WILLIAMS SONOMA INC - Annual Report: 2011 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

(Mark One):

 

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

           For the fiscal year ended January 30, 2011.

OR

 

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

           For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 001-14077

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

California		94-2203880
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3250 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA		94109
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 421-7900

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

 

Common Stock, $.01 par value		New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(Title of class)		(Name of each exchange on which registered)

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  x    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  x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of 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 or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    (Do not check if a smaller

reporting company) Smaller reporting company  ¨

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

As of August 1, 2010, the approximate aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates was $2,812,245,000. It is assumed for purposes of this computation that an affiliate includes all persons as of August 1, 2010 listed as executive officers and directors with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This aggregate market value includes all shares held in the registrant’s Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Stock Fund.

As of March 28, 2011, 104,980,876 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of our definitive Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, also referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as our Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, have been incorporated in Part III hereof.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the letter to shareholders contained in this Annual Report contain forward-looking statements within the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our business and operating results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: any projections of earnings, revenues or financial items, including future comparable store sales, projected capital expenditures, and our quarterly and fiscal 2011 tax rates; statements related to enhancing shareholder value; statements related to our beliefs about our competitive position; statements related to the plans, strategies, initiatives and objectives of management for future operations, including our key initiatives in fiscal 2011; statements related to our intent to market certain Williams-Sonoma Home merchandising categories through the Williams-Sonoma brand; statements related to our belief that our direct-mail catalogs and the Internet act as a cost-efficient means of testing market acceptance of new products and new brands; statements related to decreasing retail leased square footage in fiscal 2011; statements related to customers’ purchasing behavior; statements related to comparable store sales continuing to fluctuate in the future; statements related to our plans and efforts to expand internationally, including franchising and other third party arrangements in the Middle East, increasing the number of stores and countries in which these franchises operate and the timing of store openings in the Middle East; statements related to our belief that our available cash, cash equivalents, cash flow from operations and available credit facilities will be sufficient to finance our operations and expected capital requirements for at least the next 12 months; statements related to the payment of dividends; statements related to our belief in the adequacy of our facilities and the availability of suitable additional or substitute space; statements related to our belief in the ultimate resolution of current legal proceedings; statements related to gaining market share, including attracting new customers, increasing investment in e-commerce, expanding clienteling services and our brands, and rolling out international shipping; statements related to increasing our Internet investments; statements related to expanding in-store event programs; statements related to improving profitability, including implementing new efficiencies in our supply chain, driving increased traffic and higher sales in our retail stores and continuing to expand e-commerce; statements related to expected Internet growth and its impact on our revenues; statements related to capital spending and investments, including selling, general and administrative investments, organic growth strategies, and opportunities to acquire new businesses; statements related to share repurchases statements related to remaining in compliance with our bank covenants; statements related to our investments in the purchase of property and equipment; statements related to indemnifications under our agreements; statements related to our expectation that we will enter into a short-term lease agreement for the Memphis distribution center; statements related to our plans to enter into foreign currency contracts; statements related to using undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries; statements related to our plans to enter into an aircraft lease agreement; and statement of belief and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. You can identify these and other forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “intends,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology.

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions referred to above that could cause our results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A hereto and the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed from time to time in our other public filings and public announcements. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

 

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WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				PAGE
		PART I
Item 1.		Business			3
Item 1A.		Risk Factors			6
Item 1B.		Unresolved Staff Comments			18
Item 2.		Properties			18
Item 3.		Legal Proceedings			20
Item 4.		(Removed and Reserved)			20
		PART II
Item 5.		Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities			21
Item 6.		Selected Financial Data			24
Item 7.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			25
Item 7A.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			40
Item 8.		Financial Statements and Supplementary Data			41
Item 9.		Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure			65
Item 9A.		Controls and Procedures			65
Item 9B.		Other Information			66
		PART III
Item 10.		Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance			67
Item 11.		Executive Compensation			67
Item 12.		Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters			67
Item 13.		Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence			67
Item 14.		Principal Accountant Fees and Services			67
		PART IV
Item 15.		Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules			68

 

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PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

We are a specialty retailer of products for the home. The direct-to-customer segment of our business sells our products through our six direct-mail catalogs (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Bed and Bath, PBteen, and West Elm) and six e-commerce websites (williams-sonoma.com, potterybarn.com, potterybarnkids.com, pbteen.com, westelm.com and wshome.com). The catalogs reach customers throughout the U.S. The retail segment of our business sells similar products through our four retail store concepts (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and West Elm). As of January 30, 2011, all of our Williams-Sonoma Home retail stores have been permanently closed. In fiscal 2011, it is our intent to market those Williams-Sonoma Home merchandising categories that support our bridal registry, expanded flagship and designer assortments through the Williams-Sonoma kitchen brand. These categories will be available both on-line and in select Williams-Sonoma stores. As of January 30, 2011, we operated 592 stores in 44 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Puerto Rico.

Based on net revenues for the 52-weeks ended January 30, 2011 (“fiscal 2010”), direct-to-customer net revenues accounted for 41.5% of our business and retail net revenues accounted for 58.5% of our business. Based on their contribution to our net revenues in fiscal 2010, the core brands in both the direct-to-customer and retail channels are: Pottery Barn, which sells casual home furnishings; Williams-Sonoma, which sells cooking and entertaining essentials; and Pottery Barn Kids, which sells stylish children’s furnishings.

Williams-Sonoma

We were founded in 1956 by Charles E. Williams, currently a Director Emeritus, with the opening of our first store in Sonoma, California. Today, our Williams-Sonoma stores offer a wide selection of culinary and serving equipment, including cookware, cookbooks, cutlery, informal dinnerware, glassware, table linens, specialty foods and cooking ingredients. Our direct-to-customer business began in 1972 when we introduced our flagship catalog, “A Catalog for Cooks,” which marketed the Williams-Sonoma brand. The stores continued to grow throughout the years and, in 1999, we launched both our Williams-Sonoma e-commerce website and our Williams-Sonoma bridal and gift registry.

Pottery Barn

In 1986, we acquired Pottery Barn, a retailer of casual home furnishings and, in 1987, we launched the first Pottery Barn catalog. Pottery Barn features a large assortment of home furnishings and furniture that we design internally and source from around the world to create a classic American look in the home. In 2000, we introduced our Pottery Barn e-commerce website and created Pottery Barn Bed and Bath, a catalog dedicated to bed and bath products. Additionally, in 2001, we launched our Pottery Barn gift and bridal registry.

Pottery Barn Kids

In 1999, Pottery Barn Kids, a premier retailer offering children’s furnishings and accessories, began with the introduction of the Pottery Barn Kids catalog. In 2000, we opened our first Pottery Barn Kids stores across the U.S. and, in 2001, we launched our Pottery Barn Kids e-commerce website and gift registry.

West Elm

In 2002, the West Elm brand was launched with the mailing of our first West Elm catalog. This brand targets design-conscious consumers looking for a modern aesthetic to furnish and accessorize their living spaces with quality products at accessible price points. West Elm offers a broad range of home furnishing categories including furniture, textiles, decorative accessories, lighting and tabletop items. In 2003, we launched our West Elm e-commerce website and opened our first West Elm retail store.

 

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PBteen

The PBteen brand began with the introduction of the PBteen catalog in 2003. PBteen offers exclusive collections of home furnishings and decorative accessories that are specifically designed to reflect the personalities of the teenage market. In late 2003, we launched our PBteen e-commerce website.

International

In 2001, we expanded the geographic reach of our brands by opening five retail stores in Toronto, Canada and, as of January 30, 2011, we now operate 16 stores across Canada representing all of our retail brands. In 2008, we further increased our presence by opening two new retail stores in Puerto Rico, one Pottery Barn store and one West Elm store.

In addition, during fiscal 2009, we entered into a multi-year franchise agreement with the M.H. Alshaya Company to launch our portfolio of brands in the Middle East. Two Pottery Barn stores and two Pottery Barn Kids stores were opened in Dubai and one Pottery Barn store and one Pottery Barn Kids store were opened in Kuwait in fiscal 2010.

DIRECT-TO-CUSTOMER OPERATIONS

As of January 30, 2011, the direct-to-customer segment has six merchandising concepts (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home) and sells products through our six direct-mail catalogs (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Bed and Bath, PBteen, and West Elm) and six e-commerce websites (williams-sonoma.com, potterybarn.com, potterybarnkids.com, pbteen.com, westelm.com and wshome.com). Of these six merchandising concepts, the Pottery Barn brand and its extensions continue to be the major source of revenue in the direct-to-customer segment.

The direct-to-customer business complements the retail business by building brand awareness and acting as an effective advertising vehicle. In addition, we believe that our direct-mail catalogs and the Internet act as a cost-efficient means of testing market acceptance of new products and new brands.

The direct-to-customer channel over the past several years has been strengthened by the introduction of e-commerce websites in all of our brands and has contributed to the shift we are continuing to see in the purchasing behavior of our customers across all channels. As a result, our marketing efforts, including the circulation of catalogs and the use of Internet advertising, are targeted toward driving sales to all of our channels, including retail. While we know this shift in behavior is continuing to occur, the quantification of the sales driven to each channel by our marketing efforts has become increasingly difficult to determine and analyze. Therefore, our estimate of advertising costs by segment are currently based on historical allocation methodologies, which may be required to be refined as additional information becomes available.

Consistent with our published privacy policies, we send our catalogs to addresses from our proprietary customer list, as well as to addresses from lists of other mail order merchandisers, magazines and companies with whom we establish a business relationship. In accordance with prevailing industry practice and our privacy policies, we primarily rent our list to select merchandisers. Our customer mailings are continually updated to include new prospects and to eliminate non-responders. In addition, we send electronic direct marketing communications only to those customers who have voluntarily provided us with their email addresses. These e-mail addresses are not shared with any third parties.

Detailed financial information about the direct-to-customer segment is found in Note M to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

RETAIL STORES

As of January 30, 2011, the retail segment has four merchandising concepts (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and West Elm), operating 592 retail stores located in 44 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Puerto Rico. This represents 260 Williams-Sonoma, 193 Pottery Barn, 85 Pottery Barn Kids, 36 West Elm, and 18 Outlet stores (which carry merchandise from all merchandising concepts).

 

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In fiscal 2011, we expect to decrease retail leased square footage by approximately 1% to 2% through the closure of 26 stores, including the permanent closure of 20 stores (8 Williams-Sonoma, 7 Pottery Barn, 2 West Elm, 2 Outlets, and 1 Pottery Barn Kids) and the temporary closure of 6 stores (4 Pottery Barn and 2 Williams-Sonoma), partially offset by the addition of 15 stores, including 8 new stores (2 Williams-Sonoma, 2 Pottery Barn, 2 West Elm, 1 Pottery Barn Kids and 1 Outlet) and 7 remodeled or expanded stores (5 Pottery Barn and 2 Williams-Sonoma). The average leased square footage per store for new and expanded stores in fiscal 2011 will be approximately 13,000 for West Elm, 11,900 for Pottery Barn, 7,400 for Williams-Sonoma and 10,000 for Outlet.

The retail business complements the direct-to-customer business by building brand awareness. Our retail stores serve as billboards for our brands, which we believe inspires confidence in our customers to shop via our direct-to-customer channels.

Detailed financial information about the retail segment is found in Note M to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

SUPPLIERS

We purchase our merchandise from numerous foreign and domestic manufacturers and importers, the largest of which accounted for approximately 4.7% of our purchases during fiscal 2010. Approximately 60% of our merchandise purchases in fiscal 2010 were foreign-sourced from vendors in 44 countries, predominantly from Asia, of which approximately 97% were negotiated and paid for in U.S. dollars.

COMPETITION AND SEASONALITY

The specialty retail business is highly competitive. Our specialty retail stores, mail order catalogs and e-commerce websites compete with other retail stores, including large department stores, discount retailers, other specialty retailers offering home-centered assortments, other mail order catalogs and other e-commerce websites. The substantial sales growth in the direct-to-customer industry within the last decade, particularly in e-commerce, has encouraged the entry of many new competitors and an increase in competition from established companies. In addition, the recent decline in the economic environment has generated increased competition from discount retailers who, in the past, may not have competed with us or to this degree. We compete on the basis of our brand authority, the quality of our merchandise, service to our customers, our proprietary customer list, our e-commerce websites and our Internet marketing capabilities, as well as the location and appearance of our stores. We believe that we compare favorably with many of our current competitors with respect to some or all of these factors.

Our business is subject to substantial seasonal variations in demand. Historically, a significant portion of our revenues and net earnings have been realized during the period from October through December, and levels of net revenues and net earnings have generally been lower during the period from January through September. We believe this is the general pattern associated with the retail industry. In anticipation of our peak season, we hire a substantial number of additional temporary employees in our retail stores, customer care centers and distribution centers and incur significant fixed catalog production and mailing costs.

TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, PATENTS AND DOMAIN NAMES

We own and/or have applied to register over 60 separate trademarks and service marks. We own and/or have applied to register our core brand names as trademarks in the U.S., Canada and approximately 45 additional jurisdictions. Exclusive rights to the trademarks and service marks are held by Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and are used by our subsidiaries under license. These marks include our core brand names as well as brand names for selected products and services. The core brand names in particular, including “Williams-Sonoma,” the Williams-Sonoma Grande Cuisine logo, “Pottery Barn,” “pottery barn kids,” “PBteen,” “west elm” and “Williams-Sonoma Home” are of material importance to us. Trademarks are generally valid as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained, and they have not been found to have become generic. Trademark registrations can generally be renewed indefinitely so long as the marks are in use. We own numerous copyrights and trade dress rights for our products, product packaging, catalogs, books, house publications, website designs

 

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and store designs, among other things, which are also used by our subsidiaries under license. We hold patents on certain product functions and product designs. Patents are generally valid for 20 years as long as their registrations are properly maintained. In addition, we have registered and maintain numerous Internet domain names, including “williams-sonoma.com,” “potterybarn.com,” “potterybarnkids.com,” “pbteen.com,” “westelm.com,” “wshome.com,” and “williams-sonomainc.com.” Collectively, the trademarks, copyrights, trade dress rights and domain names that we hold are of material importance to us.

EMPLOYEES

As of January 30, 2011, we had approximately 28,000 employees of whom approximately 6,200 were full-time. During the fiscal 2010 peak season (defined as the period from October through December), we hired approximately 10,880 temporary employees primarily in our retail stores, customer care centers and distribution centers.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 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 Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and other companies that file materials with the SEC electronically. Our annual reports, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and proxy and information statements are also available, free of charge, on our website at www.williams-sonomainc.com.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

A description of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business is set forth below. You should carefully consider such risks and uncertainties, together with the other information contained in this report and in our other public filings. If any of such risks and uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could differ materially from the plans, projections and other forward-looking statements included in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this report and in our other public filings. In addition, if any of the following risks and uncertainties, or if any other risks and uncertainties, actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results could be harmed substantially, which could cause the market price of our stock to decline, perhaps significantly.

The changes in general economic conditions over the past few years, and the resulting impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending, could adversely impact our results of operations.

Our financial performance is subject to changes in general economic conditions and the impact of such economic conditions on levels of consumer confidence and consumer spending. Consumer confidence and consumer spending may deteriorate significantly, and could remain depressed for an extended period of time. Consumer purchases of discretionary items, including our merchandise, generally decline during periods when disposable income is adversely affected, unemployment rates increase or there is economic uncertainty. The recent negative economic environment could cause our vendors to go out of business or our banks to discontinue lending us or our vendors money, or it could cause us to undergo additional restructurings, any of which would adversely impact our business and operating results.

We are unable to control many of the factors affecting consumer spending, and declines in consumer spending on home furnishings in general could reduce demand for our products.

Our business depends on consumer demand for our products and, consequently, is sensitive to a number of factors that influence consumer spending, including general economic conditions, consumer disposable income, fuel prices, recession and fears of recession, unemployment, war and fears of war, inclement weather, availability

 

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of consumer credit, consumer debt levels, conditions in the housing market, interest rates, sales tax rates and rate increases, inflation, consumer confidence in future economic conditions and political conditions, and consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security. In particular, the recent economic downturn has led to decreased discretionary spending, which has adversely impacted our business. In addition, a decrease in home purchases has led and may continue to lead to decreased consumer spending on home products. These factors have affected our various brands and channels differently. Adverse changes in factors affecting discretionary consumer spending have reduced and may continue to further reduce consumer demand for our products, thus reducing our sales and harming our business and operating results.

If we are unable to identify and analyze factors affecting our business, anticipate changing consumer preferences and buying trends, and manage our inventory commensurate with customer demand, our sales levels and profit margin may decline.

Our success depends, in large part, upon our ability to identify and analyze factors affecting our business and to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changing merchandise trends and customer demands. For example, in the specialty home products business, style and color trends are constantly evolving. Consumer preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and may change between selling seasons. Changes in customer preferences and buying trends may also affect our brands differently. We must be able to stay current with preferences and trends in our brands and address the customer tastes for each of our target customer demographics. We must also be able to identify and adjust the customer offerings in our brands to cater to customer demands. For example, a change in customer preferences for children’s room furnishings may not correlate to a similar change in buying trends for other home furnishings. If we misjudge either the market for our merchandise or our customers’ purchasing habits, our sales may decline significantly, and we may be required to mark down certain products to sell the resulting excess inventory or to sell such inventory through our outlet stores or other liquidation channels at prices which are significantly lower than our retail prices, either of which would negatively impact our business and operating results.

In addition, we must manage our inventory effectively and commensurate with customer demand. Much of our inventory is sourced from vendors located outside of the United States. Thus, we usually must order merchandise, and enter into contracts for the purchase and manufacture of such merchandise, up to twelve months in advance of the applicable selling season and frequently before trends are known. The extended lead times for many of our purchases may make it difficult for us to respond rapidly to new or changing trends. Our vendors also may not have the capacity to handle our demands or may go out of business in times of economic crisis. In addition, the seasonal nature of the specialty home products business requires us to carry a significant amount of inventory prior to peak selling season. As a result, we are vulnerable to demand and pricing shifts and to misjudgments in the selection and timing of merchandise purchases. If we do not accurately predict our customers’ preferences and acceptance levels of our products, our inventory levels will not be appropriate, and our business and operating results may be negatively impacted.

Our sales may be negatively impacted by increasing competition from companies with brands or products similar to ours.

The specialty direct-to-customer and retail business is highly competitive. Our e-commerce websites, direct mail catalogs and specialty retail stores compete with other e-commerce websites, other direct mail catalogs and other retail stores that market lines of merchandise similar to ours. We compete with national, regional and local businesses utilizing a similar retail store strategy, as well as traditional furniture stores, department stores and specialty stores. The substantial sales growth in the direct-to-customer industry within the last decade has encouraged the entry of many new competitors and an increase in competition from established companies. In addition, the decline in the global economic environment has led to increased competition from discount retailers selling similar products at reduced prices. The competitive challenges facing us include:

 

•

anticipating and quickly responding to changing consumer demands or preferences better than our competitors;

•

maintaining favorable brand recognition and achieving customer perception of value;

 

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•

effectively marketing and competitively pricing our products to consumers in several diverse market segments;

•

developing innovative, high-quality products in colors and styles that appeal to consumers of varying age groups and tastes, and in ways that favorably distinguish us from our competitors; and

•

effectively managing our supply chain and distribution strategies in order to provide our products to our consumers on a timely basis and minimize returns, replacements, and damaged products.

In light of the many competitive challenges facing us, we may not be able to compete successfully. Increased competition could reduce our sales and harm our operating results and business.

We depend on key domestic and foreign agents and vendors for timely and effective sourcing of our merchandise, and we may not be able to acquire products in sufficient quantities and at acceptable prices to meet our needs, which would impact our operations and financial results.

Our performance depends, in part, on our ability to purchase our merchandise in sufficient quantities at competitive prices. We purchase our merchandise from numerous foreign and domestic manufacturers and importers. We have no contractual assurances of continued supply, pricing or access to new products, and any vendor could change the terms upon which it sells to us, discontinue selling to us, or go out of business at any time. We may not be able to acquire desired merchandise in sufficient quantities on terms acceptable to us in the future. Better than expected sales demand may also lead to customer backorders and lower in-stock positions of our merchandise.

Any inability to acquire suitable merchandise on acceptable terms or the loss of one or more of our key agents or vendors could have a negative effect on our business and operating results because we would be missing products that we felt were important to our assortment, unless and until alternative supply arrangements are secured. We may not be able to develop relationships with new agents or vendors, and products from alternative sources, if any, may be of a lesser quality and/or more expensive than those we currently purchase.

In addition, we are subject to certain risks, including risks related to the availability of raw materials, labor disputes, union organizing activities, vendor financial liquidity, inclement weather, natural disasters, general economic and political conditions and regulations to address climate change that could limit our vendors’ ability to provide us with quality merchandise on a timely basis and at prices that are commercially acceptable. For these or other reasons, one or more of our vendors might not adhere to our quality control standards, and we might not identify the deficiency before merchandise ships to our stores or customers. In addition, our vendors may have difficulty adjusting to our changing demands and growing business. Our vendors’ failure to manufacture or import quality merchandise in a timely and effective manner could damage our reputation and brands, and could lead to an increase in customer litigation against us and an increase in our routine litigation costs. Further, any merchandise that we receive, even if it meets our quality standards, could become subject to a recall, which could damage our reputation and brands, and harm our business. Recently enacted legislation has given the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission increased regulatory and enforcement power, particularly with regard to children’s safety, among other areas. As a result, companies like ours may be subject to more product recalls and incur higher recall-related expenses. Any recalls or other safety issues could harm our brands’ images.

Our dependence on foreign vendors and our increased overseas operations subject us to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could impact our operations and financial results.

In fiscal 2010, we sourced our products from vendors in 44 countries outside of the United States. Approximately 60% of our merchandise purchases were foreign-sourced, predominantly from Asia. Our dependence on foreign vendors means that we may be affected by changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies. For example, any upward valuation in the Chinese yuan, the euro, or any other foreign currency against the U.S. dollar may result in higher costs to us for those goods. Although approximately 97% of our foreign purchases of merchandise are negotiated and paid for in U.S. dollars, declines in foreign currencies and currency exchange rates might negatively affect the profitability and business prospects of one or more of our

 

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foreign vendors. This, in turn, might cause such foreign vendors to demand higher prices for merchandise in their effort to offset any lost profits associated with any currency devaluation, delay merchandise shipments to us, or discontinue selling to us, any of which could ultimately reduce our sales or increase our costs. In addition, an increase in the cost of living in the foreign countries in which our vendors operate may result in an increase in our costs or in our vendors going out of business.

We are also subject to other risks and uncertainties associated with changing economic and political conditions in foreign countries. These risks and uncertainties include import duties and quotas, compliance with anti-dumping regulations, work stoppages, economic uncertainties and adverse economic conditions (including inflation and recession), foreign government regulations, employment matters, wars and fears of war, political unrest, natural disasters, regulations to address climate change and other trade restrictions. We cannot predict whether any of the countries in which our raw materials are sourced from, or our products are currently manufactured or may be manufactured in the future will be subject to trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. or foreign governments or the likelihood, type or effect of any such restrictions. Any event causing a disruption or delay of imports from foreign vendors, including the imposition of additional import restrictions, restrictions on the transfer of funds and/or increased tariffs or quotas, or both, could increase the cost or reduce the supply of merchandise available to us and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. Furthermore, some or all of our foreign vendors’ operations may be adversely affected by political and financial instability resulting in the disruption of trade from exporting countries, restrictions on the transfer of funds and/or other trade disruptions. In addition, an economic downturn in or failure of foreign markets may result in financial instabilities for our foreign vendors, which may cause our foreign vendors to decrease production, discontinue selling to us, or cease operations altogether. Our overseas operations in Europe and Asia could also be affected by changing economic and political conditions in foreign countries, any of which could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Although we continue to improve our global compliance program, there remains a risk that one or more of our foreign vendors will not adhere to our global compliance standards, such as fair labor standards and the prohibition on child labor. Non-governmental organizations might attempt to create an unfavorable impression of our sourcing practices or the practices of some of our vendors that could harm our image. If either of these events occurs, we could lose customer goodwill and favorable brand recognition, which could negatively affect our business and operating results.

In addition, as we continue to expand our overseas operations, we are subject to certain U.S. laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, in addition to the laws of the foreign countries in which we operate. We must ensure that our employees comply with these laws. If any of our overseas operations, or our employees or agents, violates such laws, we could become subject to sanctions or other penalties that could negatively affect our reputation, business and operating results.

A number of factors that affect our ability to successfully open new stores or close existing stores are beyond our control, and these factors may harm our ability to expand or contract our retail operations and harm our ability to increase our sales and profits.

Historically, the majority of our net revenues have been generated by our retail stores. Our ability to open additional stores or close existing stores successfully will depend upon a number of factors, including:

 

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general economic conditions;

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our identification of, and the availability of, suitable store locations;

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our success in negotiating new leases and amending or terminating existing leases on acceptable terms;

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the success of other retail stores in and around our retail locations;

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our ability to secure required governmental permits and approvals;

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our hiring and training of skilled store operating personnel, especially management;

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the availability of financing on acceptable terms, if at all; and

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the financial stability of our landlords and potential landlords.

 

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Many of these factors are beyond our control. For example, for the purpose of identifying suitable store locations, we rely, in part, on demographic surveys regarding the location of consumers in our target market segments. While we believe that the surveys and other relevant information are helpful indicators of suitable store locations, we recognize that these information sources cannot predict future consumer preferences and buying trends with complete accuracy. In addition, changes in demographics, in the types of merchandise that we sell and in the pricing of our products may reduce the number of suitable store locations. Further, time frames for lease negotiations and store development vary from location to location and can be subject to unforeseen delays. We may not be able to open new stores or, if opened, operate those stores profitably. Construction and other delays in store openings could have a negative impact on our business and operating results. Additionally, in these economic times, we may not be able to renegotiate the terms of our current leases or close our underperforming stores, either of which could negatively impact our operating results.

Our business and operating results may be harmed if we are unable to timely and effectively deliver merchandise to our stores and customers.

The success of our business depends, in part, on our ability to timely and effectively deliver merchandise to our stores and customers. We cannot control all of the various factors that might affect our fulfillment rates in direct-to-customer sales and timely and effective merchandise delivery to our stores. We rely upon third party carriers for our merchandise shipments and reliable data regarding the timing of those shipments, including shipments to our customers and to and from all of our stores. In addition, we are heavily dependent upon two carriers for the delivery of our merchandise to our customers. Accordingly, we are subject to risks, including labor disputes, union organizing activity, inclement weather, natural disasters, the closure of such carriers’ offices or a reduction in operational hours due to an economic slowdown, possible acts of terrorism associated with such carriers’ ability to provide delivery services to meet our shipping needs and disruptions or increased fuel costs associated with any regulations to address climate change. Failure to deliver merchandise in a timely and effective manner could damage our reputation and brands. In addition, fuel costs have been volatile and airline and other transportation companies continue to struggle to operate profitably, which could lead to increased fulfillment expenses. Any rise in fulfillment costs could negatively affect our business and operating results by increasing our transportation costs and decreasing the efficiency of our shipments.

Our failure to successfully manage our order-taking and fulfillment operations could have a negative impact on our business and operating results.

Our direct-to-customer business depends, in part, on our ability to maintain efficient and uninterrupted order-taking and fulfillment operations in our customer care centers and on our e-commerce websites. Disruptions or slowdowns in these areas could result from disruptions in telephone service or power outages, inadequate system capacity, system issues, computer viruses, security breaches, human error, changes in programming, union organizing activity, disruptions in our third party labor contracts, natural disasters or adverse weather conditions. Industries that are particularly seasonal, such as the home furnishings business, face a higher risk of harm from operational disruptions during peak sales seasons. These problems could result in a reduction in sales as well as increased selling, general and administrative expenses.

In addition, we face the risk that we cannot hire enough qualified employees to support our direct-to-customer operations, or that there will be a disruption in the labor we hire from our third party providers, especially during our peak season. The need to operate with fewer employees could negatively impact our customer service levels and our operations.

Our facilities and systems, as well as those of our vendors, are vulnerable to natural disasters and other unexpected events, any of which could result in an interruption in our business and harm our operating results.

Our retail stores, corporate offices, distribution centers, infrastructure projects and direct-to-customer operations, as well as the operations of our vendors from which we receive goods and services, are vulnerable to damage from earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, floods, power losses, telecommunications failures, hardware and software failures, computer viruses and similar events. If any of these events result in damage to our facilities or

 

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systems, or those of our vendors, we may experience interruptions in our business until the damage is repaired, resulting in the potential loss of customers and revenues. In addition, we may incur costs in repairing any damage beyond our applicable insurance coverage.

If we are unable to effectively manage our Internet business, our reputation and operating results may be harmed.

Our Internet business has been our fastest growing channel over the last several years and continues to be a significant part of our sales success. The success of our Internet business depends, in part, on factors over which we have limited control. We must successfully respond to changing consumer preferences and buying trends relating to Internet usage. We are also vulnerable to certain additional risks and uncertainties associated with the Internet, including: changes in required technology interfaces; website downtime and other technical failures; costs and technical issues as we upgrade our website software; computer viruses; changes in applicable federal and state regulations; security breaches; and consumer privacy concerns. In addition, we must keep up to date with competitive technology trends, including the use of improved technology, creative user interfaces and other Internet marketing tools such as paid search, which may increase our costs and which may not succeed in increasing sales or attracting customers. Our failure to successfully respond to these risks and uncertainties might adversely affect the sales in our Internet business, as well as damage our reputation and brands.

Our failure to successfully manage the costs and performance of our catalog mailings might have a negative impact on our business.

Catalog mailings are an important component of our business. Postal rate increases, paper costs, printing costs and other catalog distribution costs affect the cost of our catalog mailings. We rely on discounts from the basic postal rate structure, which could be changed or discontinued at any time. Market paper costs have fluctuated significantly during the past and may continue to fluctuate in the future. Future increases in postal rates, paper costs or printing costs would have a negative impact on our operating results to the extent that we are unable to offset such increases: by raising prices; by implementing more efficient printing, mailing, delivery and order fulfillment systems; or through the use of alternative direct-mail formats. In addition, if the performance of our catalogs declines, if we misjudge the correlation between our catalog circulation and net sales, or if our catalog circulation optimization strategy overall does not continue to be successful, our results of operations could be negatively impacted.

We have historically experienced fluctuations in our customers’ response to our catalogs. Customer response to our catalogs is substantially dependent on merchandise assortment, merchandise availability and creative presentation, as well as the selection of customers to whom the catalogs are mailed, changes in mailing strategies, the size of our mailings, timing of delivery of our mailings, as well as the general retail sales environment and current domestic and global economic conditions. In addition, environmental organizations and other consumer advocacy groups may attempt to create an unfavorable impression of our paper use in catalogs and our distribution of catalogs generally, which may have a negative effect on our sales and our reputation. In addition, we depend upon external vendors to print our catalogs. The failure to effectively produce or distribute our catalogs could affect the timing of catalog delivery. The timing of catalog delivery has been and can be affected by postal service delays. Any delays in the timing of catalog delivery could cause customers to forego or defer purchases, negatively impacting our business and operating results.

Declines in our comparable store sales may harm our operating results and cause a decline in the market price of our common stock.

Various factors affect comparable store sales, including the number, size and location of stores we open, close, remodel or expand in any period, the overall economic and general retail sales environment, consumer preferences and buying trends, changes in sales mix among distribution channels, our ability to efficiently source and distribute products, changes in our merchandise mix, competition (including competitive promotional activity and discount retailers), current local and global economic conditions, the timing of our releases of new merchandise and promotional events, the success of marketing programs, the cannibalization of existing store

 

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sales by our new stores, changes in catalog circulation and in our direct-to-customer business and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Among other things, weather conditions can affect comparable store sales because inclement weather can alter consumer behavior or require us to close certain stores temporarily and thus reduce store traffic. Even if stores are not closed, many customers may decide to avoid going to stores in bad weather. These factors have caused and may continue to cause our comparable store sales results to differ materially from prior periods and from earnings guidance we have provided. For example, the overall economic and general retail sales environment, as well as current local and global economic conditions, has caused a significant decline in our comparable store sales results in the recent past.

Our comparable store sales have fluctuated significantly in the past on an annual, quarterly and monthly basis, and we expect that comparable store sales will continue to fluctuate in the future. However, past comparable store sales are not necessarily an indication of future results and comparable store sales may decrease in the future. Our ability to improve our comparable store sales results depends, in large part, on maintaining and improving our forecasting of customer demand and buying trends, selecting effective marketing techniques, effectively driving traffic to our stores through marketing and various promotional events, providing an appropriate mix of merchandise for our broad and diverse customer base and using effective pricing strategies. Any failure to meet the comparable store sales expectations of investors and securities analysts in one or more future periods could significantly reduce the market price of our common stock.

Our failure to successfully anticipate merchandise returns might have a negative impact on our business.

We record a reserve for merchandise returns based on historical return trends together with current product sales performance in each reporting period. If actual returns are greater than those projected and reserved for by management, additional sales returns might be recorded in the future. In addition, to the extent that returned merchandise is damaged, we often do not receive full retail value from the resale or liquidation of the merchandise. Further, the introduction of new merchandise, changes in merchandise mix, changes in consumer confidence, or other competitive and general economic conditions may cause actual returns to exceed merchandise return reserves. In particular, the recent adverse economic conditions resulted and may result in increased merchandise returns. Any significant increase in merchandise returns that exceeds our reserves could harm our business and operating results.

If we are unable to manage successfully the complexities associated with a multi-channel and multi-brand business, we may suffer declines in our existing business and our ability to attract new business.

With the expansion of our Internet business, new brands and brand extensions, our overall business has become substantially more complex. The changes in our business have forced us to develop new expertise and face new challenges, risks and uncertainties. For example, we face the risk that our Internet business might cannibalize a significant portion of our retail and catalog businesses, and we face the risk of catalog circulation cannibalizing our retail sales. While we recognize that our Internet sales cannot be entirely incremental to sales through our retail and catalog channels, we seek to attract as many new customers as possible to our e-commerce websites. We continually analyze the business results of our three channels and the relationships among the channels in an effort to find opportunities to build incremental sales.

If we are unable to introduce new brands and brand extensions successfully, or to reposition or close existing brands, our business and operating results may be negatively impacted.

We have in the past and may in the future introduce new brands and brand extensions, or reposition or close existing brands. Our newest brands – West Elm, PBteen and Williams-Sonoma Home – and any other new brands, may not grow as we project and plan for. Further, if we devote time and resources to new brands, brand extensions or brand repositioning, and those businesses are not as successful as we planned, then we risk damaging our overall business results. Alternatively, if our new brands, brand extensions or repositioned brands prove to be very successful, we risk hurting our other existing brands through the potential migration of existing brand customers to the new businesses. In addition, we may not be able to introduce new brands and brand extensions, or to reposition brands, in a manner that improves our overall business and operating results and may

 

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therefore be forced to close the brands. For example, in fiscal 2009, we concluded that the future potential of the Williams-Sonoma Home brand was limited. As such, as of January 30, 2011, all of our Williams-Sonoma Home retail stores have been permanently closed and, in fiscal 2011, it is our intent to market those Williams-Sonoma Home merchandising categories that support our bridal registry, expanded flagship and designer assortments through the Williams-Sonoma kitchen brand.

Our inability to obtain commercial insurance at acceptable rates or our failure to adequately reserve for self-insured exposures might increase our expenses and have a negative impact on our business.

We believe that commercial insurance coverage is prudent in certain areas of our business for risk management. Insurance costs may increase substantially in the future and may be affected by natural catastrophes, fear of terrorism, financial irregularities and other fraud at publicly-traded companies, intervention by the government and a decrease in the number of insurance carriers. In addition, the carriers with which we hold our policies may go out of business, or may be otherwise unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. In addition, for certain types or levels of risk, such as risks associated with earthquakes, hurricanes or terrorist attacks, we may determine that we cannot obtain commercial insurance at acceptable rates, if at all. Therefore, we may choose to forego or limit our purchase of relevant commercial insurance, choosing instead to self-insure one or more types or levels of risks. We are primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation, employee health benefits and product and general liability claims. If we suffer a substantial loss that is not covered by commercial insurance or our self-insurance reserves, the loss and related expenses could harm our business and operating results. In addition, exposures exist for which no insurance may be available and for which we have not reserved.

Our inability or failure to protect our intellectual property would have a negative impact on our brands, goodwill and operating results.

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property. Our trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade dress rights, trade secrets, domain names and other intellectual property are valuable assets that are critical to our success. The unauthorized reproduction or other misappropriation of our intellectual property could diminish the value of our brands or goodwill and cause a decline in our sales. Protection of our intellectual property and maintenance of distinct branding are particularly important as they distinguish our products and services from our competitors who may sell similar products and services. In addition, the costs of defending our intellectual property may adversely affect our operating results.

We may be subject to legal proceedings that could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources.

We are involved in lawsuits, claims and proceedings incident to the ordinary course of our business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. There have been a growing number of Internet-related patent infringement lawsuits in recent years. There has also been a rise in lawsuits against companies that gather information in order to market to consumers, online or through the mail. In addition, there has been an increase in employment-related lawsuits. From time to time, we have been subject to these types of lawsuits. The cost of defending claims against us or the ultimate resolution of such claims may harm our business and operating results. In addition, the increasingly regulated business environment may result in a greater number of enforcement actions and private litigation. This could subject us to increased exposure to shareholder lawsuits.

Our operating results may be harmed by unsuccessful management of our employment, occupancy and other operating costs, and the operation and growth of our business may be harmed if we are unable to attract qualified personnel.

To be successful, we need to manage our operating costs and continue to look for opportunities to reduce costs. We recognize that we may need to increase the number of our employees, especially during peak sales seasons, and incur other expenses to support new brands and brand extensions, as well as the opening of new stores and

 

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the direct-to-customer growth of our existing brands. Alternatively, if we are unable to make substantial adjustments to our cost structure during times of uncertainty, such as the recent economic environment, we may incur unnecessary expenses, we may have too few resources to properly run our business, or our business and operating results may be negatively impacted. From time to time, we may also experience union organizing activity in currently non-union facilities. Union organizing activity may result in work slowdowns or stoppages and higher labor costs. In addition, there appears to be a growing number of wage-and-hour lawsuits and other employment-related lawsuits against retail companies, especially in California.

We contract with various agencies to provide us with qualified personnel for our workforce. Any negative publicity regarding these agencies, such as in connection with immigration issues or employment practices, could damage our reputation, disrupt our ability to obtain needed labor or result in financial harm to our business, including the potential loss of business-related financial incentives in the jurisdictions where we operate.

Although we strive to secure long-term contracts on favorable terms with our service providers and other vendors, we may not be able to avoid unexpected operating cost increases in the future. Further, we incur substantial costs to warehouse and distribute our inventory. Significant increases in our inventory levels may result in increased warehousing and distribution costs in addition to potential increases in costs associated with inventory that is lost, damaged or aged. Higher than expected costs, particularly if coupled with lower than expected sales, would negatively impact our business and operating results. In addition, in times of economic uncertainty, these long-term contracts may make it difficult to quickly reduce our fixed operating costs, which could negatively impact our business and operating results.

We are undertaking certain systems changes that might disrupt our business operations.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to source and distribute merchandise efficiently through appropriate systems and procedures. We are in the process of substantially modifying our information technology systems, which involves updating or replacing legacy systems with successor systems over the course of several years. There are inherent risks associated with replacing our core systems, including supply chain and merchandising systems disruptions, that could affect our ability to get the correct products into the appropriate stores and delivered to customers. We may not successfully launch these new systems, or the launch of such systems may result in disruptions to our business operations. In addition, changes to any of our software implementation strategies could result in the impairment of software-related assets. We are also subject to the risks associated with the ability of our vendors to provide information technology solutions to meet our needs. Any disruptions could negatively impact our business and operating results.

We outsource certain aspects of our business to third party vendors and are in the process of insourcing certain business functions from third party vendors, both of which subject us to risks, including disruptions in our business and increased costs.

We outsource certain aspects of our business to third party vendors that subject us to risks of disruptions in our business as well as increased costs. For example, we utilize outside vendors for such things as payroll processing and various distribution center services. Accordingly, we are subject to the risks associated with their ability to successfully provide the necessary services to meet our needs. If our vendors are unable to adequately protect our data and information is lost, our ability to deliver our services is interrupted, or our vendors’ fees are higher than expected, then our business and operating results may be negatively impacted.

In addition, we are in the process of insourcing certain aspects of our business, including the management of certain infrastructure technology, furniture manufacturing, furniture delivery to our customers and the management of our international vendors, each of which were previously outsourced to third party providers. This may cause disruptions in our business and result in increased cost to us. In addition, if we are unable to perform these functions better than, or at least as well as, our third party providers, our business may be harmed.

 

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Our efforts to expand internationally through franchising and other arrangements may not be successful and could impair the value of our brands.

We are currently evaluating several opportunities to grow our business through international expansion. In fiscal 2009, we entered into a franchise agreement with the M.H. Alshaya Company (“M.H. Alshaya”), an unaffiliated franchisee to operate stores in the Middle East. Under this agreement, M.H. Alshaya operates stores that sell goods purchased from us under our brand names. We have no prior experience operating through these types of third party arrangements, and this arrangement may not be successful. The administration of this relationship may divert management attention and require more resources than we expect. While we expect that this will be a small part of our business in the near future, if successful, we plan to continue to increase the number of stores and countries in which these franchises operate as part of our efforts to expand internationally. The effect of these arrangements on our business and results of operations is uncertain and will depend upon various factors, including the demand for our products in new markets internationally. In addition, certain aspects of these arrangements are not directly within our control, such as the ability of M.H. Alshaya to meet its projections regarding store openings and sales. Moreover, while the agreement we have entered into may provide us with certain termination rights, to the extent that M.H. Alshaya does not operate its stores in a manner consistent with our requirements regarding our brand identities and customer experience standards, the value of our brands could be impaired. In addition, in connection with this new franchise agreement, we are implementing certain new processes that will subject us to additional regulations and laws, such as U.S. export regulations. Failure to comply with any applicable laws or regulations could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

If our operating and financial performance in any given period does not meet the extensive guidance that we have provided to the public, our stock price may decline.

We provide extensive public guidance on our expected operating and financial results for future periods. Although we believe that this guidance provides investors and analysts with a better understanding of management’s expectations for the future and is useful to our shareholders and potential shareholders, such guidance is comprised of forward-looking statements subject to the risks and uncertainties described in this report and in our other public filings and public statements. Our actual results may not always be in line with or exceed the guidance we have provided, especially in times of economic uncertainty. In the past, when we have reduced our previously provided guidance, the market price of our common stock has declined. If, in the future, our operating or financial results for a particular period do not meet our guidance or the expectations of investment analysts or if we reduce our guidance for future periods, the market price of our common stock may decline as well.

A variety of factors, including seasonality and the economic environment, may cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate, leading to volatility in our stock price.

Our quarterly results have fluctuated in the past and may fluctuate in the future, depending upon a variety of factors, including shifts in the timing of holiday selling seasons, including Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as changes in economic conditions. A significant portion of our revenues and net earnings has typically been realized during the period from October through December each year. In anticipation of increased holiday sales activity, we incur certain significant incremental expenses prior to and during peak selling seasons, particularly October through December, including fixed catalog production and mailing costs and the costs associated with hiring a substantial number of temporary employees to supplement our existing workforce. For example, we realized lower-than-historical revenues and net earnings during the October through December selling season of fiscal 2008 due to the economic downturn, which negatively affected our business and operating results.

We may require external funding sources for operating funds, which may cost more than we expect, or not be available at the levels we require and, as a consequence, our expenses and operating results could be negatively affected.

We regularly review and evaluate our liquidity and capital needs. We currently believe that our available cash, cash equivalents and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to finance our operations and expected capital

 

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requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we might experience periods during which we encounter additional cash needs and we might need additional external funding to support our operations. Although we were able to amend our line of credit facility during fiscal 2010 on acceptable terms, in the event we require additional liquidity from our lenders, such funds may not be available to us or may not be available to us on acceptable terms in the future. For example, in the event we were to breach any of our financial covenants, our banks would not be required to provide us with additional funding, or they may require us to renegotiate our existing credit facility on less favorable terms. In addition, we may not be able to renew our letters of credit that we use to help pay our suppliers on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, as the availability of letter of credit facilities may continue to be limited. Further, the providers of such credit may reallocate the available credit to other borrowers. If we are unable to access credit at the levels we require, or the cost of credit is greater than expected, it could adversely affect our operating results.

Disruptions in the financial markets may adversely affect our liquidity and capital resources and our business.

Disruptions in the global financial markets and banking systems have made credit and capital markets more difficult for companies to access, even for some companies with established revolving or other credit facilities. We have access to capital through our revolving line of credit facility. Each financial institution, which is part of the syndicate for our revolving line of credit facility, is responsible for providing a portion of the loans to be made under the facility. If any participant, or group of participants, with a significant portion of the commitments in our revolving line of credit facility fails to satisfy its obligations to extend credit under the facility and we are unable to find a replacement for such participant or group of participants on a timely basis (if at all), our liquidity and our business may be materially adversely affected.

If we are unable to pay quarterly dividends or repurchase our stock at intended levels, our reputation and stock price may be harmed.

During fiscal 2010, we repurchased $125,000,000 of our common stock and, in January 2011, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $125,000,000 of our common stock. As of January 30, 2011, our quarterly cash dividend is $0.15 per common share and, in March 2011, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.17 per common share, an indicated annual cash dividend of approximately $71,000,000 in fiscal 2011 based on the current number of common shares outstanding. The dividend and stock repurchase program may require the use of a significant portion of our cash earnings. As a result, we may not retain a sufficient amount of cash to fund our operations or finance future growth opportunities, new product development initiatives and unanticipated capital expenditures. Further, our Board of Directors may, at its discretion, decrease the intended level of dividends or entirely discontinue the payment of dividends at any time. The stock repurchase program does not have an expiration date and may be limited at any time. Our ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock will depend on our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations in the future. This ability may be subject to certain economic, financial, competitive and other factors that are beyond our control. Any failure to pay dividends or repurchase stock after we have announced our intention to do so may negatively impact our reputation and investor confidence in us and may negatively impact our stock price.

If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements could be impaired and our investors’ views of us could be harmed.

We have evaluated and tested our internal controls in order to allow management to report on, and our registered independent public accounting firm to attest to, our internal controls, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. If we are not able to continue to meet the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, or with adequate compliance, we would be required to disclose material weaknesses if they develop or are uncovered and we may be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission or the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, our internal controls may not prevent or detect all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control system will be met. If any of the above were to occur, our business and the perception of us in the financial markets could be negatively impacted.

 

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Changes to accounting rules or regulations may adversely affect our operating results.

Changes to existing accounting rules or regulations may impact our future operating results. A change in accounting rules or regulations may even affect our reporting of transactions completed before the change is effective. The introduction of new accounting rules or regulations and varying interpretations of existing accounting rules or regulations have occurred and may occur in the future. Future changes to accounting rules or regulations, or the questioning of current accounting practices, may adversely affect our operating results.

Changes to estimates related to our property and equipment, including information technology systems, or operating results that are lower than our current estimates at certain store locations, may cause us to incur impairment charges.

We make estimates and projections in connection with impairment analyses for certain of our store locations and other property and equipment, including information technology systems. These impairment analyses require that we review for impairment all stores for which current or projected cash flows from operations are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of the asset. An impairment charge is required when the carrying value of the asset exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows over the remaining life of the lease. These calculations require us to make a number of estimates and projections of future results. If these estimates or projections change or prove incorrect, we may be, and have been, required to record impairment charges on certain store locations and other property and equipment, including information technology systems. These impairment charges have been significant in the past and may be in the future and, as a result of these charges, our operating results have been and may, in the future, be adversely affected.

If we do not properly account for our unredeemed gift certificates, gift cards and merchandise credits, our operating results will be harmed.

We maintain a liability for unredeemed gift cards, gift certificates and merchandise credits until the earlier of redemption, escheatment or four years. After four years, the remaining unredeemed gift cards, gift certificate or merchandise credit liability is relieved and recorded as a benefit within selling, general and administrative expenses. In the event that our historical redemption patterns change in the future, we might change the minimum time period for maintaining a liability for unredeemed gift certificates on our balance sheets, which would affect our financial position or operating results. Further, in the event that a state or states were to require that the unredeemed amounts be escheated to that state or states, our business and operating results would be harmed.

We may be exposed to risks and costs associated with credit card fraud and identity theft that could cause us to incur unexpected expenses and loss of revenue.

A significant portion of our customer orders are placed through our e-commerce websites or through our customer care centers. In addition, a significant portion of sales made through our retail channel require the collection of certain customer data, such as credit card information. In order for our sales channel to function and develop successfully, we and other parties involved in processing customer transactions must be able to transmit confidential information, including credit card information, securely over public networks. Third parties may have the technology or knowledge to breach the security of customer transaction data. Although we take the security of our systems and the privacy of our customers’ confidential information seriously, we cannot guarantee that our security measures will effectively prevent others from obtaining unauthorized access to our information and our customers’ information. Any person who circumvents our security measures could destroy or steal valuable information or disrupt our operations. Any security breach could cause consumers to lose confidence in the security of our website or stores and choose not to purchase from us. Any security breach could also expose us to risks of data loss, litigation and liability and could seriously disrupt our operations and harm our reputation, any of which could harm our business.

In addition, states and the federal government are increasingly enacting laws and regulations to protect consumers against identity theft. We collect personal information from consumers in the course of doing business. These laws will likely increase the costs of doing business and, if we fail to implement appropriate

 

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safeguards or to detect and provide prompt notice of unauthorized access as required by some of these new laws, we could be subject to potential claims for damages and other remedies, which could harm our business.

Fluctuations in our tax obligations and effective tax rate may result in volatility of our operating results and stock price.

We are subject to income taxes in many U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions. We record tax expense based on our estimates of future payments, which include reserves for estimates of probable settlements of foreign and domestic tax audits. At any one time, many tax years are subject to audit by various taxing jurisdictions. The results of these audits and negotiations with taxing authorities may affect the ultimate settlement of these issues. As a result, we expect that throughout the year there could be ongoing variability in our quarterly tax rates as taxable events occur and exposures are evaluated. In addition, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of earnings or by changes to existing accounting rules or regulations. Further, there is proposed tax legislation that may be enacted in the future, which could negatively impact our current or future tax structure and effective tax rates.

If we fail to attract and retain key personnel, our business and operating results may be harmed.

Our future success depends to a significant degree on the skills, experience and efforts of key personnel in our senior management, whose vision for our company, knowledge of our business and expertise would be difficult to replace. If any of our key employees leaves, is seriously injured or is unable to work, and we are unable to find a qualified replacement, we may be unable to execute our business strategy.

In addition, our main offices are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, where competition for personnel with retail and technology skills can be intense. If we fail to identify, attract, retain and motivate these skilled personnel, especially in this challenging economic environment, our business may be harmed. Further, in the event we need to hire additional personnel, we may experience difficulties in attracting and successfully hiring such individuals due to competition for highly skilled personnel, as well as the significantly higher cost of living expenses in our market.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

We lease store locations, distribution centers, customer care centers and corporate facilities for original terms ranging generally from 2 to 22 years. Certain leases contain renewal options for periods of up to 20 years.

For our store locations, our gross leased store space, as of January 30, 2011, totaled approximately 5,831,000 square feet for 592 stores compared to approximately 6,081,000 square feet for 610 stores as of January 31, 2010.

Distribution Centers

We lease distribution facility space in the following locations:

 

Location		Occupied Square Footage (Approximate)
Cranbury and South Brunswick, New Jersey			2,132,000
Olive Branch, Mississippi			2,105,000
City of Industry, California			1,180,000
Memphis, Tennessee1			1,023,000
Hickory, North Carolina			199,000
Urbancrest, Ohio			73,000
Lakeland and Pompano Beach, Florida			72,000

 

1	See Note F to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

 

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We currently occupy a 781,000 square foot distribution center in Cranbury, New Jersey, whose lease expires in September 2011. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, we entered into an agreement to lease a 1,351,000 square foot distribution center in South Brunswick, New Jersey, which we began occupying during fiscal 2010.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, we entered into an amended agreement to lease an additional 35,000 square feet of distribution facility space in Ohio associated with our furniture delivery hubs within the region. This agreement expires in August 2012.

In March 2011, we entered into a seven year agreement to lease a 412,000 square foot building in Claremont, North Carolina to support our upholstered furniture manufacturing and furniture delivery operations. This new facility will replace our current Hickory, North Carolina facility whose lease expires in April 2011.

In addition to the above long-term contracts, we enter into other agreements for such things as our offsite storage needs for both our distribution centers and our retail store locations as well as other distribution center operations. As of January 30, 2011, we had approximately 236,000 square feet of leased space relating to these agreements that is not included in the leased square footage reported above. This compares to approximately 139,000 square feet of leased space as of January 31, 2010.

Customer Care Centers

We lease customer care center space in the following locations:

 

Location		Occupied Square Footage (Approximate)
Las Vegas, Nevada			36,000
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma			36,000
Shafter, California			7,000

Corporate Facilities

We also lease office, design studio, photo studio, warehouse and data center space in the following locations:

 

Location		Occupied Square Footage (Approximate)
Brisbane, California			194,000
New York City, New York			67,000
San Francisco, California			64,000
Rocklin, California			25,000

During the third quarter of fiscal 2010, we exited 26,000 square feet of excess office space in San Francisco, California at the expiration of our lease.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, we leased an additional 15,000 square feet of office space in New York City, New York associated with our West Elm headquarters and extended the term of the agreement on the entire West Elm facility through April 2016.

Subsequent to year-end, in February 2011, we entered into a ten year agreement to lease an additional 59,000 square feet of corporate office space in San Francisco, California which we have not begun to occupy and, therefore, is not reflected in the table above.

Owned Properties

In addition to the above leased facilities, we own buildings comprising approximately 326,000 square feet that we use for our corporate headquarters located in San Francisco, California and a 13,000 square foot data center located in Memphis, Tennessee.

We believe that all of our facilities are adequate for our current needs and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available in the future to replace our existing facilities, or to accommodate the expansion of our operations, if necessary.

 

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ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in lawsuits, claims and proceedings incident to the ordinary course of our business. These disputes are not currently material. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. The results of these lawsuits, claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. However, we believe that the ultimate resolution of these current matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

ITEM 4.  (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

 

20

PART II

 

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

MARKET INFORMATION

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol WSM. The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of our common stock on the NYSE for the periods indicated:

 

Fiscal 2010				High				Low
4th Quarter				$	36.09			$	31.98
3rd Quarter				$	34.06			$	25.37
2nd Quarter				$	30.64			$	23.74
1st Quarter				$	31.08			$	18.93
Fiscal 2009				High				Low
4th Quarter				$	23.23			$	18.95
3rd Quarter				$	22.25			$	13.88
2nd Quarter				$	14.70			$	10.61
1st Quarter				$	14.00			$	7.55

The closing price of our common stock on the NYSE on March 28, 2011 was $39.03. See Quarterly Financial Information on page 65 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter-end closing price of our common stock for each quarter listed above.

SHAREHOLDERS

The number of shareholders of record of our common stock as of March 28, 2011 was 433. This number excludes shareholders whose stock is held in nominee or street name by brokers.

 

21

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

This graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return for our common stock with those for the NYSE Composite Index and the S&P Retailing Index, our peer group index. The cumulative total return listed below assumed an initial investment of $100 and reinvestment of dividends. The graph shows historical stock price performance, including reinvestment of dividends, and is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

Among Williams-Sonoma, Inc., The NYSE Composite Index

And The S&P Retailing Index

 

		1/27/06		1/26/07		2/1/08		1/30/09		1/31/10		1/30/11
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.		100.00		85.24		69.56		20.79		51.32		89.12
NYSE Composite Index		100.00		115.55		119.68		68.91		93.79		112.38
S&P Retailing Index		100.00		111.72		99.16		62.54		100.64		128.62

* Notes:

 

A.	The lines represent monthly index levels derived from compounded daily returns that include all dividends.

B.	The indices are re-weighted daily, using the market capitalization on the previous trading day.

C.	If the monthly interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading day, the preceding trading day is used.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

During fiscal 2010, total cash dividends declared were approximately $62,574,000, or $0.13 per common share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and $0.15 per common share in each subsequent quarter. During fiscal 2009, total cash dividends declared were approximately $51,424,000, or $0.12 per common share per quarter. Subsequent to year end, in March 2011, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in our quarterly cash dividend from $0.15 to $0.17 per common share, subject to capital availability. Our quarterly cash dividend may be limited or terminated at any time.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

In May 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to $60,000,000 of our common stock, and in September 2010, our Board of Directors authorized another stock repurchase program to purchase up to $65,000,000 of our common stock. We completed the $60,000,000 stock repurchase program by repurchasing 2,317,962 shares of our common stock at a weighted average cost of $25.88 per share in fiscal 2010. We completed the $65,000,000 stock repurchase program by repurchasing 1,945,501 shares of our common stock at a weighted average cost of $33.41 per share in fiscal 2010.

The following table summarizes our repurchases of shares of our common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010:

 

Fiscal period			Total Number of Shares Purchased				Average Price Paid per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced  Program				Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
November 1, 2010   – November 28, 2010			395,105				$34.35				395,105				$30,714,000
November 29, 2010 – December 26, 2010			390,349				$34.77				390,349				$17,143,000
December 27, 2010 – January 30, 2011			505,184				$33.93				505,184				$              —
Total			1,290,638				$34.31				1,290,638				$              —

In January 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program to purchase up to $125,000,000 of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions, at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability and other market conditions. This stock repurchase program does not have an expiration date and may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008.

 

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ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Five-Year Selected Financial Data

 

Dollars and amounts in thousands, except percentages, per share amounts and retail stores data		Jan. 30, 2011 (52 Weeks)				Jan. 31, 2010 (52 Weeks)				Feb. 1, 2009 (52 Weeks)				Feb. 3, 2008 (53 Weeks)				Jan. 28, 2007 (52 Weeks)
Results of Operations
Net revenues		$	3,504,158			$	3,102,704			$	3,361,472			$	3,944,934			$	3,727,513
Net revenue growth (decline)			12.9%				(7.7%	)			(14.8%	)			5.8%				5.3%
Gross margin		$	1,373,859			$	1,103,237			$	1,135,172			$	1,535,971			$	1,487,287
Earnings before income taxes		$	323,060			$	120,289			$	41,953			$	316,340			$	337,186
Net earnings		$	200,227			$	77,442			$	30,024			$	195,757			$	208,868
Basic net earnings per share		$	1.87			$	0.73			$	0.28			$	1.79			$	1.83
Diluted net earnings per share		$	1.83			$	0.72			$	0.28			$	1.76			$	1.79
Gross margin as a percent of net revenues			39.2%				35.6%				33.8%				38.9%				39.9%
Pre-tax operating margin as a percent of net revenues1			9.2%				3.9%				1.2%				8.0%				9.0%
Financial Position
Working capital		$	735,878			$	616,711			$	479,936			$	438,241			$	473,229
Total assets		$	2,131,762			$	2,079,169			$	1,935,464			$	2,093,854			$	2,048,331
Return on assets			9.5%				3.9%				1.5%				9.4%				10.1%
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations		$	59,048			$	62,792			$	62,071			$	68,761			$	32,562
Shareholders’ equity		$	1,258,863			$	1,211,595			$	1,147,984			$	1,165,723			$	1,151,431
Shareholders’ equity per share (book value)		$	12.00			$	11.33			$	10.86			$	11.07			$	10.48
Return on equity			16.2%				6.6%				2.6%				16.9%				18.3%
Debt-to-equity ratio			0.7%				0.8%				2.2%				2.2%				2.5%
Annual dividends declared per share		$	0.58			$	0.48			$	0.48			$	0.46			$	0.40
Direct-to-Customer Revenues
Direct-to-customer revenue growth (decline)			18.6%				(12.5%	)			(15.9%	)			5.7%				4.5%
Direct-to-customer revenues as a percent of net revenues			41.5%				39.5%				41.6%				42.2%				42.2%
Internet revenue growth (decline)			26.9%				(8.7%	)			(6.4%	)			19.0%				21.0%
Internet revenues as a percent of direct-to-customer revenues			82.4%				77.0%				73.9%				66.3%				58.9%
Catalogs circulated during the year			265,138				262,351				313,740				393,160				379,011
Percent increase (decrease) in number of catalogs circulated			1.1%				(16.4%	)			(20.2%	)			3.7%				(1.6%	)
Percent increase (decrease) in number of pages circulated			(1.3%	)			(21.1%	)			(30.3%	)			7.9%				3.2%
Retail Revenues
Retail revenue growth (decline)			9.2%				(4.3%	)			(14.0%	)			5.9%				6.0%
Retail revenues as a percent of net revenues			58.5%				60.5%				58.4%				57.8%				57.8%
Comparable store sales growth (decline)2			9.8%				(5.1%	)			(17.2%	)			0.3%				0.3%
Store count
Williams-Sonoma			260				259				264				256				254
Pottery Barn			193				199				204				198				197
Pottery Barn Kids			85				87				95				94				92
West Elm			36				36				36				27				22
Williams-Sonoma Home			—				11				10				9				7
Outlets			18				18				18				16				16
Number of stores at year-end			592				610				627				600				588
Store selling area at fiscal year-end (sq. ft.)			3,609,000				3,763,000				3,828,000				3,575,000				3,389,000
Store leased area at fiscal year-end (sq. ft.)			5,831,000				6,081,000				6,148,000				5,739,000				5,451,000

 

1	Pre-tax operating margin is defined as earnings before income taxes.

2	Calculated on a 52-week to 52-week basis, with the exception of fiscal 2007 which was calculated on a 53-week to 53-week basis.

The information set forth above is not necessarily indicative of future operations and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity and capital resources for the 52 weeks ended January 30, 2011 (“fiscal 2010”), the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2010 (“fiscal 2009”), and the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2009 (“fiscal 2008”) should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. All explanations of changes in operational results are discussed in order of magnitude.

OVERVIEW

Fiscal 2010 Financial Results

Fiscal 2010 was a year of record performance for our company. Each of our brands ended the year stronger than it began, and aggressive and proactive initiatives across the organization led to new milestones in profitability. We are pleased with the progress we made in merchandising, marketing, customer acquisition and customer service, as it was these initiatives that we believe have allowed us to attract new customers to our brands and gain profitable market share all year. In fiscal 2010, our net revenues increased 12.9% to $3,504,158,000 compared to $3,102,704,000 in fiscal 2009 and we increased our fiscal 2010 diluted earnings per share to $1.83 versus $0.72 in fiscal 2009. We also ended the year with $628,403,000 in cash after returning nearly $185,000,000 to our shareholders through stock repurchases and dividends.

In our direct-to-customer channel, net revenues in fiscal 2010 increased by $227,902,000, or 18.6%, compared to fiscal 2009. This increase was driven by 26.9% growth in Internet net revenues in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. Increased net revenues during fiscal 2010 were driven by the Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen brands.

Retail net revenues in fiscal 2010 increased by $173,552,000, or 9.2%, compared to fiscal 2009. This increase was driven by growth of 9.8% in comparable store sales, partially offset by a 4.1% year-over-year reduction in retail leased square footage, including 18 net fewer stores. Increased net revenues during fiscal 2010 were driven by the Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma brands.

In our core brands, net revenues increased 12.3% compared to fiscal 2009 led by growth in the Pottery Barn brand. Sales trends improved in every concept and we saw significant growth in new customer acquisition.

In our emerging brands, net revenues increased 17.1% led by West Elm and PBteen, which continued to see net revenue and operating margin increases. In Williams-Sonoma Home, we completed the retail restructuring of the brand by closing all stand-alone retail stores.

Fiscal 2010 Operational Results

In our supply chain, we continued to see ongoing customer service and cost reduction benefits from our distribution, transportation, packaging, and quality returns initiatives. These initiatives included: implementing the first phase of our multi-year east coast distribution center consolidation; optimizing our inbound and outbound packaging; improving efficiency in our personalization operations; and consolidating shipments of customers’ furniture and non-furniture orders into one delivery.

Another significant supply chain initiative was Asian sourcing where we expanded our in-country operations. This initiative has allowed us to establish factory specific expertise, improve vendor performance and reduce returns, replacements and damages. We are gaining similar efficiencies from the expansion of our North Carolina upholstered furniture operation, which is now a major supplier of our upholstered furniture.

In information technology, we made significant progress in e-commerce, particularly in the areas of on-site search, customer engagement, mobile and social media. All of these investments drove increased traffic, higher conversion and a superior on-site experience for our customers. We also launched new e-gift card functionality in all brands and a new member-based shipping program in the Williams-Sonoma brand. In direct marketing, we implemented new functionality that allowed us to make significant advancements in the relevance of our e-marketing programs.

 

25

In real estate, for the second consecutive year, we successfully reduced our retail occupancy costs and closed an additional 24 stores, or 2% of our retail leased square footage.

In business development, global expansion was a key focus for us this year as we opened our first six franchised stores in Dubai and Kuwait. We are pleased with the performance of these stores and have gained valuable expertise in franchise operations with our Middle-East partner, M. H. Alshaya. Together, we are expecting to open additional stores in this region, including seven in fiscal 2011. We are also in the preliminary exploration phase for retail expansion in other parts of the world, with a goal to open in new regions in fiscal 2012.

Fiscal 2011

As we look forward to 2011, our focus is on gaining market share and improving profitability.

To gain market share, we will continue to attract new customers to our brands through: creative, innovative and relevant product offerings, including exclusive Internet assortments; increased investment in e-commerce; highly targeted multi-channel marketing, including the expansion of our in-store clienteling services; and the expansion of our brands into new categories, new markets and new geographies, including the rollout of international shipping in the back half of the year.

The Internet is our fastest growing channel and a key component of our future strategy. We have a longstanding direct-to-customer heritage, a rich house file and an expansive digital asset portfolio. As such, we are planning to increase our Internet investments in fiscal 2011 to capitalize on the significant opportunity we see ahead. The Internet has changed the way our customers shop and the on-line brand experience has to be inspiring and seamless.

Our customer service initiatives are also a key focus this year as we expand our clienteling-services and in-store event programs. We believe the customer experience, whether on-line or in our retail stores, is a significant brand differentiator and these initiatives are engaging new customers in our brands, while at the same time allowing us to take our existing customer relationships to new levels.

To improve profitability in fiscal 2011, we plan to implement new efficiencies in our worldwide supply chain; drive increased traffic and higher sales per square foot in our retail stores by reinventing the customer experience; and continue to expand e-commerce.

E-commerce is not only our fastest growing but also our most profitable channel and, therefore, its growth as a percentage of total company revenues increases overall corporate profitability. In 2011, Internet growth is expected to drive the direct-to-customer segment to 43% of total company revenues versus 41.5% in fiscal 2010.

From an investment perspective in fiscal 2011, we expect capital spending to be in the range of $135,000,000 to $150,000,000 with over a third of that in e-commerce and the supply chain that supports it. An additional $25,000,000 in fiscal 2011 is expected to be invested in incremental selling, general and administrative functions to support our longer term e-commerce, international and business development growth strategies as compared to fiscal 2010. While these selling, general and administrative investments are dilutive to earnings in fiscal 2011, we expect them to begin to lever in fiscal 2012 and beyond.

From a business development perspective, we will continue to invest in organic growth strategies. This has always been a key strength of ours and we believe we should always have several great ideas under development at any time. But we also believe that there are opportunities to acquire new businesses that could help us more quickly achieve our growth objectives and we will assess these opportunities as they come along.

Including all of these investments, in fiscal 2011, we expect net revenues to increase in the range of 4% to 6% and diluted earnings per share to increase in the range of 15% to 19%. Also, during fiscal 2011, we expect to return nearly $200,000,000 to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

 

26

Results of Operations

NET REVENUES

Net revenues consist of direct-to-customer sales and retail sales, both of which include shipping fees. Direct-to-customer sales include sales of merchandise to customers through our catalogs and the Internet, as well as shipping fees. Retail sales include sales of merchandise to customers at our retail stores, as well as shipping fees on any retail products shipped to our customers’ homes. Shipping fees consist of revenue received from customers for delivery of merchandise to their homes. Revenues are presented net of sales returns and other discounts.

 

Dollars in thousands		Fiscal 2010				% Total				Fiscal 2009				% Total				Fiscal 2008				% Total
Direct-to-customer revenues		$	1,452,572				41.5%			$	1,224,670				39.5%			$	1,398,974				41.6%
Retail revenues			2,051,586				58.5%				1,878,034				60.5%				1,962,498				58.4%
Net revenues		$	3,504,158				100.0%			$	3,102,704				100.0%			$	3,361,472				100.0%

Net revenues in fiscal 2010 increased by $401,454,000, or 12.9%, compared to fiscal 2009. This increase was driven by growth of 26.9% in our Internet revenues primarily driven by increased Internet advertising and growth of 9.8% in comparable store sales, partially offset by a 4.1% year-over-year reduction in retail leased square footage, including 18 net fewer stores. Increased net revenues during fiscal 2010 were driven by the Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma brands.

Net revenues in fiscal 2009 decreased by $258,768,000, or 7.7%, compared to fiscal 2008. This decrease was driven by declining net revenues in all brands primarily due to the continued negative impact of the general economic environment during fiscal 2009, which resulted in a comparable store sales decrease of 5.1%, as well as the temporary and permanent closure of 11 stores and 23 stores, respectively. Additionally, our catalog and page circulation decreased 16.4% and 21.1%, respectively (including the impact of our catalog circulation optimization strategy). This revenue decrease was partially offset by 9 new store openings and the remodeling or expansion of an additional 8 stores.

DIRECT-TO-CUSTOMER REVENUES

 

Dollars in thousands		Fiscal 2010				Fiscal 2009				Fiscal 2008
Internet revenues		$	1,196,613			$	943,101			$	1,033,400
Catalog revenues			255,959				281,569				365,574
Total direct-to-customer revenues		$	1,452,572			$	1,224,670			$	1,398,974
Direct-to-customer revenue growth (decline)			18.6%				(12.5%	)			(15.9%	)
Internet revenue growth (decline)			26.9%				(8.7%	)			(6.4%	)
Internet revenues as a percent of direct-to-customer revenues			82.4%				77.0%				73.9%
Percent increase (decrease) in number of catalogs circulated			1.1%				(16.4%	)			(20.2%	)
Percent decrease in number of pages circulated			(1.3%	)			(21.1%	)			(30.3%	)

In our direct-to-customer channel, net revenues in fiscal 2010 increased by $227,902,000, or 18.6%, compared to fiscal 2009. This increase was driven by 26.9% growth in Internet net revenues in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. Increased net revenues during fiscal 2010 were driven by the Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen brands.

In our direct-to-customer channel, net revenues in fiscal 2009 decreased by $174,304,000, or 12.5%, compared to fiscal 2008. This decrease was driven by declining net revenues in all brands primarily due to the continued negative impact of the general economic environment during fiscal 2009. Additionally, our catalog and page circulation decreased 16.4% and 21.1%, respectively (including the impact of our catalog circulation optimization strategy).

 

27

RETAIL REVENUES AND OTHER DATA

 

Dollars in thousands		Fiscal 2010				Fiscal 2009				Fiscal 2008
Retail revenues		$	2,051,586			$	1,878,034			$	1,962,498
Retail revenue growth (decline)			9.2%				(4.3%	)			(14.0%	)
Comparable store sales growth (decline)			9.8%				(5.1%	)			(17.2%	)
Number of stores – beginning of year			610				627				600
Number of new stores			4				9				29
Number of new stores due to remodeling1			7				8				23
Number of closed stores due to remodeling1			(5	)			(11	)			(21	)
Number of permanently closed stores			(24	)			(23	)			(4	)
Number of stores – end of year			592				610				627
Store selling square footage at year-end			3,609,000				3,763,000				3,828,000
Store leased square footage (“LSF”) at year-end			5,831,000				6,081,000				6,148,000

 

1	Remodeled stores are defined as those stores temporarily closed and subsequently reopened during the year due to square footage expansion, store modification or relocation.

 

		Fiscal 2010								Fiscal 2009								Fiscal 2008
		Store Count				Avg. LSF Per Store				Store Count				Avg. LSF Per Store				Store Count				Avg. LSF Per Store
Williams-Sonoma			260				6,400				259				6,300				264				6,300
Pottery Barn			193				13,100				199				13,000				204				12,900
Pottery Barn Kids			85				8,100				87				8,100				95				7,900
West Elm			36				17,100				36				17,600				36				17,100
Williams-Sonoma Home			—				—				11				13,200				10				13,300
Outlets			18				19,600				18				20,200				18				20,300
Total			592				9,800				610				10,000				627				9,800

Retail net revenues in fiscal 2010 increased by $173,552,000, or 9.2%, compared to fiscal 2009. This increase was driven by growth of 9.8% in comparable store sales, partially offset by a 4.1% year-over-year reduction in retail leased square footage, including 18 net fewer stores. Increased net revenues during fiscal 2010 were driven by the Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma brands.

Retail net revenues in fiscal 2009 decreased by $84,464,000, or 4.3%, compared to fiscal 2008. This decrease was primarily due to the continued negative impact of the general economic environment during fiscal 2009, which resulted in a comparable store sales decrease of 5.1%, as well as the temporary and permanent closure of 11 stores and 23 stores, respectively. This revenue decrease was partially offset by 9 new store openings and the remodeling or expansion of an additional 8 stores. The net revenue decrease was led by the Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids brands.

Comparable Store Sales

Comparable stores are defined as those stores in which gross square footage did not change by more than 20% in the previous 12 months and which have been open for at least 12 consecutive months without closure for seven or more consecutive days. By measuring the year-over-year sales of merchandise in the stores that have a history of being open for a full comparable 12 months or more, we can better gauge how the core store base is performing since it excludes new store openings, store remodelings and expansions. Comparable stores exclude new retail concepts until such time as we believe that comparable store results in those concepts are of sufficient size to evaluate the performance of the retail strategy, therefore, fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 total comparable store sales exclude the West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home concepts.

 

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Percentages represent changes in comparable store sales versus the same period in the prior year.

 

Growth (decline) in comparable store sales		Fiscal 2010				Fiscal 2009				Fiscal 2008
Williams-Sonoma			4.6%				(2.7%	)			(11.4%	)
Pottery Barn			14.3%				(4.4%	)			(21.8%	)
Pottery Barn Kids			13.0%				(9.5%	)			(17.8%	)
Outlets			8.0%				(14.8%	)			(17.1%	)
Total			9.8%				(5.1%	)			(17.2%	)

Various factors affect comparable store sales, including the overall economic and general retail sales environment as well as current local and global economic conditions, each of which were significant factors in our comparable store sales results for fiscal 2010. Additional factors have affected our comparable store sales results in the past and may continue to affect them in the future, such as the number, size and location of stores we open, close, remodel or expand in any period, consumer preferences and buying trends, changes in sales mix among distribution channels, our ability to efficiently source and distribute products, changes in our merchandise mix, competition (including competitive promotional activity and discount retailers), the timing of our releases of new merchandise and promotional events, the success of marketing programs, the cannibalization of existing store sales by our new stores, the benefits of closing underperforming stores in multi-store markets, changes in catalog circulation and in our direct-to-customer business and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Among other things, weather conditions can affect comparable store sales because inclement weather can alter consumer behavior or require us to close certain stores temporarily and thus reduce store traffic. Even if stores are not closed, many customers may decide to avoid going to stores in bad weather. These factors have caused our comparable store sales to fluctuate significantly in the past on an annual, quarterly and monthly basis and, as a result, we expect that comparable store sales will continue to fluctuate in the future.

COST OF GOODS SOLD

 

Dollars in thousands		Fiscal 2010				% Net Revenues				Fiscal 2009				% Net Revenues				Fiscal 2008				% Net Revenues
Total cost of goods sold1		$	2,130,299				60.8%			$	1,999,467				64.4%			$	2,226,300				66.2%

 

1	Includes total occupancy expenses of $506,712,000, $519,224,000 and $536,181,000 in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively.

Cost of goods sold includes cost of goods, occupancy expenses and shipping costs. Cost of goods consists of cost of merchandise, inbound freight expenses, freight-to-store expenses and other inventory related costs such as shrinkage, damages and replacements. Occupancy expenses consist of rent, depreciation and other occupancy costs, including common area maintenance and utilities. Shipping costs consist of third party delivery services and shipping materials.

Our classification of expenses in cost of goods sold may not be comparable to other public companies, as we do not include non-occupancy related costs associated with our distribution network in cost of goods sold. These costs, which include distribution network employment, third party warehouse management and other distribution-related administrative expenses, are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Within our reportable segments, the direct-to-customer channel does not incur freight-to-store or store occupancy expenses, and typically operates with lower markdowns and inventory shrinkage than the retail channel. However, the direct-to-customer channel incurs higher customer shipping, damage and replacement costs than the retail channel.

Fiscal 2010 vs. Fiscal 2009

Cost of goods sold increased by $130,832,000, or 6.5%, in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. Including expense of approximately $1,141,000 from lease termination related costs associated with underperforming retail stores, cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 60.8% in fiscal 2010 from 64.4% in fiscal

 

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2009 (which included expense of approximately $3,725,000 from lease termination related costs associated with underperforming retail stores and the exit of excess distribution capacity). This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was driven by the leverage of fixed occupancy expenses due to increasing net revenues, stronger selling margins, a decrease in occupancy expense dollars and a higher proportion of total company net revenues being generated year-over-year in the direct-to-customer channel which incurs a lower rate of occupancy expenses than the retail channel. This improvement was partially offset by higher inventory shrinkage versus last year.

In the direct-to-customer channel, cost of goods sold as a percentage of direct-to-customer net revenues decreased approximately 230 basis points during fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was driven by stronger selling margins and the leverage of fixed occupancy expenses due to increasing net revenues.

In the retail channel, cost of goods sold as a percentage of retail net revenues decreased approximately 350 basis points during fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by the leverage of fixed occupancy expenses due to increasing net revenues, stronger selling margins, and a decrease in occupancy expense dollars, partially offset by higher inventory shrinkage.

Fiscal 2009 vs. Fiscal 2008

Cost of goods sold decreased by $226,833,000, or 10.2%, in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008. Including expense of approximately $3,725,000 from lease termination related costs associated with underperforming retail stores and the exit of excess distribution capacity, cost of goods sold as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 64.4% in fiscal 2009 from 66.2% in fiscal 2008. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was driven by a reduction in the cost of merchandise (including the impact of reduced markdown activity), favorable inventory shrinkage results and a decrease in replacement and damages expense, partially offset by the deleverage of fixed occupancy expenses resulting from declining net revenues and the expense from lease termination related costs.

In the direct-to-customer channel, cost of goods sold as a percentage of direct-to-customer net revenues decreased approximately 130 basis points during fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was driven by a decrease in replacement and damages expense and favorable inventory shrinkage results, partially offset by an increase in cost of merchandise (including the impact of greater markdown activity) and the deleverage of fixed occupancy expenses resulting from declining net revenues.

In the retail channel, cost of goods sold as a percentage of retail net revenues decreased approximately 320 basis points during fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by a reduction in cost of merchandise (including the impact of reduced markdown activity) and favorable inventory shrinkage results, partially offset by the deleverage of fixed occupancy expenses resulting from declining net revenues.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

Dollars in thousands		Fiscal 2010				% Net Revenues				Fiscal 2009				% Net Revenues				Fiscal 2008				% Net Revenues
Selling, general and administrative expenses		$	1,050,445				30.0%			$	981,795				31.6%			$	1,093,019				32.5%

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of non-occupancy related costs associated with our retail stores, distribution warehouses, customer care centers, supply chain operations (buying, receiving and inspection), and corporate administrative functions. These costs include employment, advertising, third party credit card processing and other general expenses.

We experience differing employment and advertising costs as a percentage of net revenues within the retail and direct-to-customer channels due to their distinct distribution and marketing strategies. Store employment costs represent a greater percentage of retail net revenues than employment costs as a percentage of net revenues within the direct-to-customer channel. However, advertising expenses are higher within the direct-to-customer channel than the retail channel.

 

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Fiscal 2010 vs. Fiscal 2009

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $68,650,000, or 7.0%, in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. Including expense of approximately $16,384,000 from asset impairment and early lease termination charges for underperforming retail stores and $4,319,000 associated with the retirement of our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 30.0% in fiscal 2010 from 31.6% in fiscal 2009 (which included $32,898,000 from asset impairment and early lease termination charges for underperforming retail stores and $5,981,000 associated with the exit of excess distribution capacity). This decrease was primarily driven by lower employment costs (including the rate benefit from a higher proportion of total company net revenues being generated year-over-year in the direct-to-customer channel, which incurs a lower rate of employment expenses than the retail channel), a decrease in asset impairment and lease termination charges related to our underperforming retail stores in fiscal 2010, a decrease in other general expenses, expense related to the exit of excess distribution capacity recorded in fiscal 2009 that did not recur in fiscal 2010, and a reduction in the total company advertising expense rate despite the impact from a higher proportion of total company net revenues being generated year-over-year in the direct-to-customer channel. This decrease was partially offset by expense associated with the retirement of our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in fiscal 2010.

In the direct-to-customer channel, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of direct-to-customer net revenues decreased approximately 190 basis points in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by a reduction in the advertising expense rate and lower employment costs.

In the retail channel, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of retail net revenues decreased approximately 150 basis points in fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by a decrease in asset impairment and lease termination charges related to our underperforming retail stores in fiscal 2010 and lower employment costs.

Fiscal 2009 vs. Fiscal 2008

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $111,224,000, or 10.2%, in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008. Including expense of approximately $32,898,000 from asset impairment and early lease termination charges for underperforming retail stores and $5,981,000 associated with the exit of excess distribution capacity, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 31.6% in fiscal 2009 from 32.5% in fiscal 2008. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by the year-over-year benefit from our infrastructure cost reduction program implemented at the end of fiscal 2008 and advertising expense reductions associated with our catalog circulation optimization strategy. Further contributing to this decrease was severance related costs of approximately $10,344,000 associated with our infrastructure cost reduction program recorded in fiscal 2008, which did not recur in fiscal 2009. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was partially offset by an increase in incentive compensation expense in fiscal 2009; an approximate $16,000,000 benefit related to a gain on the sale of our corporate aircraft, an $11,023,000 benefit associated with the reversal of performance-based stock compensation expense and a net $9,350,000 incentive payment received from a landlord to compensate us for terminating a store lease prior to its original expiration, all of which were recorded in fiscal 2008 and did not recur in fiscal 2009; and an increase in asset impairment and lease termination costs related to our underperforming retail stores and the exit of excess distribution capacity in fiscal 2009.

In the direct-to-customer channel, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of direct-to-customer net revenues decreased approximately 290 basis points in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by fiscal 2009 advertising expense reductions associated with our catalog circulation optimization strategy.

In the retail channel, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of retail net revenues decreased approximately 180 basis points in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues was primarily driven by a year-over-year reduction in employment costs due to our infrastructure cost reduction program. This decrease was partially offset by a $9,350,000 incentive payment received from a

 

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landlord to compensate us for terminating a store lease prior to its original expiration recorded in fiscal 2008 that did not recur in fiscal 2009.

INCOME TAXES

Our effective income tax rate was 38.0% for fiscal 2010, 35.6% for fiscal 2009 and 28.4% for fiscal 2008. The increase in the effective income tax rate in fiscal 2010 over fiscal 2009 was primarily driven by certain favorable income tax resolutions that had a larger impact on the fiscal 2009 tax rate due to the lower level of earnings in fiscal 2009.

We currently expect our fiscal 2011 effective tax rate to be in the range of 37% to 39%. Throughout the year, we expect that there could be ongoing variability in our quarterly tax rates as changes in the level of earnings can increase the volatility of our tax rate. Additionally, our quarterly tax rate may continue to experience ongoing variability as taxable events occur and uncertain tax positions are re-evaluated for changes in events or circumstances, settlements, or expiration of statutes of limitations.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of January 30, 2011, we held $628,403,000 in cash and cash equivalent funds, the majority of which are held in money market funds and highly liquid U.S. Treasury bills. As is consistent with our industry, our cash balances are seasonal in nature, with the fourth quarter historically representing a significantly higher level of cash than other periods.

Throughout the fiscal year, we utilize our cash balances to build our inventory levels in preparation for our fourth quarter holiday sales. In fiscal 2010, our cash resources were used to fund our inventory and inventory-related purchases, advertising and marketing initiatives, stock repurchases, purchases of property and equipment and dividend payments. In addition to the current cash balances on hand, we have a credit facility that provides for a $300,000,000 unsecured revolving line of credit that may be used for loans or letters of credit. Prior to March 23, 2015, we may, upon notice to the lenders, request an increase in the credit facility of up to $200,000,000 to provide for a total of $500,000,000 of unsecured revolving credit. During fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009, we had no borrowings under the credit facility, and no amounts were outstanding as of January 30, 2011 or January 31, 2010. Additionally, as of January 30, 2011, $9,420,000 in issued but undrawn standby letters of credit was outstanding under the credit facility. Further, as of January 30, 2011, we had three unsecured letter of credit reimbursement facilities for a total of $90,000,000, of which an aggregate of $27,584,000 was outstanding as of January 30, 2011. These letter of credit facilities represent only a future commitment to fund inventory purchases to which we had not taken legal title. We are currently in compliance with all of our bank covenants and, based on our current projections, we expect to remain in compliance throughout fiscal 2011. We believe our cash on hand, in addition to our available credit facilities, will provide adequate liquidity for our business operations over the next 12 months.

In fiscal 2010, net cash provided by operating activities was $355,989,000 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $490,718,000 in fiscal 2009. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2010 was primarily attributable to net earnings, and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by an increase in merchandise inventories. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2010 decreased compared to fiscal 2009 primarily due to an increase in merchandise inventories and a decrease in income taxes payable, partially offset by an increase in fiscal 2010 net earnings.

In fiscal 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $490,718,000 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $230,163,000 in fiscal 2008. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2009 was primarily attributable to a decrease in merchandise inventories due to our inventory reduction initiatives throughout fiscal 2009, an increase in income taxes payable resulting from an increase in earnings, as well as an increase in accounts payable and accrued salaries, benefits and other expenses due to the timing of expenditures. Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2009 increased compared to fiscal 2008 primarily due to an increase in income taxes payable, an increase in accrued salaries, benefits and other expenses and an increase in accounts payable.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities was $63,995,000 for fiscal 2010 compared to $71,230,000 in fiscal 2009. Fiscal 2010 purchases of property and equipment were $61,906,000, comprised of $35,311,000 for systems development projects (including e-commerce websites), $18,348,000 for 4 new and 7 remodeled or expanded stores and $8,247,000 for distribution center and other infrastructure projects. Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2010 decreased compared to fiscal 2009 primarily due to a reduction in purchases of property and equipment resulting from a decrease in the number of new and remodeled stores we opened during fiscal 2010, as well as proceeds from the sale of assets, partially offset by restricted cash deposits.

Net cash used in investing activities was $71,230,000 for fiscal 2009 compared to $144,039,000 in fiscal 2008. Fiscal 2009 purchases of property and equipment were $72,263,000, comprised of $40,717,000 for 9 new and 8 remodeled or expanded stores, $26,163,000 for systems development projects (including e-commerce websites) and $5,383,000 for distribution center and other infrastructure projects. Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2009 decreased compared to fiscal 2008 primarily due to a reduction in our purchases of property and equipment resulting from a decrease in the number of new and remodeled stores we opened during fiscal 2009 and an overall reduction in all other capital expenditures, partially offset by proceeds received from the sale of a corporate aircraft during fiscal 2008 that did not recur in fiscal 2009.

In fiscal 2011, we anticipate investing $135,000,000 to $150,000,000 in the purchase of property and equipment, primarily for systems development projects (including e-commerce websites), the construction of 8 new stores and 7 remodeled or expanded stores, and distribution center and other infrastructure projects.

For fiscal 2010, net cash used in financing activities was $178,315,000 compared to $55,498,000 in fiscal 2009. Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2010 was primarily attributable to the repurchase of $125,000,000 of common stock and the payment of dividends of $59,160,000. Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2010 increased compared to fiscal 2009 primarily due to the repurchase of common stock.

For fiscal 2009, net cash used in financing activities was $55,498,000 compared to $52,160,000 in fiscal 2008. Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2009 was primarily attributable to the payment of dividends and the repayment of long-term obligations predominantly associated with the remaining outstanding balance on our Mississippi industrial development bonds, partially offset by net proceeds from the exercise of stock-based awards. Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2009 increased compared to fiscal 2008 primarily due to the repayment of the remaining outstanding balance on our Mississippi industrial development bonds, partially offset by net proceeds from the exercise of stock-based awards during fiscal 2009.

Dividend Policy

See section titled Dividend Policy within Part II, Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

Stock Repurchase Program

See section titled Stock Repurchase Program within Part II, Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

 

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Contractual Obligations

The following table provides summary information concerning our future contractual obligations as of January 30, 2011:

 

		Payments Due by Period1
Dollars in thousands		Fiscal 2011				Fiscal 2012 to Fiscal 2014				Fiscal 2015 to Fiscal 2016				Thereafter				Total
Memphis-based distribution facilities obligation		$	1,414			$	4,955			$	1,969			$	—			$	8,338
Capital leases			128				206				—				—				334
Interest2			836				1,580				191				—				2,607
Operating leases3,4			225,180				559,336				270,676				438,305				1,493,497
Purchase obligations5			527,962				4,565				—				—				532,527
Total		$	755,520			$	570,642			$	272,836			$	438,305			$	2,037,303

 

1

This table excludes $15.7 million of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions as we are not able to reasonably estimate when and if cash payments for these liabilities will occur. This amount, however, has been recorded as a liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 30, 2011.

2	Represents interest expected to be paid on our long-term debt and our capital leases.

3	Projected payments include only those amounts that are fixed and determinable as of the reporting date.

4	Includes rent expense on the lease of our corporate aircraft through May 2011. See Note K to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

5	Represents estimated commitments at year-end to purchase inventory and other goods and services in the normal course of business to meet operational requirements.

Memphis-Based Distribution Facilities Obligation

As of January 30, 2011, total debt of $8,338,000 consists entirely of bond-related debt pertaining to the consolidation of one of our Memphis-based distribution facilities due to its related party relationship and our obligation to renew the lease until the bonds are fully repaid. See discussion of our Memphis-based distribution facilities at Note F to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Capital Leases

As of January 30, 2011, capital lease obligations of $334,000 consist primarily of leases for distribution center equipment.

Operating Leases

We lease store locations, distribution centers, customer care centers, corporate facilities and certain equipment for original terms ranging generally from 2 to 22 years. Certain leases contain renewal options for periods up to 20 years. The rental payment requirements in our store leases are typically structured as either minimum rent, minimum rent plus additional rent based on a percentage of store sales if a specified store sales threshold is exceeded, or rent based on a percentage of store sales if a specified store sales threshold or contractual obligations of the landlord has not been met. Contingent rental payments, including rental payments that are based on a percentage of sales, cannot be predicted with certainty at the onset of the lease term. Accordingly, any contingent rental payments are recorded as incurred each period when the sales threshold is probable of being met and are excluded from our calculation of deferred rent liability. See Notes A and E to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We are party to a variety of contractual agreements under which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party for certain matters. These contracts primarily relate to our commercial contracts, operating leases, trademarks, intellectual property, financial agreements and various other agreements. Under these contracts, we may provide certain routine indemnification relating to representations and warranties or personal injury matters. The terms of these indemnities range in duration and may not be explicitly defined. Historically, we have not made significant payments for these indemnities. We believe that if we were to incur a loss in any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Other Contractual Obligations

We have other liabilities reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The payment obligations associated with these liabilities are not reflected in the table above due to the absence of scheduled maturities. The timing of these payments cannot be determined, except for amounts estimated to be payable in fiscal 2011 which are included in our current liabilities as of January 30, 2011.

Commercial Commitments

The following table provides summary information concerning our outstanding commercial commitments as of January 30, 2011:

 

		Amount of Outstanding Commitment Expiration By Period
Dollars in thousands		Fiscal 2011				Fiscal 2012 to Fiscal 2014				Fiscal 2015 to Fiscal 2016				Thereafter				Total
Credit facility		$	—				—				—				—			$	—
Letter of credit facilities			27,584				—				—				—				27,584
Standby letters of credit			9,420				—				—				—				9,420
Total		$	37,004				—				—				—			$	37,004

Credit Facility

On September 23, 2010, we entered into the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement that amended and replaced our existing credit facility and provided for a $300,000,000 unsecured revolving line of credit that may be used for loans or letters of credit. Prior to March 23, 2015, we may, upon notice to the lenders, request an increase in the credit facility of up to $200,000,000, to provide for a total of $500,000,000 of unsecured revolving credit. The credit facility contains certain financial covenants, including a maximum leverage ratio (funded debt adjusted for lease and rent expense to earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation, amortization and rent expense “EBITDAR”), and covenants limiting our ability to dispose of assets, make acquisitions, be acquired (if a default would result from the acquisition), incur indebtedness, grant liens and make investments. The credit facility contains events of default that include, among others, non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations and warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency events, material judgments, cross-defaults to material indebtedness and events constituting a change of control. The occurrence of an event of default will increase the applicable rate of interest by 2.0% and could result in the acceleration of our obligations under the credit facility and an obligation of any or all of our U.S. subsidiaries that have guaranteed the credit facility to pay the full amount of our obligations under the credit facility. As of January 30, 2011, we were in compliance with our financial covenants under the credit facility and, based on current projections, expect to be in compliance throughout fiscal 2011. The credit facility matures on September 23, 2015, at which time all outstanding borrowings must be repaid and all outstanding letters of credit must be cash collateralized.

We may elect interest rates calculated at (i) Bank of America’s prime rate (or, if greater, the average rate on overnight federal funds plus one-half of one percent, or a rate based on LIBOR plus one percent) plus a margin based on our leverage ratio or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin based on our leverage ratio. During fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009, we had no borrowings under the credit facility, and no amounts were outstanding as of January 30, 2011 or January 31, 2010. Additionally, as of January 30, 2011, $9,420,000 in issued but undrawn standby letters of credit was outstanding under the credit facility. The standby letters of credit were issued to secure the liabilities associated with workers’ compensation and other insurance programs.

Letter of Credit Facilities

We have three unsecured commercial letter of credit reimbursement facilities, each of which matures on September 2, 2011. The aggregate credit available under all letter of credit facilities is $90,000,000. The letter of credit facilities contain covenants and provide for events of default that are consistent with our unsecured revolving line of credit. Interest on unreimbursed amounts under the letter of credit facilities accrues at the lender’s prime rate (or if greater, the average rate on overnight federal funds plus one-half of one percent) plus

 

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2.0%. As of January 30, 2011, an aggregate of $27,584,000 was outstanding under the letter of credit facilities, which represents only a future commitment to fund inventory purchases to which we had not taken legal title. The latest expiration possible for any future letters of credit issued under the facilities is January 30, 2012.

Restricted Cash

On April 16, 2010, we entered into a Collateral Trust Agreement (the “Agreement”) to replace a portion of our standby letters of credit, which secure the liabilities associated with our workers’ compensation and other insurance programs. Under the Agreement, we funded the trust with an initial deposit of $12,500,000 and are required to reinvest interest income up to a maximum of 110% of the initial deposit thereby guaranteeing our obligation for any losses below our insurance deductibles. The Agreement is renewable annually and is cancellable upon 90 days written notice with the insurance provider’s and our mutual consent. As of January 30, 2011, restricted cash related to the Agreement was $12,512,000.

MEMPHIS-BASED DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES

Our Memphis-based distribution facilities include an operating lease entered into in July 1983 for a distribution facility in Memphis, Tennessee. The lessor is a general partnership (“Partnership 1”) comprised of the estate of W. Howard Lester, our former Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, and James A. McMahan, a Director Emeritus and a significant shareholder. Partnership 1 does not have operations separate from the leasing of this distribution facility and does not have lease agreements with any unrelated third parties.

Partnership 1 financed the construction of this distribution facility through the sale of a total of $9,200,000 of industrial development bonds in 1983 and 1985. As of January 30, 2011, the bonds had been repaid in full and no amounts were outstanding.

We made annual rental payments in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 of approximately $618,000, plus interest on the bonds (through December 2010) calculated at a variable rate determined monthly, applicable taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses. The terms of the lease automatically renewed until the bonds were fully repaid in December 2010. We are currently operating the distribution center on a month-to-month lease and expect to enter into a short-term lease agreement in fiscal 2011.

Our other Memphis-based distribution facility includes an operating lease entered into in August 1990 for another distribution facility that is adjoined to the Partnership 1 facility in Memphis, Tennessee. The lessor is a general partnership (“Partnership 2”) comprised of the estate of W. Howard Lester, James A. McMahan and two unrelated parties. Partnership 2 does not have operations separate from the leasing of this distribution facility and does not have lease agreements with any unrelated third parties.

Partnership 2 financed the construction of this distribution facility and related addition through the sale of a total of $24,000,000 of industrial development bonds in 1990 and 1994. Quarterly interest and annual principal payments are required through maturity in August 2015. The Partnership 2 industrial development bonds are collateralized by the distribution facility and require us to maintain certain financial covenants. As of January 30, 2011, $8,338,000 was outstanding under the Partnership 2 industrial development bonds.

We made annual rental payments of approximately $2,567,000, $2,582,000 and $2,577,000 plus applicable taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. The term of the lease automatically renews on an annual basis until these bonds are fully repaid in August 2015.

Prior to December 2010, the two partnerships described above qualified as variable interest entities and were consolidated by us due to their related party relationship and our obligation to renew the leases until the bonds were fully repaid. As of December 2010, however, the bonds on the distribution center leased from Partnership 1 were fully repaid and, accordingly, this facility is no longer consolidated by us. As such, as of January 30, 2011, our consolidated balance sheet includes $12,414,000 in assets (primarily buildings), $8,338,000 in debt and $4,076,000 in other long-term liabilities related solely to the consolidation of the Partnership 2 distribution facility.

 

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IMPACT OF INFLATION

The impact of inflation (or deflation) on our results of operations for the past three fiscal years has not been significant. In light of the recent economic environment, however, we cannot be certain of the effect inflation (or deflation) may have on our results of our operations in the future.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect the significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise inventories, net of an allowance for excess quantities and obsolescence, are stated at the lower of cost (weighted average method) or market. To determine if the value of our inventory should be marked down below cost, we consider current and anticipated demand, customer preferences, age of the merchandise and fashion trends. Our inventory value is adjusted periodically to reflect current market conditions, which requires management judgments that may significantly affect the ending inventory valuation, as well as gross margin. The significant estimates used in inventory valuation are obsolescence (including excess and slow-moving inventory and lower of cost or market reserves) and estimates of inventory shrinkage. We reserve for obsolescence based on historical trends, aging reports, specific identification and our estimates of future retail sales prices.

Reserves for shrinkage are estimated and recorded throughout the year, at the concept and channel level, as a percentage of net sales based on historical shrinkage results, expectations of future shrinkage and current inventory levels. Actual shrinkage is recorded at year-end based on the results of our physical inventory count and can vary from our estimates due to such factors as changes in operations within our distribution centers, the mix of our inventory (which ranges from large furniture to small tabletop items) and execution against loss prevention initiatives in our stores, distribution centers, off-site storage locations, and with our third-party transportation providers. Accordingly, there is no remaining shrinkage reserve balance at year-end.

Due to these factors, our obsolescence and shrinkage reserves contain uncertainties. Both estimates have calculations that require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding a number of factors, including market conditions, the selling environment, historical results and current inventory trends. If actual obsolescence or shrinkage estimates change from our original estimate, we will adjust our reserves accordingly throughout the year. Management does not believe that changes in the assumptions used in these estimates would have a significant effect on our inventory balances. We have made no material changes to our assumptions included in the calculations of the obsolescence and shrinkage reserves throughout the year. In addition, we do not believe a 10% change in our inventory reserves would have a material effect on net earnings. As of January 30, 2011 and January 31, 2010, our inventory obsolescence reserves were $12,348,000 and $18,565,000, respectively.

Advertising and Prepaid Catalog Expenses

Advertising expenses consist of media and production costs related to catalog mailings, e-commerce advertising and other direct marketing activities. All advertising costs are expensed as incurred, or upon the release of the initial advertisement, with the exception of prepaid catalog expenses. Prepaid catalog expenses consist primarily of third party incremental direct costs, including creative design, paper, printing, postage and mailing costs for all of our direct response catalogs. Such costs are capitalized as prepaid catalog expenses and are amortized over

 

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their expected period of future benefit. Such amortization is based upon the ratio of actual revenues to the total of actual and estimated future revenues on an individual catalog basis. Estimated future revenues are based upon various factors such as the total number of catalogs and pages circulated, the probability and magnitude of consumer response and the assortment of merchandise offered. Each catalog is generally fully amortized over a six to nine month period, with the majority of the amortization occurring within the first four to five months. Prepaid catalog expenses are evaluated for realizability on a monthly basis by comparing the carrying amount associated with each catalog to the estimated probable remaining future profitability (remaining net revenues less merchandise cost of goods sold, selling expenses and catalog-related costs) associated with that catalog. If the catalog is not expected to be profitable, the carrying amount of the catalog is impaired accordingly.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

We review the carrying value of all long-lived assets for impairment, primarily at a store level, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We review for impairment all stores for which current or projected cash flows from operations are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets. Impairment results when the carrying value of the assets exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows over the remaining life of the lease. Our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows over the store lease term (generally 5 to 22 years) is based upon our experience, historical operations of the stores and estimates of future store profitability and economic conditions. The future estimates of store profitability and economic conditions require estimating such factors as sales growth, gross margin, employment rates, lease escalations, inflation on operating expenses and the overall economics of the retail industry and are therefore subject to variability and difficult to predict. If a long-lived asset is found to be impaired, the amount recognized for impairment is equal to the difference between the net carrying value and the asset’s fair value. Long-lived assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs as defined in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value is estimated based upon future cash flows (discounted at a rate that is commensurate with the risk and approximates our weighted average cost of capital). We recorded impairment charges related to our underperforming retail stores of $5,128,000, $28,941,000 and $33,995,000 in selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively.

Self-Insured Liabilities

We are primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation, employee health benefits and product and general liability claims. We record self-insurance liabilities based on claims filed, including the development of those claims, and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Factors affecting this estimate include future inflation rates, changes in severity, benefit level changes, medical costs and claim settlement patterns. Should a different amount of claims occur compared to what was estimated, or costs of the claims increase or decrease beyond what was anticipated, reserves may need to be adjusted accordingly. We determine our workers’ compensation liability and product and general liability claims reserves based on an actuarial analysis of historical claims data. Self-insurance reserves for employee health benefits, workers’ compensation and product and general liability claims were $19,122,000 and $20,111,000 as of January 30, 2011 and January 31, 2010, respectively, and are recorded within Accrued Salaries, Benefits and Other on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Customer Deposits

Customer deposits are primarily comprised of unredeemed gift cards, gift certificates, and merchandise credits and deferred revenue related to undelivered merchandise. We maintain a liability for unredeemed gift cards, gift certificates and merchandise credits until the earlier of redemption, escheatment or four years as we have concluded that the likelihood of our gift cards and gift certificates being redeemed beyond four years from the date of issuance is remote.

 

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Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenues and the related cost of goods sold (including shipping costs) at the time the products are delivered to our customers. Revenue is recognized for retail sales (excluding home-delivered merchandise) at the point of sale in the store and for home-delivered merchandise and direct-to-customer sales when the merchandise is delivered to the customers. Discounts provided to customers are accounted for as a reduction of sales. We record a reserve for estimated product returns in each reporting period. Shipping and handling fees charged to the customer are recognized as revenue at the time the products are delivered to the customer. Revenues are presented net of any taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities.

Sales Returns Reserve

Our customers may return purchased items for an exchange or refund. We record a reserve for estimated product returns, net of cost of goods sold, based on historical return trends together with current product sales performance. As of January 30, 2011 and January 31, 2010, our reserve for sales returns was $12,502,000 and $11,839,000, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure and record compensation expense in our consolidated financial statements for all stock-based awards using a fair value method. For stock options and stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“option awards”), fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, while restricted stock units are valued using the closing price of our stock on the date prior to the date of issuance. Significant factors affecting the fair value of option awards include the estimated future volatility of our stock price and the estimated expected term until the option award is exercised or cancelled. The fair value of the award is amortized over the requisite service period. Total stock-based compensation expense was $26,630,000, $24,989,000 and $12,131,000 (which includes an $11,023,000 reversal of compensation expense related to performance-based stock awards, see Note H to our Consolidated Financial Statements), in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively, and is recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. We record reserves for estimates of probable settlements of foreign and domestic tax audits. At any one time, many tax years are subject to audit by various taxing jurisdictions. The results of these audits and negotiations with taxing authorities may affect the ultimate settlement of these issues. Additionally, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be materially impacted by changes in the mix and level of our earnings.

In accordance with the accounting for income taxes and uncertain tax positions, we make estimates regarding the likelihood that certain tax positions will be realized upon ultimate settlement and we record reserves where necessary. It is reasonably possible that current income tax examinations involving uncertain tax positions could be resolved within the next 12 months through administrative adjudicative procedures or settlement.

 

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ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks, which include significant deterioration of the U.S. and foreign markets, changes in U.S. interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, including the devaluation of the U.S. dollar, and the effects of uncertain economic forces which may affect the prices we pay our vendors in the foreign countries in which we do business. We do not engage in financial transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

As of January 30, 2011, our line of credit facility was the only instrument we held with a variable interest rate which could, if drawn upon, subject us to risks associated with changes in that interest rate. As of January 30, 2011, there were no amounts outstanding under our credit facility. If the interest rate on this existing variable rate debt instrument rose 10%, our results from operations and cash flows would not be materially affected.

In addition, we have fixed and variable income investments consisting of short-term investments classified as short-term cash and cash equivalents, which are also affected by changes in market interest rates. As of January 30, 2011, our investments, made primarily in money market funds and highly liquid U.S. Treasury bills, are stated at cost and approximate their fair values.

Foreign Currency Risks

We purchase a significant amount of inventory from vendors outside of the U.S. in transactions that are denominated in U.S. dollars, however, only approximately 3% of our international purchase transactions are in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the euro. Any currency risks related to these international purchase transactions were not significant to us during fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009. Since we pay for the majority of our international purchases in U.S. dollars, however, a decline in the U.S. dollar relative to other foreign currencies would subject us to risks associated with increased purchasing costs from our vendors in their effort to offset any lost profits associated with any currency devaluation. We cannot predict with certainty the effect these increased costs may have on our financial statements or results of operations.

In addition, as of January 30, 2011, we have 16 retail stores in Canada and limited operations in Europe and Asia, each of which exposes us to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Although these exchange rate fluctuations have not been material to us in the past, we may enter into foreign currency contracts in the future to minimize any currency remeasurement risk associated with the intercompany assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries. We did not enter into any foreign currency contracts during fiscal 2010 or fiscal 2009.

 

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ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

 

		Fiscal Year Ended
Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts		Jan. 30, 2011				Jan. 31, 2010				Feb. 1, 2009
Net revenues		$	3,504,158			$	3,102,704			$	3,361,472
Cost of goods sold			2,130,299				1,999,467				2,226,300
Gross margin			1,373,859				1,103,237				1,135,172
Selling, general and administrative expenses			1,050,445				981,795				1,093,019
Interest (income) expense, net			354				1,153				200
Earnings before income taxes			323,060				120,289				41,953
Income taxes			122,833				42,847				11,929
Net earnings		$	200,227			$	77,442			$	30,024
Basic earnings per share		$	1.87			$	0.73			$	0.28
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.83			$	0.72			$	0.28
Shares used in calculation of earnings per share:
Basic			106,956				105,763				105,530
Diluted			109,522				107,373				106,880

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts		Jan. 30, 2011				Jan. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	628,403			$	513,943
Restricted cash			12,512				0
Accounts receivable, net			41,565				44,187
Merchandise inventories, net			513,381				466,124
Prepaid catalog expenses			36,825				32,777
Prepaid expenses			21,120				22,109
Deferred income taxes			85,612				92,195
Other assets			8,176				8,858
Total current assets			1,347,594				1,180,193
Property and equipment, net			730,556				829,027
Non-current deferred income taxes			32,646				53,809
Other assets, net			20,966				16,140
Total assets		$	2,131,762			$	2,079,169
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	227,963			$	188,241
Accrued salaries, benefits and other			122,440				107,710
Customer deposits			192,450				195,185
Income taxes payable			41,997				48,260
Current portion of long-term debt			1,542				1,587
Other liabilities			25,324				22,499
Total current liabilities			611,716				563,482
Deferred rent and lease incentives			202,135				241,300
Long-term debt			7,130				8,672
Other long-term obligations			51,918				54,120
Total liabilities			872,899				867,574
Commitments and contingencies – See Note J
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 7,500 shares authorized, none issued			0				0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 253,125 shares authorized,
104,888 shares issued and outstanding at January 30, 2011; 106,962 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2010			1,049				1,070
Additional paid-in capital			466,885				448,848
Retained earnings			777,939				751,290
Accumulated other comprehensive income			12,990				10,387
Total shareholders’ equity			1,258,863				1,211,595
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	2,131,762			$	2,079,169

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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