bset20190112_10k.htm
 


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C., 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended November 24, 2018

 

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 No. 000-00209

 


 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

VIRGINIA

54-0135270

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

3525 FAIRYSTONE PARK HIGHWAY

BASSETT, VIRGINIA

24055

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 276/629-6000

 

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

 

Title of each class:

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock ($5.00 par value)

 

NASDAQ

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:      None 

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act           ☐  Yes    ☒  No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐  Yes    ☒  No

 

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for at least the past 90 days.     ☒  Yes    ☐  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒  Yes    ☐  No

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer Accelerated Filer
Non-Accelerated Filer Smaller reporting company
    Emerging growth company

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12-b2 of the Exchange Act).    ☐  Yes    ☒  No

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of May 25, 2018 was $285,374,778.

 

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding on January 10, 2019 was 10,499,956.

 

 

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated definitive Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held March 6, 2019, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

1
     

PART I

Item 1.

Business 

2

Item 1A.

Risk Factors 

7

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments 

9

Item 2.

Properties

9

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings 

10

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

10

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

10

     

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 

11

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data 

12

Item 7.

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

13

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

28

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

29

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

63

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures 

63

Item 9B.

Other Information 

65

     

PART III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

65

Item 11.

Executive Compensation 

65

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

65

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

65

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

65

     

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits

66

Item 16. 

Form 10-K Summary

67

     

SIGNATURES

68

 

 

 

 

As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, “Bassett,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and its subsidiaries. References to 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 mean the fiscal years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017, November 26, 2016, November 28, 2015 and November 29, 2014.

 

 

 

 

Safe-harbor, forward-looking statements

 

This discussion contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and subsidiaries. Such forward-looking statements are identified by use of forward-looking words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “estimates”, “expects”, “aimed” and “intends” or words or phrases of similar expression. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that any such matters will be realized. Important factors, which should be read in conjunction with Item 1A “Risk Factors”, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:

 

 

competitive conditions in the home furnishings industry

     
 

general economic conditions, including the strength of the housing market in the United States

     
 

overall retail traffic levels and consumer demand for home furnishings

     
 

ability of our customers and consumers to obtain credit

     
 

Bassett store openings and store closings and the profitability of the stores (independent licensees and Company-owned retail stores)

     
 

ability to implement our Company-owned retail strategies, including our initiatives to expand and improve our digital marketing capabilities, and realize the benefits from such strategies as they are implemented

     
 

fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials, fuel, labor and sourced products, including those which may result from the imposition of new or increased duties, tariffs, retaliatory tariffs and trade limitations with respect to foreign-sourced products

     
 

results of marketing and advertising campaigns

     
 

effectiveness and security of our information technology systems

     
 

future tax legislation, or regulatory or judicial positions

     
 

ability to efficiently manage the import supply chain to minimize business interruption

     
 

concentration of domestic manufacturing, particularly of upholstery products, and the resulting exposure to business interruption from accidents, weather and other events and circumstances beyond our control

     
 

general risks associated with providing freight transportation and other logistical services due to our acquisition of Zenith Freight Lines, LLC

 

1

 

 

PART I

 

 

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

 

(dollar amounts in thousands except per share data)

 

General

 

Bassett is a leading retailer, manufacturer and marketer of branded home furnishings. Our products are sold primarily through a network of Company-owned and licensee-owned branded stores under the Bassett Home Furnishings (“BHF”) name, with additional distribution through other wholesale channels including multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers. We were founded in 1902 and incorporated under the laws of Virginia in 1930. Our rich 116-year history has instilled the principles of quality, value, and integrity in everything we do, while simultaneously providing us with the expertise to respond to ever-changing consumer tastes and meet the demands of a global economy.

 

With 97 BHF stores at November 24, 2018 we have leveraged our strong brand name in furniture into a network of Company-owned and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories.  Our store program is designed to provide a single source home furnishings retail store that provides a unique combination of stylish, quality furniture and accessories with a high level of customer service.  In order to reach markets that cannot be effectively served by our retail store network, we also distribute our products through other wholesale channels including multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers. We use a network of over 30 independent sales representatives who have stated geographical territories. These sales representatives are compensated based on a standard commission rate. We believe this blended strategy provides us the greatest ability to effectively distribute our products throughout the United States and ultimately gain market share.  

 

The BHF stores feature custom order furniture, free in-home design visits (“home makeovers”), and coordinated decorating accessories.  Our philosophy is based on building strong long-term relationships with each customer.  Sales people are referred to as “Design Consultants” and are trained to evaluate customer needs and provide comprehensive solutions for their home decor.  Until a rigorous training and design certification program is completed, Design Consultants are not authorized to perform in-home design services for our customers.

 

We have factories in Newton, North Carolina and Grand Prairie, Texas that manufacture custom upholstered furniture, a factory in Martinsville, Virginia that primarily assembles and finishes our custom casual dining offerings and a factory in Bassett, Virginia that assembles and finishes our “Bench Made” line of custom, solid hardwood furniture. Our manufacturing team takes great pride in the breadth of its options, the precision of its craftsmanship, and the speed of its process, with custom pieces often manufactured within two weeks of taking the order in our stores. Our logistics team then promptly ships the product to one of our home delivery hubs or to a location specified by our licensees.  In addition to the furniture that we manufacture domestically, we source most of our formal bedroom and dining room furniture (casegoods) and certain leather upholstery offerings from several foreign plants, primarily in Vietnam and China. However, over 70% of the products we currently sell are manufactured in the United States.

 

We also own Zenith Freight Lines, LLC (“Zenith”) which provides logistical services to Bassett along with other furniture manufacturers and retailers. Zenith delivers best-of-class shipping and logistical support services that are uniquely tailored to the needs of Bassett and the furniture industry. Approximately 65% of Zenith’s revenue is generated from services provided to non-Bassett customers.

 

On December 21, 2017, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lane Venture from Heritage Home Group, LLC for $15,556 in cash. Lane Venture is a manufacturer and distributor of premium outdoor furniture, and is now being operated as a component of our wholesale segment. This acquisition marks our entry into the market for outdoor furniture and we believe that Lane Venture will provide a foundation for us to become a significant participant in this category. We distribute this brand outside of our BHF store network with plans to introduce a Bassett-branded line in the BHF stores in 2020. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding this acquisition.

 

2

 

 

Operating Segments

 

We have strategically aligned our business into three reportable segments: Wholesale, Retail – Company-owned stores, and Logistical Services.

 

The wholesale home furnishings segment is involved principally in the design, manufacture, sourcing, sale and distribution of furniture products to a network of BHF stores (Company-owned retail stores and licensee-owned stores) and independent furniture retailers. Our retail segment consists of 65 Company-owned and operated BHF stores. The following table shows the number of Company-owned stores by state as of November 24, 2018:

 

   

Number of

     

Number of

 

State

 

Stores

 

State

 

Stores

 

Alabama

    1  

Missouri

    1  

Arizona

    2  

Nevada

    1  

Arkansas

    1  

New Jersey

    1  

California

    5  

New York

    6  

Connecticut

    3  

North Carolina

    5  

Delaware

    1  

Ohio

    1  

Florida

    3  

Oklahoma

    1  

Georgia

    3  

Pennsylvania

    2  

Kansas

    1  

South Carolina

    1  

Kentucky

    1  

Tennessee

    1  

Maryland

    3  

Texas

    12  

Massachusetts

    3  

Virginia

    5  

Mississippi

    1  

Total

    65  

 

Our six locations in the state of New York include a 16,000 square foot clearance center in Middletown, New York which we opened during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Unlike our other 64 BHF locations, the clearance center offers only clearance merchandise at reduced price points and without design consulting services.

 

With our acquisition of Zenith in 2015, we created the logistical services operating segment which reflects the operations of Zenith. In addition to providing shipping and warehousing services for the Company, Zenith also provides similar services to other customers, primarily in the furniture industry.

 

 

Wholesale Segment Overview

 

The wholesale furniture industry is very competitive and there are a large number of manufacturers both within and outside the United States who compete in the market on the basis of product quality, price, style, delivery and service. Additionally, many retailers source imported product directly, thus bypassing domestic furniture manufacturers and wholesale importers. We believe that we can be successful in the current competitive environment because our products represent excellent value combining attractive prices, quality and styling, prompt delivery, and superior service.

 

Wholesale shipments by category for the last three fiscal years are summarized below:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                                                 

Bassett Custom Upholstery

  $ 141,321       55.2 %   $ 136,366       54.7 %   $ 127,989       53.3 %

Bassett Leather

    21,589       8.4 %     22,528       9.0 %     21,038       8.8 %

Bassett Custom Wood

    46,074       18.0 %     43,793       17.6 %     36,517       15.2 %

Bassett Casegoods

    42,875       16.8 %     42,874       17.2 %     52,246       21.7 %

Accessories

    4,099       1.6 %     3,632       1.5 %     2,556       1.1 %

Total

  $ 255,958       100.0 %   $ 249,193       100.0 %   $ 240,346       100.0 %

 

Approximately 27% of our 2018 wholesale sales were of imported product compared to 27% and 31% in 2017 and 2016, respectively. We define imported product as fully finished product that is sourced. Our domestic product includes certain products that contain components which were also sourced. We continue to believe that a blended strategy including domestically produced products primarily of a custom-order nature combined with sourcing of major collections provides the best value and quality of products to our customers. The decline in imported goods share of our wholesale sales over the last three years has been driven primarily by increasing sales of our domestic custom wood and upholstery product offerings.

 

3

 

 

The dollar value of our wholesale backlog, representing orders received but not yet shipped to the BHF store network or independent dealers, was $25,810 at November 24, 2018 and $22,239 at November 25, 2017. We expect that the November 24, 2018 backlog will be filled within fiscal 2019, with the majority of the backlog being filled during the first quarter.

 

We use lumber, fabric, leather, foam and other materials in the production of wood and upholstered furniture. These components are purchased from a variety of domestic and international suppliers and are widely available. The price and availability of foam, which is highly dependent on the cost of oil and available capacity of oil refineries, can be subject to significant volatility from time to time. We currently assemble and finish these components in our four plants in the United States.

 

Other Investments and Real Estate

 

Our balance sheet at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017 included short-term investments in certificates of deposit and certain retail real estate related to former licensee-owned stores. The impact upon earnings arising from these assets is included in other loss, net, in our consolidated statements of income. Our investment balances at each of the last three fiscal year-ends are as follows:

 

   

November 24,

   

November 25,

   

November 26,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Investments in certificates of deposit

  $ 22,643     $ 23,125     $ 23,125  

Certain retail real estate

    1,655       2,969       3,120  

 

Our short-term investments at November 24, 2018 consist of certificates of deposit (“CDs”) with original terms generally ranging from six to twelve months, bearing interest at rates ranging from 0.85% to 2.70% with a weighted average yield of approximately 2.3%. At November 24, 2018, the weighted average remaining time to maturity of the CDs was approximately six months. Each CD is placed with a federally insured financial institution and all deposits are within Federal deposit insurance limits.

 

We hold investments in retail store properties that we had previously leased to licensees. These holdings, which also include closed store real estate currently leased to non-licensees, are included in other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheets. These real estate holdings are typically in urban, high-traffic retail locations. See Item 2, Properties, for additional information about our retail real estate holdings.

 

 

Retail Segment OverviewCompany-Owned Retail Stores

 

The retail furniture industry remains very competitive and includes local furniture stores, regional furniture retailers, national department and chain stores and single-vendor branded retailers. As a whole, our store network with 65 Company-owned stores and 32 licensee-owned stores, ranks in the top 30 in retail furniture sales in the United States. We plan to open six additional Company-owned stores in fiscal 2019, after which we expect to significantly reduce the pace of the BHF network expansion and focus on maximizing profitable sales volume through the existing stores.

 

Net sales for our Company-owned retail stores for the last three fiscal years are summarized below:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Net sales

  $ 268,883     $ 268,264     $ 254,667  

 

Maintaining and enhancing our brand is critical to our ability to expand our base of customers and drive increased traffic at both Company-owned and licensee-owned stores. Our advertising and marketing campaign utilizes local and national television, direct mail, catalogs, newspapers, magazines, radio, internet and social and other digital media in an effort to maintain and enhance our existing brand equity.

 

Our stores incorporate a stylish, residential feel while highlighting our unmatched custom manufacturing capabilities.  We leverage our customization capabilities by dedicating space in the stores to design solutions for dining, upholstery, home entertainment and storage.  

 

4

 

 

Logistical Services Segment Overview

 

Zenith is a specialized supply chain solutions provider, offering the home furnishings industry the benefit of an asset-based network to move product with greater efficiency, enhanced speed to market, less damage and a single source of shipment visibility. We provide fully integrated solutions with the highest commitment to customer care and service as we seek to go beyond our customers’ transactional expectations to create collaborative partnerships that provide a single source network to:

 

 

Better manage inventory across multiple locations and provide total audit-ready accountability

 

Reduce line haul and delivery costs

 

Ensure availability of high-volume items in stores

 

Integrate the omnichannel nature of today’s retail supply chain

 

Management and predictability of the total landed cost of goods

 

Our customer solutions are provided through the following services:

 

 

Network line haul freight (middle mile)

 

Warehousing, distribution and inventory management

 

At November 24, 2018, our shipping and delivery fleet consisted of the following:

 

   

Owned

   

Leased

   

Total

 

Tractors

    154       88       242  

Trailers

    239       271       510  

Local delivery trucks

    20       -       20  

 

We own a central warehousing and national distribution hub located in Conover, North Carolina, and we lease nine facilities in seven states across the continental United States from which we operate regional freight terminals and provide warehouse and distribution services.

 

Trademarks

 

Our trademarks, including “Bassett” and the names of some of our marketing divisions, products and collections, are significant to the conduct of our business. This is important due to consumer recognition of the names and identification with our broad range of products. Certain of our trademarks are licensed to independent retailers for use in full store and store gallery presentations of our products. We also own copyrights that are important in the conduct of our business.

 

Government Regulations

 

We believe that we have materially complied with all federal, state and local standards regarding safety, health and pollution and environmental controls.

 

Our logistical services segment is also subject to regulation by several federal governmental agencies, including the Department of Transportation (“DOT”). Specifically the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Surface Transportation Board, which are agencies within the DOT. We are also subject to rules and regulations of various state agencies. These regulatory authorities have broad powers, generally governing matters such as authority to engage in motor carrier operations, motor carrier registration, driver hours of service, safety and fitness of transportation equipment and drivers and other matters.

 

We may also be affected by laws and regulations of countries from which we source goods. Labor, environmental and other laws and regulations change over time, especially in the developing countries from which we source. Changes in these areas of regulation could negatively impact the cost and availability of sourced goods. The timing and extent to which these regulations could have an adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations is difficult to predict. In addition, the imposition of new or increased duties, tariffs, retaliatory tariffs and trade limitations with respect to foreign-sourced products could negatively impact the cost of such goods. Based on the present facts, we do not believe that they will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or future results of operations.

 

People

 

We employed 2,574 people as of November 24, 2018, of which 934 were employed in our retail segment, 1,034 were employed in our wholesale segment and 606 were employed in our logistical services segment, which also utilized another 161 temporary workers provided through staffing agencies. None of our employees are subject to collective bargaining arrangements and we have not experienced any recent work stoppages. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

 

5

 

 

Major Customers

 

Our risk exposure related to our customers, consisting primarily of trade accounts receivable along with certain guarantees, net of recognized reserves, totaled approximately $21,050 and $22,357 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively. At November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, approximately 33% and 29%, respectively, of the aggregate risk exposure, net of reserves, was attributable to five customers. In fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated net sales. However, two customers accounted for approximately 40%, 47% and 46% of our consolidated revenue from logistical services during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Available Information

 

Through our website, www.bassettfurniture.com, we make available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing or furnishing with the SEC, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments thereto.

 

6

 

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

 

The following risk factors should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and the forward-looking information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risk factors below represent what we believe are the known material risk factors with respect to us and our business. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, operations, industry, financial position or future financial results.

 

We face a volatile retail environment and changing economic conditions that may further adversely affect consumer demand and spending.

 

Historically, the home furnishings industry has been subject to cyclical variations in the general economy and to uncertainty regarding future economic prospects. Should the current economic recovery falter or the current recovery in housing starts stall, consumer confidence and demand for home furnishings could deteriorate which could adversely affect our business through its impact on the performance of our Company-owned stores, as well as our licensees and the ability of a number of them to meet their obligations to us.

 

Our retail stores face significant competition from national, regional and local retailers of home furnishings, including increasing on-line competition via the internet.

 

The retail market for home furnishings is highly fragmented and intensely competitive. We currently compete against a diverse group of retailers, including national department stores, regional or independent specialty stores, and dedicated franchises of furniture manufacturers. National mass merchants such as Costco also have limited product offerings. We also compete with retailers that market products through store catalogs and the internet. In addition, there are few barriers to entry into our current and contemplated markets, and new competitors may enter our current or future markets at any time. We have also seen increasing competition from retailers offering consumers the ability to purchase home furnishings via the internet for home delivery, and this trend is expected to continue. Our existing competitors or new entrants into our industry may use a number of different strategies to compete against us, including aggressive advertising, pricing and marketing, extension of credit to customers on terms more favorable than we offer, and expansion into markets where we currently operate.

 

Competition from any of these sources could cause us to lose market share, revenues and customers, increase expenditures or reduce prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Our licensee-owned stores may not be able to meet their obligations to us.

 

We have a significant amount of accounts receivable attributable to our network of licensee-owned stores. We also guarantee some of the leases of some of our licensees. If these stores do not generate the necessary level of sales and profits, the licensees may not be able to fulfill their obligations to us resulting in additional bad debt expenses and real estate related losses.

 

Failure to successfully anticipate or respond to changes in consumer tastes and trends in a timely manner could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Sales of our furniture are dependent upon consumer acceptance of our designs, styles, quality and price. As with all retailers, our business is susceptible to changes in consumer tastes and trends. We attempt to monitor changes in consumer tastes and home design trends through attendance at international industry events and fashion shows, internal marketing research, and communication with our retailers and design consultants who provide valuable input on consumer tendencies. However, such tastes and trends can change rapidly and any delay or failure to anticipate or respond to changing consumer tastes and trends in a timely manner could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

In addition, certain suppliers may require extensive advance notice of our requirements in order to produce products in the quantities we desire. This long lead time may require us to place orders far in advance of the time when certain products will be offered for sale, thereby exposing us to risks relating to shifts in consumer demand and trends, and any downturn in the U.S. economy.

 

7

 

 

Our success depends upon our brand, marketing and advertising efforts and pricing strategies, and if we are not able to maintain and enhance our brand, or if we are not successful in these efforts and strategies, our business and operating results could be adversely affected.

 

Maintaining and enhancing our brand is critical to our ability to expand our base of customers and drive increased traffic at both Company-owned and licensee-owned stores. Our advertising and marketing campaign utilizes television, direct mail, catalogs, newspapers, magazines, radio, the internet and social and other digital media in an effort to maintain and enhance our existing brand equity. We cannot provide assurance that our marketing, advertising and other efforts to promote and maintain awareness of our brand will not require us to incur substantial costs. If these efforts are unsuccessful or we incur substantial costs in connection with these efforts, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

Our use of foreign sources of production for a portion of our products exposes us to certain additional risks associated with international operations.

 

Our use of foreign sources for the supply of certain of our products exposes us to risks associated with overseas sourcing.  These risks are related to government regulation, volatile ocean freight costs, delays in shipments, and extended lead time in ordering. Governments in the foreign countries where we source our products may change their laws, regulations and policies, including those related to tariffs and trade barriers, investments, taxation and exchange controls which could make it more difficult to service our customers resulting in an adverse effect on our earnings. We could also experience increases in the cost of ocean freight shipping which could have an adverse effect on our earnings. Shipping delays and extended order lead times may adversely affect our ability to respond to sudden changes in demand, resulting in the purchase of excess inventory in the face of declining demand, or lost sales due to insufficient inventory in the face of increasing demand, either of which would also have an adverse effect on our earnings or liquidity.

 

Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials could result in increased costs or cause production delays which might result in a decline in sales, either of which could adversely impact our earnings. 

 

We use various types of wood, foam, fibers, fabrics, leathers, and other raw materials in manufacturing our furniture. Certain of our raw materials, including fabrics, are purchased both abroad and domestically. Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials could result in increased costs or a delay in manufacturing our products, which in turn could result in a delay in delivering products to our customers. For example, lumber prices fluctuate over time based on factors such as weather and demand, which in turn impact availability. Production delays or upward trends in raw material prices could result in lower sales or margins, thereby adversely impacting our earnings.

 

We rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions, summarize results and manage our business.  Disruptions in both our primary and back-up systems could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

Our primary and back-up computer systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, natural disasters and errors by employees.  Though losses arising from some of these issues would be covered by insurance, interruptions of our critical business computer systems or failure of our back-up systems could reduce our sales or result in longer production times.  If our critical business computer systems or back-up systems are damaged or cease to function properly, we may have to make a significant investment to repair or replace them.

 

We may incur costs and reputational harm resulting from security risks we face in connection with our electronic processing, storage and transmission of confidential information.

 

We accept electronic payment cards in our stores and also gather certain personal identifiable information in the processing of our retail sales transactions. We also store and process confidential information pertaining to our employees and other third parties on our networks. We may in the future become subject to claims for purportedly fraudulent transactions arising out of the actual or alleged theft of credit or debit card information. In addition, if there were a disclosure of confidential information provided by, or concerning, our employees, customers or other third parties, including through inadvertent disclosure, unapproved dissemination, or unauthorized access, our reputation could be harmed and we could be subject to civil or criminal liability and regulatory actions. Proceedings related to theft of credit or debit card information may be brought by payment card providers, banks and credit unions that issue cards, cardholders (either individually or as part of a class action lawsuit) and federal and state regulators. Any such proceedings could distract our management from running our business and cause us to incur significant unplanned losses and expenses. Consumer perception of our brand could also be negatively affected by these events, which could further adversely affect our results and prospects.

 

8

 

 

We may suffer adverse impacts from additional risks associated with the operations of Zenith, a freight transportation and logistics business.

 

Zenith exposes us to certain risks common to that business, including, but not limited to: difficulties attracting and retaining qualified drivers which could result in increases in driver compensation and could adversely affect our profitability and our ability to maintain or grow our fleet; adverse impacts from unfavorable fluctuations in the availability and price of diesel fuel; increased costs of compliance with, or liability for violation of, existing or future regulations in the highly regulated freight transportation industry; adverse impacts upon Zenith’s results of operations which may result from seasonal factors and harsh weather conditions; and the increased liability inherent with the operation of heavy over-the-road vehicles.

 

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

 

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

 

General

 

We own our corporate office building, which includes an annex, located in Bassett, Va.

 

We own the following facilities, by segment:

 

Wholesale Segment:

 

Facility

Location

   

Bassett Wood Division

Martinsville, Va.

Bassett Wood Division

Bassett, Va.

Bassett Upholstery Division

Newton, N.C. 

3 Warehouses

Bassett, Va.

 

In general, these facilities are suitable and are considered to be adequate for the continuing operations involved. All facilities are in regular use and provide adequate capacity for our manufacturing and warehousing needs. In addition to the owned properties shown above, we have an upholstery division manufacturing facility which occupies part of a regional distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas that is leased by our logistical services segment, and we lease property in Newton, North Carolina for the manufacturing and warehousing operations of Lane Venture.

 

Retail Segment:

 

Real estate associated with our retail segment consists of nine owned locations with an aggregate square footage of 223,570 and a net book value of $19,997. These stores are located as follows:

 

Concord, North Carolina Greensboro, North Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina Fredericksburg, Virginia
Houston, Texas (2 locations) Gulfport, Mississippi
Knoxville, Tennessee Louisville, Kentucky

 

Of these locations, two are subject to land leases and two are subject to mortgages. Our remaining 56 store locations are leased from third-parties. In addition to retail stores, we also lease nineteen locations for use as regional warehouses and home delivery distribution centers.

 

9

 

 

Logistical Services Segment:

 

Owned real estate associated with our logistical services segment is located in Conover, North Carolina and includes the following facilities:

 

Facility

 

Square Footage

 

Distribution center and corporate office

    242,000  

2 Maintenance facilities

    15,142  

2 Transit warehouses

    86,135  

 

In addition to the owned facilities listed above, we also lease warehouse space in nine locations across the United States with an aggregate square footage of 896,429.

 

Other Real Estate Owned:

 

We hold investments in retail store property that we previously leased to licensees and now lease to others. Such properties consist of two locations with aggregate square footage of 41,021 and net book value of $1,655 at November 24, 2018.

 

See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report for more information with respect to our operating lease obligations.

 

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None.  

 

 

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.  

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

David C. Baker, 58, joined the Company in 2005 as Director, Store Operations. From 2006 to 2015 he served as Vice President – Corporate Retail, and currently serves as Senior Vice President, Corporate Retail. Prior to joining Bassett, Mr. Baker managed Bassett stores for licensees from 1999 to 2005 after having previously managed stores for other furniture retail chains including Haverty’s and Rhodes Furniture.

 

John E. Bassett III, 60, has been with the Company since 1981 and served in various wood manufacturing and product sourcing capacities, including Vice President, Wood Manufacturing; Vice-President, Global Sourcing from 2001 to 2007 and Vice President, Wood in 2008. He was appointed Senior Vice President, Wood in 2009.

 

Bruce R. Cohenour, 60, has been with the Company since 2011, starting as Senior Vice President of Upholstery Merchandising and serving as Senior Vice President of Sales and Merchandising since January 2013. Prior to joining Bassett, Mr. Cohenour was with Hooker Furniture Corp. from 2007 through 2010, last serving as President of the Case Goods Division.

 

J. Michael Daniel, 57, joined the Company in 2007 as Corporate Controller. From April 2009 through December 2009, he served as Corporate Controller and Interim Chief Financial Officer. In January 2010, he was appointed Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. In January 2013, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

 

Jack L. Hawn, 65, has been with the Company since 2015 as Senior Vice President, Bassett and President, Zenith. His company, Zenith Transportation, Inc., was majority owner of Zenith (Zenith Freight Lines, LLC) from 1999 until its interest in Zenith was acquired by the Company in 2015. He has served as President of Zenith since its formation in 1999.

 

Jay R. Hervey, Esq., 59, has served as the General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary for the Company since 1997.

 

Mark S. Jordan, 65, joined the Company in 1999 as Plant Manager. In 2001, he was promoted to Vice President of Upholstery Manufacturing and in 2002 he was promoted to Vice President and General Manager-Upholstery. He has served as Senior Vice President of Upholstery since 2009.

 

Robert H. Spilman, Jr., 62, has been with the Company since 1984. Since 2000, he has served as Chief Executive Officer and President, and in 2016 also became the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

10

 

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Market Information:

 

Bassett’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ global select market system under the symbol “BSET.” We had approximately 3,200 beneficial stockholders at January 10, 2019.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities: 

 

We are authorized to repurchase Company stock under a plan which was originally announced in 1998. On October 3, 2018, the Board of Directors increased the remaining limit of the repurchase plan to $20 million. The repurchase program does not include a specific time table or price targets and may be suspended or terminated at any time. Shares may be purchased through open market or privately negotiated transactions at the discretion of management based on its evaluation of prevailing market conditions and other factors. The following table summarizes the stock repurchase activity for the three months ended November 24, 2018 and the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased pursuant to our stock repurchase program:

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

   

Total

Shares

Purchased

   

Average

Price Paid

   

Total Number of Shares

Purchased as Part of

Publicly Announced Plans

or Programs

   

Approximate Dollar Value

of Shares that May Yet Be

Purchased Under the Plans

or Programs

 
                                 

August 26 - September 29, 2018

    38,000     $ 21.90       38,000     $ 7,773  

September 30 - October 27, 2018

    86,000     $ 21.16       86,000     $ 18,430  

October 28 - November 24, 2018

    22,400     $ 19.90       22,400     $ 17,984  

 

11

 

 

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The selected financial data set forth below for the fiscal years indicated were derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements (including the notes thereto) and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in, or incorporated by reference into, this report.

 

(In thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2016

   

2015

   

2014

 
                                         
                                         

Net sales

  $ 456,855  (1)   $ 452,503  (1)   $ 432,038  (1)   $ 430,927  (1)   $ 340,738  

Operating income

  $ 14,084  (2)   $ 27,018  (2)   $ 28,193  (2)   $ 25,989  (2)   $ 15,131  

Other income (loss), net

  $ (1,878 )   $ 858  (3)   $ (2,416 )(4)   $ 5,879  (4)   $ (524 )

Income before income taxes

  $ 12,206     $ 27,876     $ 25,777     $ 31,868     $ 14,607  

Income tax expense

  $ 3,988  (5)   $ 9,620     $ 9,948     $ 11,435     $ 5,308  

Net income

  $ 8,218     $ 18,256     $ 15,829     $ 20,433     $ 9,299  

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.77     $ 1.70     $ 1.46     $ 1.88     $ 0.87  

Cash dividends declared

  $ 5,041     $ 8,266     $ 7,345     $ 5,868     $ 5,085  

Cash dividends per share

  $ 0.47     $ 0.77     $ 0.68     $ 0.54     $ 0.48  

Total assets

  $ 291,641     $ 293,748     $ 278,267     $ 282,543     $ 240,746  

Long-term debt

  $ -     $ 329     $ 3,821     $ 8,500     $ 1,902  

Current ratio

    1.82 to 1       1.91 to 1       1.83 to 1       1.84 to 1       1.95 to 1  

Book value per share

  $ 18.08     $ 17.83     $ 16.85     $ 16.25     $ 14.95  

 

 

(1)

Fiscal 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 included logistical services revenue from Zenith in the amount of $54,386, $54,406, $54,842 and $43,522, respectively, since the acquisition of Zenith on February 2, 2015.

 

(2)

Fiscal 2018 operating income includes restructuring and asset impairment charges and lease exit costs totaling $770. Fiscal 2017 operating income includes a gain of $1,220 resulting from the sale of our retail store in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fiscal 2016 operating income includes the benefit of a $1,428 award received from the settlement of class action litigation. Fiscal 2015 included restructuring and asset impairment charges and lease exit costs totaling $974. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to each of these items.

 

(3)

Fiscal 2017 includes $4,221 of gains resulting from the sale of investments (see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), an impairment charge of $1,084 retail real estate held for investment (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

(4)

Fiscal 2015 includes a remeasurement gain of $7,212 arising from our acquisition of Zenith. Fiscal 2015 and 2014 include $240 and $1,156 of income received from the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (“CDSOA”), respectively.

 

(5)

Fiscal 2018 income tax expense includes a charge of $1,331 resulting from the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets following the reduction of federal income tax rates with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

12

 

 

ITEM 7.

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

(Amounts in thousands except share and per share data)

 

Overview

 

Bassett is a leading retailer, manufacturer and marketer of branded home furnishings. Our products are sold primarily through a network of Company-owned and licensee-owned branded stores under the Bassett Home Furnishings (“BHF”) name, with additional distribution through other wholesale channels including multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers. We were founded in 1902 and incorporated under the laws of Virginia in 1930. Our rich 116-year history has instilled the principles of quality, value, and integrity in everything we do, while simultaneously providing us with the expertise to respond to ever-changing consumer tastes and meet the demands of a global economy.

 

With 97 BHF stores at November 24, 2018 we have leveraged our strong brand name in furniture into a network of Company-owned and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories.  Our store program is designed to provide a single source home furnishings retail store that provides a unique combination of stylish, quality furniture and accessories with a high level of customer service.  In order to reach markets that cannot be effectively served by our retail store network, we also distribute our products through other wholesale channels including multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers. We use a network of over 30 independent sales representatives who have stated geographical territories. These sales representatives are compensated based on a standard commission rate. We believe this blended strategy provides us the greatest ability to effectively distribute our products throughout the United States and ultimately gain market share.  

 

The BHF stores feature custom order furniture, free in-home design visits (“home makeovers”), and coordinated decorating accessories.  Our philosophy is based on building strong long-term relationships with each customer.  Sales people are referred to as “Design Consultants” and are trained to evaluate customer needs and provide comprehensive solutions for their home decor.  Until a rigorous training and design certification program is completed, Design Consultants are not authorized to perform in-home design services for our customers.

 

We have factories in Newton, North Carolina and Grand Prairie, Texas that manufacture custom upholstered furniture, a factory in Martinsville, Virginia that primarily assembles and finishes our custom casual dining offerings and a factory in Bassett, Virginia that assembles and finishes our “Bench Made” line of custom, solid hardwood furniture. Our manufacturing team takes great pride in the breadth of its options, the precision of its craftsmanship, and the speed of its process, with custom pieces often manufactured within two weeks of taking the order in our stores. Our logistics team then promptly ships the product to one of our home delivery hubs or to a location specified by our licensees.  In addition to the furniture that we manufacture domestically, we source most of our formal bedroom and dining room furniture (casegoods) and certain leather upholstery offerings from several foreign plants, primarily in Vietnam and China. Over 70% of the products we currently sell are manufactured in the United States.

 

We also own Zenith Freight Lines, LLC (“Zenith”) which provides logistical services to Bassett along with other furniture manufacturers and retailers. Zenith delivers best-of-class shipping and logistical support services that are uniquely tailored to the needs of Bassett and the furniture industry. Approximately 65% of Zenith’s revenue is generated from services provided to non-Bassett customers.

 

On December 21, 2017, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lane Venture from Heritage Home Group, LLC for $15,556 in cash. Lane Venture is a manufacturer and distributor of premium outdoor furniture, and is now being operated as a component of our wholesale segment. This acquisition marks our entry into the market for outdoor furniture and we believe that Lane Venture will provide a foundation for us to become a significant participant in this category. We plan to distribute this brand outside of our Bassett store network with plans to introduce a Bassett-branded line in the stores in the near future. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding this acquisition.

 

At November 24, 2018, our BHF store network included 65 Company-owned stores and 32 licensee-owned stores. During fiscal 2018, we opened new stores in Chandler, Arizona; Summerlin, Nevada; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; El Paso, Texas; and Frisco, Texas and completed the repositioning of one store in the Houston, Texas market. In addition, licensees opened new stores in La Jolla, California and Daly City, California. We also opened a new 16,000 square foot clearance center in Middletown, New York in the third quarter of 2018. Because the nature of this store will differ significantly from the other stores in the BHF network, offering only clearance merchandise at reduced price points and without design consulting services, we will not include this location in our reporting of comparable store results in the future. During fiscal 2018 we closed one underperforming store in San Antonio, Texas.

 

13

 

 

We continue to execute our strategy of growing the Company through opening new stores, repositioning stores to improved locations within a market and closing underperforming stores. The following table shows planned store openings where leases have been executed:

 

     

Size

 

Planned

Location

Type

 

Sq. Ft.

 

Opening

New Stores:

           

Coral Gables, FL

Corporate

    10,000  

Q1 2019

Boise, ID

Licensed

    11,000  

Q1 2019

Columbus, OH

Corporate

    11,000  

Q1 2019

Tucson, AZ

Corporate

    9,000  

Q1 2019

Estero, FL

Corporate

    15,000  

Q1 2019

Sarasota, FL

Corporate

    8,000  

Q2 2019

Princeton, NJ

Corporate

    13,000  

Q3 2019

             

Repositionings:

           

Friendswood, TX to Baybrook Mall area in Friendswood, TX

Corporate

    16,000  

Q1 2019

 

Following the planned openings shown above, we expect to significantly reduce the pace of the BHF network expansion and focus on maximizing profitable sales volume through the existing stores.

 

As with any retail operation, prior to opening a new store we incur such expenses as rent, training costs and other payroll related costs. These costs generally range between $200 to $400 per store depending on the overall rent costs for the location and the period between the time when we take physical possession of the store space and the time of the store opening. Generally, rent payments during a buildout period between delivery of possession and opening of a new store are deferred and therefore straight line rent expense recognized during that time does not require cash. Inherent in our retail business model, we also incur losses in the two to three months of operation following a new store opening. Like other furniture retailers, we do not recognize a sale until the furniture is delivered to our customer. Because our retail business model does not involve maintaining a stock of retail inventory that would result in quick delivery and because of the custom nature of many of our furniture offerings, delivery to our customers usually occurs about 30 days after an order is placed. We generally require a deposit at the time of order and collect the remaining balance when the furniture is delivered, at which time the sale is recognized. Coupled with the previously discussed store pre-opening costs, total start-up losses can range from $400 to $600 per store. While our retail expansion is initially costly, we believe our site selection and new store presentation will generally result in locations that operate at or above a retail break-even level within a reasonable period of time following store opening. Factors affecting the length of time required to achieve this goal on a store-by-store basis may include the level of brand recognition, the degree of local competition and the depth of penetration in a particular market. Even as new stores ramp up to break-even, we do realize additional wholesale sales volume that leverages the fixed costs in our wholesale business.

 

During 2018, we invested in our digital effort to improve the customers’ journey from the time they begin on our website to the final step of delivering the goods to their homes. Today’s customers expect their digital experiences and communications to be personalized and highly-relevant, and catered to match their specific needs and preferences. We have laid the foundation to becoming more connected to our customers and to use the data and insights collected during the customer journey to create a more compelling customized customer experience beginning in 2019.

 

In 2018, we also invested significantly in developing data driven marketing processes to fuel our future growth. In collaboration with external specialists, we are developing an enterprise data reporting tool to support fully integrated media optimization across broadcast, print and digital media. We also invested in implementing several new digital marketing channels, using a methodical test, measure, optimize approach to ensure maximum return on investment. These included social media advertising, product information optimization and syndication for shopping marketplaces, and home furniture/décor influential partnerships.

 

14

 

 

Analysis of Operations

 

Net sales revenue, cost of furniture and accessories sold, selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense, new store pre-opening costs, other charges, and income from operations were as follows for the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 and November 26, 2016:

 

                                                   

Change from Prior Year

 
                                                   

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

   

Dollars

   

Percent

   

Dollars

   

Percent

 

Sales Revenue:

                                                                               

Furniture and accessories

  $ 402,469       88.1 %   $ 398,097       88.0 %   $ 377,196       87.3 %   $ 4,372       1.1 %   $ 20,901       5.5 %

Logistics

    54,386       11.9 %     54,406       12.0 %     54,842       12.7 %     (20 )     0.0 %     (436 )     -0.8 %

Total net sales revenue

    456,855       100.0 %     452,503       100.0 %     432,038       100.0 %     4,352       1.0 %     20,465       4.7 %
                                                                                 

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    179,581       39.3 %     177,579       39.2 %     167,519       38.8 %     2,002       1.1 %     10,060       6.0 %

SG&A

    260,339       57.0 %     245,493       54.3 %     235,178       54.4 %     14,846       6.0 %     10,315       4.4 %

New store pre-opening costs

    2,081       0.5 %     2,413       0.5 %     1,148       0.4 %     (332 )     -13.8 %     1,265       110.2 %

Other charges

    770       0.2 %     -       0.0 %     -       0.0 %     770       NM       -       NM  
                                                                                 

Income from operations

  $ 14,084       3.1 %   $ 27,018       6.0 %   $ 28,193       6.5 %   $ (12,934 )     -47.9 %   $ (1,175 )     -4.2 %

 

Our consolidated net sales by segment were as follows:

 

                           

Change from Prior Year

 
                           

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

   

Dollars

   

Percent

   

Dollars

   

Percent

 

Net Sales

                                                       

Wholesale

  $ 255,958     $ 249,193     $ 240,346     $ 6,765       2.7 %   $ 8,847       3.7 %

Retail

    268,883       268,264       254,667       619       0.2 %     13,597       5.3 %

Logistical services

    82,866       83,030       83,236       (164 )     -0.2 %     (206 )     -0.2 %

Inter-company eliminations:

                                                       

Furniture and accessories

    (122,372 )     (119,360 )     (117,817 )     (3,012 )     2.5 %     (1,543 )     1.3 %

Logistical services

    (28,480 )     (28,624 )     (28,394 )     144       -0.5 %     (230 )     0.8 %

Consolidated

  $ 456,855     $ 452,503     $ 432,038     $ 4,352       1.0 %   $ 20,465       4.7 %

 

Refer to the segment information which follows for a discussion of the significant factors and trends affecting our results of operations for fiscal 2018 and 2017 as compared with the prior year periods.

 

Certain other items affecting comparability between periods are discussed below in “Other Items Affecting Net Income”.

 

15

 

 

Segment Information

 

We have strategically aligned our business into three reportable segments as described below:

 

Wholesale. The wholesale home furnishings segment is involved principally in the design, manufacture, sourcing, sale and distribution of furniture products to a network of Bassett stores (licensee-owned stores and Company-owned stores) and independent furniture retailers. Our wholesale segment includes our wood and upholstery operations as well as all corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, including those corporate expenses related to both Company- and licensee-owned stores. We eliminate the sales between our wholesale and retail segments as well as the imbedded profit in the retail inventory for the consolidated presentation in our financial statements. Our wholesale segment also includes our holdings of short-term investments and retail real estate previously leased as licensee stores. The earnings and costs associated with these assets are included in other loss, net, in our consolidated statements of income.

 

Retail – Company-owned stores. Our retail segment consists of Company-owned stores and includes the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities (including real estate) and capital expenditures directly related to these stores and the Company-owned distribution network utilized to deliver products to our retail customers.

 

Logistical services. With our acquisition of Zenith on February 2, 2015, we created the logistical services operating segment which reflects the operations of Zenith. In addition to providing shipping and warehousing services for the Company, the revenue from which is eliminated upon consolidation, Zenith also provides similar services to other customers, primarily in the furniture industry. Revenue from the performance of these services to other customers is included in logistics revenue in our consolidated statement of income. Zenith’s operating costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we substantially completed transferring operational control of home delivery services for BHF stores from Zenith to our retail segment, including the transfer of the assets and many of the employees used in providing that service. Accordingly, the revenues for the logistical services segment for all periods presented have been restated to no longer include the intercompany revenues and related costs for those services. Concurrently with the transfer of home delivery operations to retail, Zenith also ceased providing such services to third party customers. Revenues from Zenith’s home delivery services formerly provided to third party customers and the associated costs thereof continue to be reported in the logistical services segment. The impact upon segment operating income (loss) from the restatement was not material. Zenith continues to provide other intercompany shipping and warehousing services to Bassett which are eliminated in consolidation.

 

16

 

 

The following tables illustrate the effects of various intercompany eliminations on income (loss) from operations in the consolidation of our segment results:

 

   

Year Ended November 24, 2018

 
   

Wholesale

   

Retail

   

Logistics

   

Eliminations

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

Sales revenue:

                                         

Furniture & accessories

  $ 255,958     $ 268,883     $ -     $ (122,372 ) (1)   $ 402,469  

Logistics

    -       -       82,866       (28,480 ) (2)     54,386  

Total sales revenue

    255,958       268,883       82,866       (150,852 )       456,855  

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    171,272       130,591       -       (122,282 ) (3)     179,581  

SG&A expense

    72,412       136,523       81,468       (30,064 ) (4)     260,339  

New store pre-opening costs

    -       2,081       -       -         2,081  

Income (loss) from operations (5)

  $ 12,274     $ (312 )   $ 1,398     $ 1,494       $ 14,854  

 

   

Year Ended November 25, 2017

 
   

Wholesale

   

Retail

   

Logistics

   

Eliminations

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

Sales revenue:

                                         

Furniture & accessories

  $ 249,193     $ 268,264     $ -     $ (119,360 ) (1)   $ 398,097  

Logistics

    -       -       83,030       (28,624 ) (2)     54,406  

Total sales revenue

    249,193       268,264       83,030       (147,984 )       452,503  

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    164,028       132,463       -       (118,912 ) (3)     177,579  

SG&A expense

    66,044       129,898       80,068       (30,517 ) (4)     245,493  

New store pre-opening costs

    -       2,413       -       -         2,413  

Income from operations

  $ 19,121     $ 3,490     $ 2,962     $ 1,445       $ 27,018  

 

   

Year Ended November 26, 2016

 
   

Wholesale

   

Retail

   

Logistics

   

Eliminations

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

Sales revenue:

                                         

Furniture & accessories

  $ 240,346     $ 254,667     $ -     $ (117,817 ) (1)   $ 377,196  

Logistics

    -       -       83,236       (28,394 ) (2)     54,842  

Total sales revenue

    240,346       254,667       83,236       (146,211 )       432,038  

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    156,894       128,208       -       (117,583 ) (3)     167,519  

SG&A expense

    64,780       120,978       79,725       (30,305 ) (4)     235,178  

New store pre-opening costs

    -       1,148       -       -         1,148  

Income from operations

  $ 18,672     $ 4,333     $ 3,511     $ 1,677       $ 28,193  

 

(1) 

Represents the elimination of sales from our wholesale segment to our Company-owned BHF stores.

(2) 

Represents the elimination of logistical services billed to our wholesale segment.

(3) 

Represents the elimination of purchases by our Company-owned BHF stores from our wholesale segment, as well as the change for the period in the elimination of intercompany profit in ending retail inventory.

(4) 

Represents the elimination of rent paid by our retail stores occupying Company-owned real estate and logistical services expense incurred from Zenith by our wholesale segment.

 

   

Year Ended

 
   

November 24,

   

November 25,

   

November 26,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Intercompany logistical services

  $ (28,480 )   $ (28,624 )   $ (28,394 )

Intercompany rents

    (1,584 )     (1,893 )     (1,911 )

Total SG&A expense elimination

  $ (30,064 )   $ (30,517 )   $ (30,305 )

 

(5) 

Excludes the effects of asset impairment chargesand lease exit costs which are not allocated to our segments.

 

17

 

 

Wholesale Segment

 

Net sales, gross profit, SG&A expense and operating income from operations for our Wholesale Segment were as follows for the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 and November 26, 2016:

 

                                                   

Change from Prior Year

 
                                                   

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

   

Dollars

   

Percent

   

Dollars

   

Percent

 
                                                                                 

Net sales

  $ 255,958       100.0 %   $ 249,193       100.0 %   $ 240,346       100.0 %   $ 6,765       2.7 %   $ 8,847       3.7 %

Gross profit

    84,686       33.1 %     85,165       34.2 %     83,452       34.7 %     (479 )     -0.6 %     1,713       2.1 %

SG&A

    72,412       28.3 %     66,044       26.5 %     64,780       27.0 %     6,368       9.6 %     1,264       2.0 %

Income from operations

  $ 12,274       4.8 %   $ 19,121       7.7 %   $ 18,672       7.8 %   $ (6,847 )     -35.8 %   $ 449       2.4 %

 

Wholesale shipments by category for the last three fiscal years are summarized below:

 

                                                   

Change from Prior Year

 
                                                   

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

   

Dollars

   

Percent

   

Dollars

   

Percent

 
                                                                                 

Bassett Custom Upholstery

  $ 141,321       55.2 %   $ 136,366       54.7 %   $ 127,989       53.3 %   $ 4,955       3.6 %   $ 8,377       6.5 %

Bassett Leather

    21,589       8.4 %     22,528       9.0 %     21,038       8.8 %     (939 )     -4.2 %     1,490       7.1 %

Bassett Custom Wood

    46,074       18.0 %     43,793       17.6 %     36,517       15.2 %     2,281       5.2 %     7,276       19.9 %

Bassett Casegoods

    42,875       16.8 %     42,874       17.2 %     52,246       21.7 %     1       0.0 %     (9,372 )     -17.9 %

Accessories

    4,099       1.6 %     3,632       1.5 %     2,556       1.1 %     467       12.9 %     1,076       42.1 %

Total

  $ 255,958       100.0 %   $ 249,193       100.0 %   $ 240,346       100.0 %   $ 6,765       2.7 %   $ 8,847       3.7 %

 

Fiscal 2018 as Compared to Fiscal 2017

 

The increase in net sales was driven by the addition of $9,546 of revenue for Lane Venture, acquired during the first quarter of 2018, along with a 1.8% increase in furniture shipments to the open market (outside the BHF network and excluding shipments from Lane Venture), partially offset by a 2.8% decrease in furniture shipments to the BHF network as compared to the prior year period. A much smaller component of our wholesale revenues, shipments of wholesale accessories, increased 12.9% over the prior year period. Gross margins for the wholesale segment were 33.1% for fiscal 2018 compared to 34.2% for the prior year. This decrease was primarily driven by lower margins in the Bassett Custom Upholstery operations, excluding Lane Venture, due to higher materials costs coupled with lower absorption of fixed costs due to lower volumes. In June 2018, we implemented targeted price increases to our Custom Upholstery line to mitigate the effects of the cost increases and began seeing the benefit on margins in July 2018. Wholesale SG&A increased as a percentage of sales over the prior year period primarily driven by planned higher digital marketing and other brand development costs, partially offset by decreased incentive compensation. In addition, we incurred $256 of one-time acquisition costs along with other startup costs associated with the Lane Venture operation.

 

Fiscal 2017 as Compared to Fiscal 2016

 

The sales increase in 2017 was driven by a 2.7% increase in furniture shipments to the BHF store network along with a 3.9% increase in furniture shipments to the open market (outside the BHF store network) as compared to the prior year period. A much smaller component of our wholesale revenues, shipments of wholesale accessories, increased 42% over the prior year period. The decrease in gross margins from fiscal 2016 was primarily due to the $1,428 settlement of the Polyurethane Foam Antitrust Litigation in 2016. Excluding the benefit of the settlement, the gross margin for fiscal 2016 would have been 34.1%. This increase was primarily due to improved margins in the Bassett Custom Upholstery operations from favorable pricing strategies and improved manufacturing efficiencies. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales compared with 2016 was primarily due to greater leverage of fixed costs from higher sales volumes, partially offset by increased spending on the website and digital strategy development.

 

18

 

 

Wholesale Backlog

 

The dollar value of our wholesale backlog, representing orders received but not yet delivered to dealers and Company stores as of November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017, and November 26, 2016 was as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Year end wholesale backlog

  $ 25,810     $ 22,239     $ 22,130  

 

Retail Segment – Company Owned Stores

 

Net sales, gross profit, SG&A expense, new store pre-opening costs and operating income for our Retail Segment were as follows for the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 and November 26, 2016:

 

                                                                   

Change from Prior Year

 
   

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

   

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2017

   

2016

   

Dollars

   

Percent

   

Dollars

   

Percent

 
                                                                                                 

Net sales

  $ 268,883       100.0 %   $ 268,264       100.0 %   $ 268,264       100.0 %   $ 254,667       100.0 %   $ 619       0.2 %   $ 13,597       5.3 %

Gross profit

    138,292       51.4 %     135,801       50.6 %     135,801       50.6 %     126,459       49.7 %     2,491       1.8 %     9,342       7.4 %

SG&A expense

    136,523       50.8 %     129,898       48.4 %     129,898       48.4 %     120,978       47.5 %     6,625       5.1 %     8,920       7.4 %

New store pre-opening costs

    2,081       0.8 %     2,413       0.9 %     2,413       0.9 %     1,148       0.5 %     (332 )     -13.8 %     1,265       110.2 %

Income from operations

  $ (312 )     -0.1 %   $ 3,490       1.3 %   $ 3,490       1.3 %   $ 4,333       1.7 %   $ (3,802 )     -108.9 %   $ (843 )     -19.5 %

 

The following tables present operating results on a comparable store basis for each comparative set of periods. Table A compares the results of the 53 stores that were open and operating for all of 2018 and 2017. Table B compares the results of the 52 stores that were open and operating for all of 2017 and 2016.

 

Comparable Store Results:

 

                                                                   

Change from Prior Year

 
   

Table A: 2018 vs 2017 (53 Stores)

   

Table B: 2017 vs 2016 (52 Stores)

   

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2017

   

2016

   

Dollars

   

Percent

   

Dollars

   

Percent

 
                                                                                                 

Net sales

  $ 235,868       100.0 %   $ 239,633       100.0 %   $ 233,823       100.0 %   $ 229,530       100.0 %   $ (3,765 )     -1.6 %   $ 4,293       1.9 %

Gross profit

    121,399       51.5 %     122,710       51.2 %     119,546       51.1 %     115,103       50.1 %     (1,311 )     -1.1 %     4,443       3.9 %

SG&A expense

    115,094       48.8 %     115,161       48.1 %     112,428       48.1 %     108,328       47.2 %     (67 )     -0.1 %     4,100       3.8 %

Income from operations

  $ 6,305       2.7 %   $ 7,549       3.2 %   $ 7,118       3.0 %   $ 6,775       3.0 %   $ (1,244 )     -16.5 %   $ 343       5.1 %

 

The following tables present operating results for all other stores which were not comparable year-over-year. Each table includes the results of stores that either opened or closed at some point during the 24 months of each comparative set of periods.

 

All Other (Non-Comparable) Store Results:

 

                                                                   

Change from Prior Year

 
   

2018 vs 2017 All Other Stores

   

2017 vs 2016 All Other Stores

   

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2017

   

2016

   

Dollars

   

Percent

   

Dollars

   

Percent

 
                                                                                                 

Net sales

  $ 33,015       100.0 %   $ 28,631       100.0 %   $ 34,441       100.0 %   $ 25,137       100.0 %   $ 4,384       15.3 %   $ 9,304       37.0 %

Gross profit

    16,893       51.2 %     13,091       45.7 %     16,255       47.2 %     11,356       45.2 %     3,802       29.0 %     4,899       43.1 %

SG&A expense

    21,429       64.9 %     14,737       51.5 %     17,470       50.7 %     12,650       50.3 %     6,692       45.4 %     4,820       38.1 %

New store pre-opening costs

    2,081       6.3 %     2,413       8.4 %     2,413       7.0 %     1,148       4.6 %     (332 )     -13.8 %     1,265       110.2 %

Loss from operations

  $ (6,617 )     -20.0 %   $ (4,059 )     -14.2 %   $ (3,628 )     -10.5 %   $ (2,442 )     -9.7 %   $ (2,558 )     63.0 %   $ (1,186 )     48.6 %

 

19

 

 

Fiscal 2018 as Compared to Fiscal 2017

 

The increase in net sales for the 65 Company-owned stores over the prior year was comprised of a $4,384 increase in non-comparable store sales partially offset by a 1.6% decrease in comparable store sales.

 

While we do not recognize sales until goods are delivered to the consumer, management tracks written sales (the retail dollar value of sales orders taken, rather than delivered) as a key store performance indicator. Written sales for comparable stores decreased by 3.6% for fiscal 2018 as compared to prior year.

 

The increase in comparable store gross margins to 51.5% for fiscal 2018 from 51.2% in the prior year period is primarily due to improved pricing strategies and product mix. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales for comparable stores increased slightly from 2017 due to decreased leverage of fixed costs on lower sales volume and increased advertising expenses.

 

We incur losses in the first two to three months of operation following a store opening as sales are not recognized in the income statement until the furniture is delivered to its customers resulting in operating expenses without the normal sales volume. Because we do not maintain a stock of retail inventory that would result in quick delivery, and because of the custom nature of the furniture offerings, such deliveries are generally not made until after 30 days from when the furniture is ordered by the customer. Coupled with the pre-opening costs, total start-up losses typically amount to $400 to $600 per store. During fiscal 2018 we incurred $1,601 of post-opening losses associated with the seven new stores and clearance center opened during 2018 and late 2017 compared with $969 of post-opening losses during fiscal 2017. Included in the 2017 Non-Comparable store loss was a $1,220 gain on the sale of our retail store location in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Each addition to our Company-owned store network results in incremental fixed overhead costs, primarily associated with local store personnel, occupancy costs and warehousing expenses. The incremental SG&A expenses associated with each new store will be ongoing.  

 

Fiscal 2017 as Compared to Fiscal 2016

 

The 2017 increase in net sales for the 60 Company-owned BHF stores was comprised of a 1.9% increase in comparable store sales along with a $9,304 increase in non-comparable store sales.

 

While we do not recognize sales until goods are delivered to the consumer, management tracks written sales (the retail dollar value of sales orders taken, rather than delivered) as a key store performance indicator. Written sales for comparable stores increased by 1.8% in fiscal 2017 over 2016.

 

The increase in comparable store gross margins over 2016 is primarily due to improved pricing strategies and product mix. The increase in comparable store SG&A as a percentage of sales was primarily due to a $500 legal settlement along with higher advertising expenses of $687 and occupancy costs of $481.

 

Increased losses from the non-comparable stores in fiscal 2017 included additional pre-opening costs associated with the Garden City, New York; Culver City, California; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Wichita, Kansas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania stores which opened during fiscal 2017, and the new stores in Chandler, Arizona; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Summerlin, Nevada which are expected to open during the first quarter of 2018. These costs include rent, training costs and other payroll-related costs specific to a new store location incurred during the period leading up to its opening and generally range between $200 to $400 per store based on the overall rent costs for the location and the period between the time when the Company takes possession of the physical store space and the time of the store opening.

 

We incur losses in the first two to three months of operation following a store opening as sales are not recognized in the income statement until the furniture is delivered to its customers resulting in operating expenses without the normal sales volume. Because we do not maintain a stock of retail inventory that would result in quick delivery, and because of the custom nature of the furniture offerings, such deliveries are generally not made until after 30 days from when the furniture is ordered by the customer. Coupled with the pre-opening costs, total start-up losses typically amount to $400 to $600 per store. During fiscal 2017 we incurred $969 of post-opening losses associated with the five new stores which opened during the year. There were post-opening losses of $482 primarily associated with two new stores during fiscal 2016.

 

Pre- and post-opening losses for fiscal 2017 were partially offset by a gain of $1,220 from the sale of our retail store location in Las Vegas, Nevada. The repositioning of that store to a new location in Summerlin, Nevada is expected to be completed in early 2018.

 

Each addition to our Company-owned store network results in incremental fixed overhead costs, primarily associated with local store personnel, occupancy costs and warehousing expenses. The incremental SG&A expenses associated with each new store will be ongoing.

 

20

 

 

Retail Comparable Store Sales Trends

 

The following table provides year-over-year comparable store sales trends for the last three fiscal years:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Delivered

    -1.6 %     1.9 %     1.4 %

Written

    -3.6 %     1.8 %     1.4 %

 

Retail Backlog

 

The dollar value of our retail backlog, representing orders received but not yet delivered to customers as of November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017, and November 26, 2016, was as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Year end retail backlog

  $ 35,493     $ 35,684     $ 32,788  

Retail backlog per open store

  $ 546     $ 595     $ 556  

 

 

Logistical Services Segment

 

Revenues, operating expenses and income from operations for our logistical services segment were as follows for the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 and November 26, 2016:

 

                                                   

Change from Prior Year

 
                                                   

2018 vs 2017

   

2017 vs 2016

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

   

Dollars

   

Percent

   

Dollars

   

Percent

 

Logistics revenue

  $ 82,866       100.0 %   $ 83,030       100.0 %   $ 83,236       100.0 %   $ (164 )     -0.2 %   $ (206 )     -0.2 %

Operating expenses

    81,468       98.3 %     80,068       96.4 %     79,725       95.8 %     1,400       1.7 %     343       0.4 %
                                                                                 

Income from operations

  $ 1,398       1.7 %   $ 2,962       3.6 %   $ 3,511       4.2 %   $ (1,564 )     -52.8 %   $ (549 )     -15.6 %

 

 

Fiscal 2018 as Compared to Fiscal 2017

 

Zenith’s revenues were comparable year over year. Increased operating costs as a percentage of revenue were primarily due to significantly higher fuel costs coupled with the increasing cost of hiring and retaining over-the-road drivers. Operating costs for fiscal 2018 and 2017 include non-cash depreciation and amortization charges of $4,068 and $4,309, respectively.

 

Fiscal 2017 as Compared to Fiscal 2016

 

Zenith’s revenues were comparable year over year. Increased operating costs as a percentage of revenue were primarily due to higher fuel costs. Operating costs for fiscal 2017 and 2016 include non-cash depreciation and amortization charges of $4,309 and $3,936, respectively.

 

21

 

 

Other Items Affecting Net Income 

 

Other items affecting net income for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Gain on sales of investments (1)

  $ -     $ 4,221     $ -  

Interest income (2)

    431       230       120  

Interest expense (3)

    (57 )     (234 )     (552 )

Retail real estate impairment charge (4)

    -       (1,084 )     -  

Net periodic pension costs (5)

    (986 )     (1,049 )     (910 )

Cost of company-owned life insurance (6)

    (598 )     (517 )     (706 )

Income from the Continued Dumping & Subsidy Offset Act (7)

    7       94       240  

Other investment income (8)

    52       88       176  

Other

    (727 )     (891 )     (784 )
                         

Total other income (loss), net

  $ (1,878 )   $ 858     $ (2,416 )

 

 

(1)

See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information related gains realized from the sale of two investments during fiscal 2017.

 

(2)

Consists of interest income arising from our short-term investments. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our investments in certificates of deposit.

 

(3)

Our interest expense in fiscal 2018 has declined significantly from the previous two years as debt incurred or assumed with the 2015 acquisition of Zenith has been repaid, with all remaining amounts paid off during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our outstanding debt at November 24, 2018.

 

(4)

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to impairment of retail real estate during fiscal 2017.

 

(5)

Represents the portion of net periodic pension costs not included in income from operations. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our defined benefit pension plans.

 

(6)

Cost for fiscal 2018 is net of life insurance proceeds of $266 arising from the death of a former executive.

 

(7)

These amounts represent distributions received from U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection (“Customs”) under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (“CDSOA”). These distributions primarily represent amounts previously withheld by Customs pending the resolution of certain claims filed by other manufactures which were dismissed in 2014. The distributions received from Customs have gradually diminished in the years subsequent to the dismissal and are no longer expected to be significant beyond 2018.

 

(8)

Primarily reflects gains arising from the partial liquidation of our previously impaired investment in the Fortress Value Recovery Fund I, LLC, which was fully impaired during fiscal 2012.

 

 

 

Provision for Income taxes

 

On December 22, 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act reduced the federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 for all corporate taxpayers, while most other provisions of the Act take effect for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Therefore, we computed our income tax expense for fiscal 2018 using a blended federal statutory rate of 22.2%. The 21% federal statutory rate, as well as certain other provisions of the Act including the elimination of the domestic manufacturing deduction and new limitations on certain business deductions, will apply to our 2019 fiscal year and thereafter.

 

We recorded an income tax provision of $3,988, $9,620 and $9,948 in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For fiscal 2018, our effective tax rate of 32.7% differs from the federal blended statutory rate of 22.2% primarily due to a discrete charge of $1,331 arising from the re-measurement of our deferred tax assets. Other items impacting our effective tax rates for fiscal 2018 include the effects of state income taxes and various permanent differences including the favorable impacts of excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation of $223, non-taxable life insurance proceeds of $266, and the Section 199: Domestic Production Activities Deduction of $866. For fiscal 2017 and 2016, our effective tax rates of 34.5% and 38.6%, respectively, differ from the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to the effects of state income taxes and various permanent differences including the favorable impact of the Section 199 manufacturing deduction. The reduction in the effective tax rate in fiscal 2017 from 2016 was primarily due to higher excess tax benefits from stock compensation recognized during fiscal 2017. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our income tax provision (benefit), as well as our net deferred tax assets and other matters.

 

22

 

 

We have net deferred tax assets of $3,266 as of November 24, 2018, which, upon utilization, are expected to reduce our cash outlays for income taxes in future years. It will require approximately $13,000 of future taxable income to utilize our net deferred tax assets.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We are committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet in order to weather difficult industry conditions, to allow us to take advantage of opportunities as market conditions improve, and to execute our long-term retail strategies.

 


Cash Flows

 

Cash provided by operations for fiscal 2018 was $28,698 compared to $36,384 for fiscal 2017, a decrease of $7,686. This decrease is primarily due to lower operating margins and changes in working capital.

 

Our overall cash position decreased by $20,481 during 2018. Offsetting the cash provided by operations, we used $30,686 of cash in investing activities, primarily consisting of our $15,556 investment in Lane Venture and capital expenditures of $18,301 which included retail store relocations, retail store remodels, in-process spending on new stores, expanding and upgrading our manufacturing capabilities, various technology improvements and additional material handling equipment for our logistical services segment, partially offset by $2,463 of proceeds from the sale of our retail location in Spring, Texas and $482 from the maturity of a portion of our CDs which were not reinvested. Net cash used in financing activities was $18,493, including dividend payments of $8,800 and the final $3,000 installment payment on our Zenith acquisition note payable. With cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $56,111 on hand at November 24, 2018, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations for the foreseeable future.

 

 

Debt and Other Obligations

 

Effective November 15, 2018, we amended the credit facility with our bank, increasing our line of credit from $15,000 up to $25,000. This amended credit facility, which matures in December of 2021, is unsecured and contains covenants requiring us to maintain certain key financial ratios. We are in compliance with all covenants under the facility and expect to remain in compliance for the foreseeable future. At November 24, 2018, we had $2,798 outstanding under standby letters of credit against our line, leaving availability under our credit line of $22,202. In addition, we have outstanding standby letters of credit with another bank totaling $381.

 

At November 24, 2018 we have outstanding principal totaling $292 under notes payable, all of which matures during fiscal 2019. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding these notes, including collateral. We expect to satisfy these obligations as they mature using cash flow from operations or our available cash on hand.

 

We lease land and buildings that are used in the operation of our Company-owned retail stores as well as in the operation of certain of our licensee-owned stores, and we lease land and buildings at various locations throughout the continental United States for warehousing and distribution hubs used in our logistical services segment. We also lease tractors, trailers and local delivery trucks used in our logistical services segment. We had obligations of $185,427 at November 24, 2018 for future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases having remaining terms in excess of one year. We also have guaranteed certain lease obligations of licensee operators. Remaining terms under these lease guarantees range from approximately one to three years. We were contingently liable under licensee lease obligation guarantees in the amount of $2,021 at November 24, 2018. See Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding our leases and lease guarantees.

 

 

Dividends and Share Repurchases

 

During fiscal 2018, we declared four quarterly dividends totaling $5,041, or $0.47 per share. Cash dividend payments to our shareholders during fiscal 2018 totaled $8,800. During fiscal 2018, we repurchased 253,907 shares of our stock for $5,945 under our share repurchase program. The weighted-average effect of these share repurchases on both our basic and diluted earnings per share was not significant. The approximate dollar value that may yet be purchased pursuant to our stock repurchase program as of November 24, 2018 was $17,984.

 

23

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

We currently anticipate that total capital expenditures for fiscal 2019 will be approximately $15 to $20 million which will be used primarily for new stores and store remodeling in our retail segment and additional investments in technology. Our capital expenditure and working capital requirements in the foreseeable future may change depending on many factors, including but not limited to the overall performance of the new stores, our rate of growth, our operating results and any adjustments in our operating plan needed in response to industry conditions, competition or unexpected events. We believe that our existing cash, together with cash from operations, will be sufficient to meet our capital expenditure and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future.

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

We account for items measured at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820’s valuation techniques are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. ASC 820 classifies these inputs into the following hierarchy:

 

Level 1 Inputs– Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

Level 2 Inputs– Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

 

Level 3 Inputs– Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

 

We believe that the carrying amounts of our current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The recurring estimate of the fair value of our mortgages and notes payable for disclosure purposes (see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) involves Level 3 inputs. Our primary non-recurring fair value estimates, typically involving the valuation of business acquisitions (see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and asset impairments (see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) have utilized Level 3 inputs.

 

24

 

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

We enter into contractual obligations and commercial commitments in the ordinary course of business (See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these obligations). The following table summarizes our contractual payment obligations and other commercial commitments and the fiscal year in which they are expected to be paid.

 

   

2019

   

2020

   

2021

   

2022

   

2023

   

Thereafter

   

Total

 

Post employment benefit obligations (1)

  $ 1,072     $ 1,014     $ 994     $ 1,305     $ 1,221     $ 8,632     $ 14,238  

Notes payable

    292       -       -       -       -       -       292  

Contractual advertising

    3,560       -       -       -       -       -       3,560  

Interest payable

    7       -       -       -       -       -       7  

Letters of credit

    3,179       -       -       -       -       -       3,179  

Operating leases (2)

    33,721       32,030       27,017       23,194       18,386       51,112       185,460  

Lease guarantees (3)

    627       347       347       347       353       -       2,021  

Other obligations & commitments

    960       200       200       100       100       250       1,810  

Purchase obligations (4)

    -       -       -                       -       -  

Total

  $ 43,418     $ 33,591     $ 28,558     $ 24,946     $ 20,060     $ 59,994     $ 210,567  

 

 

(1)

Does not reflect a reduction for the impact of any company owned life insurance proceeds to be received. Currently, we have life insurance policies with net death benefits of $17,811 to provide funding for these obligations. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

(2)

Does not reflect a reduction for the impact of sublease income to be received. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

(3)

Lease guarantees relate to payments we would only be required to make in the event of default on the part of the guaranteed parties.

(4)

The Company is not a party to any long-term supply contracts with respect to the purchase of raw materials or finished goods. At the end of fiscal year 2018, we had approximately $15,507 in open purchase orders, primarily for imported inventories, which are in the ordinary course of business.

 

 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We utilize stand-by letters of credit in the procurement of certain goods in the normal course of business. We lease land and buildings that are primarily used in the operation of BHF stores and Zenith distribution facilities. We have guaranteed certain lease obligations of licensee operators as part of our retail strategy. See Contractual Obligations and Commitments table above and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for further discussion of operating leases and lease guarantees, including descriptions of the terms of such commitments and methods used to mitigate risks associated with these arrangements.

 

 Contingencies

 

We are involved in various claims and litigation as well as environmental matters, which arise in the normal course of business. Although the final outcome of these legal and environmental matters cannot be determined, based on the facts presently known, it is our opinion that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or future results of operations.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) which requires that certain estimates and assumptions be made that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in those financial statements and the related accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. We use our best judgment in valuing these estimates and may, as warranted, solicit external advice. Estimates are based on current facts and circumstances, prior experience and other assumptions believed to be reasonable. The following critical accounting policies, some of which are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates, affect our consolidated financial statements.

 

25

 

 

Revenue Recognition - Revenue is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership and title to the product have transferred to the buyer. This generally occurs upon the shipment of goods to independent dealers or, in the case of Company-owned retail stores, upon delivery to the customer. Our wholesale payment terms generally vary from 30 to 60 days. For retail sales, we typically receive a significant portion of the purchase price as a customer deposit upon order, with the balance typically collected upon delivery. An estimate for returns and allowances has been provided in recorded sales. The contracts with our licensee store owners do not provide for any royalty or license fee to be paid to us. For our logistical services segment, line-haul freight revenue and home delivery revenue are recognized upon delivery to the destination. Warehousing services revenue is based upon warehouse space occupied by a customer’s goods and inventory movements in and out of a warehouse and is recognized as such services are provided.

 

Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (“SAB 104”) outlines the four basic criteria for recognizing revenue as follows: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. SAB 104 further asserts that if collectibility of all or a portion of the revenue is not reasonably assured, revenue recognition should be deferred until payment is received. During fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, there were no dealers for which these criteria were not met.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Our accounts receivable reserves were $754 and $617 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively, representing 3.8% and 3.0% of our gross accounts receivable balances at those dates, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a review of specifically identified customer accounts in addition to an overall aging analysis. We evaluate the collectibility of our receivables from our licensees and other customers on a quarterly basis based on factors such as their financial condition, our collateral position, potential future plans with licensees and other similar factors. Our allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of potential losses on our accounts and notes receivable and is adjusted accordingly based on historical experience, current developments and present economic conditions and trends. Although actual losses have not differed materially from our previous estimates, future losses could differ from our current estimates. Unforeseen events such as a licensee or customer bankruptcy filing could have a material impact on our results of operations.

 

Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined for domestic furniture inventories using the last-in, first-out method. The cost of imported inventories is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. We estimate an inventory reserve for excess quantities and obsolete items based on specific identification and historical write-offs, taking into account future demand and market conditions. Our reserves for excess and obsolete inventory were $1,766 and $1,895 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively, representing 2.7% and 3.4%, respectively, of our inventories on a last-in, first-out basis. If actual demand or market conditions in the future are less favorable than those estimated, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

 

Goodwill – Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the value assigned to tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. The acquisition of assets and liabilities and any resulting goodwill is allocated to the respective reporting unit; Wood, Upholstery, Retail or Logistical Services. We review goodwill at the reporting unit level annually for impairment or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired.

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill & Other, the goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process, if necessary. However, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The more likely than not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary and our goodwill is considered to be unimpaired. However, if based on our qualitative assessment we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we will proceed with performing the two-step process. Based on our qualitative assessment as described above, we have concluded that our goodwill in the amount of $16,043 is not impaired as of November 24, 2018.

 

The first step compares the carrying value of each reporting unit that has goodwill with the estimated fair value of the respective reporting unit. Should the carrying value of a reporting unit be in excess of the estimated fair value of that reporting unit, the second step is performed whereby we must calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit. This second step represents a hypothetical purchase price allocation as if we had acquired the reporting unit on that date. Our impairment methodology uses a discounted cash flow analysis requiring certain assumptions and estimates to be made regarding future profitability of the reporting unit and industry economic factors. While we believe such assumptions and estimates are reasonable, the actual results may differ materially from the projected amounts.

 

Other Intangible Assets – Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or between annual tests when an impairment indicator exists. The recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets is assessed by comparison of the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. If we determine that the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss equal to the excess would be recorded. At November 24, 2018, our indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill consist of trade names acquired in the acquisitions of Zenith and Lane Venture and have a carrying value of $9,338.

 

26

 

 

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We estimate the useful lives of our intangible assets and ratably amortize the value over the estimated useful lives of those assets. If the estimates of the useful lives should change, we will amortize the remaining book value over the remaining useful lives or, if an asset is deemed to be impaired, a write-down of the value of the asset may be required at such time. At November 24, 2018 our definite-lived intangible assets consist of customer relationships and customized technology applications acquired in the acquisition of Zenith and customer relationships acquired in the acquisition of Lane Venture with a total carrying value of $3,099.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate long-lived assets may not be recoverable or that the remaining useful life may warrant revision. When such events or circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset. In the event the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. When analyzing our real estate properties for potential impairment, we consider such qualitative factors as our experience in leasing and selling real estate properties as well as specific site and local market characteristics. Upon the closure of a Bassett Home Furnishings store, we generally write off all tenant improvements which are only suitable for use in such a store.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements regarding the impact or potential impact of recent accounting pronouncements upon our financial position and results of operations.

 

27

 

 

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to market risk from changes in the value of foreign currencies. Substantially all of our imports purchased outside of North America are denominated in U.S. dollars. Therefore, we believe that gains or losses resulting from changes in the value of foreign currencies relating to foreign purchases not denominated in U.S. dollars would not be material to our results from operations in fiscal 2018.

 

We are exposed to market risk from changes in the cost of raw materials used in our manufacturing processes, principally wood, woven fabric, and foam products. An increase in the rate of in home construction could result in increases in wood and fabric costs from current levels, and the cost of foam products, which are petroleum-based, is sensitive to changes in the price of oil.

 

We are also exposed to commodity price risk related to diesel fuel prices for fuel used in our logistical services segment. We manage our exposure to that risk primarily through the application of fuel surcharges to our customers.

 

We have potential exposure to market risk related to conditions in the commercial real estate market. Our retail real estate holdings of $1,655 and $1,758 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively, for stores formerly operated by licensees as well as our holdings of $19,997 and $22,817 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively, for Company-owned stores could suffer significant impairment in value if we are forced to close additional stores and sell or lease the related properties during periods of weakness in certain markets. Additionally, if we are required to assume responsibility for payment under the lease obligations of $2,021 and $2,743 which we have guaranteed on behalf of licensees as of November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively, we may not be able to secure sufficient sub-lease income in the current market to offset the payments required under the guarantees.

 

 

                   

Net Book

 
   

Number of

   

Aggregate

   

Value

 
   

Locations

   

Square Footage

   

(in thousands)

 
                         

Real estate occupied by Company-owned and operated stores, included in property and equipment, net (1)

    9       223,570     $ 19,997  
                         
                         

Investment real estate leased to others

    2       41,021       1,655  
                         

Total Company investment in retail real estate

    11       264,591     $ 21,652  

 

 

(1)

Includes two properties encumbered under mortgages totaling $292 at November 24, 2018.

 

28

 

 

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended November 24, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended November 24, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of November 24, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated January 17, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.

Richmond, Virginia

January 17, 2019

 

29

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

   

2018

   

2017

 

Assets

               

Current assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 33,468     $ 53,949  

Short-term investments

    22,643       23,125  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $754 and $617 as of November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively

    19,055       19,640  

Inventories

    64,192       54,476  

Other current assets

    9,189       8,192  

Total current assets

    148,547       159,382  
                 

Property and equipment, net

    104,863       103,244  
                 

Other long-term assets

               

Deferred income taxes, net

    3,266       8,393  

Goodwill and other intangible assets

    28,480       17,351  

Other

    6,485       5,378  

Total other long-term assets

    38,231       31,122  

Total assets

  $ 291,641     $ 293,748  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable

  $ 27,407     $ 21,760  

Accrued compensation and benefits

    12,994       14,670  

Customer deposits

    27,157       27,107  

Dividends payable

    -       3,759  

Current portion of long-term debt

    292       3,405  

Other accrued liabilities

    13,969       12,655  

Total current liabilities

    81,819       83,356  
                 

Long-term liabilities

               

Post employment benefit obligations

    13,173       13,326  

Notes payable

    -       329  

Other long-term liabilities

    6,340       5,277  

Total long-term liabilities

    19,513       18,932  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies

               
                 

Stockholders’ equity

               

Common stock, $5 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 10,527,636 at November 24, 2018 and 10,737,952 at November 25, 2017

    52,638       53,690  

Retained earnings

    140,009       139,378  

Additional paid-in-capital

    -       962  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (2,338 )     (2,570 )

Total stockholders' equity

    190,309       191,460  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 291,641     $ 293,748  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

30

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

For the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017, and November 26, 2016

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Sales revenue:

                       

Furniture and accessories

  $ 402,469     $ 398,097     $ 377,196  

Logistics

    54,386       54,406       54,842  

Total sales revenue

    456,855       452,503       432,038  
                         

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    179,581       177,579       167,519  
                         

Selling, general and administrative expenses excluding new store pre-opening costs

    260,339       245,493       235,178  

New store pre-opening costs

    2,081       2,413       1,148  

Lease exit costs

    301       -       -  

Asset impairment charges

    469       -       -  
                         

Income from operations

    14,084       27,018       28,193  
                         

Gain on sale of investments

    -       4,221       -  

Interest income

    431       230       120  

Interest expense

    (57 )     (234 )     (552 )

Impairment of investment in real estate

    -       (1,084 )     -  

Other loss, net

    (2,252 )     (2,275 )     (1,984 )
                         

Income before income taxes

    12,206       27,876       25,777  
                         

Income tax expense

    3,988       9,620       9,948  
                         

Net income

  $ 8,218     $ 18,256     $ 15,829  
                         

Net income per share

                       
                         

Basic income per share

  $ 0.77     $ 1.71     $ 1.47  
                         

Diluted income per share

  $ 0.77     $ 1.70     $ 1.46  
                         

Dividends per share

                       

Regular dividends

  $ 0.47     $ 0.42     $ 0.38  

Special dividend

  $ -     $ 0.35     $ 0.30  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

31

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

For the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017, and November 26, 2016

(In thousands)

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Net income

  $ 8,218     $ 18,256     $ 15,829  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                       

Recognize prior service cost associated with Long Term Cash Awards (LTCA)

    -       (932 )     -  

Amortization associated with LTCA

    126       73       -  

Income taxes related to LTCA

    (32 )     331       -  

Actuarial adjustment to supplemental executive retirement defined benefit plan (SERP)

    616       448       (165 )

Amortization associated with SERP

    304       374       366  

Income taxes related to SERP

    (237 )     (311 )     (76 )
                         

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

    777       (17 )     125  
                         

Total comprehensive income

  $ 8,995     $ 18,239     $ 15,954  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

32

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

For the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017, and November 26, 2016

(In thousands)

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 

Operating activities:

                       

Net income

  $ 8,218     $ 18,256     $ 15,829  

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

                       

Depreciation and amortization

    13,203       13,312       12,249  

Non-cash asset impairment charges

    469       -       -  

Non-cash portion of lease exit costs

    301       -       -  

Gain on sale of investments

    -       (4,221 )     -  

Net (gain) loss on sales of property and equipment

    (234 )     (1,190 )     (128 )

Tenant improvement allowances received from lessors

    2,462       1,643       914  

Impairment charges on retail real estate

    -       1,084       -  

Deferred income taxes

    4,663       (302 )     5,324  

Other, net

    1,398       1,345       1,183  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

                       

Accounts receivable

    1,732       (1,225 )     3,228  

Inventories

    (5,998 )     (918 )     6,681  

Other current and long-term assets

    (961 )     2,477       (3,929 )

Customer deposits

    50       1,926       1,182  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    3,395       4,197       (3,471 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    28,698       36,384       39,062  
                         

Investing activities:

                       

Purchases of property and equipment

    (18,301 )     (15,500 )     (21,501 )

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

    2,689       4,474       667  

Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (15,556 )     (655 )     -  

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

    482       5,546       -  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (30,686 )     (6,135 )     (20,834 )
                         

Financing activities:

                       

Cash dividends

    (8,800 )     (7,725 )     (6,311 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    27       310       114  

Issuance of common stock

    355       168       182  

Repurchases of common stock

    (5,946 )     (83 )     (6,393 )

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

    (674 )     (641 )     (77 )

Proceeds from equipment loan

    -       -       7,384  

Payments on notes and equipment loans

    (3,455 )     (3,473 )     (14,251 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (18,493 )     (11,444 )     (19,352 )

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    (20,481 )     18,805       (1,124 )

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year

    53,949       35,144       36,268  
                         

Cash and cash equivalents - end of year

  $ 33,468     $ 53,949     $ 35,144  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

33

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

For the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017, and November 26, 2016

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

                                   

Accumulated

         
                   

Additional

           

other

         
   

Common Stock

   

paid-in

   

Retained

   

comprehensive

         
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

capital

   

earnings

   

income (loss)

   

Total

 
                                                 

Balance, November 28, 2015

    10,916,021     $ 54,580     $ 4,560     $ 120,904     $ (2,678 )   $ 177,366  
                                                 

Comprehensive income

                                               

Net income

    -       -       -       15,829       -       15,829  

Actuarial adjustment to SERP, net of tax

    -       -       -       -       125       125  

Regular dividends ($0.38 per share)

    -       -       -       (4,127 )     -       (4,127 )

Special dividend ($0.30 per share)

    -       -       -       (3,218 )     -       (3,218 )

Issuance of common stock

    64,316       322       (25 )     -       -       297  

Purchase and retirement of common stock

    (257,390 )     (1,287 )     (5,183 )             -       (6,470 )

Stock-based compensation

    -       -       903       -       -       903  
                                                 

Balance, November 26, 2016

    10,722,947       53,615       255       129,388       (2,553 )     180,705  
                                                 

Comprehensive income

                                               

Net income

    -       -       -       18,256       -       18,256  

Prior service cost of LTCA, net of tax

    -       -       -       -       (528 )     (528 )

Actuarial adjustment to SERP, net of tax

    -       -       -       -       511       511  

Regular dividends ($0.42 per share)

    -       -       -       (4,508 )     -       (4,508 )

Special dividend ($0.35 per share)

    -       -       -       (3,758 )     -       (3,758 )

Issuance of common stock

    39,313       197       281       -       -       478  

Purchase and retirement of common stock

    (24,310 )     (122 )     (602 )             -       (724 )

Stock-based compensation

    -       -       1,028       -       -       1,028  
                                                 

Balance, November 25, 2017

    10,737,950       53,690       962       139,378       (2,570 )     191,460  
                                                 

Comprehensive income

                                               

Net income

    -       -       -       8,218       -       8,218  

Prior service cost of LTCA, net of tax

    -       -       -       -       94       94  

Actuarial adjustment to SERP, net of tax

    -       -       -       -       683       683  

Reclassification of certain tax effects

    -       -       -       545       (545 )     -  

Regular dividends ($0.47 per share)

    -       -       -       (5,041 )     -       (5,041 )

Issuance of common stock

    63,403       317       65       -       -       382  

Purchase and retirement of common stock

    (273,717 )     (1,369 )     (2,160 )     (3,091 )     -       (6,620 )

Stock-based compensation

    -       -       1,133       -       -       1,133  
                                                 

Balance, November 24, 2018

    10,527,636     $ 52,638     $ -     $ 140,009     $ (2,338 )   $ 190,309  

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

34

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

1.

Description of Business

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Bassett”, “we”, “our”, the “Company”) based in Bassett, Virginia, is a leading manufacturer, marketer and retailer of branded home furnishings. Bassett’s full range of furniture products and accessories, designed to provide quality, style and value, are sold through an exclusive nation-wide network of 97 retail stores known as Bassett Home Furnishings (referred to as “BHF”). Of the 97 stores, the Company owns and operates 65 stores (“Company-owned retail stores”) with the other 32 being independently owned (“licensee operated”). We also distribute our products through other multi-line furniture stores, many of which feature Bassett galleries or design centers, specialty stores and mass merchants.

 

We sourced approximately 27% of our wholesale products from various foreign countries, with the remaining volume produced at our five domestic manufacturing facilities.

 

Lane Venture Acquisition

 

On December 21, 2017, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lane Venture from Heritage Home Group, LLC. Lane Venture is being operated as a component of our wholesale segment (see Note 3, Business Combinations). Results of operations for the Lane Venture business are included in our consolidated statements of income since the date of acquisition. 

 

 

 

2.

Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

Our fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in November, which periodically results in a 53-week year.   Fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 each contained 52 weeks. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and our majority-owned subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Accordingly, the results of Lane Venture have been consolidated with our results since the date of the acquisition. Sales of logistical services from Zenith to our wholesale and retail segments have been eliminated, and Zenith’s operating costs and expenses since the date of acquisition are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of net income. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Unless otherwise indicated, references in the Consolidated Financial Statements to fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 are to Bassett's fiscal year ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 and November 26, 2016, respectively. References to the “ASC” included hereinafter refer to the Accounting Standards Codification established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board as the source of authoritative GAAP.

 

We analyzed our licensees under the requirements for variable interest entities (“VIEs”). All of these licensees operate as BHF stores and are furniture retailers. We sell furniture to these licensees, and in some cases have extended credit beyond normal terms, made lease guarantees, guaranteed loans, or loaned directly to the licensees. We have recorded reserves for potential exposures related to these licensees. See Note 16 for disclosure of leases and lease guarantees. Based on financial projections and best available information, all licensees have sufficient equity to carry out their principal operating activities without subordinated financial support. Furthermore, we believe that the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the licensees’ operating performance continues to lie with the ownership of the licensee dealers. Our rights to assume control over or otherwise influence the licensees’ significant activities only exist pursuant to our license and security agreements and are in the nature of protective rights as contemplated under ASC Topic 810. We completed our assessment for other potential VIEs, and concluded that there were none. We will continue to reassess the status of potential VIEs including when facts and circumstances surrounding each potential VIE change.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates include allowances for doubtful accounts, calculation of inventory reserves, valuation of income tax reserves, lease guarantees, insurance reserves and assumptions related to our post-employment benefit obligations. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

35

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership and title to the product have transferred to the buyer. This occurs upon the shipment of goods to independent dealers or, in the case of Company-owned retail stores, upon delivery to the customer. We offer terms varying from 30 to 60 days for wholesale customers. For retail sales, we typically collect a significant portion of the purchase price as a customer deposit upon order, with the balance typically collected upon delivery. These deposits are carried on our balance sheet as a current liability until delivery is fulfilled. Estimates for returns and allowances have been recorded as a reduction to revenue. The contracts with our licensee store owners do not provide for any royalty or license fee to be paid to us. Revenue is reported net of any taxes collected. For our logistical services segment, line-haul freight revenue and home delivery revenue are recognized upon the completion of delivery to the destination. Warehousing services revenue is based upon warehouse space occupied by a customer’s goods and inventory movements in and out of a warehouse and is recognized as such services are provided.

 

Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (“SAB 104”) outlines the four basic criteria for recognizing revenue as follows: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. SAB 104 further asserts that if collectability of all or a portion of the revenue is not reasonably assured, revenue recognition should be deferred until payment is received. During fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, there were no sales for which these criteria were not met.

 

Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

 

The Company considers cash on hand, demand deposits in banks and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Our short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit that have original maturities of twelve months or less but greater than three months.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Substantially all of our trade accounts receivable is due from customers located within the United States. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a review of specifically identified accounts in addition to an overall aging analysis. Judgments are made with respect to the collectibility of accounts receivable based on historical experience and current economic trends. Actual losses could differ from those estimates.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Major Customers

 

Financial instruments that subject us to credit risk consist primarily of investments, accounts and notes receivable and financial guarantees. Investments are managed within established guidelines to mitigate risks. Accounts and notes receivable and financial guarantees subject us to credit risk partially due to the concentration of amounts due from and guaranteed on behalf of independent licensee customers. At November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, our aggregate exposure from receivables and guarantees related to customers consisted of the following:

 

   

2018

   

2017

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances (Note 5)

  $ 19,055     $ 19,640  

Contingent obligations under lease and loan guarantees, less amounts recognized (Note 16)

    1,995       2,717  

Total credit risk exposure related to customers

  $ 21,050     $ 22,357  

 

At November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, approximately 33% and 29%, respectively, of the aggregate risk exposure, net of reserves, shown above was attributable to five customers. In fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated net sales. However, two customers accounted for approximately 40%, 47% and 46% of our consolidated revenue from logistical services during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

We have no foreign manufacturing or retail operations. We define export sales as sales to any country or territory other than the United States or its territories or possessions. Our export sales were approximately $1,587, $2,288, and $3,607 in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. All of our export sales are invoiced and settled in U.S. dollars.

 

36

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Inventories

 

Inventories (retail merchandise, finished goods, work in process and raw materials) are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined for domestic manufactured furniture inventories using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method because we believe this methodology provides better matching of revenue and expenses. The cost of imported inventories and Lane Venture product inventories are determined on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Inventories accounted for under the LIFO method represented 52% and 54% of total inventory before reserves at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively. We estimate inventory reserves for excess quantities and obsolete items based on specific identification and historical write-offs, taking into account future demand and market conditions. If actual demand or market conditions in the future are less favorable than those estimated, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment is comprised of all land, buildings and leasehold improvements and machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing and warehousing of furniture, our Company-owned retail operations, our logistical services operations, and corporate administration. This property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets utilizing the straight-line method. Buildings and improvements are generally depreciated over a period of 10 to 39 years. Machinery and equipment are generally depreciated over a period of 5 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized based on the underlying lease term, or the asset’s estimated useful life, whichever is shorter.

 

Retail Real Estate

 

Retail real estate is comprised of owned and leased properties which have in the past been utilized by licensee operated BHF stores and are now leased or subleased to non-licensee tenants. The net book value of our retail real estate at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017 was $1,655 and $1,758, respectively, and is included in other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheets. This real estate is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and is depreciated over the useful lives of the respective assets utilizing the straight line method. Buildings and improvements are generally depreciated over a period of 10 to 39 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized based on the underlying lease term, or the asset’s estimated useful life, whichever is shorter. Depreciation expense was $103, $127, and $152 in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and is included in other loss, net, in our consolidated statements of income.

 

The net book value of our retail real estate at November 24, 2018 consisted of one property located near Charleston, South Carolina which is fully occupied by a tenant under a long term lease. We also own a building in Chesterfield County, Virginia that was formerly leased to a licensee for the operation of a BHF store. The building is subject to a ground lease that expires in 2020, but has additional renewal options. Since 2012, we have leased the building to another party who is, as of recently, paying less than the full amount of the lease obligation, resulting in rental income insufficient to cover our ground lease obligation. Efforts to sell our interest in the building have been unsuccessful so far. We have also concluded that absent a significant cash investment in the building the likelihood of locating another tenant for the building at a rent that would provide positive cash flow in excess of the ground lease expense is remote. In addition, we obtained an appraisal during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 which indicated that the value of the building had significantly decreased and was now minimal. Given these circumstances, we concluded in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 that we are unlikely to renew the ground lease in 2020 and would therefore likely vacate the property at that time. Consequently, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $1,084 during fiscal 2017 to write off the value of the building.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. The acquisition of assets and liabilities and the resulting goodwill is allocated to the respective reporting unit: Wood, Upholstery, Retail or Logistical Services. We review goodwill at the reporting unit level annually for impairment or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that assets might be impaired.

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill & Other, the goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process, if necessary. However, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The more likely than not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary and our goodwill is considered to be unimpaired. However, if based on our qualitative assessment we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we will proceed with performing the two-step process. Based on our qualitative assessment as described above, we have concluded that our goodwill is not impaired as of November 24, 2018.

 

37

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The first step compares the carrying value of each reporting unit that has goodwill with the estimated fair value of the respective reporting unit. Should the carrying value of a reporting unit be in excess of the estimated fair value of that reporting unit, the second step is performed whereby we must calculate the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit. This second step represents a hypothetical application of the acquisition method of accounting as if we had acquired the reporting unit on that date. Our impairment methodology uses a discounted cash flow analysis requiring certain assumptions and estimates to be made regarding future profitability of the reporting unit and industry economic factors. While we believe such assumptions and estimates are reasonable, the actual results may differ materially from the projected amounts.

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or between annual tests when an impairment indicator exists. The recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets is assessed by comparison of the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. If we determine that the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss equal to the excess would be recorded.

 

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We estimate the useful lives of our intangible assets and ratably amortize the value over the estimated useful lives of those assets. If the estimates of the useful lives should change, we will amortize the remaining book value over the remaining useful lives or, if an asset is deemed to be impaired, a write-down of the value of the asset may be required at such time.

 

Impairment of Long Lived Assets

 

We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate long-lived assets may not be recoverable or that the remaining useful life may warrant revision. When such events or circumstances are present, we assess the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. In the event the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values depending on the nature of the assets. The long-term nature of these assets requires the estimation of cash inflows and outflows several years into the future.

 

When analyzing our real estate properties for potential impairment, we consider such qualitative factors as our experience in leasing and selling real estate properties as well as specific site and local market characteristics. Upon the closure of a Bassett Home Furnishings store, we generally write off all tenant improvements which are only suitable for use in such a store.

 

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes under the liability method which requires that we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. See Note 14.

 

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Despite our belief that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate, it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of the resolution of any particular tax matters. We may adjust these liabilities as relevant circumstances evolve, such as guidance from the relevant tax authority or our tax advisors, or resolution of issues in the courts. These adjustments are recognized as a component of income tax expense in the period in which they are identified.

 

We evaluate our deferred income tax assets to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. A valuation allowance is established against our deferred tax assets based on consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a “more likely than not” standard. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of recent losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our experience with tax attributes expiring unused and tax planning alternatives. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. See Note 14.

 

38

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

New Store Pre-Opening Costs

 

Income from operations for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 includes new store pre-opening costs of $2,081, $2,413 and $1,148, respectively. Such costs consist of expenses incurred at the new store location during the period prior to its opening and include, among other things, facility occupancy costs such as rent and utilities and local store personnel costs related to pre-opening activities including training. New store pre-opening costs do not include costs which are capitalized in accordance with our property and equipment capitalization policies, such as leasehold improvements and store fixtures and equipment. Such capitalized costs associated with new stores are depreciated commencing with the opening of the store. There are no pre-opening costs associated with stores acquired from licensees, as such locations were already in operation at the time of their acquisition.

 

Shipping and Handling Costs

 

Costs incurred to deliver wholesale merchandise to customers are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense and totaled $17,511, $18,514, and $18,451 for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Costs incurred to deliver retail merchandise to customers, including the cost of operating regional distribution warehouses, are also recorded in selling, general and administrative expense and totaled $19,107, $18,424, and $18,094 for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Advertising

 

Costs incurred for producing and distributing advertising and advertising materials are expensed when incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising costs totaled $20,922, $18,834, and $16,688 in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

 

Insurance Reserves

 

We have self-funded insurance programs in place to cover workers’ compensation and health insurance. These insurance programs are subject to various stop-loss limitations. We accrue estimated losses using historical loss experience. Although we believe that the insurance reserves are adequate, the reserve estimates are based on historical experience, which may not be indicative of current and future losses. We adjust insurance reserves, as needed, in the event that future loss experience differs from historical loss patterns.

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

There were no material non-cash investing or financing activities during fiscal 2018, 2017 or 2016.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

 

Recently Adopted Pronouncements

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 requires that inventory within the scope of this Update be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The amendments in this Update do not apply to inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. For all entities, the guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. Therefore the amendments in ASU 2015-11 became effective for us as of the beginning of our 2018 fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

39

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2018-02 was issued to provide narrow-scope guidance for entities that are required to apply the provisions of Topic 220, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income, and have items of other comprehensive income for which the related tax effects are presented in other comprehensive income as required by GAAP. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. However, because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this Update is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, (1) for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) for all other entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. Because the Act has had a significant impact upon the tax effects of pension costs included in our accumulated other comprehensive loss, we have adopted the guidance in ASU 2018-02 effective as of the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in the reclassification of $545 of tax benefits from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings (see Note 12).

 

Recent Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted 

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), which creates ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. In addition, ASU 2014-09 supersedes the cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts, and creates new Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers. In summary, the core principle of Topic 606 is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. Companies are allowed to select between two transition methods: (1) a full retrospective transition method with the application of the new guidance to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) a retrospective transition method that recognizes the cumulative effect on prior periods at the date of adoption together with additional footnote disclosures. In addition, during 2016 the FASB has issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-12, all of which clarify certain implementation guidance within ASU 2014-09, and ASU 2016-11, which rescinds certain SEC guidance within the ASC effective upon an entity’s adoption of ASU 2014-09. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is not permitted. Therefore the amendments in ASU 2014-09 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. In order to evaluate the impact that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements, we have conducted a comprehensive review of the significant revenue streams across our wholesale, retail and logistical services reportable segments. The focus of this review included, among other things, the identification of the significant contracts and other arrangements we have with our customers to identify significant performance obligations, factors affecting the determination of transaction price, such as variable consideration, and factors affecting the classification of receipts as revenue, such as principal versus agent considerations. Our findings from the review were then analyzed based on the five-step model described in the new standard. We are currently finalizing our assessment of the impact that adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements. While we have not yet made a final determination as to the impact on our financial position or results of operations, we do anticipate incorporating additional disclosures, primarily related to disaggregation of revenue. We are also in the process of implementing the necessary changes to our accounting policies, procedures and controls with respect to these contracts and arrangements as required by the adoption of ASU 2014-09. We will adopt this standard as of the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year using the modified retrospective method of adoption. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 requires that equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) are to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Furthermore, equity investments without readily determinable fair values are to be assessed for impairment using a quantitative approach. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with other amendments related specifically to equity securities without readily determinable fair values applied prospectively. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

40

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in ASU 2016-02 (as subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, ASU 2018-10, ASU 2018-11 and ASU 2018-20) requires that a lessee recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. As with previous guidance, there continues to be a differentiation between finance leases and operating leases, however this distinction now primarily relates to differences in the manner of expense recognition over time and in the classification of lease payments in the statement of cash flows. Lease assets and liabilities arising from both finance and operating leases will be recognized in the statement of financial position. ASU 2016-02 leaves the accounting for leases by lessors largely unchanged from previous GAAP. The transitional guidance for adopting the requirements of ASU 2016-02 calls for a modified retrospective approach that includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. In addition, ASU 2018-11 provides for an additional (and optional) transition method by which entities may elect to initially apply the transition requirements in Topic 842 at that Topic’s effective date with the effects of initially applying Topic 842 recognized as a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption and without retrospective application to any comparative prior periods presented. Also, ASU 2018-20 provides certain narrow-scope improvements to Topic 842 as it relates to lessors. The guidance in ASU 2016-02 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2020 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements, which we expect will have a material effect on our statement of financial position (refer to Note 16 for information regarding our leases currently classified as operating leases under ASC Topic 840). We currently anticipate that we will adopt the guidance of ASU 2016-02 as of the beginning of our 2020 fiscal year using the optional transition method as provided by ASU 2018-11.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 addresses how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing existing diversity in practice with respect to these items. Among the types of cash flows addressed are payments for costs related to debt prepayments or extinguishments, payments representing accreted interest on discounted debt, payments of contingent consideration after a business combination, proceeds from insurance claims and company-owned life insurance, and distributions from equity method investees, among others. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 are to be adopted retrospectively and will become effective for as at the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. Early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact upon our presentation of cash flows.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 provides a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities (collectively referred to as a “set”) does not constitute a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. If the screen is not met, the amendments in ASU 2017-01 (1) require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output and (2) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The amendments in ASU 2017-01 shall apply prospectively and will become effective for as at the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The amendments in ASU 2017-04 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2021 fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

41

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. ASU 2017-09 was issued to provide clarity and reduce both (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in this Update provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. Essentially, an entity will not have to account for the effects of a modification if: (1) The fair value of the modified award is the same immediately before and after the modification; (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same immediately before and after the modification; and (3) the classification of the modified award as either an equity instrument or liability instrument is the same immediately before and after the modification. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15, Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15 – Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, to help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for determining when the arrangement includes a software license. The amendments in ASU 2018-15 align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the amendments in ASU 2018-15. The amendments in ASU 2018-15 will become effective for us as of the beginning of our 2021 fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have upon our financial position and results of operations, if any.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation with no effect on previously reported net income, stockholders' equity or cash flows.

 

 

 

3.

Business Combinations

 

Acquisition of Lane Venture

 

On December 21, 2017, we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lane Venture from Heritage Home Group, LLC for $15,556 in cash. Lane Venture is a manufacturer and distributor of premium outdoor furniture, and is now being operated as a component of our wholesale segment.

 

Under the acquisition method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration transferred was allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date with the remaining unallocated amount recorded as goodwill.

 

The allocation of the fair value of the acquired business was initially based on a preliminary valuation. Our estimates and assumptions were revised during 2018 as we obtained additional information for our estimates during the measurement period , which we consider to be closed as of November 24, 2018. During fiscal 2018, we recorded measurement period adjustments resulting in a net increase to the opening value of various acquired assets and assumed liabilities with an offsetting reduction of recognized goodwill of $76. The final allocation of the $15,556 all-cash purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities of the Lane Venture business, including measurement period adjustments, is as follows:

 

Allocation of the fair value of consideration transferred:

     

Identifiable assets acquired:

     

Accounts receivable, net of reserve (Note 5)

$ 1,507  

Inventory, net of reserve (Note 6)

  3,718  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  37  

Intangible assets

  7,360  

Total identifiable assets acquired

  12,622  

Liabilities assumed:

     

Accounts payable

  (357 )

Other accrued liabilities

  (852 )

Total liabilities assumed

  (1,209 )

Net identifiable assets acquired

  11,413  

Goodwill

  4,143  

Total net assets acquired

$ 15,556  

 

 

Goodwill was determined based on the residual difference between the fair value of the consideration transferred and the value assigned to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities recognized in connection with the acquisition and is deductible for tax purposes. Among the factors that contributed to a purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill are the expected synergies arising from combining the Company’s manufacturing and distribution capabilities with Lane Venture’s position in the outdoor furnishings market, a segment of the market not previously served by Bassett.

 

42

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

A portion of the fair value of the consideration transferred has been assigned to identifiable intangible assets as follows:

 

   

Useful Life

         

Description:

 

In Years

   

Fair Value

 
                 

Trade name

 

 

Indefinite     $ 6,848  

Customer relationships

    9       512  
                 

Total acquired intangible assets

          $ 7,360  

 

The finite-lived intangible asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. The indefinite-lived intangible asset and goodwill are not amortized but will be tested for impairment annually or between annual tests if an indicator of impairment exists.

 

The fair values of consideration transferred and net assets acquired were determined using a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. See Note 4.

 

Acquisition costs related to the Lane Venture acquisition totaled $256 during the year ended November 24, 2018, and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The acquisition costs are primarily related to legal, accounting and valuation services.

 

The pro forma impact of the acquisition and the results of operations attributable to Lane Venture since the acquisition have not been presented because they are not material to our consolidated results of operations for the three fiscal years ended November 24, 2018.

 

Licensee Store Acquisition

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we acquired the operations of the Bassett Home Furnishings (“BHF”) store located in Columbus, Ohio for a purchase price of $655. The store had been owned and operated by a licensee that had determined that continued ownership of a BHF store was no longer consistent with its future business objectives. We believe that Columbus, Ohio represents a viable market for a BHF store.

 

The purchase price was allocated as follows:

 

Inventory

  $ 343  

Goodwill

    312  
         

Purchase price

  $ 655  

 

The inputs into our valuation of the acquired assets reflect our market assumptions and are not observable. Consequently, the inputs are considered to be Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. See Note 4.

 

The pro forma impact of the acquisition and the results of operations for the Columbus store since the acquisition was not material to our consolidated results of operations for the year ended November 25, 2017.

 

 

 

4.

Financial Instruments, Investments and Fair Value Measurements

 

Financial Instruments

 

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments in certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, cost method investments, accounts payable and long-term debt. Because of their short maturities, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments in certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value.

 

43

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Investments

 

Our short-term investments of $22,643 and $23,125 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively, consisted of certificates of deposit (CDs) with original terms of six to twelve months, bearing interest at rates ranging from 0.85% to 2.70%. At November 24, 2018, the weighted average remaining time to maturity of the CDs was approximately six months and the weighted average yield of the CDs was approximately 2.3%. Each CD is placed with a federally insured financial institution and all deposits are within Federal deposit insurance limits. As the CDs mature, we expect to reinvest them in CDs of similar maturities of up to one year. Due to the nature of these investments and their relatively short maturities, the carrying amount of the short-term investments at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017 approximates their fair value.

 

Fair Value Measurement 

 

The Company accounts for items measured at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820’s valuation techniques are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. ASC 820 classifies these inputs into the following hierarchy:

 

Level 1 Inputs– Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

Level 2 Inputs– Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

 

Level 3 Inputs– Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

 

We believe that the carrying amounts of our current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The recurring estimate of the fair value of our notes payable for disclosure purposes (see Note 10) involves Level 3 inputs. Our primary non-recurring fair value estimates typically involve business acquisitions (Note 3) which involve a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs, and asset impairments (Note 15) which utilize Level 3 inputs.

 

 

 

5.

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable consists of the following:

 

   

November 24,

2018

   

November 25,

2017

 

Gross accounts receivable

  $ 19,809     $ 20,257  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

    (754 )     (617 )

Net accounts receivable

  $ 19,055     $ 19,640  

 

Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

 
                 

Balance, beginning of the year

  $ 617     $ 799  

Acquired allowance on accounts receivable (Note 3)

    50       -  

Additions charged to expense (recoveries)

    339       (59 )

Reductions to allowance, net

    (252 )     (123 )

Balance, end of the year

  $ 754     $ 617  

 

We believe that the carrying value of our net accounts receivable approximates fair value. The inputs into these fair value estimates reflect our market assumptions and are not observable. Consequently, the inputs are considered to be Level 3 as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. See Note 4.

 

44

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

6.

Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

   

November 24,

2018

   

November 25,

2017

 

Wholesale finished goods

  $ 30,750     $ 26,145  

Work in process

    432       388  

Raw materials and supplies

    15,503       11,808  

Retail merchandise

    27,599       26,173  

Total inventories on first-in, first-out method

    74,284       64,514  

LIFO adjustment

    (8,326 )     (8,143 )

Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory

    (1,766 )     (1,895 )
    $ 64,192     $ 54,476  

 

We source a significant amount of our wholesale product from other countries. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, purchases from our two largest vendors located in Vietnam and China were $24,073, $21,977and $19,128 respectively.

 

We estimate an inventory reserve for excess quantities and obsolete items based on specific identification and historical write-offs, taking into account future demand, market conditions and the respective valuations at LIFO. The need for these reserves is primarily driven by the normal product life cycle. As products mature and sales volumes decline, we rationalize our prduct offerings to respond to consumer tastes and keep our product lines fresh. If actual demand or market conditions in the future are less favorable than those estimated, additional inventory write-downs may be required. In determining reserves, we calculate separate reserves on our wholesale and retail inventories. Our wholesale inventories tend to carry the majority of the reserves for excess quantities and obsolete inventory due to the nature of our distribution model. These wholesale reserves primarily represent design and style obsolescence. Typically, product is not shipped to our retail warehouses until a consumer has ordered and paid a deposit for the product. We do not typically hold retail inventory for stock purposes. Consequently, floor sample inventory and inventory for delivery to customers account for the majority of our inventory at retail. Retail reserves are based on accessory and clearance floor sample inventory in our stores and any inventory that is not associated with a specific customer order in our retail warehouses.

 

 

Activity in the reserves for excess quantities and obsolete inventory by segment are as follows:

 

   

Wholesale Segment

   

Retail Segment

   

Total

 

Balance at November 26, 2016

  $ 1,061     $ 289     $ 1,350  

Additions charged to expense

    1,757       475       2,232  

Write-offs

    (1,200 )     (487 )     (1,687 )

Balance at November 25, 2017

    1,618       277       1,895  

Acquired reserve on inventory (Note 3)

    110       -       110  

Additions charged to expense

    1,884       425       2,309  

Write-offs

    (2,112 )     (436 )     (2,548 )

Balance at November 24, 2018

  $ 1,500     $ 266     $ 1,766  

 

45

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

7.

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

   

November 24,

2018

   

November 25,

2017

 

Land

  $ 9,908     $ 10,908  

Buildings and leasehold improvements

    124,449       117,185  

Machinery and equipment

    108,379       102,619  

Property and equipment at cost

    242,736       230,712  

Less accumulated depreciation

    (137,873 )     (127,468 )

Property and equipment, net

  $ 104,863     $ 103,244  

 

The net book value of our property and equipment by reportable segment is a follows:

 

   

November 24,

2018

   

November 25,

2017

 

Wholesale

  $ 26,511     $ 25,277  

Retail - Company-owned stores

    61,380       58,454  

Logistical Services

    16,972       19,513  

Total property and equipment, net

  $ 104,863     $ 103,244  

 

Depreciation expense associated with the property and equipment shown above was included in income from operations in our consolidated statements of income as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Cost of goods sold (wholesale segment)

  $ 1,264     $ 989     $ 748  

Selling, general and adminstrative expenses:

                       

Wholesale segment

    1,666       1,531       1,154  

Retail segment

    7,060       7,080       6,880  

Logistical services segment

    3,747       3,987       3,614  

Total included in selling, general and adminstrative expenses

    12,473       12,598       11,648  

Total depreciation expense included in income from operations

  $ 13,737     $ 13,587     $ 12,396  

 

46

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

8.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

   

November 24, 2018

 
   

Gross

Carrying

Amount

   

Accumulated

Amortization

   

Intangible

Assets, Net

 

Intangibles subject to amortization:

                       

Customer relationships

  $ 3,550     $ (829 )   $ 2,721  

Technology - customized applications

    834       (456 )     378  
                         

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

    4,384       (1,285 )     3,099  
                         

Intangibles not subject to amortization:

                       

Trade names

    9,338       -       9,338  

Goodwill

    16,043       -       16,043  
                         

Total goodwill and other intangible assets

  $ 29,765     $ (1,285 )   $ 28,480  

 

   

November 25, 2017

 
   

Gross

Carrying

Amount

   

Accumulated

Amortization

   

Intangible

Assets, Net

 

Intangibles subject to amortization:

                       

Customer relationships

  $ 3,038     $ (574 )   $ 2,464  

Technology - customized applications

    834       (337 )     497  
                         

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

    3,872       (911 )     2,961  
                         

Intangibles not subject to amortization:

                       

Trade names

    2,490       -       2,490  

Goodwill

    11,900       -       11,900  
                         

Total goodwill and other intangible assets

  $ 18,262     $ (911 )   $ 17,351  

 

Changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by reportable segment were as follows:

 

   

Wholesale

   

Retail

   

Logistics

   

Total

 
                                 

Balance as of November 26, 2016

  $ 4,839     $ 1,820     $ 4,929     $ 11,588  

Goodwill arising from store acquisition (Note 3)

    206       106       -       312  
                                 

Balance as of November 25, 2017

    5,045       1,926       4,929       11,900  

Goodwill arising from Lane Venture acquisition (Note 3)

    4,143       -       -       4,143  
                                 

Balance as of November 24, 2018

  $ 9,188     $ 1,926     $ 4,929     $ 16,043  

 

There were no accumulated impairment losses on goodwill as of November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 or November 26, 2016.

 

47

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The weighted average useful lives of our finite-lived intangible assets and remaining amortization periods as of November 24, 2018 are as follows:

 

   

Useful

Life in

Years

   

Remaining

Amortization

Period in

Years

 
                 

Customer relationships

    14       11  

Technology - customized applications

    7       3  

 

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets during fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $374, $322 and $322, respectively and is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statement of income. All expense arising from the amortization of intangible assets is associated with our logistical services segment except for $51 in fiscal 2018 associated with our wholesale segment arising from Lane Venture (Note 3). Estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets that exist at November 24, 2018 is as follows:

 

 

Fiscal 2019

  $ 379  

Fiscal 2020

    379  

Fiscal 2021

    379  

Fiscal 2022

    279  

Fiscal 2023

    259  

Thereafter

    1,424  
         

Total

  $ 3,099  

 

 

 

9.

Unconsolidated Affiliated Companies

 

International Market Centers, L.P.

 

In connection with the sale of our interest in International Home Furnishings Center, Inc. on May 2, 2011, we acquired a minority interest in International Market Centers, L.P. (“IMC”) in exchange for $1,000. Our investment in IMC was included in other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheet as of November 26, 2016 and was accounted for using the cost method as we did not have significant influence over IMC. During fiscal 2017 IMC was sold resulting in the redemption of our entire interest for total proceeds of $1,954 resulting in a gain of $954 which is included in gain on sale of investments in our consolidated statement of income.

 

Other

 

In 1985, we acquired a minority interest in a privately-held, start-up provider of property and casualty insurance for $325. We have accounted for this investment on the cost method and it was included in other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheet as of November 26, 2016. During fiscal 2017 we sold our entire interest for $3,592 in cash, resulting in a gain of $3,267 which is included in gain on sale of investments in our consolidated statement of income.

 

48

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

10.

Notes Payable and Bank Credit Facility

 

Our notes payable consist of the following:

 

   

November 24,

2018

 
         

Real estate notes payable

  $ 292  

Less current portion

    (292 )
         

Total long-term notes payable

  $ -  

 

   

November 25, 2017

 
   

Principal

Balance

   

Unamortized

Discount

   

Net Carrying

Amount

 
                         

Zenith acquisition note payable

  $ 3,000     $ (13 )   $ 2,987  

Real estate notes payable

    747       -       747  
                         

Total notes payable

    3,747       (13 )     3,734  

Less current portion

    (3,418 )     13       (3,405 )
                         

Total long-term notes payable

  $ 329     $ -     $ 329  

 

All remaining principal outstanding at November 24, 2018 will mature during fiscal 2019.

 

Zenith Acquisition Note Payable

 

The final installment of the Zenith acquisition note was paid in full on February 2, 2018. Interest expense resulting from the amortization of the discount was $13, $95 and $204 for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Real Estate Notes Payable

 

Two of our retail real estate properties have been financed through commercial mortgages with interest rates of 6.73%. These mortgages are collateralized by the respective properties with net book values totaling approximately $5,599 and $5,727 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively. The total balance outstanding under these mortgages was $293 and $747 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively. The current portion of these mortgages due within one year was $293 and $418 as of November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively.

 

Fair Value 

 

We believe that the carrying amount of our notes payable approximates fair value at both November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017. In estimating the fair value, we utilize current market interest rates for similar instruments. The inputs into these fair value calculations reflect our market assumptions and are not observable. Consequently, the inputs are considered to be Level 3 as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. See Note 4.

 

Bank Credit Facility 

 

Effective November 15, 2018, we amended the credit facility with our bank, increasing line of credit of up to $25,000. This amended credit facility, which matures in December of 2021, is unsecured and contains covenants requiring us to maintain certain key financial ratios. We are in compliance with all covenants under the facility and expect to remain in compliance for the foreseeable future.

 

We have $2,798 outstanding under standby letters of credit against our line, leaving availability under our credit line of $22,202. In addition, we have outstanding standby letters of credit with another bank totaling $381.

 

Total interest paid during fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $88, $139 and $353, respectively.

 

49

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

11.

Post-Employment Benefit Obligations

 

Management Savings Plan

 

On May 1, 2017, our Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Organization, Compensation and Nominating Committee (the “Committee”), adopted the Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated Management Savings Plan (the “Plan”).The Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan maintained for the benefit of certain highly compensated or management level employees.

 

The Plan is an account-based plan under which (i) participants may defer voluntarily the payment of current compensation to future years (“participant deferrals”) and (ii) the Company may make annual awards to participants payable in future years (“Company contributions”). The Plan permits each participant to defer up to 75% of base salary and up to 100% of any incentive compensation or other bonus, which amounts would be credited to a deferral account established for the participant. Such deferrals will be fully vested at the time of the deferral. Participant deferrals will be indexed to one or more deemed investment alternatives chosen by the participant from a range of alternatives made available under the Plan. Each participant’s account will be adjusted to reflect gains and losses based on the performance of the selected investment alternatives. A participant may receive distributions from the Plan: (1) upon separation from service, in either a lump sum or annual installment payments over up to a 15 year period, as elected by the participant, (2) upon death or disability, in a lump sum, or (3) on a date or dates specified by the participant (“scheduled distributions”) with such scheduled payments made in either a lump sum or substantially equal annual installments over a period of up to five years, as elected by the participant. Participant contributions commenced during the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Company contributions will vest in full (1) on the third anniversary of the date such amounts are credited to the participant’s account, (2) the date that the participant reaches age 63 or (3) upon death or disability. Company contributions are subject to the same rules described above regarding the crediting of gains or losses from deemed investments and the timing of distributions. Expense associated with the Company contribution was $102 and $55 for fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our liability for Company contributions and participant deferrals at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017 was $749 and $55, respectively, and is included in post-employment benefit obligations in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

On May 2, 2017, we made Long Term Cash Awards (“LTC Awards”) totaling $2,000 under the Plan to certain management employees in the amount of $400 each. The LTC Awards vest in full on the first anniversary of the date of the award if the participant has reached age 63 by that time, or, if later, on the date the participant reaches age 63, provided in either instance that the participant is still employed by the Company at that time. If not previously vested, the awards will also vest immediately upon the death or disability of the participant prior to the participant’s separation from service. The awards will be payable in 10 equal annual installments following the participant’s death, disability or separation from service. We are accounting for the LTC Awards as a defined benefit pension plan.

 

During fiscal 2018 and 2017, we invested $900 and $431 in life insurance policies covering all participants in the Plan. At November 24, 2018, these policies have a net death benefit of $14,998 for which the Company is the sole beneficiary. These policies are intended to provide a source of funds to meet the obligations arising from the deferred compensation and LTC Awards under the Plan, and serve as an economic hedge of the financial impact of changes in the liabilities. They are held in an irrevocable trust but are subject to claims of creditors in the event of the Company’s insolvency.

 

Supplemental Retirement Income Plan

 

We have an unfunded Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (the “Supplemental Plan”) that covers one current and certain former executives. Upon retirement, the Supplemental Plan provides for lifetime monthly payments in an amount equal to 65% of the participant’s final average compensation as defined in the Supplemental Plan, which is reduced by certain social security benefits to be received and other benefits provided by us. The Supplemental Plan also provides a death benefit that is calculated as (a) prior to retirement death, which pays the beneficiary 50% of final average annual compensation for a period of 120 months, or (b) post-retirement death, which pays the beneficiary 200% of final average compensation in a single payment. We own life insurance policies on these executives with a current net death benefit of $2,813 at November 24, 2018 and we expect to substantially fund this death benefit through the proceeds received upon the death of the executive. Funding for the remaining cash flows is expected to be provided through operations. There are no benefits payable as a result of a termination of employment for any reason other than death or retirement, other than a change of control provision which provides for the immediate vesting and payment of the retirement benefit under the Supplemental Plan in the event of an employment termination resulting from a change of control.

 

50

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Aggregated summarized information for the Supplemental Plan and the LTC Awards, measured as of the end of each year presented, is as follows:

 

 

 

2018

   

2017

 

Change in Benefit Obligation:

               

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

  $ 12,322     $ 11,863  

Service cost

    196       1,117  

Interest cost

    418       449  

Actuarial (gains) losses

    (616 )     (447 )

Benefits paid

    (668 )     (660 )

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

  $ 11,652     $ 12,322  
                 

Accumulated Benefit Obligation

  $ 11,559     $ 11,531  
                 

Discount rate used to value the ending benefit obligations:

    4.00 %     3.50 %
                 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:

               

Current liabilities

  $ 798     $ 778  

Noncurrent liabilities

    10,854       11,544  

Total amounts recognized

  $ 11,652     $ 12,322  

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:

               

Transition obligation

  $ -     $ 42  

Prior service cost

    806       858  

Actuarial loss

    2,408       3,286  

Net amount recognized

  $ 3,214     $ 4,186  
                 

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and accumulated other comprehensive income:

  $ (2 )   $ 1,119  

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost:

                       

Service cost

  $ 196     $ 146     $ 105  

Interest cost

    418       423       374  

Amortization of transition obligation

    42       42       42  

Amortization of prior service cost

    126       -       -  

Amortization of other loss

    262       323       195  
                         

Net periodic pension cost

  $ 1,044     $ 934     $ 716  
                         
                         

Assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost:

                       

Discount rate

    3.50 %     3.75 %     3.75 %

Increase in future compensation levels

    3.00 %     3.00 %     3.00 %

 

Estimated Future Benefit Payments (with mortality):

                       

Fiscal 2019

            798          

Fiscal 2020

            748          

Fiscal 2021

            698          

Fiscal 2022

            1,003          

Fiscal 2023

            948          

Fiscal 2024 through 2028

            3,935          

 

51

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Of the $3,214 recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at November 24, 2018, amounts expected to be recognized as components of net periodic pension cost during fiscal 2019 are as follows:

 

Prior service cost

  $ 126  

Other loss

    184  
         

Total expected to be amortized to net periodic pension cost in 2019

  $ 310  

 

The components of net periodic pension cost other than the service cost component are included in other loss, net in our consolidated statements of income.

 

Deferred Compensation Plan

 

We have an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan that covers one current and certain former executives and provides for voluntary deferral of compensation. This plan has been frozen with no additional participants or benefits permitted. We recognized expense of $216, $216, and $228 in fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, associated with the plan. Our liability under this plan was $1,837 and $1,916 as of November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively. The non-current portion of this obligation is included in post-employment benefit obligations in our consolidated balance sheets, with the current portion included in accrued compensation and benefits.

 

Defined Contribution Plan

 

We have a qualified defined contribution plan (Employee Savings/Retirement Plan) that covers substantially all employees who elect to participate and have fulfilled the necessary service requirements. Employee contributions to the Plan are matched at the rate of 25% of up to 8% of gross pay, regardless of years of service. Expense for employer matching contributions was $1,128, $1,068 and $865 during fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in contribution expense for fiscal 2018 over fiscal 2017 was largely due to a larger contribution base due to general compensation level increases. The increase in contribution expense for fiscal 2017 over fiscal 2016 was largely due to a larger contribution base due to increased incentive compensation.

 

 

 

12.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

The activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the fiscal years ended November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, which is comprised solely of post-retirement benefit costs related to our SERP and LTC Awards, is as follows:

 

 

Balance at November 26, 2016

  $ (2,553 )

Recognition of prior service cost

    (932 )

Actuarial gains

    448  

Net pension amortization reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

    447  

Tax effects

    20  

Balance at November 25, 2017

    (2,570 )

Reclassification of certain tax effects to retained earnings (1)

    (545 )

Actuarial gains

    616  

Net pension amortization reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

    430  

Tax effects

    (269 )

Balance at November 24, 2018

  $ (2,338 )

 

(1) See Note 2 regarding the adoption of ASU 2018-02 which resulted in the transfer of certain tax effects carried over from prior years to retained earnings as of the beginning of fiscal 2018.

 

52

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

13.

Capital Stock and Stock Compensation

 

We account for our stock-based employee and director compensation plans in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. ASC 718 requires recognition of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments in the financial statements over the period the employee is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively the vesting period) which we recognize on a straight-line basis. Compensation expense related to restricted stock and stock options included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Stock based compensation expense

  $ 1,133     $ 1,028     $ 903  

 

Incentive Stock Compensation Plans

 

On April 14, 2010, our shareholders approved the Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan which was amended and restated effective January 13, 2016 (the “2010 Plan”). All present and future non-employee directors, key employees and outside consultants for the Company are eligible to receive incentive awards under the 2010 Plan. Our Organization, Compensation and Nominating Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) selects eligible key employees and outside consultants to receive awards under the 2010 Plan in its discretion. Our Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board of Directors selects eligible non-employee directors to receive awards under the 2010 Plan in its discretion. 1,250,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan as amended. Participants may receive the following types of incentive awards under the 2010 Plan: stock options, stock appreciation rights, payment shares, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares. Stock options may be incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in tandem with stock options or as a freestanding award. Non-employee directors and outside consultants are eligible to receive restricted stock and restricted stock units only. We expect to issue new common stock upon the exercise of options.

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The risk free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate for the expected life at the time of grant, volatility is based on the average long-term implied volatilities of peer companies, the expected life is based on the estimated average of the life of options using the simplified method. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. We utilize the simplified method to determine the expected life of our options due to insufficient exercise activity during recent years as a basis from which to estimate future exercise patterns.

 

Stock Options

 

There were no new grants of options made in 2018, 2017 or 2016.

 

Changes in the outstanding options under our plans during the year ended November 24, 2018 were as follows:

 

   

Number of Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

Per Share

 
                 

Outstanding at November 25, 2017

    11,750     $ 8.02  

Granted

    -       -  

Exercised

    (3,400 )     8.02  

Forfeited/Expired

    -    

 

-  

Outstanding at November 24, 2018

    8,350       8.02  

Exercisable at November 24, 2018

    8,350     $ 8.02  

 

All remaining options outstanding at November 24, 2018 are exercisable at $8.02 per share with a remaining contractual life of 2.6 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $102. There were no non-vested options outstanding under our plans during the year ended November 24, 2018.

 

53

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Additional information regarding activity in our stock options during fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

  $ 75     $ 564     $ 124  

Total cash received from the exercise of options

    27       310       114  

Excess tax benefits recognized in income tax expense upon the exercise of options

    16       188       41  

 

 

Restricted Shares

 

Changes in the outstanding non-vested restricted shares during the year ended November 24, 2018 were as follows:

 

   

Number of Shares

   

Weighted

Average Grant

Date Fair

Value Per

Share

 
                 

Non-vested restricted shares outstanding at November 25, 2017

    99,138     $ 23.87  

Granted

    45,036       34.41  

Vested

    (63,138 )     20.92  

Forfeited

    -       -  

Non-vested restricted shares outstanding at November 24, 2018

    81,036     $ 32.03  

 

Restricted share awards granted in fiscal 2018 included the grant of 36,000 shares on January 11, 2018 which were subject to a performance condition as well as a service condition. The performance condition was based on a measure of the Company’s operating cash flow for 2018 and has now been satisfied. The awards will remain subject to an additional two-year service requirement and will vest on the third anniversary of the grant. The remaining grants for 2018 consisted of 6,036 restricted shares granted to our non-employee directors on March 8, 2018 which will vest on the first anniversary of the grant, and 3,000 restricted shares granted to an employee on October 2, 2018 which will vest on the third anniversary of the grant.

 

During fiscal 2018, 63,138 restricted shares were vested and released, of which 56,600 shares had been granted to employees and 6,538 shares to directors. Of the shares released to employees, 19,810 shares were withheld by the Company to cover withholding taxes of $674. During fiscal 2017 and 2016, 21,210 shares and 2,940 shares, respectively, were withheld to cover withholding taxes of $641 and $77, respectively, arising from the vesting of restricted shares. During fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, excess tax benefits of $207, $366 and $46, respectively, were recognized within income tax expense upon the release of vested shares.

 

Additional information regarding our outstanding non-vested restricted shares at November 24, 2018 is as follows:

 

                   

Remaining

 
   

Restricted

   

Share Value

   

Restriction

 

Grant

 

Shares

   

at Grant Date

   

Period

 

Date

 

Outstanding

   

Per Share

   

(Years)

 
                       
                       

January 10, 2017

    36,000     $ 29.05     1.1  

January 11, 2018

    36,000       35.75     2.1  

March 8, 2018

    6,036       33.07     0.3  

October 2, 2018

    3,000       20.97     2.9  
      81,036                

 

Unrecognized compensation cost related to these non-vested restricted shares at November 24, 2018 is $1,627, substantially all of which is expected to be recognized over approximately a two year period.

 

54

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

In 2000, we adopted and implemented an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2000 ESPP”) that allows eligible employees to purchase a limited number of shares of our stock at 85% of market value. Under the 2000 ESPP we sold 8,502 shares to employees in fiscal 2016, which resulted in an immaterial amount of compensation expense. The 2000 ESPP reached the cumulative number of shares authorized for purchase under the plan during the third quarter of fiscal 2016.

 

In March of 2017 we adopted and implemented the 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2017 ESPP”) that allows eligible employees to purchase a limited number of shares of our stock at 85% of market value. Under the 2017 ESPP we sold 14,967 and 6,275 shares to employees during fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively, which resulted in an immaterial amount of compensation expense. There are 228,758 shares remaining available for sale under the 2017 ESPP at November 24, 2018.

 

 

 

14.

Income Taxes

 

The components of the income tax provision are as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 

Current:

                       

Federal

  $ (1,137 )   $ 7,887     $ 3,728  

State

    462       2,035       896  
                         

Deferred:

                       

Federal

    4,747       (200 )     4,559  

State

    (84 )     (102 )     765  

Total

  $ 3,988     $ 9,620     $ 9,948  

 

 

On December 22, 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act reduced the federal statutory corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 for all corporate taxpayers, while most other provisions of the Act take effect for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Therefore, we computed our income tax expense for fiscal 2018 using a blended federal statutory rate of 22.2%. The 21% federal statutory rate, as well as certain other provisions of the Act including the elimination of the domestic manufacturing deduction and new limitations on certain business deductions, will apply to our 2019 fiscal year and thereafter. The federal rate reduction had a significant impact on our provision for income taxes for fiscal 2018 due to a discrete charge of $1,331 arising from the re-measurement of our deferred tax assets. We believe that our accounting for the income tax effects of the Act is complete as of November 24, 2018.

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate, as a percentage of income before income taxes, is as follows:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 

Statutory federal income tax rate

    22.2

%

    35.0

%

    35.0

%

Revaluation of deferred tax assets resulting from new enacted rates

    10.9       -       -  

State income tax, net of federal benefit

    4.6       3.9       4.2  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

    (1.5 )     (1.8 )     (0.3 )

Other

    (3.5 )     (2.6 )     (0.3 )

Effective income tax rate

    32.7

%

    34.5

%

    38.6

%

 

Excess tax benefits in the amount of $223, $554 and $87 were recognized as a component of income tax expense during fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, resulting from the exercise of stock options and the release of restricted shares.

 

55

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The income tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards, which give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities, are as follows:

 

   

November 24,

 2018

   

November 25,

2017

 

Deferred income tax assets:

               

Trade accounts receivable

  $ 192     $ 239  

Inventories

    1,755       2,606  

Notes receivable

    109       550  

Post employment benefit obligations

    3,619       5,555  

State net operating loss carryforwards

    218       583  

Unrealized loss from affiliates

    15       69  

Net deferred rents

    3,199       3,906  

Other

    1,290       1,878  

Gross deferred income tax assets

    10,397       15,386  

Valuation allowance

    -       -  

Total deferred income tax assets

    10,397       15,386  
                 

Deferred income tax liabilities:

               

Property and equipment

    5,353       5,426  

Intangible assets

    1,060       1,185  

Prepaid expenses and other

    718       382  
                 

Total deferred income tax liabilities

    7,131       6,993  
                 

Net deferred income tax assets

  $ 3,266     $ 8,393  

 

We have state net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable state income of $4,647, which expire in varying amounts between 2021 and 2027. Realization is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the loss carryforwards.

 

Income taxes paid, net of refunds received, during 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $1,431, $7,516, and $9,949, respectively.

 

We regularly evaluate, assess and adjust our accrued liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits in light of changing facts and circumstances, which could cause the effective tax rate to fluctuate from period to period. Our accrued liabilities for uncertain tax benefits at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017 were not material.

 

Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company's federal and state tax positions and in the determination of its tax provision. Despite our belief that the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate, it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of the resolution of any particular tax matter. We may adjust these liabilities as relevant circumstances evolve, such as guidance from the relevant tax authority, or resolution of issues in the courts. These adjustments are recognized as a component of income tax expense in the period in which they are identified. The Company also cannot predict when or if any other future tax payments related to these tax positions may occur.

 

We remain subject to examination for tax years 2015 through 2018 for all of our major tax jurisdictions.

 

56

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

15.

Other Gains and Losses

 

Gains on Sales of Retail Store Locations

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended November 24, 2018 includes a gain of $165 resulting from the sale of our retail store location in Spring, Texas for $2,463 in cash. The store was closed in October of 2018 and repositioned to a new location serving the Houston market in The Woodlands, Texas, which opened in November of 2018.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended November 25, 2017 includes a gain of $1,220 resulting from the sale of our retail store location in Las Vegas, Nevada for $4,335 in cash. The store was closed in August of 2017 in preparation for its repositioning to a new location serving the Las Vegas market, in Summerlin, Nevada, which opened in January of 2018.

 

Income from Antitrust Litigation Settlement

 

Cost of furniture and accessories sold for the year ended November 26, 2016 includes the benefit of $1,428 of income we received from the settlement of class action litigation. This benefit is included in our wholesale segment. We were a member of the certified class of consumers that were plaintiffs in the Polyurethane Foam Antitrust Litigation against various producers of flexible polyurethane foam. The litigation alleged a price-fixing conspiracy in the flexible polyurethane foam industry that caused indirect purchasers to pay higher prices for products that contain flexible polyurethane foam. In 2015 a settlement was reached with several of the producers, though other producers named in the suit filed appeals blocking distribution of the settlement. In June of 2016 the final producer appeal was dismissed and we received $1,428 in cash representing our share of the settlement, which is included in cash provided by operating activities in our statement of cash flows for the year ended November 26, 2016.

 

Asset Impairment Charges and Lease Exit Costs

 

During fiscal 2018 income from operations included $469 of non-cash asset impairment charges recognized on the assets of an underperforming retail location in Torrance, California, and a $301 charge for the accrual of lease exit costs incurred in connection with the closing of a Company-owned retail store location in San Antonio, Texas at the end of fiscal 2018.

 

There were no asset impairment charges or lease exit costs incurred against income from operations during fiscal 2017 or 2016. See Note 2 regarding non-operating impairment charges incurred in connection with our investments in retail real estate.

 

57

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

16.

Leases and Lease Guarantees

 

Leases

 

We lease land and buildings that are used in the operation of our Company-owned retail stores as well as in the operation of certain of our licensee-owned stores, and we lease land and buildings at various locations throughout the continental United States for warehousing and distribution hubs used in our retail and logistical services segments. We also lease tractors and trailers used in our logistical services segment and local delivery trucks and service vans used in our retail segment. Our real estate lease terms range from one to 15 years and generally have renewal options of between five and 15 years. Some store leases contain contingent rental provisions based upon sales volume. Our transportation equipment leases have terms ranging from two to seven years with fixed monthly rental payments plus variable charges based upon mileage. The following schedule shows future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of November 24, 2018:

 

   

Retail Stores

   

Warehousing

& Distribution

Centers

   

Transportation

Equipment

   

All Other

   

Total

 
                                         

Fiscal 2019

  $ 23,631     $ 4,999     $ 3,398     $ 1,693     $ 33,721  

Fiscal 2020

    23,073       4,127       3,193       1,637       32,030  

Fiscal 2021

    20,597       3,274       2,176       970       27,017  

Fiscal 2022

    18,166       3,097       1,444       487       23,194  

Fiscal 2023

    15,964       1,785       637       -       18,386  

Thereafter

    50,117       437       558       -       51,112  

Total future minimum lease payments

  $ 151,548     $ 17,719     $ 11,406     $ 4,787     $ 185,460  

 

 

Lease expense was $38,970, $34,372 and $31,867 for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Lease expense for leases with escalating minimum payments over the lease term is recognized on a straight-line basis. Our liability for accrued straight-line rent expense was $5,844 and $4,821 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively, and is included in other accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Improvement allowances received from lessors at the inception of a lease are deferred and amortized over the term of the lease. The unamortized balance of such amounts was $6,716 and $5,264 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively, with the non-current portion of $5,715 and $4,504, respectively, included in other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and the remaining current portion included in other accrued liabilities.

 

In addition to subleasing certain of these properties, we own retail real estate which we in turn lease to licensee operators of BHF stores. We also own real estate for closed stores which we lease to non-licensees. The following schedule shows minimum future rental income related to pass-through rental expense on subleased property as well as rental income on real estate owned by Bassett.

 

Fiscal 2019

  $ 1,765  

Fiscal 2020

    1,632  

Fiscal 2021

    781  

Fiscal 2022

    422  

Fiscal 2023

    105  

Thereafter

    -  

Total minimum future rental income

  $ 4,705  

 

 

Real estate rental net loss (rental income less lease costs, depreciation, insurance, and taxes), related to licensee stores and other investment real estate, was $23, $48 and $59 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and is reflected in other loss, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

 

Guarantees

 

As part of the strategy for our store program, we have guaranteed certain lease obligations of licensee operators. Lease guarantees range from one to three years. We were contingently liable under licensee lease obligation guarantees in the amount of $2,021 and $2,743 at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, respectively.

 

58

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

In the event of default by an independent dealer under the guaranteed lease, we believe that the risk of loss is mitigated through a combination of options that include, but are not limited to, arranging for a replacement dealer, liquidating the collateral, and pursuing payment under the personal guarantees of the independent dealer. The proceeds of the above options are estimated to cover the maximum amount of our future payments under the guarantee obligations, net of reserves. The fair value of lease guarantees (an estimate of the cost to the Company to perform on these guarantees) at November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, were not material.

 

 

 

17.

Contingencies

 

We are involved in various claims and actions which arise in the normal course of business. Although the final outcome of these matters cannot be determined, based on the facts presently known, it is our opinion that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or future results of operations.

 

 

 

18.

Earnings Per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 

Numerator:

                       

Net income

  $ 8,218     $ 18,256     $ 15,829  
                         

Denominator:

                       

Denominator for basic income per share - weighted average shares

    10,651,351       10,649,225       10,732,217  

Effect of dilutive securities

    40,424       82,850       130,204  

Denominator for diluted income per share — weighted average shares and assumed conversions

    10,691,775       10,732,075       10,862,421  
                         

Basic income per share:

                       

Net income per share — basic

  $ 0.77     $ 1.71     $ 1.47  
                         

Diluted income per share:

                       

Net income per share — diluted

  $ 0.77     $ 1.70     $ 1.46  

 

For fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, the following potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the computations as there effect was anti-dilutive:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 

Unvested restricted shares

    45,036       -       7,814  

 

59

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

19.

Segment Information

 

We have strategically aligned our business into three reportable segments as defined in ASC 280, Segment Reporting, and as described below:

 

 

Wholesale. The wholesale home furnishings segment is involved principally in the design, manufacture, sourcing, sale and distribution of furniture products to a network of Bassett stores (Company-owned and licensee-owned stores retail stores) and independent furniture retailers. Our wholesale segment includes our wood and upholstery operations as well as all corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, including those corporate expenses related to both Company- and licensee-owned stores. Our wholesale segment also includes our holdings of short-term investments and retail real estate previously leased as licensee stores. The earnings and costs associated with these assets are included in other loss, net, in our consolidated statements of income.

 

 

Retail – Company-owned stores. Our retail segment consists of Company-owned stores and includes the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities and capital expenditures directly related to these stores and the Company-owned distribution network utilized to deliver products to our retail customers.

 

 

Logistical services. With our acquisition of Zenith on February 2, 2015, we created the logistical services operating segment which reflects the operations of Zenith. In addition to providing shipping and warehousing services for the Company, Zenith also provides similar services to other customers, primarily in the furniture industry. Revenue from the performance of these services to other customers is included in logistics revenue in our consolidated statement of income. Zenith’s operating costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and total $81,468, $80,068 and $79,725 for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we substantially completed transferring operational control of home delivery services for BHF stores from Zenith to our retail segment, including the transfer of the assets and many of the employees used in providing that service. Accordingly, the results for the retail and logistical services segments for all periods presented have been restated to present the depreciation and amortization, capital expenditures and identifiable assets associated with home delivery services formerly provided by Zenith to the Bassett retail segment as though they had been incurred within the retail segment, and intercompany revenues for those services are no longer included in the logistical services segment. The impact of the restatement upon the income (loss) from operations for both the logistical services and retail segments was not material. Concurrently with the transfer of home delivery operations to retail, Zenith also ceased providing such services to third party customers. Revenues from Zenith’s home delivery services formerly provided to third party customers and the associated costs thereof continue to be reported in the logistical services segment. Zenith continues to provide other intercompany shipping and warehousing services to Bassett which are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Inter-company sales elimination represents the elimination of wholesale sales to our Company-owned stores and the elimination of Zenith logistics revenue from our wholesale segment. Inter-company income elimination includes the embedded wholesale profit in the Company-owned store inventory that has not been realized. These profits will be recorded when merchandise is delivered to the retail consumer. The inter-company income elimination also includes rent paid by our retail stores occupying Company-owned real estate, and the elimination of shipping and handling charges from Zenith for services provided to our wholesale operations.

 

60

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

The following table presents segment information for each of the last three fiscal years:

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 

Net Sales

                       

Wholesale

  $ 255,958     $ 249,193     $ 240,346  

Retail

    268,883       268,264       254,667  

Logistical services

    82,866       83,030       83,236  

Inter-company eliminations:

                       

Furniture and accessories

    (122,372 )     (119,360 )     (117,817 )

Logistical services

    (28,480 )     (28,624 )     (28,394 )

Consolidated

  $ 456,855     $ 452,503     $ 432,038  
                         

Income (loss) from Operations

                       

Wholesale

  $ 12,274     $ 19,121     $ 18,672  

Retail

    (312 )     3,490       4,333  

Logistical services

    1,398       2,962       3,511  

Inter-company elimination

    1,494       1,445       1,677  

Lease exit costs

    (301 )     -       -  

Asset impairment charges

    (469 )     -       -  

Consolidated income from operations

  $ 14,084     $ 27,018     $ 28,193  
                         

Depreciation and Amortization

                       

Wholesale

  $ 3,038     $ 2,648     $ 2,053  

Retail

    6,096       6,355       6,260  

Logistical services

    4,069       4,309       3,936  

Consolidated

  $ 13,203     $ 13,312     $ 12,249  
                         

Capital Expenditures

                       

Wholesale

  $ 4,194     $ 4,875     $ 7,232  

Retail

    12,769       8,108       5,932  

Logistical services

    1,338       2,517       8,337  

Consolidated

  $ 18,301     $ 15,500     $ 21,501  
                         

Identifiable Assets

                       

Wholesale

  $ 144,209     $ 152,181     $ 139,477  

Retail

    96,241       90,186       90,091  

Logistical services

    51,191       51,381       48,699  

Consolidated

  $ 291,641     $ 293,748     $ 278,267  

 

 

A breakdown of wholesale sales by product category for each of the last three fiscal years is provided below:

 

 

   

2018

   

2017

   

2016

 
                         

Wood

    35 %     35 %     37 %

Upholstery

    65 %     65 %     63 %
      100 %     100 %     100 %

 

61

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Continued

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

20.

Quarterly Results of Operations

 

 

   

2018

 
   

First
Quarter (1)

   

Second
Quarter (2)

   

Third
Quarter

   

Fourth
Quarter (3)

 
                                 

Sales revenue:

                               

Furniture and accessories

  $ 96,123     $ 102,675     $ 99,807     $ 103,864  

Logistics

    14,149       14,305       13,149       12,783  

Total sales revenue

    110,272       116,980       112,956       116,647  

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    43,269       45,660       44,821       45,831  

Income from operations

    2,050       5,663       4,324       2,047  

Net income (loss)

    (913 )     4,289       2,945       1,897  

Basic earnings (loss) per share

    (0.09 )     0.40       0.28       0.18  

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

    (0.09 )     0.40       0.28       0.18  

 

   

2017

 
   

First
Quarter

   

Second
Quarter (4)

   

Third
Quarter (5)

   

Fourth
Quarter (6)

 
                                 

Sales revenue:

                               

Furniture and accessories

  $ 93,698     $ 100,294     $ 100,152     $ 103,953  

Logistics

    12,194       13,831       14,109       14,272  

Total sales revenue

    105,892       114,125       114,261       118,225  

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

    41,898       44,981       45,320       45,380  

Income from operations

    4,664       7,600       7,260       7,494  

Net income

    2,861       5,842       4,579       4,974  

Basic earnings per share

    0.27       0.55       0.43       0.46  

Diluted earnings per share

    0.27       0.54       0.43       0.46  

 

All quarters shown above for fiscal 2018 and 2017 consist of 13 week fiscal periods.

 

 

(1)

Net income includes a $2,157 charge to income tax expense arising from the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets due to the reduction in the Federal statutory income tax rate included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.(see Note 14).

 

(2)

Income from operations includes a gain of $165 from the sale of our Spring, Texas retail store Isee Note 15). Net income includes a benefit of $155 in income tax expense arising from additional adjustments to the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets resulting from the Act (see Note 14).

 

(3)

Income from operations includes a $469 asset impairment charge related to our Torrance, California retail store and a $301 charge for lease exit costs related to the closing of a store in San Antonio, Texas (see Note 15). Net income includes a $704 tax benefit arising from the final adjustment to our interim estimates of the impact of reduced federal income tax rates on the valuation of our deferred tax assets (see Note 14).

 

(4)

Net income includes a gain of $2,026 from the sale of an investment, net of related income tax effects of approximately $1,241 (see Note 9), and a loss of $672, net of related income tax effects of approximately $412, resulting from the impairment of retail real estate (see Note 2).

 

(5)

Income from operations included a gain of $1,220 from the sale of our Las Vegas, Nevada retail store (see Note 15).

 

(6)

Net income includes a gain of $591 from the disposition of our interest in IMC, net of related income tax effects of approximately $363 (see Note 9).

 

62

 
 

 

 

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”). Disclosure Controls, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Annual Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

Based upon their controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.

 

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. With the participation of our CEO and CFO, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of November 24, 2018 based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of November 24, 2018, based on those criteria. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

 

Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. 

 

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during our fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

63

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

We have audited Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of November 24, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of November 24, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of November 24, 2018 and November 25, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended November 24, 2018, and the related notes and schedule for each of the three years in the period ended November 24, 2018 and our report dated January 17, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

 

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

Richmond, Virginia

January 17, 2019

 

64

 

 

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Board and Board Committee Information,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Please see section entitled “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Item 4B of Part I of this report for information concerning executive officers.

 

The Registrant has a code of ethics that applies to all of its employees, officers and directors. The code of ethics is available on the Registrant’s website at www.bassettfurniture.com and the Registrant will post any amendments to, or waivers, from, the code of ethics on that website.

 

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Organization, Compensation and Nominating Committee Report,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Director Compensation” is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

 

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Principal Stockholders and Holdings of Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

 

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the captions “Board and Board Committee Information” and “Other Transactions” is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

 

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

The information to be contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Audit and Other Fees” is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

 

65

 

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

         

(a)

(1)

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 and November 26, 2015.

     

 

(2)

Financial Statement Schedule:

     

 

 

Schedule II- Analysis of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended November 25, 2017, November 26, 2016 and November 28, 2015

     

 

(3)

Listing of Exhibits 

         

 

 

3A.

 

Articles of Incorporation as amended are incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 1994.

         

 

 

3B.

 

By-laws as amended to date are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 17, 2017.

         
   

4A.

 

Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with BB&T dated December 5, 2015 is incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 27, 2016, filed March 31, 2016. Registrant hereby agrees to furnish the SEC, upon request, other instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant.

         
   

4B.

 

First Amendment to Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with BB&T dated November 15, 2018.

         

 

 

*10B.

 

Bassett Executive Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997.

         

 

 

*10C.

 

Bassett Supplemental Retirement Income Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1997.

         

 

 

*10H.

 

Bassett Furniture Directors Compensation is incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 26, 2005.

         

 

 

*10K.

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Schedule 14A, Exhibit A, filed on February 8, 2016.

         
   

*10L.

 

Form of Performance Share Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Stock Option Award Agreement under the Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2013.

         
   

*10M.

 

Schedule of Terms for Employment Continuity Agreements with Certain Executive Officers is incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 1, 2014.

         
   

*10N.

 

Restated Supplemental Retirement Income Plan, effective May 1, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference to Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2014.

         
   

*10O.

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated Management Savings Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2017.

         
   

*10P.

 

Form of Long Term Cash Award under Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated Management Savings Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 5, 2017.

         

 

 

 21.

 

List of subsidiaries of the Registrant

         

 

 

 23A.

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

         

 

 

 31A.

 

Certification of Robert H. Spilman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

         

 

 

 31B.

 

Certification of J. Michael Daniel, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

66

 

 

 

 

 32A.

 

Certification of Robert H. Spilman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

         
   

 32B.

 

Certification of J. Michael Daniel, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

         
   

 101.INS

 

XBRL Instance

         
   

 101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

         
   

 101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

         
   

 101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

         
   

 101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

         

 

 

 101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation


*

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement of the Company.

 

 

ITEM 16.

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

 

None

 

67

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED (Registrant)

 

By:

/s/ Robert H. Spilman, Jr.

Date: January 17, 2019

  

Robert H. Spilman, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Chairman of the Board of Directors

  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:

/s/ John R. Belk

Date: January 17, 2019

  

John R. Belk

Director

  

  

  

  

By:

/s/ Kristina K. Cashman

Date: January 17, 2019

  

Kristina K. Cashman

Director

  

  

  

  

By:

/s/ Paul Fulton

Date: January 17, 2019

  

Paul Fulton

Director, Chairman Emeritus

  

  

  

  

By:

/s/ George W. Henderson, III

Date: January 17, 2019

  

George W. Henderson, III

  

  

Director

  

     

By:

/s/ Virginia W. Hamlet

Date: January 17, 2019

  

Virginia W. Hamlet 

Director

  

  

  

  

By:

/s/ J. Walter McDowell

Date: January 17, 2019

  

J. Walter McDowell 

Director

  

  

  

  

By:

/s/ William C. Wampler, Jr.

Date: January 17, 2019

  

William C. Wampler, Jr.

Director

  

  

  

  

By:

/s/ William C. Warden, Jr.

Date: January 17, 2019

  

William C. Warden, Jr.

Director, Lead Independent Director

  

  

  

  

By:

/s/ J. Michael Daniel

Date: January 17, 2019

  

J. Michael Daniel

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  

 

68

 

 

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated

 

Schedule II

 

Analysis of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

For the Years Ended November 24, 2018, November 25, 2017 and November 26, 2016

(amounts in thousands)

 

   

Balance

Beginning of

Period

 

 

Additions

Charged to

Cost and

Expenses

   

Deductions

(1)

   

Other

     

Balance End

of Period

 

For the Year Ended November 26, 2016:

                                         

Reserve deducted from assets to which it applies

                                         
                                           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $ 1,175     $ (390 )   $ 14     $ -       $ 799  
                                           

Notes receivable valuation reserves

  $ 4,646     $ -     $ (3,192 )   $ -       $ 1,454  
                                           
                                           

For the Year Ended November 25, 2017:

                                         

Reserve deducted from assets to which it applies

                                         
                                           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $ 799     $ (59 )   $ (123 )   $ -       $ 617  
                                           

Notes receivable valuation reserves

  $ 1,454     $ -     $ -     $ -       $ 1,454  
                                           
                                           

For the Year Ended November 24, 2018:

                                         

Reserve deducted from assets to which it applies

                                         
                                           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $ 617     $ 339     $ (252 )   $ 50  

(2)

  $ 754  
                                           

Notes receivable valuation reserves

  $ 1,454     $ -     $ (1,077 )   $ -       $ 377  

 

(1) Deductions are for the purpose for which the reserve was created.

(2) Represents reserves of acquired business at date of acquisition.

 

ex_132869.htm

Exhibit 4B

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is dated as of this 15th day of November, 2018, by and among BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED (“Borrower”), BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES OF NORTH CAROLINA, LLC, BASSETT DIRECT STORES, LLC, BASSETT DIRECT NC, LLC, BASSETT DIRECT SC, LLC (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY (the “Bank”).

 

The Borrower, the Guarantors and the Bank are parties to that certain Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 5, 2015 (as it may hereafter be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Agreement”). Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Agreement, the Bank agreed to make Advances (as defined in the Agreement) to the Borrower before the Termination Date (as defined in the Agreement) in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $15,000,000.00. The Borrower and the Guarantors have requested that the Bank increase the aggregate principal amount of the Advances at any one time outstanding to $25,000,000.00 and to make certain other modifications to the Agreement, and the Bank is willing to do so upon the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

Accordingly, the Borrower, the Guarantors and the Bank hereby agree as follows:

 

1.    Capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Agreement.

 

2.    The defined terms, “Commitment,” “Note” and “Termination Date,” contained in Section 1.01 of the Agreement are hereby deleted in their entirety and the following new definitions are inserted in their respective places:

 

“Commitment” means $25,000,000.00.

 

“Note” means the promissory note of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Advances, together with all amendments, consolidations, modifications, renewals and supplements thereto.

 

“Termination Date” means December 5, 2021.

 

3.    The third paragraph of Section 2.06(c) of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following new paragraph is inserted in its place:

 

The “London Interbank Offered Rate” applicable to any Euro-Dollar Loan means for the Interest Period of such Euro-Dollar Loan the average rate quoted by Bloomberg Finance L.P., or any quoting service or commonly available source utilized by the Bank, on the determination date for deposits in U. S. Dollars offered in the London interbank market for a term comparable to such Interest Period determined at approximately 11:00 am London time two (2) Euro-Dollar Business Days prior to the commencement of the applicable Interest Period; provided that if the above method for determining the London Interbank Offered Rate shall not be available, the rate quoted in The Wall Street Journal, or a rate determined by a substitute method of determination agreed on by the Borrower and the Bank; provided, if such agreement is not reached within a reasonable period of time (in the Bank’s sole judgment), a rate reasonably determined by the Bank in its sole discretion as a rate being paid, as of the determination date, by first class banking organizations (as determined by the Bank) in the London interbank market for U. S. Dollar deposits; and provided further that if the London Interbank Offered Rate determined as provided above would be less than zero percent (0%), then the London Interbank Offered Rate shall be deemed to be zero percent (0%).

 

 

 

 

4.    Section 2.07(b) of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following new section is inserted in its place:

 

(b)     The Borrower shall pay to the Bank, with respect to each Letter of Credit, a letter of credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) determined by the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion in an amount not less than $350.00 and not greater than one percent (1.0%) of the face amount of the Letter of Credit. Such Letter of Credit Fee shall be payable at the time each Letter of Credit is issued or renewed by the Bank.

 

5.    Section 3.03(d) of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following new section is inserted in its place:

 

(b)     no Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date or termination date on or after the earlier of: (1) the date twelve months after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit; or (2) the date two Domestic Business Days prior to the Termination Date; provided that if the Borrower requests that the Bank issue a Letter of Credit with an expiry date or termination date after the date two Domestic Business Days prior to the Termination Date and the Bank agrees in its sole and absolute discretion to issue such Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall, not later than twenty (20) Domestic Business Days prior to the Termination Date, (1) secure such Letter of Credit with collateral of a type and having a value acceptable to, and as determined by, the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion and (2) execute and deliver to the Bank all such agreements, documents, instruments, certificates, opinions and other papers as the Bank shall require in its sole and absolute discretion as are necessary for the Bank to obtain a first priority lien on and security interest in such collateral.

 

-2-

 

 

6.    Section 8.02 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following new section is inserted in its place:

 

SECTION 8.02. Illegality. If, after the date hereof, the Bank shall determine, which determination shall be final, conclusive and binding, that the making, maintaining or continuance of any portion of a Euro-Dollar Loan (i) has become unlawful as a result of compliance by the Bank with any law, treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order, or the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority or central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof (any such authority, bank or agency being referred to as an “Authority” and any such event being referred to as a “Change of Law”), or compliance by the Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Authority shall make it unlawful or impossible for the Bank to make, maintain or fund its Euro-Dollar Loan or (ii) is no longer available or commercial viable and in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) that another reference rate is generally accepted in the U.S. markets as a replacement reference rate for loan obligations (a “Reference Rate”), the Bank shall give written notice to the Borrower of such determination. If the Bank shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain and fund any outstanding Euro-Dollar Loan to maturity and shall so specify in such notice, the Borrower shall immediately prepay in full the then outstanding principal amount of the Euro-Dollar Loan of the Bank, together with accrued interest thereon and any amount due the Bank pursuant to Section 8.05(a). Concurrently with prepaying such Euro-Dollar Loan, the Borrower shall borrow a Prime Rate Loan in an equal principal amount from the Bank, and the Bank shall make such a Prime Rate Loan. It is the intention of the Bank and the Borrower that any such Replacement Rate shall be as economically neutral to the Bank and the Borrower as possible, but both the Bank and the Borrower acknowledge that a transition to such Replacement Rate may require adjustments to reset, compounding and/or payment/settlement dates and spreads. Following the Bank’s providing the Borrower written notice of the Replacement Rate, the Replacement Rate will fully replace any references to the London Interbank Offered Rate in this Agreement, the Note and any security instrument or other loan documents executed in connection with this Agreement.

 

7.    Exhibit A to the Agreement is hereby deleted and a new exhibit, labeled Exhibit A-1 and attached hereto and made a part hereof, is substituted in its place.

 

8.    The Borrower and the Guarantors hereby represent and warrant to the Bank (which representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment) that:

 

(a)      Each is in compliance with all of the terms, covenants and conditions of the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, and each of the other Loan Documents.

 

(b)     There exists no Default or Event of Default under the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, and no event has occurred or condition exists which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a Default or an Event of Default or a default or an event of default under any of the Loan Documents.

 

(c)      The representations and warranties contained in Article IV of the Agreement are, except to the extent that they relate solely to an earlier date, true with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on the date of this Amendment.

 

(d)     The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment and the new promissory note (in the form attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit A-1, the “Replacement Note”) (A) (i) are within each Loan Party’s organizational powers, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action, (iii) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official, (iv) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or of the certificate of incorporation, articles of organization, operating agreement or by-laws of any Loan Party or of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) do not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries and (B) are the legal, binding, valid and enforceable obligations of each Loan Party to the extent each is a party thereto enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, provided that the enforceability hereof and thereof is subject in each case to general principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

-3-

 

 

(e)     There is no action, suit or proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of any of the Loan Parties threatened, against or affecting any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official which could have a Material Adverse Effect or which in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of, or could impair the ability of any of the Loan Parties to perform their respective obligations under, this Amendment, the Replacement Note or any of the other Loan Documents.

 

9.    The Bank’s agreement to enter into this Amendment is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)      Each of the Borrower and the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered to the Bank this Amendment.

 

(b)     The Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Bank the Replacement Note in the form of Exhibit A-1 attached hereto with the blanks therein appropriately completed.

 

(c)     The Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Bank all documents (including without limitation Letter of Credit Agreements) required by the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion with respect to the renewal of the Letters of Credit for the benefit of the following beneficiaries: National Interstate Insurance Company, Hudson Indemnity Ltd., Liberty Mutual Insurance, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Liberty Mutual Insurance (the “Renewal Letters of Credit”). In addition, the Borrower shall have paid to the Bank the following fees for the renewal of the Renewal Letters of Credit: National Interstate Insurance Company (under obligation #211 - $350), Hudson Indemnity Ltd. (under obligation #212 - $3,689), Liberty Mutual Insurance (under obligation #214 - $350), Liberty Mutual Insurance (under obligation #218 - $350) and Liberty Mutual Insurance (under obligation #90010 - $350).

 

(d)     The Borrower shall have delivered to the Bank a certificate of the Secretary of State of each Loan Party’s State of organization as to the good standing of such Loan Party.

 

(e)     The Borrower shall have delivered to the Bank a certified copy of the action taken by the Board of Directors of each Loan Party authorizing such Loan Party’s execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment, the Replacement Note and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party.

 

(f)     The Borrower shall have paid to the Bank the legal fees and expenses described in Section 15 hereof.

 

(g)     The Loan Parties shall have executed and delivered, or caused to be executed and delivered, to the Bank such other and further documents, certificates, opinions and other papers as the Bank shall request.

 

10.  Except as expressly amended hereby, the terms of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in all respects, and each of the Borrower and the Guarantors hereby affirms, confirms and reaffirms its obligations under the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, and each of the other Loan Documents to the extent it is a party thereto. The Borrower, the Guarantors and the Bank hereby agree that the Replacement Note is the exclusive evidence of the indebtedness associated with the Loan. Each of the Borrower and the Guarantors hereby waives any claim, cause of action, defense, counterclaim, setoff or recoupment of any kind or nature that it may assert against the Bank arising from or in connection with the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, the Replacement Note or any of the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby or hereby that exists on the date hereof or arises from facts or actions occurring prior hereto or on the date hereof. Nothing contained in this Amendment, the Replacement Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall be construed to constitute a novation with respect to any of the obligations described in the Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

 

-4-

 

 

11.  All references to the Agreement in any of the Loan Documents, or any other documents or instruments that refer to the Agreement, shall be deemed to be references to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment. All references to the Note in any of the Loan Documents, or any other documents or instruments that refer to the Note, shall be deemed to be references to the Replacement Note.

 

12.  This Amendment and the Replacement Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

 

13.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

14.  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. None of the Loan Parties shall have the right to assign any of its rights or obligations under or delegate any of its duties under the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, or any of the other Loan Documents.

 

15.  The Borrower hereby agrees that it will pay on demand all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Bank in connection with the preparation of this Amendment, the Replacement Note and any other related documents, including but not limited to the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Bank.

 

16.  This Amendment represents the final agreement between the Loan Parties and the Bank with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

-5-

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed, under seal, by their respective duly authorized officers, managers or members, as applicable, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

  BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
   
   
[Corporate Seal]

By:          /s/ J. Michael Daniel               (SEAL)

Name:     J. Michael Daniel

Title:       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

By:          /s/ Jay R. Hervey                    (SEAL)

Name:     Jay R. Hervey

Title:       Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

   

 

 

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES OF NORTH

CAROLINA, LLC

   
   
[Corporate Seal] 

By:     Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated

Its sole Member and Manager

   
   
 

By:          /s/ J. Michael Daniel          (SEAL)

Name:     J. Michael Daniel

Title:       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

By:          /s/ Jay R. Hervey                (SEAL)

Name:     Jay R. Hervey

Title:       Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

            

[Executions Continue on Following Pages]

 

-6-

 

 

  BASSETT DIRECT STORES, LLC
   
   
[Corporate Seal]

By:     Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated

Its sole Member and Manager

   
   
 

By:          /s/ J. Michael Daniel          (SEAL)

Name:     J. Michael Daniel

Title:       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

By:          /s/ Jay R. Hervey               (SEAL)

Name:     Jay R. Hervey

Title:       Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

  BASSETT DIRECT NC, LLC
   
[Corporate Seal]

By:     Bassett Direct Stores, LLC

Its sole Member and Manager

 

By:     Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated

Its sole Member and Manager

   
   
 

By:          /s/ J. Michael Daniel          (SEAL)

Name:     J. Michael Daniel

Title:       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

By:          /s/ Jay R. Hervey               (SEAL)

Name:     Jay R. Hervey

Title:       Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


               

[Executions Continue on Following Pages]

 

-7-

 

 

  BASSETT DIRECT SC, LLC
   
[Corporate Seal] 

By:     Bassett Direct Stores, LLC

Its sole Member and Manager

 

By:     Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated

Its sole Member and Manager

   
   
 

By:          /s/ J. Michael Daniel          (SEAL)

Name:     J. Michael Daniel

Title:       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

By:          /s/ Jay R. Hervey               (SEAL)

Name:     Jay R. Hervey

Title:       Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

[Executions Continue on Following Page]

 

-8-

 

 

  BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY
   
   
 

By:          /s/ Ray D. Vaughn                        (SEAL)

Name:     Ray D. Vaughn

Title:       Senior Vice President

 

 

 

Exhibit A-1 – Replacement Note

#36859918v2

204750.000755

 

-9-

 

 

Exhibit A-1 – Replacement Note

 

FIRST REPLACEMENT NOTE

 

  Roanoke, Virginia
$25,000,000.00 November 15, 2018

     

For value received, BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED (the “Borrower”) promises to pay to the order of BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY (the “Bank”), the principal sum of TWENTY-FIVE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($25,000,000.00), or such lesser amount as shall equal the unpaid principal amount of each Advance (as defined in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined)) made by the Bank to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, on the dates and in the amounts provided in this Note. The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of this Note on the dates and at the rate or rates provided for in this Note. Interest on any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest on the principal amount hereof shall bear interest at the Default Rate, as provided for in this Note. All such payments of principal and interest shall be made in lawful money of the United States in federal or other immediately available funds at the office of Branch Banking and Trust Company, 310 First Street, Suite 200, Roanoke, Virginia 24011, or at such other address as may be specified from time to time pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

All Advances made by the Bank, the interest rates from time to time applicable thereto and all repayments of the principal thereof shall be recorded by the Bank and, prior to any transfer hereof, endorsed by the Bank on the schedule attached hereto, or on a continuation of such schedule attached to and made a part hereof; provided that the failure of the Bank to make, or any error of the Bank in making, any such recordation or endorsement shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the Credit Agreement.

 

Interest on this Note for each Interest Period (as hereinafter defined) shall be due and payable on the fifth day of each month immediately succeeding the last day of the Interest Period ending on November 30, 2018; provided that: (1) all accrued unpaid interest on this Note shall be paid in full on December 5, 2021 (the “Termination Date”); and (2) should the Commitment (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) be terminated at any time prior to the Termination Date for any reason, any and all accrued interest shall be paid on the date of such termination. The principal balance of this Note shall be due and payable, subject to Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement, on the Termination Date.

 

For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

The “Adjusted Monthly Libor Index” applicable to any Interest Period means a rate per annum equal to the quotient obtained (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) by dividing (i) the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate for such Interest Period by (ii) 1.00 minus the Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage.

 

The “Applicable Margin” means 1.40%.

 

An “Interest Period” means a calendar month, provided that the last Interest Period under this Note shall end on the Termination Date.

 

During each Interest Period, this Note shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount hereof, for the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of: (1) the Applicable Margin, plus (2) the applicable Adjusted Monthly Libor Index for such Interest Period. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, overdue interest on this Note shall bear interest, payable on demand, for each day until paid in full at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

 

-10-

 

 

The “Default Rate” means, on any day, the sum of 2% plus the then highest interest rate (including the Applicable Margin) which may be applicable to this Note (irrespective of whether any balance is actually outstanding under this Note).

 

The “London Interbank Offered Rate” means for each Interest Period the average rate quoted by Bloomberg Finance L.P., or any quoting service or commonly available source utilized by the Bank, on the determination date for deposits in U. S. Dollars offered in the London interbank market for a term comparable to such Interest Period determined at approximately 11:00 am London time two (2) Euro-Dollar Business Days prior to the commencement of the applicable Interest Period; provided that if the above method for determining the London Interbank Offered Rate shall not be available, the rate quoted in The Wall Street Journal, or a rate determined by a substitute method of determination agreed on by the Borrower and the Bank; provided, if such agreement is not reached within a reasonable period of time (in the Bank’s sole judgment), a rate reasonably determined by the Bank in its sole discretion as a rate being paid, as of the determination date, by first class banking organizations (as determined by the Bank) in the London interbank market for U. S. Dollar deposits; and provided further that if the London Interbank Offered Rate determined as provided above would be less than zero percent (0%), then the London Interbank Offered Rate shall be deemed to be zero percent (0%).

 

“Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage” means for any day that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in respect of “Eurocurrency liabilities” (or in respect of any other category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on this Note is determined or any category of extensions of credit or other assets which includes loans by a non-United States office of the Bank to United States residents). The Adjusted Monthly Libor Index shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage.

 

If any of the events described in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement shall occur, the interest rate charged on this Note shall be adjusted as set forth in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement, and the Borrower shall pay interest and all compensation, fees and expenses set forth in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement as set forth in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement.

 

This Note is the Note referred to in the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 5, 2015 among the Borrower, Bassett Furniture Industries of North Carolina, LLC, Bassett Direct Stores, LLC, Bassett Direct NC, LLC and Bassett Direct SC, LLC, and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as amended by First Amendment to Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated of even date herewith (as so amended and as the same may be amended or modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this Note that are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for provisions for the prepayment and the repayment hereof and the acceleration of the maturity hereof.

 

-11-

 

 

The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of demand, protest and nonpayment and any other notice required by law relative hereto, except to the extent as otherwise may be expressly provided for in the Credit Agreement.

 

The Borrower agrees, in the event that this Note or any portion hereof is collected by law or through an attorney at law, to pay all reasonable costs of collection, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note to be duly executed under seal, by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES,

INCORPORATED

   
   
 

By:              /s/ J. Michael Daniel                 (SEAL)

Name:         J. Michael Daniel

Title:           Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

By:             /s/ Jay R. Hervey                         (SEAL)

Name:        Jay R. Hervey

Title:          Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

-12-

 

 

First Replacement Note (cont’d)

 

ADVANCES AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

 

Date 

Interest 

Rate  

Amount

 of 

Loan

Amount of

Principal

Repaid

Notation

 Made By

         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

     

           -13-                                

ex_132870.htm

 

EXHIBIT 21 - LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES*

 

 

(a)

Bassett Furniture Industries of North Carolina, LLC (North Carolina limited liability company)

 

(b)

The E.B. Malone Corporation (Delaware corporation)

 

(c)

Bassett Direct Stores, LLC (Virginia limited liability company)

 

(d)

Bassett Direct NC, LLC (Virginia limited liability company)

 

(e)

Bassett Direct SC, LLC (Virginia limited liability company)

 

(f)

LRG Furniture, LLC (Virginia limited liability company)

 

(g)

BDP, LC (Texas limited liability company)

 

(h)

BFD-Atlanta, LLC (Virginia limited liability company)

 

(i)

BD Boston, LLC (Virginia limited liability company)

 

(j)

BDU NY, LLC (Virginia limited liability company)

 

(k)

Zenith Freight Lines, LLC (North Carolina limited liability company)

 

(l)

Zenith, Inc. (North Carolina corporation)

 

(m)

Western States Distribution, LLC (California limited liability company)

 

 

 

 

*All subsidiaries are wholly-owned unless otherwise noted.

 

ex_132871.htm

EXHIBIT 23A

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

 

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

 

 

(1)

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-175531) pertaining to the Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, and

 

 

(2)

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No 333-217072) pertaining to the Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated 2017 Employee Stock Plan

 

of our reports dated January 17, 2019 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and Subsidiaries for the year ended November 24, 2018.

 

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Richmond, Virginia

January 17, 2019

 

 

 

ex_132872.htm

Exhibit 31A

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

I, Robert H. Spilman, Jr., certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

January 17, 2019

 

/s/ Robert H. Spilman, Jr.

Robert H. Spilman, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

ex_132873.htm

Exhibit 31B

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

I, J. Michael Daniel, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

January 17, 2019

 

/s/ J. Michael Daniel   

J. Michael Daniel

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

ex_132874.htm

Exhibit 32A

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended November 24, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert H. Spilman, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to ss.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

1.

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2.

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

January 17, 2019

 

/s/ Robert H. Spilman, Jr.   

Robert H. Spilman, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and will be retained by Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

ex_132875.htm

Exhibit 32B

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

 

In connection with the Annual Report of Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended November 24, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, J. Michael Daniel, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to ss.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

1.

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2.

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

January 17, 2019

 

/s/ J. Michael Daniel  

J. Michael Daniel

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and will be retained by Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.