Citi Trends Inc - Quarter Report: 2008 August (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended August 2, 2008

OR

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

Commission File Number 000-51315

CITI TRENDS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE		52-2150697
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

104 Coleman Boulevard
Savannah, Georgia		31408
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (912) 236-1561

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

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

Large Accelerated Filer o		Accelerated Filer x

Non-Accelerated Filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class		Outstanding at August 15, 2008
Common Stock, $.01 par value		14,309,870 shares

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CITI TRENDS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		PAGE NUMBER
PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1	Financial Statements

	Condensed Balance Sheets (unaudited) August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008	3

	Condensed Statements of Income (unaudited) Twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007	4

	Condensed Statements of Income (unaudited) Thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007	4

	Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) Twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007	5

	Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)	6

Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	9

Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	13

Item 4	Controls and Procedures	13

PART II	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1	Legal Proceedings	14

Item 1A	Risk Factors	14

Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	14

Item 3	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	14

Item 4	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	14

Item 5	Other Information	14

Item 6	Exhibits	15

	SIGNATURES	16

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Item 1. Financial Statements.

Citi Trends, Inc.

Condensed Balance Sheets

August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

	August 2, 2008			February 2, 2008
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,191		$	6,203
Investment securities	—			56,165
Inventory	85,330			82,420
Prepaid and other current assets	8,058			5,888
Deferred tax asset	3,316			2,838
Total current assets	103,895			153,514
Property and equipment, net	57,165			52,207
Investment securities	50,936			—
Goodwill	1,371			1,371
Deferred tax asset	4,939			2,756
Other assets	369			329
Total assets	$	218,675		$	210,177
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	43,521		$	43,566
Accrued expenses	10,690			11,864
Accrued compensation	6,771			5,225
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,636			1,580
Income tax payable	790			1,155
Layaway deposits	1,617			635
Total current liabilities	65,025			64,025
Capital lease obligations, less current portion	562			1,403
Other long-term liabilities	6,921			6,602
Total liabilities	72,508			72,030
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 32,000,000 shares; 14,475,581 shares issued as of August 2, 2008 and 14,265,471 shares issued as of February 2, 2008; 14,309,831 shares outstanding as of August 2, 2008 and 14,099,721 outstanding as of February 2, 2008	143			142
Paid-in-capital	69,976			68,276
Retained earnings	77,908			69,894
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,695		)	—
Treasury stock, at cost; 165,750 shares as of August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008	(165		)	(165		)
Total stockholders’ equity	146,167			138,147
Commitments and contingencies (note 7)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	218,675		$	210,177

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited).

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Citi Trends, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Income

Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

	August 2, 2008			August 4, 2007
Net sales	$	236,651		$	203,402
Cost of sales	144,964			126,612
Gross profit	91,687			76,790
Selling, general and administrative expenses	73,118			62,123
Depreciation and amortization	7,781			5,830
Income from operations	10,788			8,837
Interest income	1,425			1,181
Interest expense	(162		)	(265		)
Income before income tax expense	12,051			9,753
Income tax expense	4,037			3,404
Net income	$	8,014		$	6,349
Basic net income per common share	$	0.57		$	0.46
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.56		$	0.45
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic	14,071			13,865
Diluted	14,248			14,234

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited).

Citi Trends, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Income

Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

	August 2, 2008			August 4, 2007
Net sales	$	115,655		$	96,826
Cost of sales	70,731			61,734
Gross profit	44,924			35,092
Selling, general and administrative expenses	36,877			31,548
Depreciation and amortization	4,078			3,009
Income from operations	3,969			535
Interest income	557			536
Interest expense	(75		)	(121		)
Income before income tax expense	4,451			950
Income tax expense	1,605			323
Net income	$	2,846		$	627
Basic net income per common share	$	0.20		$	0.05
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.20		$	0.04
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic	14,095			13,922
Diluted	14,279			14,249

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited).

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Citi Trends, Inc.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

	August 2, 2008			August 4, 2007
Operating activities:
Net income	$	8,014		$	6,349
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,781			5,830
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	8			7
Deferred income taxes	(1,568		)	(1,814		)
Noncash stock-based compensation expense	973			709
Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements	(465		)	(3,059		)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Inventory	(2,910		)	(20,549		)
Prepaid and other current assets	(1,504		)	(873		)
Other assets	(40		)	(14		)
Accounts payable	(45		)	(1,475		)
Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities	(855		)	983
Accrued compensation	1,546			(926		)
Income tax payable	100			1,212
Layaway deposits	982			843
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	12,017			(12,777		)
Investing activities:
Purchases of investment securities	(4,000		)	(4,629		)
Sales of investment securities	5,775			24,149
Purchases of property and equipment	(12,747		)	(11,238		)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(10,972		)	8,282
Financing activities:
Repayments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(785		)	(994		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements	465			3,059
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	333			348
Cash used to settle equity instruments granted under stock-based payment arrangements	(70		)	—
Net cash used in financing activities	(57		)	2,413
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	988			(2,082		)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	6,203			7,707
End of period	$	7,191		$	5,625

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	151		$	292
Cash paid for income taxes	$	5,505		$	3,257
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing and investing activities:
Cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48	$	—		$	301

See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited).

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Citi Trends, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)

August 2, 2008

1. Basis of Presentation

The condensed balance sheet as of August 2, 2008, the condensed statements of income for the twenty-six and thirteen-week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, and the condensed statements of cash flows for the twenty-six week periods ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007 have been prepared by Citi Trends, Inc. (the “Company”), without audit. The condensed balance sheet as of February 2, 2008 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date, but does not include all required year end disclosures. In the opinion of management, such statements include all adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of August 2, 2008 and February 2, 2008, and its results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008.

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements are also prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the interim periods ended August 2, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2009.

The following contains references to years 2008 and 2007, which represent fiscal years ending or ended on January 31, 2009 (fiscal 2008) and February 2, 2008 (fiscal 2007), respectively. Fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 both have 52-week accounting periods.

2. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

3. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per common share amounts are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share amounts are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the additional dilution for all potentially dilutive securities such as nonvested restricted stock and stock options. During loss periods, diluted earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per share to the number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings per share for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007:

	Twenty-six Weeks Ended
	August 2, 2008	August 4, 2007
Average number of common shares outstanding	14,071,488	13,864,632
Incremental shares from assumed exercises of stock options	176,295	369,313
Average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding	14,247,783	14,233,945

	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	August 2, 2008	August 4, 2007
Average number of common shares outstanding	14,095,135	13,922,130
Incremental shares from assumed exercises of stock options	183,850	327,125
Average number of common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding	14,278,985	14,249,255

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, Earnings per Share, the Company calculates the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation arrangements using the treasury stock method. This method assumes that the proceeds the Company receives from the exercise of stock options are used to repurchase common shares in the market. In accordance with SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, the Company includes as assumed proceeds the amount of compensation

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cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of outstanding options and vesting of nonvested restricted stock. For the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, there were approximately 79,000 and 70,000 options outstanding, respectively, to purchase shares of common stock excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because of antidilution. For the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007, there were no shares of nonvested restricted stock included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because of antidilution.

4. Fair Value Measurement

Effective February 3, 2008, the Company adopted the methods of fair value as described in SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, to value its financial assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 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 in the principal or most advantageous market at the measurement date. This statement also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.

Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. Level 3 inputs are given the lowest priority in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s financial assets for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 (in thousands):

	Level 2			Level 3
Balance as of February 2, 2008	$	56,165		$	—
Transfer from Level 2 to Level 3	(56,665		)	56,665
Unrealized loss included in other comprehensive loss	—			(2,788		)
Sales/redemptions of auction rate securities	(3,500		)	(2,275		)
Purchases of auction rate securities	4,000			—
Reclassification of interest receivable to other current assets	—			(666		)
Balance as of August 2, 2008	$	—		$	50,936

Investment securities on the condensed balance sheets consist exclusively of municipal auction rate securities (“ARS”) issued by student loan funding organizations. These securities are high-grade (at least AA-rated with one or more rating agencies) and approximately 83% are either guaranteed by the Department of Education under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (37%) or backed by insurance companies, AMBAC Assurance Corporation (37%) or MBIA Insurance Corporation (9%). Historically, liquidity for investors in ARS was provided via an auction process that reset the interest rate every 35 days, allowing investors to either roll over their investments or sell them at par. Beginning in February 2008, there was insufficient demand for these types of investments during the auctions and, as a result, these securities are not currently liquid. The Company may not be able to access cash by selling these securities without incurring a loss of principal until either, liquidity returns to the auction process, a secondary market emerges, they are redeemed by the issuer, or they mature in years ranging from 2010 to 2040. After the auctions began failing, certain issuers did redeem, at par value, $2,275,000 of the ARS held by the Company. However, it is not currently possible to determine whether other issuers of the ARS held by the Company will redeem their securities. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, the Company’s primary investment bank for ARS investments announced publicly that they have committed to provide liquidity solutions to institutional investors, such as Citi Trends, and will agree to purchase from their institutional investors all or any ARS that remain outstanding in June 2010. Approximately 93% of the Company’s ARS are held at its primary investment bank that announced the commitment.

The Company classifies its ARS as available-for-sale and, therefore, they are carried at estimated fair value. As of August 2, 2008, there was insufficient observable market information available to determine the fair value of the Company’s ARS. Accordingly, the Company estimated Level 3 fair values for these securities based on assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of fair value. These assumptions included, among other things, discounted cash flow projections, the timing of expected future successful auctions or redemptions, collateralization of the underlying securities and the creditworthiness of the issuer. Through February 2, 2008, the ARS were valued at par value due to the frequent resets that historically occurred through the auction process.

Based on the Level 3 valuation, the Company has recorded an unrealized loss of $1,695,000 (net of tax) to accumulated other comprehensive loss in the condensed balance sheet as of August 2, 2008, reflecting declines in fair value of the Company’s ARS. Since the commitment by the Company’s investment bank to purchase the ARS in June 2010 did not occur until after quarter end, it did not affect the valuation as of August 2, 2008.

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Factors considered in determining whether the unrealized loss is temporary included the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than cost, recent redemptions of certain ARS at par value, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuers, and our current intent and ability to retain our investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. If it is later determined that the fair value of these securities is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will record a loss in the statement of income. Due to the Company’s belief that the market for these investments may take in excess of twelve months to fully recover, the Company has classified them as noncurrent assets on the accompanying condensed balance sheet as of August 2, 2008.

5. Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income for all periods presented are as follows (in thousands):

	Thirteen Weeks Ended					Twenty-six Weeks Ended
	August 2, 2008			August 4, 2007		August 2, 2008			August 4, 2007
Net income, as reported	$	2,846		$	627	$	8,014		$	6,349
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $209 and $1,093 in the 13 weeks and 26 weeks ended August 2, 2008, respectively	(324		)	—		(1,695		)	—
Comprehensive income	$	2,522		$	627	$	6,319		$	6,349

6. Revolving Line of Credit

In March 2008, the Company obtained a $35 million unsecured revolving credit facility with Bank of America, replacing a $3 million facility that had been scheduled to expire on June 30, 2008. The $35 million facility has a term of 364 days, has an unused commitment fee equal to 0.15%, and has one restrictive financial covenant (adjusted leverage ratio). Loans under the facility bear interest at either (a) a rate equal to the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (ii) Bank of America’s prime rate, plus an applicable margin; or (b) a rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is dependent on the Company’s adjusted leverage ratio and ranges from 1.00% to 1.50% for LIBOR-based loans, and from 0.00% to 0.50% for prime rate-based loans. The Company has had no borrowings under this facility.

7. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company from time to time is involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including claims by customers, employees or former employees. While litigation is subject to uncertainties and the outcome of any litigated matter is not predictable, the Company is not aware of any legal proceedings pending or threatened against it that it expects to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective February 3, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies to fair value measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards, except for measurements of share-based payments and measurements that are similar to, but not intended to be, fair value and does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Partial Deferral of the Effective Date of Statement No. 157, which provides a one year deferral of the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed in the financial statements at fair value at least annually. Therefore, the Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 with respect to its financial assets and financial liabilities only. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. See related disclosures in Note 4.

Effective February 3, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure specified financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. Election of the fair value option is irrevocable and is applied on a contract-by-contract basis. The Company has elected not to apply the fair value option to the specified financial assets and financial liabilities, and accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 159 had no financial statement impact.

9. Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. The decrease of cash and accounts payable through a reclassification of outstanding checks for all prior periods caused net cash used in operating activities shown in the statements of cash flows to increase by $1,540,000 from that previously reported for the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2007.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for specific historical information, many of the matters discussed in this Form 10-Q may express or imply projections of revenues or expenditures, statements of plans and objectives for future operations, growth or initiatives, statements of future economic performance, or statements regarding the outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation. These, and similar statements, are forward-looking statements concerning matters that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual performance of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. All forward-looking information should be evaluated in the context of these risks, uncertainties and other factors. The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “objective,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “will likely result,” or “will continue” and similar words and expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. The Company believes the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

The factors that may result in actual results differing from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: transportation and distribution delays or interruptions; changes in freight rates; the Company’s ability to negotiate effectively the cost and purchase of merchandise; inventory risks due to shifts in market demand; the Company’s ability to gauge fashion trends and changing consumer preferences; changes in consumer spending on apparel; changes in product mix; interruptions in suppliers’ businesses; interest rate fluctuations; a deterioration in general economic conditions caused by acts of war or terrorism or other factors; temporary changes in demand due to weather patterns; seasonality of the Company’s business; delays associated with building, opening and operating new stores; delays associated with building, opening, expanding or converting new or existing distribution centers; and other factors described in the section titled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 and in Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in the other documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including other reports on Form 8-K and 10-Q, and any amendments thereto.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are advised, however, to read any further disclosures the Company may make on related subjects in its public disclosures or documents filed with the SEC.

Overview

We are a rapidly growing, value-priced retailer of urban fashion apparel and accessories for the entire family. Our merchandise offerings are designed to appeal to the preferences of fashion conscious consumers, particularly African-Americans. Originally our stores were located in the Southeast, and in recent years we expanded into the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions and Texas. We operated 335 stores in both urban and rural markets in 21 states as of August 2, 2008.

We measure performance using key operating statistics. One of the main performance measures we use is comparable store sales growth. We define a comparable store as a store that has been opened for an entire fiscal year. Therefore, a store will not be considered a comparable store until its 13th month of operation at the earliest or until its 24th month at the latest. As an example, stores opened in fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008 are not considered comparable stores in fiscal 2008. Relocated and expanded stores are included in the comparable store sales results. We also use other operating statistics, most notably average sales per store, to measure our performance. As we typically occupy existing space in established shopping centers rather than sites built specifically for our stores, store square footage (and therefore sales per square foot) varies by store. We focus on overall store sales volume as the critical driver of profitability. The average sales per store has increased over the years, as we have increased comparable store sales and opened new stores that are generally larger than our historical store base. Average sales per store increased from $0.8 million in fiscal 2000 to $1.5 million in fiscal 2007. In addition to sales, we measure gross profit as a percentage of sales and store operating expenses, with a particular focus on labor, as a percentage of sales. These results translate into store level contribution, which we use to evaluate overall performance of each individual store. Finally, we monitor corporate expenses against budgeted amounts.

Accounting Periods

The following discussion contains references to fiscal years 2008 and 2007, which represent fiscal years ending or ended on January 31, 2009 (fiscal 2008) and February 2, 2008 (fiscal 2007), respectively. Fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 both have 52-week accounting periods. This discussion and analysis should be read with the condensed financial statements and the notes thereto.

Results of Operations

The following discussion of the Company’s financial performance is based on the condensed financial statements set forth herein. The nature of the Company’s business is seasonal. Historically, sales in the first and fourth quarters have been higher than sales achieved in the second and

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third quarters of the fiscal year. Expenses and, to a greater extent, operating income vary by quarter. Results of a period shorter than a full year may not be indicative of results expected for the entire year. Furthermore, the seasonal nature of the Company’s business may affect comparisons between periods.

Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007

Net Sales. Net sales increased $33.3 million, or 16.3%, to $236.7 million in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 from $203.4 million in the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2007. The increase in net sales was due primarily to 35 new stores opened since last year’s second quarter, 23 new stores opened in the first half of 2007 for which there was not a full twenty-six weeks of sales in 2007’s first half, and a 3.2% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable stores include locations that have been relocated or expanded. There were 6 stores relocated or expanded in the first half of 2008 and 12 stores relocated or expanded in fiscal 2007, all of which impacted comparable store sales. Sales in comparable relocated and expanded stores increased 16.3% in the first half of 2008, while sales in all other comparable stores increased 2.1%. The 3.2% increase in comparable store sales consisted of a 1.7% increase in the average customer purchase and a 1.5% increase in the number of customer transactions. Comparable store sales changes by major merchandise class were as follows in the first half of 2008: Children’s +11%; Home +5%; Women’s +1%; Men’s +1%; Accessories -2%.

The new stores opened in 2007 and 2008, which are not yet included in comparable store sales, accounted for $27.1 million of the total increase in sales, while the 3.2% sales increase in the 277 comparable stores contributed $6.2 million.

Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $14.9 million, or 19.4%, to $91.7 million in the first half of 2008 from $76.8 million last year. The increase in gross profit is a result of the increase in sales, together with an improvement in the gross margin from 37.8% in last year’s first half to 38.7% this year. Approximately half of this increase in gross margin was due to lower inventory shrinkage, with the other half being due to lower merchandise markdowns as a percentage of sales. We believe that steps taken to improve the hiring, training and retention of quality store management, a reduction in the span of control given to our district managers in order to improve the focus on individual stores, and the addition of sophisticated surveillance systems in high shrinkage stores have been the keys to reducing theft in our stores. Markdowns were lower due to better management of inventory levels and improved sales results in 2008.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $11.0 million, or 17.7%, to $73.1 million in the first half of 2008 from $62.1 million in last year’s first half. The increase in these expenses was due primarily to additional store level, distribution and corporate costs arising from the opening of 35 new stores since the end of last year’s second quarter. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased in the first half to 30.9% from 30.5% last year, due to higher bonus accruals resulting from improved performance in the first half of 2008 and increased store supervision costs associated with a reduction in the span of control given to our district managers, partially offset by improved management of store payroll and the benefit in this year’s comparison of approximately $550,000 of expenses related to a secondary stock offering in last year’s first half.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.0 million, or 33.5%, to $7.8 million in the first half of 2008 from $5.8 million in the first half of 2007, as the result of capital expenditures incurred for new and relocated/expanded stores and the expansion of the Darlington distribution center.

Interest Income. Interest income increased to $1.4 million from $1.2 million in the first half of 2007 due primarily to higher contractual interest rates being earned on our investments in auction rate securities once the auctions of such securities began to fail in February 2008. See the discussion of auction rate securities below under “Cash Requirements” for more information.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $162,000 in the first half of 2008 from $265,000 last year due to the normal decline in the interest portion of payments on our capital lease obligations as the principal portion of such obligations is reduced.

Income Tax Expense. The provision for income taxes increased 18.6% to $4.0 million in this year’s first half from $3.4 million in the first half of 2007 due to higher earnings, partially offset by a decrease in the effective income tax rate to 33.5% compared to 34.9% last year. The effective rate reflects the benefit of tax-exempt interest income and various income tax credits.

Net Income. Net income increased 26.2% to $8.0 million in the first half of 2008 from $6.3 million in last year’s first half due to the factors discussed above.

Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2008 and August 4, 2007

Net Sales. Net sales increased $18.9 million, or 19.4%, to $115.7 million in the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2008 from $96.8 million in the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2007. The increase in net sales was due primarily to 35 new stores opened since last year’s second quarter, together with a 6.5% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable stores include locations that have been relocated or expanded. There were 6 stores relocated or expanded in the first half of 2008 and 12 stores relocated or expanded in fiscal 2007, all of which impacted comparable store sales. Sales in comparable relocated and expanded stores increased 18.9% in the second quarter of 2008, while sales in all other comparable stores increased 5.5%. The 6.5% increase in comparable store sales consisted of a 3.6% increase in the number of customer

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transactions and a 2.9% increase in the average customer purchase. Comparable store sales changes by major merchandise class were as follows in the second quarter of 2008: Children’s +18%; Home +11%; Men’s +4%; Women’s +2%; Accessories 0%.

The new stores opened in 2007 and 2008, which are not yet included in comparable store sales, accounted for $13.0 million of the total increase in sales, while the 6.5% sales increase in the 277 comparable stores contributed $5.9 million.

Gross Profit. Gross profit increased $9.8 million, or 28.0%, to $44.9 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $35.1 million last year. The increase in gross profit is a result of the increase in sales, together with an improvement in the gross margin from 36.2% in last year’s second quarter to 38.8% this year. This increase in gross margin was due primarily to markdowns being approximately 160 basis points lower as a percentage of sales in the second quarter of 2008 as a result of better management of inventory levels and improved sales results. In addition, gross margin benefited from inventory shrinkage being approximately 80 basis points lower in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007 due to our efforts to improve the hiring, training and retention of quality store management, a reduction in the span of control given to our district managers in order to improve the focus on individual stores, and the addition of sophisticated surveillance systems in high shrinkage stores.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.4 million, or 16.9%, to $36.9 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $31.5 million in last year’s second quarter. The increase in these expenses was due primarily to additional store level, distribution and corporate costs arising from the opening of 35 new stores since last year’s second quarter. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased in the second quarter to 31.9% from 32.6% last year, due primarily to the leveraging effect that occurs on expenses as a percentage of sales when comparable store sales increase at a rate, 6.5%, that is higher than the rate of inflation on expenses. In addition, the expense percentage decreased due to improved management of store payroll and because this year’s expense comparison benefited from $450,000 of expenses related to a secondary stock offering in last year’s second quarter. The improvements in expenses as a percentage of sales were partially offset by higher bonus accruals resulting from improved performance in the second quarter of 2008 and increased store supervision costs associated with a reduction in the span of control given to our district managers.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.1 million, or 35.5%, to $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $3.0 million in the second quarter of 2007, as the result of capital expenditures incurred for new and relocated/expanded stores and the expansion of the Darlington distribution center.

Interest Income. Interest income increased slightly to $557,000 in the second quarter of 2008 from $536,000 last year. Most interest income is earned on auction rate securities, which are discussed further below in the “Cash Requirements” section.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $75,000 in the second quarter of 2008 from $121,000 last year due to the normal decline in the interest portion of payments on our capital lease obligations as the principal portion of such obligations is reduced.

Income Tax Expense. The provision for income taxes increased 396.9% to $1.6 million in this year’s second quarter from $323,000 in the second quarter of 2007 due to higher earnings, together with an increase in the second quarter effective income tax rate to 36.1% compared to 34.0% last year. The effective rate reflects the benefit of tax-exempt interest income and various income tax credits.

Net Income. Net income increased 353.9% to $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2008 from $627,000 in last year’s second quarter due to the factors discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our cash requirements are primarily for working capital, expansion of our distribution infrastructure, construction of new stores, remodeling of our existing stores and the improvement of our information systems. Historically, we have met these cash requirements from cash flow from operations, short-term trade credit, borrowings under our revolving lines of credit, long-term debt and capital leases, and cash proceeds from our initial public offering. We expect to be able to meet future cash requirements with cash flow from operations, short-term trade credit, existing cash balances and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Current Financial Condition. As of August 2, 2008, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $7.2 million compared with total cash and cash equivalents of $6.2 million as of February 2, 2008. Inventory represented 39.0% of our total assets as of August 2, 2008. Management’s ability to manage our inventory can have a significant impact on our cash flows from operations during a given interim period or fiscal year. In addition, inventory purchases can be seasonal in nature, such as the purchase of warm-weather or Christmas-related merchandise. Total inventories at the end of the second quarter of 2008 were down $8.6 million, or 9.1%, compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2007, while inventory in comparable stores was 18% lower, due to our efforts to conservatively control inventory in what had been a slow sales environment heading into the second quarter.

Cash Flows From Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $12.0 million in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 compared to cash used in operating activities of $12.8 million in the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2007. Overall efforts to improve our inventory productivity resulted in $17.6 million of the increase in cash flows from operating activities. The main sources of cash provided

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during the first half of this year were net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes and noncash stock-based compensation expense, totaling $15.2 million (compared to $11.1 million in last year’s first half), and an increase in accrued compensation of $1.5 million, due primarily to higher bonus accruals resulting from improved performance in the first half of 2008. Significant uses of cash consisted of a $2.9 million increase in inventory since the beginning of 2008 due to new stores, and a $1.5 million increase in prepaid and other current assets.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities was $11.0 million in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008 compared to cash provided by investing activities of $8.3 million in the twenty-six weeks ended August 4, 2007. Purchases of property and equipment included in cash flows from investing activities totaled $12.7 million and $11.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase during the first half of fiscal 2008 was due primarily to construction work related to the expansion of the Darlington distribution center. Capital expenditures in the first half of both years also included routine amounts for new stores, relocated and expanded stores and other general corporate purposes. Net sales of municipal auction rate securities provided cash of $1.8 million and $19.5 million in the first half of fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities. Cash flows from financing activities were insignificant in the first half of 2008. In the first half of 2007, such cash flows totaled $2.4 million, primarily related to excess tax benefits from stock option exercises.

Cash Requirements

Our principal sources of liquidity consist of: (i) cash and cash equivalents (which equaled $7.2 million as of August 2, 2008); (ii) short-term trade credit; (iii) cash generated from operations on an ongoing basis as we sell our merchandise inventory; and (iv) a $35 million revolving credit facility. Short-term trade credit, which arises from customary payment terms and trade practices with our vendors, represents a significant source of financing for inventory purchases. Historically, our principal liquidity requirements have been for working capital and capital expenditure needs.

As of August 2, 2008, the Company had $50.9 million, net, of investments in municipal auction rate securities (“ARS”) issued by student loan funding organizations. These securities are high-grade (at least AA-rated with one or more rating agencies) and approximately 83% are either guaranteed by the Department of Education under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (37%) or backed by insurance companies, AMBAC Assurance Corporation (37%) or MBIA Insurance Corporation (9%). Historically, liquidity for investors in ARS was provided via an auction process that reset the interest rate every 35 days, allowing investors to either roll over their investments or sell them at par. Beginning in February 2008, there was insufficient demand for these types of investments during the auctions and, as a result, these securities are not currently liquid. The Company may not be able to access cash by selling these securities without incurring a loss of principal until either, liquidity returns to the auction process, a secondary market emerges, they are redeemed by the issuer, or they mature in years ranging from 2010 to 2040. After the auctions began failing, certain issuers did redeem, at par value, $2,275,000 of the ARS held by us. However, it is not currently possible to determine whether other issuers of the ARS held by us will redeem their securities. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, the Company’s primary investment bank for ARS investments announced publicly that they have committed to provide liquidity solutions to institutional investors, such as Citi Trends, and will agree to purchase from their institutional investors all or any ARS that remain outstanding in June 2010. Approximately 93% of the Company’s ARS are held at its primary investment bank that announced the commitment.

We believe that our existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our operations and anticipated capital expenditures for at least the next 24 months.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. There have been no material changes to the Critical Accounting Policies outlined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2007 except as described below.

Investments

As of August 2, 2008, the Company had $50.9 million, net, of investments in municipal auction rate securities (“ARS”) issued by student loan funding organizations. We account for our investments in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. SFAS No. 115 addresses the accounting and reporting for investments in fixed maturity securities and for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Currently, all ARS held by the Company are classified as available-for-sale and are classified as long-term investments. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Interest earned on securities classified as available-for-sale is included in interest income.

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Estimating the fair value of investments in ARS requires numerous assumptions such as expected cash flows, the timing of expected future successful auctions or redemptions, collateralization of the underlying securities and the creditworthiness of the issuer. These assumptions are subject to uncertainties, are difficult to predict and require significant judgment. The use of different assumptions and changes in future market conditions could result in significantly different estimates of fair value. There is no assurance as to when the market for ARS will stabilize. The fair value of our ARS could change significantly based on market conditions and continued uncertainties in the credit markets. If these uncertainties continue or if these securities experience credit rating downgrades or changes in the rates of default on the underlying assets, we may incur additional impairment on our ARS portfolio. We continue to monitor the fair value of our ARS and relevant market conditions and will record additional impairment if future circumstances warrant such charges.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to financial market risks related to changes in interest rates connected with our revolving line of credit, which bears interest at variable rates. We cannot predict market fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, future results may differ materially from estimated results due to adverse changes in interest rates or debt availability. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in prevailing market interest rates would not have materially impacted our financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2008, because we did not borrow during this period of time. We do not engage in financial transactions for trading or speculative purposes and have not entered into any interest rate hedging contracts.

We source all of our product from apparel markets in the United States in U.S. Dollars and, therefore, are not directly subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. However, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could affect our purchasing power with vendors that import merchandise to sell to us. We have not entered into forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency prices.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

We have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of August 2, 2008 pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in 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, and that such information has been accumulated and communicated to our management, including the officers who certify our financial reports, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosures. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We are from time to time involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of our business, including claims by customers, employees or former employees. While litigation is subject to uncertainties and the outcome of any litigated matter is not predictable, we are not aware of any legal proceedings pending or threatened against us that we expect to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There are no material changes to the Risk Factors described under the section “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008.

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

Not applicable.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The annual meeting of our shareholders was held on May 28, 2008. The following proposals were submitted to a vote:

1) The election of three directors, one to hold office until our annual meeting of shareholders in 2010 and until his successor is duly elected and qualified and two to hold office until our annual meeting of shareholders in 2011 and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. This proposal received the following number of votes:

	Affirmative	Withheld

Brian P. Carney (term expiring 2010)	10,788,448	38,350

R. Edward Anderson (term expiring 2011)	10,786,119	40,679

Lawrence E. Hyatt (term expiring 2011)	10,788,466	38,332

The other members of our board of directors whose terms of office continued after the meeting are John S. Lupo and Patricia M. Luzier.

2) The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent auditors for fiscal year 2008. This proposal was approved with 10,814,309 shares voting for approval, 12,132 shares voting against approval, and 356 shares abstaining.

Item 5. Other Information.

Not applicable.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

	10.1		Citi Trends, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan*

	10.2		Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Employees*

	31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

	31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

	32.1		Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.* †

* Filed herewith.

† Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Release No. 33-8238, this certification will be treated as “accompanying” this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and not “filed” as part of such report for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and this certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act 1934, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

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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, and the undersigned also has signed this report in his capacity as the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer).

	CITI TRENDS, INC.

Date: September 2, 2008

	By:	/s/ Bruce D. Smith
	Name:	Bruce D. Smith
	Title:	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary