VINCE HOLDING CORP. - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019

Commission File Number: 001-36212

VINCE HOLDING CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

500 5th Avenue—20th Floor

New York, New York 10110

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(212) 515-2600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes   ☐     No   ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes   ☐     No   ☒

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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation of S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or 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.

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

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

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates as of August 4, 2018, the last day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter, was approximately $55.1 million based on a closing price per share of $17.79 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on August 3, 2018. As of March 29, 2019, there were 11,622,994 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registrant’s 2019 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Table of Contents

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INTRODUCTORY NOTE

On November 27, 2013, Vince Holding Corp. (“VHC” or the “Company”), previously known as Apparel Holding Corp., closed an initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock and completed a series of restructuring transactions (the “Restructuring Transactions”) through which Kellwood Holding, LLC acquired the non-Vince businesses, which included Kellwood Company, LLC (“Kellwood Company” or “Kellwood”), from the Company. The Company continues to own and operate the Vince business, which includes Vince, LLC.

On November 18, 2016, Kellwood Intermediate Holding, LLC and Kellwood Company, LLC entered into a Unit Purchase Agreement with Sino Acquisition, LLC (the “Kellwood Purchaser”) whereby the Kellwood Purchaser agreed to purchase all of the outstanding equity interests of Kellwood Company, LLC. Prior to the closing, Kellwood Intermediate Holding, LLC and Kellwood Company, LLC conducted a pre-closing reorganization pursuant to which certain assets of Kellwood Company, LLC were distributed to a newly formed subsidiary of Kellwood Intermediate Holding, LLC, St. Louis Transition, LLC (“St. Louis, LLC”). The transaction closed on December 21, 2016 (the “Kellwood Sale”).

DISCLOSURES REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any statements incorporated by reference herein, contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are indicated by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “target,” “project,” “forecast,” “envision” and other similar phrases. Although we believe the assumptions and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these assumptions and expectations may not prove to be correct and we may not achieve the results or benefits anticipated. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of actual results, and our actual results may differ materially from those suggested in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, including, without limitation: our ability to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives; our ability to maintain our larger wholesale partners; the execution and management of our retail store growth plans; our ability to make lease payments when due; our ability to expand our product offerings into new product categories, including the ability to find suitable licensing partners; our ability to comply with the obligations under our credit facilities; our ability to continue having the liquidity necessary to service our debt, meet contractual payment obligations, and fund our operations; our ability to remediate the identified material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting; our ability to optimize our systems, processes and functions; our ability to mitigate system security risk issues as well as other major system failures; our ability to comply with privacy-related obligations; our ability to comply with domestic and international laws, regulations and orders; changes in laws and regulations; our ability to ensure the proper operation of the distribution facilities by third-party logistics providers; our ability to anticipate and/or react to changes in customer demand and attract new customers, including in connection with making inventory commitments; our ability to remain competitive in the areas of merchandise quality, price, breadth of selection and customer service; our ability to keep a strong brand image; changes in global economies and credit and financial markets; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; our ability to protect our trademarks in the U.S. and internationally; the execution and management of our international expansion, including our ability to promote our brand and merchandise outside the U.S. and find suitable partners in certain geographies; our current and future licensing arrangements; the extent of our foreign sourcing; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials; commodity, raw material and other cost increases; our reliance on independent manufacturers; seasonal and quarterly variations in our revenue and income; further impairment of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets; competition; other tax matters; and other factors as set forth from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Item 1A—Risk Factors.” We intend these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and do not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available, except as required by law.

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PART I

For purposes of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Vince,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to Vince Holding Corp. (“VHC”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Vince Intermediate Holding, LLC and Vince, LLC. References to “Kellwood” refer, as applicable, to Kellwood Holding, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries (including Kellwood Company, LLC) or the operations of the non-Vince businesses after giving effect to the Restructuring Transactions and prior to the Kellwood Sale.

Overview

Established in 2002, Vince is a global luxury apparel and accessories brand best known for creating elevated yet understated pieces for every day. The collections are inspired by the brand’s California origins and embody a feeling of warm and effortless style.  Vince designs uncomplicated yet refined pieces that approach dressing with a sense of ease.  Known for its range of luxury products, Vince offers wide array of women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, and capsule collection of handbags, and home for a global lifestyle. Vince products are sold in prestige distribution worldwide, including approximately 2,000 distribution locations across more than 40 countries. We have a small number of wholesale partners who account for a significant portion of our net sales. In fiscal 2018, sales to two wholesale partners, Nordstrom Inc., and Neiman Marcus Group LTD, each accounted for more than ten percent of the Company’s net sales. These sales represented 33.7% of fiscal 2018 net sales. In fiscal 2017, sales to one wholesale partner, Nordstrom, accounted for more than ten percent of the Company’s net sales. These sales represented 21.9% of fiscal 2017 net sales. In fiscal 2016, sales to three wholesale partners, Nordstrom, Hudson’s Bay Company, and Neiman Marcus Group, each accounted for more than ten percent of the Company’s net sales. These sales represented 45% of fiscal 2016 net sales.

We design our products in the U.S. and source the vast majority of our products from contract manufacturers outside the U.S., primarily in Asia.

We serve our customers through a variety of channels that reinforce the Vince brand image. Our diversified channel strategy allows us to introduce our products to customers through multiple distribution points that are reported in two segments: Wholesale and Direct-to-consumer. Our Wholesale segment is comprised of sales to major department stores and specialty stores in the U.S. and in select international markets, with U.S. wholesale representing 47%, 51% and 51% of our fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 net sales, respectively, and the total Wholesale segment representing 57%, 61% and 63% of net sales for the same periods. International wholesale represented 9%, 9% and 10% of net sales for fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively. Our Wholesale segment also includes our licensing business related to our licensing arrangement for our women’s and men’s footwear. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, we entered into limited distribution arrangements with Nordstrom. and Neiman Marcus Group for non-licensed product in order to rationalize our department store distribution strategy which is intended to improve profitability in the Wholesale segment and to enable us to focus on other areas of growth for the brand, particularly in the Direct-to-consumer segment. We implemented various strategic initiatives to capture the sales from exited wholesale doors through our retail and e-commerce businesses while collaborating with the wholesale partners in various areas including merchandising and logistics to build a more profitable and focused wholesale business.

Our Direct-to-consumer segment includes our company-operated retail and outlet stores and our e-commerce business. During fiscal 2018, we opened net four new full-price retail stores. As of February 2, 2019, we operated 59 stores, consisting of 45 company-operated full-price retail stores and 14 company-operated outlet locations. The Direct-to-consumer segment also includes our e-commerce website, www.vince.com. The Direct-to-consumer segment accounted for 43%, 39% and 37% of fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 net sales, respectively.

Vince operates on a fiscal calendar widely used by the retail industry that results in a given fiscal year consisting of a 52 or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31.

Fiscal year 2017 consisted of a 53-week period. Each of fiscal years 2018 and 2016 consisted of a 52-week period.

Our principal executive office is located at 500 5^th Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10110 and our telephone number is (212) 515-2600. Our corporate website address is www.vince.com.

Brand and Products

Established in 2002, Vince is a global luxury apparel and accessories brand best known for creating elevated yet understated pieces for every day. The collections are inspired by the brand’s California origins and embody a feeling of warm and effortless

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style.  Vince designs uncomplicated yet refined pieces that approach dressing with a sense of ease.  Known for its range of luxury products, Vince offers women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and footwear as well as capsule collections of handbags, fragrance, and home for a global lifestyle. Vince products are sold in prestige locations worldwide. We believe that our differentiated design aesthetic and strong attention to detail and fit allow us to maintain premium pricing, and that the combination of quality and value positions Vince as an everyday luxury brand that encourages repeat purchases among our customers. We also believe that we can expand our product assortment and distribute this expanded product assortment through our branded retail locations and on our e-commerce platform, as well as through our premier wholesale partners in the U.S. and select international markets.

Our women’s collection includes seasonal collections of luxurious cashmere sweaters and silk blouses, leather and suede leggings and jackets, dresses, skirts, denim, pants, t-shirts, footwear and outerwear.

Our men’s collection includes t-shirts, knit and woven tops, sweaters, denim, pants, blazers, footwear, and outerwear.

We continue to evaluate other brand extension opportunities through both in-house development activities as well as through potential partnerships or licensing arrangements with third parties.

Design and Merchandising

We are focused on developing an elevated collection of Vince apparel and accessories that builds upon the brand’s product heritage of modern, effortless style and everyday luxury essentials. The current design vision is to create a cohesive and compelling product assortment with sophisticated head-to-toe looks for multiple wear occasions. Our design efforts are supported by well-established product development and production teams. We believe continued collaboration between design and merchandising will ensure we respond to consumer preferences and market trends with new innovative product offerings while maintaining our core fashion foundation.

Business Segments

We serve our customers through a variety of channels that reinforce the Vince brand image. Our diversified channel strategy allows us to introduce our products to customers through approximately 2,000 distribution locations across more than 40 countries that are reported in two segments: Wholesale and Direct-to-consumer.

Wholesale Segment

Our Wholesale segment is comprised of sales to major department stores and specialty stores in the U.S. and in select international markets, with U.S. wholesale representing 47%, 51% and 51% of net sales in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively, and international wholesale representing 9%, 9% and 10% of net sales for the same periods. During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we entered into limited distribution arrangements with Nordstrom, Inc. and Neiman Marcus Group LTD in order to rationalize our department store distribution strategy which is intended to improve profitability in the Wholesale segment and to enable us to focus on other areas of growth for the brand, particularly in the Direct-to-consumer segment.

Our Wholesale segment also includes our licensing business related to our licensing arrangement for our women’s and men’s footwear line. The licensed products are sold in our own stores and by our licensee to select wholesale partners. We earn a royalty based on net sales to the wholesale partners.  

Direct-to-consumer Segment

Our Direct-to-consumer segment includes our company-operated retail and outlet stores and our e-commerce business. As of February 2, 2019, we operated 59 stores, which consisted of 45 company-operated full-price retail stores and 14 company-operated outlet locations. The Direct-to-consumer segment also includes our e-commerce website, www.vince.com. The Direct-to-consumer segment accounted for 43%, 39% and 37% of net sales in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively.

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The following table details the number of retail stores we operated for the past three fiscal years:

 Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations

We use marketing, advertising and public relations as critical tools to deliver a consistent and compelling brand message to consumers. Our brand message and marketing strategies are cultivated by dedicated creative, design, marketing, visual merchandising and public relations teams. These teams work closely together to develop and execute campaigns that appeal to both our core and aspirational customers.

To execute our marketing strategies, we engage in a wide range of campaign tactics that include traditional media (such as direct mail, print advertising, cooperative advertising with wholesale partners and outdoor advertising), digital media (such as email, search and social display) and experiential campaigns (such as events and collection previews) to drive traffic, brand awareness, conversion and ultimately sales across all channels. In addition, we use social platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to engage customers and create excitement about our brand. The visits to www.vince.com, which totaled approximately 7.7 million in fiscal 2018, also provide an opportunity to grow our customer base and communicate directly with our customers.

Our public relations team conducts a wide variety of press activities to reinforce the Vince brand image and create excitement around the brand. Vince apparel and footwear have appeared in the pages of major fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, W, GQ, Esquire and WSJ. Well-known trend setters in entertainment and fashion are also regularly seen wearing the Vince brand.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

Vince does not own or operate any manufacturing facilities. We contract for the purchase of finished goods with manufacturers who are responsible for the entire manufacturing process, including the purchase of piece goods and trim. Although we do not have long-term written contracts with manufacturers, we have long-standing relationships with a diverse base of vendors which we believe to be mutually satisfactory. We work with more than 40 manufacturers across nine countries, with 88.0% of our products produced in China in fiscal 2018. For cost and control purposes, we contract with select third-party vendors in the U.S. to produce a small portion of our merchandise.

All of our garments are produced according to our specifications, and we require that all of our manufacturers adhere to strict regulatory compliance and standards of conduct. Our vendors’ factories are monitored by our production team to ensure quality control, and they are monitored by independent third-party inspectors we employ for compliance with local manufacturing standards and regulations on an annual basis. We also monitor our vendors’ manufacturing facilities regularly, providing technical assistance and performing in-line and final audits to ensure the highest possible quality.

Shared Services Agreement

In connection with the consummation of the IPO, Vince, LLC entered into a Shared Services Agreement with Kellwood Company, LLC on November 27, 2013 (the “Shared Services Agreement”) pursuant to which Kellwood provided support services in various areas including, among other things, certain accounting functions, tax, e-commerce operations, distribution, logistics, information technology, accounts payable, credit and collections and payroll and benefits administration. As of the end of fiscal 2016, we had completed the transition of all such functions and systems from Kellwood to our own systems or processes as well as to third-party service providers. Refer to the discussion under “Information Systems” below for further information on our transition of information technology systems and infrastructure in-house from Kellwood. See also “Item 1A. Risk Factors— We are continuing to optimize and improve our recently implemented information technology systems, processes and functions. If these systems, processes and functions do not operate successfully, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially harmed.” In addition, see “Shared Services Agreement” under Note 12 “Related Party Transactions” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

In connection with the Kellwood Sale, the Shared Services Agreement was contributed to St. Louis, LLC. The Shared Services Agreement with St. Louis, LLC has effectively terminated in fiscal 2017 as there are currently no outstanding or further services to be provided thereunder.

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Distribution Facilities

As of February 2, 2019, we operated out of three distribution centers, one located in the U.S., one in Hong Kong and one in Belgium. Our warehouse in the U.S., located in City of Industry, California, is operated by a third-party logistics provider and includes approximately 130,000 square feet dedicated to fulfilling orders for our wholesale partners, retail locations and e-commerce business and utilizes warehouse management systems that are fully customer and vendor compliant.

Our warehouse in Hong Kong is operated by a third-party logistics provider and supports our wholesale orders for international customers located primarily in Asia.

Our warehouse in Belgium is operated by a third-party logistics provider and supports our wholesale orders for international customers located primarily in Europe.

We believe we have sufficient capacity in our domestic and international distribution facilities to support our current and projected business.

Information Systems

Our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system is Microsoft Dynamics AX and is cloud based and integrates with our point-of-sale (“POS”) system, e-commerce platform and other supporting systems.

Collectively, these systems replaced all systems used under the Shared Services Agreement. Until recently, we relied on certain systems and information technology services of Kellwood pursuant to the terms of the Shared Services Agreement. These services historically included information technology planning and administration, desktop support and help desk, our ERP system, financial applications, warehouse systems, reporting and analysis applications and our retail and e-commerce interfaces.

Since the IPO, we had been working on transitioning these systems and information technology services from Kellwood and as of the end of fiscal 2016, we completed the transition of all such systems from Kellwood to our own systems. This included the implementation of our own ERP and supporting systems, POS system, third-party e-commerce platform, distribution applications, network infrastructure and related IT support services, and human resource payroll and recruitment systems. We no longer rely on Kellwood’s information technology services.

See “Shared Services Agreement,” above, Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors— We are continuing to optimize and improve our recently implemented information technology systems, processes and functions. If these systems, processes and functions do not operate successfully, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially harmed” and Part II, Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures.” In addition, see “Shared Services Agreement” under Note 12 “Related Party Transactions” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on form 10-K for further information.

Seasonality

The apparel and fashion industry in which we operate is cyclical and, consequently, our revenues are affected by general economic conditions and the seasonal trends characteristic to the apparel and fashion industry. Purchases of apparel are sensitive to a number of factors that influence the level of consumer spending, including economic conditions and the level of disposable consumer income, consumer debt, interest rates and consumer confidence as well as the impact of adverse weather conditions. In addition, fluctuations in the amount of sales in any fiscal quarter are affected by the timing of seasonal wholesale shipments and other events affecting direct-to-consumer sales. As such, the financial results for any particular quarter may not be indicative of results for the fiscal year. We expect such seasonality to continue.

Competition

We face strong competition in each of the product categories and markets in which we compete on the basis of style, quality, price and brand recognition. Some of our competitors have achieved significant recognition for their brand names or have substantially greater financial, marketing, distribution and other resources compared to us. However, we believe that we have established a sustainable and distinct position in the current marketplace, driven by a product assortment that combines classic and fashion-forward styling, and a pricing strategy that offers customers accessible luxury. Our competitors are varied, but include Theory, Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone, A.L.C., Veronica Beard, among others.

Employees

As of February 2, 2019, we had 599 employees, of which 370 were employed in our company-operated retail stores. Except for 10 employees in France, who are covered by collective bargaining agreements pursuant to French law, none of our employees are currently covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and we believe our employee relations are good.

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Trademarks and Licensing

We own the Vince trademark for the production, marketing and distribution of our products in the U.S. and internationally. We have registered the trademark domestically and have registrations on file or pending in a number of foreign jurisdictions. We intend to continue to strategically register, both domestically and internationally, trademarks that we use today and those we develop in the future. We license the domain name for our website, www.vince.com, pursuant to a license agreement. Under this license agreement, we have an exclusive, irrevocable license to use the www.vince.com domain name without restriction at a nominal annual cost. While we may terminate such license agreement at our discretion, the agreement does not provide for termination by the licensor. We also own unregistered copyright rights in our design marks.

Available Information

We make available free of charge on our website, www.vince.com, copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and all amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically with, or otherwise furnishing it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The public may read and copy these materials at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Vince and other companies that electronically file materials with the SEC. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the website, and the information contained on the website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following risk factors should be carefully considered when evaluating our business and the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See “Disclosures Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” All amounts disclosed are in thousands except shares, per share amounts, percentages, stores and number of leases.

Risks Related to Our Business

We may not be able to realize the benefits of our strategic initiatives.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we entered into limited distribution arrangements with Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Group for non-licensed product in order to rationalize our department store distribution strategy which is intended to improve profitability in the Wholesale segment in the future and enable our management team to focus on other areas of growth for the brand, particularly in the Direct-to-consumer segment.  During fiscal 2018, we implemented these strategic initiatives to capture the sales from exited wholesale doors through our retail and e-commerce businesses while collaborating with the wholesale partners in various areas including merchandising and logistics to build a more profitable and focused wholesale business.  We also recently engaged a third-party consulting firm to identify short to mid-term business initiatives and opportunities for further business growth.  The continued success of these strategic initiatives depends on a number of factors, including our ability to position our retail and e-commerce businesses for further strategic growth, the businesses of Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Group, the effectiveness of our collaboration efforts with Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Group, including in marketing and logistics initiatives, our ability to properly identify appropriate future growth opportunities, and macroeconomic impact on our business. There can be no assurance that the strategic initiatives would produce intended positive results.  If we are unable to realize the benefits of the strategic initiatives, our financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.   

A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a small number of large wholesale partners, and the loss of any of these wholesale partners could substantially reduce our total revenue.

We historically had a small number of wholesale partners who account for a significant portion of our net sales. During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we entered into limited distribution arrangements with Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Group, which further impacted our wholesale partnership base.  Net sales to the full-price, off-price and e-commerce operations to Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Group in the aggregate comprised 33.7% of our total revenue for fiscal 2018. We do not have formal written agreements with any of our wholesale partners, and purchases generally occur on an order-by-order basis. A decision by any of our major wholesale partners, including Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Group, to no longer participate in limited distribution arrangements, whether motivated by marketing strategy, competitive conditions, financial difficulties or otherwise, to significantly decrease the amount of merchandise purchased from us or our licensing partners, or to change their manner of doing business with us or our licensing partners, could substantially reduce our revenue and have a material adverse effect on our profitability. Furthermore, due to the concentration of and/or ownership changes in our wholesale partner base, our results of operations could be adversely affected if any

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of these wholesale partners fails to satisfy its payment obligations to us when due or no longer takes part in the distribution arrangements. These changes could also decrease our opportunities in the market and decrease our negotiating strength with our wholesale partners. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results, especially in light of our new limited wholesale distribution strategy.

One of our strategic initiatives is to focus on our Direct-to-consumer segment, which includes opening retail stores in select locations under more favorable and shorter lease terms and operating and maintaining our new and existing retail stores successfully. If we are unable to execute this strategy in a timely manner, or at all, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

As part of our recently implemented strategy to increase focus on our Direct-to-consumer segment we opened net four stores during fiscal 2018 and we continue to seek retail opportunities in targeted streets or malls with desirable size and adjacencies, typically near luxury retailers that we believe are consistent with our key customers’ demographics and shopping preferences, and seek to negotiate more favorable leases including shorter terms. The success of this strategy depends on a number of factors, including the identification of suitable markets and sites, negotiation of acceptable lease terms while securing those favorable locations, including desired term, rent and tenant improvement allowances, and if entering a new market, the timely achievement of brand awareness and proper evaluation of the market particularly for locations with shorter term, affinity and purchase intent in that market, as well as our business condition in funding the opening and operations of stores. Furthermore, we may not be able to maintain the successful operation of our retail stores if the areas around our existing retail locations undergo changes that result in reductions in customer foot traffic or otherwise render the locations unsuitable, such as economic downturns in the area, changes in demographics and customer preferences and the closing or decline in popularity of adjacent stores.  During fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, we recorded non-cash asset impairment charges of $1,684, $5,111 and $2,082, respectively, within selling, general and administrative expenses related to the impairment of property and equipment of certain retail stores with carrying values that were determined not to be recoverable and exceeded fair value. If we are unable to successfully implement our retail strategy, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, including the potential of further impairments of tangible assets.

As of February 2, 2019, we operated 59 stores, including 45 company-operated full-price stores and 14 company-operated outlet stores throughout the United States. We plan to increase our store base consistent with our strategy, including the expected net opening of 3 new stores in fiscal 2019.

We are subject to risks associated with leasing retail and office space, are historically subject to long-term non-cancelable leases and are required to make substantial lease payments under our operating leases, and any failure to make these lease payments when due would likely harm our business, profitability and results of operations.

We do not own any of our stores or our offices, including our New York and Los Angeles offices, or our showroom space in Paris but instead lease all of such space under operating leases. Although some of our leases are subject to shorter terms as a result of the implementation of our strategy to pursue shorter lease terms, our leases generally have initial terms of 10 years, and generally can be extended only for one additional 5-year term. Substantially all of our leases require a fixed annual rent, and most require the payment of additional rent if store sales exceed a negotiated amount. Most of our leases are “net” leases, which require us to pay the cost of insurance, taxes, maintenance and utilities, and we generally cannot cancel these leases at our option. Additionally, certain of our leases allow the lessor to terminate the lease if we do not achieve a specified gross sales threshold. Although we believe we will achieve the required threshold to continue those leases, we cannot assure you that we will do so, in which case, we would be forced to find an alternative store location and may not be successful in doing so. Any loss of our store locations due to underperformance may harm our results of operations, stock price and reputation.

Payments under these leases account for a significant portion of our selling, general and administrative expenses. For example, as of February 2, 2019, we were a party to 64 operating leases associated with our retail stores and our office and showroom spaces requiring future minimum lease payments of $21,512 in the aggregate through fiscal 2019 and $95,379 thereafter. Any new retail stores leased by us under operating leases will further increase our operating lease expenses and some of those stores may require significant capital expenditures. Our substantial operating lease obligations could have significant negative consequences, including, among others:

We depend on cash flow from operations to pay our lease expenses and to fulfill our other cash needs. If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities, and sufficient funds are not otherwise available to us from borrowings under

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our credit facilities or from other sources, we may not be able to service our operating lease expenses, grow our business, respond to competitive challenges or fund our other liquidity and capital needs, which would harm our business.

If an existing or future store is not profitable, and we decide to close it, we may nonetheless be committed to perform our obligations under the applicable lease including, among others, paying the base rent for the balance of the lease term if we cannot negotiate a mutually acceptable termination payment. In addition, as our leases expire, we may fail to negotiate renewals, either on commercially acceptable terms or at all, or to find a suitable alternative location, which could cause us to close stores in desirable locations or in the case of office leases, incur costs in relocating our office space. In fiscal 2019, four of our existing store leases will expire. If we are unable to enter into new leases or renew existing leases on terms acceptable to us or be released from our obligations under leases for stores that we close, our business, profitability and results of operations may be harmed.

Our plans to improve and expand our product offerings may not be successful, and the implementation of these plans may divert our operational, managerial and administrative resources, which could harm our competitive position and reduce our net sales and profitability.

We plan to continue to grow our core product offerings and introduce new categories such as lifestyle products. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we launched our capsule fragrance collection in our Direct-to-consumer segment.  We have also continued to partner with various third parties since the launch of Vince Collective in December 2016, through which we offer a curated selection of home goods and accessories in select retail stores and on our website.

The principal risks to our ability to successfully carry out our plans to improve and expand our product offerings are that:

In addition, our ability to successfully carry out our plans to improve and expand our product offerings may be affected by economic and competitive conditions, changes in consumer spending patterns and changes in consumer preferences and style trends. These plans could be abandoned, cost more than anticipated or divert resources from other areas of our business, any of which could negatively impact our competitive position and reduce our net revenue and profitability.

We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that could, if not remediated, result in material misstatements in our financial statements.

In fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, we identified and concluded that we have material weaknesses relating to our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of an entity’s financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As further described in Part II, Item 9A in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, during fiscal 2018, we took specific steps to remediate such material weaknesses by implementing and enhancing our control procedures and as a result, remediated three out of the four previously identified material weaknesses as of the end of fiscal 2018. Although during fiscal 2018 we made significant progress on our comprehensive remediation plan related to the remaining material weakness, the remaining material weakness will not be remediated until all necessary internal controls have been implemented, tested and determined to be operating effectively. In addition, we may need to take additional measures to address such material weakness or modify the planned remediation steps, and we cannot be certain that the measures we have taken, and expect to take, to improve our internal controls will be sufficient to address the issues identified, to ensure that our internal controls are effective or to ensure that the identified material weakness will not result in a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements. Moreover, although no additional material weakness was identified in fiscal 2018, other material weaknesses or deficiencies may develop or be identified in the future. If we are unable to correct material weaknesses or deficiencies in internal controls in a timely manner, our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information accurately and within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, will be adversely affected. This failure could negatively affect the market price and trading liquidity of our common stock, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, subject us to civil and criminal investigations and penalties, and otherwise materially and adversely impact our business and financial condition.

For so long as we remain a "non-accelerated filer" under the rules of the SEC, our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to deliver an annual attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We will cease to be a non-accelerated filer if the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter is $75 million or more, in which case we would become subject to

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the requirement for an annual attestation report by our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

We are continuing to optimize and improve our recently implemented information technology systems, processes and functions. If these systems, processes and functions do not operate successfully, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially harmed.

We underwent a systems migration in 2016 and implemented our own information technology systems, processes and functions, which we are continuing to optimize and improve. During the first half of fiscal 2017, these systems we implemented did not operate as successfully as the systems we historically used as such systems were highly customized or proprietary, which resulted in disruptions to our business, such as delayed shipments which resulted in order cancellations, and identified material weaknesses in our internal controls. Although we have made progress in our efforts to optimize these systems, processes and functions, we also incurred costs through those efforts.  If we fail in our efforts to continue optimizing and improving these systems, processes and functions as currently planned, we could incur further disruptions to our business operations, including additional deficiencies or weaknesses in our internal controls, as well as additional costs to replace those systems and functions. We may also be forced to adopt less capable alternatives. Any of these would materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.

Our operations are restricted by our credit facilities.

In August 2018, we entered into an $80,000 senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2018 Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $27,500 senior secured term loan facility (the “2018 Term Loan Facility”), which replaced our prior $50,000 senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2013 Revolving Credit Facility”) and $175,000 senior secured term loan facility (the “2013 Term Loan Facility”). Our credit facilities contain significant restrictive covenants. These covenants may impair our financing and operational flexibility and make it difficult for us to react to market conditions and satisfy our ongoing capital needs and unanticipated cash requirements. Specifically, such covenants restrict our ability and, if applicable, the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:

Our credit facilities also contain certain financial covenants, including a covenant under the 2018 Term Loan Facility requiring us to maintain a specified Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

Our ability to comply with the covenants and other terms of our debt obligations will depend on our future operating performance. If we fail to comply with such covenants and terms, and are unable to cure such failure under the terms of our credit facilities, if applicable, we would be required to obtain additional waivers from our lenders to maintain compliance with our debt obligations. If we are unable to obtain any necessary waivers and the debt is accelerated, a material adverse effect on our financial condition and future operating performance would likely result.  

The terms of our debt obligations and the amount of borrowing availability under our credit facilities may also restrict or delay our ability to fulfill our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement. In accordance with the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement, delayed or unpaid amounts thereunder would accrue interest at a default rate of one-year London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 500 basis points until paid. Our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could result in a failure to comply with covenants or financial ratios required by our existing or future credit facilities and could result in an event of default thereunder. See “Tax Receivable Agreement” under Note 12 “Related Party Transactions” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

Borrowings under our credit facilities bear interest at a rate that varies depending on the LIBOR. On July 27, 2017, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear if at that time LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, announced replacement of U.S. dollar LIBOR with a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by U.S. Treasury securities called the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The first publication of SOFR was released in April 2018. Whether or not SOFR attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement tool remains

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in question and the future of LIBOR at this time is uncertain. If LIBOR rates are no longer available, our costs of borrowings under our credit facilities may be negatively impacted, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our ability to continue to have the liquidity necessary to service our debt, meet contractual payment obligations and fund our operations depends on many factors, including our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations, maintain adequate availability under our 2018 Revolving Credit Facility or obtain other financing.

Our ability to timely service our indebtedness, meet contractual payment obligations and to fund our operations will depend on our ability to generate sufficient cash, either through cash flows from operations or borrowing availability under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility, and our ability to access the capital markets if other sources of financing are unavailable on acceptable terms. Our primary cash needs are funding working capital requirements, meeting debt service requirements, paying amounts due under the Tax Receivable Agreement and capital expenditures for new stores and related leasehold improvements.

While we believe we will have sufficient liquidity for the next twelve months, there can be no assurances in the future that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet our liquidity needs, that we will have the necessary availability under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility, or be able to obtain other financing when liquidity needs arise. In particular, our ability to continue to meet our obligations is dependent on our ability to generate positive cash flow from a combination of initiatives and failure to successfully implement these initiatives would require us to implement alternative plans to satisfy our liquidity needs. In the event that we are unable to timely service our debt, meet other contractual payment obligations or fund our other liquidity needs, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness before maturity, seek waivers of or amendments to our contractual obligations for payment, reduce or delay scheduled expansions and capital expenditures, sell material assets or operations or seek other financing opportunities.  There can be no assurance that these options would be readily available to us and our inability to address our liquidity needs could materially and adversely affect our operations and jeopardize our business, financial condition and results of operations, including causing defaults under the 2018 Term Loan Facility or the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility which could result in all amounts outstanding under those credit facilities becoming immediately due and payable.

System security risk issues as well as other major system failures could disrupt our internal operations or information technology services, and any such disruption could negatively impact our net sales, increase our expenses and harm our reputation.

Experienced computer programmers and hackers, and even internal users, may be able to penetrate our network security and misappropriate our confidential information or that of third parties, including our customers, enter into or facilitate fraudulent transactions, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. In addition, employee error, malfeasance or other errors in the storage, use or transmission of any such information could result in a disclosure to third parties outside of our network. As a result, we could incur significant expenses addressing problems created by any such inadvertent disclosure or any security breaches of our network. In addition, we rely on third parties for the operation of our website, www.vince.com, and for the various business strategies, including CRM, social media and other marketing tools and websites.

We could incur significant expenses or disruptions of our operations in connection with system failures or information breaches. Sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs” and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the operation of our systems. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate security problems, viruses and bugs could be significant, and the efforts to address these problems could result in interruptions, delays or cessation of service that may impede our sales, distribution or other critical functions.

Concerns have been increasing over the security of personal information transmitted over the internet and personal identity theft and user privacy. Any compromise of personal information of our customers or employees could subject us to litigation and/or penalties and harm our reputation, materially and adversely affecting our business and growth. In addition to taking the necessary precautions ourselves, we require that third-party service providers implement reasonable security measures to protect our customers’ or employees’ identity and privacy, including any personally identifiable information and credit card information. We do not, however, control these third-party service providers and cannot guarantee that no electronic or physical computer break-ins and security breaches will occur in the future.

In the case of a disaster affecting our information technology systems, we may experience delays in recovery of data, inability to perform vital corporate functions, tardiness in required reporting and compliance, failures to adequately support our operations and other breakdowns in normal communication and operating procedures that could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to comply with privacy‑related obligations, including privacy laws and regulations in the U.S. and internationally as well as other legal obligations, could materially adversely affect our business.

A variety of laws and regulations, in the U.S. and internationally, govern the collection, use, retention, sharing, transfer and security of personally identifiable information and data, including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became effective during fiscal 2018, and the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), expected to take

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effect on January 1, 2020. We strive to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, self‑regulatory requirements, policies and legal obligations relating to privacy, data usage, and data protection. It is possible, however, that these laws, rules and regulations, which evolve frequently and may be inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another, could be interpreted to conflict with our practices.  Any failure or perceived failure by us or any third parties with which we do business to comply with these laws, rules and regulations, or with other obligations to which we may be or become subject, may result in actions against us by governmental entities, private claims and litigation, fines, penalties or other liabilities. Any such action would be expensive to defend, could damage our reputation and could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Changes in laws could make conducting our business more expensive or otherwise change the way we do business.

We are subject to numerous domestic and international regulations, including labor and employment, wage and hour, customs, truth-in-advertising, consumer protection, data and privacy protection, and zoning and occupancy laws and ordinances that regulate retailers generally or govern the importation, promotion and sale of merchandise and the operation of stores and warehouse facilities. If these regulations were to change or were violated by our management, employees, vendors, independent manufacturers or partners, the costs of certain goods could increase, or we could experience delays in shipments of our products, be subject to fines or penalties, or suffer reputational harm, which could reduce demand for our merchandise and hurt our business and results of operations.

In addition to increased regulatory compliance requirements, changes in laws could make ordinary conduct of business more expensive or require us to change the way we do business. For example, privacy‑related laws, regulations, self‑regulatory obligations and other legal obligations are evolving and various federal and state legislative and regulatory bodies may expand current laws or enact new laws regarding privacy matters, and courts may interpret existing privacy‑related laws and regulations in new or different manners. CCPA, which is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2020, imposes additional data protection obligations on companies doing business in California and provides for substantial fines for non-compliance and, in some cases, a private right of action to consumers who are victims of data breaches. It is unclear how CCPA will be implemented as the California legislature is still engaged in additional rulemaking under CCPA.  In addition, it is uncertain how the so-called “Brexit” may impact GDPR and privacy and data concerns and regulations involving the United Kingdom.  Changes in privacy‑related laws, regulations, self‑regulatory obligations and other legal obligations, or changes in industry standards or consumer sentiment, could require us to incur substantial costs or to change our business practices, including changing, limiting or ceasing altogether the collection, use, sharing, or transfer of data relating to consumers. Any of these effects could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.  As another example, changes in federal and state minimum wage laws could raise the wage requirements for certain of our employees at our retail locations, which would increase our selling costs and may cause us to reexamine our wage structure for such employees. Other laws related to employee benefits and treatment of employees, including laws related to limitations on employee hours, supervisory status, leaves of absence, mandated health benefits, overtime pay, unemployment tax rates and citizenship requirements, could negatively impact us, by increasing compensation and benefits costs which would in turn reduce our profitability.

Moreover, changes in product safety or other consumer protection laws could lead to increased costs to us for certain merchandise, or additional labor costs associated with readying merchandise for sale. It is often difficult for us to plan and prepare for potential changes to applicable laws and future actions or payments related to such changes could be material to us.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) was enacted, which contained significant changes to U.S. tax laws, including, but not limited to, a reduction in the corporate tax rate and a transition to a new territorial system of taxation. Although TCJA did not have a near-term material negative impact on our operating results, some foreign governments or U.S. states may enact tax laws in response to TCJA that could result in further changes to taxation applicable to us and materially and negatively affect our operating results and financial condition.

Problems with our distribution process could materially harm our ability to meet customer expectations, manage inventory, complete sale transactions and achieve targeted operating efficiencies.

In the U.S., we rely on a distribution facility operated by a third-party logistics provider in California. Our ability to meet the needs of our wholesale partners and our own Direct-to-consumer business depends on the proper operation of this distribution facility. Because substantially all of our products are distributed from one location, our operations could be interrupted by labor difficulties, or by floods, fires, earthquakes or other natural disasters near such facility. For example, a majority of our ocean shipments go through the ports in Los Angeles, which had previously been subject to significant processing delays due to labor issues involving the port workers. We also have a warehouse in Belgium operated by a third-party logistics provider to support our wholesale orders for customers located primarily in Europe. In addition, during the third quarter of fiscal 2018, we began operations with a third-party logistics provider in Hong Kong. Disruptions at any of these facilities located outside the U.S. could also materially and negatively impact the business.

We maintain business interruption insurance. These policies, however, may not adequately protect us from the adverse effects that could result from significant disruptions to our distribution system. If we encounter problems with any of our distribution processes, our ability to meet customer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales and achieve targeted operating efficiencies

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could be harmed. Any of the foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

If we are unable to accurately forecast customer demand for our products, our manufacturers may not be able to deliver products to meet our requirements, and this could result in delays in the shipment of products to our stores, wholesale partners and e-commerce customers, or we could face issues relating to excess inventory.

We stock our stores, and provide inventory to our wholesale partners, based on our or their estimates of future demand for particular products. Our inventory management and planning team determines the number of pieces of each product that we will order from our manufacturers based upon past sales of similar products, sales trend information and anticipated demand at our suggested retail prices. However, if our inventory and planning team fails to accurately forecast customer demand, we may experience excess inventory levels or a shortage of products. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully manage our inventory at a level appropriate for future customer demand.

Factors that could affect our inventory management and planning team’s ability to accurately forecast customer demand for our products include:

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to match supply with demand in all cases in the future, whether as a result of our inability to produce sufficient levels of desirable product or our failure to forecast demand accurately. As a result of these inabilities or failures, we may in the future encounter further difficulties in filling customer orders or in liquidating excess inventory at discount prices and may experience significant write-offs. Additionally, if we over-produce a product based on an aggressive forecast of demand, retailers may not be able to sell the product and cancel future orders or require give backs. These outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our brand image, sales, gross margins and profitability.

Intense competition in the apparel and fashion industry could reduce our sales and profitability.

As a fashion company, we face intense competition from other domestic and foreign apparel, footwear and accessories manufacturers and retailers. Competition has and may continue to result in pricing pressures, reduced profit margins, lost market share or failure to grow our market share, any of which could substantially harm our business and results of operations. Competition is based on many factors including, without limitation, the following:

Competition in the apparel and fashion industry is intense and is dominated by a number of very large brands, many of which have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, more established relationships with a broader set of suppliers, greater brand recognition and greater financial, research and development, marketing, distribution and other resources than we do. These capabilities of our competitors may allow them to better withstand downturns in the economy or apparel and fashion industry. Any increased competition, or our failure to adequately address any of these competitive factors which we have seen from time to time, could result in reduced sales, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Competition, along with such other factors as consolidation within the retail industry and changes in consumer spending patterns, could also result in significant pricing pressure and cause the sales environment to be more promotional, as it has been in

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recent years, impacting our financial results. If promotional pressure remains intense, either through actions of our competitors or through customer expectations, this may cause a further reduction in our sales and gross margins and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our business depends on a strong brand image, and if we are not able to maintain or enhance our brand, particularly in new markets where we have limited brand recognition, we may be unable to sell sufficient quantities of our merchandise, which would harm our business and cause our results of operations to suffer.

We believe that maintaining and enhancing the Vince brand is critical to maintaining and expanding our customer base. Maintaining and enhancing our brand may require us to make substantial investments in areas such as visual merchandising, marketing and advertising, employee training and store operations. Certain of our competitors in the fashion industry have faced adverse publicity surrounding the quality, attributes and performance of their products or company culture. Our brand may similarly be adversely affected if our public image or reputation is tarnished by failing to maintain high standards for merchandise quality and corporate integrity. Any negative publicity about these types of concerns may reduce demand for our merchandise. Maintaining and enhancing our brand will depend largely on our ability to be a leading global luxury apparel and accessories brand and to continue to provide high quality products. Moreover, we anticipate that, as our business expands into new markets and further penetrates existing markets, and as the markets in which we operate become increasingly competitive, maintaining and enhancing our brand may become increasingly difficult and expensive. If we are unable to maintain or enhance our brand image, our results of operations may suffer and our business may be harmed.

General economic conditions in the U.S. and other parts of the world, including a weakening of the economy and restricted credit markets, can affect consumer confidence and consumer spending patterns.

The success of our operations depends on consumer spending. Consumer spending is impacted by a number of factors, including actual and perceived economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income (such as unemployment, wages, energy costs and consumer debt levels), customer traffic within shopping and selling environments, business conditions, interest rates and availability of credit and tax rates in the general economy and in the international, regional and local markets in which our products are sold. Global economic conditions historically included significant recessionary pressures and declines in employment levels, disposable income and actual and/or perceived wealth and further declines in consumer confidence and economic growth. A depressed economic environment is often characterized by a decline in consumer discretionary spending and has disproportionately affected retailers and sellers of consumer goods, particularly those whose goods are viewed as discretionary or luxury purchases, including fashion apparel and accessories such as ours. Such factors as well as another shift towards recessionary conditions have impacted, and could further adversely impact, our sales volumes and overall profitability. Further, economic and political volatility and declines in the value of foreign currencies could negatively impact the global economy as a whole and have a material adverse effect on the profitability and liquidity of our operations, as well as hinder our ability to grow through expansion in the international markets. In addition, domestic and international political situations also affect consumer confidence, including the threat, outbreak or escalation of terrorism, military conflicts or other hostilities around the world.

If we lose any key personnel, are unable to attract key personnel, or assimilate and retain our key personnel, we may not be able to successfully operate or grow our business.

Our continued success is dependent on our ability to attract, assimilate, retain and motivate qualified management, designers, administrative talent and sales associates to support existing operations and future growth. Competition for qualified talent in the apparel and fashion industry is intense, and we compete for these individuals with other companies that in many cases have greater financial and other resources. The loss of the services of any members of senior management or the inability to attract and retain qualified executives could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we will need to continue to attract, assimilate, retain and motivate highly talented employees with a range of other skills and experience.   Competition for employees in our industry, especially at the store management levels, is intense and we may from time to time experience difficulty in retaining our associates or attracting the additional talent necessary to support the growth of our business. We will also need to attract, assimilate and retain other professionals across a range of disciplines, including design, production, sourcing and international business, as we develop new product categories and continue to expand our international presence.

Our competitive position could suffer if our intellectual property rights are not protected.

We believe that our trademarks and designs are of great value. From time to time, third parties have challenged, and may in the future try to challenge, our ownership of our intellectual property. In some cases, third parties with similar trademarks or other intellectual property may have pre-existing and potentially conflicting trademark registrations. We rely on cooperation from third parties with similar trademarks to be able to register our trademarks in jurisdictions in which such third parties have already registered their trademarks. We are susceptible to others imitating our products and infringing our intellectual property rights. Imitation or counterfeiting of our products or infringement of our intellectual property rights could diminish the value of our brands or otherwise

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adversely affect our revenues. The actions we have taken to establish and protect our trademarks and other intellectual property rights may not be adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to invalidate our trademarks or block sales of our products as a violation of the trademarks and intellectual property rights of others. In addition, others may assert rights in, or ownership of, our trademarks and other intellectual property rights or in similar marks or marks that we license and/or market and we may not be able to successfully resolve these conflicts to our satisfaction. We may need to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. Successful infringement claims against us could result in significant monetary liability or prevent us from selling some of our products. In addition, resolution of claims may require us to redesign our products, license rights from third parties or cease using those rights altogether. Any of these events could harm our business and cause our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition to suffer.

We license our website domain name from a third-party. Pursuant to the license agreement (the “Domain License Agreement”), our license to use www.vince.com automatically renews on an annual basis, subject to our right to terminate the arrangement with or without cause; provided, that we must pay the applicable early termination fee and provide 30 days prior notice in connection with a termination without cause. The licensor has no termination rights under the Domain License Agreement. Any failure by the licensor to perform its obligations under the Domain License Agreement could adversely affect our brand and make it more difficult for users to find our website.

Our limited operating experience and brand recognition in international markets may delay our expansion strategy and cause our business and growth to suffer.

We face risks with respect to our strategy to expand internationally, including our efforts to further expand our business in Canada, select European countries, Asia and the Middle East through company-operated locations, wholesale arrangements as well as with international partners. Our current operations are based largely in the U.S., with international wholesale sales representing 9% of net sales for fiscal 2018. Therefore, we have a limited number of customers and experience in operating outside of the U.S. We also do not have extensive experience with regulatory environments and market practices outside of the U.S. and cannot guarantee, notwithstanding our international partners’ familiarity with such environments and market practices, that we will be able to penetrate or successfully operate in any market outside of the U.S. Many of these markets have different operational characteristics, including employment and labor regulations, transportation, logistics, real estate (including lease terms) and local reporting or legal requirements.

Furthermore, consumer demand and behavior, as well as style preferences, size and fit, and purchasing trends, may differ in these markets and, as a result, sales of our product may not be successful, or the margins on those sales may not be in line with those that we currently anticipate. In addition, in many of these markets there is significant competition to attract and retain experienced and talented employees. Failure to develop new markets outside of the U.S. or disappointing sales growth outside of the U.S. may harm our business and results of operations.

In particular, we are subject to French laws including tax, employment and corporate laws because of our presence in France through the French branch of Vince, LLC. We may also enter into other foreign jurisdictions and become subject to the laws of those jurisdictions in the future. If we fail to comply with some or all of those laws, we may be subject to fines or penalties that could negatively impact our business and results of operations.  

Our current and future licensing arrangements may not be successful and may make us susceptible to the actions of third parties over whom we have limited control.

We currently have product licensing agreements for women’s footwear and men’s footwear and on a limited basis, fragrance. In the future, we may enter into select additional licensing arrangements for product offerings which require specialized expertise. In addition, we have entered into select licensing agreements pursuant to which we have granted certain third parties the right to distribute and sell our products in certain geographic areas, and may continue to do so in the future. Although we have taken and will continue to take steps to select potential licensing partners carefully and monitor the activities of our existing licensing partners (through, among other things, approval rights over product design, production quality, packaging, merchandising, marketing, distribution and advertising), such arrangements may not be successful. Our licensing partners may fail to fulfill their obligations under their license agreements or have interests that differ from or conflict with our own, such as the pricing of our products and the offering of competitive products. In addition, the risks applicable to the business of our licensing partners may be different than the risks applicable to our business, including risks associated with each such partner’s ability to:

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Any of the foregoing risks, or the inability of any of our licensing partners to successfully market our products or otherwise conduct its business, may result in loss of revenue and competitive harm to our operations in regions or product categories where we have entered into such licensing arrangements.

The extent of our foreign sourcing may adversely affect our business.

We work with more than 40 manufacturers across nine countries, with 88% of our products produced in China in fiscal 2018. A manufacturing contractor’s failure to ship products to us in a timely manner or to meet the required quality standards could cause us to miss the delivery date requirements of our customers for those items. The failure to make timely deliveries may cause customers to cancel orders, refuse to accept deliveries or demand reduced prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us. As a result of the magnitude of our foreign sourcing, our business is subject to the following risks:

If these risks limit or prevent us from manufacturing products in any significant international market, prevent us from acquiring products from foreign suppliers, or significantly increase the cost of our products, our operations could be seriously disrupted until alternative suppliers are found or alternative markets are developed, which could negatively impact our business.

Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials could cause delays and increase costs and cause our operating results and financial condition to suffer.

Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of the fabrics or other raw materials, particularly cotton, silk, leather and synthetics used in our manufactured apparel, could have a material adverse effect on cost of sales or our ability to meet customer demands. The prices of fabrics depend largely on the market prices of the raw materials used to produce them. The price and availability of the raw materials and, in turn, the fabrics used in our apparel may fluctuate significantly, depending on many factors, including crop yields, weather patterns, labor costs and changes in oil prices. We may not be able to create suitable design solutions that utilize raw materials with attractive prices or, alternatively, to pass higher raw materials prices and related transportation costs on to our customers. We are not always successful in our efforts to protect our business from the volatility of the market price of raw materials, and our business can be materially affected by dramatic movements in prices of raw materials. The ultimate effect of this change on our earnings cannot be quantified, as the effect of movements in raw materials prices on industry selling prices are uncertain, but any significant increase in these prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our reliance on independent manufacturers could cause delays or quality issues which could damage customer relationships.

We use independent manufacturers to assemble or produce all of our products, whether inside or outside the U.S. We are dependent on the ability of these independent manufacturers to adequately finance the production of goods ordered and maintain sufficient manufacturing capacity. Because we do not control these independent manufacturers, they may not continue to provide products that are consistent with our standards. We receive from time to time shipments of product that fail to conform to our quality control standards or products that are damaged during shipment as they were not properly packed. Failures such as these in our quality control program may result in diminished product quality, which in turn may result in increased order cancellations and returns,

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decreased consumer demand for our products, or product recalls, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, products that fail to meet our standards, or other unauthorized products, could end up in the marketplace without our knowledge. This could materially harm our brand and our reputation in the marketplace.

We generally do not have long-term written agreements with any independent manufacturers. As a result, any single manufacturing contractor could unilaterally terminate its relationship with us at any time. Our top five manufacturers accounted for the production of approximately 61% of our finished products during fiscal 2018. Supply disruptions from these manufacturers (or any of our other manufacturers) could have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet customer demands, if we are unable to source suitable replacement materials at acceptable prices or at all. Moreover, alternative manufacturers, if available, may not be able to provide us with products or services of a comparable quality, at an acceptable price or on a timely basis. We may also, from time to time, make a decision to enter into a relationship with a new manufacturer. Identifying a suitable supplier is an involved process that requires us to become satisfied with their quality control, responsiveness and service, financial stability and labor and other ethical practices. There can be no assurance that there will not be a disruption in the supply of our products from independent manufacturers or that any new manufacturer will be successful in producing our products in a manner we expected. Moreover, during fiscal 2017, certain manufacturers demanded accelerated payment terms or prepayments as a condition to delivering finished goods to us, which required us to take various steps to address those requests to avoid disruptions in product deliveries and to return to normal terms. There can be no assurance that such demands would not recur in the future. In the event of any disruption with a manufacturer, we may not be able to substitute suitable alternative manufacturers in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The failure of any independent manufacturer to perform or the loss of any independent manufacturer could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If our independent manufacturers fail to use ethical business practices and comply with applicable laws and regulations, our brand image could be harmed due to negative publicity.

We have established and currently maintain operating guidelines which promote ethical business practices such as fair wage practices, compliance with child labor laws and other local laws. While we monitor compliance with those guidelines, we do not control our independent manufacturers or their business practices. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee their compliance with our guidelines. A lack of demonstrated compliance could lead us to seek alternative suppliers, which could increase our costs and result in delayed delivery of our products, product shortages or other disruptions of our operations.

Violation of labor or other laws by our independent manufacturers or the divergence of an independent manufacturer’s labor or other practices from those generally accepted as ethical in the U.S. or other markets in which we do business could also attract negative publicity for us and our brand. From time to time, our audit results have revealed a lack of compliance in certain respects, including with respect to local labor, safety and environmental laws. Other fashion companies have faced criticism after highly-publicized incidents or compliance issues have occurred or been exposed at factories producing their products. To the extent our manufacturers do not bring their operations into compliance with such laws or resolve material issues identified in any of our audit results, we may face similar criticism and negative publicity. This could diminish the value of our brand image and reduce demand for our merchandise. In addition, other fashion companies have encountered organized boycotts of their products in such situations. If we, or other companies in our industry, encounter similar problems in the future, it could harm our brand image, stock price and results of operations.

Monitoring compliance by independent manufacturers is complicated by the fact that expectations of ethical business practices continually evolve, may be substantially more demanding than applicable legal requirements and are driven in part by legal developments and by diverse groups active in publicizing and organizing public responses to perceived ethical shortcomings. Accordingly, we cannot predict how such expectations might develop in the future and cannot be certain that our guidelines would satisfy all parties who are active in monitoring and publicizing perceived shortcomings in labor and other business practices worldwide.

Our operating results may be subject to seasonal and quarterly variations in our net revenue and income from operations.

The apparel and fashion industry in which we operate is cyclical and, consequently, our revenues are affected by general economic conditions and the seasonal trends characteristic to the apparel and fashion industry.  Purchases of apparel are sensitive to a number of factors that influence the level of consumer spending, including economic conditions and the level of disposable consumer income, consumer debt, interest rates, consumer confidence as well as the impact from adverse weather conditions. In addition, fluctuations in the amount of sales in any fiscal quarter are affected by the timing of seasonal wholesale shipments and other events affecting direct-to-consumer sales; as such, the financial results for any particular quarter may not be indicative of results for the fiscal year. Any future seasonal or quarterly fluctuations in our results of operations may not match the expectations of market analysts and investors to assess the longer-term profitability and strength of our business at any particular point, which could lead to increased volatility in our stock price.

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Our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets could become further impaired, which may require us to take significant non-cash charges against earnings.

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 350 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually during the fourth fiscal quarter and in an interim period if a triggering event occurs. Determining the fair value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates and operating margins, discount rates and future market conditions, among others. We base our estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $22,311 related to the direct-to-consumer reporting unit goodwill and $30,750 related to the tradename intangible asset. It is possible that our current estimates of future operating results could change adversely and impact the evaluation of the recoverability of the remaining carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets and that the effect of such changes could be material. There can be no assurances that we will not be required to record further charges in our financial statements which would negatively impact our results of operations during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or intangible assets is determined.

We are required to pay to the Pre-IPO Stockholders 85% of certain tax benefits, and could be required to make substantial cash payments in which our stockholders will not participate.

We entered into a Tax Receivable Agreement with the Pre-IPO Stockholders (as defined therein) in connection with the IPO and Restructuring Transactions which closed on November 27, 2013. Under the Tax Receivable Agreement, we will be obligated to pay to the Pre-IPO Stockholders an amount equal to 85% of the cash savings in federal, state and local income tax realized by us by virtue of our future use of the federal, state and local net operating losses (“NOLs”) held by us as of November 27, 2013, together with section 197 intangible deductions (collectively, the “Pre-IPO Tax Benefits”). “Section 197 intangible deductions” means amortization deductions with respect to certain amortizable intangible assets which are held by us and our subsidiaries immediately after November 27, 2013. Cash tax savings generally will be computed by comparing our actual federal, state and local income tax liability to the amount of such taxes that we would have been required to pay had such Pre-IPO Tax Benefits not been available to us. Assuming the federal, state and local corporate income tax rates presently in effect which includes the impact of the TCJA, no material change in applicable tax law and no limitation on our ability to use the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits under Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”), the estimated cash benefit of the full use of these Pre-IPO Tax Benefits as of February 2, 2019 would be approximately $106,884, of which 85%, or approximately $90,851 plus accrued interest, is potentially payable to the Pre-IPO Stockholders under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement. As of February 2, 2019, $58,273, plus accrued interest, is currently outstanding. Accordingly, the Tax Receivable Agreement could require us to make substantial cash payments.

Payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement will depend upon a number of factors, including the amount and timing of taxable income we generate in the future and any future limitations that may be imposed on our ability to use the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits, and estimating future taxable income is inherently uncertain and requires judgment.  If we determine in the future that the estimate should be revised, we would be required to either recognize additional liability related to tax benefits expected to be utilized or derecognize liability relating to tax benefits no longer expected to be utilized, which could result in material modifications to our financial statements.

Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) to challenge any tax benefits arising under the Tax Receivable Agreement, the affiliates of Sun Capital will not reimburse us for any payments previously made if such benefits subsequently were disallowed, although the amount of any tax savings subsequently disallowed will reduce any future payment otherwise owed to the Pre-IPO Stockholders. For example, if our determinations regarding the applicability (or lack thereof) and amount of any limitations on the NOLs under Section 382 of the Code were to be successfully challenged by the IRS after payments relating to such NOLs had been made to the Pre-IPO Stockholders, we would not be reimbursed by the Pre-IPO Stockholders and our recovery would be limited to the extent of future payments (if any) otherwise remaining under the Tax Receivable Agreement. As a result, in such circumstances we could make payments to the Pre-IPO Stockholders under the Tax Receivable Agreement in excess of our actual cash tax savings.

At the effective date of the Tax Receivable Agreement, the liability recognized was accounted for in our financial statements as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. Subsequent changes in the Tax Receivable Agreement liability will be recorded through earnings. Even if the NOLs are available to us, the Tax Receivable Agreement will operate to transfer 85% of the benefit to the Pre-IPO Stockholders. Additionally, the payments we make to the Pre-IPO Stockholders under the Tax Receivable Agreement are not expected to give rise to any incidental tax benefits to us, such as deductions or an adjustment to the basis of our assets.

Federal and state laws impose substantial restrictions on the utilization of NOL carry-forwards in the event of an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Code. Under the rules, such an ownership change is generally any change in ownership of more than 50 percent of a company’s stock within a rolling three-year period, as calculated in accordance with the rules. The rules generally operate by focusing on changes in ownership among stockholders considered by the rules as owning directly or indirectly 5% or more of the stock of the company and any change in ownership arising from new issuances of stock by the company.

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While we have performed an analysis under Section 382 of the Code that indicates the IPO and Restructuring Transactions would not constitute an ownership change, such technical guidelines are complex and subject to significant judgment and interpretation. With the IPO and the transactions related to the IPO including the Restructuring Transactions, we may trigger or have already triggered an “ownership change” limitation. We may also experience ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent shifts in stock ownership. As a result, if we earn net taxable income, our ability to use the pre-change NOL carry-forwards (after giving effect to payments to be made to the Pre-IPO Stockholders under the Tax Receivable Agreement) to offset U.S. federal taxable income may be subject to limitations, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our analysis to date under Section 382 of the Code indicates that the IPO Restructuring Transactions have not triggered an “ownership change” limitation.

If we did not enter into the Tax Receivable Agreement, we would be entitled to realize the full economic benefit of the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits, to the extent allowed by federal, state and local law, including Section 382 of the Code. Subject to exceptions, the Tax Receivable Agreement is designed with the objective of causing our annual cash costs attributable to federal state and local income taxes (without regard to our continuing 15% interest in the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits) to be the same as we would have paid had we not had the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits available to offset our federal, state and local taxable income. As a result, we will not be entitled to the economic benefit of the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits that would have been available if the Tax Receivable Agreement were not in effect (except to the extent of our continuing 15% interest in the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits).

In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement to the Pre-IPO Stockholders may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits we realize in respect of the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits.

Upon the election of an affiliate of Sun Capital to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement pursuant to a change in control (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) or upon our election to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement early, all of our payment and other obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be accelerated and will become due and payable. Additionally, the Tax Receivable Agreement provides that in the event that we breach any of our material obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement by operation of law as a result of the rejection of the Tax Receivable Agreement in a case commenced under Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) then all of our payment and other obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be accelerated and will become due and payable.

In the case of any such acceleration, we would be required to make an immediate payment equal to 85% of the present value of the tax savings represented by any portion of the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits for which payment under the Tax Receivable Agreement has not already been made, which upfront payment may be made years in advance of the actual realization of such future benefits. Such payments could be substantial and could exceed our actual cash tax savings from the Pre-IPO Tax Benefits. In these situations, our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control. There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient cash available or that we will be able to finance our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

If we were to elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement, based on a discount rate equal to monthly LIBOR plus 200 basis points, we estimate that as of February 2, 2019 we would be required to pay approximately $44,929 in the aggregate under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

We could incur significant costs in complying with environmental, health and safety laws or as a result of satisfying any liability or obligation imposed under such laws.

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. We could be held liable for the costs to address contamination of any real property ever owned, operated or used as a disposal site. In addition, in the event that Kellwood becomes financially incapable of addressing the environmental liability incurred prior to the structural reorganization separating Kellwood from Vince that occurred on November 27, 2013, a third party may file suit and attempt to allege that Kellwood and Vince engaged in a fraudulent transfer by arguing that the purpose of the separation of the non-Vince assets from Vince Holding Corp. was to insulate our assets from the environmental liability. For example, pursuant to a Consent Decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the State of Missouri, a non-Vince subsidiary, which was separated from us in the Restructuring Transactions, is conducting a cleanup of contamination at the site of a plant in New Haven, Missouri, which occurred between 1973 and 1985. Kellwood has posted a letter of credit in the amount of approximately $5,900 as a performance guarantee for the estimated cost of the required remediation work. In connection with the Kellwood Sale, the letter of credit was transferred to the account of the Kellwood Purchaser. If, despite the financial assurance provided by the letter of credit as required by the EPA, the buyer of Kellwood became financially unable to address this remediation, and if the corporate separateness of Vince is disregarded or if a fraudulent transfer is found to have occurred, we could be liable for the full amount of the remediation. If this were to occur or if we were to become liable for other environmental liabilities or obligations, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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Any disputes that arise between us and St. Louis, LLC, or between us and Kellwood, which is now an unaffiliated entity, with respect to our past relationships, could materially harm our business operations.

Disputes may arise between St. Louis, LLC and us with respect to any past transitional services provided under the Shared Services Agreement.  In addition, disputes may arise between us and Kellwood, which is now an unaffiliated entity as a result of the Kellwood Sale, in a number of areas relating to our past relationships, including intellectual property and technology matters; information retention, labor, tax, employee benefit, indemnification and other matters arising from our separation from Kellwood.

Any dispute relating to the Shared Services Agreement may not be addressed adequately as St. Louis, LLC is now an entity with no operations.  In addition, we may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts with Kellwood and the resolution might be more difficult with an unaffiliated party due to, among other things, lack of historical knowledge and understanding of the nature of our past relationship with Kellwood.  Any such dispute, if not resolved, could materially harm our business operations.

Risks Related to Our Structure and Ownership

We are a “controlled company,” controlled by investment funds advised by affiliates of Sun Capital, whose interests in our business may be different from yours.

Affiliates of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (“Sun Capital”) owned approximately 73% of our outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2019. As such, affiliates of Sun Capital will, for the foreseeable future, have significant influence over our reporting and corporate management and affairs, and will be able to control virtually all matters requiring stockholder approval. For so long as affiliates of Sun Capital own 30% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, Sun Cardinal, LLC, an affiliate of Sun Capital, will have the right to designate a majority of our board of directors. For so long as affiliates of Sun Capital have the right to designate a majority of our board of directors, the directors designated by affiliates of Sun Capital may constitute a majority of each committee of our board of directors, other than the Audit Committee, and the chairman of each of the committees, other than the Audit Committee, may be a director serving on such committee who is designated by affiliates of Sun Capital, provided that, at such time as we are not a “controlled company” under the NYSE corporate governance standards, our committee membership will comply with all applicable requirements of those standards and a majority of our board of directors will be “independent directors,” as defined under the rules of the NYSE (subject to applicable phase-in rules).

As a “controlled company,” the rules of the NYSE exempt us from the obligation to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that a majority of our board of directors consists of “independent directors,” as defined under such rules, and that we have nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees that are each composed entirely of independent directors. These exemptions do not modify the requirement for a fully independent audit committee, which we have. Similarly, once we are no longer a “controlled company,” we must comply with the independent board committee requirements as they relate to the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees, which are permitted to be phased-in as follows: (1) one independent committee member on the date we cease to be a “controlled company” (2) a majority of independent committee members within 90 days of such date; and (3) all independent committee members within one year of such date. Additionally, we will have 12 months from the date we cease to be a “controlled company” to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors.

Affiliates of Sun Capital control actions to be taken by us, our board of directors and our stockholders, including amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and approval of significant corporate transactions, including mergers and sales of substantially all of our assets. The directors designated by affiliates of Sun Capital have the authority, subject to the terms of our indebtedness and the rules and regulations of the NYSE, to issue additional stock, implement stock repurchase programs, declare dividends and make other decisions. The NYSE independence standards are intended to ensure that directors who meet the independence standard are free of any conflicting interest that could influence their actions as directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the doctrine of “corporate opportunity” does not apply against Sun Capital or its affiliates, or any of our directors who are associates of, or affiliated with, Sun Capital, in a manner that would prohibit them from investing in competing businesses or doing business with our partners or customers. It is possible that the interests of Sun Capital and its affiliates may in some circumstances conflict with our interests and the interests of our other stockholders, including you. For example, Sun Capital may have different tax positions from other stockholders which could influence their decisions regarding whether and when we should dispose of assets, whether and when we should incur new or refinance existing indebtedness, especially in light of the existence of the Tax Receivable Agreement, and whether and when we should terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement and accelerate our obligations thereunder. In addition, the structuring of future transactions may take into consideration tax or other considerations of Sun Capital and its affiliates even where no similar benefit would accrue to us. See “Tax Receivable Agreement” under Note 12 “Related Party Transactions” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

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We are a holding company and we are dependent upon distributions from our subsidiaries to pay dividends, taxes and other expenses.

Vince Holding Corp. is a holding company with no material assets other than its ownership of membership interests in Vince Intermediate Holding, LLC, a holding company that has no material assets other than its interest in Vince, LLC. Neither Vince Holding Corp. nor Vince Intermediate Holding, LLC have any independent means of generating revenue. To the extent that we need funds, for a cash dividend to holders of our common stock or otherwise, and Vince Intermediate Holding, LLC or Vince, LLC is restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or is otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.

We file consolidated income tax returns on behalf of Vince Holding Corp. and Vince Intermediate Holding, LLC. Most of our future tax obligations will likely be attributed to the operations of Vince, LLC. Accordingly, most of the payments against the Tax Receivable Agreement will be attributed to the operations of Vince, LLC. We intend to cause Vince, LLC to pay distributions or make funds available to us in an amount sufficient to allow us to pay our taxes and any payments due to the Pre-IPO stockholders under the Tax Receivable Agreement. If, as a consequence of these various limitations and restrictions, we do not have sufficient funds to pay tax or other liabilities, we may have to borrow funds and thus our liquidity and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. To the extent that we are unable to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, such payments will be deferred and will accrue interest at a default rate of one-year LIBOR plus 500 basis points until paid. See “Tax Receivable Agreement” under Note 12 “Related Party Transactions” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws could delay and discourage takeover attempts that stockholders may consider to be favorable.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that may make the acquisition of our Company more difficult without the approval of our board of directors. These provisions include:

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also contains a provision that provides us with protections similar to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and prevents us from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group who acquires at least 15% of our voting stock for a period of three years from the date such person became an interested stockholder, unless board or stockholder approval is obtained prior to acquisition. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that both Sun Capital and its affiliates and any persons to whom a Sun Capital affiliate sells its common stock will be deemed to have been approved by our board of directors.

These anti-takeover provisions and other provisions under Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change of control of our Company, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors of your choosing and to cause us to take other corporate actions you desire.

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

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the sole and exclusive forum for any of the following: any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The choice of forum provision may limit a

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stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.



We are a “smaller reporting company” and intend to avail ourselves of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies, which could make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in the Exchange Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “smaller reporting companies,” including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile. We intend to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer a “smaller reporting company.” We will remain a “smaller reporting company” until the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter is $250 million or more and annual revenue as of our most recently completed fiscal year is $100 million or more, or the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter is $700 million or more, regardless of annual revenue.

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None.

We do not own any real estate. Our 33,009 square-foot principal executive and administrative offices are located at 500 Fifth Avenue, 19th and 20th Floors, New York, New York 10110 and are leased under an agreement expiring in April 2025. We also lease a 28,541 square-foot design studio located at 900 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, California under an agreement expiring in July 2020 and a 4,209 square-foot showroom space in Paris, France under an agreement expiring in May 2024. We have options to renew or extend the term at these locations.  

As of February 2, 2019, we leased 139,829 gross square feet related to our 59 company-operated retail stores. Our leases generally have initial terms of 10 years and cannot be extended or can be extended for one additional 5-year term, with the exception of a few recent leases which are on shorter terms. Substantially all of our leases require a fixed annual rent, and most require the payment of additional rent if store sales exceed a negotiated amount. Most of our leases are “net” leases, which require us to pay all of the cost of insurance, taxes, maintenance and utilities. Although we generally cannot cancel these leases at our option, certain of our leases allow us, and in some cases, the lessor, to terminate the lease if we do not achieve a specified gross sales threshold.

The following store list shows the location, opening date, type and size of our company-operated retail locations as of February 2, 2019: 

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ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

On September 7, 2018, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York by certain stockholders (collectively, the “Plaintiff”), naming us as well as Brendan Hoffman, our Chief Executive Officer, David Stefko, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, one of our directors, certain of our former officers and directors, and Sun Capital and certain of its affiliates, as defendants. The complaint generally alleges that we and the named parties made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose matters relating to the transition of our ERP systems from Kellwood. The complaint brings causes of action for violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, as amended and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act against us and the named parties and for violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against the individual parties, Sun Capital Partners, Inc. and its affiliates.  The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and unspecified costs and fees. On January 28, 2019, in response to our motion to dismiss the original complaint, the Plaintiff filed an amended complaint, naming the same defendants as parties and asserting the same causes of action as those stated in the original complaint.

We currently believe that the likelihood of an unfavorable judgment arising from this matter is remote based on the information currently available and that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on our business in a future period. However, given the inherent unpredictability of litigation and the fact that this litigation is still in its very early stages, we are unable to predict with certainty the outcome of this litigation or reasonably estimate a possible loss or range of loss, if any, associated with this litigation at this time. In addition, we will be required to expend resources to defend this matter.

Additionally, we are a party to legal proceedings, compliance matters, environmental, as well as wage and hour and other labor claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Although the outcome of such items cannot be determined with certainty, we believe that the ultimate outcome of these items, individually and in the aggregate will not have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Not applicable.

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PART II

Market Information

Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VNCE”.

At the close of business on October 23, 2017, the Company effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Company’s common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis when the market opened on October 24, 2017. Pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split, every 10 shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock were automatically converted into one share of common stock. No fractional shares were issued if, as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, a stockholder would otherwise have been entitled to a fractional share. Instead, each stockholder was entitled to receive a cash payment based on a pre-split cash in lieu rate of $0.48, which was the average closing price per share on the New York Stock Exchange for the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding October 23, 2017.

The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split:

Record Holders

As of March 29, 2019 there were 3 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, because we are a holding company, our ability to pay dividends depends on our receipt of cash distributions from our subsidiaries. The terms of our indebtedness substantially restrict the ability to pay dividends. See “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financing Activities” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of the related restrictions.

Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions contained in current and future financing instruments and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

We did not repurchase any shares of common stock during the three months ended February 2, 2019.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

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The selected historical consolidated financial data set forth below for each of the years in the five-year period ended February 2, 2019 and as of February 2, 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.

The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any future period. The information should be read in conjunction with “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included herein.

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Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal years 2018, 2017, and 2016 ended on February 2, 2019 (“fiscal 2018”), February 3, 2018 (“fiscal 2017”), and January 28, 2017 (“fiscal 2016”), respectively. Fiscal year 2017 consisted of 53 weeks. Fiscal years 2018 and 2016 each consisted of 52 weeks. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All amounts disclosed are in thousands except store counts, countries, share and per share data and percentages. The accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations gives retroactive effect to the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted. See Note 1 “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

For purposes of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Vince,” the “Company,” “we,” and “our,” refer to VHC and our wholly owned subsidiaries, including Vince Intermediate Holding, LLC and Vince, LLC. References to “Kellwood” refer, as applicable, to Kellwood Holding, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries (including Kellwood Company, LLC) or the operations of the non-Vince businesses after giving effect to the Restructuring Transactions and prior to the Kellwood Sale.

This discussion contains forward-looking statements involving risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our results to differ materially from expectations. For a discussion of the risks facing our business, see “Item 1A—Risk Factors” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Executive Overview

Established in 2002, Vince is a global luxury apparel and accessories brand best known for creating elevated yet understated pieces for every day. The collections are inspired by the brand’s California origins and embody a feeling of warm and effortless style.  Vince designs uncomplicated yet refined pieces that approach dressing with a sense of ease.  Known for its range of luxury products, Vince offers wide array of women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, footwear as well as capsule collection of handbags, fragrance, and home for a global lifestyle. Vince products are sold in prestige distribution worldwide, including approximately 2,000 distribution locations across more than 40 countries. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, we entered into limited distribution arrangements with Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Group in order to rationalize our department store distribution strategy which is intended to improve profitability in the Wholesale segment and to enable us to focus on other areas of growth for the brand, particularly in the Direct-to-consumer segment. We implemented various strategic initiatives to capture the sales from exited wholesale doors through our retail and e-commerce businesses while collaborating with the wholesale partners in various areas including merchandising and logistics to build a more profitable and focused wholesale business.

We serve our customers through a variety of channels that reinforce the Vince brand image. Our diversified channel strategy allows us to introduce our products to customers through multiple distribution points that are reported in two segments: Wholesale and Direct-to-consumer.

The following is a summary of fiscal 2018 highlights:

Results of Operations

Comparable Sales

Comparable sales include our e-commerce sales in order to align with how we manage our brick-and-mortar retail stores and e-commerce online store as a combined single Direct-to-consumer segment. As a result of our omni-channel sales and inventory strategy, as well as cross-channel customer shopping patterns, there is less distinction between our brick-and-mortar retail stores and our e-commerce online store and we believe the inclusion of e-commerce sales in our comparable sales metric is a more meaningful representation of these results and provides a more comprehensive view of our year over year comparable sales metric.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we changed our comparable sales definition to align with our internal company reporting. Under the new definition, a store is included in the comparable sales calculation after it has completed 13 full fiscal months of operations and includes stores, if any, that have been remodeled or relocated within the same geographic market the Company served prior to the relocation. Non-comparable sales include new stores which have not completed 13 full fiscal months of operations, sales from closed stores, and relocated stores serving a new geographic market. Under the old definition, in the event that we relocated or remodeled an existing store, we had treated that store as comparable unless the square footage changed by more than 20%, in which case we would treat that store as non-comparable sales until it has completed 13 full fiscal months of operations following the square footage adjustment. For 53-week fiscal years, we continue to adjust comparable sales to exclude the additional week. There may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable sales.  The prior year comparable sales have been re-casted to align with our new comparable sales definition. The change in our comparable sales definition did not have a significant impact on our current and prior years' comparable sales percentages.

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Fiscal 2018 Compared to Fiscal 2017

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our operating results as a percentage of net sales as well as earnings per share data:

Net sales for fiscal 2018 were $278,951, increasing $6,369, or 2.3%, versus $272,582 for fiscal 2017. Net sales by reportable segment were as follows:

Net sales from our Wholesale segment decreased $6,478, or 3.9%, to $159,635 in fiscal 2018 from $166,113 in fiscal 2017, primarily due to the planned reduction in full-price wholesale partners and decrease in off-price sales, partially offset by lower sales allowances. The 53^rd week for fiscal 2017 had an immaterial impact on the Wholesale segment.

Net sales from our Direct-to-consumer segment increased $12,847, or 12.1%, to $119,316 in fiscal 2018 from $106,469 in fiscal 2017 which included $1,576 of incremental net sales from the 53^rd week. Comparable sales increased $11,146, or 10.7%, including e-commerce, primarily due to an increase in transactions. Additionally, non-comparable store sales contributed $1,632 of sales growth. Since the end of fiscal 2017, net four new stores have opened, bringing our total retail store count to 59 (consisting of 45 full price stores and 14 outlet stores) as of February 2, 2019, compared to 55 (consisting of 41 full price stores and 14 outlet stores) as of February 3, 2018.

Gross profit increased $8,936, or 7.3%, to $130,725 in fiscal 2018 from $121,789 in fiscal 2017. As a percentage of sales, gross margin was 46.9%, compared with 44.7% in the prior year. The total gross margin rate change was primarily driven by the following factors:

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Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for fiscal 2018 were $126,586, decreasing $13,520, or 9.6%, versus $140,106 for fiscal 2017. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales were 45.4% and 51.4% for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. The change in SG&A expenses compared to the prior year period was primarily due to:

The above decreases were partially offset by:

Income (loss) from operations by segment for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 is summarized in the following table:

Operating income from our Wholesale segment increased $3,582, or 8.1%, to $48,078 in fiscal 2018 from $44,496 in fiscal 2017. This decrease was driven by higher gross margin and lower sales commissions.

Operating income from our Direct-to-consumer segment increased $6,539 to an operating income of $6,442 in fiscal 2018 from an operating loss of $97 in fiscal 2017 primarily driven by the sales increase discussed above and lower non-cash asset impairment charges related to property and equipment of certain retail stores with carrying values that were determined not to be recoverable and exceeded fair value.

Unallocated corporate expenses are comprised of SG&A expenses attributable to corporate and administrative activities (such as marketing, design, finance, information technology, legal and human resources departments), and other charges that are not directly attributable to our reportable segments.

Interest expense, net increased $342, or 6.2%, to $5,882 in fiscal 2018 from $5,540 in fiscal 2017 primarily due to a $816 write-off of deferred financing costs related to the 2013 Term Loan Facility and the 2013 Revolving Credit Facility offset by lower borrowings under 2018 credit facilities compared to the borrowings under our 2013 credit facilities.

Other expense (income), net was an expense of $225 in fiscal 2018 compared with an income of $81,882 in fiscal 2017. The change was primarily attributable to a $82,002 pre-tax benefit from re-measurement of the liability related to the Tax Receivable Agreement in fiscal 2017 which adjustment was not required for the current year. See “Critical Accounting Policies – Tax Receivable Agreement” below and Note 12 “Related Party Transactions” to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes for fiscal 2018 was $54 as compared to a benefit of $572 for fiscal 2017. The TCJA which was adopted on December 2017 made substantial changes to U.S. tax law, including a reduction in the corporate tax rate, a limitation on deductibility of interest expense, a limitation on the use of net operating losses to offset future taxable income, and the allowance of immediate expensing of capital expenditures. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 was (2.7)% and (1.0)%, respectively. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2018 differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the impact of state taxes, the impact of valuation allowance established against our deferred tax asset, and non-deductible officers’ compensation offset by the impact of a return to provision adjustment. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2017 differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 33.7% primarily due to the non-deductible Tax Receivable Agreement revaluation and the reduction in valuation allowance.  Excluding the

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impact of the Tax Receivable Agreement and valuation allowance, the effective tax rate was 27.6% for fiscal 2017 and differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 33.7% primarily due to the impact of state taxes.

Fiscal 2017 Compared to Fiscal 2016

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, our operating results as a percentage of net sales as well as earnings per share data: