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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended July 30, 201629, 2017
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _________to____
Commission File No. 001-31390
CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 06 - 1195422
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
2400 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (763) 551-5000
 
 Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x  YES  ¨  NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  x  YES  ¨  NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and, “smaller reporting company”, and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨
Accelerated filer x¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company  ¨
Emerging growth company ¨
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  ¨  YES x  NO
As of August 26, 201625, 2017, there were 37,239,84437,855,181 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.




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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  Page
   
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 July 30, 2016 January 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 January 28, 2017
 (Unaudited)      
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $28,091
 $31,506
 $22,573
 $35,006
Short-term investments 
 3,015
Accounts receivable 3,965
 4,067
 3,833
 2,549
Merchandise inventories 50,052
 42,481
 41,917
 36,834
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 9,591
 9,059
 4,568
 3,485
Income taxes receivable 601
 513
 255
 516
Total current assets 92,300
 90,641
 73,146
 78,390
Property, equipment and improvements, net 58,660
 59,224
 51,983
 55,332
Other non-current assets:        
Deferred income taxes 383
 393
 322
 321
Other assets 532
 632
 641
 577
Total other non-current assets 915
 1,025
 963
 898
Total assets $151,875
 $150,890
 $126,092
 $134,620
        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $22,049
 $16,645
 $22,994
 $13,867
Accrued salaries, wages and related expenses 4,870
 2,845
 4,338
 6,613
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities 22,936
 24,570
 20,801
 26,426
Total current liabilities 49,855
 44,060
 48,133
 46,906
Non-current liabilities:        
Deferred lease incentives 9,636
 9,880
 8,540
 9,021
Deferred rent obligations 6,276
 7,241
 6,583
 6,576
Other non-current liabilities 1,368
 1,301
 2,574
 822
Total non-current liabilities 17,280
 18,422
 17,697
 16,419
        
Commitments and contingencies 
 
 
 
        
Stockholders’ equity:        
Preferred stock — $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, none outstanding 
 
 
 
Common stock — $0.01 par value, 74,000 shares authorized, 47,027 and 46,870 shares issued, and 37,236 and 37,079 shares outstanding at July 30, 2016 and January 30, 2016, respectively 469
 468
Common stock — $0.01 par value, 74,000 shares authorized, 47,646 and 47,425 shares issued, and 37,855 and 37,634 shares outstanding at July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively 476
 473
Additional paid-in capital 126,233
 125,851
 127,057
 126,516
Retained earnings 70,749
 74,800
 45,440
 57,017
Common stock held in treasury, 9,791 shares at cost at July 30, 2016 and January 30, 2016 (112,711) (112,711)
Common stock held in treasury, 9,791 shares at cost at July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017 (112,711) (112,711)
Total stockholders’ equity 84,740
 88,408
 60,262
 71,295
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $151,875
 $150,890
 $126,092
 $134,620


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited) 
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 July 30, August 1, July 30, August 1, July 29, July 30, July 29, July 30,
 2016 2015 2016 2015 2017 2016 2017 2016
                
Net sales $89,923
 $93,997
 $189,957
 $185,618
 $86,618
 $89,923
 $175,173
 $189,957
Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs 59,774
 63,061
 122,096
 122,473
 61,990
 59,774
 120,007
 122,096
Gross profit 30,149
 30,936
 67,861
 63,145
 24,628
 30,149
 55,166
 67,861
Other operating expenses:  
        
      
Selling, general and administrative 30,626
 29,630
 66,103
 61,619
 29,179
 30,626
 60,153
 66,103
Depreciation and amortization 2,974
 2,901
 5,996
 5,617
 3,167
 2,974
 6,266
 5,996
Impairment of store assets 309
 115
 476
 115
Impairment of long-lived assets 93
 309
 163
 476
Total other operating expenses 33,909
 32,646
 72,575
 67,351
 32,439
 33,909
 66,582
 72,575
Operating loss (3,760) (1,710) (4,714) (4,206) (7,811) (3,760) (11,416) (4,714)
Interest expense, net (42) (33) (82) (40) (38) (42) (69) (82)
Other income 
 
 911
 
 
 
 
 911
Loss before income taxes (3,802) (1,743) (3,885) (4,246) (7,849) (3,802) (11,485) (3,885)
Income tax provision (benefit) 82
 (1,033) 167
 (2,094)
Income tax provision 40
 82
 92
 167
Net loss $(3,884) $(710) $(4,052) $(2,152) $(7,889) $(3,884) $(11,577) $(4,052)
                
Basic loss per share:                
Net loss $(0.11) $(0.02) $(0.11) $(0.06) $(0.21) $(0.11) $(0.31) $(0.11)
Basic shares outstanding 36,981
 36,871
 36,953
 36,860
 37,156
 36,981
 37,123
 36,953
                
Diluted loss per share:                
Net loss $(0.11) $(0.02) $(0.11) $(0.06) $(0.21) $(0.11) $(0.31) $(0.11)
Diluted shares outstanding 36,981
 36,871
 36,953
 36,860
 37,156
 36,981
 37,123
 36,953
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
                
Net loss $(3,884) $(710) $(4,052) $(2,152) $(7,889) $(3,884) $(11,577) $(4,052)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:        
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on securities arising during the period, net of taxes of $0, $(1), $0 and $2 for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ending July 30, 2016 and August 1, 2015, respectively 
 (1) 
 2
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
 
 
 
Comprehensive loss $(3,884) $(711) $(4,052) $(2,150) $(7,889) $(3,884) $(11,577) $(4,052)
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(4,052) $(2,152) $(11,577) $(4,052)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization 5,996
 5,617
 6,266
 5,996
Impairment of store assets 476
 115
Impairment of long-lived assets 163
 476
Deferred income taxes, net 11
 (1,888) 
 11
Gain on investments, net (911) (1)
Gain from company-owned life insurance 
 (911)
Amortization of premium on investments 10
 24
 
 10
Amortization of financing costs 31
 31
 31
 31
Deferred lease-related liabilities (381) 2,696
 (442) (381)
Stock-based compensation expense 406
 1,071
 550
 406
Loss on disposal of assets 1
 
 
 1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  
    
  
Accounts receivable 102
 (1,919) (1,284) 102
Merchandise inventories (7,571) (5,582) (5,082) (7,571)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (463) (3,414) (1,180) (463)
Income taxes receivable (88) 163
 261
 (88)
Accounts payable 5,547
 5,135
 9,096
 5,547
Accrued liabilities 260
 (2,980) (7,872) 260
Other liabilities 106
 (148) 1,793
 106
Net cash used in operating activities (520) (3,232) (9,277) (520)
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchases of property, equipment and improvements (6,788) (17,514) (3,150) (6,788)
Proceeds from company-owned life insurance 911
 
 
 911
Maturities of available-for-sale investments 3,005
 7,108
 
 3,005
Net cash used in investing activities (2,872) (10,406) (3,150) (2,872)
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Shares redeemed for payroll taxes (23) (26) (6) (23)
Net cash used in financing activities (23) (26) (6) (23)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (3,415) (13,664) (12,433) (3,415)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 31,506
 37,245
 35,006
 31,506
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $28,091
 $23,581
 $22,573
 $28,091
Supplemental cash flow information:        
Interest paid $95
 $73
 $69
 $95
Income taxes paid (refunded) $102
 $(257)
Income taxes (refunded) paid $(251) $102
Accrued purchases of equipment and improvements $226
 $975
 $219
 $226
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


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CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
NOTE 1 — Basis of Presentation
 
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared by Christopher & Banks Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Christopher & Banks”, “the Company”, “we” or “us”) pursuant to the current rules and regulations of the United States ("U.S.") Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. have been omitted, pursuant to such rules and regulations. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, except the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 28, 2017 derived from the Company's audited financial statements, should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016.28, 2017.
 
The results of operations for the interim period shown in this report are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year. In the opinion of management, the information contained herein reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal adjustments, except as otherwise stated in these notes, considered necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of July 29, 2017, and July 30, 2016 and August 1, 2015 and for all periods presented.
 
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance under Accounting Standards Update ("ASU")ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with CustomersCustomers. . ASU 2014-09 supersedes existing revenue recognition requirements and provides a new comprehensive revenue recognition model that requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. As a result, ASU 2014-09 is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption will include updates as provided under ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net); ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing; and ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.Adoption is allowed by either the full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating which approach itWe do not believe the adoption of this standard will apply and the potentialhave a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires entities with a classified balance sheet to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The Company elected early adoption of this guidance for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016, on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU allowsnew revenue standard will require the Company to simplify its presentationrecognize gift card breakage proportional to actual gift card redemptions. The Company continues to evaluate the merits of deferred income tax liabilities and assets.  Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.adopting the standard under the full retrospective or modified retrospective approach, which will require certain reclassifications.
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires that lease arrangements longer than twelve months result in an entity recognizing an asset and liability. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. We have not evaluatedThe Company is currently evaluating the guidance and its impact of the updated guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - StockCompensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718) -Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting which simplifies. ASU 2016-09 addresses simplification of several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The standardASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal yearspublic companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, includingand interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement willASU 2016-09 did not have a material impact on our condensed the Company's consolidated financial statements.statements mostly due to the impact of the tax valuation allowance.


TableWe reviewed all other significant newly-issued accounting pronouncements and concluded they are either not applicable to our operations, or that no material effect is expected on our consolidated financial statements as a result of Contents
future adoption.

NOTE 2 — Investments
No investments were held by the Company as of July 30, 2016.

Investment as of January 30, 2016, consisted of the following (in thousands):

  Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value
Short-term investments:        
Corporate bonds $2,810
 $1
 $(1) $2,810
Municipal bonds 205
 
 
 205
Total investments $3,015
 $1
 $(1) $3,015

During the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2016 and August 1, 2015, there were no purchases of available-for-sale securities. During the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2016 and August 1, 2015, there were approximately $3.0 million and $7.1 million of maturities of available-for-sale securities, respectively. There were no other-than-temporary impairments of available-for-sale securities during the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2016 and August 1, 2015.

NOTE 3 — Merchandise Inventories and Sources of Supply
 
Merchandise inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
 July 30, 2016 January 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 January 28, 2017
Merchandise - in store/eCommerce $38,690
 $31,751
 $32,648
 $28,584
Merchandise - in transit 11,362
 10,730
 9,269
 8,250
Total merchandise inventories $50,052
 $42,481
 $41,917
 $36,834
 
There have been no material changes to our ratio of imports to total merchandise purchases or concentration of supplier purchases in the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 201629, 2017 compared to the fiscal 20152016 year ended January 30, 2016.28, 2017.

NOTE 43 — Property, Equipment and Improvements, Net
 
Property, equipment and improvements, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
Description July 30, 2016 January 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 January 28, 2017
Land $1,597
 $1,597
 $1,597
 $1,597
Corporate office, distribution center and related building improvements 12,627
 12,618
 12,700
 12,700
Store leasehold improvements 51,113
 52,812
 49,362
 49,450
Store furniture and fixtures 71,866
 74,513
 69,244
 69,598
Corporate office and distribution center furniture, fixtures and equipment 4,262
 4,356
 4,938
 4,880
Computer and point of sale hardware and software 34,765
 32,644
 33,541
 32,313
Construction in progress 4,424
 5,781
 1,515
 1,321
Total property, equipment and improvements, gross 180,654
 184,321
 172,897
 171,859
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (121,994) (125,097) (120,914) (116,527)
Total property, equipment and improvements, net $58,660
 $59,224
 $51,983
 $55,332
 
Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. In conjunction with an impairment analysis, the Company determined that improvements and equipment at certain under-performing stores and at stores identified for closure were impaired. As a result, the Company recorded approximately $0.3$0.1 million and $0.1$0.3 million for long-lived asset impairments during the thirteen week periods ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016, and August 1, 2015, respectively. The Company recorded approximately $0.5$0.2 million and $0.1$0.5 million for long-lived asset impairments during the twenty-six week periods ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016, and August 1, 2015, respectively.
 


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NOTE 54 — Accrued Liabilities
 
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
 July 30, 2016 January 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 January 28, 2017
Gift card and store credit liabilities $5,351
 $8,029
 $5,128
 $7,414
Accrued Friendship Rewards Program loyalty liability 3,772
 3,838
 3,587
 3,770
Accrued income, sales and other taxes payable 2,003
 1,622
 1,866
 1,239
Accrued occupancy-related expenses 3,758
 3,017
 3,354
 3,614
Sales return reserve 1,110
 1,309
 1,282
 943
eCommerce operations 3,379
 1,162
eCommerce obligations 2,868
 3,190
Other accrued liabilities 3,563
 5,593
 2,716
 6,256
Total accrued liabilities and other current liabilities $22,936
 $24,570
 $20,801
 $26,426

NOTE 65 — Credit Facility
 
The Company is party to an amended and restated credit agreement (the "Credit Facility") with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”), as lender. The Credit Facility was most recently amended and extended on September 8, 2014. The current expiration date is September 8, 2019.

 
The Credit Facility provides the Company with revolving credit loans of up to $50.0 million in the aggregate, subject to a borrowing base formula based primarily on eligible credit card receivables, inventory and real estate, as such terms are defined in the Credit Facility, and up to $10.0 million of which may be drawn in the form of standby and documentary letters of credit.
 
Borrowings under the Credit Facility will generally accrue interest at a rate ranging from 1.50% to 1.75% over the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or 0.50% to 0.75% over the Wells Fargo Prime Rate based on the amount of Average Daily Availability for the Fiscal Quarter immediately preceding each Adjustment Date, as such term isterms are defined in the Credit Facility. The Company has the ability to select between the LIBOR or prime based rate at the time of the cash advance. The Credit Facility has an unused commitment fee of 0.25%.

The Credit Facility contains customary events of default and various affirmative and negative covenants. The sole financial covenant contained in the Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain Availability at least equal to the greater of (a) ten percent (10%) of the borrowing base or (b) $3.0 million. In addition, the Credit Facility permits the payment of dividends to the Company's stockholders if certain financial conditions are met. The Company was in compliance with all covenants and other financial provisions as of July 30, 2016.29, 2017.

The Company's obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company has pledged substantially all of its assets as collateral security for the loans, including accounts owed to the Company, bank accounts, inventory, other tangible and intangible personal property, intellectual property (including patents and trademarks), and stock or other evidences of ownership of 100% of all of the Company's subsidiaries.
 
The Company had no revolving credit loan borrowings under the Credit Facility during each of the twenty-six week periods ended July 29, 2017, and July 30, 2016, and August 1, 2015.2016. The total Borrowing Base at July 30, 201629, 2017 was approximately $41.4$36.5 million. As of July 30, 2016,29, 2017, the Company had open on-demand letters of credit of approximately $0.3$0.9 million. Accordingly, after reducing the Borrowing Base for the open letters of credit and the required minimum availability of the greater of $3.0 million, or 10.0% of the Borrowing Base, the net availability of revolving credit loans under the Credit Facility was approximately $37.0$32.0 million at July 30, 2016.29, 2017.

NOTE 76 — Income Taxes
 
The Company's liability for unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions is recorded within other non-current liabilities. There has been no material change in the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits since the end of the previous year. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as components of income tax expense.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income taxes and the income tax obligations of various state and local jurisdictions. The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for fiscal 2013.

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Periods after the fiscal 2012 transition period currently2013 remain subject to examination by the IRS. With few exceptions, the Company is not subject to state income tax examination by tax authorities for taxable years prior to fiscal 2011. 2012.

As of July 30, 2016,29, 2017, the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company had no other ongoing audits in various jurisdictions and does not expect the liability for unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months.

In April 2015, the Company settled the IRS examination of the Fiscal 2011 tax year. The settlement was related to certain issues which the Company had previously reflected net of tax within deferred tax assets. The settlement did not result in any cash payments nor any impact to tax expense.
Deferred income tax assets represent potential future income tax benefits. Realization of these assets is ultimately dependent upon future taxable income. ASC 740 Income Taxes requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on all available evidence, it is considered more likely than not that some or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in a future period. Forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed is difficult when negative evidence such as cumulative losses exists.
In fiscal 2015, the continuation of net losses prompted management to further consider the realizability of the deferred tax assets. Although management’s evaluation considered the effects of improved sales trends on future taxable income, estimates such as these are inherently subjective. Without significant positive evidence to overcome the weight of possible future cumulative losses, the Company established a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. A non-cash provision of $37.5 million was recognized to establish the valuation allowance. A small deferred tax asset was allowed related to certain state tax benefits. As of July 30, 2016,29, 2017, the possibility of future cumulative losses still exists. Accordingly, the Company has continued to maintain a valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets; recording the valuation allowance does not have any impact on cash and does not prevent the Company from using theassets. A small deferred tax assets in future periods when profits are realized.asset was allowed related to certain tax benefits.

As of July 30, 2016,29, 2017, the Company hadhas federal and state net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") which will reduce future taxable income. Approximately $29.8$36.2 million in net federal tax benefits are available from these loss carryforwards of approximately $85.0 million, and anfederal NOLs. An additional $1.3$1.2 million is available in net tax credit carryforwards. Included in the federal net operating loss is approximately $5.3 million of loss generated by deductions related to equity-based compensation, the tax effect of which will be recorded to additional paid-in capital when utilized. The state loss carryforwardsNOLs will result in net state tax benefits of approximately $2.1$2.5 million. The federal net operating loss carryovers will expire

Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code limit the annual utilization of certain tax attributes, including NOL carryforwards, incurred prior to a change in October 2032 and beyond. The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire in November 2016 and beyond. Additionally,ownership. If the Company has charitable contribution carryforwards that will expire in 2016were to experience an ownership change, as defined by Sections 382 and beyond.383, its ability to utilize its tax attributes could be substantially limited. Depending on the severity of the annual NOL limitation, the Company could permanently lose its ability to use a significant number of its accumulated NOLs.




NOTE 87 — Earnings Per Share
 
The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) shown on the face of the accompanying consolidated statement of operations:
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 July 30, August 1, July 30, August 1, July 29, July 30, July 29, July 30,
 2016 2015 2016 2015 2017 2016 2017 2016
Numerator (in thousands):
                
Net loss attributable to Christopher & Banks Corporation $(3,884) $(710) $(4,052) $(2,152) $(7,889) $(3,884) $(11,577) $(4,052)
Denominator (in thousands):
  
  
      
  
    
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 36,981
 36,871
 36,953
 36,860
 37,156
 36,981
 37,123
 36,953
Dilutive shares 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - diluted 36,981
 36,871
 36,953
 36,860
 37,156
 36,981
 37,123
 36,953
Net loss per common share:                
Basic $(0.11) $(0.02) $(0.11) $(0.06) $(0.21) $(0.11) $(0.31) $(0.11)
Diluted $(0.11) $(0.02) $(0.11) $(0.06) $(0.21) $(0.11) $(0.31) $(0.11)
 
Total stock options of approximately 2.24.1 million and 0.8 million, and 2.4 million and 0.72.2 million were excluded from the shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the thirteen week periods ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016, as they were anti-dilutive. Total stock options of approximately 4.1 million and 2.4 million were excluded from the shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the twenty-six week periods ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016, and August 1, 2015, respectively, as they were anti-dilutive.
 


NOTE 98 — Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as ofat the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized using defined hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair value measurements, as follows:
 
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.

Assets that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:
No investments were held by the Company as of July 30, 2016. There were no transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy during the twenty-six week periods ended July 30, 2016, and August 1, 2015. Consistent with Company policy, transfers into levels and transfers out of levels are recognized on the date of the event or when a change in circumstances causes a transfer.
Assets that are Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis:
 
The following table summarizes certain information for non-financial assets for the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 201629, 2017 and the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016,28, 2017, that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods subsequent to an initial recognition period. The Company places amounts into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date. 
 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended Fiscal Year Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended Fiscal Year Ended
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used (in thousands):
 July 30, 2016 January 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 January 28, 2017
Carrying value $567
 $356
 $163
 $877
Fair value measured using Level 3 inputs $91
 $75
 $
 $91
Impairment charge $476
 $281
 $163
 $786
 
All of the fair value measurements included in the table above were based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Company determines fair value for measuring assets on a non-recurring basis using a discounted cash flow approach as discussed in Note 1, Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2016.28, 2017. In determining future cash flows, the Company uses its best estimate of future operating results, which requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including estimated sales, merchandise margin and expense levels, and the selection of an appropriate discount rate; therefore, differences in the estimates or assumptions could produce significantly different results.

General economic uncertainty impacting the retail industry and the continuation of recent trends in company performance makes it reasonably possible that additional long-lived asset impairments could be identified and recorded in future periods.

The fair value measurement of the long-lived assets encompasses the following significant unobservable inputs:
  Range
Unobservable Inputs Fiscal 2016 Fiscal 2015
Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) 15% 15%
Annual sales growth 0% to 2.1% 0% to 8%
Range
Unobservable InputsFiscal 2016
Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)16%
Annual sales growth0% to 7%

n
NOTE 109 — Legal Proceedings
 
The Company is subject, from time to time, to various claims, lawsuits or actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. AlthoughWe accrue for loss contingencies associated with outstanding litigation or legal claims for which management has determined it is probable that a loss contingency exists and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In connection with a preliminary settlement of pre-litigation employment claims reached in February 2017, we established a loss contingency of $1.475 million as of January 28, 2017. In connection therewith, on April 13, 2017, a complaint was filed in state Circuit Court in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida (the “Florida Circuit Court”) by three named plaintiffs in a purported class action asserting claims on behalf of current and former store managers. The plaintiffs principally alleged that they and other similarly situated store managers were improperly classified as exempt employees and thus not compensated for overtime work as required under applicable federal and state law. On May 4, 2017, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the named plaintiffs and the proposed class. On May 8, 2017, the Florida Circuit Court issued an order approving the class settlement. As approved by the Florida Circuit Court, certain current and former store managers will be eligible to receive payments in connection with time worked in prior years. The settlement of the lawsuit is not an admission by us of any liability that could arise with respectwrongdoing.

As part of the settlement, the Company contributed $1.475 million into a settlement fund in the second fiscal quarter of 2017. Any funds remaining after payment of all submitted claims and related settlement fund costs and expenses will revert to any current proceedings cannotthe Company. A final resolution of the matter and the dissolution of the settlement fund is expected by the end of this fiscal year. While the ultimate amount of the claims paid under the settlement is likely to be accurately predicted, management doesless than the Company has recorded, the difference is not expect any such liabilityexpected to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position or liquidity.

The ultimate resolution of legal matters can be inherently uncertain and for some matters, we are currently unable to predict the Company'sultimate outcome, determine whether a liability has been incurred or make an estimate of the reasonably possible liability that could result from an unfavorable outcome because of these uncertainties. The Company does not, however, currently believe that the resolution of any pending matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
 


NOTE 1110 — Segment Reporting
 
In the table below, the Retail Operations includes activity generated by the Company’s retail store locations (Missy Petite Women ("MPW"), outlets,Outlets, Christopher & Banks, and C.J. Banks)Banks stores) as well as the eCommerce business. Retail Operations only includes net sales, merchandise gross margin and direct store expenses with no allocation of corporate overhead as that is the information used by the chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. The Corporate/Administrative balances include supporting administrative activity at the corporate office and distribution center facility and are included to reconcile the amounts to the condensed consolidated financial statements. 


Business Segment Information
(in thousands)
  Retail Corporate/  
  Operations Administrative Consolidated
Thirteen Weeks Ended July 30, 2016      
Net sales $89,923
 $
 $89,923
Depreciation and amortization 2,360
 614
 2,974
Impairment of store assets 309
 
 309
Operating income (loss) 7,878
 (11,638) (3,760)
       
Thirteen Weeks Ended August 1, 2015      
Net sales $93,997
 $
 $93,997
Depreciation and amortization 2,292
 609
 2,901
Impairment of store assets 115
 
 115
Operating income (loss) 9,053
 (10,763) (1,710)
       
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 30, 2016      
Net sales $189,957
 $
 $189,957
Depreciation and amortization 4,746
 1,250
 5,996
Impairment of store assets 476
 
 476
Operating income (loss) 23,520
 (28,234) (4,714)
Total assets 105,274
 46,601
 151,875
       
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 1, 2015      
Net sales $185,618
 $
 $185,618
Depreciation and amortization 4,392
 1,225
 5,617
Impairment of store assets 115
 
 115
Operating income (loss) 20,448
 (24,654) (4,206)
Total assets 118,960
 80,909
 199,869

  Retail Corporate/  
  Operations Administrative Consolidated
Thirteen Weeks Ended July 29, 2017      
Net sales $86,618
 $
 $86,618
Depreciation and amortization 2,491
 676
 3,167
Impairment of long-lived assets 93
 
 93
Operating income (loss) 4,146
 (11,957) (7,811)
       
Thirteen Weeks Ended July 30, 2016      
Net sales $89,923
 $
 $89,923
Depreciation and amortization 2,360
 614
 2,974
Impairment of long-lived assets 309
 
 309
Operating income (loss) 7,878
 (11,638) (3,760)
       
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 29, 2017      
Net sales $175,173
 $
 $175,173
Depreciation and amortization 4,950
 1,316
 6,266
Impairment of long-lived assets 163
 
 163
Operating income (loss) 13,953
 (25,369) (11,416)
Total assets 91,705
 34,387
 126,092
       
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 30, 2016      
Net sales $189,957
 $
 $189,957
Depreciation and amortization 4,746
 1,250
 5,996
Impairment of long-lived assets 476
 
 476
Operating income (loss) 23,520
 (28,234) (4,714)
Total assets 105,274
 46,601
 151,875

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 201628, 2017 and our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Unless otherwise noted, transactions and other factors significantly impacting our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity are discussed in order of magnitude.
 
Executive Overview
 
We are a national specialty retailer featuring exclusively-designed, privately-branded women’s apparel and accessories. We offer our customer an assortment of unique, classic and versatile clothing that fits her everyday needs at a good value.
 
We operate an integrated, omni-channel platform that provides our customer the ability to shop when and where she wants, including online or at retail and outlet stores. This approach allows our customers to browse, purchase, return, or exchange our merchandise through the channel that is optimal for her.
 
As of July 30, 2016,29, 2017, we operated 506473 stores in 45 states, including 315320 Missy, Petite, Women ("MPW") stores, 8379 outlet stores, 5538 Christopher & Banks ("CB") stores, and 5336 C.J. Banks ("CJ") stores. Our CB brand offers unique fashions and accessories featuring exclusively designed assortments of women’s apparel in sizes 4 to 16 and in petite sizes 4P to 16P. Our CJC.J. Banks brand offers similar assortments of women’s apparel in sizes 14W to 26W.

We continue to evaluate the benefits of converting the remaining CB stores Our MPW concept and CJ stores to MPW stores. MPW stores provide a unified store format that simplifies merchandising and allocations processes, enhances the customer experience, and enables more scale economies across functions.

Outlet stores play a distinct role in the store fleet and are an important growth lever. These stores enable us to expand our customer reach to new geographies and heighten brand awareness. Our outlet stores contain a mixtureoffer an assortment of core merchandise, made-for-outlet merchandise,both Christopher & Banks and clearance merchandise. After opening 6 outlet stores thus farC.J. Banks apparel servicing the Missy, Petite and Women-sized customer in fiscal 2016, the company now operates 83 outlets, a near doubling of the outlet store count compared to two years ago. Due to the significant growth in outlets coupled with challenging performance, we are focused on improving the performance of the existing outlets and do not expect to add outlet locations for the near term. Beginning in fiscal 2017, we plan to partner with a vendor to design and develop exclusive seasonal collections that are intended to meet the needs of our outlet customer.one location.
 
Update on our Fiscal 20162017 Strategic Priorities
In fiscal 2016, we intend to continue our efforts to provide our customers with experiences that make her look and feel her best. Update
 
Our overall business strategy includes three keyis to build sustainable, long-term revenue growth and consistent profitability through the following strategic initiatives:

Bring the “special” back to our specialty storesOffer a differentiated product assortment
Increase brand awarenesscustomer loyalty, acquire new customers, and drive customer engagementrecapture lapsed customers
Leverage our omni-channel capabilities

Bring the “Special” Back to Our Specialty Stores
Offer a differentiated product assortment
We are committed to ensuring we consistently meet our customers’ needs with a differentiated stylesmerchandise assortment that fitfits her lifestyle.lifestyle at a recognizable value. We intend to increase the breadthflow of our fashion offeringsoffering and ensure frequent newnessprovide a more versatile assortment to encourage repeat visits and increased spend.  We also will continue our focus on expanding on our new categories to augment her wardrobe needs. 
Our focus remains on cultivating and delivering a true “specialty” shopping experience through exceptional customer service and inspirational merchandising presentations. We have a highly loyal customer base largely attributable to our shopping environment and our engaged, knowledgeable store associates. Our associates have long-term relationships with our customers to shop more frequently and understand their preferences to assist them in selecting styles that makes them look and feel their best. We believe this genuine service focus is a competitive advantage and is a key componentbuy more when she visits. To further support the newness of our omni-channel initiative.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2016, we completed changes to our in-store merchandise presentation and related visual elements to assist customers of all sizes more easily find the product they seek. Leveraging our retail analytic capabilities,presentations, we are also

analyzing our promotional cadence and adjusting our markdown strategy to increase inventory turnover to keep merchandise fresh and current.

working to optimize the depth of our product assortments, with the goal of improving merchandise availability to enable a more localized merchandise assortment by tailoring our offerings by market typeIncrease customer loyalty, acquire new customers, and customer size.

For the remainder of fiscal 2016, we expect ongoing momentum in both our denim and basic bottoms businesses through “slimming solution” programs along with continued improved in-stocks due to enhancements in our replenishment capabilities. In addition to anticipated sales increases in core knits, novelty knits, basic cardigans, wrinkle resistant shirts and heritage novelty jackets, we expect to generate sales growth in new businesses including branded merchandise, sleepwear, and footwear.
Increase Brand Awareness and Drive Engagement
recapture lapsed customers
We have a very loyal customer base that is highly engaged. As such, we intendThe personalized customer service that our Associates provide is a differentiator for us and is a contributor to continue to leveragethe loyalty our direct and digital marketing channels to encouragecustomers exhibit, with approximately 90% of our customer to shop more frequently and increase her spend with us. During the fiscal year, we also will be focused on increasingactive customers participating in our brand awareness in order to acquire new customers.  We intend to increase marketing spend to build the brand through refreshing our creative brand, look and feel, and by also expanding our marketing mix during the latter part of the year. loyalty rewards program.

We continue to be focused on maximizing the benefits of our customer relationship management ("CRM"(“CRM”) system database, and Friendship Rewards Loyalty Program (“Friendship Rewards”), and private-label credit card program to strengthen our engagement with our customers.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2016, we launched our redesigned Our Friendship Rewards loyalty program to further strengthen our customer retention by rewarding her for shopping more frequently and incenting her to earn more rewards. The more personalized reward system is differentiated by level of purchase activity and provides enhanced benefits as customers achieve the next reward level. Our loyalty program, in conjunction with our CRM system, will enableallows us to personalize communications and customize our offers. We also will continue to leverage our direct and digital marketing channels to encourage additional customer visits and increased spending per visit.

In the second half of fiscal 2016, we planWe are accelerating our efforts to re-engage customers that stopped shopping following the migration of their local CB or CJ store to the MPW format through targeted communications beginning in October.communications. We willare also workworking to gain new customers and brand awareness through increased investments in digital paid media, and a new Shoprunner affiliation that recently launched.earned media. Additionally, we intend to increaseare increasing the frequency of store grass root events that will continue to capitalize on the strong relationships between our store associates and customers.


In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we launched a “refer a friend” program to incentivize customers to introduce their friends to our brand. In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we will implement personalization on our eCommerce site and in emails to further strengthen our customer relationships.

Leverage Our Omni-Channel Capabilities
We continue to make significantwill capitalize on investments made in the development of our integrated, omni-channel strategy which is designed to provide customers a seamless retail experience together with the ability to shop when and where they want, including retail stores, outlet stores, online and mobile. Our omni-channelThese investments will enable us to address multiple customer touch points to drive spend and build brand affinity by providing a holisticcomprehensive view of our customer and our merchandise assortment and depth.

In fiscal 2017, we expect continued growth in eCommerce by leveraging our new platform launched in fiscal 2016, including improving personalization and enhanced site experiences. New omni-channel capabilities, including new fulfillment functionality, store grading and localized assortment planning, will support improved management of the receipt, allocation, and distribution of merchandise.

In second quarter of fiscal 2016,2017, we launched our new eCommerce website to serve as a valuable tool for“find in store” feature online in our customers andeffort to provide improved productmore convenience to our customers. We believe that providing more visibility into store inventory will help drive traffic to our stores where our associates can provide personalized service and visual presentation, additional site navigation tools, a simplified check out process,outfitting recommendations, and product recommendations. In addition, we have begun a roll-out of new point-of-sale hardware at all store locations thatultimately lead to increased customer spend. Later in fiscal 2017, we expect to completeoffer other fulfillment options, such as ship to store or pick up in the fourth quarter of this year.store.

We expect to complete the omni-channel capability roll-out in fiscal 2017.
Performance Measures

Management evaluates our financial results based on the following key measuresmeasure of performance:

Comparable sales
Comparable sales is a measure that highlights the performance of our store channel and ecommerceeCommerce channel sales by measuring the changes in sales over the comparable, prior-year period of equivalent length.

Our comparable sales calculation includes merchandise sales for:

Stores operating for at least 13 full months;
Stores relocated within the same mall;center; and
eCommerce sales.


Our comparable sales calculation excludes:

Stores converted to the MPW format for 13 full months post conversion.

We believe our eCommerce operations are interdependent with our brick-and-mortar store sales and, as such, we believe that reporting combined store and eCommerce comparable sales is a more appropriate presentation. Our customers are able to browse merchandise in one channel and consummate a transaction in a different channel. At the same time, our customers have the option to return merchandise to a store or our third-party distribution center, regardless of the original channel used for purchase.

As we continue to execute our MPW storeformat conversions, as part of our strategic initiatives, we have made changes to the base store populationspopulation that comprisecomprises comparable stores, as illustrated in the table below:

 July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
Stores by Format Total Store Count Comparable Sales Stores % of Comparable Sales Stores Total Store Count Comparable Sales Stores % of Comparable Sales Stores Total Store Count Comparable Sales Stores % of Comparable Sales Stores Total Store Count Comparable Sales Stores % of Comparable Sales Stores
MPW 315
 287
 91% 309
 127
 41% 320
 300
 94% 315
 287
 91%
Outlet 83
 53
 64% 65
 35
 54% 79
 77
 97% 83
 53
 64%
Christopher and Banks 55
 55
 100% 82
 82
 100% 38
 38
 100% 55
 55
 100%
C.J. Banks 53
 53
 100% 73
 73
 100% 36
 36
 100% 53
 53
 100%
Total Stores 506
 448
 89% 529
 317
 60% 473
 451
 95% 506
 448
 89%
 
Comparable sales calculationsmeasures vary across the retail industry. As a result, our comparable sales calculation is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

To supplement our comparable sales performance measure, we also monitor changes in net sales per store and net sales per gross square foot, gross profit per store, and gross margin per square foot for the entire store base.
Gross profit

Gross profit is equal to net sales minus merchandise, buying and occupancy costs.
Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, measure whether we are appropriately optimizing the price of our merchandise and markdown utilization.
Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs include the cost of merchandise, markdowns, shrink, freight, buyer and distribution center salaries, buyer travel, rent and other occupancy-related costs, various merchandise design and development costs, miscellaneous merchandise expenses and other costs related to our distribution network.
Buying and occupancy costs related to stores mostly represent a fixed charge and, as a result, should not change significantly with changes in sales.
Operating income
Operating income measures our ability to effectively manage operating costs relative to changes in sales volume. The key components of operating income include net sales, merchandise, buying and occupancy costs, selling, general, and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses.
Cash flow and liquidity
We closely manage our liquidity and access to capital resources. Our liquidity requirements depend on key variables, including our financial results, the level of investment necessary to support our business strategies, capital expenditures, and working capital management. Capital expenditures are a component of our cash flow which, to a large extent, we can adjust in response to economic and other changes in our business.


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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles used in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during a reporting period. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. As a result, actual results could differ because of the use of these estimates and assumptions.
Our critical accounting policies can be found in Note 1 - Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies or estimates in the first half of fiscal 2016.
Second Quarter Fiscal 20162017 Results of Operations

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data for the second quarter of fiscal 20162017 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2015:2016:
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended
(dollars in thousands) July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
Net sales $89,923
 $93,997
 $86,618
 $89,923
Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs 59,774
 63,061
 61,990
 59,774
Gross profit 30,149
 30,936
 24,628
 30,149
Other operating expenses:        
Selling, general and administrative 30,626
 29,630
 29,179
 30,626
Depreciation and amortization 2,974
 2,901
 3,167
 2,974
Impairment of store assets 309
 115
 93
 309
Total other operating expenses 33,909
 32,646
 32,439
 33,909
Operating loss (3,760) (1,710) (7,811) (3,760)
Interest expense, net (42) (33) (38) (42)
Loss before income taxes (3,802) (1,743) (7,849) (3,802)
Income tax provision (benefit) 82
 (1,033)
Income tax provision 40
 82
Net loss $(3,884) $(710) $(7,889) $(3,884)
        
        
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended
Rates as a percentage of net sales July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015
Rate trends as a percentage of net sales July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
Gross margin 33.5 % 32.9 % 28.4 % 33.5 %
Selling, general, and administrative 34.1 % 31.5 % 33.7 % 34.1 %
Depreciation and amortization 3.3 % 3.1 % 3.7 % 3.3 %
Operating loss (4.2)% (1.8)% (9.0)% (4.2)%
 
Second Quarter Fiscal 20162017 Summary
ComparableNet sales decreased 5.8% compared to a 12.9% decrease in the same period last year;
eCommerce sales increased 10.7%3.7% compared to the same period last year contributing approximately 2.0 percentage pointsprimarily due to a decline in average unit retail prices and a decrease in average store count, partly offset by a sequential improvement in traffic, leading to an increase in transactions;
Net sales sequentially improved through the second quarter reaching a positive single-digit comparable sales growth;% in fiscal July;
Sales per storeeCommerce sales increased 22.1% compared to a 10.8% increase the same period last year;
Gross margin rate decreased 3.4% and sales per square foot declined 5.5%510 basis points compared to the same period last year;year primarily driven by our efforts to sell through non go-forward product and address slow sellers more quickly through markdowns;
Net loss aggregated to $3.9$7.9 million, a $0.11$0.21 loss per share, compared to a net loss of $0.7$3.9 million, or a $0.02$0.11 loss per share, for the comparable prior year period;same period last year;
As of July 29, 2017, we held $22.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to $28.1 million as of July 30, 2016.

Net cash flow provided by operating activitiesSales
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Net sales (in thousands): July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 % Change
Net sales $86,618
 $89,923
 (3.7)%
The components of the 3.7% net sales decrease in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 totaled $4.5 million, a decrease of $1.5 million,2017 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2015 of $6.0 million; and

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2016 were as follows:

As of July 30, 2016, we held $28.1 million of cash, cash equivalents, and investments, compared to $34.5 million as of January 30, 2016.
Net Sales
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Net sales (in thousands): July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 % Change
Net sales $89,923
 $93,997
 (4.3)%
The components of the 4.3% net sales decrease in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2015 were as follows:
  
Thirteen
Weeks Ended
Sales driver change components July 30, 201629, 2017
Number of transactions (9.13.0)%
Units per transaction 1.80.9 %
Average unit retail price3.2 %
Other (0.27.6)%
Total sales driver change decreaseincrease (4.33.7)%
  
Thirteen
Weeks Ended
Comparable sales July 30, 201629, 2017
Comparable sales (5.80.6)%
 
Sales decreased in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2015, primarily due to continued deceleration in mall traffic leading to a comparable sales decrease of 5.8%, resulting in a7.6% decrease in the number of transactions,average unit retail prices, a 7.0% decline in average store count, partly offset by a sequential improvement in mall traffic, higher conversion rate, as well as, an increase in average unit retail price,rates and ana 0.9% increase in units per transaction. We attributeThe sales decrease was also correlated to lower inventory levels at the transaction declinebeginning of the quarter and promotional spend to softness insell through inventory that did not reflect our Outlet channel, a temporary decline in eCommerce sales during the transition to a new platform, a shift in the timing of merchandise promotions, including our May customer appreciation event, and underperformance in certain product categories.

To supplement our comparable sales measure, we also monitor changes in other store sales metrics as illustrated in the table below:
Thirteen
Weeks Ended
Store metricsJuly 30, 2016
Net sales per store % change(3.4)%
Net sales per square foot % change(5.5)%
Net sales per store and net sales per square foot percentage decreased comparedgo-forward strategy, contributing to the same period last year, mainly attributable to a decrease in the number of transactions, partly offset by a high conversion rate, as well as, an increasedecline in average unit retail price, and an increase in units per transaction.
Store count, openings, closings, and square footage for our stores for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 were as follows:

Table of Contents

  Store Count 
Square Footage (1)
  April 30,     MPW July 30, Avg Store July 30, April 30,
Stores by Format 2016 Open Close Conversions 2016 Count 2016 2016
MPW 317
 1
 (5) 2
 315
 316
 1,206
 1,211
Outlet 81
 2
 
 
 83
 82
 333
 326
Christopher and Banks 59
 
 (2) (2) 55
 57
 182
 195
C.J. Banks 55
 
 (1) (1) 53
 54
 190
 197
Total Stores 512
 3
 (8) (1) 506
 509
 1,911
 1,929
                 
(1)Square footage presented in thousands

Average store count in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was 509 stores compared to an average store count of 521 stores in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, a 2.3% decrease. Average square footage in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 decreased 0.3% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2015.
Gross Profit
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Gross profit July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Gross profit $30,149
 $30,936
 $(787)
Gross margin rate as a percentage of net sales 33.5% 32.9% 0.6%

Gross margin rate increased 62 basis points primarily due to higher merchandise margins partly offset by the effects of sales deleverage on occupancy expenses. Merchandise margin rate improvement is attributable to the benefit of improved initial mark-ups, partly offset by the effects of sale deleverage on occupancy costs.
To supplement our gross profit analysis, we also monitor changes in other store profit metrics as illustrated in the table below:
Thirteen
Weeks Ended
Store metricsJuly 30, 2016
Gross profit per store % change(2.4)%
Gross profit per square foot % change(4.6)%
Gross profit per store and gross profit per square foot percentage decreased, primarily attributable to the net sales decrease partly offset by the gross margin rate increase.
Selling, General, and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Selling, general, and administrative July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Selling, general, and administrative $30,626
 $29,630
 $996
SG&A rate as a percentage of net sales 34.1% 31.5% 2.6%
SG&A expenses increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2015 primarily due to incremental marketing expense of $0.8 million, including the add back of a direct mailer in July, higher medical costs of $0.7 million, higher net employee compensation expenses of $0.6 million, including a smaller incentive accrual reversal, and higher eCommerce operational and transition costs of $0.5 million, including a one-time expense to execute the eCommerce platform transition of $0.3 million, partly offset by reduced store operational expenses of $0.7 million, lower legal and advisory fees of $0.6 million, and various other expense reductions of $0.2 million. The SG&A rate increased 254 basis points mainly due to sales deleverage and increased SG&A spend.

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Depreciation and Amortization (“D&A”)
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Depreciation and amortization July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Depreciation and amortization $2,974
 $2,901
 $73
D&A rate as a percentage of net sales 3.3% 3.1% 0.2%
Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to the effects of new stores, MPW store conversions, and the deployment of technology solutions, including new omni-channel capabilities.

Impairment of Store Assets
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Impairment of store assets July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Impairment of store assets $309
 $115
 $194
We recorded non-cash impairment charges related to long-lived assets held at a small number of store locations.
Operating Loss
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Operating loss July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Operating loss $(3,760) $(1,710) $(2,050)
Operating loss rate as a percentage of net sales (4.2)% (1.8)% (2.4)%
Our operating loss increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to our operating loss in the same period last year primarily due to a net sales decrease of 4.3% and higher SG&A expenses of $1.0 million attributable to incremental marketing expenses, higher medical costs, higher net employee compensation expenses, and higher eCommerce operational and transition costs, partly offset by reduced store operational expenses and lower legal and advisory fees.
Interest expense, net
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Interest expense, net July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Interest expense, net $42
 $33
 $9
Interest expense, net rate as a percentage of net sales *
 *
 *
*Calculated results not meaningful
The change in interest expense, net is not material.
Income Tax Provision
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Income tax provision (benefit) July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Income tax provision (benefit) $82
 $(1,033) $1,115
Income tax rate as a percentage of net sales 0.1% (1.1)% 1.2%
We recorded income tax expense of approximately $0.1 million, with an effective tax rate of (2.2)% for the thirteen weeks ended July 30, 2016. For the thirteen weeks ended August 1, 2015, we recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $1.0 million with an effective tax rate of 59.3%. The decrease in the effective tax rate reflects the impact of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, our net operating loss, and the impact of permanent differences and state income taxes.

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Net earnings
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Net loss July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Net loss $(3,884) $(710) $(3,174)
Net loss rate as a percentage of net sales (4.3)% (0.8)% (3.5)%

Our net loss increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the same period last year, primarily due to a net sales decrease of 4.3%, higher SG&A and other operational expenses and the absence of an income tax benefit.

First Half Fiscal 2016 Results of Operations

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data for the first half of fiscal 2016 compared to the first half of fiscal 2015:
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
(dollars in thousands) July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015
Net sales $189,957
 $185,618
Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs 122,096
 122,473
Gross profit 67,861
 63,145
Other operating expenses:    
Selling, general and administrative 66,103
 61,619
Depreciation and amortization 5,996
 5,617
Impairment of store assets 476
 115
Total other operating expenses 72,575
 67,351
Operating loss (4,714) (4,206)
Interest expense, net (82) (40)
Other income 911
 
Loss before income taxes (3,885) (4,246)
Income tax provision (benefit) 167
 (2,094)
Net loss $(4,052) $(2,152)
     
     
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
Rates as a percentage of net sales July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015
Gross margin 35.7 % 34.0 %
Selling, general, and administrative 34.8 % 33.2 %
Depreciation and amortization 3.2 % 3.0 %
Operating loss (2.5)% (2.3)%

First Half Fiscal 2016 Summary

Comparable sales decreased 0.2% compared to a 12.3% decrease in the same period last year;
eCommerce sales increased 23.2% compared to the same period last year, contributing approximately 4.0 percentage points to comparable sales growth;
Sales per store increased 1.8%, while sales per square foot declined 0.7%, compared to the same period last year;
Net loss aggregated to $4.1 million, a $0.11 loss per share, compared to a net loss of $2.2 million, or a $0.06 loss per share, for the prior year period; and
Net cash flow used by operating activities in the first half of fiscal 2016 totaled $0.5 million, a $2.7 million cash consumption decrease, compared to operating cash flow used in the first half of fiscal 2015 of $3.2 million.

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Net Sales
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Net sales (in thousands): July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 % Change
Net sales $189,957
 $185,618
 2.3%

The components of the 2.3% net sales increase in the first half of fiscal 2016 compared to the first half of fiscal 2015 were as follows:
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
Sales change componentsJuly 30, 2016
Number of transactions(4.1)%
Units per transaction2.5 %
Average unit retail price3.8 %
Other0.1 %
Total sales driver change increase2.3 %
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
Comparable salesJuly 30, 2016
Comparable sales(0.2)%

Sales increased in the first half of fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to a balanced merchandise assortment, including depth in key merchandise categories, compelling visual presentations, and the absence of labor issues at West Coast ports which caused a disruption to our merchandise flow in late fiscal 2014 through the first part of fiscal 2015. The sales increase was partly offset by continued deceleration in mall traffic, softness in our Outlet channel, a shift in the timing of merchandise promotions, and underperformance in certain product categories.prices.

To supplement our comparable sales measure, we also monitor changes in other store sales metrics as illustrated in the table below:
  Twenty-Six 
Thirteen
Weeks Ended
Store metrics July 30, 201629, 2017
Net sales per store % change 1.8(0.7)%
Net sales per square foot % change (0.71.9)%

Net sales per store percentage increased compared to the same period last year, mainly attributable to the 2.3% increase in sales.and Net sales per square footagefoot decreased mostlymainly due to an increase in store sales that was lower than the increasea decline in average unit retail square footage.prices.

Store count, openings, closings, and square footage for our stores were as follows:
  Store Count 
Square Footage (1)
  April 29,     MPW July 29, Avg Store July 29, April 29,
Stores by Format 2017 Open Close Conversions 2017 Count 2017 2017
MPW 320
 
 
 
 320
 320
 1,241
 1,241
Outlet 82
 
 (3) 
 79
 80
 306
 329
Christopher and Banks 38
 
 
 
 38
 38
 126
 126
C.J. Banks 36
 
 
 
 36
 36
 130
 130
Total Stores 476
 
 (3) 
 473
 474
 1,803
 1,826
                 
(1)
Square footage presented in thousands

Average store count in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 was 474 stores compared to an average store count of 509 stores in the second quarter fiscal 2016, a decrease of 6.9%. Average square footage in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 decreased 5.7% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Gross Profit
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Gross profit July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Gross profit $24,628
 $30,149
 $(5,521)
Gross margin rate as a percentage of net sales 28.4% 33.5% (5.1)%

Gross margin rate decreased 510 basis points primarily driven by our efforts to sell through non go-forward product and address slow sellers more quickly through markdowns. The gross margin rate decline accelerated in the second quarter compared to the first quarter due to seasonal markdowns that typically occur at the end of the second quarter.

Selling, General, and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Selling, general, and administrative July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Selling, general, and administrative $29,179
 $30,626
 $(1,447)
SG&A rate as a percentage of net sales 33.7% 34.1% (0.4)%
SG&A decreased by $1.4 million, driven by lower store operating expenses of $1.4 million due to a managed effort to reduce expenses. The SG&A expense decrease was also attributable to the absence of non-recurring charges of eCommerce transition costs of $0.3 million incurred in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. These SG&A expense savings were partially offset by an increase in eCommerce operating expenses of $0.2 million to support higher eCommerce sales. As a percent of net sales, SG&A improved approximately 40 basis points to 33.7%.
Depreciation and Amortization (“D&A”)
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Depreciation and amortization July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Depreciation and amortization $3,167
 $2,974
 $193
D&A rate as a percentage of net sales 3.7% 3.3% 0.4%
Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to the deployment of technology solutions, including new omni-channel capabilities partly offset by the effects of the decrease in average store count.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Impairment of long-lived assets July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Impairment of long-lived assets $93
 $309
 $(216)
We recorded non-cash impairment charges related to long-lived assets held at store locations.
Operating Loss
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Operating loss July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Operating loss $(7,811) $(3,760) $(4,051)
Operating loss rate as a percentage of net sales (9.0)% (4.2)% (4.8)%
Our operating loss increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016 primarily due to a 510 basis point gross margin rate decline and net sales decrease of $3.3 million, partly offset by a SG&A decrease of $1.4 million, including the absence of fiscal 2016 non-recurring charges of $0.3 million.
Interest expense, net
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Interest expense, net July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Interest expense, net $(38) $(42) $4

The change in interest expense, net is not material.

Income Tax Provision
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Income tax provision July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Income tax provision $40
 $82
 $(42)
The change in the income tax provision is not material. For the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2017, our effective tax rate was (1.3)% compared to (2.2)% in the same period last year.
Net earnings
  Thirteen Weeks Ended  
Net loss July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Net loss $(7,889) $(3,884) $(4,005)
Net loss rate as a percentage of net sales (9.1)% (4.3)% (4.8)%

Our net loss increase in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to our net loss in the second quarter of 2016 was primarily due to a gross margin rate decline and a net sales decrease partly offset by lower SG&A.

First Half Fiscal 2017 Results of Operations

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data for the first half of fiscal 2017 compared to the first half of fiscal 2016:
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
(dollars in thousands) July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
Net sales $175,173
 $189,957
Merchandise, buying and occupancy costs 120,007
 122,096
Gross profit 55,166
 67,861
Other operating expenses:    
Selling, general and administrative 60,153
 66,103
Depreciation and amortization 6,266
 5,996
Impairment of store assets 163
 476
Total other operating expenses 66,582
 72,575
Operating loss (11,416) (4,714)
Interest expense, net (69) (82)
Other income 
 911
Loss before income taxes (11,485) (3,885)
Income tax provision 92
 167
Net loss $(11,577) $(4,052)
     
     
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
Rate trends as a percentage of net sales July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
Gross margin 31.5 % 35.7 %
Selling, general, and administrative 34.3 % 34.8 %
Depreciation and amortization 3.6 % 3.2 %
Operating loss (6.5)% (2.5)%


First Half Fiscal 2017 Summary
Net sales decreased 7.8% compared to the same period last year primarily due to a decline in average unit retail prices and a decrease in average store count;
Net sales sequentially improved from a 11.5% sales decline and a comparable sales decrease of 8.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 to a 3.7% sales decline and comparable sales decrease of 0.6% in the second quarter of fiscal 2017;
eCommerce sales increased 18.1% compared to a 27.2% increase the same period last year;
Gross margin rate decreased 420 basis points compared to the same period last year primarily driven by our second quarter efforts to sell through non go-forward product and address slow sellers more quickly through markdowns;
Net loss aggregated to $11.6 million, a $0.31 loss per share, compared to a net loss of $4.1 million, or a $0.11 loss per share, for the same period last year.

Net Sales
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Net sales (in thousands): July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 % Change
Net sales $175,173
 $189,957
 (7.8)%

The components of the 7.8% net sales decrease in the first half of fiscal 2017 compared to the first half of fiscal 2016 were as follows:

  Store Count 
Square Footage (1)
  January 30,     MPW July 30, Avg Store July 30, January 30,
Stores by Format 2016 Open Close Conversions 2016 Count 2016 2016
MPW 314
 2
 (6) 5
 315
 315
 1,206
 1,193
Outlet 77
 6
 
 
 83
 80
 333
 311
Christopher and Banks 67
 
 (7) (5) 55
 61
 182
 221
C.J. Banks 60
 
 (3) (4) 53
 56
 190
 214
Total Stores 518
 8
 (16) (4) 506
 512
 1,911
 1,939
                 
(1)Square footage presented in thousands

Table of Contents


Average store count in the first half of fiscal 2016 was 512 stores compared to an average store count of 520 stores in the first half of fiscal 2015, a 1.5% decrease. Average square footage in the first half of fiscal 2016 increased 1.0% compared to the first half of fiscal 2015.

Gross Profit
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Gross profit July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Gross profit $67,861
 $63,145
 $4,716
Gross margin rate as a percentage of net sales 35.7% 34.0% 1.7%

Gross margin rate increased 171 basis points, primarily due to higher merchandise margins and the effects of sales leverage partly offset by higher eCommerce transitional costs associated with temporarily running dual platforms. Merchandise margin rate improvement is attributable to the benefit of improved initial mark-ups and disciplined inventory management resulting in reduced markdowns.

To supplement our gross profit analysis, we also monitor changes in other store profit metrics as illustrated in the table below:
  
Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
Sales driver change componentsJuly 29, 2017
Number of transactions1.6 %
Units per transaction(0.6)%
Average unit retail(8.8)%
Total sales driver change increase(7.8)%

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
Comparable salesJuly 29, 2017
Comparable sales(4.1)%

Sales decreased primarily due to an 8.8% decrease in average unit retail prices, a 7.1% decline in average store count, continued weakness in mall traffic, and a 0.6% decrease in units per transaction, partly offset by higher conversion rates. The sales decrease was also correlated to lower inventory levels at the beginning of the year, lower inventory receipts in the first quarter and promotional spend to sell through inventory that did not reflect our go-forward strategy, contributing to the decline in average unit retail prices.

To supplement our comparable sales measure, we also monitor changes in other store sales metrics as illustrated in the table below:

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
Store metrics July 30, 201629, 2017
Gross profitNet sales per store % change 5.5(5.2)%
Gross profitNet sales per square foot % change 3.0(6.6)%

Gross profitNet sales per store and gross profitNet sales per square foot percentage increased, primarilydecreased mainly due to a decline in average unit retail prices.

Store count, openings, closings, and square footage for our stores were as follows:


  Store Count 
Square Footage (1)
  January 28,     MPW July 29, Avg Store July 29, January 28,
Stores by Format 2017 Open Close Conversions 2017 Count 2017 2017
MPW 318
 1
 (4) 5
 320
 319
 1,241
 1,226
Outlet 82
 
 (3) 
 79
 81
 306
 329
Christopher and Banks 43
 
 
 (5) 38
 39
 126
 142
C.J. Banks 41
 
 
 (5) 36
 37
 130
 147
Total Stores 484
 1
 (7) (5) 473
 476
 1,803
 1,844
(1)
Square footage presented in thousands

Average store count in the first half of fiscal 2017 was 476 stores compared to an average store count of 512 stores in the same period of fiscal 2016, a decrease of 7.0%. Average square footage in the first half of fiscal 2017 decreased 5.7% compared to the same period of fiscal 2016.

Gross Profit
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Gross profit July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Gross profit $55,166
 $67,861
 $(12,695)
Gross margin rate as a percentage of net sales 31.5% 35.7% (4.2)%

Gross margin rate decreased 420 basis points primarily driven by our efforts to sell through non go-forward product and address slow sellers more quickly through markdowns, and to a lesser extent, the effects of sales leverage on occupancy expenses. The gross margin rate increasedecline accelerated in the second quarter compared to the first quarter due to higher merchandise margins and higher sales.seasonal markdowns that typically occur at the end of the second quarter.

Selling, General, and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses
 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Selling, general, and administrative July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Selling, general, and administrative $66,103
 $61,619
 $4,484
 $60,153
 $66,103
 $(5,950)
SG&A rate as a percentage of net sales 34.8% 33.2% 1.6% 34.3% 34.8% (0.5)%

SG&A decreased by $5.9 million, driven by lower store operating expenses increased in the first half of fiscal 2016 as compared$3.2 million and lower net employee compensation expenses of $1.2 million. The SG&A expense decrease was also attributable to the first halfabsence of fiscal 2015, primarily due to incremental marketing expensesnon-recurring charges of $1.4$2.2 million, including investments in brand awareness and the add back of a direct mailer, higher advisory fees in connection with shareholder activism of $1.3$1.5 million higher medical costs of $1.3 million,and eCommerce transition costs of $0.7 million andincurred in the first half of fiscal 2016. These SG&A expense savings were partially offset by an increase in eCommerce operating expenses of $1.0 million to support higher eCommerce operational costssales. As a percent of $0.5 million, and higher net employee compensation expenses of $0.6 million, including a smaller incentive accrual reversal, partly offset by reduced store operational spend of $0.8 million and lower professional fees of $0.5 million. Thesales, SG&A rate increased 160improved approximately 50 basis points mainly due to increased SG&A spend partly offset by sales leverage.34.3%.

Depreciation and Amortization (“D&A”)
 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Depreciation and amortization July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Depreciation and amortization $5,996
 $5,617
 $379
 $6,266
 $5,996
 $270
D&A rate as a percentage of net sales 3.2% 3.0% 0.2% 3.6% 3.2% 0.4%

Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to the effects of new stores, MPW store conversions, and the deployment of technology solutions, including new omni-channel capabilities.


Tablecapabilities partly offset by the effects of Contents
the decrease in average store count.

Impairment of StoreLong-Lived Assets
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Impairment of Store Assets July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Impairment of Store Assets $476
 $115
 $361
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Impairment of long-lived assets July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Impairment of long-lived assets $163
 $476
 $(313)

We recorded non-cash impairment charges related to long-lived assets held at a small number of store locations.

Operating Loss
 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Operating loss July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Operating loss $(4,714) $(4,206) $(508) $(11,416) $(4,714) $(6,702)
Operating loss rate as a percentage of net sales (2.5)% (2.3)% (0.2)% (6.5)% (2.5)% (4.0)%

Our operating loss increased in the first half of fiscal 20162017 compared to our operating loss in the same period last year,first half of fiscal 2016 primarily due to higher SG&A expensesa 420 basis point gross margin rate decline and a net sales decrease of $4.5 million attributable to $2.0 million of non-recurring charges, including advisory fees of $1.3 million in connection with shareholder activism and eCommerce transition costs to a new platform of $0.7 million, incremental marketing expenses of $1.4 million, higher medical costs of $1.3 million, higher net employee compensation expenses of $0.6 million, including a smaller incentive accrual reversal, and higher eCommerce operational costs of $0.5$14.8 million, partly offset by a gross margin rate increaseSG&A decrease of 171 basis points, an increase in sales, reduced store operational spend$5.9 million, including the absence of $0.8 million and lower professional feesfiscal 2016 non-recurring charges of $0.5$2.2 million.

Interest expense, net
 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Interest expense, net July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Interest expense, net $82
 $40
 $42
 $(69) $(82) $13
Interest expense, net rate as a percentage of net sales *
 *
 *

The change in interest expense, net is not material.

Other income
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Other Income July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Other income $911
 $
 $911
Other income rate 0.5% % 0.5%
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Other income July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Other income $
 $911
 $(911)

Other income in the first halfsecond quarter of fiscal 2016 reflects the receipt of proceeds from company-owned life insurance.

Income Tax Provision
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Income tax provision (benefit) July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change
Income tax provision (benefit) $167
 $(2,094) $2,261
Income tax rate as a percentage of net sales 0.1% (1.1)% 1.2%
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Income tax provision July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Income tax provision $92
 $167
 $(75)

We recordedThe change in the income tax expense of approximately $0.2 million, with an effective tax rate of (4.3)% for the first half of fiscal 2016.provision is not material. For the first half of fiscal 2015, we recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $2.1 million with an2017, our effective tax rate of 49.3%. The decreasewas (1.5)% compared to (4.3)% in the effective tax rate reflects the impact of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, our net operating loss, as well as the impact of permanent differences and state income taxes.same period last year.


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Net earnings
 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
Net loss July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 Change July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 Change
Net loss $(4,052) $(2,152) $(1,900) $(11,577) $(4,052) $(7,525)
Net loss rate as a percentage of net sales (2.1)% (1.2)% (0.9)% (6.6)% (2.1)% (4.5)%

Our net loss increasedecrease in the first half of fiscal 20162017 compared to our net loss in the same period last year isfirst half of 2016 was primarily due to higher SG&A and other operational expensesa gross margin rate decline, a net sales decrease, and the absence of an income tax benefit,company-owned life insurance proceeds partly offset by a gross margin rate increase and 2.3% increase in sales.lower SG&A.
 
Third Quarter 2016Fiscal 2017 Outlook
 
Based onWe are implementing a number of strategic initiatives addressing merchandising, marketing, eCommerce and store operations designed to stabilize the business and drive more consistent financial performance going forward. Given the number of changes and time required to rebalance the merchandise assortment, we will not be providing sales trends through August, we expect third quarter net sales of between $102.0 million and $106.0 million, compared to $103.6 million inEPS guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, we expect gross margin to be 35.0% to 36.0% as compared to last year's third-quarter gross margin of 35.8%, driven by slightly higher merchandise margins and potentially offset by sales deleverage at the low end of the third quarter sales range.

We expect SG&A dollars to be between $33.0 million and $33.6 million, compared to $33.6 million of SG&A expense in the third quarter last year. The expected SG&A decrease is attributable to lower store operational expenses and reduced professional fees offset in part by increased marketing expenditures and higher e-commerce expenses associated with increased sales, as compared to the same period last year. We continue to analyze our SG&A structure and other opportunities to reduce costs.

We expect depreciation and amortization to be approximately $3.3 million, compared to $3.1 million in the third quarter of last year.

We expect inventory to be essentially flat compared to the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2015.near term.

During the third quarter,remainder of fiscal 2017, we anticipate closing 1 MPW store and plan to openclose 2 MPW stores, 1 Outlet and 1 CB store. In addition, we plan to convert 1 CB and 1 CJ store into 1 MPW store. The averageAverage square footage for the year is expected to be down 3.6% year-over-year.
2016 Outlook 
No new stores are planned for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

At the end of fiscal 2016, we have approximately 53 CB and CJ coterminous leases expiring, which are targeted for either being collapsed and combined or combined through relocation. In addition, we have MPW stores with natural lease expirations which we are analyzing to determine if a lease renewal is appropriate.

We expect the average square footage for the year to be down approximately 1.6%,5.3% as compared to fiscal 2015.2016 and down 5.6% in the third quarter.

We expect capital expenditures for the year to berange between $12.0$6.5 million and $12.5$7.5 million representing investments in new stores as well as expenditures associated with completingstore relocations, merchandising technology applications, and the technology aspectdevelopment of our Customer First initiative.omni-channel capabilities.

We expect our taxes for the year to be nominal and to represent minimum fees and taxes.

We expect the 53rd week in fiscal 2017 to add approximately $4.2 million in sales and to reduce operating income by approximately $1.6 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 

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Cash flow and liquidity
 
Summary
 
We expect to operate our business and execute our strategic initiatives principally with funds generated from operations and, if necessary, from our amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank N.A (“Wells Fargo”), subject to compliance with theall covenants and other financial covenant and the other termsprovisions of the Credit Facility. Cash flow from operations has historically been sufficient to provide for our uses of cash.

The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents and investments as of the end of the first halfsecond quarter of fiscal 20162017 and the end of fiscal 2015:2016:
 
(in thousands) July 30, 2016 January 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 January 28, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents $28,091
 $31,506
 $22,573
 $35,006
Short-term investments 
 3,015
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments $28,091
 $34,521
 
The $6.4$12.4 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents andis primarily attributable the the net loss for the first half of fiscal 2017, investments is mainly attributable to our use of cash to invest in new stores, MPW store conversions and omni-channel capabilities, and changes in addition to higher advisory fees in connectionworking capital. The working capital fluctuations are generally in-line with shareholder activism.normal, seasonal patterns.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the first half of fiscal 20162017 compared to the first half of 2015:2016:
 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
(in thousands) July 30, 2016 August 1, 2015 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
Net cash used in operating activities $(520) $(3,232) $(9,277) $(520)
Net cash used in investing activities (2,872) (10,406) (3,150) (2,872)
Net cash used in financing activities (23) (26) (6) (23)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $(3,415) $(13,664) $(12,433) $(3,415)
 
Operating Activities

The decrease in cash used in operating activities in the first half of fiscal 20162017 compared to the first half of fiscal 20152016 was primarily due to changes in working capital and other non-cash charges partly offset by an increase in the net loss for the twenty-six week period.period and changes in working capital. The changes in working capital primarily reflect an increasereflected the effects of a decrease in accrued liabilities, primarily due to higher eCommercepayouts pertaining to a loss contingency, employee compensation, and timing of obligations to third-party service contract obligations, which wereproviders, partly offset by increased inventory levelsan increase in accounts payable due to the timing of fashion merchandise receipts and lower sales.inventory receipts.




Investing Activities

The decreaseincrease in cash used in investing activities in the first half of fiscal 20162017 compared to the first half of fiscal 20152016 was mainly attributable to a deceleration in the paceabsence of investments in new storesavailable-for-sale investment maturities and MPW store conversions.the absence of proceeds from company-owned life insurance. Capital expenditures for the first half of fiscal 20162017 were approximately $6.8$3.2 million, which primarily reflected investments in new storesMPW store conversions and in technology associated with our Customer First initiative.omni-channel capabilities.

Financing Activities

Financing activities in the first half of fiscal 20162017 and 20152016 were limited to a small number of shares redeemed by employees to satisfy payroll tax obligations in connection with the vesting of those shares.obligations.

We did not pay any dividends in the first half of fiscal 2016.2017. We have not paid any dividends in the last three fiscal years.
 

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Sources of Liquidity

Funds generated by operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents, investments and our Credit Facility are our most significant sources of liquidity. We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to sustain operations and to finance anticipated capital investments and strategic initiatives over the next twelve months. However, in the event our liquidity is not sufficient to meet our operating needs, we may be required to limit our spending. There can be no assurance that we will continue to generate cash flows at or above current levels or that we will be able to maintain our ability to borrow under our Credit Facilityexisting facilities or obtain additional financing, if necessary, on favorable terms.

The Credit Facility with Wells Fargo was most recently amended and extended on September 8, 2014. The current expiration date is September 8, 2019. The Credit Facility provides the Company with revolving credit loans of up to $50.0 million in the aggregate, subject to a borrowing base formula based primarily on eligible credit card receivables, inventory and real estate, as such terms are defined in the Credit Facility, and up to $10.0 million of which may be drawn in the form of standby and documentary letters of credit.

The Company had no revolving credit loan borrowings under the Credit Facility during each of the twenty-six week periods ended July 29, 2017, and July 30, 2016. The total Borrowing Base at July 29, 2017 was approximately $36.5 million. As of July 29, 2017, the Company had open on-demand letters of credit of approximately $0.9 million. Accordingly, after reducing the Borrowing Base for the open letters of credit and the required minimum availability of the greater of $3.0 million, or 10.0% of the Borrowing Base, the net availability of revolving credit loans under the Credit Facility was approximately $32.0 million at July 29, 2017.

See Note 65 - Credit Facility for additional details regarding our Credit Facility, including a description of the sole financial covenant, with which we were in compliance as of July 30, 2016.29, 2017.
 
Sourcing

There have been no material changes to our ratio of imports to total merchandise purchases or concentration of supplier purchases in the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 201629, 2017 compared to the fiscal 20152016 year ended January 30, 2016.28, 2017.

Quarterly Results and Seasonality

Our quarterly results may fluctuate significantly depending on a number of factors, including general economic conditions, consumer confidence, customer response to our seasonal merchandise mix, timing of new store openings, adverse weather conditions, and shifts in the timing of certain holidays and shifts in the timing of promotional events.
Inflation
We do not believe that inflation had a material effect on our results of operations for the thirteen week and twenty-six week periods ended July 29, 2017.

Forward-Looking Statements

We may make forward-looking statements reflecting our current views with respect to future events and financial performance.  These forward-looking statements, which may be included in reports filed under the Exchange Act, in press releases and in other documents and materials as well as in written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in Item 1A - Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016,28, 2017, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated.

The words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “should,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21e of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as enacted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). In particular, we desire to take advantage of the protections of the PSLRA in connection with the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. In addition, we wish to advise readers that the factors listed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 201628, 2017, as well as other factors, could affect our performance and could cause our actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed in the quarterly report on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
For a discussion of our exposure to, and management of our market risks, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016.28, 2017. There have been no material changes to our exposure to, and management of our market risks in the thirteen weeks ended July 30, 2016.29, 2017. 



ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

The Company carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”), under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of July 29, 2017 the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level as of July 30, 2016.level.
 
Changes in Internal Controls
 
There were no significant changes in our internal controls that could materially affect our disclosure controls and procedures subsequent to the Evaluation Date. Furthermore, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended July 30, 201629, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We areThe Company is subject, from time to time, to various claims, lawsuits or actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. AlthoughWe accrue for loss contingencies associated with outstanding litigation or legal claims for which management has determined it

is probable that a loss contingency exists and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In connection with a preliminary settlement of pre-litigation employment claims reached in February 2017, we established a loss contingency of $1.475 million as of January 28, 2017. In connection therewith, on April 13, 2017, a complaint was filed in state Circuit Court in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida (the “Florida Circuit Court”) by three named plaintiffs in a purported class action asserting claims on behalf of current and former store managers. The plaintiffs principally alleged that they and other similarly situated store managers were improperly classified as exempt employees and thus not compensated for overtime work as required under applicable federal and state law. On May 4, 2017, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the named plaintiffs and the proposed class. On May 8, 2017, the Florida Circuit Court issued an order approving the class settlement. As approved by the Florida Circuit Court, certain current and former store managers will be eligible to receive payments in connection with time worked in prior years. The settlement of the lawsuit is not an admission by us of any liability that could arise with respectwrongdoing.

As part of the settlement, the Company contributed $1.475 million into a settlement fund in the second fiscal quarter of 2017. Any funds remaining after payment of all submitted claims and related settlement fund costs and expenses will revert to any current proceedings cannotthe Company. A final resolution of the matter and the dissolution of the settlement fund is expected by the end of this fiscal year. While the ultimate amount of the claims paid under the settlement is likely to be accurately predicted, management doesless than the Company has recorded, the difference is not expect any such liabilityexpected to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position or liquidity.

The ultimate resolution of legal matters can be inherently uncertain and for some matters, we are currently unable to predict the ultimate outcome, determine whether a liability has been incurred or make an estimate of the reasonably possible liability that could result from an unfavorable outcome because of these uncertainties. The Company does not, however, currently believe that the resolution of any pending matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
 
In addition to the other information discussed in this report, the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal yearperiod ended January 30, 2016,28, 2017, should be considered as they could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have not been any material changes with respect to the risks described in our 20152016 Form 10-K, but these are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.


ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS
 
ExhibitDescription
10.1**10.1Form of Christopher & Banks Corporation 2013 Directors' Equity Incentive Plan, as amended on June 30, 2016Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 5, 2016)June 20, 2017)
10.2**FormRetention Agreement, effective as of July 25, 2017, by and between Christopher & Banks Corporation Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Christopher & Banks Corporation 2013 Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 5, 2016)
10.3**Form of Christopher & Banks Corporation Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Christopher & Banks Corporation 2014 Stock Incentive Planand Marc A. Ungerman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K8-K/A filed on AugustJuly 26, 2016)
10.4**Form of Christopher & Banks Corporation Time-Based Restricted Stock Agreement under the Christopher & Banks Corporation 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2016)2017)
31.1*Certification of Interim Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*Certification of the Interim Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*Certification of the Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101*Financial statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Christopher & Banks Corporation for the fiscal quarter ended July 30, 2016,29, 2017, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language ("XBRL"): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
*   Filed with this report
** Management agreement or compensatory plan or arrangement


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 CHRISTOPHER & BANKS CORPORATION
    
Dated: September 1, 2016August 30, 2017By: /s/ LuAnn ViaJoel Waller
   LuAnn ViaJoel Waller
   Interim President, and Chief Executive Officer and Director
   (Principal Executive Officer)
    
Dated: September 1, 2016August 30, 2017By: /s/ Peter G. MichieluttiMarc Ungerman
   Peter G. MichieluttiMarc Ungerman
   Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer andInterim Chief Financial Officer
   (Principal Financial Officer)


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