Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

x

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

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended August 30, 2008

 

 

 

or

 

 

o

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

 

For the transition period from                          to                         .

 

Commission File Number 001-31390

 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

06 - 1195422

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

2400 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota

 

55441

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(763) 551-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES      x             NO      o

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer      o

 

Accelerated filer      x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer      o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company      o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

YES      o              NO      x

 

As of September 26, 2008, 35,499,805 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Item 1.

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)

 

 

As of August 30, 2008, March 1, 2008 and September 1, 2007

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)

 

 

For the Three Months Ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007

4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)

 

 

For the Six Months Ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007

5

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

For the Six Months Ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

7

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

 

 

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

17

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures

 

 

About Market Risk

27

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

28

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

28

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

28

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

28

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

29

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

29

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

30

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

30

 

 

 

 

Signatures

31

 

 

 

 

Index to Exhibits

32

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

August 30,

 

March 1,

 

September 1,

 

 

 

2008

 

2008

 

2007

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

84,036,754

 

$

78,492,297

 

$

47,421,468

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

43,450,000

 

Accounts receivable

 

4,311,102

 

5,222,976

 

5,713,892

 

Merchandise inventories

 

51,531,569

 

43,840,338

 

50,164,552

 

Prepaid expenses

 

12,176,189

 

11,597,280

 

10,970,362

 

Other current assets

 

6,221,750

 

9,482,393

 

8,813,608

 

Total current assets

 

158,277,364

 

148,635,284

 

166,533,882

 

Property, equipment and improvements, net

 

131,771,577

 

133,598,580

 

132,583,350

 

Long-term investments

 

18,535,577

 

23,350,000

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

3,587,052

 

Other assets

 

6,680,785

 

6,207,858

 

3,065,575

 

Total assets

 

$

315,265,303

 

$

311,791,722

 

$

305,769,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

11,289,914

 

$

15,380,692

 

$

12,407,603

 

Accrued salaries, wages and related expenses

 

9,192,422

 

9,246,050

 

8,158,886

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

27,356,950

 

28,040,623

 

20,046,848

 

Total current liabilities

 

47,839,286

 

52,667,365

 

40,613,337

 

Non-current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred lease incentives

 

24,190,711

 

24,854,278

 

23,332,654

 

Deferred rent obligations

 

10,880,462

 

11,720,689

 

11,429,871

 

Other

 

4,450,236

 

3,722,195

 

3,607,544

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

39,521,409

 

40,297,162

 

38,370,069

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock — $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding

 

 

 

 

Common stock — $0.01 par value, 74,000,000 shares authorized, 45,324,403, 45,050,290 and 44,950,343 shares issued and 35,520,605, 35,259,572 and 35,772,325 shares outstanding at August 30, 2008, March 1, 2008 and September 1, 2007, respectively

 

453,244

 

450,503

 

449,503

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

111,510,432

 

110,359,847

 

107,812,881

 

Retained earnings

 

229,814,314

 

221,928,654

 

224,233,794

 

Common stock held in treasury, 9,803,798, 9,790,718 and 9,178,018 shares at cost at August 30, 2008, March 1, 2008 and September 1, 2007, respectively

 

(112,858,959

)

(112,711,809

)

(105,709,725

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(1,014,423

)

(1,200,000

)

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

227,904,608

 

218,827,195

 

226,786,453

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

315,265,303

 

$

311,791,722

 

$

305,769,859

 

 

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

 

 

3



Table of Contents

 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

August 30,

 

September 1,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net sales

 

$

131,636,653

 

$

141,127,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise, buying and occupancy, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

 

81,453,282

 

90,594,806

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

41,414,130

 

40,626,872

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,967,103

 

5,510,041

 

Total costs and expenses

 

130,834,515

 

136,731,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

802,138

 

4,395,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

586,025

 

1,160,228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

1,388,163

 

5,556,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

552,489

 

2,166,888

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

835,674

 

$

3,389,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic shares outstanding

 

35,098,661

 

35,846,747

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding

 

35,122,385

 

35,948,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.06

 

 

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

 

 

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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

August 30,

 

September 1,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Net sales

 

$

291,279,457

 

$

290,498,949

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise, buying and occupancy, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

 

171,926,286

 

177,510,927

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

86,226,867

 

79,705,995

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,425,446

 

10,805,168

 

Total costs and expenses

 

272,578,599

 

268,022,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

18,700,858

 

22,476,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,412,592

 

2,219,251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

20,113,450

 

24,696,110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

8,005,153

 

9,631,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

12,108,297

 

$

15,064,627

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic shares outstanding

 

35,086,015

 

35,900,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding

 

35,111,930

 

36,010,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.12

 

 

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

 

 

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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

August 30,

 

September 1,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

12,108,297

 

$

15,064,627

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,204,896

 

10,805,168

 

Impairment of store assets

 

1,220,550

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(1,207,223

)

(6,725,847

)

Excess income tax benefit on exercise of stock options

 

 

(21,152

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

1,153,326

 

940,808

 

Loss on disposal of furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

348,350

 

114,707

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

 

911,874

 

(1,232,268

)

Decrease (increase) in merchandise inventories

 

(7,691,231

)

2,190,392

 

Increase in prepaid expenses

 

(578,909

)

(303,941

)

Decrease in other current assets

 

3,914,466

 

300,320

 

(Increase) decrease in other assets

 

6,338

 

(60,353

)

Decrease in accounts payable

 

(4,090,778

)

(3,953,255

)

Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities and income taxes payable

 

(884,451

)

(1,756,477

)

Increase (decrease) in deferred lease incentives

 

(663,567

)

(313,607

)

Increase (decrease) in deferred rent obligations

 

(840,227

)

751,530

 

Increase in other liabilities

 

728,041

 

3,607,544

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

17,639,752

 

19,408,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, equipment and improvements

 

(12,872,658

)

(15,599,274

)

Purchases of investments

 

 

(61,100,000

)

Sales of investments

 

5,000,000

 

65,925,000

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(7,872,658

)

(10,774,274

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

43,073

 

Dividends paid

 

(4,222,637

)

(4,314,790

)

Excess income tax benefit on exercise of stock options

 

 

21,152

 

Acquisition of common stock held in treasury

 

 

(10,953,287

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(4,222,637

)

(15,203,852

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

5,544,457

 

(6,569,930

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

78,492,297

 

53,991,398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

84,036,754

 

$

47,421,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q have been prepared by Christopher & Banks Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed, or omitted, pursuant to such rules and regulations.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008.

 

The results of operations for the interim periods shown in this report are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year.  In the opinion of management, the information contained herein reflects all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007, and its results of operations and cash flows for the six month periods ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007.  All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

                In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”).  SFAS No. 157 establishes a single definition of fair value and a framework for measuring fair value, sets out a fair value hierarchy to be used to classify the source of information used in fair value measurements, and requires new disclosures of assets and liabilities measured at fair value based on their level in the hierarchy.  This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.  In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Positions (“FSPs”) No. 157-1 and No. 157-2, which, respectively, remove leasing transactions from the scope of SFAS No. 157 and defer its effective date for one year relative to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities. As a result, the application of the definition of fair value and related disclosures of SFAS No. 157 (as impacted by these two FSPs) was effective for the Company beginning March 2, 2008 on a prospective basis with respect to fair value measurements of (a) nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) and (b) all financial assets and liabilities. This adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition for the six months ended August 30, 2008. The remaining aspects of SFAS No. 157 for which the effective date was deferred under FSP No. 157-2 are currently being evaluated by the Company.  Areas impacted by the deferral relate to nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value but are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. This deferral applies to such items as nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination (but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods) or nonfinancial long-lived asset groups measured at fair value for an impairment assessment.  The effects of these remaining aspects of SFAS No. 157 are to be applied by the Company to fair value measurements prospectively beginning March 1, 2009. The Company does not expect them to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.  Please refer to Note 12 for disclosures related to our initial adoption of SFAS No. 157.

 

                In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”).  SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. An entity reports unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  Upfront costs and fees related to items for which the fair value option is elected are recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred.  SFAS No. 159 also established presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.  SFAS No. 159 was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 (March 2, 2008 for the Company).  At the effective date, an entity could elect the fair value option for eligible items that existed at that date.  If an entity elected the fair value option, the entity was required to report the effect of the first remeasurement to fair value as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company did not elect the fair value option for eligible items that existed as of March 2, 2008.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 2 — EXIT OF ACORN BUSINESS

 

                On July 31, 2008, the Company announced its decision to exit its Acorn division business when management concluded, after a comprehensive review and evaluation, that the concept had not demonstrated the potential to deliver an acceptable long-term return on the Company’s investment.  On July 30, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a plan to close all of the Company’s 36 Acorn stores by December 31, 2008.  This decision will allow the Company to focus its resources on its two core brands, Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks.

 

                In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 144”) and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”), during the three months ended August 30, 2008, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.2 million related to the impairment of long-lived Acorn assets, including approximately $1.1 million of property and equipment and $0.1 million of other intangible assets.  The non-cash charge is reported as a component of depreciation and amortization expense in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.

 

                In accordance with SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” (“SFAS No. 146”), in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2009 the Company estimates it will recognize between $5.4 million and $8.4 million of pre-tax cash charges consisting of real estate operating lease termination-related costs, retention and severance expenses and miscellaneous store closing and other associated costs.  These estimated costs and charges are preliminary and may vary materially based on various factors, including timing in execution of the exit plan, the outcome of lease termination negotiations with landlords, the degree of success in liquidating the Acorn inventory, the amount of retention and severance payments ultimately made to Acorn employees and changes in management’s assumptions and projections.

 

                In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, upon the substantial completion of the Company’s exit strategy, the Company anticipates it will report its Acorn operations as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented in accordance with SFAS No. 144.

 

NOTE 3 — INVESTMENTS

 

The Company’s investments consisted of the following:

 

 

 

August 30,

 

March 1,

 

September 1,

 

Description

 

2008

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax-advantaged, auction rate, available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

$

 

$

 

$

43,450,000

 

Long-term

 

18,535,577

 

23,350,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,535,577

 

$

23,350,000

 

$

43,450,000

 

 

                As of August 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $18.5 million of long-term investments, which consisted solely of $19.5 million of auction rate securities (“ARS”) at cost, less a temporary valuation allowance of $1.0 million.  This valuation allowance was based on an analysis of other-than-temporary impairment factors, resulting in management’s estimate of fair value, given the current lack of liquidity of these investments, while taking into account the current credit quality of the underlying securities.

 

                ARS are long-term debt instruments with interest rates that may reset through scheduled and successful auctions which may occur every seven, 28 or 35 days.  Holders of ARS can either sell into the auction, bid based on a desired interest rate or hold and accept the reset rate.  If there are insufficient buyers, then the auction “fails” and holders are unable to liquidate their investment through the auction.  A failed auction is not a default of the debt instrument. The result of a failed auction is that the ARS continues to pay interest in accordance with its original terms. Liquidity, however, for holders is limited until there is a successful auction, until such time as another market for ARS develops or the ARS are called by the issuer. Auctions continue to be held as scheduled until the ARS matures or until the issue is called. All of the Company’s ARS are collateralized by student loans and currently have AAA (S&P) or Aaa (Moody’s) credit ratings.

 

 

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                As of August 30, 2008, the repayment of approximately 80% of the student loans, which serve as collateral for the ARS held by the Company, is substantially backed by the United States government.  Until February 2008, the ARS market was liquid and auctions for ARS held by the Company did not fail. However, in February 2008, a substantial number of auctions failed, meaning there was not enough demand to sell the entire issue at auction.  Auctions for the ARS held by the Company began to fail in February 2008 and have continued to fail up to and as of the date of this report.

 

                Based on current market conditions, management believes that it is likely that auctions related to the Company’s ARS will continue to be unsuccessful for the near term.  Unsuccessful auctions have limited the Company’s ability to access these funds.  Management anticipates the liquidity of the ARS will continue to be restricted until there is a successful auction or until such time as another market for the ARS develops or until the ARS are called by the issuer.

 

                All of the ARS owned by the Company were purchased from UBS Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of UBS AG (“UBS”) and are held, for the benefit of the Company, by UBS.  On August 8, 2008, UBS announced a settlement in principle with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Attorney General and other state regulatory agencies to restore liquidity to remaining clients who hold ARS.  Under the settlement, the Company will be able to redeem its ARS at par during a two-year time period beginning June 30, 2010.  During this time, the Company may choose to continue to hold some or all of its ARS and earn interest or sell some or all of them to UBS at par plus accrued interest.

 

                The Company reclassified its ARS to long-term investments at March 1, 2008 to reflect the lack of liquidity of these investments.  As of August 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $84.0 million of cash and cash equivalents.  Management believes the Company has sufficient balances of cash and cash equivalents to meet the Company’s working capital requirements and liquidity needs in fiscal 2009.

 

                The Company reviews impairments associated with its ARS in accordance with EITF 03-1 and FASB Staff Position SFAS Nos. 115-1 and 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary-Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” to determine the classification of the impairment as “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”  A temporary impairment charge results in an unrealized loss being recorded in the other comprehensive income component of stockholders’ equity.  The unrealized loss does not reduce net income for the applicable accounting period because the loss is not viewed as other-than-temporary.  The Company’s management currently believes that all of the impairment related to its ARS is temporary.  The factors evaluated to differentiate between temporary and other-than-temporary include an assessment of the credit quality of the underlying collateral, credit ratings actions and the Company’s ability to hold the securities to maturity.  No tax benefit has been provided for this allowance because a loss, if any, would be a capital loss.

 

NOTE 4 — MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES AND SOURCES OF SUPPLY

 

Merchandise inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

 

August 30,

 

March 1,

 

September 1,

 

Description

 

2008

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchandise - in store

 

$

39,959,578

 

$

37,303,879

 

$

40,159,538

 

Merchandise - in transit

 

11,571,991

 

6,536,459

 

10,005,014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

51,531,569

 

$

43,840,338

 

$

50,164,552

 

 

The Company does not have long-term purchase commitments or arrangements with any of its suppliers or agents.  The Company purchased approximately 13% and 14% of its merchandise from its largest overseas supplier during the first six months of fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Although the Company has an established operating history with its largest vendor, there can be no assurance that this relationship can be maintained in the future or that the vendor will continue to supply merchandise to the Company.  If there should be any significant disruption in the supply of merchandise from this vendor, management believes that it will be able to shift production to other suppliers so as to continue to secure the required volume of product.  Nevertheless, it is possible that any significant disruption in supply could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

In the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008, the Company purchased approximately 33% and 42% of its merchandise through one buying agent (the “Agent”), respectively.  The Company has begun the process of establishing relationships with additional primary suppliers, which are intended to reduce its reliance on the Agent.  The Agent also has informed the Company that it desires to cease serving as an intermediary with manufacturers on behalf of Christopher & Banks.  Therefore, the Company and the Agent have agreed that their current arrangement will be discontinued at the end of December 2008.  While management believes the actions it is taking to mitigate the risks of reliance on the Agent will be successful, any significant disruption in supply from vendors working through the Agent could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

NOTE 5 — PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS, NET

 

Property, equipment and improvements, net consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Estimated

 

August 30,

 

March 1,

 

September 1,

 

Description

 

Useful Life

 

2008

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

 

$

1,596,898

 

$

1,596,898

 

$

1,596,898

 

Corporate office, distribution center and related building improvements

 

25 years

 

12,014,667

 

12,014,667

 

11,823,129

 

Store leasehold improvements

 

Term of related lease, typically 10 years

 

100,131,040

 

97,525,439

 

90,623,054

 

Store furniture and fixtures

 

Three to 10 years

 

116,741,484

 

113,585,852

 

105,637,453

 

Computer hardware and software

 

Three to five years

 

27,696,814

 

21,595,000

 

15,985,314

 

Corporate office and distribution center furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

Seven years

 

2,978,430

 

3,055,898

 

2,868,716

 

Construction in progress

 

 

8,955,510

 

9,474,738

 

10,410,235

 

 

 

 

 

270,114,843

 

258,848,492

 

238,944,799

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

138,343,266

 

125,249,912

 

106,361,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net property, equipment and improvements

 

 

 

$

131,771,577

 

$

133,598,580

 

$

132,583,350

 

 

NOTE 6 — ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

 

 

 

August 30,

 

March 1,

 

September 1,

 

Description

 

2008

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gift card, certificate and store credit liabilities

 

$

8,432,457

 

$

13,545,500

 

$

8,104,900

 

Accrued un-invoiced merchandise inventory receipts

 

9,523,134

 

4,949,370

 

2,095,685

 

Accrued workers compensation self-insurance liability

 

2,449,579

 

2,252,571

 

1,895,162

 

Accrued income, sales and other taxes payable

 

2,434,385

 

2,161,038

 

2,934,270

 

Accrued occupancy-related expenses

 

1,632,248

 

992,584

 

1,219,971

 

Other

 

2,885,147

 

4,139,560

 

3,796,860

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

27,356,950

 

$

28,040,623

 

$

20,046,848

 

 

NOTE 7 — CREDIT FACILITY

 

                The Company maintains an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”).  The Credit Facility provides the Company with revolving credit loans and letters of credit of up to $50.0 million, in the aggregate, subject to a borrowing base formula based on inventory levels.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company and Wells Fargo entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Facility (the “Second Amendment”).  The Second Amendment extended the maturity date of the Credit Facility by three years from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2011.  In addition, the Second Amendment reduced the interest rate under the Credit Facility from the prime rate plus 0.25% to the prime rate minus 0.25%.  As of August 30, 2008, Wells Fargo’s prime rate was 5.0%.  The Second Amendment also provided the Company with the ability to borrow under the Credit Facility at an interest rate tied to the London Interbank Market Offered Rate (LIBOR), which was 3.2% as of August 30, 2008.

 

                Interest under the Credit Facility is payable monthly in arrears.  The Credit Facility carries a facility fee of 0.25%, based on the unused portion as defined in the agreement, and a collateral monitoring fee.  For the six months ended August 30, 2008, fees related to the Credit Facility totaled $17,900.  Borrowings under the Credit Facility are collateralized by the Company’s equipment, intangible assets, inventory, inventory letters of credit and letter of credit rights.  The Company had no revolving credit loan borrowings under the Credit Facility during the first six months of fiscal 2009.  Historically, the Credit Facility has been utilized by the Company only to open letters of credit to facilitate the import of merchandise.  The borrowing base at August 30, 2008 was $38.1 million.  As of August 30, 2008, the Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $12.4 million.  Accordingly, the availability of revolving credit loans under the Credit Facility was $25.7 million at August 30, 2008.

 

The Credit Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including restrictions on incurring additional indebtedness and limitations on certain types of investments, as well as requiring the maintenance of certain financial covenants.  As of August 30, 2008, the most recent measurement date, the Company was in compliance with all of these restrictive covenants under the Credit Facility.

 

NOTE 8 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

In fiscal 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized and subsequently announced a one-year stock repurchase program enabling the Company to purchase up to $20 million of its common stock, subject to market conditions.  As of May 24, 2008, the expiration date of the repurchase program, the Company had repurchased 948,800 shares of its common stock under the program for a total cost, including commissions, of approximately $12.1 million.  No repurchases were made under the program in the first six months of fiscal 2009.

 

NOTE 9 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

                The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”).  Under this transition method, stock-based compensation expense recognized for share-based awards includes: (a) compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, February 25, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted subsequent to February 25, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R.

 

Total pre-tax compensation expense related to stock-based awards for the three months ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007 was approximately $524,000 and $482,000, respectively.  For the six months ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007, pre-tax stock-based compensation expense totaled approximately $1.2 million and $941,000, respectively.  Stock-based compensation expense was included in merchandise, buying and occupancy expenses for the Company’s buying and distribution employees and in selling, general and administrative expenses for all other employees.

 

Methodology Assumptions

 

                The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value the Company’s stock options for grants to its employees and non-employee directors.  Using this option-pricing model, the fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the date of grant.  The fair value of the Company’s stock option awards, which are generally subject to pro-rata vesting, is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the stock options.  The expected volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock over a term equal to the expected term of the option granted.  The expected term of stock option awards granted is derived from historical exercise experience.  The expected term assumption incorporates the contractual term of an option grant, as well as the vesting period of an award.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield on a U.S. Treasury constant maturity with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option granted.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The weighted average assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company’s stock option grants for the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

August 30,

 

September 1,

 

August 30,

 

September 1,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Expected divdend yield

 

2.56

%

1.43

%

2.34

%

1.35

%

Expected volatility

 

52.02

%

44.38

%

49.31

%

44.77

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

3.02

%

4.43

%

2.72

%

4.51

%

Expected term in years

 

3.36

 

4.07

 

4.38

 

4.17

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation Activity

 

                The following table presents a summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the six months ended August 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Number

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

Weighted

 

Remaining

 

 

 

of

 

Exercise

 

Intrinsic

 

Average

 

Contractual

 

 

 

Shares

 

Price

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

Life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, beginning of period

 

1,889,454

 

$

18.83

 

$

156,593

 

$

6.79

 

 

 

Vested

 

1,485,011

 

19.34

 

156,593

 

6.83

 

 

 

Unvested

 

404,443

 

16.97

 

 

6.63

 

 

 

Granted

 

394,250

 

10.02

 

114,941

 

3.59

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canceled - Vested

 

(215,198

)

22.54

 

7,461

 

7.44

 

 

 

Canceled - Unvested (Forfeited)

 

(32,231

)

15.95

 

 

6.00

 

 

 

Outstanding, end of period

 

2,036,275

 

16.83

 

264,073

 

6.12

 

6.13

 

Vested

 

1,339,705

 

18.87

 

149,132

 

6.78

 

4.52

 

Unvested

 

696,570

 

12.90

 

114,941

 

4.87

 

9.21

 

Exercisable, end of period

 

1,339,705

 

18.87

 

149,132

 

6.78

 

4.52

 

 

                The Company may also grant shares of restricted stock to its employees and non-employee members of its Board of Directors.  Restricted stock awards are independent of option grants and are generally subject to forfeiture if employment or service terminates prior to the lapse of the restrictions.  In addition, certain of the Company’s restricted stock awards have performance-based vesting provisions and are subject to forfeiture if these performance conditions are not achieved.  The Company assesses, on an ongoing basis, the probability of whether the performance criteria are projected to be achieved and, if it is deemed probable, recognizes compensation expense over the relevant performance period.  For those awards not subject to performance criteria, the Company expenses the cost of the restricted stock awards, which is determined to be the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.  The fair market value of the Company’s restricted stock is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.

 

                The following table presents a summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity for the six months ended August 30, 2008:

 

 

 

Number

 

Aggregate

 

Weighted

 

 

 

of

 

Intrinsic

 

Average

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested, beginning of period

 

118,484

 

$

1,139,816

 

$

16.26

 

Granted

 

307,733

 

2,960,391

 

9.79

 

Vested

 

(41,666

)

400,827

 

12.28

 

Canceled - Unvested (Forfeited)

 

(15,575

)

149,832

 

14.70

 

Unvested, end of period

 

368,976

 

3,549,549

 

11.38

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTE 10 — INCOME TAXES

 

                The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48”), on March 4, 2007.  FIN No. 48 prescribes a minimum recognition threshold and measurement process for recording uncertain tax positions in the financial statements.  Additionally, FIN No. 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, accounting and disclosure related to uncertain tax positions.

 

                As of August 30, 2008, the Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions was approximately $4.5 million and the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $2.5 million.   The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as components of income tax expense.  At August 30, 2008 the Company had accrued approximately $0.8 million for the potential payment of interest and penalties.

 

                The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax and the income tax of various state and local jurisdictions.  The Internal Revenue Service has completed its audit for tax years through fiscal 2006.  The Company is not subject to state income tax examination by taxing authorities for taxable years prior to fiscal 2004.  At August 30, 2008, the Company did not expect its liability for unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease over the next year.

 

NOTE 11 — NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable periods, while diluted EPS is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common equivalent shares outstanding.  The Company’s reconciliation of EPS includes the individual share effects of all securities affecting EPS which consist solely of the effects of dilution from awards granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans.

 

The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares and per share amounts used in the basic and diluted EPS computations:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

August 30, 2008

 

September 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

35,098,661

 

$

0.02

 

35,846,747

 

$

0.09

 

Effect of dilution from stock-based compensation plans

 

23,724

 

 

101,767

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

35,122,385

 

$

0.02

 

35,948,514

 

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

August 30, 2008

 

September 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

Income

 

 

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

Shares

 

Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

35,086,015

 

$

0.35

 

35,900,270

 

$

0.42

 

Effect of dilution from stock-based compensation plans

 

25,915

 

(0.01

)

110,031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

35,111,930

 

$

0.34

 

36,010,301

 

$

0.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Stock options of 2,135,890 and 2,137,323 were excluded from the shares used in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008, respectively, as they were anti-dilutive.  Stock options of 1,711,179 and 1,639,179 were excluded from the shares used in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and six month periods ended September 1, 2007 as they were anti-dilutive.

 

NOTE 12 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

                As discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (as impacted by FSP Nos. 157-1 and 157-2) effective March 1, 2008, with respect to fair value measurements of (a) nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) and (b) all financial assets and liabilities.

 

                Under SFAS No. 157, fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available.  Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.  Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances.  The hierarchy is broken down into three levels.  Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.   Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:

 

                For the Company, effective March 1, 2008, fair value under SFAS No. 157 (as impacted by FSP Nos. 157-1 and 157-2) principally applied to financial assets and liabilities such as available-for-sale investments (included in short and long-term investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet).  These items were previously and will continue to be marked-to-market at each reporting period; however, the definition of fair value used for these mark-to-markets is now applied using SFAS No. 157.  The information in the following paragraphs and tables primarily addresses matters relative to these financial assets and liabilities.  Separately, there were no material fair value measurements with respect to nonfinancial assets or liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company’s financial statements on a recurring basis subsequent to the effective date of SFAS No. 157 (as impacted by FSP Nos. 157-1 and 157-2).

 

                Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:

 

Available-for-sale investment securities — auction rate securities (“ARS”):

 

                As discussed in Note 3, auctions for ARS held by the Company failed beginning in February 2008 and have continued to fail through the date of this report.  As a result, investments in ARS are valued to reflect the current lack of liquidity of these investments while taking into account the credit quality of the underlying securities.

 

                The following table provides information by level for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, as defined by SFAS No. 157, on a recurring basis.

 

 

 

Fair Value at

 

Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as

 

Description

 

August 30, 2008

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction Rate Securities

 

$

18,535,577

 

$

 

$

 

$

18,535,577

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

                The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of items measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the table above that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

 

 

Auction Rate Securities

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance, March 1, 2008

 

$

23,350,000

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains (losses):

 

 

 

Included in earnings

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income

 

185,577

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases, issuances and settlements

 

(5,000,000

)

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

 

Ending balance, August 30, 2008

 

$

18,535,577

 

 

                The Company reports other comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS No. 130”).  SFAS No. 130 established standards for the reporting and disclosure of Comprehensive Income.  In the first six months of fiscal 2009, other comprehensive income (loss) included unrealized gains or losses associated with investments classified as available for sale.  Total comprehensive income for the three months ended August 30, 2008 included only the Company’s net income of $836,000.  Total comprehensive income for the six month period ended August 30, 2008 was $12.3 million, which is the sum of the Company’s net income of $12.1 million plus the $186,000 adjustment to the Company’s allowance for the temporary impairment of long-term investments.

 

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis:

 

                During the six months ended August 30, 2008, the Company had no measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value (as defined in SFAS No. 157) on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition.  As indicated in Note 1, the aspects of SFAS No. 157 for which the effective date for the Company was deferred under FSP No. 157-2 until March 1, 2009 relate to nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value but are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. This deferral applies to such items as nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination (but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods) or nonfinancial long-lived asset groups measured at fair value for an impairment assessment.

 

NOTE 13 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.  Although the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to these actions cannot be accurately predicted, any such liability is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

NOTE 14 — SEGMENT REPORTING

 

                The Company operates in the retail apparel industry in which it primarily designs, sources and sells women’s apparel catering to customers generally ranging in age from 40 to 60 who are typically part of a segment of the female baby boomer demographic.  The Company has identified three operating segments (Christopher & Banks, C.J. Banks and Acorn) as defined by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS No. 131”).  The Company’s Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks operating segments have been aggregated into one reportable segment based on the similar nature of products sold, methods of sourcing, merchandising and distribution processes involved, target customers, and economic characteristics of the two brands.  Based on operating performance, the Company’s Acorn division is presented as a separate reportable segment.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

                In the table below the “Christopher & Banks/C.J. Banks” reportable segment includes activity generated by the Company’s Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks operations. The “Acorn” reportable segment includes activity generated from the Company’s Acorn operations.  The “Corporate/Administrative” column, which primarily represents operating activity at the Company’s corporate office and distribution center facility, is presented to allow for reconciliation of segment-level net sales, operating income (loss) and total assets to the Company’s consolidated net sales, operating income and total assets.  Segment operating income (loss) includes only net sales, merchandise gross margin and direct store expenses with no allocation of corporate overhead.  Net sales and operating income (loss) are the two components of segment operations reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker.

 

Segment Reporting:

 

 

 

Christopher & Banks/ C.J. Banks

 

Acorn

 

Corporate/ Administrative

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended August 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

128,451,122

 

$

3,185,531

 

$

 

$

131,636,653

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

18,512,530

 

 

(1,738,981

)

 

(15,971,411

)

 

802,138

 

Total assets

 

 

161,093,719

 

 

1,506,399

 

 

152,665,185

 

 

315,265,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 1, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

137,859,806

 

$

3,267,809

 

$

 

$

141,127,615

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

19,868,160

 

 

(655,289

)

 

(14,816,975

)

 

4,395,896

 

Total assets

 

 

175,139,394

 

 

9,976,114

 

 

120,654,351

 

 

305,769,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher & Banks/ C.J. Banks

 

Acorn

 

Corporate/ Administrative

 

Consolidated

 

Six Months Ended August 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

283,846,470

 

$

7,432,987

 

$

 

$

291,279,457

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

54,135,009

 

 

(2,401,889

)

 

(33,032,262

)

 

18,700,858

 

Total assets

 

 

161,093,719

 

 

1,506,399

 

 

152,665,185

 

 

315,265,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended September 1, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

283,380,620

 

$

7,118,329

 

$

 

$

290,498,949

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

51,906,055

 

 

(1,344,063

)

 

(28,085,133

)

 

22,476,859

 

Total assets

 

 

175,139,394

 

 

9,976,114

 

 

120,654,351

 

 

305,769,859

 

 

For the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008, the Acorn operating loss included approximately $1.2 million of impairment charges related to store-level assets.

 

 

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ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

                The following management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Executive Overview

 

                Christopher & Banks Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is a Minneapolis-based retailer of women’s apparel, which operates retail stores through its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  The Company was incorporated in 1986 to acquire Braun’s Fashions, Inc., which had operated as a family-owned business since 1956.  In July 2000, the Company’s stockholders approved a change in the Company’s name from Braun’s Fashions Corporation to Christopher & Banks Corporation.

 

                As of August 30, 2008, the Company operated 854 stores in 46 states, including 552 Christopher & Banks stores, 266 C.J. Banks stores and 36 Acorn stores.  The Company also operates two e-commerce enabled websites at www.christopherandbanks.com and www.cjbanks.com.  The Company’s Christopher & Banks brand offers distinctive fashions featuring exclusively designed, coordinated assortments of women’s apparel in sizes 4 to 16. The Company’s C.J. Banks brand offers similar assortments of women’s apparel in sizes 14W to 24W.  Its Acorn stores offer upscale women’s fashions, along with accessories, including jewelry, handbags and other gift items under private and branded labels.  On July 31, 2008, the Company announced plans to close all 36 of its Acorn stores by December 31, 2008.

 

Fiscal 2009 Second Quarter Summary

 

                The Company recorded net income of $836,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.  Second quarter earnings were reduced by a non-cash, pre-tax, long-lived asset impairment charge of $1.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to the Company’s Acorn division.  Last year, the Company reported net income of $3.4 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2008.  Same-store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 declined 13 percent.  The significant decline in store traffic encountered in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 continued throughout the second quarter.  The Company utilizes traffic counters in approximately 25% of its stores and calculates its customer traffic metrics based on traffic counts from these stores.  Despite the downturn in customer traffic, merchandise margins for the second quarter increased approximately 480 basis points over last year as tight inventory controls allowed for a reduced need to mark-down merchandise.  Inventory levels at the end of the quarter were down approximately 6% on a per-store basis compared to the prior year.  While the average number of transactions per store declined significantly, both the Company’s average transaction value and average units per transaction increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2008, which management believes was reflective of acceptance of the Company’s merchandise assortment by customers who shopped in its stores.  The Company’s product has continued to evolve from more traditional thematic styles to newer, more refined offerings which blend an elevated taste level of novelty styles with updated fabrications and silhouettes.

 

                In the second quarter, the Company opened three new Christopher & Banks stores and three new C.J. Banks stores.  The Company closed two Christopher & Banks stores during the quarter.

 

                On July 31, 2008, the Company announced its decision to exit its Acorn division business when management concluded, after a comprehensive review and evaluation, that the concept had not demonstrated the potential to deliver an acceptable long-term return on the Company’s investment.  On July 30, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a plan to close all of the Company’s 36 Acorn stores by December 31, 2008.  This decision will enable the Company to focus its resources on its two core brands, Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks.  During the three months ended August 30, 2008, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.2 million related to the impairment of long-lived Acorn assets, including approximately $1.1 million of property and equipment and $0.1 million of other intangible assets.  The Company estimates that, during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2009, it will recognize between $5.4 million and $8.4 million of pre-tax cash charges, consisting of real estate operating lease termination-related costs, retention and severance expenses and miscellaneous store closing and other associated costs.  These estimated costs and charges are preliminary and may vary materially based on various factors, including timing in execution of the exit plan, the outcome of lease termination negotiations with landlords, the degree of success in liquidating the Acorn inventory, the amount of retention and severance payments ultimately made to Acorn employees and changes in management’s assumptions and projections.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Fiscal 2009 Outlook

 

                In the first six months of fiscal 2009, the Company’s results were impacted by the extremely challenging domestic macro-economic environment.  Higher gasoline and food costs, combined with growing instability in the credit, stock and financial markets and increasing general economic uncertainty, have placed pressure on consumers’ spending patterns.  Weak customer traffic encountered in the first six months of the fiscal year has continued into September and early October, and the Company anticipates that this weak traffic trend, and corresponding negative impact on sales and earnings, will likely persist throughout the third quarter and into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

                Given the uncertain economic environment, the Company continues to approach its real estate growth strategy cautiously.  The Company opened 12 new Christopher & Banks stores and 11 new C.J. Banks locations in the first half of the year and plans to open three new Christopher & Banks stores and three new C.J. Banks stores in the third quarter.  The Company does not plan to open any new stores in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.  Going forward, the Company plans to proceed cautiously with new store growth.  New store opportunities will be analyzed closely and only those with extremely compelling lease economics are expected to be approved.

 

                Inventory levels were down 6% on a per-store basis at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the same period in fiscal 2008.  Receipts of inventory in the second half of fiscal 2009 are expected to approximate levels similar to the second half of fiscal 2008, when the Company began to implement tighter inventory controls.  As the year progresses, management intends to evaluate selling trends and make appropriate adjustments, if possible, to inventory levels in an attempt to maximize merchandise margins.

 

Key Business Initiatives

 

                During the first six months fiscal 2009, the Company continued to make progress related to several key business initiatives as described below.

 

The Company launched two separate e-commerce websites in February 2008 for its Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks brands.  These websites give customers the ability to view and purchase the Company’s merchandise online at www.christopherandbanks.com and www.cjbanks.com.  The Company currently sells essentially the same selection of merchandise on its websites that it features in its Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks stores.  The Company’s customers have responded favorably to its two e-commerce sites in the first half of fiscal 2009 and in response the Company has adjusted inventory levels for its online businesses to match anticipated demand for the remainder of the year.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company began offering a greater selection of sizes through its e-commerce websites than are currently available in its stores.  Management believes that its websites provide the Company with an opportunity to generate incremental sales and offer convenience and product research capabilities to its customers.

 

                Management plans to continue to make upgrades to critical components of its information systems.  In the first quarter the Company completed the installation of new point-of-sale registers in 550 of its stores.  The new registers provide the Company with updated point-of-sale technology.  Management anticipates these new registers will help improve operating efficiencies and provide enhanced communication abilities with its stores.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company continued the installation of a new merchandise planning and allocation system.  The system allows enhanced product allocation models which give the Company increased flexibility regarding product distribution by store sales volume, climate and customer size and fashion preferences.  In addition, the financial planning modules of this system have begun to provide the Company more in-depth product analysis capabilities.  Management expects to realize financial benefits from this system beginning in late fiscal 2009, with additional benefits expected to be realized in fiscal 2010.  The Company also substantially completed the implementation of a new suite of financial software in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

                The Company also continues to analyze, realign and strengthen its merchandise sourcing structure.  In the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008, the Company purchased approximately 33% and 42% of its merchandise, respectively, through one buying agent (the “Agent”).  The Company has continued the process of establishing relationships with additional primary suppliers, which are intended to reduce its reliance on the Agent.  The Agent also has informed the Company that it desires to cease serving as an intermediary with manufacturers on behalf of Christopher & Banks.  Therefore, the Company and the Agent have agreed that their current arrangement will be discontinued at the end of December 2008.  While management believes the actions it is taking to mitigate the risks of reliance on the Agent will be successful, any significant disruption in supply from vendors working through the Agent could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

                In order to increase awareness of its brands, the Company plans to continue expanding its marketing efforts in the second half of fiscal 2009.  The Company plans to spend approximately 1.5% of its net sales on marketing-related expenditures in fiscal 2009, compared to approximately 1.0% of sales in fiscal 2008.  The Company plans to continue its efforts to expand its customer relationship management database and, in particular, focus on increasing its number of customer e-mail contacts.  In the second half of fiscal 2009, the Company also intends to use a variety of pre-planned promotions and grassroots in-store events in an attempt to drive more customer traffic to its stores.

 

While the Company believes the retail and macro-economic environments will remain challenging for the foreseeable future, it also believes that it is taking actions to position the Company for stronger operating performance when economic conditions become more favorable.

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

The Company’s management evaluates the following items, which are considered key performance indicators, in assessing the Company’s performance:

 

Same-store sales

 

The Company’s same-store sales data is calculated based on the change in net sales for stores that have been open for more than 13 full months and includes stores, if any, that have been relocated within the same mall, though the Company typically does not expand or relocate stores within a mall.  Stores where square footage has been changed by more than 25 percent are excluded from the same-store sales calculation.  Stores closed during the year are included in the same-store sales calculation only for the full months of the year the stores were open.

 

Management considers same-store sales to be an important indicator of the Company’s performance.  Same-store sales results are important in achieving leveraging of costs, including store payroll, store occupancy, depreciation and other general and administrative expenses.  Year-over-year increases in same-store sales contribute to greater leveraging of costs, while declining same-store sales contribute to deleveraging of costs.  Same-store sales results also have a direct impact on the Company’s total net sales, cash and cash equivalents and working capital.

 

Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

 

Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, measure whether the Company is appropriately optimizing the price of its merchandise.  Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs include the cost of merchandise, markdowns, shrink, freight into and out of the Company’s distribution center, buyer and distribution center salaries, buyer travel, rent and other occupancy-related costs, various merchandise design and development costs, miscellaneous merchandise expenses and other costs related to the Company’s distribution network.

 

Operating income

 

The Company’s management views operating income as a key indicator of the Company’s success.  The key drivers of operating income are same-store sales; merchandise, buying and occupancy costs; and the Company’s ability to control its other operating costs.

 

Store productivity

 

Store productivity measures, including sales per square foot, average unit retail selling price, number of transactions per store, number of units per transaction, average retail dollars per transaction, customer traffic and conversion rates (the percentage of customers who enter the Company’s stores and make a purchase) are evaluated by management in assessing the operational performance of individual stores and of the Company.

 

Inventory turnover

 

The Company’s management evaluates inventory turnover as a measure of how productively inventory is bought and sold.  Inventory turnover is important as it can signal slow-moving inventory, which can be critical in determining the need to take markdowns on merchandise.

 

Cash flow and liquidity

 

Management evaluates cash flow from operations, investing activities and financing activities in determining the sufficiency of the Company’s cash position.  Cash flow from operations has historically been sufficient to cover the Company’s uses of cash.  The Company expects its cash and cash equivalents, combined with cash flows from operations, to be sufficient to fund anticipated capital expenditures, working capital and other requirements for liquidity during fiscal 2009.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The Company’s critical accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of the notes to consolidated financial statements contained within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008.  Management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to customer product returns, inventories, income taxes, medical and workers’ compensation claims and contingencies.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  There have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies or estimates in the six months ended August 30, 2008.

 

Results of Operations

 

                The following table sets forth consolidated income statement data expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

August 30,

 

September 1,

 

August 30,

 

September 1,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

 

61.9

 

64.2

 

59.0

 

61.1

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

31.5

 

28.8

 

29.6

 

27.5

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6.0

 

3.9

 

5.0

 

3.7

 

Operating income

 

0.6

 

3.1

 

6.4

 

7.7

 

Interest income

 

0.4

 

0.8

 

0.5

 

0.8

 

Income before income taxes

 

1.0

 

3.9

 

6.9

 

8.5

 

Income tax provision

 

0.4

 

1.5

 

2.7

 

3.3

 

Net income

 

0.6

%

2.4

%

4.2

%

5.2

%

 

Three Months Ended August 30, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended September 1, 2007

 

Net Sales.  Net sales for the three months ended August 30, 2008 were $131.6 million, a decrease of $9.5 million, or approximately 7%, from $141.1 million for the three months ended September 1, 2007.  The decrease in net sales was a result of a decline in same-store sales, partially offset by sales generated from an increase in the number of stores operated by the Company.  The Company also operated two e-commerce websites in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, which were not operating in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.  The Company’s same-store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 declined 13% when compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2008.  An approximate 19% decrease in the average number of transactions per store was partially offset by an approximate 6% increase in the average value per transaction, which was attributable to a higher average retail price per unit and slightly more units sold per transaction.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, management believes the Company’s sales were negatively impacted by the extremely challenging domestic macro-economic environment.  Higher gasoline and food costs, combined with growing instability in the credit, stock and financial markets and increasing general economic uncertainty, have placed pressure on consumers’ spending patterns, which resulted in reduced customer traffic and a lower average number of transactions per store.  The Company operated approximately 6% more stores during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the same period in fiscal 2008, which partially offset the 13% decline in same-store sales.  At August 30, 2008, the Company operated 854 stores, compared to 807 stores at September 1, 2007.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Merchandise, Buying and Occupancy Costs, exclusive of depreciation and amortization.  Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, were $81.5 million, or 61.9% of net sales, during the second quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to $90.6 million, or 64.2% of net sales, during the same period in fiscal 2008, resulting in approximately 230 basis points of positive leverage.  The largest component of the decrease in merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, as a percentage of net sales, was related to improvements in merchandise margins.  Markdowns needed to clear inventory were less than required in last year’s second quarter as the Company maintained strong controls over inventory levels in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.  On a per-store basis, inventory was down approximately 6% at August 30, 2008 compared to September 1, 2007.  The reduction in inventory levels on a per-store basis, combined with lower markdowns, resulted in an increase in inventory turnover as compared to last year.  The Company’s retail inventory turnover increased to 3.4 for the twelve months ended August 30, 2008 from 3.0 for the twelve months ended September 1, 2007.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended August 30, 2008 were $41.4 million, or 31.5% of net sales, compared to $40.6 million, or 28.8% of net sales, for the three months ended September 1, 2007.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was primarily a result of increased marketing expenditures related to the Company’s ongoing initiative to build brand awareness, higher self-insured medical costs, expenses associated with the Company’s two e-commerce websites which were not operating in the comparable period last year, increased information technology support fees related to the Company’s efforts to upgrade and enhance critical components of its information systems and higher administrative salaries resulting from increased staffing at the Company’s corporate offices.  In addition, the Company incurred $2.1 million of CEO transition-related expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, with no comparable costs incurred in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization was $8.0 million, or 6.0% of net sales, in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to $5.5 million, or 3.9% of net sales, in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.  The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was a result of capital expenditures made by the Company over the past year.  The Company opened 23 new stores in the first six months of fiscal 2009, installed new point-of-sale registers at 550 of its stores in the first quarter, and made other information technology-related improvements at its corporate office and distribution center facility in the first and second quarters.  The Company also opened 69 new stores and made upgrades to certain of its information technology systems in fiscal 2008.  In addition, depreciation and amortization expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 included approximately $1.2 million of long-lived asset impairment charges related to the Company’s Acorn division.  No long-lived asset impairment charges were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Operating Income.  As a result of the foregoing factors, operating income for the three months ended August 30, 2008 was $802,000, or 0.6% of net sales, compared to operating income of $4.4 million, or 3.1% of net sales, for the three months ended September 1, 2007.

 

Interest Income.  For the three months ended August 30, 2008, interest income was $586,000 compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 1, 2007.  The decrease resulted from lower interest rates on cash, cash-equivalents and investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Income Taxes.  Income tax expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was $552,000, with an effective tax rate of 39.8%, compared to $2.2 million, with an effective tax rate of 39.0%, in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.  The increase in effective tax rate primarily resulted from a decrease in the amount of tax-exempt interest earned in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Net Income.  As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for the three months ended August 30, 2008 was $836,000, or 0.6% of net sales, and $0.02 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.4 million, or 2.4% of net sales, and $0.09 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 1, 2007.

 

Six Months Ended August 30, 2008 Compared to Six Months Ended September 1, 2007

 

Net Sales.  Net sales for the six months ended August 30, 2008 were $291.3 million, an increase of $0.8 million, or approximately 0.3%, from $290.5 million for the six months ended September 1, 2007.  The increase in net sales primarily resulted from an increase in the number of stores operated by the Company, substantially offset by a decline in same-store sales.  The Company also operated two e-commerce websites in the first six months of fiscal 2009, which were not operating in the first half of fiscal 2008.  The Company operated approximately 6% more stores during the first half of fiscal 2009 compared to the same period in fiscal 2008.  At August 30, 2008, the Company operated 854 stores, compared to 807 stores at September 1, 2007.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Company’s same-store sales for the first six months of fiscal 2009 declined 6% when compared to the corresponding period in fiscal 2008.  An approximate 15% decrease in the average number of transactions per store was partially offset by an approximate 9% increase in the average value per transaction, which was attributable to a higher average retail price per unit and slightly more units sold per transaction.  In the first half of fiscal 2009, the decline in sales was primarily attributable to reduced customer traffic and a lower average number of transactions per store resulting from the challenging macro-economic environment.  This was partially offset by strong customer response to the Company’s second “Friends and Family” promotional event held in April.

 

Merchandise, Buying and Occupancy Costs, exclusive of depreciation and amortization.  Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, were $171.9 million, or 59.0% of net sales, during the first half of fiscal 2009, compared to $177.5 million, or 61.1% of net sales, during the same period in fiscal 2008, resulting in approximately 210 basis points of positive leverage.  The largest component of the decrease in merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, as a percentage of net sales, was related to improvements in merchandise margins, primarily resulting from a lower level of markdowns.  Markdowns needed to clear inventory were less than required last year as the Company maintained strong controls over inventory levels in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2009.  On a per-store basis, inventory was down approximately 35% at the end of first quarter and down 6% at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the corresponding periods in fiscal 2008.  The reduction in inventory levels on a per-store basis, combined with lower markdowns, resulted in an increase in inventory turnover as compared to last year.  The Company’s retail inventory turnover increased to 3.4 for the twelve months ended August 30, 2008 from 3.0 for the twelve months ended September 1, 2007.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended August 30, 2008 were $86.2 million, or 29.6% of net sales, compared to $79.7 million, or 27.5% of net sales, for the six months ended September 1, 2007.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the first six months of fiscal 2009 was primarily a result of increased marketing expenditures related to the Company’s ongoing initiative to build brand awareness, higher self-insured medical costs, expenses associated with the Company’s two e-commerce websites which were not operating in the comparable period last year, increased information technology support fees related to the Company’s efforts to upgrade and enhance critical components of its information systems and higher administrative salaries resulting from increased staffing at the Company’s corporate offices.  In addition, the Company incurred $2.1 million of CEO transition-related expenses in the first half of fiscal 2008, with no comparable costs incurred in the first six months of fiscal 2009.

 

Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization was $14.4 million, or 5.0% of net sales, in the first half of fiscal 2009, compared to $10.8 million, or 3.7% of net sales, in the first six months of fiscal 2008.  The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was a result of capital expenditures made by the Company over the past year.  The Company opened 23 new stores in the first six months of fiscal 2009, installed new point-of-sale registers at 550 of its stores in the first quarter, and made other information technology-related improvements at its corporate office and distribution center facility in the first and second quarters.  The Company also opened 69 new stores and made upgrades to certain of its information technology systems in fiscal 2008.  In addition, depreciation and amortization expense in the first half of fiscal 2009 included approximately $1.2 million of long-lived asset impairment charges related to the Company’s Acorn division.  No long-lived asset impairment charges were recorded in the first six months of fiscal 2008.

 

Operating Income.  As a result of the foregoing factors, operating income for the six months ended August 30, 2008 was $18.7 million, or 6.4% of net sales, compared to operating income of $22.5 million, or 7.7% of net sales, for the six months ended September 1, 2007.

 

Interest Income.  For the six months ended August 30, 2008, interest income was $1.4 million compared to $2.2 million for the six months ended September 1, 2007.  The decrease in interest income resulted from lower interest rates on cash, cash-equivalents and investments in the first six months of fiscal 2009 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2008.

 

Income Taxes.  Income tax expense in the first half of fiscal 2009 was $8.0 million, with an effective tax rate of 39.8%, compared to $9.6 million, with an effective tax rate of 39.0%, in the first six months of fiscal 2008.  The increase in effective tax rate primarily resulted from a decrease in the amount of tax-exempt interest earned in the first half of fiscal 2009 compared to the first half of fiscal 2008.

 

Net Income.  As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for the six months ended August 30, 2008 was $12.1 million, or 4.2% of net sales, and $0.34 per diluted share, compared to net income of $15.1 million, or 5.2% of net sales, and $0.42 per diluted share, for the six months ended September 1, 2007.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Segment Results

 

                The Company operates in the retail apparel industry in which it primarily designs, sources and sells women’s apparel catering to customers generally ranging in age from 40 to 60 who are typically part of a segment of the female baby boomer demographic.  The Company has identified three operating segments (Christopher & Banks, C.J. Banks and Acorn) as defined by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS No. 131”).  The Company’s Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks operating segments have been aggregated into one reportable segment based on the similar nature of products sold, methods of sourcing, merchandising and distribution processes involved, target customers, and economic characteristics of the two brands.  Based on operating performance, the Company’s Acorn division is presented as a separate reportable segment.

 

                In the table below the “Christopher & Banks/C.J. Banks” reportable segment includes activity generated by the Company’s Christopher & Banks and C.J. Banks operations. The “Acorn” reportable segment includes activity generated from the Company’s Acorn operations.  The “Corporate/Administrative” column, which primarily represents operating activity at the Company’s corporate office and distribution center facility, is presented to allow for reconciliation of segment-level net sales, operating income (loss) and total assets to the Company’s consolidated net sales, operating income and total assets.  Segment operating income (loss) includes only net sales, merchandise gross margin and direct store expenses with no allocation of corporate overhead.  Net sales and operating income (loss) are the two components of segment operations reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker.

 

Segment Reporting:

 

 

 

Christopher & Banks/ C.J. Banks

 

Acorn

 

Corporate/ Administrative

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended August 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

128,451,122

 

$

3,185,531

 

$

 

$

131,636,653

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

18,512,530

 

 

(1,738,981

)

 

(15,971,411

)

 

802,138

 

Total assets

 

 

161,093,719

 

 

1,506,399

 

 

152,665,185

 

 

315,265,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 1, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

137,859,806

 

$

3,267,809

 

$

 

$

141,127,615

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

19,868,160

 

 

(655,289

)

 

(14,816,975

)

 

4,395,896

 

Total assets

 

 

175,139,394

 

 

9,976,114

 

 

120,654,351

 

 

305,769,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher & Banks/ C.J. Banks

 

Acorn

 

Corporate/ Administrative

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended August 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

283,846,470

 

$

7,432,987

 

$

 

$

291,279,457

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

54,135,009

 

 

(2,401,889

)

 

(33,032,262

)

 

18,700,858

 

Total assets

 

 

161,093,719

 

 

1,506,399

 

 

152,665,185

 

 

315,265,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended September 1, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

283,380,620

 

$

7,118,329

 

$

 

$

290,498,949

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

51,906,055

 

 

(1,344,063

)

 

(28,085,133

)

 

22,476,859

 

Total assets

 

 

175,139,394

 

 

9,976,114

 

 

120,654,351

 

 

305,769,859

 

 

For the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008, the Acorn operating loss included approximately $1.2 million of impairment charges related to store-level assets.  The Corporate/Administrative operating loss for the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008 included $69,000 of impairment charges related to intangible assets.

 

 

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Historically, the Company’s Acorn segment has had a relatively small negative impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.  In the six months ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007, net sales from the Christopher & Banks/C.J. Banks segment comprised approximately 98% of the Company’s total net sales.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s principal on-going cash requirements are to finance the construction of new stores and the remodeling of certain existing stores, to make technology-related and other capital expenditures, to purchase merchandise inventory and to fund other working capital requirements.  Merchandise purchases vary on a seasonal basis, peaking in the fall.  As a result, the Company’s cash requirements historically reach their peak in October or November, during the Company’s third fiscal quarter.  Conversely, cash balances peak in the fourth quarter in January, after the holiday season is completed.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $17.6 million in the first six months of fiscal 2009, a decrease of $1.8 million from $19.4 million for the first six months of fiscal 2008.  Significant fluctuations in the Company’s working capital accounts included a $7.7 million increase in inventory, a $4.1 million decrease in accounts payable and a $3.9 million decrease in other current assets.  The Company began fiscal 2009 with inventory levels down 22% on a per-store basis compared to the beginning of fiscal 2008.  By the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009, inventory levels more closely approximated prior year levels, with inventory per-store down approximately 6% over the same period in fiscal 2008.  In fiscal 2008, the Company began implementing tighter inventory controls in the second half of the year.  The decrease in accounts payable resulted from shifts in timing of merchandise receipts and payment of related vendor invoices.  Other current assets declined due to a decrease in income taxes receivable related to the amount and timing of estimated income tax payments.  The remainder of the change in cash provided by operating activities was substantially the result of net income earned during the first six months of the year, after adjusting for non-cash charges including depreciation expense, asset impairment charges, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation expense, loss on the disposal of furniture, fixtures and equipment and various other changes in the Company’s other operating assets and liabilities.

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities in the first six months of fiscal 2009 included approximately $12.9 million of capital expenditures, partially offset by $5.0 million of redemptions of investments.  The Company opened 23 new stores, completed remodeling of eight existing stores and installed new point-of-sale registers in 550 of its stores in the first half of fiscal 2009.  The Company also made other information technology-related investments at its stores, corporate office and distribution center facility during the six months ended August 30, 2008.

 

The Company is planning to fund approximately $5 million to $7 million of additional capital expenditures in the second half of fiscal 2009.  The Company anticipates it will open six additional new stores in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.  Three of the new stores are planned to be Christopher & Banks locations and three are planned to be C.J. Banks.  The Company is not planning to open any stores in the fourth quarter, although some capital spending in the fourth quarter relating to stores planned to open in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 is expected to occur.  In addition, the Company plans to continue to make further information-technology related improvements at its stores in the second half of fiscal 2009.  The Company expects its cash and cash equivalents, combined with cash flows from operations, to be sufficient to meet its capital expenditure, working capital and other requirements for liquidity in fiscal 2009.

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

Net cash of $4.2 million was used in financing activities in the first six months of fiscal 2009 as the Company declared and paid two quarterly cash dividends together totaling approximately $4.2 million.

 

                The Company maintains an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”).  The Credit Facility provides the Company with revolving credit loans and letters of credit of up to $50.0 million, in the aggregate, subject to a borrowing base formula based on inventory levels.

 

 

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In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company and Wells Fargo entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Facility (the “Second Amendment”).  The Second Amendment extended the maturity date of the Credit Facility by three years from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2011.  In addition, the Second Amendment reduced the interest rate under the Credit Facility from the prime rate plus 0.25% to the prime rate minus 0.25%.  As of August 30, 2008, Wells Fargo’s prime rate was 5.0%.  The Second Amendment also provided the Company with the ability to borrow under the Credit Facility at an interest rate tied to the London Interbank Market Offered Rate (LIBOR), which was 3.2% as of August 30, 2008.

 

                Interest under the Credit Facility is payable monthly in arrears.  The Credit Facility carries a facility fee of 0.25%, based on the unused portion as defined in the agreement, and a collateral monitoring fee.  For the six months ended August 30, 2008, fees related to the Credit Facility totaled $17,900.  Borrowings under the Credit Facility are collateralized by the Company’s equipment, intangible assets, inventory, inventory letters of credit and letter of credit rights.  The Company had no revolving credit loan borrowings under the Credit Facility during the first six months of fiscal 2009.  Historically, the Credit Facility has been utilized by the Company only to open letters of credit to facilitate the import of merchandise.  The borrowing base at August 30, 2008 was $38.1 million.  As of August 30, 2008, the Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $12.4 million.  Accordingly, the availability of revolving credit loans under the Credit Facility was $25.7 million at August 30, 2008.

 

The Credit Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including restrictions on incurring additional indebtedness and limitations on certain types of investments, as well as requiring the maintenance of certain financial covenants.  As of August 30, 2008, the most recent measurement date, the Company was in compliance with all of these restrictive covenants under the Credit Facility.

 

Auction Rate Securities

 

                As of August 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $18.5 million of long-term investments, which consisted solely of $19.5 million of auction rate securities (“ARS”) at cost, less a temporary valuation allowance of $1.0 million.  This valuation allowance was based on an analysis of other-than-temporary impairment factors, resulting in management’s estimate of fair value, given the current lack of liquidity of these investments, while taking into account the current credit quality of the underlying securities.

 

                ARS are long-term debt instruments with interest rates that may reset through scheduled and successful auctions which may occur every seven, 28 or 35 days.  Holders of ARS can either sell into the auction, bid based on a desired interest rate or hold and accept the reset rate.  If there are insufficient buyers, then the auction “fails” and holders are unable to liquidate their investment through the auction.  A failed auction is not a default of the debt instrument. The result of a failed auction is that the ARS continues to pay interest in accordance with its original terms. Liquidity, however, for holders is limited until there is a successful auction, until such time as another market for ARS develops or the ARS are called by the issuer. Auctions continue to be held as scheduled until the ARS matures or until the issue is called. All of the Company’s ARS are collateralized by student loans and currently have AAA (S&P) or Aaa (Moody’s) credit ratings.

 

                As of August 30, 2008, the repayment of approximately 80% of the student loans, which serve as collateral for the ARS held by the Company, is substantially backed by the United States government.  Until February 2008, the ARS market was liquid and auctions for ARS held by the Company did not fail. However, in February 2008, a substantial number of auctions failed, meaning there was not enough demand to sell the entire issue at auction.  Auctions for the ARS held by the Company began to fail in February 2008 and have continued to fail up to and as of the date of this report.

 

                Based on current market conditions, management believes that it is likely that auctions related to the Company’s ARS will continue to be unsuccessful for the near term.  Unsuccessful auctions have limited the Company’s ability to access these funds.  Management anticipates the liquidity of the ARS will continue to be restricted until there is a successful auction or until such time as another market for the ARS develops or until the ARS are called by the issuer.

 

                All of the ARS owned by the Company were purchased from UBS Financial Service, Inc., a subsidiary of UBS AG (“UBS”) and are held, for the benefit of the Company, by UBS.  On August 8, 2008, UBS announced a settlement in principle with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Attorney General and other state regulatory agencies to restore liquidity to remaining clients who hold ARS.  Under the settlement, the Company will be able to redeem its ARS at par during a two-year time period beginning June 30, 2010.  During this time, the Company may choose to continue to hold some or all of its ARS and earn interest or sell some or all of them to UBS at par plus accrued interest.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

                The Company reclassified its ARS to long-term investments at March 1, 2008 to reflect the lack of liquidity of these investments.  As of August 30, 2008, the Company had approximately $84.0 million of cash and cash equivalents.  Management believes the Company has sufficient balances of cash and cash equivalents to meet the Company’s working capital requirements and liquidity needs in fiscal 2009.

 

                The Company reviews impairments associated with its ARS in accordance with EITF 03-1 and FASB Staff Position SFAS Nos. 115-1 and 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary-Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments,” to determine the classification of the impairment as “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.”  A temporary impairment charge results in an unrealized loss being recorded in the other comprehensive income component of stockholders’ equity.  The unrealized loss does not reduce net income for the applicable accounting period because the loss is not viewed as other-than-temporary.  The Company’s management currently believes that all of the impairment related to its ARS is temporary.  The factors evaluated to differentiate between temporary and other-than-temporary include an assessment of the credit quality of the underlying collateral, credit ratings actions and the Company’s ability to hold the securities to maturity.  No tax benefit has been provided for this allowance as a loss, if any, would be capital in nature.

 

Merchandise Sourcing

 

The Company directly imported approximately 62% and 70% of its total merchandise purchases in the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008, respectively.  Substantially all of its remaining merchandise purchases were made from U.S. based companies who import the goods from overseas.  This reliance on sourcing from foreign countries may cause the Company to be exposed to certain risks as indicated below and as discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 1, 2008.

 

Import restrictions, including tariffs and quotas, and changes in such restrictions, could affect the import of apparel and might result in increased costs, delays in merchandise receipts or reduced supplies of apparel available to the Company, and could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  The Company’s merchandise flow could also be adversely affected by political instability in any of the countries where its merchandise is manufactured or by changes in the United States’ governmental policies toward such foreign countries.  In addition, merchandise receipts could be delayed due to interruptions in air, ocean and ground shipments.

 

A substantial portion of the Company’s directly imported merchandise is manufactured in Southeast Asia.  The majority of these goods are currently produced in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore.  The Company is not presently importing merchandise produced in the Middle East.

 

The Company purchased approximately 13% and 14% of its merchandise from its largest overseas supplier during the first six months of fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Although the Company has an established operating history with its largest vendor, there can be no assurance that this relationship can be maintained in the future or that the vendor will continue to supply merchandise to the Company.  If there should be any significant disruption in the supply of merchandise from this vendor, management believes that it will be able to shift production to other suppliers so as to continue to secure the required volume of product.  Nevertheless, it is possible that any significant disruption in supply could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

                In the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008, the Company purchased approximately 33% and 42% of its merchandise, respectively, through one buying agent (the “Agent”).  The Company has continued the process of establishing relationships with additional primary suppliers, which are intended to reduce its reliance on the Agent.  The Agent also has informed the Company that it desires to cease serving as an intermediary with manufacturers on behalf of Christopher & Banks.  Therefore, the Company and the Agent have agreed that their current arrangement will be discontinued at the end of December 2008.  While management believes the actions it is taking to mitigate the risks of reliance on the Agent will be successful, any significant disruption in supply from vendors working through the Agent could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Quarterly Results and Seasonality

 

The Company’s quarterly results may fluctuate significantly depending on a number of factors, including general economic conditions, timing of promotional events and new store openings, adverse weather conditions, shifts in the timing of certain holidays and customer response to the Company’s seasonal merchandise mix.

 

Inflation

 

As the operations of the Company are influenced by general economic conditions, the Company’s management believes that rising prices, resulting particularly from higher gasoline and food costs, had a negative effect on the Company’s results of operations during the three and six month periods ended August 30, 2008.  Management does not believe that inflation had a material effect on the Company’s results of operations during the three and six month periods ended September 1, 2007.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The Company, through its management, may make forward-looking statements reflecting the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance.  These forward-looking statements, which may be included in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in press releases and in other documents and materials as well as in written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated.

 

The words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect, “ “anticipate,” “forecast” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statement within the meaning of Section 21e of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as enacted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”).  In particular, the Company desires to take advantage of the protections of the PSLRA in connection with the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made.  In addition, the Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2008, as well as other factors, could affect the Company’s performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed about such future performance or results.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The market risk inherent in the Company’s financial instruments and in its financial position represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates.  The Company’s results of operations could be negatively impacted by decreases in interest rates on its investments, including its investments in Auction Rate Securities.  Please see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation for further information regarding the Company’s investments in Auction Rate Securities.

 

The Company is potentially exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates relating to its Credit Facility with Wells Fargo Bank.  Loans under the Credit Facility bear interest at Wells Fargo’s prime rate, 5.00% as of August 30, 2008, less 0.25%.  However, the Company had no revolving credit loan borrowings under the Wells Fargo Revolver during the first six months of fiscal 2009 or fiscal 2008.  Given its existing liquidity position, the Company does not expect to utilize the Credit Facility in the reasonably foreseeable future other than to use letters of credit to support the import of merchandise.

 

The Company enters into certain purchase obligations outside the United States, which are denominated and settled in U.S. dollars.  Therefore, the Company has only minimal exposure to foreign currency exchange risks.  The Company does not hedge against foreign currency risks and believes that its foreign currency exchange risk is immaterial.  The Company does not have any derivative financial instruments and does not hold any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)       Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company’s management has evaluated the effectiveness and design of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”).  Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b)       Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

 

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended August 30, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

                The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.  Although the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to these actions cannot be accurately predicted, any such liability is not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

 

The factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 1, 2008 should be carefully considered as they could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results.

 

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY

SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

In fiscal 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized and subsequently announced a one-year stock repurchase program enabling the Company to purchase up to $20 million of its common stock, subject to market conditions.  No repurchases were executed under the program in the first six months of fiscal 2009.  As of May 24, 2008, the expiration date of the repurchase program, the Company had repurchased 948,800 shares of its common stock under the program for a total cost, including commissions, of approximately $12.1 million.

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON

SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO

A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

                The Company held its annual meeting of stockholders on July 30, 2008, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The Company solicited proxies and filed a definitive proxy statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.  Holders of 33,358,393 shares of the Company’s common stock were present in person, or by proxy, representing 94.55% of the Company’s 35,279,942 shares of common stock entitled to vote on the record date.  The matters voted upon and the votes cast at the meeting were as follows:

 

Item 1.    Election of three Class II Directors (for a term of three years expiring in 2011):

 

Vote

Director

 

For

 

Witheld

Larry C. Barenbaum

 

27,396,498

 

5,961,895

Martin L. Bassett

 

32,933,371

 

425,022

Lorna E. Nagler

 

29,936,815

 

3,421,578

 

                Other individuals whose term of office as Director continued after the Company’s annual meeting included Mark A. Cohn, Robert Ezrilov, James J. Fuld, Jr., and Anne L. Jones.

 

Item 2.             Approval of an amendment to the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors to increase the number of shares authorized from 300,000 to 625,000:

 

Vote

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broker

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Non-Vote

25,172,076

 

6,463,038

 

14,185

 

1,709,094

 

Item 3.             Approval of certain amendments to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, including an increase in the number of shares authorized from 1,800,000 to 2,975,000:

 

Vote

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broker

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Non-Vote

25,427,333

 

6,208,019

 

13,947

 

1,709,094

 

Item 4.             Ratification and approval of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2009:

 

Vote

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broker

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Non-Vote

33,224,400

 

122,633

 

11,360

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 5.             Consideration of a stockholder proposal requesting that the Board of Directors take the necessary steps to declassify the Board of Directors:

 

Vote

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broker

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Non-Vote

26,662,367

 

4,923,727

 

63,205

 

1,709,094

 

Item 6.             In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting:

 

Vote

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broker

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Non-Vote

6,882,777

 

25,040,194

 

1,435,422

 

 

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

 

10.1

 

Amended and Restated Christopher & Banks Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 2008)

 

 

 

10.2

 

Amended and Restated Christopher & Banks Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 2008)

 

 

 

10.3

 

Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between Christopher & Banks Corporation and Monica Dahl, effective as of July 31, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 2008)

 

 

 

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1*

 

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

 

 

 

32.2*

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


*                             Filed with this report.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: October 9, 2008

By

/S/ LORNA E. NAGLER

 

 

Lorna E. Nagler

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: October 9, 2008

By

/S/ ANDREW K. MOLLER

 

 

Andrew K. Moller

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Amended and Restated Christopher & Banks Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 2008)

 

 

 

10.2

 

Amended and Restated Christopher & Banks Corporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 2008)

 

 

 

10.3

 

Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between Christopher & Banks Corporation and Monica Dahl, effective as of July 31, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 5, 2008)

 

 

 

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1*

 

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

 

 

 

32.2*

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


*                             Filed with this report.

 

 

32