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Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2022
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Other Commitments

 

The Company’s purchase commitments consist primarily of inventory, equipment and technology (hardware and software) purchase orders made in the ordinary course of business, most of which have terms less than one year. As of July 3, 2022, the Company had fixed and determinable off-balance sheet purchase commitments with remaining terms in excess of one year of approximately $20.6 million, primarily related to the Company’s technology infrastructure and inventory commitments.

 

The Company had approximately $2.3 million in unused stand-by letters of credit as of July 3, 2022 and June 27, 2021.

 

Litigation

 

Bed Bath & Beyond

 

On April 1, 2020, the Seller commenced an action against the Company in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware, which is captioned Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. v. 1-800-Flowers.com, et ano., C.A. (the “Complaint”), alleging a breach of the Equity Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated February 14, 2020, between Seller, PersonalizationMall, the Company and the Purchaser, pursuant to which the Seller agreed to sell to Purchaser, and the Purchaser agreed to purchase from Seller, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of PersonalizationMall. The action was initiated after the Company requested a reasonable delay of the closing under the Purchase Agreement due to the unprecedented circumstances created by COVID-19. The Complaint requested an order of specific performance to consummate the transaction under the Purchase Agreement plus attorney’s fees and costs in connection with the action. The Company filed its answer to the Complaint on April 17, 2020 and an order governing expedited proceedings was approved on April 9, 2020 that set a trial date for late September 2020. On July 21, 2020, the Company and Seller entered into a settlement agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to move forward with its purchase of PersonalizationMall for $245.0 million, subject to certain working capital and other adjustments. The transaction closed on August 3, 2020. In connection with the settlement agreement, the parties executed a Stipulation and Proposed Order of Dismissal, resulting in the voluntary dismissal with prejudice of the litigation relating to the transaction.

 

Call Center Worker Claim:

 

In March of 2018, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against a subsidiary of the Company (the “Subsidiary”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Medford Division (the “Court”), alleging violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Oregon state law. The complaint was brought on behalf of a putative class of call center workers and alleged that certain Subsidiary policies and practices resulted in class members’ performance of unpaid work. The plaintiff sought class certification, compensation for alleged unpaid and underpaid wages, civil penalties, prejudgment interest, liquidated damages, litigation costs, and attorneys’ fees. Following mediation, the parties reached an agreement in April 2022 to resolve all claims. The settlement agreement remains subject to certain judicial approvals. The Subsidiary’s payment liability under the settlement agreement is capped at a maximum amount of $3.3 million, and the amount payable will depend on the number of claims filed by class members and the amounts of attorneys’ fees and litigation costs approved by the Court. We anticipate that final Court approval, and determination and payment of the final settlement amount, may occur during the third quarter of fiscal 2023. In entering into the settlement agreement, the Subsidiary is making no admission of liability. 

 

In addition, there are various claims, lawsuits, and pending actions against the Company and its subsidiaries incident to the operations of its businesses. It is the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, that the final resolution of such claims, lawsuits and pending actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.