f10q_062614.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2014

Commission File Number 0-20214

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
 
11-2250488
(State of incorporation)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
650 Liberty Avenue, Union, New Jersey    07083
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  908/688-0888

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes  x      No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes  x      No  o

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

Large accelerated filer  x
 
Accelerated filer  o
Non-accelerated filer  o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes  o      No  x

Number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s Common Stock:

Class
 
Outstanding at May 31, 2014
Common Stock - $0.01 par value
 
201,953,919
 
 
 

 
BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
Item 6.  
     
 
     
 
     
 
Certifications
 
 
-2-

 
BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
   
May 31,
2014
   
March 1,
2014
 
             
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
 Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 536,568     $ 366,516  
 Short term investment securities
    176,242       489,331  
 Merchandise inventories
    2,699,722       2,578,956  
 Other current assets
    422,717       379,807  
                 
       Total current assets
    3,835,249       3,814,610  
                 
Long term investment securities
    89,746       87,393  
Property and equipment, net
    1,559,880       1,579,804  
Goodwill
    486,279       486,279  
Other assets
    391,174       387,947  
                 
       Total assets
  $ 6,362,328     $ 6,356,033  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,108,449     $ 1,104,668  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    369,039       385,954  
Merchandise credit and gift card liabilities
    290,055       284,216  
Current income taxes payable
    120,039       65,121  
                 
       Total current liabilities
    1,887,582       1,839,959  
                 
Deferred rent and other liabilities
    489,334       486,996  
Income taxes payable
    91,065       87,791  
                 
       Total liabilities
    2,467,981       2,414,746  
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value; authorized - 1,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding
    -       -  
                 
Common stock - $0.01 par value; authorized - 900,000 shares; issued 335,672 and 334,941 shares, respectively; outstanding 201,954 and 205,405 shares, respectively
    3,357       3,350  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,708,520       1,673,217  
Retained earnings
    8,782,954       8,595,902  
Treasury stock, at cost; 133,718 and 129,536 shares, respectively
    (6,590,218 )     (6,317,335 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (10,266 )     (13,847 )
                 
       Total shareholders' equity
    3,894,347       3,941,287  
                 
       Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 6,362,328     $ 6,356,033  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
-3-

 
BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
             
   
May 31,
2014
   
June 1,
2013
 
             
             
Net sales
  $ 2,656,698     $ 2,612,140  
                 
Cost of sales
    1,625,813       1,579,169  
                 
Gross profit
    1,030,885       1,032,971  
                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    730,184       709,870  
                 
Operating profit
    300,701       323,101  
                 
Interest expense, net
    2,094       225  
                 
Earnings before provision for income taxes
    298,607       322,876  
                 
Provision for income taxes
    111,555       120,386  
                 
Net earnings
  $ 187,052     $ 202,490  
                 
Net earnings per share - Basic
  $ 0.94     $ 0.94  
Net earnings per share - Diluted
  $ 0.93     $ 0.93  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic
    199,619       215,451  
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted
    202,096       218,335  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
-4-

 
BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands, unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
May 31,
2014
   
June 1,
2013
 
             
Net earnings
  $ 187,052     $ 202,490  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
               
                 
Change in temporary impairment of auction rate securities, net of taxes
    38       (222 )
Pension adjustment, net of taxes
    72       167  
Currency translation adjustment
    3,471       (1,633 )
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    3,581       (1,688 )
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 190,633     $ 200,802  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
-5-

 
BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands, unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
May 31,
2014
   
June 1,
2013
 
             
             
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
             
Net earnings
  $ 187,052     $ 202,490  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
    Depreciation
    58,371       52,697  
    Stock-based compensation
    18,162       14,803  
    Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
    5,913       10,213  
    Deferred income taxes
    (21,855 )     (17,229 )
    Other
    (298 )     (302 )
    Increase in assets, net of effect of acquisitions:
               
     Merchandise inventories
    (120,766 )     (74,509 )
     Trading investment securities
    (2,293 )     (3,911 )
     Other current assets
    (22,331 )     (24,518 )
     Other assets
    (1,780 )     (3,898 )
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
               
     Accounts payable
    33,712       73,497  
     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    (13,444 )     (22,018 )
     Merchandise credit and gift card liabilities
    5,839       11,464  
     Income taxes payable
    58,192       49,151  
     Deferred rent and other liabilities
    2,456       4,566  
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    186,930       272,496  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
                 
Purchase of held-to-maturity investment securities
    (39,369 )     (369,268 )
Redemption of held-to-maturity investment securities
    352,500       337,500  
Capital expenditures
    (67,918 )     (64,966 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    245,213       (96,734 )
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
                 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    9,705       22,469  
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
    1,087       1,084  
Repurchase of common stock, including fees
    (272,883 )     (324,436 )
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (262,091 )     (300,883 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    170,052       (125,121 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
                 
Beginning of period
    366,516       564,971  
End of period
  $ 536,568     $ 439,850  
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
-6-

 
BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

1) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals and elimination of intercompany balances and transactions) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of May 31, 2014 and March 1, 2014 and the results of its operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013, respectively.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements for Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures normally required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Reference should be made to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company's significant accounting policies, and to subsequently filed Forms 8-K.

The Company accounts for its operations as two operating segments: North American Retail and Institutional Sales. The Institutional Sales operating segment, which is comprised of Linen Holdings, does not meet the quantitative thresholds under GAAP and therefore is not a reportable segment.

2) Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., “the exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches, including quoted market prices and discounted cash flows. The hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect a company’s judgment concerning the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an asset or liability must be classified in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value. The fair value hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
 
• Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that the Company is able to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
 
• Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for instruments that are similar, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar instruments, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
 
• Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

As of May 31, 2014, the Company’s financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include long term trading investment securities traded on active securities exchanges. The Company did not have any financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs included long term investments in auction rate securities consisting of preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds (See “Investment Securities,” Note 4). 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts payable and certain other liabilities. The Company’s investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, which are stated at amortized cost, and auction rate securities, which are stated at their approximate fair value. The book value of all financial instruments is representative of their fair values.

 
-7-

 
3) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Included in cash and cash equivalents are credit and debit card receivables from banks, which typically settle within five business days, of $93.2 million and $87.4 million as of May 31, 2014 and March 1, 2014, respectively.

4) Investment Securities

The Company’s investment securities as of May 31, 2014 and March 1, 2014 are as follows:

(in millions)
 
May 31,
2014
   
March 1,
2014
 
Available-for-sale securities:
           
   Long term
  $ 47.7     $ 47.7  
                 
Trading securities:
               
   Long term
    42.0       39.7  
                 
Held-to-maturity securities:
               
   Short term
    176.2       489.3  
Total investment securities
  $ 265.9     $ 576.7  

Auction Rate Securities

As of May 31, 2014 and March 1, 2014, the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities represented approximately $51.0 million par value of auction rate securities, consisting of preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds, less temporary valuation adjustments of approximately $3.3 million, respectively. Since these valuation adjustments are deemed to be temporary, they are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit, and did not affect the Company’s net earnings.

U.S. Treasury Securities

As of May 31, 2014 and March 1, 2014, the Company’s short term held-to-maturity securities included approximately $176.2 million and approximately $489.3 million, respectively, of U.S. Treasury Bills with remaining maturities of less than one year. These securities are stated at their amortized cost which approximates fair value, which is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments (i.e., Level 1 valuation).

Long Term Trading Investment Securities
 
The Company’s long term trading investment securities, which are provided as investment options to the participants of the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, are stated at fair market value. The values of these trading investment securities included in the table above are approximately $42.0 million and $39.7 million as of May 31, 2014 and March 1, 2014, respectively.

5) Property and Equipment

As of May 31, 2014 and March 1, 2014, included in property and equipment, net is accumulated depreciation and amortization of approximately $2.1 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively.

6) Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and records such expense, net of estimated forfeitures, in its consolidated financial statements. Currently, the Company’s stock-based compensation relates to restricted stock awards, stock options and performance share units. The Company’s restricted stock awards are considered nonvested share awards.

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013 was approximately $18.2 million ($11.4 million after tax or $0.06 per diluted share) and approximately $14.8 million ($9.3 million after tax or $0.04 per diluted share), respectively. In addition, the amount of stock-based compensation cost capitalized for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013 was approximately $0.4 million.

 
-8-

 
Incentive Compensation Plans

The Company currently grants awards under the Bed Bath & Beyond 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2012 Plan”), which amended and restated the Bed Bath & Beyond 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”). The 2012 Plan includes an aggregate of 43.2 million common shares authorized for issuance and the ability to grant incentive stock options. Outstanding awards that were covered by the 2004 Plan continue to be in effect under the 2012 Plan.

The 2012 Plan is a flexible compensation plan that enables the Company to offer incentive compensation through stock options (whether nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options), restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other stock based awards, including cash awards. Under the 2012 Plan, grants are determined by the Compensation Committee for those awards granted to executive officers and by an appropriate committee for all other awards granted. Awards of stock options and restricted stock generally vest in five equal annual installments beginning one to three years from the date of grant. Awards of performance share units generally vest over a period of four years from the date of grant dependent on the Company’s achievement of performance-based tests and subject, in general, to the executive remaining in the Company's service on specified vesting dates.

The Company generally issues new shares for stock option exercises, restricted stock awards and vesting of performance share units. As of May 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Company’s stock options, restricted stock awards and performance share units was $33.6 million, $148.0 million and $23.7 million, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.4 years, 4.1 years and 3.2 years, respectively.

Stock Options

Stock option grants are issued at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become exercisable in either three or five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant for options issued since May 10, 2010, and beginning one to three years from the date of grant for options issued prior to May 10, 2010, in each case, subject, in general to the recipient remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. Option grants expire eight years after the date of grant for stock options issued since May 10, 2004, and expire ten years after the date of grant for stock options issued prior to May 10, 2004. All option grants are nonqualified.

The fair value of the stock options granted is estimated on the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.

   
Three Months Ended
 
Black-Scholes Valuation Assumptions  (1)
 
May 31, 2014
   
June 1, 2013
 
             
Weighted Average Expected Life (in years)  (2)
    6.6       6.6  
Weighted Average Expected Volatility  (3)
    28.31 %     29.27 %
Weighted Average Risk Free Interest Rates  (4)
    2.11 %     1.11 %
Expected Dividend Yield
    -       -  

(1) Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience.
(2) The expected life of stock options is estimated based on historical experience.
(3) Expected volatility is based on the average of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility is determined by observing actual prices of the Company’s stock over a period commensurate with the expected life of the awards. The implied volatility represents the implied volatility of the Company’s call options, which are actively traded on multiple exchanges, had remaining maturities in excess of twelve months, had market prices close to the exercise prices of the employee stock options and were measured on the stock option grant date.
(4) Based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options.
 
 
-9-

 
Changes in the Company’s stock options for the three months ended May 31, 2014 were as follows:

(Shares in thousands)
 
Number of Stock Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Options outstanding, beginning of period
    4,192     $ 46.85  
Granted
    523       62.34  
Exercised
    (252 )     38.56  
Forfeited or expired
    -       -  
Options outstanding, end of period
    4,463     $ 49.13  
Options exercisable, end of period
    2,765     $ 41.92  

The weighted average fair value for the stock options granted during the first three months of fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $20.96 and $22.28, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregate intrinsic value for options outstanding as of May 31, 2014 was 4.3 years and $62.2 million, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregate intrinsic value for options exercisable as of May 31, 2014 was 3.1 years and $55.0 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value for stock options exercised during the first three months of fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $6.4 million and $15.5 million, respectively.

Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options for the first three months of fiscal 2014 were $9.7 million and the net associated income tax benefit was $7.0 million.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become vested in five equal annual installments beginning one to three years from the date of grant, subject, in general, to the recipient remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. Vesting of restricted stock awarded to certain of the Company’s executives is dependent on the Company’s achievement of a performance-based test for the fiscal year of grant and, assuming achievement of the performance-based test, time vesting, subject, in general, to the executive remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to these awards based on the assumption that the performance-based test will be achieved. Vesting of restricted stock awarded to the Company’s other employees is based solely on time vesting.

Changes in the Company’s restricted stock for the three months ended May 31, 2014 were as follows:

(Shares in thousands)
 
Number of Restricted
Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair
Value
 
Unvested restricted stock, beginning of period
    3,943     $ 53.66  
Granted
    505       62.47  
Vested
    (820 )     43.14  
Forfeited
    (26 )     60.61  
Unvested restricted stock, end of period
    3,602     $ 57.24  

Performance Share Units

Performance share units (“PSUs”) are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant.  Vesting of PSUs awarded to certain of the Company’s executives is dependent on the Company’s achievement of a performance-based test during a one-year period from the date of grant and during a three-year period from the date of grant and, assuming achievement of the performance-based test, time vesting, subject, in general, to the executive remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates.  Performance during the one-year period will be based on Earnings Before Income Tax (“EBIT”) margin relative to a peer group of the Company comprising 50 companies selected within the first 90 days of the performance period.  Upon achievement of the one-year performance-based test, the corresponding PSUs will vest annually in substantially equal installments over a three year period starting one year from the date of grant.  Performance during the three-year period will be based on Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) relative to such peer group.  Upon achievement of the three-year performance-based test, the corresponding PSUs will vest on the fourth anniversary date of grant. The awards based on EBIT margin and ROIC are capped at 150% of target achievement, with a floor of zero.  PSUs are converted into shares of common stock upon payment following vesting. Upon grant of the PSUs, the Company recognizes compensation expense related to these awards based on the assumption that 100% of the target award will be achieved and will evaluate this assumption quarterly and will adjust compensation expense related to these awards, as appropriate. Prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company had not granted any PSUs.  For the three months ended May 31, 2014, the Company granted 390,803 PSUs with a weighted average grant date fair value of $62.34.

 
-10-

 
7) Shareholders’ Equity

Between December 2004 and December 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, through several share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $7.450 billion of its shares of common stock. The Company has authorization to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations. The Company also purchases shares of its common stock to cover employee related taxes withheld on vested restricted stock awards. In the first three months of fiscal 2014, the Company repurchased approximately 4.2 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of approximately $272.9 million, bringing the aggregate total of common stock repurchased to approximately 133.7 million shares for a total cost of approximately $6.6 billion since the initial authorization in December 2004. The Company has approximately $0.9 billion remaining of authorized share repurchases as of May 31, 2014.

8) Earnings Per Share

The Company presents earnings per share on a basic and diluted basis. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, including the dilutive effect of stock-based awards as calculated under the treasury stock method.

Stock-based awards for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013 of approximately 2.2 million and 1.5 million, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

9) Lines of Credit

At May 31, 2014, the Company maintained two uncommitted lines of credit of $100 million each, with expiration dates of September 2, 2014 and February 28, 2015, respectively. These uncommitted lines of credit are currently and are expected to be used for letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. During the first three months of fiscal 2014, the Company did not have any direct borrowings under the uncommitted lines of credit. Although no assurances can be provided, the Company intends to renew both uncommitted lines of credit before the respective expiration dates.

10) Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The Company paid income taxes of $69.9 million and $76.7 million in the first three months of fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, the Company had interest payments of approximately $2.3 million and $2.4 million in the first three months of fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company recorded an accrual for capital expenditures of $20.2 million and $27.4 million as of May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013, respectively.


 
-11-

 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a retailer which operates under the names Bed Bath & Beyond (“BBB”), Christmas Tree Shops, Christmas Tree Shops andThat! or andThat! (collectively, “CTS”), Harmon or Harmon Face Values (collectively, “Harmon”), buybuy BABY (“Baby”) and World Market, Cost Plus World Market or Cost Plus (collectively, “Cost Plus World Market”). Customers can purchase products from the Company either in store, online or through a mobile device. The Company has the developing ability to have customer purchases picked up in store or shipped direct to the customer from the Company’s distribution facilities, stores or vendors. The Company also operates Linen Holdings, a provider of a variety of textile products, amenities and other goods to institutional customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, healthcare and other industries. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates five retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

The Company accounts for its operations as two operating segments: North American Retail and Institutional Sales. The Institutional Sales operating segment, which is comprised of Linen Holdings, does not meet the quantitative thresholds under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and therefore is not a reportable segment.

The Company sells a wide assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. Domestics merchandise includes categories such as bed linens and related items, bath items and kitchen textiles. Home furnishings include categories such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares, general home furnishings, consumables and certain juvenile products.

The Company’s objective is to be a customer’s first choice for products and services in the categories offered, in the markets, channels and countries in which the Company operates. The Company’s strategy is to achieve this objective through excellent customer service, an extensive breadth, depth and differentiated assortment in an omnichannel retail environment and the introduction of new merchandising offerings, supported by the continuous development and improvement of its infrastructure.

Operating in the highly competitive retail industry, the Company, along with other retail companies, is influenced by a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions including the housing market, relatively high unemployment and historically high commodity prices; the overall macroeconomic environment and related changes in the retailing environment; consumer preferences and spending habits; unusual weather patterns and natural disasters; competition from existing and potential competitors; evolving technology; and the ability to find suitable locations at acceptable occupancy costs and other terms to support the Company’s expansion program. The Company cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which these factors could affect the Company’s operating results.

The following represents an overview of the Company’s financial performance for the periods indicated:

·
For the three months ended May 31, 2014, the Company’s net sales were $2.657 billion, an increase of approximately 1.7%, as compared with the three months ended June 1, 2013.

·
Comparable sales for the fiscal first quarter of 2014 increased by approximately 0.4% as compared with an increase of approximately 3.4% for the corresponding period last year.

Comparable sales include sales for stores and websites which have been operating for twelve full months following the opening period (typically four to six weeks). Stores relocated or expanded are excluded from comparable sales if the change in square footage would cause meaningful disparity in sales over the prior period. In the case of a store to be closed, such store’s sales are not considered comparable once the store closing process has commenced. Linen Holdings is excluded from the comparable sales calculations and will continue to be excluded on an ongoing basis as it represents non-retail activity. Cost Plus World Market was excluded from the comparable sales calculations through the end of the fiscal first half of 2013, and is included beginning with the fiscal third quarter of 2013.

·
Gross profit for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was $1.031 billion, or 38.8% of net sales, compared with $1.033 billion, or 39.5% of net sales, for the three months ended June 1, 2013.

 
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·
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the three months ended May 31, 2014 were $730.2 million, or 27.5% of net sales, compared with $709.9 million, or 27.2% of net sales, for the three months ended June 1, 2013.

·
The effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was 37.4% compared with 37.3% for the three months ended June 1, 2013. The tax rate included discrete tax items resulting in net benefits of approximately $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013.
 
·
For the three months ended May 31, 2014, net earnings per diluted share were $0.93 ($187.1 million) as compared with net earnings per diluted share of $0.93 ($202.5 million) for the three months ended June 1, 2013.

During the three months ended May 31, 2014, the Company made progress on certain initiatives including: continuing to add new functionality and assortment to its selling websites, mobile sites and applications; furthering the development work necessary for a new and more robust point of sale system; continuing the deployment of systems and equipment to allow the Company’s stores to take advantage of new technologies and processes; continuing to strengthen its information technology, analytics, marketing and e-commerce groups; and opening an additional distribution facility for both direct to customer and store fulfillment.

Capital expenditures for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013 were $67.9 million and $65.0 million, respectively. The Company remains committed to making the required investments in its infrastructure to help position the Company for continued growth and success. The Company continues to review and prioritize its capital needs while continuing to make investments, principally for information technology enhancements, new stores, existing store improvements, and other projects whose impact is considered important to its future.

During the three months ended May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 4.2 million and 5.0 million shares, respectively, of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $272.9 million and $324.4 million, respectively. Since the end of the fiscal first quarter of 2012, the Company has returned approximately 90% of its cash flows from operations to its shareholders through share repurchase programs. The Company’s share repurchase program could change, and would be influenced by several factors, including business and market conditions. In addition, the Company reviews its alternatives with respect to its capital structure on an ongoing basis.

During the three months ended May 31, 2014, the Company opened a total of five new stores. In addition, the Company continued to optimize its operations in a number of trade areas through renovating stores across its concepts and repositioning its stores in various markets, which also included the closing of one store during the fiscal first quarter of 2014. The Company plans to continue to expand its operations and invest in its infrastructure to reach its long term objectives. In fiscal 2014, the Company expects to open approximately 22 new stores company-wide with the potential of up to six additional stores before the end of the fiscal year, and will continue to renovate stores or reposition stores within various markets, when appropriate. Additionally, during fiscal 2014, the Company will continue to enhance its omnichannel capabilities, through, among other things, continuing to add new functionality and assortment to its selling websites, mobile sites and applications and opening an additional distribution facility for both direct to customer and store fulfillment.

Results of Operations

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended May 31, 2014 were $2.657 billion, an increase of $44.6 million or approximately 1.7% over net sales of $2.612 billion for the corresponding quarter last year. For the three months ended May 31, 2014, approximately 24% of the increase was attributable to an increase in comparable sales and approximately 76% of the increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the Company’s new store sales and Linen Holdings.

For the three months ended May 31, 2014, comparable sales, which includes 1,456 stores, represented $2.565 billion of net sales and for the three months ended June 1, 2013, comparable sales, which includes 1,169 stores, represented $2.289 billion of net sales. The number of stores includes only those which constituted a comparable store for the entire respective fiscal period. The increase in comparable sales for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was approximately 0.4%, as compared with an increase of approximately 3.4% for the comparable period last year. The increase in comparable sales for the fiscal first quarter of 2014 was due to a slight increase in the average transaction amount partially offset by a slight decrease in the number of transactions.

 
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Sales of domestics merchandise and home furnishings for the Company accounted for approximately 36% and 64% of net sales, respectively, for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and approximately 37% and 63% of net sales, respectively, for the three months ended June 1, 2013.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was $1.031 billion, or 38.8% of net sales, compared with $1.033 billion, or 39.5% of net sales, for the three months ended June 1, 2013. The decrease in the gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was primarily attributed to an increase in coupon expense, resulting from an increase in redemptions and a slight increase in the average coupon amount, an increase in net direct to customer shipping expense, which was impacted by the Company’s free shipping threshold, and a shift in the mix of merchandise sold to lower margin categories.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was $730.2 million, or 27.5% of net sales, compared with $709.9 million, or 27.2% of net sales, for the three months ended June 1, 2013. The percentage of net sales increase in SG&A for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was primarily due to higher technology expenses and related depreciation.

Operating Profit

Operating profit for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was $300.7 million, or 11.3% of net sales, compared with $323.1 million, or 12.4% of net sales, during the comparable period last year. The change in operating profit as a percentage of net sales was the result of the changes in gross profit margin and SG&A as a percentage of net sales as described above.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was 37.4% compared with 37.3% for the three months ended June 1, 2013. The tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2014 and June 1, 2013 included a net benefit of approximately $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, primarily due to the recognition of favorable discrete state tax items.

The Company expects continued volatility in the effective tax rate from quarter to quarter because the Company is required each quarter to determine whether new information changes the assessment of both the probability that a tax position will effectively be sustained and the appropriateness of the amount of recognized benefit.

Net Earnings

As a result of the factors described above, net earnings for the three months ended May 31, 2014 were $187.1 million compared with $202.5 million for the corresponding period in fiscal 2013.

Expansion Program

The Company is engaged in an ongoing expansion program involving the evolution of its omnichannel shopping environment, the opening of new stores in both new and existing markets, the expansion or renovation of existing stores, the repositioning of stores within markets when appropriate and the continuous review of strategic acquisitions.

As a result of this program, as of May 31, 2014, the Company operated 1,500 stores plus its various websites, other interactive platforms and distribution facilities. The Company’s 1,500 stores operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada, including:  1,015 BBB stores, 266 Cost Plus World Market stores, 91 Baby stores, 78 CTS stores and 50 Harmon stores. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company opened a total of five new stores.  In addition, the Company continued to optimize its operations in a number of trade areas through renovating stores across its concepts and repositioning its stores in various markets, which also included the closing of one store during the fiscal first quarter of 2014.  At the end of the first quarter of 2014, Company-wide total store square footage, net of openings and closings for all concepts, was approximately 42.7 million square feet. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which opened one store in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and as of May 31, 2014, operated a total of five retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

 
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The Company plans to continue to expand its operations and invest in its infrastructure to reach its long term objectives. For all of fiscal 2014, the Company expects to open approximately 22 new stores company-wide with the potential of up to six additional stores before the end of the fiscal year, and will continue to renovate stores or reposition stores within various markets, when appropriate. Additionally, the Company will continue to place health and beauty care offerings in selected stores as well as Baby and specialty food and beverage departments in selected BBB stores. The continued growth of the Company is dependent, in part, upon the Company’s ability to execute its expansion program successfully. Additionally, during fiscal 2014, the Company plans to continue to add new functionality and assortment to its selling websites, mobile sites and applications; further the development work necessary for a new and more robust point of sale system; continue the deployment of systems and equipment to allow the Company’s stores to take advantage of new technologies and processes; continue to strengthen its information technology, analytics, marketing and e-commerce groups and open an additional distribution facility for both direct to customer and store fulfillment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has been able to finance its operations, including its expansion program, entirely through internally generated funds.  For fiscal 2014, the Company believes that it can continue to finance its operations, including its expansion program and planned capital expenditures, entirely through existing and internally generated funds. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2014, principally for information technology enhancements, including omnichannel capabilities, new stores, existing store improvements, and other projects are planned to be approximately $350 million, subject to the timing and composition of the projects. In addition, the Company reviews its alternatives with respect to its capital structure on an ongoing basis.

Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was $186.9 million, compared with $272.5 million in the corresponding period in fiscal 2013. Year over year, the Company experienced an increase in cash used by the net components of working capital (primarily merchandise inventories and accounts payable) and a decrease in net earnings.

Retail inventory at cost per square foot was $62.31 as of May 31, 2014, compared to $59.51 as of June 1, 2013.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was $245.2 million, compared with net cash used in investing activities of $96.7 million in the corresponding period of fiscal 2013. For the three months ended May 31, 2014, net cash provided by investing activities was primarily due to $313.1 million of redemptions of investment securities, net of purchases, partially offset by $67.9 million of capital expenditures. For the three months ended June 1, 2013, net cash used in investing activities was due to $65.0 million of capital expenditures and $31.8 million of purchases of investment securities, net of redemptions.

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended May 31, 2014 was $262.1 million, compared with $300.9 million in the corresponding period of fiscal 2013. The decrease in net cash used was primarily due to a decrease in common stock repurchases of $51.6 million, partially offset by a $12.8 million decrease in cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Seasonality

The Company’s sales exhibit seasonality with sales levels generally higher in the calendar months of August, November and December, and generally lower in February.

Critical Accounting Policies

See “Critical Accounting Policies” under Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014 (“2013 Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and incorporated by reference herein. There were no changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the first three months of fiscal 2014.

 
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Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements. Many of these forward-looking statements can be identified by use of words such as may, will, expect, anticipate, approximate, estimate, assume, continue, model, project, plan, and similar words and phrases. The Company’s actual results and future financial condition may differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Such factors include, without limitation: general economic conditions including the housing market, a challenging overall macroeconomic environment and related changes in the retailing environment; consumer preferences and spending habits; demographics and other macroeconomic factors that may impact the level of spending for the types of merchandise sold by the Company; civil disturbances and terrorist acts; unusual weather patterns and natural disasters; competition from existing and potential competitors; competition from other channels of distribution; pricing pressures; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees in all areas of the organization; the cost of labor, merchandise and other costs and expenses; the ability to find suitable locations at acceptable occupancy costs and other terms to support the Company’s expansion program; the ability to assess and implement technologies in support of the Company’s development of its omnichannel capabilities;  uncertainty in financial markets; disruptions to the Company’s information technology systems including but not limited to security breaches of systems protecting consumer and employee information; reputational risk arising from challenges to the Company’s or a third party supplier’s compliance with various laws, regulations or standards, including those related to labor, health, safety, privacy or the environment; changes to statutory, regulatory and legal requirements; new, or developments in existing, litigation, claims or assessments; changes to, or new, tax laws or interpretation of existing tax laws; changes to, or new, accounting standards including, without limitation, changes to lease accounting standards; and the integration of acquired businesses. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update its forward-looking statements.

Available Information

The Company makes available as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC, free of charge, through its website, www.bedbathandbeyond.com, the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, electronically filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s investment securities. The Company’s market risks at May 31, 2014 are similar to those disclosed in Item 7A of the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

(a)
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 240.13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of May 31, 2014 (the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q). Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by our management in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b)
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
 
 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, which the Company does not believe to be material to the Company’s business or financial condition.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q, carefully consider the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks are not the only risks the Company faces. The Company’s operations could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to the Company or by factors that the Company currently considers immaterial to its business.

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

The Company’s purchases of its common stock during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 were as follows:

                     
Approximate Dollar
 
               
Total Number of
   
Value of Shares
 
               
Shares Purchased as
   
that May Yet Be
 
               
Part of Publicly
   
Purchased Under
 
   
Total Number of
   
Average Price
   
Announced Plans
   
the Plans or
 
Period
 
Shares Purchased (1)
   
Paid per Share (2)
   
or Programs (1)
   
Programs (1) (2)
 
March 2, 2014  - March 29, 2014
    1,391,100     $ 68.20       1,391,100     $ 1,039,448,624  
March 30, 2014 - April 26, 2014
    1,134,000     $ 66.58       1,134,000     $ 963,941,823  
April 27, 2014 - May 31, 2014
    1,656,900     $ 61.84       1,656,900     $ 861,473,878  
Total
    4,182,000     $ 65.24       4,182,000     $ 861,473,878  
 
(1) Between December 2004 and December 2012, the Company's Board of Directors authorized, through several share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $7.450 billion of its shares of common stock. The Company has authorization to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations. Shares purchased indicated in this table also include the withholding of a portion of restricted shares to cover taxes on vested restricted shares.
(2) Excludes brokerage commissions paid by the Company.

Item 6.   Exhibits

The exhibits to this Report are listed in the Exhibit Index included elsewhere herein.
 
 
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SIGNATURES

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

 
BED BATH & BEYOND INC.
 
(Registrant)
   
   
Date:  June 27, 2014
By:  /s/ Susan E. Lattmann                              
 
Susan E. Lattmann
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 

 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit
     
     
     
10.1
 
Form of Standard Performance Unit Agreement under 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 9, 2014).
     
31.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
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