Burlington Stores, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 October (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)


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

For the quarterly period ended October 30, 2021


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

For the transition period from to .

Commission File Number 001-36107

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		80-0895227
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2006 Route 130 North Burlington, New Jersey		08016
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (609) 387-7800

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock

BURL

New York Stock Exchange

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit 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 “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐

Non-Accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

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 registrant had 66,765,122 shares of common stock outstanding as of October 30, 2021.

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

INDEX


		Page
Part I—Financial Information		3

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)		3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - Three and Nine Months Ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020		3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Three and Nine Months Ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020		4

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020		5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020		6

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		7

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		23

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		41

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		41

Part II—Other Information		41

Item 1. Legal Proceedings		41

Item 1A. Risk Factors		41

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		41

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities		42

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures		42

Item 5. Other Information		42

Item 6. Exhibits		42

SIGNATURES		43

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(All amounts in thousands, except per share data)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	October 30,			October 31,			October 30,			October 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
REVENUES:
Net sales	$	2,299,610		$	1,664,728		$	6,703,089		$	3,472,606
Other revenue		4,431			2,507			10,159			8,480
Total revenue		2,304,041			1,667,235			6,713,248			3,481,086
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of sales		1,347,559			915,847			3,869,432			2,245,581
Selling, general and administrative expenses		759,785			645,278			2,126,904			1,621,964
Costs related to debt issuances and amendments		89			(719	)		3,419			3,633
Depreciation and amortization		64,663			54,984			183,087			163,679
Impairment charges - long-lived assets		1,488			2,575			3,235			5,575
Other income - net		(3,055	)		(1,290	)		(10,267	)		(4,236	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		86,362			—			117,756			202
Interest expense		15,609			27,456			52,710			70,508
Total costs and expenses		2,272,500			1,644,131			6,346,276			4,106,906
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)		31,541			23,104			366,972			(625,820	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		17,922			15,088			79,769			(253,327	)
Net income (loss)	$	13,619		$	8,016		$	287,203		$	(372,493	)

Net income (loss) per common share:
Common stock - basic	$	0.20		$	0.12		$	4.31		$	(5.66	)
Common stock - diluted	$	0.20		$	0.12		$	4.21		$	(5.66	)
Weighted average number of common shares:
Common stock - basic		66,740			66,083			66,591			65,867
Common stock - diluted		68,205			66,720			68,228			65,867

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(All amounts in thousands)


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	October 30,		October 31,		October 30,		October 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020

Net income (loss)	$	13,619	$	8,016	$	287,203	$	(372,493	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Interest rate derivative contracts:
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period		6,509		583		2,251		(11,008	)
Net reclassification into earnings during the period		2,984		2,119		7,662		5,276
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		9,493		2,702		9,913		(5,732	)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	23,112	$	10,718	$	297,116	$	(378,225	)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)


	October 30,			January 30,			October 31,
	2021			2021			2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,185,383		$	1,380,276		$	1,348,691
Restricted cash and cash equivalents		6,582			6,582			6,582
Accounts receivable—net		90,705			62,161			72,728
Merchandise inventories		1,059,749			740,788			866,986
Assets held for disposal		4,358			6,655			—
Prepaid and other current assets		425,288			314,154			339,874
Total current assets		2,772,065			2,510,616			2,634,861
Property and equipment—net		1,499,780			1,438,863			1,442,358
Operating lease assets		2,653,776			2,469,366			2,465,972
Tradenames		238,000			238,000			238,000
Goodwill		47,064			47,064			47,064
Deferred tax assets		4,119			4,422			4,596
Other assets		63,023			72,761			75,945
Total assets	$	7,277,827		$	6,781,092		$	6,908,796

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,174,252		$	862,638		$	920,944
Current operating lease liabilities		346,167			304,629			293,765
Other current liabilities		544,852			512,830			522,122
Current maturities of long term debt		14,224			3,899			3,815
Total current liabilities		2,079,495			1,683,996			1,740,646
Long term debt		1,614,645			1,927,770			2,169,495
Long term operating lease liabilities		2,560,663			2,400,782			2,396,315
Other liabilities		94,507			103,940			111,019
Deferred tax liabilities		211,710			199,850			204,745
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: authorized: 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding		—			—			—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value:
Authorized: 500,000,000 shares;
Issued: 81,605,876 shares, 80,661,453 shares and 80,504,439 shares, respectively;
Outstanding: 66,765,122 shares, 66,386,331 shares and 66,240,152 shares, respectively		7			7			7
Additional paid-in-capital		1,914,086			1,809,831			1,786,600
Accumulated earnings (deficit)		292,656			(11,702	)		(167,696	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(13,102	)		(23,015	)		(24,692	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(1,476,840	)		(1,310,367	)		(1,307,643	)
Total stockholders' equity		716,807			464,754			286,576
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	7,277,827		$	6,781,092		$	6,908,796

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(All amounts in thousands)


	Nine Months Ended
	October 30,			October 31,
	2021			2020
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$	287,203		$	(372,493	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		183,087			163,679
Impairment charges—long-lived assets		3,235			5,575
Amortization of deferred financing costs		4,293			3,111
Accretion of long term debt instruments		650			16,885
Deferred income taxes		46,725			(19,503	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		117,756			202
Non-cash stock compensation expense		53,356			43,451
Non-cash lease expense		(6,997	)		1,617
Cash received from landlord allowances		24,552			26,043
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(27,223	)		44,551
Merchandise inventories		(318,961	)		(89,739	)
Prepaid and other current assets		(111,135	)		(203,174	)
Accounts payable		307,684			161,317
Other current liabilities		31,280			85,095
Other long term assets and long term liabilities		1,332			5,479
Other operating activities		11,530			10,967
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		608,367			(116,937	)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash paid for property and equipment		(238,468	)		(214,437	)
Lease acquisition costs		(559	)		—
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and assets held for sale		5,746			—
Other investing activities		—			(897	)
Net cash (used in) investing activities		(233,281	)		(215,334	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long term debt—ABL Line of Credit		—			400,000
Principal payments on long term debt—ABL Line of Credit		—			(150,000	)
Proceeds from long term debt—Term B-6 Loans		956,608			—
Principal payments on long term debt—Term B-6 Loans		(2,404	)
Principal payments on long term debt—Term B-5 Loans		(961,415	)		—
Proceeds from long term debt—Convertible Note		—			805,000
Principal payment on long term debt—Convertible Notes		(92,289	)		—
Proceeds from long term debt—Secured Note		—			300,000
Principal payments on long term debt—Secured Notes		(323,905	)		—
Purchase of treasury shares		(166,473	)		(62,802	)
Proceeds from stock option exercises		31,610			24,086
Deferred financing costs		(601	)		(28,815	)
Other financing activities		(11,110	)		(9,581	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(569,979	)		1,277,888
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents		(194,893	)		945,617
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,386,858			409,656
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,191,965		$	1,355,273
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	47,373		$	42,265
Income tax payments - net	$	129,624		$	34,339
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Shares issued to repurchase Convertible Notes	$	151,206		$	-
Accrued purchases of property and equipment	$	50,696		$	46,778

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

October 30, 2021

(Unaudited)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

As of October 30, 2021, Burlington Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively with its subsidiaries, the Company), through its indirect subsidiary Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation (BCFWC), operated 832 retail stores.

These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Burlington Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited, but in the opinion of management reflect all adjustments (which are of a normal and recurring nature) necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 (Fiscal 2020 10-K). The balance sheet at January 30, 2021 presented herein has been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Fiscal 2020 10-K. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic discussed below, and because the Company’s business is seasonal in nature, the operating results for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of results for the fiscal year.

Accounting policies followed by the Company are described in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” included in Part II, Item 8 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K.

Fiscal Year

The Company defines its fiscal year as the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. The current fiscal year ending January 29, 2022 (Fiscal 2021) and the prior fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 (Fiscal 2020) both consist of 52 weeks.

COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (known as COVID-19) outbreak to be a global pandemic. As a result, the Company began the temporary closing of some of its stores, and effective March 22, 2020, it made the decision to temporarily close all of its stores, distribution centers (other than processing of received inventory) and corporate offices to combat the rapid spread of COVID-19. These developments caused significant disruptions to the Company’s business and had a significant adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Company began re-opening stores on May 11, 2020, with substantially all stores re-opened by the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary closing of stores, the Company provided two weeks of financial support to associates impacted by these store closures and by the shutdown of distribution centers. The Company temporarily furloughed most store and distribution center associates, as well as some corporate associates, but continued to provide benefits to its furloughed associates in accordance with its benefit plans. In addition, the Company paid 100% of their medical benefit premiums during the period they were furloughed. During the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, the Company recalled all furloughed associates at its re-opened stores, as well as its corporate and distribution facilities.

In order to maintain maximum financial flexibility during the pandemic, the Company completed several debt transactions in the first quarter of Fiscal 2020. Refer to Note 4, “Long Term Debt,” for further discussion regarding these debt transactions.

Additionally, the Company took the following steps to further enhance its financial flexibility:



Carefully managed operating expenses, working capital and capital expenditures, including ceasing substantially all buying activities while stores were closed. The Company subsequently resumed its buying activities, while continuing its conservative approach toward operating expenses and capital expenditures;



Negotiated rent deferral agreements with landlords;



Temporarily suspended the Company’s share repurchase program;



The Company’s CEO voluntarily agreed to not take a salary; the Company’s board of directors voluntarily forfeited their cash compensation; the Company’s executive leadership team voluntarily agreed to decrease their salary by 50%; and smaller salary reductions were temporarily put in place for all employees through a certain level. This compensation was reinstated once substantially all of the Company’s stores re-opened; and



The annual incentive bonus payments related to Fiscal 2019 performance were delayed to the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, and merit pay increases for Fiscal 2020 were delayed to the third quarter of Fiscal 2020.

Due to the aging of inventory related to the temporary store closures discussed above, as well as the impact of seasonality on the Company’s merchandise, the Company recognized inventory markdown reserves of $271.9 million during the three month period ended May 2, 2020. These reserves covered markdowns taken during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020. These charges were included in “Cost of sales” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was signed into law, which provided emergency economic assistance for American workers, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the year ended January 30, 2021, the Company will obtain a one-time tax refund of $245.5 million from the carryback of federal net operating losses (NOLs) as a result of the CARES Act, which is included in the line item “Prepaid and other current assets” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Convertible Debt

On August 5, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-06, “Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (ASU 2020-06), which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments. The new guidance removes from GAAP the separation models for convertible debt with a cash conversion feature. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU as of the beginning of Fiscal 2021, using the modified retrospective method of transition. Prior periods have not been restated.

In April 2020, the Company issued $805.0 million of 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (Convertible Notes). As a result of adopting the guidance, the Company is no longer separating the Convertible Notes into debt and equity components, and is instead accounting for it wholly as debt. As of the beginning of Fiscal 2021, this ASU resulted in a reduction in the line item “Additional paid-in capital” of $176.0 million, net of deferred financing costs, and an increase in the line item “Long term debt” of $153.0 million, which eliminated the debt discount and reallocated deferred financing costs that were previously allocated to the equity component.

The changes noted above caused a decrease in the effective interest rate on the Convertible Notes from 8.2% to 2.8%, resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings of $23.0 million related to Fiscal 2020 interest expense, as well as a $7.9 million and $23.2 million reduction in interest expense for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021, respectively.

As of the beginning of Fiscal 2021, the tax effect of adopting this guidance resulted in a $44.1 million increase in the line item “Additional paid-in-capital,” a $38.3 million reduction in the line item “Deferred tax liabilities” and a $5.9 million reduction to retained earnings.

The new guidance also requires use of the if-converted method when calculating the dilutive impact of the Convertible Notes on earnings per share. The Company used the treasury stock method prior to adoption of the ASU. This ASU resulted in an increase in net income as a result of the reduction of interest expense, as well as an increase in diluted shares caused by the application of the if-converted method, resulting in an increase to diluted net income per share of $0.08 and $0.20 during the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021, respectively.

There were no other new accounting standards that had a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto during the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021, and there were no other new

accounting standards or pronouncements that were issued but not yet effective as of October 30, 2021 that the Company expects to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations upon becoming effective.

2. Stockholders’ Equity

Activity for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020 in the Company’s stockholders’ equity are summarized below:


	(in thousands, except share data)
	Common Stock				Additional Paid-in			Accumulated Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive			Treasury Stock
	Shares		Amount		Capital			(Deficit)			Loss			Shares			Amount			Total
Balance at January 30, 2021		80,661,453	$	7	$	1,809,831		$	(11,702	)	$	(23,015	)		(14,275,122	)	$	(1,310,367	)	$	464,754
Net income		—		—		—			171,030			—			—			—			171,030
Stock options exercised		181,683		—		16,089			—			—			—			—			16,089
Shares used for tax withholding		—		—		—			—			—			(41,768	)		(13,083	)		(13,083	)
Vesting of restricted shares, net of forfeitures of 883 restricted shares		53,914		—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Stock based compensation		—		—		12,879			—			—			—			—			12,879
Unrealized gains on interest rate derivative contracts, net of related taxes of $0.3 million		—		—		—			—			825			—			—			825
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings, net of related taxes of $0.8 million		—		—		—			—			2,159			—			—			2,159
Adoption of ASU 2020-06 (Note 1)		—		—		(131,916	)		17,155			—			—			—			(114,761	)
Balance at May 1, 2021		80,897,050		7		1,706,883			176,483			(20,031	)		(14,316,890	)		(1,323,450	)		539,892
Net income		—		—		—			102,554			—			—			—			102,554
Stock options exercised		139,274		—		12,811			—			—			—			—			12,811
Shares used for tax withholding		—		—		—			—			—			(603	)		(178	)		(178	)
Vesting of restricted shares, net of forfeitures of 1,101 restricted shares		5,645		—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Stock based compensation		—		—		23,180			—			—			—			—			23,180
Unrealized losses on interest rate derivative contracts, net of related taxes of $1.9 million		—		—		—			—			(5,083	)		—			—			(5,083	)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings, net of related taxes of $0.9 million		—		—		—			—			2,519			—			—			2,519
Balance at July 31, 2021		81,041,969		7		1,742,874			279,037			(22,595	)		(14,317,493	)		(1,323,628	)		675,695
Net income		—		—		—			13,619			—			—			—			13,619
Stock options exercised		25,479		—		2,709			—			—			—			—			2,709
Shares used for tax withholding		—		—		—			—			—			(10,898	)		(3,202	)		(3,202	)
Shares purchased as part of publicly announced program		—		—		—			—			—			(512,363	)		(150,010	)		(150,010	)
Vesting of restricted shares, net of forfeitures of 382 restricted shares		24,437		—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Stock based compensation		—		—		17,297			—			—			—			—			17,297
Shares issued to redeem Convertible Notes		513,991		—		151,206			—			—			—			—			151,206
Unrealized gains on interest rate derivative contracts, net of related taxes of $2.4 million		—		—		—			—			6,509			—			—			6,509
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings, net of related taxes of $1.1 million		—		—		—			—			2,984			—			—			2,984
Balance at October 30, 2021		81,605,876	$	7	$	1,914,086		$	292,656		$	(13,102	)		(14,840,754	)	$	(1,476,840	)	$	716,807


	(in thousands, except share data)
	Common Stock				Additional Paid-in		Accumulated			Accumulated Other Comprehensive			Treasury Stock
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Deficit			Loss			Shares			Amount			Total
Balance at February 1, 2020		79,882,506	$	7	$	1,587,146	$	204,797		$	(18,960	)		(13,952,534	)	$	(1,244,841	)	$	528,149
Net loss		—		—		—		(333,728	)		—			—			—			(333,728	)
Stock options exercised		180,950		—		1,454		—			—			—			—			1,454
Shares used for tax withholding		—		—		—		—			—			(41,363	)		(7,383	)		(7,383	)
Shares purchased as part of publicly announced programs		—		—		—		—			—			(243,573	)		(50,158	)		(50,158	)
Vesting of restricted shares, net of forfeitures of 4,166 restricted shares		20,715		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Stock based compensation		—		—		17,352		—			—			—			—			17,352
Equity component of convertible notes issuance, net of related taxes of $44.1 million		—		—		131,916		—			—			—			—			131,916
Unrealized losses on interest rate derivative contracts, net of related tax benefit of $3.6 million		—		—		—		—			(9,609	)		—			—			(9,609	)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings,, net of related taxes of $0.4 million		—		—		—		—			1,108			—			—			1,108
Balance at May 2, 2020		80,084,171	$	7	$	1,737,868	$	(128,931	)	$	(27,461	)		(14,237,470	)	$	(1,302,382	)	$	279,101
Net loss		—		—		—		(46,781	)		—			—			—			(46,781	)
Stock options exercised		324,500		—		19,530		—			—			—			—			19,530
Shares used for tax withholding		—		—		—		—			—			(13,108	)		(2,350	)		(2,350	)
Vesting of restricted shares, net of forfeitures of 2,499 restricted shares		5,480		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Stock based compensation		—		—		12,693		—			—			—			—			12,693
Unrealized losses on interest rate derivative contracts, net of related taxes of $0.7 million		—		—		—		—			(1,982	)		—			—			(1,982	)
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings,, net of related taxes of $0.8 million		—		—		—		—			2,049			—			—			2,049
Balance at August 1, 2020		80,414,151		7		1,770,091		(175,712	)		(27,394	)		(14,250,578	)		(1,304,732	)		262,260
Net income		—		—		—		8,016			—			—			—			8,016
Stock options exercised		67,306		—		3,103		—			—			—			—			3,103
Shares used for tax withholding		—		—		—		—			—			(13,709	)		(2,911	)		(2,911	)
Vesting of restricted shares, net of forfeitures of 508 restricted shares		22,982		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Stock based compensation		—		—		13,406		—			—			—			—			13,406
Unrealized gains on interest rate derivative contracts, net of related taxes of $0.2 million		—		—		—		—			583			—			—			583
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings, net of related taxes of $0.8 million		—		—		—		—			2,119			—			—			2,119
Balance at October 31, 2020		80,504,439	$	7	$	1,786,600	$	(167,696	)	$	(24,692	)		(14,264,287	)	$	(1,307,643	)	$	286,576

3. Lease Commitments

The Company’s leases primarily consist of stores, distribution facilities and office space under operating and finance leases that will expire principally during the next 30 years. The leases typically include renewal options at five year intervals and escalation clauses. Lease renewals are only included in the lease liability to the extent that they are reasonably assured of being exercised. The Company’s leases typically provide for contingent rentals based on a percentage of gross sales. Contingent rentals are not included in the lease liability, and they are recognized as variable lease cost when incurred.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated temporary store closures discussed above, the Company worked with landlords to modify payment terms for certain leases. The FASB has provided relief under ASC 842, “Leases,” related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this relief, companies can make a policy election on how to treat lease concessions resulting directly from COVID-19, provided that the modified contracts result in total cash flows that are substantially the same or less than the cash flows in the original contract. The Company has made the policy election to account for lease concessions that result from the COVID-19 pandemic as if

they were made as enforceable rights under the original contract. Additionally, the Company has elected to account for these concessions outside of the lease modification framework described under ASC 842. As a result, deferred payments related to these leases of $5.6 million are included in the line item “Other current liabilities” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Due dates for these payments vary by lease, with all payments due before the end of Fiscal 2021.

The following is a schedule of the Company’s future lease payments:


	(in thousands)
Fiscal Year	Operating Leases			Finance Leases
2021 (remainder)	$	110,235		$	1,846
2022		498,007			7,513
2023		476,505			7,589
2024		441,446			7,417
2025		408,363			5,287
2026		371,207			5,324
Thereafter		1,252,675			28,014
Total future minimum lease payments		3,558,438			62,990
Amount representing interest		(651,608	)		(17,951	)
Total lease liabilities		2,906,830			45,039
Less: current portion of lease liabilities		(346,167	)		(4,610	)
Total long term lease liabilities	$	2,560,663		$	40,429

Weighted average discount rate		5.0	%		6.7	%
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)		8.2			11.3

The above schedule excludes approximately $358.6 million for 67 stores that the Company has committed to open or relocate but has not yet taken possession of the space. The discount rates used in valuing the Company’s leases are not readily determinable, and are based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate on a fully collateralized basis.

The following is a schedule of net lease costs for the periods indicated:


	(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	October 30, 2021			October 31, 2020			October 30, 2021			October 31, 2020
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance lease asset (a)	$	1,140		$	1,212		$	3,414		$	3,634
Interest on lease liabilities (b)		768			841			2,366			2,570
Operating lease cost (c)		119,858			111,797			346,789			330,362
Variable lease cost (c)		49,445			45,110			142,356			131,971
Total lease cost		171,211			158,960			494,925			468,537
Less all rental income (d)		(1,386	)		(1,280	)		(4,015	)		(3,793	)
Total net rent expense (e)	$	169,825		$	157,680		$	490,910		$	464,744


(a)	Included in the line item “Depreciation and amortization” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
(b)	Included in the line item “Interest expense” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
(c)	Includes real estate taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and percentage rent. Included in the line item “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
(d)	Included in the line item “Other revenue” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
(e)	Excludes an immaterial amount of short-term lease cost.

Supplemental cash flow disclosures related to leases are as follows:


	(in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended
	October 30, 2021		October 31, 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Cash payments arising from operating lease liabilities (a)	$	381,006	$	283,124
Cash payments for the principal portion of finance lease liabilities (b)	$	2,980	$	2,347
Cash payments for the interest portion of finance lease liabilities (a)	$	2,366	$	2,570
Supplemental non-cash information:
Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets	$	440,874	$	321,688


(a)	Included within operating activities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
(b)	Included within financing activities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

4. Long Term Debt

Long term debt consists of:


	(in thousands)
	October 30,			January 30,			October 31,
	2021			2021			2020
Senior secured term loan facility (Term B-6 Loans), LIBOR (with a floor of 0.00%) plus 2.00%, matures on June 24, 2028	$	952,841		$	—		$	—
Senior secured term loan facility (Term B-5 Loans), LIBOR (with a floor of 0.00%) plus 1.75%, repaid in full on June 24, 2021		—			958,418			958,222
$805,000 convertible senior notes, 2.25%, matures on April 15, 2025		644,627			648,311			640,618
$300,000 senior secured notes, 6.25%, redeemed in full on June 11, 2021		—			300,000			300,000
$600,000 ABL senior secured revolving facility, LIBOR plus spread based on average outstanding balance, matures on June 29, 2023		—			—			250,000
Finance lease obligations		45,039			47,664			48,351
Unamortized deferred financing costs		(13,638	)		(22,724	)		(23,881	)
Total debt		1,628,869			1,931,669			2,173,310
Less: current maturities		(14,224	)		(3,899	)		(3,815	)
Long term debt, net of current maturities	$	1,614,645		$	1,927,770		$	2,169,495

Term Loan Facility

On February 26, 2020, BCFWC entered into Amendment No. 8 (the Eighth Amendment) to the Term Loan Credit Agreement governing its senior secured credit term loan facility (Term Loan Facility). The Eighth Amendment, among other things, reduced the interest rate margins applicable to the Term Loan Facility from 1.00% to 0.75%, in the case of prime rate loans, and from 2.00% to 1.75%, in the case of LIBOR loans, with the LIBOR floor remaining at 0.00%. In connection with the execution of the Eighth Amendment, the Company incurred fees of $1.1 million, primarily related to legal and placement fees, which were recorded in the line item “Costs related to debt issuances and amendments” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss). Additionally, the Company recognized a non-cash loss on the extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million, representing the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue discount, which was recorded in the line item “Loss on extinguishment of debt” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

On June 24, 2021, BCFWC entered into Amendment No. 9 (the Ninth Amendment) to the Term Loan Credit Agreement governing the Term Loan Facility. The Ninth Amendment, among other things, extended the maturity date from November 17, 2024 to June 24, 2028, and changed the interest rate margins applicable to the Term Loan Facility from 0.75% to 1.00%, in the case of prime rate loans, and from 1.75% to 2.00%, in the case of LIBOR loans, with a 0.00% LIBOR floor. This amendment also requires quarterly principal payments of $2.4 million. In connection with the execution of the Ninth Amendment, the Company incurred fees of $3.3 million, primarily related to legal and placement fees, which were recorded in the line item “Costs related to debt issuances and amendments” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss). Additionally, the Company recognized a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million, representing the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue discount, which was recorded in the line item “Loss on extinguishment of debt” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

At October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, the interest rate related to the Term Loan Facility was 2.1% and 1.9%, respectively.

Convertible Notes

On April 16, 2020, the Company issued $805.0 million of Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.25% per year, payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears, on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2020. The Convertible Notes will mature on April 15, 2025, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased.

During the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company entered into separate, privately negotiated exchange agreements (Exchange Agreements) with certain holders of the Convertible Notes. Under the terms of the Exchange Agreements, the holders exchanged $160.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes held by them for a combination of an aggregate of $90.8 million in cash and 513,991 shares of the Company's common stock. This exchange resulted in a pre-tax debt extinguishment charge of $86.4 million in the three month period ended October 30, 2021.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 15, 2025, the Convertible Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods. Thereafter, the Convertible Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The Convertible Notes have an initial conversion rate of 4.5418 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $220.18 per share of the Company’s common stock), subject to adjustment if certain events occur. The initial conversion price represents a conversion premium of approximately 32.50% over $166.17 per share, the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock on April 13, 2020 (the pricing date of the offering) on the New York Stock Exchange. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company made an irrevocable settlement election for any conversions of the Convertible Notes. Upon conversion, the Company will pay cash for the principal amount. For any excess above principal, the Company will deliver shares of its common stock. The Company may not redeem the Convertible Notes prior to April 15, 2023. On or after April 15, 2023, the Company will be able to redeem for cash all or any portion of the Convertible Notes, at its option, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock is equal to or greater than 130% of the conversion price for a specified period of time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal aggregate amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Holders of the Convertible Notes may require the Company to repurchase their Convertible Notes upon the occurrence of certain events that constitute a fundamental change under the indenture governing the Convertible Notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of repurchase. In connection with certain corporate events or if the Company issues a notice of redemption, it will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for holders who elect to convert their Convertible Notes in connection with such corporate event or during the relevant redemption period for such Convertible Notes.

The Convertible Notes contain a cash conversion feature, and as a result, the Company initially separated it into liability and equity components. The Company valued the liability component based on its borrowing rate for a similar debt instrument that does not contain a conversion feature. The equity component, which was recognized as a debt discount, was valued as the difference between the face value of the Convertible Notes and the fair value of the liability component. As a result of adopting ASU 2020-06, the Company is no longer separating the Convertible Notes into debt and equity components, and is instead accounting for it wholly as debt.

In connection with the Convertible Notes issuance, the Company incurred deferred financing costs of $21.0 million, primarily related to fees paid to the bookrunners of the offering, as well as legal, accounting and rating agency fees. These costs were initially allocated on a pro rata basis, with $16.4 million allocated to the debt component and $4.6 million allocated to the equity component. As a result of adopting ASU 2020-06, all unamortized deferred financing costs related to the Convertible Notes are now allocated to debt.

Prior to adoption of ASU 2020-06, the debt discount and the debt portion of the deferred costs were being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes at an effective interest rate of 8.2%. The effective interest rate after adoption of ASU 2020-06 is 2.8%.

The Convertible Notes consist of the following components as of the dates indicated:


	(in thousands)
	October 30,			January 30,			October 31,
	2021			2021			2020
Liability component:
Principal	$	644,627		$	805,000		$	805,000
Unamortized debt discount		—			(156,689	)		(164,382	)
Unamortized deferred debt costs		(11,845	)		(14,191	)		(14,888	)
Net carrying amount	$	632,782		$	634,120		$	625,730

Equity component, net	$	—		$	131,916		$	131,916

Interest expense related to the Convertible Notes consists of the following as of the periods indicated:


	(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	October 30, 2021		October 31, 2020		October 30, 2021		October 31, 2020
Coupon interest	$	3,967	$	4,508	$	12,988	$	9,864
Amortization of debt discount		—		7,542		—		16,295
Amortization of deferred debt costs		941		683		2,948		1,476
Convertible Notes interest expense	$	4,908	$	12,733	$	15,936	$	27,635

Secured Notes

On April 16, 2020, BCFWC issued $300.0 million of 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (Secured Notes). The Secured Notes were senior, secured obligations of BCFWC, and interest was payable semiannually in cash, in arrears, at a rate of 6.25% per annum on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2020. The Secured Notes were guaranteed on a senior secured basis by Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, LLC, Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc. and BCFWC’s subsidiaries that guarantee the loans under the Term Loan Facility.

In connection with the Secured Notes issuance, the Company incurred deferred financing costs of $7.9 million, primarily related to fees paid to the bookrunners of the offering, as well as legal fees. These costs are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Secured Notes. The Company incurred additional costs of $2.5 million, primarily related to legal fees, which are recorded in the line item, “Costs related to debt issuances and amendments” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

On June 11, 2021, BCFWC redeemed the full $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes. The redemption price of the Secured Notes was $323.7 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. This redemption resulted in a pre-tax debt extinguishment charge of $30.2 million in the three month period ended July 31, 2021.

ABL Line of Credit

On March 17, 2020, the Company borrowed $400.0 million on its existing $600.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (the ABL Line of Credit) as a precautionary measure in order to increase the Company’s cash position and facilitate financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty resulting from COVID-19. The Company repaid $150.0 million of this amount during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, and the remaining $250.0 million during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020.

At October 30, 2021, the Company had $541.0 million available under the ABL Line of Credit. There were no borrowings under the ABL Line of Credit during the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021.

At October 31, 2020, the Company had $292.4 million available under the ABL Line of Credit. The maximum borrowings under the ABL Line of Credit during the three and nine month periods ended October 31, 2020 amounted to $250.0 million and $400.0 million, respectively. Average borrowings during the three and nine month periods ended October 31, 2020 amounted to $250.0 million and $276.2 million, respectively, at an average interest rate of 1.6% and 2.0%, respectively.

5. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging activities in accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (ASC 815). As required by ASC 815, the Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value and adjusts to market on a quarterly basis. In addition, to comply with the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements” (ASC 820), credit valuation adjustments, which consider the impact of any credit enhancements to the contracts, are incorporated in the fair values to account for potential nonperformance risk. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees. In accordance with ASC 820, the Company made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. There is no impact of netting, because the Company has only one derivative. The Company classifies its derivative valuations in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

On December 17, 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate swap, which hedged $450 million of the variable rate exposure under the Term Loan Facility at a rate of 2.72%. On June 24, 2021, the Company terminated this previous interest rate swap, and entered into a new interest rate swap, which hedges $450 million of the variable rate exposure on the Term Loan Facility at a blended rate of 2.19%, and is designated as a cash flow hedge.

The amount of loss deferred for the previous interest rate swap was $26.9 million. The Company is amortizing this amount from accumulated other comprehensive loss into interest expense over the original life of the previous interest rate swap, which had an original maturity date of December 29, 2023. The new interest rate swap had a liability fair value at inception of $26.9 million. The Company will accrete this amount into accumulated other comprehensive loss as a benefit to interest expense over the life of the new interest rate swap, which has a maturity date of June 24, 2028.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish these objectives, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

As of October 30, 2021, the Company had the following outstanding interest rate derivative that was designated as a cash flow hedge of interest rate risk:


Interest Rate Derivative	Number of Instruments	Notional Aggregate Principal Amount	Interest Swap Rate	Maturity Date
Interest rate swap contract	One	$ 450.0 million	2.19%	June 24, 2028

Tabular Disclosure

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on a gross basis as well as their classification on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

(in thousands)

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

October 30, 2021

January 30, 2021

October 31, 2020

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

Balance
Sheet
Location

Fair
Value

Balance
Sheet
Location

Fair
Value

Balance
Sheet
Location

Fair
Value

Interest rate swap contracts

Other liabilities

20,439

Other liabilities

31,665

Other liabilities

34,076

The following table presents the unrealized gains and losses deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting from the Company’s derivative financial instruments for each of the reporting periods.


	(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
Interest Rate Derivatives:	October 30, 2021			October 31, 2020			October 30, 2021			October 31, 2020
Unrealized gains (losses), before taxes	$	8,936		$	804		$	3,096		$	(15,090	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(2,427	)		(221	)		(845	)		4,082
Unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes	$	6,509		$	583		$	2,251		$	(11,008	)

The following table presents information about the reclassification of gains and losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings related to the Company’s derivative instruments for each of the reporting periods.


	(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
Component of Earnings:	October 30, 2021			October 31, 2020			October 30, 2021			October 31, 2020
Interest expense	$	4,096		$	2,919		$	10,519		$	7,271
Income tax benefit		(1,112	)		(800	)		(2,857	)		(1,995	)
Net reclassification into earnings	$	2,984		$	2,119		$	7,662		$	5,276

The Company estimates that approximately $6.7 million will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into interest expense during the next twelve months.

6. Fair Value Measurements

The Company accounts for fair value measurements in accordance with Topic No. 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measurement and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. Topic No. 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price), and classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2: Quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3: Pricing inputs that are unobservable for the assets and liabilities and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the assets and liabilities.

The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Refer to Note 5, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” for further discussion regarding the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap contract.

Financial Assets

The fair values of the Company’s financial assets and the hierarchy of the level of inputs as of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020 are summarized below:


	(in thousands)
	Fair Value Measurements at
	October 30,		January 30,		October 31,
	2021		2021		2020
Level 1
Cash equivalents (including restricted cash)	$	701,607	$	1,001,475	$	1,001,416

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for purposes of calculating impairment using the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820. The fair value of the Company’s long-lived assets is generally calculated using discounted cash flows. During the three and nine months ended October 30, 2021, the Company recorded impairment charges of $1.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively, primarily related to declines in revenues and operating results at certain stores. These costs were recorded in the line item “Impairment charges – long-lived assets” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The fixed assets related to these stores had a remaining fair value as of October 30, 2021 of $0.1 million, and would be categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy described above. During the three and nine months ended October 31, 2020, the Company recorded impairment charges of $2.6 million and $5.6 million, respectively, primarily related to declines in revenues and operating results for 10 stores and 14 stores, respectively.

Financial Liabilities

The fair values of the Company’s financial liabilities are summarized below:


	(in thousands)
	October 30, 2021				January 30, 2021				October 31, 2020
	Principal Amount		Fair Value		Principal Amount		Fair Value		Principal Amount		Fair Value
Term B-6 Loans	$	959,011	$	953,017	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Term B-5 Loans		—		—		961,415		955,406		961,415		944,590
Convertible Notes		644,627		915,048		805,000		1,080,713		805,000		918,183
Secured Notes		—		—		300,000		320,625		300,000		314,625
ABL Line of Credit (a)		—		—		—		—		250,000		250,000
Total debt (b)	$	1,603,638	$	1,868,065	$	2,066,415	$	2,356,744	$	2,316,415	$	2,427,398

(a)

To the extent the Company has any outstanding borrowings under the ABL Line of Credit, the fair value would approximate its reported value, because the interest rate is variable and reflects current market rates, due to short term nature.

(b)

The table above excludes finance lease obligations, debt discount and deferred debt costs.

The fair values presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of the respective period end dates. The estimated fair values of the Company’s debt are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, and are based on current market quotes received from inactive markets.

7. Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $17.9 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 compared with $15.1 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 was 56.8% compared with 65.3% during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. The higher income tax rate in the prior year is primarily due to the reversal of income tax benefit recorded in the first two quarters of Fiscal 2020 related to the net operating loss carry-back as permitted under the CARES Act. The decrease in income tax rate this year was partially offset by the disallowance of certain debt extinguishment costs related to partial settlement of the Convertible Notes during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021.

Income tax expense was $79.8 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, compared with income tax benefit of $253.3 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. The effective tax rate for the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 was 21.7%, compared with 40.5% during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the Company’s pretax loss in the prior year and applying various provisions of the CARES Act, namely the benefit related to the carryback of federal NOLs in Fiscal 2020 to earlier tax years with higher tax rates.

Net deferred taxes are as follows:


	(in thousands)
	October 30,		January 30,		October 31,
	2021		2021		2020
Deferred tax asset	$	4,119	$	4,422	$	4,596
Deferred tax liability		211,710		199,850		204,745
Net deferred tax liability	$	207,591	$	195,428	$	200,149

Net deferred tax assets relate to Puerto Rico deferred balances that have a future net benefit for tax purposes. Net deferred tax liabilities primarily relate to intangible assets and depreciation expense where the Company has a future obligation for tax purposes.

As of October 30, 2021, the Company had a deferred tax asset related to net operating losses of $26.0 million, inclusive of $25.7 million related to state net operating losses that expire at various dates between 2022 and 2040, as well as $0.3 million related to Puerto Rico net operating losses that will expire in 2025.

As of October 30, 2021, the Company had a deferred tax asset related to tax credit carry-forwards of $7.6 million, inclusive of $6.6 million of state tax credit carry-forwards, which will begin to expire in 2023, and $1.0 million of deferred tax assets recorded for Puerto Rico alternative minimum tax credits that have an indefinite life.

As of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, valuation allowances amounted to $12.1 million, $13.0 million and $12.4 million, respectively, related to state and Puerto Rico net operating losses and state tax credit carry-forwards. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that this portion of state and Puerto Rico net operating losses and state tax credit carry-forwards will not be realized.

8. Capital Stock

Treasury Stock

The Company accounts for treasury stock under the cost method.

During the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, the Company acquired 53,269 shares of common stock from employees for approximately $16.5 million to satisfy their minimum statutory tax withholdings related to the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, which was recorded in the line item “Treasury stock” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the line item “Purchase of treasury shares” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Share Repurchase Programs

On August 14, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400.0 million of common stock, which expired in August 2021. On August 18, 2021, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400.0 million of common stock, which is authorized to be executed through August 2023. This repurchase program is funded using the Company’s available cash and borrowings under the ABL Line of Credit.

During Fiscal 2021, the Company repurchased 512,363 shares of common stock for $150.0 million under this repurchase program. As of October 30, 2021, the Company had $250.0 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

9. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method for the Company’s

stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, and the if-converted method for the Convertible Notes. The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:


	(in thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended

	October 30,		October 31,		October 30,		October 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Basic net income (loss) per share
Net income (loss)	$	13,619	$	8,016	$	287,203	$	(372,493	)
Weighted average number of common shares – basic		66,740		66,083		66,591		65,867
Net income (loss) per common share – basic	$	0.20	$	0.12	$	4.31	$	(5.66	)
Diluted net income (loss) per share
Net income (loss)	$	13,619	$	8,016	$	287,203	$	(372,493	)
Shares for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Weighted average number of common shares – basic		66,740		66,083		66,591		65,867
Assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock		577		637		666		—
Assumed conversion of convertible debt		888		—		971		—
Weighted average number of common shares – diluted		68,205		66,720		68,228		65,867
Net income (loss) per common share – diluted	$	0.20	$	0.12	$	4.21	$	(5.66	)

Approximately 242,000 and 144,000 shares of the Company’s stock-based compensation grants were excluded from diluted net income per share for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021, respectively, since their effect was anti-dilutive.

All of the Company’s stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards have an anti-dilutive effect while in a net loss position. Approximately 585,000 and 2,010,000 shares related to the Company’s stock option, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards were excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share for the three and nine month periods ended October 31, 2020, respectively, since their effect was anti-dilutive.

10. Stock-Based Compensation

As of October 30, 2021, there were 1,903,301 shares of common stock available for issuance under the Company’s 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Non-cash stock compensation expense is as follows:


	(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	October 30,		October 31,		October 30,		October 31,
Type of Non-Cash Stock Compensation	2021		2020		2021		2020
Restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants (a)	$	8,192	$	6,410	$	22,132	$	19,048
Stock option grants (a)		4,815		4,679		13,891		15,707
Performance stock unit grants (a)		4,290		2,317		17,333		8,696
Total (b)	$	17,297	$	13,406	$	53,356	$	43,451

(a)

Included in the line item “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

(b)

The amounts presented in the table above exclude taxes. For the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021, the tax benefit related to the Company’s non-cash stock compensation was approximately $3.1 million and $9.2 million, respectively. For the three and nine month periods ended October 31, 2020, the tax benefit related to the Company’s non-cash stock compensation was approximately $2.3 million and $8.3 million, respectively.

Stock Options

Stock option transactions during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 are summarized as follows:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Options outstanding, January 30, 2021		1,346,775		$	133.86
Options granted		209,244			315.81
Options exercised (a)		(346,436	)		91.24
Options forfeited		(36,961	)		192.20
Options outstanding, October 30, 2021		1,172,622		$	177.08

(a)

Options exercised during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 had a total intrinsic value of $75.0 million.

The following table summarizes information about the stock options vested and expected to vest during the contractual term of such options as of October 30, 2021:


	Options		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Options vested and expected to vest		1,172,622		6.6	$	177.08	$	124.3
Options exercisable		570,152		4.9	$	136.73	$	79.6

The fair value of each stock option granted during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 was estimated using the Black Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:


		Nine Months Ended
		October 30,
		2021
Risk-free interest rate		0.45% - 1.13%
Expected volatility		34% - 35%
Expected life (years)		6.00 - 6.25
Contractual life (years)		10.0
Expected dividend yield		0.0%
Weighted average grant date fair value of options issued	$	110.12

The expected dividend yield was based on the Company’s expectation of not paying dividends in the near term. Since the Company completed its initial public offering in October 2013, it does not have sufficient history as a publicly traded company to evaluate its volatility factor. As such, the expected stock price volatility is based upon the historical volatility of the stock price over the expected life of the options of peer companies that are publicly traded. The risk free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury rates for U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with maturities similar to those of the expected term of the awards being valued. For grants issued during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, the expected life of the options was calculated using the simplified method. The simplified method defines the life as the average of the contractual term of the options and the weighted average vesting period for all option tranches. This methodology was utilized due to the relatively short length of time the Company’s common stock has been publicly traded.

Restricted Stock

Prior to May 1, 2019, the Company granted shares of restricted stock. Grants made on and after May 1, 2019 are in the form of restricted stock units. Restricted stock transactions during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 are summarized as follows:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award
Non-vested awards outstanding, January 30, 2021		396,555		$	168.87
Awards granted		139,792			319.52
Awards vested (a)		(152,896	)		152.85
Awards forfeited		(16,816	)		201.01
Non-vested awards outstanding, October 30, 2021		366,635			231.52

(a)

Restricted stock awards vested during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 had a total intrinsic value of $47.6 million.

The fair value of each share of restricted stock granted during Fiscal 2021 was based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.

Performance Stock Units

The Company grants performance-based restricted stock units to its senior executives. Vesting of these performance stock units is based on continued service and the achievement of pre-established EBIT margin expansion and sales compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) goals (each weighted equally) over a three-year performance period. Based on the Company’s achievement of these goals, each award may range from 50% (at threshold performance) to no more than 200% of the target award. In the event that actual performance is below threshold, no award will be made. Compensation costs recognized on the performance stock units are adjusted, as applicable, for performance above or below the target specified in the award.

Performance stock unit transactions during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 are summarized as follows:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award
Non-vested units outstanding, January 30, 2021		148,668		$	176.70
Units granted		55,294			321.13
Awards forfeited		(16,064	)		216.23
Non-vested units outstanding, October 30, 2021		187,898			215.82

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal

Like many retailers, the Company has been named in potential class or collective actions on behalf of groups alleging violations of federal and state wage and hour and other labor statutes, and alleged violations of state consumer and/or privacy protection and other statutes. In the normal course of business, the Company is also party to representative claims under the California Private Attorneys’ General Act and various other lawsuits and regulatory proceedings including, among others, commercial, product, product safety, employee, customer, intellectual property and other claims. Actions against us are in various procedural stages. Many of these proceedings raise factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties. While no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of these matters, the Company believes that the final resolution of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, liquidity or capital resources.

Letters of Credit

The Company had letters of credit arrangements with various banks in the aggregate amount of $59.0 million, $54.9 million and $57.6 million as of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively. Among these arrangements, as of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, the Company had letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $46.8 million, $46.8 million and $47.2 million, respectively, guaranteeing performance under various insurance contracts and utility agreements. In addition, the Company had outstanding letters of credit arrangements in the amounts of $12.3 million, $8.2 million and $10.4 million at October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively, related to certain merchandising agreements. Based on the terms of the agreement governing the ABL Line of Credit, the Company had the ability to enter into letters of credit up to $541.0 million, $476.8 million and $292.4 million as of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively.

Purchase Commitments

The Company had $1,766.0 million of purchase commitments related to goods that were not received as of October 30, 2021.

Death Benefits

In November 2005, the Company entered into agreements with three of the Company’s former executives whereby upon each of their deaths the Company will pay $1.0 million to each respective designated beneficiary.

12. Related Parties

The brother-in-law of one of the Company’s former Executive Vice Presidents is an independent sales representative of one of the Company’s suppliers of merchandise inventory. This relationship predated the commencement of the former Executive Vice President’s employment with the Company. The Company has determined that the dollar amount of purchases through such supplier represents an insignificant amount of its inventory purchases. The Executive Vice President retired from the Company during the second quarter of Fiscal 2021.

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 (Fiscal 2020 10-K).

In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Our actual results or other events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including those discussed under the section of this Item 2 entitled “Safe Harbor Statement.”

Executive Summary

Introduction

We are a nationally recognized off-price retailer of high-quality, branded apparel at everyday low prices. We opened our first store in Burlington, New Jersey in 1972, selling primarily coats and outerwear. Since then, we have expanded our store base to 832 stores as of October 30, 2021 in 45 states and Puerto Rico. We have diversified our product categories by offering an extensive selection of in-season, fashion-focused merchandise at up to 60% off other retailers’ prices, including: women’s ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, baby, beauty, footwear, accessories, home, toys, gifts and coats. We sell a broad selection of desirable, first-quality, current-brand, labeled merchandise acquired directly from nationally-recognized manufacturers and other suppliers.

COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (known as COVID-19) outbreak to be a global pandemic. As a result, we began the temporary closing of some of our stores, and effective March 22, 2020, we made the decision to temporarily close all of our stores, distribution centers (other than processing of received inventory) and corporate offices to combat the rapid spread of COVID-19. These developments caused significant disruptions to our business and had a significant adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We began re-opening stores on May 11, 2020, with substantially all stores re-opened by the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary closing of our stores, we provided two weeks of financial support to associates impacted by these store closures and by the shutdown of distribution centers. We temporarily furloughed most store and distribution center associates, as well as some corporate associates, but continued to provide benefits to furloughed associates in accordance with our benefit plans. In addition, we paid 100% of their medical benefit premiums during the period they were furloughed. During the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, we recalled all furloughed associates at our re-opened stores, as well as our corporate and distribution facilities.

In order to maintain maximum financial flexibility during the pandemic, we completed several debt transactions in the first quarter of Fiscal 2020. Refer to Note 4, “Long Term Debt,” for further discussion regarding these debt transactions.

Additionally, we took the following steps to further enhance our financial flexibility:



Carefully managed operating expenses, working capital and capital expenditures, including ceasing substantially all buying activities while stores were closed. We subsequently resumed our buying activities, while continuing our conservative approach toward operating expenses and capital expenditures;



Negotiated rent deferral agreements with landlords;



Temporarily suspended our share repurchase program;



Our CEO voluntarily agreed to not take a salary, our board of directors voluntarily forfeited their cash compensation, our executive leadership team voluntarily agreed to decrease their salary by 50% and smaller salary reductions were temporarily put in place for all employees through a certain level. This compensation was reinstated once substantially all of our stores re-opened; and



Due to the aging of inventory related to the temporary store closures discussed above, as well as the impact of seasonality on our merchandise, we recognized inventory markdown reserves of $271.9 million during the three month period ended May 2, 2020. These reserves covered markdowns taken during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020. These charges were included in “Cost of sales” on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was signed into law, which provided emergency economic assistance for American workers, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the year ended January 30, 2021 we will obtain a one-time tax refund of $245.5 million from the carryback of federal net operating losses (NOLs), which is included in the line item “Prepaid and other current assets” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Fiscal Year

Fiscal 2021 is defined as the 52-week year ending January 29, 2022. Fiscal 2020 is defined as the 52-week year ended January 30, 2021.

Store Openings, Closings, and Relocations

During the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, we opened 93 new stores, inclusive of 17 relocations, and permanently closed five stores, exclusive of the aforementioned relocations, bringing our store count as of October 30, 2021 to 832 stores.

Ongoing Initiatives for Fiscal 2021

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the health and safety of our customers, associates, and the communities that we serve has been our top priority. Accordingly, we moved quickly to close our stores, distribution centers, and corporate offices in March of Fiscal 2020. We continue to keep health and safety as a top priority as we operate our stores and distribution centers.

We continue to focus on a number of ongoing initiatives aimed at increasing our overall profitability by improving our comparable store sales trends, increasing total sales growth and reducing expenses. These initiatives include, but are not limited to:



Driving Comparable Store Sales Growth.

We intend to continue to increase comparable store sales through the following initiatives:



More Effectively Chasing the Sales Trend. We are conservatively planning comparable stores sales growth, holding and controlling liquidity and closely analyzing the sales trend by business, ready to chase that trend. We believe that these actions should not only enable us to more effectively chase the trend, but they will also allow us to take more advantage of great opportunistic buys.



Making a Greater Investment in Merchandising Capabilities. We intend to invest in incremental headcount, especially in our growing and under-developed businesses, training and coaching, improved tools and reporting, and other forms of merchant support. We believe that these investments should improve our ability to develop vendor relationships, source great merchandise buys, more accurately assess value, and better forecast and chase the sales trend.



Operating with Leaner Inventories. We are planning to carry less inventory going forward, which we believe should result in the customer finding a higher mix of fresh receipts and great merchandise values. We believe that this should drive faster turns and lower markdowns, while simultaneously improving our customers’ shopping experience.



Enhancing Existing Categories and Introducing New Categories. We have opportunities to expand the depth and breadth of certain existing categories, such as ladies’ apparel, children’s products, bath and cosmetic merchandise, housewares, décor for the home and beauty as we continue to de-weather our business, and maintain the flexibility to introduce new categories as we expand our merchandising capabilities.



Expanding and Enhancing Our Retail Store Base.

We intend to expand and enhance our retail store base through the following initiatives:



Adhering to a Market Focused and Financially Disciplined Real Estate Strategy. We have grown our store base consistently since our founding in 1972, developing more than 99% of our stores organically. We believe there is significant opportunity to expand our retail store base in the United States. We have identified numerous market opportunities that we believe will allow us to operate 2,000 stores over the long-term.



Maintaining Focus on Unit Economics and Returns. We have adopted a market focused approach to new store openings with a specific focus on maximizing sales while achieving attractive unit economics and returns. By focusing on opening stores with attractive unit economics, we are able to achieve attractive returns on capital and continue to grow our margins. We believe that as we continue to reduce our comparable store inventory, we will be able to reduce the square footage of our stores while continuing to maintain our broad assortment.



Enhancing the Store Experience Through Store Remodels, Downsizes and Relocations. We continue to invest in store remodels and downsizes on a store-by-store basis where appropriate, taking into consideration the age, size, sales and profitability of a store, as well as the potential impact to the customer shopping experience. In our remodeled stores, we have typically incorporated new flooring, painting, lighting and graphics, relocated our fitting rooms and rightsized our selling area to maximize productive selling space, enhanced certain departments such as home and accessories and made various other improvements as appropriate by location. We have also increased our focus on relocations as leases expire to right size our buildings and improve our competitive positioning.



Enhancing Operating Margins.

We intend to increase our operating margins through the following initiatives:



Improving Operational Flexibility. Our store and supply chain teams must continue to respond to the challenge of becoming more responsive to the sales chase, enhancing their ability to flex up and down based on trends. Their ability to appropriately flex based on the ongoing trends allows us to maximize leverage on sales, regardless of the trend.



Optimizing Markdowns. We believe that our markdown system allows us to maximize sales and gross margin dollars based on forward-looking sales forecasts, sell-through targets and exit dates. Additionally, as we plan to carry less inventory in our stores, we expect to drive faster turns, which in turn will reduce the amount of markdowns taken.



Enhancing Purchasing Power. We believe that increasing our store footprint and expanding our west coast and New York buying offices provides us with the opportunity to capture incremental buying opportunities and realize economies of scale in our merchandising and non-merchandising purchasing activities.



Challenging Expenses to Drive Operating Leverage. We believe that we will be able to leverage our growing sales over the fixed costs of our business. In addition, by more conservatively planning our comparable store sales growth, we are forcing even tighter expense control. We believe that this should put us in a strong position to drive operating leverage on any sales ahead of the plan. Additionally, we plan to continue challenging the processes and operating norms throughout the organization with the belief that this will lead to incremental efficiency improvements and savings.

Uncertainties and Challenges

As we strive to increase profitability through achieving positive comparable store sales and leveraging productivity initiatives focused on improving the in-store experience, more efficient movement of products from the vendors to the selling floors, and modifying our marketing plans to increase our core customer base and increase our share of our current customers’ spending, there are uncertainties and challenges that we face as an off-price retailer of apparel and accessories for men, women and children and home furnishings that could have a material impact on our revenues or income.

COVID-19. The extent of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business will depend largely on future developments, including the production and administration of effective medical treatments and vaccines, the timing and extent of the recovery in traffic and consumer spending at our stores, supply chain delays due to closed factories or distribution centers, reduced workforces or labor shortages and scarcity of raw materials, and any future required store closures because of COVID-19 resurgences. COVID-19 presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to our business, financial performance and condition, operating results, liquidity and cash flows.

General Economic Conditions. Consumer spending habits, including spending for the merchandise that we sell, are affected by, among other things, prevailing global economic conditions, inflation, levels of employment, salaries and wage rates, prevailing interest rates, housing costs, energy costs, commodities pricing, income tax rates and policies, consumer confidence and consumer perception of economic conditions. In addition, consumer purchasing patterns may be influenced by consumers’ disposable income, credit availability and debt levels.

A broader, protracted slowdown in the U.S. economy, an extended period of high unemployment rates, an uncertain global economic outlook or a credit crisis could adversely affect consumer spending habits resulting in lower net sales and profits than expected on a quarterly or annual basis. Consumer confidence is also affected by the domestic and international political situation. Our financial condition and operations could be impacted by changes in government regulations in areas including, but not limited to, taxes and healthcare. Ongoing international trade and tariff negotiations could have a direct impact on our income and an indirect impact on consumer prices. The outbreak or escalation of war, or the occurrence of terrorist acts or other hostilities in or affecting the U.S., or public health issues such as pandemics or epidemics, including the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, could lead to a decrease in spending by consumers. In addition, natural disasters, public health issues, industrial accidents and acts of war in various parts of the world could have the effect of disrupting supplies and raising prices globally which, in turn, may have adverse effects on the world and U.S. economies and lead to a downturn in consumer confidence and spending.

We closely monitor our net sales, gross margin and expenses. We have performed scenario planning such that if our net sales decline for an extended period of time, we have identified variable costs that could be reduced to partially mitigate the impact of these declines. If we were to experience adverse economic trends and/or if our efforts to counteract the impacts of these trends are not sufficiently effective, there could be a negative impact on our financial performance and position in future fiscal periods.

Seasonality of Sales and Weather Conditions. Our sales, like most other retailers, are subject to seasonal influences. In the second half of the year, which includes the back-to-school and holiday seasons, we generally realize a higher level of sales and net income.

Weather continues to be a contributing factor to the sale of our clothing. Generally, our sales are higher if the weather is cold during the Fall and warm during the early Spring. Sales of cold weather clothing are increased by early cold weather during the Fall, while sales of warm weather clothing are improved by early warm weather conditions in the Spring. Although we have diversified our product offerings, we believe traffic to our stores is still driven, in part, by weather patterns.

Competition and Margin Pressure. We believe that in order to remain competitive with retailers, including off-price retailers and discount stores, we must continue to offer brand-name merchandise at a discount to prices offered by other retailers as well as an assortment of merchandise that is appealing to our customers.

The U.S. retail apparel and home furnishings markets are highly fragmented and competitive. We compete for business with department stores, off-price retailers, internet retailers, specialty stores, discount stores, wholesale clubs, and outlet stores as well as with certain traditional, full-price retail chains that have developed off-price concepts. At various times throughout the year, traditional full-price department store chains and specialty shops offer brand-name merchandise at substantial markdowns, which can result in prices approximating those offered by us at our Burlington stores. We anticipate that competition will increase in the future. Therefore, we will continue to look for ways to differentiate our stores from those of our competitors.

The U.S. retail industry continues to face increased pressure on margins as overall challenging retail conditions have led consumers to be more value conscious. Our “open to buy” paradigm, in which we purchase both pre-season and in-season merchandise, allows us the flexibility to purchase less pre-season with the balance purchased in-season and opportunistically. It also provides us with the flexibility to shift purchases between suppliers and categories. This enables us to obtain better terms with our suppliers, which we expect to help offset any rising costs of goods.

Industry-wide supply chain issues have led to increased freight and labor costs during Fiscal 2021 and may continue to add pressure on margins for the remainder of the year and potentially into Fiscal 2022. Additionally, the higher our sales volume is, and the more sales we chase above our initial plans, the more these increased supply chain costs will impact our margins.

Key Performance Measures

We consider numerous factors in assessing our performance. Key performance measures used by management include net income (loss), Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBIT, comparable store sales, gross margin, inventory, store payroll and liquidity .

Net income (loss). We earned net income of $13.6 million during the three month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with net income of $8.0 million during the three month period ended October 31, 2020. This increase was primarily driven by our strong sales growth during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, predominantly offset by an $86.4 million debt extinguishment charge related to the partial repurchase of our $805.0 million 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (Convertible Notes). We earned net income of $287.2 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with a net loss of $372.5 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. This increase was primarily driven by the temporary closure of all our stores during Fiscal 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our sales growth during Fiscal 2021. Refer to the section below entitled “Results of Operations” for further explanation.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT: Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT are non-GAAP financial measures of our performance.

We define Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss), exclusive of the following items, if applicable: (i) net favorable lease costs; (ii) costs related to debt issuances and amendments; (iii) loss on extinguishment of debt; (iv) impairment charges; (v) amounts related to certain litigation matters; (vi) non-cash interest expense on the Convertible Notes; (vii) costs related to closing the e-commerce store; and (viii) other unusual, non-recurring or extraordinary expenses, losses, charges or gains, all of which are tax effected to arrive at Adjusted Net Income (Loss).

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), exclusive of the following items, if applicable: (i) interest expense; (ii) interest income; (iii) loss on extinguishment of debt; (iv) income tax expense (benefit); (v) depreciation and amortization; (vi) impairment charges; (vii) costs related to debt issuances and amendments; (viii) amounts related to certain litigation matters; (ix) costs related to closing the e-commerce store; and (x) other unusual, non-recurring or extraordinary expenses, losses, charges or gains.

We define Adjusted EBIT as net income (loss), exclusive of the following items, if applicable: (i) interest expense; (ii) interest income; (iii) loss on extinguishment of debt; (iv) income tax expense (benefit); (v) impairment charges; (vi) net favorable lease costs; (vii) costs related to debt issuances and amendments; (viii) amounts related to certain litigation matters; (ix) costs related to closing the e-commerce store; and (x) other unusual, non-recurring or extraordinary expenses, losses, charges or gains.

We present Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT, because we believe they are useful supplemental measures in evaluating the performance of our business and provide greater transparency into our results of operations. In particular, we believe that excluding certain items that may vary substantially in frequency and magnitude from what we consider to be our core operating results are useful supplemental measures that assist in evaluating our ability to generate earnings and leverage sales, and to more readily compare core operating results between past and future periods.

We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide investors helpful information with respect to our operations and financial condition. Other companies in the retail industry may calculate these non-GAAP measures differently such that our calculation may not be directly comparable.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered either in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Among other limitations, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) does not reflect the following items, net of their tax effect:

•

favorable lease costs;

•

costs related to debt issuances and amendments;

•

losses on extinguishment of debt;

•

amounts charged for certain litigation matters;

•

non-cash interest expense related to original issue discount on the Convertible Notes;

•

impairment charges on long-lived assets;

•

costs related to closing the e-commerce store; and

•

other unusual, non-recurring or extraordinary expenses, losses, charges or gains.

During the three month period ended October 30, 2021, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) increased $73.4 million to $92.9 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by sales growth during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, as well as weak sales during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020 due to COVID-19 related business disruptions. During the nine months ended October 30, 2021, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) increased $734.7 million to $402.0 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by the temporary closure of all our stores during Fiscal 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our sales growth during Fiscal 2021. Refer to the section below entitled “Results of Operations” for further explanation.

The following table shows our reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted Net Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended October 30, 2021 compared with the three and nine months ended October 31, 2020:


	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	October 30,			October 31,			October 30,			October 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted Net Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$	13,619		$	8,016		$	287,203		$	(372,493	)
Net favorable lease costs (a)		5,275			5,776			17,188			18,402
Non-cash interest expense on convertible notes (b)		—			7,542			—			16,295
Costs related to debt issuances and amendments (c)		89			(719	)		3,419			3,633
Loss on extinguishment of debt (d)		86,362			—			117,756			202
Impairment charges		1,488			2,575			3,235			5,575
Litigation matters (e)		—			—			—			20,788
E-commerce closure (f)		—			556			—			1,526
Tax effect (g)		(13,891	)		(4,209	)		(26,835	)		(26,634	)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)	$	92,942		$	19,537		$	401,966		$	(332,706	)

(a)

Net favorable lease cost represents the non-cash expense associated with favorable and unfavorable leases that were recorded as a result of purchase accounting related to the April 13, 2006 Bain Capital acquisition of Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation (the Merger Transaction). These expenses are recorded in the line item “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

(b)

Represents non-cash accretion of original issue discount on the Convertible Notes. The original issue discount was eliminated as of the beginning of Fiscal 2021, as a result of adopting Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-06, “Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (ASU 2020-06).

(c)

Represents costs incurred in connection with the review and execution of refinancing opportunities, as well as the issuance of the $300.0 million 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (Secured Notes) and the Convertible Notes.

(d)

Amounts relate to the partial repurchase of the Convertible Notes, the full redemption of the Secured Notes, as well as the refinancing of the Term Loan Credit Agreement governing our senior secured credit term loan facility (Term Loan Facility).

(e)

Represents amounts charged for certain litigation matters.

(f)

Represents costs related to the closure of our e-commerce store.

(g)

Tax effect is calculated based on the effective tax rates (before discrete items) for the respective periods, adjusted for the tax effect for the impact of items (a) through (f). The effective tax rate during Fiscal 2020 includes the benefit of loss carrybacks to prior years with higher statutory tax rates.

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered either in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Among other limitations, Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect:

•

interest expense on our debt;

•

losses on the extinguishment of debt;

•

costs related to debt issuances and amendments;

•

cash requirements for replacement of assets. Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will likely have to be replaced in the future;

•

amounts charged for certain litigation matters;

•

impairment charges on long-lived assets;

•

costs related to closing the e-commerce store;

•

income tax expense; and

•

other unusual, non-recurring or extraordinary expenses, losses, charges or gains.

During the three month period ended October 30, 2021, Adjusted EBITDA increased $91.5 million to $205.0 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by sales growth during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, as well as weak sales during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020 due to COVID-19 related business disruptions. During the nine months ended October 30, 2021, Adjusted EBITDA increased $1,087.0 million to $744.2 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by the temporary closure of all our stores during Fiscal 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our sales growth during Fiscal 2021. Refer to the section below entitled “Results of Operations” for further explanation.

The following table shows our reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended October 30, 2021 compared with the three and nine months ended October 31, 2020:


	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	October 30,			October 31,			October 30,			October 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income (loss)	$	13,619		$	8,016		$	287,203		$	(372,493	)
Interest expense		15,609			27,456			52,710			70,508
Interest income		(38	)		(163	)		(156	)		(1,178	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt (a)		86,362			—			117,756			202
Costs related to debt issuances and amendments (b)		89			(719	)		3,419			3,633
Litigation matters (c)		—			—			—			20,788
E-commerce closure (d)		—			556			—			1,526
Depreciation and amortization (e)		69,938			60,712			200,275			181,934
Impairment charges		1,488			2,575			3,235			5,575
Income tax expense (benefit)		17,922			15,088			79,769			(253,327	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	204,989		$	113,521		$	744,211		$	(342,832	)

(a)

Amounts relate to the partial repurchase of the Convertible Notes, the full redemption of the Secured Notes, as well as the refinancing of the Term Loan Facility.

(b)

Represents costs incurred in connection with the review and execution of refinancing opportunities, as well as the issuance of the Secured Notes and the Convertible Notes.

(c)

Represents amounts charged for certain litigation matters.

(d)

Represents costs related to the closure of our e-commerce store.

(e)

Includes $5.3 million and $17.2 million of favorable lease cost included in the line item “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended October 30, 2021, and $5.7 million and $18.3 million for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2020, respectively. Net favorable lease cost represents the non-cash expense associated with favorable and unfavorable leases that were recorded as a result of the Merger Transaction.

Adjusted EBIT has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered either in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) or other data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Among other limitations, Adjusted EBIT does not reflect:

•

interest expense on our debt;

•

losses on the extinguishment of debt;

•

costs related to debt issuances and amendments;

•

favorable lease cost;

•

amounts charged for certain litigation matters;

•

impairment charges on long-lived assets;

•

costs related to closing the e-commerce store;

•

income tax expense; and

•

other unusual, non-recurring or extraordinary expenses, losses, charges or gains.

During the three month period ended October 30, 2021, Adjusted EBIT increased $81.7 million to $140.3 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by sales growth during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, as well as weak sales during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020 due to COVID-19 related business disruptions. During the nine months ended October 30, 2021, Adjusted EBIT increased $1,067.5 million to $561.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by the temporary closure of all our stores during Fiscal 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our sales growth during Fiscal 2021. Refer to the section below entitled “Results of Operations” for further explanation.

The following table shows our reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBIT for the three and nine months ended October 30, 2021 compared with the three and nine months ended October 31, 2020:


	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	October 30,			October 31,			October 30,			October 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBIT:
Net income (loss)	$	13,619		$	8,016		$	287,203		$	(372,493	)
Interest expense		15,609			27,456			52,710			70,508
Interest income		(38	)		(163	)		(156	)		(1,178	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt (a)		86,362			—			117,756			202
Costs related to debt issuances and amendments (b)		89			(719	)		3,419			3,633
Net favorable lease costs (c)		5,275			5,776			17,188			18,402
Impairment charges		1,488			2,575			3,235			5,575
Litigation matters (d)		—			—			—			20,788
E-commerce closure (e)		—			556			—			1,526
Income tax expense (benefit)		17,922			15,088			79,769			(253,327	)
Adjusted EBIT	$	140,326		$	58,585		$	561,124		$	(506,364	)

(a)

Amounts relate to the partial repurchase of the Convertible Notes, the full redemption of the Secured Notes, as well as the refinancing of the Term Loan Facility.

(b)

Represents costs incurred in connection with the review and execution of refinancing opportunities, as well as the issuance of the Secured Notes and the Convertible Notes.

(c)

Net favorable lease cost represents the non-cash expense associated with favorable and unfavorable leases that were recorded as a result of the Merger Transaction. These expenses are recorded in the line item “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

(d)

Represents amounts charged for certain litigation matters.

(e)

Represents costs related to the closure of our e-commerce store.

Comparable Store Sales. Comparable store sales measure performance of a store during the current reporting period against the performance of the same store in the corresponding period of a prior year. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the temporary closing of all stores during Fiscal 2020, we are using Fiscal 2019 as the comparable previous year period when calculating comparable store sales for Fiscal 2021. The method of calculating comparable store sales varies across the retail industry. As a result, our definition of comparable store sales may differ from other retailers.

For Fiscal 2021, we define comparable store sales as merchandise sales of those stores, commencing on the first day of the fiscal month two years after the end of their grand opening activities, which normally conclude within the first two months of operations. If a store is closed for seven or more days during a month, our policy is to remove that store from our calculation of comparable stores sales for any such month, as well as during the month(s) of their grand re-opening activities. Comparable store sales increased 16% for the three month period ended October 30, 2021, compared to the three month period ended November 2, 2019, and 18% for the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared to the nine month period ended November 2, 2019.

Various factors affect comparable store sales, including, but not limited to, weather conditions, current economic conditions, the timing of our releases of new merchandise and promotional events, the general retail sales environment, consumer preferences and buying trends, changes in sales mix among distribution channels, competition, and the success of marketing programs.

Gross Margin. Gross margin is the difference between net sales and the cost of sales. Our cost of sales and gross margin may not be comparable to those of other entities, since some entities may include all of the costs related to their buying and distribution functions, certain store-related costs and other costs, in cost of sales. We include certain of these costs in the line items “Selling, general and administrative expenses” and “Depreciation and amortization” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). We include in our “Cost of sales” line item all costs of merchandise (net of purchase discounts and certain vendor allowances), inbound freight, distribution center outbound freight and certain merchandise acquisition costs, primarily commissions and import fees.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 41.4% during the three month period ended October 30, 2021, compared with 45.0% during the three month period ended October 31, 2020. Industry-wide supply chain issues have led to increased freight and labor costs during Fiscal 2021, which we expect to continue for the remainder of the year and potentially into Fiscal 2022. Product sourcing costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, were $173.5 million during the three month period ended October 30, 2021, compared with $143.5 million during the three month period ended October 31, 2020, driven by an increase in sales and increased processing costs.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 42.3% during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, compared with 35.3% during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020, driven primarily by a $271.9 million charge against aged inventory during the first quarter of Fiscal 2020 due to the extended store closures. This improvement is partially offset by industry-wide supply chain issues that have led to increased freight and labor costs during Fiscal 2021, which we expect to continue for the remainder of the year and potentially into Fiscal 2022. Product sourcing costs were $459.9 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, compared with $290.3 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020, driven by an increase in sales and increased processing costs.

Inventory. Inventory at October 30, 2021 increased to $1,059.7 million compared with $867.0 million at October 31, 2020. The increase was attributable primarily to 63 net new stores opened since the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2020.

Comparable store inventory at October 30, 2021 decreased 24% compared to November 2, 2019, driven by our strategy of operating with leaner in-store inventory. Reserve inventory was 30% of total inventory as of October 30, 2021, compared with 21% as of November 2, 2019. Reserve inventory includes all inventory that is being stored for release either later in the season, or in a subsequent season. We intend to continue to build up our reserve merchandise in order to more effectively chase sales trends. Inventory at January 30, 2021 was $740.8 million.

In order to better serve our customers and maximize sales, we continue to refine our merchandising mix and inventory levels within our stores. By appropriately managing our inventories, we believe we will be better able to deliver a continual flow of fresh merchandise to our customers.

Store Payroll. The method of calculating store payroll varies across the retail industry. As a result, our store payroll may differ from other retailers. We define store payroll as regular and overtime payroll for all store personnel as well as regional and territory personnel, exclusive of payroll charges related to corporate and warehouse employees.

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, we temporarily furloughed most store associates in March 2020, while providing two weeks of financial support to impacted associates. We also continued to provide benefits to furloughed associates, including paying 100% of their current medical benefit premiums. As a result of the furloughs in Fiscal 2020, as well as our new stores opened since the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2020, store payroll costs increased to $192.8 million and $543.7 million during the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2021, respectively, compared with $163.0 million and $378.6 million during the three and nine month periods ended October 31, 2020.

Liquidity. Liquidity measures our ability to generate cash. Management measures liquidity through cash flow, which is the measure of cash generated from or used in operating, financing, and investing activities. Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash and cash equivalents, decreased $194.9 million during the nine months ended October 30, 2021, compared with an increase of $945.6 million during the nine months ended October 31, 2020. Refer to the section below entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further explanation.

During Fiscal 2020, we took several steps to effectively manage our liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic, including careful management of operating expenses, working capital and capital expenditures, as well as temporarily suspending our share repurchase program. Additionally, we borrowed $400.0 million on our existing $600.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility

(ABL Line of Credit), issued $805.0 million of our Convertible Notes, and through BCFWC, issued $300.0 million of our Secured Notes. We repaid $150.0 million on the ABL Line of Credit during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, and the remaining $250.0 million during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020. On June 11, 2021, BCFWC redeemed the full $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes. During Fiscal 2021, we redeemed $160.4 million related to the partial repurchase of the Convertible Notes. At October 30, 2021, we had $541.0 million available under the ABL Line of Credit.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) as a percentage of net sales for the three and nine months ended October 30, 2021 and the three and nine months ended October 31, 2020.


	Percentage of Net Sales
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	October 30,			October 31,			October 30,			October 31,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
Net sales		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Other revenue		0.2			0.2			0.2			0.2
Total revenue		100.2			100.2			100.2			100.2
Cost of sales		58.6			55.0			57.7			64.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses		33.0			38.8			31.7			46.7
Costs related to debt issuances and amendments		0.0			(0.0	)		0.1			0.1
Depreciation and amortization		2.8			3.3			2.7			4.7
Impairment charges - long-lived assets		0.1			0.2			0.0			0.2
Other income - net		(0.1	)		(0.1	)		(0.2	)		(0.1	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		3.8			—			1.8			0.0
Interest expense		0.7			1.6			0.8			2.0
Total costs and expenses		98.9			98.8			94.6			118.3
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)		1.3			1.4			5.6			(18.1	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		0.8			0.9			1.2			(7.3	)
Net income (loss)		0.5	%		0.5	%		4.4	%		(10.8	)%

Three Month Period Ended October 30, 2021 Compared With the Three Month Period Ended October 31, 2020

Net sales

Net sales improved approximately $634.9 million, or 38.1%, to $2,299.6 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, primarily driven by strong sales growth in our existing stores compared with weak sales during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020 due to COVID-19 related business disruptions, as well as our 63 net new stores opened since the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2020.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 58.6% during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, compared to 55.0% during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. This increase is related to industry-wide supply chain issues that have led to increased freight and labor costs during Fiscal 2021, which we expect to continue for the remainder of the year and potentially into Fiscal 2022. On a dollar basis, cost of sales increased $431.7 million, or 47.1%, primarily driven by our overall increase in sales as well as the industry-wide supply chain issues. Product sourcing costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, were $173.5 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, compared with $143.5 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

The following table details selling, general and administrative expenses for the three month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with the three month period ended October 31, 2020.


	(in millions)
	Three Months Ended
	October 30,		Percentage of			October 31,		Percentage of
	2021		Net Sales			2020		Net Sales			$ Variance		% Change
Store related costs	$	453.5		19.7	%	$	398.7		23.9	%	$	54.8		13.8	%
Product sourcing costs		173.5		7.5			143.5		8.6			30.0		20.9
Corporate costs		85.7		3.7			62.0		3.7			23.7		38.2
Marketing and strategy costs		17.9		0.8			17.7		1.1			0.2		1.1
Other selling, general and administrative expenses		29.2		1.3			23.4		1.5			5.8		24.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	759.8		33.0	%	$	645.3		38.8	%	$	114.5		17.7	%

The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily driven by the overall increase in sales. On a dollar basis, the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to our higher product sourcing costs. Additionally, store payroll costs, occupancy, and incentive compensation drove higher expense during Fiscal 2021.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $64.7 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 compared with $55.0 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily driven by capital expenditures related to our new and non-comparable stores.

Impairment charges – long-lived assets

Impairment charges on long-lived assets were $1.5 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, related to store-level assets at four stores. Impairment charges on long-lived assets were $2.6 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020, related to store-level assets at 10 stores.

The recoverability assessment related to these store-level assets requires various judgments and estimates, including estimates related to future revenues, gross margin rates, store expenses and other assumptions. We base these estimates upon our past and expected future performance. We believe our estimates are appropriate in light of current market conditions. However, future impairment charges could be required if we do not achieve our current revenue or cash flow projections for each store. Refer to Note 6, “Fair Value Measurements,” for further discussion regarding impairment charges.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

During the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, we entered into separate, privately negotiated exchange agreements (Exchange Agreements) with certain holders of the Convertible Notes. Under the terms of the Exchange Agreements, the holders exchanged $160.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes held by them for a combination of an aggregate of $90.8 million in cash and 513,991 shares of our common stock. This exchange resulted in a pre-tax debt extinguishment charge of $86.4 million in the three month period ended October 30, 2021.

Interest expense

Interest expense improved $11.8 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 to $15.6 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2020-06, “Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (ASU 2020-06), which eliminated the amortization of debt discount previously associated with the Convertible Notes. The decrease was also driven by the redemption in full of the $300.0 million Secured Notes, repurchase of $160.4 million of Convertible Notes, as well as paydown of our ABL Line of Credit during Fiscal 2020.

The average interest rates and average balances related to our variable rate debt for the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 compared with the third quarter of Fiscal 2020, are summarized in the table below:


		Three Months Ended
		October 30,		October 31,
		2021		2020
Average balance – ABL Line of Credit (in millions)	$	̶̶	$	250.0
Average interest rate – ABL Line of Credit		̶̶		1.6%
Average balance – Term Loan Facility (in millions) (a)	$	960.6	$	961.4
Average interest rate – Term Loan Facility		2.1%		1.9%

(a) Excludes original issue discount.

Income tax expense

Income tax expense was $17.9 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 compared with income tax benefit of $15.1 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 was 56.8% compared with 65.3% during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. The increase in income tax expense in the current year was a result of higher pre-tax income, partially offset by a decreased tax rate. The higher income tax rate in the prior year is primarily due to the reversal of income tax benefit recorded in the first two quarters of Fiscal 2020 related to the net operating loss carry-back as permitted under the CARES Act. The decrease in income tax rate this year was partially offset by the disallowance of certain debt extinguishment costs related to partial settlement of the Convertible Notes during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021.

At the end of each interim period we are required to determine the best estimate of our annual effective tax rate and then apply that rate in providing for income taxes on a current year-to-date (interim period) basis. Use of this methodology during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 resulted in an annual effective income tax rate of approximately 30% (before discrete items) as our best estimate. This is a decrease compared to the annual effective tax rate for the third quarter of Fiscal 2020 of approximately 35% (before discrete items), due to prior year losses facilitating a refund receivable upon amending previously filed returns at a 35% tax rate.

Net income

We earned net income of $13.6 million for the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 compared with $8.0 million for the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. This improvement was primarily driven by our strong sales growth during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, predominately offset by an $86.4 million debt extinguishment charge related to the partial repurchase of our Convertible Notes.

Nine Month Period Ended October 30, 2021 Compared With the Nine Month Period Ended October 31, 2020

Net sales

Net sales improved $3,230.5 million, or 93.0%, to $6,703.1 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, primarily due to the temporary closure of all our stores during Fiscal 2020. This improvement was also driven by net sales from our 63 net new stores opened since the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2020.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 57.7% during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, compared to 64.7% during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020, driven primarily by a $271.9 million charge against aged inventory in the first quarter of Fiscal 2020 due to the extended store closures, partially offset by increased industry-wide supply chain costs. On a dollar basis, cost of sales increased $1,623.9 million, or 72.3%, primarily driven by our overall increase in sales as well as increased industry-wide supply chain costs. Product sourcing costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, were $459.9 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, compared with $290.3 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020, primarily driven by the impact of COVID-19 on our warehouse operations.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

The following table details selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with the nine month period ended October 31, 2020.


	(in millions)
	Nine Months Ended
	October 30, 2021		Percentage of Net Sales			October 31, 2020		Percentage of Net Sales			$ Variance		% Change
Store related costs	$	1,297.9		19.4	%	$	1,053.2		30.3	%	$	244.7		23.2	%
Product sourcing costs		459.9		6.9			290.3		8.4			169.6		58.4
Corporate costs		246.4		3.7			198.3		5.7			48.1		24.3
Marketing and strategy costs		42.9		0.6			28.7		0.8			14.2		49.5
Other selling, general and administrative expenses		79.8		1.1			51.5		1.5			28.3		55.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	2,126.9		31.7	%	$	1,622.0		46.7	%	$	504.9		31.1	%

The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily driven by the overall increase in sales. On a dollar basis, the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to our higher product sourcing costs, as well as the significant steps taken to reduce selling, general and administrative expenses during the period stores were closed during Fiscal 2020. Additionally, store payroll costs, occupancy, and incentive compensation drove higher expense during Fiscal 2021.

Costs related to debt issuances and amendments

During Fiscal 2021, we incurred $3.3 million of legal and placement fees related to the refinancing of our Term Loan Facility. During the Fiscal 2020, we incurred legal fees related to the issuance of our Secured Notes of $2.5 million, as well as legal and placement fees of $1.1 million related to the refinancing our Term Loan Facility. Refer to Note 4, “Long Term Debt,” for further discussion regarding our debt transactions.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $183.1 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with $163.7 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily driven by capital expenditures related to our new and non-comparable stores.

Impairment charges – long-lived assets

Impairment charges on long-lived assets were $3.2 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, related to the impairment of one store down to its expected sale price, as well as declines in revenues and operating results for five stores. Impairment charges on long-lived assets were $5.6 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020, related to store-level assets at 14 stores.

Other income - net

Other income improved $6.0 million to $10.3 million during the nine months ended October 30, 2021, primarily driven by the sale of state tax credits during Fiscal 2021.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

During Fiscal 2021, we incurred a debt extinguishment charge of $86.4 million related to the partial repurchase of the Convertible Notes, $30.2 million related to the premium paid on redemption of the Secured Notes, as well as $1.2 million related to the refinancing of our Term Loan Facility. Refer to Note 4, “Long Term Debt,” for further discussion regarding our debt transactions.

Interest expense

Interest expense improved $17.8 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 to $52.7 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by the adoption of ASU 2020-06, which eliminated the amortization of debt discount previously associated with the Convertible Notes. The decrease was also driven by the partial repurchase of $160.4 million of Convertible Notes, redemption in full of the $300.0 million Secured Notes, as well as paydown of our ABL Line of Credit during Fiscal 2020.

The average interest rates and average balances related to our variable rate debt for the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with the prior year, are summarized in the table below:


		Nine Months Ended
		October 30,		October 31,
		2021		2020
Average balance – ABL Line of Credit (in millions)	$	̶̶	$	276.2
Average interest rate – ABL Line of Credit		̶̶		2.0%
Average balance – Term Loan Facility (in millions) (a)	$	961.2	$	961.4
Average interest rate – Term Loan Facility		2.0%		2.3%

(a)

Excludes original issue discount.

Income tax expense (benefit)

Income tax expense was $79.8 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with income tax benefit of $253.3 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. The effective tax rate for the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 was 21.7% compared with 40.5% during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. The income tax benefit in the prior year was a result of the pre-tax loss and the carry-back of net operating losses arising in 2020 to the five prior tax years, as permitted under the CARES Act. The higher income tax rate in the prior year is a function of prior year losses facilitating a refund receivable upon amending previously filed returns at a 35% tax rate.

Net income (loss)

We earned net income of $287.2 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with a net loss of $372.5 million for the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. This improvement was primarily driven by the temporary closure of all our stores during Fiscal 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our sales growth during Fiscal 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our ability to satisfy interest payment and future principal payment obligations on our outstanding debt will depend largely on our future performance which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors beyond our control. If we do not have sufficient cash flow to service interest payment and future principal payment obligations on our outstanding indebtedness and if we cannot borrow or obtain equity financing to satisfy those obligations, our business and results of operations will be materially adversely affected. We cannot be assured that any replacement borrowing or equity financing could be successfully completed on terms similar to our current financing agreements, or at all.

As a result of the uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company took a number of measures to manage its cash flow. These measures included carefully managing operating expenses, working capital and capital expenditures, as well as temporarily suspending the Company’s share repurchase program. We resumed the share repurchase program during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021.

We completed several debt transactions in order to facilitate increased financial flexibility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During March 2020, we borrowed $400.0 million on our existing ABL Line of Credit. We repaid $150.0 million on the ABL Line of Credit during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, and the remaining $250.0 million during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020. On April 16, 2020, we issued $805.0 million of our Convertible Notes, and through BCFWC, issued $300.0 million of Secured

Notes. The proceeds of the Convertible Notes are being used for general corporate purposes. On June 11, 2021, BCFWC redeemed the full $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes. The redemption price of the Secured Notes was $323.7 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. Additionally, during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, we repurchased $160.4 million of principal on the Convertible Notes.

We believe that cash generated from operations, along with our existing cash and our ABL Line of Credit, will be sufficient to fund our expected cash flow requirements and planned capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months as well as the foreseeable future. However, there can be no assurance that we would be able to offset declines in our comparable store sales with savings initiatives in the event that the economy declines.

As market conditions warrant, we may, from time to time, repurchase our outstanding debt securities in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, by tender offer, by exchange transaction or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity and other factors and may be commenced or suspended at any time. The amounts involved and total consideration paid may be material.

Cash Flow for the Nine Month Period Ended October 30, 2021 Compared With the Nine Month Period Ended October 31, 2020

We used $194.9 million of cash during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with a generation of $945.6 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020.

Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $608.4 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, compared with a use of $116.9 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. The increase in our operating cash flows was primarily driven by the temporary closure of all our stores during Fiscal 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as our strong sales performance during Fiscal 2021.

Net cash used in investing activities was $233.3 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with $215.3 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. This change was primarily the result of an increase in capital expenditures related to our stores (new stores, remodels and other store expenditures).

Net cash used in financing activities was $570.0 million during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared with net cash provided of $1,277.9 million during the nine month period ended October 31, 2020. This change was primarily driven by our cash flow management efforts during Fiscal 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included drawing $400.0 million on our ABL Line of Credit, issuing $805.0 million of our Convertible Notes, and through BCFWC, issuing $300.0 million of Secured Notes, and temporarily suspending our share repurchase program. We repaid $150.0 million on the ABL Line of Credit during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020. On June 11, 2021, BCFWC redeemed the full $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes. The redemption price of the Secured Notes was $323.7 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. During the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, we repurchased $160.4 million of the Convertible Notes for a combination of $92.3 million in cash, inclusive of third party fees, and 513,991 shares of common stock. Additionally, during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, we repurchased shares of common stock for $150.0 million under our share repurchase program.

Changes in working capital also impact our cash flows. Working capital equals current assets (exclusive of restricted cash) minus current liabilities. We had working capital at October 30, 2021 of $686.0 million compared with $887.6 million at October 31, 2020. The decrease in working capital was primarily due to an increase in accounts payable and a decrease in cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by an increase in merchandise inventories. We had working capital at January 30, 2021 of $820.0 million.

Capital Expenditures

For the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, cash spend for capital expenditures, net of $24.6 million of landlord allowances, amounted to $213.9 million. We estimate that we will spend approximately $425 million, net of approximately $30 million of landlord allowances, in capital expenditures during Fiscal 2021, including approximately $175 million, net of the previously mentioned landlord allowances, for store expenditures (new stores, remodels and other store expenditures). In addition, we estimate that we will spend approximately $120 million to support our supply chain initiatives, with the remaining capital used to support our information technology and other business initiatives.

Share Repurchase Programs

On August 14, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400.0 million of common stock, which expired in August 2021. On August 18, 2021, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400.0 million of common stock, which is authorized to be executed through August 2023. This repurchase program is funded using our available cash and borrowings under the ABL Line of Credit.

During Fiscal 2021, we repurchased 512,363 shares of common stock for $150.0 million under this repurchase program. As of October 30, 2021, we had $250.0 million remaining under our share repurchase authorization.

We are authorized to repurchase, from time to time, shares of our outstanding common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions under our repurchase program. The timing and amount of stock repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including the market conditions as well as corporate and regulatory considerations. Our share repurchase program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time, and we have no obligation to repurchase any amount of our common stock under the program.

Dividends

We currently do, and intend to continue to, retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund all of the Company's capital expenditures, business initiatives, and to support any potential opportunistic capital structure initiatives. Therefore, at this time, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the near term. Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock will be limited by restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions under the terms of current and any future agreements governing our indebtedness. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors, subject to compliance with covenants in our current and future agreements governing our indebtedness, and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant.

In addition, since we are a holding company, substantially all of the assets shown on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are held by our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our earnings, cash flow and ability to pay dividends are largely dependent upon the earnings and cash flows of our subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of such earnings to us in the form of dividends.

Operational Growth

During the nine month period ended October 30, 2021, we opened 93 new stores, inclusive of 17 relocations, and closed five stores, exclusive of the aforementioned relocations, bringing our store count as of October 30, 2021 to 832 stores. During Fiscal 2021, we plan to open 77 net new stores, which includes approximately 101 gross new stores, along with approximately 24 store relocations and closings.

We have identified numerous market opportunities that we believe will allow us to operate 2,000 stores over the long-term. We believe that our ability to find satisfactory locations for our stores is essential for the continued growth of our business. The opening of stores generally is contingent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, the availability of desirable locations with suitable structures and the negotiation of acceptable lease terms. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to find suitable locations for new stores or that we will be able to open the number of new stores presently planned, even if such locations are found and acceptable lease terms are obtained. Assuming that appropriate locations are identified, we believe that we will be able to execute our growth strategy without significantly impacting our current stores.

Debt and Hedging

As of October 30, 2021, our obligations, inclusive of original issue discount, include $952.8 million under our Term Loan Facility, $644.6 million of Convertible Notes and no outstanding borrowings on our ABL Line of Credit. Our debt obligations also include $45.0 million of finance lease obligations as of October 30, 2021.

Term Loan Facility

At October 30, 2021, our borrowing rate related to the Term Loan Facility was 2.1%.

ABL Line of Credit

At October 30, 2021, we had $541.0 million available under the ABL Line of Credit. There were no borrowings on the ABL Line of Credit during the nine month period ended October 30, 2021.

Convertible Notes

On April 16, 2020, we issued $805.0 million of Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes have an initial conversion rate of 4.5418 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $220.18 per share of the Company’s common stock), subject to adjustment if certain events occur.

The Convertible Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.25% per year, payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2020. The Convertible Notes will mature on April 15, 2025, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased.

During the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, we entered into separate, privately negotiated the Exchange Agreements with certain holders of the Convertible Notes. Under the terms of the Exchange Agreements, the holders exchanged $160.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes held by them for a combination of an aggregate of $90.8 million in cash and 513,991 shares of our common stock. This exchange resulted in a pre-tax debt extinguishment charge of $86.4 million in the three month period ended October 30, 2021. See Note 4, “Long Term Debt,” for additional information.

Secured Notes

On April 16, 2020, BCFWC, issued $300.0 million of Senior Secured Notes. The Secured Notes are senior, secured obligations of BCFWC, and interest was payable semiannually in cash at a rate of 6.25% per annum on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2020. The Secured Notes were guaranteed on a senior secured basis by Burlington Coat Factory Holdings, LLC, Burlington Coat Factory Investments Holdings, Inc. and BCFWC’s subsidiaries that guarantee the loans under the Term Loan Facility and ABL Line of Credit.

On June 11, 2021, BCFWC redeemed the full $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes. The redemption price of the Secured Notes was $323.7 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. Refer to Note 4, “Long Term Debt,” for further discussion regarding our debt transactions.

Hedging

On June 24, 2021, the Company terminated its previous interest rate swap and entered into a new interest rate swap. The new interest rate swap, which hedges $450 million of variable rate exposure under our Term Loan Facility, is designated as a cash flow hedge and expires on June 24, 2028. Refer to Note 5, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” for further discussion regarding our derivative transactions.

Certain Information Concerning Contractual Obligations

We had $1,766.0 million of purchase commitments related to goods that were not received as of October 30, 2021, and had $3,558.4 million of future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of October 30, 2021. Additionally, we redeemed the full $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes, and we extended and repriced the Term Loan Facility during the second quarter of Fiscal 2021. During the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, we also repurchased $160.4 million in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes. See Note 4, “Long Term Debt,” for additional information related to our debt transactions. There were no other significant changes regarding our obligations to make future payments under current contracts from those included in our Fiscal 2020 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe there are several accounting policies that are critical to understanding our historical and future performance as these policies affect the reported amounts of revenues and other significant areas that involve management’s judgments and estimates. The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements; and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventories, long-lived assets, intangible assets, goodwill, insurance reserves and income taxes. Historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances form the basis for making estimates and judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. As of the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold. As a result, many of our estimates and judgments carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. As events continue to evolve and additional information becomes available, our estimates may change materially in future periods. A critical accounting estimate meets two criteria: (1) it requires assumptions about highly uncertain matters and (2) there would be a material effect on the consolidated financial statements from either using a different, although reasonable, amount within the range of the estimate in the current period or from reasonably likely period-to-period changes in the estimate.

Our critical accounting policies and estimates are consistent with those disclosed in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part II, Item 8 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K.

Safe Harbor Statement

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about us, the industry in which we operate and other matters, as well as management’s beliefs and assumptions and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. For example, when we use words such as “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “will,” “opportunity,” “potential” or “may,” variations of such words or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes, we are making forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, proposed store openings and closings, proposed capital expenditures, projected financing requirements, proposed developmental projects, projected sales and earnings, our ability to maintain selling margins, and the effect of the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Actual events or results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those we expected include: general economic conditions; pandemics, including the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken to slow its spread and the related impact on consumer confidence and spending; increased freight and labor costs associated with industry-wide supply chain issues; our ability to successfully implement one or more of our strategic initiatives and growth plans; the availability of desirable store locations on suitable terms; changing consumer preferences and demand; industry trends, including changes in buying, inventory and other business practices; competitive factors, including pricing and promotional activities of major competitors and an increase in competition within the markets in which we compete; the availability, selection and purchasing of attractive merchandise on favorable terms; import risks, including tax and trade policies, tariffs and government regulations; weather patterns, including, among other things, changes in year-over-year temperatures; our future profitability; our ability to control costs and expenses; unforeseen cyber-related problems or attacks; any unforeseen material loss or casualty; the effect of inflation; regulatory and tax changes; our relationships with employees; the impact of current and future laws and the interpretation of such laws; terrorist attacks, particularly attacks on or within markets in which we operate; natural and man-made disasters, including fire, snow and ice storms, flood, hail, hurricanes and earthquakes; our substantial level of indebtedness and related debt-service obligations; restrictions imposed by covenants in our debt agreements; availability of adequate financing; our dependence on vendors for our merchandise; domestic events affecting the delivery of merchandise to our stores; existence of adverse litigation; and other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Many of these factors, including the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, are beyond our ability to predict or control. In addition, as a result of these and other factors, our past financial performance should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. The cautionary statements referred to in this section also should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by us or persons acting on our behalf. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report might not occur. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and their impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There were no material changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk from those included in our Fiscal 2020 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Our management team, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of the last day of the fiscal period covered by this report, October 30, 2021. The term disclosure controls and procedures means our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of October 30, 2021.

During the quarter ended October 30, 2021, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting 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.

Like many retailers, the Company has been named in potential class or collective actions on behalf of groups alleging violations of federal and state wage and hour and other labor statutes, and alleged violation of state consumer and/or privacy protection and other statutes. In the normal course of business, we are also party to representative claims under the California Private Attorneys’ General Act and various other lawsuits and regulatory proceedings including, among others, commercial, product, product safety, employee, customer, intellectual property and other claims. Actions against us are in various procedural stages. Many of these proceedings raise factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties. Refer to Note 11 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, “Commitments and Contingencies,” for further detail.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Fiscal 2020 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The following table provides information regarding our purchases of common stock during the three fiscal months ended October 30, 2021:


Month	Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)		Average Price Paid Per Share(2)		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(3)		Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in thousands)
August 1, 2021 through August 28, 2021		49	$	338.95		—	$	400,000
August 29, 2021 through October 2, 2021		512,452	$	292.78		512,363	$	249,990
October 3, 2021 through October 30, 2021		63	$	276.99		—	$	249,990
Total		512,564				512,363

(1)

The number of shares purchased between August 1, 2021 and August 28, 2021, between August 29, 2021 and October 2, 2021 and between October 3, 2021 and October 30, 2021 include 49 shares, 89 shares and 63 shares, respectively, which were withheld for tax payments due upon the vesting of employee restricted stock awards, and do not reduce the dollar value that may yet be purchased under our publicly announced share repurchase programs.

(2)

Includes commissions for the shares repurchased under our publicly announced share repurchase programs.

(3)

On August 18, 2021, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400.0 million of common stock, which is authorized to be executed through August 2023. For a further discussion of our share repurchase programs, see “Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Share Repurchase Programs.”

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

During the three fiscal months ended October 30, 2021, certain holders of the Convertible Notes exchanged $160.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes held by them for a combination of an aggregate of $90.8 million in cash and 513,991 shares of our common stock. These exchange transactions closed on September 9, 2021. The shares of common stock were issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.


Exhibit		Incorporated by Reference
Number	Exhibit Description	Form	Filing Date
31.1†	Certification of Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2†	Certification of Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1†	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2†	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS†	Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in Interactive Data File, because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH†	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL†	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF†	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB†	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE†	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104†	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

† Filed or furnished 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.

BURLINGTON STORES, INC.

/s/ Michael O’Sullivan

Michael O’Sullivan

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ John Crimmins

John Crimmins

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 23, 2021