software is generally sold in
the form of CD-Roms and played on multimedia PCs featuring fast processors,
expanded memories, and enhanced graphics and audio capabilities. The
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market for PC entertainment software has experienced steady growth in recent
years, due primarily to the growth in the installed base of multimedia PCs. The
domestic installed base of multimedia PCs has increased from approximately 14
million units in 1995 to approximately 42 million units in 1999. Domestic unit
sales of PC entertainment software have increased from approximately 23 million
units in 1995 to approximately 60 million units in 1999. Domestic retail sales
of PC entertainment software totaled approximately $1.4 billion in 1999, an
increase of approximately 7.5% over 1998. We believe that multimedia PCs priced
well below $1,000 will contribute to growth in PC unit sales and broaden the
appeal of home PCs as an alternative source of in-home entertainment. Worldwide,
the installed base of multimedia PCs and sales of PC entertainment software has
grown at a rate comparable to the rate of growth in the United States.
CUSTOMERS. We believe the typical electronic game consumer is male, between
the ages of 14 and 34, and lives in a household with annual income in excess of
$50,000. According to the Millennium Gamer Study, owners of video game hardware
systems purchase an average of 3.2 game titles per year. We believe that many
electronic game players purchase video game titles as well as PC entertainment
software. Electronic games are principally sold through retail channels,
including specialty retailers like Electronics Boutique, as well as mass
merchants, toy retail chains, electronics retailers, computer retailers,
wholesale clubs, the Internet and mail order.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
We seek to enhance our position as one of the world's largest specialty
retailers of video game titles and PC entertainment software.
BREADTH OF TITLE SELECTION. We offer our customers an extensive selection of
video game titles and PC entertainment software at competitive prices. Our
typical store offers approximately 1,350 titles at any given time from over 90
video game and PC entertainment software vendors. Most of these titles are also
available on our web site. We continuously update our title selection in each
store to reflect the tastes and buying patterns of the store's local market. We
carry game titles which are compatible with all major video game hardware
systems and PCs. In addition to video game titles and PC entertainment software,
we offer a complementary line of productivity and educational software and PC
and video game accessories and peripheral products, including graphics
accelerators, joysticks, memory cards, books and magazines. By offering all
major video game hardware systems and providing a broad but focused assortment
of electronic game software and accessories, we seek to establish our stores and
web site as the destination of choice for electronic game enthusiasts.
IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY OF NEW RELEASES. We strive to be the first in our
markets to offer new video game and PC entertainment software titles upon their
release. New-release titles are often preceded by substantial publicity in the
form of print advertisements and reviews in publications and, increasingly, are
promoted through television advertisements. This publicity tends to create high
levels of demand for new releases among electronic game enthusiasts, often well
in advance of release dates. This demand has afforded us an important marketing
opportunity to create excitement surrounding our stores and our web site. To
assure our customers immediate access to new releases, we offer our customers
the opportunity to purchase video games and PC software prior to their release
through the "EB Pre-Sell Program," which guarantees customers a copy of a new
release immediately after its launch. We also have established the "EB Reserve
List," which entitles participants on this list to be notified when a game has
arrived in our stores. On average, we introduce 20 new game titles in our stores
and on our web site each week.
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. We emphasize strict inventory
policies in order to manage over 2,000 SKUs, including video game titles, PC
entertainment software, video game consoles, accessories and related products.
Our inventory management system enables us to maximize sales of new-release
titles and avoid markdowns as titles mature. We minimize our inventory risk by:
- conducting extensive research on new-release titles to forecast
anticipated daily sell-through,
- utilizing POS polling technology to provide daily sales, margin and
inventory reports to our merchandising staff,
- managing inventory on a store-by-store basis to address local customer
merchandise preferences, and
- replenishing store-level inventories daily from our fully-automated
distribution centers.
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We introduce an average of 10 new SKUs in our stores and on our web site each
day. As a result of these inventory management initiatives, we have achieved
desired in-stock positions and our inventory turns in fiscal 2000 were 5.4x. In
addition, our fiscal 2000 inventory shortage was less than 0.6% as a percentage
of sales.
DISCIPLINED STORE OPERATIONS. Our management team exercises significant
control over all aspects of our store operations, from product research,
purchasing and distribution to real estate selection, store development, POS
financial reporting and sales training. We believe that this commitment to
operational control enables us to:
- operate substantially all of our stores on a profitable basis,
- identify opportunities to improve store productivity quickly, and
- react to shifts in product pricing and consumer purchasing trends.
KNOWLEDGEABLE SALES ASSOCIATES. We believe that our knowledgeable sales
associates provide us with an important competitive advantage over mass
merchants, toy retail chains and office supply, computer product and consumer
electronics superstores, all of which compete with us, but generally offer much
lower levels of customer service in the electronic game category than we do. We
provide all of our sales associates extensive training on video game and PC
entertainment software products, system requirements and selling techniques.
Many of our sales associates are also electronic game enthusiasts. We facilitate
training through vendor-sponsored EB University seminars, held semi-annually for
store managers and field management associates, and through regularly scheduled
in-store seminars conducted by our District Managers. In addition, we encourage
sales associates to learn about their customers' game preferences. With this
knowledge, sales associates can introduce customers to a selection of electronic
games and accessories that may suit their preferences or enhance customers'
overall game experience. In addition, our sales associates advise customers of
pending new releases suited to the customer's expressed interests.
VALUE PRICING AND AFFINITY PROGRAMS. In an effort to offer maximum value to
our customers and discourage comparison shopping, we maintain an everyday low
pricing policy and support this policy with our EB Pre-Sell and EB Reserve List
affinity programs, as well as a price matching policy. Our price matching
program is known as the EB Code of Honor Program. An extensive selection of
merchandise and a high level of customer service complement our "everyday low
price" policy.
GROWTH STRATEGY
DOMESTIC NEW STORE EXPANSION. We plan to expand our domestic retail
operations by opening about 85 stores in both existing and new markets in the
year ending February 3, 2001 ("fiscal 2001"). In fiscal 2000, we opened 62
domestic stores. Our real estate team applies standardized site-selection
criteria to secure the best location for our stores when entering a new
market or expanding within an existing market. We believe our store formats
can operate profitably in high traffic/high rent malls as well as in lower
traffic/lower rent malls, central business districts and strip shopping
centers. This flexibility provides us with an extensive selection of
locations for future store openings.
EXPANSION OF ONLINE RETAILING. We believe our core customer base is Internet
savvy, making e-commerce a necessary and natural progression of our retailing
platform. Our web site benefits from a strong market identity and brand name,
which we believe contributes to confident e-commerce purchasing decisions. We
believe that our merchandise is ideally suited for sale on the Internet because
it is easy and cost-efficient to ship, gift-oriented, and it benefits from
vendor-sponsored promotion. Additionally, user-friendly information is readily
available on our web site for the products we sell. Our e-commerce web site also
enables us to gain access to customers who do not live near any of our stores,
especially with respect to foreign sales. As foreign demand warrants, we intend
to open international distribution centers to increase fulfillment efficiency.
We also intend to expand aggressively our customer base through national media
campaigns, advertising through Internet properties, such as America Online, MSN
and Snowball.com and continued pursuit of strategic alliances with directories,
search engines and content providers.
STORE PRODUCTIVITY. We constantly strive to increase the productivity of our
stores by focusing on the following areas:
- Inventory Management and Controls. We use our POS and inventory management
systems, including our fully automated distribution centers, to improve our
merchandise mix and in-stock positions, increase inventory turns and
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drive down shrinkage which, at less than 0.6% as a percentage of sales in fiscal
2000, we believe is among the lowest of mall-based retailers.
- Managing Store Payroll. We seek to optimize store payroll expense by
utilizing our POS reporting systems to assure the best possible match of sales
associate floor coverage to customer traffic. In an effort to enhance our store
payroll strategy, we continue to implement a system, known as Shoppertrak, that
electronically measures store customer traffic throughout the day and provides
us with an analysis of sales conversion rates by store and by sales associate.
This system allows us to continue to improve our sales conversion rates.
- Pre-owned Electronic Games. As a result of the proliferation of new titles
and the tendency of electronic game players to seek new game challenges after
mastering a particular title, a growing market for pre-owned video game titles
has evolved in recent years. We offer our customers a store credit for their
pre-owned video game titles. Sales of pre-owned video game titles generate
higher margins than new titles and their availability in our stores tends to
attract our core game enthusiast customer. We believe that a significant
opportunity continues to exist to increase sales of pre-owned game titles and we
have implemented a number of marketing and merchandising programs, coupled with
incentives to our sales associates, to increase our participation in the growing
market for pre-owned titles.
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. As of January 29, 2000, we operated 43 stores
in Australia, 54 stores in Canada and five stores in South Korea. In fiscal
2000, we opened 14 stores in Australia and 15 stores in Canada. We intend to
open approximately 15 stores in Australia, five stores in New Zealand, and 20
stores in Canada during fiscal 2001. We also provide management services to
EB-UK which, as of January 29, 2000, operated 280 stores and 18 department
store-based concessions in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden. We believe
that our current international presence will enable us to leverage our existing
distribution and management infrastructure for further expansion.
RETAIL OPERATIONS
As of January 29, 2000, we operated a total of 619 stores in 46 states,
Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and South Korea, primarily under the names
Electronics Boutique and Stop 'N Save Software.
STORE FORMATS. Electronics Boutique stores are specialty retail stores that
offer video game hardware and game titles, PC entertainment, educational and
productivity software, and video game and PC accessories. Electronics Boutique
and EBX stores are located primarily in high traffic areas in regional shopping
malls and generally stock over 2,000 SKUs. The typical mall-based Electronics
Boutique store is approximately 1,200 square feet, but stores range in size from
450 square feet to 2,700 square feet, with retail selling space averaging
approximately 90% of total square footage. We believe that our stores generate
sales per square foot that are among the highest of any mall-based retailer.
Stop 'N Save Software stores are generally larger-format stores located in
urban areas, central business districts, and strip and power shopping centers.
We opened our first Stop 'N Save Software store in 1995. Our merchandising
strategy at our Stop 'N Save Software stores resembles our merchandising
strategy at our Electronics Boutique stores. Stop 'N Save Software stores range
in size from 1,250 to 5,000 square feet, with retail selling space averaging
approximately 90% of total square footage.
In addition, we operate 15 stores that sell sports collectibles and
memorabilia under the name BC Sports Collectibles. We believe the customer base
of BC Sports Collectibles shares many of the same demographic characteristics as
the customer base of our Electronics Boutique stores. We believe BC Sports
Collectibles stores generate higher sales volumes if they are located in
metropolitan areas which are in close proximity to cities with several
professional sports franchises. We locate our BC Sports Collectibles stores in
malls and strip and power shopping centers. The stores generally range in size
from 1,000 to 5,000 square feet.
We opened our first EBKids store in September 1999. EBKids is a new concept
we are testing in which we will offer an assortment of interactive and
developmental toys and family-friendly, non-violent software that we believe
will appeal to a younger customer, ages 4-12 years old. This new store format
and product offering is designed to
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give parents and young children a shopping destination which is family-friendly,
free of game titles that include mature content and which capitalizes on the
Electronics Boutique brand name.
SITE SELECTION. We visit numerous mall and strip and power shopping center
sites throughout the year in the United States and in several foreign countries
in search of suitable store locations. Our standardized site selection criteria
include:
- lease terms,
- population demographics,
- psychographics,
- traffic count,
- store-front visibility and presence,
- adjacencies,
- competition, and
- accessible parking.
We believe our store formats can operate profitably in high traffic/high
rent malls as well as lower traffic/lower rent malls and shopping centers.
Accordingly, we believe that there are a large selection of locations available
for future sites. We view lease terms as the most critical element in our site
selection process. We have used our knowledge of our market areas to negotiate
favorable lease terms at many of our store locations, which has resulted in
lower occupancy costs. We regularly review the profitability and prospects of
each of our stores and evaluate whether any underperforming stores should be
closed or relocated to more desirable locations. We negotiate with landlords to
convert desirable Waldensoftware locations into Electronics Boutique stores when
their leases terminate. See "Management Services".
STORE ECONOMICS. We believe that our store concepts offer attractive unit
economics. We estimate that the average Electronics Boutique store had net sales
of approximately $1.3 million in fiscal 2000. The average cost to open an
Electronics Boutique store in fiscal 2000 (exclusive of inventory costs) was
approximately $163,000. These costs include furniture, fixtures, leasehold
improvements and equipment. Our stores have an average opening inventory of
$95,000. The cost to open an international store is approximately the same in
U.S. dollars as the cost to open a domestic store. Typically, our new stores
have generated a positive store operating contribution within the first 12
months of operations.
STORE OPERATIONS. Our North American store base (in the U.S., Canada, and
Puerto Rico) is equally divided into two geographic regions, East and West.
These regions are supervised by two Field Operations Vice Presidents, 11
Regional Vice Presidents/Directors and 46 District Managers. Each District
Manager is responsible for approximately 12 stores. Our stores in Australia
and South Korea are supervised by a Managing Director. Each of our stores has
a full-time manager and a full-time assistant manager in addition to hourly
sales associates, most of whom work part-time. The number of hourly sales
associates fluctuates depending on our seasonal needs. Our domestic stores
are open seven days per week and generally ten hours each day. We operate our
international stores in a manner substantially similar to our domestic stores.
ONLINE RETAILING
In April 1999, we established EBWORLD.COM as a separate e-commerce
subsidiary to accelerate the growth of our Internet business. In fiscal 2000, we
recorded 19.6 million visits to our web site compared to 10.2 million in fiscal
1999. In addition, revenues from our web site in fiscal 2000 were $14.1 million
compared to revenues of $4.3 million in fiscal 1999.
The Internet represents a logical extension of our traditional store-based
retail business. We believe that our customers are generally more familiar with
the Internet and with online retailing than are most consumers. In addition, we
believe that our web site's detailed product reviews, game previews, new release
schedules, product notification services, industry news and advanced search
capabilities will appeal to a worldwide audience of game enthusiasts. Our
experience in store-based retailing provides us with a significant advantage
over online only competitors. We believe that the breadth of our store-based
operations and the strength of the Electronics Boutique brand name will
differentiate EBWORLD.COM from other online competition. EBWORLD.COM utilizes
our merchandising
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expertise to leverage our strong vendor relationships and provide online
customers with an extensive selection of titles. Further, EBWORLD.COM leverages
our distribution and order fulfillment capabilities, which have supported our
direct-to-consumer catalog operations for more than 10 years.
Our marketing strategy for EBWORLD.COM has primarily consisted of alliances
with directories, search engines, content providers, targeted advertising and
related web sites which feature electronic games. As an example, EBWORLD.COM is
the exclusive commerce provider of games for the IGN.com, network of web sites
and IGN.com provides EBWORLD.COM with electronic game-related content. IGN.com,
a part of Snowball.com, is a leading online provider of entertainment content.
EBWORLD.COM launched a new marketing campaign during the third and fourth
quarters of fiscal 2000 which was designed to increase customer awareness of
EBWORLD.COM among game enthusiasts. The marketing campaign featured an
assortment of current, popular products, and was targeted to attract the mass
market as well as the avid gaming community. It was supported through national
print, radio and television advertising. We also believe that this advertising
campaign drove sales at our stores through association with the Electronics
Boutique brand name, as the stores have traditionally depended on mall traffic,
and not company-sponsored advertising, to draw customers.
We have implemented many initiatives designed to maintain the competitive
position of EBWORLD.COM and to ensure that the online store can support
significant further growth in customer traffic, sales and earnings. These
initiatives include:
IMPROVED CUSTOMER SERVICE. We have expanded our customer service
capabilities by opening a customer contact center located in Las Vegas, Nevada,
during the second quarter of fiscal 2000. The customer contact center is open
seven days a week, 16 hours a day and up to 24 hours a day during the peak
selling season, and is staffed by trained customer sales representatives who
respond to EBWORLD.COM customer inquiries via telephone, e-mail or instant
messaging. The center is designed to provide a high level of customer service
comparable to that available within our stores.
ENHANCED ORDER FULFILLMENT AND DISTRIBUTION. To enhance our order
fulfillment capabilities, we began shipping from our Louisville, Kentucky
distribution center in the third quarter of fiscal 2000. We have also expanded
our capacity for processing orders by upgrading our order fulfillment software
and increasing staffing and equipment dedicated to online order fulfillment.
UPGRADED WEB SITE. We have upgraded our web site to increase performance and
customer usability. The new web site design provides customers with a faster and
more convenient shopping experience through more efficient use of graphics and
straightforward navigation. To best accommodate our increased Internet traffic,
we have moved our web site to an external hosting data center, which allows us
to add hardware and increase bandwidth as necessary to maintain peak
performance.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
As of January 29, 2000, we provided management services to 311 specialty
electronic game stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and
Sweden.
EB-UK STORES. As of January 29, 2000, we provided management services for
280 stores and 18 department store-based concessions in the United Kingdom,
Ireland and Sweden under a contract with EB-UK, a corporation organized under
the laws of the United Kingdom.
EB-UK is one of the leading specialty retailers of electronic games in the
United Kingdom and Ireland. EB-UK's business strategy is substantially similar
to our business strategy. EB-UK strives to offer its customers an extensive
selection of video games and PC entertainment software, immediate availability
of new releases, knowledgeable sales associates, value pricing and other
customer incentive programs. EB-UK also has a highly effective inventory
management system and distribution center. EB-UK stores are generally located in
malls and "high street" shopping districts.
Under the terms of the UK Services Agreement, we provide management services
to EB-UK, including assistance with ordering and purchasing inventory, store
design and acquisition, advertising, promotion, publicity and
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<PAGE>
information systems. In exchange, EB-UK is responsible for the payment of fees,
payable, at our option, in cash or EB-UK stock, equal to 1.0% of net sales plus
a bonus calculated on the basis of net income in excess of a pre-established
target set by EB-UK. In May 1999, EB-UK acquired a competitor in the United
Kingdom, which should serve to increase EB-UK's net sales in the future. The UK
Services Agreement provides for EB-UK to have a right of first refusal on any
business opportunity of which we become aware in Europe (excluding Scandinavia)
relating to electronic game retailing. The UK Services Agreement prohibits us
from competing with EB-UK in the United Kingdom or Ireland during the term of
the UK Services Agreement, and for one year after its termination. The UK
Services Agreement has an initial term expiring on January 31, 2006. EB-UK's
right to use the Electronics Boutique name terminates six months after the UK
Services Agreement expires on January 31, 2006.
WALDENSOFTWARE STORES. We manage 13 Waldensoftware stores under a management
contract with Borders Group, Inc. The Waldensoftware stores are domestic,
mall-based stores that offer similar product lines as our Electronics Boutique
stores. We provide management services to Waldensoftware in exchange for a fixed
fee per store plus a bonus calculated on the basis of net income in excess of
the fixed management fee. We manage the stores in a manner substantially similar
to our Electronics Boutique stores. We negotiate with landlords to convert
desirable Waldensoftware locations into Electronics Boutique stores when their
leases terminate.
PRODUCTS
Our product line consists of video game titles, PC entertainment software
titles, video game hardware systems, related products and toys, trading cards,
and accessory products. We also market selected PC productivity and educational
software titles. Our in-store inventory at any given time consists of over 2,000
SKUs.
VIDEO GAME TITLES AND PC ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE. We carry over 650 video
game titles (excluding pre-owned games) and over 1,000 active PC entertainment
software SKUs at any given time. We purchase video game titles directly from the
leading manufacturers, which include Nintendo, Sega and Sony, as well as a
variety of third-party game publishers, such as Electronic Arts, Acclaim
Entertainment, Inc. and Midway Home Entertainment, Inc. We rank as one of the
larger domestic customers of video game products from these publishers. We
currently purchase titles from approximately 90 vendors. We market electronic
games across a variety of genres, including Action, Strategy, Adventure/Role
Playing, Simulation, Sports, Children's Entertainment and Family Entertainment.
We maintain a broad selection of popular new-release titles, which we define as
titles that have been available for no more than six weeks from the date of
their release.
VIDEO GAME HARDWARE. We offer the video game hardware systems of all major
manufacturers, including the Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Boy
and the Sega Dreamcast. In support of our strategy to be the destination of
choice for electronic game enthusiasts, we aggressively promote the sale of
video game hardware systems. We believe that this policy increases store traffic
and promotes customer loyalty, leading to increased sales of video game titles,
which typically have higher gross margins than video game hardware systems. We
also offer extended service agreements and extensions of manufacturer warranties
of the video game systems.
RELATED PRODUCTS AND TRADING CARDS. We offer an assortment of trading cards,
such as Pokemon and Star Wars products, that appeal to the same core customer
group as our video game customer. We also offer action figures that are related
to video game characters. We experienced an increase in the sale of related
products in fiscal 2000, driven particularly by sales of Pokemon products.
PC EDUCATION AND PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE. In addition to our category dominant
assortment of video game and PC entertainment software titles, we offer a
complementary selection of educational, personal productivity and finance
software titles. We believe that these titles also appeal to our core customer
base.
ACCESSORIES. In recent years, the growing popularity of electronic games has
led to an increase in sales of accessory products, which generally have higher
gross margins than hardware and software products. Accessory products enhance
the total gaming experience. Presently, we offer approximately 500 accessory
product SKUs, including 3-D graphics accelerators, memory cards and joysticks.
We also market instructional books on the most popular electronic game titles.
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INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT. We carefully manage our inventory to minimize the risk
associated with introducing new products. Our merchandising staff evaluates
potential products by testing many pre-release samples received from publishers,
reading game reviews, interviewing customers and store associates, and studying
vendor marketing plans. Our centralized merchandising staff also analyzes the EB
Pre-Sell Program and EB Reserve List information and other data to estimate
initial demand and the life cycle for a new release. We then use our new product
analyses to plan initial allocations among our stores and web site of the total
initial purchase of a newly-released title.
We use our management information system to measure, on a daily basis, SKU
level sales, gross margins and inventory balances. After sales histories for a
particular product are compiled, appropriate stock levels are designed for that
specific product. Sales levels are continuously monitored by our merchandising
staff, which receives sales and inventory reports by SKU on a daily basis
through POS polling technology as well as recommended order quantities and
product discontinuations from each store. Replenishment allocations among stores
are then made based on this data. We focus on inventory turnover by operating
our allocation, traffic, buying, distribution and third party functions on a
"just in time" replenishment basis. This focus allows us to minimize our
inventory risk and we believe provides us with a competitive advantage.
DISTRIBUTION. Our primary distribution center occupies approximately 93,000
square feet of our facility located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. We opened an
additional 80,000 square foot distribution facility at our West Chester,
Pennsylvania site in November 1999. In addition, in April 1999, we leased a
52,000 square foot distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky to support flow
through operations on new release and top selling products. These facilities
allow us to replenish our stores on a daily basis, thereby reducing inventory
levels and increasing inventory turns, while supporting our "FIRST TO MARKET"
new-release strategy. Our rapid processing capability in our distribution center
is facilitated by several advanced inventory management technologies, including
paperless picking and radio frequency support. Our ability to rapidly process
incoming shipments of new-release titles quickly and distribute them to all of
our stores either that same day or by the next morning enables us to meet peak
demand. We also believe that our distribution network provides a competitive
advantage for EBWORLD.COM since our distribution and inventory management
systems enable us to provide immediate delivery service to our online customers.
During peak sales periods, we may enter into short-term arrangements for
additional retail distribution centers to ensure timely restocking of all of our
stores. We have also developed a flexible third-party network to provide
additional regional distribution support for new product releases.
MARKETING
IN-STORE PROMOTIONS. Our Electronics Boutique stores are primarily located
in high traffic, high visibility areas in regional shopping malls. Accordingly,
our marketing efforts are designed to draw mall patrons into our stores through
the use of window displays and other attractions visible to shoppers in the mall
concourse. Inside the stores, we feature selected products through the use of
vendor displays, signs, fliers, point of purchase materials and end-cap
displays. We receive cooperative advertising and market development funds from
manufacturers, distributors, software publishers and accessory suppliers to
promote their respective products.
THE EB PRE-SELL PROGRAM AND THE EB RESERVE LIST. The EB Pre-Sell Program
offers our customers the opportunity to purchase video games and PC software
prior to their release, and the EB Reserve List entitles participants to be
notified when a game has arrived in our stores. Customers who participate in the
EB Pre-Sell Program pay for a game prior to its release and may receive a
promotional gift in connection with the purchase (such as a t-shirt). The EB
Pre-Sell Program and the EB Reserve List enable our customers to receive a new
product on the first day it is available in our stores and on our web site, and
are designed to enhance our reputation as the destination of choice for
electronic game enthusiasts.
CATALOGS. We publish six or more full color catalogs each year, which range
in size from 48 to 100 pages and feature a broad array of products. The cost of
these catalogs is funded by our software, hardware and accessories vendors. The
catalogs are available in our stores and are mailed to several hundred thousand
households from our proprietary customer lists. The catalogs are also inserted
in leading industry magazines.
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EBWORLD.COM. We have continued to pursue strategic on-line alliances with
directories, search engines, content providers and web sites in order to grow
our customer base. As an example, EBWORLD.COM is the exclusive commerce provider
of games for the IGN.com network of web sites and IGN.com provides EBWORLD.COM
with electronic game-related content. IGN.com is a leading online provider of
entertainment content. We advertise on other networks including America Online,
Ziff-Davis Inc. and CNET. Additionally, EBWORLD.COM is a Gold Tenant in the
Electronic Gaming category of America Online's shop@home site. We also have a
similar e-commerce agreement with CNET related to their shopper.com site. In the
third quarter of fiscal 2000, we launched a new marketing initiative that was
designed to increase market penetration among game enthusiasts and broaden
overall market awareness. This campaign included national print, radio and
television advertising.
PRE-OWNED GAMES. Video game software has a useful life of thousands of
plays. As a result of the proliferation of new titles and the tendency of
electronic game players to seek new game challenges after mastering a
particular title, a growing market for pre-owned video game titles has
evolved in recent years. We offer our customers a store credit for their
pre-owned video game titles, which can be applied towards the purchase of new
or pre-owned products. We then resell the pre-owned video game titles at
discount prices, but with gross profit margins higher than those for new
video game titles. We believe our wide assortment of pre-owned video game
titles distinguishes us from our competitors.
OTHER MARKETING PROGRAMS. We provide our customers with a liberal return
policy. Our customers can return opened software products for a full credit
within ten days after purchase. We maintain an "everyday low pricing" policy.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
We place an emphasis on training and developing our sales associates and
store managers. We believe that our training and developmental programs make our
sales associates and store managers more knowledgeable and enthusiastic about
our product offerings, providing us with an important competitive advantage over
mass merchants, toy retail chains and electronics and computer superstores. In
addition, we believe by providing extensive associate training we have a higher
employee retention rate than most mall-based specialty retailers. We provide
training and development at the store level, through regularly scheduled
seminars conducted by our District Managers, and through EB University. EB
University is a semi-annual, vendor-sponsored, multiday seminar encompassing
sales training, extensive product demonstrations and a variety of team building
exercises. In September 1999, we hosted our EB University seminar in Orlando,
Florida, where substantially all of our store and field managers were present.
This event was attended by 123 vendors, displaying and demonstrating their
latest product offerings.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Our primary management information system is a customized version of the
AS400-based JDA Merchandise Management System. We have made proprietary
enhancements to this program which enable us to analyze total, comparative and
new store sales data at the company, region, district and store levels.
Additional revisions to the program have enhanced analysis of top selling
items, new-release sales and gross margin item rankings. We operate our own
proprietary store POS and back office systems and believe this provides a
strategic advantage by allowing us to make fast enhancements to meet business
opportunities. We have integrated the Shoppertrak customer counting technology
into our POS and our AS400 system. This combination of technology provides
centralized access to store traffic and sales conversion information by store
and hour. We have completed the rollout of this technology to all stores. In
fiscal 2000, we continued to invest in our management information system by,
among other things, upgrading our global financial reporting and analytical
capabilities through the implementation of the Lawson Associates, Inc. financial
software products. We intend to enhance our management information systems
further with client server and data warehousing applications to improve sales
analysis and targeted consumer marketing. We spent $2.5 million for information
system improvements, including "Year 2000" expenditures, in fiscal 2000. We have
budgeted $3.7 million for fiscal 2001 for additional improvements.
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We have completed the upgrade of all software programs and hardware to be
"Year 2000" compliant. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Conditions and Results of Operations - Year 2000 Readiness."
VENDORS
With the exception of certain personal productivity software titles and
accessories, we purchase substantially all of our products directly from
manufacturers and software publishers. Our top 25 vendors accounted for
approximately 79% of our purchases in fiscal 2000. Our largest vendors in fiscal
2000 were Electronics Arts, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony which accounted for 10.5%,
10.4%, 8.7% and 7.1%, respectively, of our net purchases. No other vendor
accounted for more than 5.0% of our software or accessory purchases during
fiscal 2000. We believe that maintaining and strengthening our long-term
relationships with our vendors is essential to our operations and continued
expansion. We have no contracts with trade vendors and conduct business on an
order-by-order basis, a practice that is typical throughout the industry. We
believe that we have very good relations with the vendor community.
COMPETITION
The electronic game industry is intensely competitive and subject to rapid
changes in consumer preferences and frequent new product introductions. We
believe that key competitive factors are:
- ability to procure high-demand product,
- knowledgeable service,
- price,
- reputation, and
- shopping environment.
We compete with other video game and PC software stores located in malls, as
well as with mass merchants, toy retail chains, mail-order businesses, catalogs,
direct sales by software publishers, online retailers, and office supply,
computer product and consumer electronics superstores. In addition, video games
are available for rental from many video stores. Further, other methods of
retail distribution may emerge in the future which would result in increased
competition. Some of our competitors have longer operating histories and
significantly greater financial, managerial, creative, sales and marketing and
other resources than us. We also compete with other forms of entertainment
activities, including movies, television, theater, sporting events and family
entertainment centers. Our ability to retain our existing customers and attract
new customers depends on numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control.
These factors include the continued introduction of new and enhanced video game
and PC hardware and software, and the availability and timeliness of new product
releases at our stores.
TRADEMARKS/REGISTRATIONS
We possess registered trademarks for Electronics Boutique-TM-, EBX-TM- and
Stop 'N Save Software-TM-. We also possess trademarks for BC Sports
Collectibles-TM- and EBWORLD.COM-TM- as well as other registered trademarks and
service marks, both in the United States and in certain foreign jurisdictions.
We have a trademark application for EBKids pending.
We believe our trademarks are valuable and intend to maintain our trademarks
and their related registrations. We do not know of any pending claims of
infringement or other challenges to our right to use our marks in the United
States or elsewhere. We have no patents, licenses, franchises or other
concessions which are considered material to our operations.
ASSOCIATES
As of January 29, 2000, we had approximately 4,600 non-seasonal associates,
of which approximately 2,600 were employed on a part-time basis. In addition,
during the calendar 1999 peak holiday shopping season, we hired approximately
930 temporary associates. We believe that our relationship with our associates
is good. None of our associates is represented by a labor union or is a member
of a collective bargaining unit.
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ITEM 1A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive
officers of Electronics Boutique:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Joseph J. Firestone 68 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Jeffrey W. Griffiths 49 Senior Vice President of Merchandising and
Distribution; President, EB Kids
John R. Panichello 38 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer; President, BC Sports Collectibles
Seth P. Levy 42 Senior Vice President and Chief Information
Officer; President, EBWorld.com
</TABLE>
Joseph J. Firestone. Mr. Firestone has served as the President, Chief
Executive Officer and a Class III Director of Electronics Boutique since March
1998. Mr.Firestone served as the President of Electronics Boutique's
predecessor, EB, since February 1984, and the President and Chief Executive
Officer of EB since February 1995. Mr. Firestone served as a director of EB-UK
from May 1995 until November 1999. Mr. Firestone also serves on the Executive
Advisory Board of the Center for Retailing Education and Research of the
University of Florida and as a Director of the National Retail Federation.
Jeffrey W. Griffiths. Mr. Griffiths has served as Electronics Boutique's
Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Distribution since March 1998. Mr.
Griffiths served as the Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Distribution
of EB since March 1996. From March 1987 to February 1996, Mr. Griffiths served
as EB's Vice President of Merchandising and, from April 1984 to February 1987,
he served as the Merchandise Manager of EB. Mr. Griffiths serves as the Chairman
of the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association.
John R. Panichello. Mr. Panichello has served as the Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Electronics Boutique since March 1998. Mr.
Panichello served as the Senior Vice President of Finance of EB and the
President of EB's BC Collectibles division since March 1997. From March 1996 to
February 1997, Mr. Panichello served as EB's Senior Vice President of Finance
and, from June 1994 to February 1996, he served as the Vice President and
Treasurer of EB. Mr. Panichello served as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Panichello & Company, a certified public accounting firm, from May
1990 to May 1994. Mr. Panichello served as a director of EB-UK from May 1995
until November 1999.
Seth P. Levy. Mr. Levy has served as Senior Vice President and Chief
Information Officer of Electronics Boutique and the President of Electronics
Boutique's EBWorld.com subsidiary since March 1999. From February 1997 to March
1999, Mr. Levy served as Electronics Boutique's Vice President and Chief
Information Officer. From 1991 until February 1997, Mr. Levy served as the
Director of System Development for the May Merchandising and May Department
International divisions of May Department Stores.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
STORE LEASES. All of Electronics Boutique's stores are leased. The table below
sets forth, as of January 29, 2000, the number of our store leases that will
expire each year (assuming the lease is not terminated by either party prior to
the expiration of the term).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Leases
----------------
Fiscal Year In
which Leases Expire Domestic International
- ------------------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
2001............................................... 73 11
2002............................................... 46 4
2003............................................... 43 9
2004............................................... 41 14
2005............................................... 25 29
2006............................................... 34 8
2007............................................... 41 -
2008............................................... 61 1
2009............................................... 76 12
2010............................................... 75 14
2011 and thereafter................................ 2 -
---- -----
517 102
</TABLE>
HEADQUARTERS. Electronics Boutique leases its headquarters and its primary
distribution center, which are located in a single 140,000 square foot building
on several acres in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The lease expires on May 30,
2000 and includes an option to purchase the property for $6.7 million
DISTRIBUTION CENTERS. In addition to our West Chester, Pennsylvania
distribution center, in April 1999 we leased a 52,000 square foot building in
Louisville, Kentucky which supports flow through operations on new releases and
top-selling products. The lease expires in April 2004. Electronics Boutique also
leases a 41,000 square foot facility located in West Chester, Pennsylvania
primarily used for returns processing and bulk storage. This lease expires on
July 31, 2000. We have also built an additional 80,000 square foot distribution
facility on several acres of land we acquired adjacent to our West Chester,
Pennsylvania site. It opened in November 1999.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Electronics Boutique is involved from time to time in legal proceedings arising
in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, no pending
proceedings will have a material adverse effect on Electronics Boutique's
results of operations or financial condition.
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 common stock of Electronics Boutique was first traded publicly on July
28, 1998. The stock is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol
ELBO. The table below represents the high and low bid prices of Electronics
Boutique's common stock as reported by NASDAQ.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
----------- -----------
Low High Low High
--- ---- --- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First fiscal quarter..................... $12.13 $19.88
Second fiscal quarter.................... $13.25 $14.13 13.50 18.38
Third fiscal quarter...................... 6.63 14.00 16.63 26.31
Fourth fiscal quarter..................... 11.75 25.75 14.00 25.38
</TABLE>
Such quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-ups,
mark-downs or commissions and may not necessarily reflect actual transactions.
As of April 6, 2000, the Company had approximately 39 shareholders of record
(including Cede & Co., the nominee for Depository Trust Company, a registered
clearing agency) of the 22,224,814 outstanding shares of the Company's Common
Stock. On April 6, 2000, the last reported sale price for the Company's common
stock as quoted by NASDAQ was $19.75 per share.
Electronics Boutique has not paid any dividends on its common stock to date
and does not anticipate paying any dividends on the common stock in the
forseeable future.
17
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated selected financial
data for Electronics Boutique for periods subsequent to its initial public
offering on July 28, 1998. Prior periods reflect financial data of Electronics
Boutique's predecessors, The Electronics Boutique, Inc. ("EB") and subsidiaries
and EB Services Company LLP. The selected income statement and balance sheet
items which follow have been derived from Electronics Boutique's consolidated
financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The pro forma data, in the opinion of management,
include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information set forth
therein including the matters referred to in footnotes 3 and 4 on page 19.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands, except per share data and operating data)
YEAR ENDED
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY 3, FEBRUARY 1, JANUARY 31, JANUARY 30, JANUARY 29,
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- -----------
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 268,956 $ 337,059 $ 449,180 $ 570,514 $ 723,801
Management fees 1,905 2,526 4,792 3,405 4,873
------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Total revenues 270,861 339,585 453,972 573,919 728,674
Cost of goods sold 199,226 252,813 338,498 431,744 546,451
------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Gross profit 71,635 86,772 115,474 142,175 182,223
Operating expenses 58,989 69,828 87,003 99,972 133,534
Depreciation and amortization 6,047 6,615 7,997 9,775 12,278
------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Income from operations 6,599 10,329 20,474 32,428 36,411
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates (1,319) (573) 2,903 (161) -
Interest (income) expense, net 1,818 1,298 1,380 289 (1,427)
Preacquisition loss of subsidiaries (1) 913
------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
- - - -
Income before income tax expense 3,462 8,458 22,910 31,978 37,838
Income tax expense(2) 280 550 846 11,693 15,008
------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Net income $ 3,182 $ 7,908 $22,064 $20,285 $22,830
============ =========== ============ =========== ============
Net income per share - basic $ 1.11
============
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 20,559
============
Net income per share - diluted $ 1.10
============
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 20,762
============
PRO FORMA INCOME DATA:
Income before income taxes (3) $ 8,458 $22,910 $31,978
Pro forma income taxes (3) 3,514 9,415 11,866
----------- ------------ -----------
Pro forma net income (3) $ 4,944 $13,495 $20,112
=========== ============ ===========
Pro forma net income per share - basic $ 0.31 $ 0.85 $ 1.12
=========== ============ ===========
Pro forma weighted average shares
outstanding - basic (4) 15,794 15,794 18,030
=========== ============ ===========
Pro forma net income per share - diluted $ 0.31 $ 0.85 $ 1.11
=========== ============ ===========
Pro forma weighted average shares
outstanding - diluted (4) 15,794 15,794 18,084
=========== ============ ===========
OPERATING DATA: (5)
Stores open at end of period 341 360 452 528 619
Comparable store sales increase 3.5% 20.8% 15.3% 14.1% 11.6%
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF
---------------------------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY 3, FEBRUARY 1, JANUARY 31, JANUARY 30, JANUARY 29,
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- -----------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Working capital (deficit) $ (11,038) $ 9,893 $ (17,728) $(3,091) $ 42,567
Total assets 95,515 139,244 142,791 172,047 275,513
Total liabilities 78,066 118,887 114,392 123,205 159,026
Stockholders' equity 17,449 20,357 28,399 48,842 116,487
</TABLE>
- ----------------------
(1) The results of operations of two subsidiaries, Electronics Boutique
International, Inc. and Electronics Boutique Canada, Inc. have been consolidated
since the beginning of the year ending January 31, 1998. Preacquisition loss of
subsidiaries represents losses in Electronics Boutique International, Inc. and
Electronics Boutique Canada, Inc. prior to their acquisition by Electronics
Boutique.
(2) Prior to our initial public offering, our predecessors were taxed as an S
Corporation and a partnership. As a result, their taxable income was passed
through to their partners and shareholders for federal income tax purposes.
Accordingly, for periods prior to the initial public offering on July 28, 1998,
the financial statements do not include a provision for federal income taxes.
Additionally, a predecessor to us elected to be treated as an S Corporation for
some states, while remaining subject to corporate tax in other states and, as a
result, the financial statements prior to July 28, 1998, provide for certain
state income taxes. After the initial public offering, both federal and state
taxes as a C corporation have been reflected.
(3) The pro forma net income gives effect to the application of the pro forma
income tax expense that would have been reported had The Electronics Boutique,
Inc. and EB Services, LLP been subject to federal and all state income taxes for
fiscal years 1997, 1998 and 1999.
(4) Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding gives effect to the number of
shares that would have been outstanding upon completion of the initial public
offering and related transactions for periods prior to the initial public
offering.
(5) Does not reflect stores operated by EB-UK and WaldenSoftware for which we
provide management services. See "Business - Management Services."
19
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
We believe that we are among the world's largest specialty retailers of
electronic games. Our primary products are video games and PC entertainment
software, supported by the sale of video game hardware, PC productivity software
and accessories. As of January 29, 2000, we operated a total of 619 stores in 46
states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and South Korea, primarily under the
names Electronics Boutique and Stop 'N Save Software. In addition, we operated a
commercial website under the URL address of EBWORLD.COM. As of such date, we
also provided management services for EB-UK, which operated 280 stores and 18
department store-based concessions in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Ireland. As
of January 29, 2000, we also managed 13 mall-based WaldenSoftware stores for
Borders Group, Inc. We are a holding company and do not have any significant
assets or liabilities, other than all of the outstanding capital stock of our
subsidiaries.
The fiscal year of Electronics Boutique ends on the Saturday nearest January
31. Accordingly the financial statements for the years ended January 31, 1998
("fiscal 1998"), January 30, 1999 ("fiscal 1999") and January 29, 2000 ("fiscal
2000") each include 52 weeks of operations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth certain income statement items as a
percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
-----------------------------------------
JANUARY 31, JANUARY 30 JANUARY 29,
1998 1999 2000
--------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales 98.9% 99.4% 99.3%
Management fees 1.1 0.6 0.7
--------- --------- ----------
Total revenues 100.0 100.0 100.0
Cost of goods sold 74.6 75.2 75.0
Gross profit 25.4 24.8 25.0
Operating expenses 19.1 17.4 18.3
Depreciation and amortization 1.8 1.7 1.7
--------- --------- ----------
Income from operations 4.5 5.7 5.0
Equity in earnings of affiliates 0.7 -- --
Interest expense (income), net 0.3 0.1 (0.2)
Preacquisition loss of subsidiaries 0.2 -- --
--------- --------- ----------
Income before income tax expense 5.1 5.6 5.2
Income tax expense 0.2 2.0 2.1
--------- --------- ----------
Net income 4.9% 3.6% 3.1%
========= ========= ==========
</TABLE>
FISCAL 2000 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1999
Net sales increased by 26.9% from $570.5 million in fiscal 1999 to $723.8
million in fiscal 2000. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to
an 11.6% increase in comparable store sales, which resulted in a $65.1 million
increase in net sales, and the additional sales volume attributable to 91 net
new stores opened during fiscal 2000. Comparable store sales were positively
impacted primarily by the release of the Sega Dreamcast console system in the
third fiscal quarter, which was supported by a strong supply of software titles
through the end of the fiscal year. In addition, throughout the year there was a
strong demand for Nintendo Game Boy software and hardware as well as toy
categories including software-related action figures and Pokemon trading cards.
Management fees increased 43.1% from $3.4 million in fiscal 1999 to $4.9
million in fiscal 2000. The increase was primarily attributable to additional
management fees earned from Electronics Boutique plc. on the sales of a
20
<PAGE>
newly acquired competitor which occurred in May 1999 and to a $543,000
performance fee earned for fiscal 2000 and an additional $248,000 performance
fee earned for fiscal 1999 and recorded in fiscal 2000 under the consulting
agreement with Border's Group, Inc.
Cost of goods sold increased by 26.6% from $431.7 million in fiscal 1999 to
$546.5 million in fiscal 2000. As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold
decreased from 75.7% in fiscal 1999 to 75.5% in fiscal 2000. The decrease in
cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to
increases in sales of Nintendo Game Boy software and hardware, Pokemon trading
cards toys and software-related action figures that carry higher overall margins
than the console video game category.
Selling, general and administrative expense increased by 33.6% from $100.0
million in fiscal 1999 to $133.5 million in fiscal 2000. As a percentage of
total revenues, selling, general and administrative expense increased from 17.4%
in fiscal 1999 to 18.3% in fiscal 2000. The $33.5 million increase was primarily
attributable to the increase in Electronics Boutique's domestic and
international store base and the associated increases in store, distribution,
and headquarter operating expenses, which was partially offset by an increase in
promotional and marketing reimbursements. In addition, $10.7 million was
incurred in connection with an advertising and promotional campaign that began
in the third quarter of fiscal 2000 primarily for Electronics Boutique's
e-commerce business. The increase in selling, general and administrative expense
as a percentage of total revenues was primarily attributable to the expenses
associated with the advertising and promotional campaign in addition to other
increases in operating expenses, partially offset by the increase in net sales.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by 25.6% from $9.8 million
in fiscal 1999 to $12.3 million in fiscal 2000. This increase was primarily
attributable to capitalized expenditures for leasehold improvements and
furniture and fixtures for new store openings, remodeling of existing stores,
for leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures at corporate headquarters.
Operating income increased by 12.3% from $32.4 million in fiscal 1999 to
$36.4 million in fiscal 2000. As a percentage of total revenues, operating
income decreased from 5.7% in fiscal 1999 to 5.0% in fiscal 2000, as the
decrease in cost of goods sold as a percentage of total revenues was more than
offset by the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of total revenues.
Interest expense, net, improved from an expense of $0.3 million in fiscal
1999 to income of $1.4 million in fiscal 2000. The change was primarily
attributable to interest income earned from investing excess cash in short term
investments from the secondary offering in November 1999 and to the repayment of
Electronics Boutique's debt with the proceeds of the initial public offering in
fiscal 1999.
As a result of all the above factors, Electronics Boutique's income before
income taxes increased by 18.3% from $32.0 million in fiscal 1999 to $37.8
million in fiscal 2000.
Income tax expense increased from $11.7 million in fiscal 1999 to $15.0
million in fiscal 2000. As a percentage of pre-tax income, income tax expense
increased from 36.6% in fiscal 1999 to 39.7% in fiscal 2000. The increase as a
percentage of pre-tax income was due to Electronics Boutique being taxed in
fiscal 2000 as a "C" corporation, whereas income in fiscal 1999 prior to the
initial public offering on July 28, 1998 was taxed as an S corporation.
FISCAL 1999 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1998
Net sales increased by 27.0% from $449.2 million in fiscal 1998 to $570.5
million in fiscal 1999. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to
a 14.1% increase in comparable store sales, which resulted in a $61.9 million
increase in net sales, and the additional sales volume attributable to 76 net
new stores opened during fiscal 1999. The increase in comparable store sales was
primarily attributable to increases in video game and PC entertainment software
sales as well as continued strong demand for PC accessory products.
Management fees decreased 28.9% from $4.8 million in fiscal 1998 to $3.4
million in fiscal 1999. The decrease was primarily attributable to Electronics
Boutique's receipt of a $2.2 million bonus under the UK Services Agreement
recorded in fiscal 1998. Electronics Boutique did not receive a bonus under this
agreement in fiscal
21
<PAGE>
1999, nor do we expect to receive such a bonus in the future. The absence of a
bonus in fiscal 1999 was partially offset by higher recurring management fees
earned in fiscal 1999 under the UK Services Agreement.
Cost of goods sold increased by 27.6% from $338.5 million in fiscal 1998 to
$431.7 million in fiscal 1999. As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold
increased from 75.4% in fiscal 1998 to 75.7% in fiscal 1999. The increase in
cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to an
increase in freight expenses and to Electronics Boutique's decision to reduce
prices on selected electronic game titles in order to increase market share and
sales volume. The increase in freight expenses was the result of several
factors. Electronics Boutique switched its primary freight carrier and
reorganized its third-party distribution framework in order to improve service
and merchandise availability to its stores. There was also an increase in the
overall number of units shipped by Electronics Boutique to its stores as a
result of a lower average cost per unit of product. These increases to cost of
goods sold were partially offset by a reduction in inventory shortage and an
increase in purchase discounts earned from vendors.
Selling, general and administrative expense increased by 14.9% from $87.0
million in fiscal 1998 to $100.0 million in fiscal 1999. As a percentage of
total revenues, selling, general and administrative expense decreased from 19.1%
in fiscal 1998 to 17.4% in fiscal 1999. The $13.0 million increase was primarily
attributable to the increase in Electronics Boutique's domestic and
international store base and the associated increases in store, distribution,
and headquarter operating expenses, which were partially offset by an increase
in promotional and marketing reimbursements. The decrease in selling, general
and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues was primarily
attributable to an increase in net sales, which offset the impact of the above
factors on operating expenses.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by 22.2% from $8.0 million
in fiscal 1998 to $9.8 million in fiscal 1999. This increase was primarily
attributable to capitalized expenditures for leasehold improvements and
furniture and fixtures for new store openings.
Operating income increased by 58.4% from $20.5 million in fiscal 1998 to
$32.4 million in fiscal 1999. As a percentage of total revenues, operating
income increased from 4.5% in fiscal 1998 to 5.7% in fiscal 1999, as the
increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of total revenues was more than
offset by the decline in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues.
Equity in earnings of affiliates decreased by $3.1 million from earnings of
$2.9 million in fiscal 1998 to a loss of $0.2 million in fiscal 1999. The
decrease was attributable to the reorganization of Electronics Boutique in
conjunction with its initial public offering pursuant to which EB, a predecessor
company, retained the 25.1% investment in EB-UK. The loss of $0.2 million in
fiscal 1999 was attributable to this investment and was recorded prior to the
July 1998 reorganization. There will be no future equity income or loss on this
investment.
Interest expense, net, decreased by 79.1% from $1.4 million in fiscal 1998
to $0.3 million in fiscal 1999. The decrease was primarily attributable to the
repayment of Electronics Boutique's debt with the proceeds of the initial public
offering and the interest income earned from investing the excess cash in short
term investments during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1999.
As a result of all the above factors, Electronics Boutique's income before
income taxes increased by 39.6% from $22.9 million in fiscal 1998 to $32.0
million in fiscal 1999.
Income tax expense increased from $0.8 million in fiscal 1998 to $11.7
million in fiscal 1999. The increase was due to Electronics Boutique being taxed
in fiscal 1999 as a "C" corporation instead of an S corporation after the date
of the initial public offering.
22
<PAGE>
SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY RESULTS
Electronics Boutique's business, like that of most retailers, is highly
seasonal. A significant portion of our net sales, management fees and profits
are generated during Electronics Boutique's fourth fiscal quarter, which
includes the holiday selling season. Results for any quarter are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year. Quarterly
results may fluctuate materially depending upon, among other factors, the timing
of new product introductions and new store openings, net sales contributed by
new stores, increases or decreases in comparable store sales, adverse weather
conditions, shifts in the timing of certain holidays or promotions and changes
in Electronics Boutique's merchandise mix.
The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly income statement
information for fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000. The unaudited quarterly information
includes all normal recurring adjustments that management considers necessary
for a fair presentation of the information shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands, except for number of stores)
Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
--------- -------- -------- --------- --------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total revenues $107,301 $102,460 $111,300 $252,858 $123,605 $113,095 $177,410 $314,564
Gross profit 27,781 26,556 27,672 60,166 33,167 30,756 41,430 76,870
Operating income 3,257 90 2,519 26,562 4,435 941 6,291 24,744
Stores open at
quarter end 465 474 500 528 550 564 595 619
</TABLE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Electronics Boutique has historically financed our operations through a
combination of cash generated from operations and bank debt. On November 23,
1999, Electronics Boutique completed a secondary offering of 3,500,000 shares of
common stock. Of the 3,500,000 shares sold, 2,000,000 shares were for the
account of Electronics Boutique and 1,500,000 shares were for the account of EB
Nevada, Inc., the selling shareholder. The transaction resulted in net proceeds
(after offering expenses) to Electronics Boutique of approximately $40.0
million.
Electronics Boutique generated $37.5 million in cash from operations in
fiscal 2000 and $30.8 million in fiscal 1999. The $37.5 million of cash
generated from operations in fiscal 2000 was primarily the result of $22.8
million of net income, $12.6 million of non-cash charges to net income, an $8.9
million increase in accounts payable net of an increase in merchandise
inventories, a $1.7 million increase in accrued expenses, and a $0.4 million
decrease in deferred taxes, partially offset by a $5.3 million increase in
receivables, a $3.5 million increase in prepaid expenses. The $30.8 million of
cash generated from operations in fiscal 1999 was primarily the result of $20.3
million of net income, $10.2 million of non-cash charges to net income, an $8.1
million increase in income taxes payable, and a $7.1 million increase in accrued
expenses, partially offset by a $7.5 million decrease in net affiliate
liabilities and receivables, an increase of $7.3 million in Electronics
Boutique's investment in merchandise inventories net of accounts payable, and a
$0.6 million increase in prepaid expenses and other assets. Electronics
Boutique's working capital changed from a deficit of $3.1 million at January 30,
1999 to a positive $42.6 million at January 29, 2000.
Electronics Boutique made capital expenditures of $31.8 million in the
fiscal 2000, primarily to open new stores, to remodel existing stores, to build
a new distribution center in West Chester, Pennsylvania, for leasehold
improvements at Electronics Boutique's headquarters and primary distribution
center, and for equipment and leasehold improvements at a new customer service
facility in Las Vegas, Nevada to support our Internet and catalog sales
operations. We made capital expenditures of $19.6 million in fiscal 1999,
primarily for opening new stores, to remodel existing stores and to purchase our
West Chester, Pennsylvania distribution center which was previously leased.
23
<PAGE>
On March 16, 1998, EB entered into a credit agreement with Fleet, pursuant
to which Fleet agreed to make available an asset based revolving credit and term
loan facility in an amount up to $50.0 million. The revolving credit facility
has been assigned to Electronics Boutique by EB. The revolving credit facility
expires and is repayable on March 16, 2001. Interest accrues on borrowings at a
per annum rate equal to either LIBOR plus 250 basis points or Fleet's base rate
of interest, at Electronics Boutique's option. The revolving credit facility is
secured by certain assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, fixtures
and equipment. As of January 29, 2000, we had no outstanding borrowings under
the revolving credit facility.
Electronics Boutique believes that cash generated from its operating
activities and available bank borrowings will be sufficient to fund its
operations and store expansion programs for the next fiscal year.
On March 31, 2000, Electronics Boutique entered into a definitive merger
agreement for the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Funco, Inc. for
$17.50 per share or approximately $110 million in cash. On April 6, 2000, Funco,
Inc. received a competing offer from Barnes and Noble Inc., for $135 million or
approximately $21.00 per share. On April 20, 2000, Electronics Boutique raised
our cash offer to $21.00 per share to match the competing offer by Barnes &
Noble Inc., which was accepted by Funco, Inc. On April 26, 2000, Barnes and
Noble Inc. raised its cash offer to $24.75 per share. Electronics Boutique is
currently evaluating whether to match or raise this latest offer. Should we
further pursue this acquisition, we believe we could obtain adequate debt
financing for completion of the deal.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS
133"). This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity
recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of
financial position and measures those instruments at fair value. The adoption of
this standard is not expected to materially impact Electronics Boutique's
results of operations, financial condition or long-term liquidity.
In June 1999, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 137, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral
of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 ("SFAS"). SFAS 137 delays the
implementation of SFAS No. 133 until Electronics Boutique's fiscal year 2002. As
of January 29, 2000, Electronics Boutique had no derivative instruments or
hedging activities.
YEAR 2000 READINESS
We met our Year 2000 project objectives and completed the project prior to
December 31, 1999. We have not experienced any disruption in our operations as a
result of non-compliance of vendors, financial institutions, or other third
parties or external systems. At this time, the possibility of a third-party risk
arising, which could have a material risk on the Electronics Boutique is not
reasonably likely to occur. We developed a Year 2000 program to identify,
evaluate, test, upgrade, or replace each of our computer based systems in
connection with Year2000 readiness. We completed the process of modifying,
upgrading, remediating and replacing major computer related systems that were
identified as potentially non-compliant by December 31, 1999. Total costs
associated with our Year 2000 project were funded with operating cash flow and
approximated $823,000, of which approximately $517,000 was incurred in fiscal
1999 and approximately $306,000 was incurred in fiscal 2000.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Electronics Boutique invests cash balances in excess of operating
requirements in short-term investment grade securities, generally with
maturities of 90 days or less. In addition, Electronics Boutique's revolving
credit facility provides for borrowings which bear interest at variable rates
based on either the bank's base rate or LIBOR plus 250 basis points. Electronics
Boutique had no borrowings outstanding pursuant to the revolving credit facility
as of January 29, 2000. We believe that the effect, if any, of reasonably
possible near-term changes in interest rates on our financial position, results
of operations, and cash flows should not be material.
24
<PAGE>
Electronics Boutique has retail operations in various foreign countries.
Electronics Boutique is subject to currency exchange rate and currency
devaluation risks due to these operations. Since approximately 88% of
Electronics Boutique's net sales are domestic, Electronics Boutique does not
believe that currency exchange rate fluctuations would have a material adverse
effect on Electronics Boutique's results of operations and financial condition
and, accordingly, does not hedge its risk in this area. We intend to monitor our
exposure to these risks and reevaluate its hedging strategies as appropriate.
25
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
-----
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report 27
Consolidated Balance Sheets 28
Consolidated Statements of Income 29
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 30
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 31
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 32
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 1999 and January 29,
2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity,
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 29,
2000. The consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Electronics Boutique
Holdings Corp. and subsidiaries as of January 30, 1999 and January 29, 2000 and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended January 29, 2000, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Philadelphia, PA
March 8, 2000
27
<PAGE>
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JANUARY 30, JANUARY 29,
Assets 1999 2000
------------------ -----------------
Current assets:
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents $ 42,006,179 $ 88,356,091
Accounts receivable:
Trade and vendors 4,010,293 9,187,991
Other 1,516,085 2,630,622
Due from affiliates 984,096 -
Merchandise inventories 65,433,008 90,550,508
Deferred tax asset (note 12) 2,694,000 3,691,000
Prepaid expenses 969,949 4,524,233
------------------ -----------------
Total current assets 117,613,610 198,940,445
------------------ -----------------
Property and equipment:
Building & Leasehold improvements 46,933,403 59,816,209
Fixtures and equipment 32,362,909 45,391,518
Land - 908,000
Construction in progress 1,087,964 2,446,460
------------------ -----------------
80,384,276 108,562,187
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 37,349,298 45,566,262
------------------ -----------------
Net property and equipment 43,034,978 62,995,925
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
of $482,961 and $877,968 as of January 30, 1999 and January 29, 2000 1,898,395 1,503,387
Deferred tax asset (note 12) 6,319,000 8,505,732
Other assets 3,181,566 3,567,388
------------------ -----------------
Total assets (note 4) $ 172,047,549 $ 275,512,877
================== =================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Revolving credit facility (note 4 ) $ - $ -
Current portion of long-term debt (note 4 ) 99,996 8,353
Accounts payable 90,835,578 122,822,260
Accrued expenses (note 3 ) 19,625,068 23,437,268
Income taxes payable 10,144,023 10,105,424
------------------ -----------------
Total current liabilities 120,704,665 156,373,305
------------------ -----------------
Long-term liabilities:
Notes payable (note 4 ) 8,353 -
Deferred rent 2,492,140 2,653,103
------------------ -----------------
Total liabilities 123,205,158 159,026,408
------------------ -----------------
Commitments (note 2 )
Stockholders' equity (notes 9 and 11)
Preferred stock - authorized 25,000,000 shares; $.01 par value;
no shares issued and outstanding at January 30, 1999 and
January 29, 2000 - -
Common stock - authorized 100,000,000 shares; $.01 par value;
20,169,200 and 22,221,114 shares issued and outstanding
at January 30, 1999 and January 29, 2000, respectively 201,692 222,211
Additional paid-in capital 31,541,428 75,888,405
Accumulated other comprehensive expense (686,920) (240,726)
Retained earnings 17,786,191 40,616,579
------------------ -----------------
Total stockholders' equity 48,842,391 116,486,469
------------------ -----------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 172,047,549 $ 275,512,877
================== =================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
28
<PAGE>
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
--------------------------------------
JANUARY 31, JANUARY 30, JANUARY 29,
1998 1999 2000
----------- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 449,179,603 $570,514,060 $723,800,624
Management fees 4,791,553 3,404,862 4,872,822
----------- ------------ -----------
Total revenues $ 453,971,156 $573,918,922 $728,673,446
----------- ------------ -----------
Costs and expenses:
Costs of merchandise sold, including freight 338,497,642 431,743,771 546,451,099
Selling, general and administrative (notes 5 and 6 ) 87,002,305 99,972,451 133,533,992
Depreciation and amortization (notes 5 and 7 ) 7,996,506 9,774,388 12,277,797
----------- ------------ -----------
Operating income 20,474,703 32,428,312 36,410,558
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliate (note 5) 2,902,780 (160,575) -
Interest expense (income), net of interest income of
$1,217,337, $829,631 and $1,590,270 in fiscal years 1998,
1999 and 2000, respectively 1,380,046 289,188 (1,427,603)
Preacquisition loss of subsidiaries 913,028 - -
----------- ------------ -----------
Income before income taxes 22,910,465 31,978,549 37,838,161
Income tax expense (note 12) 846,280 11,693,270 15,007,773
----------- ------------ -----------
Net income $ 22,064,185 $ 20,285,279 $ 22,830,388
=========== ============ ===========
Net income per share - basic $ 1.11
===========
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 20,559,100
===========
Net income per share - diluted $ 1.10
===========
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 20,762,249
===========
PRO FORMA DATA (UNAUDITED) (NOTE 8):
Income before income taxes $ 22,910,465 $ 31,978,549
Pro forma income taxes 9,415,631 11,866,084
----------- ------------
Pro forma net income $ 13,494,834 $ 20,112,465
=========== ============
Pro forma net income per share - basic $ 0.85 $ 1.12
=========== ============
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding - basic 15,794,200 18,029,777
=========== ============
Pro forma net income per share - diluted $ 0.85 $ 1.11
=========== ============
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 15,794,200 18,084,109
=========== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
29
<PAGE>
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B
PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK
--------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- --------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, Feb. 1, 1997 - $ - 1,900 $ 190 21,000 $ 2,100 - $ -
Capital contribution - - - - - - - -
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - - - - - -
Foreign currency translation - - - - - - - -
Total comprehensive income
Distributions - - - - - - - -
------- --------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------- -----------
Balance, Jan. 31, 1998 - - 1,900 190 21,000 2,100 - -
Effects of reorganization (note 1) - - (1,900) (190) (21,000) (2,100) 20,169,200 201,692
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - - - - - -
Foreign currency translation - - - - - - - -
Total comprehensive income
Distributions - - - - - - - -
------- --------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------- -----------
Balance Jan. 30, 1999 - - - - - - 20,169,200 201,692
======= ===================== ====================== ========================= ===========
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - - - - - -
Foreign currency translation - - - - - - - -
Total comprehensive income
Issuance of common stock - - - - - - 2,000,000 20,000
Exercise of stock options - - - - - - 51,914 519
Tax benefit from stock options
exercised and other equity
transactions - - - - - -
------- --------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------- -----------
Balance Jan. 29, 2000 - $ - - $ - - $ - 22,221,114 $ 222,211
======= ===================== ====================== ========================= ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCUMULATED
PARTNERS' CAPITAL ADDITIONAL OTHER TOTAL
OF EB SERVICES PAID-IN COMPREHENSIVE RETAINED STOCKHOLDERS'
COMPANY LLP CAPITAL INCOME EARNINGS EQUITY
----------------- --------------- ----------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, Feb. 1, 1997 $ $ 7,584,365 $ $ 12,770,179 $ 20,356,834
Capital contribution 1,000 - - - 1,000
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - 22,064,185 22,064,185
Foreign currency translation - - (1,023,493) - (1,023,493)
---------------
Total comprehensive income 21,040,692
===============
Distributions - - - (13,000,000) (13,000,000)
----------------- --------------- ----------------- -------------- ---------------
Balance, Jan. 31, 1998 1,000 7,584,365 (1,023,493) 21,834,364 28,398,526
Effects of reorganization (note 1) (1,000) 23,957,063 - (3,813,796) 20,341,669
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - 20,285,279 20,285,279
Foreign currency translation - - 336,573 - 336,573
---------------
Total comprehensive income 20,621,852
===============
Distributions - - - (20,519,656) (20,519,656)
----------------- --------------- ----------------- -------------- ---------------
Balance Jan. 30, 1999 - 31,541,428 (686,920) 17,786,191 48,842,391
================= =============== ================= ============== ===============
Comprehensive income:
Net income - - - 22,830,388 22,830,388
Foreign currency translation - - 446,194 - 446,194
---------------
Total comprehensive income 23,276,582
===============
Issuance of common stock - 40,027,700 - - 40,047,700
Exercise of stock options - 726,277 - - 726,796
Tax benefit from stock options
exercised and other equity
transactions - 3,593,000 - - 3,593,000
----------------- --------------- ----------------- -------------- ---------------
Balance Jan. 29, 2000 $ - $ 75,888,405 $ (240,726)$ 40,616,579 $ 116,486,469
================= =============== ================= ============== ===============
</TABLE>
30
<PAGE>
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
------------------------------------------------
JANUARY 31, JANUARY 30, JANUARY 29,
1998 1999 2000
--------------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 22,064,185 $ 20,285,279 $ 22,830,388
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment 7,571,301 9,375,766 11,882,789
Amortization of other assets 425,205 398,622 395,008
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 620,916 292,623 352,231
Equity in loss of affiliates (2,902,780) 160,575 -
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in:
Accounts receivable 385,737 (828,692) (6,258,628)
Due from affiliates (2,142,774) 1,906,739 987,909
Merchandise inventories 95,212 (12,309,661) (24,526,184)
Prepaid expenses (27,311) 1,882,619 (3,532,696)
Deferred taxes - - 413,008
Other long-term assets (1,641,573) (1,247,378) (340,971)
(Decrease) increase in:
Accounts payable 8,348,016 4,993,290 33,463,199
Accrued expenses 1,619,154 7,071,901 1,715,425
Due to affiliate (1,981,194) (9,453,597) -
Income taxes payable 213,047 8,168,826 (49,424)
Deferred rent (368,059) 79,647 150,662
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 32,279,082 30,776,559 37,482,716
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (18,470,432) (19,573,171) (31,756,803)
Proceeds from disposition of assets 12,455 132,592 5,323
Net cash from businesses acquired 2,922,411 - -
Purchase of investment securities in affiliate (2,215,933) - -
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities (17,751,499) (19,440,579) (31,751,480)
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions (13,000,000) (19,950,573) -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options - - 726,796
Repayments of long-term debt (24,514,276) (12,896,594) (99,996)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock - 54,962,500 40,047,700
Capital contribution 1,000 - -
Net cash retained by predecessors - (12,375,535) -
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (37,513,276) 9,739,798 40,674,500
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Effects of exchange rates on cash (1,102,543) 290,791 (55,824)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (24,088,236) 21,366,569 46,349,912
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 44,727,846 20,639,610 42,006,179
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 20,639,610 $ 42,006,179 $ 88,356,091
=============== =============== ===============
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $ 2,714,593 $ 1,207,210 $ 187,223
Income taxes 672,842 2,853,773 13,577,519
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
31
<PAGE>
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
FORMATION OF THE COMPANY
Immediately prior to its initial public offering, Electronics Boutique
Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") was formed and
acquired substantially all of the operating assets and liabilities of its
predecessors, The Electronics Boutique, Inc. and its subsidiaries and EB
Services Company LLP (collectively, "EB Group") for shares of the Company. This
acquisition has been treated as an acquisition between entities under common
control and, therefore, reflected at historical cost. The EB Group retained
certain assets including cash, accounts receivable, real estate, the cash
surrender value of certain split dollar life insurance policies and the
ownership of approximately 25% of Electronics Boutique Plc.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
The Company is among the world's largest specialty retailers of electronic
games. The Company operates in only one business segment, as substantially all
of its revenues, net income and assets are derived from its primary products of
video games and personal computer entertainment software, supported by the sale
of video game hardware, PC productivity software and accessories.
The Company and its predecessors had 452, 528, and 619 operating retail
stores throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and South
Korea at, January 31, 1998, January 30, 1999, and January 29, 2000.
respectively. Total revenues from the U.S. and foreign operations were 91% and
9%, respectively, in fiscal 1999 and 88% and 12%, respectively, in fiscal 2000.
Long-lived assets located in the United States and foreign countries were 89%
and 11%, respectively, in fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000. The Company also operates
a mail order business and sells product via the World Wide Web. Approximately
36%, 31%, and 30% of fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999, and fiscal 2000 sales,
respectively, were generated from merchandise purchased from its three largest
vendors.
FISCAL YEAR-END
The fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest January 31. Accordingly, the
financial statements for the years ended January 31, 1998 (fiscal "1998"),
January 30, 1999 (fiscal "1999") and January 29, 2000 (fiscal "2000") each
include 52 weeks of operations.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND COMBINATION
The consolidated financial statements include the financial position and
results of operations of the Company since its initial public offering on July
28, 1998. Prior to that date, the consolidated financial statements include the
financial position and results of operations of the EB Group. All intercompany
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered
necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Retail sales are recognized as revenue at point of sale. Mail order and
internet sales are recognized as revenue upon shipment. Management fees are
recognized in the period that related services are provided. Sales are recorded
net of estimated allowance for sales returns and allowances.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities
of three months or less to be cash equivalents for cash flow purposes.
MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES
Merchandise is valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
principally by a weighted-average method.
32
<PAGE>
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized over
the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method. The
estimated useful lives are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Leasehold improvements............... Lesser of 10 years or the lease term
Furniture and Fixtures............... 5 years
Computer equipment................... 3 years
Building............................. 30 years
</TABLE>
Included in selling, general and administrative costs for fiscal years 1998,
1999 and 2000, are losses of $556,000, $293,000 and $352,000, respectively,
primarily related to the write-off of the net book value of property and
equipment associated with the closing of nine stores in 1998, ten stores in
fiscal 1999, eight stores in fiscal 2000 and the remodeling of several stores
each year.
DEFERRED REVENUE
The Company defers revenue related to the sale of frequent buyer cards which
entitle the cardholder to receive discounts on purchases for one year from the
date of purchase. Revenue is recognized over the one year period the card is
valid based on expected usage. The frequent buyer program was discontinued in
fiscal 2000. There was no deferred revenue at January 29, 2000.
Amounts received under the Company's pre-sell program are recorded as a
liability. Revenue is recognized when the customer receives the related product.
Certain affinity programs include promotional gifts to customers that are
supplied by vendors at no cost to the Company.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to ten
years. Goodwill is evaluated continually to determine whether later events or
circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. The Company assesses
the recoverability of other intangibles by determining whether the remaining
balance can be recovered through projected undiscounted cash flows.
OTHER ASSETS
Other assets consist principally of life insurance programs for certain key
executives and security deposits.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE COSTS
The Company capitalizes significant costs to acquire management information
systems software and significant costs of system improvements. Computer software
costs are amortized over estimated useful lives of three to five years.
LEASING EXPENSES
The Company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the term
of the lease when lease agreements provide for increasing fixed rentals. The
difference between lease expense recognized and actual payments made is included
in deferred rent and prepaid expenses on the balance sheet.
PREOPENING COSTS AND ADVERTISING EXPENSE
Preopening and start-up costs for new stores are charged to operations as
incurred. Costs of advertising and sales promotion programs are charged to
operations, offset by vendor reimbursements, as incurred.
VENDOR PROGRAMS
The Company receives manufacturer reimbursements for certain training,
promotional and marketing activities that offset the expenses of these
activities. The expenses and reimbursements are reflected in selling, general
and administrative expenses, as incurred or received.
33
<PAGE>
FOREIGN CURRENCY
The accounts of the foreign subsidiaries are translated in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation,
which requires that assets and liabilities of international operations be
translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The
results of operations are translated using an average exchange rate for the
year. The effects of rate fluctuations in translating assets and liabilities of
international operations into U.S. dollars are accumulated and reflected as a
foreign currency translation adjustment in the statements of stockholders'
equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in net income.
The Company currently does not hedge currency exchange rate risk and does
not currently believe that currency exchange rate fluctuations have a material
adverse effect on its results of operations and financial condition.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Effective February 1, 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." This statement
requires that all items recognized under accounting standards as components of
comprehensive income be reported in an annual financial statement that is
displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. The Company
has included the required information in the Statement of Stockholders' Equity.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income includes foreign currency translation
adjustments.
INCOME TAXES
The Company is subject to federal and state income taxes as a C corporation
whereas the EB Group had been treated as an S corporation and a partnership for
federal and certain state income tax purposes resulting in taxable income being
passed through to the shareholders and partners. For purposes of comparison, a
pro forma tax charge has been reflected on the statements of income for fiscal
1998 and 1999 to show the results of operations as if the EB Group had been
subject to taxes as a C corporation.
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date.
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted
average number of shares of the Company's Common Stock outstanding during the
period. Diluted income per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average
common shares outstanding for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents
related to stock options.
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 reported amount of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments are accounts receivable, accounts
payable, long-term debt, and certain long-term investments. The carrying value
of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value due to the
short maturity of these instruments. The carrying value of life insurance
policies included in other assets approximates fair value based on estimates
received from insurance companies.
34
<PAGE>
(2) COMMITMENTS
LEASE COMMITMENTS
At January 29, 2000, the future annual minimum lease payments under
operating leases for the following five fiscal years and thereafter were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Retail
Store Distribution Total lease
Locations facilities Commitments
-------------- -------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fiscal 2001........................... $ 28,627,942 $ 774,068 $ 29,402,010
Fiscal 2002........................... 27,005,713 471,322 27,477,035
Fiscal 2003........................... 25,204,457 416,001 25,620,457
Fiscal 2004........................... 22,548,106 373,025 22,921,131
Fiscal 2005........................... 20,049,074 112,882 20,161,956
Thereafter............................ 57,102,095 - 57,102,095
-------------- -------------- ----------------
$ 180,537,387 $ 2,147,297 $ 182,684,684
============== ============== ================
</TABLE>
The total future minimum lease payments include lease commitments for new
retail locations not in operation at January 29, 2000, and exclude contingent
rentals based upon sales volume and owner expense reimbursements. The terms of
the operating leases for the retail locations provide that, in addition to the
minimum lease payments, the Company is required to pay additional rent to the
extent retail sales, as defined, exceed amounts set forth in the lease
agreements and to reimburse the landlord for the Company's proportionate share
of the landlord's costs and expenses incurred in the maintenance and operation
of the shopping mall. Contingent rentals were approximately $8,132,000,
$10,695,000 and $12,605,000 in fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999,and fiscal 2000,
respectively. Rent expense, including contingent rental amounts, was
approximately $35,138,000, $43,008,000 and $53,178,000 in fiscal 1998, fiscal
1999 and fiscal 2000, respectively.
Certain of the Company's lease agreements provide for varying lease payments
over the life of the leases. For financial statement purposes, rental expense is
recognized on a straight-line basis over the original term of the agreements.
Actual lease payments are greater than (less than) the rental expense reflected
in the statements of operations by approximately $368,000, ($84,000) and
($161,000) for fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000, respectively.
(3) ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 29,
1999 2000
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Employee compensation and related taxes $ 5,801,742 $ 7,439,552
Gift certificates, customer deposits and deferred revenue 4,758,197 5,596,779
Accrued rent 4,152,666 4,970,409
Other accrued liabilities 4,912,463 5,430,528
----------------- -----------------
Total $ 19,625,068 $ 23,437,268
================= =================
</TABLE>
35
<PAGE>
(4) DEBT
The Company had available a revolving credit facility allowing for maximum
borrowings of $50,000,000 at January 30, 1999 and January 29, 2000. The
revolving credit facility expires and is repayable on March 16, 2001. Interest
accrues on borrowings at a per annum rate equal to either LIBOR plus 250 basis
points or the bank's base rate of interest, at the Company's option. The
revolving credit agreement contains restrictive covenants regarding transactions
with affiliates, the payment of dividends, and other financial and non-financial
matters and is secured by certain assets, including accounts receivable,
inventory, fixtures and equipment. There was no outstanding balance at January
30, 1999 and January 29, 2000 on this facility.
Long-term debt at January 30, 1999 and January 29, 2000 is summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 30, January 29,
1999 2000
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Promissory note, maturing on February 1, 2000 with interest and
principal payable monthly at 6.00% as of January 30, 1999 and $ 108,349 $ 8,353
January 29, 2000
Less current installments............................................ 99,996 8,353
----------------- ----------------
$ 8,353 $ -
=============== ================
</TABLE>
(5) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Insurance and other expenses have been paid to an affiliated company through
intercompany billings. The amount of these expenses was approximately $431,000,
$41,000 and $0 for fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000, respectively, and
is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
In fiscal 1996, the EB Group acquired 25 percent of the outstanding shares
of Electronics Boutique Plc (formerly Rhino Group Plc). The EB Group accounted
for the investment in Electronics Boutique Plc under the equity method, which
requires the EB Group to recognize goodwill and 25% of the results of operations
of Electronics Boutique Plc from the date of acquisition in fiscal 1996. The
goodwill has been amortized over the expected period of benefit of 10 years. The
$3,200,000 of goodwill from this transaction resulted in amortization expense of
$321,000 in fiscal 1998 and $161,000 in fiscal 1999. The carrying value of the
investment exceeded the EB Group's 25 percent share of the underlying net assets
of Electronics Boutique Plc by the amount of the goodwill. The investment in
Electronics Boutique Plc was retained by a predecessor company prior to
completion of the initial public offering by the Company in July, 1998.
In fiscal 1996, the EB Group entered into a services agreement with
Electronics Boutique Plc to provide consulting, management, training, and
advertising assistance which expires on January 31, 2006. The agreement was
assigned to the Company. The agreement provides for a fee to be paid to the EB
Group based on a formula of 1% of adjusted sales and if budgeted profits are
exceeded for the year, a bonus equal to 25% of such excess. For fiscal 1998, a
bonus was earned in the amount of $2,206,000. The management fee receivable at
January 30, 1999 was $879,000 and was included in due from affiliates and at
January 29, 2000 was $1,301,000 and was included in accounts receivable - trade
and vendors. Included in management fees for fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999 and fiscal
2000 was $1,953,000, $2,529,000 and $3,850,000, respectively. Additionally, the
agreement provides that the Company is to be reimbursed by Electronics Boutique
Plc for all reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred by employees of
the Company during their performance of the agreement. Amounts outstanding for
these expenses at January 30, 1999 were $105,000 and were included in due from
affiliates and at January 29, 2000 were $198,000 and were included in accounts
receivable - trade and vendors.
36
<PAGE>
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates includes $2,902,780 for fiscal 1998 and
($160,575) for fiscal 1999 for Electronics Boutique, Plc.
The Company leases its headquarters and its primary distribution center,
which are located in a single 140,000 square foot building on several acres in
West Chester, Pennsylvania, from a majority shareholder. The lease has a two
year term expiring on May 30, 2000 and includes an option to purchase the
property for $6.7 million.
(6) CONSULTING AGREEMENT
In July 1993, the EB Group entered into a consulting agreement with a
business that owns and operates retail stores. The Company provides consulting,
management, administrative, marketing, and advertising assistance to this retail
business. The Company received $633,000, $476,000 and $226,000 during fiscal
1998, fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000, respectively, as reimbursement for
incremental costs incurred based on a formula as defined. Amounts owed to the
Company for these items and trade credit at January 30, 1999 and January 29,
2000 are included in accounts receivable. Reimbursements offset selling, general
and administrative expenses. Based on certain performance criteria as defined,
the Company can also earn a performance fee. No performance fee was earned for
fiscal 1998, $648,000 was earned for fiscal 1999 ($248,000 of which was recorded
in fiscal 2000) and $543,000 was earned for fiscal 2000.
(7) ACQUISITIONS
EB CANADA
In September 1993, the EB Group advanced funds to obtain a 50% interest in a
Canadian corporation ("EB Canada") formed for the purpose of selling computer,
video games and hand-held entertainment hardware, software, and related
peripherals and accessories in shopping malls throughout Canada. The EB Group
purchased the remaining 50% of EB Canada in October 1997 for $727,000 and now
owns 100% of EB Canada. The fair value of assets acquired totaled $3,879,000,
while liabilities assumed totaled $4,332,000 resulting in goodwill of
$1,180,000, which is being amortized over the expected period of benefit of ten
years. The EB Group consolidated the results of operations of EB Canada since
the beginning of fiscal 1998. The $236,000 loss of EB Canada prior to the
acquisition of the remaining 50% by the EB Group in fiscal 1998 has been
included in preacquisition loss of subsidiaries on the consolidated statement of
income.
EB INTERNATIONAL
In fiscal 1996, the EB Group formed a subsidiary, EB International, Inc., to
establish a 50% interest in a joint venture with a Korean company to operate a
chain of retail stores that sells computer software, video games, accessories,
and supplies in South Korea. In fiscal 1998, EB International acquired the
remaining 50% interest in the joint venture with $611,000 of additional funds
provided by the EB Group. The fair value of assets acquired totaled $3,579,000,
while liabilities assumed totaled $3,497,000 resulting in goodwill of $529,000
that is being amortized over the expected period of benefit of ten years. The EB
Group has consolidated the results of operations of the joint venture since the
beginning of fiscal 1998. The $677,000 loss of the joint venture prior to the
acquisition of the remaining 50% by the EB Group in fiscal 1998 has been
included in preacquisition loss of subsidiaries on the consolidated statement of
income.
(8) PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
For purposes of comparison, the following pro forma information for fiscal
1998 and fiscal 1999 is presented to show pro forma income on an after-tax basis
as if the EB Group had been subject to taxes as a C corporation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1999
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Federal statutory tax rate 35.00 % 35.00 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit 3.74 3.18
Loss of foreign subsidiaries 0.51 -
Other 1.85 3.34
Change in valuation allowance - (4.41)
-------------- --------------
Pro forma income tax rate 41.10 % 37.11 %
============== ==============
</TABLE>
37
<PAGE>
Set forth below are pro forma results of operations for fiscal 1998 and
fiscal 1999. The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted
net income per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Fiscal
1998 1999
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Income before income taxes $ 22,910,465 $ 31,978,549
Pro forma income taxes 9,415,631 11,866,084
------------- -------------
Pro forma net income $ 13,494,834 $ 20,112,465
============= =============
Pro forma net income per share - basic $ 0.85 $ 1.12
============= =============
Pro forma weighted average shares
outstanding - basic 15,794,200 18,029,777
============= =============
Pro forma net income per share - diluted $ 0.85 $ 1.11
============= =============
Pro forma weighted average shares
outstanding - diluted 15,794,200 18,084,109
============= =============
</TABLE>
The pro forma weighted average shares outstanding - basic reflects the
effect of shares issued by the Company for the acquisition of substantially all
the operating assets and liabilities of the EB Group for periods prior to the
initial public offering. The pro forma weighted average shares outstanding -
diluted additionally include the effect of dilutive stock options.
(9) CAPITAL STOCK
On July 28, 1998, the Company completed its reorganization and an initial
public offering of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock. Of the 5,000,000 shares
sold, 4,375,000 shares were for the account of the Company and 625,000 shares
were for the account of EB Nevada, Inc., the selling shareholder. The net
proceeds to the Company, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions
and expenses were $54,962,500. The net proceeds were recorded as an increase to
additional paid in capital and common stock. The proceeds were used, in part, to
retire debt under the Company's revolving credit facility and to repay an
outstanding demand note to the Company's Chairman.
On November 23, 1999, the Company completed a secondary offering of 3,500,000
shares of common stock. Of the 3,500,000 shares sold, 2,000,000 shares were for
the account of the Company and 1,500,000 shares were for the account of EB
Nevada, Inc., the selling shareholder. The transaction resulted in net proceeds
(after offering expenses) to the Company of approximately $40.0 million.
(10) EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company provides employees with retirement benefits under a 401(k)
salary reduction plan. Generally, employees are eligible to participate in the
plan after attaining age 21 and completing one year of service. Eligible
employees may contribute up to 17% of their compensation to the plan. Company
contributions are at the Company's discretion and may not exceed 15% of an
eligible employee's compensation. Company contributions to the plan are fully
vested for eligible employees with five years or more of service. Contributions
under this plan were approximately $302,000, $389,000 and $433,000 in fiscal
1998, fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000, respectively.
(11) EQUITY PARTICIPATION PLAN
The Company, in connection with its initial public offering, adopted an
equity participation plan pursuant to which 2,100,000 shares of common stock
were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options granted to
employees, consultants and directors. The exercise price of options granted
under this plan may not be less than fair market value per share of common stock
at the grant date; options become exercisable one to three years after the
38
<PAGE>
grant date and expire over a period of not more than ten years. Exercisability
is accelerated on a change in control of the Company, as defined in the plan.
Pro forma information regarding net income and income per share is required
by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("FAS") No.123, and has been
determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under
the fair value method of that Statement. The fair value for these options was
estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with
the following weighted average assumptions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Expected volatility 50.0 % 62.4 %
Risk-free interest rate 4.55 % 4.93 %
Expected life in years 3.5 3.0
Dividend yield 0 0
</TABLE>
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating
the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are
fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of
highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility.
Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly
different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's
information follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income:
As reported (pro forma in fiscal 1999) $ 20,112,465 $ 22,830,388
Pro forma net income $ 19,234,620 $ 20,942,647
Pro forma income per common share:
Basic $ 1.07 $ 1.02
Diluted $ 1.06 $ 1.01
</TABLE>
A summary of the Company's stock option activity, and related information for
the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999 and January 29, 2000 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Weighted
Exercise Price Average
- Range per Exercise Price
Shares Share
-------------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at January 31, 1998 - $ - $ -
Granted 1,599,133 14.00 14.00
Forfeited (37,800) 14.00 14.00
--------------------- ---------------- ----------------
Outstanding at January 30, 1999 1,561,333 14.00 14.00
Granted 342,086 17.00 - 24.00 19.82
Exercised (51,914) 14.00 14.00
Forfeited (73,029) 14.00 - 19.88 14.00
--------------------- ---------------- ----------------
Outstanding at January 29, 2000 1,778,476
Exercisable at January 29, 2000 449,716 -
</TABLE>
The weighted average exercise price for all options outstanding as of January
29, 2000 was $15.06. The average remaining contractual life of those options was
8.7 years.
39
<PAGE>
(12) INCOME TAXES
As discussed in notes 1 and 8, the Company is subject to federal and state
income taxes as a C corporation whereas its predecessors had been treated as an
S corporation and a partnership for federal and certain state income tax
purposes resulting in taxable income being passed through to the shareholders
and partners.
Income before income taxes was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Domestic $ 21,354,205 $ 31,331,801 $ 32,585,914
Foreign 1,556,260 646,748 5,252,247
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total $ 22,910,465 $ 31,978,549 $ 37,838,161
============== ============== ==============
</TABLE>
The provision for income taxes for fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000
consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal statutory tax rate 35.00 % 35.00 % 35.00 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit 3.69 3.18 2.73
Foreign incremental taxes - - 1.06
S corporation earnings not subject to (0.22) -
federal taxation (35.00)
Other - 3.02 0.63
Change in valuation allowance - (4.41) 0.24
-------------- -------------- --------------
Income tax expense 3.69 % 36.57 % 39.66 %
============== ============== ==============
Current:
Domestic - Federal $ - $ 9,767,127 $ 12,022,610
Domestic - State 840,000 3,050,653 1,601,952
Foreign 60,528 3,045,359
Deferred:
Domestic - Federal - 159,331 (1,245,891)
Domestic - State - (719,669) (317,963)
Foreign 6,280 (624,700) (98,294)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Income tax expense $ 846,280 $ 11,693,270 $ 15,007,773
============== ============== ==============
</TABLE>
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The following is a
summary of the significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and
liabilities as of January 30, 1999 (fiscal 1999) and January 29, 2000 (fiscal
2000).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Deferred tax assets: Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
-------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Inventory capitalized costs $ 1,632,000 $ 1,575,272
Accrued expenses 705,000 2,078,001
Fixed assets 4,962,000 7,161,428
Deferred rent 922,000 1,146,428
Amortization of goodwill 167,000 235,603
Foreign net operating loss 839,000 306,000
-------------- ---------------
Total gross deferred tax asset 9,277,000 12,502,732
Valuation allowance (214,000) (306,000)
--------------- ---------------
Net deferred tax asset $ 9,013,000 $ 12,196,732
============== ===============
</TABLE>
40
<PAGE>
As a result of the acquisition described in Note 1, tax assets were acquired
exceeding book basis, resulting in deferred tax assets of $7,828,000, net of a
valuation allowance of $1,622,000. The change in the valuation allowance of
$1,408,000 in fiscal 1999 results from management's assessment that taxable
income will more likely than not be sufficient to realize the net deferred tax
assets of $9,013,000 as of January 30, 1999. The increase in the valuation
allowance of $92,000 in fiscal 2000 results from net operating losses from a
foreign subsidiary.
(13) NET INCOME AND PRO FORMA NET INCOME PER SHARE
The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted actual net
income and pro forma net income per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 2000
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Basic net income per share:
Net income $ 22,830,388
==============
Weighted average shares outstanding 20,559,100
==============
Net income per share - basic $ 1.11
==============
Diluted net income per share:
Net income $ 22,830,388
==============
Weighted average shares outstanding 20,559,100
Diluted effect of stock options 203,149
--------------
Weighted average shares outstanding 20,762,249
==============
Net income per share - diluted $ 1.10
==============
Basic pro forma net income per share:
Pro forma net income $ 13,494,834 $ 20,112,465
============== ==============
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding 15,794,200 18,029,777
============== ==============
Pro forma net income per share - basic $ 0.85 $ 1.12
============== ==============
Diluted pro forma net income per share:
Pro forma net income $ 13,494,834 $ 20,112,465
============== ==============
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding 15,794,200 18,029,777
Diluted effect of stock options - 54,332
-------------- --------------
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding 15,794,200 18,084,109
============== ==============
Pro forma net income per share - diluted $ 0.85 $ 1.11
============== ==============
</TABLE>
41
<PAGE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None
PART III
ITEMS 10-13 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The information required by Part III (Items 10-13) is set forth in the
Company's definitive proxy statement, which will be filed pursuant to Regulation
14A within 120 days of January 29, 2000, and in Item 1A hereof. Such information
is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) 1. Financial Schedules attached hereto are as follows:
- Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
2. Exhibits
1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement(1)
4.1 Specimen Stock Certificate(2)
10.1 Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and
Officers(2)
10.2 Form of 1998 Equity Participation Plan(2)
10.3 Services Agreement, dated October 13, 1995, by and between The
Electronics Boutique, Inc. and Electronics Boutique plc(f/k/a
Rhino Group plc)(2)
10.4 Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 16, 1998, by and
between The Electronics Boutique, Inc. and Fleet Capital
Corporation(2)
10.5 Joinder Agreement by and between Electronics Boutique of
America Inc. and Fleet Capital Corporation(2)
10.6 Form of Employment Agreement by and between Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp. and Joseph J. Firestone(2)
10.7 Form of Employment Agreement by and between Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp. and John R. Panichello(2)
10.8 Form of Employment Agreement by and between Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp and Jeffrey W. Griffiths(2)
10.9 Assignment, Bill of Sale, and Assumption Agreement, dated May
31, 1998, by and between The Electronics Boutique, Inc. and
Electronics Boutique of America Inc.(2)
10.10 Form of Registration Rights Agreement between Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp. and EB Nevada(2)
10.11 Form of Demand Note by and between James J. Kim and
Electronics Boutique of America Inc.(2)
10.12 Assignment of Trademarks, dated May 31, 1998, by and between
The Electronics Boutique, Inc. and Elbo, Inc.(2)
10.13 Addendum to Assignment of Trademarks by and between EB and
Elbo(2)
10.14 Form of Agreement of Lease by and between The Electronics
Boutique, Inc. and Electronics Boutique of America Inc.(2)
10.15 Agreement and Bill of Sale, dated as of July 13, 1998, by and
between Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. and EB Nevada(2)
10.16 Agreement and Consent to Assignment and Assumption of
Partnership Interests, dated as of July 13, 1998(2)
10.17 Amendment No. 1 to Loan and Security Agreement by and among
The Electronics Boutique, Inc., Electronics Boutique of
America Inc. and Fleet Capital Corporation(2)
10.18 Amendment No. 2 to Loan and Security Agreement by and among
The Electronics Boutique, Inc., Electronics Boutique of
America Inc. and Fleet Capital Corporation(2)
42
<PAGE>
10.19 Form of Employment Agreement by and between Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp. and Seth P. Levy(3)
21.1 Subsidiaries of Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
23.1 Auditors' Report and Consent of KPMG LLP
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
- --------------
(1) Incorporated by reference from the applicable exhibits of
Electronics Boutique's Registration Statement on Form S-3
(Reg. No. 333-88561)
(2) Incorporated by reference from the applicable exhibits of
Electronics Boutique's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Reg. No. 333-48523)
(3) Incorporated by reference from the applicable exhibits of
Electronics Boutique's Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended July 31, 1999
- --------------
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The Company filed a Form 8-K on November 16, 1999 to report the
consummation of a public offering of its securities.
43
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Charged to Charged to
Period Beginning costs and other Deductions Ending
Ended Description Balance expenses accounts (1) Balance
- ---------------- -------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
January 30, Deferred tax valuation $ 1,622,000 $ - $ - $ 1,408,000 $ 214,000
1999 allowance
January 29, Deferred tax valuation 214,000 92,000 - - 306,000
2000 allowance
</TABLE>
(1) Realization of deferred tax assets.
44
<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.
ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP.
By: /s/ Joseph J. Firestone
-----------------------
Joseph J. Firestone
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: April 28, 2000
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange 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 28, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Title
- ---- -----
<S> <C>
/s/ James J. Kim Chairman of the Board
------------------------------
James J. Kim
/s/ Joseph J. Firestone President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
------------------------------ (Principal Executive Officer)
Joseph J. Firestone
/s/ John R. Panichello Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
------------------------------ (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
John R. Panichello
/s/ Dean S. Adler Director
------------------------------
Dean S. Adler
/s/ Susan Y. Kim Director
------------------------------
Susan Y. Kim
/s/ Louis J. Siana Director
------------------------------
Louis J. Siana
/s/ Stanley Steinberg Director
------------------------------
Stanley Steinberg
</TABLE>
45
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE HOLDINGS CORP.
1. Electronics Boutique Investment Corp., a Delaware corporation
2. Electronics Boutique of America Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation
3. Elbo, Inc., a Delaware corporation
4. Electronics Boutique Canada, Inc., an Ontario corporation
5. E.B. International, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation
6. Electronics Boutique Korea, Inc., a South Korea corporation
7. Electronics Boutique Australia Pty Ltd., an Australia corporation
8. EB Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation
9. EB Catalog Company, Inc., a Nevada corporation
10. EBWorld.com, Inc., a Nevada corporation
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
AUDITORS' REPORT AND CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.:
The audits referred to in our report dated March 8, 2000, included the related
financial statement schedule as of January 30, 1999 and January 29, 2000 and for
each of the years in the three-year period ended January 29, 2000, included in
this annual report on Form 10-K. This financial statement schedule is the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits. In our
opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all
material respects the information therein.
We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (No.
333-65463) on Form S-8 of Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. and subsidiaries
of our reports included herein.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Philadelphia, PA
April 27, 2000
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> JAN-29-2000
<CASH> 88,356,091
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 11,818,613
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 90,550,508
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 198,940,445
<PP&E> 108,562,187
<DEPRECIATION> 45,566,262
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 275,512,877
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 156,373,305
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 222,211
<OTHER-SE> 116,264,258
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 275,512,877
<SALES> 723,800,624
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 728,673,446
<CGS> 546,451,099
<TOTAL-COSTS> 692,262,888
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (1,427,603)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 37,838,161
<INCOME-TAX> 15,007,773
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 22,830,388
<EPS-BASIC> 1.11
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.10
</TABLE>
