Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022

or

     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to             

Commission File Number: 001-33767

Graphic

LL Flooring Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

27-1310817

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4901 Bakers Mill Lane

Richmond, Virginia

23230

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(800366-4204

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:

Trading Symbol:

Name of exchange on which registered:

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

LL

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 of 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.    Yes    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

  Large accelerated filer

  Accelerated filer

  Non-accelerated filer

  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 Exchange Act).    Yes     No

As of July 29,October 28, 2022, there are 29,337,31429,301,879 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value of $0.001 per share, outstanding.

Table of Contents

LL FLOORING HOLDINGS, INC.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

2

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

2

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

1615

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

2827

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2827

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

2827

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

2827

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

2827

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

2928

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

2928

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

2928

Item 5.

Other Information

2928

Item 6.

Exhibits

2928

Signatures

3130

1

Table of Contents

PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

LL Flooring Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, in thousands)

June 30, 

December 31, 

September 30, 

December 31, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Assets

Current Assets:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

5,032

$

85,189

$

6,051

$

85,189

Merchandise Inventories

358,804

254,385

365,622

254,385

Prepaid Expenses

10,959

9,160

11,200

9,160

Other Current Assets

14,995

11,094

16,673

11,094

Total Current Assets

389,790

359,828

399,546

359,828

Property and Equipment, net

100,148

96,926

100,555

96,926

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets

123,756

119,510

124,531

119,510

Goodwill

9,693

9,693

9,693

9,693

Net Deferred Tax Assets

11,469

11,336

11,285

11,336

Other Assets

6,404

8,599

6,209

8,599

Total Assets

$

641,260

$

605,892

$

651,819

$

605,892

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current Liabilities:

Accounts Payable

$

88,954

$

63,464

$

62,103

$

63,464

Customer Deposits and Store Credits

58,427

67,063

48,877

67,063

Accrued Compensation

8,042

10,128

7,592

10,128

Sales and Income Tax Liabilities

5,560

4,297

3,887

4,297

Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements

23,799

33,611

22,881

33,611

Operating Lease Liabilities - Current

34,064

33,060

34,293

33,060

Other Current Liabilities

27,093

20,717

25,073

20,717

Total Current Liabilities

245,939

232,340

204,706

232,340

Other Long-Term Liabilities

6,979

4,268

6,965

4,268

Operating Lease Liabilities - Long-Term

100,073

97,163

100,861

97,163

Credit Agreement

15,000

69,000

Total Liabilities

367,991

333,771

381,532

333,771

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders’ Equity:

Common Stock ($0.001 par value; 35,000 shares authorized; 30,733 and 30,536 shares issued and 28,680 and 29,113 shares outstanding, respectively)

31

31

Treasury Stock, at cost (2,053 and 1,423 shares, respectively)

(153,244)

(145,337)

Common Stock ($0.001 par value; 35,000 shares authorized; 30,743 and 30,536 shares issued and 28,686 and 29,113 shares outstanding, respectively)

31

31

Treasury Stock, at cost (2,057 and 1,423 shares, respectively)

(153,284)

(145,337)

Additional Capital

230,086

227,804

230,918

227,804

Retained Earnings

196,396

189,623

192,622

189,623

Total Stockholders’ Equity

273,269

272,121

270,287

272,121

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$

641,260

$

605,892

$

651,819

$

605,892

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

2

Table of Contents

LL Flooring Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Net Sales

Net Merchandise Sales

$

257,569

$

259,542

$

501,840

$

509,585

$

229,204

$

240,802

$

731,044

$

750,388

Net Services Sales

41,388

41,842

76,149

75,249

39,617

41,427

115,766

116,675

Total Net Sales

298,957

301,384

577,989

584,834

268,821

282,229

846,810

867,063

Cost of Sales

Cost of Merchandise Sold

160,527

156,597

307,946

298,607

142,041

144,307

449,987

442,914

Cost of Services Sold

31,680

32,057

59,214

57,905

31,198

32,721

90,412

90,626

Total Cost of Sales

192,207

188,654

367,160

356,512

173,239

177,028

540,399

533,540

Gross Profit

106,750

112,730

210,829

228,322

95,582

105,201

306,411

333,523

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

102,087

96,116

201,112

198,602

99,692

93,165

300,804

291,767

Operating Income

4,663

16,614

9,717

29,720

Operating (Loss) Income

(4,110)

12,036

5,607

41,756

Other Expense (Income)

199

498

184

(270)

646

18

830

(252)

Income Before Income Taxes

4,464

16,116

9,533

29,990

Income Tax Expense

1,728

 

4,127

2,760

7,379

Net Income and Comprehensive Income

$

2,736

$

11,989

$

6,773

$

22,611

(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes

(4,756)

12,018

4,777

42,008

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

(982)

 

3,239

1,778

10,618

Net (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income

$

(3,774)

$

8,779

$

2,999

$

31,390

Net Income per Common Share—Basic

$

0.09

$

0.41

$

0.23

$

0.78

Net Income per Common Share—Diluted

$

0.09

$

0.41

$

0.23

$

0.77

Net (Loss) Income per Common Share—Basic

$

(0.13)

$

0.30

$

0.10

$

1.08

Net (Loss) Income per Common Share—Diluted

$

(0.13)

$

0.30

$

0.10

$

1.06

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

28,927

 

29,042

 

28,856

28,993

 

28,668

 

29,082

 

28,859

28,984

Diluted

 

29,065

 

29,488

 

29,079

29,543

 

28,668

 

29,455

 

29,010

29,494

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

3

Table of Contents

LL Flooring Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited, in thousands)

Total

Total

Common Stock

Treasury Stock

Additional

Retained

Stockholders'

Common Stock

Treasury Stock

Additional

Retained

Stockholders'

    

Shares

    

Value

    

Shares

    

Value

    

Capital

    

Earnings

    

Equity

    

Shares

    

Value

    

Shares

    

Value

    

Capital

    

Earnings

    

Equity

March 31, 2021

29,025

$

30

 

1,373

$

(144,352)

$

223,899

$

158,547

$

238,124

June 30, 2021

29,063

$

30

 

1,392

$

(144,788)

$

225,287

$

170,536

$

251,065

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

 

 

 

 

1,365

 

 

1,365

 

1,349

 

1,349

Exercise of Stock Options

 

3

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

23

Release of Restricted Shares

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

Common Stock Repurchased

 

 

 

19

 

(436)

 

 

 

(436)

 

15

(290)

 

(290)

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,989

 

11,989

 

8,779

 

8,779

June 30, 2021

 

29,063

$

30

 

1,392

$

(144,788)

$

225,287

$

170,536

$

251,065

September 30, 2021

 

29,089

$

30

 

1,407

$

(145,078)

$

226,636

$

179,315

$

260,903

March 31, 2022

 

29,228

$

31

 

1,474

$

(146,147)

$

228,959

$

193,660

$

276,503

June 30, 2022

 

28,680

$

31

 

2,053

$

(153,244)

$

230,086

$

196,396

$

273,269

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

1,113

1,113

 

832

832

Exercise of Stock Options

 

1

14

14

Release of Restricted Shares

 

22

 

6

Common Stock Repurchased

 

(571)

579

(7,097)

(7,097)

 

4

(40)

(40)

Net Income

 

2,736

2,736

June 30, 2022

 

28,680

$

31

 

2,053

$

(153,244)

$

230,086

$

196,396

$

273,269

Net Loss

 

(3,774)

(3,774)

September 30, 2022

 

28,686

$

31

 

2,057

$

(153,284)

$

230,918

$

192,622

$

270,287

Total

Total

Common Stock

Treasury Stock

Additional

Retained

Stockholders'

Common Stock

Treasury Stock

Additional

Retained

Stockholders'

    

Shares

    

Value

    

Shares

    

Value

    

Capital

    

Earnings

    

Equity

    

Shares

    

Value

    

Shares

    

Value

    

Capital

    

Earnings

    

Equity

December 31, 2020

28,911

$

30

 

1,318

$

(142,977)

$

222,628

$

147,925

$

227,606

28,911

$

30

 

1,318

$

(142,977)

$

222,628

$

147,925

$

227,606

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

 

 

 

 

2,596

 

 

2,596

 

3,945

 

3,945

Exercise of Stock Options

 

6

 

 

 

 

63

 

 

63

 

6

63

 

63

Release of Restricted Shares

 

146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

172

 

Common Stock Repurchased

 

 

 

74

 

(1,811)

 

 

 

(1,811)

 

89

(2,101)

 

(2,101)

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,611

 

22,611

 

31,390

 

31,390

June 30, 2021

 

29,063

$

30

 

1,392

$

(144,788)

$

225,287

$

170,536

$

251,065

September 30, 2021

 

29,089

$

30

 

1,407

$

(145,078)

$

226,636

$

179,315

$

260,903

December 31, 2021

 

29,113

$

31

 

1,423

$

(145,337)

$

227,804

$

189,623

$

272,121

 

29,113

$

31

 

1,423

$

(145,337)

$

227,804

$

189,623

$

272,121

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

1,986

1,986

 

2,818

2,818

Exercise of Stock Options

 

21

296

296

 

21

296

296

Release of Restricted Shares

 

117

 

123

Common Stock Repurchased

 

(571)

630

(7,907)

(7,907)

 

(571)

634

(7,947)

(7,947)

Net Income

 

6,773

6,773

 

2,999

2,999

June 30, 2022

 

28,680

$

31

 

2,053

$

(153,244)

$

230,086

$

196,396

$

273,269

September 30, 2022

 

28,686

$

31

 

2,057

$

(153,284)

$

230,918

$

192,622

$

270,287

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

4

Table of Contents

LL Flooring Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30, 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

2022

    

2021

2022

    

2021

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

  

 

  

  

 

  

Net Income

$

6,773

$

22,611

$

2,999

$

31,390

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

9,047

 

9,282

 

13,723

 

13,985

Deferred Income Taxes Provision

 

(133)

 

28

 

51

 

28

Income on Vouchers Redeemed for Legal Settlements

(750)

(821)

(1,051)

(1,183)

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

1,986

 

2,596

 

2,818

 

3,945

Provision for Inventory Obsolescence Reserves

292

1,420

742

1,784

Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Fixed Assets

 

(1)

 

18

Gain on Disposal of Fixed Assets

 

 

31

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Merchandise Inventories

 

(106,004)

 

17,583

 

(113,828)

 

15,683

Accounts Payable

 

25,036

 

(596)

 

(1,619)

 

(17,277)

Customer Deposits and Store Credits

 

(8,636)

 

6,342

 

(18,186)

 

8,832

Accrued Compensation

(2,086)

(4,633)

(2,536)

(6,144)

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

(3,327)

 

293

 

(4,861)

 

(792)

Advertising Accrual

6,141

1,086

Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements

 

293

 

7,733

 

293

 

7,733

Payments for Legal Matters and Settlements

(8,062)

(62)

(8,123)

(101)

Other Assets and Liabilities

 

3,449

 

(9,546)

 

5,814

 

(7,634)

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities

 

(75,982)

 

53,334

 

(123,764)

 

50,280

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

Purchases of Property and Equipment

 

(11,628)

 

(7,435)

 

(16,787)

 

(12,276)

Proceeds from Disposal of Fixed Assets

 

64

 

57

 

64

 

58

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

(11,564)

 

(7,378)

 

(16,723)

 

(12,218)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

Borrowings on Credit Agreement

51,500

201,000

Payments on Credit Agreement

(36,500)

(101,000)

(132,000)

(101,000)

Proceeds from the Exercise of Stock Options

296

64

296

64

Common Stock Repurchased

 

(7,907)

 

(1,811)

 

(7,947)

 

(2,101)

Other Financing Activities

 

 

(755)

 

 

(755)

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

 

7,389

 

(103,502)

 

61,349

 

(103,792)

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(80,157)

 

(57,546)

 

(79,138)

 

(65,730)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year

 

85,189

 

169,941

 

85,189

 

169,941

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year

$

5,032

$

112,395

$

6,051

$

104,211

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Relief of Inventory for Vouchers Redeemed for Legal Settlements

$

1,293

$

1,498

$

1,849

$

1,944

Tenant Improvement Allowance for Leases

(742)

(765)

(1,148)

(1,053)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

5

Table of Contents

LL Flooring Holdings, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 1.       Basis of Presentation

LL Flooring Holdings, Inc., formerly Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc., and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively and, where applicable, individually, “LL Flooring” or the “Company”) engage in business as a multi-channel specialty retailer of hard-surface flooring, and hard-surface flooring enhancements and accessories, operating as a single operating segment. The Company offers an extensive assortment direct to the consumerof hard-surface flooring including waterproof hybrid resilient, waterproof vinyl plank, solid and engineered hardwood, laminate, bamboo, tile, and cork, with a wide range of flooring enhancements and accessories to complement. The Company also provides in-home delivery and installation services to its customers. The Company primarily sells to homeownersconsumers or to Pros on behalf of homeownersconsumers through a network of store locations in metropolitan areas. At JuneSeptember 30, 2022, the Company’s 437439 stores spanned 47 states in the United States (“U.S.”). In addition to the store locations, the Company’s products may be ordered, and customer questions/concerns addressed, through both its customer contact center in Richmond, Virginia, and its digital platform, LLFlooring.com.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments except those otherwise described herein) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. However, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. Therefore, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

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

Note 2.       Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and other liabilities approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of these items. The carrying value of the revolving credit facility approximates fair value due to the variable rate of interest.

Merchandise Inventories

The Company values merchandise inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The method by which amounts are removed from inventory is weighted average cost. All of the hardwood flooring purchased from vendors is either prefinished or unfinished, and in immediate saleable form. The Company relies on a select group of international and domestic suppliers to provide imported flooring products that meet the Company’s specifications. Both international and domestic inventory is subject to increased cost as a result of inflation. The Company is subject to risks associated with obtaining products from abroad, including disruptions or delays in production, shipments, supply chain, delivery or processing, including due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Included in merchandise inventories are tariff-related costs, including Section 301 tariffs on certain products imported from China in recent years. The Company has deployed pricing, promotion, and alternative country sourcing strategies to mitigate tariff-related costs and improve gross margin. The Company continues to monitor the market to inform its pricing and promotional strategies.

6

Table of Contents

Recognition of Net Sales

The Company generates revenues primarily by retailing merchandise in the form of hard-surface flooring and accessories. Additionally, the Company expands its revenues by offering services to deliver and/or install this merchandise for its customers; it considers these services to be separate performance obligations. The separate performance obligations are detailed on the customer’s invoice(s) and the customer often purchases flooring merchandise without purchasing installation or delivery services. Merchandise and services sales occur through the Company’s network of 437439 stores across the U.S., a customer contact center, and its digital platform, LLFlooring.com. The Company’s agreements with its customers are of short duration (less than a year) and as such the Company has elected not to disclose revenue for partially satisfied contracts that will be completed in the days following the end of a period as permitted by GAAP. The Company reports its revenues exclusive of sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental taxing authorities, consistent with past practice.

Revenue is based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes any sales incentives from vendors and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product to a customer or performing services for a customer. Revenues from installation and freight services are recognized when the delivery is made or the installation is complete, which approximates the recognition of revenue over time due to the short duration of service provided. The price of the Company’s merchandise and services is specified in the respective contract and detailed on the invoice agreed to with the customer including any discounts. The Company generally requires customers to pay a deposit, equal to approximately half of the retail sales value, when ordering merchandise not regularly carried in a given location or not currently in stock. In addition, the Company generally does not extend credit to its customers with payment due in full at the time the customer takes possession of merchandise or when the service is provided. Customer payments and deposits received in advance of the customer taking possession of the merchandise or receiving the services are recorded as deferred revenues in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet caption “Customer Deposits and Store Credits.”

The following table shows the activity in this account for the periods noted:

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

Three Months Ended September 30, 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

Customer Deposits and Store Credits, Beginning Balance

$

(69,314)

$

(68,211)

$

(67,063)

$

(61,389)

$

(58,427)

$

(67,731)

$

(67,063)

$

(61,389)

New Deposits

(307,346)

(320,513)

(608,316)

(630,972)

(276,235)

(304,604)

(884,551)

(935,576)

Recognition of Revenue

298,957

301,384

577,989

584,834

268,821

282,229

846,810

867,063

Sales Tax included in Customer Deposits

18,017

18,231

35,172

35,772

15,980

16,936

51,152

52,708

Other

1,259

1,378

3,791

4,024

984

2,949

4,775

6,973

Customer Deposits and Store Credits, Ending Balance

$

(58,427)

$

(67,731)

$

(58,427)

$

(67,731)

$

(48,877)

$

(70,221)

$

(48,877)

$

(70,221)

Subject to limitations under the Company’s policy, return of unopened merchandise is accepted for 90 days, subject to the discretion of the store manager. The amount of revenue recognized for flooring merchandise is adjusted for expected returns, which are estimated based on the Company’s historical data, current sales levels, and forecasted economic trends. The Company uses the expected value method to estimate returns because it has a large number of contracts with similar characteristics. The Company reduces revenue by the amount of expected returns and records it within “Other Current Liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the Company recognizes a related asset for the right to recover returned merchandise and records it in the “Other Current Assets” caption of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. This amount was $1.5$1.3 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2022. The Company recognizes sales commissions as incurred since the amortization period is less than one year.

7

Table of Contents

In total, the Company offers hundreds of different flooring products; however, no single flooring product represented a significant portion of its sales mix. By major product category, the Company’s sales mix was as follows:

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Six Months Ended June 30, 

Three Months Ended September 30, 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

���

2021

2022

2021

Manufactured Products 1

$

142,803

48

%  

$

139,736

46

%

$

277,441

48

%  

$

271,829

46

%

$

128,213

48

%  

$

129,543

46

%

$

405,654

48

%  

$

401,373

46

%

Solid and Engineered Hardwood

71,912

   

24

%  

75,602

   

25

%

140,947

   

24

%  

151,797

26

%

62,838

   

23

%  

69,090

   

24

%

203,785

   

24

%  

220,887

26

%

Installation and Delivery Services

 

39,617

 

15

%  

 

41,427

 

15

%

 

115,766

 

14

%  

 

116,675

13

%

Moldings and Accessories and Other

 

42,854

 

14

%  

 

44,204

 

15

%

 

83,452

 

15

%  

 

85,959

15

%

 

38,153

 

14

%  

 

42,169

 

15

%

 

121,605

 

14

%  

 

128,128

15

%

Installation and Delivery Services

 

41,388

 

14

%  

 

41,842

 

14

%

 

76,149

 

13

%  

 

75,249

13

%

Total

$

298,957

 

100

%  

$

301,384

 

100

%

$

577,989

 

100

%  

$

584,834

 

100

%

$

268,821

 

100

%  

$

282,229

 

100

%

$

846,810

 

100

%  

$

867,063

 

100

%

1     Includes engineered vinyl plank, laminate, vinyl and tile.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes the cost of products sold, including tariffs, the cost of installation services, and transportation costs from vendors to the Company’s distribution centers or store locations. It also includes transportation costs from distribution centers to store locations, transportation costs for the delivery of products from store locations to customers, certain costs of quality control procedures, warranty and customer satisfaction costs, inventory adjustments including obsolescence and shrinkage, and costs to produce and ship samples, which are net of vendor allowances.

The Company offers a range of limited warranties for the durability of the finish on its prefinished products to its services provided. These limited warranties range from one to 100 years, with lifetime warranties for certain of the Company’s products. Warranty reserves are based primarily on claims experience, sales history and other considerations, including payments made to satisfy customers for claims not directly related to the warranty on the Company’s products. Warranty costs are recorded in cost of sales. The related reserve of $0.9$1.0 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2022, was recorded in “Other Current Liabilities” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company seeks recovery from its vendors and third-party independent contractors of installation services for certain amounts paid.

Vendor allowances mostly consist of volume rebates and are accrued as earned, with those allowances received as a result of attaining certain purchase levels accrued over the incentive period based on estimates of purchases. Volume rebates earned are initially recorded as a reduction in merchandise inventories and a subsequent reduction in cost of sales when the related product is sold. Reimbursement received for the cost of producing samples is recorded as an offset against cost of sales.

Note 3.       Stockholders’ Equity

Net (Loss) Income per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Net Income

$

2,736

$

11,989

$

6,773

$

22,611

Net (Loss) Income

$

(3,774)

$

8,779

$

2,999

$

31,390

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding—Basic

 

28,927

 

29,042

 

28,856

 

28,993

 

28,668

 

29,082

 

28,859

 

28,984

Effect of Dilutive Securities:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Common Stock Equivalents

 

138

 

446

 

223

 

550

 

 

373

 

151

 

510

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding—Diluted

 

29,065

 

29,488

 

29,079

 

29,543

 

28,668

 

29,455

 

29,010

 

29,494

Net Income per Common Share—Basic

$

0.09

$

0.41

$

0.23

$

0.78

Net Income per Common Share—Diluted

$

0.09

$

0.41

$

0.23

$

0.77

Net (Loss) Income per Common Share—Basic

$

(0.13)

$

0.30

$

0.10

$

1.08

Net (Loss) Income per Common Share—Diluted

$

(0.13)

$

0.30

$

0.10

$

1.06

8

Table of Contents

The following shares have been excluded from the computation of Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding—Diluted because the effect would be anti-dilutive:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Stock Options

506

193

438

148

633

222

448

167

Restricted Shares

504

127

367

125

503

280

365

100

Stock Repurchase Program

In FebruaryDuring the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s board of directors raised its authorization for the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock. In April 2022,stock, and the Company resumed its share repurchase program. The Company made cash payments of $7.0 million to repurchase 571,332 shares under the share repurchase authorization during the threenine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022. There remains $43.0 million outstanding under the share repurchase authorization.

Outside of the share repurchase program, during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased $0.9 million, or 59,28863,261 shares, of its common stock through the net settlement of shares issued as a result of the vesting of restricted shares during the six months ended June 30, 2022.shares.

Note 4.       Stock-based Compensation

The following table summarizes share activity related to employee stock options and restricted stock awards (“RSAs”):

    

    

Restricted Stock

    

    

Restricted Stock

Stock Options

Awards

Stock Options

Awards

Options Outstanding/Nonvested RSAs, December 31, 2021

 

625

 

631

 

625

 

631

Granted

 

175

400

 

175

400

Options Exercised/RSAs Released

 

(21)

(158)

 

(21)

(168)

Forfeited

 

(39)

(48)

 

(60)

(100)

Options Outstanding/Nonvested RSAs, June 30, 2022

 

740

825

Options Outstanding/Nonvested RSAs, September 30, 2022

 

719

763

The Company granted a target of 94,621 performance-based RSAs with a grant date fair value of $1.5 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022 and a target of 47,768 performance-based RSAs with a grant date fair value of $1.1 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2021. The performance-based RSAs in both years were awarded to certain members of senior management in connection with the achievement of specific key financial metrics that will be measured over separate respective three-year periods and which will vest at the end of each respective three-year period if the respective performance conditions are met. In addition, the number of 2020 performance-based awards that will ultimately vest is also contingent upon the results of a relative total shareholder return multiple by the end of year three.three, the 2022 fiscal year. The Company assesses the probability of achieving these metrics on a quarterly basis. For these awards, the Company recognizes the fair value expense ratably over the performance and vesting period. These awards are included above in RSAs Granted.

Under the Company’s equity incentive plan, the Company’s non-employee directors are compensated with an annual RSA grant. The amount of outstanding nonvested RSAs granted to non-employee directors was 43,139 and 18,306 shares at JuneSeptember 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The Company also maintains the Outside Directors Deferral Plan under which each of the Company’s non-employee directors has the opportunity to elect annually to defer certain fees (which are payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock with a vesting period of at least one year) until departure from the board. A non-employee director may elect to defer up to 100% of his or her fees and have such fees invested in deferred stock units. Deferred stock units must be settled in common stock upon the director’s departure from

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departure from the board. There were 225,456234,401 and 177,448 deferred stock units outstanding at JuneSeptember 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

Note 5.      Credit Agreement

The Company has a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Lenders”). On April 30, 2021, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with the Lenders. The execution of the Second Amendment, among other things, terminated the FILO Term Loans and converted those commitments to the Revolving Credit Facility. The total size of the Credit Agreement remained at $200 million, and the Company has an option to increase the Revolving Credit Facility to a maximum total amount of $250 million. The maturity date of the Credit Agreement was extended to April 30, 2026.

The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by security interests in the Collateral (as defined in the Credit Agreement), which includes substantially all assets of the Company including, among other things, the Company’s inventory and credit card receivables, and the Company’s East Coast distribution center located in Sandston, Virginia. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company has the ability to release the East Coast distribution center from the Collateral under certain conditions.

The Second Amendment decreased the margin for LIBOR Rate Loans (as defined in the Second Amendment) to a range of 1.25% to 1.75% over the applicable LIBOR Rate with respect to revolving loans (as defined in the Second Amendment) depending on the Company’s average daily excess borrowing availability, a decrease of 1.25% from rates prior to the Second Amendment. As previously stated, the FILO Term Loans were terminated by this Second Amendment. The amendment decreased the LIBOR Rate Floor from 1.00% to 0.25%. The Second Amendment also decreased the unused commitment fee of 0.50% per annum to 0.25% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility during the most recently completed calendar quarter. The weighted average interest rate applicable to the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022 was 4.7%4.6%.

The Credit Agreement contains a fixed charge coverage ratio covenant that becomes effective only when specified availability under the Revolving Credit Facility falls below the greater of $17.5 million or 10% of the Revolving Loan Cap (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

Except as set forth in the Second Amendment, all other terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement remain in place.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, there was $15$69.0 million outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company had $3.2 million in letters of credit which reduces its availability. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, there was $181.9$127.8 million of availability under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Note Note��6.       Taxes

The Company calculates its quarterly tax provision pursuant to the guidelines in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740-270 "Income Taxes." Generally, ASC 740-270 requires companies to estimate the annual effective tax rate for current year ordinary income. The estimated annual effective tax rate represents the best estimate of the tax provision in relation to the best estimate of pre-tax ordinary income or loss. The estimated annual effective tax rate is then applied to year-to-date ordinary income or loss to calculate the year-to-date interim tax provision and is adjusted for discrete items that occur within the period.

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, the Company recognized income tax benefit of $1.0 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 20.6%. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized income tax expense of $3.2 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 27.0%. The lower effective tax rate in the current period primarily reflects the greater impact of permanent items on the pretax ordinary loss.

10

Table of Contents

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized income tax expense of $1.7$1.8 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 38.7%37.2%. For the threenine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2021, the Company recognized income tax expense of $4.1$10.6 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 25.6%25.3%. The higher effective tax rate in the current period primarily reflects the greater impact of permanent items on the lower pretax ordinary income.

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Table of Contents

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized income tax expense of $2.8 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 29.0%. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recognized income tax expense of $7.4 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 24.6%. The higher effective tax rate is caused by the same drivers of the increase in effective tax rate for the quarter.

The Company has a valuation allowance recorded against certain of its net deferred tax assets of $2.4 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, because the jurisdiction and nature of the assets makes realization of these deferred tax assets uncertain. The Company intends to maintain this valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the realizability of those deferred tax assets.

In February 2022, the Company received sales tax and use tax assessments from the Commonwealth of Virginia covering part of 2014 through 2017. The Company believes there are some factual errors, is disputing this assessment, and will defend itself vigorously in this matter. Given the uncertainty of the final resolution, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the loss or range of loss, if any, that may result from this action and therefore no specific accrual has been made related to this. Any losses could, potentially, have a material adverse effect, individually or collectively, on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

Note 7.       Commitments and Contingencies

The following chart shows the activity related to the Balance Sheet “Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements.” The matters themselves are described in greater detail in the paragraphs that follow the chart.

Litigation Matter Description

December 31, 2021 Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements - Current

Accruals

Settlement Payments

Vouchers Redeemed

June 30, 2022 Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements - Current

December 31, 2021 Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements - Current

Accruals

Settlement Payments

Vouchers Redeemed

September 30, 2022 Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements - Current

MDL

$

10,656

$

$

$

(877)

$

9,779

1

$

10,656

$

$

$

(1,231)

$

9,425

1

Gold

14,885

(1,166)

13,719

1

14,885

(1,670)

13,215

1

Mason

7,000

129

(7,129)

7,000

129

(7,129)

Other Matters

1,070

164

(933)

301

1,070

164

(993)

241

$

33,611

$

293

$

(8,062)

$

(2,043)

$

23,799

$

33,611

$

293

$

(8,122)

$

(2,901)

$

22,881

Litigation Matter Description

December 31, 2020 Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements - Current

Accruals

Settlement Payments

Vouchers Redeemed

June 30, 2021 Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements - Current

December 31, 2020 Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements - Current

Accruals

Settlement Payments

Vouchers Redeemed

September 30, 2021 Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements - Current

MDL

$

14,000

$

$

$

(2,319)

$

11,681

$

14,000

$

$

$

(2,781)

$

11,219

Gold

16,000

16,000

16,000

(346)

15,654

Mason

7,000

7,000

7,000

7,000

Other Matters

398

733

(62)

1,069

398

733

(101)

1,030

$

30,398

$

7,733

$

(62)

$

(2,319)

$

35,750

$

30,398

$

7,733

$

(101)

$

(3,127)

$

34,903

1The remaining accrual will be fulfilled by redeeming vouchers as discussed below.

Employment Cases

Mason Lawsuit

In August 2017, Ashleigh Mason, Dan Morse, Ryan Carroll and Osagie Ehigie filed a purported collective and class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on behalf of all current and

11

Table of Contents

former store managers, store managers in training, and similarly situated current and former employees (collectively, the

11

Table of Contents

“Mason “Mason Putative Class Employees”) alleging that the Company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and New York Labor Law (“NYLL”) by classifying the Mason Putative Class Employees as exempt (the “Mason matter”). The alleged violations include failure to pay for overtime work.

In April 2021, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“Mason MOU”) with counsel for the lead plaintiffs in the Mason matter. Under the terms of the Mason MOU, the Company agreed to pay up to $7.0 million to settle the claims asserted in the Mason matter.

In the first quarter of 2022, the court gave final approval to the settlement. As a result of the final approval, the Company paid $7.0 million, plus an additional $0.1 million in taxes, in the currentsecond quarter of 2022 to a court appointed administrator who handles distribution to the plaintiffs. Any checks issued to the Collective Members and the New York Non Opt-Ins which are not cashed by March 1, 2023, will revert to the Company.

Savidis Lawsuit

In April 2020, LL Flooring was served with a lawsuit filed by Tanya Savidis, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated (collectively, the “Savidis Plaintiffs”). Ms. Savidis filed a purported class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda on March 6, 2020, on behalf of all current and former LL Flooring employees employed as non-exempt employees. The complaint alleges violation of the California Labor Code including, among other items, failure to pay minimum wages and overtime wages, failure to provide meal periods, failure to permit rest breaks, failure to reimburse business expenses, failure to provide accurate wage statements, failure to pay all wages due upon separation within the required time, and engaging in unfair business practices (the “Savidis matter”).

In December 2020, the Company began contacting individuals who constitute the Savidis Plaintiffs and offered individual settlements in satisfaction of their claims. In April 2021, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“Savidis MOU”) with counsel for the lead plaintiffs in the Savidis matter. Under the terms of the Savidis MOU, the Company agreed to pay $0.9 million reduced by a credit of $0.1 million for amounts already paid to the individuals who accepted the Company’s prior settlement offer. In January 2022, the Court provided final approval of the settlement. In April 2022, the Company paid $0.8 million to a court appointed administrator who handles the distribution to the class members who did not opt out of participating in the settlement.

Visnack Lawsuit

On June 29, 2020, Michael Visnack, on behalf of himself Settlement checks were mailed to class members in May 2022, and all others similarly situated (collectively, the “Visnack Plaintiffs”) filed a purported class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, on behalf of all current and former store managers, and others similarly situated. The complaint alleges violation of the California Labor Code including, among other items, failure to pay wages and overtime, wage statement violations, meal and rest break violations, unpaid reimbursements and waiting time, and engaging in unfair business practices (the “Visnack matter”). The Visnack Plaintiffs sought certification of a class period beginning September 20, 2019, through the date of Notice of Class Certification, if granted.

In December 2020, the Company began contacting individuals who constituteexpects the purported class inCourt to dismiss the Visnack matter and offered individual settlements in satisfactionduring the fourth quarter of their claims. To the extent individuals accepted these settlement offers, they have released the Company from the claims and been removed from the purported class. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had reached agreement with a portion of the purported class incurring less than $50 thousand in fees, taxes, and other costs. The Company included those amounts in “Other Matters” in the chart above. On July 6, 2022, the Visnack Plaintiffs filed a notice of dismissal of the Visnack matter with the court.2022.

Antidumping and Countervailing Duties Investigation

The Company is subject to antidumping (“AD”) and countervailing duties (“CVD”) for certain imports of multilayered wood flooring from China. The Company’s multilayered wood flooring imports from China accounted for approximately 3% of its flooring purchases in 2021.

12

Table of Contents

At the time of import, the Company makes deposits at the then prevailing rate. This rate is subsequently reviewed to establish the final rate. When rates are declared final by the United States Department of Commerce (“DOC”), the Company accrues a receivable or payable depending on where that final rate compares to the deposits it has made. The Company and/or the domestic manufacturers can appeal the final rate for any period. Because of the length of time for finalization of rates as well as appeals, any subsequent adjustment of AD and CVD rates typically flows through a period different from those in which the inventory was originally purchased and/or sold.

Results by period for the Company are shown below. The column labeled “June“Total AD/CVD Receivable/Liability Balance as of September 30, 2022 Receivable/Liability Balance”2022” represents the amount the Company would receive or pay (net of any collections or payments) as the result of subsequent adjustment to rates whether due to finalization by the DOC or because of action of a court based on appeals by various parties. It does not include any initial amounts paid for AD or CVD in the current period at the in-effect rate at that time.

The Company recorded net interest expense related to antidumping of $0.02$0.05 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022 compared to net interest income of $1.8 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2021. The amounts for both years are included in “Other Expense” on the condensed consolidated statements of income. The estimated associated interest payable and receivable for each period is not included in the table below but is included in the same financial statement line item on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as the associated liability and receivable balance for each period.

1312

Table of Contents

Review Period1

Period Covered

Rates at which Company Deposited

Final Rate

June 30, 2022 Receivable/Liability Balance

Antidumping

1

May 2011 through November 2012

6.78% and 3.3%

0.0%2

$1.53 million receivable2

2

December 2012 through November 2013

3.30%

3.92% 3

$0.21 million liability3

3

December 2013 through November 2014

3.3% and 5.92%

0.0%4

$1.82 million receivable4

6

December 2016 through November 2017

17.37% and 0.00%

42.57% and 0.0%5

$0.50 million receivable $1.46 million liability5

7

December 2017 through November 2018

0.00%

0.0%6

NA

8

December 2018 through November 2019

0.00%

0.0%7

NA

9

December 2019 through November 2020

0.00%

39.27%8

$1.14 million liability8

Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Current Assets

$3.85 million

Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Current Liabilities

$0.21 million

Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Long-Term Liabilities

$2.60 million

Countervailing

1&2

April 2011 through December 2012

1.50%

0.83% / 0.99%

$0.24 million receivable

3

January 2013 through
December 2013

1.50%

1.38%

$0.04 million
receivable

4

January 2014 through
December 2014

1.50% and 0.83%

1.06%

$0.02 million
receivable

5

January 2015 through
December 2015

0.83% and 0.99%

Final at 0.11% and 0.85%9

$0.07 million
receivable9

6

January 2016 through
December 2016

0.99% and 1.38%

Final at 3.10% and 2.96%10

$0.04 million
liability 10

7

January 2017 through
December 2017

1.38% and 1.06%

20.75%11

$1.65 million
liability 11

8

January 2018 through
December 2018

1.06%

6.13%12

$0.29 million
liability 12

9

January 2019 through
December 2019

0.00%, 0.85%, 2.96%

3.36% / 9.85%13

$0.08 million
liability 13

Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Current Assets

$0.07 million

Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Assets

$0.30 million

Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Current Liabilities

$0.04 million

Included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Long-Term Liabilities

$2.02 million

amounts for both years are included in “Other Expense” on the condensed consolidated statements of income. The estimated associated interest payable and receivable for each period is not included in the table below but is included in the same financial statement line item on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as the associated liability and receivable balance for each period.

Antidumping

Review Period1

Period Covered

Rates at which Company Deposited

Final Rates

Other Current Assets

Other Assets

Other Current Liabilities

Other Long-Term Liabilities

1

May 2011 - Nov 2012

6.78% / 3.3%

0%2

$

1,526

$

-

$

-

$

-

2

Dec 2012 - Nov 2013

3.30%

3.92%3

-

-

(205)

-

3

Dec 2013 - Nov 2014

3.3% / 5.92%

0%4

1,821

-

-

-

6

Dec 2016 - Nov 2017

17.37% / 0.00%

42.57% / 0.0%5

503

-

-

(1,464)

7

Dec 2017 - Nov 2018

0.00%

0%6

-

-

-

-

8

Dec 2018 - Nov 2019

0.00%

0%7

-

-

-

-

9

Dec 2019 - Nov 2020

0.00%

39.27%8

-

-

-

(1,137)

Total AD Receivable/Liability Balance as of September 30, 2022

$

3,850

$

-

$

(205)

$

(2,601)

Countervailing

Review Period

Period Covered

Rates at which Company Deposited

Final Rates

Other Current Assets

Other Assets

Other Current Liabilities

Other Long-Term Liabilities

1 & 2

April 2011 - Dec 2012

1.50%

0.83% / 0.99%

$

-

$

243

$

-

$

-

3

Jan 2013 - Dec 2013

1.50%

1.38%

-

37

-

-

4

Jan 2014 - Dec 2014

1.50% / 0.83%

1.06%

-

16

-

-

5

Jan 2015 - Dec 2015

0.83% / 0.99%

0.11% / 0.85%9

73

-

-

-

6

Jan 2016 - Dec 2016

0.99% / 1.38%

3.10% / 2.96%10

-

-

(38)

-

7

Jan 2017 - Dec 2017

1.38% / 1.06%

20.75%11

-

-

-

(1,651)

8

Jan 2018 - Dec 2018

1.06%

6.13%12

-

-

-

(287)

9

Jan 2019 - Dec 2019

0.00% / 0.85% / 2.96%

3.36% / 9.85%13

-

-

-

(81)

Total CVD Receivable/Liability Balance as of September 30, 2022

$

73

$

296

$

(38)

$

(2,019)

1The fourth and fifth annual anti-dumpingantidumping review periods have been settled and are no longer included on the chart above.

2In the first quarter of 2022, pursuant to CITthe Court of International Trade (“CIT”) order on appeal the DOC recalculated the final rates for the first annual review period at 0.0%. As a result, the Company recorded an additional $0.2 million receivable with a corresponding reduction of cost of sales during the first quarter of 2022.

3In the second quarter of 2020, on appeal the DOC offered to reduce the rate for the second annual review period to 3.92% from 13.74%. The reduced rate was accepted by the CIT in the fourth quarter of 2020, and the Company reversed $3.9 million of its $4.1 million liability, with a corresponding reduction of cost of sales.

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4In the third quarter of 2020, on appeal the DOC offered to reduce the rate for the third annual review period to 0.0% from 17.37%. The reduced rate was accepted by the CIT in the first quarter of 2021, and the Company reversed the entire $4.7 million liability, with a corresponding reduction of cost of sales, and recorded a $1.8 million receivable and favorable adjustment to cost of sales for deposits made at previous preliminary rates.

5In the third quarter of 2019, the DOC issued the final rates for the sixth annual review period at 42.57% and 0% depending on the vendor. As a result, the Company recorded a liability of $0.8 million with a corresponding reduction of cost of sales during the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company received payments during 2019 for its vendor with a final rate of 0.0% and the remaining balance of $0.5 million as of June 30, 2021 was included in other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The vendors with a final rate of 42.57% are under appeal and the balance of $1.5 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2022 was included in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

6In the fourth quarter of 2021, the DOC issued a final rate of 0.0% for the seventh annual review period. The final rate is currently under appeal.

7In the fourth quarter of 2021, the DOC issued a final rate of 0.0% for the eighth annual review period. The final rate is currently under appeal.

8In the second quarter of 2022, the DOC issued the final rate for the ninth annual review period at 39.27%. As a result, the Company recorded a $1.1 million liability with a corresponding increase in cost of sales during the second quarter of 2022. The final rate is currently under appeal.

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9In the second quarter of 2018, the DOC issued the final rates for the fifth annual review period at 0.11% and 0.85% depending on the vendor. As a result, in the second quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a receivable of $0.07$0.1 million for deposits made at previous preliminary rates, with a corresponding reduction of cost of sales.

10In the third quarter of 2019, the DOC issued the final rates for the sixth annual review period at 3.1% and 2.96% depending on the vendor. As a result, the Company recorded a liability of $0.4 million with a corresponding reduction of cost of sales during the year ended December 31, 2019.2019. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, the remaining liability balance was approximately $40$38.3 thousand.

11In the fourth quarter of 2020, the DOC issued the final rate 20.75% for the seventh annual review period. As a result, the Company recorded a liability of $1.7 million with a corresponding increase to cost of sales during the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company appealed this final rate during the first quarter of 2021.is currently under appeal.

12In October 2021, the DOC issued the final rate of 6.13% for the eighth annual review period. As a result, in October 2021 the Company recorded a $0.3 million liability with a corresponding increase in cost of sales. The Company appealed this final rate during the first quarter of 2022.is currently under appeal.

13In the second quarter of 2022, the DOC issued the final rates for the ninth annual review period at 3.36% and 9.85% depending on the vendor. As a result, the Company recorded a liability of $0.08$0.1 million with a corresponding increase in cost of sales in the second quarter of 2022. The final rate is currently under appeal.

Litigation Relating to Bamboo Flooring

In 2019, the Company finalized a settlement agreement to resolve claims related to Morning Star bamboo flooring (the “Gold Litigation”). Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company contributed $14$14.0 million in cash (the “Gold Cash Payment”) and provided $16$16.0 million in store-credit vouchers, for an aggregate settlement of up to $30$30.0 million. Cash and vouchers, which generally have a three-year life, were distributed by the administrator in 2021. The Company will monitor and evaluate the redemption of vouchers on a quarterly basis. The Company’s current expectation is that recipients bargained for this compensation as part of the settlement and therefore will redeem their voucher for product as intended.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, the remaining accrual related to these matters was $13.7$13.2 million for vouchers. As $1.2$1.7 million of vouchers were redeemed during the first sixnine months of 2022, the Company relieved the accrual for legal matters and settlements for the full amount, relieved inventory at its cost, and the remaining amount -- the gross margin for the items sold of $0.4$0.6 million was recorded as a reduction in “Selling, General and Administrative Expenses” (“SG&A”) on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company included those amounts in “Gold” in the chart above.

Litigation Related to Formaldehyde-Abrasion MDLs

In 2018, the Company entered into a settlement agreement to resolve claims related to Chinese-manufactured laminate products (the “Formaldehyde-Abrasion MDL”). Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company funded $22$22.0 million in cash and provided $14$14.0 million in store-credit vouchers for an aggregate settlement amount of $36$36.0 million to settle claims. Cash and vouchers, which generally have a three-year life, were distributed by the administrator in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company will monitor and evaluate the redemption of vouchers on a quarterly basis.

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The Company’s current expectation is that recipients bargained for this compensation as part of the settlement and therefore will redeem their voucher for product as intended.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, the remaining accrual related to these matters was $9.8$9.4 million for vouchers. As $0.9$1.2 million of vouchers were redeemed during the first sixnine months of 2022, the Company relieved the accrual for legal matters and settlements for the full amount, relieved inventory at its cost, and the remaining amount -- the gross margin for the items sold of $0.3$0.5 million was recorded as a reduction in “Selling, General and Administrative Expenses” (“SG&A”) on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company included those amounts in “MDL” in the chart above.

Section 301 Tariffs

Since September 2018, pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) has imposed tariffs on certain goods imported from China over four tranches (“Lists”).

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Products imported by the Company fall within Lists 3 and 44a for which tariffs range from 10% to 25%. On September 10, 2020 several importers of vinyl flooring filed a lawsuit with the CITCourt of International Trade (“CIT”) challenging the Section 301 tariffs under Lists 3 and 4.4a. The Company has also filed a companion case at the CIT challenging Section 301 tariffs it has paid.the legitimacy of the USTR’s actions. On April 1, 2022 the CIT remanded the matter back to the USTR to reconsiderexplain its decisions in light ofprocess for considering objections to the ruling301 tariffs and to reply to the CIT by June 30, 2022. Based on a USTR request, this deadline was extended to August 1, 2022. On June 22,August 1, 2022 the CIT grantedUSTR filed its remand comments as well as a request to supplement the USTR its motion for extensionrecord. On September 14, 2022, the Company filed their response to file the remand on or beforeUSTR’s August 1, 2022.2022 remand determination pursuant to the CIT April 1, 2022 order. The USTR has until October 28, 2022 to address the Company’s response. The ruling will rest with the CIT upon review of the USTR’s remand. The Company is unable to predict the timing or outcome of the ruling by the USTR and/or CIT. If these appeals are successful, the Company should qualify for refunds on these Section 301 tariffs.

Other Matters

The Company is also, from time to time, subject to claims and disputes arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, while the outcome of any such claims and disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, its ultimate liability in connection with these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report includes statements of the Company’s expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “thinks,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “predicts,” “could,” “projects,” “potential” and other similar terms and phrases, are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management as of the date of such statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. These risks include, without limitation, the impact on us of any of the following:

reduced consumer spending due to inflation, higher interest rates, and consumer sentiment;
our advertising and overall marketing strategy, including anticipating consumer trends;
a sustained period of inflation impacting product cost and consumer spending;
reduced consumer spending due to inflation and consumer sentiment;costs;
transportation availability and costs;
inability to execute on our key initiatives or such key initiatives do not yield desired results;
our, and our suppliers’, compliance with complex and evolving rules, regulations, and laws at the federal, state, and local level;
potential disruptions to supply chain related to forced labor and other trade regulations;
inability to hire and/or retain employees;
obtaining products from abroad, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and tariffs, delays in shipping, as well as the effects of antidumping and countervailing duties;

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inability to staff stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the overall pressures in the labor market;
the outcomes of legal proceedings, and the related impact on liquidity;
the impact of the war in Ukraine on transportation costs and the Company’s European suppliers;
reputational harm;
disruptions due to cybersecurity threats, including any impacts from a network security incident;
inability to open new stores, find suitable locations for new stores, and fund other capital expenditures;
managing growth;
damage to our assets;
disruption to our ability to distribute our products, including due to severe weather;

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operating an office in China;
managing third-party installers and product delivery companies;
renewing store, warehouse, or other corporate leases;
having sufficient suppliers;
product liability claims, marketing substantiation claims, wage and hour claims, employment classification claims and other labor and employment claims;
having sufficientmaintaining optimal inventory for consumer demand;
availability of suitable hardwood, including due to disruptions from the impacts of severe weather;
sufficient insurance coverage, including cybersecurity insurance;
access to and costs of capital;
the handling of confidential customer information, including the impacts from the California Consumer Privacy Act and other applicable data privacy laws and regulations;
management information systems disruptions;
alternative e-commerce offerings;
our advertising and overall marketing strategy, including anticipating consumer trends;
competition;
impact of changes in accounting and regulatory guidance, including implementation guidelines and interpretations related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) matters;
internal controls;
stock price volatility; and
anti-takeover provisions.

Information regarding risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC, including the Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” section of this quarterly report and the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

This management discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this quarterly report and the audited financial statements and notes and management discussion included in the Company’s annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Overview

LL Flooring is one of the leading specialty retailers of hard-surface flooring in the U.S. with 437439 stores as of JuneSeptember 30, 2022. Our Company seeks to offer the best customer experience online and in stores, with more than 500 varieties of hard-surface floors featuring a range of quality styles and on-trend designs. Our online tools also help empower customers to find the right solution for the space they’ve envisioned. Our extensive selection includes waterproof hybrid resilient, waterproof vinyl plank, solid and engineered hardwood, laminate, bamboo, tile, and cork, with a wide range of flooring enhancements and accessories to complement. Our stores are staffed with flooring experts who provide advice, Pro partnership services and installation options for all of our products, the majority of which is in stock and ready for delivery. Our vision is to be customers’ first choice in hard-surface flooring by providing the best experience, from start to finish. We offer a wide selection of high-quality, locally stocked products and the accessible flooring expertise and service of a local store, with the scale, omni-channel convenience and value of a national chain. We plan to leverage this advantage to differentiate ourselves in the highly fragmented flooring market.

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To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: (i) Adjusted Gross Profit; (ii) Adjusted Gross Margin; (iii) Adjusted SG&A; (iv) Adjusted SG&A as a Percentage of Net Sales; (v) Adjusted Operating (Loss) Income; (vi) Adjusted Operating (Loss) Margin; (vii) Adjusted Other Expense;Expense (Income); (viii) Adjusted Other Expense (Income) as a Percentage of Net Sales; (ix) Adjusted (Loss) Earnings; and (x) Adjusted (Loss) Earnings per Diluted Share. These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. These supplemental measures may vary from, and may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures by other companies.

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The non-GAAP financial measures are presented because management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our operating performance and, in certain cases, to determine incentive compensation. Therefore, we believe that the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplementary information to, and facilitates additional analysis by, investors. The presented non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that management does not believe reflect our core operating performance, which include store closures, regulatory and legal settlements and associated legal and operating costs, and changes in antidumping and countervailing duties, as such items are outside of our control due to their inherent unusual, non-operating, unpredictable, non-recurring, or non-cash nature.

SecondThird Quarter Financial Highlights

Net sales of $299.0$268.8 million decreased 0.8% compared$13.4 million, or 4.8%, from the third quarter of 2021, primarily due to the same periodcontinued lower consumer spending versus last year, as recordwhich more than offset just under double-digit growth in sales to Pro customers partially offset a decrease in consumer sales and a 1.1% decrease in net service sales.customers.
Total comparableComparable store sales decreased 3.1% versus7.3% from the same period last yearthird quarter of 2021. The year-over-year decrease in comparable store sales primarily reflected the same drivers as the change in net sales.
Gross margin and adjusted gross margin (a non-GAAP measure) of 35.7%35.6% decreased 170 basis points as a percentage of sales compared to the same period last year, adjusted gross margin (a non-GAAP measure) of 36.1% decreased 130 basis points compared to the same period last year, primarily reflecting significantly higher material and transportation costs (collectively up more than 1,000800 basis points) that the Company was able to partially mitigate through pricing, promotion and alternative country/vendor sourcing strategies.
SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales of 34.1%37.1% increased 220410 basis points compared to the secondthird quarter of last year. Adjusted SG&A expense (a non-GAAP measure) as a percentage of net sales of 34.1%37.1% increased 230400 basis points compared to the secondthird quarter of last year, primarily driven by investments to support the Company’s long-term growth, higher advertising expense due to the timing of promotions, and continued investment in customer facing and distribution center personnel.personnel, and deleverage on lower net sales.
Operating margin of 1.6%(1.5%) decreased 390580 basis points compared to the secondthird quarter of last year. Adjusted operating margin (a non-GAAP measure) of 2.0%(1.6%) decreased 360570 basis points compared to the secondthird quarter of last year.year, primarily reflecting increased SG&A as a percentage of net sales and lower gross margin.
Diluted EPS of $0.09Loss per diluted share of $0.13 decreased $0.32 per diluted share$0.43 compared to the secondthird quarter of last year. Adjusted earningsloss per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) of $0.13$0.14 decreased $0.28$0.42 compared to the secondthird quarter of last year.
During the secondthird quarter, the Company opened sixtwo new stores, bringing total storesstore count to 437439 as of JuneSeptember 30, 2022.

Other Items

Liquidity and Credit Agreement

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, we had liquidity of $187$133.9 million, consisting of excess availability under our Credit Agreement of $182$127.8 million, and cash and cash equivalents of $5$6.1 million. This represents a decrease in liquidity of $40$93.3 million from December 31, 2021.2021, reflecting the Company’s goal to rebuild inventories in 2022 following COVID-19 related supply chain constraints. During the first halfnine months of the year, the Company rebuilt its inventory by more than $104$111.2 million.

In February 2022, the Company’s board of directors raised its authorization for the repurchase of up to $50$50.0 million of the Company’s common stock from the previous $14$14.0 million authorized. In April 2022, the Company

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resumed its share repurchase program. The Company has repurchased $7$7.0 million under that program, underscoring its confidence in its long-term net sales and profitability growth.

We believe that cash flows from operations, together with cash on hand, and the availability under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet our obligations, fund our settlements, operations, anticipated capital expenditures, and potential share repurchases for the next 12 months. We prepare our forecasted cash flow and liquidity estimates based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable but are also inherently uncertain. Actual future cash flows could differ from these estimates.

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Impact of Macroeconomic Environment

We continue to navigate uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment related to inflation, consumer spending, global supply chain disruptions,higher interest rates, lower existing home sales, a shift in COVID-19 spend from home remodeling to travel and a challenging labor market.entertainment, and economic and employment uncertainty. We anticipate material and transportation costs to remain inflated, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, throughout 2022. We are also monitoring the impact of inflation on consumer purchasing trends as it could affect our prices, demand for our products, our sales and our profit margins.

Section 301 Tariffs

The Company’s financial statements have been impacted by Section 301 tariffs on certain products imported from China in recent years. The tariffs flow through the income statement as the product is sold. The Company has deployed strategies to mitigate tariffs and improve gross margin, primarily through adjusting its pricing and promotion strategies and alternative country sourcing. During the secondthird quarter of 2022, the Company reduced the percentpercentage of merchandise receipts subject to Section 301 tariffs to 12%16% from 22% during the secondthird quarter of 2021.

As discussed in Item 1, Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company is unable to predict the timing or outcome of the ruling by the USTR and/or CIT. If these appeals are successful, the Company should qualify for refunds on these Section 301 tariffs.

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Results of Operations

We believe the selected sales data, the percentage relationship between net sales and major categories in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the percentage change in the dollar amounts of each of the items presented below are important in evaluating the performance of our business operations.

% Improvement

% of Net Sales

(Decline) in

Three Months Ended September 30, 

Dollar Amounts

2022

    

2021

    

2022 VS 2021

    

Net Sales

Net Merchandise Sales

85.3

%  

85.3

%  

(4.8)

%  

Net Services Sales

14.7

%  

14.7

%  

(4.4)

%  

Total Net Sales

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

(4.8)

%  

Gross Profit

35.6

%  

37.3

%  

(9.1)

%  

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

37.1

%  

33.0

%  

7.0

%  

Operating (Loss) Income

(1.5)

%  

4.3

%  

(134.1)

%  

Other Expense

0.2

%  

0.0

%  

3,488.9

%  

(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes

(1.8)

%  

4.3

%  

(139.6)

%  

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

(0.4)

%  

1.2

%  

(130.3)

%  

Net (Loss) Income

(1.4)

%  

3.1

%  

(143.0)

%  

% Improvement

% Improvement

% of Net Sales

(Decline) in

% of Net Sales

(Decline) in

Three Months Ended June 30, 

Dollar Amounts

Nine Months Ended September 30, 

Dollar Amounts

2022

    

2021

    

2022 VS 2021

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022 VS 2021

  

Net Sales

Net Merchandise Sales

86.2

%  

86.1

%  

(0.8)

%  

86.3

%  

86.5

%  

(2.6)

%  

Net Services Sales

13.8

%  

13.9

%  

(1.1)

%  

13.7

%  

13.5

%  

(0.8)

%  

Total Net Sales

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

(0.8)

%  

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

(2.3)

%  

Gross Profit

35.7

%  

37.4

%  

(5.3)

%  

36.2

%  

38.5

%  

(8.1)

%

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

34.1

%  

31.9

%  

6.2

%  

35.5

%  

33.7

%  

3.1

%

Operating Income

1.6

%  

5.5

%  

(71.9)

%  

0.7

%  

4.8

%  

(86.6)

%

Other Expense

0.1

%  

0.2

%  

(60.2)

%  

Other Expense (Income)

0.1

%  

(0.0)

%  

(429.4)

%

Income Before Income Taxes

1.5

%  

5.3

%  

(72.3)

%  

0.6

%  

4.8

%  

(88.6)

%

Income Tax Expense

0.6

%  

1.3

%  

(58.1)

%  

0.2

%  

1.2

%  

(83.3)

%

Net Income

0.9

%  

4.0

%  

(77.2)

%  

0.4

%  

3.6

%  

(90.4)

%

% Improvement

% of Net Sales

(Decline) in

Six Months Ended June 30, 

Dollar Amounts

2022

    

2021

    

2022 VS 2021

  

Net Sales

Net Merchandise Sales

86.8

%  

87.1

%  

(1.5)

%  

Net Services Sales

13.2

%  

12.9

%  

1.2

%  

Total Net Sales

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

(1.2)

%  

Gross Profit

36.5

%  

39.0

%  

(7.7)

%

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

34.8

%  

34.0

%  

1.3

%

Operating Income

1.7

%  

5.1

%  

(67.3)

%

Other Expense

0.0

%  

(0.0)

%  

(167.9)

%

Income Before Income Taxes

1.6

%  

5.1

%  

(68.2)

%

Income Tax Expense

0.5

%  

1.2

%  

(62.6)

%

Net Income

1.2

%  

3.9

%  

(70.0)

%

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

SELECTED SALES DATA

Average Sale1

$

1,860

$

1,564

$

1,777

$

1,488

$

1,850

$

1,625

$

1,799

$

1,530

Comparable Stores (Decrease) Increase2

 

(3.1)

%  

 

31.3

%  

 

(3.3)

%  

 

18.2

%  

 

(7.3)

%  

 

(4.5)

%  

 

(4.6)

%  

 

9.8

%  

Transaction Count (Decrease) Increase3

(22.0)

%  

2.0

%  

(16.7)

%  

2.3

%  

Transaction Count Decrease3

(21.1)

%  

(23.5)

%  

(19.4)

%  

(9.4)

%  

Average Retail Price per Unit Sold Increase4

 

14.7

%  

 

9.9

%  

 

12.5

%  

 

6.8

%  

 

13.4

%  

 

6.8

%  

 

12.7

%  

 

7.9

%  

Number of Stores Open, end of period

 

437

 

416

 

437

 

416

 

439

 

422

 

439

 

422

Number of Stores Opened in Period, net

 

6

 

4

 

13

 

6

 

2

 

6

 

15

 

12

Number of Stores Relocated in Period5

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

1Average sale is defined as the average invoiced sales order, measured quarterly, excluding returns as well as transactions under $100 (which are generally sample orders or add-on/accessories to existing orders).

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2A store is generally considered comparable on the first day of the thirteenth full calendar month after opening.
3Transaction count is calculated by applying the average sale to total net sales at comparable stores.
4Average retail price per unit (square feet for flooring and other units of measures for moldings and accessories) sold is calculated on a total company basis and excludes non-merchandise revenue.
5A relocated store remains a comparable store as long as it is relocated within the primary trade area.

Net Sales

SecondThird quarter 2022 net sales of $299.0$268.8 million decreased $2.4$13.4 million, or 0.8%4.8%, versus the secondthird quarter of 2021. Net merchandise sales and net service sales decreased 0.8%4.8% and 1.1%4.4%, respectively.respectively, over the same period in 2021.

Average ticket increased 18.9%13.8%, primarily reflecting higher merchandise average ticket.The higher merchandise average ticket was driven primarily by pricing and promotion strategies as well as favorable product mix, reflecting the launch of our new Duravana performance flooring brand.

Comparable store sales for the secondthird quarter of 2022 decreased 3.1%7.3% from the secondthird quarter of 2021. Comparable store sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 decreased 4.6% from the same period in 2021. The Company reported recorddecline in comparable store sales was due primarily to continued lower consumer spending versus last year, which more than offset just under double-digit growth in sales to Pro customers, which partially offset a decrease in sales to consumers and a 1.1% decrease in net service sales.customers. The year-over-year decrease in comparable storeconsumer sales reflected continued lowerpressures on consumer discretionary spending by consumers versus last year, which we believe reflected pressure from inflation, and higher interest rates, and their preferencelower existing home sales, a shift in COVID-19 spend from home remodeling to spend more on travel and entertainment.entertainment, and economic and employment uncertainty.

During the secondthird quarter of 2022, the Company opened sixtwo new stores bringing the total store count to 437439 as of JuneSeptember 30, 2022.

Net sales for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022 decreased 1.2%2.3% from the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2021. Net merchandise sales decreased 1.5%, partially offset by an increase inand net service sales of 1.2%decreased 2.6% and 0.8%, respectively, over the same period in 2021. Comparable store sales for the six months ended June 30, 2022 decreased 3.3% from the same period in 2021.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased 5.3%9.1% in the secondthird quarter of 2022 to $106.8$95.6 million from $112.7$105.2 million in the comparable period in 2021, and gross margin decreased 170 basis points to 35.7%35.6% in the secondthird quarter of 2022 from 37.4%37.3% in the secondthird quarter of 2021. For the second quarter of 2022, the Company reported an unfavorable $1.2 million impact from anti-dumping duty rate changes compared to the prior-year period. Excluding these items as shown on the table that follows, adjustedAdjusted gross margin (a non-GAAP measure) of 36.1%35.6% decreased 130170 basis points compared to the same period last year, primarily reflecting significantly higher material and transportation costs (collectively up more than 1,000800 basis points) that the Company was able to partially mitigate through pricing, promotion and alternative country/vendor sourcing strategies.

Gross profit decreased 7.7%8.1% in the first sixnine months of 2022 to $210.8$306.4 million from $228.3$333.5 million in the comparable period in 2021 and gross margin decreased 250230 basis points to 36.5%36.2% in the first sixnine months of 2022 from 39.0%38.5% in the first sixnine months of 2021. For the first sixnine months of 2022, the Company reported an unfavorable $1.0 million impact from anti-dumpingantidumping duty rate changes, compared to income of $6.6 million in the prior-year period. Excluding these items as shown on the table that follows, adjusted gross margin (a non-GAAP measure) of 36.7%36.3% decreased 120140 basis points compared to the same period last year, primarily reflecting significantly higher materialtransportation and transportationmaterial costs (collectively up more than 1,0001,100 basis points) that the Company was able to partially mitigate by pricing, promotion and alternative country/vendor sourcing strategies.

2120

Table of Contents

We believe that the following items set forth in the table below can distort the visibility of our ongoing performance and that the evaluation of our financial performance can be enhanced by use of supplemental presentation of our results that exclude the impact of these items.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

 

September 30, 

September 30, 

 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

 

% of Sales

% of Sales

% of Sales

% of Sales

% of Sales

% of Sales

% of Sales

% of Sales

(dollars in thousands)

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Gross Profit/Margin, as reported (GAAP)

$

106,750

    

35.7

%  

$

112,730

    

37.4

%

$

210,829

36.5

%  

$

228,322

39.0

%

$

95,582

    

35.6

%  

$

105,201

    

37.3

%

$

306,411

36.2

%  

$

333,523

38.5

%

Antidumping Adjustments1

 

1,218

 

0.4

%  

 

 

%

 

977

0.2

%  

 

(6,566)

(1.1)

%

 

 

%  

 

 

%

 

977

0.1

%  

 

(6,566)

(0.8)

%

Adjusted Gross Profit/Margin (non-GAAP measures)

$

107,968

  

36.1

%  

$

112,730

  

37.4

%

$

211,806

  

36.7

%  

$

221,756

  

37.9

%

$

95,582

  

35.6

%  

$

105,201

  

37.3

%

$

307,388

  

36.3

%  

$

326,957

  

37.7

%

1Represents antidumping expense associated with applicable prior-year shipments of engineered hardwood from China.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expense for the secondthird quarter of 2022 increased $6.0$6.5 million to $102.1$99.7 million, or 34.1%37.1% of sales, compared to $96.1$93.2 million, or 31.9%33.0% of sales, in the secondthird quarter of 2021. Adjusted SG&A (a non-GAAP measure) for the secondthird quarter of 2022 was $102.1$99.8 million, compared to $95.8$93.5 million in the secondthird quarter of 2021. As a percentage of sales, adjusted SG&A increased 230400 basis points, to 34.1%37.1% of sales, compared to 31.8%33.1% for the secondthird quarter in 2021, which is primarily driven by investments to support the Company’s long-term growth, higher advertising expense due to the timing of promotions, and continued investment in customer facing and distribution center personnel.personnel, and deleverage on lower net sales. During the third quarter, we also implemented cost savings measures including a moderate reduction of headcount and a delayed cadence of hiring at our corporate office.

SG&A expense for the first sixnine months of 2022 increased $2.5$9.0 million to $201.1$300.8 million, or 34.8%35.5% of sales, compared to $198.6$291.8 million, or 34.0%33.7% of sales, in the first sixnine months of 2021. SG&A in the first sixnine months of 2022 and 2021 included certain costs related to legal matters and settlements. Excluding these items as shown in the table that follows, adjusted SG&A (a non-GAAP measure) for the first sixnine months of 2022 was $201.1$301.0 million, compared to $190.5$284.0 million in the first sixnine months of 2021. As a percentage of sales, adjusted SG&A (a non-GAAP measure) increased 220270 basis points, to 34.8%35.5% of sales, compared to 32.6%32.8% for the first sixnine months in 2021, reflecting the same drivers as the quarter. The Company redeemed $2.0$2.9 million and $2.3$3.1 million of MDL and Gold vouchers during the first sixnine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively, and relieved the accrual for legal matters and settlements for the full amount, relieved inventory at its cost, and the remaining amount -- the gross margin for the items sold of $0.7$1.1 million in 2022 and $0.8$1.2 million in 2021 -- was recorded as a reduction in SG&A expense.

21

Table of Contents

We believe that the following items set forth in the table below can distort the visibility of our ongoing performance and that the evaluation of our financial performance can be enhanced by use of supplemental presentation of our results that exclude the impact of these items.

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 

 

September 30, 

 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

 

    

% of Sales

    

    

% of Sales

 

    

% of Sales

    

    

% of Sales

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

SG&A, as reported (GAAP)

$

99,692

 

37.1

%  

$

93,165

 

33.0

%

$

300,804

 

35.5

%  

$

291,767

 

33.7

%

(Recovery) Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements2

 

(150)

 

(0.1)

%  

 

(400)

 

(0.1)

%

 

(150)

 

(0.0)

%  

 

7,275

 

0.8

%

Legal and Professional Fees3

 

 

%  

 

43

 

0.0

%

 

 

%  

 

470

 

0.1

%

Sub-Total Items above

 

(150)

 

(0.1)

%  

 

(357)

 

(0.1)

%

 

(150)

 

(0.0)

%  

 

7,745

 

0.9

%

Adjusted SG&A (a non-GAAP measure)

$

99,842

 

37.1

%  

$

93,522

 

33.1

%

$

300,954

 

35.5

%  

$

284,022

 

32.8

%

2The 2022 amount represents insurance recovery related to the Gold Litigation recorded in the third quarter of 2022. The 2021 amounts represent the charge to earnings for the Mason and Savidis matters in the first quarter of 2021 and a $0.4 million insurance recovery related to the MDL matter in the third quarter of 2021. These items are described more fully in Item 1, Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3Represents charges to earnings related to our defense of certain significant legal actions during the period. This does not include all legal costs incurred by the Company.

Operating (Loss) Income and Operating Margin

Operating loss was $4.1 million for the third quarter of 2022 compared to operating income of $12.0 million for the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted operating loss (a non-GAAP measure) in the third quarter of 2022 was $4.3 million, down $15.9 million from operating income of $11.7 million in the prior-year period. As a percentage of net sales, adjusted operating margin (a non-GAAP measure) for the third quarter of 2022 was (1.6)%, down 570 basis points from 4.1% in the third quarter of 2021, which reflected the increased selling, general and administrative expenses and decreased gross margin as described in the above sections.

Operating income was $5.6 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to $41.8 million for the first nine months of 2021. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) in the first nine months of 2022 was $6.4 million, down $36.5 million from the $42.9 million for the prior-year period. As a percentage of net sales, adjusted operating margin (a non-GAAP measure) for the first nine months of 2022 was 0.8%, down 420 basis points from 5.0% in the first nine months of 2021, which reflected the increased selling, general and administrative expenses and decreased gross margin as described in the above sections.

22

Table of Contents

We believe that the following items set forth in the table below can distort the visibility of our ongoing performance and that the evaluation of our financial performance can be enhanced by use of supplemental presentation of our results that exclude the impact of these items.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 

 

June 30, 

 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

 

    

% of Sales

    

    

% of Sales

 

    

% of Sales

    

    

% of Sales

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

SG&A, as reported (GAAP)

$

102,087

 

34.1

%  

$

96,116

 

31.9

%

$

201,112

 

34.8

%  

$

198,602

 

34.0

%

Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements2

 

 

%  

 

 

%

 

 

%  

 

7,675

 

1.3

%

Legal and Professional Fees3

 

 

%  

 

279

 

0.1

%

 

 

%  

 

427

 

0.1

%

Sub-Total Items above

 

 

%  

 

279

 

0.1

%

 

 

%  

 

8,102

 

1.4

%

Adjusted SG&A (a non-GAAP measure)

$

102,087

 

34.1

%  

$

95,837

 

31.8

%

$

201,112

 

34.8

%  

$

190,500

 

32.6

%

2This amount represents the charge to earnings for the Mason and Savidas matters recorded in the first half of 2021, which are described more fully in Item 1, Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3Represents charges to earnings related to our defense of certain significant legal actions during the period. This does not include all legal costs incurred by the Company.

Operating Income and Operating Margin

Operating income was $4.7 million for the second quarter of 2022 compared to $16.6 million for the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) in the second quarter of 2022 was $5.9 million, down $11.0 million from the $16.9 million for the prior-year period. As a percentage of net sales, adjusted operating margin (a non-GAAP measure) for the second quarter of 2022 was 2.0%, down 360 basis points from 5.6% in the second quarter of 2021, which reflected the increased selling, general and administrative expenses and decreased gross margin as described in the above sections.

Operating income was $9.7 million for the first six months of 2022 compared to $29.7 million for the first six months of 2021. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) in the first six months of 2022 was $10.7 million, down $20.6 million from the $31.3 million for the prior-year period. As a percentage of net sales, adjusted operating margin (a non-GAAP measure) for the first six months of 2022 was 1.9%, down 340 basis points from 5.3% in the first six months of 2021, which reflected the increased selling, general and administrative expenses and decreased gross margin as described in the above sections.

23

Table of Contents

We believe that the following items set forth in the table below can distort the visibility of our ongoing performance and that the evaluation of our financial performance can be enhanced by use of supplemental presentation of our results that exclude the impact of these items.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

% of Sales

    

% of Sales

% of Sales

    

% of Sales

% of Sales

    

% of Sales

% of Sales

    

% of Sales

(dollars in thousands)

(dollars in thousands)

(dollars in thousands)

(dollars in thousands)

Operating Income, as reported (GAAP)

$

4,663

1.6

%

$

16,614

5.5

%

$

9,717

1.7

%

$

29,720

5.1

%

Operating (Loss) Income, as reported (GAAP)

$

(4,110)

(1.5)

%

$

12,036

4.3

%

$

5,607

0.7

%

$

41,756

4.8

%

Gross Margin Items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antidumping Adjustments1

 

1,218

0.4

%

 

 

%

 

977

0.2

%

 

(6,566)

(1.1)

%

 

%

 

 

%

 

977

0.1

%

 

(6,566)

(0.8)

%

Gross Margin Subtotal

 

1,218

0.4

%

 

 

%

 

977

0.2

%

 

(6,566)

(1.1)

%

 

%

 

 

%

 

977

0.1

%

 

(6,566)

(0.8)

%

SG&A Items:

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

  

Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements2

 

%

 

 

%

 

%

 

7,675

1.3

%

(Recovery) Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements2

 

(150)

(0.1)

%

 

(400)

 

(0.1)

%

 

(150)

(0.0)

%

 

7,275

0.8

%

Legal and Professional Fees3

 

%

 

279

 

0.1

%

 

%

 

427

0.1

%

 

%

 

43

 

0.0

%

 

%

 

470

0.1

%

SG&A Subtotal

 

%

 

279

 

0.1

%

 

%

 

8,102

1.4

%

 

(150)

(0.1)

%

 

(357)

 

(0.1)

%

 

(150)

(0.0)

%

 

7,745

0.9

%

Adjusted Operating Income/Margin (a non-GAAP measure)

$

5,881

2.0

%

$

16,893

5.6

%

$

10,694

1.9

%

$

31,256

5.3

%

Adjusted Operating (Loss) Income/Margin (a non-GAAP measure)

$

(4,260)

(1.6)

%

$

11,679

4.1

%

$

6,434

0.8

%

$

42,935

5.0

%

1,2,3    See the Gross Profit and SG&A sections above for more detailed explanations of these individual items.

Other Expense (Income)

In the secondthird quarter of 2022, we had other expense of $0.2$0.6 million compared to other expense of $0.5 million$18.0 thousand for the secondthird quarter of 2021. Adjusted other expense (a non-GAAP measure) was $0.1$0.6 million for the secondthird quarter of 2022, which is a decreasean increase of $0.4$0.6 million compared to the secondthird quarter of 2021 driven by the decrease in outstanding debtinterest expense on borrowings under our Credit Agreement compared to no borrowings during the quarter compared to prior year.period.

The Company had other expense of $0.2$0.8 million for the first sixnine months of 2022 compared to other income of $0.3 million for the comparable period in 2021. BothWhile both years included interest on borrowings on our Credit Agreement. Agreement, during the second quarter of 2021, the Company repaid all borrowings under our Credit Agreement, minimalizing interest expense for the first nine months of 2021.

Adjusted other expense (a non-GAAP measure) was $0.2$0.8 million for the first sixnine months of 2022, which is a decrease of $1.4$0.8 million compared to the first sixnine months of 2021 driven by adue to the interest impact related to antidumping adjustments. Adjusted Other Expense reflects favorable adjustmentadjustments of $1.7 thousand and $1.8 million in 2022 and 2021 of $1.8 million for the reversal of interest expense associated with an anti-dumpingantidumping duty rate refund.

23

Table of Contents

We believe that the following item set forth in the table below can distort the visibility of our ongoing performance and that the evaluation of our financial performance can be enhanced by use of supplemental presentation of our results that exclude the impact of these items.

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

 

2022

2021

  

% of Sales

    

  

% of Sales

 

  

% of Sales

    

  

% of Sales

  

% of Sales

    

  

% of Sales

 

  

% of Sales

    

  

% of Sales

(dollars in thousands)

 

(dollars in thousands)

(dollars in thousands)

 

(dollars in thousands)

Other Expense (Income), as reported (GAAP)

$

199

 

0.1

%  

$

498

 

0.2

%  

$

184

 

0.0

%  

$

(270)

 

(0.0)

%  

$

646

 

0.2

%  

$

18

 

0.0

%  

$

830

 

0.1

%  

$

(252)

 

(0.0)

%  

Interest impact related to antidumping adjustment4

 

83

 

0.0

%  

 

 

%  

 

(2)

 

(0.0)

%  

 

(1,841)

 

(0.3)

%  

Interest Impact Related to Antidumping Adjustments4

 

 

%  

 

 

%  

 

(2)

 

(0.0)

%  

 

(1,841)

 

(0.2)

%  

Sub-Total Items above

 

83

 

0.0

%  

 

 

%  

 

(2)

 

(0.0)

%  

 

(1,841)

 

(0.3)

%  

 

 

%  

 

 

%  

 

(2)

 

(0.0)

%  

 

(1,841)

 

(0.2)

%  

Adjusted Other Expense/Adjusted Other Expense as a % of Sales (a non-GAAP measure)

$

116

 

0.0

%  

$

498

 

0.2

%  

$

186

 

0.0

%  

$

1,571

 

0.3

%  

$

646

 

0.2

%  

$

18

 

0.0

%  

$

832

 

0.1

%  

$

1,589

 

0.2

%  

4Represents the interest income impact of certain antidumping adjustments related to applicable prior-year shipments of engineered hardwood from China.

24

Table of Contents

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company calculates its quarterly tax provision pursuant to the guidelines in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740-270 "Income Taxes." Generally, ASC 740-270 requires companies to estimate the annual effective tax rate for current year ordinary income. The estimated annual effective tax rate represents the best estimate of the tax provision in relation to the best estimate of pre-tax ordinary income or loss. The estimated annual effective tax rate is then applied to year-to-date ordinary income or loss to calculate the year-to-date interim tax provision and is adjusted for discrete items that occur within the period.

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, the Company recognized income tax benefit of $1.0 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 20.6%. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized income tax expense of $3.2 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 27.0%. The lower effective tax rate in the current period primarily reflects the greater impact of permanent items on the pretax ordinary loss.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized income tax expense of $1.7$1.8 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 38.7%37.2%. For the threenine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2021, the Company recognized income tax expense of $4.1$10.6 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 25.6%25.3%. The higher effective tax rate in the current period primarily reflects the greater impact of permanent items on the lower pretax ordinary income.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized income tax expense of $2.8 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 29.0%. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recognized income tax expense of $7.4 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 24.6%. The higher effective tax rate is caused by the same drivers of the increase in effective tax rate for the quarter.

The Company has a valuation allowance recorded against certain of its net deferred tax assets of $2.4 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, because the jurisdiction and nature of the assets makes realization of these deferred tax assets uncertain. The Company intends to maintain this valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the realizability of those deferred tax assets.

Net (Loss) Income per Diluted Share

Net income per diluted share was $0.09 for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $0.41 for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Adjusted earningsloss per diluted share was $0.13 for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, compared to $0.41net income per diluted share of $0.30 for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2021. Adjusted loss per diluted share was $0.14 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to net income per diluted share of $0.29 for the three months ended September 30, 2021.

Net income per diluted share was $0.23$0.10 for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, compared to $0.77$1.06 for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2021. Adjusted earnings per diluted share was $0.26$0.12 for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, compared to $0.76$1.05 for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2021.

2524

Table of Contents

We believe that each of the items below can distort the visibility of our ongoing performance and that the evaluation of our financial performance can be enhanced by use of supplemental presentation of our results that exclude the impact of these items.

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

June 30, 

June 30, 

September 30, 

September 30, 

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Net Income, as reported (GAAP)

$

2,736

$

11,989

$

6,773

$

22,611

Net Income per Diluted Share (GAAP)

$

0.09

$

0.41

$

0.23

$

0.77

Net (Loss) Income, as reported (GAAP)

$

(3,774)

$

8,779

$

2,999

$

31,390

Net (Loss) Income per Diluted Share (GAAP)

$

(0.13)

$

0.30

$

0.10

$

1.06

Gross Margin Items:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Antidumping Adjustments1

 

896

 

 

719

 

(4,852)

 

 

 

719

 

(4,846)

Gross Margin Subtotal

 

896

 

 

719

 

(4,852)

Gross Margin (Loss) Subtotal

 

 

 

719

 

(4,846)

SG&A Items:

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements2

 

 

 

5,672

(Recovery) Accrual for Legal Matters and Settlements2

 

(110)

(295)

 

(110)

 

5,369

Legal and Professional Fees3

 

206

 

 

316

 

32

 

 

347

SG&A Subtotal

 

 

206

 

 

5,988

 

(110)

 

(263)

 

(110)

 

5,716

Other Expense (Income) Items:

 

 

 

 

Antidumping Adjustments Interest4

61

(1)

(1,360)

Other (Expense) Income Subtotal

61

 

(1)

 

(1,360)

Interest Impact Related to Antidumping Adjustments4

(1)

(1,359)

Other Expense (Income) Subtotal

 

(1)

 

(1,359)

Adjusted Earnings

$

3,693

$

12,195

$

7,491

$

22,387

Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share (a non-GAAP measure)

$

0.13

$

0.41

$

0.26

$

0.76

Adjusted (Loss) Earnings

$

(3,884)

$

8,516

$

3,607

$

30,901

Adjusted (Loss) Earnings per Diluted Share (a non-GAAP measure)

$

(0.14)

$

0.29

$

0.12

$

1.05

1,2,3,4,5,61,2,3,4    See the Gross Profit, SG&A and Other Expense (Income) sections above for more detailed explanations of these individual items. These items have been tax affected at the Company’s federal incremental rate, which was 26.4% for the 2022 period and 26.1%26.2% for the 2021 period.

Seasonality

Our net sales fluctuate slightly as a result of seasonal factors, and we adjust merchandise inventories in anticipation of those factors, causing variations in our build of merchandise inventories. Generally, we experience higher-than-average net sales in the spring and fall, when more home remodeling activities are taking place, and lower-than-average net sales in the winter months and during the hottest summer months. These seasonal fluctuations, however, are minimized to some extent by our national presence, as markets experience different seasonal characteristics. Those historical trends have been and continue to be affected by supply chain constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Cash Flows

Our strong balance sheet and liquidity provide us with the financial flexibility to fund our growth initiatives and position LL Flooring for long-term success. Our principal sources of liquidity at JuneSeptember 30, 2022 were $5.0$6.1 million of cash and cash equivalents on our balance sheet and $181.9$127.8 million of availability under our Revolving Loan. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, there was a $15.0$69.0 million outstanding balance on our Revolving Loan.

Our net cash flows used in operating activities were $76.0$123.8 million during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, which was primarily the result of purchases of inventory ($106.0113.8 million), redemption of customer deposits and store credits ($8.618.2 million), and payments for legal matters and settlements ($8.0 million), partially offset by increased accounts payable ($25.0 million) and net income ($6.88.1 million).

Through the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, net cash flows used in investing activities included $11.6$16.8 million in capital expenditures for store rebranding, opening six15 new stores and investments in digital. For 2022 we currently expect capital expenditure investments of $23$20 million to $25$22 million, including the opening of 20 to 2218 new stores and the continuation of the investing activities described above.

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On April 30, 2021 we entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date to April 30, 2026, convert the FILO Term Loan into the Revolving Credit Facility, decrease the margin for LIBOR Rate Loans, and reduce the LIBOR floor, which is described more fully in Item 1, Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company continues to navigate uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment related to inflation, consumer spending, global supply chain disruptions,higher interest rates, lower existing home sales, a shift in COVID-19 spend from home remodeling to travel and a challenging labor market.entertainment, and economic and employment uncertainty. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, we have rebuilt inventory by more than $104$111.2 million after an extended period of supply chain constraints. We believe that cash flows from operations, together with cash on hand, and the liquidity under our Credit Agreement will be sufficient to meet our obligations, fund our settlements, operations, anticipated capital expenditures, and potential share repurchases for the next 12 months. We prepare our forecasted cash flow and liquidity estimates based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable but are also inherently uncertain. Actual future cash flows could differ from these estimates.

Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise inventories at JuneSeptember 30, 2022 increased $104.4$111.2 million from December 31, 2021 primarily due to increased purchases to replenish inventory to support the Company’s strategy to place inventory close to its customers and to support new stores, as well as, to a lesser extent, inflation. The Company believes that it has rebuilt a solid mix of quality flooring inventory that is largely evergreen in nature. We consider merchandise inventories either “available for sale” or “inbound in-transit,” based on whether we have physically received and inspected the products at an individual store location, in our distribution centers or in another facility where we control and monitor inspection. 

Merchandise inventories and available inventory per store in operation were as follows:

��

    

As of June 30, 

As of December 31, 

As of June 30, 

    

As of September 30, 

As of December 31, 

As of September 30, 

2022

    

2021

    

2021

2022

    

2021

    

2021

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Inventory – Available for Sale

$

314,124

$

197,927

$

190,916

$

334,808

$

197,927

$

190,985

Inventory – Inbound In-Transit

 

44,680

 

56,458

 

32,991

 

30,814

 

56,458

 

34,013

Total Merchandise Inventories

$

358,804

$

254,385

$

223,907

$

365,622

$

254,385

$

224,998

Available Inventory Per Store

$

719

$

467

$

459

$

763

$

467

$

453

Available inventory per store at JuneSeptember 30, 2022 was higher than at December 31, 2021 and JuneSeptember 30, 2021 due to the same drivers as a resultthe increase in merchandise inventories, partially offset by the opening of rebuilding our inventory levels.new stores.

Inbound in-transit inventory generally varies due to the timing of certain international shipments and certain seasonal factors, including international holidays, rainy seasons, and specific merchandise category planning. Due to supply chain difficulties, international shipment times have lengthened.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical accounting policies are those that we believe are both significant and that require us to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often because we need to estimate the effect of inherently uncertain matters. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experiences and various other factors that we believe to be appropriate under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates, and we might obtain different estimates if we used different assumptions or conditions. We have had no significant changes in our Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates since our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Interest Rate Risk.

The Company can be exposed to interest rate risk because of variable rate borrowings under the credit facility. To the extent the Company borrows at LIBOR, financial results are subject to changes in the market rate of interest as well as the expected transition from the LIBOR reference rate in 2022. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2022, we had $15$69.0 million outstanding under our Credit Agreement, which carried a weighted average interest rate of 4.7%4.6% repayable at any time. A hypothetical 1% increase in interest rates would cause an increase of $150 thousand$0.7 million of annual interest if outstanding for the full year.

We currently do not engage in any interest rate hedging activity. However, in the future, in an effort to mitigate losses associated with interest rate risks, we may at times enter into derivative financial instruments, although we have not historically done so. We do not, and do not intend to, engage in the practice of trading derivative securities for profit.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of JuneSeptember 30, 2022.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Information with respect to this item may be found in Note 7, “Commitments and Contingencies”, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table presents our share repurchase activity for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

    

    

    

Total Number

    

Maximum Dollar Value

    

��   

    

Total Number

    

Maximum Dollar Value

of Shares

of Shares That May Yet

of Shares

of Shares That May Yet

Purchased as

Be Purchased as

Purchased as

Be Purchased as

Total Number

Average

Part of Publicly

Part of Publicly

Total Number

Average

Part of Publicly

Part of Publicly

of Shares

Price Paid

Announced

Announced

of Shares

Price Paid

Announced

Announced

Period

Purchased1,2

per Share1,2

Programs1

Programs1

Purchased2

per Share2

Programs

Programs1

April 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022

106

$

14.13

106

$

48,506

May 1, 2022 to May 31, 2022

465

11.83

571

43,000

June 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022

571

43,000

July 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022

43,000

August 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022

43,000

September 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022

43,000

Total

 

571

$

12.25

 

571

$

43,000

 

$

 

$

43,000

1In February 2022, the Company’s board of directors raised its authorization for the repurchase of up to $50$50.0 million of the Company’s common stock. In April 2022, the Company resumed its share repurchase program. The Company made cash payments of $7$7.0 million to repurchase 571,332 shares under the share repurchase authorization during the three months ended June 30,second quarter of 2022. There remains $43.0 million outstanding under the share repurchase authorization.
2We also repurchased 8,3143,963 shares of our common stock, at an average price of $11.63,$10.23, in connection with the net settlement of shares issued as a result of the vesting of restricted shares during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.

The exhibits listed in the following exhibit index are furnished as part of this report.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

Number

    

Exhibit Description

10.1

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Non-Employee Director), effective May 18, 2022 (filed herewith).

10.2

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Non-Employee Director), effective May 18, 2022LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. Amended Outside Directors Deferral Plan (filed herewith).

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer of LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer of LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101

The following financial statements from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements ofand Comprehensive Loss, (iv)(Loss) Income, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v)(iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi)(v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

LL FLOORING HOLDINGS, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: August 2,November 1, 2022

By:

/s/ Nancy A. Walsh

Nancy A. Walsh

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

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