UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark one)
☒ Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 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 no. 0-16469
Inter Parfums, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 13-3275609 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York | 10176 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |
| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: | 212.983.2640 | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Name of exchange on which registered | |
| Common Stock, $.001 par value per share | The Nasdaq Stock Market | |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Name of exchange on which registered | |
| None | None |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or 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 and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation SK is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10K or any other amendment to this Form 10K. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
| Large accelerated filer ☒ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer ☐ | Smaller reporting company ☐ |
| Emerging growth company ☐ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. $927,581,556 of voting equity and $-0- of non-voting equity.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s $.001 par value common stock as of the close of business on the latest practicable date February 25, 2019: 31,442,338.
Documents Incorporated By Reference: None.
Table of Contents
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This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and if incorporated by reference into a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, within the meaning of Section 27A of such act. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” or “continue” or similar expressions identify certain forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved.
Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are set forth in this report, including under the heading “Risk Factors”. Such factors include: Our inability to successfully integrate or manage any future acquisitions; continuation and renewal of existing license and similar agreements; potential inability to obtain new licensing, arrangements or agreements for additional brands; potential reduction in sales of our fragrance products due to reduced consumer confidence as the result of a prolonged economic downturn, recession or terrorist attack in the United States, Europe or any of the other countries in which we do significant business; uncertainties and continued deterioration in global credit markets could negatively impact suppliers, customers and consumers; inability to protect our intellectual property rights; potential liability for infringement of third party brand names; product liability claims; effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts and product acceptance by consumers; our dependence upon third party manufacturers and distributors; our dependence upon existing management; competition in the fragrance industry; risks related to our foreign operations, currency fluctuation and international tariff and trade barriers; compliance with governmental regulation; potential negative effects of “Brexit”; potential hacking and outages of our global information systems; seasonal variability of our business; our ability to operate our business without infringing, and misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of other parties.
These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that may affect us. It should be recognized that other factors, including general economic factors and business strategies, may be significant, presently or in the future, and the factors set forth herein may affect us to a greater extent than indicated. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth in this report. Except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Regulation S-K, Item 10(e), “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures in commission filings,” prescribes the conditions for use of non-GAAP financial information in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Our reported results include an impairment loss net of tax expense, and inventory reserve adjustment net of tax expense, both relating to the discontinuance and wind-down of certain of our mass market product lines, adjustment to deferred tax benefit due to the Tax Act, and tax recovery for dividends net of minority interest for 2017, and the nonrecurring tax settlement payment net of minority interest for 2016. Due to the cumulative effect of these nonrecurring items for 2017 and significance and nonrecurring nature of the tax settlement payment for 2016, exclusion of such amounts in the non-GAAP financial measures provides a more complete disclosure and facilitates a more accurate comparison of current results to historic results. Based upon the foregoing, we believe that our presentation of the non-GAAP financial information included on pages 49-50 of this Form 10-K is an important supplemental measure of operating performance to investors.
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Introduction
We are Inter Parfums, Inc. We operate in the fragrance business, and manufacture, market and distribute a wide array of fragrance and fragrance related products. Organized under the laws of the State of Delaware in May 1985 as Jean Philippe Fragrances, Inc., we changed our name to Inter Parfums, Inc. in July 1999. We have also retained our brand name, Jean Philippe Fragrances, for some of our mass market products.
Our worldwide headquarters and the office of our four (4) wholly-owned United States subsidiaries, Jean Philippe Fragrances, LLC, Inter Parfums USA, LLC and Interstellar Brands LLC, all New York limited liability companies, and IP Beauty, Inc. (formerly Nickel USA, Inc.), a Delaware corporation, are located at 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10176, and our telephone number is 212.983.2640. We also own 100% of Inter Parfums USA Hong Kong Limited indirectly through our 100% owned subsidiary, Inter Parfums USA, LLC.
Our consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary, Inter Parfums Holdings, S.A., and its majority-owned subsidiary, Interparfums SA, maintain executive offices at 4 Rond Point des Champs Elysees, 75008 Paris, France. Our telephone number in Paris is 331.5377.0000. Interparfums SA is the sole owner of three (3) distribution subsidiaries: Inter Parfums srl for Italy, Inter España Parfums et Cosmetiques, SL, for Spain and Interparfums Luxury Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for distribution of prestige brands in the United States. Interparfums SA is also the majority owner of Parfums Rochas Spain, SL, a Spanish limited liability company, which specializes in the distribution of Rochas fragrances. In addition, Interparfums SA is also the sole owner of Interparfums (Suisse) SARL, a company formed to hold and manage certain brand names, and Interparfums Singapore Pte., Ltd., an Asian sales and marketing office.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “IPAR”. The common shares of our subsidiary, Interparfums SA, are traded on the NYSE Euronext Exchange.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains financial reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. We maintain our internet website at www.interparfumsinc.com, which is linked to the SEC internet site. You can obtain through our website, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, interactive data files, current reports on Form 8-K, beneficial ownership reports (Forms 3, 4 and 5) and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.
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Company Overview
The following information is qualified in its entirety by and should be read together with the more detailed information and audited financial statements, including the related notes, contained or incorporated by reference in this report.
General
We operate in the fragrance business and manufacture, market and distribute a wide array of fragrance and fragrance related products. We manage our business in two segments, European based operations and United States based operations. Certain prestige fragrance products are produced and marketed by our European operations through our 73% owned subsidiary in Paris, Interparfums SA, which is also a publicly traded company as 27% of Interparfums SA shares trade on the NYSE Euronext.
Our business is not capital intensive, and it is important to note that we do not own manufacturing facilities. We act as a general contractor and source our needed components from our suppliers. These components are received at one of our distribution centers and then, based upon production needs, the components are sent to one of several third party fillers which manufacture the finished product for us and deliver them to one of our distribution centers.
Our fragrance products focus on prestige brands, each with a devoted following. By concentrating in markets where the brands are best known, we have had many successful product launches. We typically launch new fragrance families for our brands every year or two, and more frequently seasonal and limited edition fragrances are introduced as well.
The creation and marketing of each product family is intimately linked with the brand’s name, its past and present positioning, customer base and, more generally, the prevailing market atmosphere. Accordingly, we generally study the market for each proposed family of fragrance products for almost a full year before we introduce any new product into the market. This study is intended to define the general position of the fragrance family and more particularly its scent, bottle, packaging and appeal to the buyer. In our opinion, the unity of these four elements of the marketing mix makes for a successful product.
As with any business, many aspects of our operations are subject to influences outside our control. We believe we have a strong brand portfolio with global reach and potential. As part of our strategy, we plan to continue to make investments behind fast-growing markets and channels to grow market share. We discuss in greater detail risk factors relating to our business in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and the reports that we file from time to time with the SEC.
European Operations
We produce and distribute our fragrance products primarily under license agreements with brand owners, and fragrance product sales through our European operations represented approximately 80% of net sales for 2018. We have built a portfolio of prestige brands, which include Boucheron, Coach, Jimmy Choo, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Montblanc, Paul Smith, Repetto, Rochas, S.T. Dupont and Van Cleef & Arpels, whose products are distributed in over 100 countries around the world.
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With respect to the Company’s largest brands, we own the Lanvin brand name for our class of trade, and license the Montblanc, Jimmy Choo and Coach brand names. As a percentage of net sales, product sales for the Company’s largest brands were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Montblanc | 19 | % | 21 | % | 23 | % | ||||||
| Jimmy Choo | 17 | % | 18 | % | 17 | % | ||||||
| Coach | 15 | % | 10 | % | 4 | % | ||||||
| Lanvin | 10 | % | 11 | % | 12 | % | ||||||
United States Operations
Prestige brand fragrance products are also marketed through our United States operations, and represented 20% of sales for the year ended December 31, 2018. These fragrance products are sold under trademarks owned by us or pursuant to license or other agreements with the owners of brands, which include Abercrombie & Fitch, Agent Provocateur, Anna Sui, bebe, Dunhill, Hollister, French Connection, Graff, GUESS, Lily Aldridge and Oscar de la Renta.
Recent Developments
Lily Aldridge
In September 2018, Interstellar Brands LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, announced the development of a new fragrance line in collaboration with supermodel Lily Aldridge. The license agreement with Lily Aldridge runs through December 31, 2023, and is subject to royalty payments as are customary in our industry. This deal marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between Interstellar and IMG Models, which manages Lily Aldridge, to develop direct-to-consumer e-commerce fragrance and beauty businesses for IMG Models’ diverse and dynamic client base. Our initial fragrance product launch, a multi-scent collection, is planned for September 2019.
Van Cleef & Arpels License
In May 2018, the Company renewed its license agreement for an additional six years with Van Cleef & Arpels for the creation, development, and distribution of fragrance products through December 2024, without any material changes in terms and conditions. Our initial 12-year license agreement with Van Cleef & Arpels was signed in 2006.
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Graff License
In April 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive, 8-year worldwide license agreement with London-based Graff for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the Graff brand. Our rights under such license agreement are subject to certain advertising expenditures and royalty payments as are customary in our industry. Initial product development includes a multi-scent collection planned for a late 2019 launch. Additionally, we are exploring opportunities for luxury travel amenities, including five star hotels.
GUESS License
In February 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive, 15-year worldwide license agreement with GUESS?, Inc. for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the GUESS brand. This license took effect on April 1, 2018, and our rights under such license are subject to certain minimum advertising expenditures and royalty payments as are customary in our industry. In 2018, our sales efforts were focused on existing fragrances; in 2019, we plan to add several flankers to existing product and in 2020, entirely new fragrances are scheduled for launch.
Income Tax Recovery
The French government had introduced a 3% tax on dividends or deemed dividends for entities subject to French corporate income tax in 2012. In 2017, the French Constitutional Court released a decision declaring that the 3% tax on dividends or deemed dividends is unconstitutional. As a result of that decision, the Company filed a claim for refund of approximately $3.9 million for these taxes paid since 2015 including accrued interest of approximately $0.4 million. The Company recorded the refund claim as of December 31, 2017 and has received the entire refund in 2018.
Impairment Loss
The Company reviews intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Product sales of some of our mass market product lines had been declining for many years and represent a very small portion of our net sales. In 2017, the Company set in motion a plan to discontinue several of these product lines over the next few years and as a result, recorded an impairment loss of $2.1 million as of December 31, 2017. The Company also increased its inventory obsolescence reserves by $0.5 million as of December 31, 2017, to adjust to net realizable value the inventory of the product lines to be discontinued.
Settlement with French Tax Authorities
As previously reported, the French Tax Authorities examined the 2012 tax return of Interparfums SA. The main issues challenged by the French Tax Authorities related to the commission rate and royalty rate paid to Interparfums Singapore Pte. and Interparfums (Suisse) SARL, respectively. Due to the subjective nature of the issues involved, in April 2016, Interparfums SA reached an agreement in principle to settle the entire matter with the French Tax Authorities. The settlement required Interparfums SA to pay a tax assessment of $1.9 million covering the issues for not only the 2012 tax year, but also covering the issues for the tax years ended 2013 through 2015. The settlement, which was finalized by the French Tax Authorities in the first quarter of 2017, was accrued as of December 31, 2016.
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Fragrance Products
General
We are the owner of the Rochas brand, and the Lanvin brand name and trademark for our class of trade. In addition, we have built a portfolio of licensed prestige brands whereby we produce and distribute our prestige fragrance products under license agreements with brand owners. Under license agreements, we obtain the right to use the brand name, create new fragrances and packaging, determine positioning and distribution, and market and sell the licensed products, in exchange for the payment of royalties. Our rights under license agreements are also generally subject to certain minimum sales requirements and advertising expenditures as are customary in our industry.
Our licenses for these brands expire on the following dates:
| Brand Name | Expiration Date |
| Abercrombie & Fitch | December 31, 2021 |
| Agent Provocateur | December 31, 2023 |
| Anna Sui | December 31, 2021, plus two 5-year optional terms if certain conditions are met |
| bebe Stores | June 30, 2020 |
| Boucheron | December 31, 2025, plus a 5-year optional term if certain sales targets are met |
| Coach | June 30, 2026 |
| Dunhill | September 30, 2023, subject to earlier termination on September 30, 2019, if certain minimum sales are not met |
| French Connection | December 31, 2027, plus a 10-year optional term if certain sales targets are met |
| Graff | December 31, 2026, plus 3 optional 3-year terms if certain sales targets are met |
| GUESS | December 31, 2033 |
| Hollister | December 31, 2021 |
| Jimmy Choo | December 31, 2031 |
| Karl Lagerfeld | October 31, 2032 |
| Lily Aldridge | December 31, 2023 |
| Montblanc | December 31, 2025 |
| Oscar de la Renta | December 31, 2025, plus a 5-year optional term if certain sales targets are met |
| Paul Smith | December 31, 2021 |
| Repetto | December 31, 2024 |
| S.T. Dupont | December 31, 2019 |
| Van Cleef & Arpels | December 31, 2024 |
In connection with the acquisition of the Lanvin brand names and trademarks for our class of trade, we granted the seller the right to repurchase the brand names and trademarks in 2025 for the greater of €70 million (approximately $80 million) or one times the average of the annual sales for the years ending December 31, 2023 and 2024.
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Fragrance Portfolio
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. — In December 2014, we entered into a 7-year worldwide license to create, produce and distribute new fragrances and fragrance related products under the Abercrombie & Fitch brand name. The Company distributes these fragrances internationally in specialty stores, high-end department stores and duty free shops, and in the U.S., in duty free shops and in select Abercrombie & Fitch retail stores. In 2016 we launched our initial men’s scent, First Instinct, and during 2017 we launched a women’s version of First Instinct. In 2018 and early 2019, we introduced several First Instinct brand extensions. In the spring of 2019 we will be unveiling a new fragrance family for Abercrombie & Fitch, Authentic, for men and women.
Abercrombie & Fitch is a specialty retailer of high quality apparel and accessories for men and women. For more than 125 years, the iconic brand has outfitted innovators, explorers and entrepreneurs. Today, it reflects the updated attitude of the modern customer, while remaining true to its heritage of creating expertly crafted products with an effortless, American style.
Agent Provocateur— In July 2013, we entered into a 10.5-year exclusive worldwide license to create, produce and distribute fragrances and fragrance related products under London-based luxury lingerie brand, Agent Provocateur. In 2013, we commenced distribution of selected fragrances within the brand’s legacy fragrance portfolio, and in 2014, we launched our first new Agent Provocateur scents, Fatale and Fatale Pink. In 2016, we introduced Agent Provocateur Aphrodisiaque, our second fragrance family for the brand. An addition to the brand’s signature fragrance collection took place in 2017, with Fatale Orchid and several new limited editions debuted in 2018. Agent Provocateur fragrance sales are concentrated in the United Kingdom and the Middle East.
Agent Provocateur is a brand that is confident, sensual and irreverent. It celebrates and empowers women with a unique brand image renowned for being provocative and yet always leaving something to the imagination.
Anna Sui—In June 2011, we entered into a 10-year exclusive worldwide fragrance license agreement to produce and distribute fragrances and fragrance related products under the Anna Sui brand. We work in partnership with American designer, Anna Sui, and her creative team to build upon the brand’s growing customer appeal, and develop new fragrances that capture the brand’s very sweet feminine girly aspect, combined with touch of nostalgia, hipness and rock-and-roll. Anna Sui’s devoted customer base, which spans the world, is concentrated in Asia.
With the popularity of Anna Sui fragrances throughout Asia, we enjoyed dramatic increases in brand sales in that region in both 2017 and 2018. By maintaining a strong advertising and marketing commitment to Anna Sui over many years, we were rewarded as the Chinese economy improved. We also took advantage of the improving economy with a major new product launch Fantasia by Anna Sui, with distribution concentrated across Asia. In addition, the brand’s growing popularity in other Asian countries contributed to the upturn that began in 2017. In 2018, we introduced Fantasia Mermaid for Anna Sui and a completely new Anna Sui fragrance family called, Sky, is in the works for 2020.
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bebe — In July 2008, we entered into an exclusive 6-year worldwide agreement with bebe Stores, Inc., that has been renewed through June 30, 2020, under which we design, manufacture and supply fragrances under the bebe brand name in specialty and department stores worldwide. We have incorporated bebe’s signature look into fragrances for the brand’s strong, hip, sexy, and sophisticated clientele. In 2018, Hollywood Jetset and South Beach Jetset made their debut for the bebe brand.
Boucheron— In December 2010, we entered into an exclusive 15-year worldwide license agreement for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the Boucheron brand. Boucheron is the French jeweler "par excellence". Founded by Frederic Boucheron in 1858, the House has produced some of the world’s most beautiful and precious creations. Today Boucheron creates jewelry and timepieces and, under license from global brand leaders, fragrances and sunglasses. Currently Boucheron operates through over 40 boutiques worldwide as well as an e-commerce site.
One of our first new fragrances under the Boucheron brand, Boucheron Place Vendôme, was released in 2013. In 2015, we launched a new fragrance duo for the Boucheron brand around its iconic Quatre ring, Boucheron Quatre. A six scent collection was launched under the Boucheron brand in 2017, to which two scents were added in 2018, the same year Boucheron Quatre en Rose made its debut. For 2019, we are again launching two new fragrances as part of the Boucheron collection.
Coach— In April 2015, we entered into an exclusive 11-year worldwide license with Coach, Inc. to create, produce and distribute new men’s and women’s fragrances and fragrance related products under the Coach brand name. We distribute these fragrances globally to department stores, specialty stores and duty free shops, as well as in Coach retail stores.
Coach, established in New York City in 1941, is a leading design house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle collections with a rich heritage of pairing exceptional leathers and materials with innovative design. Coach is sold worldwide through Coach stores, select department stores and specialty stores, and through Coach’s website at www.coach.com. Coach’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol COH and Coach’s Hong Kong Depositary Receipts are traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the symbol 6388.
In 2016, we launched our first Coach fragrance, a women’s scent, and in 2017, a men’s scent, both of which have quickly become top selling prestige fragrances. In 2018, the Coach brand achieved remarkable sales growth and quickly become one of the largest brands in our portfolio. Coach sales were driven by the continued popularity of the Coach signature lines, as well as the success of flankers, Coach Floral and Coach Platinum, which rolled out in 2018. We have a new Coach women’s scent in the works for debut in 2020.
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Dunhill—In December 2012, we entered into an exclusive 10-year worldwide fragrance license to create, produce and distribute fragrances and fragrance related products under the Dunhill brand.
The house of Dunhill was established in 1893 and since that time has been dedicated to providing high quality men’s luxury products, with core collections offered in menswear, leather goods and accessories. The brand has global reach through a premium mix of self-managed retail outlets, high-level department stores and specialty stores. Known for its commitment to elegance and innovation and being a leader of British men’s style, the brand continues to blend innovation and creativity with traditional craftsmanship.
Beginning in 2015, we rolled out our new Dunhill scent, Icon, the success of which has made the Dunhill brand one of the stars within our United States based operations. Building upon the established success of the Icon fragrance family, we launched several product extensions including Icon Absolute, Icon Elite and Icon Racing. In 2018 we introduced a new Dunhill scent for men called Century and for 2019, we will debut the Dunhill Signature Collection, as well as Century Blue.
French Connection— In September 2015, we entered into a 12-year license agreement to create, produce and distribute fragrances and fragrance related products under the French Connection brand names. French Connection operates in the fashion orientated market place offering a fashion-forward range of quality products at affordable prices. Its customers, typically aged 18-35, appreciate that the brand is at the leading edge of high street fashion and offers quality and style in its products. French Connection designs, produces and distributes branded fashion clothing, accessories and household items for men, women, and children in more than 50 countries around the world and has licensed partners operating French Connection stores across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. French Connection operates retail stores and concessions in the United Kingdom, Europe, United States and Canada and also operates an e-commerce business in each of those territories.
Graff— In April 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive, 8-year worldwide license agreement with London-based Graff for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the Graff brand. The 8-year agreement has three 3-year automatic renewal options, potentially extending the license until December 31, 2035.
Since Laurence Graff OBE founded the company in 1960, Graff has been dedicated to sourcing and crafting diamonds and gemstones of untold beauty and rarity, and transforming them into spectacular pieces of jewelry that move the heart and stir the soul. Throughout its rich history, Graff has become the world leader for diamonds of rarity, magnitude and distinction. Most notably, it has dominated the list of historical and important rough diamonds discovered, cut and polished this century. Each jewelry creation is designed and manufactured in Graff’s London atelier, where master craftsman employ stone-led design techniques to emphasize the beauty of each individual stone. The company remains a family business, overseen by Francois Graff, Chief Executive Officer.
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Our plan calls for developing a multi-scent collection launching towards the end of 2019 with distribution earmarked for Graff stores, high-end department stores, and upscale travel retail. Additionally, we are exploring opportunities for luxury travel amenities, including five star hotels.
GUESS— In February 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive, 15-year worldwide license agreement with GUESS?, Inc. for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the GUESS brand. This license took effect on April 1, 2018. We began selling GUESS legacy scents in 2018. For 2019, we have on tap two GUESS launches, 1981 Los Angeles for men and women and Seductive Noir for women. For 2020, we have a new line, Bella Vita, in development.
Established in 1981, GUESS began as a jeans company and has since successfully grown into a global lifestyle brand. GUESS?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, denim, handbags, watches, footwear and other related consumer products. GUESS products are distributed through branded GUESS stores as well as better department and specialty stores around the world. As of November 3, 2018, GUESS directly operated over 1,100 retail stores in the Americas, Europe and Asia. GUESS’ licensees and distributors operated 584 additional retail stores worldwide. GUESS and its licensees and distributors operate in approximately 100 countries worldwide.
Hollister— In December 2014, we entered into a 7-year worldwide license to create, produce and distribute new fragrances and fragrance related products under the Hollister brand name. The Company distributes these fragrances internationally in specialty stores, high-end department stores and duty free shops, and in the U.S., in duty free shops as well as select Hollister retail stores. In 2016 we launched a new men’s and women’s scent, Wave, for Hollister. In 2017, we introduced a fragrance duo, Wave 2, to complement the Wave franchise by Hollister. During 2018 we debuted an entirely new fragrance family for Hollister, Festival Vibes, as well as Free Wave, both for men and women. For 2020, we have a duo in the works, Festival Party for men and women.
The quintessential apparel brand of the global teen consumer, Hollister Co. celebrates the liberating spirit of the endless summer inside everyone. Inspired by California’s laidback attitude, Hollister’s clothes are designed to be lived in and made your own, for wherever life takes you.
Jimmy Choo— In October 2009, we entered into an exclusive 12-year worldwide license agreement for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the Jimmy Choo brand, and in 2017, we entered into an amended license agreement which now runs through December 31, 2031.
Jimmy Choo encompasses a complete luxury accessories brand. Women’s shoes remain the core of the product offering, alongside handbags, small leather goods, scarves, eyewear, belts, fragrance and men’s shoes. Chief Executive Officer Pierre Denis and Creative Director Sandra Choi together share a vision to create one of the world’s most treasured luxury brands. Jimmy Choo has a global store network encompassing more than 150 stores and is present in the most prestigious department and specialty stores worldwide. Jimmy Choo is part of the Michael Kors Holdings Limited luxury fashion group.
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Our first fragrance under the Jimmy Choo brand, a women’s signature scent, rolled out globally in 2011. In 2013, we launched our second Jimmy Choo line, Flash, and in 2014, we debuted Jimmy Choo Man, our first men’s scent which ranked in 2015 as the 9th best-selling men’s fragrance in the United States. In 2015, the launch of Jimmy Choo Illicit, our third women’s fragrance under that label hit the market. In 2017, building on the very strong fragrance family trees of the Jimmy Choo signature scent for women (2011) and Jimmy Choo Man (2014), we successfully launched Jimmy Choo L’Eau for women and Jimmy Choo Man Ice. In 2018 we released a flanker for the Jimmy Choo Man line, Jimmy Choo Man Blue, and the brand’s women’s signature scent added still another member to the family with Jimmy Choo Fever. For 2019, Jimmy Choo will add a new scent for men in the fall and for 2020, we are expanding our product line to include a fragrance collection with related lipstick and nail polish.
Karl Lagerfeld— In October 2012, we entered into a 20-year worldwide license agreement with Karl Lagerfeld B.V., the internationally renowned haute couture fashion house, to create, produce and distribute fragrances under the Karl Lagerfeld brand.
Under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld, one of the world’s most influential and iconic designers, the Lagerfeld Portfolio represents a modern approach to distribution, an innovative digital strategy and a global 360 degree vision that reflects the designer’s own style and soul. In 2017, we changed the strategic positioning and instituting new pricing with the launch of a new duo called Les Parfums Matières, which debuted in the second half of 2017, achieving excellent sales results. In the second half of 2018, we expanded the Les Parfums Matières line with another fragrance duo.
Lanvin— In July 2007, we acquired the worldwide rights to the Lanvin brand names and international trademarks listed in Class 3, our class of trade. A synonym of luxury and elegance, the Lanvin fashion house, founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, expanded into fragrances in the 1920s.
Lanvin is currently our fourth largest brand by sales volume. Lanvin fragrances occupy an important position in the selective distribution market in France, Eastern Europe and Asia, and we have several lines currently in distribution, including: Arpège, Lanvin L’Homme, Éclat d’Arpège, Rumeur 2 Rose, Jeanne Lanvin, Marry Me and Modern Princess. Our Éclat d’Arpège line accounts for approximately 50% of this brand’s sales. To capitalize on the success of our Éclat d’Arpège line, in 2015 we launched Éclat d’Arpège Homme as well as Éclat de Fleurs. In late 2016, we released a new Lanvin women’s line, Modern Princess in limited distribution which rolled out to broader international distribution in 2017. We added two flankers, Lanvin Modern Princess Eau Sensuelle and Éclat de Nuit in 2018 and we have a new Lanvin scent called A Girl in Capri debuting in 2019.
Lily Aldridge— In September 2018, Interstellar Brands LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company announced the development of a new fragrance line in collaboration with supermodel Lily Aldridge. The license agreement with Lily Aldridge runs through December 31, 2023. This deal marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between Interstellar and IMG Models, which manages Lily Aldridge, to develop direct-to-consumer e-commerce fragrance and beauty businesses for IMG Models’ diverse and dynamic client base.
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Aldridge, best known for her work with Bulgari, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and Victoria’s Secret, will work closely with Interstellar to develop a unique, namesake fragrance line and e-commerce site that will be connected directly to Aldridge’s social channels and passionate fan base. Our initial fragrance product launch, a multi-scent collection, is planned for September 2019.
Montblanc—In October 2015, we extended our license agreement with Montblanc by five years. The original agreement, signed in 2010, provided us with the exclusive worldwide license rights to create, produce and distribute fragrances and fragrance related products under the Montblanc brand through December 31, 2020. The new agreement, which went into effect on January 1, 2016, extends the partnership through December 31, 2025 without any material changes in operating conditions from the prior license.
Montblanc has achieved a world-renowned position in the luxury segment and has become a purveyor of exclusive products, which reflect today’s exacting demands for timeless design, tradition and master craftsmanship. Through its leadership positions in writing instruments, watches and leather goods, promising growth outlook in women’s jewelry, active presence in more than 70 countries, network of more than 350 boutiques worldwide and high standards of product design and quality, Montblanc has grown to be our largest fragrance brand.
In 2011, we launched our first new Montblanc fragrance, Legend, which quickly became our best-selling men’s line. In 2012, we launched our first women’s fragrance under the Montblanc brand, and our second men’s line, Emblem, was launched in 2014. The Emblem line was expanded in 2015 to include Montblanc Emblem Intense and a new women’s scent, Lady Emblem. In 2016, we further extended our successful Montblanc Legend line with a new men’s scent, Montblanc Legend Spirit. For 2017, we continued the rollout of the highly successful launch of Montblanc Legend Spirit and launched Montblanc Legend Night during the 2017 holiday season with the global rollout continuing into the following year. In early 2019, Montblanc will unveil Montblanc Explorer, a new men’s scent, with distribution in all geographic markets around the globe.
Oscar de la Renta— In October 2013, we entered into a 12-year exclusive worldwide license to create, produce and distribute fragrances and fragrance related products under the Oscar de la Renta brand. In 2014, we took over distribution of fragrances within the brand’s legacy fragrance portfolio, and our first new women’s fragrance under the Oscar de la Renta brand, Extraordinary, was launched in 2015. For 2016, in addition to several flankers that we launched throughout the year, we debuted a new men’s fragrance family, Oscar de la Renta Gentlemen. Bella Blanca, a new Oscar de la Renta scent, debuted in early 2018, and Bella Rosa is scheduled for a 2019 debut.
Oscar de la Renta is one of the world’s leading luxury goods firms. The New York-based company was established in 1965, and encompasses a full line of women’s accessories, bridal, childrenswear, fragrance, beauty and home goods, in addition to its internationally renowned signature women’s ready to wear collection. Oscar de la Renta products are sold globally in fine department and specialty stores, www.oscardelarenta.com and through wholesale channels. The Oscar de la Renta brand has a loyal following in the United States, Canada and Latin America.
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Paul Smith— In May 2017, the Company renewed its license agreement for an additional four years with Paul Smith for the creation, development, and distribution of fragrance products through December 2021, without any material changes in terms and conditions. Our initial 12-year license agreement with Paul Smith was signed in 1998, and had previously been extended through December 31, 2017.
Paul Smith is an internationally renowned British designer who creates fashion with a clear identity. Paul Smith has a modern style which combines elegance, inventiveness and a sense of humor and enjoys a loyal following, especially in the UK and Japan. Fragrances include: Paul Smith, Paul Smith Extrême, and Paul Smith Rose. In 2018, Paul Smith Hello You, made its debut.
Repetto— In December 2011, we entered into a 13-year exclusive worldwide license agreement to create, produce and distribute fragrances under the Repetto brand.
Created in 1947 by Rose Repetto at the request of her son, dancer and choreographer Roland Petit, Repetto is today a legendary name in the world of dance. For a number of years, it has developed timeless and must-have collections with a fully modernized signature style ranging from dance shoes, ballet slippers, flat shoes, and sandals to more recently handbags and high-end accessories.
With Repetto boutiques in several countries throughout the world, the brand has branched out into Asia, notably China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and Japan with a mix of cross-generational appeal and French chic. Our first Repetto fragrance line was launched in 2013 and a floral scent was added in 2015. Despite this brand’s success with footwear, handbags and high-end accessories, fragrance sales have been modest. A new scent, Dance with Repetto debuted in the first quarter of 2018.
Rochas— In May 2015, we acquired the Rochas brand from The Procter & Gamble Company. Founded by Marcel Rochas in 1925, the brand began as a fashion house and expanded into perfumery in the 1950s under Hélène Rochas’ direction. This transaction included all brand names and registered trademarks for Rochas (Femme, Madame, Eau de Rochas, etc.), mainly for fragrance, cosmetics and fashion.
This acquisition opened a new page in the Company’s history by integrating for the first time both fragrances and fashion, allowing us to apply a global approach to managing a fragrance brand with complete freedom in terms of creativity and aesthetic choices. At the same time, we enjoy a very high degree of visibility establishing a position of even greater preeminence for Rochas in the luxury goods universe. Rochas brand sales currently include approximately $2.5 million of royalties generated by the fashion and accessory business via its portfolio of license agreements. Our first new fragrance for Rochas, Mademoiselle Rochas, had a successful launch that began in the first quarter of 2017 in its traditional markets of France and Spain. In 2018, we continued the international rollout of Mademoiselle Rochas in additional markets, debuted flankers for Eau de Rochas and Mademoiselle Rochas and in late 2018, we launched our first new men’s line, Rochas Moustache. We also have a new men’s line under development for 2020.
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S.T. Dupont— In June 1997, we signed an exclusive worldwide license agreement with S.T. Dupont for the creation, manufacture and distribution of S.T. Dupont fragrances. In 2011, the agreement was renewed through December 31, 2016, and in September 2016 was renewed again through December 31, 2019, without any material changes in terms and conditions. S.T. Dupont is a French luxury goods house founded in 1872, which is known for its fine writing instruments, lighters and leather goods. S.T. Dupont fragrances include: S.T. Dupont Classic, S.T. Dupont Essence Pure, S.T. Dupont Collection and Be Exceptional (launched in September 2018).
Van Cleef & Arpels— In May 2018, the Company renewed its license agreement for an additional six years with Van Cleef & Arpels for the creation, development, and distribution of fragrance products through December 2024. Our initial 12-year license agreement with Van Cleef & Arpels was signed in 2006.
Van Cleef & Arpels fragrances in current distribution include: First and Collection Extraordinaire. Sales of the Collection Extraordinaire line have experienced continued growth since its debut. We continue to annually introduce new additions to the Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire assortment.
Business Strategy
Focus on prestige beauty brands. Prestige beauty brands are expected to contribute significantly to our growth. We focus on developing and launching quality fragrances utilizing internationally renowned brand names. By identifying and concentrating in the most receptive market segments and territories where our brands are known, and executing highly targeted launches that capture the essence of the brand, we have had a history of successful launches. Certain fashion designers and other licensors choose us as a partner, because our Company’s size enables us to work more closely with them in the product development process as well as our successful track record.
Grow portfolio brands through new product development and marketing. We grow through the creation of fragrance family extensions within the existing brands in our portfolio. Every year or two, we create a new family of fragrances for each brand in our portfolio. We frequently introduce seasonal and limited edition fragrances as well. With new introductions, we leverage our ability and experience to gauge trends in the market and further leverage the brand name into different product families in order to maximize sales and profit potential. We have had success in introducing new fragrance families (sub-brands, flanker brands or flankers) within our brand franchises. Furthermore, we promote the performance of our prestige fragrance operations through knowledge of the market, detailed analysis of the image and potential of each brand name, and a highly professional approach to international distribution channels.
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Continue to add new brands to our portfolio, through new licenses or acquisitions. Prestige brands are the core of our business and we intend to add new prestige beauty brands to our portfolio. Over the past 25 years, we have built our portfolio of well-known prestige brands through acquisitions and new license agreements. We intend to further build on our success in prestige fragrances and pursue new licenses and acquire new brands to strengthen our position in the prestige beauty market. To that end, in 2017, we extended our Jimmy Choo license through December 31, 2031 and our Paul Smith license until December 2021. In 2018, we signed new license agreements with GUESS?, Inc., Graff and Lily Aldridge and extended our license with Van Cleef & Arpels. As of December 31, 2018, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of approximately $261 million, which we believe should assist us in entering new brand licenses or out-right acquisitions. We identify prestige brands that can be developed and marketed into a full and varied product families and, with our technical knowledge and practical experience gained over time, take licensed brand names through all phases of concept, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution.
Expand existing portfolio into new categories. We selectively broaden our product offering beyond the fragrance category and offer other fragrance related products and personal care products under some of our existing brands. We believe such product offerings meet customer needs and further strengthen customer loyalty.
Continue to build global distribution footprint. Our business is a global business and we intend to continue to build our global distribution footprint. In order to adapt to changes in the environment and our business, in addition to our arrangements with third party distributors globally, we are operating distribution subsidiaries or divisions in the major markets of the United States, France, Italy and Spain for distribution of prestige fragrances. We may look into future joint arrangements or acquire distribution companies within other key markets to distribute certain of our prestige brands. While building a global distribution footprint is part of our long-term strategy, we may need to make certain decisions based on the short-term needs of the business. We believe that in certain markets, vertical integration of our distribution network may be one of the keys to future growth of our Company, and ownership of such distribution should enable us to better serve our customers’ needs in local markets and adapt more quickly as situations may determine.
Production and Supply
The stages of the development and production process for all fragrances are as follows:
| ● | Simultaneous discussions with perfume designers and creators (includes analysis of esthetic and olfactory trends, target clientele and market communication approach) |
| ● | Concept choice |
| ● | Produce mock-ups for final acceptance of bottles and packaging |
| ● | Receive bids from component suppliers (glass makers, plastic processors, printers, etc.) and packaging companies |
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| ● | Choose suppliers |
| ● | Schedule production and packaging |
| ● | Issue component purchase orders |
| ● | Follow quality control procedures for incoming components; and |
| ● | Follow packaging and inventory control procedures. |
Suppliers who assist us with product development include:
| ● | Independent perfumery design companies (Aesthete, Carré Basset, PI Design, Cent Degres) |
| ● | Perfumers (IFF, Givaudan, Firmenich, Robertet, Takasago, Mane) which create a fragrance consistent with our expectations and, that of the fragrance designers and creators |
| ● | Bottle manufacturers (Pochet du Courval, Verescence, Verreries Brosse, Bormioli Luigi, Stoelzle Masnières ), caps (Qualipac, ALBEA, RPC, Codiplas, LF Beauty, Texen Group)) or boxes (Autajon , MMPP, Nortier, Draeger) |
| ● | Production specialists who carry out packaging (CCI, Edipar , Jacomo, SDPP, MF Productions, Biopack) or logistics (Bolloré Logistics for storage, order preparation and shipment) |
Suppliers’ accounts for our European operations are primarily settled in euro and for our United States operations, suppliers’ accounts are primarily settled in U.S. dollars. For our European operations components for our prestige fragrances are purchased from many suppliers around the world and are primarily manufactured in France. For United States operations, components for our prestige fragrances are sourced from many suppliers around the world and are primarily manufactured in the United States.
Marketing and Distribution
Our products are distributed in over 100 countries around the world through a selective distribution network. For our international distribution, we either contract with independent distribution companies specializing in luxury goods or distribute prestige products through our distribution subsidiaries. In each country, we designate anywhere from one to three distributors on an exclusive basis for one or more of our name brands. We also distribute our products through a variety of duty free operators, such as airports and airlines and select vacation destinations.
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As our business is a global one, we intend to continue to build our global distribution footprint. For distribution of brands within our European based operations we operate through our distribution subsidiaries or divisions in the major markets of the United States, France, Italy and Spain, in addition to our arrangements with third party distributors globally. Our third party distributors vary in size depending on the number of competing brands they represent. This extensive and diverse network together with our own distribution subsidiaries provides us with a significant presence in over 100 countries around the world.
Over 45% of our European based prestige fragrance net sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. We address certain financial exposures through a controlled program of risk management that includes the use of derivative financial instruments. We primarily enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates.
The business of our European operations has become increasingly seasonal due to the timing of shipments by our distribution subsidiaries and divisions to their customers, which are weighted to the second half of the year.
For our United States operations, we distribute product to retailers and distributors in the United States as well as internationally, including duty free and other travel-related retailers. We utilize our in-house sales team to reach our third party distributors and customers outside the United States. In addition, the business of our United States operations has become increasingly seasonal as shipments are weighted toward the second half of the year.
Competition
The market for prestige fragrance products is highly competitive and sensitive to changing preferences and demands. The prestige fragrance industry is highly concentrated around certain major players with resources far greater than ours. We compete with an original strategy, regular and methodical development of quality fragrances for a growing portfolio of internationally renowned brand names.
Inventory
We purchase raw materials and component parts from suppliers based on internal estimates of anticipated need for finished goods, which enables us to meet production requirements for finished goods. We generally deliver product to customers within 72 hours of the receipt of their orders. Our business is not capital intensive, and it is important to note that we do not own manufacturing facilities. We act as a general contractor and source our needed components from our suppliers. These components are received at one of our distribution centers and then, based upon production needs, the components are sent to one of several third party fillers which manufacture the finished product for us and then deliver them to one of our distribution centers.
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Product Liability
Our United States operations maintain product liability coverage in an amount of $10.0 million, and our European operations maintain product liability coverage in an amount of €23.0 million (approximately $26 million). Based upon our experience, we believe this coverage is adequate and covers substantially all of the exposure we may have with respect to our products. We have never been the subject of any material product liability claims.
Government Regulation
A fragrance is defined as a “cosmetic” under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. A fragrance must comply with the labeling requirements of this FDC Act as well as the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and its regulations. Some of our color cosmetic products may contain menthol and are also classified as a “drug”. Under U.S. law, a product may be classified as both a cosmetic and a drug. Additional regulatory requirements for products which are “drugs” include additional labeling requirements, registration of the manufacturer and the semi-annual update of a drug list. In addition, various jurisdictions prohibit the use of certain ingredients in fragrances and cosmetics.
Our fragrances are subject to the approval of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as a result of the use of specially denatured alcohol. So far we have not experienced any difficulties in obtaining the required approvals.
Our fragrance products that are manufactured or sold in Europe are subject to certain regulatory requirements of the European Union, such as Cosmetic Directive 76/768/CEE and Regulation number 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, but as of the date of this report, we have not experienced any material difficulties in complying with such requirements.
Trademarks
The market for our products depends to a significant extent upon the value associated with our trademarks and brand names. We have licenses or other rights to use, or own, the material trademark and brand name rights used in connection with the packaging, marketing and distribution of our major products both in the United States and in other countries where such products are principally sold. Therefore, trademark and brand name protection is important to our business. Although most of the brand names we license, use or own are registered in the United States and in certain foreign countries in which we operate, we may not be successful in asserting trademark or brand name protection. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. The costs required to protect our trademarks and brand names may be substantial.
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Under various license and other agreements we have the right to use certain registered trademarks throughout the world (except as otherwise noted) for fragrance products. These registered trademarks include:
| ● | Abercrombie & Fitch | |
| ● | Agent Provocateur | |
| ● | Anna Sui | |
| ● | bebe | |
| ● | Boucheron | |
| ● | Coach | |
| ● | Dunhill | |
| ● | French Connection | |
| ● | Graff | |
| ● | GUESS | |
| ● | Hollister | |
| ● | Jimmy Choo | |
| ● | Jordache | |
| ● | Lily Aldridge | |
| ● | Karl Lagerfeld | |
| ● | Montblanc |
| ● | Oscar de la Renta |
| ● | Paul Smith | |
| ● | Repetto |
| ● | S.T. Dupont |
| ● | Van Cleef & Arpels |
In addition, we are the registered trademark owner of several trademarks for fragrance and beauty products, including:
| ● | Rochas | |
| ● | Lanvin | |
| ● | Intimate | |
| ● | Aziza |
Employees
As of February 1, 2019, we had 313 full-time employees worldwide. Of these, 215 are full-time employees of our European operations, with 73 employees engaged in sales activities and 142 in administrative, production and marketing activities. Our United States operations have 98 employees, and of these, 14 were engaged in sales activities and 84 in administrative, production and marketing activities. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good.
You should carefully consider these risk factors before you decide to purchase or sell shares of our common stock. These factors could cause our future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements made by us. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
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We are dependent upon the continuation and renewal of various licenses and other agreements for a significant portion of our sales, and the loss of one or more licenses or agreements could have a material adverse effect on us.
All of our rights relating to prestige fragrance brands, other than Lanvin and Rochas, are derived from licenses or other agreements from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses and other agreements on terms favorable to us. Each license or agreement is for a specific term and may have additional optional terms. Generally, each license is subject to us making required royalty payments (which are subject to certain minimums), minimum advertising and promotional expenditures and meeting minimum sales requirements. Other agreements are generally subject to meeting minimum sales requirements. Just as the loss of a license or other significant agreement may have a material adverse effect on us, a renewal on less favorable terms may also negatively impact us.
Our business could be adversely affected by a prolonged downturn or recession in the United States, Europe or other countries in which we conduct business.
A prolonged economic downturn or recession in the United States, Europe, China or any of the other countries in which we do significant business could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, such a downturn or recession could adversely impact (i) the level of spending by our ultimate consumers, (ii) our ability to collect accounts receivable on a timely basis from certain customers, (iii) our ability of certain suppliers to fill our orders for raw materials, packaging or co-packed finished goods on a timely basis, and (iv) the mix of our product sales.
Consumers may reduce discretionary purchases of our products as a result of a general economic downturn.
We believe that a high degree of global economic uncertainty could have a negative effect on consumer confidence, demand and spending. In addition, we believe that consumer spending on beauty products is influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. Accordingly, we may experience sustained periods of declines in sales during periods of economic downturn as it may affect consumer purchasing patterns. In addition, a general economic downturn may result in reduced traffic in our customers’ stores which may, in turn, result in reduced net sales to our retail store customers. Any resulting material reduction in our sales could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
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Uncertainties and deterioration in global credit markets, as evidenced by previous reductions in sovereign credit ratings in the United States and Europe, could negatively impact suppliers, customers and consumers, which could have an adverse impact on our business as a whole.
Uncertainties and deterioration in the global credit markets as evidenced by previous reductions in sovereign credit ratings in the United States and Europe, could negatively impact our suppliers, customers and consumers which, in turn, could have an adverse impact on our business. While thus far, uncertainties in global credit markets have not significantly affected our access to credit due to our strong credit rating, a further deterioration in global financial markets could make future financing difficult or more expensive. Such lack of credit or lack of credit on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
If our intangible assets, such as trademarks and licenses, become impaired, we may be required to record a significant non-cash charge to earnings which would negatively impact our results of operations.
Under United States generally accepted accounting principles, we review our intangible assets, including our trademarks and licenses, for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of our intangible assets may not be fully recoverable. The carrying value of our intangible assets may not be recoverable due to factors such as reduced estimates of future cash flows, including those associated with the specific brands to which intangibles relate, or slower growth rates in our industry. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a long-term financial outlook of our operations and the specific brands to which the intangible assets relate. However, actual performance in the near-term or long-term could be materially different from these forecasts, which could impact future estimates and the recorded value of the intangibles. Any significant impairment to our intangible assets would result in a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which the impairment is determined to exist.
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, specifically trademarks and brand names, our ability to compete could be negatively impacted.
The market for our products depends to a significant extent upon the value associated with trademarks and brand names that we license, use or own. We have licenses or other rights to use, or own the material trademark and brand name rights in connection with the packaging, marketing and distribution of our major products both in the United States and in other countries where such products are principally sold. Therefore, trademark and brand name protection is important to our business. Although most of the brand names we license, use or own are registered in the United States and in certain foreign countries in which we operate, we may not be successful in asserting trademark or brand name protection. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. The costs required to protect our trademarks and brand names may be substantial.
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The illegal distribution and sale by third parties of counterfeit versions of the Company’s products or the unauthorized diversion by third parties of the Company’s products could have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and a negative impact on the Company’s reputation and business.
Third parties may illegally distribute and sell counterfeit versions of the Company’s products. These counterfeit products may be inferior in terms of quality and other characteristics compared to the Company’s authentic products and/or the counterfeit products could pose safety risks that the Company’s authentic products would not otherwise present to consumers. Consumers could confuse counterfeit products with the Company’s authentic products, which could damage or diminish the image, reputation and/or value of the Company’s brands and cause consumers to refrain from purchasing the Company’s products in the future. In addition, the sale of the Company’s prestige products through non-authorized “grey market” channels could damage or diminish the image, reputation and/or value of the Company’s brands and could adversely affect the Company’s revenues and have a negative impact on the Company’s reputation.
Our success depends on our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the trademarks, patents, copyrights and proprietary rights of other parties.
Our commercial success depends at least in part on our ability to operate without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the trademarks, patents, copyrights and other proprietary rights of others. However, we cannot be certain that the conduct of our business does not and will not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate such rights. Many companies have employed intellectual property litigation as a way to gain a competitive advantage, and to the extent we gain greater visibility and market exposure, we may also face a greater risk of being the subject of such litigation. For these and other reasons, third parties may allege that our products, services or activities infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate their trademark, patent, copyright or other proprietary rights. Defending against allegations and litigation could be expensive, take significant time, divert management’s attention from other business concerns, and delay getting our products to market. In addition, if we are found to be infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating third party trademark, patent, copyright or other proprietary rights, we may need to obtain a license, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or redesign or rebrand our products, which may not be possible. We may also be required to pay substantial damages or be subject to a court order prohibiting us and our customers from selling certain products or engaging in certain activities. Our inability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the trademarks, patents, copyrights and proprietary rights of others could therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The success of our products is dependent on public taste.
Our revenues are substantially dependent on the success of our products, which depends upon, among other matters, pronounced and rapidly changing public tastes, factors which are difficult to predict and over which we have little, if any, control. In addition, we have to develop successful marketing, promotional and sales programs in order to sell our fragrances and fragrance related products. If we are not able to develop successful marketing, promotional and sales programs, then such failure will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
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We are subject to extreme competition in the fragrance industry.
The market for fragrance products is highly competitive and sensitive to changing market preferences and demands. Many of our competitors in this market are larger than we are and have greater financial resources than are available to us, potentially allowing them greater operational flexibility. Our success in the prestige fragrance industry is dependent upon our ability to continue to generate original strategies and develop quality products that are in accord with ongoing changes in the market.
If there is insufficient demand for our existing fragrance products, or if we do not develop future strategies and products that withstand competition or we are unsuccessful in competing on price terms, then we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
If we are unable to acquire or license additional brands, or obtain the required financing for these agreements and arrangements, then the growth of our business could be impaired.
Our future expansion through acquisitions or new product license or distribution arrangements, if any, will depend upon the capital resources and working capital available to us. Further, we may be unable to obtain financing or credit that we may require for additional licenses, acquisitions or other transactions. We may be unsuccessful in identifying, negotiating, financing and consummating such acquisitions or arrangements on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which could hinder our ability to increase revenues and build our business. Just as the loss of a license or other significant agreement may have a material adverse effect on us, our failure to acquire rights to new brands may also negatively impact us.
We may engage in future acquisitions that we may not be able to successfully integrate or manage. These acquisitions may dilute our stockholders and cause us to incur debt and assume contingent liabilities.
We continuously review acquisition prospects that would complement our current product offerings, increase our size and geographic scope of operations or otherwise offer growth and operating efficiency opportunities. The financing, if available, for any of these acquisitions could significantly dilute our stockholders and/or result in an increase in our indebtedness. We may acquire or make investments in businesses or products in the future, and such acquisitions may entail numerous integration risks and impose costs on us, including:
| ● | difficulties in assimilating acquired operations or products, including the loss of key employees from acquired businesses |
| ● | diversion of management’s attention from our core business |
| ● | adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers |
| ● | risks of entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience |
| ● | dilutive issuances of equity securities |
| ● | incurrence of substantial debt |
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| ● | assumption of contingent liabilities |
| ● | incurrence of significant amortization expenses related to intangible assets and the potential impairment of acquired assets and |
| ● | incurrence of significant immediate write-offs. |
Our failure to successfully complete the integration of any acquired business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Joint arrangements or strategic alliances in geographic markets in which we have limited or no prior experience may expose us to additional risks.
We review, and from time to time may establish, arrangements and strategic alliances that we believe would complement our current product offerings, increase the size and geographic scope of our operations or otherwise offer growth and operating efficiency opportunities. These business relationships may require us to rely on the local expertise of our partners with respect to market development, sales, local regulatory compliance and other matters. Further, there may be challenges with ensuring that such arrangements or strategic alliances implement the appropriate internal controls to ensure compliance with the various laws and regulations applicable to us as a U.S. public company. Accordingly, in addition to commercial and operational risk, these arrangements and strategic alliances may entail risks such as reputational risk and regulatory compliance risk. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to identify suitable alliance or candidates, that we will be able to consummate any such alliances or arrangements on favorable terms, or that we will realize the anticipated benefits of entering into any such alliances or arrangements.
We are dependent upon Messrs. Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin, and the loss of their services could harm our business.
Jean Madar, our Chief Executive Officer, and Philippe Benacin, our President and Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA, are responsible for day-to-day operations as well as major decisions. Termination of their relationships with us, whether through death, incapacity or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we cannot assure you that qualified replacements can be found.
Our reliance on third party manufacturers could have a material adverse effect on us.
We rely on outside sources to manufacture our fragrances and cosmetics. The failure of such third party manufacturers to deliver either compliant, quality components or finished goods on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on our business. Although we believe there are alternate manufacturers available to supply our requirements, we cannot assure you that current or alternative sources will be able to supply all of our demands on a timely basis. We do not intend to develop our own manufacturing capacity. As these are third parties over whom we have little or no control, the failure of such third parties to provide components or finished goods on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
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Our reliance on third party distributors could have a material adverse effect on us.
We sell a substantial percentage of our prestige fragrances through independent distributors specializing in luxury goods. Given the growing importance of distribution, we have modified our distribution model by owning a controlling interest in certain of our distributors within key markets. However, we have little or no control over third party distributors and the failure of such third parties to provide services on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, if we replace existing third party distributors with new third party distributors or with our own distribution arrangements, then transition issues could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Terrorist attacks, acts of war or military actions, other civil unrest or natural disasters may adversely affect territories in which we operate, and therefore affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
Terrorist attacks such as those that have occurred in Paris, France where we have our European headquarters, amongst other locations, and attempted terrorist attacks, military responses to terrorist attacks, other military actions, or governmental action in response to or in anticipation of a terrorist attack, or civil unrest as occurring in the Middle East, the Ukraine and Africa or natural disasters, may adversely affect prevailing economic conditions. These events could result in work stoppages, reduced consumer spending or reduced demand for our products. These developments subject our worldwide operations to increased risks and, depending on their magnitude, could reduce net sales and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
The loss of or disruption in our distribution facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We currently have several distribution facilities in Europe and the United States. The loss of any of those facilities, as well as the inventory stored in those facilities, would require us to find replacement facilities and assets. In addition, acts of God, such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and the like or terrorist attacks, could disrupt our distribution operations. If we cannot replace our distribution capacity and inventory in a timely, cost-efficient manner, then such failure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Changes in laws, regulations and policies that affect our business could adversely affect our financial results.
Our business is subject to numerous laws, regulations and policies. Changes in the laws, regulations and policies, including the interpretation or enforcement thereof, that affect, or will affect, our business, including changes in accounting standards, tax laws and regulations, environmental or climate change laws, regulations or accords, trade rules and customs regulations, or increased cosmetics regulation, and the outcome and expense of legal or regulatory proceedings, and any action we may take as a result could adversely affect our financial results.
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Our success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of our products.
Our success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of our products. If our products are found to be defective or unsafe, or if they otherwise fail to meet our consumers’ standards, then our relationships with customers or consumers could suffer, the appeal of one or more of our brands could be diminished, and we could lose sales and/or become subject to liability claims, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to risks related to our foreign operations, and a disruption in our operations or supply chain could adversely affect our business and financial results.
We operate on a global basis, with a substantial portion of our net sales and net income generated outside the United States, and we anticipate for the foreseeable future that a substantial portion of our net sales and net income will be generated outside the United States. A substantial portion of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments that result from these earnings remain outside the United States. As a company engaged in manufacturing and distribution on a global scale, we are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including:
● changes in foreign laws, regulations and policies, including restrictions on trade, import and export license requirements, and tariffs and taxes, as well as changes in United States laws and regulations relating to foreign trade and investment; and
● industrial accidents, environmental events, strikes and other labor disputes, disruptions in supply chain or information technology, loss or impairment of key manufacturing sites or suppliers, product quality control, safety, as well as natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, social, economic and geopolitical conditions, such as terrorist attacks, war or other military action and other external factors over which we have no control.
These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
The United Kingdom’s pending departure from the European Union could adversely impact our business and financial results.
In June 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum for the United Kingdom to exit the European Union (“Brexit”), the announcement of which resulted in significant but short-term currency exchange rate fluctuations and volatility in global stock markets. Given the lack of certainty and comparable precedent, the implications of Brexit or how such implications might affect the Company are unclear. Brexit could, among other things, disrupt trade and the free movement of goods, services and people between the United Kingdom and the European Union or other countries as well as create legal and global economic uncertainty. These and other potential implications of Brexit could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results.
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Changes in foreign tax provisions, the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities could affect our profitability and cash flows.
In addition to being subject to taxation in the United States, we are subject to income and other taxes in other foreign jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate in the future could be adversely affected by changes to our operating structure, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in tax laws and the discovery of new information in the course of our tax return preparation process. From time to time, tax proposals are introduced or considered by the United States Congress or the legislative bodies in foreign jurisdictions that could also affect our tax rate, the carrying value of our deferred tax assets, or our other tax liabilities. Our tax liabilities are also affected by the amounts we charge for inventory, services, licenses, funding, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing, and other items in intercompany transactions. A negative determination or ultimate disposition in any tax audit, changes in tax laws or tax rates, or the ability to utilize our deferred tax assets could materially affect our tax provision, net income and cash flows in future periods.
The international character of our business renders us subject to fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates and international trade tariffs, barriers and other restrictions.
A substantial portion of our European operations’ net sales (over 45%) are sold in U.S. dollars. In an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange fluctuations, we engage in a controlled program of risk management that includes the use of derivative financial instruments for all major currencies with which we operate. Despite such actions, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for the U.S. dollar, particularly with respect to the euro, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Possible import, export, tariff and other trade barriers, which could be imposed by the United States, the European Union or other countries might also have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our business is subject to governmental regulation, which could impact our operations.
Fragrance products must comply with the labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act as well as the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and their regulations. Some of our color cosmetic products may also be classified as a “drug”. Additional regulatory requirements for products which are “drugs” include additional labeling requirements, registration of the manufacturer and the semi-annual update of a drug list. In addition, various jurisdictions prohibit the use of certain ingredients in fragrances and cosmetics.
Our fragrances are subject to the approval of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as a result of the use of specially denatured alcohol. So far, we have not experienced any difficulties in obtaining the required approvals.
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Our fragrance products that are manufactured or sold in Europe are subject to certain regulatory requirements of the European Union, such as Cosmetic Directive 76/768/CEE and Regulation number 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, but as of the date of this report, we have not experienced any material difficulties in complying with such requirements.
However, we cannot assure you that, should we use proscribed ingredients in our fragrance products that we develop or market, or develop or market fragrance products with different ingredients, or should existing regulations or requirements be revised, we would not in the future experience difficulty in complying with such requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our information systems and websites may be susceptible to outages, hacking and other risks.
We have information systems that support our business processes, including product development, production, marketing, order processing, sales, distribution, finance and intra-company communications. We also have Internet websites in the United States and Europe. These systems may be susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, hacking and similar events. Despite the implementation of network security measures, our systems may be vulnerable to computer viruses, hacking and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering. The occurrence of these or other events could disrupt or damage our information systems and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our failure to protect our reputation, or the failure of our partners to protect their reputations, could have a material adverse effect on our brand images.
Our ability to maintain our reputation is critical to our various brand images. Our reputation could be jeopardized if we fail to maintain high standards for merchandise quality and integrity or if we, or the third parties with whom we do business, do not comply with regulations or accepted practices. Any negative publicity about these types of concerns may reduce demand for our merchandise. Failure to comply with ethical, social, product, labor and environmental standards, or related political considerations, such as animal testing, could also jeopardize our reputation and potentially lead to various adverse consumer actions, including boycotts. Failure to comply with local laws and regulations, including applicable U.S. trade sanctions, to maintain an effective system of internal controls or to provide accurate and timely financial statement information could also hurt our reputation. We are also dependent on the reputations of our brand partners and licensors, which can be affected by matters outside of our control. Damage to our reputation or the reputations of our brand partners or licensors or loss of consumer confidence for any of these or other reasons could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, as well as require additional resources to rebuild our reputation.
Our business is subject to seasonal variability.
Our business is somewhat seasonal due to the timing of shipments to our customers, which are weighted to the second half of the year. Accordingly, our financial performance, sales, working capital requirements, cash flow and borrowings generally experience variability during the third and fourth quarters.
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The trading prices of our securities periodically may rise or fall based on the accuracy of predictions of our earnings or other financial performance.
Our business planning process is designed to maximize our long-term strength, growth and profitability, not to achieve an earnings target in any particular fiscal quarter. We believe that this longer-term focus is in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. At the same time, however, we recognize that it may be helpful to provide investors with guidance as to our forecast of annual net sales and earnings per share. Accordingly, we provide guidance as to our expected annual net sales, and earnings per share, which is updated as appropriate throughout the year. While we generally provide updates to our guidance when we report our results each fiscal quarter if called for, we assume no responsibility to update any of our forward-looking statements at such times or otherwise. In addition, longer-term guidance that we may from time to time provide is based on goals that we believe, at the time guidance is given, are reasonably attainable.
In all of our public statements when we make, or update, a forward-looking statement about our sales and/or earnings expectations or expectations regarding other initiatives, we accompany such statements directly, or by reference to a public document, with a list of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those we expect. Such a list is included, among other places, in our earnings press releases (by reference to our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission) and in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (e.g., in our reports on Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q). These and other factors may make it difficult for outside observers, such as research analysts, to predict what our earnings will be in any given fiscal quarter or year.
Outside analysts and investors have the right to make their own predictions of our financial results for any future period. Outside analysts, however, have access to no more material information about our results or plans than any other public investor, and we do not endorse or adopt their predictions as to our future performance. Nor do we assume any responsibility to correct the predictions of outside analysts or others when they differ from our own internal expectations. If and when we announce actual results that differ from those that outside analysts or others have been predicting, the market price of our securities could be affected. Investors who rely on the predictions of outside analysts or others when making investment decisions with respect to our securities do so at their own risk. We take no responsibility for any losses suffered as a result of such changes in the prices of our securities.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
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United States Operations
| Use | Location | Approximate Size |
Term Expires | |||||
| Office Space-Corporate headquarters and United States operations | 551 Fifth Avenue, 14th Floor & 15th Floor, New York, NY 10176 |
24,543 square feet | May 31, 2029 | |||||
| Distribution center | 60 Stults Road Dayton, NJ 08810 |
140,000 square feet | October 31, 2025 | |||||
Corporate Office for Inter Parfums USA Hong Kong Limited |
Leighton Centre 77 Leighton Road Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Suite 1413 |
9,685 square feet
|
June 20, 2020 |
European Operations
| Use | Location | Approximate Size |
Term Expires | Other Information | ||||
| Office Space-Paris corporate headquarters and European operations | 4 Rond Point Des Champs Elysees Ground and 1st Fl. Paris, France |
571 square meters | March 2022 | Lessee has early termination right every 3 years on 6 months’ notice | ||||
| Office Space-Paris corporate headquarters and European operations | 4 Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 2nd Fl. Paris, France |
544 square meters | September 2026 | Lessee has early termination right every 3 years on 6 months’ notice | ||||
| Office Space-Paris corporate headquarters and European operations | 4 Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 4th Fl. Paris, France |
540 square meters | March 2023 | Lessee has early termination right every 3 years on 6 months’ notice | ||||
| Office Space-Paris corporate headquarters and European operations | 4 Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 5th Fl.- left Paris, France |
155 square meters | March 2022 | Lessee has early termination right on 3 months’ notice |
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| Office Space-Paris corporate headquarters and European operations | 4 Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 6th Fl.-Right Paris, France |
157 square meters | March 2022 | Lessee has early termination right every 3 years on 6 months’ notice | ||||
| Office Space-Paris corporate headquarters and European operations | 4 Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 6th Fl.- Left Paris, France |
60 square meters | September 2026 | Lessee has early termination right every 3 years on 6 months’ notice | ||||
| European Distribution Center | Criquebeuf sur Seine (27340), the “Le Bosc Hetrel” business park |
31,000 square meters | May 2020 | NA | ||||
Rochas Studio & Production Department |
1 Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 2nd Fl. Paris, France |
755 square meters | June 2021
|
Lessee has early termination right every 3 years on 6 months’ notice | ||||
Office Space – Singapore regional office, for Asia-Pacific region European operations |
163 Penang Road, #06-03/04 Winsland House 2, Singapore 238463
|
2,900 square feet
|
November 2019
|
NA | ||||
| Office Space-US Distribution for European operations | 112 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10016 | 7,500 square feet | October 2024 | Lease terminates on lease commencement date for 440 Park Avenue South Lease | ||||
| Office Space-US Distribution for European operations | 440 Park Ave. S New York, NY | 11,000 square feet
|
May 2029 (or 120 months after substantial completion of construction) |
NA |
Interparfums SA has had an agreement with Bolloré Logistics (and its predecessor, Sagatrans, S.A.) for warehousing and distribution services for several years. The current agreement with Bolloré Logistics for warehousing and distribution services expires on December 31, 2020. Service fees payable to Bolloré Logistics are calculated based upon a percentage of sales, which is customary in the industry. Service fees actually paid were €5.2 million in 2018, €4.2 million in 2017 and €4.3 million in 2016.
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We believe our office and warehouse facilities are satisfactory for our present needs and those for the foreseeable future.
We are not a party to any material lawsuits.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Market for Our Common Stock
Our Company’s common stock, $.001 par value per share, is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “IPAR”. The following table sets forth in dollars, the range of high and low closing prices for the past two fiscal years for our common stock.
| Fiscal 2018 | High Closing Price | Low Closing Price |
| Fourth Quarter | 66.48 | 55.88 |
| Third Quarter | 66.25 | 53.75 |
| Second Quarter | 54.75 | 46.25 |
| First Quarter | 49.15 | 42.00 |
| Fiscal 2017 | High Closing Price | Low Closing Price |
| Fourth Quarter | 46.30 | 41.05 |
| Third Quarter | 42.10 | 35.55 |
| Second Quarter | 38.50 | 34.25 |
| First Quarter | 37.65 | 31.55 |
As of February 20, 2019, the number of record holders, which include brokers and broker’s nominees, etc., of our common stock was 37. We believe there are approximately 14,330 beneficial owners of our common stock.
Corporate Performance Graph
The following graph compares the performance for the periods indicated in the graph of our common stock with the performance of the Nasdaq Market Index and the average performance of a group of the Company’s peer corporations consisting of: Avon Products Inc., CCA Industries, Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., Inter Parfums, Inc., Kimberly Clark Corp., Natural Health Trends Corp., Procter & Gamble Co., Revlon, Inc., Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., Stephan Co., Summer Infant, Inc. and United Guardian, Inc. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common stock and each index was $100 at the beginning of the period indicated in the graph, and that all dividends were reinvested.
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COMPARISON
OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Inter Parfums, Inc., the NASDAQ Composite Index,
and a Peer Group
Below is the list of the data points for each year that corresponds to the lines on the above graph.
| 12/13 | 12/14 | 12/15 | 12/16 | 12/17 | 12/18 | ||
| Inter Parfums, Inc. | 100.00 | 77.90 | 68.87 | 96.59 | 130.47 | 200.04 | |
| NASDAQ Composite | 100.00 | 114.62 | 122.81 | 133.19 | 172.11 | 168.84 | |
| Peer Group | 100.00 | 112.63 | 106.91 | 111.63 | 127.70 | 127.49 |
Dividends
In October 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a 24% increase in the annual dividend to $0.84 per share on an annual basis. In October 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a 31% increase in the annual dividend to $1.10 per share on an annual basis. The next quarterly cash dividend of $0.275 per share is payable on April 15, 2019 to shareholders of record on March 29, 2019.
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Sales of Unregistered Securities
In December 2018, our non-employee directors exercised stock options to purchase an aggregate of 2,875 shares of restricted common stock. These transactions were exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act under Sections 4(2) and 4(6) of the Securities Act. Each option holder agreed that, if the option is exercised, the option holder would purchase his or her common stock for investment and not for resale to the public. Also, we provide all option holders with all reports we file with the SEC and press releases issued by us.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data have been derived from our financial statements and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements, including the related footnotes.
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands except per share data) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||
| Income statement data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 675,574 | $ | 591,251 | $ | 521,072 | $ | 468,540 | $ | 499,261 | ||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 248,012 | 214,965 | 194,601 | 179,069 | 212,224 | |||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 332,831 | 295,540 | 258,787 | 228,268 | 233,634 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 94,731 | 78,623 | 66,678 | 61,203 | 53,403 | |||||||||||||||
| Income before taxes | 95,859 | 78,065 | 67,074 | 60,496 | 56,715 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest | 15,922 | 13,659 | 9,917 | 8,532 | 7,909 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | 53,793 | 41,594 | 33,331 | 30,437 | 29,436 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. common shareholders per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.33 | $ | 1.07 | $ | 0.98 | $ | 0.95 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 1.71 | $ | 1.33 | $ | 1.07 | $ | 0.98 | $ | 0.95 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 31,308 | 31,172 | 31,072 | 30,996 | 30,931 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 31,522 | 31,305 | 31,176 | 31,100 | 31,060 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 11,031 | $ | 11,914 | $ | 15,341 | $ | 9,078 | $ | 10,166 | ||||||||||
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As at December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands except per share data) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance sheet and other data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 193,136 | $ | 208,343 | $ | 161,828 | $ | 176,967 | $ | 90,138 | ||||||||||
| Short-term investments | 67,870 | 69,899 | 94,202 | 82,847 | 190,152 | |||||||||||||||
| Working capital | 382,425 | 382,171 | 337,977 | 337,674 | 382,935 | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets | 799,167 | 777,772 | 682,409 | 687,659 | 604,506 | |||||||||||||||
| Short-term bank debt | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | 298 | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt (including current portion) | 46,061 | 60,579 | 74,562 | 98,606 | -0- | |||||||||||||||
| Inter Parfums, Inc. shareholders’ equity | 447,607 | 433,298 | 370,391 | 365,587 | 382,065 | |||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.905 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.52 | $ | 0.48 | ||||||||||
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We operate in the fragrance business, and manufacture, market and distribute a wide array of fragrances and fragrance related products. We manage our business in two segments, European based operations and United States based operations. Certain prestige fragrance products are produced and marketed by our European operations through our 73% owned subsidiary in Paris, Interparfums SA, which is also a publicly traded company as 27% of Interparfums SA shares trade on the NYSE Euronext.
We produce and distribute our European based fragrance products primarily under license agreements with brand owners, and European based fragrance product sales represented approximately 80%, 81% and 78% of net sales for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We have built a portfolio of prestige brands, which include Boucheron, Coach, Jimmy Choo, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Montblanc, Paul Smith, Repetto, Rochas, S.T. Dupont and Van Cleef & Arpels, whose products are distributed in over 100 countries around the world.
Through our United States operations, we also market fragrance and fragrance related products. United States operations represented 20%, 19% and 22% of net sales in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These fragrance products are sold or to be sold primarily pursuant to license or other agreements with the owners of the Abercrombie & Fitch, Agent Provocateur, Anna Sui, bebe, Dunhill, French Connection, Graff, GUESS, Hollister, Lily Aldridge and Oscar de la Renta brands.
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With respect to the Company’s largest brands, we own the Lanvin brand name for our class of trade, and license the Montblanc, Jimmy Choo and Coach brand names. As a percentage of net sales, product sales for the Company’s largest brands were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Montblanc | 19 | % | 21 | % | 23 | % | ||||||
| Jimmy Choo | 17 | % | 18 | % | 17 | % | ||||||
| Coach | 15 | % | 10 | % | 4 | % | ||||||
| Lanvin | 10 | % | 11 | % | 12 | % | ||||||
Quarterly sales fluctuations are influenced by the timing of new product launches as well as the third and fourth quarter holiday season. In certain markets where we sell directly to retailers, seasonality is more evident. We sell directly to retailers in France as well as through our own distribution subsidiaries in Italy, Spain and the United States.
We grow our business in two distinct ways. First, we grow by adding new brands to our portfolio, either through new licenses or other arrangements or out-right acquisitions of brands. Second, we grow through the introduction of new products and by supporting new and established products through advertising, merchandising and sampling as well as by phasing out underperforming products so we can devote greater resources to those products with greater potential. The economics of developing, producing, launching and supporting products influence our sales and operating performance each year. Our introduction of new products may have some cannibalizing effect on sales of existing products, which we take into account in our business planning.
Our business is not capital intensive, and it is important to note that we do not own manufacturing facilities. We act as a general contractor and source our needed components from our suppliers. These components are received at one of our distribution centers and then, based upon production needs, the components are sent to one of several third party fillers, which manufacture the finished product for us and then deliver them to one of our distribution centers.
As with any global business, many aspects of our operations are subject to influences outside our control. We believe we have a strong brand portfolio with global reach and potential. As part of our strategy, we plan to continue to make investments behind fast-growing markets and channels to grow market share.
In years prior to 2017, the economic and political uncertainty and financial market volatility in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and China had a minor negative impact on our business, but our sales in these regions have been improving and we do not anticipate dramatic changes in business conditions for the foreseeable future. However, if the degree of uncertainty or volatility worsens or is prolonged, then there will likely be a negative effect on ongoing consumer confidence, demand and spending and accordingly, our business. We believe general economic and other uncertainties still exist in select markets in which we do business, and we monitor these uncertainties and other risks that may affect our business.
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Our reported net sales are impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. A strong U.S. dollar has a negative impact on our net sales. However, earnings are positively affected by a strong dollar, because over 45% of net sales of our European operations are denominated in U.S. dollars, while almost all costs of our European operations are incurred in euro. Conversely, a weak U.S. dollar has a favorable impact on our net sales while gross margins are negatively affected. Our Company addresses certain financial exposures through a controlled program of risk management that includes the use of derivative financial instruments. We primarily enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. We are also carefully monitoring currency trends in the United Kingdom as a result of the volatility created from the United Kingdom’s decision to exit the European Union. We have evaluated our pricing models and we do not expect any significant pricing changes. However, if the devaluation of the British Pound worsens, it may affect future gross profit margins from sales in the territory.
Recent Important Events
Lily Aldridge License
In September 2018, Interstellar Brands LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, announced the development of a new fragrance line in collaboration with supermodel Lily Aldridge. The license agreement with Lily Aldridge runs through December 31, 2023, and is subject to royalty payments as are customary in our industry. This deal marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between Interstellar and IMG Models, which manages Lily Aldridge, to develop direct-to-consumer e-commerce fragrance and beauty businesses for IMG Models’ diverse and dynamic client base. Our initial fragrance product launch, a multi-scent collection, is planned for September 2019.
Van Cleef & Arpels License
In May 2018, the Company renewed its license agreement for an additional six years with Van Cleef & Arpels for the creation, development, and distribution of fragrance products through December 2024, without any material changes in terms and conditions. Our initial 12-year license agreement with Van Cleef & Arpels was signed in 2006.
Graff License
In April 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive, 8-year worldwide license agreement with London-based Graff for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the Graff brand. Our rights under such license agreement are subject to certain advertising expenditures and royalty payments as are customary in our industry. Initial product development includes a multi-scent collection planned for a late 2019 launch. Additionally, we are exploring opportunities for luxury travel amenities, including five star hotels.
GUESS License
In February 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive, 15-year worldwide license agreement with GUESS?, Inc. for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the GUESS brand. This license took effect on April 1, 2018, and our rights under such license are subject to certain minimum advertising expenditures and royalty payments as are customary in our industry. In 2018, our sales efforts were focused on existing fragrances; in 2019, we plan to add several flankers to existing product and in 2020, entirely new fragrances are scheduled for launch.
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Income Tax Recovery
The French government had introduced a 3% tax on dividends or deemed dividends for entities subject to French corporate income tax in 2012. In 2017, the French Constitutional Court released a decision declaring that the 3% tax on dividends or deemed dividends is unconstitutional. As a result of that decision, the Company filed a claim for refund of approximately $3.9 million for these taxes paid since 2015 including accrued interest of approximately $0.4 million. The Company recorded the refund claim as of December 31, 2017 and has received the entire refund in 2018.
Impairment Loss
The Company reviews intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Product sales of some of our mass market product lines had been declining for many years and represent a very small portion of our net sales. In 2017, the Company set in motion a plan to discontinue several of these product lines over the next few years and as a result, recorded an impairment loss of $2.1 million as of December 31, 2017. The Company also increased its inventory obsolescence reserves by $0.5 million as of December 31, 2017, to adjust to net realizable value the inventory of the product lines to be discontinued.
Settlement with French Tax Authorities
As previously reported, the French Tax Authorities examined the 2012 tax return of Interparfums SA. The main issues challenged by the French Tax Authorities related to the commission rate and royalty rate paid to Interparfums Singapore Pte. and Interparfums (Suisse) SARL, respectively. Due to the subjective nature of the issues involved, in April 2016, Interparfums SA reached an agreement in principle to settle the entire matter with the French Tax Authorities. The settlement required Interparfums SA to pay a tax assessment of $1.9 million covering the issues for not only the 2012 tax year, but also covering the issues for the tax years ended 2013 through 2015. The settlement, which was finalized by the French Tax Authorities in the first quarter of 2017, was accrued as of December 31, 2016.
Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies
We make estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. We believe the following discussion addresses our most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations. These accounting policies generally require our management’s most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Management of the Company has discussed the selection of significant accounting policies and the effect of estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
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Revenue Recognition
We sell our products to department stores, perfumeries, specialty stores, and domestic and international wholesalers and distributors. Our revenue contracts represent single performance obligations to sell our products to customers. Sales of such products by our domestic subsidiaries are denominated in U.S. dollars and sales of such products by our foreign subsidiaries are primarily denominated in either euro or U.S. dollars. We recognize revenues when contract terms are met, the price is fixed and determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and product is shipped or risk of ownership has been transferred to and accepted by the customer. Net sales are comprised of gross revenues less returns, trade discounts and allowances.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable represent payments due to the Company for previously recognized net sales, reduced by allowances for sales returns and doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when they become uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously recorded against the allowance are recorded in the consolidated statement of income when received. We generally grant credit based upon our analysis of the customer’s financial position as well as previously established buying patterns.
Sales Returns
Generally, we do not permit customers to return their unsold products. However, for U.S. distribution of our prestige products, we allow returns if properly requested, authorized and approved as is customary in the industry. We regularly review and revise, as deemed necessary, our estimate of reserves for future sales returns based primarily upon historic trends and relevant current data, including information provided by retailers regarding their inventory levels. In addition, as necessary, specific accruals may be established for significant future known or anticipated events. The types of known or anticipated events that we have considered, and will continue to consider, include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of our customers, store closings by retailers, changes in the retail environment and our decision to continue to support new and existing products. We record estimated reserves for sales returns as a reduction of sales, cost of sales and accounts receivable. Returned products are recorded as inventories and are valued based upon estimated realizable value. The physical condition and marketability of returned products are the major factors we consider in estimating realizable value. Actual returns, as well as estimated realizable values of returned products, may differ significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from our estimates, if factors such as economic conditions, inventory levels or competitive conditions differ from our expectations.
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Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is principally determined by the first-in, first-out method. We record adjustments to the cost of inventories based upon our sales forecast and the physical condition of the inventories. These adjustments are estimates, which could vary significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from actual results if future economic conditions or competitive conditions differ from our expectations.
Equipment and Other Long-Lived Assets
Equipment, which includes tools and molds, is recorded at cost and is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of such assets. Changes in circumstances such as technological advances, changes to our business model or changes in our capital spending strategy can result in the actual useful lives differing from our estimates. In those cases where we determine that the useful life of equipment should be shortened, we would depreciate the net book value in excess of the salvage value, over its revised remaining useful life, thereby increasing depreciation expense. Factors such as changes in the planned use of equipment, or market acceptance of products, could result in shortened useful lives.
We evaluate indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently when events occur or circumstances change, such as an unexpected decline in sales, that would more likely than not indicate that the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable. When testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the evaluation requires a comparison of the estimated fair value of the asset to the carrying value of the asset. The fair values used in our evaluations are estimated based upon discounted future cash flow projections using a weighted average cost of capital of 6.21%. The cash flow projections are based upon a number of assumptions, including, future sales levels and future cost of goods and operating expense levels, as well as economic conditions, changes to our business model or changes in consumer acceptance of our products which are more subjective in nature. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
We believe that the assumptions we have made in projecting future cash flows for the evaluations described above are reasonable. However, if future actual results do not meet our expectations, we may be required to record an impairment charge, the amount of which could be material to our results of operations.
At December 31, 2018 indefinite-lived intangible assets aggregated $123.3 million. The following table presents the impact a change in the following significant assumptions would have had on the calculated fair value in 2018 assuming all other assumptions remained constant:
| $ in millions | Increase (decrease) | |||||||
| Change | to fair value | |||||||
| Weighted average cost of capital | +10 | % | $ | (31.0 | ) | |||
| Weighted average cost of capital | -10 | % | $ | 36.7 | ||||
| Future sales levels | +10 | % | $ | 23.3 | ||||
| Future sales levels | -10 | % | $ | (23.3 | ) | |||
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Intangible assets subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment testing whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an amortizable intangible asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators exist for an amortizable intangible asset, the undiscounted future cash flows associated with the expected service potential of the asset are compared to the carrying value of the asset. If our projection of undiscounted future cash flows is in excess of the carrying value of the intangible asset, no impairment charge is recorded. If our projection of undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the intangible asset, an impairment charge would be recorded to reduce the intangible asset to its fair value. The cash flow projections are based upon a number of assumptions, including future sales levels and future cost of goods and operating expense levels, as well as economic conditions, changes to our business model or changes in consumer acceptance of our products which are more subjective in nature. In those cases where we determine that the useful life of long-lived assets should be shortened, we would amortize the net book value in excess of the salvage value (after testing for impairment as described above), over the revised remaining useful life of such asset thereby increasing amortization expense. We believe that the assumptions we have made in projecting future cash flows for the evaluations described above are reasonable.
In determining the useful life of our Lanvin brand names and trademarks, we applied the provisions of ASC topic 350-30-35-3. The only factor that prevented us from determining that the Lanvin brand names and trademarks were indefinite life intangible assets was Item c. “Any legal, regulatory, or contractual provisions that may limit the useful life.” The existence of a repurchase option in 2025 may limit the useful life of the Lanvin brand names and trademarks to the Company. However, this limitation would only take effect if the repurchase option were to be exercised and the repurchase price was paid. If the repurchase option is not exercised, then the Lanvin brand names and trademarks are expected to continue to contribute directly to the future cash flows of our Company and their useful life would be considered to be indefinite.
With respect to the application of ASC topic 350-30-35-8, the Lanvin brand names and trademarks would only have a finite life to our Company if the repurchase option were exercised, and in applying ASC topic 350-30-35-8, we assumed that the repurchase option is exercised. When exercised, Lanvin has an obligation to pay the exercise price and the Company would be required to convey the Lanvin brand names and trademarks back to Lanvin. The exercise price to be received (Residual Value) is well in excess of the carrying value of the Lanvin brand names and trademarks, therefore no amortization is required.
Derivatives
We account for derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC topic 815, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. This topic also requires the recognition of all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and that they are measured at fair value.
We currently use derivative financial instruments to hedge certain anticipated transactions and interest rates, as well as receivables denominated in foreign currencies. We do not utilize derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Hedge effectiveness is documented, assessed and monitored by employees who are qualified to make such assessments and monitor the instruments. Variables that are external to us such as social, political and economic risks may have an impact on our hedging program and the results thereof.
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Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements or tax returns. The net deferred tax assets assume sufficient future earnings for their realization, as well as the continued application of currently anticipated tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of net income at that time. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax asset or liability in the accompanying financial statements. In addition, the Company follows the provisions of uncertain tax positions as addressed in ASC topic 740.
Quantitative Analysis
During the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, we have not made any material changes in our assumptions underlying these critical accounting policies or to the related significant estimates. The results of our business underlying these assumptions have not differed significantly from our expectations.
While we believe the estimates we have made are proper and the related results of operations for the period are presented fairly in all material respects, other assumptions could reasonably be justified that would change the amount of reported net sales, cost of sales, and selling, general and administrative expenses as they relate to the provisions for anticipated sales returns, allowance for doubtful accounts and inventory obsolescence reserves. For 2018, had these estimates been changed simultaneously by 5% in either direction, our reported gross profit would have increased or decreased by approximately $0.3 million and selling, general and administrative expenses would have changed by approximately $0.07 million. The collective impact of these changes on 2018 operating income, net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc., and net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. per diluted share would be an increase or decrease of approximately $0.4 million, $0.2 million and $0.01, respectively.
Results of Operations
| Net Sales | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2018 | % Change | 2017 | % Change | 2016 | |||||||||||||||
| European based product sales | $ | 537.6 | 13 | % | $ | 476.5 | 18 | % | $ | 404.0 | ||||||||||
| United States based product sales | 138.0 | 20 | % | 114.8 | (2 | )% | 117.1 | |||||||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 675.6 | 14 | % | $ | 591.3 | 13 | % | $ | 521.1 | ||||||||||
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Net sales increased 14% in 2018 to $675.6 million, as compared to $591.3 million in 2017. At comparable foreign currency exchange rates, net sales increased 13%. Net sales increased 13% in 2017 to $591.3 million, as compared to $521.1 million in 2016. At comparable foreign currency exchange rates, net sales increased 12%. The average U.S. dollar/euro exchange rates were 1.18 in 2018 and 1.13 in 2017 and 1.11 in 2016.
European based product sales increased 13% in 2018 to $537.6 million, as compared to $476.5 million in 2017. At comparable foreign currency exchange rates, European based product sales increased 11% in 2018. European based product sales increased 18% in 2017 to $476.5 million, as compared to $404.0 million in 2016. At comparable foreign currency exchange rates, European based prestige product sales increased 16% in 2017.
European based product sales in 2018 were stronger than our original expectations even though no new fragrance families were launched in 2018. Top line growth was primarily attributed to established scents and brand extensions for our largest brands. Coach brand sales accounted for much of the 2018 upside surprise with brand sales increasing 73% in 2018 to $99.7 million, as compared to $57.5 million in 2017, making it our portfolio’s third largest brand. The other largest brands in our European operations portfolio performed as expected with Montblanc, Jimmy Choo and Lanvin, achieving year-over-year sales growth of 1%, 8%, and 7%, respectively.
Net sales in 2017, for European based operations were also stronger than original expectations, with Coach brand sales contributing much of that gain. Coach brand sales, which had commenced in the second half of 2016, increased 149% in 2017 reaching $57.5 million, as compared to $23.1 million in 2016. Rochas, another of our newer brands, also performed quite well with the 2017 launch of our first new fragrance, Mademoiselle Rochas. Rochas brand sales aggregated $46.2 million, up 34% in 2017, as compared to $34.6 in 2016.
United States based product sales increased 20% in 2018 to $138.0 million, as compared to $114.8 million in 2017. The inclusion of legacy GUESS fragrances, which began in the second quarter of 2018, was a major contributor to the increase in net sales. Also factoring into the 2018 increase was the successful launch of brand extensions for Abercrombie & Fitch & Co. and with the popularity of Anna Sui fragrances throughout Asia, we continue to enjoy dramatic increases in Anna Sui brand sales in that region.
In 2017, there was a slight decline in United States based product sales as compared to 2016. In 2016, sales were boosted by the international distribution of our first Abercrombie & Fitch men’s scent, First Instinct, and the Hollister duo, Wave, which made sales comparisons for 2017 difficult. Nonetheless, sales of Oscar de la Renta’s signature scent, and initial shipments of Icon Racing by Dunhill and Fantasia by Anna Sui, energized U.S. based product sales in 2017.
We maintain confidence in our future as we continue to strengthen advertising and promotional investments supporting all portfolio brands, accelerate brand development and build upon the strength of our worldwide distribution network. Our product development teams have been very busy and we have new fragrance families being launched throughout 2019. Some of the highlights include: Abercrombie & Fitch Authentic, Dunhill Signature, Graff Multi-scent collection, a new scent for Jimmy Choo, Lanvin A Girl in Capri, Montblanc Explorer and Rochas Moustache. With new product development combined with continued sales of our legacy scents, we look for continued sales growth in 2019.
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Lastly, we hope to benefit from our strong financial position to potentially acquire one or more brands, either on a proprietary basis or as a licensee. However, we cannot assure you that any new license or acquisition agreements will be consummated.
Net Sales to Customers by Region
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||
| North America | $ | 210.1 | $ | 176.9 | $ | 149.0 | ||||||
| Western Europe | 180.9 | 165.4 | 153.6 | |||||||||
| Asia | 109.0 | 88.0 | 81.3 | |||||||||
| Middle East | 59.3 | 50.5 | 41.6 | |||||||||
| Eastern Europe | 52.8 | 49.4 | 41.1 | |||||||||
| Central and South America | 51.7 | 51.2 | 44.0 | |||||||||
| Other | 11.8 | 9.9 | 10.5 | |||||||||
| $ | 675.6 | $ | 591.3 | $ | 521.1 | |||||||
Virtually all regions registered strong growth for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 2017. The strongest gains were achieved by Asia, North America and the Middle East, which increased sales by 24%, 19% and 17%, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to 2016, the biggest improvement were in lagging regions of years before, namely Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia, where sales increased 20%, 21% and 8%, respectively.
Gross Margins
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 675.6 | $ | 591.3 | $ | 521.1 | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 248.0 | 215.0 | 194.6 | |||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 427.6 | $ | 376.3 | $ | 326.5 | ||||||
| Gross margin, as a percent of net sales | 63.3 | % | 63.6 | % | 62.7 | % | ||||||
As a percentage of net sales, gross profit margin was 63.3%, 63.6%, and 62.7% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For European based operations, gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales was 66%, 67% and 66% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We carefully monitor movements in foreign currency exchange rates as over 45% of our European based operations net sales is denominated in U.S. dollars, while most of our costs are incurred in euro. From a margin standpoint, a strong U.S. dollar has a positive effect on our gross margin while a weak U.S. dollar has a negative effect. The average dollar/euro exchange rate was 1.18 in 2018, as compared to 1.13 in 2017, accounting for the small fluctuation in gross margin as a percentage of sales for our European operations.
The minor margin fluctuation for European operations in 2017 is primarily the result of increased product sales, much of which was through our distribution subsidiaries that sell product directly to retailers. In addition to increased sales of Montblanc, Jimmy Choo and Coach product sold through our United States distribution subsidiary, our Rochas brand was also a major contributor as its sales are concentrated in France and Spain, both of which are countries where we distribute directly to retailers. The average dollar/euro exchange rate was 1.13 in 2017 and 1.11 in 2016. Currency fluctuation had only a minor effect on gross margin as a percentage of sales in our European operations for 2017.
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For United States operations, gross profit margin was 51.4%, 49.3% and 49.7% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Sales growth for our United States operations has primarily come from increased sales of higher margin prestige products under licenses.
Costs relating to purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions are reflected in cost of sales, and aggregated $36.4 million, $33.8 million and $30.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and represented 5.4%, 5.7% and 5.8% of net sales, respectively.
Generally, we do not bill customers for shipping and handling costs and such costs, which aggregated $7.1 million, $5.9 million and $5.1 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. As such, our Company’s gross margins may not be comparable to other companies, which may include these expenses as a component of cost of goods sold.
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses
Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general & administrative expenses | $ | 332.8 | $ | 295.5 | $ | 258.8 | ||||||
Selling, general & administrative expenses as a percent of net sales | 49 | % | 50 | % | 50 | % | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 13% in 2018 as compared to 2017 and increased 14% in 2017 as compared to 2016. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 49% in 2018 and 50% in both 2017 and 2016. For European operations, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 10% in 2018, as compared to 2017 and represented 52% of sales in 2018 and 53% of sales in both 2017 and 2016. As discussed in more detail below, the fluctuations which are in line with the increase in sales for European operations, are primarily from variations in promotion and advertising expenditures.
For United States operations, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 25% in 2018 and represented 40% of sales in 2018, as compared to 38% of sales in 2017. The increase in sales of higher margin prestige products under license requires increased royalties and promotional and advertising expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 2% in 2017 and represented 38% of sales in both 2017 and 2016. This decrease is in line with the slight decline in 2017 sales for our U.S. operations.
Promotion and advertising included in selling, general and administrative expenses aggregated $139.7 million, $123.7 million and $99.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Promotion and advertising as a percentage of sales represented 20.7%, 20.9% and 19.0% of net sales in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We continue to invest heavily in promotional spending to support new product launches and to build brand awareness. We anticipated that on a full year basis, promotion and advertising expenditure would aggregate approximately 21% of 2018 net sales, which was in line with 2017 annual promotion and advertising expenditures as a percentage of sales. The slight decline in promotion and advertising expense as a percentage of sales in 2018 is the result of better than expected sales in the final months of 2018.
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Royalty expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses aggregated $48.9 million, $39.6 million and $37.8 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Royalty expense as a percentage of sales represented 7.2%, 6.7% and 7.3% of net sales in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in 2018, as a percentage of sales, is directly related to new licenses and increased royalty based product sales. The decline in 2017, as a percentage of sales, relates primarily to a lower minimum guaranteed royalty in connection with the renewals of two licenses as well as the 2016 exit from the Balmain license.
Service fees, which are fees paid within our European operations to third parties relating to the activities of our distribution subsidiaries, aggregated $9.7 million, $11.7 million and $9.9 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The 2018 decrease is primarily the result of the discontinuation of our distribution subsidiary in Germany. Beginning in 2018, we switched back to a third party distribution model in that territory. The 2017 increase is in line with increased sales by European operations.
Buyout of License
In December 2016, the Company reached an agreement with the Balmain brand calling for Balmain to buyout the Balmain license agreement, effective December 31, 2016, in exchange for a payment aggregating $5.7 million. As a result of the buyout, the Company recognized a gain of $4.7 million as of December 31, 2016.
Impairment Loss
The Company reviews intangible assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Product sales of some of our mass market product lines have been declining for many years. In 2017, the Company set in motion a plan to discontinue several of these product lines over the next few years. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $2.1 million in 2017.
Product sales of our Karl Lagerfeld brand had not met with our original expectations. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $5.7 million in 2016.
Income from Operations
As a result of the above analysis regarding net sales, gross profit margins, selling, general and administrative expenses, buyout of license and impairment loss, income from operations increased 20% to $94.7 million in 2018 as compared to 2017, after increasing 18% to $78.6 million in 2017 from $66.7 million in 2016. Operating margins aggregated 14.0%, 13.3% and 12.8% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Excluding the gain on buyout of license in 2016 and impairment losses in both 2017 and 2016, as well as the $0.5 million inventory reserve in 2017, income from operations would have aggregated $80.2 million in 2017 and $67.7 million in 2016. Operating margins would have aggregated 14.0%, 13.6% and 13.0% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In summary, excluding nonrecurring items during the past three years, small fluctuations in gross margin were mitigated by small fluctuations in selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily promotion and advertising expenditures. Overall the Company has been able to increase sales with a steadily increase in its operating margin.
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Other Income and Expenses
Interest expense aggregated $2.6 million, $2.0 million and $2.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest expense is primarily related to the financing of brand and licensing acquisitions. We use the credit lines available to us, as needed, to finance our working capital needs as well as our financing needs for acquisitions. Long-term debt including current maturities aggregated $46.1 million, $60.6 million and $74.6 million as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Foreign currency losses aggregated $0.3 million, $1.5 million and $0.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We typically enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposure related to receivables from unaffiliated third parties denominated in a foreign currency and occasionally to manage risks related to future sales expected to be denominated in a foreign currency. Over 45% of 2018 net sales of our European operations were denominated in U.S. dollars.
Interest and dividend income aggregated $4.0 million, $3.0 million and $3.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are primarily invested in certificates of deposit with varying maturities.
Income Taxes
In December 2017, the U.S. government passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to reducing the future U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and requiring companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries.
The Tax Act also established new tax laws that affect 2018, including, but not limited to: (i) the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate discussed above; (ii) a general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (iii) a new provision designed to tax global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”); and (iv) a new provision that allows a domestic corporation an immediate deduction for a portion of its foreign derived intangible income (“FDII”).
The Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118, which provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the related accounting under ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for a certain income tax effect of the Tax Act is incomplete, but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements.
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In connection with its initial analysis of the impact of the Tax Act, the Company recorded a tax expense of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. This estimate consists of no expense for the one-time transition tax, and an expense of $1.1 million related to revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities caused by the lower corporate tax rate. There were no material differences between the Company’s 2017 estimates and the final calculated amounts.
The Company has estimated of the effect of GILTI and has determined that it has no tax liability as of December 31, 2018 related to GILTI.
The Tax Act also contains a provision that allows a domestic corporation an immediate deduction for a portion of its foreign derived intangible income (“FDII”). The Company estimated the effect of FDII as of December 31, 2018, and recorded a tax benefit of $0.6 million.
Our effective income tax rate was 27.3%, 29.2% and 35.5% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The French government had introduced a 3% tax on dividends or deemed dividends for entities subject to French corporate income tax in 2012. In 2017, the French Constitutional Court released a decision declaring that the 3% tax on dividends or deemed dividends is unconstitutional. As a result of that decision, the Company filed a claim for refund of approximately $3.9 million for these taxes paid since 2015 including accrued interest of approximately $0.4 million. The Company recorded the refund claim as of December 31, 2017 and has received the entire refund in 2018.
As previously reported, the French Tax Authorities examined the 2012 tax return of Interparfums SA. The main issues challenged by the French Tax Authorities related to the commission rate and royalty rate paid to Interparfums Singapore Pte. and Interparfums (Suisse) SARL, respectively. Due to the subjective nature of the issues involved, in April 2016, Interparfums SA reached an agreement in principle to settle the entire matter with the French Tax Authorities. The settlement required Interparfums SA to pay a tax assessment of $1.9 million covering the issues for not only the 2012 tax year, but also covering the issues for the tax years ended 2013 through 2015. The settlement, which was finalized by the French Tax Authorities in the first quarter of 2017, was accrued as of December 31, 2016.
Excluding the 2017 adjustment to deferred tax benefit as a result of the Tax Act, the 2017 claim for refund and the 2016 settlement, our effective tax rate was 27.3%, 32.4% and 32.7% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Lastly, pursuant to an action plan released by the French Prime Minister, the French corporate income tax rate is expected to be cut from approximately 33% to 25% over a five-year period beginning in 2018. Other than as discussed above, we did not experience any significant changes in tax rates, and none were expected in jurisdictions where we operate.
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Net Income and Earnings per Share
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands except share and per share data) | ||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to European operations | $ | 56,469 | $ | 48,236 | $ | 35,037 | ||||||
| Net income attributable to United States operations | 13,246 | 7,017 | 8,211 | |||||||||
| Net income | 69,715 | 55,253 | 43,248 | |||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest | 15,922 | 13,659 | 9,917 | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | $ | 53,793 | $ | 41,594 | $ | 33,331 | ||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. common shareholders: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.33 | $ | 1.07 | ||||||
| Diluted | 1.71 | 1.33 | 1.07 | |||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | 31,307,991 | 31,172,285 | 31,072,328 | |||||||||
| Diluted | 31,522,371 | 31,305,101 | 31,175,598 | |||||||||
Net income has continued to increase over the past three years, and aggregated $69.7 million, $55.3 million and $43.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net income attributable to European operations was $56.5 million, $48.2 million and $35.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, while net income attributable to United States operations was $13.2 million, $7.0 million and $8.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The significant fluctuations in net income for European operations are directly related to the previous discussions relating to changes in sales, gross profit margins, selling, general and administrative expenses, buyout of license, impairment loss, the French tax refund as well as the French tax settlement.
For United States operations in 2017, net income, excluding the effect of the $2.1 million impairment loss and $0.5 million inventory reserve, was in line with that of 2016.
The noncontrolling interest arises primarily from our 73% owned subsidiary in Paris, Interparfums SA, which is also a publicly traded company as 27% of Interparfums SA shares trade on the NYSE Euronext. Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest is related to the profitability of our European operations, and aggregated 28.2% of European operations net income in 2018 and 28.3% in both 2017 and 2016. Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. aggregated $53.8 million, $41.6 million and $33.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net margins attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. aggregated 8.0%, 7.0% and 6.4% in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc.
Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc., is deemed a “non-GAAP financial measure” under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This non-GAAP measure is calculated using GAAP amounts derived from our consolidated financial statements. Adjusted net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. has limitations and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, operating income, cash flow from operations or other consolidated income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of adjusted income may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of other companies.
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Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. Reconciliation
Adjusted net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. is defined as net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc., plus the previously discussed 2017 impairment loss net of tax expense, and inventory reserve adjustment net of tax expense, both relating to the discontinuance of certain of our mass market product lines, the 2017 adjustment to deferred tax benefit due to the Tax Act, the tax recovery for dividends net of minority interest for 2017, and the nonrecurring tax settlement net of minority interest for 2016. We believe that certain investors would consider adjusted net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. a useful means of evaluating our financial performance.
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. to adjusted net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. for the periods indicated.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands except share and per share data) | ||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | $ | 53,793 | $ | 41,594 | $ | 33,331 | ||||||
| Impairment loss (net of tax expense of $828) | — | 1,295 | — | |||||||||
| Inventory reserve adjustment (net of tax expense of ($195) | — | 305 | — | |||||||||
| Adjustment to deferred tax benefit due to Tax Act | — | 1,087 | — | |||||||||
| Tax recovery for dividends (net of minority interest of $973) | — | (2,590 | ) | — | ||||||||
| Nonrecurring tax settlement payment (net of minority interest of $500) | — | — | 1,400 | |||||||||
| Adjusted net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | $ | 53,793 | $ | 41,691 | $ | 34,731 | ||||||
| Adjusted net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. common shareholders: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.34 | $ | 1.12 | ||||||
| Diluted | 1.71 | 1.33 | 1.11 | |||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | 31,307,991 | 31,172,285 | 31,072,328 | |||||||||
| Diluted | 31,522,371 | 31,305,101 | 31,175,598 | |||||||||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s financial position remains strong. At December 31, 2018, working capital aggregated $382 million, and we had a working capital ratio of over 3 to 1. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments aggregated $261 million most of which is held in euro by our European operations and is readily convertible into U.S. dollars. We have not had any liquidity issues to date, and do not expect any liquidity issues relating to such cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held by our European operations. Approximately 86% of the Company’s total assets are held by European operations including approximately $180 million of trademarks, licenses and other intangible assets.
The Company hopes to benefit from its strong financial position to potentially acquire one or more brands, either on a proprietary basis or as a licensee. Opportunities for external growth continue to be examined, with the priority of maintaining the quality and homogeneous nature of our portfolio. However, we cannot assure you that any new license or acquisition agreements will be consummated.
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Cash provided by operating activities aggregated $63.0 million, $35.9 million and $54.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In 2018, working capital items used $20.9 million in cash from operating activities, as compared to $32.5 million in 2017 and $0.2 million in 2016. Although accounts receivable is up from that of the prior year, day’s sales outstanding remained consistent at 71 days in 2018, as compared to 67 days and 71 days in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Inventory days on hand aggregated 223 days in 2018, as compared to 189 days in 2017 and 185 days in 2016, respectively. The increase in 2018 is primarily the result of the required buildup of inventory for new licenses entered into in 2018 where we do not have a full year of sales. Overall inventory levels are up approximately 21% from the prior year, which is reasonable and reflect levels needed to support sales expectations and our new product launches.
Cash flows used in investing activities reflect the purchase and sales of short-term investments. These investments are primarily certificates of deposit with maturities greater than three months. At December 31, 2018, approximately $75 million of certificates of deposit contain penalties where we would forfeit a portion of the interest earned in the event of early withdrawal.
Our business is not capital intensive as we do not own any manufacturing facilities. On a full year basis, we spent approximately $4.0 million on capital expenditures including tools and molds needed to support our new product development calendar. Capital expenditures also include amounts for office fixtures, computer equipment and industrial equipment needed at our distribution centers. Payments for licenses, trademarks and other intangible assets primarily represent upfront entry fees incurred in connection with new license agreements. In December 2016, the Company agreed to a buyout of its Balmain license, effective December 31, 2016, for a payment aggregating approximately $5.9 million. The Company received the buyout payment in May 2017.
In 2018, in connection with a new license agreement, we agreed to pay $15.0 million in equal annual installments of $1.1 million including interest imputed at 4.1%. In 2015, in connection with a brand acquisition, we entered into a 5-year term loan payable in equal quarterly installments of €5.0 million (approximately $5.7 million) plus interest. In order to reduce exposure to rising variable interest rates, we entered into a swap transaction effectively exchanging the variable interest rate to a fixed rate of approximately 1.2%.
Our short-term financing requirements are expected to be met by available cash on hand at December 31, 2018, cash generated by operations and short-term credit lines provided by domestic and foreign banks. The principal credit facilities for 2019 consist of a $20.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit provided by a domestic commercial bank and approximately $28.6 million in credit lines provided by a consortium of international financial institutions. There were no balances due from short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest represents the purchase of treasury shares of Interparfums SA, which are expected to be issued to Interparfums SA employees in 2019 pursuant to its Free Share Plan.
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In October 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a 13% increase in the annual dividend to $0.68 per share. In October 2017, our Board authorized a 24% increase in the annual dividend to $0.84 per share and in October 2018 our Board authorized a further 31% increase in the annual dividend to $1.10 per share. The next quarterly cash dividend of $0.275 per share is payable on April 15, 2019 to shareholders of record on March 29, 2019. Dividends paid, including dividends paid once per year to noncontrolling stockholders of Interparfums SA, aggregated $35.0 million, $27.2 million and $22.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The cash dividends to be paid in 2019 are not expected to have any significant impact on our financial position.
We believe that funds provided by or used in operations can be supplemented by our present cash position and available credit facilities, so that they will provide us with sufficient resources to meet all present and reasonably foreseeable future operating needs.
Inflation rates in the U.S. and foreign countries in which we operate did not have a significant impact on operating results for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations over the periods indicated, as well as our total contractual obligations ($ in thousands):
| Payments due by period | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contractual Obligations | Total | Less
than | Years | Years 4-5 | More
than 5 years |
|||||||||||||||
| Long-Term Debt | $ | 46,061 | $ | 23,155 | $ | 12,686 | $ | 2,142 | $ | 8,078 | ||||||||||
| Operating Leases | $ | 44,011 | $ | 6,448 | $ | 10,862 | $ | 8,704 | $ | 17,997 | ||||||||||
| Purchase Obligations(1) | $ | 2,013,948 | $ | 166,779 | $ | 366,247 | $ | 352,890 | $ | 1,128,032 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,104,020 | $ | 196,382 | $ | 389,795 | $ | 363,736 | $ | 1,154,107 | ||||||||||
| (1) | Consists of purchase commitments for advertising and promotional items, minimum royalty guarantees, including fixed or minimum obligations, and estimates of such obligations subject to variable price provisions. Future advertising commitments were estimated based on planned future sales for the license terms that were in effect at December 31, 2018, without consideration for potential renewal periods and do not reflect the fact that our distributors share our advertising obligations. |
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
General
We address certain financial exposures through a controlled program of risk management that primarily consists of the use of derivative financial instruments. We primarily enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts in order to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. We do not engage in the trading of foreign currency forward exchange contracts or interest rate swaps.
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Foreign Exchange Risk Management
We periodically enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge exposure related to receivables denominated in a foreign currency and to manage risks related to future sales expected to be denominated in a currency other than our functional currency. We enter into these exchange contracts for periods consistent with our identified exposures. The purpose of the hedging activities is to minimize the effect of foreign exchange rate movements on the receivables and cash flows of Interparfums SA, our French subsidiary, whose functional currency is the euro. All foreign currency contracts are denominated in currencies of major industrial countries and are with large financial institutions, which are rated as strong investment grade.
All derivative instruments are required to be reflected as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet measured at fair value. Generally, increases or decreases in fair value of derivative instruments will be recognized as gains or losses in earnings in the period of change. If the derivative is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, then the changes in fair value of the derivative instrument will be recorded in other comprehensive income.
Before entering into a derivative transaction for hedging purposes, we determine that the change in the value of the derivative will effectively offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item from a movement in foreign currency rates. Then, we measure the effectiveness of each hedge throughout the hedged period. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recognized in the income statement.
At December 31, 2018, we had foreign currency contracts in the form of forward exchange contracts with notional amounts of approximately U.S. $33.0 million, GB £2.65 million and JPY ¥75.0 million which all have maturities of less than one year. We believe that our risk of loss as the result of nonperformance by any of such financial institutions is remote.
Interest Rate Risk Management
We mitigate interest rate risk by monitoring interest rates, and then determining whether fixed interest rates should be swapped for floating rate debt, or if floating rate debt should be swapped for fixed rate debt. We entered into an interest rate swap in June 2015 on €100 million of debt, effectively exchanging the variable interest rate to a fixed rate of approximately 1.2%. This derivative instrument is recorded at fair value and changes in fair value are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The required financial statements commence on page F-1.
Supplementary Data
Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)
| 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Full Year | ||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 171,767 | $ | 149,367 | $ | 177,213 | $ | 177,227 | $ | 675,574 | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 105,629 | 95,654 | 109,147 | 117,132 | 427,562 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | 21,862 | 14,259 | 24,426 | 9,168 | 69,715 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | 15,909 | 10,899 | 18,938 | 8,047 | 53,793 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 1.72 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 1.71 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 31,267 | 31,299 | 31,326 | 31,340 | 31,308 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 31,429 | 31,490 | 31,587 | 31,584 | 31,522 | |||||||||||||||
Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)
| 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Full Year | ||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 143,058 | $ | 129,136 | $ | 169,531 | $ | 149,526 | $ | 591,251 | ||||||||||
| Gross margin | 90,070 | 83,943 | 103,472 | 98,801 | 376,286 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | 18,167 | 9,211 | 22,103 | 5,772 | 55,253 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | 13,373 | 6,744 | 17,077 | 4,400 | 41,594 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 1.33 | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 1.33 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 31,145 | 31,169 | 31,175 | 31,200 | 31,172 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 31,254 | 31,281 | 31,307 | 31,378 | 31,305 | |||||||||||||||
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Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on their review and evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of Inter Parfums, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13(a)-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.
Our independent auditor, Mazars USA LLP, a registered public accounting firm, has issued its report on its audit of our internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page F-2.
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Item 9B. | Other Information. |
None.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Officers and Directors
As of the date of this report, our executive officers and directors were as follows:
| Name | Position |
| Jean Madar | Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of Inter Parfums, Inc. and Director General of Interparfums SA |
| Philippe Benacin | Vice Chairman of the Board, President of Inter Parfums, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA |
| Russell Greenberg | Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
| Philippe Santi | Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Interparfums SA |
| François Heilbronn | Director |
| Robert Bensoussan | Director |
| Patrick Choël | Director |
| Michel Dyens | Director |
| Veronique Gabai-Pinsky | Director |
| Gilbert Harrison | Director |
| Frederic Garcia-Pelayo | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Interparfums SA |
Our directors will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and thereafter until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. Messrs. Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin have a verbal agreement or understanding to vote their shares and the shares of their respective holding companies in a like manner.
With the exception of Mr. Benacin, the officers are elected annually by the directors and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. There are no family relationships between executive officers or directors of our Company.
Board of Directors
Our board of directors has the responsibility for establishing broad corporate policies and for the overall performance of our Company. Although certain directors are not involved in day-to-day operating details, members of the board of directors are kept informed of our business by various reports and documents made available to them. Our board of directors held 16 meetings (or executed consents in lieu thereof), including meetings of committees of the full board of directors during 2018, and all of the directors attended at least 75% of the meetings (or executed consents in lieu thereof) of the full board of directors and committees of which they were a member. Our board of directors presently consists of ten (10) directors.
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We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, as well as other persons performing similar functions, and we agree to provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of our Code of Business Conduct. Any person who requests a copy of our Code of Business Conduct should provide their name and address in writing to: Inter Parfums, Inc., 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10176, Att.: Shareholder Relations. In addition, our Code of Conduct is also maintained on our website, at www.interparfumsinc.com.
During 2018, our board of directors had the following standing committees:
| ● | Audit Committee – The Audit Committee has the sole authority and is directly responsible for, the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent accountants employed by our company which prepare or issue audit reports for our company. During 2018, this committee consisted of Messrs. Heilbronn and Choël, and Ms. Gabai-Pinsky. The charter of the Audit Committee is posted on our company’s website. |
The Company does not have an “audit committee financial expert” within the definition of the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. First, finding qualified nominees to serve as a director of a public company without substantial financial resources has been challenging. Second, despite the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rule which states that being named as the audit committee financial expert does not impose any greater duty, obligation or liability, our company has been met with resistance from both present and former directors to being named as such, primarily due to potential additional personal liability. However, as the result of the background, education and experience of the members of the Audit Committee, our board of directors believes that such committee members are fully qualified to fulfill their obligations as members of the Audit Committee.
| ● | Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee – The Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee oversees the compensation of our company’s executives and administers our company’s stock option plans. During 2018, this committee consisted of Messrs. Heilbronn and Choël, and Ms. Gabai-Pinsky. The charter of the Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee is posted on our company’s website. |
| ● | Nominating Committee – During 2018, this committee consisted of Messrs. Heilbronn and Choël, and Ms. Gabai-Pinsky. The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to determine and recommend qualified persons to the Board of Directors who will be put forth as management’s slate of directors for vote of the Corporation’s stockholders, as well as to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors. The charter of the Nominating Committee is posted on our company’s website. |
In January 2018 our board of directors adopted a board diversity policy, which provides that the selection of candidates for appointment to our board will be based on an overriding emphasis on merit, but the Nominating Committee will seek to fill board vacancies by considering candidates that bring a diversity of background and industry or related expertise to our board. The Nominating Committee is to consider an appropriate level of diversity having regard for factors such as skills, business and other experience, education, gender, age, ethnicity and geographic location. A copy of the board diversity policy is posted on our company’s website.
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Business Experience
The following sets forth biographical information as to the business experience of each executive officer and director of our company for at least the past five years.
Jean Madar
Jean Madar, age 58, a Director, has been the Chairman of the Board since our company’s inception, and is a co-founder of our company with Mr. Philippe Benacin. From inception until December 1993 he was the President of our company; in January 1994, he became Director General of Interparfums SA, our company’s subsidiary; and in January 1997, he became Chief Executive Officer of our company. Mr. Madar was previously the managing director of Interparfums SA, from September 1983 until June 1985. At such subsidiary, he had the responsibility of overseeing the marketing operations of its foreign distribution, including market research analysis and actual marketing campaigns. Mr. Madar graduated from The French University for Economic and Commercial Sciences (ESSEC) in 1983. We believe that Mr. Madar’s skills in guiding, leading and determining the strategic direction of our company since its inception together with Mr. Benacin, in addition to his contacts in the fragrance and cosmetic industry, render him qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.
Philippe Benacin
Mr. Benacin, age 60, a Director, is President of our Company and the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA, has been the Vice Chairman of the Board since September 1991, and is a co-founder of our company with Mr. Madar. He was elected the Executive Vice President in September 1991, Senior Vice President in April 1993, and President of the Company in January 1994. In addition, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA for more than the past five years. Mr. Benacin graduated from The French University for Economic and Commercial Sciences (ESSEC) in 1983. In June 2014 Mr. Benacin was elected as a member of the Supervisory Board of Vivendi, and Chairman of its Corporate Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee. We believe that Mr. Benacin’s skills in guiding, leading and determining the strategic direction of our company since its inception together with Mr. Madar, in addition to his contacts in the fragrance and cosmetic industry, render him qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.
Russell Greenberg
Mr. Greenberg, age 62, the Chief Financial Officer, was Vice-President, Finance when he joined the Company in June 1992; became Executive Vice President in April 1993; and was appointed to our board of directors in February 1995. He is a certified public accountant licensed in the State of New York, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. After graduating from The Ohio State University in 1980, he was employed in public accounting until he joined our company in June 1992. We believe that Mr. Greenberg’s skills in accounting and tax, as well as his knowledge of the fragrance industry and our Company’s operations, render him qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.
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Philippe Santi
Philippe Santi, age 57 and a Director since December 1999, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Interparfums SA. Mr. Santi, who is a Certified Accountant and Statutory Auditor in France, has been the Chief Financial Officer of Interparfums SA since February 1995. Prior to February 1995, Mr. Santi was the Chief Financial Officer for Stryker France and an Audit Manager for Ernst and Young. We believe that Mr. Santi’s skills in accounting and tax, as well as his knowledge of the fragrance industry and our Company’s European operations, render him qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.
Francois Heilbronn
Mr. Heilbronn, age 58 a Director since 1988, an independent director and a member of the Audit Committee, Nominating Committee and the Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee, is a graduate of Harvard Business School with a Master of Business Administration degree and is currently the managing partner of the consulting firm of M.M. Friedrich, Heilbronn & Fiszer. He was formerly employed by The Boston Consulting Group, Inc. from 1988 through 1992 as a manager. Mr. Heilbronn graduated from Institut d’ Etudes Politiques de Paris in June 1983. From 1984 to 1986, he worked as a financial analyst for Lazard Freres & Co. In addition, during 2009, Mr. Heilbronn became an Associate Professor in Business Strategy at Sciences Po, Paris, France. As the result of his business and financial acumen, as well as his experience as managing partner of a business consulting firm in the area of mergers and acquisitions of large international companies in retail, consumer goods and consumer services throughout the world, we believe Mr. Heilbronn is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.
Robert Bensoussan
Robert Bensoussan, age 61, has been a Director since March 1997, and is also an independent director.
In 2008 Mr. Bensoussan co-founded Sirius Equity, a retail and branded luxury goods Investment Company. To date, Sirius Equity remains as a investor in feelunique.com, Europe’s largest online beauty retailer. Previous investments include the UK shoe and clothing retailer LK Bennett and Italian sportswear retailer and wholesaler Jeckerson Spa. Mr. Bensoussan formerly served as Executive Chairman and CEO of LK Bennett. Non-Executive Chairman of Jerkerson Spa, and was a board member of Celio International and the French retail conglomerate Vivarte, representing the GLG hedge fund.
He continues to remain as Chairman of feelunique.com since December 2012. Mr. Bensoussan is an active board member of lululemon athletica inc. He is also member of the Advisory Board of Pictet Bank Premium Brands Fund. In addition, he is also a member of two private boards: Zen Car, an electric car rental company and Eaglemoss Ltd, a UK part-works publisher.
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Previously Mr. Bensoussan was as director of, and had an indirect ownership interest J. Choo Limited until July 2011, and CEO (from 2001 to 2007) and was a member of the Board of Jimmy Choo Ltd (from 2001 to 2011), a privately held luxury shoe wholesaler and retailer.
We believe Mr. Bensoussan is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his business and financial acumen, as well as his experience in the retail and branded luxury goods market.
Patrick Choël
Mr. Choël, age 75, was appointed to the board of directors in June 2006 as an independent director, and is a member of the Audit Committee, Nominating Committee and the Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee. Mr. Choël is a director of our majority-owned subsidiary, Interparfums SA, a publicly held company, and Christian Dior and Guerlain, both privately held companies. He is also the manager of Université 82, a business consultant and advisor. For approximately 10 years, through March 2004, Mr. Choël was the President and CEO of two divisions of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A., first Parfums Christian Dior, a leading world-wide prestige beauty/fragrances business, and later, the LVMH Perfumes and Cosmetics Division, which included such well-known brands as Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, and Parfums Givenchy, among others. Prior to such time, for approximately 30 years, he held various executive positions at Unilever, including President and CEO of Elida Fabergé France and President and CEO of Chesebrough Pond’s USA. Because of this experience, especially in the prestige beauty business, we believe that Mr. Choël is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors.
Michel Dyens
Michel Dyens, age 79, is the owner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Michel Dyens & Co., which he founded more than 25 years ago. With headquarters in New York and Paris, Michel Dyens & Co. is a leading independent investment banking firm focused on mergers and acquisitions. Michel Dyens & Co. has vast experience in the luxury goods, beauty, spirits and other premium branded consumer goods in which it has concluded numerous landmark deals. Michel Dyens & Co. has advised in such deals as the sale of the Grey Goose ultra-premium vodka brand to Bacardi, John Frieda Professional Hair Care and Molton Brown to the Kao Company, the Svedka vodka brand to Constellation Brands, Chambord liqueur to Brown-Forman, Harry Winston to Aber Diamond Company and Boucheron to Gucci. Michel Dyens & Co. also has a strong track record of deals in media and internet, including the deals in which AuFeminin was sold to Axel Springer and Cyréalis to M6, among others.
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In 2015, Michel Dyens & Co. represented Mr. ChinWook Lee, the founder and CEO of Dr. Jart+, for the sale of an interest in Have & Be Co. Ltd. to The Estée Lauder Companies. Michel Dyens & Co. also advised the shareholders of the largest independent hair color and hair care company in Brazil, Niely Cosmeticos in the sale of the company to L’Oréal, as well as advising the owner of the super-premium liqueur St-Germain in the sale of the brand to Bacardi, the Colomer Group (American Crew and CND/Shellac brands) in its sale to Revlon, and Sydney Frank Importing Company in the sale of the company to Jaegermeister. Other recent transactions include the sale of Essie cosmetics business to L’Oréal, the acquisition of the Swiss watchmaker Hublot by LVMH, the sale of TIGI (BedHead and Catwalk brands) to Unilever and the sale of NIOXIN Research Laboratories to Procter & Gamble.
Mr. Dyens is also the owner of Varenne Enterprises, a media company which he founded more than 25 years ago. From April 2004 to September 2014, Mr. Dyens was an independent director of Interparfums SA. We believe Mr. Dyens is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his knowledge of our company’s luxury business, his business and financial acumen, as well as his experience in the luxury goods market.
Veronique Gabai-Pinsky
Ms. Gabai-Pinsky, age 53, was elected for the first time to our board in September 2017. She became a director of Interparfums SA in April 2017. She is currently consulting in the beauty, fragrance and accessories business. She was President of Vera Wang Group from January 2016 through June 2018, after a year of consulting with the company and she oversaw all product categories and markets. Prior to joining Vera Wang, from 2006 to December 2014 Ms. Gabai-Pinsky was the Global President for Aramis and Designers Fragrances as well as Beauty Bank and Idea Bank at the Estée Lauder Companies, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of such company. During her tenure, Ms. Gabai-Pinsky developed and ensured the growth of several beauty and skin care brands, including Lab Series for Men. She was highly instrumental in the evolution of the fragrance category for such company, as she improved its overall business model, globally grew brands such as Donna Karan and Michael Kors, evolved and harmonized the portfolio, divested dilutive brands and brought in Tory Burch, Zegna and Marni under licenses. She ultimately actively participated in the acquisitions of Le Labo, Frederic Malle, and By Kilian and assisted in the transformation of the long-term strategic direction of such company.
In the earlier years of her career, Ms. Gabai-Pinsky served as Vice President of Marketing and Communication for Guerlain, a division of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A., where she led the successful re-launch of Shalimar, the introduction of Aqua Allegoria, and contributed to the re-focus of the beauty category around its pillars, Terracotta, Meteorites and Issima, while redesigning all communication strategies and content. She started her career at L’Oréal, and was also Vice President of Marketing for Giorgio Armani, where she was instrumental in the overall development of its fragrance business by developing the successful Acqua di Gio for men and introducing the Emporio Armani franchise. A graduate from ESSEC Business School in Paris, France, she has received several awards, including Marketer of the Year by Women’s Wear Daily in December 2013.
Ms. Gabai-Pinksy is an independent director, and is a member of the Audit Committee, Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee and the Nominating Committee of our company. We believe Ms. Gabi-Pinsky is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to her more than 25 years of experience in the luxury, fashion, beauty and fragrance fields, success as a brand builder, creative thinker, business acumen, and a broad understanding of consumers, brands and business models.
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Gilbert Harrison
Mr. Harrison, age 77, an independent director, was appointed to our board in April 2018. Mr. Harrison has more than 50 years of experience in corporate finance and strategic transactions, specializing in the consumer products space. He began his career in 1965 practicing corporate and securities law in New York and Philadelphia. In 1971 he founded Financo, which he grew to become one of the leading independent middle market transaction firms in the country. In 1985, Financo was acquired by Lehman Brothers, where the firm’s primary efforts were focused on increasing its expertise in retail, apparel and other merchandising transactions of all types. At Lehman, Mr. Harrison was Chairman of the Merchandising Group and on the firm’s Investment Banking Operating Committee while continuing as Chairman of Financo, which was renamed the Middle Market Group of Lehman. In 1989, he re-acquired Financo from Lehman, re-establishing Financo as one of the leading investment banking firms handling transactions and providing strategic advice in connection with merchandising companies. Mr. Harrison retired as Chairman of Financo in December of 2017, after which he formed the Harrison Group, a firm that provides consulting and financial advisory services to merchandising and products companies.
Mr. Harrison’s other activities include his membership on the Advisory Council of the World Retail Congress, Shoptalk and the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit. Additionally, he has created a course on mergers and acquisitions at The Wharton School and has published various articles and academic studies on the state of retailing and mergers and acquisitions, including a chapter in the book entitled, “The Mergers and Acquisitions Handbook.” Mr. Harrison lectures throughout the country, including chairing seminars for Retail Week as well as for the International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Retail Federation, Young President’s Center, The Wharton Aresty Institute of Executive Education and The President’s Association of the American Management Association. He also appears frequently on Bloomberg TV and CNBC as an expert on retail and apparel.
Mr. Harrison received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania in 1962 and his Juris Doctor from The University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1965. He is also Chairman of the Fashion Division of UJA, Treasurer and a Board member of the Southampton Hospital, Director of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and former Board member of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. We believe Mr. Harrison is qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his tremendous depth and breadth of knowledge about the merchandising and consumer industry, and he has a long track record of facilitating value creating transactions for companies in this sector.
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Frederic Garcia-Pelayo
Frederic Garcia-Pelayo, age 58, has been with Interparfums SA for more than the past 20 years. He is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Interparfums SA, and was previously the Director of its Luxury and Fashion division beginning in March 2005. He was also previously the Director of Marketing and Distribution for Perfume and Cosmetics and was first named Executive Vice President in 2004.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any amendments to such forms furnished to us, and written representations from various reporting persons furnished to us, we are not aware of any reporting person who has failed to file the reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on a timely basis.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
General
The executive compensation and stock option committee of our board of directors is comprised entirely of independent directors and oversees all elements of compensation (base salary, annual bonus, long-term incentives and perquisites) of our company’s executive officers and administers our company’s stock option plans, other than the non-employee directors stock option plan, which is self-executing.
The objectives of our compensation program are designed to strike a balance between offering sufficient compensation to either retain existing or attract new executives on the one hand, and maintaining compensation at reasonable levels on the other hand. We do not have the resources comparable to the cosmetic giants in our industry, and, accordingly, cannot afford to pay excessive executive compensation. In furtherance of these objectives, our executive compensation packages generally include a base salary, as well as annual incentives tied to individual performance and long-term incentives tied to our operating performance.
Mr. Madar, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, takes the initiative after discussions with Mr. Russell Greenberg, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a Director, and recommends executive compensation levels for executives for United States operations. Mr. Benacin, the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA, takes the initiative after discussions with Philippe Santi, the Chief Financial Officer of Interparfums SA, and recommends executive compensation levels for executives for European operations. The recommendations are presented to the compensation committee for its consideration, and the compensation committee makes a final determination regarding salary adjustments and annual award amounts to executives, including Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin. Messrs. Madar and Benacin are not present during deliberations or determination of their executive compensation by the compensation committee. Further, Messrs. Madar and Benacin, in addition to being executive officers and directors, are our largest beneficial shareholders, and therefore, their interests are aligned with our shareholder base in keeping executive compensation at a reasonable level.
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The compensation committee was pleased that the most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation held at our last annual meeting of shareholders in September 2018 overwhelmingly approved the compensation policies and decisions of the compensation committee. The compensation committee has determined to continue its present compensation policies in order to determine similar future decisions.
Our compensation committee believes that individual executive compensation is at a level comparable with executives in other companies of similar size and stage of development that operate in the fragrance industry, and takes into account our company’s performance as well as our own strategic goals. Further, the compensation committee believes that its present policies to date, with its emphasis on rewarding performance, has served to focus the efforts of our executives, which in turn has permitted our company to weather economic and political turmoil in certain parts of the world and keep our company on track for continued profitability, which management believes will result in enhanced shareholder value.
During 2018, the members of such committee consisted of Messrs. Heilbronn and Choël, and Ms. Gabai-Pinsky.
Elements of Compensation
General
The compensation of our executive officers is generally comprised of base salaries, including a fee paid to the holding companies of each of Messrs. Madar and Benacin, annual cash bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards. In determining specific components of compensation, the compensation committee considers individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience, other compensation awards or arrangements and overall company performance. The compensation committee reviews and approves all elements of compensation for all of our executive officers taking into consideration recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer of our company and the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA, as well as information regarding compensation levels at competitors in our industry.
Our named executive officers have all been with the company for more than the past ten (10) years, with Messrs. Madar and Benacin being founders of the company in 1985. As Messrs. Madar and Greenberg for United States operations, and Benacin and Santi for European operations, are most familiar with the individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience of each executive officer in their respective operating segments, the compensation committee relies upon the information provided by such executive officers in determining individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience of each executive officer.
The compensation committee views the competitive market place very broadly, which would include executive officers from both public and privately held companies in general, including fashion and beauty companies, but not limited to the peer companies contained in the corporate performance graph contained in our annual report. Rather than tie the compensation committee’s determination of compensation proposals to any specific peer companies, the members of our committee have used their business experience, judgment and knowledge to review the executive compensation proposals recommended to them by Mr. Madar for United States operations and Mr. Benacin for European operations. As such, compensation committee did not determine the need to “benchmark” of any material item of compensation or overall compensation.
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The members of the compensation committee have extensive experience and business acumen and are well qualified in determining the appropriateness of executive compensation levels. Mr. Heilbronn is a managing partner of a business consulting firm in the area of mergers and acquisitions of large international companies in retail, consumer goods and consumer services throughout the world. Mr. Choël is presently a business consultant and advisor, who previously worked as President and Chief Executive Officer of two divisions of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A., which included such well-known brands as Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, and Parfums Givenchy. Mr. Choël has also been President and CEO of both Elida Fabergé France and Chesebrough Pond’s USA. Ms. Gabai-Pinsky, the final committee member, has executive experience as the former President of Vera Wang Group, as well as the Global President for Aramis and Designers Fragrances in addition to Beauty Bank and Idea Bank at the Estée Lauder Companies.
Base Salary
Base salaries for executive officers are initially determined by evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the experience of the individual, and by reference to the competitive market place for executive talent. Base salaries for executive officers are reviewed on an annual basis, and adjustments are determined by evaluating our operating performance, the performance of each executive officer, as well as whether the nature of the responsibilities of the executive has changed.
As stated above, as Messrs. Madar and Greenberg for United States operations, and Benacin and Santi for European operations, are most familiar with the individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience of each executive officer in their respective segments, the committee relies upon the information provided by such executive officers in determining individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience of each executive officer.
For executive officers of United States operations, the bulk of their annual compensation is in base salary including a fee paid to the holding company for Mr. Madar for services rendered outside the United States. However, for executive officers of European operations base salary comprises a smaller percentage of overall compensation. We have paid a lower percentage of overall compensation in the form of base salary to executive officers of European operations for several years, principally because European operations historically have had higher profitability than United States operations, and European operations are run differently from United States operations by the Chief Executive Officer of European operations, Mr. Benacin. As the result of this historically higher profitability, European operations have had the ability to pay higher bonus compensation in addition to base salary. As bonus compensation is and has historically been discretionary, no targets were set in order to maintain flexibility. Further, if results of operations for European operations were not satisfactory (again, no target amounts were set to maintain flexibility), then bonus compensation, as well as overall compensation could be lowered without otherwise affecting base salary. Finally, by keeping annual bonus compensation at a higher percentage of overall compensation and base salary at a lower percentage, our company benefits because the base amount for annual salary adjustments would be smaller.
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For 2018, Mr. Benacin received an increase in base salary of €24,000 ($28,000) to €444,000 ($524,000), after not receiving any receive any increase in his base salary of €420,000 ($474,000) in 2017 and 2016. Further, Mr. Benacin’s personal holding company received the same $250,000 in 2018 that it received in 2017 and 2016 for services rendered outside of the United States by Mr. Benacin for the benefit of the Company’s United States operations in his capacity as President of our company. Payment is being made by the Company’s United States operations to Mr. Benacin’s holding company in accordance with the consulting agreement with Mr. Benacin’s holding company, which provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company.
The compensation committee took into account the following salient factors in authorizing payment to Mr. Benacin’s holding company— services rendered to United States operations for several years by Mr. Benacin in connection with licensing and distribution of international brands, as well as future services to be performed by Mr. Benacin internationally relating to licensing and distribution of international brands for United States operations.
As Mr. Benacin values the services of two named executive officers of Interparfums SA, Mr. Philippe Santi, Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Frederic Garcia-Pelayo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, equally, their base salaries, as well as their bonus compensation discussed below, have been in lockstep. For 2018, each of Messrs. Santi and Garcia-Pelayo received an increase of €24,000 ($28,000) to €384,000 ($454,000). For 2017, each received €52,800 ($60,000) salary increases that brought their 2017 base salaries to €360,000 ($407,000). These increases were awarded primarily to reward these two executive officers for their contributions in European Operations achieving increases in both the sales and earnings. For 2016 Messrs. Santi and Mr. Frederic Garcia-Pelayo each received €7,200 ($8,000) salary increases that brought their 2016 base salaries to €307,200 ($340,000). The compensation committee considered the recommendations of Mr. Benacin, results of operations for the year, as well as the services performed for European operations by Messrs. Santi and Garcia-Pelayo in authorizing these salary levels.
A different approach is taken for United States operations as that segment is smaller and less profitable. A more significant base salary is paid in order to attract and retain employees with the skills and talents needed to run the operation with a lesser emphasis placed on bonuses. Neither of the executive officers for United States operations have employment agreements (although Mr. Madar’s personal holding company has a consulting agreement that provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company), as we believe that having flexibility in structuring annual base salary is a benefit, which permits us to act quickly to meet a changing economic environment.
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For each of 2018, 2017 and 2016, Mr. Madar’s base salary, including cash compensation paid to his personal holding company, remained steady and aggregated $630,000. Cash compensation paid to Mr. Madar’s personal holding company in each year were in exchange for services rendered outside of the United States by Mr. Madar in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer. For 2018, as the result of Mr. Madar spending more time outside of the United States, we changed the allocation of cash compensation paid to Mr. Madar personally and to his personal holding company, but not the aggregate amount. The amount of salary paid to Mr. Madar for his services in the United States in 2018 was reduced by $220,000 from $380,000 to $160,000, while payments to his holding company were increased by the like amount of $220,000, from $250,000 to $470,000. Therefore, for 2018 total cash compensation for Mr. Madar to be paid to him and his personal holding company remained unchanged at $630,000.
In determining Mr. Madar’s base salary including the consulting fee for 2018, the Committee took into account Mr. Madar’s leadership of our company in general, the increasing profitability of United States operations over the past several years, and his leadership in assisting United States operations in obtaining new licensing opportunities and his assistance in developing new products and expanding international distribution of U.S. operations.
Russell Greenberg, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has received the same $30,000 increase in base salary for 2018, 2017 and 2016, and for 2018 his base salary was $660,000. In connection with these increases in salary, the Compensation Committee considered the following material factors in granting Mr. Greenberg his salary increases: his individual performance, level of responsibility, skill and experience, as well as the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer.
Bonus Compensation/Annual Incentives
As discussed above, we have paid a higher percentage of overall compensation in the form of bonus compensation to executive officers of European operations for several years, principally because European operations historically have had higher profitability than United States operations. As the result of this historically higher profitability, European operations have had the ability to pay higher bonus compensation in addition to base salary. As bonus compensation is discretionary, no targets were set in order to maintain flexibility. Further, if results of operations for European operations were not satisfactory (again, no target amounts were set to maintain flexibility), then bonus compensation, as well as overall compensation could be lowered without otherwise affecting base salary. Individual performance, level of responsibility, skill and experience, were the salient factors considered by the Compensation Committee in awarding bonus compensation described below.
For 2018 Mr. Benacin, the chief decision maker for European operations, proposed and the compensation committee concurred in the payment of discretionary bonus compensation of €95,000 ($112,000) for Mr. Benacin, as compared to been €90,000 ($102,000) and €70,000 ($77,000) in 2017 and 2016 respectively. Over the past three years, this discretionary bonus compensation for Mr. Benacin has been approximately 21%, 21% and 16% of his base salary in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In addition, bonus compensation for Messrs. Santi and Garcia-Pelayo have remained in lockstep, and each was awarded a discretionary bonus of €280,000 ($331,000), €268,000 ($330,000) and €290,000 ($321,000), or approximately 73%, 74% and 94%, of their base salaries in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
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A different approach is taken for United States operations as that segment is smaller and less profitable. As discussed above, a more significant base salary is paid in order to attract and retain employees with the skills and talents needed to run United States operations with a lesser emphasis placed on bonuses. Based upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, for each of 2018, 2017 and 2016, Mr. Greenberg received a discretionary cash bonus of $50,000. The Compensation Committee considered the following material factors in granting Mr. Greenberg his bonuses: his individual performance, level of responsibility, skill and experience, as well as the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Madar, the Chief Executive Officer has not received any cash bonus in the past three years.
As required by French law, Interparfums SA maintains its own profit sharing plan for all French employees who have completed three months of service, including executive officers of our European operations other than Mr. Benacin, the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA. Benefits are calculated based upon a percentage of taxable income of Interparfums SA and allocated to employees based upon salary. The maximum amount payable per year per employee is €28,000, or approximately $33,000.
Calculation of the total annual benefits contribution is made according to the following formula:
67% of (Interparfums SA net income, less 2.5% of shareholders equity without net income for the year) times a fraction, the numerator of which is wages, and the denominator of which is net income before tax + wages + taxes (other than income tax) + valuation allowances + amortization expenses + interest expenses.
Contribution to individual employees is then made pro rata based upon their individual salaries for the year.
Long-Term Incentives
Stock Options. We link long-term incentives with corporate performance through the grant of stock options. All options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying shares of our common stock on the date of grant, and terminate on or shortly after severance of the executive’s relationship with us. Unless the market price of our common stock increases, corporate executives will have no tangible benefit. Thus, they are provided with the additional incentive to increase individual performance with the ultimate goal of increasing our overall performance. We believe that enhanced executive incentives which result in increased corporate performance tend to build company loyalty. As a general rule, the number of options granted is determined by several factors including individual performance, company operating results and past option grants to such executives.
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For executive officers of United States operations and European operations, we typically grant nonqualified stock options with a term of 6 years that vest ratably over a 5-year period on a cumulative basis, so that the option will become fully exercisable at the beginning of the sixth year from the date of grant.
We believe that the vesting period of these options serve a dual purpose: 1. executives will not receive any benefit if they leave prior to such portion of the option vesting; and 2. having a vesting period, matches the service period with the potential benefits of the option. Pursuant to our stock option plan, non-qualified stock options granted to executives terminate immediately upon the executive’s termination of association with our company. This termination provision coupled with a vesting period reduces benefits afforded to an executive when an executive officer leaves our employ.
Over the past several years, as our company has grown and the market price of our common stock has increased, Messrs. Madar and Benacin have realized substantial compensation as the result of the exercise of their options. As the two executives most responsible for continued growth and success of our company, the compensation committee believes the granting of options is an appropriate tool to tie a substantial portion of their compensation to the success of our company and is completely warranted.
The actual compensation realized as the result of the exercise of options in the past, as well as the future potential of such rewards, are powerful incentives for increased individual performance and ultimately increased company performance. In view of the fact that the executive officers named above contribute significantly to our profitable operations, the compensation committee believes the option grants are valid incentives for these executive officers and are fair to our shareholders. Generally we grant options to executive officers in December of each year.
In December 2016, upon the recommendation of the company’s Chief Executive Officer, the compensation committee granted options to purchase a total of 19,000 shares of our common stock to each of Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin at the fair market value on the date of grant. In 2017 in view of the contributions of both Messrs. Madar and Benacin to the company’s increased profitability, upon the recommendation of the company’s Chief Executive Officer, the compensation committee granted options to purchase a total of 25,000 shares of our common stock to the personal holding companies of each of Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin at the fair market value on the date of grant. Another 25,000 share option grant was made in December 2018. Option grants to Messrs. Madar and Benacin, either directly or indirectly to their personal holding companies, were identical as each is the Chief Executive Officer of their respective operating segments.
Also in December for each of the years 2018-2016, the compensation committee granted options to purchase 25,000 shares to Mr. Greenberg, the Chief Financial Officer. The Compensation Committee determined that the option grants for Mr. Greenberg, which have remained the same for years 2018-2016, were reasonable, so based upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, it determined to keep the option grants for such executive officer at the same level for 2018.
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Upon recommendation of both Messrs. Madar and Benacin, option grants for Messrs. Santi and Garcia-Pelayo remained steady at 10,000 shares each for 2018 and 2017, although options granted for 2017 were in two tranches, for 6,000 shares in December 2017 and 4,000 shares in January 2018, respectively. These amounts were increased from options granted to purchase 6,000 shares in 2016. The compensation committee believes that these grants were proper in view of their contribution to our company’s results in each of 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Interparfums SA Stock Compensation Plans
2016 Plan - In September 2016, Interparfums SA approved a plan to grant an aggregate of 15,100 shares of its stock to employees with no performance condition requirement, and an aggregate of 133,000 shares to officers and managers, subject to certain corporate performance conditions. The shares, subject to adjustment for stock splits, will be distributed in September 2019 so long as the individual is employed by Interparfums SA at the time, and in the case of officers and managers, only to the extent that the performance conditions have been met. Once distributed, the shares will be unrestricted and the employees will be permitted to trade their shares. Under this plan in September 2019, Mr. Benacin is estimated to receive 3,000 shares of Interparfums SA stock, and Messrs. Santi and Garcia are estimated to receive 7,000 shares each, all subject to adjustment for stock splits.
The fair value of the grant of €18.56 per share (approximately $22.00 per share) has been determined based on the quoted stock price of Interparfums SA shares as reported by the NYSE Euronext on the date of grant. The estimated number of shares to be distributed of 157,840 has been determined taking into account employee turnover and has been adjusted for stock splits. The aggregate cost of the grant of approximately $3.4 million is being recognized as compensation cost by Interparfums SA on a straightline basis over the requisite three year service period. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of compensation cost has been recognized.
2019 Plan - As of December 31, 2018, Interparfums SA approved an additional plan to grant an aggregate of 26,600 shares of its stock to employees with no performance condition requirement, and an aggregate of 133,000 shares to officers and managers, subject to certain corporate performance conditions. The shares, subject to adjustment for stock splits, will be distributed in June 2022 and will follow the same guidelines as the September 2016 plan. Under this plan in June 2022, Mr. Benacin, Madar, Garcia Pelayo and Santi are estimated to receive 4,000 shares each, all subject to adjustment for stock splits.
The fair value of the grant of €29.84 per share (approximately $34.00 per share) has been determined based on the quoted stock price of Interparfums SA shares as reported by the NYSE Euronext on the date of grant. The estimated number of shares to be distributed of 142,842 has been determined taking into account employee turnover. The aggregate cost of the grant of approximately $4.9 million will be recognized as compensation cost by Interparfums SA on a straight-line basis over the requisite 3.5 year service period starting January 1, 2019.
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Stock Appreciation Rights. Our stock option plans authorize us to grant stock appreciation rights, or SARs. A SAR represents a right to receive the appreciation in value, if any, of our common stock over the base value of the SAR. To date, we have not granted any SARs under our plans. While the compensation committee currently does not plan to grant any SARs under our plans, it may choose to do so in the future as part of a review of the executive compensation strategy.
Restricted Stock. We have not in the past, and we do not have any future plans to grant restricted stock to our executive officers. However, while the compensation committee currently does not plan to authorize any restricted stock plans, the compensation committee may choose to do so in the future as part of a review of the executive compensation strategy. Our French operating subsidiary, Interparfums, SA, however, has instituted its 2016 and 2019 Stock Compensation Plans as discussed above.
Other Compensation
For 2018, Mr. Benacin received an automobile allowance of €10,800 ($12,756), which is the same amount paid in since 2010. For 2018 Mr. Garcia-Pelayo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Interparfums SA, received an automobile allowance of €7,800 ($9,213).
No Stock Ownership Guidelines
We do not require any minimum level of stock ownership by any of our executive officers. As stated above, Messrs. Madar and Benacin, are our largest beneficial shareholders, which aligns their interests with our shareholder base in keeping executive compensation at a reasonable level.
Retirement and Pension Plans
We maintain a 401(k) plan for United States operations. However, we do not match any contributions to such plan, as we have determined that base compensation together with annual bonuses and stock option awards, are sufficient incentives to retain talented employees. Our European operations maintain a pension plan for its employees as required by French law. For 2018 and 2017, each of Messrs. Benacin, Santi and Garcia-Pelayo received an increase of €17,480 ($20,646) and €14,500 ($16,376), respectively, in their vale of deferred compensation earnings.
Compensation Committee Report
We have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis provisions to be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and the proxy statement for the upcoming annual meeting of shareholders. Based on this review and discussion, we recommend to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis referred to above be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as the proxy statement for the upcoming annual meeting of shareholders.
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Francois Heilbronn
Patrick Choël and
Veronique Gabai-Pinsky
The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our “named executive officers,” who are our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and each of the three most highly compensated executive officers of our company. This table covers all such compensation during fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. For all compensation related matters disclosed in the summary compensation table, and elsewhere where applicable, all amounts paid in euro have been converted to U.S. dollars at the average rate of exchange in each year.
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
| |||||||||
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards ($) |
Option Awards ($)(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($)(3) | Total ($) |
Jean Madar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
2018 | 630,000 | -0- | -0- | 364,638 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 994,638 |
| 2017 | 630,000 | -0- | -0- | 247,237 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 877,237 | |
| 2016 | 630,000 | -0- | -0- | 141,709 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 771,709 | |
Russell Greenberg, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President |
2018 | 660,000 | 50,000 | -0- | 364,638 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 1,074,638 |
| 2017 | 630,000 | 50,000 | -0- | 247,237 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 927,237 | |
| 2016 | 600,000 | 50,000 | -0- | 186,456 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 836,456 | |
Philippe Benacin, President Inter Parfums, Inc., Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA |
2018 | 524,408 | 112,205 | -0- | 364,638 | -0- | 20,646 | 12,756 | 1,034,653 |
| 2017 | 723,348 | 101,646 | -0- | 247,237 | -0- | 16,376 | 12,198 | 1,100,805 | |
| 2016 | 714,722 | 77,462 | 84,232 | 141,706 | -0- | 15,824 | 11,951 | 1,045,897 | |
Philippe Santi, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Interparfums SA |
2018 | 453,542 | 330,708 | -0- | 189,082 | 33,130 | 20,646 | -0- | 1,027,108 |
| 2017 | 406,584 | 302,679 | -0- | 59,337 | 26,069 | 16,376 | -0- | 811,045 | |
| 2016 | 339,948 | 320,914 | 196,754 | 44,749 | -0- | 15,824 | -0- | 918,189 | |
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Interparfums SA |
2018 | 453,542 | 330,708 | -0- | 189,082 | 33,130 | 20,646 | 9,213 | 1,036,321 |
| 2017 | 406,584 | 302,679 | -0- | 59,337 | 26,069 | 16,376 | 8,245 | 819,290 | |
| 2016 | 339,948 | 320,914 | 196,754 | 44,749 | -0- | 15,824 | 7,525 | 925,714 | |
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1 Amounts reflected under Option Awards represent the grant date fair values in 2018, 2017 and 2016 based on the fair value of stock option awards using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions used in this model are detailed in Footnote 13 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and filed with the SEC.
2 As required by French law, Interparfums SA maintains its own profit sharing plan for all French employees who have completed three months of service, including executive officers of our European operations other than Mr. Benacin, the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA Benefits are calculated based upon a percentage of taxable income of Interparfums SA and are allocated to employees based upon salary. The maximum amount payable per year is 28,050 euro, or approximately $33,130.
Calculation of total annual benefits contribution is made according to the following formula:
67% of (Interparfums SA net income, less 2.5% of shareholders equity without net income for the year) times a fraction, the numerator of which is wages, and the denominator of which is net income before tax + wages + taxes (other than income tax) + valuation allowances + amortization expenses + interest expenses.
Contribution to individual employees is then made pro rata based upon their individual salaries for the year.
3 The following table identifies (i) perquisites and other personal benefits provided to our named executive officers in fiscal 2018, and quantifies those required by SEC rules to be quantified and (ii) all other compensation that is required by SEC rules to be separately identified and quantified.
Name and Principal Position | Perquisites and other Personal Benefits ($) | Personal Automobile Expense($) | Lodging Expense($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||
Jean Madar, Chairman Chief Executive Officer | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | ||||||||||||
| Russell Greenberg, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | ||||||||||||
| Philippe Benacin, President of Inter Parfums, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA | -0- | 12,756 | -0- | 12,756 | ||||||||||||
Philippe Santi, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Interparfums SA | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | ||||||||||||
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Interparfums SA | -0- | 9,213 | -0- | 9,213 | ||||||||||||
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Plan Based Awards
The following table sets certain information relating to each grant of an award made by our company to the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table during the past fiscal year.
| Grants of Plan-Based Awards | |||||||||||
| Name | Grant Date | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) |
Closing Price ($/Sh) | ||||
| Threshold ($) | Target ($) |
Maximum ($) | Threshold (#) | Target (#) | Maximum (#) | ||||||
| Jean Madar* | 12/31/18 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | 25,000 | 65.25 | 65.57 |
| Russell Greenberg | 12/31/18 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | 25,000 | 65.25 | 65.57 |
| Philippe Benacin* | 12/31/18 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | 25,000 | 65.25 | 65.57 |
| Philippe Santi | 12/31/18 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | 10,000 | 65.25 | 65.57 |
| Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo | 12/31/18 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | 10,000 | 65.25 | 65.57 |
*Options were granted to the personal holding companies of Messrs. Madar and Benacin, as each of Messrs. Madar and Benacin own 99.99% of their respective personal holding companies.
Options
As discussed above, we typically grant nonqualified stock options with a term of 6 years that vest ratably of a 5-year period on a cumulative basis, so that the option will become fully exercisable at the beginning of the sixth year from the date of grant.
We believe that the vesting period of these options serves a dual purpose: 1. executives will not receive any benefit if they leave prior to such portion of the option vesting; and 2. having a vesting period matches the service period with the potential benefits of the option.
Under our company’s stock option plans, the exercise price is determined by the average of the high and low price on the date of grant, not the closing price as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market.
We also note that the Summary Compensation Table does not include income realized by the named executive officers as the result of the exercise of stock options, but rather reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for options granted in accordance with ASC topic 718-20. However, value realized as the result of stock option exercises is set forth in the table entitled “Option Exercises and Stock Vested”.
Interparfums SA Stock Compensation Plan.
No options were granted by Interparfums SA to the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table during the past fiscal year.
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Interparfums SA Stock Grant Plans
2016 Plan - In September 2016, Interparfums SA approved a plan to grant an aggregate of 15,100 shares of its stock to employees with no performance condition requirement, and an aggregate of 133,000 shares to officers and managers, subject to certain corporate performance conditions. The shares, subject to adjustment for stock splits, will be distributed in September 2019 so long as the individual is employed by Interparfums SA at the time, and in the case of officers and managers, only to the extent that the performance conditions have been met. Once distributed, the shares will be unrestricted and the employees will be permitted to trade their shares. Under this plan in September 2019, Mr. Benacin is estimated to receive 3,000 shares of Interparfums SA stock, and Messrs. Santi and Garcia are estimated to receive 7,000 shares each, all subject to adjustment for stock splits.
The fair value of the grant of €18.56 per share (approximately $22.00 per share) has been determined based on the quoted stock price of Interparfums SA shares as reported by the NYSE Euronext on the date of grant. The estimated number of shares to be distributed of 157,840 has been determined taking into account employee turnover and has been adjusted for stock splits. The aggregate cost of the grant of approximately $3.4 million is being recognized as compensation cost by Interparfums SA on a straight-line basis over the requisite three year service period. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of compensation cost has been recognized.
A similar incentive plan was established by Interparfums SA for certain employees of Interparfums Luxury Brands, Inc. (“IPLB”), Interparfums Singapore (“IP Singapore”) and Inter Parfums, Inc. has been implemented. The proposed incentive plan would not provide shares but rather, would give a cash payment or bonus (“incentive” or “award”) that mirrors the shares that Interparfums SA employees will receive. An aggregate of 47,900 “phantom” shares have been awarded with Mr. Greenberg being awarded 1,500 of such “phantom” shares.
2019 Plan - As of December 31, 2018, Interparfums SA approved an additional plan to grant an aggregate of 26,600 shares of its stock to employees with no performance condition requirement, and an aggregate of 133,000 shares to officers and managers, subject to certain corporate performance conditions. The shares, subject to adjustment for stock splits, will be distributed in June 2022 and will follow the same guidelines as the September 2016 plan. Under this plan in June 2022, Mr. Benacin, Madar, Garcia Pelayo and Santi are estimated to receive 4,000 shares each, all subject to adjustment for stock splits.
The fair value of the grant of €29.84 per share (approximately $34.00 per share) has been determined based on the quoted stock price of Interparfums SA shares as reported by the NYSE Euronext on the date of grant. The estimated number of shares to be distributed of 142,842 has been determined taking into account employee turnover. The aggregate cost of the grant of approximately $4.9 million will be recognized as compensation cost by Interparfums SA on a straight-line basis over the requisite 3.5 year service period starting January 1, 2019.
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Interparfums SA Profit Sharing Plan
As required by French law, Inter Parfums, SA maintains its own profit sharing plan for all French employees who have completed three months of service, including executive officers of our European operations other than Mr. Benacin, the Chief Executive Officer of Inter Parfums, SA. Benefits are calculated based upon a percentage of taxable income of Interparfums SA and allocated to employees based upon salary. The maximum amount payable per year per employee is €28,050, or approximately $33,130.
Calculation of total annual benefits contribution is made according to the following formula:
67% of (Interparfums SA net income, less 2.5% of shareholders equity without net income for the year) times a fraction, the numerator of which is wages, and the denominator of which is net income before tax + wages + taxes (other than income tax) + valuation allowances + amortization expenses + interest expenses.
Contribution to individual employees is then made pro rata based upon their individual salaries for the year.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth certain information relating to outstanding equity awards of our Company held by the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table as of December 31, 2018.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
| Option Awards | |||||
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
| Jean Madar | 19,000 | -0- | -0- | 35.75 | 12/30/19 |
| 15,200 | 3,800 | -0- | 27.795 | 12/30/20 | |
| 11,400 | 7,600 | -0- | 23.605 | 12/30/21 | |
| 7,600 | 11,400 | -0- | 32.825 | 12/29/22 | |
| 5,000(2) | 20,000(2) | -0- | 43.80 | 12/28/23 | |
| -0- | 25,000(2) | -0- | 65.25 | 12/30/24 | |
| Russell Greenberg | 23,941 | -0- | -0- | 35.75 | 12/30/19 |
| 20,000 | 5,000 | -0- | 27.795 | 12/30/20 | |
| 15,000 | 10,000 | -0- | 23.605 | 12/30/21 | |
| 10,000 | 15,000 | -0- | 32.825 | 12/29/22 | |
| 5,000 | 20,000 | -0- | 43.80 | 12/28/23 | |
| -0- | 25,000 | -0- | 65.25 | 12/30/24 | |
| Philippe Benacin | 19,000 | -0- | -0- | 35.75 | 12/30/19 |
| 15,200 | 3,800 | -0- | 27.795 | 12/30/20 | |
| 11,400 | 7,600 | -0- | 23.605 | 12/30/21 | |
| 7,600 | 11,400 | -0- | 32.825 | 12/29/22 | |
| 5,000(2) | 20,000(2) | -0- | 43.80 | 12/28/23 | |
| -0- | 25,000(2) | -0- | 65.25 | 12/30/24 | |
| Philippe Santi | 1,000 | -0- | -0- | 35.75 | 12/30/19 |
| 1,000 | 1,000 | -0- | 27.795 | 12/30/20 | |
| -0- | 400 | -0- | 25.821 | 1/27/2021 | |
| 1,200 | 2,400 | -0- | 23.605 | 12/30/21 | |
| 1,200 | 3,600 | -0- | 32.825 | 12/29/22 | |
| 1,200 | 4,800 | -0- | 43.80 | 12/28/23 | |
| -0- | 4,000 | -0- | 46.903 | 1/19/24 | |
| -0- | 10,000 | -0- | 65.25 | 12/30/24 | |
| Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo | 1,000 | -0- | -0- | 35.75 | 12/30/19 |
| 1,000 | 1,000 | -0- | 27.795 | 12/30/20 | |
| -0- | 400 | -0- | 25.821 | 1/27/2021 | |
| 1,200 | 2,400 | -0- | 23.605 | 12/30/21 | |
| 1,200 | 3,600 | -0- | 32.825 | 12/29/22 | |
| 1,200 | 4,800 | -0- | 43.80 | 12/28/23 | |
| -0- | 4,000 | -0- | 46.903 | 1/19/24 | |
| -0- | 10,000 | -0- | 65.25 | 12/30/24 | |
[Footnotes from table above]
| 1 | All options expire 6 years from the date of grant, and vest 20% each year commencing one year after the date of grant. |
| 2 | Options are held in the name of personal holding company. |
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The following table sets certain information relating to outstanding equity awards granted by Interparfums SA, our majority-owned French subsidiary which has its shares traded on the NYSE Euronext, held by the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table as of the end of the past fiscal year.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
OF INTERPARFUMS SA
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested (#)(1) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested ($)(2) |
| Jean Madar | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | N/A | -0- | -0- | -0- | NA |
| Russell Greenberg | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | N/A | -0- | -0- | -0- | NA |
| Philippe Benacin | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | N/A | -0- | -0- | 3,000 | 115,931 |
| Philippe Santi | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | N/A | -0- | -0- | 7,000 | 270,506 |
| Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | N/A | -0- | -0- | 7,000 | ___270,506 |
[Footnotes from table above]
1 Estimated number of shares are to be issued only to the extent that the performance conditions have been met.
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth certain information relating to each option exercise affected during the past fiscal year, and each vesting of stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and similar instruments of our company during the past fiscal year, for the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
| OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED | ||||
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise ($)1 |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized On Vesting ($) |
| Jean Madar | 19,000 | 828,710 | -0- | -0- |
| Russell Greenberg | 26,059 | 772,821 | -0- | -0- |
| Philippe Benacin | 19,000 | 838,365 | -0- | -0- |
| Philippe Santi | 13,200 | 321,963 | -0- | -0- |
| Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo | 15,000 | 369,942 | -0- | -0- |
[Footnotes from table above]
| 1 | Total value realized on exercise of options in dollars is based upon the difference between the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise, and the exercise price of the option. |
Regarding Interparfums SA, our majority-owned French subsidiary which has its shares traded on the Euronext, no options were exercised during the past fiscal year, and there was no vesting of stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and similar instruments during the past fiscal year, for the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
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Pension Benefits
The following table sets forth certain information relating to payment of benefits in connection with retirement plans during the past fiscal year, for the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
PENSION BENEFITS
Name |
Plan Name |
Number of Years Credited Service (#) |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) |
Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) |
| Jean Madar | NA | NA | -0- | -0- |
| Russell Greenberg | NA | NA | -0- | -0- |
| Philippe Benacin | Inter Parfums SA Pension Plan |
NA |
300,000 |
20,646 |
| Philippe Santi | Inter Parfums SA Pension Plan |
NA |
509,000* |
20,646 |
| Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo | Inter Parfums SA Pension Plan |
NA |
300,000 |
20,646 |
*Includes contributions made individually by Mr. Santi.
Interparfums SA maintains a pension plan for all of its employees, including all executive officers. The calculation of commitments for severance benefits involves estimating the probable present value of projected benefit obligations. This projected benefit obligations is then prorated to take into account seniority of the employees of Interparfums SA on the calculation date.
In calculating benefits, the following assumptions were applied:
- voluntary retirement at age 65;
- a rate of 45% for employer payroll contributions for all employees;
- a 4% average annual salary increase;
- an annual rate of turnover for all employees under 55 years of age and nil above;
- the TH 00-02 mortality table for men and the TF 00-02 mortality table for women;
- a discount rate of 2.0%.
The normal retirement age is 65 years, but employees, including Messrs. Benacin, Santi and Garcia-Pelayo, can collect reduced benefits if they retire at age 62.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
We do not maintain any nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
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CEO Pay Ratio
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our mean employee and the annual total compensation of Mr. Jean Madar, Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”):
For 2018, our last completed fiscal year:
Our median employee’s compensation was $60,809.
Our Chief Executive Officer’s total 2018 compensation was $994,638 as reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 75.
Accordingly, our 2018 CEO to Median Employee Pay Ratio was 16.36 to 1.
This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll and employment records. We identified our median employee using our total employee population as of December 31, 2018 by applying a consistently applied compensation measure across our global employee population. For our consistently applied compensation measure, we used all compensation, including actual base salary, bonuses, commissions, and any overtime paid during the 12-month period ending December 31, 2018. We did not use any material estimates, assumptions, adjustments or statistical sampling to determine the worldwide median employee.
The SEC rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. As such, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
Employment and Consulting Agreements
As part of our acquisition in 1991 of the controlling interest in Interparfums SA, now a subsidiary, we entered into an employment agreement with Philippe Benacin. The agreement provides that Mr. Benacin will be employed as Vice Chairman of the Board and President and Chief Executive Officer of Inter Parfums Holdings and its subsidiary, Interparfums SA. The initial term expired on September 2, 1992, and has subsequently been automatically renewed for additional annual periods. The agreement provides for automatic annual renewal terms, unless either party terminates the agreement upon 120 days’ notice. For 2019, Mr. Benacin presently receives an annual salary of €456,000 (approximately $539,000), and automobile expenses of €10,800 (approximately $13,000), which are subject to increase in the discretion of the board of directors. The agreement also provides for indemnification and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of employment.
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In 2014, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Benacin’s holding company, Philippe Benacin Holding SAS, which provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company. The agreement also provides for indemnification for Mr. Benacin and his holding company and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of the agreement. The agreement was for one year, with automatic one year renewals unless either party terminates on 120 days’ notice or Mr. Benacin ceases to be the President of our company. For 2015 through 2018, Mr. Benacin’s personal holding company received $250,000 each year for services rendered outside of the United States by Mr. Benacin in his capacity as President. This consulting agreement has been renewed at $250,000 for 2019. In addition, in December 2017 and again in December 2018, we granted options to purchase 25,000 shares for the benefit of Mr. Benacin, which was increased from the 19,000 share grants that had been made in each of the past several years, and were granted to his personal holding company instead of Mr. Benacin directly.
In 2013, we enter into a consulting agreement with Mr. Madar’s holding company, Jean Madar Holding SAS, which provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company. The agreement also provides for indemnification for Mr. Madar and his holding company and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of the agreement. The agreement was for one year, with automatic one year renewals unless either party terminates on 120 days’ notice or Mr. Madar ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of our company. For 2015 through 2017, Mr. Madar’s personal holding company received $250,000 each year for services rendered outside of the United States by Mr. Madar in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer. For 2018, as the result of Mr. Madar spending more time outside of the United States, we changed the allocation of cash compensation paid to Mr. Madar personally and to his holding company, but not the aggregate amount. The amount of salary paid to Mr. Madar in 2018 was reduced by $220,000 from $380,000 to $160,000, while payments to his holding company were increased by the like amount of $220,000, from $250,000 to $470,000. Therefore, for 2018 total cash compensation for Mr. Madar paid to him and his personal holding company remained unchanged at $630,000. This consulting agreement has been renewed at $470,000 for 2019. In addition, in December 2017 and again in December 2018, we granted options to purchase 25,000 shares for the benefit of Mr. Madar, which was increased from the 19,000 share grants that had been made in each of the past several years, and were granted to his personal holding company instead of Mr. Madar directly.
Compensation of Directors
The following table sets forth certain information relating to the compensation for each of our directors who is not an executive officer of our Company named in the Summary Compensation Table for the past fiscal year.
83
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION |
|||||||
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($) |
Option Awards ($) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |
All Other Compensation ($)1 |
Total ($) |
| Francois Heilbronn2 | 21,000 | -0- | 10,579 | -0- | -0- | 27,633 | 59,212 |
| Robert Bensoussan3 | 15,000 | -0- | 10,579 | -0- | -0- | 29,040 | 54,619 |
| Patrick Choël4 | 21,000 | -0- | 10,579 | -0- | -0- | 43,905 | 75,484 |
| Michel Dyens5 | 15,000 | -0- | 10,579 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 25,579 |
| Veronique Gabai-Pinsky6 |
21,000 |
-0- |
-0- |
-0- |
-0- |
-0- |
21,000 |
| Gilbert Harrison7 | 12,500 | -0- | 21,524 | -0- | -0- | -0- | 34,024 |
[Footnotes from table above]
| 1. | Represents gain from exercise of stock options. |
| 2. | As of the end of the last fiscal year, Mr. Heilbronn held options to purchase an aggregate of 4,000 shares of our common stock. |
| 3. | As of the end of the last fiscal year, Mr. Bensoussan held options to purchase an aggregate of 4,000 shares of our common stock. |
| 4. | As of the end of the last fiscal year, Mr. Choël held options to purchase an aggregate of 2,500 shares of our common stock. |
5. As of the end of the last fiscal year, Mr. Dyens held options to purchase an aggregate of 5,000 shares of our common stock.
6. As of the end of the last fiscal year, Ms. Gabai-Pinsky held options to purchase an aggregate of 2,000 shares of our common stock.
7. As of the end of the last fiscal year, Mr. Harrison held options to purchase an aggregate of 2,000 shares of our common stock.
For 2018, all nonemployee directors received $5,000 for each board meeting at which they participate in person, and $2,500 for each meeting held by conference telephone. In addition, the annual fee for each member of the audit committee is $6,000.
We maintain stock option plans for our nonemployee directors. The purpose of these plans is to assist us in attracting and retaining key directors who are responsible for continuing the growth and success of our company. Under such plans, options to purchase 1,000 shares are granted on each February 1st to all nonemployee directors for as long as each is a nonemployee director on such date. However, if a nonemployee director does not attend certain of the board meetings, then such option grants are reduced according to a schedule. In addition, options to purchase 2,000 shares are granted to each nonemployee director upon his or her initial election or appointment to our board, but if such option is granted within six months of the next February 1 automatic grant, then such nonemployee director would not be eligible to receive that February 1 grant.
84
On February 1, 2019, options to purchase 1,000 shares were granted to each of our outside directors, Francois Heilbronn, Robert Bensoussan, Patrick Choël, Michel Dyens Veronique Gabai-Pinsky and Gilbert Harrison, all at the exercise price of $66.46 per share under the 2016 plan. All of such options were granted at the fair market value and vest ratably over a 4 year period.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (a) each person we know to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (b) our executive officers and directors and (c) all of our directors and officers as a group. Each of Messrs. Madar and Benacin own 99.99% of their respective personal holding companies. As of February 11, 2019 we had 31,439,458 shares of common stock outstanding.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount of Beneficial Ownership1 | Approximate Percent of Class |
Jean Madar c/o Interparfums SA 4, Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 75008 Paris, France
|
7,168,7482
|
22.9% |
Philippe Benacin c/o Interparfums SA 4, Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 75008 Paris, France
|
6,904,2643 | 22.2% |
Russell Greenberg c/o Inter Parfums, Inc. 551 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10176
|
65,0004 | Less than 1% |
Philippe Santi Interparfums SA 4, Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 75008, Paris France
|
1,0005 | Less than 1% |
1All shares of common stock are directly held with sole voting power and sole power to dispose, unless otherwise stated. Options which are exercisable within 60 days are included in beneficial ownership calculations. Jean Madar, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Philippe Benacin, the Vice Chairman of the Board and President of the Company, have a verbal agreement or understanding to vote the shares each beneficially owns in a like manner.
2Consists of 78,207 shares held directly, 7,032,341 shares held indirectly through Jean Madar Holding SAS, a personal holding company, and options to purchase 58,200 shares.
3Consists of 6,846,064 shares held indirectly through Philippe Benacin Holding SAS, a personal holding company, and options to purchase 58,200 shares.
4Consists of shares of common stock underlying options.
5Consists of shares of common stock underlying options.
85
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount of Beneficial Ownership1 | Approximate Percent of Class |
Francois Heilbronn 60 Avenue de Breteuil 75007 Paris, France
|
34,5636 | Less than 1% |
Robert Bensoussan c/o Sirius Equity LLP 52 Brook Street W1K 5DS London
|
7,0007 | Less than 1% |
Patrick Choël 140 Rue de Grenelle 75007, Paris, France
|
3,0008 | Less than 1% |
Michel Dyens Michel Dyens & Co. 17 Avenue Montaigne 75008 Paris, France
|
3,5009 | Less than 1% |
Veronique Gabai-Pinsky Vera Wang 15 E. 26th Street New York NY 10010
|
50010 | Less than 1% |
Gilbert Harrison Harrison Group 745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 514 New York, NY 10151
|
50011 | Less than 1% |
Frederic Garcia-Pelayo Interparfums SA 4, Rond Point Des Champs Elysees 75008, Paris France
|
1,00012 | Less than 1% |
Blackrock, Inc. 55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055
|
2,552,00513
|
8.1%
|
The Vanguard Group 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355
|
1,874,91314
|
6.0%
|
6Consists of 32,063 shares held directly and options to purchase 2,500 shares.
7 Consists of 4,500 shares held directly and options to purchase 2,500 shares.
8 Consists of 2,000 shares held directly and options to purchase 1,000 shares.
9 Consists of shares of common stock underlying options.
10 Consists of shares of common stock underlying options.
11 Consists of shares of common stock underlying options.
12 Consists of shares of common stock underlying options.
13 Information based upon Schedule 13G Amendment 3 of Blackrock, Inc. dated February 4, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
14 Information based upon Schedule 13G Amendment 2 of The Vanguard Group, an investment advisor, dated February 13, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount of Beneficial Ownership1 | Approximate Percent of Class |
All Directors and Officers (As a Group 10 Persons)
|
14,189,075 15 | 44.9% |
The following table sets forth certain information as of the end of our last fiscal year regarding all equity compensation plans that provide for the award of equity securities or the grant of options, warrants or rights to purchase our equity securities.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
| Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) |
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 776,171 | 41.33 | 744,215 |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | -0- | N/A | -0- |
| Total | 776,171 | 41.33 | 744,215 |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Transactions with European Subsidiaries
We have guaranteed the obligations of our majority-owned, French subsidiary, Interparfums SA under our former Burberry license and our Paul Smith license agreement. We also provide (or had provided on our behalf) certain financial, accounting and legal services for Interparfums SA, and during 2018, 2017 and 2016 fees for such services were $214,513, $233,625 and $214,112, respectively. In 2017, Inter Parfums USA, LLC, a United States subsidiary, renewed a license agreement for five years that was initially signed in 2012 on the same terms with Interparfums Suisse (SARL), a Swiss subsidiary of Interparfums SA, for the right to sell amenities under the Lanvin brand name to luxury hotels, cruise lines and airlines in return for royalty payments as are customary in our industry.
15 Consists of 13,995,175 shares held directly or indirectly, and options to purchase 193,900 shares.
87
During 2018, Interparfums SA, an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, loaned the Company $10 million. This loan is repayable in ten (10) equal monthly payments of $1,000,000 of principal plus accrued interest at 2% per annum, with the first payment due on May 31, 2019 and the last payment due on February 28, 2020.
Consulting Agreements
In 2014, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Benacin’s holding company, Philippe Benacin Holding SAS, which provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company. The agreement also provides for indemnification for Mr. Benacin and his holding company and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of the agreement. The agreement was for one year, with automatic one year renewals unless either party terminates on 120 days’ notice or Mr. Benacin ceases to be the President of our company. For 2015 through 2018, Mr. Benacin’s personal holding company received $250,000 each year for services rendered outside of the United States by Mr. Benacin in his capacity as President. This consulting agreement has been renewed at $250,000 for 2019. In addition, in December 2017 and again in December 2018, we granted options to purchase 25,000 shares for the benefit of Mr. Benacin, which was increased from the 19,000 share grants that had been made in each of the past several years, and were granted to his personal holding company instead of Mr. Benacin directly.
In 2013, we enter into a consulting agreement with Mr. Madar’s holding company, Jean Madar Holding SAS, which provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company. The agreement also provides for indemnification for Mr. Madar and his holding company and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of the agreement. The agreement was for one year, with automatic one year renewals unless either party terminates on 120 days’ notice or Mr. Madar ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of our company. For 2015 through 2017, Mr. Madar’s personal holding company received $250,000 each year for services rendered outside of the United States by Mr. Madar in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer. For 2018, as the result of Mr. Madar spending more time outside of the United States, we changed the allocation of cash compensation paid to Mr. Madar personally and to his holding company, but not the aggregate amount. The amount of salary paid to Mr. Madar in 2018 was reduced by $220,000 from $380,000 to $160,000, while payments to his holding company were increased by the like amount of $220,000, from $250,000 to $470,000. Therefore, for 2018 total cash compensation for Mr. Madar paid to him and his personal holding company remained unchanged at $630,000. This consulting agreement has been renewed at $470,000 for 2019. In addition, in December 2017 and again in December 2018, we granted options to purchase 25,000 shares for the benefit of Mr. Madar, which was increased from the 19,000 share grants that had been made in each of the past several years, and were granted to his personal holding company instead of Mr. Madar directly.
Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions
Transactions between related persons, such as between an executive officer or director and our company, or any company or person controlled by such officer or director, are required to be approved by our Audit Committee of our board of directors. Our Audit Committee Charter contains such explicit authority, as required by the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market.
88
Director Independence
The following are our directors who are “independent directors” within the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market:
Francois Heilbronn
Robert Bensoussan
Patrick Choël
Michel Dyens
Veronique Gabai-Pinsky
Gilbert Harrison
We follow and comply with the independent director definitions as provided by The Nasdaq Stock Market rules in determining the independence of our directors, which are posted on our company’s website. In addition, such rules are also available on The Nasdaq Stock Market’s website. In addition, The Nasdaq Stock Market maintains more stringent rules relating to director independence for the members of our Audit Committee, and the members of our Audit Committee, Messrs. Heilbronn and Choël, as well as Ms. Gabai-Pinsky, are independent within the meaning of those rules.
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Management
For more than the past ten (10) years, Jean Madar has held the positions of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of our company. Almost since inception, Mr. Madar has been allocated the responsibility of overseeing our United States operations and the operation of Inter Parfums, Inc., as a public company. Philippe Benacin, as Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA, has been allocated the responsibility of overseeing our European operations and its operation as a public company in France. In addition, Mr. Benacin is also the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of our company. Our board of directors is comfortable with this approach, as the two largest beneficial stockholders of our company are also directly responsible for the operations of our company’s two operating segments. Accordingly, our board of directors does not have a “Lead Director,” a non-management director who controls the meetings of our board of directors.
Our board of directors manages risk by (i) review of period operating reports and discussions with management; (ii) approval of executive compensation incentive plans through its committee, the Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee; (iii) approval of related party transactions through its committee, the Audit Committee; and (iv) approval of material transactions not in the ordinary course of business. Since our inception, we have never been the subject of any material product liability claims, and we have had no recent material property damage claims.
89
Further, we periodically enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge exposure related to receivables denominated in a foreign currency and to manage risks related to future sales expected to be denominated in a foreign currency. We enter into these exchange contracts for periods consistent with our identified exposures. The purpose of the hedging activities is to minimize the effect of foreign exchange rate movements on the receivables and cash flows of Interparfums SA, our French subsidiary, whose functional currency is the Euro. All foreign currency contracts are denominated in currencies of major industrial countries and are with large financial institutions, which are rated as strong investment grade.
In addition, we mitigate interest rate risk by continually monitoring interest rates, and then determining whether fixed interest rates should be swapped for floating rate debt, or if floating rate debt should be swapped for fixed rate debt.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Fees
The following sets forth the fees billed to us by Mazars USA LLP (formerly WeiserMazars LLP), as well as discusses the services provided for the past two fiscal years, fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Audit Fees
Fees billed by Mazars USA LLP and its affiliate, Mazars S.A. for audit services and review of the financial statements contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q were $1.3 million and $1.0 million for 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
Mazars USA LLP did not bill us for any audit-related services during both 2018 and 2017.
Tax Fees
Mazars USA LLP billed us $30,000 and $28,000 for tax services during 2018 and 2017, respectively.
All Other Fees
Mazars USA LLP did not bill us for any other services during 2018 or 2017.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has the sole authority for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent accountants, who prepare or issue an audit report for us.
90
During the first quarter of 2018, the audit committee authorized the following non-audit services to be performed by Mazars USA LLP.
| ● | We authorized the engagement of Mazars USA LLP if deemed necessary to provide tax consultation in the ordinary course of business for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. |
| ● | We authorized the engagement of Mazars USA LLP if deemed necessary to provide tax consultation as may be required on a project by project basis that would not be considered in the ordinary course of business, of up to a $5,000 fee limit per project, subject to an aggregate fee limit of $25,000 for fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. If we require further tax services from Mazars USA LLP, then the approval of the audit committee must be obtained. |
| ● | If we require other services by Mazars USA LLP on an expedited basis such that obtaining pre-approval of the audit committee is not practicable, then the Chairman of the Committee has authority to grant the required pre-approvals for all such services. |
| ● | We imposed a cap of $100,000 on the fees that Mazars USA LLP can charge for services on an expedited basis that are approved by the Chairman without obtaining full audit committee approval. |
| ● | None of the non-audit services of either of the Company’s auditors had the pre-approval requirement waived in accordance with Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X. |
In the first quarter of 2019, the audit committee authorized the same non-audit services to be performed by Mazars USA LLP during 2019 as disclosed above.
91
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
| Page | |
| (a)(1) Financial Statements annexed hereto | |
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 |
| Audited Financial Statements: | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 | F-4 |
| Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 | F-5 |
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 | F-6 |
| Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 | F-7 |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 | F-8 |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F-9 |
| (a)(2) Financial Statement Schedule: | |
| Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts | F-32 |
| (a)(3) Exhibits – The list of exhibits is contained in the Exhibit Index, which follows the signature page of this report. |
None.
92
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule
Index
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Inter Parfums, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Inter Parfums, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index in Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
F-2
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
|
Mazars USA LLP
|
|
| We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2004. | |
| New York, New York | |
| March 1, 2019 |
F-3
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
December 31, 2018 and 2017
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 193,136 | $ | 208,343 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 67,870 | 69,899 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 136,420 | 120,749 | ||||||
| Inventories | 160,978 | 137,058 | ||||||
| Receivables, other | 2,112 | 2,405 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 8,076 | 7,356 | ||||||
| Income taxes receivable | 810 | 3,468 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 569,402 | 549,278 | ||||||
| Equipment and leasehold improvements, net | 9,839 | 10,330 | ||||||
| Trademarks, licenses and other intangible assets, net | 204,325 | 200,495 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets | 9,299 | 9,658 | ||||||
| Other assets | 6,302 | 8,011 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 799,167 | $ | 777,772 | ||||
| Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 23,155 | 24,372 | ||||||
| Accounts payable - trade | 58,328 | 52,609 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses | 92,468 | 81,843 | ||||||
| Income taxes payable | 4,396 | 1,722 | ||||||
| Dividends payable | 8,630 | 6,561 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 186,977 | 167,107 | ||||||
| Long–term debt, less current portion | 22,906 | 36,207 | ||||||
| Deferred tax liability | 3,538 | 3,821 | ||||||
| Equity: | ||||||||
| Inter Parfums, Inc. shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; outstanding, 31,382,127 and 31,241,548 shares at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively | 31 | 31 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 69,970 | 66,004 | ||||||
| Retained earnings | 448,731 | 422,570 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (33,650 | ) | (17,832 | ) | ||||
| Treasury stock, at cost, 9,864,805 common shares at December 31, 2018 and 2017 | (37,475 | ) | (37,475 | ) | ||||
| Total Inter Parfums, Inc. shareholders’ equity | 447,607 | 433,298 | ||||||
| Noncontrolling interest | 138,139 | 137,339 | ||||||
| Total equity | 585,746 | 570,637 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 799,167 | $ | 777,772 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 675,574 | $ | 591,251 | $ | 521,072 | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 248,012 | 214,965 | 194,601 | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 427,562 | 376,286 | 326,471 | |||||||||
| Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 332,831 | 295,540 | 258,787 | |||||||||
| Gain on buyout of license | — | — | (4,652 | ) | ||||||||
| Impairment loss | — | 2,123 | 5,658 | |||||||||
| Income from operations | 94,731 | 78,623 | 66,678 | |||||||||
| Other expenses (income): | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 2,578 | 1,992 | 2,340 | |||||||||
| Loss on foreign currency | 251 | 1,549 | 595 | |||||||||
| Interest income | (3,957 | ) | (2,983 | ) | (3,331 | ) | ||||||
| (1,128 | ) | 558 | (396 | ) | ||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 95,859 | 78,065 | 67,074 | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 26,144 | 22,812 | 23,826 | |||||||||
| Net income | 69,715 | 55,253 | 43,248 | |||||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest | 15,922 | 13,659 | 9,917 | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | $ | 53,793 | $ | 41,594 | $ | 33,331 | ||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. common shareholders: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.33 | $ | 1.07 | ||||||
| Diluted | 1.71 | 1.33 | 1.07 | |||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | 31,307,991 | 31,172,285 | 31,072,328 | |||||||||
| Diluted | 31,522,371 | 31,305,101 | 31,175,598 | |||||||||
| Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.91 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.62 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 69,715 | $ | 55,253 | $ | 43,248 | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||
| Net derivative instrument loss, net of tax | 175 | 54 | (22 | ) | ||||||||
| Transfer of OCI into earnings | (37 | ) | 22 | — | ||||||||
| Translation adjustments, net of tax | (22,555 | ) | 55,995 | (13,153 | ) | |||||||
| (22,417 | ) | 56,071 | (13,175 | ) | ||||||||
| Comprehensive income | 47,298 | 111,324 | 30,073 | |||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests: | ||||||||||||
| Net income | 15,922 | 13,659 | 9,917 | |||||||||
| Net derivative instrument loss, net of tax | 39 | 17 | (5 | ) | ||||||||
| Transfer of OCI into earnings | — | 5 | — | |||||||||
| Translation adjustments, net of tax | (6,638 | ) | 15,899 | (3,279 | ) | |||||||
| 9,323 | 29,580 | 6,633 | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to Inter Parfums Inc.: | $ | 37,975 | $ | 81,744 | $ | 23,440 | ||||||
| See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. | ||||||||||||
F-6
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||
| Common stock, beginning and end of year | $ | 31 | $ | 31 | $ | 31 | |||||||
| Additional paid-in capital, beginning of year | 66,004 | 63,103 | 62,030 | ||||||||||
| Shares issued upon exercise of stock options | 3,406 | 1,963 | 2,160 | ||||||||||
| Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests | — | — | (173 | ) | |||||||||
| Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests | (572 | ) | — | (1,753 | ) | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 1,132 | 938 | 839 | ||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital, end of year | 69,970 | 66,004 | 63,103 | ||||||||||
| Retained earnings, beginning of year | 422,570 | 402,714 | 388,434 | ||||||||||
| Net income | 53,793 | 41,594 | 33,331 | ||||||||||
| Dividends | (28,356 | ) | (22,460 | ) | (19,273 | ) | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 724 | 722 | 222 | ||||||||||
| Retained earnings, end of year | 448,731 | 422,570 | 402,714 | ||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year | (17,832 | ) | (57,982 | ) | (48,091 | ) | |||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | (15,917 | ) | 40,096 | (9,874 | ) | ||||||||
| Transfer from other comprehensive income into earnings | (37 | ) | 17 | — | |||||||||
| Net derivative instrument gain, net of tax | 136 | 37 | (17 | ) | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of year | (33,650 | ) | (17,832 | ) | (57,982 | ) | |||||||
| Treasury stock, beginning of year | (37,475 | ) | (37,475 | ) | (36,817 | ) | |||||||
| Shares issued upon exercise of stock options | — | — | 142 | ||||||||||
| Shares received as proceeds of option exercises | — | — | (800 | ) | |||||||||
| Treasury stock, end of year | (37,475 | ) | (37,475 | ) | (37,475 | ) | |||||||
| Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year | 137,339 | 113,267 | 110,800 | ||||||||||
| Net income | 15,922 | 13,659 | 9,917 | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax | (6,638 | ) | 15,899 | (3,279 | ) | ||||||||
| Transfer from other comprehensive income into earnings | — | 5 | — | ||||||||||
| Net derivative instrument gain, net of tax | 39 | 17 | (5 | ) | |||||||||
| Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest | — | — | 1,738 | ||||||||||
| Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests | (236 | ) | — | (1,188 | ) | ||||||||
| Dividends | (8,706 | ) | (6,039 | ) | (4,863 | ) | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 419 | 531 | 147 | ||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest, end of year | 138,139 | 137,339 | 113,267 | ||||||||||
| Total equity | $ | 585,746 | $ | 570,637 | $ | 483,658 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016
(In thousands)
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 69,715 | $ | 55,253 | $ | 43,248 | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization including impairment loss | 11,031 | 11,914 | 15,341 | |||||||||
| Provision for doubtful accounts | 1,442 | 939 | 349 | |||||||||
| Noncash stock compensation | 2,205 | 2,093 | 1,198 | |||||||||
| Gain on sale of license | — | — | (4,652 | ) | ||||||||
| Deferred tax benefit | (158 | ) | (591 | ) | (1,374 | ) | ||||||
| Change in fair value of derivatives | (302 | ) | (1,254 | ) | 682 | |||||||
| Changes in: | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (23,032 | ) | (6,016 | ) | (13,156 | ) | ||||||
| Inventories | (29,341 | ) | (28,518 | ) | (909 | ) | ||||||
| Other assets | 484 | 727 | (297 | ) | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 25,592 | 5,696 | 18,690 | |||||||||
| Income taxes, net | 5,405 | (4,352 | ) | (4,556 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 63,041 | 35,891 | 54,564 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||
| Purchases of short-term investments | (10,030 | ) | (31,874 | ) | (57,289 | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of short-term investments | 8,859 | 66,981 | 42,604 | |||||||||
| Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements | (3,956 | ) | (3,023 | ) | (4,777 | ) | ||||||
| Payment for intangible assets acquired | (8,509 | ) | (1,046 | ) | (965 | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of trademark | — | 5,886 | — | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (13,636 | ) | 36,924 | (20,427 | ) | |||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (23,487 | ) | (22,362 | ) | (21,884 | ) | ||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | — | — | (77 | ) | ||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of options | 3,406 | 1,963 | 1,579 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of stock of subsidiary | — | — | 1,565 | |||||||||
| Dividends paid | (26,287 | ) | (21,192 | ) | (18,015 | ) | ||||||
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests | (8,706 | ) | (6,039 | ) | (4,863 | ) | ||||||
| Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests | (808 | ) | — | (2,941 | ) | |||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (55,882 | ) | (47,630 | ) | (44,636 | ) | ||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (8,730 | ) | 21,330 | (4,640 | ) | |||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (15,207 | ) | 46,515 | (15,139 | ) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year | 208,343 | 161,828 | 176,967 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents – end of year | $ | 193,136 | $ | 208,343 | $ | 161,828 | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||||||||
| Cash paid for: | ||||||||||||
| Interest | $ | 1,745 | $ | 1,813 | $ | 2,239 | ||||||
| Income taxes | 24,995 | 24,337 | 28,124 | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-8
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| (1) | The Company and its Significant Accounting Policies |
Business of the Company
Inter Parfums, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) are in the fragrance business and manufacture and distribute a wide array of fragrances and fragrance related products.
Substantially all of our prestige fragrance brands are licensed from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses. With respect to the Company’s largest brands, we own the Lanvin brand name for our class of trade, and license the Montblanc, Jimmy Choo, and Coach brand names. As a percentage of net sales, product sales for the Company’s largest brands were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Montblanc | 19 | % | 21 | % | 23 | % | ||||||
| Jimmy Choo | 17 | % | 18 | % | 17 | % | ||||||
| Coach | 15 | % | 10 | % | 4 | % | ||||||
| Lanvin | 10 | % | 11 | % | 12 | % | ||||||
No other brand represented 10% or more of consolidated net sales.
Basis of Preparation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, including 73% owned Interparfums SA, a subsidiary whose stock is publicly traded in France. In 2018, the Company formed Interstellar Brands, LLC, (“Interstellar”), a wholly owned subsidiary in the United States. Interstellar’s partnership with IMG Models allows for the two groups to collaborate on exploring and developing compelling e-commerce businesses for clients of IMG Models. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Management Estimates
Management makes assumptions and estimates to prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Those assumptions and estimates directly affect the amounts reported and disclosures included in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those assumptions and estimates. Significant estimates for which changes in the near term are considered reasonably possible and that may have a material impact on the financial statements are disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Foreign Currency Translation
For foreign subsidiaries with operations denominated in a foreign currency, assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Gains and losses from translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
All highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. From time to time, the Company has short-term investments which consist of certificates of deposit with maturities greater than three months. The Company monitors concentrations of credit risk associated with financial institutions with which the Company conducts significant business. The Company believes its credit risk is minimal, as the Company primarily conducts business with large, well-established financial institutions. Substantially all cash and cash equivalents are primarily held at financial institutions outside the United States and are readily convertible into U.S. dollars.
F-9
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable represent payments due to the Company for previously recognized net sales, reduced by allowances for sales returns and doubtful accounts or balances which are estimated to be uncollectible, which aggregated $4.0 million and $5.1 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Accounts receivable balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when they become uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously recorded against the allowance are recorded in the consolidated statement of income when received. We generally grant credit based upon our analysis of the customer’s financial position, as well as previously established buying patterns.
Inventories
Inventories, including promotional merchandise, only include inventory considered saleable or usable in future periods, and is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined on the first-in, first-out method. Cost components include raw materials, direct labor and overhead (e.g., indirect labor, utilities, depreciation, purchasing, receiving, inspection and warehousing) as well as inbound freight. Promotional merchandise is charged to cost of sales at the time the merchandise is shipped to the Company’s customers.
Derivatives
All derivative instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. The Company uses derivative instruments to principally manage a variety of market risks. For derivatives designated as hedges of the exposure to changes in fair value of the recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment (referred to as fair value hedges), the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. The effect of that accounting is to include in earnings the extent to which the hedge is not effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value. For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported in equity (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss of a cash flow hedge is reported in earnings immediately. The Company also holds certain instruments for economic purposes that are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. For these derivative instruments, changes in their fair value are recorded in earnings immediately.
Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives for equipment, which range between three and ten years and the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful asset lives for leasehold improvements. Depreciation provided on equipment used to produce inventory, such as tools and molds, is included in cost of sales.
F-10
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Long-Lived Assets
Indefinite-lived intangible assets principally consist of trademarks which are not amortized. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently when events occur or circumstances change, such as an unexpected decline in sales, that would more likely than not indicate that the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable. When testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the evaluation requires a comparison of the estimated fair value of the asset to the carrying value of the asset. The fair values used in our evaluations are estimated based upon discounted future cash flow projections using a weighted average cost of capital of 6.21% and 6.22% in 2018 and 2017, respectively. The cash flow projections are based upon a number of assumptions, including future sales levels, future cost of goods and operating expense levels, as well as economic conditions, changes to our business model or changes in consumer acceptance of our products which are more subjective in nature. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded.
Intangible assets subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment testing whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an amortizable intangible asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators exist for an amortizable intangible asset, the undiscounted future cash flows associated with the expected service potential of the asset are compared to the carrying value of the asset. If our projection of undiscounted future cash flows is in excess of the carrying value of the intangible asset, no impairment charge is recorded. If our projection of undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the intangible asset, an impairment charge would be recorded to reduce the intangible asset to its fair value.
Revenue Recognition
The Company sells its products to department stores, perfumeries, specialty stores and domestic and international wholesalers and distributors. Our revenue contracts represent single performance obligations to sell our products to customers. Sales of such products by our domestic subsidiaries are denominated in U.S. dollars, and sales of such products by our foreign subsidiaries are primarily denominated in either euro or U.S. dollars. The Company recognizes revenues when contract terms are met, the price is fixed and determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and product is shipped or risk of ownership has been transferred to and accepted by the customer. Net sales are comprised of gross revenues less returns, trade discounts and allowances. The Company does not bill its customers’ freight and handling charges. All shipping and handling costs, which aggregated $7.1 million, $5.9 million and $5.1 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The Company grants credit to all qualified customers and does not believe it is exposed significantly to any undue concentration of credit risk. No one customer represented 10% or more of net sales in 2018, 2017 or 2016.
Sales Returns
Generally, the Company does not permit customers to return their unsold products. However, for U.S. based customers, we allow returns if properly requested, authorized and approved. The Company regularly reviews and revises, as deemed necessary, its estimate of reserves for future sales returns based primarily upon historic trends and relevant current data including information provided by retailers regarding their inventory levels. In addition, as necessary, specific accruals may be established for significant future known or anticipated events. The types of known or anticipated events that we consider include, but are not limited to, the financial condition of our customers, store closings by retailers, changes in the retail environment and our decision to continue to support new and existing products. The Company records estimated reserves for sales returns as a reduction of sales, cost of sales and accounts receivable. Returned products are recorded as inventories and are valued based upon estimated realizable value. The physical condition and marketability of returned products are the major factors we consider in estimating realizable value. Actual returns, as well as estimated realizable values of returned products, may differ significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from our estimates, if factors such as economic conditions, inventory levels or competitive conditions differ from our expectations.
F-11
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Payments to Customers
The Company records revenues generated from purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions as sales and the costs of its purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions as cost of sales. Certain other incentive arrangements require the payment of a fee to customers based on their attainment of pre-established sales levels. These fees have been recorded as a reduction of net sales.
Advertising and Promotion
Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and recorded as a component of cost of goods sold (in the case of free goods given to customers) or selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising and promotional costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses were $139.7 million, $123.7 million and $99.0 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Costs relating to purchase with purchase and gift with purchase promotions that are reflected in cost of sales aggregated $36.4 million, $33.8 million and $30.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Package Development Costs
Package development costs associated with new products and redesigns of existing product packaging are expensed as incurred.
Operating Leases
The Company recognizes rent expense from operating leases with various step rent provisions, rent concessions and escalation clauses on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term. The Company considers lease renewals in the useful life of its leasehold improvements when such renewals are reasonably assured. In the event the Company receives capital improvement funding from its landlord, these amounts are recorded as deferred liabilities and amortized over the remaining lease term as a reduction of rent expense.
License Agreements
The Company’s license agreements generally provide the Company with worldwide rights to manufacture, market and sell fragrance and fragrance related products using the licensors’ trademarks. The licenses typically have an initial term of approximately 5 to 15 years, and are potentially renewable subject to the Company’s compliance with the license agreement provisions. The remaining terms, including the potential renewal periods, range from approximately 1 to 15 years. Under each license, the Company is required to pay royalties in the range of 5% to 10% to the licensor, at least annually, based on net sales to third parties.
In certain cases, the Company may pay an entry fee to acquire, or enter into, a license where the licensor or another licensee was operating a pre-existing fragrance business. In those cases, the entry fee is capitalized as an intangible asset and amortized over its useful life.
Most license agreements require minimum royalty payments, incremental royalties based on net sales levels and minimum spending on advertising and promotional activities. Royalty expenses are accrued in the period in which net sales are recognized while advertising and promotional expenses are accrued at the time these costs are incurred.
In addition, the Company is exposed to certain concentration risk. Most of our prestige fragrance brands are licensed from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses.
F-12
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements or tax returns. The net deferred tax assets assume sufficient future earnings for their realization, as well as the continued application of currently enacted tax rates. Included in net deferred tax assets is a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, where management believes it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the relevant jurisdiction. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset will not be realizable, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will result in a reduction of net earnings at that time. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax asset or liability in the accompanying financial statements.
Issuance of Common Stock by Consolidated Subsidiary
The difference between the Company’s share of the proceeds received by the subsidiary and the carrying amount of the portion of the Company’s investment deemed sold, is reflected as an equity adjustment in the consolidated balance sheets.
Treasury Stock
The Board of Directors may authorize share repurchases of the Company’s common stock (Share Repurchase Authorizations). Share repurchases under Share Repurchase Authorizations may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchase or otherwise, at times and in such amounts within the parameters authorized by the Board. Shares repurchased under Share Repurchase Authorizations are held in treasury for general corporate purposes, including issuances under various employee stock option plans. Treasury shares are accounted for under the cost method and reported as a reduction of equity. Share Repurchase Authorizations may be suspended, limited or terminated at any time without notice.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) to improve accounting for hedging activities. The objective of the ASU is to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships in order to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and to make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the standard to determine the impact of its adoption on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU which requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The standard requires entities to recognize a lease liability to cover lease payments and a lease asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company has adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method in the year of adoption with certain transition practical expedients with no restatement of prior period amounts. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of the standard, which will relate primarily to our operating leases for office and warehouse spaces. While the Company continues to assess the impact of the adoption, it currently expects to record lease-related assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets of approximately $40 million. Adoption of the new standard will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated statements of income or Cash Flows.
F-13
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
There are no other recent accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
| (2) | Recent Agreements |
Lily Aldridge
In September 2018, Interstellar Brands LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, announced the development of a new fragrance line in collaboration with supermodel Lily Aldridge. The license agreement with Lily Aldridge runs through December 31, 2023, and is subject to royalty payments as are customary in our industry. This deal marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between Interstellar and IMG Models, which manages Lily Aldridge, to develop direct-to-consumer e-commerce fragrance and beauty businesses for IMG Models’ diverse and dynamic client base.
Van Cleef & Arpels
In May 2018, the Company renewed its license agreement for an additional six years with Van Cleef & Arpels for the creation, development, and distribution of fragrance products through December 2024, without any material changes in terms and conditions. Our initial 12-year license agreement with Van Cleef & Arpels was signed in 2006.
Graff
In April 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive, 8-year worldwide license agreement with London-based Graff for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the Graff brand. Our rights under such license agreement are subject to certain advertising expenditures and royalty payments as are customary in our industry.
GUESS
In February 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive, 15-year worldwide license agreement with GUESS?, Inc. for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances under the GUESS brand. This license took effect on April 1, 2018, and our rights under such license are subject to certain minimum advertising expenditures and royalty payments as are customary in our industry.
Jimmy Choo License Renewal
In December 2017, the Company and J Choo Ltd amended their license agreement and extended their partnership through December 31, 2031, without any material changes in operating conditions from the prior license. Our initial Jimmy Choo license was signed in 2009.
Paul Smith License Renewal
In May 2017, the Company renewed its license agreement with Paul Smith by an additional four years. The original agreement, signed in December 1998, together with previous extensions, provided the Company with the exclusive worldwide license rights to create, produce and distribute fragrances and fragrance related products under the Paul Smith brand through December 31, 2017. The recent extension extends the partnership through December 31, 2021 without any material changes in operating conditions from the prior license.
| (3) | Buyout of License |
In December 2016, the Company reached an agreement with the Balmain brand calling for Balmain to buyout the Balmain license agreement, effective December 31, 2016, in exchange for a payment aggregating $5.7 million. As a result of the buyout, the Company recognized a gain of $4.7 million as of December 31, 2016, and received the buyout payment in May 2017.
F-14
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| (4) | Inventories |
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| Raw materials and component parts | $ | 67,508 | $ | 46,884 | ||||
| Finished goods | 93,470 | 90,174 | ||||||
| $ | 160,978 | $ | 137,058 | |||||
Overhead included in inventory aggregated $4.2 million and $5.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Included in inventories is an inventory reserve, which represents the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated realizable value, based upon sales forecasts and the physical condition of the inventories. In addition, and as necessary, specific reserves for future known or anticipated events may be established. Inventory reserves aggregated $4.9 million and $5.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
| (5) | Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value.
| Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
|||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments | $ | 67,870 | $ | — | $ | 67,870 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts accounted for using hedge accounting | 179 | 179 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 68,049 | $ | — | $ | 68,049 | $ | — | |||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts not accounted for using hedge accounting | 45 | — | 45 | — | ||||||||||||
| Interest rate swap | $ | 207 | $ | — | $ | 207 | $ | — | ||||||||
| $ | 252 | $ | — | $ | 252 | $ | — | |||||||||
F-15
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
|||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments | $ | 69,899 | $ | — | $ | 69,899 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts accounted for using hedge accounting | 26 | 26 | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency forward exchange contracts not accounted for using hedge accounting | 119 | — | 119 | — | ||||||||||||
| $ | 70,044 | $ | — | $ | 70,044 | $ | — | |||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swap | $ | 529 | $ | — | $ | 529 | $ | — | ||||||||
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents including money market funds, short-term investments, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to the short terms to maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of loans payable approximates fair value as the variable interest rates on the Company’s indebtedness approximate current market rates.
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts are valued based on quotations from financial institutions and the value of interest rate swaps are the discounted net present value of the swaps using third party quotes from financial institutions.
| (6) | Derivative Financial Instruments |
The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge exposure related to receivables denominated in a foreign currency and occasionally to manage risks related to future sales expected to be denominated in a foreign currency. Before entering into a derivative transaction for hedging purposes, it is determined that a high degree of initial effectiveness exists between the change in value of the hedged item and the change in the value of the derivative instrument from movement in exchange rates. High effectiveness means that the change in the cash flows of the derivative instrument will effectively offset the change in the cash flows of the hedged item. The effectiveness of each hedged item is measured throughout the hedged period and is based on the dollar offset methodology and excludes the portion of the fair value of the foreign currency forward exchange contract attributable to the change in spot-forward difference which is reported in current period earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness is also recognized as a gain or loss on foreign currency in the income statement. For hedge contracts that are no longer deemed highly effective, hedge accounting is discontinued and gains and losses accumulated in other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings. If it is probable that the forecasted transaction will no longer occur, then any gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income are reclassified to current-period earnings.
F-16
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
In connection with a 2015 brand acquisition, $108 million of the purchase price was paid in cash on the closing date and was financed entirely through a 5-year term loan. As the payment at closing was due in dollars and we had planned to finance it with debt in euro, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts to secure the exchange rate for the $108 million purchase price at $1.067 per 1 euro. This derivative was designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge.
Gains and losses in derivatives designated as hedges are accumulated in other comprehensive income (loss) and gains and losses in derivatives not designated as hedges are included in (gain) loss on foreign currency on the accompanying income statements. Such gains and losses were immaterial in each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, interest expense includes a gain of $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, relating to an interest rate swap.
All derivative instruments are reported as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet measured at fair value. The valuation of interest rate swaps resulted in a liability which is included in long-term debt on the accompanying balance sheets. The valuation of foreign currency forward exchange contracts at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, resulted in an asset and is included in other current assets on the accompanying balance sheets.
At December 31, 2018, the Company had foreign currency contracts in the form of forward exchange contracts with notional amounts of approximately U.S. $33.0 million, GB £2.65 million and JPY ¥75.0 million, which all have maturities of less than one year.
| (7) | Equipment and Leasehold Improvements |
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| Equipment | $ | 36,465 | $ | 37,074 | ||||
| Leasehold improvements | 1,639 | 1,639 | ||||||
| 38,104 | 38,713 | |||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | 28,265 | 28,383 | ||||||
| $ | 9,839 | $ | 10,330 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization expense was $4.1 million, $3.8 million and $3.7 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
F-17
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| (8) | Trademarks, Licenses and Other Intangible Assets |
| 2018 | Gross Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Book Value | |||||||||
| Trademarks (indefinite lives) | $ | 123,287 | $ | — | $ | 123,287 | ||||||
| Trademarks (finite lives) | 44,300 | 69 | 44,231 | |||||||||
| Licenses (finite lives) | 85,100 | 50,539 | 34,561 | |||||||||
| Other intangible assets (finite lives) | 13,619 | 11,373 | 2,246 | |||||||||
| Subtotal | 143,019 | 61,981 | 81,038 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 266,306 | $ | 61,981 | $ | 204,325 | ||||||
| 2017 | Gross Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Book Value | |||||||||
| Trademarks (indefinite lives) | $ | 129,033 | $ | — | $ | 129,033 | ||||||
| Trademarks (finite lives) | 46,461 | 72 | 46,389 | |||||||||
| Licenses (finite lives) | 69,439 | 46,857 | 22,582 | |||||||||
| Other intangible assets (finite lives) | 14,949 | 12,458 | 2,491 | |||||||||
| Subtotal | 130,849 | 59,387 | 71,462 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 259,882 | $ | 59,387 | $ | 200,495 | ||||||
Amortization expense was $7.0 million, $6.0 million and $5.9 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amortization expense is expected to approximate $5.0 million, $4.6 million, and $4.0 million in 2019, 2020, 2021, respectively, and $3.7 million 2022 and 2023. The weighted average amortization period for trademarks, licenses and other intangible assets with finite lives are 18 years, 14 years and 2 years, respectively, and 14 years on average.
The Company reviews intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In 2017, the Company set in motion a plan to discontinue some of its mass market product lines over the next few years. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $2.1 million as of December 31, 2017. There were no impairment charges for trademarks with indefinite useful lives in 2018 and 2016. The fair values used in our evaluations are estimated based upon discounted future cash flow projections using a weighted average cost of capital of 6.21% as of December 31, 2018 and 6.22% as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. The cash flow projections are based upon a number of assumptions, including, future sales levels and future cost of goods and operating expense levels, as well as economic conditions, changes to our business model or changes in consumer acceptance of our products which are more subjective in nature. The Company believes that the assumptions it has made in projecting future cash flows for the evaluations described above are reasonable and currently no other impairment indicators exist for our indefinite-lived assets. However, if future actual results do not meet our expectations, the Company may be required to record an impairment charge, the amount of which could be material to our results of operations.
The cost of trademarks, licenses and other intangible assets with finite lives is being amortized by the straight-line method over the term of the respective license or the intangible assets estimated useful life which range from three to twenty years. If the residual value of a finite life intangible asset exceeds its carrying value, then the asset is not amortized. The Company reviews intangible assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Product sales of our Karl Lagerfeld brand did not met with our original expectations. Accordingly, in 2016, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $5.7 million.
F-18
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Trademarks (finite lives) primarily represent Lanvin brand names and trademarks and in connection with their purchase, Lanvin was granted the right to repurchase the brand names and trademarks in 2025 for the greater of €70 million (approximately $80 million) or one times the average of the annual sales for the years ending December 31, 2023 and 2024 (residual value). Because the residual value of the intangible asset exceeds its carrying value, the asset is not amortized.
| (9) | Accrued Expenses |
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| Advertising liabilities | $ | 14,868 | $ | 27,418 | ||||
| Salary (including bonus and related taxes) | 19,939 | 18,488 | ||||||
| Royalties | 14,533 | 11,409 | ||||||
| Due vendors (not yet invoiced) | 29,790 | 11,228 | ||||||
| Retirement reserves | 9,616 | 9,113 | ||||||
| Other | 3,722 | 4,187 | ||||||
| $ | 92,468 | $ | 81,843 | |||||
| (10) | Loans Payable – Banks |
Loans payable – banks consist of the following:
The Company and its domestic subsidiaries have available a $20 million unsecured revolving line of credit due on demand, which bears interest at the daily one-month LIBOR plus 2% (the one-month LIBOR was 2.51% as of December 31, 2018). The line of credit which has a maturity date of December 18, 2019 is expected to be renewed on an annual basis. Borrowings outstanding pursuant to lines of credit were zero as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
The Company’s foreign subsidiaries have available credit lines, including several bank overdraft facilities totaling approximately $30 million. These credit lines bear interest at EURIBOR plus between 0.5% and 0.8% (EURIBOR was minus 0.36% at December 31, 2018). Outstanding amounts were zero as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
As there were no borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there is no weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
F-19
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| (11) | Long-term Debt |
Long-term debt consists of the following:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| $15.0 million payable in 14 equal annual installments of $1.1 million beginning in January 2020 including interest imputed at 4.1% per annum | $ | 11,291 | $ | — | ||||
| $111.0 million 5-year term loan payable in 20 equal quarterly installments plus interest at 1.2% per annum | 34,350 | 59,965 | ||||||
| Other | 420 | 614 | ||||||
| 46,061 | 60,579 | |||||||
| Less current maturities | 23,155 | 24,372 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 22,906 | $ | 36,207 | ||||
The $111.0 million 5-year term loan requires the maintenance of certain financial covenants, tested semi-annually, including a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. The facility also contains new debt restrictions among other standard provisions. The Company is in compliance with all of the covenants and other restrictions of the debt agreements. In order to reduce exposure to rising variable interest rates, the Company entered into a swap transaction effectively exchanging the variable interest rate to a fixed rate of approximately 1.2%. The swap is a derivative instrument and is therefore recorded at fair value and changes in fair value are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Maturities of long-term debt subsequent to December 31, 2018 are approximately $23.2 million and $11.6 million in 2019 and 2020, respectively and $1.1 million per year thereafter through 2033.
| (12) | Commitments |
Leases
The Company leases its office and warehouse facilities under operating leases which are subject to various step rent provisions, rent concessions and escalation clauses expiring at various dates through 2029. Escalation clauses are not material and have been excluded from minimum future annual rental payments. Rental expense, which is calculated on a straight-line basis, amounted to $12.0 million, $11.2 million and $10.7 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Minimum future annual rental payments are as follows:
| 2019 | $ | 6,448 | ||
| 2020 | 5,786 | |||
| 2021 | 5,076 | |||
| 2022 | 4,563 | |||
| 2023 | 4,141 | |||
| Thereafter | 17,997 | |||
| $ | 44,011 |
F-20
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
License Agreements
The Company is party to a number of license and other agreements for the use of trademarks and rights in connection with the manufacture and sale of its products expiring at various dates through 2033. In connection with certain of these license agreements, the Company is subject to minimum annual advertising commitments, minimum annual royalties and other commitments as follows:
| 2019 | $ | 166,779 | ||
| 2020 | 178,408 | |||
| 2021 | 187,839 | |||
| 2022 | 173,366 | |||
| 2023 | 179,524 | |||
| Thereafter | 1,128,032 | |||
| $ | 2,013,948 |
Future advertising commitments are estimated based on planned future sales for the license terms that were in effect at December 31, 2018, without consideration for potential renewal periods. The above figures do not reflect the fact that our distributors share our advertising obligations. Royalty expense included in selling, general, and administrative expenses, aggregated $48.9 million, $39.6 million and $37.8 million, in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and represented 7.2%, 6.7% and 7.3% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
| (13) | Equity |
Share-Based Payments:
The Company maintains a stock option program for key employees, executives and directors. The plans, all of which have been approved by shareholder vote, provide for the granting of both nonqualified and incentive options. Options granted under the plans typically have a six-year term and vest over a four to five-year period. The fair value of shares vested aggregated $1.1 million and $0.9 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Forfeitures are estimated based on historic trends. It is generally the Company’s policy to issue new shares upon exercise of stock options.
The following table sets forth information with respect to nonvested options for 2018:
| Number of Shares Grant Date | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Grant Date | |||||||
| Nonvested options – beginning of year | 431,235 | $ | 8.22 | |||||
| Nonvested options granted | 196,350 | $ | 14.31 | |||||
| Nonvested options vested or forfeited | (142,225 | ) | $ | 8.11 | ||||
| Nonvested options – end of year | 485,360 | $ | 10.72 | |||||
F-21
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
The effect of share-based payment expenses decreased income statement line items as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | $ | 2,200 | $ | 2,100 | $ | 1,200 | ||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | 1,390 | 1,150 | 700 | |||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.02 | |||||||||
The following table summarizes stock option activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shares under option - beginning of year | 730,980 | $ | 31.92 | 684,540 | $ | 26.94 | 709,300 | $ | 24.34 | |||||||||||||||
| Options granted | 196,350 | 63.91 | 174,600 | 43.48 | 148,950 | 32.61 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Options exercised | (140,579 | ) | 24.21 | (103,230 | ) | 19.03 | (123,150 | ) | 18.69 | |||||||||||||||
| Options forfeited | (10,580 | ) | 37.64 | (24,930 | ) | 29.49 | (50,560 | ) | 27.18 | |||||||||||||||
| Shares under option - end of year | 776,171 | 41.33 | 730,980 | 31.92 | 684,540 | 26.94 | ||||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2018, options for 744,215 shares were available for future grant under the plans. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding is $18.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options outstanding aggregated $4.9 million, which will be recognized over the next five years.
The weighted average fair values of options granted by Inter Parfums, Inc. during 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $14.31, $9.82 and $7.43 per share, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value.
The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes pricing model are set forth in the following table:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Weighted-average expected stock-price volatility | 27 | % | 28 | % | 29 | % | ||||||
| Weighted-average expected option life | 5.0 years | 5.0 years | 5.0 years | |||||||||
| Weighted-average risk-free interest rate | 2.5 | % | 2.2 | % | 2.0 | % | ||||||
| Weighted-average dividend yield | 2.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 2.1 | % | ||||||
Expected volatility is estimated based on historic volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected term of the option is estimated based on historic data. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant of the option and the dividend yield reflects the assumption that the dividend payout as authorized by the Board of Directors would maintain its current payout ratio as a percentage of earnings.
F-22
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Proceeds, tax benefits and intrinsic value related to stock options exercised were as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock options exercised, excluding cashless exercise of $0.7 million 2016 | $ | 3,406 | $ | 1,963 | $ | 1,579 | ||||||
| Tax benefits | $ | 807 | $ | 600 | $ | 400 | ||||||
| Intrinsic value of stock options exercised | $ | 4,310 | $ | 2,258 | $ | 1,860 | ||||||
The following table summarizes additional stock option information as of December 31, 2018:
| Options outstanding | |||||||||||
| Number | weighted average remaining | Options | |||||||||
| Exercise prices | outstanding | contractual life | exercisable | ||||||||
| $23.61 - $29.36 | 209,920 | 2.48 years | 134,170 | ||||||||
| $32.83 - $35.75 | 206,101 | 2.85 years | 123,781 | ||||||||
| $40.15 - $46.90 | 177,800 | 4.96years | 32,860 | ||||||||
| $65.25 | 182,350 | 6.00 years | — | ||||||||
| Totals | 776,171 | 3.98 years | 290,811 | ||||||||
As of December 31, 2018, the weighted average exercise price of options exercisable was $31.65 and the weighted average remaining contractual life of options exercisable is 2.57 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable at December 31, 2018 is $9.9 million.
In 2016, the Chief Executive Officer and the President each exercised 19,000 outstanding stock options of the Company’s common stock. The aggregate exercise prices of $0.7 million was paid by them tendering to the Company an aggregate of 20,658 shares of the Company’s common stock, previously owned by them, valued at fair market value on the dates of exercise. All shares issued pursuant to these option exercises were issued from treasury stock of the Company. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer tendered in an additional 2,179 shares for payment of certain withholding taxes resulting from his option exercise.
In September 2016, Interparfums SA, approved a plan to grant an aggregate of 15,100 shares of its stock to employees with no performance condition requirement, and an aggregate of 133,000 shares to officers and managers, subject to certain corporate performance conditions. The shares, subject to adjustment for stock splits, will be distributed in September 2019 so long as the individual is employed by Interparfums SA at the time, and in the case of officers and managers, only to the extent that the performance conditions have been met. Once distributed, the shares will be unrestricted and the employees will be permitted to trade their shares.
The fair value of the grant of €18.56 per share (approximately $22.00 per share) has been determined based on the quoted share price of Interparfums SA shares as reported by the NYSE Euronext on the date of grant. The estimated number of shares to be distributed of 157,840 has been determined taking into account employee turnover and has been adjusted for stock splits. The aggregate cost of the grant of approximately $3.4 million is being recognized as compensation cost by Interparfums SA on a straight-line basis over the requisite three year service period. For the year ended December 31, 2018, $1.1 million of compensation cost has been recognized in connection with this plan.
F-23
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
To avoid dilution of the Company’s ownership of Interparfums SA, all shares to be distributed pursuant to this plan will be pre-existing shares of Interparfums SA, purchased in the open market by Interparfums SA. In 2016, 131,101 shares had been acquired in the open market at an aggregate cost of $2.9 million. In 2018 an additional 18,899 shares were acquired in the open market at an aggregate cost of $0.8 million. All share purchases have been classified as equity transactions on the accompanying balance sheet.
In December 2018, Interparfums SA approved an additional plan to grant an aggregate of 26,600 shares of its stock to employees with no performance condition requirement, and an aggregate of 133,000 shares to officers and managers, subject to certain corporate performance conditions. The shares, subject to adjustment for stock splits, will be distributed in June 2022 and will follow the same guidelines as the September 2016 plan.
The fair value of the grant of €29.84 per share (approximately $34.00 per share) has been determined based on the quoted stock price of Interparfums SA shares as reported by the NYSE Euronext on the date of grant. The estimated number of shares to be distributed of 142,842 has been determined taking into account employee turnover. The aggregate cost of the grant of approximately $4.9 million will be recognized as compensation cost by Interparfums SA on a straight-line basis over the requisite three and a half year service period.
Dividends
In October 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a 31% increase in the annual dividend to $1.10 per share. The quarterly dividend aggregating approximately $8.6 million ($0.275 per share) declared in December 2018 was paid in January 2019. The next quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share will be paid on April 15, 2019 to shareholders of record on March 29, 2019.
| (14) | Net Income Attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. Common Shareholders |
Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. per common share (“basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. per share assuming dilution (“diluted EPS”), is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding, plus the incremental shares outstanding assuming the exercise of dilutive stock options using the treasury stock method.
F-24
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
The reconciliation between the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Numerator for diluted earnings per share | $ | 53,793 | $ | 41,594 | $ | 33,331 | ||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares | 31,307,991 | 31,172,285 | 31,072,328 | |||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||||||||
| Stock options | 214,380 | 132,816 | 103,270 | |||||||||
| Denominator for diluted earnings per share | 31,522,371 | 31,305,101 | 31,175,598 | |||||||||
| Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. common shareholders: | ||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.33 | $ | 1.07 | ||||||
| Diluted | 1.71 | 1.33 | 1.07 | |||||||||
Not included in the above computations is the effect of anti-dilutive potential common shares, which consist of outstanding options to purchase 89,000, 165,000, and 267,000 shares of common stock for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
| (15) | Segments and Geographic Areas |
The Company manufactures and distributes one product line, fragrances and fragrance related products. The Company manages its business in two segments, European based operations and United States based operations. The European assets are located, and operations are primarily conducted, in France. Both European and United States operations primarily represent the sale of prestige brand name fragrances.
F-25
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Information on the Company’s operations by segments is as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Net sales: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 140,768 | $ | 116,244 | $ | 117,256 | ||||||
| Europe | 537,805 | 476,660 | 404,198 | |||||||||
| Eliminations of intercompany sales | (2,999 | ) | (1,653 | ) | (382 | ) | ||||||
| $ | 675,574 | $ | 591,251 | $ | 521,072 | |||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc.: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 13,071 | $ | 7,051 | $ | 8,285 | ||||||
| Europe | 40,877 | 34,577 | 25,120 | |||||||||
| Eliminations | (155 | ) | (34 | ) | (74 | ) | ||||||
| $ | 53,793 | $ | 41,594 | $ | 33,331 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense including impairment loss: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 2,711 | $ | 3,943 | $ | 1,816 | ||||||
| Europe | 8,320 | 7,971 | 13,525 | |||||||||
| $ | 11,031 | $ | 11,914 | $ | 15,341 | |||||||
| Interest and dividend income: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 137 | $ | 58 | $ | 22 | ||||||
| Europe | 3,820 | 2,925 | 3,309 | |||||||||
| $ | 3,957 | $ | 2,983 | $ | 3,331 | |||||||
| Interest expense: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 419 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||
| Europe | 2,159 | 1,991 | 2,340 | |||||||||
| $ | 2,578 | $ | 1,991 | $ | 2,340 | |||||||
| Income tax expense: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 2,264 | $ | 3,764 | $ | 4,278 | ||||||
| Europe | 23,898 | 19,069 | 19,596 | |||||||||
| Eliminations | (18 | ) | (21 | ) | (48 | ) | ||||||
| $ | 26,144 | $ | 22,812 | $ | 23,826 | |||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Total assets: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 133,406 | $ | 92,909 | $ | 89,930 | ||||||
| Europe | 686,123 | 694,385 | 602,077 | |||||||||
| Eliminations | (20,362 | ) | (9,522 | ) | (9,598 | ) | ||||||
| $ | 799,167 | $ | 777,772 | $ | 682,409 | |||||||
| Additions to long-lived assets: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 19,181 | $ | 980 | $ | 930 | ||||||
| Europe | 4,188 | 3,089 | 4,812 | |||||||||
| $ | 23,369 | $ | 4,069 | $ | 5,742 | |||||||
| Total long-lived assets: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 25,753 | $ | 9,284 | $ | 12,247 | ||||||
| Europe | 188,411 | 201,541 | 181,697 | |||||||||
| $ | 214,164 | $ | 210,825 | $ | 193,944 | |||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 650 | $ | 781 | $ | 194 | ||||||
| Europe | 8,561 | 8,808 | 7,848 | |||||||||
| Eliminations | 88 | 69 | 48 | |||||||||
| $ | 9,299 | $ | 9,658 | $ | 8,090 | |||||||
F-26
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
United States export sales were approximately $93.1 million, $71.4 million and $77.5 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Consolidated net sales to customers by region are as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| North America | $ | 210,200 | $ | 176,900 | $ | 149,000 | ||||||
| Europe | 233,600 | 214,800 | 194,700 | |||||||||
| Asia | 109,000 | 88,000 | 81,300 | |||||||||
| Middle East | 59,300 | 50,500 | 41,600 | |||||||||
| Central and South America | 51,700 | 51,200 | 44,000 | |||||||||
| Other | 11,800 | 9,900 | 10,500 | |||||||||
| $ | 675,600 | $ | 591,300 | $ | 521,100 | |||||||
Consolidated net sales to customers in major countries are as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| United States | $ | 204,000 | $ | 173,000 | $ | 144,000 | ||||||
| France | $ | 44,000 | $ | 44,000 | $ | 47,000 | ||||||
| United Kingdom | $ | 36,000 | $ | 33,000 | $ | 31,000 | ||||||
| Russia | $ | 35,000 | $ | 34,000 | $ | 27,000 | ||||||
| (16) | Income Taxes |
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal, and various states and foreign jurisdictions.
The Company assessed its uncertain tax positions and determined that it has no uncertain tax position at December 31, 2018.
The components of income before income taxes consist of the following:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| U.S. operations | $ | 15,162 | $ | 10,761 | $ | 12,441 | ||||||
| Foreign operations | 80,697 | 67,304 | 54,633 | |||||||||
| $ | 95,859 | $ | 78,065 | $ | 67,074 | |||||||
F-27
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
The provision for current and deferred income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Current: | ||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | 1,629 | $ | 4,050 | $ | 3,792 | ||||||
| State and local | 497 | 302 | 309 | |||||||||
| Foreign | 24,175 | 19,051 | 21,099 | |||||||||
| 26,301 | 23,403 | 25,200 | ||||||||||
| Deferred: | ||||||||||||
| Federal | 113 | (554 | ) | 113 | ||||||||
| State and local | — | (55 | ) | 9 | ||||||||
| Foreign | (270 | ) | 18 | (1,496 | ) | |||||||
| (157 | ) | (591 | ) | (1,374 | ) | |||||||
| Total income tax expense | $ | 26,144 | $ | 22,812 | $ | 23,826 | ||||||
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| Net deferred tax assets: | ||||||||
| Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards | $ | 468 | $ | 520 | ||||
| Inventory and accounts receivable | 658 | 1,557 | ||||||
| Profit sharing | 4,561 | 4,212 | ||||||
| Stock option compensation | 626 | 502 | ||||||
| Effect of inventory profit elimination | 3,267 | 3,166 | ||||||
| Other | (23 | ) | 222 | |||||
| Total gross deferred tax assets, net | 9,557 | 10,179 | ||||||
| Valuation allowance | (258 | ) | (520 | ) | ||||
| Net deferred tax assets | 9,299 | 9,659 | ||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities (long-term): | ||||||||
| Trademarks and licenses | (3,538 | ) | (3,821 | ) | ||||
| Net deferred tax assets | $ | 5,761 | $ | 5,838 | ||||
Valuation allowances are provided for foreign net operating loss carry-forwards, as future profitable operations from certain foreign subsidiaries might not be sufficient to realize the full amount of net operating loss carry-forwards.
No other valuation allowances have been provided as management believes that it is more likely than not that the asset will be realized in the reduction of future taxable income.
F-28
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
In December 2017, the U.S. government passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to reducing the future U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and requiring companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries.
The Tax Act also established new tax laws that affect 2018, including, but not limited to: (i) the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate discussed above; (ii) a general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (iii) a new provision designed to tax global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”); and (iv) a new provision that allows a domestic corporation an immediate deduction for a portion of its foreign derived intangible income (“FDII”).
The Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 118, which provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the related accounting under ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for a certain income tax effect of the Tax Act is incomplete, but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements.
In connection with its initial analysis of the impact of the Tax Act, the Company recorded a tax expense of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. This estimate consists of no expense for the one-time transition tax, and an expense of $1.1 million related to revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities caused by the lower corporate tax rate. There were no material differences between the Company’s 2017 estimates and the final calculated amounts.
The Company has estimated of the effect of GILTI and has determined that it has no tax liability as of December 31, 2018 related to GILTI.
The Tax Act also contains a provision that allows a domestic corporation an immediate deduction for a portion of its foreign derived intangible income (“FDII”). The Company estimated the effect of FDII as of December 31, 2018, and recorded a tax benefit of $0.6 million.
Income Tax Recovery
The French government had introduced a 3% tax on dividends or deemed dividends for entities subject to French corporate income tax in 2012. In 2017, the French Constitutional Court released a decision declaring that the 3% tax on dividends or deemed dividends is unconstitutional. As a result of that decision, the Company filed a claim for refund of approximately $3.9 million for these taxes paid since 2015 including accrued interest of approximately $0.4 million. The Company recorded the refund claim as of December 31, 2017 and has received the entire refund in 2018.
Settlement with French Tax Authorities
As previously reported, the French Tax Authorities examined the 2012 tax return of Interparfums SA. The main issues challenged by the French Tax Authorities related to the commission rate and royalty rate paid to Interparfums Singapore Pte. and Interparfums (Suisse) SARL, respectively. Due to the subjective nature of the issues involved, in April 2016, Interparfums SA reached an agreement in principle to settle the entire matter with the French Tax Authorities. The settlement required Interparfums SA to pay a tax assessment of $1.9 million covering the issues for not only the 2012 tax year, but also covering the issues for the tax years ended 2013 through 2015. The settlement, which was finalized by the French Tax Authorities in the first quarter of 2017, was accrued as of December 31, 2016.
F-29
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
Other Tax Matters
The French authorities has informed the Company that it considers that the existence of IP Suisse, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Interparfums SA, does not, in and of itself, constitute a permanent establishment and therefore Interparfums, SA should pay French taxes on all or part of the profits of that entity. No claim or assessment for any taxes or penalties has been made at this time. The Company disagrees and is prepared to vigorously defend its position. Consequently, no provision has been made in the accompanying financial statements as we believe it is more likely than not that our position will be sustained based on its technical merits. Although we believe that we have sufficient arguments to support our position, there exists a risk that the French authorities may prevail. The Company’s exposure in connection with this matter is approximately $1.4 million, net of recovery taxes already paid to the Swiss authorities, and excluding interest and penalties.
The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2015.
Differences between the United States Federal statutory income tax rate and the effective income tax rate were as follows:
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Statutory rates | 21.0 | % | 34.0 | % | 34.0 | % | ||||||
| State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | |||||||||
| Benefit of Foreign Derived Intangible Income | (0.6 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
| Deferred tax effect of statutory tax rate changes | — | 1.4 | — | |||||||||
| Foreign income tax recovery | — | (4.6 | ) | — | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign taxes greater than (less than) U.S. statutory rates | 7.3 | (1.0 | ) | 1.5 | ||||||||
| Other | (0.8 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||
| Effective rates | 27.3 | % | 29.2 | % | 35.5 | % | ||||||
| (17) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss |
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of the following:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Net derivative instruments, beginning of year | $ | 37 | $ | (17 | ) | $ | — | |||||
| Net derivative instrument gain (loss), net of tax | 99 | 54 | (17 | ) | ||||||||
| Net derivative instruments, end of year | 136 | 37 | (17 | ) | ||||||||
| Cumulative translation adjustments, beginning of year | (17,869 | ) | (57,965 | ) | (48,091 | ) | ||||||
| Translation adjustments | (15,917 | ) | 40,096 | (9,874 | ) | |||||||
| Cumulative translation adjustments, end of year | (33,786 | ) | (17,869 | ) | (57,965 | ) | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ | (33,650 | ) | $ | (17,832 | ) | $ | (57,982 | ) | |||
F-30
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands except share and per share data)
| (18) | Net Income Attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. and Transfers from the Noncontrolling Interest |
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. | $ | 53,793 | $ | 41,594 | $ | 33,331 | ||||||
| Decrease in Inter Parfums, Inc.’s additional paid-in capital for subsidiary share transactions | — | — | (1,926 | ) | ||||||||
| Change from net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. and transfers from noncontrolling interest | $ | 53,793 | $ | 41,594 | $ | 31,405 | ||||||
F-31
Schedule II
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(In thousands)
| Column A | Column B | Column C | Column D | Column E | ||||||||||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Description | Balance
at | Charged
to | Charged to other accounts – describe | Deductions
– | Balance
at | |||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2018 | $ | 1,821 | 1,441 | (91 | )(d) | 569 | (a) | 2,602 | ||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2017 | $ | 2,011 | 843 | 205 | (d) | 1,238 | (a) | 1,821 | ||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2016 | $ | 1,823 | 349 | (68 | )(d) | 93 | (a) | 2,011 | ||||||||||||
| Sales return accrual: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2018 | $ | 3,310 | 1,329 | — | 3,260 | (b) | 1,379 | |||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2017 | $ | 3,332 | 3,497 | — | 3,519 | (b) | 3,310 | |||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2016 | $ | 4,047 | 3,789 | — | 4,504 | (b) | 3,332 | |||||||||||||
| Inventory reserve: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2018 | $ | 5,349 | 4,694 | (183 | )(d) | 5,006 | (c) | 4,854 | ||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2017 | $ | 5,316 | 3,300 | 570 | (d) | 3,837 | (c) | 5,349 | ||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2016 | $ | 6,641 | 5,234 | (135 | )(d) | 6,424 | (c) | 5,316 | ||||||||||||
| (a) | Write-off of bad debts. |
| (b) | Write-off of sales returns. |
| (c) | Disposal of inventory |
| (d) | Foreign currency translation adjustment |
See accompanying reports of independent registered public accounting firm.
F-32
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Inter Parfums, Inc. | |||
| By: | /s/ Jean Madar | ||
| Jean Madar, Chief Executive Officer | |||
| Date: March 1, 2019 | |||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Jean Madar | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer | March 1, 2019 | ||
| Jean Madar | ||||
| /s/ Russell Greenberg | Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Director | March 1, 2019 | ||
| Russell Greenberg | ||||
| /s/ Philippe Benacin | Director | |||
| Philippe Benacin | February 28, 2019 | |||
| /s/ Philippe Santi | Director | |||
| Philippe Santi | February 28, 2019 | |||
| /s/ François Heilbronn | Director | |||
| François Heilbronn | February 28, 2019 | |||
| /s/ Robert Bensoussan | Director | |||
| Robert Bensoussan | February 28, 2019 | |||
| /s/ Patrick Choël | Director | |||
| Patrick Choël | February 28, 2019 | |||
| /s/ Michel Dyens | Director | |||
| Michel Dyens | February 28, 2019 | |||
| /s/ Veronique Gabai-Pinsky | Director | |||
| Veronique Gabai-Pinsky | February 28, 2019 | |||
| /s/ Gilbert Harrison | Director | |||
| Gilbert Harrison | February 28, 2019 |
93
Exhibit Index
The following document heretofore filed with the Commission is also incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2014:
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 10.160 | Consulting Agreement with Philippe Benacin Holding SAS |
The following documents heretofore filed with the Commission are incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014:
94
The following documents heretofore filed with the Commission are incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:
The following document heretofore filed with the Commission is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016:
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 3.8 |
The following document heretofore filed with the Commission is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016:
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 4.33 | 2016 Stock Option Plan |
95
The following documents heretofore filed with the Commission are incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016:
The following documents heretofore filed with the Commission are incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017:
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 10.153 | Seventh Modification of Lease dated February 7, 2013 for 15th Floor at 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY |
96
The following documents heretofore filed with the Commission more than five (5) years ago are hereby filed again as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:
The following documents are filed with this report:
(As previously filed with the Commission with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013):
Exhibit No. |
Description | Page No. | |
| 4.21 | 2004 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan as amended | 146 | |
| 4.22 | 2004 Stock Option Plan as amended | 152 |
97
(As previously filed with the Commission with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013):
The following documents are filed with this report:
Exhibit No. |
Description |
Page No. | |
| 101 | Interactive data files |
98