e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
|
|
|
þ |
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended July 1, 2007
OR
|
|
|
o |
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 000-50763
BLUE NILE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
|
Delaware
|
|
91-1963165 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) |
|
|
|
|
|
705 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington
|
|
98104 |
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
|
(Zip code) |
(206) 336-6700
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act).
Yes o No þ
As of July 27, 2007 the registrant had 15,888,654 shares of common stock outstanding.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve many risks and
uncertainties. These statements, related to future events and our future performance, are based on
current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which we operate
and the beliefs and assumptions of management as of the date of this filing. In some
cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as would, could, may,
will, should, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict,
potential, targets, seek, or continue, the negative of these terms or other variations of
such terms. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial
performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our business and other characterizations of
future events or circumstances, are forward-looking statements. These statements are only
predictions based upon assumptions made that are believed to be reasonable at the time, and are
subject to risk and uncertainties. Therefore, actual events or results may differ materially and
adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. In evaluating these statements,
you should specifically consider the risks described under the caption Item 1A. Risk Factors and
elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. These factors, and other factors, may cause our actual results to
differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, we undertake no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
BLUE NILE, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except par value)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
69,165 |
|
|
$ |
78,540 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
117 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,767 |
|
Trade accounts receivable |
|
|
1,114 |
|
|
|
1,484 |
|
Other accounts receivable |
|
|
464 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
14,668 |
|
|
|
14,616 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
712 |
|
|
|
598 |
|
Prepaid federal income taxes |
|
|
1,596 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other prepaids and current assets |
|
|
1,014 |
|
|
|
740 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
88,733 |
|
|
|
116,018 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
4,730 |
|
|
|
3,391 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
303 |
|
|
|
319 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
2,733 |
|
|
|
2,285 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
96,563 |
|
|
$ |
122,106 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
42,501 |
|
|
$ |
66,625 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
4,182 |
|
|
|
7,315 |
|
Current portion of deferred rent |
|
|
196 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
46,879 |
|
|
|
74,137 |
|
Deferred rent, less current portion |
|
|
572 |
|
|
|
666 |
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000 shares
authorized, none issued and outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000 shares authorized
19,330 shares and 19,073 shares issued, respectively
15,884 shares and 15,972 shares outstanding, respectively |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
124,022 |
|
|
|
115,751 |
|
Deferred compensation |
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
(180 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
Retained earnings |
|
|
14,054 |
|
|
|
7,110 |
|
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,446 shares and 3,101 shares
outstanding, respectively |
|
|
(88,927 |
) |
|
|
(75,395 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity |
|
|
49,112 |
|
|
|
47,303 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
|
$ |
96,563 |
|
|
$ |
122,106 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
4
BLUE NILE, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
|
Year to date ended |
|
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
July 2, |
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
July 2, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
72,093 |
|
|
$ |
56,916 |
|
|
$ |
140,003 |
|
|
$ |
107,610 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
|
57,150 |
|
|
|
45,593 |
|
|
|
111,811 |
|
|
|
85,945 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
14,943 |
|
|
|
11,323 |
|
|
|
28,192 |
|
|
|
21,665 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses |
|
|
9,909 |
|
|
|
7,721 |
|
|
|
19,473 |
|
|
|
15,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
5,034 |
|
|
|
3,602 |
|
|
|
8,719 |
|
|
|
6,267 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense), net: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
803 |
|
|
|
881 |
|
|
|
1,776 |
|
|
|
1,866 |
|
Other income |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense), net |
|
|
815 |
|
|
|
981 |
|
|
|
1,991 |
|
|
|
1,966 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
5,849 |
|
|
|
4,583 |
|
|
|
10,710 |
|
|
|
8,233 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
2,068 |
|
|
|
1,451 |
|
|
|
3,766 |
|
|
|
2,746 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
3,781 |
|
|
$ |
3,132 |
|
|
$ |
6,944 |
|
|
$ |
5,487 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
0.44 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share |
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
5
BLUE NILE, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
Common stock |
|
|
paid-in |
|
|
Deferred stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
other comprehensive |
|
|
Treasury stock |
|
|
stockholders |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
capital |
|
|
compensation |
|
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
income (loss) |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
equity |
|
Balance, December 31, 2006 |
|
|
19,073 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
115,751 |
|
|
$ |
(180 |
) |
|
$ |
7,110 |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
|
(3,101 |
) |
|
$ |
(75,395 |
) |
|
$ |
47,303 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,944 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,944 |
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gain on marketable securites,
net of tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Translation adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,941 |
|
Repurchase of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(345 |
) |
|
|
(13,532 |
) |
|
|
(13,532 |
) |
Amortization of deferred stock compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124 |
|
Reversal of deferred compensation
relating to cancelled options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,574 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,574 |
|
Exercise of common stock options |
|
|
256 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,668 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,668 |
|
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,974 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,974 |
|
Issuance of common stock to directors |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, July 1, 2007 |
|
|
19,330 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
124,022 |
|
|
$ |
(51 |
) |
|
$ |
14,054 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
|
(3,446 |
) |
|
$ |
(88,927 |
) |
|
$ |
49,112 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
6
BLUE NILE, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year to date ended |
|
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
July 2, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
6,944 |
|
|
$ |
5,487 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
776 |
|
|
|
952 |
|
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
2 |
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
2,723 |
|
|
|
1,859 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
(563 |
) |
|
|
2,009 |
|
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options |
|
|
2,974 |
|
|
|
592 |
|
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options |
|
|
(320 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables, net |
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
1,056 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
553 |
|
Prepaid federal income taxes |
|
|
(1,596 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Other prepaid expenses and assets |
|
|
(246 |
) |
|
|
57 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
(24,124 |
) |
|
|
(22,475 |
) |
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
(3,134 |
) |
|
|
(1,919 |
) |
Deferred rent |
|
|
(95 |
) |
|
|
(118 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(16,658 |
) |
|
|
(11,979 |
) |
|
Investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
|
(2,066 |
) |
|
|
(1,182 |
) |
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Purchases of marketable securities |
|
|
(20,230 |
) |
|
|
(25,195 |
) |
Proceeds from the maturity of marketable
securities |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
53,000 |
|
Transfers of restricted cash |
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
|
17,832 |
|
|
|
26,624 |
|
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of common stock |
|
|
(13,532 |
) |
|
|
(46,370 |
) |
Proceeds from stock option exercises |
|
|
2,668 |
|
|
|
1,087 |
|
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options |
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
(10,544 |
) |
|
|
(45,249 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(9,375 |
) |
|
|
(30,604 |
) |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
|
|
78,540 |
|
|
|
71,921 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
|
$ |
69,165 |
|
|
$ |
41,317 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
7
BLUE NILE, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Note 1. Description of the Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The Company
Blue Nile, Inc. (the Company) is the leading online retailer of high quality diamonds and fine
jewelry in the United States. In addition to sales of diamonds, fine jewelry and watches, the
Company provides guidance and support to enable customers to more effectively learn about and
purchase diamonds as well as classically styled fine jewelry. The Company, a Delaware corporation,
based in Seattle, Washington, was formed in March 1999. The Company maintains its primary website
at www.bluenile.com. The Company also operates the www.bluenile.co.uk and www.bluenile.ca websites.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications of prior period balances have been made for consistent presentation with
the current period. These reclassifications had no impact on net income, net cash used in operating
activities or stockholders equity as previously reported.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on
March 16, 2007. The same accounting policies are followed for preparing quarterly and annual
financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair
presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim period
have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature.
In May 2007 the Company commenced operations at two new wholly-owned subsidiaries, Blue Nile
Worldwide, Inc. (Worldwide) and Blue Nile Jewellery, Ltd. (Jewellery). Worldwide is a Delaware
corporation located in Seattle, Washington. Jewellery is an Irish limited company located in
Ireland. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
The financial information as of December 31, 2006 is derived from the Companys audited
consolidated financial statements and notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, included
in Item 8 of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year then ended.
Due to a number of factors, including the seasonal nature of the retail industry and other factors
described in this report, quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of the results for the
full fiscal year or any other subsequent interim period.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates include the allowance for sales
returns and the estimated fair value of stock options granted. Actual results could differ
materially from those estimates.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets represent the consideration paid for licenses and other similar agreements with
finite lives. Amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of
the related assets, which range from 10 years to 17 years.
8
BLUE NILE, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Income Taxes
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48), which
prescribes how a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial
statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the state of Delaware jurisdiction.
We are no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for
years before 2003. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if
incurred, in our provision for income taxes.
We have evaluated material tax positions taken on all open years and have concluded that material
tax positions meet the more likely than not test as set forth in FIN 48. As such, no liability
for unrecognized tax benefits is considered necessary and no interest or penalties have been
accrued. Therefore, the adoption of FIN 48 did not have an impact on our consolidated results of
operations or financial condition. We will continue to evaluate material tax positions on a
periodic basis or as conditions change.
Foreign Currency Translation
The assets and liabilities of Jewellery have been translated to U.S. dollars using the exchange
rates effective on the balance sheet date, while income and expense accounts are translated at the
average rates in effect during the periods presented. The resulting translation adjustments are
recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached on Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) No.
06-3 (EITF 06-3), How Sales Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental
Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross Versus Net Presentation).
The EITF reached a consensus that a company may adopt a policy for presenting taxes on a gross or
net basis. If taxes are significant, the accounting policy should be disclosed and if taxes are
presented gross, the amounts included in revenue should be disclosed. EITF 06-3 is effective for
the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2006. We adopted EITF
06-3 on January 1, 2007. We collect sales tax from our customers and record these amounts on a net
basis. We did not modify our accounting policy in connection with the adoption of EITF 06-3;
therefore, the adoption of this EITF did not have an impact on our consolidated results of
operations or financial condition.
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 establishes a common definition for fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about such fair value
measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We will
apply this guidance to our first quarter of fiscal 2008. We do not expect the adoption of this
statement to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial
condition.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits all entities to elect to measure certain
financial instruments and other items at fair value with changes in fair value reported in
earnings. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We will apply
this guidance to our first quarter of fiscal 2008. We do not expect the adoption of this statement
to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
9
BLUE NILE, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Note 2. Stock-based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of FASB
Statement No. 123R Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R). Stock options are granted at prices equal to
the fair market value of the Companys common stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation
is reduced for estimated forfeitures and we recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis
over the requisite service period for each stock option grant. Stock options granted generally
provide for 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant, with the remainder vesting
monthly over three years, and expire 10 years from the date of grant. As of July 1, 2007, the
Company had four stock option plans. Additional information regarding these plans is disclosed in
our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The fair value of each option on the date of grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton
option valuation model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used for the valuation of
options granted during the periods shown:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
Year to date ended |
|
|
July 1, |
|
July 2, |
|
July 1, |
|
July 2, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Expected term |
|
4.5 years |
|
4.5 years |
|
4.5 years |
|
4.5 years |
Expected volatility |
|
|
36.0 |
% |
|
|
36.0 |
% |
|
|
36.0 |
% |
|
|
36.0 |
% |
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
4.65 |
% |
|
|
5.01 |
% |
|
|
4.66 |
% |
|
|
5.01 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated fair value per option granted |
|
$ |
20.16 |
|
|
$ |
11.07 |
|
|
$ |
17.99 |
|
|
$ |
11.09 |
|
The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted are evaluated and revised, if
necessary, to reflect market conditions and the Companys experience.
A summary of stock option activity for the year to date ended July 1, 2007 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average |
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Options |
|
Weighted average |
|
remaining contractual term |
|
intrinsic
value |
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
exercise price |
|
(in years) |
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2006 |
|
|
2,186 |
|
|
$ |
21.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
48.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
(256 |
) |
|
|
10.44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
29.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, July 1, 2007 |
|
|
1,949 |
|
|
$ |
23.72 |
|
|
|
7.35 |
|
|
$ |
71,506 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested and expected to vest at July 1, 2007 |
|
|
1,787 |
|
|
$ |
23.00 |
|
|
|
7.25 |
|
|
$ |
66,848 |
|
Exercisable, July 1, 2007 |
|
|
1,137 |
|
|
$ |
17.88 |
|
|
|
6.61 |
|
|
$ |
48,362 |
|
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above is before applicable income taxes and
represents the amount optionees would have received if all options had been exercised on the last
business day of the period indicated, based on the Companys closing stock price.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year to date ended July 1, 2007 was $9.9
million. During the year to date ended July 1, 2007, the total fair value of options vested was
$3.2 million. As of July 1, 2007, the Company had total unrecognized compensation costs related to
unvested stock options of $8.5 million. We expect to recognize this cost over a weighted average
period of 2.4 years.
10
BLUE NILE, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Note 3. Inventories
Inventories are stated at cost and consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Loose diamonds |
|
$ |
580 |
|
|
$ |
230 |
|
Fine jewelry, watches and other |
|
|
14,088 |
|
|
|
14,386 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,668 |
|
|
$ |
14,616 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 4. Marketable Securities
The Companys marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale as defined by FASB
Statement No. 115 Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (SFAS 115). At
July 1, 2007, the Company did not have any marketable securities. Realized gains or losses on the
sale of marketable securities are identified on a specific identification basis and are reflected
as a component of interest income or expense.
There were no realized gains or losses on the sales of marketable securities for the quarter ended
July 1, 2007. Gross unrealized gains and losses at July 1, 2007 were not significant.
Note 5. Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.
Diluted net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and common
share equivalents outstanding. Common share equivalents included in the computation
represent common shares issuable upon assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, except when
the effect of their inclusion would be antidilutive.
The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in
thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
|
Year to date ended |
|
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
July 2, |
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
July 2, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Net income |
|
$ |
3,781 |
|
|
$ |
3,132 |
|
|
$ |
6,944 |
|
|
$ |
5,487 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
15,802 |
|
|
|
16,874 |
|
|
|
15,838 |
|
|
|
17,114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
0.44 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dilutive effect of stock options |
|
|
815 |
|
|
|
688 |
|
|
|
760 |
|
|
|
784 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and common stock equivalents |
|
|
16,617 |
|
|
|
17,562 |
|
|
|
16,598 |
|
|
|
17,898 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share |
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the quarter and year to date ended July 1, 2007, there were 14,816 and 43,432 stock option
shares, respectively, excluded from the computation of net income per diluted share due to their
antidilutive effect. For the quarter and year to date ended July 2, 2006, there were 1,049,167 and
959,197 stock option shares, respectively, excluded from the computation of net income per diluted
share due to their antidilutive effect.
11
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements
and the related Notes contained elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and the annual
report on Form 10-K filed for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
Management Overview
During the
quarter ended July 1, 2007, net sales increased 26.7% to
$72.1 million from $56.9 million during the quarter ended
July 2, 2006. The increase in net sales is attributable to
strong growth in all product categories. Gross profit was
$14.9 million in the quarter ended July 1, 2007, an
increase of $3.6 million compared to the quarter ended
July 2, 2006. Operating income for the quarter ended
July 1, 2007 increased 39.8% to $5.0 million from
$3.6 million in the quarter ended July 2, 2006 as a result
of the increase in net sales. Net income increased 20.7% to
$3.8 million in the quarter ended July 1, 2007 from
$3.1 million in the quarter ended July 2, 2006. Sales
through our international websites continued to show strong growth.
Sales through our U.K. and Canada websites totaled $3.0 million
for the quarter ended July 1, 2007 compared to $1.9 million
for the quarter ended July 2, 2006, an increase of 64.2%.
During the
year to date ended July 1, 2007, net sales increased 30.1% to
$140.0 million from $107.6 million during the year to date
ended July 2, 2006. The increase in net sales is attributable to
strong growth in all product categories. Gross profit of
$28.2 million increased $6.5 million in the year to date
ended July 1, 2007 compared to the year to date ended
July 2, 2006. Operating income for the year to date ended
July 1, 2007 increased 39.1% to $8.7 million from
$6.3 million in the year to date ended July 2, 2006 as a
result of the increase in net sales and leverages in our cost
structure. Net income increased 26.6% to $6.9 million in the
year ended July 1, 2007 from $5.5 million in the year to
date ended July 2, 2006. Sales through our U.K. and Canada
websites totaled $5.6 million for the year to date ended
July 1, 2007 compared to $3.2 million for the year to date
ended July 2, 2006, an increase of 73.1%.
12
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Quarter Ended July 1, 2007 to the Quarter Ended July 2, 2006
The following table presents our operating results for the quarters ended July 1, 2007 and July 2,
2006, respectively, including a comparison of the financial results for these periods (dollars in
thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
July 2, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
72,093 |
|
|
$ |
56,916 |
|
|
$ |
15,177 |
|
|
|
26.7 |
% |
Cost of sales |
|
|
57,150 |
|
|
|
45,593 |
|
|
|
11,557 |
|
|
|
25.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
14,943 |
|
|
|
11,323 |
|
|
|
3,620 |
|
|
|
32.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
9,909 |
|
|
|
7,721 |
|
|
|
2,188 |
|
|
|
28.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
5,034 |
|
|
|
3,602 |
|
|
|
1,432 |
|
|
|
39.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense), net: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
803 |
|
|
|
881 |
|
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
-8.9 |
% |
Other income |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
(88 |
) |
|
|
-88.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense), net |
|
|
815 |
|
|
|
981 |
|
|
|
(166 |
) |
|
|
-16.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
5,849 |
|
|
|
4,583 |
|
|
|
1,266 |
|
|
|
27.6 |
% |
Income tax expense |
|
|
2,068 |
|
|
|
1,451 |
|
|
|
617 |
|
|
|
42.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
3,781 |
|
|
$ |
3,132 |
|
|
$ |
649 |
|
|
|
20.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
|
26.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share |
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
|
27.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
Net Sales
Net sales increased 26.7% to $72.1 million in the quarter ended July 1, 2007 from $56.9 million in
the quarter ended July 2, 2006. The increase in net sales in the quarter ended July 1, 2007 was
primarily due to growth in unit sales in virtually all product categories. We believe the increase
in net sales was driven primarily by increased consumer awareness of our brand and value
proposition and effective online marketing.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased 32.0% to $14.9 million in the quarter ended July 1, 2007 from $11.3 million
in the quarter ended July 2, 2006. The increase in gross profit in the quarter ended July 1, 2007
resulted primarily from the growth in net sales, as discussed above. In addition, approximately
$0.2 million of the gross profit in the quarter ended July 1, 2007 resulted from a one-time benefit
related to a refund of shipping charges. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 20.7% in the
quarter ended July 1, 2007 compared to 19.9% in the quarter ended July 2, 2006. The increase in
gross profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to changes in our product mix. In
addition, gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased by 30 basis points as a result of the
refund of shipping charges. Generally, our gross profit percentage fluctuates, and we expect it
will fluctuate in the future, based upon a number of factors, including changes in product
acquisition costs, product mix and pricing decisions.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased 28.3% to
$9.9 million in the quarter ended July 1, 2007. The
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to
several factors. Marketing costs increased approximately
$0.5 million in the quarter due to increased spending in online
marketing vehicles, such as search, affiliate channels, online
portals and other marketing initiatives. Our marketing expenses are
largely variable, based on the growth in sales and the pricing of
online marketing channels. Approximately $0.5 million of the
increase in selling, general and administrative costs in the quarter
relates to increases in payroll and related expenses. Stock-based
compensation increased approximately $0.5 million to
$1.4 million in the quarter ended July 1, 2007 as compared
to $0.9 million in the quarter ended July 2, 2006. The
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses also relates
to payment processing fees, professional services and costs related to
the establishment of our new international facility in Ireland. As a
percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses
were 13.7% and 13.6% in the quarter ended July 1, 2007 and the
quarter ended July 2, 2006, respectively.
We expect
selling, general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute
dollars in future periods as a result of anticipated growth in net
sales, growth in our fulfillment and customer service operations and
other personnel to support higher sales volumes, increases in payment
processing fees and other variable expenses and the expansion of our
international operations. We also expect selling, general and
administrative expenses to fluctuate based on the nature, amount and
timing of stock options granted in the future.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net consists primarily of interest income. The decrease in interest income
in the quarter ended July 1, 2007 is primarily due to a decrease in average balances of cash, cash
equivalents and marketable securities.
14
Comparison of the Year To Date Ended July 1, 2007 to the Year To Date Ended July 2, 2006
The following table presents our operating results for the year to date periods ended July 1, 2007
and July 2, 2006, respectively, including a comparison of the financial results for these periods
(dollars in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year to date ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 1, |
|
|
July 2, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
140,003 |
|
|
$ |
107,610 |
|
|
$ |
32,393 |
|
|
|
30.1 |
% |
Cost of sales |
|
|
111,811 |
|
|
|
85,945 |
|
|
|
25,866 |
|
|
|
30.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
28,192 |
|
|
|
21,665 |
|
|
|
6,527 |
|
|
|
30.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
19,473 |
|
|
|
15,398 |
|
|
|
4,075 |
|
|
|
26.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
8,719 |
|
|
|
6,267 |
|
|
|
2,452 |
|
|
|
39.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense), net: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
1,776 |
|
|
|
1,866 |
|
|
|
(90 |
) |
|
|
-4.8 |
% |
Other income |
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
115.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense), net |
|
|
1,991 |
|
|
|
1,966 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
10,710 |
|
|
|
8,233 |
|
|
|
2,477 |
|
|
|
30.1 |
% |
Income tax expense |
|
|
3,766 |
|
|
|
2,746 |
|
|
|
1,020 |
|
|
|
37.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
6,944 |
|
|
$ |
5,487 |
|
|
$ |
1,457 |
|
|
|
26.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share |
|
$ |
0.44 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
|
37.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share |
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
|
|
35.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
Net Sales
Net sales increased 30.1% to $140.0 million in the year to date ended July 1, 2007 from $107.6
million in the year to date ended July 2, 2006. The increase in net sales in the year to date ended
July 1, 2007 was primarily due to unit sales growth in virtually all product categories. We believe
the increase in net sales was driven primarily from increased consumer awareness of our brand and
value proposition and effective online marketing.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased 30.1% to $28.2 million in the year to date ended July 1, 2007 from $21.7
million in the year to date ended July 2, 2006. The increase in gross profit in the year to date
ended July 1, 2007 resulted primarily from the growth in net sales, as discussed above. Gross
profit as a percentage of net sales remained consistent at 20.1% in the year to date ended July 1,
2007 compared to the year to date ended July 2, 2006. We expect that the gross profit percentage
will fluctuate in the future based on a number of factors, including changes in product acquisition
costs, product mix and pricing decisions.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased 26.5% to
$19.5 million in the year to date ended July 1, 2007. The
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to
several factors. Marketing costs increased approximately
$1.2 million in the year to date ended July 1, 2007 due to
increased spending in online marketing vehicles, such as search,
affiliate channels, online portals and other marketing initiatives.
Our marketing expenses are largely variable, based on the growth in
sales and the pricing of online marketing channels. Approximately
$0.9 million of the increase in selling, general and
administrative costs in the year to date ended July 1, 2007
relates to increases in payroll and related expenses. Stock-based
compensation increased approximately $0.9 million to
$2.7 million in the year to dated ended July 1, 2007 as
compared to $1.8 million in the year to date ended July 2,
2006. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses
also relates to payment processing fees, professional services and
costs related to the establishment of our new international facility
in Ireland. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and
administrative expenses were 13.9% and 14.3% in the year to date
ended July 1, 2007 and the year to date ended July 2, 2006,
respectively.
We expect
selling, general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute
dollars in future periods as a result of anticipated growth in net
sales, growth in our fulfillment and customer service operations and
other personnel to support higher sales volumes, increases in payment
processing fees and other variable expenses and the expansion of our
international operations. We also expect selling, general and
administrative expenses to fluctuate based on the nature, amount and
timing of stock options granted in the future.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net consists primarily of interest income. The decrease in interest income
in the year to date ended July 1, 2007 is primarily due to a decrease in average balances of cash,
cash equivalents and marketable securities, partially offset by an increase in interest rates
during the year to date ended July 1, 2007 as compared to the year to date ended July 2, 2006.
16
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of July 1, 2007, working capital totaled $41.9 million, including cash and cash equivalents of
$69.2 million and inventory of $14.7 million, partially offset by accounts payable of $42.5
million. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents as well as cash flows from
operations will be sufficient to continue our operations and meet our capital needs for the
foreseeable future.
Net cash used in operating activities was $16.7 million for the year to date ended July 1, 2007,
compared to net cash used in operating activities of $12.0 million for the year to date ended July
2, 2006. Cash was provided by earnings of $6.9 million for the year to date ended July 1, 2007 and
earnings of $5.5 million for the year to date ended July 2, 2006. Net payments of payables totaled
$24.1 million for the year to date ended July 1, 2007 and $22.5 million for the year to date ended
July 2, 2006. The increase in net payments of payables in 2007 relates primarily to higher payments
to suppliers in the first quarter of 2007 for inventory sold in the fourth quarter of 2006. The
volume of sales in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006 was greater than the volume of sales
in the fourth quarter ended January 1, 2006, resulting in an increase in the net payment of
payables in the year to date ended July 1, 2007 compared to the year to date ended July 2, 2006.
This payment cycle reflects what we believe to be the beneficial working capital characteristics of
our business model, wherein we collect cash from customers within several business days following a
related sale while we typically have longer payment terms with our suppliers. The decrease in
deferred tax assets in the year to date ended July 1, 2007 as compared to the year to date ended
July 2, 2006 reflects the full utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards for federal
income tax purposes in the quarter ended December 31, 2006.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $17.8 million for the year to date ended July 1,
2007, which primarily reflects net sales of marketable securities of $19.8 million offset by net
purchases of property and equipment of $2.1 million. Cash provided by investing activities was
$26.6 million for the year to date ended July 2, 2006, which primarily reflects net sales of
marketable securities of $27.8 million offset by net purchases of property and equipment of $1.2
million.
Net cash used in financing activities for the year to date ended July 1, 2007 was $10.5 million,
related primarily to repurchases of Blue Nile, Inc. common stock. In February 2006, our board of
directors authorized the repurchase of common stock with an aggregate total value of up to $100
million within the 24-month period following the approval date of such repurchase. In July 2006,
our board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $50 million within the 24 month
period following the approval date of such repurchase. The timing and amount of any shares
repurchased is determined by the Companys management based on its evaluation of market conditions
and other factors. Repurchases may also be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which permits shares to
be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading
laws. During the year to date ended July 1, 2007, we purchased approximately 345,000
shares of our common stock for approximately $13.5 million. Cash used in financing activities for
the year to date ended July 2, 2006 was $45.2 million related primarily to repurchases of Blue
Nile, Inc. common stock.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes to the contractual obligations during the period covered by
this report, outside of the ordinary course of business, from those disclosed in our annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of July 1, 2007, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
17
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
The Companys exposure to financial market risk results primarily from fluctuations in interest
rates. There have been no material changes to our market risks as disclosed in our annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
The functional currency of Blue Nile Jewellery, Ltd. (Jewellery) is the Euro. Assets and
liabilities of Jewellery are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the
end of the applicable period. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at an average
exchange rate during the applicable period. Foreign currency gains and losses from the translation
of Jewellerys balance sheet and income statement are included in other comprehensive income
(loss). Foreign currency gains and losses for the quarter ended July 1, 2007 were immaterial.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
During the quarter ended July 1, 2007, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with
the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer (collectively, our certifying officers), of the effectiveness of the design and operation
of 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 (the Exchange Act). Disclosure controls and
procedures are controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by us in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within
the time periods specified by the SECs rules and SEC reports. Disclosure controls and procedures
include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required
to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is
accumulated and communicated to the issuers management, including its principal executive and
principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on their evaluation, our certifying officers
concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, these disclosure controls and
procedures are effective in the timely recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of material
financial and non-financial information and are designed to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and
communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or
persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended
July 1, 2007, that our certifying officers concluded materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
18
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks described below and elsewhere in this report, which could
materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In
those cases, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of
your investment. For the current quarter, there have been no material changes to the risk factors
discussed below since we filed our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, other
than the addition of the risk factor We have foreign exchange risk below.
Our limited operating history makes it difficult for us to accurately forecast net sales and
appropriately plan our expenses.
We were incorporated in March 1999 and have a limited operating history. As a result, it is
difficult to accurately forecast our net sales and plan our operating expenses. We base our current
and future expense levels on our operating forecasts and estimates of future net sales. Net sales
and operating results are difficult to forecast because they generally depend on the volume and
timing of the orders we receive, which are uncertain. Some of our expenses are fixed, and, as a
result, we may be unable to adjust our spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected
shortfall in net sales. This inability could cause our net income in a given quarter to be lower
than expected. We also make certain assumptions when forecasting the amount of expense we expect
related to our stock-based compensation, which includes the expected volatility of our stock price,
the expected life of options granted and the expected rate of stock option forfeitures. These
assumptions are partly based on historical results. If actual results differ from our estimates,
our net income in a given quarter may be lower than expected.
We expect our quarterly financial results to fluctuate, which may lead to volatility in our stock
price.
We expect our net sales and operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to
a number of factors, including changes in:
|
|
|
demand for our products; |
|
|
|
|
the costs to acquire diamonds and precious metals; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to attract visitors to our websites and convert those visitors into customers; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to retain existing customers or encourage repeat purchases; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to manage our product mix and inventory; |
|
|
|
|
wholesale diamond prices; |
|
|
|
|
consumer tastes and preferences for diamonds and fine jewelry; |
|
|
|
|
our ability to manage our operations; |
|
|
|
|
the extent to which we provide for and pay taxes; |
|
|
|
|
stock-based compensation expense as a result of the nature, timing and amount of stock
options granted, the underlying assumptions used in valuing these options, the estimated
rate of stock option forfeitures and other factors; |
|
|
|
|
advertising and other marketing costs; |
|
|
|
|
our, or our competitors, pricing and marketing strategies; |
|
|
|
|
the introduction of competitive websites, products, price decreases or improvements; |
|
|
|
|
general economic conditions, both domestically and internationally; |
|
|
|
|
conditions or trends in the diamond and fine jewelry industry; |
|
|
|
|
conditions or trends in the Internet and e-commerce industry; |
|
|
|
|
the success of our geographic and product line expansions; and |
|
|
|
|
costs of expanding or enhancing our technology or websites. |
As a result of the variability of these and other factors, our operating results in future quarters
may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In this event, the price of
our common stock may decline.
19
As a result of seasonal fluctuations in our net sales, our quarterly results may fluctuate and
could be below expectations.
We have experienced and expect to continue to experience seasonal fluctuations in our net sales. In
particular, a disproportionate amount of our net sales has been realized during the fourth quarter
as a result of the December holiday season, and we expect this seasonality to continue in the
future. Approximately 36%, 36% and 38% of our net sales in the years ended December 31, 2006,
January 1, 2006 and January 2, 2005, respectively, were generated during the fourth quarter of each
year. In anticipation of increased sales activity during the fourth quarter, we may incur
significant additional expenses, including higher inventory of jewelry and additional staffing in
our fulfillment and customer support operations. If we were to experience lower than expected net
sales during any future fourth quarter, it would have a disproportionately large impact on our
operating results and financial condition for that year. We also experience considerable
fluctuations in net sales in periods preceding other annual occasions such as Valentines Day and
Mothers Day. In the future, our seasonal sales patterns may become more pronounced, may strain our
personnel and fulfillment activities and may cause a shortfall in net sales as compared to expenses
in a given period, which would substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Our failure to acquire quality diamonds and fine jewelry at commercially reasonable prices would
result in higher costs and lower net sales and damage our competitive position.
If we are unable to acquire quality diamonds and fine jewelry at commercially reasonable prices,
our costs may exceed our forecasts, our gross margins and operating results may suffer and our
competitive position could be damaged. The success of our business model depends, in part, on our
ability to offer quality products to customers at prices that are below those of traditional
jewelry retailers. A majority of the worlds supply of rough diamonds is controlled by a small
number of diamond mining firms. As a result, any decisions made to restrict the supply of rough
diamonds by these firms to our suppliers could substantially impair our ability to acquire diamonds
at commercially reasonable prices, if at all. We do not currently have any direct supply
relationship with these firms. Our ability to acquire diamonds and fine jewelry is also
substantially dependent on our relationships with various suppliers. Approximately 21%, 25% and 25%
of our payments to our diamond and fine jewelry suppliers in the years ended December 31, 2006,
January 1, 2006 and January 2, 2005, respectively, were made to our top three suppliers. Our
inability to maintain and expand these and other future diamond and fine jewelry supply
relationships on commercially reasonable terms or the inability of our current and future suppliers
to maintain arrangements for the supply of products sold to us on commercially reasonable terms
would substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Suppliers and manufacturers of diamonds as well as retailers of diamonds and diamond jewelry are
vertically integrated and we expect they will continue to vertically integrate their operations
either by developing retail channels for the products they manufacture or acquiring sources of
supply, including, without limitation, diamond mining operations for the products that they sell.
To the extent such vertical integration efforts are successful, some of the fragmentation in the
existing diamond supply chain could be eliminated, our ability to obtain an adequate supply of
diamonds and fine jewelry from multiple sources could be limited and our competitors may be able to
obtain diamonds at lower prices.
Our failure to meet customer expectations with respect to price would adversely affect our business
and results of operations.
Demand for our products has been highly sensitive to pricing changes. Changes in our pricing
strategies have had and may continue to have a significant impact on our net sales, gross margins
and net income. In the past, we have instituted retail price changes as part of our strategy to
stimulate growth in net sales and optimize gross profit. We may institute similar price changes in
the future. Such price changes may not result in an increase in net sales or in the optimization of
gross profits. In addition, many external factors, including the costs to acquire diamonds and
precious metals and our competitors pricing and marketing strategies, can significantly impact our
pricing strategies. If we fail to meet customer expectations with respect to price in any given
period, our business and results of operations would suffer.
20
Purchasers of diamonds and fine jewelry may not choose to shop online, which would prevent us from
increasing net sales.
The online market for diamonds and fine jewelry is significantly less developed than the online
market for books, music, toys and other consumer products. If this market does not gain widespread
acceptance, our business may suffer. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to attract
consumers who have historically purchased diamonds and fine jewelry through traditional retailers.
Furthermore, we may have to incur significantly higher and more sustained advertising and
promotional expenditures or price our products more competitively than we currently anticipate in
order to attract additional online consumers to our websites and convert them into purchasing
customers. Specific factors that could prevent consumers from purchasing diamonds and fine jewelry
from us include:
|
|
|
concerns about buying luxury products such as diamonds and fine jewelry without a
physical storefront, face-to-face interaction with sales personnel and the ability to
physically handle and examine products; |
|
|
|
|
delivery time associated with Internet orders; |
|
|
|
|
product offerings that do not reflect consumer tastes and preferences; |
|
|
|
|
pricing that does not meet consumer expectations; |
|
|
|
|
concerns about the security of online transactions and the privacy of personal information; |
|
|
|
|
delayed shipments or shipments of incorrect or damaged products; |
|
|
|
|
inconvenience associated with returning or exchanging Internet purchased items; and |
|
|
|
|
usability, functions and features of our websites. |
We may not succeed in continuing to establish the Blue Nile brand, which would prevent us from
acquiring customers and increasing our net sales.
A significant component of our business strategy is the continued establishment and promotion of
the Blue Nile brand. Due to the competitive nature of the online market for diamonds and fine
jewelry, if we do not continue to establish our brand and branded products, we may fail to build
the critical mass of customers required to substantially increase our net sales. Promoting and
positioning our brand will depend largely on the success of our marketing and merchandising efforts
and our ability to provide a consistent, high quality customer experience. To promote our brand and
branded products, we have incurred and will continue to incur substantial expense related to
advertising and other marketing efforts.
A critical component of our brand promotion strategy is establishing a relationship of trust with
our customers, which we believe can be achieved by providing a high quality customer experience. In
order to provide a high quality customer experience, we have invested and will continue to invest
substantial amounts of resources in the development and functionality of our multiple websites,
technology infrastructure, fulfillment operations and customer service operations. Our ability to
provide a high quality customer experience is also dependent, in large part, on external factors
over which we may have little or no control, including, without limitation, the reliability and
performance of our suppliers, third-party jewelry assemblers, third-party carriers and networking
vendors. During our peak seasons, we rely on temporary employees to supplement our full-time
customer service and fulfillment employees. Temporary employees may not have the same level of
commitment to our customers as our full-time employees. If our customers are dissatisfied with the
quality of the products or the customer service they receive, or if we are unable to deliver
products to our customers in a timely manner or at all, our customers may stop purchasing products
from us. We also rely on third parties for information, including product characteristics and
availability that we present to consumers on our websites, which may, on occasion, be inaccurate.
Our failure to provide our customers with high quality customer experiences for any reason could
substantially harm our reputation and adversely impact our efforts to develop Blue Nile as a
trusted brand. The failure of our brand promotion activities could adversely affect our ability to
attract new customers and maintain customer relationships, and, as a result, substantially harm our
business and results of operations.
21
We face significant competition and may be unsuccessful in competing against current and future
competitors.
The retail jewelry industry is intensely competitive, and we expect competition in the sale of
diamonds and fine jewelry to increase and intensify in the future. Increased competition may result
in price pressure, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which could substantially
harm our business and results of operations. Current and potential competitors include:
|
|
|
independent jewelry stores; |
|
|
|
|
retail jewelry store chains, such as Tiffany & Co. and Bailey Banks & Biddle; |
|
|
|
|
other online retailers that sell jewelry, such as Amazon.com; |
|
|
|
|
department stores, chain stores and mass retailers, such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus; |
|
|
|
|
online auction sites, such as eBay; |
|
|
|
|
catalog and television shopping retailers, such as Home Shopping Network and QVC; and |
|
|
|
|
discount superstores and wholesale clubs, such as Wal-Mart and Costco Wholesale. |
In addition to these competitors, we may face competition from suppliers of our products that
decide to sell directly to consumers, either through physical retail outlets or through online
stores.
Many of our current and potential competitors have advantages over us, including longer operating
histories, greater brand recognition, existing customer and supplier relationships, and
significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources. In addition, traditional
store-based retailers offer consumers the ability to physically handle and examine products in a
manner that is not possible over the Internet as well as a more convenient means of returning and
exchanging purchased products.
Some of our competitors seeking to establish an online presence may be able to devote substantially
more resources to website systems development and exert more leverage over the supply chain for
diamonds and fine jewelry than we can. In addition, larger, more established and better capitalized
entities may acquire, invest or partner with traditional and online competitors as use of the
Internet and other online services increases. Our online competitors can duplicate many of the
products, services and content we offer, which could harm our business and results of operations.
In order to increase net sales and to sustain or increase profitability, we must attract customers
in a cost-effective manner.
Our success depends on our ability to attract customers in a cost-effective manner. We have
relationships with providers of online services, search engines, directories and other websites and
e-commerce businesses to provide content, advertising banners and other links that direct customers
to our websites. We rely on these relationships as significant sources of traffic to our websites.
Our agreements with these providers generally have terms of one year or less. If we are unable to
develop or maintain these relationships on acceptable terms, our ability to attract new customers
would be harmed. In addition, many of the parties with which we have online-advertising
arrangements could provide advertising services to other online or traditional retailers, including
retailers with whom we compete. As competition for online advertising has increased, the cost for
these services has also increased. A significant increase in the cost of the marketing vehicles
upon which we rely could adversely impact our ability to attract customers in a cost-effective
manner and harm our business and results of operations.
We rely exclusively on the sale of diamonds and fine jewelry for our net sales, and demand for
these products could decline.
Luxury products, such as diamonds and fine jewelry, are discretionary purchases for consumers. The
volume and dollar value of such purchases may significantly decrease during economic downturns. The
success of our business depends in part on many macroeconomic factors, including employment levels,
salary levels, tax rates and credit availability, all of which affect consumer spending and
disposable income. Any reduction in consumer spending or disposable income may affect us more
significantly than companies in other industries.
Our net sales and results of operations are highly dependent on the demand for diamonds and diamond
jewelry, particularly engagement rings. Should prevailing consumer tastes for diamonds decline or
customs with respect to engagement shift away from the presentation of diamond jewelry, demand for
our products would decline and our business and results of operations would be substantially
harmed.
22
The significant cost of diamonds results in part from their scarcity. From time to time, attempts
have been made to develop and market synthetic stones and gems to compete in the market for
diamonds and diamond jewelry. We expect such efforts to continue in the future. If any such efforts
are successful in creating widespread demand for alternative diamond products, demand and price
levels for our products would decline and our business and results of operations would be
substantially harmed.
In recent years, increasing attention has been focused on conflict diamonds, which are diamonds
extracted from war-torn regions in Africa and sold by rebel forces to fund insurrection. Diamonds
are, in some cases, also believed to be used to fund terrorist activities in some regions. Blue
Nile supports the Kimberley Process, an international initiative intended to ensure diamonds are
not illegally traded to fund conflict. As part of this initiative, we require our diamond suppliers
to sign a statement acknowledging compliance with the Kimberley Process, and invoices received for
diamonds purchased by us must include a certification from the vendor that the diamonds are
conflict free. In addition, Blue Nile prohibits the use of its business or services for money
laundering or terrorist financing in accordance with the USA Patriot Act. Through these and other
efforts, we believe that the suppliers from whom we purchase our diamonds seek to exclude conflict
diamonds from their inventories. However, we cannot independently determine whether any diamond we
offer was extracted from these regions. Current efforts to increase consumer awareness of this
issue and encourage legislative response could adversely affect consumer demand for diamonds.
Consumer confidence is dependent, in part, on the certification of our diamonds by independent
laboratories. A decline in the quality of the certifications provided by these laboratories could
adversely impact demand for our products. Additionally, a decline in consumer confidence in the
credibility of independent diamond grading certifications could adversely impact demand for our
diamond products.
Our jewelry offerings must reflect the tastes and preferences of a wide range of consumers whose
preferences may change regularly. Our strategy has been to offer primarily what we consider to be
classic styles of fine jewelry, but there can be no assurance that these styles will continue to be
popular with consumers in the future. If the styles we offer become less popular with consumers and
we are not able to adjust our product offerings in a timely manner, our net sales may decline or
fail to meet expected levels.
We may be unsuccessful in further expanding our operations internationally.
To date, we have made limited international sales, but we have recently expanded our operations to
include a fulfillment operation in Ireland to serve customers acquired through our United Kingdom
website. Additionally, we have increased our product offerings and marketing and sales efforts in
the United Kingdom and Canada and anticipate continuing to expand our international sales and
operations in the future either by expanding local versions of our website for foreign markets or
through acquisitions or alliances with third parties. Any international expansion plans we choose
to undertake will require management attention and resources and may be unsuccessful. We have
minimal experience in selling our products in international markets and in conforming to the local
cultures, standards or policies necessary to successfully compete in those markets. Outside of the
United Kingdom and Canada, we have very limited web content localized for foreign markets and we
cannot be certain that we will be able to expand our global presence if we choose to further expand
internationally. In addition, we may have to compete with retailers that have more experience with
local markets. Our ability to expand and succeed internationally may also be limited by the demand
for our products and the adoption of electronic commerce in these markets. Different privacy,
censorship and liability standards and regulations and different intellectual property laws in
foreign countries may prohibit expansion into such markets or cause our business and results of
operations to suffer.
Our current and future international operations may also fail to succeed due to other risks
inherent in foreign operations, including:
|
|
|
the need to develop new supplier and jeweler relationships; |
|
|
|
|
international regulatory requirements and tariffs; |
|
|
|
|
difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations; |
|
|
|
|
longer payment cycles from credit card companies; |
|
|
|
|
greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection; |
|
|
|
|
our reliance on third-party carriers for product shipments to our customers; |
|
|
|
|
risk of theft of our products during shipment; |
|
|
|
|
limited shipping and insurance options for us and our customers; |
|
|
|
|
potential adverse tax consequences; |
|
|
|
|
foreign currency exchange risk; |
23
|
|
|
lack of infrastructure to adequately conduct electronic commerce transactions or fulfillment operations; |
|
|
|
|
unclear foreign intellectual property protection laws; |
|
|
|
|
laws and regulations related to corporate governance and employee/employer relationships; |
|
|
|
|
price controls or other restrictions on foreign currency; |
|
|
|
|
difficulties in obtaining export and import licenses; |
|
|
|
|
increased payment risk and greater difficulty addressing credit card fraud; |
|
|
|
|
consumer and data protection laws; |
|
|
|
|
lower levels of adoption or use of the Internet; and |
|
|
|
|
geopolitical events, including war and terrorism. |
Our failure to successfully expand our international operations may cause our business and results
of operations to suffer.
We rely on our suppliers, third-party carriers and third-party jewelers as part of our fulfillment
process, and these third parties may fail to adequately serve our customers.
We significantly rely on our suppliers to promptly ship us diamonds ordered by our customers. Any
failure by our suppliers to sell and ship such products to us in a timely manner will have an
adverse effect on our ability to fulfill customer orders and harm our business and results of
operations. Our suppliers, in turn, rely on third-party carriers to ship diamonds to us, and in
some cases, directly to our customers. We also rely on third-party carriers for product shipments
to our customers. We and our suppliers are therefore subject to the risks, including employee
strikes and inclement weather, associated with such carriers abilities to provide delivery
services to meet our and our suppliers shipping needs. In addition, for some customer orders we
rely on third-party jewelers to assemble the product. Our suppliers, third-party carriers or
third-party jewelers failure to deliver products to us or our customers in a timely manner or to
otherwise adequately serve our customers would damage our reputation and brand and substantially
harm our business and results of operations.
If our fulfillment operations are interrupted for any significant period of time, our business and
results of operations would be substantially harmed.
Our success depends on our ability to successfully receive and fulfill orders and to promptly and
securely deliver our products to our customers. Most of our inventory management, jewelry assembly,
packaging, labeling and product return processes are performed in a single fulfillment center
located in the United States. This facility is susceptible to damage or interruption from human
error, fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks, acts of war,
break-ins, earthquake and similar events. We have recently added another fulfillment center in
Ireland, that would also be susceptible to these events. Our business interruption insurance may be
insufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur in the event operations at our fulfillment
centers are interrupted. We have expanded and currently are significantly expanding our existing
fulfillment center located in the United States. Any interruptions in our fulfillment center
operations for any significant period of time, including interruptions resulting from the expansion
of our existing facility, could damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business
and results of operations.
We face the risk of theft of our products from inventory or during shipment.
We have experienced and may continue to experience theft of our products while they are being held
in our fulfillment centers or during the course of shipment to our customers by third-party
shipping carriers. We have taken steps to prevent such theft and we maintain insurance to cover
certain losses resulting from theft. However, if security measures fail, losses exceed our
insurance coverage or we are not able to maintain insurance at a reasonable cost, we could incur
significant losses from theft, which would substantially harm our business and results of
operations.
If the single facility where substantially all of our computer and communications hardware is
located fails, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be harmed.
Our ability to successfully receive and fulfill orders and to provide high quality customer service
depends in part on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications
systems. Substantially all of the computer hardware necessary to operate our websites is located at
a single leased facility. Our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from
human error, fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks, acts of war,
break-ins, earthquake and similar events. We do not presently have redundant systems in multiple
locations and our business interruption insurance may be insufficient to compensate us for losses
that may occur. In addition, our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, denial of service
attacks, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions, which could lead to
24
interruptions, delays, loss of critical data, the inability to fulfill customer orders or the
unauthorized disclosure of confidential customer data. The occurrence of any of the foregoing risks
could substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Our failure to protect confidential information of our customers and our network against security
breaches could damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business and results of
operations.
A significant barrier to online commerce and communications is the secure transmission of
confidential information over public networks. Our failure to prevent these security breaches could
damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Currently, a majority of our sales are billed to our customers credit card accounts directly. We
rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to effect secure
transmission of confidential information, including credit card numbers. Advances in computer
capabilities, human errors, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments may
result in a compromise or breach of the technology used by us to protect customer transaction data.
In addition, any party who is able to illicitly obtain a users password could access the
customers transaction data. An increasing number of websites and Internet companies have reported
breaches of their security. Any such compromise of our security could damage our reputation,
business and brand and expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability, which
would substantially harm our business, and results of operations. In addition, anyone who is able
to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause
interruptions in our operations, damage our computers or those of our users, or otherwise damage
our reputation and business. These issues are likely to become more difficult as we expand the
number of countries in which we operate. We may need to expend significant resources to protect
against security breaches or to address problems caused by breaches.
Our failure to effectively manage the growth in our operations may prevent us from successfully
expanding our business.
We have experienced, and in the future may experience, rapid growth in operations, which has
placed, and could continue to place, a significant strain on our operations, services, internal
controls and other managerial, operational and financial resources. To effectively manage future
expansion, we will need to maintain our operational and financial systems and managerial controls
and procedures, which include the following processes:
|
|
|
transaction-processing and fulfillment; |
|
|
|
|
inventory management; |
|
|
|
|
customer support; |
|
|
|
|
management of multiple supplier relationships; |
|
|
|
|
operational, financial and managerial controls; |
|
|
|
|
reporting procedures; |
|
|
|
|
recruitment, training, supervision, retention and management of our employees; and |
|
|
|
|
technology operations. |
If we are unable to manage future expansion, our ability to provide a high quality customer
experience could be harmed, which would damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our
business and results of operations.
The success of our business may depend on our ability to successfully expand our product offerings.
Our ability to significantly increase our net sales and maintain and increase our profitability may
depend on our ability to successfully expand our product lines beyond our current offerings. If we
offer a new product category that is not accepted by consumers, the Blue Nile brand and reputation
could be adversely affected, our net sales may fall short of expectations and we may incur
substantial expenses that are not offset by increased net sales. Expansion of our product lines may
also strain our management and operational resources.
If we are unable to accurately manage our inventory of fine jewelry, our reputation and results of
operations could suffer.
Except for loose diamonds, substantially all of the fine jewelry we sell is from our physical
inventory. Changes in consumer tastes for these products subject us to significant inventory risks.
The demand for specific products can change between the time we order an item and the date we
receive it. If we under-stock one or more of our products, we may not be able to obtain additional
units in a timely manner on terms favorable to us, if at all, which would damage our reputation and
substantially harm our business and results of operations. In addition, if demand for our products
increases over time, we may be forced to increase inventory levels. If one or more of our products
does not achieve widespread consumer acceptance, we may be required to take significant inventory
markdowns, or may not be able to sell the product at all, which would substantially harm our
results of operations.
25
Repurchases of our common stock may not prove to be the best use of our cash resources.
On February 2, 2006, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100 million of Blue
Nile, Inc. common stock during the subsequent 24 month period following the approval date of such
repurchases. On July 27, 2006, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to an
additional $50 million of Blue Nile, Inc. common stock during the subsequent 24 month period
following the approval date of such repurchase. These repurchases and any repurchases we may make
in the future may not prove to be at optimal prices and our use of cash for the stock repurchase
program may not prove to be the best use of our cash resources and may adversely impact our future
liquidity.
We have incurred significant operating losses in the past and may not be able to sustain
profitability in the future.
We experienced significant operating losses in each quarter from our inception in 1999 through the
second quarter of 2002. As a result, our business has a limited record of profitability and may not
continue to be profitable or increase profitability. If we are unable to acquire diamonds and fine
jewelry at commercially reasonable prices, if net sales decline or if our expenses otherwise exceed
our expectations, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual
basis.
We rely on the services of our key personnel, any of whom would be difficult to replace.
We rely upon the continued service and performance of key technical, fulfillment and senior
management personnel. If we lose any of these personnel, our business could suffer. Competition for
qualified personnel in our industry is intense. We believe that our future success will depend on
our continued ability to attract, hire and retain key employees. Other than for our Chief Executive
Officer, we do not have key person life insurance policies covering any of our employees.
Failure to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights could substantially harm
our business and results of operations.
We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright law and contractual
restrictions to protect our intellectual property. These afford only limited protection. Despite
our efforts to protect and enforce our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties have attempted and
may in the future attempt to copy aspects of our website features, compilation and functionality or
to obtain and use information that we consider as proprietary, such as the technology used to
operate our websites, our content and our trademarks. We have registered Blue Nile,
bluenile.com, the BN logo and the Blue Nile BN stylized logo as trademarks in the United States
and in certain other countries. Our competitors have, and other competitors may, adopt service
names similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to
consumer confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name or trademark infringement
claims brought by owners of other registered trademarks or trademarks that incorporate variations
of the term Blue Nile or our other trademarks. Any claims or consumer confusion related to our
trademarks could damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business and results of
operations.
We currently hold the bluenile.com, bluenile.co.uk and bluenile.ca Internet domain names and
various other related domain names. Domain names generally are regulated by Internet regulatory
bodies. If we lose the ability to use a domain name in a particular country, we would be forced to
either incur significant additional expenses to market our products within that country, including
the development of a new brand and the creation of new promotional materials and packaging, or
elect not to sell products in that country. Either result could substantially harm our business and
results of operations. The regulation of domain names in the United States and in foreign countries
is subject to change. Regulatory bodies could establish additional top-level domains, appoint
additional domain name registrars or modify the requirements for holding domain names. As a result,
we may not be able to acquire or maintain the domain names that utilize the name Blue Nile in all
of the countries in which we currently or intend to conduct business.
Litigation or proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or similar international
regulatory agencies may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to
protect our trade secrets and domain names and to determine the validity and scope of the
proprietary rights of others. Any litigation or adverse priority proceeding could result in
substantial costs and diversion of resources and could substantially harm our business and results
of operations. We sell and intend to increasingly sell our products internationally, and the laws
of many countries do not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the
United States.
26
Assertions by third parties of infringement by us of their intellectual property rights could
result in significant costs and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Third parties have, and may in the future, assert that we have infringed their technology or other
intellectual property rights. We cannot predict whether any such assertions or claims arising from
such assertions will substantially harm our business and results of operations. If we are forced to
defend against any infringement claims, whether they are with or without merit or are determined in
our favor, we may face costly litigation, diversion of technical and management personnel or
product shipment delays. Furthermore, the outcome of a dispute may be that we would need to develop
non-infringing technology or enter into royalty or licensing agreements. Royalty or licensing
agreements, if required, may be unavailable on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Increased product returns and the failure to accurately predict product returns could substantially
harm our business and results of operations.
We offer our customers an unconditional 30-day return policy that allows our customers to return
most products if they are not satisfied for any reason. We make allowances for product returns in
our financial statements based on historical return rates. Actual merchandise returns are difficult
to predict and may differ from our allowances. Any significant increase in merchandise returns
above our allowances would substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Interruptions to our systems that impair customer access to our websites would damage our
reputation and brand and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our websites, transaction processing
systems and network infrastructure are critical to our reputation and our ability to attract and
retain customers and to maintain adequate customer service levels. Any future systems interruptions
or downtime or technical difficulties that result in the unavailability of our websites or reduced
order fulfillment performance could result in negative publicity, damage our reputation and brand
and cause our business and results of operations to suffer. We may be susceptible to such
disruptions in the future. We may also experience temporary system interruptions for a variety of
other reasons in the future, including power failures, failures of Internet service and
telecommunication providers, software or human errors or an overwhelming number of visitors trying
to reach our websites during periods of strong seasonal demand or promotions. Because we are
dependent in part on third parties for the implementation and maintenance of certain aspects of our
systems and because some of the causes of system interruptions may be outside of our control, we
may not be able to remedy such interruptions in a timely manner, or at all.
Our failure to rapidly respond to technological change could result in our services or systems
becoming obsolete and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
As the Internet and online commerce industries evolve, we may be required to license emerging
technologies useful in our business, enhance our existing services, develop new services and
technologies that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of our prospective
customers and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a
cost-effective and timely basis. We may not be able to successfully implement new technologies or
adapt our websites, proprietary technologies and transaction-processing systems to customer
requirements or emerging industry standards. Our failure to do so would substantially harm our
business and results of operations. We may be required to upgrade existing technologies or business
applications, or implement new technologies or business applications. Our results of operations may
be affected by the timing, effectiveness and costs associated with the successful implementation of
any upgrades or changes to our systems and infrastructure.
If use of the Internet, particularly with respect to online commerce, does not continue to increase
as rapidly as we anticipate, our business will be harmed.
Our future net sales and profits are substantially dependent upon the continued growth in the use
of the Internet as an effective medium of business and communication by our target customers.
Internet use may not continue to develop at historical rates and consumers may not continue to use
the Internet and other online services as a medium for commerce. Highly publicized failures by some
online retailers to meet consumer demands could result in consumer reluctance to adopt the Internet
as a means for commerce, and thereby damage our reputation and brand and substantially harm our
business and results of operations.
27
In addition, the Internet may not be accepted as a viable long-term commercial marketplace for a
number of reasons, including:
|
|
|
actual or perceived lack of security of information or privacy protection; |
|
|
|
|
possible disruptions, computer viruses, spyware, phishing, attacks or other damage to
the Internet servers, service providers, network carriers and Internet companies or to
users computers; and |
|
|
|
|
excessive governmental regulation. |
Our success will depend, in large part, upon third parties maintaining the Internet infrastructure
to provide a reliable network backbone with the speed, data capacity, security and hardware
necessary for reliable Internet access and services. Our business, which relies on a contextually
rich website that requires the transmission of substantial secure data, is also significantly
dependent upon the availability and adoption of broadband Internet access and other high speed
Internet connectivity technologies.
We rely on our relationship with a third-party consumer credit company to offer financing for the
purchase of our products.
The purchase of the diamond and fine jewelry products we sell is a substantial expense for many of
our customers. We currently rely on our relationship with a single financial institution to provide
financing to our customers. If we are unable to maintain this or other similar arrangements, we may
not be able to offer financing alternatives to our customers, which may reduce demand for our
products and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
We may undertake acquisitions to expand our business, which may pose risks to our business and
dilute the ownership of our existing stockholders.
A key component of our business strategy includes strengthening our competitive position and
refining the customer experience on our websites through internal development. However, from time
to time, we may selectively pursue acquisitions of businesses, technologies or services.
Integrating any newly acquired businesses, technologies or services may be expensive and
time-consuming. To finance any acquisitions, it may be necessary for us to raise additional funds
through public or private financings. Additional funds may not be available on terms that are
favorable to us, and, in the case of equity financings, would result in dilution to our
stockholders. If we do complete any acquisitions, we may be unable to operate such acquired
businesses profitably or otherwise implement our strategy successfully. If we are unable to
integrate any newly acquired entities or technologies effectively, our business and results of
operations could suffer. The time and expense associated with finding suitable and compatible
businesses, technologies or services could also disrupt our ongoing business and divert our
managements attention. Future acquisitions by us could also result in large and immediate
write-offs or assumptions of debt and contingent liabilities, any of which could substantially harm
our business and results of operations. We have no current plans, agreements or commitments with
respect to any such acquisitions.
We have foreign exchange risk.
The results of operations of our foreign subsidiary are exposed to foreign exchange rate
fluctuations. Upon translation from foreign currency into U.S. dollars, operating results may
differ materially from expectations, and we may record significant gains or losses. As we have
expanded our international operations, our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations has increased.
Our net sales may be negatively affected if we are required to charge taxes on purchases.
We do not collect or have imposed upon us sales or other taxes related to the products we sell,
except for certain corporate level taxes, sales taxes with respect to purchases by customers
located in the State of Washington, and certain taxes required to be collected on sales to
customers outside of the United States of America. However, one or more states or foreign countries
may seek to impose sales or other tax collection obligations on us in the future. A successful
assertion by one or more states or foreign countries that we should be collecting sales or other
taxes on the sale of our products could result in substantial tax liabilities for past sales,
discourage customers from purchasing products from us, decrease our ability to compete with
traditional retailers or otherwise substantially harm our business and results of operations.
28
Currently, decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court restrict the imposition of obligations to collect
state and local sales and use taxes with respect to sales made over the Internet. However,
implementation of the restrictions imposed by these Supreme Court decisions is subject to
interpretation by state and local taxing authorities. While we believe that these Supreme Court
decisions currently restrict state and local taxing authorities outside the State of Washington
from requiring us to collect sales and use taxes from purchasers located within their
jurisdictions, taxing authorities outside the State of Washington could disagree with our
interpretation of these decisions. Moreover, a number of states, as well as the U.S. Congress, have
been considering various initiatives that could limit or supersede the Supreme Courts position
regarding sales and use taxes on Internet sales. If any state or local taxing jurisdiction were to
disagree with our interpretation of the Supreme Courts current position regarding state and local
taxation of Internet sales, or if any of these initiatives were to address the Supreme Courts
constitutional concerns and result in a reversal of its current position, we could be required to
collect sales and use taxes from purchasers located in states other than Washington. The imposition
by state and local governments of various taxes upon Internet commerce could create administrative
burdens for us and could decrease our future net sales.
Government regulation of the Internet and e-commerce is evolving and unfavorable changes could
substantially harm our business and results of operations.
We are not currently subject to direct federal, state or local regulation other than regulations
applicable to businesses generally or directly applicable to retailing and online commerce.
However, as the Internet becomes increasingly popular, it is possible that laws and regulations may
be adopted with respect to the Internet, which may impede the growth of the Internet or other
online services. These regulations and laws may cover issues such as taxation, advertising,
intellectual property rights, freedom of expression, pricing, restrictions on imports and exports,
customs, tariffs, information security, privacy, data protection, content, distribution, electronic
contracts and other communications, the provision of online payment services, broadband residential
Internet access and the characteristics and quality of products and services. Further, the growth
of online commerce may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws. Several states
have proposed legislation to limit the uses of personal user information gathered online or require
online companies to establish privacy policies. The Federal Trade Commission has also initiated
action against at least one online company regarding the manner in which personal information is
collected from users and provided to third parties. The adoption of additional privacy or consumer
protection laws could create uncertainty in Internet usage and reduce the demand for our products
and services.
We are not certain how our business may be affected by the application of existing laws governing
issues such as property ownership, copyrights, personal property, encryption and other intellectual
property issues, taxation, libel, obscenity, qualification to do business and export or import
matters. The vast majority of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet. As a
result, they do not contemplate or address the unique issues of the Internet and related
technologies. Changes in laws intended to address these issues could create uncertainty for those
conducting online commerce. This uncertainty could reduce demand for our products and services or
increase the cost of doing business as a result of litigation costs or increased fulfillment costs
and may substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Our failure to address risks associated with payment methods, credit card fraud and other consumer
fraud could damage our reputation and brand and may cause our business and results of operations to
suffer.
Under current credit card practices, we are liable for fraudulent credit card transactions because
we do not obtain a cardholders signature. We do not currently carry insurance against this risk.
To date, we have experienced minimal losses from credit card fraud, but we face the risk of
significant losses from this type of fraud as our net sales increase and as we expand
internationally. Our failure to adequately control fraudulent credit card transactions could damage
our reputation and brand and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Additionally, for certain payment transactions, including credit and debit cards, we pay
interchange and other fees, which may increase over time and raise our operating costs and lower
our operating margins.
We may need to implement additional finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls as we
grow our business and organization and to satisfy new reporting requirements.
As a public reporting company, we are required to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and
the related rules and regulations of the SEC, including expanded disclosures and accelerated
reporting requirements and more complex accounting rules. Compliance with Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other requirements may increase our costs and require additional
management time and resources. We may need to continue to implement additional finance and
accounting systems, procedures and controls to satisfy new reporting requirements. If our internal
control over financial reporting is determined to be ineffective, investors could lose confidence
in the reliability of our internal control over financial reporting, which could adversely affect
our stock price.
29
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on May 22, 2007, the stockholders elected
two directors to serve until the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and ratified the Audit
Committees selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 30, 2007. The terms of the other members
of the Companys Board of Directors, W. Eric Carlborg, Anne Saunders, Joanna Strober, Mary Alice
Taylor and Mark Vadon, continued after the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Proxies for the
meeting were solicited pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
The table below shows the results of the stockholders voting:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Votes Withheld/ |
|
|
Votes in Favor |
|
Votes Against |
|
Abstentions |
Proposal 1: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Election of two
directors for
three-year terms
expiring at the 2010
annual meeting of
stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diane Irvine |
|
|
14,441,691 |
|
|
NA |
|
|
155,354 |
|
Joseph Jimenez |
|
|
14,216,246 |
|
|
NA |
|
|
380,799 |
|
|
Proposal 2: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratification of the
selection of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as the
Companys independent
registered public
accounting firm for the
fiscal year ending
December 30, 2007 |
|
|
14,581,024 |
|
|
|
12,644 |
|
|
|
3,377 |
|
30
Item 6. Exhibits
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
3.1
|
(1) |
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Blue Nile, Inc. |
|
|
|
3.2
|
(2) |
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Blue Nile, Inc. |
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2. |
|
|
|
4.2
|
(3) |
Specimen Stock Certificate. |
|
|
|
4.3
|
(2) |
Fourth Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated June
29, 2001 by and between Blue Nile, Inc. and certain holders of Blue
Nile, Inc.s preferred stock. |
|
|
|
10.1
|
(4) |
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Form of Award
Agreement under the Blue Nile, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. |
|
|
|
31.1
|
(5) |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as required by Rule
13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
|
|
|
31.2
|
(5) |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as required by Rule
13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
|
|
|
32.1
|
(5)* |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as required by Rule
13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
|
|
|
32.2
|
(5)* |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as required by Rule
13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Blue Nile, Inc.s Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended July 4, 2004 (No. 000-50763), as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2004, and incorporated
by reference herein. |
|
(2) |
|
Previously filed as the like numbered exhibit to Blue Nile, Inc.s
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-113494), as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2004, as amended, and
incorporated by reference herein. |
|
(3) |
|
Previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Blue Nile, Inc.s Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A (No. 333-113494), as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2004, as amended, and incorporated
by reference herein. |
|
(4) |
|
Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Blue Nile, Inc.s Current Report
on Form 8-K (No. 000-50763), as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on June 29, 2007, and incorporated by reference herein. |
|
(5) |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
* |
|
The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 accompany this
quarterly report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed filed by Blue
Nile, Inc. for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. |
31
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BLUE NILE, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registrant |
|
|
Date: August 9, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Diane M. Irvine
|
|
|
Diane M. Irvine |
|
|
President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer) |
|
32
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
3.1(1)
|
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Blue Nile, Inc. |
|
|
|
3.2(2)
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Blue Nile, Inc. |
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2. |
|
|
|
4.2(3)
|
|
Specimen Stock Certificate. |
|
|
|
4.3(2)
|
|
Fourth Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated June
29, 2001 by and between Blue Nile, Inc. and certain holders of Blue
Nile, Inc.s preferred stock. |
|
|
|
10.1(4)
|
|
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Form of Award
Agreement under the Blue Nile, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. |
|
|
|
31.1(5)
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as required by Rule
13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
|
|
|
31.2(5)
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as required by Rule
13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
|
|
|
32.1(5)*
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as required by Rule
13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
|
|
|
32.2(5)*
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as required by Rule
13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Blue Nile, Inc.s Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended July 4, 2004 (No. 000-50763), as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2004, and incorporated
by reference herein. |
|
(2) |
|
Previously filed as the like numbered exhibit to Blue Nile, Inc.s
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-113494), as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2004, as amended, and
incorporated by reference herein. |
|
(3) |
|
Previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Blue Nile, Inc.s Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A (No. 333-113494), as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2004, as amended, and incorporated
by reference herein. |
|
(4) |
|
Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Blue Nile, Inc.s Current Report
on Form 8-K (No. 000-50763), as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on June 29, 2007, and incorporated by reference herein. |
|
(5) |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
* |
|
The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 accompany this
quarterly report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed filed by Blue
Nile, Inc. for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. |
33