Form 6-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


FORM 6-K

 


REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE

13a-16 or 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of August, 2007

Commission file number: 001-32635

 


BIRKS & MAYORS INC.

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 


1240 Phillips Square

Montreal Québec

Canada

H3B 3H4

(Address of principal executive office)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

x  Form 20-F        ¨  Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):             

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):             

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

¨  Yes    x  No

If “Yes” is marked, indicated below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-            

 



Table of Contents

CONTENTS

The following documents of the Registrant are submitted herewith:

 

          Page

99.1

   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2007 and March 31, 2007    5

99.2

   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively    6

99.3

   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively    7

99.4

   Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    8

99.5

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    10

 

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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.

 

   BIRKS & MAYORS INC.
   (Registrant)
   By:  

/s/ Michael Rabinovitch

     Michael Rabinovitch
Date: August 8, 2007      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

Exhibit 99.1

   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2007 and March 31, 2007

Exhibit 99.2

   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively

Exhibit 99.3

   Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively

Exhibit 99.4

   Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Exhibit 99.5

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

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EXHIBIT 99.1

BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

     June 30, 2007    March 31, 2007  

Assets

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,415    $ 2,976  

Accounts receivable

     10,620      13,240  

Inventories

     170,530      158,784  

Other current assets

     7,098      6,118  
               

Total current assets

     191,663      181,118  
               

Property and equipment

     37,119      34,964  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     29,036      28,771  

Other assets

     8,214      7,663  
               

Total non-current assets

     74,369      71,398  
               

Total assets

   $ 266,032    $ 252,516  
               

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Bank indebtedness

   $ 117,120    $ 109,187  

Accounts payable

     34,724      28,354  

Accrued liabilities

     10,625      11,921  

Current portion of long-term debt

     1,774      1,685  
               

Total current liabilities

     164,243      151,147  
               

Long-term debt

     17,028      16,217  

Other long-term liabilities

     3,734      3,655  
               

Total long-term liabilities

     20,762      19,872  
               

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Class A common stock – no par value, unlimited shares authorized, issued and outstanding 3,532,666 and 3,515,999, respectively

     22,043      21,956  

Class B common stock – no par value, unlimited shares authorized, issued and outstanding 7,717,970 and 7,717,970, respectively

     38,613      38,613  

Class C common stock – no par value, 100,000 authorized, none issued

     —        —    

Preferred stock – no par value, 2,034,578 authorized, none issued

     —        —    

Non-voting common shares – no par value, unlimited shares authorized, none issued

     —        —    

Additional paid-in capital

     15,667      15,652  

Retained earnings

     4,158      6,177  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     546      (901 )
               

Total stockholders’ equity

     81,027      81,497  
               

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 266,032    $ 252,516  
               

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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EXHIBIT 99.2

BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands except per share amounts)

 

    

13 week period ended

June 30, 2007

   

14 week period ended

July 1, 2006

 

Net sales

   $ 68,051     $ 68,811  

Cost of sales

     36,420       35,987  
                

Gross profit

     31,631       32,824  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     30,079       29,594  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,600       1,694  
                

Total operating expenses

     31,679       31,288  
                

Operating (loss) income

     (48 )     1,536  

Interest and other financial costs

     2,394       2,449  
                

Loss before income taxes

     (2,442 )     (913 )

Income tax benefit

     (423 )     —    
                

Net loss

   $ (2,019 )   $ (913 )
                

Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     11,243       11,208  

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.18 )   $ (0.08 )

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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EXHIBIT 99.3

BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

    

13 weeks ended

June 30, 2007

   

14 weeks ended

July 1, 2006

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (2,019 )   $ (913 )

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,814       1,812  

Amortization of debt costs

     25       190  

Non-cash stock compensation expense

     42       78  

Other operating activities, net

     (257 )     (72 )

(Increase) decrease in assets:

    

Accounts receivable

     2,927       2,110  

Inventories

     (6,103 )     (11,751 )

Other current assets

     (632 )     (1,861 )

Increase (decrease) in liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

     5,049       (244 )

Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

     (764 )     (2,861 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     82       (13,512 )
                

Cash flows used in investing activities:

    

Additions to property and equipment

     (2,836 )     (2,353 )

Other investing activities

     (19 )     85  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,855 )     (2,268 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Increase in bank indebtedness

     3,523       15,976  

Repayment of long term debt

     (158 )     (214 )

Repayment of obligations under capital leases

     (254 )     (226 )
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     3,111       15,536  

Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents

     101       13  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     439       (231 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     2,976       1,838  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 3,415     $ 1,607  
                

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 2,945     $ 1,899  

Non-cash transactions from investing activities:

    

Property and equipment additions acquired through capital leases

   $ —       $ 468  

Property and equipment additions included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 679     $ 227  

SAB 108 Adjustment

   $ —       $ 1,102  

See accompanying notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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EXHIBIT 99.4

BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

These Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Birks & Mayors Inc. (“Birks & Mayors" or the “Company”) include the accounts of the Canadian parent company Birks & Mayors Inc. (“Birks”), its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. (“Mayors”), and Mayors’ wholly-owned subsidiary Henry Birks & Sons U.S. Inc. These Unaudted Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in U.S. dollars and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company in this report have not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim period have been made. The results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year or any other interim period. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on June 18, 2007.

The accounting principles followed by the Company and the methods of applying these principles conform with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and with general practices of the retail industry. These principles require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and related notes. The most significant estimates include valuation of inventories, accounts receivable and deferred tax assets, provisions for income taxes, and the recoverability of long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Periodically, the Company reviews all significant estimates and assumptions affecting the financial statements relative to current conditions and records the effect of any necessary adjustments. The consolidated financial statements include certain reclassifications of prior period amounts in order to conform with current period presentation.

Annually, our fiscal years end on the last Saturday of March. As a result, our current fiscal year consists of four thirteen week periods, while the prior year consisted of one fourteen week period ended July 1, 2006 and three subsequent thirteen week periods. We refer to the prior fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 as fiscal 2007, and the current fiscal year ending March 29, 2008 as fiscal 2008.

2. Income Taxes

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Standards Accounting Board Interpretation No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("FIN 48"), an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 ("SFAS 109") on April 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. At the adoption date of April 1, 2007, the Company had $0.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would affect the effective tax rate if and when they would be recognized.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of June 30, 2007, the company had no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions due to available tax loss carry forwards.

The tax years 2003 through 2006 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

3. Net Loss Per Common Share

For the thirteen week period ended June 30, 2007, 1,262,021 shares underlying outstanding stock options, 382,693 shares underlying outstanding warrants, and 113,034 shares underlying outstanding stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) were excluded from the computation of net income per diluted share due to their antidilutive effect. For the fourteen week period ended July 1, 2006, there were 1,337,087 shares underlying outstanding stock options, 382,693 shares underlying outstanding warrants, and 113,034 shares underlying outstanding SARs that were excluded from the computation of net income per diluted share due to their antidilutive effect.

 

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4. Inventories

Inventories are summarized as follows:

 

     June 30, 2007    March 31, 2007
     (In thousands)

Raw materials

   $ 8,441    $ 5,282

Work in progress

     1,227      2,542

Retail inventories and manufactured finished goods

     160,862      150,960
             
   $ 170,530    $ 158,784
             

Additionally, the Company held consignment inventory with a purchase value of approximately $32.9 million and $31.6 million at June 30, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively.

5. Segmented Information:

The Company has two reportable segments, “Retail” and “Other.” At June 30, 2007, Retail operated 38 stores across Canada under the Birks brand, and 29 stores in the Southeastern United States under the Mayors brand. Other consists primarily of our corporate sales division which services business customers by providing them with unique items for recognition programs, service awards and business gifts and also includes our manufacturing operations, which produce inventories for the Retail segment of our business.

The two segments are managed and evaluated separately based on gross profit. The accounting policies used for each of the segments are the same as those used for the consolidated financial statements. Inter-segment sales are made at amounts of consideration agreed upon between the two segments and intercompany profit is eliminated if not yet earned on a consolidated basis. The Company does not evaluate the performance of the Company’s assets on a segment basis for internal management reporting and, therefore, such information is not presented.

Certain information relating to the Company’s segments for the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively, is set forth below:

 

     RETAIL    OTHER    TOTAL
    

13 weeks

ended

6/30/07

  

14 weeks

ended

7/1/06

  

13 weeks

ended

6/30/07

  

14 weeks

ended

7/1/06

  

13 weeks

ended

6/30/07

  

14 weeks

ended

7/1/06

     (In thousands)

Sales to External Customers

   $ 64,912    $ 65,456    $ 3,139    $ 3,355    $ 68,051    $ 68,811

Inter-segment sales

     —        —      $ 7,100    $ 11,526    $ 7,100    $ 11,526

Gross Profit

   $ 31,532    $ 31,691    $ 1,178    $ 2,681    $ 32,710    $ 34,372

The following table sets forth reconciliations of the segments’ gross profit to the Company’s consolidated gross profit for the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively:

 

    

13 weeks
ended

June 30, 2007

   

14 weeks
ended

July 1, 2006

 

Gross Profit

   $ 32,710     $ 34,372  

Inventory Provisions

     (750 )     (401 )

Other unallocated costs

     (1,199 )     (736 )

Intercompany Adjustments

     870       (411 )
                

Gross profit

   $ 31,631     $ 32,824  
                

 

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EXHIBIT 99.5

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide the reader of the financial statements with a narrative on our results of operations, financial position and liquidity, risk management activities, significant accounting policies and critical estimates, and the future impact of accounting standards that have been issued, but are not yet effective. MD&A is presented in the following sections: Overview, Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, Results of Operations and Financial Condition. It is useful to read the MD&A in conjunction with the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this document.

Annually, our fiscal years end on the last Saturday of March. As a result, our current fiscal year consists of four thirteen week periods, while the prior year consisted of one fourteen week period ended July 1, 2006 and three subsequent thirteen week periods. We refer to the prior fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 as fiscal 2007, and the current fiscal year ending March 29, 2008 as fiscal 2008.

Overview

Birks & Mayors is a leading designer, maker and purveyor of luxury jewelry, timepieces and giftware in Canada and the Southeastern United States. As of August 1, 2007, we operated 38 stores under the Birks brand in most major metropolitan markets of Canada and 30 stores under the Mayors brand in Florida and Georgia.

We operate our business in two geographic areas, Canada and the Southeastern United States. We have two reportable segments, “Retail” and “Other.” Retail is comprised of our retail operations in the U.S. and Canada on a combined basis. Other consists primarily of our corporate sales division which services business customers by providing them with unique items for recognition programs, service awards and business gifts and also includes manufacturing operations, which produce unique products for the retail segment of our business.

Our net sales are comprised of revenues (including retail, corporate, catalogue and internet sales), net of discounts, in each case, excluding sales tax. Sales are recognized at the point of sale when merchandise is taken or shipped. Sales of consignment merchandise are recognized on a full retail basis at such time that the merchandise is sold. Revenues for gift certificates and store credits are recognized upon redemption. Customers use cash, checks, debit cards, third-party credit cards, proprietary credit cards and house accounts (primarily for corporate sales customers) to make purchases. The level of our sales is impacted by the number of transactions we generate and the size of our average retail sale.

Our operating costs and expenses are primarily comprised of cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”). Cost of sales includes cost of merchandise, direct inbound freight, direct labor related to repair services, the costs of our design and creative departments, manufacturing costs, inventory shrink, damage and obsolescence, jewelry, watch and giftware boxes as well as depreciation and amortization of production facilities and production tools, dies and molds and, in addition, product development costs. SG&A includes, but is not limited to, all non-production payroll and benefits (including non-cash stock compensation expense), store and head office occupancy costs, overhead, credit card fees, information systems, professional services, consulting fees, repairs and maintenance, travel and entertainment, insurance, legal, human resource and training expenses. Depreciation includes depreciation and amortization of our stores and head office, including buildings, leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, computer hardware and software and automobiles and trucks. Occupancy, overhead and depreciation are generally less variable relative to net sales than other components of SG&A such as credit card fees and certain elements of payroll, such as commissions. Another significant item in SG&A is marketing expenses which include marketing, public relations and advertising costs (net of amounts received from vendors for cooperative advertising) incurred to increase customer awareness of both the Company’s retail brands and the Birks product brand. Marketing represented 5.1% and 4.3% of sales during the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively. Additionally, SG&A includes indirect costs such as freight, including inter-store transfers, receiving costs, distribution costs, and warehousing costs. The amounts of these indirect costs included in SG&A are approximately $0.9 million for both the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively.

We believe that the key drivers of our performance are our ability to:

 

   

execute our merchandising strategy to increase net sales and expand gross margin in existing stores by developing and marketing higher margin exclusive and unique products, and further developing our internal capability to design, develop, manufacture or source products;

 

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execute our marketing strategy to enhance customer awareness and appreciation of our two retail brands, Birks and Mayors, as well as the Birks product brand, and to increase customer traffic, client acquisition and retention and net sales through regional and national advertising campaigns on television, billboards, print, catalog mailings, in-store events, community relations, media and public relations, partnerships with key suppliers, such as Mayors’ relationship with Rolex, and associations with prestige institutions;

 

   

provide a superior client experience through consistent outstanding customer service that will ensure customer satisfaction and promote the frequency and value of customer spending;

 

   

expand distribution by selective new store openings in existing and new markets; and

 

   

increase our retail stores’ average retail transaction, conversion rate, productivity of our store professionals and four wall profitability.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, but do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. Preparation of these statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events and their impact on amounts reported in the financial statements and related notes. Some accounting estimates and policies have a significant impact on amounts reported in the financial statements. A summary of significant accounting estimates and policies and a description of accounting policies that are considered critical may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2007 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section contained therein.

Results of Operations

Comparable Store Sales

We use comparable store sales as a key performance measure for our business. We do not include our non-retail store sales in comparable store calculations. Stores enter the comparable store calculation in their thirteenth full month of operation. Stores that have been resized and stores that are relocated are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are functionally the same store or a new store and then are included or excluded from comparable store sales, accordingly. Comparable store sales is calculated in local currency terms and measures the percentage change in net sales for comparable stores in a period compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Accordingly, the impact of the additional week in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 is excluded in determining the change in comparable store sales. If a comparable store is not open for the entirety of both periods, comparable store sales measures the change in net sales for the portion of time that such store was open in both periods.

The percentage increase in comparable stores sales for the periods presented below is as follows:

 

    

For the 13 weeks

ended

June 30, 2007

   

For the 14 weeks
ended

July 1, 2006

 

Canada

   4 %   10 %

U.S.

   4 %   9 %
            

Total

   4 %   9 %
            

The increase in comparable store sales for the thirteen week period ended June 30, 2007 is primarily the result of the successful execution of our strategy of increasing our average sale. Contributing to the increase in our average sale was our continued success in the execution of our retail merchandising and marketing strategies, which include increasing the amount of merchandise at higher price points as well as increasing spending on the targeted use of catalogs, television, outdoor and print advertising as well as other marketing programs to promote brand awareness.

The increase in comparable store sales for the fourteen week period ended July 1, 2006 was primarily the result of a continued strength in the Canadian economy and continued execution of merchandising strategies in the U.S. During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company’s Canadian results experienced a particular strength in western Canada. In the U.S., we were able to successfully execute our retail merchandising strategies, which included increasing the level of exclusive merchandise and enhanced brand awareness as a result of implementation of targeted use of catalogs, television, outdoor and print advertising as well as other marketing programs.

 

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Thirteen Week Period Ended June 30, 2007 compared to the Fourteen Week Period Ended July 1, 2006

Net Sales

 

    

For the 13 weeks
ended

June 30, 2007

  

For the 14 weeks
ended

July 1, 2006

     (In thousands)

Net sales – Retail

   $ 64,912    $ 65,456

Net sales – Other

     3,139      3,355
             

Total Net Sales

   $ 68,051    $ 68,811
             

Net sales for the thirteen week period ended June 30, 2007 were $68.1 million, a decrease of $0.8 million from the fourteen week period ended July 1, 2006. The decrease in net sales was primarily the result of an extra week of sales that was included in last year’s first quarter of $4.3 million which was partially offset by a 4% increase in comparable store sales during the thirteen week period ended June 30, 2007 and $0.8 million of additional sales related to translating the sales of Canadian operations to U.S. dollars with a relatively stronger Canadian dollar.

Gross Profit

 

    

For the 13 weeks
ended

June 30, 2007

  

For the 14 weeks
ended

July 1, 2006

     (In thousands)

Gross Profit – Retail

   $ 31,532    $ 31,691

Gross Profit – Other

     99      1,133
             

Total Gross Profit

   $ 31,631    $ 32,824
             

Total gross profit was $31.6 million or 46.5% of net sales for the thirteen week period ended June 30, 2007 compared to $32.8 million or 47.7% of net sales for the fourteen week period ended July 1, 2007. The $1.2 million decrease in gross profit is primarily the result of a decrease in gross profit – other. The decrease in gross profit – other is primarily related to a higher level of inventory provisions which were impacted by the timing of sales events held in our U.S. market and a decrease in the level of foreign exchange gains realized related to purchases made in foreign currency. Retail gross profit remained relatively even with the prior year despite the absence of approximately $2.1 million of gross profit associated with the additional selling week in last year’s first quarter, which was primarily as a result of comparable store sales growth of 4% and a 20 basis point improvement in the gross profit margin earned by the retail segment of the business. The level of gross profit during the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was also impacted by $0.4 million of higher gross profit related to translating gross profit from the Canadian operation to U.S. dollars at higher exchange rates.

Operating and Interest Expenses

SG&A was $30.1 million or 44.2% of net sales for the thirteen week period ended June 30, 2007 compared to $29.6 million or 43.0% of net sales for the fourteen week period ended July 1, 2006. The $0.5 million increase in SG&A was the result of $1.1 million less expenses associated with having one less week in the current fiscal quarter, offset by $0.6 million of increased marketing expenses, $0.4 million of higher expenses related to foreign currency translation with the remaining increase primarily related to higher compensation and occupancy costs. SG&A as a percentage of sales increased by 120 basis points in the current quarter compared to the same period last year, of which higher marketing expenses represented 92 basis points of the increase. Excluding the $4.3 million of sales and the $1.1 million of additional SG&A expense associated with the extra week in last year’s first quarter, expenses as a percentage of sales remained level quarter over quarter year.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively, remained relatively level.

Interest and other financial costs also remained relatively constant at $2.4 million for the thirteen and fourteen week periods ended June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006, respectively.

 

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FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have a $135 million revolving working capital credit facility from Bank of America N.A, GMAC Commercial Finance LLC, and LaSalle Bank N.A. which matures on January 19, 2009. As of June 30, 2007, we had $117.1 million outstanding on this facility. Our working capital credit facility bears interest at a floating rate of prime or prime plus 0.25% depending on the excess borrowing capacity, or, at our election, at a LIBOR based rate plus 1.25%, or LIBOR based rate plus 1.50%, or, LIBOR based rate plus 2.00%, depending on the excess borrowing capacity and fixed coverage ratio. On June 30, 2007, the borrowing alternatives were at prime and at LIBOR plus 1.25%. Our excess borrowing capacity was $15.6 million as of June 30, 2007.

Our working capital credit facility is secured by a first priority lien over substantially all of our assets, including our subsidiaries’ assets. Under our facility, we must test certain financial covenants at the end of each quarter if and when the average excess borrowing capacity for the last month of the quarter is lower than $8.75 million or the excess borrowing capacity is lower than $6.25 million at any time. We have not been required to test these covenants since the inception of this facility.

Our working capital credit facility also contains limitations on our ability to pay dividends, more specifically, among other limitations, we can pay dividends only at certain excess borrowing capacity thresholds and the aggregate dividend payment for the twelve month period ended as of any fiscal quarter cannot exceed 33% of the consolidated net income for such twelve month period.

We are currently in compliance with all the covenants contained in our credit facilities. We rely on borrowings under our working capital credit facility to fund our day-to-day operations.

In addition to the working capital credit facility, we had other outstanding loans as of June 30, 2007 which primarily consisted of a $1.6 million term loan from Investissement Québec that bore interest at a rate of prime plus 1.5% per annum, which equated to 7.5% at June 30, 2007, and repayable until February 2010 in equal monthly capital repayments and a $0.2 million loan payable to the Small Business Loan Fund Corporation, which bore interest at 6% per annum repayable in monthly installments maturing in April 2010.

Net cash provided by operating activities provided $82 thousand of net cash flows during the thirteen week period ended June 30, 2007 compared to $13.5 million of net cash flow used in operations during the fourteen-week period ended July 1, 2006. The change in cash flows compared to the first quarter of the prior year reflects a reduction in cash flows used to purchase inventory compared to the prior fiscal year and an increase in accounts payable in the current year compared to a decrease in the level of accounts payable in the prior year.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.1 million during the thirteen week period ended June 30, 2007 as compared to $15.5 million for the fourteen week period ended July 1, 2006. This $12.4 million decrease is mostly the result of lower cash requirements from our working capital credit facility resulting from a lower level of inventory purchases than during the comparable period last year and the impact of the change in accounts payable.

We expect our capital expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 29, 2008 to be approximately $11.0 million to $13.0 million, which includes approximately $2.0 million for costs associated with opening two new stores.

Management believes that barring a significant external event that materially adversely affects our current business or the current industry trends as a whole, borrowing capacity under the working capital credit facility, projected cash flows from operations and other short term borrowings will be sufficient to support our working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service for at least the next 12 months.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This interim report and other written reports and releases and oral statements made from time to time by the Company contain forward-looking statements which can be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “expects,” “believes,” “will,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “planned,” “goal,” and other words of similar meaning. All statements that address expectations, possibilities or projections about the future, including without limitation, statements about our strategies for growth, expansion plans, sources or adequacy of capital, expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements.

 

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One must carefully consider such statements and understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements, such as inaccurate assumptions and other risks and uncertainties, some known and some unknown. No forward-looking statement is guaranteed and actual results may vary materially. Such statements are made as of the date provided, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

One should carefully evaluate such statements by referring to the factors described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), especially on Forms 20-F and 6-K. Particular review is to be made of Items 3, 4 and 5 of Form 20-F where we discuss in more detail various important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historical results. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Since it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, the identified items are not a complete statement of all risks or uncertainties.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risks

Our primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk. Borrowing under the working capital credit facility and the term loan from Investissement Québec bore interest at floating rates. As of June 30, 2007, we had approximately $118.7 million of floating-rate debt. Accordingly, our net income will be affected by changes in interest rates. Assuming a 1% increase or decrease in the interest rate under our floating-rate debt, our interest expense on an annualized basis would have increased or decreased, respectively, by approximately $1.2 million.

Currency Risk

While we report our financial results in U.S. dollars, a substantial portion of our sales are earned in Canadian dollars. For our operations located in Canada, non-Canadian currency transactions and assets and liabilities subject us to foreign currency risk. Conversely, for the operations located in the United States, non-U.S. currency transactions and assets and liabilities subject us to foreign currency risk. For purposes of our financial reporting, our financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars by translating, where necessary, net sales and expenses from Canadian dollars at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period, while assets and liabilities are translated at period-end exchange rates, with the effect of such translation recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. As a result, for purposes of our financial reporting, foreign exchange gains or losses recorded in earnings relate to non-Canadian dollar transactions of the operations located in Canada and non-U.S. dollar transactions of the operations located in the United States. We expect to continue to report our financial results in U.S. dollars in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Consequently, our reported earnings could fluctuate materially as a result of foreign exchange translation gains or losses. To mitigate the impact of foreign exchange volatility on our earnings, from time to time we may enter into agreements to fix the exchange rate of U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars. For example, we may enter into agreements to fix the exchange rate to protect the principal and interest payments on our Canadian dollar denominated debt and other liabilities. If we do so, we will not benefit from any increase in the value of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar when these payments become due.

Commodity Risk

The nature of our operations results in exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, specifically gold. We monitor and, when appropriate, utilize derivative financial instruments and physical delivery contracts to hedge our exposure to risks related to the change in gold price. We are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counter-parties to the financial instruments. In addition, if gold prices decrease below those levels specified in our various hedging agreements, we would lose the value of a decline in the price of gold. However, gains may not be realized in future periods and our hedging activities may result in losses, which could be material. For accounting purposes, the hedging agreements do not qualify to be treated as accounting hedges and, accordingly, are marked to market at the end of every quarter. At June 30, 2007 and July 1, 2006 and during the thirteen and fourteen weeks, respectively, then ended, no such hedging agreements had been entered into by us.

 

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