SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
(Mark one)
[X] Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (No fee required)
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 1997, or
[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (No fee required)
For the transition period from ______ to _______
Commission file number 0-19253
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VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 41-1461110
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. employer
of incorporation or organization) identification No.)
3100 World Trade Center
30 East Seventh Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(612) 222-0006
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class A Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
Class A Warrant
Class B Warrant
(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 for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes __X__ No ____
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. __X__
Aggregate market value of registrant's voting stock held by
non-affiliates as of June 27, 1997: Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value:
$80,063,000.
Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of June 27, 1997: Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value:
18,170,341 shares, Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value: 2,000,000 shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
The registrant's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1997 and to be filed pursuant
to Regulation 14A, is incorporated by reference in response to Part III, Items
10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Form 10-K.
Note: The discussions in this Form 10-K contain forward looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The actual results of Video
Update, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") could differ significantly from
those set forth herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Business" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Statements
contained in this Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward looking
statements that are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A number of important factors could cause the
Company's actual results for fiscal 1998 and beyond to differ materially from
those expressed or implied in any forward looking statements made by, or on
behalf of, the Company. These factors include, without limitation, those
discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" in this Form 10-K.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
GENERAL
As of April 30, 1997 the Company owns and operates 343 video specialty
stores under the name "Video Update" located in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas,
Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and six provinces in Canada and
franchises 30 additional video specialty stores predominantly in the United
States. As of April 30, 1997, 208, or approximately 95%, of the Company's stores
in the United States, and 83, or approximately 67% of the Company's Canadian
stores, are superstores which are defined as retail video stores that carry more
than 7,500 rental units. The Company believes that, as of the end of its most
recent fiscal year, it is the fourth largest video specialty retailer in the
United States and the third largest video specialty retailer in Canada based on
the number of stores it operates. Video Update stores in the United States and
Canada offer on average approximately 10,700 and 8,500 rental units,
respectively, including multiple copies of new and popular releases and video
games, in a visually appealing and customer friendly layout.
The Company franchised its first store in January 1983 and opened its
first Company-owned store in September 1989. By July 1994, when the Company
completed its initial public offering, the Company had grown to 15 Company-owned
stores and 30 franchised stores and had developed a cost-effective superstore
format that distinguished the Company from other video retailers by providing it
with the flexibility to expand into desirable sites in both small and large
markets without compromising profitability, or decreasing the number of viable
markets into which it could expand. During fiscal 1997, the Company grew rapidly
in size from 204 to 343 Company-owned stores. During this period, the Company
acquired 74 video stores in 10 transactions, opened 71 new video superstores and
closed 6 stores, including stores closed related to acquisitions. Same store
sales during fiscal 1997 increased by approximately 5.3%. As a result of these
acquisitions, new superstore openings and increases in same store sales, the
Company's revenues and net income increased from approximately $50,504,000 and
$1,628,000 in fiscal 1996, to approximately $91,799,000 and $4,620,000 in fiscal
1997, respectively.
THE HOME VIDEO INDUSTRY
The home video retail industry has experienced significant growth over
the last several years. According to Paul Kagan's THE STATE OF HOME VIDEO
industry report, gross revenues for the home video industry in the United States
have grown from approximately $2.9 billion for rentals and approximately $656
million for sales in 1985 to approximately $9.9 billion for rentals and
approximately $5 billion for sales in 1995 and are projected to reach
approximately $12.7 billion and approximately $9.1 billion, respectively, by the
year 2005. Paul Kagan's research also shows that in 1995 over 80% of American
households owning televisions also owned a VCR.
According to Paul Kagan, total United States consumer spending on
filmed entertainment has increased from approximately $4.6 billion in 1980 to
approximately $31 billion in 1994. According to a recent report by MEDIA GROUP
RESEARCH, a video industry analyst publication, the home video market was the
largest single source of revenue to movie studios, accounting for approximately
54% of movie studios' total revenues. Of the many movies produced by major
studios and released in the United States each year, relatively few are
profitable for the studios based on box office revenue alone. In addition to
purchasing box office hits, video specialty stores typically purchase movies on
video that were not as successful at the box office because customers will often
rent a video that they might not view at a theater. The Company believes that
the consumer is more likely to view movies that were not box office hits on a
rented video than on any other medium because video specialty stores provide an
inviting opportunity to browse and make an impulse choice among a very broad
selection of movie titles at a relatively low price. These purchases by the
video stores provide the major movie studios with a reliable source of revenue
for the majority of their movies.
The Company believes that the home video industry is highly fragmented.
According to Paul Kagan, in 1994 an estimated 27,400 video specialty stores
operated in the United States, including approximately 6,100 superstores.
According to VIDEO STORE MAGAZINE, only nine multiple store businesses operated
in excess of 100 stores in 1995. The Company also believes that there has been a
recent trend toward consolidation in the retail video industry driven by the
recognition by store operators of the competitive advantages that larger
organizations enjoy in terms of access to working capital, marketing
efficiencies and other economies of scale and the enhanced ability to obtain
quality retail locations. The Company believes that attractive acquisition
opportunities will continue to arise as the industry consolidates.
Although the domestic video retail industry includes both rentals and
sales, the consumer market for videos has primarily been a rental market. Movie
studios determine the suggested retail prices of videos and through that pricing
influence the relative levels of video rentals and sales. Videos released at a
relatively high price, generally $60 or more, are generally purchased by video
retailers and made available for rental. Videos released at a relatively low
price, typically between $15 and $25, are generally purchased by video retailers
for both sale and rental and may be purchased by consumers at a variety of
retail locations. The Company believes that movie studios attempt to maximize
total revenue from video releases by maintaining retail prices at a relatively
high level during the first four months to one year after a new video release,
during which time sales are made primarily to video retailers for rental, and
then releasing the video at a lower price to promote sales to consumers. From
time to time, however, certain movies that are believed to have mass appeal or
family appeal such as INDEPENDENCE DAY, TOY STORY AND 101 DALMATIANS, are
initially released for sale at a relatively low price. Video retailers purchase
a large portion of these titles at the same low price, which titles thereafter
become low cost rentals for such retailers. These lower priced releases are more
attractive rentals to the retailer because of the relatively few number of
rentals required to recover their cost and provide a favorable economic return
to the retailer.
Historically, new technologies have led to the creation of additional
distribution channels for movie studios. Movie studios seek to maximize their
revenues by releasing movies in sequential release date "windows" to various
movie distribution channels. These distribution channels currently include, in
release date order, movie theaters, video specialty stores, pay-per-view, basic
cable television, and foreign, network and syndicated television. The Company
believes that this method of sequential release has allowed movie studios to
increase their total revenue with relatively little adverse effect on the
revenue derived from previously established channels and that movie studios will
continue the practice of sequential release as new distribution channels become
available. According to Paul Kagan, many movie studios have recently agreed to
extend the length of the exclusive window on many new release videos for video
specialty stores from the current practice of 30 days to between 60 and 90 days
and longer. The Company believes that the length of time between the movie
theater release date and the release date to video specialty stores is also
getting shorter. The Company believes that studios are also starting to bypass
the movie theaters by releasing high quality and popular movie sequels such as
ALADDIN, KING OF THIEVES, AND HONEY, I SHRUNK OURSELVES, directly to video
specialty stores.
OPERATING STRATEGY
The Company's management has substantial experience in the video
retailing industry. The Company's senior management operations team has worked
together for more than ten years. Through the management team, the Company has
developed a cost-effective superstore format that distinguishes the Company from
other video retailers by providing it with the flexibility to expand into
desirable sites in both small and large markets without compromising
profitability or decreasing the number of viable markets into which it can
expand. Management's depth of experience in and knowledge of the industry are
reflected in the Company's operating strategy, the key elements of which include
the following:
PROVIDE EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF VIDEOCASSETTES. At April 30, 1997, 208,
or approximately 95%, of the Company's stores in the United States and 83, or
approximately 67%, of the Company's Canadian stores are superstores. Superstores
are video rental stores that have more than 7,500 rental units. The Company
believes that an extensive selection of videocassettes is a key determinant that
consumers consider in choosing to visit and patronize a particular video store.
The Company tailors the videocassettes available for rent in a given store
according to the market served by that store. Additionally, catalog
videocassettes (those in release for more than one year) are displayed in a
library style (spine-out method) allowing for significantly more videocassettes
per square footage of rental space. As a result, the Company believes that it is
able to provide an extensive selection, yet retain greater flexibility than many
of its competitors in terms of store size in which it can operate. Video Update
stores in the United States and Canada offer on average approximately 10,700 and
8,500 rental units, respectively.
EFFECTIVELY MANAGE INVENTORIES. The Company maintains an integrated
point of sale ("POS") system that provides it with immediate access to and
feedback on records related to, among other things, videocassette rentals,
individual title performance, category rental performance, shrinkage and overdue
rentals. The Company endeavors to convert the POS systems of acquired stores to
that of the Company's as quickly as is practicable. The Company utilizes its POS
system to manage its inventory turns, purchase new inventory, and balance
customer demand and rental trends, all of which the Company believes maximizes
each store's profitability.
AGGRESSIVE MARKETING. The Company utilizes an aggressive marketing
program designed to attract new customers and increase the frequency of rentals
by current customers. The Company focuses its marketing on individual stores and
the local markets in which they operate. Direct mailings, including postcards
and flyers, are utilized regularly. Additionally, the Company promotes
extensively with couponing and cross promotions. The Company's popular
"Two-for-$.99 Tuesday" rental promotion is used throughout its system and has
been effective in building customer loyalty and increasing revenue on a day of
the week that historically has not been a significant rental volume day.
GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION. The Company intends to continue developing
new superstores and acquiring existing chains of stores in regions where the
Company has existing operations. The Company also intends to expand into
additional metropolitan areas where it determines that sufficient quality
locations and/or acquisition opportunities are available. The Company believes
that this geographic concentration will allow the Company to more easily monitor
store operations through its regional management offices and to achieve
operating efficiencies in inventory management, marketing, distribution,
training and store supervision. Because the Company operates multiple stores, it
is able to receive relatively large aggregate cooperative advertising credits
from its distributors. The Company receives cooperative advertising credits for
each store it operates, and by operating multiple stores in a single geographic
market, the Company can more effectively use cooperative advertising credits to
maximize the impact of its advertising.
CONSISTENCY OF IMAGE AND OPERATIONS. The Company strives to create a
national presence and name recognition. To achieve this objective and to most
efficiently and effectively operate its stores, the Company attempts to maintain
consistency among its Company-owned and franchised stores. This consistency of
operations includes signage, store layout, marketing, management information
systems and customer service. The Company attempts to fully integrate acquired
stores into its overall format as quickly as is practicable. Such integration
typically involves the prompt installation of the management information systems
and interior signage, supplementing the existing base stock of titles,
processing acquired videocassettes, training existing management and sales
personnel, and completing limited build-out of the facilities. Subject to permit
requirements and other such regulatory controls, the Company installs exterior
signage as soon as practicable. To expedite the integration of acquired
businesses, the Company has developed a uniform approach that management
believes minimizes the time necessary to fully assimilate an acquired store's
operations into those of the Company.
GROWTH STRATEGY
In its efforts to continue to increase its national presence, the
Company emphasizes the following key elements in its growth strategy:
TARGETED ACQUISITIONS. The Company believes that acquiring chains of
stores is often the most cost-effective means of entering a new market,
particularly when the stores are in desirable locations. The Company also
believes that the rental video industry has experienced a recent trend toward
consolidation driven by the recognition by store operators of the competitive
advantages that larger organizations enjoy in terms of access to working
capital, marketing efficiencies and other economies of scale and the enhanced
ability to obtain quality retail locations. This trend has created an
opportunity for the Company to grow further through acquisitions. The Company
believes that it will continue to be presented with attractive acquisition
opportunities.
During fiscal 1997, the Company grew rapidly in size from 204 to 343
Company-owned stores. Approximately 53.2% of such growth was accomplished
through acquisitions with the balance resulting from new superstore openings.
Altogether, the Company acquired 74 video stores in 10 transactions during
fiscal 1997.
The following table summarizes the 10 acquisitions made by the Company
during fiscal 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
ACQUIRED BUSINESSES DATE OF ACQUISITION STORES ACQUIRED LOCATION OF STORE(S)
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Simply Video July 1996 1 Indiana
Premier Video October 1996 1 Minnesota
2-Day Video October 1996 1 Washington
Planet Video November 1996 1 Missouri
Video View January 1997(a) 23 Canada
Video Warehouse January 1997 10 Oregon/Washington
Tigre Holdings February 1997 1 Minnesota
Cox Video March 1997 7 Texas/Oklahoma
Movie Buffs March 1997 2 Utah
Superior Video April 1997(a) 27 Canada
--
Total 74
==
(a) Indicates effective date. Subsequent closing consumated with
approval from Industry Canada.
</TABLE>
NEW SUPERSTORE DEVELOPMENT. During fiscal 1997, the Company opened 71
new video superstores and closed six stores, including stores closed related to
acquisitions. The Company intends to open superstores in its existing markets
and selected new markets where attractive opportunities are available. Although
no assurance can be given, the Company believes that the selection of locations
for its superstores has been and will continue to be critical to the success of
its operations. Important criteria for selection of a new superstore location
include density of local residential population, traffic count on roads
immediately adjacent to the superstore location, visibility of the superstore to
passing motorists, easy accessibility and ample parking. The Company estimates
that each new superstore currently requires 12 months of operations in order to
ramp-up to its expected level of mature operations.
FRANCHISE OPERATIONS. Franchised superstores operate under
substantially the same hours and methods of operation as Company-owned stores.
The Company currently intends to franchise stores primarily in areas where the
Company does not expect to pursue new superstore development or acquisitions.
STORE OPERATIONS AND LOCATIONS
Each Video Update store operates under substantially the same plan of
operation. Company-owned stores are open 365 days a year with daily hours
generally from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10:00
a.m. to 12 midnight Friday and Saturday. The Company's stores use a self-service
system, whereby customers select products from the shelves and proceed to the
checkout counter. Video Update stores in the United States and Canada average
approximately 5,900 and 4,600 square feet in size, respectively. Superstores
developed in fiscal 1997 averaged approximately 6,000 square feet in size and
are representative of the Company's superstore prototype going forward.
The Company seeks to locate its stores in geographic areas that will
enable it to achieve operating efficiencies in inventory management,
advertising, marketing, distribution, training and store supervision. The
following table sets forth the locations of existing Company-owned and
franchised stores as of April 30, 1997:
NUMBER OF
COMPANY-OWNED NUMBER OF
STATE OR PROVINCE STORES FRANCHISED STORES TOTAL OF STORES
- ----------------- ------ ----------------- ---------------
Alaska 2 - 2
Arizona 39 - 39
Arkansas 2 - 2
Illinois 17 - 17
Indiana 23 - 23
Minnesota 49 10 59
Missouri 10 - 10
Nevada 6 - 6
New Hampshire - 5 5
Ohio 2 - 2
Oklahoma 4 - 4
Oregon 2 - 2
Pennsylvania 9 2 11
South Carolina - 1 1
Texas 14 - 14
Utah 2 - 2
Virginia - 10 10
Washington 37 - 37
Wisconsin 1 1 2
Alberta 61 - 61
British Columbia 55 1 56
Manitoba 4 - 4
Ontario 2 - 2
Saskatchewan 1 - 1
Yukon 1 - 1
--- --- ---
Total 343 30 373
=== === ===
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Company believes the accurate and efficient management of
purchasing, inventory and sales records has been important to the Company's
success. The Company maintains information, updated daily, regarding revenue,
current and historical sales and rental activity, demographics of store
membership and videocassette rental patterns. This information can be organized
by store, by region or for all operations.
The Company maintains a national POS system and a corporate information
system. All rental and sales transactions are recorded by the POS system when
scanned at the time of customer checkout. Nightly, the POS system transmits each
store's data from operations into the corporate information system. The systems
track all rental and sales products from the videocassette distribution center
to each store using scanned bar code information. The systems also maintains
detailed rental history of each customer and title. This information produces
the reports used by the Company, including those used in making purchasing
decisions on new releases. All of the Company's stores use the Company's POS
system when opened or converted to the Video Update concept, in the case of an
acquired store.
PRODUCTS
VIDEOCASSETTE RENTAL. The Company's primary source of revenue is the
rental of videocassettes. Video rental prices per night generally range from
$2.49 to $3.49 for new releases to $1.99 for catalog titles. Videocassettes are
available for one-night, two-night or multiple night rental. The Company's
stores generally carry approximately 10,700 and 8,500 videos for rent in its
United States and Canadian stores, respectively, representing approximately
7,900 and 5,500 titles, respectively. Movie titles are classified into at least
23 categories, such as "Action," "Drama," "Family," and "Children" and are
displayed alphabetically within those categories. The Company determines its
rental prices for titles and duration of rentals based on the length of time the
title has been available on videocassette. The Company believes that its rental
prices are competitive to those of other video stores, and its videocassettes
are available for one-day and multiple-day rentals.
VIDEO GAMES. In addition to videocassette rentals, stores also rent
video games for use with Sony Playstation(TM), Nintendo(TM), Nintendo64(TM) and
Sega Genesis(TM) video game machines.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS. The Company rents audio books, which are available
in a majority of its stores. The selection of audio books includes fiction and
non-fiction classics, and educational materials and books. For the convenience
of its customers, the Company also sells blank videocassettes and video cleaning
equipment and rents videocassette and video game players. In addition, the
Company sells previously viewed videocassettes and new and used video games.
FRANCHISE OPERATIONS
The Company currently intends to franchise superstores in areas where
it does not expect to pursue new superstore development or acquisitions.
The standard Company franchise agreement generally requires the
franchisee to pay the Company a continuing monthly royalty fee equal to five
percent of the franchisee's gross monthly rental revenue, as calculated under
the terms of the franchise agreement. The franchisee is also generally obligated
to pay a continuing monthly royalty fee of one percent of gross monthly product
revenues derived specifically from the sale of certain video products. The
monthly royalty fees are calculated and due from the date that the franchised
superstore opens for business. In addition to the royalty payments, franchisees
generally also are required to pay a monthly advertising fee equal to one
percent of the franchisee's gross monthly revenue for the preceding month.
Under the Company's current franchising program, the Company will grant
to a franchise owner the right to develop one or a specified number of Video
Update superstores at an approved location or future locations (within specific
geographic areas) pursuant to the terms of a franchise agreement. The
exclusivity accorded to a franchisee is individually negotiated but generally
does not extend beyond a radius of one mile from the franchised location. Prior
to the actual store opening, the Company provides advice to the franchisee on
promotions, store displays and inventory control as well as a five day
comprehensive training course.
The Company monitors franchisees' compliance with ongoing obligations
on the basis of monthly revenue reports and inventory reports. The franchise
agreement generally also grants the Company the right to audit the franchisee's
books, business records, sales reports, financial statements, and tax returns at
any time. The franchise agreement allows the Company to terminate the franchise
under certain conditions, including without limitation, failure to comply with
the Company's operating guidelines, failure to obtain and maintain the necessary
retail licenses and permits, operation of a competitive venture, and
understatement of gross monthly revenues for any two operating periods by more
than two percent. To date, the Company has experienced no material problems it
is aware of relating to the understatement of revenues by franchisees.
MARKETING AND ADVERTISING
The Company primarily relies on direct mail advertising to promote its
business and increase the familiarity of potential customers with the Company.
The Company's direct mail typically consists of pricing-related promotions such
as two-for-one coupons or a free rental coupon for new customers. The Company's
general practice of opening several Company-owned or franchised stores within a
geographic region enables it to maximize the effectiveness of its advertising
expenditures. The cost of these activities is generally funded by cooperative
movie advertising promotions made available by studios or suppliers to promote
certain videocassettes. The Company also benefits from the advertising and
marketing of studios and theaters in connection with their efforts to promote
films and increase box office revenues. The Company generally relies on
referrals from current franchisees and advertising in franchise-oriented
publications in marketing its franchises.
SUPPLIERS
The Company acquires its inventory of videocassettes and video games
and accessories from several videocassette suppliers, including local divisions
of Sight and Sound Distributors of St. Louis, Missouri ("Sight and Sound"),
Baker & Taylor, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois, The Shannock Corporation of Canada,
and Ingram Entertainment Incorporated of Nashville, Tennessee.
The videocassette inventory in each Company-owned and franchised store
consists of catalog titles and new release titles. To develop its inventory of
titles for store openings, the Company transfers videocassettes from existing
stores and purchases videocassettes from suppliers.
The Company currently purchases new release rental videocassettes at an
average cost of approximately $45. Since September 1989, the Company has
acquired most of its new release inventory from Sight and Sound, and during each
of fiscal 1995 and 1996 the Company purchased approximately 75% and in 1997 the
Company purchased approximately 57%, of its new release titles from that
supplier. The Company believes that, if its relationship with Sight and Sound
were terminated, the Company could obtain videocassettes from other suppliers at
prices and on terms comparable to those available from Sight and Sound.
Suppliers generally provide the Company with a comprehensive monthly
listing of all new video releases. In addition, movie studios generally provide
the Company with several copies of a new release video for preview by the
Company. The Company's movie selection committee uses listings of new releases,
video previews, knowledge of the popularity of past video releases and the
Company's computerized information on the past performance of titles rented by
the Company to select the titles and number of copies of each title to be
acquired for rental in each of its stores. The Company is permitted to return
unopened or defective videocassettes to its suppliers in certain circumstances.
The Company purchases video game software from a variety of distributors, based
on price and availability.
INVENTORY
New release videocassettes are ordered by the Company and delivered
directly to stores where they are offered for rental or sale on the studio
release date for the title. Previously viewed inventory for existing and new
stores is received, processed and stored in the Company's approximately 34,000
square foot central distribution facility located in St. Paul, Minnesota. New
release and previously viewed videocassettes and games are processed for rental
according to uniform Company-wide standards. Each videocassette is removed from
its original carton and placed in a standard Video Update rental case with a
magnetic security device. Bar codes are then affixed to each videocassette and
video game. For previously viewed videocassettes, the artwork from the original
carton is cut out and inserted into clear pockets on the standard Video Update
rental case for shelf display. For new release videocassettes, the original
carton is displayed separately in front of the standard Video Update rental case
containing the videocassette.
COMPETITION
The video rental industry is highly competitive. The Company competes
with other video retail stores, including the Blockbuster Entertainment division
of Viacom, Inc. ("Blockbuster") and other superstores, and with supermarkets,
pharmacies, convenience stores, bookstores, mass merchants, mail order
operations, vending machines and other retailers, as well as with noncommercial
sources such as libraries. In addition to competing with other video retailers,
the Company competes with other leisure-time activities, especially
entertainment activities such as movie theaters, sporting events, network
television and cable television.
The Company also competes with other distribution channels for studio
movies, including pay-per-view television on basic cable service, which
currently offer only a limited number of channels and monthly movie selections.
Recently developed digital compression technology combined with fiber optics and
other technology will eventually permit cable companies, direct broadcast
satellite companies and other telecommunications companies to transmit a much
greater number of movies to homes at scheduled intervals throughout the day.
Ultimately, these technologies could lead to the availability of movies to the
consumer on demand. Certain cable and other telecommunications companies have
tested and are continuing to test movie on demand services in some markets.
Certain of the Company's larger, better capitalized competitors may
seek to acquire some of the same video specialty stores that the Company seeks
to acquire. Such competition for acquisitions would likely increase acquisition
prices and related costs and result in fewer attractive acquisition
opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
growth.
The Company's franchise operations compete with numerous franchise
operations in many industries that have significantly greater financial and
human resources and more experience in selling franchises than does the Company.
Potential franchisees may believe that these franchisers offer greater
opportunities for success than the Company.
SERVICE MARKS
The Company has a federal registration for its service mark "Video
Update(R)" and logos that include its service mark. The Company also holds
registrations in Canada for its service marks and logos. The Company considers
its service marks to be important to its business and intends to actively
protect them.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws,
including the Federal Videotape Privacy Protection Act and similar state laws
that govern the disclosure and destruction of video rental records. The Company
also must comply with various regulations affecting its business, including
state and local licensing, zoning, land use, construction and environmental
regulations.
The Company has not made, nor does it anticipate making, any material
capital expenditures in order to comply with environmental regulations. No
assurance can be given, however, that new environmental regulations will not be
adopted that will require the Company to make material capital expenditures for
compliance.
The Company also is subject to the Federal Trade Commission's Trade
Regulation Rule entitled "Disclosure Requirements and Prohibitions Concerning
Franchising and Business Opportunity Ventures" (the "FTC Franchise Rule") and
state laws and regulations that govern the offer and sale of franchises. To
offer and sell franchises, the Company is required by the FTC Franchise Rule to
furnish each prospective franchisee a current franchise offering circular prior
to the sale of a franchise. In addition, a number of states require a franchisor
to comply with registration or filing requirements prior to offering a franchise
in the state and to provide a prospective franchisee with a current franchise
offering circular complying with the state's laws, prior to the sale of the
franchise. Although no assurance can be given, the Company intends to maintain a
franchise offering circular that complies with all applicable federal and state
franchise sales laws. However, if the Company is unable to comply with the
franchise sales laws and regulations of any state that regulates the offer and
sales of franchises, the Company will be unable to offer and sell franchises in
such state.
The Company is required to update its franchise offering circular to
reflect material changes, under applicable law, regarding its franchise offering
and to comply with changes in disclosure requirements. The occurrence of any
such material changes may, from time to time, require the Company to stop
offering and selling franchises until its franchise offering circular is
updated. No assurance can be given that the Company's franchising program will
not be adversely affected by its failure to register or file in certain states
consistent with its expansion plans, or because compliance with applicable law
necessitates that the Company cease offering and selling franchises in certain
states until its franchise offering circular is updated, or because of its
inability to comply with existing or future franchise laws.
The Company also is subject to a number of state laws and regulations
that regulate certain substantive aspects of the franchisor-franchisee
relationship, including those governing the termination or nonrenewal of a
franchise agreement (such as requirements that "good cause" exist as a basis for
such termination and that a franchisee be given advance notice of, and a right
to cure, a default prior to termination), requirements that the franchisor deal
with its franchisees in good faith, prohibitions against interference with the
right of free association among franchisees and those regulating discrimination
among franchisees in charges, royalties or fees.
Compliance with federal and state franchise laws is costly and time
consuming, and no assurance can be given that the Company will not encounter
difficulties or delays in this area or that it will not require significant
capital for franchising activities.
EMPLOYEES
As of June 20, 1997, Video Update employed 3,333 persons, including
3,051 in Company-owned stores and 282 in the Company's corporate, administrative
and warehousing operations. Of the employees, approximately 546 were full-time
and 2,787 were part-time. The typical required staffing for a Video Update store
is 8 to 12 employees, including a store manager. Store managers are supervised
by district managers who in turn are supervised by regional managers. Regional
managers report directly to the Company's Vice President of Store Operations or
Chief Operations Officer. The Company believes that its employee relations are
satisfactory.
The Company has an incentive bonus plan under which store managers are
eligible for monthly bonuses. The performance of each manager is evaluated on a
variety of criteria, including store revenue, payroll, cash overages and
shortages and inventory control.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company leases substantially all of the sites (including buildings
and improvements) where its Company-owned video stores are located. The
occupancy expense for these sites for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and
1997 was approximately $1,426,000, $10,304,000 and $20,777,000, respectively.
These leases generally have a term of three to ten years and provide options to
renew for periods ranging from three to five additional years. The Company is
generally responsible for real estate taxes, insurance and utilities under all
leases. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company
expects that most future video superstores will also occupy leased premises. The
Company owns three locations for Company-owned superstores, one of which is
subject to a mortgage. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources."
The Company's franchisees enter into leases individually for their
respective superstore locations. These leases are on terms substantially similar
to the terms for Company-owned superstore leases. Generally, the Company does
not guarantee and is not a party to such leases.
The Company's corporate headquarters are located at 3100 World Trade
Center, 30 East Seventh Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 and consists of
approximately 14,500 square feet of office space. The Company's central
distribution facility is located at a different location in St. Paul, Minnesota
and consists of approximately 34,000 square feet. The Company's headquarters and
distribution facilities are leased pursuant to agreements that expire on October
31, 2001 and August 31, 2001, respectively. In addition, the Company maintains
other locations for the offices of district and regional managers and for
limited storage purposes. The Company expects that suitable additional space
will be available in the Twin Cities area, when needed, on commercially
reasonable terms.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In connection with the acquisition of the assets of Videoland, Inc.
("Videoland") in November 1995, the Company issued 239,163 shares of its Class A
Common Stock (the "Videoland Shares") to the sellers of the assets of Videoland
(the "Videoland Sellers"). With respect to the Videoland Shares, the Company
agreed to make a deficiency payment in October 1996 to the Videoland Sellers if
the gross proceeds received by such sellers from the sale of the Videoland
Shares during the six months from March 1996 through September 1996 is not equal
to the number of shares of Videoland Shares sold multiplied by $12.00. The
Videoland Sellers were subject to certain "lockup" or sale restrictions as a
condition to any deficiency payment. Although the Videoland Sellers have now
requested a deficiency payment of approximately $1,220,000 in October 1996 based
on a sale of all of the Videoland Shares, the Company believes that the
Videoland Sellers have violated the contractual lockup and sale restrictions.
Accordingly, the Company has initiated an action in federal district court in
Minnesota for a declaratory judgment that the Videoland Sellers are not entitled
to any deficiency payment. Although no assurances can be given as to the outcome
of such action, the Company intends to vigorously pursue the matter.
On January 24, 1997, Kieffer & Co., Inc., a sign manufacturer,
("Kieffer") commenced a breach of contract action (the "Wisconsin Action") in
Sheboygan County (Wisconsin) Circuit Court seeking damages in the amount of
approximately $317,000 plus costs and attorneys' fees against the Company. The
Wisconsin Action was removed by the Company to the District Court for the
Eastern District of Wisconsin where it is presently pending as Case No.
97-C-0151. The Company has filed counter claims and motions to stay or dismiss
the Wisconsin Action in favor of an action pending between the same parties on
the same dispute filed in Ramsey County (Minnesota) Circuit Court on January 23,
1997. That motion is in the process of briefing. Although no assurances can be
given as to the outcome of such action, the Company intends to vigorously pursue
the matter.
The Company has been notified of a potential claim by the
owner/landlord of a retail location previously occupied by the Company in Kent,
Washington for breach of a lease contract and back rent. The landlord has
advised the Company that it may seek in excess of $50,000 in damages. The
Company intends to vigorously defend this action. Although no assurance can be
given as to the outcome of such litigation, the Company does not believe that
the resolution of the matter will materially adversely impact the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
The Company submitted no matters to a vote of security holders during
the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended April 30, 1997.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED MATTERS.
From May 1, 1995 until May 7, 1995, the Company's Class A Common Stock
was traded on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market. From May 8, 1995 to date, the
Company's Class A Common Stock has traded on the NASDAQ National Market System
under the symbol "VUPDA." The Company's Class A Common Stock began trading on
NASDAQ on July 20, 1994. On April 30, 1997, the last bid price for the Class A
Common Stock as reported by NASDAQ was $4.125 per share.
For the period indicated, the following table sets forth the range of
high and low bid prices for the Class A Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ
National Market System.
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
HIGH LOW
---- ---
FISCAL 1996
Quarter ended July 31, 1995 $ 11 7/8 $ 4 1/4
Quarter ended October 31, 1995 13 7 1/4
Quarter ended January 31, 1996 10 6
Quarter ended April 30, 1996 8 3/8 5 1/2
FISCAL 1997
Quarter ended July 31, 1996 9 3/4 6 3/8
Quarter ended October 31, 1996 8 1/8 3 3/4
Quarter ended January 31, 1997 4 3/4 3 1/2
Quarter ended April 30, 1997 6 1/8 3 3/4
As of April 30, 1997, there were 121 stockholders of record of the
Company's Class A Common Stock.
During the fiscal year ended April 30, 1997, the Company did not pay
any dividends on its Common Stock and management does not anticipate the payment
of any dividends to its stockholders in the foreseeable future. The Company
currently intends to reinvest earnings, if any, in the development and expansion
of its business. The declaration of dividends in the future will be at the
discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon the earnings, capital
requirements and financial position of the Company, general economic conditions
and other pertinent factors, including covenants relating to bank indebtedness.
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996(1) 1997
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------- -------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues $ 3,884 $ 4,989 $ 9,051 $ 50,504 $ 91,799
Income from continuing operations $ 176 $ 301 $ 213 $ 1,628 $ 4,620
Income per share from continuing
operations, fully diluted $ .19 $ .33 $ .10 $ .14 $ .28
Weighted average shares(2) 904,000 904,000 2,226,000 11,229,000 16,271,000
OPERATING DATA:
Increase in same store sales(3) - 26 % 21 % 16 % 5 %
Number of stores open at end of period:
Company-owned 13 15 33 204 343
Franchised 30 31 22 25 30
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------- -------------
43 46 55 229 373
=========== =========== ============ ============= =============
Number of stores opened by the
Company during the period(4) 4 2 4 35 65
Number of stores acquired by the
Company during the period - - 14 136 74
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets $ 2,038 $ 3,489 $ 19,450 $ 79,518 $ 133,607
Notes payable $ 565 $ 1,568 $ 1,278 $ 4,859 $ 20,564
Total liabilities $ 1,469 $ 2,614 $ 4,279 $ 18,018 $ 42,615
Stockholders' equity $ 569 $ 875 $ 15,171 $ 61,500 $ 90,992
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company adopted a new
method of amortizing videocassette rental inventory. The effect of the
change for recognizing salvage value of base stock and the effect of
the application of the new method of amortizing videocassette copies in
excess of the base stock to May 1, 1995 had the impact, in total, of
increasing amortization expense by $2,773,000 and decreasing net income
by $1,604,000, or $.15 per share, in fiscal 1996. See Note 2 to Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
calculation of weighted average shares for fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997.
(3) The stores included in same store sales are Company-owned stores that
have been owned and operated by the Company for more than 12 months.
(4) The Company opened 71 new video superstores and closed 6 stores,
including stores closed related to acquisitions.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.
OVERVIEW
The Company franchised its first store in January 1983 and opened its
first Company-owned store in September 1989. By July 1994, when the Company
completed its initial public offering, the Company had grown to 15 Company-owned
stores and 30 franchised stores. Subsequently, the Company substantially
accelerated its growth and as of April 30, 1997, operates 224 acquired and 119
developed stores, net of closings, in 16 states and six provinces in Canada, and
has 30 franchised stores predominantly in the United States.
During fiscal 1997, the Company acquired, in 10 transactions, 74 video
retail stores. The acquired assets and liabilities related to all of these
acquisitions are recorded in the Company's balance sheet at their estimated fair
market value at the date of the acquisition. As a result of the 1997
acquisitions, the Company anticipates that its results of operations will be
reduced by an increase in amortization of goodwill of approximately $13,367,000
with an increase in anticipated quarterly non-cash charges of approximately
$167,000 (see "Significant Future Charges to Earnings Arising from Amortization
of Goodwill" in "Risks Associated with Acquisitions" of Item 7). The Company
anticipates that future acquisitions could involve the recording of additional
significant amounts of goodwill and deferred charges on its balance sheet.
The Company generates revenues primarily from the rental of
videocassettes and video games, from service fees from its franchisees, and from
the sale of products. As reflected in the chart below, rental revenues at Video
Update stores have accounted for the substantial majority of the Company's
revenues. The Company expects that this trend will continue.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
-------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
------------ ------------- ------------
(In thousands)
Revenues:
Rental revenue $ 8,364 $ 46,592 $ 83,489
Service fees 421 491 567
Product sales 266 3,421 7,743
------------ ------------- ------------
Total revenues $ 9,051 $ 50,504 $ 91,799
============ ============= ============
OPERATING RESULTS
The table below sets forth the percentage of revenues represented by
certain items included in the Company's statement of operations for the periods
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
--------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
------------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Rental revenue 92.4% 92.2% 91.0%
Service fees 4.7 1.0 0.6
Product sales 2.9 6.8 8.4
--------- --------- --------
Total revenues 100.0 100.0 100.0
Costs and expenses:
Store operating expenses 66.1 78.6 75.6
Selling, general and administrative 24.6 10.6 9.0
Cost of product sales 1.5 3.7 4.9
Amortization of goodwill 0.9 2.1 1.7
--------- --------- --------
Total cost and expenses 93.1 95.0 91.2
--------- --------- --------
Operating income 6.9 5.0 8.8
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (2.1) (0.5) (0.6)
Amortization of debt costs (1.7) - -
Other income 1.7 1.1 0.5
--------- --------- --------
Total other income (2.1) 0.6 (0.1)
--------- --------- --------
Income from continuing operations before
income taxes 4.8 5.6 8.7
Income tax expense 2.4 2.4 3.7
--------- --------- --------
Income from continuing operations 2.4 3.2 5.0
Loss from discontinued operations (0.7) - -
========= ========= ========
Net income 1.7% 3.2% 5.0%
========= ========= ========
</TABLE>
FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996.
RENTAL REVENUE. Rental revenue was approximately $83,489,000 and
$46,592,000, or 91.0% and 92.2% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The increase in rental revenue of $36,897,000 was derived
primarily from the 74 video stores acquired during the period, from the opening
of 71 new Company-owned stores during fiscal 1997, and from a 5.3% increase in
same store revenues.
SERVICE FEES. Service fees were approximately $567,000 and $491,000, or
.6% and 1.0% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Continuing service fees and royalties from franchisees accounted for 95% of
total service fees for fiscal 1997 and 1996. The decrease in service fees as a
percentage of total revenues was due to a significant increase in the number of
Company-owned stores without a corresponding increase in the number of franchise
stores.
PRODUCT SALES. Product sales were approximately $7,743,000 and
$3,421,000, or 8.4% and 6.8% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The increase in product sales of $4,322,000 was a result of
product sales by the video stores acquired during the period, the opening of 71
Company-owned video stores, and an increase in sales of inventory and fixtures
to franchisees. The increase in product sales as a percentage of total revenues
was a result of higher product sales as a percentage of total revenues by video
stores acquired during the period and increased sales of inventory and fixtures
to franchisees which have lower margins.
STORE OPERATING EXPENSES. Store operating expenses consist primarily of
compensation and related expenses, occupancy expenses, and depreciation and
amortization expenses. Operating expenses were approximately $69,366,000 and
$39,685,000, or 75.6% and 78.6% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The increase in store operating expenses of $29,681,000, was
primarily the result of the 74 video stores acquired during the period and the
opening of 71 Company-owned video stores during fiscal 1997. The decrease in
store operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues was primarily due to
improved control of compensation and related benefit expenses.
Compensation and related expenses were approximately $20,278,000 and
$12,601,000, or 22.1% and 25.0% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The increase of $7,677,000 was primarily due to the 74 video
stores acquired during the period and the opening of 71 Company-owned video
stores. The decrease as a percentage of total revenues was primarily due to
improved control of compensation and related benefit expenses at the stores.
Occupancy expenses were approximately $20,777,000 and $10,304,000, or
22.6% and 20.4% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
increase of $10,473,000, was primarily due to the 74 video stores acquired
during the period, the expansion of several stores in fiscal 1997 and the
opening of 71 Company-owned stores. The increase as a percentage of total
revenues was primarily due to two factors. The first was higher occupancy costs
associated with the video stores acquired during the period when compared to
Company-owned stores. In addition, new video stores experience higher costs as a
percentage of total revenues prior to revenue reaching maturity during the first
year of operations.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were approximately $23,074,000
and $13,894,000, or 25.1% and 27.5% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense reflects the depreciation of
store equipment and fixtures and the amortization of videocassettes. The
increase of $9,180,000 was primarily attributable to the addition of new release
videocassette inventory for new, existing, and acquired stores. Amortization
expense as a percentage of revenues for future periods may vary based on the
Company's purchase of videocassette inventory, which is subject to the Company's
rate of expansion, studio release schedules and anticipated market demand.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. Selling, general and
administrative expenses were approximately $8,231,000 and $5,362,000, or 9.0%
and 10.6% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increase
of approximately $2,869,000 was primarily due to adding management personnel and
administrative staff to support the Company's growth and related expenditures.
The decrease as a percentage of total revenues was due to the increases in total
revenues without a proportional increase in corporate overhead.
COST OF PRODUCT SALES. Cost of product sales was approximately
$4,544,000 and $1,880,000, or 4.9% and 3.7% of total revenues for fiscal 1997
and 1996, respectively. The cost of product sales as a percentage of total
product sales revenue was approximately 58.7% and 55.0% for fiscal 1997 and
1996, respectively. The increase in the cost of product sales as a percentage of
total product sales was primarily the result of a different mix of products sold
in video stores acquired which generally provided smaller margins.
AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL. Amortization of goodwill was approximately
$1,613,000 and $1,072,000, or 1.7% and 2.1% of total revenues for fiscal 1997
and 1996, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase
in goodwill associated with the Company's continuing acquisitions of video
stores in the current year and prior periods and the related amortization
thereof.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense was approximately $544,000 and
$232,000, or .6% and 0.5% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The increase of $312,000 was primarily attributable to interest on
borrowings under the Company's bank line of credit.
OTHER INCOME. Other income was approximately $461,000 and $548,000, or
.5% and 1.1% of total revenues for fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively. The
decrease of $87,000 was primarily due to less funds available for investment.
FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995.
RENTAL REVENUE. Rental revenue was approximately $46,592,000 and
$8,364,000, or 92.2% and 92.4% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The increase in rental revenue of $38,228,000 was derived from
video stores acquired during the period, from the opening of 35 new
Company-owned stores, and from a 16% increase in same store revenues.
SERVICE FEES. Service fees were approximately $491,000 and $421,000, or
1.0% and 4.7% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Continuing service fees and royalties from franchisees accounted for 95% and
100% of total service fees, respectively. The decrease in service fees as a
percentage of total revenues was due to a significant increase in the number of
Company-owned stores without a corresponding increase in the number of franchise
stores.
PRODUCT SALES. Product sales were approximately $3,421,000 and
$266,000, or 6.8% and 2.9% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The increase in product sales of $3,155,000 was a result of
product sales by the video stores acquired during the period, the opening of 35
Company-owned video stores, and sales of inventory and fixtures to franchisees.
The increase in product sales as a percentage of total revenues was a result of
higher product sales as a percentage of total revenues by video stores acquired
during the period and increased sales of inventory and fixtures to franchisees
which have lower margins.
STORE OPERATING EXPENSES. Store operating expenses consist primarily of
compensation and related expenses, occupancy expenses, and depreciation and
amortization expenses. Operating expenses were approximately $39,685,000 and
$5,986,000, or 78.6% and 66.1% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The increase in store operating expenses of $33,699,000, was
primarily the result of video stores acquired during the period, the opening of
35 Company-owned video stores, a change in accounting method for amortizing
videocassettes, and the expansion and relocation of video stores during fiscal
1996. The increase in store operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues
was primarily due to a change in accounting method for amortizing
videocassettes, additional regional expenses related to developing new markets,
higher initial expenses related to new store openings, and video stores acquired
during the period.
Compensation and related expenses were approximately $12,601,000 and
$1,922,000, or 25.0% and 21.2% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The increase of $10,679,000 was primarily due to video stores
acquired during the period and the opening of 35 Company-owned video stores. The
increase as a percentage of total revenues was primarily due to additional
regional management expenses related to developing new markets, higher initial
payroll costs associated with video stores acquired and higher initial payroll
costs associated with the opening of new Company-owned video stores.
Occupancy expenses were approximately $10,304,000 and $1,426,000, or
20.4% and 15.8% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
increase of $8,878,000, was primarily due to video stores acquired during the
period, the expansion of several stores in fiscal 1996 and the opening of 35
Company-owned stores. The increase as a percentage of total revenues was
primarily due to higher costs associated with the video stores acquired during
the period and higher costs as a percentage of total revenues associated with
the opening of new video stores prior to revenue reaching maturity during the
first year of operations.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were approximately $13,894,000
and $1,879,000, or 27.5% and 20.8% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense reflects the depreciation of
store equipment and fixtures and the amortization of videocassettes. The
increase of $12,015,000 was primarily attributable to the addition of new
release videocassette inventory for new, existing, and acquired stores and a
change in policy for amortization of videocassettes. Depreciation and
amortization expense would have been approximately $11,121,000 or 22% of total
revenues, had the accounting change in amortization of videocassettes not been
made. The effect of the change for recognizing salvage value of base stock and
the effect of the application of the new method of amortizing videocassette
copies in excess of the base stock to May 1, 1995, had the impact, in total, of
increasing amortization expense by $2,773,000 and decreasing income from
continuing operations and net income by $1,604,000 or $.15 per share, for fiscal
1996, after the effect of income taxes $1,169,000.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. Selling, general and
administrative expenses were approximately $5,362,000 and $2,223,000, or 10.6%
and 24.6% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase
of approximately $3,139,000 was primarily due to adding management personnel and
administrative staff to support the Company's growth and related expenditures.
The decrease as a percentage of total revenues was due to the increases in total
revenues without a proportional increase in corporate overhead.
COST OF PRODUCT SALES. Cost of product sales was approximately
$1,880,000 and $136,000, or 3.7% and 1.5% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and
1995, respectively. The cost of product sales as a percentage of total product
sales revenue was approximately 55.0% and 51.1% for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The increase in the cost of product sales as a percentage of total
product sales was primarily the result of a different mix of products sold in
video stores acquired during the period and the sale of inventory and fixtures
to franchisees which generally provide smaller margins.
AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL. Amortization of goodwill was approximately
$1,072,000 and $83,000, or 2.1% and 0.9% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and
1995, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in
goodwill associated with the continued acquisitions of video stores during
fiscal 1996.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense was approximately $232,000 and
$194,000, or 0.5% and 2.1% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995,
respectively. The increase of $38,000 was primarily attributable to interest on
debt incurred or assumed from the video stores acquired during the period and
interest on borrowings under the Company's bank line of credit.
OTHER INCOME. Other income was approximately $548,000 and $155,000, or
1.1% and 1.7% of total revenues for fiscal 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
increase of $393,000 was primarily due to interest earned on approximately
$7,200,000 of net proceeds from the April 7, 1995 public offering, interest
earned on approximately $28,414,000 of net proceeds from the exercise of the
Class A Warrants prior to their use for acquisitions and interest earned on
notes receivable from related parties.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company has funded its operations through cash from operations, the
proceeds of equity and debt offerings, borrowings under bank facilities, trade
credit and equipment leases. The Company's principal capital requirements are
for the acquisition of existing stores, the opening of new superstores, and the
purchase of videocassette rental inventory, each of which varies based on market
conditions and expansion plans.
At April 30, 1997, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $2,424,000. The Company uses an unclassified balance sheet in its
financial statements, and as a result, does not classify its assets or
liabilities as current or noncurrent. If the Company were to use a classified
balance sheet, a portion of videocassette rental inventories would be classified
as noncurrent because they are not assets that are reasonably expected to be
completely realized in cash or sold in one year. The acquisition cost of these
inventories, however, would be reflected in current liabilities. The Company
believes that classification of videocassette rental inventories as noncurrent
assets would be misleading because it would not indicate the level of assets
expected to be converted into cash in the next year as a result of rentals or
sales of these videocassettes.
For the year ended April 30, 1997, net cash provided by operating
activities was approximately $30,440,000. Net cash used in investment activities
was approximately $69,433,000, consisting primarily of approximately $21,340,000
for businesses acquired during the period, approximately $14,951,000 for new and
remodeled stores, and approximately $33,434,000 for the purchase of
videocassette inventory for existing and new stores, and for the conversion of
stores acquired during the period. Net cash generated from financing activities
was approximately $40,741,000.
In February 1997, a syndicate led by Bank of America Illinois extended
a $60 million revolving credit facility (the "Line of Credit") to the Company,
with amounts borrowed thereunder bearing interest at variable rates based on the
Federal Funds rate or the Eurodollar rate. The Line of Credit is convertible
into a two-year term loan if it is not renewed. As of April 30, 1997,
approximately $20,000,000 was outstanding under the Line of Credit, bearing
interest at 7.3% to 8.5%. During the term of the Line of Credit and thereafter
to the extent any amounts are outstanding under the Line of Credit, the Company
is subject to various restrictive covenants, including limitations on further
indebtedness, other than trade credit and capital or operating leases, and
requirements that the Company obtain written consent for certain acquisitions of
new businesses or their assets (excluding new superstore openings) or entering
into business combinations, including mergers, syndicates or joint ventures. The
Line of Credit also restricts the amount and terms of debt that may be issued to
sellers of acquired businesses and requires that the Company maintain certain
cash flow ratios as well as certain ratios of total liabilities to tangible net
worth.
During fiscal 1997, the Company acquired, in 10 transactions, 74 video
retail stores. The cost of conversion of acquired stores to the Company's
superstore design varies and, including stores completely remodeled, has ranged
from approximately $34,000 to $144,000 per store, which costs are primarily
related to the installation of the Company's POS system, interior and exterior
signage, and the addition of inventory.
In connection with three acquisitions in which the Company has issued
an aggregate of 594,506 shares of Class A Common Stock in fiscal 1996 and 1997,
the Company may be obligated to make deficiency payments to such sellers equal
to the difference between the guaranteed price of $7.00 to $15.00 for each share
issued, and the actual market price obtained for such shares as of specified
dates between July 1996 and October 1998. The remaining deficiency payments are
estimated to be approximately $2,462,000 based on the closing stock price of
$4.125 at April 30, 1997. The Company has the option of satisfying approximately
$1,220,000 of this liability (with respect to 239,163 shares) at April 30, 1997
through the issuance of additional shares of Class A Common Stock. The Company
is currently disputing whether any deficiency payment is due with respect to
those 239,163 shares which were issued to a seller in one of the acquisitions;
the seller is claiming a deficiency payment based on proceeds from the sale of
Class A Common Stock during the six month period of March 1996 to September
1996.
During October 1996, a cash deficiency payment was made with regard to
one acquisition in the amount of $87,135. During November 1996, a cash
deficiency payment was made with regard to one acquisition in the amount of
$88,547. Also, during November 1996, the Company satisfied a deficiency payment
of $77,951 with regard to one acquisition with 15,106 shares of Class A Common
Stock.
The Company has Recourse Notes from the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and from the President for approximately $1,928,000 and $1,071,000,
respectively, including accrued interest through April 30, 1997. The Recourse
Notes were issued by the executives upon their exercise in August 1995 of
420,000 options granted to them under the Stock Option Plans in May 1995 at an
exercise price of $4.3125, the fair market value of the stock on the date
options were granted. The Recourse Notes represent the total exercise price of
such options plus amounts advanced by the Company to such executives to satisfy
then anticipated tax liabilities. The Recourse Notes are evidenced by promissory
notes bearing interest at a rate of 8% per annum, with payment of principal and
interest due on October 4, 1999. In the event that the obligors sell shares of
the Company's stock, the net proceeds thereof will be applied to payment, in
part or in full, of the Recourse Notes.
In addition, as of April 30, 1997, the Company has a note receivable
from the President of the Company for approximately $31,000 which accrues
interest at 8% per annum and is due November 1997. The note represents advances
from the Company to the President from January 1994 to April 1994, together with
accrued interest.
To the extent that the Company pursues any future acquisitions, the
Company expects to finance such acquisitions from cash from operations and from
borrowings under credit facilities.
The Company generally does not offer lines of credit or guarantees for
the obligations of its franchisees, although on occasion, the Company has made
short term loans to current franchisees. The Company intends to evaluate the
possibility of providing loans or limited guarantees for certain franchisee
obligations, which in the aggregate are not expected to be material to the
Company's financial condition.
Substantially all Company-owned stores are in leased premises, except
for three stores that are located on premises owned by the Company. The Company
expects that most future stores will occupy leased premises.
The Company believes that cash from operations and borrowing
capabilities will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash requirements and
anticipated growth over the next twelve months.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a number of forward looking
statements. Any statements contained herein (including without limitation
statements to the effect that the Company or its management "believes",
"expects", "anticipates", "plans" and similar expressions) that are not
statements of historical fact should be considered forward looking statements.
There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's results
to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements.
These factors include, without limitation, the following:
EXPANSION
The Company's future success and continued growth will depend on its
ability to acquire, open and franchise new stores and to operate these stores
profitably. The Company grew rapidly during fiscal 1997 acquiring 74 video
stores in ten transactions. The Company intends to continue its expansion
through future acquisitions. The Company's expansion is dependent on a number of
factors, including its ability to hire, train, retain and assimilate competent
management and store-level employees, the adequacy of the Company's financial
resources and the Company's ability to identify new markets in which it can
successfully compete, to locate suitable superstore sites and negotiate
acceptable lease terms and to adapt its purchasing, management information and
other systems to accommodate expanded operations. In addition, the Company is
increasingly entering new markets in which it has no prior operating experience.
The Company's expansion is also dependent on the timely fulfillment by landlords
and others of their contractual obligations to the Company, the maintenance of
construction schedules and the speed at which local zoning and construction
permits can be obtained. No assurance can be given that the Company will be able
to achieve its planned expansion or that expansion will be profitable. The
Company's planned expansion, including growth through acquisitions, will place
increasing pressure on the Company's management controls. A failure to manage
successfully its planned expansion would adversely affect the Company's
business. No assurance can be given that the Company's new stores will achieve
sales and profitability comparable to the Company's existing stores.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS
GENERAL. No assurance can be given that the Company will successfully
identify suitable acquisition candidates, complete acquisitions, integrate
acquired operations into its existing operations or expand into new markets. No
assurance can be given that recent acquisitions or future acquisitions will not
have a material adverse effect upon the Company's operating results,
particularly in the fiscal quarters immediately following the consummation of
such transactions, while the operations of the acquired businesses are being
integrated into the Company's operations. Once integrated, acquired operations
may not achieve levels of revenues or profitability comparable to those achieved
by the Company's existing operations, or otherwise perform as expected.
LIMITED KNOWLEDGE AND OPERATING HISTORY. Notwithstanding its own due
diligence investigation, management has, and will have, limited knowledge about
the specific operating history, trends and customer buying patterns of the video
specialty stores acquired in its recent acquisitions or future acquisitions.
Consequently, no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to make
future acquisitions at favorable prices, that acquired stores will perform as
well as they had performed historically or that the Company will have sufficient
information to analyze accurately the markets in which it elects to make
acquisitions. Failure to pay reasonable prices for acquisitions or to acquire
profitable video specialty stores could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations.
INTEGRATION. Although the Company endeavors to integrate and assimilate
the operations of acquired stores in an effective and timely manner, no
assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in such integration
attempts or that the Company will be able to hire, train, retain and assimilate
selected individuals employed at acquired stores. Further, no assurance can be
given that the Company will successfully integrate its recent acquisitions or
any other future acquired businesses into the Company's purchasing, marketing
and management information systems.
COMPETITION FOR ACQUISITIONS. Certain of the Company's larger, better
capitalized competitors may seek to acquire some of the same video specialty
stores that the Company seeks to acquire. Such competition for acquisitions
would likely increase acquisition prices and related costs and result in fewer
attractive acquisition opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's growth.
SIGNIFICANT FUTURE CHARGES TO EARNINGS ARISING FROM AMORTIZATION OF
GOODWILL. At April 30, 1997, the Company had approximately $37,716,000 of
goodwill on its balance sheet that resulted primarily from the acquisition of
video rental stores, which will be amortized over 20 years. The Company expects
that its operating results for future quarters over the next 20 years will
reflect quarterly, non-cash charges of approximately $543,000 for amortization
of goodwill from these acquisitions. The Company also anticipates that future
acquisitions will involve the recording of a significant amount of goodwill on
its balance sheet, which will be amortized over varying periods of time of up to
20 years.
MISREPRESENTATIONS AND BREACHES BY SELLERS. In completing acquisitions,
the Company relies upon certain representations, warranties and indemnities made
by the sellers with respect to each acquisition, as well as its own due
diligence investigation. No assurance can be given that representations and
warranties in any purchase agreement are true and correct or that the Company's
due diligence uncovers all materially adverse facts relating to the operations
and financial condition of acquired businesses. To the extent that the Company
is required to pay for obligations of acquired businesses, or if material
misrepresentations exist, the Company's operating results could be materially
adversely affected.
COMPETITION
The video rental business is highly competitive. The Company competes
with other video retail stores, including other superstores, and with
supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, bookstores, mass merchants, mail
order operations, vending machines and other retailers, as well as with
noncommercial sources such as libraries. Some of the Company's competitors have
significantly greater financial and marketing resources, market share, and name
recognition than the Company. Many of the Company-owned and franchised stores
compete with stores operated by the Blockbuster Entertainment division of
Viacom, Inc. ("Blockbuster"), some of which are in very close proximity, which
could have an adverse impact on the Company's results of operations. The
Company's franchise operations also compete with numerous franchise operations
in many industries that have significantly greater financial and human resources
and more experience in selling franchises than does the Company. Potential
franchisees may believe that these franchisors may offer potential franchisees
greater opportunities for success than the Company.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES ON THE VIDEO RENTAL
BUSINESS
The Company also currently competes with pay-per-view cable television
systems. Recently developed digital compression technology combined with fiber
optics and other technology will eventually permit cable companies, direct
broadcast satellite companies and other telecommunications companies to transmit
a much greater selection of movies to homes at scheduled intervals throughout
the day. Ultimately, these technologies could lead to the availability of movies
to the consumer on demand. Certain cable and other telecommunications companies
have tested and are continuing to test movie on demand services in some markets.
Technological advances could have a material adverse effect on the business of
the Company.
CHANGES IN STUDIO DISTRIBUTION AND PRICING
Changes in the manner in which movies are marketed by the studios that
produce them, primarily related to an earlier release of movie titles to
alternative distribution channels, could substantially decrease the demand for
video rentals, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and results of operations. In addition, changes in the movie
studios' wholesale pricing structure for videos could result in a competitive
disadvantage for all video specialty stores, including those of the Company.
FINANCING GROWTH
Future expansion through acquisitions or new superstore openings will
require significant capital. To date, the Company has financed acquisitions and
superstore openings with cash from operations, the proceeds of prior equity and
debt offerings, borrowings under bank facilities, trade credit and equipment
leases. The Company currently intends to finance future acquisitions and new
superstore openings from cash from operations and from borrowings under credit
facilities. If such sources do not provide sufficient funds, the Company will be
unable to pursue its growth strategy, which would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's ability to increase its revenues and net income.
SEASONALITY AND OTHER FACTORS
The Company's business is somewhat seasonal, with revenues in April,
May, September and October generally lower than in other months of the year.
Future operating results may be affected by many factors, including variations
in the number and timing of store openings and acquisitions, weather
(particularly on weekends and holidays), the public acceptance of new release
titles available for rental, competition, marketing programs, special or unusual
events and other factors that may affect retailers in general. Revenues may be
reduced temporarily if viewers prefer to watch such events rather than rent
videocassettes. Also, any concentration of new superstore openings and the
related pre-opening costs in any particular fiscal quarter could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results for that quarter.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FRANCHISE OPERATIONS
Since its inception, the Company has sold franchises and generated
revenue from franchise fees, royalties and sales of initial inventory to
franchisees. No assurance can be given that the Company can continue to market
and sell its franchises, or operate its franchise program at profitable levels.
In addition, no assurance can be given that all franchisees will operate their
superstores in accordance with the Company's operating guidelines and in
compliance with all material provisions of the franchise agreement.
Additionally, the Company is subject to the Federal Trade Commission's Trade
Regulation Rule entitled "Disclosure Requirements and Prohibitions Concerning
Franchising and Business Opportunity Ventures" and state laws and regulations
that govern the offer and sale of franchises. If the Company is unable to comply
with applicable federal and state franchise sales laws or the regulations of any
state that regulates the offer and sales of franchises, the Company will be
unable to offer and sell franchises. No assurance can be given that the
Company's franchising program will not be adversely affected by its failure to
register or file in certain states.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company's future success depends to a significant extent on the
continued contributions of Daniel A. Potter, the Company's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and John M. Bedard, the Company's President. The loss of the
services of either of these officers could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. The Company's continued growth and profitability also depends on its
ability to attract, motivate, and retain other management personnel, including
qualified store managers. No assurance can be given that the Company will be
successful in attracting, motivating and retaining such personnel. The Company
has no employment agreements with its officers or key personnel other than with
Messrs. Potter and Bedard.
CHARGE TO INCOME IN THE EVENT OF RELEASE OF ESCROW SHARES
The 1,300,000 shares of the Company's Class B Common Stock placed into
escrow (the "Escrow Shares") by the Company's Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chief Operating Officer in connection with the Company's initial public
offering will be released upon the achievement by the Company of certain
earnings goals or if the Class A Common Stock reaches certain price goals. The
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") has adopted a position
with respect to arrangements such as the Escrow Agreement. This position
provides that in the event any shares are released from escrow to the
stockholders of the Company who are officers, directors, consultants or
employees of the Company, a non-cash compensation expense will be recorded for
financial reporting purposes. Therefore, if the Company attains any of the
earnings thresholds or the Company's Class A Common Stock meets certain minimum
bid prices required for the release of the Escrow Shares, the release will
require the Company to recognize additional compensation expense. Accordingly,
the Company will, in the event of the release of the Escrow Shares, recognize
during the period in which the earnings thresholds are met or such minimum bid
prices obtained, what could be a substantial non-cash charge that would have the
effect of substantially reducing or eliminating earnings, if any, at such time.
Although the amount of compensation expense recognized by the Company will not
affect the Company's total stockholders' equity or cash flow, it may have a
depressive effect on the market price of the Company's securities.
ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS; DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER AND BYLAW
PROVISIONS; PREFERRED STOCK
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as
Delaware corporate law, contain certain provisions that could have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and could
adversely affect the prevailing market price of the Class A Common Stock.
Certain of such provisions impose various procedural and other requirements that
could make it more difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporate
actions. Other provisions allow the Company to issue, without stockholder
approval, preferred stock having rights senior to those of the Class A Common
Stock. The Company is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), none of which is
currently outstanding. The Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series,
the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by the Board of
Directors, without further action by stockholders, and may include voting rights
(including the right to vote as a series on particular matters), preferences as
to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemption rights and sinking fund
provisions. The issuance of any Preferred Stock could adversely affect the
rights of the holders of Class A Common Stock, and therefore reduce the value of
the Class A Common Stock. In particular, specific rights granted to future
holders of Preferred Stock could be used to restrict the Company's ability to
merge with or sell its assets to a third party, thereby preserving control of
the Company by its then owners.
INFLATION
To date, inflation has not had a material effect on the Company's
business. The Company anticipates that its business will be affected by general
economic trends. Although the Company has not operated during a period of high
inflation, it believes that it would generally be able to pass increased costs
resulting from inflation on to customers.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The following financial statements are filed as part of this report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Auditors F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 1996 and 1997 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997 F-4
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997 F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
</TABLE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH
SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
The Company intends to file a Definitive Proxy Statement within 120
days of the completion of the Company's fiscal year ended April 30, 1997. The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Proxy
Statement.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The Company intends to file a Definitive Proxy Statement within 120
days of the completion of the Company's fiscal year ended April 30, 1997. The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Proxy
Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
The Company intends to file a Definitive Proxy Statement within 120
days of the completion of the Company's fiscal year ended April 30, 1997. The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Proxy
Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The Company intends to file a Definitive Proxy Statement within 120
days of the completion of the Company's fiscal year ended April 30, 1997. The
information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the Proxy
Statement.
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
a. Listed below are all financial statements, notes, schedules and exhibits
filed as a part of this report:
1. Financial Statements.
All financial statements of the Registrant as set forth under
Item 8 of this Report.
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
No schedules have been included since they are either not applicable or
the information is included elsewhere herein.
3. Exhibits:
(a) The following exhibits are filed herewith:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
27 Financial Data Schedule.
(b) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 7, 1997, and is
incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2 Purchase Agreement by and among Video Update
Canada Inc., Hill and Cassidy Retail Corp.,
Byron Hill, Patricia Hill and Mel Cassidy,
dated as of April 1, 1997.
(c) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 4, 1997, and are
incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2a Purchase Agreement by and among Video Update,
Inc., Cox Video Corporation, and Robert W.
Cox, dated as of February 28, 1997.
2b Purchase Agreement by and among Video Update,
Inc., Susan Janae Kingston, and Larry
Peterman, dated as of March 17, 1997.
(d) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 14, 1997, and
is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
10 Credit Agreement entered into as of February
11, 1997, among Video Update, Inc., Video
Update Canada Inc., various financial
institutions as lenders, Bank of America
Illinois, as a U.S. Agent, and Bank of America
Canada, as Canadian Agent.
(e) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 29, 1997, and
are incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2 Purchase Agreement by and among Video Update,
Inc., Video Warehouse, Inc., and Donald and
Katherine Cianci, dated as of January 15,
1997.
(f) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 10, 1997, and
is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2 Purchase Agreement by and among Video Update
Canada Inc., Video View Ltd., and Gordon and
Joanne Hillman, dated as of January 1, 1997.
3 Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
(g) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to its Form S-3 Registration Statement filed with
the Commission on September 27, 1996, and is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
1* Form of Purchase Agreement by and between the
Company, Piper Jaffray Inc. and The Robinson
Humphrey Company, Inc.
* Replaced and superseded a corresponding exhibit
previously filed with the Commission.
(h) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 1996, and
are incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
10a 1996 Stock Option Plan
10b Form of Franchise Offering Circular
(i) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1996, and are
incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
18 Letter on Change in Accounting Principles
21 List of Subsidiaries
(j) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on March 14, 1996, and are
incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
3 Bylaws, as amended.
10a Restated Employment Agreement between the
Company and Daniel A. Potter, effective as of
February 1, 1996.
10b Restated Employment Agreement between the
Company and John M. Bedard, effective as of
February 1, 1996.
(k) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the Commission on January 26, 1996, and
is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2 Purchase Agreement by and between the Company,
Videoland, Inc. and the Stockholder of
Videoland, Inc., dated as of November 14,
1995.
(l) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 13, 1995, and
are incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2a Purchase Agreement by and among the Company,
94 Video West, Inc. and Michael Bennett and
Paul Levens, dated as of October 2, 1995.
2b Purchase Agreement by and between the Company,
Talerico Enterprises, Inc. ("TEI") and the
stockholder of TEI, dated as of October 5,
1995.
(m) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on September 27, 1995, and
is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2 Purchase Agreement by and between the Company
and the Stockholders of Indy Video, Inc.,
dated as of September 26, 1995.
(n) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on August 30, 1995, and
are incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2a Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among
the Company, Wilderness Video Group Ltd.,
Richard Walton, the Walton Family Trust,
Alexsay Holdings Ltd., Barclays Bank of
Canada, Allstate Life Insurance Company of
Canada, and Ontario Municipal Employees
Retirement Board, dated as of August 22, 1995.
2b Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and
between the Company and Glenn Forth, dated
August 23, 1995.
2c Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and
between the Company and Sieg Badke, dated
August 23, 1995.
2d Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among
the Company, 443972 B.C. Ltd., Dale Mounzer
and Jim Collen, dated August 22, 1995.
(o) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on July 26, 1995, and is
incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2 Purchase Agreement by and between the Company
and the Stockholders of AV Video, dated as of
July 14, 1995.
(p) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on June 29, 1995, and is
incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2 Purchase Agreement by and between the Company
and the Proprietors of Video Powerstore, dated
as of June 2, 1995.
(q) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to its Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No.
33-89018) originally filed with the Commission on March 31, 1995, and are
incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
4a Form of Unit Purchase Option.
10a Form of Merger and Acquisition Agreement
between the Company and D.H. Blair Investment
Banking Corp.
10b Form of Amendment to Warrant Agreement dated
July 20, 1994 between the Company, American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company and D.H. Blair
Investment Banking Corp.
(r) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended January 31, 1995, filed
with the Commission on March 17, 1995, and is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2a Second Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger by and among the Company, Schmidt &
Schmidt Limited ("SSL"), and the Stockholders
of SSL, dated February 28, 1995.
(s) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on February 16, 1995, and
is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
10a Stock Exchange Agreement by and between the
Company and certain stockholders of Tinseltown
Video, Inc.
(t) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-89018) filed with the Commission on
January 31, 1995, and is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
10a Formula Stock Option Plan.
(u) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended October 31, 1994, filed
with the Commission on December 15, 1994, and is incorporated herein by
reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2b Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the
Company, Jarzig Enterprises, Inc., and the
Stockholders of Jarzig Enterprises, Inc.,
dated October 25, 1994.
(v) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 3, 1994, and
are incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2a Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the
Company, Schmidt & Schmidt Limited, and the
Stockholders of Schmidt & Schmidt Limited,
dated September 16, 1994.
2b Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the
Company, Halgrimson Enterprises, Inc., and the
Stockholders of Halgrimson Enterprises, Inc.,
dated September 16, 1994.
(w) The following exhibit was filed as part of the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended July 31, 1994, filed with
the Commission on September 10, 1994, and is incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
2 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the
Company, Koonrod, Inc. and the Stockholders of
Koonrod, Inc., dated September 2, 1994.
(x) The following exhibits were filed as part of the Company's
Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 33-79292-C) declared effective by the
Commission on July 20, 1994, and are incorporated herein by reference:
EXHIBIT
NO. TITLE
-------- -----
4a Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate.
4b Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate.
4c Form of Warrant Agreement, including Form of
Class A and Class B Warrant Certificates.
4d Form of Unit Purchase Option of D.H. Blair
Investment Banking Corp.
4e Form of Escrow Agreement between certain
Stockholders of the Company, the Company and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
10d Form of Franchise Agreement between the
Company and Franchisees.
10f Form of Consulting Agreement between the
Company and D.H. Blair Investment Banking
Corp.
10aa Form of Agency Agreement between the Company
and D.H. Blair Investment Banking Corp.
10bb 1994 Stock Option Plan.
b. Listed below are all Current Reports or amendments on Form 8-K that have been
filed during the last quarter of the period covered by this report, listing the
items reported, any financial statements filed, and the dates of such reports.
1. Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed June 12, 1997, amending the
Company's Form 8-K filed on April 17, 1997 and containing the
following financial statements:
(a) The audited financial statements for Hill
and Cassidy Retail Corp. for the year ended
November 30, 1996.
(b) The pro forma financial information for the
Company for the year ended April 30, 1996
and for the nine months ended January 31,
1997.
2. Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 7, 1997, reporting the
Purchase Agreement by and among Video Update Canada Inc., Hill
and Cassidy Retail Corp., Byron Hill, Patricia Hill and Mel
Cassidy, dated as of April 1, 1997, and the issuance of
securities pursuant to Regulation S relating thereto.
3. Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 4, 1997, reporting the
following events:
(a) Purchase Agreement by and among Video
Update, Inc., Cox Video Corporation, and
Robert W. Cox, dated as of February 28,
1997.
(b) Purchase Agreement by and among Video
Update, Inc., Susan Janae Kingston, and
Larry Peterman, dated as of March 17, 1997.
(c) Election of Bernard R. Patriacca as a
Director.
4. Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed March 6, 1997, amending the
Company's Form 8-K filed January 10, 1997 and containing the
following financial statements:
(a) The audited financial statements for Video
View Group for the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1996.
(b) The pro forma financial information for the
Company for the year ended April 30, 1996
and for the six months ended October 31,
1996.
5. Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 14, 1997, reporting
the Credit Agreement entered into as of February 11, 1997,
among Video Update, Inc., Video Update Canada Inc., various
financial institutions as lenders, Bank of America Illinois,
as U.S. Agent, and Bank of America Canada, as Canadian Agent.
For the purpose of complying with the rules governing Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant hereby undertakes as
follows, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference into registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 No. 33-96024 (filed August 17, 1995).
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of the appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
Date: July 1, 1997 By: /s/ Daniel A. Potter
------------------------------------
Daniel A. Potter
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME CAPACITY DATE
---- -------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Daniel A. Potter Chairman and Chief Executive Officer July 1, 1997
- ----------------------------- (Principal executive officer)
Daniel A. Potter
/s/ John M. Bedard President and Director July 1, 1997
- -----------------------------
John M. Bedard
/s/ Daniel C. Howard Chief Operations Officer and Director July 1, 1997
- -----------------------------
Daniel C. Howard
/s/ Christopher J. Gondeck Chief Financial Officer (Principal financial and July 1, 1997
- ----------------------------- accounting officer)
Christopher J. Gondeck
/s/ Robert E. Yager Vice President of Store Operations and Director July 1, 1997
- -----------------------------
Robert E. Yager
/s/ Jana Webster Vaughn Director July 1, 1997
- -----------------------------
Jana Webster Vaughn
/s/ Paul Kelnberger Director July 1, 1997
- -----------------------------
Paul Kelnberger
/s/ Bernard Patriacca Director July 1, 1997
- ----------------------------
Bernard Patriacca
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Auditors F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 1996 and 1997 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997 F-4
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997 F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
</TABLE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
Video Update, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Video
Update, Inc. and subsidiaries as of April 30, 1996 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended April 30, 1997. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of Video Update, Inc. at
April 30, 1996 and 1997, and the consolidated results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 1997 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, in
1996 the Company changed its method of accounting for the amortization of its
videocassette rental inventory.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 26, 1997
F-2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
April 30, April 30,
1996 1997
--------- ---------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents $ 676 $ 2,424
Accounts receivable 558 3,776
Notes receivable from related parties 1,555 1,394
Inventory 4,545 7,318
Videocassette rental inventory -- net 25,701 45,479
Property and equipment -- net 18,988 33,069
Prepaid expenses 682 783
Goodwill -- net 25,973 37,716
Other assets 840 1,648
--------- ---------
Total assets $ 79,518 $ 133,607
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable $ 4,859 $ 20,564
Accounts payable 8,692 12,196
Accrued expenses 977 2,415
Accrued rent 722 2,238
Accrued compensation 1,334 1,779
Income taxes payable 593 1,096
Deferred income taxes 841 2,327
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share:
Authorized shares -- 5,000,000
Issued shares -- none -- --
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share:
Authorized shares -- 60,000,000
Issued and outstanding shares -- 11,017,735 at April 30,
1996 and 18,170,341 at April 30, 1997 110 182
Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share:
Authorized, issued and outstanding shares --
2,000,000 at April 30, 1996 and 1997 20 20
Additional paid-in capital 61,029 86,085
Retained earnings 2,186 6,806
Foreign currency translation (34) (421)
--------- ---------
63,311 92,672
Notes receivable from officers for the exercise of options (1,811) (1,680)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity 61,500 90,992
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 79,518 $ 133,607
========= =========
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
F-3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
-------- -------- --------
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Rental revenue $ 8,364 $ 46,592 $ 83,489
Service fees 421 491 567
Product sales 266 3,421 7,743
-------- -------- --------
9,051 50,504 91,799
Costs and expenses:
Store operating expenses 5,986 39,685 69,366
Selling, general and administrative 2,223 5,362 8,231
Cost of product sales 136 1,880 4,544
Amortization of goodwill 83 1,072 1,613
-------- -------- --------
8,428 47,999 83,754
-------- -------- --------
Operating income 623 2,505 8,045
Interest expense (194) (232) (544)
Amortization of debt costs (157) -- --
Other income 155 548 461
-------- -------- --------
(196) 316 (83)
-------- -------- --------
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 427 2,821 7,962
Income tax expense 214 1,193 3,342
-------- -------- --------
Income from continuing operations 213 1,628 4,620
Discontinued operations:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of applicable
income tax benefit (24) -- --
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of
applicable income tax benefit (35) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Loss from discontinued operations (59) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net income $ 154 $ 1,628 $ 4,620
======== ======== ========
Primary income (loss) per share:
Income from continuing operations $ .10 $ .15 $ .28
Discontinued operations (.03) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net income $ .07 $ .15 $ .28
======== ======== ========
Fully diluted income (loss) per share:
Income from continuing operations $ .10 $ .14 $ .28
Discontinued operations (.03) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net income $ .07 $ .14 $ .28
======== ======== ========
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
F-4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except shares)
Additional
Class A Comon Stock Class B Common Stock Paid-in Capital
------------------------ ------------------------- ---------------
Number of Number of
Shares Amount Shares Amount Amount
---------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at April 30, 1994 - $ - 2,000,000 $ 20 $ 451
Issuance of shares in connection
with the Initial Public Offering
net of registration expenses 1,351,250 13 - - 5,280
Issuance of shares in connection with
the Company's acquisitions 481,616 5 - - 2,643
Issuance of shares in connection
with the Subsequent Public Offering
net of registration expenses 2,305,500 23 - - 6,178
-
Net income - - - - -
---------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Balance at April 30, 1995 4,138,366 41 2,000,000 20 14,552
Issuance of shares in connection with
the overallotment option related to the
Subsequent Public Offering 345,970 3 - - 989
Issuance of shares in connection with
the Company's acquisitions 1,603,444 17 - - 14,746
Issuance of shares in connection with
the redemption of the Class A Warrants 4,502,105 45 - - 28,369
Issuance of shares related to employee
stock options exercised 427,850 4 - - 1,842
Notes issued by the officers for the
exercise of stock options - - - - -
Tax benefit resulting from the exercise
of non-qualified stock options - - - - 531
Foreign currency translation - - - - -
Net income - - - - -
---------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Balance at April 30, 1996 11,017,735 110 2,000,000 20 61,029
Payment on notes issued by officers for
exercise of options - - - - -
Issuance of shares in connection
with the Subsequent Public Offering
net of registration expenses 7,015,000 70 - - 24,962
Issuance of shares in connection with
the Company's acquisitions 136,606 2 - - 90
Issuance of shares related to employee
stock options exercised 1,000 - - - 4
Foreign currency translation - - - - -
Net income - - - - -
---------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
Balance at April 30, 1997 18,170,341 $ 182 2,000,000 $ 20 $ 86,085
========== ========= ========== ========= ==========
</TABLE>
[WIDE TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Retained Foreign Currency Officers' Notes
Earnings Translation Receivable
--------- ---------------- ---------------
Amount Amount Amount Total
--------- --------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at April 30, 1994 $ 404 $ - $ - $ 875
Issuance of shares in connection
with the Initial Public Offering
net of registration expenses - - - 5,293
Issuance of shares in connection with
the Company's acquisitions - - - 2,648
Issuance of shares in connection
with the Subsequent Public Offering
net of registration expenses - - - 6,201
Net income 154 - - 154
--------- --------- ---------- -----------
Balance at April 30, 1995 558 - - 15,171
Issuance of shares in connection with
the overallotment option related to the
Subsequent Public Offering - - - 992
Issuance of shares in connection with
the Company's acquisitions - - - 14,763
Issuance of shares in connection with
the redemption of the Class A Warrants - - - 28,414
Issuance of shares related to employee
stock options exercised - - - 1,846
Notes issued by the officers for the
exercise of stock options - - (1,811) (1,811)
Tax benefit resulting from the exercise
of non-qualified stock options - - - 531
Foreign currency translation - (34) - (34)
Net income 1,628 - - 1,628
--------- --------- ---------- -----------
Balance at April 30, 1996 2,186 (34) (1,811) 61,500
Payment on notes issued by officers for
exercise of options - - 131 131
Issuance of shares in connection
with the Subsequent Public Offering
net of registration expenses - - - 25,032
Issuance of shares in connection with
the Company's acquisitions - - - 92
Issuance of shares related to employee
stock options exercised - - - 4
Foreign currency translation - (387) - (387)
Net income 4,620 - - 4,620
--------- --------- ---------- -----------
Balance at April 30, 1997 $ 6,806 $ (421) $ (1,680) $ 90,992
========= ========= ========== ===========
</TABLE>
F-5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
-------- -------- --------
(In thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net income $ 154 $ 1,628 $ 4,620
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,212 15,241 25,702
Accrued rent 129 472 1,516
Deferred income taxes 406 31 1,486
Provision for discontinued operations 35 -- --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable 25 (385) (3,332)
Inventory (946) (2,563) (2,772)
Other assets 8 (801) (1,270)
Accounts payable 92 5,921 3,504
Income taxes payable (240) 1,130 503
Other liabilities 317 (1,319) 483
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities 2,192 19,355 30,440
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of videocassette rental inventory (3,752) (22,739) (33,434)
Purchase of property and equipment (2,901) (12,301) (14,951)
Investment in businesses, net of cash acquired (708) (17,391) (21,340)
Notes receivable from officers -- (1,252) --
Payments on notes receivable from officers -- (272) 292
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities (7,361) (53,955) (69,433)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from notes payable 2,171 4,100 26,326
Payments on notes payable (2,974) (3,838) (10,621)
Proceeds from exercise of employee options -- 35 4
Proceeds from exercise of Class A warrants -- 28,414 --
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 11,494 992 25,032
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities 10,691 29,703 40,741
-------- -------- --------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 5,522 (4,897) 1,748
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning year 51 5,573 676
======== ======== ========
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 5,573 $ 676 $ 2,424
======== ======== ========
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
F-6
VIDEO UPDATE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 30, 1997
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF BUSINESS
Video Update, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") own and operate
retail video stores and sell and support retail video franchises. Company-owned
stores are located in the United States and Canada with franchises located
principally in the United States.
CONSOLIDATION
The accompanying financial statements present the consolidated
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. All
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes. The most significant estimates and
assumptions relate to the amortization methods and useful lives of videocassette
rental inventory and goodwill. These estimates and assumptions could change and
actual results could differ from these estimates.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Company utilizes an unclassified balance sheet presentation. This
format was adopted on the basis that the videocassette rental inventory
represents assets used by the Company to generate current operating income, and
management believes that to classify all of these costs as noncurrent would be
misleading to the readers of the financial statements because it would not
indicate the level of assets expected to be converted into cash in the next year
as a result of the rentals of the videocassettes.
SERVICE FEES
The Company receives continuing monthly royalty and other fee revenue
from its franchisees based on a percentage of the franchisees' gross monthly
revenue. Royalty fee and other fee revenues will continue for the initial terms
of the franchise agreements, after which the revenues will be based upon renewed
franchise agreements. Origination franchise fees collected are deferred and not
recorded as revenue in the statement of income until the franchisee has executed
a lease or a letter of intent of a franchised store location.
CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining
maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
INVENTORY
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory consists
of videocassettes held as base stock for the opening of new stores,
videocassettes held for sale and supplies available for sale to franchisees.
F-7
VIDEOCASSETTE RENTAL INVENTORY
Videocassette rental inventory is stated at cost, and is amortized over
the estimated economic life as follows:
Number of Copies
of Title Per Store Amortization Policy
------------------ -------------------
One through three Straight-line over 36 months to
a salvage value of $6.00 per
videocassette.
Four through nine Straight-line over 6 months to
a book value of $6.00 and then
straight-line over 30 months.
Ten and over Straight-line over 6 months
to a book value of $6.00 and then
straight-line over 3 months.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Furniture and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the asset of five to
ten years. Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the lease term.
GOODWILL
Goodwill, consisting principally of excess cost over net assets from
the acquisitions of businesses, is net of accumulated amortization of
approximately $1,155,000 and $2,768,000 at April 30, 1996 and 1997,
respectively, and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over twenty years.
If facts and circumstances suggest that the goodwill will not be recoverable, as
determined based on the undiscounted cash flows of the assets acquired over the
remaining amortization period, the Company's carrying value of goodwill will be
reduced by the estimated shortfalls of cash flows.
INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes utilizing the liability method.
Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences of
differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of assets and
liabilities.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company implemented the disclosure provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation", in fiscal 1997. SFAS 123 was issued by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board in October 1995, and allows companies to choose whether to
account for stock-based compensation under the current method as prescribed in
Accounting Principles Board Opinion Number 25 (APB 25) or use the fair value
method described in SFAS 123. The Company plans to continue to follow the
accounting measurement provisions of APB 25.
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The Company has adopted SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of", effective May 1,
1996. SFAS 121 prescribes the accounting treatment for long-lived assets,
identifiable intangibles and goodwill related to those assets when there are
indications that the carrying values of those assets may not be recoverable. In
performing such review for recoverability, the Company compares the expected
future cash flows to the carrying value of long-lived assets and identifiable
intangibles. If the anticipated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the
carrying amount of such assets, the Company's carrying amount will be reduced to
its estimated fair value.
F-8
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
At April 30, 1996 and 1997, the carrying value of financial instruments
such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and notes payable
approximated their fair values.
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Net income per share is computed by dividing net income for the year by
the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock
equivalents, if dilutive, outstanding during the year. The weighted average
number of shares used in the net income per share calculation was reduced by the
common shares placed in escrow in connection with the Company's initial public
offering.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
-------- -------- --------
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net income $ 154 $ 1,628 $ 4,620
======== ======== ========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Class A common shares outstanding at year end 4,138 11,018 18,170
Class B common shares outstanding at year end 2,000 2,000 2,000
Less: Class B common shares placed in escrow in
connection with the initial public offering (1,300) (1,300) (1,300)
Effect of using weighted average common shares
outstanding (2,612) (2,046) (2,985)
Effect of shares issuable under stock options and
warrants based on the treasury stock method -- 991 377
-------- -------- --------
Shares used in computing earnings per share 2,226 10,663 16,262
======== ======== ========
Net income per common and common equivalent
share, primary $ .07 $ .15 $ .28
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
F-9
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
-------- -------- --------
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
Net income $ 154 $ 1,628 $ 4,620
======== ======== ========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Class A common shares outstanding at year end 4,138 11,018 18,170
Class B common shares outstanding at year end 2,000 2,000 2,000
Less: Class B common shares placed in escrow in
connectionion with the initial public offering (1,300) (1,300) (1,300)
Effect of using weighted average common shares
outstanding (2,612) (2,046) (2,985)
Effect of shares issuable under stock options and
warrants based on the treasury stock method -- 1,557 386
-------- -------- --------
Shares used in computing earnings per share 2,226 11,229 16,271
======== ======== ========
Net income per common and common equivalent
share, fully diluted $ .07 $ .14 $ .28
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which is required to be adopted on
April 30, 1998. At that time, the Company will be required to change the method
currently used to compute earnings per share and to restate all prior periods.
Under the new requirements for calculating primary earnings per share, the
dilutive effect of stock options will be excluded. The impact is expected to
result in an increase in primary earnings per share for the fiscal years ended
April 30, 1996 and 1997 of $.02 and $.01 per share, respectively. The impact of
SFAS 128 on the calculation of fully diluted earnings per share is not expected
to be material.
F-10
RECLASSIFICATION
Certain prior year items have been reclassified to conform with the
1997 presentation.
2. CHANGE IN AMORTIZATION METHOD FOR VIDEOCASSETTE RENTAL INVENTORY
Effective February 1, 1996, videocassettes that are considered base
stock (including copies one through three of new releases) are amortized over 36
months on a straight-line basis to a salvage value of $6.00 per videocassette.
New release videocassettes are amortized as follows: the fourth through ninth
copies of each title per store are amortized on a straight-line basis during
their first six months to a net book value of $6.00 and then on a straight-line
basis over 30 months with no salvage value; and the tenth and any succeeding
copies of each title per store are amortized on a straight-line basis during
their first six months to a net book value of $6.00 and then on a straight-line
basis over three months with no salvage value. The changes, which represent in
part a change in accounting principle and a change in accounting estimate, have
been reflected in the accompanying financial statements in total as a change in
an estimate in fiscal 1996.
Prior to February 1, 1996, base stock videocassettes were amortized
over 36 months on a straight-line basis with no salvage value. Prior to May 1,
1995, new release videocassettes were amortized as follows: copies one through
three of each title per store were amortized as base stock; the fourth through
ninth copies of each title per store were amortized 40% in the first year and
30% in each of the second and third years; and the tenth and any succeeding
copies of each title per store were amortized over nine months on a
straight-line basis.
The new method of amortization was adopted because the Company believes
accelerating expense recognition for new release videocassettes (copies four and
greater) during the first six months more closely matches the typically higher
revenue generated following a title's release, and believes that $6.00
represents a reasonable salvage value for base stock videocassettes after 36
months.
The effect of the change for recognizing salvage value of base stock
and the retroactive application of the new method of amortizing videocassette
copies in excess of the base stock to May 1, 1995, had the impact, in total, of
increasing amortization expense by $2,773,000 and decreasing income from
continuing operations, and net income by $1,604,000, or $0.15 per share, for
fiscal 1996, after the effect of income taxes of $1,169,000.
3. VIDEOCASSETTE RENTAL INVENTORY - NET
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
APRIL 30,
------------------------------
1996 1997
----------- -----------
(In thousands)
Videocassette rental inventory $ 41,759 $ 81,618
Accumulated amortization (16,058) (36,139)
----------- -----------
$ 25,701 $ 45,479
=========== ===========
Amortization expense for videocassette rental inventory, which is
included in store operating expenses, was $1,643,000, $12,532,000 and
$20,317,000 for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
APRIL 30,
------------------------------
1996 1997
----------- -----------
(In thousands)
Land $ 473 $ 473
Buildings 1,300 1,403
Furniture and equipment 12,218 22,385
Leasehold improvements 7,332 14,369
Accumulated depreciation (2,335) (5,561)
----------- -----------
$ 18,988 $ 33,069
=========== ===========
Depreciation expense was $299,000, $1,607,000 and $3,307,000 for the
years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
F-11
5. NOTES PAYABLE
The notes payable balance consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
---------------------------
1996 1997
--------- ---------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Revolving credit facility with a bank;
quarterly payments of interest at the Federal Funds
rate plus 1/2% or the Eurodollar rate plus 1.75% (8.5%
and 7.56% at April 30, 1997, respectively) maturing in
February 1998 and secured by all assets of the Company. $4,100 $20,000
Note payable, in monthly installments of $6,161 until
December 2004, with a balloon payment of approximately
294,000, interest at the United States government
treasury securities rate plus 4.5% (9.97% at April 30,
1997). The note is secured by a mortgage and specific
assets of the Company. 548 529
Note payable in monthly installments of $14,329 which
includes interest at 7.5% until December 1996. 111 -
Other notes payable with monthly installments ranging
from $325 to $2,105 with interest rates of 9.25% to 11%
maturing on various dates from December 1997 to May 1999. 100 35
--------- ---------
$ 4,859 $ 20,564
========= =========
</TABLE>
In February 1997, a syndicate led by Bank of America Illinois extended
a $60 million revolving credit facility (the "Line of Credit") to the Company,
with amounts borrowed thereunder bearing interest at variable rates based on the
Federal Funds rate or the Eurodollar rate. This facility replaced the $10
million credit line previously extended solely by Bank of America Illinois. The
Line of Credit is convertible into a two-year term loan if it is not renewed. As
of April 30, 1997, approximately $20,000,000 was outstanding under the Line of
Credit, bearing interest at 7.3% to 8.5%. During the term of the Line of Credit
and thereafter to the extent any amounts are outstanding under the Line of
Credit, the Company is subject to various restrictive covenants, including
limitations on further indebtedness, other than trade credit and capital or
operating leases, and requirements that the Company obtain written consent for
certain acquisitions of new businesses or their assets (excluding new superstore
openings) or entering into business combinations, including mergers, syndicates
or joint ventures. The Line of Credit also restricts the amount and terms of
dividends, debt that may be issued to sellers of acquired businesses and
requires that the Company maintain certain cash flow ratios as well as certain
ratios of total liabilities to tangible net worth.
The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 10.0%,
8.25% and 7.61% at April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
F-12
The aggregate maturities of the notes payable at April 30, 1997 are as
follows:
(In thousands)
1998 $ 20,046
1999 34
2000 26
2001 29
2002 32
Thereafter 397
----------
$ 20,564
==========
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Family members of stockholders own a majority interest at April 30,
1995, 1996 and 1997 in one, one and two franchise stores, respectively. The
amount of service fees earned from these franchisees was approximately $18,000,
$20,000 and $25,000 for the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively. The amount due from the franchisees at April 30, 1995, 1996 and
1997 approximated $2,000, $2,500 and $2,850, respectively.
During fiscal 1995, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger with Koonrod, Inc. ("KRI") and the stockholders of KRI. Under the
Agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of KRI in exchange
for $75,000 cash and 105,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock which
were valued at approximately $496,000, and KRI was merged into the Company. The
two stockholders of KRI who owned all of the outstanding stock of KRI are the
father and brother-in-law of the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO").
In 1995, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with Bedard
Entertainment, Inc. ("BEI"), and the stockholders of BEI. Under the Purchase
Agreement, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of BEI in
exchange for 15,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and the assumption of
indebtedness of BEI in the amount of approximately $275,000. The two
stockholders of BEI who owned all of the outstanding stock of BEI are the
brother and sister-in-law of the Company's President.
During the years ended April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, the Company
incurred approximately $48,000, $245,000, and $271,000, respectively, in
expenses from Johnson, West & Co., PLC ("Johnson, West & Co.") for accounting
and tax services. A director of the Company is a member of Johnson, West & Co.
The Company has Recourse Notes from the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and from the President for approximately $1,928,000 and $1,071,000,
respectively, including accrued interest through April 30, 1997. The Recourse
Notes were issued by the executives upon their exercise in August 1995 of
420,000 options granted to them under the Stock Option Plans in May 1995 at an
exercise price of $4.3125, the fair market value of the stock on the date
options were granted. The Recourse Notes represent the total exercise price of
such options plus amounts advanced by the Company to such executives to satisfy
then anticipated tax liabilities. The Recourse Notes are evidenced by promissory
notes bearing interest at a rate of 8% per annum, with payment of principal and
interest due on October 4, 1999. In the event that the obligors sell shares of
the Company's stock, the net proceeds thereof will be applied to payment, in
part or in full, of the Recourse Notes.
In addition, as of April 30, 1997, the Company has a note receivable
from the President of the Company for approximately $31,000 which accrues
interest at 8% per annum and is due November 1997. The note represents advances
from the Company to the President from January 1994 to April 1994, together with
accrued interest.
7. LEASE AGREEMENTS
The Company leases office and retail space under operating leases with
terms of 6 to 144 months. These leases generally have a term of three to ten
years and provide options to renew for periods ranging from three to five
F-13
additional years. Under the leasing agreements, the Company is generally
responsible for the real estate taxes, insurance, and other expenses related to
the property. The leases expire at varying dates through 2012. The Company also
leases vehicles and computer equipment.
At April 30, 1997, minimum annual rental commitments under
non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:
(In thousands)
1998 $ 20,353
1999 18,972
2000 15,922
2001 13,063
2002 10,835
Thereafter 45,324
----------
Total minimum lease payments $ 124,469
==========
Rent expense, principally retail and office space, under operating
leases amounted to $1,292,000, $7,675,000 and $13,513,000 for the years ended
April 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively,
8. INCOME TAXES
Income from continuing operations before income taxes in fiscal 1996
and 1997 of $2,821,000 and $7,962,000, respectively, is comprised of $2,412,000
in the United States and $409,000 in Canada for fiscal 1996 and $5,525,000 in
the United States and $2,437,000 in Canada for fiscal 1997. There were no
operations outside of the United States in fiscal 1995.
Income tax expense is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
----------- --------- ----------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal $ (28) $ 833 $ 1,384
State - 164 422
International - 165 50
----------- --------- ----------
(28) 1,162 1,856
Deferred:
Federal 164 39 413
State 41 (53) (15)
International - 45 1,088
----------- --------- ----------
205 31 1,486
----------- --------- ----------
Total income tax expense 177 1,193 3,342
Income tax benefit related to discontinued operations 37 - -
----------- --------- ----------
Income tax expense related to continuing operations $ 214 $ 1,193 $ 3,342
=========== ========= ==========
</TABLE>
F-14
Components of the net deferred tax liability, resulting from
differences in book and income tax accounting methods, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
---------------------------
1996 1997
----------- ----------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Tax over book depreciation and amortization $ 780 $ 2,794
Tax over book merger basis adjustment 337 286
--------- ---------
1,117 3,080
Deferred income tax assets:
Book over tax rent expense (276) (753)
--------- ---------
Net deferred income tax liabilities $ 841 $ 2,327
========= =========
</TABLE>
The reconciliation of the federal statutory rate (34%) to the Company's
effective income tax rate is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal tax at statutory rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
State tax, net of federal benefit 10.8 2.6 3.2
International - 2.0 3.5
Goodwill 7.0 2.0 1.0
Other 1.7 1.7 0.3
========== ========== =========
53.5% 42.3% 42.0%
========== ========== =========
9. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
---------- ---------- ---------
(In thousands)
Interest paid $ 213 $ 226 $ 390
Income taxes paid $ 41 $ 29 $ 1,394
</TABLE>
10. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
In July and August 1994, the Company completed its initial public
offering ("IPO") of 1,351,250 Units, each Unit consisting of one share of Class
A Common Stock, one Class A Warrant and one Class B Warrant, including 176,350
Units subject to the underwriter's over-allotment. Proceeds to the Company, net
of registration expenses, were approximately $5,300,000.
In February 1995, the Company increased the number of authorized shares
of Class A Common Stock from 18,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares.
F-15
In April and May 1995, the Company completed a subsequent public
offering of 2,305,500 Units and 345,970 Units for the underwriter's
overallotment, each consisting of one share of Class A Common Stock, one Class A
Warrant and one Class B Warrant. Proceeds to the Company, net of registration
expenses, were approximately $7,200,000.
In October 1996, the Company completed its public offering of 7,015,000
shares of Class A Common Stock. The net proceeds from the offering were
approximately $25,032,000.
CLASS A COMMON STOCK - CLASS B COMMON STOCK
The rights of the holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B
Common Stock are essentially identical and, except as expressly required by law,
are treated as a single class of stock in all respects, except that the holders
of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share, and the holders
of the Class B Common Stock are entitled to five votes per share, and each share
of Class B Common Stock is convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock at
any time and automatically converts into one share of Class A Common Stock in
the event of any sale or transfer, and upon the death of the original holder.
In connection with the Company's IPO, all of the holders of the
Company's Class B Common Stock have placed, on a pro rata basis, an aggregate of
1,300,000 shares (the "Escrow Shares") into escrow. The Escrow Shares will be
released to the stockholders on a pro rata basis, in the event specified levels
of pretax income of the Company are achieved through April 30, 1998, or the
market price of the Company's Class A Common Stock attains specified targets
during a 36 month period commencing from the effective date of the registration
statement relating to the Company's IPO. Any shares remaining in escrow on July
31, 1998 will be forfeited, which shares will then be contributed to the
Company's capital.
In the event that the foregoing earnings or market price levels are
attained and the Escrow Shares released, the Securities and Exchange Commission
has adopted the position that the release of Escrow Shares to officers,
directors, employees and consultants of the Company will be compensatory and,
accordingly, a non-cash compensation expense would be recorded with an increase
to paid-in capital for financial reporting purposes. As such, stockholder's
equity in total would not change. The expense would equal the fair market value
of the Escrow Shares on the date of release and could result in a material
charge to earnings.
WARRANTS - CLASS A AND B
Each of the units sold in connection with the Company's public
offerings consisted of one share of Class A Common Stock of the Company, one
Class A Warrant and one Class B Warrant. The components of the units were
separately transferable immediately. When issued, each Class A Warrant, upon its
exercise, entitled the holder to purchase one share of the Company's Class A
Common Stock and one Class B Warrant. The Class A Warrant exercise price was
$6.50 per share subject to certain adjustments. In August 1995, the Company
called for redemption all of its outstanding Class A Warrants. The redemption
date set forth in the Notice of Redemption was September 7, 1995. Approximately
4,502,000 Class A Warrants were exercised resulting in net proceeds to the
Company of approximately $28,414,000. At April 30, 1997, the Company has Class B
Warrants outstanding enabling the holders the ability to purchase approximately
8,005,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at $8.75 per share. Such warrants
expire in July 1999. In addition, there are 500,000 Class B Warrants outstanding
that were issued by the Company in a 1994 bridge financing. These warrants
provide the holders the ability to purchase the underlying Class A Common Stock
of the Company at $8.75 per share and expire July 1999.
BLAIR OPTIONS
At April 30, 1997 the Company has 117,500 shares of Class A Common
Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Unit Purchase Option (the
"Initial Option") at an aggregate exercise price of $734,375, issued to D.H.
Blair Investment Banking Corp. ("Blair") in connection with its services as
underwriter of the Company's initial public offering; 230,550 shares of Class A
Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Unit Purchase Option
(the "Subsequent Option") at an aggregate exercise price of $1,033,500, issued
to Blair or its'
F-16
affiliates in connection with its services as underwriter of the Company's
subsequent public offering (collectively, the Initial Option and the Subsequent
Option are referred to as the "Blair Options"); 348,050 shares of Class A Common
Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the redeemable Class A Warrants
(the "Class A Warrants") underlying the Blair Options, at an exercise price of
$6.50 per share; 696,100 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Class B Warrants underlying the Blair Options, at an exercise price of
$8.75 per share.
11. STOCK OPTION PLANS
In April 1994, the Company established an incentive stock option plan
(the "1994 Stock Plan") whereby 150,000 shares of Class A Common Stock have been
reserved. The options can be either incentive stock options or non-qualified
options, as defined by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Section 422")
to be granted to eligible individuals. The exercise price for the incentive
stock options granted under the 1994 Stock Plan may not be less than the fair
market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date the option is granted.
In May 1995, the Company established an additional stock option plan
(the "1995 Plan") whereby 850,000 shares were reserved for grant to eligible
individuals to purchase Class A Common Stock of the Company. Options under the
1995 Plan may be incentive stock options or non-qualified options. The exercise
price for the incentive stock options granted under the 1995 Plan may not be
less than fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date the option
is granted. In August 1995, 420,000 options were exercised by the CEO and
President of the Company.
The remaining options granted to employees under the stock plans vest
over a three year period from the date of issue, or vest according to income and
share price targets set forth in the escrow share agreement of the Class B
Common shares.
In September 1994, the Board of Directors approved the Formula Stock
Option Plan (the "Formula Plan") whereby 50,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
have been reserved. The Formula Plan provides for the granting of options to
non-management directors of the Company. As of April 30, 1997 options to
purchase 12,000 shares of Class A Common Stock were granted. The exercise price
for the incentive stock options granted under the plan may not be less than the
fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date the option is granted.
To date, none of these options have been exercised.
In June 1996, the Board of Directors approved an additional stock
option plan (the "1996 Plan"). The 1996 Plan provides for the granting of up to
820,000 options to eligible individuals to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock of the Company. Options under the 1996 Plan may be incentive stock options
or non-qualified stock options.
In fiscal 1997, the Company adopted the disclosure-only provision of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 for Stock-based Compensation
(SFAS 123). SFAS 123 allows companies to continue to account for those plans
using the accounting prescribed by APB Opinion 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued
to Employees". The Company has elected to continue to account for stock-based
compensation using APB 25, making pro forma disclosure of net earnings and
earnings per share as if the fair value based method had been applied.
F-17
Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recorded for the stock
option plans. Had compensation expense for the stock option plans been
determined based on the fair value at the date of grant for awards in fiscal
1996 and 1997, consistent with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net earnings and
earnings per share for the fiscal years shown below would have been reported as
follows:
1996 1997
-------- --------
(In thousands, except per share amount)
Net earnings - as reported $ 1,628 $ 4,620
Net earnings - pro forma $ 1,427 $ 4,217
Earnings per share - as reported $ .14 $ .28
Earnings per share - pro forma $ .13 $ .26
The fair market value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant
using the Black-Sholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions:
1996 1997
-------- --------
Expected dividend yields 0% 0%
Expected stock price volatility 42.5% 42.5%
Risk free interest rate 5.1% 5.1%
Expected life of options 5 yrs. 5 yrs.
The pro forma effect of net income and earnings per share is not representative
of the pro forma earnings in future years because it does not take into
consideration pro forma compensation expense related to grants made prior to
1996.
The weighted average fair value for options granted during fiscal 1996 and 1997
is $2.26 and $1.89 per share, respectively.
F-18
Option activity is summarized as follows:
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE EXERCISE
SHARES PRICE PER SHARE
----------- ----------------
Outstanding at April 30, 1994 - $ -
Granted 169,200 5.34
Exercised - -
Canceled (30,900) 5.50
----------
Outstanding at April 30, 1995 138,300 5.30
Granted 830,000 4.71
Exercised (427,850) 4.31
Canceled (6,000) 7.63
----------
Outstanding at April 30, 1996 534,450 5.15
Granted 861,200 4.14
Exercised (1,000) 4.31
Canceled (13,700) 5.45
----------
Outstanding at April 30, 1997 1,380,950 $4.53
==========
Exercisable at April 30, 1995 47,355 $5.27
Exercisable at April 30, 1996 192,005 $5.26
Exercisable at April 30, 1997 293,480 $5.40
The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding and
exerciseable options:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE
RANGE OF OPTIONS CONTRACTED EXERCISE NUMBER EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING LIFE PRICE EXERCISABLE PRICE
- ----------------- ------------- ------------ --------------- --------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 to $5.00 1,100,150 9.13 $ 4.08 163,000 $ 4.32
$5.01 to $7.50 245,800 7.58 5.86 98,980 5.89
$7.51 to $10.50 35,000 4.73 9.34 31,500 9.40
- ----------------- ------------- ------------ --------------- --------------- -------------
$0 to $10.50 1,380,950 8.74 $ 4.53 293,480 $ 5.40
</TABLE>
12. ACQUISITIONS
During fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, the Company acquired, in 29
transactions, ten video retail stores previously operated by Video Update
franchisees, and 214 video retail stores operated by unaffiliated third party
operators (the "Acquisitions"). The purchase method of accounting has been used
to account for each of the Acquisitions and the Acquisitions are included in the
Company's consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition.
During fiscal year 1995, the Company acquired, in seven transactions,
nine video retail stores previously operated by Video Update franchisees and
five retail stores operated by unaffiliated third party operators. The aggregate
purchase price of these acquisitions totaling approximately $3,510,000, included
$862,000 in cash, and 481,616 shares of Class A Common Stock valued at
$2,648,000. The excess of the cost over the estimated fair value of the assets
acquired of $2,775,000 (goodwill and deferred charges) is being amortized over
20 years on a straight-line basis.
During fiscal 1996, the Company acquired, in 12 transactions, 136
retail stores. The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions totaling
approximately $40,114,000 included $17,391,000 in cash, $3,319,000 in promissory
notes, $4,641,000 in assumed indebtedness and transaction costs, and 1,603,444
shares of Class A Common Stock valued at $14,763,000 and an option to purchase
20,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at a price
F-19
equal to the fair market value at the date of issuance. The excess of the cost
over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired of $24,352,000 (goodwill
and deferred charges) is being amortized over 20 years on a straight-line basis.
During fiscal 1997, the Company acquired, in 10 transactions, 74 retail
stores. The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions totaling
approximately $22,513,000 included approximately $20,977,000 in cash,
approximately $927,000 in transaction costs, and 136,500 shares of Class A
Common Stock valued at approximately $609,000. The excess of the cost over the
estimated fair value of the assets acquired of approximately $13,367,000
(goodwill) is being amortized over 20 years on a straight-line basis.
In connection with three acquisitions in which the Company has issued
an aggregate of 594,506 shares of Class A Common Stock in fiscal 1996 and 1997,
the Company may be obligated to make deficiency payments to such sellers equal
to the difference between the guaranteed price of $7.00 to $15.00 for each share
issued, and the actual market price obtained for such shares as of specified
dates between July 1996 and October 1998. The remaining deficiency payments are
estimated to be approximately $2,462,000 based on the closing stock price of
$4.125 at April 30, 1997. The Company has the option of satisfying approximately
$1,220,000 of this liability (with respect to 239,163 shares) at April 30, 1997
through the issuance of additional shares of Class A Common Stock. The Company
is currently disputing whether any deficiency payment is due with respect to
those 239,163 shares which were issued to a seller in one of the acquisitions;
the seller is claiming a deficiency payment based on proceeds from the sale of
Class A Common Stock during the six month period of March 1996 to September
1996.
During October 1996, a cash deficiency payment was made with regard to
one acquisition in the amount of $87,135. During November 1996, a cash
deficiency payment was made with regard to one acquisition in the amount of
$88,547. Also, during November 1996, the Company satisfied a deficiency payment
of $77,951 with regard to one acquisition with 15,106 shares of Class A Common
Stock.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated
results of operations of the Company as if the acquisitions had been completed
at the beginning of the year in which the acquisition occurred and the
immediately preceding year. In the opinion of the Company's management, all
adjustments necessary to present fairly such pro forma summary have been made
based on the terms and structure of the transactions.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
---------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
--------- --------- ----------
(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenues $ 50,177 $ 78,927 $ 107,687
Income from continuing operations $ 4,196 $ 4,287 $ 5,731
Primary income per share $ .46 $ .31 $ .32
Fully diluted income per share $ .46 $ .30 $ .32
This unaudited pro forma financial summary does not necessarily
indicate the actual results had the Acquisitions occurred at the beginning of
the respective periods, nor do they purport to indicate the results of future
operations of the Company.
F-20
13. GEOGRAPHIC BUSINESS OPERATIONS
The Company owns and operates retail video stores in the United States
and in Canada. A summary of the Company's operations by geographic area is
presented for fiscal 1996 and 1997. All intercompany revenues and expenses have
been eliminated. There were no operations outside the United States in fiscal
1995.
OPERATING TOTAL
REVENUES INCOME ASSETS
---------- ------------ ---------
(In thousands)
Fiscal 1996
United States $ 40,372 $ 2,107 $ 70,582
Canada 10,132 398 8,936
---------- ------------ ---------
$ 50,504 $ 2,505 $ 79,518
========== ============ =========
Fiscal 1997
United States $ 71,650 $ 5,607 $ 120,923
Canada 20,149 2,438 12,684
---------- ------------ ---------
$ 91,799 $ 8,045 $ 133,607
========== ============ =========
14. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Effective October 31, 1994, the Company adopted a plan to dispose of
Gamesters, a video game specialty store. Accordingly, Gamesters was reported as
a discontinued operation at October 31, 1994, and the financial statements have
been reclassified to report separately the operating results of the business.
The provision for losses on the disposal of Gamesters was $35,000 net
of taxes of $25,000, consisting of an estimated loss on disposal of the business
of $12,000 and a provision of $48,000 for anticipated losses until disposal. In
addition, the summary operating results of the discontinued operation for the
year ended April 30, 1995 were as follows:
Product sales $ 31,000
Cost and expenses 67,000
---------
Loss before income taxes (36,000)
Income tax benefit 12,000
---------
Net loss $ (24,000)
=========
15. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings arising during the
normal course of conducting business. Management believes that the resolution of
these proceedings will not have any material adverse impact on the Company's
financial statements.
F-21
EXHIBIT INDEX
Sequentially
Exhibit Numbered Page
No. Title Number
--- ----- ------
23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
27 Financial Data Schedule
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-96024) pertaining to the 1994 Stock Option Plan, the 1994 Formula
Stock Option Plan and the 1995 Stock Option Plan of Video Update, Inc. of our
report dated June 26, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Video Update, Inc. included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended April 30, 1997.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 27, 1997
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997
<CASH> 1,446
<SECURITIES> 978
<RECEIVABLES> 3,776
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 52,797
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0<F1>
<PP&E> 38,630
<DEPRECIATION> 5,561
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 133,607
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 37,785<F1>
<BONDS> 529
0
0
<COMMON> 202
<OTHER-SE> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 133,607
<SALES> 7,743
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 91,799
<CGS> 4,544
<TOTAL-COSTS> 83,754
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (461)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 544
<INCOME-PRETAX> 7,962
<INCOME-TAX> 3,342
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,620
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,620
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.28
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.28
<FN>
<F1>The Company utilizes an unclassified balance sheet presentation. This format
was followed based on the premise that the videocassette rental inventory
represents assets used by the Company to generate current operating income, and
management believes that to classify all of these costs as noncurrent would be
misleading to the readers of the financial statements because it would not
indicate the level of assets expected to be converted into cash in the next
year as a result of the rentals of the videocassettes.
</FN>
</TABLE>
