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

January 29, 2018

(Date of Report; Date of Earliest Event Reported)

STEIN MART, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Florida	0-20052	64-0466198
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1200 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida 32207

(Address of Principal Executive Offices Including Zip Code)

(904) 346-1500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On January 29, 2018, Stein Mart, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that a special committee appointed by its Board of Directors, together with management, have assembled a team to explore opportunities to improve operating performance and identify potential strategic alternatives. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Except for historical information contained therein, the statements in the press release may be forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied will not be realized. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted or expected results. Those risks include, without limitation: the failure to identify and realize potential strategic alternatives, the Company’s ability to implement its strategic plans, economic conditions, competition in the retail industry, capital availability and debt levels, dividend impact on stock price, dependence on certain key personnel, ability to attract and retain qualified employees, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The information contained in this report and in the exhibit attached to this report is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Stein Mart, Inc. press release dated January 29, 2018.

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.

		STEIN MART, INC.
		(Registrant)
Date: January 30, 2018	By:	/s/ D. Hunt Hawkins
		D. Hunt Hawkins
		Chief Executive Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

January 29, 2018	For more information:
	Linda L. Tasseff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Director, Investor Relations
	(904) 858-2639
	ltasseff@steinmart.com

Stein Mart, Inc. Assembles Team to Improve Performance

and Explore Strategic Alternatives

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Stein Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMRT) today announced that a Special Committee appointed by its Board of Directors, together with management, have assembled a team to explore all opportunities to improve operating performance and identify potential strategic alternatives. The company has retained PJ SOLOMON as its investment banking and financial advisor and had previously engaged Alvarez & Marsal to review its operations for performance enhancements.

“Given the continuing challenges of the retail environment, it is prudent for us to review our strategic options while focusing on ways to improve our business,” said Hunt Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer.

Stein Mart has not set a timetable for completion of this process and does not intend to disclose further developments unless and until the Board of Director’s Special Committee has approved a specific transaction or otherwise determined that disclosure is appropriate.

About Stein Mart

Stein Mart, Inc. is a national specialty off-price retailer offering designer and name-brand fashion apparel, home décor, accessories and shoes at everyday discount prices. Stein Mart provides real value that customers will love every day both in stores and online. The Company currently operates 293 stores across 31 states. For more information, please visit www.steinmart.com.