Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Variable Interest Entities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Variable Interest Entities

2.      Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates and Variable Interest Entities  

Investment in IM Topco, LLC

On May 27, 2022, Xcel (along with IM Topco, LLC (“IM Topco”) and IM Brands, LLC (“IMB”), both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company) and IM WHP, LLC (“WHP”), a subsidiary of WHP Global, a private equity-backed brand management and licensing company, entered into a membership purchase agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, on May 31, 2022, (i) the Company contributed assets owned by IMB, including the Isaac Mizrahi Brand trademarks and other intellectual property rights relating thereto into IM Topco, and (ii) the Company sold 70% of the membership interests of IM Topco to WHP.

The Company accounts for its 30% interest in the ongoing operations of IM Topco as other operating costs and expenses under the equity method of accounting. Pursuant to the business venture agreement between the Company and WHP governing the operation of IM Topco, IM Topco’s net cash flow (as defined in the agreement) shall be distributed to the members during each fiscal year no less than once per fiscal quarter, as follows:

(i) first, 100% to WHP, until WHP has received an aggregate amount during such fiscal year equal to $8,852,000 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as set forth in the agreement);

(ii) second, 100% to Xcel, until Xcel has received an aggregate amount during such fiscal year equal to $1,316,200 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as set forth in the agreement); and

(iii) thereafter, in proportion to the members’ respective percentage interests.

Further, on April 12, 2024, the Company, WHP, and IM Topco entered into an amendment of the business venture agreement, such that on and after January 1, 2026, WHP shall receive 50% of the net cash flow which would otherwise be payable to Xcel, until WHP has received an aggregate amount of additional net cash flow equal to $1,000,000.

Based on these distribution provisions, the Company recognized an equity method loss related to its investment in IM Topco of $0.52 million for each of the three-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, and $1.03 million for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. For cash flow earnings (i.e., net income before intangible asset amortization expense), management allocated the amounts based on the preferences outlined above. As such, Xcel recognized no cash-based earnings for all of the periods presented. For non-cash amortization expense, management allocated the amounts based on the relative ownership of each member (i.e., 70% WHP and 30% Xcel). The equity method loss for each period presented is equal Xcel’s share of amortization expense.

Summarized financial information for IM Topco for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:

	For the three months ended				For the six months ended
	June 30,				June 30,
($ in thousands)	2024		2023		2024		2023
Revenues	$	2,711	$	3,573	$	5,463	$	6,919
Gross profit		2,711		3,573		5,463		6,919
(Loss) income from continuing operations		(374)		206		(771)		113
Net (loss) income		(374)		206		(771)		113

Refer to Note 11 and Note 12 for additional information regarding the Company’s ongoing relationship with IM Topco.

Investment in Orme Live, Inc.

In December 2023, the Company contributed $0.15 million of cash to ORME in exchange for a 30% equity ownership interest in ORME. The carrying value of this investment was $0.09 million and $0.15 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and is included within other assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company accounts for its 30% interest in the operations of ORME as a component of other operating costs and expenses under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s proportional share of the operating results of ORME for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was a loss of approximately $0.04 million and $0.06 million, respectively.

Longaberger Licensing, LLC Variable Interest Entity

Since 2019, Xcel has been party to a limited liability company agreement with a subsidiary of Hilco Global related to Longaberger Licensing, LLC (“LL”). Hilco Global is the sole Class A Member of LL, and Xcel is the sole Class B Member of LL (each individually a “Member”). Each Member holds a 50% equity ownership interest in LL; however, based on an analysis of the contractual terms and rights contained in the LLC agreement and related agreements, the Company has previously determined that under the applicable accounting standards, LL is a variable interest entity and the Company has effective control over LL. Therefore, as the primary beneficiary, the Company has consolidated LL since 2019, and has recognized the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of LL as part of its consolidated financial statements, along with a noncontrolling interest which represents Hilco Global’s 50% ownership share in LL.