10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended: August 4, 2007 or

 

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 1-13113

SAKS INCORPORATED

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

TENNESSEE   62-0331040

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

12 East 49th Street

New York, New York

  10017

(Address of principal

executive offices)

  (Zip Code)

212-940-5305

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x                Accelerated filer  ¨                Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨    No  x

As of August 31, 2007, the number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding was 143,411,860.

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page No.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – August 4, 2007, February 3, 2007 and July 29, 2006

   3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income – Three and Six Months Ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006

   4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006

   5

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   28

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   43

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   44

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

   44

Item 1A. Risk Factors

   45

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   45

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   45

Item 6. Exhibits

   47

SIGNATURES

   48

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED and SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     August 4,
2007
   February 3,
2007
  

July 29,

2006

ASSETS

        

Current Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 128,374    $ 277,883    $ 500,914

Merchandise inventories

     801,693      785,302      641,784

Other current assets

     112,131      146,893      179,184

Deferred income taxes, net

     24,607      40,763      33,317

Current Assets - held for sale

     —        —        177,343
                    

Total current assets

     1,066,805      1,250,841      1,532,542

Property and Equipment, net

     1,082,893      1,099,331      1,109,412

Property and Equipment, net - held for sale

     —        —        226,320

Goodwill and Intangibles, net

     310      324      338

Goodwill and Intangibles, net - held for sale

     —        —        4,030

Deferred Income Taxes, net

     151,090      152,754      157,648

Other Assets

     35,967      41,053      35,644

Other Assets - held for sale

     —        —        1,032
                    

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,337,065    $ 2,544,303    $ 3,066,966
                    

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

Current Liabilities

        

Trade accounts payable

   $ 211,968    $ 231,038    $ 190,782

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     246,272      382,346      361,481

Dividend payable

     2,659      12,729      6,981

Current portion of long-term debt

     235,643      236,667      7,106

Current liabilities - held for sale

     —        —        78,292
                    

Total current liabilities

     696,542      862,780      644,642

Long-Term Debt

     339,744      450,010      683,180

Long-Term Debt - held for sale

     —        —        1,638

Other Long-Term Liabilities

     169,857      135,374      144,570

Other Long-Term Liabilities - held for sale

     —        —        26,729
                    

Total liabilities

     1,206,143      1,448,164      1,500,759

Commitments and Contingencies

     —        —        —  

Shareholders’ Equity

     1,130,922      1,096,139      1,566,207
                    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 2,337,065    $ 2,544,303    $ 3,066,966
                    

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED and SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
    August 4,
2007
   

July 29,

2006

 

NET SALES

   $ 694,106     $ 603,833     $ 1,486,853     $ 1,287,962  

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)

     447,340       405,329       911,807       806,600  
                                

Gross margin

     246,766       198,504       575,046       481,362  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     194,258       196,482       407,103       381,371  

Other operating expenses:

        

Property and equipment rentals

     27,212       26,928       55,549       55,143  

Depreciation and amortization

     34,728       31,755       66,526       62,472  

Taxes other than income taxes

     19,749       19,002       41,969       41,371  

Store pre-opening costs

     125       117       261       289  

Impairments and dispositions

     3,314       1,260       3,698       5,590  
                                

OPERATING LOSS

     (32,620 )     (77,040 )     (60 )     (64,874 )

Interest expense

     (9,921 )     (11,598 )     (21,901 )     (25,643 )

Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt

     (412 )     7       (5,634 )     7  

Other income, net

     1,735       6,932       4,570       15,751  
                                

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     (41,218 )     (81,699 )     (23,025 )     (74,759 )

Benefit for income taxes

     (16,592 )     (28,603 )     (9,436 )     (33,323 )
                                

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     (24,626 )     (53,096 )     (13,589 )     (41,436 )

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

        

Income from discontinued operations

     —         2,028       —         211,020  

Provision for income taxes

     —         787       —         143,541  
                                

INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

     —         1,241       —         67,479  
                                

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ (24,626 )   $ (51,855 )   $ (13,589 )   $ 26,043  
                                

Per-Share amounts - Basic

        

Loss from continuing operations

   $ (0.17 )   $ (0.39 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.31 )

Income from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ 0.01     $ —       $ 0.50  

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (0.17 )   $ (0.38 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.19  

Per-Share Amounts - Diluted

        

Loss from continuing operations

   $ (0.17 )   $ (0.39 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.31 )

Income from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ 0.01     $ —       $ 0.50  

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (0.17 )   $ (0.38 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.19  

Weighted average common shares:

        

Basic

     141,882       135,222       141,065       134,741  

Diluted

     141,882       135,222       141,065       134,741  

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED and SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended  
     August 4,
2007
   

July 29,

2006

 

Operating Activities:

    

Net Income (loss)

   $ (13,589 )   $ 26,043  

Income from discontinued operations

     —         67,479  
                

Loss from continuing operations

     (13,589 )     (41,436 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     66,526       62,472  

Impairments and dispositions

     3,698       5,590  

Equity compensation

     3,001       29,603  

Deferred income taxes

     (1,438 )     95,276  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     (8,575 )     (2,568 )

Loss (Gain) on extinguishment of debt

     5,634       (7 )

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net

     (70,879 )     (74,786 )
                

Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Operating Activities - Continuing Operations

     (15,622 )     74,144  

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities - Discontinued Operations

     —         (98,327 )
                

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

     (15,622 )     (24,183 )

Investing Activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (60,380 )     (42,973 )

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

     7,806       171  
                

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities - Continuing Operations

     (52,574 )     (42,802 )

Net Cash Provided By Investing Activities - Discontinued Operations

     —         1,013,502  
                

Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Investing Activities

     (52,574 )     970,700  

Financing Activities:

    

Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     (116,140 )     (3,647 )

Cash dividends paid

     (7,427 )     (542,185 )

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     8,575       2,568  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     33,679       18,398  
                

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities - Continuing Operations

     (81,313 )     (524,866 )

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities - Discontinued Operations

     —         (96 )
                

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

     (81,313 )     (524,962 )

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (149,509 )     421,555  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     277,883       77,312  

Plus: Cash and cash equivalents included in assets held for sale at beginning of year

     —         3,088  

Less: Cash and cash equivalents included in assets held for sale at end of year

     —         (1,041 )
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 128,374     $ 500,914  
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – GENERAL

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in compliance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Operating results for the three and six months ended August 4, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2008 (fiscal year 2007). The financial statements include the accounts of Saks Incorporated and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at February 3, 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007.

Certain prior year amounts in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2007 presentation.

ORGANIZATION

The Company’s operations consist of Saks Fifth Avenue (SFA), Off Fifth, and Club Libby Lu. Previously, the Company also operated Saks Department Store Group (“SDSG”), which consisted of Proffitt’s and McRae’s (“Proffitt’s”) (sold to Belk, Inc. (“Belk”) in July 2005), the Northern Department Store Group (“NDSG”) (operated under the nameplates of Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Herberger’s and Younkers and sold to The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (“Bon-Ton”) in March 2006), and Parisian (sold to Belk in October 2006). The sold businesses are presented as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of income, the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the prior year periods and are discussed in Note 2 “Discontinued Operations.”

 

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Net Sales – Net sales include sales of merchandise (net of returns and exclusive of sales taxes), commissions from leased departments, and shipping and handling revenues related to merchandise sold. Commissions from leased departments were $6,184 and $5,525 for the three months ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively. Leased department sales were $42,831 and $38,513 for the three months ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively, and were excluded from net sales. Commissions from leased departments were $13,307 and $12,011 for the six months ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively. Leased department sales were $93,098 and $84,728 for the six months ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively, and were excluded from net sales.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand in the stores, deposits with banks, and investments with banks and financial institutions that have original maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents totaled $116,629 and $483,057 at August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively, primarily consisting of money market funds, demand and time deposits. Income earned on cash equivalents was $1,735 and $6,825 for the three-month periods ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively, and is reflected in Other Income. For the six-month periods ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006 income earned on these cash equivalents was $4,446 and $15,470, respectively, which was reflected in Other Income.

Income Taxes – The effective income tax rate for the three and six-month periods ended August 4, 2007 was 40.3% and 41%, respectively, as compared to 35% and 44.6% for continuing operations, for the three and six-month periods ended July 29, 2006. The increase in the effective rate for the three-month period ended August 4, 2007 was primarily the result of an adjustment to the valuation allowance on state net operating loss carryforwards recognized during the three-month period ended July 29, 2006. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the six-month period ended August 4, 2007 was primarily the result of the settlement of certain state tax examinations as well as other state tax benefits in the six-month period ended July 29, 2006.

For discontinued operations, the effective income tax rate for the three and six-month periods ended July 29, 2006 was 38.8% and 68%, respectively. This effective income tax rate was higher than the expected rate due to the write-off of non-deductible goodwill related to the sale of NDSG.

 

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Components of the Company’s income tax expense for the three and six-month periods ended August 4, 2007 and June 29, 2006 were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
    August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
 

Continuing Operations:

        

Expected federal income taxes at 35%

   $ (14,426 )   $ (28,595 )   $ (8,058 )   $ (26,166 )

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

     (1,649 )     (8,580 )     (831 )     (12,791 )

Effect of settling tax exams and other tax reserve adjustments

     (186 )     —         (307 )     (2,450 )

Other items, net

     (331 )     8,572       (240 )     8,084  
                                

Benefit for income taxes

   $ (16,592 )   $ (28,603 )   $ (9,436 )   $ (33,323 )
                                

Discontinued Operations:

        

Expected federal income taxes at 35%

   $ —       $ 710     $ —       $ 73,857  

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

     —         77       —         18,496  

Non-deductible goodwill

     —         —         —         51,188  
                                

Provision for income taxes

   $ —       $ 787     $ —       $ 143,541  
                                

The Company adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48) effective as of the beginning of fiscal year 2007. As a result of the implementation the Company recorded a $33,672 decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits which was accounted for as an increase to the beginning shareholder’s equity. As of February 4, 2007 the Company had total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $43,956. Of this total, $12,575 represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease in the next twelve months as a result of settling uncertain tax positions. However, the Company does not anticipate this to result in any material change to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits.

As a result of the analysis of uncertain tax positions (due to the adoption of FIN 48), the net deferred tax asset related to the state net operating loss carryforwards increased. Therefore, the company performed a valuation allowance analysis to determine the realization of this asset. This analysis resulted in an additional valuation allowance of $19,258 with the offset recorded to shareholders’ equity in accordance with Statement of Position 90-7, “Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code.” The Company is subject to the provisions of Statement of Position 90-7 for these net operating losses since they were acquired through the acquisition of a company that had previously filed bankruptcy.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had approximately $2,443 in interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits accrued as of February 4, 2007.

 

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The Company files a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return as well as state tax returns in multiple state jurisdictions. The Company has completed examinations by the Internal Revenue Service for taxable years through January 29, 2005 with no significant adjustments. With respect to the state and local jurisdictions, the Company has completed examinations in many jurisdictions through the same period and currently has examinations in progress for several jurisdictions.

NOTE 2 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On March 6, 2006, the Company sold to Bon-Ton all outstanding equity interests of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries that owned NDSG (operating under the nameplates of Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Herberger’s and Younkers), either directly or indirectly. The consideration received consisted of approximately $1,115,000 in cash (reduced as described below based on changes in working capital), plus the assumption by Bon-Ton of approximately $35,000 of unfunded benefits liabilities and approximately $35,000 of capital leases. A working capital adjustment based on working capital as of the effective time of the transaction reduced the amount of cash proceeds by approximately $75,000 resulting in net cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $1,040,000. The disposition included NDSG’s operations consisting of, among other things, the following: the real and personal property, operating leases and inventory associated with 142 NDSG units (31 Carson Pirie Scott stores, 14 Bergner’s stores, 10 Boston Store stores, 40 Herberger’s stores, and 47 Younkers stores), administrative/headquarters facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and distribution centers located in Rockford, Illinois, Naperville, Illinois, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Ankeny, Iowa. NDSG stores generated fiscal year 2005 revenues of approximately $2,168,000. The Company realized a net gain of $204,729 on the sale.

Bon-Ton entered into a Transition Service Agreement with the Company (“NDSG TSA”), whereby the Company continued to provide, for varying transition periods, back office services related to the NDSG operations. The back-office services included certain information technology, telecommunications, credit, accounting and store planning services, among others. Bon-Ton compensated the Company for these services, as outlined in the NDSG TSA. The results of the NDSG operations are reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the prior year periods presented.

On October 2, 2006, the Company sold to Belk all of the outstanding equity interests of the Company’s subsidiaries that conducted the Parisian business. The consideration received consisted of approximately $285,000 in cash (increased in accordance with a working capital adjustment). A working capital adjustment based on working capital as of the effective time of the transaction increased the amount of cash proceeds by approximately $14,200. In addition, Belk reimbursed the Company at closing for approximately $6,700 in capital expenditures incurred in connection with the construction of four new Parisian stores. Belk also paid the Company a premium associated with the purchase of accounts and accounts receivable from Household Bank (SB), N.A. (now known as HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A., “HSBC”), in the amount of approximately $2,300. The foregoing resulted in total net cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $308,200.

 

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The disposition included Parisian’s operations consisting of, among other things, the following: real and personal property, operating leases and inventory associated with 38 Parisian stores (which generated fiscal year 2005 revenues of approximately $740,000), a 125,000 square foot administrative/headquarters facility in Birmingham, Alabama and a 180,000 square foot distribution center located in Steele, Alabama. The Company realized a net loss of $12,811 on the sale.

In connection with the consummation of the Parisian transaction, the Company entered into a Transition Services Agreement with Belk (“Parisian TSA”). Pursuant to the Parisian TSA, the Company provided, for varying transition periods, back-office services related to the Company’s former Parisian specialty department store business. The back-office services included information technology, telecommunications, credit, accounting and store planning services, among others. The results of the Parisian operations are reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income, the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the prior year periods presented.

Net sales of the aforementioned businesses that are included within discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended July 29, 2006 are $156,823 and $512,477, respectively.

NOTE 3 – EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Calculations of earnings per common share (“EPS”) for the three and six months ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006 are as follows (income and shares in thousands):

 

     For the Three Months Ended
August 4, 2007
    For the Three Months Ended
July 29, 2006
 
    

Net

Loss

    Weighted
Average
Shares
   Per Share
Amount
   

Net

Loss

    Weighted
Average
Shares
   Per Share
Amount
 

Basic EPS

   $ (24,626 )   141,882    $ (0.17 )   $ (51,855 )   135,222    $ (0.38 )

Effect of dilutive stock options and convertible debentures

     —       —        —         —       —        —    
                                          

Diluted EPS

   $ (24,626 )   141,882    $ (0.17 )   $ (51,855 )   135,222    $ (0.38 )
                                          
    

For the Six Months Ended

August 4, 2007

   

For the Six Months Ended

July 29, 2006

 
    

Net

Loss

    Weighted
Average
Shares
   Per Share
Amount
    Net
Income
    Weighted
Average
Shares
   Per Share
Amount
 

Basic EPS

   $ (13,589 )   141,065    $ (0.10 )   $ 26,043     134,741    $ 0.19  

Effect of dilutive stock options and convertible debentures

     —       —        —         —       —        —    
                                          

Diluted EPS

   $ (13,589 )   141,065    $ (0.10 )   $ 26,043     134,741    $ 0.19  
                                          

 

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All potentially dilutive shares of common stock have been excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because the Company reported losses from continuing operations for all periods presented. The Company had 752 and 1,551 option awards of potentially dilutive common stock outstanding as of August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006. In addition, the Company had 651 and 3,305 option awards of potentially dilutive common stock outstanding at August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006 with exercise prices exceeding the average market price for the period. There were also 19,219 and 15,413 of potentially exercisable shares under the convertible notes at August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS due to the assumption of net share settlement as discussed below (See Note 4). Additionally, the Company had 14,343 shares of potentially dilutive shares, which were excluded from diluted EPS associated with shares the Company would issue to settle the difference between the fair value and the par value of the convertible notes upon conversion and the shares to be issued upon the exercise of a call option the Company sold at the time of issuance of the convertible debentures.

The Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus, EITF 04-08, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Instruments on Diluted Earnings Per Share,” whereby the contingent conversion provisions should be ignored and therefore an issuer should apply the if-converted method in calculating diluted earnings per share. This consensus became effective for periods ending after December 15, 2004, and requires retroactive application to all periods presented. Although the Company is now required to ignore the contingent conversion provision on its convertible notes under EITF 04-08, it can still presume that it will satisfy the net share settlement of the par value upon conversion of the notes in cash, and thus exclude the effect of the conversion of the notes in its calculation of diluted earnings per share. However, the FASB is contemplating an amendment to SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” that would require the Company to ignore the cash presumption of net share settlement and to assume share settlement for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share.

NOTE 4 – DEBT AND SHARE ACTIVITY

At the Company’s request, due to the sale of NDSG, the revolving credit facility was reduced from $800,000 to $500,000 in March 2006. In September 2006, the maturity date of the revolving credit facility was extended to September 2011.

During June 2006, the Company repurchased a total of approximately $193 in principal amount of senior notes. The repurchase of these notes resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt of $7.

On April 12, 2007, the Company announced final results of its modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer to purchase a portion of its 8.25% senior notes due November 15, 2008 for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $100,000 (the “offer cap”). The offer expired on April 11, 2007. The aggregate principal amount of notes validly tendered at or above the clearing spread exceeded the offer cap, and the Company accepted $95,872 aggregate principal amount of the notes, resulting in an aggregate purchase price of $100,000 (plus an additional $3,230 in aggregate accrued interest on such notes). The Company accepted for purchase first, all notes tendered at spreads above the clearing spread, and thereafter, the notes validly tendered at the clearing spread on a prorated basis according to the principal amount of such notes. During the three months ended May 5, 2007, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $5,222 related to the repurchase of the notes.

 

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During June and July 2007, the Company repurchased an additional $10,420 in principal amount primarily relating to its 8.25% senior notes. The repurchase of these notes resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $412.

On July 10, 2007, the Company gave notice that holders of its $230,000 2.0% convertible senior unsecured notes due March 15, 2024 were entitled to convert the convertible notes into shares of the Company’s common stock due to the closing price of the Company’s common stock exceeding 120% of the convertible senior notes’ conversion price for at least 20 out of the last 30 consecutive trading days in the second calendar quarter of 2007. The holders of the convertible notes have until September 30, 2007 to convert their notes into shares of the Company’s common stock in accordance with, and subject to, the terms of the convertible notes indenture. Since the holders of the convertible notes have the ability to exercise their conversion rights, the convertible notes were classified within “current portion of long-term debt” on the Company’s August 4, 2007 balance sheet. As of September 6, 2007, no note holders had converted their notes into the Company’s common stock.

During the six months ended August 4, 2007, the Company did not purchase any shares of the Company’s common stock. At August 4, 2007, there were 37,380 shares remaining available for repurchase under the Company’s existing share repurchase program.

NOTE 5 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors a defined benefit cash balance pension plan for many employees of the Company. In conjunction with the sale of NDSG, the Company sold to Bon-Ton the assets, and Bon-Ton assumed the liabilities, of the Carson Pirie Scott cash balance pension plan. The Company generally funds pension costs currently, subject to regulatory funding requirements. The components of net periodic pension expense related to the Company’s remaining pension plan for the three and six months ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006 were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
    August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
 

Service cost

   $ 331     $ 1,200     $ 662     $ 2,400  

Interest cost

     1,838       2,095       3,676       4,190  

Expected return on plan assets

     (2,782 )     (2,324 )     (5,564 )     (4,648 )

Net amortization of losses and prior service costs

     813       935       1,626       1,870  
                                

Net periodic pension expense

   $ 200     $ 1,906     $ 400     $ 3,812  
                                

The Company expects minimal or no funding requirements in 2007 and 2008.

NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On March 6, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $4.00 per common share totaling approximately $547,500, and the Company reduced shareholders’ equity

 

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by that amount. Approximately $539,000 of the dividend was paid on May 1, 2006 to shareholders of record as of April 14, 2006. The remaining portion of the dividend payable will be paid prospectively as, and to the extent, awards of restricted stock and performance shares vest.

On October 3, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $4.00 per common share totaling approximately $558,600, and the Company reduced shareholders’ equity by that amount. Approximately $552,000 of the dividend was paid on November 30, 2006 to shareholders of record as of November 15, 2006. The remaining portion of the dividend payable will be paid prospectively as, and to the extent, awards of restricted stock and performance shares vest.

The following table summarizes the changes in shareholders’ equity for the six months ended August 4, 2007:

 

     Common
Stock
Shares
    Common
Stock
Amount
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

Balance at February 3, 2007

   140,440     $ 14,048     $ 1,097,817     $ 12,620     $ (28,346 )   $ 1,096,139  

Adoption of FIN 48

         36,528       (2,856 )       33,672  

Increase valuation allowance

         (19,258 )         (19,258 )

Net loss

           (13,589 )       (13,589 )

Dividend adjustment - canceled restricted shares

         2,643           2,643  

Issuance of common stock

   2,877       288       33,391           33,679  

Income tax benefit related to employee stock plans

         7,736           7,736  

Net activity under stock compensation plans

   676       68       292           360  

Restricted shares withheld for taxes

   (594 )     (63 )     (13,398 )         (13,461 )

Stock-based compensation

         3,001           3,001  
                                              

Balance at August 4, 2007

   143,399     $ 14,341     $ 1,148,752     $ (3,825 )   $ (28,346 )   $ 1,130,922  
                                              

NOTE 7 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company maintains an equity stock plan for the granting of options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted stock, and other forms of equity awards to employees and directors. Options granted generally vest over a four-year period after grant and have an exercise life of seven to ten years from the grant date. Restricted stock and performance shares generally vest one to ten years after the grant date, although applicable plans permit accelerated vesting in certain circumstances at the discretion of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

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In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payments.” This statement, referred to as “SFAS No. 123R,” revised SFAS No. 123, and requires companies to expense the value of employee stock options and similar awards. Effective January 29, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R. The adoption of this standard had an immaterial effect on the Company’s fiscal year 2006 consolidated financial statements. Total stock-based compensation expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, net of related tax effects, for the three and six months ended August 4, 2007 was $1,084 and $1,801, respectively, and total stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended July 29, 2006 was $17,545 and $20,478, respectively.

As of August 4, 2007, the Company had unearned compensation amounts related to restricted stock of $18,544 included in Additional Paid-In Capital, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of less than three years.

NOTE 8 – CONTINGENCIES

LEGAL CONTINGENCIES

Investigations

At management’s request, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors conducted an internal investigation in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, the Company informed the SEC of the Audit Committee’s internal investigation. Thereafter, the Company was informed by the SEC that it issued a formal order of private investigation. Thereafter, the Company was informed that the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York had instituted an inquiry. On September 5, 2007, the SEC filed a complaint in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York related to improper collections of vendor markdown allowances in one of six Saks Fifth Avenue merchandising divisions prior to 2004 and a 2002 internal investigation into these collections, the improper timing of the recording of inventory markdowns at Saks Fifth Avenue in 1999 and 2001 and related accounting and disclosure issues. The Company consented to the entry of a final judgment by the Court without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaint filed by the SEC. The final judgment permanently enjoins the Company and its officers and employees from violating the federal securities laws related to the Company’s reporting, record-keeping and internal controls. No fines or other monetary sanctions were levied against the Company. The Company fully cooperated with the SEC during the course of the SEC’s investigation.

 

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Vendor Litigations

On May 17, 2005, International Design Concepts, LLC (“IDC”) commenced litigation against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York raising various claims, including breach of contract, fraud and unjust enrichment. The suit alleges that from 1996 to 2003 the Company improperly took chargebacks and deductions for vendor markdowns, which resulted in IDC going out of business. The suit seeks damages in the amount of the unauthorized chargebacks and deductions. IDC filed a second amended complaint on June 14, 2005 asserting an additional claim for damages under the Uniform Commercial Code for vendor compliance chargebacks.

On October 25, 2005 the Chapter 7 trustee for the bankruptcy estate of Kleinert’s Inc. filed a complaint against the Company and several of its subsidiaries in the United States Bankruptcy. Court for the Southern District of New York. In its initial complaint the plaintiff, as assignee, alleged breach of contract, fraud, and unjust enrichment, among other causes of action, and seeks compensatory and punitive damages due to the Company’s assessment of alleged improper chargebacks against Kleinert’s Inc. totaling approximately $4 million which wrongful acts the plaintiff alleges caused the insolvency and bankruptcy of Kleinert’s Inc. On August 15, 2006 the plaintiff, as assignee, filed an amended complaint in which it asserts the following claims, among others: (1) defendants applied improper chargebacks to the accounts payable of Kleinert’s, which led to the extreme financial distress and Kleinert’s eventual bankruptcy and Kleinert’s incurred liabilities and lost profits of at least $100,000 and plaintiff requests punitive damages of no less than $50,000 (conversion claim); (2) from 1998- 2003 defendants charged back an amount not less than $4,000 to Kleinert’s and these chargebacks improperly benefited the defendants, and plaintiff requests $4,000 on this claim (unjust enrichment claim); (3) defendants falsely represented that its $4,000 in chargebacks were proper and Kleinert’s reliance on defendants’ misrepresentations caused Kleinert’s to lose not less than $4,000 and caused it to file for bankruptcy resulting in liabilities and lost profits of $100,000, and plaintiff requests punitive damages of no less than $50,000 (fraud claim); (4) defendants wrongfully charged back at least $4,000 and these unwarranted chargebacks assisted Kleinert’s officers and directors in booking fictitious sales revenue and accounts receivable and perpetrating a fraud on Kleinert’s lenders in excess of $25,000, and plaintiff requests punitive damages of no less than $50,000 (fraud claim); (5) defendants used dishonest, improper and unfair means in conducting business with Kleinert’s and interfered with Kleinert’s relationship with its lenders (tortious interference with prospective economic advantage claim); (6) defendants assisted officers of Kleinert’s in breaching their fiduciary duties to Kleinert’s and to its creditors by falsifying borrowing base certificates given to the lenders, and defendants knew that their improper chargeback scheme was assisting these breaches of fiduciary duty by Kleinert’s officers, with respect to which plaintiff requests $100,000 plus $50,000 in punitive damages (aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty claim); (7) defendants knew that their improper chargeback scheme was assisting the perpetration of

 

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fraud by Kleinert’s officers, and plaintiff requests $100,000 plus $50,000 in punitive damages (aiding and abetting fraud claim); and (8) various fraudulent conveyance claims with respect to which plaintiff requests damages of $4,000.

On December 8, 2005 Adamson Apparel, Inc. filed a purported class action lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. In its complaint the plaintiff asserts breach of contract claims and alleges that the Company improperly assessed chargebacks, timely payment discounts, and deductions for merchandise returns against members of the plaintiff class. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and incidental damages and restitution.

Other

The Company is involved in legal proceedings arising from its normal business activities and has accruals for losses where appropriate. Management believes that none of these legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

NOTE 9 – NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This interpretation clarifies the application of Statement 109 by defining a criterion that an individual tax position must meet for any part of the benefit of that position to be recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. For a benefit to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The benefit to be recognized for a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and disclosure. The Company adopted FIN 48 as of February 4, 2007.

During September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or a liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Under SFAS No. 157, fair value measurements would be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Statement.

On September 29, 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (“SFAS No. 158”). The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 prospectively on February 3, 2007. SFAS No. 158 requires an employer that sponsors one or more defined benefit pension plans or other postretirement plans to 1) recognize the funded status of a plan, measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the

 

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benefit obligation, in the balance sheet; 2) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost; 3) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end balance sheet; and 4) disclose in the notes to the financial statements additional information about the effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition assets or obligations. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007. Additionally, SFAS No. 158 will require the Company to change the measurement date for the assets and liabilities of its employee benefit plans from November 1 to the Company’s fiscal year end beginning with the fiscal year ending January 31, 2009.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that currently are not required to be measured at fair value. This Statement is effective no later than fiscal years beginning on or after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard may have on its financial statements.

The FASB is contemplating an amendment to SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” that would require the Company to ignore the cash presumption of net share settlement and to assume share settlement for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share. Although the Company is now required to ignore the contingent conversion provision on its convertible notes under EITF 04-08, it can still presume that it will satisfy the net share settlement of the par value upon conversion of the notes in cash, and thus exclude the effect of the conversion of the notes in its calculation of diluted earnings per share. If and when the FASB amends SFAS No. 128, the effect of the changes would require the Company to use the if-converted method in calculating diluted earnings per share except when the effect would be anti-dilutive. The effect of adopting the amendment to SFAS No. 128 would increase the number of shares in the Company’s diluted calculation by 19,219 shares.

NOTE 10 – STORE DISPOSITIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

The Company continuously evaluates its real estate portfolio and closes underproductive stores in the normal course of business as leases expire or as other circumstances indicate. The Company also performs an asset impairment analysis at each fiscal year end. During the three and six months ended August 4, 2007, the Company incurred net charges of $3,314 and $3,698, respectively, primarily related to asset impairments in the normal course of business. During the three and six months ended July 29, 2006, the Company incurred net charges of $1,260 and $5,590, respectively, primarily related to asset impairments in the normal course of business. Asset impairments are included in Impairments and Dispositions in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

During the three and six months ended August 4, 2007, the Company incurred expenses of approximately $3,390 and $25,961, respectively, for severance, retention and transition costs in connection with the Company downsizing following the disposition of its SDSG businesses

 

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(discussed in Note 2). Expenses for severance, retention and transition costs for the three and six months ended July 29, 2006 were $5,735 and $12,242, respectively. Severance, retention and transition costs are included in Selling, General & Administrative Expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. There was a $15,859 payable related to these charges at August 4, 2007.

NOTE 11 – CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information for: (1) Saks Incorporated and (2) on a combined basis, the guarantors of Saks Incorporated’s senior notes (which are all of the wholly owned subsidiaries of Saks Incorporated).

The condensed consolidating financial statements presented as of and for the three and six-month periods ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006 and as of February 3, 2007 reflect the legal entity compositions at the respective dates.

Separate financial statements of the guarantor subsidiaries are not presented because the guarantors are jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the guarantees. Borrowings and the related interest expense under the Company’s revolving credit agreement are allocated to Saks Incorporated and the guarantor subsidiaries under an intercompany revolving credit arrangement. There are also management and royalty fee arrangements among Saks Incorporated and the subsidiaries. At August 4, 2007, Saks Incorporated was the sole obligor for a majority of the Company’s long-term debt and maintained a small group of corporate employees.

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS AT AUGUST 4, 2007

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations     Consolidated

ASSETS

          

Current Assets

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 116,629    $ 11,745      $ 128,374

Merchandise inventories

        801,693        801,693

Other current assets

        112,131        112,131

Deferred income taxes, net

        24,607        24,607
                      

Total Current Assets

     116,629      950,176    —         1,066,805

Property and Equipment, net

        1,082,893        1,082,893

Goodwill and Intangibles, net

        310        310

Deferred Income Taxes, net

        151,090        151,090

Other Assets

     9,405      26,562        35,967

Investment in and Advances to Subsidiaries

     1,519,357       (1,519,357 )  
                          

Total Assets

   $ 1,645,391    $ 2,211,031    ($1,519,357 )   $ 2,337,065
                          

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

          

Current Liabilities

          

Trade accounts payable

        211,968        211,968

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     8,115      240,816        248,931

Dividend payable

          

Current portion of long-term debt

     230,000      5,643        235,643
                      

Total Current Liabilities

     238,115      458,427    —         696,542

Long-Term Debt

     276,354      63,390        339,744

Other Long-Term Liabilities

        169,857        169,857

Investment by and Advances from Parent

        1,519,357    (1,519,357 )  

Shareholders’ Equity

     1,130,922           1,130,922
                          

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,645,391    $ 2,211,031    ($1,519,357 )   $ 2,337,065
                          

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 4, 2007

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations    Consolidated  

Net sales

     $ 694,106        $ 694,106  

Costs and expenses

         

Cost of sales

       447,340          447,340  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 967       193,291          194,258  

Other operating expenses

     18       81,671          81,689  

Store pre-opening costs

       125          125  

Impairments and dispositions

       3,314          3,314  
                           

Operating loss

     (985 )     (31,635 )     —        (32,620 )

Other income (expense)

         

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     (20,370 )     $ 20,370   

Interest expense

     (7,606 )     (2,315 )        (9,921 )

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     (412 )          (412 )

Other income, net

     1,735            1,735  
                               

Loss before benefit for income taxes

     (27,638 )     (33,950 )     20,370      (41,218 )

Benefit for income taxes

     (3,012 )     (13,580 )        (16,592 )
                               

Net Loss

     ($24,626 )     ($20,370 )   $ 20,370      ($24,626 )
                               

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 4, 2007

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations    Consolidated  

Net sales

     $ 1,486,853        $ 1,486,853  

Costs and expenses

         

Cost of sales

       911,807          911,807  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 2,598       404,505          407,103  

Other operating expenses

     51       163,993          164,044  

Store pre-opening costs

       261          261  

Impairments and dispositions

       3,698          3,698  
                           

Operating Income (Loss)

     (2,649 )     2,589       —        (60 )

Other income (expense)

         

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     (1,161 )     $ 1,161   

Interest expense

     (17,377 )     (4,524 )        (21,901 )

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     (5,634 )          (5,634 )

Other income, net

     4,570            4,570  
                               

Loss before benefit for income taxes

     (22,251 )     (1,935 )     1,161      (23,025 )

Provision (Benefit) for income taxes

     (8,662 )     (774 )        (9,436 )
                               

Net Income (Loss)

     ($13,589 )     ($1,161 )   $ 1,161      ($13,589 )
                               

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 4, 2007

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net Income (Loss)

     ($13,589 )     ($1,161 )   $ 1,161       ($13,589 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

        

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     1,161         (1,161 )     —    

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     (8,575 )         (8,575 )

Depreciation and amortization

       66,526         66,526  

Equity compensation

     3,002           3,002  

Deferred income taxes

       (1,438 )       (1,438 )

Impairments and dispositions

       3,698         3,698  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     5,634           5,634  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

     (5,247 )     (65,633 )       (70,880 )
                                

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities

     (17,614 )     1,992       —         (15,622 )

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Purchases of property and equipment

       (60,380 )       (60,380 )

Proceeds from the sale of assets

       7,806         7,806  
                                

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

     —         (52,574 )     —         (52,574 )

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Intercompany borrowings, contributions and distributions

     (55,692 )     55,692         —    

Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     (110,400 )     (5,740 )       (116,140 )

Payment of dividend

     (7,427 )         (7,427 )

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     8,575           8,575  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     33,679           33,679  
                                

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities

     (131,265 )     49,952       —         (81,313 )

Decrease In Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (148,879 )     (630 )     —         (149,509 )

Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of period

     265,508       12,375         277,883  
                                

Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of period

   $ 116,629     $ 11,745       —       $ 128,374  
                                

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS AT JULY 29, 2006

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations     Consolidated

ASSETS

          

Current Assets

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 483,057    $ 17,857      $ 500,914

Merchandise inventories

        641,784        641,784

Other current assets

        179,184        179,184

Deferred income taxes, net

        33,317        33,317

Current assets- held for sale

        177,343        177,343
                      

Total Current Assets

     483,057      1,049,485      —         1,532,542

Property and Equipment, net

        1,109,412        1,109,412

Property and Equipment, net- held for sale

        226,320        226,320

Goodwill and Intangibles, net

        338        338

Goodwill and Intangibles, net- held for sale

        4,030        4,030

Deferred Income Taxes, net

        157,648        157,648

Other Assets

     12,267      23,377        35,644

Other Assets- held for sale

        1,032        1,032

Investment in and Advances to Subsidiaries

     1,695,409       ($ 1,695,409 )  
                            

Total Assets

   $ 2,190,733    $ 2,571,642    ($ 1,695,409 )   $ 3,066,966
                            

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

          

Current Liabilities

          

Trade accounts payable

      $ 190,782      $ 190,782

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $ 12,115      356,347        368,462

Current portion of long-term debt

        7,106        7,106

Current liabilities- held for sale

        78,292        78,292
                      

Total Current Liabilities

     12,115      632,527      —         644,642

Long-Term Debt

     612,221      70,959        683,180

Long-Term Debt- held for sale

        1,638        1,638

Other Long-Term Liabilities

     190      144,380        144,570

Other Long-Term Liabilities- held for sale

        26,729        26,729

Investment by and Advances from Parent

        1,695,409    ($ 1,695,409 )  

Shareholders’ Equity

     1,566,207           1,566,207
                            

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 2,190,733    $ 2,571,642    ($ 1,695,409 )   $ 3,066,966
                            

 

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Table of Contents

SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 29, 2006

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

     $ 603,833       $ 603,833  

Costs and expenses

        

Cost of sales

       405,329         405,329  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 1,865       194,617         196,482  

Other operating expenses

     49       77,636         77,685  

Store pre-opening costs

       117         117  

Impairments and dispositions

       1,260         1,260  
                                

Operating Loss

     (1,914 )     (75,126 )     —         (77,040 )

Other income (expense)

        

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     (49,779 )     $ 49,779    

Interest expense

     (10,141 )     (1,457 )       (11,598 )

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     7           7  

Other income, net

     6,932           6,932  
                                

Income from continuing operations before Benefit for income taxes

     (54,895 )     (76,583 )     49,779       (81,699 )

Benefit for income taxes

     (1,799 )     (26,804 )       (28,603 )
                                

Loss from continuing operations

     (53,096 )     (49,779 )     49,779       (53,096 )

Discontinued operations:

        

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries - discontinued operations (net of tax)

     1,241         (1,241 )  

Income from discontinued operations

       2,028         2,028  

Provision for income taxes

       787         787  
                                

Income from discontinued operations

     1,241       1,241       (1,241 )     1,241  
                                

Net loss

     ($51,855 )     ($48,538 )   $ 48,538       ($51,855 )
                                

 

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SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 29, 2006

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

     $ 1,287,962       $ 1,287,962  

Costs and expenses

        

Cost of sales

       806,600         806,600  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 3,329       378,042         381,371  

Other operating expenses

     81       158,905         158,986  

Store pre-opening costs

       289         289  

Impairments and dispositions

       5,590         5,590  
                                

Operating loss

     (3,410 )     (61,464 )     —         (64,874 )

Other income (expense)

        

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     (43,922 )     $ 43,922    

Interest expense

     (20,286 )     (5,357 )       (25,643 )

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     7           7  

Other income, net

     15,751           15,751  
                                

Income from continuing operations before Benefit for income taxes

     (51,860 )     (66,821 )     43,922       (74,759 )

Benefit for income taxes

     (10,424 )     (22,899 )       (33,323 )
                                

Loss from continuing operations

     (41,436 )     (43,922 )     43,922       (41,436 )

Discontinued operations:

        

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries - discontinued operations (net of tax)

     67,479         (67,479 )  

Income from discontinued operations (including gain on disposal of $204,729)

       211,020         211,020  

Provision for income taxes

       143,541         143,541  
                                

Income from discontinued operations

     67,479       67,479       (67,479 )     67,479  
                                

Net income

   $ 26,043     $ 23,557       ($23,557 )   $ 26,043  
                                

 

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Table of Contents

SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 29, 2006

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net income

   $ 26,043     $ 23,557     ($23,557 )   $ 26,043  

Income from discontinued operations

     67,479       67,479     (67,479 )     67,479  
                              

Loss from continuing operations

     (41,436 )     (43,922 )   43,922       (41,436 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

        

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     43,922       (43,922 )     —    

Depreciation and amortization

       62,472         62,472  

Provision for employee stock compensation

     29,603           29,603  

Deferred income taxes

       95,276         95,276  

Impairments and dispositions

       5,590         5,590  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     (2,568 )         (2,568 )

Gain/loss on extinguishment of debt

     (7 )         (7 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

     4,487       (79,273 )       (74,786 )
                              

Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating Activities - Continuing Operation

     34,001       40,143     —         74,144  

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities - Discontinued Operations

       (98,327 )       (98,327 )
                              

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities

     34,001       (58,184 )   —         (24,183 )
                              

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Purchases of property and equipment

       (42,973 )       (42,973 )

Proceeds from the sale of assets

       171         171  
                              

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities - Continuing Operations

     —         (42,802 )   —         (42,802 )

Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities - Discontinued Operations

     1,013,502           1,013,502  
                              

Net Cash Provided By Investing Activities

     1,013,502       (42,802 )   —         970,700  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Intercompany borrowings, contributions and distributions

     (88,938 )     88,938      

Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     (193 )     (3,454 )       (3,647 )

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     2,568           2,568  

Payment of Dividend

     (542,185 )         (542,185 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     18,398           18,398  
                              

Net Cash Provided by (Used) In Financing Activities - Continuing Operation

     (610,350 )     85,484     —         (524,866 )

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities - Discontinued Operations

     (96 )         (96 )
                              

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities

     (610,446 )     85,484     —         (524,962 )

Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents

     437,057       (15,502 )       421,555  

Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of period

     46,000       31,312         77,312  

Plus: Cash and Cash Equivalents included in assets held for sale at beginning of year

       3,088         3,088  

Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents included in assets held for sale at end of year

       (1,041 )       (1,041 )
                              

Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of period

   $ 483,057     $ 17,857     —       $ 500,914  
                              

 

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Table of Contents

SAKS INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS AT FEBRUARY 3, 2007

(Dollar Amounts In Thousands)

 

     Saks
Incorporated
   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations     Consolidated

ASSETS

          

Current Assets

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 265,508    $ 12,375      $ 277,883

Merchandise inventories

        785,302        785,302

Other current assets

        146,893        146,893

Deferred income taxes, net

        40,763        40,763
                            

Total Current Assets

     265,508      985,333      —         1,250,841

Property and Equipment, net

        1,099,331        1,099,331

Goodwill and Intangibles, net

        324        324

Deferred Income Taxes, net

        152,754        152,754

Other Assets

     11,126      29,927        41,053

Investment in and Advances to Subsidiaries

     1,454,660       ($ 1,454,660 )  
                            

Total Assets

   $ 1,731,294    $ 2,267,669    ($ 1,454,660 )   $ 2,544,303
                            

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

          

Current Liabilities

          

Trade accounts payable

      $ 231,038      $ 231,038

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $ 22,552      372,523        395,075

Current portion of long-term debt

     230,000      6,667        236,667
                            

Total Current Liabilities

     252,552      610,228      —         862,780

Long-Term Debt

     382,336      67,674        450,010

Other Long-Term Liabilities

     267      135,107        135,374

Investment by and Advances from Parent

        1,454,660    ($ 1,454,660 )  

Shareholders’ Equity

     1,096,139           1,096,139
                            

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,731,294    $ 2,267,669    ($ 1,454,660 )   $ 2,544,303
                            

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to provide an analytical view of the business from management’s perspective and has four major components:

 

   

Management’s Overview

 

   

Results of Operations

 

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

   

Critical Accounting Policies

MD&A should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report.

MANAGEMENT’S OVERVIEW

GENERAL

Saks Incorporated and its subsidiaries’ (together the “Company”) operations consist of Saks Fifth Avenue (“SFA”), Off Fifth, and Club Libby Lu (“CLL”). Previously, the Company also operated Saks Department Store Group (“SDSG”), which consisted of Proffitt’s and McRae’s (“Proffitt’s”) (sold to Belk, Inc. (“Belk”) in July 2005), the Northern Department Store Group (“NDSG”) (operated under the nameplates of Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Herberger’s and Younkers and sold to The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (“Bon-Ton”) in March 2006), and Parisian (sold to Belk in October 2006). The sold businesses are presented as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of income, the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the prior year periods and are discussed below at “Discontinued Operations.”

SFA stores are principally free-standing stores in exclusive shopping destinations or anchor stores in upscale regional malls, and the stores typically offer a wide assortment of distinctive luxury fashion apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts. Customers may also purchase SFA products offered in catalogs or online at www.saks.com. Off Fifth is intended to be the premier luxury off-price retailer in the United States and also provides an outlet for the sale of end-of-season clearance merchandise. Off Fifth stores are primarily located in upscale mixed-use and off-price centers and offer luxury apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics and decorative home furnishings, targeting the value-conscious customer. CLL consists of mall-based specialty stores, targeting girls aged 4-12 years old. As of August 4, 2007, Saks operated 54 SFA stores with 6.0 million square feet, 49 Off 5th units with 1.4 million square feet, and 88 CLL specialty stores, which includes 67 standalone stores and 21 store-in-stores in the former SDSG businesses, with 0.1 million square feet.

 

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Table of Contents

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On July 5, 2005, Belk acquired from the Company for $622.7 million in cash substantially all of the assets directly involved in the Company’s Proffitt’s business operations, plus the assumption of approximately $1 million in capitalized lease obligations and the assumption of certain other ordinary course liabilities associated with the acquired assets. The assets sold included the real and personal property and inventory associated with 22 Proffitt’s stores and 25 McRae’s stores that generated fiscal 2004 revenues of approximately $784 million. The Company realized a net gain of $155.5 million on the sale.

On March 6, 2006, the Company sold to Bon-Ton all outstanding equity interests of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries that owned NDSG, either directly or indirectly. The consideration received consisted of approximately $1.12 billion in cash (reduced as described below based on changes in working capital), plus the assumption by Bon-Ton of approximately $35 million of unfunded benefit liabilities and approximately $35 million of capital leases. A working capital adjustment based on working capital as of the effective time of the transaction reduced the amount of cash proceeds by approximately $75 million resulting in net cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.04 billion. The disposition included NDSG’s operations consisting of, among other things, the following: the real and personal property, operating leases and inventory associated with 142 NDSG units (31 Carson Pirie Scott stores, 14 Bergner’s stores, 10 Boston Store stores, 40 Herberger’s stores, and 47 Younkers stores), administrative/headquarters facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and distribution centers located in Rockford, Illinois, Naperville, Illinois, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Ankeny, Iowa. NDSG generated fiscal year 2005 revenues of approximately $2.2 billion. The Company realized a net gain of $204.7 million on the sale.

On October 2, 2006, the Company sold to Belk all of the outstanding equity interests of the Company’s subsidiaries that conducted the Parisian specialty department store business (“Parisian”). The consideration received consisted of $285.0 million in cash (increased in accordance with a working capital adjustment described below). In addition, Belk reimbursed the Company at closing for $6.7 million in capital expenditures incurred in connection with the construction of four new Parisian stores. Belk also paid the Company an additional amount associated with the purchase of accounts and accounts receivable from Household Bank (SB), N.A. (now known as HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A., “HSBC”), in the amount of $2.3 million. A working capital adjustment based on working capital as of the effective time of the transaction increased the amount of cash proceeds by $14.2 million resulting in net cash proceeds of $308.2 million. The disposition included Parisian’s operations consisting of, among other things, the following: real and personal property, operating leases and inventory associated with 38 Parisian stores (which generated fiscal 2005 revenues of approximately $740 million), an administrative/headquarters facility in Birmingham, Alabama and a distribution center located in Steele, Alabama. The Company realized a net loss of $12.8 million on the sale.

 

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Table of Contents

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Company recorded a net loss of $24.6 million, or $0.17 per share for the three months ended August 4, 2007. For the three months ended July 29, 2006, a net loss was recorded from continuing operations of $53.1 million, or $0.39 per share. After recognition of the Company’s after-tax gain from discontinued operations of $1.2 million, or $0.01 per share, the net loss totaled $51.9 million, or $0.38 per share, for the prior year second quarter ended July 29, 2006.

The three-month period ended August 4, 2007 included charges totaling $2.0 million (net of taxes), or $.01 per share, primarily related to retention, severance and transition costs related to the Company downsizing and consolidation following the disposition of its SDSG businesses. The current year second quarter also included $2.0 million or $.01 per share (net of taxes), related to asset impairment and dispositions and a loss on extinguishment of debt totaling $.2 million (net of taxes), related to the repurchase of $10.4 million of senior notes.

The three-month period ended July 29, 2006 included charges of $.8 million (net of taxes), or $0.01 per share, primarily related to impairments and dispositions. The prior year second quarter also included approximately $3.7 million (net of taxes), or $0.03 per share, of severance and retention expenses, approximately $.8 million (net of taxes), or $0.01 per share, of legal and other expenses related to the SEC and United States Attorney investigations, and $12.8 million (net of taxes), or $0.09 per share, primarily related to the treatment under Financial Accounting Standard 123R (“FAS 123R”) of the anti-dilution adjustment made to outstanding options related to the Company’s $4 per share dividend paid in May 2006.

The Company believes that an understanding of its reported financial condition and results of operations is not complete without considering the effect of all other components of MD&A included herein.

 

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Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, items from the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as percentages of net sales. (numbers may not total due to rounding)

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
    August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
 

Net sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)

   64.4 %   67.1 %   61.3 %   62.6 %

Selling, general & administrative expenses

   28.0 %   32.5 %   27.4 %   29.6 %

Other operating expenses

   11.8 %   12.9 %   11.0 %   12.3 %

Store pre-opening costs

   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %

Impairments and dispositions

   0.5 %   0.2 %   0.2 %   0.4 %
                        

Operating Loss

   -4.7 %   -12.8 %   0.0 %   -5.0 %

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense

   -1.4 %   -1.9 %   -1.5 %   -2.0 %

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   -0.1 %   0.0 %   -0.4 %   0.0 %

Other income, net

   0.2 %   1.1 %   0.3 %   1.2 %
                        

Loss before income taxes

   -5.9 %   -13.5 %   -1.5 %   -5.8 %

Benefit for income taxes

   -2.4 %   -4.7 %   -0.6 %   -2.6 %
                        

Loss from continuing operations

   -3.5 %   -8.8 %   -0.9 %   -3.2 %

Discontinued operations:

        

Income from discontinued operations (including gain on disposal)

   0.0 %   0.3 %   0.0 %   16.4 %

Provision for income taxes

   0.0 %   0.1 %   0.0 %   11.1 %
                        

Income from discontinued operations

   0.0 %   0.2 %   0.0 %   5.2 %
                        

Net income (loss)

   -3.5 %   -8.6 %   -0.9 %   2.0 %
                        

 

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Table of Contents

THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 4, 2007 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 29, 2006

DISCUSSION OF OPERATING INCOME

The following table shows the changes in operating income from the three-month period ended July 29, 2006 to the three-month period ended August 4, 2007:

 

(In Millions)

   Total
Company
 

For the three months ended July 29, 2006

   $ (77.0 )

Store sales and margin

     48.3  

Operating expenses

     (1.8 )

Impairments and dispositions

     (2.1 )
        

Increase

     44.4  
        

For the three months ended August 4, 2007

   $ (32.6 )
        

For the three-month period ended August 4, 2007, operating loss totaled $32.6 million, a 57.7% improvement from the $77.0 million loss for same period last year. The improvement in operating income for the quarter was driven by a 13.2% increase in comparable store sales and expense management which resulted in a 560 basis point improvement in the expense rate as a percent of sales. The prior year quarter included a $19.7 million charge associated with the anti-dilution adjustment made to outstanding options related to the Company’s $4 per share dividend paid on May 1, 2006. The gross margin rate also improved 270 basis points for the quarter, primarily as a result of fewer markdowns.

NET SALES

For the three months ended August 4, 2007, total sales increased 14.9% to $694.1 million from $603.8 million for the three months ended July 29, 2006. Similarly, consolidated comparable store sales increased 13.2% year-over-year. The net effect of sales from new and closed stores resulted in a $.6 million increase and the effect of the reopening of the New Orleans store resulted in a $11.7 million increase.

Comparable store sales are calculated on a rolling 13-month basis. Thus, to be included in the comparison, a store must be open for 13 months. The additional month is used to transition the first month impact of a new store opening. Correspondingly, closed stores are removed from the comparable store sales comparison when they begin liquidating merchandise. Expanded, remodeled and converted stores are included in the comparable store sales comparison, except for the periods in which they are closed for remodeling and renovation.

 

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Table of Contents

GROSS MARGIN

For the three months ended August 4, 2007, gross margin was $246.8 million, or 35.6% of net sales, compared to $198.5 million, or 32.9% of net sales, for the three months ended July 29, 2006. The improvement in gross margin dollars was primarily the result of the 15% increase in sales. The gross margin rate improvement was primarily the result of fewer markdowns.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (“SG&A”)

For the three months ended August 4, 2007, SG&A was $194.3 million, or 28% of net sales, compared to $196.5 million, or 32.5% of net sales, for the three months ended July 29, 2006. The $2.2 million decrease was primarily driven by a prior year second quarter charge of $19.7 million associated with FAS123R, which was partially offset by an increase in variable expenses associated with the 2007 second quarter $90.3 million sales increase. Additionally, severance/retention and transition expenses decreased by $2.3 million from the same period last year as the Company is essentially complete with the downsizing and consolidation following the disposition of its SDSG businesses. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased by 450 basis points over the prior year; however, excluding the FAS123R charge, SG&A expenses would have declined approximately 130 basis points year over year.

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

For the three months ended August 4, 2007, other operating expenses, including store pre-opening costs, were $81.8 million, or 11.8% of net sales, compared to $77.8 million, or 12.9% of net sales, for the three months ended July 29, 2006. This increase of $4.0 million was driven primarily by higher depreciation and amortization costs. As a percent of sales, other operating expenses decreased 110 basis points in 2007, reflecting the ability to leverage primarily fixed costs on the increased sales.

IMPAIRMENTS AND DISPOSITIONS

For the three months ended August 4, 2007, the Company realized losses from impairments and dispositions of $3.3 million, or 0.5% of net sales, compared to a loss of $1.3 million, or 0.2% of net sales, for the three months ended July 29, 2006. The current and prior quarter net charges were primarily due to asset impairments in the normal course of business.

INTEREST EXPENSE

For the three months ended August 4, 2007, interest expense was $9.9 million, or 1.4% of net sales, compared to $11.6 million, or 1.9% of net sales, for the three months ended July 29, 2006. The improvement of $1.7 million was primarily due to the reduction in debt resulting from the repurchase of $106.3 million of senior notes during the six months ending August 4, 2007.

 

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INCOME TAXES

For continuing operations, the effective income tax rates for the three-month periods ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006 were 40.3% and 35%, respectively. The increase in the effective rate for the three-month period ended August 4, 2007 was primarily the result of an adjustment to the valuation allowance on state net operating loss carryforwards recognized during the three-month period ended July 29, 2006. The effective income tax rate for discontinued operations for the three-month period ended July 29, 2006 was 38.8%. The effective income tax rate was higher than the expected rate due to the write-off of non-deductible goodwill related to the sale of NDSG.

SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 4, 2007 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 29, 2006

DISCUSSION OF OPERATING INCOME

The following table shows the changes in operating income from the six-month period ended August 4, 2007 to the six-month period ended July 29, 2006:

 

(In Millions)

   Total
Company
 

For the six months ended July 29, 2006

   $ (64.9 )

Store sales and margin

     93.7  

Operating expenses

     (30.8 )

Impairments and dispositions

     1.9  
        

Increase

     64.8  
        

For the six months ended August 4, 2007

   $ (0.1 )
        

For the six-month period ended August 4, 2007, operating loss improved to $0.1 million from an operating loss of $64.9 million for the six-month period ended July 29, 2006. The improvement in operating income for the six months ended August 4, 2007 was driven by a 13.9% increase in comparable store sales and expense management which resulted in a 360 basis point improvement in the expense rate as a percent of sales. The gross margin rate also improved 130 basis points for the six months ended August 4, 2007. The improvement in gross margin dollars and the gross margin rate was principally attributable to the higher sales driven by the strengthening of merchandise assortments by store and enhancements to the merchandise planning and allocation process.

 

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NET SALES

For the six months ended August 4, 2007, total sales increased 15.4% to $1.5 billion from $1.3 billion for the six months ended July 29, 2006. Similarly, consolidated comparable store sales increased 13.9% year-over-year. The net effect of sales from new and closed stores resulted in a $1.8 million reduction, while the net effect of the reopening of the New Orleans store resulted in a $25.8 million increase.

GROSS MARGIN

For the six months ended August 4, 2007, gross margin was $575 million, or 38.7% of net sales, compared to $481.4 million, or 37.4% of net sales, for the six months ended July 29, 2006. The improvement in gross margin dollars and the gross margin rate was principally attributable to the higher sales driven by the strengthening of merchandise assortments by store and enhancements to the merchandise planning and allocation process.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (“SG&A”)

For the six months ended August 4, 2007, SG&A was $407.1 million, or 27.4% of net sales, compared to $381.4 million, or 29.6% of net sales, for the six months ended July 29, 2006. The net increase of $25.7 million in expenses was primarily driven by higher variable expenses associated with the year over year sales increase of $198.9 million and an increase of $13.7 million of severance/retention and transition costs due to the Company downsizing and consolidation following the disposition of its SDSG businesses, which management does not expect to be long-term continuing obligations of the Company. The SG&A increase was offset in part by a prior year second quarter charge of $19.7 million associated with FAS123R. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased by 220 basis points over the prior year; however, excluding the FAS123R charge, SG&A expenses would have declined approximately 70 basis points year over year.

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

For the six months ended August 4, 2007, other operating expenses, including store pre-opening costs, were $164.3 million, or 11% of net sales, compared to $159.3 million, or 12.4% of net sales, for the six months ended July 29, 2006. The increase of $5 million was principally driven by higher depreciation and amortization expense of $4 million.

IMPAIRMENTS AND DISPOSITIONS

For the six months ended August 4, 2007, the Company realized losses from impairments and dispositions of $3.7 million, or 0.2% of net sales, compared to a loss of $5.6 million, or 0.4% of net sales, for the six months ended July 29, 2006. The current and prior quarter net charges were primarily due to asset impairments in the normal course of business.

 

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INTEREST EXPENSE

For the six months ended August 4, 2007, interest expense was $21.9 million, or 1.5% of net sales, compared to $25.6 million, or 2% of net sales, for the six months ended July 29, 2006. The improvement of $3.7 million was primarily due to the reduction in debt resulting from the repurchase of $106.3 million of senior notes during the six months ended August 4, 2007.

INCOME TAXES

For continuing operations, the effective income tax rates for the six-month periods ended August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006 were 41% and 44.6%, respectively. The decrease in the effective rate for the six-month period ended August 4, 2007 was primarily the result of the settlement of certain state tax examinations as well as other state tax benefits during the six-month period ended July 29, 2006. The effective income tax rate for discontinued operations for the six-month period ended July 29, 2006 was 68%. The effective income tax rate was higher than the expected rate due to the write-off of non-deductible goodwill related to the sale of NDSG.

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48) effective as of the beginning of fiscal year 2007. As a result of the implementation the Company recorded a $33.7 million decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits which was accounted for as an increase to the beginning shareholder’s equity. As of February 4, 2007 the Company had total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $44.0 million. Of this total, $12.6 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease in the next twelve months as a result of settling uncertain tax positions. However, the Company does not anticipate this to result in any material change to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits.

As a result of the analysis of uncertain tax positions (due to the adoption of FIN 48), the net deferred tax asset related to the state net operating loss carryforwards increased. Therefore, the company performed a valuation allowance analysis to determine the realization of this asset. This analysis resulted in an additional valuation allowance of $19.3 million with the offset recorded to shareholder’s equity in accordance with Statement of Position 90-7, “Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code.” The Company is under the provisions of Statement of Position 90-7 for these net operating losses since they were acquired through the acquisition of a company that had previously filed bankruptcy.

The Company files a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return as well as state tax returns in multiple state jurisdictions. The Company has completed examinations by the

 

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Internal Revenue Service for taxable years through January 29, 2005 with no significant adjustments. With respect to the state and local jurisdictions, the Company has completed examinations in many jurisdictions through the same period and currently has examinations in progress for several jurisdictions.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CASH FLOW

The primary needs for cash are to acquire or construct new stores, renovate and expand existing stores, provide working capital for new and existing stores and service debt. The Company anticipates that available cash, cash generated from operating activities and borrowings under its revolving credit agreement will be sufficient to meet its financial commitments and provide opportunities for future growth.

Cash (used in) provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $(15.6) million for the six months ended August 4, 2007 and $74.1 million for the six months ended July 29, 2006. Cash (used in) provided by operating activities principally represents income (loss) before depreciation and non-cash charges and after changes in working capital. The $89.7 million decrease in 2007 from 2006 was largely due to the changes in deferred income taxes and equity compensation.

Inventory, accounts payable and debt balances fluctuate throughout the year due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business. Merchandise inventory balances at August 4, 2007 increased from July 29, 2006 due to planned increased inventories at SFA. Consolidated comparable inventories increased approximately 23% over last year, attributable to the Company’s ongoing initiative of a targeted inventory reinvestment strategy.

Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $52.6 million for the six months ended August 4, 2007 and $42.8 million for the six months ended July 29, 2006. Cash used in investing activities principally consists of construction of new stores and renovation and expansion of existing stores and investments in support areas (e.g., technology and distribution centers). The $9.8 million increase in cash used is primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures of approximately $17.4 million, partially offset by the increase in proceeds from the sale of SFA property of approximately $7.6 million.

Property and equipment amounts at August 4, 2007 decreased from July 29, 2006 amounts primarily due to the disposal of assets related to the sale of Parisian and the sale of SFA property, depreciation on existing assets during the last twelve months and to store closings and impairments, partially offset by capital expenditures related to new store additions, expansions, replacements and the remodeling of existing stores. Goodwill and intangibles at August 4, 2007 also decreased from July 29, 2006 due to the sale of Parisian and amortization expense during the last twelve months.

 

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Cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $81.3 million for the six months ended August 4, 2007 and $524.9 million for the six months ended July 29, 2006. The current period use primarily relates to the repurchase of approximately $106.3 million in principal amount of senior notes, while the prior period use primarily relates to the payment of cash dividends totaling $542.2 million.

CASH BALANCES AND LIQUIDITY

The Company’s primary sources of short-term liquidity are cash on hand and availability under its revolving credit facility. At the Company’s request, due to the sale of NDSG, the revolving credit facility was reduced from $800 million to $500 million in March 2006. In September 2006, the maturity date of the revolving credit facility was extended to September 2011. At August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, the Company maintained cash and cash equivalent balances of $128.4 million and $500.9 million, respectively. Exclusive of approximately $11.7 million and $18.9 million of store operating cash at August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively, cash was invested principally in various money market funds at August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006, respectively. There was no restricted cash as of August 4, 2007 and July 29, 2006.

On March 6, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $4.00 per common share totaling approximately $547,500, and the Company reduced shareholders’ equity by that amount. Approximately $539,000 of the dividend was paid on May 1, 2006 to shareholders of record as of April 14, 2006. The remaining portion of the dividend payable will be paid prospectively as, and to the extent, awards of restricted stock and performance shares vest.

On August 30, 2006, the Company repurchased 450 thousand shares of Saks’ common stock at a cost of approximately $6.5 million, which left 37.4 million shares available for repurchase under the Company’s existing share repurchase program.

On October 3, 2006 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $4.00 per common share totaling approximately $558,600, and the Company reduced shareholders’ equity by that amount. Approximately $552,000 of the dividend was paid on November 30, 2006 to shareholders of record as of November 15, 2006. The remaining portion of the dividend payable will be paid prospectively as, and to the extent, awards of restricted stock and performance shares vest.

At August 4, 2007, the Company had no direct borrowings under its $500 million revolving credit facility, and had $47.3 million in unfunded letters of credit, leaving unutilized availability under that facility of $452.7 million. The amount of cash on hand and borrowings under the facility are influenced by a number of factors, including sales, inventory levels, vendor terms, the level of capital expenditures, cash requirements related to financing instruments, and the Company’s tax payment obligations, among others.

 

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The Company believes it has sufficient cash on hand, availability under its revolving credit facility, and access to various capital markets to repay all of the Company’s senior notes at maturity.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

The Company continuously evaluates its debt-to-capitalization ratio in light of the Company’s disposition of businesses, economic trends, business trends, levels of interest rates, and terms, conditions and availability of capital in the capital markets. At August 4, 2007, the Company’s capital and financing structure was comprised of a revolving credit agreement, senior unsecured notes, convertible senior unsecured notes, and capital and operating leases. On August 4, 2007, total debt was $575.4 million, representing a decrease of $116.5 million from the balance of $691.9 million at July 29, 2006. This decrease in debt was primarily the result of the $106.3 million repurchase of senior notes and the $2.0 million reduction in capital leases associated with the sale of Parisian. Despite the decrease in debt, the debt-to-capitalization ratio increased to 33.7% from 30.8% in the prior year due to a reduction in Shareholders’ Equity, primarily related to the October 3, 2006 $4.00 per share dividend.

At August 4, 2007, the Company maintained a $500 million senior revolving credit facility maturing in 2011, which is secured by inventory and certain third party credit card accounts receivable. Borrowings are limited to a prescribed percentage of eligible inventories and receivables. There are no debt ratings-based provisions in the facility. The facility includes a fixed-charge coverage ratio requirement of 1 to 1 that the Company is subject to only if availability under the facility becomes less than $60 million. The facility contains default provisions that are typical for this type of financing, including a provision that would trigger a default of the facility if a default were to occur in another debt instrument resulting in the acceleration of principal of more than $20 million in that other instrument. At August 4, 2007, the Company had no direct borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

At August 4, 2007, the Company had $276.4 million of senior notes outstanding, excluding the convertible notes, comprised of five separate series having maturities ranging from 2008 to 2019 and interest rates ranging from 7.00% to 9.88%. The terms of each senior note call for all principal to be repaid at maturity. The senior notes have substantially identical terms except for the maturity dates and interest rates payable to investors. Each senior note contains limitations on the amount of secured indebtedness the Company may incur. The Company believes it has sufficient cash on hand, availability under its revolving credit facility and access to various capital markets to repay these notes at maturity.

On April 12, 2007, the Company announced the results of its modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer to purchase a portion of its 8.25% senior notes due November 15, 2008 for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $100 million (the “offer cap”). The offer expired

 

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on April 11, 2007. The aggregate principal amount of notes validly tendered at or above the clearing spread exceeded the offer cap and the Company accepted $95.9 million aggregate principal amount of the notes, resulting in an aggregate purchase price of $100 million (plus an additional $3.2 million in aggregate accrued interest on such notes). The Company accepted for purchase first, all notes tendered at spreads above the clearing spread, and thereafter, the notes validly tendered at the clearing spread on a prorated basis according to the principal amount of such notes. During the three months ended May 5, 2007, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $5,222 related to the repurchase of the notes.

During June and July 2007, the Company repurchased an additional $10,420 in principal amount primarily relating to its 8.25% senior notes. The repurchase of these notes resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $412.

At August 4, 2007, the Company had $230 million of convertible senior notes that bear interest of 2.0% and mature in 2024. The provisions of the convertible notes allow the holder to convert the notes to shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate of 83.5609 shares per one thousand dollars in principal amount of notes. The most significant terms and conditions of the senior notes include: the Company can settle a conversion of the par value with shares and/or cash; the holder may put the debt back to the Company in 2014 or 2019; the holder cannot convert until the Company’s share price exceeds the conversion price by 20% for a certain trading period; the Company can call the debt on or after March 11, 2011; the conversion rate is subject to a dilution adjustment; and the holder can convert upon a significant credit rating decline and upon a call. The Company used approximately $25 million of the proceeds from the issuances to enter into a convertible note hedge and written call options on its common stock to reduce the exposure to dilution from the conversion of the notes. The Company believes it has sufficient cash on hand, availability under its revolving credit facility and access to various capital markets to repay both the senior notes and convertible notes at maturity.

During the quarter ended August 4, 2007, the aforementioned conversion criterion was met. The closing price of the Company’s common stock exceeded 120% of the convertible senior notes’ conversion price for at least 20 out of the last 30 consecutive trading days in the second calendar quarter of 2007. On July 10, 2007, the Company gave notice that holders of the convertible notes could convert them into shares of the Company’s common stock until September 30, 2007 in accordance with, and subject to, the terms of the convertible notes indenture. Since the holders of the convertible notes had the ability to exercise their conversion rights, the convertible notes were classified within the “current portion of long-term debt” on the Company’s August 4, 2007 balance sheet. As of September 6, 2007, no note holders had converted their notes into shares of the Company’s common stock

At August 4, 2007 the Company had $69.0 million in capital leases covering various properties and pieces of equipment. The terms of the capital leases provide the lessor with a security interest in the asset being leased and require the Company to make periodic lease payments, aggregating between $5 million and $7 million per year.

 

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The Company is obligated to fund a cash balance pension plan. The Company’s current policy is to maintain at least the minimum funding requirements specified by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The Company expects minimal or no funding requirements in 2007. As part of the sale of NDSG to Bon-Ton, the NDSG pension assets and liabilities were acquired by Bon-Ton. Additionally, the Company curtailed its SFA pension plan during 2006 which froze benefit accruals for all participants except those who have attained age 55 and completed 10 years of service as of January 1, 2007 and who continue to be highly compensated employees.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company has not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements which would be reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect, such as obligations under certain guarantees or contracts, retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangements, obligations under certain derivative arrangements, or obligations under material variable interests.

There were no material changes in the Company’s contractual obligations specified in Item 303(a)(5) of Regulation S-K during the three and six months ended August 4, 2007. For additional information regarding the Company’s contractual obligations as of February 3, 2007, see the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of the 2006 Form 10-K.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the Company’s critical accounting policies is included in the Management Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This interpretation clarifies the application of Statement 109 by defining a criterion that an individual tax position must meet for any part of the benefit of that position to be recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. For a benefit to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The benefit to be recognized for a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and disclosure. The Company adopted FIN 48 as of February 4, 2007.

 

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During September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or a liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. Under SFAS No. 157, fair value measurements would be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this Statement.

On September 29, 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (“SFAS No. 158”). The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 prospectively on February 3, 2007. SFAS No. 158 requires an employer that sponsors one or more defined benefit pension plans or other postretirement plans to 1) recognize the funded status of a plan, measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation, in the balance sheet; 2) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost; 3) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end balance sheet; and 4) disclose in the notes to the financial statements additional information about the effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition assets or obligations. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007. Additionally, SFAS No. 158 will require the Company to change the measurement date for the assets and liabilities of its employee benefit plans from November 1 to the Company’s fiscal year end beginning with the fiscal year ending January 31, 2009.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that currently are not required to be measured at fair value. This Statement is effective no later than fiscal years beginning on or after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard may have on its financial statements.

The FASB is contemplating an amendment to SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” that would require the Company to ignore the cash presumption of net share settlement and to assume share settlement for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share. Although the Company is now required to ignore the contingent conversion provision on its convertible notes under EITF 04-08, it can still presume that it will satisfy the net share settlement of the par value upon conversion of the notes in cash, and thus exclude the effect of the conversion of the notes in its calculation of diluted earnings per share. If and when the FASB amends SFAS No. 128, the effect of the changes would require the

 

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Company to use the if-converted method in calculating diluted earnings per share except when the effect would be anti-dilutive. The effect of adopting the amendment to SFAS No. 128 would increase the number of shares in the Company’s diluted calculation by 19,219 shares.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The information contained in this Form 10-Q that addresses future results or expectations is considered “forward-looking” information within the definition of the Federal securities laws. Forward-looking information in this document can be identified through the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “contemplate,” “possible,” and “point.” The forward-looking information is premised on many factors, some of which are outlined below. Actual consolidated results might differ materially from projected forward-looking information if there are any material changes in management’s assumptions.

The forward-looking information and statements are or may be based on a series of projections and estimates and involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include such factors as: the level of consumer spending for apparel and other merchandise carried by the Company and its ability to respond quickly to consumer trends; adequate and stable sources of merchandise; the competitive pricing environment within the retail sector; the effectiveness of planned advertising, marketing, and promotional campaigns; favorable customer response to relationship marketing efforts of proprietary credit card loyalty programs; appropriate inventory management; effective expense control; successful operation of the Company’s proprietary credit card strategic alliance with HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A.; geo-political risks; and changes in interest rates. For additional information regarding these and other risk factors, please refer to the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 filed with the SEC, which may be accessed via EDGAR through the Internet at www.sec.gov.

Management undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Persons are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures management makes on related subjects in its reports filed with the SEC and in its press releases.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s exposure to market risk primarily arises from changes in interest rates and the U.S. equity and bond markets. The effects of changes in interest rates on earnings generally have been small relative to other factors that also affect earnings, such as sales and operating margins. The Company seeks to manage exposure to adverse interest rate changes through its normal operating and financing activities, and if appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. Such derivative instruments can be used as part of an overall risk management program in order to manage the costs and risks

 

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associated with various financial exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for trading purposes, as clearly defined in its risk management policies. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk primarily through its borrowings, and derivative financial instrument activities.

Based on the Company’s market risk sensitive instruments (including variable rate debt) outstanding at August 4, 2007, the Company has determined that there was no material market risk exposure to the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows as of such date.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely discussions regarding required disclosures.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended August 4, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

The information in “Part I – Financial Information, Note 8 – Contingencies – Legal Contingencies,” is incorporated into this Item by reference.

 

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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

With respect to the risk factor titled “The Company believes that its previously disclosed internal investigations, and related inquiries by the SEC and the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, adversely affected the Company’s results of operations for its 2005 fiscal year, which adverse effect could continue” disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2007, see “Part I – Financial Information, Note 8 – Contingencies — Legal Contingencies.”

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During the quarter ended August 4, 2007, the Company did not sell any equity securities which were not registered under the Securities Act.

The Company has a share repurchase program that authorizes it to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in order to both distribute cash to stockholders and manage dilution resulting from shares issued under the Company’s equity compensation plans. At August 4, 2007, 37.4 million shares remained available for repurchase under the Company’s 70.0 million share repurchase authorization. During the quarter ended August 4, 2007, the Company did not repurchase any of its equity securities.

 

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

The Company held an annual meeting of shareholders on June 6, 2007 for the following purposes:

Item 1: To elect three Directors to hold office for the term specified in the Company’s proxy statement, dated May 3, 2007 (the “Proxy Statement”) or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified;

Item 2: To approve the Saks Incorporated 2007 Senior Executive Bonus Plan;

Item 3: To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year ending February 2, 2008; and

Item 4: To vote on a shareholder proposal concerning cumulative voting for the election of Directors.

Each of these items is described in the Proxy Statement which was filed with the SEC.

 

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The number of votes cast for and withheld for each nominee for the Company’s Board of Directors under Item 1 were as follows:

 

     FOR    WITHHELD

Stanton J. Bluestone

   125,111,946    2,525,110

Robert B. Carter

   123,888,333    3,748,723

Donald E. Hess

   123,875,273    3,761,783

There were no abstentions and broker non-votes with respect to this proposal. Each of the nominees for election was approved.

The number of votes cast for, against and abstain for Items 2, 3 and 4 were as follows:

 

     FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN    BROKER
NON-VOTES

Item 2

   108,610,807    4,670,032    107,382    14,248,835

Item 3

   126,233,675    1,346,141    57,243    —  

Item 4

   35,812,340    77,342,797    233,085    14,248,834

Accordingly, Items 2 and 3 were adopted by the Company’s shareholders.

 

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Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

10.1    Employment Agreement dated as of July 31, 2007 between Saks Incorporated and Stephen I. Sadove (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2007).
10.2    Employment Agreement dated as of July 31, 2007 between Saks Incorporated and Ronald L. Frasch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2007).
10.3    Amendment No. 1 to the Saks Incorporated 2004 Long-term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2007 (No. 001-13113)).
10.4    2007 Saks Incorporated Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2007 (No. 001-13113)
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

SAKS INCORPORATED

Registrant

Date September 7, 2007     /s/ Kevin G. Wills
    Kevin G. Wills
   

On behalf of registrant and as Executive

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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