Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 28, 2008

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

for the transition period from                      to                     .

Commission file number: 333-134983-02

VS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   11-3664322
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

2101 91st Street

North Bergen, New Jersey 07047

(Addresses of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

(800) 223-1216

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨            Accelerated filer  ¨            Non-accelerated filer  x            Smaller reporting Company  ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting Company)

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

As of August 12, 2008, VS Holdings, Inc. had 100 shares of common stock outstanding owned by VS Parent, Inc.

 

 

 


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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this document that are not historical facts are hereby identified as “forward looking statements” for the purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). VS Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc. (“VSI”) and VS Direct Inc. (“Direct,” and, together with Holdings and VSI, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) caution readers that such “forward looking statements”, including without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future business prospects, results from acquisitions, revenue, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, leverage levels, interest costs and income, wherever they occur in this document or in other statements attributable to the Company, are necessarily estimates reflecting the judgment of the Company’s senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the “forward looking statements.” You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “outlook,” “trends,” “future benefits,” “strategies,” “goals” and similar words. Such “forward looking statements” should, therefore, be considered in light of the factors set forth in “Item 2.–Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

The “forward looking statements” contained in this report are made under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Other Information.” Moreover, the Company, through its senior management, may from time to time make “forward looking statements” about matters described herein or other matters concerning the Company. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of the risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those which are management’s current expectations or forecasts. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, industry based factors such as the level of competition in the vitamin, mineral and supplement (“VMS”) industry, continued demand from the primary markets the Company serves, the availability of raw materials, as well as factors more specific to the Company such as restrictions imposed by the Company’s debt including financial covenants and limitations on the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, the Company’s future capital requirements, and risk associated with economic conditions generally. See “Item 1A – Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, filed on March 28, 2008 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for further discussion.

The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update “forward looking statements” to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or changes to future operating results over time.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page No.
   PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 28, 2008 (unaudited) and December 29, 2007 (unaudited)

   4
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 (unaudited) and June 30, 2007 (unaudited)

   5
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 28, 2008 (unaudited) and June 30, 2007 (unaudited)

   6
  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the six months ended June 28, 2008 (unaudited)

   7
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

   8

Item 2.

  

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

   22

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   35

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   35
   PART II OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   37

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   37

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   37

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   37

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   37

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   37

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   37

Signatures

   38

Certification

  

EX-31.1

  

Certification

  

EX-31.2

  

Certification

  

EX-32.1

  

Certification

  

EX-32.2

  

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     June 28,
2008
    December 29,
2007
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,759     $ 1,453  

Inventories

     98,109       97,809  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     10,593       11,587  

Deferred income taxes

     3,202       1,556  
                

Total current assets

     113,663       112,405  

Property and equipment, net

     67,216       63,270  

Goodwill

     177,248       177,248  

Other intangibles, net

     71,431       68,223  

Other assets:

    

Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization of $2,952 and $2,368 in 2008 and 2007, respectively

     4,681       5,265  

Other long-term assets

     1,557       319  

Security deposits

     443       1,553  
                

Total other assets

     6,681       7,137  
                

Total assets

   $ 436,239     $ 428,283  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of capital lease obligation

   $ 134     $ —    

Revolving credit facility

     12,000       —    

Accounts payable

     21,978       35,349  

Deferred sales

     6,726       11,212  

Accrued salaries and related expenses

     4,011       4,850  

Accrued interest

     2,438       2,551  

Other accrued expenses

     11,556       7,216  
                

Total current liabilities

     58,843       61,178  

Long-term debt

     165,000       165,000  

Capital lease obligation, net of current portion

     360       —    

Deferred income taxes

     21,724       20,282  

Other long-term liabilities

     5,603       5,057  

Deferred rent

     18,449       16,972  

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, 100 shares issued and outstanding at June 28, 2008 and December 29, 2007

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     158,325       157,204  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,621 )     (1,350 )

Retained earnings

     9,556       3,940  
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     166,260       159,794  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 436,239     $ 428,283  
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Net sales

   $ 153,354     $ 133,422     $ 307,091     $ 270,966  

Cost of goods sold

     103,807       90,166       206,791       180,736  
                                

Gross profit

     49,547       43,256       100,300       90,230  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     40,442       36,115       79,592       72,023  

Related party expenses

     397       356       736       669  
                                

Income from operations

     8,708       6,785       19,972       17,538  

Interest income

     (9 )     (48 )     (22 )     (103 )

Interest expense

     5,460       5,642       10,789       11,147  
                                

Income before provision for income taxes

     3,257       1,191       9,205       6,494  

Provision for income taxes

     1,250       275       3,589       2,333  
                                

Net income

   $ 2,007     $ 916     $ 5,616     $ 4,161  
                                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 5,616     $ 4,161  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

     44       6  

Depreciation and amortization

     8,804       7,821  

Deferred income taxes

     (31 )     2,439  

Deferred rent

     1,477       922  

Equity compensation expense

     1,121       591  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Inventories

     (300 )     (3,550 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     994       1,569  

Other non-current assets

     (128 )     33  

Accounts payable

     (11,668 )     (3,815 )

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (1,098 )     (4,124 )

Other long-term liabilities

     102       16  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     4,933       6,069  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (13,110 )     (5,947 )

Intangible assets acquired in asset purchases

     (3,450 )     —    
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (16,560 )     (5,947 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Borrowings under revolving credit agreement

     15,000       4,000  

Repayments of borrowing under revolving credit agreement

     (3,000 )     (4,000 )

Payments of capital lease obligation

     (67 )     —    
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     11,933       —    
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     306       122  

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period

     1,453       1,472  
                

Cash and cash equivalents end of period

   $ 1,759     $ 1,594  
                

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 10,266     $ 10,862  

Income taxes paid

   $ 3,027     $ 133  

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:

    

Accrued purchases of property and equipment

   $ 524     $ 108  

Assets acquired under capital lease

   $ 561     $ —    

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     Common Stock         Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
            
     Shares    Amounts    Additional
Paid-In-
Capital
     Retained Earnings    Total  

Balance at December 29, 2007

   100    $ —      $ 157,204    $ (1,350 )   $ 3,940    $ 159,794  
                      

Net income

   —        —        —        —         5,616      5,616  

Interest Rate Swap, net of taxes of $(173)

   —        —        —        (271 )     —        (271 )
                      

Total Comprehensive Income

                   5,345  

Equity Compensation Expense

   —        —        1,121      —         —        1,121  
                                          

Balance at June 28, 2008

   100    $ —      $ 158,325    $ (1,621 )   $ 9,556    $ 166,260  
                                          

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

VS Holdings (“Holdings”), a Delaware corporation, and through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc. (“Subsidiary” or “VSI”), a New York corporation, and VSI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, VS Direct Inc. (“Direct,” and, together with Holdings and VSI, the “Company”), is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products. The Company sells both national brands and “The Vitamin Shoppe” and “BodyTech” brands of vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies and other health and beauty aids through Company-owned retail stores, the Internet and mail order catalogs to customers located primarily in the United States. The Company operates from its headquarters in North Bergen, New Jersey.

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 28, 2008 and for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, include the accounts of Holdings, VSI and Direct. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 28, 2008 and for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, are unaudited. In addition, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation in conformity with GAAP. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 29, 2007. The results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in December. As used herein, the term “Fiscal Year” or “Fiscal” refers to the 52-week period, ending the last Saturday in December. Fiscal 2008 is a 52-week period ending December 27, 2008 and Fiscal 2007 was a 52-week period ended December 29, 2007. The results for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007, are each based on a 13-week and 26-week period, respectively.

 

2. Reorganization and Recapitalization

On June 12, 2006, VS Mergersub, Inc., then a wholly-owned subsidiary of VS Parent, Inc. (“Parent”), then a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings, merged with and into Holdings, with Holdings being the surviving corporation. By operation of the merger, Holdings became a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent. In connection therewith, each share (or fractional share) of Series A Preferred Stock of Holdings was converted into a right to receive a share (or fractional share) of Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share of Parent, and each share (or fractional share) of common stock of Holdings was converted into a share (or fractional share) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share of Parent, and all equity grants (1,533,519 stock options and 567,163 warrants) of Holdings were converted on a one-to-one basis into grants permitting the right to receive a share of Parent’s common stock upon exercise. Subsequent to the reverse merger, Holdings was authorized to issue 1,000 shares of Common Stock, whereby 100 shares were issued to Parent. In addition, a dividend of $1.7 million, recorded within additional paid-in capital, was made from Holdings to Parent for a note receivable of $1.5 million, which was accounted for as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, and related accrued interest receivable of $0.2 million.

 

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Financial Instruments Policy—The Company entered into an interest rate swap during December 2005 on a portion of its $165 million Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2012 (the “Notes”), which qualifies for hedge accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The interest rate swap has a maturity date of November 2010. The swap’s fair market value of $2.3 million at December 29, 2007, and $2.8 million at June 28, 2008, is recorded in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Of the decrease in market value of $0.5 million during Fiscal 2008, $0.3 million was charged to accumulated other comprehensive loss, and $0.2 million to the deferred income tax asset.

 

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Advertising Costs—Costs associated with the production and distribution of the Company’s catalogs are expensed as incurred. The costs of advertising for online marketing arrangements, magazines, television and radio are expensed the first time advertising takes place. Advertising expense was $3.2 million and $7.1 million for the three months and six months ended June 28, 2008, and $3.6 million and $8.2 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements— In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133,” (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 will require entities to provide enhanced disclosures for derivative activities and hedging activities with regard to the reasons for employing derivative instruments, how they are accounted for, and how these instruments affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The provisions of SFAS No. 161 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities— Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure and report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis, with the objective to reduce both the complexity in accounting for financial instruments and mitigate the volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. The provisions of SFAS No. 159 were effective in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Effective December 30, 2007, the Company adopted certain provisions of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” that apply to certain financial assets and liabilities. This statement defines and establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands fair value disclosures. It does not require any new fair value measurements. The intent of this statement is to increase consistency of definitions and comparability of methods of fair value measurements, as well as to enhance fair value disclosure. SFAS No. 157, as amended by FASB Staff Position 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP 157-2”), requires that the remaining provisions, which apply to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, be made effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of the remaining provisions of SFAS No. 157 and FSP 157-2 to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Required disclosures are included in Note 11 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)),” SFAS No. 141(R) attempts to improve the relevance and comparability of the information included in companies’ financial reports regarding business combinations and their effects. The statement is effective for acquisitions occurring in fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Currently, the Company cannot determine the impact, if any, the adoption will have on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company acquired $88.0 million of intangible assets and $175.9 million of goodwill in an acquisition completed in Fiscal 2002. The Company also acquired $3.0 million of intangible assets related to an asset purchase in the first quarter of Fiscal 2008, comprised primarily of operating leases, and $0.5 million of intangible assets related to an asset purchase completed in the second quarter of Fiscal 2008, which was primarily attributable to the acquisition of a tradename. Other intangible assets relating to the asset purchases which occurred in the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2008 include customer lists and non-compete agreements.

The following table discloses the carrying value of all intangible assets (in thousands):

 

     June 28, 2008    December 29, 2007
   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net    Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net

Intangible assets:

                 

Intangibles related to asset purchase

   $ 3,000    $ 242    $ 2,758    $ —      $ —      $ —  

Tradenames

     68,673      —        68,673      68,223      —        68,223

Goodwill

     177,248      —        177,248      177,248      —        177,248
                                         
   $ 248,921    $ 242    $ 248,679    $ 245,471    $ —      $ 245,471
                                         

 

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Intangible amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008, was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. There was no amortization expense in Fiscal 2007. Tradenames are not amortized, as they are determined to be intangible assets with indefinite lives. Tradenames will be tested for impairment in the last quarter of Fiscal 2008 or whenever impairment indicators exist, along with the Company’s goodwill.

 

5. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 28,
2008
    December 29,
2007
 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

   $ 74,192     $ 69,784  

Leasehold improvements

     73,067       68,278  

Website development costs

     11,194       11,180  

Transportation equipment

     21       21  

Construction in progress

     3,589       1,937  
                
     162,063       151,200  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (94,847 )     (87,930 )
                
   $ 67,216     $ 63,270  
                

Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment, including equipment recorded under capital leases, for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 was $4.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 was $3.7 million and $7.2 million, respectively. The Company had equipment related to capital leases of $0.6 million at June 28, 2008 with accumulated depreciation of $48,000. Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

6. Credit Arrangements

Debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 28,
2008
   December 29,
2007

Revolving Credit Facility

   $ 12,000    $ —  
             

Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes (the “Notes”)

   $ 165,000    $ 165,000
             

Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes

Interest on the Notes is set at a per annum rate equal to a three month LIBOR plus 7.5%, which is reset quarterly on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on February 15, 2006. The combined weighted average interest rate before the impact of our hedging activities from December 30, 2007 through June 28, 2008 was 10.92% (12.0% after including the impact of hedging activities). The Notes will mature on November 15, 2012. Interest on overdue principal and interest and liquidated damages, if any, will accrue at a rate that is 1% higher than the applicable interest rate on the Notes. If VSI cannot make payments on the Notes when they are due, Holdings and VSI’s only subsidiary, Direct (collectively, the “Guarantors”), have guaranteed the Notes and must make payments instead. The Notes and the guarantees are secured by a second priority security interest in substantially all of VSI’s and the Guarantors’ assets that secure VSI’s first priority senior secured credit facility. The Notes and the guarantees are VSI’s, and the Guarantors’, second priority senior secured obligations, and rank equally in right of payment with all of VSI’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness and senior to all of VSI’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The Notes and the guarantees are effectively subordinated to all of VSI’s and the Guarantors’ first priority senior secured indebtedness, including VSI’s new first priority senior secured credit facility, to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness. If VSI sells certain assets, issues equity or experiences specific kinds of changes in control, VSI must offer to repurchase the Notes. VSI may, at its option, redeem some or all of the Notes at any time on or after November 15, 2007.

 

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Revolving Credit Facility

On November 15, 2005, VSI entered into a $50.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), and VSI has the option to increase or decrease the Revolving Credit Facility size by $25.0 million, subject to certain conditions. The availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base calculated on the basis of certain eligible accounts receivable from credit card companies and the inventory of VSI and its only subsidiary, Direct. The obligations thereunder are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of Holdings, VSI and Direct. The Revolving Credit Facility provides for affirmative and negative covenants affecting Holdings, VSI and Direct. The Revolving Credit Facility restricts, among other things, the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness, create or permit liens on the Company’s assets, declare or pay cash dividends and certain other restricted payments, consolidate, merge or recapitalize, acquire or sell assets, make certain investments, loans or other advances, enter into transactions with affiliates, change its line of business, and restricts the types of hedging activities the Company can enter into. The Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of November 15, 2010. The unused available line of credit at June 28, 2008 was $36.5 million and the amount of borrowings outstanding at June 28, 2008 was $12.0 million. The largest amount borrowed at any given point during the second quarter of Fiscal 2008 was $15.0 million. The Revolving Credit Facility includes a $10 million sub-facility for the issuance of letters of credit, of which there were $0.3 million issued and outstanding as of June 28, 2008.

The borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest, at the Company’s option, at the rate per annum announced from time to time by the agent as its “prime rate”, or at a per annum rate equal to between 1.25% and 1.75% (depending on excess availability) above the adjusted Eurodollar rate. The combined weighted average interest rate from December 30, 2007 through June 28, 2008 was 4.09%.

Interest expense for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
     June 28,
2008
   June 30,
2007
   June 28,
2008
   June 30,
2007

Interest on the Notes

   $ 4,952    $ 5,189      9,906    $ 10,266

Amortization of deferred financing fees

     292      290      584      580

Interest on the revolving credit facility and other

     216      163      299      301
                           
   $ 5,460    $ 5,642    $ 10,789    $ 11,147
                           

Capital Lease

The Company leases computer equipment under a capital lease, which commenced in January 2008, that expires in 2011. The following is a schedule of the future minimum lease payments under the capital lease as of June 28, 2008 (in thousands):

 

Remainder of Fiscal 2008

   $ 76

Fiscal 2009

     152

Fiscal 2010

     152

Fiscal 2011

     152
      

Total

     532

Less amount representing interest

     38
      

Present value minimum lease payments

     494

Less current portion of capital lease obligation

     134
      
   $ 360
      

 

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7. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock Option Plan—In Fiscal 2002 the Company adopted the VS Holdings, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”) for certain directors, officers, consultants and employees of the Company. The Company authorized the issuance of up to 2,046,041 shares of common stock. As of June 2006, the 2002 Plan was amended and assigned to VS Parent where it was adopted as the VS Parent, Inc. 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”), converting all grants on a one-to-one basis for the right to receive a common share of VS Parent upon exercise. The stock options are exercisable at no less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. Generally, options awarded shall become vested in four equal increments on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date on which such options were awarded. The stock options have a maximum term of 10 years. The following table summarizes the 2006 Plan as of June 28, 2008 and changes during the six month period then ended:

 

     Number of Options     Weighted
Average

Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average

Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)

Outstanding at December 29, 2007

   1,883,882     $ 19.53   

Granted

   91,988     $ 28.47   

Canceled/forfeited

   (42,429 )   $ 18.80   
               

Outstanding at June 28, 2008

   1,933,441     $ 19.97    6.85
                 

Vested or expected to vest at June 28, 2008

   1,836,769     $ 19.97    6.85
                 

Vested and exercisable at June 28, 2008

   1,187,422     $ 18.25    5.81
                 

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123(R)”). This statement replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB No. 25”). SFAS 123(R) requires that all stock-based compensation be recognized as an expense in the financial statements and that such cost be measured at the fair value of the award. The Company adopted the prospective method of applying SFAS 123(R). Under the prospective method, those nonpublic companies that used the minimum value method of measuring equity share options and similar instruments for either recognition or pro-forma disclosure purposes will apply SFAS 123(R) prospectively to new awards and awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after the required effective date. The Company continues to account for any portion of awards outstanding at the date of initial application using the accounting principles originally applied to those awards which were the provisions of APB No. 25 and its related interpretive guidance. For those grants valued under SFAS 123(R), compensation expense attributable to stock-based compensation for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008, was approximately $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, was approximately $0.4 million and $0.6 million respectively. As of June 28, 2008, the remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for non-vested stock options issued after the effective date of SFAS 123(R) to be expensed in future periods is $7.0 million, and the related weighted-average period over which it is expected to be recognized is approximately 2.8 years. There were 1,187,422 and 746,019 vested and non-vested options, respectively, at June 28, 2008. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in the subsequent period if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Currently, the Company estimates forfeitures based on its historical forfeiture rate since the plan inception in Fiscal 2002. The estimated future forfeitures as of June 28, 2008 are approximately $0.3 million.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 were $14.13 and $14.00, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 were $13.11 and $13.00, respectively. There were no stock options exercised during the first six months of Fiscal 2008 or 2007. The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Expected dividend yield

   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %

Expected volatility

   46.4 %   52.6 %   46.7 %   52.6 %

Risk-free interest rate

   3.74 %   4.66 %   3.30 %   4.66 %

Expected holding period

   6.25 years     6.25 years     6.25 years     6.25 years  

The expected volatility applicable to the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 is based on the volatility levels over the past 6.25 years from the average volatility of similar actively traded companies. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the average yield for the five and seven year zero-coupon U.S. Treasury Strips. The expected holding period of the option is calculated using the simplified method using the vesting term of 4 years and the contractual term of 10 years. The simplified method was chosen as a means to determine the Company’s holding period as there is no historical option exercise experience due to the Company being privately held.

 

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8. Legal Proceedings

Dwight Thompson v. The Vitamin Shoppe. The Company opened its first store in California in December 2002, and the Company reclassified its California store managers as non-exempt employees in January 2004. On February 25, 2005, plaintiff Dwight Thompson (“Thompson”), a former store manager, filed suit on behalf of himself and other “similarly situated” current and former California store managers and assistant store managers in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange (“Orange County Superior Court”), alleging causes of action for (1) failure to pay overtime wages; (2) unfair business practices under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17000 et seq.; (3) conversion; (4) failure to provide rest and meal periods; and (5) unfair competition under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 et seq. (“UCL”) (the “Thompson Action”). On September 2, 2005, Thompson amended his complaint to include a representative claim for civil penalties under the Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act, Cal. Labor Code §§ 2698 et seq. (“PAGA”), also known as the California “bounty hunter” statute, which may permit Thompson to collect civil penalties on behalf of all other allegedly aggrieved employees for violations of the Labor Code and attorneys’ fees if he prevails. Almost one year later, on July 7, 2006, the same group of plaintiffs’ attorneys who were representing Thompson filed another wage and hour lawsuit against The Vitamin Shoppe based on substantively identical allegations in the Orange County Superior Court, entitled Estel v. The Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc. (Case No. 06CC07852) (the “Estel Action”). Plaintiffs in the Estel Action were nine individuals – all of whom were already class members in the Thompson Action and in the lawsuit described below, Janine Perry and Thomas Vitrano v. Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc. (the “Perry Action”). The parties engaged in some preliminary pre-trial discovery, until the Court stayed the Thompson and Estel Actions pending court approval of the settlement in the Perry Action described below. In December 2007, the Court lifted the stay of the Thompson and Estel Actions and in January 2008, the Court consolidated the Thompson and Estel actions. In the consolidated complaint, Plaintiffs assert nine claims for relief against the Company: (1) failure to pay overtime wages; (2) unfair business practices in violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17000 et seq.; (3) conversion; (4) failure to provide meal periods; (5) failure to provide rest periods; (6) unfair competition under the UCL; (7) failure to provide itemized wage statements; (8) failure to provide wages and accrued vacation upon termination; and (9) recovery of civil penalties under PAGA. Plaintiffs purport to bring their UCL and PAGA claims as representative actions and the remaining claims on behalf of a class composed of all current and former assistant managers and managers of the Company who were employed on or after April 14, 2006 (the “Amended Thompson Action”). The Company intends to defend the Amended Thompson Action vigorously. At this time it is premature to address any potential loss as a result of these claims, or the amount or range of potential loss. Accordingly, as of June 28, 2008, the Company has not accrued any liabilities related to this litigation.

Janine Perry and Thomas Vitrano v. Vitamin Shoppe Industries Inc. On August 17, 2005, plaintiff Perry, a former assistant store manager, later joined by plaintiff Vitrano, a current store manager, filed suit in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Marin, alleging miscellaneous wage and hour violations under California law, including, but not limited to, violations related to misclassification of store managers and violations with respect to providing meal and rest periods for store managers and assistant store managers. Plaintiffs’ allegations are similar to the violations alleged in the Thompson matter described above, and plaintiffs seek to bring this action on behalf of themselves and others who are “similarly situated.” On December 20, 2005, the parties engaged in mediation and the parties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, which was followed by execution of a formal Settlement Agreement. The Company accrued $0.4 million for the proposed settlement in the last quarter of Fiscal 2005 and has deposited the same in escrow. The settlement has received final approval of the Marin County Superior Court. There has been an interlocutory appeal filed by the plaintiffs’ counsel in the Thompson action, as well as an appeal of the Courts approval of the settlement, both of which are still pending, and the period to file an appeal of the final Court approval has not expired. The $0.4 million that was accrued and deposited in escrow is the Company’s best estimate based on the information available at the time of this filing. However, circumstances in the future may alter the outcome of the proposed settlement. Accordingly, as of June 28, 2008, the Company has not accrued any further liabilities related to this litigation.

Multivitamins Especially for Women Litigation. On January 19, 2007, media reports noted that an organization called Consumerlab.com had tested various nutritional supplements and found that the Company’s proprietary brand of Multivitamins Especially for Women (the “Product”) contain less calcium than specified on the product label and contain levels of lead that are above what it believes are acceptable parameters. As a precaution, the Company voluntarily ceased selling the Product pending an internal investigation and offered a full refund to those who had purchased the Product. Based upon the allegations in Consumerlab.com’s report, five purported class actions were filed against the Company, three in Federal Court in California, one in Federal Court in New Jersey and one in State Court in New Jersey, from January through March 2007. The suits allege, in various combinations, violations of the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act (“CLRA”), the California’s Unfair Competition and False Advertising Laws, the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, the Uniform Commercial Code and the Federal Magnusson Moss Act, common law, statutory and common law warranties, and various common law torts, on behalf of both state and national classes. The various actions seek some combination of restitution on behalf of purchasers of the Products, an injunction and attorneys fees’ and costs of litigation, and actual, treble, and punitive damages. There is no claim of personal injury in any of the actions.

The Company was served with the complaints in these cases but did not file a substantive response. Following mediation on June 11, 2007, all claims were settled on a nationwide class basis, subject to court approval. Pursuant to the settlement, all of the Federal plaintiffs dismissed their cases without prejudice (pending final court approval of the settlement) and joined as plaintiffs in the New Jersey State Court action. The settlement received final Court approval on June 27, 2008, at which time all claims were dismissed with prejudice on a nationwide class basis. The Company has signed an agreement with the contract manufacturer of the Product to fund all of the costs of the settlement up to a negotiated limit, which the Company does not believe will be exceeded. Accordingly, as of June 28, 2008, the Company has not accrued any liabilities related to this litigation.

 

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California District Attorney’s Letter. On May 17, 2007, the Company received a letter from the Napa County (California) District Attorney alleging that six of the Company’s private label products contain levels of lead that, pursuant to California’s Proposition 65, Cal. Health & Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq., require the products to bear a warning when sold in California. The letter claims that 12 other public prosecutors in California, including the California Attorney General, “are involved in a joint investigation of dietary supplements containing lead in amounts that expose users to lead in excess of 0.50 micrograms (ug) per day.” The letter demands that the Company immediately cease all sales of these products in California unless it provides a warning to consumers. It also notes that Proposition 65 provides for civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation per day. The Company has met with the California Attorney General and certain District Attorneys, and is investigating these allegations and consulting with its third-party suppliers of these products. One of the named products, Multivitamin Especially for Women, has not been sold by the Company since late January 2007. The Company has withdrawn certain of the other named products from the California market and has provided warnings with respect to the others pending discussions with the public prosecutors. At this time it is premature to address any potential loss as a result of these claims, or the amount or range of potential loss. As of June 28, 2008, the Company has not accrued any liabilities related to this litigation.

The Company is party to various lawsuits arising from time to time in the normal course of business, many of which are covered by insurance. Except as described above, as of June 28, 2008, the Company was not party to any material legal proceedings. Although the impact of the final resolution of these matters on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in a particular subsequent reporting period is not known, management does not believe that the resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

 

9. Related Party Transactions

In connection with the acquisition completed in Fiscal 2002, the Company entered into a management agreement with Bear Stearns Merchant Manager II, LLC. This agreement provides for a quarterly fee of the greater of $187,500 or 0.25% of gross sales for the preceding fiscal quarter for advisory and consulting services. Amounts paid during the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 were approximately $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 were approximately $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

 

10. Segment Data

The Company currently operates two business segments, retail and direct. The operating segments are segments of the Company for which separate financial information is available and for which operating results are evaluated regularly by executive management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s management evaluates segment operating results based on several indicators. The primary key performance indicators are sales and operating income for each segment. The table below represents key financial information for each of the Company’s business segments, retail and direct, as well as corporate costs. The retail segment includes the Company’s retail stores. The retail segment generates revenue primarily through the sale of third-party branded and proprietary branded vitamins, minerals, herbs, supplements, sports nutrition and other health and wellness products through retail stores throughout the United States. The direct segment generates revenue through the sale of third-party branded and proprietary branded vitamins, minerals, herbs, supplements, sports nutrition and other health and wellness products through the Company’s Web site and catalog. A catalog is mailed periodically to customers in the Company’s Frequent Buyer Program database, and the Company’s websites at www.vitaminshoppe.com and www.BodyTech.com offer its customers online access to a full assortment of approximately to 20,000 SKUs. Corporate costs represent the Company’s administrative expenses which include, but are not limited to: human resources, legal, finance, information technology, and various other corporate level activity related expenses. There are no inter-segment sales transactions.

The Company’s segments are designed to allocate resources internally and provide a framework to determine management responsibility. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 3- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Fiscal 2007 consolidated financial statements. The Company has allocated $131.9 million and $45.3 million of its recorded goodwill to the retail and direct segments, respectively. The Company does not have identifiable assets separated by segment.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table contains key financial information of the Company’s business segments (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Sales:

        

Retail

   $ 134,094     $ 115,136     $ 266,604     $ 232,414  

Direct

     19,260       18,286       40,487       38,552  
                                

Net sales

     153,354       133,422       307,091       270,966  

Income from operations:

        

Retail

     20,450       16,808       42,003       36,024  

Direct

     3,770       3,343       7,720       7,212  

Corporate costs

     (15,512 )     (13,366 )     (29,751 )     (25,698 )
                                

Income from operations

   $ 8,708     $ 6,785     $ 19,972     $ 17,538  
                                

 

11. Fair Value

Effective December 30, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 that applies to its financial assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value within the condensed consolidated financial statements. SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs based on a company’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. In determining the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap, observable inputs were available at June 28, 2008, and thus were relied upon for the interest rate swap’s valuation. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that a company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for

the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through corroboration with observable market data. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include fair value and cash flow swap instruments.

Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The Company’s interest rate swap was established as a cash flow hedge on a portion of its Notes to offset fluctuations related to the variable rate interest payments as described in Note 6. The interest rate swap is included in other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The swap is categorized in level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as shown in the following table:

 

          Fair value at June 28, 2008, using:
(In millions)    Total    Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets

(Level 1)
   Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
unobservable

inputs
(Level 3)

Interest rate swap

   $ 2.8    $ —      $ 2.8    $ —  
                           

Total

   $ 2.8    $ —      $ 2.8    $ —  
                           

 

12. Supplemental Guarantor Information

The payment obligations of VSI under the Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by: Holdings (VSI’s parent), Direct (VSI’s sole subsidiary), all of VSI’s future restricted domestic subsidiaries, and Parent. The Notes and the guarantees are VSI’s, Holdings’ and Direct’s second priority senior secured obligations. They rank equally with all of VSI’s, Holding’s and Direct’s existing and future senior indebtedness and rank senior to all of VSI’s, Holdings’ and Direct’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The Notes and the guarantees are effectively subordinate to all of VSI’s, Holdings’ and Direct’s existing first priority senior secured indebtedness, to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness, including indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.

The indenture governing the Notes restricts the ability of VSI and Direct to incur additional debt, pay dividends and make distributions, make certain investments, repurchase stock, incur liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, enter into sale and lease back transactions, merge, or consolidate or transfer or sell assets.

 

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Table of Contents

The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on a consolidating basis, balance sheets, statements of operations, and statements of cash flows for Holdings, VSI and Direct:

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JUNE 28, 2008

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     VS
Holdings,
Inc.
    VS Direct
Inc.
   Vitamin
Shoppe
Industries
Inc.
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
ASSETS            

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —       $ 954    $ 805     $ —       $ 1,759  

Inventories

     —         17,985      80,124       —         98,109  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —         100      10,493       —         10,593  

Intercompany receivable

     —         280,818      283,586       (564,404 )     —    

Deferred income taxes

     —         303      2,899       —         3,202  
                                       

Total current assets

     —         300,160      377,907       (564,404 )     113,663  

Property and equipment, net

     —         16,939      50,277       —         67,216  

Goodwill

     —         —        177,248       —         177,248  

Other intangibles, net

     —         —        71,431       —         71,431  

Other assets:

           

Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization of $2,952

     —         —        4,681       —         4,681  

Other long-term assets

     —         —        1,557       —         1,557  

Security deposits

     —         —        443       —         443  

Deferred income tax asset

     1,582       1,385      11,284       (14,251 )     —    
                                       

Total other assets

     1,582       1,385      17,965       (14,251 )     6,681  

Investment in Subsidiary

     182,265       —        43,003       (225,268 )     —    
                                       

Total assets

   $ 183,847     $ 318,484    $ 737,831     $ (803,923 )   $ 436,239  
                                       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            

Current liabilities:

           

Current portion of capital lease obligation

   $ —       $ —      $ 134     $ —       $ 134  

Revolving credit facility

     —         —        12,000       —         12,000  

Intercompany payable

     17,400       266,186      280,818       (564,404 )     —    

Accounts payable

     —         151      21,827       —         21,978  

Deferred sales

     —         1,308      5,418       —         6,726  

Accrued salaries and related expenses

     —         —        4,011       —         4,011  

Accrued interest

     —         —        2,438       —         2,438  

Other accrued expenses

     26       3,277      8,253       —         11,556  
                                       

Total current liabilities

     17,426       270,922      334,899       (564,404 )     58,843  

Long-term debt

     —         —        165,000       —         165,000  

Capital lease obligation, net of current portion

     —         —        360       —         360  

Deferred income taxes

     161       1,301      34,513       (14,251 )     21,724  

Other long-term liabilities

     —         —        5,603       —         5,603  

Deferred rent

     —         3,258      15,191       —         18,449  

Commitments and contingencies

           

Stockholders' equity:

           

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; 100 shares issued and outstanding

     —         —        —         —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     158,325       20,165      166,791       (186,956 )     158,325  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,621 )     —        (1,621 )     1,621       (1,621 )

Retained earnings

     9,556       22,838      17,095       (39,933 )     9,556  
                                       

Total stockholders’ equity

     166,260       43,003      182,265       (225,268 )     166,260  
                                       

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 183,847     $ 318,484    $ 737,831     $ (803,923 )   $ 436,239  
                                       

 

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Table of Contents

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 29, 2007

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     VS
Holdings,
Inc.
    VS Direct    Vitamin
Shoppe
Industries
Inc.
    Eliminations     Consolidated  
ASSETS            

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —       $ 567    $ 886     $ —       $ 1,453  

Inventories

     —         16,251      81,558       —         97,809  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —         88      11,499       —         11,587  

Intercompany receivable

     —         230,336      235,645       (465,981 )     —    

Deferred income taxes

     —         388      1,168       —         1,556  
                                       

Total current assets

     —         247,630      330,756       (465,981 )     112,405  

Property and equipment, net

     —         14,985      48,285       —         63,270  

Goodwill

     —         —        177,248       —         177,248  

Other intangibles, net

     —         —        68,223       —         68,223  

Other assets:

           

Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization of $2,368

     —         —        5,265       —         5,265  

Other long-term assets

     —         —        319       —         319  

Security deposits

     —         20      1,533       —         1,553  

Deferred income tax asset

     1,050       1,114      12,041       (14,205 )     —    
                                       

Total other assets

     1,050       1,134      19,158       (14,205 )     7,137  

Investment in Subsidiary

     176,282       —        38,705       (214,988 )     —    
                                       

Total assets

   $ 177,332     $ 263,749    $ 682,375     $ (695,174 )   $ 428,283  
                                       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY            

Current liabilities:

           

Revolving credit facility

   $ —       $ —      $ —       $ —       $ —    

Intercompany payable

     17,400       218,246      230,335       (465,981 )     —    

Accounts payable

     —         226      35,123       —         35,349  

Deferred sales

     —         1,951      9,261       —         11,212  

Accrued salaries and related expenses

     —         —        4,850       —         4,850  

Accrued interest

     —         —        2,551       —         2,551  

Other accrued expenses

     26       569      6,621       —         7,216  
                                       

Total current liabilities

     17,426       220,992      288,741       (465,981 )     61,178  

Long-term debt

     —         —        165,000       —         165,000  

Deferred income taxes

     112       1,493      32,882       (14,205 )     20,282  

Other long term liabilities

     —         —        5,057       —         5,057  

Deferred rent

     —         2,559      14,413       —         16,972  

Commitments and contingencies

           

Stockholders’ equity:

           

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; 100 shares issued and outstanding

     —         —        —         —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     157,204       20,165      166,791       (186,956 )     157,204  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,350 )     —        (1,350 )     1,350       (1,350 )

Retained earnings

     3,940       18,540      10,841       (29,382 )     3,940  
                                       

Total stockholders’ equity

     159,794       38,705      176,282       (214,988 )     159,794  
                                       

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 177,332     $ 263,749    $ 682,375     $ (695,174 )   $ 428,283  
                                       

 

17


Table of Contents

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 2008

(In thousands)

 

     VS Holdings,
Inc.
    VS Direct
Inc.
    Vitamin
Shoppe
Industries
Inc.
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ —       $ 28,866     $ 124,488     $ —       $ 153,354  

Commissions

     —         6,289       1,901       (8,190 )     —    

Cost of goods sold

     —         20,872       84,672       (1,737 )     103,807  
                                        

Gross profit

     —         14,283       41,717       (6,453 )     49,547  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     577       9,438       36,880       (6,453 )     40,442  

Related party expenses

     —         —         397       —         397  
                                        

(Loss) income from operations

     (577 )     4,845       4,440       —         8,708  

Interest income

     —         (3 )     (6 )     —         (9 )

Interest expense

     —         1,528       3,932       —         5,460  
                                        

(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes

     (577 )     3,320       514       —         3,257  

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (248 )     1,262       236       —         1,250  
                                        

(Loss) income before equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     (329 )     2,058       278       —         2,007  

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     2,336       —         2,058       (4,394 )     —    
                                        

Net income

   $ 2,007     $ 2,058     $ 2,336     $ (4,394 )   $ 2,007  
                                        

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 2008

(In thousands)

 

     VS Holdings,
Inc.
    VS Direct
Inc.
    Vitamin
Shoppe
Industries
Inc.
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ —       $ 57,192     $ 249,899     $ —       $ 307,091  

Commissions

     —         13,228       3,605       (16,833 )     —    

Cost of goods sold

     —         40,889       168,231       (2,329 )     206,791  
                                        

Gross profit

     —         29,531       85,273       (14,504 )     100,300  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,121       20,087       72,888       (14,504 )     79,592  

Related party expenses

     —         —         736       —         736  
                                        

(Loss) income from operations

     (1,121 )     9,444       11,649       —         19,972  

Interest income

     —         (5 )     (17 )     —         (22 )

Interest expense

     —         2,511       8,278       —         10,789  
                                        

(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes

     (1,121 )     6,938       3,388       —         9,205  

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (483 )     2,640       1,432       —         3,589  
                                        

(Loss) income before equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     (638 )     4,298       1,956       —         5,616  

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     6,254       —         4,298       (10,552 )     —    
                                        

Net income

   $ 5,616     $ 4,298     $ 6,254     $ (10,552 )   $ 5,616  
                                        

 

18


Table of Contents

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007

(In thousands)

 

     VS Holdings,
Inc.
    VS Direct
Inc.
    Vitamin
Shoppe
Industries
Inc.
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ —       $ 24,232     $ 109,190     $ —       $ 133,422  

Commissions

     —         6,259       1,572       (7,831 )     —    

Cost of goods sold

     —         17,295       73,827       (956 )     90,166  
                                        

Gross profit

     —         13,196       36,935       (6,875 )     43,256  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     417       9,095       33,478       (6,875 )     36,115  

Related party expenses

     —         —         356       —         356  
                                        

(Loss) income from operations

     (417 )     4,101       3,101       —         6,785  

Interest income

     —         (2 )     (46 )     —         (48 )

Interest expense

     —         —         5,642       —         5,642  
                                        

(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes

     (417 )     4,103       (2,495 )     —         1,191  

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (162 )     1,589       (1,152 )     —         275  
                                        

(Loss) income before equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     (255 )     2,514       (1,343 )     —         916  

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     1,171       —         2,514       (3,685 )     —    
                                        

Net income

   $ 916     $ 2,514     $ 1,171     $ (3,685 )   $ 916  
                                        

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007

(In thousands)

 

     VS Holdings,
Inc.
    VS Direct
Inc.
    Vitamin
Shoppe
Industries
Inc.
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net sales

   $ —       $ 48,755     $ 222,211     $ —       $ 270,966  

Commissions

     —         12,616       2,968       (15,584 )     —    

Cost of goods sold

     —         34,163       148,432       (1,859 )     180,736  
                                        

Gross profit

     —         27,208       76,747       (13,725 )     90,230  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     591       18,828       66,329       (13,725 )     72,023  

Related party expenses

     —         —         669       —         669  
                                        

(Loss) income from operations

     (591 )     8,380       9,749       —         17,538  

Interest income

     —         (5 )     (98 )     —         (103 )

Interest expense

     —         —         11,147       —         11,147  
                                        

(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes

     (591 )     8,385       (1,300 )     —         6,494  

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (229 )     3,250       (688 )     —         2,333  
                                        

(Loss) income before equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     (362 )     5,135       (612 )     —         4,161  

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     4,523       —         5,135       (9,658 )     —    
                                        

Net income

   $ 4,161     $ 5,135     $ 4,523     $ (9,658 )   $ 4,161  
                                        

 

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Table of Contents

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 2008

(In thousands)

 

     VS Holdings,
Inc.
    VS Direct
Inc.
    Vitamin
Shoppe
Industries
Inc.
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities:

          

Net income

   $ 5,616     $ 4,298     $ 6,254     $ (10,552 )   $ 5,616  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

          

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

     —         5       39       —         44  

Depreciation and amortization

     —         1,660       7,144       —         8,804  

Deferred income taxes

     (483 )     (378 )     830       —         (31 )

Deferred rent

     —         699       778       —         1,477  

Equity compensation expense

     1,121       —         —         —         1,121  

Equity in earnings of subsidiary

     (6,254 )     —         (4,298 )     10,552       —    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

          

Inventories

     —         (1,734 )     1,434       —         (300 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —         (12 )     1,006       —         994  

Intercompany

       (2,542 )     2,542       —         —    

Other non-current assets

     —         20       (148 )     —         (128 )

Accounts payable

     —         (75 )     (11,593 )     —         (11,668 )

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     —         2,065       (3,163 )     —         (1,098 )

Other long-term liabilities

     —         —         102       —         102  
                                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     —         4,006       927       —         4,933  
                                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

          

Capital expenditures

     —         (3,619 )     (9,491 )     —         (13,110 )

Intangible assets acquired in asset purchases

     —         —         (3,450 )     —         (3,450 )
                                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (3,619 )     (12,941 )     —         (16,560 )
                                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

          

Borrowings under revolving credit agreement

     —         —         15,000       —         15,000  

Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit agreement

     —         —         (3,000 )       (3,000 )

Payments of capital lease obligation

     —         —         (67 )       (67 )
                                        

Net cash provided by financing activities

     —         —         11,933       —         11,933  
                                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     —         387       (81 )     —         306  

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period

     —         567       886       —         1,453  
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents end of period

   $ —       $ 954     $ 805     $ —       $ 1,759  
                                        

 

20


Table of Contents

VS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007

(In thousands)

 

     VS Holdings,
Inc.
    VS Direct
Inc.
    Vitamin
Shoppe
Industries
Inc.
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities:

          

Net income

   $ 4,161     $ 5,135     $ 4,523     $ (9,658 )   $ 4,161  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

          

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

     —         —         6       —         6  

Depreciation and amortization

     —         1,119       6,702       —         7,821  

Deferred income taxes

     (113 )     416       2,136       —         2,439  

Deferred rent

     —         67       855       —         922  

Equity compensation expense

     591       —         —         —         591  

Equity in earnings of subsidiary

     (4,523 )     —         (5,135 )     9,658       —    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

          

Inventories

     —         (613 )     (2,937 )     —         (3,550 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (112 )     (46 )     1,727       —         1,569  

Intercompany

     —         (7,516 )     7,516       —         —    

Other non-current assets

     —         —         33       —         33  

Accounts payable

     —         (18 )     (3,797 )     —         (3,815 )

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (4 )     2,120       (6,240 )     —         (4,124 )

Other long-term liabilities

     —         —         16       —         16  
                                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     —         664       5,405       —         6,069  
                                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

          

Capital expenditures

     —         (588 )     (5,359 )     —         (5,947 )
                                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (588 )     (5,359 )     —         (5,947 )
                                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

          

Borrowings under revolving credit agreement

     —         —         4,000       —         4,000  

Repayments of borrowing under revolving credit agreement

     —         —         (4,000 )     —         (4,000 )
                                        

Net cash flows from financing activities

     —         —         —         —         —    
                                        

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     —         76       46       —         122  

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period

     —         885       587       —         1,472  
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents end of period

   $ —       $ 961     $ 633     $ —       $ 1,594  
                                        

 

21


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

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included as part of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. This report contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations. We sometimes identify forward-looking statements with such words as “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “seek,” “intend,” “believe” or similar words concerning future events. The forward-looking statements contained herein, include, without limitation, statements concerning future revenue sources and concentration, gross profit margins, selling and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses, capital resources, additional financings or borrowings and additional losses and are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements. We also urge you to carefully review the risk factors set forth in “Item 1A- Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2008 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company Overview

We are a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of vitamins, minerals, herbs, supplements, sports nutrition and other health and wellness products. As of June 28, 2008, we operated 361 stores located in 33 states and the District of Columbia and sold direct to consumers through our web sites, www.vitaminshoppe.com and www.BodyTech.com, and our nationally circulated catalog. We target the dedicated, well-informed vitamin, mineral and supplement (“VMS”) consumer and differentiate ourselves by providing our customers with an extensive selection of high quality products sold at competitive prices and value-added customer service. We offer our customers a selection of over 20,000 SKUs from over 400 different national brands, as well as our proprietary Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech and MD Select brands. Our broad product offering enables us to provide our customers with a selection of products that is not readily available at other specialty retailers, supermarkets, chain drug stores or mass merchants. We believe our extensive product offering, together with our well-known brand name and emphasis on product education and customer service, help us bond with our target customer and serve as a foundation for strong customer loyalty.

Our Company was founded as a single store in New York, New York in 1977. Our Vitamin Shoppe branded products were introduced in 1989. We were acquired in November 2002 by Bear Stearns Merchant Banking Partners II, L.P. and its affiliated entities (collectively, “BSMB”) and other investors.

Segment Information

We sell our products through two business segments: retail, which is our retail store format, and direct, which consists of our internet and catalog formats.

Retail. We believe we operate a unique retail store format in the VMS industry, which has been successful in diverse geographic and demographic markets, ranging from urban locations in New York City to suburban locations in Plantation, Florida and Manhattan Beach, California. Our stores carry a broad selection of VMS products and are staffed with highly experienced and knowledgeable associates who are able to educate our customers about product features and assist in product selection.

Since the beginning of 2003, we have aggressively pursued new store growth. During this period through June 28, 2008, we opened 236 new stores, expanding our presence in our existing markets as well as entering new markets such as California, Texas, and Michigan. Our new stores typically have reached sales more consistent with our mature store base over a three to four year time period.

Direct. Our direct segment consists of our catalog and internet operations from our web sites, www.vitaminshoppe.com and www.BodyTech.com. The direct segment enables us to service customers outside our retail markets and provides us with data that we use to assist us in the selection of future store locations.

Our catalog is mailed regularly to our catalog customers contained in our Frequent Buyer Program database. Our catalog is currently designed to appeal to the dedicated, well-informed VMS consumer and includes a broad assortment of approximately 12,000 to 14,000 of our most popular SKUs, though an additional 6,000 SKUs are available through special order. Our Web site offers our customers online access to our full assortment of over 20,000 SKUs.

 

22


Table of Contents

Trends and Other Factors Affecting Our Business

Our performance is affected by trends that impact the VMS industry, including demographic, health and lifestyle preferences. Changes in these trends and other factors, which we may not foresee, may also impact our business. For example, our industry is subject to potential regulatory actions, such as the ban on ephedra, and other legal matters that affect the viability of a given product. Volatile consumer trends, such as those described in the following paragraph, as well as the overall impact on consumer spending, can dramatically affect purchasing patterns. Our business allows us to respond to changing industry trends by introducing new products and adjusting our product mix and sales incentives. We will continue to diversify our product lines to offer items less susceptible to the effects of economic conditions and not as readily substitutable, such as teas, lotions and spring water.

Sales of weight management products are generally more sensitive to consumer trends, resulting in higher volatility than our other products. Our sales of weight management products have been significantly influenced by the rapid increase and subsequent decline of products such as those containing ephedra, low carb products and Cortislim®. Accordingly, we launch new weight management products on an ongoing basis in response to prevailing market conditions and consumer demands. As the rate of obesity increases and as the general public becomes increasingly more health conscious, we expect the demand for weight management products, albeit volatile, to continue to be strong in the near term.

In addition to the weight management product lines, we intend to continue our focus in meeting the demands of an increasingly aging population, the effects of increasing costs of traditional healthcare and a rapidly growing fitness conscious public.

Our historical results have also been significantly influenced by our new store openings. Since the beginning of 2003, we have opened 240 stores and operate 365 stores located in 33 states and the District of Columbia as of August 1, 2008.

Our stores typically require three to four years to mature, generating lower store level sales in the initial years than our mature stores. As a result, new stores generally have a negative impact on our overall operating margin and sales per square foot. As our recently opened stores mature, we expect them to contribute meaningfully to our operating results.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 3 of the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our financial statements for Fiscal 2007, Fiscal 2006, and Fiscal 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2008, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. A discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates are included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Form 10-K. Management has discussed the development and selection of these policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has reviewed its disclosures relating to them. Management believes there have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies or estimates reported in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007.

General Definitions for Operating Results

Net Sales consist of sales, net of sales returns and deferred sales, from comparable stores and non comparable stores, as well as sales made directly to our internet and catalog customers. A store is included in comparable store sales after four hundred and ten days of operation.

Cost of goods sold includes the cost of inventory sold, costs of warehousing and distribution and store occupancy costs. Warehousing and distribution costs include freight on internally transferred merchandise, rent for the distribution center and costs associated with our buying department and distribution facility, including payroll, which are capitalized into inventory and then expensed as merchandise is sold. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance, real estate taxes and utilities.

Gross profit is net sales minus cost of goods sold.

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of operating payroll and related benefits, advertising and promotion expense, depreciation and amortization, and other selling, general and administrative expenses.

Related party expenses consist of management fees incurred and paid to BSMB.

Income from operations consists of gross profit minus selling, general and administrative expenses, and related party expenses.

 

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Interest income represents income earned from highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less.

Interest expense includes interest on the Notes, interest on the Revolving Credit Facility, letters of credit fees, as well as amortization of financing costs.

Key Performance Indicators and Statistics

We use a number of key indicators of financial condition and operating results to evaluate the performance of our business, including the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Net sales

   $ 153,354     $ 133,422     $ 307,091     $ 270,966  

Increase in comparable store net sales

     8.7 %     8.3 %     7.2 %     7.2 %

Gross profit as a percent of net sales

     32.3 %     32.4 %     32.7 %     33.3 %

Income from operations

   $ 8,708     $ 6,785     $ 19,972     $ 17,538  

EBITDA (1)

   $ 13,634     $ 10,878     $ 29,669     $ 25,701  

 

(1) EBITDA represents net income before provision for income tax, interest income and expense, and depreciation and amortization, including recognition of deferred rent. Since EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, it should not be considered as a performance measure prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as operating income, net income and cash flows from operating activities. We believe that EBITDA provides additional information of our operating performance and our ability to meet our future debt service, capital expenditure and working capital requirements. Furthermore, our executive compensation plans base incentive compensation payments on our EBITDA performance measured against budget. Other companies may define EBITDA differently, and as a result, our measure of EBITDA may not be directly comparable to EBITDA of other companies. The table below includes a reconciliation from net income to EBITDA.

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Statement of Operations Data:

        

Net income

   $ 2,007     $ 916     $ 5,616     $ 4,161  

Provision for income taxes

     1,250       275       3,589       2,333  

Interest income

     (9 )     (48 )     (22 )     (103 )

Interest expense

     5,460       5,642       10,789       11,147  

Depreciation and amortization, including deferred rent (a)

     4,926       4,093       9,697       8,163  
                                

EBITDA

   $ 13,634     $ 10,878     $ 29,669     $ 25,701  
                                

 

(a) Excludes amortization of deferred financing fees, which are included in “interest expense” in this table.

 

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Because we also consider EBITDA useful as a liquidity measure, we present the following reconciliation of EBITDA to our net cash provided by operating activities:

 

     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

EBITDA

   $ 29,669     $ 25,701  

Interest expense, net

     (10,767 )     (11,044 )

Provision for income taxes

     (3,589 )     (2,333 )

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

     44       6  

Deferred income taxes

     (31 )     2,439  

Deferred financing fees amortization and other

     584       580  

Equity compensation expense

     1,121       591  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Inventories

     (300 )     (3,550 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     994       1,569  

Other non-current assets

     (128 )     33  

Accounts payable

     (11,668 )     (3,815 )

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (1,098 )     (4,124 )

Other long-term liabilities

     102       16  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 4,933     $ 6,069  
                

The following table shows the growth in our network of stores during the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007:

 

     Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
     June 28,
2008
   June 30,
2007
   June 28,
2008
   June 30,
2007

Store Data:

           

Stores open at beginning of period

   354    316    341    306

Stores opened

   7    6    20    16

Stores closed

   —      —      —      —  
                   

Stores open at end of period

   361    322    361    322
                   

 

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Results of Operations

The information presented below is for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 and was derived from our condensed consolidated financial statements, which, in the opinion of management, includes all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results for such periods and as of such dates. The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 as a percentage of net sales:

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Net sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of goods sold

   67.7 %   67.6 %   67.3 %   66.7 %
                        

Gross profit

   32.3 %   32.4 %   32.7 %   33.3 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   26.4 %   27.1 %   25.9 %   26.6 %

Related party expenses

   0.2 %   0.2 %   0.3 %   0.2 %
                        

Income from operations

   5.7 %   5.1 %   6.5 %   6.5 %

Interest income

   (0.0 %)   (0.0 %)   (0.0 %)   (0.0 %)

Interest expense

   3.6 %   4.2 %   3.5 %   4.1 %
                        

Income before provision for income taxes

   2.1 %   0.9 %   3.0 %   2.4 %

Provision for income taxes

   0.8 %   0.2 %   1.2 %   0.9 %
                        

Net income

   1.3 %   0.7 %   1.8 %   1.5 %
                        

Three Months Ended June 28, 2008 Compared To Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

Net Sales

Net sales increased $19.9 million, or 14.9%, to $153.4 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $133.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was the result of an increase in our comparable store sales, new sales from our non-comparable stores, and an increase in our direct sales.

Retail

Net sales from our retail stores increased $19.0 million, or 16.5%, to $134.1 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $115.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. We operated 361 stores as of June 28, 2008 compared to 322 stores as of June 30, 2007. Our overall store sales for the three months ended June 28, 2008 increased due to non-comparable store sales increases of $8.8 million and an increase in comparable store sales of $10.2 million, or 8.7%. Our overall sales increased primarily in the categories of supplements, which increased $3.9 million, or 13.7%; vitamins and multivitamins, which increased $2.1 million, or 14.2%; sports nutrition, which increased by $8.3 million, or 26.1%; minerals, which increased $0.5 million, or 15.4%; and weight management, which increased $1.5 million, or 20.3%.

The supplements category, which is among the largest selling product categories in our mix, continues to experience significant growth in sales of essential fatty acids, or EFAs, which have been responsible for most of the growth in the supplement category for several quarters. Given the current trend in EFA consumption, and the growing number of publications and recommendations regarding the heart-health benefits of fish oils (such as by The American Heart Association and US National Institutes of Health), we expect continued strength in sales of EFAs for the remainder of this fiscal year. Product sales in the sports nutrition category increased at a greater rate than the overall increase in net sales during the second quarter of Fiscal 2008, and has done so since the middle of Fiscal 2006. We believe this is due largely to the growth in the fitness-conscious market as well as the diversity of new product introductions and innovations in functionally specific supplementation. Sales in the weight management category also increased at a rate greater than the overall increase in net sales during the second quarter of Fiscal 2008, as we have been experiencing significant growth in stimulant free weight loss products. We expect sales in this category to remain strong through the summer months.

Direct

Net sales to our direct customers increased $1.0 million, or 5.3%, to $19.3 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $18.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The overall increase in our direct sales was due to an increase in our internet sales of approximately $2.6 million which was offset by a decrease in our catalog sales. The increase in web-based sales was largely due to a greater influx of customers this quarter as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007, as a result of our prior web-based marketing initiatives. We have reduced our catalogue circulation and customer prospecting as we believe catalog purchasing in general is declining in popularity as a purchasing medium, especially in the wake of the growth of online shopping. In addition, as we continue to open more stores in new markets, some catalog customers choose to shop at our retail locations.

 

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Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold, which includes product, warehouse and distribution and occupancy costs, increased $13.6 million, or 15.1%, to $103.8 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $90.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to an increase in product costs and occupancy costs for the quarter ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Costs of goods sold as a percentage of net sales was 67.7% for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 67.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Product costs increased $10.1 million, or 14.3%, to $80.7 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008, compared to $70.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 primarily as a result of greater sales this quarter as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Product costs as a percentage of net sales decreased to 52.6% for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 52.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The 0.3% decrease as a percentage of net sales was the result of a decrease in store markdowns of 0.1% as well as an increase in inventory management efficiency of 0.9%, offset by an 0.8% increase in product costs during the quarter ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Warehouse and distribution costs increased $1.1 million, or 24.3%, to $5.7 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $4.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Warehouse and distribution costs as a percentage of net sales increased to 3.7% for the three months ended June 28, 2008, compared to 3.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The 0.3% increase as a percentage of net sales was due primarily to a 0.2% increase in transportation costs, largely attributable to rising fuel costs during the three months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Occupancy costs increased $2.5 million, or 16.5%, to $17.5 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $15.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales increased to 11.4% for the three months ended June 28, 2008, compared to 11.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. This increase as a percentage of net sales is mainly attributable to the increases in utilities and real estate tax expenses as well as increased rent for our newer store leases.

Gross Profit

As a result of the foregoing, gross profit increased $6.3 million, or 14.5%, to $49.5 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $43.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including operating payroll and related benefits, advertising and promotion expense, depreciation and amortization, and other selling, general and administrative expenses, increased $4.3 million, or 12.0%, to $40.4 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008, compared to $36.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The components of selling, general and administrative expenses are explained below. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended June 28, 2008 decreased to 26.4% compared to 27.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Operating payroll and related benefits increased $1.5 million, or 11.6%, to $14.7 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $13.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Operating payroll and related benefits expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 9.6% for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 9.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to greater sales per hour for the quarter ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The increase in sales per hour was partially offset by an increase in average wage.

Advertising and promotion expenses decreased $0.4 million, or 11.3%, to $3.2 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Advertising and promotion expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 2.1% for the three months ended June 28, 2008 from 2.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease is primarily due to a decline in our catalog circulation for the quarter ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007, as we reduce our catalog advertising efforts.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses, which includes depreciation and amortization expense, increased $3.2 million, or 16.6%, to $22.5 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $19.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was due primarily to increases in depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $0.6 million, increases in equity compensation expense of approximately $0.2 million, an increase in professional fees of $0.2 million, and increases in corporate payroll expenses of $0.9 million. The increase in payroll was attributable to increases to our corporate staff to meet the needs of our growth. In addition to the above, there was an increase in credit card fees of approximately $0.3 million and $0.5 million of additional general operating costs incurred due to greater sales for the quarter ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Other selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 14.7% during the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 14.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2007, due primarily to the increases in depreciation and amortization expense as well as in equity compensation expense.

 

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Related Party Expenses

Related party expenses were unchanged at $0.4 million for the quarter ended June 28, 2008, as well as the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Income from Operations

As a result of the foregoing, income from operations increased $1.9 million, or 28.3%, to $8.7 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $6.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales increased to 5.7% for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 5.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Retail

Income from operations for the retail segment increased $3.6 million, or 21.7%, to $20.5 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $16.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales for the retail segment increased to 15.3% for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 14.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to a decrease in payroll expenses of 0.4% as a percentage of net sales, as well as a decrease in advertising expenses of 0.5% as a percent of net sales. These decreases were offset by an increase in warehouse and distribution costs of 0.3% as a percentage of net sales. The increase warehouse and distribution in costs as a percentage of net sales is due largely to increases in transportation costs, attributable to rising fuel costs during the three months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in advertising expense as a percentage of net sales was due primarily to a reduction of in-store catalogs for the quarter ended June 28, 2008, as compared to June 30, 2007.

Direct

Income from operations for the direct segment increased $0.4 million, or 12.8%, to $3.8 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales for the direct segment increased to 19.6% for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 18.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. This increase in income from operations as a percentage of net sales was due mainly to a 0.7% decrease in product costs as a percentage of net sales, and a 0.9% decrease in advertising costs as a percentage of net sales, offset by an increase in payroll costs of 0.3% as a percentage of net sales during this quarter as compared to the same quarter last year. The decrease in product costs as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to greater efficiencies in our inventory management which lead to fewer back-orders increasing efficiency in shipping during the three months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007. Advertising costs decreased primarily as a result of a reduction in catalog mailings.

Corporate Costs

Corporate costs increased by $2.2 million, or 16.1%, to $15.5 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $13.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. Corporate costs as a percentage of net sales increased to 10.1% for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 10.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The dollar increase was primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $0.6 million, increases in equity compensation expense of approximately $0.2 million, an increase in professional fees of approximately $0.2 million, and an increase in payroll expenses of $0.9 million, during the quarter ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The 0.1% increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization expense as well as in equity compensation expense.

Interest Income

Interest income decreased $39,000 to $9,000 for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $48,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease was due largely to lower interest rates, and lower cash balances during the three months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $0.2 million, or 3.2%, to $5.5 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $5.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease was due to lower interest rates experienced during the quarter ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007.

 

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Provision for Income Taxes

We recognized $1.3 million of income tax expense during the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared with $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 28, 2008 was 38.4%, compared to 23.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The effective rate for the current period, as compared to the same period last year, increased primarily due to a change in estimate which occurred in the quarter ended June 30, 2007, arising from changes in certain state tax laws. Before the change in estimate the effective rate was 39.9% for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The effective rate, excluding the aforementioned change in estimate, for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2007, was lower primarily due to changes in our blended state tax rates resulting from changes in our state apportionment factors.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, we generated net income of $2.0 million for the three months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Six Months Ended June 28, 2008 Compared To Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

Net Sales

Net sales increased $36.1 million, or 13.3%, to 307.1 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $271.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was the result of an increase in our comparable store sales, new sales from our non-comparable stores, and an increase in our direct sales.

Retail

Net sales from our retail stores increased $34.2 million, or 14.7%, to $266.6 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $232.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. We operated 361 stores as of June 28, 2008 compared to 322 stores as of June 30, 2007. Our overall store sales for the six months ended June 28, 2008 increased due to non-comparable store sales increases of $17.3 million and an increase in comparable store sales of $16.9 million, or 7.2%. Our overall sales increased primarily in the categories of supplements, which increased $6.2 million, or 10.8%; vitamins and multivitamins, which increased $3.6 million, or 12.1%; sports nutrition, which increased by $16.2 million, or 26.3%; minerals, which increased $0.9 million, or 13.1%; and weight management, which increased $2.6 million, or 17.3%.

The supplements category, which is among the largest selling product categories in our mix, continues to experience significant growth in sales of essential fatty acids, or EFAs, which have been responsible for most of the growth in the supplement category for several quarters. Given the current trend in EFA consumption, and the growing number of publications and recommendations regarding the heart-health benefits of fish oils (such as by The American Heart Association and US National Institutes of Health), we expect continued strength in sales of EFAs for the remainder of this fiscal year. Product sales in the sports nutrition category increased at a greater rate than the overall increase in net sales during the six months ended June 28, 2008, and has done so since the middle of Fiscal 2006. We believe this is due largely to the growth in the fitness-conscious market as well as the diversity of new product introductions and innovations in functionally specific supplementation. Sales in the weight management category also increased at a rate greater than the overall increase in net sales during the six months ended June 28, 2008, as we have been experiencing significant growth in stimulant free weight loss products. We expect sales in this category to continue to be strong through the remainder of the summer months.

Direct

Net sales to our direct customers increased $1.9 million, or 5.0%, to $40.5 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $38.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The overall increase in our direct sales was due to an increase in our internet sales of approximately $5.7 million which was offset by a decrease in our catalog sales. The increase in web-based sales was largely due to a greater influx of customers during the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007, as a result of our prior web-based marketing initiatives. We have reduced our catalogue circulation and customer prospecting as we believe catalog purchasing in general is declining in popularity as a purchasing medium, especially in the wake of the introduction of online shopping. In addition, as we continue to open more stores in new markets, some catalog customers choose to shop at our retail locations.

 

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Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold, which includes product, warehouse and distribution and occupancy costs, increased $26.1 million, or 14.4%, to $206.8 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $180.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to an increase in product costs and occupancy costs for the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. Costs of goods sold as a percentage of net sales was 67.3% for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 66.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Product costs increased $19.6 million, or 13.9%, to $161.4 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008, compared to $141.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 primarily as a result of greater sales during Fiscal 2008. Product costs as a percentage of net sales increased to 52.6% for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 52.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The 0.3% increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily the result of increases in product costs of 1.0% as a percentage of net sales, offset by a decrease of 0.3% in markdowns as well as a increase in inventory control efficiency of 0.5% as a percentage of net sales, during the six months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Warehouse and distribution costs increased $1.5 million, or 16.3%, to $11.0 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Warehouse and distribution costs as a percentage of net sales increased to 3.6% for the six months ended June 28, 2008, compared to 3.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase as a percentage of net sales is largely attributable to rising fuel costs during the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Occupancy costs increased $4.9 million, or 16.5%, to $34.3 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $29.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales increased to 11.2% for the six months ended June 28, 2008, compared to 10.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. This increase as a percentage of net sales is mainly attributable to the increases in utilities and real estate tax expenses as well as increased rent for our newer store leases.

Gross Profit

As a result of the foregoing, gross profit increased $10.1 million, or 11.2%, to $100.3 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $90.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including operating payroll and related benefits, advertising and promotion expense, depreciation and amortization, and other selling, general and administrative expenses, increased $7.6 million, or 10.5%, to $79.6 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008, compared to $72.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The components of selling, general and administrative expenses are explained below. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the six months ended June 28, 2008 decreased to 25.9% compared to 26.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Operating payroll and related benefits increased $2.9 million, or 11.0%, to $29.1 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $26.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Operating payroll and related benefits expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 9.5% for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 9.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to greater sales per hour relative to net sales during the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase in sales per hour was partially offset by an increase in average wages.

Advertising and promotion expenses decreased $1.2 million, or 14.1%, to $7.1 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $8.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Advertising and promotion expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 2.3% for the six months ended June 28, 2008 from 3.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease is primarily due to a decline in our catalog circulation for the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007, as we are reducing our catalog advertising and prospecting efforts.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses, which includes depreciation and amortization expense, increased $5.9 million, or 15.6%, to $43.4 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $37.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase was due primarily to increases in depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $1.0 million, increases in equity compensation expense of approximately $0.5 million, an increase in technology related expenses of $0.7 million, and increases in corporate payroll expenses of $2.0 million. The increase in payroll was attributable to increases to our corporate staff to meet the needs of our growth. In addition to the above, there was an increase in credit card fees of approximately $0.4 million and $0.4 million of additional general operating costs incurred due to greater sales during the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. Other selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 14.1% during the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 13.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, due largely to the increase in corporate payroll and stock-compensation expense.

 

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Related Party Expenses

Related party expenses remained level at $0.7 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Income from Operations

As a result of the foregoing, income from operations increased $2.4 million, or 13.9%, to $20.0 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $17.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales remained level at 6.5% for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Retail

Income from operations for the retail segment increased $6.0 million, or 16.6%, to $42.0 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $36.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales for the retail segment increased to 15.8% for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 15.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The increase as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to a decrease in payroll costs of 0.2% as a percentage of net sales, as well as a decrease in advertising expenses of 0.5% as a percent of sales. The decrease in payroll costs as a percentage of net sales is due largely to greater sales per hour relative to net sales during the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in advertising as a percentage of net sales is a result of our reduced catalog advertising this Fiscal year as compared to the prior Fiscal year. These decreases were offset in part by an increase in occupancy expense of 0.2% as a percentage of net sales, which is attributable to the increases in utilities and real estate tax expenses, and an increase in distribution costs of 0.1% as a percentage of net sales, attributable to increased fuel costs in the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Direct

Income from operations for the direct segment increased $0.5 million, or 7.0%, to $7.7 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $7.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales for the direct segment increased to 19.1% for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 18.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. This increase in income from operations as a percentage of net sales was due mainly to a 0.5% decrease in payroll costs as a percentage of net sales, and a 1.9% decrease in advertising costs as a percentage of net sales, as we are reducing our catalog advertising and prospecting efforts, offset by an increase in product costs of 2.1% as a percentage of net sales. The increase in product costs as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to product cost increases which were not offset by price increases.

Corporate Costs

Corporate costs increased by $4.1 million, or 15.8%, to $29.8 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $25.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Corporate costs as a percentage of net sales increased to 9.7% for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to 9.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The dollar increase was primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $1.0 million, increases in equity compensation expense of approximately $0.5 million, and an increase in payroll of $2.0 million, attributable to our growing corporate infrastructure. The 0.2% increase as a percentage of net sales for the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007, was primarily due to the increase in corporate payroll and stock-compensation expense.

Interest Income

Interest income decreased $81,000 to $22,000 for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $103,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease was due largely to lower interest rates, and lower cash balances during the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $0.4 million, or 3.2%, to $10.8 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $11.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease was due to lower interest rates offset partially by larger outstanding short-term borrowings experienced during the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

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Provision for Income Taxes

We recognized $3.6 million of income tax expense during the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared with $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 28, 2008 was 39.0%, compared to 35.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The effective rate for the current period, as compared to the same period last year, increased primarily due to changes to our blended state tax rates which resulted from changes in our state apportionment factors for the six months ended June 28, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, we generated net income of $5.6 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008 compared to $4.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Key Indicators of Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth key indicators of our liquidity and capital resources:

 

     June 28,
2008
    December 29,
2007
 

Balance Sheet Data:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,759     $ 1,453  

Working capital

     54,820       51,227  

Total assets

     436,239       428,283  

Total debt

     177,494       165,000  

Stockholders’ equity

     166,260       159,794  
     Six Months Ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 30,
2007
 

Other Information:

    

Depreciation and amortization, including deferred rent (1)

   $ 10,281     $ 8,743  

Cash Flows Provided By (Used In):

    

Operating activities

   $ 4,933     $ 6,069  

Investing activities

     (16,560 )     (5,947 )

Financing activities

     11,933       —    
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 306     $ 122  
                

 

(1) Also includes amortization of deferred financing fees.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary uses of cash are to fund working capital, operating expenses, debt service and capital expenditures related primarily to the construction of new stores. Historically, we have financed these requirements predominately through internally generated cash flow, supplemented with short-term financing. We believe that the cash generated by operations and cash and cash equivalents, together with the borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs for the next twelve months, including investments made and expenses incurred in connection with our store growth plans, systems development and store improvements.

We plan to spend up to $29 million in capital expenditures during Fiscal 2008, of which up to $24 million will be in connection with our store growth and improvement plans with the remainder of up to $5 million being used for all other expenditures. Of the total capital expenditures projected for Fiscal 2008 we have already invested $16.6 million during the six months ended June 28, 2008. We plan on opening approximately 50 to 60 stores during Fiscal 2008, of which we have already opened 20 stores as of June 28, 2008. Our working capital requirements for merchandise inventory will continue to increase as we continue to open additional stores. Currently, our practice is to establish an inventory level of $165,000 to $200,000 of cost for each of our stores. Additionally, 60 day payment terms have been extended to us by some of our suppliers allowing us to effectively manage our inventory and working capital.

 

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We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of June 28, 2008. At June 28, 2008, we had $1.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $54.8 million in working capital. At December 29, 2007, we had $1.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $51.2 million in working capital.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $4.9 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to cash of $6.1 million provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The $1.1 million decrease in cash flows from operating activities is primarily due to an increase in payments to our vendors (trade accounts payable), to maximize payment terms, offset by a decrease in spending on our inventory as we better manage our inventory and supply chain process.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 28, 2008 and June 30, 2007 was $16.6 million and $5.9 million, respectively. Capital expenditures during the six months ended June 28, 2008, were used for the construction of 20 new stores, as well as the construction in progress for approximately 30 new stores to be opened in Fiscal 2008, and for improvements of certain of our existing stores. In addition, expenditures included improvements and additions to our information systems technologies. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, capital expenditures were used primarily for the construction of 16 new stores and improvements of existing stores. Additionally, we acquired $3.5 million of intangible assets during the six month ended June 28, 2008. These included a $3.0 million acquisition of store leases, along with related customer lists, which included five out of twenty new stores added this Fiscal year, as well as an asset purchase of $0.5 million which occurred in the second Fiscal quarter of 2008, which consisted primarily of a tradename.

Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $11.9 million for the six months ended June 28, 2008, as compared to net cash of $0.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. The $11.9 million increase in cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 28, 2008 was due primarily to incremental borrowing of $12.0 million from our revolving credit facility, as compared to the same period last year, primarily to fund capital expenditures (which included $3.5 million asset purchases) for our Fiscal 2008 store openings.

2005 Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes

Commencing on February 15, 2006, interest on our Notes was set at a per annum rate equal to a three month LIBOR plus 7.5%, which resets quarterly on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year. The combined weighted average interest rate from December 30, 2007 through June 28, 2008 was 10.92%. Interest on overdue principal and interest and liquidated damages, if any, will accrue at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes. The indenture governing the Notes restricts the ability of Vitamin Shoppe Industries, Inc. (“VSI”) and VS Direct, Inc. (“Direct”) to incur additional debt, pay dividends and make distributions, make certain investments, repurchase stock, incur liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, enter into sale and lease back transactions, merge, or consolidate or transfer or sell assets.

Revolving Credit Facility

On November 15, 2005 VSI entered into a Revolving Credit Facility for $50.0 million, and has the option to increase or decrease the facility size by $25.0 million, subject to certain conditions. The availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base calculated on the basis of certain eligible accounts receivable from credit card companies and inventory of VSI and Direct. The obligations thereunder are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of Holdings, VSI and Direct. The Revolving Credit Facility provides for affirmative and negative covenants affecting VSI, Holdings and Direct. The Revolving Credit Facility restricts, among other things, our ability to incur indebtedness, create or permit liens on our assets, declare or pay dividends and certain other restricted payments, consolidate, merge or recapitalize, acquire or sell assets, make certain investments, loans or other advances, enter into transactions with affiliates, change our line of business, and restricts the types of hedging activities we can enter into. The Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of November 15, 2010. The unused available line of credit at June 28, 2008 was $36.5 million.

The borrowings under the revolving credit facility accrue interest, at our option, at the rate per annum announced from time to time by the agent as its “prime rate,” or at a per annum rate equal to between 1.25% and 1.75% (depending on excess availability) above the adjusted Eurodollar rate. The combined weighted average interest rate from December 30, 2007 through June 28, 2008 was 4.09%.

 

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Direct and Holdings provided guarantees in respect of VSI’s obligations in respect of the Credit Facility, and VSI and Holdings have provided guarantees in respect of Direct’s obligations in respect of the Credit Facility.

We entered into an interest rate swap during December 2005 on a portion of our Notes, which qualifies for hedge accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133. The swap’s fair market value of $2.3 million at December 29, 2007 and $2.8 million at June 28, 2008, is recorded in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Of the decrease in market value of $0.5 million during Fiscal 2008, $0.3 million was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, and $0.2 million was recorded in deferred tax assets.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

As of June 28, 2008, our lease commitments and contractual obligations are as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal year ending

   Total    Operating
Leases (1)
   Capital Lease
Obligation,
Including
Interest
   Long-Term
Debt
   Interest
Payments (2)
   Credit
Facility

Remainder of Fiscal 2008

   $ 37,815    $ 27,906    $ 76    $ —      $ 9,833    $ —  

2009

     74,958      55,139      152      —        19,667      —  

2010

     86,334      54,515      152      —        19,667      12,000

2011

     71,057      51,238      152      —        19,667      —  

2012

     231,272      48,840      —        165,000      17,432      —  

Thereafter

     128,303      128,303      —        —        —        —  
                                         
   $ 629,739    $ 365,941    $ 532    $ 165,000    $ 86,266    $ 12,000
                                         

 

(1) The operating leases included in the above table do not include contingent rent based upon sales volume, which represented less than 1% of our minimum lease obligations during the first six months of Fiscal of 2008. In addition, the operating leases do not include common area maintenance costs or real estate taxes that are paid to the landlord during the year, which combined represented approximately 16.2% of our minimum lease obligations for the six months ending June 28, 2008.

 

(2) Interest payments are based upon the prevailing interest rates at June 28, 2008, net of activity arising from our hedging activities which cease in 2011.

We have an aggregate contingent liability of up to $2.1 million related to potential severance payments for five executives as of June 28, 2008 pursuant to their respective employment agreements. We have an aggregate contingent liability of up to $1.9 million related to potential severance payments for eight employees as of June 28, 2008 following a change in control pursuant to their respective employment agreements. These potential severance payments are not reflected in the table above.

Excluded from the above commitments is $2.7 million of long-term liabilities related to uncertain tax positions pursuant to FIN 48, due to the uncertainty of the time and nature of resolution.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our business. We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into our financial statements that have or are reasonably likely have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Effects of Inflation

We do not believe that our sales or operating results have been materially impacted by inflation during the periods presented in our financial statements. There can be no assurance, however, that our sales or operating results will not be impacted by inflation in the future.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133,” (“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 will require entities to provide enhanced disclosures for

 

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derivative activities and hedging activities with regards to the reasons for employing derivative instruments, how they are accounted for, and how these instruments affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The provisions of SFAS No. 161 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 will not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities— Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure and report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis, with the objective to reduce both the complexity in accounting for financial instruments and mitigate the volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. The provisions of SFAS No. 159 were effective in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Effective December 30, 2007, we adopted certain provisions of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” that apply to certain financial assets and liabilities. This statement defines and establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands fair value disclosures. It does not require any new fair value measurements. The intent of this statement is to increase consistency of definitions and comparability of methods of fair value measurements, as well as to enhance fair value disclosure. SFAS No. 157, as amended by FASB Staff Position 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”), requires that the remaining provisions, which apply to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, be made effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect the adoption of the remaining provisions of SFAS No. 157 and FSP 157-2 to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The required disclosures are included in Note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)),” SFAS No. 141(R) attempts to improve the relevance and comparability of the information included in companies` financial reports regarding business combinations and their effects. The statement is effective for acquisitions occurring in fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Currently, we cannot determine the impact, if any, the adoption will have on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s market risks relate primarily to changes in interest rates. Market risk represents the risk of changes in the value of market risk sensitive instruments caused by fluctuations in interest rates and commodity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in the results of our operations and cash flows. In the ordinary course of business, we are primarily exposed to interest rate risks. Other than on our Notes, which carry a floating interest rate, we do not use derivative financial instruments in connection with these market risks. Our risk management activities are described below.

Our market risks relate primarily to changes in interest rates. Our revolving credit facility and Notes carry floating interest rates that are tied to LIBOR and the prime rate and, therefore, our statement of operations and our cash flows will be exposed to changes in interest rates. A one percentage point increase in LIBOR would cause an increase to interest expense of approximately $0.4 million as the total potential increase of $1.7 million would be offset by our hedging activities described below. We historically have engaged in interest rate hedging activities related to our floating rate debt. In December 2005, we entered into an interest rate swap on a portion of our Notes, the fair market value of which was $2.3 million at December 29, 2007, and $2.8 million at June 28, 2008, and is recorded in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure and Procedures

The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively, of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules l3a (e) and l5d—15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act”) as of June 28, 2008, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-l5. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 28, 2008 are effective for (1) gathering, analyzing and disclosing the information the Company is required to disclose in the reports it files under the Exchange Act, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no changes in our internal control structure over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 28, 2008, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information set forth in Note 8 in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

For a more detailed explanation of the factors affecting our business, please refer to the Risk Factors section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2008. There have been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K.

 

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

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

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

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

31.1    Certification of Thomas A. Tolworthy pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Michael G. Archbold pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Executive Officer.
32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on August 12, 2008.

 

VS HOLDINGS, INC.
By:   /s/ Thomas A. Tolworthy
 

Thomas A. Tolworthy

Chief Executive Officer

 

By   /s/ Michael G. Archbold
 

Michael G. Archbold

Chief Financial Officer

 

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CERTIFICATIONS

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

31.1    Certification of Thomas A. Tolworthy pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Michael G. Archbold pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Executive Officer.
32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Financial Officer.

 

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