GameStop Corp. - Quarter Report: 2009 October (Form 10-Q)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-32637

 

GameStop Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(817) 424-2000

 

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 þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     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. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

Number of shares of $.001 par value Class A Common Stock outstanding as of November 27, 2009: 164,767,330

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

GameStop Corp. (together with its predecessor companies, “GameStop,” “we,” “our,” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is the world’s largest retailer of video games and entertainment software. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All dollar and share amounts in the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements are stated in thousands of U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of the Company’s management, necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all disclosures required under GAAP for complete financial statements. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009 (“fiscal 2008”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 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. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. Changes in the estimates and assumptions used by management could have significant impact on the Company’s financial results. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Due to the seasonal nature of the business, the results of operations for the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 are not indicative of the results to be expected for the 52 weeks ending January 30, 2010 (“fiscal 2009”).

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform the prior period data to the current interim period presentation.

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the time of filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on December 9, 2009. No significant events occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to the filing of this report that would have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) codified accounting literature into a single source of authoritative principles, except for certain authoritative rules and interpretive releases issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) which are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants, which became effective for our Company in August 2009. Since the codification did not alter existing U.S. GAAP, it did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. All references to pre-codified U.S. GAAP have been removed from this Form 10-Q.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued new accounting and disclosure guidance for recognized and non-recognized subsequent events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. The new guidance also requires disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date. The new guidance was effective for our Company beginning with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 1, 2009, and is being applied prospectively. This change in accounting policy had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance that requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods and requires those disclosures in summarized financial information for publicly traded companies at interim reporting periods. The updated accounting guidance was effective for the Company for the period ended August 1, 2009. See Note 4.

 

In March 2008, the FASB amended existing disclosure requirements related to derivative and hedging activities, which became effective for the Company on February 1, 2009 and is being applied prospectively. As a result of the amended disclosure requirements, the Company is required to provide expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures about derivatives and hedging activities in each interim and annual period. The adoption of the new disclosure requirements had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB amended its guidance on accounting for business combinations. The new accounting guidance amends the principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. It also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The new accounting guidance for business combinations was effective for our Company on February 1, 2009, and we will apply it prospectively to all business combinations subsequent to the effective date. The adoption of this new accounting policy did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and the impact that its adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in future periods will depend on the nature and size of business combinations completed subsequent to the date of adoption.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued new accounting and disclosure guidance related to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries (previously referred to as minority interests). The updated accounting guidance requires all entities to report noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements and also establishes disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between controlling and noncontrolling interests and requires the separate disclosure of income attributable to controlling and noncontrolling interests. The new accounting guidance was effective for our Company on February 1, 2009. The adoption of this new accounting policy did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. However, in February 2008, the FASB delayed the effective date of the new accounting guidance for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of this new accounting guidance for our nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on February 1, 2009 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

 

On November 17, 2008, GameStop France SAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the acquisition of substantially all of the outstanding capital stock of Micromania for $580,407, net of cash acquired. Micromania is a leading retailer of video and computer games in France with 361 locations, 328 of which were operating on the date of the acquisition. The purpose of the acquisition was to expand the Company’s presence in Europe.

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of Micromania from the date of acquisition and are reported in the European segment. The purchase price has been allocated based on estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The purchase price was allocated as follows:

 

 

In determining the preliminary purchase price allocation, management considered, among other factors, the Company’s intention to use the acquired assets. Revisions to the preliminary purchase price allocation may result as additional information becomes available. The total weighted-average amortization period for the intangible assets, excluding goodwill and the Micromania tradename, is approximately ten years. The intangible assets are being amortized based upon the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are being utilized, with no expected residual value. None of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

 

The acquisition of Micromania is an important part of the Company’s European and overall growth strategy and gave the Company an immediate entrance into the second largest video game market in Europe. The amount the Company paid in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired was primarily for (i) the expected future cash flows derived from the existing business and its infrastructure, (ii) the geographical benefits from adding stores in a new large growing market without cannibalizing existing sales, (iii) expanding the Company’s expertise in the European video game market as a whole, and (iv) increasing the Company’s impact on the European market, including increasing its purchasing power.

 

On April 5, 2008, the Company purchased all the outstanding stock of Free Record Shop Norway AS, a Norwegian private limited liability company (“FRS”), for $21,006, net of cash acquired. FRS operated 49 record stores in Norway. The Company has converted the FRS stores into video game stores with an inventory assortment similar to its other stores in Norway. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, with the excess of the purchase price over the net assets acquired, in the amount of $17,981, recorded as goodwill. The Company has included the results of operations of FRS, which were not material, in its financial statements beginning on the closing date of the acquisition on April 5, 2008.

 

In 2003, the Company purchased a 51% controlling interest in GameStop Group Limited, which operates stores in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the minority interest owners have the ability to require the Company to purchase their remaining shares in incremental percentages at a price to be determined based partially on the Company’s price to earnings ratio and GameStop Group Limited’s earnings. Shares representing approximately 16% were purchased in June 2008 for $27,383 and in July 2009 an additional 16% was purchased for $4,667, bringing the Company’s total interest in GameStop Group Limited to approximately 84%. The Company already consolidates the results of GameStop Group Limited; therefore, any additional amounts acquired will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

During July 2008, the Company purchased certain assets and Web site operations from The Gamesman Limited, a video game and entertainment software retailer, including eight stores in New Zealand for $1,910. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, with the excess of the purchase price over the net assets acquired, in the amount of $605, recorded as goodwill.

 

The pro forma effect assuming the acquisitions of Micromania, FRS and The Gamesman Limited at the beginning of fiscal 2008 is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value accounting guidance applies to our forward exchange contracts, foreign currency options and cross-currency swaps (together, the “Foreign Currency Contracts”), Company-owned life insurance policies with a cash surrender value and certain nonqualified deferred compensation liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition.

 

Fair value accounting guidance requires disclosures that categorize assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market-corroborated inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability reflecting our assumptions about pricing by market participants.

 

We value our Foreign Currency Contracts, Company-owned life insurance policies with cash surrender values and certain nonqualified deferred compensation liabilities based on Level 2 inputs using quotations provided by major market news services, such as Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, and industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices, time value, volatility factors, and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. When appropriate, valuations are adjusted to reflect credit considerations, generally based on available market evidence.

 

The following table provides the fair value of our assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis and recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

The Company uses Foreign Currency Contracts to manage currency risk primarily related to intercompany loans denominated in non-functional currencies and certain foreign currency assets and liabilities. These Foreign Currency Contracts are not designated as hedges and, therefore, changes in the fair values of these derivatives are recognized in earnings, thereby offsetting the current earnings effect of the re-measurement of related intercompany loans and foreign currency assets and liabilities. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

speculative purposes. We are exposed to counterparty credit risk on all of our derivative financial instruments and cash equivalent investments. The Company manages counterparty risk according to the guidelines and controls established under comprehensive risk management and investment policies. We continuously monitor our counterparty credit risk and utilize a number of different counterparties to minimize our exposure to potential defaults. We do not require collateral under derivative or investment agreements.

 

The fair values of derivative instruments not receiving hedge accounting treatment in the condensed consolidated balance sheets presented herein were as follows:

 

 

As of October 31, 2009, the Company had a series of Forward Currency Contracts outstanding, with a gross notional value of $540,998 and a net notional value of $242,267. For the 13 and 39 week periods ended October 31, 2009, the Company recognized losses of $2,156 and $14,997, respectively, in selling, general and administrative expenses related to the trading of derivative instruments. As of November 1, 2008, the Company had a series of Forward Currency Contracts outstanding, with a gross notional value of $1,453,328 and a net notional value of $664,939. For the 13 and 39 week periods ended November 1, 2008, the Company recognized gains of $20,522 and $12,413, respectively, in selling, general and administrative expenses related to the trading of derivative instruments.

 

The Company’s carrying value of financial instruments approximate their fair value, except for differences with respect to the senior notes. As of October 31, 2009, the carrying value of the senior notes was $447,121 and the fair value was $463,725.

 

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This valuation model requires the use of subjective assumptions, including expected option life, expected volatility and the expected employee forfeiture rate. The Company uses historical data to estimate the option life and the employee forfeiture rate, and uses historical volatility when estimating the stock price volatility. There were no options to purchase common stock granted during the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008. The options to purchase common stock granted during the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 were 1,419 and 1,362, respectively, with a weighted-average fair value estimated at $9.45 and $15.45 per share, respectively, using the following assumptions:

 

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

In the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, the Company included compensation expense relating to stock option grants of $3,030 and $3,916, respectively, in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. In the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, the Company included compensation expense relating to stock option grants of $8,472 and $12,733, respectively, in selling, general and administrative expenses. As of October 31, 2009, the unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of our stock options was $16,362, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. The total intrinsic values of options exercised during the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 were $648 and $3,236, respectively. The total intrinsic values of options exercised during the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 were $3,375 and $86,981, respectively.

 

During the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, the Company granted 43 shares and 67 shares, respectively, of restricted stock which had a fair market value of $23.43 and $43.24 per share, respectively. The restricted shares vest in equal annual installments over three years. During the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, the Company granted 614 shares and 602 shares, respectively, of restricted stock which had a weighted-average fair market value of $25.84 and $49.20 per share, respectively. The restricted shares vest in equal annual installments over three years. During the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, the Company included compensation expense relating to the restricted share grants in the amount of $4,946 and $4,449, respectively, in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, the Company included compensation expense relating to the restricted share grants in the amount of $14,754 and $15,700, respectively, in selling, general and administrative expenses. As of October 31, 2009, there was $24,555 of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

 

 

The Company has Class A common stock outstanding. A reconciliation of shares used in calculating basic and diluted net earnings per common share follows:

 

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table contains information on restricted shares and options to purchase shares of Class A common stock which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive:

 

 

 

In October 2005, the Company entered into a five-year, $400,000 Credit Agreement (the “Revolver”), including a $50,000 letter of credit sub-limit, secured by the assets of the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries. The Revolver places certain restrictions on the Company and its subsidiaries, including limitations on asset sales, additional liens and the incurrence of additional indebtedness. In April 2007, the Company amended the Revolver to extend the maturity date from October 11, 2010 to April 25, 2012, reduce the LIBO interest rate margin, reduce and fix the rate of the unused commitment fee and modify or delete certain other covenants. The extension of the Revolver to 2012 reduces our exposure to the current tightening in the credit markets.

 

The availability under the Revolver is limited to a borrowing base which allows the Company to borrow up to the lesser of (x) approximately 70% of eligible inventory and (y) 90% of the appraisal value of the inventory, in each case plus 85% of eligible credit card receivables, net of certain reserves. Letters of credit reduce the amount available to borrow by their face value. The Company’s ability to pay cash dividends, redeem options and repurchase shares is generally prohibited, except that if availability under the Revolver is, or will be after any such payment, equal to or greater than 25% of the borrowing base, the Company may repurchase its capital stock and pay cash dividends. In addition, in the event that credit extensions under the Revolver at any time exceed 80% of the lesser of the total commitment or the borrowing base, the Company will be subject to a fixed charge coverage ratio covenant of 1.5:1.0.

 

The per annum interest rate on the Revolver is variable and, at the Company’s option, is calculated by applying a margin of (1) 0.0% to 0.25% above the higher of the prime rate of the administrative agent or the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% or (2) 1.00% to 1.50% above the LIBO rate. The applicable margin is determined quarterly as a function of the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. As of October 31, 2009, the applicable margin was 0.0% for prime rate loans and 1.00% for LIBO rate loans. In addition, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% for any unused portion of the total commitment under the Revolver. During the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009, the Company borrowed and repaid $115,000 under the Revolver. As of October 31, 2009, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolver and letters of credit outstanding totaled $8,546.

 

In September 2007, the Company’s Luxembourg subsidiary entered into a discretionary $20,000 Uncommitted Line of Credit (the “Line of Credit”) with Bank of America. There is no term associated with the Line of Credit and Bank of America may withdraw the facility at any time without notice. The Line of Credit will be made available to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries for use primarily as a bank overdraft facility for short-term liquidity needs and for the issuance of bank guarantees and letters of credit to support operations. As of October 31, 2009, there were no cash overdrafts outstanding under the Line of Credit and bank guarantees outstanding totaled $5,899.

 

In September 2005, the Company, along with GameStop, Inc. as co-issuer (together with the Company, the “Issuers”), completed the offering of $650,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2012 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated September 28, 2005 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Issuers, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

The Notes bear interest at 8.0% per annum, mature on October 1, 2012 and were priced at 98.688%, resulting in a discount at the time of issue of $8,528. The discount is being amortized using the effective interest method. As of October 31, 2009, the unamortized original issue discount was $2,879. The Issuers pay interest on the Notes

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

semi-annually, in arrears, every April 1 and October 1, to holders of record on the immediately preceding March 15 and September 15, and at maturity.

 

The Indenture contains affirmative and negative covenants customary for such financings, including, among other things, limitations on (1) the incurrence of additional debt, (2) restricted payments, (3) liens, (4) sale and leaseback transactions and (5) asset sales. Events of default provided for in the Indenture include, among other things, failure to pay interest or principal on the Notes, other breaches of covenants in the Indenture, and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. As of October 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants associated with the Revolver and the Indenture.

 

Under certain conditions, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions prior to maturity redeem up to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture at redemption prices at or in excess of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. The circumstances which would limit the percentage of the Notes which may be redeemed or which would require the Company to pay a premium in excess of 100% of the principal amount are defined in the Indenture. Upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), the Issuers are required to offer to purchase all of the Notes then outstanding at 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. The Issuers may acquire Notes by means other than redemption, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise, in accordance with applicable securities laws, so long as such acquisitions do not otherwise violate the terms of the Indenture.

 

As of November 1, 2008 and October 31, 2009, the only long-term debt outstanding was the Notes.

 

Between May 2006 and August 2007, the Company repurchased $70,000 of the Notes under previously announced buybacks authorized by its Board of Directors. All of the authorized amounts were repurchased and the Notes were delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

On February 7, 2008, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the buyback of up to an aggregate of an additional $130,000 of the Notes. The timing and amount of the repurchases was to be determined by the Company’s management based on their evaluation of market conditions and other factors. In addition, the repurchases may have been suspended or discontinued at any time. As of November 1, 2008, the Company had repurchased $30,000 of the Notes pursuant to this authorization. The associated loss on retirement of debt was $2,331, which consisted of the premium paid to retire the Notes and the write-off of the deferred financing fees and the original issue discount on the Notes. The Company did not repurchase any other Notes during fiscal 2008. In the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009, the Company repurchased $100,000 of the Notes pursuant to this authorization. The associated loss on retirement of debt was $5,323, which consisted of the premium paid to retire the Notes and the write-off of the deferred financing fees and the original issue discount on the Notes. All Notes repurchased in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009 were delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and no additional buybacks have been authorized. As of October 31, 2009, there were $450,000 of outstanding Notes.

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) is net earnings, plus certain other items that are recorded directly to stockholders’ equity and consists of the following:

 

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

 

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for the fiscal years ended February 3, 2007 and February 2, 2008. The Company does not expect any material adjustments to its condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of these audits.

 

Our effective tax rates for the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 include $251 of net tax benefit and $1,317 of net tax expense, respectively, related to amounts recorded for changes in our uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. Our effective tax rates for the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 include $6,149 and $1,811, respectively, of net tax expense related to amounts recorded for changes in our uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. The components of the net change in uncertain tax positions were individually insignificant.

 

It is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized benefit with respect to certain of our unrecognized tax positions could significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months as a result of settlements of ongoing audits and statutes of limitations expiring. At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible outcomes cannot be made.

 

The tax provisions for the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 are based upon management’s estimate of the Company’s annualized effective tax rate.

 

 

The Company operates departments within eight bookstores operated by Barnes & Noble, Inc. (“Barnes & Noble”), a related party through a common stockholder who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Barnes & Noble and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company pays a license fee to Barnes & Noble on the gross sales of such departments. The Company deems the license fee to be reasonable and based upon terms equivalent to those that would prevail in an arm’s length transaction. During the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, these charges amounted to $227 and $262, respectively. During the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, these charges amounted to $688 and $846, respectively.

 

In May 2005, the Company entered into an arrangement with Barnes & Noble under which www.gamestop.com became the exclusive specialty video game retailer listed on www.bn.com, Barnes & Noble’s e-commerce site. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company pays a fee to Barnes & Noble for sales of video game or PC entertainment products sold through www.bn.com. The fee to Barnes & Noble was $40 and $70 for the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, respectively, and $160 and $213 for the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, respectively.

 

Until June 2005, the Company participated in Barnes & Noble’s workers’ compensation, property and general liability insurance programs. The costs incurred by Barnes & Noble under these programs were allocated to the Company based upon total payroll expense, property and equipment, and insurance claim history of the Company. Although the Company secured its own insurance coverage, costs will likely continue to be incurred by Barnes & Noble on insurance claims which were incurred under its programs prior to June 2005 and any such costs applicable to insurance claims against the Company will be allocated to the Company. During the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, these charges amounted to $25 and $16, respectively. During the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, these charges amounted to $130 and $120, respectively.

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

 

On February 14, 2005, and as amended, Steve Strickland, as personal representative of the Estate of Arnold Strickland, deceased, Henry Mealer, as personal representative of the Estate of Ace Mealer, deceased, and Willie Crump, as personal representative of the Estate of James Crump, deceased, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against GameStop, Sony, Take-Two Interactive, Rock Star Games and Wal-Mart (collectively, the “Defendants”) and Devin Moore, alleging that Defendants’ actions in designing, manufacturing, marketing and supplying Defendant Moore with violent video games were negligent and contributed to Defendant Moore killing Arnold Strickland, Ace Mealer and James Crump. Moore was found guilty of capital murder in a criminal trial and was sentenced to death in August 2005.

 

Plaintiffs’ counsel named an expert, a psychologist who testified at the criminal trial on behalf of the criminal defendant, who plaintiffs indicated would testify that violent video games were a substantial factor in causing the murders. This same testimony from this same expert was excluded in the criminal trial from the same judge hearing this case. The testimony of plaintiffs’ psychologist expert was heard by the Court on October 30, 2008, and the motion to exclude that testimony was argued on December 12, 2008.

 

On July 30, 2009, the trial court entered its Order granting summary judgment for all defendants, dismissing the case with prejudice on the grounds that plaintiffs’ expert’s testimony did not satisfy the Frye standard for expert admissibility. Subsequent to the entry of the Order, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal.

 

The Company does not believe there is sufficient information to estimate the amount of the possible loss, if any, resulting from the lawsuit if the plaintiffs’ appeal is successful.

 

In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, the Company is, from time to time, subject to various other legal proceedings. Management does not believe that any such other legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

 

 

The Company is principally engaged in the sale of new and used video game systems and software, PC entertainment software and related accessories. The following table sets forth sales (in millions) by significant product category for the periods indicated:

 

 

Other products include PC entertainment and other software, accessories and magazines.

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth gross profit (in millions) and gross profit percentages by significant product category for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

The Company operates its business in the following segments: United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. Segment results for the United States include retail operations in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, the electronic commerce Web site www.gamestop.com and Game Informer magazine. Segment results for Canada include retail operations in Canada and segment results for Australia include retail operations in Australia and New Zealand. Segment results for Europe include retail operations in 13 European countries. The fiscal 2009 results of the European segment include Micromania’s results.

 

The Company measures segment profit using operating earnings before merger-related expenses, which is defined as income from continuing operations before intercompany royalty fees, net interest expense and income taxes. The basis of segmentation and the measurement of segment profit or loss have not changed since the end of fiscal 2008 and there has been no material change in total assets by segment since January 31, 2009. Transactions between reportable segments consist primarily of royalties, management fees, intersegment loans and related interest. Information on segments appears in the following tables:

 

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

As described in Note 7, on September 28, 2005, the Company, along with GameStop, Inc. as co-issuer, completed the offering of the Notes. The direct and indirect U.S. wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, excluding GameStop, Inc., as co-issuer, have guaranteed the Notes on a senior unsecured basis with unconditional guarantees.

 

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the financial position of the Company’s guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries as of October 31, 2009, November 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009 and results of operations for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 and cash flows for the 39 weeks ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008.

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

GameStop Corp.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

 

 

GAMESTOP CORP.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

GameStop Corp.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet