LEVI STRAUSS & CO - Quarter Report: 2020 August (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_________________

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)


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

For the Quarterly Period Ended August 23, 2020


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

Commission file number: 001-06631

_________________

LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware						94-0905160
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1155 Battery Street, San Francisco, California 94111

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(415) 501-6000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

None

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

_________________

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each class

Trading symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

LEVI

New York Stock Exchange

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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 ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of "Large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer ¨	Accelerated filer ¨	Emerging growth company ☐
Non-accelerated filer þ		Smaller reporting company ☐

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

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

As of September 30, 2020, the registrant had 66,461,001 shares of Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share and 330,721,606 shares of Class B common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding.

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

Page
Number

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 2 3 , 2020 and November 24, 2019

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended August 2 3 , 2020 and August 2 5 , 2019

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended August 2 3 , 2020 and August 2 5 , 2019

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity as of August 23, 2020 and August 25, 2019

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended August 23, 2020 and August 25, 2019

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Item 5.

Other Information

Item 6.

Exhibits

SIGNATURE

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our corporate website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. We also use the following social media channels as a means of disclosing information about our company, products, planned financial and other announcements, attendance at upcoming investor and industry conferences and other matters, as well as for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended:

•our Investor Relations page (https://levistrauss.com/investors/financial-news);

•our Twitter account (https://twitter.com/LeviStraussCo);

•our company blog (https://www.levistrauss.com/unzipped-blog/);

•our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/levistraussco/);

•our LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/levi-strauss-&-co-);

•our Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/levistraussco/); and

•our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/levistraussvideo).

The information we post through these channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. This list may be updated from time to time. The information we post through these channels is not a part of this Quarterly Report.

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.			CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


	(Unaudited)
	August 23, 2020		November 24, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,353,042	$	934,237
Short-term investments in marketable securities	72,279		80,741
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $17,437 and $6,172	543,257		782,846
Inventories:
Raw materials	3,932		4,929
Work-in-process	4,091		3,319
Finished goods	936,311		875,944
Total inventories	944,334		884,192
Other current assets	169,004		188,170
Total current assets	3,081,916		2,870,186
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,071,260 and $1,054,267	447,869		529,558
Goodwill	263,692		235,788
Other intangible assets, net	48,624		42,782
Deferred tax assets, net	500,701		407,905
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net (Note 1)	985,497		—
Other non-current assets	218,970		146,199
Total assets	$	5,547,269	$	4,232,418

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	23,941	$	7,621

Accounts payable	461,501		360,324
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits	162,866		223,374
Restructuring liabilities (Note 6)	58,009		—
Accrued interest payable	23,832		5,350
Accrued income taxes	29,510		24,050
Accrued sales returns and allowances (Note 1)	172,149		171,113
Short-term operating lease liability (Note 1)	218,098		—
Other accrued liabilities (Note 1)	424,272		375,372
Total current liabilities	1,574,178		1,167,204
Long-term debt	1,543,302		1,006,745
Postretirement medical benefits	59,294		64,006
Pension liability	174,183		193,214
Long-term employee related benefits	93,783		84,957
Long-term income tax liabilities	7,049		10,486
Long-term operating lease liability (Note 1)	852,366		—
Other long-term liabilities	51,843		134,249
Total liabilities	4,355,998		2,660,861
Commitments and contingencies


Stockholders’ Equity:
Levi Strauss & Co. stockholders’ equity
Common stock — $0.001 par value; 1,200,000,000 Class A shares authorized, 65,810,175 shares and 53,079,235 shares issued and outstanding as of August 23, 2020 and November 24, 2019, respectively; and 422,000,000 Class B shares authorized, 331,312,315 shares and 340,674,741 shares issued and outstanding, as of August 23, 2020 and November 24, 2019, respectively	397		394
Additional paid-in capital	621,432		657,659
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(487,923)		(404,986)
Retained earnings	1,057,365		1,310,464
Total Levi Strauss & Co. stockholders’ equity	1,191,271		1,563,531
Noncontrolling interest	—		8,026
Total stockholders’ equity	1,191,271		1,571,557
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,547,269	$	4,232,418

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
Net revenues	$	1,063,085	$	1,447,081	$	3,066,753	$	4,194,479
Cost of goods sold	485,687		680,335		1,480,376		1,944,502
Gross profit	577,398		766,746		1,586,377		2,249,977
Selling, general and administrative expenses	484,002		595,528		1,695,072		1,814,949
Restructuring charges, net	1,071		—		68,442		—
Operating income (loss)	92,325		171,218		(177,137)		435,028
Interest expense	(28,437)		(15,292)		(56,337)		(47,962)
Underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders	—		—		—		(24,860)
Other expense, net	(12,274)		(4,369)		(8,269)		(2,849)
Income (loss) before income taxes	51,614		151,557		(241,743)		359,357
Income tax (benefit) expense	24,565		27,340		(57,932)		60,182
Net income (loss)	27,049		124,217		(183,811)		299,175
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		292		—		141
Net income (loss) attributable to Levi Strauss & Co.	$	27,049	$	124,509	$	(183,811)	$	299,316
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.07	$	0.32	$	(0.46)	$	0.77
Diluted	$	0.07	$	0.30	$	(0.46)	$	0.73
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	397,711,322		394,169,688		397,010,522		387,289,913
Diluted	407,677,385		413,639,749		397,010,522		407,844,136

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	$	27,049	$	124,217	$	(183,811)	$	299,175
Other comprehensive income (loss), before related income taxes:
Pension and postretirement benefits	3,640		3,431		13,844		10,317
Derivative instruments	(63,271)		9,215		(50,068)		23,619
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)	36,915		(6,523)		(1,974)		(11,280)
Unrealized gains on marketable securities	6,104		475		5,313		1,694
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before related income taxes	(16,612)		6,598		(32,885)		24,350
Income taxes benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	6,385		(1,568)		4,392		(5,741)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	16,822		129,247		(212,304)		317,784
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		68		—		(334)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Levi Strauss & Co.	$	16,822	$	129,315	$	(212,304)	$	317,450

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


	Three Months Ended August 23, 2020
	Levi Strauss & Co. Stockholders
	Class A & Class B Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Noncontrolling Interest		Total Stockholders' Equity

	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Balance at May 24, 2020	$	396	$	611,993	$	1,030,513	$	(477,696)	$	—	$	1,165,206
Net income	—		—		27,049		—		—		27,049
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		(10,227)		—		(10,227)
Stock-based compensation and dividends, net	1		11,840		(197)		—		—		11,644
Employee stock purchase plan	—		1,889		—		—		—		1,889

Shares surrendered for tax withholdings on equity awards	—		(4,290)		—		—		—		(4,290)



Balance at August 23, 2020	$	397	$	621,432	$	1,057,365	$	(487,923)	$	—	$	1,191,271


	Nine Months Ended August 23, 2020
	Levi Strauss & Co. Stockholders
	Class A & Class B Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Noncontrolling Interest		Total Stockholders' Equity

	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Balance at November 24, 2019	$	394	$	657,659	$	1,310,464	$	(404,986)	$	8,026	$	1,571,557
Net loss	—		—		(183,811)		—		—		(183,811)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—		—		(28,493)		—		(28,493)
Stock-based compensation and dividends, net	6		37,460		(224)		—		—		37,242
Employee stock purchase plan	—		6,171		—		—		—		6,171
Repurchase of common stock	(3)		—		(56,240)		—		—		(56,243)
Shares surrendered for tax withholdings on equity awards	—		(79,858)		—		—		—		(79,858)
Changes in ownership of noncontrolling interest	—		—		(8,809)		—		(8,026)		(16,835)
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standards	—		—		59,624		(54,444)		—		5,180
Cash dividends declared ($0.16 per share)	—		—		(63,639)		—		—		(63,639)
Balance at August 23, 2020	$	397	$	621,432	$	1,057,365	$	(487,923)	$	—	$	1,191,271

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Continued)


	Three Months Ended August 25, 2019
	Levi Strauss & Co. Stockholders
	Class A & Class B Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Noncontrolling Interest		Total Stockholders' Equity

	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Balance at May 26, 2019	$	392	$	629,703	$	1,094,666	$	(411,256)	$	7,748	$	1,321,253
Net income	—		—		124,509		—		(292)		124,217
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		4,806		224		5,030
Stock-based compensation and dividends, net	1		17,930		(86)		—		—		17,845




Balance at August 25, 2019	$	393	$	647,633	$	1,219,089	$	(406,450)	$	7,680	$	1,468,345


	Nine Months Ended August 25, 2019
	Levi Strauss & Co. Stockholders
	Class A & Class B Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Noncontrolling Interest		Total Stockholders' Equity

	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Balance at November 25, 2018	$	376	$	—	$	1,084,321	$	(424,584)	$	7,346	$	667,459
Net income	—		—		299,316		—		(141)		299,175
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		18,134		475		18,609
Stock-based compensation and dividends, net	3		31,942		(86)		—		—		31,859
Reclassification to temporary equity	—		(506)		(23,339)		—		—		(23,845)
Repurchase of common stock	—		(165)		(2,923)		—		—		(3,088)
Shares surrendered for tax withholdings on equity awards	—		(25,522)		—		—		—		(25,522)
Reclassification from temporary equity in connection with initial public offering	—		351,185		(28,200)		—		—		322,985
Issuance of Class A common stock in connection with initial public offering	14		234,569		—		—		—		234,583
Cancel liability-settled awards and replace with equity-settled awards in connection with initial public offering	—		56,130		—		—		—		56,130
Cash dividends declared ($0.29 per share)	—		—		(110,000)		—		—		(110,000)
Balance at August 25, 2019	$	393	$	647,633	$	1,219,089	$	(406,450)	$	7,680	$	1,468,345

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


	Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(183,811)	$	299,175
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	104,997		90,305
Property, plant, equipment, and right-of-use asset impairments	60,968		939

Unrealized foreign exchange losses	5,706		19,625
Realized gains on settlement of forward foreign exchange contracts not designated for hedge accounting	(17,636)		(9,309)
Employee benefit plans’ amortization from accumulated other comprehensive loss and curtailment loss	13,845		10,317





Stock-based compensation	37,242		31,859
Allowance for doubtful accounts	10,697		544
Other, net	6,120		1,897
Benefit from deferred income taxes	(87,871)		(20,352)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition:
Trade receivables	219,779		(21,387)
Inventories	(47,289)		(79,355)


Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and operating leases, net of right-of-use assets	199,393		(26,541)
Restructuring liabilities	57,762		—
Income tax liabilities	(9,466)		34,918
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits and long-term employee related benefits	(82,497)		(88,817)

Other operating assets and liabilities, net	(47,074)		(38,281)
Net cash provided by operating activities	240,865		205,537
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(89,487)		(128,041)
Payments for business acquisition	(54,282)		—
Proceeds on settlement of forward foreign exchange contracts not designated for hedge accounting	17,636		9,309
Payments to acquire short-term investments	(67,458)		(94,702)
Proceeds from sale, maturity and collection of short-term investments	75,863		15,057
Net cash used for investing activities	(117,728)		(198,377)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	502,500		—


Proceeds from senior revolving credit facility	300,000		—
Repayments of senior revolving credit facility	(300,000)		—
Proceeds from short-term credit facilities	8,936		25,259
Repayments of short-term credit facilities	(5,245)		(38,280)
Other short-term borrowings, net	12,980		9,486

Payment of debt issuance costs	(6,459)		—
Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock	—		254,329
Payments for underwriter commission and other offering costs	—		(19,746)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	6,173		—
Repurchase of common stock	(56,243)		(3,088)
Repurchase of shares surrendered for tax withholdings on equity awards	(79,857)		(25,522)
Payments to noncontrolling interests	(16,090)		—
Dividend to stockholders	(63,639)		(55,000)
Other financing, net	(535)		(643)
Net cash provided by financing activities	302,521		146,795
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(6,914)		(3,357)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	418,744		150,598
Beginning cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash	934,753		713,698
Ending cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash	1,353,497		864,296
Less: Ending restricted cash	(455)		(523)
Ending cash and cash equivalents	$	1,353,042	$	863,773

Noncash Investing and Financing Activity:
Property, plant and equipment acquired and not yet paid at end of period	$	33,255	$	21,573
Property, plant and equipment additions due to build-to-suit lease transactions	—		10,861


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest during the period	$	38,036	$	29,621
Cash paid for income taxes during the period, net of refunds	34,657		80,159

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 1: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

Levi Strauss & Co. (the "Company") is one of the world’s largest brand-name apparel companies. The Company designs, markets and sells – directly or through third parties and licensees – products that include jeans, casual and dress pants, tops, shorts, skirts, jackets, footwear and related accessories for men, women and children around the world under the Levi’s^®, Dockers^®, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™ and Denizen^® brands. The Company operates its business through three geographic regions: Americas, Europe and Asia.

In March 2019, the Company completed an initial public offering ("IPO") of its Class A common stock, as a result of which its Class A common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LEVI".

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned foreign and domestic subsidiaries are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented have been included. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended November 24, 2019, included in the Company's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Management believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented in the unaudited consolidated financial statements not misleading. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020 may not be indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or the year ending November 29, 2020.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of November in each year, although the fiscal years of certain foreign subsidiaries end on November 30. Each quarter of both fiscal years 2020 and 2019 consists of 13 weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of 2020, which will consist of 14 weeks. All references to years and quarters relate to fiscal years and quarters rather than calendar years and quarters.

COVID-19 Update

The COVID-19 pandemic has materially impacted the Company's business and results of operations in 2020. Based on our initial estimates of the adverse impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on the business, $242.0 million in incremental charges were recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. During the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, $11.0 million of net reductions in the charges were recognized, consisting of $7.9 million in reductions of adverse fabric purchase commitments and inventory reserves and $6.6 million in recoveries of receivables previously estimated to be not collectible, offset by incremental restructuring and other costs incurred in response to the global pandemic. On a year-to-date basis, the net $231.0 million in charges consisted of $68.4 million of restructuring charges, COVID-19 related inventory costs of $77.9 million, and charges for customer receivables, asset impairments and other related charges of $84.7 million. For more information on the restructuring charges, refer to Note 6.

Substantially all of our company-operated stores were temporarily closed for varying periods of time throughout the second quarter. At the start of the third quarter, approximately half of our owned and operated retail stores were closed, with the majority reopened by mid-July but, in many cases, with reduced operating hours and occupancy levels. Our wholesale customers, including third-party retailers and franchise partners, have also experienced significant business disruptions, including lower traffic and consumer demand, resulting in decreased shipments to these customers.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was signed into law in the United States. The CARES Act provides relief to U.S. Corporations through financial assistance programs and modifications to certain income tax provisions. The Company is applying certain beneficial provisions of the CARES Act, including the net operating loss carryback provision. Refer to Note 13 for more information.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

The Company also assessed the impacts of the pandemic on the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these consolidated financial statements. The estimates and assumptions used in these assessments were based on management’s judgment and may be subject to change as new events occur and additional information is obtained. In particular, significant uncertainty remains about the duration and extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting impact on global economic conditions. If economic conditions caused by the pandemic do not recover as currently estimated by management, the Company’s financial condition, cash flows and results of operations may be further materially impacted. See below for areas that required more judgments and estimates as a result of COVID-19.

Inventory Valuation and Adverse Purchase Commitments

The Company values inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined by estimating expected selling prices based on anticipated recovery rates for slow-moving and obsolete inventory and other factors, such as market conditions, expected channel of distribution and current consumer demand and preferences. During the second quarter of 2020, an initial estimate of incremental inventory reserves directly related to the expected impact of COVID-19 on forecasted sales and expected selling prices was recorded. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and based on the actual selling prices of reserved products, the COVID-19 related impact on inventory valuation was reduced by $1.8 million. For the nine months ended August 23, 2020, the net COVID-19 related impact on inventory valuation, recognized within cost of goods sold, was $48.1 million.

The Company also has minimum inventory purchase commitments, including fabric commitments, with suppliers that secure a portion of material needs for future seasons. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to decreased demand, some of the Company's orders were canceled and a charge for estimated adverse purchase commitments was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. During the third quarter, the Company recorded a net reduction of $6.1 million in its charge for inventory purchase commitments based on updated demand and actual claims received from suppliers. For the nine months ended August 23, 2020, the net charge of $29.8 million was reflected in cost of goods sold in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. As of August 23, 2020, adverse purchase commitments of $32.5 million, which primarily relate to fabric liabilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, were included in "Other accrued liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable, assessment of collectability, including any known or anticipated bankruptcies, customer-specific circumstances and an evaluation of current economic conditions. During the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, the Company recognized a reduction of $6.6 million in COVID-19 related charges, which were initially recorded in the second quarter, primarily due to recoveries of receivables previously estimated to be not collectible. For the nine months ended August 23, 2020, $21.0 million in total COVID-19 related charges were recorded related to accounts receivable including an incremental allowance for doubtful accounts of $8.5 million, and other allowances as a result of changes in customers' financial condition, actual and anticipated bankruptcies and other associated claims.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may be impaired. Impairment losses are measured and recorded for the excess of carrying value over its fair value, estimated based on expected future cash flows and other quantitative and qualitative factors. Expected future cash flows decreased due to the anticipated COVID-19 related impact on foot traffic and consumer spending trends. As a result, during the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded $54.1 million of non-cash impairment charges, of which $43.0 million and $11.1 million were related to the impairment of certain store right-of-use and other store assets, respectively. An additional $6.3 million was recognized related to other property and equipment. There were no additional impairment charges recorded in the three-month period ended August 23, 2020. The impairment charges are included in selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements. Estimates are based upon historical factors, current circumstances and the experience and judgment of the Company’s management. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis and may employ outside experts to assist in its evaluations. Changes in such estimates, based on more accurate future information, or different assumptions or conditions, may affect amounts reported in future periods. As a result of uncertainty and frequently changing information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on global economic conditions, estimates may change frequently and in the near term.

Reclassification

Certain insignificant amounts on the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flow have been conformed to the August 23, 2020 presentation.

The Jeans Company Acquisition

In December 2019, the Company completed an acquisition of all operating assets related to Levi’s^® and Dockers^® brands from The Jeans Company ("TJC"), the Company's distributor in Chile, Peru and Bolivia, for $52.2 million in cash, plus transaction costs. This includes 78 Levi’s^® and Dockers^® retail stores and one e-commerce site, distribution with the region’s leading multi-brand retailers, and the logistical operations within these markets.

The total fair value of assets acquired was $52.2 million and include goodwill, inventory, intangible and fixed assets. The goodwill and intangibles recognized as a result of the acquisition were $22.8 million and $9.2 million, respectively.

Restructuring Liabilities

Upon approval of a restructuring plan, the Company records restructuring liabilities for employee severance and related termination benefits when they become probable and estimable for recurring arrangements. The Company records other costs associated with exit activities as they are incurred. The long-term portion of restructuring liabilities is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 6 for more information.

Share Repurchases

In January 2020, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the repurchase of up to $100 million of the Company's Class A common stock. During the six months ended May 24, 2020, 3 million shares were repurchased for $56.2 million, plus broker's commissions, in the open market. This equates to an average repurchase price of approximately $18.73 per share. As of the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company has suspended its share buyback program until further notice.

The Company accounts for share repurchases by charging the excess of repurchase price over the repurchased Class A common stock's par value entirely to retained earnings. All repurchased shares are retired and become authorized but unissued shares. The Company accrues for the shares purchased under the share repurchase plan based on the trade date. The Company may terminate or limit the share repurchase program at any time.

Noncontrolling Interest

In January 2020, the Company completed an all cash tender offer for the acquisition of the remaining 16.4% minority interest shares of Levi Strauss Japan K.K.'s common stock for a total purchase price of $13.6 million, plus transaction costs. As a result, Levi Strauss Japan K.K. has become a wholly owned subsidiary. Prior to this transaction, the noncontrolling interest included a 16.4% minority interest of third parties in Levi Strauss Japan K.K., the Company's Japanese subsidiary.

Changes in Accounting Principles

•In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires the identification of arrangements that should be accounted for as leases

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

by lessees. In general, for operating or financing lease arrangements exceeding a 12-month term, a right-of-use asset and a lease obligation will be recognized on the balance sheet of the lessee while the income statement will reflect lease expense for operating leases and amortization and interest expense for financing leases. The Company has identified leases for real estate, personal property and other arrangements. The new standard is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach with two adoption methods permissible. The Company elected the transition method that applies the new lease standard at the adoption date instead of the earliest period presented. The Company elected the practical expedient to not separate lease components from nonlease components for all leases. Additionally, the Company made an accounting policy election to keep leases with an initial 12-month term or less off of the balance sheet and recognize these lease payments within the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The Company elected the package of transition practical expedients which allowed the Company to carry forward prior conclusions related to: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (iii) initial direct costs for existing leases. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Upon adoption, the Company recognized $1.0 billion of total operating lease liabilities and $1.0 billion of operating lease ROU assets, as well as removed $61 million of existing deferred rent liabilities, which was recorded as an offset against the ROU assets. In addition, the Company removed $43 million and $53 million of existing assets and liabilities related to build-to-suit lease arrangements, respectively. The difference of $10 million was recognize in retained earnings as of the date of initial application. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to Note 8 for more information on the Company's lease arrangements.

•In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). ASU 2018-02 addresses certain stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the Tax Act enacted on December 22, 2017. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. As a result of the adoption, a $54.4 million adjustment was included in retained earnings with an offsetting adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

•Effective February 24, 2020, the Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment issued by the FASB in January 2017, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The impact of the new standard will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of future individual goodwill impairments, if any.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

There have been no developments to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures, from those disclosed in the 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for the following:

First Quarter 2021

•In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. The FASB has subsequently issued updates to the standard to provide additional clarification on specific topics. This guidance will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

First Quarter 2022

•In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The ASU is intended to enhance and simplify aspects of the income tax accounting guidance in ASC 740 as part of the FASB's simplification initiative. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

First Quarter 2023

•In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. This guidance is effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and the Company may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

NOTE 2: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments that are carried at fair value:


	August 23, 2020										November 24, 2019
			Fair Value Estimated Using								Fair Value Estimated Using
	Fair Value		Level 1 Inputs⁽¹⁾		Level 2 Inputs⁽²⁾		Fair Value		Level 1 Inputs⁽¹⁾		Level 2 Inputs⁽²⁾

	(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets carried at fair value
Rabbi trust assets	$	66,596	$	66,596	$	—	$	49,207	$	49,207	$	—
Short-term investments in marketable securities	72,279				72,279		80,741		—		80,741
Derivative instruments⁽³⁾	6,266		—		6,266		16,323		—		16,323
Total	$	145,141	$	66,596	$	78,545	$	146,271	$	49,207	$	97,064
Financial liabilities carried at fair value
Derivative instruments⁽³⁾	9,981		—		9,981		8,123		—		8,123
Total	$	9,981	$	—	$	9,981	$	8,123	$	—	$	8,123

_____________

(1)Fair values estimated using Level 1 inputs are inputs that consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Rabbi trust assets consist of a diversified portfolio of equity, fixed income and other securities.

(2)Fair values estimated using Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, and include among other things, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active or inactive as well as inputs other than quoted prices that are observable. Short-term investments in marketable securities consist of fixed income securities. For forward foreign exchange contracts, inputs include foreign currency exchange and interest rates and, where applicable, credit default swap prices.

(3)The Company’s cash flow hedges are subject to International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. master agreements. These agreements permit the net settlement of these contracts on a per-institution basis. Refer to Note 3 for more information.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

The following table presents the carrying value, including related accrued interest, and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments that are carried at adjusted historical cost:


	August 23, 2020						November 24, 2019
	Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value

	(Dollars in thousands)
Financial liabilities carried at adjusted historical cost


5.00% senior notes due 2025⁽¹⁾	$	1,001,245	$	1,024,651	$	489,299	$	505,757
3.375% senior notes due 2027⁽¹⁾	565,603		576,759		522,524		556,266
Short-term borrowings	23,954		23,954		7,621		7,621
Total	$	1,590,802	$	1,625,364	$	1,019,444	$	1,069,644

_____________

(1)Fair values are estimated using Level 1 inputs and incorporate mid-market price quotes. Level 1 inputs are inputs that consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

NOTE 3: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Designated Cash Flow Hedges

The Company actively manages the risk of changes in functional currency equivalent cash flows resulting from anticipated non-functional currency denominated purchases and sales. The Company’s global sourcing organization uses the U.S. dollar as its functional currency and is primarily exposed to changes in functional currency equivalent cash flows from anticipated inventory purchases, as it procures inventory on behalf of subsidiaries with Euro functional currencies. Additionally, a European subsidiary uses Euros as its functional currency and is exposed to anticipated non-functional currency denominated sales. The Company manages these risks by using currency forward contracts formally designated and effective as cash flow hedges. Hedge effectiveness is generally determined by evaluating the ability of a hedging instrument's cumulative change in fair value to offset the cumulative change in the present value of expected cash flows on the underlying exposures. For forward contracts, forward points are excluded from the determination of hedge effectiveness and are included in Cost of goods sold for hedges of anticipated inventory purchases and in Net revenues for hedges of anticipated sales on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract. In each accounting period, differences between the change in fair value of the forward points and the amount recognized on a straight-line basis is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). There was no hedge ineffectiveness for the nine months ended August 23, 2020.

Net Investment Hedges

The Company has designated a portion of its outstanding Euro-denominated senior notes as a net investment hedge to manage foreign currency exposures in its foreign operations.

Non-designated Cash Flow Hedges

The Company enters into derivative instruments not designated as hedges. These derivative instruments are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to certain product sourcing activities, some intercompany sales, foreign subsidiaries' royalty payments, interest payments, earnings repatriations, net investment in foreign operations and funding activities but the Company has not elected to apply hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in "Other income (expense), net" in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

As of August 23, 2020, the Company had forward foreign exchange contracts derivatives that were not designated as hedges in qualifying hedging relationships, of which $516.4 million were contracts to buy and $176.8 million were contracts to sell various foreign currencies. These contracts are at various exchange rates and expire at various dates through February 2022. The table below provides data about the carrying values of derivative and non-derivative instruments:


	August 23, 2020												November 24, 2019
	Assets		(Liabilities)		Derivative Net Carrying Value		Assets			(Liabilities)			Derivative Net Carrying Value
	Carrying Value		Carrying Value						Carrying Value			Carrying Value

	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange risk cash flow hedges⁽¹⁾	$	2,955	$	—	$	2,955	$	6,149		$	—		$	6,149
Foreign exchange risk cash flow hedges⁽²⁾	—		(8,062)		(8,062)		—			(3,809)			(3,809)
Total	$	2,955	$	(8,062)			$	6,149		$	(3,809)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Forward foreign exchange contracts⁽¹⁾	$	6,283	$	(2,972)	$	3,311	$	16,323		$	(6,149)		$	10,174
Forward foreign exchange contracts⁽²⁾	8,062		(9,981)		(1,919)		3,813			(8,127)			(4,314)
Total	$	14,345	$	(12,953)			$	20,136		$	(14,276)
Non-derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Euro senior notes	$	—	$	(563,350)			$	—		$	(525,255)

_____________

(1) Included in "Other current assets" or "Other non-current assets" on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

(2) Included in "Other accrued liabilities" or "Other long-term liabilities" on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

The Company's over-the-counter forward foreign exchange contracts are subject to International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. master agreements. These agreements permit the net settlement of these contracts on a per-institution basis; however, the Company records the fair value on a gross basis on its consolidated balance sheets based on maturity dates, including those subject to master netting arrangements. The table below presents the gross and net amounts of these contracts recognized on the Company's consolidated balance sheets by type of financial instrument:


	August 23, 2020										November 24, 2019
	Gross Amounts of Assets / (Liabilities) Presented in the Balance Sheet		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet		Net Amounts of Assets / (Liabilities)		Gross Amounts of Assets / (Liabilities) Presented in the Balance Sheet		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet		Net Amounts of Assets / (Liabilities)


	(Dollars in thousands)
Foreign exchange risk contracts and forward foreign exchange contracts
Financial assets	$	17,300	$	(3,997)	$	13,303	$	21,839	$	(10,142)	$	11,697
Financial liabilities	(21,015)		3,997		(17,018)		(16,290)		10,142		(6,148)
Total					$	(3,715)					$	5,549
Embedded derivative contracts
Financial assets	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	4,446	$	—	$	4,446
Financial liabilities	—		—		—		(1,795)		—		(1,795)
Total					$	—					$	2,651

The table below provides data about the amount of gains and losses related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges and non-derivative instruments designated as net investment hedges included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" ("AOCI") on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:


	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion)						Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Net Income (Loss)⁽¹⁾
	As of August 23, 2020		As of November 24, 2019		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
											August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019	August 23, 2020	August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
Foreign exchange risk contracts	$	(9,192)	$	2,781	$	4,446	$	869	$	9,869		$	1,586
Realized forward foreign exchange swaps ⁽²⁾	4,637		4,637		—		—		—			—
Yen-denominated Eurobonds	(19,811)		(19,811)		—		—		—			—
Euro-denominated senior notes	(76,266)		(38,171)		—		—		—			—
Cumulative income taxes	28,212		25,606		—		—		—			—
Total	$	(72,420)	$	(24,958)

_____________

(1) Amounts reclassified from AOCI were classified as net revenues and cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations.

(2) Prior to and during 2005, the Company used foreign exchange currency swaps to hedge the net investment in its foreign operations. For hedges that qualified for hedge accounting, the net gains were included in AOCI and are not reclassified to earnings until the related net investment position has been liquidated.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

Within the next 12 months, a $8.6 million loss from cash flow hedges is expected to be reclassified from AOCI into net income (loss).

The table below presents the effects of the Company's cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk contracts on the consolidated statements of operations:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Activity
Net revenues	$	1,325	$	(812)	$	(270)	$	(3,257)
Cost of goods sold	$	3,121	$	1,681	$	10,139	$	4,843

The table below provides data about the amount of gains and losses related to derivatives instruments included in "Other income, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of operations:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
Realized gain	$	979	$	979	$	12,068	$	8,739
Unrealized gain (loss)	(11,692)		535		(1,954)		(9,102)
Total	$	(10,713)	$	1,514	$	10,114	$	(363)

NOTE 4: DEBT

The following table presents the Company's debt:


	August 23, 2020		November 24, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
Long-term debt

5.00% senior notes due 2025	$	985,519	$	487,632
3.375% senior notes due 2027	557,783		519,113
Total long-term debt	$	1,543,302	$	1,006,745
Short-term debt




Short-term borrowings	23,941		7,621

Total long-term and short-term debt	$	1,567,243	$	1,014,366

Senior Notes due 2025

On April 17, 2020, the Company issued an additional $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior notes under the indenture dated April 27, 2015 pursuant to which the Company previously issued $500 million in principal amount of its 5.00% senior notes maturing May 1, 2025 (collectively, the "Senior Notes due 2025"). The Senior Notes due 2025 are treated as a single series and are unsecured obligations that rank equally with all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The additional notes were issued through an institutional private placement and holders

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

will be able to exchange the additional notes for notes with the same principal amount and with substantially identical terms, except that the notes to be received in exchange will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The additional notes were sold at an offering price equal to 100.50% of their principal amount. The net proceeds after initial purchaser discounts and commissions and offering expenses were approximately $496 million and are being used towards general corporate purposes.

The Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes due 2025 prior to May 1, 2020, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus an applicable premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, and a “make-whole” premium; on or after this date, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the notes, at once or over time, at redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

Senior Revolving Credit Facility

The Company's unused availability under its senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") was $608.0 million at August 23, 2020, as the Company's total availability of $638.5 million was reduced by $30.5 million of letters of credit and other credit usage allocated under the Credit Facility. In April 2020, as a precautionary measure to maximize liquidity and to increase available cash on hand in response to the pandemic, the Company drew down $300 million on its senior secured revolving credit facility. In June 2020, the Company subsequently repaid this $300 million draw down in full. As detailed in the Credit Facility, additional draws from the Credit Facility, to the extent they exceed certain levels based on the Company’s borrowing base, could create additional restrictions on the Company, including limitations on (i) certain investment activities, (ii) payment of dividends and (iii) prepayment of certain other indebtedness.

Interest Rates on Borrowings

The Company’s weighted-average interest rate on average borrowings outstanding during the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020 was 4.78% and 4.65%, respectively, as compared to 5.30% and 5.28%, respectively, during the same periods of 2019.

NOTE 5: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The following table summarizes the total net periodic benefit cost for the Company's defined pension plans and postretirement benefit plans:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
Net periodic benefit cost:
Pension benefits	$	1,830	$	3,975	$	5,186	$	11,968
Postretirement benefits	509		893		1,528		2,679
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,339	$	4,868	$	6,714	$	14,647

For the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020, total pension plan contributions were $3.2 million and $17.7 million, respectively.

In July 2020, a voluntary lump-sum, cash-out program was offered to vested deferred U.S. pension plan participants. The election window closed on September 4, 2020. Pension plan assets will be utilized to settle pension obligations for the participants that elect to participate in the program. The extent of the funding from the cash-out program exceeds the settlement accounting threshold, and as such, a settlement charge will be recognized when the lump-sum distributions are paid in November, representing the accelerated recognition of actuarial losses held in AOCI.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 6: RESTRUCTURING

In April 2020, the Board endorsed a restructuring initiative designed to reduce costs, streamline operations and support agility. On July 7, 2020, the Company announced and began to implement the restructuring initiative, which the Company expects to substantially complete by the middle of fiscal year 2021. The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business necessitated cost reduction actions while plans to streamline operations continue to be developed.

The initiative includes the elimination of approximately 15% of the Company's global non-retail and non-manufacturing positions and is expected to result in approximately $100 million in annual cost savings.

For the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020, the Company recognized restructuring charges of $1.1 million and $68.4 million, respectively, which were recorded on a separate line item in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. The charges primarily relate to severance benefits, based on separation benefits provided by Company policy or statutory benefit plans. The Company estimates that it will incur future additional charges related to this restructuring initiative.

The following tables summarize the activities associated with restructuring liabilities for the three and nine months ended

August 23, 2020. In the tables below, "Charges" represents the initial charge related to the restructuring activity, "Payments" consists of cash payments for severance and employee-related benefits, and "Foreign Currency Fluctuations and Other Adjustments" includes foreign currency fluctuations as well as revisions of estimates related to severance and employee-related benefits. As of August 23, 2020, $58.0 million and $3.5 million were classified as restructuring liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, within the Company's consolidated balance sheet.


	Three Months Ended August 23, 2020
	Liabilities⁽¹⁾		Charges			Payments		Foreign Currency Fluctuations and Other Adjustments		Liabilities⁽¹⁾
					May 24, 2020							August 23, 2020

	(Dollars in thousands)
Severance and employee-related benefits	$	65,878	$	550		$	(5,138)	$	182	$	61,472

_____________

(1) Excludes $1.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of pension and postretirement curtailment losses recorded in AOCI as of May 24, 2020 and August 23, 2020.


	Nine Months Ended August 23, 2020
	Liabilities		Charges			Payments		Foreign Currency Fluctuations and Other Adjustments		Liabilities⁽¹⁾
					November 24, 2019							August 23, 2020

	(Dollars in thousands)
Severance and employee-related benefits	$	—	$	66,428		$	(5,138)	$	182	$	61,472

_____________

(1) Excludes $2.1 million of pension and postretirement curtailment losses recorded in AOCI as of August 23, 2020.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 7: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

The Company uses cash flow hedge derivative instruments to manage its exposure to foreign currencies. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the forward foreign exchange contracts. However, the Company believes that its exposures are appropriately diversified across counterparties and that these counterparties are creditworthy financial institutions. See Note 3 for additional information.

Other Contingencies

Litigation. In the ordinary course of business, the Company has various claims, complaints and pending cases, including contractual matters, facility and employee-related matters, distribution matters, product liability matters, intellectual property matters, bankruptcy preference matters, and tax and administrative matters. The Company establishes loss provisions for these ordinary course claims as well as other matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. As of August 23, 2020, the Company has recorded certain reserves for these matters which are not material. The Company does not believe any of these pending claims, complaints and legal proceedings will have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Customs Duty Audits. The Company imports both raw materials and finished garments into all of its operating regions and as such, is subject to numerous countries' complex customs laws and regulations with respect to its import and export activity. The Company has various pending audit assessments in connection with these activities. While the Company is vigorously defending its position and does not believe any of the claims for customs duty and related charges have merit, the ultimate resolution of these assessments and legal proceedings are subject to risk and uncertainty.

Inventory Purchase Commitments. The Company also has minimum inventory purchase commitments, including fabric commitments, with suppliers that secure a portion of material needs for future seasons. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to decreased demand, some of the Company's orders were canceled and a charge for estimated adverse purchase commitments was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. During the third quarter, the Company recorded a net reduction of $6.1 million in its charge for inventory purchase commitments based on updated demand and actual claims received from suppliers. For the nine months ended August 23, 2020, the net charge of $29.8 million was reflected in cost of goods sold in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. As of August 23, 2020, adverse purchase commitments of $32.5 million, which primarily relate to fabric liabilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, were included in "Other accrued liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 8: LEASES

The Company primarily leases retail store space, certain distribution and warehouse facilities, office space, equipment and other non-real estate assets. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception and begins recording lease activity at the commencement date, which is generally the date on which the Company takes possession of or controls the physical use of the asset. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term with lease expense recognized on a straight-line basis. The Company's incremental borrowing rates, which are based on the information available at commencement date, are used to determine the present value of future lease payments unless the implicit rate is readily determinable. As of and for the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020, finance leases were not a material component of the Company's lease portfolio. Lease agreements may contain rent escalation clauses, renewal or termination options, rent holidays or certain landlord incentives, including tenant improvement allowances. Right-of-use assets are reduced by the amount of lease incentives. The lease term includes the non-cancelable period of the lease and may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. Certain lease agreements include variable lease payments, which are based on a percent of retail sales over specified levels or adjust periodically for inflation.

Lease expense is recognized in SG&A within the Company's consolidated statements of operations, based on the underlying nature of the leased asset. For the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020, lease expense primarily consisted of operating lease costs of $70.9 million and $229.3 million, respectively, including $4.0 million and $31.5 million, respectively, primarily related to variable lease costs and an immaterial amount of short-term lease costs.

Amounts of future undiscounted cash flows related to operating lease payments over the lease term are as follows and are reconciled to the present value of the operating lease liabilities as recorded on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.


	August 23, 2020⁽¹⁾

	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	67,251
2021	242,695
2022	207,118
2023	166,182
2024	134,646
Thereafter	324,909
Total undiscounted future cash flows related to lease payments	1,142,801
Less: Interest	72,337
Present value of lease liabilities	$	1,070,464

_____________

(1) Excludes $7.7 million of future operating lease payments for lease agreements signed but not yet commenced.

The following table includes the weighted average remaining lease terms, in years, and the weighted average discount rate used to calculate the present value of operating lease liabilities:


	August 23, 2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)	5.9
Weighted-average discount rate	2.26	%

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

The table below includes supplemental cash and non-cash information related to operating leases:


	August 23, 2020

	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash outflows from operating leases	$	176,744
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities⁽¹⁾	$	111,151

_____________

(1) Excludes the amount initially capitalized in conjunction with the adoption of Topic 842.

Amounts of minimum future annual commitments under non-cancelable operating leases and lease financing obligations in accordance with Topic 840 were as follows:


	November 24, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	234,092
2021	203,483
2022	174,536
2023	140,278
2024	111,176
Thereafter	284,114
Total undiscounted future cash flows related to lease payments	$	1,147,679

NOTE 9: DIVIDEND

Dividends are declared at the discretion of the Board. In January and April 2020, the Company declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.08 per share to holders of record of its Class A and Class B common stock. Dividends in the amount of $63.6 million were paid during the nine months ended August 23, 2020. The Company determined not to declare dividends in the third and fourth fiscal quarters of 2020.

The Company does not have an established dividend policy. The Board reviews the Company's ability to pay dividends on an ongoing basis and establishes the dividend amount based on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, current and projected cash flows and other factors, and any restrictions related to the terms of the Company’s debt agreements.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 10: ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following is a summary of the components of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss," net of related income taxes:


	August 23, 2020		November 24, 2019		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
Pension and postretirement benefits	$	(257,676)	$	(220,859)	$	(221,278)
Derivative instruments	(72,420)		(24,958)		(21,705)
Foreign currency translation losses	(169,024)		(155,841)		(157,980)
Unrealized gains on marketable securities	11,197		6,288		4,291
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(487,923)		(395,370)		(396,672)
Accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest⁽¹⁾	—		9,616		9,778
Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to Levi Strauss & Co.	$	(487,923)	$	(404,986)	$	(406,450)

_____________

(1) On January 9, 2020, Company completed an all cash tender offer for the acquisition of the remaining minority interest shares of Levi Strauss Japan K.K. Refer to Note 1 for additional information.

No material amounts were reclassified out of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" into net income (loss) other than those that pertain to the Company's derivative instruments and pension and post retirement benefit plans. Refer to Note 3 and Note 5 for additional information.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 11: NET REVENUES

Disaggregated Revenue

The table below provides the Company's revenues disaggregated by segment and channel.


	Three Months Ended August 23, 2020 ⁽¹⁾
	Americas		Europe		Asia		Total

	(Dollars in thousands)
Net revenues by channel:
Wholesale	$	404,529	$	222,777	$	41,484	$	668,790
Direct-to-consumer	145,269		167,596		81,430		394,295
Total net revenues	$	549,798	$	390,373	$	122,914	$	1,063,085


	Nine Months Ended August 23, 2020 ⁽¹⁾
	Americas		Europe		Asia		Total

	(Dollars in thousands)
Net revenues by channel:
Wholesale	$	1,071,835	$	569,918	$	204,087	$	1,845,840
Direct-to-consumer	506,271		462,421		252,221		1,220,913
Total net revenues	$	1,578,106	$	1,032,339	$	456,308	$	3,066,753

_____________

(1)For the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, net revenues from both channels were adversely impacted by temporary store closures and reduced traffic and consumer demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of the impact occurring in the second quarter when the majority of company-operated and wholesale customer doors were temporarily closed. See Note 1 for more information.


	Three Months Ended August 25, 2019
	Americas		Europe		Asia		Total

	(Dollars in thousands)
Net revenues by channel:
Wholesale	$	548,214	$	272,484	$	122,114	$	942,812
Direct-to-consumer	222,603		190,774		90,892		504,269
Total net revenues	$	770,817	$	463,258	$	213,006	$	1,447,081


	Nine Months Ended August 25, 2019
	Americas		Europe		Asia		Total

	(Dollars in thousands)
Net revenues by channel:
Wholesale	$	1,519,973	$	733,397	$	370,425	$	2,623,795
Direct-to-consumer	660,806		592,906		316,972		1,570,684
Total net revenues	$	2,180,779	$	1,326,303	$	687,397	$	4,194,479

The Company did not have any material contract assets or contract liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of August 23, 2020 and November 24, 2019

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 12: OTHER EXPENSE, NET

The following table summarizes significant components of "Other expense, net":


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
Foreign exchange management gains (losses)⁽¹⁾	$	(10,712)	$	1,514	$	10,114	$	(363)
Foreign currency transaction losses⁽²⁾	(3,052)		(6,671)		(25,138)		(9,634)
Interest income	1,547		4,986		7,685		12,644
Investment income	501		493		1,244		1,506
Other, net	(558)		(4,691)		(2,174)		(7,002)
Total other expense, net	$	(12,274)	$	(4,369)	$	(8,269)	$	(2,849)

_____________

(1)Gains and losses on forward foreign exchange contracts primarily resulted from currency fluctuations relative to negotiated contract rates. Losses in the three-month period ended August 23, 2020 were primarily due to unfavorable currency fluctuations relative to negotiated contract rates on positions to sell the Mexican Peso, Canadian Dollar and Australian Dollar. Gains in the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020 were primarily due to favorable currency fluctuations relative to negotiated contract rates on positions to sell the Euro and Mexican Peso, partially offset by unfavorable position on the British Pound.

(2)Foreign currency transaction losses reflect the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company's foreign currency denominated balances. Losses in the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020 were primarily due to the weakening of most major currencies against the US dollar. Losses in the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 25, 2019 were primarily due to the weakening of the Euro against the US dollar.

NOTE 13: INCOME TAXES

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law in the United States. The CARES Act includes certain provisions that affect income taxes, including temporary five-year net operating loss carryback provisions and a modification of interest deduction limitations.

The Company's effective income tax rate for the three months ended August 23, 2020 was 47.6% and reflects a $24.6 million income tax expense recorded on $51.6 million of pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended August 25, 2019 was 18.0% and reflects a $27.3 million income tax expense recorded on $151.6 million of pre-tax income. The increase in the effective tax rate in the quarter was primarily the result of a decline in the annual effective tax rate which was driven by a $7.1 million reduction in the tax benefit for losses carried back under the CARES Act. The Company initially recorded a tax benefit related to the CARES Act in the second quarter and such amount was updated during the three months ended August 23, 2020.

The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended August 23, 2020 was 24.0% and reflects a $57.9 million income tax benefit recorded on $241.7 million of pre-tax losses. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended August 25, 2019 was 16.7% and reflects a $60.2 million income tax expense recorded on $359.4 million of pre-tax income. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by discrete tax benefits of $22.0 million attributable to employees exercising stock-based equity awards in 2020 and $1.9 million related to net operating loss carryback provisions under the CARES Act. These were partially offset by valuation allowance charges in 2020 of $17.7 million on deferred tax assets that are not more likely than not to be realized.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 14: EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth the computation of the Company's basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Levi Strauss & Co.	$	27,049	$	124,509	$	(183,811)	$	299,316
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	397,711,322		394,169,688		397,010,522		387,289,913
Dilutive effect of stock awards	9,966,063		19,470,061		—		20,554,223
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	407,677,385		413,639,749		397,010,522		407,844,136
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.07	$	0.32	$	(0.46)	$	0.77
Diluted	$	0.07	$	0.30	$	(0.46)	$	0.73
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders	3,214,295		—		—		—

Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Levi Strauss & Co. for the nine months ended August 23, 2020 excluded all potentially dilutive securities because there was a net loss for the period and, as such, the inclusion of these securities would have been anti-dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share were 25.8 million shares for the nine months ended August 23, 2020.

NOTE 15: RELATED PARTIES

Charles V. Bergh, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Marc Rosen, Executive Vice President and President of Levi Strauss Americas, are members of the Board of Directors of the Levi Strauss Foundation, which is not a consolidated entity of the Company. Seth R. Jaffe, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, is Vice President of the Levi Strauss Foundation. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, the Company donated $0.4 million and $9.5 million, respectively, to the Levi Strauss Foundation as compared to $0.4 million and $9.3 million for the same prior-year periods.

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 23, 2020

NOTE 16: BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company manages its business according to three regional segments: the Americas, Europe and Asia. The Company considers its chief executive officer to be the Company’s chief operating decision maker. The Company’s chief operating decision maker manages business operations, evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the regional segments’ net revenues and operating income.

Business segment information for the Company is as follows:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020⁽¹⁾		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020⁽¹⁾		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in thousands)
Net revenues:
Americas	$	549,798	$	770,817	$	1,578,106	$	2,180,779
Europe	390,373		463,258		1,032,339		1,326,303
Asia	122,914		213,006		456,308		687,397
Total net revenues	$	1,063,085	$	1,447,081	$	3,066,753	$	4,194,479
Operating income (loss):
Americas	$	92,294	$	151,558	$	178,585	$	376,845
Europe	87,611		102,911		152,290		283,244
Asia	(23,301)		17,410		(19,132)		77,438
Regional operating income (loss)	156,604		271,879		311,743		737,527
Corporate:
Restructuring	1,071		—		68,442		—
Other corporate staff costs and expenses⁽²⁾	63,208		100,661		420,438		302,499
Corporate expenses	64,279		100,661		488,880		302,499
Total operating income (loss)	92,325		171,218		(177,137)		435,028
Interest expense	(28,437)		(15,292)		(56,337)		(47,962)
Underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders	—		—		—		(24,860)
Other income, net	(12,274)		(4,369)		(8,269)		(2,849)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	51,614	$	151,557	$	(241,743)	$	359,357

_____________

(1)For the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, the Company's business and results of operations were impacted by temporary store closures and reduced traffic and consumer demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of the impact occurring in the second quarter as most company-operated and wholesale customer doors were temporarily closed. Refer to Note 1 for more information.

(2)Corporate staff costs and expenses for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020 includes incremental COVID-19 related charges that management does not attribute to any of the regional segments in order to provide increased transparency and comparability of regional performance.

During the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, the Company recognized a $1.8 million reduction in incremental inventory reserves related to the Europe regional segment and charges for adverse fabric purchase commitments of $2.0 million related to the Asia regional segment. Recoveries of doubtful accounts of $6.6 million was recognized, of which $6.3 million and $0.3 million, were related to the Europe and Asia regional segments, respectively.

During the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, the Company recognized $48.1 million of incremental inventory reserves of which $28.8 million, $11.7 million and $7.6 million were related to the Americas, Europe and Asia regional segments, respectively, and charges for adverse fabric purchase commitments of $2.0 million related to the Asia regional segment. Net charges related to incremental allowance for doubtful accounts of $8.5 million were recognized, of which $6.3 million and $2.2 million were related to the Americas and Europe regional segments, respectively. Additionally, the Company recognized $54.1 million in impairment of long-lived assets related to certain retail locations, of which $48.6 million, $3.7 million and $1.8 million, were related to the Americas, Europe and Asia regional segments, respectively. Refer to Note 1 for additional information.

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

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and with our audited financial statements and related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 24, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2020. We use a 52- or 53-week fiscal year, with each fiscal year ending on the Sunday in November that is closest to November 30 of that year. See "-Financial Information Presentation - Fiscal Year."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures throughout this Quarterly Report, as described further below, to provide investors with additional useful information about our financial performance, to enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and to allow for greater transparency with respect to important metrics used by our management for financial and operational decision-making. We are presenting these non-GAAP financial measures to assist investors in seeing our financial performance from management’s view and because we believe they provide an additional tool for investors to use in comparing our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry.

However, non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in their usefulness to investors because they have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplementing, and not as an alternative or substitute for, our consolidated financial statements prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Overview

We are an iconic American company with a rich history of profitable growth, quality, innovation and corporate citizenship. Our story began in San Francisco, California, in 1853 as a wholesale dry goods business. We invented the blue jean 20 years later. Today we design, market and sell products that include jeans, casual and dress pants, tops, shorts, skirts, jackets, footwear and related accessories for men, women and children around the world under our Levi’s, Dockers, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. and Denizen brands.

Our business is operated through three geographic regions that comprise our three reporting segments: Americas, Europe and Asia (which includes the Middle East and Africa). We service consumers through our global infrastructure, developing, sourcing, and marketing our products around the world.

Our iconic, enduring brands are brought to life every day around the world by our talented and creative employees and partners. The Levi’s brand epitomizes classic, authentic American style and effortless cool. We have cultivated Levi’s as a lifestyle brand that is inclusive and democratic in the eyes of consumers while offering products that feel exclusive, personalized, and original. This approach has enabled the Levi’s brand to evolve with the times and continually reach a new, younger audience, while our rich heritage continues to drive relevance and appeal across demographics. The Dockers brand helped drive "Casual Friday" in the 1990s and has been a cornerstone of casual menswear for more than 30 years. The Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. and Denizen brands, which we developed for value-conscious consumers, offer quality craftsmanship and great fit and style at affordable prices.

We recognize wholesale revenue from sales of our products through third-party retailers such as department stores, specialty retailers, third-party e-commerce sites and franchise locations dedicated to our brands. We also sell our products directly to consumers ("direct-to-consumer" or "DTC") through a variety of formats, including our own company-operated mainline and outlet stores, company-operated e-commerce sites and select shop-in-shops that we operate within department stores and other third-party retail locations. As of August 23, 2020, our products were sold in over 50,000 retail locations in more than 110 countries, including approximately 3,100 brand-dedicated stores and shop-in-shops. As of August 23, 2020, we had 1,024 company-operated stores located in 36 countries and approximately 500 company-operated shop-in-shops. The remainder of our brand-dedicated stores and shop-in-shops were operated by franchisees and other partners. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of our owned and operated retail stores were closed as of the beginning of the quarter, with the majority reopening by mid-July. See “Impact of COVID-19 on our Business” below.

Our Europe and Asia businesses, collectively, contributed 49% of our net revenues and 43% of our regional operating income in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to 48% of our net revenues and 49% of our regional operating income in

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the same period in 2019. Sales of Levi’s brand products represented 87% of our total net sales in the first nine months of both 2020 and 2019.

Our wholesale channel generated 60% and 63% of our net revenues in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our DTC channel generated 40% and 37% of our net revenues in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively, with sales through our company operated e-commerce sites representing 22% and 13% of DTC channel net revenues in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 and 9% and 5% of total net revenues in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has materially impacted our business operations and results of operations in 2020. Based on our initial estimates of the adverse impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on the business, $242.0 million in incremental charges were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. During the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, $11.0 million of net reductions in the charges were recognized, consisting of $7.9 million of reductions in adverse fabric purchase commitments and inventory reserves and $6.6 million in recoveries of receivables previously estimated to be not collectible, offset by incremental restructuring and other costs incurred in response to the global pandemic. On a year-to-date basis, the net $231.0 million consisted of $68.4 million of restructuring charges, COVID-19 related inventory costs of $77.9 million and other charges for customer receivables, asset impairments and other related charges of $84.7 million. For more information on the restructuring charges and COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges refer to Note 6 and Note 1, respectively, to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Our e-commerce business grew approximately 52% during the third quarter, as consumer spending continued to shift towards online shopping experiences due to the changing retail landscape as a result of the global pandemic. Our global digital business, which includes our e-commerce site as well as the online business of our wholesale customers, including that of traditional wholesalers as well as pure play (online-only wholesalers) grew to represent approximately 24% of our total net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, versus approximately 12% of our net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Throughout the pandemic, our top priority has been to protect the health and safety of our employees and our consumers. We have closed many of our corporate offices and other facilities, and have implemented a work from home policy for many of our corporate employees. As we reopen our company-operated retail stores, we follow internally derived specific health-related criteria with an emphasis on comprehensive safety precautions, including continuous cleaning in our stores and limiting the number of shoppers to allow for social distancing.

While many retail stores have reopened and government restrictions have been removed or lightened, the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains highly uncertain, and our business operations and results of operations, including our net revenues, earnings and cash flows, could be adversely impacted for the balance of 2020, and beyond, including as a result of:

•Risk of future additional temporary closure of our owned and operated retail stores globally as well as the doors owned by our wholesale customers, including third-party retailers and franchise partners;

•Decreased foot traffic in retail stores;

•Decreased consumer confidence and consumer spending habits, including spending for the merchandise that we sell and negative trends in consumer purchasing patterns due to changes in consumers’ disposable income, credit availability and debt levels;

•Decreased wholesale channel sales and increased likelihood of wholesale customer failure;

•Increased inventory, inventory write-downs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices;

•Disruption to the supply chain caused by distribution and other logistical issues;

•Decreased productivity due to travel bans, work-from-home policies or shelter-in-place orders; and

•A slowdown in the U.S. or global economy and uncertain global economic outlook or a credit crisis.

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2020 Restructuring

In April 2020, our Board of Directors (the "Board") endorsed a restructuring initiative designed to reduce costs, streamline operations and support agility. On July 7, 2020, we announced and began to implement this restructuring initiative, which we expect to be substantially complete by the middle of fiscal year 2021. The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business necessitated cost reduction actions while plans to streamline operations continue to be developed.

The initiative included the elimination of approximately 15% of our global non-retail and non-manufacturing positions and is expected to result in approximately $100 million in annual cost savings.

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, we recognized restructuring charges of $1.1 million and $68.4 million, respectively, which are on a separate line item in our consolidated statements of operations. Within the consolidated balance sheet as of August 23, 2020, we had $58.0 million and $3.5 million in restructuring liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, and an immaterial amount of pension and postretirement curtailment losses was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The charges primarily relate to severance benefits, based on separation benefits provided by Company policy or statutory benefit plans. During the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020, $5.1 million in payments were made and cash payments for charges recognized to date are expected to continue through 2021. We expect that we will incur future additional charges related to this restructuring initiative.

Other Factors Affecting Our Business

We believe the other key business and marketplace factors, independent of the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, that are impacting our business include the following:

•A complex and challenging retail environment for us and our customers, characterized by unpredictable traffic patterns and a general promotional environment. In developed economies, mixed real wage growth and shifting consumer spending also continue to pressure global discretionary spending. Consumers continue to focus on value pricing and convenience with the off-price retail channel remaining strong and increased expectations for real-time delivery.

•The diversification of our business model across regions, channels, brands, and categories affects our gross margin. For example, if our sales in higher gross margin business regions, channels, brands and categories grow at a faster rate than in our lower gross margin business regions, channels, brands and categories, we would expect a favorable impact to aggregate gross margin over time. Gross margin in Europe is generally higher than in our other two regional operating segments. DTC sales generally have higher gross margins than sales through third parties, although DTC sales also typically have higher selling expenses. Value brands, which are focused on the value-conscious consumer, generally generate lower gross margin. Enhancements to our existing product offerings, or our expansion into new products categories, may also impact our future gross margin.

•More competitors are seeking growth globally, thereby increasing competition across regions. Some of these competitors are entering markets where we already have a mature business such as the United States, Mexico, Western Europe and Japan, and may provide consumers discretionary purchase alternatives or lower-priced apparel offerings.

•Wholesaler/retailer dynamics and wholesale channels remain challenged by mixed growth prospects due to increased competition from e-commerce shopping, pricing transparency enabled by the proliferation of online technologies, and vertically-integrated specialty stores. Retailers, including our top customers, have in the past and may in the future decide to consolidate, undergo restructurings or rationalize their stores, which could result in a reduction in the number of stores that carry our products.

•Many apparel companies that have traditionally relied on wholesale distribution channels have invested in expanding their own retail store and e-commerce distribution and consumer-facing technologies, which has increased competition in the retail market.

•Competition for, and price volatility of, resources throughout the supply chain have increased, causing us and other apparel manufacturers to continue to seek alternative sourcing channels and create new efficiencies in our global supply chain. Trends affecting the supply chain include the proliferation of lower-cost sourcing alternatives, resulting in reduced barriers to entry for new competitors, and the impact of fluctuating prices of labor and raw materials as well as the consolidation of suppliers. Trends such as these can bring additional pressure on us and other wholesalers and retailers to shorten lead-times, reduce costs and raise product prices.

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•Foreign currencies continue to be volatile. Significant fluctuations of the U.S. Dollar against various foreign currencies, including the Euro, British Pound and Mexican Peso, will impact our financial results, affecting translation, revenue, operating margins and net income.

•The current environment has introduced greater uncertainty with respect to potential tax and trade regulations. The current domestic and international political environment, including changes to other U.S. policies related to global trade, tariffs and sanctions, have resulted in uncertainty surrounding the future state of the global economy. Such changes may require us to modify our current sourcing practices, which may impact our product costs, and, if not mitigated, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

These factors contribute to a global market environment of intense competition, constant product innovation and continuing cost pressure, and combine with the continuing global economic conditions to create a challenging commercial and economic environment. We evaluate these factors as we develop and execute our strategies.

Effects of Inflation

We believe inflation in the regions where most of our sales occur has not had a significant effect on our net revenues or profitability.

Our Third Quarter 2020 Results

•Net revenues. Consolidated net revenues decreased 26.5% on a reported basis and 25.7% on a constant-currency basis compared to the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic which included reduced traffic and ongoing closures of company-operated and third-party retail locations for portions of the quarter and in certain markets.

•Operating income. We recognized consolidated operating income of $92.3 million, compared to operating income of $171.3 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19, including lower net revenues, partially offset by lower SG&A expenses primarily reflecting the cost-reduction initiatives started in the second quarter.

•Adjusted EBIT. Adjusted EBIT was $84.2 million compared to Adjusted EBIT of $176.4 million in the third quarter of 2019, as a result of cost-reduction initiatives and higher gross margin.

•Diluted earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share were $0.07 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.30 in the third quarter of 2019.

•Adjusted diluted earnings per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.08 compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.31 in the third quarter of 2019.

Our Year-to-Date 2020 Results

•Net revenues. Consolidated net revenues decreased 26.9% on a reported basis and 25.7% on a constant-currency basis compared to the first nine months of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of widespread temporary closures of our company-operated and third-party customer retail locations, particularly in the second quarter of 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic partially offset by higher net revenues in the first quarter of 2020 as compared to the first quarter of 2019.

•Operating loss. We recognized a consolidated operating loss of $177.1 million, compared to operating income of $435.1 million in the first nine months of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the recognition of $68.4 million of net restructuring charges and $162.6 million of net COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges.

•Adjusted EBIT. Adjusted EBIT was $67.7 million for the first nine months of 2020 compared to Adjusted EBIT of $464.3 million for the first nine months of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by higher net revenues and gross margin expansion in the first quarter of 2020 as compared to the first quarter of 2019.

•Diluted loss per share. Diluted loss per share was $0.46 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.73 in the third quarter of 2019.

•Adjusted diluted loss per share. Adjusted diluted loss per share was $0.01 compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.85 in the third quarter of 2019.

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Financial Information Presentation

Fiscal year. We use a 52- or 53- week fiscal year, with each fiscal year ending on the Sunday in November that is closest to November 30 of that year. Certain of our foreign subsidiaries have fiscal years ending November 30. Each fiscal year generally consists of four 13-week quarters. Each quarter of fiscal years 2020 and 2019 consists of 13 weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of 2020, which consists of 14 weeks.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of those for a full fiscal year.

Segments. We manage our business according to three regional segments: the Americas, Europe and Asia. Our Asia segment includes the Middle East and Africa.

Classification. Our classification of certain significant revenues and expenses reflects the following:

•Net revenues comprise net sales and licensing revenues. Net sales include sales of products to wholesale customers, including franchised stores, and direct sales to consumers at our company-operated stores and shop-in-shops located within department stores and other third-party locations, as well as company-operated e-commerce sites. Net revenues include discounts, allowances for estimated returns and incentives. Licensing revenues, which include revenues from the use of our trademarks in connection with the manufacturing, advertising and distribution of trademarked products by third-party licensees, are earned and recognized as products are sold by licensees based on royalty rates as set forth in the applicable licensing agreements.

•Cost of goods sold primarily comprises product costs, labor and related overhead, sourcing costs, inbound freight, internal transfers and the cost of operating our remaining manufacturing facilities, including the related depreciation expense. On both a reported and constant-currency basis, cost of goods sold reflects the transactional currency impact resulting from the purchase of products in a currency other than the functional currency.

•Selling expenses include, among other things, all occupancy costs and depreciation associated with our company-operated stores and commissions associated with our company-operated shop-in-shops, as well as costs associated with our e-commerce operations.

•We reflect substantially all distribution costs in SG&A, including costs related to receiving and inspection at distribution centers, warehousing, shipping to our customers, handling, and certain other activities associated with our distribution network.

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Results of Operations for Three and Nine Months Ended August 23, 2020, as Compared to Comparable Periods in 2019

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our consolidated statements of operations, the changes in these items from period to period and these items expressed as a percentage of net revenues:


	Three Months Ended																			Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019
															% of Net Revenues			% of Net Revenues				% of Net Revenues	% of Net Revenues

	(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)
Net revenues	$	1,063.1	$	1,447.1	(26.5)	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	$	3,066.8	$	4,194.5		(26.9)	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Cost of goods sold	485.7		680.3		(28.6)	%	45.7	%	47.0	%	1,480.4		1,944.5			(23.9)	%	48.3	%	46.4	%
Gross profit	577.4		766.8		(24.7)	%	54.3	%	53.0	%	1,586.4		2,250.0			(29.5)	%	51.7	%	53.6	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	484.0		595.5		(18.7)	%	45.5	%	41.2	%	1,695.1		1,814.9			(6.6)	%	55.3	%	43.3	%
Restructuring charges, net	1.1		—		—		0.1	%	—		68.4		—			—		2.2	%	—
Operating income (loss)	92.3		171.3		(46.1)	%	8.7	%	11.8	%	(177.1)		435.1			(140.7)	%	(5.8)	%	10.4	%
Interest expense	(28.4)		(15.3)		85.6	%	(2.7)	%	(1.1)	%	(56.3)		(48.0)			17.3	%	(1.8)	%	(1.1)	%
Underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders	—		—		—		—		—		—		(24.9)			(100.0)	%	—		(0.6)	%
Other expense, net	(12.3)		(4.4)		179.6	%	(1.2)	%	(0.3)	%	(8.3)		(2.8)			196.4	%	(0.3)	%	(0.1)	%
Income (loss) before income taxes	51.6		151.6		(66.0)	%	4.9	%	10.5	%	(241.7)		359.4			(167.3)	%	(7.9)	%	8.6	%
Income tax (benefit) expense	24.6		27.4		(10.2)	%	2.3	%	1.9	%	(57.9)		60.2			(196.2)	%	(1.9)	%	1.4	%
Net income (loss)	27.0		124.2		(78.3)	%	2.5	%	8.6	%	(183.8)		299.2			(161.4)	%	(6.0)	%	7.1	%
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		0.3		(100.0)	%	—		—		—		0.1			(100.0)	%	—		—
Net income (loss) attributable to Levi Strauss & Co.	$	27.0	$	124.5	(78.3)	%	2.5	%	8.6	%	$	(183.8)	$	299.3		(161.4)	%	(6.0)	%	7.1	%
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.07	$	0.32	(78.1)	%	*		*		$	(0.46)	$	0.77		(159.7)	%	*		*
Diluted	$	0.07	$	0.30	(76.7)	%	*		*		$	(0.46)	$	0.73		(163.0)	%	*		*
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	397.7		394.2		0.9	%	*		*		397.0		387.3			2.5	%	*		*
Diluted	407.7		413.6		(1.4)	%	*		*		397.0		407.8			(2.6)	%	*		*

_____________

* Not meaningful

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Net revenues

The following table presents net revenues by reporting segment for the periods indicated and the changes in net revenues by reporting segment on both reported and constant-currency basis from period to period.


	Three Months Ended														Nine Months Ended
					% Increase (Decrease)										% Increase (Decrease)
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		As Reported		Constant Currency		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		As Reported		Constant Currency

	(Dollars in millions)
Net revenues:
Americas	$	549.8	$	770.8	(28.7)	%	(27.2)	%	$	1,578.1	$	2,180.8	(27.6)	%	(26.5)	%
Europe	390.4		463.3		(15.7)	%	(16.6)	%	1,032.4		1,326.3		(22.2)	%	(21.0)	%
Asia	122.9		213.0		(42.3)	%	(40.9)	%	456.3		687.4		(33.6)	%	(32.1)	%
Total net revenues	$	1,063.1	$	1,447.1	(26.5)	%	(25.7)	%	$	3,066.8	$	4,194.5	(26.9)	%	(25.7)	%

Total net revenues decreased on both a reported and constant-currency basis for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, as compared to the same prior-year periods.

Americas. On both a reported and constant-currency basis, net revenues in our Americas region decreased for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, with currency translation affecting net revenues unfavorably by approximately $16 million and $33 million, respectively.

The decrease in net revenues for the three-month period ended August 23, 2020 was driven by lower revenues across both our wholesale and DTC channels, due to the continued adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in wholesale revenues was primarily due to the temporary closures of third-party retail locations, most of which were closed at the start of the quarter but began to reopen in June. These declines were partially offset by increases in Levi's and Signature products sold to traditional and digital wholesale customers that remained open, either through their retail locations, or e-commerce sites.

The decrease in our DTC channel was due to the temporary closures of our company-operated stores as approximately 25% of the store network were open at the beginning of the quarter, with most reopening by mid-July, although operating under reduced hours and occupancy levels. As of August 23, 2020, approximately 92% of our company-operated stores in the region were open and our store network had 73 more stores in operation versus the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in net revenues was partially offset by an increase in our e-commerce revenue due to increased traffic to our site, as consumer spending continued to shift towards online shopping.

The decrease in net revenues for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020 was primarily due to the COVID-19 impacts in the second and third quarters partially offset by first quarter growth in DTC net revenues and the inclusion of non-comparable net revenues from the week of Black Friday in the 2020 period.

Europe. Net revenues in Europe decreased on both a reported and constant-currency basis for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020. Currency translation had a favorable impact on net revenues of approximately $5 million and an unfavorable impact of approximately $20 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, respectively.

Net revenues decreased for the three-month period ended August 23, 2020 driven by lower revenue across both channels as a result of the continued adverse impact of COVID-19. Wholesale revenue declined due to the impact of the temporary closure of our wholesale customer's retail locations and lower traffic even after government lockdown measures ended, partially offset by significant growth in shipments to digital wholesale customers. The decrease in our DTC channel revenue was due to the impact of the temporary closures and lower traffic once our stores reopened under reduced operating hours and occupancy levels. At the beginning of the quarter, approximately 30% of our company-operated stores in the region were open, with the majority of stores reopening by mid to late June. As of August 23, 2020, approximately 99% of our company-operated stores in the region were open and our store network had 28 more stores in operation versus the end of the third quarter of 2019. E-commerce revenue had strong growth during the quarter as a result of increased traffic and higher conversion, as consumer spending continued to shift towards online shopping due to the global pandemic.

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from our wholesale customers as well as expansion within our company-operated retail network, and the inclusion of non-comparable revenue from the week of Black Friday in the 2020 period.

Asia. Net revenues in Asia decreased on both a reported and constant-currency basis for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, with currency affecting net revenues unfavorably by approximately $5 million and $15 million, respectively.

The decrease in net revenues for the three-month period ended August 23, 2020 was driven by the continued adverse impact from the COVID-19 pandemic across both channels and most markets. Government imposed lockdowns continued to impact our wholesale customer retail locations across the region, particularly in India where several states remained in government mandated lockdown throughout the third quarter. As a result, our India market declined $51.1 million. Our DTC channel revenue decreased, despite approximately 85% of our company-operated stores being open at the start of the quarter, due to lower traffic and restrictions on operating hours and occupancy. The decline in DTC revenue was partially offset by growth in e-commerce revenue. As of August 23, 2020, approximately 97% of our company-operated stores in the region were open and our store network had 35 more stores in operation versus the third quarter of 2019.

The decrease in net revenues for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020 was primarily due to the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic in the second and third quarters partially offset by first quarter growth in our wholesale business.

Gross profit

The following table shows consolidated gross profit and gross margin for the periods indicated and the changes in these items from period to period:


	Three Months Ended														Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)

	(Dollars in millions)
Net revenues	$	1,063.1		$	1,447.1		(26.5)	%	$	3,066.8		$	4,194.5		(26.9)	%
Cost of goods sold	485.7			680.3			(28.6)	%	1,480.4			1,944.5			(23.9)	%
Gross profit	$	577.4		$	766.8		(24.7)	%	$	1,586.4		$	2,250.0		(29.5)	%
Gross margin	54.3		%	53.0		%			51.7		%	53.6		%

Currency translation unfavorably impacted gross profit by approximately $6 million and $33 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, respectively.

For the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, the increase in gross margin was primarily due to the $7.9 million in reductions in COVID-19 related inventory charges, largely related to reductions in our estimate of adverse fabric purchase commitments. Of the 1.3 percentage-point increase, 0.7 percentage-points were attributable to reduction in COVID-19 related charges, and the remaining 0.6 percentage-points were primarily due to price increases and a higher proportion of sales in our DTC channel, which has higher margins.

The decrease in gross margin for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020 was primarily due to COVID-19 related charges, which included the recognition of incremental inventory reserves of $48.1 million and adverse fabric purchase commitments of $29.8 million which decreased gross margin by 2.5 percentage points. These adverse impacts were partially offset by price increases implemented in the second half of the prior year across all three regions and both channels coupled with first quarter revenue growth within our company-operated retail network, including the benefit of a Black Friday week.

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Selling, general and administrative expenses

The following table shows SG&A for the periods indicated, the changes in these items from period to period and these items expressed as a percentage of net revenues:


	Three Months Ended																		Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019
																					% of Net Revenues	% of Net Revenues	% of Net Revenues	% of Net Revenues

	(Dollars in millions)
Selling	$	234.7	$	268.3	(12.5)	%	22.1	%	18.5	%	$	760.3	$	815.8	(6.8)	%	24.8	%	19.4	%
Advertising and promotion	56.4		80.3		(29.8)	%	5.3	%	5.5	%	217.8		267.3		(18.5)	%	7.1	%	6.4	%
Administration	71.2		101.7		(30.0)	%	6.7	%	7.0	%	239.9		307.9		(22.1)	%	7.8	%	7.3	%
Other	125.8		145.2		(13.4)	%	11.8	%	10.0	%	393.2		423.9		(7.2)	%	12.8	%	10.1	%
COVID-19 related charges	(4.1)		—		—		(0.4)	%	—		83.9		—		—		2.7	%	—
Total SG&A	$	484.0	$	595.5	(18.7)	%	45.5	%	41.2	%	$	1,695.1	$	1,814.9	(6.6)	%	55.3	%	43.3	%

Currency translation impacted SG&A favorably by approximately $4 million and $22 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, respectively.

Selling. Currency translation impacted selling expenses favorably by approximately $2 million and $12 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, respectively. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, lower selling expenses primarily reflected decreased costs due to the temporary closure of our company-operated retail stores as well as cost-savings actions. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on revenues, offset in part by cost reductions implemented during the quarter.

Advertising and promotion. Currency translation impacted advertising and promotion expenses favorably by approximately $2 million and $5 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, respectively. The decrease in advertising and promotion expenses for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020 is due to our decision to reduce spending in response to COVID-19 in the channels most affected by the economic shutdown.

Administration. Administration expenses include functional administrative and organization costs. Currency translation did not have a significant impact on administration expenses for the three-month period and had a favorable impact of approximately $2 million for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020. The decrease in administration costs for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020 is largely due to lower employee incentive costs as well as cost reductions implemented in response to COVID-19.

Other. Other costs include distribution, information resources and marketing organization costs. Currency translation did not have a significant impact on SG&A other costs for the three-month period and had a favorable impact of approximately $3 million for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, respectively.

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020 the decrease in other costs was primarily due to lower distribution expenses attributable to reduced sales volume as well as cost reductions implemented in response to COVID-19. In the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, the decrease in other costs was partially offset with information technology expenses, which reflect our strategic investment in expanding our omni-channel capabilities as well as initial investments in a new enterprise resource planning system.

COVID-19 related charges. COVID-19 related charges consist of incremental charges as a result of COVID-19 related business disruptions, including asset impairment and other charges. During the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, we recognized a net reduction of $4.1 million in COVID-19 related charges, primarily due to recoveries of receivables previously estimated to be not collectible, offset by incremental costs incurred in response to the global pandemic.

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During the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, we recognized $43.0 million in impairment of certain operating lease right-of-use assets and $17.4 million in impairment of property and equipment related to certain retail locations and other corporate assets, resulting from lower revenue and future cash flow projections from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional charges of $21.0 million relate to customer receivables, including provisions and other allowances as a result of changes in their financial condition of $8.5 million and actual and anticipated bankruptcies and other associated claims of $12.5 million. The remainder relates to incremental costs incurred in response to the global pandemic.

Restructuring charges, net

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, we recognized restructuring charges of $1.1 million and $68.4 million, respectively, consisting primarily of severance and other post-employment benefits. See “- Overview - 2020 Restructuring” above for more information.

Operating income (loss)

The following table shows operating income (loss) by reporting segment and corporate expenses for the periods indicated, the changes in these items from period to period and these items expressed as a percentage of net revenues:


	Three Months Ended																									Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019
																													% of Net Revenues	% of Net Revenues	% of Net Revenues	% of Net Revenues

	(Dollars in millions)
Operating income (loss):
Americas	$	92.3		$	151.6		(39.1)	%	16.8	%		19.7	%		$	178.6		$	376.9		(52.6)	%	11.3	%		17.3	%
Europe	87.6			102.9			(14.9)	%	22.4	%		22.2	%		152.3			283.2			(46.2)	%	14.8	%		21.4	%
Asia	(23.3)			17.4			(233.9)	%	(19.0)	%		8.2	%		(19.1)			77.4			(124.7)	%	(4.2)	%		11.3	%
Total regional operating income (loss)	156.6			271.9			(42.4)	%	14.7	%	*	18.8	%	*	311.8			737.5			(57.7)	%	10.2	%	*	17.6	%	*
Corporate:
Restructuring charges, net	1.1			—			—		0.1	%	*	—		*	68.4			—			—		2.2	%	*	—		*
Other corporate staff costs and expenses	63.2			100.6			(37.2)	%	5.9	%	*	7.0	%	*	420.5			302.4			39.1	%	13.7	%	*	7.2	%	*
Corporate expenses	64.3			100.6			(36.1)	%	6.0	%	*	7.0	%	*	488.9			302.4			61.7	%	15.9	%	*	7.2	%	*
Total operating income (loss)	$	92.3		$	171.3		(46.1)	%	8.7	%	*	11.8	%	*	$	(177.1)		$	435.1		(140.7)	%	(5.8)	%	*	10.4	%	*
Operating margin	8.7		%	11.8		%									(5.8)		%	10.4		%

______________

* Percentage of consolidated net revenues

Currency translation unfavorably affected total operating income (loss) by approximately $2 million and $11 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, respectively.

Regional operating income (loss).

•Americas. Currency translation had an unfavorable impact of approximately $2 million and $5 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, respectively. The decrease in operating income for the three-month period ended August 23, 2020 was due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19, including lower net revenues partially offset by lower SG&A expenses as discretionary and variable expenses were reduced or eliminated in response to COVID-19.

The decrease in operating income for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, was primarily due to lower net revenues in the second and third quarters from the adverse impact of COVID-19 partially offset by increased net revenues and gross margin in the first quarter.

•Europe. Currency translation did not have a significant impact for the three-month period and had an unfavorable

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impact of approximately $4 million for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020. The decrease in operating income for the three-month period ended August 23, 2020 was due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19, including lower net revenues partially offset by lower SG&A expenses as discretionary and variable expenses were reduced or eliminated in response to COVID-19.

The decrease in operating income for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, was primarily due to lower net revenues in the second and third quarters from the adverse impact of COVID-19 partially offset by higher net revenues across all channels in the first quarter, net of higher selling costs to support store expansion.

•Asia. Currency translation did not have a significant impact for the three-month period and had an unfavorable impact of approximately $2 million for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020. The decrease in operating income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020 was primarily due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19, including lower net revenues partially offset by lower SG&A expenses as discretionary and variable expenses were reduced or eliminated in response to COVID-19.

Corporate. Corporate expenses represent costs that management does not attribute to any of our regional operating segments. Included in corporate expenses are restructuring charges, COVID-19 related charges and other corporate staff costs. Corporate expenses also include costs associated with our global inventory sourcing organization and COVID-19 related inventory costs which are reported as a component of consolidated gross margin. Currency translation did not have a significant impact on corporate expenses for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020.

The decrease in corporate expenses for the three-month period ended August 23, 2020 was primarily due to the $7.9 million in reductions in COVID-19 related inventory charges, primarily related to reductions in our estimate of adverse fabric purchase commitments, as well as a net reduction of $4.1 million in COVID-19 related charges. The decrease in expenses is also from a decline in foreign currency transaction losses as well as lower purchasing costs related to our global sourcing organizations procurement of inventory on behalf of our foreign subsidiaries.

The increase in corporate expenses for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, primarily reflected COVID-19 related net inventory costs and other charges, net restructuring charges, and impairment of certain store right-of-use and other store assets, initially recognized during the second quarter and updated based on changes in facts and circumstances in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Interest expense

Interest expense was $28.4 million and $56.3 million for the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, as compared to $15.3 million and $48.0 million for the comparable prior-year periods. The increase in interest expense was primarily related to additional borrowings from senior notes and credit facility.

Our weighted-average interest rate on average borrowings outstanding during the three and nine months ended August 23, 2020 was 4.78% and 4.65%, respectively, as compared to 5.30% and 5.28% during the comparable periods in 2019.

Other expense, net

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020, we recorded expense of $12.3 million and $8.3 million, respectively, as compared to expense of $4.4 million and $2.8 million for the same prior-year periods. Other expense, net, primarily consists of foreign exchange management losses and foreign currency transaction losses, partially offset by the interest income generated from money market funds and short-term investments.

Underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders

For the nine-month period ended August 25, 2019, we recorded an expense of $24.9 million, for underwriting discounts and commissions paid by us on behalf of the selling stockholders in connection with our IPO.

Income tax expense

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended August 23, 2020 was 47.6% and reflects a $24.6 million income tax expense recorded on $51.6 million of pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended August 25, 2019 was 18.0% and reflects a $27.4 million income tax expense recorded on $151.6 million of pre-tax income. The increase in the effective tax rate in the quarter was the result of a decline in the annual effective tax rate which was driven by a $7.1 million reduction in the tax benefit for losses carried back under the CARES Act. The tax benefit related to the CARES Act was initially recorded in the second quarter and such amount was updated during the three months ended August 23, 2020.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity outlook

We believe we will have adequate liquidity over the next 12 months to operate our business and to meet our cash requirements. As of August 23, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $1.4 billion, short-term investments of $72.3 million and unused availability under our credit facility of $608.0 million, resulting in a total liquidity position of approximately $2 billion.

We are actively managing the impacts of COVID-19 on our operations and liquidity. For the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, we generated cash from operations of $240.9 million, despite incurring a net loss of $210.9 million in the second quarter. We have taken and will continue to take action to reduce costs, enhance our liquidity and maintain our financial flexibility. Such actions include, but are not limited to reducing discretionary spending, reducing capital expenditures, suspending our share buyback program and not declaring dividends until further notice, implementing restructuring plans that we expect will lead to approximately $100 million in annualized savings, reducing payroll costs, including through employee furloughs and temporary pay cuts and working with our vendors to extend credit terms. In April 2020, in an effort to further increase liquidity and strengthen our balance sheet, we issued an additional $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior notes due 2025. The proceeds are being used for working capital, general corporate or other purposes.

While the impact and duration of COVID-19 on our business remains uncertain, the situation is expected to be temporary. In the longer term, we remain committed to increasing total shareholder returns through our three capital allocation priorities: (1) to invest in opportunities and initiatives to grow our business organically; (2) to return capital to our stockholders in the form of cash dividends, as well as stock repurchases to offset dilution that would otherwise be introduced from stock-based incentive compensation grants; and (3) to pursue acquisitions that support our current strategies. Future determinations regarding the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend on then-existing economic conditions, including our results of operations, payout ratio, capital requirements, financial condition, prospects, contractual arrangements, any limitations on payment of dividends present in our current and future debt agreements and other factors that our Board may deem relevant.

Cash sources

We have historically relied primarily on cash flows from operations, borrowings under credit facilities, issuances of notes and other forms of debt financing. We regularly explore financing and debt reduction alternatives, including new credit agreements, unsecured and secured note issuances, equity financing, equipment and real estate financing, securitizations and asset sales.

We are party to a second amended and restated credit agreement that provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility. The maximum availability under our credit facility is $850 million, of which $800 million is available to us for revolving loans in U.S. Dollars and $50 million is available to us for revolving loans either in U.S. Dollars or Canadian Dollars. This credit facility is an asset-based facility, in which the borrowing availability is primarily based on the value of our U.S. Levi’s® trademarks and the levels of accounts receivable and inventory in the United States and Canada.

Our unused availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") was $608.0 million on August 23, 2020, as our total availability of $638.5 million, based on collateral levels as defined by the Credit Facility were reduced by $30.5 million of letters of credit and other credit usage allocated under the Credit Facility.

As of August 23, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $1.4 billion and short-term investments of $72.3 million resulting in a total liquidity position (unused availability and cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments) of approximately $2.0 billion.

Cash uses

Our principal cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures, payments of principal and interest on our debt, payments of taxes, contributions to our pension plans and payments for postretirement health benefit plans, settlement of shares issued under our equity incentive plans and, if market conditions warrant, occasional investments in, or acquisitions of, business ventures in our line of business. In addition, we regularly evaluate our ability to pay dividends or repurchase stock, all consistent with the terms of our debt agreements.

In December 2019, we completed an acquisition for all operating assets related to Levi’s^® and Dockers^® brands from The Jeans Company ("TJC"), our distributor in Chile, Peru and Bolivia, for $52.2 million, plus transaction costs. This includes 78 Levi’s^® and Dockers^® retail stores and one e-commerce site, distribution with the region’s leading multi-brand retailers, and the logistical operations in these markets.

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In January 2020, our Board approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the repurchase of up to $100 million of the Company's Class A common stock. During the six months ended May 24, 2020, 3 million shares were repurchased for $56.2 million, plus broker's commissions, in the open market. This equates to an average repurchase price of approximately $18.73 per share. As of the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we have suspended our share buyback program until further notice.

Cash flows

The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, selected items in our consolidated statements of cash flows:


	Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in millions)
Cash provided by operating activities	$	240.9	$	205.5
Cash used for investing activities	(117.7)		(198.4)
Cash provided by financing activities	302.5		146.8
Cash and cash equivalents at period end	1,353.0		863.8

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $240.9 million for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, as compared to $205.5 million for the comparable period in 2019. The increase in cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to lower spending on inventory, employee incentives and variable and discretionary expenditures, partially offset by less cash received on customer receivables, due in part to lower sales. Our cash flows from operations were significantly impacted by the widespread temporary store closures and other business disruptions, particularly in the second quarter of 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash used for investing activities was $117.7 million for the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, as compared to $198.4 million for the comparable period in 2019. The decrease in cash used for investing activities is due to a decrease in short-term investment activities as 2019 included the initial acquisitions of short-term investments, a reduction of capital expenditures, and the timing of foreign currency contract settlements, partially offset by an acquisition of operating assets in Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Singapore.

Cash flows from financing activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $302.5 million for the nine-month period in 2020, as compared to $146.8 million for the comparable period in 2019. Cash provided in 2020 primarily reflects proceeds from senior notes of $502.5 million and net short-term borrowings of $16.7 million, partially offset by payments of $56.2 million for common stock repurchases, $79.8 million for withholding tax on cashless equity award exercises, payment of a $63.6 million cash dividend and payments of $16.1 million for noncontrolling interest buyback. Cash provided in 2019 primarily reflects proceeds from our IPO of $254.3 million, partially offset by the payment of a $55.0 million cash dividend, payments of $19.7 million for underwriting commissions and other direct and incremental offering costs, and payments made for equity award exercises.

Indebtedness

Of our total debt of $1.6 billion as of August 23, 2020, $1.6 billion was fixed-rate and unsecured (99.5% of total debt), net of capitalized debt issuance costs, and variable-rate debt of $8.5 million (0.5% of total debt). As of August 23, 2020, our aggregate debt principal payments of $1.6 billion begin in 2025. Short-term borrowings of $23.9 million at various foreign subsidiaries are expected to be either paid over the next twelve months or refinanced at the end of their applicable terms.

Our long-term debt agreements contain customary covenants restricting our activities as well as those of our subsidiaries. We were in compliance with all of these covenants as of August 23, 2020.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Margin and Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

For the three-month, nine-month and twelve-month periods ended August 23, 2020 and the comparable periods in 2019, we define the following non-GAAP financial measures as follows:

•Adjusted gross profit, as gross profit excluding COVID-19 related inventory costs.

•Adjusted gross margin, as Adjusted gross profit as a percentage of net revenues;

•Adjusted SG&A, as SG&A less charges related to changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation, COVID-19 related charges, and restructuring and related charges, severance and other, net;

•Adjusted EBIT, as net income (loss) excluding income tax (benefit) expense, interest expense, other (income) expense, net, underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders, impact of changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation, COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges, and restructuring and related charges, severance and other, net, and Adjusted EBIT margin as Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of net revenues;

•Adjusted EBITDA as Adjusted EBIT excluding depreciation and amortization expense;

•Adjusted net income (loss), as net income (loss) excluding underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders, charges related to the impact of changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation, COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges, and restructuring and related charges, severance and other, net, adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments, using an effective tax rate equal to our year to date income tax expense divided by our year to date income before income taxes, each as reflected in our statement of operations for the relevant period with any impacts of changes in effective tax rate being recognized in the current three-month period;

•Adjusted net income (loss) margin as Adjusted net income (loss) as a percentage of net revenues;

•Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share as Adjusted net income (loss) per weighted-average number of diluted common shares outstanding.

We believe Adjusted gross profit, Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income (loss), Adjusted net income (loss) margin and Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share are useful to investors because they help identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by certain expenses that we include in calculating net income but that can vary from company to company depending on its financing, capital structure and the method by which its assets were acquired, and can also vary significantly from period to period. Our management also uses Adjusted EBIT in conjunction with other GAAP financial measures for planning purposes, including as a measure of our core operating results and the effectiveness of our business strategy, and in evaluating our financial performance.

Adjusted gross profit, Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income (loss), Adjusted net income (loss) margin and Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Some of these limitations include:

•Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect income tax payments that reduce cash available to us;

•Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our indebtedness, which reduces cash available to us;

•Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin and Adjusted EBITDA exclude other expense (income) net, which has primarily consisted of realized and unrealized gains and losses on our forward foreign exchange contracts and transaction gains and losses on our foreign exchange balances, although these items affect the amount and timing of cash available to us when these gains and losses are realized;

•all of these non-GAAP financial measures exclude underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders in connection with our IPO that reduces cash available to us;

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•all of these non-GAAP financial measures exclude the expense resulting from the impact of changes in fair value on our cash-settled stock-based compensation awards, even though, prior to March 2019, such awards were required to be settled in cash;

•all of these non-GAAP financial measures exclude COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges, and restructuring and related charges, severance and other, net which can affect our current and future cash requirements;

•the expenses and other items that we exclude in our calculations of all of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the expenses and other items, if any, that other companies may exclude from all of these non-GAAP financial measures or similarly titled measures;

•Adjusted EBITDA excludes the recurring, non-cash expenses of depreciation of property and equipment and, although these are non-cash expenses, the assets being depreciated may need to be replaced in the future; and

•Adjusted net income (loss), Adjusted net income (loss) margin and Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share do not include all of the effects of income taxes and changes in income taxes reflected in net income.

Because of these limitations, all of these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered along with net income and other operating and financial performance measures prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

The following table presents a reconciliation of gross profit, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted Gross Profit for each of the periods presented.

Adjusted Gross Profit:


	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited)
Most comparable GAAP measure:
Gross profit	$	577.4		$	766.8		$	1,586.4		$	2,250.0

Non-GAAP measure:
Gross profit	$	577.4		$	766.8		$	1,586.4		$	2,250.0
COVID-19 related inventory costs ⁽¹⁾	(7.9)			—			78.7			—
Adjusted gross profit	$	569.5		$	766.8		$	1,665.1		$	2,250.0
Adjusted gross margin	53.6		%	53.0		%	54.3		%	53.6		%

_____________

(1) Represents costs incurred in connection with COVID-19, including $7.9 million in reductions in COVID-19 related inventory charges recognized during the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, primarily due to reductions in our estimate of adverse fabric purchase commitments, initially recorded in the second quarter of 2020. During the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020, the charges include $48.1 million of incremental inventory reserves and $29.8 million of adverse fabric purchase commitments.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of SG&A, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted SG&A for each of the periods presented.

Adjusted SG&A:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited)
Most comparable GAAP measure:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	484.0	$	595.5	$	1,695.1	$	1,814.9

Non-GAAP measure:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	484.0	$	595.5	$	1,695.1	$	1,814.9

Impact of changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation⁽¹⁾	(1.8)		(5.1)		(6.0)		(25.4)
COVID-19 related charges⁽²⁾	4.1		—		(83.9)		—
Restructuring related charges, severance and other, net⁽³⁾	(1.1)		—		(7.8)		(3.8)
Adjusted SG&A	$	485.2	$	590.4	$	1,597.4	$	1,785.7

_____________

(1) Includes the impact of changes in fair value of Class B common stock following the grant date on awards that were granted as cash-settled and subsequently replaced with stock-settled awards concurrent with the IPO.

(2) For the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, the net reduction of $4.1 million in COVID-19 related charges recognized mainly represents the recoveries of receivables previously estimated to be not collectible, offset by incremental costs incurred in response to the global pandemic. The charges incurred in connection with COVID-19 during the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020 primarily consist of $43.0 million in impairment of certain operating lease right-of-use assets and $17.4 million in impairment of property and equipment related to certain retail locations and other corporate assets, and $21.0 million of charges related to customer receivables.

(3) Restructuring related charges, severance and other, net include transaction and deal related costs, including IPO-related, initial acquisition and integration costs and amortization of acquired intangible assets.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented.

Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA:


	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended							Twelve Months Ended
	August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited)
Most comparable GAAP measure:
Net income (loss)	$	27.0		$	124.2		$	(183.8)		$	299.2		$	(88.0)	$	396.5

Non-GAAP measure:
Net income (loss)	$	27.0		$	124.2		$	(183.8)		$	299.2		$	(88.0)	$	396.5
Income tax (benefit) expense	24.6			27.4			(57.9)			60.2			(35.5)		98.4
Interest expense	28.4			15.3			56.3			48.0			74.5		57.7
Other (income) expense, net	12.3			4.4			8.3			2.8			3.5		(13.5)
Underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders	—			—			—			24.9			—		24.9
Impact of changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation⁽¹⁾	1.8			5.1			6.0			25.4			14.7		46.2
COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges ⁽²⁾	(12.0)			—			162.6			—			162.6		—
Restructuring and restructuring related charges, severance and other, net⁽³⁾	2.1			—			76.2			3.8			82.2		5.0
Adjusted EBIT	$	84.2		$	176.4		$	67.7		$	464.3		$	214.0	$	615.2
Depreciation and amortization⁽⁴⁾	32.6			31.6			101.0			90.3			134.6		118.4
Adjusted EBITDA	$	116.8		$	208.0		$	168.7		$	554.6		$	348.6	$	733.6
Adjusted EBIT margin	7.9		%	12.2		%	2.2		%	11.1		%

_____________

(2) For the three-month period ended August 23, 2020, the net reduction of $12.0 million in COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges recognized mainly represents reductions in COVID-19 related inventory charges, as a result of reductions in our estimate of adverse fabric purchase commitments, the recoveries of receivables previously estimated to be not collectible, offset by incremental costs incurred in response to the global pandemic. The inventory costs and other charges recognized during the nine-month period ended August 23, 2020 primarily consist of $48.1 million of incremental inventory reserves, $29.8 million of adverse fabric purchase commitments, $43.0 million and $17.4 million in impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets and property and equipment related to certain retail locations and other corporate assets, respectively, and $21.0 million of charges related to customer receivables.

(3) Other charges included in restructuring and restructuring related charges, severance and other, net include transaction and deal related costs, including IPO-related, initial acquisition and integration costs and amortization of acquired intangible assets.

(4) Depreciation and amortization amount net of amortization of acquired intangible assets included in Restructuring and related charges, severance and other, net.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted net income (loss) for each of the periods presented and the calculation of Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share for each of the periods presented.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share:


	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
Most comparable GAAP measure:
Net income (loss)	$	27.0		$	124.2		$	(183.8)		$	299.2

Non-GAAP measure:
Net income (loss)	$	27.0		$	124.2		$	(183.8)		$	299.2
Underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders	—			—			—			24.9
Impact of changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation⁽¹⁾	1.8			5.1			6.0			25.4
COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges⁽²⁾	(12.0)			—			162.6			—
Restructuring and restructuring related charges, severance and other, net⁽³⁾	2.1			—			76.2			3.8
Tax impact of adjustments⁽⁴⁾	12.4			(1.1)			(58.7)			(4.9)
Adjusted net income	$	31.3		$	128.2		$	2.3		$	348.4

Adjusted net income margin	2.9		%	8.9		%	0.1		%	8.3		%

Adjusted diluted earnings per share	$	0.08		$	0.31		$	0.01		$	0.85

_____________

(4) Tax impact for the three-month period ended August 23, 2020 includes the impact of the decrease in annual effective tax rate. Please refer to Note 13 for more information on the effective tax rate.

Net Debt and Leverage Ratio:

We define net debt, a non-GAAP financial measure, as total debt, excluding capital leases, less cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments in marketable securities. We define leverage ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure, as the ratio of total debt to the last 12 months Adjusted EBITDA. Our management believes net debt and leverage ratio are important measures to monitor our financial flexibility and evaluate the strength of our balance sheet. Net debt and leverage ratio have limitations as analytical tools and may vary from similarly titled measures used by other companies. Net debt and leverage ratio should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of total debt, excluding capital leases, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to net debt for each of the periods presented.


	August 23, 2020		November 24, 2019

	(Dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited)
Most comparable GAAP measure:
Total debt, excluding capital leases	$	1,567.2	$	1,014.4

Non-GAAP measure:
Total debt, excluding capital leases	$	1,567.2	$	1,014.4
Cash and cash equivalents	(1,353.0)		(934.2)
Short-term investments in marketable securities	(72.3)		(80.7)
Net debt	$	141.9	$	(0.5)

The following table presents a reconciliation of total debt, excluding capital leases, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to leverage ratio for each of the periods presented.


	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited)
Total debt, excluding capital leases	$	1,567.2	$	1,034.6
Last Twelve Months Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾	$	348.6	$	733.6
Leverage ratio	4.5		1.4

_____________

(1) Last Twelve Months Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled from net income (loss) which is the most comparable GAAP measure. Refer to Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA table for more information.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow:

We define Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash flow from operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment, plus proceeds (less payments) on settlement of forward foreign exchange contracts not designated for hedge accounting, less repurchases of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholdings on equity award exercises, and cash dividends to stockholders. We believe Adjusted free cash flow is an important liquidity measure of the cash that is available after capital expenditures for operational expenses and investment in our business. We believe Adjusted free cash flow is useful to investors because it measures our ability to generate or use cash. Once our business needs and obligations are met, cash can be used to maintain a strong balance sheet and invest in future growth.

Our use of Adjusted free cash flow has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results under GAAP. First, Adjusted free cash flow is not a substitute for net cash flow from operating activities. Second, other companies may calculate Adjusted free cash flow or similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of Adjusted free cash flow as a tool for comparison. Additionally, the utility of Adjusted free cash flow is further limited as it does not reflect our future contractual commitments and does not represent the total increase or decrease in our cash balance for a given period. Because of these and other limitations, Adjusted free cash flow should be considered along with net cash flow from operating activities and other comparable financial measures prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash flow from operating activities, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted free cash flow for each of the periods presented.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019

	(Dollars in millions)						(Dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Most comparable GAAP measure:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	199.5	$	43.7	$	240.9	$	205.5
Net cash used for investing activities	(10.1)		(55.2)		(117.7)		(198.4)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(287.1)		15.8		302.5		$	146.8

Non-GAAP measure:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	199.5	$	43.7	$	240.9	$	205.5
Underwriter commission paid on behalf of selling stockholders	—		—		—		24.9
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(14.3)		(51.0)		(89.5)		(128.0)
Proceeds on settlement of forward foreign exchange contracts not designated for hedge accounting	2.5		(3.8)		17.6		9.3
Repurchase of common stock	—		—		(56.2)		(3.1)
Repurchase of shares surrendered for tax withholdings on equity awards	(4.3)		—		(79.9)		(25.5)
Dividend to stockholders	—		—		(63.6)		(55.0)
Adjusted free cash flow	$	183.4	$	(11.1)	$	(30.7)	$	28.1

Constant-currency:

We report our operating results in accordance with GAAP, as well as on a constant-currency basis in order to facilitate period-to-period comparisons of our results without regard to the impact of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. The term foreign currency exchange rates refers to the exchange rates we use to translate our operating results for all countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar into U.S. Dollars. Because we are a global company, foreign currency exchange rates used for translation may have a significant effect on our reported results. In general, our reported financial results are affected positively by a weaker U.S. Dollar and are affected negatively by a stronger U.S. Dollar as compared to the foreign currencies in which we conduct our business. References to our operating results on a constant-currency basis mean our operating results without the impact of foreign currency translation fluctuations.

We believe disclosure of constant-currency results is helpful to investors because it facilitates period-to-period comparisons of our results by increasing the transparency of our underlying performance by excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. However, constant-currency results are non-GAAP financial measures and are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Constant-currency results have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP, are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Constant-currency results have limitations in their usefulness to investors and may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

We calculate constant-currency amounts by translating local currency amounts in the prior-year period at actual foreign exchange rates for the current period. Our constant-currency results do not eliminate the transaction currency impact, which primarily include the realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized from the measurement and remeasurement of purchases and sales of products in a currency other than the functional currency. Additionally, gross margin is impacted by gains and losses related to the procurement of inventory, primarily products sourced in EUR and USD, by our global sourcing organization on behalf of our foreign subsidiaries.

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The table below sets forth the calculation of net revenues for each of our regional operating segments on a constant-currency basis for comparison periods applicable to the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020:


	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020		August 25, 2019		% Increase (Decrease)

	(Dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited)
Total revenues
As reported	$	1,063.1	$	1,447.1	(26.5)	%	$	3,066.8	$	4,194.5	(26.9)	%
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates	—		(16.2)		*		—		(67.7)		*
Constant-currency net revenues	$	1,063.1	$	1,430.9	(25.7)	%	$	3,066.8	$	4,126.8	(25.7)	%

Americas
As reported	$	549.8	$	770.8	(28.7)	%	$	1,578.1	$	2,180.8	(27.6)	%
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates	—		(16.0)		*		—		(32.8)		*
Constant-currency net revenues - Americas	$	549.8	$	754.8	(27.2)	%	$	1,578.1	$	2,148.0	(26.5)	%

Europe
As reported	$	390.4	$	463.3	(15.7)	%	$	1,032.4	$	1,326.3	(22.2)	%
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates	—		4.7		*		—		(19.6)		*
Constant-currency net revenues - Europe	$	390.4	$	468.0	(16.6)	%	$	1,032.4	$	1,306.7	(21.0)	%

Asia
As reported	$	122.9	$	213.0	(42.3)	%	$	456.3	$	687.4	(33.6)	%
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates	—		(4.9)		*		—		(15.3)		*
Constant-currency net revenues - Asia	$	122.9	$	208.1	(40.9)	%	$	456.3	$	672.1	(32.1)	%

_____________

* Not meaningful

Constant-Currency Adjusted EBIT:

The table below sets forth the calculation of Adjusted EBIT on a constant-currency basis for comparison period applicable to the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020.


	Three Months Ended														Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)

	(Dollars in millions)
	(Unaudited)
Adjusted EBIT⁽¹⁾	$	84.2		$	176.4		(52.3)	%	$	67.7		$	464.3		(85.4)	%
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates	—			(1.7)			*		—			(10.5)			*
Constant-currency Adjusted EBIT	$	84.2		$	174.7		(51.8)	%	$	67.7		$	453.8		(85.1)	%
Constant-currency Adjusted EBIT margin⁽²⁾	7.9		%	12.2		%			2.2		%	11.0		%

_____________

(1) Adjusted EBIT is reconciled from net income (loss) which is the most comparable GAAP measure. Refer to Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted EBITDA table for more information.

(2) We define constant-currency Adjusted EBIT margin as constant-currency Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of constant-currency net revenues.

* Not meaningful

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Constant-Currency Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share:

The table below sets forth the calculation of Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share on a constant-currency basis for comparison periods applicable to the three-month and nine-month periods ended August 23, 2020.


	Three Months Ended														Nine Months Ended
	August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)		August 23, 2020			August 25, 2019			% Increase (Decrease)

	(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)
Adjusted net income (loss) ⁽¹⁾	$	31.3		$	128.2		(75.6)	%	$	2.3		$	348.4		(99.3)	%
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates	—			(0.3)			*		—			(7.3)			*
Constant-currency Adjusted net income (loss)	$	31.3		$	127.9		(75.5)	%	$	2.3		$	341.1		(99.3)	%
Constant-currency Adjusted net income (loss) margin⁽²⁾	2.9		%	8.9		%			0.1		%	8.3		%


Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.08		$	0.31		(74.2)	%	$	0.01		$	0.85		(98.8)	%
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates	—			—			*		—			(0.02)			*
Constant-currency Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.08		$	0.31		(74.2)	%	$	0.01		$	0.83		(98.8)	%

_____________

(1) Adjusted net income (loss) is reconciled from net income (loss) which is the most comparable GAAP measure. Refer to Adjusted net income (loss) table for more information.

(2) We define constant-currency Adjusted net income (loss) margin as constant-currency Adjusted net income (loss) as a percentage of constant-currency net revenues.

* Not meaningful

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Contingent Obligations

As of August 23, 2020, there had been no significant changes to our off-balance sheet arrangements or contractual commitments from those disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except those changes resulting from issuing an additional $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior notes due 2025. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies from those disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for changes related to the adoption of the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as described in Note 1 and Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 1 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report for recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on our consolidated financial statements.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report, including (without limitation) statements under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contain forward-looking statements. Although we believe that, in making any such statements, our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such statement may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected.

These forward-looking statements include statements relating to our anticipated financial performance and business prospects, including debt reduction, currency values and financial impact, foreign exchange counterparty exposures, the impact of pending legal proceedings, adequate liquidity levels, dividends and/or statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "will", "so we can", "when", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "expect", "project", "could", "plans", "seeks" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date stated, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements will not be realized. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations may not prove to be correct or we may not achieve the financial results, savings or other benefits anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which may be beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties, including those disclosed under "Risk Factors" in Part II, Item 1A on this Quarterly Report and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements and include, without limitation:

•changes in general economic and financial conditions, and the resulting impact on the level of discretionary consumer spending for apparel and pricing trend fluctuations, and our ability to plan for and respond to the impact of those changes;

•the potential impact of COVID-19 on both our projected customer demand and supply chain, as well as our consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated cash flows in fiscal 2020;

•the risk of future non-cash asset impairment charges, including to goodwill, operating right-of-use assets and/or other store assets;

•expected impact from benefits related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) enacted in March 2020;

•the impact of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union;

•our ability to effectively manage any global productivity and outsourcing actions as planned, which are intended to increase productivity and efficiency in our global operations, take advantage of lower-cost service-delivery models in our distribution network and streamline our procurement practices to maximize efficiency in our global operations, without business disruption or mitigation to such disruptions;

•consequences of impacts to the businesses of our wholesale customers, including significant store closures or a significant decline in a wholesale customer's financial condition leading to restructuring actions, bankruptcies, liquidations or other unfavorable events for our wholesale customers, caused by factors such as inability to secure financing, decreased discretionary consumer spending, inconsistent foot and online traffic patterns and an increase in promotional activity as a result of decreased foot and online traffic, pricing fluctuations, general economic and financial conditions and changing consumer preferences;

•our and our wholesale customers' decisions to modify strategies and adjust product mix and pricing, and our ability to manage any resulting product transition costs, including liquidating inventory or increasing promotional activity;

•our ability to purchase products through our independent contract manufacturers that are made with quality raw materials and our ability to mitigate the variability of costs related to manufacturing, sourcing, and raw materials supply and to manage consumer response to such mitigating actions;

•our ability to gauge and adapt to changing U.S. and international retail environments and fashion trends and changing consumer preferences in product, price-points, as well as in-store and digital shopping experiences;

•our ability to respond to price, innovation and other competitive pressures in the global apparel industry, on and from our key customers and in our key markets;

•our ability to increase the number of dedicated stores for our products, including through opening and profitably operating company-operated stores;

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•consequences of foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations;

•our ability to successfully prevent or mitigate the impacts of data security breaches;

•our ability to attract and retain key executives and other key employees;

•our ability to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property;

•the impact of the variables that affect the net periodic benefit cost and future funding requirements of our postretirement benefits and pension plans;

•our dependence on key distribution channels, customers and suppliers;

•our ability to utilize our tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards;

•ongoing or future litigation matters and disputes and regulatory developments;

•changes in or application of trade and tax laws, potential increases in import tariffs or taxes, the implementation of trade restrictions or sanctions, and the potential withdrawal from or renegotiation or replacement of the North America Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA"); and

•political, social and economic instability, or natural disasters, in countries where we or our customers do business.

We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects, business strategy and financial needs. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors described under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. These risks are not exhaustive. Other sections of this Quarterly Report include additional factors that could adversely affect our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur, and actual results, events or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report relate only to events as of the date on which such statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report or to conform such statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law.

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Item 3.			QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in our primary market risk exposures or how those exposures are managed from the information disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Item 4.			CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") as of August 23, 2020. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that as of August 23, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that our books and records accurately reflect our transactions and that our established policies and procedures are followed. There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended August 23, 2020 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

In the ordinary course of business, we have various claims, complaints and pending cases, including contractual matters, facility and employee-related matters, distribution matters, product liability matters, intellectual property matters, bankruptcy preference matters, and tax and administrative matters. We do not believe any of these pending claims, complaints and legal proceedings will have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


Item 1A.			RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider and read carefully all of the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as other information included in this Quarterly Report and in our other public filings. The risks described below are not the only ones facing us. The occurrence of any of the following risks or additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such case, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your original investment. This Quarterly Report also contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of specific factors, including the risks and uncertainties described below.

Risks Relating to Our Business

The novel coronavirus disease (or COVID-19) pandemic is expected to have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted consumer spending and global supply chains, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on our business and financial performance, and we expect this adverse impact to continue. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial performance, including our ability to execute our near-term and long-term business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, will depend on future developments, including the duration, severity and any resurgences of the pandemic, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in response to government mandates or recommendations, as well as decisions we have made to protect the health and safety of our employees, consumers and communities, we temporarily closed a significant number of our stores globally. While most of our stores have reopened, we may face new or longer term store closure requirements and other operational restrictions with respect to some or all of our physical locations for prolonged periods of time due to, among other factors, evolving and increasingly stringent governmental restrictions including public health directives, quarantine policies or social distancing measures. In particular, if there is a resurgence in the COVID-19 pandemic, we may need to again close a significant number of our stores. In addition, many of our customers, including significant customers in our wholesale and franchise distribution channels, have closed many of their stores, either temporarily or permanently, which has adversely impacted our revenues from these customers and franchisees. As a result, we expect our financial results to be adversely impacted.

In addition, consumer fears about becoming ill with the disease may continue, which has and is likely to continue to adversely affect foot traffic to our and our customers' stores. Consumer spending generally may also be negatively impacted by general macroeconomic conditions and consumer confidence, including the impacts of any recession, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This may negatively impact sales in our stores and our e-commerce channel and may cause our wholesale customers to purchase fewer products from us. Furthermore, if sales do not meet expectations because of unexpected effects on inventory supply and consumer demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, too much inventory may cause excessive markdowns and, therefore, lower than planned gross margins. Any continued significant reduction in consumer visits to, or spending at, our and our customers' stores, caused by COVID-19, and any continued decreased spending at stores or online caused by decreased consumer confidence and spending following the pandemic, would result in a loss of sales and profits and, as a result, we expect our financial results to be adversely impacted.

The COVID-19 pandemic also has the potential to significantly impact our supply chain if the factories that manufacture our products, the distribution centers where we manage our inventory, or the operations of our logistics and other service providers are disrupted, temporarily closed or experience worker shortages. We may also see disruptions or delays in shipments and negative impacts to pricing of certain components of our products.

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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including related governmental guidance or requirements, we also have recently closed many of our corporate office and other facilities, including our corporate headquarters in San Francisco, and have implemented a work from home policy for many of our corporate employees. This policy may negatively impact productivity and cause other disruptions to our business. Longer term, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may also threaten the health of our employees and adversely impact our health care costs.

The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business is highly uncertain and difficult to predict, as information is rapidly evolving with respect to the duration and severity of the pandemic. At this point, we cannot reasonably estimate the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, or its overall impact on our business.

Our success depends on our ability to maintain the value and reputation of our brands.

Our success depends in large part on the value and reputation of our brands, which are integral to our business and the implementation of our strategies for expanding our business. Maintaining, promoting and positioning our brands will depend largely on the success of our marketing and merchandising efforts and our ability to provide consistent, high-quality products. Our brands and reputation could be adversely affected if we fail to achieve these objectives, if we fail to deliver high-quality products acceptable to our customers and consumers or if we face or mishandle a product recall.

Our brand value also depends on our ability to maintain a positive consumer perception of our corporate integrity and culture. Negative claims or publicity involving us or our products, or the production methods of any of our suppliers or contract manufacturers, could seriously damage our reputation, sales and brand image, regardless of whether such claims or publicity are accurate. Social media, which accelerates and potentially amplifies the scope of negative claims or publicity, can increase the challenges of responding to negative claims or publicity. In addition, we or our senior executives may from time to time take positions on social issues that may be unpopular with some customers or potential customers, which may impact our ability to attract or retain such customers. Adverse publicity could undermine consumer confidence in our brands and reduce long-term demand for our products, even if such publicity is unfounded. Any harm to our brands and reputation could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We depend on a group of key wholesale customers for a significant portion of our revenues. A significant adverse change in a customer relationship or in a customer’s performance or financial position could harm our business and financial condition.

Sales to our top ten wholesale customers accounted for 31% of our total net revenues for the quarter ended August 23, 2020 and 25% for the quarter ended August 25, 2019. No single customer represented 10% or more of our net revenues in either of these periods. While we have long-standing relationships with our wholesale customers, we do not have long-term contracts with them. As a result, purchases generally occur on an order-by-order basis, and the relationship, as well as particular orders, can generally be terminated by either party at any time. If any major wholesale customer decreases or ceases its purchases from us, cancels its orders, delays or defaults on its payment obligations to us, reduces the floor space, assortments, fixtures or advertising for our products or changes its manner of doing business with us for any reason, such as due to store closures, decreased foot traffic or recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, such actions are expected to adversely affect our business and financial condition. Furthermore, certain of our major wholesale customers may seek to distribute our products globally in a manner or at prices that impact the positioning that we seek to promote in our other channels of distribution. In addition, a decline in the performance or financial condition of a major wholesale customer-including bankruptcy or liquidation-could result in a material loss of revenues to us and cause us to limit or discontinue business with that customer, require us to assume more credit risk relating to our receivables from that customer or limit our ability to collect amounts related to previous purchases by that customer. For example, our wholesale customer, Sears Holdings Corporation, including Kmart, and our wholesale customer, J.C. Penney are currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. Continuing developments will likely adversely affect our sales to these customers, even if they continue operations. In addition, store closures, decreased foot traffic and recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will adversely affect the performance and will likely adversely affect the financial condition of many of these customers. The foregoing are expected to have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We may be unable to maintain or increase our sales through our third-party distribution channels.

In addition to our brand-dedicated company-operated retail stores and e-commerce sites, our third-party distribution channels include department stores, specialty retailers, mass channel retailers, franchised or other brand-dedicated stores, and shop-in-shops.

We may be unable to maintain or increase sales of our products through these distribution channels for several reasons, including the following:

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•the retailers in these channels maintain-and seek to grow-substantial private-label and exclusive offerings as they strive to differentiate the brands and products they offer from those of their competitors;

•the retailers change their apparel strategies in a way that shifts focus away from our typical consumer or that otherwise results in a reduction of sales of our products generally, such as a reduction of fixture spaces devoted to our products or a shift to other brands;

•other channels, including vertically-integrated specialty stores and e-commerce sites, account for a substantial portion of jeanswear and casual wear sales. In some of our mature markets, these stores and sites have placed competitive pressure on our primary distribution channels, and many of these stores and sites are now looking to our developing markets to grow their business; and

•shrinking points of distribution, including fewer doors at our customer locations, store closures and decreased foot traffic due the COVID-19 pandemic, or bankruptcy or financial difficulties of a customer.

Further success by retailer private-labels, vertically-integrated specialty stores and e-commerce sites may continue to adversely affect the sales of our products across all channels, as well as the profitability of our brand-dedicated stores. Additionally, our ability to secure or maintain retail floor space, product display prominence, market share and sales in these channels depends on our ability to offer differentiated products, to increase retailer profitability on our products and the strength of our brands, and such efforts could have an adverse impact on our margins.

In addition, the retail industry in the United States has experienced substantial consolidation over the last decade, and further consolidation may occur. Consolidation in the retail industry has typically resulted in store closures, centralized purchasing decisions and increased emphasis by retailers on inventory management and productivity, which could result in fewer stores carrying our products or reduced demand by retailers for our products. In addition, we and other suppliers may experience increased customer leverage over us and greater exposure to credit risk as a result of industry consolidation. Furthermore, consolidation may be partly due to consumers continuing to transition away from traditional wholesale retailers to large online retailers, which in turn exposes our products to increased competition. Any of the foregoing results can impact, and have adversely impacted in the past, our net revenues, margins and ability to operate efficiently.

We are a global company with significant revenues and earnings generated internationally, which exposes us to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, as well as political and economic risks.

A significant portion of our revenues and earnings are generated internationally. In addition, a substantial amount of our products comes from sources outside the country of distribution. As a result, we are both directly and indirectly (through our suppliers) subject to the risks of doing business outside the United States, including:

•currency fluctuations, which have impacted our results of operations significantly in recent years;

•political, economic and social instability;

•changes in tariffs and taxes;

•regulatory restrictions on our ability to operate in our preferred manner;

•rapidly changing regulatory restrictions and requirements, for example in the area of data privacy; and

•less protective foreign laws relating to intellectual property.

The functional currency for most of our foreign operations is the applicable local currency. As a result, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affect the results of our operations and the value of our foreign assets and liabilities, including debt, which in turn may adversely affect results of operations and cash flows and the comparability of period-to-period results of operations. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the relative prices at which we and foreign competitors sell products in the same market. Foreign governmental policies and actions regarding currency valuation could result in actions by the United States and other countries to offset the effects of such fluctuations. Given the unpredictability and volatility of foreign currency exchange rates, ongoing or unusual volatility may adversely impact our business and financial conditions.

Furthermore, due to our global operations, we are subject to numerous domestic and foreign laws and regulations affecting our business, such as those related to labor, employment, worker health and safety, antitrust and competition, environmental protection, consumer protection, privacy and anti-corruption, including but not limited to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA") and the U.K. Bribery Act. Although we have put into place policies and procedures aimed at ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, our employees, subcontractors and agents could take actions that violate these requirements. Violations of these regulations could subject us to criminal or civil enforcement actions, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business.

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We also are subject to the impacts of political, economic and social instability. For example, in January 2020, the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union. The withdrawal (commonly referred to as "Brexit") could significantly disrupt the free movement of goods, services, and people between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and result in increased legal and regulatory complexities, as well as potential higher costs of conducting business in Europe. The consequences of the United Kingdom's withdrawal could adversely impact consumer and investor confidence, and the level of consumer purchases of discretionary items and retail products, including our products. Any of these effects, among others, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Brexit has also contributed to significant volatility and uncertainty in global stock markets and currency exchange rates, and such volatility could continue to occur.

Changes to trade policy, including tariff and customs regulations, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in U.S. or international social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or in laws and policies governing trade, manufacturing, development and investment in the countries where we currently sell our products or conduct our business, as well as any negative sentiment toward the United States as a result of such changes, could adversely affect our business. The Trump Administration has instituted or proposed changes in trade policies that include the negotiation or termination of trade agreements, the imposition of higher tariffs on U.S. imports, economic sanctions on individuals, corporations or countries, and other government regulations affecting trade between the United States and other countries where we conduct our business. It may be time-consuming and expensive for us to alter our business operations in order to adapt to or comply with any such changes. The Trump Administration has also negotiated a replacement trade deal for NAFTA with Mexico and Canada, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ("USMCA"), which entered into force on July 1, 2020.

As a result of recent policy changes and proposals of the Trump Administration, there may be greater restrictions and economic disincentives on international trade. New tariffs and other changes in U.S. trade policy could trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries. Like many other multinational corporations, we do a significant amount of business that could be impacted by changes to U.S. and international trade policies (including governmental action related to tariffs, sanctions and trade agreements). Such changes have the potential to adversely impact the U.S. economy or certain sectors thereof, our industry and the global demand for our products and, as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The enactment of tax reform legislation, including legislation implementing changes in taxation of international business activities, could materially impact our financial position and results of operations.

Legislation or other changes in US and international tax laws could increase our liability and adversely affect our after-tax profitability. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), was enacted in the United States on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act had a significant impact on our effective tax rate, cash tax expenses and net deferred tax assets. The Tax Act reduced the U.S. corporate statutory tax rate, eliminated or limited the deduction of several expenses that were previously deductible, imposed a mandatory deemed repatriation tax on undistributed historic earnings of foreign subsidiaries, requires a minimum tax on earnings generated by foreign subsidiaries and permits a tax-free repatriation of foreign earnings through a dividends received deduction. We have completed our evaluation of the overall impact of the Tax Act on our effective tax rate and balance sheet through fiscal year ended 2019 and reflected the amounts in our financial statements. The Tax Act, as well as regulations and legal decisions interpreting and applying the Tax Act, may have significant impacts in future periods.

If we encounter problems with distribution, our ability to deliver our products to market could be adversely affected.

We rely on both company-owned and third-party distribution facilities to warehouse and ship products to our wholesale customers, retail stores and e-commerce consumers throughout the world. As part of the pursuit for improved organizational agility and marketplace responsiveness, we have consolidated the number of distribution facilities we rely upon and continue to look for opportunities for further consolidation in certain regions. Such consolidation may make our operations more vulnerable to interruptions in the event of work stoppages or disruption (including as a consequence of public health directives, quarantine policies or social distancing measures imposed by governments), labor disputes, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), earthquakes, floods, fires or other natural disasters affecting these distribution centers. In addition, distribution capacity is dependent on the timely performance of services by third parties, including the transportation of products to and from their distribution facilities, which also may be adversely affected by work stoppages or disruption, labor disputes and pandemics. Moreover, our distribution system includes computer-controlled and automated equipment, which may be subject to a number of risks related to data and system security or computer viruses, the proper operation of software and hardware, power interruptions or other system failures. If we encounter problems with our distribution system, whether company-owned or third-party, our ability to meet customer and consumer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales and achieve operating efficiencies could be adversely affected.

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Our efforts to expand our retail business may not be successful, which could impact our operating results.

One of our key strategic priorities is to become a leading world-class omni-channel retailer by expanding our consumer reach in brand-dedicated stores globally, including making selective investments in company-operated stores and e-commerce sites, franchisee and other brand-dedicated store models. In many locations, we face major, established retail competitors who may be able to better attract consumers and execute their retail strategies. In addition, a retail operating model involves substantial investments in equipment and property, information systems, inventory and personnel. Due to the high fixed-cost structure associated with these investments, a decline in sales or the closure of or poor performance of stores, including the closure of stores and decreased foot traffic resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, could result in significant costs and impacts to our margins. Our ability to grow our retail channel also depends on the availability and cost of real estate that meets our criteria for foot traffic, square footage, demographics and other factors. Failure to identify and secure adequate new locations, or failure to effectively manage the profitability of the fleet of stores, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

In addition, our investments in customer, digital, and omni-channel shopping initiatives may not deliver the results we anticipate. One of our strategic priorities is to further develop an omni-channel shopping experience for our customers through the integration of our store and digital shopping channels. Our omni-channel initiatives include cross-channel logistics optimization and exploring additional ways to develop an omni-channel shopping experience, including further digital integration and customer personalization. These initiatives involve significant investments in IT systems and significant operational changes. In addition, our competitors are also investing in omni-channel initiatives, some of which may be more successful than our initiatives. If the implementation of our customer, digital, and omni-channel initiatives is not successful, or we do not realize the return on our investments in these initiatives that we anticipate, our operating results would be adversely affected.

If we are unable to effectively execute our e-commerce business, our reputation and operating results may be harmed.

While e-commerce still comprises a small portion of our net revenues, it has been our fastest growing business over the last several years. The success of our e-commerce business depends, in part, on third parties and factors over which we have limited control, including changing consumer preferences and buying trends relating to e-commerce usage, both domestically and abroad, and promotional or other advertising initiatives employed by our wholesale customers or other third parties on their e-commerce sites. Any failure on our part, or on the part of our third-party digital partners, to provide attractive, reliable, secure and user-friendly e-commerce platforms could negatively impact our consumers’ shopping experience, resulting in reduced website traffic, diminished loyalty to our brands and lost sales. In addition, as we continue to expand and increase the global presence of our e-commerce business, sales from our retail stores and wholesale channels of distribution in areas where e-commerce sites are introduced may decline due to changes in consumer shopping habits and cannibalization.

We are also vulnerable to certain additional risks and uncertainties associated with our e-commerce sites, including:

•changes in required technology interfaces;

•website downtime and other technical failures;

•costs and technical issues from website software upgrades;

•data and system security;

•computer viruses; and

•changes in applicable federal and state regulations.

In addition, we must keep up to date with competitive technology trends, including the use of new or improved technology, creative user interfaces and other e-commerce marketing tools such as paid search and mobile applications, among others, which may increase our costs and which may not succeed in increasing sales or attracting consumers. For example, it is possible that consumers may not sign up for our loyalty program at anticipated rates if they do not find the features and benefits compelling, and that we may not realize the benefits that we anticipate from these programs. Our failure to successfully respond to these risks and uncertainties might adversely affect the sales in our e-commerce business, as well as damage our reputation and brands.

Additionally, the success of our e-commerce business and the satisfaction of our consumers depend on their timely receipt of our products. The efficient flow of our products requires that our company-operated and third-party operated distribution facilities have adequate capacity to support the current level of e-commerce operations and any anticipated increased levels that may follow from the growth of our e-commerce business. If we encounter difficulties with our distribution facilities or in our relationships with the third parties who operate the facilities, or if any such facilities were to shut down or be limited in capacity for any reason, including as a result of fire, other natural disaster, labor disruption, or pandemic (including as a consequence of public health directives, quarantine policies or social distancing measures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic), we could face shortages of inventory, resulting in “out of stock” conditions in the e-commerce sites we operate and

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those operated by our wholesale customers or other third parties, and we could experience disruption or delay, or incur significantly higher costs and longer lead times, associated with distributing our products to our consumers and experience dissatisfaction from our consumers. Any of these issues could have an adverse effect on our business and harm our reputation.

Unexpected obstacles in new markets and that arise in connection with growth in our existing markets may limit our expansion opportunities and cause our business and growth to suffer.

Our future growth depends in part on our continued expansion efforts in existing markets and in new markets where we may have limited familiarity and experience with regulatory environments and market practices. We may not be able to expand or successfully operate in those markets as a result of such unfamiliarity or other unexpected barriers to expansion or entry. In connection with our efforts, we may encounter obstacles, including cultural and linguistic differences, differences in regulatory environments, labor practices and market practices, economic or governmental instability, difficulties in keeping abreast of market, business and technical developments and foreign consumers’ tastes and preferences. Our failure to develop our business in new markets or disappointing growth in existing markets that we may experience could harm our business and results of operations.

We face risks arising from restructuring of our operations and uncertainty with respect to our ability to achieve any anticipated cost savings associated with such restructuring.

We continuously assess opportunities to streamline operations and fuel long-term profitable growth. Future charges related to such actions may harm our profitability in the periods incurred.

On July 7, 2020, we announced a plan to implement a reduction in workforce in response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This action included the elimination of approximately 15% of our global non-retail and non-manufacturing employee population.

We have incurred and expect to incur charges related to this reduction in workforce during the next 12 to 18 months, which may harm our profitability in the periods incurred.

Implementation of this reduction in workforce, or any similar future restructuring program actions, presents a number of significant risks, including:

•actual or perceived disruption of service or reduction in service levels to customers and consumers;

•potential adverse effects on our internal control environment and inability to preserve adequate internal controls relating to our general and administrative functions in connection with the decision to outsource certain business service activities;

•actual or perceived disruption to suppliers, distribution networks and other important operational relationships and the inability to resolve potential conflicts in a timely manner;

•difficulty in obtaining timely delivery of products of acceptable quality from our contract manufacturers;

•diversion of management attention from ongoing business activities and strategic objectives; and

•failure to maintain employee morale and retain key employees.

Because of these and other factors, we cannot predict whether we will fully realize the purpose and anticipated operational benefits or cost savings of any global productivity actions and, if we do not, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. Additionally, there may be a failure to achieve the anticipated levels of cost savings and efficiency as a result of the reduction in workforce, which could materially and adversely impact our business and results of operations. Furthermore, additional restructuring or reorganization activities may be required in the future.

Any major disruption or failure of our information technology systems, or our failure to successfully implement new technology effectively, could adversely affect our business and operations.

We rely on various information technology systems, owned by us and third parties, to manage our operations. Over the last several years, we have been and continue to implement modifications and upgrades to our systems, including making changes to legacy systems, replacing legacy systems with successor systems with new functionality and acquiring new systems with new functionality. For example, over the next several years, we plan to continue the process of implementing a new enterprise resource planning system across the company. These activities subject us to inherent costs and risks associated with replacing and upgrading these systems, including impairment of our ability to fulfill customer orders, potential disruption of our internal control structure, substantial capital expenditures, additional administration and operating expenses, retention of sufficiently skilled personnel to implement and operate the new systems, demands on management time, and other risks and costs of delays or difficulties in transitioning to new or upgraded systems or of integrating new or upgraded systems into our

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current systems. Our system implementations may not result in productivity improvements at a level that outweighs the costs of implementation, or at all. In addition, the difficulties with implementing new or upgraded technology systems may cause disruptions in our business operations and have an adverse effect on our business and operations, if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated.

As we outsource functions, we become more dependent on the entities performing those functions. Disruptions or delays at our third-party service providers could adversely impact our operations.

As part of our long-term profitable growth strategy, we are continually looking for opportunities to provide essential business services in a more cost-effective manner. In some cases, this requires the outsourcing of functions or parts of functions that can be performed more effectively by external service providers. For example, we currently outsource a significant portion of our information technology, finance, customer relations and customer service functions to Wipro Limited. While we believe we conduct appropriate diligence before entering into agreements with any outsourcing entity, the failure of one or more of such entities to meet our performance standards and expectations, including with respect to data security, compliance with data protection and privacy laws, providing services on a timely basis or providing services at the prices we expect, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. For example, our outsourcing entities and other third-party service providers may experience difficulties, disruptions, delays, or failures in their ability to deliver services to us as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We could face increased costs or disruption associated with finding replacement vendors or hiring new employees in order to return these services in-house, which may have a significant impact on the cost and timing of receipt of inventory for future seasons. We may outsource other functions in the future, which would increase our reliance on third parties.

We face cybersecurity, privacy and data protection risks and may incur increasing costs in an effort to minimize those risks.

We utilize systems that allow for the secure storage and transmission of proprietary or confidential information regarding our consumers, employees, and others, including credit card information and personal information. To protect our employees and consumers through the COVID-19 pandemic we may process and make decisions based on individuals’ personal health information, such as whether to close facilities, perform cleaning, or engage in contact tracing, even though the medical guidance on symptoms and disease prevention is not static. As evidenced by the numerous companies who have suffered serious data security breaches, we may be vulnerable to, and unable to anticipate or detect, data security breaches and data loss, including rapidly evolving and increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity attacks. In addition, data security breaches can also occur as a result of a failure by us or our employees, such as failing to follow policies, procedures or training, or by persons with whom we have commercial relationships that result in the unauthorized release of personal or confidential information. In addition to our own databases, we use third-party service providers to store, process and transmit confidential or personal information on our behalf. Although we contractually require these service providers to implement and use reasonable security measures and to comply with laws relating to privacy and data protection, we cannot control third parties and cannot guarantee that a data security breach will not occur in the future either at their location or within their systems.

A data security breach may expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, and could result in significant costs to us, which may include, among others, potential liabilities to payment card networks for reimbursement of credit card fraud and card reissuance costs, including fines and penalties, potential liabilities from governmental or third-party investigations, proceedings or litigation and diversion of management attention and also further inquiries and increased scrutiny from regulatory entities. We could also experience delays or interruptions in our ability to function in the normal course of business, including delays in the fulfillment or cancellation of customer orders or disruptions in the manufacture and shipment of products. In addition, actual or anticipated attacks may cause us to incur costs, including costs to deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees and engage third-party experts and consultants. Any compromise or breach of our security could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, significant legal and financial exposure, a loss of confidence in our security measures, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and our reputation, and a loss of consumer trust.

The regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy is increasingly demanding, with frequent imposition of new and changing requirements. In the United States, various laws and regulations apply to the collection, processing, disclosure and security of certain types of data, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Gramm Leach Bliley Act and state laws relating to privacy and data security, including the California Consumer Privacy Act. Several foreign countries and governmental bodies, including the European Union, also have laws and regulations dealing with the handling and processing of personal information obtained from their residents, which in certain cases are more restrictive than those in the United States. Laws and regulations in these jurisdictions apply broadly to the collection, use, storage, disclosure and security of various types of data referred to as personal information. The definition of personal information, which includes data that

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identifies or may be used to identify an individual, directly or indirectly, such as names or email addresses and, in some jurisdictions, any unique identifier such as an internet protocol addresses, has been continually revised in a way that puts larger amounts of information within scope of the laws. Such laws and regulations may be modified or subject to new or different interpretations, and new laws and regulations may be enacted in the future. Within the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation, which became effective in May 2018 and replaced the 1995 European Union Data Protection Directive and superseded applicable European Union member state legislation, imposes significant new requirements on how companies collect, process and transfer personal data, as well as significant fines for noncompliance. The increased complexity in these laws and the inherent conflicts between jurisdictions may result in an inability for the company to comply with all applicable requirements in the jurisdictions where we do business despite our best efforts.

Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with laws, regulations, policies or regulatory guidance relating to privacy or data security may result in governmental investigations and enforcement actions, litigation, fines and penalties or adverse publicity, and could cause our customers and consumers to lose trust in us, which could have an adverse effect on our reputation and business. Our efforts to implement evolving global detailed legal requirements relating to protection of personal information creates uncertainty in our ability to anticipate the volume of consumer inquiries, to timely respond, and to predict consumer understanding of our business practices which may all unintentionally create confusion about our practices and cause loss of trust and damage to our reputation.

We currently rely on contract manufacturing of our products. Our inability to secure production sources meeting our quality, cost, working conditions and other requirements, or failures by our contract manufacturers to perform, could harm our sales, service levels and reputation.

In fiscal year 2019, we sourced approximately 99% of our products from independent contract manufacturers, that purchase fabric and make our products and may also provide us with design and development services. As a result, we must locate and secure production capacity. We depend on contract manufacturers to maintain adequate financial resources, including access to sufficient credit, to secure a sufficient supply of raw materials, and maintain sufficient development and manufacturing capacity in an environment characterized by continuing cost pressure and demands for product innovation and speed-to-market. In addition, we currently do not have any material long-term contracts with any of our contract manufacturers. Under our current arrangements with our contract manufacturers, these manufacturers generally may unilaterally terminate their relationship with us at any time. While we have historically worked with numerous manufacturers, in recent years we have begun consolidating the number of contract manufacturers from which we source our products. In addition, some of our contract manufacturers have merged. Reliance on a fewer number of contract manufacturers involves risk, and any difficulties or failures to perform by our contract manufacturers could cause delays in product shipments or otherwise negatively affect our results of operations. If our contract manufacturers, or any raw material vendors or suppliers on which our contract manufacturers rely, suffer prolonged manufacturing or transportation disruptions due to public health conditions, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, or other unforeseen events, our ability to source product on a timely basis could be adversely impacted, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

A contractor manufacturer’s failure to ship products to us in a timely manner or to meet our quality standards, or interference with our ability to receive shipments due to factors such as port or transportation conditions or security incidents, could cause us to miss the delivery date requirements of our customers. Failing to make timely deliveries may cause our customers to cancel orders, refuse to accept deliveries, impose non-compliance charges, demand reduced prices or reduce future orders, any of which could harm our sales and margins. If we need to replace any contract manufacturer, we may be unable to locate additional contract manufacturers on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, or we may be unable to locate additional contract manufacturers with sufficient capacity to meet our requirements or to fill our orders in a timely manner.

We require contract manufacturers to meet our standards in terms of working conditions, environmental protection, raw materials, facility safety, security and other matters before we are willing to place business with them. As such, we may not be able to obtain the lowest-cost production. We also may need to move our production to the extent that we determine our contract manufacturers are not in compliance with our standards or applicable government standards, sanctions or other restrictions. We may also encounter delays in production and added costs as a result of the time it takes to train our contract manufacturers in our methods, products and quality control standards. In addition, the labor and business practices of apparel manufacturers and their suppliers, including raw material suppliers, have received increased attention from the media, non-governmental organizations, consumers and governmental agencies in recent years. Any failure by our contract manufacturers or their suppliers to adhere to labor or other laws, appropriate labor or business practices, safety, structural or environmental standards, and the potential litigation, negative publicity and political pressure relating to any of these events, could harm our business and reputation.

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Our suppliers may be impacted by economic conditions and cycles and changing laws and regulatory requirements which could impact their ability to do business with us or cause us to terminate our relationship with them and require us to find replacements, which we may have difficulty doing.

Our suppliers are subject to the fluctuations in general economic cycles, and global economic conditions may impact their ability to operate their businesses. They may also be impacted by the increasing costs or availability of raw materials, labor and distribution, resulting in demands for less attractive contract terms or an inability for them to meet our requirements or conduct their own businesses. The performance and financial condition of a supplier may cause us to alter our business terms or to cease doing business with a particular supplier, or change our sourcing practices generally, which could in turn adversely affect our business and financial condition.

In addition, regulatory developments such as reporting requirements on the use of “conflict” minerals mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries, or compliance with the recent sanctions and customs trade orders issued by the U.S. government related to entities and individuals in the Xinjiang region of China, could affect the sourcing and availability of raw materials used by our suppliers in the manufacturing of certain of our products. We have been and may continue to be subject to costs associated with regulations, including for the diligence pertaining to these matters and the cost of remediation and other changes to products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. The impact of such regulations may result in a limited pool of acceptable suppliers, and we cannot be assured that we will be able to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Also, because our supply chain is complex, we may face reputational challenges with our consumers and other stakeholders if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for the material used in the products we sell.

If one or more of our counterparty financial institutions default on their obligations to us, we may incur significant losses.

As part of our hedging activities, we enter into transactions involving derivative financial instruments, which may include forward contracts, commodity futures contracts, option contracts, collars and swaps, with various financial institutions. In addition, we have significant amounts of cash, cash equivalents and other investments on deposit or in accounts with banks or other financial institutions in the United States and abroad. We also have entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement with several financial institutions that provides us with additional credit availability. As a result, we are exposed to the risk of default by or failure of counterparty financial institutions. This risk may be heightened during economic downturns and periods of uncertainty in the financial markets, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If one of our counterparties were to become insolvent or file for bankruptcy, our ability to recover losses incurred as a result of default or our assets that are deposited or held in accounts with such counterparty may be limited by the counterparty’s liquidity or the applicable laws governing the insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings. In the event of default or failure of one or more of our counterparties, we could incur significant losses, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.

The loss of members of our executive management and other key employees or the failure to attract and retain key personnel could harm our business.

Our future success depends, in part, on the continued service of our executive management team and other key employees, and the loss of the services of any key individual could harm our business. Our future success also depends, in part, on our ability to recruit, retain and motivate our employees sufficiently, both to maintain our current business and to execute our strategic initiatives. Competition for experienced and well-qualified employees in our industry is particularly intense in many of the places where we do business, and we may not be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel. Moreover, shifts in U.S. immigration policy could negatively impact our ability to attract, hire and retain highly skilled employees who are from outside the United States.

Most of the employees in our production and distribution facilities are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and any material job actions could negatively affect our results of operations.

In North America, most of our distribution employees are covered by various collective bargaining agreements. Outside North America, most of our production and distribution employees are covered by either industry-sponsored and/or government-sponsored collective bargaining mechanisms. Any work stoppages or other job actions by these employees could harm our business and reputation.

Our licensees and franchisees may not comply with our product quality, manufacturing standards, marketing and other requirements, which could negatively affect our reputation and business.

We license our trademarks to third parties for manufacturing, marketing and distribution of various products. While we enter into comprehensive agreements with our licensees covering product design, product quality, sourcing, manufacturing,

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marketing and other requirements, our licensees may not comply fully with those agreements. Non-compliance could include marketing products under our brand names that do not meet our quality and other requirements or engaging in manufacturing practices that do not meet our supplier code of conduct or applicable government restrictions and regulations. These activities could harm our brand equity, our reputation and our business.

In addition, we enter into franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate stores and, in certain circumstances, websites in many countries around the world. Under these agreements, third parties operate, or will operate, stores and websites that sell apparel and related products under our brand names. While the agreements we have entered into and plan to enter into in the future provide us with certain termination rights, the value of our brands could be impaired to the extent that these third parties do not operate their stores or websites in a manner consistent with our requirements regarding our brand identities and customer experience standards. Failure to protect the value of our brands, or any other harmful acts or omissions by a franchisee, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and our reputation.

Our success depends on the continued protection of our trademarks and other proprietary intellectual property rights.

Our trademarks and other intellectual property rights are important to our success and competitive position, and the loss of or inability to enforce trademark and other proprietary intellectual property rights could harm our business. We devote substantial resources to the establishment and protection of our trademark and other proprietary intellectual property rights on a global basis. In addition to our trademarks and other intellectual property rights, as we develop technologies that we believe are innovative, such as Project F.L.X., an approach that uses lasers to digitize denim finish design, we intend to continually assess the patentability and other protectability of new intellectual property. However, the patents that we own and those that may be issued in the future may not adequately protect our intellectual property, survive legal challenges or provide us with competitive advantages, and our patent applications may not be granted. Our efforts to establish and protect our proprietary intellectual property rights may not be adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to claim ownership or seeking to block sales of our products. Unauthorized copying of our products or unauthorized use of our trademarks, patented technologies or other proprietary rights may not only erode sales of our products but may also cause significant reputational harm to our brand names and our ability to effectively represent ourselves to our consumers, contractors, suppliers and/or licensees. Moreover, others may seek to assert rights in, or ownership of, our trademarks and other intellectual property, including through civil and/or criminal prosecution. We may not be able to successfully resolve those claims, which may result in financial liability and criminal penalties, and defending or pursuing such claims may create significant financial burdens. In addition, the laws and enforcement mechanisms of some foreign countries may not allow us to protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as we are able to in the United States and other countries.

We have substantial liabilities and cash requirements associated with our postretirement benefits, pension and deferred compensation plans.

Our postretirement benefits, pension and deferred compensation plans result in substantial liabilities on our balance sheet. These plans and activities have generated, and will generate, substantial cash requirements for us, and these requirements may increase beyond our expectations in future years based on changing market conditions. The difference between plan obligations and assets, or the funded status of the plans, is a significant factor in determining the net periodic benefit costs of our pension plans and the ongoing funding requirements of those plans. Many variables, such as changes in interest rates, mortality rates, health care costs, investment returns and/or the market value of plan assets, can affect the funded status of our defined benefit pension, other postretirement, and postemployment benefit plans and cause volatility in the net periodic benefit cost and future funding requirements of the plans. Plan liabilities may impair our liquidity, have an unfavorable impact on our ability to obtain financing and place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to some of our competitors who do not have such liabilities and cash requirements.

Natural disasters, public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, political crises, and other catastrophic events or other events outside of our control may damage our facilities or the facilities of third parties on which we depend, and could impact consumer spending.

Our global headquarters and the headquarters of our Americas region are both located in California near major geologic faults that have experienced earthquakes in the past. An earthquake or other natural disaster or power shortages or outages could disrupt operations or impair critical systems. Any of these disruptions or other events outside of our control could affect our business negatively, harming our operating results. In addition, if any of our facilities, including our manufacturing, finishing or distribution facilities, our company-operated or franchised stores or the facilities of our suppliers, third-party service providers, or consumers, is affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, power shortages or outages, floods or monsoons, public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics (including, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic), political crises, such as terrorism, war, political instability, social unrest, or other conflict, or other events outside of our control, our business and operating results could suffer. Disasters occurring at our or our vendors’ facilities also could impact our reputation and our consumers’ perception of our brands. Moreover, these types of events could negatively impact consumer

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spending in the impacted regions or, depending upon the severity, globally, which could adversely impact our operating results. Any disruptions in our operations could negatively impact our business and operating results, and harm our reputation. In addition, we may not carry business insurance or may not carry sufficient business insurance to compensate for losses that may occur. Any such losses or damages could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Failure to comply with anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

We are subject to the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act and other anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws in various jurisdictions around the world. The FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act and similar applicable laws generally prohibit companies, as well as their officers, directors, employees and third-party intermediaries, business partners and agents, from making improper payments or providing other improper things of value to government officials or other persons. We and our third-party intermediaries may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state owned or affiliated entities and other third parties where we may be held liable for corrupt or other illegal activities, even if we do not explicitly authorize them. While we have policies and procedures and internal controls to address compliance with such laws, we cannot provide assurance that all of our employees and third-party intermediaries, business partners and agents will not take actions in violation of such policies and laws, for which we may be ultimately held responsible. To the extent that we learn that any of our employees or third-party intermediaries, business partners or agents do not adhere to our policies, procedures or internal controls, we are committed to taking appropriate remedial action. In the event that we believe or have reason to believe that our directors, officers, employees or third-party intermediaries, agents or business partners have or may have violated such laws, we may be required to investigate or to have outside counsel investigate the relevant facts and circumstances. Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations can be extensive and require a significant diversion of time, resources and attention from senior management. Any violation of the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act or other applicable anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws could result in whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage, investigations, loss of export privileges, and criminal or civil sanctions, penalties and fines, any of which may could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Our current and future products may experience quality problems from time to time that could result in negative publicity, litigation, product recalls and warranty claims, which could result in decreased revenues and harm to our brands.

There can be no assurance we will be able to detect, prevent or fix all defects that may affect our products. Inconsistency of legislation and regulations may also affect the costs of compliance with such laws and regulations. Such problems could hurt the image of our brands, which is critical to maintaining and expanding our business. Any negative publicity or lawsuits filed against us related to the perceived quality of our products could harm our brand and decrease demand for our products.

Climate change may adversely impact our business.

Rising global average temperatures due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are causing significant changes in weather patterns around the globe and an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Changes in weather patterns and the increased frequency, intensity and duration of extreme weather events (e.g., floods, droughts and severe storms) could, among other things, adversely impact the cultivation of cotton, which is a key resource in the production of our products, disrupt the operation of our supply chain and the productivity of our contract manufacturers, disrupt retail operations and foot traffic in consumer markets, increase our product costs and impact the types of apparel products that consumers purchase. As a result, the effects of climate change could have short- and long-term impacts on our business and operations.

Future acquisitions of and investments in new businesses could impact our business and financial condition.

From time to time, we may acquire or invest in businesses or partnerships that we believe could complement our business or offer growth opportunities. The pursuit of such acquisitions or investments may divert the attention of management and cause us to incur various expenses, regardless of whether the acquisition or investment is ultimately completed. In addition, acquisitions and investments may not perform as expected or cause us to assume unrecognized or underestimated liabilities. Further, if we are able to successfully identify and acquire additional businesses, we may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired personnel or operations, or effectively manage the combined business following the acquisition, any of which could harm our business and financial condition.

Our business is affected by seasonality, which could result in fluctuations in our operating results.

We experience moderate fluctuations in aggregate sales volume during the year. Historically, revenues in our third and fourth fiscal quarters have slightly exceeded those in our first and second fiscal quarters. In addition, our customers and consumers may cancel orders, change delivery schedules or change the mix of products ordered with minimal notice. As a

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result, we may not be able to accurately predict our quarterly sales. Accordingly, our results of operations are likely to fluctuate significantly from period to period. This seasonality, along with other factors that are beyond our control, including the COVID-19 pandemic, general economic conditions, changes in consumer preferences, weather conditions, including the effects of climate change, the availability of import quotas, transportation disruptions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, could adversely affect our business and cause our results of operations to fluctuate.

We are subject to periodic claims and litigation that could result in unexpected expenses and could ultimately be resolved against us.

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation and other proceedings, including matters related to commercial disputes, product liability, intellectual property, trade, customs laws and regulations, employment, regulatory compliance and other claims related to our business. Any such proceeding or audit could result in significant settlement amounts, damages, fines or other penalties, divert financial and management resources and result in significant legal fees. An unfavorable outcome of any particular proceeding could exceed the limits of our insurance policies, or our insurance carriers may decline to fund such final settlements or judgments, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any such proceeding could negatively impact our brand equity and our reputation.

Risks Relating to Our Debt

We have debt and interest payment requirements at a level that may restrict our future operations.

As of August 23, 2020, we had $1.6 billion of debt, all of which was unsecured, and we had $608 million of additional borrowing capacity under our credit facility. The credit facility is secured by domestic inventories, accounts receivable, and other assets such as the Levi’s® trademarks in the U.S. Our debt requires us to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and principal due under our debt, which reduces funds available for other business purposes and results in us having lower net income than we would otherwise have had. This dedicated use of cash could impact our ability to successfully compete by, for example:

•increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, including any adverse economic and industry conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as store closures, decreased foot traffic and recession;

•limiting our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business and industry;

•placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to some of our competitors that have less debt; and

•limiting our ability to obtain additional financing required to fund working capital and capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes.

A substantial portion of our debt is Euro-denominated senior notes. In addition, borrowings under our credit facility bear interest at variable rates. As a result, increases in market interest rates and changes in foreign exchange rates could require a greater portion of our cash flow to be used to pay interest, which could further hinder our operations. Increases in market interest rates may also affect the trading price of our debt securities that bear interest at a fixed rate. Our ability to satisfy our obligations and to reduce our total debt depends on our future operating performance and on economic, financial, competitive and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

In addition, certain loans made by us and financing extended to us are made at variable rates that use LIBOR as a benchmark for establishing the interest rate. LIBOR is the subject of recent proposals for reform. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. These reforms may cause LIBOR to cease to exist, new methods of calculating LIBOR to be established or the establishment of an alternative reference rate(s). These consequences cannot be entirely predicted and could have an adverse impact on the market value for or value of LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us. Changes in market interest rates may influence our financing costs, returns on financial investments and the valuation of derivative contracts and could reduce our earnings and cash flows.

The Tax Act also places limitations on businesses' abilities to deduct interest expenses. If our adjusted taxable income were to decrease, we may not be able to fully deduct our interest expenses.

Restrictions in our notes, indentures and credit facility may limit our activities, including dividend payments, share repurchases and acquisitions.

Our credit facility and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes contain restrictions, including covenants limiting our ability to incur additional debt, grant liens, make acquisitions and other investments, prepay specified debt, consolidate, merge or acquire other businesses or engage in other fundamental changes, sell assets, pay dividends and other

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distributions, repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, enter into capital leases or certain leases not in the ordinary course of business, enter into certain derivatives, grant negative pledges on our assets, make loans or other investments, guarantee third-party obligations, engage in sale leasebacks and make changes in our corporate structure. These restrictions, in combination with our leveraged condition, may make it more difficult for us to successfully execute our business strategy, grow our business or compete with companies not similarly restricted.

If our foreign subsidiaries are unable to distribute cash to us when needed, we may be unable to satisfy our obligations under our debt securities, which could force us to sell assets or use cash that we were planning to use elsewhere in our business.

We conduct our international operations through foreign subsidiaries and we only receive the cash that remains after our foreign subsidiaries satisfy their obligations. We may depend upon funds from our foreign subsidiaries for a portion of the funds necessary to meet our debt service obligations. Any agreements our foreign subsidiaries enter into with other parties, as well as applicable laws and regulations limiting the right and ability of non-U.S. subsidiaries and affiliates to pay dividends and remit cash to affiliated companies, may restrict the ability of our foreign subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. If those subsidiaries are unable to transfer the amount of cash that we need, we may be unable to make payments on our debt obligations, which could force us to sell assets or use cash that we were planning on using elsewhere in our business, which could hinder our operations.

Changes in our credit ratings or macroeconomic conditions may affect our liquidity, increasing borrowing costs and limiting our financing options.

Our long-term debt is currently rated BB+ by S&P Global Ratings, Ba1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc and BB by Fitch Ratings, Inc. If our credit ratings are lowered, borrowing costs for future long-term debt or short-term credit facilities may increase and our financing options, including our access to the unsecured credit market, could be limited. In addition, macroeconomic conditions such as increased volatility or disruption in the credit markets, including the recent volatility due, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic, could adversely affect our ability to obtain financing or refinance existing debt on terms that would be acceptable to us.

Risks Relating to Our Industry

Our revenues are influenced by economic conditions that impact consumer spending and consumer confidence.

Apparel is a cyclical industry that is dependent upon the overall level of consumer spending and consumer confidence. Consumer purchases of discretionary items, including our products, generally decline during periods when disposable income is adversely affected, there is economic uncertainty or volatility or during recessionary periods. Our wholesale customers anticipate and respond to adverse changes in economic conditions and uncertainty by closing doors, reducing inventories, canceling orders or increasing promotional activity. Our brand-dedicated stores are also affected by these conditions, which may lead to a decline in consumer traffic and spending in these stores. As a result, factors that diminish consumer spending and confidence in any of the markets in which we compete, particularly deterioration in general economic conditions, consumer credit availability, consumer debt levels, inflation, the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on tourism and tourist spending, volatility in investment returns, fear of unemployment, increases in energy costs or tax or interest rates, housing market downturns, fear about and impact of pandemic illness (such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced store traffic and widespread temporary store closures), and other factors such as acts of war, natural disasters or terrorist or political events that impact consumer confidence, could reduce our sales and adversely affect our business and financial condition through their impact on our wholesale customers as well as direct sales.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance, including our ability to execute our business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the pandemic, related restrictions on travel and the related impact on consumer confidence and spending, and the extent of any recession resulting from the pandemic, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. For example, as the number of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, consumer fear about becoming ill with the disease and recommendations and/or mandates from federal, state and local authorities to avoid large gatherings of people or self-quarantine may continue to increase, which will adversely affect traffic to our and our customer's stores. Any significant reduction in customer visits to, and spending at, our and our customer's stores caused by COVID-19 would result in a loss of sales and profits and other material adverse effects. An extended period of global supply chain and economic disruption could materially affect our business, results of operations, access to sources of liquidity and financial condition.

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Intense competition in the global apparel industry could lead to reduced sales and prices.

We face a variety of competitive challenges in the global apparel industry from a variety of companies, and competition has increased over the years due to factors such as:

•the international expansion and increased presence of vertically integrated specialty stores;

•expansion into e-commerce by existing and new competitors;

•the proliferation of private labels and exclusive brands offered by department stores, chain stores and mass channel retailers;

•the introduction of lines of jeans, athleisure and casual apparel by well-known and successful athletic wear companies; and

•the transition of apparel companies who traditionally relied on wholesale distribution channels into their own retail distribution network.

In addition, some of these competitors have greater financial, supply, distribution and marketing resources and may be able to adapt to changes in consumer preferences or retail requirements more quickly or devote greater resources to the building and sustaining of their brand equity and the marketing and sale of their products both in stores and online. In addition, some of these competitors may be able to achieve lower product costs or adopt more aggressive pricing and discounting policies. As a result, we may not be able to compete as effectively with them and may not be able to maintain or grow the demand for our products. Failure to compete effectively due to these factors could reduce our sales and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

The success of our business depends upon our ability to forecast and respond timely to consumer demand and market conditions and offer on-trend and new and updated products at attractive price points.

The global apparel industry is characterized by ever-changing fashion trends and consumer preferences, including the increasing shift to digital brand engagement and social media communication, and by the rapid replication of new products by competitors. The apparel industry is also impacted by changing consumer preferences regarding spending categories generally, including shifts away from traditional consumer spending and towards “experiential” spending and sustainable products. As a result, our success depends in large part on our ability to develop, market and deliver innovative and stylish products at a pace, intensity and price competitive with other brands in the markets in which we sell our products. In addition, we must create products at a range of price points that appeal to the consumers of both our wholesale customers and our dedicated retail stores and e-commerce sites situated in each of our diverse geographic regions. Our development and production cycles take place prior to full visibility into all of these factors for the coming seasons. Failure on our part to forecast and respond timely to consumer demand and market conditions and to regularly and rapidly develop innovative and stylish products and update core products could limit sales growth, adversely affect retail and consumer acceptance of our products and negatively impact the consumer traffic in our dedicated retail stores. In addition, if we fail to accurately forecast consumer demand, we may experience excess inventory levels, which may result in inventory write-downs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices. This could have an adverse effect on the image and reputation of our brands and could adversely affect our gross margins. For example, if sales do not meet expectations because of unexpected effects on inventory supply and consumer demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, too much inventory may cause excessive markdowns and, therefore, lower-than-planned margins. Conversely, if we underestimate consumer demand for our products, we may experience inventory shortages, which could delay shipments to customers, negatively impact retailer and consumer relationships and diminish brand loyalty. Moreover, our newer products may not produce as high a gross margin as our traditional products and thus may have an adverse effect on our overall margins and profitability.

The global apparel industry is subject to intense cost and pricing pressure.

The apparel industry is characterized by low barriers to entry for both suppliers and marketers, global sourcing through suppliers located throughout the world, trade liberalization, continuing movement of product sourcing to lower cost countries, regular promotional activity, and the ongoing emergence of new competitors with widely varying strategies and resources. These factors have contributed, and may continue to contribute in the future, to intense pricing pressure and uncertainty throughout the supply chain. Pricing pressure has been exacerbated by the variability of raw materials in recent years. This pressure could have adverse effects on our business and financial condition, including:

•reduced gross margins across our product lines and distribution channels;

•increased retailer demands for allowances, incentives and other forms of economic support; and

•increased pressure on us to reduce our production costs and operating expenses.

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Increases in the price or availability of raw materials could increase our cost of goods and negatively impact our financial results.

The principal fabrics used in our products include cotton, blends, synthetics and wools. The prices we pay our suppliers for our products are dependent in part on the market price for raw materials used to produce them, primarily cotton. The price and availability of cotton may fluctuate substantially, depending on a variety of factors, including demand, acreage devoted to cotton crops and crop yields, weather, supply conditions, transportation costs, energy prices, work stoppages, government regulation, sanctions and policy, economic climates, market speculation compliance with our working condition, environmental protection, and other standards, and other unpredictable factors. For example, compliance with the recent sanctions and trade orders issued by the U.S. government related to entities and individuals in the Xinjiang region of China could affect the sourcing and availability of raw materials, including cotton, used by our suppliers in the manufacturing of certain of our products. Any and all of these factors may be exacerbated by global climate change. Cotton prices suffered from unprecedented variability and uncertainty in prior years and may fluctuate significantly again in the future. In the event of a significant disruption or unavailability in the supply of the fabrics or raw materials used by our vendors in the manufacture of our products, our vendors might not be able to locate alternative suppliers of materials of comparable quality at an acceptable price. In addition, prices of purchased finished products also depend on wage rates in the regions where our contract manufacturers are located, as well as freight costs from those regions. Fluctuations in wage rates required by legal or industry standards could increase our costs. Increases in raw material costs or wage rates, unless sufficiently offset by our pricing actions, may cause a decrease in our profitability and negatively impact our sales volume. These factors may also have an adverse impact on our cash and working capital needs as well as those of our suppliers.

Our business is subject to risks associated with sourcing and manufacturing overseas, as well as risks associated with potential tariffs or a global trade war.

We import materials and finished garments into all of our operating regions. Our ability to import products in a timely and cost-effective manner may be affected by conditions at ports or issues that otherwise affect transportation and warehousing providers, such as port and shipping capacity, labor disputes and work stoppages, political unrest, security incidents, severe weather, or security requirements in the United States and other countries. These issues could delay importation of products or require us to locate alternative ports or warehousing providers to avoid disruption to our customers. These alternatives may not be available on short notice or could result in higher transportation costs, which could have an adverse impact on our business and financial condition, specifically our gross margin and overall profitability.

Substantially all of our import operations are subject to complex custom laws, regulations and tax requirements as well as trade regulations, such as sanctions orders or tariffs set by governments through mutual agreements or bilateral actions. In addition, the countries in which our products are manufactured or imported may from time to time impose additional duties, tariffs or other restrictions on our imports or adversely modify existing restrictions. Adverse changes in these import costs and restrictions, or the failure by us or our suppliers to comply with customs regulations or similar laws, could harm our business. In this regard, the increasingly protectionist trade policy in the United States and the Brexit process between the United Kingdom and the European Union have introduced greater uncertainty with respect to future tax and trade regulations.

Changes in tax policy or trade regulations, the disallowance of tax deductions on imported merchandise, or the imposition of new tariffs on imported products, could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

In 2018, the Trump Administration announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imported into the United States, which has resulted in reciprocal tariffs from the European Union on goods, including denim products, imported from the United States. Because we manufacture most of our products outside the United States, these reciprocal tariffs are not expected to have a material impact on our business. The Trump Administration has also imposed tariffs on goods imported from China in connection with China’s intellectual property practices and forced technology transfer. Currently, of the products that we sell in the United States, less than 1% are manufactured in China. If the Trump Administration follows through on its proposed China tariffs, or if additional tariffs or trade restrictions are implemented by the United States or other countries in connection with a global trade war, the cost of our products manufactured in China or other countries and imported into the United States or other countries could increase, which in turn could adversely affect the demand for these products and have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Class A Common Stock

The market price of our Class A common stock may be volatile or may decline steeply or suddenly regardless of our operating performance and we may not be able to meet investor or analyst expectations. You may lose all or part of your investment.

The market price of our Class A common stock may fluctuate or decline significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

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•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our revenues or other operating results;

•variations between our actual operating results and the expectations of securities analysts, investors and the financial community;

•any forward-looking financial or operating information we may provide to the public or securities analysts, any changes in this information or our failure to meet expectations based on this information;

•actions of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;

•whether investors or securities analysts view our stock structure unfavorably, particularly our dual-class structure;

•additional shares of Class A common stock being sold into the market by us or our existing stockholders, or the anticipation of such sales;

•announcements by us or our competitors of significant products or features, innovations, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, capital commitments, divestitures or other dispositions;

•changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of companies in our industry, including our vendors and competitors;

•price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of general economic trends;

•lawsuits threatened or filed against us, or events that negatively impact our reputation;

•developments in new legislation and pending lawsuits or regulatory actions, including interim or final rulings by judicial or regulatory bodies; and

•other events or factors, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism, natural disasters, pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), or responses to these events.

In addition, extreme price and volume fluctuations in the stock markets have affected and continue to affect many retail companies’ stock prices. Often, their stock prices have fluctuated in ways unrelated or disproportionate to the respective companies’ operating performance. In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business and seriously harm our business.

Moreover, because of these fluctuations, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. You should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. This variability and unpredictability could also result in our failing to meet the expectations of industry or financial analysts or investors for any period. If our revenues or operating results fall below the expectations of analysts or investors or below any forecasts we may provide to the market, or if the forecasts we provide to the market are below the expectations of analysts or investors, the price of our Class A common stock could decline substantially. Such a decline could occur even when we have met any previously publicly stated revenues or earnings forecasts that we may provide.

An active trading market for our Class A common stock may not be sustained.

Our Class A common stock is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "LEVI." However, we cannot assure you that an active trading market for our Class A common stock will be sustained. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the likelihood that an active trading market for our Class A common stock will be maintained, the liquidity of any trading market, your ability to sell your shares of Class A common stock when desired or the prices that you may obtain for your shares.

Future sales of our Class A common stock by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.

If our existing stockholders, including employees, who obtain equity, sell or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline. As of September 30, 2020 we had outstanding a total of 66,461,001 shares of Class A common stock and 330,721,606 shares of Class B common stock. Of these shares, only the shares of Class A common stock are currently freely tradable without restrictions or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares held by persons who are not our “affiliates” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and who have complied with the holding period requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

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Sales of a substantial number of such shares, or the perception that such sales may occur, could cause our stock price to decline or make it more difficult for the holders of our Class A common stock to sell at a time and price that they deem appropriate.

Holders of more than 90% of our Class B common stock have contractual rights, subject to certain conditions, to require us to file registration statements for the public resale of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of their Class B common stock, or to include such shares in registration statements that we may file.

The dual class structure of our common stock concentrates voting control with descendants of the family of Levi Strauss, who have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted for stockholder approval, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and may depress the trading price of our Class A common stock.

Our Class B common stock, which is entitled to ten votes per share, is primarily owned by descendants of the family of our founder, Levi Strauss, and their relatives and trusts established for their behalf. Collectively, these persons have the ability to control the outcome of stockholder votes, including the election of our board of directors and the approval or rejection of a merger, change of control or other significant corporate transaction. In addition, so long as any shares of Class B common stock remain outstanding, the approval of the holders of a majority of our then-outstanding Class B common stock (or, in certain cases, a majority of our then-outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class) will be required in order for us to take certain actions.

This control may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with multiple-class share structures in certain of their indexes. S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have recently announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500. These changes exclude companies with multiple classes of shares of common stock from being added to such indices. In addition, several stockholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our common stock may prevent the inclusion of our Class A common stock in such indices and may cause stockholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our Class A common stock. Any actions or publications by stockholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock.

We believe having a long-term-focused, committed and engaged stockholder base provides us with an important strategic advantage, particularly in our business, where our more than 165-year history contributes to the iconic reputations of our brands. However, the interests of these stockholders may not always be aligned with each other or with the interests of our other stockholders. By exercising their control, these stockholders could cause our company to take actions that are at odds with the investment goals or interests of institutional, short-term or other non-controlling investors, or that have a negative effect on our stock price. Further, because these stockholders control the majority of our Class B common stock, we might be a less attractive takeover target, which could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

If securities or industry analysts either do not publish research about us or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about us, our business or our market, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Class A common stock, the trading price or trading volume of our Class A common stock could decline.

The trading market for our Class A common stock is be influenced in part by the research and reports that securities or industry analysts may publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. If one or more of the analysts initiate research with an unfavorable rating or downgrade our Class A common stock, provide a more favorable recommendation about our competitors or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our Class A common stock price would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover us were to cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the trading price or trading volume of our Class A common stock to decline.

Future securities issuances could result in significant dilution to our stockholders and impair the market price of our Class A common stock.

Future issuances of our Class A common stock or the conversion of a substantial number of shares of our Class B common stock, or the perception that these issuances or conversions may occur, could depress the market price of our Class A common stock and result in dilution to existing holders of our Class A common stock. Also, to the extent stock-based awards are issued or become vested, there will be further dilution. The amount of dilution could be substantial depending upon the size of the issuances or exercises. Furthermore, we may issue additional equity securities that could have rights senior to those of our Class A common stock. As a result, purchasers of Class A common stock bear the risk that future issuances of debt or equity securities may reduce the value of such shares and further dilute their ownership interest.

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As of August 23, 2020, there were 7,064,530 shares of Class A common stock and 8,620,970 shares of Class B common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock units ("RSUs"), performance restricted stock units ("PRSUs") and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") that may be settled in shares of our Class A or Class B common stock. All of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise or settlement of such awards, or upon the conversion of shares of Class B common stock issuable upon exercise or settlement of such awards, are registered for public resale under the Securities Act. Accordingly, these shares will be able to be freely sold in the public market upon issuance as permitted by any applicable vesting requirements, and subject to compliance with applicable securities laws.

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, result in more litigation and divert management’s attention.

Although we have made filings with the SEC for many years, as a newly public company we are subject to the additional reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of the NYSE and other applicable securities rules and regulations. For example, we are required to file proxy statements under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. Complying with these rules and regulations has increased and will increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. We may also need to hire additional employees or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase our costs and expenses.

In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.

These new rules and regulations may make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and, in the future, we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.

By disclosing information in the various filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If those claims are successful, our business could be seriously harmed. Even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, the time and resources needed to resolve them could divert our management’s resources and seriously harm our business.

Delaware law and provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could make a merger, tender offer or proxy contest difficult, thereby depressing the trading price of our Class A common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could depress the trading price of our Class A common stock by acting to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management that our stockholders may deem advantageous. In particular, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws:

•establish a classified board of directors so that not all members are elected at one time;

•permit our board of directors to establish the number of directors and fill any vacancies and newly-created directorships;

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•authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our board of directors could use to implement a stockholder rights plan;

•provide that our board of directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws;

•restrict the forum for certain litigation against us to Delaware;

•reflect the dual class structure of our common stock; and

•establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders.

Any provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of Class A common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our Class A common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law:

•any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;

•any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty;

•any action asserting a claim against us arising under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; and

•any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal-affairs doctrine.

This provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

This exclusive-forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees. If a court were to find this exclusive forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could seriously harm our business.

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

(a) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

(b) Use of Proceeds from Securities

The Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-229630) for our IPO of our Class A common stock was declared effective by the SEC on March 20, 2019. There has been no material change in the planned use of the IPO proceeds as described in our final prospectus filed with the SEC on March 21, 2019 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) of the Securities Act. The proceeds from our IPO have been used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures. We have broad discretion over the uses of the net proceeds and may use a portion for acquisitions or other strategic investments, although we do not currently have any plans to do so.

None.

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Item 3.			DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.


Item 4.			MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.


Item 5.			OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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Item 6.			EXHIBITS

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Number

Description of Document

Form

SEC File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant

8-K

001-06631

3.1

3/25/2019

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant

8-K

001-06631

3.2

3/25/2019

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.

32.1†

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Furnished herewith.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document. Filed herewith.

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. Filed herewith.

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. Filed herewith.

† The certification attached as Exhibit 32.1 accompanies this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is not deemed filed with the Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Levi Strauss & Co. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

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SIGNATURE

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.


Date:	October 6, 2020		LEVI STRAUSS & CO.
			(Registrant)


		By:	/s/ GAVIN BROCKETT
			Gavin Brockett Senior Vice President and Global Controller
			(Principal Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)