Barnes Noble Education Inc

Elements of Results of Operations

Our consolidated financial statements reflect our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The results of operations reflected in our consolidated financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, assets related to our DSS Segment met the criteria for classification as Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. Certain assets and liabilities associated with the DSS Segment are presented in our consolidated balance sheets as current "Assets Held for Sale" and current "Liabilities Held for Sale". The results of operations related to the DSS Segment are included in the consolidated statements of operations as "Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax." The cash flows of the DSS Segment are also presented separately in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

Our sales are primarily derived from the sale of course materials, which include new, used, rental and digital textbooks. Additionally, at college and university bookstores which we operate, we sell general merchandise, including emblematic apparel and gifts, trade books, computer products, school and dorm supplies, convenience and café items and graduation products. Our rental income is primarily derived from the rental of physical textbooks. We also derive revenue from other sources, such as sales of inventory management, hardware and point-of-sale software, and other services.

Our cost of sales primarily includes costs such as merchandise costs, textbook rental amortization, warehouse costs related to inventory management and order fulfillment, insurance, certain payroll costs, and management service agreement costs, including rent expense, related to our college and university contracts and other facility related expenses.

Our selling and administrative expenses consist primarily of store payroll and store operating expenses. Selling and administrative expenses also include long-term incentive plan compensation expense and general office expenses, such as merchandising, procurement, field support, and finance and accounting. Shared-service costs such as human resources, legal, treasury, information technology, and various other corporate level expenses and other governance functions, are not allocated to a specific reporting segment and are recorded in Corporate Services as discussed in the Overview - Segments discussion above.

Results of Operations Summary - Continuing Operations(a)

For a detailed discussion of Fiscal 2024 and year-over-year comparison to Fiscal 2023, see Results of Operations - Continuing Operations - 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 compared with the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023 below.

(a)During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, assets related to our Digital Student Solutions ("DSS") Segmentmet the criteria for classification as Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. Net Loss from Continuing Operations excludes the results of operations related to the DSS Segment for all years reported above.

(b)Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA by Segment are non-GAAP financial measures. See Use of Non-GAAP Measures discussion below.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage relationship that certain items bear to total sales:

(a) Represents the percentage these costs bear to the related sales, instead of total sales.

During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, assets related to our Digital Student Solutions ("DSS") Segmentmet the criteria for classification as Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations and is no longer a reportable segment. Certain assets and liabilities associated with the DSS Segment are presented in our consolidated balance sheets as "Assets Held for Sale" and "Liabilities Held for Sale". The results of operations related to the DSS Segment are included in the consolidated statements of operations as "Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax." The cash flows of the DSS Segment are also presented separately in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

On May 31, 2023, we completed the sale of these assets related to our DSS Segment for cash proceeds of $20 million, net of certain transaction fees, severance costs, escrow, and other considerations. During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, we recorded a Gain on Sale of Business of $3.5 million in Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net, related to the sale. Net cash proceeds from the sale were used for debt repayment and to provide additional funds for working capital needs under our Credit Facility.

(a) Cost of sales and Gross margin for the DSS Segment includes amortization expense (non-cash) related to content development costs of $0 million and $6.6 million for the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 and April 29, 2023, respectively.

(b) During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, we recognized an impairment loss (non-cash) of $0.6 million (both pre-tax and after-tax), comprised of $0.1 million and $0.5 million of property and equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets, respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations as part of discontinued operations.

(c) During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, we recognized restructuring and other charges of $3.3 million, comprised of severance and other employee termination costs, on the consolidated statement of operations as part of discontinued operations.

• 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 compared with the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023

(a) During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2023, assets related to our Digital Student Solutions ("DSS") Segmentmet the criteria for classification as Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. Operating Loss from Continuing Operations excludes the results of operations related to the DSS Segment for all years reported above.

Sales

The following table summarizes our sales:

Our total sales increased by $23.9 million, or 1.6%, to $1,567.1 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $1,543.2 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023 which is primarily related to higher course material sales, primarily at our BNC First Day programs, and higher graduation product sales, offset by declines in a la carte courseware sales, including lower sales resulting from closed stores. The components of the sales variances for the 52-week period are reflected in the table below.

(a)Logo general merchandise sales for the Retail Segment are recognized on a net basis as commission revenue in the consolidated financial statements. For Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales details, see below.

(b) Service revenue includes brand marketing programs, shipping and handling, and revenue from other programs.

(c) Other includes inventory liquidation sales to third parties, marketplace sales and certain accounting adjusting items related to return reserves, and other deferred items.

(d) Eliminates Wholesale sales and service fees to Retail and Retail commissions earned from Wholesale. See discussion of intercompany activities and eliminations below.

Retail

The following is a store count summary for physical stores and virtual stores.

During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, we opened 46 stores and closed 167 stores in the Retail Segment, with estimated net annual sales of $(74) million. The Company’s strategic initiative is to close under-performing and less profitable stores. Many institutions adopted First Day Complete in Fiscal 2024, and we plan to continue to scale the number of schools adopting First Day Complete in Fiscal 2025 and beyond.

Generally, sales are impacted by revenue from net new/closed stores, conversion to BNC First Day programs, increased campus traffic, and an increase in the number of on campus activities and events, such as graduations, athletic events, alumni events and prospective student campus tours.

Retail total sales increased by $23.2 million, or 1.6%, to $1,514.9 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $1,491.7 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023.

•Product sales and other increased by $23.1 million, or 1.7%, to $1,378.2 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $1,355.1 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023.

◦Course material product sales increased by $44.0 million, or 4.7%, to $972.0 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, compared to $927.9 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to the growth of our BNC First Day programs, which increased by $127.2 million, or 36.7%, to $473.9 million, offset by a decline of $83.1 million in a la carte courseware sales, including lower sales resulting from closed stores.

◦General merchandise product net sales decreased by $21.4 million, or 5.6%, to $364.1 million, compared to $385.5 million in the prior year period, primarily due to closed stores, and lower cafe and convenience, trade, and supply product sales, offset by higher graduation product sales and higher emblematic product sales. Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales for general merchandise increased by $6.6 million, or 1.2%, compared to the prior year period as discussed below.

◦Service and other revenue increased by $0.4 million, or 1%, to $42.2 million, compared to $41.8 million in the prior year period, primarily due to higher other income for non-return rental penalty fees, offset by lower partnership marketing and marketplace sales.

•Rental income for course materials increased by $0.1 million, or 0.1%, to $136.7 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $136.6 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023, primarily due to the growth of our BNC First Day programs, offset by closed stores and the shift to digital products.

Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales

To supplement the Total Sales table presented above, the Company uses Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales as a key performance indicator. Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales includes sales from physical and virtual stores that have been open for an entire fiscal year period and does not include sales from permanently closed stores for all periods presented. For Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales, sales for logo general merchandise fulfilled by Lids, Fanatics and digital agency sales are included on a gross basis in Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales compared to a net basis as commission revenue in our consolidated financial statements.

We believe the current Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales calculation method reflects management’s view that such comparable store sales are an important measure of the growth in sales when evaluating how established stores have performed over time. We present this metric as additional useful information about the Company’s operational and financial performance and to allow greater transparency with respect to important metrics used by management for operating and financial decision-making. Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales are also referred to as "same-store" sales by others within the retail industry and the method of calculating comparable store sales varies across the retail industry. As a result, our calculation of comparable store sales is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies and is intended only as supplemental information and is not a substitute for net sales presented in accordance with GAAP.

The increase in course material sales was primarily due to the growth of BNC First Day equitable and inclusive access programs (as discussed above), offset by declines in a la carte courseware sales. The decrease in general merchandise sales are primarily related to lower logo product sales, as well as lower trade books and cafe and convenience product sales, offset by higher graduation and supplies product sales.

Retail Gross Comparable Store Sales variances for Retail by category for the 52-week period are as follows:

Wholesale sales increased by $6.3 million, or 5.9%, to $112.6 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $106.3 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. The increase is primarily due to lower returns and allowances of $8.0 million, partially offset by a decline in gross sales of $1.7 million from lower customer demand resulting from a shift in buying patterns from physical textbooks to digital products, and lower demand from other third-party clients.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Our cost of sales decreased as a percentage of sales to 77.2% during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 compared to 77.4% during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. Our gross margin increased by $7.3 million, or 2.1%, to $356.8 million, or 22.8% of sales, during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $349.5 million, or 22.6% of sales, during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. The variances by segment are discussed by segment below.

Retail

The following table summarizes the Retail cost of sales:

The following table summarizes the Retail gross margin:

For the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, the Retail gross margin as a percentage of sales remained flat at 22.2% as discussed below:

•Product and other gross margin decreased (20 basis points) driven primarily by lower margin rates for course materials due to higher markdowns, including markdowns related to closed stores (155 basis points), partially offset by lower contract costs as a percentage of sales related to our college and university contracts as a result of the shift to digital, the adoption of our BNC First Day models, and lower renewals for under-performing school contracts (85 basis points) and favorable product sales mix, including higher margin First Day Complete course material sales (50 basis points).

•Retail Rental gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased (30 basis points), driven primarily by lower rental margin rates, higher markdowns, partially offset by lower contract costs as a percentage of sales related to our college and university contracts as a result of the shift to digital, the adoption of our BNC First Day models, and lower renewals for under-performing school contracts, and a favorable rental sales mix.

The cost of sales and gross margin for Wholesale were $89.8 million, or 79.8% of sales, and $22.8 million, or 20.2% of sales, respectively, during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024. The cost of sales and gross margin for Wholesale were $88.1 million, or 82.8% of sales, and $18.3 million, or 17.2% of sales, respectively, during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. The increase gross margin was primarily due to lower returns and allowances of $5.3 million, partially offset by higher cost of product of $0.8 million.

Intercompany Eliminations

During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 and 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023, sales eliminations were $60.4 million and $54.9 million, respectively. These sales eliminations represent the elimination of Wholesale sales and fulfillment service fees to Retail and the elimination of Retail commissions earned from Wholesale.

During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 and 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023, the cost of sales eliminations were $61.4 million and $54.7 million, respectively. These cost of sales eliminations represent (i) the recognition of intercompany profit for Retail inventory that was purchased from Wholesale in a prior period that was subsequently sold to external customers during the current period and the elimination of Wholesale service fees charged for fulfillment of inventory for virtual store sales, net of (ii) the elimination of intercompany profit for Wholesale inventory purchases by Retail that remain in ending inventory at the end of the current period.

During the 52 weeks periods ended April 27, 2024 and 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023, the gross margin eliminations were $1.0 million and $(0.2) million, respectively. The gross margin eliminations reflect the net impact of the sales eliminations and cost of sales eliminations during the above mentioned reporting periods.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, selling and administrative expenses decreased by $46.0 million, or 12.9%, to $311.6 million from $357.6 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. The variances by segment are discussed by segment below.

Retail

For Retail, selling and administrative expenses decreased by $42.3 million, or 13.2%, to $278.4 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $320.7 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a $15.0 million decrease in closed stores payroll and related operating costs, cost savings initiatives comprised of a $19.3 million decrease in comparable store payroll expense and related operating costs and a $10.9 million decrease in corporate payroll expense, infrastructure and product development costs, partially offset by a $2.9 million increase in new store payroll expense and related operating costs.

For Wholesale, selling and administrative expenses decreased by $1.6 million, or 10.6%, to $13.4 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $15.0 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to cost savings initiatives comprised of lower payroll expense of $1.8 million, partially offset by higher operating expenses of $0.2 million.

Corporate Services

Corporate Services' selling and administrative expenses decreased by $2.3 million, or 10.6%, to $19.7 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $22.0 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to cost savings initiatives comprised of lower payroll expense of $1.5 million and lower operating costs of $0.8 million.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $1.6 million to $40.6 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $42.2 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. Capital expenditures decreased by $11.0 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 compared to the prior year period and depreciable assets and intangibles were lower due to the store impairment loss recognized during Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023.

Impairment loss (non-cash)

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360-10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. For information, see Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policiesand Note 6. Fair Value Measurements.

During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, we evaluated certain of our store-level long-lived assets in the Retail segment for impairment. Based on the results of the impairment tests, we recognized an impairment loss (non-cash) of $7.2 million (both pre-tax and after-tax), comprised of $0.4 million, $3.6 million, and $3.2 million of property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets, and amortizable intangibles, respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations.

During the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023, we evaluated certain of our store-level long-lived assets in the Retail segment for impairment. Based on the results of the impairment tests, we recognized an impairment loss (non-cash) of $6.0 million (both pre-tax and after-tax), comprised of $0.7 million, $1.7 million, and $3.6 million of property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets, and amortizable intangibles, respectively, on the consolidated statement of operations.

Restructuring and other charges

During the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, we recognized restructuring and other charges totaling $19.4 million, comprised primarily of $19.6 million, primarily for costs primarily associated with professional service costs for restructuring and process improvements (see next paragraph below) and $1.1 million for severance and other employee termination and benefit costs associated with elimination of various positions as part of cost reduction objectives, partially offset by a $1.3 million in an actuarial gain related to a frozen retirement benefit plan (non-cash).

Pursuant to the July 28, 2023 Credit Agreement amendment, the Board established a committee consisting of three independent directors to explore, consider, solicit expressions of interest or proposals for, respond to any communications, inquiries or proposals regarding, and advise as to all strategic alternatives to effect a “Specified Liquidity Transaction” (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Restructuring and other expenses include costs associated with the costs of this committee, as well as other related professional service costs. On June 10, 2024, subsequent to the end of Fiscal 2024, we completed various transactions, including an equity rights offering, private equity investment, Term Loan debt conversion, and Credit Facility refinancing, to substantially deleverage our consolidated balance sheet. These transactions raised additional capital for repayment of indebtedness and provide additional flexibility for working capital needs. For additional information, see Part II - Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 17. Subsequent Events.

During the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023, we recognized restructuring and other charges totaling $10.1 million, comprised primarily of $4.4 million for severance and other employee termination and benefit costs associated with elimination of various positions as part of cost reduction objectives, and $5.7 million, primarily for costs primarily associated with professional service costs for restructuring and process improvements.

Operating Loss

Our operating loss was $(21.9) million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 compared to operating loss of $(66.4) million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. The improvements in operating results were due to the matters discussed above.

For the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, excluding the $19.4 million of restructuring and other charges and the $7.2 million impairment loss (non-cash), all discussed above, operating income was $4.6 million (or 0.3% of sales).

For the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023, excluding the $10.1 million of restructuring and other charges and the $6.0 million impairment loss (non-cash), all discussed above, operating loss was $(50.3) million (or (3.3)% of sales).

Interest Expense, Net

Net interest expense increased by $17.7 million to $40.4 million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 from $22.7 million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. Interest expense increased primarily due to higher borrowings, higher interest rates and $10.0 million resulting from increased amortization of deferred financing costs. The following table disaggregates interest expense for the 52-week period:

Cash interest paid during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 and April 29, 2023 was $24.9 million and $19.0 million, respectively.

Income Tax Expense

We recorded an income tax expense of $0.2 million on a pre-tax loss of $(62.3) million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, which represented an effective income tax rate of (0.3)% and an income tax expense of $1.0 million on a pre-tax loss of $(89.1) million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023, which represented an effective income tax rate of (1.1)%.

The effective tax rate for the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024 is materially consistent with the prior year comparable period.

Net Loss from Continuing Operations

As a result of the factors discussed above, we reported a net loss from continuing operations of $(62.5) million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, compared with a net loss of $(90.1) million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) - Continuing Operations is $(35.9) million during the 52 weeks ended April 27, 2024, compared with $(74.0) million during the 52 weeks ended April 29, 2023. See Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP) discussion below.