f10k_042914.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
____________________________
 
FORM 10-K

 
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014

Commission File Number 0-20214

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
New York
11-2250488
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

650 Liberty Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 908/688-0888

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

Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $.01 par value
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
 
(NASDAQ Global Select Market)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [x] No [  ]
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [x]
 
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 [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [x] No [  ]
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K  (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [x]

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 [x] Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ] Smaller reporting company [  ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes [  ] No [x]

As of August 31, 2013, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates (which was computed by reference to the closing price on such date of such stock on the NASDAQ National Market) was $15,188,999,047.*

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock (par value $0.01 per share) at March 29, 2014: 204,016,305.
 
 

 
Documents Incorporated by Reference
 
Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.

*
For purposes of this calculation, all outstanding shares of common stock have been considered held by non-affiliates other than the 8,765,040 shares beneficially owned by directors and executive officers, including in the case of the Co-Chairmen trusts and foundations affiliated with them. In making such calculation, the Registrant does not determine the affiliate or non-affiliate status of any shares for any other purpose.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Form 10-K
Item No.
 
Name of Item
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
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PART I

Unless otherwise indicated, the term "Company" refers collectively to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 1, 2014. The Company’s fiscal year is comprised of the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Saturday nearest February 28. Accordingly, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2011 represented 52 weeks and ended on March 1, 2014 and February 25, 2012, respectively. Fiscal 2012 represented 53 weeks and ended on March 2, 2013. Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein to periods of time (e.g., quarters and years) are to fiscal periods.


Introduction

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a retailer which operates under the names Bed Bath & Beyond (“BBB”), Christmas Tree Shops, Christmas Tree Shops andThat! or andThat! (collectively, “CTS”), Harmon or Harmon Face Values (collectively, “Harmon”), buybuy BABY (“Baby”) and World Market, Cost Plus World Market or Cost Plus (collectively, “Cost Plus World Market”). Customers can purchase products from the Company either in store, online or through a mobile device.  The Company has the developing ability to fulfill customer purchases by in store customer pick up or by direct shipment to the customer from the Company’s distribution facilities, stores or vendors.  The Company also operates Linen Holdings, a provider of a variety of textile products, amenities and other goods to institutional customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, healthcare and other industries. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates four retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

The Company sells a wide assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. Domestics merchandise includes categories such as bed linens and related items, bath items and kitchen textiles. Home furnishings include categories such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares, general home furnishings, consumables and certain juvenile products.

History

The Company was founded in 1971 by Leonard Feinstein and Warren Eisenberg, the Co-Chairmen of the Company. Each has more than 50 years of experience in the retail industry.

The Company commenced operations in 1971 with the opening of two stores, which primarily sold bed linens and bath accessories. In 1985, the Company introduced its first store carrying a full line of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. The Company began using the name "Bed Bath & Beyond" in 1987 in order to reflect the expanded product line offered by its stores and to distinguish its stores from conventional specialty retail stores offering only domestics merchandise or home furnishings. In 2002, the Company acquired Harmon, a health and beauty care retailer, which operated 27 stores at the time located in three states. In 2003, the Company acquired CTS, a retailer of giftware and household items, which operated 23 stores at the time located in six states. In 2007, the Company acquired Baby, a retailer of infant and toddler merchandise, which operated eight stores at the time located in four states. In 2007, the Company opened its first international BBB store in Ontario, Canada. In 2008, the Company became a partner in a joint venture which operated two stores at the time in the Mexico City market under the name “Home & More,” which were rebranded as Bed Bath & Beyond in fiscal 2012.  In June 2012, the Company acquired Linen Holdings, LLC (“Linen Holdings”), a provider of a variety of textile products, amenities and other goods to institutional customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, healthcare and other industries, and Cost Plus, Inc. (“Cost Plus World Market”), a retailer selling a wide range of home decorating items, furniture, gifts, holiday and other seasonal items, and specialty food and beverages, which operated 258 stores at the time located in 30 states under the names of World Market, Cost Plus World Market or Cost Plus.

 
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The Company accounts for its operations as two operating segments: North American Retail and Institutional Sales. The Institutional Sales operating segment, which is comprised of Linen Holdings, does not meet the quantitative thresholds under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and therefore is not a reportable segment.

Total net sales of the Company were $11.504 billion, $10.915 billion and $9.500 billion for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net sales outside of the U.S. were not material for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011. Refer to Part II, Item 7 and Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional financial information.

Operations

It is the Company’s goal to offer quality merchandise at competitive prices; to maintain a wide and differentiated assortment of merchandise; to present merchandise in a distinctive manner designed to maximize customer convenience and reinforce customer perception of a wide selection; and to emphasize dedication to customer service and satisfaction.  The Company continues to grow, differentiate and leverage its assortment across all channels, concepts and countries in which it operates.  In addition, the Company strives to more efficiently and effectively understand its customers’ needs and communicate with them through its growing analytic capabilities and omnichannel marketing approaches.

Pricing. The Company believes in maintaining competitive prices. The Company regularly monitors price levels at its competitors in order to ensure that its prices are in accordance with its pricing philosophy. The Company believes that the application of its pricing philosophy is an important factor in establishing its reputation among customers.

Merchandise Assortment. The Company sells a wide assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. Domestics merchandise includes categories such as bed linens and related items, bath items and kitchen textiles. Home furnishings include categories such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares, general home furnishings, consumables and certain juvenile products. The Company strives to tailor its merchandise mix as appropriate to respond to changing trends and conditions. The Company, on an ongoing basis, tests new merchandise categories and adjusts the categories of merchandise carried as part of its assortment and may add new product categories as appropriate. Additionally, the Company continues to integrate the merchandise assortments among its concepts. The Company believes that the process of adding new product categories, integrating the Company’s merchandise within concepts, and expanding or reducing the size of various product categories in response to changing conditions is an important part of its merchandising strategy.

Merchandise Presentation. The Company has developed a style of merchandise presentation where groups of related product lines are presented together. The Company believes that this approach to merchandise presentation makes it easy for customers to locate products and reinforces customer perception of a wide selection.

Advertising. In general, the Company relies on “word of mouth advertising,” its reputation for offering a wide assortment of quality merchandise at competitive prices and the use of paid advertising. Primary vehicles of paid advertising used by the Company include full-color circulars and other advertising pieces distributed via direct mail or inserts, as well as digital media including email, mobile, social and search advertising. Also, to support the opening of new stores, the Company primarily uses “grand opening” newspaper and direct mail advertising and email.

Customer Service. Customer service is at the heart of the Company’s culture as it encourages and trains its associates and implements technology to create a better shopping experience for each and every customer.  Through its customer centric policies and emphasis on life stage events, the Company stresses the importance of each customer relationship. The Company continues to focus its efforts and investments on ensuring that it builds and maintains each of these customer relationships.

 
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Suppliers

In fiscal 2013, the Company purchased its merchandise from approximately 8,300 suppliers with the Company’s largest supplier accounting for approximately 5% of the Company’s merchandise purchases and the Company’s 10 largest suppliers accounting for approximately 17% of such purchases. The Company purchases substantially all of its merchandise in the United States, the majority from domestic sources and the balance from importers. The Company purchases a small amount of its merchandise directly from overseas sources. The Company has no long term contracts for the purchase of merchandise. The Company believes that most merchandise, other than brand name goods, is available from a variety of sources and that most brand name goods can be replaced with comparable merchandise.

Distribution of Merchandise

A substantial portion of the Company’s merchandise is shipped to stores or customers through a combination of third party, or the Company’s, distribution facilities which are primarily located throughout the United States. The remaining merchandise is shipped directly from vendors. Shipments are made by contract carriers on a regular basis depending upon location.

See Item 2 – Properties for additional information regarding the Company’s distribution facilities.

Employees

As of March 1, 2014, the Company employed approximately 58,000 persons in full-time and part-time positions. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are very good and that the labor turnover rate among its management employees is lower than that generally experienced within the industry.

Seasonality

The Company’s sales exhibit seasonality with sales levels generally higher in the calendar months of August, November and December, and generally lower in February.

Expansion Program

The Company is engaged in an ongoing expansion program involving the opening of new stores in both new and existing markets, the expansion or renovation of existing stores, the repositioning of stores within markets when appropriate, the evolution of its omnichannel shopping environment and the continuous review of strategic acquisitions.

In the 22-year period from the beginning of fiscal 1992 to the end of fiscal 2013, the chain has grown from 34 stores to 1,496 stores plus its various websites, other interactive platforms and distribution facilities. The Company’s 1,496 stores operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada, including: 1,014 BBB stores operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada and through www.bedbathandbeyond.com and www.bedbathandbeyond.ca; 265 Cost Plus World Market stores operating in 31 states and the District of Columbia and through www.worldmarket.com; 90 Baby stores operating in 31 states and through www.buybuybaby.com; 77 CTS stores operating in 21 states and through www.christmastreeshops.com and www.andthat.com; and 50 Harmon stores operating in five states and through www.harmondiscount.com and www.facevalues.com. Total store square footage grew from approximately 0.9 million square feet at the beginning of fiscal 1992 to approximately 42.6 million square feet at the end of fiscal 2013. During fiscal 2013, the Company opened a total of 33 new stores, including 13 BBB stores throughout the United States and Canada and five Cost Plus World Market stores, eight Baby stores, four CTS stores and three Harmon stores throughout the United States. In addition, the Company continued to optimize its operations in a number of trade areas through renovating and repositioning stores in various markets, which included the closing of three BBB stores, four Cost Plus World Market stores and one CTS store. In fiscal 2013, consolidated store space, net of openings and closings for all concepts, increased by 0.6 million square feet.  Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which opened one store during fiscal 2013 and as of March 1, 2014, operated a total of four retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

 
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The Company expects to enhance its omnichannel capabilities as well as open new stores and expand existing stores as opportunities arise. The Company believes that throughout the United States and Canada, there is an opportunity to operate in excess of 1,300 BBB stores as well as grow Cost Plus World Market, CTS and Baby from coast to coast. Additionally, the Company will continue to open Harmon stores and place health and beauty care offerings in selected stores as well as specialty food and beverage departments in selected BBB stores. The Company is committed to the continued growth of its merchandise categories and channels.

The Company has built its management structure with a view toward its expansion and believes that, as a result, it has the management depth necessary to support its anticipated expansion program.

During fiscal 2012, the Company acquired Linen Holdings and Cost Plus World Market.

Competition

The Company operates in the fragmented and highly competitive retail industry. The Company competes with many different types of retailers, including omnichannel retailers, that sell many or most of the same products. Such competitors include, but are not limited to, department stores, specialty retailers, discount and mass merchandise retailers, national chains and online only retailers. In addition, the Company competes, to a more limited extent, with factory outlet stores. Other entities continue to introduce new concepts that include many of the product lines offered by the Company. There can be no assurance that the operation of competitors will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Tradenames and Service Marks

The Company uses the service marks “Bed Bath & Beyond,” “buybuy BABY,” “Christmas Tree Shops,” “andThat!,” “Harmon,” “Face Values,” “Cost Plus,” “World Market” and “Cost Plus World Market” in connection with its retail services. The Company has registered trademarks and service marks or is seeking registrations for these and other trademarks and service marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company also has registered or has applications pending with the trademark registries of several foreign countries, including having registered the “Bed Bath & Beyond” name and logo in Canada and Mexico. The Company also files patent applications and seeks copyright registrations where it deems such to be advantageous to the business. Management believes that its name recognition and service marks are important elements of the Company’s merchandising strategy.

Available Information

The Company makes available as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), free of charge, through its website, www.bedbathandbeyond.com, the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, electronically filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth the name, age and business experience of the Executive Officers of the Registrant:

 
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Name
Age
Positions
     
Warren Eisenberg
83
Co-Chairman and Director
     
Leonard Feinstein
77
Co-Chairman and Director
     
Steven H. Temares
55
Chief Executive Officer and Director
     
Arthur Stark
59
President and Chief Merchandising Officer
     
Matthew Fiorilli
57
Senior Vice President – Stores
     
Eugene A. Castagna
48
Chief Operating Officer
     
Susan E. Lattmann
46
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
Warren Eisenberg is a Co-Founder of the Company and has served as Co-Chairman since 1999. He has served as a Director since 1971. Mr. Eisenberg served as Chairman from 1992 to 1999, and served as Co-Chief Executive Officer from 1971 to 2003.

Leonard Feinstein is a Co-Founder of the Company and has served as Co-Chairman since 1999. He has served as a Director since 1971. Mr. Feinstein served as President from 1992 to 1999, and served as Co-Chief Executive Officer from 1971 to 2003.

Steven H. Temares has been Chief Executive Officer since 2003 and has served as a Director since 1999. Mr. Temares was President and Chief Executive Officer from 2003 to 2006, President and Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to 2003 and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Temares joined the Company in 1992.

Arthur Stark has been President and Chief Merchandising Officer since 2006. Mr. Stark has served as Chief Merchandising Officer since 1999 and was a Senior Vice President from 1999 to 2006. Mr. Stark joined the Company in 1977.

Matthew Fiorilli has been Senior Vice President - Stores since 1999. Mr. Fiorilli joined the Company in 1973.

Eugene A. Castagna has been Chief Operating Officer since February 2014. Mr. Castagna served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 2006 to 2014, Assistant Treasurer from 2002 to 2006 and as Vice President - Finance from 2000 to 2006. Mr. Castagna is a certified public accountant and joined the Company in 1994.

Susan E. Lattmann has been Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since February 2014. Ms. Lattmann served as Vice President – Finance from 2006 to 2014, Vice President - Controller from 2001 to 2006 and Controller from 2000 to 2001. Ms. Lattmann is a certified public accountant and joined the Company in 1996.

The Company’s executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors for one-year terms and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. No family relationships exist between any of the executive officers or directors of the Company.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s actual results and future financial condition may differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Such factors include the following:

 
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General economic factors beyond the Company’s control and changes in the economic climate could adversely affect the Company’s performance.

General economic factors that are beyond the Company’s control impact the Company’s forecasts and actual performance. These factors include housing markets, recession, inflation, deflation, consumer credit availability, consumer debt levels, fuel and energy costs, interest rates, tax rates and policy, unemployment trends, the impact of natural disasters, civil disturbances and terrorist activities, conditions affecting the retail environment for products sold by the Company and other matters that influence consumer spending. Changes in the economic climate could adversely affect the Company’s performance.

The Company operates in the highly competitive retail business where the use of emerging technologies as well as unanticipated changes in the pricing and other practices of competitors may adversely affect the Company’s performance.

The retail business is highly competitive. The Company competes for customers, employees, locations, merchandise, technology, services and other important aspects of the business with many other local, regional and national retailers. Those competitors range from specialty retailers to department stores and discounters as well as online and multichannel retailers. Specifically, rapidly evolving technologies are altering the manner in which the Company and its competitors communicate and transact with customers; the Company’s execution of its own omnichannel strategy to adapt to these changes, in relation to its competitors’ actions as well as to its customers adoption of new technology, presents a specific risk. Further, unanticipated changes in the pricing and other practices of the Company’s competitors, including promotional activity and rapid price fluctuation enabled by technology, may adversely affect the Company’s performance.

The Company’s failure to anticipate and respond in a timely fashion to changes in consumer preferences and demographic factors may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s success depends on its ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changing merchandise trends, customer demands and demographics. The Company’s failure to anticipate, identify or react appropriately to changes in customer tastes, preferences, shopping and spending patterns and other lifestyle decisions could lead to, among other things, excess inventories or a shortage of products and may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Unusual weather patterns could adversely affect the Company’s performance.

The Company’s operating results could be negatively impacted by unusual weather patterns. Frequent or unusually heavy snow, ice or rain storms, hurricanes, floods, tornados or extended periods of unseasonable temperatures could adversely affect the Company’s performance.

A major disruption of the Company’s information technology systems could negatively impact operating results.

The Company’s operating results could be negatively impacted by a major disruption of the Company’s information technology systems. The Company relies heavily on these systems to process transactions, manage inventory replenishment, summarize results and control distribution of products. Despite numerous safeguards and careful contingency planning, these systems are still subject to power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication failures, security breaches and other catastrophic events. A major disruption of the systems and their backup mechanisms may cause the Company to incur significant costs to repair the systems, experience a critical loss of data and/or result in business interruptions.

 
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A breach of the Company's data security systems or those of its third party service providers could have a negative impact on the Company's operating results and financial performance due to possible loss of consumer confidence, as well as potential government penalties and private litigation.

The Company processes, transmits, stores and maintains certain information about its customers and employees in the ordinary course of business. In connection with certain activities, including without limitation credit card processing, website hosting, data encryption and software support, the Company utilizes third party service providers, and the Company believes it takes appropriate steps to require such providers to secure such information and to assess their ability to do so. The Company invests considerable resources in protecting this sensitive information but is still subject to a possible security event, including but not limited to cybercrimes or cybersecurity attacks which may not be detected for a period of time. A breach of its security systems or those of its third party service providers resulting in unauthorized access to stored personal information could negatively impact the Company’s operating results and financial performance. Certain aspects of the business, particularly the Company’s websites, heavily depend on consumers entrusting personal financial information to be transmitted securely over public networks. A loss of consumer confidence from such a breach could result in lost future sales and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation. In addition, a breach could cause the Company to incur significant costs to restore the integrity of its systems, could require the devotion of significant management resources, and could result in significant costs in government penalties and private litigation.

A failure of the Company’s suppliers to adhere to appropriate laws or standards could negatively impact its reputation.

The Company purchases substantially all of its merchandise in the United States, the majority from domestic sources and the balance from importers. The Company purchases a small amount of its merchandise directly from overseas sources. The failure of one of the Company’s domestic or foreign suppliers to adhere to labor, environmental, health and safety laws and standards could negatively impact the Company’s reputation and have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations. 

A failure to protect the reputation of the Company in any aspect of its operations could potentially impact its operating and financial results.

The Company’s reputation is based, in part, on perceptions of subjective qualities, so incidents involving the Company, its products or the retail industry in general that erode customer trust or confidence could adversely affect the Company’s reputation and its business.  Challenges to the Company’s compliance with a variety of social, product, labor and environmental standards could also jeopardize its reputation and lead to adverse publicity, especially in social media outlets.  Damage to the reputation of the Company in any aspect of its operations could potentially impact its operating and financial results as well as require additional resources to rebuild its reputation.

Changes in statutory, regulatory, and other legal requirements at a local, state or provincial and national level could potentially impact the Company’s operating and financial results.

The Company is subject to numerous statutory, regulatory and legal requirements at a local, state or provincial and national level. The Company’s operating results could be negatively impacted by developments in these areas due to the costs of compliance in addition to possible government penalties and litigation in the event of deemed noncompliance. Changes in the regulatory environment in the area of product safety, environmental protection, privacy and information security, wage and hour laws, among others, could potentially impact the Company’s operations and financial results.

New, or developments in existing, litigation, claims or assessments could potentially impact the Company’s operating and financial results.

The Company is involved in litigation, claims and assessments incidental to the Company’s business, the disposition of which is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions related to these matters. While outcomes of such actions vary, any such claim or assessment against the Company could potentially impact the Company’s operations and financial results.

 
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Changes to accounting rules, regulations and tax laws, or new interpretations of existing accounting standards or tax laws could negatively impact the Company’s operating results and financial position.

The Company’s operating results and financial position could be negatively impacted by changes to accounting rules and regulations or new interpretations of existing accounting standards. These changes may include, without limitation, changes to lease accounting standards. The Company’s effective income tax rate could be impacted by changes in accounting standards as well as changes in tax laws or the interpretations of these tax laws by courts and taxing authorities which could negatively impact the Company’s financial results.

The success of the Company is dependent, in part, on managing costs of labor, merchandise and other expenses that are subject to factors beyond the Company’s control.

The Company’s success depends, in part, on its ability to manage operating costs and to look for opportunities to reduce costs. The Company’s ability to meet its labor needs while controlling costs is subject to external factors such as unemployment levels, prevailing wage rates, minimum wage legislation, labor organizing activities and changing demographics. The Company’s ability to find qualified vendors and obtain access to products in a timely and efficient manner can be adversely affected by political instability, the financial instability of suppliers, suppliers’ noncompliance with applicable laws, transportation costs and other factors beyond the Company’s control.

The success of the Company is dependent, in part, on the ability of its employees in all areas of the organization to execute its business plan and, ultimately, to satisfy its customers.

The Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees in all areas of the organization may be affected by a number of factors, including geographic relocation of employees, operations or facilities and the highly competitive markets in which the Company operates, including the markets for the types of skilled individuals needed to support the Company's continued success domestically, interactively and, over the longer term, internationally.

The success of the Company is dependent, in part, on its ability to open new stores, develop its omnichannel capabilities and operate profitably.

The Company’s success depends, in part, on its ability to open new stores, develop its omnichannel capabilities and operate profitably. The Company’s ability to open additional stores successfully will depend on a number of factors, including its identification and availability of suitable store locations; its success in negotiating leases on acceptable terms; its hiring and training of skilled store operating personnel, especially management; and its timely development of new stores, including the availability of construction materials and labor and the absence of significant construction and other delays in store openings based on weather or other events. The Company’s ability to develop its omnichannel capabilities will depend on a number of factors, including its assessment and implementation of changing technologies. This increases the cost of doing business and the risk that the Company’s business practices could result in liabilities that may adversely affect its performance, despite the exercise of reasonable care.

Disruptions in the financial markets could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to access its cash and cash equivalents.

The Company may have amounts of cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions that are in excess of federally insured limits. While the Company closely manages its cash and cash equivalents balances to minimize risk, if there were disruptions in the financial markets, the Company can not be assured that it will not experience losses on its deposits.

 
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The Company has acquired several businesses and continues to evaluate potential business initiatives, including acquisitions, any of which could adversely impact the Company’s performance.

The Company believes it carefully evaluates and plans for the integration of newly acquired businesses, as well as carefully prepares for and executes on other business combinations and strategic initiatives that are part of the success of its business. However, such activities involve certain inherent risks, including the failure to retain key personnel from an acquired business; undisclosed or subsequently arising liabilities; challenges in the successful integration of operations, aligning standards, policies and systems; and the potential diversion of management resources from existing operations to respond to unforeseen issues arising in the context of the integration of a new business or initiative.


None.
 
 
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Most of the Company’s stores are located in suburban areas of medium and large-sized cities. These stores are situated in strip and power strip shopping centers, as well as in major off-price and conventional malls, and in free standing buildings.

The Company’s 1,496 stores are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada and range in size from approximately 5,000 to 100,000 square feet, but are predominantly between 18,000 and 50,000 square feet. Approximately 85% to 90% of store space is used for selling areas.

The table below sets forth the locations of the Company’s stores as of March 1, 2014:

Alabama
    21  
New Mexico
    9  
Alaska
    2  
New York
    96  
Arizona
    43  
North Carolina
    45  
Arkansas
    7  
North Dakota
    2  
California
    187  
Ohio
    51  
Colorado
    34  
Oklahoma
    8  
Connecticut
    24  
Oregon
    17  
Delaware
    4  
Pennsylvania
    43  
Florida
    98  
Rhode Island
    5  
Georgia
    36  
South Carolina
    24  
Hawaii
    2  
South Dakota
    3  
Idaho
    9  
Tennessee
    27  
Illinois
    57  
Texas
    112  
Indiana
    24  
Utah
    15  
Iowa
    10  
Vermont
    3  
Kansas
    11  
Virginia
    44  
Kentucky
    11  
Washington
    36  
Louisiana
    19  
West Virginia
    3  
Maine
    8  
Wisconsin
    16  
Maryland
    22  
Wyoming
    2  
Massachusetts
    43  
District of Columbia
    3  
Michigan
    44  
Puerto Rico
    3  
Minnesota
    14  
Alberta, Canada
    9  
Mississippi
    7  
British Columbia, Canada
    7  
Missouri
    24  
Manitoba, Canada
    1  
Montana
    8  
New Brunswick, Canada
    2  
Nebraska
    6  
Newfoundland, Canada
    1  
Nevada
    13  
Novia Scotia, Canada
    1  
New Hampshire
    14  
Ontario, Canada
    18  
New Jersey
  87  
Prince Edward Island, Canada
  1  
         
Total
    1,496  

The Company leases substantially all of its existing stores. The leases provide for original lease terms that generally range from 10 to 15 years and most leases provide for renewal options, often at increased rents. The Company evaluates leases on an ongoing basis which may lead to renegotiated lease terms, including rents during renewal options, or the possible relocation of stores. Certain leases provide for scheduled rent increases (which, in the case of fixed increases, the Company accounts for on a straight-line basis over the committed lease term, beginning when the Company obtains possession of the premises) and/or for contingent rent (based upon store sales exceeding stipulated amounts).

 
13

 
The Company has distribution facilities, which ship merchandise to stores or customers, totaling approximately 5.8 million square feet consisting of three owned and 11 leased facilities.
 
As of March 1, 2014, the Company occupied approximately 508,000 square feet of office space at seven locations for procurement and corporate office functions. The corporate headquarters within two owned facilities in Union, New Jersey includes approximately 306,000 square feet with the remaining approximately 202,000 square feet within owned and leased facilities in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina. In addition, the Company has seven locations, totaling approximately 14,000 square feet, which are utilized primarily for institutional sales related functions.

ITEM 3 –

The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, which the Company does not believe to be material to the Company’s business or financial condition.


Not Applicable.
 
 
14

 
PART II

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

The following table sets forth the high and low reported closing prices of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ National Market System for the periods indicated.
 
   
High
   
Low
 
Fiscal 2013:
           
1st Quarter
  $ 70.07     $ 56.75  
2nd Quarter
    78.18       66.98  
3rd Quarter
    78.58       71.78  
4th Quarter
    80.48       62.68  
 
   
High
   
Low
 
Fiscal 2012:
           
1st Quarter
  $ 72.47     $ 59.74  
2nd Quarter
    74.72       59.34  
3rd Quarter
    71.60       56.40  
4th Quarter
    60.39       54.91  
 
The common stock is quoted through the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol BBBY. On March 29, 2014, there were approximately 5,600 shareholders of record of the common stock (without including individual participants in nominee security position listings). On March 29, 2014, the last reported sale price of the common stock was $68.43.

The Company has not paid cash dividends on its common stock since its 1992 initial public offering and does not currently plan to pay dividends on its common stock. The payment of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including the Company’s earnings, financial condition and requirements, business conditions and other factors. See Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Since 2004 through the end of fiscal 2013, the Company has repurchased approximately $6.3 billion of its common stock through share repurchase programs. The Company’s purchases of its common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were as follows:

Period
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased (1)
   
Average Price
Paid per Share (2)
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (1)
   
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs (1) (2)
 
December 1, 2013  - December 28, 2013
    1,717,400     $ 77.61       1,717,400     $ 1,532,716,191  
December 29, 2013 - January 25, 2014
    2,594,500     $ 72.77       2,594,500     $ 1,343,914,027  
January 26, 2014 - March 1, 2014
    3,237,100     $ 64.75       3,237,100     $ 1,134,319,018  
Total
    7,549,000     $ 70.43       7,549,000     $ 1,134,319,018  
 
(1) Between December 2004 and December 2012, the Company's Board of Directors authorized, through several share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $7.450 billion of its shares of common stock. The Company has authorization to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations. Shares purchased indicated in this table also include the withholding of a portion of restricted shares to cover taxes on vested restricted shares.
 
(2) Excludes brokerage commissions paid by the Company.
 
 
15

 
Stock Price Performance Graph

The graph shown below compares the performance of the Company’s common stock with that of the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Specialty Retail Index and the S&P Retail Composite Index over the same period (assuming the investment of $100 in the Company’s common stock and each of the three Indexes on February 28, 2009, and the reinvestment of dividends, if any).


 
16

 

Consolidated Selected Financial Data
 
Fiscal Year Ended (1)
 
(in thousands, except per share
 
March 1,
   
March 2,
   
February 25,
   
February 26,
   
February 27,
 
and selected operating data)
 
2014
   
2013 (2)
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
                               
Statement of Earnings Data:
                             
                               
Net sales
  $ 11,503,963     $ 10,914,585     $ 9,499,890     $ 8,758,503     $ 7,828,793  
                                         
Gross profit
    4,565,582       4,388,755       3,930,933       3,622,929       3,208,119  
                                         
Operating profit
    1,614,587       1,638,218       1,568,369       1,288,458       980,687  
                                         
Net earnings
    1,022,290       1,037,788       989,537       791,333       600,033  
                                         
Net earnings per share - Diluted
  $ 4.79     $ 4.56     $ 4.06     $ 3.07     $ 2.30  
                                         
Selected Operating Data:
                                       
                                         
Number of stores open (at period end)
    1,496       1,471       1,173       1,139       1,100  
                                         
Total square feet of store space (at period end)
    42,619,000       42,030,000       36,125,000       35,055,000       33,740,000  
                                         
Percentage increase in comparable sales
    2.4 %     2.7 %     5.9 %     7.8 %     4.4 %
                                         
Comparable sales (in 000's) (3)
  $ 10,660,573     $ 9,819,904     $ 9,157,183     $ 8,339,112     $ 7,409,203  
                                         
Number of comparable stores
    1,412       1,122       1,076       1,013       942  
                                         
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
                                       
                                         
Working capital
  $ 1,974,651     $ 2,232,275     $ 2,803,809     $ 2,751,398     $ 2,413,791  
                                         
Total assets
    6,356,033       6,279,952       5,724,546       5,646,193       5,152,130  
                                         
Long-term sale/leaseback and capital lease obligations (4)
    108,046       108,364       -       -       -  
                                         
Long-term debt
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Shareholders' equity (5) (6)
  $ 3,941,287     $ 4,079,730     $ 3,922,528     $ 3,931,659     $ 3,652,904  
 
(1) Each fiscal year represents 52 weeks, except for fiscal 2012 (ended March 2, 2013) which represents 53 weeks.
(2) The Company acquired Linen Holdings, LLC. on June 1, 2012 and Cost Plus, Inc. on June 29, 2012.
(3) Comparable sales include sales for stores and websites which have been operating for twelve full months following the opening period (typically four to six weeks).
(4) As a result of the Cost Plus, Inc. acquisition, the Company assumed two sale/leaseback and various capital lease obligations.
(5) The Company has not declared any cash dividends in any of the fiscal years noted above.
(6) In fiscal 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company repurchased approximately $1.284 billion, $1.001 billion, $1.218 billion, $688 million and $95 million of its common stock, respectively.

 
17

 
ITEM 7
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a retailer which operates under the names Bed Bath & Beyond (“BBB”), Christmas Tree Shops, Christmas Tree Shops andThat! or andThat! (collectively, “CTS”), Harmon or Harmon Face Values (collectively, “Harmon”), buybuy BABY (“Baby”) and World Market, Cost Plus World Market and Cost Plus (collectively, “Cost Plus World Market”). Customers can purchase products from the Company either in store, online or through a mobile device. The Company has the developing ability to fulfill customer purchases by in store customer pick up or by direct shipment to the customer from the Company’s distribution facilities, stores or vendors. The Company also operates Linen Holdings, a provider of a variety of textile products, amenities and other goods to institutional customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, healthcare and other industries. (See “Acquisitions,” Note 2 in the consolidated financial statements for the acquisitions of Cost Plus World Market and Linen Holdings). Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates four retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

The Company accounts for its operations as two operating segments: North American Retail and Institutional Sales. The Institutional Sales operating segment, which is comprised of Linen Holdings, does not meet the quantitative thresholds under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and therefore is not a reportable segment.

The Company sells a wide assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. Domestics merchandise includes categories such as bed linens and related items, bath items and kitchen textiles. Home furnishings include categories such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares, general home furnishings, consumables and certain juvenile products.

The Company’s objective is to be a customer’s first choice for products and services in the categories offered, in the markets, channels and countries in which the Company operates.  The Company’s strategy is to achieve this objective through excellent customer service, an extensive breadth, depth and differentiated assortment in an omnichannel retail environment and the introduction of new merchandising offerings, supported by the continuous development and improvement of its infrastructure.

Operating in the highly competitive retail industry, the Company, along with other retail companies, is influenced by a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions including the housing market, relatively high unemployment and historically high commodity prices; the overall macroeconomic environment and related changes in the retailing environment; consumer preferences and spending habits; unusual weather patterns and natural disasters; competition from existing and potential competitors; evolving technology; and the ability to find suitable locations at acceptable occupancy costs and other terms to support the Company’s expansion program. The Company cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which these factors could affect the Company’s operating results.

For fiscal 2013, the results of operations include Linen Holdings and Cost Plus World Market from the beginning of the fiscal year. For fiscal 2012, the results of operations include Linen Holdings since the date of acquisition on June 1, 2012 and Cost Plus World Market since the date of acquisition on June 29, 2012.

The following represents an overview of the Company’s financial performance for the periods indicated:

 
·
Net sales in fiscal 2013 (fifty-two weeks) increased approximately 5.4% to $11.504 billion; net sales in fiscal 2012 (fifty-three weeks) increased approximately 14.9% to $10.915 billion over net sales of $9.500 billion in fiscal 2011 (fifty-two weeks).

 
18

 
 
·
Comparable sales for fiscal 2013 increased by approximately 2.4% as compared with an increase of approximately 2.7% in fiscal 2012 and an increase of approximately 5.9% in fiscal 2011.  Comparable sales percentages are calculated based on an equivalent number of weeks for each annual period.

Comparable sales include sales for stores and websites which have been operating for twelve full months following the opening period (typically four to six weeks). Stores relocated or expanded are excluded from comparable sales if the change in square footage would cause meaningful disparity in sales over the prior period. In the case of a store to be closed, such store’s sales are not considered comparable once the store closing process has commenced. Linen Holdings is excluded from the comparable sales calculations and will continue to be excluded on an ongoing basis as it represents non-retail activity. Cost Plus World Market was excluded from the comparable sales calculations through the end of the fiscal first half of 2013, and is included beginning with the fiscal third quarter of 2013.

 
·
Gross profit for fiscal 2013 was $4.566 billion or 39.7% of net sales compared with $4.389 billion or 40.2% of net sales for fiscal 2012 and $3.931 billion or 41.4% of net sales for fiscal 2011.

 
·
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for fiscal 2013 were $2.951 billion or 25.7% of net sales compared with $2.751 billion or 25.2% of net sales for fiscal 2012 and $2.363 billion or 24.9% of net sales for fiscal 2011.

 
·
The effective tax rate was 36.6%, 36.5% and 37.0% for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The tax rate included discrete tax items resulting in net benefits of approximately $20.0 million, $26.7 million and $20.7 million, respectively, for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 
·
For the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014 (fifty-two weeks), net earnings per diluted share were $4.79 ($1.022 billion), an increase of approximately 5%, as compared with net earnings per diluted share of $4.56 ($1.038 billion) for fiscal 2012 (fifty-three weeks), which was an increase of approximately 12% from net earnings per diluted share of $4.06 ($989.5 million) for fiscal 2011 (fifty-two weeks).  For the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014, the increase in net earnings per diluted share is the result of the items described above and the impact of the Company’s repurchases of its common stock, partially offset by a reduction of approximately $0.06 to $0.07 per diluted share as a result of the disruptive weather in the fiscal fourth quarter. For the fiscal year ended March 2, 2013, the increase in net earnings per diluted share is the result of the items described above, which includes an estimated $0.05 benefit related to the fifty-third week in fiscal year 2012 and the impact of the Company’s repurchases of its common stock, partially offset by the negative impact of Hurricane Sandy in the fiscal third quarter.

During fiscal 2013, the Company continued the integration of the two fiscal 2012 acquisitions as well as advanced initiatives including: enhanced the omnichannel experience for its customers by replatforming and adding improved functionality to its Baby and BBB websites, replatforming its mobile sites and applications and growing and developing its information technology, analytics, marketing and e-commerce groups; completed the construction of a new information technology data center and are engaged in equipping the facility which will enhance the Company’s disaster recovery capabilities and support its overall information technology systems; installed energy efficient lighting, and heating and cooling systems in the Company’s stores; and continued the ongoing deployment of new and enhanced systems and equipment to allow its stores to take advantage of new technologies and processes.

Capital expenditures for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $317.2 million, $314.7 million and $243.4 million, respectively. The Company remains committed to making the required investments in its infrastructure to help position the Company for continued growth and success. The Company continues to review and prioritize its capital needs while continuing to make investments, principally for information technology enhancements, including omnichannel capabilities, new stores, existing store improvements, and other projects whose impact is considered important to its future.

 
19

 
During fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company repurchased 18.3 million, 16.1 million and 21.5 million shares, respectively, of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $1.284 billion, $1.001 billion and $1.218 billion, respectively. Since the end of fiscal 2011, the Company has returned approximately 89% of its cash flows from operations to its shareholders through share repurchase programs.

During fiscal 2013, the Company opened a total of 33 new stores. In addition, the Company continued to optimize its operations in a number of trade areas through renovating and repositioning stores in various markets, which also included the closing of eight stores during fiscal 2013. The Company plans to continue to expand its operations and invest in its infrastructure to reach its long term objectives. In fiscal 2014, the Company expects to open approximately 30 new stores company-wide and will continue to renovate stores or reposition stores within various markets, when appropriate. Additionally, during fiscal 2014, the Company will continue to enhance its omnichannel capabilities, through, among other things, continuing to add new functionality and assortment to its selling websites, mobile sites and applications and opening an additional distribution facility for both direct to customer and store fulfillment.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated (i) selected statement of earnings data of the Company expressed as a percentage of net sales and (ii) the percentage change in dollar amounts from the prior year in selected statement of earnings data:

   
Fiscal Year Ended
 
   
Percentage
   
Percentage Change
 
   
of Net Sales
   
from Prior Year
 
   
March 1,
   
March 2,
   
February 25,
   
March 1,
   
March 2,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2014
   
2013
 
                               
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     5.4 %     14.9 %
                                         
Cost of sales
    60.3       59.8       58.6       6.3       17.2  
                                         
Gross profit
    39.7       40.2       41.4       4.0       11.6  
                                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    25.7       25.2       24.9       7.3       16.4  
                                         
Operating profit
    14.0       15.0       16.5       (1.4 )     4.5  
                                         
Earnings before provision for income taxes
    14.0       15.0       16.5       (1.3 )     4.1  
                                         
Net earnings
    8.9       9.5       10.4       (1.5 )     4.9  

Net Sales

Since fiscal 2012 was a fifty-three week year, fiscal 2013 started a week later than fiscal 2012. The comparable sales calendar compares the same calendar weeks.  The table below summarizes by fiscal quarter the time period for the financial reporting calendar and the comparable sales calendar.

 
20

 
   
Financial Reporting Calendar
   
Fiscal 2013 (fifty-two weeks)
 
Fiscal 2012 (fifty-three weeks)
         
First Quarter
 
March 3, 2013 - June 1, 2013
 
February 26, 2012 - May 26, 2012
         
Second Quarter
 
June 2, 2013 - August 31, 2013
 
May 27, 2012 - August 25, 2012
         
Third Quarter
 
September 1, 2013 - November 30, 2013
 
August 26, 2012 - November 24, 2012
         
Fourth Quarter
 
December 1, 2013 - March 1, 2014
 
November 25, 2012 - March 2, 2013
 
   
Comparable Sales Calendar
   
Fiscal 2013 (fifty-two weeks)
 
Fiscal 2012 (fifty-two weeks)
         
First Quarter
 
March 3, 2013 - June 1, 2013
 
March 4, 2012 - June 2, 2012
         
Second Quarter
 
June 2, 2013 - August 31, 2013
 
June 3, 2012 - September 1, 2012
         
Third Quarter
 
September 1, 2013 - November 30, 2013
 
September 2, 2012 - December 1, 2012
         
Fourth Quarter
 
December 1, 2013 - March 1, 2014
 
December 2, 2012 - March 2, 2013
 
Net sales in fiscal 2013 (fifty-two weeks) increased $589.4 million to $11.504 billion, representing an increase of 5.4% over $10.915 billion of net sales in fiscal 2012 (fifty-three weeks), which increased $1.415 billion or 14.9% over the $9.500 billion of net sales in fiscal 2011 (fifty-two weeks). For fiscal 2013, approximately 62% of the increase in net sales was attributable to the inclusion of Cost Plus World Market prior to its inclusion in comparable sales and Linen Holdings prior to the anniversary of its acquisition, approximately 42% of the increase was attributable to an increase in comparable sales and 26% of the increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the Company’s new store sales and the post-acquisition period for Linen Holdings, partially offset by a decrease of approximately 30%  as a result of the non-comparable additional week in fiscal 2012.

For fiscal 2013, comparable sales, which includes 1,412 stores, represented $10.661 billion of net sales; for fiscal 2012, comparable sales, which includes, 1,122 stores, represented $9.820 billion of net sales; and for fiscal 2011, comparable sales, which includes 1,076 stores, represented $9.157 billion of net sales. The number of stores includes only those which constituted a comparable store for the entire respective fiscal period.  The increase in comparable sales, which includes Cost Plus World Market beginning with the fiscal third quarter and excludes Linen Holdings, was approximately 2.4% for fiscal 2013, as compared with an increase of approximately 2.7% for fiscal 2012. The increase in comparable sales for fiscal 2013 was due to an increase in the average transaction amount and a slight increase in the number of transactions. The increase in comparable sales for fiscal 2012 was due to an increase in the average transaction amount partially offset by a decrease in the number of transactions. Comparable sales are calculated based on an equivalent number of weeks for each annual period.

Sales of domestics merchandise accounted for approximately 36%, 39% and 40% of net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of which the Company estimates that bed linens accounted for approximately 12% of net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The remaining net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 of 64%, 61% and 60%, respectively, represented sales of home furnishings. No other individual product category accounted for 10% or more of net sales during fiscal 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Gross Profit

Gross profit in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $4.566 billion or 39.7% of net sales, $4.389 billion or 40.2% of net sales and $3.931 billion or 41.4% of net sales, respectively. The decreases in the gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales between fiscal 2013 and 2012 and between fiscal 2012 and 2011 were primarily attributed to an increase in coupons, due to increases in both redemptions and the average coupon amount, and a shift in the mix of merchandise sold to lower margin categories.

 
21

 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A was $2.951 billion or 25.7% of net sales in fiscal 2013, $2.751 billion or 25.2% of net sales in fiscal 2012 and $2.363 billion or 24.9% of net sales in fiscal 2011. The increase in SG&A between fiscal 2013 and 2012 as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to higher technology expenses and depreciation and a relative increase in payroll and payroll-related items (including salaries, workers’ compensation and medical insurance).  The inclusion of the financial results of the acquisitions for the periods prior to each of their one year anniversaries, which occurred in the first half of fiscal 2013, also contributed to the increase in SG&A as a percentage of net sales. The increase in SG&A between fiscal 2012 and 2011 as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to a relative increase in advertising expenses. As a percentage of net sales, the relative increase in advertising expenses was higher due to the inclusion of the financial results of the acquisitions completed in fiscal 2012. In addition, the fifty-third week has relatively higher SG&A than the year to date fifty-two weeks and increased SG&A by approximately 10 basis points.

Operating Profit

Operating profit for fiscal 2013 was $1.615 billion or 14.0% of net sales, $1.638 billion or 15.0% of net sales in fiscal 2012 and $1.568 billion or 16.5% of net sales in fiscal 2011. The changes in operating profit as a percentage of net sales between fiscal 2013 and 2012 and between fiscal 2012 and 2011 were the result of the changes in gross profit margin and SG&A as a percentage of net sales as described above.

Interest (Expense) Income

Interest expense was $1.1 million and $4.2 million in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively and interest income was $1.1 million in fiscal 2011. Interest expense for fiscal 2012 increased from fiscal 2011 primarily due to the inclusion of interest expense related to the sale/leaseback obligations on the distribution facilities acquired as part of the fiscal 2012 acquisitions.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 36.6% for fiscal 2013, 36.5% for fiscal 2012 and 37.0% for fiscal 2011. For fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, the tax rate included a net benefit of approximately $20.0 million and $26.7 million, respectively, primarily due to the recognition of favorable discrete state tax items.  For fiscal 2011, the tax rate included an approximate $20.7 million net benefit primarily due to the settlement of certain discrete tax items from on-going examinations, the recognition of favorable discrete state tax items and from changing the blended state tax rate of deferred income taxes.

The Company expects continued volatility in the effective tax rate from year to year because the Company is required each year to determine whether new information changes the assessment of both the probability that a tax position will effectively be sustained and the appropriateness of the amount of recognized benefit.

EXPANSION PROGRAM

The Company is engaged in an ongoing expansion program involving the opening of new stores in both new and existing markets, the expansion or renovation of existing stores, the repositioning of stores within markets when appropriate, the evolution of its omnichannel shopping environment and the continuous review of strategic acquisitions.

In the 22-year period from the beginning of fiscal 1992 to the end of fiscal 2013, the chain has grown from 34 to 1,496 stores plus its various websites, other interactive platforms and distribution facilities. Total store square footage grew from approximately 0.9 million square feet at the beginning of fiscal 1992 to approximately 42.6 million square feet at the end of fiscal 2013. During fiscal 2013, the Company opened a total of 33 new stores. In addition, the Company continued to optimize its operations in a number of trade areas through renovating and repositioning stores in various markets, which included the closing of eight stores. In fiscal 2013, consolidated store space, net of openings and closings for all concepts, increased by 0.6 million square feet. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which opened one store during fiscal 2013 and as of March 1, 2014, operated a total of four retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

 
22

 
During fiscal 2012, the Company acquired Linen Holdings and Cost Plus World Market.

The Company plans to continue to expand its operations and invest in its infrastructure to reach its long term objectives. In fiscal 2014, the Company expects to open approximately 30 new stores company-wide and will continue to renovate stores or reposition stores within various markets, when appropriate. Additionally, the Company will continue to place health and beauty care offerings in selected stores as well as specialty food and beverage departments in selected BBB stores. The continued growth of the Company is dependent, in part, upon the Company’s ability to execute its expansion program successfully. Additionally, during fiscal 2014, the Company plans to enhance its omnichannel capabilities by continuing to add new functionality and assortment to its selling websites, mobile sites and applications; furthering the development work necessary for a new and more robust point of sale system; continuing the deployment of systems and equipment to allow the Company’s stores to take advantage of new technologies and processes; continuing to strengthen its information technology, analytics, marketing and e-commerce groups and opening an additional distribution facility for both direct to customer and store fulfillment.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company has been able to finance its operations, including its expansion program, entirely through internally generated funds. For fiscal 2014, the Company believes that it can continue to finance its operations, including its expansion program, share repurchase program and planned capital expenditures, entirely through existing and internally generated funds. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2014, principally for information technology enhancements, including omnichannel capabilities, new stores, existing store improvements, and other projects are planned to be approximately $350 million, subject to the timing and composition of the projects. In addition, the Company periodically reviews its alternatives with respect to optimizing its capital structure.

Fiscal 2013 compared to Fiscal 2012

Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2013 was $1.383 billion, compared with $1.193 billion in fiscal 2012. Year over year, the Company experienced an increase in cash provided by the net components of working capital (primarily merchandise inventories, accounts payable and other current assets) and an increase in net earnings, as adjusted for non-cash expenses (primarily depreciation).

Retail inventory at cost per square foot was $59.68 as of March 1, 2014, as compared to $58.12 as of March 2, 2013.

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2013 was $359.8 million, compared with $665.8 million in fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2013, net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to $317.2 million of capital expenditures and $39.1 million of purchases of investment securities, net of redemptions. In fiscal 2012, net cash used in investing activities was due to payments, net of cash acquired, of $643.1 million related to the Cost Plus World Market and Linen Holdings acquisitions, $314.7 million for capital expenditures and $40.0 million for the acquisition of trademarks, partially offset by redemptions of $332.0 million of investment securities, net of purchases.

Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal 2013 was $1.222 billion, compared with $965.4 million in fiscal 2012. The increase in net cash used was primarily due to an increase in common stock repurchases of $282.7 million, partially offset by a $25.5 million payment in the prior year for a credit facility assumed in connection with an acquisition.

 
23

 
Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011

Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2012 was $1.193 billion, compared with $1.225 billion in fiscal 2011. Year over year, the Company experienced an increase in cash used by the net components of working capital (primarily merchandise inventories, other current assets and accrued expenses and other current liabilities, partially offset by accounts payable and income taxes payable) and an increase in net earnings.

Retail inventory at cost per square foot was $58.12 as of March 2, 2013, as compared to $57.35 as of February 25, 2012.

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2012 was $665.8 million, compared with $364.0 million in fiscal 2011. In fiscal 2012, net cash used in investing activities was due to payments, net of cash acquired, of $643.1 million related to the Cost Plus World Market and Linen Holdings acquisitions, $314.7 million for capital expenditures and $40.0 million for the acquisition of trademarks, partially offset by redemptions of $332.0 million of investment securities, net of purchases. In fiscal 2011, net cash used in investing activities was due to $243.4 million of capital expenditures and $120.6 million of purchases of investment securities, net of redemptions.

Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal 2012 was $965.4 million, compared with $1.042 billion in fiscal 2011. The decrease in net cash used was primarily due to a decrease in common stock repurchases of $216.7 million, partially offset by a $114.7 million decrease in cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options and a $25.5 million payment for a credit facility assumed in acquisition.

Auction Rate Securities

As of March 1, 2014, the Company held approximately $47.7 million of net investments in auction rate securities. Beginning in mid-February 2008, the auction process for the Company’s auction rate securities failed and continues to fail. These failed auctions result in a lack of liquidity in the securities but do not affect the underlying collateral of the securities. All of these investments carry triple-A credit ratings from one or more of the major credit rating agencies. As of March 1, 2014, these securities had a temporary valuation adjustment of approximately $3.3 million to reflect their current lack of liquidity. Since this valuation adjustment is deemed to be temporary, it was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit, and did not affect the Company’s net earnings for fiscal 2013. The Company will continue to monitor the market for these securities and will expense any permanent changes to the value of the remaining securities, if any, as they occur.

The Company does not anticipate that any continuing lack of liquidity in its auction rate securities will affect its ability to finance its operations, including its expansion program, share repurchase program, and planned capital expenditures. The Company continues to monitor efforts by the financial markets to find alternative means for restoring the liquidity of these investments. These investments will remain primarily classified as non-current assets until the Company has better visibility as to when their liquidity will be restored. The classification and valuation of these securities will continue to be reviewed quarterly.

Other Fiscal 2013 Information

At March 1, 2014, the Company maintained two uncommitted lines of credit of $100 million each, with expiration dates of September 2, 2014 and February 28, 2015, respectively. These uncommitted lines of credit are currently and are expected to be used for letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. During fiscal 2013, the Company did not have any direct borrowings under the uncommitted lines of credit. As of March 1, 2014, there was approximately $4.5 million of outstanding letters of credit. Although no assurances can be provided, the Company intends to renew both uncommitted lines of credit before the respective expiration dates. In addition, as of March 1, 2014, the Company maintained unsecured standby letters of credit of $74.3 million, primarily for certain insurance programs.

 
24

 
Between December 2004 and December 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, through share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $7.450 billion of the Company’s common stock.

Since 2004 through the end of fiscal 2013, the Company has repurchased approximately $6.3 billion of its common stock through share repurchase programs. The Company has approximately $1.1 billion remaining of authorized share repurchases as of March 1, 2014. The execution of the Company’s share repurchase program will consider current business and market conditions.

The Company has authorization to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations.

The Company has contractual obligations consisting mainly of operating leases for stores, offices, distribution facilities and equipment, purchase obligations, long-term sale/leaseback and capital lease obligations and other long-term liabilities which the Company is obligated to pay as of March 1, 2014 as follows:

(in thousands)
 
Total
   
Less than 1
year
   
1-3 years
   
4-5 years
   
After 5
years
 
                               
Operating lease obligations (1)
  $ 3,249,546     $ 563,973     $ 974,162     $ 713,392     $ 998,019  
Purchase obligations (2)
    1,118,369       1,118,369       -       -       -  
Long-term sale/leaseback and capital lease obligations (3)
    342,386       9,827       19,787       20,014       292,758  
Other long-term liabilities (4)
    466,741       -       -       -       -  
                                         
Total Contractual Obligations
  $ 5,177,042     $ 1,692,169     $ 993,949     $ 733,406     $ 1,290,777  
 
(1) The amounts presented represent the future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases. In addition to minimum rent, certain of the Company's leases require the payment of additional costs for insurance, maintenance and other costs. These additional amounts are not included in the table of contractual commitments as the timing and/or amounts of such payments are not known. As of March 1, 2014, the Company has leased sites for 21 locations planned for opening in fiscal 2014 or 2015, for which aggregate minimum rental payments over the term of the leases are approximately $76.5 million and are included in the table above.
 
(2) Purchase obligations primarily consist of purchase orders for merchandise.
 
(3) Long-term sale/leaseback and capital lease obligations represent future minimum lease payments under the sale/leaseback agreements and capital lease agreements.
 
(4) Other long-term liabilities are primarily comprised of income taxes payable, deferred rent, workers' compensation and general liability reserves and various other accruals and are recorded as Deferred Rent and Other Liabilities and Income Taxes Payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 1, 2014. The amounts associated with these other long-term liabilities have been reflected only in the Total Column in the table above as the timing and/or amount of any cash payment is uncertain.

SEASONALITY

The Company’s sales exhibit seasonality with sales levels generally higher in the calendar months of August, November and December, and generally lower in February.

 
25

 
INFLATION

The Company does not believe that its operating results have been materially affected by inflation during the past year. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company’s operating results will not be affected by inflation in the future.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to establish accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that it believes to be relevant under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. In particular, judgment is used in areas such as inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets, accruals for self insurance, litigation, store opening, expansion, relocation and closing costs, stock-based compensation and income and certain other taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Inventory Valuation: Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs are primarily calculated using the weighted average retail inventory method.

Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to the retail values of inventories. The cost associated with determining the cost-to-retail ratio includes: merchandise purchases, net of returns to vendors, discounts and volume and incentive rebates; inbound freight expenses; duty, insurance and commissions.

At any one time, inventories include items that have been written down to the Company’s best estimate of their realizable value. Judgment is required in estimating realizable value and factors considered are the age of merchandise and anticipated demand. Actual realizable value could differ materially from this estimate based upon future customer demand or economic conditions.

The Company estimates its reserve for shrinkage throughout the year based on historical shrinkage and any current trends, if applicable. Actual shrinkage is recorded at year end based upon the results of the Company’s physical inventory counts for locations at which counts were conducted. For locations where physical inventory counts were not conducted in the fiscal year, an estimated shrink reserve is recorded based on historical shrinkage and any current trends, if applicable. Historically, the Company’s shrinkage has not been volatile.

The Company accrues for merchandise in transit once it takes legal ownership and title to the merchandise; as such, an estimate for merchandise in transit is included in the Company’s merchandise inventories.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may exceed their current fair values. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet. The Company has not historically recorded any material impairment to its long-lived assets. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that a long-lived asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these long-lived assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.

 
26

 
Goodwill and Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets: The Company reviews goodwill and other intangibles that have indefinite lives for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets might exceed their current fair values. Impairment testing is based upon the best information available including estimates of fair value which incorporate assumptions marketplace participants would use in making their estimates of fair value. The Company has not historically recorded an impairment to its goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets. As of March 1, 2014, for goodwill related to the North American Retail operating segment and the Institutional Sales operating segment and certain other indefinite lived intangible assets, the Company assessed qualitative factors in order to determine whether any events and circumstances existed which indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of these indefinite lived intangible assets did not exceed its carrying value and concluded no such events or circumstances existed which would require an impairment test being performed. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that an asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.

Self Insurance: The Company utilizes a combination of insurance and self insurance for a number of risks including workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability and employee related health care benefits (a portion of which is paid by its employees). Liabilities associated with the risks that the Company retains are estimated by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Although the Company’s claims experience has not displayed substantial volatility in the past, actual experience could materially vary from its historical experience in the future. Factors that affect these estimates include but are not limited to: inflation, the number and severity of claims and regulatory changes. In the future, if the Company concludes an adjustment to self insurance accruals is required, the liability will be adjusted accordingly.

Litigation: The Company records an estimated liability related to its various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business when and to the extent that it concludes a liability is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Such estimated loss is based on available information and advice from outside counsel, where appropriate. As additional information becomes available, the Company reassesses the potential liability related to claims and legal actions and revises its estimated liabilities, as appropriate. The Company expects the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. The Company also cannot predict the nature and validity of claims which could be asserted in the future, and future claims could have a material impact on its earnings.

Store Opening, Expansion, Relocation and Closing Costs: Store opening, expansion, relocation and closing costs, including markdowns, asset residual values and projected occupancy costs, are charged to earnings as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation: The Company uses a Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of its stock options. The Black-Scholes model includes various assumptions, including the expected life of stock options, the expected risk free interest rate and the expected volatility. These assumptions reflect the Company’s best estimates, but they involve inherent uncertainties based on market conditions generally outside the control of the Company. As a result, if other assumptions had been used, total stock-based compensation cost could have been materially impacted. Furthermore, if the Company uses different assumptions for future grants, stock-based compensation cost could be materially impacted in future periods.

The Company determines its assumptions for the Black-Scholes option-pricing model in accordance with the accounting guidance related to stock compensation.

 
·
The expected life of stock options is estimated based on historical experience.
 
·
The expected risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options.
 
·
Expected volatility is based on the average of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility is determined by observing actual prices of the Company’s stock over a period commensurate with the expected life of the awards. The implied volatility represents the implied volatility of the Company’s call options, which are actively traded on multiple exchanges, had remaining maturities in excess of twelve months, had market prices close to the exercise prices of the employee stock options and were measured on the stock option grant date.

 
27

 
The Company is required to record stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures. The Company’s forfeiture rate assumption used in determining its stock-based compensation expense is estimated based on historical data. The actual forfeiture rate could differ from these estimates.

Taxes: The Company accounts for its income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company intends to reinvest the unremitted earnings of its Canadian subsidiary. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. or additional non-U.S. taxes with respect to these earnings. In the event of repatriation to the U.S., in most cases such earnings would be subject to U.S. income taxes.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities.

The Company expects continued volatility in the effective tax rate from year to year because the Company is required each year to determine whether new information changes the assessment of both the probability that a tax position will effectively be sustained and the appropriateness of the amount of recognized benefit.

The Company also accrues for certain other taxes as required by their operations.

Judgment is required in determining the provision for income and other taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Additionally, the Company’s various tax returns are subject to audit by various tax authorities. Although the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-K and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s actual results and future financial condition may differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Such factors include, without limitation: general economic conditions including the housing market, a challenging overall macroeconomic environment and related changes in the retailing environment; consumer preferences, spending habits and adoption of new technologies; demographics and other macroeconomic factors that may impact the level of spending for the types of merchandise sold by the Company; civil disturbances and terrorist acts; unusual weather patterns and natural disasters; competition from existing and potential competitors; competition from and through other channels of distribution and emerging technologies; pricing pressures; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees in all areas of the organization; the cost of labor, merchandise and other costs and expenses; the ability to find suitable locations at acceptable occupancy costs and other terms to support the Company’s expansion program; uncertainty in financial markets; disruptions to the Company’s information technology systems including but not limited to security breaches of the Company’s systems protecting consumer and employee information; reputational risk, including that arising from acts of third parties; changes to statutory, regulatory and legal requirements; new, or developments in existing, litigation, claims or assessments; changes to, or new, tax laws or interpretation of existing tax laws; changes to, or new, accounting standards including, without limitation, changes to lease accounting standards; and the integration of acquired businesses. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update its forward-looking statements.

 
28

 

As of March 1, 2014, the Company’s investments include cash and cash equivalents of approximately $366.5 million, short term investment securities of approximately $489.3 million and long term investment securities of approximately $87.4 million at weighted average interest rates of 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.07%, respectively.

As of March 1, 2014, the Company held approximately $47.7 million of net investments in auction rate securities. Beginning in mid-February 2008, the auction process for the Company’s auction rate securities failed and continues to fail. These failed auctions result in a lack of liquidity in the securities but do not affect the underlying collateral of the securities. All of these investments carry triple-A credit ratings from one or more of the major credit rating agencies. As of March 1, 2014, these securities had a temporary valuation adjustment of approximately $3.3 million to reflect their current lack of liquidity. Since this valuation adjustment is deemed to be temporary, it was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit, and did not affect the Company’s net earnings for fiscal 2013. The Company will continue to monitor the market for these securities and will expense any permanent changes to the value of the remaining securities, if any, as they occur.

The Company does not anticipate that any continuing lack of liquidity in its auction rate securities will affect its ability to finance its operations, including its expansion program, share repurchase program, and planned capital expenditures. The Company continues to monitor efforts by the financial markets to find alternative means for restoring the liquidity of these investments. These investments will remain primarily classified as non-current assets until the Company has better visibility as to when their liquidity will be restored. The classification and valuation of these securities will continue to be reviewed quarterly.
 
 
29

 

The following are included herein:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 
30

 
BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
2013
 
             
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
 Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 366,516     $ 564,971  
 Short term investment securities
    489,331       449,933  
 Merchandise inventories
    2,578,956       2,466,214  
 Other current assets
    379,807       386,367  
                 
          Total current assets
    3,814,610       3,867,485  
                 
Long term investment securities
    87,393       77,325  
Property and equipment, net
    1,579,804       1,466,667  
Goodwill
    486,279       483,518  
Other assets
    387,947       384,957  
                 
          Total assets
  $ 6,356,033     $ 6,279,952  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,104,668     $ 913,365  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    385,954       393,094  
Merchandise credit and gift card liabilities
    284,216       251,481  
Current income taxes payable
    65,121       77,270  
                 
          Total current liabilities
    1,839,959       1,635,210  
                 
Deferred rent and other liabilities
    486,996       484,868  
Income taxes payable
    87,791       80,144  
                 
          Total liabilities
    2,414,746       2,200,222  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; authorized - 1,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock - $0.01 par value; authorized - 900,000 shares; issued 334,941 and 332,696 shares, respectively; outstanding 205,405 and 221,489 shares, respectively
    3,350       3,327  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,673,217       1,540,451  
Retained earnings
    8,595,902       7,573,612  
Treasury stock, at cost
    (6,317,335 )     (5,033,340 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (13,847 )     (4,320 )
                 
          Total shareholders' equity
    3,941,287       4,079,730  
                 
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 6,356,033     $ 6,279,952  

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
31

 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
   
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
 
                   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
2013
   
February 25,
2012
 
                   
                   
Net sales
  $ 11,503,963     $ 10,914,585     $ 9,499,890  
                         
Cost of sales
    6,938,381       6,525,830       5,568,957  
                         
Gross profit
    4,565,582       4,388,755       3,930,933  
                         
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,950,995       2,750,537       2,362,564  
                         
Operating profit
    1,614,587       1,638,218       1,568,369  
                         
Interest (expense) income, net
    (1,140 )     (4,159 )     1,119  
                         
Earnings before provision for income taxes
    1,613,447       1,634,059       1,569,488  
                         
Provision for income taxes
    591,157       596,271       579,951  
                         
Net earnings
  $ 1,022,290     $ 1,037,788     $ 989,537  
                         
Net earnings per share - Basic
  $ 4.85     $ 4.62     $ 4.12  
Net earnings per share - Diluted
  $ 4.79     $ 4.56     $ 4.06  
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic
    210,710       224,623       240,016  
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted
    213,363       227,723       243,890  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
32

 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
   
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
 
               
   
March 1,
 
March 2,
 
February 25,
 
(in thousands)
 
2014
 
2013
   
2012
 
                   
                   
Net earnings
  $ 1,022,290     $ 1,037,788     $ 989,537  
                         
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
       
                         
Change in temporary valuation adjustment of auction rate securities, net of taxes
    (792 )     1,017       (297 )
Pension adjustment, net of taxes
    3,249       146       (4,596 )
Currency translation adjustment
    (11,984 )     (3,604 )     (2,086 )
                         
Other comprehensive loss
    (9,527 )     (2,441 )     (6,979 )
                         
Comprehensive income
  $ 1,012,763     $ 1,035,347     $ 982,558  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
33

 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
   
Common Stock
   
Additional Paid-
   
Retained
   
Treasury Stock
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Shares
   
Amount
   
in Capital
   
Earnings
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Income (Loss)
   
Total
 
Balance at February 26, 2011
    325,222     $ 3,253     $ 1,191,123     $ 5,546,287       (73,556 )   $ (2,814,104 )   $ 5,100     $ 3,931,659  
                                                                 
Net earnings
                            989,537                               989,537  
                                                                 
Other comprehensive loss
                                                    (6,979 )     (6,979 )
                                                                 
Shares sold under employee stock option plans, net of taxes
    4,645       46       179,546                                       179,592  
                                                                 
Issuance of restricted shares, net
    706       7       (7 )                                     -  
                                                                 
Stock-based compensation expense, net
              46,501                                       46,501  
                                                                 
Director fees paid in stock
    3               174                                       174  
                                                                 
Repurchase of common stock, including fees
                      (21,505 )     (1,217,956 )             (1,217,956 )
Balance at February 25, 2012
    330,576       3,306       1,417,337       6,535,824       (95,061 )     (4,032,060 )     (1,879 )     3,922,528  
                                                                 
Net earnings
                            1,037,788                               1,037,788  
                                                                 
Other comprehensive loss
                                                    (2,441 )     (2,441 )
                                                                 
Shares sold under employee stock option plans, net of taxes
    1,489       15       74,323                                       74,338  
                                                                 
Issuance of restricted shares, net
    626       6       (6 )                                     -  
                                                                 
Stock-based compensation expense, net
              48,520                                       48,520  
                                                                 
Director fees paid in stock
    5               277                                       277  
                                                                 
Repurchase of common stock, including fees
                      (16,146 )     (1,001,280 )             (1,001,280 )
Balance at March 2, 2013
    332,696       3,327       1,540,451       7,573,612       (111,207 )     (5,033,340 )     (4,320 )     4,079,730  
                                                                 
Net earnings
                            1,022,290                               1,022,290  
                                                                 
Other comprehensive loss
                                                    (9,527 )     (9,527 )
                                                                 
Shares sold under employee stock option plans, net of taxes
    1,375       14       74,766                                       74,780  
                                                                 
Issuance of restricted shares, net
    868       9       (9 )                                     -  
                                                                 
Stock-based compensation expense, net
              57,842                                       57,842  
                                                                 
Director fees paid in stock
    2               167                                       167  
                                                                 
Repurchase of common stock, including fees
                      (18,329 )     (1,283,995 )             (1,283,995 )
Balance at March 1, 2014
    334,941     $ 3,350     $ 1,673,217     $ 8,595,902       (129,536 )   $ (6,317,335 )   $ (13,847 )   $ 3,941,287  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
   
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
 
                   
(in thousands)
 
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
2013
   
February 25,
2012
 
                   
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
                 
Net earnings
  $ 1,022,290     $ 1,037,788     $ 989,537  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation
    218,809       194,728       183,873  
Stock-based compensation
    56,244       47,163       45,223  
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
    12,846       13,217       63  
Deferred income taxes
    11,841       17,600       30,238  
Other
    (1,784 )     702       (1,622 )
(Increase) decrease in assets, net of effect of acquisitions:
                       
      Merchandise inventories
    (112,742 )     (198,407 )     (102,983 )
      Trading investment securities
    (11,382 )     (6,206 )     (4,538 )
     Other current assets
    (4,923 )     (43,585 )     24,948  
     Other assets
    (3,829 )     (9,685 )     900  
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
                       
     Accounts payable
    178,132       105,251       31,582  
     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    (13,532 )     (26,412 )     19,822  
     Merchandise credit and gift card liabilities
    32,735       36,888       16,585  
     Income taxes payable
    (4,502 )     6,598       (37,392 )
     Deferred rent and other liabilities
    2,983       17,350       29,048  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,383,186       1,192,990       1,225,284  
                         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
                       
Purchase of held-to-maturity investment securities
    (1,156,634 )     (730,976 )     (1,605,851 )
Redemption of held-to-maturity investment securities
    1,117,500       1,031,249       1,456,250  
Redemption of available-for-sale investment securities
    -       31,715       28,975  
Capital expenditures
    (317,180 )     (314,682 )     (243,374 )
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture
    (3,436 )     -       -  
Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    -       (643,098 )     -  
Payment for acquisition of trademarks
    -       (40,000 )     -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (359,750 )     (665,792 )     (364,000 )
                         
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
                       
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    54,815       56,377       171,088  
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
    7,289       5,021       5,163  
Payment for credit facility assumed in acquisition
    -       (25,511 )     -  
Repurchase of common stock, including fees
    (1,283,995 )     (1,001,280 )     (1,217,956 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (1,221,891 )     (965,393 )     (1,041,705 )
                         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (198,455 )     (438,195 )     (180,421 )
                         
Cash and cash equivalents:
                       
Beginning of period
    564,971       1,003,166       1,183,587  
End of period
  $ 366,516     $ 564,971     $ 1,003,166  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Subsidiaries

1.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RELATED MATTERS

A.    Nature of Operations

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a retailer which operates under the names Bed Bath & Beyond (“BBB”), Christmas Tree Shops, Christmas Tree Shops andThat! or andThat! (collectively, “CTS”), Harmon or Harmon Face Values (collectively, “Harmon”), buybuy BABY and World Market, Cost Plus World Market or Cost Plus (collectively, “Cost Plus World Market”).  Customers can purchase products from the Company either in store, online or through a mobile device.  The Company has the developing ability to fulfill customer purchases by in store customer pick up or by direct shipment to the customer from the Company’s distribution facilities, stores or vendors.  The Company also operates Linen Holdings, a provider of a variety of textile products, amenities and other goods to institutional customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, healthcare and other industries.  Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates four retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond. The Company sells a wide assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. Domestics merchandise includes categories such as bed linens and related items, bath items and kitchen textiles. Home furnishings include categories such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares, general home furnishings, consumables and certain juvenile products. As the Company operates in the retail industry, its results of operations are affected by general economic conditions and consumer spending habits.
 
The Company accounts for its operations as two operating segments: North American Retail and Institutional Sales. The Institutional Sales operating segment, which is comprised of Linen Holdings, does not meet the quantitative thresholds under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and therefore is not a reportable segment.

B.     Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year is comprised of the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Saturday nearest February 28. Accordingly, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2011 represented 52 weeks and ended on March 1, 2014 and February 25, 2012, respectively. Fiscal 2012 represented 53 weeks and ended on March 2, 2013.

C.     Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company accounts for its investment in the joint venture under the equity method.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 2012 consolidated financial statements to conform to the fiscal 2013 presentation.

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

D.    Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to establish accounting policies and to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that it believes to be relevant under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. In particular, judgment is used in areas such as inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of auction rate securities, goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets, accruals for self insurance, litigation, store opening, expansion, relocation and closing costs, the provision for sales returns, vendor allowances, stock-based compensation and income and certain other taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 
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E.     Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents are credit and debit card receivables from banks, which typically settle within 5 business days, of $87.4 million and $87.8 million as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, respectively.

F.     Investment Securities

Investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury Bills with remaining maturities of less than one year and auction rate securities, which are securities with interest rates that reset periodically through an auction process. The U.S. Treasury Bills are classified as short term held-to-maturity securities and are stated at their amortized cost which approximates fair value. Auction rate securities are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value, which had historically been consistent with cost or par value due to interest rates which reset periodically, typically every 7, 28 or 35 days. As a result, there generally were no cumulative gross unrealized holding gains or losses relating to these auction rate securities. However, beginning in mid-February 2008 due to market conditions, the auction process for the Company’s auction rate securities failed and continues to fail. These failed auctions result in a lack of liquidity in the securities, and affect their estimated fair values at March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, but do not affect the underlying collateral of the securities. (See “Fair Value Measurements,” Note 5 and “Investment Securities,” Note 6). All income from these investments is recorded as interest income.

Those investment securities which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity are classified as held-to-maturity investments and are stated at amortized cost. Those investment securities which are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and are stated at fair market value.

Premiums are amortized and discounts are accreted over the life of the security as adjustments to interest income using the effective interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.

G.     Inventory Valuation

Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs are primarily calculated using the weighted average retail inventory method.

Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to the retail values of inventories. The cost associated with determining the cost-to-retail ratio includes: merchandise purchases, net of returns to vendors, discounts and volume and incentive rebates; inbound freight expenses; duty, insurance and commissions.

At any one time, inventories include items that have been written down to the Company’s best estimate of their realizable value. Judgment is required in estimating realizable value and factors considered are the age of merchandise and anticipated demand. Actual realizable value could differ materially from this estimate based upon future customer demand or economic conditions.

The Company estimates its reserve for shrinkage throughout the year based on historical shrinkage and any current trends, if applicable. Actual shrinkage is recorded at year end based upon the results of the Company’s physical inventory counts for locations at which counts were conducted. For locations where physical inventory counts were not conducted in the fiscal year, an estimated shrink reserve is recorded based on historical shrinkage and any current trends, if applicable. Historically, the Company’s shrinkage has not been volatile.

 
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The Company accrues for merchandise in transit once it takes legal ownership and title to the merchandise; as such, an estimate for merchandise in transit is included in the Company’s merchandise inventories.

H.    Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (forty years for buildings; five to twenty years for furniture, fixtures and equipment; and three to seven years for computer equipment and software). Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of their estimated useful life or the life of the lease. Depreciation expense is primarily included within selling, general and administrative expenses.

The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to earnings as incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs amounted to $111.9 million, $106.1 million and $85.8 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

I.      Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may exceed their current fair values. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet. The Company has not historically recorded any material impairment to its long-lived assets. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that a long-lived asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these long-lived assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.

J.      Goodwill and Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

The Company reviews goodwill and other intangibles that have indefinite lives for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets might exceed their current fair values. Impairment testing is based upon the best information available, including estimates of fair value which incorporate assumptions marketplace participants would use in making their estimates of fair value. The Company has not historically recorded an impairment to its goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets. As of March 1, 2014, for goodwill related to the North American Retail operating segment and the Institutional Sales operating segment and certain other indefinite lived intangible assets, the Company assessed qualitative factors in order to determine whether any events and circumstances existed which indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of these indefinite lived intangible assets did not exceed its carrying value and concluded no such events or circumstances existed which would require an impairment test being performed. In the future, if events or market conditions affect the estimated fair value to the extent that an asset is impaired, the Company will adjust the carrying value of these assets in the period in which the impairment occurs.

Included within other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, respectively, are $291.4 million for indefinite lived tradenames and trademarks.

 
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K.    Self Insurance

The Company utilizes a combination of insurance and self insurance for a number of risks including workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability and employee related health care benefits (a portion of which is paid by its employees). Liabilities associated with the risks that the Company retains are estimated by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Although the Company’s claims experience has not displayed substantial volatility in the past, actual experience could materially vary from its historical experience in the future. Factors that affect these estimates include but are not limited to: inflation, the number and severity of claims and regulatory changes. In the future, if the Company concludes an adjustment to self insurance accruals is required, the liability will be adjusted accordingly.

L.     Deferred Rent

The Company accounts for scheduled rent increases contained in its leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease beginning as of the date the Company obtained possession of the leased premises. Deferred rent amounted to $79.0 million and $80.2 million as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, respectively.

Cash or lease incentives (“tenant allowances”) received pursuant to certain store leases are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent over the lease term. The unamortized portion of tenant allowances is included in deferred rent and other liabilities. The unamortized portion of tenant allowances amounted to $124.1 million and $126.1 million as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, respectively.

M.   Treasury Stock

Between December 2004 and December 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, through share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $7.450 billion of the Company’s common stock.

During fiscal 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 18.3 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $1.284 billion. During fiscal 2012, the Company repurchased approximately 16.1 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $1.001 billion. During fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased approximately 21.5 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $1.218 billion. The Company has approximately $1.1 billion remaining of authorized share repurchases as of March 1, 2014.

The Company has authorization to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations.

N.    Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts payable and certain other liabilities. The Company’s investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, which are stated at amortized cost, and auction rate securities, which are stated at their approximate fair value. The book value of all financial instruments is representative of their fair values (See “Fair Value Measurements,” Note 5).

O.    Revenue Recognition

Sales are recognized upon purchase by customers at the Company’s retail stores or upon delivery for products purchased from its websites. The value of point-of-sale coupons and point-of-sale rebates that result in a reduction of the price paid by the customer are recorded as a reduction of sales. Shipping and handling fees that are billed to a customer in a sale transaction are recorded in sales. Taxes, such as sales tax, use tax and value added tax, are not included in sales.

Revenues from gift cards, gift certificates and merchandise credits are recognized when redeemed. Gift cards have no provisions for reduction in the value of unused card balances over defined time periods and have no expiration dates.

 
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Sales returns are provided for in the period that the related sales are recorded based on historical experience. Although the estimate for sales returns has not varied materially from historical provisions, actual experience could vary from historical experience in the future if the level of sales return activity changes materially. In the future, if the Company concludes that an adjustment to the sales return accrual is required due to material changes in the returns activity, the reserve will be adjusted accordingly.

P.     Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise, buying costs and costs of the Company’s distribution network including inbound freight charges, distribution facility costs, receiving costs, internal transfer costs and shipping and handling costs.

Q.    Vendor Allowances

The Company receives allowances from vendors in the normal course of business for various reasons including direct cooperative advertising, purchase volume and reimbursement for other expenses. Annual terms for each allowance include the basis for earning the allowance and payment terms, which vary by agreement. All vendor allowances are recorded as a reduction of inventory cost, except for direct cooperative advertising allowances which are specific, incremental and identifiable. The Company recognizes purchase volume allowances as a reduction of the cost of inventory in the quarter in which milestones are achieved. Advertising costs were reduced by direct cooperative allowances of $24.0 million, $19.8 million and $19.5 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

R.     Store Opening, Expansion, Relocation and Closing Costs

Store opening, expansion, relocation and closing costs, including markdowns, asset residual values and projected occupancy costs, are charged to earnings as incurred.

S.     Advertising Costs

Expenses associated with direct response advertising are expensed over the period during which the sales are expected to occur, generally four to seven weeks, and all other expenses associated with store advertising are charged to earnings as incurred. Net advertising costs amounted to $280.5 million, $250.6 million and $192.5 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

T.     Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and records such expense in its consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted the accounting guidance related to stock compensation on August 28, 2005 (the “date of adoption”) under the modified prospective application. Under this application, the Company records stock-based compensation expense for all awards granted on or after the date of adoption and for the portion of previously granted awards that remained unvested at the date of adoption. Currently, the Company’s stock-based compensation relates to restricted stock awards and stock options. The Company’s restricted stock awards are considered nonvested share awards.

U.     Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return. Income tax returns are also filed with each taxable jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business.

 
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The Company accounts for its income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company intends to reinvest the unremitted earnings of its Canadian subsidiary. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. or additional non-U.S. taxes with respect to these earnings. In the event of repatriation to the U.S., in most cases such earnings would be subject to U.S. income taxes.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities.

Judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Additionally, the Company’s tax returns are subject to audit by various tax authorities. Although the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

V.     Earnings per Share

The Company presents earnings per share on a basic and diluted basis. Basic earnings per share has been computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share has been computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding including the dilutive effect of stock-based awards as calculated under the treasury stock method.

Stock-based awards of approximately 1.2 million, 1.2 million and 0.9 million shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

2.      ACQUISITIONS

On June 1, 2012, the Company acquired Linen Holdings, LLC (“Linen Holdings”), a provider of a variety of textile products, amenities and other goods to institutional customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, healthcare and other industries, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $108.1 million. The purchase price includes approximately $24.0 million for tradenames and approximately $40.2 million for goodwill. Linen Holdings is included within the Institutional Sales operating segment. In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company finalized the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Since the date of acquisition, the results of Linen Holdings’ operations, which are not material, have been included in the Company’s results of operations.

On June 29, 2012, the Company acquired Cost Plus, Inc. (“Cost Plus World Market”), a retailer selling a wide range of home decorating items, furniture, gifts, holiday and other seasonal items, and specialty food and beverages, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $560.5 million, including the payment of assumed borrowings of $25.5 million under a credit facility. The acquisition was consummated by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company through a tender offer and merger, pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Cost Plus World Market. Cost Plus World Market is included within the North American Retail operating segment. In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company finalized the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

 
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(in millions)
 
As of June 29, 2012
 
       
Current assets
  $ 222.0  
Property and equipment and other non-current assets
    132.4  
Intangible assets
    211.6  
Goodwill
    247.4  
Total assets acquired
    813.4  
         
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    (252.9 )
Borrowings under credit facility
    (25.5 )
Total liabilities acquired
    (278.4 )
         
Total net assets acquired
  $ 535.0  

Included within intangible assets above is approximately $196.5 million for tradenames, which is not subject to amortization. The tradenames and goodwill are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Since the date of acquisition, the results of Cost Plus World Market’s operations, which are not material, have been included in the Company’s results of operations and no proforma disclosure of financial information has been presented.

3.     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consist of the following:

(in thousands)
 
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
2013
 
             
Land and buildings
  $ 538,422     $ 488,602  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    1,120,330       1,068,786  
Leasehold improvements
    1,187,793       1,099,991  
Computer equipment and software
    755,867       613,087  
      3,602,412       3,270,466  
                 
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (2,022,608 )     (1,803,799 )
Property and equipment, net
  $ 1,579,804     $ 1,466,667  

4.     LINES OF CREDIT

At March 1, 2014, the Company maintained two uncommitted lines of credit of $100 million each, with expiration dates of September 2, 2014 and February 28, 2015, respectively. These uncommitted lines of credit are currently and are expected to be used for letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. During fiscal 2013 and 2012, the Company did not have any direct borrowings under the uncommitted lines of credit. As of March 1, 2014, there was approximately $4.5 million of outstanding letters of credit. Although no assurances can be provided, the Company intends to renew both uncommitted lines of credit before the respective expiration dates. In addition, as of March 1, 2014, the Company maintained unsecured standby letters of credit of $74.3 million, primarily for certain insurance programs. As of March 2, 2013, there was approximately $11.6 million of outstanding letters of credit and approximately $76.2 million of outstanding unsecured standby letters of credit, primarily for certain insurance programs.

 
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5.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., “the exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches, including quoted market prices and discounted cash flows. The hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value 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 that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect a company’s judgment concerning the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
 
• Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that the Company is able to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

• Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for instruments that are similar, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar instruments, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

• Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

As of March 1, 2014, the Company’s financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include long term investment securities traded on active securities exchanges. The Company did not have any financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs included long term investments in auction rate securities consisting of preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds (See “Investment Securities,” Note 6). 

To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the Company’s degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an asset or liability must be classified in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value. 
 
Valuation techniques used by the Company must be consistent with at least one of the three possible approaches: the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach. The Company’s Level 1 valuations are based on the market approach and consist primarily of quoted prices for identical items on active securities exchanges. The Company’s Level 3 valuations of auction rate securities, which had temporary valuation adjustments of approximately $3.3 million and $2.0 million as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, respectively, are based on the income approach, specifically, discounted cash flow analyses which utilize significant inputs based on the Company’s estimates and assumptions. As of March 1, 2014, the inputs used in the Company’s discounted cash flow analysis included current coupon rates ranging from 0.06% to 0.09%, an estimated redemption period of 5 years and a discount rate of 1.43%. The discount rate was based on market rates for risk-free tax-exempt securities, as adjusted for a risk premium to reflect the lack of liquidity of these investments. Assuming a higher discount rate, a longer estimated redemption period and lower coupon rates would result in a lower fair market value. Conversely, assuming a lower discount rate, a shorter estimated redemption period and higher coupon rates would result in a higher fair market value.

 
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The following tables present the valuation of the Company’s financial assets as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, measured at fair value on a recurring basis by input level:
 
   
As of March 1, 2014
(in millions)
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
Long term - available-for-sale securities:
                 
Auction rate securities
  $ -     $ 47.7     $ 47.7  
Long term - trading securities:
                       
Nonqualified deferred compensation plan assets
    39.7       -       39.7  
Total
  $ 39.7     $ 47.7     $ 87.4  
 
 
As of March 2, 2013
(in millions)
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
Long term - available-for-sale securities:
                 
Auction rate securities
  $ -     $ 49.0     $ 49.0  
Long term - trading securities:
                       
Nonqualified deferred compensation plan assets
    28.3       -       28.3  
Total
  $ 28.3     $ 49.0     $ 77.3  
 
The following table presents the changes in the Company's financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
 
(in millions)
 
Auction Rate Securities
 
Balance on March 2, 2013, net of temporary valuation adjustment
  $ 49.0  
Change in temporary valuation adjustment included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1.3 )
Balance on March 1, 2014, net of temporary valuation adjustment
  $ 47.7  
 
6.     INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The Company’s investment securities as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013 are as follows:

 
44

 
(in millions)
 
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
2013
 
Available-for-sale securities:
           
Long term
  $ 47.7     $ 49.0  
                 
Trading securities:
               
Long term
    39.7       28.3  
                 
Held-to-maturity securities:
               
Short term
    489.3       449.9  
Total investment securities
  $ 576.7     $ 527.2  
 
Auction Rate Securities

As of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities represented approximately $51.0 million par value of auction rate securities, less temporary valuation adjustments of approximately $3.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Since these valuation adjustments are deemed to be temporary, they are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit, and did not affect the Company’s net earnings. These securities at par are invested in preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds, which are required, pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, to maintain minimum asset coverage ratios of 200%. All of these available-for-sale investments carried triple-A credit ratings from one or more of the major credit rating agencies as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, and none of them are mortgage-backed debt obligations. As of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the Company’s available-for-sale investments have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more, however, the Company believes that the unrealized losses are temporary and reflect the investments’ current lack of liquidity. Due to their lack of liquidity, the Company classified approximately $47.7 million and $49.0 million of these investments as long term investment securities at March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, respectively.

U.S. Treasury Securities

As of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the Company’s short term held-to-maturity securities included approximately $489.3 million and approximately $449.9 million, respectively, of U.S. Treasury Bills with remaining maturities of less than one year. These securities are stated at their amortized cost which approximates fair value, which is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments (i.e., Level 1 valuation).

Long Term Trading Investment Securities
 
The Company’s long term trading investment securities, which are provided as investment options to the participants of the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, are stated at fair market value. The values of these trading investment securities included in the table above are approximately $39.7 million and $28.3 million as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, respectively.

7.     PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
 
 
45

 
   
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
 
(in thousands)
 
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
 2013
   
February 25,
2012
 
                   
Current:
                 
Federal
  $ 514,818     $ 522,812     $ 475,280  
State and local
    64,581       55,889       74,438  
      579,399       578,701       549,718  
                         
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    11,221       15,710       28,695  
State and local
    537       1,860       1,538  
      11,758       17,570       30,233  
    $ 591,157     $ 596,271     $ 579,951  
 
At March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, included in other current assets is a net current deferred income tax asset of $201.2 million and $212.7 million, respectively, and included in other assets is a net noncurrent deferred income tax asset of $30.2 million and $36.0 million, respectively. These amounts represent the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:
 
(in thousands)
 
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
2013
 
             
Deferred tax assets:
           
Inventories
  $ 28,947     $ 33,699  
Deferred rent and other rent credits
    79,681       82,123  
Insurance
    58,860       55,070  
Stock-based compensation
    33,780       33,486  
Merchandise credits and gift card liabilities
    42,413       22,683  
Accrued expenses
    68,237       81,069  
Obligations on distribution centers
    41,454       42,024  
Net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits
    32,389       42,506  
Other
    59,016       57,129  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Depreciation
    (73,106 )     (71,358 )
Goodwill
    (49,278 )     (42,719 )
Intangibles
    (79,471 )     (78,106 )
Other
    (11,480 )     (8,875 )
    $ 231,442     $ 248,731  

At March 1, 2014, as a result of the Cost Plus World Market acquisition (See “Acquisitions,” Note 2), the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of $15.6 million (tax effected), which will begin expiring in 2025, state net operating loss carryforwards of $9.2 million (tax effected), which will expire between 2013 and 2031, California state enterprise zone credit carryforwards of $6.6 million (tax effected), which will expire in 2023, but require taxable income in the enterprise zone to be realizable and other tax credits of $1.0 million (tax effected).

 
46

 
The Company has not established a valuation allowance for the net deferred tax asset as it is considered more likely than not that it is realizable through a combination of future taxable income and the deductibility of future net deferred tax liabilities.

The following table summarizes the activity related to the gross unrecognized tax benefits from uncertain tax positions:

(in thousands)
 
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
2013
 
             
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 97,892     $ 124,963  
                 
Increase related to current year positions
    19,844       24,892  
Increase related to prior year positions
    2,292       1,183  
Decrease related to prior year positions
    (9,316 )     (36,104 )
Settlements
    (782 )     (15,670 )
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (17,317 )     (1,372 )
                 
Balance at end of year
  $ 92,613     $ 97,892  
 
At March 1, 2014, the Company has recorded approximately $4.8 million and $87.8 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits in current and non-current taxes payable, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheet of which approximately $92.5 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. At March 2, 2013, the Company has recorded approximately $17.8 million and $80.1 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits in current and non-current taxes payable, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheet of which approximately $97.4 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. As of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits included approximately $16.9 million and $18.9 million, respectively, of accrued interest. The Company recorded a decrease of interest of approximately $2.0 million and $4.9 million, respectively, for the years ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013 for gross unrecognized tax benefits in the consolidated statement of earnings.

The Company anticipates that any adjustments to gross unrecognized tax benefits which will impact income tax expense, due to the expiration of statutes of limitations, could be approximately $4.0 to $5.0 million in the next twelve months. However, actual results could differ from those currently anticipated.

As of March 1, 2014, the Company operated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada and several other international countries and files income tax returns in the United States and various state, local and international jurisdictions. The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for tax years 2009 through 2011. The Company is also open to examination for state and local jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations, generally ranging from three to five years.

For fiscal 2013, the effective tax rate is comprised of the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35.00%, the State income tax rate, net of Federal benefit, of 3.07%, benefit for uncertain tax positions of 0.05% and other income tax benefits of 1.42%. For fiscal 2012, the effective tax rate is comprised of the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35.00%, the State income tax rate, net of Federal benefit, of 2.93%, provision for uncertain tax positions of 0.07% and other income tax benefits of 1.50%. For fiscal 2011, the effective tax rate is comprised of the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35.00%, the State income tax rate, net of Federal benefit, of 2.90%, provision for uncertain tax positions of 0.23% and other income tax benefits of 1.13%.

 
47

 
8.     TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES WITH RELATED PARTIES

In fiscal 2002, the Company had an interest in certain life insurance policies on the lives of its Co-Chairmen and their spouses. The Company’s interest in these policies was equivalent to the net premiums paid by the Company. The agreements relating to the Company’s interest in the life insurance policies on the lives of its Co-Chairmen and their spouses were terminated in fiscal 2003. Upon termination in fiscal 2003, the Co-Chairmen paid to the Company $5.4 million, representing the total amount of premiums paid by the Company under the agreements and the Company was released from its contractual obligation to make substantial future premium payments. In order to confer a benefit to its Co-Chairmen in substitution for the aforementioned terminated agreements, the Company has agreed to pay to the Co-Chairmen, at a future date, an aggregate amount of $4.2 million, which is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013.

9.     LEASES

The Company leases retail stores, as well as distribution facilities, offices and equipment, under agreements expiring at various dates through 2041. Certain leases provide for contingent rents (which are based upon store sales exceeding stipulated amounts and are immaterial in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011), scheduled rent increases and renewal options. The Company is obligated under a majority of the leases to pay for taxes, insurance and common area maintenance charges.

As of March 1, 2014, future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases were as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Operating
Leases
 
Fiscal Year:
     
2014
  $ 563,973  
2015
    515,364  
2016
    458,798  
2017
    390,422  
2018
    322,970  
Thereafter
    998,019  
Total future minimum lease payments
  $ 3,249,546  
 
Expenses for all operating leases were $559.8 million, $536.1 million and $456.2 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

As a result of the Cost Plus World Market acquisition on June 29, 2012 and in addition to the amounts disclosed above, the Company assumed various capital lease obligations. As of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the capital lease obligations were approximately $3.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively, for which the current and long-term portions are included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and deferred rent and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheet. Monthly minimum lease payments are accounted for as principal and interest payments. Interest expense for all capital leases was $0.5 million and $0.4 million for fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. The minimum capital lease payments, including interest, by fiscal year are: $0.9 million in fiscal 2014, $0.8 million in fiscal 2015, $0.8 million in fiscal 2016, $0.7 million in fiscal 2017, $0.6 million in fiscal 2018 and $2.6 million thereafter.

 
48

 
As a result of the Cost Plus World Market acquisition on June 29, 2012 and in addition to the amounts disclosed above, the Company assumed two sale/leaseback agreements and recorded financing obligations, which approximated the discounted fair value of the minimum lease payments, had a residual fair value at the end of the lease term and are being amortized over the term of the respective agreements, including option periods, of 32 and 35 years. As of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the sale/leaseback financing obligations were approximately $105.3 million and $105.9 million, respectively, for which the current and long-term portions are included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities and deferred rent and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheet. Monthly lease payments are accounted for as principal and interest payments (at approximate annual interest rates of 7.2% and 10.6%). These sale/leaseback financing obligations, excluding the residual fair value at the end of the lease term, mature as follows: $0.6 million in fiscal 2014, $0.7 million in fiscal 2015, $0.7 million in fiscal 2016, $0.8 million in fiscal 2017, $0.8 million in fiscal 2018 and $78.1 million thereafter.

10.   EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company has five defined contribution savings plans covering all eligible employees of the Company (“the Plans”). During fiscal 2011, a 401(k) savings plan was merged into one of the Plans. Participants of the Plans may defer annual pre-tax compensation subject to statutory and Plan limitations. In addition, a certain percentage of an employee’s contributions are matched by the Company and vest over a specified period of time, subject to certain statutory and Plan limitations. The Company’s match was approximately $12.5 million, $10.9 million and $9.4 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which was expensed as incurred.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan (“NQDC”) for the benefit of employees defined by the Internal Revenue Service as highly compensated. Participants of the NQDC may defer annual pre-tax compensation subject to statutory and plan limitations. In addition, a certain percentage of an employee’s contributions may be matched by the Company and vest over a specified period of time, subject to certain plan limitations. The Company’s match was approximately $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which was expensed as incurred.

Changes in the fair value of the trading securities related to the NQDC and the corresponding change in the associated liability are included within interest income and selling, general and administrative expenses respectively, in the consolidated statements of earnings. Historically, these changes have resulted in no impact to the consolidated statements of earnings.

Defined Benefit Plan

The Company has a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for the CTS employees, hired on or before July 31, 2003, who meet specified age and length-of-service requirements. The benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation up until retirement. The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of the pension plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognizes changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur. For the years ended March 1, 2014, March 2, 2013 and February 25, 2012, the net periodic pension cost was not material to the Company’s results of operations. The Company has a $9.2 million and $14.4 million liability, which is included in deferred rent and other liabilities as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, respectively. In addition, as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, the Company recognized a loss of $0.5 million, net of taxes of $0.4 million, and a loss of $3.8 million, net of taxes of $2.5 million, respectively, within accumulated other comprehensive loss.

11.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company maintains employment agreements with its Co-Chairmen, which extend through February 25, 2017. The agreements provide for a base salary (which may be increased by the Board of Directors), termination payments, postretirement benefits and other terms and conditions of employment. In addition, the Company maintains employment agreements with other executives which provide for severance pay and, in some instances, certain other supplemental retirement benefits.

 
49

 
The Company records an estimated liability related to its various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business when and to the extent that it concludes a liability is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Such estimated loss is based on available information and advice from outside counsel, where appropriate. As additional information becomes available, the Company reassesses the potential liability related to claims and legal actions and revises its estimated liabilities, as appropriate. The Company expects the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. The Company also cannot predict the nature and validity of claims which could be asserted in the future, and future claims could have a material impact on its earnings.

12.   SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The Company paid income taxes of $562.4 million, $550.6 million and $568.6 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In addition, the Company had interest payments of approximately $9.2 million and $6.0 million in fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. The amount of interest paid by the Company in fiscal 2011 was not material.

The Company recorded an accrual for capital expenditures of $50.2 million, $37.0 million and $28.8 million as of March 1, 2014, March 2, 2013 and February 25, 2012, respectively.

13.   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company measures all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and records such expense, net of estimated forfeitures, in its consolidated financial statements. Currently, the Company’s stock-based compensation relates to restricted stock awards and stock options. The Company’s restricted stock awards are considered nonvested share awards.

Stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014, March 2, 2013 and February 25, 2012 was approximately $56.2 million ($35.6 million after tax or $0.17 per diluted share), $47.2 million ($30.0 million after tax or $0.13 per diluted share) and approximately $45.2 million ($28.5 million after tax or $0.12 per diluted share), respectively. In addition, the amount of stock-based compensation cost capitalized for the years ended March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013 was approximately $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Incentive Compensation Plans

The Company currently grants awards under the Bed Bath & Beyond 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2012 Plan”), which amended and restated the Bed Bath & Beyond 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”). The 2012 Plan includes an aggregate of 43.2 million common shares authorized for issuance and the ability to grant incentive stock options. Outstanding awards that were covered by the 2004 Plan continue to be in effect under the 2012 Plan.

The 2012 Plan is a flexible compensation plan that enables the Company to offer incentive compensation through stock options (whether nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options), restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other stock based awards, including cash awards. Under the 2012 Plan, grants are determined by the Compensation Committee for those awards granted to executive officers and by an appropriate committee for all other awards granted. Awards of stock options and restricted stock generally vest in five equal annual installments beginning one to three years from the date of grant.

The Company generally issues new shares for stock option exercises and restricted stock awards. As of March 1, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Company’s stock options and restricted stock awards was $25.4 million and $130.3 million, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years and 3.5 years, respectively.

 
50

 
Stock Options

Stock option grants are issued at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become exercisable in either three or five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant for options issued since May 10, 2010, and beginning one to three years from the date of grant for options issued prior to May 10, 2010, in each case, subject, in general to the recipient remaining in the Company’s employ or service on specified vesting dates. Option grants expire eight years after the date of grant for stock options issued since May 10, 2004, and expire ten years after the date of grant for stock options issued prior to May 10, 2004. All option grants are nonqualified.

The fair value of the stock options granted was estimated on the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.

   
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
 
Black-Scholes Valuation Assumptions (1)
 
March 1,
2014
   
March 2,
2013
   
February 25,
2012
 
                   
Weighted Average Expected Life (in years) (2)
    6.6       6.5       6.2  
Weighted Average Expected Volatility (3)
    29.27 %     31.07 %     30.59 %
Weighted Average Risk Free Interest Rates (4)
    1.11 %     1.14 %     2.34 %
Expected Dividend Yield
    -       -       -  

(1) Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience.
(2) The expected life of stock options is estimated based on historical experience.
(3) Expected volatility is based on the average of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility is determined by observing actual prices of the Company’s stock over a period commensurate with the expected life of the awards. The implied volatility represents the implied volatility of the Company’s call options, which are actively traded on multiple exchanges, had remaining maturities in excess of twelve months, had market prices close to the exercise prices of the employee stock options and were measured on the stock option grant date.
(4) Based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options.

Changes in the Company’s stock options for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014 were as follows:

(Shares in thousands)
 
Number of Stock
Options
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Options outstanding, beginning of period
    5,006     $ 42.32  
Granted
    563       69.78  
Exercised
    (1,375 )     39.75  
Forfeited or expired
    (2 )     39.12  
Options outstanding, end of period
    4,192     $ 46.85  
Options exercisable, end of period
    2,403     $ 39.11  

The weighted average fair value for the stock options granted in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $22.28, $22.95 and $19.65, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregate intrinsic value for options outstanding as of March 1, 2014 was 3.9 years and $89.7 million, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregate intrinsic value for options exercisable as of March 1, 2014 was 2.7 years and $69.1 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value for stock options exercised during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $44.6 million, $38.8 million and $101.5 million, respectively.

 
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Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options for fiscal 2013 were $54.8 million and the net associated income tax benefit was $20.1 million.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become vested in five equal annual installments beginning one to three years from the date of grant, subject, in general, to the recipient remaining in the Company’s employ or service on specified vesting dates. Vesting of restricted stock awarded to certain of the Company’s executives is dependent on the Company’s achievement of a performance-based test for the fiscal year of grant and, assuming achievement of the performance-based test, time vesting, subject, in general, to the executive remaining in the Company’s employ on specified vesting dates. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to these awards based on the assumption that the performance-based test will be achieved. Vesting of restricted stock awarded to the Company’s other employees is based solely on time vesting.

Changes in the Company’s restricted stock for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014 were as follows:

(Shares in thousands)
 
Number of Restricted
Shares
   
Weighted
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value
 
Unvested restricted stock, beginning of period
    4,063     $ 45.98  
Granted
    1,016       69.82  
Vested
    (988 )     38.76  
Forfeited
    (148 )     53.34  
Unvested restricted stock, end of period
    3,943     $ 53.66  

14.   SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
 
         
FISCAL 2013 QUARTER ENDED
         
FISCAL 2012 QUARTER ENDED
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
June 1, 
2013
   
August 31,
2013
   
November 30,
2013
   
March 1,
2014
   
May 26, 
2012
   
August 25,
2012
   
November 24,
2012
   
March 2,
2013
 
                                                 
Net sales
  $ 2,612,140     $ 2,823,672     $ 2,864,837     $ 3,203,314     $ 2,218,292     $ 2,593,015     $ 2,701,801     $ 3,401,477  
Gross profit
    1,032,971       1,113,484       1,121,690       1,297,437       887,199       1,032,669       1,074,010       1,394,877  
Operating profit
    323,101       389,766       374,647       527,073       313,398       365,137       361,649       598,034  
Earnings before provision for income taxes
    322,876       388,091       375,961       526,519       312,342       365,406       358,527       597,784  
Provision for income taxes
    120,386       138,787       138,764       193,220       105,506       141,076       125,777       223,912  
Net earnings
  $ 202,490     $ 249,304     $ 237,197     $ 333,299     $ 206,836     $ 224,330     $ 232,750     $ 373,872  
EPS-Basic (1)
  $ 0.94     $ 1.18     $ 1.13     $ 1.62     $ 0.90     $ 0.99     $ 1.04     $ 1.70  
EPS-Diluted (1)
  $ 0.93     $ 1.16     $ 1.12     $ 1.60     $ 0.89     $ 0.98     $ 1.03     $ 1.68  
 
(1) Net earnings per share ("EPS") amounts for each quarter are required to be computed independently and may not equal the amount computed for the total year.
 
 
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended March 1, 2014. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the consolidated financial statement schedule. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended March 1, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 1, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in September 1992, and our report dated April 29, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Short Hills, New Jersey
April 29, 2014
 
 
53

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.:
 
We have audited Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of March 1, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in September 1992. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting,” appearing in Item 9A, Controls and Procedures. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 1, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in September 1992.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 1, 2014 and March 2, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended March 1, 2014, and our report dated April 29, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Short Hills, New Jersey
April 29, 2014
 
 
54

 
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.


(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on their evaluation as of March 1, 2014, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by our management in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 1, 2014. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.

Our management has concluded that, as of March 1, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on these criteria.

(c) Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 1, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

Our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide such reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at that reasonable assurance level.
 

None.

 
55

 
PART III


(a)
Directors of the Company

Information relative to Directors of the Company is set forth under the section captioned “Election of Directors” in the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“the Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)
Executive Officers of the Company

Information with respect to Executive Officers of the Company is set forth in Part I, Item 1.

(c)    Information with respect to compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is set forth under the section captioned “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

(d)    Information on our audit committee and the audit committee financial expert is set forth under the section captioned “Audit Committee” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

(e)    The Company has adopted a code of ethics entitled “Policy Of Ethical Standards For Business Conduct” that applies to all of its employees, including Executive Officers, and the Board of Directors, the complete text of which is available through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.bedbathandbeyond.com.


The information required by this item is set forth under the section captioned “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 
56

 

The Equity Plan Compensation Information required by this item is included below; all other information required by this item is in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

The following table provides certain information as of March 1, 2014 with respect to the Company’s equity compensation plans:

Plan Category
 
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
   
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(b)
   
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders (1)
                 
Stock Options
    4,189,888       46.85       24,506,669  
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders (2)
                       
Stock Options
    2,400       39.28          
Total (3)
    4,192,288       46.85       24,506,669  

(1)
These plans consist of the Company’s 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan and the 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan, which amended and restated the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan.
(2)
This plan consists of the Company’s 2001 Stock Option Plan. Upon the original adoption of the 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan in 2004 and pursuant to its terms, the common stock available for issuance under the 2001 Stock Option Plan became available for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan and therefore has been approved by the shareholders.
(3)
Any shares of common stock that are subject to awards of options or stock appreciation rights under the 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan shall be counted against the aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued as one share for every share issued. Any shares of common stock that are subject to awards other than options or stock appreciation rights, including restricted stock awards, shall be counted against this limit as 2.20 shares for every share granted.


The information required by this item is set forth under the sections captioned “Director Independence” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.


The information required by this item is in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.
 
 
57

 
PART IV


(a) (1)
Consolidated Financial Statements of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries are incorporated under Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

(a) (2)     Financial Statement Schedules

For the Fiscal Years Ended March 1, 2014, March 2, 2013 and February 25, 2012.

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(a) (3)     Exhibits

The exhibits to this Report are listed in the Exhibit Index included elsewhere herein.

 
58

 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
  BED BATH & BEYOND INC.
   
  By: /s/ Steven H. Temares                                  
  Steven H. Temares
  Chief Executive Officer
  April 29, 2014
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 
Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date
         
/s/ Warren Eisenberg
 
Co-Chairman and Director
 
April 29, 2014
Warren Eisenberg
       
         
/s/ Leonard Feinstein
 
Co-Chairman and Director
 
April 29, 2014
Leonard Feinstein
       
         
/s/ Steven H. Temares
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
April 29, 2014
Steven H. Temares
 
and Director
   
         
/s/ Susan E. Lattmann
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
April 29, 2014
Susan E. Lattmann
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting
   
   
Officer)
   
         
/s/ Dean S. Adler
 
Director
 
April 29, 2014
Dean S. Adler
       
         
/s/ Stanley Barshay
 
Director
 
April 29, 2014
Stanley Barshay
       
         
/s/ Geraldine Elliott
 
Director
 
April 29, 2014
Geraldine Elliott
       
         
/s/ Klaus Eppler
 
Director
 
April 29, 2014
Klaus Eppler
       
         
/s/ Patrick R. Gaston
 
Director
 
April 29, 2014
Patrick R. Gaston
       
         
/s/ Jordan Heller
 
Director
 
April 29, 2014
Jordan Heller
       
         
/s/ Victoria A. Morrison
 
Director
 
April 29, 2014
Victoria A. Morrison
       

 
 
59

 
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Fiscal Years Ended March 1, 2014, March 2, 2013 and February 25, 2012
(amounts in millions)
 
Column A
 
Column B
   
Column C
   
Column C
   
Column D
   
Column E
 
                               
Description
 
Balance at
Beginning of
Period
   
Additions
Charged to
Income
   
Additions
Charged to
Other Accounts
 
Adjustments
and/or
Deductions
   
Balance at
End of
Period
 
Sales Returns and Allowance
                         
                               
Year Ended:
                             
March 1, 2014
  $ 40.0     $ 706.6     $ -     $ 701.6     $ 45.0  
March 2, 2013
    37.6       625.1       -       622.7       40.0  
February 25, 2012
    32.4       593.4       -       588.2       37.6  
 
 
 
 
 
 
60

 
EXHIBIT INDEX

Unless otherwise indicated, exhibits are incorporated by reference to the correspondingly numbered exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 33-47250).
 
Exhibit
No.
Exhibit
 
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation

3.2
Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended August 25, 1996)

3.3
Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997)

3.4
Certificate of Change of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. under Section 805-A of the Business Corporation Law (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997)

3.5
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 27, 1999)

3.6
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 1, 2001)

3.7
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated July 1, 2009)

3.8
Amended By-Laws of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (as amended effective as of September 23, 2009) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 29, 2009)

10.1*
Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Warren Eisenberg, dated as of August 26, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997)

10.2*
Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Leonard Feinstein, dated as of August 26, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997)

10.3*
Company’s 1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended through August 26, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997)

10.4*
Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended through August 26, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997)

10.5*
Employment Agreement between the Company and Steven H. Temares (dated as of December 1, 1994) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1998)

 
61

 
10.6*
Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and the Chief Merchandising Officer and Senior Vice President and Senior Vice President – Stores (dated as of December 1, 1994) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1998)

10.7*
Company’s 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 1998)

10.8*
Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Warren Eisenberg, dated as of August 13, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 27, 1999)

10.9*
Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Leonard Feinstein, dated as of August 13, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 27, 1999)

10.10*
Form of Standard Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 27, 1999)

10.11*
Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 27, 2000 which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated May 22, 2000)

10.12*
Form of Standard Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 26, 2000)

10.13*
Company’s 2001 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 3, 2001)
 
 
10.14*
Form of Standard Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 1, 2002)

10.15*
Form of Standard Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2002)

10.16*
Agreement Terminating Agreements concerning “Split Dollar” Life Insurance Plan, dated May 9, 1994 and June 16, 1995, among the Company, Jay D. Waxenberg, as trustee of the Warren Eisenberg Life Insurance Trust, Warren Eisenberg and Maxine Eisenberg (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 29, 2003)

10.17*
Agreement Terminating Agreements concerning “Split Dollar” Life Insurance Plan, dated May 9, 1994 and June 16, 1995, among the Company, Jay D. Waxenberg, as trustee of the Leonard Joseph Feinstein Life Insurance Trust and Leonard Feinstein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 29, 2003)

10.18*
Compensation Agreement concerning Substitute Benefit Payments upon Termination of “Split Dollar” Life Insurance Plan between the Company and Warren Eisenberg, dated as of February 27, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2004)

 
62

 
10.19*
Compensation Agreement concerning Substitute Benefit Payments upon Termination of “Split Dollar” Life Insurance Plan between the Company and Leonard Feinstein, dated as of February 27, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2004)

10.20*
Employment Agreement between the Company and Eugene A. Castagna (dated as of March 1, 2000) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2004)

10.21*
Company’s 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated May 28, 2004)

10.22*
Form of Standard Stock Option Agreement dated as of May 10, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 29, 2004)

10.23*
Form of Stock Option Agreement under 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 28, 2004)

10.24*
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 28, 2005)

10.25*
Performance-Based Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 28, 2005)

10.26*
Form of Stock Option Agreement under 2004 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 27, 2005)

10.27*
Company’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (effective January 1, 2006) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated January 5, 2006)

10.28*
Addendum to Stock Option Agreements for Warren Eisenberg, Leonard Feinstein and Steven H. Temares, dated as of December 27, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 3, 2007)

10.29*
Addendum to Stock Option Agreements for Eugene A. Castagna, Matthew Fiorilli and Arthur Stark dated December 28, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 3, 2007)
 
 
10.30*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Warren Eisenberg, dated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 29, 2008)

10.31*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Leonard Feinstein, dated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 29, 2008)

10.32*
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Policy on Recovery of Incentive Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 2009)

 
63

 
10.33*
Performance-Based Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 2009)

10.34*
Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement of Steven H. Temares, Eugene A. Castagna, Matthew Fiorilli and Arthur Stark, dated May, 2007 in the case of Messrs. Temares, Fiorilli and Stark, and July, 2007 in the case of Mr. Castagna (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 29, 2009)

10.35*
Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefit Agreement between the Company and Steven H. Temares, dated November 16, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 19, 2009)

10.36*
Escrow Agreement with Respect to Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefit Agreement between the Company and Steven H. Temares, dated November 16, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 19, 2009)

10.37*
Amendment dated as of August 13, 2010 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Warren Eisenberg, dated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 28, 2010)

10.38*
Amendment dated as of August 13, 2010 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Leonard Feinstein, dated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 28, 2010)

10.39*
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 26, 2012)

10.40*
Performance-Based Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 1, 2013)

10.41*
Form of Stock Option Agreement under 2012 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 1, 2013)

10.42*
Notice of Amendment to Restricted Stock Agreements, dated on or before June 11, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended March 1, 2013)

10.43*
Letter agreement dated as of June 28, 2013 between the Company and Warren Eisenberg (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 2, 2013)

10.44*
Letter agreement dated as of June 28, 2013 between the Company and Leonard Feinstein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 2, 2013)

 
64

 
10.45*
Amendment dated as of February 26, 2014 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Warren Eisenberg, dated as of December 31, 2008, as previously amended as of June 29, 2010 and August 13, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 28, 2014)

10.46*
Amendment dated as of February 26, 2014 to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Leonard Feinstein, dated as of December 31, 2008, as previously amended as of June 29, 2010 and August 13, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 28, 2014)

21**
Subsidiaries of the Company
 
Commission File No. 33-1

23**
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1**
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002

31.2**
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002

32**
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS 
XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

___________________________
 
*
This is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**
Filed herewith.

65