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FORM 10-K

		Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

		Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

10 Pequot Way

(781) 830-3000

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.01 par value

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

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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.  

      As of December 15, 2000 there were outstanding 18,487,259 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share. The aggregate market value of shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based upon the last sales price for such stock on that date as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market, was approximately $14.875.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

      Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2001 Special Meeting in lieu of an Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on January 22, 2001 are incorporated by reference into Part III.

PART I

      In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the “Company,” “Tweeter,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” mean Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

      This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements regarding Tweeter’s performance, strategy, plans, objectives, expectations, beliefs and intentions. The actual outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements could differ materially. Therefore, this report, and especially the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains a discussion of some of the factors and risks that could contribute to those differences.

Item 1.  Business

General

      Tweeter is a specialty retailer of mid to high-end audio and video consumer electronics products. We operate 96 stores under the Tweeter, Bryn Mawr, HiFi Buys, United Audio Centers and Douglas TV names in New England, Texas, California, the Mid-Atlantic, the Southeast, and greater Chicago. We operate in a single business segment of retailing audio and video consumer electronic products. Our stores feature an extensive selection of home and car audio systems and components, portable audio equipment, and home video products including large screen televisions, DVD players, digital satellite systems, video cassette recorders and camcorders. We differentiate ourselves by focusing on consumers who seek audio and video products with advanced features, functionality and performance. We do not offer consumer electronics products such as personal computers or home office equipment. Our stores display products in an inviting retail environment averaging 10,000 square feet and are staffed with attentive, knowledgeable sales personnel. We seek to build name recognition and customer loyalty by combining a high level of service with competitive prices backed by our patented Automatic Price Protection program.

      We opened our first store in 1972 in Boston under the Tweeter name and over the next two decades grew exclusively through new store openings in New England, expanding to 18 stores by 1995. In 1995, we adopted an aggressive growth strategy to (i) open new stores in current regional markets and relocate certain stores to more favorable sites and (ii) to selectively pursue acquisitions in new regional markets and achieve operating improvements by converting the acquired company to our core operating model and leveraging distribution, marketing and corporate infrastructure. We completed the acquisition of Bryn Mawr Radio and Television, Inc. (“Bryn Mawr”)in May 1996, the acquisition of HiFi Buys, Inc. (“HiFi Buys”) in June 1997, the acquisition of Home Entertainment, Inc. (“Home Entertainment”) in February 1999, the acquisition of DOW Stereo/ Video, Inc. (“Dow Stereo/ Video”) in July 1999, the acquisition of United Audio Centers, Inc. (“United Audio Centers”) in April 2000, and the acquisition of Douglas TV in October 2000. In addition, on October 4, 1999, we formed a joint venture with Cyberian Outpost, Inc. (Nasdaq: COOL), organized as Tweeter.Outpost.com, LLC, to jointly market and sell consumer electronics over the Internet. The Tweeter.Outpost.com site was launched on October 19, 1999.

      Our business is subject to seasonal variations. Historically, we have realized a significant portion of our total revenue and net income for the year during the first and fourth fiscal quarters, with a majority of net income for such quarters realized in the first fiscal quarter. Due to the importance of the holiday shopping season, any factors negatively impacting the holiday selling season could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Our quarterly results of operations may also fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, including the timing of new store openings and acquisitions and unexpected changes in volume-related rebates from manufacturers. In addition, operating results may be negatively affected by increases in merchandise costs, price changes in response to competitive factors and unfavorable local, regional or national economic developments that result in reduced consumer spending.

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Business Strategy

      Our goal is to become the leading national specialty retailer of high-quality audio and video products. The key elements of our business strategy are as follows:

      Extensive Selection of Mid to High-End Audio and Video Products.  We concentrate on mid to high-end audio and video consumer electronics products. This focus differentiates us from larger format superstores and mass merchandisers, which offer a broad array of consumer electronics and non-electronics products with a higher emphasis on products priced at introductory price levels. Our emphasis on higher-end products positions us attractively to manufacturers seeking to sell more advanced or limited distribution products as part of their distribution strategy. As a result of our higher-end product focus, a historical early adopter customer base and our extensively trained sales force, we are often among the earliest retailers to offer new product innovations on behalf of manufacturers. In addition, we believe that our focused product offering allows for higher gross margin opportunities, appeals to a more service-conscious consumer and results in enhanced brand awareness of our regional names to our targeted customer group.

      Exceptional Customer Service.  We believe that the quality and knowledge of our sales associates is critical to our success and represents a significant competitive advantage. Our relationship-selling model encourages sales associates to promote a comfortable, trusting, low-pressure environment. We provide new sales associates with five weeks of intensive classroom training, and all sales associates receive five to fifteen days of ongoing training per year, both at the store and at Tweeter’s regional training centers. Our sales force receives technical product and sales training prior to our introduction of significant new products. We believe that the success of our operating model has enabled us to engender long-term customer loyalty.

      Dynamic, Inviting Stores.  Our stores display products in a dynamic and inviting setting intended to encourage the customer to view and hear products in sound rooms architecturally and acoustically designed to simulate the customer’s home or car environment. The store prototype is brightly painted, with many in pastel colors, with some stores exhibiting hand-painted murals and other decorative artwork. Innovative and interactive product displays enable customers to audition and compare a sample of products. Each store contains a television wall displaying an extensive selection of televisions and related products, and many stores contain a movie theater room, complete with theater-style seats, which showcases our home theater products.

      Everyday Competitive Pricing.  We utilize an “everyday competitive pricing” strategy with fixed prices clearly marked on our products. Store managers regularly visit local competitors to ensure that our pricing remains competitive within the store’s local market. In addition, our patented Automatic Price Protection program backs all product sales. Under this program, if a customer purchases a consumer electronics product from one of our stores and a competitor within 25 miles of the store advertises a lower price within 30 days, we automatically send a check to the customer for the difference without requiring the customer to request payment. The Automatic Price Protection program is designed to remove pricing concerns from the purchase decision and, as a result, allows customers and the sales staff to focus on product functionality, performance and quality.

Growth Strategy

      Our growth strategy is to:

	•	capitalize on new technologies to drive comparable store sales;
	•	open new stores in current regional markets and relocate certain stores to more favorable sites;
	•	selectively pursue acquisitions in new regional markets and achieve operating improvements by converting each acquired company to our core operating model and leveraging distribution, marketing and corporate infrastructure;
	•	grow the Internet as a channel of distribution to our current and potential customers; and
	•	develop our internal home installation business.

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      New Stores.  We intend to open new stores and relocate a limited number of stores within existing markets in order to increase penetration and leverage regional advertising, distribution, and operating efficiencies. During fiscal 2000, we opened one Tweeter store, three Bryn Mawr stores, five HiFi Buys stores and one Home Entertainment store. We also relocated one Bryn Mawr store in fiscal 2000. We intend to open twenty-one stores, and to relocate nine stores, in fiscal 2001. We believe that our acquisitions of Bryn Mawr in May 1996, HiFi Buys in June 1997, Home Entertainment in February 1999, DOW Stereo/ Video in June 1999, United Audio Centers in April 2000 and Douglas TV in October 2000, provide us with platforms from which to open new stores within and around their markets.

      Strategic Acquisitions.  We believe that we have obtained, and can continue to obtain, significant benefits from the consummation of strategic acquisitions of existing specialty retailers with a similar product mix and strong consumer reputation in geographic markets in which we do not currently operate. We believe that we can leverage the performance of an acquisition candidate by:

	•	applying our sales management and sales incentive strategies;
	•	adjusting the product mix to be compatible with our emphasis on higher margin audio and video products;
	•	applying our advertising and marketing strategies and programs, including our Automatic Price Protection and everyday competitive pricing programs;
	•	implementing our relationship selling and customer service philosophies; and
	•	utilizing our purchasing and distribution capabilities and administrative infrastructure.

      We believe that acquisition opportunities are created by the fragmented nature of the consumer electronics industry, the limited exit strategies available to owners of local and regional specialty retailers, the competitive pressures imposed by larger format retailers, and the insufficiency of capital necessary to support inventory, advertising or expansion. We believe that we are a well positioned consolidator because we:

	•	are known within the industry as a leading specialty retailer;
	•	utilize a store size and concept which can be readily adapted to the acquired stores;
	•	have successfully consummated six strategic acquisitions;
	•	have developed an operational, administrative and marketing infrastructure with the proven capability to successfully integrate acquisitions;
	•	enjoy experienced and proven senior management, having an average of 14 years of tenure with us (or our acquired companies); and
	•	seek to offer potential employment and managerial opportunities within the consolidated enterprise to employees of the targeted retailer.

Recent Acquisitions

      Acquisition of Home Entertainment.  In February 1999, we completed the acquisition of Home Entertainment, a seven store chain located in the Dallas and Houston markets. Home Entertainment was a focused retailer of high quality audio and video products with a 42-year operating history. We intend to open, over time, new Tweeter stores in Dallas and Houston, as well as other markets in Texas. We implemented the key aspects of our business strategy in the Home Entertainment stores including our Automatic Price Protection program.

      Acquisition of DOW Stereo/ Video.  In July 1999, we completed the DOW Stereo/ Video acquisition. DOW Stereo/ Video was a specialty consumer electronics chain with nine stores serving the San Diego, California market. DOW Stereo/ Video had created a strong reputation among consumers as a place to view and purchase newly introduced electronics products with a specialized focus on audio and video products. The DOW Stereo/ Video stores, at an average size of 12,000 square feet, are comparable in size to the typical

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	•	adjusted the merchandise mix to expand the number of mid and high-end products offered in the stores, and to eliminate entry-level product from the merchandise mix;
	•	altered store employee compensation to reduce the emphasis on promotional sales and focus incentives on gross margin and store contribution;
	•	increased marketing expenditures and shifted marketing emphasis from promotional advertising toward our traditional relationship selling and everyday competitive price message;
	•	converted the advertising program to emphasize electronic advertising and direct mail marketing as opposed to print media; and
	•	implemented our Automatic Price Protection program and everyday competitive pricing.

      Acquisition of United Audio Centers.  In April 2000, we completed the acquisition of United Audio Centers, a seven store chain located in the greater Chicago market. United Audio Centers was a focused retailer of high quality audio and video products with a 22-year operating history. We believe that there is a significant opportunity to increase operating margins at the United Audio Centers store level. We intend to open, over time, new stores in the greater Chicago market, as well as use this market as a springboard to surrounding, contiguous markets such as Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Detroit. We implemented the key aspects of our business strategy in the United Audio Centers stores including our Automatic Price Protection program.

      Launch of Tweeter@Outpost.  On October 4, 1999 we formed a joint venture with Cyberian Outpost, Inc. (Nasdaq: COOL), organized as Tweeter.Outpost.com, LLC, to jointly market and sell consumer electronics over the Internet. The Tweeter.Outpost.com site was launched on October 19, 1999. This 50/50 joint venture was capitalized with $2.5 million from each party, primarily to fund inventory procurement. We chose this method of entry into cyber-retailing to (i) minimize execution risk by partnering with an experienced internet retailer, (ii) minimize investment in Web infrastructure by leveraging the existing facilities of Outpost.com, and (iii) utilize a proven fulfillment back end instead of building internal infrastructure to support customer fulfillment. The parties also expect to utilize and leverage their respective marketing efforts to promote the website, by tagging the existing advertising with information about the Web presence. The parties to the joint venture have not and do not anticipate to engage in marketing directly.

Recent Business Developments

      Acquisition of Douglas TV.  In October 2000, we completed the acquisition of Douglas TV, a four store specialty consumer electronics retailer with annual sales of approximately $30 million, which has been in business in the Chicago market for over 30 years. Douglas TV’s primary business was in video and, with the addition of our audio lines, we believe that there is a significant opportunity to increase both gross and operating margins at the Douglas TV store level. We intend to implement the key aspects of our business strategy in the Douglas TV stores including the implementation of our Automatic Price Protection program.

Store Format and Operations

      As of September 30, 2000, we operated 90 stores, consisting of 27 Tweeter stores in New England, 23 Bryn Mawr stores in the Mid-Atlantic region, 16 HiFi Buys stores in the Southeast, 8 Tweeter stores in Texas (formerly Home Entertainment), 9 Tweeter stores in San Diego, California (formerly DOW Stereo/ Video), and 7 United Audio stores in greater Chicago. While our stores vary in size, the current prototype is 10,000 square feet, with approximately 70% of our square footage devoted to selling space. Many stores utilize mezzanine level storage space to reduce overall occupancy expense.

      Our store concept combines the comfort of the home environment with practical displays enabling consumers to sample and compare the features and functions of products in various combinations. The store

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      Stores are typically staffed with a store manager, an assistant manager, 12 sales associates and two mobile electronics installers. We provide new sales associates with five weeks of intensive classroom training, and all sales associates receive five to 15 days of ongoing training per year, both at the store and at the regional training centers. The sales force receives technical product and sales training prior to the introduction of significant new products. All stores are open seven days a week.

      Store managers are compensated through base pay and monthly bonuses based on store operating income. Typically, store managers earn 25% to 45% of their annual compensation through such bonuses. Sales associates are compensated through a commission program that is based on the retail prices and gross margin of products sold.

Merchandise

      Our stores feature home and car audio systems and components, video products such as large screen televisions, including digital projection and digital tube televisions, digital satellite systems, video cassette recorders, camcorders, DVD players and other consumer electronics products such as cellular phones and portable audio equipment. We offer home and car stereo installation services and provide warranty and non-warranty repair services through all of our stores. We also offer insurance replacement services to insurance companies, providing replacement products to the policyholders of those insurance companies. Additionally, we have a corporate sales division, which markets and sells to businesses, institutions and other organizations. Our emphasis on mid to high-end products enables us to offer limited distribution products and to be among the earliest retailers to offer new product innovations on behalf of manufacturers.

      We stock products from over 50 vendors, including Aiwa, Alpine, Bose, Boston Acoustics, Denon, Eclipse, Kenwood, Klipsch, Mirage, Mission, Mitsubishi, Monster Cable, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony and Yamaha. We seek to manage our product mix to maximize gross margin performance. Historically, video products have yielded lower gross margin than audio products. Total sales of video products have increased at rates faster than the increases in audio product sales during the last several years as a result of the increased customer interest in big screen televisions. Accordingly, we have adopted a “Sell Audio with Video” strategy in order to enhance overall gross margin through increased sales of higher margin audio products.

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      The table below sets forth the approximate percentages of revenues for each of our primary product categories for our fiscal years ended September 30, 1998, September 30, 1999 and September 30, 2000, respectively. The percentage of revenues represented by each product category may be affected by, among other factors, competition, economic conditions, consumer trends, the introduction into the market of new products, changes in our product mix, and the timing of marketing events. The percentages are also affected by our acquisitions of stores offering different mixes of products. The historical percentages set forth below may not be indicative of revenue percentages for future periods:

Percentage of Retail Revenues

Purchasing and Inventory

      Our purchasing and inventory control functions are based at our executive offices in Canton, Massachusetts. The purchasing decisions are made by our buying team, which has primary responsibility for product selection, stocking levels and pricing. Purchasing decisions are facilitated by our information systems, which analyze stocking levels and product sell-through. The purchasing group continuously reviews new and existing products with a view towards maintaining a wide range of high quality, brand-name consumer electronics products within the product mix. In order to remain current with new and developing products, we regularly host presentations by our major suppliers.

      In addition to making direct purchases, we are a member of the Progressive Retailers Organization (the “PRO”), a volume-buying group of 16 specialty electronics retailers across the country. This affiliation often provides us with the opportunities to obtain additional vendor rebates, product discounts and promotional products. We are not obligated to make purchases through the PRO. Our President and Chief Executive Officer serves on the Board of Directors of the PRO.

      We source products from more than 50 vendors, the largest of whom, Sony, accounted for 29.5% of fiscal 2000 purchases. We do not maintain long-term commitments or exclusive contracts with any particular vendor, but instead consider numerous factors, including price, credit terms, distribution, quality and compatibility within existing product mix in making our purchasing decisions. We utilize an automatic replenishment system for store inventory, maintaining stock levels and minimizing total dollars invested in inventory. We believe that our relationship with our large vendors is excellent and that our focused merchandising and high degree of customer service makes us an important distribution channel, particularly for the introduction of new products.

      We distribute products to stores through seven regional distribution centers and six service centers. In September 1998, we relocated to a new 80,000 square foot facility in Canton, Massachusetts which serves as our headquarters and distribution and service center for the New England Tweeter stores. The King of Prussia, Pennsylvania distribution center is 50,000 square feet and services the Bryn Mawr stores. The Atlanta, Georgia facility is 80,000 square feet and services the HiFi Buys stores. The Houston distribution center is 32,000 square feet and services the Houston area Tweeter stores. The Dallas distribution center is 3,900 square feet and services the Dallas area Tweeter stores. The San Diego facility is 46,700 square feet and services the California Tweeter stores. The Chicago facility is 122,000 square feet and services the United Audio Centers

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Advertising and Marketing

      Tweeter targets consumers seeking informed advice concerning product selection and system integration of audio and video consumer electronics products. Our marketing strategy differs from our primary competitors in that we rely substantially on electronic media, primarily radio, and an extensive direct marketing effort. We believe advertising on specific radio stations and at specific times allows us the flexibility to tailor our marketing message. Our radio advertising campaigns seek to generate name recognition and to reinforce identification of Tweeter as a source of high quality products at competitive prices, staffed with a knowledgeable, attentive sales force. We complement our radio strategy from time to time with television and with print advertisements. The specific allocation of advertising dollars among the various types of advertising media is reviewed from time to time by management and, if necessary, adjusted to reflect our assessment of advertising results and market conditions.

      We also rely on a sophisticated direct marketing campaign to our customers. We have developed a comprehensive database-marketing program to match past customer purchasing history to the next logical purchase option for that customer. For example, we have distributed direct mail regarding surround sound and DVD products to customers who recently purchased large screen televisions. We also distribute an award-winning one hundred sixteen page Buyer’s Guide twice a year and a smaller forty page catalog three times per year. Management believes that our relatively inexpensive direct mail activities leverage and complement our general media advertising campaigns.

      We believe that our commitment to providing competitive pricing on our products is a critical component of our marketing and advertising strategy. In 1993, we abandoned our promotional and marketing approach and adopted an everyday competitive pricing strategy, with fixed prices clearly marked on our products. Store managers regularly visit the local competition to ensure the store’s pricing remains competitive. At the same time, our competitive prices are backed by our Automatic Price Protection program. Under the Automatic Price Protection program, if a customer purchases a consumer electronics product from one of our stores and a competitor within 25 miles of that store advertises a lower price within 30 days of the customer’s purchase, we automatically send a check to the customer for the difference. Unlike other price guarantee programs in place within the industry, the refund process does not require the customer to call or return to the store of purchase and request a price match refund. The Automatic Price Protection program is intended to be hassle-free, customer friendly and viewed as a reflection of our commitment to customer service. Most recently, in fiscal 1997, we implemented a “Wise Buys” program. Under this program, Tweeter’s buyers identify special, reduced-priced items, often closeouts or last year’s top-of-the-line models, which are purchased from the manufacturer and offered to the consumer at a substantial discount from the original retail price. We believe that the pricing of the Wise Buys items represents substantial value to the consumer with little or no negative impact to gross margin. Our advertisements frequently describe or refer to the Automatic Price Protection and Wise Buys programs.

Site Selection

      Our stores average approximately 10,000 square feet and are typically located in freestanding buildings or strip shopping centers within high traffic shopping areas. New store sites are selected on the basis of several factors, including physical location, demographic characteristics of the local market, proximity to superstore competitors, access to highways or other major roadways, and available lease terms. We look for co-tenants, such as bookstores, that are likely to draw customers whom we would otherwise target within the site’s relevant market and believe that the proximity of superstore competitors is, on balance, a positive factor due to increased customer traffic. We lease most of our stores.

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      The following table presents the number and locations of stores we operated at the end of each of the last three fiscal years.

Information Systems

      We utilize a sophisticated, fully integrated mainframe based management information system which updates after every transaction, and which is accessible on a real time basis to management, sales associates and product buyers. Extensive sales reporting and sales tracking are provided real time on screen to store managers and individual sales associates. The screen tracks category sales and benchmark key sales data. This system enables management and store managers to review sales volume, gross margin and product mix on a per store or per sales associate basis, allows for the viewing of open orders, inventory value and mix, and tracks sales by product category, by sales associate, and by store. We provide ongoing training and support in the use of this system and compensate and benchmark the store managers based upon this information.

Employees

      As of September 30, 2000, we had 2,055 employees, consisting of 1,933 full-time and 122 part-time employees. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and we believe our relations with our employees are good.

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RISK FACTORS

      The value of an investment in Tweeter will be subject to the significant risks inherent in its business. Investors should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below. If any of the events described below actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could be adversely affected in a material way. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, perhaps significantly.

      This annual report contains forward-looking statements regarding Tweeter’s performance, strategy, plans, objectives, expectations, beliefs and intentions. The actual outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements could differ materially. The following is a discussion of some of the factors and risks that could contribute to those differences.

Risks Associated with Growth

      Tweeter’s success depends in large part on its ability to open, or acquire through strategic acquisitions, new stores in both existing and new geographic markets and to operate those stores profitably. We may not be able to achieve our planned expansion or to effectively integrate any new stores into our existing operations. The opening of additional stores in new geographic markets could present competitive and merchandising challenges different from those we currently or previously faced within our existing geographic markets. In addition, we may incur higher costs related to advertising, administration and distribution as we enter new markets.

      There are a number of factors that could affect our ability to open or acquire new stores consistent with our business plan. These factors also affect the ability of any newly opened or acquired stores to achieve sales and profitability levels comparable with our existing stores, or to become profitable at all. These factors include:

	•	The identification and acquisition of suitable sites and the negotiation of acceptable leases for such sites;
	•	The identification of existing audio and video consumer electronics retailers appropriate for strategic acquisition;
	•	The successful consummation of such acquisitions;
	•	The obtaining of governmental and other third-party consents, permits and licenses needed to operate such additional sites;
	•	The hiring, training and retention of skilled personnel;
	•	The availability of adequate management and financial resources;
	•	The adaptation of our distribution and other operational and management systems to an expanded network of stores;
	•	The ability and willingness of vendors to supply on a timely basis at competitive prices; and
	•	Continued consumer demand for our products at levels that can support acceptable profit margins.

      In addition, our rapid expansion through the opening or acquisition of new stores will place significant demands on our management, resources, operations and information systems. Such expansion requires us to expend significant effort and additional resources to ensure the continuing adequacy of our financial controls, operating procedures, information systems, product purchasing and distribution systems and employee training programs. We also need to attract and retain additional qualified personnel, including new store managers, for such new stores.

      Our continued growth also depends on our ability to increase sales in our existing stores. The opening of additional stores in an existing market could result in lower net sales at our existing stores in that market.

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Risks Associated with Acquisitions

      Integration of newly acquired stores may involve significant delay or expense. Additional suitable acquisition candidates may not be identified. Further, we may not consummate acquisitions of any identified candidates and new stores acquired through such acquisitions may not operate profitably or integrate successfully into our operations. Previously acquired stores have had, and newly acquired stores may have, different merchandising, advertising, store format and operating approaches from ours, and our success in integrating such stores will depend on our ability to effect significant changes in the operations of such stores to conform to our approach in these areas. We may not be successful in effecting such changes without an adverse effect on the revenues or profitability of such stores. In addition, future acquisitions could involve the issuance of equity securities which could dilute the holdings of existing stockholders. Future acquisitions could also involve the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, and amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Dependence on Key Personnel

      Our success depends upon the active involvement of senior management personnel, particularly Samuel J. Bloomberg, Tweeter’s Chairman of the Board, and Jeffrey Stone, Tweeter’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the full-time services of Messrs. Stone or Bloomberg or other members of senior management could have a material adverse effect on Tweeter’s results of operations and financial condition. Except for employment contracts with Messrs. Stone and Bloomberg, and with Joseph McGuire, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer of Tweeter, Tweeter does not have employment agreements with any members of its senior management team.

Risks Associated with Competition

      The retail consumer electronics industry is highly competitive. Tweeter currently competes against a diverse group of retailers, including several national and regional large format merchandisers and superstores, such as Circuit City and Best Buy, which sell, among other products, audio and video consumer electronics products similar and often identical to those Tweeter sells. Tweeter also competes in particular markets with a substantial number of retailers that specialize in one or more types of consumer electronic products that Tweeter sells. Certain of these competitors have substantially greater financial resources than Tweeter that may increase their ability to purchase inventory at lower costs or to initiate and sustain predatory price competition. In addition, the large format stores are continuing to expand their geographic markets, and such expansion may increase price competition within those markets. A number of different competitive factors could have a material adverse effect on Tweeter’s results of operations and financial condition, including:

	•	Increased operational efficiencies of competitors;
	•	Competitive pricing strategies;
	•	Expansion by existing competitors;
	•	Entry by new competitors into markets in which Tweeter is currently operating; or
	•	Adoption by existing competitors of innovative store formats or retail sales methods.

Seasonal and Quarterly Fluctuations in Sales

      Seasonal shopping patterns affect our business, like that of many retailers. The fourth calendar quarter, which is Tweeter’s first fiscal quarter and which includes the December holiday shopping period, has historically contributed, and is expected to continue to represent, a substantial portion of Tweeter’s operating income for its entire fiscal year. As a result, any factors negatively affecting Tweeter during such calendar quarter of any year, including adverse weather or unfavorable economic conditions, would have a material

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	•	The timing of new store openings and new store acquisitions;
	•	The amount of store pre-opening expenses;
	•	The amount of net sales contributed by new and existing stores;
	•	The mix of consumer electronic products sold in its stores;
	•	Profitability of sales of particular products; and
	•	Other competitive factors.

Fluctuations in Comparable Store Sales

      A number of factors have historically affected, and will continue to affect, Tweeter’s comparable store sales results, including, among other factors:

	•	Competition;
	•	General regional and national economic conditions;
	•	Consumer trends;
	•	Changes in Tweeter’s product mix;
	•	Timing of promotional events;
	•	New product introductions; and
	•	Tweeter’s ability to execute its business strategy effectively.

      Tweeter does not expect comparable store sales to increase at historical rates, and comparable store sales may decrease in the future. Changes in Tweeter’s comparable store sales results could cause the price of the common stock to fluctuate substantially.

Potential Need for Additional Financing

      Financing for the opening and acquisition of new stores may be in the form of debt or equity or both and may not be available on terms acceptable to Tweeter, if at all. We estimate that the average cash investment, including pre-opening expenses for tenant fit-out, demonstration and inventory (net of payables), required to open a store to be approximately $1,115,000. The actual cost of opening a store may be significantly greater than such current estimates, however, and we may need to seek additional debt and/or equity financing in order to fund our continued expansion through 2001 and beyond. In addition, our ability to incur additional indebtedness or issue equity or debt securities could be limited by covenants in present and future loan agreements and debt instruments. Additional issuances of equity by Tweeter may result in dilution to existing stockholders.

Changes in Consumer Demand and Preferences

      Tweeter’s success depends on its ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to consumer demand and preferences regarding audio and video consumer electronics products and changes in such demand and preferences. Consumer spending patterns, particularly discretionary spending for products such as those Tweeter markets, are affected by, among other things, prevailing economic conditions. In addition, the periodic introduction and availability of new products and technologies at price levels which generate wide consumer interest stimulate the demand for audio and video consumer electronics products. Also, many products which incorporate the newest technologies, such as DVD and high-definition television, are subject to significant technological and pricing limitations and to the actions and cooperation of third parties such as television broadcasters or movie distributors. It is possible that these products or other new products will never

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Dependence on Suppliers

      The success of Tweeter’s business and growth strategy depends to a significant degree upon its suppliers, particularly its brand-name suppliers of stereo and video equipment such as Sony, Mitsubishi, Yamaha, Boston Acoustics and Panasonic. Tweeter does not have any supply agreements or exclusive arrangements with any vendors. Tweeter typically orders its inventory through the issuance of individual purchase orders to vendors. In addition, Tweeter relies heavily on a relatively small number of suppliers. Tweeter’s two largest suppliers accounted for approximately 43% of its sales during fiscal 2000. The loss of any of these key vendors or the failure by Tweeter to establish and maintain relationships with these or other vendors could have a material adverse effect on Tweeter’s results of operations and financial condition and its expansion. It is possible, especially given Tweeter’s growth strategy, that Tweeter will be unable to acquire sufficient quantities or an appropriate mix of consumer electronic products at acceptable prices, if at all. Specifically, Tweeter’s ability to establish additional stores in existing markets and to penetrate new markets depends to a significant extent on the willingness and ability of vendors to supply those additional stores, and vendors may not be willing or able to do so. As we continue to open or acquire new stores, the inability or unwillingness of suppliers to supply some or all of their products to us at acceptable prices in one or more markets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Uncertainty of Intellectual Property Rights

      Our “Tweeter, etc.” and “Bryn Mawr Stereo” service marks have been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Tweeter has not registered the “HiFi Buys” service mark and is aware that other consumer electronics retailers use the name “HiFi Buys” outside Tweeter’s current geographical markets. Tweeter has submitted applications for registration of certain other of its service marks, which applications are currently pending. Tweeter may be unable to successfully register such service marks. In addition, Tweeter’s service marks, whether registered or unregistered, and patents may not be effective to protect its intellectual property rights, and infringement or invalidity claims may be asserted by third parties in the future. Any such assertions, if proven to be true, could have a material adverse effect on Tweeter’s results of operations and financial condition.

Significant Ownership by Principal Stockholders

      Tweeter’s executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and their affiliates own approximately 8% of Tweeter’s outstanding common stock. As a result, those parties might be able to significantly influence Tweeter’s affairs if they were to act together.

Effect of Certain Charter and By-law Provisions; Anti-Takeover Provisions

      Tweeter’s corporate charter and by-laws, as well as certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, contain provisions which may deter, discourage or make more difficult a change in control of Tweeter, even if such a change in control would be in the interest of a significant number of Tweeter’s stockholders or if such change in control would provide such stockholders with a substantial premium for their shares over then current market prices. For example, the charter authorizes Tweeter’s Board of Directors to issue one or more classes of preferred stock, having such designations, rights and preferences as they determine, and such issuances may, among other things, have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock.

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      Tweeter’s stockholders have no right to take action by written consent and may not call special meetings of stockholders. Any amendment of the by-laws by the stockholders or certain provisions of the charter requires the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the shares of voting stock then outstanding. The charter also provides for the staggered election of directors to serve for one, two and three-year terms, and for successive three-year terms thereafter, subject to removal only for cause upon the vote of not less than 75% of the shares of common stock represented at a stockholders’ meeting.

      In addition, under the terms of Tweeter’s Stockholder Rights Plan, in general, if a person or group acquires more than 15% of the outstanding shares of common stock (an “Acquiring Person”), all other stockholders of Tweeter would have the right to purchase securities from Tweeter at a discount to such securities’ fair market value, thus causing substantial dilution to the holdings of the Acquiring Person. The Stockholder Rights Plan may inhibit a change in control and, therefore, could adversely affect the stockholders’ ability to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for the common stock in connection with such a transaction.

Volatility of Stock Price

      The trading price of our common stock has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of internal and external factors. The stock market in general, and the Nasdaq National Market in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market factors may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against such companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which would materially adversely affect Tweeter’s results of operations and financial condition.

Item 2.  Properties

      Our corporate offices and the New England distribution and service centers are located in an 80,000 square foot facility we own in Canton, Massachusetts. In addition, we lease over 334,600 square feet of regional operating facilities including distribution and service centers in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Georgia, Houston, Texas, Dallas, Texas, San Diego, California and Chicago, Illinois.

      Our stores, most of which are leased, include sales space, inventory storage, management offices and employee areas. The majority of the leases provide for a fixed minimum rent with scheduled escalation dates and amounts. Leases for twenty one of the stores have a percentage rent provision ranging from 1.5% to 4% of gross sales at each location in excess of certain specified sales amounts. The initial terms of the leases range from 5 to 20 years and generally allow us to renew for up to three additional five-year terms. The terms of a majority of the leases, including renewal options, extend beyond the year 2020.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

      From time to time, we are involved in litigation in the ordinary course of our business. In the opinion of management, no such litigation is likely to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

      No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

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PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

      Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market, under the symbol “TWTR.” Public trading in our common stock commenced on July 16, 1998. Prior to that date, there was no public market for our common stock. The following table sets forth the high, low and last sale prices for the common stock for the quarters in which the Common Stock was publicly traded, adjusted for the stock split effective on December 2, 1999:

      The last sale price of the common stock on December 15, 2000, as reported by Nasdaq, was $14.875 per share. As of December 15, 2000, there were approximately 4,300 holders of record of our common stock.

      We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. In addition, current lending arrangements prohibit the payment of cash dividends or will limit our ability to declare or pay such dividends.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

      None

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Item 6.  Selected Financial Data (amounts in thousands, except per share and number of stores data)

      Set forth below is selected financial and operating data for each of the five years ended September 30, 2000. The selected statement of operations and balance sheet data for each of the five years ended September 30, 2000 have been derived from our financial statements, which have been audited by our independent auditors. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Report.