Bassett Furniture Industries Inc 10-K for FY2020
Bassett Furniture Industries Inc (BSET)
About this 10-K
Bassett Furniture Industries Inc filed this 10-K on January 21, 2021, covering the fiscal year ended November 28, 2020 (FY2020).
Headline figures
Fiscal year ended November 28, 2020, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $385.86M
- down 14.6% from $452.09M a year earlier
- Net loss
- $10.42M
- compared with a net loss of $1.93M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$1.05
- compared with -$0.19 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C., 20549
FORM
| | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended
OR
| | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File No.
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class: | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| | | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act ☐ Yes ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐ Yes ☒
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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for at least the past 90 days. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large Accelerated Filer | ☐ | ☒ | |
| Non-Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | |
| 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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued
its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12-b2 of the Exchange Act).
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of May 30, 2020 was $
The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding on January 15, 2021 was
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated definitive Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held March 10, 2021, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
1 |
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PART I | |
| Item 1. |
Business |
2 |
| Item 1A. |
Risk Factors |
8 |
| Item 1B. |
Unresolved Staff Comments |
11 |
| Item 2. |
Properties |
11 |
| Item 3. |
Legal Proceedings |
11 |
| Item 4. |
Mine Safety Disclosures |
12 |
| Information about our Executive Officers |
12 |
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|
PART II | |
| Item 5. |
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
13 |
| Item 6. |
Selected Financial Data |
14 |
| Item 7. |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
15 |
| Item 7A. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
29 |
| Item 8. |
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
30 |
| Item 9. |
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
65 |
| Item 9A. |
Controls and Procedures |
65 |
| Item 9B. |
Other Information |
67 |
|
|
PART III | |
| Item 10. |
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
67 |
| Item 11. |
Executive Compensation |
67 |
| Item 12. |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
67 |
| Item 13. |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
67 |
| Item 14. |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
67 |
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PART IV | |
| Item 15. |
Exhibits |
68 |
| Item 16. |
Form 10-K Summary |
69 |
| SIGNATURES |
70 | |
As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, “Bassett,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and its subsidiaries. References to 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 mean the fiscal years ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019, November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 and November 26, 2015. Please note that fiscal 2019 contained 53 weeks.
Safe-harbor, forward-looking statements
This report contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and subsidiaries. Such forward-looking statements are identified by use of forward-looking words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “estimates”, “expects”, “aimed” and “intends” or words or phrases of similar expression. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that any such matters will be realized. Important factors, which should be read in conjunction with Item 1A “Risk Factors”, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:
| ● |
the impact of the ongoing coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak upon our ability to maintain normal operations at our retail stores and manufacturing facilities and the resulting effects any future interruption of those operations may have upon our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, as well as the impact of the outbreak upon general economic conditions, including consumer spending and the strength of the housing market in the United States |
| ● |
competitive conditions in the home furnishings industry |
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overall retail traffic levels in stores and on the web and consumer demand for home furnishings |
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ability of our customers and consumers to obtain credit |
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the profitability of the stores (independent licensees and Company-owned retail stores) which may result in future store closings. |
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ability to implement our Company-owned retail strategies and realize the benefits from such strategies, including our initiatives to expand and improve our digital marketing capabilities, as they are implemented |
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fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials, fuel, labor and sourced products, including those which may result from the imposition of new or increased duties, tariffs, retaliatory tariffs and trade limitations with respect to foreign-sourced products |
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results of marketing and advertising campaigns |
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effectiveness and security of our information technology systems |
| ● |
future tax legislation, or regulatory or judicial positions |
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ability to efficiently manage the import supply chain to minimize business interruption |
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concentration of domestic manufacturing, particularly of upholstery products, and the resulting exposure to business interruption from accidents, weather and other events and circumstances beyond our control |
| ● |
general risks associated with providing freight transportation and other logistical services by our wholly-owned subsidiary Zenith Freight Lines, LLC |
You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date on which such forward-looking statement is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this report after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the events described in any forward-looking statement made in this report, might not occur.
PART I
| ITEM 1. |
BUSINESS |
(dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)
General
Bassett is a leading retailer, manufacturer and marketer of branded home furnishings. Our products are sold primarily through a network of Company-owned and licensee-owned branded stores under the Bassett Home Furnishings (“BHF”) name, with additional distribution through other wholesale channels including multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers. We were founded in 1902 and incorporated under the laws of Virginia in 1930. Our rich 118-year history has instilled the principles of quality, value, and integrity in everything we do, while simultaneously providing us with the expertise to respond to ever-changing consumer tastes and meet the demands of a global economy.
With 97 BHF stores at November 28, 2020, we have leveraged our strong brand name in furniture into a network of Company-owned and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. Our store program is designed to provide a single source home furnishings retail store that provides a unique combination of stylish, quality furniture and accessories with a high level of customer service. In order to reach markets that cannot be effectively served by our retail store network, we also distribute our products through other wholesale channels including multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers. We use a network of over 30 independent sales representatives who have stated geographical territories. These sales representatives are compensated based on a standard commission rate. We believe this blended strategy provides us the greatest ability to effectively distribute our products throughout the United States and ultimately gain market share.
The BHF stores feature custom order furniture, free in-home and virtual design visits (“home makeovers”) and coordinated decorating accessories. Our philosophy is based on building strong long-term relationships with each customer. Sales people are referred to as “Design Consultants” and are trained to evaluate customer needs and provide comprehensive solutions for their home decor. Until a rigorous training and design certification program is completed, Design Consultants are not authorized to perform in-home or virtual design services for our customers.
We have factories in Newton, North Carolina that manufacture custom upholstered and outdoor furniture. We also have factories in Martinsville and Bassett, Virginia that assemble and finish our custom dining offerings, including our “Bench Made” line of solid hardwood furniture. Our manufacturing team takes great pride in the breadth of its options, the precision of its craftsmanship, and the speed of its manufacturing process. Our logistics team then promptly ships the product to one of our home delivery hubs or to a location specified by our licensees. In addition to the furniture that we manufacture domestically, we source most of our formal bedroom and dining room furniture (casegoods) and certain leather upholstery offerings from several foreign plants, primarily in Vietnam, Thailand and China. Over 75% of the products we currently sell are manufactured in the United States.
We also own Zenith Freight Lines, LLC (“Zenith”) which provides logistical services to Bassett along with other furniture manufacturers and retailers. Zenith delivers best-of-class shipping and logistical support services that are uniquely tailored to the needs of Bassett and the furniture industry. Approximately 60% of Zenith’s revenue is generated from services provided to non-Bassett customers.
On December 21, 2017, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lane Venture from Heritage Home Group, LLC for $15,556 in cash. Lane Venture is a manufacturer and distributor of premium outdoor furniture and is now being operated as a component of our wholesale segment. This acquisition marked our entry into the market for outdoor furniture and we believe that Lane Venture has provided a foundation for us to become a significant participant in this category. Our strategy is to distribute this brand outside of our BHF store network only. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding this acquisition.
With the knowledge we have gained through operating Lane Venture, we have developed the Bassett Outdoor brand that is only marketed through the BHF store network. This allows Bassett branded product to move from inside the home to outside the home to capitalize on the growing trend of outdoor living.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Upon Our Business
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the current COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic. In response to this declaration and the rapid spread of COVID-19 within the United States, federal, state and local governments throughout the country imposed varying degrees of restrictions on social and commercial activity to promote social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the illness. These measures have had a significant adverse impact upon many sectors of the economy, including non-essential retail commerce.
In response to the above and for the protection of our employees and customers, we temporarily closed our dedicated BHF stores, our manufacturing locations and many of our warehouses for several weeks primarily during the second fiscal quarter of 2020. We also implemented several operating changes which allowed us to maintain sufficient liquidity until we and other furniture retailers were able to reopen for business. These included, among other things, an approximate 23% permanent workforce reduction, temporary salary and wage reductions for all remaining employees, including a 50% pay reduction for our chief executive officer and certain other executives, negotiations with our landlords to receive abatements of rent, and in some cases, temporary rent deferrals, on many of our store leases and the amendment of our bank credit agreement to provide an additional $25,000 of availability under our credit line through December 31, 2020. The disruption to our operations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 which drove the loss for the full year despite our return to profitability during the third and fourth fiscal quarters.
However, since restarting our manufacturing operations and reopening stores beginning in late May of 2020, the pace of incoming wholesale orders from both the retail stores and our independent dealers outside the BHF store network have far exceeded our post reopening forecasts. Wholesale orders for the second half of 2020 increased 26% as compared to 2019. While our manufacturing operations, primarily our upholstery division, and shipping operations have not been able to keep pace with the incoming order level, we were able to generate net income of $8,782 and operating cash flow of $42,422 during the second half of fiscal 2020. As a result, we have restored all temporarily reduced salaries and wages and resumed the payment of quarterly dividends, including the payment of the dividend declared and subsequently suspended during the second quarter, as well as the declaration and payment of a special dividend subsequent to November 28, 2020.
We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential effects on the economy, the consumer and our business. While the rate of incoming orders at both our wholesale and retail segments is currently strong, there are continuing logistical challenges faced by us and the entire home furnishings industry resulting from COVID-related labor shortages and supply chain disruptions creating significant delays in order fulfillment and increasing backlogs. Although unable to predict with certainty, we expect gradual decreases in wholesale and retail backlogs over the course of 2021 driven by an anticipated lower rate of future incoming orders coupled with increased manufacturing and shipping activity. While the home furnishings industry has fared much better during the pandemic than other sectors of the economy, continued economic weakness and the recent surge in COVID-19 cases coupled with the slow rollout of vaccinations may eventually have an additional adverse impact upon our business. The timing of any future actions by us in response to COVID-19 is largely dependent on the mitigation of the spread of the virus, the speed with which vaccinations are disseminated, status of government orders, directives and guidelines, recovery of the business environment, economic conditions, and consumer demand for our products.
Operating Segments
We have strategically aligned our business into three reportable segments: Wholesale, Retail – Company-owned stores, and Logistical Services.
The wholesale home furnishings segment is involved principally in the design, manufacture, sourcing, sale and distribution of furniture products to a network of BHF stores (Company-owned retail stores and licensee-owned stores) and independent furniture retailers. Our retail segment consists of 63 Company-owned and operated BHF stores. The following table shows the number of Company-owned stores by state as of November 28, 2020:
| Number of |
Number of |
|||||
| State |
Stores |
State |
Stores |
|||
| Alabama |
1 |
Missouri |
1 |
|||
| Arizona |
3 |
Nevada |
1 |
|||
| Arkansas |
1 |
New Jersey |
2 |
|||
| California |
3 |
New York |
6 |
|||
| Connecticut |
3 |
North Carolina |
5 |
|||
| Delaware |
1 |
Ohio |
2 |
|||
| Florida |
4 |
Oklahoma |
1 |
|||
| Georgia |
3 |
Pennsylvania |
2 |
|||
| Kansas |
1 |
South Carolina |
1 |
|||
| Kentucky |
1 |
Tennessee |
1 |
|||
| Maryland |
3 |
Texas |
12 |
|||
| Massachusetts |
1 |
Virginia |
4 |
|||
| Total |
63 |
Our six locations in the state of New York include a 16,000 square foot clearance center in Middletown, New York. Unlike our other 62 BHF locations, the clearance center offers only clearance merchandise at reduced price points and without design consulting services.
Wholesale Segment Overview
The wholesale furniture industry is very competitive and there are a large number of manufacturers both within and outside the United States who compete in the market on the basis of product quality, price, style, delivery and service. Additionally, many retailers source imported product directly, thus bypassing domestic furniture manufacturers and wholesale importers. We believe that we can be successful in the current competitive environment because our products represent excellent value combining attractive prices, quality and styling, prompt delivery, and superior service.
Wholesale shipments by category for the last three fiscal years are summarized below:
| 2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Custom Upholstery |
$ | 128,200 | 58.0 | % | $ | 152,415 | 58.4 | % | $ | 141,321 | 55.2 | % | ||||||||||||
| Bassett Leather |
21,436 | 9.7 | % | 19,220 | 7.4 | % | 21,589 | 8.4 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Bassett Custom Wood |
39,311 | 17.8 | % | 46,082 | 17.6 | % | 46,074 | 18.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Bassett Casegoods |
32,128 | 14.5 | % | 40,920 | 15.7 | % | 42,875 | 16.8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Accessories (1) |
- | 0.0 | % | 2,468 | 0.9 | % | 4,099 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 221,075 | 100.0 | % | $ | 261,105 | 100.0 | % | $ | 255,958 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| (1) |
Beginning with the third quarter of fiscal 2019, our wholesale segment no longer purchases accessory items for resale to our retail segment or to third party customers such as licensees or independent furniture retailers. Our retail segment and third party customers now source their accessory items directly from the accessory vendors. |
Approximately 24% of our 2020 wholesale sales were of imported product compared to 23% and 27% in 2019 and 2018, respectively. We define imported product as fully finished product that is sourced. Our domestic product includes certain products that contain components which were also sourced. We continue to believe that a blended strategy including domestically produced products primarily of a custom-order nature combined with sourcing of major collections provides the best value and quality of products to our customers.
The dollar value of our wholesale backlog, representing orders received but not yet shipped to the BHF store network or independent dealers, was $54,874 at November 28, 2020 and $19,952 at November 30, 2019. We believe that the backlog will gradually decrease over the course of 2021 to a more manageable level as we do not believe the current pace of business is sustainable.
We use lumber, fabric, leather, foam and other materials in the production of wood and upholstered furniture. These components are purchased from a variety of domestic and international suppliers and are widely available. The price and availability of foam, which is highly dependent on the cost of oil and available capacity of oil refineries, can be subject to significant volatility from time to time. We currently assemble and finish these components in our five manufacturing facilities in the United States.
Other Investments and Real Estate
Our balance sheet at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019 included short-term investments in certificates of deposit (“CDs”). At November 24, 2018, in addition to CDs, we also held investments in certain real estate related to former licensee-owned stores. The impact upon earnings arising from these investments is included in other loss, net, in our consolidated statements of operations. Our investment balances at each of the last three fiscal year-ends are as follows:
| November 28, |
November 30, |
November 24, |
||||||||||
| 2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
||||||||||
| Investments in certificates of deposit |
$ | 17,715 | $ | 17,436 | $ | 22,643 | ||||||
| Certain retail real estate |
- | - | 1,655 | |||||||||
Our short-term investments at November 28, 2020 consist of CDs with original terms generally ranging from six to twelve months, bearing interest at rates ranging from 0.05% to 2.0% with a weighted average yield of approximately 0.21%. At November 28, 2020, the weighted average remaining time to maturity of the CDs was approximately four months. Each CD is placed with a federally insured financial institution and all deposits are within Federal deposit insurance limits.
Prior to November 30, 2019, we held investments in retail store properties that we had previously leased to licensees. In November of 2019, we sold one such property, which had a carrying value of $1,655 at November 24, 2018, to the lessee for net proceeds of $1,475. At November 30, 2019, our only remaining investment real estate consisted of a building subject to a ground lease which expired in 2020. During fiscal 2017, we fully impaired the carrying value of the building. See Item 2, Properties, for additional information about our retail real estate holdings.
Retail Segment Overview – Company-Owned Retail Stores
The retail furniture industry remains very competitive and includes local furniture stores, regional furniture retailers, national department and chain stores, single-vendor branded retailers and on-line retailers. As a whole, our store network with 63 Company-owned stores and 34 licensee-owned stores, ranks in the top 30 in retail furniture sales in the United States. Our Company-owned store network peaked at 70 stores in fiscal 2019. Since that time, we have closed seven underperforming locations and have no current plans to open additional locations.
Net sales for our Company-owned retail stores for the last three fiscal years are summarized below:
| 2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
||||||||||
| Net sales |
$ | 211,944 | $ | 268,693 | $ | 268,883 | ||||||
The COVID crisis has given us the opportunity to look inward and to begin making structural improvements to our business model. We instituted a “virtual appointment” program for our stores in late March, whereby consumers digitally engage with our designers and transact without physically visiting a store. Adding this new form of engagement is one of the many lasting changes that will come out of the 2020 pandemic.
We consider our website to be the front door to our brand experience where customers can research our furniture and accessory offerings and subsequently buy online or engage with an in-store design consultant. Customer acquisition resulting from our digital outreach strategies increased our traffic to the website by 82% and web orders by 92% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 as compared to 2019. Digital advertising dominated our marketing expenditures for the majority of the year as we chose to spend less in traditional television and direct mail advertising. We plan to continue with increased levels of spending on digital advertising and outreach during 2021. We also expect to continue investing in our website to improve the navigation and the ordering capabilities to increase web sales. Much of our current product offerings highlight the breadth and depth of our custom furniture capabilities which are difficult to show and sell online. We plan to expand our merchandising strategies to include more product that can be more easily purchased online with or without a store visit. While we work to increase web sales, we will not compromise on our in-store experience or the quality of our in-home makeover capabilities.
We also continue to re-examine the performance of every one of our stores. Store traffic has been declining for three years and the effect on our retail model has become increasingly challenging. We believe that on a market-by-market basis, there will be fewer stores in the future and that they will operate with a leaner structure. As a result, our retail management team implemented a new retail staffing model that includes fewer designers, less administrative staff, and a smaller field management organization. We will continue to evaluate store-by-store performance as we seek the optimal store count in the markets in which we compete at retail. We believe the seismic shift in shopping behavior which has been tremendously accelerated by closures of brick and mortar stores as a result of COVID-19 will ultimately result in more favorable retail rent structures.
The migration to digital brand research and compressed transaction cycles have caused us to comprehensively evaluate all of our American made custom products. While our Custom Upholstery, Custom Dining, and Bench Made product lines continue to be our most successful offerings, they are not conducive to web transactions; most of these items must be purchased in a store. Furthermore, we offer many upholstery trim options, fabrics and finishes that have low rates of sale and that make web navigation more difficult for the consumer. Consequently, we will continue to methodically re-design each one of these important lines. Our intent is to continue to offer the consumer custom options that will help them personalize their home but to do so in an edited fashion that will provide a better web experience in the research phase and will also allow the final purchase to be made either on the web or in the store. We also plan to heavily emphasize our “Made in America” story and utilize locally harvested and organic materials when possible. While this will all take time to complete, new products began appearing on the retail floors and website in early 2021.
Logistical Services Segment Overview
Zenith is a specialized supply chain solutions provider, offering the home furnishings industry the benefit of an asset-based network to move product with greater efficiency, enhanced speed to market, less damage and a single source of shipment visibility. We provide fully integrated solutions with the highest commitment to customer care and service as we seek to go beyond our customers’ transactional expectations to create collaborative partnerships that provide a single source network to:
| ● |
Better manage inventory across multiple locations and provide total audit-ready accountability |
| ● |
Reduce line haul and delivery costs |
| ● |
Ensure availability of high-volume items in stores |
| ● |
Integrate the omnichannel nature of today’s retail supply chain |
| ● |
Management and predictability of the total landed cost of goods |
Our customer solutions are provided through the following services:
| ● |
Network line haul freight (middle mile) |
| ● |
Warehousing, distribution and inventory management |
At November 28, 2020, our shipping and delivery fleet consisted of the following:
| Owned |
Leased |
Total |
||||||||||
| Tractors |
139 | 121 | 260 | |||||||||
| Trailers |
239 | 271 | 510 | |||||||||
| Local delivery trucks |
18 | 4 | 22 | |||||||||
We own a central warehousing and national distribution hub located in Conover, North Carolina, and we lease eleven facilities in ten states across the continental United States from which we operate regional freight terminals and provide warehouse and distribution services.
Trademarks
Our trademarks, including “Bassett” and the names of some of our marketing divisions, products and collections, are significant to the conduct of our business. This is important due to consumer recognition of the names and identification with our broad range of products. Certain of our trademarks are licensed to independent retailers for use in full store and store gallery presentations of our products. We also own copyrights that are important in the conduct of our business.
Government Regulations
We believe that we have materially complied with all federal, state and local standards regarding safety, health and pollution and environmental controls.
Our logistical services segment is also subject to regulation by several federal governmental agencies, including the Department of Transportation (“DOT”). Specifically the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Surface Transportation Board, which are agencies within the DOT. We are also subject to rules and regulations of various state agencies. These regulatory authorities have broad powers, generally governing matters such as authority to engage in motor carrier operations, motor carrier registration, driver hours of service, safety and fitness of transportation equipment and drivers and other matters.
We may also be affected by laws and regulations of countries from which we source goods. Labor, environmental and other laws and regulations change over time, especially in the developing countries from which we source. Changes in these areas of regulation could negatively impact the cost and availability of sourced goods. The timing and extent to which these regulations could have an adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations is difficult to predict. In addition, the imposition of new or increased duties, tariffs, retaliatory tariffs and trade limitations with respect to foreign-sourced products could negatively impact the cost of such goods. Based on the present facts, we do not believe that they will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or future results of operations.
People
We employed 2,071 people as of November 28, 2020. None of our employees are subject to collective bargaining arrangements and we have not experienced any recent work stoppages. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good. Headcount by segment is as follows:
| ● |
948 in the wholesale segment |
| ● |
550 in the retail segment |
| ● |
573 in the logistical services segment |
We believe our employees are key to achieving our business objectives. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic we experienced brief closures at most of our facilities, generally four weeks or less. Upon reopening, we had COVID-19 prevention protocols in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our workplaces. These protocols, which remain in place, meet or exceed the Centers for Disease Control guidelines and where applicable, state mandates. Our employees were trained on these protocols prior to or upon returning to work.
Our key human capital measures include employee safety, turnover, absenteeism and production. We frequently benchmark our compensation practices and benefits programs against those of comparable industries and in the geographic areas where our facilities are located. We believe that our compensation and employee benefits are competitive and allow us to attract and retain skilled and unskilled labor throughout our organization. Our notable health, welfare and retirement benefits include:
| ● |
Company subsidized health insurance |
| ● |
401(k) Plan with Company matching contributions |
| ● |
Tuition assistance program |
| ● |
Paid time off |
We strive to maintain an inclusive environment free from discrimination of any kind, including sexual or other discriminatory harassment. Our employees have multiple avenues available through which inappropriate behavior can be reported, including a confidential hotline. All reports of inappropriate behavior are promptly investigated with appropriate action taken to stop such behavior.
Major Customers
Our risk exposure related to our customers, consisting primarily of trade accounts receivable along with certain guarantees, net of recognized reserves, totaled approximately $24,475 and $23,297 at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively. At November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, approximately 24% and 28%, respectively, of the aggregate risk exposure, net of reserves, was attributable to five customers. In fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated net sales. However, two customers accounted for approximately 29%, 44% and 40% of our consolidated revenue from logistical services during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Available Information
We file our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Through our website, www.bassettfurniture.com, we make available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing or furnishing with the SEC, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments thereto.
| ITEM 1A. |
RISK FACTORS |
The following risk factors should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and the forward-looking information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risk factors below represent what we believe are the known material risk factors with respect to us and our business. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, operations, industry, financial position or future financial results.
Risks Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic
The coronavirus global pandemic which caused a significant disruption in non-essential retail commerce may continue to have a material adverse impact upon our financial condition and results of operations.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the current coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak to be a global pandemic. In response to this declaration and the rapid spread of COVID-19 within the United States, federal, state and local governments throughout the country imposed varying degrees of restriction on social and commercial activity to promote social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the illness. These measures have had a significant adverse impact upon many sectors of the economy, including non-essential retail commerce. As a result of these circumstances, we temporarily closed our dedicated stores, our manufacturing locations and many of our warehouses. In addition, many of our office personnel were working remotely. By the end of June, we had reopened all of our retail stores that had been temporarily closed. However, continuing logistical challenges faced by the entire home furnishings industry resulting from COVID-related labor shortages and supply chain disruptions have created significant delays in order fulfillment and increasing backlogs as we have not been able to produce and ship at the incoming rate of wholesale and retail orders. Although unable to predict with certainty, we expect gradual decreases in wholesale and retail backlogs over the course of 2021 driven by an anticipated lower rate of future incoming orders coupled with increased manufacturing and shipping activity. If we are unable to reduce the backlogs and increase the speed of order fulfillment it is possible that some of our customers may begin to cancel existing orders and require refunds of deposits, which could have an adverse impact upon our liquidity and results of operations. While the home furnishings industry has fared much better during the pandemic than other sectors of the economy, continued economic weakness and the recent surge in COVID-19 cases coupled with the slow rollout of vaccinations may have an adverse impact upon our business. Furthermore, the economic recession brought on by the pandemic may eventually have an adverse impact on consumer demand for our products. Should these conditions persist for a prolonged period, this may have a continuing material adverse impact on our ultimate financial condition and liquidity.
Risks Related to Our Retail Operations
We face a volatile retail environment and changing economic conditions that may further adversely affect consumer demand and spending.
Historically, the home furnishings industry has been subject to cyclical variations in the general economy and to uncertainty regarding future economic prospects. Should the current economic recovery falter or the current recovery in housing starts stall, consumer confidence and demand for home furnishings could deteriorate which could adversely affect our business through its impact on the performance of our Company-owned stores, as well as our licensees and the ability of a number of them to meet their obligations to us.
Our retail stores face significant competition from national, regional and local retailers of home furnishings, including increasing on-line competition via the internet.
The retail market for home furnishings is highly fragmented and intensely competitive. We currently compete against a diverse group of retailers, including national department stores, regional or independent specialty stores, and dedicated franchises of furniture manufacturers. National mass merchants such as Costco also have limited product offerings. We also compete with retailers that market products through store catalogs and the internet. In addition, there are few barriers to entry into our current and contemplated markets, and new competitors may enter our current or future markets at any time. We have also seen increasing competition from retailers offering consumers the ability to purchase home furnishings via the internet for home delivery, and this trend is expected to continue. Our existing competitors or new entrants into our industry may use a number of different strategies to compete against us, including aggressive advertising, pricing and marketing, extension of credit to customers on terms more favorable than we offer, and expansion into markets where we currently operate.
Competition from any of these sources could cause us to lose market share, revenues and customers, increase expenditures or reduce prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our licensee-owned stores may not be able to meet their obligations to us.
We have a significant amount of accounts receivable attributable to our network of licensee-owned stores. We also guarantee some of the leases of some of our licensees. If these stores do not generate the necessary level of sales and profits, the licensees may not be able to fulfill their obligations to us resulting in additional bad debt expenses and real estate related losses.
Risks Related to Our Brand and Product Offerings
Failure to successfully anticipate or respond to changes in consumer tastes and trends in a timely manner could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
Sales of our furniture are dependent upon consumer acceptance of our designs, styles, quality and price. As with all retailers, our business is susceptible to changes in consumer tastes and trends. We attempt to monitor changes in consumer tastes and home design trends through attendance at international industry events and fashion shows, internal marketing research, and communication with our retailers and design consultants who provide valuable input on consumer tendencies. However, such tastes and trends can change rapidly and any delay or failure to anticipate or respond to changing consumer tastes and trends in a timely manner could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
In addition, certain suppliers may require extensive advance notice of our requirements in order to produce products in the quantities we desire. This long lead time may require us to place orders far in advance of the time when certain products will be offered for sale, thereby exposing us to risks relating to shifts in consumer demand and trends, and any downturn in the U.S. economy.
Our success depends upon our brand, marketing and advertising efforts and pricing strategies, and if we are not able to maintain and enhance our brand, or if we are not successful in these efforts and strategies, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.
Maintaining and enhancing our brand is critical to our ability to expand our base of customers and drive increased traffic at both Company-owned and licensee-owned stores and to our website. Digital advertising and outreach dominated our marketing expenditures for the majority of fiscal 2020 as we chose to spend less in traditional television and direct mail advertising, and we plan to continue with increased levels of spending on digital advertising and outreach during 2021. We also expect to continue investing in our website to improve the navigation and the ordering capabilities to increase web sales. We cannot provide assurance that our marketing, advertising and other efforts to promote and maintain awareness of our brand will not require us to incur substantial costs. If these efforts are unsuccessful or we incur substantial costs in connection with these efforts, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Material Sourcing and Supply
Our use of foreign sources of production for a portion of our products exposes us to certain additional risks associated with international operations.
Our use of foreign sources for the supply of certain of our products exposes us to risks associated with overseas sourcing. These risks are related to government regulation, volatile ocean freight costs, delays in shipments, and extended lead time in ordering. Governments in the foreign countries where we source our products may change their laws, regulations and policies, including those related to tariffs and trade barriers, investments, taxation and exchange controls which could make it more difficult to service our customers resulting in an adverse effect on our earnings. We have experienced recent increases in ocean freight costs coupled with a lack of availability of shipping containers resulting in reduced flow of products primarily from Asia. Continued product delays and extended order lead times may adversely affect our ability to service our customers and respond to changes in demand, resulting in the purchase of excess inventory in the face of declining demand, or lost sales due to insufficient inventory in the face of increasing demand, either of which would also have an adverse effect on our earnings or liquidity.
Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials could result in increased costs or cause production delays which might result in a decline in sales, either of which could adversely impact our earnings.
We use various types of wood, foam, fibers, fabrics, leathers, and other raw materials in manufacturing our furniture. Certain of our raw materials, including fabrics, are purchased both abroad and domestically. Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials could result in increased costs or a delay in manufacturing our products, which in turn could result in a delay in delivering products to our customers. For example, lumber prices fluctuate over time based on factors such as weather and demand, which in turn impact availability. Production delays or upward trends in raw material prices could result in lower sales or margins, thereby adversely impacting our earnings.
Risks Related to Our Logistical Services Operations
We may suffer adverse impacts from additional risks associated with the operations of Zenith, a freight transportation and logistics business.
Zenith exposes us to certain risks common to that business, including, but not limited to: difficulties attracting and retaining qualified drivers which could result in increases in driver compensation and could adversely affect our profitability and our ability to maintain or grow our fleet; adverse impacts from unfavorable fluctuations in the availability and price of diesel fuel; increased costs of compliance with, or liability for violation of, existing or future regulations in the highly regulated freight transportation industry; adverse impacts upon Zenith’s results of operations which may result from seasonal factors and harsh weather conditions; and the increased liability inherent with the operation of heavy over-the-road vehicles.
Risks Related to Electronic Data Processing and Digital Information
We rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions, summarize results and manage our business. Disruptions in both our primary and back-up systems could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Our primary and back-up computer systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, natural disasters and errors by employees. Though losses arising from some of these issues would be covered by insurance, interruptions of our critical business computer systems or failure of our back-up systems could reduce our sales or result in longer production times. If our critical business computer systems or back-up systems are damaged or cease to function properly, we may have to make a significant investment to repair or replace them.
We may incur costs and reputational harm resulting from security risks we face in connection with our electronic processing, storage and transmission of confidential information.
We accept electronic payment cards in our stores and also gather certain personal identifiable information in the processing of our retail sales transactions. We also store and process confidential information pertaining to our employees and other third parties on our networks. We may in the future become subject to claims for purportedly fraudulent transactions arising out of the actual or alleged theft of credit or debit card information. In addition, if there were a disclosure of confidential information provided by, or concerning, our employees, customers or other third parties, including through inadvertent disclosure, unapproved dissemination, or unauthorized access, our reputation could be harmed and we could be subject to civil or criminal liability and regulatory actions. Proceedings related to theft of credit or debit card information may be brought by payment card providers, banks and credit unions that issue cards, cardholders (either individually or as part of a class action lawsuit) and federal and state regulators. Any such proceedings could distract our management from running our business and cause us to incur significant unplanned losses and expenses. Consumer perception of our brand could also be negatively affected by these events, which could further adversely affect our results and prospects.
| ITEM 1B. |
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
| ITEM 2. |
PROPERTIES |
General
We own our corporate office building, which includes an annex, located in Bassett, Va.
We own the following facilities, by segment:
Wholesale Segment:
| Facility |
Location |
| Bassett Wood Division |
Martinsville, Va. |
| Bassett Wood Division |
Bassett, Va. |
| Bassett Upholstery Division |
Newton, N.C. |
| 3 Warehouses |
Bassett, Va. |
In general, these facilities are suitable and are considered to be adequate for the continuing operations involved. All facilities are in regular use and provide adequate capacity for our manufacturing and warehousing needs. In addition to the owned properties shown above, we lease property in Newton, North Carolina for the manufacturing and warehousing operations of Lane Venture and Bassett Outdoor, and we lease a facility in Haleyville, Alabama which houses a production line for aluminum outdoor furniture. A former upholstery division manufacturing facility which occupied part of a regional distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas that is leased by our logistical services segment was closed during the second quarter of fiscal 2020.
Retail Segment:
Real estate associated with our retail segment consists of eight owned locations with an aggregate square footage of 201,096 and a net book value of $17,845. These stores are located as follows:
| Concord, North Carolina | Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Greenville, South Carolina | Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Houston, Texas (2 locations) | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Knoxville, Tennessee |
Of these locations, two are subject to land leases. Our remaining 55 store locations are leased from third-parties. In addition to retail stores, we also lease twelve locations for use as regional warehouses and home delivery distribution centers.
Logistical Services Segment:
Owned real estate associated with our logistical services segment is located in Conover, North Carolina and includes the following facilities:
| Facility |
Square Footage |
|||
| Distribution center and corporate office |
242,000 | |||
| 2 Maintenance facilities |
15,142 | |||
| 2 Transit warehouses |
86,135 | |||
In addition to the owned facilities listed above, we also lease warehouse space in eleven locations across the United States with an aggregate square footage of 942,876.
See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report for more information with respect to our operating lease obligations.
| ITEM 3. |
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
None.
| ITEM 4. |
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not applicable.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
David C. Baker, 60, joined the Company in 2005 as Director, Store Operations. From 2006 to 2015 he served as Vice President – Corporate Retail, and in 2015 was appointed to Senior Vice President, Corporate Retail. In 2019, he was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Retail Officer. Prior to joining Bassett, Mr. Baker managed Bassett stores for licensees from 1999 to 2005 after having previously managed stores for other furniture retail chains including Haverty’s and Rhodes Furniture.
John E. Bassett III, 62, has been with the Company since 1981 and served in various wood manufacturing and product sourcing capacities, including Vice President, Wood Manufacturing; Vice-President, Global Sourcing from 2001 to 2007 and Vice President, Wood in 2008. He was appointed Senior Vice President, Wood in 2009. In 2019, he was also promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer.
Bruce R. Cohenour, 62, has been with the Company since 2011, starting as Senior Vice President of Upholstery Merchandising. In 2013, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Merchandising. In 2019, he was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Sales Officer. Prior to joining Bassett, Mr. Cohenour was with Hooker Furniture Corp. from 2007 through 2010, last serving as President of the Case Goods Division.
J. Michael Daniel, 59, joined the Company in 2007 as Corporate Controller. From April 2009 through December 2009, he served as Corporate Controller and Interim Chief Financial Officer. In January 2010, he was appointed Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. In January 2013, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In 2019, he was also promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.
Jack L. Hawn, 67, has been with the Company since 2015 as Senior Vice President, Bassett and President, Zenith. His company, Zenith Transportation, Inc., was majority owner of Zenith (Zenith Freight Lines, LLC) from 1999 until its interest in Zenith was acquired by the Company in 2015. He has served as President of Zenith since its formation in 1999.
Jay R. Hervey, Esq., 61, has served as the General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary for the Company since 1997.
Kara Kelchner-Strong, 46, joined the Company in 2007 as Director, Retail Communications. In 2015, she was promoted to Vice President, Strategy and Planning. In 2018, she was appointed Vice President, Strategic Transformation Officer and in 2019, she was promoted to Senior Vice President, Customer Experience Officer. Prior to joining Bassett, she held several positions with Restoration Hardware.
Robert H. Spilman, Jr., 64, has been with the Company since 1984. Since 2000, he has served as Chief Executive Officer and President, and in 2016 also became the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
PART II
| ITEM 5. |
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Market Information:
Bassett’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ global select market system under the symbol “BSET.” We had approximately 3,400 beneficial stockholders at January 15, 2021.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
We are authorized to repurchase Company stock under a plan which was originally announced in 1998. On October 3, 2018, the Board of Directors increased the remaining limit of the repurchase plan to $20 million. The repurchase program does not include a specific time table or price targets and may be suspended or terminated at any time. Shares may be purchased through open market or privately negotiated transactions at the discretion of management based on its evaluation of prevailing market conditions and other factors. The following table summarizes the stock repurchase activity for the three months ended November 28, 2020 and the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased pursuant to our stock repurchase program:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Total Shares Purchased |
Average Price Paid |
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
|||||||||||||
| August 30 - October 3, 2020 |
1,050 | $ | 12.68 | - | $ | 9,097 | ||||||||||
| October 4 -October 31, 2020 |
10,000 | $ | 14.88 | 10,000 | $ | 8,948 | ||||||||||
| November 1 - November 28, 2020 |
33,321 | $ | 15.53 | 33,321 | $ | 8,431 | ||||||||||
| ITEM 6. |
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
The selected financial data set forth below for the fiscal years indicated were derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements (including the notes thereto) and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in, or incorporated by reference into, this report.
| (In thousands) |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales |
$ | 385,863 | $ | 452,087 | $ | 456,855 | $ | 452,503 | $ | 432,038 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) |
$ | (16,223 | ) | (1) | $ | (595 | ) | (1) | $ | 14,084 | (1) | $ | 27,018 | (1) | $ | 28,193 | ||||||||
| Other income (loss), net |
$ | (563 | ) | $ | (1,145 | ) | $ | (1,878 | ) | $ | 858 | (2) | $ | (2,416 | ) | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes |
$ | (16,786 | ) | $ | (1,740 | ) | $ | 12,206 | $ | 27,876 | $ | 25,777 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) |
$ | (6,365 | ) | (3) | $ | 188 | $ | 3,988 | (4) | $ | 9,620 | $ | 9,948 | |||||||||||
| Net income |
$ | (10,421 | ) | $ | (1,928 | ) | $ | 8,218 | $ | 18,256 | $ | 15,829 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share |
$ | (1.05 | ) | $ | (0.19 | ) | $ | 0.77 | $ | 1.70 | $ | 1.46 | ||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared |
$ | 4,545 | $ | 5,133 | $ | 4,496 | $ | 8,266 | $ | 7,345 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends per share |
$ | 0.46 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.77 | $ | 0.68 | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets |
$ | 402,549 | (5) | $ | 275,766 | $ | 293,748 | $ | 293,748 | $ | 278,267 | |||||||||||||
| Long-term debt |
$ | - | $ | - | $ | 329 | $ | 329 | $ | 3,821 | ||||||||||||||
| Current ratio |
1.36 to 1 | 1.89 to 1 | 1.82 to 1 | 1.91 to 1 | 1.83 to 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Book value per share |
$ | 15.89 | $ | 17.66 | $ | 18.08 | $ | 17.83 | $ | 16.85 | ||||||||||||||
| (1) |
Fiscal 2020 operating loss includes asset impairment charges, a goodwill impairment charge and litigation costs totaling $15,205. Fiscal 2019 operating income includes asset impairment charges, a goodwill impairment charge, litigation costs, early retirement program charges and lease exit costs totaling $8,041. Fiscal 2018 operating income includes restructuring and asset impairment charges and lease exit costs totaling $770. Fiscal 2017 operating income includes a gain of $1,220 resulting from the sale of our retail store in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fiscal 2016 operating income includes the benefit of a $1,428 award received from the settlement of class action litigation. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to each of these items. |
|
| (2) |
Fiscal 2017 includes $4,221 of gains resulting from the sale of investments, and an impairment charge of $1,084 retail real estate held for investment (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). |
|
| (3) |
Fiscal 2020 income tax benefit includes a federal tax benefit of $3,038 arising from the carryback of net operating losses to years with a 35% statutory rate due to enactment of the CARES Act (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). |
|
| (4) |
Fiscal 2018 income tax expense includes a charge of $1,331 resulting from the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets following the reduction of federal income tax rates with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). |
|
| (5) |
Fiscal 2020 total assets include right of use assets under operating leases in the amount of $116,903 recognized following the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) as of the beginning of fiscal 2020. Prior years were not restated under the transition method which we elected (see “Leases” under Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). |
| ITEM 7. |
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
(Amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
Our fiscal year, which ends on the last Saturday of November, periodically results in a 53-week year instead of the normal 52 weeks. The prior fiscal year ending November 30, 2019 was a 53-week year, with the additional week being included in the first fiscal quarter. Accordingly, the information presented below includes 53 weeks of operations for the year ended November 30, 2019 as compared to 52 weeks included in the years ended November 28, 2020 and November 24, 2018.
Impact of COVID-19
For a discussion of how COVID-19 has impacted and may continue to impact our business and financial condition, please refer to the discussion under the heading "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Upon Our Business" in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Overview
Bassett is a leading retailer, manufacturer and marketer of branded home furnishings. Our products are sold primarily through a network of Company-owned and licensee-owned branded stores under the Bassett Home Furnishings (“BHF”) name, with additional distribution through other wholesale channels including multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers. We were founded in 1902 and incorporated under the laws of Virginia in 1930. Our rich 118-year history has instilled the principles of quality, value, and integrity in everything we do, while simultaneously providing us with the expertise to respond to ever-changing consumer tastes and meet the demands of a global economy.
With 97 BHF stores at November 28, 2020, we have leveraged our strong brand name in furniture into a network of Company-owned and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. Our store program is designed to provide a single source home furnishings retail store that provides a unique combination of stylish, quality furniture and accessories with a high level of customer service. In order to reach markets that cannot be effectively served by our retail store network, we also distribute our products through other wholesale channels including multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers. We use a network of over 30 independent sales representatives who have stated geographical territories. These sales representatives are compensated based on a standard commission rate. We believe this blended strategy provides us the greatest ability to effectively distribute our products throughout the United States and ultimately gain market share.
The BHF stores feature custom order furniture, free in-home or virtual design visits (“home makeovers”) and coordinated decorating accessories. Our philosophy is based on building strong long-term relationships with each customer. Sales people are referred to as “Design Consultants” and are trained to evaluate customer needs and provide comprehensive solutions for their home decor. Until a rigorous training and design certification program is completed, Design Consultants are not authorized to perform in-home or virtual design services for our customers.
We have factories in Newton, North Carolina that manufacture custom upholstered furniture. We also have factories in Martinsville and Bassett, Virginia that assemble and finish our custom dining offerings, including our solid hardwood furniture “Bench Made” line. Our manufacturing team takes great pride in the breadth of its options, the precision of its craftsmanship, and the speed of its manufacturing process. Our logistics team then promptly ships the product to one of our home delivery hubs or to a location specified by our licensees. In addition to the furniture that we manufacture domestically, we source most of our formal bedroom and dining room furniture (casegoods) and certain leather upholstery offerings from several foreign plants, primarily in Vietnam, Thailand and China. Over 75% of the products we currently sell are manufactured in the United States.
We also own Zenith Freight Lines, LLC (“Zenith”) which provides logistical services to Bassett along with other furniture manufacturers and retailers. Zenith delivers best-of-class shipping and logistical support services that are uniquely tailored to the needs of Bassett and the furniture industry. Approximately 60% of Zenith’s revenue is generated from services provided to non-Bassett customers.
On December 21, 2017, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lane Venture from Heritage Home Group, LLC for $15,556 in cash. Lane Venture is a manufacturer and distributor of premium outdoor furniture and is now being operated as a component of our wholesale segment. This acquisition marked our entry into the market for outdoor furniture and we believe that Lane Venture has provided a foundation for us to become a significant participant in this category. Our strategy is to distribute this brand outside of our BHF store network only. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding this acquisition.
With the knowledge we have gained through operating Lane Venture, we have developed the Bassett Outdoor brand that is only marketed through the BHF store network. This allows Bassett branded product to move from inside the home to outside the home to capitalize on the growing trend of outdoor living.
At November 28, 2020, our BHF store network included 63 Company-owned stores and 34 licensee-owned stores. During fiscal 2020, we closed seven underperforming Company-owned stores in Burlington and Stoughton, Massachusetts, Newport News, Virginia, Coral Gables and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Torrance and Culver City, California. One new licensee store was opened in Thornton, Colorado.
We consider our website to be the front door to our brand experience where customers can research our furniture and accessory offerings and subsequently buy online or engage with an in-store design consultant. Customer acquisition resulting from our digital outreach strategies increased our traffic to the website by 82% and web orders by 92% for the fourth quarter of 2020 as compared to 2019. Digital advertising dominated our marketing expenditures for the majority of the year as we chose to spend less in traditional television and direct mail advertising. We plan to continue with increased levels of spending on digital advertising and outreach during 2021. We also expect to continue investing in our website to improve the navigation and the ordering capabilities to increase web sales. Much of our current product offerings highlight the breadth and depth of our custom furniture capabilities which are difficult to show and sell online. We plan to expand our merchandising strategies to include more product that can be more easily purchased online with or without a store visit. While we work to increase web sales, we will not compromise on our in-store experience or the quality of our in-home makeover capabilities.
Analysis of Operations
The following discussion provides an analysis of our results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for fiscal year 2020 as compared to fiscal year 2019. See “Analysis of Operations” in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on January 23, 2020 for an analysis of the fiscal year 2019 results as compared to fiscal year 2018.
Net sales revenue, cost of furniture and accessories sold, selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense, new store pre-opening costs, other charges, and income from operations were as follows for the years ended November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019:
| Change from Prior Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 |
2019* | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Furniture and accessories |
$ | 337,672 | 87.5 | % | $ | 403,865 | 89.3 | % | $ | (66,193 | ) | -16.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Logistics |
48,191 | 12.5 | % | 48,222 | 10.7 | % | (31 | ) | -0.1 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total net sales revenue |
385,863 | 100.0 | % | 452,087 | 100.0 | % | (66,224 | ) | -14.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of furniture and accessories sold |
163,567 | 42.4 | % | 179,244 | 39.6 | % | (15,677 | ) | -8.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A |
223,314 | 57.9 | % | 264,280 | 58.5 | % | (40,966 | ) | -15.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| New store pre-opening costs |
- | 0.0 | % | 1,117 | 0.2 | % | (1,117 | ) | -100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other charges |
15,205 | 3.9 | % | 8,041 | 1.8 | % | 7,164 | 89.1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations |
$ | (16,223 | ) | -4.2 | % | $ | (595 | ) | -0.1 | % | $ | (15,628 | ) | 2626.6 | % | |||||||||
Our consolidated net sales by segment were as follows:
| Change from Prior Year |
||||||||||||||||
| 2020 |
2019* | Dollars |
Percent |
|||||||||||||
| Net Sales |
||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale |
$ | 221,075 | $ | 261,105 | $ | (40,030 | ) | -15.3 | % | |||||||
| Retail |
211,944 | 268,693 | (56,749 | ) | -21.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Logistical services |
75,158 | 80,074 | (4,916 | ) | -6.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Inter-company eliminations: |
||||||||||||||||
| Furniture and accessories |
(95,347 | ) | (125,933 | ) | 30,586 | -24.3 | % | |||||||||
| Logistical services |
(26,967 | ) | (31,852 | ) | 4,885 | -15.3 | % | |||||||||
| Consolidated |
$ | 385,863 | $ | 452,087 | $ | (66,224 | ) | -14.6 | % | |||||||
*53 weeks for fiscal 2019 as compared with 52 weeks for fiscal 2020.
Refer to the segment information which follows for a discussion of the significant factors and trends affecting our results of operations for fiscal 2020 as compared with fiscal 2019.
Certain other items affecting comparability between periods are discussed below in “Other Items Affecting Net Income”.
Segment Information
As more fully discussed under the heading "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Upon Our Business" in Part I, Item 1 of this report, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severely disruptive and adverse impact upon our business during the second fiscal quarter of 2020 followed by a return to full operations early in the third fiscal quarter. As a result, we do not believe that a comparative analysis of our segment operating results for the full year of fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019 is, by itself, meaningful with respect to understanding the significant factors and trends affecting our ongoing operations. Therefore, in addition to the full year-over-year comparative data shown below, we have provided additional information comparing our results of operations for each segment for the six months ended November 28, 2020 as compared with the six months ended November 30, 2019, and our analysis is focused primarily on that six month comparative period. For additional discussion and analysis of our operating results during the first half of fiscal 2020, refer to Part I, Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020, as well as Part I, Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 29, 2020, filed with the SEC on April 2, 2020. Note that the six months ended November 28, 2020 and the six months ended November 30, 2019 both contained 26 weeks.
We have strategically aligned our business into three reportable segments as described below:
Wholesale. The wholesale home furnishings segment is involved principally in the design, manufacture, sourcing, sale and distribution of furniture products to a network of Bassett stores (licensee-owned stores and Company-owned stores) and independent furniture retailers. Our wholesale segment includes our wood and upholstery operations as well as all corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, including those corporate expenses related to both Company- and licensee-owned stores. We eliminate the sales between our wholesale and retail segments as well as the imbedded profit in the retail inventory for the consolidated presentation in our financial statements. Our wholesale segment also includes our holdings of short-term investments and retail real estate previously leased as licensee stores. The earnings and costs associated with these assets are included in other loss, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.
Retail – Company-owned stores. Our retail segment consists of Company-owned stores and includes the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities (including real estate) and capital expenditures directly related to these stores and the Company-owned distribution network utilized to deliver products to our retail customers.
Logistical services. With our acquisition of Zenith on February 2, 2015, we created the logistical services operating segment which reflects the operations of Zenith. In addition to providing shipping and warehousing services for the Company, the revenue from which is eliminated upon consolidation, Zenith also provides similar services to other customers, primarily in the furniture industry. Revenue from the performance of these services to other customers is included in logistics revenue in our consolidated statement of operations. Zenith’s operating costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
The following tables illustrate the effects of various intercompany eliminations on income (loss) from operations in the consolidation of our segment results for the full fiscal years ended November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019:
| Year Ended November 28, 2020 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale |
Retail |
Logistics |
Eliminations |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||||
| Sales revenue: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Furniture & accessories |
$ | 221,075 | $ | 211,944 | $ | - | $ | (95,347 | ) | (1) | $ | 337,672 | |||||||||
| Logistics |
- | - | 75,158 | (26,967 | ) | (2) | 48,191 | ||||||||||||||
| Total sales revenue |
221,075 | 211,944 | 75,158 | (122,314 | ) | 385,863 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of furniture and accessories sold |
152,982 | 107,233 | - | (96,648 | ) | (3) | 163,567 | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A expense |
63,506 | 114,208 | 73,913 | (28,313 | ) | (4) | 223,314 | ||||||||||||||
| New store pre-opening costs |
- | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations (5) |
$ | 4,587 | $ | (9,497 | ) | $ | 1,245 | $ | 2,647 | $ | (1,018 | ) | |||||||||
| Year Ended November 30, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale |
Retail |
Logistics |
Eliminations |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||||
| Sales revenue: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Furniture & accessories |
$ | 261,105 | $ | 268,693 | $ | - | $ | (125,933 | ) | (1) | $ | 403,865 | |||||||||
| Logistics |
- | - | 80,074 | (31,852 | ) | (2) | 48,222 | ||||||||||||||
| Total sales revenue |
261,105 | 268,693 | 80,074 | (157,785 | ) | 452,087 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of furniture and accessories sold |
173,350 | 131,528 | - | (125,634 | ) | (3) | 179,244 | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A expense |
76,299 | 143,057 | 78,219 | (33,295 | ) | (4) | 264,280 | ||||||||||||||
| New store pre-opening costs |
- | 1,117 | - | - | 1,117 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations (5) |
$ | 11,456 | $ | (7,009 | ) | $ | 1,855 | $ | 1,144 | $ | 7,446 | ||||||||||
| (1) |
Represents the elimination of sales from our wholesale segment to our Company-owned BHF stores. |
| (2) |
Represents the elimination of logistical services billed to our wholesale segment. |
| (3) |
Represents the elimination of purchases by our Company-owned BHF stores from our wholesale segment, as well as the change for the period in the elimination of intercompany profit in ending retail inventory. |
| (4) |
Represents the elimination of rent paid by our retail stores occupying Company-owned real estate and logistical services expense incurred from Zenith by our wholesale segment. |
| Year Ended |
||||||||
| November 28, |
November 30, |
|||||||
| 2020 |
2019 |
|||||||
| Intercompany logistical services |
$ | (26,967 | ) | $ | (31,852 | ) | ||
| Intercompany rents |
(1,346 | ) | (1,443 | ) | ||||
| Total SG&A expense elimination |
$ | (28,313 | ) | $ | (33,295 | ) | ||
| (5) |
Excludes the effects of goodwill and asset impairment charges, cost of early retirement program, litigation costs and lease exit costs which are not allocated to our segments. |
The following tables illustrate the effects of various intercompany eliminations on income (loss) from operations in the consolidation of our segment results for the six months ended November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019:
| Six Months Ended November 28, 2020 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale |
Retail |
Logistics |
Eliminations |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||||
| Sales revenue: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Furniture & accessories |
$ | 122,930 | $ | 112,927 | $ | - | $ | (50,127 | ) | (1) | $ | 185,730 | |||||||||
| Logistics |
- | - | 38,584 | (14,372 | ) | (2) | 24,212 | ||||||||||||||
| Total sales revenue |
122,930 | 112,927 | 38,584 | (64,499 | ) | 209,942 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of furniture and accessories sold |
81,805 | 56,839 | - | (49,799 | ) | (3) | 88,845 | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A expense |
31,870 | 55,166 | 36,332 | (15,067 | ) | (4) | 108,301 | ||||||||||||||
| New store pre-opening costs |
- | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations |
$ | 9,255 | $ | 922 | $ | 2,252 | $ | 367 | $ | 12,796 | |||||||||||
| Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale |
Retail |
Logistics |
Eliminations |
Consolidated |
|||||||||||||||||
| Sales revenue: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Furniture & accessories |
$ | 125,193 | $ | 136,496 | $ | - | $ | (61,005 | ) | (1) | $ | 200,684 | |||||||||
| Logistics |
- | - | 38,230 | (15,858 | ) | (2) | 22,372 | ||||||||||||||
| Total sales revenue |
125,193 | 136,496 | 38,230 | (76,863 | ) | 223,056 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of furniture and accessories sold |
83,009 | 65,799 | - | (61,271 | ) | (3) | 87,537 | ||||||||||||||
| SG&A expense |
38,083 | 71,453 | 37,339 | (16,571 | ) | (4) | 130,304 | ||||||||||||||
| New store pre-opening costs |
- | 254 | - | - | 254 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations (5) |
$ | 4,101 | $ | (1,010 | ) | $ | 891 | $ | 979 | $ | 4,961 | ||||||||||
| (1) |
Represents the elimination of sales from our wholesale segment to our Company-owned BHF stores. |
| (2) |
Represents the elimination of logistical services billed to our wholesale segment. |
| (3) |
Represents the elimination of purchases by our Company-owned BHF stores from our wholesale segment, as well as the change for the period in the elimination of intercompany profit in ending retail inventory. |
| (4) |
Represents the elimination of rent paid by our retail stores occupying Company-owned real estate and logistical services expense incurred from Zenith by our wholesale segment. |
| Six Months Ended |
||||||||
| November 28, |
November 30, |
|||||||
| 2020 |
2019 |
|||||||
| Intercompany logistical services |
$ | (14,372 | ) | $ | (15,858 | ) | ||
| Intercompany rents |
(695 | ) | (713 | ) | ||||
| Total SG&A expense elimination |
$ | (15,067 | ) | $ | (16,571 | ) | ||
| (5) |
Excludes the effects of goodwill and asset impairment charges, litigation costs and lease exit costs which are not allocated to our segments. |
The following table reconciles income from operations as shown above for our consolidated segment results with income (loss) from operations as reported in accordance with GAAP for the full fiscal years and six months ended November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019:
| Full Fiscal Year |
Last Six Months |
|||||||||||||||
| 2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
| Consolidated segment income (loss) from operations excluding special charges |
$ | (1,018 | ) | $ | 7,446 | $ | 12,796 | $ | 4,961 | |||||||
| Less: |
||||||||||||||||
| Asset impairment charges |
12,184 | 4,431 | - | 4,431 | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment charge |
1,971 | 1,926 | - | 1,926 | ||||||||||||
| Early retirement program |
- | 835 | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Litigation expense |
1,050 | 700 | - | 700 | ||||||||||||
| Lease exit costs |
- | 149 | - | 149 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations as reported |
$ | (16,223 | ) | $ | (595 | ) | $ | 12,796 | $ | (2,245 | ) | |||||
Asset Impairment Charges
During fiscal 2020 the loss from operations included $11,114 of non-cash asset impairment charges on five underperforming retail stores, including $6,239 for the impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets, and $1,070 of non-cash impairment charges in our wholesale segment, primarily due to the closure of our custom upholstery manufacturing facility in Grand Prairie, Texas.
During fiscal 2019 the loss from operations included $4,431 of non-cash impairment charges recognized on the assets of six underperforming retail stores.
Goodwill Impairment Charges
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we performed an interim impairment assessment of our goodwill as of May 30, 2020. As a result, we recognized a non-cash charge of $1,971 during fiscal 2020 for the impairment of goodwill associated with our wood reporting unit within our wholesale segment (see Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
During fiscal 2019 our annual evaluation of the carrying value of our recorded goodwill resulted in the recognition of a $1,926 non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill associated with our retail reporting unit (see Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
Early Retirement Program
During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we offered a voluntary early retirement package to certain eligible employees of the Company. These employees received pay equal to one-half their current salary plus benefits over a period of one year from the final day of each individual’s active employment. Accordingly, we recognized a charge of $835 during the year ended November 30, 2019.
Litigation Expense
During fiscal 2020 and 2019 we accrued $1,050 and $700, respectively for the estimated costs to resolve certain wage and hour violation claims that had been asserted against the Company.
Lease Exit Costs
During fiscal 2019 we recognized a $149 charge for lease exit costs incurred in connection with the repositioning of a Company-owned retail store in Palm Beach, Florida to a new location within the same market.
Wholesale Segment
Net sales, gross profit, SG&A expense and operating income for our Wholesale Segment were as follows for the full fiscal years and last six months ended November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019:
| Full Fiscal Year | Last Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change from Prior Year |
Change from Prior Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019* | Dollars | Percent | 2020 | 2019 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales |
$ | 221,075 | 100.0 | % | $ | 261,105 | 100.0 | % | $ | (40,030 | ) | -15.3 | % | $ | 122,930 | 100.0 | % | $ | 125,193 | 100.0 | % | $ | (2,263 | ) | -1.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit |
68,093 | 30.8 | % | 87,755 | 33.6 | % | (19,662 | ) | -22.4 | % | 41,125 | 33.5 | % | 42,184 | 33.7 | % | (1,059 | ) | -2.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SG&A |
63,506 | 28.7 | % | 76,299 | 29.2 | % | (12,793 | ) | -16.8 | % | 31,870 | 25.9 | % | 38,083 | 30.4 | % | (6,213 | ) | -16.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations |
$ | 4,587 | 2.1 | % | $ | 11,456 | 4.4 | % | $ | (6,869 | ) | -60.0 | % | $ | 9,255 | 7.5 | % | $ | 4,101 | 3.3 | % | $ | 5,154 | 125.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Wholesale shipments by category for the full fiscal years and last six months ended November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019 are summarized below:
| Full Fiscal Year |
Last Six Months |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change from Prior Year |
Change from Prior Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019* | Dollars | Percent | 2020 | 2019 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Custom Upholstery |
$ | 128,200 | 58.0 | % | $ | 152,415 | 58.4 | % | $ | (24,215 | ) | -15.9 | % | $ | 68,933 | 56.1 | % | $ | 74,024 | 59.1 | % | $ | (5,091 | ) | -6.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Leather |
21,436 | 9.7 | % | 19,220 | 7.4 | % | 2,216 | 11.5 | % | 13,681 | 11.1 | % | 8,986 | 7.2 | % | 4,695 | 52.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Custom Wood |
39,311 | 17.8 | % | 46,082 | 17.6 | % | (6,771 | ) | -14.7 | % | 22,389 | 18.2 | % | 23,881 | 19.1 | % | (1,492 | ) | -6.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Casegoods |
32,128 | 14.5 | % | 40,920 | 15.7 | % | (8,792 | ) | -21.5 | % | 17,927 | 14.6 | % | 18,301 | 14.6 | % | (374 | ) | -2.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accessories (1) |
- | 0.0 | % | 2,468 | 0.9 | % | (2,468 | ) | -100.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | 1 | 0.0 | % | (1 | ) | -100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 221,075 | 100.0 | % | $ | 261,105 | 100.0 | % | $ | (40,030 | ) | -15.3 | % | $ | 122,930 | 100.0 | % | $ | 125,193 | 100.0 | % | $ | (2,263 | ) | -1.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
Beginning with the third quarter of fiscal 2019, our wholesale segment no longer purchases accessory items for resale to our retail segment or to third party customers such as licensees or independent furniture retailers. Our retail segment and third party customers now source their accessory items directly from the accessory vendors. |
*53 weeks for fiscal 2019 as compared with 52 weeks for fiscal 2020.
Fiscal 2020 as Compared to Fiscal 2019
Net sales for the year ended November 28, 2020 declined $40,030 or 15.3% as compared to the year ended November 30, 2019 due primarily to COVID-related operational disruptions which occurred during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, during which we recorded a 48% decrease in net sales as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and an operating loss of $7,381 for the period. Gross margins during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were impacted by reduced leverage of fixed costs due to the temporary shutdown of operations coupled with increased inventory valuation reserves. Although SG&A expenses were reduced during the second quarter, the results were also impacted by reduced leverage from significantly lower sales.
Six Months Ended November 28, 2020 as Compared to the Six Months Ended November 30, 2019
Net sales for the six months ended November 28, 2020 as compared to the six months ended November 30, 2019 decreased $2,263 or 1.8%. Wholesale orders for the six-month period of 2020 increased 26% as compared to the comparable period in 2019 resulting in a wholesale backlog of $54,874 at November 28, 2020 as compared to $19,953 at November 30, 2019. Wholesale orders from independent dealers increased 62% for the last six months of 2020 as compared to the prior year period driven by increases from existing dealers along with an expansion of the dealer base. In addition, orders from the BHF store network increased 7.3% while Lane Venture orders increased by 38%. Gross margins for the six months of 2020 as compared to the comparable period in 2019 decreased by 20 basis points as decreases in the imported wood line due to the continued process of lowering inventory levels and reducing overall import wood offerings were almost offset by improved gross margins in both the wood and upholstery manufacturing operations. SG&A costs for the six months of 2020 as compared to 2019 decreased 450 basis points due to lower marketing and promotional spending and bad debt expense, partially offset by increased incentive compensation.
Retail Segment – Company Owned Stores
Net sales, gross profit, SG&A expense, new store pre-opening costs and operating income for our retail segment were as follows for the full fiscal years and last six months ended November 30, 2019 and November 24, 2018:
| Full Fiscal Year |
Last Six Months |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change from Prior Year |
Change from Prior Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019* | Dollars | Percent | 2020 | 2019 | Dollars | Perccent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales |
$ | 211,944 | 100.0 | % | $ | 268,693 | 100.0 | % | $ | (56,749 | ) | -21.1 | % | $ | 112,927 | 100.0 | % | $ | 136,496 | 100.0 | % | $ | (23,569 | ) | -17.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit |
104,711 | 49.4 | % | 137,165 | 51.0 | % | (32,454 | ) | -23.7 | % | 56,088 | 49.7 | % | 70,697 | 51.8 | % | (14,609 | ) | -20.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SG&A |
114,208 | 53.9 | % | 143,057 | 53.2 | % | (28,849 | ) | -20.2 | % | 55,166 | 48.9 | % | 71,453 | 52.3 | % | (16,287 | ) | -22.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New store pre-opening costs |
- | 0.0 | % | 1,117 | 0.4 | % | (1,117 | ) | -100.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | 254 | 0.2 | % | (254 | ) | -100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations |
$ | (9,497 | ) | -4.5 | % | $ | (7,009 | ) | -2.6 | % | $ | (2,488 | ) | 35.5 | % | $ | 922 | 0.8 | % | $ | (1,010 | ) | -0.7 | % | $ | 1,932 | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||
*53 weeks for fiscal 2019 as compared with 52 weeks for fiscal 2020.
Fiscal 2020 as Compared to Fiscal 2019
Net sales for the year ended November 28, 2020 declined $56,749 or 21.1% as compared to the year ended November 30, 2019 due primarily to COVID-related operational disruptions during the second quarter of 2020, during which where we recorded a 47% decrease in net sales as compared to the second quarter of 2019 and an operating loss of $9,170 for the period. Gross margins during the second quarter were impacted by increased inventory valuation reserves as we began a process to simplify our product offerings to make them more web friendly which resulted in increased clearance sales over the last six months of 2020. Although SG&A expenses were reduced during the second quarter, results were also impacted by reduced leverage from significantly lower sales.
Six Months Ended November 28, 2020 as Compared to the Six Months Ended November 30, 2019
Net sales for the six months ended November 28, 2020 as compared to the six months ended November 30, 2019 decreased $23,569 or 17%. Written sales, the value of sales orders taken, but not delivered, increased 3.6% for the six-month period in 2020 as compared to the comparable period in 2019 resulting in a retail backlog of $57,041 at November 28, 2020 as compared to $31,146 at November 30, 2019 in spite of there being seven fewer stores by the end of fiscal 2020. As previously discussed, Bassett and most of the home furnishings industry has been faced with continuing logistical challenges from COVID-related labor shortages and supply chain disruptions creating significant delays in order fulfillment and increasing backlogs. Gross margins for the six months of 2020 as compared to the comparable period in 2019 decreased by 210 basis points due to the increased clearance sales as discussed above. SG&A costs for the last six months of fiscal 2020 as compared to 2019 decreased 340 basis points due to lower marketing and promotional spending, decreased compensation costs due to permanent workforce reductions and lower travel costs partially offset by decreased leverage of fixed costs from lower sales volumes. SG&A expenses were also reduced by a non-cash gain of $1,160 resulting from the termination of a lease for a store closed during the six months ended November 28, 2020.
Logistical Services Segment
Revenues, operating expenses and income from operations for our logistical services segment were as follows for the full fiscal years and last six months ended November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019:
| Full Fiscal Year | Last Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change from Prior Year |
Change from Prior Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019* | Dollars | Percent | 2020 | 2019 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Logistics revenue |
$ | 75,158 | 100.0 | % | $ | 80,074 | 100.0 | % | $ | (4,916 | ) | -6.1 | % | $ | 38,584 | 100.0 | % | $ | 38,230 | 100.0 | % | $ | 354 | 0.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses |
73,913 | 98.3 | % | 78,219 | 97.7 | % | (4,306 | ) | -5.5 | % | 36,332 | 94.2 | % | 37,339 | 97.7 | % | (1,007 | ) | -2.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations |
$ | 1,245 | 1.7 | % | $ | 1,855 | 2.3 | % | $ | (610 | ) | -32.9 | % | $ | 2,252 | 5.8 | % | $ | 891 | 2.3 | % | $ | 1,361 | 152.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
*53 weeks for fiscal 2019 as compared with 52 weeks for fiscal 2020.
Fiscal 2020 as Compared to Fiscal 2019
Net revenues for the year ended November 28, 2020 declined $4,916 or 6.1% as compared to the year ended November 30, 2019 due primarily to COVID-related operational disruptions during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, during which we experienced a 24% decrease in net revenues as compared to the second quarter of 2019 and incurred an operating loss of $1,842 for the period.
Six Months Ended November 28, 2020 as Compared to the Six Months Ended November 30, 2019
Net revenues for the six months ended November 28, 2020 as compared to the six months ended November 30, 2019 increased $354 or 0.9%. Operating income increased $1,361 for the last six months of fiscal 2020 as compared to the comparable period in 2019 primarily due to improved fleet costs driven by lower fuel prices and increased demand for over the road trucking partially offset by higher warehousing labor costs as Zenith has been challenged to find and maintain freight-handling personnel in its warehousing operation due to the previously discussed COVID-related labor shortages.
Other Items Affecting Net Income (Loss)
Other items affecting net loss for fiscal 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
| 2020 |
2019 |
|||||||
| Interest income (1) |
$ | 236 | $ | 568 | ||||
| Interest expense (2) |
(49 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
| Net periodic pension costs (3) |
(499 | ) | (883 | ) | ||||
| Net gains (cost) of company-owned life insurance (4) |
647 | (39 | ) | |||||
| Other investment income (5) |
5 | 57 | ||||||
| Other |
(903 | ) | (842 | ) | ||||
| Total other loss, net |
$ | (563 | ) | $ | (1,145 | ) | ||
| (1) |
Consists of interest income arising from our short-term investments. The decline in interest income for fiscal 2020 as compared with fiscal 2019 was due primarily to lower interest rates as well as lower average invested balances. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our investments in certificates of deposit. |
| (2) |
The increase in interest expense in fiscal 2020 over fiscal 2019 is due to the addition of several finance leases for tractor and trailer equipment. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our leases. |
| (3) |
Represents the portion of net periodic pension costs not included in income from operations. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our defined benefit pension plans. |
| (4) |
Includes gains arising from death benefits from Company-owned life insurance of $914 and $629 in fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively. |
| (5) |
Primarily reflects gains arising from the liquidation of our previously impaired investment in the Fortress Value Recovery Fund I, LLC, which was fully impaired during fiscal 2012. The liquidation is complete as of November 28, 2020. |
Provision for Income taxes
On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law. A major provision of the CARES Act allows net operating losses from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 tax years to be carried back up to five years. As a result, for the year ended November 28, 2020, we were able to recognize tax benefits substantially in excess of the current federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effects of carrying back our current net operating loss to tax years in which the federal statutory rate was 35%.
We recorded an income tax provision (benefit) of $(6,365), $188 and $3,988 in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our effective tax rate of 37.9% differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to the benefit of the CARES Act and to the effects of state income taxes and various permanent differences, including those related to the non-deductible goodwill impairment charge. Our effective tax rate of (10.8%) for 2019 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to the non-deductible goodwill impairment charge. Other items affecting the rate include the effects of state income taxes and certain other non-deductible expense. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our income tax provision (benefit), as well as our net deferred tax assets and other matters.
We have net deferred tax assets of $4,468 as of November 28, 2020, which, upon utilization, are expected to reduce our cash outlays for income taxes in future years. It will require approximately $17,000 of future taxable income to utilize our net deferred tax assets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We are committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet in order to weather difficult industry conditions, to allow us to take advantage of opportunities as market conditions improve, and to execute our long-term retail strategies.
Cash Flows
Cash provided by operations for fiscal 2020 was $36,675 compared to $9,809 for fiscal 2019, representing an increase in cash provided by operations of $26,866. This increase in operating cash flow is primarily due to a substantial increase in customer deposits taken against unfilled orders, decreased investment in inventory as there were no store openings in fiscal 2020, other changes in working capital due in part to the timing impact of the additional week in the prior year period, improved operations in our retail segment, and cash conservation measures implemented in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2020 in response to the impact of COVID-19.
Our overall cash position increased by $26,112 during fiscal 2020, compared to an overall decrease of $13,781 during fiscal 2019, an improvement of $39,893 over the prior year. In addition to the improvement in cash flows from operations, cash used in investing activities was $3,747 for fiscal 2020 as compared to $11,173 used in the prior year, a net decrease of $7,426. This decrease was primarily due to lower capital expenditures in the current year and proceeds from the sale of our closed Gulfport store location in fiscal 2020, partially offset by lower proceeds from the maturity of investments in CDs as compared to the prior year. Net cash used in financing activities was $6,816 for fiscal 2020 compared to $12,417 used in fiscal 2019, a decrease of $5,601. This decrease is primarily due to lower repurchases of our stock primarily in response to COVID-19. Share repurchases totaled $2,208 during fiscal 2020 as compared to $7,345 repurchased during fiscal 2019. As of November 28, 2020, $8,431 remains authorized under our existing share repurchase plan. With cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $63,514 on hand at November 28, 2020, expected future operating cash flows and the availability under our credit line noted below, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations for the foreseeable future.
Debt and Other Obligations
Our bank credit facility, which was amended effective June 15, 2020, provided for a line of credit of up to $50,000 through December 31, 2020, after which date the maximum availability was reduced to $25,000. At November 28, 2020, we had $2,881 outstanding under standby letters of credit against our line, leaving availability under our credit line of $47,119. In addition, at November 28, 2020 we had outstanding standby letters of credit with another bank totaling $325. The line bears interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 1.9%, with a fee of 0.25% charged for the unused portion of the line, and is secured by a general lien on our accounts receivable and inventory. Under the terms of the June 15, 2020 amendment, all covenants based on financial ratios were waived for fiscal 2020. We currently expect to be in compliance with these covenants, which include a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum debt to tangible net worth ratio, through the end of fiscal 2021. The credit facility matures on January 31, 2022.
We lease land and buildings that are used in the operation of our Company-owned retail stores as well as in the operation of certain of our licensee-owned stores, and we lease land and buildings at various locations throughout the continental United States for warehousing and distribution hubs used in our logistical services segment. We also lease tractors, trailers and local delivery trucks used in our logistical services and retail segments. The total future minimum lease payments for leases with terms in excess of one year at November 28, 2020 is $165,117, the present value of which is $141,856 and is included in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet at November 28, 2020. We negotiated with a number of our landlords to obtain relief in the form of rent deferrals or abatements of rent as a result of the effects of COVID-19 on our business. At November 28, 2020, the remaining deferred rent was $1,027 which primarily represents rent deferred to fiscal 2021. We were contingently liable under licensee lease obligation guarantees in the amount of $1,811 at November 28, 2020. Remaining terms under these lease guarantees range from approximately one to five years. See Note 15 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding our leases and lease guarantees.
Dividends and Share Repurchases
During fiscal 2020, we declared and paid four quarterly dividends totaling $4,545, or $0.455 per share. During fiscal 2020, we repurchased 202,711 shares of our stock for $2,208 under our share repurchase program. The weighted-average effect of these share repurchases on both our basic and diluted loss per share was approximately $0.01 per share. The approximate dollar value that may yet be purchased pursuant to our stock repurchase program as of November 28, 2020 was $8,431.
Capital Expenditures
We currently anticipate that total capital expenditures for fiscal 2021 will be approximately $16 to $18 million which will be used primarily for additional tractors for our logistical services segment, additional investments in technology and various remodels or updates to our existing store fleet. Our capital expenditure and working capital requirements in the foreseeable future may change depending on many factors, including but not limited to the overall performance of the store program, our rate of growth, our operating results and any adjustments in our operating plan needed in response to industry conditions, competition or unexpected events. We believe that our existing cash, together with cash from operations, will be sufficient to meet our capital expenditure and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future.
Fair Value Measurements
We account for items measured at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820’s valuation techniques are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. ASC 820 classifies these inputs into the following hierarchy:
Level 1 Inputs– Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 Inputs– Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 Inputs– Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.
We believe that the carrying amounts of our current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. Our primary non-recurring fair value estimates, typically involving the valuation of business acquisitions (see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), goodwill impairments (see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and asset impairments (see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) have utilized Level 3 inputs.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
We enter into contractual obligations and commercial commitments in the ordinary course of business (See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these obligations). The following table summarizes our contractual payment obligations and other commercial commitments and the fiscal year in which they are expected to be paid.
| 2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Thereafter |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Post employment benefit obligations (1) |
$ | 909 | $ | 1,119 | $ | 1,051 | $ | 1,010 | $ | 1,030 | $ | 7,878 | $ | 12,997 | ||||||||||||||
| Website service agreement |
322 | 292 | 292 | 292 | - | - | 1,198 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Letters of credit |
3,206 | - | - | - | - | - | 3,206 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease obligations (2) |
33,894 | 31,458 | 26,215 | 19,249 | 15,620 | 38,270 | 164,706 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease guarantees (3) |
347 | 347 | 353 | 382 | 382 | - | 1,811 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other obligations & commitments |
250 | 200 | 100 | 100 | 100 | - | 750 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations (4) |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
$ | 38,928 | $ | 33,416 | $ | 28,011 | $ | 21,033 | $ | 17,132 | $ | 46,148 | $ | 184,668 | ||||||||||||||
| (1) |
Does not reflect a reduction for the impact of any company owned life insurance proceeds to be received. Currently, we have life insurance policies with net death benefits of $17,068 to provide funding for these obligations. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. |
| (2) |
Does not reflect a reduction for the impact of sublease income to be received. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. |
| (3) |
Lease guarantees relate to payments we would only be required to make in the event of default on the part of the guaranteed parties. |
| (4) |
The Company is not a party to any long-term supply contracts with respect to the purchase of raw materials or finished goods. At the end of fiscal year 2020, we had approximately $27,718 in open purchase orders, primarily for imported inventories, which are in the ordinary course of business. |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We utilize stand-by letters of credit in the procurement of certain goods in the normal course of business. We lease land and buildings that are primarily used in the operation of BHF stores and Zenith distribution facilities. We have guaranteed certain lease obligations of licensee operators as part of our retail strategy. See Contractual Obligations and Commitments table above and Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for further discussion of lease guarantees, including descriptions of the terms of such commitments and methods used to mitigate risks associated with these arrangements.
Contingencies
We are involved in various claims and litigation as well as environmental matters, which arise in the normal course of business. Although the final outcome of these legal and environmental matters cannot be determined, based on the facts presently known, it is our opinion that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or future results of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) which requires that certain estimates and assumptions be made that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in those financial statements and the related accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. We use our best judgment in valuing these estimates and may, as warranted, solicit external advice. Estimates are based on current facts and circumstances, prior experience and other assumptions believed to be reasonable. The following critical accounting policies, some of which are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates, affect our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition - We adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606 or "ASC 606") effective as of November 25, 2018, the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. ASC 606 requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. For our wholesale and retail segments, revenue is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership and title to the product have transferred to the buyer.
At wholesale, transfer occurs and revenue is recognized upon the shipment of goods to independent dealers and licensee-owned BHF stores. We offer payment terms varying from 30 to 60 days for wholesale customers. Estimates for returns and allowances have been recorded as a reduction of revenue based on our historical return patterns. The contracts with our licensee store owners do not provide for any royalty or license fee to be paid to us.
At retail, transfer occurs and revenue is recognized upon delivery of goods to the customer. We typically collect a significant portion of the purchase price as a customer deposit upon order, with the balance typically collected upon delivery. These deposits are carried on our balance sheet as a current liability until delivery is fulfilled and amounted to $39,762 and $25,341 as of November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively. Substantially all of the customer deposits held at November 30, 2019 related to performance obligations satisfied during fiscal 2020 and have therefore been recognized in revenue for the year ended November 28, 2020. Estimates for returns and allowances have been recorded as a reduction of revenue based on our historical return patterns. We also sell furniture protection plans to our retail customers on behalf of a third party which is responsible for the performance obligations under the plans. Revenue from the sale of these plans is recognized upon delivery of the goods net of amounts payable to the third party service provider.
For our logistical services segment, line-haul freight revenue is recognized as services are performed and are billed to the customer upon the completion of delivery to the destination. Because the customer receives the benefits of these services as the freight is in transit from point of origin to destination, we recognize revenue using a percentage of completion method based on our estimate of the amount of time freight has been in transit as of the reporting date compared with our estimate of the total required time for the deliveries. We recognize an asset for the amount of line-haul revenue earned but not yet billed which is included in other current assets. The balance of this asset was $783 and $441 at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively. Warehousing services revenue is based upon warehouse space occupied by a customer’s goods and inventory movements in and out of a warehouse and is recognized as such services are provided and billed to the customer concurrently in the same period. All invoices for logistical services are due 30 days from invoice date.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Our accounts receivable reserves were $1,211 and $815 at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively, representing 5.1% and 3.7% of our gross accounts receivable balances at those dates, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a review of specifically identified customer accounts in addition to an overall aging analysis. We evaluate the collectibility of our receivables from our licensees and other customers on a quarterly basis based on factors such as their financial condition, our collateral position, potential future plans with licensees and other similar factors. Our allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of potential losses on our accounts and notes receivable and is adjusted accordingly based on historical experience, current developments and present economic conditions and trends. Although actual losses have not differed materially from our previous estimates, future losses could differ from our current estimates. Unforeseen events such as a licensee or customer bankruptcy filing could have a material impact on our results of operations.
Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined for domestic furniture inventories, excluding outdoor furniture products, using the last-in, first-out method. The cost of imported inventories and domestic outdoor furniture products is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. We estimate an inventory reserve for excess quantities and obsolete items based on specific identification and historical write-offs, taking into account future demand and market conditions. Our reserves for excess and obsolete inventory were $4,522 and $2,362 at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively, representing 7.6% and 3.4%, respectively, of our inventories on a last-in, first-out basis. If actual demand or market conditions in the future are less favorable than those estimated, additional inventory write-downs may be required.
Goodwill – Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. The acquisition of assets and liabilities and the resulting goodwill is allocated to the respective reporting unit: Wood, Upholstery, Retail or Logistical Services. We review goodwill at the reporting unit level annually for impairment or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired.
In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill & Other, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350 (as amended by Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which we adopted for our annual evaluation of goodwill performed as of September 1, 2019). The more likely than not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the quantitative impairment test is unnecessary and our goodwill is considered to be unimpaired. However, if based on our qualitative assessment we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we will proceed with performing the quantitative evaluation process. Based on our qualitative assessment as described above for the annual test during fiscal 2019, we concluded that, given declines in our income from operations, primarily resulting from operating losses incurred in our retail reporting unit, as well as in our stock price since the previous analysis in fiscal 2018, it was necessary to perform the quantitative evaluation in the current year. As a result of this test, we recorded an impairment charge of $1,926 during the year ended November 30, 2019. In addition, we performed an interim test of goodwill as of May 30, 2020 due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business interruption during the second fiscal quarter of 2020. This interim test resulted in an impairment charge of $1,971 for the year ended November 28, 2020. For the annual test of goodwill performed as of the beginning of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2020, we performed the qualitative assessment as described above and concluded that there was no additional impairment of our goodwill as of November 28, 2020.
The quantitative evaluation compares the carrying value of each reporting unit that has goodwill with the estimated fair value of the respective reporting unit. Should the carrying value of a reporting unit be in excess of the estimated fair value of that reporting unit, a goodwill impairment charge will be recognized in the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, but not to exceed the total goodwill assigned to the reporting unit. The determination of the fair value of our reporting units is based on a combination of a market approach, that considers benchmark company market multiples, an income approach, that utilizes discounted cash flows for each reporting unit and other Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, and, in the case of our retail reporting unit, a cost approach that utilizes estimates of net asset value. The cash flows used to determine fair value are dependent on a number of significant management assumptions such as our expectations of future performance and the expected future economic environment, which are partly based upon our historical experience. Our estimates are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future results. Additionally, the discount rate and the terminal growth rate are based on our judgment of the rates that would be utilized by a hypothetical market participant. As part of the goodwill impairment testing, we also consider our market capitalization in assessing the reasonableness of the combined fair values estimated for our reporting units. While we believe such assumptions and estimates are reasonable, the actual results may differ materially from the projected amounts.
Other Intangible Assets – Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or between annual tests when an impairment indicator exists. The recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets is assessed by comparison of the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. If we determine that the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss equal to the excess would be recorded. At November 28, 2020, our indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill consist of trade names acquired in the acquisitions of Zenith and Lane Venture and have a carrying value of $9,338.
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We estimate the useful lives of our intangible assets and ratably amortize the value over the estimated useful lives of those assets. If the estimates of the useful lives should change, we will amortize the remaining book value over the remaining useful lives or, if an asset is deemed to be impaired, a write-down of the value of the asset may be required at such time. At November 28, 2020 our definite-lived intangible assets consist of customer relationships and customized technology applications acquired in the acquisition of Zenith and customer relationships acquired in the acquisition of Lane Venture with a total carrying value of $2,343.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate long-lived assets may not be recoverable or that the remaining useful life may warrant revision. When such events or circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset. In the event the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. When analyzing our real estate properties for potential impairment, we consider such qualitative factors as our experience in leasing and selling real estate properties as well as specific site and local market characteristics. Upon the closure of a Bassett Home Furnishings store, we generally write off all tenant improvements which are only suitable for use in such a store. Right of use assets under operating leases are written down to their estimated fair value. Our estimates of the fair value of the impaired right of use assets include estimates of discounted cash flows based upon current market rents and other inputs which we consider to be Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements regarding the impact or potential impact of recent accounting pronouncements upon our financial position and results of operations.
| ITEM 7A. |
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
We are exposed to market risk from changes in the value of foreign currencies. Substantially all of our imports purchased outside of North America are denominated in U.S. dollars. Therefore, we believe that gains or losses resulting from changes in the value of foreign currencies relating to foreign purchases not denominated in U.S. dollars would not be material to our results from operations in fiscal 2020.
We are exposed to market risk from changes in the cost of raw materials used in our manufacturing processes, principally wood, woven fabric, and foam products. The cost of foam products, which are petroleum-based, is sensitive to changes in the price of oil.
We are also exposed to commodity price risk related to diesel fuel prices for fuel used in our logistical services and retail segments. We manage our exposure to that risk primarily through the application of fuel surcharges to our customers.
We have potential exposure to market risk related to conditions in the commercial real estate market. Our retail real estate holdings of $17,338 and $17,845 at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively, for Company-owned stores could suffer significant impairment in value if we are forced to close additional stores and sell or lease the related properties during periods of weakness in certain markets. Additionally, if we are required to assume responsibility for payment under the lease obligations of $1,811 and $1,776 which we have guaranteed on behalf of licensees as of November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively, we may not be able to secure sufficient sub-lease income in the current market to offset the payments required under the guarantees. We are also exposed to risk related to conditions in the commercial real estate rental market with respect to the right-of-use assets we carry on our balance sheet for leased retail store locations and warehouse and distribution facilities. At November 28, 2020, the unamortized balance of such right-of-use assets totaled $107,392. Should we have to close or otherwise abandon one of these leased locations, we could incur additional impairment charges if rental market conditions do not support a fair value for the right of use asset in excess of its carrying value.
| Net Book |
||||||||||||
| Number of |
Aggregate |
Value |
||||||||||
| Locations |
Square Footage |
(in thousands) |
||||||||||
| Real estate occupied by Company-owned and operated stores, included in property and equipment, net |
8 | 201,096 | $ | 17,338 | ||||||||
| ITEM 8. |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended November 28, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended November 28, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of November 28, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated January 21, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Adoption of ASU No. 2016-02
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for leases in fiscal year 2020 due to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as amended, effective December 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
Richmond, Virginia
January 21, 2021
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Short-term investments | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ and $ as of November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, respectively | ||||||||
| Inventories | ||||||||
| Recoverable income taxes | ||||||||
| Other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Other long-term assets | ||||||||
| Deferred income taxes, net | ||||||||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets | ||||||||
| Right of use assets under operating leases | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total other long-term assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits | ||||||||
| Customer deposits | ||||||||
| Current portion of operating lease obligations | ||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Long-term liabilities | ||||||||
| Post employment benefit obligations | ||||||||
| Long-term portion of operating lease obligations | ||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ||||||||
| Total long-term liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; issued and outstanding at November 28, 2020 and at November 30, 2019 | ||||||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
For the years ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019, and November 24, 2018
(In thousands, except per share data)
| 2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
||||||||||
| Sales revenue: |
||||||||||||
| Furniture and accessories |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Logistics |
||||||||||||
| Total sales revenue |
||||||||||||
| Cost of furniture and accessories sold |
||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses excluding new store pre-opening costs |
||||||||||||
| New store pre-opening costs |
||||||||||||
| Asset impairment charges |
||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment charge |
||||||||||||
| Litigation expense |
||||||||||||
| Lease exit costs |
||||||||||||
| Early retirement program |
||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Interest income |
||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Other loss, net |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
| Net income per share |
||||||||||||
| Basic income (loss) per share |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
| Diluted income (loss) per share |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
| Dividends per share |
||||||||||||
| Regular dividends |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Special dividend |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
For the years ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019, and November 24, 2018
(In thousands)
| 2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
||||||||||
| Net income (loss) |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||||||
| Recognize prior service cost associated Actuarial adjustment to Long Term Cash Awards (LTCA) |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Amortization associated with LTCA |
||||||||||||
| Income taxes related to LTCA |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Actuarial adjustment to supplemental executive retirement defined benefit plan (SERP) |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Amortization associated with SERP |
||||||||||||
| Income taxes related to SERP |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
For the years ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019, and November 24, 2018
(In thousands)
| 2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
||||||||||
| Operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
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| Non-cash goodwill impairment charge |
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| Non-cash asset impairment charges |
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| Non-cash portion of lease exit costs |
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| Bad debt valuation charges |
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| Net (gain) loss on disposals of property and equipment |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Gains on lease modifications |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Inventory valuation charges |
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| Deferred income taxes |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Other, net |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
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| Accounts receivable |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Inventories |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Other current and long-term assets |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Right of use assets under operating leases |
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| Customer deposits |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Obligations under operating leases |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
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| Investing activities: |
||||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Proceeds from sales of property and equipment |
||||||||||||
| Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Puchases of investments |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from maturities of investments |
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| Other |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Financing activities: |
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| Cash dividends |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
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| Issuance of common stock |
||||||||||||
| Repurchases of common stock |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Repayment of finance lease obligations |
( |
) | ||||||||||
| Payments on notes and equipment loans |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||
| Change in cash and cash equivalents |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year |
||||||||||||
| . | . | . | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents - end of year |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
For the years ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019, and November 24, 2018
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional | other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | paid-in | Retained | comprehensive | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | capital | earnings | income (loss) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, November 25, 2017 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of defined benefit plan costs, net of tax | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actuarial adjustments to defined benefit plans, net of tax | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of certain tax effects | - | ( | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular dividends ($ per share) | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase and retirement of common stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, November 24, 2018 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of defined benefit plan costs, net of tax | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actuarial adjustments to defined benefit plans, net of tax | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Regular dividends ($ per share) | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase and retirement of common stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, November 30, 2019 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of defined benefit plan costs, net of tax | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actuarial adjustments to defined benefit plans, net of tax | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Regular dividends ($ per share) | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase and retirement of common stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, November 28, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 1. | Description of Business |
Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Bassett”, “we”, “our”, the “Company”) based in Bassett, Virginia, is a leading manufacturer, marketer and retailer of branded home furnishings. Bassett’s full range of furniture products and accessories, designed to provide quality, style and value, are sold through an exclusive nation-wide network of
We sourced approximately
Lane Venture Acquisition
On December 21, 2017, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lane Venture from Heritage Home Group, LLC. Lane Venture is being operated as a component of our wholesale segment (see Note 3, Business Combinations). Results of operations for the Lane Venture business are included in our consolidated statements of operations since the date of acquisition.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Upon our Financial Condition and Results of Operations
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the current coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak to be a global pandemic. In response to this declaration and the rapid spread of COVID-19 within the United States, federal, state and local governments throughout the country have imposed varying degrees of restrictions on social and commercial activity to promote social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of the illness. These measures had a significant adverse impact upon many sectors of the economy, including non-essential retail commerce.
In response to these measures and for the protection of our employees and customers, we temporarily closed our dedicated stores, our manufacturing locations and many of our warehouses for several weeks primarily during the second fiscal quarter of 2020. This extended period of suspended operations has had a material adverse impact upon our results of operations for the year ended November 28, 2020. In addition to operating losses resulting from severely reduced sales volumes, our loss for fiscal 2020 also included charges for goodwill impairment (Note 8) as well as for the impairment of certain other long-lived assets (Note 14) taken during the second quarter of 2020. However, since restarting our manufacturing operations and reopening stores, we have seen a significant improvement in business conditions which has allowed us to return to overall profitability for the third and fourth fiscal quarters of 2020 and to generate positive cash flow for the year. All retail stores that were temporarily closed during the second quarter had reopened by mid- June, and written orders taken at both the retail and wholesale segments exceeded levels from the third and fourth fiscal quarters of 2019. The improvement in operating cash flow allowed us to restore the temporary salary and wage reductions which had been enacted during the second quarter, resume the payment of quarterly dividends, including the payment of the dividend declared and subsequently suspended during the second quarter, and to resume share repurchases under our share repurchase program. Tempering these improvements are the continuing logistical challenges faced by the entire home furnishings industry resulting from COVID-related labor shortages and supply chain disruptions creating significant delays in order fulfillment and increasing backlogs.
Whereas most state and local governments have eased restrictions on commercial retail activity, it is possible that a resurgence in COVID-19 cases could prompt a return to tighter restrictions in certain areas of the country. Furthermore, while the home furnishings industry has fared much better during the pandemic than certain other sectors of the economy, continued economic weakness may eventually have an adverse impact upon our business, and order cancellations could result if the present delays in order fulfillment continue for an extended period of time. Therefore, significant uncertainty remains regarding the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 outbreak upon our financial condition and future results of operations, as well as upon the significant estimates and assumptions we utilize in reporting certain assets and liabilities.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 2. | Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Our fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in November, which periodically results in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2019 contained 53 weeks while fiscal 2020 and 2018 each contained 52 weeks. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and our majority-owned subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Accordingly, the results of Lane Venture have been consolidated with our results since the date of the acquisition. Sales of logistical services from Zenith to our wholesale and retail segments have been eliminated, and Zenith’s operating costs and expenses since the date of acquisition are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of net income. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Unless otherwise indicated, references in the Consolidated Financial Statements to fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 are to Bassett's fiscal year ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019 and November 24, 2018, respectively. References to the “ASC” included hereinafter refer to the Accounting Standards Codification established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board as the source of authoritative GAAP.
We analyzed our licensees under the requirements for variable interest entities (“VIEs”). All of these licensees operate as BHF stores and are furniture retailers. We sell furniture to these licensees, and in some cases have extended credit beyond normal terms, made lease guarantees, guaranteed loans, or loaned directly to the licensees. We have recorded reserves for potential exposures related to these licensees. See Note 15 for disclosure of leases and lease guarantees. Based on financial projections and best available information, all licensees have sufficient equity to carry out their principal operating activities without subordinated financial support. Furthermore, we believe that the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the licensees’ operating performance continues to lie with the ownership of the licensee dealers. Our rights to assume control over or otherwise influence the licensees’ significant activities only exist pursuant to our license and security agreements and are in the nature of protective rights as contemplated under ASC Topic 810. We completed our assessment for other potential VIEs, and concluded that there were none. We will continue to reassess the status of potential VIEs including when facts and circumstances surrounding each potential VIE change.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates include allowances for doubtful accounts, calculation of inventory reserves, the valuation of our reporting units for the purpose of testing the carrying value of goodwill, valuation of income tax reserves, lease guarantees, insurance reserves, assumptions related to our post-employment benefit obligations and the valuation of our right of use assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
We adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606 or "ASC 606") effective as of November 25, 2018, the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. ASC 606 requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. For our wholesale and retail segments, revenue is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership and title to the product have transferred to the buyer.
At wholesale, transfer occurs and revenue is recognized upon the shipment of goods to independent dealers and licensee-owned BHF stores. We offer payment terms varying from
At retail, transfer occurs and revenue is recognized upon delivery of goods to the customer. We typically collect a significant portion of the purchase price as a customer deposit upon order, with the balance typically collected upon delivery. These deposits are carried on our balance sheet as a current liability until delivery is fulfilled and amounted to $
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
For our logistical services segment, line-haul freight revenue is recognized as services are performed and are billed to the customer upon the completion of delivery to the destination. Because the customer receives the benefits of these services as the freight is in transit from point of origin to destination, we recognize revenue using a percentage of completion method based on our estimate of the amount of time freight has been in transit as of the reporting date compared with our estimate of the total required time for the deliveries. We recognize an asset for the amount of line-haul revenue earned but not yet billed which is included in other current assets. The balance of this asset was $
Sales commissions are expensed as part of selling, general and administrative expenses at the time revenue is recognized because the amortization period would have been one year or less. Sales commissions at wholesale are accrued upon the shipment of goods. Sales commissions at retail are accrued at the time a sale is written (i.e. – when the customer’s order is placed) and are carried as prepaid commissions in other current assets until the goods are delivered and revenue is recognized. At November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, our balance of prepaid commissions included in other current assets was $
We adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method and applied the standard only to contracts that were not completed as of initial application. Results for reporting periods beginning after November 24, 2018 are presented under the new standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting. Our adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements except for our enhanced presentation and disclosures.
Upon adoption of ASC 606, we have adopted the following policy elections and practical expedients:
| • | We exclude from revenue amounts collected from customers for sales tax, which is consistent with our policy prior to the adoption of ASC 606. |
| • | We do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component since the period of time between transfer of our goods or services and the collection of consideration from the customer is less than one year. |
| • | We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations because the transfer of goods or services is made within one year of the placement of customer orders. |
See Note 18, Segment Information, for disaggregated revenue information.
Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
The Company considers cash on hand, demand deposits in banks and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Our short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit that have original maturities of twelve months or less but greater than three months.
Accounts Receivable
Substantially all of our trade accounts receivable is due from customers located within the United States. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a review of specifically identified accounts in addition to an overall aging analysis. Judgments are made with respect to the collectibility of accounts receivable based on historical experience and current economic trends. Actual losses could differ from those estimates.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers
Financial instruments that subject us to credit risk consist primarily of investments, accounts and notes receivable and financial guarantees. Investments are managed within established guidelines to mitigate risks. Accounts and notes receivable and financial guarantees subject us to credit risk partially due to the concentration of amounts due from and guaranteed on behalf of independent licensee customers. At November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, our aggregate exposure from receivables and guarantees related to customers consisted of the following:
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowances (Note 5) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Contingent obligations under lease and loan guarantees, less amounts recognized (Note 15) | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total credit risk exposure related to customers | $ | $ | ||||||
At November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, approximately
We have no foreign manufacturing or retail operations. We define export sales as sales to any country or territory other than the United States or its territories or possessions. Our export sales were approximately $
Inventories
Inventories (retail merchandise, finished goods, work in process and raw materials) are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined for domestic manufactured furniture inventories using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method because we believe this methodology provides better matching of revenue and expenses. The cost of imported inventories as well as Lane Venture and Bassett Outdoor product inventories are determined on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Inventories accounted for under the LIFO method represented
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is comprised of all land, buildings and leasehold improvements and machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing and warehousing of furniture, our Company-owned retail operations, our logistical services operations, and corporate administration. This property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets utilizing the straight-line method. Buildings and improvements are generally depreciated over a period of
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. The acquisition of assets and liabilities and the resulting goodwill is allocated to the respective reporting unit: Wood, Upholstery, Retail or Logistical Services. We review goodwill at the reporting unit level annually for impairment or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill & Other, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350 (as amended by Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which we adopted for our annual evaluation of goodwill performed as of September 1, 2019). The more likely than not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the quantitative impairment test is unnecessary and our goodwill is considered to be unimpaired. However, if based on our qualitative assessment we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we will proceed with performing the quantitative evaluation process. Based on our qualitative assessment as described above for the annual test during fiscal 2019, we concluded that, given declines in our income from operations, primarily resulting from operating losses incurred in our retail reporting unit, as well as in our stock price since the previous analysis in fiscal 2018, it was necessary to perform the quantitative evaluation. As a result of this test, we recorded an impairment charge of $
The quantitative evaluation compares the carrying value of each reporting unit that has goodwill with the estimated fair value of the respective reporting unit. Should the carrying value of a reporting unit be in excess of the estimated fair value of that reporting unit, a goodwill impairment charge will be recognized in the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, but to exceed the total goodwill assigned to the reporting unit. The determination of the fair value of our reporting units is based on a combination of a market approach, that considers benchmark company market multiples, an income approach, that utilizes discounted cash flows for each reporting unit and other Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (see Note 4), and, in the case of our retail reporting unit, a cost approach that utilizes estimates of net asset value. The cash flows used to determine fair value are dependent on a number of significant management assumptions such as our expectations of future performance and the expected future economic environment, which are partly based upon our historical experience. Our estimates are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future results. Additionally, the discount rate and the terminal growth rate are based on our judgment of the rates that would be utilized by a hypothetical market participant. As part of the goodwill impairment testing, we also consider our market capitalization in assessing the reasonableness of the combined fair values estimated for our reporting units. While we believe such assumptions and estimates are reasonable, the actual results may differ materially from the projected amounts. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the results of our annual goodwill impairment test performed as of September 1, 2019 and our interim test performed as of May 30, 2020.
Leases
Effective as of the beginning of fiscal 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and all related amendments. The guidance requires lessees to recognize substantially all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability.
We lease land and buildings that are used in the operation of our Company-owned retail stores as well as in the operation of certain of our licensee-owned stores, and we lease land and buildings at various locations throughout the continental United States for warehousing and distribution hubs used in our retail and logistical services segments. We also lease tractors and trailers used in our logistical services segment, and local delivery trucks used in our retail segment. We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception based on our right to control the use of an identified asset and our right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of that identified asset. Our real estate lease terms range from to
Most of our leases do not have an interest rate implicit in the lease. As a result, for purposes of measuring our ROU asset and lease liability, we determine our incremental borrowing rate by applying a spread above the U.S. Treasury borrowing rates. In the case an interest rate is implicit in a lease we will use that rate as the discount rate for that lease. Some of our leases contain variable rent payments based on a Consumer Price Index or percentage of sales. Due to the variable nature of these costs, they are not included in the measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability.
We adopted the standard utilizing the transition election to not restate comparative periods for the impact of adopting the standard and recognizing the cumulative impact of adoption in the opening balance of retained earnings. We elected the package of transition expedients available for expired or existing contracts, which allowed the carry-forward of historical assessments of (1) whether contracts are or contain leases, (2) lease classification and (3) initial direct costs. In addition, we have elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components when determining the ROU asset and lease liability and have elected the practical expedient related to land easements, allowing us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements on existing agreements. We have also elected the hindsight practical expedient to determine the lease term for existing leases. In our application of hindsight, we evaluated the performance of the leased stores and the associated markets in relation to our overall real estate strategies, which resulted in the determination that most renewal options would not be reasonably certain in determining the expected lease term. We have made an accounting policy election to not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases with initial terms of one year or less and instead such lease obligations will be expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Adoption of the standard resulted in the recording of additional net lease-related assets and lease-related liabilities of $
Prior to fiscal 2020, our leases have been accounted for and reported in accordance with ASC Topic 840, Leases. Total lease payments over the non-cancellable term of a lease were recognized as rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with the excess of expense recognized over lease payments made carried as a deferred rent liability on the balance sheet. Any lease incentive payments received from lessors were recorded as a liability on the balance sheet and amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the lease.
See Note 15 for additional information regarding our leases.
Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or between annual tests when an impairment indicator exists. The recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets is assessed by comparison of the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. If we determine that the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss equal to the excess would be recorded.
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We estimate the useful lives of our intangible assets and ratably amortize the value over the estimated useful lives of those assets. If the estimates of the useful lives should change, we will amortize the remaining book value over the remaining useful lives or, if an asset is deemed to be impaired, a write-down of the value of the asset may be required at such time.
Impairment of Long Lived Assets
We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate long-lived assets may not be recoverable or that the remaining useful life may warrant revision. When such events or circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. In the event the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values depending on the nature of the assets. The long-term nature of these assets requires the estimation of cash inflows and outflows several years into the future.
When analyzing our real estate properties for potential impairment, we consider such qualitative factors as our experience in leasing and selling real estate properties as well as specific site and local market characteristics. Upon the closure of a Bassett Home Furnishings store, we generally write off all tenant improvements which are only suitable for use in such a store. ROU assets under operating leases are written down to their estimated fair value. Our estimates of the fair value of the impaired ROU assets included estimates of discounted cash flows based upon current market rents and other inputs which we consider to be Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure (see Note 3).
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the liability method which requires that we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. See Note 13.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Despite our belief that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate, it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of the resolution of any particular tax matters. We may adjust these liabilities as relevant circumstances evolve, such as guidance from the relevant tax authority or our tax advisors, or resolution of issues in the courts. These adjustments are recognized as a component of income tax expense in the period in which they are identified.
We evaluate our deferred income tax assets to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. A valuation allowance is established against our deferred tax assets based on consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a “more likely than not” standard. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of recent losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward or carryback periods, our experience with tax attributes expiring unused and tax planning alternatives. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. See Note 13.
New Store Pre-Opening Costs
Income from operations for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 includes new store pre-opening costs of $
Shipping and Handling Costs
Costs incurred to deliver wholesale merchandise to customers are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense and totaled $
Advertising
Costs incurred for producing and distributing advertising and advertising materials are expensed when incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising costs totaled $
Insurance Reserves
We have self-funded insurance programs in place to cover workers’ compensation and health insurance. These insurance programs are subject to various stop-loss limitations. We accrue estimated losses using historical loss experience. Although we believe that the insurance reserves are adequate, the reserve estimates are based on historical experience, which may not be indicative of current and future losses. We adjust insurance reserves, as needed, in the event that future loss experience differs from historical loss patterns.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Refer to the supplemental lease disclosures in Note 15 for cash flow impacts of leasing transactions during fiscal 2020. Otherwise, there were no material non-cash investing or financing activities during fiscal 2020 or 2018. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we purchased certain fixed assets and inventory with a total purchase price of $
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Pronouncements
Effective as of the beginning of fiscal 2020, we have adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in ASU 2016-02 (as subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, ASU 2018-10, ASU 2018-11 and ASU 2018-20) requires that a lessee recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. We have adopted this standard using the modified retrospective approach. Refer to the preceding discussion under “Leases” and to Note 15 for more information regarding our leases and the adoption of the new standard.
Recent Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). The guidance in ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP. The new impairment model requires immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance in ASU 2016-13 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2021 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have upon our financial position and results of operations, if any.
In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15, Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15 – Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, to help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for determining when the arrangement includes a software license. The amendments in ASU 2018-15 align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the amendments in ASU 2018-15. The amendments in ASU 2018-15 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2021 fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have upon our financial position and results of operations, if any.
In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12 – Income Taxes (Topic 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in the accounting standards. The amendments in ASU 2019-12 eliminate certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 also clarifies and simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes. The amendments in ASU 2019-12 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2022 fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have upon our financial position and results of operations, if any.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no effect on previously reported net income or Stockholders’ equity.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 3. | Business Combinations |
Acquisition of Lane Venture
On December 21, 2017, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lane Venture from Heritage Home Group, LLC for $
Under the acquisition method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration transferred was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date with the remaining unallocated amount recorded as goodwill.
The allocation of the fair value of the acquired business was initially based on a preliminary valuation. Our estimates and assumptions were revised during 2018 as we obtained additional information for our estimates during the measurement period , which we consider to be closed as of November 24, 2018. During fiscal 2018, we recorded measurement period adjustments resulting in a net increase to the opening value of various acquired assets and assumed liabilities with an offsetting reduction of recognized goodwill of $
| Allocation of the fair value of consideration transferred: | ||||
| Identifiable assets acquired: | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net of reserve (Note 5) | $ | |||
| Inventory, net of reserve (Note 6) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||
| Intangible assets | ||||
| Total identifiable assets acquired | ||||
| Liabilities assumed: | ||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ||
| Other accrued liabilities | ( | ) | ||
| Total liabilities assumed | ( | ) | ||
| Net identifiable assets acquired | ||||
| Goodwill | ||||
| Total net assets acquired | $ |
Goodwill was determined based on the residual difference between the fair value of the consideration transferred and the value assigned to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities recognized in connection with the acquisition and is deductible for tax purposes. Among the factors that contributed to a purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill are the expected synergies arising from combining the Company’s manufacturing and distribution capabilities with Lane Venture’s position in the outdoor furnishings market, a segment of the market not previously served by Bassett.
A portion of the fair value of the consideration transferred has been assigned to identifiable intangible assets as follows:
| Useful Life | ||||||||
| Description: | In Years | Fair Value | ||||||
| Trade name | Indefinite | $ | ||||||
| Customer relationships | ||||||||
| Total acquired intangible assets | $ | |||||||
The finite-lived intangible asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. The indefinite-lived intangible asset and goodwill are not amortized but will be tested for impairment annually or between annual tests if an indicator of impairment exists.
The fair values of consideration transferred and net assets acquired were determined using a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. See Note 4.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Acquisition costs related to the Lane Venture acquisition totaled $
The pro forma impact of the acquisition and the results of operations attributable to Lane Venture since the acquisition have not been presented because they are not material to our consolidated results of operations for the three fiscal years ended November 24, 2018.
| 4. | Financial Instruments, Investments and Fair Value Measurements |
Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments in certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, cost method investments, accounts payable and long-term debt. Because of their short maturities, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments in certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value.
Investments
Our short-term investments of $
Fair Value Measurement
The Company accounts for items measured at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820’s valuation techniques are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. ASC 820 classifies these inputs into the following hierarchy:
Level 1 Inputs– Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 Inputs– Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 Inputs– Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.
We believe that the carrying amounts of our current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. Our primary non-recurring fair value estimates typically involve business acquisitions (Note 3) which involve a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs, goodwill impairment testing (Note 8), which involves Level 3 inputs, and asset impairments (Note 14) which utilize Level 3 inputs.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 5. |
Accounts Receivable |
Accounts receivable consists of the following:
| November 28, 2020 |
November 30, 2019 |
|||||||
| Gross accounts receivable |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Net accounts receivable |
$ | $ | ||||||
Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:
| 2020 |
2019 |
|||||||
| Balance, beginning of the year |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Additions charged to expense |
||||||||
| Reductions to allowance, net |
( |
) | ||||||
| Balance, end of the year |
$ | $ | ||||||
We believe that the carrying value of our net accounts receivable approximates fair value. The inputs into these fair value estimates reflect our market assumptions and are not observable. Consequently, the inputs are considered to be Level 3 as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. See Note 4.
| 6. | Inventories |
Inventories consist of the following:
| November 28, | November 30, | |||||||
| Wholesale finished goods | $ | $ | ||||||
| Work in process | ||||||||
| Raw materials and supplies | ||||||||
| Retail merchandise | ||||||||
| Total inventories on first-in, first-out method | ||||||||
| LIFO adjustment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| $ | $ | |||||||
We source a significant amount of our wholesale product from other countries. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, purchases from our two largest vendors located in Vietnam and China were $
We estimate an inventory reserve for excess quantities and obsolete items based on specific identification and historical write-offs, taking into account future demand, market conditions and the respective valuations at LIFO. The need for these reserves is primarily driven by the normal product life cycle. As products mature and sales volumes decline, we rationalize our product offerings to respond to consumer tastes and keep our product lines fresh. If actual demand or market conditions in the future are less favorable than those estimated, additional inventory write-downs may be required. In determining reserves, we calculate separate reserves on our wholesale and retail inventories. Our wholesale inventories tend to carry the majority of the reserves for excess quantities and obsolete inventory due to the nature of our distribution model. These wholesale reserves primarily represent design and style obsolescence. Typically, product is not shipped to our retail warehouses until a consumer has ordered and paid a deposit for the product. We do not typically hold retail inventory for stock purposes. Consequently, floor sample inventory and inventory for delivery to customers account for the majority of our inventory at retail. Retail reserves are based on accessory and clearance floor sample inventory in our stores and any inventory that is not associated with a specific customer order in our retail warehouses.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Activity in the reserves for excess quantities and obsolete inventory by segment are as follows:
| Wholesale Segment | Retail Segment | Total | ||||||||||
| Balance at November 24, 2018 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Additions charged to expense | ||||||||||||
| Write-offs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Balance at November 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Additions charged to expense | ||||||||||||
| Write-offs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Balance at November 28, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 7. | Property and Equipment |
Property and equipment consist of the following:
| November 28, | November 30, | |||||||
| Land | $ | $ | ||||||
| Buildings and leasehold improvements | ||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | ||||||||
| Property and equipment at cost | ||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
The net book value of our property and equipment by reportable segment is a follows:
| November 28, | November 30, | |||||||
| Wholesale | $ | $ | ||||||
| Retail - Company-owned stores | ||||||||
| Logistical Services | ||||||||
| Total property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
At November 30, 2019 we owned one retail store property located in Gulfport, Mississippi which was under contract to be sold. The net book value of the property of $
Depreciation expense associated with the property and equipment shown above was included in income from operations in our consolidated statements of operations as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold (wholesale segment) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Selling, general and adminstrative expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Wholesale segment | ||||||||||||
| Retail segment | ||||||||||||
| Logistical services segment | ||||||||||||
| Total included in selling, general and adminstrative expenses | ||||||||||||
| Total depreciation expense included in income from operations | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 8. | Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets |
Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following:
| November 28, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Intangible Assets, Net | ||||||||||
| Intangibles subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Technology - customized applications | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total intangible assets subject to amortization | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Intangibles not subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||
| Trade names | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||||||
| Total goodwill and other intangible assets | $ | |||||||||||
| November 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Intangible Assets, Net | ||||||||||
| Intangibles subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Technology - customized applications | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Total intangible assets subject to amortization | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Intangibles not subject to amortization: | ||||||||||||
| Trade names | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||||||
| Total goodwill and other intangible assets | $ | |||||||||||
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we performed an interim impairment assessment of our remaining goodwill as of May 30, 2020, then end of our second fiscal quarter. As a result of this test, we concluded that the carrying value of our wood reporting unit exceeded its fair value by an amount in excess of the goodwill previously allocated to the reporting unit. Therefore, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $
The determination of the fair value of our reporting units is based on a combination of a market approach, that considers benchmark company market multiples, and an income approach, that utilizes discounted cash flows for each reporting unit and other Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (see Note 4). Under the income approach, we determine fair value based on the present value of the most recent cash flow projections for each reporting unit as of the date of the analysis and calculate a terminal value utilizing a terminal growth rate. The significant assumptions under this approach include, among others: income projections, which are dependent on future sales, new product introductions, customer behavior, competitor pricing, operating expenses, the discount rate, and the terminal growth rate. The cash flows used to determine fair value are dependent on a number of significant management assumptions such as our expectations of future performance and the expected future economic environment, which are partly based upon our historical experience. Our estimates are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future results. Additionally, the discount rate and the terminal growth rate are based on our judgment of the rates that would be utilized by a hypothetical market participant. As part of the goodwill impairment testing, we also consider our market capitalization in assessing the reasonableness of the combined fair values estimated for our reporting units.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by reportable segment were as follows:
| Wholesale | Retail | Logistics | Total | |||||||||||||
| Balance as of November 24, 2018 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Balance as of November 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Balance as of November 28, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Accumulated impairment losses at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019 were $
The weighted average useful lives of our finite-lived intangible assets and remaining amortization periods as of November 28, 2020 are as follows:
| Useful Life | Remaining | |||||||
| Customer relationships | ||||||||
| Technology - customized applications | ||||||||
Amortization expense associated with intangible assets during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $
| Fiscal 2021 | $ | |||
| Fiscal 2022 | ||||
| Fiscal 2023 | ||||
| Fiscal 2024 | ||||
| Fiscal 2025 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Total | $ |
| 9. | Bank Credit Facility |
Bank Credit Facility
Our bank credit facility, which was amended effective June 15, 2020, provided for a line of credit of up to $
Total interest paid, including the interest component of financing lease payments, during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 10. | Post-Employment Benefit Obligations |
Management Savings Plan
On May 1, 2017, our Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Organization, Compensation and Nominating Committee (the “Committee”), adopted the Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated Management Savings Plan (the “Plan”).The Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan maintained for the benefit of certain highly compensated or management level employees.
The Plan is an account-based plan under which (i) participants may defer voluntarily the payment of current compensation to future years (“participant deferrals”) and (ii) the Company may make annual awards to participants payable in future years (“Company contributions”). The Plan permits each participant to defer up to
On May 2, 2017, we made Long Term Cash Awards (“LTC Awards”) totaling $
During fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, we invested $
Supplemental Retirement Income Plan
We have an unfunded Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (the “Supplemental Plan”) that covers one current and certain former executives. Upon retirement, the Supplemental Plan provides for lifetime monthly payments in an amount equal to
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Aggregated summarized information for the Supplemental Plan and the LTC Awards, measured as of the end of each year presented, is as follows:
|
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| Change in Benefit Obligation: | ||||||||
| Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Service cost | ||||||||
| Interest cost | ||||||||
| Actuarial (gains) and losses | ( | ) | ||||||
| Benefits paid | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Projected benefit obligation at end of year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accumulated Benefit Obligation | $ | $ | ||||||
| Discount rate used to value the ending benefit obligations: | % | % | ||||||
| Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet: | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Noncurrent liabilities | ||||||||
| Total amounts recognized | $ | $ | ||||||
| Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income: | ||||||||
| Prior service cost | $ | $ | ||||||
| Actuarial loss | ||||||||
| Net amount recognized | $ | $ | ||||||
| Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and accumulated other comprehensive income: | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost: | ||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest cost | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of transition obligation | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service cost | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of other loss | ||||||||||||
| Net periodic pension cost | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost: | ||||||||||||
| Discount rate | % | % | % | |||||||||
| Increase in future compensation levels | % | % | % | |||||||||
| Estimated Future Benefit Payments (with mortality): | ||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2026 through 2030 | ||||||||||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Of the $
| Prior service cost | $ | |||
| Other loss | ||||
| Total expected to be amortized to net periodic pension cost in 2021 | $ |
The components of net periodic pension cost other than the service cost component are included in other loss, net in our consolidated statements of operations.
Deferred Compensation Plan
We have an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan that covers one current and certain former executives and provides for voluntary deferral of compensation. This plan has been frozen with no additional participants or benefits permitted. We recognized expense of $
Defined Contribution Plan
We have a qualified defined contribution plan (Employee Savings/Retirement Plan) that covers substantially all employees who elect to participate and have fulfilled the necessary service requirements. Employee contributions to the Plan are matched at the rate of
| 11. | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
The activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the fiscal years ended November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, which is comprised solely of post-retirement benefit costs related to our SERP and LTC Awards, is as follows:
| Balance at November 24, 2018 | $ | ( | ) | |
| Actuarial gains | ||||
| Net pension amortization | ||||
| reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | ||||
| Tax effects | ( | ) | ||
| Balance at November 30, 2019 | ( | ) | ||
| Actuarial losses | ( | ) | ||
| Net pension amortization | ||||
| reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | ||||
| Tax effects | ||||
| Balance at November 28, 2020 | $ | ( | ) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 12. | Capital Stock and Stock Compensation |
We account for our stock-based employee and director compensation plans in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. ASC 718 requires recognition of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments in the financial statements over the period the employee is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively the vesting period) which we recognize on a straight-line basis. Compensation expense related to restricted stock and stock options included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Stock based compensation expense | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Incentive Stock Compensation Plans
On April 14, 2010, our shareholders approved the Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan which was amended and restated effective January 13, 2016 (the “2010 Plan”). All non-employee directors, key employees and outside consultants for the Company were eligible to receive incentive awards under the 2010 Plan. The 2010 Plan expired in April of 2020 and no additional grants can be awarded under the plan.
The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The risk free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate for the expected life at the time of grant, volatility is based on the average long-term implied volatilities of peer companies, the expected life is based on the estimated average of the life of options using the simplified method. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. We utilized the simplified method to determine the expected life of our options due to insufficient exercise activity during recent years as a basis from which to estimate future exercise patterns.
Stock Options
There were
Changes in the outstanding options under our plans during the year ended November 28, 2020 were as follows:
| Number of Shares | Weighted | |||||||
| Outstanding at November 30, 2019 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | - | - | ||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||
| Forfeited/Expired | ||||||||
| Outstanding at November 28, 2020 | ||||||||
| Exercisable at November 28, 2020 | $ | |||||||
All remaining options outstanding at November 28, 2020 are exercisable at $
Additional information regarding activity in our stock options during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Total intrinsic value of options exercised | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total cash received from the exercise of options | ||||||||||||
| Excess tax benefits recognized in income tax expense upon the exercise of options | ||||||||||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Restricted Shares
Changes in the outstanding non-vested restricted shares during the year ended November 28, 2020 were as follows:
| Number of Shares | Weighted | |||||||
| Non-vested restricted shares outstanding at November 30, 2019 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Vested | ( | ) | ||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | ||||||
| Non-vested restricted shares outstanding at November 28, 2020 | $ | |||||||
During fiscal 2020,
Additional information regarding our outstanding non-vested restricted shares at November 28, 2020 is as follows:
| Remaining | ||||||||||||
| Restricted | Share Value | Restriction | ||||||||||
| Grant | Shares | at Grant Date | Period | |||||||||
| Date | Outstanding | Per Share | (Years) | |||||||||
| January 11, 2018 | $ | |||||||||||
| October 9, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Unrecognized compensation cost related to these non-vested restricted shares at November 28, 2020 is $
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In March of 2017 we adopted and implemented the 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2017 ESPP”) that allows eligible employees to purchase a limited number of shares of our stock at
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 13. | Income Taxes |
The components of the income tax provision are as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
| Current: | |||||||||
| Federal | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||
| State | |||||||||
| Deferred: | |||||||||
| Federal | ( | ) | |||||||
| State | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
| Total | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||
On March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law. A major provision of the CARES Act allows net operating losses from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 tax years to be carried back up to five years. As a result, for the year ended November 28, 2020 we were able to recognize tax benefits substantially in excess of the current federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effects of carrying back our current net operating loss to tax years in which the federal statutory rate was 35%.
On December 22, 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act reduced the federal statutory corporate income tax rate from
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate, as a percentage of income before income taxes, is as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Statutory federal income tax rate | % | % | % | |||||||||
| CARES Act benefit | ||||||||||||
| Revaluation of deferred tax assets resulting from new enacted rates | ||||||||||||
| State income tax, net of federal benefit | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Impairment of non-deductible goodwill | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | % | ( | )% | % | ||||||||
Excess tax (expense) benefits in the amount of $(
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
The income tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards, which give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities, are as follows:
| November 28, 2020 | November 30, 2019 | |||||||
| Deferred income tax assets: | ||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Inventories | ||||||||
| Notes receivable | ||||||||
| Post employment benefit obligations | ||||||||
| State net operating loss carryforwards | ||||||||
| Unrealized loss from affiliates | ||||||||
| Leases | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Gross deferred income tax assets | ||||||||
| Valuation allowance | ||||||||
| Total deferred income tax assets | ||||||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities: | ||||||||
| Property and equipment | ||||||||
| Intangible assets | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | ||||||||
| Total deferred income tax liabilities | ||||||||
| Net deferred income tax assets | $ | $ | ||||||
We have state net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable state income of $
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received, during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $
We regularly evaluate, assess and adjust our accrued liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits in light of changing facts and circumstances, which could cause the effective tax rate to fluctuate from period to period. Our accrued liabilities for uncertain tax benefits at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019 were not material.
Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company's federal and state tax positions and in the determination of its tax provision. Despite our belief that the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate, it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of the resolution of any particular tax matter. We may adjust these liabilities as relevant circumstances evolve, such as guidance from the relevant tax authority, or resolution of issues in the courts. These adjustments are recognized as a component of income tax expense in the period in which they are identified. The Company also cannot predict when or if any other future tax payments related to these tax positions may occur.
We remain subject to examination for tax years 2017 through 2020 for all of our major tax jurisdictions.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 14. | Other Gains and Losses |
Gains on Dispositions of Retail Store Locations
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended November 28, 2020 include gains totaling $
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended November 24, 2018 includes a gain of $
Early Retirement Program
During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, we offered a voluntary early retirement package to certain eligible employees of the Company. These employees received pay equal to one-half their current salary plus benefits over a period of year from the final day of each individual’s active employment. Accordingly, we recognized a charge of $
Asset Impairment Charges and Lease Exit Costs
During fiscal 2020 we recorded $
During fiscal 2019, the loss from operations included $
During fiscal 2018 income from operations included $
Litigation Expense
During fiscal 2020 and 2019 we accrued $
Gains from Company-Owned Life Insurance
Other loss, net for the fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 includes gains of $
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 15. | Leases and Lease Guarantees |
Leases
Fiscal 2020
Effective as of the beginning of fiscal 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and all related amendments. See “Leases” under Note 2 for a discussion of our accounting policies and elections under Topic 842 as well as the impact of the adoption upon our financial statements.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to our leases as of November 28, 2020 is as follows:
| Operating leases: | ||||
| Right of use assets | $ | |||
| Lease liabilties, short-term | ||||
| Lease liabilties, long-term | ||||
| Finance leases: | ||||
| Right of use assets (1) | $ | |||
| Lease liabilties, short-term (2) | ||||
| Lease liabilties, long-term (3) |
| (1) | Included in property & equipment, net in our consolidated balance sheet. |
| (2) | Included in other current liabilites and accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheet. |
| (3) | Included in other long-term liabilites and accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheet. |
Our right-of-use assets under operating leases by segment as of November 28, 2020 are as follows:
| Wholesale | $ | |||
| Retail | ||||
| Logistical services | ||||
| Total right of use assets | $ |
The components of our lease cost for the year ended November 28, 2020 are as follows:
| Operating lease cost | $ | ||
| Financing lease cost: | |||
| Amortization of right-of-use assets | |||
| Interest on lease liabilities | |||
| Short-term lease cost | |||
| Variable lease cost (net of abatements received) | ( | ) | |
| Sublease income | ( | ) | |
| Total lease cost | $ |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Supplemental lease disclosures as of November 28, 2020 and for the fiscal year then ended are as follows:
| Operating | Financing | |||||||
| For the year ended November 28, 2020: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurements of lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Lease liabilities arising from new right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| As of November 28, 2020: | ||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease terms (years) | ||||||||
| Weighted average discount rates | % | % | ||||||
Future payments under our leases and the present value of the obligations as of November 28, 2020 are as follows:
| Operating Leases | Financing Leases | |||||||
| Fiscal 2021 | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||
| Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||
| Fiscal 2024 | ||||||||
| Fiscal 2025 | ||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||
| Total lease payments | ||||||||
| Less: interest | ||||||||
| Total lease obligations | $ | $ | ||||||
As of November 28, 2020, we had a commitment to acquire twenty-four tractors under leases for use in our logistical services segment that are expected to commence at various times during the first half of fiscal 2021 and replace older units that will be coming off lease. These leases are expected to have annual payments totaling approximately $
We sublease a small number of our leased locations to certain of our licensees for operation as BHF network stores. The terms of these leases generally match those of the lease we have with the lessor. Minimum future lease payments due to us under these subleases are as follows:
| Fiscal 2021 | $ | |||
| Fiscal 2022 | ||||
| Fiscal 2023 | ||||
| Fiscal 2024 | ||||
| Fiscal 2025 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Total minimum future rental income | $ |
We negotiated with a number of our landlords to obtain relief in the form of rent deferrals or abatements of rent as a result of the effects of COVID-19 on our business. At November 28, 2020, the unpaid rent was $
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Fiscal 2019 and 2018
Prior to the adoption of Topic 842, we accounted for and reported our leases in accordance with Topic 840, Leases. In accordance with Topic 840 leases classified as operating leases were not included in our balance sheet as right of use assets or lease obligations as of November 30, 2019. During fiscal 2019 and 2018 we had no leases which were classified as capital leases.
Lease expense was $
Real estate rental net loss (rental income less lease costs, depreciation, insurance, and taxes), related to licensee stores and other investment real estate, was $
Guarantees
As part of the strategy for our store program, we have guaranteed certain lease obligations of licensee operators. Lease guarantees range from one to three years. We were contingently liable under licensee lease obligation guarantees in the amount of $
In the event of default by an independent dealer under the guaranteed lease, we believe that the risk of loss is mitigated through a combination of options that include, but are not limited to, arranging for a replacement dealer, liquidating the collateral, and pursuing payment under the personal guarantees of the independent dealer. The proceeds of the above options are estimated to cover the maximum amount of our future payments under the guarantee obligations, net of reserves. The fair value of lease guarantees (an estimate of the cost to the Company to perform on these guarantees) at November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, were not material.
| 16. | Contingencies |
We are involved in various claims and actions which arise in the normal course of business. Although the final outcome of these matters cannot be determined, based on the facts presently known, it is our opinion that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or future results of operations. We carried reserves for pending litigation claims in the amount of $
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 17. | Earnings (Loss) Per Share |
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||
| Denominator for basic income per share - weighted average shares | ||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities* | ||||||||||||
| Denominator for diluted income per share — weighted average shares and assumed conversions | ||||||||||||
| Basic income (loss) per share: | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share — basic | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Diluted income (loss) per share: | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share — diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
*Due to the net losses in 2020 and 2019, the potentially dilutive securities would have been anti-dilutive and are therefore excluded.
For fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, the following potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the computations as their effect was anti-dilutive:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Unvested restricted shares | ||||||||||||
| Stock options | ||||||||||||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 18. | Segment Information |
We have strategically aligned our business into
| ● | Wholesale. The wholesale home furnishings segment is involved principally in the design, manufacture, sourcing, sale and distribution of furniture products to a network of Bassett stores (Company-owned and licensee-owned stores retail stores) and independent furniture retailers. Our wholesale segment includes our wood and upholstery operations as well as all corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, including those corporate expenses related to both Company- and licensee-owned stores. Our wholesale segment also includes our holdings of short-term investments and retail real estate previously leased as licensee stores. The earnings and costs associated with these assets are included in other loss, net, in our consolidated statements of operations. |
| ● | Retail – Company-owned stores. Our retail segment consists of Company-owned stores and includes the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and capital expenditures directly related to these stores and the Company-owned distribution network utilized to deliver products to our retail customers. |
| ● | Logistical services. With our acquisition of Zenith in 2015, we created the logistical services operating segment which reflects the operations of Zenith. In addition to providing shipping and warehousing services for the Company, Zenith also provides similar services to other customers, primarily in the furniture industry. Revenue from the performance of these services to other customers is included in logistics revenue in our consolidated statement of operations. Zenith’s operating costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and total $ |
Inter-company sales elimination represents the elimination of wholesale sales to our Company-owned stores and the elimination of Zenith logistics revenue from our wholesale segment. Inter-company income elimination includes the embedded wholesale profit in the Company-owned store inventory that has not been realized. These profits will be recorded when merchandise is delivered to the retail consumer. The inter-company income elimination also includes rent paid by our retail stores occupying Company-owned real estate, and the elimination of shipping and handling charges from Zenith for services provided to our wholesale operations.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
The following table presents segment information for each of the last three fiscal years:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Net Sales | ||||||||||||
| Wholesale | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Retail | ||||||||||||
| Logistical services | ||||||||||||
| Inter-company eliminations: | ||||||||||||
| Furniture and accessories | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Logistical services | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Consolidated | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income (loss) from Operations | ||||||||||||
| Wholesale | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Retail | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Logistical services | ||||||||||||
| Inter-company elimination | ||||||||||||
| Asset impairment charges | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Goodwill impairment charge | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Early retirement program | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Litigation expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Lease exit costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Consolidated income from operations | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Depreciation and Amortization | ||||||||||||
| Wholesale | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Retail | ||||||||||||
| Logistical services | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Capital Expenditures | ||||||||||||
| Wholesale | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Retail | ||||||||||||
| Logistical services | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Identifiable Assets | ||||||||||||
| Wholesale | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Retail | ||||||||||||
| Logistical services | ||||||||||||
| Consolidated | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
A breakdown of wholesale sales by product category for each of the last three fiscal years is provided below:
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Custom Upholstery | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Leather | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Custom Wood | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Bassett Casegoods | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Accessories (1) | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | % | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) Beginning with the third quarter of fiscal 2019, our wholesale segment no longer purchases accessory items for resale to our retail segment or to third party customers such as licensees or independent furniture retailers. Our retail segment and third party customers now source their accessory items directly from the accessory vendors.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| 19. |
Quarterly Results of Operations |
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| First | Second | Third | Fourth | |||||||||||||
| Sales revenue: | ||||||||||||||||
| Furniture and accessories | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Logistics | ||||||||||||||||
| Total sales revenue | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of furniture and accessories sold | ||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 |
||||||||||||||||
| First |
Second |
Third |
Fourth |
|||||||||||||
| Sales revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
| Furniture and accessories |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Logistics |
||||||||||||||||
| Total sales revenue |
||||||||||||||||
| Cost of furniture and accessories sold |
||||||||||||||||
| Income from operations |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||
| Net income |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||
The first quarter of fiscal 2019 included 14 weeks. All other quarters shown above for fiscal 2020 and 2019 consisted of 13-week fiscal periods.
| (1) |
Loss from operations reflects the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations due to the temporary closure of substantially all of our operations during the quarter (see Note 1) and includes a goodwill impairment charge of $ |
| (2) |
Net income includes a non-taxable gain of $ |
| (3) |
Income from operations includes a gain of $ |
| (4) |
Income from operations includes a charge of $ |
| (5) |
Loss from operations includes a charge for the impairment of goodwill of $ |
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”). Disclosure Controls, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Annual Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Based upon their controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. With the participation of our CEO and CFO, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of November 28, 2020 based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of November 28, 2020, based on those criteria. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during our fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of November 28, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of November 28, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of November 28, 2020 and November 30, 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended November 28, 2020, and the related notes and schedule and our report dated January 21, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Richmond, Virginia
January 21, 2021
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Board and Board Committee Information,” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Please see section entitled “Information about our Executive Officers” in Item 4B of Part I of this report for information concerning executive officers.
The Registrant has a code of ethics that applies to all of its employees, officers and directors. The code of ethics is available on the Registrant’s website at www.bassettfurniture.com and the Registrant will post any amendments to, or waivers, from, the code of ethics on that website.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Organization, Compensation and Nominating Committee Report,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Director Compensation” is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Principal Stockholders and Holdings of Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Board and Board Committee Information” and “Other Transactions” is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Audit and Other Fees” is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
| (a) |
(1) |
Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019 and November 24, 2018. |
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(2) |
Financial Statement Schedule: |
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Schedule II- Analysis of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019 and November 24, 2018 |
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(3) |
Listing of Exhibits |
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3A. |
Articles of Incorporation as amended are incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 1994. |
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3B. |
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| 4A. |
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| 4B. |
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*10B. |
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*10C. |
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*10H. |
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*10K. |
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| *10L. |
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| *10M. |
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| *10N. |
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| *10O. |
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| *10P. |
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21. |
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23A. |
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31A. |
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31B. |
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32A. |
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| 32B. |
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| 101.INS |
Inline XBRL Instance |
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| 101.SCH |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
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| 101.CAL |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation |
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| 101.DEF |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition |
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| 101.LAB |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels |
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101.PRE |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation |
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| 104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
| * |
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement of the Company. |
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED (Registrant)
| By: |
/s/ Robert H. Spilman, Jr. |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
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Robert H. Spilman, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By: |
/s/ Emma S. Battle |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
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Emma S. Battle Director |
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| By: |
/s/ John R. Belk |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
| John R. Belk Director |
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| By: |
/s/ Kristina K. Cashman |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
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Kristina K. Cashman Director |
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| By: |
/s/ Virginia W. Hamlet |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
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Virginia W. Hamlet Director |
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| By: |
/s/ J. Walter McDowell |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
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J. Walter McDowell Director |
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| By: |
/s/ William C. Wampler, Jr. |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
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William C. Wampler, Jr. Director |
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| By: |
/s/ William C. Warden, Jr. |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
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William C. Warden, Jr. Director, Lead Independent Director |
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| By: |
/s/ J. Michael Daniel |
Date: January 21, 2021 |
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J. Michael Daniel Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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| Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated |
| Schedule II |
| Analysis of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts |
| For the Years Ended November 28, 2020, November 30, 2019 and November 24, 2018 |
| (amounts in thousands) |
| Balance Beginning of Period |
Additions Charged to Cost and Expenses |
Deductions (1) |
Other |
Balance End of Period |
||||||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended November 24, 2018: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Reserve deducted from assets to which it applies |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | (2) | $ | ||||||||||||
| Notes receivable valuation reserves |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended November 30, 2019: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Reserve deducted from assets to which it applies |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Notes receivable valuation reserves |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| For the Year Ended November 28, 2020: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Reserve deducted from assets to which it applies |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Notes receivable valuation reserves |
$ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| (1) Deductions are for the purpose for which the reserve was created. |
| (2) Represents reserves of acquired business at date of acquisition. |