Apex Global Brands Inc. - FORM 10-Q

Attached files

file	filename
EX-32.2 - 906 CERTIFICATION OF CFO - Apex Global Brands Inc.	ex-32_2.htm
EX-31.1 - 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO - Apex Global Brands Inc.	ex-31_1.htm
EX-31.2 - 302 CERTIFICATION OF CFO - Apex Global Brands Inc.	ex-31_2.htm
EX-32.1 - 906 CERTIFICATION OF CEO - Apex Global Brands Inc.	ex-32_1.htm

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

	For the quarterly period ended October 30, 2010.

¨	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 0-18640

CHEROKEE INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		95-4182437
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)		(IRS employer identification number)

6835 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys, CA		91406
(Address of principal executive offices)		Zip Code

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (818) 908-9868

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 ý No o

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 o No o

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer ý

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No ý

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class		Outstanding at December 8, 2010
Common Stock, $.02 par value per share		8,896,154

CHEROKEE INC.

INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):

Consolidated Balance Sheets October 30, 2010 and January 30, 2010	3

Consolidated Statements of Operations Three and Nine Month periods ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009	4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity Nine Month period ended October 30, 2010	5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Nine Month periods ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009	6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk	23

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures	23

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings	24

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors	24

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	27

ITEM 4. (Removed and Reserved)	27

ITEM 5. Other Information	27

ITEM 6. Exhibits	28

Signatures	29

Certifications	30

Index

PART 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CHEROKEE INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited

	October 30, 2010		January 30, 2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,820,000	$	9,419,000
Receivables, net		7,113,000		6,939,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		124,000		101,000
Income taxes receivable		1,364,000		1,271,000
Deferred tax asset		496,000		740,000

Total current assets		17,917,000		18,470,000

Deferred tax asset		726,000		630,000
Property and equipment, net		167,000		185,000
Trademarks, net		6,977,000		7,866,000
Other assets		14,000		14,000

Total assets	$	25,801,000	$	27,165,000

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,197,000	$	967,000
Accrued compensation payable		1,810,000		2,536,000
Income taxes payable		789,000		1,260,000
Dividends payable		3,381,000		3,349,000

Total current liabilities		7,177,000		8,112,000

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, $.02 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding		—		—
Common stock, $.02 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 8,896,154 and 8,814,187 shares issued and outstanding at October 30, 2010 and at January 30, 2010, respectively		177,000		176,000
Additional paid-in capital		17,192,000		15,187,000
Retained earnings		1,255,000		3,690,000

Stockholders’ equity		18,624,000		19,053,000

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	25,801,000	$	27,165,000

See the accompanying notes which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Index

CHEROKEE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Unaudited

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	October 30, 2010		October 31, 2009		October 30, 2010		October 31, 2009
Royalty revenues	$	7,691,000	$	8,041,000	$	23,426,000	$	25,014,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3,869,000		3,330,000		10,599,000		9,791,000

Operating income		3,822,000		4,711,000		12,827,000		15,223,000

Other income:
Interest and other income		3,000		6,000		10,000		19,000

Total other income		3,000		6,000		10,000		19,000

Income before income taxes		3,825,000		4,717,000		12,837,000		15,242,000
Income tax provision		1,545,000		1,946,000		5,162,000		5,781,000

Net income	$	2,280,000	$	2,771,000	$	7,675,000	$	9,461,000

Basic earnings per share	$	0.26	$	0.31	$	0.87	$	1.07

Diluted earnings per share	$	0.26	$	0.31	$	0.87	$	1.07

Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		8,882,493		8,814,187		8,836,956		8,814,187

Diluted		8,914,883		8,814,393		8,871,295		8,814,187

See the accompanying notes which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Index

CHEROKEE INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Unaudited

	Common Stock				Additional
	Shares		Par Value		Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings			Total


Balance at January 30, 2010		8,814,187	$	176,000	$	15,187,000	$	3,690,000		$	19,053,000

Stock-based compensation						506,000					506,000
Stock Issuance		81,967		1,000		1,499,000					1,500,000
Accrued dividends								(10,110,000	)		(10,110,000	)
Net income								7,675,000			7,675,000

Balance at October 30, 2010		8,896,154	$	177,000	$	17,192,000	$	1,255,000		$	18,624,000

See the accompanying notes which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Index

CHEROKEE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Unaudited

	Nine months ended
	October 30, 2010			October 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net income	$	7,675,000		$	9,461,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		56,000			57,000
Amortization of trademarks		1,107,000			1,081,000
Deferred income taxes		148,000			269,000
Stock-based compensation		506,000			459,000
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable		(174,000	)		(1,980,000	)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets		(23,000	)		(46,000	)
Decrease (increase) in income taxes receivable		(93,000	)		(48,000	)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable		230,000			(57,000	)
Decrease in accrued compensation		(726,000	)		(642,000	)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable and other accrued liabilities		(471,000	)		492,000

Net cash provided by operating activities		8,235,000			9,046,000

Investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment		(38,000	)		(32,000	)
Purchase of trademarks, registration and renewal costs		(218,000	)		(183,000	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(256,000	)		(215,000	)

Financing activities
Proceeds from Issuance of Shares		1,500,000			—
Dividends		(10,078,000	)		(13,221,000	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(8,578,000	)		(13,221,000	)

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(599,000	)		(4,390,000	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		9,419,000			13,652,000

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	8,820,000		$	9,262,000

Cash paid during period for:
Income taxes	$	5,019,000		$	4,604,000

Declaration of dividends	$	3,381,000		$	4,407,000

See the accompanying notes which are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Index

CHEROKEE INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)	Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of October 30, 2010 and for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These consolidated financial statements have not been audited by independent registered public accountants but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management of Cherokee Inc. (“Cherokee” or the “Company”) are necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of January 30, 2010 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the three and nine month period ended October 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending January 29, 2011. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

As used herein, the term “First Quarter” refers to the three months ended May 1, 2010; the term “Second Quarter” refers to the three months ended July 31, 2010; the term “Third Quarter” refers to the three months ended October 30, 2010; the term “Six Months” refers to the six months ended July 31, 2010; the term “Nine Months” refers to the nine months ended October 30, 2010; the term “Fiscal 2011” refers to our fiscal year ending January 29, 2011; the term “Fiscal 2010” refers to our most recent past fiscal year ended January 30, 2010; the term “Fiscal 2009” refers to our fiscal year ended January 31, 2009; and the term “Fiscal 2008” refers to our fiscal year ended February 2, 2008.

(2)	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, SPELL C. LLC, a Delaware limited liability corporation. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from royalty and brand representation agreements are recognized when earned by applying contractual royalty rates to quarterly point of sale data received from our licensees. Our royalty recognition policy provides for recognition of royalties in the quarter earned, although a large portion of such royalty payments are actually received during the month following the end of a quarter. Revenues are not recognized unless collectability is reasonably assured. Certain royalty agreements that account for the majority of our historical revenues are structured to provide royalty rate reductions once certain cumulative levels of sales are achieved by our licensees. Revenue is recognized by applying the reduced contractual royalty rates prospectively to point of sale data as required sales thresholds are exceeded. The royalty rate reductions do not apply retroactively to sales since the beginning of the fiscal year, and as a consequence such royalty rate reductions do not impact previously recognized royalty revenue.

Index

As a result, our royalty revenues from certain licensees’ retail sales of branded products are typically highest at the beginning of each fiscal year and may decrease in each fiscal quarter as licensees reach certain retail sales thresholds contained in their respective license agreements. Therefore, the amount of royalty revenue we recognize in any quarter is dependent on the retail sales of branded products in such quarter and the royalty rate in effect after considering the cumulative level of retail sales. Historically, this has usually caused our first quarter to be our highest revenue and profitability quarter; our second quarter to be our next highest quarter, and our third and fourth quarters to be our lowest quarters. However, such historical patterns may vary in the future, depending upon the product mix and retail sales volumes achieved in each quarter with our licensees. The amount of the royalty rate reductions and the level of retail sales at which they are achieved vary in each licensing agreement.

Earnings Per Share Computation

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per-share computations for the three and nine month periods ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009:

	October 30, 2010				October 31, 2009
	3 Months		9 Months		3 Months		9 Months
Numerator:
Net income-numerator for net income per common share and net income per common share assuming dilution	$	2,280,000	$	7,675,000	$	2,771,000	$	9,461,000

Denominator:
Denominator for net income per common share-weighted average shares		8,882,493		8,836,956		8,814,187		8,814,187
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		32,390		34,339		206		--

Denominator for net income per common share, assuming dilution: Adjusted weighted average shares and assumed exercises		8,914,883		8,871,295		8,814,393		8,814,187

The diluted weighted average number of shares for the three month periods ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively, excludes 337,019 and 348,969 shares, respectively, of common stock issuable on the exercise of stock options that have an exercise price above the average market price for the period because such stock options outstanding were anti-dilutive. The diluted weighted average number of shares for the nine month periods ended October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively, excludes 197,982 and 354,723 shares, respectively, of common stock issuable on the exercise of stock options because such options were anti-dilutive.

Significant Contracts

Our two most significant contracts are our retail direct licensing agreements with Target Stores, a subsidiary of Target Corp. (“Target”) for the Cherokee brand in the United States, and with Great Britain’s Tesco Stores Limited (“Tesco”) for the Cherokee brand in the United Kingdom, and certain countries in Central Europe, as further described below.

We first entered into a licensing agreement with Target in 1995 for the exclusive use of our Cherokee brand in the United States across certain product categories. The current terms of our agreement with Target are set forth in a restated license agreement with Target, which was entered into effective as of February 1, 2008 (the “Restated Target Agreement”). The Restated Target Agreement grants Target the exclusive right in the United States to use the Cherokee trademarks in various specified categories of merchandise. The term of the Restated Target Agreement continues through January 31, 2012. However, the Restated Target Agreement provides that if Target remains current in its payments of the minimum guaranteed royalty of $9.0 million for the preceding fiscal year, then the term of the Restated Target Agreement will continue to automatically renew for successive fiscal year terms provided that Target does not give notice of its intention to terminate the agreement during February of the calendar year prior to termination. Under the Restated Target Agreement, Target has agreed to pay royalties based on a percentage of Target’s net sales of Cherokee branded merchandise during each fiscal year ended January 31st, which percentage varies according to the volume of sales of merchandise.

Index

On August 1, 2001, we entered into an exclusive international retail direct licensing agreement for the Cherokee brand with Tesco (the “Tesco Agreement”). Tesco was granted the exclusive right to manufacture, promote, sell and distribute a wide range of products bearing our Cherokee brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is obligated to pay us a royalty based upon a percentage of its net sales of Cherokee branded products in those countries. In January 2004, we expanded the Tesco Agreement to include South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Slovakia, and Hungary, and in 2005, we expanded the Tesco Agreement to include Poland and the Czech Republic. In March 2006, Tesco began to sell Cherokee branded products in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia, and, in July 2006, Tesco began to sell Cherokee branded products in Hungary. In February 2007, we added the territory of China to the Tesco Agreement and Turkey was added shortly thereafter. During Fiscal 2010, Tesco’s rights to expand its license to include all Asian territories, including Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand and China, were re-claimed from Tesco as the designated time frame to expand the Cherokee brand into these territories had elapsed. The term of the Tesco Agreement was renewed in February 2010 and now expires on January 31, 2014. Tesco has several options to extend this term.

We also have other licensing agreements regarding our brands, including with, among others: (i) Zellers for our Cherokee brand in Canada; (ii) TJX Companies for our Carole Little and St. Tropez-West brands in the U.S. and other select countries; and (iii) a number of other international license agreements for our Cherokee brand. For a more complete description of our license agreements and other commercial agreements, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2010.

Stock-Based Compensation

We currently maintain three equity-based compensation plans: (i) the Cherokee 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Plan”); (ii) the 2003 Incentive Award Plan as amended in 2006 with the adoption of the 2006 Incentive Award Plan (the “2003 Plan”); and (iii) the 2006 Incentive Award Plan (the “2006 Plan”). Each of these equity based compensation plans provide for the issuance of equity-based awards to officers and other employees and directors, and they have previously been approved by our stockholders. Stock options issued to employees are granted at the market price on the date of grant, generally vest over a three-year period, and generally expire seven to ten years from the date of grant. We issue new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options.

The 1995 Plan was approved at the October 30, 1995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The options granted under the 1995 Plan vest in equal installments over a three-year period starting at the grant date and have a term of ten years. The 1995 Plan expired on July 24, 2005. However, options previously granted under the 1995 Plan will remain outstanding until the earlier of expiration or exercise. In the event that any outstanding option under the 1995 Plan expires or is terminated, the shares of common stock allocable to the unexercised portion of the option shall no longer be available for grant.

The 2003 Plan was approved at the June 9, 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and amended at the June 13, 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The principal purposes of the 2003 Plan are to provide an additional incentive for our directors, employees and consultants to further our growth, development and financial success and to enable us to obtain and retain their services. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or another committee thereof (the “Committee”) administers the 2003 Plan with respect to grants to our employees or consultants and the full Board of Directors (the “Board”) administers the 2003 Plan with respect to grants to independent directors. Awards under the 2003 Plan may be granted to individuals who are then officers or other employees of Cherokee or any of our present or future subsidiaries. Such awards also may be granted to our consultants selected by the Committee for participation in the 2003 Plan. The 2003 Plan provides that the Committee may grant or issue stock options and restricted stock awards, or any combination thereof. Two types of stock options may be granted under the plan: incentive and non-qualified stock options. In addition, restricted stock may be sold to participants at various prices (but not below par value) and made subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the Board or Committee. The maximum number of shares authorized for the grant of awards under the 2003 Plan is 250,000. Furthermore, the maximum number of shares which may be subject to awards granted under the 2003 Plan to any individual in any calendar year cannot exceed 100,000. The vesting period and term for options granted under the 2003 Plan shall be set by the Committee, with the term being no greater than 10 years, and the options generally will vest over a specific time period as designated by the Committee upon the awarding of such options. During the First Quarter, we granted to non-employee directors and certain employees stock options with a five-year term to purchase 113,666 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $16.08 per share (the closing price on the date of grant) pursuant to the 2003 Plan. We did not make any grants during the Second or Third Quarter under the 2003 Plan. As of October 30, 2010, there were 2,291 shares available for grant under the 2003 Plan. In the event that any outstanding option under the 2003 Plan expires or is terminated, the shares of common stock allocable to the unexercised portion of the option shall then become available for grant in the future, until the 2003 Plan expires on April 28, 2016.

Index

The 2006 Plan was approved at the June 13, 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and amended at the June 4, 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The principal purposes of the 2006 Plan are to provide an additional incentive for our directors, employees and consultants to further our growth, development and financial success and to enable us to obtain and retain their services. The 2006 Plan provides for the grant of options and restricted stock awards. The 2006 Plan is administered by the Committee with respect to grants to our employees or consultants and the full Board administers the 2006 Plan with respect to grants to independent directors. Awards under the 2006 Plan may be granted to individuals who are then officers or other employees of Cherokee or any of our present or future subsidiaries. Such awards also may be granted to our consultants selected by the Committee for participation in the 2006 Plan. The 2006 Plan provides that the Committee may grant or issue stock options and restricted stock awards, or any combination thereof. Two types of stock options may be granted under the 2006 Plan: incentive and non-qualified stock options. In addition, restricted stock may be sold to participants at various prices (but not below par value) and made subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the Board or Committee. The maximum number of shares authorized for the grant of awards under the 2006 Plan is 750,000. Furthermore, the maximum number of shares which may be subject to awards granted under the 2006 Plan to any individual in any calendar year cannot exceed 100,000. The vesting period and term for options granted under the 2006 Plan shall be set by the Committee, with the term being no greater than 10 years, and the options generally vesting over a specific time period as designated by the Committee upon the awarding of such options. During the First Quarter, we granted to certain employees stock options with a five-year term to purchase 153,334 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $16.08 per share (the closing price on the date of grant) pursuant to the 2006 Plan. We did not make any grants during the Second Quarter under the 2006 Plan. During the Third Quarter, we granted stock options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock with a seven-year term and at an exercise price of $18.30 per share (the closing price on the date of grant) pursuant to the 2006 Plan. As of October 30, 2010, there were 456,167 shares available for grant under the 2006 Plan. In the event that any outstanding option granted under the 2006 Plan expires or is terminated, the shares of common stock allocable to the unexercised portion of the option shall then become available for grant in the future, until the 2006 Plan expires on April 28, 2016.

On June 4, 2010, our Executive Chairman, Robert Margolis, was awarded a non-qualified, non-plan option to purchase 100,000 shares of Cherokee’s common stock at an exercise price of $18.49 per share (the closing price of Cherokee’s common stock on June 4, 2010), which vests in two equal installments on January 31, 2011 and January 31, 2012 and which shall become fully vested in the event of a change in control of Cherokee, and which expires on June 4, 2015.

On August 26, 2010, our Chief Executive Officer, Henry Stupp, was awarded a non-qualified, non-plan option to purchase up to 300,000 shares of Cherokee’s common stock as an inducement grant outside of the 2006 Plan at an exercise price of $18.30 per share (the closing price of Cherokee’s common stock on the date of grant) which vests in five equal annual installments beginning on January 31, 2012 and has a term of six years. In addition, in the event of a change in control of Cherokee, an additional twenty percent of the shares subject to the option shall vest.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized for the Nine Months was $506,000, as compared to $459,000 for the comparable period in the prior year.

Index

The estimated fair value of options granted during the Nine Months (there were no grants in Fiscal 2010) was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

	Fiscal 2011
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter
Grant Date	February 1, 2010			June 4, 2010			August 26, 2010
# of Options Granted		267,000			100,000			350,000
Expected Dividend Yield		9.4	%		8.2	%		8.3	%
Expected Volatility		58.13	%		58.76	%		50.8% - 49.8	%
Avg. Risk-Free Rate		2.13	%		1.17	%		1.23% - 1.31	%
Expected Life (in years)		4.5			4.5			4.5 – 4.76

The expected term of the options represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is based on historical experience of similar options, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. The expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant with an equivalent remaining term. The dividend yield is based on the past dividends paid and the current dividend yield at the time of grant.

A summary of activity for the Company’s stock options for the Nine Months is as follows:

						Weighted
						Average
						Remaining
				Weighted		Contractual		Aggregate
				Average		Term		Intrinsic
	Shares			Price		(in years)		Value

Outstanding, at January 30, 2010		162,444		$	24.63
Granted		717,000		$	17.50
Exercised		—			—
Canceled/forfeited		(8,333	)	$	18.73

Outstanding, at October 30, 2010		871,111		$	18.82		4.81	$	692,000

Vested and Exercisable at October 30, 2010		129,108		$	25.12		2.94	$	—

Non-vested and not exercisable at October 30, 2010		742,003		$	17.72		5.13	$	692,000

As of October 30, 2010, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $2,612,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.4 years. The total fair value of all options which vested during the Nine Months was $225,000.

Trademarks

During the Third Quarter and Nine Months, the Company did not acquire any trademarks, nor were there any trademark acquisitions during the comparable periods last year. Trademark registration and renewal fees which were capitalized during the Third Quarter and Nine Months totaled $47,000 and $218,000, respectively. In comparison, for the third quarter and nine months of last year, the total trademark registration and renewal fees capitalized totaled $66,000 and $183,000, respectively.

Index

Income Taxes

Income tax expense of $1.5 million was recognized for the Third Quarter, resulting in an effective tax rate of 40.4%, as compared to 41.3% in the third quarter of last year and compared to 38.3% for the full year of Fiscal 2010.

The Company files U.S. federal and state income tax returns. For our federal income tax returns, the Company is generally no longer subject to tax examinations for fiscal years prior to Fiscal 2010. With limited exception, our significant state tax jurisdictions are no longer subject to examinations by the various tax authorities for fiscal years prior to 2004. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, we believe that adequate amounts of tax, interest and penalties, if any, have been provided for in our income tax reserve for any adjustments that may result from future tax audits. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes in our consolidated statement of income. As of January 30, 2010 and October 30, 2010, respectively, accrued interest on a gross basis was $66,000 and $95,000.

As of January 30, 2010 and October 30, 2010, respectively, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was approximately $0.8 and $1.0 million, of which approximately $0.8 and $1.0 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that $0.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease within the next 12 months as a result of settling certain positions. The expected net impact of the changes would not have a significant impact on the results of operations or the financial position of the Company.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In the third quarter of 2009, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” and collectively, the “Codification”), which establishes the Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The historical GAAP hierarchy was eliminated and the Codification became the only level of authoritative GAAP, other than guidance issued by the SEC. The FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, it will issue Accounting Standard Updates (“ASUs”). ASUs will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the bases for conclusions on change(s) in the Codification. The Codification is effective for all financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of the Codification did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. However, references to specific accounting standards in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements have been changed to refer to the appropriate section of the Codification.

(3)

Dividends

On January 27, 2010, our Board of Directors approved a dividend of $3.3 million, or $0.38 per share, which was paid on March 17, 2010. On April 28, 2010, we declared a dividend of $3.3 million, or $0.38 per share, which was paid on June 16, 2010. On July 26, 2010, we declared a dividend of $3.3 million, or $0.38 per share, which was paid on September 15, 2010. On November 5, 2010, we declared a dividend of $3.4 million, or $0.38 per share, which is to be paid on December 15, 2010 to stockholders of record as of December 1, 2010.

(4)	Related Party Transactions

The services of Mr. Robert Margolis as our Executive Chairman are provided to us pursuant to a management agreement, as amended (the “Management Agreement”). On April 23, 2010, the Company and Mr. Margolis entered into an amendment to the Management Agreement, which was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders on June 4, 2010 (the “Amendment”). On August 26, 2010, Mr. Margolis was appointed as our Executive Chairman, concurrently with the appointment of Henry Stupp as our Chief Executive Officer. Prior to such appointment, Mr. Margolis served as our Chief Executive Officer.

Index

The term of the Management Agreement expires on February 1, 2012, whether or not the performance measures required to extend this expiration date for another year without giving effect to the Amendment (described below) are achieved during Fiscal 2011. Thereafter, the term of the Management Agreement may be extended by one or more additional fiscal years, as described below. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, Mr. Margolis shall serve as Executive Chairman of Cherokee’s Board of Directors until January 31, 2012 (or such earlier date as Mr. Margolis voluntarily resigns or becomes unable to serve due to his death or disability) (the “Initial Chair Service Period”). In January 2012, and in January of any Subsequent Chair Service Period (as defined below), the Company’s Nominating Committee, which shall then be comprised of all the independent directors (as that term is defined under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market) then serving on the Company’s Board of Directors, shall meet and determine in its sole discretion whether to elect (by majority approval) to extend Mr. Margolis’ service as Executive Chairman for the following fiscal year. Any such period following the Initial Chair Service Period during which the Nominating Committee has elected to extend Mr. Margolis’ services as Executive Chairman is referred to herein as a “Subsequent Chair Service Period”. During the Initial Chair Service Period and in any Subsequent Chair Service Period, Mr. Margolis shall remain an employee of Cherokee and shall perform such services and have such executive powers as are reasonable and necessary to carry out the responsibilities assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, Mr. Margolis’ base salary is fixed at $804,000 for Fiscal 2011 and for each fiscal year thereafter until the termination of the Management Agreement. For Fiscal 2011, Mr. Margolis is entitled to receive a performance bonus calculated in accordance with the following formula: if our EBITDA for Fiscal 2011 is no less than $5.0 million, then Mr. Margolis will receive a performance bonus equal to 10% of our EBITDA for such fiscal year in excess of $2.5 million up to $10.0 million, plus 15% of our EBITDA for such fiscal year in excess of $10.0 million. For the Nine Months, the Company accrued $1.8 million, the majority of which pertains to Mr. Margolis’ performance bonus for this period. As of October 30, 2010 and January 31, 2010, the Company accrued bonus compensation payable pertaining to Mr. Margolis’ performance bonus of approximately $1.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively. If our EBITDA in Fiscal 2011 continues to increase, the bonus payable to Mr. Margolis under the Management Agreement for Fiscal 2011 will also increase.

After Fiscal 2011, the performance bonus compensation due to Mr. Margolis shall continue to be calculated pursuant to the foregoing formula; however, the total base salary and performance bonus compensation for Mr. Margolis for the Initial Chair Service Period shall not exceed $2.24 million, and in any Subsequent Chair Service Period is not to exceed $2.02 million. Following Mr. Margolis’ service as Executive Chairman pursuant to the Management Agreement, and for so long as Mr. Margolis continues to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, Mr. Margolis will be entitled to participate in Board compensation programs consistent with other members of the Board.

The Management Agreement may be terminated at any time without cause or in the event of certain circumstances, as defined in the Management Agreement. If, during Fiscal 2011, we terminate the Management Agreement without cause or Mr. Margolis terminates the Management Agreement if we materially breach the terms and conditions of the Management Agreement or fail to perform any material obligation there under, or in the event of a change in control of Cherokee, Mr. Margolis is entitled to receive within 60 days of termination or the consummation of such change in control, a lump sum cash payment equal to three times the sum of his annual base compensation and the previous year’s performance bonus, plus the pro rata earned performance bonus during such fiscal year up to the date of termination (the “Fiscal 2011 Termination Payoff”). In the event the Management Agreement, as amended, was terminated as described above, the Fiscal 2011 Termination Payoff for Mr. Margolis as of October 30, 2010 would be approximately $11.4 million.

If, during the Initial Chair Service Period, the Management Agreement is terminated by Cherokee without cause or by Mr. Margolis as a result of Cherokee’s breach of the Management Agreement, or in the event of a change in control of Cherokee that occurs during the Initial Chair Service Period or following the Initial Chair Service Period pursuant to definitive agreement executed by Cherokee during the Initial Chair Service Period (each of such events, an “Initial Chair Service Early Termination Event”), then Mr. Margolis shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment of $6.0 million in full satisfaction of all payments that might otherwise be due to Mr. Margolis pursuant to the Management Agreement (such lump sum payment, the “Initial Chair Service Termination Payment”). The Initial Chair Service Termination Payment shall not be payable as a result of an Initial Chair Service Early Termination Event that occurs in any Subsequent Chair Service Period (other than the case in which a change in control of Cherokee is consummated in a Subsequent Chair Service Period as a result of a definitive agreement executed during the Initial Chair Service Period).

Index

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, on June 4, 2010, Mr. Margolis was awarded a non-qualified, non-plan option to purchase 100,000 shares of Cherokee’s common stock at an exercise price of $18.49 per share (the closing price of Cherokee’s common stock on June 4, 2010), which vests in two equal installments on January 31, 2011 and January 31, 2012 and which shall become fully vested in the event of a change in control of Cherokee, and which expires on June 4, 2015.

On August 26, 2010, Henry Stupp was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer and was also appointed to serve as a member of our Board of Directors. In connection with such appointment, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Stupp, dated as of August 26, 2010 (the “Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Stupp is to receive a base salary equal to $350,000 per year. In addition, beginning for Cherokee’s fiscal year ending January 31, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”), and for each subsequent fiscal year during the term of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Stupp shall be entitled to receive a performance bonus (the “Performance Bonus”) equal to five percent of Cherokee’s pre-tax income during such fiscal year in excess of a threshold amount of $20,000,000, subject to a maximum of $650,000 per fiscal year. Mr. Stupp’s services as our Chief Executive Officer are at will. The Employment Agreement expires as of January 31, 2014, unless earlier terminated by Cherokee or by Mr. Stupp or extended by mutual agreement. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Cherokee has agreed to certain indemnification obligations to Mr. Stupp related to his service to Cherokee in his capacity as an officer or director of Cherokee.

Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, in the event that Mr. Stupp’s employment is terminated by Cherokee without cause during the first twelve months of his service as our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stupp will be paid an amount equal to $175,000. The Employment Agreement also provides that Mr. Stupp will be paid an amount equal to $300,000 in the event that Cherokee terminates Mr. Stupp’s employment without cause within three months prior to or twelve months following a change in control of Cherokee which occurs on or before August 26, 2011. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, if Mr. Stupp’s employment is terminated by Cherokee without cause at any time after the first twelve months of his service as our Chief Executive Officer, then he shall be paid an amount equal to twelve months of his then-current base salary, which currently equals $350,000.

Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, on August 26, 2010, Mr. Stupp purchased 81,967 shares of Cherokee’s common stock (the “Initial Shares”) at a per share price of $18.30 (which was equal to the closing price of Cherokee’s common stock on such date), for aggregate proceeds of $1,500,000. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Stupp agreed to purchase, and Cherokee agreed to sell, on or before January 31, 2011, that number of shares of Cherokee’s common stock equal to $1,000,000, divided by the closing sale price of Cherokee’s common stock on the date of such purchase and sale (the “Subsequent Shares” and, together with the Initial Shares, the “Shares”). Mr. Stupp has agreed to certain “lock up” restrictions regarding his ability to resell or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares as set forth in the Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Cherokee has agreed to file with the SEC a registration statement, or registration statements if necessary, on an appropriate form(s) to effect the registration for resale of both the Shares and the shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon exercise of the Option (as defined below).

In addition, in connection with the appointment of Mr. Stupp as our Chief Executive Officer, Cherokee has granted to Mr. Stupp an option to purchase up to 300,000 shares (the “Option”) of Cherokee’s common stock as an inducement grant outside of the 2006 Plan. This grant of stock options was entered into as an inducement material for Mr. Stupp to enter into employment with Cherokee. While the grant of the Option was made outside of the 2006 Plan, the grant is consistent with applicable terms of the 2006 Plan. The Option has an exercise price of $18.30 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Cherokee’s common stock on the date of grant. The Option vests in five equal annual installments beginning on January 31, 2012, and vesting in four additional increments on each yearly anniversary thereafter. In addition, in the event of a change in control of Cherokee, an additional twenty percent of the shares subject to the Option shall vest. The Option has a term of six years and will be forfeited if not exercised before the expiration of the term. In addition, in the event that Mr. Stupp does not comply with his obligation under his employment agreement to purchase the Subsequent Shares, then 150,000 of the shares subject to the Option will be immediately forfeited and not exercisable, and the vesting schedule will be proportionally adjusted. If Mr. Stupp’s service to Cherokee is terminated for any reason, the Option shall cease vesting upon such termination.

Index

On October 8, 2007, the Company entered into a contingent Finders Fee Agreement (the “Contingent Finders Fee Agreement”) with a director pertaining to his services as a director of the Company in introducing the Company to its licensee for the Cherokee brand in India. The Contingent Finders Fee Agreement provides for the director to receive 5% of all royalty revenues received by the Company in years 6 through 10 (and possibly years 11 through 15) only if the licensee decides to renew the licensing agreement beyond the original five year term to a second five year term (years 6 through 10), and again if another five year term is renewed (years 11 through 15). The Contingent Finders Fee Agreement expires at the earlier of (i) the termination of the licensing agreement with the subject licensee for India, or (ii) ten years of payments (through year 15). On November 17, 2009, the Company and its licensee for the Cherokee brand in India entered into an amended agreement extending the first renewal term to ten (10) years. As the licensing agreement with the licensee has been renewed to a ten-year term, there will be future payments made to the director under the Contingent Finders Fee Agreement if royalties are actually received by the Company in years 6 through 10. The director has not earned or received any payments or other compensation and will not receive any payments under the Contingent Finders Fee Agreement during the first five years of the agreement.

(5)	Subsequent Events

On November 5, 2010, the Company announced that its current CFO, Russell J. Riopelle, will be leaving Cherokee in mid December. On November 11, 2010, Cherokee announced that it had hired Mark DiSiena as its incoming CFO to replace Mr. Riopelle. Mr. Riopelle’s last day as CFO at Cherokee is expected to be Friday, December 17, 2010.

Index

ITEM 2.

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

Cautionary note regarding forward looking statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other filings which we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as press releases and other written or oral statements we may make may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used, the words “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “objectives”, “goals”, “aims”, “hopes”, “may”, “likely”, “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In particular, the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q include, among others, statements regarding our goals or expectations regarding our future revenues and earnings, the likelihood of increased retail sales by our current and future licensees, such as Target and Tesco, the likelihood that our licensees will achieve royalty rate reductions, our prospects for obtaining new licensees and our prospects for obtaining new brands to acquire or represent. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance, achievements or share price to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or share price expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of the apparel industry and the retail industry, the overall level of consumer spending, the effect of intense competition we face from other apparel lines both within and outside of Target and Tesco, adverse changes in licensee or consumer acceptance of products bearing the Cherokee or our other brands as a result of fashion trends or otherwise, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights, the ability and/or commitment of our licensees to design, manufacture and market Cherokee or our other branded products, our dependence on two licensees for a substantial portion of our revenues, our dependence on our key management personnel and our recent appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, any adverse determination of claims, liabilities or litigation, our payment or non-payment of dividends in future periods, and the effect of a breach or termination by us of the Management Agreement with our Executive Chairman. Several of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Report on Form 10-Q or in the discussion and analysis below. You should, however, understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risks and uncertainties and you should not consider the risks and uncertainties identified by us to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties that could materially affect us. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements we make herein because some or all of them may turn out to be wrong. We undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events and developments.

Introduction

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Report on Form 10-Q. See “Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements” and our Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 (“Fiscal 2010”).

Cherokee Inc. (which may be referred to as we, us, our or the Company) is in the business of marketing and licensing the Cherokee, Sideout and Carole Little brands and related trademarks and other brands we own or represent. We are one of the leading licensors of brand names and trademarks for apparel, footwear and accessories in the world.

We own several trademarks, including Cherokee®, Sideout®, Sideout Sport®, Carole Little®, CLII®, Saint Tropez-West®, Chorus Line®, All That Jazz®, Molly Malloy® and others. As of October 30, 2010, we had twenty-seven continuing license agreements covering both domestic and international markets. As part of our business strategy, we frequently evaluate other brands and trademarks for acquisition into our portfolio.

In addition to licensing our own brands, we also assist other brand-owners, companies, wholesalers and retailers in identifying licensees or licensors for their brands or stores.

We operate on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to January 31 in order to better align us with our licensees who generally also operate and plan using such a fiscal year. This results in a 53 week fiscal year approximately every four or five years. We do not believe that the extra week in the occasionally reported 53 week fiscal year results in any material impact on our financial results.

Index

On July 22, 1999, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to one million shares of our then outstanding common stock. Pursuant to this directive, and including certain repurchases of our common stock that were effected during Fiscal 2009 and are described below, we have used cash of approximately $7.5 million to repurchase and retire a total of 717,516 shares of our common stock since our stock repurchase program was authorized. Our Board of Directors subsequently authorized and approved the extension of the expiration date of our stock repurchase program to January 31, 2012 and has established the number of remaining shares which could currently be repurchased from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions to a total of 800,000 shares of our common stock. During our fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 (“Fiscal 2008”) and our fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 (“Fiscal 2007”), we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock. During our fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 (“Fiscal 2009”), we purchased and retired a total of 109,716 shares of our common stock at an average price of $17.99. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during Fiscal 2010, nor during the nine months ended October 30, 2010 (the “Nine Months”). Continued repurchases of our stock, if any, will be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, deferred taxes, impairment of long-lived assets, contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

We consider accounting policies relating to the following areas to be both those most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and those that require the most subjective judgment:

●

Revenue recognition;

●

Provision for income taxes and deferred taxes;

●

Impairment of long-lived assets;

●

Contingencies and litigation; and

●

Accounting for stock-based compensation.

You should refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2010, for a discussion of our policies on revenue recognition, deferred taxes, impairment of long-lived assets, contingencies and litigation and accounting for stock-based compensation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We describe recent accounting pronouncements in Item 1 — “Consolidated Financial Statements — Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Index

Results of Operations

Retail Sales

During the Third Quarter, total U.S. dollar based retail sales of merchandise bearing the Cherokee brand in all licensed territories were 12.5% below the third quarter of last year, totaling $379.4 million in the Third Quarter versus $433.5 million in the third quarter of last year. During the Nine Months, the total U.S. dollar based retail sales of merchandise bearing the Cherokee brand in all licensed territories were 12.9% below the comparable nine months period of last year, totaling $1.03 billion in the Nine Months as compared to $1.18 billion in the comparable period of last year. Much of this decline during the Third Quarter and Nine Months was due to the following factors: (i) difficult product procurement by our licensees worldwide, which contributed to a decrease in available inventory levels for Cherokee branded products at certain licensees’ stores during the Third Quarter; (ii) the generally stronger U.S. dollar during the Third Quarter as compared to the third quarter of last year, which resulted in lower comparative U.S. dollar-based retail sales from many of our international licensees, and ultimately lower U.S. dollar-based royalties; and (iii) reduced selling prices on core merchandise categories when compared against prior years.

Pursuant to our typical arrangements with our licensees, we receive quarterly royalty statements and periodic retail sales information for Cherokee branded products and other product brands that we own or represent. However, our licensees are generally not required to provide, and typically do not provide, information that would enable us to determine the specific reasons for period-to-period fluctuations in retail sales of our branded products by our licensees in the specific territories in which they operate. Fluctuations in retail sales of Cherokee branded products or other product brands that we own or represent may be the result of a variety of factors, including, without limitation: (i) changes in the number of product categories for which a licensee chooses to use our brands from period-to-period, which generally results in changes in the amount of inventory (utilizing our brands) available for sale from period-to-period; (ii) changes in the number of geographical markets/territories or number of stores in which our licensees are currently selling Cherokee or our other branded products from period-to-period; or (iii) our licensees experiencing changes in retail sales levels as a result of a variety of factors, including fashion-related and general retail sales trends (See Item IA “Risk Factors”).

During the Third Quarter, retail sales of Cherokee branded products by Target Stores totaled approximately $211.8 million compared to approximately $225.6 million for the third quarter of last year, or a decline of 6.1%. This decline was due to unseasonably warm weather in many areas of the U.S. during the Third Quarter, a decline in overall customer purchasing, and also less Cherokee branded inventory being available in the Third Quarter, as compared to the prior year. Target’s sales of Cherokee branded products for the Nine Months totaled $544.8 million, as compared to $584.9 million for the comparable period last year. Again, the decline in retail sales for the Nine Months was due to a decline in customer traffic coupled with a decline in overall customer purchasing, as compared to the comparable period in the prior year.

Tesco’s U.S. dollar based retail sales of merchandise bearing the Cherokee brand, which included the U.K., Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Turkey, were $105.2 million in our Third Quarter compared to $160.7 million in the third quarter of last year, representing a total decline of 34.5%. Approximately $27.9 million of the total $55.5 million decline was from Tesco’s Central European territories, with the UK accounting for a $27.6 million decline, representing nearly all of the remainder. The primary reason for the current retail sales declines at Tesco is the reduction in inventory levels of Cherokee branded goods. In addition, there was a strengthening of the U.S. dollar for Tesco UK which reflected unfavorable changes of 3.9% for the Third Quarter as compared to the comparable period last year. Retail sales in the United Kingdom, as measured in British Pounds Sterling, were down 25.1% in the Third Quarter as compared to the comparable period in the prior year. Hence, retail sales in U.S. dollars for the United Kingdom totaled $70.8 million in the Third Quarter, as compared to $98.4 million in the third quarter of last year. The decline in retail sales in the Tesco Central European countries of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary, as measured in their respective local currencies, ranged from 48.6% to 58.5%. The collective U.S. dollar based retail sales from Tesco Central Europe for the Third Quarter were $24.5 million, as compared to $52.4 million in the third quarter of last year.

Zeller’s retail sales in Canada of merchandise bearing the Cherokee brand, in U.S. dollars, were approximately $30.4 million during the Third Quarter compared to $22.9 million for the third quarter of last year, representing a 32.6% increase. This increase was primarily attributable to the commitment to the Cherokee brand as evidenced by certain Back-to-School marketing initiatives, and an increase in product categories for the Cherokee brand in the Third Quarter and Nine Months, as compared to the comparable periods last year. Zeller’s sales of Cherokee merchandise for the Nine Months totaled $68.7 million as compared to $49.6 million in the comparable period last year, representing an increase of 38.5%.

Index

During the Third Quarter, RT-Mart, our licensee in China, began reporting retail sales of Cherokee branded product, totaling $2.4 million in U.S. dollars. In October 2010, RT-Mart officially launched the Cherokee brand in the categories of womens and kids in China. We believe the marketing and support provided by RT-Mart to the Cherokee brand in China will result in higher retail sales in our fourth quarter of Fiscal 2011, and that RT-Mart will continue to exhibit growth in royalties throughout Fiscal 2011 and in the foreseeable future.

Despite the difficult global retail environment and generally a stronger U.S. dollar in the Nine Months (as compared to the comparable periods last year), on a U.S. dollar basis we experienced retail sales increases with several other of our foreign licensees, including the countries of Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, and India. We expect that several of our newer foreign territories may continue to show growth throughout Fiscal 2011.

During the Third Quarter, retail sales of Carole Little and St. Tropez-West branded products by TJX increased 51.0% to total $17.4 million, as compared to $11.5 million for the third quarter of last year. For the Nine Months, retail sales of Carole Little and St. Tropez-West branded products by TJX totaled $70.8 million, as compared to $61.4 million for the comparable period last year, representing an increase of 15.2% over last year.

Royalty Revenues and Expenses

Royalty revenues were $7.7 million and $23.4 million during the Third Quarter and the Nine Months, respectively, compared to $8.0 million and $25.0 million during the comparable periods last year, a decrease of 4.4% and 6.4%, respectively. Royalty revenues from the Cherokee brand were $6.8 million and $20.6 million during the Third Quarter and Nine Months, respectively, compared to $7.4 million and $22.7 million for the comparable periods last year. During the Third Quarter and Nine Months, revenues of $3.2 million and $9.7 million, respectively, were recognized from Target Stores compared to $3.4 million and $10.3 million for the comparable periods last year, which accounted for 41.3% and 41.4% of our total revenues, in the Third Quarter and the Nine Months, respectively, versus 42.1% and 41.2% last year. The decrease in royalty revenues from Target Stores for the Nine Months compared to the comparable prior year period was attributable to a decline in overall customer purchasing and also lower inventory levels of Cherokee branded products during the Nine Months, as compared to the comparable period of last year. During the Third Quarter, the retail sales of products bearing the Cherokee brand name declined by 6.1%, which can also be attributed to unseasonably warm weather in many areas of the U.S. during the Third Quarter, as compared to the comparable prior year period.

Revenues from all of the Tesco countries were $2.0 million and $7.0 million during the Third Quarter and Nine Months, respectively, compared to $2.9 million and $9.6 million for the comparable periods last year. Revenues from Tesco U.K. totaled $1.4 million and $4.8 million during the Third Quarter and Nine Months, respectively, compared to $1.8 million and $5.9 million for the comparable periods last year. The decline in royalties from Cherokee branded products in all other non-U.K. Tesco countries (primarily Central Europe) was 43.2% and 39.8% for the Third Quarter and Nine Months, respectively, which was significantly more than the decline in the U.K. The decrease in royalties from Tesco is primarily due to a reduction in the number of product categories utilizing the Cherokee brand throughout Tesco’s larger territories (U.K., Central Europe).

Revenues from Zellers were $606,000 and $1.4 million during the Third Quarter and Nine Months, respectively, compared to $458,000 and $992,000 for the comparable periods last year, due primarily to the utilization of the Cherokee brand on a greater number of kids product categories and back to school marketing initiatives. Royalty revenues from our retail direct licensee in Mexico, Comercial Mexicana, totaled $189,000 and $521,000 during the Third Quarter and Nine Months, respectively, as compared to $175,000 and $477,000 in royalty revenues for the comparable periods last year. The increase in royalties from Comercial Mexicana for the Third Quarter and Nine Months was due to greater retail sales, more product categories, and a slightly favorable exchange rate differential, as compared to the comparable periods last year.

Index

Royalty revenues from the retail sales of products bearing our Sideout brand were $66,000 and $182,000, respectively, during the Third Quarter and Nine Months compared to $51,000 and $145,000 for the comparable periods last year. We have recently signed several new U.S. licensees for our Sideout brand, and expect royalties to increase in the future.

Revenues from international licensees of both Cherokee and Sideout brands, such as Tesco, Zellers, Comercial Mexicana and others were collectively $3.7 million and $11.1 million during the Third Quarter and Nine Months, respectively, compared to $4.0 million and $12.5 million for the comparable periods last year. This decline primarily reflects a decrease in royalties from the Tesco territories, which was countered somewhat by growth from other international licensees from the countries of Canada, South Africa, Mexico and India.

Our Third Quarter and Nine Months revenues also included $227,000 and $916,000, respectively, from the Carole Little brands, as compared to the $153,000 and $802,000 for the comparable periods last year from these brands.

Royalty revenues during the Third Quarter benefited from slightly higher royalty rates applied under our contracts with Tesco because the cumulative retail sales did not achieve the applicable threshold for reduced royalty rates in the Third Quarter, as compared to the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. In the event that cumulative retail sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2011 do exceed the applicable thresholds for reduced royalty rates under our contracts with either Tesco or Target, we will then be entitled to smaller royalty rates on incremental retail sales by Target and Tesco that are in excess of such thresholds.

We believe that our future revenues from Target, for the remaining three months of Fiscal 2011, will likely be somewhat flat when compared to the revenues from the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2010, primarily due to the trends experienced during the Nine Months. We believe that our future revenues from Zellers for Fiscal 2011 will continue to be up due to higher inventory levels as compared to Fiscal 2010. Based on Tesco’s sales of Cherokee branded products in Fiscal 2010 and through the Nine Months, and the lower inventory levels for the Cherokee Brand, we believe that our future revenues from Tesco in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2011 will be down when compared to the revenues from the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2010. Based upon the royalties received for the Nine Months from TJX, we estimate that our future royalty revenues from TJX may be up or flat when compared to the revenues from Fiscal 2010, but will depend upon the future condition of the U.S. retail market, which is currently difficult and uncertain. Furthermore, although the U.S. dollar has generally strengthened somewhat when comparing the Third Quarter to the First and Second Quarters, it varies when compared to the various exchange rates used in determining royalties from our licensees for the third quarter of last year. Should the U.S. dollar strengthen in the future against such foreign currencies, our future royalties from our international licensees will be negatively affected throughout the rest of Fiscal 2011.

We recognize royalty revenues in the quarter earned. A large portion of such royalty revenues recognized as earned are collected from licensees during the month following the end of a quarter. Our trade receivables balance of $7.1 million as of the end of the Third Quarter included accrual for revenues earned from Target Stores, Zeller’s, Tesco, TJX and other licensees that are expected to be received in the month or 45 days following the end of the subject fiscal quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Third Quarter and Nine Months were $3.87 million and $10.60 million, respectively, or 50.3% and 45.2%, of revenues, in comparison to selling, general and administrative expenses of $3.33 million and $9.80 million, respectively, or 41.4% and 39.1% of revenues during the comparable periods last year. Our selling, general and administrative expenses of $3.87 million in our Third Quarter were approximately $540,000 greater than last year, and exhibited the following positive and negative variances: (i) an increase of $145,000 in travel expenses compared to the third quarter of last year; (ii) higher design service expense of $135,000 as compared to the third quarter of last year; and (iii) an increase of $248,000 in payroll and related expenses (due to a higher headcount) as compared to last year. The increase in our selling, general and administrative expenses of $0.8 million during the Nine Months was primarily attributable to the following variances: (i) higher marketing, advertising and design service expenses as compared to the comparable period last year; (ii) higher salary and payroll related expenses as compared to the first nine months of last year (due to a higher headcount); and (iii) higher travel and entertainment expenses versus the comparable period last year. The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses going forward may continue to trend higher than in past comparable periods due to our expected increased investments in creative and marketing areas in support of our brands.

Index

We reported zero interest expense during the Third Quarter and Nine Months and during the comparable periods last year. During the Third Quarter and Nine Months our interest and other income was $3,000 and $10,000, respectively, compared to $6,000 and $19,000 for the comparable periods last year. The decrease in interest income is primarily due to lower cash balances during the Third Quarter and Nine Months, as compared to the comparable periods in the prior year.

During the Third Quarter and Nine Months we recorded a tax provision of $1.5 million and $5.2 million, respectively, which equates to an effective tax rate of 40.4% and 40.2% for such periods, compared to $1.9 million and $5.8 million and an effective tax rate of 41.3% and 37.9% recorded for the same periods last year. We are making quarterly estimated tax payments for our federal and state income tax liabilities. During the Third Quarter and Nine Months our net income was $2.3 million and $7.7 million, or $0.26 and $0.87 per diluted share, respectively, compared to $2.8 million and $9.5 million or $0.31 and $1.07 per diluted share for the comparable periods last year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows. On October 30, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $8.8 million. On January 30, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $9.4 million. The $0.6 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the Nine Months is primarily attributable to the payment of $10.1 million in dividends, and the payment of our previously accrued bonus for our Executive Chairman of $2.5 million during the First Quarter. These were offset by various other items detailed below.

During the Nine Months, cash provided by our operations was $8.2 million, compared to $9.0 million for the comparable period last year. The cash provided by operations of $8.2 million during the Nine Months was primarily due to net income of $7.7 million offset by the changes in: (i) accounts receivable, which increased by $174,000 in the Nine Months, as compared to an increase of $2.0 million in the comparable period last year; (ii) accounts payable, which increased by $230,000 in the Nine Months, as compared to a decrease of $57,000 in the comparable period last year, (iii) accrued compensation, which decreased by $0.7 million in the Nine Months, as compared to a decrease of $0.6 million in the comparable period last year; and (iv) a decrease of income taxes payable of $0.5 million, as compared to an increase of $0.5 million in the comparable period last year. In addition, our cash from operations includes non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $506,000 as compared to $459,000 in the comparable period last year, and our deferred tax assets decreased by $148,000, as compared to a decrease of $269,000 in the comparable period last year.

Cash used by investing activities during the Nine Months was $256,000, which was comprised of $38,000 of capital expenditures of office equipment, and $218,000 in trademark registration and renewal fees for the Cherokee, Sideout and Carole Little brands. In comparison, during the comparable period last year, cash used by investing activities was $215,000, which was comprised of $32,000 of capital expenditures of office equipment, and $183,000 in trademark registration and renewal fees for the Cherokee, Sideout and Carole Little brands.

Cash used in financing activities was $8.6 million during the Nine Months, which included the payment of $10.1 million for three dividends during this period, and which was partially offset by the $1.5 million in proceeds we received from the sale of 81,967 shares of our common stock to our Chief Executive Officer pursuant to his Employment Agreement. In comparison, during the comparable period last year, cash used in financing activities was $13.2 million during the Nine Months, which represented the payment of three dividends during that period.

Uses of Liquidity. We anticipate that our cash requirements through the end of Fiscal 2011 are primarily to fund operations, trademark registration expenses, capital expenditures, creative and marketing activities, and to selectively expand our brand portfolio and, if adequate, and, at the discretion of our Board, to pay dividends and/or potentially repurchase shares of our common stock. Our Board may reduce or discontinue payment of dividends at any time for any reason it deems relevant. Our dividend payments in certain past quarters have exceeded our cash flow from operations, and our dividends may not continue at current levels in future periods unless cash flow from operations increases. The declaration and payment of any future dividends or repurchase of shares of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, capital expenditures and other factors deemed relevant by our Board.

Index

We are frequently approached by parties seeking to sell their brands and related trademarks. Should an established marketable brand or equity become available on favorable terms, we would be interested in pursuing such an acquisition and may elect to fund such acquisition, in whole or in part, using our then-available cash.

Sources of Liquidity. Our primary source of liquidity is expected to be cash flow generated from operations, and cash and cash equivalents currently on hand. We believe our cash flow from operations, together with our cash and cash equivalents currently on hand, will be sufficient to meet our working capital, capital expenditure and other commitments through October 2011; provided that, if our Management Agreement with our Executive Chairman is terminated, we may not have sufficient cash to make the lump sum payment due to Mr. Margolis. We cannot predict our revenues and cash flow generated from operations. Some of the factors that could cause our revenues and cash flows to be materially lower are described under the caption titled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Report on Form 10-Q.

As of October 30, 2010, we did not have any credit facilities or lines of credit, and we are not the guarantor of any debt or any other material third-party obligations. As of October 30, 2010, we did not have any standby letters of credit nor any standby repurchase obligations.

If our revenues and cash flows during Fiscal 2011 are lower than Fiscal 2010, which we expect may occur, we would have less cash available to pay dividends, repurchase shares of our common stock or to explore or consummate the acquisition of other brands. In addition, if our revenues and cash flows during Fiscal 2011 are materially lower than Fiscal 2010, we may need to take steps to reduce expenditures by scaling back operations and reducing staff. However, any reduction of revenues would be partially offset by reductions in the amounts we would be required to pay under the Management Agreement, employee bonuses and any other agreements. We believe that we will have sufficient cash generated from our business activities to support our operations for the next twelve months.

Inflation and Changing Prices

Inflation, traditionally, has not had a significant effect on our operations. Since most of our future revenues are based upon a percentage of sales of the licensed products by our licensees, we do not anticipate that inflation will have a material negative impact on future operations.

Seasonality

Given our contractual royalty rate reductions with our licensees, as certain sales volume thresholds are achieved by our licensees in any given fiscal year, historically this has usually caused our first quarter to be our highest revenue and profitability quarter; our second quarter to be our next highest quarter, and our third and fourth quarters to be our lowest quarters. However, such historical patterns may vary in the future, depending upon the product mix and retail sales volumes achieved in each quarter with our licensees. Royalty revenues during the Third Quarter benefited from slightly higher royalty rates applied under our contracts with Tesco because the cumulative retail sales did not achieve the applicable threshold for reduced royalty rates in the Third Quarter, as compared to the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. In the event that cumulative retail sales in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2011 do exceed the applicable thresholds for reduced royalty rates under our contracts with either Tesco or Target, we will then be entitled to smaller royalty rates on incremental retail sales by Target and Tesco that are in excess of such thresholds.

Index

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk generally represents the risk that losses may occur in the values of financial instruments as a result of movements in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest: From time to time we invest our excess cash in interest-bearing temporary investments of high-quality issuers. Due to the short time the investments are outstanding and their general liquidity, these instruments are classified as cash equivalents in our consolidated balance sheet and do not represent a material interest rate risk to us. As of October 30, 2010, we had no long term debt obligations.

Foreign Currency: We conduct business in various parts of the world. We are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates to the extent that the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuates in countries where our licensees do business, and significant fluctuations in exchange rates could result in a material affect on our results of operations or cash flow. For Fiscal 2010, revenues from international licensing comprised 50.7% of our consolidated revenues. For the Nine Months, international licensing royalties comprised 47.4% of our total revenues. A hypothetical 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currencies of countries where we operate would have negatively affected our Nine Months revenues by approximately $1.1 million, which represents 4.7% of the total revenues reported for the Nine Months.

Most of our international licensees are required to pay the royalty revenues owed to us in U.S. dollars. As a consequence, in past years the weakening of the U.S. dollar has benefited us in that the total royalty revenues reported from our international licensees such as Tesco and Zellers increases when the dollar weakens against such foreign currencies (the British Pound, the Canadian Dollar, and the Euro). During the First Quarter the U.S. dollar fluctuated across countries and was stronger in some countries and weaker in other countries based on the prior quarter last year. For example, the royalty revenues from Tesco U.K. in our First Quarter reflect a 6.2% favorable change in the exchange rate as compared to the exchange rate used in the first quarter of last year, while royalty revenues from Tesco Slovakia in our First Quarter reflect a -1.2% unfavorable change in the exchange rate as compared to the exchange rate used in the first quarter of last year. Similarly, during the Second and Third Quarters, the U.S. dollar fluctuated across countries and was stronger in some countries and weaker in other countries based on the prior quarter last year. For example, the royalty revenues from Tesco U.K. in our Third Quarter reflect a 3.9% unfavorable change in the exchange rate as compared to the exchange rate used in the third quarter of last year, while royalty revenues from the Tesco Central European countries in our Third Quarter reflect a range from a favorable change of 2.40% to an unfavorable change of 5.3% in the exchange rates as compared to the exchange rates used in the third quarter of last year. However, other exchange rate comparisons exhibited a favorable change (i.e., relative weaker dollar) for the Third Quarter. In the future, should the dollar strengthen further against such foreign currencies, the total royalty revenues reported by us from such licensees would reflect such changes in the currency exchange rates. Accordingly, a strengthening dollar, compared to current exchange rates, would likely result in lower reported royalty revenues than otherwise would be reported as a result of such unfavorable exchange rate movements.

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Cherokee maintains “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 (e) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Cherokee’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Cherokee’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Cherokee has carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of Cherokee’s management, including Cherokee’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Cherokee’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Cherokee’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of October 30, 2010.

Index

(b) Changes in internal controls. Management determined that as of October 30, 2010, there have been no changes in Cherokee’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of business, from time to time we become involved in legal claims and litigation. In the opinion of management, based on consultations with legal counsel, the disposition of litigation currently pending against us is unlikely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained herein or incorporated herein by reference, the risks and uncertainties and other factors described below could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and share price and could also cause our future business, financial condition and results of operations to differ materially from the results contemplated by any forward-looking statement we may make herein, in any other document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in any press release or other written or oral statement we may make. Please also see “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And Results of Operations—Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for additional risks and uncertainties applicable to us.

Our business is subject to intense competition.

Royalties paid to us under our licensing agreements are generally based on a percentage of our licensee’s net sales of licensed products. Cherokee, Carole Little and Sideout brand footwear, apparel, and accessories, which are manufactured and sold by both domestic and international wholesalers and retail licensees, are subject to extensive competition by numerous domestic and foreign companies. Such competitors with respect to the Cherokee brand include independent brands such as Levi Strauss & Co., The Gap, Old Navy, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., Liz Claiborne, Iconix Brand Group, and VF Corp., and private label brands developed by retailers such as Faded Glory, Arizona, and Route 66. Competitors with respect to the Sideout brand include Quiksilver, Nike and other active wear companies. Factors which shape the competitive environment include quality of garment construction and design, brand name, style and color selection, price and the manufacturer’s ability to respond quickly to the retailer on a national basis. In recognition of the increasing trend towards consolidation of retailers and greater emphasis by retailers on the manufacture of private label merchandise, in the United States our business plan focuses on creating strategic alliances with major retailers for their sale of products bearing our brands through the licensing of our trademarks directly to retailers. Therefore, our degree of success is dependent on the strength of our brands, consumer acceptance of and desire for our brands, our licensees’ ability to design, manufacture and sell products bearing our brands and to respond to ever-changing consumer demands, and any significant failure by our licensees to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. We cannot control the level of resources that our licensees commit to supporting our brands, and our licensees may choose to support other brands to the detriment of ours.

Further, there are numerous risk factors that apply to the businesses of retailers that can affect their level of sales of products that carry our brands. Any decline in sales by our licensees can adversely affect our revenues. Factors that may adversely affect retailers include the following: weather; changes in the availability or cost of capital; shifts in the seasonality of shopping patterns; labor strikes or other work interruptions including work interruptions that impact supply chains and transport vendors; the impact of excess retail capacity; changes in the cost of accepting various payment methods and changes in the rate of utilization of these payment methods; material acquisitions or dispositions; investments in new business strategies; the success or failure of significant new business ventures or technologies; actions taken or omitted to be taken by legislative, regulatory, judicial and other governmental authorities and officials; and natural disasters, the outbreak of war, acts of terrorism or other significant national or international events. The risks associated with our business are more acute during periods of economic slowdown or recession. In addition to other consequences, these periods may be accompanied by decreased consumer spending generally, as well as decreased demand for, or additional downward pricing pressure on, the products carrying our brands. Accordingly, any prolonged economic slowdown or a lengthy or severe recession with respect to either the U.S. or the global economy is likely to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and business prospects. As a result, given the deteriorating position of the U.S. and global economy, as well as the decreasing purchasing power of consumers, we expect that our business will continue to suffer for so long as, and to the extent that, such adverse economic conditions exist.

Index

In addition, other companies owning established trademarks could also enter into similar arrangements with retailers.

Our business is largely dependent on royalties from two licensees, Target Stores and Tesco, which each accounted for 40.6% and 36.9%, respectively, of our consolidated licensing revenues in Fiscal 2010, and accounted for 41.4% and 29.7%, respectively, of our Nine Months licensing revenues.

During Fiscal 2010, 40.6% of our licensing revenues were generated from Target and 36.9% of our licensing revenues were generated from Tesco. For the Nine Months, 41.4% and 29.7%, respectively, of our licensing revenues were generated from Target Stores and Tesco. We could suffer substantially decreased royalty revenues and cash flow under the Restated Target Agreement if Target were to reduce its sales of Cherokee branded products while continuing to pay the minimum royalties of $9.0 million per fiscal year required under such agreement. The termination of either the Restated Target Agreement or the Tesco Agreement would have a material adverse effect upon our revenues and cash flow if we were unable to replace these royalty streams in a timely manner. We are unsure whether we would be able to replace the royalty payments received from Target and Tesco. Together, these two licensees accounted for 77.5% of our consolidated licensing revenues in Fiscal 2010 and accounted for 71.1% of our consolidated licensing revenues in our Nine Months.

We are dependent on our intellectual property and we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully protect our rights.

We hold various trademarks including Cherokee, Sideout, Carole Little and others in connection with apparel, footwear and accessories. These trademarks are vital to the success and future growth of our business. These trademarks are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in numerous other countries. We also hold several trademark applications for Cherokee and Sideout in several countries. There can be no assurance that the actions taken by us to establish and protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights will prevent imitation of our products or infringement of our intellectual property rights by others, or prevent the loss of licensing revenue or other damages caused thereby. In addition, the laws of several countries in which we have licensed our intellectual property may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our intellectual property, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. In the future we may be required to assert infringement claims against third parties, and there can be no assurance that one or more parties will not assert infringement claims against us. Any resulting litigation could result in significant expense and divert the efforts of our management personnel whether or not such litigation is determined in our favor.

We are dependent on our key management personnel and we recently appointed a new Chief Executive Officer and expect to appoint a new Chief Financial Officer in December 2010

Our success is highly dependent upon the continued services of our key executives, including Robert Margolis, our Executive Chairman, Henry Stupp, our Chief Executive Officer, Howard Siegel, our President and Chief Operating Officer and Russell J. Riopelle, our current Chief Financial Officer, who will be leaving Cherokee in mid December 2010. We have a limited number of employees and Mr. Margolis’, Mr. Stupp’s and our other executives’ leadership and experience in the apparel licensing industry is important to the successful implementation of our business and marketing strategy. We do not carry key person life insurance covering any of our executives. The loss of the services of Mr. Margolis, Mr. Stupp or our other key executives could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. In addition, on August 26, 2010, we experienced a transition in our executive management team, in connection with the appointment of Henry Stupp as our Chief Executive Officer and the appointment of our former Chief Executive Officer, Robert Margolis, as our Executive Chairman. Further, on November 5, 2010 we announced that our current Chief Financial Officer, Russell J. Riopelle, would be leaving Cherokee in mid December. On November 11, 2010, we announced that we hired Mark DiSiena, who is expected to replace Mr. Riopelle as our Chief Financial Officer upon Mr. Riopelle’s departure. Neither Mr. Stupp nor Mr. DiSiena has worked with our existing executive management team prior to their joining us earlier this year. We cannot assure you that either of these management transitions will not result in some disruption of our business. If either our new Chief Executive Officer or our new Chief Financial Officer is unable to work with our existing management team to implement our strategies, manage our operations and accomplish our objectives, our business, operations and financial results could be impaired.

Index

The Management Agreement with our Executive Chairman contains provisions that provide for a substantial cash payment to our Executive Chairman upon our breach or termination of the Management Agreement.

Mr. Margolis’ services as our Executive Chairman are provided to us pursuant to a management agreement, as amended (the “Management Agreement”). The current term of the Management Agreement ends on February 1, 2012; however, the term may be extended indefinitely for additional one year terms by the mutual consent of our Nominating Committee and Mr. Margolis. If, during Fiscal 2011, we terminate the Management Agreement without cause or Mr. Margolis terminates the Management Agreement after we materially breach any of the terms and conditions thereof, or in the event of a change in control of Cherokee, we would be obligated to pay Mr. Margolis, within sixty days after the date of termination or such change in control, a lump sum in cash equal to three times the sum of the annual base compensation under the Management Agreement at the rate in effect at the time of the termination plus the amount of the previous year’s performance bonus under the Management Agreement. Mr. Margolis’ annual base compensation for Fiscal 2011 is $804,000 and his performance bonus for Fiscal 2010 was approximately $2.5 million. Based on Mr. Margolis’ salary for Fiscal 2010 and his bonus paid for Fiscal 2010, the lump sum payment owed upon such a termination would be approximately $10.0 million, plus his pro rata earned performance bonus during Fiscal 2011 up to the date of termination. If, during Fiscal 2012, we terminate the Management Agreement without cause or Mr. Margolis terminates the Management Agreement after we materially breach any of the terms and conditions thereof, or in the event of a change in control of Cherokee that occurs during Fiscal 2012 or pursuant to an agreement that is entered into during Fiscal 2012, we would be obligated to pay Mr. Margolis, within sixty days after the date of termination or such change in control, a lump sum in cash equal to $6.0 million.

At the time such payment is due, we may not have sufficient cash to make the lump sum payment to Mr. Margolis, and becoming obligated to make such payment would have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. In addition, the obligation to make such lump sum payment to Mr. Margolis would be triggered if a third party were to acquire us during Fiscal 2011, Fiscal 2012 or pursuant to an agreement that is entered into during Fiscal 2012, which would increase such third party’s acquisition costs, but would also each year thereafter reduce our annual operating expenses due to the elimination of annual bonus payments to Mr. Margolis pursuant to the Management Agreement.

We may not pay dividends regularly or at all in the future.

Although we have paid dividends during each quarter since December 2003, and including during the First, Second and Third Quarters, our Board of Directors may reduce or discontinue dividends at any time for any reason it deems relevant and there can be no assurances that we will continue to generate excess cash to pay dividends, or that we will continue to pay dividends with such excess cash if other, more compelling business opportunities are available, as determined by our Board of Directors. Our ability to generate excess cash from our operations in the future is dependent upon a variety of factors, including Cherokee’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, capital requirements and other factors. In Fiscal 2010, we paid a total of $17.6 million in dividends, which was materially greater than our net income of $12.6 million for Fiscal 2010. In recognition of the fact that our payment of dividends could not continue at historical levels beyond Fiscal 2010 unless cash flow from operations increases substantially, on January 26, 2010, we announced that we reduced our future quarterly dividend payment from $0.50 per share to $0.38 per share, which more closely aligned our dividend payments with our expected cash flow from operations. Should our future dividend payments exceed our cash from operations, we will reduce the excess cash on our balance sheet and our Board of Directors may elect to further reduce or eliminate future dividend payments. Furthermore, should the dividend tax laws change such that taxes on dividends become higher than they currently are, or should we decide to use our excess cash to make acquisitions of complimentary business or brands or for other reasons, we may further reduce or eliminate the dividends we pay to our stockholders in favor of other ways to increase value for our stockholders.

Index

The trading price of our stock may be volatile.

The trading price of our common stock is likely to be subject to fluctuations as a result of various factors impacting our business, including (i) our financial results, (ii) announcements of us, our retail partners or by our competitors, as applicable, regarding or affecting the retail environment either domestically or internationally, our existing license agreements, our existing brand representations, new license agreements, new brand representations or strategic alliances or other agreements, (iii) recruitment or departure of key personnel, (iv) changes in the estimates of our financial results or changes in the recommendations of any securities analysts that elect to follow our common stock, and (v) market conditions in the retail industry and the economy as a whole.

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

As reported on Cherokee’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2010, pursuant to our Employment Agreement with Henry Stupp, on August 26, 2010, Mr. Stupp purchased 81,967 shares of Cherokee’s common stock (the “Initial Shares”) at a per share price of $18.30 (which was equal to the closing price of Cherokee’s common stock on such date), for aggregate proceeds of $1,500,000. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Stupp agreed to purchase, and Cherokee agreed to sell, on or before January 31, 2011, that number of shares of Cherokee’s common stock equal to $1,000,000, divided by the closing sale price of Cherokee’s common stock on the date of such purchase and sale (the “Subsequent Shares” and, together with the Initial Shares, the “Shares”). Mr. Stupp has agreed to certain “lock up” restrictions regarding his ability to resell or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares as set forth in the Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Cherokee has agreed to file with the SEC a registration statement, or registration statements if necessary, on an appropriate form(s) to effect the registration for resale of both the Shares and the shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon exercise of the option granted to Mr. Stupp pursuant to the Employment Agreement. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the sales of the Shares to Mr. Stupp as working capital.

ITEM 4.

(REMOVED AND RESERVED)

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

Index

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

(a)

Exhibits

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
10.1		Employment Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2010, by and between Cherokee and Henry Stupp (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Cherokee’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010)

10.2		Stock Option Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2010, by and between Cherokee and Henry Stupp (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Cherokee’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010)

31.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* Filed herewith.

Index

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: December 8, 2010

		CHEROKEE INC.

		By:	/s/ Henry Stupp
			Henry Stupp
			Chief Executive Officer
			(Principal Executive Officer)

		By:	/s/ Russell J. Riopelle
			Russell J. Riopelle
			Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Attached files

Stock widget

Investing forum

Apex Global Brands Inc. Reports

Also read