8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 26, 2008

 

 

ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-10738   13-3499319

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

7 Times Square

New York, New York 10036

(Address, including Zip Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

(212) 541-3300

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Names or Former Addresses, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.

Due to market concerns regarding “Auction Rate Securities” generally, the Company is updating information related to its short-term investments in Auction Rate Securities. As of February 25, 2008, the Company had approximately $6 million invested in Auction Rate Securities. This compares to the $24 million in Auction Rate Securities previously noted in the Company’s most recent SEC 10-Q filing, and reflects the Company’s ability to effectively reduce its investment position in Auction Rate Securities since the end of the fiscal third quarter. The $6 million in Auction Rate Securities in which the Company is currently invested are rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s.

The Company believes that its current holdings of Auction Rate Securities will not result in any material write down of value of these securities.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this report are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements may use the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “project”, “may”, “believe” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also include representations of the expectations or beliefs of the Company concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:

 

   

the Company’s ability to predict accurately client fashion preferences;

 

   

competitive influences and decline in the demand for merchandise offered by the Company;

 

   

the Company’s ability to successfully execute brand extensions and new concepts;

 

   

effectiveness of the Company’s brand awareness and marketing programs;

 

   

the Company’s ability to secure and protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights in the United States and/or foreign countries;

 

   

general economic conditions, including the impact of higher fuel and energy prices, interest rates, a downturn in the retail industry or changes in levels of store traffic;

 

   

fluctuation in the Company’s level of sales and earnings growth;

 

   

the Company’s ability to locate new store sites or negotiate favorable lease terms for additional stores or for the lease renewal or expansion of existing stores;

 

   

risks associated with the performance and operations of the Company’s Internet operations;

 

   

a significant change in the regulatory environment applicable to the Company’s business;

 

   

risks associated with the possible inability of the Company, particularly through its sourcing and logistics functions, to operate within production and delivery constraints and the Company’s dependence on a single distribution facility;

 

   

the uncertainties of sourcing associated with the current quota environment, including changes in sourcing patterns resulting from the elimination of quota on apparel products and the re-imposition of quotas in certain categories, and other possible trade law or import restrictions;

 

   

financial or political instability in any of the countries in which the Company’s goods are manufactured;


   

risks associated with a failure by independent manufacturers to comply with the Company’s quality, product safety and labor practices requirements;

 

   

the potential impact of natural disasters and public health concerns, particularly on the Company’s foreign sourcing offices and manufacturing operations of the Company’s vendors;

 

   

acts of war or terrorism in the United States or worldwide;

 

   

work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes;

 

   

the Company’s ability to hire, retain and train key personnel;

 

   

the Company’s ability to successfully upgrade and maintain its information systems, including adequate system security controls;

 

   

the Company’s ability to continue operations in accordance with its business continuity plan in the event of an interruption;

 

   

the risk that the benefits expected from the restructuring program will not be achieved or may take longer to achieve than expected; and

 

   

changes in management’s assumptions and projections concerning costs and timing in execution of the restructuring program.

Further description of these risks and uncertainties and other important factors are set forth in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, including but not limited to Item 1A – Risk Factors and Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations therein, and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC. Although these forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations concerning future events, actual results may differ materially from current expectations or historical results. The Company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements at any time for any reason.


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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

  ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION
  By:  

/s/ Barbara K. Eisenberg

    Barbara K. Eisenberg
Date: February 26, 2008     Executive Vice President,
    General Counsel and Secretary