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Birks & Mayors (BGI)
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Risk Overview Q1, 2021
Risk Distribution
29% Finance & Corporate
18% Production
18% Macro & Political
14% Legal & Regulatory
11% Tech & Innovation
11% Ability to Sell
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Birks & Mayors Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q1, 2021
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 8 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 8 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
28
+2
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 31
28
+2
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
2Risks added
0Risks removed
3Risks changed
Since Mar 2021
2Risks added
0Risks removed
3Risks changed
Since Mar 2021
Number of Risk Changed
3
+3
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 3
3
+3
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Birks & Mayors in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 28
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 8/28 (29%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights4 | 14.3%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Our share price could be adversely affected if a large number of Class A voting shares are offered for sale or sold.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
We are controlled by a single shareholder whose interests may be different from yours.As of May 20, 2021, The Grande Rousse Trust ("Grande Rousse") beneficially owns or controls 74.5% of all classes of our outstanding voting shares, which are directly owned by Mangrove Holdings S.A ("Mangrove") and Montel Sarl ("Montel"), previously Montrovest B.V. Montel and Mangrove own 48.3% and 26.2% of our outstanding voting shares respectively. The trustee of Grande Rousse is Meritus Trust Company Limited (the "Trustee"). Confido Limited has the power to remove the Trustee and as a result may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the Class A voting shares held by Montel and Mangrove. Under our restated articles, Montel and Mangrove, as holders of the Class B multiple voting shares, have the ability to control most actions requiring shareholder approval, including electing the members of our Board of Directors and the issuance of new equity.
Grande Rousse, Montel and Mangrove may have different interests than you have and may make decisions that do not correspond to your interests. In addition, the fact that we are controlled by one shareholder may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our management or voting control.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
As a retailer of jewelry and timepieces with a limited public float, the price of our Class A voting shares may fluctuate substantially, which could negatively affect the value of our Class A voting shares and could result in securities class action claims against us.Changed
The price of our Class A voting shares may fluctuate substantially due to, among other things, the following factors: (1) fluctuations in the price of the shares of a small number of public companies in the retail jewelry business; (2) additions or departures of key personnel; (3) announcements of legal proceedings or regulatory matters; and (4) general volatility in the stock market. The market price of our Class A voting shares could also fluctuate substantially if we fail to meet or exceed expectations for our financial results or if there is a change in financial estimates or securities analysts' recommendations.
Significant price and value fluctuations have occurred in the past with respect to the securities of retail jewelry and related companies. In addition, because the public float of our Class A voting shares is relatively small, the market price of our Class A voting shares is likely to be volatile. There is limited trading volume in our Class A voting shares, rendering them subject to significant price volatility. In addition, the stock market has experienced volatility that has affected the market prices of equity securities of many companies, and that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. A number of other factors, many of which are beyond our control, could also cause the market price of our Class A voting shares to fluctuate substantially. In the past, following periods of downward volatility in the market price of a company's securities, class action litigation has often been pursued. If our Class A voting shares were similarly volatile and litigation was pursued against us, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management's attention and resources.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
We are subject to the continued listing requirements of the NYSE American. If we are unable to comply with such requirements, our common stock could be delisted from the NYSE American, which would limit investors' ability to effect transactions in our common stock and subject us to additional trading restrictions.Added
Our common stock is currently listed on NYSE American. In order to maintain our listing, we must maintain certain share prices, financial and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of stockholders' equity and a minimum number of public shareholders. NYSE American may delist the securities of any issuer for other reasons involving the judgment of NYSE American.
On August 13, 2020, we were notified by NYSE American that we were not in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Section 1003(a)(ii) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the "Company Guide"). That section applies if a listed company has stockholders' equity of less than U.S. $4.0 million and has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its four most recent fiscal years. Furthermore, on December 9, 2020, we were notified by NYSE American that we were not in compliance with the continued listing standards set forth in Section 1003(a)(i) of the Company Guide. That section applies if a listed company has stockholders' equity of less than U.S. $2.0 million and has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in two of its three most recent fiscal years. Lastly, upon filing of our financial statements for the fiscal period ended March 27, 2021 on this Form 20-F, we expect to be non-compliant with the continued listing standards as set forth in Section 1003(a)(iii)of the Company Guide which applies if a listed company has stockholders' equity of less than U.S. $6.0 million and has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years.
In accordance with the procedures and requirements of Section 1009 of the Company Guide, we submitted our plan of compliance on September 6, 2020 addressing how we intend to regain compliance with Section 1003(a)(ii) of the Company Guide.
On October 22, 2020, NYSE American notified us that it accepted the compliance plan and granted us an extension for our continued listing until the end of the Plan Period. We can regain compliance under Sections 1003(a)(i) and 1003(a)(iii) of the Company Guide under the compliance plan approved by NYSE American on October 22, 2020, which granted us an extension for our continued listing until February 6, 2022. We are not required to submit an additional plan to NYSE American with respect to Section 1003(a)(i).
We are subject to periodic review by NYSE American during the Plan Period, including quarterly monitoring, to determine if we are making progress consistent with the plan. If we do not regain compliance by the end of the Plan Period, or if we do not make progress consistent with the plan during the Plan Period, NYSE American may initiate delisting procedures as appropriate. We cannot assure that we will make sufficient progress to regain compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) by February 6, 2022 under our initial plan or any revision we make to such plan or that NYSE American will accept any revisions we propose to make to our initial plan, or that delisting proceedings may not be instituted against us based on our not meeting certain elements of the near-term milestones we had included as part of the compliance plan we submitted. If delisting proceedings are instituted against us, we would have the right to appeal any delisting determination.
If NYSE American delists our common stock from trading on the exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our common stock would qualify to be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could experience a number of adverse consequences, including: limited availability of market quotations for the common stock; reduced liquidity for our securities; our common stock being categorized as a "penny stock," which requires brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our common stock; and decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
Accounting & Financial Operations1 | 3.6%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
Our assessment of our internal control over financial reporting may identify "material weaknesses" in the future which could reduce confidence in our financial statements and negatively affect the price of our securities.Debt & Financing3 | 10.7%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
The level of our indebtedness could adversely affect our operations, liquidity and financial condition.Debt & Financing - Risk 2
Significant restrictions on our borrowing capacity could result in our inability to fund our cash flow requirements or maintain minimum excess availability requirements under the terms of our secured asset-based credit facility needed to support our day-to-day operations and our ability to continue as a going concern.Our ability to fund our operations and meet our cash flow requirements is dependent upon our ability to maintain positive excess availability under our $85.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility"). Under the Credit Facility, our sole financial covenant is to maintain minimum excess availability of not less than $8.5 million at all times, except that we shall not be in breach of this covenant if excess availability falls below $8.5 million for not more than two consecutive business days once during any fiscal month. Our excess availability was above $8.5 million throughout fiscal 2021.
Both our Credit Facility and Term Loan (defined below) are subject to cross default provisions with all other loans pursuant to which if we are in default of any other loan, we will immediately be in default of both the Credit Facility and the Term Loan. In the event that excess availability falls below $8.5 million for more than two consecutive business days once during any fiscal month, this would be considered an event of default under the Credit Facility and Term Loan agreements, that provides the lenders the right to require the outstanding balances borrowed under our Credit Facility and Term Loan to become due immediately, which would result in cross defaults on our other borrowings. We expect to have excess availability of at least $8.5 million for at least the next twelve months.
On June 29, 2018, we secured a $12.5 million senior secured term loan (the "Term Loan") with Crystal Financial LLC ("Crystal") now known as SLR Credit Solutions ("SLR"). The Term Loan, which matures in October 2022, is subordinated in lien priority to the Credit Facility and bears interest at a rate of Canadian Dollar Offered Rate ("CDOR") plus 8.25%. Under the Term Loan, we are required to adhere to a similar financial covenant as under the Credit Facility (maintain minimum excess availability of not less than $8.5 million at all times, except that we shall not be in breach of this covenant if excess availability falls below $8.5 million for not more than two consecutive business days once during any fiscal month). In addition, the Term Loan includes seasonal availability blocks imposed from December 20th to January 20th of each year of $9.5 million and from January 21st to February 20th of each year of $4.5 million. The Term Loan is required to be repaid upon maturity.
Our borrowing capacity under both the Credit Facility and Term Loan is based upon the value of our inventory and accounts receivable, which is periodically assessed by our lenders and based upon these reviews, our borrowing capacity could be significantly increased or decreased.
Our lenders under our Credit Facility and our Term Loan may impose, at any time, discretionary reserves, which would lower the level of borrowing availability under our credit facilities (customary for asset-based loans), at their reasonable discretion, to: i) ensure that we maintain adequate liquidity for the operation of our business, ii) cover any deterioration in the value of the collateral, and iii) reflect impediments to the lenders to realize upon the collateral. There is no limit to the amount of discretionary reserves that our lenders may impose at their reasonable discretion.
No discretionary reserves were imposed during fiscal 2021, fiscal 2020, and fiscal 2019, by our current or former lenders.
For fiscal 2021, the Company reported net losses from continuing operations and a total net loss of $5.8 million. The Company reported net losses from continuing operations of $12.2 million and $18.3 million (total net loss of $12.8 million and $18.7 million) for fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively. The Company used cash in operating activities from continuing operations of $1.7 million, $3.2 million, and $4.3 million for fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The Company also had a negative working capital as at March 27, 2021 and March 28, 2020, primarily as a result of COVID-19 impacts on the business.
Maintenance of sufficient availability of funding through an adequate amount of committed financing is necessary for the Company to fund its day-to-day operations. If the Company does not generate profitable operations and positive cash flows from operations in future periods, the Company may be unable to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of principal, or to pay the interest or additional interest, if any, or to fund planned capital expenditures and store operations will depend on its ability to maintain adequate levels of available borrowing and its future performance, may be subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors, as well as other events that are beyond the Company's control.
The Company continues to operate through its Credit Facility. COVID-19 has resulted in significant disruption to global financial markets, which could have a negative impact on the Company's ability to access capital in the future. Given the uncertainty in the circumstances, the Company is pursuing other actions to enhance its liquidity position, which could include entering into new credit facilities, raising additional funds through public or private equity or debt financing, including funding from governmental sources, to the extent available. If new credit facilities are not available to the Company, there may be a material adverse impact on its financial condition and ability to manage its working capital.
On July 8, 2020, the Company secured a new six-year term loan with Investissement Québec in the amount of $10.0 million, as amended. The secured term loan was used to fund the working capital needs of the Company. The loan bears interest at a rate of 3.14% per annum and is repayable in 60 equal payments beginning in July 2021. The term loan with Investissement Québec requires the Company on an annual basis to have a working capital ratio (defined as current assets divided by current liabilities excluding the current portion of operating lease liabilities) of at least 1.01. As at March 27, 2021, the Company had a working capital ratio of 1.03. On June 2, 2021, the Company obtained a waiver from Investissement Québec with respect to the requirement to meet the working capital ratio at March 26, 2022.
The going concern basis of presentation assumes that the Company will continue its operations for the foreseeable future and be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
Additional financing or capital that may be required may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or may not be available at all. Capital raised through the sale or issuance of equity securities may result in dilution to our current shareholders. Failure to obtain such additional financing or capital could have an adverse impact on our liquidity and financial condition including our ability to continue as a going concern.If we are unable to meet our financial projections, in order to invest in growth initiatives, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt financing, including funding from governmental sources, which may not be possible as the success of raising additional funds is beyond our control. The sale of additional equity securities could result in significant dilution to our current shareholders, and the securities issued in future financings may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our common stock.
The terms of our Credit Facility and Term Loan expire in October 2022, as such, financing may be unavailable in amounts or on terms similar to the current agreements or acceptable to us, if at all, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, including our ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company continues to be actively engaged in identifying alternative sources of financing that include raising additional funds through public or private equity, the disposal of assets, and debt financing, including funding from governmental sources which may not be possible as the success of raising additional funds is beyond the Company's control. The incurrence of additional indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that could restrict the Company's operations. Financing may be unavailable in amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company if at all, which may have a material adverse impact on its business, including its ability to continue as a going concern.
Production
Total Risks: 5/28 (18%)Below Sector Average
Supply Chain1 | 3.6%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
Our business could be adversely affected if our relationships with any primary vendors are terminated or if the delivery of their products is delayed or interrupted.Costs4 | 14.3%
Costs - Risk 1
If the costs and burden of being a public company outweigh its benefits, we may in the future decide to discontinue our status as a publicly traded company.Costs - Risk 2
Our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to continue to lease retail stores in prime locations and successfully negotiate favorable lease terms.Historically, we have generally been successful in negotiating and improving leases for renewal as our current leases near expiration. As of May 31, 2021, we had 29 leased retail stores. The leases are generally in prime retail locations and generally have lease terms of ten years, with rent being a fixed minimum base plus, for certain stores, a percentage of the store's sales volume (subject to some adjustments) over a specified threshold. Many uncontrollable factors can impact our ability to renew these leases, including but not limited to, competition for key locations from other retailers. Only 5 of the Company's store leases are renewable within the next two years and such stores generated approximately 3% of our fiscal 2021 net sales. The capital expenditures related to remodeling some of our retail stores are estimated to be approximately $2.7 million during fiscal 2022. These planned capital expenditures are at the discretion of management and not required by our landlords. Such planned capital expenditures could be delayed in the event of prolonged COVID-19 impacts on the Company's operations and financial condition. We expect to be able to finance these capital expenditures with internally generated funds and existing financing arrangements. However, in the future, if we are unsuccessful at negotiating favorable renewal terms, locations or if more capital is required to meet landlord requirements for remodeling or relocating retail stores and we are unable to secure the necessary funds to complete these projects, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected. In addition, we may not be able to locate suitable alternative sites in a timely manner. Our sales, earnings and cash flows will decline if we fail to maintain existing store locations, renew leases or relocate to alternative sites, in each case on attractive terms.
Costs - Risk 3
Fluctuations in the availability and prices of our raw materials and finished goods may adversely affect our results of operations.We offer a large selection of distinctive high quality merchandise, including diamond, gemstone and precious metal jewelry, rings, wedding bands, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, charms, timepieces and gifts. Accordingly, significant changes in the availability or prices of diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals we require for our products could adversely affect our earnings. We do not hedge a material portion of the price of raw materials. A significant increase in the price of these materials could adversely affect our net sales and gross margins.
Costs - Risk 4
We may not successfully manage our inventory, which could have an adverse effect on our net sales, profitability, cash flow and liquidity.As a retail business, our results of operations are dependent on our ability to manage our inventory. To properly manage our inventory, we must be able to accurately estimate customer demand and supply requirements and purchase new inventory accordingly. If we fail to sell our inventory, we may be required to write-down our inventory or pay our vendors without new purchases, creating additional vendor financing, which would have an adverse impact on our earnings and cash flows. Additionally, a significant portion of the merchandise we sell is carried on a consignment basis prior to sale or is otherwise financed by vendors, which reduces our required capital investment in inventory. Any significant change in these consignment or vendor financing relationships could have a material adverse effect on our net sales, cash flows and liquidity.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 5/28 (18%)Above Sector Average
International Operations1 | 3.6%
International Operations - Risk 1
The Company conducts retail operations in Canada and conducts wholesale operations in North America and the United Kingdom. The Company sources its inventory from several suppliers within and outside North America, and has cross border financing arrangements. As a result, the Company is subject to the risks of doing business in jurisdictions within and outside North America.Natural and Human Disruptions3 | 10.7%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Terrorist acts or other catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows have been and will continue to be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Changed
A public health crisis or disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic, or the threat or fear of such events, could adversely impact our business. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic and a global emergency. In response to this pandemic, many government authorities have taken preventative and protective actions to contain the spread of the virus. COVID-19 has significantly impacted our retail stores, sales, and foot traffic, based on the perceived public health risk and government imposed quarantines and restrictions of public gatherings and commercial activity to contain the spread of the virus. As a result of the measures adopted by the Canadian federal and provincial governments to mitigate the spread of the virus, and in order to ensure the health and safety of our employees, customers and the community, we temporarily closed all of our retail locations in Canada in Q1 of fiscal 2021 and certain of our locations in intermittent periods during Q3 & Q4 of fiscal 2021. Refer to section "Current Developments", sub-section "COVID-19" for further details on temporary retail store closures during fiscal 2021. This has adversely impacted our operations and financial performance in fiscal 2021. There is no guarantee that our retail and wholesale businesses will not be further impacted if the economy deteriorates due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or if additional governmental authorities order the shutdown of additional non-essential businesses. While our e-commerce business has not been negatively impacted, additional government mandates ordering the shutdown of business and manufacturing and fulfillment facilities could negatively impact our ability to take or fulfill customer orders placed online.
Our operations have been experiencing and are expected to continue to experience disruptions from the global outbreak of COVID-19. To date, such disruptions have included the temporary closure of all of our retail store operations in Canada effective on March 18, 2020 and during Q1 of fiscal 2021 and the temporary closure of certain of our locations at intermittent periods during Q3 & Q4 of fiscal 2021. As a result of these store closures, we have experienced significant declines in sales, including a year-over-year decline of approximately 16% for fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020. As of the date of this Form 20-F, nine of our ten retail stores in Ontario are closed for in-person shopping until at least July 6, 2021.
We expect that the COVID-19 pandemic will have risks to our business beyond fiscal 2021. Our business is particularly sensitive to reductions in discretionary spending by consumers. To date, this outbreak has caused, and is continuing to cause, significant disruption in the financial markets both globally and in Canada, which could lead to a decline in discretionary spending by consumers, and which could in turn impact, possibly materially, our business, sales, financial condition and results of operations. Consumer demand may be impacted amidst the uncertainty in the global economy caused by the pandemic which could negatively impact our retail business as well as the businesses of our retail partners. Our retail business is sensitive to tourism. Regions that previously had higher densities of tourism and/or commercial urban traffic could experience a slower recovery which would adversely impact our future sales. Furthermore, we are exposed to additional COVID-19 related risks in relation to our retail store network such as social distancing requirements implemented by local governments as well as possible mandatory or elective temporary store shutdowns in the case of potential further waves of COVID-19. Such impacts could result in lower or no foot traffic throughout our retail store network which would adversely impact our sales, cash flows from operations and our liquidity position. The effects could also impact our ability to continue to respect payment terms with our suppliers and could cause our accounts payable balances to age significantly. The effects of COVID-19 could also impact our ability to adhere to the minimum excess availability requirements (described below) under both our senior secured credit facility ("Credit Facility") and senior secured term loan ("Term Loan"). Failure to adhere to said requirements would be considered an event of default under the Credit Facility and Term Loan agreements, that provides the lenders the right to require the outstanding balances borrowed under our Credit Facility and Term Loan to become due immediately, which would result in cross defaults on our other borrowings. Furthermore, potential cases of COVID-19 infection that could arise at our corporate head office, distribution centers, or retail stores may disrupt our operations, which could lead to negative impacts on our revenues and cash flows from operations. Our operations have been impacted and could continue to be impacted by disruptions in our global supply chain network as result of COVID-19, including shortages of certain products due to disruptions in manufacturing by our suppliers, as well as costs of productions and distribution. We may experience increased operational challenges due to the implementation of work from home policies for both office employees and store employees whose stores are temporarily closed. Remote working arrangements may increase risks associated with our information systems such as the risk of cybersecurity incidents or system failures, which could have an adverse effect on our business. We cannot predict the degree to, or the time period over which our sales and operations will be affected by this outbreak, and the effects could be material. The longer the effects of COVID-19 last, the longer discretionary spending by consumers may be impacted, and the more extensive the effects could be on our business, sales, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and our stock price. If there are further waves of the outbreak, stores may need to be closed again, further impacting our business, sales, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and our stock price. The full extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, financial performance, and liquidity, depends on future developments that are uncertain and unpredictable.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 3
Environmental and climate changes could affect the Company's business.Added
The Company recognizes that climate change is a serious risk to society and therefore continues to take steps to reduce the Company's impact on the environment. Adverse effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, particularly over a prolonged period of time, could negatively impact the Company's business and results of operations if such conditions limit our consumer's ability to access our stores, cause our consumers to limit discretionary spending, or disrupt our supply chains or distribution channels. Social, ethical and environmental matters influence the Company's reputation, demand for merchandise by consumers, the ability to recruit staff, relations with suppliers and standing in the financial markets. The Company's success is dependent on the strength and effectiveness of its relationships with its various stakeholders: customers, shareholders, employees and suppliers. In recent years, stakeholder expectations have increased, as these stakeholders expect businesses to consider social, ethical, and environmental impacts while making business decisions, and the Company's success and reputation will depend on its ability to meet these higher expectations. The Company's success also depends upon its reputation for integrity in sourcing its merchandise, which, if adversely affected could impact consumer sentiment and willingness to purchase the Company's merchandise.
Capital Markets1 | 3.6%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
We are exposed to currency exchange risks that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 4/28 (14%)Below Sector Average
Regulation3 | 10.7%
Regulation - Risk 1
Applicable laws and regulations related to consumer credit may adversely affect our business.Regulation - Risk 2
We expect to maintain our status as a "foreign private issuer" under the rules and regulations of the SEC and, thus, are exempt from a number of rules under the Exchange Act of 1934 and are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the U.S.As a "foreign private issuer," we are exempt from rules under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("the Exchange Act") that impose certain disclosure and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and "short-swing" profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our Class A voting shares. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, nor are we required to comply with Regulation Fair Disclosure, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning us than there is for other U.S. public companies.
Regulation - Risk 3
We are governed by the laws of Canada, and, as a result, it may not be possible for shareholders to enforce civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S.We are governed by the laws of Canada. Our assets are located outside the U.S. and our directors and officers are residents outside of the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service within the U.S. upon us or our directors and officers, or to realize in the U.S. upon judgments of courts of the U.S. predicated upon civil liability of Birks Group and such directors or officers under U.S. federal securities laws. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Canada by a court in original actions, or in actions to enforce judgments of U.S. courts, of the civil liabilities predicated upon U.S. federal securities laws.
Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 3.6%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
If we were treated as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") some holders of our Class A voting shares would be subject to additional taxation, which could cause the price of our Class A voting shares to decline.Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 3/28 (11%)Below Sector Average
Trade Secrets1 | 3.6%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property and may be required to engage in costly litigation as a protective measure.Cyber Security1 | 3.6%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
A significant data privacy breach or security breach of our information systems could disrupt or negatively affect our business.Changed
Technology1 | 3.6%
Technology - Risk 1
Failure to successfully implement or make changes to information systems could disrupt or negatively impact our business.Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 3/28 (11%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 3.6%
Competition - Risk 1
We operate in a highly competitive and fragmented industry.Demand1 | 3.6%
Demand - Risk 1
Our business depends, in part, on factors affecting consumer spending that are out of our control.Brand / Reputation1 | 3.6%
Brand / Reputation - Risk 1
Our customer, employee and vendor relationships could be negatively affected if we fail to maintain our corporate culture and reputation.See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.