Annual Statements Open main menu

RALPH LAUREN CORP - Quarter Report: 2020 December (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 December 26, 2020
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-13057
Ralph Lauren Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-2622036
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
650 Madison Avenue, 10022
New York,New York(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices) 
(212) 318-7000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchange on which Registered
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par valueRLNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No
At January 29, 2021, 48,237,090 shares of the registrant's Class A common stock, $.01 par value, and 24,881,276 shares of the registrant's Class B common stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
INDEX
 
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Item 1.Financial Statements:
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Item 1A.    
Item 2.
Item 5.
Item 6.

1


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
(millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$2,621.5 $1,620.4 
Short-term investments165.7 495.9 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $224.2 million and $276.2 million
373.6 277.1 
Inventories866.0 736.2 
Income tax receivable75.1 84.8 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets174.5 160.8 
Total current assets
4,276.4 3,375.2 
Property and equipment, net1,086.4 979.5 
Operating lease right-of-use assets1,339.6 1,511.6 
Deferred tax assets322.5 245.2 
Goodwill949.0 915.5 
Intangible assets, net126.0 141.0 
Other non-current assets72.3 111.9 
Total assets
$8,172.2 $7,279.9 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt$— $475.0 
Current portion of long-term debt— 299.6 
Accounts payable335.0 246.8 
Income tax payable70.5 65.1 
Current operating lease liabilities296.1 288.4 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities975.2 717.1 
Total current liabilities
1,676.8 2,092.0 
Long-term debt1,631.9 396.4 
Long-term operating lease liabilities1,381.5 1,568.3 
Income tax payable118.7 132.7 
Non-current liability for unrecognized tax benefits91.4 88.9 
Other non-current liabilities579.9 308.5 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Total liabilities
5,480.2 4,586.8 
Equity:
Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share; 106.0 million and 104.9 million shares issued; 48.2 million and 47.6 million shares outstanding
1.0 1.0 
Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share; 24.9 million shares issued and outstanding
0.3 0.3 
Additional paid-in-capital2,648.8 2,594.4 
Retained earnings5,947.0 5,994.0 
Treasury stock, Class A, at cost; 57.8 million and 57.3 million shares
(5,814.5)(5,778.4)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(90.6)(118.2)
Total equity
2,692.0 2,693.1 
Total liabilities and equity
$8,172.2 $7,279.9 
See accompanying notes.
2


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
(millions, except per share data)
Net revenues
$1,432.8 $1,750.7 $3,113.8 $4,885.7 
Cost of goods sold(502.4)(661.6)(1,035.3)(1,826.8)
Gross profit
930.4 1,089.1 2,078.5 3,058.9 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses(747.5)(843.3)(1,883.3)(2,385.3)
Impairment of assets(2.6)(14.4)(35.7)(21.7)
Restructuring and other charges(9.9)(7.0)(177.4)(51.1)
Total other operating expenses, net
(760.0)(864.7)(2,096.4)(2,458.1)
Operating income (loss)
170.4 224.4 (17.9)600.8 
Interest expense(12.2)(4.2)(34.6)(12.8)
Interest income2.4 7.3 7.5 28.5 
Other income (expense), net1.6 2.9 5.5 (2.9)
Income (loss) before income taxes
162.2 230.4 (39.5)613.6 
Income tax benefit (provision)(42.4)103.7 (7.5)19.7 
Net income (loss)
$119.8 $334.1 $(47.0)$633.3 
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic$1.63 $4.47 $(0.64)$8.28 
Diluted$1.61 $4.41 $(0.64)$8.13 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic73.6 74.7 73.4 76.5 
Diluted74.6 75.8 73.4 77.9 
Dividends declared per share$— $0.6875 $— $2.0625 
See accompanying notes.

3


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
(millions)
Net income (loss)
$119.8 $334.1 $(47.0)$633.3 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)15.7 5.5 46.0 (10.4)
Net losses on cash flow hedges(6.5)(8.6)(17.8)(4.7)
Net losses on defined benefit plans(0.3)(0.1)(0.6)(0.1)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
8.9 (3.2)27.6 (15.2)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$128.7 $330.9 $(19.4)$618.1 
See accompanying notes.
4


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 Nine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
(millions)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)$(47.0)$633.3 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense185.5 201.0 
Deferred income tax benefit(101.8)(155.7)
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense54.4 72.9 
Non-cash impairment of assets35.7 21.7 
Bad debt expense (benefit)(20.3)1.9 
Other non-cash benefits(2.7)(0.3)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(67.3)46.9 
Inventories(92.0)(89.0)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(0.2)(30.4)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities346.9 56.3 
Income tax receivables and payables39.8 16.1 
Deferred income4.8 0.6 
Other balance sheet changes(1.2)(27.3)
Net cash provided by operating activities
334.6 748.0 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures(80.8)(216.0)
Purchases of investments(512.3)(890.1)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments848.0 1,510.3 
Acquisitions and ventures(2.0)0.9 
Proceeds from sale of property— 20.8 
Settlement of net investment hedges3.7 — 
Net cash provided by investing activities
256.6 425.9 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowings on credit facilities(475.0)— 
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt1,241.9 — 
Repayments of long-term debt(300.0)— 
Payments of finance lease obligations(8.6)(10.6)
Payments of dividends(49.8)(153.2)
Repurchases of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholdings(36.1)(542.1)
Other financing activities(8.7)(0.9)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
363.7 (706.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash46.8 (4.2)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash1,001.7 462.9 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period1,629.8 626.5 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$2,631.5 $1,089.4 
See accompanying notes.
5


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 26, 2020
Common Stock(a)
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury Stock
at Cost
Retained
Earnings
Total
Equity
SharesAmountSharesAmount
AOCI(b)
(millions)
Balance at September 26, 2020
130.9 $1.3 $2,629.0 $5,827.2 57.8 $(5,813.9)$(99.5)$2,544.1 
Comprehensive income:
Net income119.8 
Other comprehensive income
8.9 
Total comprehensive income128.7 
Dividends declared— — 
Repurchases of common stock— (0.6)(0.6)
Stock-based compensation19.8 19.8 
Balance at December 26, 2020
130.9 $1.3 $2,648.8 $5,947.0 57.8 $(5,814.5)$(90.6)$2,692.0 
Three Months Ended December 28, 2019
Common Stock(a)
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury Stock
at Cost
Retained
Earnings
Total
Equity
SharesAmountSharesAmount
AOCI(b)
(millions)
Balance at September 28, 2019
129.7 $1.3 $2,544.6 $6,009.4 55.1 $(5,526.3)$(115.4)$2,913.6 
Comprehensive income:
Net income
334.1 
Other comprehensive loss
(3.2)
Total comprehensive income
330.9 
Dividends declared(50.7)(50.7)
Repurchases of common stock0.9 (99.4)(99.4)
Stock-based compensation22.1 22.1 
Balance at December 28, 2019
129.7 $1.3 $2,566.7 $6,292.8 56.0 $(5,625.7)$(118.6)$3,116.5 
(a)Includes Class A and Class B common stock.
(b)Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).


6


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended December 26, 2020
Common Stock(a)
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury Stock
at Cost
Retained
Earnings
Total
Equity
SharesAmountSharesAmount
AOCI(b)
(millions)
Balance at March 28, 2020
129.8 $1.3 $2,594.4 $5,994.0 57.3 $(5,778.4)$(118.2)$2,693.1 
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss
(47.0)
Other comprehensive income
27.6 
Total comprehensive loss
(19.4)
Dividends declared— — 
Repurchases of common stock0.5 (36.1)(36.1)
Stock-based compensation54.4 54.4 
Shares issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans
1.1 — — — 
Balance at December 26, 2020
130.9 $1.3 $2,648.8 $5,947.0 57.8 $(5,814.5)$(90.6)$2,692.0 
Nine Months Ended December 28, 2019
Common Stock(a)
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury Stock
at Cost
Retained
Earnings
Total
Equity
SharesAmountSharesAmount
AOCI(b)
(millions)
Balance at March 30, 2019
128.8 $1.3 $2,493.8 $5,979.1 50.7 $(5,083.6)$(103.4)$3,287.2 
Comprehensive income:
Net income633.3 
Other comprehensive loss(15.2)
Total comprehensive income618.1 
Dividends declared(155.1)(155.1)
Repurchases of common stock5.3 (542.1)(542.1)
Stock-based compensation72.9 72.9 
Shares issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans0.9 — — — 
Cumulative adjustment from adoption of new accounting standards(164.5)(164.5)
Balance at December 28, 2019
129.7 $1.3 $2,566.7 $6,292.8 56.0 $(5,625.7)$(118.6)$3,116.5 
(a)Includes Class A and Class B common stock. During the nine months ended December 28, 2019, 1.0 million shares of Class B common stock were converted into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the terms of the Class B common stock (see Note 14).
(b)Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
See accompanying notes.
7


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except per share data and where otherwise indicated)
(Unaudited)
1.    Description of Business
Ralph Lauren Corporation ("RLC") is a global leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products, including apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, fragrances, and hospitality. RLC's long-standing reputation and distinctive image have been developed across an expanding number of products, brands, sales channels, and international markets. RLC's brand names include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, and Club Monaco, among others. RLC and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the "Company," "we," "us," "our," and "ourselves," unless the context indicates otherwise.
The Company diversifies its business by geography (North America, Europe, and Asia, among other regions) and channel of distribution (retail, wholesale, and licensing). This allows the Company to maintain a dynamic balance as its operating results do not depend solely on the performance of any single geographic area or channel of distribution. The Company sells directly to consumers through its integrated retail channel, which includes its retail stores, concession-based shop-within-shops, and digital commerce operations around the world. The Company's wholesale sales are made principally to major department stores, specialty stores, and third-party digital partners around the world, as well as to certain third-party-owned stores to which the Company has licensed the right to operate in defined geographic territories using its trademarks. In addition, the Company licenses to third parties for specified periods the right to access its various trademarks in connection with the licensees' manufacture and sale of designated products, such as certain apparel, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings.
The Company organizes its business into the following three reportable segments: North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to these reportable segments, the Company also has other non-reportable segments. See Note 17 for further discussion of the Company's segment reporting structure.
2.    Basis of Presentation
Interim Financial Statements
These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of the Company for the interim periods presented. In addition, certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") and the notes thereto have been condensed or omitted from this report as is permitted by the SEC's rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures provided herein are adequate to prevent the information presented from being misleading.
This report should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2020 (the "Fiscal 2020 10-K").
Basis of Consolidation
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements present the consolidated financial position, income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of the Company, including all entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and is determined to be the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

8


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal Periods
The Company utilizes a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to March 31. As such, fiscal year 2021 will end on March 27, 2021 and will be a 52-week period ("Fiscal 2021"). Fiscal year 2020 ended on March 28, 2020 and was also a 52-week period ("Fiscal 2020"). The third quarter of Fiscal 2021 ended on December 26, 2020 and was a 13-week period. The third quarter of Fiscal 2020 ended on December 28, 2019 and was also a 13-week period.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes thereto. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include reserves for bad debt, customer returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, operational chargebacks, and certain cooperative advertising allowances; the realizability of inventory; reserves for litigation and other contingencies; useful lives and impairments of long-lived tangible and intangible assets; fair value measurements; accounting for income taxes and related uncertain tax positions; valuation of stock-based compensation awards and related forfeiture rates; reserves for restructuring activity; and accounting for business combinations, among others.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial information in order to conform to the current period's presentation.
Seasonality of Business
The Company's business is typically affected by seasonal trends, with higher levels of retail sales in its second and third fiscal quarters and higher wholesale sales in its second and fourth fiscal quarters. These trends result primarily from the timing of key vacation travel, back-to-school, and holiday shopping periods impacting its retail business and the timing of seasonal wholesale shipments. As a result of changes in its business, consumer spending patterns, and the macroeconomic environment, including those resulting from disease pandemics and other catastrophic events, historical quarterly operating trends and working capital requirements may not be indicative of the Company's future performance. In addition, fluctuations in sales, operating income (loss), and cash flows in any fiscal quarter may be affected by other events affecting retail sales, such as changes in weather patterns. Accordingly, the Company's operating results and cash flows for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results and cash flows that may be expected for the full Fiscal 2021.
COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel strain of coronavirus commonly referred to as COVID-19 has spread rapidly across the globe, including throughout all major geographies in which the Company operates (North America, Europe, and Asia), resulting in adverse economic conditions and business disruptions, as well as significant volatility in global financial markets. Governments worldwide have imposed varying degrees of preventative and protective actions, such as temporary travel bans, forced business closures, and stay-at-home orders, all in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. Such factors, among others, have resulted in a significant decline in retail traffic, tourism, and consumer spending on discretionary items. Additionally, during this period of uncertainty, companies across a wide array of industries have implemented various initiatives to reduce operating expenses and preserve cash balances, including work furloughs, reduced pay, and severance actions, which could lower consumers' disposable income levels or willingness to purchase discretionary items. Further, even after such government restrictions and company initiatives are lifted, consumer behavior, spending levels, and/or shopping preferences, such as willingness to congregate in shopping centers or other populated locations, could be adversely affected.
In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has experienced varying degrees of business disruptions and periods of closure of its stores, distribution centers, and corporate facilities, as have the Company's wholesale customers, licensing partners, suppliers, and vendors. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2021, the majority of the Company's stores in key markets were closed for an average of 8 to 10 weeks due to government-mandated lockdowns and other restrictions, resulting in
9


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
significant adverse impacts to its operating results. Resurgences in certain parts of the world have resulted in further shutdowns and business disruptions periodically throughout Fiscal 2021. Most recently, during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, a significant number of the Company's stores in Europe were closed for approximately one month during the holiday period due to government-mandated lockdowns and other restrictions, with such disruptions continuing into the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021. Further, the majority of the Company's stores that are able to remain open have been operating at limited hours and/or customer capacity levels in accordance with local health guidelines, with traffic remaining challenged. The Company's wholesale and licensing businesses have also been adversely affected, particularly in North America and Europe, as a result of store closures and lower traffic and consumer demand.
Throughout the pandemic, the Company's priority has been to ensure the safety and well-being of its employees, consumers, and the communities in which it operates around the world. The Company continues to take into account the guidance of local governments and global health organizations and has implemented new health and safety protocols in its stores, distribution centers, and corporate facilities. The Company has also taken various preemptive actions to preserve cash and strengthen its liquidity position, including:
amending its Global Credit Facility in May 2020 to temporarily waive its leverage ratio requirement (see Note 10);
issuing $1.250 billion of unsecured senior notes in June 2020, the proceeds of which are being used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of certain of the Company's outstanding borrowings (see Note 10);
temporarily suspending its quarterly cash dividend and common stock repurchase program, effective beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 (see Note 14);
temporarily reducing the base compensation of its executives and senior management team, as well as its Board of Directors, for the first quarter of Fiscal 2021;
furloughing or reducing work hours for a significant portion of its employees during the first half of Fiscal 2021;
carefully managing its expense structure across all key areas of spend, including aligning inventory levels with anticipated demand, negotiating rent abatements with certain of its landlords, and postponing non-critical capital build-out and other investments and activities;
pursuing relevant government subsidy programs related to COVID-19 business disruptions; and
improving upon its cash conversion cycle largely driven by its accounts receivable collection efforts and extended vendor payment terms.
Despite the recent introduction of vaccinations, the COVID-19 pandemic remains highly volatile and continues to evolve. Accordingly, the Company cannot predict for how long and to what extent the pandemic will impact its business operations or the global economy as a whole. The Company will continue to assess its operations location-by-location, taking into account the guidance of local governments and global health organizations to determine when its operations can begin returning to normal levels of business.
3.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue across all channels of the business when it satisfies its performance obligations by transferring control of promised products or services to its customers, which occurs either at a point in time or over time, depending on when the customer obtains the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the products or services. The amount of revenue recognized considers terms of sale that create variability in the amount of consideration that the Company ultimately expects to be entitled to in exchange for the products or services, and is subject to an overall constraint that a significant revenue reversal will not occur in future periods. Sales and other related taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities are excluded from revenue.
10


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Revenue from the Company's retail business is recognized when the customer takes physical possession of the products, which occurs either at the point of sale for merchandise purchased at the Company's retail stores and concession-based shop-within-shops, or upon receipt of shipment for merchandise ordered through direct-to-consumer digital commerce sites. Such revenues are recorded net of estimated returns based on historical trends. Payment is due at the point of sale.
Gift cards issued to customers by the Company are recorded as a liability until they are redeemed, at which point revenue is recognized. The Company also estimates and recognizes revenue for gift card balances not expected to ever be redeemed (referred to as "breakage") to the extent that it does not have a legal obligation to remit the value of such unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdiction as unclaimed or abandoned property. Such estimates are based upon historical redemption trends, with breakage income recognized in proportion to the pattern of actual customer redemptions.
Revenue from the Company's wholesale business is generally recognized upon shipment of products, at which point title passes and risk of loss is transferred to the customer. In certain arrangements where the Company retains the risk of loss during shipment, revenue is recognized upon receipt of products by the customer. Wholesale revenue is recorded net of estimates of returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, operational chargebacks, and certain cooperative advertising allowances. Returns and allowances require pre-approval from management and discounts are based on trade terms. Estimates for end-of-season markdown reserves are based on historical trends, actual and forecasted seasonal results, an evaluation of current economic and market conditions, retailer performance, and, in certain cases, contractual terms. Estimates for operational chargebacks are based on actual customer notifications of order fulfillment discrepancies and historical trends. The Company reviews and refines these estimates on at least a quarterly basis. The Company's historical estimates of these amounts have not differed materially from actual results.
Revenue from the Company's licensing arrangements is recognized over time during the period that licensees are provided access to the Company's trademarks (i.e., symbolic intellectual property) and benefit from such access through their sales of licensed products. These arrangements require licensees to pay a sales-based royalty which, for most arrangements, may be subject to a contractually-guaranteed minimum royalty amount. Payments are generally due quarterly and, depending on time of receipt, may be recorded as a liability until recognized as revenue. The Company recognizes revenue for sales-based royalty arrangements (including those for which the royalty exceeds any contractually-guaranteed minimum royalty amount) as licensed products are sold by the licensee. If a sales-based royalty is not ultimately expected to exceed a contractually-guaranteed minimum royalty amount, the minimum is generally recognized as revenue ratably over the respective contractual period. This sales-based output measure of progress and pattern of recognition best represents the value transferred to the licensee over the term of the arrangement, as well as the amount of consideration that the Company is entitled to receive in exchange for providing access to its trademarks. As of December 26, 2020, contractually-guaranteed minimum royalty amounts expected to be recognized as revenue during future periods were as follows:
Contractually-Guaranteed
Minimum Royalties(a)
(millions)
Remainder of Fiscal 2021$18.6 
Fiscal 202293.1 
Fiscal 202373.8 
Fiscal 202441.4 
Fiscal 202514.1 
Fiscal 2026 and thereafter32.0 
Total$273.0 
(a)Amounts presented do not contemplate anticipated contract renewals or royalties earned in excess of the contractually-guaranteed minimums.
11


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Disaggregated Net Revenues
The following tables disaggregate the Company's net revenues into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors for the fiscal periods presented:
Three Months Ended
December 26, 2020December 28, 2019
North AmericaEuropeAsiaOtherTotalNorth AmericaEuropeAsiaOtherTotal
(millions)
Sales Channel(a):
Retail$453.0 $165.9 $313.7 $30.0 $962.6 $575.0 $257.2 $274.1 $63.9 $1,170.2 
Wholesale262.4 149.7 15.9 5.4 433.4 335.6 180.6 15.5 2.9 534.6 
Licensing— — — 36.8 36.8 — — — 45.9 45.9 
Total$715.4 $315.6 $329.6 $72.2 $1,432.8 $910.6 $437.8 $289.6 $112.7 $1,750.7 
Nine Months Ended
December 26, 2020December 28, 2019
North AmericaEuropeAsiaOtherTotalNorth AmericaEuropeAsiaOtherTotal
(millions)
Sales Channel(a):
Retail$910.3 $419.3 $699.5 $57.6 $2,086.7 $1,436.0 $714.3 $753.9 $158.8 $3,063.0 
Wholesale513.1 376.5 38.6 8.2 936.4 1,075.2 564.5 49.6 6.6 1,695.9 
Licensing— — — 90.7 90.7 — — — 126.8 126.8 
Total$1,423.4 $795.8 $738.1 $156.5 $3,113.8 $2,511.2 $1,278.8 $803.5 $292.2 $4,885.7 
(a)Net revenues from the Company's retail and wholesale businesses are recognized at a point in time. Net revenues from the Company's licensing business are recognized over time.
Deferred Income
Deferred income represents cash payments received in advance of the Company's transfer of control of products or services to its customers and is generally comprised of unredeemed gift cards, net of breakage, and advance royalty payments from licensees. The Company's deferred income balances were $20.4 million and $14.6 million as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020, respectively, and were primarily recorded within accrued expenses and other current liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020, the Company recognized $1.6 million and $7.5 million, respectively, of net revenues from amounts recorded as deferred income as of March 28, 2020. The majority of the deferred income balance as of December 26, 2020 is expected to be recognized as revenue within the next twelve months.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Costs associated with shipping goods to the Company's customers are accounted for as fulfillment activities and reflected as a component of selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Costs of preparing merchandise for sale, such as picking, packing, warehousing, and order charges ("handling costs"), are also included in SG&A expenses. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in revenue.
12


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
A summary of shipping and handling costs for the fiscal periods presented is as follows:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Shipping costs$18.3 $12.3 $38.9 $34.7 
Handling costs38.9 40.8 98.7 116.5 
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Weighted-average common shares include shares of the Company's Class A and Class B common stock. Diluted net income (loss) per common share adjusts basic net income (loss) per common share for the dilutive effects of outstanding restricted stock units ("RSUs"), stock options, and any other potentially dilutive instruments, only in the periods in which such effects are dilutive.
The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic net income (loss) per common share is reconciled to shares used to calculate diluted net income (loss) per common share as follows:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Basic shares73.6 74.7 73.4 76.5 
Dilutive effect of RSUs and stock options
1.0 1.1 — 
(a)
1.4 
Diluted shares74.6 75.8 73.4 77.9 
(a)Incremental shares of 1.2 million attributable to outstanding RSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted shares for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as such shares would not be dilutive as a result of the net loss incurred.
All earnings per share amounts have been calculated using unrounded numbers. The Company has outstanding performance-based and market-based RSUs, which are included in the computation of diluted shares only to the extent that the underlying performance or market conditions (i) have been satisfied as of the end of the reporting period or (ii) would be considered satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related contingency period and the result would be dilutive. In addition, options to purchase shares of the Company's Class A common stock at an exercise price greater than the average market price of the common stock during the reporting period are anti-dilutive and therefore not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share. As of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, there were 0.7 million and 0.9 million, respectively, of additional shares issuable contingent upon vesting of performance-based and market-based RSUs and upon exercise of anti-dilutive stock options, that were excluded from the diluted shares calculations.
Accounts Receivable
In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to wholesale customers that satisfy defined credit criteria. Payment is generally due within 30 to 120 days and does not include a significant financing component. Accounts receivable is recorded at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, and is presented in the Company's consolidated balance sheets net of certain reserves and allowances. These reserves and allowances consist of (i) reserves for returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, operational chargebacks, and certain cooperative advertising allowances (see the "Revenue Recognition" section above for further discussion of related accounting policies) and (ii) allowances for doubtful accounts.
13


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
A rollforward of the activity in the Company's reserves for returns, discounts, end-of-season markdowns, operational chargebacks, and certain cooperative advertising allowances is presented below:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Beginning reserve balance$171.9 $195.5 $204.7 $176.5 
Amount charged against revenue to increase reserve86.0 138.5 169.9 421.0 
Amount credited against customer accounts to decrease reserve
(86.8)(149.4)(208.9)(411.1)
Foreign currency translation4.1 1.1 9.5 (0.7)
Ending reserve balance$175.2 $185.7 $175.2 $185.7 
An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined through analysis of accounts receivable aging, assessments of collectability based on evaluation of historical trends, the financial condition of the Company's customers and their ability to withstand prolonged periods of adverse economic conditions, and evaluation of the impact of current and forecasted economic and market conditions over the related asset's contractual life, among other factors. The Company's estimated allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 26, 2020 reflects impacts associated with COVID-19 business disruptions, which include declines in retail traffic, tourism, and consumer spending on discretionary items.
A rollforward of the activity in the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts is presented below:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Beginning reserve balance$46.3 $15.6 $71.5 $15.7 
Amount recorded to expense to increase (decrease) reserve(a)
5.1 0.4 (20.3)1.9 
Amount written-off against customer accounts to decrease reserve
(3.5)(0.3)(5.1)(1.7)
Foreign currency translation1.1 0.1 2.9 (0.1)
Ending reserve balance$49.0 $15.8 $49.0 $15.8 
(a)Amounts recorded to bad debt expense are included within SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company sells its wholesale merchandise primarily to major department stores, specialty stores, and third-party digital partners around the world, and extends credit based on an evaluation of each customer's financial capacity and condition, usually without requiring collateral. In the Company's wholesale business, concentration of credit risk is relatively limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many geographic areas. However, the Company has three key wholesale customers that generate significant sales volume. During Fiscal 2020, the Company's sales to its three largest wholesale customers accounted for approximately 18% of total net revenues. Substantially all of the Company's sales to its three largest wholesale customers related to its North America segment. As of December 26, 2020, these three key wholesale customers constituted approximately 31% of total gross accounts receivable.
14


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Inventories
The Company holds inventory that is sold in its retail stores and digital commerce sites directly to consumers. The Company also holds inventory that is sold through wholesale distribution channels to major department stores, specialty stores, and third-party digital partners. Substantially all of the Company's inventories consist of finished goods, which are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value, with cost determined on a weighted-average cost basis. Inventory held by the Company totaled $866.0 million, $736.2 million, and $904.6 million as of December 26, 2020, March 28, 2020, and December 28, 2019, respectively.
Implementation Costs Incurred in Cloud Computing Arrangements
For cloud computing arrangements that are a service contract, the Company capitalizes certain implementation costs incurred (depending on their nature) during the application development stage of the related project, and expenses costs during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages as they are incurred. Capitalized implementation costs are expensed on a straight-line basis over the reasonably certain term of the hosting arrangement, beginning when the module is ready for its intended use. The Company's cloud computing arrangements relate to various areas, including certain retail store and digital commerce operations, and corporate and administrative functions. Capitalized amounts related to such arrangements are recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets and within other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 6). Capitalized implementation costs expensed during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 were $2.3 million and $6.0 million, respectively, and $1.1 million and $2.7 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019, respectively, and were recorded in SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
See Note 4 for discussion of the Company's adoption of a new accounting standard related to implementation costs incurred in connection with cloud computing arrangements that are a service contract as of the beginning of Fiscal 2021.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company records derivative financial instruments on its consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting are either (i) offset through earnings against the changes in fair value of the related hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments or (ii) recognized in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") until the hedged item is recognized in earnings, depending on whether the instrument is hedging against changes in fair value or cash flows and net investments, respectively.
Each derivative instrument that qualifies for hedge accounting is expected to be highly effective in offsetting the risk associated with the related exposure. For each instrument that is designated as a hedge, the Company documents the related risk management objective and strategy, including identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, and the risk exposure, as well as how hedge effectiveness will be assessed over the instrument's term. To assess hedge effectiveness at the inception of a hedging relationship, the Company generally uses regression analysis, a statistical method, to compare changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument to changes in the fair value or cash flows of the related hedged item. The extent to which a hedging instrument has been and is expected to remain highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows is assessed by the Company on at least a quarterly basis.
Given its use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to the risk that counterparties to such contracts will fail to meet their contractual obligations. To mitigate such counterparty credit risk, the Company has a policy of only entering into contracts with carefully selected financial institutions based upon an evaluation of their credit ratings and certain other factors, adhering to established limits for credit exposure. The Company's established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk from derivative transactions include ongoing review and assessment of its counterparties' creditworthiness. The Company also enters into master netting arrangements with counterparties, when possible, to further mitigate credit risk. In the event of default or termination (as such terms are defined within the respective master netting arrangement), these arrangements allow the Company to net-settle amounts payable and receivable related to multiple derivative transactions with the same counterparty. The master netting arrangements specify a number of events of default and termination, including the failure to make timely payments.
15


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The fair values of the Company's derivative instruments are recorded on its consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis. For cash flow reporting purposes, proceeds received or amounts paid upon the settlement of a derivative instrument are classified in the same manner as the related item being hedged, primarily within cash flows from operating activities for its forward foreign exchange contracts and within cash flows from investing activities for its cross-currency swap contracts, both as discussed below.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company uses forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate its risk related to exchange rate fluctuations on inventory transactions made in an entity's non-functional currency. To the extent designated as cash flow hedges, related gains or losses on such instruments are initially deferred in equity as a component of AOCI and are subsequently recognized within cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations when the related inventory is sold.
If a derivative instrument is dedesignated or if hedge accounting is discontinued because the instrument is not expected to be highly effective in hedging the designated exposure, any further gains (losses) are recognized in earnings each period within other income (expense), net. Upon discontinuance of hedge accounting, the cumulative change in fair value of the derivative instrument recorded in AOCI is recognized in earnings when the related hedged item affects earnings, consistent with the hedging strategy, unless the related forecasted transaction is probable of not occurring, in which case the accumulated amount is immediately recognized within other income (expense), net.
Hedges of Net Investments in Foreign Operations
The Company periodically uses cross-currency swap contracts to reduce risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations on certain of its net investments in foreign subsidiaries. Changes in the fair values of such derivative instruments that are designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations are recorded in equity as a component of AOCI in the same manner as foreign currency translation adjustments. In assessing the effectiveness of such hedges, the Company uses a method based on changes in spot rates to measure the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on both its foreign subsidiary net investment and the related hedging instrument. Under this method, changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument other than those due to changes in the spot rate are initially recorded in AOCI as a translation adjustment and are amortized into earnings as interest expense using a systematic and rational method over the instrument's term. Changes in fair value associated with the effective portion (i.e., those due to changes in the spot rate) are recorded in AOCI as a translation adjustment and are released and recognized in earnings only upon the sale or liquidation of the hedged net investment.
Fair Value Hedges
Changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument that is designated as a fair value hedge, along with offsetting changes in the fair value of the related hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in earnings. To the extent that the change in the fair value of the hedged item does not fully offset the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument, the resulting net impact is reflected in earnings within the income statement line item associated with the hedged item.
Undesignated Hedges
The Company uses undesignated hedges primarily to hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk related to third-party and intercompany balances and exposures. Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivative instruments are recognized in earnings each period within other income (expense), net.
See Note 12 for further discussion of the Company's derivative financial instruments.
Refer to Note 3 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K for a summary of all of the Company's significant accounting policies.
16


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4.    Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Reference Rate Reform
In March 2020 and January 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2020-04, "Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting" ("ASU 2020-04") and ASU No. 2021-01, "Reference Rate Reform: Scope" ("ASU 2021-01"), respectively. Together, ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions for the application of U.S. GAAP, if certain criteria are met, to contract modifications, hedging relationships, and other arrangements that are expected to be impacted by the global transition away from certain reference rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates, towards new reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"). The guidance in ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 was effective upon issuance and, once adopted, may be applied prospectively to contract modifications and hedging relationships through December 31, 2022. The Company is evaluating the impact that the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, if adopted, and currently does not expect that it would be material.
Implementation Costs Incurred in Cloud Computing Arrangements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, "Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract" ("ASU 2018-15"). ASU 2018-15 addresses diversity in practice surrounding the accounting for costs incurred to implement a cloud computing hosting arrangement that is a service contract by establishing a model for capitalizing or expensing such costs, depending on their nature and the stage of the related project during which they are incurred. Any capitalized costs are to be expensed over the reasonably certain term of the hosting arrangement and presented in the same line within the statement of operations as the expense for the arrangement's fees. ASU 2018-15 also requires enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosures surrounding hosting arrangements that are service contracts.
The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 as of the beginning of Fiscal 2021. Prior to adoption, the Company had already generally accounted for implementation costs incurred in connection with cloud computing arrangements in a manner consistent with the new standard. Therefore, other than the new disclosure requirements, the adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. See Note 3 for further discussion of the Company's accounting for cloud computing arrangements.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13, which was further updated and clarified by the FASB through issuance of additional related ASUs, amends the guidance surrounding measurement and recognition of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade receivables and investments in certain debt securities, by requiring upfront recognition of an allowance for credit losses expected to be incurred over an asset's contractual life based on relevant information about past events, current conditions, and supportable forecasts impacting its ultimate collectability. It is expected that application of this "expected loss" model will result in earlier recognition of credit losses than the current "as incurred" model, under which losses are recognized only upon occurrence of an event that gives rise to the incurrence of a probable loss. While the Company's historical bad debt write-off activity has generally been insignificant, similar to current practice, the extent of losses ultimately recognized will depend on prevailing conditions and ongoing consideration of information and forecasts that inform assessments of collectability. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 as of the beginning of Fiscal 2021 using the modified retrospective basis. Overall, the adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
17


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
5.    Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
 (millions)
Land and improvements$15.3 $15.3 
Buildings and improvements502.7 309.0 
Furniture and fixtures643.7 629.5 
Machinery and equipment395.5 378.8 
Capitalized software557.9 543.3 
Leasehold improvements1,274.1 1,194.5 
Construction in progress32.3 37.5 
3,421.5 3,107.9 
Less: accumulated depreciation(2,335.1)(2,128.4)
Property and equipment, net$1,086.4 $979.5 
Depreciation expense was $55.1 million and $169.9 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020, respectively, and $62.3 million and $183.3 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019, respectively, and is recorded primarily within SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
6.    Other Assets and Liabilities
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
 (millions)
Non-trade receivables$30.0 $27.0 
Other taxes receivable24.9 24.7 
Inventory return asset15.4 8.9 
Prepaid advertising and marketing13.7 10.1 
Prepaid software maintenance10.7 14.8 
Tenant allowances receivable8.8 1.8 
Cloud computing arrangement implementation costs7.9 8.4 
Prepaid logistic services7.3 6.6 
Prepaid insurance5.4 2.2 
Prepaid occupancy expense4.4 6.7 
Derivative financial instruments0.2 13.7 
Other prepaid expenses and current assets45.8 35.9 
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets$174.5 $160.8 
18


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Other non-current assets consist of the following:
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
 (millions)
Security deposits$30.7 $29.4 
Restricted cash8.4 8.0 
Cloud computing arrangement implementation costs6.6 4.9 
Derivative financial instruments2.7 48.6 
Other non-current assets23.9 21.0 
Total other non-current assets$72.3 $111.9 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
 (millions)
Accrued inventory$246.5 $167.1 
Accrued operating expenses245.9 176.4 
Accrued payroll and benefits189.0 186.2 
Restructuring reserve149.0 25.5 
Other taxes payable67.2 47.9 
Accrued capital expenditures26.0 29.1 
Deferred income20.3 14.6 
Finance lease obligations19.5 9.8 
Derivative financial instruments3.3 6.9 
Dividends payable— 49.8 
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities8.5 3.8 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities$975.2 $717.1 
Other non-current liabilities consist of the following:
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
 (millions)
Finance lease obligations$378.4 $189.4 
Deferred lease incentives and obligations62.3 57.8 
Derivative financial instruments57.3 — 
Accrued benefits and deferred compensation34.6 19.5 
Deferred tax liabilities11.3 10.0 
Other non-current liabilities36.0 31.8 
Total other non-current liabilities$579.9 $308.5 

19


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7.    Impairment of Assets
The Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $2.6 million and $26.9 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020, respectively, and $3.0 million and $6.5 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019, respectively, to write-down certain long-lived assets in connection with its restructuring activities (see Note 8).
Additionally, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $8.8 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 to write-down long-lived assets primarily related to a certain previously exited real estate location for which the related lease agreement has not yet expired. During the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $11.4 million and $15.2 million, respectively, to write-down certain long-lived assets related to underperforming stores as a result of its on-going store portfolio evaluation.
See Note 11 for further discussion of these impairment charges.
8.    Restructuring and Other Charges
A description of significant restructuring and other activities and their related costs is provided below.
Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan
The Company has begun efforts to realign its resources to support future growth and profitability, and to create a sustainable cost structure. The key areas of the Company's evaluation include its: (i) team organizational structures and ways of working; (ii) real estate footprint and related costs across corporate offices, distribution centers, and direct-to-consumer retail and wholesale doors; and (iii) brand portfolio.
In connection with the first initiative, on September 17, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan (the "Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan") to reduce its global workforce by the end of Fiscal 2021. Additionally, during its preliminary review of its store portfolio during the second quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company made the decision to close its Polo store on Regent Street in London.
On October 29, 2020, the Company announced the planned transition of its Chaps brand to a fully licensed business model, consistent with its long-term brand elevation strategy in connection with its third initiative. Specifically, the Company entered into a multi-year licensing partnership, taking effect on August 1, 2021 after a transition period, with an affiliate of 5 Star Apparel LLC, a division of the OVED Group, to manufacture, market, and distribute Chaps menswear and womenswear. This agreement is expected to create incremental value for the Company by enabling an even greater focus on elevating its core brands in the marketplace, reducing its direct exposure to the North America department store channel, and setting up Chaps to deliver on its potential with an experienced partner that is focused on nurturing the brand.
Additionally, on February 3, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved additional realignment actions related to its real estate initiative. Specifically, the Company plans to further rightsize and consolidate its global corporate offices to better align with its current organizational profile and new ways of working. The Company also expects to close certain of its stores to improve overall profitability. Additionally, the Company plans to complete the consolidation of its existing North America distribution centers in order to drive greater efficiencies, improve sustainability, and deliver a better consumer experience.
In connection with these collective realignment initiatives, the Company now expects to incur total estimated pre-tax charges of approximately $300 million to $350 million, comprised of cash-related restructuring charges of approximately $185 million to $200 million and non-cash charges of approximately $115 million and $150 million. In addition to these actions, the Company expects to execute additional restructuring-related actions associated with its aforementioned initiatives in order to further support future growth and profitability.
20


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
A summary of the charges recorded in connection with the Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan during the fiscal periods presented (inclusive of immaterial other restructuring-related charges previously recorded during the first quarter of Fiscal 2021) is as follows:
December 26, 2020
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 (millions)
Cash-related restructuring charges:
Severance and benefit costs$3.1 $159.4 
Other cash charges5.8 9.7 
Total cash-related restructuring charges8.9 169.1 
Non-cash charges:
Impairment of assets (see Note 7)2.6 26.9 
Inventory-related charges(a)
7.0 8.3 
Total non-cash charges9.6 35.2 
Total charges$18.5 $204.3 
 
(a)Inventory-related charges are recorded within cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations.
A summary of current period activity in the restructuring reserve related to the Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan is as follows:
Severance and Benefit CostsOther Cash ChargesTotal
(millions)
Balance at March 28, 2020$— $— $— 
Additions charged to expense159.4 9.7 169.1 
Cash payments charged against reserve(18.6)(7.9)(26.5)
Non-cash adjustments1.5 — 1.5 
Balance at December 26, 2020$142.3 $1.8 $144.1 
21


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan
On June 4, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan associated with the Company's strategic objective of operating with discipline to drive sustainable growth (the "Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan"). The Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan included the following restructuring-related activities: (i) rightsizing and consolidation of the Company's global distribution network and corporate offices; (ii) targeted severance-related actions; and (iii) closure of certain of its stores and shop-within-shops.
Actions associated with the Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan are complete and no additional charges are expected to be incurred in connection with this plan. A summary of the charges recorded in connection with the Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan during the fiscal periods presented, as well as the cumulative charges recorded since its inception, is as follows:
December 28, 2019
Three Months EndedNine Months EndedCumulative Charges
 (millions)
Cash-related restructuring charges:
Severance and benefit costs$3.0 $17.9 $90.3 
Lease termination and store closure costs— 0.5 2.3 
Other cash charges1.0 2.1 10.8 
Total cash-related restructuring charges4.0 20.5 103.4 
Non-cash charges:
Impairment of assets (see Note 7)3.0 6.5 19.0 
Inventory-related charges(a)
— 1.0 8.2 
Accelerated stock-based compensation expense(b)
— 3.6 3.6 
Loss on sale of property(c)
— — 11.6 
Total non-cash charges3.0 11.1 42.4 
Total charges$7.0 $31.6 $145.8 
 
(a)Inventory-related charges are recorded within cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations.
(b)Accelerated stock-based compensation expense, which is recorded within restructuring and other charges in the consolidated statements of operations, was recorded in connection with vesting provisions associated with certain separation agreements.
(c)Loss on sale of property, which was recorded within restructuring and other charges in the consolidated statements of operations, was incurred in connection with the sale of one of the Company's distribution centers in North America.
A summary of current period activity in the restructuring reserve related to the Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan is as follows:
Severance and Benefit CostsOther Cash ChargesTotal
(millions)
Balance at March 28, 2020$23.5 $0.6 $24.1 
Additions charged to expense— — — 
Cash payments charged against reserve(18.2)(0.6)(18.8)
Balance at December 26, 2020$5.3 $— $5.3 
22


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Other Charges
The Company recorded other charges of $1.0 million and $8.3 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020, respectively, and $3.0 million and $6.2 million during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019, respectively, primarily related to rent and occupancy costs associated with certain previously exited real estate locations for which the related lease agreements have not yet expired.
The Company also recorded other charges of $20.8 million during the nine months ended December 28, 2019 related to the donation of net cash proceeds received from the sale of its corporate jet. This donation was made to the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation (formerly known as the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation), a non-profit, charitable foundation that supports various philanthropic programs.
9.    Income Taxes
Effective Tax Rate
The Company's effective tax rate, which is calculated by dividing each fiscal period's income tax benefit (provision) by pretax income (loss), was 26.2% and (18.9%) during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020, respectively, and (45.1%) and (3.2%) during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 26, 2020 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to incremental tax expense resulting from new legislation enacted in connection with the European Union’s anti-tax avoidance directive (as discussed further below), valuation allowances recorded against certain deferred tax assets as a result of significant business disruptions attributable to COVID-19 that are expected to impact the ultimate realizability of such assets, and a decrease in the expected net operating loss carryback benefit allowed under the CARES Act (as defined further below). The effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to incremental tax expense resulting from new legislation enacted in connection with the European Union’s anti-tax avoidance directive, valuation allowances recorded against certain deferred tax assets as a result of significant business disruptions attributable to COVID-19, and tax impacts on stock based compensation and other permanent adjustments, partially offset by expected net operating loss carrybacks allowed under the CARES Act. The effective tax rates for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019 were lower than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the one-time income tax benefit recorded in connection with Swiss tax reform (as discussed further below), lower income tax reserves largely associated with the settlement of certain international income tax audits, and the favorable impact of tax benefits associated with provision to tax return adjustments.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, various governments worldwide have enacted, or are in the process of enacting, measures to provide aid and economic relief to companies adversely impacted by the pandemic. For example, on March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"). The CARES Act includes various provisions, including the modification of net operating loss carryback periods and limitation, modification to interest deduction limitations, and creation of refundable employee retention tax credits, among other provisions. Certain of these provisions will favorably impact the Company's Fiscal 2021 operating results.
Swiss Tax Reform
In May 2019, a public referendum was held in Switzerland that approved the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (the "Swiss Tax Act"), which became effective January 1, 2020. The Swiss Tax Act eliminates certain preferential tax items at both the federal and cantonal levels for multinational companies, and provides the cantons with parameters for establishing local tax rates and regulations. The Swiss Tax Act also provides transitional provisions, one of which allows eligible companies to increase the tax basis of certain assets based on the value generated by their business in previous years, and amortize such adjustment as a tax deduction over a transitional period.
During the second quarter of Fiscal 2020, the Swiss Tax Act was enacted into law, resulting in an immaterial adjustment associated with the revaluation of the Company's Swiss deferred tax assets and liabilities and the then estimated annual effective tax rate. Subsequently, as a result of additional information received from the tax authorities and analyses performed related to the transitional provision noted above, the Company recorded a one-time income tax benefit and corresponding deferred tax asset of $134.1 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020. This one-time benefit decreased the Company's effective tax rate by 5,820 basis points and 2,180 basis points during the three-month and nine-month periods ended
23


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 28, 2019, respectively. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020, the Company adjusted this one-time benefit to $122.9 million as a result of further analysis.
Subsequently, during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company reduced its one-time tax benefit by $14.2 million due to new legislation enacted in connection with the European Union's anti-tax avoidance directive, which increased the Company's effective tax rate by 870 basis points and 3,580 basis points during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020, respectively.
Uncertain Income Tax Benefits
The Company classifies interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of its income tax benefit (provision). The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, was $91.4 million and $88.9 million as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020, respectively, and is included within non-current liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the consolidated balance sheets.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the Company's effective tax rate was $68.5 million and $71.7 million as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020, respectively.
Future Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits relating to the Company's tax positions is subject to change based on future events including, but not limited to, settlements of ongoing tax audits and assessments and the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations. Although the outcomes and timing of such events are highly uncertain, the Company does not anticipate that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, will change significantly during the next twelve months. However, changes in the occurrence, expected outcomes, and timing of such events could cause the Company's current estimate to change materially in the future.
The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, as well as tax returns in various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is generally no longer subject to examinations by the relevant tax authorities for years prior to its fiscal year ended March 30, 2013.
10.    Debt
Debt consists of the following:
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
(millions)
$300 million 2.625% Senior Notes(a)
$— $299.6 
$400 million 3.750% Senior Notes(b)
396.9 396.4 
$500 million 1.700% Senior Notes(c)
498.0 — 
$750 million 2.950% Senior Notes(d)
737.0 — 
Borrowings outstanding under credit facilities— 475.0 
Total debt1,631.9 1,171.0 
Less: short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt— 774.6 
Total long-term debt$1,631.9 $396.4 
 
(a)The carrying value of the 2.625% Senior Notes as of March 28, 2020 is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discount of $0.2 million and also reflects an adjustment of $0.2 million associated with a related interest rate swap contract (see Note 12).
(b)The carrying value of the 3.750% Senior Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discount of $3.1 million and $3.6 million as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020, respectively.
(c)The carrying value of the 1.700% Senior Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discount of $2.0 million as of December 26, 2020.
24


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(d)The carrying value of the 2.950% Senior Notes is presented net of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discount of $13.0 million as of December 26, 2020.
Senior Notes
In August 2018, the Company completed a registered public debt offering and issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due September 15, 2025, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.750%, payable semi-annually (the "3.750% Senior Notes"). The 3.750% Senior Notes were issued at a price equal to 99.521% of their principal amount. The proceeds from this offering were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of the Company's previously outstanding $300 million principal amount of unsecured 2.125% senior notes that matured September 26, 2018 (the "2.125% Senior Notes").
In June 2020, the Company completed another registered public debt offering and issued an additional $500 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due June 15, 2022, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 1.700%, payable semi-annually (the "1.700% Senior Notes"), and $750 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due June 15, 2030, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.950%, payable semi-annually (the "2.950% Senior Notes"). The 1.700% Senior Notes and 2.950% Senior Notes were issued at prices equal to 99.880% and 98.995% of their principal amounts, respectively. The proceeds from these offerings are being used for general corporate purposes, which included the repayment of $475 million previously outstanding under the Company's Global Credit Facility (as defined below) on June 3, 2020 and repayment of its previously outstanding $300 million principal amount of unsecured 2.625% senior notes that matured August 18, 2020 (the "2.625% Senior Notes").
The Company has the option to redeem the 3.750% Senior Notes, 1.700% Senior Notes, and 2.950% Senior Notes (collectively, the "Senior Notes"), in whole or in part, at any time at a price equal to accrued and unpaid interest on the redemption date plus the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the series of Senior Notes to be redeemed or (ii) the sum of the present value of Remaining Scheduled Payments, as defined in the supplemental indentures governing such Senior Notes (together with the indenture governing the Senior Notes, the "Indenture"). The Indenture contains certain covenants that restrict the Company's ability, subject to specified exceptions, to incur certain liens; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; consolidate or merge with another party; or sell, lease, or convey all or substantially all of the Company's property or assets to another party. However, the Indenture does not contain any financial covenants.
Commercial Paper
The Company has a commercial paper borrowing program that allows it to issue up to $500 million of unsecured commercial paper notes through private placement using third-party broker-dealers (the "Commercial Paper Program").
Borrowings under the Commercial Paper Program are supported by the Global Credit Facility, as defined below. Accordingly, the Company does not expect combined borrowings outstanding under the Commercial Paper Program and Global Credit Facility to exceed $500 million. Commercial Paper Program borrowings may be used to support the Company's general working capital and corporate needs. Maturities of commercial paper notes vary, but cannot exceed 397 days from the date of issuance. Commercial paper notes issued under the Commercial Paper Program rank equally with the Company's other forms of unsecured indebtedness. As of December 26, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Commercial Paper Program.
Revolving Credit Facilities
Global Credit Facility
In August 2019, the Company replaced its existing credit facility and entered into a new credit facility that provides for a $500 million senior unsecured revolving line of credit through August 12, 2024 (the "Global Credit Facility") under terms and conditions substantially similar to those of the previous facility. The Global Credit Facility is also used to support the issuance of letters of credit and maintenance of the Commercial Paper Program. Borrowings under the Global Credit Facility may be denominated in U.S. Dollars and certain other currencies, including Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, and Japanese Yen, and are guaranteed by all of the Company's domestic significant subsidiaries. In accordance with the terms of the agreement governing the Global Credit Facility, the Company has the ability to expand its borrowing availability under the Global Credit Facility to
25


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
$1 billion, subject to the agreement of one or more new or existing lenders under the facility to increase their commitments. There are no mandatory reductions in borrowing ability throughout the term of the Global Credit Facility.
Under the Global Credit Facility as originally implemented, U.S. Dollar-denominated borrowings bear interest, at the Company's option, either at (a) a base rate, by reference to the greatest of: (i) the annual prime commercial lending rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in effect from time to time, (ii) the weighted-average overnight Federal funds rate plus 50 basis points, or (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 100 basis points; or (b) LIBOR, adjusted for the Federal Reserve Board's Eurocurrency liabilities maximum reserve percentage, plus a spread of 75 basis points, subject to adjustment based on the Company's credit ratings ("Adjusted LIBOR"). Foreign currency-denominated borrowings bear interest at Adjusted LIBOR. In addition to paying interest on any outstanding borrowings under the Global Credit Facility, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Global Credit Facility relating to the unutilized commitments. The commitment fee rate of 6.5 basis points is subject to adjustment based on the Company's credit ratings. These provisions were amended in May 2020, as discussed further below.
The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company's ability, subject to specified exceptions, to incur additional debt; incur liens; sell or dispose of assets; merge with or acquire other companies; liquidate or dissolve itself; engage in businesses that are not in a related line of business; make loans, advances, or guarantees; engage in transactions with affiliates; and make certain investments. As originally implemented, the Global Credit Facility also required the Company to maintain a maximum ratio of Adjusted Debt to Consolidated EBITDAR (the "leverage ratio") of no greater than 4.25 as of the date of measurement for the four most recent consecutive fiscal quarters. Adjusted Debt is defined generally as consolidated debt outstanding, including finance lease obligations, plus all operating lease obligations. Consolidated EBITDAR is defined generally as consolidated net income plus (i) income tax expense, (ii) net interest expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) operating lease cost, (v) restructuring and other non-recurring expenses, and (vi) acquisition-related costs. This requirement was amended in May 2020, as discussed below.
In May 2020, the Company entered into an amendment of its Global Credit Facility (the "Amendment"). Under the Amendment, until the earlier of (a) the date on which the Company provides the periodic reporting information required under the Global Credit Facility for the quarter ending September 30, 2021 and (b) the date on which the Company certifies that its leverage ratio as of the last day of the two most recent fiscal quarters was no greater than 4.25 (the "Ratings-Based Toggle Date"), for loans based on Adjusted LIBOR, the spread over Adjusted LIBOR will be increased to 187.5 basis points, the spread on loans based on the base rate will be 87.5 basis points and the commitment fee will be increased to 25 basis points, in each case with no adjustments based on the Company's credit ratings. The pricing will return to the original levels set forth in the Global Credit Facility on the Ratings-Based Toggle Date. Additionally, the leverage ratio requirements have been waived until the quarter ending September 30, 2021. The maximum permitted leverage ratio for that fiscal quarter would be 5.25. For the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the maximum permitted leverage ratio would be 4.75. For each fiscal quarter ending on or after June 30, 2022, the leverage ratio test would return to 4.25. The Amendment also (a) imposes a new requirement that would remain in effect until the Ratings-Based Toggle Date that the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash of the Company and its subsidiaries plus the undrawn amounts available under the Global Credit Facility may not be less than $750 million, (b) restricts the amount of dividends and distributions on, or purchases, redemptions, repurchases, retirements or acquisitions of, the Company's stock until the Specified Period Termination Date (as defined below), (c) until March 31, 2021, amends the material adverse change representation to disregard pandemic-related impacts to the business, and (d) until the Specified Period Termination Date, adds certain other restrictions on indebtedness incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries and investments and acquisitions by the Company and its subsidiaries. The "Specified Period Termination Date" is the earlier of (i) the date on which the Company provides the periodic reporting information required under the Global Credit Facility for the quarter ending June 30, 2022 and (ii) the date on which the Company certifies that its leverage ratio as of the last day of the two most recent fiscal quarters was no greater than 4.25.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Global Credit Facility, the lenders may cease making loans, terminate the Global Credit Facility, and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. The Global Credit Facility specifies a number of events of default (many of which are subject to applicable grace periods), including, among others, the failure to make timely principal, interest, and fee payments or to satisfy the covenants, including the financial covenant described above. Additionally, the Global Credit Facility provides that an Event of Default will occur if Mr. Ralph Lauren, the Company's Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, and entities controlled by the Lauren family fail to maintain a specified minimum percentage of the voting power of the Company's common stock. As of December 26, 2020, no Event of Default (as such term is defined pursuant to the Global Credit Facility) has occurred under the Company's Global Credit Facility.
26


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In March 2020, the Company borrowed $475.0 million under the Global Credit Facility as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen its liquidity position in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These borrowings were subsequently repaid in June 2020 with proceeds from the issuances of the 1.700% Senior Notes and 2.950% Senior Notes. As of December 26, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Global Credit Facility and the Company was contingently liable for $9.1 million of outstanding letters of credit.
364 Day Facility
In May 2020, the Company entered into a new credit facility with the same lenders that are parties to the Global Credit Facility (the "364 Day Facility") as a preemptive measure to strengthen its liquidity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 364 Day Facility provided for a $500 million senior unsecured revolving line of credit through May 25, 2021, provided that the maturity date may be earlier if the Company issues senior notes other than to refinance the previously outstanding 2.625% Senior Notes. In connection with the issuances of the 1.700% Senior Notes and 2.950% Senior Notes in June 2020, the 364 Day Facility automatically terminated in accordance with its terms because the aggregate proceeds received upon issuance of these senior notes exceeded the amount necessary to refinance the 2.625% Senior Notes.
Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities
Certain of the Company's subsidiaries in Asia have uncommitted credit facilities with regional branches of JPMorgan Chase in China and South Korea (the "Pan-Asia Credit Facilities"). Additionally, the Company's Japan subsidiary has an uncommitted overdraft facility with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (the "Japan Overdraft Facility"). The Pan-Asia Credit Facilities and Japan Overdraft Facility (collectively, the "Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities") are subject to annual renewal and may be used to fund general working capital needs of the Company's operations in the respective countries. Borrowings under the Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities are guaranteed by the parent company and are granted at the sole discretion of the respective banks, subject to availability of the banks' funds and satisfaction of certain regulatory requirements. The Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities do not contain any financial covenants. A summary of the Company's Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities by country is as follows:
China Credit Facility — provides Ralph Lauren Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. with a revolving line of credit of up to 50 million Chinese Renminbi (approximately $8 million) through April 3, 2021, which is also able to be used to support bank guarantees.
South Korea Credit Facility — provides Ralph Lauren Korea Ltd. with a revolving line of credit of up to 30 billion South Korean Won (approximately $27 million) through October 29, 2021.
Japan Overdraft Facility — provides Ralph Lauren Corporation Japan with an overdraft amount of up to 5 billion Japanese Yen (approximately $48 million) though April 30, 2021.
As of December 26, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities.
Refer to Note 11 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K for additional discussion of the terms and conditions of the Company's debt and credit facilities.
11.    Fair Value Measurements
U.S. GAAP establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The determination of the applicable level within the hierarchy for a particular asset or liability depends on the inputs used in its valuation as of the measurement date, notably the extent to which the inputs are market-based (observable) or internally-derived (unobservable). A financial instrument's categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology based on quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments
27


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
in markets that are not active for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and model-derived valuations whose inputs or significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology based on unobservable prices or valuation techniques that are significant to the fair value measurement.
The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued interest components:
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
 (millions)
Investments in commercial paper(a)(b)
$— $243.6 
Derivative assets(a)
2.9 62.3 
Derivative liabilities(a)
60.6 6.9 
(a)Based on Level 2 measurements.
(b)Amounts are included within short-term investments in the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company's investments in commercial paper are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value in its consolidated balance sheets using external pricing data, based on interest rates and credit ratings for similar issuances with the same remaining term as the Company's investments. To the extent the Company invests in bonds, such investments are also classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value in its consolidated balance sheets based on quoted prices in active markets.
The Company's derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in its consolidated balance sheets and are valued using pricing models that are primarily based on market observable external inputs, including spot and forward currency exchange rates, benchmark interest rates, and discount rates consistent with the instrument's tenor, and consider the impact of the Company's own credit risk, if any. Changes in counterparty credit risk are also considered in the valuation of derivative financial instruments.
The Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and time deposits are recorded at carrying value, which generally approximates fair value based on Level 1 measurements.
The Company's debt instruments are recorded at their carrying values in its consolidated balance sheets, which may differ from their respective fair values. The fair values of the Senior Notes are estimated based on external pricing data, including available quoted market prices, and with reference to comparable debt instruments with similar interest rates, credit ratings, and trading frequency, among other factors. The fair values of the Company's commercial paper notes and borrowings outstanding under its credit facilities, if any, are estimated using external pricing data, based on interest rates and credit ratings for similar issuances with the same remaining term as the Company's outstanding borrowings. Due to their short-term nature, the fair values of the Company's commercial paper notes and borrowings outstanding under its credit facilities, if any, generally approximate their carrying values.
The following table summarizes the carrying values and the estimated fair values of the Company's debt instruments:
 December 26, 2020March 28, 2020
 
Carrying Value(a)
Fair Value(b)
Carrying Value(a)
Fair Value(b)
 (millions)
$300 million 2.625% Senior Notes$— $— $299.6 $299.8 
$400 million 3.750% Senior Notes396.9 452.1 396.4 415.1 
$500 million 1.700% Senior Notes498.0 509.3 — — 
$750 million 2.950% Senior Notes737.0 812.3 — — 
Borrowings outstanding under credit facilities— — 475.0 473.0 
28


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
 
(a)See Note 10 for discussion of the carrying values of the Company's senior notes.
(b)Based on Level 2 measurements.
Unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value of the Company's debt instruments do not result in the realization or expenditure of cash, unless the debt is retired prior to its maturity.
Non-financial Assets and Liabilities
The Company's non-financial assets, which primarily consist of goodwill, other intangible assets, property and equipment, and lease-related right-of-use ("ROU") assets, are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and instead are reported at carrying value in its consolidated balance sheet. However, on a periodic basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that they may not be fully recoverable (and at least annually for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets), the respective carrying value of non-financial assets are assessed for impairment and, if ultimately considered impaired, are adjusted and written down to their fair value, as estimated based on consideration of external market participant assumptions.
During the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges to reduce the carrying values of certain long-lived assets to their estimated fair values. The fair values of these assets were determined based on Level 3 measurements, the related inputs of which included estimates of the amount and timing of the assets' net future discounted cash flows (including any potential sublease income for lease-related ROU assets), based on historical experience and consideration of current trends, market conditions, and comparable sales, as applicable.
The following tables summarize non-cash impairment charges recorded by the Company during the fiscal periods presented in order to reduce the carrying values of certain long-lived assets to their estimated fair values as of the assessment date:
Three Months Ended
December 26, 2020December 28, 2019
Long-Lived Asset CategoryFair Value
as of Impairment Date
Total ImpairmentsFair Value
as of Impairment Date
Total Impairments
 (millions)
Property and equipment, net$— $2.2 $— $11.0 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
— 0.4 13.2 3.4 
Nine Months Ended
December 26, 2020December 28, 2019
Long-Lived Asset CategoryFair Value
as of Impairment Date
Total ImpairmentsFair Value
as of Impairment Date
Total Impairments
 (millions)
Property and equipment, net$— $13.0 $— $13.6 
Operating lease right-of-use assets(a)
33.9 22.7 109.6 233.2 
 
(a)Total impairment charges for the nine months ended December 28, 2019 includes $225.1 million recorded in connection with the Company's adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases" as of the beginning of Fiscal 2020 which, net of related income tax benefits, reduced its opening retained earnings balance by $169.4 million.
See Note 7 for additional discussion regarding non-cash impairment charges recorded by the Company within the consolidated statements of operations during the fiscal periods presented.
29


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
No impairment charges associated with goodwill or other intangible assets were recorded during either of the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 or December 28, 2019. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment using a qualitative approach as of the beginning of the second quarter of Fiscal 2021. In performing the assessment, the Company identified and considered the significance of relevant key factors, events, and circumstances that affected the fair values and/or carrying amounts of its reporting units with allocated goodwill. These factors included external factors such as macroeconomic, industry, and market conditions, as well as entity-specific factors, such as the Company's actual and expected financial performance. Additionally, the Company also considered the results of its most recent quantitative goodwill impairment test, which was performed as of the end of Fiscal 2020 and incorporated assumptions related to COVID-19 business disruptions, the results of which indicated that the fair values of these reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values. Based on the results of its qualitative goodwill impairment assessment, the Company concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units are less than their respective carrying values and there were no reporting units at risk of impairment.
12.    Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company is exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily relating to certain anticipated cash flows and the value of the reported net assets of its international operations, as well as changes in the fair value of its fixed-rate debt obligations attributed to changes in a benchmark interest rate. Accordingly, the Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage and mitigate such risks. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative or trading purposes.
The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding derivative instruments recorded on its consolidated balance sheets as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020:
 Notional AmountsDerivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
Derivative Instrument(a)
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
   
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
Fair
Value
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
Fair
Value
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
Fair
Value
Balance
Sheet
Line(b)
Fair
Value
 (millions)
Designated Hedges:
FC — Cash flow hedges$50.1 $229.0 PP$0.1 PP$7.4 AE$2.4 AE$0.4 
IRS — Fixed-rate debt— 300.0 — — — AE0.2 
Net investment hedges(c)
747.7 683.6 ONCA2.7 ONCA48.6 ONCL57.3 AE4.0 
Total Designated Hedges797.8 1,212.6 2.8 56.0 59.7 4.6 
Undesignated Hedges:
FC — Undesignated hedges(d)
244.1 473.5 PP0.1 PP6.3 AE0.9 AE2.3 
Total Hedges$1,041.9 $1,686.1 $2.9 $62.3 $60.6 $6.9 
(a)FC = Forward foreign currency exchange contracts; IRS = Interest rate swap contracts.
(b)PP = Prepaid expenses and other current assets; AE = Accrued expenses and other current liabilities; ONCA = Other non-current assets; ONCL = Other non-current liabilities.
(c)Includes cross-currency swaps designated as hedges of the Company's net investment in certain foreign operations.
(d)Relates to third-party and intercompany foreign currency-denominated exposures and balances.
30


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company presents the fair values of its derivative assets and liabilities recorded on its consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis, even when they are subject to master netting arrangements. However, if the Company were to offset and record the asset and liability balances of all of its derivative instruments on a net basis in accordance with the terms of each of its master netting arrangements, spread across ten separate counterparties, the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020 would be adjusted from the current gross presentation as detailed in the following table:
December 26, 2020March 28, 2020
Gross Amounts Presented in the Balance SheetGross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting AgreementsNet
Amount
Gross Amounts Presented in the Balance SheetGross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting AgreementsNet
Amount
(millions)
Derivative assets$2.9 $(0.5)$2.4 $62.3 $(6.1)$56.2 
Derivative liabilities60.6 (0.5)60.1 6.9 (6.1)0.8 
The Company's master netting arrangements do not require cash collateral to be pledged by the Company or its counterparties. See Note 3 for further discussion of the Company's master netting arrangements.
The following tables summarize the pretax impact of gains and losses from the Company's designated derivative instruments on its consolidated financial statements for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019:
 Gains (Losses)
Recognized in OCI
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Designated Hedges:
FC — Cash flow hedges$(2.4)$(2.4)$(9.0)$13.2 
Net investment hedges — effective portion(35.7)(14.7)(60.0)2.4 
Net investment hedges — portion excluded from assessment of hedge effectiveness
(14.7)2.1 (36.0)7.3 
Total Designated Hedges$(52.8)$(15.0)$(105.0)$22.9 
 Location and Amount of Gains (Losses)
from Cash Flow Hedges Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
Cost of
goods sold
Other income (expense), netCost of
goods sold
Other income (expense), netCost of
goods sold
Other income (expense), netCost of
goods sold
Other income (expense), net
 (millions)
Total amounts presented in the consolidated statements of operations in which the effects of related cash flow hedges are recorded
$(502.4)$1.6 $(661.6)$2.9 $(1,035.3)$5.5 $(1,826.8)$(2.9)
Effects of cash flow hedging:
FC — Cash flow hedges5.2 — 7.1 (0.1)11.7 (0.3)17.7 0.3 
31


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
 Gains (Losses) from Net Investment Hedges
Recognized in Earnings
Location of Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Earnings
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions) 
Net Investment Hedges
Net investment hedges — portion excluded from assessment of hedge effectiveness(a)
$2.9 $4.7 $8.5 $14.5 Interest expense
Total Net Investment Hedges$2.9 $4.7 $8.5 $14.5 
(a)Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI") relating to the effective portion of the Company's net investment hedges would be recognized in earnings only upon the sale or liquidation of the hedged net investment.
As of December 26, 2020, it is estimated that $0.3 million of pretax net gains on both outstanding and matured derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges deferred in AOCI will be recognized in earnings over the next twelve months. Amounts ultimately recognized in earnings will depend on exchange rates in effect when outstanding derivative instruments are settled.
The following table summarizes the pretax impact of gains and losses from the Company's undesignated derivative instruments on its consolidated financial statements for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019:
 Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Earnings
Location of Gains (Losses)
Recognized in Earnings
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions) 
Undesignated Hedges:
FC — Undesignated hedges$(4.2)$(2.7)$(0.3)$2.4 Other income (expense), net
Total Undesignated Hedges$(4.2)$(2.7)$(0.3)$2.4 
Risk Management Strategies
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Company uses forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate its risk related to exchange rate fluctuations on inventory transactions made in an entity's non-functional currency, the settlement of foreign currency-denominated balances, and the translation of certain foreign operations' net assets into U.S. dollars. As part of its overall strategy for managing the level of exposure to such exchange rate risk, relating primarily to the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the South Korean Won, the Australian Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, the British Pound Sterling, the Swiss Franc, and the Chinese Renminbi, the Company generally hedges a portion of its related exposures anticipated over the next twelve months using forward foreign currency exchange contracts with maturities of two months to one year to provide continuing coverage over the period of the respective exposure.
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
The Company periodically designates pay-floating rate, receive-fixed rate interest rate swap contracts as hedges against changes in the fair value of its fixed-rate debt attributed to changes in a benchmark interest rate. To the extent of their notional amount, such contracts effectively swap the fixed interest rate on certain of the Company's fixed-rate senior notes for a variable interest rate based on the 3-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread. Changes in the fair value of the Company's interest rate swap contracts were offset by changes in the fair value of the corresponding senior notes attributed to changes in the benchmark interest rate, with no resulting net impact reflected in earnings during any of the fiscal periods presented. The following table
32


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
summarizes the carrying value of the hedged senior notes and the impacts of the related fair value hedging adjustments as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020:
 Carrying Value of
the Hedged Item
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Value of the Hedged Item
Hedged ItemBalance Sheet Line in which the Hedged Item is IncludedDecember 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
(millions)
$300 million 2.625% Senior Notes(a)
Current portion of long-term debtN/A$299.6 N/A$(0.2)
(a)The interest rate swap contract designated as a fair value hedge of the Company's 2.625% Senior Notes was settled during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 at a loss of $0.3 million.
Cross-Currency Swap Contracts
The Company periodically designates (i) pay-floating rate, receive-floating rate cross-currency swap contracts or (ii) pay-fixed rate, receive fixed-rate cross-currency swap contracts as hedges of its net investment in certain of its European subsidiaries.
The Company's pay-floating rate, receive-floating rate cross-currency swap contracts swap U.S. Dollar-denominated variable interest rate payments based on the contract's notional amount and 3-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread (as paid under a corresponding interest rate swap contract discussed above) for Euro-denominated variable interest rate payments based on 3-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate ("EURIBOR") plus a fixed spread, which, in combination with the corresponding interest rate swap contract, economically converts a portion of the Company's fixed-rate US-denominated senior note obligations to floating-rate Euro-denominated obligations.
The Company's pay-fixed rate, receive-fixed rate cross-currency swap contracts swap U.S. Dollar-denominated fixed interest rate payments based on the contract's notional amount and the fixed rate of interest payable on certain of the Company's senior notes for Euro-denominated fixed interest rate payments, thereby economically converting a portion of its fixed-rate US-denominated senior note obligations to fixed rate Euro-denominated obligations.
See Note 3 for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies relating to its derivative financial instruments.
Investments
As of December 26, 2020, the Company's investments were all classified as short-term and consisted of $165.7 million of time deposits. The Company's investments as of March 28, 2020 were also all classified as short-term and consisted of $252.3 million of time deposits and $243.6 million of commercial paper.
No significant realized or unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investments or impairment charges were recorded during any of the fiscal periods presented.
Refer to Note 3 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K for further discussion of the Company's accounting policies relating to its investments.
13.    Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved, from time to time, in litigation, other legal claims, and proceedings involving matters associated with or incidental to its business, including, among other things, matters involving credit card fraud, trademark and other intellectual property, licensing, importation and exportation of its products, taxation, unclaimed property, and employee relations. The Company believes at present that the resolution of currently pending matters will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements. However, the Company's assessment of any current litigation or other legal claims could potentially change in light of the discovery of facts not presently known or
33


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
determinations by judges, juries, or other finders of fact which are not in accord with management's evaluation of the possible liability or outcome of such litigation or claims.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements that provide general indemnifications. The Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements in the past and does not currently anticipate incurring any material indemnification payments.
14.    Equity
Class B Common Stock Conversion
During the nine months ended December 28, 2019, the Lauren Family, L.L.C., a limited liability company managed by the children of Mr. Ralph Lauren, converted 1.0 million shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the terms of the security. These conversions occurred in advance of a sales plan providing for the sale of such shares of Class A common stock pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 subject to the conditions set forth therein. These transactions resulted in a reclassification within equity and had no effect on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
A summary of the Company's repurchases of Class A common stock under its common stock repurchase program is as follows:
Nine Months Ended
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
(millions)
Cost of shares repurchased$— $498.3 
Number of shares repurchased— 4.9 
On May 13, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved an expansion of the Company's existing common stock repurchase program that allowed it to repurchase up to an additional $600 million of Class A common stock. As of December 26, 2020, the remaining availability under the Company's Class A common stock repurchase program was approximately $580 million. Repurchases of shares of Class A common stock are subject to certain restrictions under the Company's Global Credit Facility and more generally overall business and market conditions. Accordingly, as a result of current business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 the Company temporarily suspended its common stock repurchase program as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen its liquidity position.
In addition, during the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, 0.5 million and 0.4 million shares of Class A common stock, respectively, at a cost of $36.1 million and $43.8 million, respectively, were surrendered to or withheld by the Company in satisfaction of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of awards under the Company's long-term stock incentive plans.
Repurchased and surrendered shares are accounted for as treasury stock at cost and held in treasury for future use.
Dividends
Except as discussed below, the Company has maintained a regular quarterly cash dividend program on its common stock since 2003. On May 13, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase to the Company's quarterly cash dividend on its common stock from $0.625 to $0.6875 per share.
As a result of current business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 the Company temporarily suspended its quarterly cash dividend program as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen its liquidity position. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend on the Company's results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant, including economic and market conditions.
34


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
15.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table presents OCI activity, net of tax, accumulated in equity:
Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses)(a)
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges(b)
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Defined
Benefit Plans(c)
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(millions)
Balance at March 28, 2020$(130.4)$18.0 $(5.8)$(118.2)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
OCI before reclassifications
46.0 (7.8)(0.5)37.7 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings
— (10.0)(0.1)(10.1)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
46.0 (17.8)(0.6)27.6 
Balance at December 26, 2020$(84.4)$0.2 $(6.4)$(90.6)
Balance at March 30, 2019$(118.5)$20.2 $(5.1)$(103.4)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
OCI before reclassifications
(5.5)11.5 — 6.0 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings
(4.9)(16.2)(0.1)(21.2)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(10.4)(4.7)(0.1)(15.2)
Balance at December 28, 2019$(128.9)$15.5 $(5.2)$(118.6)
(a)OCI before reclassifications to earnings related to foreign currency translation gains (losses) includes an income tax benefit of $22.7 million and an income tax provision of $1.8 million for the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. OCI before reclassifications to earnings for the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 include a loss of $72.7 million (net of a $23.3 million income tax benefit) and a gain of $7.4 million (net of a $2.3 million income tax provision), respectively, related to changes in the fair values of instruments designated as hedges of the Company's net investment in certain foreign operations (see Note 12). Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings related to foreign currency translation gains (losses) for the nine months ended December 28, 2019 relate to the reclassification to retained earnings of income tax effects stranded in AOCI.
(b)OCI before reclassifications to earnings related to net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges are presented net of an income tax benefit of $1.2 million and an income tax provision of $1.7 million for the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. The tax effects on amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings are presented in a table below.
(c)Activity is presented net of taxes, which were immaterial for both periods presented.
The following table presents reclassifications from AOCI to earnings for cash flow hedges, by component:
Three Months EndedNine Months EndedLocation of
Gains (Losses)
Reclassified from AOCI
to Earnings
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
(millions)
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges(a):
    FC — Cash flow hedges$5.2 $7.1 $11.7 $17.7 Cost of goods sold
    FC — Cash flow hedges— (0.1)(0.3)0.3 Other income (expense), net
    Tax effect(0.7)(0.7)(1.4)(1.8)Income tax benefit (provision)
        Net of tax$4.5 $6.3 $10.0 $16.2 
(a)FC = Forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
35


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
16.    Stock-based Compensation
The Company's stock-based compensation awards are currently issued under the 2019 Incentive Plan, which was approved by its stockholders on August 1, 2019. However, any prior awards granted under either the Company's 2010 Incentive Plan or 1997 Incentive Plan remain subject to the terms of those plans as applicable. Any awards that expire, are forfeited, or are surrendered to the Company in satisfaction of taxes are available for issuance under the 2019 Incentive Plan.
Refer to Note 18 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K for a detailed description of the Company's stock-based compensation awards, including information related to vesting terms, service, performance, and market conditions and payout percentages.
Impact on Results
A summary of total stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefits recognized during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 is as follows:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Compensation expense$19.8 $22.1 $54.4 $72.9 
(a)
Income tax benefit(3.2)(3.4)(9.9)(11.1)
(a)Includes $3.6 million of accelerated stock-based compensation expense recorded within restructuring and other charges in the consolidated statements of operations during the second quarter of Fiscal 2020 (see Note 8). All other stock-based compensation expense was recorded within SG&A expenses.
The Company issues its annual grants of stock-based compensation awards in the first half of each fiscal year. Due to the timing of the annual grants and other factors, including the timing and magnitude of forfeiture and performance goal achievement adjustments, as well as changes to the size and composition of the eligible employee population, stock-based compensation expense recognized during any given fiscal period is not indicative of the level of compensation expense expected to be incurred in future periods.
Restricted Stock Awards and Service-based RSUs
Restricted stock awards were granted to non-employee directors prior to Fiscal 2019. Effective beginning Fiscal 2019, non-employee directors are now granted service-based RSUs in lieu of restricted shares.
The fair values of service-based RSUs granted to certain of the Company's senior executives and other employees, as well as non-employee directors, are based on the fair value of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant, adjusted to reflect the absence of dividends for any awards for which dividend equivalent amounts do not accrue while outstanding and unvested. The weighted-average grant date fair values of service-based RSU awards granted were $63.98 and $102.96 per share during the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively.
A summary of restricted stock and service-based RSU activity during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 is as follows:
Number of Shares/Units
Restricted StockService-based RSUs
 (thousands)
Unvested at March 28, 20201,094 
Granted— 1,337 
Vested(4)(466)
Forfeited— (100)
Unvested at December 26, 2020— 1,865 
36


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Performance-based RSUs
The fair values of the Company's performance-based RSUs granted to its senior executives and other key employees are based on the fair value of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant, adjusted to reflect the absence of dividends for any awards for which dividend equivalent amounts do not accrue while outstanding and unvested. The weighted-average grant date fair values of performance-based RSUs granted was $83.16 per share during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. No such awards were granted during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as the Company has elected to temporarily issue service-based RSUs in lieu of performance-based RSUs as a result of business disruptions and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A summary of performance-based RSU activity during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 is as follows:
 Number of
Performance-based
RSUs
 (thousands)
Unvested at March 28, 2020934 
Granted— 
Change due to performance condition achievement185 
Vested(720)
Forfeited(27)
Unvested at December 26, 2020372 
Market-based RSUs
The Company grants market-based RSUs, which are based on TSR performance, to its senior executives and other key employees. The Company estimates the fair value of its TSR awards on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation, which models multiple stock price paths of the Company's Class A common stock and that of its peer group to evaluate and determine its ultimate expected relative TSR performance ranking. Compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recorded regardless of whether, and the extent to which, the market condition is ultimately satisfied.
The weighted-average grant date fair values of market-based RSUs granted was $90.59 per share during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. No such awards were granted during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as the Company has elected to temporarily issue service-based RSUs in lieu of market-based RSUs as a result of business disruptions and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of TSR awards granted during the nine months ended December 28, 2019 were as follows:
 Nine Months Ended
 December 28,
2019
Expected term (years)2.6
Expected volatility31.4 %
Expected dividend yield3.2 %
Risk-free interest rate1.4 %
37


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
A summary of market-based RSU activity during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 is as follows:
 Number of
Market-based RSUs
 (thousands)
Unvested at March 28, 2020234 
Granted— 
Change due to market condition achievement— 
Vested— 
Forfeited— 
Unvested at December 26, 2020234 
Stock Options
A summary of stock option activity under all plans during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 is as follows:
 Number of Options
 (thousands)
Options outstanding at March 28, 2020518 
Granted— 
Exercised— 
Cancelled/Forfeited(247)
Options outstanding at December 26, 2020271 
17.    Segment Information
The Company has three reportable segments based on its business activities and organization:
North America — The North America segment primarily consists of sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's retail and wholesale businesses in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Club Monaco. In North America, the Company's retail business is primarily comprised of its Ralph Lauren stores, its factory stores, and its digital commerce site, www.RalphLauren.com. The Company's wholesale business in North America is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, and to a lesser extent, specialty stores.
Europe — The Europe segment primarily consists of sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's retail and wholesale businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, excluding Club Monaco. In Europe, the Company's retail business is primarily comprised of its Ralph Lauren stores, its factory stores, its concession-based shop-within-shops, and its various digital commerce sites. The Company's wholesale business in Europe is comprised of a varying mix of sales to both department stores and specialty stores, depending on the country, as well as to various third-party digital partners.
Asia — The Asia segment primarily consists of sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's retail and wholesale businesses in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The Company's retail business in Asia is primarily comprised of its Ralph Lauren stores, its factory stores, its concession-based shop-within-shops, and its various digital commerce sites, including its new Hong Kong site, www.RalphLauren.hk, which launched in October 2020. In addition, the Company sells its products online through various third-party digital partner commerce sites. The Company's wholesale business in Asia is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, with related products distributed through shop-within-shops.
38


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
No operating segments were aggregated to form the Company's reportable segments. In addition to these reportable segments, the Company also has other non-reportable segments, which primarily consist of (i) sales of Club Monaco branded products made through its retail and wholesale businesses in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and its licensing alliances in Europe and Asia, and (ii) royalty revenues earned through its global licensing alliances, excluding Club Monaco.
The Company's segment reporting structure is consistent with how it establishes its overall business strategy, allocates resources, and assesses performance of its business. The accounting policies of the Company's segments are consistent with those described in Notes 2 and 3 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K. Sales and transfers between segments are generally recorded at cost and treated as transfers of inventory. All intercompany revenues are eliminated in consolidation and are not reviewed when evaluating segment performance. Each segment's performance is evaluated based upon net revenues and operating income before restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other one-time items, if any. Certain corporate overhead expenses related to global functions, most notably the Company's executive office, information technology, finance and accounting, human resources, and legal departments, largely remain at corporate. Additionally, other costs that cannot be allocated to the segments based on specific usage are also maintained at corporate, including corporate advertising and marketing expenses, depreciation and amortization of corporate assets, and other general and administrative expenses resulting from corporate-level activities and projects.
Net revenues and operating income (loss) for each of the Company's segments are as follows:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Net revenues:
North America$715.4 $910.6 $1,423.4 $2,511.2 
Europe315.6 437.8 795.8 1,278.8 
Asia329.6 289.6 738.1 803.5 
Other non-reportable segments72.2 112.7 156.5 292.2 
Total net revenues$1,432.8 $1,750.7 $3,113.8 $4,885.7 

 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Operating income (loss)(a):
North America$166.1 $193.1 $264.6 $535.6 
Europe54.1 111.9 120.8 331.9 
Asia69.4 46.6 120.6 135.6 
Other non-reportable segments21.5 29.5 37.6 85.2 
311.1 381.1 543.6 1,088.3 
Unallocated corporate expenses(130.8)(149.7)(384.1)(436.4)
Unallocated restructuring and other charges(b)
(9.9)(7.0)(177.4)(51.1)
Total operating income (loss)$170.4 $224.4 $(17.9)$600.8 
39


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(a)Segment operating income (loss) during the three months ended December 26, 2020 reflects bad debt expense of $6.5 million and $1.0 million related to North America and Asia, respectively, and net bad debt expense reversals of $2.1 million and $0.3 million related to Europe and other non-reportable segments, respectively, primarily related to adjustments to reserves previously established in connection with COVID-19 business disruptions. During the nine months ended December 26, 2020, segment operating income (loss) reflects net bad debt expense reversals of $14.3 million, $6.1 million, and $0.9 million related to North America, Europe, and other non-reportable segments, respectively, primarily related to adjustments to reserves previously established in connection with COVID-19 business disruptions, and bad debt expense of $1.0 million related to Asia. Segment operating income (loss) and unallocated corporate expenses during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 also included asset impairment charges (see Note 7), which are detailed below:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Asset impairment charges:
North America$(2.0)$(0.4)$(11.9)$(0.4)
Europe(0.1)— (21.3)— 
Asia(0.1)(2.4)(1.4)(2.4)
Other non-reportable segments— (8.6)(0.7)(12.4)
Unallocated corporate expenses(0.4)(3.0)(0.4)(6.5)
Total asset impairment charges$(2.6)$(14.4)$(35.7)$(21.7)

(b)The three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 included certain unallocated restructuring and other charges (see Note 8), which are detailed below:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Unallocated restructuring and other charges:
North America-related$(0.7)$— $(42.0)$(0.7)
Europe-related(5.9)(0.1)(32.2)(3.2)
Asia-related— (0.1)(9.9)(0.9)
Other non-reportable segment-related(1.6)(0.1)(3.4)(0.8)
Corporate operations-related (0.7)(3.7)(81.6)(18.5)
Unallocated restructuring charges(8.9)(4.0)(169.1)(24.1)
Other charges (see Note 8)(1.0)(3.0)(8.3)(27.0)
Total unallocated restructuring and other charges$(9.9)$(7.0)$(177.4)$(51.1)
40


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Depreciation and amortization expense for the Company's segments is as follows:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Depreciation and amortization expense:
North America$17.0 $18.9 $52.7 $56.4 
Europe7.7 8.4 23.5 23.7 
Asia14.5 14.9 43.1 44.6 
Other non-reportable segments1.1 1.4 3.2 4.2 
Unallocated corporate20.0 24.6 63.0 72.1 
Total depreciation and amortization expense
$60.3 $68.2 $185.5 $201.0 
Net revenues by geographic location of the reporting subsidiary are as follows:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Net revenues(a):
The Americas(b)
$788.6 $1,025.4 $1,581.1 $2,808.4 
Europe(c)
314.4 435.5 794.1 1,273.0 
  Asia(d)
329.8 289.8 738.6 804.3 
Total net revenues$1,432.8 $1,750.7 $3,113.8 $4,885.7 
(a)Net revenues for certain of the Company's licensed operations are included within the geographic location of the reporting subsidiary which holds the respective license.
(b)Includes the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Net revenues earned in the U.S. during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 were $749.5 million and $1.503 billion, respectively, and $966.0 million and $2.637 billion during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019, respectively.
(c)Includes the Middle East.
(d)Includes Australia and New Zealand.
41


RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
18.    Additional Financial Information
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020 from the consolidated balance sheets to the consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows:
 December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
 (millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$2,621.5 $1,620.4 
Restricted cash included within prepaid expenses and other current assets1.6 1.4 
Restricted cash included within other non-current assets8.4 8.0 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$2,631.5 $1,629.8 
Restricted cash relates to cash held in escrow with certain banks as collateral, primarily to secure guarantees in connection with certain international tax matters and real estate leases.
Cash Interest and Taxes
Cash paid for interest and income taxes is as follows:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Cash paid for interest$16.6 $2.5 $27.7 $10.3 
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds15.0 32.8 42.9 114.9 
Non-cash Transactions
Operating and finance lease ROU assets recorded in connection with the recognition of new lease liabilities were $61.5 million and $131.8 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, respectively, and $326.6 million and $64.0 million, respectively, during the nine months ended December 28, 2019, respectively. Additionally, $55.7 million of operating lease ROU assets were reclassified and reflected as finance lease ROU assets as a result of certain lease amendments executed during the nine months ended December 26, 2020.
Non-cash investing activities also included capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid of $26.0 million and $56.6 million for the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively.
Non-cash financing activities during the nine months ended December 28, 2019 included the conversion of 1.0 million shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, as discussed in Note 14.
There were no other significant non-cash investing or financing activities for any of the fiscal periods presented.
42


Item 2.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Various statements in this Form 10-Q, or incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q, in future filings by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in our press releases, and in oral statements made from time to time by us or on our behalf constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our future operating results and sources of liquidity (especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic), the impact of our strategic plans, initiatives and capital expenses, and our ability to meet environmental, social, and governance goals. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "outlook," "estimate," "expect," "project," "believe," "envision," "goal," "target," "can," "will," and similar words or phrases and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance, or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others:
the loss of key personnel, including Mr. Ralph Lauren, or other changes in our executive and senior management team or to our operating structure, including those resulting from our decision to significantly reduce our global workforce by the end of Fiscal 2021, and our ability to effectively transfer knowledge and maintain adequate controls and procedures during periods of transition;
the impact to our business resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including periods of reduced operating hours and capacity limits and/or temporary closure of our stores, distribution centers, and corporate facilities, as well as those of our wholesale customers, licensing partners, suppliers, and vendors, and potential changes to consumer behavior, spending levels, and/or shopping preferences, such as willingness to congregate in shopping centers or other populated locations;
our ability to achieve anticipated operating enhancements and cost reductions from our restructuring plans, as well as the impact to our business resulting from restructuring-related charges, which may be dilutive to our earnings in the short term;
the impact to our business resulting from potential costs and obligations related to the early or temporary closure of our stores or termination of our long-term, non-cancellable leases;
our ability to access capital markets and maintain compliance with covenants associated with our existing debt instruments;
our ability to maintain adequate levels of liquidity to provide for our cash needs, including our debt obligations, tax obligations, capital expenditures, and potential payment of dividends and repurchases of our Class A common stock, as well as the ability of our customers, suppliers, vendors, and lenders to access sources of liquidity to provide for their own cash needs;
the impact to our business resulting from changes in consumers' ability, willingness, or preferences to purchase discretionary items and luxury retail products, which tends to decline during recessionary periods, and our ability to accurately forecast consumer demand, the failure of which could result in either a build-up or shortage of inventory;
the impact of economic, political, and other conditions on us, our customers, suppliers, vendors, and lenders, including business disruptions related to pandemic diseases such as COVID-19, civil and political unrest such as the recent protests in the U.S., and escalating diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China;
the potential impact to our business resulting from the financial difficulties of certain of our large wholesale customers, which may result in consolidations, liquidations, restructurings, and other ownership changes in the retail industry, as well as other changes in the competitive marketplace, including the introduction of new products or pricing changes by our competitors;
our ability to successfully implement our long-term growth strategy;
our ability to continue to expand and grow our business internationally and the impact of related changes in our customer, channel, and geographic sales mix as a result, as well as our ability to accelerate growth in certain product categories;
43


our ability to open new retail stores and concession shops, as well as enhance and expand our digital footprint and capabilities, all in an effort to expand our direct-to-consumer presence;
our ability to respond to constantly changing fashion and retail trends and consumer demands in a timely manner, develop products that resonate with our existing customers and attract new customers, and execute marketing and advertising programs that appeal to consumers;
our ability to effectively manage inventory levels and the increasing pressure on our margins in a highly promotional retail environment;
our ability to continue to maintain our brand image and reputation and protect our trademarks;
our ability to competitively price our products and create an acceptable value proposition for consumers;
a variety of legal, regulatory, tax, political, and economic risks, including risks related to the importation and exportation of products which our operations are currently subject to, or may become subject to as a result of potential changes in legislation, and other risks associated with our international operations, such as compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or violations of other anti-bribery and corruption laws prohibiting improper payments, and the burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, including tax laws, trade and labor restrictions, and related laws that may reduce the flexibility of our business;
the potential impact to our business resulting from the imposition of additional duties, tariffs, taxes, and other charges or barriers to trade, including those resulting from trade developments between the U.S. and China, as well as the trade agreement reached in December 2020 between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and any related impact to global stock markets, as well as our ability to implement mitigating sourcing strategies;
the impact to our business resulting from increases in the costs of raw materials, transportation, and labor, including wages, healthcare, and other benefit-related costs;
our ability and the ability of our third-party service providers to secure our respective facilities and systems from, among other things, cybersecurity breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, ransomware, or similar Internet or email events;
our efforts to successfully enhance, upgrade, and/or transition our global information technology systems and digital commerce platforms;
the potential impact to our business if any of our distribution centers were to become inoperable or inaccessible;
the potential impact on our operations and on our suppliers and customers resulting from man-made or natural disasters, including pandemic diseases such as COVID-19, severe weather, geological events, and other catastrophic events;
changes in our tax obligations and effective tax rate due to a variety of other factors, including potential changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws and regulations, accounting rules, or the mix and level of earnings by jurisdiction in future periods that are not currently known or anticipated;
our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations from both a transactional and translational perspective;
the impact to our business of events of unrest and instability that are currently taking place in certain parts of the world, as well as from any terrorist action, retaliation, and the threat of further action or retaliation;
the potential impact to the trading prices of our securities if our Class A common stock share repurchase activity and/or cash dividend payments differ from investors' expectations;
our ability to maintain our credit profile and ratings within the financial community;
our intention to introduce new products or brands, or enter into or renew alliances;
changes in the business of, and our relationships with, major wholesale customers and licensing partners;
our ability to achieve our goals regarding environmental, social, and governance practices; and
44


our ability to make certain strategic acquisitions and successfully integrate the acquired businesses into our existing operations.
These forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. A detailed discussion of significant risk factors that have the potential to cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2020 (the "Fiscal 2020 10-K"). There are no material changes to such risk factors, nor have we identified any previously undisclosed risks that could materially adversely affect our business, operating results, and/or financial condition, as set forth in Part II, Item 1A — "Risk Factors" of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
In this Form 10-Q, references to "Ralph Lauren," "ourselves," "we," "our," "us," and the "Company" refer to Ralph Lauren Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. We utilize a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to March 31. As such, fiscal year 2021 will end on March 27, 2021 and will be a 52-week period ("Fiscal 2021"). Fiscal year 2020 ended on March 28, 2020 and was also a 52-week period ("Fiscal 2020"). The third quarter of Fiscal 2021 ended on December 26, 2020 and was a 13-week period. The third quarter of Fiscal 2020 ended on December 28, 2019 and was also a 13-week period.
INTRODUCTION
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations ("MD&A") is provided as a supplement to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto to help provide an understanding of our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. MD&A is organized as follows:
Overview.    This section provides a general description of our business, global economic conditions and industry trends, and a summary of our financial performance for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020. In addition, this section includes a discussion of recent developments and transactions affecting comparability that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition, and in anticipating future trends.
Results of operations.    This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019.
Financial condition and liquidity.    This section provides a discussion of our financial condition and liquidity as of December 26, 2020, which includes (i) an analysis of our financial condition as compared to the prior fiscal year-end; (ii) an analysis of changes in our cash flows for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended December 28, 2019; (iii) an analysis of our liquidity, including the availability under our commercial paper borrowing program and credit facilities, our outstanding debt and covenant compliance, common stock repurchases, and payments of dividends; and (iv) a description of any material changes in our contractual and other obligations since March 28, 2020.
Market risk management.    This section discusses any significant changes in our risk exposures related to foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and our investments since March 28, 2020.
Critical accounting policies.    This section discusses any significant changes in our critical accounting policies since March 28, 2020. Critical accounting policies typically require significant judgment and estimation on the part of management in their application. In addition, all of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies, are summarized in Note 3 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K.
Recently issued accounting standards.    This section discusses the potential impact on our reported results of operations and financial condition of certain accounting standards that have been recently issued.
45


OVERVIEW
Our Business
Our Company is a global leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products, including apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings, fragrances, and hospitality. Our long-standing reputation and distinctive image have been developed across an expanding number of products, brands, sales channels, and international markets. Our brand names include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, and Club Monaco, among others.
We diversify our business by geography (North America, Europe, and Asia, among other regions) and channel of distribution (retail, wholesale, and licensing). This allows us to maintain a dynamic balance as our operating results do not depend solely on the performance of any single geographic area or channel of distribution. We sell directly to consumers through our integrated retail channel, which includes our retail stores, concession-based shop-within-shops, and digital commerce operations around the world. Our wholesale sales are made principally to major department stores, specialty stores, and third-party digital partners around the world, as well as to certain third party-owned stores to which we have licensed the right to operate in defined geographic territories using our trademarks. In addition, we license to third parties for specified periods the right to access our various trademarks in connection with the licensees' manufacture and sale of designated products, such as certain apparel, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings.
We organize our business into the following three reportable segments:
North America — Our North America segment, representing approximately 51% of our Fiscal 2020 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our retail and wholesale businesses in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Club Monaco. In North America, our retail business is primarily comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, and our digital commerce site, www.RalphLauren.com. Our wholesale business in North America is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, and to a lesser extent, specialty stores.
Europe — Our Europe segment, representing approximately 26% of our Fiscal 2020 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our retail and wholesale businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, excluding Club Monaco. In Europe, our retail business is primarily comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, our concession-based shop-within-shops, and our various digital commerce sites. Our wholesale business in Europe is comprised of a varying mix of sales to both department stores and specialty stores, depending on the country, as well as to various third-party digital partners.
Asia — Our Asia segment, representing approximately 17% of our Fiscal 2020 net revenues, primarily consists of sales of our Ralph Lauren branded products made through our retail and wholesale businesses in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Our retail business in Asia is primarily comprised of our Ralph Lauren stores, our factory stores, our concession-based shop-within-shops, and our various digital commerce sites, including our new Hong Kong site, www.RalphLauren.hk, which launched in October 2020. In addition, we sell our products online through various third-party digital partner commerce sites. Our wholesale business in Asia is comprised primarily of sales to department stores, with related products distributed through shop-within-shops.
No operating segments were aggregated to form our reportable segments. In addition to these reportable segments, we also have other non-reportable segments, representing approximately 6% of our Fiscal 2020 net revenues, which primarily consist of (i) sales of Club Monaco branded products made through our retail and wholesale businesses in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and our licensing alliances in Europe and Asia, and (ii) royalty revenues earned through our global licensing alliances, excluding Club Monaco.
Approximately 46% of our Fiscal 2020 net revenues were earned outside of the U.S. See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our segment reporting structure.
Our business is typically affected by seasonal trends, with higher levels of retail sales in our second and third fiscal quarters and higher wholesale sales in our second and fourth fiscal quarters. These trends result primarily from the timing of key vacation travel, back-to-school, and holiday shopping periods impacting our retail business and the timing of seasonal wholesale shipments. As a result of changes in our business, consumer spending patterns, and the macroeconomic environment, including those resulting from disease pandemics and other catastrophic events, historical quarterly operating trends and working capital requirements may not be indicative of our future performance. In addition, fluctuations in net sales, operating
46


income (loss), and cash flows in any fiscal quarter may be affected by other events impacting retail sales, such as changes in weather patterns. Accordingly, our operating results and cash flows for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results and cash flows that may be expected for the full Fiscal 2021.
Recent Developments
COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel strain of coronavirus commonly referred to as COVID-19 has spread rapidly across the globe, including throughout all major geographies in which we operate (North America, Europe, and Asia), resulting in adverse economic conditions and business disruptions, as well as significant volatility in global financial markets. Governments worldwide have imposed varying degrees of preventative and protective actions, such as temporary travel bans, forced business closures, and stay-at-home orders, all in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. Such factors, among others, have resulted in a significant decline in retail traffic, tourism, and consumer spending on discretionary items. Additionally, during this period of uncertainty, companies across a wide array of industries have implemented various initiatives to reduce operating expenses and preserve cash balances, including work furloughs, reduced pay, and severance actions, which could lower consumers' disposable income levels or willingness to purchase discretionary items. Further, even after such government restrictions and company initiatives are lifted, consumer behavior, spending levels, and/or shopping preferences, such as willingness to congregate in shopping centers or other populated locations, could be adversely affected.
In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced varying degrees of business disruptions and periods of closure of our stores, distribution centers, and corporate facilities, as have our wholesale customers, licensing partners, suppliers, and vendors. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2021, the majority of our stores in key markets were closed for an average of 8 to 10 weeks, resulting in significant adverse impacts to our operating results. Resurgences in certain parts of the world have resulted in further shutdowns and business disruptions periodically throughout Fiscal 2021. Most recently, during the third quarter of Fiscal 2021, a significant number of our stores in Europe were closed for approximately one month during the holiday period due to government-mandated lockdowns and other restrictions, with such disruptions continuing into the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021. Further, the majority of our stores that are able to remain open have been operating at limited hours and/or customer capacity levels in accordance with local health guidelines, with traffic remaining challenged. Our wholesale and licensing businesses have also been adversely affected, particularly in North America and Europe, as a result of store closures and lower traffic and consumer demand.
Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, consumers, and the communities in which we operate around the world. We continue to take into account the guidance of local governments and global health organizations and have implemented new health and safety protocols in our stores, distribution centers, and corporate facilities. We have also taken various preemptive actions to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position, including:
amending our Global Credit Facility in May 2020 to temporarily waive our leverage ratio requirement (see Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements);
issuing $1.250 billion of unsecured senior notes in June 2020, the proceeds of which are being used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of certain of our outstanding borrowings (see Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements);
temporarily suspending our quarterly cash dividend and common stock repurchase program, effective beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 (see Note 14 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements);
temporarily reducing the base compensation of our executives and senior management team, as well as our Board of Directors, for the first quarter of Fiscal 2021;
furloughing or reducing work hours for a significant portion of our employees during the first half of Fiscal 2021;
carefully managing our expense structure across all key areas of spend, including aligning inventory levels with anticipated demand, negotiating rent abatements with certain of our landlords, and postponing non-critical capital build-out and other investments and activities;
47


pursuing relevant government subsidy programs related to COVID-19 business disruptions; and
improving upon our cash conversion cycle largely driven by our accounts receivable collection efforts and extended vendor payment terms.
Despite the recent introduction of vaccinations, the COVID-19 pandemic remains highly volatile and continues to evolve. Accordingly, we cannot predict for how long and to what extent the pandemic will impact our business operations or the global economy as a whole. We will continue to assess our operations location-by-location, taking into account the guidance of local governments and global health organizations to determine when our operations can begin returning to normal levels of business. See Item 1A  "Risk Factors — Infectious disease outbreaks, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, could have a material adverse effect on our business" in the Fiscal 2020 10-K for additional discussion regarding risks to our business associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan
We have begun efforts to realign our resources to support future growth and profitability, and to create a sustainable cost structure. The key areas of our evaluation include our: (i) team organizational structures and ways of working; (ii) real estate footprint and related costs across corporate offices, distribution centers, and direct-to-consumer retail and wholesale doors; and (iii) brand portfolio.
In connection with the first initiative, on September 17, 2020, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan (the "Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan") to reduce our global workforce by the end of Fiscal 2021. Additionally, during our preliminary review of our store portfolio during the second quarter of Fiscal 2021, we made the decision to close our Polo store on Regent Street in London.
On October 29, 2020, we announced the planned transition of our Chaps brand to a fully licensed business model, consistent with our long-term brand elevation strategy in connection with our third initiative (see "Transition of Chaps Brand to a Licensing Model" further below for additional discussion).
Additionally, on February 3, 2021, our Board of Directors approved additional realignment actions related to our real estate initiative. Specifically, we plan to further rightsize and consolidate our global corporate offices to better align with our current organizational profile and new ways of working. We also expect to close certain of our stores to improve overall profitability. Additionally, we plan to complete the consolidation of our existing North America distribution centers in order to drive greater efficiencies, improve sustainability, and deliver a better consumer experience.
In connection with these collective realignment initiatives, we now expect to incur total estimated pre-tax charges of approximately $300 million to $350 million, comprised of cash-related restructuring charges of approximately $185 million to $200 million and non-cash charges of approximately $115 million and $150 million. When substantially completed by the end of our fiscal year ending April 2, 2022 ("Fiscal 2022"), these actions are expected to result in gross annualized pre-tax expense savings of approximately $200 million to $240 million, a portion of which will be reinvested back into the business.
In addition to these actions, we expect to execute additional restructuring-related actions associated with our aforementioned initiatives in order to further support future growth and profitability.
See Note 8 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion regarding charges recorded in connection with the Fiscal 2021 Strategic Restructuring Plan.
Transition of Chaps Brand to a Licensing Model
On October 29, 2020, we announced the planned transition of our Chaps brand to a fully licensed business model, consistent with our long-term brand elevation strategy. Specifically, we have entered into a multi-year licensing partnership, taking effect on August 1, 2021 after a transition period, with an affiliate of 5 Star Apparel LLC, a division of the OVED Group, to manufacture, market, and distribute Chaps menswear and womenswear. The products will be sold at existing channels of distribution with opportunities for expansion into additional channels and markets globally.
This agreement is expected to create incremental value for the Company by enabling an even greater focus on elevating our core brands in the marketplace, reducing our direct exposure to the North America department store channel, and setting up Chaps to deliver on its potential with an experienced partner that is focused on nurturing the brand.
48


Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan
On June 4, 2018, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan associated with our strategic objective of operating with discipline to drive sustainable growth (the "Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan"). The Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan included the following restructuring-related activities: (i) rightsizing and consolidation of our global distribution network and corporate offices; (ii) targeted severance-related actions; and (iii) closure of certain of our stores and shop-within-shops. Actions associated with the Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan resulted in gross annualized expense savings of approximately $80 million.
In connection with the Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan, we have recorded cumulative charges of approximately $146 million since its inception. Actions associated with the Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan are complete and no additional charges are expected to be incurred in connection with this plan.
See Note 8 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion regarding charges recorded in connection with the Fiscal 2019 Restructuring Plan.
Global Economic Conditions and Industry Trends
The global economy and retail industry are impacted by many different factors. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in heightened uncertainty surrounding the future state of the global economy, as well as significant volatility in global financial markets. As discussed in "Recent Developments," governments worldwide have imposed varying degrees of preventative and protective actions, such as temporary travel bans, forced business closures, and stay-at-home orders, all in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. Such actions, together with changes in consumers' willingness to congregate in populated areas and lower levels of disposal income due to high unemployment rates, have resulted in significant business disruptions across a wide array of industries and an overall decline of the global economy. Despite the recent introduction of COVID-19 vaccinations, it is not clear at this time how much longer the pandemic will last.
The global economy has also been impacted by the domestic and international political environment, including volatile international trade relations and civil and political unrest taking place in certain parts of the world. The U.S. in particular continues to experience civil unrest centered around political allegiances and racial inequality. Additionally, the United Kingdom recently withdrew from the European Union, commonly referred to as "Brexit," whereby it ceased to be a member effective January 31, 2020. In December 2020, the United Kingdom and the European Union entered into an agreement that defines their future relationship, including terms of trade, that among its provisions will result in new tariffs on goods imported to the United Kingdom from the European Union that were manufactured elsewhere, as well as require additional administrative effort to import and export goods, adding friction and cost to transportation. Further, certain other worldwide events, including escalating diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China, acts of terrorism, taxation or monetary policy changes, fluctuations in commodity prices, and rising healthcare costs, also increase volatility in the global economy.
The retail landscape in which we operate has been significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including widespread temporary closures of stores and distribution centers and declines in retail traffic, tourism, and consumer spending on discretionary items. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers had been increasingly shifting their shopping preference from physical stores to online. This shift in preference has accelerated during the pandemic and could be further amplified in the future as consumers may continue to prefer to avoid populated locations, such as shopping centers, in fear of exposing themselves to infectious diseases. Even before the pandemic, many retailers, including certain of our large wholesale customers, have been highly promotional and have aggressively marked down their merchandise on a periodic basis in an attempt to offset declines in physical store traffic. The retail industry, particularly in the U.S., has also experienced numerous bankruptcies, restructurings, and ownership changes in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic could exacerbate these trends if companies do not have adequate financial resources and/or access to additional capital to withstand prolonged periods of adverse economic conditions. The continuation of these industry trends could further impact consumer spending and consumption behavior in our industry, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or operating results.
We have implemented various strategies globally to help address many of these current challenges and continue to build a foundation for long-term profitable growth centered around strengthening our consumer-facing areas of product, stores, and marketing across channels and driving a more efficient operating model. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken preemptive actions to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position, as described in "Recent Developments." Investing in our digital ecosystem remains a primary focus and is a key component of our integrated global omni-channel strategy, particularly in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has and could continue to reshape consumer shopping preferences. We continue to expand our offering of Connected Retailing capabilities to enhance the consumer experience, which now include virtual clienteling, Buy Online-Ship to Store, Buy Online-Pick Up in Store, curbside pickup, appointment
49


scheduling, and mobile checkout and contactless payments. Further, in October 2020, we launched our new digital flagship in Hong Kong, www.RalphLauren.hk. We also continue to take deliberate actions to ensure promotional consistency across channels and to enhance the overall brand and shopping experience, including better aligning shipments and inventory levels with underlying demand. We also remain committed to optimizing our wholesale distribution channel and enhancing our department store consumer experience. We are closely monitoring the latest Brexit developments, including the December 2020 trade agreement, and are assessing risks and opportunities and developing strategies to mitigate our exposure.
We will continue to monitor these conditions and trends and will evaluate and adjust our operating strategies and foreign currency and cost management opportunities to help mitigate the related impacts on our results of operations, while remaining focused on the long-term growth of our business and protecting and elevating the value of our brand.
For a detailed discussion of significant risk factors that have the potential to cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations, see Part I, Item 1A — "Risk Factors" in our Fiscal 2020 10-K.
Summary of Financial Performance
Operating Results
During the three months ended December 26, 2020, we reported net revenues of $1.433 billion, net income of $119.8 million, and net income per diluted share of $1.61, as compared to net revenues of $1.751 billion, net income of $334.1 million, and net income per diluted share of $4.41 during the three months ended December 28, 2019. During the nine months ended December 26, 2020, we reported net revenues of $3.114 billion, a net loss of $47.0 million, and net loss per diluted share of $0.64, as compared to net revenues of $4.886 billion, net income of $633.3 million, and net income per diluted share of $8.13 during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The comparability of our operating results has been affected by net adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions, as well as restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other benefits (charges), including one-time income tax events, as discussed further below.
Our operating performance for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 reflected revenue declines of 18.2% and 36.3%, respectively, on a reported basis and 19.9% and 36.9%, respectively, on a constant currency basis, as defined within "Transactions and Trends Affecting Comparability of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" below. The decreases in net revenues during three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 reflected declines across all regions driven by COVID-19 business disruptions, with the exception of our Asia business which returned to growth during the three months ended December 26, 2020.
Our gross profit as a percentage of net revenues increased by 270 basis points to 64.9% during the three months ended December 26, 2020 and increased by 410 basis points to 66.7% during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, both primarily driven by improved pricing and lower levels of promotional activity, as well as favorable geographic and channel mix.
Selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses as a percentage of net revenues during the three months ended December 26, 2020 increased by 400 basis points to 52.2% and increased by 1,170 basis points to 60.5% during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, both primarily driven by operating deleverage on lower net revenues, partially offset by expense savings across various categories.
Net income decreased by $214.3 million to $119.8 million during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the three months ended December 28, 2019, primarily due to a $146.1 million increase in our income tax provision largely driven by one-time income tax events (including COVID-19-related business disruption impacts and new international tax laws) and a $54.0 million decline in operating income driven by COVID-19 business disruptions. Net income decreased by $680.3 million to a loss of $47.0 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended December 28, 2019, primarily due to a $618.7 million decline in operating income driven by COVID-19 business disruptions and higher net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges, as well as a $27.2 million increase in our income tax provision largely driven by one-time income tax events (including COVID-19-related business disruption impacts and new international tax laws). Net income per diluted share decreased by $2.80 to $1.61 per share during the three months ended December 26, 2020, and decreased by $8.77 to a loss of $0.64 per share during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, primarily due to the lower level of net income.
50


Our operating results during the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were negatively impacted by net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $19.5 million and $21.4 million, respectively, which had an after-tax effect of reducing net income by $16.6 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, and $16.8 million or $0.22 per diluted share, respectively. Net income during the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 also reflected incremental net tax expense of $11.8 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, and an income tax benefit of $134.1 million, or $1.77 per diluted share, respectively, recorded in connection with one-time income tax events.
During the nine months ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, our operating results were negatively impacted by net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $184.6 million and $73.8 million, respectively, which had an after-tax effect of reducing net income by $151.6 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, and $57.5 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, respectively. Net income (loss) during the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 also reflected incremental net tax expense of $5.9 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, and an income tax benefit of $134.1 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, respectively, recorded in connection with non-recurring income tax events.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
We ended the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 in a net cash and investments position (cash and cash equivalents plus investments, less total debt) of $1.155 billion, as compared to $945.3 million as of the end of Fiscal 2020. The increase in our net cash and investments position at December 26, 2020 as compared to March 28, 2020 was primarily due to operating cash flows of $334.6 million, partially offset by our use of cash to invest in our business through $80.8 million in capital expenditures and to make dividend payments of $49.8 million (which had been previously declared during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020).
Net cash provided by operating activities was $334.6 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, compared to $748.0 million during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was due to a decrease in net income before non-cash charges, partially offset by a net favorable change related to our operating assets and liabilities, including our working capital, as compared to the prior fiscal year period.
Our equity decreased slightly to $2.692 billion as of December 26, 2020 compared to $2.693 billion as of March 28, 2020, due to our comprehensive loss largely offset by the net impact of stock-based compensation arrangements during the nine months ended December 26, 2020.
Transactions and Trends Affecting Comparability of Results of Operations and Financial Condition
The comparability of our operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 has been affected by certain events, including:
pretax charges incurred in connection with our restructuring activities, as well as certain other asset impairments and other benefits (charges), including those related to COVID-19 business disruptions, as summarized below (references to "Notes" are to the notes to the accompanying consolidated financial statements):
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
 (millions)
Impairment of assets (see Note 7)$(2.6)$(14.4)$(35.7)$(21.7)
Restructuring and other charges (see Note 8)(9.9)(7.0)(177.4)(51.1)
Non-routine inventory charges(a)
(7.0)— (2.9)(1.0)
COVID-19-related bad debt expense adjustments(b)
— — 31.4 — 
Total charges$(19.5)$(21.4)$(184.6)$(73.8)
 
(a)Non-routine inventory charges are recorded within cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations.
(b)COVID-19-related bad debt expense adjustments are recorded within SG&A expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
51


incremental net tax expense of $11.8 million and $5.9 million recorded within our income tax provision during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020, respectively, related to a valuation allowance provided against domestic losses attributable to COVID-19 business disruptions, international tax legislation enacted in connection with the European Union’s anti-tax avoidance directive, and a net operating loss carryback under the CARES Act, which collectively increased and decreased our effective tax rate by 720 basis points and 1,480 basis points, respectively;
a one-time benefit of $134.1 million recorded within our income tax provision during the third quarter of Fiscal 2020 in connection with Swiss tax reform, which decreased our effective tax rates by 5,820 basis points and 2,180 basis points during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 28, 2019, respectively. See Note 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion; and
other net adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions during the three-month and nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020.
Since we are a global company, the comparability of our operating results reported in U.S. Dollars is also affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations because the underlying currencies in which we transact change in value over time compared to the U.S. Dollar. Such fluctuations can have a significant effect on our reported results. As such, in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP"), our discussions often contain references to constant currency measures, which are calculated by translating current-year and prior-year reported amounts into comparable amounts using a single foreign exchange rate for each currency. We present constant currency financial information, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, as a supplement to our reported operating results. We use constant currency information to provide a framework for assessing how our businesses performed excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We believe this information is useful to investors for facilitating comparisons of operating results and better identifying trends in our businesses. The constant currency performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of or superior to, our operating performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Reconciliations between this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure are included in the "Results of Operations" section where applicable.
Our discussion also includes reference to comparable store sales. Comparable store sales refer to the change in sales of our stores that have been open for at least 13 full fiscal months. Sales from our digital commerce sites are also included within comparable sales for those geographies that have been serviced by the related site for at least 13 full fiscal months. Sales for stores or digital commerce sites that are closed or shut down during the year are excluded from the calculation of comparable store sales. Sales for stores that are either relocated, enlarged (as defined by gross square footage expansion of 25% or greater), or generally closed for 30 or more consecutive days for renovation are also excluded from the calculation of comparable store sales until such stores have been operating in their new location or in their newly renovated state for at least 13 full fiscal months. All comparable store sales metrics are calculated on a constant currency basis.
Our "Results of Operations" discussion that follows includes the significant changes in operating results arising from these items affecting comparability. However, unusual items or transactions may occur in any period. Accordingly, investors and other financial statement users should consider the types of events and transactions that have affected operating trends.
52


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended December 26, 2020 Compared to Three Months Ended December 28, 2019
The following table summarizes our results of operations and expresses the percentage relationship to net revenues of certain financial statement captions. All percentages shown in the below table and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers.
 Three Months Ended  
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
$
Change
% / bps
Change
 (millions, except per share data) 
Net revenues
$1,432.8 $1,750.7 $(317.9)(18.2 %)
Cost of goods sold (502.4)(661.6)159.2 (24.1 %)
Gross profit
930.4 1,089.1 (158.7)(14.6 %)
Gross profit as % of net revenues64.9 %62.2 %270 bps
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (747.5)(843.3)95.8 (11.4 %)
SG&A expenses as % of net revenues52.2 %48.2 %400 bps
Impairment of assets(2.6)(14.4)11.8 (81.8 %)
Restructuring and other charges(9.9)(7.0)(2.9)41.4 %
Operating income
170.4 224.4 (54.0)(24.1 %)
Operating income as % of net revenues11.9 %12.8 %(90 bps)
Interest expense(12.2)(4.2)(8.0)186.7 %
Interest income2.4 7.3 (4.9)(67.1 %)
Other income, net1.6 2.9 (1.3)(46.0 %)
Income before income taxes
162.2 230.4 (68.2)(29.6 %)
Income tax benefit (provision)(42.4)103.7 (146.1)NM
Effective tax rate(a)
26.2 %(45.1 %)7,130 bps
Net income
$119.8 $334.1 $(214.3)(64.2 %)
Net income per common share:
Basic
$1.63 $4.47 $(2.84)(63.5 %)
Diluted
$1.61 $4.41 $(2.80)(63.5 %)
(a)Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the income tax benefit (provision) by income before income taxes.
NM Not meaningful.
Net Revenues.    Net revenues decreased by $317.9 million, or 18.2%, to $1.433 billion during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the three months ended December 28, 2019, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $30.8 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $348.7 million, or 19.9%.
The following table summarizes the percentage change in our consolidated comparable store sales for the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period, inclusive of adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions:
 % Change
Digital commerce comparable store sales17 %
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce(29 %)
Total comparable store sales(21 %)
53


Our global average store count increased by 24 stores and concession shops during the three months ended December 26, 2020 compared with the three months ended December 28, 2019, largely driven by new openings in Asia. The following table details our retail store presence by segment as of the periods presented:
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
Freestanding Stores:
North America232 232 
Europe96 94 
Asia147 130 
Other non-reportable segments73 76 
Total freestanding stores548 532 
Concession Shops:
North America
Europe29 29 
Asia625 620 
Other non-reportable segments
Total concession shops660 655 
Total stores1,208 1,187 
In addition to our stores, we sell products online in North America, Europe, and Asia through our various digital commerce sites, as well as through our Polo mobile app in North America and the United Kingdom. We also sell products online through various third-party digital partner commerce sites, primarily in Asia.
Net revenues for our segments, as well as a discussion of the changes in each reportable segment's net revenues from the comparable prior fiscal year period, are provided below:
 Three Months Ended$ ChangeForeign Exchange Impact$ Change% Change
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
As
Reported
Constant
Currency
As
Reported
Constant
Currency
 (millions) 
Net Revenues:
North America$715.4 $910.6 $(195.2)$0.1 $(195.3)(21.4 %)(21.5 %)
Europe315.6 437.8 (122.2)16.2 (138.4)(27.9 %)(31.6 %)
Asia329.6 289.6 40.0 14.5 25.5 13.8 %8.8 %
Other non-reportable segments72.2 112.7 (40.5)— (40.5)(36.0 %)(36.0 %)
Total net revenues$1,432.8 $1,750.7 $(317.9)$30.8 $(348.7)(18.2 %)(19.9 %)
North America net revenues — Net revenues decreased by approximately $195.2 million, or 21.4%, during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the three months ended December 28, 2019. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $195.3 million, or 21.5%.
The $195.2 million net decline in North America net revenues was driven by:
a $122.1 million net decrease related to our North America retail business, inclusive of the adverse impact of COVID-19 business disruptions. On a constant currency basis, net revenues also decreased by $122.1 million driven by decreases of $119.4 million in comparable store sales and $2.7 million in non-comparable store sales. The following table summarizes the percentage change in comparable store sales related to our North America retail business, inclusive of adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions:
54


 % Change
Digital commerce comparable store sales%
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce(30 %)
Total comparable store sales(21 %)
a $73.1 million net decrease related to our North America wholesale business, driven by COVID-19 business disruptions and continued challenging department store traffic trends.
Europe net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $122.2 million, or 27.9%, during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the three months ended December 28, 2019, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $16.2 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $138.4 million, or 31.6%.
The $122.2 million net decline in Europe net revenues was driven by:
a $91.2 million net decrease related to our Europe retail business, inclusive of the adverse impact of COVID-19 business disruptions, as well as net favorable foreign currency effects of $7.7 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $98.9 million driven by decreases of $88.6 million in comparable store sales and $10.3 million in non-comparable store sales. The following table summarizes the percentage change in comparable store sales related to our Europe retail business, inclusive of adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions:
 % Change
Digital commerce comparable store sales68 %
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce(51 %)
Total comparable store sales(38 %)
a $31.0 million net decrease related to our Europe wholesale business driven by COVID-19 business disruptions, partially offset by net favorable foreign currency effects of $8.5 million.
Asia net revenues — Net revenues increased by $40.0 million, or 13.8%, during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the three months ended December 28, 2019, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $14.5 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $25.5 million, or 8.8%.
The $40.0 million net increase in Asia net revenues was driven by:
a $39.7 million net increase related to our Asia retail business, inclusive of the adverse impact of COVID-19 business disruptions, as well as net favorable foreign currency effects of $13.9 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues increased by $25.8 million, reflecting increases of $19.3 million in non-comparable store sales and $6.5 million in comparable store sales. The following table summarizes the percentage change in comparable store sales related to our Asia retail business, inclusive of adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions:
 % Change
Digital commerce comparable store sales54 %
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce%
Total comparable store sales%
a $0.3 million net increase related to our Asia wholesale business.
Gross Profit.    Gross profit decreased by $158.7 million, or 14.6%, to $930.4 million for the three months ended December 26, 2020, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $25.4 million. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues increased to 64.9% for the three months ended December 26, 2020 from 62.2% for the three months ended December 28, 2019. The 270 basis point increase was primarily driven by improved pricing and lower levels of promotional activity, as well as favorable geographic and channel mix, partially offset by higher non-routine inventory charges recorded during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period.
55


Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues is dependent upon a variety of factors, including changes in the relative sales mix among distribution channels, changes in the mix of products sold, pricing, the timing and level of promotional activities, foreign currency exchange rates, and fluctuations in material costs. These factors, among others, may cause gross profit as a percentage of net revenues to fluctuate from period to period.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses.    SG&A expenses include compensation and benefits, advertising and marketing, rent and occupancy, distribution, information technology, legal, depreciation and amortization, bad debt, and other selling and administrative costs. SG&A expenses decreased by $95.8 million, or 11.4%, to $747.5 million for the three months ended December 26, 2020, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $17.6 million. The decrease in SG&A expenses reflects impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions and our related mitigating actions, including (i) lower compensation-related expenses largely driven by employee terminations and COVID-19-related government subsidies, (ii) lower rent and occupancy costs largely driven by reduced percentage-of-sales-based rent due to a reduction in traffic and rent abatements negotiated with certain of our landlords, and (iii) our operational discipline. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased to 52.2% for the three months ended December 26, 2020 from 48.2% for the three months ended December 28, 2019. The 400 basis point increase was primarily due to operating deleverage on lower net revenues, partially offset by expense savings across various categories.
The $95.8 million decrease in SG&A expenses was driven by:
Three Months Ended December 26, 2020
Compared to
Three Months Ended December 28, 2019
(millions)
SG&A expense category:
Compensation-related expenses$(44.2)
Staff-related expenses(16.8)
Rent and occupancy costs(14.5)
Selling-related expenses(9.8)
Consulting fees(9.4)
Depreciation and amortization expense(7.9)
Bad debt expense4.7 
Other2.1 
Total decrease in SG&A expenses$(95.8)
We are carefully evaluating our organizational and operating cost structures to better support long-term growth, with a focus on our (i) team organizational structures and ways of working; (ii) real estate footprint and related costs across corporate offices, distribution centers, and direct-to-consumer retail and wholesale doors; and (iii) brand portfolio. Additionally, we plan to continue to closely manage our discretionary spending.
Impairment of Assets. During the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $2.6 million and $14.4 million, respectively, to write-down certain long-lived assets. See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Restructuring and Other Charges. During the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, we recorded restructuring charges of $8.9 million and $4.0 million, respectively, consisting of severance and benefit costs and other cash charges. Additionally, during the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, we recorded other charges of $1.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, related to rent and occupancy costs associated with certain previously exited real estate locations for which the related lease agreements have not yet expired. See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Operating Income.    Operating income decreased by $54.0, or 24.1%, to $170.4 million for the three months ended December 26, 2020, reflecting net adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions, as well as net favorable foreign currency effects of $7.8 million. Our operating results during the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were also negatively impacted by net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $19.5 million and $21.4 million, respectively. Operating income as a percentage of net revenues was 11.9% for
56


the three months ended December 26, 2020, reflecting a 90 basis point decline from the prior fiscal year period. The decline in operating income as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by the increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period, partially offset by the increase in our gross margin, all as previously discussed.
Operating income and margin for our segments, as well as a discussion of the changes in each reportable segment's operating margin from the comparable prior fiscal year period, are provided below:
 Three Months Ended  
December 26, 2020December 28, 2019  
Operating
Income
Operating
Margin
Operating
Income
Operating
Margin
$
Change
Margin
Change
(millions) (millions) (millions) 
Segment:
North America$166.1 23.2%$193.1 21.2%$(27.0)200 bps
Europe54.1 17.1%111.9 25.6%(57.8)(850 bps)
Asia69.4 21.1%46.6 16.1%22.8 500 bps
Other non-reportable segments21.5 29.8%29.5 26.2%(8.0)360 bps
311.1 381.1 (70.0)
Unallocated corporate expenses(130.8)(149.7)18.9 
Unallocated restructuring and other charges(9.9)(7.0)(2.9)
Total operating income$170.4 11.9%$224.4 12.8%$(54.0)(90 bps)
North America operating margin improved by 200 basis points, primarily due to the favorable impacts of approximately 240 basis points and 150 basis points related to our wholesale and retail businesses, respectively, both largely driven by an increase in our gross margin. Partially offsetting the increase in our retail business' gross margin was an increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues driven by COVID-19 business disruptions. These net increases in operating margin were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of approximately 190 basis points attributable to higher non-routine inventory charges, bad debt expense, and impairment of assets recorded during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period.
Europe operating margin declined by 850 basis points, primarily due to the unfavorable impacts of approximately 740 basis points and 300 basis points related to our retail and wholesale businesses, respectively, both largely driven by an increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues driven by COVID-19 business disruptions. The decline in our wholesale business' operating margin was also due to a decrease in our gross margin. These declines in operating margin were partially offset by approximately 140 basis points related to favorable COVID-19-related bad debt adjustments recorded during the current fiscal year period, 30 basis points related to favorable foreign currency effects, and 20 basis points attributable to other factors.
Asia operating margin improved by 500 basis points, primarily due to the favorable impact of approximately 360 basis points related to our retail business, largely driven by a decrease in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues. The increase in operating margin also reflected the favorable impact of approximately 80 basis points related to lower impairment of assets recorded during the three months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period, as well as favorable foreign currency effects of approximately 60 basis points.
Unallocated corporate expenses decreased by $18.9 million to $130.8 million during the three months ended December 26, 2020. The decline in unallocated corporate expenses was due to lower compensation-related expenses of $10.4 million, lower rent and occupancy costs of $7.0 million, and lower other expenses of $1.5 million.
Unallocated restructuring and other charges increased by $2.9 million to $9.9 million during the three months ended December 26, 2020, as previously discussed above and in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
57


Non-operating Income (Expense), Net. Non-operating income (expense), net is comprised of interest expense, interest income, and other income (expense), net, which includes foreign currency gains (losses), equity in income (losses) from our equity-method investees, and other non-operating expenses. During the three months ended December 26, 2020, we reported non-operating expense, net, of $8.2 million, as compared to non-operating income, net of $6.0 million during the three months ended December 28, 2019. The $14.2 million decline in non-operating income, net was driven by:
an $8.0 million increase in interest expense, primarily driven by the net increase in our borrowings during Fiscal 2021 (see "Financial Condition and Liquidity — Cash Flows"); and
a $4.9 million decline in interest income, primarily driven by the decrease in our investment portfolio and lower available interest rates in financial markets.
Income Tax Benefit (Provision).    The income tax provision represents federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. Our effective tax rate will change from period to period based on various factors including, but not limited to, the geographic mix of earnings, the timing and amount of foreign dividend payments, enacted tax legislation, state and local taxes, tax audit findings and settlements, and the interaction of various global tax strategies.
We reported an income tax provision of $42.4 million and an effective tax rate of 26.2% for the three months ended December 26, 2020, as compared to an income tax benefit of $103.7 million and an effective tax rate of (45.1%) for the three months ended December 28, 2019. The $146.1 million increase in our income tax provision was primarily driven by the absence of a one-time benefit of $134.1 million recorded in connection with Swiss tax reform during the prior fiscal year period, which decreased our prior fiscal period effective tax rate by 5,820 basis points. Our income tax provision for the three months ended December 26, 2020 also reflected incremental tax expense of $14.2 million related to international tax legislation enacted in connection with the European Union's anti-tax avoidance directive and $6.7 million primarily due to a decrease in a net operating loss carryback under the CARES Act, partially offset by an income tax benefit of $9.1 million primarily related to a change in the valuation allowance provided against domestic losses attributable to significant COVID-19 business disruptions. Collectively, this $11.8 million of net incremental tax expense increased our current fiscal period effective tax rate by 720 basis points. The increase in our effective tax rate also reflected 590 basis points primarily attributable to the absence of favorable settlements of certain international income tax audits that impacted the prior fiscal period. See Note 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Net Income.    Net income decreased to $119.8 million for the three months ended December 26, 2020, from $334.1 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019. The $214.3 million decrease in net income was primarily due to the decline in our operating income driven by COVID-19 business disruptions and the increase in our income tax provision, both as previously discussed. Our operating results during the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 included net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $19.5 million and $21.4 million, respectively, which had an after-tax effect of reducing net income by $16.6 million and $16.8 million, respectively. Net income during the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 also reflected $11.8 million of incremental net tax expense and an income tax benefit of $134.1 million, respectively, recorded in connection with one-time income tax events, as previously discussed.
Net Income per Diluted Share.    Net income per diluted share decreased to $1.61 for the three months ended December 26, 2020, from $4.41 for the three months ended December 28, 2019. The $2.80 per share decrease was due to the lower level of net income, as previously discussed, partially offset by lower weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during the three months ended December 26, 2020 driven by our share repurchases during the second half of Fiscal 2020. Net income per diluted share was negatively impacted by $0.22 per share during each of the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 as a result of net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges, as previously discussed. Net income per diluted share for the three-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were also negatively impacted by $0.15 per share due to incremental net tax expense and favorably impacted by $1.77 per share due to an income tax benefit, respectively, recorded in connection with one-time income tax events, as previously discussed.
58


Nine Months Ended December 26, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended December 28, 2019
The following table summarizes our results of operations and expresses the percentage relationship to net revenues of certain financial statement captions. All percentages shown in the below table and the discussion that follows have been calculated using unrounded numbers.
 Nine Months Ended  
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
$
Change
% / bps
Change
 (millions, except per share data) 
Net revenues
$3,113.8 $4,885.7 $(1,771.9)(36.3 %)
Cost of goods sold(1,035.3)(1,826.8)791.5 (43.3 %)
Gross profit
2,078.5 3,058.9 (980.4)(32.1 %)
Gross profit as % of net revenues66.7 %62.6 %410 bps
Selling, general, and administrative expenses(1,883.3)(2,385.3)502.0 (21.0 %)
SG&A expenses as % of net revenues60.5 %48.8 %1,170 bps
Impairment of assets(35.7)(21.7)(14.0)64.1 %
Restructuring and other charges(177.4)(51.1)(126.3)247.2 %
Operating income (loss)
(17.9)600.8 (618.7)NM
Operating income (loss) as % of net revenues(0.6 %)12.3 %(1,290 bps)
Interest expense(34.6)(12.8)(21.8)169.3 %
Interest income7.5 28.5 (21.0)(73.8 %)
Other income (expense), net5.5 (2.9)8.4 NM
Income (loss) before income taxes
(39.5)613.6 (653.1)NM
Income tax benefit (provision)(7.5)19.7 (27.2)NM
Effective tax rate(a)
(18.9 %)(3.2 %)(1,570 bps)
Net income (loss)
$(47.0)$633.3 $(680.3)NM
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic
$(0.64)$8.28 $(8.92)NM
Diluted
$(0.64)$8.13 $(8.77)NM
(a)Effective tax rate is calculated by dividing the income tax benefit (provision) by income (loss) before income taxes.
NM Not meaningful.
Net Revenues.    Net revenues decreased by $1.772 billion, or 36.3%, to $3.114 billion during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended December 28, 2019, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $33.4 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $1.805 billion, or 36.9%.
The following table summarizes the percentage change in our consolidated comparable store sales for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period, inclusive of adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions:
 % Change
Digital commerce comparable store sales15 %
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce(42 %)
Total comparable store sales(34 %)
Our global average store count increased by 22 stores and concession shops during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 compared with the nine months ended December 28, 2019, largely driven by new openings in Asia.
59


Net revenues for our segments, as well as a discussion of the changes in each reportable segment's net revenues from the comparable prior fiscal year period, are provided below:
 Nine Months Ended$ ChangeForeign Exchange Impact$ Change% Change
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
As
Reported
Constant
Currency
As
Reported
Constant
Currency
 (millions) 
Net Revenues:
North America$1,423.4 $2,511.2 $(1,087.8)$(0.8)$(1,087.0)(43.3 %)(43.3 %)
Europe795.8 1,278.8 (483.0)21.8 (504.8)(37.8 %)(39.5 %)
Asia738.1 803.5 (65.4)12.4 (77.8)(8.1 %)(9.7 %)
Other non-reportable segments156.5 292.2 (135.7)— (135.7)(46.4 %)(46.5 %)
Total net revenues$3,113.8 $4,885.7 $(1,771.9)$33.4 $(1,805.3)(36.3 %)(36.9 %)
North America net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $1.088 billion, or 43.3%, during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended December 28, 2019, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $0.8 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $1.087 billion, or 43.3%.
The $1.088 billion net decline in North America net revenues was driven by:
a $562.1 million net decrease related to our North America wholesale business, driven by COVID-19 business disruptions and continued challenging department store traffic trends; and
a $525.7 million net decrease related to our North America retail business, inclusive of the adverse impact of COVID-19 business disruptions. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $525.2 million driven by decreases of $507.8 million in comparable store sales and $17.4 million in non-comparable store sales. The following table summarizes the percentage change in comparable store sales related to our North America retail business, inclusive of adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions:
 % Change
Digital commerce comparable store sales%
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce(47 %)
Total comparable store sales(37 %)
Europe net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $483.0 million, or 37.8%, during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended December 28, 2019, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $21.8 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $504.8 million, or 39.5%.
The $483.0 million net decline in Europe net revenues was driven by:
a $295.0 million net decrease related to our Europe retail business, inclusive of the adverse impact of COVID-19 business disruptions, as well as net favorable foreign currency effects of $8.8 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $303.8 million driven by decreases of $273.0 million in comparable store sales and $30.8 million in non-comparable store sales. The following table summarizes the percentage change in comparable store sales related to our Europe retail business, inclusive of adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions:
 % Change
Digital commerce comparable store sales49 %
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce(53 %)
Total comparable store sales(43 %)
a $188.0 million net decrease related to our Europe wholesale business driven by COVID-19 business disruptions, partially offset by net favorable foreign currency effects of $13.0 million.
60


Asia net revenues — Net revenues decreased by $65.4 million, or 8.1%, during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended December 28, 2019, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $12.4 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $77.8 million, or 9.7%.
The $65.4 million net decline in Asia net revenues was driven by:
a $54.3 million net decrease related to our Asia retail business, inclusive of the adverse impact of COVID-19 business disruptions, as well as favorable foreign currency effects of $12.0 million. On a constant currency basis, net revenues decreased by $66.3 million, reflecting a decrease of $80.3 million in comparable store sales, partially offset by an increase of $14.0 million in non-comparable store sales. The following table summarizes the percentage change in comparable store sales related to our Asia retail business, inclusive of adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions:
 % Change
Digital commerce comparable store sales52 %
Comparable store sales excluding digital commerce(15 %)
Total comparable store sales(13 %)
an $11.1 million net decrease related to our Asia wholesale business driven by COVID-19 business disruptions, primarily in Japan and Southeast Asia.
Gross Profit.    Gross profit decreased by $980.4 million, or 32.1%, to $2.078 billion for the nine months ended December 26, 2020, including net favorable foreign currency effects of $21.2 million. Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues increased to 66.7% for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 from 62.6% for the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The 410 basis point increase was primarily driven by improved pricing and lower levels of promotional activity, as well as favorable geographic and channel mix.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses.    SG&A expenses decreased by $502.0 million, or 21.0%, to $1.883 billion for the nine months ended December 26, 2020, including net unfavorable foreign currency effects of $19.2 million. The decrease in SG&A expenses reflects impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions and our related mitigating actions, including (i) lower compensation-related expenses largely driven by employee furloughs and terminations, reduced pay for our executives, senior management team, and Board of Directors, and COVID-19-related government subsidies, (ii) lower rent and occupancy costs largely driven by reduced percentage-of-sales-based rent due to store closures and a reduction in traffic, as well as rent abatements negotiated with certain of our landlords, (iii) favorable COVID-19-related bad debt expense adjustments, and (iv) our operational discipline. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased to 60.5% for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 from 48.8% for the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The 1,170 basis point increase was primarily due to operating deleverage on lower net revenues, partially offset by expense savings across various categories.
The $502.0 million decrease in SG&A expenses was driven by:
Nine Months Ended December 26, 2020 Compared to
Nine Months Ended December 28, 2019
(millions)
SG&A expense category:
Compensation-related expenses$(221.6)
Rent and occupancy costs(75.9)
Staff-related expenses(52.1)
Selling-related expenses(45.1)
Marketing and advertising expenses(42.7)
Bad debt expense(22.2)
Depreciation and amortization expense(15.5)
Consulting fees(14.6)
Other(12.3)
Total decrease in SG&A expenses$(502.0)
61


Impairment of Assets. During the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $35.7 million and $21.7 million, respectively, to write-down certain long-lived assets. See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Restructuring and Other Charges. During the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, we recorded restructuring charges of $169.1 million and $24.1 million, respectively, primarily consisting of severance and benefit costs, as well as charges of $8.3 million and $6.2 million, respectively, primarily related to rent and occupancy costs associated with certain previously exited real estate locations for which the related lease agreements have not yet expired. Additionally, during the nine months ended December 28, 2019, we recorded other charges of $20.8 million related to the charitable donation of the net cash proceeds received from the sale of our corporate jet. See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Operating Income (Loss).    We reported an operating loss of $17.9 million for the nine months ended December 26, 2020, as compared to operating income of $600.8 million for the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The decline in operating income reflects net adverse impacts related to COVID-19 business disruptions, as well as net favorable foreign currency effects of $2.0 million. Our operating results during the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were also negatively impacted by net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $184.6 million and $73.8 million, respectively. Operating loss as a percentage of net revenues was 0.6% for the nine months ended December 26, 2020, reflecting a 1,290 basis point decline from the prior fiscal year period. The decline in operating income as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by the increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues and higher net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges recorded during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period, partially offset by the increase in our gross margin, all as previously discussed.
Operating income (loss) and margin for our segments, as well as a discussion of the changes in each reportable segment's operating margin from the comparable prior fiscal year period, are provided below:
 Nine Months Ended  
December 26, 2020December 28, 2019  
Operating
Income (Loss)
Operating
Margin
Operating
Income (Loss)
Operating
Margin
$
Change
Margin
Change
(millions) (millions) (millions) 
Segment:
North America$264.6 18.6%$535.6 21.3%$(271.0)(270 bps)
Europe120.8 15.2%331.9 26.0%(211.1)(1,080 bps)
Asia120.6 16.3%135.6 16.9%(15.0)(60 bps)
Other non-reportable segments37.6 24.0%85.2 29.2%(47.6)(520 bps)
543.6 1,088.3 (544.7)
Unallocated corporate expenses(384.1)(436.4)52.3 
Unallocated restructuring and other charges(177.4)(51.1)(126.3)
Total operating income (loss)$(17.9)(0.6%)$600.8 12.3%$(618.7)(1,290 bps)
North America operating margin declined by 270 basis points, primarily due to the unfavorable impacts of approximately 170 basis points and 150 basis points related to our wholesale and retail businesses, respectively, both largely driven by an increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues driven by COVID-19 business disruptions, partially offset by an increase in our gross margin. These declines in operating margin were partially offset by approximately 50 basis points attributable to favorable COVID-19-related bad debt expense adjustments recorded during the current fiscal year period, partially offset by higher impairment of assets and non-routine inventory charges recorded during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period.
Europe operating margin declined by 1,080 basis points, primarily due to the unfavorable impacts of approximately 650 basis points and 250 basis points related to our retail and wholesale businesses, respectively, both largely driven by an increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues driven by COVID-19 business disruptions. Partially offsetting the increase in our retail business' SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues was an increase in our gross margin. The decline in operating margin also reflected the unfavorable impact of approximately 130 basis points attributable to higher impairments of
62


assets recorded recorded during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period, partially offset by favorable COVID-19-related bad debt expense adjustments recorded during the current fiscal year period. The remaining 50 basis point decline was primarily driven by unfavorable foreign currency effects.
Asia operating margin declined by 60 basis points, primarily due to the unfavorable impacts of approximately 50 basis points and 10 basis points related to our wholesale and retail businesses, respectively, both largely due to an increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues driven by COVID-19 business disruptions.
Unallocated corporate expenses decreased by $52.3 million to $384.1 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020. The decline in unallocated corporate expenses was due to lower compensation-related expenses of $59.8 million, lower rent and occupancy costs of $21.4 million, and lower other expenses of $4.5 million, partially offset by lower intercompany sourcing commission income of $33.4 million (which is offset at the segment level and eliminates in consolidation).
Unallocated restructuring and other charges increased by $126.3 million to $177.4 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, as previously discussed above and in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Non-operating Income (Expense), Net. During the nine months ended December 26, 2020, we reported non-operating expense, net, of $21.6 million, as compared to non-operating income, net of $12.8 million during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The $34.4 million decline in non-operating income, net was driven by:
a $21.8 million increase in interest expense, primarily driven by the net increase in our borrowings during Fiscal 2021 (see "Financial Condition and Liquidity — Cash Flows"); and
a $21.0 million decline in interest income, primarily driven by the decrease in our investment portfolio and lower available interest rates in financial markets.
These unfavorable variances were partially offset by an $8.4 million favorable change in other income (expense), net, primarily driven by higher net foreign currency gains during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 as compared to the prior fiscal year period.
Income Tax Benefit (Provision).    We reported an income tax provision of $7.5 million and an effective tax rate of (18.9%) for the nine months ended December 26, 2020, as compared to an income tax benefit of $19.7 million and an effective tax rate of (3.2%) for the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The $27.2 million increase in our income tax provision was driven by the absence of a one-time benefit of $134.1 million recorded in connection with Swiss tax reform during the prior fiscal year period, which decreased our prior fiscal period effective tax rate by 2,180 basis points. Our income tax provision for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 also reflected incremental tax expense of $16.1 million primarily related to a valuation allowance provided against domestic losses attributable to significant COVID-19 business disruptions and $14.2 million related to international tax legislation enacted in connection with the European Union's anti-tax avoidance directive, partially offset by an income tax benefit of $24.4 million primarily due to a net operating loss carryback under the CARES Act. Collectively, this $5.9 million of net incremental tax expense decreased our current fiscal period effective tax rate by 1,480 basis points. The decrease in our effective tax rate also reflected 2,270 basis points primarily attributable to tax impacts on stock-based compensation and other permanent adjustments, as well as the absence of favorable settlements of certain international income tax audits that impacted the prior fiscal period. See Note 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Net Income (Loss).    We reported a net loss of $47.0 million for the nine months ended December 26, 2020, as compared to net income of $633.3 million for the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The $680.3 million decrease in net income was primarily due to the decline in our operating income driven by COVID-19 business disruptions and higher net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges, as well as the increase in our income tax provision, all as previously discussed. Our operating results during the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 included net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges totaling $184.6 million and $73.8 million, respectively, which had an after-tax effect of reducing net income by $151.6 million and $57.5 million, respectively. Net income during the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 also reflected $5.9 million of incremental net tax expense and an income tax benefit of $134.1 million, respectively, recorded in connection with one-time income tax events, as previously discussed.
63


Net Income (Loss) per Diluted Share.    We reported a net loss per diluted share of $0.64 for the nine months ended December 26, 2020, as compared to net income per diluted share of $8.13 for the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The $8.77 per share decrease was due to the lower level of net income, as previously discussed. Net income (loss) per diluted share for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were negatively impacted by $2.03 per share and $0.74 per share, respectively, as a result of net restructuring-related charges, impairment of assets, and certain other charges, as previously discussed. Net income per diluted share for the nine months ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019 were also negatively impacted by $0.08 per share due to incremental net tax expense and favorably impacted by $1.72 per share due to an income tax benefit, respectively, recorded in connection with one-time tax events, as previously discussed.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Financial Condition 
The following table presents our financial condition as of December 26, 2020 and March 28, 2020:
December 26,
2020
March 28,
2020
$
Change
 (millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$2,621.5 $1,620.4 $1,001.1 
Short-term investments165.7 495.9 (330.2)
Short-term debt(a)
— (475.0)475.0 
Current portion of long-term debt(a)
— (299.6)299.6 
Long-term debt(a)
(1,631.9)(396.4)(1,235.5)
Net cash and investments(b) 
$1,155.3 $945.3 $210.0 
Equity$2,692.0 $2,693.1 $(1.1)
(a)See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for discussion of the carrying values of our debt.
(b)"Net cash and investments" is defined as cash and cash equivalents, plus investments, less total debt.
The increase in our net cash and investments position at December 26, 2020 as compared to March 28, 2020 was primarily due to operating cash flows of $334.6 million, partially offset by our use of cash to invest in our business through $80.8 million in capital expenditures and to make dividend payments of $49.8 million (which had been previously declared during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2020).
The slight decrease in equity was attributable to our comprehensive loss, largely offset by the net impact of stock-based compensation arrangements during the nine months ended December 26, 2020.
Cash Flows
The following table details our cash flows for the nine-month periods ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019:
 Nine Months Ended
 December 26,
2020
December 28,
2019
$
Change
 (millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities$334.6 $748.0 $(413.4)
Net cash provided by investing activities256.6 425.9 (169.3)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities363.7 (706.8)1,070.5 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
46.8 (4.2)51.0 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$1,001.7 $462.9 $538.8 
64


Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.    Net cash provided by operating activities was $334.6 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, as compared to $748.0 million during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The $413.4 million net decrease in cash provided by operating activities was due to a decrease in net income before non-cash charges, partially offset by a net favorable change related to our operating assets and liabilities, including our working capital, as compared to the prior fiscal year period.
The net favorable change related to our operating assets and liabilities, including our working capital, was primarily driven by a favorable change in our accrued liabilities, primarily driven by the increase in our restructuring reserve related to charges recorded in connection with the Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan, partially offset by an unfavorable change related to our accounts receivable, largely driven by an increase in wholesale revenue over the course of Fiscal 2021.
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities.    Net cash provided by investing activities was $256.6 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, as compared to $425.9 million during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The $169.3 million net decrease in cash provided by investing activities was primarily driven by:
a $284.5 million decrease in proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, less purchases of investments. During the nine months ended December 26, 2020, we received net proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of $335.7 million, as compared to $620.2 million during the nine months ended December 28, 2019; and
a $20.8 million decrease in cash proceeds from the sale of property. No property was sold during the nine months ended December 26, 2020. On a comparative basis, during the nine months ended December 28, 2019, we received net cash proceeds of $20.8 million from the sale of our corporate jet. These proceeds were donated to the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation (formerly known as the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation), which is reflected within cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended December 28, 2019.
These decreases in cash provided by investing activities were partially offset by:
a $135.2 million decrease in capital expenditures. During the nine months ended December 26, 2020, we spent $80.8 million on capital expenditures, as compared to $216.0 million during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. This decline reflects the temporary postponement of non-critical capital expenditures as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position in response to current business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our capital expenditures during the nine months ended December 26, 2020 primarily related to international store openings and renovations, as well as enhancements to our information technology systems.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities.    Net cash provided by financing activities was $363.7 million during the nine months ended December 26, 2020, as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $706.8 million during the nine months ended December 28, 2019. The $1.071 billion net increase in cash provided by financing activities was primarily driven by:
a $506.0 million decrease in cash used to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock. During the nine months ended December 26, 2020, $36.1 million in shares of Class A common stock were surrendered or withheld in satisfaction of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of awards under our long-term stock incentive plans, and no shares of Class A common stock were repurchased pursuant to our common stock repurchase program, which we have temporarily suspended as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position in response to current business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. On a comparative basis, during the nine months ended December 28, 2019, we used $498.3 million to repurchase shares of Class A common stock pursuant to our common stock repurchase program, and an additional $43.8 million in shares of Class A common stock were surrendered or withheld for taxes;
a $466.9 million increase in cash proceeds from the issuance of debt, less debt repayments. During the nine months ended December 26, 2020, we received $1.242 billion in proceeds from our issuance of 1.700% unsecured notes and 2.950% unsecured senior notes, a portion of which was used to repay $475.0 million of borrowings previously outstanding under our credit facilities and our previously outstanding $300 million principal amount of unsecured 2.625% senior notes that matured August 18, 2020. On a comparative basis, during the nine months ended December 28, 2019, we did not issue or repay any debt; and
65


a $103.4 million decrease in payments of dividends, driven by the temporary suspension of our quarterly cash dividend program as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position, as discussed in "Dividends" below.
Sources of Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are the cash flows generated from our operations, our available cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, availability under our credit and overdraft facilities and commercial paper program, and other available financing options.
During the nine months ended December 26, 2020, we generated $334.6 million of net cash flows from our operations. As of December 26, 2020, we had $2.787 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, of which $906.7 million were held by our subsidiaries domiciled outside the U.S. We are not dependent on foreign cash to fund our domestic operations. Undistributed foreign earnings that were subject to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's one-time mandatory transition tax as of December 31, 2017 are not considered to be permanently reinvested and may be repatriated to the U.S. in the future with minimal or no additional U.S. taxation. We intend to permanently reinvest undistributed foreign earnings generated after December 31, 2017 that were not subject to the one-time mandatory transition tax. However, if our plans change and we choose to repatriate post-2017 earnings to the U.S. in the future, we would be subject to applicable U.S. and foreign taxes.
The following table presents our total availability, borrowings outstanding, and remaining availability under our credit and overdraft facilities and Commercial Paper Program as of December 26, 2020:
 December 26, 2020
Description(a)
Total
Availability
Borrowings
Outstanding
Remaining
Availability
 (millions)
Global Credit Facility and Commercial Paper Program(b)
$500 $
(c)
$491 
Pan-Asia Credit Facilities35 — 35 
Japan Overdraft Facility48 — 48 
(a)As defined in Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(b)Borrowings under the Commercial Paper Program are supported by the Global Credit Facility. Accordingly, we do not expect combined borrowings outstanding under the Commercial Paper Program and the Global Credit Facility to exceed $500 million.
(c)Represents outstanding letters of credit for which we were contingently liable under the Global Credit Facility as of December 26, 2020.
We believe that the Global Credit Facility is adequately diversified with no undue concentration in any one financial institution. In particular, as of December 26, 2020, there were eight financial institutions participating in the Global Credit Facility, with no one participant maintaining a maximum commitment percentage in excess of 20%. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, we have the ability to expand our borrowing availability under the Global Credit Facility to $1 billion through the full term of the facility, subject to the agreement of one or more new or existing lenders under the facility to increase their commitments.
Borrowings under the Pan-Asia Credit Facilities and Japan Overdraft Facility (collectively, the "Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities") are guaranteed by the parent company and are granted at the sole discretion of the participating banks (as described within Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements), subject to availability of the respective banks' funds and satisfaction of certain regulatory requirements. We have no reason to believe that the participating institutions will be unable to fulfill their obligations to provide financing in accordance with the terms of the Global Credit Facility and the Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities in the event of our election to draw additional funds in the foreseeable future.
Our sources of liquidity are used to fund our ongoing cash requirements, including working capital requirements, global retail store and digital commerce expansion, construction and renovation of shop-within-shops, investment in infrastructure, including technology, acquisitions, joint ventures, payment of dividends, debt repayments, Class A common stock repurchases, settlement of contingent liabilities (including uncertain tax positions), and other corporate activities, including our restructuring actions. We believe that our existing sources of cash, the availability under our credit facilities, and our ability to access capital markets will be sufficient to support our operating, capital, and debt service requirements for the foreseeable future, the ongoing
66


development of our businesses, and our plans for further business expansion. However, prolonged periods of adverse economic conditions or business disruptions in any of our key regions, or a combination thereof, such as those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, could impede our ability to pay our obligations as they become due or return value to our shareholders, as well as delay previously planned expenditures related to our operations.
See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and Note 11 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K for detailed disclosure of the terms and conditions of our credit facilities.
Debt and Covenant Compliance
In August 2018, we completed a registered public debt offering and issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due September 15, 2025, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.750%, payable semi-annually (the "3.750% Senior Notes"). In June 2020, we completed another registered public debt offering and issued an additional $500 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due June 15, 2022, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 1.700% payable semi-annually (the "1.700% Senior Notes"), and $750 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due June 15, 2030, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.950%, payable semi-annually (the "2.950% Senior Notes").
The indenture and supplemental indentures governing the 3.750% Senior Notes, 1.700% Senior Notes, and 2.950% Senior Notes (as supplemented, the "Indenture") contain certain covenants that restrict our ability, subject to specified exceptions, to incur certain liens; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; consolidate or merge with another party; or sell, lease, or convey all or substantially all of our property or assets to another party. However, the Indenture does not contain any financial covenants.
We have a credit facility that provides for a $500 million senior unsecured revolving line of credit through August 12, 2024, which is also used to support the issuance of letters of credit and the maintenance of the Commercial Paper Program (the "Global Credit Facility"). Borrowings under the Global Credit Facility may be denominated in U.S. Dollars and other currencies, including Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, and Japanese Yen. We have the ability to expand the borrowing availability under the Global Credit Facility to $1 billion, subject to the agreement of one or more new or existing lenders under the facility to increase their commitments. There are no mandatory reductions in borrowing ability throughout the term of the Global Credit Facility. In March 2020, we borrowed $475.0 million under the Global Credit Facility as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was subsequently repaid in June 2020 using a portion of the proceeds from our issuances of the 1.700% Senior Notes and 2.950% Senior Notes.
The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants, as described in Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of December 26, 2020, no Event of Default (as such term is defined pursuant to the Global Credit Facility) has occurred under our Global Credit Facility. The Pan-Asia Borrowing Facilities do not contain any financial covenants.
See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and Note 11 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K for additional information relating to our debt and covenant compliance.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
On May 13, 2019, our Board of Directors approved an expansion of our existing common stock repurchase program that allowed us to repurchase up to an additional $600 million of Class A common stock. As of December 26, 2020, the remaining availability under our Class A common stock repurchase program was approximately $580 million. Repurchases of shares of Class A common stock are subject to certain restrictions under our Global Credit Facility and more generally overall business and market conditions. Accordingly, as a result of current business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 we temporarily suspended our common stock repurchase program as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position.
See Note 14 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information relating to our Class A common stock repurchase program.
Dividends
Except as discussed below, we have maintained a regular quarterly cash dividend program on our common stock since 2003. On May 13, 2019, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock from $0.625 to $0.6875 per share.
67


As a result of current business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2021 we temporarily suspended our quarterly cash dividend program as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant, including economic and market conditions.
See Note 14 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information relating to our quarterly cash dividend program.
Contractual and Other Obligations
There have been no material changes to our contractual and other obligations as disclosed in our Fiscal 2020 10-K, other than those which occur in the ordinary course of business. Refer to the "Financial Condition and Liquidity — Contractual and Other Obligations" section of the MD&A in our Fiscal 2020 10-K for detailed disclosure of our contractual and other obligations as of March 28, 2020.
MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
As discussed in Note 13 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K and Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we are exposed to a variety of risks, including the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on foreign currency-denominated balances, certain anticipated cash flows of our international operations, and the value of reported net assets of our foreign operations, as well as changes in the fair value of our fixed-rate debt obligations relating to fluctuations in benchmark interest rates. Accordingly, at times, in the normal course of business, we employ established policies and procedures to manage such risks, including the use of derivative financial instruments. We do not use derivatives for speculative or trading purposes.
Given our use of derivative instruments, we are exposed to the risk that the counterparties to such contracts will fail to meet their contractual obligations. To mitigate such counterparty credit risk, it is our policy to only enter into contracts with carefully selected financial institutions based upon an evaluation of their credit ratings and certain other factors, adhering to established limits for credit exposure. Our established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk include ongoing review and assessment of the creditworthiness of our counterparties. We also enter into master netting arrangements with counterparties, when possible, to further mitigate credit risk. As a result of the above considerations, we do not believe that we are exposed to undue concentration of counterparty risk with respect to our derivative contracts as of December 26, 2020. However, we do have in aggregate $5.1 million of derivative instruments in net asset positions with three creditworthy financial institutions.
Foreign Currency Risk Management
We manage our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates using forward foreign currency exchange and cross-currency swap contracts. Refer to Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a summary of the notional amounts and fair values of our outstanding forward foreign currency exchange and cross-currency swap contracts, as well as the impact on earnings and other comprehensive income of such instruments as of December 26, 2020.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
We enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate risk related to exchange rate fluctuations on inventory transactions made in an entity's non-functional currency, the settlement of foreign currency-denominated balances, and the translation of certain foreign operations' net assets into U.S. Dollars. As part of our overall strategy for managing the level of exposure to such exchange rate risk, relating primarily to the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the South Korean Won, the Australian Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, the British Pound Sterling, the Swiss Franc, and the Chinese Renminbi, we generally hedge a portion of our related exposures anticipated over the next twelve months using forward foreign currency exchange contracts with maturities of two months to one year to provide continuing coverage over the period of the respective exposure.
Our foreign exchange risk management activities are governed by established policies and procedures. These policies and procedures provide a framework that allows for the management of currency exposures while ensuring the activities are conducted within our established guidelines. Our policies include guidelines for the organizational structure of our risk management function and for internal controls over foreign exchange risk management activities, including, but not limited to, authorization levels, transaction limits, and credit quality controls, as well as various measurements for monitoring compliance. We monitor foreign exchange risk using different techniques, including periodic review of market values and performance of sensitivity analyses.
68


Our forward foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. To the extent such contracts are designated as qualifying cash flow hedges of inventory transactions, related gains or losses are initially deferred in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") and are subsequently recognized within cost of goods sold in our consolidated statements of operations when the related inventory is sold.
Cross-Currency Swap Contracts
We periodically designate (i) pay-floating rate, receive-floating rate cross-currency swap contracts or (ii) pay-fixed rate, receive fixed-rate cross-currency swap contracts as hedges of our net investment in certain European subsidiaries.
Our pay-floating rate, receive-floating rate cross-currency swap contracts swap U.S. Dollar-denominated variable interest rate payments based on the contract's notional amount and 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a fixed spread (as paid under a corresponding interest rate swap contract discussed below) for Euro-denominated variable interest rate payments based on 3-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate ("EURIBOR") plus a fixed spread, which, in combination with a corresponding interest rate swap contract, economically converts a portion of our fixed-rate US-denominated senior note obligations to floating-rate Euro-denominated obligations.
Our pay-fixed rate, receive-fixed rate cross-currency swap contracts swap U.S. Dollar-denominated fixed interest rate payments based on the contract's notional amount and the fixed rate of interest payable on certain of our senior notes for Euro-denominated fixed interest rate payments, thereby economically converting a portion of our fixed-rate US-denominated senior note obligations to fixed rate Euro-denominated obligations.
See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our foreign currency exposures, and the types of derivative instruments used to hedge those exposures.
Interest Rate Risk Management
We periodically designate pay-floating rate, receive-fixed rate interest rate swap contracts as hedges against changes in the fair value of certain of our fixed-rate debt attributed to changes in a benchmark interest rate. To the extent of their notional amount, such contracts effectively swap the fixed interest rate on certain of our fixed-rate senior notes for a variable interest rate based on 3-month LIBOR plus a fixed spread.
Investment Risk Management
As of December 26, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents on-hand of $2.622 billion, consisting of deposits in interest bearing accounts, investments in money market deposit accounts, and investments in time deposits with original maturities of 90 days or less. Our other significant investments included $165.7 million of short-term investments, consisting of investments in time deposits with original maturities greater than 90 days; and $10.0 million of restricted cash held in escrow with certain banks as collateral, primarily to secure guarantees in connection with certain international tax matters and real estate leases.
We actively monitor our exposure to changes in the fair value of our global investment portfolio in accordance with our established policies and procedures, which include monitoring both general and issuer-specific economic conditions, as discussed in Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Our investment objectives include capital preservation, maintaining adequate liquidity, diversification to minimize liquidity and credit risk, and achievement of maximum returns within the guidelines set forth in our investment policy. See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further detail of the composition of our investment portfolio as of December 26, 2020.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 3 of the Fiscal 2020 10-K. Our estimates are often based on complex judgments, assessments of probability, and assumptions that management believes to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. It is also possible that other professionals, applying reasonable judgment to the same set of facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of alternative estimated amounts. For a complete discussion of our critical accounting policies, refer to the "Critical Accounting Policies" section of the MD&A in our Fiscal 2020 10-K.
There have been no significant changes in the application of our critical accounting policies since March 28, 2020.
69


Goodwill Impairment Assessment
We performed our annual goodwill impairment assessment using a qualitative approach as of the beginning of the second quarter of Fiscal 2021. In performing the assessment, we identified and considered the significance of relevant key factors, events, and circumstances that affected the fair values and/or carrying amounts of our reporting units with allocated goodwill. These factors included external factors such as macroeconomic, industry, and market conditions, as well as entity-specific factors, such as our actual and expected financial performance. Additionally, we also considered the results of our most recent quantitative goodwill impairment test, which was performed as of the end of Fiscal 2020 and incorporated assumptions related to COVID-19 business disruptions, the results of which indicated that the fair values of these reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values. Based on the results of our qualitative goodwill impairment assessment, we concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of our reporting units are less than their respective carrying values, and there were no reporting units at risk of impairment.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a description of certain recently issued accounting standards which have impacted our consolidated financial statements, or may impact our consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods.
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
For a discussion of the Company's exposure to market risk, see "Market Risk Management" presented in Part I, Item 2 — MD&A of this Form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
We carried out an evaluation based on criteria established in the Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 26, 2020. There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended December 26, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Although there have been no material changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting, we have experienced varying degrees of business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including periods of closure of our stores, distribution centers, and corporate facilities, as described within "Recent Developments." In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken various preemptive actions to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position, including furloughing and/or reducing work hours for a significant portion of both our store and corporate employees during the first half of Fiscal 2021, with those corporate employees not furloughed in affected regions working remotely. Additionally, our Board of Directors recently approved a restructuring plan, as described within "Recent Developments," which is expected to result in a significant reduction to our global workforce during the second half of Fiscal 2021. Despite such cumulative actions, we have not experienced any material changes to our internal controls over financial reporting. We will continue to evaluate and monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and our restructuring activities on our internal controls. See Item 1A — "Risk Factors" in the Fiscal 2020 10-K for additional discussion regarding risks to our business associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and our restructuring plans.
70


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.
Reference is made to the information disclosed under Item 3 — "Legal Proceedings" in the Fiscal 2020 10-K.
Item 1A.    Risk Factors.
Reference is made to the information disclosed under Part I, Item 1A — "Risk Factors" in the Fiscal 2020 10-K, which contains a detailed discussion of certain risk factors that could materially adversely affect the Company's business, operating results, and/or financial condition. There are no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed, nor has the Company identified any previously undisclosed risks that could materially adversely affect the Company's business, operating results, and/or financial condition.
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
(a)Sales of Unregistered Securities
Shares of the Company's Class B Common Stock may be converted immediately into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis by the holder. There is no cash or other consideration paid by the holder converting the shares and, accordingly, there is no cash or other consideration received by the Company. The shares of Class A Common Stock issued by the Company in such conversions are exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
No shares of the Company's Class B common stock were converted into Class A common stock during the three months ended December 26, 2020.
(b)     Not Applicable
(c)Stock Repurchases
The following table sets forth the repurchases of shares of the Company's Class A common stock during the three months ended December 26, 2020:
Total Number of Shares Purchased(a)
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar 
Value of Shares
That May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(b)
    (millions)
September 27, 2020 to October 24, 20206,513 $71.26 — $580 
October 25, 2020 to November 28, 2020— — — 580 
November 29, 2020 to December 26, 2020— 

— — 580 
6,513 — 
(a)Represents shares surrendered to or withheld by the Company in satisfaction of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of awards issued under its long-term stock incentive plans.
(b)Repurchases of shares of Class A common stock are subject to certain restrictions under the Company's Global Credit Facility and more generally overall business and market conditions. Accordingly, as a result of current business disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have temporarily suspended our common stock repurchase program as a preemptive action to preserve cash and strengthen our liquidity position.
71


Item 5.    Other Information.
As previously announced, the Company has begun efforts to realign its resources to support future growth and profitability, and to create a sustainable cost structure (the “Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan”). The key areas of the Company's evaluation include its: (i) team organizational structures and ways of working; (ii) real estate footprint and related costs across corporate offices, distribution centers, and direct-to-consumer retail and wholesale doors; and (iii) brand portfolio.
Previously announced actions related to the Fiscal 2021 Strategic Realignment Plan included a reduction of the Company's global workforce by the end of its Fiscal 2021, transitioning the Chaps brand to a fully licensed business model, and closing the Company's Polo store on Regent Street in London.
On February 3, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved additional realignment actions related to its real estate initiative. Specifically, the Company plans to further rightsize and consolidate its global corporate offices to better align with its current organizational profile and new ways of working. The Company also expects to close certain of its stores to improve overall profitability. Additionally, the Company plans to complete the consolidation of its existing North America distribution centers in order to drive greater efficiencies, improve sustainability, and deliver a better consumer experience.
In connection with these collective realignment initiatives, including previously announced actions, the Company now expects to incur total estimated pre-tax charges of approximately $300 million to $350 million, comprised of cash-related restructuring charges of approximately $185 million to $200 million and non-cash charges of approximately $115 million and $150 million. When substantially completed by the end of the Company’s Fiscal 2022, these actions are expected to result in gross annualized pre-tax expense savings of approximately $200 million to $240 million, a portion of which will be reinvested back into the business.
In addition to these actions, the Company expects to execute additional restructuring-related actions associated with its aforementioned initiatives in order to further support future growth and profitability.
72


Item 6.    Exhibits.
3.1
3.2
3.3
10.1
10.2
31.1*
31.2*
32.1*
32.2*
101.INS*XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section. Such exhibits shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
*Filed herewith.
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

73


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
  
RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
By:
/S/    JANE HAMILTON NIELSEN        
Jane Hamilton Nielsen
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date: February 4, 2021

74