BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES INC

Previous wording

Our fiscal year, which ends on the last Saturday of November, periodically results in a 53-week year instead of the normal 52 weeks. The prior fiscal year ending November 30, 2024 was a 53-week year, with the additional week being included in the first fiscal quarter. Accordingly, the information presented below includes 13 weeks of operations for the quarter ended March 1, 2025 as compared to 14 weeks included in the quarter ended March 2, 2024.

Current wording

Our fiscal year, which ends on the last Saturday of November, periodically results in a 53-week year instead of the normal 52 weeks. The prior fiscal year ending November 30, 2024 was a 53-week year, with the additional week being included in the first fiscal quarter. Accordingly, the information presented below includes 26 weeks of operations for the six months ended May 31, 2025 as compared to 27 weeks included in the six months ended June 1, 2024.

Previous wording

Bassett also has a significant traditional wholesale business with more than 1,000 open market accounts. Most of the open market sales are through Bassett Design Centers and Bassett Custom Studios which function as a store within a multi-line store featuring the Company’s custom furniture capabilities. The wholesale business, including the Lane Venture outdoor brand, also services general furniture stores and a growing number of interior design firms through network of over 30 independent sales representatives who have stated geographical territories. These sales representatives are compensated based on a standard commission rate.

Current wording

Bassett also has a significant traditional wholesale business with more than 1,000 open market accounts. Most of the open market sales are through Bassett Design Centers and Bassett Custom Studios which function as a store within a multi-line store featuring the Company’s custom furniture capabilities. The wholesale business, including the Lane Venture outdoor brand, also services general furniture stores and a growing number of interior design firms through a network of over 30 independent sales representatives who have stated geographical territories. These sales representatives are compensated based on a standard commission rate.

Previous wording

We consider our website to be the front door to our brand experience where customers can research our furniture and accessory offerings and subsequently buy online or engage with an in-store design consultant. We introduced a new web platform late in 2023 that leverages world class features including enhanced customer research capabilities and streamlined navigation. We know that we are driving a significant percentage of the retail foot traffic to our store network and our open market customers through engagement with www.bassettfurniture.com. Although e-commerce sales continue to be small in relation to in-store sales, we are pleased that we have seen a greater than 20% e-commerce sales increase since the middle of 2024. We will continue to invest in ongoing improvements to the aesthetics and user experience that we provide on our website.

Current wording

We consider our website to be the front door to our brand experience where customers can research our furniture and accessory offerings and subsequently buy online or engage with an in-store design consultant. We introduced a new web platform late in 2023 that leverages world class features including enhanced customer research capabilities and streamlined navigation. We know that we are driving a significant percentage of the retail foot traffic to our store network and our open market customers through engagement with www.bassettfurniture.com. Although e-commerce sales continue to be small in relation to in-store sales, we are pleased that we have seen a greater than 35% e-commerce sales increase for the six months ended May 31, 2025 as compared to the same period of 2024. We will continue to invest in ongoing improvements to the aesthetics and user experience that we provide on our website.

Previous wording

Results of Operations–** Period ended March 1, 2025 compared with the period ended March 2, 2024:**

Current wording

Results of Operations–** Periods ended May 31, 2025 compared with the periods ended June 1, 2024:**

Previous wording

Consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 1, 2025 and March 2, 2024 are as follows:

Current wording

Consolidated results of operations for the three and six months ended May 31, 2025 and June 1, 2024 are as follows:

Previous wording

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of sales for the three months ended March 1, 2025 decreased 150 basis points from 2024 primarily due to the benefit of cost reductions implemented during the second half of fiscal 2024.

Current wording

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of sales for the three months ended May 31, 2025 decreased 330 basis points from 2024 primarily due to the benefit of cost reductions implemented during the second half of fiscal 2024.

Previous wording

Gross margins for the three months ended March 1, 2025 increased 170 basis points over the prior year period primarily due to improved margins in the wholesale segment.

Current wording

Gross margins for the six months ended May 31, 2025 increased 240 basis points over the prior year period. Excluding the above-mentioned additional inventory valuation charges in 2024, gross margins would have increased 80 basis points primarily due to improved margins in the wholesale segment.

Previous wording

In addition to the two reportable segments described above, we include our remaining business activities and assets in a reconciling category known as Corporate and other. This category includes the shared costs of corporate functions such as treasury and finance, information technology, accounting, human resources, legal and others, including certain product development and marketing functions benefitting both wholesale and retail operations. In addition to property and equipment and various other assets associated with the shared corporate functions, the identifiable assets of Corporate and other include substantially all of our cash and our investments in CDs. We consider our corporate functions to be other business activities and have aggregated them with any of our operating segments that do not meet the requirements to be reportable segments. As of and for the period ended March 2, 2024, the only such operating segment included in Corporate and other is Noa Home, which was acquired on September 2, 2022, subsequently closed during fiscal 2024 and substantially liquidated as of November 30, 2024. All sales reported in our Corporate and other category during fiscal 2024 were attributable to Noa Home, which generated substantially all of its sales outside of the United States.

Current wording

In addition to the two reportable segments described above, we include our remaining business activities and assets in a reconciling category known as Corporate and other. This category includes the shared costs of corporate functions such as treasury and finance, information technology, accounting, human resources, legal and others, including certain product development and marketing functions benefitting both wholesale and retail operations. In addition to property and equipment and various other assets associated with the shared corporate functions, the identifiable assets of Corporate and other include substantially all of our cash and our investments in CDs. We consider our corporate functions to be other business activities and have aggregated them with any of our operating segments that do not meet the requirements to be reportable segments. As of and for the three and six months ended June 1, 2024, the only such operating segment included in Corporate and other is Noa Home, which was acquired on September 2, 2022, subsequently closed during fiscal 2024 and substantially liquidated as of November 30, 2024. All sales reported in our Corporate and other category during fiscal 2024 were attributable to Noa Home, which generated substantially all of its sales outside of the United States.

Previous wording

Results for the wholesale segment for the three months ended March 1, 2025 and March 2, 2024 are as follows:

Current wording

Results for the wholesale segment for the three and six months ended May 31, 2025 and June 1, 2024 are as follows:

Previous wording

Net sales for the three months ended March 1, 2025 decreased $1,773 or 3.2% from the prior year period due primarily to the additional week in the prior year quarter. Normalizing the first fiscal quarter of 2024 to adjust for the additional week, sales revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased $2,134 or 4.2%, consisting of a 6.1% increase in shipments to our retail store network, a 2.2% decrease in shipments to the open market, and an 11% increase in Lane Venture shipments. Gross margins for the three months ended March 1, 2025 increased 250 basis points over the prior year due primarily to improved margins in our Bassett Custom Upholstery business from manufacturing efficiency gains, increased margins in our Lane Venture operations due to improved customer mix and improved margins in the Bassett Leather business. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 150 basis points primarily due to the benefit of cost reductions implemented during the second half of fiscal 2024.

Current wording

Net sales for the six months ended May 31, 2025 decreased $154 or 0.1% from the prior year. Normalizing for the additional the additional week in the first half of 2024, net sales increased 1.7%, consisting of a 9.1% increase in shipments to our retail store network, partially offset by a 2.4% decrease in shipments to the open market and a 9.4% decrease in Lane Venture shipments. Gross margins for the six months ended May 31, 2025 increased 250 basis points over the prior year. Excluding the $1,729 of additional inventory valuation charges in the prior year period, gross margins would have increased by 90 basis points due primarily to improved margins in our Bassett Custom Upholstery business from manufacturing efficiency gains, increased margins in our Lane Venture operations due to improved customer mix and improved margins in the Bassett Leather business, partially offset by the prior year including a reduction in the warranty and returns reserve from improved experience in warranty and returns claims and improved administration of those claims. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales decreased 170 basis points primarily due to lower bad debt costs coupled with the benefit of cost reductions implemented during the second half of fiscal 2024.

Previous wording

Wholesale backlog at March 1, 2025 was $19,515 as compared to $21,750 at November 30, 2024 and $19,491 at March 2, 2024.

Current wording

Wholesale backlog at May 31, 2025 was $18,418 as compared to $21,750 at November 30, 2024 and $19,373 at June 1, 2024.

Previous wording

Net sales for the three months ended March 1, 2025 decreased $460 or 0.9% from the prior year period. Written sales (the value of sales orders taken but not delivered) declined 2.1% from the first quarter of 2024. Normalizing the first fiscal quarter of 2024 to adjust for the additional week, sales revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased $3,380 or 6.8% over the prior year period while written sales increased 5.4%. Gross margin for the three months ended March 1, 2025 declined 80 basis points over the prior period due to lower margins for both in-line and clearance goods as we have become slightly more aggressive in cycling through unproductive inventory. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales for the three months ended March 1, 2025 decreased 370 basis points primarily due to the benefit of cost reductions implemented during the second half of fiscal 2024 coupled with lower advertising and marketing costs and efficiency gains in our warehouse and delivery operation.

Current wording

Net sales for the three months ended May 31, 2025 increased $3,764 or 7.5% over the prior year period. Written sales (the value of sales orders taken but not delivered) declined 0.8% from the second quarter of 2024. Gross margin for the three months ended May 31, 2025 declined 50 basis points over the prior period. Excluding the $471 of additional inventory valuation charges in the prior year period, gross margins would have decreased by 140 basis points due to lower margins for both in-line and clearance goods as we have become more aggressive in cycling through unproductive inventory. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales for the three months ended May 31, 2025 decreased 580 basis points primarily due to the benefit of cost reductions implemented during the second half of fiscal 2024 coupled with lower advertising and marketing costs and efficiency gains in our warehouse and delivery operation. In addition, SG&A expense for the three months ended May 31, 2025 was reduced by a $569 gain from the receipt of insurance proceeds for a business interruption claim arising from the previously disclosed cyber incident which occurred during the third quarter of fiscal 2024.

Previous wording

Retail backlog at March 1, 2025 was $36,143 compared to $37,053 at November 30, 2024 and $31,307 at March 2, 2024.

Current wording

Retail backlog at May 31, 2025 was $34,091 compared to $37,053 at November 30, 2024 and $31,545 at June 1, 2024.

Previous wording

Analysis of Quarterly Results–* Corporate and Other*

Current wording

Analysis of Results–* Corporate and Other*

Previous wording

Sales and gross profit declined from the prior year period due to the closure and liquidation of Noa Home during fiscal 2024. The $2,422 decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily due to closure of Noa Home and decreased corporate overhead spending from better expense management, including the benefit of cost reductions implemented during the second half of fiscal 2024.

Current wording

Sales and gross profit declined from the prior year period due to the closure and liquidation of Noa Home during fiscal 2024. The $559 and $2,981 decrease in SG&A expenses for the three and six months ended May 31, 2025, respectively, was primarily due to closure of Noa Home and decreased corporate overhead spending from better expense management, including the benefit of cost reductions implemented during the second half of fiscal 2024, partially offset by increased incentive compensation.

Previous wording

Interest income for the three months ended March 1, 2025 was $559 compared to $756 for the three months ended March 2, 2024. The decline from the prior year period is primarily due to lower balances of interest-bearing cash and cash equivalents, as well as lower average rates earned on our cash and cash equivalents and investments in CDs compared to the preceding year.

Current wording

Interest income for the three and six months ended May 31, 2025 was $521 and $1,080, respectively, compared to $627 and $1,383, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 1, 2024. The decline from the prior year period is primarily due to lower balances of interest-bearing cash and cash equivalents, as well as lower average rates earned on our cash and cash equivalents and investments in CDs compared to the preceding year.

Previous wording

Other loss, net, for the three months ended March 1, 2025 was $459 compared to $104 for the three months ended March 2, 2024. The net change from the prior year period was primarily due to higher costs associated with Company-owned life insurance.

Current wording

Other loss, net, for the three and six months ended May 31, 2025 was $422 and $881, respectively, compared to $276 and $380, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 1, 2024. The net change from the prior year period was primarily due to higher costs associated with Company-owned life insurance.

Previous wording

Our effective tax rate was 27.4% for the three months ended March 1, 2025. The effective rate for the three months ended March 1, 2025 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the effects of state income taxes and various permanent differences.

Current wording

Our effective tax rate was 26.1% and 26.8% for the three and six months ended May 31, 2025, respectively. The effective rates for the three and six months ended May 31, 2025 differ from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the effects of state income taxes and various permanent differences.

Previous wording

Our effective tax rate was 30.0% for the three months ended March 2, 2024. The effective rate for the three months ended March 2, 2024 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to increases in the valuation allowance placed on deferred tax assets associated with Noa Home, the effects of state income taxes and various permanent differences.

Current wording

Our effective tax rate was 11.2% and 14.5% for the three and six months ended June 1, 2024, respectively. The effective rates for the three and six months ended June 1, 2024 differ from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to increases in the valuation allowance placed on deferred tax assets associated with Noa Home, the effects of state income taxes and various permanent differences.

Previous wording

Cash used in operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $52 compared to cash used in operations of $7,739 for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, representing an improvement of $7,687 in cash flows from operations. This increase was primarily the result of improved operating income and changes in working capital due to the timing impact of expenditures as a result of an additional week in the first quarter of 2024.

Current wording

Cash provided by operating activities for the first half of fiscal 2025 was $6,903 compared to cash used in operations of $1,919 for the first half of fiscal 2024, representing an improvement of $8,822 in cash flows from operations. This increase was primarily the result of improved operating income and changes in working capital due to the timing impact of expenditures as a result of an additional week in the first half of 2024.

Previous wording

Our overall cash position declined $3,489 during the first quarter of 2025. During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, we spent $871 on purchases of property and equipment. We also paid $1,734 in dividends during the first quarter of 2025. We repurchased $721 of shares under our stock repurchase program during the first quarter of 2025 compared to no repurchases in the prior year period. We expect capital expenditures for the full year to range from $8 million to $12 million. As of March 1, 2025, $19,682 remains available for future purchases under our stock repurchase plan. With cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $56,422 on hand at March 1, 2025, expected future operating cash flows and the availability under our credit line noted below, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations for the foreseeable future.

Current wording

Our overall cash position declined $118 during the first half of 2025. During the first half of fiscal 2025, we spent $2,275 on purchases of property and equipment. We also paid $3,476 in dividends during the first half of 2025. We repurchased $1,158 of shares under our stock repurchase program during the first half of 2025 compared to repurchases of only $489 in the prior year period. We expect capital expenditures for the full year to range from $7 million to $9 million. As of May 31, 2025, $19,245 remains available for future purchases under our stock repurchase plan. With cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $59,818 on hand at May 31, 2025, expected future operating cash flows and the availability under our credit line noted below, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations for the foreseeable future.

Previous wording

On May 15, 2024, we entered into the Credit Facility with our bank. This Credit Facility provides for a line of credit of up to $25,000. At March 1, 2025, we had $5,682 outstanding under standby letters of credit against our line. The line bears interest at the One-Month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“One-Month Term SOFR”) plus 1.75% and is secured by our accounts receivable and inventory. Our bank charges a fee of 0.25% on the daily unused balance of the line, payable quarterly. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, Consolidated Minimum Tangible Net Worth shall at no time be less than $120,000. In addition, we must maintain the following financial covenants, measured quarterly on a rolling twelve-month basis and commencing as of the end of the first fiscal quarter after the first date that the used commitment (the sum of any outstanding advances plus standby letters of credit) equals or exceeds $8,250:

Current wording

On May 15, 2024, we entered into the Credit Facility with our bank. This Credit Facility provides for a line of credit of up to $25,000. At May 31, 2025, we had $8,182 outstanding under standby letters of credit against our line. The line bears interest at the One-Month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“One-Month Term SOFR”) plus 1.75% and is secured by our accounts receivable and inventory. Our bank charges a fee of 0.25% on the daily unused balance of the line, payable quarterly. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, Consolidated Minimum Tangible Net Worth shall at no time be less than $120,000. In addition, we must maintain the following financial covenants, measured quarterly on a rolling twelve-month basis and commencing as of the end of the first fiscal quarter after the first date that the used commitment (the sum of any outstanding advances plus standby letters of credit) equals or exceeds $8,250:

Previous wording

Since our used commitment was less than $8,250 at March 1, 2025, we were not required to test the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or the Consolidated Lease Adjusted Leverage to EBITDAR Ratio. Had we been required to test those ratios, we would not have been in full compliance. Consequently, our availability under the Credit Facility is currently limited to an additional $2,568.

Current wording

Since our used commitment was less than $8,250 at May 31, 2025, we were not required to test the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or the Consolidated Lease Adjusted Leverage to EBITDAR Ratio. However, had we been required to test those ratios, we would have been in full compliance. Our availability under the Credit Facility is currently $16,818.

Previous wording

We lease land and buildings that are used in the operation of our Company-owned retail stores as well as in the operation of one of our licensee-owned stores, and we lease land and buildings used in our wholesale manufacturing operations. We also lease local delivery trucks used in our retail segment. The present value of our obligations for leases with terms in excess of one year at March 1, 2025 is $101,742 and is included in our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 1, 2025. We were contingently liable under licensee lease obligation guarantees in the amount of $4,885 at March 1, 2025. The remaining terms under these lease guarantees extend for six years. See Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding our lease guarantees.

Current wording

We lease land and buildings that are used in the operation of our Company-owned retail stores as well as in the operation of one of our licensee-owned stores, and we lease land and buildings used in our wholesale manufacturing operations. We also lease certain personal property such as lift trucks, office equipment and local delivery trucks. The present value of our obligations for leases with terms in excess of one year at May 31, 2025 is $98,405 and is included in our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at May 31, 2025. We were contingently liable under licensee lease obligation guarantees in the amount of $4,639 at May 31, 2025. The remaining terms under these lease guarantees extend for six years. See Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding our lease guarantees.

Previous wording

We have a substantial investment in real estate acquired for use as retail locations and occupied by Company-owned retail stores. Such real estate is included in property and equipment, net, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and consists of eight properties with an aggregate square footage of 203,465 and a net book value of $23,969 at March 1, 2025.

Current wording

We have a substantial investment in real estate acquired for use as retail locations and occupied by Company-owned retail stores. Such real estate is included in property and equipment, net, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and consists of eight properties with an aggregate square footage of 203,465 and a net book value of $23,848 at May 31, 2025.