1 800 FLOWERS COM INC - Quarter Report: 2017 October (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended October 1, 2017

or

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

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission File No. 0-26841

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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 ☑  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☑   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "everging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  

Yes ☐  No ☑

The number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock as of November 3, 2017:

Class A common stock: 36,057,399

Class B common stock: 28,567,063

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share data)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except for per share data)

(unaudited)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Note 1 – Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three month period ended October 1, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending July 1, 2018. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2017.

The Company’s quarterly results may experience seasonal fluctuations. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, and its continued expansion into non-floral products, the Thanksgiving through Christmas holiday season, which falls within the Company’s second fiscal quarter, is expected to generate nearly 50% of the Company’s annual revenues, and all of its earnings. Additionally, due to the number of major floral gifting occasions, including Mother's Day, Valentine’s Day and Administrative Professionals Week, revenues also rise during the Company’s fiscal third and fourth quarters in comparison to its fiscal first quarter. In fiscal 2017, Easter was on April 16th, which resulted in the shift of some revenue and EBITDA from the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2016. In fiscal 2018, Easter falls on April 1st, which will result in the shift of all Easter-related revenue and EBITDA into the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2018.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This amended guidance will enhance the comparability of revenue recognition practices and will be applied to all contracts with customers. Expanded disclosures related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized are requirements under the amended guidance. As we continue to evaluate the impact of this ASU, we have determined that the new standard will impact the following areas: the costs of producing and distributing the Company’s catalogs will be expensed upon shipment, instead of being capitalized and amortized in direct proportion to the actual sales; gift card breakage will be estimated based on the historical pattern of gift card redemption, rather than when redemption is considered remote; the Company will defer revenue at the time the Celebrations Reward loyalty points are earned using a relative fair value approach, rather than accruing a liability equal to the incremental cost of fulfilling its obligations. We have further identified the timing of revenue recognition for e-commerce orders (shipping point versus destination) as a potential issue in our analysis, which is not expected to change the total amount of revenue recognized, but could accelerate the timing of when revenue is recognized. We plan to adopt this guidance beginning with the first quarter in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 on a retrospective basis with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. We are continuing to evaluate the impact that this ASU, and related amendments and interpretive guidance, will have on our consolidated financial statements, including the related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330).” The pronouncement was issued to simplify the measurement of inventory and changes the measurement from lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. The Company adopted this standard effective July 3, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2015-11 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The pronouncement requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. This guidance will become effective for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. The adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” Under this guidance, an entity is required to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 28, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact and expect the ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, primarily to the consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU No. 2016-09 affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company elected to early adopt the amendments in ASU 2016-09, in fiscal 2017. As a result, stock-based compensation excess tax benefits are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of the provision for income taxes, whereas they were previously recognized in equity. This change resulted in the recognition of excess tax benefits against income tax expenses, rather than additional paid-in capital, of $1.0 million for the year ended July 2, 2017. There was no impact on earnings per share since approximately 700,000 tax benefit shares for the year ended July 2, 2017, previously associated with the APIC pool calculation, are no longer considered in the diluted share computation. Additionally, our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows now present excess tax benefits as an operating activity. This change has been applied prospectively in accordance with the ASU and prior periods have not been adjusted. Further, the Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimate expected forfeitures. The cumulative effect of this change, which was recorded as compensation expense in fiscal 2017, was not material to the financial statements. In addition, this ASU allows entities to withhold an amount up to an employees’ maximum individual statutory tax rate in the relevant jurisdiction, up from the minimum statutory requirement, without resulting in liability classification of the award. We adopted this change on a modified retrospective basis, with no impact to our consolidated financial statements. Finally, this ASU clarified that the cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity. This change does not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financials as it conforms with its current practice.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 introduces a new forward-looking “expected loss” approach, to estimate credit losses on most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending July 4, 2021, and the guidance is to be applied using the modified-retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), a consensus of the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force.” ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01)," which revises the definition of a business and provides new guidance in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment," which eliminates step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending July 4, 2021, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, “Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets.” This update clarifies the scope of accounting for the derecognition or partial sale of nonfinancial assets to exclude all businesses and nonprofit activities. ASU 2017-05 also provides a definition for in-substance nonfinancial assets and additional guidance on partial sales of nonfinancial assets. This guidance will be effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 and may be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting. An entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. ASU 2017-09 is effective for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 – Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic net loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, and excludes the dilutive potential common shares (consisting of employee stock options and unvested restricted stock awards), as their inclusion would be antidilutive. As a result of the net loss attributable to 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. for the three months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, there is no dilutive impact to the net loss per share calculation for the respective periods.

Note 3 – Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has a Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan, which is more fully described in Note 12 and Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2017, that provides for the grant to eligible employees, consultants and directors of stock options, restricted shares, and other stock-based awards.

The amounts of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the periods presented are as follows:

 Stock-based compensation is recorded within the following line items of operating expenses:

Stock based compensation expense has not been allocated between business segments, but is reflected as part of Corporate overhead. (Refer to Note 12-Business Segments.)

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the three months ended October 1, 2017:

As of October 1, 2017, the total future compensation cost related to non-vested options, not yet recognized in the statement of income, was $0.7 million and the weighted average period over which these awards are expected to be recognized was 1.7 years.

Restricted Stock

The Company grants shares of Common Stock to its employees that are subject to restrictions on transfer and risk of forfeiture until fulfillment of applicable service and performance conditions and, in certain cases, holding periods (Restricted Stock). The following table summarizes the activity of non-vested restricted stock awards during the nine months ended October 1, 2017:

The fair value of non-vested shares is determined based on the closing stock price on the grant date. As of October 1, 2017, there was $5.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock-based compensation to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining period of 1.8 years.

 Note 4 – Disposition

On March 15, 2017, the Company and Ferrero International S.A., a Luxembourg corporation (“Ferrero”), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which Ferrero agreed to purchase from the Company all of the outstanding equity of Fannie May Confections Brands, Inc., including its subsidiaries, Fannie May Confections, Inc. and Harry London Candies, Inc. (“Fannie May”) for a total consideration of $115.0 million in cash, subject to adjustment for seasonal working capital. The working capital adjustment was finalized in August 2017, resulting in an $11.4 million reduction to the purchase price. The resulting gain on sale of $14.6 million, is included within “Other (income) expense, net” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year 2017.

The Company and Ferrero also entered into a transition services agreement whereby the Company will provide certain post-closing services to Ferrero and Fannie May for a period of approximately 18 months, related to the business of Fannie May, and a commercial agreement with respect to the distribution of certain Ferrero and Fannie May products.

Operating results of Fannie May are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements through May 30, 2017, the date of its disposition, within its Gourmet Food & Gift Baskets segment. During fiscal 2017, Fannie May contributed net revenues of $85.6 million. Operating and pre-tax income during such period were not material.

Note 5 – Inventory

The Company’s inventory, stated at cost, which is not in excess of market, includes purchased and manufactured finished goods for sale, packaging supplies, crops, raw material ingredients for manufactured products and associated manufacturing labor and is classified as follows:

Note 6 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table presents goodwill by segment and the related change in the net carrying amount:

The Company’s other intangible assets consist of the following:

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Future estimated amortization expense is as follows: remainder of fiscal 2018 - $1.0 million, fiscal 2019 - $0.7 million, fiscal 2020 - $0.6 million, fiscal 2021 - $0.6million, fiscal 2022 - $0.5 million and thereafter - $2.6million.

Note 7 – Investments

The Company has certain investments in non-marketable equity instruments of private companies. The Company accounts for these investments using the equity method if they provide the Company the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if the Company has an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%, although other factors, such as representation on the investee’s Board of Directors, are considered in determining whether the equity method is appropriate. The Company records equity method investments initially at cost, and adjusts the carrying amount to reflect the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the investee.

The Company’s equity method investment is comprised of a 29.6% interest in Flores Online, a Sao Paulo, Brazil based internet floral and gift retailer, that the Company made on May 31, 2012. The book value of this investment was $1.0 million as of October 1, 2017 and July 2, 2017, and is included within “Other assets” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s equity in the net loss of Flores Online for the three months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016 was less than $0.1 million.

Investments in non-marketable equity instruments of private companies, where the Company does not possess the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the cost method. Cost method investments are originally recorded at cost, and are included within “Other assets” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate carrying amount of the Company’s cost method investments was $1.7 million as of October 1, 2017 and July 2, 2017.

The Company also holds certain trading securities associated with its Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“NQDC Plan”). These investments are measured using quoted market prices at the reporting date and are included within the “Other assets” line item in the condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 10).

Each reporting period, the Company uses available qualitative and quantitative information to evaluate its investments for impairment. When a decline in fair value, if any, is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. 

Note 8 –Debt

The Company’s current and long-term debt consists of the following:

(1) On December 23, 2016, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2016 Amended Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank as administrative agent, and a group of lenders. The 2016 Amended Credit Agreement amended and restated the Company’s credit agreement dated as of September 30, 2014 (the “2014 Agreement”) to, among other things, extend the maturity date of its $115.0 million outstanding term loan ("Term Loan") and revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") by approximately two years to December 23, 2021. The Term Loan is payable in 19 quarterly installments of principal and interest beginning on April 2, 2017, with escalating principal payments, at the rate of 5% in year one, 7.5% in year two, 10% in year three, 12.5% in year four, and 15% in year five, with the remaining balance of $61.8 million due upon maturity. The Revolver, in the aggregate amount of $200 million, subject to seasonal reduction to an aggregate amount of $100 million for the period from January 1 through August 1, may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, subject to certain restrictions.

For each borrowing under the 2016 Amended Credit Agreement, the Company may elect that such borrowing bear interest at an annual rate equal to either (1) a base rate plus an applicable margin varying from 0.75% to 1.5%, based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, where the base rate is the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the highest of the federal funds rate and the overnight bank funding rate as published by the New York Fed, plus 0.5% and (c) an adjusted LIBO rate, plus 1% or (2) an adjusted LIBO rate plus an applicable margin varying from 1.75% to 2.5%,  based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The 2016 Amended Credit Agreement requires that while any borrowings are outstanding the Company comply with certain financial covenants and affirmative covenants as well as certain negative covenants, that subject to certain exceptions, limit the Company's ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make certain investments and make certain restricted payments. The Company was incompliance with these covenants as of October 1, 2017. The 2016 Amended Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Future principal payments under the term loan are as follows: $5.7 million – remainder of fiscal 2018, $10.1 million – fiscal 2019, $12.9 million – fiscal 2020, $15.8 million - fiscal 2021, and $66.1 – fiscal 2022.

Note 9 - Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company’s property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

Note 10 - Fair Value Measurements

Cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, prepaids, accounts payable and accrued expenses are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at carrying value, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Although no trading market exists, the Company believes that the carrying amount of its debt approximates fair value due to its variable nature. The Company’s investments in non-marketable equity instruments of private companies are carried at cost and are periodically assessed for other-than-temporary impairment, when an event or circumstances indicate that an other-than-temporary decline in value may have occurred. The Company’s remaining financial assets and liabilities are measured and recorded at fair value (see table below). The Company’s non-financial assets, such as definite lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, are recorded at cost and are assessed for impairment when an event or circumstance indicates that an other-than-temporary decline in value may have occurred. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist, as required under the accounting standards.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under the guidance are described below:

The following table presents by level, within the fair value hierarchy, financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Note 11 – Income Taxes

At the end of each interim reporting period, the Company estimates its effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. This estimate is used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis and may change in subsequent interim periods. The Company’s effective tax rate from operations for the three months ended October 1, 2017 was 35.1%, compared to 35.4% in the same period of the prior year. The effective rate for fiscal years 2018 and 2017 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income taxes, which were partially offset by various permanent differences and tax credits.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions, and various foreign countries. The Company completed its audit by the Internal Revenue Service for fiscal year 2014, however, fiscal years 2015 and 2016 remain subject to federal examination. Due to ongoing state examinations and non-conformity with the federal statute of limitations for assessment, certain states remain open from fiscal 2012. The Company commenced operations in foreign jurisdictions in 2012. The Company's foreign income tax filings are open for examination by its respective foreign tax authorities.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. At October 1, 2017, the Company has an unrecognized tax benefit, including an immaterial amount of accrued interest and penalties, of approximately $0.4 million. The Company believes that no significant unrecognized tax positions will be resolved over the next twelve months.

 Note 12 – Business Segments

The Company’s management reviews the results of the Company’s operations by the following three business segments:

•     1-800-Flowers.com Consumer Floral,

•     BloomNet Wire Service, and

•     Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets

Segment performance is measured based on contribution margin, which includes only the direct controllable revenue and operating expenses of the segments. As such, management’s measure of profitability for these segments does not include the effect of corporate overhead (see (a) below), nor does it include depreciation and amortization, other (income) expense, net and income taxes, or stock-based compensation and certain acquisition/integration costs, both of which are included within corporate overhead. Assets and liabilities are reviewed at the consolidated level by management and not accounted for by segment.

 Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

There are various claims, lawsuits, and pending actions against the Company and its subsidiaries incident to the operations of its businesses. It is the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, that the ultimate resolution of such claims, lawsuits and pending actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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

Forward Looking Statements

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (MD&A) is intended to provide an understanding of our financial condition, change in financial condition, cash flow, liquidity and results of operations. The following MD&A discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements that appear elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s plans, estimates and beliefs. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed or referred to in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to any differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results” and under Part I, Item 1A, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.”

Overview

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is a leading provider of gifts for all celebratory occasions. For the past 40 years, 1-800-Flowers.com® has been helping deliver smiles to customers with a 100% Smile Guarantee® backing every gift. In addition to the 1-800-Flowers.com brand, which offers fresh flowers, plants, fruit and gift baskets, as well as balloons, plush and keepsake gifts, the Company’s BloomNet® international floral wire service (www.mybloomnet.net) and Napco brands provide a broad range of quality products and value-added services designed to help professional florists grow their businesses profitably. The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. family of brands also offers everyday gifting and entertaining products such as premium, gift-quality fruits and other gourmet items from Harry & David® (1-877-322-1200) or www.harryanddavid.com), popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory® (1-800-541- 2676 or www.thepopcornfactory.com); cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl’s® (1-800-443-8124 or www.cheryls.com); gift baskets and towers from 1-800- Baskets.com® (www.1800baskets.com) and DesignPac; premium English muffins and other breakfast treats from Wolferman’s (1-800-999-1910 or www.wolfermans.com); carved fresh fruit arrangements from FruitBouquets.com (www.fruitbouquets.com); and top quality steaks and chops from Stock Yards® (www.stockyards.com).

Service offerings such as Celebrations Passport®, Celebrations Rewards® and Celebrations Reminders® are designed to deepen relationships with customers across all brands. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM was named to the Stores® 2017 Hot 100 Retailers List by the National Retail Federation and also received the 2017 Gold Winner for The Golden Bridge Awards for the Company's groundbreaking implementation of an artificial intelligence-powered online gift concierge, GWYN. 1-800-Flowers.com was awarded the 2017 Gold Stevie "e-Commerce Customer Service" Award, recognizing the brand's innovative use of online technologies and social media to serve the needs of customers. 

Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.   

On May 30, 2017, the Company completed the sale of the outstanding equity of Fannie May Confections Brands, Inc., including its subsidiaries, Fannie May Confections, Inc. and Harry London Candies, Inc. (“Fannie May”) to Ferrero International S.A., a Luxembourg corporation (“Ferrero”), for a total consideration of $115.0 million in cash, subject to adjustment for seasonal working capital. The working capital adjustment was finalized in August 2017, resulting in an $11.4 million reduction to the purchase price. The resulting gain on sale of $14.6 million, is included within “Other (income) expense, net” in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year 2017.

The Company and Ferrero also entered into a transition services agreement whereby the Company will provide certain post-closing services to Ferrero and Fannie May for a period of approximately 18 months, related to the business of Fannie May, and a commercial agreement with respect to the distribution of certain Ferrero and Fannie May products.

Operating results of Fannie May are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements through May 30, 2017, the date of its disposition, within its Gourmet Food & Gift Baskets segment. Refer to Category Information and Results of Operations below for a comparison of fiscal 2018 results to fiscal 2017, adjusted to exclude the operations of Fannie May.

Definitions of non-GAAP Financial Measures:

We sometimes use financial measures derived from consolidated financial information, but not presented in our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain of these are considered "non-GAAP financial measures" under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules. See below for definitions and the reasons why we use these non-GAAP financial measures. Where applicable, see the Category Information below for reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Comparable revenues

Comparable revenues measure GAAP revenues adjusted for the effects of acquisitions, dispositions, and other items affecting period to period comparability. See Category Information for details on how comparable revenues were calculated for each period presented.

We believe that this measure provides management and investors with a more complete understanding of underlying revenue trends of established, ongoing operations by excluding the effect of activities which are subject to volatility and can obscure underlying trends.

Management recognizes that the term "comparable revenues" may be interpreted differently by other companies and under different circumstances. Although this may influence comparability of absolute percentage growth from company to company, we believe that these measures are useful in assessing trends of the Company and its segments, and may therefore be a useful tool in assessing period-to-period performance trends.

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for the impact of stock based compensation, Non-Qualified Plan Investment appreciation/depreciation, and for certain items affecting period to period comparability. See Category Information for details on how EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA were calculated for each period presented.

The Company presents EBITDA because it considers such information meaningful supplemental measures of its performance and believes such information is frequently used by the investment community in the evaluation of similarly situated companies. The Company uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as factors used to determine the total amount of incentive compensation available to be awarded to executive officers and other employees. The Company's credit agreement uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to measure compliance with covenants such as interest coverage and debt incurrence. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are also used by the Company to evaluate and price potential acquisition candidates.

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. Some of the limitations are: (a) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, the Company's working capital needs; (b) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on the Company's debts; and (c) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such capital expenditures. EBITDA should only be used on a supplemental basis combined with GAAP results when evaluating the Company's performance.

Category contribution margin and adjusted category contribution margin

We define category contribution margin as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, before the allocation of corporate overhead expenses. Adjusted category contribution margin is defined as category contribution margin adjusted for certain items affecting period to period comparability. See Category Information for details on how category contribution margin and comparable category contribution margin were calculated for each period presented.

When viewed together with our GAAP results, we believe category contribution margin and comparable category contribution margin provide management and users of the financial statements information about the performance of our business segments.

Category contribution margin and comparable category contribution margin are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. The material limitation associated with the use of the category contribution margin and adjusted category contribution margin is that it is an incomplete measure of profitability as it does not include all operating expenses or non-operating income and expenses. Management compensates for these limitations when using this measure by looking at other GAAP measures, such as operating income and net income.

Adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per common share

We define adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per common share as net loss and net loss per common share adjusted for certain items affecting period to period comparability. See Category Information below for details on how adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per common share were calculated for each period presented.

We believe that Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS are meaningful measures because they increase the comparability of period to period results.

Since these are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, GAAP net loss and net loss per common share, as indicators of operating performance and they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

Category Information

The following table presents the net revenues, gross profit and category contribution margin from each of the Company’s business segments, as well as consolidated EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.

Results of Operations

Net Revenues

Net revenues consist primarily of the selling price of the merchandise, service or outbound shipping charges, less discounts, returns and credits.

Net revenues decreased 5.1% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year due to the disposition of Fannie May on May 30, 2017. On a comparable basis, adjusting fiscal 2017 net revenues to exclude the revenues of Fannie May, net revenues increased 1.8% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year. This increase was attributable to growth within the Gourmet Foods & Gift Baskets segment, reflecting year-over-year increases in most of its food gift brands, particularly Harry & David, and growth within the Consumer Floral segment, despite the impact of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, partially offset by lower revenues within the BloomNet Wire Service segment. The impact of hurricanes Harvey and Irma on fiscal 2018 first quarter revenues, including both lost e-commerce revenues and waived florist fees, was estimated to be approximately $1.1 million.

E-commerce revenues (combined online and telephonic) increased by 1.6% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year, as a result of growth within the Consumer Floral and Gourmet Foods & Gift Baskets segments. During the three months ended October 1, 2017, the Company fulfilled approximately 1,569,000 orders through its e-commerce sales channels (online and telephonic sales), compared to approximately 1,568,000 during the same period of the prior year, while average order value increased to $69.29 during the three months ended October 1, 2017, from $68.28 during the same period of the prior year.

Other revenues are comprised of the Company’s BloomNet Wire Service segment, as well as the wholesale and retail channels of its 1-800-Flowers.com Consumer Floral and Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets segments. Other revenues decreased by 17.3% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily as a result of the Fannie May disposition during May 2017, partially offset by the combined growth of all other brands within the Gourmet Food and Gift Baskets segment.

The 1-800-Flowers.com Consumer Floral segment includes the operations of the 1-800-Flowers.com brand, which derives revenue from the sale of consumer floral products through its e-commerce sales channels (telephonic and online sales), retail stores, and royalties from its franchise operations. Net revenues increased 1.9%, during the three months ended October 1, 2017, in comparison to the same period of the prior year, due to increased demand, partially offset by the impact of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which was estimated to be approximately $0.8mm.

The BloomNet Wire Service segment includes revenues from membership fees as well as other product and service offerings to florists. Net revenues decreased 5.7% during the three months ended October 1, 2017 compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to lower wholesale product revenue, as well as lower membership, transaction fees and ancillary revenues resulting from a decline in network shop count. These decreases were exacerbated by the impact of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, as BloomNet provided financial aid to florists in the affected areas, and waived membership fees of approximately $0.2 million.

The Gourmet Food & Gift Baskets segment includes the operations of Harry & David, Wolferman’s, Stockyards, Cheryl’s, Fannie May (through the date of its disposition on May 30, 2017), The Popcorn Factory and 1-800-Baskets/DesignPac. Revenue is derived from the sale of gourmet fruits, cookies, baked gifts, premium chocolates and confections, gourmet popcorn, gift baskets, and prime steaks and chops through the Company’s e-commerce sales channels (telephonic and online sales) and company-owned and operated retail stores under the Harry & David, Cheryl’s and Fannie May (through the date of its disposition) brand names, as well as wholesale operations. Net revenues decreased 12.6% during the three months ended October 1, 2017 compared to the same period of the prior year due to the disposition of Fannie May on May 30, 2017. On a comparable basis, adjusting fiscal year 2017 revenues to exclude Fannie May, net revenues increased 4.4% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year. This increase was due to growth by the Harry & David, Cheryl’s and DesignPac brands, partially offset by the impact of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, estimated to be approximately $0.2 million. Segment growth, excluding Fannie May, was due to several initiatives implemented during the second half of fiscal 2017, including increased emphasis on digital marketing, improvements to the navigational flow for Harry & David’s online gift list functionality, and an increased focus on cross-brand marketing and merchandising programs for everyday gifting.

Gross Profit

Gross profit consists of net revenues less cost of revenues, which is comprised primarily of florist fulfillment costs (fees paid directly to florists), the cost of floral and non-floral merchandise sold from inventory or through third parties, and associated costs including inbound and outbound shipping charges. Additionally, cost of revenues include labor and facility costs related to direct-to-consumer and wholesale production operations.

Gross profit and gross margin percentage decreased 5.8% and 20 basis points, respectively, during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year. On a comparable basis, adjusting prior year gross profit to exclude Fannie May, which was disposed of on May 30, 2017, gross profit during the three months ended October 1, 2017 increased 0.6% compared to the same period of the prior year, due to the increase in comparable revenues noted above, partially offset by a 50 basis point decrease in gross margin percentage across the segments.

The 1-800-Flowers.com Consumer Floral segment gross profit increased by 0.8% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, in comparison to the same period of the prior year, due to the increase in revenues noted above, partially offset by a decrease in gross margin percentage of 40 basis points to 40.1%, reflecting an increase in Passport program participation, as well as slightly higher shipping costs.

The BloomNet Wire Service segment gross profit and gross margin percentage decreased 6.2% and 30 basis points, respectively, during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year, as a result of the revenue miss noted above, including the impact of waived fees for shops impacted by hurricanes Harvey and Irma of approximately $0.2 million.

The Gourmet Food & Gift Baskets segment gross profit decreased 12.6% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year, due to the disposition of Fannie May on May 30, 2017. On a comparable basis, adjusting fiscal year 2017 gross profit to exclude Fannie May, gross profit during the three months ended October 1, 2017 increased 3.7% compared to the same period of the prior year. This increase was attributable to the growth in comparable revenues noted above, partially offset by a 30 basis points decrease in gross margin percentage resulting from sales mix, and an increase in shipping costs.

Marketing and Sales Expense

Marketing and sales expense consists primarily of advertising and promotional expenditures, catalog costs, online portal and search costs, retail store and fulfillment operations (other than costs included in cost of revenues) and customer service center expenses, as well as the operating expenses of the Company’s departments engaged in marketing, selling and merchandising activities.

Marketing and sales expense decreased 9.7% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the disposition of Fannie May on May 30, 2017, partially offset by increased marketing spend within the Consumer Floral segment due to efforts by the 1-800-Flowers brand to test search, video and display marketing strategies in advance of the holiday season.

 Technology and Development Expense

Technology and development expense consists primarily of payroll and operating expenses of the Company’s information technology group, costs associated with its websites, including hosting, design, content development and maintenance and support costs related to the Company’s order entry, customer service, fulfillment and database systems.

Technology and development expenses increased 1.9% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year, as a result of increased license and maintenance costs related to contact centers, payment gateways, order management and security platforms.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expense consists of payroll and other expenses in support of the Company’s executive, finance and accounting, legal, human resources and other administrative functions, as well as professional fees and other general corporate expenses.

General and administrative expense decreased 11.5% during the three months ended October 1, 2017, compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to the disposition of Fannie May on May 30, 2017, as well as lower labor costs, partially offset by an increase in health insurance costs.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended October 1, 2017 increased 1.1% in comparison to the same period of the prior year, due to recent IT capital expenditures, partially offset by the reduction in depreciation related to the disposition of Fannie May.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net consists primarily of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs attributable to the Company’s credit facility (See Note 8 - Debt, in Item 1. for details regarding the 2016 Amended Credit Facility), net of income earned on the Company’s available cash balances.

Interest expense, net decreased 28.9% during the three months ended October 1, 2017 in comparison to the same period of the prior year, as a result of scheduled repayment of term loan borrowings and funding fiscal 2018 working capital requirements utilizing cash on hand from the sale of Fannie May, in comparison to fiscal 2017, when the Company funded working capital requirements through its revolving credit facility.

Other income, net

Other income, net for the three months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, consisted primarily of investment earnings of the Company’s Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan assets.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $7.2 million and $8.6 million during the three months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate from operations for the three months ended October 1, 2017 was 35.1%, compared to 35.4% in the same period of the prior year. The effective rate for fiscal years 2018 and 2017 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income taxes, which were partially offset by various permanent differences and tax credits. At October 1, 2017, the Company has an unrecognized tax benefit, including an immaterial amount of accrued interest and penalties, of approximately $0.4 million. The Company believes that no significant unrecognized tax positions will be resolved over the next twelve months.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

At October 1, 2017, the Company had working capital of $117.9 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $9.1 million, compared to working capital of $132.2 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $149.7 million, at July 2, 2017.

Net cash used in operating activities of $122.3 million for the three months ended October 1, 2017, was primarily attributable to the Company’s net loss during the period, as well as seasonal changes in working capital, including increases in inventory, receivables and prepaid expenses related to the upcoming holiday season and timing of payments related to accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset by non-cash charges for depreciation/amortization and stock based compensation.

Net cash used in investing activities of $12.5 million for the three months ended October 1, 2017, was primarily attributable to the working capital adjustment related to the sale of Fannie May, of which $8.5 million was still due to Ferrero at July 2, 2017 and to capital expenditures related to the Company's technology initiatives and Gourmet Foods & Gift Basket segment manufacturing production and orchard planting equipment.

Net cash used in financing activities of 5.8 million for the three months ended October 1, 2017 was primarily related to the acquisition of $4.3 million of treasury stock and term loan repayments of $1.4 million. Due to cash on hand from the sale of Fannie May, during the quarter ended October 1, 2017, the Company did not need to draw from its revolving credit facility during the current quarter, as it did in the prior year. The Company expects that it will be required to draw down on its revolver during the second quarter of the fiscal year 2018, although to a much more limited extent in comparison to prior year due to the use of cash generated from the sale of Fannie May, and expects that all borrowings under its revolving credit facility will be repaid by the end of the fiscal second quarter.

Credit Facility

See Note 8 - Debt in Item 1 for details regarding the 2016 Amended Credit Agreement.

The Company believes that cash on hand, combined with cash flows from operations and available borrowings from its 2016 Credit Facility, will be a sufficient source of liquidity during fiscal 2018. Borrowings under the Revolver, which will be significantly lower than prior year as a result of cash generated from the sale of Fannie May, are expected to peak in November, at which time cash generated from operations during the Christmas holiday shopping season are expected to enable the Company to repay working capital borrowings prior to the end of December. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, and its continued expansion into non-floral products, the Thanksgiving through Christmas holiday season, which falls within the Company’s second fiscal quarter, is expected to generate nearly 50% of the Company’s annual revenues, and all of its earnings. As a result, the Company expects to generate significant cash from operations during its second quarter, which, after re-paying all borrowings outstanding under its Revolver, is expected to be sufficient to provide for operating needs until the second quarter of fiscal 2019, when the Company expects to borrow against its Revolver to fund pre-holiday manufacturing and inventory purchases.

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company has a stock repurchase plan through which purchases can be made from time to time in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions, subject to general market conditions. The repurchase program is financed utilizing available cash. On August 30, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase to its stock repurchase plan of up to $30.0 million. As of October 1, 2017, $27.9 million remained authorized under the plan.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business related to the Company’s contractual obligations as discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 2, 2017.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

As disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2017, the discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., which have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, and management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company’s most critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, accounts receivable, inventory, goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets and income taxes. There have been no significant changes to the assumptions and estimates related to the Company’s critical accounting policies, since July 2, 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This amended guidance will enhance the comparability of revenue recognition practices and will be applied to all contracts with customers. Expanded disclosures related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized are requirements under the amended guidance. As we continue to evaluate the impact of this ASU, we have determined that the new standard will impact the following areas: the costs of producing and distributing the Company’s catalogs will be expensed upon shipment, instead of being capitalized and amortized in direct proportion to the actual sales; gift card breakage will be estimated based on the historical pattern of gift card redemption, rather than when redemption is considered remote; the Company will defer revenue at the time the Celebrations Reward loyalty points are earned using a relative fair value approach, rather than accruing a liability equal to the incremental cost of fulfilling its obligations. We have further identified the timing of revenue recognition for e-commerce orders (shipping point versus destination) as a potential issue in our analysis, which is not expected to change the total amount of revenue recognized, but could accelerate the timing of when revenue is recognized. We plan to adopt this guidance beginning with the first quarter in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 on a retrospective basis with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. We are continuing to evaluate the impact that this ASU, and related amendments and interpretive guidance, will have on our consolidated financial statements, including the related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330).” The pronouncement was issued to simplify the measurement of inventory and changes the measurement from lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. The Company adopted this standard effective July 3, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2015-11 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The pronouncement requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. This guidance will become effective for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. The adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” Under this guidance, an entity is required to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 28, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact and expect the ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, primarily to the consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU No. 2016-09 affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company elected to early adopt the amendments in ASU 2016-09, in fiscal 2017. As a result, stock-based compensation excess tax benefits are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of the provision for income taxes, whereas they were previously recognized in equity. This change resulted in the recognition of excess tax benefits against income tax expenses, rather than additional paid-in capital, of $1.0 million for the year ended July 2, 2017. There was no impact on earnings per share since approximately 700,000 tax benefit shares for the year ended July 2, 2017, previously associated with the APIC pool calculation, are no longer considered in the diluted share computation. Additionally, our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows now present excess tax benefits as an operating activity. This change has been applied prospectively in accordance with the ASU and prior periods have not been adjusted. Further, the Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimate expected forfeitures. The cumulative effect of this change, which was recorded as compensation expense in fiscal 2017, was not material to the financial statements. In addition, this ASU allows entities to withhold an amount up to an employees’ maximum individual statutory tax rate in the relevant jurisdiction, up from the minimum statutory requirement, without resulting in liability classification of the award. We adopted this change on a modified retrospective basis, with no impact to our consolidated financial statements. Finally, this ASU clarified that the cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity. This change does not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financials as it conforms with its current practice.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 introduces a new forward-looking “expected loss” approach, to estimate credit losses on most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade receivables. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU also expands the disclosure requirements to enable users of financial statements to understand the entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating expected credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending July 4, 2021, and the guidance is to be applied using the modified-retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), a consensus of the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force.” ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. The adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01)," which revises the definition of a business and provides new guidance in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment," which eliminates step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending July 4, 2021, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, “Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets.” This update clarifies the scope of accounting for the derecognition or partial sale of nonfinancial assets to exclude all businesses and nonprofit activities. ASU 2017-05 also provides a definition for in-substance nonfinancial assets and additional guidance on partial sales of nonfinancial assets. This guidance will be effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 and may be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting. An entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. ASU 2017-09 is effective for the Company's fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Forward Looking Information and Factors that May Affect Future Results

Our disclosure and analysis in this report contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and can generally be identified by the use of statements that include words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “goal,” “target” or similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including:

We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized, although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our Forms 10-Q, 8-K and 10-K reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K filing for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2017 listed various important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historic results. We note these factors for investors as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers can find them in Part I, Item 1A, of that filing under the heading “Cautionary Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995”. We incorporate that section of that Form 10-K in this filing and investors should refer to it.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to market risk from the effect of interest rate changes.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s investment of available cash balances and its long-term debt. The Company generally invests its cash and cash equivalents in investment grade corporate and U.S. government securities. Due to the currently low rates of return the Company is receiving on its cash equivalents, the potential for a significant decrease in short-term interest rates is low and, therefore, a further decrease would not have a material impact on the Company’s interest income. Borrowings under the Company’s credit facility bear interest at a variable rate, plus an applicable margin, and therefore expose the Company to market risk for changes in interest rates. The effect of a 50 basis point increase in current interest rates on the Company’s interest expense would be approximately $0.1 million during the three months ended October 1, 2017, respectively.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of October 1, 2017. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of October 1, 2017.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the Company’s evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the quarter ended October 1, 2017, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Litigation

There are various claims, lawsuits, and pending actions against the Company and its subsidiaries incident to the operations of its businesses. It is the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, that the ultimate resolution of such claims, lawsuits and pending actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

There were no material changes to the Company’s risk factors as discussed in Part 1, Item 1A-Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 2, 2017.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The Company has a stock repurchase plan through which purchases can be made from time to time in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions, subject to general market conditions. The repurchase program is financed utilizing available cash. On August 30, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase to its stock repurchase plan of up to $30.0 million. As of October 1, 2017, $27.9 million remained authorized under the plan.

The following table sets forth, for the months indicated, the Company’s purchase of common stock during the first three months of fiscal 2018, which includes the period July 3, 2017 through October 1, 2017:

(1) Average price per share excludes commissions and other transaction fees.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable. 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

* Filed herewith.

SIGNATURES

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