LANDS' END, INC.

Previous wording

Global economic conditions have impacted, and will likely continue to impact, businesses around the world. Macroeconomic pressures in the U.S. and the global economy such as rising interest rates, raw material costs and energy prices have created and may continue to create a challenging economic environment. The following factors attributable to uncertain economic and financial market conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition:

Current wording

Global economic conditions have impacted, and will likely continue to impact, businesses around the world. Macroeconomic changes in the U.S. and the global economy such as interest rates, tariffs, material costs and energy prices have created and may continue to create a challenging economic environment. The following factors attributable to uncertain economic and financial market conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition:

Previous wording

Catalog mailings are an important aspect of our marketing efforts. Increases in costs relating to postage, paper, and printing have increased and may continue to increase the cost of our catalog mailings and could reduce our profitability to the extent that we are unable to offset such increases by raising retail prices, or by implementing more efficient printing, mailing, delivery, and order fulfillment systems, or by using alternative direct-mail formats.

Current wording

Catalog mailings are an important aspect of our marketing efforts. Costs relating to postage, paper, and printing have increased and may continue to increase the cost of our catalog marketing and could reduce our profitability to the extent that we are unable to offset such increases by raising retail prices, or by implementing more efficient printing, mailing, delivery, and order fulfillment systems, or by using alternative direct-mail formats.

Previous wording

We also depend upon external vendors to print and mail our catalogs. Partially due to the consolidation of printing companies, there are a limited number of printers that can handle such needs which subjects us to risks if any printer fails to perform as required. The cost to print catalogs may also fluctuate based on several factors beyond our control, including commodity prices for ink and solvents, changes in supply and demand, labor costs, and energy. Also, during Fiscal 2023, there was continued capacity reduction in the market which will continue to pressure pricing as contracts expire.

Current wording

We also depend upon external vendors to print and mail our catalogs. Partially due to the consolidation of printing companies, there are a limited number of printers that can handle such needs which subjects us to risks if any printer fails to perform as required. The cost to print catalogs may also fluctuate based on several factors beyond our control, including commodity prices for ink and solvents, changes in supply and demand, labor costs, and energy.

Previous wording

As of February 2, 2024, our intangible asset consists of our trade name totaling $257.0 million, which is subject to testing for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Any event that impacts our reputation could result in impairment charges for our trade name. Long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment, are also subject to testing for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. A significant amount of judgment is involved in our impairment assessment. If actual results fall short of our estimates and assumptions used in estimating revenue growth, future cash flows and asset fair values, we could incur further impairment charges for intangible assets or long-lived assets, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Current wording

As of January 31, 2025, our intangible asset consists of our trade name, which is subject to testing for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Any event that impacts our reputation could result in impairment charges for our trade name. Long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment, are also subject to testing for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. A significant amount of judgment is involved in our impairment assessment. If actual results fall short of our estimates and assumptions used in estimating revenue growth, future cash flows and asset fair values, we could incur further impairment charges for intangible assets or long-lived assets, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Previous wording

Our products and services must satisfy the desires of customers, whose preferences change over time. Sales of branded merchandise account for substantially all our total revenues and the Lands’ End brand is a critical differentiating factor for our business. Our inability to develop products that resonate with our existing customers and attract new customers, our inability to maintain our strict quality standards or to develop, produce and deliver innovative products in a timely manner, or any unfavorable publicity with respect to the foregoing or otherwise could negatively impact the image of our brand with our customers and could result in diminished appeal of our brand. As customer preferences change, our failure to anticipate, identify and react in a timely manner to emerging trends and appropriately provide attractive high-quality products that maintain or enhance the appeal of our brand through our websites, catalogs and Company Operated stores could have an adverse effect on our sales, operating margins and results of operations.

Current wording

Our products and services must satisfy the desires of customers, whose preferences change over time. Sales of branded merchandise account for substantially all our total revenues and the Lands’ End brand is a critical differentiating factor for our business. Our inability to develop products that resonate with our existing customers and attract new customers, our inability to maintain our strict quality standards or to develop, produce and deliver innovative products in a timely manner, or any unfavorable publicity with respect to the foregoing or otherwise could negatively impact the image of our brand with our customers and could result in diminished appeal of our brand. As customer preferences change, our failure to anticipate, identify and react in a timely manner to emerging trends and appropriately provide attractive high-quality products that maintain or enhance the appeal of our brand through our websites, catalogs, licensed products and Company Operated stores could have an adverse effect on our sales, operating margins and results of operations.

Previous wording

We have been increasing our investment in digital marketing, social media and optimizing our catalog productivity. Digital marketing costs now exceed direct mail catalog costs and this shift in marketing strategy could have a negative impact if customers that previously relied on the direct mail catalog do not respond as favorably through the digital marketing channel.

Current wording

We have been increasing our investment in digital marketing and social media and optimizing our catalog productivity. This shift in marketing strategy could have a negative impact if customers that previously relied on the direct mail catalog do not respond as favorably through the digital marketing channel.

Previous wording

Additionally, our efforts to pursue licensing and wholesaling relationships with third parties increases risk of brand damage. If third parties do not adhere to our standards or if we fail to maintain the image of our brands due to merchandise and service quality issues, adverse publicity, governmental investigations or litigation, or other reasons, our brands and reputation could be damaged, and our business may be adversely affected.

Current wording

Additionally, our efforts to pursue licensing and wholesale relationships with third parties increases risk of brand damage. If third parties do not adhere to our standards or if we fail to maintain the image of our brands due to merchandise and service quality issues, adverse publicity, governmental investigations or litigation, or other reasons, our brands and reputation could be damaged, and our business may be adversely affected.

Previous wording

Third parties may sue us for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights. The party claiming infringement might have greater resources than we do to pursue its claims, and we could be forced to incur substantial costs and devote significant management resources to defend against such litigation. If the party claiming infringement were to prevail, we could be forced to discontinue the use of the related trademark or design, pay significant damages, or enter into expensive royalty or licensing arrangements with the prevailing party, assuming these royalty or licensing arrangements are economically feasible, which they may not be.

Current wording

Third parties may sue us for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights. The party claiming infringement might have greater resources than we do to pursue its claims, and we could be forced to incur substantial costs and devote significant management resources to defend against such litigation. If the party claiming infringement were to prevail, we could be forced to discontinue the use of the related trademark or design, pay significant damages, or enter into expensive royalty or other arrangements with the prevailing party, assuming these royalty or other arrangements are economically feasible, which they may not be.

Previous wording

We have entered into agreements with vendors for logistics services, information technology systems (including website hosting), credit card processing, onshore and offshore software development and support, catalog production, distribution and packaging and employee benefits. Services provided by any of our vendors could be interrupted as a result of many factors, such as acts of nature or contract disputes. Any failure by a vendor to provide us with contracted-for services on a timely basis or within service level expectations and performance standards could result in a disruption of our business and have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Current wording

We have entered into agreements with vendors for logistics services, information technology systems (including website hosting), credit card processing, onshore and offshore software development and support, catalog production, distribution and packaging, customer returns and employee benefits. Services provided by any of our vendors could be interrupted as a result of many factors, such as acts of nature or contract disputes. Any failure by a vendor to provide us with contracted-for services on a timely basis or within service level expectations and performance standards could result in a disruption of our business and have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Previous wording

Our utilization of imports also makes us vulnerable to risks associated with products manufactured abroad, including, among other things, transportation and other delays in ocean shipments, including delays experienced with the Red Sea crisis, unexpected or significant port congestion, lack of freight availability, increased cost to secure freight availability, freight cost increases, risks of damage, destruction or confiscation of products while in transit to a distribution center, organized labor strikes and work stoppages, heightened security screening and inspection processes or other port-of-entry limitations or restrictions in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Current wording

Our utilization of imports also makes us vulnerable to risks associated with products manufactured abroad, including, among other things, transportation and other delays in ocean shipments, unexpected or significant port congestion, lack of freight availability, increased cost to secure freight availability, freight cost increases, risks of damage, destruction or confiscation of products while in transit to a distribution center, organized labor strikes and work stoppages, heightened security screening and inspection processes or other port-of-entry limitations or restrictions in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Previous wording

We rely upon third-party land-based and air freight carriers for merchandise shipments from our distribution centers to customers. Accordingly, we are subject to the risks, including labor disputes, union organizing activity, trucking shortages, inclement weather and increased logistics costs, associated with such carriers’ ability to provide delivery services to meet outbound shipping needs. The changing mix of our outbound freight carriers may result in higher costs and customer delays. In addition, if the cost of fuel rises or surcharges increase, the cost to deliver merchandise from distribution centers to customers may rise, and, although some of these costs are paid by our customers, such costs could have an adverse impact on our profitability. Any increase in shipping costs and surcharges may have an adverse effect on our profitability and future financial performance.

Current wording

We rely upon third-party land-based and air freight carriers for merchandise shipments from our distribution centers to customers. Accordingly, we are subject to the risks, including labor disputes, union organizing activity, trucking shortages, inclement weather and increased logistics costs, associated with such carriers’ ability to provide delivery services to meet outbound shipping needs. The changing mix of our outbound freight carriers may result in higher costs and customer delays. In addition, if the cost of fuel rises or surcharges increase, the cost to deliver merchandise from distribution centers to customers may rise, and, although some of these costs are paid by our customers, such costs could have an adverse impact on our profitability. Any increase in order fulfillment, shipping costs and surcharges may have an adverse effect on our profitability and future financial performance.

Previous wording

Our products are manufactured using several key raw materials, including wool, cotton and down, which are subject to fluctuations in price and availability and many of which are produced in emerging markets in Asia and South America. The prices of these raw materials may also fluctuate based on a number of other factors beyond our control, including commodity prices such as prices for oil, changes in supply and demand, labor costs, competition, import duties, tariffs, anti-dumping duties, currency exchange rates and government regulation. Recent inflationary pressures have increased the cost of oil and raw materials. These fluctuations in cost, availability and quality of raw materials used to manufacture our merchandise may result in an increase in our costs to purchase products from our vendors and could have an adverse effect on our cost of goods. Increases in raw material cost may cause us to increase our prices, which may not be acceptable to our customers.

Current wording

Our products are manufactured using several key raw materials, including wool and cotton, which are subject to fluctuations in price and availability and many of which are produced in emerging markets in Asia and South America. The prices of these raw materials may also fluctuate based on a number of other factors beyond our control, including commodity prices such as prices for oil, changes in supply and demand, labor costs, competition, import duties, tariffs, anti-dumping duties, currency exchange rates and government regulation. These fluctuations in cost, availability and quality of raw materials used to manufacture our merchandise may result in an increase in our costs to purchase products from our vendors and could have an adverse effect on our cost of goods. Increases in raw material cost may cause us to increase our prices, which may not be acceptable to our customers.

Previous wording

If we do not accurately anticipate the future customer demand for a particular product, report the current inventory level for a particular product, protect the physical inventory or project the time it will take to obtain new inventory, inventory levels will not be appropriate, and our results of operations could be adversely affected. We must also avoid accumulating excess inventory, which increases working capital needs, increases carrying costs of the inventory, including an increase in interest expense on variable rate debt, and could lower gross margins. On the other hand, if we underestimate demand for a particular product, we may experience inventory shortages resulting in lost revenues.

Current wording

If we do not accurately anticipate the future customer demand for a particular product, forecast the inventory levels by distribution center and third-party logistics warehouse, report the current inventory level for a particular product, protect the physical inventory or project the time it will take to obtain new inventory, inventory levels will not be appropriate, and our results of operations could be adversely affected. We must also avoid accumulating excess inventory, which increases working capital needs, increases carrying costs of the inventory, including an increase in interest expense on variable rate debt, and could lower gross margins. On the other hand, if we underestimate demand for a particular product, we may experience inventory shortages resulting in lost revenues.

Previous wording

transportation delays, including the Red Sea crisis, and interruptions and including those due to the failure of vendors or distributors to comply with import regulations;

Current wording

transportation delays and interruptions, including those due to the failure of vendors or distributors to comply with import regulations;

Previous wording

According to an amendment to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 16, 2022, Edward S. Lampert beneficially owned 51.9% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of March 16, 2022. Accordingly, Mr. Lampert could have substantial influence over many, if not all, actions to be taken or approved by our stockholders, including in the election of directors and any transactions involving a change of control. The interests of Mr. Lampert, who has direct and indirect investments in other companies, including ESL Investments, Inc., may from time to time diverge from the interests of our other stockholders.

Current wording

According to an amendment to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on February 25, 2025, Edward S. Lampert beneficially owned 55.3% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of February 24, 2025. Accordingly, Mr. Lampert could have substantial influence over any action by us that requires approval by our stockholders, including but not limited to the election of directors and any transactions involving a change of control. The interests of Mr.

Previous wording

Mr. Lampert is not subject to any contractual obligation to maintain his ownership position in Lands’ End, and we cannot assure you that he will. Any sale by Mr. Lampert of our common stock, or any announcement by Mr. Lampert that he has decided to sell shares of our common stock, could have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

Current wording

Mr. Lampert is not subject to any contractual obligation to maintain his ownership position in Lands’ End, and we cannot assure you that he will. Any sale by Mr. Lampert of our common stock, or any announcement by Mr. Lampert that he has decided to sell shares of our common stock, could have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock. In a letter to the Board of Directors of Lands’ End sent on February 24, 2025, Mr. Lampert stated that if Lands’ End chooses not to pursue a process to sell the company, he intends to seek a buyer for his controlling interest at a fair and appropriate price.

Previous wording

Due to the seasonal nature of our business, we rely heavily on flexible part-time employees to staff our distribution and customer service centers to support our peak seasons, including back-to-school shopping season and fourth quarter holiday shopping season. A potential labor shortage may impact our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel and impact our ability to operate our business effectively. Depending on their position, our employees either work 100% on-site or remotely from home or in hybrid work models which allows employees to work both remotely from home and in the office. While we have developed a work model that we believe is best for operating our business, we may not be able to attract, hire or retain qualified personnel if competing companies offer a more desirable work model.

Current wording

Due to the seasonal nature of our business, we rely heavily on flexible part-time employees to staff our distribution and customer service centers to support our peak seasons, including back-to-school shopping season and fourth quarter holiday shopping season. A potential labor shortage may impact our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel and impact our ability to operate our business effectively. Depending on their position, our employees either work 100% on-site, remotely from home or in a hybrid work model which allows employees to work both remotely from home and in the office. While we have developed and occasionally adjust our work model to achieve what we believe is best for operating our business, we may not be able to attract, hire or retain qualified personnel if competing companies offer a more desirable work model.

Previous wording

changes in business, economic and political conditions, including political instability, war, such as the current conflict with Russia and Ukraine, hostilities in the Middle East, increasing tensions in Southeast Asia, terrorist attacks, the threat of future terrorist activity and related military action, natural disasters, the cost and availability of insurance due to any of the foregoing events, labor disputes, strikes, slow-downs or other forms of labor or union activity, and pressure from third-party interest groups;

Current wording

changes in business, economic and political conditions, including political instability, war, or other geopolitical conflict, terrorist attacks, the threat of future terrorist activity and related military action, natural disasters, the cost and availability of insurance due to any of the foregoing events, labor disputes, strikes, slow-downs or other forms of labor or union activity, and pressure from third-party interest groups;