Victoria's Secret & Co.: Form 10-K for the period ended Feb 1, 2025

General

Victoria's Secret & Co. (together with its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires, “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) is a specialty retailer of women's intimate and other apparel and beauty products marketed under the Victoria's Secret, PINK and Adore Me brand names. We have more than 880 stores in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and China, as well as our own websites, www.VictoriasSecret.com (http://www.VictoriasSecret.com), www.PINK.com (http://www.PINK.com), www.AdoreMe.com (http://www.AdoreMe.com) and www.DailyLook.com (http://www.DailyLook.com), and other digital channels worldwide. Additionally, we have more than 500 stores in nearly 70 countries operating under franchise, license and wholesale arrangements. The Company also includes the merchandise sourcing and production function serving us and our international partners. We operate as a single segment designed to seamlessly serve customers worldwide through stores and digital channels.

On December 30, 2022, we completed our acquisition of AdoreMe, Inc. (“Adore Me”), a digitally-native intimates brand. For additional information, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Our Brands

Our business operates two market-leading intimate apparel brands, Victoria’s Secret and PINK, each complemented by an industry-leading beauty business. Adore Me, our technology-led, digital first intimates brand serves women of all sizes, budgets and lifestyles. Our brands share a common purpose of supporting women in all they do. We offer a range of products including signature bras, panties, lingerie, casual sleepwear, apparel, sport and swim, as well as prestige fragrances and body care.

Victoria’s Secret

The Victoria’s Secret brand is a global leader in intimate apparel, renowned for its innovative, fashion-inspired collections including signature bras, panties, lingerie, casual sleepwear, swim, lounge and sport, as well as award-winning prestige fragrances and body care. Victoria’s Secret is a timeless staple for sexy, glamorous and affordable luxury for women around the world.

PINK

PINK is a lifestyle brand for young women providing fun, vibrant collections and heritage pieces, including apparel, loungewear, activewear, bras, panties, accessories, beauty and more. PINK's vibrant colors, playful designs and enduring commitment to community help customers feel supported, confident and stylish every day.

Adore Me

Adore Me is a direct-to-consumer lingerie and apparel brand that is focused on serving women of all sizes and budgets at all phases of life. Adore Me is transforming the way customers shop with a home try-on commerce service, a series of innovation-driven products and a mission of making sustainable shopping accessible to all.

Joint Venture Partnership

Victoria's Secret China

In April 2022, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Regina Miracle International (Holdings) Limited (“Regina Miracle”), a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, to operate Victoria's Secret stores and the related online business in China. Under the terms of the agreement, we own 51% of the joint venture and Regina Miracle owns the remaining 49%. Since we have retained control over the joint venture, the joint venture's assets, liabilities and results of operations continue to be consolidated in our consolidated financial statements. For additional information, see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “2024” and “2022” refer to the fifty-two-week periods ended February 1, 2025 and January 28, 2023, respectively, and “2023” refers to the fifty-three-week period ended February 3, 2024.

Historically, Adore Me's fiscal year ended on December 31. As a result of our acquisition of Adore Me on December 30, 2022, Adore Me's financial information is included in our consolidated financial statements. Due to the timing and availability of financial information of Adore Me, we consolidate Adore Me's financial information on an approximate one-month reporting lag.

Real Estate

Retail Stores

Our company-operated Victoria's Secret and PINK, China joint venture and Adore Me retail stores are located in shopping malls, lifestyle centers and off-mall locations in the U.S., Canada and China.

The following table provides the number of our company-operated Victoria's Secret and PINK, China joint venture and Adore Me retail stores in operation as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024:

(a) Includes thirteen partner-operated stores.

The following table provides the changes in the number of our company-operated Victoria's Secret and PINK, China joint venture and Adore Me retail stores operated for the past three fiscal years:

(a) Relates to acquisition of Adore Me. For additional information, see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

(b) Relates to the China joint venture with Regina Miracle. For additional information, see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

(c) Includes thirteen partner-operated China joint venture stores.

Franchise, License and Wholesale Arrangements

In addition to our retail stores, our Victoria's Secret and PINK products are sold at partner stores and on partner websites in nearly 70 countries. We are focused on ensuring our partners have the commitment and capability to provide a quality customer experience and to grow our brands internationally.

Under the terms of our franchise, license and wholesale arrangements, we provide our partners the rights to sell our products in various geographic regions along with operational policies and standards governing such matters as the supply and sale of our products, in stores and online, marketing and store training. Our partners are generally responsible for providing the capital necessary to lease retail space, build out stores and/or develop websites, fund the operations of their business, and over the longer term, reinvest in their business. Our partners are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their business, and must do so in accordance with our policies and standards, which are focused on ensuring a consistent customer experience around the world. These arrangements can typically be terminated by us, upon delivery of notice, in the event of any breach of representations or warranties.

Our franchise and license arrangements with our partners typically have an initial term of approximately ten years, with an option to renew, subject to customary conditions. Revenue recognized under franchise and license arrangements generally consists of royalties earned and recognized upon sale of merchandise by our franchise and license partners to retail customers, typically based on a percentage of sales. Royalty rates, which are generally low-double digits to low-teens, vary based on store format, local business conditions and various other factors.

Our wholesale arrangements with our partners typically have an initial term of five years, with an option to renew, subject to customary conditions. Wholesale prices, which vary by product category, are generally based on a discount to the suggested retail price. Revenue is generally recognized under wholesale arrangements at the time title of the product passes to the wholesale partner.

The following table provides the number of our international stores operated by our partners by store type as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024:

(a) Does not include the thirteen partner-operated China joint venture stores.

Our Competitive Strengths

Market Leading Brands Driving Growth

Our two flagship brands, Victoria's Secret and PINK, have a strong global presence and high awareness among consumers. Their combined market share in the intimates category remains robust, underscoring our leading position in the industry and providing a significant competitive advantage. In addition to our core brands, we also have Adore Me, a technology-led, digital first innovative intimates and apparel brand.

While our heritage is deeply rooted in intimate apparel, our brands also offer compelling assortments in adjacent product categories including fragrance, beauty, apparel, loungewear, sleepwear, sport and swimwear. This diversified portfolio allows us to serve customers across multiple lifestyle touchpoints, further strengthening our position as a leader in the industry.

Global Scale and Reach

We have a powerful presence in the U.S. and worldwide, engaging customers through three key distribution channels.

• North American Stores - With 812 stores across the U.S. and Canada, totaling 5.6 million square feet of selling space as of the end of 2024, our expansive store fleet delivers immersive brand experiences at premier shopping destinations throughout North America. Our dedicated sales associates and store managers bring our products to life with exceptional service and expertise.
• Digital - Our digital ecosystem creates a seamless, personalized shopping experience across brands and platforms. We are constantly enhancing our websites, applications and social media with advanced digital marketing and personalization, omnichannel capabilities and real-time inventory connectivity to meet customers wherever they are.
• International - We have 575 international stores spanning Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa and international digital sites in nearly 70 countries as of the end of 2024. We are focused on growing our business in existing markets and expanding globally with new stores and digital platforms in new markets. Our smaller footprint travel retail locations in airports provide valuable global exposure.

Agile, Responsive and Efficient Supply Chain

Our sourcing and production strategy is built for speed, quality and cost efficiency.

• Global Expertise - We have cultivated a strong sourcing presence in the U.S. and Asia, helping to drive innovation and speed-to-market across our product categories. Our intimates and apparel are produced through an internationally outsourced platform, while our beauty manufacturing, which is largely centered in Ohio, provides agility and cutting-edge product development.
• Flexibility & Adaptability - We leverage close supplier partnerships and a highly responsive supply chain to manage inventory dynamically and adapt to customer demand. Our agility allows us to respond in real time to shifts in customer preferences and quickly replenish strong selling products, maximizing sales and merchandise margin rate opportunities.
• Cost-Effective & High-Quality Production - Our strong relationships with suppliers enable us to manufacture products efficiently without sacrificing quality. Our global supply base and flexible sourcing strategy provide a key competitive advantage, allowing us to deliver a broad product range, ongoing innovation and a compelling assortment to our customers. This flexibility ensures we can navigate market dynamics while maintaining our commitment to delivering high-quality, trend-forward products.

Experienced Leadership Driving Success

Our highly skilled management team brings deep industry expertise and a collaborative approach across our brands and channels. With a strong understanding of the retail landscape and our business, they are focused on driving growth, innovation and operational excellence.

Distribution Channels

Our distribution channels include North American stores, digital websites and mobile applications and international stores. We utilize these channels to reach our consumers in the physical and digital locations they frequent within their geographies.

North American Stores

The North American stores channel represents our physical retail locations in North America and accounted for $3.428 billion, or 55%, of our revenue in 2024. We operated 812 physical locations as of the end of 2024, including a range of full assortment stores, Victoria’s Secret stores, free-standing PINK stores and free-standing Adore Me stores.

We are investing in our stores by refreshing existing stores in a store of the future concept that utilizes smaller, more flexible space and a unique dual-brand layout to meet the needs of our customer and accommodate shifting consumer preferences for omnichannel shopping. We continue to right-size our stores to optimize our physical retail footprint and enable omnichannel sales. Additionally, we are investing in our people through field talent and leadership development to optimize the customer experience in stores.

Digital

The digital channel accounted for $2.042 billion, or 33%, of our revenue in 2024. This channel includes sales that are derived from our websites and mobile applications.

Our digital presence, including social media, our websites and our mobile applications, allows us to get to know our customers better and communicate with them anytime and anywhere.

We continuously improve and modernize our digital platform, including through the use of artificial intelligence-driven chatbots and geo-targeted digital marketing. Our digital platform is designed to further support our physical presence and brand awareness and drive growth of omnichannel sales.

International

The international channel represents our stores and digital sites in China as well as royalty and wholesale sales related to the stores and digital sites operated by our franchise, license, wholesale and joint venture partners. International net sales accounted for $760 million, or 12%, of our revenue in 2024. As of the end of 2024, we had 70 joint venture-operated stores in China as well as 505 partner-operated stores around the world, including locations across Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.

Revenue recognized under franchise and license arrangements generally consists of royalties earned and recognized upon the sale of merchandise by franchise and license partners to retail customers. Revenue is generally recognized under wholesale and sourcing arrangements at the time title of the product passes to the partner. We plan to increase the number of locations under these types of arrangements as part of our international expansion strategy.

Additional Information

Merchandise Vendors

During 2024, we purchased merchandise from approximately 335 vendors located throughout the world, the largest of which accounted for approximately 12% of our purchases by spend. We believe there are numerous alternative suppliers for our merchandise and that the loss of any one vendor would not have a material adverse effect on our business.

Design, Product Development and Sourcing

Our product design and innovation is an important component of our strategy. We prioritize frequent and fashionable product launches across product categories with a focus on superior fit, finish and quality. Our merchant, design and sourcing teams have a long history of designing innovative products to meet our customers’ needs. We believe our focus on product development differentiates our offering through masterful fit, broad ranges of sizes and comfortable and appealing silhouettes. Additionally, our sourcing and production functions, which have a long and deep presence in key sourcing markets including those in the U.S. and Asia, allow us to partner with premier manufacturers to produce high-quality products quickly.

Our product development team works with four key design periods for the year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Holiday, that represent our selling seasons. Certain product lines offer more frequent introductions of new merchandise, and the primary selling seasons, Fall and Holiday, will often showcase greater quantities of new merchandise. We strive to tailor our buying strategies to align with customer demand and trends across our core categories with agile and fast lead times.

Our global supply chain organization is responsible for the operational planning, manufacturing, sourcing and distribution of products to our customers. We believe we have developed a high degree of expertise in managing the complexities associated with a global supply chain.

Distribution and Merchandise

A substantial portion of our merchandise is shipped to our distribution centers in the Columbus, Ohio area. Additionally, we use third-party operated distribution centers located throughout North America and Europe to distribute our merchandise. We also utilize a third-party operated distribution center in Mexico to support the distribution of merchandise for our Adore Me brand.

Our policy is to maintain sufficient quantities of inventories on hand in our retail stores and distribution centers to enable us to offer customers an appropriate selection of current merchandise. We emphasize rapid turnover and mark down products as needed to keep merchandise fresh and on-trend.

Marketing, Advertising and Customer Support

Our marketing and advertising strategies are designed to showcase the fashion, innovation and quality of our products while reinforcing our brands’ positioning in an ever-evolving market. We aim to drive brand awareness, deepen customer loyalty and tailor our messaging to build more meaningful connections.

To align with evolving consumer preferences and behavior, we are expanding our brand presence through traditional media, entertainment platforms and community-driven forums. Our omnichannel marketing strategy is designed to reach customers wherever they are through a mix of social media, digital media, print, paid search and influencer collaborations. We use data analytics to continuously evaluate our advertising and promotional efforts to maximize impact and return on investment.

Our e-commerce platform and store locations work together to create a seamless brand experience, delivering consistent messaging and brand identity across all touchpoints. Each brand has a specialized marketing team focused on customer engagement, and our highly knowledgeable in-store associates receive ongoing training to ensure positive, informed interactions that enhance the shopping experience.

Information Systems

Our management information systems consist of various retail, financial and merchandising systems. Our systems include applications related to point-of-sale, e-commerce, merchandising, planning, sourcing, logistics, inventory management, data security and support systems including human resources and finance.

Seasonal Business

Our operations are seasonal in nature and consist of two principal selling seasons: Spring (the first and second quarters) and Fall (the third and fourth quarters). The fourth quarter, including the holiday season, typically accounts for approximately one-third of our net sales and is normally our most profitable quarter. Accordingly, cash requirements are routinely highest in the third quarter as our inventories build in advance of the holiday season.

Working Capital

We fund our business operations through a combination of available cash and cash equivalents and cash flows generated from operations. In addition, our credit facilities are available for additional working capital needs and investment opportunities.

Regulations

We and our products are subject to regulation by various federal, state, local and foreign regulatory authorities. We are subject to a variety of tax and customs regulations and international trade arrangements. While there are no current regulatory matters that we expect to be material to our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows, there can be no assurance that existing or future laws, regulations and standards applicable to our operations or products will not lead to a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Intellectual Property

Our trademarks and patents, which constitute our primary intellectual property, have been registered or are the subject of pending applications in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and with the registries of many foreign countries where our products are manufactured or sold. We believe our products are identified by our trademarks and, thus, our trademarks are of significant value. Accordingly, we intend to maintain our trademarks and related registrations and vigorously protect our intellectual property assets against infringement, misappropriation and other violations. Although laws vary by jurisdiction, in general, trademarks remain valid and enforceable as long as the marks are used in connection with the related products and services and the required registration renewals are filed.

We also place high importance on product innovation and design, and a number of these innovations and designs are the subject of issued patents and pending patent applications.

Due to the worldwide consumer recognition of our products, we face an increased risk of counterfeiting by third parties. We vigorously monitor and enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights against counterfeiting, infringement, misappropriation and other violations by third parties where and to the extent legal, feasible and appropriate. However, the actions we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate to prevent third parties from copying our products or infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating our trademarks or other intellectual property rights, and the laws of foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the U.S.

Other Information

For additional information about our business, including our net sales and operating income for the last three years and selling square footage, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Competition

The women’s intimates, apparel and beauty industry is highly competitive. We seek to differentiate ourselves from our competitors by leveraging our powerful brand equity, unmatched scale and commitment to high-quality, innovative products.

Our competition comes from many sources, including specialty retailers, department stores, mass merchandisers, online retailers, discount retailers and an increasing number of private-label and emerging brands. To succeed in this dynamic landscape, we focus on what matters most to our customers: brand image, customer experience, marketing, design, price, service, fulfillment, assortment, fit and quality. With our deep expertise and customer-first approach, we continue to lead the industry in our core categories, delivering products that inspire confidence and loyalty.

Human Capital Management

A Culture Built for Performance, Innovation, Inclusion and Belonging

At Victoria’s Secret & Co., our strength lies in our people and we are dedicated to building and maintaining a high-performance, customer-centric culture. We believe that a high-performance culture is one where every associate is empowered, engaged and driven to deliver their best work. By fostering a customer-centric mindset, we ensure that innovation, agility and excellence guide everything we do.

At the heart of this culture is belonging—creating an environment where every associate feels valued, respected and supported. When people feel seen and included, they perform at their best, collaborate more effectively and drive greater impact. By championing shared success, investing in talent and fostering an inclusive workplace, we unlock the full potential of our teams and deliver exceptional experiences for our customers.

Fostering a Sense of Community and Shared Respect

At Victoria’s Secret & Co., we believe that a strong, connected associate community drives success. We foster engagement by encouraging open dialogue and feedback, and through active listening at all levels of the organization. In addition, associate-led inclusion resource groups and belonging-focused programming ensure that associates and leadership across all levels embody a culture of respect, collaboration and accountability that drives individual and team success.

Beyond the workplace, our purpose extends to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. We support associates in giving back through donation matching, volunteer opportunities and grants for causes they care about. Together, we are building a workplace, and a community, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Attracting and Developing Talent

We are committed to recruiting, retaining and advancing top talent that represents a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Through robust career development programs, mentorship and leadership training, we equip associates and leaders with the tools they need to grow, innovate and make an impact.

As of February 1, 2025, we employed approximately 31,000 associates, approximately 18,000 of whom were part-time. In addition, temporary associates are hired during peak periods, such as the holiday season. Approximately 76% of our associates work in our stores, 9% in distribution centers, with the remaining balance working in our home office.

Offering Competitive Compensation and Benefits

We recognize and reward our associates’ contributions with competitive pay and benefits designed to support their well-being at work and at home. From paid parental leave and tuition assistance to wellness programs and generous merchandise discounts, we provide benefits that help our associates thrive.

Ensuring Equal Pay for Equal Work

We are committed to pay equity across gender, race and background and conduct periodic third-party reviews to ensure fairness in our pay equity. Our compensation programs are designed to reward performance and align with our business goals, fostering a culture of accountability and shared success.

Ensuring Safe and Healthy Workplaces

We prioritize the safety and well-being of our associates, customers and partners. Our commitment to maintaining clean, secure, and supportive workplaces extends across our stores, distribution centers and corporate offices. We continuously invest in workplace safety measures, training and policies to protect and empower our teams.

Promoting Integrity and Accountability

We hold ourselves accountable for creating a workplace that is fair, transparent and built on trust. Through strong leadership, ethical business practices and clear performance expectations, we promote an environment where every associate has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our collective success.

To uphold these standards, we provide associates with resources to navigate ethical decisions and report concerns confidentially. Our Ethics Hotline allows associates to anonymously report potential violations of laws or company policies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring a safe and open environment for speaking up. Our Code of Conduct, rooted in our values, defines the behaviors we expect and reinforces our commitment to integrity.

Each year, all associates participate in a comprehensive Code of Conduct certification process, affirming their commitment to ethical conduct and completing required training. By holding ourselves and each other accountable, we foster a culture where integrity, respect and responsibility are the foundation of how we work and lead.

Model Engagement and Photo Shoot Compliance

At Victoria’s Secret & Co., our values define who we are and what we stand for, including treating everyone with dignity and respect. To support these values, we have established compliance processes and protocols which apply to all of our associates and third parties participating in photo shoots, public relations events, fit sessions and other internal meetings where models are present.

Our Global Ethics and Compliance team is responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of the model engagement and photo shoot compliance protocols. Responsibilities include executing certain compliance processes related to our Photo Shoot Procedures and Fit Session Protocol, training new and existing associates and escalating allegations of misconduct for investigation by the appropriate teams. For photo shoots, external crew is required to certify to our Anti-Harassment and Civility Policy and authorized compliance monitors are assigned to every photo shoot to provide oversight and ensure compliance with the Photo Shoot Procedures and Fit Session Protocol.

Executive Officers of Registrant

Our executive officers at the end of 2024 were as follows:

• Hillary Super, 52, has been our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) since September 2024. Prior to joining Victoria's Secret & Co., Ms. Super served as CEO of Savage X Fenty from June 2023 to August 2024 and Global CEO of Anthropologie Group, an Urban Outfitters Company, from January 2017 to April 2021;
• Scott Sekella, 48, has been our Chief Financial Officer since January 2025. Prior to joining Victoria’s Secret & Co., Mr. Sekella previously served as Chief Financial Officer of JOANN Inc. from September 2022 to July 2024. In March 2024, JOANN Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries commenced voluntary cases for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In April 2024, the company’s bankruptcy plan became effective and JOAAN Inc. emerged from bankruptcy. Prior to joining JOANN Inc., Mr. Sekella served as Vice President of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis of Under Armour, Inc. from December 2019 to September 2022;
• Dein Boyle, 65, has been our Chief Operating Officer since 2020. Mr. Boyle joined L Brands in 2008 and previously served as Chief Operating Officer of PINK from 2016 to 2020, Chief Administrative Officer of PINK from 2015 to 2016 and Executive Vice President at PINK from 2012 to 2014; and
• Melinda McAfee, 54, has been our Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Legal Officer since October 2022. Ms. McAfee joined Victoria’s Secret & Co. in May 2021 and previously served as Chief Legal Officer from May 2021 to October 2022. Prior to May 2021, Ms. McAfee served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Express, Inc., from December 2018 to April 2021.

Available Information

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and its rules and regulations. The Exchange Act requires us to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. These materials may be obtained electronically by accessing the SEC's website at www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov).

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC, on the Investors section of our website, www.victoriassecretandco.com (http://www.victoriassecretandco.com).

Copies of any of the above-referenced documents will also be made available, free of charge, upon written request to:

Victoria's Secret & Co.

Investor Relations Department

Four Limited Parkway East

Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Some of these risks we face relate principally to our business and operations, while others relate principally to our outstanding indebtedness or to ownership of our common stock. Our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks, as well as additional risks that are not described in this Annual Report because they are not presently known to us or we currently deem them immaterial.

Risks Relating to Our Business

Our business is impacted by general economic conditions, and adverse economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Adverse economic conditions in the United States and globally has had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Adverse economic conditions may include weakened consumer demand, persistent inflation, supply chain challenges, labor shortages, high interest rates, foreign currency exchange volatility and risk of recession. Geopolitical instability, actual and potential shifts in U.S. and foreign trade, economic and other policies, as well as other global events, have increased macroeconomic uncertainty. Depending on their duration and magnitude, these and other adverse economic conditions could continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Future economic deterioration, market disruptions, or changes to fiscal and monetary policy or trade policy, including the imposition or threatened imposition of tariffs and potential retaliatory actions, could negatively impact our business. An economic downturn or a recession, or the perception that any of these events may occur, or continued or increased economic uncertainty may also lead to increased credit risk, higher borrowing costs or reduced availability of capital and credit markets, reduced liquidity, asset impairments and adverse impacts on our suppliers and the financial institutions with whom we transact.

Our sales are impacted by discretionary spending by consumers, which tend to be adversely impacted by unfavorable local, regional, national or global economic conditions. Declines in consumer spending have and may continue to result in reduced demand for our products, increased inventories, lower revenues, higher promotional activity, and lower gross margins. Continued volatility in the availability and prices for commodities and raw materials we use in our products and in our supply chain could have an adverse effect on our costs, gross margins, and profitability. In addition, we may be unable to access financing in the credit and capital markets at reasonable rates in the event we find it necessary or desirable to do so.

Our financial performance could be adversely impacted by inflationary pressures, which are subject to market conditions and impacted by fiscal and monetary policy as well as domestic and international trade policy, including the imposition or threatened imposition of tariffs or other trade restrictions. Inflationary pressures on the products we sell could impact our revenues and profitability, especially if we are unable to increase our retail prices to reflect increases in our costs. When levels of inflation are higher than typical, as we have experienced in recent years, consumer confidence and spending patterns are negatively impacted, which impacts our sales and profitability. We are unable to predict future economic conditions, the extent to which consumer behavior may be impacted by negative economic conditions, or how those trends will impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our revenue, results of operations and cash flows are sensitive to consumer confidence and spending patterns, and may be adversely affected by negative political or economic trends, geopolitical conflicts, significant health hazards or pandemics, severe weather or other market disruptions.

Our revenue, results of operations, cash flows and future growth may be affected by negative local, regional, national or international political or economic trends or developments, including global trade policy, the effects of national and international security concerns such as war, terrorism or the threat thereof, to the extent such developments reduce consumers’ ability or willingness to make discretionary purchases. Ongoing geopolitical conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, uncertainty in the global trade environment, as well as economic sanctions and other measures imposed in response thereto have created, and may continue to create, market disruption and volatility, supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical instability. These events and similar events in the future could have a material adverse effect on our customers, our international partners and our third-party suppliers, and may negatively impact our international sales in stores and digital channels.

In addition, market disruptions due to natural disasters, significant health hazards or pandemics, or other major events or the prospect of these events could also impact consumer spending and confidence levels. Similar to the disruption we experienced from the COVID-19 global pandemic, future pandemics, epidemics, disease outbreaks or other similar widespread public health concerns may disrupt our business, human capital, supply chain and production processes, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Extreme weather conditions in the areas in which our stores, corporate offices, or production facilities are located, particularly in markets where we have multiple stores or production facilities, could adversely affect our business. Purchases of our products may decline during periods when economic or market conditions are volatile or weak. In such circumstances, we also may decide to increase our promotional activity, which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability, financial condition and cash flows.

Changes in trade policies and tariffs imposed by the United States government and the governments of other nations could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our operations rely on the global sourcing, manufacturing, and sale of products, and our supply chain is subject to the risks inherent in international trade, including potential changes in trade policies, increases in import duties, anti-dumping measures, quotas, safeguard measures, trade restrictions, restrictions on fund transfers, and currency fluctuations. Additionally, geopolitical instability and other geopolitical factors may further impact our ability to source and distribute products efficiently. Changes in laws or policies governing the terms of trade, and in particular increased trade restrictions, tariffs, or taxes on imports from countries where we manufacture products, such as China, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. For example, in recent years, both the U.S. and China have imposed new tariffs on each other related to the importation of certain product categories, including imports of apparel into the U.S. from China.

In February 2025, the U.S. presidential administration imposed a 10% tariff on nearly all imports from China, and in March 2025, an additional 10% tariff was imposed on nearly all imports from China. Additionally, in March 2025, a 25% tariff on certain imports from Mexico and Canada went into effect. We are closely monitoring this evolving situation and evaluating our responses, which may include shifts in sourcing strategies, price adjustments, or other cost-mitigation measures. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to fully mitigate the financial and competitive impacts of such tariffs or trade restrictions. At this time, the overall impact on our business related to these tariffs remains uncertain and depends on multiple factors, including the duration and potential expansion of current tariffs, future changes to tariff rates, scope, or enforcement, retaliatory measures by impacted exporting countries, inflationary effects and broader macroeconomic responses, changes to consumer purchasing behavior, and the effectiveness of our responses in managing these challenges.

If the U.S. decides to impose additional tariffs on products imported from China or other countries where we source materials or manufacture our products, or if new or additional retaliatory trade measures are taken by China or other countries in response to U.S. tariffs, there can be no assurance that we will be able to offset all related increased costs. This potential increase in costs could be material to our business operations or harm our competitive position. We cannot predict if, and to what extent, there may be changes to international trade agreements or the resulting impact of any such changes on our business and results of operations.

Our future success depends in part on our ability to successfully implement our long-term strategic growth plan.

We are in the process of executing a long-term strategic plan to grow our business, increase our revenue and operating income, and build long-term sustainable value for our stockholders. To support achievement of the strategic plan, we are implementing a significant number of strategic initiatives, including initiatives focused on building a customer-centric company, improving our products, how we go to market, and our customer experience, and expanding our global footprint. There can be no assurance that these or other future strategic initiatives will be successful to the extent we expect, or at all. In addition, we are investing significant resources in these initiatives and the costs of the initiatives may outweigh their benefits. We cannot give assurance that our management will be able to manage these initiatives effectively or implement them successfully. If we fail to implement our strategic plan effectively, if we invest resources in initiatives that ultimately prove to be unsuccessful, or if our competitors are more successful in implementing their strategic plans and initiatives than we are, our business and results of operation could be adversely affected.

Our net sales, operating income, cash and inventory levels fluctuate on a seasonal basis.

We experience major seasonal fluctuations in our net sales and operating income, with a significant portion of our operating income typically realized during the fourth quarter holiday season. Any decrease in sales or margins during this period could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Seasonal fluctuations also affect our cash and inventory levels, since we usually order merchandise in advance of peak selling periods and sometimes before new fashion trends are confirmed by customer behavior. We typically accumulate a significant amount of inventory in the months preceding the holiday season selling period. If we are not successful in selling that inventory, we may have to sell the inventory at significantly reduced prices or may not be able to sell the inventory at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

If we fail to maintain effective internal controls, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately or timely or prevent or detect fraud, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or the market price of our common stock.

In accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our management is required to conduct an annual assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and include a report on these internal controls in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls. This process involves considerable time, attention, operating expenses and outside auditor fees, and may strain our internal resources, including accounting systems and resources. If management or our independent registered public accounting firm determines that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected. We could also become subject to investigations by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources. In addition, if our controls are not effective, our ability to prevent and detect fraud and accurately and timely report our financial position could be impaired, which could result in late filings of our annual and quarterly reports under the Exchange Act, restatements of our financial statements, a decline in our stock price, or suspension or delisting of our common stock from the NYSE. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, prospects and results of operations.

Changes and turnover in company leadership or other key positions may have an adverse impact on our performance.

We may experience changes in our leadership structure or key leadership positions in the future. The departure of key leadership personnel could result in the loss of significant knowledge, experience and expertise. This loss of knowledge and experience can be mitigated through successful promotions, hiring and transition, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in such efforts. Attracting and retaining qualified senior leadership may be more challenging under adverse business conditions or a competitive labor market. Failure to build an effective leadership structure and team, attract and retain the right talent, or effectively manage the transition of knowledge and responsibilities resulting from such changes could affect our ability to accomplish our strategic plans and may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may be impacted by our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified associates and manage labor-related costs.

We believe one of our key competitive advantages is providing a positive, engaging and satisfying experience for each customer, which requires us to have highly trained and engaged associates. Our success depends in part upon our ability to attract, develop and retain a sufficient number of qualified associates, including store personnel and talented merchants. The turnover rate in the retail industry is generally high, and qualified individuals of the requisite caliber and number needed to fill these positions may be in short supply in some areas and during certain times of the year. Competition for such qualified individuals or changes in labor and healthcare laws could cause us to incur higher labor costs. As certain jobs and employers increasingly operate remotely, traditional geographic competition for talent may change in ways that cannot be fully predicted at this time. Our inability to recruit a sufficient number of qualified individuals in the future may delay planned openings of new stores or affect the speed with which we expand. Delayed store openings, significant increases in associate turnover rates or significant increases in labor-related costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our net sales depend on a volume of traffic to our stores and the availability of suitable store locations on satisfactory terms.

Most of our stores are located in retail shopping areas, including malls and other types of retail centers. Sales at these stores are derived, in part, from the volume of traffic in those retail areas. Our stores benefit from the ability of the retail center and other attractions in an area, including “destination” retail stores, to generate consumer traffic in the vicinity of our stores. Sales volume and retail traffic may be adversely affected by factors that we cannot control, such as economic downturns or changes in consumer demographics in a particular area, consumer trends away from brick-and-mortar retail toward online shopping, competition from digital and other retailers and other retail areas where we do not have stores, significant health hazards or pandemics, the closing of other stores or the decline in popularity or safety in the shopping areas where our stores are located, and the deterioration in the financial condition of the operators or developers of the shopping areas in which our stores are located.

Part of our future growth is significantly dependent on our ability to operate stores in desirable locations with capital investment and lease costs providing the opportunity to earn a reasonable return. The market for prime retail real estate is competitive. We cannot be sure as to when or whether such desirable locations will become available to us at reasonable costs and on satisfactory lease or other terms. Some of our store locations require significant upfront capital investment and have material lease commitments. If we determine that it is no longer economical to operate a store and decide to close it, we may remain obligated under the applicable lease for, among other things, payment of the base rent for the balance of the lease term. A dispute regarding our leases may result in litigation with the respective landlord, and any such dispute could be costly and have an uncertain outcome. Additionally, we are dependent upon the suitability of the lease spaces that we currently use.

These risks could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow and our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our success depends in part on new store openings and existing store remodels and right-sizing.

Our continued growth and success will depend in part on our ability to open and operate new stores and right-size and remodel existing stores in a timely and profitable manner. Our ability to open new stores depends upon a number of factors, including the ability to partner with developers and landlords to obtain suitable sites for new stores at acceptable costs, the availability and cost of materials and contractors, the hiring and training of qualified personnel and the integration of new stores into existing operations. There can be no assurance we will be able to achieve our initiatives regarding opening new stores and right-sizing and remodeling existing stores, manage our growth effectively, successfully integrate new stores into our operations or operate our new, right-sized, remodeled and existing stores profitably. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow and results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our international operations and our plans for international expansion include risks that could impact our results and reputation.

We intend to continue our international operations and further expand into international markets through partner and/or joint venture arrangements. The risks associated with international markets are numerous and include difficulties in attracting customers due to a lack of customer familiarity with our brands and our lack of familiarity with local customer preferences. Any of these risks may lead to disruption in the overall timing or profitability of our international expansion efforts. Further, entry into new markets may bring us into competition with new competitors or with existing competitors with an established market presence. Other risks include general economic conditions in specific countries or markets, volatility in the geopolitical landscape, restrictions on the repatriation of funds held internationally, disruptions or delays in shipments, occurrence of significant health hazards or pandemics, changes in diplomatic and trade relationships, political instability and foreign governmental regulation. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our business is exposed to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations that could impact our results of operations.

Our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. In fiscal 2024, approximately 12% of our total net revenue was derived from markets outside the U.S. We also began distributing and shipping product through a facility located in the Netherlands in 2024. Currencies other than the U.S. dollar are utilized for most of our international operations. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to our sales, profits, assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In addition, our royalty arrangements are calculated based on sales in local currency, which exposes us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. From time to time we use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge certain foreign currency risks; however, these measures may not succeed in offsetting all of the short-term negative impacts of foreign currency rate movements on our business and results of operations. For example, hedging would generally not be effective in offsetting the long-term impact of sustained shifts in foreign exchange rates on our business results. As a result, the fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our licensees, franchisees, wholesalers, and joint venture partners could take actions or omissions that could harm our business and reputation.

We have global representation through independently owned stores operated by our third-party partners. Although we have criteria to evaluate and select prospective partners, the level of control we can exercise over our partners is limited, and the quality and success of their operations may be diminished by any number of factors beyond our control. For example, our partners may not have the business acumen, experience or financial resources necessary to successfully operate stores in a manner consistent with our standards and may not hire and train qualified store managers and other personnel. Further, we have limited control as to whether our partners comply with federal and local law. The image of our brands and our reputation may suffer materially, and our sales and operating income could decline if our partners do not operate successfully. These risks could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our direct channel business is subject to risks that could have an adverse effect on our results.

Our ability to successfully operate and grow our digital operations is subject to numerous risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Risks include the difficulty in recreating our unique in-store experience through our direct channels; domestic or international resellers purchasing merchandise and reselling it outside our control; our ability to anticipate and implement innovations in technology and logistics in order to appeal to existing and potential customers who increasingly rely on multiple channels to meet their shopping needs; our ability to keep up with shifts in customer preference and demand; and the failure of and risks related to the systems that operate our digital infrastructure, websites and the related support systems, including computer viruses, theft of customer information, privacy concerns, telecommunication failures, cybersecurity incidents and similar disruptions.

Our failure to maintain efficient and uninterrupted order-taking and fulfillment operations could also have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The satisfaction of our online customers depends on their timely receipt of merchandise. Our operations may be jeopardized if we encounter difficulties with our distribution facilities, or if the facilities were to shut down for any reason, including as a result of natural disaster, severe weather or labor stoppage. Supply chain or product transportation challenges have caused and could continue to cause us to incur higher costs and longer lead times associated with distributing our products to our customers.

Any of these issues could cause customer dissatisfaction, reduced sales and profitability and have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses and realize the benefits and synergies sought with such acquisitions.

We may, from time to time, evaluate and pursue acquisitions and other strategic investments. These activities involve various risks that could result in unanticipated liabilities and contingencies and hinder our ability to achieve expected benefits. In 2022, we acquired Adore Me. The ultimate success of that acquisition, including achievement of the anticipated benefits and synergies, will depend in part on our ability to successfully integrate and grow the Adore Me business.

With respect to any acquired company, we may fail to realize the expected benefits and synergies for a variety of reasons, including:

• failure to successfully manage relationships with customers, distributors and suppliers;
• failure of the acquired company’s customers to continue as customers of the combined company;
• integration may be more costly, time-consuming or less effective than anticipated;
• the loss of key employees; and
• failure to combine product offerings and purchase experiences efficiently and effectively.

Further, integration efforts could disrupt both companies’ existing operations and divert management attention and resources. If we experience difficulties with the integration process, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including anticipated sales and growth opportunities, may not be realized fully, or at all, and may take longer to realize than expected. The acquisition of Adore Me or other strategic investments or acquisitions may not create value and may harm our brands and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, decrease or delay the accretive effect of the acquisition, and negatively impact the price of our common stock.

If we are unable to incorporate artificial intelligence into our business operations successfully and ethically, our business, reputation and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Our long-term strategic growth plan and strategic initiatives include investments in information technology, data science and artificial intelligence (“AI”). The use of AI and similar technology presents risks, challenges and ethical issues that could adversely affect our business. AI algorithms or training methodologies may have flaws and be prone to cybersecurity incidents or service interruptions. Data sets used by AI may be overbroad, insufficient or contain biased information. AI may generate offensive, illegal, inaccurate, or otherwise harmful content. If the work product that AI applications assist in producing is deficient, inaccurate or misleading, we could be subject to competitive harm, legal liability, regulatory action, and brand or reputational harm. Use of AI by our associates could increase the risk of exposure of confidential or competitively sensitive information. Privacy concerns and risks related to intellectual property rights of inputs into the program and AI work product are also present. If we enable or offer AI solutions that have unintended consequences, unintended usage or customization by our associates, customers or partners, or are controversial because of their impact on human rights, privacy, security, employment, or other social, economic or political issues, we may experience reputational harm, regulatory action and legal liability. Further, we may be unable to quickly and successfully adapt to rapid change resulting from advancements in AI and similar technology, or our competitors may have more success implementing and utilizing such technology than we do. Any of these risks could have an adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations.

Our ability to protect our reputation could have a material effect on the image and value of our brands.

Our ability to maintain and refine our reputation is critical to the image and value of our brands. Our reputation could be jeopardized if we fail to maintain high standards for merchandise quality and corporate integrity. Any negative publicity, including information publicized through traditional or social media platforms, blogs, websites and other forums, may affect our reputation and brands and, consequently, reduce demand for our merchandise, even if such publicity is unverified or inaccurate.

Failure to comply, or the perception that we have failed to comply, with ethical, social, product, labor, privacy and environmental standards, or related political sentiment, could also jeopardize our reputation and potentially lead to various adverse consumer actions, including boycotts. Additionally, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and other matters have developed rating systems for evaluating companies on their approach to environmental, social and governance matters. Unfavorable ratings may also affect our reputation and the perception of our brands. Failure to comply with local laws and regulations, to maintain an effective system of internal controls, to maintain the security of customer, associate, third-party and Company information or to provide accurate and timely financial statement disclosure could also hurt our reputation. Damage to our reputation or loss of consumer confidence for any of these or other reasons could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as require additional resources to rebuild our reputation.

If our marketing, advertising and promotional programs and events are unsuccessful, or if our competitors are more effective with their programs than we are, our revenue or results of operations may be adversely affected.

Customer traffic and demand for our merchandise are influenced by our advertising, marketing and promotional activities, including flagship events like the VS Fashion Show, and the name recognition and reputation of our brands. We use marketing, advertising and promotional programs to attract customers through various media, including social media, websites, mobile applications, email, print and television. Some of our competitors may expend more for their programs than we do, or use different approaches than we do, which may provide them with a competitive advantage. Our programs and events may not be effective or could require increased expenditures, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to adequately maintain, enforce and protect our intellectual property rights could have an impact on the image and value of our brands, our competitive position, business operations, and our ability to successfully enter new markets.

We believe that our intellectual property rights, including trade names, trademarks, copyrights, patents and proprietary information are important assets and an essential element of our strategy, especially with respect to innovative new products and maintaining the integrity of our brands. We routinely apply for and obtain registration of our intellectual property in the U.S. and in many foreign jurisdictions. However, there can be no assurance that we will obtain such registrations or that the registrations we obtain will prevent the imitation of our products or infringement or other violation of our intellectual property rights by others. In particular, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S., particularly in regions where such laws are less developed. Counterfeiting, piracy, or unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, may decrease our revenue, and dilute the value of our brands, our reputation and our competitive advantage.

Third parties may assert rights in or ownership of our trademarks and other intellectual property rights, or trademarks that are similar to our trademarks, or claim that we are infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating their intellectual property rights. These type of conflicts may not be resolved to our satisfaction, may result in costly litigation and settlement costs, which may require licensing agreements, payment of significant royalties, settlements costs or damages, or injunctions, which may require us to rebrand our products or be prevented from selling some of our products. Further, the rapid pace of technological innovation may render certain intellectual property less valuable or obsolete. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Our ability to compete favorably in our highly competitive segment of the retail industry could impact our results.

The retail industry is highly competitive, especially with respect to the intimates, apparel and beauty markets. We compete for sales with a broad range of other retailers, including individual and chain specialty stores, department stores and discount retailers. In addition to the traditional store-based retailers, we also compete with direct marketers and retailers that sell similar merchandise and target customers through online channels. Brand image, marketing, design, price, service, assortment, quality, image presentation and fulfillment are all competitive factors in both the store-based and online channels.

Some of our competitors may have greater financial, marketing and other resources available to them or use their resources more effectively. Trends across our product categories may favor our competitors, including the shift in customer preference to digital and omnichannel shopping. We rely to a greater degree than some of our competitors on physical locations in shopping malls and retail centers and so declines in traffic to such locations may affect us more significantly than our competitors. Some of our competitors sell their products in stores that are located in the same shopping malls and retail centers as our stores. In addition to competing for sales, we compete for favorable store locations and lease terms.

Increased competition, combined with declines in mall or online website traffic, could result in reduced sales, increased promotional activity, increased marketing expenditures, and loss of pricing power and market share, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our ability to manage the life cycle of our brands and to remain current with fashion trends and launch new merchandise, product lines, and brands successfully could impact the value of our brands.

Our success depends in part on our ability to effectively manage the life cycle of our brands and to anticipate and respond to changing fashion preferences and consumer demands and to translate market trends into attractive, salable product offerings in a timely and effective manner. We are dependent on certain product categories, including bras and other intimates products, and a decline in consumer demand in these product categories could negatively affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We may choose to launch new product categories or brands, and our ability to successfully introduce new merchandise, product lines, and brands will impact our results of operations and the image and relevance of our brands. Customer demands and fashion trends change rapidly. If we are unable to successfully anticipate, identify or react to changing styles or trends or we misjudge the market for our products or any new product lines, our sales may decrease, potentially resulting in significant amounts of unsold inventory. In response, we may be forced to increase our marketing and promotional activity. These risks could have a material adverse effect on the value of our brands and our reputation as well as our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may be impacted by our ability to adequately source materials and produce, distribute and sell merchandise on a global basis.

We source materials and produce merchandise in international markets and in our domestic market. We distribute merchandise globally to our partners, stores and customers in nearly 70 countries. Many of our imports and exports are subject to a variety of customs regulations and international trade arrangements, including existing or potential increases in or new duties, tariffs or safeguard quotas. We also compete with other companies for production facilities.

We face a variety of risks associated with doing business on a global basis. For example:

• political instability, wars and geopolitical conflicts, environmental hazards or natural disasters, which could negatively affect international economies, U.S. and global trade policy, financial markets, supply chain operations and business activity;
• significant health hazards or pandemics, which could result in closed factories, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in affected areas;
• imposition or threatened imposition of new or increased trade duties, sanctions, tariffs or taxes and other charges on imports or exports;
• evolving, new or complex legal and regulatory matters;
• volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates;
• local business practice and political issues, including issues relating to compliance with domestic or international labor standards, which may result in adverse publicity or threatened or actual adverse consumer actions, including boycotts;
• delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts;
• disruption due to labor disputes; and
• changing expectations regarding product safety due to new legislation or other factors.

We also rely upon third-party transportation providers for substantially all of our product shipments, including shipments to and from our distribution centers, to our stores and to our customers. Our utilization of these delivery services is subject to risks, including increases in labor costs and fuel prices, which may increase our shipping costs, and associate strikes and inclement weather, which may impact our transportation providers’ ability to provide delivery services that adequately meet our shipping needs. Further, the growth in demand for online shopping has led to increased pressure on the capacity of our fulfillment network. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We rely on a number of production and distribution facilities located in the same vicinity, making our business susceptible to local and regional disruptions or adverse conditions.

A significant portion of our intimates and apparel products are produced in Southeast Asia. In addition, production and distribution of our beauty products occurs in close proximity to our headquarters in central Ohio. As a result of the geographic concentration of the production and distribution facilities that we rely upon, our operations are susceptible to local and regional factors, such as accidents, system failures, economic and extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, demographic and population changes, and other unforeseen or uncontrollable events and circumstances. Any significant interruption or adverse impact to the operations of these facilities could lead to inventory shortages, supply chain disruption or increased costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may be impacted by our vendors’ ability to manufacture and deliver products in a timely manner, meet quality standards and comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Third-party vendors produce the vast majority of our products. Factors outside our control, such as production or shipping delays or quality problems, could disrupt merchandise deliveries and result in lost sales, cancellation charges or excessive markdowns. In addition, quality problems could result in product liability litigation or a widespread product recall that may negatively impact our reputation, sales and profitability. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertions could adversely impact our reputation with existing and potential customers and the image of our brands.

Our business could also suffer if our third-party vendors fail to comply with our guidelines and policies or applicable laws, regulations or ethical standards. The violation of our guidelines and policies or labor, environmental or other laws by our third-party vendors, or the divergence of a third-party vendor’s or partner’s labor or environmental practices from those generally accepted as ethical or appropriate, could disrupt the shipment of finished products to us or damage our reputation. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our results may be affected by fluctuations in freight, product input and energy costs, including those caused by inflation.

Product input costs, including freight, labor and raw materials, fluctuate. Fluctuations in the price and availability of freight, labor and raw materials may result in an increase in our production costs. Increases in the cost of shipping, shipping materials or other order fulfillment logistics may affect the cost of our order fulfillment operations. Inflation can also have an adverse impact on us because increasing costs of materials and labor may adversely impact our profit margins, especially if we are not able to, or elect not to, pass these increases on to our customers. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Energy costs may fluctuate as a result of inflation and other factors, including geopolitical conflicts and related economic sanctions. These fluctuations may result in an increase in our transportation costs for distribution, utility costs for our retail stores and costs to purchase products from our manufacturers. A rise in energy costs could adversely affect consumer spending and demand for our products and increase our operating costs, both of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Climate change and other sustainability-related matters, and related legal, regulatory and market responses to climate change, may adversely impact our business.

There is increasing concern that a permanent rise in global average temperatures due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has caused and will continue to cause significant changes in weather patterns around the globe, an increase in the frequency, severity and duration of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, and water scarcity and poor water quality. These events could adversely impact the cultivation of cotton, which is a key resource in the production of our products, disrupt the operation of our supply chain, increase our production costs, and impact consumer behavior. These events could also compound adverse economic conditions and reduce consumer confidence and discretionary spending. As a result, the effects of climate change could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In many jurisdictions, governments are considering or enacting new or additional legislation and regulations to reduce or mitigate the impacts of climate change. If we or our suppliers are required to comply with these laws and regulations, or if we take voluntary steps to reduce or mitigate our impact on climate change, we may experience increases in energy, production, transportation and raw materials costs, capital expenditures, insurance premiums and deductibles, and compliance-related costs, which could adversely impact our results of operation. Inconsistency of legislation and regulations among jurisdictions may also affect the costs of compliance with such laws and regulations. Any assessment of the potential impact of future climate change legislation, regulations or industry standards, as well as any international treaties and accords, is uncertain given the wide scope of potential regulatory change in the countries in which we operate. Any failure on our part to comply with climate change-related regulations could lead to adverse consumer actions and investment decisions by investors, as well as expose us to government enforcement and private litigation.

Execution of sustainability-related strategies and achievement of sustainability-related goals is subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control. If we announce sustainability-related goals and targets, there can be no assurance that our stakeholders will agree with our strategies, and any perception, whether or not valid, that we have failed to achieve, or to act responsibly with respect to such matters or to comply with new or additional legal or regulatory requirements regarding climate change and other sustainability-related matters could result in adverse publicity and adversely affect our business and reputation.

Our ability to adequately protect our assets from loss and theft could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our assets are subject to loss, including those caused by illegal or unethical conduct by associates, customers, vendors or unaffiliated third parties, natural disasters and organized retail theft. We have experienced inventory shrinkage due to theft, and we cannot assure that incidences of loss and theft will decrease in the future or that the measures we are taking will effectively reduce these losses. Higher rates of loss or increased security costs to combat theft could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We self-insure certain risks and may be impacted by unfavorable claims experience.

We are self-insured for various types of insurable risks including associate medical benefits, workers’ compensation, property, general liability and automobile up to certain stop-loss limits. Claims are difficult to predict and may be volatile. Any adverse claims experience could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We rely on our and our third-party service providers’ ability to implement and sustain information technology systems and to protect associated data and system availability.

Our success depends in part on the secure and uninterrupted performance of our and our third-party services providers’ and vendors’ information technology systems. Our information technology systems, as well as those of our service providers and vendors, are vulnerable to damage, interruption or breach from a variety of sources, including cyberattacks, ransomware attacks, telecommunication failures, malicious human acts and natural disasters. Moreover, despite protective measures, some of our systems, e-commerce environments, servers and those of our service providers and vendors are potentially vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses and similar disruptive problems. Such incidents could disrupt our operations, including our ability to sell and deliver products, and lead to interruptions or delays in our supply chain. Additionally, these types of problems could result in an actual or perceived breach of confidential customer, operational, financial, employee or other important information (including personal information), which could result in damage to our reputation, costly litigation, customer complaints, negative publicity, breach notification obligations, regulatory or administrative sanctions, inquiries, orders or investigations, indemnity obligations, damages for contract breach or penalties for violations of applicable laws or regulations. The increased use of artificial intelligence, smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices may also heighten these and other operational risks. Unanticipated or uncontrollable problems or events may cause failures in, or unauthorized access to, our and our third-party service providers’ and vendors’ information technology systems. Sustained or repeated system disruptions that interrupt our ability to process orders and deliver products to our customers and stores, impact our customers’ ability to access our websites, or expose confidential customer, operational, financial or other important information (including personal information) could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In addition, from time to time, we make hardware, software and code modifications and upgrades to our information technology systems for point-of-sale, e-commerce, mobile applications, merchandise and financial planning, sourcing, logistics, inventory management and support systems, including human resources and finance. Modifications involve replacing existing systems with successor systems, making changes to existing systems or acquiring new systems with new functionality. We are subject to risks associated with replacing and modifying our information technology systems, including risks relative to cybersecurity, data integrity and system disruptions. Information technology system disruptions or data corruption, if not anticipated and appropriately mitigated, could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In addition to our own systems, networks and databases, we use third-party service providers to store, transmit and otherwise process certain of this information on our behalf, and our third-party service providers are subject to similar cybersecurity risks. Due to applicable laws and regulations or contractual obligations, we may be held responsible for any cybersecurity incident attributed to our service providers as they relate to the information we share with them or to which they are granted access.

Any significant cybersecurity compromise or breach, including with respect to customer, associate, third-party or company information, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In the operation of our business, we collect, use, transmit and otherwise process a large volume of personal and other confidential, proprietary and sensitive information. Information systems are susceptible to an increasing threat of continually evolving cybersecurity risks. These risks may be heightened by the increasing presence of AI and related technologies and geopolitical conflicts. Any significant cybersecurity incident or breach, media reports about such an incident, whether accurate or not, or our failure to make adequate or timely disclosures to the public or governmental agencies following any such event, whether due to delayed discovery or a failure to follow existing protocols, could significantly damage our reputation with our customers, associates, investors and other third parties, cause the disclosure of personal, confidential, proprietary or sensitive customer, associate, third-party or company information, cause interruptions to our operations and distraction to our management, cause our customers to stop shopping with us and result in significant legal, regulatory and financial liabilities and lost revenues.

There is no guarantee that the measures we have implemented to protect our information systems are adequate to safeguard against all cybersecurity threats. We may be vulnerable to targeted or random attacks on our systems that could lead to security breaches, phishing attacks, denial of service attacks, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, malware, ransomware, misplaced or lost data, programming and human errors or similar events. Our systems and facilities are also subject to compromise from internal threats, such as theft, misuse, unauthorized access or other improper actions by employees, third-party service providers and other third parties with otherwise legitimate access to our systems, website or facilities. These risks may be heightened as a result of remote or hybrid work policies and technologies. Furthermore, the methods of cyber-attack and deception change frequently, are increasingly complex and sophisticated, and can originate from a wide variety of sources, including nation-state actors. We may not be able to anticipate, detect, appropriately react and respond to, or implement effective preventative measures against all cybersecurity incidents.

We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against, respond to, and recover from any potential, attempted, existing or future cybersecurity incidents. As cybersecurity incidents continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify and enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. In addition, our remediation efforts may not be successful, or may not be completed in a timely manner. The inability to implement, maintain and upgrade adequate safeguards could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Moreover, there could be public announcements regarding any cybersecurity incidents and any steps we take to respond to or remediate such incidents, and if securities analysts or investors perceive these announcements to be negative, it could, among other things, have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

While we currently maintain cybersecurity insurance, such insurance may not be sufficient in type or amount to cover us against claims related to breaches, failures or other cybersecurity incidents, and we cannot be certain that cybersecurity insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or that any insurer will not deny coverage as to any future claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, or the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Changes in laws, regulations or technology platform rules relating to data privacy and security, or any actual or perceived failure by us to comply with such laws and regulations or related contractual or other obligations, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We are, and may increasingly become, subject to various laws, regulations and industry standards, as well as contractual obligations, relating to data privacy and security. The regulatory environment related to data privacy and security is increasingly rigorous, with new and constantly changing requirements applicable to our business, and enforcement practices are likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Any failure by us to comply with such laws and regulations may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

In the U.S., various federal and state regulators, including governmental agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, have adopted, or are considering adopting, laws and regulations concerning personal information and data security and have prioritized privacy and information security violations for enforcement actions. Certain state laws may be more stringent or broader in scope, or offer greater individual rights, with respect to personal information than federal, international or other state laws, and such laws may differ from each other, all of which may complicate compliance efforts. Changes to state or federal laws to which we are or become subject may add additional complexity, variation in requirements, restrictions and potential legal risk, require additional investment of resources in compliance programs, impact strategies and the availability of previously useful data and could result in increased compliance costs or changes in business practices and policies. We are also subject to international laws, regulations and standards in many jurisdictions in which we operate, which apply broadly to the collection, use, retention, security, disclosure, transfer and other processing of personal information, for example, the E.U. General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”).

These evolving compliance and operational requirements impose costs related to organizational changes, implementing additional protection technologies, training associates and engaging consultants. In addition, such requirements may require us to modify our data processing practices and policies, distract management or divert resources from other initiatives and projects. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with any applicable federal, state or similar foreign laws and regulations relating to data privacy and security could result in damage to our reputation, proceedings or litigation by governmental agencies or customers, including class action privacy litigation, which could subject us to significant fines, sanctions, awards, penalties or judgments. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Shareholder activism could cause us to incur significant expense, hinder execution of our business strategy and impact our stock price.

Shareholder activism, which can take many forms and arise in a variety of situations, could result in substantial costs and divert management’s and our Board of Directors’ (“Board”) attention and resources away from our business. Additionally, shareholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to our future prospects and ability to execute our long-term strategic growth plan, adversely affect our relationships with our associates, customers or service providers and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. We may be required to incur significant fees and other expenses related to activist shareholder matters, including for third-party advisors. Our results of operations and stock price could be adversely affected by shareholder activism activity.

We may be adversely impacted by our ability to comply with regulatory requirements.

We are subject to numerous legal and regulatory requirements, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), the SEC rules and the NYSE listing standards, among others. Our associates, subcontractors, vendors, licensees, franchisees, joint venture partners, and other third parties could take actions that violate these foreign and domestic laws and regulations. Any violations of such laws or regulations could have an adverse effect on our reputation, the market price of our common stock, and our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

It can be difficult to comply with sometimes conflicting regulations in local, national or foreign jurisdictions, as well as new or changing laws and regulations. Changes in laws could make operating our business more expensive or require us to change the way we operate. We may not be successful in managing legal and regulatory changes impacting our business, and our responses to changes in the law could be costly and may negatively impact our operations. In addition, future acquisitions of foreign companies or new foreign ventures and any joint ventures with foreign companies could potentially lead to risks related to, among other things, increased exposure to foreign exchange rate changes, government price control, repatriation of profits and liabilities related to the FCPA.

We may be adversely impacted by certain compliance or legal matters.

We, along with third parties we do business with, are subject to complex compliance requirements and litigation risks. Legal actions filed against us from time to time may include commercial, breach of contract, tort, intellectual property, customer, employment, wage and hour, data privacy, securities, anti-corruption and other claims, including purported class action lawsuits. The cost of defending against these types of claims or the ultimate resolution of such claims, whether by settlement or adverse court decision, may harm our business and results of operations. Further, potential claimants may be encouraged to bring suits based on a settlement from us or adverse court decisions against us. We cannot assess the likelihood that we will receive such claims or the outcome of any such claims, but if outcomes are negative, it could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may be impacted by changes in taxation, trade policy and other regulatory requirements.

We are subject to income tax in local, federal and foreign jurisdictions. In addition, our products are subject to import and excise duties and sales or value-added taxes in many jurisdictions. We are also subject to the examination of our tax returns and other tax matters by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities and governmental bodies. There can be no assurance as to the outcome of these examinations. Changes in tax legislation or regulation, including increases in tax rates, tariffs and duties, or adverse outcomes of tax examinations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

There is increased uncertainty with respect to tax policy and trade relations between the U.S. and other countries. For example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) released an international tax framework for a global 15.0% minimum tax regime, the implementation of which commenced for some countries beginning January 1, 2024. We will continue to monitor legal and regulatory changes in the many jurisdictions in which we operate. We also continue to monitor the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China as both countries have imposed tariffs on the importation of certain product categories into the respective country. Developments in tax policy or trade relations, such as the imposition or threatened imposition of new or increased tariffs on imported products, and actions taken in retaliation of the imposition of such new or increased tariffs, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness

We have debt obligations that could restrict our business and adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We have a term loan facility, a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility and have issued senior notes. The associated debt agreements contain certain affirmative and negative covenants, including maintenance of a consolidated coverage ratio, a consolidated total leverage ratio, a fixed charge coverage ratio, and a debt to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent ratio. If we fail to comply with any covenants, the lenders may terminate their obligation to make advances to us and declare any outstanding obligations immediately due and payable. If our cash flow from operations declines, we may be unable to service or refinance our debt. Further, amounts borrowed under our term loan facility and senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility are subject to variable interest rates. Consequently, the current high interest rate environment results in higher borrowing costs for us and may limit our ability to refinance existing debt or obtain additional debt on favorable terms or at all.

Our debt obligations could restrict our future business strategies and have significant consequences on our future operations, including:

• Making it more difficult for us to meet our payment and other obligations under our outstanding debt;
• Resulting in an event of default if we fail to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants contained in our debt agreements, which could result in all of our debt becoming immediately due and payable;
• Reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, and limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for these purposes;
• Limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing our vulnerability to, changes in our business, the industry in which we operate and the general economy; and
• Placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to any of our competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged.

Any of the above-listed factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may also incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Any future indenture or credit agreements that we may enter into may include restrictive covenants that restrict or limit our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, make certain investments, sell certain assets and enter into certain strategic transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. These covenants and restrictions could affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to react to market conditions or take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise.

Our ability to maintain our credit rating could affect our ability to access capital and could increase our interest expense.

Any downgrades in our credit ratings by the major independent rating agencies could increase the cost of borrowing under any indebtedness we may incur. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our credit ratings, and any actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade, may have a negative impact on our liquidity, capital position and access to capital markets.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

The price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly and may continue to fluctuate significantly.

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly, and may continue to fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

• Fluctuations in our quarterly or annual earnings results or those of other companies in our industry;
• Failures of our operating results to meet the estimates of securities analysts or the expectations of our stockholders, or changes by securities analysts in their estimates of our future earnings;
• Announcements by us or our competitors;
• Changes in laws or regulations which adversely affect us;
• General economic, industry and stock market conditions;
• Sales of large blocks of our common stock; and
• The other factors described in these “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for our common stock to fluctuate, which may limit or prevent stockholders from readily selling their shares of our common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders brought a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from our business.

The trading market for our common stock may also be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of the Company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our stock, or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and certain provisions of Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company.

The existence of certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”) and second amended and restated bylaws (“Bylaws”) and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of the Company that stockholders may consider favorable. These include provisions:

• Providing the right to our Board to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock without stockholder approval;
• Authorizing a large number of shares of common stock that are not yet issued, which would allow our Board to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, thereby protecting the continuity of our Board and management, or which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us;
• Prohibiting stockholders from taking action by written consent; and
• Establishing advance notice and other requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at our annual stockholder meetings.

We believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our Board and by providing our Board with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if a takeover offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board determines is not in our and our stockholders’ best interests.

Our Bylaws designate Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us and affect the market price of our common stock.

Pursuant to our Bylaws, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for:

• any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;
• any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty;
• any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers or other employees or agents arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws;
• any action asserting a claim related to or involving us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; or
• any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

These exclusive forum provisions will apply to all covered actions, including any covered action in which the plaintiff chooses to assert a claim or claims under federal law in addition to a claim or claims under Delaware law. These exclusive forum provisions, however, will not apply to actions asserting only federal law claims under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, regardless of whether the state courts in the State of Delaware have jurisdiction over those claims. The forum selection clause in our Bylaws may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us, result in increased costs for investors to bring a claim and affect the market price of our common stock.

Your percentage ownership in the Company may be diluted in the future.

Your percentage ownership in the Company may be diluted due to issuances of common stock or other securities by us for acquisitions, strategic investments, capital market transactions or otherwise, including awards of common stock that we may grant to our directors, officers, employees and other service providers. From time to time, we grant awards of common stock to our employees and directors under our compensation and benefits plans. These awards have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions as our Board may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock. For example, we could grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or dividend, distribution or liquidation preferences we could assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the value of our common stock.

Our common stock is and will be subordinate to all of our current and future indebtedness and any preferred stock, and effectively subordinate to all indebtedness and preferred equity claims against our subsidiaries.

Shares of our common stock are common equity interests in us and, as such, will rank junior to all our current and future indebtedness and other liabilities. Additionally, holders of our common stock may become subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock that our Board may designate and issue without any action on the part of the holders of our common stock. Furthermore, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon any of our subsidiaries’ liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors and preferred stockholders, if any.

As a publicly traded company, we recognize the critical importance of effective cybersecurity risk management to safeguard our operations, protect sensitive information and ensure the trust of our customers and stakeholders.

Risk Management & Strategy

We maintain a robust cybersecurity risk management program designed to assess, identify and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats, which encompasses the following key components.

Risk Assessment

We regularly conduct comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, threats and potential impacts on our business operations and stakeholders. We actively monitor and gather threat intelligence to stay informed about emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities relevant to our industry and operations. We engage independent third-party assessors for periodic cybersecurity program assessments against industry accepted frameworks and to perform technical penetration assessments. We assess ourselves against the Center for Internet Security Top 18 controls framework, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and management-defined technology controls to support our internal controls over financial reporting.

Incident Detection and Response

We have established procedures for monitoring network activities, detecting anomalies and responding to cybersecurity incidents promptly. We engage a specialized managed services firm to provide continuous monitoring and an initial level of incident response. We work with a leading cyber forensics firm to provide incident response services as needed. Our incident response and escalation procedures are documented to classify incidents according to defined thresholds. Our core incident response and extended incident response teams are cross-functional and include leaders across technology, legal, finance, asset protection, customer care, human resources, stores operations and communications. Protocols to notify our executive leadership team and Board are in place based on the severity of the incident.

Third-party Risk

In addition to our own systems, we use third-party service providers to store, transmit and process information on our behalf. Third-party risk management is embedded in our cybersecurity risk management function. We leverage an independent cybersecurity assessment exchange service to gather information and provide real-time threat monitoring of our most critical third parties. We review relevant cybersecurity assessment reports and certifications from our third parties. Our standard contract terms also require third parties to maintain a standard level of security and controls.

Governance

Our cybersecurity risk management processes are integrated into our overall enterprise risk management system. Our Board understands the critical nature of managing risks associated with cybersecurity threats. The Board has established robust oversight mechanisms to provide effective oversight of risks associated with cybersecurity.

Board of Directors Oversight

The Audit Committee has been delegated the primary responsibility for the Board's oversight of cybersecurity risks. Executive summaries of our internal risk assessments, program initiatives, regulatory compliance and incident summaries are shared with our Audit Committee on a semi-annual basis, with additional updates as needed. Our third-party assessment and audit results, which are performed on an annual basis, and associated remediation plans are also shared with our Audit Committee. Additionally, our Internal Audit function independently conducts periodic reviews of our cybersecurity controls and reports the results of those reviews to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reports to the Board on cybersecurity risk oversight at least annually.

Management's Role in Managing Cybersecurity Risk

Our Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”) has primary responsibility for assessing, monitoring, and managing our cybersecurity risks. Our CISO has over 25 years of security experience in executive leadership, operations, incident response, and consulting in various industries including retail, technology and healthcare, as well as support of Federal government agencies and intelligence. Our CISO reports to our Chief Information Officer (“CIO”), who is also responsible for overseeing cybersecurity risks and communicating with the Board and Audit Committee.

We have a structured process to identify and oversee material cybersecurity risks. We maintain a robust set of cybersecurity policies that set the standards and expectations for our associates, contractors and vendors to follow. We report cybersecurity metrics quarterly to our technology leadership, including our CIO and CISO, and our Enterprise Risk Management team. We have an Executive Risk Council, comprised of executive leadership across the business, which is briefed quarterly on the latest cybersecurity threats impacting our business, and the progress of recent and ongoing cybersecurity program efforts, incidents and risk assessments. The Executive Risk Council provides input as needed to strengthen our cybersecurity controls and risk management.

We do not believe that any risks we have identified from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. For additional information regarding cybersecurity risks we are subject to, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We believe that our properties are adequate and suitable for our business as presently conducted. The following table provides the location, use and size of our distribution, corporate and product development facilities as of February 1, 2025:

United States

Within the U.S., our business is principally conducted from office, distribution and shipping facilities located in the Columbus, Ohio, area. Additional facilities are located in New York and New Jersey.

Our distribution and shipping facilities in the U.S. consist of three buildings located in the Columbus, Ohio, area, which support our Victoria's Secret and PINK brands, and one leased building located in New Jersey, which supports our Adore Me brand. These buildings, including attached office space, comprise approximately 3.1 million square feet. The lease on the New Jersey facility expires in 2028.

As of February 1, 2025, we operated 788 retail stores located in leased facilities, primarily in shopping malls, lifestyle centers and off-mall locations, throughout the U.S. A substantial portion of these lease commitments consists of store leases generally with an initial term of 10 years. The store leases expire at various dates between 2025 and 2037.

Typically, when space is leased for a retail store in a mall or shopping center, we supply all improvements, including interior walls, floors, ceilings, fixtures and decorations. The cost of improvements varies widely, depending on the design, size and location of the store. In certain cases, the landlord of the property may provide an allowance to fund all or a portion of the cost of improvements, serving as a lease incentive. Rental terms for new locations usually include a fixed minimum rent plus a percentage of sales in excess of a specified amount. We usually pay certain operating costs such as common area maintenance, utilities, insurance and taxes. For additional information, see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

International

Mexico

We lease an international distribution and shipping facility located in Mexico, which supports our Adore Me brand. This facility is operated by a third-party provider and comprises approximately 0.2 million square feet. The lease for this facility expires in 2026.

Netherlands

We lease an international distribution and shipping facility located in the Netherlands, which supports our Victoria's Secret and PINK brands. This facility is operated by a third-party provider and comprises approximately 0.2 million square feet. The lease for this facility expires in 2029.

China

We lease offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong within China. As of February 1, 2025, we operated 57 retail stores in leased facilities in China. These lease commitments consist of store leases with initial terms ranging from 3 to 15 years expiring on various dates between 2025 and 2032.

Canada

As of February 1, 2025, we operated 24 retail stores located in leased facilities, primarily in malls and shopping centers, throughout the Canadian provinces. These lease commitments consist of store leases with initial terms of 5 to 10 years expiring on various dates between 2025 and 2035.

United Kingdom / Ireland

As a result of our joint venture with Next PLC, we no longer operate any stores in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) or Ireland. However, as of February 1, 2025, we continue to lease a store in Ireland, with a lease expiration in 2036, which is sublet to and operated by the joint venture.

Other International

As of February 1, 2025, we also have global representation through stores operated by our partners:

• 337 beauty and accessories stores in 59 countries; and
• 181 full assortment stores in 39 countries.

We also operate technology and sourcing-related office facilities in various international locations.

We are a defendant in a variety of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Actions filed against us from time to time include commercial, tort, intellectual property, customer, employment, data privacy, securities and other claims, including purported class action lawsuits. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any litigation, in the opinion of management, our current legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or made by us, our management, or our spokespeople involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements, and any future performance or financial results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our future operating results, the implementation and impact of our strategic plans, and our ability to meet environmental, social, and governance goals. Words such as “estimate,” “commit,” “will,” “target,” “goal,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “strive,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “continue,” “potential” and any similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, could affect our results of operations and financial performance and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements:

• general economic conditions, inflation and changes in consumer confidence and consumer spending patterns;
• market disruptions including pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events;
• uncertainty in the global trade environment, including the imposition or threatened imposition of tariffs or other trade restrictions;
• our ability to successfully implement our strategic plan;
• difficulties arising from changes and turnover in company leadership or other key positions;
• our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified associates and manage labor-related costs;
• our dependence on traffic to our stores and the availability of suitable store locations on satisfactory terms;
• our ability to successfully operate and expand internationally and related risks;
• the operations and performance of our franchisees, licensees, wholesalers and joint venture partners;
• our ability to successfully operate and grow our direct channel business;
• our ability to protect our reputation and the image and value of our brands;
• our ability to attract customers with marketing, advertising and promotional programs;
• the highly competitive nature of the retail industry and the segments in which we operate;
• consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to manage the life cycle of our brands, remain current with fashion trends, and develop and launch new merchandise, product lines and brands successfully;
• our ability to integrate acquired businesses and realize the benefits and synergies sought with such acquisitions;
• our ability to incorporate artificial intelligence into our business operations successfully and ethically while effectively managing the associated risks;
• our ability to source materials and produce, distribute and sell merchandise on a global basis, including risks related to:
• political instability and geopolitical conflicts;
• environmental hazards and natural disasters;
• significant health hazards and pandemics;
• delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts;
• foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; and
• disruption due to labor disputes;
• our geographic concentration of production and distribution facilities in central Ohio and Southeast Asia;
• the ability of our vendors to manufacture and deliver products in a timely manner, meet quality standards and comply with applicable laws and regulations;
• fluctuations in freight, product input and energy costs;
• our and our third-party service providers’ ability to implement and maintain information technology systems and to protect associated data and system availability;
• our ability to maintain the security of customer, associate, third-party and company information;
• stock price volatility;
• shareholder activism matters;
• our ability to maintain our credit rating;
• our ability to comply with regulatory requirements; and
• legal, tax, trade and other regulatory matters.

Except as may be required by law, we assume no obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of future events, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as codified in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The following information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Our operating results are generally impacted by economic changes and, therefore, we monitor the retail environment using, among other things, certain key industry performance indicators including competitor performance and mall traffic data. These can provide insight into consumer spending patterns and shopping behavior in the current retail environment and assist us in assessing our performance as well as the potential impact of industry trends on our future operating results. Additionally, we evaluate a number of key performance indicators including comparable sales, gross profit, operating income and other performance metrics such as sales per average selling square foot and inventory per selling square foot in assessing our performance.

Executive Overview

Victoria’s Secret & Co. operates globally recognized brands that specialize in women’s intimate, apparel, personal care and beauty products:

• Victoria’s Secret – A world-leading lingerie brand with a rich heritage of serving women worldwide.
• PINK – A vibrant fashion and lifestyle brand designed for young women, built on a strong foundation in intimates.
• Adore Me – A technology-driven, digital first brand that offers innovative, inclusive intimates for women of all sizes, budgets and lifestyles.

Together, these brands are united by a commitment to supporting women—helping them express confidence, sexiness and strength while fostering connection and community.

Our merchandise is available through our digital channels, in retail stores across the U.S., Canada and China, and through international stores and websites and mobile applications operated by partners under franchise, license, wholesale and joint venture arrangements. With a presence in nearly 70 countries, we benefit from strong global brand recognition, a compelling product assortment and a deep, lasting connection with our customers.

We are dedicated to continuous growth and operational excellence, focusing on execution of our strategic plan to drive long-term, sustainable value for our stockholders.

Tariffs and Macro Environment

We face some near-term headwinds and ongoing uncertainty in the macro environment, which we will manage aggressively. At this time, the overall impact on our business related to the newly imposed tariffs by the U.S. presidential administration on imports from China, Mexico and Canada as well as any retaliatory measures by impacted exporting countries remains uncertain and depends on multiple factors.

Financial Impacts of the Adore Me Acquisition

In December 2022, we acquired Adore Me. In both 2024 and 2023, we recognized the financial impact of purchase accounting items related to the acquisition, including recognition of changes in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration and Contingent Compensation Payments and amortization of acquired intangible assets. In addition, in 2023, we recognized the financial impact of additional acquisition-related costs and recognition in gross profit of the fair value adjustment to acquired inventories that were sold in 2023. For additional information, see Note 2, “Acquisition” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Growth Strategies

Path to Potential: Strength, Innovation and Growth

Victoria's Secret & Co. is operating from a position of strength. As the world's largest intimate apparel company, we have a powerful foundation for growth with a leading market share in the industry, millions of active and loyal customers and one of the most engaged brand communities on social media.

We apply our strength by evolving, leading the industry and unlocking new opportunities. Our growth plan, which we are calling “Path to Potential,” is designed to deepen our connection to consumers and drive stockholder value by supercharging our two distinct, compelling growth brands, Victoria’s Secret and PINK, complemented by our Beauty business and our digital-first Adore Me brand.

Our strategy is built around four key priorities that we believe will allow us to strengthen our core, expand into high-potential categories and evolve how we connect with customers. These priorities are designed to accelerate growth, differentiate our brands and reinforce our authority in the market both in North America and internationally.

1. Recommit to PINK: Winning the Next Generation

PINK has long been a brand with deep emotional connections to young women. We are focused on re-establishing the brand's magic and market position.

• We will deepen our relationship with the customer, understanding her like never before and meeting her where she is, in the way she wants.
• We are working to reclaim our position as a full lifestyle brand, anchored in intimates but extending into more apparel, accessories and beauty.
• We must clarify and elevate the brand by sharpening our identity, thinking and operating as a social-first brand, and treating PINK as a high-potential growth engine.

2. Supercharge Bras: Reasserting Our Authority

We will lean on our industry-leading bra expertise to:

• Drive innovation-first product development, ensuring we lead the industry in fit, function and fashion.
• Expand our bra assortment to serve a wider range of customer needs.
• Strengthen our marketing voice and channel experience to serve her better.

3. Fuel Growth in Lifestyle Categories: Beauty, Sport, Lounge & Swim

We have a powerhouse Beauty business and strong lifestyle brands that customers love and we will accelerate these categories by:

• Leaning into our Beauty authority—building on our industry-leading fragrance business and expanding into new opportunities which includes beauty at PINK.
• Reclaiming key adjacencies by applying our expertise in bra innovation, quality and fit to revitalize our Sport and Swim businesses while also elevating our lounge offerings to meet our customers' needs and drive additional growth.

4. Evolve Our Brand Projection & Go-To-Market Strategy

As culture, technology, and shopping behaviors shift, so must our go-to-market strategy. By staying true to our brand while adapting how we engage, inspire, and serve, we will deepen connections with existing customers and attract new customers while strengthening loyalty and driving long-term growth:

• We must create stronger differentiation between Victoria's Secret and PINK in everything from product to marketing to experience. We will ensure that each brand is distinct but complement one another in a single ecosystem.
• We will elevate Victoria's Secret as sexy, glamorous and accessible luxury while modernizing PINK's brand identity and evolving the way we communicate with the customer.
• By becoming more agile and culturally connected, we will create real-time moments that resonate with our customers and keep us at the center of conversation.
• We will leverage the full marketing funnel and build a brand centric, best-in-class omnichannel experience to engage with her on her terms.

Key Enablers: Making it Happen

To successfully reignite growth, deepen customer loyalty, and elevate our brands, we must operate with focus, agility, and excellence. We are reinforcing three essential capabilities that we believe will empower us to move faster, innovate more boldly, and deliver a seamless experience across every touchpoint. These enablers will ensure that our strategy is not just aspirational; it is actionable, sustainable and built to drive results.

• A Customer-Centric Performance Culture: By deeply understanding our customers, including how they shop, what they value, and what inspires their loyalty, we create stronger connections, drive repeat engagement, and fuel sustainable growth. A culture centered on the customer empowers associates to innovate and to deliver experiences that not only meet expectations but exceed them, turning transactions into lasting relationships.
• An Evolved Product Development Process: We are moving beyond a bra-first approach to product development, implementing multiple tracks tailored to each category, making our teams faster, more agile and more innovative not just in bra development but apparel as well.
• An Efficient Operating Model: We are focused on doing fewer things better, investing where it matters most, which is on our customers, and streamlining costs in non-customer-facing areas.

The Road Ahead

This strategy is more than a plan; it is a commitment to elevating our brands, winning the next generation and reinforcing our leadership in intimate apparel and beyond. We will align our structure to ensure our brands have the dedicated leadership necessary to deliver on our strategies. With clarity, discipline and a relentless focus on our customer, we can unlock new levels of growth, innovation and impact, delivering value for our associates, our customers and our stockholders.

2024 Overview

Since we became an independent public company in 2021, we have undertaken a transformation focused on strengthening the foundation of the business and establishing an operationally sound organization. We continued to make progress in 2024 in several areas, including continuing to deepen customer loyalty and strengthen engagement with our brands globally with the continued rollout of our loyalty program and the return of the VS Fashion Show, along with continued focus on disciplined expense management and the modernization of our operating model. While the macroeconomic environment continued to put pressure on the consumer and the overall intimates market in North America throughout the year, we continued to focus on what was within our control and delivering on multiple initiatives, such as enhancements in our digital business to elevate the customer experience, product improvements and launches to enhance the Victoria's Secret brand and a reimagined merchandise strategy to revitalize our PINK brand. Looking ahead, we will lean into our core strengths and look to unlock new opportunities and drive value by supercharging our brands and putting the best of who we are back at the center of how we work. Our strategies will be focused on accelerating growth, differentiating our brands and reinforcing our authority in the market.

As a result of the progress made in 2024, we grew net sales, gross profit, operating income and net income per diluted share in 2024 compared to 2023.

Net sales overall increased 1%, to $6.230 billion, compared to 2023 despite 2023 having 53 weeks compared to 52 weeks in 2024 as a result of the retail calendar. In North America, net sales in our direct channel increased 1% compared to 2023 while net sales in our stores channel decreased 2%. We experienced improved traffic in our North American stores and direct channels and average unit retail (which we define as the average price per unit purchased) increased in the direct channel compared to 2023. Net sales in our international channel increased 11% compared to 2023.

Gross profit in 2024 increased $42 million, to $2.284 billion, compared to 2023 and our gross profit rate (expressed as a percentage of net sales) increased to 36.7% from 36.3% compared to 2023. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by the increase in net sales, reductions in costs of goods sold related to our supply chain initiative and a decrease in buying and occupancy expenses driven by disciplined expense management.

Operating income in 2024 increased $64 million, to $310 million, compared to 2023 and our operating income rate (expressed as a percentage of net sales) increased to 5.0% from 4.0% compared to 2023.

Net income attributable to Victoria's Secret & Co. in 2024 increased $56 million, to $165 million, compared to 2023, and net income per diluted share increased $0.66, to $2.05, compared to 2023.

In 2024, we generated $425 million in operating cash flows and ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of $227 million and with no outstanding borrowings on our ABL Facility.

For additional information related to our 2024 financial performance, see “Results of Operations – 2024 Compared to 2023.” For a discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for 2023 compared to 2022, refer to “Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2024.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

In addition to our results provided in accordance with GAAP above and throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, provided below are non-GAAP financial measures that present operating income, net income attributable to Victoria's Secret & Co. and net income per diluted share attributable to Victoria's Secret & Co. in 2024 and 2023 on an adjusted basis, which remove certain non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items that we believe are not indicative of the results of our ongoing operations due to their size and nature. The intangible asset amortization excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures is excluded because the amortization, unlike the related revenue, is not affected by operations of any particular period unless an intangible asset becomes impaired or the estimated useful life of an intangible asset is revised. We use adjusted financial information as key performance measures of our results of operations for the purpose of evaluating performance internally. These non-GAAP measurements are not intended to replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP. Instead, we believe that the presentation of adjusted financial information provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations. Further, our definition of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. The table below reconciles the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to each non-GAAP financial measure.

(in millions, except per share amounts)

(a) In 2024 and 2023, we recognized pre-tax expense of $9 million and $50 million ($6 million and $42 million after-tax, respectively) within net income related to the financial impact of purchase accounting items and professional service costs related to the acquisition of Adore Me. These items include expense of $4 million and $16 million, respectively, included in general, administrative and store operating expense and interest expense of $5 million and $5 million, respectively. Additionally, expense of $29 million is in costs of goods sold, buying and occupancy expense in 2023. For additional information, see Note 2, “Acquisition” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

(b) In both 2024 and 2023, we recognized amortization expense of $25 million ($19 million after-tax) included in general, administrative and store operating expense related to the acquisition of Adore Me. For additional information, see Note 2, “Acquisition” and Note 9, “Intangible Assets” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

(c) In the fourth quarter of 2024, we recognized pre-tax expense of $22 million ($17 million after-tax) in costs of goods sold, buying and occupancy expense related to impairment and other charges for certain of our equity method investments. For additional information, see Note 1, “Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

(d) In the third quarter of 2024, we recognized a pre-tax charge of $13 million ($11 million after-tax) in general, administrative and store operating expense related to the appointment of a new CEO and the elimination of two executive officer roles to restructure our executive leadership team. In the first quarter of 2023, we recognized a pre-tax charge of $11 million ($8 million after-tax), $8 million included in general, administrative and store operating expense and $3 million included in buying and occupancy expense, related to restructuring activities to reorganize and improve our organizational structure. For additional information, see Note 5, “Restructuring Activities” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Company-Operated Store Data

The following table compares 2024 U.S. company-operated store data to 2023:

(a) Sales per average selling square foot and sales per average store, which are indicators of store productivity, are calculated based on store sales for the period divided by the average, including the beginning and end of period, of total square footage and store count, respectively.

(b) Excludes the impact of the cumulative adjustment recognized as a result of the change in accounting estimate related to outstanding gift cards in the fourth quarter of 2024. For additional information, see Note 3, “Revenue Recognition” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The following table represents store data for 2024:

(a) Includes thirteen partner-operated stores at February 1, 2025.

The following table represents store data for 2023:

(a) Includes thirteen partner-operated stores at February 3, 2024.

Results of Operations — 2024 Compared to 2023

The following information summarizes our results of operations for 2024 compared to 2023. As a result of the retail calendar, our results for 2024 represent the 52-week period ended February 1, 2025, and our results for 2023 represent the 53-week period ended February 3, 2024. We estimate the extra week in 2023 represented approximately $80 million in incremental net sales and approximately $20 million in incremental operating income.

Operating Income

For 2024, operating income increased $64 million, to $310 million, compared to operating income of $246 million in 2023, and the operating income rate (expressed as a percentage of net sales) increased to 5.0% from 4.0%. The drivers of the operating income results are discussed in the following sections.

Net Sales

The following table provides net sales for 2024 in comparison to 2023:

(in millions)

(a) Results include consolidated joint venture sales in China, royalties associated with franchised stores and wholesale sales.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net sales from 2023 to 2024:

(in millions)

(a) Results include consolidated joint venture direct sales in China.

The following table compares 2024 comparable sales to 2023:

(a) The percentage change in comparable sales represents direct and comparable store sales. The percentage change in comparable store sales represents the change in sales at comparable stores only and excludes the change in sales from our direct channels. The change in comparable sales provides an indication of period over period growth (decline). A store is typically included in the calculation of comparable sales when it has been open 12 months or more and it has not had a change in selling square footage of 20% or more. Closed stores are excluded from the comparable sales calculation if they have been closed for four consecutive days or more. Upon re-opening, the stores are included in the calculation. Additionally, stores are excluded if total selling square footage in the mall changes by 20% or more through the opening or closing of a second store. The percentage change in comparable sales is calculated on a comparable calendar period as opposed to a fiscal basis. Therefore, the percentage change in comparable sales for 2024 was calculated on a 52-to-52-week basis and the percentage change in comparable sales for 2023 was calculated on a 53-to-53-week basis. Comparable sales attributable to our international stores are calculated on a constant currency basis.

Net sales in 2024 increased $48 million, or 1%, to $6.230 billion compared to $6.182 billion in 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2024, we recorded a change in our accounting estimate relating to the expected redemption of our outstanding gift cards. As a result of this change in accounting estimate, we recognized a cumulative adjustment which increased net sales by approximately $26 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Additionally, we estimate the extra week in 2023 represented approximately $80 million in incremental net sales. Excluding the impact from the change in accounting estimate relating to outstanding gift cards in 2024 and the incremental net sales related to the extra week in 2023, net sales in 2024 increased approximately 2% compared to 2023.

In the stores channel, our North America net sales decreased $52 million, or 2%, to $3.428 billion compared to 2023. Net sales in our stores channel were positively impacted by an increase in traffic in our stores as compared to 2023. The increase in traffic in our stores was offset by decreases in conversion (which we define as the percentage of customers who visit our stores and make a purchase) and average unit retail compared to 2023. The comparison of net sales in our stores channel in 2024 compared to 2023 was also impacted by the change in accounting estimate recorded associated with our outstanding gift cards and the impact of the incremental net sales from the extra week in 2023.

In the direct channel, net sales increased $27 million, or 1%, to $2.042 billion compared to 2023 as increases in traffic and average unit retail were partially offset by the incremental net sales from the extra week in 2023 and a decrease in conversion.

In the international channel, net sales increased $73 million, or 11%, to $760 million compared to 2023. The increase in net sales in 2024 compared to 2023 was driven by increases in sourcing sales to our partners, royalties earned associated with franchise sales in many countries outside of North America, net sales in China, and our wholesale arrangements, partially offset by the incremental net sales from the extra week in 2023.

Gross Profit

For 2024, our gross profit increased $42 million to $2.284 billion, and our gross profit rate (expressed as a percentage of net sales) increased to 36.7% from 36.3%.

For 2024, the increase in gross profit dollars was primarily due to the increase in net sales, reductions in costs of goods sold related to our supply chain initiative and a decrease in buying and occupancy expenses, partially offset by an increase in promotional activity and incremental gross profit recognized in 2023 as a result of the extra week last year. Additionally, the increase in gross profit dollars compared to 2023 was driven by the recognition in gross profit of $29 million in 2023 related to the fair value step-up adjustment on the acquired inventory from Adore Me, partially offset by $22 million of impairment and other charges for certain of our equity method investments in 2024.

The gross profit rate increase was primarily driven by reductions in costs of goods sold related to our supply chain initiative and the expense recorded in 2023 as noted above, partially offset by increased promotional activity and the impairment and other charges for certain of our equity method investments recorded in 2024. Additionally, the gross profit rate increase was due to leverage in buying and occupancy expenses as a result of the increase in net sales and a decrease in buying and occupancy expenses compared to 2023.

General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses

For 2024, our general, administrative and store operating expenses decreased $22 million, or 1%, to $1.974 billion. The decrease in general, administrative and store operating expenses compared to 2023 was primarily due to a decrease in marketing expenses and charges related to Adore Me purchase accounting items, partially offset by an increase in certain other administrative expenses. The decrease in general, administrative and store operating expenses in 2024 was also due to incremental expenses recognized in 2023 as a result of the extra week last year.

The general, administrative and store operating expense rate (expressed as a percentage of net sales) decreased to 31.7% from 32.3% due to leverage driven by the increase in net sales compared to 2023 and the decrease in marketing expenses.

Interest Expense

For 2024, our interest expense decreased $13 million to $86 million compared to 2023, primarily due to our lower average outstanding debt and lower average borrowing rate for our ABL Facility, partially offset by our higher average borrowing rate for our Term Loan Facility.

Provision for Income Taxes

For 2024, the Company's effective tax rate was 23.6% compared to 21.4% in 2023. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate in 2024 and the combined estimated federal and state statutory rate was primarily due to foreign earnings taxed at a rate lower than our combined estimated federal and state statutory rate, partially offset by additional tax expense related to share-based compensation awards that vested in 2024. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate in 2023 and the combined estimated federal and state statutory rate was primarily due to foreign earnings taxed at a rate lower than our combined estimated federal and state statutory rate and the resolution of certain tax matters.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity, or access to cash, is an important factor in determining our financial stability. We are committed to maintaining adequate liquidity. Cash generated from our operating activities provides the primary resources to support current operations, growth initiatives, seasonal funding requirements and capital expenditures. Net cash provided by our operating activities is impacted by our net income and working capital changes. Our net income is impacted by, among other things, sales volume, seasonal sales patterns, success of new product introductions, profit margins and income taxes. Historically, sales are higher during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to seasonal and holiday-related sales patterns. Generally, our need for working capital peaks during the summer and fall months as inventory builds in anticipation of the holiday period.

Our ability to fund our operating needs is primarily dependent upon our ability to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations, as well as borrowing capacity under our ABL Facility, which we rely on to supplement cash generated by our operating activities, particularly when our need for working capital peaks in the summer and fall months as discussed above. Management believes that our cash balances and funds provided by operating activities, along with the borrowing capacity under our ABL Facility, taken as a whole, provide (i) adequate liquidity to meet all of our current and long-term obligations when due, (ii) adequate liquidity to fund capital expenditures, and (iii) flexibility to consider investment opportunities that may arise. However, certain investment opportunities or seasonal funding requirements may require us to seek additional debt or equity financing, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future.

We expect to utilize our cash flows to continue to invest in our brands, talent and capabilities, and growth strategies as well as to repay our indebtedness over time. We believe that our available short-term and long-term capital resources are sufficient to fund our working capital and other cash flow requirements over the next 12 months.

Working Capital and Capitalization

Based upon our cash balances and net cash provided by our operating activities, along with the borrowing capacity under our ABL Facility, we believe we will be able to continue to meet our working capital needs.

The following table provides a summary of our working capital position and capitalization as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024:

(in millions)

(a) Amounts shown represent the fifty-two-week period ended February 1, 2025 and the fifty-three-week period ended February 3, 2024.

(b) For the period ended February 1, 2025, the availability under the ABL Facility was limited by our borrowing base of $550 million, less letters of credit of $17 million. For the period ended February 3, 2024, the availability was limited by our borrowing base of $587 million, less outstanding borrowings of $145 million and letters of credit of $19 million.

The following table provides certain measures of liquidity and capital resources as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024:

(a) Long-term debt divided by total capitalization.

Cash Flow

The following table provides a summary of our cash flow activity for the fiscal years ended February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024:

(in millions)

37

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities reflects net income adjusted for non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, equity method investment impairment charges, deferred tax expense and gain on sale of assets, as well as changes in working capital. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2024 was $425 million, an increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $36 million compared to 2023. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2024 was primarily driven by lower net operating cash outflows associated with working capital changes of $74 million, an increase in net income of $53 million and equity method impairment charges of $19 million in 2024, partially offset by $39 million of payments for contingent compensation related to the acquisition of Adore Me in 2024, the $29 million amortization of the fair value adjustment on the acquired inventory from Adore Me in 2023 and a decrease in depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets of $26 million. The most significant working capital drivers resulting in the increase in net operating cash flows in 2024 compared to 2023 were the payment of the occupancy-related legal matter in 2023 and income taxes paid of $54 million in 2024 compared to $74 million paid in 2023. The increase in net operating cash flows in 2024 compared to 2023 was partially offset by the decrease in Accounts Payable in 2024.

Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities in 2024 was $153 million, consisting primarily of capital expenditures of $178 million, partially offset by $25 million of proceeds on the sale of certain non-store corporate-related assets. The capital expenditures were primarily related to our store capital program and investments in technology related to our strategic initiatives to drive growth.

Net cash used for investing activities in 2023 was $254 million, consisting of capital expenditures of $256 million. The capital expenditures were primarily related to our store capital program and investments in technology related to our strategic initiatives to drive growth and technology investments.

We are estimating 2025 capital expenditures to be approximately $240 million. We expect that our capital expenditures will be focused on our store capital program along with investments in technology and logistics related to our strategic initiatives to drive growth and support productivity.

Financing Activities

Net cash used for financing activities in 2024 was $315 million, consisting primarily of $605 million of repayments under the ABL Facility and $161 million of payments for deferred consideration and contingent consideration related to the acquisition of Adore Me, partially offset by borrowings of $460 million from the ABL Facility.

Net cash used for financing activities in 2023 was $291 million, consisting primarily of $615 million of repayments under the ABL Facility and $125 million of share repurchases, partially offset by borrowings of $465 million from the ABL Facility.

Common Stock Share Repurchases & Treasury Stock Retirements

Our Board determines share repurchase authorizations, giving consideration to our levels of profit and cash flows, capital requirements, current and forecasted liquidity, the restrictions placed upon us by our borrowing arrangements, as well as financial and other conditions existing at the time. We use cash flows provided by our operating activities to fund any share repurchases. Once authorized by our Board of Directors, the timing and amount of any share repurchases are made at our discretion, taking into account a number of factors, including market conditions.

March 2024 Share Repurchase Program

In March 2024, our Board approved a share repurchase program (“March 2024 Share Repurchase Program”), authorizing the repurchase of up to $250 million of our common stock, subject to market conditions and other factors, through open market, accelerated share repurchase or privately negotiated transactions, including pursuant to one or more Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. The March 2024 Share Repurchase Program is open-ended in term and will continue until exhausted.

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock under the March 2024 Share Repurchase Program during 2024. As of February 1, 2025, we were authorized to repurchase up to $250 million of our common stock under the March 2024 Share Repurchase Program.

January 2023 Share Repurchase Program

In January 2023, our Board approved a share repurchase program (“January 2023 Share Repurchase Program”), authorizing the repurchase of up to $250 million of our common stock. The authorization, which expired at the end of 2023, was utilized in 2023 to repurchase shares in the open market and under the accelerated share repurchase agreement described below.

In February 2023, as part of the January 2023 Share Repurchase Program, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR Agreement”) with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) to repurchase $125 million of our common stock. In February 2023, we made an initial payment of $125 million to Goldman Sachs and received an initial delivery of 2.4 million shares of our common stock. As a result of the initial share delivery, there was an additional $1 million increase in Treasury Stock, which reflects the excise tax liability recorded related to the share repurchase in accordance with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

In May 2023, upon final settlement of the ASR Agreement, we received an additional 1.3 million shares of our common stock from Goldman Sachs. The final number of shares received was based on the volume-weighted average price of our common stock during the term of the ASR Agreement, less a discount and subject to adjustments pursuant to the terms of the ASR Agreement.

We repurchased the following shares of our common stock under the January 2023 Share Repurchase Program during 2023:

(in millions)

(in thousands)

(in millions)

Shares repurchased under the January 2023 Share Repurchase Program were retired upon repurchase. As a result, we retired the 3.7 million shares repurchased in connection with the settlement of the ASR Agreement during 2023. The retirement resulted in a reduction of $126 million in Treasury Stock, less than $1 million in the par value of Common Stock, $9 million in Paid-in Capital and $117 million in Retained Earnings during 2023.

Dividend Policy and Procedures

We have not paid any cash dividends since becoming an independent, publicly traded company. We cannot guarantee that we will pay a dividend in the future or continue to pay any dividends if and when we commence paying dividends. The declaration and amount of any dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, cash flows, capital requirements of our business, covenants associated with our debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and any other factors the Board deems relevant. We would use net cash flow provided by operating and financing activities to fund our dividends.

Long-term Debt and Borrowing Facilities

The following table provides our outstanding Long-term Debt balance, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts and any current portion, as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024:

(in millions)

Cash paid for interest was $77 million and $87 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Issuance of Notes

In July 2021, we issued $600 million of 4.625% notes due in July 2029 in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The obligation to pay principal and interest on the 2029 Notes is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The issuance costs are being amortized through the maturity date and are included within Long-term Debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Credit Facilities

We have a senior secured term loan B credit facility with an original principal amount of $400 million, which will mature in August 2028. The discounts and issuance costs from the Term Loan Facility are being amortized through the maturity date and are included within Long-term Debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are required to make quarterly principal payments on the Term Loan Facility in an amount equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of $400 million. We made principal payments for the Term Loan Facility of $4 million during both 2024 and 2023.

Interest on the loans under the Term Loan Facility is calculated by reference to the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“Term SOFR”) or an alternative base rate, plus an interest rate margin (i) in the case of Term SOFR loans, ranging from 3.36% to 3.68% and (ii) in the case of alternate base rate loans, equal to 2.25%. The obligation to pay principal and interest on the loans under the Term Loan Facility is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by certain of our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The loans under the Term Loan Facility are secured on a first-priority lien basis by certain assets of ours and our subsidiary guarantors that do not constitute priority collateral under the ABL Facility and on a second-priority lien basis by priority collateral of the ABL Facility, subject to customary exceptions. As of February 1, 2025, the interest rate on loans under the Term Loan Facility was 7.94%.

We also have a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility. The ABL Facility allows for borrowings and letters of credit in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars and has aggregate commitments of $750 million and an expiration date of August 2026. The availability under the ABL Facility is equal to the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, determined primarily based on our eligible U.S. and Canadian credit card receivables, eligible accounts receivable, eligible inventory and eligible real property, and (ii) the maximum aggregate commitment amount of $750 million. Interest on the loans under the ABL Facility is calculated by reference to (i) Term SOFR or an alternative base rate and (ii) in the case of loans denominated in Canadian dollars, Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR”) or a Canadian base rate, plus an interest rate margin based on average daily excess availability ranging from (x) in the case of CDOR loans, 1.50% to 2.00%, (y) in the case of alternate base rate loans and Canadian base rate loans, 0.50% to 1.00%, and (z) in the case of Term SOFR loans, 1.60% to 2.10%. Unused commitments under the ABL Facility accrue an unused commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.30%. The obligation to pay principal and interest on the loans under the ABL Facility is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by certain of our wholly-owned domestic and Canadian subsidiaries. The loans under the ABL Facility are secured on a first-priority lien basis by our eligible U.S. and Canadian credit card receivables, eligible accounts receivable, eligible inventory and eligible real property and on a second-priority lien basis on substantially all other assets of ours, subject to customary exceptions.

We borrowed $460 million and $465 million from the ABL Facility during 2024 and 2023, respectively, and made repayments of $605 million and $615 million under the ABL Facility during 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of February 1, 2025, there were no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility and we had $17 million of outstanding letters of credit that reduced our availability under the ABL Facility. As of February 1, 2025, our remaining availability under the ABL Facility was $533 million.

Our long-term debt and borrowing facilities contain certain financial and other covenants, including, but not limited to, the maintenance of financial ratios. The 2029 Notes and the Term Loan Facility include the maintenance of a consolidated coverage ratio and a consolidated total leverage ratio, and the ABL Facility includes the maintenance of a fixed charge coverage ratio and a debt to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent (“EBITDAR”) ratio. The financial covenants could, within specific predefined circumstances, limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make certain investments, pay dividends or repurchase shares. As of February 1, 2025, we were in compliance with all covenants under our long-term debt and borrowing facilities.

Credit Ratings

The following table provides our credit ratings as of February 1, 2025:

(a) Subsequent to February 1, 2025, Moody's and S&P both updated our outlook to Stable.

Contingent Liabilities and Contractual Obligations

The following table provides our contractual obligations, aggregated by type, including the maturity profile as of February 1, 2025:

(in millions)

(a) Long-term debt obligations relate to our principal and interest payments for our outstanding debt. Interest payments have been estimated based on the coupon rate for fixed rate obligations. For variable interest rate obligations under the Term Loan Facility, the interest payments have been estimated based on an interest rate of 7.94%, which was the interest rate as of February 1, 2025. For additional information, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

(b) Future lease obligations primarily represent minimum payments due under store lease agreements. For additional information, see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

(c) Purchase obligations primarily include purchase orders for merchandise inventory and other agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transactions.

(d) Other liabilities also include future estimated payments associated with unrecognized tax benefits. The “Less Than 1 Year” category includes $31 million of these tax items because it is reasonably possible that the payments could change in the next 12 months due to audit settlements or resolution of uncertainties. The remaining portion totaling $14 million is included in the “Other” category because it is not reasonably possible that the payments could change in the next 12 months due to audit settlements or resolution of uncertainties. For additional information, see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Recently Issued Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements

Segment Reporting

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosure, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expense categories that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included in each reported measure of a segment’s profit or loss. The update also requires all annual disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets to be provided in interim periods and for entities with a single reportable segment to provide all the disclosures required by ASC 280, Segment Reporting, including the significant segment expense disclosures. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 2024 and interim periods beginning in fiscal year 2025. We adopted this standard effective for our fiscal year 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and have included the required disclosures in Note 19, “Segment Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which is intended to improve expense disclosures, primarily by requiring disclosure of disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items on an annual and interim basis. This standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 2027 and for interim periods beginning in fiscal year 2028, with early adoption permitted. The updates required by this standard should be applied prospectively, but retrospective application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on our disclosures.

Income Taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which is intended to enhance the transparency and decision-usefulness of income tax disclosures, primarily by requiring enhanced disclosure for income taxes paid and the effective tax rate reconciliation. This standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 2025. The updates required by this standard should be applied prospectively, but retroactive application is permitted. We do not expect this standard to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies related to estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its accounting policies, estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, long-lived assets, claims and contingencies, income taxes and revenue recognition. Management bases our estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Management has discussed the development and selection of our critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and believes the following assumptions and estimates are most significant to reporting our results of operations and financial position.

Inventories

Inventories are principally valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, on an average cost basis. We record valuation adjustments to our inventories if the cost of inventory on hand exceeds the amount we expect to realize from the ultimate sale or disposal of the inventory. These estimates are based on management’s judgment regarding future demand and market conditions and analysis of historical experience. If actual demand or market conditions are different than those projected by management, future period merchandise margin rates may be unfavorably or favorably affected by adjustments to these estimates.

We also record inventory loss adjustments for estimated physical inventory losses that have occurred since the date of the last physical inventory. These estimates are based on management’s analysis of historical results, operating trends and consumer behavior. Management believes that the assumptions used in these estimates are reasonable and appropriate. A 10% increase or decrease in the inventory valuation adjustment would have impacted net income by approximately $2 million for 2024. A 10% increase or decrease in the estimated physical inventory loss adjustment would have impacted net income by approximately $3 million for 2024.

Valuation of Long-lived Assets

Long-lived Store Assets

Long-lived store assets, which include leasehold improvements, store related assets and operating lease assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Store assets are grouped at the lowest level for which they are largely independent of other assets or asset groups. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset group are less than the carrying value, we recognize a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value, determined by the estimated discounted future cash flows of the asset group. For operating lease assets, we determine the fair value of the assets by comparing the contractual rent payments to estimated market rental rates. An individual asset within an asset group is not impaired below its estimated fair value. The fair value of long-lived store assets are determined using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

Our fair value estimates incorporate significant assumptions and judgments including, but not limited to, estimated future cash flows, discount rates and market rental rates. The use of different assumptions or judgments in our assessment could materially increase or decrease the fair value of our store assets and, accordingly, could materially increase or decrease any related impairment charge. Sustained declines in our business performance could result in a material impairment charge in a future period.

When a decision has been made to dispose of property and equipment prior to the end of the previously estimated useful life, depreciation estimates are revised to reflect the use of the asset over the shortened estimated useful life.

Goodwill

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at the reporting unit level each year in the fourth quarter and may be reviewed more frequently if certain events occur or circumstances change. We have the option to either first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that each reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value (including goodwill), or to proceed directly to the quantitative assessment which requires a comparison of the reporting unit's fair value to its carrying value (including goodwill). If we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we recognize an impairment charge equal to the difference, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Our reporting units are determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, we performed our annual goodwill impairment assessment for the reporting unit which goodwill is assigned using the qualitative approach.

Claims and Contingencies

We are subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, taxes, insurance, regulatory and other matters arising out of the normal course of business. Our determination of the treatment of claims and contingencies in the Consolidated Financial Statements is based on management’s view of the expected outcome of the applicable claim or contingency. We consult with legal counsel on matters related to litigation and seek input from both internal and external experts with respect to matters in the ordinary course of business. We accrue a liability if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. If the likelihood of an adverse outcome is only reasonably possible (as opposed to probable) or if an estimate is not reasonably determinable, disclosure of a material claim or contingency is disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, taxes currently payable or refundable are accrued, and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for realizable operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in income tax rates is recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Income in the period that includes the enactment date. We treat the global intangible low-taxed income provisions enacted as part of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as a current period expense. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized.

Judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets and liabilities. In determining our provision for income taxes, we consider permanent differences between book and tax income and statutory income tax rates. Our effective income tax rate is affected by items including changes in tax law, the tax jurisdiction of new stores or business ventures and the level of earnings.

We follow the authoritative guidance included in ASC 740, Income Taxes, which contains a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating and estimating our tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and for which actual outcomes may differ from forecasted outcomes. Our policy is to include interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Our income tax returns, like those of most companies, are periodically audited by domestic and foreign tax authorities. These audits include questions regarding our tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by the various tax authorities. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter for which we have established an accrual is audited and fully resolved or clarified. We adjust our tax contingencies accrual and income tax provision in the period in which matters are effectively settled with tax authorities at amounts different from our established accrual, when the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing authority to examine the tax position or when more information becomes available. We include our tax contingencies accrual, including accrued penalties and interest, in Other Long-term Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets unless the liability is expected to be paid within one year. Changes to the tax contingencies accrual, including accrued penalties and interest, are included in Provision for Income Taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue based on the amount we expect to receive when control of the goods or services is transferred to our customer. We recognize sales upon customer receipt of merchandise, which for direct channel revenues reflect an estimate of shipments that have not yet been received by our customer based on shipping terms and historical delivery times. Our shipping and handling revenues are included in Net Sales with the related costs included in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We also provide a reserve for projected merchandise returns based on historical experience and recent information. Net Sales exclude sales and other similar taxes collected from customers.

We offer certain loyalty programs that allow customers to earn points based on purchasing activity. As customers accumulate points and reach point thresholds, they can use the points to purchase merchandise in stores or online. We allocate revenue to points earned on qualifying purchases and defer recognition until the points are redeemed. The amount of revenue deferred is based on the relative stand-alone selling price method, which includes an estimate for points not expected to be redeemed based on historical experience.

We sell gift cards with no expiration dates to customers. We do not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. We recognize revenue from gift cards when they are redeemed by the customer. In addition, we recognize revenue on unredeemed gift cards when it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur in the future (“gift card breakage”). Gift card breakage revenue is recognized in proportion, and over the same period, as actual gift card redemptions. We determine the gift card breakage rate estimate based on historical redemption patterns and review the breakage rate periodically throughout the year. Gift card breakage is included in Net Sales in our Consolidated Statements of Income. A one percentage point increase or decrease in our gift card breakage rate estimate would have impacted net sales, gross profit and operating income by approximately $22 million and net income by approximately $17 million for 2024.

Revenue earned in connection with our credit card arrangements is primarily recognized based on credit card sales and usage and is included in Net Sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

We also recognize revenues associated with franchise, license, wholesale and sourcing arrangements. Revenue recognized under franchise and license arrangements generally consists of royalties earned and recognized upon sale of merchandise by franchise and license partners to retail customers. Revenue is generally recognized under wholesale and sourcing arrangements at the time title of the merchandise passes to the partner.

Market Risk

The market risk inherent in our financial instruments represents the potential loss in fair value, earnings or cash flows arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates. We may use derivative financial instruments like foreign currency forward contracts, cross-currency swaps and interest rate swap arrangements to manage exposure to market risks. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

We have operations and investments in unconsolidated entities in foreign countries which expose us to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our Canadian dollar, Chinese Yuan and Euro denominated earnings are subject to exchange rate risk as substantially all our merchandise sold in Canada, China and Europe is sourced through U.S. dollar transactions. From time to time we may adjust our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into foreign currency forward contracts; however, these measures may not succeed in offsetting all the short-term impact of foreign currency rate movements and generally may not be effective in offsetting the long-term impact of sustained shifts in foreign currency rates.

Further, although our royalty arrangements with our international partners are denominated in U.S. dollars, the royalties we receive in U.S. dollars are calculated based on sales in the local currency. As a result, our royalties in these arrangements are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Interest Rate Risk

Our investment portfolio primarily consists of interest-bearing instruments that are classified as cash and cash equivalents based on their original maturities. Our investment portfolio is maintained in accordance with our investment policy, which specifies permitted types of investments, specifies credit quality standards and maturity profiles and limits credit exposure to any single issuer. The primary objective of our investment activities is the preservation of principal, the maintenance of liquidity and the maximization of interest income while minimizing risk. As of February 1, 2025, our investment portfolio is primarily comprised of money market funds and bank deposits. Given the short-term nature and quality of investments in our portfolio, we do not believe there is any material risk to principal associated with increases or decreases in interest rates.

Our outstanding long-term debt as of February 1, 2025 consists of the 2029 Notes, which have a fixed interest rate, and the $387 million in outstanding borrowing under the Term Loan Facility, which has a variable interest rate based on Term SOFR. Our exposure to interest rate changes is limited to the fair value of the debt issued as well as the interest we pay on the Term Loan Facility, which we believe would not have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table provides a summary of the principal value and estimated fair value of our outstanding debt as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024:

(in millions)

(a) The estimated fair value of our publicly traded debt is based on reported transaction prices which are considered Level 2 inputs in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange.

As of February 1, 2025, we believe that the carrying values of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturity.

Concentration of Credit Risk

We maintain cash and cash equivalents with various major financial institutions. We monitor the relative credit standing of financial institutions with whom we transact and limit the amount of credit exposure with any one entity. As of February 1, 2025, our investment portfolio is primarily comprised of money market funds and bank deposits. We also periodically review the relative credit standing of franchise, license and wholesale partners and other entities to which we grant credit terms in the normal course of business.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting as of February 1, 2025 is set forth in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting as of February 1, 2025 is set forth in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.