J.Jill(JILL) - 2022 Q4 - Annual Report

Sales and Revenue - Retail channel represented 50.2% of net sales for Fiscal Year 2021, while Direct channel accounted for 49.8%[23][28] - Ecommerce sales through the Direct channel accounted for approximately 50% of total net sales for Fiscal Year 2021[74] - Net sales for Fiscal Year 2021 increased by $158.5 million or 37.1%, reaching $585.2 million compared to $426.7 million in Fiscal Year 2020[204] - Total company comparable sales grew by 23.4% in Fiscal Year 2021, benefiting from strong full-price sales and lower promotional levels[204] - The Direct channel accounted for 49.8% of net sales in Fiscal Year 2021, down from 65.5% in Fiscal Year 2020, while the Retail channel increased to 50.2% from 34.5%[206] Profitability and Expenses - Gross profit for Fiscal Year 2021 rose by $148.8 million, or 60.6%, totaling $394.4 million, with a gross margin of 67.4% compared to 57.6% in Fiscal Year 2020[207] - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $7.7 million or 2.3% in Fiscal Year 2021, totaling $335.7 million[203] - The company reported a net loss of $28.1 million in Fiscal Year 2021, an improvement of $111.3 million compared to a net loss of $139.4 million in Fiscal Year 2020[203] - Adjusted EBITDA for Fiscal Year 2021 was $91.8 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.7%[197] - Costs of goods sold for Fiscal Year 2021 were $190.8 million, representing 32.6% of net sales, compared to 42.4% in Fiscal Year 2020[203] Customer and Market Insights - Omnichannel customers comprised approximately 22% of the active customer base for Fiscal Years 2021, 2020, and 2019[16] - The average targeted customer is 45 years and older, college-educated, with an annual household income of approximately $150,000[15][34] - The company aims to attract new customers and increase overall customer spend by refining its brand position and marketing investments[38] Store Operations and Distribution - The company operates 253 stores across 42 states as of January 29, 2022, with an average store size of approximately 3,700 square feet[23] - The distribution center handled 29 million units in Fiscal Year 2021, with 12 million units (41%) for retail and 17 million units (59%) for direct[50] - The company has a distribution and customer contact center of 520,000 square feet located in Tilton, New Hampshire, leased until September 2030[159] Supply Chain and Sourcing - Approximately 80% of the company's products were sourced through agents, while 20% were sourced directly from suppliers and factories in Fiscal Year 2021[46] - The company sources merchandise globally from ten countries, with India, Vietnam, and Indonesia being the top three by volume[47] - Approximately 49% of the company's products were sourced from Southeast Asia in Fiscal Year 2021, with key suppliers located in India, Vietnam, and Indonesia[95] - The company has no long-term merchandise supply contracts, allowing for flexibility in sourcing[49] Risks and Challenges - The company faces risks related to increased competition for favorable store locations and lease terms, which may lead to higher costs and reduced profitability[73] - The company may struggle to acquire new customers cost-effectively, which could hinder growth and profitability[91] - Any disruptions in foreign sourcing operations could result in lost sales and increased costs due to reliance on independent third-party suppliers[93] - The company faces potential supply chain disruptions due to reliance on third-party suppliers and external factors such as tariffs and trade tensions, which could materially harm operations[95] - Increased costs of raw materials, particularly cotton, and fluctuations in sourcing or distribution costs could negatively impact profitability[100] Human Resources and Management - The leadership team has undergone changes, including a new CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer in 2021, bringing extensive industry experience[37] - The company employed 1,115 full-time and 1,781 part-time associates as of January 29, 2022[55] - The company promoted approximately 244 associates to higher-level positions within the organization during Fiscal Year 2021[58] - Compensation and benefits increased by $21.0 million, primarily due to an $8.2 million increase in hourly and part-time wages[208] Legal and Compliance - The company will incur significant legal and accounting expenses as a public company, particularly after no longer being classified as an "emerging growth company"[114] - The company intends to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements while classified as an "emerging growth company," which may affect investor attractiveness[115] - The company is subject to risks related to information security, including potential data breaches that could adversely affect business operations and financial condition[139] Financial Position and Stock Market - The company has restructured its debt as of September 30, 2020, resulting in compliance with all debt covenants and scheduled principal repayments[182] - The company is dependent on cash dividends and distributions from subsidiaries to meet obligations, which may be restricted by subsidiary indebtedness agreements[124] - The stock price has been volatile, influenced by broader market fluctuations and potential securities class action litigation[133] - The company may face challenges in maintaining an active public market for its common stock, which could affect liquidity and trading prices[131]