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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended

December 28, 2002

 

Commission File Number

0-23669

 

SHOE PAVILION, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

94-3289691

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

 


 

3200-F Regatta Boulevard

Richmond, California 94804

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Telephone Number: (510) 970-9775

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

None

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

None

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Common Stock

(Title of Class)

 

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 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.  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  Yes  ¨  No  x

 

At March 18, 2003 the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $2,639,000.

 

At March 18, 2003 the number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock was 6,800,000.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders—Part III of this Form 10-K.

 



Table of Contents

 

Shoe Pavilion, Inc.

Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K

For the year ended December 28, 2002

 

        

Page


PART I

Item 1

 

Business

  

3

Item 2

 

Properties

  

7

Item 3

 

Legal Proceedings

  

8

Item 4

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  

8

PART II

Item 5

 

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

  

9

Item 6

 

Selected Financial Data

  

10

Item 7

 

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

  

12

Item 7A

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

  

21

Item 8

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  

22

Item 9

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  

35

PART III

Item 10

 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

  

35

Item 11

 

Executive Compensation

  

35

Item 12

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

  

35

Item 13

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

  

35

PART IV

Item 14

 

Controls and Procedures

  

35

Item 15

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

  

36

 

2


Table of Contents

 

PART I

 

Item 1—Business

 

General

 

Shoe Pavilion, Inc. is the largest independent off-price footwear retailer on the West Coast that offers a broad selection of women’s, men’s and children’s designer label and name brand merchandise. The Company was among the first footwear retailers on the West Coast to expand the off-price concept into the designer and name brand footwear market. As of December 28, 2002 the Company operated 88 retail stores, including an internet store, in California, Washington and Oregon under the trade name Shoe Pavilion.

 

In July 1999, the Company entered into a licensing agreement to operate the shoe department of Gordmans, Inc. (formerly Richman Gordman ½ Price Stores, Inc.) department stores located in the Midwest. Pursuant to notification from Gordmans on December 28, 2001 the license agreement was scheduled to expire effective June 29, 2002. On June 14, 2002, the license agreement with Gordmans department stores was terminated (due to Gordmans default) and the Company discontinued operating all 40 of the licensed shoe departments in Gordmans department stores. Certain terms and conditions of the license agreement are the subject of a lawsuit and counterclaim filed by the Company against Gordmans. See “Item 3 Legal Proceedings.”

 

The Company offers quality designer and name brand footwear such as Dr, Marten, Fila, Ralph Lauren, Rockport, Steve Madden, Vans and Via Spiga, typically at 30% to 70% below regular department store prices. Such price discounts appeal to value-oriented consumers seeking quality brand name footwear not typically found at other off-price retailers or mass merchandisers. The Company is able to offer lower prices by (i) selectively purchasing from manufacturers at significant discounts, large blocks of production over-runs, over-orders, mid- and late-season deliveries and last season’s stock, (ii) sourcing in-season name brand and branded design merchandise directly from factories in Italy, Brazil and China and (iii) negotiating favorable prices with manufacturers by ordering merchandise during off-peak production periods and taking delivery. During 2002, the Company purchased footwear merchandise from over 100 domestic and international vendors, independent resellers and manufacturers that had excess inventory for sale.

 

The Company’s stores utilize a self-service format that allows inventory to be stored directly under a displayed shoe, thereby eliminating the need for a stockroom and significantly increasing retail floor space. The functionality and simplicity of this format enable flexible store layouts that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate a new mix of merchandise. Moreover, this format allows customers to locate all available sizes of a particular shoe and to try them on for comfort and fit without a salesperson’s assistance, thereby reducing in-store staffing needs and allowing customers to make independent purchasing decisions.

 

Shoe Pavilion is a standardized concept that offers a bright, clean, low maintenance and functional shopping environment to customers interested in purchasing quality men’s, women’s and children’s value priced footwear. The Company’s stores are strategically located in strip malls, outlet centers and downtown locations, frequently in close proximity to other off-price apparel retailers that attract similar customers. Shoe Pavilion stores average approximately 7,800 square feet. The Company opened, net of closures, 5 retail stores in 2002, 3 in 2001 and 2 in 2000. The Company closed all 40 of its licensed shoe departments in 2002, including 2 it opened in 2002 and opened 2 in 2001 and 3 in 2000. During 2003, the Company intends to open approximately 3 to 5 new stores, primarily in California.

 

The Company was incorporated in Delaware in November 1997 and is the successor to Shoe Pavilion Corporation (formerly Shoe Inn, Inc.), which was incorporated in Washington in 1983. The Company’s executive offices are located at 3200-F Regatta Boulevard, Richmond, California 94804, and its telephone number is (510) 970-9775.

 

3


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Operating Strategy

 

The Company’s objective is to be the leading off-price retailer of designer label and name brand footwear in each of the markets it serves. The operating strategy is designed to allow the Company to offer its customers quality footwear typically at 30% to 70% below department store prices for the same shoes. The following summarizes key elements of the Company’s operating strategy:

 

    Off-Price Concept, Premium Name Brands.    The Company differentiates itself from other off-price retailers and deep discount chains by focusing on higher price point merchandise, extending the off-price concept into the designer and name brand footwear market. As a result, the Company generally does not compete with other discount stores in obtaining the majority of its merchandise. Similarly, while some department store and brand name retail chains operate discount outlets, such operations generally obtain merchandise from the existing inventory of their retail affiliates rather than from external sources. Some of the Company’s most successful stores have benefited from the heightened consumer awareness and preference to shop at discount malls or outlet centers, both of which typically include other off-price retailers.

 

    Broad Selection of Designer Footwear.    The Company offers a broad selection of quality footwear from over 75 name brands such as Dr. Marten, Fila, Ralph Lauren, Rockport, Steve Madden, Vans and Via Spiga. The availability and wide variety of premium brand names distinguish Shoe Pavilion and serve to attract first time buyers and consumers who otherwise might shop at more expensive department stores. The wide variety of brand names also enables the Company to tailor its merchandise from store to store to accommodate consumer preferences that may vary by location.

 

    Selective Bulk Purchases; Diverse Vendor Network.    The Company is able to offer lower prices by selectively purchasing at significant discounts large blocks of over-runs, over-orders, mid- and late-season deliveries and last season’s stock from over 100 domestic and international vendors, independent resellers and manufacturers. The diversity and scope of its vendor network help to provide a constant source of quality merchandise, and the purchase of name brand, traditional styles helps to mitigate the likelihood of inventory writedowns. To augment available merchandise with the latest in-season styles, the Company purchases branded design footwear directly from factories in Italy, Brazil and China.

 

    Self-Service Stores.    The Company believes that its self-service format reinforces its off-price strategy and appeals to value-oriented consumers. The Company’s format allows inventory to be stored directly under a displayed shoe, thereby eliminating the need for a stockroom and significantly increasing retail floor space. The functionality and simplicity of this format enable flexible store layouts that can be easily rearranged to complement the current merchandise. Moreover, this format allows customers to locate all available sizes of a particular shoe and to try them on for comfort and fit without a salesperson’s assistance, thereby reducing in-store staffing needs and allowing customers to make independent, purchasing decisions.

 

Growth Strategy

 

Since opening its first store in 1979 in Washington, the Company has expanded to 88 stores, including its internet store. The Company intends to continue to expand by opening new stores and increasing comparable store sales.

 

Continue New Store Openings.    The Company intends to increase its presence in its current markets and to enter new markets by selectively opening new stores, which can be served by the Company’s business support infrastructure. When entering a new market, the Company prefers to open multiple stores, thereby creating an immediate market presence and enabling television advertising costs to be spread economically across a number of stores. The Company opened 10 stores, including its internet store, and 2 licensed shoe departments in 2002, 6 stores and 2 licensed shoe departments in 2001 and 7 stores and 3 licensed shoe departments in 2000. The Company closed 5 stores and 40 licensed shoe departments in 2002, 3 stores in 2001 and 5 stores in 2000.

 

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During 2003, the Company intends to open 3 to 5 new stores in California. Management believes that new store openings in the Company’s current markets will further increase name recognition, which, in turn, will facilitate expansion into new markets.

 

    Increase Comparable Store Sales.    During the past several years, comparable store sales have been subject to wide fluctuations. Comparable store sales decreased 1.0% in 2002 and 5.9% in 2001 and increased 9.4% in 2000. In an effort to improve comparable store sales performance, management intends to focus on refining its sales efforts, including merchandise selection, advertising and promotions.

 

The Company’s ability to execute its operating and growth strategy is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Also, certain events, such as local economic downturns or the uncertainties related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, are beyond the control of management. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in implementing its strategy or that its strategy, even if implemented, will result in the achievement of the Company’s objectives.

 

Merchandising

 

Unlike deep-discount retailers, Shoe Pavilion offers high quality merchandise and a consistent selection of name brand dress and casual shoes for men, women and children. List prices generally range between $19.99 and $69.99 for women’s shoes, between $39.99 and $99.99 for men’s shoes and between $19.99 and $29.99 for children’s shoes. The principal categories of footwear offered by Shoe Pavilion stores, and selected brands for each, are summarized in the following table:

 

Women’s


 

Men’s


 

Athletic


 

Children’s


Ann Klein

 

Airwalk

 

Adidas

 

Adidas

BCBG

 

Dexter

 

Asics

 

Candies

Dr. Marten

 

Dr. Marten

 

Converse

 

Converse

Life Stride

 

Rockport

 

Fila

 

Ecco

Ralph Lauren

 

Skechers

 

New Balance

 

Espirit

Steve Madden

 

Steve Madden

 

Saucony

 

Reebok

Via Spiga

 

Timberland

 

Vans

 

Skechers

 

Site Selection, Opening Costs and Leases

 

The Company uses an exclusive broker on the West Coast to identify potential retail sites. Before entering a new market, management reviews detailed reports on demographics; spending, traffic and consumption patterns; and other site and market related data. As of December 28, 2002, 44 of the Company’s stores were located in strip malls, 11 were located in outlet centers, 9 were located in free standing stores and 23 were located in other types of facilities. The Company also operates an online store at Shoe Pavilion.com.

 

Opening costs for stores are typically minimal, excluding the initial stocking of inventory. The Company estimates that its total capital requirements to open a typical new store average $370,000, consisting of approximately $340,000 for inventory and $30,000 for fixtures and equipment, excluding leasehold improvements which are occasionally paid for by the landlord allowances. Costs vary from store to store depending on, among other things, the location, size, property condition, and the tenant improvement package offered by the landlord. The Company does not own any of its real estate.

 

Sourcing and Purchasing

 

Vendors.    During 2002, the Company purchased its inventory from over 100 domestic and international vendors and independent resellers. In 2002, the Company’s top ten suppliers accounted for

 

5


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approximately 28% of its inventory purchases. No vendor accounted for more than 10% of total inventory purchases in 2002. The Company purchases from its suppliers on an order-by-order basis and has no long-term purchase contracts or other contractual assurances of continued supply or pricing. Since the Company has locations in a number of markets along the West Coast, Shoe Pavilion can accommodate and distribute a wide variety of merchandise that meets the needs of customers in different geographic areas. Management believes that the strength and variety of its supplier network mitigates much of the Company’s exposure to inventory supply risks. See “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Factors Affecting Financial Performance—Inventory and Sourcing Risk.”

 

Direct Sourcing.    The Company purchases in-season name brand and branded design merchandise directly from factories in Italy, Brazil and China. These purchases include both branded and non-branded goods and provide a consistent source of in-season merchandise. The Company purchases from its manufacturing sources on an order-by-order basis and has no long-term purchase contracts or other contractual assurances of continued supply or pricing. See “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Factors Affecting Financial Performance—International Purchasing.”

 

Advertising

 

The Company believes that television advertising benefits all stores in a common viewing market. In 2002 the Company spent 4.1% of its net sales on advertising or $3.5 million. In 2001 the Company spent 3.2% of its net sales on advertising or $2.8 million. In 2000 the amount spent on advertising was 4.7% of net sales, or $4.3 million. The Company believes that advertising costs for a particular market will be more effectively and economically leveraged as the number of stores increases in that market. The Company occasionally uses print advertising, usually at the time of a new store opening; however, it has found print advertising to be less effective than television advertising. Shoe Pavilion’s signage is consistent at all of its locations, with highly visible signage at the front and, when appropriate, rear of the store.

 

Merchandise Distribution

 

During the year ended December 29, 2001 the Company’s corporate offices and distribution facility were located in a 92,000 square foot facility in Richmond, California, which the Company occupied under a lease that expired in February 2002. The Company decided not to renew the lease and instead engaged a third party that began providing the warehousing and distribution services for the Company in February 2002. The Company continues to lease its corporate office space in Richmond, California on a month to month basis.

 

Information Systems

 

During 1999, the Company completed an upgrade of its information systems on an enterprise-wide basis, including all critical areas of corporate office, network infrastructure and point of sale (POS). This fully integrated upgrade, uses an IBM AS 400 that is reliable and scalable, allowing simple upgrades of processing power as the business grows. In addition, the corporate network infrastructure was upgraded to a Windows NT environment with standardized workstations and a common set of desktop applications that may be used throughout the Company. This upgrade provided a stable networking environment as well as a foundation for future growth.

 

Competition

 

The retail footwear market is highly competitive, and the Company expects the level of competition to increase. The Company competes with off-price and discount retailers (e.g., Nordstrom Rack, Payless ShoeSource, Ross Dress for Less and Famous Footwear), branded retail outlets (e.g., Nine West), national retail stores (e.g., DSW Shoe Warehouse, Nordstrom, Marshalls, Macy’s, Sears, J.C. Penney, Loehmann’s, Robinsons-May and Mervyn’s), traditional shoe stores and mass merchants. Many of these competitors have stores in the markets in which the Company now operates and in which it plans to expand. Additionally, many of the competitors are larger and have more resources than the Company.

 

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Employees

 

As of December 28, 2002, the Company had approximately 275 full-time employees and 235 part-time employees. The number of part-time employees fluctuates depending upon seasonal needs.

 

Executive Officers

 

Certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company is set forth below:

 

Name


  

Age


 

Position


Dmitry Beinus

  

50

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Robert R. Hall

  

50

 

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

John D. Hellmann

  

52

 

Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary

 

Dmitry Beinus has served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since founding the Company in 1979. From 1976 to 1978, Mr. Beinus was employed in the shoe department of Nordstrom, Inc.

 

Robert R. Hall has served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since January 1997. Mr. Hall joined the Company as a Regional Manager in 1990, and has held various positions within the Company including Operations Manager and Vice President of Merchandising.

 

John D. Hellmann has served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since June 2000. From September 1995 until June 2000, Mr. Hellmann served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Lamaur Corporation, a manufacturer and wholesaler of hair care products. Mr. Hellmann is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

The Company’s executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There is no family relationship between any of the Company’s executive officers or between any executive officer and any of the Company’s directors.

 

Item 2— Properties

 

As of December 28, 2002 the Company’s corporate offices were located in a 5,600 square foot facility in Richmond, California, which the Company leases on a month to month basis. As of December 28, 2002 the Company’s 87 stores, excluding its internet store, occupied an aggregate of approximately 683,000 square feet of space. The Company leases all of its stores, with leases expiring between 2003 and 2013. The Company has options to renew most of its leases.

 

Store Locations

 

As of December 28, 2002, the Company operated 88 retail stores, including its internet store, in the states of California, Washington and Oregon. Pursuant to notification from Gordmans on December 28, 2001 the license agreement was scheduled to expire effective June 29, 2002. On June 14, 2002, the license agreement with Gordmans department was terminated (due to Gordmans default) and the Company discontinued operating all 40 of the licensed shoe departments. The number of stores in each geographic area is set forth below:

 

    

Stores at Year End


Location


  

2002


  

2001


  

2000


  

1999


  

1998


Northern California

  

34

  

34

  

32

  

31

  

27

Southern California

  

41

  

35

  

33

  

30

  

25

Oregon

  

4

  

4

  

4

  

4

  

4

Washington

  

9

  

10

  

10

  

13

  

13

Oklahoma

  

0

  

0

  

1

  

0

  

0

    
  
  
  
  

Total

  

88

  

83

  

80

  

78

  

69

    
  
  
  
  

 

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Table of Contents

 

    

Licensed Shoe Departments


Location


  

2002


  

2001


  

2000


  

1999


Colorado

  

0

  

3

  

3

  

3

Illinois

  

0

  

3

  

3

  

1

Iowa

  

0

  

7

  

7

  

6

Kansas

  

0

  

5

  

5

  

5

Missouri

  

0

  

7

  

7

  

7

Nebraska

  

0

  

8

  

8

  

8

North Dakota

  

0

  

2

  

0

  

0

Oklahoma

  

0

  

2

  

2

  

2

South Dakota

  

0

  

1

  

1

  

1

    
  
  
  

Total

  

0

  

38

  

36

  

33

    
  
  
  

 

In June 2002 the Company ceased operations at all 40 of its licensed shoe departments.

 

Item 3— Legal Proceedings

 

On May 31, 2002 the Company filed a lawsuit against Gordmans department stores in Douglas County, Nebraska. In the suit the Company claims that Gordmans violated the terms of the license agreement the parties entered into in July 1999 by improperly withholding approximately $474,000 due the Company from shoe department sales and by making unauthorized markdowns and discounts of approximately $384,000. The Company is seeking $858,000, which includes the $474,000 withheld by Gordmans.

 

In a counterclaim against the Company, Gordmans asserts that it is entitled to $546,000 because the Company violated the license agreement by engaging in a liquidation sale, failed to maintain adequate inventory and did not perform required advertising. The violations alleged in the counterclaim apparently form the basis for Gordmans decision to withhold the $474,000 due the Company.

 

The suit is in its early stages and discovery has begun. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition.

 

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

 

None.

 

8


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PART II

 

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

 

The common stock of the Company is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market® under the symbol SHOE. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the highest and lowest closing sale prices for the common stock, as reported by the Nasdaq Market®.

 

    

High


  

Low


2002

             

First Quarter.

  

$

1.80

  

$

1.09

Second Quarter

  

 

1.94

  

 

1.51

Third Quarter

  

 

1.55

  

 

1.11

Fourth Quarter.

  

 

1.35

  

 

1.04

2001

             

First Quarter.

  

$

2.44

  

$

1.19

Second Quarter

  

 

1.42

  

 

0.90

Third Quarter

  

 

1.14

  

 

0.86

Fourth Quarter.

  

 

1.18

  

 

0.83

 

After the Company went public its common stock was listed on the Nasdaq National Market. On March 1, 2001 the Company received a Nasdaq Staff Determination indicating that the Company had failed to comply with the Minimum Market Value of Public Float requirement for continued listing and that its shares were subject to delisting from The Nasdaq National Market. On April 6, 2001 the Company participated in a hearing with the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel to appeal the Nasdaq Staff Determination. On April 30, 2001 the Company was notified that the Panel determined to transfer the listing of the Company’s securities to The Nasdaq SmallCap Market. On May 3, 2001 the listing of Company’s securities was transferred from The Nasdaq National Market to The Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The Company’s securities continue to be listed under the symbol SHOE.

 

As of December 28, 2002, there were 18 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.

 

From August 1988 through February 1998, the Company made distributions to its sole stockholder primarily to allow the stockholder to pay taxes on earnings of the Company included or includable in the taxable income of the stockholder as a result of the Company’s S corporation status. Upon completion of its initial public offering in February 1998, the Company made an S corporation distribution in the amount of $7.8 million to its previous sole stockholder, which approximately equaled the estimated earned and previously undistributed taxable S corporation income of the Company through the day preceding the termination date of its S corporation status. Except as mentioned in the previous sentences, the Company has not paid any cash dividends in the past. The Company currently intends to retain any earnings for use in its business and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company’s line of credit restricts the Company’s ability to pay dividends. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Item 6—Selected Financial Data

 

The selected consolidated financial and operating data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and related Notes thereto” and “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included herein.

 

    

Year Ended


 
    

2002


    

2001


    

2000


    

1999


    

1998 (1)


 
    

(In thousands, except per share and operating data)

 

Statement of Operations Data:

                                            

Net sales

  

$

83,782

 

  

$

88,135

 

  

$

91,058

 

  

$

71,611

 

  

$

55,907

 

Cost of sales and related occupancy expenses

  

 

57,294

 

  

 

60,686

 

  

 

61,662

 

  

 

48,076

 

  

 

35,777

 

    


  


  


  


  


Gross profit

  

 

26,488

 

  

 

27,449