Form 20-F
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

 

¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 26, 2011

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report                     

For the transition period from                     to                     

Commission file number: 001-32635

BIRKS & MAYORS INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant's name into English)

Canada

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

1240 Phillips Square

Montreal Québec

Canada

H3B 3H4

(Address of principal executive offices)

Michael Rabinovitch, 954-590-9462 (telephone), 954-590-9062 (facsimile)

5870 North Hiatus Road

Tamarac, Florida 33321

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Voting Shares, without nominal or par value   NYSE Amex LLC

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None.

The number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the Annual Report was:

 

3,672,407      Class A Voting Shares, without nominal or par value
7,717,970      Class B Multiple Voting Shares, without nominal or par value
0      Series A Preferred Shares, without nominal or par value, issuable in series

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     ¨  Yes    x  No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    ¨  Yes    x  No

Note: Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

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.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    ¨  Yes    ¨  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. (Check one):

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

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP  x    International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board    ¨ Other  ¨

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:    Item 17  ¨    Item 18  ¨

If this is an Annual Report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page  

Part I

  
 

Item 1.

   Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers      2   
 

Item 2.

   Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable      2   
 

Item 3.

   Key Information      2   
 

Item 4.

   Information on the Company      11   
 

Item 4A.

   Unresolved Staff Comments      19   
 

Item 5.

   Operating and Financial Review and Prospects      20   
 

Item 6.

   Directors, Senior Management and Employees      32   
 

Item 7.

   Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions      42   
 

Item 8.

   Financial Information      45   
 

Item 9.

   The Offer and Listing      46   
 

Item 10.

   Additional Information      47   
 

Item 11.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      55   
 

Item 12.

   Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities      56   

Part II

  
 

Item 13.

   Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies      56   
 

Item 14.

   Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds      56   
 

Item 15.

   Controls and Procedures      56   
 

Item 16A.

   Audit Committee Financial Expert      57   
 

Item 16B.

   Code of Ethics      58   
 

Item 16C.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      58   
 

Item 16D.

   Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees      58   
 

Item 16E.

   Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers      58   
 

Item 16F.

   Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant      59   
 

Item 16G.

   Corporate Governance      59   

Part III

  
 

Item 17.

   Financial Statements      67   
 

Item 18.

   Financial Statements      67   
 

Item 19.

   Exhibits      60   

 

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INTRODUCTION

References

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Birks & Mayors,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used in this Annual Report to refer to Birks & Mayors Inc., a Canadian corporation, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. In addition, the term “Mayors” refers to Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mayor’s Jewelers of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation, and “the merger” refers to the merger of Mayors with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as approved by the stockholders on November 14, 2005. The term “Birks” refers to Henry Birks & Sons Inc., the legal name of Birks & Mayors prior to the merger.

Presentation of Financial and Other Information

The consolidated financial statements of Birks & Mayors contained in this Annual Report are reported in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated, all monetary references herein are denominated in U.S. dollars; references to “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars and references to “Cdn$” or “Canadian dollars” are to Canadian dollars.

Throughout this Annual Report, we refer to our fiscal year ending March 31, 2012 as fiscal 2012 and our fiscal years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010, and March 28, 2009, as fiscal 2011, fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009, respectively. Our fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in March of each year. The fiscal years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010, and March 28, 2009 consisted of 52 weeks, reported in four thirteen-week periods.

Forward-Looking Information

This Annual 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.

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 this 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.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Key Information

Selected Financial Data

The following financial data as of March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010 and for each of the years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following financial data as of March 28, 2009, March 29, 2008 and March 31, 2007 and for each of the years ended March 29, 2008 and March 31, 2007 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report. The historical results included below and elsewhere in this Annual Report are not necessarily indicative of our future performance.

The data presented below is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report. You should also read the following summary data in conjunction with Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Income Statement Data:

 

    Fiscal Year Ended  
    March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010     March 28, 2009     March 29, 2008(2)     March 31, 2007  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  

Net sales

  $ 270,948      $ 255,057      $ 270,896      $ 314,745      $ 294,282   

Cost of sales

    154,853        150,606        155,297        168,270        152,002   
                                       

Gross profit

    116,095        104,451        115,599        146,475        142,280   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    107,231        106,252        113,990        128,306        115,457   

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets(1)

    —          1,353        13,555        —          —     

Depreciation and amortization

    5,267        5,192        6,212        6,876        6,438   
                                       

Total operating expenses

    112,498        112,797        133,757        135,182        121,895   

Operating income (loss)

    3,597        (8,346     (18,158     11,293        20,385   

Interest and other financial costs

    11,319        11,127        9,967        10,655        10,078   
                                       

(Loss) income before income taxes

    (7,722     (19,473     (28,125     638        10,307   

Income tax expense (benefit)

    24        (2     32,854        (9,795     (2,816
                                       

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (7,746   $ (19,471   $ (60,979   $ 10,433      $ 13,123   
                                       

Net (loss) income per common share

  $ (0.68   $ (1.71   $ (5.38   $ 0.93      $ 1.17   

Net (loss) income per common share—diluted

  $ (0.68   $ (1.71   $ (5.38   $ 0.89      $ 1.11   

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    11,390        11,390        11,339        11,263        11,213   

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

    11,390        11,390        11,339        11,720        11,788   

Dividends per share

    —          —          —          —          —     

 

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Balance Sheet Data:

 

    As of
March 26, 2011
    As of
March 27, 2010
    As of
March 28, 2009
    As of
March 29, 2008
    As of
March 31, 2007
 
    (In thousands)  

Working capital(3)

  $ 32,093      $ 39,230      $ 46,956      $ 36,677      $ 29,971   

Total assets

  $ 184,323      $ 191,734      $ 206,131      $ 291,848      $ 252,516   

Bank indebtedness

  $ 61,928      $ 64,520      $ 85,777      $ 120,131      $ 109,187   

Long-term debt (including current portion)

  $ 50,315      $ 53,724      $ 47,632      $ 27,298      $ 17,902   

Stockholders’ equity

  $ 11,340      $ 18,387      $ 34,968      $ 92,872      $ 81,497   

Common Stock:

         

Value

  $ 60,895      $ 60,895      $ 60,895      $ 60,813      $ 60,569   

Shares

    11,391        11,390        11,390        11,280        11,234   

Preferred Stock:

         

Value

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Shares

    —          —          —          —          —     

 

(1) Impairment of goodwill and other assets for fiscal 2010 includes the recognition of a $1.4 million non-cash impairment charge resulting from the impairment of long-lived assets at certain of our retail locations and assets held for sale related to our Rhode Island manufacturing facility. Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets for fiscal 2009 includes the impact of an $11.2 million non-cash impairment charge due to management’s determination that goodwill was fully impaired and the recognition of a $2.3 million non-cash impairment charge resulting from the impairment of long-lived assets at certain of our retail locations and our Rhode Island manufacturing facility.
(2) In November 2007, we acquired two Brinkhaus locations for which results of operations are only included in the above table from the acquisition date.
(3) Working capital represents current assets less current liabilities.

Dividends and Dividend Policy

We have not paid dividends since 1998 and do not currently intend to pay dividends on our Class A voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares in the foreseeable future. Our ability to pay dividends on our Class A voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares are restricted by our credit agreements. See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” If dividends were declared by our Board of Directors, shareholders would receive a dividend equal to the per share dividend we would pay to holders of our Class A voting shares or holders of Class B multiple voting shares. Dividends we would pay to U.S. holders would generally be subject to withholding tax. See Item 10, “Additional Information—Taxation.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to the Company

Our business depends, in part, on factors affecting consumer spending that are out of our control.

Our business depends on consumer demand for our products and, consequently, is sensitive to a number of factors that influence consumer spending, including general economic conditions, consumer confidence in future economic conditions and political conditions, recession and fears of recession, consumer debt, disposable consumer income, conditions in the housing market, consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security, fuel prices, inclement weather, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, sales tax rate increases, inflation, and war and fears of war. In particular, the economic downturn over the past three years has lead to decreased discretionary spending, which adversely impacted the luxury retail business and lead to declining revenues and losses for our business. Jewelry purchases are discretionary for consumers and may be particularly and disproportionately affected by adverse trends in the general economy and the equity markets. Continued adverse changes in factors affecting discretionary consumer spending could further reduce consumer demand for our products, resulting in a continued reduction in our sales and further harming our business and operating results. A substantial portion of our customers use credit, either from our private label and proprietary credit cards or another consumer credit source, to purchase jewelry. When there is a downturn in the general economy, fewer people may use or be approved for credit, which could result in a reduction in net sales and/or an increase in bad debt, which in turn, could lead to an unfavorable impact on our overall profitability. Our belief that we currently have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations is based on certain assumptions about the future state of the economy, the future availability of borrowings to fund our operations and our future operating performance. To the extent that the economy and other conditions affecting our business are significantly worse than we anticipate, we may not achieve our projected level of financial performance and we may determine that we do not have sufficient capital to fund our operations.

We may require additional financing or capital, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Capital raised through the sale or issuance of equity securities may result in dilution to our shareholders. Failure to obtain such additional financing or capital could have an adverse impact on our liquidity and financial condition.

Within the last three years, the general economic and capital market conditions in the United States and other parts of the world have deteriorated significantly and have adversely affected access to and the cost of capital. There is a possibility that our existing cash, cash generated from operations and funds available under our credit agreements may be insufficient to fund our future operations, including capital expenditures, or to repay debt when it becomes due, and as a result, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt financing, including funding from governmental sources, which may not be possible. The sale of additional equity securities could result in significant dilution to our shareholders, and the securities issued in future financings may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our common stock. The incurrence of additional indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that may restrict our operations. Financing may be unavailable in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, including our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

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We have significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect our operations, liquidity and financial condition.

We currently have a significant amount of indebtedness and significant debt service obligations in proportion to our assets. Our debt levels fluctuate from time to time based on seasonal working capital needs. The following table sets forth our total indebtedness (includes bank indebtedness and current and long-term portion of debt), total stockholders’ equity, total capitalization and ratio of total indebtedness to total capitalization as of:

 

     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010  

Total indebtedness

   $ 112,243,000      $ 118,244,000   

Total stockholders’ equity

     11,340,000        18,387,000   
                

Total capitalization

   $ 123,583,000      $ 136,631,000   
                

Ratio of total indebtedness to total capitalization

     90.8     86.5

This high degree of leverage could adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. For example, it could:

 

   

make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness;

 

   

increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

require us to dedicate a substantial portion of cash from operations to the payment of debt service, thereby reducing the availability of cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

 

   

limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate purposes or acquisitions;

 

   

create additional risk to us and our shareholders if we were unable to renew our credit facilities under similar terms and conditions;

 

   

place us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have a lower degree of leverage; and

 

   

negatively affect the price of our stock.

Significant restrictions on our excess borrowing capacity could result in our inability to fund our cash flow requirements needed to support our day-to-day operations.

Our ability to fund our operations and meet our cash flow requirements in order to fund our operations is dependant upon our ability to maintain positive excess availability under our senior credit facilities. Both our senior secured revolving credit facility lenders and our senior secured term loan lenders may impose, at any time, discretionary reserves, which would lower the level of borrowing availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility (customary for asset based loans), at their reasonable discretion, to: i) ensure that we maintain adequate liquidity for the operation of our business, ii) cover any deterioration in the amount or value of the collateral, and iii) reflect impediments to the lenders to realize upon the collateral. There is no limit to the amount of discretionary reserves that our senior secured revolving credit facility lenders may impose at their reasonable discretion, however, our senior secured term loan lenders’ ability to impose discretionary reserves at their reasonable discretion is limited to 5% of the senior secured credit facility availability. From February 11, 2009 to February 23, 2009, the senior secured term loan lender imposed a discretionary reserve of $4 million. While our senior secured revolving credit facility lender has not historically imposed such a restriction, it is uncertain whether conditions could change and cause such a reserve to be imposed in the future. In addition, the value of our inventory is periodically assessed by our lenders and, based upon these reviews, our borrowing capacity could be significantly increased or decreased. Another factor impacting our excess availability includes, among others, changes in the U.S. and Canadian dollar exchange rate, which could increase or decrease our borrowing

 

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availability. Furthermore, under the terms of our senior credit facilities, amended in June 2011, a $12.5 million and a $5.0 million seasonal availability block is imposed by the senior secured revolving credit facility lenders and the senior secured term loan lenders each year from December 20th to January 20th and from January 21st to February 10th, respectively, and both our senior secured revolving credit facility and our senior secured term loan are subject to cross default provisions with all other loans, by which if we are in default with any other loan, the default will immediately apply to both the senior secured revolving credit facility and the senior secured term loan.

We are exposed to currency exchange risks that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

While we report financial results in U.S. dollars, a substantial portion of our sales are recorded 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 U.S., non-U.S. currency transactions and assets and liabilities subject us to foreign currency risk. In addition, material fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, resulting in a weakening of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, could significantly reduce our borrowing availability under our secured revolving credit facility, which is denominated in U.S. dollars, and limit our ability to finance our operations. For purposes of 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 year-end exchange rates, with the effect of such translation recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. As a result, for purposes of 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 U.S. We expect to continue to report our financial results in U.S. dollars. Consequently, our reported earnings could fluctuate materially as a result of foreign exchange translation gains or losses.

We may not successfully manage our inventory, which could have an adverse effect on our net sales, profitability, cash flow and liquidity.

As a retail business, our results of operations are dependent on our ability to manage our inventory. To properly manage our inventory, we must be able to accurately estimate customer demand and supply requirements and purchase new inventory accordingly. If we fail to sell the inventory we purchase or manufacture, we may be required to write-down our inventory or pay our vendors without new purchases, creating additional vendor financing, which would have an adverse impact on our earnings and cash flows. Additionally, a portion of the merchandise we sell is carried on a consignment basis prior to sale or is otherwise financed by vendors, which reduces our required capital investment in inventory. Any significant change in these consignment or vendor financing relationships could have a material adverse effect on our net sales, cash flows and liquidity.

Our credit business may be adversely affected by changes in applicable laws and regulations.

The operation of our credit business subjects us to substantial regulation relating to disclosure and other requirements upon origination, servicing, debt collection and particularly upon the amount of finance charges we can impose. Any adverse change in the regulation of consumer credit could adversely affect our earnings. For example, new laws or regulations could limit the amount of interest or fees we, or our banks, can charge on consumer loan accounts, or restrict our ability to collect on account balances, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings. Compliance with existing and future laws or regulations could require material expenditures or otherwise adversely affect our business or financial results. Failure to comply with these laws or regulations, even if inadvertent, could result in negative publicity, and fines, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

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Our business could be adversely affected if our relationships with any primary vendors are terminated or if the delivery of their products is delayed or interrupted.

We compete with other jewelry retailers for access to vendors that will provide us with the quality and quantity of merchandise necessary to operate our business, and our merchandising strategy depends upon our ability to maintain good relations with significant vendors. Certain brand name watch manufacturers, including Rolex, have distribution agreements with our Company that, among other things, provide for specific sales locations, yearly renewal terms and early termination provisions at the manufacturer’s discretion. In fiscal 2011, merchandise supplied by Rolex and sold through our stores operating under the Mayors, Rolex and Brinkhaus brands accounted for approximately 24% of our total net sales. Our relationships with primary suppliers, like Rolex, are generally not pursuant to long-term agreements.

We obtain materials and manufactured items from third-party suppliers. Any delay or interruption in our suppliers’ abilities to provide us with necessary materials and components may affect our manufacturing capabilities or may require us to seek alternative supply sources. Any delay or interruption in receiving supplies could impair our ability to supply products to our stores and, accordingly, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The abrupt loss of any of our third-party suppliers, especially Rolex, or a decline in the quality or quantity of materials supplied by any third-party suppliers could cause significant disruption in our business.

Fluctuations in the availability and prices of our raw materials and finished goods may adversely affect our results of operations.

We offer a large selection of distinctive high quality merchandise, including diamond, gemstone and precious metal jewelry, rings, wedding bands, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, charms, timepieces and gifts. Accordingly, significant changes in the availability or prices of diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals we require for our products could adversely affect our earnings. Further, both the supply and price of diamonds are significantly influenced by a single entity, the Diamond Trading Corporation. We do not maintain long-term inventories or otherwise hedge a material portion of the price of raw materials. A significant increase in the price of these materials could adversely affect our net sales and gross margins.

We operate in a highly competitive and fragmented industry.

The retail jewelry business is highly competitive and fragmented, and we compete with nationally recognized jewelry chains as well as a large number of independent regional and local jewelry retailers and others types of retailers who sell jewelry and gift items, such as department stores and mass merchandisers. We also compete with internet sellers of jewelry. Because of the breadth and depth of this competition, we are constantly under competitive pressure that both constrains pricing and requires extensive merchandising efforts in order for us to remain competitive.

We are controlled by a single shareholder whose interests may be different from yours.

The Goldfish Trust beneficially owns or controls 67.8% of all classes of our outstanding voting shares, which are directly owned by Montrovest B.V. (“Montrovest”), the former parent company of Iniziativa S.A. (“Iniziativa”) and Montrolux S.A. (“Montrolux”). Until May 2007, 63.4% of our outstanding voting shares were directly owned by Iniziativa. As of June 2007, 31.2% was directly owned by Montrolux. The trustee of the Goldfish Trust is Rohan Private Trust Company Limited (the “Trustee”). Dr. Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera, who is the Company’s Chairman of the Board, is a director of the Trustee, and a beneficiary of the Goldfish Trust. Under our amended charter, Montrovest, as holder of the Class B multiple voting shares, has the ability to control most actions requiring shareholder approval, including electing the members of our Board of Directors and the issuance of new equity. Dr. Rossi, in certain circumstances, may be delegated the authority from the Trustee to vote on shares held by Montrovest.

 

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The Trustee and Montrovest may have different interests than you have and may make decisions that do not correspond to your interests. In addition, the fact that we are controlled by one shareholder may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our management or voting control.

We may not be able to retain key personnel or replace them if they leave.

Our success is largely dependent on the personal efforts of Thomas A. Andruskevich, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and other key members of the senior management team. Although we have entered into employment agreements with Mr. Andruskevich and other key members of our senior management team, the loss of any of their services could cause our business to suffer. Our success is also dependent upon our ability to continue to hire and retain qualified financial, operations, development and other personnel. Competition for qualified personnel in the retail industry is intense, and we may not be able to hire or retain the personnel necessary for our planned operations.

Our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to successfully negotiate favorable lease terms.

As of March 26, 2011, we had 64 leased retail stores, which includes the capital lease of our Canadian headquarters and Montreal flagship store. The leases are generally for a term of five to ten years, with rent being a fixed minimum base plus, for a majority of the stores, a percentage of the store’s sale volume (subject to some adjustments) over a specified threshold. We have generally been successful in negotiating leases for new stores and lease renewals as our current leases near expiration. However, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected if we are unable to continue to negotiate favorable lease and renewal terms.

Our strategy to develop the Birks product brand through international expansion may add complexity to our operations and may require additional capital or strain our resources and adversely impact our financial results and liquidity

One of our strategies is to continue to develop the Birks product brand through expansion of all sales channels including international channels of distribution. The expansion into markets outside of Canada and the United States would add complexity to our operations and may require additional capital or strain our resources and adversely impact our financial results and our liquidity. International expansion would place increased demands on our operational, managerial and administrative resources at all levels of the Company. These increased demands may cause us to operate our business less efficiently, which in turn could cause deterioration in our performance or could adversely affect our inventory levels. Furthermore, our ability to conduct business in international markets may be adversely affected by legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. Any international expansion strategy could also be adversely impacted by the global economy or the economy of the region of the world in which the Company chooses to expand. If we expand internationally, we may incur significant costs related to starting up and maintaining foreign operations. Costs may include, but are not limited to obtaining prime locations for stores, setting up foreign offices and distribution centers, as well as hiring experienced management. We may be unable to open and operate new stores successfully, or we may face operational issues that could delay our intended pace of international store openings. These additional costs may require the Company to raise additional cash through the issuance of additional equity or debt financing which if the Company is not able to obtain at a sufficient level to fund the operation could negative impact the availability of funding to operate the operations of the Company.

Hurricanes and other severe weather conditions could cause a disruption in our operations, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

Our U.S. operations are located in Georgia and Florida, regions that are susceptible to hurricanes. In the past, hurricanes have forced the closure of some of our stores, resulting in a reduction in net sales during such periods. Future hurricanes could significantly disrupt our U.S. operations and could have a material adverse effect on our overall results of operations. In addition, severe weather such as ice storms, snow storms and blizzards in Canada can cause conditions whereby peak holiday shopping could be materially affected.

 

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Terrorist acts or other catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect on Birks & Mayors.

Terrorist acts, acts of war or hostility, natural disasters or other catastrophic events could have an immediate disproportionate impact on discretionary spending on luxury goods upon which our operations are dependent. For example, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks carried out on September 11, 2001, tourism and business travel was significantly reduced in all of our markets, which had an adverse impact on our net sales. Similarly, the SARS epidemic in Toronto, Ontario in the spring of 2003 had an adverse impact on net sales in our stores in that region. Similar future events could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property and may be required to engage in costly litigation as a protective measure.

To establish and protect our intellectual property rights, we rely upon a combination of trademark and trade secret laws, together with licenses, exclusivity agreements and other contractual covenants. In particular, the “Birks” and “Mayors” trademarks are of significant value to our retail operations. The measures we take to protect our intellectual property rights may prove inadequate to prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property. Monitoring the unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources, may result in counterclaims or other claims against us and could significantly harm our results of operations.

Risks Related to Class A Voting Shares

Our share price could be adversely affected if a large number of Class A voting shares are offered for sale or sold.

Future issuances or sales of a substantial number of our Class A voting shares by us, Montrovest, or another significant shareholder in the public market could adversely affect the price of our Class A voting shares, which may impair our ability to raise capital through future issuances of equity securities. As of May 31, 2011, we had 3,673,615 Class A voting shares issued and outstanding. Sales of restricted securities in the public market, or the availability of these Class A voting shares for sale, could adversely affect the market price of Class A voting shares.

As a retail jeweler with a limited public float, the price of our Class A voting shares may fluctuate substantially, which could negatively affect the value of our Class A voting shares and could result in securities class action claims against us.

The price of our Class A voting shares may fluctuate substantially due to, among other things, the following factors: (1) fluctuations in the price of the shares of the small number of public companies in the retail jewelry business; (2) additions or departures of key personnel; (3) announcements of legal proceedings or regulatory matters; and (4) general volatility in the stock market. The market price of our Class A voting shares could also fluctuate substantially if we fail to meet or exceed expectations for our financial results or if there is a change in financial estimates or securities analysts’ recommendations.

Significant price and value fluctuations have occurred in the past with respect to the securities of retail jewelry and related companies. In addition, because the public float of our Class A voting shares is relatively small, the market price of our Class A voting shares is likely to be volatile. There is limited trading volume in our Class A voting shares, rendering them subject to significant price volatility. In addition, the stock market has experienced volatility that has affected the market prices of equity securities of many companies, and that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. A number of other factors, many of which are beyond our control, could also cause the market price of our Class A voting shares to fluctuate substantially. In the past, following periods of downward volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been pursued. If our Class A voting shares were similarly volatile and litigation was pursued against us, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.

 

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We are governed by the laws of Canada, and, as a result, it may not be possible for shareholders to enforce civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S.

We are governed by the laws of Canada. A substantial portion of our assets are located outside the U.S. and some of our directors and officers are residents outside of the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service within the U.S. upon us or our directors and officers, or to realize in the U.S. upon judgments of courts of the U.S. predicated upon civil liability of Birks & Mayors and such directors or officers under U.S. federal securities laws. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada by a court in original actions, or in actions to enforce judgments of U.S. courts, of the civil liabilities predicated upon U.S. federal securities laws.

We expect to maintain our status as a “foreign private issuer” under the rules and regulations of the SEC and, thus, are exempt from a number of rules under the Exchange Act of 1934 and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the U.S.

As a “foreign private issuer,” we are exempt from rules under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”) that impose certain disclosure and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our Class A voting shares. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, nor are we required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for U.S. public companies.

If we were treated as a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, some holders of our Class A voting shares would be subject to additional taxation, which could cause the price of our Class A voting shares to decline.

We believe that our Class A voting shares should not be treated as stock of a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we expect to continue operations in such a manner that we will not be a PFIC. If, however, we are or become a PFIC, some holders of our Class A voting shares could be subject to additional U.S. federal income taxes on gains recognized with respect to our Class A voting shares and on certain distributions, plus an interest charge on certain taxes treated as having been deferred under the PFIC rules.

Our assessment of our internal control over financial reporting may identify “material weaknesses” in the future and may result in an attestation with an adverse or qualified opinion from our independent auditors, which could reduce confidence in our financial statements and negatively affect the price of our securities.

We are subject to reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws. Beginning with our Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2008, Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to prepare a management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over our financial reporting is not effective. If at any time in the future, we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, market perception of our financial condition and the trading price of our stock may be adversely affected and customer perception of our business may suffer, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

If the costs and burden of being a public company outweigh its benefits, we may in the future decide to discontinue our status as a publicly traded company.

As a public company, we currently incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NYSE AMEX Stock Market, have imposed various requirements on public companies, including requiring

 

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establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls as well as mandating certain corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time and financial resources to these compliance initiatives. As such, if it is determined in the future that the costs and efforts of being a public company outweigh the benefits of being a public company, we may decide to discontinue our status as a publicly traded or registered company.

 

Item 4. Information on the Company

THE COMPANY

Corporate History and Overview

Birks & Mayors is a leading North American luxury jewelry brand which designs, develops, makes and retails fine jewelry, time pieces, sterling silver and gifts. As of May 31, 2011, Birks & Mayors operated 61 luxury jewelry stores, 32 stores under the Birks brand, located in all major cities across Canada, two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand, 26 stores under the Mayors brand, located in Florida and Georgia, and 1 store under the Rolex brand name. As a luxury jeweler, most of our jewelry products are made of 18 karat gold, platinum or sterling silver, with or without precious gemstones, with significant emphasis on quality craftsmanship and distinctive design. For fiscal 2011, we had net sales of $270.9 million.

Birks’ predecessor company was founded in Montreal in 1879 and developed over the years into Canada’s premier designer, manufacturer and retailer of fine jewelry, timepieces, sterling and plated silverware and gifts. In addition to being a nationwide retailer with a strong brand identity, we are also highly regarded in Canada as a designer and maker of jewelry and a provider of recognition programs, service awards and business gifts. We believe that operating our stores under the Birks and Mayors brands distinguishes us from many competitors because of our longstanding reputation and heritage of being trustworthy, offering only the highest standard of quality and craftsmanship and products, our ability to offer distinctively designed, exclusive products, a large selection of distinctive high quality merchandise at many different price points, and by placing a strong emphasis on providing a superior shopping experience to our clients.

From 1950 through 1990, Birks aggressively expanded its retail business and by the early 1990s it had approximately 220 stores in Canada and the U.S. After a period of rapid expansion in the 1980s, followed in the early 1990s by a period of declining margins and significant erosion in consumer spending coupled with significantly higher indebtedness resulting from a family buy-out, Birks experienced significant financial losses. These financial difficulties ultimately led to the purchase of Birks by Borgosesia Acquisitions Corporation in 1993, a predecessor company of Regaluxe Investment S.á.r.l., which is referred to in this Annual Report as “Regaluxe.” Effective March 28, 2006, Regaluxe was acquired through a merger with Iniziativa. As of May 31, 2007 and June 4, 2007, respectively, following a reorganization, Iniziativa and Montrolux transferred all of the shares they respectively held in the Company to their parent company, Montrovest. Following the 1993 acquisition of Birks, Birks’ operations were evaluated and a program of returning Birks to its historic core strength as the leading Canadian luxury jeweler was initiated.

In August 2002, Birks invested $15.05 million to acquire approximately 72% of the voting control in Mayors, which was experiencing an unsuccessful expansion beyond its core markets and was incurring significant losses.

Between August 2002 and November 2005, it became apparent to both Mayors and Birks management that it was in the best interests of the shareholders to combine the two companies. Management believed that such combination would create a stronger capital base, improve operating efficiencies, reduce the impact of regional issues, simplify the corporate ownership of Mayors, eliminate management and board of directors’ inefficiencies with managing intercompany issues, and possibly increase shareholder liquidity. Upon the consummation of the merger on November 14, 2005, each outstanding share of Mayors common stock not then owned by Birks was

 

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converted into 0.08695 Class A voting shares of Birks. As a result of the merger, Mayors common stock ceased trading on the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) and Birks & Mayors began trading on the AMEX, which is now known as the NYSE Amex LLC (“NYSE Amex”), under the trading symbol “BMJ.” Following the merger, Birks & Mayors worked very diligently to fully integrate the Birks business with Mayors. As a result of the merger, we believe the combined company has improved operational efficiencies and diversity and depth of its products and distribution capabilities.

Since the beginning of fiscal 2009, we invested approximately $9.4 million of capital expenditures primarily associated with leasehold improvements, fixturing, and the opening of new stores. We expect to invest an additional $5 million of capital expenditures in fiscal 2012 of which approximately 20% will be in the U.S. and 80% will be in Canada. We expect to finance these expenditures mainly from our senior secured revolving credit facility.

During fiscal 2011, we closed one of our Birks stores located in Scarborough, Ontario and opened a new store located in Orlando, Florida operating under the Rolex brand name. During fiscal 2010, we closed two of our Mayors stores located in Palm Beach, Florida and Miami, Florida and four of our Birks stores located in Victoria, British Columbia, St. Catherines, Ontario, Edmonton, Alberta and Surrey, British Columbia. During fiscal 2010, we also opened a new Mayors store located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida operating under the name Mayors by Birks. In May 2009, we also discontinued production at our Rhode Island manufacturing facility in order to reduce operating expenses and operate more efficiently by consolidating more of our production activities into our Montreal facility and by purchasing finished goods from third parties. The Rhode Island facility was sold during fiscal 2011. Subsequent to year end, during April and May 2011, we closed three Mayors stores located in Fort Myers, Florida, Sanford, Florida and Jensen Beach, Florida.

Our sales are divided into two principal product categories: jewelry and timepieces. Jewelry also includes sales of other product offerings we sell such as giftware, as well as repair and custom design services.

The following table compares our sales of each product category for the last three fiscal years (dollars in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year-Ended  
     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010     March 28, 2009  

Jewelry and other

   $ 159,306         58.8   $ 151,438         59.4   $ 158,109         58.4

Timepieces

     111,642         41.2     103,619         40.6     112,787         41.6
                                                   

Total

   $ 270,948         100.0   $ 255,057         100.0   $ 270,896         100.0
                                                   

The following table sets forth our operations in geographic markets in which we operate (dollars in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011      March 27, 2010      March 28, 2009  

Net sales

        

Canada

   $ 144,903       $ 135,402       $ 131,948   

U.S.

     126,045         119,655         138,948   
                          

Total revenues

   $ 270,948       $ 255,057       $ 270,896   
                          

Long-lived assets

        

Canada

   $ 20,232       $ 22,204       $ 21,701   

U.S.

     7,366         8,520         12,345   
                          

Total long-lived assets

   $ 27,598       $ 30,724       $ 34,046   
                          

 

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Birks & Mayors is a Canadian corporation. Our corporate headquarters are located at 1240 Phillips Square, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3B 3H4. Our telephone number is (514) 397-2501. Our website is www.birksandmayors.com.

Products

We offer distinctively designed, exclusive products and a large selection of distinctive high quality merchandise at many different price points. This merchandise includes designer jewelry, diamond, gemstone, and precious metal jewelry, timepieces and giftware. Part of our strategy is to increase our exclusive offering of internally designed and/or produced goods sold to our customers, consisting primarily of bridal, diamond and other fine jewelry, as well as gold and sterling silver jewelry and timepieces, all of which leverage the Birks and Mayors brands’ loyalty in their respective markets and in order to differentiate our products with unique and exclusive designs.

Our Canadian stores, operating under the Birks and Brinkhaus brands, carry a large selection of brand name timepieces, including our own proprietary watch line as well as timepieces made by Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Corum, Gucci, Jaeger Le Coultre, Longines, Montblanc, Omega, Rado, Rolex, Tag Heuer, and Tissot. We also carry an exclusive collection of high quality jewelry and timepieces that we manufacture. We emphasize our own jewelry offerings and particularly our signature designers, including Esty and Toni Cavelti, but also include designer jewelry made by Aaron Basha, Andrea Candela, Damiani, DiModolo, Gucci, Ivanka Trump, Kwiat, Ladyheart, Marco Bicego, Roberto Coin, and Van Cleef & Arpels, which are exclusive to our stores in Canada. Our two Brinkhaus retail locations also offer Ebel, IWC, Omega, Panerai, Patek Phillip, and Rolex timepieces. We also offer a variety of high quality giftware, including writing instruments made by Cartier and Montblanc.

Our U.S. stores, operating under the Mayors brand, carry a large selection of prestigious brand name timepieces, including Baume & Mercier, Breitling, Cartier, Corum, Gucci, Jaeger Le Coultre, Longines, Montblanc, Omega, Patek Philippe, Panerai, Rado, Rolex, Tag Heuer and Zenith. Designer jewelry offerings in our stores operating under the Mayors brand include jewelry made by Aaron Basha, Andrea Candela, Charriol, Damiani, DiModolo, Ivanka Trump, Kwiat, Lady Heart, Mikimoto, Roberto Coin, Toni Cavelti, Van Cleef & Arpels and a variety of high quality giftware, including writing instruments made by Cartier and Montblanc. In addition, stores operating under the Mayors brand carry Birks brand timepieces and jewelry products on an exclusive basis in their markets. Our Rolex store offers exclusively Rolex brand timepieces.

We have one primary channel of distribution: the retail division, which accounts for approximately 95% of net sales, as well as three other channels of distribution, including our corporate sales, internet and wholesale division, which combined account for approximately 5% of net sales.

Product Design, Development, Sourcing and Manufacturing

We established a product development process that supports our strategy to further develop and enhance our product offering in support of the Birks brand development. The centerpiece of this process is our Design Review Committee, which ultimately approves all new product designs and introductions. During fiscal 2011, fiscal 2010, and fiscal 2009, approximately 19%, 23%, and 34%, respectively, of our jewelry product acquired for sale were internally designed, sourced or manufactured. Products that are not designed and internally manufactured are sourced from suppliers worldwide, enabling us to sell an assortment of fine quality merchandise often not available from other jewelers in our markets. Our staff of buyers procures distinctive high quality merchandise directly from manufacturers, diamond cutters, and other suppliers worldwide. Our gemstone acquisition team, product sourcing team and category managers specialize in sourcing merchandise in categories such as diamonds, precious gemstones, pearls, timepieces, gold jewelry, and giftware. Retail and merchandising personnel frequently visit our stores and those of competitors to compare value, selection, and service, as well as to observe client reaction to merchandise selection and determine future needs and trends.

 

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We have manufacturing facilities in Montreal and Florida that enable us to offer unique, exclusive and high-quality products through an efficient supply chain. The manufacturing facilities in Montreal and Florida occupy space within our corporate buildings, which we lease subject to lease agreements (see “Properties” below for more information). The products produced at these two facilities are primarily diamond jewelry with a focus on bridal jewelry. The current production capabilities at these two facilities are not limited to our current production levels and we believe we have the capacity to meet future anticipated growth. Our manufacturing capabilities provide quality control; image enhancement by enabling us to promote our craftsmanship and exclusive design and manufacturing capabilities; improved economics by retaining the margin that would otherwise be paid to a third party provider; and capability to provide customized and/or special design jewelry for customers.

The Montreal facility is the largest in volume of our manufacturing facilities and is involved in all aspects of manufacturing fine jewelry with the exception of the cutting of rough diamonds and other precious stones. The facility focuses on manufacturing stone set jewelry. The Florida facility focuses on specific types of stone set jewelry and hand-made one of a kind jewelry pieces. From fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2009, we had a Rhode Island factory that was involved in the production of silver and gold jewelry, as well as stone set jewelry, however, production was discontinued at this facility in May 2009 with much of the production transferred to our Montreal facility, or outsourced to third parties.

Availability of Products

Although purchases of several critical raw materials, notably platinum, gold, silver, diamonds, pearls and gemstones, are made from a relatively limited number of sources, we believe that there are numerous alternative sources for all raw materials used in the manufacture of our finished jewelry, and that the failure of any principal supplier would not have a material adverse effect on our operations. Any material changes in foreign or domestic laws and policies affecting international trade may have a material adverse effect on the availability of the diamonds, other gemstones, precious metals and non-jewelry products we purchase. Significant changes in the availability or prices of diamonds, gemstones and precious metals we require for our products could adversely affect our earnings. Furthermore, both the supply and price of diamonds are significantly influenced by a single entity, the Diamond Trading Corporation. We do not maintain long-term inventories or otherwise hedge a material portion of the price of raw materials. A significant increase in the price of these materials could adversely affect our net sales, gross margin and earnings. However, in the event of price increases, we will generally attempt to pass along any price increases to our customers.

In fiscal 2011, we purchased jewelry, timepieces and giftware for sale in our stores from over 200 suppliers. Many of these suppliers have long-standing relationships with us. We compete with other jewelry retailers for access to vendors that will provide us with the quality and quantity of merchandise necessary to operate our business. Our relationships with primary suppliers, like Rolex, are generally not pursuant to long-term agreements. Although we believe that alternative sources of supply are available, the abrupt loss of any of our key vendors, especially Rolex, or a decline in the quality or quantity of merchandise supplied by our vendors could cause significant disruption in our business. In fiscal 2011, merchandise supplied by Rolex and sold through our stores operating under the Mayors, Rolex and Brinkhaus brands accounted for approximately 24% of our total net sales. If Rolex terminated its distribution agreement with us, such termination would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. We believe that current relationships with our key vendors are good.

Seasonality

Our sales are highly seasonal, with the third fiscal quarter (which includes the holiday shopping season) historically contributing significantly higher sales than any other quarter during the year. Sales in the first, second, third and fourth quarters in fiscal 2011 were 22%, 19%, 36% and 23%, respectively. Sales by quarter in fiscal 2010 were 21%, 19%, 35%, and 25%, respectively.

 

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Retail Operations, Merchandising and Marketing

General

We believe we are differentiated from most of our competitors because we offer distinctively designed, exclusive products and a selection of distinctive high quality merchandise at a wide range of price points. We keep the majority of our inventory on display in our stores rather than at our distribution facility. Although each store stocks a representative selection of jewelry, timepieces, giftware and other accessories, certain inventory is tailored to meet local tastes and historical merchandise sales patterns of specific stores.

We believe that our stores’ elegant surroundings and distinctive merchandise displays play an important role in providing an atmosphere that encourages sales. We pay careful attention to detail in the design and layout of each store, particularly lighting, colors, choice of materials and placement of display cases. We also use window displays as a means of attracting walk-in traffic and reinforcing our distinctive image. Our Visual Display department designs and creates window and store merchandise case displays for all of our stores. Window displays are frequently changed to provide variety and to reflect seasonal events such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Personnel and Training

We place substantial emphasis on the professionalism of our sales force to maintain our position as a leading luxury jeweler. We strive to hire only highly motivated, professional and customer-oriented individuals. All new sales professionals attend an intensive training program where they are trained in technical areas of the jewelry business, specific sales and service techniques and our commitment to client service. Management believes that attentive personal service and knowledgeable sales professionals are key components to our success.

As part of our commitment to continuous, on-the-job training, we have established “Birks University” and “Mayors University,” a formalized system of in-house training with a primary focus on client service, selling skills and product knowledge that involves extensive classroom training, the use of detailed operational manuals, in-store mentorship programs and a leading edge product knowledge program which includes on-line testing. In addition, we conduct in-house training seminars on a periodic basis and administer training modules with audits to (i) enhance the quality and professionalism of all sales professionals, (ii) measure the level of knowledge of each sales professional, and (iii) identify needs for additional training. We also provide all management team members with more extensive training that emphasizes leadership skills, general management skills, “on-the-job” coaching and training instruction techniques.

Advertising and Promotion

One of our key marketing goals is to build on our reputation in our core markets as a leading luxury jewelry brand offering high quality merchandise in an elegant, sophisticated environment. For example, we frequently run advertisements that associate the “Birks” and “Mayors” brands with internationally recognized brand names such as Cartier, Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Van Cleef and Arpels, among others. Advertising and promotions for all stores are developed by our personnel in conjunction with outside creative professionals.

Our advertising reinforces our role as a world class luxury brand that aims to deliver a total shopping experience that is as memorable as our merchandise. Our marketing efforts consist of advertising campaigns on television, billboards, print, catalog mailings, special events, media and public relations, distinctive store design, elegant displays, partnerships with key suppliers and associations with prestige institutions. The key goals of our marketing initiatives are 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.

 

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Credit Operations

We have two private label credit cards, one for each of our Birks and Mayors retail brands which are administered by third-party banks that own the credit card receivable balances. In addition, stores operating under the Mayors brand also have a Mayors proprietary credit card which we administer.

Our credit programs are intended to complement our overall merchandising and sales strategy by encouraging larger and more frequent sales to a loyal customer base. Sales under the Birks private label credit card accounted for approximately 11% of our net sales during fiscal 2011 while sales under the Mayors private label credit card and Mayors proprietary credit card represented approximately 11% of our net sales during fiscal 2011. Sales under the Birks and Mayors private label credit cards are generally made without credit recourse to us. However, we are permitted to ask the bank to approve credit purchases under these private label credit cards, for which the bank holds credit recourses if the customer does not pay. These recourse credits are limited to 25% and 20% of the nonrecourse credit issued by the banks for the private label Birks credit card and Mayors credit card, respectively. Receivables generated on sales under the Mayors proprietary credit card are recorded on our balance sheet and we maintain the full credit risk.

Distribution

Our retail locations receive the majority of their merchandise directly from our distribution warehouses located in Tamarac, Florida, Montreal, Québec, and Dorval, Québec. Merchandise is shipped from the distribution warehouse utilizing various air and ground carriers. We also transfer merchandise between retail locations to balance inventory levels and to fulfill client requests, and a very small portion of merchandise is delivered directly to the retail locations from suppliers.

Competition

Our research indicates that the North American retail jewelry industry is approximately a $66 billion industry and is highly competitive and fragmented, with a few very large national and international competitors and many medium and small regional and local competitors. The market is also fragmented by price and quality. Although Birks and Mayors are luxury jewelry brands, we compete with companies within and outside of this segment. Our competitors include national and international jewelry chains as well as independent regional and local jewelry retailers. We also compete with other types of retailers such as department stores and specialty stores and, to a lesser extent, catalog showrooms, discounters, direct mail suppliers, televised home shopping networks, and Internet sites. Many of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do. We believe that competition in our markets is based primarily on the total brand experience including trust, quality craftsmanship, product design and exclusivity, product selection, service excellence, including after sales service, and, to a certain extent, price. With the current consolidation of the retail industry, we believe that competition with other general and specialty retailers and discounters will continue to increase. Our success will depend on various factors, including general economic and business conditions affecting consumer spending, the performance of national and international retail operations, the acceptance by consumers of our merchandising and marketing programs, store locations and our ability to properly staff and manage our stores.

Regulation

Our operations are affected by numerous federal, provincial and state laws that impose disclosure and other requirements upon the origination, servicing and enforcement of credit accounts and limitations on the maximum amount of finance charges that may be charged by a credit provider. In addition to our proprietary and private label credit cards, credit to our clients is primarily available through third-party credit cards such as American Express®, Visa®, MasterCard® and Discover®, without recourse to us in the case of a client’s failure to pay. Any change in the regulation of credit that would materially limit the availability of credit to our traditional customer base could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

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We generally utilize the services of independent customs agents to comply with U.S. and Canadian customs laws in connection with our purchases of gold, diamond and other jewelry merchandise from foreign sources.

Trademarks and Copyrights

The designations Birks and Mayors, and the Birks and Mayors logos, are our principal trademarks and are essential to our ability to maintain our competitive position in the luxury jewelry segment. We maintain a program to protect our trademarks and will institute legal action where necessary to prevent others from either registering or using marks that are considered to create a likelihood of confusion with our trademarks. We are also the owner of the original jewelry designs created by our in-house designers and have entered into agreements with several outside designers pursuant to which these designers have assigned to us the rights to use copyrights of designs and products created for us.

Organizational Structure

The following chart sets forth our ownership interest in each of our significant subsidiaries as of March 26, 2011:

 

Name

   Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
   Ownership and
Voting Interest
 

Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc.

   Delaware      100

Mayor’s Jewelers of Florida, Inc.

   Florida      100

Properties

Our head office is in Montreal, Québec. On December 12, 2000, we sold our head office building for Cdn$14,250,000 to Anglo Canadian Investments, L.P. As a condition of the transaction, we agreed that we would lease, on a net basis, the entire property from the purchaser, acting as landlord. We entered into a lease agreement pursuant to which we lease the office building, including the Montreal flagship store, for a term of 20 years ending December 11, 2020. The net annual rental rate was Cdn$1,830,125 (approximately $1.9 million U.S. dollars) for the period terminating on December 11, 2010, and increases on a compounded basis by 10% on each third annual anniversary date thereafter (except for the last two years when no increase will take place). The lease is an absolute triple net lease to the landlord, and we are responsible for any and all additional expenses, including, without limitation, taxes and structural expenses. Subject to specific terms and conditions, we have four options to renew and extend the term of the lease for four further terms of five years each, except for the last option which is five years less eleven days, terminating on November 30, 2040. Subject to specific terms and conditions, we also have two options to purchase the premises, which may be exercised no later than six months prior to the end of the fifteenth year of the term of the lease and the end of the twentieth year of the term of the lease, respectively.

Our U.S. operations are managed through a local headquarters located in Tamarac, Florida. We entered into a lease agreement for this location for a term of 15 years terminating on November 30, 2020. The current net annual rental rate is $622,063 for the period ending November 30, 2011. We have two options to renew for five years each.

We lease all of our other store locations. We believe that all of our facilities are well maintained and in good condition and are adequate for our current needs. We are actively reviewing all leases that expire in the next 12 months to determine whether to renew the leases.

 

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Following is a listing of all our properties as of March 26, 2011:

 

     Size
(Square Feet)
    

Expiration of Lease

  

Location

Operating Stores

        

Canada:

        

Bayshore Centre

     2,544       September 2013    Ottawa, ON

Bloor

     15,620       September 2014    Toronto, ON

Brinkhaus

     1,946       October 2012    Calgary, AB

Brinkhaus

     750       February 2014    Vancouver, BC

Carrefour Laval

     3,391       August 2012    Laval, QC

Chinook Shopping Centre

     2,342       March 2015    Calgary, AB

Cornwall Centre

     2,349       April 2015    Regina, SK

Willowdale Fairview Mall

     2,351       August 2013    North York, ON

Fairview Pointe-Claire

     4,210       January 2012    Pointe-Claire, QC

First Canadian Place

     2,243       May 2016    Toronto, ON

Halifax

     3,316       January 2014    Halifax, NS

Lime Ridge Mall

     2,450       January, 2013    Hamilton, ON

Edmonton Manulife Centre

     4,196       November 2014    Edmonton, AB

Montreal Flagship Store

     19,785       December 2020    Montreal, QC

Oakridge Shopping Centre

     2,244       May 2013    Vancouver, BC

Oakville Place

     2,801       March 2014    Oakville, ON

Park Royal

     3,537       September 2012    West Vancouver, BC

Place Ste-Foy

     2,366       June 2017    Ste-Foy, QC

Promenades St-Bruno

     2,346       February 2013    St-Bruno, QC

Rideau Centre

     7,251       April 2014    Ottawa, ON

Richmond Centre

     1,562       April 2012    Richmond, BC

Rockland Centre

     3,019       August 2013    Mount Royal, QC

Saskatoon

     3,486       October 2013    Saskatoon, SK

Sherway Gardens

     4,611       February 2017    Etobicoke, ON

Southcentre Shopping Centre

     3,029       August 2014    Calgary, AB

Southgate Shopping Centre

     2,915       September 2013    Edmonton, AB

Square One

     3,360       April 2012    Mississauga, ON

St-John

     2,038       August 2015    St-John, NB

Toronto Dominion Square

     7,895       October 2011    Calgary, AB

Toronto Eaton Centre

     4,552       April 2012    Toronto, ON

Vancouver

     20,221       January 2015    Vancouver, BC

Victoria

     1,561       December 2016    Victoria, BC

Winnipeg

     3,187       February 2023    Winnipeg, MB

Yorkdale

     2,530       April 2015    Toronto, ON

 

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     Size
(Square Feet)
    

Expiration of Lease

  

Location

Operating Stores

        

United States:

        

Altamonte Mall

     5,782       January 2012    Altamonte Springs, FL

Aventura Mall

     3,447       January 2017    N. Miami Beach, FL

Bell Tower Shops(1)

     4,578       April 2011    Fort Myers, FL

Town Center at Boca Raton

     5,878       January 2017    Boca Raton, FL

Westfield Brandon

     4,110       June 2015    Brandon, FL

Broward Mall

     2,236       January 2012    Plantation, FL

Westfield Citrus Park

     3,953       January 2012    Tampa, FL

Coconut Point

     3,522       November 2016    Estero, FL

Dadeland Mall

     5,700       January 2017    Miami, FL

The Falls

     1,643       January 2014    Miami, FL

Florida Mall

     5,070       March 2012    Orlando, FL

The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale

     5,954       July 2016    Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The Gardens Mall

     5,099       January 2020    Palm Beach Gardens, FL

International Plaza

     5,583       January 2012    Tampa, FL

Lenox Square Mall

     2,991       September 2018    Atlanta, GA

Lincoln Road

     4,250       May 2014    Miami Beach, FL

Mall of Georgia

     3,486       January 2013    Buford, GA

Mall at Millenia

     4,532       January 2013    Orlando, FL

Mall at Wellington Green

     4,001       January 2012    Wellington, FL

Miami International Mall

     3,246       January 2016    Miami, FL

North Point Mall

     4,752       January 2012    Alpharetta, GA

PGA Commons

     5,197       April 2014    Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Rolex Store in Mall at Millenia

     1,171       January 2020    Orlando, FL

Seminole Towne Center(2)

     3,461       May 2011    Sanford, FL

Phipps Plaza

     2,182       January 2013    Atlanta, GA

Westfield Southgate

     4,605       January 2012    Sarasota, FL

Treasure Coast Square(2)

     2,607       May 2011    Jensen Beach, FL

Village of Merrick Park

     4,894       January 2013    Coral Gables, FL

Weston Commons

     4,000       July 2017    Weston, FL

St-John’s Town Center

     3,458       October 2017    Jacksonville, FL

Other Properties

        

Tamarac Corporate office

     47,851       November 2020    Tamarac, FL

Montreal Corporate office

     58,444       December 2020    Montreal, QC

Dorval Distribution Center– Montreal

     7,667       March 2014    Dorval, QC

 

(1) Location closed April 2011
(2) Location closed May 2011

Total annual base rent for the above locations for fiscal 2011 was approximately $18 million.

 

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

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Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion includes certain forward-looking statements. For a discussion of important factors, including the continuing development of our business, actions of regulatory authorities and competitors and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results referred to in the forward-looking statements, see Item 3., “Key Information” under the heading “Risk Factors” and the discussion under the heading “Forward-Looking Information” at the beginning of this Annual Report.

Overview

Birks & Mayors is a leading designer, maker and purveyor of luxury jewelry, timepieces and giftware in the U.S. and Canada. As of March 26, 2011, our retail operation’s total square footage was approximately 274,298. The average square footage of our three Birks flagship stores in Canada was approximately 18,500, while the average square footage for all other Birks retail stores in Canada was approximately 3,200. The average square footage of our two Brinkhaus locations was 1,800, while the average square footage of our Mayors retail stores was approximately 4,100.

We operate our business in two geographic areas, Canada and the Southeastern U.S. We have two reportable segments, “Retail” and “Other.” “Retail” is comprised of all our retail operations in the U.S. and Canada on a combined basis. In Canada, we operate stores under the Birks brand and two stores under the Brinkhaus brand. In the Southeastern U.S., we operate stores under the Mayors brand and one store under the Rolex brand. “Other” consists primarily of our corporate sales division, which services business customers by providing them unique items for recognition programs, service awards and business gifts. Also included in “Other” is manufacturing, which manufactures unique products primarily for the retail segment of our business, wholesale, internet and gold exchange, which buys gold and other precious metals from customers and sells the gold to refiners.

Our net sales are comprised of revenues, 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, private label and 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. For fiscal 2011, fiscal 2010, and fiscal 2009, our total average retail sale was $1,448, $1,358 and $1,172, respectively, which excludes service and repair transactions.

Our operating costs and expenses are primarily comprised of cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses. 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. Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) include, but are not limited to, all non-production payroll and benefits (including non-cash 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 resources and training expenses. 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 our retail brands and the Birks product brand. Marketing has historically represented a significant portion of our SG&A. As a percentage of sales, marketing expenses represented 2.9%, 3.7% and 3.9% of sales for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Additionally, SG&A includes indirect costs such as freight, including inter-store transfers, receiving costs, distribution costs,

 

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and warehousing costs. The amount of these indirect costs in SG&A was approximately $3.5 million, $3.4 million and $3.9 million for fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Depreciation includes depreciation and amortization of our stores and head office, including buildings, leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, computer hardware and software and automobiles.

Over the short-term, we may focus our efforts on those strategies and key drivers of our performance that are necessary in the current business climate, which include our ability to:

 

   

maintain flexible and cost effective sources of borrowings to finance our operations and strategies;

 

   

manage expenses and assets efficiently in order to optimize profitability and cash flow; and

 

   

grow sales, gross margin and gross profits.

Over the long-term, we believe that the key drivers of our performance will be our ability to:

 

   

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

 

   

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 maintain and eventually 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;

 

   

continue to develop the Birks product brand through expansion of all sales channels including international channels of distribution;

 

   

provide a superior client experience through consistent outstanding customer service that will ensure customer satisfaction and promote frequent customer visits, customer loyalty, and strong customer relationships; and

 

   

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

Foreign Currency

Because we have operations in the U.S. and Canada, our results are affected by foreign exchange rate changes. Revenue and expenses incurred in Canadian dollars are translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. Changes in the value of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar between periods may materially impact our results and may materially affect period over period comparisons. Over the past several years, the value of the Canadian dollar has varied significantly compared to the U.S. dollar which, for reporting purposes, in some instances, has resulted in material fluctuations in our net sales, expenses and our profits from our Canadian operations, when expressed in U.S. dollars. As of March 26, 2011, we had not hedged these foreign exchange rate risks.

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 under our ownership. 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. 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.

 

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

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011     March 29, 2010     March 28, 2009  

Canada

     2     (1 )%      (7 )% 

U.S.

     1     (12 )%      (19 )% 
                        

Total

     2     (6 )%      (14 )% 
                        

The increase in comparable store sales during fiscal 2011 was primarily related to an increase in our average sale transaction in both the U.S. and Canada as demand for luxury retail products began to slowly increase in both Canada and the U.S.

The decrease in comparable store sales during fiscal 2010 continued to reflect the difficult retail environment, which reduced demand for luxury retail products, especially in our Florida market. Store traffic continued to decline, but was partially offset by an increase in our average sale transaction in both Canada and the U.S.

The decrease in comparable store sales during fiscal 2009 primarily reflects the difficulties associated with decreased consumer confidence and spending in an extremely challenging economic environment, especially for luxury jewelry retailers and most apparent through a decrease in store traffic in both our Canadian and U.S. markets and a decline in the average sale transaction in the U.S.

Results of Operations

The following is a discussion of factors affecting our results of operations for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010

The following table sets forth, for fiscal 2011 and for fiscal 2010, the amounts in our consolidated statements of operations:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Net sales

   $ 270,948      $ 255,057   

Cost of sales

     154,853        150,606   
                

Gross profit

     116,095        104,451   
                

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     107,231        106,252   

Impairment of long-lived assets

     —          1,353   

Depreciation and amortization

     5,267        5,192   
                

Total operating expenses

     112,498        112,797   
                

Operating income (loss)

     3,597        (8,346

Interest and other financial costs

     11,319        11,127   
                

Loss before income taxes

     (7,722     (19,473

Income tax expense (benefit)

     24        (2
                

Net loss

   $ (7,746   $ (19,471
                

 

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Net Sales

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011      March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Net sales—Retail

   $ 257,150       $ 241,819   

Net sales—Other

     13,798         13,238   
                 

Total Net Sales

   $ 270,948       $ 255,057   
                 

Net Sales. Net sales for fiscal 2011 were $270.9 million, an increase of $15.9 million, or 6.2% as compared to fiscal 2010. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by a 2% increase in comparable store sales as well as the impact of sales from one new store opened at the end of fiscal 2010 and one new store opened during fiscal 2011 and sales generated from three temporary outlet stores for six months during fiscal 2011 partially offset by lower sales related to the closing of six underperforming stores during fiscal 2010. Also impacting the increase in sales in fiscal 2011 was $9.6 million of higher sales related to translating the sales of our Canadian operations into U.S. dollars due to the stronger Canadian dollar.

Gross Profit

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011      March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Gross Profit—Retail

   $ 113,131       $ 102,752   

Gross Profit—Other

     2,964         1,699   
                 

Total Gross Profit

   $ 116,095       $ 104,451   
                 

Gross Profit. Gross profit was $116.1 million for fiscal 2011 compared to $104.5 million for fiscal 2010. The gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales was 42.8% for fiscal 2011 compared to 41.0% for fiscal 2010. The 180 basis point increase in gross profit margin was primarily attributable to reduced promotional pricing associated with the improving economic environment in both the U.S. and Canada. Also contributing to the $11.6 million increase in gross profit in fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 was $4.6 million of higher gross profit related to translating the gross profit of our Canadian operations into U.S. dollars due to the stronger Canadian dollar. The increase in Gross Profit—Other reflects higher gross profit generated from improved manufacturing efficiencies and higher gross profits related to customer gold exchange activities, primarily in Canada.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $107.2 million, or 39.6% of net sales, for fiscal 2011 compared to $106.3 million, or 41.7% of net sales, for fiscal 2010. The $0.9 million increase in SG&A during fiscal 2011, as compared to fiscal 2010, was primarily driven by $3.8 million of higher expenses related to foreign currency translation and $1.1 million of lease termination costs related to early lease termination fees for three underperforming stores set to close at the beginning of our next fiscal year partially offset by a $1.9 million reduction in marketing expenses, $1.4 million of lower general operating expenses resulting from our continued efforts to reduce general corporate overhead costs and $0.7 million of lower compensation expenses primarily related to savings associated with the closure of six stores during fiscal 2010 partially offset by compensation expense for one store opened at the end of fiscal 2010 and one store opened during fiscal 2011 as well as compensation expense related to the operation of three temporary store locations for six months during the current fiscal year.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense during fiscal 2011 was $5.3 million compared to $5.2 million during fiscal 2010. The $0.1 million increase was primarily due to $0.2 million of higher expenses related to foreign currency translation.

 

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Interest and Other Financial Costs. Interest and other financial costs were $11.3 million for fiscal 2011 compared to $11.1 million for fiscal 2010. The $0.2 million increase was primarily associated with $0.4 million of higher costs related to foreign currency translation partially offset by the impact of a lower level of average total debt.

Income Tax Expense (benefit). Income tax expense was $24,000 for fiscal 2011, as compared to an income tax benefit of $2,000 for fiscal 2010. The relatively low amount of tax expense (benefits) in fiscal 2011 and 2010 is due to valuation allowances being maintained on the total value of deferred tax assets generated by our U.S and Canadian operations.

Fiscal 2010 Compared to Fiscal 2009

The following table sets forth, for fiscal 2010 and for fiscal 2009, the amounts for certain items in our consolidated statements of operations.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 27, 2010     March 28, 2009  
     (In thousands)  

Net sales

   $ 255,057      $ 270,896   

Cost of sales

     150,606        155,297   
                

Gross profit

     104,451        115,599   
                

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     106,252        113,990   

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets

     1,353        13,555   

Depreciation and amortization

     5,192        6,212   
                

Total operating expenses

     112,797        133,757   
                

Operating loss

     (8,346     (18,158

Interest and other financial costs

     11,127        9,967   
                

Loss before income taxes

     (19,473     (28,125

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (2     32,854   
                

Net loss

   $ (19,471   $ (60,979
                

Net Sales

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 27, 2010      March 28, 2009  
     (In thousands)  

Net sales—Retail

   $ 241,819       $ 258,026   

Net sales—Other

     13,238         12,870   
                 

Total Net Sales

   $ 255,057       $ 270,896   
                 

Net Sales. Net sales for fiscal 2010 were $255.1 million, a decrease of $15.8 million, or 5.8% as compared to fiscal 2009. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by a 6% decline in comparable store sales as well as the impact of closing six stores during the fiscal year, partially offset by $5.3 million of higher sales related to translating the sales of our Canadian operations into U.S. dollars due to the stronger Canadian dollar.

 

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Gross Profit

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 27, 2010      March 28, 2009  
     (In thousands)  

Gross Profit—Retail

   $ 102,752       $ 116,389   

Gross Profit—Other

     1,699         (790
                 

Total Gross Profit

   $ 104,451       $ 115,599   
                 

Gross Profit. Gross profit was $104.5 million for fiscal 2010 compared to $115.6 million for fiscal 2009. The gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales was 41.0% for fiscal 2010 compared to 42.7% for fiscal 2009. The 170 basis point decline in gross profit margin was primarily attributable to retail pricing pressures associated with generating sales in the extremely difficult economic environment in both the U.S. and Canada. The increase in Gross Profit—Other reflects higher gross profit from corporate sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $106.3 million, or 41.7% of net sales, for fiscal 2010 compared to $114.0 million, or 42.1% of net sales, for fiscal 2009. The $7.7 million decrease in SG&A during fiscal 2010, as compared to fiscal 2009, was primarily driven by a $1.5 million reduction in marketing expenses, $5.8 million of lower compensation expenses primarily related to savings associated with our strategic staff downsizing and pay reductions and lower sales commissions due to reduced sales and $2.1 million of lower general operating expenses resulting from our continued efforts to reduce general corporate overhead costs, partially offset by an increase of $1.7 million of higher expenses related to foreign currency translation.

Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets. During fiscal 2010, we recognized non-cash impairment losses of $1.4 million related to underperforming retail stores and assets held for sale. During fiscal 2009, we recorded an $11.2 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge and $2.3 million of non-cash charges associated with the impairment of long-lived assets at certain of our U.S. retail locations and our manufacturing facility in Rhode Island. For further discussion, see Note 3 “Significant Accounting Policies” to our consolidated financial statements.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense during fiscal 2010 was $5.2 million compared to $6.2 million during fiscal 2009. The $1.0 million decrease was primarily due to the lower levels of capital expenditures in the last two years.

Interest and Other Financial Costs. Interest and other financial costs were $11.1 million for fiscal 2010 compared to $10.0 million for fiscal 2009. The $1.2 million increase was primarily associated with higher rates being paid on long-term borrowings we entered into within the last 15 months, partially offset by the impact of a lower level of average total debt.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense. Income tax benefit was $2,000 for fiscal 2010, as compared to an income tax expense of $32.9 million for fiscal 2009. The $32.9 million of income tax expense recorded during fiscal 2009 was due to the recognition of a non-cash valuation allowance against the full value of our net deferred tax assets in the U.S. and Canada resulting from management’s determination that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future. The $2,000 tax benefit in fiscal 2010 reflects a cash refund received related to income taxes. During fiscal 2010, we continued to maintain a valuation allowance on the total value of deferred tax assets generated by our U.S. and Canadian operations.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our ability to fund our operations and meet our cash flow requirements in order to fund our operations is dependant upon our ability to maintain positive excess availability under our senior credit facilities. During fiscal 2009, we negotiated an amendment and extension of our senior secured revolving credit facility. Our $160 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which was set to expire on January 19, 2009, was amended and extended for a total of $132 million and bears interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus 2.5% to LIBOR plus 3.0% (based on excess availability thresholds) for up to a $124 million tranche of the facility and in the range of LIBOR plus 4.5% to LIBOR plus 5.0% (based on excess availability thresholds) for an $8 million tranche of the facility. In addition, we obtained a $13 million secured term loan that is subordinated in lien priority to our senior secured revolving credit facility and bears interest at a rate of the greater of 16% per annum or one-month LIBOR based rate plus 12%. During fiscal 2011, the $13.0 million senior secured term loan was reduced to $12.5 million as a result of a $0.5 million principal repayment to the lender. These two credit facilities have a three-year term expiring in December 2011 and are primarily used to finance working capital, capital expenditures and provide liquidity to fund our day-to-day operations and for other general corporate purposes. The terms of the senior secured credit facilities provide that no financial covenants are required to be met other than maintaining positive excess availability at all times. Our excess borrowing capacity was $20.5 million as of March 26, 2011 and $17.9 million at March 27, 2010.

Both our senior secured revolving credit facility lender and our senior secured term loan lender may impose, at any time, discretionary reserves, which would lower the level of borrowing availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility (customary for asset based loans), at their reasonable discretion, to: i) ensure that we maintain adequate liquidity for the operation of our business, ii) cover any deterioration in the amount or value of the collateral and iii) reflect impediments to the lenders to realize upon the collateral. There is no limit to the amount of discretionary reserves that our senior secured revolving credit facility lender may impose at its reasonable discretion, however, our senior secured term loan lender’s ability to impose discretionary reserves at its reasonable discretion is limited to 5% of the senior secured credit facility availability. While no such reserve was imposed during fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, in fiscal 2009, from February 11, 2009 to February 23, 2009, the senior secured term loan lender imposed a discretionary reserve of $4 million. While our senior secured revolving credit facility lender has not historically imposed such a restriction, it is uncertain whether conditions could change and cause such a reserve to be imposed in the future. In addition, the value of our inventory is periodically assessed by our lenders and based upon these reviews our borrowing capacity could be significantly increased or decreased. Another factor impacting our excess availability includes, among others, changes in the U.S. and Canadian dollar exchange rate, which could increase or decrease our borrowing availability. In addition, as a jeweler and specialty retailer, our business is seasonal in nature. Accordingly, our debt levels and inventory levels fluctuate significantly during the fiscal year impacting the level of our borrowing availability throughout the year. Furthermore, a $15 million, a $7.5 million and a $2.5 million seasonal availability block was imposed by the senior secured revolving credit facility lender and the senior secured term loan lender each year from December 20th to January 20th, from January 21st to February 10th and from February 11th to February 20th, respectively. These block amounts, however, have been amended subsequent to our fiscal year as discussed below. Both our senior secured revolving credit facility and our senior secured term loan are subject to cross default provisions with all other loans by which if we are in default with any other loan the default will immediately apply to both the senior secured revolving credit facility and the senior secured term loan.

The senior secured revolving credit facility and secured term loan contain 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. Additionally, we are required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.30 to 1.00 and a minimum excess availability of $20 million in order to qualify for payment of dividends.

In June 2011, subsequent to our fiscal year end, we executed an amendment and extension of our $132 million senior secured revolving credit facility and $12.5 million senior secured term loan, which was set to

 

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expire in December 2011. Our $132 million senior secured revolving credit facility was amended and extended for a total of $115 million and bears interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 3.0% (based on excess availability thresholds and interest coverage thresholds). The $12.5 million senior secured term loan was amended and extended for a total of $18 million and is subordinated in lien priority to our senior secured revolving credit facility and bears interest at a rate of the greater of 11% per annum or one-month LIBOR based rate plus 8%. These two credit facilities have a four-year term expiring in June 2015 and will be used to finance working capital, capital expenditures and provide liquidity to fund our day-to-day operations and for other general corporate purposes. The terms of the amended senior secured credit facilities provide that no financial covenants are required to be met other than maintaining positive excess availability at all times.

Under the terms of the amended and restated facilities, both our senior secured credit facility administrative agent and our senior secured term loan administrative agent may impose, at any time, discretionary reserves, which would lower the level of borrowing availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility (customary for asset based loans), at their reasonable discretion, to: i) ensure that we maintain adequate liquidity for the operation of our business, ii) cover any deterioration in the amount or value of the collateral and iii) reflect impediments to the lenders to realize upon the collateral. There is no limit to the amount of discretionary reserves that our senior secured revolving credit facility administrative agent may impose at its reasonable discretion, however, our senior secured term loan administrative agent’s ability to impose discretionary reserves at its reasonable discretion is limited to 5% of the term loan borrowing capacity. Furthermore, a $12.5 million, and a $5.0 million seasonal availability block are imposed by the senior secured revolving credit facility administrative agent and the senior secured term loan administrative agent each year from December 20th to January 20th and from January 21st to February 10th, respectively, and both our senior secured revolving credit facility and our senior secured term loan are subject to cross default provisions with all other loans by which if we are in default with any other loans, the default will immediately apply to both the senior secured revolving credit facility and the senior secured term loan.

Borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility for the periods indicated in the table below were as follows:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Senior secured revolving credit facility availability

   $ 82,438      $ 82,414   

Borrowing at period end

     61,928        64,520   
                

Excess borrowing capacity at period end

   $ 20,510      $ 17,894   
                

Average outstanding balance during the period

   $ 69,907      $ 83,112   

Average excess borrowing capacity during the period

   $ 16,832      $ 12,890   

Maximum borrowing outstanding during the period

   $ 90,636      $ 98,763   

Minimum excess borrowing capacity during the period

   $ 7,017      $ 3,132   

Weighted average interest rate for period

     3.8     3.7

In addition to the previously mentioned financing arrangements, we had other outstanding loans as of March 26, 2011, which primarily consisted of a Cdn$10.0 million seven year secured term loan from Investissement Québec that bears interest at a rate of prime plus 5.5% per annum, which equated to 8.5% at March 26, 2011 and is repayable in 48 equal payments of Cdn$208,333 beginning in April 2012; a Cdn$1.7 million non-interest bearing note payable associated with our acquisition of two Brinkhaus stores in November 2007 which was paid in full in April 2011, a Cdn$2.0 million secured term loan with Investissement Québec bearing interest at a rate of prime plus 3.5% per annum (which equated to 6.5% at March 26, 2011) and repayable in thirty-six monthly installments of Cdn$55,000, and a $5.0 million cash advance from our controlling shareholder, Montrovest. This advance is convertible into a convertible debenture or Class A voting shares in the event of a private placement or, is repayable upon demand by Montrovest once conditions stipulated in our senior

 

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credit facilities permit such a payment. These cash advances bear interest at an annual rate of 16%, net of any withholding taxes, representing an effective interest rate of approximately 17.8%. If converted into convertible debentures or Class A voting shares, a fee of 7% of the outstanding principal amount of the cash advance shall be paid to Montrovest. Commensurate with the amendment of our senior credit facilities, in June 2011, we amended the terms of the $5.0 million cash advance, reducing the annual interest rate to 11%, net of any withholding taxes, representing an effective interest rate of approximately 12.2%. In addition, the amended terms (i) eliminated the 7% fee required to be paid to Montrovest upon conversion of the advance into a convertible debenture or Class A voting shares, (ii) eliminated the convertibility of the cash advance into a convertible debenture or Class A voting share in the event of a private placement and (iii) allowed for the one-time payment of a closing fee of $75,000.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $10.3 million during fiscal 2011 as compared to $29.2 million during fiscal 2010. The decrease in cash flows generated from operations during fiscal 2011 was primarily the result of a smaller reduction in the level of inventories and the increase in the level of accounts payable being smaller in the current fiscal year, partially offset by a decrease in our loss from operations. The decrease in inventory, though smaller than the prior year decrease, reflected our aggressive management of inventory levels in our retail stores evidenced by a 6% decrease in comparable store inventory levels. The increase in the level of accounts payable was primarily associated with an increase in the level of inventory purchases during the last two months of the fiscal year compared to the prior year.

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $29.2 million during fiscal 2010 as compared to $(31,000) during fiscal 2009. The increase in cash flows generated from operations during fiscal 2010 was primarily the result of a reduction in the level of inventories and accounts receivable and a higher level of accounts payable, partially offset by the loss from operations. The decrease in inventory reflected our aggressive management of inventory levels in our retail stores and lower inventory associated with the closure of six stores during fiscal 2010. The increase in accounts payable was associated with a five-year distribution agreement with Damiani International B.V. (“Damiani”) in which we purchased $10.6 million of jewelry products with payments to be made on annual basis equal to the greater of the cost value of the products sold during the previous year or a minimum annual payment, totaling $5.6 million during the term of the agreement and the right to return up to $5.0 million of any unsold Damiani products to Damiani at the end of the term of the agreement. Funds required to make payments under this agreement are expected to be generated from the sale of products received as part of this agreement and any returns of products to Damiani in accordance with the distribution agreement.

During fiscal 2011, net cash used in investing activities was $1.6 million, consistent with the $1.6 million used during fiscal 2010. The $3.4 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities from $5.0 million in fiscal 2009 to $1.6 million in fiscal 2010 was primarily related to a decrease in store renovations and related capital expenditures during fiscal 2010 as a result of the economic slowdown in the U.S. and Canada.

Net cash used in financing activities was $8.9 million in fiscal 2011, as compared to $26.4 million during fiscal 2010. The $17.5 million reduction in cash flows used in financing activities was primarily due to a more significant reduction in the level of funding under our senior secured revolving credit facility used to finance day-to-day operations in fiscal 2010 as a result of a higher level of cash flows generated from operating activities. The $30.5 million difference in financing cash flows between fiscal 2010 and 2009, as a result of $26.4 million of net cash being used in financing activities in fiscal 2010 compared to $4.1 million in cash flows being provided by financing activities in fiscal 2009.

 

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The following table details capital expenditures in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011      March 27, 2010      March 28, 2009  
     (In thousands)  

New stores and renovations

   $ 1,373       $ 803       $ 2,937   

Electronic equipment, computer hardware and software

     1,284         725         1,058   

Furniture and fixtures

     134         126         235   

Manufacturing equipment

     55         87         280   

Other

     168         147         153   
                          

Total capital expenditures(1)

   $ 3,014       $ 1,888       $ 4,663   
                          

 

(1) Includes capital expenditures financed by capital leases of $322,000 in fiscal 2011, $75,000 in fiscal 2010, and $1.4 million in fiscal 2009.

Capital expenditures for fiscal 2012 are projected to be approximately $5 million and are expected to be used for items described in the preceding table. The expected source of funds for the projected fiscal 2012 capital expenditures is our senior secured revolving line of credit.

Maintenance of sufficient availability of funding through an adequate amount of committed financing is necessary for us to fund our day-to-day operations. Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal, or to pay the interest or additional interest, if any, or to fund planned capital expenditures and store operations will depend on our ability to maintain adequate levels of available borrowing and our future performance, which to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors, as well as other events that are beyond our control. We believe that we currently have sufficient working capital to fund our operations. This belief is based on certain assumptions about the state of the economy, the availability of borrowings to fund our operations and estimates of projected operating performance. To the extent that the economy and other conditions affecting our business are significantly worse than we anticipate, we may not achieve our projected level of financial performance and we may determine that we do not have sufficient capital to fund our operations.

Research and development, patents and licenses, etc

None.

Trend information

The extensive weakening of the U.S. and global economies that began in fiscal 2009 continued into fiscal 2011. This time period mostly experienced weak macroeconomic conditions, which began to show gradual improvement in the latter part of fiscal 2010 and into fiscal 2011; however, these conditions continue to have a significant negative impact on consumer confidence and spending, including the sale of luxury retail products such as fine jewelry, timepieces and giftware. In the U.S., especially in our Florida market, the contraction in luxury retail product capacity that started in fiscal 2009 continued in fiscal 2011. The difficult retail environment which reduced demand for luxury retail products affected the luxury retail products industry as a whole, including store traffic in both our Canadian and U.S. markets.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

From time to time, we guarantee a portion of our private label credit card sales to our credit card vendor. As of March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010, the amount guaranteed under such arrangements was approximately $5.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively. The bad debt experienced under these guarantees has not been material. See Note 12 (b) to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 20-F for additional discussion.

 

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Commitments and Contractual Obligations

The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual cash obligations as of March 26, 2011 and the periods in which payments are due:

 

     Payments due by Period  
     Total      Less Than
1 Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      More than
5 Years
 

Contractual Obligations

              

Debt maturities(1)

   $ 93,404       $ 2,399       $ 6,463       $ 79,542       $ 5,000   

Operating lease obligations(2)

     70,851         17,235         25,431         16,220         11,965   

Capital lease obligations

     18,839         1,939         3,052         1,442         12,406   

Fixed rate interest expenses(3)

     18,133         2,673         4,943         4,613         5,904   
                                            

Total(4)

   $ 201,227       $ 24,246       $ 39,889       $ 101,817       $ 35,275   
                                            

 

(1) The senior secured revolving line of credit and the $12.5 million senior secured term loan set to expire in December 2011 are included in the 3-5 year category above as a result of being amended and extended for four years in June 2011.
(2) The operating lease obligations do not include insurance, taxes and common area maintenance (CAM) charges to which we are obligated. CAM charges were $4,338 in fiscal 2011, $4,326 in fiscal 2010, and $4,390 in fiscal 2009.
(3) The fixed rate interest expenses are associated with the capital lease and debt obligations disclosed above and do not include floating rate interest payable on $86.7 million of floating rate debt.
(4) In addition to the above and as of March 26, 2011, we had $1.9 million of outstanding letters of credit.
(5) For material changes to the specified contractual obligations occurring after March 26, 2011, please see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above.

Leases

We lease all of our retail locations under operating leases with the exception of our Montreal store, which is under a capital lease. Additionally, we have operating leases for certain equipment.

Operating leases for store locations are expensed over the term of the initial lease period. While lease renewal periods are available on most leases, renewal periods are not included in the accounting lease term because we believe there are no punitive terms or circumstances associated with non-renewal that would reasonably assure renewal. The accounting lease term typically includes a fixturing period and the rental payments are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. All reasonably assured rent escalations, rent holidays, and rent concessions are included when considering the straight-line rent to be expensed. Lease incentives are recorded as deferred rent and amortized as reductions to lease expense over the lease term. Contingent rent payments vary by lease, are based on a percentage of revenue above a predetermined sales level and are expensed when it becomes probable the sales levels will be achieved. This level is different for each location and includes and excludes various types of sales.

Leasehold improvements are capitalized and typically include fixturing and store renovations. Amortization of leasehold improvements begins on the date the asset was placed in service and extends to the lesser of the economic life of the leasehold improvement and the initial lease term. Our lease of our Montreal headquarters’ land and building is accounted for as a capital lease. We entered into a sale-leaseback transaction on the building which resulted in gross proceeds of $9,474,000 based on the foreign exchange rate on the day of the transaction (Cdn$14,250,000). The lease is for a 20-year period from the date of inception, December 12, 2000. The lease allows for several additional term extensions of the lease; however, management has only committed for the initial 20-year period. The implicit interest rate of the long-term debt associated with the capital lease is 10.74%.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions about future events and their impact on amounts reported in the financial statements and related

 

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notes. Since future events and their impact cannot be determined with certainty, the actual results may differ from those estimates. These estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an on-going basis and are based on historical experience and on various factors that are believed to be reasonable. We have identified certain critical accounting policies as noted below.

Revenue recognition

Sales are recognized at the point of sale when merchandise is picked up by the customer or shipped. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales. Revenues for gift certificate sales and store credits are recognized upon redemption. Prior to recognition as a sale, gift certificates are recorded as accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. Based on historical redemption rates, certificates outstanding for more than 24 months and not subject to unclaimed property laws are recorded as income. Certificates outstanding for more than 24 months and subject to unclaimed property laws are maintained as accrued liabilities until remitted in accordance with local ordinance. Sales of consignment merchandise are recognized at such time as the merchandise is sold and are recorded on a gross basis because we are the primary obligor of the transaction, have general latitude on setting the price, have discretion as to the suppliers, are involved in the selection of the product and have inventory loss risk. Sales are reported net of returns and sales taxes. We generally give our customers the right to return merchandise purchased by them within 10 to 90 days, depending on the products sold and record a provision at the time of sale for the effect of the estimated returns. Repair sales are recorded at the time the service is rendered.

Allowance for inventory shrink and slow moving inventory

The allowance for inventory shrink is estimated for the period from the last physical inventory date to the end of the reporting period on a store by store basis and at our factories and distribution centers. Such estimates are based on experience and the shrink results from the last physical inventory. The shrink rate from the most recent physical inventory, in combination with historical experience, is the basis for providing a shrink allowance.

We write down inventory for estimated slow moving inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Asset impairment

We periodically review the estimated useful lives of our depreciable assets and changes in useful lives are made on a prospective basis unless factors indicate the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable and an impairment write-down is necessary. We review our long-lived assets for impairment once events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Measurement of an impairment loss for such long-lived assets is based on the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. We recorded impairment charges of $1.4 million and $2.3 million during fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively (see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements). During fiscal 2011, we did not recognize any long-lived asset impairment charges in our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Income tax assets

Management judgment is required in determining the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets and we record valuation allowances when we determine that it is more-likely-than-not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future. Due to uncertainty related to continued future losses, we maintained a $57.8 million valuation allowance against the full value of net deferred tax assets as of March 26, 2011 (see Note 9(a) to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 20-F). This valuation allowance could be reduced in the future based on sufficient evidence indicating that it is more likely than not that a portion of our deferred tax assets will be realized. Additionally, foreign and domestic tax authorities periodically audit our income tax returns. These audits often examine and test the factual and legal basis for positions we have taken in our tax filings with respect to our tax liabilities, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions (“tax filing positions”). We believe that our tax filing positions are reasonable and legally supportable. However, in specific cases, various tax authorities may take a contrary position. In evaluating the exposures associated with our various tax filing positions, we record reserves using a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold for income tax positions taken or expected to be taken. Earnings could be affected to the extent we prevail in matters for which reserves have been established or we are required to pay amounts in excess of established reserves.

Inflation

The impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date.

Safe Harbor

See section entitled “Forward-Looking Information” at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The following table sets forth information about our executive officers and directors, and their respective ages and positions as of May 31, 2010:

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Dr. Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera

     70       Chairman of the Board & Director

Thomas A. Andruskevich

     60       President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Gérald Berclaz

     62       Director

Emily Berlin

     64       Director

Shirley A. Dawe

     64       Director

Elizabeth Eveillard

     64       Director

Ann Spector Lieff

     59       Director

Louis L. Roquet

     68       Director

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera

     38       Director

Guthrie J. Stewart

     55       Director

Deborah Nicodemus

     57       Executive Vice President & Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer

Aida Alvarez

     48       Senior Vice President, Merchandising

Hélène Messier

     51       Senior Vice President, Human Resources

John C. Orrico

     54       Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer

Michael Rabinovitch

     41       Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Albert J. Rahm, II

     57       Senior Vice President, Retail Store Operations

Miranda Melfi

     47       Group Vice President, Legal Affairs & Corporate Secretary

 

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Directors

Dr. Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera, age 70, has served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since 1993, and prior to the merger, Dr. Rossi served on the board of directors of Mayors. Dr. Rossi’s term as a director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. He is also on the Board of Directors of Azimut S.p.A. and the Advisory Board of the Global Leadership Institute of New York. Dr. Rossi is also a director and Chairman of Gestofi S.A. and a director of Rohan Private Trust Company Limited who is the trustee of the Goldfish Trust which beneficially owns or controls all of the shares of the Company held by Montrovest. Dr. Rossi is the father-in-law of Mr. Carlo Coda-Nunziante who is our Group Vice President, Strategy & Business Development. Dr. Rossi is also the father of Mr. Niccolò Rossi, a fellow director and who, as an employee of Gestofi S.A., provides consulting services to the Company.

Thomas A. Andruskevich, age 60, has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since June 1996 and joined the Board of Directors of Birks in 1999. Mr. Andruskevich’s term as director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. Since August 2002, he has been the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the board of directors of Mayors. From 1994 to 1996, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the clothing retailer Mondi of America. From 1989 to 1994, he was Executive Vice President of International Trade & Fragrance of Tiffany & Co., and from 1982 to 1989, Mr. Andruskevich served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tiffany & Co. He is also a member of the Advisory Board and of the Marketing Committee of Brazilian Emeralds, Inc. and a director of Cole Credit Priority Trust III, Inc. and of Jewelers of America.

Gérald Berclaz, age 62, has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2009. Mr. Berclaz’s term as a director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. He has been a member of the board of directors of Mayors since November 2005. He has 35 years of experience in project management and industrial projects financing worldwide and held several executive positions for international Geneva-based companies. He served on boards of public and private companies both in Europe and in the U.S. He is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors of Montrovest B.V. and a Director of Gestofi S.A.

Emily Berlin, age 64, has been a member of our Board of Directors since November 2005. Ms. Berlin’s term as a director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. She was a member of the board of directors of Mayors from October 2002 until November 14, 2005. She has also been a Senior Managing Director of Helm Holdings International since 2001, which is a member of a diversified privately owned group of companies operating principally in Central and South America where she focuses principally on the banking and energy sectors. She also currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of the Helm group of companies as well as on the board of the International Women’s Forum Florida. From 1974 to 2000, she was a member of the law firm Shearman & Sterling, becoming a partner in 1981.

Shirley A. Dawe, age 64, has been a member of our Board of Directors since 1999. Ms. Dawe’s term as a director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. She is also a Corporate Director and has been President of Shirley Dawe Associates Inc., a Toronto-based management consulting company specializing in the retail sector since 1986. From 1969 to 1985, she held progressively senior executive positions with Hudson’s Bay Company. Her expertise in the retail sector led to her appointment on industry-specific public task forces and to academic and not-for-profit boards of directors. Her wide management and consumer marketing experience brought Ms. Dawe to the board of directors of numerous public and private companies in Canada and the U.S. She currently serves on the board of directors of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. and the International Women’s Forum Canada.

Elizabeth M. Eveillard, age 64, has been a member of our Board of Directors since November 2005. Ms. Eveillard’s term as a director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. She was a member of the board of directors of Mayors from August 2002 until November 14, 2005 and is an independent consultant with over 30 years of experience in the investment banking industry. From 2000 to 2003, she was a consultant and Senior Managing Director, Retailing and Apparel Group, Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. From 1988 to 2000, she served as Managing Director and Head of the Retailing Group, PaineWebber Incorporated. From 1972 to 1988 she held various positions at Lehman Brothers, including Managing Director in the Merchandising Group. She serves as a director of numerous non-profit organizations.

 

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Ann Spector Lieff, age 59, has been a member of our Board of Directors since November 2005. Ms. Lieff’s term as a director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. She was a member of the board of directors of Mayors from October 2002 until November 14, 2005 and is the founder of The Lieff Company, a consulting group established in 1998, specializing in Chief Executive Officer mentoring, leadership development, corporate strategies to assist and expand organizations in the management of their business practices, and advisory services to corporate boards. She was Chief Executive Officer of SPEC’s Music from 1980 until 1998. Ms. Lieff currently serves on the board of directors of Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Hastings Entertainment, Inc and Furniture Brands International, Inc.

Louis L. Roquet, age 68, has been a director of Birks & Mayors since August 8, 2007. Mr. Roquet’s term as a director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. Mr. Roquet has served as General Manager of the City of Montréal since January 2010. From April 2004 to October 2009, Mr. Roquet served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Desjardins Venture Capital and was responsible for managing Desjardins’ venture capital funds together with those of Capital Regional and Cooperatif Desjardins, a publicly-traded company established in 2001 with an authorized capitalization of $1.0 billion. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Roquet served as President and General Manager of Societe des alcools du Quebec (“SAQ”), Quebec’s Liquor Board. Prior to 2002, he held the title of President and Chief Executive Officer of Investissement Quebec, Secretary General of the City of Montréal and General Manager of Montréal Urban Community. He also serves as a director of numerous non-profit organizations.

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, age 38, was elected to our Board of Directors in September 2010. Mr. Rossi’s term as a Director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. Mr. Rossi has been a consultant for Gestofi S.A. since August 2009 and provides consulting services to the Company in the areas of e-commerce, new product and brand development and wholesale in addition to being involved with the Company’s business development activities and strategic initiatives. From 2007 to 2009, he served as the Company’s Group Divisional Vice President responsible for product development, wholesale and e-commerce. From 2005 to 2006, he served as the Company’s Group Director responsible for product development. From 2002 to 2003, he worked at Regaluxe Investments SA and was responsible for the North American business development for Royale de Champagne and from 1999 to 2002, he was a Project Leader for Ferrero Group. He is a member of the Supervisory Board of Directors of Montrovest B.V. Mr. Rossi is the son of Dr Rossi, the Company’s Chairman of the Board and is the brother-in-law of Mr. Carlo Coda-Nunziante who is the Company’s Group Vice President, Strategy and Business Development.

Guthrie J. Stewart, age 55, was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2010. Mr. Stewart’s term as a Director of Birks & Mayors expires in 2011. From 2001 to 2007, Mr. Stewart was a partner of EdgeStone Capital Partners, a Canadian private equity firm. From 1992 to 2000 he served principally as Group EVP Global Development and President and CEO of the Canadian operations of Teleglobe Inc. From 1987 to 1992, he was the Vice President, Legal and Corporate Development of BCE Mobile Inc. (currently Bell Mobility) and from 1979 to 1986, Mr. Stewart was a corporate, commercial and securities lawyer at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt. Mr. Stewart also has been and currently is a member of a number of other corporate boards and advisory boards.

Other Executive Officers

Deborah Nicodemus, age 57, is our Executive Vice President & Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer effective May 2, 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Nicodemus held the position of President, Merchandise Planning and Marketing at Berrnico, LLC and from 2004 to 2007, she was the Executive Vice President, Merchandise Planning, Procurement and Marketing of Whitehall Jewellers, Inc. From 2002 to 2004, she held the position of Vice President, Merchandising and Planning at The Donna Karan Company (a LVMH company) and from 1992 to 2001, she was with DFS Group Ltd (a LVMH company), most recently as Vice President, Merchandise Planning, Procurement and Allocation.

Michael Rabinovitch, age 41, is our Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer and has been with Birks & Mayors since August 2005. Prior to joining Birks & Mayors, Mr. Rabinovitch had been Vice President

 

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of Finance of Claire’s Stores, Inc. since 1999. Before joining Claire’s Stores, Inc., Mr. Rabinovitch was Vice President of Accounting & Corporate Controller at an equipment leasing company. Mr. Rabinovitch spent five years with Price Waterhouse LLP, most recently as Senior Auditor. Mr. Rabinovitch is a licensed CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Aida Alvarez, age 48, is our Senior Vice President, Merchandising and held the position of Vice President Merchandising at Mayors since February 2001. From August 1989 to February 2001, Ms. Alvarez served as General Merchandise Manager, Divisional Merchandise Manager and Head Watch Buyer for Mayors. Prior to joining Mayors in August 1989, Ms. Alvarez worked for Zale Corporation as a Group Store Manager from 1987 to 1989.

John C. Orrico, age 54, is our Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer and has been with Birks & Mayors since September 2003. Mr. Orrico is responsible for Manufacturing, Diamond Procurement, Product Development and Distribution, as well as the Wholesale and E-Commerce channels, Corporate Sales and Gold Exchange. Before joining Birks & Mayors and Mayors, Mr. Orrico was Group Vice President, Merchandising Supply Chain Operations at Tiffany & Co. Mr. Orrico spent 14 years at Tiffany & Co. where he developed its manufacturing and supply chain strategies and oversaw its operations.

Albert J. Rahm, II, age 57, has been our Senior Vice President, Retail Store Operations since April 2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Rahm was the President of C.D. Peacock, a jewelry retail in Chicago from March 2006 until April 2007 and prior to that was Vice President, Retail Store Operations for Mayors since 1991 and for Birks since 2005 until March 2006. Prior to joining Mayors in 1991, Mr. Rahm owned and operated three retail jewelry stores for a fourteen-year period in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Hélène Messier, age 51, has been our Senior Vice President, Human Resources since November 2007 and prior thereto was our Vice-President, Human Resources since November 2000 when she joined Birks. Prior to joining Birks, she was Assistant General Manager of the Federation des Producteurs de Lait du Québec from November 1997 to November 2000. From 1982 to 1997, she held various management positions both in operations and human resources with Bell Canada.

Miranda Melfi, age, 47, has been our Group Vice President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary since April 2006. Prior to joining us, Ms. Melfi was with Cascades Inc., a publicly-traded pulp and paper company for eight years and held the position of Vice President, Legal Affairs, Boxboard Group. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Melfi was Vice President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary at Stella-Jones Inc., a publicly-traded wood products company, and from 1991 to 1994, practiced corporate, commercial and securities law with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP.

 

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COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Director Compensation

During fiscal 2011, each director who was not an employee of the Company received an annual fee of $22,500 for serving on our Board of Directors and $1,350 for each Board meeting attended in person. The chairperson of each of the audit committee, compensation committee and corporate governance committee received an additional annual fee of $9,000, $7,200 and $4,500, respectively. The chairperson of any special independent committee of directors that may be established from time to time is entitled to receive $9,000 for his or her service and the other members of the committee are each entitled to receive $4,500 for their service on such committee. The aforementioned fees reflect a 10% decrease in accordance with the Company’s salary reduction program. Each director who is not an employee of the Company is entitled to receive a grant of 1,000 stock appreciation rights on April 1 of each year. The 1,000 stock appreciation rights to directors were not granted in April 2009 and 2010; however, in April 2011, 1,000 stock appreciation rights were granted to each non-employee director. All directors were reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as directors.

Executive Compensation

We are a “foreign private issuer” under U.S. securities laws and not a reporting issuer under Canadian securities laws and are therefore not required to publicly disclose detailed individual information about executive compensation in our home jurisdiction. However, the executive compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and three other most highly compensated executive officers are detailed in our Management Proxy Circular as such document is referred to below. Under the Canada Business Corporations Act, being the statute under which we were incorporated, we are only required to provide certain information on aggregate executive compensation. The aggregate compensation paid by us to our eight executive officers in fiscal 2011 was approximately $3,057,000 (annual salary) which reflects a 10% decrease in annual salary in accordance with the Company’s salary reduction program. In February 2011, we decided to phase out our salary reduction program and, as of August 2011, general salary levels will reflect the level in effect prior to the 10% decrease.

The summary compensation table regarding our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and three other most highly compensated executive officers and the option/SAR grants and exercise of options tables in our Management Proxy Circular will be filed on Form 6-K with the SEC in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Birks & Mayors Incentive Plans

Long-Term Incentive Plan

In 2006, Birks & Mayors adopted a Long-Term Incentive Plan to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to employees and consultants and to promote the success of Birks & Mayors’ business. As of May 31, 2011, there were 43,310 cash-based stock appreciation rights that were granted to members of the Company’s Board of Directors and stock options to purchase 80,000 shares of the Company’s class A voting shares granted to four members of the Company’s senior management team under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The stock appreciation rights outstanding under the Long-Term Incentive Plan have a weighted average exercise price of $4.82 and the stock options outstanding under the Long-Term Incentive Plan have a weighted average exercise price of $1.25.

In general, the Long-Term Incentive Plan is administered by Birks & Mayors’ Board of Directors or a committee designated by the Board of Directors (the “Administrator”). Any employee or consultant selected by the Administrator is eligible for any type of award provided for under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, except that incentive stock options may not be granted to consultants. The selection of the grantees and the nature and size of

 

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grants and awards are wholly within the discretion of the Administrator. The Long-Term Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options that qualify under Section 422 of the Code and non-statutory options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance unit or share awards, as such terms are defined in the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

The Long-Term Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of 900,000 Class A voting shares, which consists of authorized but unissued Class A voting shares. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination or reclassification or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting Class A voting shares, adjustments will be made to the Long-Term Incentive Plan.

We cannot issue Class A voting shares or awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan if such issuance, when combined with the Class A voting shares issuable under any of our other equity incentive award plans and all other Class A voting shares issuable under the Long-Term Incentive Plan would exceed 1,304,025 Class A voting shares, unless the issuance of such shares or awards in excess of this limit is approved by the shareholders of the Company. However, this limit shall not restrict the Company to issue awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan that are payable other than in shares, including cash-settled stock appreciation rights.

In the event of a change in control of Birks & Mayors, the Administrator, at its sole discretion, may determine that all outstanding awards shall become fully and immediately exercisable and vested. In the event of dissolution or liquidation of Birks & Mayors, the Administrator may, at its sole discretion, declare that any stock option or stock appreciation right shall terminate as of a date fixed by the Administrator and give the grantee the right to exercise such option or stock option right.

In the event of a merger or asset sale or other change in control, as defined by the Long-Term Incentive Plan, the administrator may, in its sole discretion, take any of the following actions or any other action the administrator deems to be fair to the holders of the awards:

 

   

Provide that all outstanding awards upon the consummation of such a merger or sale shall be assumed by, or an equivalent option or right shall be substituted by, the successor corporation or parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation;

 

   

Prior to the occurrence of the change in control, provide that all outstanding awards to the extent they are exercisable and vested shall be terminated in exchange for a cash payment equal to the change in control price; or

 

   

Prior to the occurrence of the change in control, provide for the grantee to have the right to exercise the award as to all or a portion of the covered stock, including, if so determined by the administrator, in its sole discretion, shares as to which it would not otherwise be exercisable.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In 2006, Birks & Mayors adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), which was approved in February 2006. The ESPP permits eligible employees, which do not include executives of Birks & Mayors Inc., to purchase our Class A voting shares from Birks & Mayors at 85% of their fair market value through regular payroll deductions. A total of 100,000 shares of our Class A voting shares are reserved for issuance under the ESPP. As of May 31, 2011, 99,995 shares have been issued under the ESPP and no additional shares will be issued under this plan.

Birks Employee Stock Option Plan

Effective May 1, 1997, Birks adopted an Employee Stock Option Plan (the “Birks ESOP”) designed to attract and retain the services of selected employees or non-employee directors of Birks or its affiliates who are in a position to make a material contribution to the successful operation of our business. The Birks ESOP was

 

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amended as of June 20, 2000. Effective as of November 15, 2005, no awards will be granted under the Birks ESOP. However, the Birks ESOP will remain in effect until the outstanding awards thereunder terminate or expire by their terms. As of May 31, 2011, there were 9,062 Class A voting shares underlying options granted under the Birks ESOP following the Offer to Amend (as described below). The options outstanding under the Birks ESOP have a weighted average exercise price of $2.03.

Mayors Equity-Incentive Plans

1991 Stock Option Plan and Long-Term Incentive Plan

The Company has outstanding employee stock options and SARs issued to employees and members of the Board of Directors of Mayors under the 1991 Stock Option Plan (“the 1991 Plan”) and the Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Mayor’s LTIP”) approved by the former Board of Directors of Mayors. Under these plans, the option price was required to equal the market price of the stock on the date of the grant or in the case of an individual who owned 10% or more of the common stock of Mayors, the minimum price was to be set at 110% of the market price at the time of issuance. Options granted under these programs generally became exercisable from six months to three years after the date of grant, provided that the individual was continuously employed by Mayors, or in the case of directors, remained on the Board of Directors. All options generally expired no more than ten years after the date of grant. No further awards will be granted under these plans. However, these plans will remain effective until the outstanding awards issued under the plans terminate or expire by their terms. As of May 31, 2011, there were 21,737 and 224,240 voting shares underlying awards granted under the Mayor’s LTIP and the 1991 Plan, respectively following the Offer to Amend (as described below). The awards outstanding under the Mayor’s LTIP and the 1991 Plan have a weighted average exercise price of $1.00 and $7.40, respectively.

Stock Option Amendments

The Company entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement with Mr. Thomas Andruskevich, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, dated March 16, 2010, to cancel the outstanding options to purchase 509,121 Class A voting shares referenced in his employment agreement, dated April 16, 2008, including the anti-dilutive feature thereunder. In addition, the Company entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement with Mr. Andruskevich dated March 16, 2010 (the “Amendment”), granting a new stock option providing Mr. Andruskevich the right to purchase 242,944 Class A voting shares at an exercise price equal to US$1.00. The Amendment also provides that in the event of a going-private transaction, the new option will remain outstanding and will be exercisable for a cash payment instead of Class A voting shares.

The Company also entered into an Amendment to the Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement with Mr. Andruskevich dated March 16, 2010 and an Amendment to the Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement with Mr. Rabinovitch, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, dated March 16, 2010, relating to the amendment of certain outstanding stock appreciation rights held by such individuals. The amended stock appreciation rights have the same terms as the existing stock appreciation rights except that there has been a reduction in the exercise price, a reduction in the number of Class A voting shares that are subject to the amended stock appreciation rights, a new ten year term and certain new provisions relating to a change in control, a liquidation or dissolution and a going-private transaction of the Company.

On March 18, 2010, the Company filed with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO which included therein an “Offer to Amend Certain Outstanding Options” (the “Offer to Amend”), the whole relating to an offer by the Company to its current employees and subsidiaries’ employees to amend certain of their outstanding options to purchase the Company’s Class A voting shares. Only options granted under the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Employee Stock Option Plan effective as of May 1, 1997 and amended as of June 20, 2000 and Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. 1991 Amended Stock Option Plan, with an exercise price per share greater than $4.00 (in the currency in which such option was granted) that remained outstanding as of the expiration of the offer on April 16, 2010, were eligible to be amended in the offer. Pursuant to the Offer to Amend, the Company received,

 

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as of April 16, 2010, tendered eligible stock options covering 85,786 shares of its Class A voting shares and provided amended options to purchase up to 12,077 shares of the Company’s Class A voting shares, thereby reducing the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options by 73,709 shares. The amended stock options have exactly the same terms as the eligible stock options, but they are exercisable for a lesser number of Class A voting shares, they have a new exercise price of $1.05 per share, a new ten-year term, and different terms in the event of a change in control, going-private transaction, or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, as described in the Offer to Amend.

BOARD PRACTICES

Our bylaws state that the Board of Directors will meet immediately following the election of directors at any annual or special meeting of the shareholders and as the directors may from time to time determine. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.”

Under our Articles of Incorporation, our directors serve one-year terms although they will continue in office until successors are appointed. None of the members of our Board has service agreements providing for benefits upon termination of employment, except for Mr. Andruskevich. See “Item 10 Additional Information—Material Contracts—Employment Agreements.”

During fiscal 2011, our Board of Directors held a total of six board of directors meetings and twenty-five committee meetings. During such period, nine out of the current ten directors attended 100% of the meetings of the Board of Directors, one director attended 83% of the Board meetings.

Our Board of Directors is supported by committees, which are working groups that analyze issues and provide recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding their respective areas of focus. The executive officers interact periodically with the committees to address management issues. During fiscal 2011, our Board of Directors was composed of the following four main committees. The Board of Directors may from time to time also create special committees of the Board as needed.

1. Audit Committee. We have a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The audit committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The audit committee reviews the scope and results of the annual audit of our consolidated financial statements conducted by our independent auditors, the scope of other services provided by our independent auditors, proposed changes in our financial accounting standards and principles, and our policies and procedures with respect to its internal accounting, auditing and financial controls. The audit committee also examines and considers other matters relating to our financial affairs and accounting methods, including selection and retention of our independent auditors. During fiscal 2011, the audit committee held three meetings and all members of the audit committee attended these meetings during such period except for one member who attended 67% of the meetings. During fiscal 2011, the audit committee was comprised of Louis Roquet (Chair), Emily Berlin and Ann Spector Lieff, each of whom was financially literate and an independent (as defined by the NYSE Amex listing standards and SEC rules), non-employee director of Birks & Mayors. We have determined that Louis Roquet is financially sophisticated and have waived the requirement for the present time under the audit committee’s charter that at least one member of the audit committee be designated as an “audit committee financial expert” as this term is defined under SEC rules. Neither the SEC nor the NYSE Amex requires us to designate an “audit committee financial expert” and we have not determined that any of our current directors would qualify as such.

2. Compensation Committee. We have a standing compensation committee. The compensation committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The purpose of the compensation committee is to recommend to the Board of Directors executive compensation, including base salaries, bonuses and long-term incentive awards for the Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers of Birks & Mayors.

 

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Certain decisions regarding compensation of certain other executive officers are reviewed by the compensation committee. During fiscal 2011, the compensation committee held ten meetings and all of the members of the compensation committee attended these meetings during such period except for one member who attended 90% of the meetings. During fiscal 2011, the compensation committee was comprised of Shirley Dawe (Chair), Ann Spector Lieff, and Guthrie J. Stewart, who replaced Peter O’Brien in October 2010. Every member of the Compensation Committee was an independent (as defined by the NYSE Amex listing standards), non-employee director of Birks & Mayors.

3. Corporate Governance Committee. We have a standing corporate governance committee which has also assumed the functions of a nominating committee in accordance with the SEC rules and NYSE Amex listing requirements on nominating committees. The corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing all aspects of our corporate governance policies. The corporate governance committee is also responsible for the oversight and review of all related party transactions and for nominating potential nominees to the Board of Directors. Our policy with regard to the consideration of any director candidates recommended by a shareholder is that we will consider such candidates and evaluate such candidates by the same process as candidates identified by the corporate governance committee. During fiscal 2011, the corporate governance committee held five meetings and all members of the corporate governance committee attended these meetings during such period except for one member who attended 80% of the committee meetings. Our corporate governance committee is comprised of three directors and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The current members are Emily Berlin (Chair), Louis Roquet, and Guthrie J. Stewart, who replaced Peter O’Brien in October 2010. Every member of the Corporate Governance Committee is an independent (as defined by the NYSE Amex listing standards), non-employee director of Birks & Mayors.

4. Executive Committee. We have a standing executive committee. The executive committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The purpose of the executive committee is to provide a simplified review and approval process in between meetings of the Board of Directors for certain corporate actions. The intent of the executive committee is to facilitate our efficient operation with guidance and direction from the Board of Directors. The goal is to provide a mechanism that can assist in our operations, including but not limited to, the monitoring of the implementation of policies, strategies and programs. In addition, the executive committee’s mandate is to assist the Board with respect to the development, continuing assessment and execution of the Company’s strategic plan. The executive committee is comprised of at least three members of the Board of Directors. Vacancies on the committee are filled by majority vote of the Board of Directors at the next meeting of the Board of Directors following the occurrence of the vacancy. The current members of the executive committee are: Dr. Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera (Chair), Thomas A. Andruskevich, Elizabeth Eveillard, Gérald Berclaz and Niccolò Rossi di Montelera. During fiscal 2011, the executive committee held seven meetings. All of the members of the executive committee attended these meetings during such period.

 

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EMPLOYEES

As of March 26, 2011, we employed approximately 831 persons. None of our employees are governed by a collective bargaining agreement with a labor union. We believe our relations with our employees are good and we intend to continue to place an emphasis on recruiting, training, retraining and developing the best people in our industry.

Retail employees include only those employees within our retail selling locations, while administration includes all other activities including corporate office, merchandising, supply chain operations and corporate sales. The table below sets forth headcount by category and geographic location for the periods indicated:

 

     Canada      U.S.      Total  

As of March 26, 2011:

        

Administration

     219         111         330   

Retail

     290         211         501   
                          

Total

     509         322         831   
                          

As of March 27, 2010:

        

Administration

     206         114         320   

Retail

     330         223         553   
                          

Total

     536         337         873   
                          

As of March 28, 2009:

        

Administration

     211         131         342   

Retail

     332         261         593   
                          

Total

     543         392         935   
                          

SHARE OWNERSHIP

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A voting shares as of May 31, 2011 by each executive officer and each director:

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of Class A
Voting Shares

Beneficially Owned
     Percentage of
Beneficially Owned
 

Dr. Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera(1)

     9,346         *   

Thomas A. Andruskevich(2)

     562,434         13.4

Gérald Berclaz

     16,667         *   

Shirley A. Dawe(3)

     870         *   

Emily Berlin(4)

     47,821         1.3

Elizabeth Eveillard(5)

     91,296         2.5

Ann Spector Lieff(6)

     8,693         *   

Louis L. Roquet

     —           —     

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera

     —           —     

Guthrie J. Stewart

     —           —     

Joe Keifer(7)

     102,782         2.7

Michael Rabinovitch(8)

     4,347         *   

John Orrico(9)

     1,869         *   

Albert J. Rahm, II

     —           —     

 

* Less than 1%.
(1)

Includes (a) options to purchase 4,346 Class A voting shares which are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days at exercise prices ranging from $3.23 to $8.98 per share and expire over a period from October 1, 2012 to January 1, 2015, and (b) an option for

 

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  5,000 Class A voting shares at an exercise price Cdn$7.73 per share and expires on April 23, 2014. Dr. Rossi is a beneficiary of the Goldfish Trust. The Goldfish Trust beneficially owns or controls 7,717,970 Class A voting shares to which Montrovest would be entitled upon conversion of the Class B multiple voting shares held by Montrovest. Dr. Rossi is also a director of Rohan Private Trust Company Limited, the trustee of the Goldfish Trust. In certain circumstances, Dr. Rossi may be delegated the authority from the Trustee of the Goldfish Trust to vote the shares held by Montrovest. Holders of Class B multiple voting shares are entitled to ten votes for each Class B multiple voting share held, whereas holders of Class A voting shares are entitled to one vote per Class A voting share held. Dr. Rossi expressly disclaims beneficial ownership over the shares held by Montrovest.
(2) Includes (a) an option to purchase 242,944 Class A voting shares which is exercisable at a price of $1.00 per share and expires either two years after termination of employment for any reason or ten years after retirement, (b) an option to purchase 130,425 Class A voting shares exercisable at a price of $3.23 per share and expires either two years after termination of employment or ten years after retirement, (c) warrants to purchase 131,209 Class A voting shares exercisable at a price of $3.34 per share and expire on August 20, 2022, (d) 17,390 SARs that are exercisable at an exercise price of $1.00 per share and expire on March 16, 2020, and (e) 40,466 Class A voting shares.
(3) Includes 870 Class A voting shares.
(4) Includes (a) an option to purchase 869 Class A voting shares exercisable at a price of $8.98 per share, which expires January 1, 2015, and (b) 46,952 Class A voting shares.
(5) Includes (a) options to purchase 1,738 Class A voting shares exercisable at prices raging from $7.14 to $8.98 which expire over a period from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2015, (b) 2,608 Class A voting shares held directly, and (c) 86,950 Class A voting shares owned by her husband.
(6) Includes (a) options to purchase 1,738 Class A voting shares exercisable at prices ranging from $7.14 to $8.98, which expire over a period from October 1, 2012 to January 1, 2015, and (b) 6,955 Class A voting shares.
(7) Includes (a) options to purchase 43,475 Class A voting shares exercisable at a price of $3.23 and expire on May 6, 2012, (b) warrants to purchase 48,110 Class A voting shares exercisable at prices ranging from $3.34 to $6.21 and expire on August 20, 2022 and (c) 11,197 Class A voting shares. Mr. Keifer retired from the Company on May 6, 2011.
(8) Includes stock appreciation rights to purchase 4,347 Class A voting shares which are exercisable at an exercise price of $1.00 per share and expire on March 16, 2020 and options to purchase 25,000 Class A voting shares exercisable at a price of $1.25.
(9) Includes options to purchase 1,869 Class A voting shares which are exercisable at a price of $1.05 per share and expire on April 16, 2020.

For arrangements involving the issuance or grant of options or shares of the Company to such named executive officers and other employees, see above under the heading “Compensation of Directors and Officers” and Item 10. “Additional Information—Material Agreements—Employment Agreements.”

 

Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A voting shares as of May 31, 2011 by each person or entity who beneficially owns 5% or more of outstanding voting securities, including the Class A voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares. The major shareholders listed with Class B multiple voting shares are entitled to ten votes for each Class B multiple voting share held, whereas holders of Class A voting shares are entitled to one vote per Class A voting share held. Unless otherwise indicated in the table, each of the individuals named below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the voting shares beneficially owned by them. The calculation of the percentage of outstanding shares is based on 3,673,615 Class A voting shares and 7,717,970 Class B multiple voting shares outstanding on May 31, 2011, adjusted where appropriate, for shares of stock beneficially owned but not yet issued.

Beneficial ownership is determined under rules issued by the SEC. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any of the Class A voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power and includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days through the exercise of any warrant, stock option or other right. The inclusion in this Annual Report of such voting shares, however, does not constitute an admission that the named individual is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of such voting shares. The voting shares that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of May 31, 2011 are deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of such person, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage owned by any other person listed. For information regarding entities or persons that directly or indirectly control us, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Company.”

 

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Name of Beneficial Owner(1)

   Number of Class A
Voting Shares
Beneficially Owned
     Percentage of
Beneficially  Owned
 

Goldfish Trust(2)

     7,717,970         67.8

Rohan Private Trust Company Limited(3)

     7,717,970         67.8

Thomas A. Andruskevich(4)

     562,434         13.4

Montrovest BV(5)

     7,717,970         67.8

Prime Investments S.A.(6)

     1,536,047         41.8

Dr. Robert B. Eckhardt(7)

     262,000         7.1

Dr. Caroline D. Eckhardt(7)

     262,000         7.1

 

(1) Unless otherwise noted, each person has sole voting and investment power over the shares listed opposite his or her name.
(2) Includes 7,717,970 Class A voting shares to which Montrovest would be entitled upon conversion of the Class B multiple voting shares held by Montrovest. The Class B multiple voting shares entitle the holder to ten votes for each Class B multiple voting share held and each Class B multiple voting share is convertible into one Class A voting share. The shares held by Montrovest are beneficially owned by the Goldfish Trust. Dr. Rossi who is the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors is a director of Rohan Private Trust Company, the trustee of the Goldfish Trust, and a beneficiary of the Goldfish Trust. In certain circumstances, Dr. Rossi may be delegated the authority from the Trustee of the Goldfish Trust to vote the shares held by Montrovest.
(3) Trustee of the Goldfish Trust. Includes 7,717,970 Class A voting shares to which Montrovest would be entitled upon conversion of the Class B multiple voting shares held by Montrovest. The Class B multiple voting shares entitle the holder to ten votes for each Class B multiple voting share held and each Class B multiple voting share is convertible into one Class A voting share.
(4) Includes (a) options and SARs to purchase 390,759 Class A voting shares, (b) warrants to purchase 131,209 Class A voting shares, and (c) 40,466 Class A voting shares.
(5) Comprised of 7,717,970 Class A voting shares to which Montrovest would be entitled upon conversion of the Class B multiple voting shares held by Montrovest. The Class B multiple voting shares entitle the holder to ten votes for each Class B multiple voting share held and each Class B multiple voting share is convertible into one Class A voting share.
(6) The Company has been advised that Osiya Trust Co. PTE. Ltd., as Trustee of Pine Trust and The Beech Settlement, exercises voting and investment control over the securities held of record by Prime Investments S.A.
(7) The Company has been advised that Dr. Robert B. Eckhardt and Dr. Caroline D. Eckhardt share dispositive and voting power over 262,000 Class A voting shares.

As of May 31, 2011, there were a total of 302 holders of record of our class A voting shares, of which 228 were registered with addresses in the United States. Such United States record holders were, as of such date, the holders of record of approximately 75% of our outstanding Class A voting shares. The number of record holders in the United States is not representative of the number of beneficial holders nor is it representative of where such beneficial holders are resident since many of these ordinary shares were held of record by brokers or other nominees. None of our Class B multiple voting shares are held in the United States.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Diamond Supply Agreement

On August 15, 2002, Birks entered into a Diamond Inventory Supply Agreement with Prime Investments S.A. and a series of conditional sale agreements with companies affiliated with Prime Investments S.A. pursuant to which Prime Investments S.A., a related party, is entitled to supply Birks and its subsidiaries or affiliates with at least 45%, on an annualized cost basis, of such company’s aggregate loose diamond requirements, conditional upon the prices remaining competitive relative to market and needs in terms of quality, cut standards and specifications being satisfied. During fiscal 2011, Birks purchased approximately $2.5 million of diamonds and finished goods from Prime Investments S.A. and related parties. Prime Investments S.A. beneficially owns 41.8% of the outstanding Class A voting shares of Birks & Mayors.

 

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Management Consulting Services Agreement

On February 10, 2006, our Board of Directors approved the Company’s entering into a Management Consulting Services Agreement with Montrovest B.V. (formerly Iniziativa S.A.). Under the agreement, Montrovest provided advisory, management and corporate services to the Company. The initial one-year term of the agreement began on April 1, 2006 and was extended until December 2008. Subsequent to December 2008, the agreement was no longer in force. In June 2011, the parties entered into an amended and restated management consulting services agreement. Under the amended and restated agreement, the Company pays Montrovest an annual retainer fees of €140,000 in exchange for services related to the raising of capital for international expansion projects and such other services relating to merchandising and/or marketing of the Company’s products as the Company may request. The agreement will remain in effect until June 2012 and will be extended automatically for successive terms of one year unless either party gives a 60 day notice of its intention not to renew. The yearly renewal of the agreement is subject to the review and approval of the Company’s Corporate Governance Committee and the Board. One of the Company’s directors, Dr. Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera was affiliated with Iniziativa. Iniziativa was the controlling shareholder of the Company until it transferred the shares it held in the Company to Montrovest, its parent company, on May 31, 2007. On October 29, 2007, Iniziativa assigned the agreement, with the approval of the Company, to Montrovest. Mr. Berclaz, one of the Company’s directors, is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors of Montrovest and Mr. Coda-Nunziante, the Company’s Group Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, is a managing director of Montrovest. No fees were paid by us to Montrovest and its predecessor, Iniziativa, in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010. Our Board of Directors approved our entering into the agreement and amendments with Montrovest in accordance with our Code of Conduct relating to related party transactions.

Management Subordination Agreement

On December 17, 2008, we entered into a management subordination agreement with Montrovest and our senior lenders whereby we were permitted, subject to applicable law and approval of our corporate governance committee, to pay Montrovest a success fee in the event that we actually receive net cash proceeds from an equity issuance in an amount greater than $5 million in the aggregate due to efforts of Montrovest to facilitate such equity issuance. Such success fee was to be calculated as follows: (i) 7% of the net cash proceeds of such equity issuance in an amount greater than $5 million received by us to be paid upon receipt thereof by us; and (ii) in the event that the net cash proceeds from such equity issuance was an amount greater than $10 million, then in addition to the 7% fee, a monthly management fee of $25,000 continuing through December 30, 2012; provided that such fees would not exceed in the aggregate $800,000 per year (collectively, the “Success Fee”). In June 2011, subsequent to year end and in conjunction with the amendment and extension of our senior credit facilities and Montrovest cash advance agreements, the management subordination agreement was amended and restated to eliminate the Success Fee and to allow the Company to pay Montrovest the annual retainer fee under the Management Consulting Services Agreement described in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Cash Advance Agreement

In February 2009 and May 2009, we received $2.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, in the form of cash advances from our controlling shareholder, Montrovest, to finance our working capital needs and for general corporate purposes. These advances and any interest thereon are subordinated to the indebtedness of our existing senior credit facilities and secured term loans and were convertible into a convertible debenture or Class A voting shares in the event of a private placement or, are repayable upon demand by Montrovest subject to the conditions stipulated in our senior credit facilities. These cash advances bore interest at an annual rate of 16%, net of any withholding taxes, representing an effective interest rate of approximately 17.8%. If converted into convertible debentures or Class A voting shares, a fee of 7% of the outstanding principal amount of the cash advance would have been paid to Montrovest. In June 2011, the cash advance agreement were amended and restated reducing the annual interest rate to 11%, net of any withholding taxes, representing an effective interest rate of approximately 12.2% and removing the requirement to pay a 7% fee to Montrovest upon conversion into convertible debentures or Class A voting shares. In addition, the amended and restated cash advance agreements provide for a one-time payment of an amendment fee of $75,000.

 

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Consulting Services Agreement

On June 30, 2009, our Company’s Board of Directors approved our Company entering into a consulting services agreement with Gestofi S.A. (“Gestofi”) in accordance with our Company’s Code of Conduct relating to related party transactions. Under the agreement, Gestofi undertook to assign Mr. Niccolò Rossi di Montelera as the employee of Gestofi responsible for providing the consulting services related to the development of our Company’s e-commerce, new product development, wholesale business and such other services reasonably requested by our Chief Executive Officer or Chairman (collectively, the “Consulting Services”). The Consulting Services are provided to our Company for a fee of approximately Cdn$13,700 per month less any applicable taxes plus out of pocket expenses. The initial one-year term of the agreement began on August 1, 2009 and was recently renewed in June 2011 for an additional year until July 2012. The agreement may be renewed for additional one year terms. Mr. Niccolò Rossi di Montelera is a member of our Company’s Board of Directors and the son of Dr. Rossi, our Chairman and the Chairman of Gestofi.

Reimbursement Letter Agreement

In accordance with our Company’s Code of Conduct related to related party transactions, in April 2010 and 2011, our Corporate Governance Committee and Board of Directors approved the reimbursement to Regaluxe S.r.l. of expenses, such as rent, communication, administrative support and analytical service costs, incurred in supporting Dr. Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera, our Chairman, for work performed on behalf of the Company, up to a yearly maximum of $250,000. During fiscal 2011, the Company paid $238,000 to Regaluxe S.r.l. under this agreement.

Distribution Agreement

In April 2011, our Corporate Governance Committee and Board of Directors approved the Company’s entering in a Wholesale and Distribution Agreement with Regaluxe S.r.l. Under the agreement, Regaluxe S.r.l. is to provide services to the Company to support the distribution of the Company’s products in Italy through authorized dealers. The initial one-year term of the agreement began on June 1, 2011. Under this agreement, the Company pays Regaluxe S.r.l. a net price for the Company’s products equivalent to the price, net of taxes, for the products paid by retailers to Regaluxe S.r.l. less a discount factor of 3.5%. The agreement will remain in effect until May 30, 2012, and may be renewed by mutual agreement for additional one year terms.

Leases with Ivanhoe Cambridge

In February 2010, Lorna Telfer, the wife of one our directors at the time, Peter O’Brien, was appointed Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ivanhoe Cambridge, one of our landlords in Canada. We have approximately seven out of our 61 real estate leases with Ivanhoe Cambridge. Since Ms. Telfer’s appointment through the end of Peter O’Brien’s term on the Board in October 2010, no new leases or lease amendments or renewals had been entered into with Ivanhoe Cambridge. However, we regularly made lease payments to Ivanhoe Cambridge in accordance with leases that were currently in place.

 

Item 8. Financial Information

Consolidated Financial Statements

See Item 18. “Financial Statements.”

Dividend Policy

For a discussion of our dividend policy, see Item 3. “Key Information—Dividends and Dividend Policy.”

 

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Legal Proceedings

We are from time to time involved in litigation incident to the conduct of our business. Although such litigation is normally routine and incidental, it is possible that future litigation can result in large monetary awards for compensatory or punitive damages. We believe that no litigation that is currently pending or threatened will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Significant Changes

No significant changes have occurred since the date of the annual financial statements included in this Annual Report, except in June 2011, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility and term loan facility. For more information, please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

TRADING MARKET

Effective November 15, 2005, our Class A voting shares were listed and began to trade on the NYSE Amex under the symbol “BMJ.” The following table sets forth, for all recently completed full financial years since we began trading on the NYSE Amex, the reported high and low sale prices for the Class A voting shares:

Birks & Mayors Inc. Highest/Lowest Stock Price

for the Five Most Recent Full Financial Years

 

Fiscal year    Highest      Lowest  

2011

   $ 6.20       $ 0.70   

2010

   $ 1.80       $ 0.26   

2009

   $ 4.33       $ 0.20   

2008

   $ 8.46       $ 3.97   

2007

   $ 9.60       $ 6.05   

The following table sets forth, for each of the most recent six months, the reported high and low sale prices for the Class A voting shares:

Birks & Mayors Inc. Highest/Lowest Stock Price for the Most Recent Six Months

 

Month    Highest      Lowest  

January 2011

   $ 1.52       $ 1.31   

February 2011

   $ 1.55       $ 1.25   

March 2011

   $ 1.72       $ 1.25   

April 2011

   $ 1.69       $ 1.26   

May 2011

   $ 1.55       $ 1.15   

June 2011

   $ 1.42       $ 1.05   

 

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The following table sets forth, for each quarter in fiscal 2011 and 2010 and any subsequent period, the reported high and low sale prices for the Class A voting shares:

Birks & Mayors Inc. Highest/Lowest Stock Price

for Each Quarter in fiscal 2011 and 2010 and Any Subsequent Period

 

Subsequent Period    Highest      Lowest  

Quarter ended June 2011

   $ 1.69       $ 1.05   

Fiscal 2011

     

Quarter ended March 2011

   $ 1.72       $ 1.25   

Quarter ended December 2010

   $ 1.60       $ 1.04   

Quarter ended September 2010

   $ 1.70       $ 1.00   

Quarter ended June 2010

   $ 6.20       $ 0.70   

Fiscal 2010

     

Quarter ended March 2010

   $ 1.24       $ 0.61   

Quarter ended December 2009

   $ 1.80       $ 0.52   

Quarter ended September 2009

   $ 0.80       $ 0.33   

Quarter ended June 2009

   $ 0.80       $ 0.26   

 

Item 10. Additional Information

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS

Our Articles of Incorporation do not restrict the type of business that we may carry on. A copy of our Articles of Incorporation and our By-laws are contained in exhibits to the F-4 registration statement (File No. 333-126936) that we filed with the SEC on September 29, 2005, and which we incorporate by reference herein (“F-4”). Additionally, certain rights of our shareholders pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation, our By-laws and the Canada Business Corporations Act were set out in the F-4 and we refer you to the headings therein entitled “Description of Birks Capital Stock” and “Comparison of Stockholder Rights.”

 

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MATERIAL CONTRACTS

We have not entered into any material contract other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described below or in Items 4, 5, 7 and 19 of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Employment Agreements

Thomas A. Andruskevich

Thomas A. Andruskevich is employed by Birks & Mayors, as well as by its subsidiary, Mayors. Accordingly, we have two employment agreements with Mr. Andruskevich, one of which is through Mayors. On April 21, 2011, the Company and Mayors, respectively, each entered into an Addendum to Employment Agreement with Mr. Andruskevich, extending the employment agreement indefinitely on the same terms and conditions until either party provides ninety days prior written notice to the other to terminate the employment agreement. The termination date cannot be prior to March 31, 2012, and as such, the notice of termination cannot be given prior to December 31, 2011.

Birks Employment Agreement

Under the employment agreement, Mr. Andruskevich serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Birks & Mayors and receives an annual base salary and an income bonus, which will be adjusted based upon the achievement of certain net income goals by Birks & Mayors in the preceding year set forth in our annual profit plan and strategic plan. Under the agreement, Mr. Andruskevich’s minimum base salary is $663,916 increased from $662,000 from the previous year due to a pre-existing performance based criteria. Additionally, Mr. Andruskevich will receive an annual performance bonus based upon the achievement of specific performance criteria, which are set each year by our compensation committee. Mr. Andruskevich is also entitled to certain benefits such as life insurance, health, dental and disability insurance, financial planning expenses and other reasonable expenses. Under his employment agreement since May 15, 1996, Mr. Andruskevich received three separate grants of stock options, namely, (i) an option with an anti-dilutive feature to subscribe for a number of our Class A voting shares which, immediately following their issue, would represent 2% of our issued and outstanding shares of capital stock (on a fully diluted basis); (ii) an option to subscribe for 126,272 Class A voting shares; and (iii) an option to subscribe for 126,266 Class A voting shares. Each such option was exercisable for a period of 10 years following retirement or two years after termination of his employment.

We entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Andruskevich, dated March 16, 2010, to cancel the outstanding options for 509,121 Class A voting shares at exercise prices ranging from Cdn$6.00 to Cdn$7.00 per share held by Mr. Andruskevich, including the anti-dilutive feature, referenced in his employment agreement dated April 16, 2008. In addition, we entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement with Mr. Andruskevich dated March 16, 2010, granting a new stock option providing Mr. Andruskevich the right to purchase 242,944 Class A voting shares at an exercise price equal to US$1.00 per share. This amendment also provides that in the event of a going-private transaction, the new option will remain outstanding and will be exercisable for a cash payment instead of Class A voting shares. The cash payment will be equal to the fair market value of the Class A voting shares on the date of exercise reduced by the exercise price applicable to such new option.

Pursuant to Mr. Adruskevich’s employment agreement with the Company, the Company may terminate Mr. Andruskevich’s employment with just and sufficient cause for such termination. If the Company desires to terminate the agreement, the Company must provide Mr. Andruskevich with a ninety days notice, provided, however that such notice of termination cannot provide for a termination date prior to March 31, 2012. If the Company wishes to terminate the agreement and Mr. Andruskevich is unable to find suitable employment for a period of up to twelve months from the date of termination, the Company must compensate Mr. Andruskevich and entitle him to benefits through the date of termination and for a period of up to twelve months by continuing

 

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to pay him a base salary, a monthly bonus calculated by taking the average bonus for the three prior fiscal years and dividing by 12, all benefits, plus a lump sum cash payment, if not already paid by Mayors, of $39,000 for disability and life insurance. If the Company terminates the agreement without cause or Mr. Andruskevich resigns for good reason, Mr. Andruskevich is entitled to the base salary which shall have accrued to the date of such termination, any accrued but unpaid vacation pay, performance bonus earned in connection with each year ending prior to the date of such termination, benefits, as well as a pro rata portion of the average annual bonus for the three prior fiscal years, plus a lump sum cash payment, if not already paid by Mayors, of $39,000 for disability and life insurance. Additionally, the Company will pay Mr. Andruskevich his base salary and pro rata annual bonus for the greater of one (1) year or the unexpired portion of the term in a lump sum and be entitled to benefits and the Company will continue to pay his base salary and the said average annual bonus on a monthly basis for an additional period of up to twelve months should Mr. Andruskevich be unable to find another suitable employment position. In the event Mr. Andruskevich’s employment terminates as a result of his death, for cause, as a result of disability or due to his resignation without good reasons, he will receive his base salary through the date of termination or resignation, as well as a pro rata amount for any cash bonus payable to him. The agreement prohibits Mr. Andruskevich from competing with the Company in its business for or on behalf of any entity whose operations are located primarily in Canada in the States of Florida or Georgia or any state or foreign country in which Birks receives at least 10% of its revenues at such time (i) during his employment, (ii) during the period immediately following a termination of employment during which or in respect to which Mr. Andruskevich continues to receive payments or has received a lump sum payment or (iii) in the event of Mr. Andruskevich’s voluntary departure, during the twelve month period immediately following the date of his departure. During, the non-compete period, Mr. Andruskevich also agrees not to solicit any of the Company’s senior executives.

Mayors Employment Agreement

Under the Mayors employment agreement, Mr. Andruskevich serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mayors, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mayors and receives an annual base salary from Mayors of $600,000 and has the opportunity to receive an annual cash bonus based upon the achievement of objective performance criteria, which are set each year by the compensation committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Mr. Andruskevich is also entitled to certain benefits such as an executive retirement benefit, life, disability, health, dental and vision insurance and other reasonable expenses.

Pursuant to his employment agreement with Mayors, if Mayors wishes to terminate the agreement, it must provide Mr. Andruskevich with a ninety days notice, provided, however that such notice of termination cannot provide for a termination date prior to March 31, 2012. If Mayors wishes to terminate the agreement and Mr. Andruskevich is unable to find suitable employment for a period of up to twelve months from the date of termination, Mayors must compensate Mr. Andruskevich and entitle him to benefits through the date of termination and for a period of up to twelve months by continuing to pay him a base salary, a monthly bonus calculated by taking the average bonus for the three prior fiscal years and dividing by 12, all benefits, plus a lump sum cash payment of $39,000 for disability and life insurance.

If Mayors terminates the agreement without cause or Mr. Andruskevich resigns for good reasons, Mr. Andruskevich is entitled to the base salary which shall have accrued to the date of such termination, any accrued but unpaid vacation pay, performance bonus earned in connection with each year ending prior to the date of such termination, benefits as well as a pro rata portion of the average annual bonus for the three prior fiscal years, plus a lump sum cash payment of $39,000 for disability and life insurance. Additionally, Mayors will pay Mr. Andruskevich his base salary and a pro rata annual bonus for the greater of one (1) year or the unexpired portion of the term in a lump sum and be entitled to benefits and the Company will continue to pay his base salary and the said average annual bonus payable on a monthly basis for an additional period of up to twelve months should Mr. Andruskevich be unable to find another suitable employment position. If Mr. Andruskevich’s employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason within the two year period following a change of control, Mr. Andruskevich will receive his annual base salary, annual bonus and financial planning,

 

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health, and dental benefits for the greater of two years or the unexpired portion of the term plus one year, and Mr. Andruskevich will also be entitled to certain bonus compensation and a lump sum cash payment of $39,000 for disability and life insurance as well as a gross-up amount that on an after-tax basis equals the excise tax that would be imposed on the foregoing amounts. If Mr. Andruskevich’s employment terminates as a result of his death, for cause, as a result of disability or due to his resignation without good reasons, he will receive his base salary though the date of termination or resignation, as well as a pro rata amount for any cash bonus payable to him.

The agreement prohibits Mr. Andruskevich from competing with Mayors in certain markets for or on behalf of any entity whose operations are located primarily in Canada, in the State of Florida or Georgia or any state or foreign country in which Mayors receives at least 10% of its revenues at such time (i) during his employment, (ii) during the period immediately following a termination of employment up to a maximum period of twelve months during which or in respect to which Mr. Andruskevich continues to receive payments or has received a lump sum payment or (iii) in the event of Mr. Andruskevich’s voluntary departure, during the twelve month period immediately following the date of his departure, and to solicit Mayor’s senior executives.

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

There are currently no laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital or that affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities other than withholding tax requirements. There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by our Articles of Incorporation or our other organizational documents on the right of a non-resident of Canada to hold or vote our Class A voting shares, other than as provided in the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Canada) and in the Investment Canada Act, as amended by the World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act.

The Investment Canada Act requires notification and, in certain cases, advance review and approval by the Government of Canada of the acquisition by a “non-Canadian” of “control of a Canadian business”, all as defined in the Investment Canada Act. Generally, the threshold for review will be higher in monetary terms, and in certain cases an exemption will apply, for an investor ultimately controlled by persons who are nationals of a WTO Member or have the right of permanent residence in relation thereto.

 

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TAXATION

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OWNING AND DISPOSING OF BIRKS CLASS A VOTING SHARES

The following discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), applicable Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions currently in effect, all of which could change. Any change, which may be retroactive, could result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. The discussion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, and there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not disagree with or challenge any of the conclusions described below.

Except where specifically noted, the discussion below does not address the effects of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws (or other tax consequences such as estate or gift tax consequences). The discussion below relates to persons who hold Birks & Mayors Class A voting shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. The tax treatment of those persons may vary depending upon the holder’s particular situation, and some holders may be subject to special rules not discussed below. Those holders would include, for example:

 

   

banks, insurance companies, trustees and mutual funds;

 

   

tax-exempt organizations;

 

   

financial institutions;

 

   

pass-through entities and investors in pass-through entities;

 

   

traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting;

 

   

broker-dealers;

 

   

holders who are not U.S. Holders (as defined below);

 

   

persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;

 

   

holders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax; and

 

   

holders of Birks & Mayors Class A voting shares who own 5% or more of either the total voting power or the total value of the outstanding Class A voting shares of Birks & Mayors.

Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership of Birks & Mayors Class A voting shares in light of their particular situations, as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

As used in this document, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial holder of Birks & Mayors Class A voting shares that is (1) an individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, (2) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any political subdivision of the U.S., (3) an estate which is subject to U.S. federal income tax on its worldwide income regardless of its source or (4) a trust (x) that is subject to primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons as described in section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or (y) that has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

If a partnership holds Birks & Mayors Class A voting shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships that hold Birks & Mayors Class A voting shares should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

 

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Dividends and Distributions

Subject to the passive foreign investment company (PFIC) rules discussed below, the gross amount of dividends paid to U.S. Holders of our Class A voting shares, including amounts withheld to reflect Canadian withholding taxes, will be treated as dividend income to these U.S. Holders, to the extent paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. This income will be includable in the gross income of a U.S. Holder on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder. Dividends generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations upon the receipt of dividends distributed by U.S. corporations.

Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Canadian withholding taxes on dividends may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on our Class A voting shares will be treated as income from sources outside the U.S. and generally will constitute “passive income.” Special rules apply to certain individuals whose foreign source income during the taxable year consists entirely of “qualified passive income” and whose creditable foreign taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year do not exceed $300 ($600 in the case of a joint return). U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors to determine their eligibility to use foreign tax credits.

To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, the distribution first will be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of our Class A voting shares (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by the U.S. Holder on a subsequent disposition of the Class A voting shares), and the balance in excess of adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange.

With respect to certain U.S. Holders who are not corporations, including individuals, certain dividends received before January 1, 2013 from a qualified foreign corporation may be subject to reduced rates of taxation. A “qualified foreign corporation” includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which the U.S. Treasury determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and which includes an exchange of information program. U.S. Treasury guidance indicates that the current income tax treaty between Canada and the U.S. meets these requirements, and we believe we are eligible for the benefits of that treaty. In addition, a foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends received from that corporation on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. Our Class A voting shares, which are listed on the NYSE Amex, should be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. Individuals that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of the trading status of our Class A voting shares. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules given their particular circumstances. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. Certain U.S. Holders of our Class A voting shares may not be able to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to amounts withheld for Canadian withholding taxes. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

Sale or Exchange of Class A Voting Shares

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, subject to the rules relating to PFICs described below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale or exchange of our Class A voting shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized for our Class A voting shares and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such shares. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and generally will be treated as U.S. source gain or loss. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain U.S. Holders who are not corporations, including individuals, generally will be subject to a maximum rate of U.S. federal income tax of currently 15%. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

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Passive Foreign Investment Company

We believe that our Class A voting shares should not be treated as stock of a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we expect to continue our operations in such a manner that we will not be a PFIC. In general, a company is considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. The 50% of value test is based on the average of the value of our assets for each quarter during the taxable year. If we own at least 25% by value of another company’s stock, we will be treated, for purposes of the PFIC rules, as owning our proportionate share of the assets and receiving our proportionate share of income of the other company. Based on the nature of our income, assets and activities, and the manner in which we plan to operate our business in future years, we do not expect that we will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year.

If, however, we are or become a PFIC, U.S. Holders could be subject to additional U.S. federal income taxes on gain recognized with respect to our Class A voting shares and on certain distributions, plus an interest charge on certain taxes treated as having been deferred by the U.S. Holder under the PFIC rules.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

In general, information reporting requirements will apply to dividends in respect of our Class A voting shares or the proceeds received on the sale, exchange, or redemption of our Class A voting shares paid within the United States (and in certain cases, outside of the U.S.) to U.S. Holders other than certain exempt recipients (such as corporations), and a 28% backup withholding tax may apply to these amounts if the U.S. Holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number, to report dividends required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns or, in certain circumstances, to comply with applicable certification requirements. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a refund or credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information or appropriate claim for refund is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

MATERIAL CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR CLASS A VOTING SHARES

The following discussion is a summary of the material Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder (referred to in this Form 20-F as the “Canadian Tax Act”) of the ownership of our Class A voting shares, generally applicable to holders of our Class A voting shares who, for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and at all relevant times, are not (and are not deemed to be) resident in Canada, hold our Class A voting shares as capital property, deal at arm’s length, and are not affiliated, with Birks & Mayors, and who do not use or hold (and are not deemed to use or hold) Class A voting shares in connection with carrying on business or part of a business in Canada (referred to in this Form 20-F as “Non-resident Holders”). This discussion does not apply to holders that are insurers that carry on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere or an “authorized foreign bank” (as defined under the Canadian Tax Act).

This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Canadian Tax Act, the current provisions of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, if applicable (referred to in this Form 20-F as the “Convention”), all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act publicly announced by the Minister of Finance of Canada prior to the date hereof (referred to in this Form 20-F as the “Tax Proposals”) and the current published administrative and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency. This summary assumes that the Tax Proposals will be enacted substantially as proposed and does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any change in law or administrative and assessing practices, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action, although no assurance can be given in these respects. This summary does not take into account or consider any provincial, territorial or foreign income tax legislation or considerations. For purposes of the Canadian Tax Act, all amounts relevant in computing a Non-resident Holder’s liability under the Canadian Tax Act must be computed in Canadian dollars. Amounts denominated in a currency other than Canadian dollars (including adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition) must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the prevailing exchange rate at the relevant time.

 

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This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to Non-resident Holders of our Class A voting shares. Accordingly, Non-resident Holders of our Class A voting shares should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.

Dividends on Our Class A Voting Shares

Dividends paid or credited (or deemed to have been paid or credited) on our Class A voting shares to a Non-resident Holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax of 25% of the gross amount of those dividends (subject to reduction in accordance with an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the Non-resident Holder’s country of residence). In the case of a Non-resident Holder who is a resident of the U.S. for purposes of the Convention, is entitled to the benefits of the Convention (referred to in this Form 20-F as a “U.S. Holder”) and is the beneficial owner of the dividend, the rate of withholding tax will generally be reduced to 15% or, if the Non-resident Holder is a corporation that owns at least 10% of our voting shares, to 5%. Under the Convention, dividends paid to certain religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable organizations and certain pension organizations that are resident in the U.S. and who are exempt from taxation in the U.S., are generally exempt from Canadian non-resident withholding tax. Provided that certain administrative procedures are observed by such an organization, Birks & Mayors would not be required to withhold tax from dividends paid or credited to the organization.

Disposition of Our Class A Voting Shares

A Non-resident Holder will not be subject to tax under the Canadian Tax Act in respect of any capital gain realized by that Non-resident Holder on a disposition of a Class A voting share, unless the Class A voting share constitutes “taxable Canadian property” (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act) of the Non-resident Holder at the time of disposition and the Non-resident Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the Non-resident Holder’s country of residence. If at the time of such disposition the Class A voting shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange” (which includes the NYSE Amex), the Class A voting shares will generally not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-resident Holder unless (a) at any time during the 60-month period that ends at the time the Class A voting shares are disposed of, both (i) 25% or more of the issued shares of any class of the capital stock of the Corporation were owned by or belonged to one or any combination of the Non-resident Holder and persons with whom the Non-resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length, and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the Class A voting shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of real or immovable property situated in Canada, “Canadian resource properties”, “timber resource properties” (as such terms are defined under the Canadian Tax Act) or options in respect of, interests in, or civil law rights in, any such properties, or (b) the Class A voting shares are otherwise deemed to be taxable Canadian property.

As long as Class A voting shares are listed on a “recognized stock exchange” (which includes the NYSE Amex), a Non-resident Holder who disposes of Class A voting shares that are taxable Canadian property will not be required to satisfy the obligations imposed under section 116 of the Tax Act.

 

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DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

We file reports, including Annual Reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the following location of the SEC, Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Filings we make electronically with the SEC are also available to the public on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to various market risks. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. We have not entered into derivative or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest rate risk

Our primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk. Borrowing under the senior secured credit facility and the term loan from Investissement Québec bear interest at floating rates, which are based on LIBOR plus a fixed additional interest rate. As of March 26, 2011, we have not hedged these interest rate risks. As of March 26, 2011, we had approximately $74.2 million of floating-rate debt and an additional $12.5 million of debt that becomes floating rate debt if interest rates rise above a certain level. Accordingly, our net income will be affected by changes in interest rates. Assuming a 100 basis point 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 $0.7 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 U.S., 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 year-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 U.S. 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 its 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. As of March 26, 2011, we had not hedged these foreign exchange rate risks. As of March 26, 2011, we had approximately $15.4 million of net liabilities subject to transaction foreign exchange rate risk related to changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, which would impact the level of our earnings if there were fluctuations in U.S. and Canadian dollar exchange rate. Assuming a 10 percent strengthening or weakening of the Canadian dollar in relationship to the U.S. dollar, as of March 26, 2011, our earnings would have increased or decreased, respectively, by approximately $1.5 million. This analysis does not consider the impact of fluctuations in U.S and Canadian dollar exchange rates on the translation of Canadian dollar results into U.S. dollars. In addition to the impact on earnings, fluctuation between the U.S. and

 

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Canadian dollar exchange rates impacts the level of our borrowing availability under our secured revolving credit facility which is denominated in U.S. dollars. Assuming a 10 percent strengthening or weakening of the Canadian dollar in relationship to the U.S. dollar, as of March 26, 2011, our borrowing availability would have increased or decreased, respectively, by approximately $2.3 million. Changes in the exchange rates of Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars could also impact our Canadian sales and gross margin if the Canadian dollar strengthens significantly and impacts our Canadian consumers’ behavior.

Commodity Risk

The nature of our operations results in exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, specifically platinum, gold and silver. 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. If we utilize derivative financial instruments, we would be 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 those various hedging agreements, we would lose the value of a decline in the price of gold which could have an equal effect on our cost of sales. However, such gains may not be realized in future periods and our hedging activities may result in losses, which could be material. No hedging contracts existed as of March 26, 2011. Our retail sales could also be impacted if prices of gold, silver and platinum rise so significantly that our consumers’ behavior changes.

 

Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Not applicable.

PART II

 

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Not applicable.

 

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

 

Item 15. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports 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 our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 26, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), were effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined under Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets, (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to consolidated financial statements preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that assessment, our management concluded that as of March 26, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal controls over financial reporting. As a non-accelerated filer, our report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only our report on internal controls over financial reporting in this Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Annual Report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

With the departure of a former audit committee chair who had been designated as an “audit committee financial expert”, the Board of Directors determined that Louis Roquet had an adequately high level of financial sophistication to meet the NYSE AMEX listing standards that he be financially sophisticated even though he could not technically meet the requirements to be designated an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined by the SEC. Therefore, rather than amend the audit committee’s charter to remove the requirement that at least one member of the audit committee be designated as an “audit committee financial expert,” the Board of Directors decided to waive that requirement for the present time. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Board Practices.”

 

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Item 16B. Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics, within the meaning of this Item 16B of Form 20-F under the Exchange Act. Our code of ethics applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Controller. Our code of ethics is available on our website at www.birksandmayors.com. If we amend the provisions of our code of ethics that apply to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and persons performing similar functions, or if we grant any waiver of such provisions, we will disclose such amendment or waiver on our website at the same address.

 

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

During fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, we retained KPMG LLP, our independent auditors, to provide services in the following categories and amounts:

Audit Fees

The aggregate fees and expenses billed by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements was approximately $420,000 in fiscal 2011 and $539,000 in fiscal 2010.

Audit Related Fees

During fiscal 2011 KPMG LLP did not provide audited related services. During fiscal 2010, KPMG LLP provided audit-related services for a total amount of approximately $26,900, which primarily consisted of advisory services related to the documentation of internal controls over financial reporting and assistance with various accounting matters.

Tax Fees

During fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, KPMG LLP provided tax advisory services for a total amount of approximately $14,500 and $2,500, respectively.

All Other Fees

During fiscal 2011, KPMG LLP provided other services for a total amount of $37,000, which primarily consisted of advisory services related to the review of manufacturing production.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The audit committee has established a pre-approval policy as described in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i) of Regulation S-X. The audit committee approves in writing, in advance, any audit or non-audit services provided to Birks & Mayors by the independent accountants that are not specifically disallowed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. None of the services described in the preceding three sections were approved by the audit committee pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C).

 

Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable.

 

Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

We did not, nor did any affiliated purchaser, purchase any of our equity securities during fiscal 2011.

 

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Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable.

 

Item 16G. Corporate Governance

Our securities are listed on the NYSE Amex. There are no significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies under the listing standards of that exchange except for proxy delivery requirements. The NYSE Amex requires the solicitation of proxies and delivery of proxy statements for all shareholder meetings, and requires that these proxies be solicited pursuant to a proxy statement that conforms to the proxy rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As a foreign private issuer, the Company is exempt from the proxy rules set forth in Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c) and 14(f) of the Act. The Company solicits proxies in accordance with applicable rules and regulations in Canada.

 

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PART III

 

Item 19. Exhibits

The following exhibits are part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description of Document

1.1    Articles of Amalgamation, as amended, of Birks & Mayors Inc., effective as of November 14, 2005. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 of the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
1.2    By-laws of Birks & Mayors Inc., as amended, effective as of November 14, 2005. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.4 of the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
2.1    Form of Birks Class A voting share certificate. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
4.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of April 18, 2005, as amended as of July 27, 2005, among Henry Birks & Sons Inc., Mayor’s, Inc. and Birks Merger Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
4.2    Form of Directors and Officers Indemnity Agreement. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
4.3    Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Employee Stock Option Agreement, dated as of May 1, 1997, amended as of June 20, 2000. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
4.4    Henry Birks & Sons Inc., Form of Amended Stock Option Agreement under the 1997 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Schedule TO-1 filed with the SEC on March 18, 2010.
4.5    Lease Agreement between Birks and Anglo Canadian Investments SA, dated as of December 12, 2000. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
4.6    Lease Agreement between Mayors and Westpoint Business Park, Ltd dated September 13, 2004. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.7    Diamond Supply Agreement between Prime Investments S.A. and Birks, dated as of August 15, 2002. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.

 

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Exhibit Number

  

Description of Document

 4.8      Conditional Sale Agreement between Rosy Blue N.V. and Birks, dated as of August 15, 2002. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
 4.9      Conditional Sale Agreement between Rosy Blue Inc. and Birks, dated as of August 15, 2002. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
 4.10    Conditional Sale Agreement between Rosy Blue Sales Ltd. and Birks, dated as of August 15, 2002. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
 4.11    Conditional Sale Agreement between Rosy Blue Hong Kong Ltd. and Birks, dated as of August 15, 2002. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
 4.12    Conditional Sale Agreement between Rosy Blue Finance S.A. and Birks, dated as of August 15, 2002. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
 4.13    Registration Rights Agreement between Birks and Prime Investments S.A., dated as of February 4, 2005. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
 4.14    Employment Agreement between Mr. Thomas A. Andruskevich and Mayors effective April 1, 2008. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 30, 2008.
 4.15    Employment Agreement between Mr. Thomas A. Andruskevich and Birks & Mayors on April 1, 2008. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 30, 2008.
 4.16    Amendment to Employment Agreement between Mr. Thomas A. Andruskevich and Birks & Mayors dated March 16, 2010. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Form 6-K filed on March, 17, 2010.
 4.17    Amendment to Employment Agreement between Mr. Thomas A. Andruskevich and Birks & Mayors dated March 16, 2010. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Form 6-K filed on March, 17, 2010.
 4.18    Amendment to Employment Agreement between Mr. Thomas A. Andruskevich and Birks & Mayors dated June 30, 2010. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
 4.19    Amendment to Employment Agreement between Mr. Thomas A. Andruskevich and Mayors dated June 30, 2010. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
 4.20 *    Addendum to Employment Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Thomas Andruskevich, dated April 21, 2011.
 4.21 *    Addendum to Employment Agreement between Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. and Thomas Andruskevich, dated April 21, 2011.

 

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Exhibit Number

  

Description of Document

4.22    Employment Agreement between Michael Rabinovitch and Mayors, dated as of August 1, 2005. Incorporated by reference from the Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Registration Statement on Form F-4 originally filed with the SEC on July 7, 2005 and as subsequently amended on September 8, 2005, September 21, 2005 and September 29, 2005.
4.23    Amended Employment Agreement between Aida Alvarez and Mayors, dated as of July 19, 2002. Incorporated by reference from Mayors Form 10-Q filed December 17, 2002.
4.24    Form of Senior Management Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 18, 2007.
4.25    Employment Agreement between Joseph Keifer III and Mayors, dated October 1, 2002. Incorporated by reference from Mayors Form 10-Q filed on December 17, 2002.
4.26    Employment Agreement between John Orrico and Mayors, dated September 11, 2003. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.27    Employment Agreement between Miranda Melfi and Birks & Mayors dated February 24, 2006. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.28    Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, among Birks & Mayors Inc., Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc., Certain Financial Institutions, as Lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. (acting through its Canada branch), as Canadian Agent, and Banc of America Securities, LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager, dated as of December 17, 2008 (“Credit Facility”). Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 6-K filed on December 22, 2008.
4.29    Term Loan and Security Agreement, among Birks & Mayors Inc., Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc., Certain Financial Institutions, as Lenders, and GB Merchant Partners, LLC, as Administrative Agent, dated as of December 17, 2008 (“Term Loan”). Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 6-K filed on December 22, 2008.
4.30    First Amendment and Consent to Credit Facility, dated as of January 16, 2009. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 6, 2009.
4.31    Second Amendment to Credit Facility, dated as of April 30, 2009. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 6, 2009.
4.32    Third Amendment and Consent to Credit Facility, dated as of July 20, 2009. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
4.33    Fourth Amendment to Credit Facility, dated as of October 29, 2009. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
4.34    Fifth Amendment and Consent to Credit Facility, dated as of April 6, 2010. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
4.35 *    Sixth Amendment and Consent to Credit Facility, dated as of October 8, 2010.
4.36 *    Seventh Amendment and Consent and Waiver to Credit Facility, dated as of April 2010.
4.37    First Amendment to Term Loan, dated as of April 30, 2009. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 6, 2009.

 

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Exhibit Number

  

Description of Document

4.38    Second Amendment to Term Loan, dated as of July 20, 2009. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
4.39    Third Amendment to Term Loan, dated as of October 29, 2009. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
4.40    Fourth Amendment to Term Loan, dated as of April 6, 2010. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
4.41 *    Fifth Amendment to Term Loan, dated as of October 8, 2010.
4.42 *    Sixth Amendment, Consent and Waiver to Term Loan, dated as of April 2011.
4.43 *    Amended and Restated Management Consulting Services Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Montrovest B.V., dated as of June 8, 2011.
4.44    Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc., (f/k/a Jan Bell Marketing, Inc.) 1991 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on April 26, 2006.
4.45    Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc., Form of Amended Stock Option Agreement under the 1991 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Schedule TO-1 filed with the SEC on March 18, 2010.
4.46    Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc., 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on April 26, 2006.
4.47    Birks & Mayors Inc. 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.48    Birks & Mayors Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.49    Stock Option Agreement dated on or about April 23, 2004 between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Peter O’Brien. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.50    Stock Option Agreement dated on or about April 23, 2004 between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.51    Warrant Agreement dated November 14, 2005 between Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. and Carlo Coda-Nunziante. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.52    Warrant Agreement dated November 14, 2005 between Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. and Joseph A. Keifer. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.53    Warrant Agreement dated November 14, 2005 between Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. and Marco Pasteris. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.54    Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement dated November 14, 2005 between Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. and Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.55    Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement dated November 14, 2005 between Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. and Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.

 

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Exhibit Number

  

Description of Document

4.56    Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement dated November 14, 2005 between Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. and Henry Birks & Sons Inc. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Inc.’s Form 20-F filed on July 19, 2006.
4.57    Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 18, 2007.
4.58    Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement between Mr. Thomas A. Andruskevich and Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. dated August 9, 2005. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.
4.59    Amendment to Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement between Mr. Thomas A. Andruskevich and Birks & Mayors dated March 16, 2010. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Form 6-K filed on March, 17, 2010.
4.60    Amendment to Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement between Michael Rabinovitch and Birks & Mayors dated March 16, 2010. Incorporated by reference from Birks & Mayors Form 6-K filed on March, 17, 2010.
4.61    Loan Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Investissement Québec, dated January 26, 2009. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 6, 2009.
4.62    Loan Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Investissement Québec, dated February 20, 2009. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 6, 2009.
4.63    Cash Advance Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Montrovest B.V., dated February 10, 2009. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 6, 2009.
4.64    Cash Advance Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Montrovest B.V., dated May 21, 2009. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Inc. Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 6, 2009.
4.65 *    Amended and Restated Cash Advance Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Montrovest B.V., dated June 8, 2011.
4.66 *    Amended and Restated Cash Advance Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Montrovest B.V., dated June 8, 2011.
4.67    Distribution Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc., Mayors Jewelers, Inc. and Damiani International B.V., dated as of September 26, 2009. Incorporated by reference from the Birks & Mayors Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on July 12, 2010.+
4.68 *    Employment Agreement between Birks & Mayors Inc. and Deborah Nicodemus, dated February 22, 2011.
4.69 *    Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, among Birks & Mayors Inc., Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. Certain Financial Institutions, as Lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. (acting through its Canada branch) as Canadian Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Collateral Agents with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as Co-Lead Arrangers and Co-Book Managers, dated as of June 8, 2011.
4.70 *    Amended and Restated Term Loan and Security Agreement, among Birks & Mayors Inc., Certain Financial Institutions, as Lenders, GB Merchant Partners, LLC, as Administrative Agent and Co-Collateral Agent and Wells Fargo Credit, Inc., as Co-Collateral Agent and as Documentation Agent, dated as of June 8, 2011.

 

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Exhibit Number

  

Description of Document

  8.1 *    Subsidiaries of Birks & Mayors Inc.
12.1 *    Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a).
12.2 *    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a).
13.1 *    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.2 *    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
15.1 *    Consent of KPMG LLP.

 

* Filed herewith.
+ Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the SEC.

 

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SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.

 

    BIRKS & MAYORS INC.

Date: July 8, 2011

   

/s/    MICHAEL RABINOVITCH        

    Michael Rabinovitch,
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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Item 17. Financial Statements

Not applicable.

 

Item 18. Financial Statements

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – KPMG LLP

     F-2   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended March 26, 2011, March  27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended March 26, 2011,  March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended March 26, 2011, March  27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

 

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Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Birks & Mayors Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Birks & Mayors Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Birks & Mayors Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010 and their consolidated results of operations and their consolidated cash flows for the years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP*

Chartered Accountants

Montréal, Canada

July 8, 2011

 

* CA Auditor permit no. 13381

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     As of  
     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,342      $ 3,403   

Accounts receivable

     8,120        9,497   

Inventories

     141,843        143,817   

Assets held for sale

     —          924   

Prepaids and other current assets

     2,409        2,297   
                

Total current assets

     155,714        159,938   

Property and equipment

     26,270        28,014   

Intangible assets

     1,011        1,072   

Other assets

     1,328        2,710   
                

Total non-current assets

     28,609        31,796   
                

Total assets

   $ 184,323      $ 191,734   
                

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Bank indebtedness

   $ 61,928      $ 64,520   

Accounts payable

     48,262        43,530   

Accrued liabilities

     9,092        7,806   

Current portion of long-term debt

     4,339        4,852   
                

Total current liabilities

     123,621        120,708   

Long-term debt

     45,976        48,872   

Other long-term liabilities

     3,386        3,767   
                

Total long-term liabilities

     49,362        52,639   

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Class A common stock – no par value, unlimited shares authorized, issued and outstanding 3,672,535 and 3,672,407, respectively

     22,282        22,282   

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

     38,613        38,613   

Preferred stock – no par value, unlimited shares authorized, none issued

     —          —     

Additional paid-in capital

     15,752        15,728   

Accumulated deficit

     (71,586     (63,840

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     6,279        5,604   
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     11,340        18,387   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 184,323      $ 191,734   
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

 

/s/ Thomas A. Andruskevich     /s/ Louis L. Roquet
Thomas A. Andruskevich, Director     Louis L. Roquet, Director

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010     March 28, 2009  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net sales

   $ 270,948      $ 255,057      $ 270,896   

Cost of sales

     154,853        150,606        155,297   
                        

Gross profit

     116,095        104,451        115,599   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     107,231        106,252        113,990   

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets

     —          1,353        13,555   

Depreciation and amortization

     5,267        5,192        6,212   
                        

Total operating expenses

     112,498        112,797        133,757   
                        

Operating income (loss)

     3,597        (8,346     (18,158

Interest and other financing costs

     11,319        11,127        9,967   
                        

Loss before income taxes

     (7,722     (19,473     (28,125

Income tax expense (benefit)

     24        (2     32,854   
                        

Net loss

   $ (7,746   $ (19,471   $ (60,979
                        

Weighted average common shares outstanding

      

Basic

     11,390        11,390        11,339   

Diluted

     11,390        11,390        11,339   

Net loss per share

      

Basic

   $ (0.68   $ (1.71   $ (5.38

Diluted

   $ (0.68   $ (1.71   $ (5.38

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

    Voting common
stock
outstanding
    Voting
common
stock
    Additional
paid-in capital
    Retained
earnings
(Accumulated
deficit)
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income

(loss)
    Total  

Balance at March 29, 2008

    11,280,135        60,813        15,699       16,610        (250     92,872  

Net loss

    —          —          —          (60,979     —          (60,979

Cumulative translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          2,990        2,990   
                 

Total comprehensive loss

    —          —          —          —          —          (57,989

Issuance of shares under ESPP and exercise of stock options

    110,242        82        —          —          —          82   

Compensation expense resulting from SARS granted to Management and Directors

    —          —          3        —          —          3   
                                               

Balance at March 28, 2009

    11,390,377        60,895        15,702        (44,369     2,740        34,968   
                                               

Net loss

    —          —          —          (19,471     —          (19,471

Cumulative translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          2,864        2,864   
                 

Total comprehensive loss

    —          —          —          —          —          (16,607

Compensation expense resulting from SARS granted to Directors

    —          —          1        —          —          1   

Compensation expense resulting from amendment of previously granted SARS and stock options to Management

    —          —          25        —          —          25   
                                               

Balance at March 27, 2010

    11,390,377      $ 60,895      $ 15,728      $ (63,840   $ 5,604      $ 18,387   
                                               

Net loss

    —          —          —          (7,746     —          (7,746

Cumulative translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          675        675   
                 

Total comprehensive loss

    —          —          —          —          —          (7,071

Compensation expense resulting from stock options granted to Management

    —          —          19        —          —          19   

Exercise of stock options

    128        —          —          —          —          —     

Compensation expense resulting from amendment of previously granted stock options to employees

    —          —          5        —          —          5   
                                               

Balance at March 26, 2011

    11,390,505      $ 60,895      $ 15,752      $ (71,586   $ 6,279      $ 11,340   
                                               

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010     March 28, 2009  
     (In thousands)  

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Net loss

   $ (7,746   $ (19,471   $ (60,979

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

      

Deferred income taxes

     —          —          32,854   

Depreciation and amortization

     5,788        5,922        7,054   

Amortization of debt costs

     1,614        1,615        797   

Goodwill impairment

     —          —          11,208   

Impairment of long-lived assets

     —          1,353        2,347   

Other operating activities, net

     (344     (593     (838

Decrease (increase) in:

      

Accounts receivable

     1,563        2,188        (532

Inventories

     5,457        24,692        11,312   

Other current assets

     (46     531        2,376   

Increase (decrease) in:

      

Accounts payable

     3,277        12,321        (6,101

Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities

     751        637        471   
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     10,314        29,195        (31
                        

Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities:

      

Additions to property and equipment

     (2,567     (1,725     (4,939

Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale

     975        —          —     

Other investing activities, net

     (27     86        (63
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,619     (1,639     (5,002
                        

Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities:

      

Decrease in bank indebtedness

     (3,380     (26,529     (16,311

Repayment of obligations under capital leases

     (2,743     (1,724     (2,007

Increase in obligations under capital leases

     —          —          2,899   

Payment of loan origination fees and costs

     —          (110     (3,595

Repayment of long-term debt

     (2,707     (2,439     (946

Increase in long-term debt

     —          4,328        23,973   

Other financing activities

     (29     53        97   
                        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (8,859     (26,421     4,110   

Effect of exchange rate on cash

     103        240        (219
                        

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (61     1,375        (1,142

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     3,403        2,028        3,170   
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 3,342      $ 3,403      $ 2,028   
                        

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Interest paid

   $ 9,866      $ 10,106      $ 9,828   

Non-cash transactions:

      

Property and equipment additions acquired through capital leases

   $ 322      $ 75      $ —     

Property and equipment additions included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 341      $ 197      $ 209   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

Birks & Mayors Inc. (“Birks & Mayors”) or (“Birks”) or (“the Company”) is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act. The principal business activities of the Company and its subsidiaries are the design, manufacture and retail sale of luxury jewelry, timepieces and giftware. The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared using a fiscal year which consists of 52 or 53 weeks and ends on the last Saturday in March of each year. The fiscal years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010, and March 28, 2009 include fifty-two weeks.

 

1. Basis of presentation and future operations:

Basis of presentation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Canadian parent company Birks & Mayors and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mayor’s Jewelers, Inc. (“Mayors”), and are reported in U.S. dollars and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. 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 and accounts receivable, provisions for income taxes, valuation of deferred tax assets 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. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Future operations

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. The going concern basis of presentation assumes that the Company will continue its operations for the foreseeable future and be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The difficult economic and retail environment, especially in Florida (where the Company derives a significant portion of its revenues), have negatively impacted not only the Company’s operating performance, but its availability to sources of financing to fund its operations and its cost of capital. While the Company renewed its senior secured revolving credit facility and senior secured term loans in June 2011, the Company’s ability to fund its operations and meet its cash flow requirements in order to fund its operations is dependant upon its ability to maintain positive excess availability under its senior secured revolving credit facilities. Both its senior secured revolving credit facility lenders and its senior secured term loan lender may impose, at any time, discretionary reserves, which would lower the level of borrowing availability under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility (customary for asset based loans), at their reasonable discretion, to: i) ensure that the Company maintains adequate liquidity for the operation of its business, ii) cover any deterioration in the amount or value of the collateral and iii) reflect impediments to the lenders to realize upon the collateral.

There is no limit to the amount of discretionary reserves that the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility lenders may impose using reasonable discretion, however, the Company’s senior secured term loan lender’s ability to impose discretionary reserves at its reasonable discretion is limited to 5% of the senior secured credit facility availability. No discretionary reserves were imposed during fiscal 2011 and 2010, however, during fiscal 2009, from February 11, 2009 to February 23, 2009, the senior secured term loan lender imposed a discretionary reserve of $4 million. While the Company’s senior secured revolving credit

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

facility lenders have not historically imposed such a restriction, it is uncertain whether conditions could change and cause such a reserve to be imposed in the future. In addition, the value of the Company’s inventory is periodically assessed by its lenders and based upon these reviews the Company’s borrowing capacity could be significantly increased or decreased.

Another factor impacting the Company’s excess availability includes, among others, changes in the U.S. and Canadian dollar exchange rate, which could increase or decrease the Company’s borrowing availability. Furthermore, a $15 million, a $7.5 million and a $2.5 million seasonal availability block was imposed by the senior secured revolving credit facility lenders and the senior secured term loan lender each year from December 20th to January 20th, from January 21st to February 10th and from February 11th to February 20th, respectively. In June 2011, upon the amendment of the senior credit facilities, the availability blocks have been changed. Under the terms of the amended facilities, a $12.5 million and a $5 million seasonal availability block are imposed from December 20th to January 20th and from January 21st to February 10th, respectively. Both the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and its senior secured term loan are subject to cross default provisions with all other loans, by which if the Company is in default with any other loan the default will immediately apply to both the senior secured revolving credit facility and the senior secured term loan.

The Company believes that it will be able to adequately fund its operations and meet its cash flow requirements for the next twelve months. This determination, however, could be impacted by economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors, as well as other events that are beyond the Company’s control. If any of the factors or events described previously result in operating performance being significantly lower than currently forecasted or if the Company’s senior lenders impose additional restrictions on its ability to borrow on the Company’s collateral, there could be significant uncertainty about the Company’s ability to continue as a going-concern, and its capacity to realize the carrying value of its assets and repay its existing and future obligations as they generally become due without additional financing which may not be available. These financial statements do not reflect adjustments that would be necessary if the going concern assumptions were not appropriate.

 

2. Significant accounting policies:

 

(a) Revenue recognition:

Sales are recognized at the point of sale when merchandise is picked up by the customer or shipped to a customer. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales. Revenues for gift certificate sales and store credits are recognized upon redemption. Prior to recognition as a sale, gift certificates are recorded as accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. Based on historical redemption rates, gift certificates and store credits, not subject to unclaimed property laws, are recorded as income. Gift certificates and store credits outstanding and subject to unclaimed property laws are maintained as accrued liabilities until remitted in accordance with local ordinances.

Sales of consignment merchandise are recognized at such time as the merchandise is sold and are recorded on a gross basis because the Company is the primary obligor of the transaction, has general latitude on setting the price, has discretion as to the suppliers, is involved in the selection of the product and has inventory loss risk. Sales are reported net of returns and sales taxes. The Company generally gives its customers the right to return merchandise purchased by them within 10 to 90 days, depending on the product sold and records a provision at the time of sale for the effect of the estimated returns. Revenues for repair services are recognized when the service is delivered to and accepted by the customer.

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

Revenue related to the Company’s purchases of gold and other precious metals from our customers are recognized when the Company delivers the goods, and receives and accepts an offer from a refiner to purchase the gold and other precious metal.

 

(b) Cost of sales:

Cost of sales includes direct inbound freight, direct labor related to repair services, design and creative, the jewelry studio, inventory shrink, inventory thefts, and boxes (jewelry, watch and giftware). Indirect freight including inter-store transfers, purchasing and receiving costs, distribution costs, warehousing costs and quality control costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Purchase discounts are recorded as a reduction of inventory cost and are recorded to cost of sales as the items are sold. Mark down dollars received from vendors are recorded as a reduction of inventory costs to the specific items to which they apply and are recognized in cost of sales once the items are sold. Other vendor allowances, primarily related to the achievement of certain milestones, are infrequent and insignificant and are recognized upon achievement of the specified milestone in cost of sales. Included in cost of sales is depreciation related to manufacturing machinery, equipment and facilities of $521,000, $730,000 and $842,000 for the years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, respectively.

 

(c) Cash and cash equivalents:

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less and amounts receivable from external credit card issuers to be cash equivalents. Amounts receivable from credit card issuers are included in cash and cash equivalents and are typically converted to cash within 2 to 4 days of the original sales transaction. These amounts totaled $1.7 million at March 26, 2011 and $1.8 million at March 27, 2010.

 

(d) Accounts receivable:

Accounts receivable arise primarily from customers’ use of the Mayors credit card and sales to Birks & Mayors corporate customers. Several installment sales plans are offered to the Mayors credit card holders which vary as to repayment terms and finance charges assessed. Finance charges on Mayors’ consumer credit receivables, when applicable, accrue at rates ranging from 7.9% to 18% per annum. Finance charges on Mayors consumer credit accounts are not significant. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts associated with the accounts receivable recorded on the balance sheet for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The allowance is determined based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time that the receivables are past due, the Company’s knowledge of the customer, economic and market conditions and historical write-off experiences. The Company classifies a receivable account as past due if a required payment amount has not been received within the allotted time frame (generally 30 days), after which internal collection efforts commence. Once all internal collection efforts have been exhausted and management has reviewed the account, the account is put on nonaccrual status and may be sent for external collection or legal action. Upon the suspension of the accrual of interest, interest income is recognized to the extent cash payments received exceed the balance of the principal amount owed on the account. After all collection efforts have been exhausted, including internal and external collection efforts, an account is written off.

The Company guarantees a portion of its private label credit card sales to its credit card vendor. The Company maintains a liability associated with these outstanding amounts. Similar to the allowance for

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

doubtful accounts, the liability related to these guaranteed sales amounts are based on a combination of factors including the length of time the receivables are past due to the Company’s credit card vendor, the Company’s knowledge of the customer, economic and market conditions and historical write-off experiences of similar credits. If the financial conditions of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

 

(e) Inventories:

Retail inventories and inventories of raw materials are valued at the lower of average cost or market. Inventories of work in progress and Company manufactured finished goods are valued at the lower of average cost (which includes material, labor and overhead costs) or market. The Company records provisions for lower of cost or market, damaged goods, and slow-moving inventory. The cost of inbound freight and duties are included in the carrying value of the inventories.

The allowance for inventory shrink is estimated for the period from the last physical inventory date to the end of the reporting period on a store by store basis and at our factories and distribution centers. Such estimates are based on experience and the shrink results from the last physical inventory. The shrink rate from the most recent physical inventory, in combination with historical experience, is the basis for providing a shrink allowance. Inventory is written down for estimated slow moving inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

 

(f) Assets held for sale:

Assets held for sale represent assets owned by the Company that management has committed to sell in the near term and has either identified or is actively seeking out potential buyers for these assets as of the balance sheet date. As of March 27, 2010, assets included in this line item were comprised of the Company’s manufacturing facility and land in Rhode Island. Assets held for sale are valued at the lower of their carry value or fair value less cost to sell. The capital lease liability associated with this facility was included in the current portion of long-term debt on the balance sheet as of March 27, 2010. During the year ended March 26, 2011, the Company sold the manufacturing facility and land included in this category and paid off its capital lease liability associated with the facility. No material gain or loss was recorded related to the sale of these assets.

 

(g) Property and equipment:

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred, while expenditures for major renewals and improvements are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

Asset

  

Period

Buildings

   Lesser of term of the lease or the economic life

Leasehold improvements

   Lesser of term of the lease or the economic life

Software and electronic equipment

   3 - 10 years

Molds

   2 - 5 years

Furniture and fixtures

   5 - 8 years

Equipment and vehicles

   3 - 8 years

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

(h) Goodwill and intangible assets:

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. During fiscal 2009, due to a combination of factors, including a significant decline in the Company’s stock price and its impact on the Company’s market capitalization as compared to its net book value, as well as the impact of economic downturn on customer demand especially during the holiday season, illiquidity in the overall credit markets and continued forecasted declines in customer demand in the luxury retail market, the Company performed a two-step impairment analysis which required the Company to estimate the fair value of its retail reporting unit based upon its projection of revenues, operating costs, and cash flows considering historical and anticipated future results. The valuation employs a combination of present value techniques to measure fair value and considers market factors. The key assumptions used to determine the fair value of our reporting units were: (a) expected cash flow for a period of five years; (b) terminal values based upon terminal growth rate of 3%; and (c) a discount rate of 11% which was based on the Company’s best estimate during the period of the weighted average cost of capital adjusted for risks associated with its retail reporting unit. Based on its analysis, the Company determined that the entire carrying amount of the goodwill recorded on its books was impaired and therefore, the Company recognized an $11.2 million impairment charge during fiscal 2009.

Trademarks and tradenames are amortized using the straight-line method over a period of 15 to 20 years. The Company had $1.5 million of unamortized intangible assets at March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010. The Company had $0.5 million and $0.4 million of accumulated amortization of intangibles at March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010, respectively.

 

(i) Deferred financing costs:

The Company amortizes deferred financing costs incurred in connection with its financing agreements using the effective interest method over the related period of the financing. Such deferred costs are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

(j) Warranty accrual:

The Company generally provides warranties on its jewelry and watches for periods extending up to three years and has a battery replacement policy for its private label watches. The Company accrues a liability based on its historical repair costs for such warranties.

 

(k) Income taxes:

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under U.S. GAAP, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial statement reporting purposes and the bases for income tax purposes, and (b) operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income tax assets are evaluated and, if realization is not considered to be more-likely-than-not, a valuation allowance is provided (see note 9(a) to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

(l) Foreign exchange:

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. Other balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the respective transaction dates. Revenue and expenses denominated in foreign

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

currencies are translated at average rates prevailing during the year. Gains (losses) on foreign exchange of $0.4 million, $1.5 million and ($0.8 million) are recorded in cost of goods sold for the years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, respectively and $12,000 and $0.7 million of gains on foreign exchange were recorded in interest and other financial costs related to U.S. dollar denominated debt of the Company’s Canadian operations for the years ended March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010, respectively. There were no foreign exchange gains or losses associated with U.S. dollar denominated debt in the year ended March 28, 2009.

Birks & Mayors’ Canadian operations’ functional currency is the Canadian dollar while the reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The assets and liabilities denominated in Canadian dollars are translated for reporting purposes at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Revenue and expense items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the periods. The resulting gains and losses are accumulated in other comprehensive income.

 

(m) Asset impairment:

The Company periodically reviews the estimated useful lives of its depreciable assets and changes in useful lives are made on a prospective basis unless factors indicate the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable and an impairment write-down is necessary. However, the Company will review its long-lived assets for impairment once events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Measurement of an impairment loss for such long-lived assets would be based on the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. No impairment charge was required in fiscal 2011. During fiscal 2010 and 2009, the Company’s evaluation resulted in the determination that the carrying value of long-lived assets, primarily leasehold improvements at certain of the Company’s U.S. retail stores and one if its manufacturing facilities in the U.S. would likely not be recovered through estimated future cash flows, considering assumptions regarding the expected lives of those assets. As a result, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.9 million and $2.3 million in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively, to reduce the carrying value of these assets to their estimated fair value. During fiscal 2010, the Company also evaluated the carrying value of assets held for sale to determine if, based on market conditions, the value of these assets should be adjusted. Based on offers to purchase and third-party real estate valuation sources at the time, the Company determined that the carrying value of these assets were higher than the estimated market value less selling costs. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.5 million during fiscal 2010.

 

(n) Advertising and marketing costs:

Advertising and marketing costs are generally charged to expense as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. However, certain expenses such as those related to catalogs are expensed at the time such catalogs are shipped to recipients. The Company and its vendors participate in cooperative advertising programs in which the vendors reimburse the Company for a portion of certain specific advertising costs which are netted against advertising expense in selling, general and administrative expenses, and amounted to $2.9 million, $2.5 million and $3.6 million in the years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, respectively. Advertising and marketing expense, net of vendor cooperative advertising allowances, amounted to $8.0 million, $9.5 million and $10.5 million in the years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009, respectively.

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

(o) Pre-opening expenses:

Pre-opening expenses related to the opening of new and relocated stores are expensed in the period incurred.

 

(p) Operating leases:

All material lessor incentive amounts on operating leases are deferred and amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the lease. Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis, which takes into effect any rent escalations, rent holidays and fixturing periods. Lease terms are from the inception of the fixturing period until the end of the initial lease term and generally exclude renewal periods, however, renewal periods would be included in instances in which the exercise of the renewal period option would be reasonably assured and failure to exercise such option would result in an economic penalty. Contingent rent payments vary by lease, are based on a percentage of revenue above a predetermined sales level and are expensed when it becomes probable the sales levels will be achieved. This level is different for each location and includes and excludes various types of sales.

 

(q) Earnings per common share:

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009:

 

    Fiscal Year Ended  
    March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010     March 28, 2009  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  

Basic loss per common share computation:

     

Numerator:

     

Net loss

  $ (7,746   $ (19,471   $ (60,979

Denominator:

     

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

    11,390        11,390        11,339   

Loss per common share

  $ (0.68   $ (1.71   $ (5.38

Diluted loss per common share computation:

     

Numerator:

     

Net loss

  $ (7,746   $ (19,471   $ (60,979

Denominator:

     

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

    11,390        11,390        11,339   

Dilutive effect of stock options, warrants and stock appreciation rights (SARs)

    —          —          —     
                       

Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted

    11,390        11,390        11,339   

Diluted loss per common share

  $ (0.68   $ (1.71   $ (5.38

For the year ended March 26, 2011, the effect from the assumed exercise of 547,326 shares underlying outstanding stock options, 382,693 shares underlying outstanding warrants, and 21,737 shares underlying outstanding stock appreciation rights were excluded from the computation of net income per diluted share due to their antidilutive effect. For the year ended March 27, 2010, the effect from the assumed exercise of 676,454 shares underlying outstanding stock options, 382,693 shares underlying outstanding warrants, and 21,737 shares underlying outstanding stock appreciation rights were excluded from the computation of net

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

income per diluted share due to their antidilutive effect. For the year ended March 28, 2009, the effect from the assumed exercise of 1,013,000 shares underlying outstanding stock options, 382,693 shares underlying outstanding warrants, and 113,034 shares underlying outstanding stock appreciation rights were excluded from the computation of net income per diluted share due to their antidilutive effect.

 

(r) Commodity and currency risk:

The Company has exposure to market risk related to gold, silver, platinum and diamond purchases and foreign exchange risk. The Company may periodically enter into gold futures contracts to economically hedge a portion of these risks. At March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010, there were no contracts outstanding.

 

3. Accounts receivable:

Accounts receivable at March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010 consist of the following:

 

     As of  
     March 26, 2011      March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Customer trade receivables

   $ 6,502       $ 6,920   

Other receivables

     1,618         2,577   
                 
   $ 8,120       $ 9,497   
                 

Included in customer trade receivables as of March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010, was $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of net trade receivables on nonaccrual status.

Continuity of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (in thousands):

 

Balance March 29, 2008

   $ 1,191   

Additional provision recorded

     851   

Net write-offs

     (253
        

Balance March 28, 2009

     1,789   

Additional provision recorded

     1,143   

Net write-offs

     (414
        

Balance March 27, 2010

     2,518   

Additional provision recorded

     247   

Net write-offs

     (283
        

Balance March 26, 2011

   $ 2,482   
        

Certain sales plans relating to customers use of Mayors credit cards provide for revolving lines of credit and/or installment plans under which the payment terms exceed one year. These receivables, amounting to approximately $3.8 million and $3.7 million at March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010, respectively, are included in accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

4. Inventories:

Inventories are summarized as follows:

 

     As of  
     March 26, 2011      March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Raw materials

   $ 4,420       $ 3,346   

Work in progress

     655         712   

Retail inventories and manufactured finished goods

     136,768         139,759   
                 
   $ 141,843       $ 143,817   
                 

Continuity of the obsolescence reserve for inventory is as follows (in thousands):

 

Balance March 29, 2008

   $ 2,941   

Additional charges

     1,442   

Deductions

     (1,405
        

Balance March 28, 2009

     2,978   

Additional charges

     2,625   

Deductions

     (713
        

Balance March 27, 2010

     4,890   

Additional charges

     1,535   

Deductions

     (1,339
        

Balance March 26, 2011

   $ 5,086   
        

 

5. Property and equipment:

The components of property and equipment are as follows:

 

     As of  
     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Land

   $ 6,661      $ 6,333   

Buildings

     9,462        8,822   

Leasehold improvements

     49,120        47,332   

Equipment and vehicles

     2,338        2,201   

Molds

     6,092        5,626   

Furniture and fixtures

     10,356        10,121   

Software and electronic equipment

     19,063        17,489   
                
     103,092        97,924   

Accumulated depreciation

     (76,822     (69,910
                
   $ 26,270      $ 28,014   
                

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

Property and equipment, having a cost of $20.3 million and a net book value of $12.1 million at March 26, 2011, and a cost of $20.5 million and a net book value of $13.3 million at March 27, 2010, are under capital leasing arrangements.

 

6. Bank indebtedness:

During fiscal 2009, the Company executed an amendment and extension of its senior secured revolving credit facility. The Company’s $160 million senior secured revolving credit facility, which was set to expire on January 19, 2009, was amended and extended for a total of $132 million and bears interest in the range of LIBOR plus 2.5% to LIBOR plus 3.0% (based on excess availability thresholds) for up to a $124 million tranche of the facility and in the range LIBOR plus 4.5% to LIBOR plus 5.0% (based on excess availability thresholds) for an $8 million tranche of the facility. This credit facility has a three-year term expiring in December 2011 and is primarily to be used to finance inventory, capital expenditures, working capital and provide liquidity for other general corporate purposes. In June 2011, subsequent to year end, the senior secured revolving credit facility was amended and extended. See Note 16 Subsequent events for more information on the amended facility.

As of March 26, 2011 and March 27, 2010, bank indebtedness consisted solely of the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility which had an outstanding balance of $61.9 million and $64.5 million, respectively. The senior secured revolving credit facility is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Company’s ability to fund its operations and meet its cash flow requirements in order to fund its operations is dependant upon its ability to maintain positive excess availability under its senior credit facilities. Both its senior secured revolving credit facility lender and its senior secured term loan lender may impose, at any time, discretionary reserves (customary for asset based loans), at their reasonable discretion, to: i) ensure that the Company maintains adequate liquidity for the operation of its business, ii) cover any deterioration in the amount or value of the collateral and iii) reflect impediments to the lenders to realize upon the collateral. There is no limit to the amount of discretionary reserves that the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility lender may impose using reasonable discretion, however, the Company’s senior secured term loan lender’s ability to impose discretionary reserves at its reasonable discretion is limited to 5% of the senior secured credit facility availability. No discretionary reserves were imposed during fiscal 2011 and 2010, however, during fiscal 2009 from February 11, 2009 to February 23, 2009, the senior secured term loan lender imposed a discretionary reserve of $4 million.

While the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility lenders have not historically imposed such a restriction, it is uncertain whether conditions could change and cause such a reserve to be imposed in the future. In addition, the value of the Company’s inventory is periodically assessed by its lenders and based upon these reviews the Company’s borrowing capacity could be significantly increased or decreased. Another factor impacting the Company’s excess availability includes, among others, changes in the U.S. and Canadian dollar exchange rate, which could increase or decrease the Company’s borrowing availability. Furthermore, a $15 million, a $7.5 million and a $2.5 million seasonal availability block were imposed by the senior secured revolving credit facility lenders and the senior secured term loan lender each year from December 20th to January 20th, from January 21st to February 10th and from February 11th to February 20th, respectively. Subsequent to year end, the seasonal availability block amounts have been changed as part of the amended senior secured revolving credit facility. See Note 16 Subsequent Events for amended availability block amounts. The Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and its senior secured term loan are subject to cross default provisions with all other loans, by which if the Company is in default

 

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BIRKS & MAYORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

Years ended March 26, 2011, March 27, 2010 and March 28, 2009

 

 

 

with any other loan the default will immediately apply to both the senior secured revolving credit facility and the senior secured term loan. As of March 26, 2011, a 100 basis point strengthening or weakening of the Canadian versus the U.S. dollar would cause an approximate $214,000 increase or decrease in the amount of excess availability. The Company’s excess borrowing capacity was $20.5 million as of March 26, 2011.

The senior secured revolving credit facility also contains limitations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends, more specifically, among other limitations, the Company 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. Additionally, we are required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.30 to 1.00 and a minimum excess availability of $20 million in order to qualify for payment of dividends. Besides these financial covenants related to paying dividends, the terms of this facility provide that no financial covenants are required to be met.

The information concerning the Company’s senior secured credit facility is as follows:

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     March 26, 2011     March 27, 2010  
     (In thousands)  

Maximum borrowing outstanding during the year

   $ 90,636      $ 98,763   

Average outstanding balance during the year

   $ 69,907      $ 83,112   

Weighted average interest rate for the year

     3.8     3.7

Effective interest rate at year-end

     4.0     3.6

As security for the bank indebtedn