FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information on this website contains forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "project," and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. 

Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the following:

  • the risk that we or our franchisees will be unsuccessful in gauging apparel trends and changing consumer preferences;
  • the highly competitive nature of our business in the United States and internationally;
  • the risk that failure to maintain, enhance and protect our brand image could have an adverse effect on our results of operations; 
  • the risk that the failure to attract and retain key personnel, or effectively manage succession, could have an adverse impact on our results of operations;
  • the risk that our investments in customer, digital, and omni-channel shopping initiatives may not deliver the results we anticipate;
  • the risk that if we are unable to manage our inventory effectively, our gross margins will be adversely affected;
  • the risk that we are subject to data or other security breaches that may result in increased costs, violations of law, significant legal and financial exposure, and a loss of confidence in our security measures, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and our reputation;
  • the risk that a failure of, or updates or changes to, our information technology (“IT”) systems may disrupt our operations;
  • the risk that trade matters could increase the cost or reduce the supply of apparel available to us and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations;
  • the risk that changes in the regulatory or administrative landscape could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations;
  • the risks to our business, including our costs and supply chain, associated with global sourcing and manufacturing;
  • the risk that changes in global economic conditions or consumer spending patterns could adversely impact our results of operations;
  • the risks to our efforts to expand internationally, including our ability to operate in regions where we have less experience;
  • the risks to our reputation or operations associated with importing merchandise from foreign countries, including failure of our vendors to adhere to our Code of Vendor Conduct; 
  • the risk that our franchisees’ operation of franchise stores is not directly within our control and could impair the value of our brands;
  • the risk that we or our franchisees will be unsuccessful in identifying, negotiating, and securing new store locations and renewing, modifying, or terminating leases for existing store locations effectively;
  • the risk that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely impact our financial results; 
  • the risk that comparable sales and margins will experience fluctuations;
  • the risk that changes in our credit profile or deterioration in market conditions may limit our access to the capital markets and adversely impact our financial results or our business initiatives;
  • the risk that natural disasters, public health crises, political crises, negative global climate patterns, or other catastrophic events could adversely affect our operations and financial results, or those of our franchisees or vendors;
  • the risk that reductions in income and cash flow from our credit card arrangement related to our private label and co-branded credit cards could adversely affect our operating results and cash flows;
  • the risk that the adoption of new accounting pronouncements will impact future results;
  • the risk that we do not repurchase some or all of the shares we anticipate purchasing pursuant to our repurchase program; and
  • the risk that we will not be successful in defending various proceedings, lawsuits, disputes, claims, and audits.

Additional information regarding factors that could cause results to differ can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should also consult the company’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. 

The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.