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8-K

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (BNED)

8-K 2020-03-03 For: 2020-03-03
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Added on April 10, 2026

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 3, 2020

BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-37499 46-0599018
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
120 Mountain View Blvd., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (908) 991-2665
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company □

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


Item 2.02     Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 3, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for the third quarter ended January 25, 2020 (the “Press Release”).  A copy of the Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto pertaining to the Company’s financial results shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press Release of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc., dated March 3, 2020.

Signatures

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

Date: March 3, 2020

BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.

By:     /s/ Thomas D. Donohue

Name:     Thomas D. Donohue

Title:     Chief Financial Officer


BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press Release of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc., dated March 3, 2020.
		Exhibit

Exhibit 99.1

bned-colora02.jpg

Barnes & Noble Education Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Results

Continues to Enhance and Scale Bartleby Suite of Services,

Pivot to Digital Courseware Delivery Gains Momentum

Significant Cost Reduction Plan to Align with Revenue Trends and Ongoing Digital Investments

March 3, 2020, Basking Ridge, NJ-Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading solutions provider for the education industry, today reported sales and earnings for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, which ended on January 25, 2020.

Financial highlights for the third quarter 2020:

Consolidated third quarter sales of $502.3 million decreased 8.3%, as compared to the prior year period; year to date consolidated sales of $1,594.2 million decreased 6.2%, as compared to the prior year period.

Consolidated third quarter GAAP net loss of $(1.7) million, compared to net income of $0.8 million in the prior year period; year to date GAAP net income of $2.1 million, compared to $21.8 million in the prior year period.
Consolidated third quarter non-GAAP Adjusted Earnings of $(0.7) million, compared to $3.3 million in the prior year period; year to date non-GAAP Adjusted Earnings of $7.0 million, compared to $24.9 million in the prior year period.
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Consolidated third quarter non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $13.4 million, compared to $22.2 million in the prior year period; year to date non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $62.8 million, compared to $85.3 million in the prior year period.
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Operational highlights for the third quarter 2020:

Gained approximately 50,000 and 150,000 subscribers for the bartleby® suite of services in the Spring Rush period and fiscal 2020 year to date, respectively, including the month of February.

Continued to grow BNC First Day® and BNC First Day Complete inclusive access programs, with revenue increasing 99% fiscal 2020 year to date. Market acceptance of BNC First Day Complete gaining rapid momentum.
Contracted for substantial new business wins as a result of the Company’s sales and marketing execution, including growing market acceptance of new high-value client offerings.
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Continued progress made in the development of the Company’s next generation e-commerce platform, which is launching in fiscal year 2021 to deliver increased high-margin general merchandise sales.
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Significant progress in ongoing rollout of BNC Adoption & Insights Portal (AIP), an innovative platform that provides enhanced support for faculty and academic leadership to research, submit and monitor course material selections, further driving affordability and student success.
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Cost Reduction Program

The Company announced today that it is implementing a significant cost reduction program designed to streamline operations, maximize productivity and drive profitability. Certain elements of this plan have recently been implemented, while other actions are planned for fiscal year 2021, which begins in May 2020. BNED anticipates meaningful annualized cost savings from this program, the majority of which are expected to be realized beginning in fiscal year 2021. As a result of the personnel and related elements of this program, BNED expects to recognize a restructuring charge of $10 million to $15 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020.

“Our third quarter results continue to reflect the higher education industry’s rapid evolution to digital courseware solutions. While this pivot presents many challenges, we are focused on the significant opportunities such profound


change gives us, as our campus partners actively rely on us to navigate this rapidly changing landscape,” said Michael P. Huseby, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, BNED. “BNED has a clear strategy in place, and we expect the recent actions we have taken to realign our management team and reduce our cost structure to mitigate the impact from revenue downtrends, as we pivot to digital courseware delivery more rapidly. We have moved beyond the proof of concept phase for each of our key strategic initiatives and now need to accelerate their execution. We are establishing real momentum for our key stabilization and growth initiatives, as is evident in the growth of our bartleby and First Day products. As previously disclosed, our Board engaged an independent financial advisor to assist in a review of strategic opportunities to accelerate the execution of strategic initiatives and enhance value for BNED shareholders. We look forward to keeping you apprised of our continued progress as we execute on our strategic initiatives to enhance value for both customers and shareholders.”

Third Quarter 2020 and Year to Date Results

Results for the 13 and 39 weeks of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 are as follows:

$ in millions 13 and 39 Weeks Selected Data (unaudited)
13 Weeks 13 Weeks 39 Weeks 39 Weeks
Q3 2020 Q3 2019 2020 2019
Total Sales $ 502.3 $ 548.0 $ 1,594.2 $ 1,700.3
Net (Loss) Income $ (1.7 ) $ 0.8 $ 2.1 $ 21.8
Non-GAAP^(1)^
Adjusted EBITDA $ 13.4 $ 22.2 $ 62.8 $ 85.3
Adjusted Earnings $ (0.7 ) $ 3.3 $ 7.0 $ 24.9

(1) These non-GAAP financial measures have been reconciled in the attached schedules to the most directly comparable GAAP measures as required under SEC rules regarding the use of non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company has three reportable segments: Retail, Wholesale and Digital Student Solutions (DSS). Unallocated shared-service costs, which include various corporate level expenses and other governance functions, continue to be presented as Corporate Services. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Retail Segment Results

Retail sales in the third quarter decreased by $40.1 million, or 8.1%, as compared to the prior year period. Comparable store sales in the Retail segment decreased 7.3% for the quarter representing approximately $34.4 million in revenue. Consistent with prior years, the Spring Rush period extended beyond the quarter due to later school openings and the continued pattern of students buying course materials later in the semester. Factoring in the fiscal month of February, comparable store sales at BNC decreased 5.7% on a year to date basis.

Retail non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter decreased by $2.3 million to $8.1 million, as compared to $10.5 million in the prior year period. The decrease is primarily due to lower textbook sales, partially offset by increased margin rates that benefitted from fewer markdowns and a greater mix of high-margin general merchandise sales, as well as lower selling and administrative expenses.

Wholesale Segment Results

Wholesale total sales of $67.0 million for the quarter decreased by $11.5 million, or 14.7%, as compared to $78.5 million in the prior year period. The decrease is primarily due to the shift from physical textbooks to digital products, resulting in a decrease in customer demand.


Wholesale non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $9.9 million, as compared to $17.5 million in the prior year period. This decrease was primarily driven by lower sales and lower gross margins, partially offset by lower selling and administrative expenses.

DSS Segment Results

DSS sales of $6.4 million for the quarter increased by $1.2 million, or 22.9%, as compared to $5.2 million in the prior year period. The increase is primarily due to an increase in sales of bartleby subscriptions. DSS non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA was $1.2 million for the quarter, as compared to $1.5 million in the prior year period. The decrease is primarily due to investments in the development, marketing and selling of bartleby.

For the Spring Rush period, including the fiscal month of February, bartleby gained approximately 50,000 gross subscribers, driven by in-store sales as well as increased customer acquisition through search engine optimization (SEO).

Other

Expenses for Corporate Services, which includes unallocated shared-service costs, such as various corporate level expenses and other governance functions, decreased by $1.0 million, or 16.8%, to $5.2 million for the quarter, as compared to $6.2 million in the prior period.

Intercompany gross margin eliminations of $(0.8) million reflected in Adjusted EBITDA, compared to $(1.0) million in the prior year period, are lower due to a decrease in inter-segment sales from Wholesale to Retail.

Outlook

For fiscal year 2020, the Company expects consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to be between $80 million to $85 million. Capital expenditures are now expected to be in a range of $35 million to $45 million. The Company expects free cash flow to be between $30 million to $40 million, as compared to $39.7 million in fiscal year 2019. The Company defines free cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, cash interest and cash taxes.

Conference Call

A conference call with Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. senior management will be webcast at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 and can be accessed at the Barnes & Noble Education corporate website at investor.bned.com or www.bned.com.

Barnes & Noble Education expects to report fiscal 2020 fourth quarter results on or about June 25, 2020.


EXPLANATORY NOTE

We have three reportable segments: Retail, Wholesale and DSS as follows:

The Retail Segment operates 1,436 college, university, and K-12 school bookstores, comprised of 772 physical bookstores and 664 virtual bookstores. Our bookstores typically operate under agreements with the college, university, or K-12 schools to be the official bookstore and the exclusive seller of course materials and supplies, including physical and digital products. The majority of the physical campus bookstores have school-branded e-commerce sites which we operate and which offer students access to affordable course materials and affinity products, including emblematic apparel and gifts. The Retail Segment also offers inclusive access programs, in which course materials, including e-content, are offered at a reduced price through a course materials fee, and delivered to students on or before the first day of class. Additionally, the Retail Segment offers a suite of digital content and services to colleges and universities, including a variety of open educational resource-based courseware.
The Wholesale Segment is comprised of our wholesale textbook business and is one of the largest textbook wholesalers in the country. The Wholesale Segment centrally sources, sells, and distributes new and used textbooks to approximately 3,500 physical bookstores (including our Retail Segment's 772 physical bookstores) and sources and distributes new and used textbooks to our 664 virtual bookstores. Additionally, the Wholesale Segment sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to approximately 400 college bookstores.
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The Digital Student Solutions ("DSS") Segment includes direct-to-student products and services to assist students to study more effectively and improve academic performance. The DSS Segment is comprised of the operations of Student Brands, LLC, a leading direct-to-student subscription-based writing services business, and bartleby®, a direct-to-student subscription-based offering providing textbook solutions, expert questions and answers, tutoring and test prep services.
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Corporate Services represents unallocated shared-service costs which include corporate level expenses and other governance functions, including executive functions, such as accounting, legal, treasury, information technology, and human resources.

All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 25, <br>2020 January 26, <br>2019 January 25, <br>2020 January 26, <br>2019
Sales:
Product sales and other $ 453,678 $ 491,989 $ 1,474,448 $ 1,566,007
Rental income 48,614 56,019 119,729 134,251
Total sales 502,292 548,008 1,594,177 1,700,258
Cost of sales: ^(a)^
Product and other cost of sales 354,999 381,953 1,146,400 1,209,676
Rental cost of sales 28,758 33,102 70,635 80,259
Total cost of sales 383,757 415,055 1,217,035 1,289,935
Gross profit 118,535 132,953 377,142 410,323
Selling and administrative expenses 106,184 110,941 317,279 325,408
Depreciation and amortization expense 15,117 16,374 46,542 49,333
Impairment loss (non-cash) ^(a)^ 433
Restructuring and other charges ^(a)^ 205 2,500 3,240 2,500
Transaction costs ^(a)^ 117 654
Operating (loss) income (2,971 ) 3,021 9,648 32,428
Interest expense, net 1,904 2,546 5,882 7,904
(Loss) income before income taxes (4,875 ) 475 3,766 24,524
Income tax (benefit) expense (3,182 ) (294 ) 1,683 2,680
Net (loss) income $ (1,693 ) $ 769 $ 2,083 $ 21,844
(Loss) Income per common share:
Basic $ (0.04 ) $ 0.02 $ 0.04 $ 0.46
Diluted $ (0.04 ) $ 0.02 $ 0.04 $ 0.46
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 48,298 47,561 47,911 47,220
Diluted 48,298 47,937 48,767 47,772
(a) For additional information, see Note (a) - (d) in the Non-GAAP disclosure information of this Press Release.

13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 25, <br>2020 January 26, <br>2019 January 25, <br>2020 January 26, <br>2019
Percentage of sales:
Sales:
Product sales and other 90.3 % 89.8 % 92.5 % 92.1 %
Rental income 9.7 % 10.2 % 7.5 % 7.9 %
Total sales 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Cost of sales:
Product and other cost of sales ^(a)^ 78.2 % 77.6 % 77.8 % 77.2 %
Rental cost of sales ^(a)^ 59.2 % 59.1 % 59.0 % 59.8 %
Total cost of sales 76.4 % 75.7 % 76.3 % 75.9 %
Gross profit 23.6 % 24.3 % 23.7 % 24.1 %
Selling and administrative expenses 21.1 % 20.2 % 19.9 % 19.1 %
Depreciation and amortization expense 3.0 % 3.0 % 2.9 % 2.9 %
Impairment loss (non-cash) % % % %
Restructuring and other charges % 0.5 % 0.2 % 0.1 %
Transaction costs % % % %
Operating (loss) income (0.5 )% 0.6 % 0.7 % 2.0 %
Interest expense, net 0.4 % 0.5 % 0.4 % 0.5 %
(Loss) income before income taxes (0.9 )% 0.1 % 0.3 % 1.5 %
Income tax (benefit) expense (0.6 )% (0.1 )% 0.1 % 0.2 %
Net (loss) income (0.3 )% 0.2 % 0.2 % 1.3 %
(a) Represents the percentage these costs bear to the related sales, instead of total sales.

BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


January 25, <br>2020 January 26, <br>2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,798 $ 22,049
Receivables, net 238,045 231,106
Merchandise inventories, net 530,260 579,582
Textbook rental inventories 48,474 50,577
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24,617 20,691
Total current assets 851,194 904,005
Property and equipment, net 101,055 109,414
Operating lease right-of-use assets ^(a)^ 251,743
Intangible assets, net 179,596 208,439
Goodwill 4,700 53,982
Deferred tax assets, net 2,647
Other noncurrent assets 37,169 40,216
Total assets $ 1,428,104 $ 1,316,056
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 389,050 $ 464,933
Accrued liabilities 193,705 219,713
Current operating lease liabilities ^(a)^ 102,247
Total current liabilities 685,002 684,646
Long-term deferred taxes, net 7,991
Long-term operating lease liabilities ^(a)^ 169,227
Other long-term liabilities 50,529 58,632
Long-term borrowings 65,900 70,100
Total liabilities 970,658 821,369
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized, 5,000 shares; issued and outstanding, none
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized, 200,000 shares; issued, 52,139 and 51,026 shares, respectively; outstanding, 48,297 and 47,561 shares, respectively 521 511
Additional paid-in-capital 732,320 724,164
Accumulated deficit (242,494 ) (198,359 )
Treasury stock, at cost (32,901 ) (31,629 )
Total stockholders' equity 457,446 494,687
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,428,104 $ 1,316,056
(a) We adopted ASC 842 Leases accounting guidance effective April 28, 2019 which requires that we recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for leases with a term greater than twelve months.

BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Sales Information

(Unaudited)


Total Sales

The components of the sales variances for the 13 and 39 weeks period are as follows:

Dollars in millions 13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019 January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019
Retail Sales
New stores ^(a)^ $ 16.3 $ 18.4 $ 61.9 $ 48.3
Closed stores ^(a)^ (18.1 ) (23.1 ) (50.8 ) (71.7 )
Comparable stores ^(b)^ (37.9 ) (44.7 ) (99.0 ) (101.2 )
Textbook rental deferral 0.7 4.9 3.0 8.5
Service revenue ^(c)^ (1.4 ) (1.3 ) (3.9 ) (1.1 )
Other ^(d)^ 0.3 (3.7 ) (5.9 ) (2.9 )
Retail Sales subtotal: $ (40.1 ) $ (49.5 ) $ (94.7 ) $ (120.1 )
Wholesale Sales: $ (11.5 ) $ (15.3 ) $ (29.8 ) $ (23.4 )
DSS Sales $ 1.2 $ (0.3 ) $ 1.2 $ 5.8
Eliminations ^(e)^ $ 4.7 $ 9.7 $ 17.2 $ (8.2 )
Total sales variance $ (45.7 ) $ (55.4 ) $ (106.1 ) $ (145.9 )
(a) The following is a store count summary for physical stores and virtual stores:
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13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019 January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019
Number of Stores: Physical Stores Virtual Stores Physical Stores Virtual Stores Physical Stores Virtual Stores Physical Stores Virtual Stores
Number of stores at beginning of period 772 664 773 677 772 676 768 676
Stores opened 5 7 1 6 45 62 35 32
Stores closed 5 7 1 3 45 74 30 28
Number of stores at end of period 772 664 773 680 772 664 773 680
(b) For Comparable Store Sales details, see below.
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(c) Service revenue includes brand partnerships, shipping and handling, digital content, software, services, and revenue from other programs.
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(d) Other includes inventory liquidation sales to third parties, marketplace sales and certain accounting adjusting items related to return reserves, and other deferred items.
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(e) Eliminates Wholesale sales and service fees to Retail and Retail commissions earned from Wholesale.
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Comparable Sales - Retail Segment

Comparable store sales variances by category for the 13 and 39 week periods are as follows:

Dollars in millions 13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019 January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019
Textbooks (Course Materials) $ (31.2 ) (9.3 )% $ (44.1 ) (11.7 )% $ (85.2 ) (8.3 )% $ (98.9 ) (8.8 )%
General Merchandise (0.9 ) (0.7 )% 1.9 1.6 % 4.7 1.1 % 6.3 1.5 %
Trade Books (2.3 ) (20.2 )% (0.5 ) (4.4 )% (4.9 ) (14.7 )% (2.6 ) (7.3 )%
Total Comparable Store Sales $ (34.4 ) (7.3 )% $ (42.7 ) (8.3 )% $ (85.4 ) (5.7 )% $ (95.2 ) (6.0 )%

Comparable store sales includes sales from physical stores that have been open for an entire fiscal year period and virtual store sales for the period, does not include sales from closed stores for all periods presented, and digital agency sales are included on a gross basis. We believe the current comparable store sales calculation method reflects the manner in which management views comparable sales, as well as the seasonal nature of our business.


BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Non-GAAP Information

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


Adjusted Earnings 39 weeks ended
January 26, 2019 January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019
Net (loss) income (1,693 ) $ 769 $ 2,083 $ 21,844
Reconciling items, after-tax (below) 2,539 4,928 3,085
Adjusted Earnings (Non-GAAP) (748 ) $ 3,308 $ 7,011 $ 24,929
Reconciling items, pre-tax
Impairment loss (non-cash) (a) $ $ 433 $
Content amortization (non-cash) (b) 212 2,973 360
Restructuring and other charges (c) 2,500 3,240 2,500
Transaction costs (d) 117 654
Reconciling items, pre-tax 2,829 6,646 3,514
Less: Pro forma income tax impact (e) 290 1,718 429
Reconciling items, after-tax 945 $ 2,539 $ 4,928 $ 3,085
Adjusted EBITDA 39 weeks ended
January 26, 2019 January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019
Net (loss) income (1,693 ) $ 769 $ 2,083 $ 21,844
Add:
Depreciation and amortization expense 16,374 46,542 49,333
Interest expense, net 2,546 5,882 7,904
Income tax (benefit) expense ) (294 ) 1,683 2,680
Impairment loss (non-cash) (a) 433
Content amortization (non-cash) (b) 212 2,973 360
Restructuring and other charges (c) 2,500 3,240 2,500
Transaction costs (d) 117 654
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) 13,415 $ 22,224 $ 62,836 $ 85,275
(a) During the 39 weeks ended January 25, 2020, we recognized an impairment loss (non-cash) of 433 in the Retail Segment related to net capitalized development costs for a project which are not recoverable.
(b) Represents amortization of content development costs (non-cash) recorded in cost of goods sold in the consolidated financial statements.
(c) During the 39 weeks ended January 25, 2020, we recognized restructuring and other charges totaling 3,240, comprised primarily of severance and other employee termination and benefit costs associated with several management changes and the elimination of various positions as part of cost reduction objectives, and professional service costs for restructuring, process improvements, and shareholder activist activities.
(d) Transaction costs are costs incurred for business development and acquisitions.
(e) Represents the income tax effects of the non-GAAP items.

All values are in US Dollars.


BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Non-GAAP Information

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP) 13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019 January 25, <br>2020 January 26, <br>2019
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ 13,415 $ 22,224 $ 62,836 $ 85,275
Less:
Capital expenditures ^(a)^ 7,586 8,559 26,841 31,711
Cash interest paid 1,282 1,824 5,311 7,009
Cash taxes (refund) paid 1,915 4,367 (3,962 ) 7,016
Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP) $ 2,632 $ 7,474 $ 34,646 $ 39,539
(a) Purchases of property and equipment are also referred to as capital expenditures. Our investing activities consist principally of capital expenditures for contractual capital investments associated with renewing existing contracts, new store construction, digital initiatives and enhancements to internal systems and our website. The following table provides the components of total purchases of property and equipment:
Capital Expenditures 13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019 January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019
Physical store capital expenditures $ 3,005 $ 1,590 $ 11,122 $ 14,113
Product and system development 3,224 4,686 10,668 9,896
Content development costs 989 1,801 3,222 6,026
Other 368 482 1,829 1,676
Total Capital Expenditures $ 7,586 $ 8,559 $ 26,841 $ 31,711

BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Segment Information

(In thousands, except percentages)

(Unaudited)


Segment Information (a) 39 weeks ended
January 26, 2019 January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019
Sales
Retail 457,988 $ 498,146 $ 1,474,413 $ 1,569,137
Wholesale 78,508 179,515 209,282
DSS 5,237 17,024 15,848
Eliminations ) (33,883 ) (76,775 ) (94,009 )
Total 502,292 $ 548,008 $ 1,594,177 $ 1,700,258
Gross profit
Retail (b) 100,000 $ 106,375 $ 323,473 $ 341,745
Wholesale 22,739 41,688 56,559
DSS (b) 5,050 16,207 15,393
Eliminations ) (999 ) (1,253 ) (3,014 )
Total 119,599 $ 133,165 $ 380,115 $ 410,683
Selling and administrative expenses
Retail 91,860 $ 95,895 $ 274,253 $ 281,725
Wholesale 5,281 13,664 16,284
DSS 3,575 13,715 9,741
Corporate Services 6,197 15,829 17,706
Eliminations ) (7 ) (182 ) (48 )
Total 106,184 $ 110,941 $ 317,279 $ 325,408
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (c)
Retail 8,140 $ 10,480 $ 49,220 $ 60,020
Wholesale 17,458 28,024 40,275
DSS 1,475 2,492 5,652
Corporate Services ) (6,197 ) (15,829 ) (17,706 )
Eliminations ) (992 ) (1,071 ) (2,966 )
Total 13,415 $ 22,224 $ 62,836 $ 85,275
(a) See Explanatory Note in this Press Release for Segment descriptions.
(b) For the 13 and 39 weeks ended January 25, 2020, the Retail Segment gross margin excludes 210 and 604, respectively, of amortization expense (non-cash) related to content development costs. For the 13 and 39 weeks ended January 25, 2020, the DSS Segment gross margin excludes 854 and 2,369, respectively, of amortization expense (non-cash) related to content development costs.
For the 13 and 39 weeks ended January 26, 2019, the Retail Segment gross margin excludes 131 and 279, respectively, of amortization expense (non-cash) related to content development costs. For both the 13 and 39 weeks ended January 26, 2019, the DSS Segment gross margin excludes 81 of amortization expense (non-cash) related to content development costs.
(c) For additional information, see "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" in the Non-GAAP disclosure information of this Press Release.

All values are in US Dollars.


Percentage of Segment Sales 13 weeks ended 39 weeks ended
January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019 January 25, 2020 January 26, 2019
Gross margin
Retail 21.8 % 21.4 % 21.9 % 21.8 %
Wholesale 21.2 % 29.0 % 23.2 % 27.0 %
DSS 95.4 % 96.4 % 95.2 % 97.1 %
Elimination 2.7 % 2.9 % 1.6 % 3.2 %
Total gross margin 23.8 % 24.3 % 23.8 % 24.2 %
Selling and administrative expenses
Retail 20.1 % 19.3 % 18.6 % 18.0 %
Wholesale 6.4 % 6.7 % 7.6 % 7.8 %
DSS 77.5 % 68.3 % 80.6 % 61.5 %
Corporate Services N/A N/A N/A N/A
Elimination N/A N/A N/A N/A
Total selling and administrative expenses 21.1 % 20.2 % 19.9 % 19.1 %

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information - Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow
To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), in the Press Release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, the Company uses the non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted Earnings (defined as net income adjusted for certain reconciling items), Adjusted EBITDA (defined by the Company as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for additional items subtracted from or added to net income) and Free Cash Flow (defined by the Company as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, cash interest and cash taxes).
These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended as substitutes for and should not be considered superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the Company's use of these non-GAAP financial measures may be different from similarly named measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.
The Company's management reviews these non-GAAP financial measures as internal measures to evaluate the Company's performance and manage the Company's operations. The Company's management believes that these measures are useful performance measures which are used by the Company to facilitate a comparison of on-going operating performance on a consistent basis from period-to-period. The Company's management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide for a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company's business than measures under GAAP can provide alone, as it excludes certain items that do not reflect the ordinary earnings of its operations. The Company's Board of Directors and management also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expected performance, for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations, and as a measure for performance incentive plans. The Company's management believes that the inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Earnings results provides investors useful and important information regarding the Company's operating results. The Company believes that Free Cash Flow provides useful additional information concerning cash flow available to meet future debt service obligations and working capital requirements and assists investors in their understanding of the Company’s operating profitability and liquidity as the Company manages to the business to maximize margin and cashflow.
The non-GAAP measures included in the Press Release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 has been reconciled to the comparable GAAP measures as required under Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules regarding the use of non-GAAP financial measures. All of the items included in the reconciliations below are either (i) non-cash items or (ii) items that management does not consider in assessing the Company's on-going operating performance. The Company urges investors to carefully review the GAAP financial information included as part of the Company’s Form 10-K dated April 27, 2019 filed with the SEC on June 25, 2019, which includes consolidated financial statements for each of the three years for the period ended April 27, 2019 (Fiscal 2019, Fiscal 2018, and Fiscal 2017), the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 28, 2018 filed with the SEC on August 27, 2019, and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 26, 2019 filed with the SEC on December 4, 2019.

ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving affordability, access and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide and ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Through its family of brands, BNED offers campus retail services and academic solutions, a digital direct-to-student learning ecosystem, wholesale capabilities and more. BNED is a company serving all who work to elevate their lives through education, supporting students, faculty and institutions as they make tomorrow a better, more inclusive and smarter world. For more information, visit www.bned.com.

Media Contact: Investor Contact:
Carolyn J. Brown Thomas D. Donohue
Senior Vice President Executive Vice President
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Chief Financial Officer
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.
(908) 991-2967 (908) 991-2966
cbrown@bned.com tdonohue@bned.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and information relating to us and our business that are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. When used in this communication, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “forecasts,” “projections,” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks, including, among others: general competitive conditions, including actions our competitors and content providers may take to grow their businesses; a decline in college enrollment or decreased funding available for students; decisions by colleges and universities to outsource their physical and/or online bookstore operations or change the operation of their bookstores; implementation of our digital strategy may not result in the expected growth in our digital sales and/or profitability; risk that digital sales growth does not exceed the rate of investment spend; the performance of our online, digital and other initiatives, integration of and deployment of, additional products and services including new digital channels, and enhancements to higher education digital products, and the inability to achieve the expected cost savings; the risk of price reduction or change in format of course materials by publishers, which could negatively impact revenues and margin; the general economic environment and consumer spending patterns; decreased consumer demand for our products, low growth or declining sales; the strategic objectives, successful integration, anticipated synergies, and/or other expected potential benefits of various acquisitions may not be fully realized or may take longer than expected; the integration of the operations of various acquisitions into our own may also increase the risk of our internal controls being found ineffective; changes to purchase or rental terms, payment terms, return policies, the discount or margin on products or other terms with our suppliers; our ability to successfully implement our strategic initiatives including our ability to identify, compete for and execute upon additional acquisitions and strategic investments; risks associated with operation or performance of MBS Textbook Exchange, LLC’s point-of-sales systems that are sold to college bookstore customers; technological changes; risks associated with counterfeit and piracy of digital and print materials; our international operations could result in additional risks; our ability to attract and retain employees; risks associated with data privacy, information security and intellectual property; trends and challenges to our business and in the locations in which we have stores; non-renewal of managed bookstore, physical and/or online store contracts and higher-than-anticipated store closings; disruptions to our information technology systems, infrastructure and data due to computer malware, viruses, hacking and phishing attacks, resulting in harm to our business and results of operations; disruption of or interference with third party web service providers and our own proprietary technology; work stoppages or increases in labor costs; possible increases in shipping rates or interruptions in shipping service; product shortages, including decreases in the used textbook inventory supply associated with the implementation of publishers’ digital offerings and direct to student textbook consignment rental programs, as well as the risks associated with the impacts that public health crises may have on the ability of our suppliers to manufacture or source products, particularly from outside of the United States; changes in domestic and international laws or regulations, including U.S. tax reform, changes in tax rates, laws and regulations, as well as related guidance; enactment of laws or changes in enforcement practices which may restrict or prohibit our use of texts, emails, interest based online advertising, recurring billing or similar marketing and sales activities; the amount of our indebtedness and ability to comply with covenants applicable to any future debt financing; our ability to satisfy future capital and liquidity requirements; our ability to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed and on acceptable terms; adverse results from litigation, governmental investigations, tax-related proceedings, or audits; changes in accounting standards; and the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part I - Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2019. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release.