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$FND Risk Factor changes from 00/02/24/22/2022 to 00/02/22/24/2024
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this Annual Report, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.Risks Related to Our BusinessDeclines in certain economic conditions, which impact consumer discretionary spending, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.Consumer discretionary spending affects our sales and is impacted by factors outside of our control, including general economic and political conditions, interest rates, the residential housing market, unemployment rates and wage levels, inflation, disposable income levels, consumer confidence, recession fears, energy costs, consumer credit availability and terms, consumer debt levels, salaries and wage rates, geopolitical events and uncertainty. Declines in the level of consumer confidence and spending and rising interest rates have adversely affected, and could continue to adversely affect, consumer spending habits and consumer discretionary spending, which have resulted in, and may continue to result in, reduced demand for our products.The hard surface flooring industry is highly dependent on existing home sales because homeowners often replace flooring before selling a home or shortly after purchasing a home and, to a lesser extent, new home construction.The hard surface flooring industry is highly dependent on the remodeling of existing homes, businesses and, to a lesser extent, new home construction. In response to increasing inflation, the U.S. Federal Reserve began to raise interest rates in March 2022 and continued to do so through July 2023, contributing to negative existing home sales for over two years. We believe such inflationary pressure has impacted consumer behavior during 2023, particularly in the U.S. housing market and as a result of elevated mortgage rates and higher home prices. Rising interest rates and any such shift in consumer behavior may adversely affect the demand for existing homes, remodeling, and new home construction. In addition, existing home sales, remodeling, and new home construction depend on a number of other factors that are beyond our control, including inflation, tax policy, trade policy, employment levels, consumer confidence, credit availability, real estate prices, home-price appreciation, existing home sales, demographic trends, weather conditions, natural disasters, geopolitical or public safety conditions and general economic conditions. In turn, remodeling and new home construction depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control, including interest rates, inflation, tax policy, trade policy, employment levels, consumer confidence, credit availability, real estate prices, existing home sales, demographic trends, trends in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, weather conditions, natural disasters and general economic conditions. In particular: interest rates and inflation could continue to rise or remain at high levels, undermining consumer confidence and eroding discretionary income; home-price appreciation could slow or turn negative; and regions where we have stores could be impacted by hurricane, fire, or other natural disasters (including those due to the effects of climate change such as increased storm severity, drought, wildfires, and potential flooding due to rising sea levels and storm surges).We believe any one or a combination of these factors has resulted, and could continue to result in, decreased demand for our products, reduced spending on homebuilding or remodeling of existing homes or caused purchases of new and existing homes to decline.20Table of ContentsAny one or a combination of these factors could result in decreased demand for our products, reduce spending on homebuilding or remodeling of existing homes or cause purchases of new and existing homes to decline. While the vast majority of our net sales are derived from home remodeling activity as opposed to new home construction, the decrease in these areas has adversely affected and could continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. While the vast majority of our net sales are derived from home remodeling activity as opposed to new home construction, a decrease in any of these areas would adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. If we fail to successfully manage the challenges that our planned new store growth poses or encounter unexpected difficulties or higher costs during our expansion, our operating results and future growth opportunities could be adversely affected.If we fail to successfully manage the challenges that our planned new store growth poses or encounter unexpected difficulties during our expansion, our operating results and future growth opportunities could be adversely affected. We have 221 warehouse-format stores and five small-format standalone design studios located throughout the United States as of December 28, 2023.We have 160 warehouse-format stores and two small-format standalone design studios located throughout the United States as of December 30, 2021. We plan to continue opening new stores for the next several years. This growth strategy and the investment associated with the development of each new store may cause our operating results to fluctuate and be unpredictable or decrease our profits. We cannot ensure that store locations will be available to us, or that they will be available on terms acceptable to us. If additional retail store locations are unavailable on acceptable terms, we may not be able to carry out a significant part of our growth strategy or our new stores’ profitability may be lower. Certain of our new store openings are expected to be smaller stores in smaller markets. We have limited experience executing this strategy, and we cannot guarantee that we will be successful in this strategy. Our future operating results and ability to grow will depend on various other factors, including our ability to: successfully select new markets and store locations; attract, train and retain highly qualified managers and staff; maintain our reputation of providing quality, safe and compliant products; and manage store opening costs, including rising construction costs and costs due to delays in obtaining necessary permits and completing construction. Our future operating results and ability to grow will depend on various other factors, including our ability to:•successfully select new markets and store locations;•attract, train and retain highly qualified managers and staff;•maintain our reputation of providing quality, safe and compliant products; and•manage store opening costs. 12Table of ContentsIn addition, stores opened in new markets have had, and many continue to have, higher construction, occupancy and operating costs than stores opened in the past, and such stores may have lower profitability than stores opened in the past. In addition, laws or regulations in these new markets may make opening new stores more difficult or cause unexpected delays. For example, we have experienced unexpected delays in opening new stores due to delays in obtaining necessary construction and occupancy permits, which have resulted in higher costs than previously anticipated. As we continue to open new stores, the ultimate cost of future store openings could continue to rise significantly due to construction-related or other reasons, including construction and other delays and cost overruns, such as shortages of materials, shortages of skilled labor or work stoppages, unforeseen construction, scheduling, engineering, environmental or geological problems, governmental or permitting delays, weather interference, fires or other casualty losses and unanticipated cost increases. We cannot guarantee that any project will be completed on time, and delays in store openings have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on our business and operating results. In addition, consumers in new markets may be less familiar with our brand, and we may need to increase brand awareness in such markets through additional investments in advertising or high cost locations with more prominent visibility.In addition, consumers in new markets may be less familiar with our brand, and we may need to increase brand awareness in such markets through additional investments in advertising or high cost locations with more prominent visibility. As a result of these factors and other factors that may be outside of our control, newly opened stores may not succeed or may reach profitability at all, or may be slower to reach profitability than we expect. Future markets and newly opened stores may not be successful and, even if they are successful, our comparable store sales may not increase at historical rates or may decrease. Future markets and stores may not be successful and, even if they are successful, our comparable store sales may not increase at historical rates. To the extent that we are not able to overcome these various challenges, our operating results and future growth opportunities could be adversely affected. Furthermore, we may incur costs associated with the closure of underperforming stores, and such store closures may adversely impact our revenues.If we are unable to enter into leases for additional stores on acceptable terms or renew or replace our current store leases, or if one or more of our current leases is terminated prior to expiration of its stated term and we cannot find suitable alternate locations, our growth and profitability could be adversely affected. We currently lease the majority of our store locations and our store support center.We currently lease the majority of our store locations and our store support center. Our growth strategy largely depends on our ability to identify and open future store locations, which can be difficult because our warehouse-format stores in major metropolitan markets generally require at least 60,000 square feet of floor space. Our ability to negotiate acceptable lease terms for these store locations, to re-negotiate acceptable terms on expiring leases or to negotiate acceptable terms for suitable alternate locations depends on conditions in the real estate market, competition for desirable properties, our relationships with current and prospective landlords, and on other factors that are not within our control. Our ability to negotiate acceptable lease terms for these store locations, to re-negotiate acceptable terms on expiring leases or to negotiate acceptable terms for suitable alternate locations could depend on conditions in the real estate market, competition for desirable properties, our relationships with current and prospective landlords, or on other factors that are not within our control. We also intend to purchase the real property for a small number of new locations, and such strategy may not be successful. Any or all of these factors and conditions could adversely affect our growth and profitability.Any failure by us to successfully anticipate trends may lead to loss of consumer acceptance of our products, resulting in reduced net sales.Each of our stores is stocked with a localized product mix based on consumer demands in a particular market.Each of our stores is stocked with a customized product mix based on consumer demands in a particular market. Our success depends on our ability to anticipate and respond to changing trends and consumer demands in these markets in a timely manner. Our success therefore depends on our ability to anticipate and respond to changing trends and consumer demands in these markets in a timely manner. Our ability to accurately forecast demand for our products could be affected by many factors. If we fail to identify and respond to emerging trends, consumer acceptance of our merchandise and our image with current or potential customers may be harmed, which could reduce our net sales. Additionally, if we misjudge market trends, we may significantly overstock unpopular products, incur excess inventory costs and be forced to reduce the sales price of such products or incur inventory write-downs, which would adversely affect our operating results. Conversely, shortages of products that prove popular could also reduce our net sales through missed sales and a loss of customer loyalty.Increased competition could cause price declines, decrease demand for our products and decrease our market share.22Table of ContentsIncreased competition could cause price declines, decrease demand for our products and decrease our market share. We operate in the hard surface flooring industry, which is highly fragmented and competitive. We face competition from large home improvement centers, national and regional specialty flooring chains, independent flooring retailers, and internet-based companies. We face competition from large home improvement centers, national and regional specialty flooring chains, internet-based companies and independent flooring retailers. Among other things, we compete on the basis of breadth of product assortment, low prices, in-store availability of job-lot quantities, as well as the quality of our products and customer service. Among other things, we compete on the basis of breadth of product assortment, low prices, and the in-store availability of the products we offer in project-ready quantities, as well as the quality of our products and customer service. As we expand into new and unfamiliar markets, we may experience different competitive conditions than in the past.Some of our competitors are organizations that are larger, better capitalized, have existed longer, have product offerings that extend beyond hard surface flooring and related accessories and have a more established market presence with substantially greater financial, marketing, delivery, customer loyalty, personnel and other resources than we have.Some of our competitors are organizations that are larger, are better capitalized, have existed longer, have product offerings that extend beyond hard surface flooring and related accessories and have a more established market presence with substantially greater financial, marketing, delivery, customer loyalty, personnel and other resources than we have. Competitors may forecast market developments more accurately than we do, offer similar products at a lower cost, have better delivery offerings, or adapt more quickly to new trends and technologies or evolving customer requirements than we do. Further, because the barriers to entry into the hard surface flooring industry are relatively low, manufacturers and suppliers of flooring and related products, including those whose products we currently sell, could enter the market and start directly competing with us. Intense competitive pressures from any of our present or future competitors could cause price declines, decrease demand for our products and decrease our market share. Also, if we continue to grow and become more well-known, other companies may change their strategies to present new competitive challenges. 13Table of ContentsAll of these factors may harm us and adversely affect our net sales, market share, and operating results.All of these factors may harm us and adversely affect our net sales, market share, and operating results. Our operating results may be adversely affected if we do not successfully manage our inventory.Our operating results may be adversely affected by inventory shrinkage and damage. We currently maintain a high level of inventory in order to have a broad assortment of products across a wide variety of hard surface flooring categories in job-lot quantities, with inventory per warehouse-format store consisting of on average approximately 4,500 SKUs and approximately $3.0 million of inventory at cost as of December 28, 2023. We also carry an additional $507.8 million of inventory outside our stores, primarily at our distribution centers, as of the end of fiscal 2023. The investment associated with this high level of inventory is substantial, and as we continue to broaden our supplier base we increase the number of SKUs and investments associated with inventory. The investment associated with this high level of inventory is substantial, and efficient inventory management is a key component of our business success and profitability. If we fail to adequately project the amount or mix of our inventory, we may miss sales opportunities or have to take unanticipated markdowns or hold additional clearance events to dispose of excess inventory, which will adversely affect our operating results.In the past, we have incurred costs associated with inventory markdowns and obsolescence. Due to the likelihood that we will continue to incur such costs in the future, we generally include an allowance for such costs in our projections. However, the costs that we actually incur may be substantially higher than our estimate and adversely affect our operating results.Any disruption in our distribution capabilities, supply chain or our related planning and control processes may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.Our success is highly dependent on our planning and distribution infrastructure, which includes the ordering, transportation, and distribution of products to our stores and the ability of suppliers to meet distribution requirements. We need to continue to identify and improve our processes and supply chain and that our distribution infrastructure and supply chain keep pace with our anticipated growth and increased number of stores. We also need to ensure that we continue to identify and improve our processes and supply chain and that our distribution infrastructure and supply chain keep pace with our anticipated growth and increased number of stores. The cost of these enhanced processes could be significant and any failure to maintain, grow, or improve them could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. Due to our rapid expansion, we continue to add distribution centers as needed to support our operations. Increasing the size of our distribution centers and adding additional distribution centers may decrease the efficiency of our distribution costs. Increasing the size of our distribution centers may decrease the efficiency of our distribution costs. If we are not able to manage our distribution centers successfully, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. If we are not successful, our marketing efforts may be limited, and our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected. As we continue to add distribution centers, we may incur unexpected costs, and our ability to distribute our products may be adversely affected. Any disruption in the transition to and from or operation of our distribution centers could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and operating results. Any disruption in the transition to or operation of our distribution centers could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and operating results. A disruption within our logistics or supply chain network could adversely affect our ability to deliver inventory in a timely manner, which could impair our ability to meet customer demand for products and result in lost sales, increased supply chain costs, or damage to our reputation.A disruption within our logistics or supply chain network could adversely affect our ability to deliver inventory in a timely manner, which could impair our ability to meet customer demand for products and result in lost sales, increased supply chain costs, or damage to our reputation. In recent years, global ports, trade lanes, and U.S. ports have been impacted by capacity constraints, port congestion and delays, periodic labor disputes, security issues, weather-related events, and natural disasters. ports have been impacted by capacity constraints, port congestion and delays, periodic labor disputes, security issues, weather-related events, and natural disasters, which have been further exacerbated by the pandemic. Disruptions to our supply chain due to any of the factors listed above could negatively impact our financial performance or financial condition.In addition, our success is also dependent on our ability to provide timely delivery to our customers. Our success is also dependent on our ability to provide timely delivery to our customers. Our business could also be adversely affected if fuel prices increase or there are delays in product shipments due to freight difficulties, inclement weather, strikes by our associates or associates of third parties involved in our supply chain, or other difficulties. If we are unable to deliver products to our customers on a timely basis, they may decide to purchase products from our competitors instead of from us, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.Our operating results may be adversely affected by increases in wholesale prices of products, materials and transportation costs beyond our control, including increases in costs due to inflation.Our operating results may be adversely affected by increases in material, energy and transportation costs beyond our control, including increases in costs due to inflation. Our operating results may be affected by the wholesale prices of hard surface flooring products, setting and installation materials, and the related accessories that we sell.Our operating results may be affected by the wholesale prices of hard surface flooring products, setting and installation materials, and the related accessories that we sell. These prices may increase based on a number of factors beyond our control, including the price of raw materials used in the manufacture of hard surface flooring, transportation costs, energy costs, changes in supply and demand, concerns about inflation, general economic conditions, labor costs, competition, import duties, tariffs, currency exchange rates, government regulation, the impact of natural disasters (including those due to the effects of climate change), duty and other import costs. A material component of the cost of our product includes transportation costs to move the product from the manufacturer to our stores, and there have been recent capacity constraints. These costs could increase and have a material impact on inventory and cost of sales. We may not be able to adjust the prices of our products, especially in the short-term, to recover these cost increases, and a continual rise in such costs could adversely affect consumer spending and demand for our products, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. If there are any adverse changes in tax laws or trade policies that result in an increase in our costs, we may not be able to adjust the prices of our products, especially in the short-term, to recover such costs, and a rise in such costs could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. 14Table of ContentsOur success depends substantially upon the continued retention of our key personnel, including our executive officers. 24Table of ContentsOur success depends substantially upon the continued retention of our key personnel, including our executive officers. We believe that our success has depended and continues to depend to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of our key personnel, including our executive officers, and the loss of the services of one or more of our executive officers could have a material adverse effect on us and would be potentially disruptive to our business until such time as a suitable replacement is hired.We believe that our success has depended and continues to depend to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of our key personnel, including our executive officers. For example, in August 2023, Brian Robbins, who initially joined the Company in 2013 and served as our Executive Vice President, Business Development Strategy since 2018, indicated his intent to leave the company effective March 1, 2024. In addition, effective as of November 2022, we promoted Trevor Lang, previously our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as our new President, and Bryan Langley, previously our Senior Vice President, Finance, as our new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Although these transitions have been smooth, any future changes to our key personnel, including our executive officers, or our failure to engage in effective succession planning may be disruptive to our business, including by distracting management from our core business and effective employee productivity. Further, we may have difficulty identifying, attracting and integrating new executives to replace any losses of our existing executive officers, all of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. Our success depends upon our ability to attract, hire, train, and retain highly qualified managers and staff.Our success depends upon our ability to attract, train, and retain highly qualified managers and staff. Our success depends in part on our ability to attract, hire, train and retain qualified managers and staff. Purchasing hard surface flooring is an infrequent event for consumers, and the typical consumer in these groups has limited knowledge of the range, characteristics and suitability of the products available before starting the purchasing process. Therefore, consumers in the hard surface flooring market expect to have sales associates serving them who are knowledgeable about the entire assortment of products offered by the retailer and the process of choosing and installing hard surface flooring.Each of our stores is managed by a store manager who has the flexibility (with the support of regional managers) to use his or her knowledge of local market dynamics to customize each store in a way that is most likely to increase net sales and profitability. Our store managers are also expected to anticipate, gauge and quickly respond to changing consumer demands in these markets. Further, it generally takes a substantial amount of time for our store managers to develop the entrepreneurial skills that we expect them to have in order to make our stores successful.Any failure by us to attract, hire, train, and retain highly qualified managers and staff could adversely affect our operating results and future growth opportunities, and any increased labor costs due to competition, increased minimum wage (including various federal, state, and local actions to increase minimum wages), associate benefit costs, unionization activity, or other factors would adversely impact our operating expenses. Any failure by us to attract, train, and retain highly qualified managers and staff could adversely affect our operating results and future growth opportunities, and any increased labor costs due to competition, increased minimum wage, associate benefit costs (including various federal, state, and location actions to increase minimum wages), unionization activity, or other factors would adversely impact our operating expenses. Labor activities could cause labor relations difficulties for us. Currently none of our associates are represented by a union; however, our associates have the right at any time to form or affiliate with a union, and in 2023, certain of our subsidiary’s associates attempted to form a union in a small location operated by that subsidiary. Although such unionization attempt was unsuccessful, as we continue to grow, enter different regions and operate distribution centers, unions may continue to attempt to organize all or part of our associate base at certain stores or distribution centers within certain regions. We cannot predict the adverse effects that any future organizational activities will have on us. We cannot predict the adverse effects that any future organizational activities will have on our business, financial condition and operating results. If we were to become subject to work stoppages, we could experience disruption in our operations and increases in our labor costs, either of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.We procure the majority of our products from suppliers located outside of the United States, and as a result, we are subject to risks associated with obtaining products from abroad that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.We procure the majority of our products from suppliers located outside of the United States. As a result, we are subject to risks associated with obtaining products from abroad, including the imposition of new or different duties (including antidumping and countervailing duties), tariffs, taxes and/or other charges on exports or imports, including as a result of errors in the classification of products upon entry or changes in the interpretation or application of rates or regulations relating to the import or export of our products; political unrest, acts of war, terrorism and economic instability resulting in the disruption of trade from foreign countries where our products originate; disruption due to the public health crises; currency exchange fluctuations; the imposition of new or more stringent laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental, health and safety matters and climate change issues, labor conditions, quality and safety standards, trade restrictions, and restrictions on funds transfers; the risk that one or more of our suppliers will not adhere to applicable legal requirements, including fair labor standards, the prohibition on child labor, environmental, product safety or manufacturing safety standards, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and sourcing laws such as the Lacey Act; disruptions or delays in production, shipments, delivery or processing through ports of entry (including those resulting from strikes, lockouts, work-stoppages or slowdowns, or other forms of labor unrest). As a result, we are subject to risks associated with obtaining products from abroad, including:•the imposition of new or different duties (including antidumping and countervailing duties), tariffs, taxes and/or other charges on exports or imports, including as a result of errors in the classification of products upon entry or changes in the interpretation or application of rates or regulations relating to the import or export of our products;•political unrest, acts of war, terrorism and economic instability resulting in the disruption of trade from foreign countries where our products originate;•disruption due to the public health crises such as the coronavirus;27Table of Contents•currency exchange fluctuations;•the imposition of new or more stringent laws and regulations, including those relating to environmental, health and safety matters and climate change issues, labor conditions, quality and safety standards, trade restrictions, and restrictions on funds transfers;•the risk that one or more of our suppliers will not adhere to applicable legal requirements, including fair labor standards, the prohibition on child labor, environmental, product safety or manufacturing safety standards, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and sourcing laws such as the Lacey Act;•disruptions or delays in production, shipments, delivery or processing through ports of entry (including those resulting from strikes, lockouts, work-stoppages or slowdowns, or other forms of labor unrest);•changes in local economic conditions in countries where our suppliers are located; and•differences in product standards, acceptable business practice and legal environments. 15Table of ContentsAdditionally, approximately 25% of the products we sold in fiscal 2023 were produced in China. The Chinese government has in the past imposed restrictions on manufacturing facilities, including a shut-down of transportation of materials and power plants to reduce air pollution. If, in the future, restrictions are imposed that include our operations, our suppliers’ ability to supply current or new orders would be significantly impacted. These and other factors beyond our control could disrupt the ability of our suppliers to ship certain products to us cost-effectively or at all, expose us to significant operational and legal risk and negatively affect our reputation, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.Rising geopolitical tensions and U.S. policies related to global trade and tariffs, including with respect to antidumping and countervailing duties, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.The current domestic and international political environment, including existing and potential changes to U.S. policies related to global trade and tariffs, have resulted in uncertainty surrounding the future state of the global economy. In particular, the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China has resulted in the U.S. imposing tariffs of 25% on the vast majority of the products we import from China. Approximately 25% of the products we sold in fiscal 2023 were produced in China. Any further expansion in the types or levels of tariffs implemented on China or other countries has the potential to negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, there is a risk that the U.S. tariffs on imports are met with tariffs on U.S. produced exports and that a further trade conflict could ensue, which has the potential to significantly impact global trade and economic conditions, including the imposition of new measures with little notice. Potential costs and any attendant impact on pricing arising from these tariffs and any further expansion in the types or levels of tariffs implemented could require us to modify our current business practices and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.In addition, the U.S. government has imposed import restrictions under the withhold release orders for goods from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which effectively prohibits imports of any goods made either wholly or in part in Xinjiang, which may induce greater supply chain compliance costs and delays to us and to our suppliers. The law prohibits “the importation of goods made with forced labor” unless U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines, based on “clear and convincing evidence” that the goods in question were not produced “wholly or in part by forced labor” and submits a report to the U.S. Congress setting out its findings. While we do not believe that our suppliers source materials from Xinjiang for the products they sell to us, certain of our products, including luxury vinyl plank, have been subject to detentions and inquires. While such detentions and inquiries have not had a material impact on our business as of December 28, 2023, continued detentions, withhold release orders, inquiries, or other policy developments could result in shortages, delays, and/or price increases that could disrupt our own supply chain or cause our suppliers to renegotiate existing arrangements with us or fail to perform on such obligations. While we have developed multiple supply sources in a variety of countries and believe our vendor compliance program reflects our commitment to a supply chain free of forced labor, we could still be adversely affected by increases in our costs, negative publicity related to the industry, or other adverse consequences to our business.Rising geopolitical tensions also could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In particular, in recent years, tensions between mainland China and Taiwan have further escalated, with China accelerating the development of military capabilities in order to “reunite Taiwan by force.” In case of a military conflict between China and Taiwan, our ability to import products from China could be limited. Similarly, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine could escalate and impact our ability to import products from Europe, including due to further increases in energy costs, and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea could increase our supply chain costs.Our comparable store sales have become negative, and in the future our comparable store growth may be less than we expect, which has had and may continue to have a negative impact on our net sales, business, financial condition, and operating results. Our comparable store sales decreased 7.1% for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2023 compared to an increase of 9.2% for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2022, primarily due to decreased consumer demand for the products we sell. This decrease in comparable store sales has had a negative impact on our net sales for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2023, and while future net sales growth will depend substantially on our plans for new store openings, our comparable store sales growth is a significant driver of our net sales, profitability, cash flow, and overall business results. Because numerous factors affect our comparable store sales growth, it is possible that we will not achieve our targeted comparable store sales growth or that the change in comparable store sales could continue to be negative. If this trend continues, it is likely that overall net sales growth would be adversely affected, which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, and operating results. The cost of these enhanced processes could be significant and any failure to maintain, grow, or improve them could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. 16Table of ContentsWe depend on a number of suppliers, and any failure by any of them to supply us with quality products on attractive terms and prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.We depend on a number of suppliers, and any failure by any of them to supply us with quality products on attractive terms and prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. We depend on our suppliers to deliver quality products to us on a timely basis at attractive prices. Additionally, we source the products that we sell from over 240 domestic and international suppliers. Although we purchase from a diverse supplier base, purchases from our largest supplier, which has substantial operations in China, accounted for approximately 13% of our net sales in fiscal 2023. Although we purchase from a diverse supplier base, purchases from our largest supplier, which is headquartered in China, accounted for approximately 17% of our net sales in fiscal 2021. No other singular vendor supplied products representing more than 10% of net sales in fiscal 2023. No other singular vendor supplied products representing more than 6% of net sales in fiscal 2021. If we are unable to acquire desired merchandise in sufficient quantities on terms acceptable to us, or if we experience a change in business relationship with any of our major suppliers, it could impair our relationship with our customers, impair our ability to attract new customers, reduce our competitiveness, and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. Additionally, we provide certain of our suppliers access to supply chain financing arrangements with financial institutions with whom we have relationships. The terms of such supply chain financing arrangements could be modified or canceled by such financial institutions at any time. If such programs are modified or cancelled, our suppliers may not be able to obtain alternate financing at all or on acceptable terms. If our suppliers experience difficulty obtaining financing, it may result in delays or non-delivery of shipments of our products or require us to pay our suppliers more quickly, which would have a negative impact on our liquidity.The failure of our suppliers to adhere to the quality standards that we set for our products could lead to investigations, litigation, write-offs, recalls or boycotts of our products, which could damage our reputation and our brand, increase our costs, and otherwise adversely affect our business. The failure of our suppliers to adhere to the quality standards that we set for our products could lead to investigations, litigation, write-offs, recalls or boycotts of our products, which could damage our reputation and our brand, increase our costs, and otherwise adversely affect our business. We do not control the operations of our suppliers. Although we conduct initial due diligence prior to engaging our suppliers and require our suppliers to certify compliance with applicable laws and regulations, we cannot guarantee that our suppliers will comply with applicable laws and regulations or operate in a legal, ethical and responsible manner. Violation of applicable laws and regulations by our suppliers or their failure to operate in a legal, ethical or responsible manner, could expose us to legal risks, cause us to violate laws and regulations and reduce demand for our products if, as a result of such violation or failure, we attract negative publicity. In addition, the failure of our suppliers to adhere to the quality standards that we set for our products could lead to government investigations, litigation, write-offs and recalls, which could damage our reputation and our brand, increase our costs, and otherwise adversely affect our business.Our ability to offer compelling products, particularly products made of more exotic species or unique stone, depends on the continued availability of sufficient suitable natural products.Our business strategy depends on offering a wide assortment of compelling products to our customers. We sell, among other things, flooring made from various wood species and natural stone from quarries throughout the world. Our ability to obtain an adequate volume and quality of hard-to-find products depends on our suppliers’ ability to furnish those products, which, in turn, could be affected by many things, including events such as forest fires, insect infestation, tree diseases, prolonged drought, other adverse weather and climate conditions and the exhaustion of stone quarries. Government regulations relating to forest management practices also affect our suppliers’ ability to harvest or export timber and other products, and changes to regulations and forest management policies, or the implementation of new laws or regulations, could impede their ability to do so. If our suppliers cannot deliver sufficient products, and we cannot find replacement suppliers, our net sales and operating results may be adversely affected.The effects of weather conditions, natural disasters or other unexpected events, including public health crises, may disrupt our operations and have a negative impact on our business. The effects of global climate change, such as extreme weather conditions and natural disasters occurring more frequently or with more intense effects, or the occurrence of unexpected events including wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and other severe hazards could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Extreme weather, natural disasters, power outages or other unexpected events could disrupt our operations by impacting the availability and cost of materials needed for manufacturing, causing physical damage and partial or complete closure of our manufacturing sites, retail stores, store support center or distribution centers, loss of human capital, temporary or long-term disruption in the manufacturing and supply of products and services and disruption in our ability to deliver products and services to customers. These events and disruptions could also adversely affect our customers’ and suppliers’ financial condition or ability to operate, resulting in reduced customer demand, delays in payments received or supply chain disruptions, including adverse effects on our ability to stock our stores and deliver products to our customers. Further, these events and disruptions could increase insurance and other operating costs, including impacting our decisions regarding construction of new facilities to select areas less prone to climate change risks and natural disasters, which could result in indirect financial risks passed through the supply chain or other price modifications to our products and services. While we are unable to predict the impact such defect could have on our business, any necessary repairs could cause disruption in the operation of that distribution center, which could negatively impact the in-stock positions in the stores served by such distribution center and could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and operating results. 17Table of ContentsPublic health crises in the U.S. or countries where we source or sell products could adversely affect our operations and financial performance. Further, any national, state or local government mandates or other orders taken to minimize the spread of a public health crisis could restrict our ability to conduct business as usual, as well as the business activities of our key customers and suppliers, including the potential for labor shortages. In particular, the ultimate extent of the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or other public health crisis on our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the duration and severity of such public health crisis, actions taken to contain or prevent their further spread and the pace of global economic recovery following containment of the spread.We will require significant capital to fund our expanding business and service our existing indebtedness, and such capital may not be available to us on satisfactory terms or at all.We will require significant capital to fund our expanding business, which may not be available to us on satisfactory terms or at all. If we are unable to maintain sufficient levels of cash flow or if we are unable to meet our debt service obligations under our Credit Facilities, we may not meet our growth expectations or we may require additional financing, which could adversely affect our financial health and impose covenants that limit our business activities. If we are unable to maintain sufficient levels of cash flow or if we do not have sufficient availability under our asset-based revolving credit facility (as amended, the “ABL Facility”), we may not meet our growth expectations or we may require additional financing, which could adversely affect our financial health and impose covenants that limit our business activities. We plan to continue investing for growth, including opening new stores, remodeling existing stores, adding staff, adding distribution center capacity, upgrading our information technology systems and other infrastructure, and strategic acquisitions.We plan to continue investing for growth, including opening new stores, remodeling existing stores, adding staff, adding distribution center capacity and upgrading our information technology systems and other infrastructure. These investments will require significant capital, which we plan on funding with cash flow from operations and borrowings under our $800. These investments will require significant capital, which we plan on funding with cash flow from operations and borrowings under the ABL Facility. 0 million asset based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Facility”).If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to fund these activities or if these investments do not yield cash flows in line with past performance or our expectations, we may need additional equity or debt financing. If such financing is not available to us, or is not available on satisfactory terms, our ability to operate and expand our business or respond to competitive pressures would be curtailed, and we may need to delay, limit or eliminate planned store openings or operations or other elements of our growth strategy. If we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, our stockholders’ ownership would be diluted.Further, our ability to pay interest on and principal of our debt obligations under our ABL Facility and our $202.4 million senior secured term loan facility (as amended to date, the “Term Loan Facility” and together with the ABL Facility, our “Credit Facilities”) will primarily depend upon our future operating performance.6 million senior secured term loan facility (as amended to date, the “Term Loan Facility” and together with the ABL Facility, our “Credit Facilities”), restrict our subsidiaries from paying dividends and otherwise transferring cash or other assets to us except in certain limited circumstances. As a result, prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, will affect our ability to make these payments.If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt service obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness, selling our assets, reducing or delaying capital investments, or seeking to raise additional capital. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. From time to time, capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more information. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Our Credit Facilities” for more information. Our business exposes us to personal injury, product liability and warranty claims and related governmental investigations, which could result in negative publicity, harm our brand and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. •Our business exposes us to personal injury, product liability and warranty claims and related governmental investigations, which could result in negative publicity, harm our brand and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. Our stores and distribution centers are warehouse environments that involve the operation of forklifts and other machinery and the storage and movement of heavy merchandise, all of which are activities that have the inherent danger of injury or death to associates or customers despite safety precautions, training and compliance with federal, state and local health and safety regulations. While we have insurance coverage in place in addition to policies and procedures designed to minimize these risks, we may nonetheless be unable to avoid material liabilities for an injury or death arising out of these activities.In addition, we face an inherent risk of exposure to product liability or warranty claims or governmental investigations in the event that the use of our products is alleged to have resulted in economic loss, personal injury or property damage or violated environmental or other laws. If any of our products proves to be defective or otherwise in violation of applicable law, we may be required to recall such products and be subject to legal action. In connection with the installation or delivery of our products, customers may engage third parties associated with us to enter their homes.In connection with the installation or delivery of our products, customers may engage third parties associated with us to enter their homes. In addition, we are piloting in-home design services. In addition, we intend to pilot in-home design services. While we believe we have appropriate indemnification and risk management practices in place, such activities involve liability and reputational risk, which could adversely affect us.18Table of ContentsUnfavorable allegations, government investigations and legal actions surrounding our products and us could harm our reputation, impair our ability to grow or sustain our business, and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.Unfavorable allegations, government investigations and legal actions surrounding our products and us could harm our reputation, impair our ability to grow or sustain our business, and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. We rely on our reputation for offering great value, superior service and a broad assortment of high-quality, safe products. If we become subject to unfavorable allegations, government investigations or legal actions involving our products or us, such circumstances could harm our reputation and our brand and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. If this negative impact is significant, our ability to grow or sustain our business could be jeopardized.Negative publicity surrounding product matters, including publicity about other retailers, may harm our reputation and affect the demand for our products. In addition, if more stringent laws or regulations are adopted in the future, we may have difficulty complying with the new requirements imposed by such laws and regulations, and in turn, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected. Moreover, regardless of whether any such changes are adopted, we may become subject to claims or governmental investigations alleging violations of applicable laws and regulations. Any such matter may subject us to fines, penalties, injunctions, litigation and/or potential criminal violations. Any one of these results could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and operating results and impair our ability to grow or sustain our business.If we violate or are alleged to have violated environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, we could incur significant costs and other negative effects that could reduce demand for our products and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.Certain portions of our operations are subject to laws and regulations governing the environmental protection of natural resources and health and safety, including formaldehyde emissions and the use, storage, generation, transportation, treatment, emission, release and disposal of certain hazardous materials and wastes.Certain portions of our operations are subject to laws and regulations governing the environmental protection of natural resources and health and safety, including formaldehyde emissions and the use, storage, handling, generation, transportation, treatment, emission, release, discharge and disposal of certain hazardous materials and wastes. We operate our business in accordance with standards and procedures designed to comply with the applicable laws and regulations in these areas and work closely with our suppliers in order to comply with such laws and regulations.29Table of ContentsWe operate our business in accordance with standards and procedures designed to comply with the applicable laws and regulations in these areas and work closely with our suppliers in order to comply with such laws and regulations. If we violate or are alleged to have violated these laws, we could incur significant costs, be liable for damages, experience delays in shipments of our products, be subject to fines, penalties, criminal charges or other legal risks, or suffer reputational harm, any of which could reduce demand for our products and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. We, and our officers and directors and stockholders, have been and may be the target of securities-related litigation in the future, which could divert our management’s attention and resources, result in substantial costs, and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and stock price.We, and our officers and directors and stockholders, have been and may be the target of securities-related litigation in the future, which could divert our management’s attention and resources, result in substantial costs, and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and stock price. We have been and may in the future be the target of securities-related litigation in the future. Litigation can divert our management’s attention and resources, result in substantial costs, and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and stock price. We maintain director and officer insurance to mitigate the risks associated with potential claims; however, we are responsible for meeting certain deductibles under such policies, and, in any event, we cannot assure you that the insurance coverage will adequately protect us from all claims made against us.We maintain director and officer insurance to mitigate the risks associated with potential claims; however, we are responsible for meeting certain deductibles under such policies, and, in any event, we cannot assure you that the insurance coverage will adequately protect us from all claims made against us. There also may be adverse publicity associated with litigation that could negatively affect customer perception of our business and materially damage our reputation and the value of our brand despite the fact that we deny the allegations or are ultimately found not liable.Federal, state or local laws and regulations, or our failure to comply with such laws and regulations, could increase our expenses, restrict our ability to conduct our business and expose us to legal risks.We are subject to a wide range of general and industry-specific laws and regulations imposed by federal, state and local authorities in the countries in which we operate including those related to customs, foreign operations (such as the FCPA), truth-in-advertising, consumer protection (such as the California Consumer Privacy Act and Telephone Consumer Protection Act), privacy, product safety (such as the Formaldehyde Standards in Composite Wood Products Act), the environment (such as the Lacey Act), import and export controls (such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act), intellectual property infringement, zoning and occupancy matters as well as the operation of retail stores and distribution facilities.We are subject to a wide range of general and industry-specific laws and regulations imposed by federal, state and local authorities in the countries in which we operate including those related to customs, foreign operations (such as the FCPA), truth-in-advertising, consumer protection (such as the California Consumer Privacy Act and Telephone Consumer Protection Act), privacy, product safety (such as the Formaldehyde Standards in Composite Wood Products Act), the environment (such as the Lacey Act), intellectual property infringement, zoning and occupancy matters as well as the operation of retail stores and distribution facilities. In addition, various federal and state laws govern our relationship with, and other matters pertaining to, our associates, including wage and hour laws, laws governing independent contractor classifications, requirements to provide meal and rest periods or other benefits, family leave mandates, requirements regarding working conditions and accommodations to certain associates, citizenship or work authorization and related requirements, insurance and workers’ compensation rules and anti-discrimination laws. In recent years, we and other parties in the flooring industry have been or currently are parties to litigation involving claims that allege violations of these laws, including claims related to product safety and patent claims. In recent years, we and other parties in the flooring industry have been or currently are parties to litigation involving claims that allege violations of the foregoing laws, including claims related to product safety and patent claims. In addition, there has been an increase in the number of wage and hour class action claims that allege misclassification of overtime eligible workers and/or failure to pay overtime-eligible workers for all hours worked, particularly in the retail industry, and we are currently defending one such claim. Although we believe that we have complied with these laws and regulations, there is nevertheless a risk that we will become subject to additional claims that allege we have failed to do so. Any claim that alleges a failure by us to comply with any of these laws and regulations may subject us to fines, penalties, injunctions, litigation and/or potential criminal violations, which could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, and operating results. Any claim that alleges a failure by us to comply with any of the foregoing laws and regulations may subject us to fines, penalties, injunctions, litigation and/or potential criminal violations, which could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and operating results. 19Table of ContentsCertain of our products may require us to spend significant time and resources in order to comply with applicable advertising, labeling, importation, exportation, environmental, health and safety laws and regulations because if we violate these laws or regulations, we could experience delays in shipments of our goods, be subject to fines or penalties, be liable for costs and damages or suffer reputational harm, any of which could reduce demand for our merchandise and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.Certain of our products may require us to spend significant time and resources in order to comply with applicable advertising, labeling, importation, exportation, environmental, health and safety laws and regulations because if we violate these laws or regulations, we could experience delays in shipments of our goods, be subject to fines or penalties, be liable for costs and damages or suffer reputational harm, any of which could reduce demand for our merchandise and adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. Any changes to these laws or regulations or any new laws or regulations that are passed or go into effect may make it more difficult for us to operate our business and in turn adversely affect our operating results.Any changes to the foregoing laws or regulations or any new laws or regulations that are passed or go into effect may make it more difficult for us to operate our business and in turn adversely affect our operating results. If our efforts to protect the privacy and security of information related to our customers, us, our associates, our suppliers and other third parties are not successful, we could become subject to litigation, investigations, liability and negative publicity that could significantly harm our reputation and relationships with our customers and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.Our business, like that of most retailers, involves the receipt, storage and transmission of customers’ personal information, consumer preferences and payment card data, as well as other confidential information related to us, our associates, our suppliers and other third parties, some of which is entrusted to third-party service providers and vendors that provide us with technology, systems and services that we use in connection with the receipt, storage and transmission of such information. Techniques used for cyber-attacks designed to gain unauthorized access to these types of sensitive information by breaching or sabotaging critical systems of organizations, including those that use artificial intelligence, are constantly evolving and generally are difficult to recognize and react to effectively. Techniques used for cyber attacks designed to gain unauthorized access to these types of sensitive information by breaching or sabotaging critical systems of large organizations are constantly evolving and generally are difficult to recognize and react to effectively. We may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventive or reactive security measures. High profile electronic security breaches leading to unauthorized release of sensitive information have occurred in recent years with increasing frequency at a number of major U.S. companies, including several large retailers, notwithstanding widespread recognition of the cyber-attack threat and improved data protection methods. companies, including several large retailers, notwithstanding widespread recognition of the cyber attack threat and improved data protection methods. Despite our security measures and those of third parties with whom we do business, our respective systems and facilities may be vulnerable to criminal cyber-attacks or security incidents due to malfeasance, intentional or inadvertent security breaches by associates, or other vulnerabilities such as defects in design or manufacture.Despite our security measures and those of third parties with whom we do business, such as our banks, merchant card processing and other technology vendors, our respective systems and facilities may be vulnerable to criminal cyber-attacks or security incidents due to malfeasance, intentional or inadvertent security breaches by associates, or other vulnerabilities such as defects in design or manufacture. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to gain access to our systems or facilities through fraud, trickery or other forms of deception targeted at our customers, associates, suppliers and service providers. Any such, incidents could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, misused, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen.An actual or anticipated attack or security incident may cause us to incur additional costs, including costs related to diverting or deploying personnel, implementing preventative measures, training associates and engaging third-party experts and consultants. An actual or anticipated attack or security incident may cause us to incur additional costs, including costs related to diverting or deploying personnel, implementing preventative measures, training associates and engaging third-party experts and consultants. Further, any security breach incident could expose us to risks of data loss, regulatory and law enforcement investigations, litigation and liability and could seriously disrupt our operations and any resulting negative publicity could significantly harm our reputation and relationships with our customers and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.A material disruption in our information systems, including our website, could adversely affect our business or operating results and lead to reduced net sales and reputational damage.A material disruption in our information systems, including our website and call center, could adversely affect our business or operating results and lead to reduced net sales and reputational damage. We rely on our information systems to process transactions, summarize our results of operations and manage our business. In particular, our website is an important part of our integrated connected customer strategy and customers use these systems as information sources on the range of products available to them and as a way to order our products. In particular, our website and our call center are important parts of our integrated connected customer strategy and customers use these systems as information sources on the range of products available to them and as a way to order our products. In addition, we rely on our enterprise resource planning, telecommunications, inventory tracking , billing and other information systems to track transactions, billing, payments, inventory and a variety of day-to-day business decisions. Therefore, the reliability and capacity of our information systems is critical to our operations and the implementation of our growth initiatives. However, our information systems are subject to damage or interruption from planned upgrades in technology interfaces, power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, cyber-attacks or other security breaches and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, acts of war or terrorism and usage errors by our associates. If our information systems are damaged or cease to function properly, we may have to make a significant investment to fix or replace them, and we may suffer losses of critical data and/or interruptions or delays in our operations. In addition, to keep pace with changing technology, we must continuously implement new information technology systems as well as enhance our existing systems, including a significant upgrade planned to begin in 2024. In addition, to keep pace with changing technology, we must continuously implement new information technology systems as well as enhance our existing systems. Moreover, the successful execution of some of our growth strategies, in particular the expansion of our connected customer and online capabilities, is dependent on the design and implementation of new systems and technologies and/or the enhancement of existing systems. If we encounter implementation or usage problems with these new systems or other related systems and infrastructure, or if the systems do not operate as intended, do not give rise to anticipated benefits, or fail to integrate properly with our other systems or software platforms, then the costs of such new information technology systems may be more than we anticipate. Any material disruption in our information systems, or delays or difficulties in implementing or integrating new systems or enhancing or expanding current systems, could have an adverse effect on our business and our operating results and could lead to reduced net sales and reputational damage. Any material disruption in our information systems, or delays or difficulties in implementing or integrating new systems or enhancing or expanding current systems, could have an adverse effect on our business (in particular our call center and online operations) and our operating results and could lead to reduced net sales and reputational damage. 20Table of ContentsWe may not be able to successfully maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, which could have an adverse effect on our business and stock price.We are required to comply with the SEC’s rules implementing Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which require management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports as well as our fiscal year-end assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. When evaluating our internal control over financial reporting, we may identify material weaknesses that we may not be able to remediate in time to meet the applicable deadline imposed upon us for compliance with the requirements of Sections 302 and 404. In addition, when evaluating our internal control over financial reporting, we may identify material weaknesses that we may not be able to remediate in time to meet the applicable deadline imposed upon us for compliance with the requirements of Sections 302 and 404. If we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures, our ability to record, process and report financial information accurately, and to prepare financial statements within required time periods, could be adversely affected. This could subject us to litigation or investigations requiring management resources and payment of legal and other expenses and could result in negative publicity, harm to our reputation and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results or adversely affect the market price of our common stock.Changes in tax laws, trade policies and regulations or in our operations and newly enacted laws or regulations may impact our effective tax rate or may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.Changes in tax laws in any of the multiple jurisdictions in which we operate, or adverse outcomes from tax audits that we may be subject to in any of the jurisdictions in which we operate, could result in an unfavorable change in our effective tax rate, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results. Developments in tax policy or trade relations could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and liquidity.Developments in tax policy or trade relations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and liquidity. We are subject to payments-related risks that could increase our operating costs, expose us to fraud, subject us to potential liability and potentially disrupt our business.•We are subject to payments-related risks that could increase our operating costs, expose us to fraud, subject us to potential liability and potentially disrupt our business. We accept payments using a variety of methods, including credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and physical bank checks.We accept payments using a variety of methods, including credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and physical bank checks. These payment options subject us to many compliance requirements, including, but not limited to, compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, which represents a common set of industry tools and measurements to help ensure the safe handling of sensitive information, and compliance with contracts with our third-party processors. These payment options also subject us to potential fraud by criminal elements seeking to discover and take advantage of security vulnerabilities that may exist in some of these payment systems. We rely on third parties to provide payment processing services, including the processing of credit cards, debit cards and gift cards, and it could disrupt or harm our business if these companies become unwilling or unable to provide these services to us, experience a data security incident or fail to comply with applicable rules and industry standards. We are also subject to payment card association operating rules, including data security rules, certification requirements, and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, or if our data security systems or payment card information of our customers are breached or compromised, there is the potential that parties could seek damages from us, we may be liable for card issuing banks’ costs, subject to fines and higher transaction fees, and lose our ability to accept credit cards and debit card payments from our customers, process electronic funds transfers, or facilitate other types of online payments, we could lose the confidence of customers and our business, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected. Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any failure to protect them could reduce the value of our products and brand and harm our business.Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any failure to protect them could reduce the value of our products and brand and harm our business. We regard our intellectual property as having significant value, and our brand is an important factor in the marketing of our products. However, we cannot assure you that the steps we take to protect our trademarks or intellectual property will be adequate to prevent others from copying or using our trademarks or intellectual property without authorization, which could harm the value of our brand. However, we cannot assure you that the steps we take to protect our trademarks or intellectual property will be adequate to prevent others from copying or using our trademarks or intellectual property without authorization. We may be involved in disputes from time to time relating to our intellectual property and the intellectual property of third parties.We may be involved in disputes from time to time relating to our intellectual property and the intellectual property of third parties. We are and may continue to become parties to disputes from time to time over rights and obligations concerning intellectual property, and we may not prevail in these disputes. Third parties have and may raise future claims against us alleging infringement or violation of the intellectual property of such third-party. Third parties may raise claims against us alleging infringement or violation of the intellectual property of such third-party. Even if we prevail in such disputes, the costs we incur in defending such dispute may be material and costly. Some third-party intellectual property rights may be extremely broad, and it may not be possible for us to conduct our operations in such a way as to avoid violating any such intellectual property rights. Any such intellectual property claim could subject us to costly litigation and impose a significant strain on our financial resources and management personnel regardless of whether such claim has merit. 21Table of ContentsWe may, from time to time, consider or engage in strategic transactions.33Table of ContentsWe may, from time to time, consider or engage in strategic transactions. Any such strategic transactions would involve risks, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operation, and we may not realize the anticipated benefits of these transactions. From time to time, we consider strategic transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, investments, alliances, and other growth and market expansion strategies, with the expectation that these transactions will result in increases in sales, cost savings, synergies and various other benefits. Assessing the viability and realizing the benefits of these transactions is subject to significant uncertainty. Additionally, in connection with evaluating potential strategic transactions and assets, we may incur significant expenses for the evaluation and due diligence investigation and negotiation of any potential transaction. Although we have limited experience acquiring companies, any future acquisitions may not be successful. If we complete an acquisition, we would need to successfully integrate the target company’s products, services, associates and systems into our business operations. Integration can be a complex and time-consuming process, and if any such integration is not fully successful or is delayed for a material period of time, we may not achieve the anticipated synergies or benefits of the acquisition. Integration can be a complex and time-consuming process, and if the integration is not fully successful or is delayed for a material period of time, we may not achieve the anticipated synergies or benefits of the acquisition. Furthermore, even if a target company is successfully integrated, an acquisition may fail to further our business strategy as anticipated, expose us to increased competition or challenges with respect to our products or services, and expose us to additional liabilities. Any impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets acquired in a strategic transaction may reduce our earnings.We face risks related to our indebtedness.As of December 28, 2023, the principal amount of our total indebtedness was $202.As of December 30, 2021, the principal amount of our total indebtedness was approximately $206. 4 million related to our indebtedness outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. In addition, as of December 28, 2023, we had the ability to access $718. In addition, as of December 30, 2021, we had the ability to access approximately $377. 4 million of unused borrowings available under the ABL Facility without violating any covenants thereunder and had $35.5 million of unused borrowings available under the ABL Facility without violating any covenants thereunder and had approximately $22. 3 million in outstanding letters of credit thereunder.Our indebtedness, combined with our lease and other financial obligations and contractual commitments, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results by:•making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, including restrictive covenants and borrowing conditions, which may lead to an event of default under the agreements governing our debt;•requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flows to fund current operations and future growth;•exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates as our borrowings under our Credit Facilities are at variable rates;•restricting us from making strategic acquisitions;•requiring us to comply with financial and operational covenants, restricting us, among other things, from placing liens on our assets, making investments, incurring debt, making payments to our equity or debt holders and engaging in transactions with affiliates;•limiting our ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, execution of our business and growth strategies or other purposes; and•limiting our ability to obtain credit from our suppliers and other financing sources on acceptable terms or at all.Our indebtedness, combined with our lease and other financial obligations and contractual commitments, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results by:•making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, including restrictive covenants and borrowing conditions, which may lead to an event of default under the agreements governing our debt;•making us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and government regulation;34Table of Contents•requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flows to fund current operations and future growth;•exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates as our borrowings under our Credit Facilities are at variable rates;•restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures;•requiring us to comply with financial and operational covenants, restricting us, among other things, from placing liens on our assets, making investments, incurring debt, making payments to our equity or debt holders and engaging in transactions with affiliates;•limiting our ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our business and growth strategies or other purposes; and•limiting our ability to obtain credit from our suppliers and other financing sources on acceptable terms or at all. The credit agreements governing our Credit Facilities contain, and any future indebtedness would likely contain, a number of customary financial, operative and other restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions, including restrictions on our subsidiaries paying dividends and otherwise transferring cash or other assets to us except in certain limited circumstances, and other restrictions on our ability to engage in acts that may be in our best long-term interests. Such financial, operative and other restrictive covenants in our current debt agreements and any future financing agreements could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities.Based on the foregoing factors, the operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our current debt agreements and any future financing agreements could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities. We may also incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in our Credit Facilities. If such new indebtedness is in an amount greater than our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify. However, we cannot give assurance that any such additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. 22Table of ContentsOur variable rate debt subjects us to interest rate risk that could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly. The debt we incurred under our Credit Facilities are at variable rates of interest, which exposes us to interest rate risk. Reference rates used to determine the applicable interest rates for our variable rate debt began to rise significantly in the second half of fiscal 2022 and into fiscal 2023. If interest rates continue to increase, the debt service obligations on such indebtedness will continue to increase even if the amount borrowed remains the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, will correspondingly decrease. In addition, as a result of our latest amendments to the Credit Facilities certain of the variable rate indebtedness extended to us uses the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as a benchmark for establishing the interest rate. While we believe we will continue to use SOFR, other factors may impact SOFR including factors causing SOFR to cease to exist, new methods of calculating SOFR to be established, or the use of an alternative reference rate(s). These consequences are not entirely predictable and could have an adverse impact on our financing costs, returns on investments, valuation of derivative contracts and our financial results.Our fixed lease obligations could adversely affect our operating results.We are required to use a significant portion of cash generated by our operations to satisfy our fixed lease obligations, which could adversely affect our ability to obtain future financing to support our growth or other operational investments. We will require substantial cash flows from operations to make our payments under our operating leases, all of which provide for periodic increases in rent. If we are not able to make payments under our operating leases, this could trigger defaults under other leases or, in certain circumstances, under our Credit Facilities, which could cause the counterparties or lenders under those agreements to accelerate the obligations due thereunder.Risks Related to the Ownership of Our Common StockOur stock price may continue to be volatile, which could result in a significant loss or impairment of your investment.On May 2, 2017, we completed our initial public offering (the “IPO”). Since the IPO, the price of our common stock as reported by The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) has ranged from a low closing sales price of $24.00 on December 24, 2018 to a high closing sales price of $143.31 on November 4, 2021. In addition, the trading price of our common stock has been, and may continue to be, subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including those described above in “Risks Related to Our Business.”Stock markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies, including ours.Furthermore, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies, including ours. These fluctuations sometimes have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for our common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of common stock and may otherwise adversely affect the price or liquidity of our common stock.We do not currently expect to pay any cash dividends.The continued operation and growth of our business will require substantial funding. Accordingly, we do not currently expect to pay any cash dividends on shares of our common stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and will depend upon our operating results, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictive covenants under our Credit Facilities, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our Board deems relevant. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board or directors (the “Board”) and will depend upon our operating results, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our Board deems relevant. Accordingly, realization of a gain on your investment in our common stock will depend on the appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may never occur. See Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” for more information. See Item 5, “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity- Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity” for more information. Anti-takeover provisions could impair a takeover attempt and adversely affect existing stockholders and the market value of our common stock.Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and applicable provisions of Delaware law may have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying or preventing an acquisition of the Company, even when this would be in the best interest of our stockholders. These provisions include:•the sole power of a majority of our Board to fix the number of directors;•the requirement that certain advance notice procedures be followed for our stockholders to submit nominations of candidates for election to our Board and to bring other proposals before a meeting of the stockholders;•the power of our Board to amend our bylaws without stockholder approval;•the sole power of the Board to fill any vacancy on the Board, whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise;23Table of Contents•the ability of a majority of our Board (even if less than a quorum) to designate one or more series of preferred stock and issue shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval;•a requirement that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, certain proceedings against or involving us or our directors, officers, or associates be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware; and•the lack of cumulative voting rights for the holders of our Class A common stock with respect to the election of directors. These provisions include:•the sole power of a majority of our Board to fix the number of directors;•the requirement that certain advance notice procedures be followed for our stockholders to submit nominations of candidates for election to our Board and to bring other proposals before a meeting of the stockholders;•the power of our Board to amend our bylaws without stockholder approval;•the sole power of the Board to fill any vacancy on the Board, whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise;•the ability of a majority of our Board (even if less than a quorum) to designate one or more series of preferred stock and issue shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval;•a requirement that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, certain proceedings against or involving us or our directors, officers, or associates be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware; and•the lack of cumulative voting rights for the holders of our Class A common stock with respect to the election of directors. Further, Delaware law imposes conditions on the voting of “control shares” and on certain business combination transactions with “interested stockholders.”Our issuance of shares of preferred stock could delay or prevent a change of control of the Company. Our Board has the authority to cause us to issue, without any further vote or action by our stockholders, shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, in one or more series, to designate the number of shares constituting any series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences of such series. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of our Company without further action by our stockholders, even where stockholders are offered a premium for their shares.In addition, the issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our other classes of voting stock either by diluting the voting power of our other classes of voting stock if they vote together as a single class, or by giving the holders of any such preferred stock the right to block an action on which they have a separate class vote even if the action were approved by the holders of our other classes of voting stock.39Table of ContentsIn addition, the issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our other classes of voting stock either by diluting the voting power of our other classes of voting stock if they vote together as a single class, or by giving the holders of any such preferred stock the right to block an action on which they have a separate class vote even if the action were approved by the holders of our other classes of voting stock. These provisions could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management. Also, the issuance of shares of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences, or other economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock could adversely affect the market price for our common stock by making an investment in our common stock less attractive. Any provision of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or Delaware law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control or otherwise makes an investment in our common stock less attractive could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.General Risk FactorsWe are engaged in various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business and, while we cannot predict the outcomes of such proceedings and other contingencies with certainty, this litigation and any potential future litigation could have an adverse impact on us.•We are engaged in various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, and while we cannot predict the outcomes of such proceedings and other contingencies with certainty, this litigation and any potential future litigation could have an adverse impact on us. We are engaged in various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including claims related to breach of contract, product liabilities, intellectual property matters and employment related matters resulting from our business activities. As with most actions such as these, an estimate of any possible and/or ultimate liability cannot always be determined. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors. Additionally, we cannot guarantee that we will not become engaged in additional legal actions, claims, proceedings or governmental investigations in the future. Any such action could result in negative publicity, harm to our reputation and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility.Our business could face public scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) activities.Our business faces increasing public scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) activities. We risk damage to our brand and reputation if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as diversity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, corporate governance and transparency. We risk damage to our brand and reputation if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as diversity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, support for local communities, corporate governance and transparency and considering ESG factors in our business operations. We will incur additional expenses as we continue to execute our ESG framework in the coming years. We will incur additional and potentially significant expenses as we continue to execute our ESG framework in the coming years. Adverse incidents could impact the value of our brand, the cost of our operations and relationships with investors, all of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.None.24Table of ContentsITEM 1C.41Table of Contents. CYBERSECURITY.Cybersecurity is the responsibility of our information security team, overseen by our Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”). Our CISO reports to our Chief Information Officer (“CIO”), and our CISO and CIO regularly meet with our General Counsel to review cybersecurity risks, and evaluate their nature and severity, as well as identify potential mitigation and assess the impact of those mitigations on residual risk. Our enterprise risk management program also considers cybersecurity risks, including risks associated with our use of third-party service providers, alongside other company risks, and as part of these efforts, we gather information necessary to identify cybersecurity risks, and evaluate their nature and severity, as well as identify mitigations and assess the impact of those mitigations on residual risk. Our enterprise risk management program is reviewed annually with our Board.We maintain a system of data protection and cybersecurity resources, technology, and processes. We regularly evaluate new and emerging risks and ever-changing legal and compliance requirements. We make strategic investments to address these risks and compliance requirements. We also perform annual and ongoing cybersecurity awareness training, which includes regular simulated phishing campaigns. We also run tabletop exercises, including with external advisors, to simulate a response to a cybersecurity incident, and we use the findings to improve our practices, procedures, incident response plan, and technologies. In the event of a cybersecurity incident, we have worked with external advisors to develop an incident response plan, which provides guidelines for responding to an incident and facilitates coordination across multiple parts of our Company. The incident response plan includes a procedure for notifying the CISO and CIO of any incident as well as a procedure for reporting any material incidents to the Audit Committee of our Board (the “Audit Committee”) and Board as appropriate.Our cybersecurity risk program is structured according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity framework. This program includes multiple layers of security controls, including network segmentation, security monitoring, endpoint protect, and identity and access management. The Company annually engages third parties to advise and assess the Company’s cybersecurity programs, including to engage in penetration testing. The results of these assessments are reported to the CISO and our CISO, in consultation with our CIO and General Counsel, use the findings to improve our practices, procedures, and technologies. A summary of our cybersecurity efforts is reported to the Audit Committee, which has primary responsibility for oversight and review of guidelines and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including cybersecurity, regularly. Our Board also receives periodic updates relating to information security and cybersecurity risks. We have also purchased cyber liability insurance to provide a level of financial protection against the potential losses arising from a cybersecurity incident. However, there is no assurance that our insurance coverage will cover or be sufficient to cover all losses or claims that may result from a cybersecurity incident.Our CISO, CIO, and General Counsel collectively have over 35 years of business experience managing risks from cybersecurity threats and developing and implementing cybersecurity policies and procedures. Team members who support our information security program have relevant educational and industry experience.In the last three fiscal years, we have not experienced a material information security breach incident and the expenses we have incurred from information security breach incidents have been immaterial, and we are not aware of any cybersecurity risks that are reasonably likely to materially affect our business. However, future incidents could have a material impact on our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. For additional discussion of the risks posed by cybersecurity threats, see “Risk Factors— Risks Related to our Business—If our efforts to protect the privacy and security of information related to our customers, us, our associates, our suppliers and other third parties are not successful, we could become subject to litigation, investigations, liability and negative publicity that could significantly harm our reputation and relationships with our customers and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.” and “Risk Factors— Risks Related to our Business—A material disruption in our information systems, including our website or call center, could adversely affect our business or operating results and lead to reduced net sales and reputational damage.” in Part 1 of this Annual Report.25Table of Contents.41Table of Contents.Recently Filed
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