Barnes & Noble Education Reports Full-Year Fiscal 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE: BNED) reported fiscal 2026 revenue of $1.715 billion, up 6.5% year-over-year, and net income of $16.9 million versus a prior-year loss. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $76.5 million, up 28.8%.
BNC First Day revenue grew 28% to $760.1 million, with First Day Complete serving 232 campus stores and about 1.25 million students. Net debt fell 33% to $62.6 million, working capital reached $200.9 million, and the company declared an inaugural $0.08 quarterly dividend payable July 30, 2026.
For fiscal 2027, BNED targets Adjusted EBITDA of $85–$92 million, expects continued revenue growth, further debt reduction, and approximately $20 million in capital expenditures.
Positive
- Revenue increases 6.5% year-over-year to $1.715 billion
- Adjusted EBITDA rises 28.8% to $76.5 million
- Net income of $16.9 million versus prior-year net loss
- BNC First Day revenue up 28% to $760.1 million
- Net debt reduced 33% year-over-year to $62.6 million
- Initiation of $0.08 per share quarterly dividend
- Fiscal 2027 Adjusted EBITDA outlook set at $85–$92 million
Negative
- Impairment expense increases to $12.6 million from $1.7 million
- Year-end total debt remains $71.0 million despite reductions
- Interest expense, net, totals $15.9 million in fiscal 2026
Market reaction after full-year fiscal 2026 earnings report: BNED +13.05% in the Jul 10 session
In the Jul 10 session, BNED gained 13.05%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +9.3% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 15 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24 | Preliminary FY26 earnings | Positive | +20.1% | Preliminary FY26 results showed return to profitability and strong EBITDA growth. |
| Mar 10 | Q3 FY26 earnings | Positive | +0.2% | Q3 FY26 delivered double-digit revenue growth and higher Adjusted EBITDA with dividend plan. |
| Dec 23 | FY2025 annual results | Positive | +12.1% | Filed Super 10-K with FY2025 growth in First Day and higher Adjusted EBITDA. |
| Nov 25 | Prelim FY2025 results | Positive | +36.3% | Preliminary FY2025 and early FY2026 results highlighted revenue and EBITDA improvements. |
| Mar 10 | Q3 FY2025 earnings | Positive | +1.4% | Q3 FY2025 showed strong First Day growth and improved profitability with debt reduction. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Earnings-related announcements have historically been followed by positive share price reactions for this stock.
Key Terms
adjusted ebitda financial
net working capital financial
non-gaap financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Results Consistent with Preliminary Ranges
BNC First Day Program Revenue Increases
Total Net Debt Decreases
Company Reiterates Fiscal 2027 Outlook of
FLORHAM PARK, N.J., July 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), (“Barnes & Noble Education,” “BNED,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our”), a leading solutions provider for the education industry, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended May 2, 2026.
FY2026 Financial Results
Full-year revenue in fiscal 2026 was
Revenues from BNC First Day® programs increased by
Full-year fiscal 2026 net income was
Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2026 was
Total debt at year-end was
The Company also recently introduced an inaugural quarterly dividend of
___________________
1 Total undergraduate and graduate student enrollment as reported by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) as of January 2, 2026.
The tables below reflect the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable GAAP financial metric, Net income for fiscal 2026 and the related prior period:
| 52 weeks ended | 53 weeks ended | |||||
| ($ in thousands) | May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | ||||
| Net income | $ | 16,872 | $ | (65,825 | ) | |
| Add: | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 32,754 | 37,939 | ||||
| Impairment expense | 12,584 | 1,713 | ||||
| Interest expense, net | 15,866 | 22,260 | ||||
| Income tax expense | 3,800 | 4,256 | ||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | -- | 55,233 | ||||
| Other (income) expense | (11,577 | ) | (1,572 | ) | ||
| Stock-based compensation expense (non-cash) | 6,214 | 5,386 | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) | $ | 76,513 | $ | 59,390 | ||
Management Commentary
“Fiscal 2026 marked another year of meaningful progress for Barnes & Noble Education,” said Jonathan Shar, Chief Executive Officer. “We achieved solid revenue growth, significantly increased Adjusted EBITDA, returned to net income profitability, and realized meaningful debt reduction. These results were driven by continued growth in First Day®, improved comparable store performance, disciplined expense management, and strong sales contributions from new store partnerships secured through recent business wins.”
Mr. Shar continued, “As we enter fiscal 2027, we believe we are well positioned to build on this momentum. Demand for our BNC First Day® offerings continues to accelerate, with fall 2026 First Day Complete enrollment expected to reach approximately 1.4 million undergraduate and graduate students, up approximately
Outlook
Barnes & Noble Education is reiterating the fiscal 2027 outlook provided on June 24, 2026. The Company expects continued growth in revenues and is focused on driving operating leverage with disciplined expense management. The Company is targeting Adjusted EBITDA in the range of
Earnings Calls
Beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 2027, the Company will host earnings conference calls following its second quarter and full-year earnings releases. Given the highly seasonal nature of the Company's business, these periods provide the most meaningful opportunity to discuss operating performance, financial results and business trends. Further details, including the exact date and time, will be announced in advance of each call. In the meantime, the Company will continue to report quarterly financial results in accordance with applicable SEC reporting requirements and be available for investor questions following the release of quarterly results.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information—Adjusted EBITDA
To supplement the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company uses the financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure under Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regulations. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus (1) depreciation and amortization; (2) interest expense, net (3) income taxes, and (4) as adjusted for non-cash or non-recurring items, and other adjustments permitted under our credit agreement.
Adjusted EBITDA has been reconciled to the most comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP, consolidated net income (loss). All of the items included in the reconciliation are either (i) non-cash items or (ii) items that management does not consider in assessing our on-going operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is not intended as a substitute for and should not be considered superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the Company’s use of Adjusted EBITDA may be different from similarly named measures used by other companies, limiting its usefulness for comparison purposes.
We review Adjusted EBITDA as an internal measure to evaluate our performance at a consolidated level to manage our operations. We believe that this measure is a useful performance measure which is used by us to facilitate a comparison of our on-going operating performance on a consistent basis from period-to-period. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides for a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than measures under GAAP can provide alone, as it excludes certain items that management believes do not reflect the ordinary performance of our operations in a particular period. Our Board of Directors and management also use Adjusted EBITDA at a consolidated level as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting expected performance, for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations, and as a measure for performance incentive plans. We believe that the inclusion of Adjusted EBITDA results provides investors useful and important information regarding our operating results, in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance.
The Company urges investors to carefully review the GAAP financial information included as part of the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year-ended May 2, 2026. We do not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial metrics, because reconciling information is not available without an unreasonable effort, such as attempting to make assumptions that cannot reasonably be made on a forward-looking basis to determine the corresponding GAAP metric.
ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving affordability, access and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide and ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Through its family of brands, BNED offers campus retail services and academic solutions, wholesale capabilities and more. BNED is a company serving all who work to elevate their lives through education, supporting students, faculty and institutions as they make tomorrow a better and smarter world. For more information, visit www.bned.com.
Media & Investor Contact:
Rob Fink and Greg McKinley
FNK IR
BNED@fnkir.com
646-809-4048
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and information relating to us and our business that are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. When used in this communication, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “forecasts,” “projections,” “continue to,” “committed to,” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and such statements include but are not limited to those related to continued acceleration in demand for our BNC First Day® offerings, expected enrollment in our First Day Complete program in Fall 2026, continued expansion of our new offerings, future opportunities to accelerate profitable growth, generate strong cash flow and creation of long-term value, our positioning, strategic and operational objectives, broader market trends, expected trends in financial results, including those related to seasonality, as well as forward-looking continued top line and net income growth, , continued expense discipline and improved capital efficiency, Adjusted EBITDA, debt levels, interest costs, capital expenditures and long-term projected growth in Adjusted EBITDA. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks, including, but not limited to: the amount of our indebtedness and ability to comply with covenants contained in our credit agreement; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity levels to support ongoing inventory purchases and related vendor payments in a timely manner; slower than anticipated pace of adoption of our BNC First Day® equitable and inclusive access course material models; our dependency on strategic service provider relationships and the potential for adverse operational and financial changes to these strategic service provider relationships; non-renewal of our managed bookstore, physical and/or online store contracts; general competitive conditions; a decline in college enrollment or decreased funding available for students; technological changes, including the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies for educational content; disruptions to our information technology systems, infrastructure, data, supplier systems, and customer ordering and payment systems due to computer malware, viruses, hacking and phishing attacks; disruption of or interference with third party service providers and our own proprietary technology; and changes in applicable domestic and international laws, rules or regulations or changes in enforcement practices, including, without limitation, U.S. tax reform, changes in tax rates, tariffs, import and export control laws and regulations, changes to consumer data privacy rights legislation, as well as related guidance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and new risks may emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In addition, the declaration of any future dividends will be subject to further review and approval by the Board in accordance with applicable law. The Board reserves the right to adjust or withdraw any quarterly dividend in future periods as it reviews our capital allocation strategy from time-to-time and ensures compliance with any applicable restrictions, including those set forth in our credit agreement with our lenders.
For a more detailed discussion of these factors, and other factors that could cause actual results to vary materially, interested parties should review the risk factors listed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 2, 2026. Any forward-looking statements made by us in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and we do not intend to update these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release, except as required by law.
| BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (In thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||
| 52 weeks ended | 53 weeks ended | ||||||
| May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | ||||||
| Sales: | |||||||
| Product sales and other | $ | 1,564,365 | $ | 1,463,245 | |||
| Rental income | 150,405 | 146,925 | |||||
| Total sales | 1,714,770 | 1,610,170 | |||||
| Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense): | |||||||
| Product and other cost of sales | 1,269,051 | 1,193,015 | |||||
| Rental cost of sales | 79,551 | 79,351 | |||||
| Total cost of sales | 1,348,602 | 1,272,366 | |||||
| Gross profit | 366,168 | 337,804 | |||||
| Selling and administrative expenses | 288,573 | 283,800 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 32,754 | 37,939 | |||||
| Impairment loss | 12,584 | 1,713 | |||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (4,281 | ) | (1,572 | ) | |||
| Operating income (loss) | 36,538 | 15,924 | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | 55,233 | |||||
| Interest expense, net | 15,866 | 22,260 | |||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 20,672 | (61,569 | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense | 3,800 | 4,256 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 16,872 | $ | (65,825 | ) | ||
| Earning per share - Basic and Diluted | |||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to BNED shareholders - basic | $ | 0.49 | $ | (2.50 | ) | ||
| Net income (loss) attributable to BNED shareholders - diluted | $ | 0.49 | $ | (2.50 | ) | ||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - Basic | 34,330,274 | 26,298,984 | |||||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted | 34,614,155 | 26,298,984 | |||||
| 52 weeks ended | 53 weeks ended | ||||
| Dollars in thousands | May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | |||
| Sales: | |||||
| Product sales and other | 91.2 | % | 90.9 | % | |
| Rental income | 8.8 | % | 9.1 | % | |
| Total sales | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |
| Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense): | |||||
| Product and other cost of sales | 81.1 | % | 81.5 | % | |
| Rental cost of sales | 52.9 | % | 54.0 | % | |
| Total cost of sales | 78.6 | % | 79.0 | % | |
| Gross profit | 21.4 | % | 21.0 | % | |
| Selling and administrative expenses | 16.8 | % | 17.6 | % | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 1.9 | % | 2.4 | % | |
| Impairment loss | 0.7 | % | 0.1 | % | |
| Other (income) expense, net | (0.2 | )% | (0.1)% | ||
| Operating income (loss) | 2.1 | % | 1.0 | % | |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | % | 3.4 | % | |
| Interest expense, net | 0.9 | % | 1.4 | % | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 1.2 | % | (3.8 | )% | |
| Income tax expense | 0.2 | % | 0.3 | % | |
| Net income (loss) | 1.0 | % | (4.1 | )% | |
| (a) | Represents the percentage these costs bear to the related sales, instead of total sales. |
| BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||
| May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | ||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 8,418 | $ | 9,058 | |||
| Accounts receivable, net | 116,526 | 98,077 | |||||
| Merchandise inventories, net | 298,347 | 299,562 | |||||
| Textbook rental inventories | 27,035 | 26,439 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 34,137 | 32,249 | |||||
| Total current assets | 484,463 | 465,385 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 34,123 | 40,229 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 145,594 | 183,695 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net | 58,092 | 78,241 | |||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 17,625 | 22,735 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 739,897 | $ | 790,285 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 135,564 | $ | 148,848 | |||
| Accrued liabilities | 80,990 | 65,853 | |||||
| Current operating lease liabilities | 67,050 | 64,524 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 283,604 | 279,225 | |||||
| Long-term deferred taxes, net | — | 1,135 | |||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | 85,455 | 115,495 | |||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 5,399 | 19,142 | |||||
| Long-term borrowings | 71,000 | 103,100 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 445,458 | 518,097 | |||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | |||||||
| Preferred stock, | — | — | |||||
| Common stock, | 345 | 341 | |||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | 1,012,349 | 1,006,974 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (695,699 | ) | (712,571 | ) | |||
| Treasury stock, at cost | (22,556 | ) | (22,556 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders' equity | 294,439 | 272,188 | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 739,897 | $ | 790,285 | |||
| BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
| 52 weeks ended | 53 weeks ended | ||||||
| May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | ||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 16,872 | $ | (65,825 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 32,754 | 37,939 | |||||
| Impairment loss (non cash) | 12,584 | 1,713 | |||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | 55,233 | |||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 3,662 | 5,164 | |||||
| Deferred taxes | (1,135 | ) | (829 | ) | |||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 6,214 | 5,386 | |||||
| Changes in operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities | 6,795 | (4,218 | ) | ||||
| Changes in other long-term assets and liabilities and other, net | (10,906 | ) | 7,072 | ||||
| Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net: | |||||||
| Receivables, net | (18,449 | ) | 761 | ||||
| Merchandise inventories | 1,215 | 44,475 | |||||
| Textbook rental inventories | (596 | ) | 1,876 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (1,799 | ) | 7,096 | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 2,846 | (181,256 | ) | ||||
| Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net | (16,783 | ) | (127,048 | ) | |||
| Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 50,057 | $ | (85,413 | ) | ||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | $ | (16,196 | ) | $ | (12,894 | ) | |
| Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets | — | 793 | |||||
| Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities | $ | (16,196 | ) | $ | (12,101 | ) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
| Proceeds from borrowings | $ | 812,900 | $ | 887,055 | |||
| Repayments of borrowings | (845,000 | ) | (948,920 | ) | |||
| Payment of deferred financing costs | (1,900 | ) | (5,569 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from Private Equity Investment | — | 50,000 | |||||
| Proceeds from Rights Offering | — | 45,000 | |||||
| Payment of equity issuance costs | — | (9,914 | ) | ||||
| Principal stockholder expense reimbursement | — | 1,940 | |||||
| Payment on principal portion of finance lease | (365 | ) | (370 | ) | |||
| Shares sold under at-the-market offering, net of commissions | — | 78,450 | |||||
| Purchase of treasury shares | — | (5 | ) | ||||
| Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities | $ | (34,365 | ) | $ | 97,667 | ||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | (504 | ) | $ | 153 | ||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year | 28,723 | 28,570 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year | $ | 28,219 | $ | 28,723 | |||
| Supplemental cash flow information: | |||||||
| Cash paid during the period for: | |||||||
| Interest paid | $ | 12,531 | $ | 17,912 | |||
| Income taxes paid (net of refunds) | $ | 7,917 | $ | 2,130 | |||
| BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Non-GAAP Information (In thousands) (Unaudited) | |||||||
| 52 weeks ended | 53 weeks ended | ||||||
| Dollars in thousands | May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | |||||
| Net Income (loss) | $ | 16,872 | $ | (65,825 | ) | ||
| Reconciling items | 5,390 | 4,108 | |||||
| Adjusted Net income (loss) | $ | 22,262 | $ | (61,717 | ) | ||
| Reconciling items | |||||||
| Impairment loss | $ | 12,584 | $ | 1,713 | |||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 6,214 | 5,386 | |||||
| Other (income) expense, net | |||||||
| Participation interest purchase agreement settlement | (12,625 | ) | — | ||||
| Severance and cost reduction initiatives | — | 4,058 | |||||
| Legal settlement and related legal fees | — | 1,059 | |||||
| Settlement of obligations and actuarial gain related to frozen retirement plan | — | (8,780 | ) | ||||
| Other professional services fees | 1,048 | 2,091 | |||||
| Estimated tax effect on reconciling items above(a) | (1,831 | ) | (1,419 | ) | |||
| Reconciling items | $ | 5,390 | $ | 4,108 | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 52 weeks ended | 53 weeks ended | |||||
| Dollars in thousands | May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 16,872 | $ | (65,825 | ) | ||
| Add: | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | 32,754 | 37,939 | |||||
| Impairment expense | 12,584 | 1,713 | |||||
| Interest expense, net | 15,866 | 22,260 | |||||
| Income tax expense | 3,800 | 4,256 | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | 55,233 | |||||
| Other (income) expense, net(b) | (11,577 | ) | (1,572 | ) | |||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 6,214 | 5,386 | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 76,513 | $ | 59,390 | |||
| (a) | The tax effect on reconciling items was calculated for Fiscal 2026 using the statutory rate of | |
| (b) | Other (income) expense is exclusive of Investigation Costs of |
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
| 52 weeks ended | 53 weeks ended | |||||
| Dollars in thousands | May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | ||||
| Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities(a) | $ | 50,057 | $ | (85,413 | ) | |
| Less: | ||||||
| Capital expenditures(b) | 16,196 | 12,894 | ||||
| Cash interest | 12,531 | 17,912 | ||||
| Cash taxes (refund) paid, net | 7,917 | 2,130 | ||||
| Adjusted Free Cash Flow | $ | 13,413 | $ | (118,349 | ) | |
| (a) | Given the growth of our BNC First Day® programs, the timing of cash collection from our school partners may shift to periods subsequent to when the revenue is recognized. When a school adopts our BNC First Day® affordable access course material program offerings, cash collection from the school generally occurs after the institution's drop/add dates, which is later in the working capital cycle, particularly in our third quarter given the timing of the Spring Term and our quarterly reporting period, as compared to direct-to-student point-of-sale transactions where cash is generally collected during the point-of-sale transaction or within a few days from the credit card processor. As a higher percentage of our sales shift to BNC First Day® affordable access course material program offerings, we are focused on efforts to better align the timing of our cash outflows to course material vendors and cash inflows from collections from schools. | |
| (b) | Purchases of property and equipment are also referred to as capital expenditures. Our investing activities consist principally of capital expenditures for contractual capital investments associated with renewing existing contracts, new store construction, and enhancements to internal systems and our website. The following table provides the components of total purchases of property and equipment. |
Capital Expenditures
| 52 weeks ended | 53 weeks ended | ||||
| Dollars in thousands | May 2, 2026 | May 3, 2025 | |||
| Physical store capital expenditures | $ | 10,527 | $ | 8,866 | |
| Product and system development | 4,597 | 3,063 | |||
| Other | 1,072 | 965 | |||
| Total Capital Expenditures | $ | 16,196 | $ | 12,894 | |
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information - Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow
To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company uses the financial measures of Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures under Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") regulations. We define Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss) adjusted for certain reconciling items that are subtracted from or added to net income (loss). We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus (1) depreciation and amortization; (2) interest expense, net and (3) income taxes, (4) as adjusted for other non-cash or non-recurring items, and adjustments defined in the Company’s credit agreement. We define Adjusted Free Cash Flow as Cash Flows from Operating Activities less capital expenditures, cash interest and cash taxes.
These non-GAAP measures have been reconciled to the most comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP as follows: the reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) to net income (loss); the reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated net income (loss); and the reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow to Cash Flows from Operating Activities. All of the items included in the reconciliations are either (i) non-cash items or (ii) items that management does not consider in assessing our on-going operating performance.
These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended as substitutes for and should not be considered superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the Company's use of these non-GAAP financial measures may be different from similarly named measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.
We review these non-GAAP financial measures as internal measures to evaluate our performance at a consolidated level to manage our operations. We believe that these measures are useful performance measures which are used by us to facilitate a comparison of our on-going operating performance on a consistent basis from period-to-period. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide for a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than measures under GAAP can provide alone, as they exclude certain items that management believes do not reflect the ordinary performance of our operations in a particular period. Our Board of Directors and management also use Adjusted EBITDA at a consolidated level as one of the primary methods for planning and forecasting expected performance, for evaluating on a quarterly and annual basis actual results against such expectations, and as a measure for performance incentive plans. We believe that the inclusion of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA results provides investors useful and important information regarding our operating results, in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. We believe that Adjusted Free Cash Flow provides useful additional information concerning cash flow available to meet future debt service obligations and working capital requirements and assists investors in their understanding of our operating profitability and liquidity as we manage the business to maximize margin and cash flow.
The Company urges investors to carefully review the GAAP financial information included as part of the Company’s Form 10-K dated May 3, 2025, filed with the SEC on December 23, 2025. We do not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial metrics, because reconciling information is not available without an unreasonable effort, such as attempting to make assumptions that cannot reasonably be made on a forward-looking basis to determine the corresponding GAAP metric.
