UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 6, 2019

 

Citi Trends, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

000-51315

 

52-2150697

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

104 Coleman Boulevard, Savannah, Georgia

 

31408

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (912) 236-1561

 

Former name or former address, if changed since last report: Not applicable

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2 below):

 

o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o   Pre- commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company     o

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, $0.01 par value

 

CTRN

 

Nasdaq Stock Market

 

 

 


 

Item 5.02              Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On June 10, 2019, Bruce D. Smith and the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Citi Trends, Inc. (the “Company”) mutually agreed that he would resign as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Company and a member of the Board, effective on the earlier of (i) 30 days following the date on which the Company hires a new Chief Executive Officer or (ii) February 1, 2020. In connection with his resignation, on June 11, 2019, the Company and Mr. Smith entered into a Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Smith will receive severance payments and benefits as provided in his Severance Agreement with the Company, dated March 15, 2018.  In addition, the Company agreed to accelerate the vesting of time-based restricted stock held by Mr. Smith as of his separation date.

 

The summary of the Separation Agreement above does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

 

The press release dated June 11, 2019 announcing Mr. Smith’s resignation is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

 

Additionally, on June 6, 2019, the Company terminated the services of Brian Lattman, a Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of the Company. In accordance with the terms of Mr. Lattman’s previously disclosed Severance Agreement, dated March 30, 2018, since Mr. Lattman’s employment was terminated without cause, he is entitled to separation payments of twelve (12) months base salary, to be paid in twenty-six (26) regular bi-weekly pay periods.  He will also be entitled to an amount, minus all applicable taxes and withholdings, equal to the full monthly cost (including any portion of the cost previously paid by the employee) to provide the same level of group health benefits that he maintained as of his separation from service.  The separation payments described above are conditioned on Mr. Lattman executing and not revoking a Separation and General Release Agreement, which releases and waives any and all claims against the Company and its affiliated persons and companies.

 

Item 5.07              Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

At the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Citi Trends, Inc. (the “Company”) held on June 6, 2019 (the “Annual Meeting”), the holders of the Company’s common stock entitled to vote at the meeting (1) elected three director nominees whose terms will expire at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, (2) adopted, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the resolution approving the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as set forth in the proxy statement, and (3) ratified the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 1, 2020.

 

The voting results were as follows:

 

(1) The election of three directors:

 

Board of Directors Nominee

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

Brian P. Carney

 

8,023,693

 

1,246,617

 

1,815

 

562,006

Barbara Levy

 

8,087,130

 

1,183,922

 

1,073

 

562,006

Peter R. Sachse

 

8,949,546

 

311,536

 

11,043

 

562,006

 

(2) A proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as set forth in the proxy statement:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

8,247,948

 

983,876

 

40,301

 

562,006

 

2


 

(3) Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending February 1, 2020:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

9,670,230

 

161,820

 

2,081

 

Item 9.01.             Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Separation Agreement, dated June 11, 2019, between the Company and Bruce D. Smith.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press release dated June 11, 2019

 

3


 

SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

 

 

CITI TRENDS, INC.

Date: June 11, 2019

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bruce D. Smith

 

Name:

Bruce D. Smith

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

4


Exhibit 10.1

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 11, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Citi Trends, Inc. (the “Company”) and Bruce D. Smith (“Executive”). Together, the Company and Executive may be referred to hereinafter as the “Parties.”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Executive currently serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties have been engaged in negotiations regarding Executive’s separation from service with the Company, and desire to settle all matters between and among them by entering into this Separation Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the payments, covenants and releases described below, and in consideration of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of all of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Separation from Employment. The Company and Executive acknowledge, confirm and agree that Executive’s last day of employment with the Company shall be the earlier of (i) 30 days following the date on which the Company hires a new Chief Executive Officer or (ii) February 1, 2020 (the “Termination Date”), unless revised by mutual written agreement.  Executive shall resign as President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Company and from the Board of Directors of the Company, effective as of the Termination Date.

 

2. Transition Period and Services. Beginning on the Effective Date and through the Termination Date (the “Transition Period”), Executive agrees to provide the following transition services (the “Transition Services”): (i) continue to serve as the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary until such time as the Company hires a new Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors otherwise determines that Executive shall no longer serve in such capacity, and (ii) provide transition services to the Company as the Company may reasonably request, including, but not limited to, assistance in the transitioning of Executive’s responsibilities to a new Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  During the Transition Period and in consideration of the Transition Services, Executive will (a) remain on the Company’s payroll and continue to be paid his base salary (at his base salary rate in effect immediately prior to the Transition Period) in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices, (b) be entitled to participate in the Company’s then-current benefit plans and programs to the extent and on the same basis that Executive participated in such plans and programs prior to the Transition Period, and (c) be reimbursed for business expenses properly incurred by Executive in accordance with Company policy and consistent with standards practices in effect with respect to Executive immediately prior to the Transition Period.

 

3. Separation Obligations of the Company. In consideration of Executive’s promises contained in this Agreement, and provided that Executive has executed the Release Agreement attached hereto

 


 

as Exhibit A as of the Termination Date (and any revocation period has elapsed), the Company agrees as follows:

 

a. Severance.  The Company will pay to Executive an aggregate amount of $550,000, less applicable withholding taxes and other governmental obligations, paid as salary continuation (and not as a lump sum) beginning one month after the Termination Date and continuing for twelve (12) months thereafter, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices.

 

b. Supplemental Payments.  The Company will pay to Executive an amount, minus all applicable taxes and withholdings, equal to the full monthly cost (including any portion of the cost previously paid by the employee) to provide the same level of group health benefits maintained by Executive as of the Termination Date (currently $1,301.52 per month, to be adjusted up or down for premium changes made by the Company prior to the Termination Date), beginning on the last day of the month following the Termination Date and continuing for twelve (12) months thereafter.

 

c. Treatment of Equity Awards. The Parties agree that Exhibit B to this Agreement accurately reflects all awards of time-based restricted stock (“Time-Based Restricted Stock”) held by Executive as of the Effective Date. On the one-month anniversary of the Termination Date, all of Executive’s Time-Based Restricted Stock shall become fully vested (and any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon shall be paid to Executive promptly).  For avoidance of doubt, any unvested awards of performance-based restricted stock shall be forfeited without consideration as of the Termination Date.

 

d. Other Payments and Obligations.  The Company will pay or provide to Executive within five (5) business days following the Termination Date all of the following: (i) accrued and unpaid base salary with respect to services through the Termination Date, (ii) reimbursement for expenses for which expense reports have been provided to the Company, and (iii) accrued and vested benefits under any Company benefit plan, in each case in accordance with Company policies and plans.

 

The Company’s obligation to make the payments set forth herein shall cease upon Executive’s breach of any of his continuing contractual obligations to the Company, including, without limitation, Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Employment Agreement (as defined herein) and any other intellectual property agreement, covenant not to disclose or use the Company’s confidential or trade secret information, or covenant not to compete with the Company.

 

4. Return of Materials. In further consideration of the promises and payments made by the Company hereunder, Executive agrees that on or before the Termination Date, he will return all documents, confidential information, other information, materials, equipment (including, but not limited to, cell phones, pagers, laptops, computers, or other personal computing devices) and other things in his possession or control provided to him by the Company, created during his employment with the Company or otherwise relating to or belonging to the Company, without retaining or providing to anyone else copies, summaries, excerpts, portions or other representations thereof. To the extent that Executive has electronic files or information in his possession or control that relate to or belong to the Company or contain confidential information belonging to the Company (specifically including but not limited to electronic files or information stored on personal computers, mobile devices, electronic media, or in cloud storage), Executive agrees that

 

2


 

he will immediately, and before receiving payment under this Agreement: (a) provide the Company with an electronic copy of all of such files or information (in an electronic format that readily accessible by the Company); (b) after doing so, delete all such files and information, including all copies and derivatives thereof, from all non-Company-owned computers, mobile devices, electronic media, cloud storage, or other media, devices, or equipment, such that such files and information are permanently deleted and irretrievable; and (c) provide a written certification to the Company that the required deletions have been completed and specifying the files and information deleted and the media source from which they were deleted.

 

5. Termination of Employment Agreement; Survival of Restrictive Covenants. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Employment Non-Compete, Non-Solicit and Confidentiality Agreement originally executed by the Parties on March 15, 2018 (the “Employment Agreement”) and the Severance Agreement originally executed by the Parties on March 15, 2018 (the “Severance Agreement”) are hereby terminated, without further action by the Parties, as of the Effective Date and shall be of no further force and effect, and that except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall have no continuing obligations to Executive under the Employment Agreement or the Severance Agreement; provided, however, that Section 3 (Confidentiality), Section 4 (Covenant Not to Compete), Section 5 (Covenant not to Solicit) and Section 6 (Covenant Not to Recruit Personnel) of the Employment Agreement shall survive and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

 

6. Final Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements between the Parties, except as set forth in Paragraph 5 above. The Parties agree that this Agreement may not be modified except by a written document signed by both Parties. The Parties agree that this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

 

7. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Georgia without giving effect to its conflict of law principles.

 

8. Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such provision. Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement must be in a writing signed by the party making such waiver. No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

 

9. Code Section 409A. This Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in a manner so that any amount or benefit payable hereunder shall be paid or provided in a manner that is either exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder. The tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed to Executive, who is responsible for all taxes assessed on any payments made pursuant to this Agreement, whether under Section 409A of the Code or otherwise. Neither the Company nor its directors, officers, employees or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties or other monetary amounts owed by Executive as a result of the application of Section 409A of the Code. Executive’s right to receive any installment payments as

 

3


 

Severance Pay shall be treated as a right to receive separate and distinct payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

4


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

CITI TRENDS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brian P. Carney

 

Name:

Brian P. Carney

 

Title:

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Bruce D. Smith

 

Bruce D. Smith

 

Signature Page — Separation Agreement

 


 

Exhibit A

 

RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “Release Agreement”) is entered into between Citi Trends, Inc. (the “Company”) and Bruce D. Smith (“Executive”), effective as of         , 20  

 

1. General Release of Claims and Covenant Not To Sue.

 

a. General Release of Claims by Executive. In consideration of the payments made or to be made to Executive by the Company and the promises contained in the Separation Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Executive as of June   , 2019 (the “Separation Agreement”), Executive agrees to the following release of claims and covenant not to sue (the “Release”).  Executive on behalf of himself and his agents and successors in interest, hereby UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASES AND DISCHARGES the Company, its successors, subsidiaries, parent companies, assigns, joint ventures, and affiliated companies and their respective agents, legal representatives, shareholders, attorneys, employees, members, managers, officers and directors (collectively, the “Releasees”) from ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DEMANDS AND CAUSES OF ACTION which he may by law release, as well as all contractual obligations not expressly set forth in the Release, whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, that he may have or claim to have against any Releasee for any reason as of the date of execution of the Release. The Release includes, but is not limited to, claims arising under federal, state or local laws prohibiting employment discrimination; claims arising under severance plans and contracts; and claims growing out of any legal restrictions on the Company’s rights to terminate its employees or to take any other employment action, whether statutory, contractual or arising under common law or case law. Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that he is releasing any and all rights under federal, state and local employment laws including without limitation the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and any and all other local, state, and federal law claims arising under statute or common law. It is agreed that this is a general release and it is to be broadly construed as a release of all claims, except those that cannot be released by law.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive expressly does not waive any claims he may have (i) to indemnification that he may have against any of the Releasees in connection with his service to the Company and its affiliates through the Termination Date (as defined in the Separation Agreement), or (ii) related to any coverage that he may have under any directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company or its affiliates.

 

In connection with such waiver and relinquishment, Executive acknowledges that he is aware that he may later discover facts in addition to or different from those which he currently knows or believes to be true with respect to the subject matters of the Release, but that it is his intention hereby fully, finally, and forever, to settle and release all of these matters which now exist, may exist, or previously existed, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected. In

 


 

furtherance of such intent, the releases given herein shall be and shall remain in effect as a full and complete release, notwithstanding the discovery or existence of such additional or different facts.

 

b. General Release of Claims by Company. For and in consideration of the Release in subparagraph (a) above, the Company does hereby fully, finally, and forever release and discharge Executive from any and all claims, charges, demands, actions, liability, damages, sums of money, or rights of any and every kind or nature that are based upon any facts currently known to the Company’s current executive officers or Board of Directors, up to and including the present day.  The Company’s release additionally includes, without limitation, any and all claims for attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses with respect to those claims released hereby.  The Company does not waive its rights or claims that may arise after the date it signs this Release Agreement.

 

c. Covenant Not to Sue. Except as expressly set forth in Paragraph 3 below with respect to Executive, the Company and Executive further hereby AGREE NOT TO FILE A LAWSUIT or other legal claim or charge to assert any claim released by this Release Agreement.

 

d. Acknowledgement Regarding Payments and Benefits. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has been paid all wages and accrued benefits to which he is entitled through the date of execution of this Release Agreement. Other than the payments set forth in the Separation Agreement, the Parties agree that the Company owes no additional amounts to Executive for wages, back pay, severance pay, bonuses, damages, accrued vacation, benefits, insurance, sick leave, other leave, or any other reason.

 

e. Other Representations and Acknowledgements. This Release Agreement is intended to and does settle and resolve all claims of any nature that Executive might have against the Company arising out of their employment relationship or the termination of employment or relating to any other matter, except those that cannot be released by law. By signing this Release Agreement, Executive acknowledges that he is doing so knowingly and voluntarily, that he understands that he may be releasing claims he may not know about, and that he is waiving all rights he may have had under any law that is intended to protect him from waiving unknown claims. Executive warrants that he has not filed any notices, claims, complaints, charges, or lawsuits of any kind whatsoever against the Company or any of the Releasees as of the date of execution of this Release Agreement. This Release Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company or any of the Releasees of wrongdoing or liability or that Executive has any rights against the Company or any of the Releasees. Executive represents and agrees that he has not transferred or assigned, to any person or entity, any claim that he is releasing in this Paragraph 1.

 

2. Non-Disparagement. Executive agrees that he will not, directly or indirectly, make any statement, oral or written, or perform any act or omission which disparages or casts in a negative light the Company, its products, its employees, or any of the Releasees. This Paragraph 2 shall not in any way limit any of the Protected Rights contained in Paragraph 3 of this Release Agreement, or Executive’s ability to provide truthful testimony pursuant to a subpoena, court order or as otherwise required by law.

 


 

3. Protected Rights. Executive understands that nothing contained in this Release Agreement limits his ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”).  Executive further understands that this Release Agreement does not limit his ability to communicate or share information with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agencies in connection with any charge or complaint, whether filed by Executive, on his behalf, or by any other individual.  However, based on Executive’s release of claims set forth in Paragraph 1 of this Release Agreement, Executive understands that he is releasing all claims that he may have, as well as his right to recover monetary damages or obtain other relief that is personal to Executive in connection with any charge or complaint that may be filed with any Government Agencies relating to Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

4. Acknowledgment. The Company hereby advises Executive to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release Agreement and Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has advised, and hereby does advise, him of his opportunity to consult an attorney or other advisor and has not in any way discouraged him from doing so. Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that he has been offered at least twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release Agreement before signing it, that he has read this Release Agreement carefully, that he has had sufficient time and opportunity to consult with an attorney or other advisor of his choosing concerning the execution of this Release Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he fully understands that this Release Agreement is final and binding, that it contains a full release of all claims and potential claims, and that the only promises or representations he has relied upon in signing this Release Agreement are those specifically contained in the Release Agreement itself. Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is signing this Release Agreement voluntarily, with the full intent of releasing the Company from all claims covered by Paragraph 1 of this Release Agreement.

 

5. Cooperation.  Following the Termination Date, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company and be reasonably available to the Company and its attorneys with respect to any legal action or proceeding (or any appeal from any action or proceeding) or any regulatory or government agency inquiry which relates to events occurring during the Executive’s employment with the Company (including, without limitation, the Executive appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process, volunteering to the Company all pertinent information and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into the Executive’s possession).  The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Executive in rendering such services that are approved by the Company.  In addition, if more than an incidental cooperation is required at any time after the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall be paid (other than for the time of actual testimony) a per day fee based on his base salary as of the Termination Date.

 

6. Revocation and Effective Date. Executive may revoke this Release Agreement at will within seven (7) days after he executes this Release Agreement (the “Revocation Period”) by giving written notice of revocation to Company. This Release Agreement may not be revoked after the

 


 

expiration of the seven-day deadline. Assuming that Executive does not revoke this Release Agreement within the Revocation Period, the effective date of this Release Agreement shall be the eighth (8th) day after the day on which Executive executes this Release Agreement.

 

The Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Release Agreement and knowingly and voluntarily agrees to all of the terms set forth in this Release Agreement. The Executive knowingly and voluntarily intends to be legally bound by the same.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Company have executed this Release Agreement as of the date specified below.

 

 

 

Executive

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citi Trends, Inc.

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 


 

Exhibit B

 

Outstanding Time-Based Restricted Stock

 

Grant Date

 

Time-Based
Shares that Remain Unvested

3/14/2017

 

3,291

 

 

 

3/22/2017

 

2,500

 

 

 

3/14/2018

 

5,601

 

 

 

3/12/2019

 

12,196

 

 

23,588

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

Citi Trends Announces CEO Transition

Bruce Smith to Step Down

Director Sachse to Serve as Special Advisor

and Assist with the Transition

 

SAVANNAH, Ga.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—June 11, 2019— Citi Trends, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRN) — Citi Trends, Inc. today announced chief executive officer Bruce Smith has decided to resign from his position as CEO.  However, in order to provide for an orderly transition, Mr. Smith has agreed to continue to serve as CEO until the earlier of when his successor is in place or February 1, 2020.

 

“We extend our thanks to Bruce for his service, dedication and leadership over more than a decade at Citi Trends.  He distinguished himself first as chief financial officer, rising to chief operating officer and ultimately to chief executive officer,” said Citi Trends Board Chairman Brian Carney.  “We deeply appreciate his commitment and hard work.  We wish him well in all his future endeavors.”

 

Mr. Smith said, “It has been my great honor to serve Citi Trends for the past 12 years.  I am proud to have contributed to the growth of this business that offers affordable urban fashion apparel and accessories for the entire family.  I am especially thankful to my long-time colleagues and to all our associates who serve our customers.  I believe the future of Citi Trends is bright and I will be cheering for the Company’s success.”

 

The Board has formed a search committee to identify the Company’s new CEO and retained an executive search firm to assist in the process.

 

During this period of transition, the Board also has appointed Peter Sachse to serve as Special Advisor to the CEO.  In this role, he will provide strategic advice and counsel to the CEO during the transition and will assist Mr. Smith in pursuing the strategic objectives of the Board and positioning the Company to grow and deliver value for its customers, associates and shareholders.

 

Mr. Sachse has over three decades of experience at Macy’s Inc., including as chief growth officer, chief innovation and development officer, chief stores officer, chief marketing officer and as chief executive officer of macy’s.com.  He is recognized for his exceptional record of architecting, growing and transforming consumer retail engagement for Macy’s, Inc. across a variety of functions, channels and brands.  As CEO of macys.com, he led all aspects of the company’s online presence to deliver 10x growth over six years.

 

 


 

Mr. Sachse said, “I look forward to working with the team at Citi Trends to capture the exciting opportunities in the value retail space and to ensure that this period of transition is one of forward momentum for the Company.”

 

“As we look to the future, we see opportunity to leverage our strong balance sheet and loyal customer base as we innovate with new merchandising, marketing and distribution strategies,” Mr. Carney said.  “Citi Trends is focused on improving its merchandising strategies and execution, expanding its non-apparel offerings, executing its cost cutting initiatives, and exploring new markets, including testing new stores in predominantly Hispanic areas. We are committed to making the changes necessary to thrive and grow to the benefit of our customers, employees and shareholders.”

 

About Citi Trends

 

Citi Trends, Inc. is a value-priced retailer of urban fashion apparel and accessories for the entire family. The Company operates 561 stores located in 32 states. Citi Trends’ website address is www.cititrends.comCTRN-G

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

All statements other than historical facts contained in this news release, including statements regarding the Company’s future financial results and position, business policy and plans, objectives of management for future operations and our intentions and ability to pay dividends and complete any share repurchase authorizations, are forward-looking statements that are subject to material risks and uncertainties. The words “believe,” “may,” “could,” “plans,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such language. Statements with respect to earnings or sales guidance are forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to the finalization of the Company’s quarter-end financial and accounting procedures, are not guarantees of future performance or results and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors which are discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018.These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to economic conditions, growth risks, consumer spending patterns, competition within the industry, competition in our markets and the ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends. Any forward-looking statements by the Company, with respect to earnings or sales guidance, the Company’s intention to declare and pay dividends, the repurchase of shares pursuant to a share repurchase program, or otherwise, are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company does not undertake to publicly update any forward-looking statements in this news release or with respect to matters described herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Contact:

Bruce Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer
(912) 443-2075