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Item 1A. Risk Factors

The Company’s businesses, operations, liquidity and financial condition are subject to various risks. The Company’s business, financial condition or results of operation could be materially affected by the risks below or additional risks not presently known to the Company or by risks that the Company presently deems immaterial, such as changes in the economy, disruptions due to terrorist activity or man-made or natural disasters, or changes in law or accounting standards. The risks and uncertainties described below are those that the Company considers material as of the date hereof. We have grouped the risk factors into categories for ease of reading, and without any reflection on the importance of, or likelihood of, any particular category.

Macroeconomic risks

The Company’s business may be materially adversely affected by market conditions and by global and economic conditions and other factors beyond its control.

The Company’s performance is affected by general economic factors, the strength of retail economies and political conditions that are beyond its control. Retail economies are impacted by factors such as consumer demand and the condition of the retail industry, which in turn, are affected by general economic factors. These general economic factors include, among others:

•recession, inflation, deflation, unemployment and other factors adversely affecting consumer spending patterns generally;

•conditions affecting the retail environment for the home and other matters that influence consumer spending in the home retail industry specifically;

•conditions affecting the housing markets;

•consumer credit availability and consumer debt levels;

•material input costs, including fuel and energy costs, freight costs, and labor cost inflation;

•foreign currency translation;

•interest rates and the ability to hedge interest rate risks;

•government policies including tax policies relating to value-added taxes, import and export duties and quotas, anti-dumping regulations and related tariffs, import and export controls and social compliance standards;

•the impact of natural disasters, conflicts and terrorist activities;

•public health epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic;

•unfavorable economic conditions in the United States, the U.K., continental Europe, Asia and elsewhere;

•political unrest, war, terrorism, geopolitical uncertainties, trade policies and sanctions, including the repercussions of the military conflict in Ukraine, Israel and surrounding areas (and any broadening of the conflict);

•the impact of the U.K.’s exit from the European Union;

•unstable economic and political conditions, lack of legal regulation enforcement, civil unrest and potential accompanying shifts in laws and regulations; and

The occurrence of negative events related to any of the foregoing may adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s results of operations could be negatively impacted by inflation or deflation in supply chain costs, including raw materials, sourcing, transportation and energy

The Company designs, sources and sells branded kitchenware, tableware and other homeware goods and relies on third parties to manufacture its products who are, in turn, subject to changes in their underlying manufacturing costs. The Company also relies on third parties for transportation and is exposed to fluctuations in freight costs to transport goods as well as the price of fuel and gasoline. These prices may fluctuate based on a number of factors beyond the Company’s control, including from geopolitical conditions such as the military conflict in Ukraine and resulting sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries. Inflation has resulted and could continue to result in significant cost increases. If the Company is unable to mitigate any cost increases from the foregoing factors through various customer pricing actions and cost reduction initiatives, its financial condition may be adversely affected. Conversely, in the event that there is deflation, the Company may experience pressure from its customers to reduce prices. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to reduce its cost base to offset any such price concessions, which could adversely impact its results of operations and cash flows.

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The Company’s business may be materially adversely affected by the imposition of tariffs and other trade policies implemented by the U.S. and other governments.

A majority of the Company’s products are sourced from vendors in China. During the last several years there have also been significant changes to U.S. trade policies, sanctions, legislation, treaties and tariffs, including, but not limited to, trade policies and tariffs affecting China.These changes have, in certain cases, increased our costs of doing business.In response to the tariffs, the Company may seek to increase prices to its customers, which may diminish demand for its products. The imposition of additional tariffs or other trade barriers could increase our costs in certain markets and may cause our customers to find alternative sourcing or could make it more difficult for us to sell our products in some markets.Other countries where we operate or sell our products have changed, and may continue to change, their own policies on trade as well as business and foreign investment in their respective countries. Additionally, it is possible that U.S. policy changes and uncertainty about such changes could increase market volatility and currency exchange rate fluctuations.As a result of these dynamics, we cannot predict the impact to our business of any future changes to the U.S.’s or other countries’ trading relationships or the impact of new laws or regulations adopted by the U.S. or other countries.

Legislative or regulatory initiatives related to climate change could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Greenhouse gases may have an adverse effect on global temperatures, weather patterns, and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. Such events could have a negative effect on the Company’s business. Concern over climate change may result in new or additional legislative and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, which could result in future tax, transportation, and utility increases and could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. There is also increased focus, including by investors, customers, and other stakeholders, on these and other sustainability matters, including the use of plastic, energy, waste, and worker safety. The Company’s reputation could be damaged if the Company does not, or is perceived to not, act responsibly with respect to sustainability matters, which could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

The Company’s ability to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be materially adversely affected by macroeconomic and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers.

The Company is generally not fully insured against all significant losses. For example, the Company is not fully insured against hurricane, earthquake, acts of war, and terrorism related losses. A loss for which the Company is not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be available at rates or on terms similar to those presently available to the Company. The Company’s ability to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be materially adversely affected by international, national, state or local events and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers. If insurance coverage is not available or obtainable on acceptable terms, the Company may be required to pay costs associated with adverse future events.

Liquidity and financial risks

The Company has substantial indebtedness and the highly seasonal nature of the Company’s business impacts its borrowing needs.

The Company has a substantial amount of indebtedness and is dependent on the availability of its bank loan facilities to finance its liquidity needs. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $210.4 million of consolidated debt outstanding under a senior secured term loan credit facility and senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility.

On November 14, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 of the senior secured term loan credit facility, dated as of March 2, 2018, (as amended, the “Term Loan”), which among other things, reduced the outstanding principal amount of $150.0 million and extended the maturity to August 26, 2027.

The Company’s credit agreement, dated as of March 2, 2018 (as amended, the “ABL Agreement” and as amended, the “Term Loan” the “Debt Agreements”) provides for, among other things, a maximum aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million and will mature on August 25, 2027. The Term Loan will be repaid in quarterly payments of principal equal to 1.25% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan, which payments will commence on March 31, 2024. The Term Loan requires the Company to make an annual mandatory prepayment of principal based upon excess cash flow (the “Excess Cash Flow”), if any. 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. This amount is recorded in the current maturity of the Term Loan on the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2023, borrowings under the Debt Agreements represented approximately 32% of total capital (indebtedness plus stockholders’ equity).

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In 2018, the Company utilized the proceeds of borrowings under the Debt Agreements (i) to repay in full all existing indebtedness for borrowed money under its former credit agreement and (ii) to finance, in part, the acquisition of Filament, the refinancing of certain indebtedness of Filament and its subsidiaries, and the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing. In 2023, the Term Loan was amended to extend the maturity of $150 million of the Term Loan. The Company may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay when due the principal of, interest on, or other amounts due with respect to, its indebtedness. In addition, the Company’s business is seasonal with a significant amount of its revenue realized during the latter portion of the year. Therefore, the Company’s borrowing needs fluctuate widely based upon its seasonal working capital requirements.

The Company’s leverage and the effects of seasonal fluctuations in its cash flow, borrowing requirements and ability to borrow could have significant negative consequences on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, including:

•impairing the Company’s ability to meet the financial covenants, if and when applicable, contained in the Debt Agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal due under its Debt Agreements, which could result in an acceleration of some or all of the Company’s outstanding debt;

•limiting the Company’s ability to borrow money, dispose of assets or sell equity to fund the Company’s working capital, capital expenditures, dividend payments, debt service, strategic initiatives or for other obligations or purposes;

•limiting the Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the economy, the markets, regulatory requirements, its operations or business;

•limiting the Company’s ability to enter into derivative agreements to hedge interest rate and foreign exchange risk;

•making the Company more highly leveraged than some of its competitors, which may place the Company at a competitive disadvantage;

•making the Company more vulnerable to downturns in the economy or its business;

•requiring a substantial portion of the Company’s cash flow from operations to make interest payments;

•making it more difficult for the Company to satisfy other obligations;

•risking credit rating downgrades of the Company, which could increase future debt costs and limit the future availability of debt financing; and

•preventing the Company from borrowing additional funds as needed or taking advantage of business opportunities as they arise, pay cash dividends or repurchase common stock.

To the extent the Company incurs additional indebtedness, the risks described above could increase. In addition, the Company’s actual cash requirements in the future may be greater than expected. The Company’s cash flow from operations may not be sufficient to service its outstanding debt or to repay the outstanding debt as it becomes due, and the Company may not be able to borrow money, sell assets or otherwise raise funds on acceptable terms, or at all, to service or refinance its debt.

The Company’s failure to meet certain covenants or comply with other requirements of its Debt Agreements may materially and adversely affect the Company’s assets, financial position and cash flows.

The ABL Agreement, under certain circumstances, requires the Company to maintain a certain fixed charge coverage ratio. The Term Loan requires the Company to maintain a maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio of 5.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of its fiscal quarters. As a result of this and other covenants within the Debt Agreements, the Company may be limited in its ability to incur additional debt, make investments or undertake certain other business activities. These requirements could limit the Company’s ability to obtain future financing and may prevent the Company from taking advantage of attractive business opportunities. The Company’s ability to meet the covenants or requirements in its Debt Agreements may be affected by events beyond the Company’s control, and the Company may not be able to satisfy such covenants and requirements. A breach of these covenants or the Company’s inability to comply with the restrictions could result in an event of default under the Debt Agreements, which in turn could result in an event of default under the terms of the Company’s other indebtedness. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Company’s Debt Agreements, after the expiration of any grace periods, the Company’s lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the Company’s debt arrangements, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. If this happens, the Company cannot assure that its assets would be sufficient to repay in full the amounts due under the Debt Agreements or the Company’s other indebtedness.

The Company’s borrowings, and discount rate applied to sale of receivables, are subject to interest rate fluctuations and an increase in interest rates could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The Company’s borrowings bear interest at floating rates. An increase in interest rates would adversely affect the Company’s profitability. For example, in 2023 interest expense increased by $4.5 million compared to the prior year as a result of a higher interest rate environment. To the extent that the Company’s access to credit may be restricted because of its own performance, its bank lenders’ performances or conditions in the capital markets generally, the Company would not be able to operate normally.

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The Company’s Receivables Purchase Agreement also depends upon the Secured Overnight Financing rate (“SOFR”), as it is a component of the discount rate applicable to the agreement. If SOFR increases, the Company may not be able to rely on the Receivables Purchase Agreement, which could have a material and adverse effect upon the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company’s inability to complete future acquisitions or strategic alliances and/or integrate acquired businesses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company has historically achieved growth through acquisitions, investments and joint ventures. The Company seeks acquisition opportunities that complement and expand its operations, some of which are based outside the United States. The Company may not be able to identify and successfully negotiate suitable acquisitions, obtain financing for future acquisitions on satisfactory terms, obtain regulatory approval or otherwise complete acquisitions in the future.

Additionally, the Company may not be able to successfully integrate future acquired businesses into its existing business without substantial costs, delays or other operational or financial difficulties. Potential difficulties the Company may encounter as part of the integration process include the following:

•the potential inability to successfully combine businesses in a manner that permits the Company to achieve the cost synergies expected to be achieved as a result of the consummation of the acquisition and other benefits anticipated to result from the acquisition;

•the potential inability to integrate acquired companies’ products and services;

•challenges leveraging the customer information and technology of the two companies;

•challenges effectuating the Company’s diversification strategy, including challenges achieving revenue growth from sales of each company’s products and services to the clients and customers of the other company;

•complexities associated with managing the combined businesses, including difficulty addressing possible differences in corporate cultures and management philosophies and the challenge of integrating complex systems, technology, networks, and other assets of each of the companies in a seamless manner that minimizes any adverse impact on customers, clients, employees, lenders, and other constituencies;

•risks associated with locating and entering into agreements with third-party logistics providers to assist in certain locations or to develop strategies to address inventory surges; and

•potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen increased expenses or delays associated with the acquisition.

It is possible that the integration process could result in diversion of the attention of each company’s management, which could adversely affect each company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, clients, employees, and other constituencies or the Company’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, or could reduce each company’s operating results or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results.

Foreign exchange variability and currency controls could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results and financial condition.

The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Changes in the relation of foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar will affect the Company’s sales and profitability and can result in exchange losses because the Company has operations and assets located outside the United States. The Company, especially its foreign subsidiaries and affiliates, transacts business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily U.K. pounds, and to a lesser degree, Chinese renminbi, Euros, Hong Kong dollars, Mexican peso and Canadian dollars. Such transactions affect the Company’s operating results and financial condition. Foreign operations expose the Company to foreign currency fluctuations, for both transactions and financial reporting translation purposes. In the consolidated financial statements, local currency financial results are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates prevailing during the reporting periods. During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, the reported revenues and earnings of the Company’s international operations will be reduced because the local currencies will translate into fewer U.S. dollars. As described below, during times of a weakening U.S. dollar, the Company’s costs related to the supplies and inventory it sources internationally will increase.

The vast majority of the Company’s inventory is purchased from Chinese suppliers in U.S. dollars, including inventory purchased by the Company’s international operations. As a result, the gross margin from international operations is subject to volatility from movements in exchange rates, which could have an adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations and profitability from international operations. The Company has entered into foreign exchange derivative contracts to hedge the volatility of exchange rates related to a portion of its international inventory purchases. The Company cannot ensure, however, that these hedges will fully offset the impact of foreign currency rate movements. If the Chinese renminbi should appreciate against the U.S. dollar, the costs of the Company’s products will likely rise over time because of the impact the strengthening renminbi will have on the Company’s cost

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of sales, and the Company may not be able to pass on these price increases to its customers. The Company is also subject to the risks of currency controls and devaluations. Currency controls may limit the Company’s ability to convert currencies into U.S. dollars or other currencies, as needed, to pay dividends or make other payments from funds held by subsidiaries in countries imposing such controls, which could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity.

If the Company expands its international operations, it will be subject to increased foreign exchange variability which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s business requires it to maintain large fixed costs that can affect its profitability.

The Company’s business requires it to maintain large distribution facilities in its key markets, which represent high fixed rental costs relating to its leased facilities. In addition, significant portions of the Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses, including leased showrooms, are fixed, as they neither increase nor decrease proportionally with sales. Furthermore, the Company’s gross margins depend, in part, on its ability to spread sourcing costs, of which a significant portion are fixed, over its products sold. Decreased demand or the need to reduce inventories can lower the Company’s ability to absorb certain sourcing costs and adversely affect its results of operations. This is exacerbated by the high degree of seasonality impacting the Company, which results in lower demand during the first two quarters of the year, while many of the operating costs remain fixed, which further affects profitability.

Cost reduction efforts may not be successful and restructuring benefits may not be realized.

In order to operate more efficiently and control costs, the Company may announce restructuring plans from time to time, including workforce reductions, global facility consolidations and other cost reduction initiatives that are intended to generate operating expense savings. The implementation of restructuring plans could be disruptive to the Company’s operations, result in higher than anticipated charges and otherwise adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the Company’s ability to complete restructuring plans and achieve the anticipated benefits from a plan is subject to estimates and assumptions and may vary materially from the Company’s expectations, including as a result of factors that are beyond the Company’s control. Furthermore, following completion of a restructuring plan, the business may not be more efficient or effective than prior to implementation of the plan.

If the Company’s goodwill or other long-term assets become impaired, the Company will be required to record impairment charges, which may be significant.

A portion of the Company’s long-term assets consists of goodwill recorded as a result of the Company’s acquisitions; other identifiable intangible assets, including trade names; and long-lived assets. At December 31, 2023, goodwill, net of accumulated impairment charges totaled $33.2 million; indefinite-lived intangibles assets, net of accumulated impairment charges totaled $42.0 million; finite-lived intangible assets, net of accumulated impairment charges and accumulated amortization totaled $123.9 million. The Company does not amortize goodwill but rather reviews it for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its current fair value as determined based on the discounted future cash flows of the reporting unit or comparable market sales and earnings multiples, the goodwill or intangible asset is considered impaired and is reduced to fair value. Events and conditions that could result in impairment include a prolonged period of global economic weakness, a decline in economic conditions and/or a slow, weak economic recovery, as well as sustained declines in the price of the Company’s common stock, adverse changes in the regulatory environment, adverse changes in the market share of the Company’s products, adverse changes in interest rates, further corporate income tax reforms or other factors leading to reductions in the long-term sales or profitability that the Company expects. Determination of the fair value of a reporting unit includes developing estimates, which are highly subjective and incorporate calculations that are sensitive to minor changes in underlying assumptions. Management’s assumptions change as more information becomes available. Changes in these assumptions could result in an impairment charge in the future, which could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s reported earnings. If the future operating performance of one or more of the Company’s operating segments does not meet expectations, the Company may be required to record a significant charge during the period in which any impairment of the Company’s goodwill or other long-term assets is determined.

The further recognition of an impairment of the Company’s goodwill or any of the Company’s assets would negatively affect the Company’s results of operations and total capitalization, the effect of which could be material.

The Company’s projections of product demand, sales and net income are highly subjective in nature and the Company’s future sales and net income could vary materially from the Company’s projections.

From time to time, the Company may provide projections to its stockholders, lenders, the investment community, and other stakeholders of the Company’s future sales and net income. Since the Company does not have long-term purchase commitments from customers and the customer order and shipment process is very short, it is difficult for the Company to accurately predict the demand for many of its products, or the amount and timing of the Company’s future sales and related net income. The Company’s projections are based on management’s best estimate of sales using historical sales data and other information deemed relevant. These projections

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are highly subjective since sales can fluctuate substantially based on the demands of retail customers and due to other risks described in this Annual Report. Additionally, changes in retailer inventory management strategies could make the Company’s inventory management more difficult. Because the Company’s ability to forecast product demand and the timing of related sales requires significant subjective input, future sales and net income could vary materially from the Company’s projections.

Increases in the cost of employee benefits could materially adversely impact the Company’s financial results and cash flows.

The Company self-insures a substantial portion of the costs of employee healthcare and workers compensation. This could result in higher volatility in the Company’s earnings and exposes the Company to higher financial risks. The Company’s medical costs in recent years have generally increased and other employee demographics could result in an increase in medical costs beyond what the Company has experienced or expects. The Company has stop-loss coverage in place for catastrophic events, but the aggregate impact of a high number of claims up to the Company’s stop-loss limit may have an effect on the Company’s profitability.

There are inherent limitations on the effectiveness of the Company’s controls.

The Company does not expect that its disclosure controls or the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well-designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that resource constraints exist, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls are revised, as necessary, due to changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. If in the future the Company’s controls become inadequate, it could fail to meet its financial reporting obligations, its reputation may be adversely affected, its business and operating results could be harmed, and the market price of its stock could decline.

Customer risks

The Company faces intense competition from other companies worldwide and if the Company is unable to compete successfully, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

The markets for the Company’s products are intensely competitive with the principal competitive factors being product innovation, brand name, product quality, aesthetic appeal to customers, packaging, breadth of product offerings, distribution capability, delivery time and price. Advantages or disadvantages in any of these competitive factors may be sufficient to cause the customer to consider changing providers of the kinds of products that the Company sells. The Company competes with many other suppliers, some of which are larger than the Company, have greater financial and other resources or employ brands that are more established, have greater consumer recognition or are more favorably perceived by consumers or retailers than the Company’s brands. Some competitors may be willing to reduce prices and accept lower profit margins to compete with the Company. As a result of this competition, the Company could lose market share and sales, or be forced to reduce its prices to meet competition. If the Company’s product offerings are unable to compete successfully, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Changes in the Company’s customer purchasing practices could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

The Company’s wholesale customers include mass market merchants, specialty stores, department stores, warehouse clubs, grocery stores, off-price retailers, food service distributors, food and beverage outlets, corporate sales and e-commerce. Unanticipated changes in purchasing and other practices by the Company’s customers, including a customer’s pricing and payment terms, inventory de-stocking, limitations on shelf space, more extensive packaging requirements, changes in order quantities, use of private label brands and other practices, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, as a result of the desire of retailers to more closely manage inventory levels and optimize their supply chains, there is a growing trend among retailers to evaluate suppliers based on their ability to deliver orders at the quantity and schedule specified, which is known as the "on-time-in-full" delivery metric. Supply-chain complexity and customer demand for on-shelf availability creates additional pressure on delivery performance, which in turn can add strain on distribution channels. The Company’s annual earnings and cash flows also depend to a great extent on the results of operations in the latter half of the year due to the seasonality of its sales. The Company’s success and sales growth is also dependent on its evaluation of consumer preferences and changing trends.

As certain online retailers grow they may continue to demand lower pricing, special packaging, shorter lead times for the delivery of products, smaller more frequent shipments, or impose other requirements on product suppliers. The cost of compliance with customers’ demands could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

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Many of the Company’s wholesale customers are significantly larger than the Company, have greater financial and other resources and also purchase goods directly from vendors in Asia and elsewhere. Decisions by large customers to increase their purchases directly from overseas vendors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Significant changes or financial difficulties, including consolidations of ownership, restructurings, bankruptcies, liquidations or other events that affect retailers, could result in fewer retailers selling the Company’s products, reliance on a smaller group of customers, an increase in the risk of extending credit to these customers or limitations on the Company’s ability to collect amounts due from these customers. Although the Company has long-established relationships with many of its customers, the Company does not have any long-term supply or binding contracts or guarantees of minimum purchases. Purchases by the Company’s customers are generally made using individual purchase orders. Customers may cancel their orders, change purchase quantities from forecast volumes, delay purchases for a number of reasons beyond the Company’s control or change other terms of their business relationship with the Company. Significant or numerous cancellations, reductions, delays in purchases or changes in business practices by customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Retailers place great emphasis on timely delivery of products for specific selling seasons, especially during the third fiscal quarter, and on the fulfillment of consumer demand throughout the year. The Company cannot control all of the various factors that might affect product delivery to retailers. Failure to deliver products to the Company’s retailers in a timely and effective manner, often under special vendor requirements to use specific carriers and delivery schedules, could damage the Company’s reputation and brands and result in a loss of customers or reduced orders.

Changes at the Company’s large customers, or actions taken by them, and consolidation in the retail industry could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., including Sam’s Club, (“Walmart”), accounted for 21%, 19% and 18% of consolidated net sales, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, sales to Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco”) accounted for 11%, 13%, and 12% of consolidated net sales. During the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Amazon.com Inc., (“Amazon”), accounted for 11%, 11% and 12% of consolidated net sales. Sales to 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.

A material reduction in sales to the aforementioned or other top customers in the aggregate, could have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s business and operating results. In addition, pressures by such customers that would cause the Company to materially reduce the price of its products could result in reduced sales and operating margin. Any significant changes or financial difficulties that affect these customers, such as reduced sales by such customers (whether for reasons that affect a particular customer or the retail industry in general) may also result in reduced demand for the Company’s products. The Company would also be subject to increased credit risk with respect to such customers. In particular, the concentration of the Company’s business with Walmart, Costco and Amazon extends to its international business as well as through Vasconia in Mexico and the Company’s strategic alliance in Canada, due to the market presence of Walmart, Costco and Amazon in these foreign countries. Any changes in purchasing practices or decline in the financial condition, of Walmart, Costco and Amazon or other large customers, may have a material adverse impact on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the Company.

The Company’s large customers also have significant purchasing leverage. Customers may demand lower pricing, special packaging, shorter lead times for the delivery of products or impose other requirements on product suppliers like the Company. These business demands may relate to inventory practices, logistics or other aspects of the customer-supplier relationship. If the Company does not effectively respond to the demands of its customers, they could decrease or eliminate their purchases from the Company. These risks could be exacerbated if such large customers consolidate, or if the Company’s smaller customers consolidate to become larger customers, which would increase their purchasing leverage. A reduction in the purchases of the Company’s products by its wholesale customers or the costs of complying with customer business demands could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s customers could carry products that directly compete with the Company’s products for retail space and consumer purchases. There is a risk that these customers could give higher priority to products of, or form alliances with, the Company’s competitors. The failure of customers to provide the Company’s products with similar or better levels of promotional support and retail space as competitors receive could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The rapidly changing retail environment could result in the loss of, or a material reduction in, sales to the Company’s brick-and-mortar customers, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The retail environment is highly competitive and rapidly evolving with the increase pace of technological development. Consumers are increasingly embracing shopping online and through mobile commerce applications. This trend accelerated during the COVID-19

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pandemic due to fear of infection, stay-at-home orders, quarantine policies and restrictions on travel, trade, and brick-and-mortar retail business operations. As a result, an increasing portion of total consumer expenditures with retailers is occurring online and through mobile commerce applications. This overall trend has negatively affected many brick-and-mortar retailers. If the Company’s brick-and-mortar retail customers fail to maintain or grow their overall market position through the integration of physical retail presence and digital retail, these customers may experience financial difficulties including store closures, bankruptcies or liquidations. This could, in turn, substantially reduce the Company’s revenues, increase credit risk and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

If the Company is unable to effectively manage its existing online business, the Company's reputation and operating results may be harmed.

The success of the Company’s online business depends, in part, on factors over which the Company may have limited control. The Company must successfully respond to changing consumer preferences and buying trends relating to Internet usage. The Company is also vulnerable to certain additional risks and uncertainties associated with operating an online business, including: changes in required technology interfaces, website downtime and other technical failures, costs and technical issues as the Company upgrades its website software, computer viruses, changes in applicable federal and state regulations, security breaches, data breaches, and consumer privacy concerns. In addition, the Company must keep up to date with competitive technology trends, including the use of improved technology, creative user interfaces and other online marketing tools such as paid search, which may increase its costs and which may not succeed in increasing sales or attracting customers. The Company’s failure to successfully respond to these risks and uncertainties might adversely affect the sales in its online business, as well as damage the Company’s reputation and brands.

Demand for new products and the inability to develop and introduce new competitive products at favorable profit margins could adversely affect the Company’s performance and prospects for future growth.

New product introductions and product innovation are significant contributors to the Company’s growth strategy and the Company’s long-term success in the competitive retail environment depends in part on the Company’s ability to develop and market a continuing stream of innovative new products that meet changing consumer preferences. The uncertainties associated with developing and introducing new products, such as the market demands and the costs of development and production may impede the successful development and introduction of new products. Acceptance of the new products may not meet sales expectations due to several factors, such as the Company’s failure to accurately predict market demand or its inability to resolve technical issues in a timely and cost-effective manner. Additionally, the inability to develop new products on a timely basis could result in the loss of business to competitors.

Supply chain risks

The Company’s reliance on international suppliers subject the Company to regional regulatory, man-made or natural disasters, health epidemics, political or military conflicts, economic and foreign currency exchange risk that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

The Company sources its products from suppliers located principally in Asia, Europe and the United States, which subjects the Company to various risks, including man-made or natural disasters, adverse macroeconomic conditions (including inflation, slower growth, and recession), and foreign currency changes, all of which could create disruptions in our supply chain. Similarly, geopolitical risks, including instability resulting from civil unrest, political demonstrations, strikes and armed conflict or other crises, such as conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and surrounding areas (and any broadening of the conflict), and resulting sanctions could change the global supply chain dynamics and demand. Additionally, the Company’s vendors in Asia, from whom a substantial majority of the Company’s products are sourced, are located primarily in China, which subjects the Company to regional risks including regulatory, social and other risks in addition to the risks resulting from tensions between the United States and China involving trade policies and certain regulatory actions. The Company’s ability to select and retain reliable vendors and suppliers who provide timely deliveries of quality parts and products efficiently will impact its success in meeting customer demand for timely delivery of quality products. The Company’s sourcing operations and its vendors are impacted by labor costs in China, where labor historically has been readily available at low cost relative to labor costs in North America. However, as China is experiencing rapid social, political and economic changes, labor costs have risen in some regions and labor in China may not continue to be available to the Company at costs consistent with historical levels. Changes in labor or other laws may be enacted, in China or in other countries in which the Company does business, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and/or those of the Company’s suppliers. In addition, any indirect supply chain disruptions due to the conflict in Ukraine, Israel and surrounding areas (and any broadening of the conflict), may further complicate existing supply chain constraints. Specifically, in connection with the conflict in Israel and the surrounding areas, the Houthi movement, which controls parts of Yemen, has launched a number of attacks on marine vessels in the Red Sea. The Red Sea is an important maritime route for international trade. As a result of such disruptions, the Company may experience in the future extended lead times, delays in supplier deliveries, and increased freight costs. The risk of ongoing supply disruptions may further result in delayed deliveries of our products. Changes in currency exchange rates might negatively affect the Company and its overseas vendors’ profitability and business prospects. The Company does not have access to its vendors’ financial

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information and the Company is unable to assess its vendors’ financial condition, including their liquidity. Interruption of supplies from any of the Company’s vendors, or the loss of one or more key vendors, could have a negative effect on the Company’s business and operating results. A disruption in deliveries to or from suppliers or decreased availability of materials could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet our commitments to customers or increase our operating costs. A disruption from such third‐party suppliers, manufacturers or service providers, capacity constraints, production disruptions, price increases, quality control issues, recalls or other decreased availability of parts and products could adversely affect our ability to meet our commitments to customers and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s international trade activity subjects it to transportation risks.

The Company imports its products for delivery to its distribution centers, as well as arranges for its customers to import goods to which title has passed overseas or at a port of entry. For purchases that are to be delivered to its distribution facilities, the Company arranges for transportation, primarily by sea, from ports in Asia and Europe to ports in the United States, principally New York/Newark/Elizabeth and Los Angeles/Long Beach, and in the U.K., principally Felixstowe. Accordingly, the Company is subject to risks incidental to such transportation. These risks include, but are not limited to, increases in fuel costs, fuel shortages, the availability of ships, increased security restrictions, transportation reroutes in response to geopolitical conflict, work stoppages, weather disruptions and carriers’ ability to provide delivery services to meet the Company’s shipping needs. Transportation disruptions and increased transportation costs could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company depends on third-party manufacturers to produce the vast majority of its products, which presents quality control risks to the Company.

With the exception of the Company’s sterling silver products, the Company sources almost all of its products from suppliers located outside the United States, primarily in China, which restricts the Company’s ability to monitor and control their manufacture of the Company’s goods.

The third party manufacturers may not continue to meet the Company’s quality standards, social standards regarding its workforce that are expected in the United States or legislation and regulations that apply to the products the Company contracts to manufacture. There is also no assurance that the Company’s quality control program will adequately audit, analyze and evaluate the quality standards of third party manufacturers. Failure by the Company’s manufacturers to meet these standards could, in turn, increase order cancellations, returns and price concessions and decrease customer demand for the Company’s products. Non-compliance with the Company’s product standards, regulatory requirements or product recall (or other regulatory actions) could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company’s product costs are subject to price fluctuation.

Various commodities comprise the raw materials used to manufacture the Company’s products. The prices of these commodities have historically fluctuated on a cyclical basis and have often depended on a variety of factors over which the Company has no control. Additionally, labor costs represent a significant component of the Company’s supplier’s manufacturing costs and the Company’s suppliers may increase the prices they charge the Company if they experience rising labor costs. The cost of producing and distributing the Company’s products is also sensitive to energy costs, duties and tariffs. For example, freight costs increased in 2021, continued to fluctuate in 2022 and began to decrease in 2023. The Company is unable to determine to what extent, if any, it will be able to pass future cost increases through to its customers. The Company’s inability to come to favorable agreements with its suppliers or to pass increased costs through to the Company’s customers could materially and adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations.

Intellectual property risks

The loss of certain licenses or material changes in royalty rates could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating margin and cash flow.

Significant portions of the Company’s business are dependent on trade names, trademarks and patents, some of which are licensed from third parties. In 2023, sales of licensed brands accounted for approximately 17% of the Company’s gross sales. The Company’s licenses for many of these brands require it to pay royalties based on sales. Many of these license agreements are subject to termination by the licensor, if, for example, the Company fails to satisfy certain minimum sales obligations or breaches the terms of the license. The loss of significant licenses or a material increase in the royalty rates the Company pays or other new terms negotiated upon renewal of such licenses could result in a reduction of the Company’s operating margins and cash flow from operations or otherwise adversely affect its business.

The Company holds certain rights to use the Farberware brand for kitchen tools and gadgets, cutlery, cutting boards, shears and certain other products which together represent a material portion of its sales, through a fully-paid, royalty-free license for a term that expires in 2195, subject to earlier termination under certain circumstances. The licensor is a joint venture of which the Company is a 50%

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owner. The other 50% owner of the joint venture has the right to terminate the Company’s license if the Company materially breaches any of the material terms of the license and fails to cure the material breach within 180 days of notice of the breach, if it is determined in an arbitration proceeding that money damages alone would not be sufficient compensation to the licensor and that the breach is so egregious as to warrant termination of the license and forfeiture of the Company’s rights to use the brand under that license agreement. If the Company were to lose the Farberware license for kitchen tools and gadgets, cutlery, cutting boards, shears and certain other products through termination as a result of an uncured breach, its business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.

Sales of KitchenAid branded products, to a lesser extent, also represent a material portion of the Company’s sales. The Company also holds a license to use the KitchenAid brand for certain products, including products for kitchen tools and gadgets, cutlery and bakeware, subject to a license agreement that will expire in December 2026. The Company originally entered into a licensing arrangement for use of the KitchenAid brand in 2000, and has renewed the license, typically for three-year periods, since that time. Although it expects to be able to renew its current KitchenAid license prior to its expiration, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to do so on reasonable terms, or at all, and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company may not be able to adequately establish or protect its intellectual property rights, and the infringement or loss of the Company’s intellectual property rights could harm its business.

To establish and protect the Company’s intellectual property rights, the Company relies upon a combination of U.S., foreign and multi-national patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, together with licenses, confidentiality agreements and other contractual arrangements. The measures that the Company takes to protect its intellectual property rights may prove inadequate to prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating the Company’s intellectual property, or from breaching their contractual obligations to the Company.

The Company has obtained and applied for numerous U.S. and foreign trademark, service mark and patent registrations, and will continue to evaluate the registration of additional marks, patents or other intellectual property, as appropriate. The Company cannot guarantee that any of its pending applications will be approved by the applicable governmental authorities. Moreover, even if such applications are approved, third parties may seek to oppose, declare invalid or otherwise challenge these registrations. Failure to obtain registrations for the Company’s intellectual property in the United States and other countries could limit the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights and impede the Company’s marketing efforts and operations in those jurisdictions.

The Company may need to resort to litigation to enforce or defend its intellectual property rights. If a competitor or collaborator files a patent application claiming technology also claimed by the Company, or a trademark application claiming a trademark, service mark or trade dress also used by the Company, in order to protect the Company’s rights, the Company may have to participate in opposition or interference proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or a similar foreign agency. The Company cannot guarantee that the operation of its business does not infringe or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of third parties, and the Company’s intellectual property rights may be challenged by third parties or invalidated through administrative process or litigation. The costs associated with protecting intellectual property rights, including costs associated with litigation or administrative proceedings, may be material and there can be no assurance that any such litigation or administrative proceedings will be successful. Any such matters or proceedings could be burdensome, divert the time and resources of the Company’s personnel and the Company may not prevail. Furthermore, even if the Company’s intellectual property rights are not directly challenged, disputes among third parties could lead to the weakening or invalidation of the Company’s intellectual property rights, or other parties such as the Company’s competitors may independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company’s technology.

The laws of certain foreign countries in which the Company operates or may operate in the future do not protect, and the governments of certain foreign countries do not enforce, intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws and government of the U.S., which may negate the Company’s competitive or technological advantages in such markets. Moreover, any repeal or weakening of intellectual property laws or enforcement of those laws in the United States or foreign jurisdictions could make it more difficult for the Company to adequately protect its intellectual property rights, negatively impacting their value and increasing the cost of enforcing the Company’s rights. If the Company is unable to establish or adequately protect its intellectual property rights, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

If the Company is unable to protect the confidentiality of its proprietary information and know-how, the value of the Company’s technology, products and services could be harmed significantly.

In addition to registered intellectual property, the Company relies on know-how and other proprietary information in operating its business. If this information is not adequately protected, then it may be disclosed or used in an unauthorized manner. To the extent that consultants, vendors, key employees or other third parties apply technology independently developed by them or by others to the Company’s proposed products in the absence of a valid license or suitable non-disclosure or assignment of inventions provisions,

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disputes may arise as to the ownership of or rights to use such technology, which may not be resolved in the Company’s favor. If other parties breach confidentiality or other agreements, or if the Company’s registered intellectual property is not protected in the U.S. or foreign jurisdictions, this could harm the Company by enabling the Company’s competitors and other entities, who may have greater experience and financial resources, to copy or use the Company’s proprietary information in the advancement of their products, methods or technologies.

The Company’s brands are subject to reputational risks and damage to the Company’s brands or reputation could adversely affect its business.

The Company’s brands and its reputation are among its most important assets. The Company’s ability to attract and retain customers depends, in part, upon external perceptions of the Company, the quality of its products and its corporate and management integrity. The consumer goods industry is by its nature more prone to reputational risks than other industries. This has been compounded in recent years by the free flow of unverified information on the Internet and, in particular, on social media. Damage to the Company’s brands or reputation or negative publicity or perceptions about the Company could adversely affect its business.

Operational and regulatory risks

Interruptions in the Company’s operations caused by outside forces could cause material losses.

The Company’s worldwide operations could be subject to natural and man-made disasters, telecommunications failures, water shortages, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, fires, extreme weather conditions, conflicts, acts of terrorism, health epidemics and other business interruptions. The occurrence of any of these business disruptions could seriously harm the Company’s business, revenue and financial condition and increase the Company’s costs and expenses. If the Company’s or its manufacturers’ warehousing facilities or transportation facilities are damaged or destroyed, the Company would be unable to distribute products on a timely basis, which could harm the Company’s business. The Company’s back-up operations may be inadequate, and the Company’s business interruption insurance may not be sufficient to compensate for any losses that may occur.

The Company’s international operations present special challenges that the Company may not be able to meet, and this could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The Company conducts business outside of the United States through subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. These entities have operations and assets in the U.K., Mexico, Netherlands, Canada, China and Hong Kong. Therefore, the Company is subject to increases and decreases in its investments in these entities resulting from the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These entities also bear risks similar to those risks faced by the Company. However, there are specific additional risks related to these organizations, such as the failure of the Company’s partners or other investors to meet their obligations and higher credit and liquidity risks related to thinly capitalized entities. Failure of these entities or the Company’s vendors to adhere to required regulatory or other standards, including social compliance standards, could materially and adversely impact the Company’s reputation and business.

In addition, the Company sells its products in foreign countries and seeks to increase its level of international business activity. Accordingly, the Company is subject to various risks, including:

•U.S.-imposed embargoes of sales to specific countries;

•foreign import controls (which may be arbitrarily imposed or enforced);

•import regulations and duties;

•export regulations (which require the Company to comply with stringent licensing regimes);

•anti-dumping regulations;

•price and currency controls;

•exchange rate fluctuations;

•dividend remittance restrictions;

•expropriation of assets;

•war, civil uprisings and riots;

•government instability;

•the necessity of obtaining governmental approval for new and continuing products and operations;

•legal systems or decrees, laws, taxes, regulations, interpretations and court decisions that are not always fully developed and that may be retroactively or arbitrarily applied;

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•restructuring and integration of the Company's European operations;

•public health epidemics;

•unanticipated income taxes, excise duties, import taxes, export taxes or other governmental assessments

•locating and entering into agreements with third-party logistics providers to assist in certain locations outside the United States. In addition, the development of additional distribution space abroad involves significant financial and operational risks; and

•difficulties in managing a global enterprise.

Any significant violations of regulations or the occurrence of the events listed above could result in civil or criminal sanctions or the loss of export or other licenses, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the Company’s organizational structure may limit its ability to transfer funds between countries, particularly into and out of the United States, without incurring adverse tax consequences. Any of these events could result in a loss of business or other unexpected costs that could reduce sales or profits and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company operates in a regulated environment that imposes significant compliance requirements. Non-compliance with these requirements could subject the Company to sanctions and materially adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company is subject in the ordinary course of its business, in the United States and elsewhere, to many statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations that, if violated by the Company or its affiliates, partners or vendors, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The Company is required to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act and similar anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-kickback laws adopted in many of the countries in which the Company does business that prohibit the Company from engaging in bribery or making other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business and also require maintenance of adequate record-keeping and internal accounting practices to accurately reflect transactions. Under the FCPA, companies operating in the United States may be held liable for actions taken by their strategic or local partners or representatives. The U.K. Bribery Act is broader in scope than the FCPA in that it directly addresses commercial bribery in addition to bribery of government officials and it does not recognize certain exceptions, notably facilitation payments that are permitted by the FCPA. Civil and criminal penalties may be imposed for violations of these laws. In many of the countries in which the Company operates, particularly those with developing economies, it is or has been common for government officials and businesses to engage in business practices that are prohibited by these laws. If the Company does not properly implement and maintain practices and controls with respect to compliance with applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws, or if the Company fails to enforce those practices and controls properly, the Company may be subject to regulatory sanctions, including administrative costs related to governmental and internal investigations, civil and criminal penalties, injunctions and restrictions on the Company’s business and capital raising activities, any of which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company’s employees, distributors, dealers and other agents could engage in conduct that is not in compliance with such laws for which the Company might be held responsible. If the Company’s employees, distributors, dealers or other agents are found to have engaged in illegal practices, the Company could suffer substantial penalties and the reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition of the Company could be materially adversely affected.

New and future laws and regulations governing the Internet and e-commerce could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company is subject to laws and regulations governing the Internet and e-commerce. These existing and future laws and regulations may impede the growth of the Internet, e-commerce or other online services. These regulations and laws may cover taxation, user privacy, data protection, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, electronic contracts and other communications, consumer protection, the provision of online payment services, broadband residential Internet access and the characteristics and quality of products and services. It is not clear how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, and personal privacy apply to the Internet and e-commerce. Unfavorable resolutions of these issues could diminish the demand for the Company’s products on the Internet and increase the cost of doing business. For example, in 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. et al reversed longstanding precedent that remote sellers are not required to collect state and local sales taxes and established that a state may enforce or adopt laws requiring online retailers to collect and remit sales tax if there is a substantial nexus between the online retailer’s activity and the state, even if the retailer has no physical presence within the taxing state. While the Company now collects, remits and reports sales tax in states that it does business, it is possible that Company’s effective income tax rate, the cost of the Company’s e-commerce business, and the growth of its e-commerce business could be materially adversely effected other new laws or regulations governing the Internet and e-commerce. This potential negative impact on the Company’s e-commerce business could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s overall business, results of operations and financial condition.

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Climate change, environmental, social and governance and sustainability initiatives may result in regulatory or structural industry changes that could require significant operational changes and expenditures, reduce demand for the Company’s products and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Climate change, environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) and sustainability are a growing global movement. Continuing political and social attention to these issues has resulted in both existing and pending international agreements and national, regional and local legislation, regulatory measures, reporting obligations and policy changes. Also, there is increasing societal pressure in some of the areas where we operate, to limit greenhouse gas emissions as well as other global initiatives. These agreements and measures, including the Paris Climate Accord, may require, or could result in future legislation, regulatory measures or policy changes that would require operational changes, taxes, or purchases of emission credits to reduce emission of greenhouse gases from our operations, which may result in substantial capital expenditures.

Furthermore, increasing attention to climate change, ESG and sustainability has resulted in governmental investigations, and public and private litigation, which could increase our costs or otherwise adversely affect our business or results of operations. In addition, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Unfavorable ESG ratings may lead to increased negative investor sentiment toward us, which could have a negative impact on the price of our securities and our access to and costs of capital.

Additionally, on March 21, 2022, the SEC released proposed rule changes that would require new climate-related disclosure in SEC filings, including certain climate-related metrics and greenhouse gas emissions, information about climate-related targets and goals, transition plans, if any, and extensive attestation requirements. In addition to requiring filers to quantify and disclose direct emissions data, the new rules would also require disclosure of climate impact arising from the operations and uses by the filer’s business partners and contractors and end-users of the filer’s products and/or services. If adopted as proposed, the rule changes could result in the Company incurring material additional compliance and reporting costs, including monitoring, collecting, analyzing and reporting the new metrics and implementing systems and procuring additional internal and external personnel with the requisite skills and expertise to serve those functions.

Any or all of these ESG and sustainability initiatives and regulations are likely to result in significant operational changes and expenditures, reduced demand for our products, cause us reputational harm, and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

A failure in or compromise of the Company’s operating systems or infrastructure or those of third parties could disrupt the Company’s business and cause losses.

The Company relies on many information technology systems for the operation of its principal business functions, including, but not limited to, the Company’s enterprise resource planning, warehouse management, inventory forecast and ordering and call center systems. In the case of the Company’s inventory forecast and ordering system, most of the Company’s orders are received directly through electronic connections with the Company’s largest customers. Additionally, the success of certain product categories in a competitive marketplace is dependent upon the creation and launch of new, innovative products. Accordingly, to keep pace within a competitive retail environment, the Company uses and will continue to evaluate new technologies to improve the efficiency of designing new innovative products. The failure or compromise of any of these systems or technologies could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company is subject to cyber security risks and may incur increasing costs in efforts to minimize those risks and to comply with regulatory standards.

The Company employs information technology systems and operates websites which allow for the secure storage and transmission of proprietary or confidential information regarding the Company’s customers, employees and others, including credit card information and personal identification information. The Company has made significant efforts to secure its computer network to mitigate the risk

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of possible cyber-attacks, including, but not limited to, data breaches, and is continuously working to upgrade its existing information technology systems and provide employee awareness training around phishing, malware, and other cyber risks to ensure that the Company is protected, to the greatest extent possible, against cyber risks and security breaches. Despite our continuous efforts to ensure the security of the Company’s computer networks, any future cyber incidents could compromise our information technology systems, which could impact operations and confidential information could be misappropriated. Additionally, as Artificial Intelligence ("AI") continues to evolve, cyber-attackers could also use AI to develop malicious code and sophisticated phishing attempts. Although we believe that we have robust information security procedures, controls and other safeguards in place, as cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to enhance our information security measures and/or to investigate and remediate information security vulnerabilities. Any cybersecurity incidents could lead to negative publicity, loss of sales and profits or cause the Company to incur significant costs to reimburse third- parties for damages, which could adversely impact profits.

Additionally, the Company must comply with increasingly complex and rigorous regulatory standards enacted to protect businesses and personal data, including the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) and the California Consumer Privacy Act. GDPR is a comprehensive European Union privacy and data protection reform, effective in 2018, which applies to companies that are organized in the European Union or otherwise provide services to consumers who reside in the European Union, and imposes strict standards regarding the sharing, storage, use, disclosure and protection of end user data and significant penalties (monetary and otherwise) for non-compliance. The California Consumer Privacy Act, which became effective in January 2020, created new data privacy rights, including a new private right of action for data breaches and requires companies that process information on California residents to make new disclosures to consumers about their data collection, use and sharing practices and allow consumers to opt out of certain data sharing with third parties. Any failure to comply with GDPR, the California Consumer Privacy Act, or other regulatory standards, could subject the Company to legal and reputational risks. Misuse of or failure to secure personal information could also result in violation of data privacy laws and regulations, proceedings against the Company by governmental entities or others, damage to the Company’s reputation and credibility, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company is in the process of transitioning the Company’s Systems, Applications and Products and other critical systems to cloud-based technologies. As the Company transitions to cloud-based technologies, the Company may be exposed to additional cyber threats as the Company migrates from legacy systems to cloud-based solutions. The Company’s increased dependence on third parties for cloud-based systems may also subject the Company to further cyber threats. There can be no assurance that the Company will not suffer a material adverse effect resulting from vulnerabilities in widely deployed software used by third parties.

The Company sells consumer products which involve an inherent risk of product liability claims.

The marketing of certain of the Company’s consumer products involve an inherent risk of product liability claims or recalls or other regulatory or enforcement actions initiated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, by the Office of Fair Trading in the U.K., by other regulatory authorities or through private causes of action. The Company has in the past, and may have in the future, recalls (both voluntary and involuntary) of its products. Any defects in products the Company markets could harm the Company’s reputation, adversely affect its relationship with its customers and decrease market acceptance of the Company’s products and the strength of the brand names under which the Company markets such products. Potential product liability claims may exceed the amount of the Company’s insurance coverage (which is subject to self-insured retention amounts) and could materially damage the Company’s business and its financial condition. Additionally, the Company’s product standards could be impacted by new or revised environmental rules and regulations or other social initiatives.

The Company may incur material costs due to environmental liabilities which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company is subject to a broad range of federal, state, local, foreign and multi-national laws and regulations relating to the environment. These include laws and regulations that govern:

•discharges into the air, water and land;

•the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous substances and wastes; and

•remediation of contamination associated with release of hazardous substances at the Company’s facilities and at off-site disposal locations.

The Company may incur material costs to comply with increasingly stringent environmental laws and enforcement policies. Moreover, there are proposed international accords and treaties, as well as federal, state and local laws and regulations, which would attempt to control or limit the causes of climate change, including the effect of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment. In the event that the U.S. government or foreign governments enact new climate change laws or regulations or make changes to existing laws or regulations, compliance with applicable laws or regulations may result in increased manufacturing costs for the Company’s products, such as by requiring investment in new pollution control equipment or changing the ways in which certain of the Company’s products

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are made. The Company may incur some of these costs directly, while other costs may be passed on to the Company from its third-party suppliers. The Company also may incur costs associated with government inquiries and investigations. For example, in August 2021 a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company received a Notice of Liability from the Department of Justice on behalf of the EPA. Negotiations in connection with the Notice culminated in a Consent Decree for Remedial Design and Remedial Action at Operable Unit One of the San German Groundwater Contamination Site (“Consent Decree”). For further discussion of the Company’s legal proceedings refer to NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any finding that the Company is not in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations or any new laws and regulations in the future could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’ executives and other key employees are critical to the Company’s success. The loss of and/or failure to attract and maintain its highly skilled employees could adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s success depends, in part, on the efforts and skills of its executives and other key employees. The Company’s key employees are experienced and highly qualified in the housewares industry. The loss of any of the Company’s executive officers or other key employees could harm the business and the Company’s ability to timely achieve its strategic initiatives. The Company’s success also depends, in part, on its ability to identify, hire and retain other skilled personnel. The Company’s industry is characterized by a high level of employee mobility and aggressive recruiting among competitors for personnel with successful track records as well as growing pressure to increase wages for skilled personnel in the industry. The Company may not be able to attract and retain skilled personnel or may incur significant costs in order to do so.

As a result of the Company’s acquisition of Filament, Taylor Parent has significant influence over the Company and its interests may conflict with the Company’s or its stockholders in the future.

As a result of the issuance of common stock to Taylor Parent, Taylor Parent has significant influence over the Company. Going forward, Taylor Parent’s degree of control will depend on, among other things, its level of ownership of the Company’s common stock and its ability to exercise certain rights under the terms of the Stockholders Agreement that the Company entered into with Taylor Parent in connection with the acquisition and merger agreement.

Under the Stockholders Agreement, for so long as Taylor Parent continues to beneficially own at least 50% of the shares it received at the consummation of the acquisition, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries may take any of the following actions without the approval of the directors designated by Taylor Parent, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld: (i) enter into any agreement for a transaction that would result in a change of control of the Company; (ii) consummate any transaction for the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; (iii) file for reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11, or for liquidation pursuant to Chapter 7, of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; (iv) liquidate or dissolve the business and affairs of the Company; (v) take any Board of Directors action to seek an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or approve, or recommend that the Company’s stockholders approve, an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, except as required by Delaware Law (as defined in the merger agreement) or other applicable law and other than amendments that would not materially and disproportionately affect Taylor Parent; (vi) incur additional debt in excess of $100 million in the aggregate, subject to certain exceptions; (vii) acquire or dispose of assets or a business, in each case with an individual value in excess of $100 million; or (viii) adopt a stockholder rights plan that does not exempt as “grandfathered persons” the stockholders party to the Stockholders Agreement and their affiliates from being deemed “acquiring persons” due to their beneficial ownership of the common stock of the Company upon the public announcement of adoption of such stockholder rights plan (it being understood that no such plan shall restrict any stockholder party to the Stockholders Agreement or its affiliates from acquiring, in the aggregate, common stock up to the level of their aggregate percentage beneficial ownership as of the public announcement of the adoption of such stockholder rights plan).

Accordingly, Taylor Parent’s influence over the Company and the consequences of such control could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and business prospects and negatively impact the trading price of its common stock.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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Item 1C. Cybersecurity

Risk management and strategy

The Company recognizes the critical importance of developing, implementing, and maintaining robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard its information systems and to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its data.

The Company has integrated cybersecurity risk management into its broader enterprise risk management (“ERM”) through defined training and incident response plans. The incident response plan defines the objectives, roles and responsibilities and scope of our incident response program, is designed to detect actual or potential cybersecurity events and is triggered by Endpoint Detection and Response (“EDR”) system behavior monitoring. Once initiated, the incident response plan consists of several phases, which includes i) detecting a significant observable event, ii) examining a security related event with potential negative IT consequences for the company and iii) analyzing the risk of the event and the degree of remediation required. The Company has developed an incident management plan that operates within the incident response plan to help define the objectives, roles, responsibilities, and scope of our incident response plan.

In addition, the Company’s training and response methodology includes regular end user cybersecurity updates, phishing tests and online trainings. We believe that these measures helps promote a company-wide culture of appropriate cybersecurity risk management, as well as ensure that cybersecurity considerations are an integral part of the Company’s ERM decision-making processes at every level. The Company considers industry best practices to continuously evaluate and address cybersecurity risks in alignment with its business objectives and operational needs.

The full Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight of the Company’s cybersecurity risk management. The Board is updated by the EVP, Global Supply Chain & Import regularly to remain informed on the Company’s efforts in managing risks associated with cybersecurity threats.

The Company’s Infrastructure Director is responsible for managing cybersecurity risks, including the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents. The Infrastructure Director has 20 years of experience in the creation and management of enterprise security risk programs.The Infrastructure Director reports to the Chief Information Officer, who actively engages to monitor IT activities and has 40 years of Enterprise Security Management Experience as well as membership in a CIO peer group that reviews local cybersecurity concerns on a regular basis. The Chief Information Officer in turn reports to the EVP, Global Supply Chain & Import who is responsible for the Company’s management of cybersecurity risk. Through these activities and monitoring, both internally and externally, any events or incidents identified will be escalated to the appropriate Business Team Member in accordance with the Company’s Incident Management Plan.

The Company engages with third-party experts, including cybersecurity focused Security Operations Center (SOC) and leading-edge (EDR) providers, to assist in evaluating and detecting security risk and initiate corrective actions. These partnerships enable the Company to leverage specialized knowledge and insights, ensuring cybersecurity strategies and processes remain aligned with industry best practices. The collaboration with these third parties includes regular audits, threat assessments, and consultation on security enhancements.

The Company uses third-party service providers in various functions throughout its business. The Company has stringent processes to oversee and manage risk with these third parties. The Company’s process includes risk assessment activities, such as security assessments of all third-party providers, policies such as “minimum required access” to ensure compliance with current cybersecurity standards and monitoring activities, such as the review of potential cyber breaches announcements made by the third-party service providers.

Notwithstanding the approach we take to cybersecurity risk management, we may be unsuccessful in preventing or mitigating a cybersecurity incident that could have a material adverse effect on us. While the Company maintains cybersecurity insurance, the costs related to cybersecurity threats or disruptions may not be fully insured. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for a discussion of cybersecurity risks.

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Item 2. Properties

The following table lists the principal properties at which the Company operated its business at December 31, 2023:

Location Description Size(square feet) Owned/Leased

Garden City, New York (3) Corporate headquarters/main showroom 159,000 Leased

San Germán, Puerto Rico (1) Sterling silver manufacturing facility 55,000 Leased

Oak Brook, Illinois (1) Offices 18,000 Leased

Seattle, Washington (1) Offices 17,500 Leased

Shanghai, China (3) Offices 16,300 Leased

New York, New York (1) Offices and showrooms 12,000 Leased

Atlanta, Georgia (1) Showrooms 11,000 Leased

Guangzhou, China (3) Offices 10,000 Leased

Bentonville, Arkansas (1) Offices and showroom 7,000 Leased

Newtown, Pennsylvania (1) Offices 5,900 Leased

Pawtucket, Rhode Island (1) Offices and showroom 4,900 Leased

Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin (1) Showroom 4,000 Leased

Tianjin, China (3) Offices 2,400 Leased

Minneapolis, Minnesota (1) Offices 1,956 Leased

Kowloon, Hong Kong (3) Offices 1,814 Leased

Issaquah, Washington (1) Offices and showroom 1,125 Leased

(1)Location primarily used by the U.S. segment.

(2)Location used by the International segment.

(3)Location used by both segments.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

For a description of our legal proceedings, please see NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES, tothe Company's consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

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PART II

Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s common stock is traded under the symbol “LCUT” on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”).

At February 29, 2024, the Company estimates that there were approximately 3,881 record holders of the Company’s common stock.

The Company is authorized to issue 100 shares of Series A Preferred stock and 2,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred stock, none of which were issued or outstanding at December 31, 2023.

For a discussion of dividends paid by the Company in 2023 and 2022, refer to Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Dividends. The Board of Directors currently intends to continue paying cash dividends for the foreseeable future, although the Board of Directors may in its discretion determine to modify or eliminate such dividends at any time.

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PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following chart compares the cumulative total return on the Company’s common stock with the Nasdaq Market Index, the Hemscott Group Index for Housewares & Accessories, the Company’s peer group, which is comprised of companies that we believe have comparable characteristics and are in the same industry or line-of-business. The comparisons in this chart are required by the SEC and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of the possible future performance of the Company’s common stock.

Date LifetimeBrands, Inc. HemscottGroup Index New PeerGroup NasdaqMarketIndex

(1)The graph assumes $100 was invested as of the close of trading on December 31, 2018 and dividends were reinvested. Measurement points are at the last trading day of each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The material in this chart is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, irrespective of any general incorporation by reference language in such filing. A list of the companies included in the Company’s Hemscott Group Index will be furnished by the Company to any stockholder upon written request to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Peer Group comprises Acushnet Holdings Corp., Crocs, Inc., Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co., Helen of Troy Ltd., Lands’ End, Inc., Johnson Outdoors Inc., Movado Group, Inc., Oxford Industries, Inc., The Buckle, Inc. and Tupperware Brands Corp., Unifi, Inc., Universal Electronics Inc., Vera Bradley, Inc., YETI Holdings, Inc.

(2)The graph was prepared by Zacks Investment Research, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright 1980-2024. Index Data: Copyright NASDAQ OMX, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Item 6. [Reserved]

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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).

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®, KitchenAid®, Mikasa®, Taylor®, Pfaltzgraff® , BUILT NY®, S'well®, Fred® & Friends, KitchenCraft® , Rabbit®, and Kamenstein®. 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 24.7% interest in Grupo Vasconia S.A.B (“Vasconia”), an integrated manufacturer of aluminum products and a housewares company in Mexico. 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 years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 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, 2023, Vasconia's Board of Directors was comprised of 11 members of whom the Company had no designated members.

On June 30, 2021, Vasconia issued additional shares of its stock, which diluted the Company’s investment ownership from approximately 30% to approximately 27%. The Company recorded a non-cash gain of $1.7 million, increasing the Company’s investment balance. Additionally, a loss of $2.0 million was recognized for the proportionate share of the diluted ownership for amounts previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The net loss of $0.3 million was included in equity in earnings, net of taxes, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021.

On July 29, 2021, the Company sold 2.2 million shares further reducing its ownership from approximately 27% to 24.7% in Vasconia for net cash proceeds of approximately $3.1 million, as a result the Company recorded a gain of $1.0 million, after decreasing the Company’s investment balance. The gain on the sale resulted in a tax expense of $0.1 million. Additionally, a loss of $1.4 million was

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recognized for the proportionate share of the reduced ownership for amounts previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The net loss, including taxes, of $0.5 million was included in equity in earnings, net of taxes, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company continues to apply the equity method of accounting.

The Company recorded equity in (losses) earnings of Vasconia, net of taxes, of $(5.8) million, $(3.3) million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, equity in losses included non-cash impairment charges of $6.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, to reduce the carrying value of the Company’s investment in Vasconia to its fair value. The decline in the fair value was determined to be other than temporary due to the decline in the quoted stock price, the continued decline in the operating results of Vasconia and the downgrade in Vasconia’s debt rating.

SEASONALITY

The Company’s business and working capital needs are seasonal, with a majority of sales occurring in the third and fourth quarters. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, net sales for the third and fourth quarters accounted for 57%, 54% and 56% of total annual net sales, respectively. The current market conditions and shifts in both consumer and retailer purchasing patterns has impacted the seasonality of the Company's net sales compared to historical trend. In anticipation of the pre-holiday shipping season, inventory levels increase primarily in the June through October time period.

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 year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred $0.8 million of restructuring expense in connection with the termination of the Company’s Executive Chairman as described below.

In 2022, the Company’s international segment incurred $0.4 million of restructuring expenses related to severance associated with the reorganization of the International segment’s workforce. The reorganization was the result of the Company’s efforts to realign the management and operating structure of the European business in response to changing market conditions.

In 2022, the Company’s U.S. segment incurred $0.4 million of restructuring expense in connection with the reorganization of the U.S. segment’s sales management structure. The payment was made in 2023.

In 2022, the Company incurred $0.6 million of unallocated expense related to the termination payment with its Executive Chairman, Jeffrey Siegel. On November 1, 2022, the Company entered into a transition agreement with Jeffrey Siegel, which terminated his employment with the Company, effective March 31, 2023. The transition agreement amended Mr. Siegel’s employment agreement which was to expire on December 31, 2022. The employment agreement provided for a one-time payment, which was paid on April 7, 2023. The one-time payment of $1.4 million, was recognized over the remaining employment period with $0.6 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the remaining $0.8 million recognized in 2023.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

The global economy has experienced relatively high inflation in 2023, which has in part been caused by supply chain disruptions and higher consumer spending. The rise in inflation contributed to higher prices, increased transportation and labor cost and impacted consumer spending and buying patterns. Retailers responded to the economic challenges by rightsizing inventory levels and further reducing safety stock and weekly supply on hand. Inflation rates started to decrease in the second half of 2023 and retailers’ ordering patterns began to normalize. However, impacts of high interest rates have resulted in higher interest expense on the Company’s outstanding borrowings and may impact consumer spending and buying patterns into 2024. Additionally, the recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, may cause supply chain disruptions resulting in shipping delays and an increase in transportation costs. Further, the U.K. economy has been facing unfavorable economic and market conditions, with high inflation and low consumer confidence due to uncertain geopolitical and economic outlooks. The Company has been adversely impacted by these trends in 2022 and 2023 and expects that these trends have continued in 2024.

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EFFECT OF ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Adopted accounting pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted 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, to include historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company adopted this guidance on a modified retrospective basis and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

New accounting pronouncements

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 November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures: which enhances the disclosures required for operating segments in the Company’s annual and interim consolidated financial statements. The new guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures: This guidance is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 address investor requests for enhanced income tax information primarily through changes to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 on a prospective basis. Retrospective application is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The results of operations below focuses on the results of the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. For a discussion of 2022 compared to 2021 refer to “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

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,

Selling, general and administrative expenses 22.2 21.3 18.1

Intangible asset impairments — — 1.7

Restructuring expenses 0.1 0.2 —

Wallace facility remediation expense — 0.7 0.1

Income from operations 4.7 3.3 5.9

Interest expense (3.2) (2.4) (1.8)

Mark to market (loss) gain on interest rate derivatives (0.1) 0.3 0.1

Gain on extinguishments of debt, net 0.1 — —

Income before income taxes and equity in (losses) earnings 1.5 1.2 4.2

Income tax provision (0.9) (0.8) (1.9)

Equity in (losses) earnings, net of taxes (1.8) (1.2) 0.1

Net (loss) income (1.2) % (0.8) % 2.4 %

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2023 COMPARED TO 2022

Net Sales

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $686.7 million, a decrease of $41.0 million, or 5.6%, compared to net sales of $727.7 million in 2022. In constant currency, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and was determined by applying 2023 average rates to 2022 local currency amounts, net sales decreased $41.0 million, or 5.6%, as compared to consolidated net sales in the corresponding period in 2022.

Net sales for the U.S. segment in 2023 were $633.1 million, a decrease of $36.1 million, or 5.4%, compared to net sales of $669.2 million in 2022.

Net sales for the U.S. segment’s Kitchenware product category in 2023 were $386.7 million, a decrease of $16.2 million, or 4.0%, compared to net sales of $402.9 million in 2022. The net sales decrease in the U.S. segment’s Kitchenware product category was driven by lower sales for kitchen tools and gadgets, cutlery and board, and bakeware products. The decrease was attributable to, generally, lower sales in the first half of 2023 due to retail inventory rightsizing, which began in the second quarter of 2022, warehouse programs not repeated in 2023 and a specialty retailer that closed its stores in early 2023. Notwithstanding the decline and the repositioning, in addition, the decrease was partially offset by higher sales in the second half of 2023 as retailers' ordering patterns normalized most notably in the off-price and e-commerce channel.

Net sales for the U.S. segment’s Tableware product category in 2023 were $138.3 million, a decrease of $10.5 million, or 7.1%, compared to net sales of $148.8 million for 2022. The decrease was attributable to, generally, lower sales in the first half of 2023 due to retail inventory rightsizing, which began in the second quarter of 2022, warehouse programs not repeated in 2023, and a specialty retailer that closed its stores in early 2023. This was partially offset by higher sales to off-price retailers.

Net sales for the U.S. segment’s Home Solutions products category in 2023 were $108.1 million, a decrease of $9.4 million, or 8.0%, compared to net sales of $117.5 million in 2022. The decrease was due to lower hydration product sales primarily through the corporate sales channel.

Net sales for the International segment in 2023 were $53.6 million, a decrease of $4.9 million, or 8.4%, compared to net sales of $58.5 million for 2022. In constant currency, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and was determined by applying 2023 average exchange rates to 2022 local currency amounts, net sales decreased approximately 8.5%. The decrease was due to generally weak demand in European channels caused by macroeconomic factors.

Gross margin

Gross margin for 2023 was $254.6 million, or 37.1%, compared to $260.3 million, or 35.8%, for the corresponding period in 2022.

Gross margin for the U.S. segment was $236.5 million, or 37.4%, for 2023, compared to $241.1 million, or 36.0%, for 2022. The decrease in gross margin dollars was due to lower sales. However, it was largely offset by a significant improvement in gross margin percentage due to lower inbound freight rates and favorable product mix.

Gross margin for the International segment was $18.1 million, or 33.8%, for 2023, compared to $19.2 million, or 32.8%, for 2022. The decrease in gross margin dollars was due to lower sales. However, this was partially offset by an increase in gross margin percentage was attributable to lower product costs and inbound freight rates.

Distribution expenses

Distribution expenses were $69.2 million for the 2023 period as compared to $74.9 million for the 2022 period. Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales were 10.1% and 10.3% in 2023 and 2022.

Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales for the U.S. segment were approximately 8.8% in 2023 and 9.1% in 2022. Distribution expenses in 2023 and 2022 include $0.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for redesign costs related to the Company’s U.S. warehouses. As a percentage of sales shipped from the Company’s warehouses, excluding warehouse redesign expenses, distribution expenses were 9.4% and 10.1% for 2023 and 2022. The decrease in the expenses as a percentage of sales was a result of lower storage expenses, improved labor management efficiencies resulting in a decrease of employee expenses, and pallet expenses, partially offset by higher labor rates and real estate taxes.

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Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales for the International segment were approximately 25.0% in 2023 and 23.8% in 2022, respectively. Distribution expenses in 2022 include $0.5 million for the Company’s relocation costs for its new warehouse distribution facility in the Netherlands. As a percentage of sales shipped from the Company’s warehouses, excluding the relocation expenses, distribution expenses, were 22.3% and 21.5% for 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in the expense as a percentage of sales was primarily attributed to lower shipment volume resulting in an unfavorable impact on fixed expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for 2023 were $152.6 million, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 1.2%, as compared to $154.5 million for 2022.

SG&A expenses for 2023 for the U.S. segment were $117.4 million, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 0.7%, compared to $118.2 million for 2022. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses were 18.5% for 2023, compared to 17.7% for 2022. The decrease in the expenses was attributable to cost incurred in the prior year for integration costs related to the S’well acquisition and financing fees on receivables sold to HSBC. This was partially offset by higher incentive compensation expenses and the provision for doubtful accounts primarily related to significant declines in financial condition of a customer. The increase in selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales is due to the unfavorable impact of fixed costs on lower sales volume.

SG&A expenses for 2023 for the International segment were $15.7 million, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 7.6%, compared to $17.0 million for 2022. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses was 29.3% for 2023, compared to 29.1% for 2022. The International segment expenses decreased primarily due to lower foreign currency exchange losses.

Unallocated corporate expenses for 2023 were $19.5 million, compared to $19.3 million for 2022. The increase was driven by higher incentive compensation expense, partially offset by lower salary costs, as a result of the elimination of the Executive chairman role as of March 31, 2023 and lower stock compensation expense.

Restructuring expenses

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred $0.8 million of restructuring expense in connection with the termination of the Company’s Executive Chairman as described below.

In 2022, the Company incurred $0.6 million of unallocated expense related to the termination payment with its Executive Chairman, Jeffrey Siegel. On November 1, 2022, the Company entered into a transition agreement with Jeffrey Siegel, which terminated his employment with the Company, effective March 31, 2023. The transition agreement amended Mr. Siegel’s employment agreement which was to expire on December 31, 2022. The employment agreement provided for a one-time payment, which was paid on April 7, 2023. The one-time payment of $1.4 million, was recognized over the remaining employment period with $0.6 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the remaining $0.8 million recognized in 2023.

Wallace facility remediation expense

For the period ended December 31, 2022, in connection with the Wallace EPA Matter (as described in NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES, the “Wallace EPA Matter”), the Company recorded an expense of $5.1 million, for the estimated liability for remediation cost related to the Wallace EPA Matter. Refer to NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES for further discussion on this matter.

Interest expense

Interest expense for 2023 was $21.7 million, compared to $17.2 million for 2022. The increase was a result of higher interest rates on outstanding borrowings in the current period, partially offset by lower average outstanding borrowings.

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Mark to market (loss) gain on interest rate derivatives

Mark to market loss on interest rate derivatives was $(0.5) million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to a mark to market gain on interest rate derivatives of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The mark to market amount represents the change in the fair value on the Company’s interest rate derivatives that have not been designated as hedging instruments. The decrease was attributable to the change in the fair value at the end of December 31, 2022 due to increases in interest rates. These derivatives were entered into for purposes of locking-in a fixed interest rate on the Company's variable interest rate debt. As of December 31, 2023, the intent of the Company is to hold these derivative contracts until their maturity.

Gain on extinguishments of debt, net

Gain on extinguishments of debt, net was $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, consisting of a $1.5 million gain in connection with the repurchase of $47.2 million in principal amount of the Term Loan, and $0.7 million of loss recorded on the prepayment of Term Loan principal in connection with Amendment No. 2 to the Term Loan. Refer to NOTE 8 — DEBT for further details of these transactions.

Income tax provision

The income tax provision was $6.2 million in 2023 and $5.7 million in 2022. The Company’s effective tax rate for 2023 was 59.4%, compared to 63.4% for 2022. The effective tax rate in 2023 and 2022 was driven primarily by state and local tax expenses, nondeductible expenses, and foreign losses for which no tax benefit is recognized as such amounts are fully offset with a valuation allowance.

Equity in (losses) earnings

Equity in losses of Vasconia, net of taxes, was $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to equity in losses of Vasconia, net of taxes, of $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, equity in losses included non-cash impairment charges of $6.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, to reduce the carrying value of the Company’s investment in Vasconia to its fair value. The decline in the fair value was determined to be other than temporary due to the decline in the quoted stock price, the continued decline in the operating results of Vasconia and the downgrade in Vasconia’s debt rating.

Vasconia reported loss from operations for 2023 of $10.9 million, as compared to loss of $1.6 million for 2022 and reported net loss of $23.6 million in 2023 and net loss of $13.2 million in 2022. The decrease in income from operations was primarily attributable to decreased operating results in 2023.

The effect of the translation of the Company’s investment, as well as the translation of Vasconia’s balance sheet, resulted in an increase of the investment of $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 and a decrease of the investment of $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022.

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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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 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 not considered to be impaired. 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”) and the cost of capital. Projected net sales and projected EBITDA were determined to be significant assumptions because they are the 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.

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. Projected net sales for the related brands and royalty rates were determined to be significant assumptions because they are the primary drivers of the projected cash flows in the relief from royalty 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.

Goodwill

The Company performed an interim impairment test of the goodwill in the U.S. reporting unit as of September 30, 2023, by comparing its fair value with its carrying value. The analysis was performed by using a discounted cash flow and market multiple method. Based upon the analysis performed, the Company determined that the fair value of the Company's U.S. reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, and therefore goodwill was not impaired. As of September 30, 2023, the fair value of the U.S. reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of goodwill by 4%.

The Company performed its annual impairment assessment of its U.S. reporting unit as of October 1, 2023 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, 2023, the fair value of the U.S. reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of goodwill by 4%.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company assessed the carrying value of goodwill and determined, based on qualitative factors, that no impairment indicators existed for goodwill.

The carrying value of the goodwill for the U.S reporting unit was $33.2 million as of December 31, 2023.

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Indefinite-lived trade names

The Company performed an interim quantitative impairment analysis as of September 30, 2023, of its indefinite-lived trade names by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived trade names to their respective carrying values. The Company values its indefinite-lived trade names using a relief-from-royalty approach, which assumes the value of the trade name is the discounted cash flows of the amount that would be paid by a hypothetical market participant had they not owned the trade name and instead licensed the trade name from another company. The Company determined that the fair value of all its indefinite-lived trade names were above their respective carrying values, and therefore its indefinite-lived intangible assets were not impaired. In connection with the interim impairment analysis, the Company determined that one trade name, previously estimated to contribute to cash flows indefinitely, has a definite life. Accordingly, the trade name will be reclassified from indefinite-lived to finite-lived or amortizable intangible assets as of October 1, 2023. The trade name will be amortized over an estimated useful life of 15 years. As of September 30, 2023, the fair value of the Company’s indefinite-lived trade name exceeded the respective carrying value by 7%.

The Company completed the quantitative impairment analysis for its indefinite-lived asset as of October 1, 2023, by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived trade name to its respective carrying value using a relief from royalty method. As of October 1, 2023, the fair value of the Company’s indefinite-lived trade name exceeded its respective carrying value by 7%.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company assessed the carrying value of its indefinite-lived trade name and determined based on qualitative factors that no impairment existed.

The carrying value of the Company’s indefinite-lived trade name was $42.0 million as of December 31, 2023.

Long-lived assets

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.

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 sales incentives and promotions represent variable consideration and are reflected as reductions in net sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. While many of the sales incentives and promotions are contractually agreed upon with the Company’s customers, certain of the sales incentives and promotions are non-contractual and require the Company to estimate the amount of variable consideration based on historical experience and other known factors or as the most likely amount in a range of possible outcomes. 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.

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.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s principal sources of funds consists of cash provided by operating activities, borrowings available under its revolving credit facility and from time-to-time working capital reductions. The Company’s primary uses of funds consist of payments of principal and interest on its debt, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and dividends. From time-to-time uses also include acquisitions and repurchases of its common stock.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $16.2 million and $23.6 million, respectively, and working capital of $224.4 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $270.4 million at December 31, 2022. The current ratio (current assets to current liabilities) was 2.5 to 1.0 at December 31, 2023, compared to 3.1 to 1.0 at December 31, 2022. The decrease in the current ratio was primarily due to lower inventory level compared to the prior year and timing of payments for current obligations.

At December 31, 2023, borrowings under the Company’s ABL Agreement were $60.4 million and $150.0 million was outstanding under the Term Loan. At December 31, 2022, borrowings under the Company’s ABL Agreement were $10.4 million and $245.9 million was outstanding under the Term Loan.

Liquidity as of December 31, 2023 was $133.9 million, consisting of $16.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, $89.4 million of availability under the ABL Agreement, limited by the Term Loan financial covenant, and $28.3 million of available funding under the Receivables Purchase Agreement.

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. 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, 2023 inventory turnover was 2.5 times, or 145 days, as compared to 2.1 times, or 170 days, for the three months ended December 31, 2022. Inventory turns have improved due to lower inventory levels at December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year.

On February 7, 2024, in connection with the Wallace EPA Matter, the Company provided financial assurance of $5.6 million in the form of a letter of credit. This reduces the availability under the revolving credit facility by the same amount.

The Company believes that availability under the revolving credit facility under its ABL Agreement, cash on hand and cash flows from operations are sufficient to fund the Company’s operations for the next 12 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 future changes in these conditions.

Indebtedness

On August 26, 2022, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Amendment”) to the ABL Agreement among the Company, as a Borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as Borrowers and/or Loan Parties, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and a Lender. The ABL Agreement provides for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million, which will mature on August 26, 2027.

On November 14, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Term Loan Amendment”) to amend the Loan Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2018, among the Company, as borrower, the other loan parties from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (as amended, the “Term Loan”). The Term Loan has a principal amount of $150.0 million, and matures on August 26, 2027.

The Term Loan requires the Company to make quarterly payments of principal each equal to 1.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan, commencing on March 31, 2024, with the remaining balance payable on the maturity date. The Term Loan requires the Company to make an annual prepayment of principal, beginning with those for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, based upon a percentage of the Company’s excess cash flow, (“Excess Cash Flow”), if any. The percentage applied to the Company’s excess cash flow is based on the Company’s Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Debt Agreements). When an Excess Cash Flow payment is required, each lender has the option to decline a portion or all of the prepayment amount payable to it. Per the Term Loan, when the Company makes an Excess Cash Flow prepayment, the payment is first applied to satisfy the next eight (8) scheduled future quarterly required payments of the Term Loan in order of maturity and then to the remaining scheduled installments on a pro rata basis.

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The maximum borrowing amount under the ABL Agreement may be increased to up to $250.0 million if certain conditions are met. One or more tranches of additional term loans (the “Incremental Term 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 on a pro forma basis pursuant to the Term Loan, after giving effect to such increase, is no greater than 3.25 to 1.00, subject to certain limitations and for the period defined pursuant to the Term Loan but not to mature earlier than the maturity date of the then existing term loans.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total availability under the ABL Agreement were as follows (in thousands):

Outstanding borrowings under the ABL Agreement (60,395) (10,424)

Standby letters of credit (2,894) (2,765)

Total availability under the ABL agreement $ 118,630 $ 176,222

Availability under the ABL Agreement is limited to the lesser of the $200.0 million commitment thereunder and the borrowing base and therefore depends on the valuation of certain current assets comprising the borrowing base. The borrowing capacity under the ABL Agreement will depend, in part, on eligible levels of accounts receivable and inventory that fluctuate regularly. Due to the seasonality of the Company’s business, this mean that it may have greater borrowing availability during the third and fourth quarters of each year. Consequently, the $200.0 million commitment thereunder may not represent actual borrowing capacity. The Company’s borrowing capacity may be further limited by the Term Loan financial covenant of 5.00 to 1.00 maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio. As of December 31, 2023, the availability under the ABL Agreement, limited by the Term Loan financial covenant, was $89.4 million.

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 $ 7,500 $ —

Estimated unamortized debt issuance costs (2,758) —

Total Current portion of Term Loan facility $ 4,742 $ —

Non-current portion of Term Loan facility:

Term Loan facility, net of current portion $ 142,500 $ 245,911

Estimated unamortized debt issuance costs (6,666) (3,054)

Total Non-current portion of Term Loan facility $ 135,834 $ 242,857

As of December 31, 2023, there is no Excess Cash Flow Payment due for 2024.

The Company’s Term Loan facility was reduced to $150.0 million at December 31, 2023 from $245.9 million at December 31, 2022 through the following transactions:

•On June 8, 2023, the Company completed the repurchase of $47.2 million in principal amount of the Term Loan, for $95 per $100 of principal. The repurchase was executed by way of a reverse Dutch auction, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions provided for in the Term Loan. In connection therewith, debt issuance costs of $0.5 million were written off and fees of $0.4 million were incurred. The gain on the early retirement of the Term Loan was $1.5 million, net of fees and expenses.

•In connection with the Term Loan Amendment, the Company reduced its outstanding principal by a net amount of $48.7 million through a voluntary prepayment of principal (in accordance with the terms of the original Term Loan Agreement), net of the issuance of new proceeds and an extension of a portion of existing Term Loan. In connection with the Term Loan Amendment that Company incurred fees of $9.1 million, which will be amortized over the life of the debt using the effective interest method. The Company recognized a loss of of $0.7 million of unamortized debt issuance costs on the partial extinguishment for the portion of the Term Loan that was repaid.

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As of December 31, 2023, the future principal payments of the Term Loan are as follows (in thousands):

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 foreign subsidiary borrowers under the ABL Agreement are secured by security interests in substantially all of the assets of, and stock in, such foreign subsidiary borrowers, subject to certain limitations. 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 security interests in 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 interests consists of (1) a first-priority lien, subject to certain permitted liens, with respect to certain assets of the Company and certain of its 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 certain of its 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 Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.0% as of a specified date in advance of the determination, but in each case not less than 1.0%, plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.5%, or (ii) Adjusted Term SOFR, which is the Term SOFR Rate for the selected 1, 3 or 6 month interest period plus 0.10% (or Euro Interbank Offered Rate “EURIBOR” for borrowings denominated in Euro; or Sterling Overnight Index Average “SONIA” for borrowings denominated in Pounds Sterling), but in each case not less than zero, plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50%. The respective margins are based upon average quarterly availability, as defined in and computed pursuant to the ABL Agreement. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee of 0.20% to 0.25% per annum based on the average daily unused portion of the aggregate commitment under the ABL Agreement. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the ABL Agreement at December 31, 2023 was between 6.47% and 6.72%. In addition, the Company paid a commitment fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the ABL Agreement during the year ended December 31, 2023.

The Term Loan facility bears interest, at the Company’s option, at one of the following rates: (i) alternate base rate, defined, for any day, as the greater of (x) the prime rate, (y) a federal funds and overnight bank funding based rate plus 0.50% or (z) one-month Adjusted Term SOFR, but not less than 1.0% plus 1.0%, plus a margin of 4.5% or (ii) Adjusted Term SOFR (Term SOFR plus the Term SOFR Adjustment) for the applicable interest period, but not less than 1.0%, plus a margin of 5.5%. The interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan at December 31, 2023 was 11.0%.

The Debt Agreements provide for customary restrictions and events of default. Restrictions include limitations on additional indebtedness, liens, acquisitions, investments and payment of dividends, among other things. Under the Term Loan, the Total Net Leverage Ratio is not permitted to be greater than 5.00 to 1.00 determined as of the end of each fiscal quarters. 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 $20.0 million and 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 $20.0 million and 10% of the aggregate commitment under the ABL Agreement for 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, 2023.

Covenant Calculations

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.

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Non-GAAP financial measure

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 SEC. 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. 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.

Lifetime Brands, Inc LCUT US Equity

LCUT · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 1C. Cybersecurity

Item 2. Properties

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Item 6. [Reserved]

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

Lifetime Brands, Inc LCUT US Equity☆

LCUT · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 1C. Cybersecurity

Item 2. Properties

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Item 6. [Reserved]

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

Lifetime Brands, Inc LCUT US Equity