Skip to content
KStart free
AI InfrastructureDefenseQuantumAll studies →

JILL US Equity

J.Jill, Inc.Consumer Discretionary · Women's, Misses': and Juniors Outerwear · CIK 1687932 · FY ends Jan 30
$20.21
-0.11 (-0.54%)
USD · as of 2026-08-21 · marketstack

JILL · 10-K · period ended 2025-02-01

← all JILL documents
filed 2025-04-01 · EDGAR original ↗

Our rendering of the filing — original pagination and typography are not reproduced, and tables are reduced to their short label cells (the figures live on FA). Nothing is summarized: every line below is the filing's own text.

blocks 5941,193 of 1,409331k characters rendered

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections of this Annual Report titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

We operate on a 52 or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the Saturday that is closest to January 31. Each fiscal year generally is comprised of four 13-week fiscal quarters, although in the years with 53 weeks, the fourth quarter represents a 14-week period. References in this Annual Report to “Fiscal Year 2024” refer to the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025, references to the “Fiscal Year 2023” refer to the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 and references to “Fiscal Year 2022” refer to the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023. Fiscal Years 2024 and 2022 are comprised of 52 weeks and Fiscal Year 2023 is comprised of 53 weeks.

The discussion that follows includes a comparison of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023. For the discussion comparing the Fiscal Years 2023 and 2022, refer to Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Fiscal Year 2023 Form 10-K, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2024.

All references in this Annual Report to "J.Jill", "we", "our", "us", "the Company" or similar terms are to J.Jill, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Overview

J.Jill is a national lifestyle brand that provides apparel, footwear and accessories designed to help its customers move through a full life with ease. The brand represents an easy, thoughtful and inspired style that celebrates the totality of all women and designs its products with its core brand ethos in mind: keep it simple and make it matter. J.Jill offers a high touch customer experience through over 250 stores nationwide and a robust ecommerce platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of financial and operating metrics, including financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and non-GAAP measures, such as:

Net sales consist primarily of revenues, net of merchandise returns and discounts, generated from the sale of apparel and accessory merchandise through our retail stores (“Retail”) and through our website and catalog orders (“Direct”). Net sales also include shipping and handling fees collected from customers, and royalty revenues and marketing reimbursements related to our private label credit card agreement. Retail revenue is recognized at the time of sale and Direct revenue is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to the customer.

Net sales are impacted by the size of our active customer base, product assortment and availability, marketing and promotional activities and the spending habits of our customers. Net sales are also impacted by the migration of single-channel customers to omnichannel customers who, on average, spend three times more than single-channel customers.

Total company comparable sales include net sales from our retail stores that have been open for more than 52 weeks and from our Direct channel. This measure highlights the performance of existing stores open during the period, while excluding the impact of new store openings and closures. When a store in the total company comparable store base is temporarily closed for four or more days within a fiscal week, the store is excluded from the comparable store base; if it is temporarily closed for three or fewer days within a fiscal week, the store is included within the comparable store base. Certain of our competitors and other retailers may calculate total company comparable sales differently than we do. Our comparable sales are based on a 52-week period. The total company comparable sales calculation shifts the weeks in the fiscal year containing the fifty-third week to align like-for-like. As a result, the reporting of our total company comparable sales may not be comparable to sales data made available by other companies.

Number of stores reflects all stores open at the end of a reporting period. In connection with opening new stores, we incur pre-opening costs. Pre-opening costs include expenses incurred prior to opening a new store and primarily consist of payroll, travel, training, marketing, initial opening supplies and costs of transporting initial inventory and fixtures to retail stores, as well as occupancy costs incurred from the time of possession of a store site to the opening of that store. In

34

connection with closing stores, we incur store-closing costs. Store-closing costs primarily consist of lease termination penalties and costs of transporting inventory and fixtures to other store locations. These pre-opening and store-closing costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and are generally incurred and expensed within 30 days of opening a new store or closing a store.

Gross profit is equal to our net sales less costs of goods sold. Gross profit as a percentage of our net sales is referred to as gross margin.

Costs of goods sold(“COGS”) consists of the direct costs of sold merchandise, which include customs, taxes, duties, commissions and inbound shipping costs, inventory shrinkage, and adjustments and reserves for excess, aged and obsolete inventory. COGS does not include distribution center costs and allocations of indirect costs, such as occupancy, depreciation, amortization, or labor and benefits. We review our inventory levels on an ongoing basis to identify slow-moving merchandise and use markdowns to liquidate these products. Changes in the assortment of our products may also impact our gross profit. The timing and level of markdowns are driven by customer acceptance of our merchandise. The Company’s COGS, and consequently gross profit, may not be comparable to those of other retailers, as inclusion of certain costs vary across the industry.

The variability in COGS is due to raw materials, transportation and freight costs. These costs fluctuate based on certain factors beyond our control, including labor conditions, inbound transportation or freight costs, energy prices, currency fluctuations and commodity prices. We place orders with merchandise suppliers in U.S. dollars and, as a result, are not exposed to significant foreign currency exchange risk.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include all operating costs not included in COGS. These expenses consist primarily of all payroll and related expenses, occupancy costs, information systems costs and other operating expenses related to our stores and to our operations at our headquarters, including utilities, depreciation and amortization. These expenses also consist of marketing expense, including catalog production and mailing costs, warehousing, distribution and outbound shipping costs, customer service operations, consulting and software services, natural disaster related costs, professional services and other administrative costs. Additionally, our outbound shipping costs may fluctuate due to surcharges from shipping vendors based on demand for shipping services.

With the exception of store selling expenses, certain marketing expenses and incentive compensation, SG&A expenses generally do not vary proportionately with net sales. As a result, SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales are usually higher in lower-volume periods and lower in higher-volume periods.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. Adjusted EBITDA, represents net income plus depreciation and amortization, income tax provision, interest expense, interest expense - related party, interest income, equity-based compensation expense, write-off of property and equipment, amortization of cloud-based software implementation costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, loss on debt refinancing, adjustment for exited retail stores, impairment of long-lived assets, loss due to hurricane, and other non-recurring items, primarily consisting of non-ordinary course professional fees, non-employee share-based payments, and legal settlements and fees associated with certain non-recurring transactions and events. We present Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis because management uses it as a supplemental measure in assessing our operating performance, and we believe that it is helpful to investors, securities analysts and other interested parties as a measure of our comparative operating performance from period to period. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting overall expected performance of our business and for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations. Further, we recognize Adjusted EBITDA as a commonly used measure in determining business value and as such, use it internally to report results. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents, for any period, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.

While we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our business, Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that has limitations as an analytical tool. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or substitute for, net income, which is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently or not at all, which reduces the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a tool for comparison. We recommend that you review the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, and the calculation of the resultant Adjusted EBITDA margin below and not rely solely on Adjusted EBITDA or any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

35

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2025 which is comprised of 52-weeks compared to Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 which is comprised of 53-weeks and January 28, 2023 which is comprised of 52-weeks.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin for the periods presented:

For the Fiscal Year Ended

Statements of Operations Data:

Add (Less):

Interest expense - related party — 1,074 4,114

Adjustments:

Write-off of property and equipment (b) 105 70 267

Amortization of cloud-based software implementation costs (c) 882 620 —

Loss on extinguishment of debt (d) 8,570 — —

Loss on debt refinancing (e) — 12,702 —

Adjustment for exited retail stores (f) (843 ) (767 ) (250 )

Loss due to hurricane (h) 2 — —

Other non-recurring items (i) 2,673 2 7

(a)

Represents expenses associated with equity incentive instruments granted to our management and board of directors (the “Board”). Incentive instruments are accounted for as equity-classified awards with the related compensation expense recognized based on fair value at the date of the grant.

(b)

Represents the net gain or loss on the disposal of fixed assets.

(c)

Represents amortization of capitalized implementation costs related to cloud-based software arrangements that are included within Selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 has been restated to include such adjustments to Net income, and no adjustment was made for fiscal year ended January 28, 2023 as the amount was immaterial.

(d)

Represents loss on the prepayment of a portion of the term loan (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement” and, such facility, the “Term Loan Facility”).

(e)

Represents loss on the repayment of Priming Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Priming Credit Agreement”) and the Subordinated Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Subordinated Credit Agreement”).

(f)

Represents non-cash gains associated with exiting store leases earlier than anticipated.

(g)

Represents impairment of long-lived assets related to right-of-use assets and leasehold improvements.

(h)

Represents loss on write-off of property and equipment and inventory at one store location due to hurricane and insurance recovery received to date.

(i)

Represents items management believes are not indicative of ongoing operating performance, including non-ordinary course professional fees, non-employee share-based payments, and legal settlements and fees.

Items Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations

53rd week. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday, in January or February, nearest to the last day of January, resulting in an additional week of results every five or six years. Fiscal Year 2023 contained 53-weeks of operations whereas the Fiscal Years 2024 and 2022 contained 52-weeks of operations. The 53rd week added approximately $7.9 million to net sales and $2.2 million to Adjusted EBITDA for Fiscal Year 2023.

36

Loss on extinguishment of debt. For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $8.6 million related to the voluntary prepayment of a portion of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. No such loss was incurred by the Company during Fiscal Year 2023.

Loss on debt refinancing. For Fiscal Year 2023, the Company recognized a loss on debt refinancing of $12.7 million related to entering into a Term Loan Credit Agreement and the repayment of the Priming Credit Agreement and the Subordinated Credit Agreement. No such loss was incurred by the Company during Fiscal Year 2024.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2025 which is comprised of 52-weeks compared to Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2024 which is comprised of 53-weeks.

The following table summarizes our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated:

Dollars % of NetSales Dollars % of NetSales $ Change % Change

Net Sales

Net sales for Fiscal Year 2024 increased $2.8 million or 0.5%, to $610.9 million from $608.0 million for Fiscal Year 2023. The increase in net sales was due to total company comparable sales increase of 1.5% partially offset by the loss of the 53rd week included in Fiscal Year 2023.

Our Direct channel was responsible for 47.5% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2024 compared to 46.8% in Fiscal Year 2023. Our Retail channel was responsible for 52.5% of our net sales in Fiscal Year 2024 and 53.2% in Fiscal Year 2023. We operated 252 and 244 retail stores at the end of these same periods, respectively.

Gross Profit and Cost of Goods Sold

Gross profit for Fiscal Year 2024 decreased $0.9 million, or 0.2%, to $429.9 million from $430.8 million for Fiscal Year 2023. The gross margin for Fiscal Year 2024 was 70.4% compared to 70.8% for Fiscal Year 2023, driven by an increase in promotional activities and increased freight costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for Fiscal Year 2024 increased $8.8 million, or 2.6%, to $353.4 million from $344.5 million for Fiscal Year 2023. The increase is primarily driven by $3.0 million in professional fees, $2.7 million in stock-based compensation, $1.9 million in shipping, $1.6 million in telecommunication, $1.4 million in marketing and $1.2 million in compensation and benefits. The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in depreciation and amortization, $1.0 million in occupancy, and an increase of $0.5 million in capitalized payroll related to the order management system implementation.

37

Impairment of long-lived assets

Impairment of long-lived assets for Fiscal Year 2024 increased by $0.6 million, or 308.5% to $0.8 million from $0.2 million for Fiscal Year 2023. Our Fiscal Year 2024 results include $0.5 million of impairment charges for long-lived assets (leasehold improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment), and our Fiscal Year 2023 results include $0.2 million of impairment charges for long-lived assets (leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment).

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $8.6 million related to the voluntary prepayment of a portion of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. No such loss was incurred by the Company during Fiscal Year 2023.

Loss on debt refinancing

For Fiscal Year 2023, the Company recognized a loss on debt refinancing of $12.7 million related to entering into a Term Loan Credit Agreement and the repayment of the Priming Credit Agreement and the Subordinated Credit Agreement. No such loss was incurred by the Company during Fiscal Year 2024.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $15.7 million and $25.7 million for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a lower debt balance for Fiscal Year 2024.

Interest expense consists of interest expense on the Term Loan Credit Agreement for Fiscal Year 2024, and, on the Company’s Term Loan Credit Agreement and Priming Credit Agreement prior to its repayment in full on April 5, 2023, for Fiscal Year 2023, and amortization of deferred costs related to the asset-based revolving credit facility agreement (the “ABL Credit Agreement” and, such facility, the “ABL Facility”) for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023.

Interest Expense - Related Party

For Fiscal Year 2023, the Company incurred $1.1 million of Interest expense - related party associated with the Subordinated Credit Agreement, until it was repaid in full on April 5, 2023. The Company did not incur any Interest expense - related party during Fiscal Year 2024.

Interest Income

For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company earned interest on cash of $2.6 million, compared to $2.8 million for Fiscal Year 2023.

Income Tax Provision

The income tax provision for Fiscal Year 2024 was $14.5 million compared to $13.2 million for Fiscal Year 2023. Our effective tax rates were 26.9% and 26.7%, respectively. The effective tax rate during Fiscal Year 2024 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) state and local income taxes and (ii) executive compensation limitations. Refer to Note 14. Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements for additional income tax information.

The effective tax rate for Fiscal Year 2023 differs from the federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to the impacts of (i) state and local income taxes, (ii) executive compensation limitations, and (iii) valuation allowance changes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash and cash equivalents generated from operating activities and availability under our ABL Facility, so long as certain conditions related to the maturity of the Term Loan Credit Agreement are met. As of February 1, 2025, we had $35.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $35.7 million of total availability under our $40.0 million ABL Facility. In addition, through our shelf registration statement on file with the SEC or through private transactions, and depending on conditions prevailing in the public and private capital markets, we may from time to time issue equity securities in one or more series in one or more offerings.

On June 14, 2024, the Company issued and sold 1,000,000 shares of its common stock. The shares were offered at an offering price of $31.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company utilized the net proceeds from its sale of shares for repayment of its debt and general corporate purposes. See Note 15. Shareholders’ Equity to the

38

consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for additional information on the Company’s common stock issuance.

During the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, the Company issued 3,572,664 shares of common stock following the exercise of 3,573,707 warrants (the “Warrants”) that were previously issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2020, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Company LLC (the “Warrant Agreement”). The exercise price of the Warrants was net share settled as per the terms of the Warrant Agreement. Given the non-substantive exercise price of the Warrants in relation to the fair value of the common shares issued upon exercise, the exercise of these Warrants had no impact on net income per common share, both basic and diluted.

On December 6, 2024, the Board approved a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company’s common stock, over the next two years. Under the Share Repurchase Program, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased from time to time through open market or private transactions, block trades, or such other manner as the Company may determine, in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations under the Exchange Act and share repurchase parameters determined by the Board. The timing and the number of shares repurchased are subject to the discretion of the Company and may be affected by market conditions and other factors. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time.

We believe our cash and cash equivalents balance, along with our future cash flows from operations, capacity for borrowings under the ABL Facility and access to credit and capital markets, provide sufficient liquidity to meet the needs of our business operations, make voluntary prepayments, pay dividends, repurchase shares, and to satisfy our projected cash requirements for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.

Credit Facilities

On April 5, 2023, the Company and Jill Acquisition LLC (the “Borrower”) entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) by and among the lenders party thereto and Jefferies Finance LLC, as administrative and collateral agent. The Term Loan Credit Agreement provides for a secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $175.0 million with a maturity date of May 8, 2028 (the “Term Loan Facility”). Loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement bear interest at the Borrower’s election at (1) Base Rate (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) plus 7.00% or (2) Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) plus 8.00%, with Adjusted Term SOFR subject to a floor rate of 1.00%.

The Term Loan Facility was to be repaid in quarterly payments of $2.2 million from July 28, 2023 to May 2, 2025, and $3.3 million from August 1, 2025 to April 28, 2028 with the balance of the Term Loan Facility due upon maturity on May 8, 2028. However, as a result of the voluntary payments mentioned below there will be no quarterly payments required until the remaining balance is paid in full on maturity date. Additionally, the Term Loan Facility is subject to mandatory repayment, subject to certain exceptions, including (i) 100% of the net proceeds of any incurrence of debt other than debt permitted in the Term Loan Credit Agreement, (ii) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales/insurance proceeds, subject to reinvestment rights and certain other exceptions, and (iii) 95 days after the last day of the Fiscal Year, an annual payment ranging from 25%-75%, based on the First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, of the annual Excess Cash Flow (“ECF”), less certain voluntary prepayments made during the year, as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

The Term Loan Facility may be voluntarily prepaid after the one-year anniversary but on or prior to the two-year anniversary, subject to a premium of 3.0% of the aggregate principal amount being prepaid, and after the two-year anniversary without premium.

The proceeds from the Term Loan Credit Agreement, combined with a portion of the Company’s existing cash on hand, were used to repay in full the outstanding balance of $225.4 million, inclusive of $3.6 million interest, under the Priming Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Priming Credit Agreement”) and the Subordinated Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Subordinated Credit Agreement”). All security interests and liens incurred in connection with the Priming Credit Agreement and Subordinated Credit Agreement have been released. The prepayment of the Priming Credit Agreement and Subordinated Credit Agreement was in accordance with the terms of such agreements.

On May 10, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 6 to our ABL Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, J.Jill Gift Card Solutions, the other guarantors party thereto, the other lenders party thereto, and CIT Finance LLC, as the administrative agent and collateral agent. This amendment extended the maturity date of the ABL Credit Agreement from May 8, 2024 to May 10, 2028 (or 180 days prior to the maturity date of the Company’s Term Loan Credit Agreement if the maturity date of such Term Loan Facility has not been extended to a date that is at least 180 days after the maturity date of the ABL Credit Agreement). The other terms and conditions of the ABL Facility remain substantially unchanged.

39

On December 1, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 7 (the “ABL Amendment”) to the ABL Credit Agreement, by and among the Company, Jill Acquisition LLC, J.Jill Gift Card Solutions, Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”), the other guarantors party thereto, the other lenders party thereto, and CIT Finance LLC, as the administrative agent and collateral agent. The ABL Amendment made a technical revision for administrative purposes which removed the requirement for a Borrower’s non-negotiable bill of lading, non-negotiable sea waybill or other similar shipping document (each a “Non-Negotiable Document”) to state on its face that the inventory that is subject to such Non-Negotiable Document is subject to the lien of the administrative agent. In connection with removing this requirement, a $500,000 in transit inventory reserve amount will be applied to eligible in transit inventory on the borrowing base certificate during any period in which excess liability is less than $5.0 million. This increase in the reserve decreases the borrowing base by the same amount during an in-transit inventory reserve period.

The Credit Agreements include customary negative covenants, including covenants limiting the ability of the Company to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, engage in mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and purchases, pay dividends and distributions, enter into transactions with affiliates, and make payments in respect of junior indebtedness. Each of the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the ABL Credit Agreement also has certain financial covenants (see Note 9. Debt to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).

On May 10, 2024, the Company made a voluntary principal prepayment of $58.2 million on the Term Loan Credit Agreement, in lieu of the previously expected ECF payment of $26.6 million. The expected ECF payment was rejected by the lenders as permitted under the provisions of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. On June 21, 2024, the Company made an additional voluntary principal prepayment of $27.2 million (See Note 15. Shareholders’ Equity, Common Stock Issuance, for additional information). Together with the required quarterly payments, the Company has repaid $94.2 million in principal under the Term Loan Credit Agreement in Fiscal Year 2024. In connection with the voluntary principal prepayments, the Company paid a $2.6 million premium, amounting to 3% on the aggregate principal amount being prepaid, and $1.6 million towards interest, in accordance with the provisions of the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

In connection with the voluntary principal prepayments discussed above, for Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $8.6 million, consisting of $6.0 million of accelerated amortization of the discount and fees and $2.6 million of prepayment premium, in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. As of February 1, 2025, the remaining Term Loan Facility principal balance was $74.3 million, which is to be repaid upon maturity on May 8, 2028. The remaining unamortized discount and fees of $4.9 million will continue to be amortized over the remaining term through maturity. See Note 9. Debt to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for additional information.

For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company would be required to make an ECF payment of $11.8 million prior to May 7, 2025 under the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. However, the voluntary principal prepayments discussed above satisfied the ECF payment requirement and, accordingly, no ECF payment is required.

As of February 1, 2025, the Company is in compliance with all such covenants.

Cash Flow Analysis

The following table shows our cash flows information for the periods presented:

For the Fiscal Year Ended

Net Cash provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2024 increased $1.7 million compared to Fiscal Year 2023. The increase during Fiscal Year 2024 was driven by higher net income of $3.3 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $5.1 million, partially offset by lower adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations of $6.7 million. The higher change in operating assets and liabilities was driven by higher cash inflows relating to timing of payments for accounts payable of $8.9 million, changes in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $5.4 million mainly due to lower interest expense and management incentive accruals, and operating lease assets and liabilities of $3.3 million due mainly to new leases. These increases were partially offset by increased payments for inventories of $5.4 million mainly due to the calendar shift timing and the strategy to ship goods approximately one week early to offset delays related to the re-routing of shipping lanes away from the Red Sea, timing of payments related to other noncurrent assets and liabilities

40

of $5.1 million driven mainly by higher software-as-a-service implementation expenditures related to the order management system, and accounts receivable of $2.0 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2024 was $65.0 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net income of $39.5 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $36.4 million, primarily driven by $21.3 million of depreciation and amortization and the loss on extinguishment of debt $8.6 million, and Equity-based compensation $6.5 million, and (iii) uses of cash of $10.8 million for net operating assets and liabilities.

Net cash provided by operating activities during Fiscal Year 2023 was $63.3 million. Key elements of cash provided by operating activities were (i) net income of $36.2 million, (ii) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of $43.1 million, primarily driven by $22.9 million of depreciation and amortization, and the loss of debt refinancing of $12.7 million, and (iii) the use of cash from net operating assets and liabilities of $16.0 million, primarily driven by accounts payable and operating lease assets and liabilities, partially offset by changes in merchandise inventory and prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Net Cash used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities duringFiscal Year 2024 was $17.8 million, an increase of $0.8 million as compared to Fiscal Year 2023, representing investments in stores, offset by a decrease in software and technology-related investments, and capital projects at the Company’s distribution center.

Net Cash used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2024 increased by $2.8 million as compared to the prior year. The change was primarily driven by the proceeds from issuance of the Term Loan in the prior year offset by the principal repayments on the Priming Term Loan and Subordinated Term Loan as compared to the principal repayments on the Term Loan in the current year, partially offset by the proceeds from the issuance of common stock.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2024 was $74.0 million, which was driven by principal repayments and prepayment premium on the Term Loan and dividends paid to common shareholders, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of underwriting costs.

Net cash used in financing activities during Fiscal Year 2023 was $71.3 million, which was driven by the full repayment of the previously existing Priming and Subordinated Credit Agreements offset by the proceeds from issuance of the Term Loan.

Dividends

During the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025, the Company declared and paid dividends of $2.9 million to stockholders of the Company’s common stock. While dividends are generally recorded as a reduction to Retained earnings, since the Company has an accumulated deficit, dividends are recorded as a reduction to Additional paid-in capital. For the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, no dividend was declared or paid.

The Company intends to pay cash dividends quarterly in the future, subject to market conditions and at the discretion of the Board. Our ability to pay dividends in the future is based on a number of factors, such as earnings levels, capital requirements, restrictions imposed by applicable law, our overall financial condition, restrictions in our debt agreements and the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends to us as a holding company.

Share Repurchase

On December 6, 2024, the Board approved a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company’s common stock over the next two years. Under the Share Repurchase Program, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased from time to time through open market or private transactions, block trades, or such other manner as the Company may determine, in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations under the Exchange Act and share repurchase parameters determined by the Board. The timing and the number of shares repurchased are subject to the discretion of the Company and may be affected by market conditions and other factors. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time.

41

Capitalization

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:

Carrying Value of Debt

Less: Current portion —

Net long-term debt $ 69,419

The Company had no short-term borrowings under the Company’s ABL Facility as of February 1, 2025. The Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $4.3 million and had a maximum additional borrowing capacity of $35.7 million as of February 1, 2025.

Future Cash Requirements

We enter into contractual obligations in the ordinary course of business that may require future cash payments. Such obligations include merchandise inventories, marketing, including catalog production and distribution, payroll, store occupancy costs and capital expenditures associated with opening new stores, remodeling existing stores and upgrading information systems. The notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report provide additional information.

We believe our sources of liquidity, namely operating cash flows and ABL Facility capacity will continue to be adequate to meet our contractual obligations, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, finance anticipated expansion and strategic initiatives, and fund debt maturities for the foreseeable future. We may also engage in capital markets transactions from time to time subject to the discretion of our Board. We expect capital expenditures in the next twelve months to support opening of new stores, store design/ remodels, and system upgrades and maintenance projects.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not a party to any off balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates

Our discussion of results of operations and financial condition is based upon the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and certain assumptions about future events that affect the classification and amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, including revenue and expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are based on our historical results as well as management’s judgment. Although management believes the judgment applied in preparing estimates is reasonable based on circumstances and information known at the time, actual results could vary materially from estimates based on assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

The most significant accounting estimates involve a high degree of judgment or complexity. Management believes the estimates and judgments most critical to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and to the understanding of our reported financial results include those made in connection with revenue recognition, including accounting for outstanding gift cards that will ultimately not be redeemed (“gift card breakage”) and estimated merchandise returns; estimating the value of inventory; and impairment assessments for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived assets; estimating of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. Management evaluates its policies and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our significant accounting policies related to these accounts in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are described below (see Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional information regarding our critical accounting policies).

42

Sales Return Reserve

The Company has a return policy where merchandise returns will be accepted within 90 days of the original purchase date. At the time of sale, the Company records an estimated sales reserve for merchandise returns based on historical prior returns experience and expected future returns. The estimated sales reserve is recorded as a return asset (and corresponding adjustment to cost of goods sold) for the cost of inventory and a return liability for the amount to settle the return with a customer (and a corresponding adjustment to revenue). The return asset and return liability are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company collects and remits sales and use taxes in all states in which retail and direct sales occur and taxes are applicable. These taxes are reported on a net basis and are thereby excluded from revenue.

Gift Cards

The Company sells gift cards without expiration dates to customers. The Company does not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as a contract liability until the customer redeems the gift card or when the likelihood of redemption is remote. Based on historical experience, the Company estimates the value of gift card breakage and will not be escheated under statutory unclaimed property laws. This gift card breakage is recognized as revenue over the time period established by the Company’s historical gift card redemption pattern.

Merchandise Inventory

Inventory consists of finished goods merchandise held for sale to our customers. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average method of accounting, and includes the cost to purchase merchandise from our manufacturers, duties, tariffs, inbound freight and commissions.

In the normal course of business, we record inventory reserves by applying estimates, based on past and projected sales performance, to the inventory on hand. The carrying value of inventory is reduced to estimated net realizable value when factors indicate that merchandise will not be sold on terms sufficient to recover its cost.

We monitor inventory levels, sales trends and sales forecasts to estimate and record reserves for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory. We utilize internal channels, including sales catalogs, the internet, and price reductions in retail stores to liquidate excess inventory. In some cases, external channels such as inventory liquidators are utilized. The prices obtained through these off-price selling methods vary based on many factors. Accordingly, estimates of future sales prices require management judgment based on historical experience, assessment of current conditions and assumptions about future transactions. We have not made significant changes to our assumptions during the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, and estimates have not varied significantly from historically recorded amounts.

Asset Impairment Assessments

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis on the last day of our eleventh fiscal month beginning Fiscal Year 2023 and at the end of each fiscal year prior to Fiscal 2023, or more frequently between annual tests when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company has determined that this change in the impairment assessment date does not represent a material change to the Company’s method of applying an accounting principle, and therefore does not delay, accelerate, or avoid an impairment charge. See Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our audited consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional information.

Our two reporting units applicable to goodwill impairment assessments are defined as our Direct and Retail sales channels. Examples of impairment indicators that would trigger an impairment assessment of goodwill between annual evaluations include, among others, macro-economic conditions, competitive environment, industry conditions, changes in our profitability and cash flows, and changes in sales trends or customer demand.

The Company’s policy is to perform a quantitative analysis of goodwill every three years. During those years when a quantitative assessment is not performed initially, we assess our goodwill for impairment using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is greater than its carrying value, no further impairment testing is required.

If management’s assessment of qualitative factors indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. We also have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment described above and proceed directly to the quantitative assessment. The quantitative assessment

43

requires comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We estimate the fair value of reporting units using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow analysis, which involves significant estimates and assumptions, including preparation of revenue and profitability growth forecasts, selection of the discount rate and the terminal year multiple.

If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the amount in excess, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

During Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022 we did not record any impairment to our goodwill. During Fiscal Year 2023, we performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill. This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Our trade name has been assigned an indefinite life as we currently anticipate that it will contribute cash flows to us indefinitely. Our trade name is reviewed at least annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite, useful life.

We evaluate our trade name for impairment on an annual basis on the last day of our eleventh fiscal month beginning Fiscal Year 2023 and at the end of each fiscal year prior to Fiscal 2023, or more frequently between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, significant loss of market share to a competitor, the identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, loss of key personnel that negatively and materially has an adverse effect on our operations, the disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit or a significant adverse change in business climate or regulations.

The Company’s policy is to perform a quantitative analysis of its indefinite-lived intangible assets every three years. Impairment losses are recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. We measure the fair value of our trade name using the relief-from-royalty method, which estimates the present value of royalty income that could be hypothetically earned by licensing the brand name to a third party over the remaining useful life. The most significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach are the preparation of revenue forecasts, selection of the royalty and discount rates, and selection of the terminal year multiple.

We did not record any impairment losses related to the trade name during Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022. During Fiscal Year 2023, we performed a quantitative assessment of our trade name. This analysis contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgments to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include definite-lived intangible assets (our customer list) subject to amortization, property and equipment and operating lease assets. Long-lived assets obtained in a business combination are recorded at the acquisition-date fair value, property and equipment purchased in the normal course of business is recorded at cost and operating lease assets are recorded at the present value of the lease payments.

We assess the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment whenever indicators exist that the carrying value of an asset group might not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment include, among others, a significant decrease in the market price of an asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is being used or in its physical condition, and operating or cash flow performance that demonstrates continuing losses associated with an asset group.

When indicators of potential impairment exist, we compare the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group to the carrying value of the asset group. If the carrying value of an asset group exceeds the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we record an impairment loss in the amount required to reduce carrying value of the asset group to fair value. We estimate the fair value of an asset group based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, calculated by discounting the cash flow projections used in the previous step.

During Fiscal Year 2024, we assessed the carrying values of right-of-use assets and property and equipment as described above. During Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recorded noncash impairment charges of $0.5 million related to

44

leasehold improvements at certain store locations driven by the actual performance at these locations and $0.3 million related to a right-of-use asset driven by revised sublease assumptions of one floor of the corporate headquarters located in Quincy, Massachusetts that was vacated in July 2019. During Fiscal Year 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.2 million related to leasehold improvements at certain store locations driven by the actual performance at these locations. During Fiscal Year 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.6 million related primarily to a right-of-use asset relating to revised sublease assumptions of one floor of the corporate headquarters located in Quincy, Massachusetts that was vacated in July 2019 and $0.8 million due to the Company’s revised outlook on future cash flows at certain store locations.

Determining the fair value of long-lived assets requires management judgment and relies upon the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including future sales, our margins and cash flows, current and future market conditions, discount rates applied, useful lives and other factors. We believe our assumptions are reasonable based on available information. Changes in assumptions and estimates used in the impairment analysis, or future results that vary from assumptions used in the analysis, could affect the estimated fair value of long-lived intangible assets and could result in impairment charges in a future period.

Self-Insured Group Health Insurance Reserves

In January 2025, the Company transitioned to a self-insured group health insurance program up to certain stop-loss limits. Such costs are accrued based on known claims and an estimation of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. IBNR claims are estimated using historical claim information and actuarial estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3.Accounting Standards to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

45

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with borrowings under the Credit Facilities, each of which bear interest at variable rates as defined in the respective agreements described above. As of February 1, 2025, there was an outstanding balance of $74.3 million under the Term Loan Facility. There were no outstanding borrowings under the ABL Facility. We currently do not engage in any interest rate hedging activity. Based on the schedule of outstanding borrowings as of February 1, 2025, a 10% change in our current interest rate would have affected net income by $5.8 million during Fiscal Year 2024.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements required to be filed pursuant to this Item 8 are appended to this report. An index of those financial statements is found in Item 15.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of February 1, 2025, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide such reasonable assurance.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by the Board, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

46

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2025. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of February 1, 2025.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2025, and has expressed an unqualified opinion in their report which appears in the Annual Report.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and our management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Changes to Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter ended February 1, 2025, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

During the fourth quarter ended February 1, 2025, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections

Not applicable.

47

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement in connection with our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”), which is expected to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our Fiscal Year 2024 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our Board has adopted a code of conduct and ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees and is intended to comply with the relevant listing requirements for a code of conduct as well as qualify as a “code of ethics” as defined by the rules of the SEC. The statement contains general guidelines for conducting our business consistent with the highest standards of business ethics. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our code of conduct and ethics, or waivers of such provisions applicable to any principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller, or persons performing similar functions, and our directors, on our website at www.jjill.com. The code of conduct and ethics is available on our website at www.jjill.com.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this Item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

48

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1) Financial Statements.

See the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1 below for the list of financial statements filed as part of this report.

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.

All schedules have been omitted because they are not required or because the required information is given in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto set forth below beginning on page F-1.

(a)(3) Exhibits.

The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report.

Exhibit Index

ExhibitNumber Exhibit Description

49

ExhibitNumber Exhibit Description

50

ExhibitNumber Exhibit Description

19.1* Securities Trading Policy

51

ExhibitNumber Exhibit Description

97.1* J.Jill, Inc. Clawback Policy.

101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbase Documents

104 Cover Page formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101

* Filed herewith.

† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None

52

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

J.Jill, Inc.

Date: April 1, 2025 By: /s/ Claire Spofford

Claire Spofford

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date

Claire Spofford

Mark Webb

/s/ Michael Rahamim Chairman of the Board of Directors April 1, 2025

Michael Rahamim

/s/ Courtnee Chun Director April 1, 2025

Courtnee Chun

/s/ Andrew Rolfe Director April 1, 2025

Andrew Rolfe

/s/ Jyothi Rao Director April 1, 2025

Jyothi Rao

/s/ Michael Recht Director April 1, 2025

Michael Recht

/s/ Michael Eck Director April 1, 2025

Michael Eck

/s/ Shelley Milano Director April 1, 2025

Shelley Milano

53

J.Jill, Inc.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024 F-4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

J.Jill, Inc.

Opinion on the financial statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of J.Jill, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 1, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 1, 2025 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2025, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated April 1, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical audit matters

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.

Southfield, Michigan

April 1, 2025

F-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

J.Jill, Inc.

Opinion on internal control over financial reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of J.Jill, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 1, 2025, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 1, 2025, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended February 1, 2025, and our report dated April 1, 2025, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Southfield, Michigan

April 1, 2025

F-3

J.Jill, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

Assets

Current assets:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 20,291 17,656

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 40,479 42,283

Current portion of long-term debt — 35,353

Current portion of operating lease liabilities 34,649 36,204

Long-term debt, net of discount and current portion 69,419 120,595

Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 104,751 103,070

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 11)

Shareholders’ Equity

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 417,699 $ 428,180

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4

J.Jill, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

For the Fiscal Year Ended

Loss on extinguishment of debt 8,570 — —

Loss on debt refinancing — 12,702 —

Interest expense - related party — 1,074 4,114

Per share data (Note 16):

Net income per common share:

Weighted average common shares:

Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.21 $ — $ —

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5

J.Jill, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(in thousands, except share data)

Shares Amount Shares Amount

Vesting of restricted stock units 232,805 2 (2 ) — — — —

Surrender of shares to pay withholding taxes (68,866 ) — (1,245 ) — — — (1,245 )

Equity-based compensation — — 3,505 — — — 3,505

Vesting of restricted stock units 286,864 2 (2 ) — — — —

Surrender of shares to pay withholding taxes (92,398 ) — (2,526 ) — — — (2,526 )

Equity-based compensation — — 3,762 — — — 3,762

Exercise of warrants 254,627 3 (3 ) — — — —

Third-party common stock issuance costs — — 97 — — — 97

Repurchase of treasury stock — — — (19,831 ) (523 ) — (523 )

Vesting of restricted stock units 240,187 2 (2 ) — — — —

Equity-based compensation — — 6,510 — — — 6,510

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6

J.Jill, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

For the Fiscal Year Ended

Operating activities:

Adjustment for exited retail stores (843 ) (767 ) (250 )

Loss on disposal of fixed assets 105 70 267

Loss on extinguishment of debt 8,570 — —

Loss on debt refinancing — 12,702 —

Loss due to hurricane 2 — —

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,386 ) (2,432 ) 8,393

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (2,113 ) (7,525 ) 631

Operating lease assets and liabilities (3,371 ) (6,672 ) (6,726 )

Other noncurrent assets and liabilities (5,584 ) (452 ) 1,013

Investing activities:

Financing activities:

Principal repayments on Term Loan (94,150 ) (6,562 ) —

Prepayment premium on Term Loan (2,562 ) — —

Principal repayments on Priming Term Loan — (201,349 ) (7,017 )

Principal repayments on Subordinated Term Loan - related party — (21,181 ) —

Proceeds from issuance of Term Loan — 164,050 —

Third-party debt financing costs — (3,692 ) —

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of underwriting costs 29,450 — —

Third-party common stock issuance costs (804 ) — —

Share repurchase costs, net of commission and fees (523 ) — —

Surrender of shares to pay withholding taxes (2,538 ) (2,526 ) (1,245 )

Cash dividends paid to shareholders (2,899 ) — —

Decrease in restricted cash (5 ) — —

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:

(a)

Includes $0.4 million of restricted cash for the fiscal years ended February 1, 2025, February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023. The Company recorded restricted cash in Prepaid expenses and other current assets as presented in the consolidated balance sheets.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-7

J.Jill, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. General

J.Jill is a national lifestyle brand that provides apparel, footwear and accessories designed to help its customers move through a full life with ease. The brand represents an easy, thoughtful and inspired style that celebrates the totality of all women and designs its products with its core brand ethos in mind: keep it simple and make it matter. J.Jill offers a high touch customer experience through over 250 stores nationwide and a robust ecommerce platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston.

J.Jill, Inc. is a holding company. Jill Acquisition LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, and J.Jill Gift Card Solutions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jill Acquisition LLC, are the operating companies for the business assets.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday, in January or February, nearest the last day of January, resulting in an additional week of results every five or six years. Fiscal Years 2024 and 2022 contained 52-weeks of operations whereas the Fiscal Year 2023 contained 53-weeks of operations.

Financial Statement Presentation

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform with the current period presentation.

On the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, the Company reclassified amounts for interest income for fiscal years ended February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023 from Interest expense, net to a separate financial statement line item to conform with the current presentation for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025.

On the consolidated statement of cash flows, the Company reclassified approximately $2.5 million of prepaid software project costs from Prepaid expenses and other current assets to Other assets for the Fiscal Year ended February 3, 2024. For further details refer to the “Cloud-Based Software Arrangements” section below. In addition, the Company presented restricted cash of $0.4 million for fiscal years ended February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023 as a separate item in the consolidated statement of cash flows to conform with the current presentation for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025.

Correction of Immaterial Error

Prior to Fiscal Year 2024, the Company had recorded processing fee income related to customer sales returns as a contra expense within Selling, general and administrative expenses rather than as a component of Net sales in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2024, the Company recorded this revenue as a component of Net sales within the Direct channel. The Company reclassified this income, which increased previously reported Net sales and Selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $3.4 million and $3.3 million for Fiscal Years ended February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023, respectively. The Company has concluded that the reclassification of this income was immaterial to the prior period financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity, net sales and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates relied upon in preparing these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, including accounting for outstanding gift cards that will ultimately not be redeemed (“gift card breakage”) and estimated merchandise returns; estimating self-insurance reserves; estimating the value of inventory; impairment assessments for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived assets; discount rates used in the measurement of right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities; and estimating equity-based compensation expense. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material.

F-8

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table shows supplemental cash flow information (in thousands):

For the Fiscal Year Ended

Supplemental cash flow information:

Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $ 15,426 $ 25,948 $ 11,722

Noncash investing and financing activities:

Segment Reporting

The Company determined its operating segments on the same basis that it assesses performance and makes operating decisions. The Company’s operating segments consist of its Retail and Direct channels, which have been aggregated into one reportable segment.

All of the Company’s identifiable assets are located in the United States, which is where the Company is domiciled. The Company has immaterial sales outside the United States. No customer represents more than 10% of total revenues for any period presented.

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, “Segment Reporting, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”. For the Fiscal Year ended February 3, 2025, the Company adopted ASU 2023-07, refer to Note 3. Accounting Standards and Note 12. Segment Reporting for additional details.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and all highly liquid investments with original maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less. Certain cash account balances exceed FDIC insured limits of $250,000 per account and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts in excess of insurance limits. We monitor the financial stability of these financial institutions and believe that we are not exposed to any significant credit risk in cash.

Restricted Cash

The Company's restricted cash balance represents an imprest cash account used for the funding of employee healthcare costs. The balance of restricted cash as of February 1, 2025, February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023 was $0.4 million, which is included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows:

For the Fiscal Year Ended

Restricted cash reported in other current assets 363 368 368

Accounts Receivable

The beginning balances at January 28, 2023 for accounts receivable arising from contracts with customers was $7.0 million with ending balances included in "Receivables, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

F-9

The Company’s accounts receivable relates primarily to payments due from banks for credit and debit card transactions for approximately 2 to 5 days of sales. These receivables do not bear interest. The Company occasionally sells inventory to liquidators, and if these sales occur near the end of a reporting period, they are also included in accounts receivable.

Inventories

Inventory consists of finished goods held for sale. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average method of accounting, and includes the cost to purchase merchandise from the Company’s manufacturers plus duties, tariffs, inbound freight and commissions. The net realizable value of the Company’s inventory is estimated based on historical experience, current and forecasted demand, and market conditions. The allowance for excess and obsolete inventory requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding a number of factors, including estimates applying past and projected sales performance to current inventory levels. As of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, an inventory reserve of $1.1 million and $0.8 million has been recorded, respectively. The Company sells excess inventory in its stores, on-line at www.jjill.com and occasionally to inventory liquidators.

Inventory from domestic suppliers is recorded when it is received at the distribution center. Inventory from foreign suppliers is recorded when goods are cleared for export on board the ship at the port of shipment.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment purchases are recorded at cost. Property and equipment is presented net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. The Company capitalizes as property and equipment certain qualified costs incurred in connection with the development of internal-use software. Capitalization of internal-use software begins during the application development stage and ends when the software is available for its intended use. Capitalized internal-use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for betterments and major improvements that significantly enhance the value and increase the estimated useful life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over the new estimated useful life. The carrying amounts of assets sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated in the year of disposal, and any resulting gains or losses are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. See Note 7. Property and Equipment for additional information.

Estimated useful lives of property and equipment asset categories are as follows:

Furniture, fixtures and equipment 5-7 years

Computer software and hardware 3-7 years

Leasehold improvements Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term

Capitalized Interest

The cost of interest that is incurred in connection with long-term leasehold improvements and software related projects is capitalized using a weighted average interest rate. These costs are included in property and equipment and amortized over the useful life of the related property or equipment.

Long-lived Assets

The carrying value of long-lived assets, including amortizable identifiable intangible assets, and asset groups are evaluated whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant decrease in the market price of an asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is being used or a significant decrease in its physical condition, and operating performance that demonstrates continuing cash flow losses associated with an asset or asset group. A potential impairment has occurred if the projected future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group are less than the carrying value of the asset or asset group. The estimate of cash flows includes management’s assumptions of cash inflows and outflows directly resulting from the use of the asset in operation. If the carrying value exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded equal to the excess of the asset or asset group’s carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is measured based on a projected discounted cash flow model using a discount rate the Company believes is commensurate with the market participant rate. Any impairment charge would be recognized within operating expenses.

F-10

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in conjunction with an acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment at least annually or more frequently between annual tests when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

In Fiscal Year 2024, we continue to evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, using the last day of our eleventh fiscal month as the test date, rather than the end of our fiscal year. This change in the impairment test date, implemented in Fiscal Year 2023, reduces resource constraints related to the Company’s year-end close and financial reporting process and provides additional time for completing impairment testing. It also aligns with the Company’s long-range planning and forecasting processes. This change does not represent a material change to the Company’s method of applying an accounting principle, and therefore does not delay, accelerate, or avoid an impairment charge. Judgments regarding indicators of potential impairment are based on market conditions and operational performance of the business.

The Company’s policy is to perform a quantitative analysis every three years. During those years when a quantitative assessment is not performed initially, the Company may assess these assets for impairment using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on its assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, then a quantitative analysis is performed to determine if there is any impairment.

See Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.

Self-Insured Group Health Insurance

The Company transitioned to a self-insured group health insurance program with certain stop-loss limits. Such costs are accrued based on known claims and estimates of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. IBNR claims are estimated using historical claim information and actuarial estimates. The accrued liability for self-insurance is included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is primarily derived from the sale of apparel and accessory merchandise through our retail stores and through our website and catalog orders. The Company recognizes revenue when its single performance obligation is met at the time when the control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue from our Retail channel is recognized at the time of sale and revenue from our Direct channel is recognized upon shipment of merchandise to the customer.

The Company has a return policy where merchandise returns will be accepted within 90 days of the original purchase date. At the time of sale, the Company records a reserve for merchandise returns, which are estimated using the expected value method based on historical prior returns experience and expected future returns. The estimated sales reserve is recorded as a return asset (and corresponding adjustment to cost of goods sold) for the cost of inventory and a return liability for the amount to settle the return with a customer (and a corresponding adjustment to revenue). The return asset and return liability are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company collects and remits sales and use taxes in all states in which Retail and Direct sales occur and taxes are applicable. These taxes are reported on a net basis and are thereby excluded from revenue.

The Company sells gift cards without expiration dates to customers. The Company does not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as a contract liability until the customer redeems the gift card or when the likelihood of redemption is remote. Based on historical experience, the Company estimates the value of gift card breakage and will not be escheated under statutory state unclaimed property laws. This gift card breakage is recognized as revenue over the time period established by the Company’s historical gift card redemption pattern.

The Company recognizes revenues from shipments to customers when the shipping and handling activities occur and will accrue those related costs. Shipping and handling costs are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Costs of Goods Sold

The Company’s costs of goods sold includes the direct costs of sold merchandise, which include customs, taxes, duties, commissions and inbound shipping costs, inventory shrinkage, and adjustments and reserves for excess, aged and obsolete inventory. Costs of goods sold does not include distribution center costs and allocations of indirect costs, such as occupancy, depreciation, amortization, or labor and benefits.

F-11

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and related expenses, occupancy costs, information systems costs and other operating expenses related to our stores and to our operations at our headquarters, including utilities, depreciation and amortization. These expenses also include marketing expense, including catalog production and mailing costs, warehousing, distribution and outbound shipping costs, customer service operations, consulting and software services, natural disaster related costs, professional services and other administrative costs.

Outbound shipping costs to customers recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses were $21.4 million, $20.2 million, and $20.4 million for the Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Loss Contingencies

The Company accrues for legal costs when it is both probable that a loss will be incurred, and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. The Company evaluates pending litigation and other contingencies at least quarterly and adjusts the accrual for such contingencies for changes in probable and reasonably estimable losses. The Company includes an estimate for related legal costs in the Selling, general and administrative expenses line item in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income at the time such costs are both probable and reasonably estimable.

Advertising Costs

The Company incurs costs to produce, print, and distribute its catalogs. Catalog costs are recorded to Prepaid and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets when paid, and expensed when the catalog is mailed to the customer (the first time the advertising occurs). Catalog advertising expenses were $18.0 million, $17.0 million, and $16.8 million for the Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The costs are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Other advertising costs are recorded as incurred. Other advertising costs recorded were $21.4 million, $21.0 million, and $22.0 million for the Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The costs are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Operating Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Lease agreements will typically exist with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets or lease obligations for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less.

The Company recognizes operating lease liabilities equal to the present value of the lease payments and operating lease assets representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an Incremental Borrowing Rate (“IBR”) based on the information available at lease commencement in determining the present value of lease payments. The IBR is estimated using a secured borrowing approach, which considers the Company’s credit rating based on a combination of public ratings, synthetic credit rating models, and secured borrowing activities. In determining the IBR, the Company also considers the economic environment at lease commencement, including prevailing market interest rates and adjustments for the Company’s credit profile. The operating lease assets include any lease payments made prior to lease commencement and are reduced by any lease incentives.

Under lease accounting guidance, for any new leases entered into, the Company assesses if it is reasonably certain to exercise lease options to extend or terminate the lease for inclusion (or exclusion) in the lease term when the Company measures the lease liability. The depreciable life of any assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term.

For certain lease agreements, the Company allocates the consideration in the agreement to separate lease components by determining the relative standalone price of separate lease and non-lease components. Certain of the Company’s retail operating leases include variable rental payments based on a percentage of retail sales over contractual levels. Variable rental payments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. If such variable operating leases arise that include incentives from landlords in the form of cash, the Company will record the full amount of the incentive when specific performance criteria are met as a deferred liability. The deferred liability is amortized into income as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the applicable lease, including options to extend if they are reasonably certain to be exercised. The Company recognizes those liabilities to be amortized within one year as current liability and those greater than one year as long-term liability. For purposes of recognizing these incentives and rental expenses on a straight-line basis, the Company uses the date it obtains the legal right to use and control the lease asset to begin amortization, which is generally when the Company takes possession of the asset.

F-12

Cloud-Based Software Arrangements

Certain costs incurred to implement software development on cloud computing arrangements hosted by third party vendors are capitalized when incurred during the application development phase and recognized as Prepaid expenses and other current assets for the current portion and as Other assets for the long-term portion. Implementation costs are subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the related cloud service, beginning on the date the related software or module is ready for its intended use. The amortization of cloud-based software implementation costs is recorded as a component of Selling, general, and administrative expenses, the same line item as the expense for the associated hosting arrangement. The carrying value of cloud computing implementation costs are tested for impairment when an event or circumstance indicates that the asset might be impaired. Cloud computing arrangement implementation costs are classified within operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

For the Fiscal Years ended February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, the Company amortized $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of cloud-based software implementation costs.

As of February 1, 2025, the Company had $9.5 million of gross capitalized cloud-based software implementation costs and $0.9 million of related accumulated amortization, for a net balance of $8.6 million, made up of $1.9 million recorded within Prepaid expenses and other current assets and $6.7 million recorded within Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

As of February 3, 2024, the Company had $2.5 million of gross capitalized cloud-based software implementation costs and $0.6 million of related accumulated amortization, for a net balance of $1.9 million, made up of $0.9 million recorded within Prepaid expenses and other current assets and $1.0 million recorded within Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Debt Issuance Costs

The Company defers costs directly associated with acquiring third-party financing. Debt issuance costs are deferred and amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the related long-term debt agreement and the straight-line method for the revolving credit agreement. Debt issuance costs related to long-term debt are reflected as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. From time-to-time the Company could make prepayments on the long-term debt and a portion of the debt issuance costs associated with the prepayment would be accelerated and expensed at that time.

Interest Income

The Company recorded interest income of $2.6 million, $2.8 million and $1.2 million for Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method and elected to be taxed as a C corporation. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying values and their respective tax bases, using enacted tax rates expected to be applicable in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in the provision for income taxes. The Company evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Potential for recovery of deferred tax assets is evaluated by estimating the future taxable profits expected, scheduling of anticipated reversals of taxable temporary differences, and considering prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.

The Company records liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is recognition, where an individual tax position is evaluated as to whether it has a likelihood of greater than 50% of being sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. For tax positions that are currently estimated to have less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained, no tax benefit is recorded. For tax positions that have met the recognition threshold in the first step, the Company performs the second step of measuring the benefit to be recorded. The amount of benefit that may be recognized is the largest amount that has greater than 50% likelihood of being realized on ultimate settlement. The actual benefits ultimately realized may differ from the estimates. In future periods, changes in facts, circumstances and new information may require the Company to change the recognition and measurement estimates with regard to individual tax positions. Changes in recognition and measurement estimates are recorded in income tax expense and liability in the period in which such changes occur.

F-13

Any interest or penalties incurred are recorded in Income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The Company incurred immaterial amounts of interest expense and penalties related to income taxes for Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is a measure of net income and all other changes in equity that result from transactions other than with equity holders and would normally be recorded in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company’s management has determined that net income is the only component of the Company’s comprehensive income. Accordingly, there is no difference between net income and comprehensive income.

Share-Based Payment

The Company accounts for share-based payment for employees and directors by recognizing the fair value of share-based payments as an expense in the calculation of net income, based on the grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense in the periods in which the employee or director is required to provide service, which is generally over the vesting period of the individual equity instruments. The fair value of the share-based awards is determined using either the Black-Scholes option pricing model, Monte Carlo simulation model or the stock price on the date of grant.

Liability-classified awards issued to non-employees are measured at the end of the reporting period and must be re-measured at each reporting period until a grant date is established and the awards are issued. Once the grant date is established and the options are issued, they become equity-classified and the corresponding liability is reclassified from accrued liabilities to additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets. Compensation cost for each period until grant date establishment and the awards are vested is based on the change in the fair value of the liability-classified awards each reporting period. Ultimately, the share-based compensation expense recognized for a liability- classified award equals the amount for which the award granted and vested.

On December 9, 2024, the Board awarded 100,000 performance-based stock options to Elm St Advisors, LLC (“Elm Street”) under the J.Jill, Inc. Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (“2024 Elm Street Award”). The 2024 Elm Street Award vests every two months in three equal installments as Elm Street provides its services over the six-month term and upon Elm Street successfully completing certain performance milestones. The 2024 Elm Street Award expires three years from the date of grant if unexercised. Refer to Note 19. Subsequent Events for additional details.

Share-based awards granted by the Company during Fiscal Year 2024 included both equity-classified and liability-classified awards and compensation expense for these awards was recognized in Selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Forfeitures were recorded as they occurred.

All of the share-based awards granted by the Company to its employees during Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022 were considered equity-classified awards and compensation expense for these awards was recognized in Selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Forfeitures were recorded as they occurred.

Earnings Per Share

Basic net income per common share attributable to common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. There were 0.6 million, 0.3 million and 0.3 million of potentially dilutive securities outstanding for Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Credit Card Agreement

During Fiscal Year 2023 the Company entered into an amended and restated arrangement with a third party to provide a private label credit card to its customers through January 31, 2031, and will automatically renew thereafter for successive one-year terms, unless either party provides a notice of intention to terminate. The Company does not bear the credit risk associated with the private label credit card at any point prior to the termination of the agreement, at which point the Company would be obligated to purchase the receivables.

The Company receives royalty payments through its private label credit card agreement. The royalty payments are recognized as revenue when they are earned each month. Royalty payments recognized were $3.7 million, $2.4 million, and $3.9 million for the Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company also receives reimbursements for costs of marketing programs related to the private label credit card, which are recorded as revenue as earned and the costs incurred are recorded as Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying

F-14

consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Reimbursements for costs of marketing programs of $1.6 million, $1.3 million, and $1.6 million were recognized in revenue in Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The previous credit card agreement provided a signing bonus to the Company, which was recognized as revenue through August 2023. The amended and restated agreement provided for an upfront payment which is being recorded as revenue on a straight line basis through January 2031. See Note 4. Revenues for additional information related to our upfront payment.

Employee Benefit Plan

The Company has a 401(k) retirement plan covering all eligible employees who meet certain age and employment requirements pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to certain dollar limits, eligible employees may contribute a portion of their pretax annual compensation to the plan, on a tax-deferred basis. The plan operates on a calendar year basis. The Company contributes up to 50% of the first 6% of the gross salary of the employee, which vests immediately. Discretionary contributions made by the Company for the Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022 were $1.9 million, $1.5 million, and $1.2 million, respectively.

Self-Insured Group Health Insurance Reserves

During the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, the Company transitioned to a self-insured group health insurance program. Prior to this transition, the Company had fully insured cost group health insurance programs. The Company is now self-insured through retentions or deductibles with stop-loss insurance for medical claims that reach a certain limit per claim. The Company records its liability for estimated incurred losses based on historical claim data in the accompanying consolidated financial statements on an undiscounted basis. While the Company believes these reserves to be adequate, it is possible that the ultimate liabilities will exceed such estimates. Such costs are accrued based on known claims and estimates of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. IBNR claims are estimated using historical claim information and actuarial estimates. The accrued liability for self-insurance is included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Concentration of Credit Risks

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash held in financial institutions and accounts receivable. The Company considers the credit risk associated with these financial instruments to be minimal. Cash is held by financial institutions with high credit ratings and the Company has not historically sustained any credit losses associated with its cash balances. The Company evaluates the credit risk associated with accounts receivable to determine if an allowance for estimated credit losses is necessary. As of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, the Company determined that no allowance for estimated credit losses was necessary.

3. Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, “Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative”. This ASU amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification in response to the SEC’s disclosure update and simplification initiative. This guidance will be applied prospectively with effective date for each amendment to be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective, with early adoption prohibited. The Company is assessing what impact this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”. This ASU requires enhanced income tax disclosures, including disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation table and disaggregated information related to income taxes paid. The other amendments in this update improve the effectiveness and comparability of disclosures by (1) adding disclosures of pretax income (or loss) and income tax expense (or benefit), and (2) removing disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial or relevant. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 are effective for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, " Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40)." Additionally, in January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 to clarify the effective date of ASU 2024-03. These standards provide guidance to expand disclosures related to the disaggregation of income statement expenses. The standard requires, in the notes to the financial statements, disclosure of specified information about certain costs and expenses which includes purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization included in each relevant expense caption. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, on a retrospective or prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The

F-15

Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”. This ASU enhances the disclosures required about a public entity’s reportable segments in its annual and interim condensed consolidated financial statements. The amendments in this update require additional detailed and enhanced information about reportable segments’ expense, including significant segment expenses and other segment items that bridge segment revenue, significant expenses to segment profit or loss. The ASU also requires disclosure of the title and position of the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) on an annual basis as well as an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measures and other disclosures. The amendments in this update do not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates those operating segments, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 for the Fiscal Year endedFebruary 1, 2025. Refer to Note 12. Segment Reporting for additional details.

4. Revenues

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company sells its apparel and accessory merchandise through its Retail and Direct channels. The following table presents revenues disaggregated by revenue source (in thousands):

For the Fiscal Year Ended

Remaining Performance Obligations

As of February 1, 2025, the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations amount to $0.5 million, which relate to the marketing and promotion of the Company’s private label credit card program. This amount will be recognized as revenue evenly through January 2031.

Contract Liabilities

The Company recognizes a contract liability when it has received consideration from the customer and has a future obligation to the customer. Total contract liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

Contract liabilities:

Total contract liabilities $ 7,489 $ 7,575

(1)

The current and noncurrent portions of the upfront payment received in connection with the private label credit card agreement are included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

(2)

Revenue recognized for Fiscal Year 2024 related to the contract liability balance as of February 3, 2024 was $3,931.

For Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized approximately $10.8 million, $11.1 million, and $10.5 million, respectively, of revenue related to gift card redemptions and breakage. Revenue recognized consists of gift cards that were part of the unredeemed gift card balance at the beginning of the period as well as gift cards that were issued and redeemed during the period.

As of January 28, 2023, contract liabilities for a signing bonus and the unredeemed gift card liability were $0.1 million and $7.1 million, respectively.

Practical Expedients and Policy Elections

The Company excludes from revenue all amounts collected from customers for sales taxes that are remitted to taxing authorities.

Shipping and handling activities that occur after control of related goods transfers to the customer are accounted for as fulfillment activities rather than assessing these activities as performance obligations.

F-16

The Company does not disclose the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations for contracts with customers that have an expected duration of one year or less. The Company applies the optional exemption to not disclose the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations where revenue represents sales-or-usage-based royalty. This optional exemption applies to royalty payments received from allowing a third party to use the J.Jill brand in providing a private label credit card to its customers through January 31, 2031. These royalties are based on an agreed-upon percentage of sales generated through the use of the private label credit card.

5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets include the following (in thousands):

Prepaid software project costs 1,894 883

Prepaid software maintenance costs 3,202 2,322

Other current assets (a) 787 541

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 20,291 $ 17,656

(a)

Other current assets include restricted cash of $0.4 million which is used solely for funding employee healthcare costs.

6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The balance of goodwill was $59.7 million at February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, respectively. The Company did not recognize any impairment losses for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023. The accumulated goodwill impairment losses as of February 1, 2025 are $137.3 million.

A summary of other intangible assets as of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024 is as follows (in thousands):

Indefinite-lived:

Definite-lived:

Indefinite-lived:

Definite-lived:

F-17

Impairment Tests

General

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Judgments regarding indicators of potential impairment are based on market conditions and operational performance of the business.

The Company’s policy is to perform a quantitative analysis of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets every three years. During those years when a quantitative assessment is not performed initially, the Company will assess these assets for impairment initially using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on its assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, then a quantitative analysis is performed to determine if there is any impairment.

For goodwill, the quantitative assessment requires comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company estimates fair value using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow model, which involves significant estimates and assumptions, including preparation of revenue and profitability growth forecasts, selection of a discount rate, and selection of a terminal year multiple. These assumptions are classified as Level 3 inputs. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, a goodwill impairment charge is recognized for the amount in excess, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An impairment charge is recorded within the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

For other intangible assets, impairment losses are recorded to the extent that the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value. The Company measures the fair value of its trade name using the relief from royalty method and the fair value of customer relationships using a recoverability approach. The most significant estimates and assumptions inherent in these approaches are the preparation of revenue forecasts, selection of royalty and discount rates and a terminal year multiple. These assumptions are classified as Level 3 inputs.

2024 Impairment Tests

For goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company performed the required impairment tests applying the qualitative approach and no impairments were indicated.

2023 Impairment Tests

During the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, the Company performed its annual assessment by electing to perform a quantitative assessment (the “2023 Impairment Test”). The 2023 Impairment Test was performed using the income approach (or discounted cash flows method) for goodwill, the relief-from-royalty method for indefinite-lived intangible assets and a recoverability analysis for definite-lived intangible assets. The estimated fair values of the reporting units and the indefinite-lived intangible assets, and the estimated undiscounted cash flows from the definite-lived intangible assets were above their carrying values resulting in no impairment of goodwill, the Company’s trade name (indefinite-lived intangible asset) and the Company’s customer list (definite-lived intangible asset). The most significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach are the preparation of revenue forecasts, selection of royalty and discount rates and a terminal year multiple. These assumptions are classified as Level 3 inputs. The key assumptions used under the income approach and relief-from-royalty method for the Fiscal Year 2023 Impairment Tests included the following:

Future cash flow assumptions - The Company’s projections for its two reporting units, Direct and Retail sales channels, were from historical experience and assumptions regarding future revenue growth and profitability trends. The Company’s analyses incorporated an assumed period of cash flows of 5 years with a terminal value.

Discount rate - The discount rate was based on an estimated weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) for each reporting unit. The components of WACC are the cost of equity and the cost of debt, each of which requires judgment by management to estimate. The Company developed its cost of equity estimate based on perceived risks and predictability of future cash flows. The WACC used to estimate the fair values of the Company’s reporting units was 20.0%. A 1% change in this discount rate would not result in a goodwill impairment charge.

Royalty rate - The royalty rates utilized consider external market evidence and internal financial metrics including a review of available returns after the consideration of property, plant and equipment, working capital and other intangible assets. The royalty rate used to estimate the available returns for the Company’s trade name was 2.0%.

F-18

For goodwill and other intangible assets, the Company performed the required impairment tests applying the quantitative approach and no impairments were indicated.

Definite-Lived Intangible Assets

The definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the period the Company expects to receive the related economic benefit, which for customer lists is based upon estimated future net cash inflows. The estimated useful lives of intangible assets are as follows:

Asset Amortization Method Estimated Useful Life

Customer lists Pattern of economic benefit 9 - 16 years

Total amortization expense for these amortizable intangible assets was $5.2 million, $6.9 million, and $7.5 million for the Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Estimated Amortization Expense

7. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment at February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024 consist of the following (in thousands):

Construction in progress is primarily comprised of leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment related to unopened retail stores and costs incurred related to the implementation of certain computer software and hardware.

Capitalized software, subject to amortization, included in property and equipment at February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024 had a cost basis of approximately $55.8 million and $54.6 million, respectively, and accumulated amortization of $45.6 million and $41.3 million, respectively. As of February 1, 2025 and February 3, 2024, internal use software costs capitalized were $3.5 million and $8.9 million, respectively.

Total depreciation expense recorded within Selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations was $16.1 million, $16.0 million, and $18.2 million, for the Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

During Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded noncash impairment charges of $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, related to leasehold improvements at certain store locations driven by the actual performance at these locations. During Fiscal Year 2022, due to the Company’s revised outlook on future cash flows at certain store locations, the Company incurred noncash impairment charges of $0.8 million related primarily to leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures at these locations.

The Company capitalized $0.4 million, $0.6 million and an immaterial amount of interest in connection with construction in progress for Fiscal Years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

F-19

8. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities include the following (in thousands):

Accrued corporate expenses (a) 1,458 2,158

Taxes, other than income taxes 2,635 2,709

Self-insured group health insurance reserves 765 —

Source: SEC EDGAR (public domain) · 10-K for the period ended 2025-02-01, filed 2025-04-01 · accession 0000950170-25-048494

Filing HTML rendered to line-structured narrative text by the shipped reducer (datafeeds.edgar_fulltext.visible_text, keep_table_headers=True): scripts and inline-XBRL headers are dropped, and table content is reduced to its short label cells — numeric table data is not rendered and is therefore not counted. The same rendering is used for every year, so a year-over-year comparison is like for like.

The text is our rendering of the filing, not a facsimile: original pagination, typography and tables are not reproduced, and the numbers live in the financial statements (FA).

The outline locates item HEADINGS in this document. Only Items 1A and 7 have certified boundaries elsewhere in the terminal (the redline and the narrative-overlap number); every span here runs from one heading found to the next heading found.

How the outline was chosen. It is the longest chain of item headings that runs forward through both the document and the standard item order: 23 headings are on that chain and 17 further heading-shaped lines are not — the table-of-contents echo of every item, cross-references and exhibit-list mentions. Each entry's length is measured from its heading to the next heading on the chain.