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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the Company and Notes thereto set forth in Item 15. This discussion contains forward-looking statements relating to future events and the future performance of the Company based on the Company’s current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about it and the Company’s industry. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results and timing of various events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, as more fully described in this section and elsewhere in this Annual Report including those discussed under “Disclosures regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors Summary” under Item 1A “Risk Factors” and under Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Market Risk.” The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future, other than as required by law.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Company designs, sources and sells branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home. The Company’s product categories include two categories of products used to prepare, serve and consume foods, Kitchenware (kitchen tools and gadgets, cutlery, kitchen scales, thermometers, cutting boards, shears, cookware, pantryware, spice racks and bakeware) and Tableware (dinnerware, stemware, flatware and giftware); and one category, Home Solutions, which comprises other products used in the home (thermal beverageware, bath scales, weather and outdoor household products, food storage, neoprene travel products and home décor). In 2020, Kitchenware products and Tableware products accounted for approximately 83% of the Company’s U.S. net sales and 85% of the Company’s consolidated net sales. In 2019, Kitchenware products and Tableware products accounted for approximately 79% of the Company’s U.S. net sales and 82% of the Company’s consolidated net sales. The year ended December 31, 2018 includes the operations of Filament for the period from March 2, 2018, the date of the acquisition of Filament, to December 31, 2018.

The Company markets several product lines within each of its product categories and under most of the Company’s brands, primarily targeting moderate price points through virtually every major level of trade. The Company believes it possesses certain competitive advantages based on its brands, its emphasis on innovation and new product development, and its sourcing capabilities. The Company owns or licenses a number of leading brands in its industry, including Farberware®, Mikasa®, Taylor®, KitchenAid®, KitchenCraft® , Pfaltzgraff® , BUILT NY®, Rabbit®, Kamenstein®, and MasterClass®. Historically, the Company’s sales growth has come from expanding product offerings within its product categories, by developing existing brands, acquiring new brands (including complementary brands in markets outside the United States), and establishing new product categories. Key factors in the Company’s growth strategy have been the selective use and management of the Company’s brands and the Company’s ability to provide a stream of new products and designs. A significant element of this strategy is the Company’s in-house design and development teams that create new products, packaging and merchandising concepts.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company operates in two reportable segments: U.S. and International. The U.S. segment is the Company’s primary domestic business that designs, markets and distributes its products to retailers and distributors, as well as directly to consumers through third parties and its own internet websites. The International segment consists of certain business operations conducted outside the U.S. The Company has segmented its operations to reflect the manner in which management reviews and evaluates its results of operations.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

The Company owns approximately 30% interest in Grupo Vasconia S.A.B (“Vasconia”), an integrated manufacturer of aluminum products and one of Mexico's largest housewares companies. Shares of Vasconia's capital stock are traded on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, the Mexican Stock Exchange. The Quotation Key is VASCONI. The Company accounts for its investment in Vasconia using the equity method of accounting and records its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Accordingly, the Company has recorded its proportionate share of Vasconia's net income (reduced for amortization expense related to the customer relationships acquired) for the year ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Pursuant to a Shares Subscription Agreement, the Company may designate four persons to be nominated as members of Vasconia’s Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2020, Vasconia's Board of Directors is comprised of fourteen members of whom the Company has designated three members.

The Company recorded equity in earnings of Vasconia, net of taxes, of $1.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

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SEASONALITY

The Company’s business and working capital needs are highly seasonal, with a majority of sales occurring in the third and fourth quarters. In 2020, 2019 and 2018, net sales for the third and fourth quarters accounted for 62%, 60% and 62% of total annual net sales, respectively. In anticipation of the pre-holiday shipping season, inventory levels increase primarily in the June through October time period. In 2020, the Company's inventory levels did not significantly decrease during the fourth quarter. The higher inventory levels at December 31, 2020 were a result of increased inventory purchases to meet higher expected demand in 2021 due in part to the effects on demand from the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with the seasonality of the Company's net sales and inventory levels, the Company also experiences seasonality in its inventory turnover and turnover days from one quarter to the next.

RESTRUCTURING

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company's U.S. segment incurred $0.7 million and $2.1 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company's International segment incurred $0.2 million of restructuring expenses related to severance associated with the strategic reorganization of the International segment’s product development and sales workforce. The strategic reorganization was the result of the Company's efforts for product development efficiencies and an international sales approach tailored to countries.

During the years ended December 31, 2019, and 2018, the Company's international segment incurred $0.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of restructuring expense primarily related to the integration of its legal entities operating in Europe. The Company does not expect to incur any additional restructuring charges for these efforts.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the United States and the rest of the world. The pandemic has resulted in an increase in sales of certain of the Company’s products as well as a decrease in sales in other of its products. The Company has experienced a reduction in sales at certain retailers, that had closed or had limited store openings, during the pandemic. These declines were offset by higher sales at retailers that remained open and by e-commerce sales. Many of the retailers that had remained open provide products that are deemed essential.

The Company’s distribution facilities remain operational and continue to support e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail customers. The Company has not experienced significant disruptions in its supply chain related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In limited instances and categories, increased demand has strained the manufacturing capacity of certain of the Company’s suppliers. The Company expects, in the short term, higher inbound freight cost to import inventory as a result of expected higher demand of the Company's products and broader macroeconomic demand for ocean freight. Additionally, in the U.S., the Company has experienced instances of trucking availability shortages, resulting in delays of shipments to certain of its customers.

During 2019, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (‘‘USTR’’) imposed additional tariffs on products imported from China. In certain cases, both in 2019 and 2020, these tariffs were subsequently reduced, suspended or removed. The Company purchases a high concentration of products from unaffiliated manufacturers located in China. This concentration exposes the Company to risks associated with doing business globally, including changes in tariffs.

The tariff increases that were implemented by the USTR began to adversely impact the Company's cost of sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and will continue to do so, as long as these tariff increases remain in effect. In January 2020, the U.S. and China signed a trade agreement known as the Phase One Agreement. This agreement reversed some tariff increases that had become effective in September 2019. Significant uncertainty exists as to the timing and content of a Phase Two agreement, particularly due to the ongoing pandemic and to changes in the United States Administration as a result of the November 2020 Presidential election.

The Company expects to mitigate the impact of tariff increases primarily through pricing actions and product cost reductions in its supply chain. Since July 2018, the USTR has periodically issued lists of products that are excluded from tariffs on Chinese imports. Under the USTR exclusion process, companies have the opportunity to seek to have particular products excluded from the tariff lists and apply for a refund.

On January 31, 2020, the U.K. left the European Union. In December 2020, the U.K and European Union announced the agreement of a new Trade and Cooperation Agreement that will govern the ongoing relationship between the U.K. and the European Union. The U.K.’s exit from the European Union is unprecedented and it remains unclear what long-term impact this will have on the U.K.’s access to the EU Single Market and on the legal and regulatory environment in which the Company operates, as well as its effect on the global macroeconomic environment.

The uncertainty surrounding the consequences of the U.K.’s exit could adversely impact the U.K. economy, customers and investor confidence. The U.K.'s exit also could adversely impact the export of products between the U.K. and the European Union. Such

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uncertainty may contribute to additional market volatility, including volatility in the value of the U.K. pound and European euro, and may adversely affect the Company’s businesses, results of operations, and financial condition. Net sales attributable to U.K. domiciled businesses were $78.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, and represent approximately 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the period.

On March 3, 2021, the Chancellor of the Exchequer presented the U.K Budget 2021 to Parliament. The budget includes a proposal to increase the U.K. corporate tax rate from 19% to 25% effective April 1, 2023. The proposed change will be enacted into law upon approval by Parliament, which is expected in the second half of 2021. The Company expects the higher tax rate could negatively impact the Company's operating results.

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EFFECT OF ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On April 10, 2020, the FASB staff issued a question-and-answer document to address stakeholder questions on the application of the lease accounting guidance for lease concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (the “Question-and-Answer Document”). The guidance allows concessions related to the timing of payments, where the total consideration has not changed, to not be accounted for as lease modifications. Instead, any such concessions can be accounted for as if no change was made to the contract or as variable lease payments. The Company adopted the guidance on April 1, 2020 and elected to account for COVID-19-related rent concessions that did not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee not as lease modifications. See NOTE 4 — LEASES for additional information on the Company’s adoption of this guidance.

Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future Periods

Updates not listed below were assessed and either determined to not be applicable or are expected to have a minimal effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles and simplifies the application of U.S. GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending the existing guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The impact of the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This guidance introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The ASU also provides updated guidance regarding the impairment of available-for-sale debt securities and includes additional disclosure requirements. The new guidance is effective for public business entities that meet the definition of a Smaller Reporting Company as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions to account for contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate that is expected to be discontinued as a result of reference rate reform. The guidance was effective upon issuance and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated as of any date from March 12, 2020 but no later than December 31, 2022. The Company has not yet applied the guidance in this ASU and is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The results of operations below focuses on the results of 2020 compared to 2019. For a discussion of 2019 compared to 2018 refer to "Results of Operations" in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The following table sets forth statement of operations data of the Company as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated below.

Year Ended December 31,

Distribution expenses 9.5 9.9 9.9

Selling, general and administrative expenses 20.3 22.0 23.1

Goodwill and other impairments 2.6 5.8 0.3

Restructuring expenses 0.0 0.2 0.3

Income (loss) from operations 3.2 (3.2) 2.7

Interest expense (2.2) (2.8) (2.6)

Mark to market (loss) gain on interest rate derivatives (0.3) 0.0 —

Loss on early retirement of debt — — 0.0

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings 0.7 (6.0) 0.1

Income tax provision (1.3) (0.2) (0.4)

Equity in earnings, net of taxes 0.2 0.1 0.1

Net loss (0.4) % (6.1) % (0.2) %

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2020 COMPARED TO 2019

Net Sales

Net sales for the year 2020 were $769.2 million, an increase of $34.3 million, or 4.7%, compared to net sales of $734.9 million in 2019. In constant currency, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and was determined by applying 2020 average rates to 2019 local currency amounts, net sales increased $33.6 million, or 4.6%, as compared to consolidated net sales in the corresponding period in 2019.

Net sales for the U.S. segment in 2020 were $683.5 million, an increase of $39.3 million, or 6.1%, compared to net sales of $644.2 million in 2019.

Net sales for the U.S. segment’s Kitchenware product category in 2020 were $426.9 million, an increase of $72.6 million, or 20.5%, compared to net sales of $354.3 million in 2019. The net sales increase in the U.S. segment’s Kitchenware product category was primarily a result of higher consumer demand in both the e-commerce and wholesale channels for essential food preparation products including kitchen tools and gadgets, cutlery/boards, and measurement products.

Net sales for the U.S. segment’s Tableware product category in 2020 were $141.1 million, a decrease of $15.0 million, or 9.6%, compared to net sales of $156.1 million for 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by lower sales of dinnerware products to brick-and-mortar retailers many of which were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decrease was partially offset by higher sales of flatware products and e-commerce sales.

Net sales for the U.S. segment’s Home Solutions products category in 2020 were $115.5 million, a decrease of $18.3 million, or 13.7%, compared to net sales of $133.8 million in 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by lower sales in the food and beverage outlet channel and lower home décor sales due to certain retailer program initiatives not repeating in 2020 and store closing due to the pandemic. This decrease was offset by higher sales resulting from new programs of branded hydration products in the wholesale channel.

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Net sales for the International segment in 2020 were $85.7 million, a decrease of $5.0 million, compared to net sales of $90.7 million for 2019. In constant currency, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and was determined by applying 2020 average exchange rates to 2019 local currency amounts, net sales decreased approximately 6.3%. The decrease in sales was driven by lower sales to national and independent retailers primarily as a result from lower demand and store closures due to COVID-19. This decrease was offset by increased e-commerce sales due to higher customer demand in online channels.

Gross margin

Gross margin for 2020 was $274.0 million, or 35.6%, compared to $255.2 million, or 34.7%, for the corresponding period in 2019.

Gross margin for the U.S. segment was $250.5 million, or 36.6%, for 2020, compared to $226.5 million, or 35.2%, for 2019. Gross margin in the 2019 period reflects an $8.5 million charge for the SKU Rationalization initiative. Excluding the SKU Rationalization initiative, the gross margin in the 2019 period would have been 36.5%.

Gross margin for the International segment was $23.5 million, or 27.4%, for 2020, compared to $28.7 million, or 31.6%, for 2019. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily due to higher inventory reserves and unfavorable sales mix related to store closures due to COVID-19.

Distribution expenses

Distribution expenses were $72.8 million for the 2020 period as compared to $72.5 million for the 2019 period. Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales were 9.5% and 9.9% in 2020 and 2019.

Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales for the U.S. segment were approximately 8.4% in 2020 and 8.6% in 2019. Distribution expenses in 2019 included $0.2 million for the Company’s facility relocation efforts of its west coast distribution facility. As a percentage of sales shipped from the Company’s warehouses, distribution expenses, excluding the relocation costs for the U.S. segment, were 8.8% and 9.6% for 2020 and 2019, respectively. The improvement reflects the continued realization of labor management efficiency and synergy savings as well as the leverage benefit of fixed costs on higher sales volume. The improvement was partially offset by higher hourly labor rates for warehouse employees.

Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales for the International segment were approximately 17.9% in 2020 and 18.7% in 2019, respectively. Distribution expenses in 2020 and 2019 included $1.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for the Company’s facility relocation costs of its International distribution facilities. As a percentage of sales shipped from the Company’s warehouses, distribution expenses, excluding the relocation costs for the International segment, were 13.8% and 15.6% for 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to the improvement in the fulfillment of orders and labor efficiencies compared to the prior year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for 2020 were $155.9 million, a decrease of $5.7 million, or 3.5%, as compared to $161.6 million for 2019.

SG&A expenses for 2020 for the U.S. segment were $112.6 million, a decrease of $4.5 million, or 3.8%, compared to $117.1 million for 2019. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses were 16.5% for 2020, compared to 18.2% for 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in headcount and selling and marketing expenses as a result from the Company's cost savings efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This reduction was partially offset by higher employee incentive compensation and higher estimates for bad debt expense related to the economic uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SG&A expenses for 2020 for the International segment were $20.7 million, compared to $24.3 million for 2019. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 24.2% for 2020, compared to 26.8% for 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in headcount resulting from the Company's cost savings efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as lower selling and marketing expenses. This was partially offset by higher estimates for bad debt expense related to the economic uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unallocated corporate expenses for 2020 were $22.6 million, compared to $20.2 million for 2019. The increase was driven by higher executive incentive compensation, partially offset by lower executive salary costs for the temporary reduction in base salary during 2020 and lower professional fees.

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Goodwill and other impairments

U.S. Reporting Unit

During the first quarter of 2020, as a result of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company performed an interim assessment of the goodwill for the U.S. reporting unit as of March 31, 2020, by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company performed the analysis using a discounted cash flow and market multiple method. Based upon the analysis performed, the Company recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $19.1 million during the first quarter of 2020. The goodwill impairment charge resulted from, among other factors, the uncertain market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the Company's market capitalization, as well as a reduction of forecasted future cash flows associated with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fair value of the U.S. reporting unit was approximately 3.9% below its carrying value as of March 31, 2020.

The Company performed its annual impairment assessment of its U.S. reporting unit as of October 1, 2020 by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company performed the analysis using a discounted cash flow and market multiple method. As of October 1, 2020, the fair value of the U.S. reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of goodwill.

In 2019, the Company recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $33.2 million, during the three months ended December 31, 2019. The Company performed the analysis using a discounted cash flow and market multiple method. The goodwill impairment charge resulted from, among other factors, a sustained decline in the Company's market capitalization observed in the fourth quarter of 2019. The fair value of the U.S, reporting unit was approximately 6.1% below its carrying value at October 1, 2019.

International Reporting Unit

In the third quarter of 2019, the Company performed an interim assessment of its European kitchenware business by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value as of September 30, 2019. The Company performed the analysis using a discounted cash flow and market multiple approach. Based upon the analysis performed, the Company recognized a $9.7 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge during the third quarter of 2019. The goodwill impairment charge was the result of a decline in operating performance and reduced expectations for future cash flows of the European kitchenware business. The fair value of the business was approximately 30.1% below its carrying value as of September 30, 2019.

Indefinite-lived intangibles

As a result of the impairment testing performed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic triggering event, the Company determined that certain of its indefinite-lived intangible assets in the U.S. segment were impaired. As a result, the Company recorded a $1.0 million non-cash impairment charge during the first quarter of 2020.

Restructuring expenses

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company's U.S. segment incurred $0.7 million, of restructuring expense related to the integration of Filament, of which $0.1 million was accrued at December 31, 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company's International segment incurred $0.7 million of restructuring expense primarily related to the integration of its legal entities operating in Europe. The Company had no international restructuring accrual as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

The Company does not expect to incur any additional restructuring charges for these efforts.

Interest expense

Interest expense for 2020 was $17.3 million, compared to $20.8 million for 2019. The decrease in expense was primarily a result of less debt outstanding and a lower interest rate environment.

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Mark to market (loss) gain on interest rate derivatives

Mark to market loss on interest rate derivatives was $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to a mark to market gain on interest rate derivatives of $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The mark to market amount represents the change in the fair value on the Company's interest rate derivatives that have not been designed as hedging instruments. These derivatives were entered into for purposes of locking-in a fixed interest rate on the Company's variable interest rate debt. The current period loss was caused by lower interest rates as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The intent of the Company is to hold these derivative contracts until their maturity. Therefore, the Company expects that this loss will reverse over time.

Income tax provision

The income tax provision was $9.9 million in 2020 and $1.1 million in 2019. The Company’s effective tax rate for 2020 was 177.8%, compared to (2.5)% for 2019. The effective tax rate in 2020 was driven primarily by the impairment of goodwill in the U.S, nondeductible expenses, equity-based awards, and a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets in the United Kingdom. The effective tax rate in 2019 was driven by the impairment of goodwill in the U.S. and international reporting units, nondeductible expenses, state taxes and tax credits.

Equity in earnings

The Company’s equity in earnings, net of tax, for 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands)

Vasconia Equity earnings, net of taxes $ 1,545 $ 467

Equity in earnings (losses), net of taxes $ 1,310 $ 467

Vasconia reported loss from operations for 2020 of $0.1 million, as compared to income of $8.6 million for 2019 and reported net income of $5.6 million and $1.8 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The effect of the translation of the Company’s investment, as well as the translation of Vasconia’s balance sheet, resulted in a decrease of the investment of $2.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 and a decrease of the investment of $1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized a loss of $0.2 million, relating to cumulative translation foreign currency losses that were recognized to earnings upon the dissolution of Lifetime Brands Do Brasil Participacoes Ltda., a 100% owned foreign subsidiary. The foreign currency translation losses related to the notes receivable due to the Company from the 2016 sale of its equity interest in GS International S/A.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and with the instructions to Form 10-K and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The Company evaluates these estimates including those related to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, reserves for sales returns and allowances and customer chargebacks, inventory mark-down provisions, estimates for unpaid healthcare claims, impairment of goodwill, tangible and intangible assets, stock compensation expense, accruals related to the Company’s tax positions and tax valuation allowances. Actual results may differ from these estimates using different assumptions and under different conditions and changes in these estimates are recorded when known. The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 15. The Company believes that the following discussion addresses its most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments.

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Inventory

Inventory consists principally of finished goods sourced from third-party suppliers. Inventory also includes finished goods, work in process and raw materials related to the Company’s manufacture of sterling silver products. Inventory is priced using the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value. The Company estimates the selling price of its inventory on a product by product basis based on the current selling environment. If the estimated selling price is lower than the inventory’s cost, the Company reduces the value of the inventory to its net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal and transportation.

Accounts Receivable

The Company periodically reviews the collectability of its accounts receivable and establishes allowances for estimated losses that could result from the inability of its customers to make required payments, taking into consideration customer credit history and financial condition, industry and market segment information, credit reports, and economic trends and conditions such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. A considerable amount of judgment is required to assess the ultimate realization of these receivables including assessing the initial and on-going creditworthiness of the Company’s customers.

The Company also maintains an allowance for anticipated customer deductions. The allowances for deductions are primarily based on contracts with customers. However, in certain cases the Company does not have a formal contract and, therefore, customer deductions are non-contractual. To evaluate the reasonableness of non-contractual customer deductions, the Company analyzes currently available information and historical trends of deductions.

Receivable purchase agreement

To improve its liquidity during seasonally high working capital periods, the Company has an uncommitted Receivables Purchase Agreement with HSBC Bank USA, as Purchaser (the “Receivables Purchase Agreement”). Under the Receivables Purchase Agreement, the Company may offer to sell certain eligible accounts receivables (the “Receivables”) to HSBC Bank USA, which may accept such offer, and purchase the offered Receivables. Under the Receivables Purchase Agreement, following each purchase of Receivables, the outstanding aggregate purchased Receivables shall not exceed $30.0 million. HSBC Bank USA will assume the credit risk of the Receivables purchased; and, the Company will continue to be responsible for all non-credit risk matters. The Company will service the Receivables, and as such servicer, collect and otherwise enforce the Receivables on behalf of HSBC Bank USA. The term of the agreement is for 364 days and automatically extends for annual successive terms unless terminated. Either party may terminate the agreement at any time upon 60 days prior written notice to the other party. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company sold $159.4 million and $115.4 million of Receivables during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, $24.7 million and $20.9 million, respectively, of receivables sold are outstanding and are due to HSBC Bank USA from customers. A charge of $0.4 million and $0.6 million related to the sale of the Receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at the inception of a contract. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are included in operating lease right-of-use assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The current and long-term components of operating lease liabilities are included in the current portion of operating lease liability and operating lease liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, net, accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities. The Company's finance leases are not material to the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset may also include any lease payments made, adjusted for any prepaid or accrued rent payments, lease incentives, and initial direct costs incurred. Certain leases may include options to extend or terminate the lease. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

For certain equipment leases, the Company applies a portfolio approach to effectively account for any ROU assets and lease liabilities. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.

The Company has elected the practical expedient to account for each separate lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component, thus causing all fixed payments to be capitalized.

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Goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets

Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but, instead, are subject to an annual impairment assessment. Additionally, if events or conditions were to indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable, the Company would evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at that time.

As it relates to the goodwill assessment, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment testing described in the FASB's Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU”) Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. If, after assessing qualitative factors, the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the quantitative test is unnecessary and the Company’s goodwill is considered to be unimpaired. However, if based on the Company’s qualitative assessment it concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment, the Company will proceed with performing the quantitative impairment test.

The Company reviews goodwill and other intangibles that have indefinite lives for impairment annually as of October 1st or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets might exceed their current fair values. For goodwill, impairment testing is based upon the best information available using a combination of the discounted cash flow method, a form of the income approach, and the guideline public company method, a form of the market approach.

The significant assumptions used under the income approach, or discounted cash flow method, are projected net sales, projected earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), terminal growth rates, and the cost of capital. Projected net sales, projected EBITDA and terminal growth rates were determined to be significant assumptions because they are three primary drivers of the projected cash flows in the discounted cash flow fair value model. Cost of capital was also determined to be a significant assumption as it is the discount rate used to calculate the current fair value of those projected cash flows. For the guideline public company method, significant assumptions relate to the selection of appropriate guideline companies and related valuation multiples used in the market analysis.

Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates made are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact its reported financial results. In addition, sustained declines in the Company's stock price and related market capitalization could impact key assumptions in the overall estimated fair values of its reporting units and could result in non-cash impairment charges that could be material to the Company's consolidated balance sheet or results of operations. Should the carrying value of a reporting unit be in excess of the estimated fair value of that reporting unit, an impairment charge will be recorded to reduce the reporting unit to fair value. The Company also evaluates qualitative factors to determine whether or not its indefinite lived intangibles have been impaired and then performs quantitative tests if required. These tests can include the relief from royalty model or other valuation models. The significant assumptions used in the relief from royalty model are future net sales for the related brands, royalty rates and the cost of capital to determine the fair value of the indefinite lived intangibles.

Long-lived assets, including intangible assets deemed to have finite lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment indicators include, among other conditions, cash flow deficits, historic or anticipated declines in revenue or operating profit or material adverse changes in the business climate that indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may be impaired. When impairment indicators are present, the recoverability of the asset is measured by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of each long-lived asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Revenue recognition

The Company sells products wholesale, to retailers and distributors, and sells products retail, directly to consumers. Wholesale sales and retail sales are recognized at the point in time the customer obtains control of the products in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those products. To indicate the transfer of control, the Company must have a present right to payment, legal title must have passed to the customer, the customer must have the significant risks and rewards of ownership, and where acceptance is not a formality, the customer must have accepted the product or service. The Company’s principal terms of sale are Free on Board ("FOB") Shipping Point, or equivalent, and, as such, the Company primarily transfers control and records revenue for product sales upon shipment. Sales arrangements with delivery terms that are not FOB Shipping Point are not recognized upon shipment and the transfer of control for revenue recognition is evaluated based on the associated shipping terms and customer obligations. Shipping and handling fees that are billed to customers in sales transactions are included in net sales. Net sales exclude taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to the taxing authorities.

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The Company offers various sales incentives and promotional programs to its wholesale customers from time to time in the normal course of business. These incentives and promotions typically include arrangements such as cooperative advertising, buydowns, volume rebates and discounts. These arrangements represent forms of variable consideration, and an estimate of sales returns are reflected as reductions in net sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. These estimates are based on historical experience and other known factors or as the most likely amount in a range of possible outcomes. On a quarterly basis, variable consideration is assessed on a portfolio approach in estimating the extent to which the components of variable consideration are constrained.

Payment terms vary by customer, but generally range from 30 to 90 days or at the point of sale for the Company’s retail direct sales. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in the first quarter of 2020 and lasting through the fourth quarter of 2020, many of the Company's customers that operate retail locations temporarily closed their stores voluntarily or as mandated by government stay at home orders. In response to these closings, the affected customers have requested extended payment terms. The Company has been working with these customers to address their temporary extended payment requests.

The Company incurs certain direct incremental costs to obtain contracts with customers, such as sales-related commissions, where the recognition period for the related revenue is less than one year. These costs are expensed as incurred and recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are expensed as incurred.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales consist primarily of costs associated with the production and procurement of product, inbound freight costs, purchasing costs, royalties and other product procurement related charges.

In 2019, the Company implemented programs to improve the productivity of its inventory and simplify its U.S. business. In connection therewith, it initiated a stock keeping unit rationalization (“SKU Rationalization”) initiative to identify inventory to discontinue from active status, consistent with the objectives of these programs. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an $8.5 million charge to cost of sales associated with the SKU Rationalization initiative. The inventory charge, which was recognized in cost of sales during the three months ended June 30, 2019, represented approximately 8% of the Company's consolidated inventory at June 30, 2019.

Prior to January 1, 2019, depreciation associated with certain tooling used to produce products was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. The amount recorded in cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The impact on the comparative periods presented is immaterial and therefore, the comparative periods have not been adjusted to reflect this change in accounting policy.

Share-based compensation

The Company accounts for its share-based compensation arrangements in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation: Stock-based Compensation, which requires the measurement of compensation expense for all share-based compensation granted to employees and non-employee directors at fair value on the date of grant and recognition of compensation expense over the related service period. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the fair value of its stock options. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility of the Company’s common stock and the risk-free interest rate. Changes in these subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate of the Company’s stock options on the date of the option grant.

Performance share awards are initially valued at the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant. Each performance award represents the right to receive up to 150% of the target number of shares of common stock. The number of shares of common stock earned will be determined based on the attainment of specified performance goals, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, by the end of the performance period. Compensation expense for performance awards is recognized over the vesting period and will vary based on remeasurement during the performance period. If achievement of the performance metrics is not probable of achievement during the performance period, compensation expense is reversed. The awards are forfeited if the performance metrics are not achieved as of the end of the performance period. The performance share awards vest at the end of a three year period, as determined by the Compensation Committee.

The Company bases the estimated fair value of restricted stock awards on the date of grant. The estimated fair value is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares awarded. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

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Restructuring Expenses

Costs associated with restructuring activities are recorded at fair value when a liability has been incurred. A liability has been incurred at the communication date for severance. Charges associated with lease terminations, related to restructuring activities, are recognized at the effective date of the lease modification.

Employee healthcare

The Company self-insures certain portions of its health insurance plan. The Company maintains an accrual for estimated unpaid claims and claims incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”). Although management believes that it uses the best information available to estimate IBNR claims, actual claims may vary significantly from estimated claims.

Income taxes

The Company applies the authoritative guidance for the financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in the Company’s financial statements. In accordance with this guidance, tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position. A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Derivatives

The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. ASC 815 requires that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as hedges and have been designated as part of a hedging relationship for accounting purposes have no net impact on earnings until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The change in the fair value of hedges are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations to mirror the location of the hedged items impacting earnings. Changes in fair value of derivatives that do not qualify as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign currency

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates for the relevant period. Income and losses resulting from translation are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

The Company may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to hedge the volatility of exchange rates related to a portion of its international inventory purchases. Realized gains and losses from designated foreign currency derivative contracts are recognized in cost of sales as the hedged inventory purchases are sold. Unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions on the fair value of foreign exchange contracts designated as hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Realized and unrealized gains and losses from non-designated foreign currency hedges are recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, certain taxes and environmental matters, as well as commitments under contractual and other commercial obligations. The Company recognizes liabilities for contingencies and commitments when a loss is probable and estimable.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s principal sources of cash to fund liquidity needs are: (i) cash provided by operating activities and (ii) borrowings available under its revolving credit facility under the ABL Agreement. The Company’s primary uses of funds consist of working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments and payments of principal and interest on its debt.

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $36.0 million and $11.4 million, respectively, and working capital of $241.2 million at December 31, 2020, compared to $221.8 million at December 31, 2019. The current ratio (current assets to current liabilities) was 2.3 to 1.0 at December 31, 2020, compared to 3.1 to 1.0 at December 31, 2019. The increase in working capital was driven by higher sales and increased inventory levels compared to the prior year. The decrease in the current ratio was primarily due to an increase in accounts payable due to timing of inventory purchases and an increase in the estimated excess cash flow principal payment related to the Company's debt agreement.

At December 31, 2020, borrowings under the Company’s ABL Agreement were $27.3 million and $262.6 million was outstanding under the Term Loan. At December 31, 2019, borrowings under the Company’s ABL Agreement were $32.8 million and $270.2 million was outstanding under the Term Loan.

The Company believes that availability under the revolving credit facility under its ABL Agreement and cash flows from operations are sufficient to fund the Company’s operations for the next twelve months. However, if circumstances were to adversely change, the Company may seek alternative sources of liquidity including debt and/or equity financing. However, there can be no assurance that any such alternative sources would be available or sufficient. The Company closely monitors the creditworthiness of its customers. Based upon its evaluation of changes in customers’ creditworthiness, the Company may modify credit limits and/or terms of sale. However, notwithstanding the Company’s efforts to monitor its customers’ financial condition, the Company could be materially affected by changes in the future. Some of the Company’s customers may be adversely and materially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inventory, a large component of the Company’s working capital, is expected to fluctuate from period to period, with inventory levels higher primarily in the June through October time period. In 2020, the Company's inventory levels did not significantly decrease during the fourth quarter. The higher inventory levels at December 31, 2020 were a result of increased inventory purchases to meet higher expected demand in 2021. The Company also expects inventory turnover to fluctuate from period to period based on product and customer mix. Certain product categories have lower inventory turnover rates as a result of minimum order quantities from the Company’s vendors or customer replenishment needs. Certain other product categories experience higher inventory turns due to lower minimum order quantities or trending sale demands. For the three months ended December 31, 2020 inventory turnover was 3.1 times, or 117 days, as compared to 2.9 times, or 128 days, for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The improvement was a result of an increase in consumer demand for certain products beginning in the second quarter of 2020.

Credit Facilities

The Company’s credit agreement (the “ABL Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), includes a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million, which facility will mature on March 2, 2023, and a loan agreement (the “Term Loan” and together with the ABL Agreement, the “Debt Agreements”) provides for a senior secured term loan credit facility in the original principal amount of $275.0 million, which matures on February 28, 2025. The Term Loan facility will be repaid in quarterly payments, which commenced June 30, 2018, of principal equal to 0.25% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan facility. The Term Loan requires the Company to make an annual prepayment of principal based upon excess cash flow (the “Excess Cash Flow”), if any. This estimated amount is recorded in the current maturity of term loan on the consolidated balance sheets. Per the Debt Agreements, when the Company makes an Excess Cash Flow payment, the payment is first applied to satisfy the future quarterly required payments in order of maturity. The maximum borrowing amount under the ABL Agreement may be increased to up to $200.0 million if certain conditions are met. One or more tranches of Incremental Facilities may be added under the Term Loan if certain conditions are met. The Incremental Facilities may not exceed the sum of (i) $50.0 million plus (ii) an unlimited amount so long as, in the case of (ii) only, the Company’s secured net leverage ratio, as defined in and computed pursuant to the Term Loan, is no greater than 3.75 to 1.00 subject to certain limitations and for the period defined pursuant to the Term Loan.

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As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the total availability under the ABL Agreement were as follows (in thousands):

Outstanding borrowings under the ABL Agreement (27,302) (32,822)

Standby letters of credit (2,698) (2,288)

Total availability under the ABL agreement $ 120,000 $ 114,890

Availability under the ABL Agreement depends on the valuation of certain current assets comprising the borrowing base. Due to the seasonality of the Company’s business, this may mean that the Company will have greater borrowing availability during the third and fourth quarters of each year. The borrowing capacity under the ABL Agreement will depend, in part, on eligible levels of accounts receivable and inventory that fluctuate regularly. Consequently, the $150.0 million commitment thereunder may not represent actual borrowing capacity.

The current and non-current portions of the Company’s Term Loan facility included in the consolidated balance sheets are presented as follows (in thousands):

Current portion of Term Loan facility:

Term Loan facility payment $ — $ 2,750

Estimated Excess Cash Flow principal payment 19,120 7,145

Estimated unamortized debt issuance costs (1,463) (1,482)

Total Current portion of Term Loan facility $ 17,657 $ 8,413

Non-current portion of Term Loan facility:

Term Loan facility, net of current portion $ 243,485 $ 260,293

Estimated unamortized debt issuance costs (4,508) (6,012)

Total Non-current portion of Term Loan facility $ 238,977 $ 254,281

The Company’s payment obligations under its Debt Agreements are unconditionally guaranteed by its existing and future U.S. subsidiaries, with certain minor exceptions. Certain payment obligations under the ABL Agreement are also direct obligations of its foreign subsidiary borrowers designated as such under the ABL Agreement and, subject to limitations on such guaranty, are guaranteed by the foreign subsidiary borrowers, as well as by the Company. The obligations of the Company under the Debt Agreements and any hedging arrangements and cash management services and the guarantees by its domestic subsidiaries in respect of those obligations are secured by substantially all of the assets and stock (but in the case of foreign subsidiaries, limited to 65% of the capital stock in first-tier foreign subsidiaries and not including the stock of subsidiaries of such first-tier foreign subsidiaries) owned by the Company and the U.S. subsidiary guarantors, subject to certain exceptions. Such security interest consists of (1) a first-priority lien, subject to certain permitted liens, with respect to certain assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries (the “ABL Collateral”) pledged as collateral in favor of lenders under the ABL Agreement and a second-priority lien in the ABL Collateral in favor of the lenders under the Term Loan and (2) a first-priority lien, subject to certain permitted liens, with respect to certain assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries (the “Term Loan Collateral”) pledged as collateral in favor of lenders under the Term Loan and a second-priority lien in the Term Loan Collateral in favor of the lenders under the ABL Agreement.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at one of the following rates: (i) an alternate base rate, defined, for any day, as the greater of the prime rate, a federal funds and overnight bank funding based rate plus 0.5% or one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.75%, or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.75%. The respective margins are based upon the Company’s total leverage ratio, as defined in and computed pursuant to the ABL Agreement. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the ABL Agreement at December 31, 2020 was 1.52%. In addition, the Company paid a commitment fee that ranged from 0.250% to 0.375% on the unused portion of the ABL Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Term Loan facility bears interest, at the Company’s option, at one of the following rates: (i) an alternate base rate, defined, for any day, as the greater of the prime rate, a federal funds and overnight bank funding based rate plus 0.50% or one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus a margin of 2.50% or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50%. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan at December 31, 2020 was 4.5%.

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The debt agreements provide for customary restrictions and events of default. Restrictions include limitations on additional indebtedness, acquisitions, investments and payment of dividends, among other things. Further, the ABL Agreement provides that during any period (a) commencing on the last day of the most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarters on or prior to the date availability under the ABL Agreement is less than the greater of $15.0 million or 10% of the aggregate commitment under the ABL Agreement at any time and (b) ending on the day after such availability has exceeded the greater of $15.0 million or 10% of the aggregate commitment under the ABL Agreement for forty-five (45) consecutive days, the Company is required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00 as of the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters.

The Company was in compliance with the covenants of the Debt Agreements at December 31, 2020. The Company expects that it will continue to borrow and repay funds, subject to availability, under the ABL Agreement based on working capital and other corporate needs.

Covenant Calculations

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure), which is defined in the Company’s Debt Agreements, is used in the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Secured Net Leverage Ratio, Total Leverage Ratio and Total Net Leverage Ratio, which are required to be provided to the Company’s lenders pursuant to its Debt Agreements.

The following is the Company’s consolidated adjusted EBITDA, for the last four fiscal quarters:

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the four quarters ended

December 31, 2020

(in thousands)

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA $ 77,326

Non-GAAP financial measure

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, each promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This measure is provided because management of the Company uses this financial measure in evaluating the Company’s on-going financial results and trends. Management also uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA, as discussed above, is also one of the measures used to calculate financial covenants required to be provided to the Company’s lenders pursuant to its Debt Agreements.

Investors should consider these non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the Company’s financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, the Company’s non-GAAP information may be different from the non-GAAP information provided by other companies including other companies within the home retail industry.

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The following is a reconciliation of net (loss) income as reported to consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and each fiscal quarter of 2020 and 2019:

Three Months Ended Year Ended

(in thousands)

Subtract out:

Add back:

Restructuring expenses (benefit) — 253 — (42) 211

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined in the Company’s debt agreements. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), adjusted to exclude undistributed equity in (earnings) losses, income tax (benefit) provision, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, mark to market loss (gain) on interest rate derivatives, goodwill and other impairments, stock compensation expense, and other items detailed in the table above that are consistent with exclusions permitted by our debt agreements.

Three Months Ended Year Ended

(in thousands)

Subtract out:

Add back:

Mark to market loss (gain) on interest rate derivatives — (350) (367) 315 (402)

Acquisition and divestment related expenses 151 — — 55 206

Permitted non-recurring charge limitation (1) $ (8,929)

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA $ 55,135

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(1)Permitted non-recurring charges include restructuring expenses, integration charges, warehouse relocation costs, and SKU Rationalization. These are permitted exclusions from the Company’s consolidated adjusted EBITDA, subject to limitations, pursuant to the Company’s Debt Agreements.

Capital expenditures

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $2.1 million.

Derivatives

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company's net total outstanding notional value of interest rate swaps was $100 million at December 31, 2020.

The Company designated a portion of these interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of the Company’s exposure to the variability of the payment of interest on a portion of its Term Loan borrowings. The hedge periods of these agreements commenced in April 2018 and expire in March 2023. The original notional values are reduced over these periods. The aggregate notional value was $75.0 million at December 31, 2020.

In June 2019, the Company entered into additional interest rate swap agreements, with an aggregate notional value of $25.0 million at December 31, 2020. These non-designated interest rate swaps serve as cash flow hedges of the Company’s exposure to the variability of the payment of interest on a portion of its Term Loan borrowings and expire in February 2025.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

The Company is a party from time to time to certain foreign exchange contracts, primarily to offset the earnings impact related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with inventory purchases denominated in foreign currencies. Fluctuations in the value of certain foreign currencies as compared to the USD may positively or negatively affect the Company’s revenues, gross margins, operating expenses, and retained earnings, all of which are expressed in USD. Where the Company deems it prudent, the Company engages in hedging programs using foreign currency forward contracts aimed at limiting the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on earnings. The Company purchases short-term (i.e., 12 months or less) foreign currency forward contracts to protect against currency exchange risks associated with the payment of merchandise purchases to foreign suppliers. The Company does not hedge the translation of foreign currency profits into USD, as the Company regards this as an accounting exposure rather than an economic exposure. The Company's foreign exchange contracts, that had been designed as hedges in order to apply hedge accounting, matured in April 2020. At December 31, 2020, the Company had no outstanding foreign exchange contracts. The aggregate gross notional values of foreign exchange contracts at December 31, 2019 was $7.3 million.

The Company is exposed to market risks, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, as measured against the USD and each other, and changes to credit risk of derivative counterparties. The Company attempts to minimize these risks by primarily using foreign currency forward contracts and by maintaining counterparty credit limits. These hedging activities provide only limited protection against currency exchange and credit risk. Factors that could influence the effectiveness of the Company’s hedging programs include currency markets and availability of hedging instruments and liquidity of the credit markets. All foreign currency forward contracts that the Company enters into are components of hedging programs and are entered into for the sole purpose of hedging an existing or anticipated currency exposure. The Company does not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes and, as of December 31, 2020, the Company does not have any foreign currency forward contract derivatives that are not designated as hedges. These foreign exchange contracts have been designated as hedges in to order to apply hedge accounting.

Dividends

Dividends were declared in 2020 and 2019 as follows:

Dividend per share Date declared Date of record Payment date

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On March 9, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.0425 per share payable on May 17, 2021 to shareholders of record on May 3, 2021.

Cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $44.8 million in 2020, compared to $29.9 million in 2019 and $19.2 million in 2018. The increase from 2020 compared to 2019 was attributable to an increase in net income, most significantly before goodwill impairment, partially offset by an increase in working capital primarily attributable to the timing of collections related to accounts receivables. The change from 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily attributable to timing of collections related to accounts receivables.

Cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $2.1 million in 2020, compared to $9.2 million in 2019 and $224.2 million in 2018. The change in 2020 as compared to the corresponding 2019 period was primarily attributable to higher capital expenditures in the 2019 period resulting from the Company's U.K. reorganization and warehouse consolidation efforts. The 2018 investing activity includes the cash consideration paid for the acquisition of Filament and capital expenditures related to the Company’s relocation of its west coast distribution facility.

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities was $(18.2) million in 2020 compared to $(16.9) million in 2019 and $205.3 million in 2018. During 2020 and 2019, the Company utilized cash generated to repay a portion of its outstanding debt related to its Term Loan and credit facility. In 2018, the change in financing activities was attributable to the new Debt Agreements entered into in order to finance the acquisition of Filament in 2018.

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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s contractual obligations were as follows (in thousands):

Payment due by period

Total Less than1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years More than5 years

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. The Company is exposed to market risk associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes it has moderate exposure to these risks. The Company assesses market risk based on changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis that measures the potential loss in earnings and cash flows based on a hypothetical 10% or 100 basis point change in these rates.

The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The Company has foreign operations through its acquisitions, investments and strategic alliances in the U.K., Mexico, Canada, Hong Kong and China; therefore, the Company is subject to increases and decreases in its investments resulting from the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Additional transactions exposing the Company to exchange rate risk include sales, certain inventory purchases and operating expenses. Through its subsidiaries, portions of the Company’s cash, trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable are denominated in foreign currencies. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 10% of the Company’s net sales revenue was in foreign currencies, compared to 11% for the year ended December 31, 2019. These sales were primarily denominated in U.K. pounds, Euros and Canadian dollars. The Company makes most of its inventory purchases from Asia and uses the U.S. dollar for such purchases. In the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in SG&A expense. A hypothetical 10% change in exchange rates, with the U.S. dollar as the functional and reporting currency, would result in an approximately $1.6 million increase in SG&A expenses.

The Company’s ABL Agreement and Term Loan bear interest at variable rates. The Credit Agreement provides for interest rates linked to one of the LIBOR, the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate; therefore, the Company is subject to increases and decreases in interest expense resulting from fluctuations in interest rates. The Company entered into interest rate swap agreement in April 2018 to manage interest rate exposure in connection with its variable interest rate borrowings with an aggregate notional value of $75.0 million at December 31, 2020. In June 2019, the Company entered into additional interest rate swap agreements, with an aggregate notional value of $25.0 million at December 31, 2020.As of December 31, 2020, approximately $189.9 million of the Company’s debt carries a variable rate of interest, as compared to $178.0 million at December 31, 2019. The remainder of the debt at December 31, 2020 (approximately $100.0 million) carries a fixed rate of interest through the use of interest rate swaps. A hypothetical and instantaneous 100 basis point increase in the Company’s variable interest rates would increase interest expense by approximately $2.8 million over a

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twelve month period. The sensitivity analysis above assumes interest rate changes are instantaneous and parallel shifts in the yield curve occur.

Interest rate swaps expose the Company to counterparty credit risk for nonperformance. The Company manages its exposure to counterparty credit risk by dealing with counterparties who are international financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings. Although the Company’s credit risk is the replacement cost at the estimated fair value of these instruments, the Company believes that the risk of incurring credit risk losses as a result of counterparty nonperformance is remote.

The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 in Item 15 commencing on page F-1 are incorporated herein by reference.

The following tables set forth certain unaudited consolidated quarterly statement of operations data for the eight quarters ended December 31, 2020. This information is unaudited, but in the opinion of management, it has been prepared substantially on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been included in the amounts stated below to present fairly the unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations. The consolidated quarterly data should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the Notes to such statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. The results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any future period:

Firstquarter Secondquarter Thirdquarter Fourthquarter

(in thousands, except per share data)

Diluted (loss) income per common share (1.36) (0.19) 0.65 0.70

Firstquarter Secondquarter Thirdquarter Fourthquarter

(in thousands, except per share data)

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

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of December 31, 2020, that the Company’s controls and procedures

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are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

• Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and acquisitions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

• Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. 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.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Because of the inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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 the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Accordingly, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 using the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 was effective.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Lifetime Brands, Inc.’s and subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Lifetime Brands, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2020 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated March 10, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

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 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/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Jericho, New York

March 10, 2021

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Item 9B. Other Information

Not applicable.

PART III

Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14

The information required under these items is contained in the Company’s 2021 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of the Company’s fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)See Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule on page F-1.

(b)Exhibits:

Exhibit Index

No. Description

Table of Contents

21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company

23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

23.2 Consent of Castillo Miranda Y Compania, S.C.

101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Notes to exhibits:

(*) Compensatory plans in which the directors and executive officers of the Company participate.

(**) Furnished, not filed.

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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.

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

/s/ Robert B. Kay

Robert B. Kay

Chief Executive Officer 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 and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date

/s/ Robert B. Kay Chief Executive Officer and Director March 10, 2021

Robert B. Kay (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Laurence Winoker Senior Vice President – Finance, March 10, 2021

/s/ Jeffrey Siegel Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors March 10, 2021

Jeffrey Siegel

/s/ Rachael Jarosh Director March 10, 2021

Rachael Jarosh

/s/ John Koegel Director March 10, 2021

John Koegel

/s/ Cherrie Nanninga Director March 10, 2021

Cherrie Nanninga

/s/ Craig Phillips Director March 10, 2021

Craig Phillips

/s/ Veronique Gabai-Pinsky Director March 10, 2021

Veronique Gabai-Pinsky

/s/ Bruce Pollack Director March 10, 2021

Bruce Pollack

/s/ Michael J. Regan Director March 10, 2021

Michael J. Regan

/s/ Michael Schnabel Director March 10, 2021

Michael Schnabel

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Item 15

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

The following consolidated financial statements of Lifetime Brands, Inc. are filed as part of this Annual Report under Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-10

The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Lifetime Brands, Inc. required pursuant to Item 15(a) is submitted herewith:

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S-1

All other financial schedules are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

The unaudited supplementary data regarding quarterly results of operations are incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

F-1

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lifetime Brands, Inc. (and subsidiaries) (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notesand the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (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 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We did not audit the financial statements of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries, a corporation in which the Company has a 30% interest. In the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s investment in Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries is stated at $20.0 million and $21.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and the Company’s equity in the net income of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries is stated at $1.5 million in 2020, $0.5 million in 2019 and $0.9 million in 2018. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose reports have been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries, is based solely on the reports of the other auditors.

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 December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework),and our report dated March 10, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s 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 and the reports of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the 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. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidatedfinancial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

F-2

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Valuation of Goodwill and Trade names

F-3

Table of Contents

Estimation of Variable Consideration

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1984.

Jericho, New York

March 10, 2021

F-4

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands - except share data)

December 31,

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12,129 14,140

Income taxes receivable — 1,577

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Current maturity of term loan $ 17,657 $ 8,413

Income taxes payable 4,788 —

Current portion of operating lease liabilities 11,480 10,661

INCOME TAXES PAYABLE, LONG-TERM 1,444 1,217

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (39,172) (34,455)

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 807,481 $ 770,023

See Notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands – except per share data)

Year Ended December 31,

Mark to market (loss) gain on interest rate derivatives (2,144) 402 —

Loss on early retirement of debt — — (66)

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings 5,549 (43,773) 509

BASIC LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.14) $ (2.16) $ (0.09)

DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.14) $ (2.16) $ (0.09)

See Notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands)

Year ended December 31,

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

Less: Amount reclassified 235 — —

Deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:

Less: Settlement of cash flow hedges 984 (209) (14)

Total deferred (losses) gains on cash flow hedges (2,289) 1,003 147

Effect of retirement benefit obligations:

Total effects of retirement benefit obligations (601) (550) 468

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax (4,717) 161 (5,291)

See Notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

Shares Amount Total

Comprehensive (loss) income:

Translation adjustment — — — — (5,906) (5,906)

Derivative fair value adjustment — — — — 147 147

Effect of retirement benefit obligations — — — — 468 468

Total comprehensive loss (7,011)

Restricted shares granted to directors 46 — — — — —

Net issuance of restricted shares granted to employees 211 2 (2) — — —

Stock compensation expense — — 4,091 — — 4,091

Net exercise of stock options 58 1 285 — — 286

Comprehensive (loss) income:

Translation adjustment — — — — (292) (292)

Derivative fair value adjustment — — — — 1,003 1,003

Effect of retirement benefit obligations — — — — (550) (550)

Total comprehensive loss (44,254)

Performance shares issued to employees 67 1 (1) —

Stock compensation expense — — 5,021 — — 5,021

Net exercise of stock options 53 1 131 — — 132

Comprehensive loss:

Translation adjustment — — — — (1,827) (1,827)

Derivative fair value adjustment — — — — (2,289) (2,289)

Effect of retirement benefit obligations — — — — (601) (601)

Total comprehensive loss (7,724)

Performance shares issued to employees 62 1 (1) — — —

Stock compensation expense — — 5,916 — — 5,916

Net exercise of stock options 3 — 27 — — 27

(1)Cash dividend declared per share of common stock, were $0.17, $0.17 and $0.17 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

See Notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-8

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

Year ended December 31,

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

Mark to market loss (gain) on interest rate derivatives 2,144 (402) —

Deferred rent — — 57

Provision for doubtful accounts, net of (recoveries) 3,291 (163) 338

Undistributed equity (earnings), net of taxes (1,258) (343) (545)

Loss on early retirement of debt — — 66

SKU Rationalization — 8,500 —

Contingent consideration fair value adjustment — — (1,774)

Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets 1,088 (3,855) 540

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 55,721 5,108 (3,153)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Filament acquisition, net of cash acquired — — (216,527)

Net proceeds from sale of property — — 249

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from Term Loan — — 275,000

Proceeds from short term loan — — 216

Payments from short term loan — — (278)

Payment of financing costs — — (11,171)

Payment of equity issuance costs — — (936)

Payments for finance lease obligations (152) (92) (77)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 27 132 286

Payments of tax withholding for stock based compensation (658) (399) (561)

Effect of foreign exchange on cash 98 (64) (236)

See Notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-9

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020

NOTE 1 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization and business

The Company designs, sources and sells branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home and markets its products under a number of widely-recognized brand names and trademarks, which are either owned or licensed by the Company or through retailers’ private labels and their licensed brands. The Company’s products, which are targeted primarily towards consumers purchasing moderately priced kitchenware, tableware and housewares, are sold through virtually every major level of trade. The Company generally markets several lines within each of its product categories under more than one brand. The Company sells its products directly to retailers (who may resell the Company’s products through their websites) and, to a lesser extent, to distributors. The Company also sells a limited selection of its products directly to consumers through its own websites.

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-K.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The most significant of these estimates and assumptions relate to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, reserves for sales returns and allowances and customer chargebacks, inventory mark-down provisions, impairment of goodwill, tangible and intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, estimates for unpaid healthcare claims, derivative valuations, accruals related to the Company’s tax positions and tax valuation allowances. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be materially different from these estimates.

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Risk and uncertainties

The Company’s current estimates contemplate current and expected future conditions, as applicable, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could differ from expectations, which could materially affect the Company’s results of operations and financial position. In particular, a number of estimates have been and will continue to be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The severity, magnitude and duration, as well as the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, are uncertain, rapidly changing and difficult to predict.

Foreign currency

Realized and unrealized gains and losses from non-designated foreign currency hedges are recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign currency gains and losses included within selling, general and administrative expenses were a $0.5 million gain in 2020, a $0.1 million gain in 2019, and a $0.5 million loss in 2018.

F-10

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020

Revenue recognition

The Company sells products wholesale, to retailers and distributors, and retail, directly to the consumer. Wholesale sales and retail sales are primarily recognized at the point in time the customer obtains control of the products, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those products.

The Company offers various sales incentives and promotional programs to its customers in the normal course of business. These incentives and promotions typically include arrangements such as cooperative advertising, buydowns, volume rebates and discounts. These arrangements and returns are reflected as reductions of revenue at the time of sale. See NOTE 2 — REVENUE for additional information.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales consist primarily of costs associated with the production and procurement of product, inbound freight costs, purchasing costs, royalties and other product procurement related charges.

Distribution expenses

Distribution expenses consist primarily of warehousing expenses and freight-out expenses. Freight-out expenses were $15.4 million, $15.5 million and $14.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Handling costs of products sold are included in cost of sales.

Advertising expenses

Advertising expenses are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses were $3.4 million, $4.0 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Accounts receivable

The sale of accounts receivable, under the Company’s Receivable Purchase Agreement with HSBC, are reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at the time of sale and any related expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

F-11

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020

Inventory

Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Equipment under finance leases is recorded at the present value of the total minimum lease payments. Property and equipment, other than leasehold improvements and equipment under finance leases, are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings are depreciated over 30 years, machinery and equipment and computer hardware and software are depreciated over periods ranging from 3 years to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Equipment under finance leases are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the assets' useful lives. Advances paid towards the acquisition of property and equipment and the cost of property and equipment not ready for use before the end of the period are classified as construction in progress.

Cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Concentration of credit risk

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. The Company maintains cash with several financial institutions that, in some cases, is in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base.

During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., including Sam’s Club and, in the U.K., Asda Superstore, (“Walmart”), accounted for 20%, 16% and 14% of consolidated net sales, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, sales to Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco”) accounted for 11% of consolidated net sales. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Amazon.com Inc., (“Amazon”), accounted for 10% of consolidated net sales. Sales to Walmart, Costco and Amazon are included in the Company's U.S. and International segments. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s sales during these periods.

Fair value measurements

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and establishes a common definition of fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. Fair value measurements included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements relate to the Company’s annual goodwill and other intangible asset impairment tests and derivatives, described in NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS and NOTE 9 — DERIVATIVES, respectively.

Fair value of financial instruments

The Company determined that the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of their short-term nature. The Company determined that the carrying amounts of borrowings outstanding under its ABL Agreement and Term Loan approximate fair value since such borrowings bear interest at variable market rates.

F-12

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2020

Derivatives

Goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets

The Company also evaluates qualitative factors to determine whether or not its indefinite lived intangibles have been impaired and then performs quantitative tests if required. These tests can include the relief from royalty model or other valuation models. See NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS for further discussion regarding impairment of indefinite lived intangibles.

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company accounts for foreign income taxes based upon anticipated reinvestment of profits into respective foreign tax jurisdictions.

Lifetime Brands, Inc LCUT US Equity

LCUT · 10-K · period ended 2020-12-31

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

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

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

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Item 9B. Other Information

Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Lifetime Brands, Inc LCUT US Equity☆

LCUT · 10-K · period ended 2020-12-31

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

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

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

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Item 9B. Other Information

Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Lifetime Brands, Inc LCUT US Equity