Quiver Quantitative

Risk Factors Dashboard

Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.

Risk Factors - LEVI

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Item 1A.RISK FACTORS
Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider and carefully read all of the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as other information included in this Annual Report and in our other public filings. The risks described below are not the only ones facing us. The occurrence of any of the following risks or additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such case, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your original investment. This Annual Report also contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of specific factors, including the risks and uncertainties described below.
Risks Relating to Macroeconomic Conditions and Our Industry
Global economic conditions have had, and will likely continue to have, an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Global economic conditions have impacted, and will likely continue to impact, businesses around the world, including ours. Inflation and other macroeconomic pressures in the U.S. and the global economy such as rising interest rates, energy prices and recession fears are creating a complex and challenging retail environment for us and our customers as consumers reduce discretionary spending. In particular, inflationary pressures negatively impacted our net revenues, operating margins and net income in fiscal year 2022. This includes increased costs of labor, products and freight and, beginning in July 2022, a slowdown in consumer demand for our products. We implemented price increases on many of our products in 2022 in an effort to mitigate some of the effect of higher costs. If these inflationary pressures continue, our revenue, operating margins and net income will be impacted in fiscal year 2023.
In addition, the following factors attributable to uncertain or deteriorating economic and financial market conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition:
Our sales are impacted by discretionary spending by consumers. Declines in consumer spending have and in the future may result in reduced demand for our products, increased inventories, reduced orders from retailers for our products, order cancellations, lower revenues, higher discounts, pricing pressure, and lower gross margins. Declines in consumer spending have in the past and in the future may result in reduced demand for our products, increased inventories, reduced orders from retailers for our products, order cancellations, lower revenues, higher discounts, and lower gross margins.
We may be unable to access financing in the credit and capital markets at reasonable rates.
We conduct transactions in various currencies, which creates exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. Dollar. Volatility in the markets and exchange rates for foreign currencies and contracts in foreign currencies has had and may in the future have a significant impact on our reported operating results and financial condition. Continued volatility in the markets and exchange rates for foreign currencies and contracts in foreign currencies could have a significant impact on our reported operating results and financial condition. In particular, rapid strengthening of the U.S. Dollar relative to major foreign currencies, including the Euro and British Pound, unfavorably impacted our fiscal year 2022 results. Continued significant fluctuations of foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar may further negatively impact our financial results, revenue, operating margins and net income.
Continued volatility in the availability and prices for commodities and raw materials we use in our products and in our supply chain (such as cotton) could have a material adverse effect on our costs, gross margins and profitability.
If retailers of our products experience declining revenues or have trouble obtaining financing in the capital and credit markets to purchase our products, this could result in reduced orders for our products, order cancellations, late retailer payments, extended payment terms, higher accounts receivable, reduced cash flows, greater expense associated with collection efforts and increased bad debt expense.
If retailers of our products experience severe financial difficulty, some may become insolvent and cease business operations, which could negatively impact the sale of our products to consumers. If contract manufacturers of our products or other participants in our supply chain experience difficulty obtaining financing in the capital and credit markets to purchase raw materials or to finance capital equipment and other general working capital needs, it may result in delays or non-delivery of shipments of our products.
In uncertain economic environments, we cannot predict whether or when such circumstances may improve or worsen, or what impact, if any, such circumstances could have on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse effect on our business and results of operations, and we expect adverse impacts to continue.
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted consumer spending and global supply chains, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on our business and financial performance, particularly in fiscal year 2020, and while the impact was largely limited to China for fiscal year 2022, we expect adverse impacts to continue. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on our business and financial performance, particularly in fiscal year 2020, and we expect this adverse impact to continue. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and financial performance, including our ability to execute our near-term and long-term business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, will depend on future developments, including the duration, severity and any resurgences of the pandemic, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in response to government mandates or recommendations, as well as decisions we made to protect the health and safety of our employees, consumers and communities, we temporarily closed a significant number of our stores globally. In addition, many of our customers, including significant customers in our wholesale and franchise distribution channels, closed many of their stores, either temporarily or permanently, which adversely impacted our revenues from these customers and franchisees in prior years. In addition, many of our customers, including significant customers in our wholesale and franchise distribution channels, have closed many of their stores, either temporarily or permanently, which has adversely impacted our revenues from these customers and franchisees. While most of our company-operated stores and wholesale customer doors outside of China were open through fiscal year 2022, we and our customers may choose or be required to restrict operations or close stores in the future.
In addition, consumer fears about becoming ill with the disease may continue, which has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect foot traffic to our and our customers' stores.In addition, consumer fears about becoming ill with the disease may continue, which has and is likely to continue to adversely affect foot traffic to our and our customers' stores. Consumer spending, and therefore sales of our products, generally has been and may in the future be negatively impacted by general macroeconomic conditions and consumer confidence, including the impacts of any recession or inflationary pressures, resulting directly or indirectly, from the COVID-19 pandemic. This may negatively impact sales in our stores and our e-commerce channel and may cause our wholesale customers to purchase fewer products from us. Any significant reduction in consumer visits to, or spending at, our and our customers' stores caused, directly or indirectly, by COVID-19, and any continued decreased spending at stores or online caused by decreased consumer confidence and spending, would result in a loss of sales and profits and, as a result, adversely impact our financial results. Any continued significant reduction in consumer visits to, or spending at, our and our customers' stores, caused by COVID-19, and any continued decreased spending at stores or online caused by decreased consumer confidence and spending following the pandemic, would result in a loss of sales and profits and, as a result, adversely impact our financial results.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have the potential to significantly impact our supply chain if the factories that manufacture our products, the distribution centers where we manage our inventory, or the operations of our logistics and other service providers are disrupted, temporarily closed or experience worker shortages. Vessel, container and other transportation shortages, labor shortages and port congestion globally have in the past delayed and could in the future delay inventory orders and, in turn, deliveries to our wholesale customers and availability in our company-operated stores and e-commerce sites. Current vessel, container and other transportation shortages, labor shortages and port congestion globally have delayed and are expected to continue to delay inventory orders and, in turn, deliveries to our wholesale customers and availability in our company-operated stores and e-commerce sites. These supply chain and logistics disruptions have impacted our inventory levels and net revenues in prior periods and could impact our financial results in future periods. These supply chain and logistics disruptions have impacted our inventory levels and net revenues, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2021, and could impact our sales volumes in future periods.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including related governmental guidance or requirements, we also closed many of our corporate office and other facilities, including our corporate headquarters in San Francisco, and implemented a work from home policy for many of our corporate employees. Although we reopened our corporate offices and other facilities in 2022 and have implemented a hybrid work policy for our corporate employees, we may face future closure requirements and other operational restrictions in the future. Our hybrid policy may negatively impact productivity and cause other disruptions to our business. This hybrid policy may negatively impact productivity and cause other disruptions to our business. Longer term, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may also threaten the health of our employees and adversely impact our health care costs.
We continue to monitor the latest developments regarding the pandemic. We are unable to predict the extent of any continued impact of the pandemic on our business, operations, and financial condition due to the uncertainty of future developments. However, we are unable to accurately predict the extent of the impact of the pandemic on our business, operations, and financial condition due to the uncertainty of future developments. Any future impacts will depend on, among other things, the further spread and duration of COVID-19, including the impact of variants and resurgences, the requirements to take action to help limit the spread of the illness, the availability, widespread distribution, and acceptance of vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 and the economic impacts of the pandemic, including recession and inflationary pressures. Even in those regions where we have experienced business recovery, should those regions fail to fully contain COVID-19 or suffer a COVID-19 relapse, those markets may not recover as quickly or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The pandemic may also affect our business, operations or financial condition in a manner that is not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to present significant risks.
We are a global company with significant revenues and earnings generated internationally, which exposes us to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, as well as political and economic risks.
A significant portion of our revenues and earnings are generated internationally. In addition, a substantial amount of our products comes from sources outside the country of distribution. As a result, we are both directly and indirectly (through our suppliers) subject to the risks of doing business outside the United States, including:
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currency fluctuations, which have impacted our results of operations significantly in recent years, including fiscal year 2022;
political, economic and social instability;
changes in tariffs and taxes;
inflationary pressures;
regulatory restrictions on our ability to operate in our preferred manner;
rapidly changing regulatory restrictions and requirements, including in the areas of data privacy, sustainability and responses to climate change, which could result in regulatory uncertainty as well as potential significant increases in compliance costs; and
less protective foreign laws relating to intellectual property.
For example, the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused and continues to cause disruption, instability and volatility in global markets. The U.S. and foreign government bodies in jurisdictions in which we operate have announced targeted sanctions and export control measures and have threatened additional sanctions and export control measures, which have and could in the future result in, among other things, severe or complete restrictions on exports to and other commerce and business dealings involving Russia, certain regions of Ukraine, or particular entities and individuals, including in Belarus. We suspended our business initiatives and the majority of our commercial activity in Russia and Ukraine in the second quarter of 2022, and we deemed the carrying value of certain related long-lived assets to be not recoverable. The ongoing impact of these government measures, as well as any further retaliatory actions taken by Russia, the U.S. and foreign government bodies, is currently unknown and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, supply chain, intellectual property, partners, customers or employees and may expose us to adverse legal proceedings in Russia in the future. The conflict has caused and may continue to cause adverse global economic conditions resulting from escalating geopolitical tensions, the exclusion of Russian financial institutions from the global banking system, volatility and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, inflationary pressures and heightened cybersecurity threats. Additionally, the conflict may result in additional unilateral or multilateral export control and sanctions measures, and supply chain and logistics disruptions. Although our operations in Russia were not significant, the conflict has resulted in broader economic and security concerns, including in other geographies, which has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The functional currency for most of our foreign operations is the applicable local currency. The functional currency for most of our foreign operations is the applicable local currency. As a result, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affect the results of our operations and the value of our foreign assets and liabilities, including debt, which in turn may adversely affect results of operations and cash flows and the comparability of period-to-period results of operations. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates also affect the relative prices at which we and competitors sell products in the same market. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the relative prices at which we and foreign competitors sell products in the same market. Foreign governmental policies and actions regarding currency valuation could result in actions by the United States and other countries to offset the effects of such fluctuations. The unpredictability and volatility of foreign currency exchange rates has adversely impacted our businesses and financial results and ongoing or unusual volatility may continue to adversely impact us.
Furthermore, due to our global operations, we are subject to numerous domestic and foreign laws and regulations affecting our business, such as those related to labor, employment, worker health and safety, antitrust and competition, environmental protection, consumer protection, privacy, and anti-corruption, including but not limited to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA") and the U.K. Bribery Act. We have put into place policies and procedures for our employees, contractors, and agents aimed at ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. Violations of these regulations could subject us to criminal or civil enforcement actions, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business.
We may be adversely affected by the financial health of our customers.
We extend credit to our customers based on an assessment of a customer's financial condition, generally without requiring collateral. To assist in the scheduling of production and the shipping of our products, we offer certain customers the opportunity to place orders five to six months ahead of delivery under our futures ordering program. These advance orders may be canceled under certain conditions, and the risk of cancellation may increase when dealing with financially unstable retailers or retailers struggling with economic uncertainty. In the past, some customers have experienced financial difficulties up to and including bankruptcies, which have had an adverse effect on our sales, our ability to collect on receivables and our financial condition. When the retail economy weakens or as consumer behavior shifts, retailers may be more cautious with orders. A slowing or changing economy in our key markets could adversely affect the financial health of our customers, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, product sales are dependent in part on high quality merchandising and an appealing retail environment to attract consumers, which requires continuing investments by retailers. Retailers that experience financial difficulties may fail to make such investments or delay them, resulting in lower
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sales and orders for our products. The ongoing financial uncertainty, particularly for retailers, could also have an effect on our sales, our ability to collect on receivables and our financial condition. The ongoing financial uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, particularly for retailers, could also have an effect on our sales, our ability to collect on receivables and our financial condition.
Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters could negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.
Extreme weather conditions in the areas in which our retail stores, suppliers, manufacturers, customers, distribution centers, offices, headquarters, and vendors are located could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. Moreover, natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires and tsunamis, whether occurring in the United States or abroad, and their related consequences and effects, including energy shortages and public health issues, have in the past temporarily disrupted, and could in the future disrupt, our operations, the operations of our vendors, manufacturers and other suppliers or have in the past resulted in, and in the future could result in, economic instability that may negatively impact our operating results and financial condition. In particular, if a natural disaster or severe weather event were to occur in an area in which we or our suppliers, manufacturers, customers, distribution centers or vendors are located, our continued success would depend, in part, on the safety and availability of the relevant personnel and facilities and proper functioning of our or third parties' computer, network, telecommunication and other systems and operations. In addition, a natural disaster or severe weather event could negatively impact retail traffic to our stores or stores that carry our products and could have an adverse impact on consumer spending, any of which could in turn result in negative point-of-sale trends for our merchandise. Natural disasters or severe weather events in regions that produce key raw materials or other inputs for our products, such as the recent flooding in Pakistan, may drive up the prices of those raw materials or constrain the availability of raw materials, adversely affecting our cost of goods. Further, climate change may increase both the frequency and severity of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, which may affect our business operations, either in a particular region or globally, as well as the activities of our third-party vendors and other suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. Further, climate change may increase both the frequency and severity of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, which may affect our business operations, either in a particular region or globally, as well as the activities of our third-party vendors and other suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. In addition, the physical changes prompted by climate change could result in changes in regulations, consumer preferences, production capabilities, availability of raw materials and costs, which could in turn affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. In addition, the physical changes prompted by climate change could result in 18Table of Contentschanges in regulations or consumer preferences, which could in turn affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We believe the diversity of locations in which we operate, our operational size, disaster recovery and business continuity planning and our information technology systems and networks, including the Internet and third-party services position us well, but may not be sufficient for all or for concurrent eventualities. If we were to experience a local or regional disaster or other business continuity event or concurrent events, we could still experience operational challenges, depending upon how a local or regional event may affect our human capital across our operations or regarding particular aspects of our operations, such as key executive officers or personnel. For example, our global headquarters is located in California near major geologic faults that have experienced earthquakes in the past. Further, if we are unable to find alternative suppliers, replace capacity at key manufacturing or distribution locations or quickly repair damage to our information technology systems and networks, including the Internet and third-party services, or supply systems, we could be late in delivering, or be unable to deliver, products to our customers. These events could result in reputational damage, lost sales, cancellation charges or markdowns, all of which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Operations
Our success depends on our ability to maintain the value and reputation of our brands.
Our success depends in large part on the value, overall health and reputation of our brands, which are integral to our business and the implementation of our "Brand Led" strategy for expanding our business. Maintaining, promoting and positioning our brands will depend largely on the success of our marketing, design and merchandising efforts and our ability to provide consistent, high-quality products supported by engaging marketing campaigns. In addition, our success in maintaining, extending, and expanding our brand image depends on our ability to adapt to a rapidly changing media environment, including our increasing reliance on social media and digital dissemination of advertising campaigns on our digital platforms and through our digital experiences. Our brands and reputation could be adversely affected if we fail to achieve these objectives, if we fail to deliver high-quality products acceptable to our customers and consumers or if we face or mishandle a product recall.
Our brand value also depends on our ability to maintain a positive consumer perception of our brands, corporate integrity and culture. Negative claims or publicity involving us or our products, the production methods or locations of any of our suppliers or contract manufacturers, consumer data, or any of our key employees, endorsers or suppliers could seriously damage our reputation, sales and brand image, regardless of whether such claims or publicity are accurate. Social media, which accelerates and potentially amplifies the scope of negative claims or publicity, can increase the challenges of responding to negative claims or publicity. In addition, we or our senior executives may from time to time take positions or make statements on social issues that may be unpopular with some consumers or customers, which may impact our ability to attract or retain such consumers or customers, and which could adversely impact our results in certain locations. Adverse publicity could undermine consumer confidence in our brands and reduce long-term demand for our products, even if such publicity is unfounded. Any harm to our brands and reputation could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
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The appeal of our brands may also depend on the success of our ESG initiatives, which require company-wide coordination and alignment. We are working to manage risks and costs to us, our licensees and our supply chain of any effects of climate change as well as diminishing fossil fuel and water resources. Risks related to our ESG initiatives include increased public focus, including by governmental and nongovernmental organizations, on these and other environmental sustainability matters, including packaging and waste, animal welfare, and land use. These risks include any increased public focus, including by governmental and nongovernmental organizations, on these and other environmental sustainability matters, including packaging and waste, animal welfare, and land use. Risks also include increased pressure and regulatory requirements to expand our disclosures in these areas, make commitments, set targets or establish additional goals and take actions to meet them, which could expose us to legal, market, operational and execution costs or risks. These risks may also include increased pressure to expand our disclosures in these areas, make commitments, set targets or establish additional goals and take actions to meet them, which could expose us to market, operational and execution costs or risks. The metrics we disclose, such as emissions and water usage, whether they be based on the standards we set for ourselves or those set by others, may influence our reputation and the value of our brand. In addition, as we work to align with the recommendations and requirements of various ratings and disclosure organizations and new and evolving regulations, we will likely expand our disclosures in these areas and we may face increased scrutiny related to our ESG activities. Our failure to achieve progress on our metrics on a timely basis, or at all, could adversely affect our business, financial performance, and growth. Our failure to achieve progress on our metrics on a timely basis, or at all, could adversely affect our business, financial performance, and growth. We could damage our reputation and the value of our brand if we fail to act responsibly in the areas in which we report. As a result, we could damage our reputation and the value of our brand if we fail to act responsibly in the areas in which we report. Any harm to our reputation resulting from setting these metrics, expanding our disclosure or our failure or perceived failure to meet such metrics or disclosures could adversely affect our business, financial performance, and growth.
Failure to continue to obtain or maintain high-quality endorsers of our products, or actions taken by our endorsers, could harm our business.19Table of ContentsFailure to continue to obtain or maintain high-quality endorsers of our products, or actions taken by our endorsers, could harm our business.
We establish relationships with artists, designers, musicians, athletes and other public figures to develop, evaluate and promote our products. If we are unable to recruit endorsers with consumer appeal or endorsers were to stop using our products contrary to their endorsement agreements, our business could be adversely affected. In addition, actions taken or statements made by our endorsers, associated with our products or brand or otherwise, could also seriously harm our brand image with consumers and, as a result, could have an adverse effect on our business.
The success of our business depends upon our ability to forecast and respond timely to consumer demand and market conditions and offer on-trend and new and updated products at attractive price points.
The global apparel industry is characterized by ever-changing fashion trends and consumer preferences, including the increasing shift to digital brand engagement and social media communication, and by the rapid replication of new products by competitors. The apparel industry is also impacted by changing consumer preferences regarding spending categories generally, including shifts away from traditional consumer spending and towards "experiential" spending and sustainable products. As a result, our success depends in large part on our ability to develop, market and deliver innovative and stylish products at a pace, intensity, and price competitive with other brands in the markets in which we sell our products. In addition, we must create products at a range of price points that appeal to the consumers of both our wholesale customers and our dedicated retail stores and e-commerce sites situated in each of our diverse geographic regions. Our development and production cycles take place prior to full visibility into all of these factors for the coming seasons. Failure on our part to forecast and respond timely to consumer demand and market conditions and to regularly and rapidly develop innovative and stylish products and update core products could limit sales growth, adversely affect retail and consumer acceptance of our products and negatively impact the consumer traffic in our dedicated retail stores. Moreover, our newer products may not produce as high a gross margin as our traditional products and thus may have an adverse effect on our overall margins and profitability.
In addition, if we fail to accurately forecast consumer demand, we may experience excess inventory levels, which may result in inventory write-downs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices. In addition, if we fail to accurately forecast consumer demand, we may experience excess inventory levels, which may result in inventory write-downs and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices. This could have an adverse effect on the image and reputation of our brands and could adversely affect our gross margins. For example, if sales do not meet expectations because of unexpected effects on inventory supply and consumer demand, too much inventory may cause excessive markdowns and, therefore, lower-than-planned margins. For example, if sales do not meet expectations because of unexpected effects on inventory supply and consumer demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, too much inventory may cause excessive markdowns and, therefore, lower-than-planned margins. Conversely, if we underestimate consumer demand for our products, we may experience inventory shortages, which could delay shipments to customers, negatively impact retailer and consumer relationships and diminish brand loyalty.
Port congestion, inventory delays, increased and unpredictable lead times, labor shortages, and storage and process capacity pressures within our U.S. distribution centers have impacted our ability to service consumer and wholesale customer demand during fiscal year 2022. We expect these disruptions to continue in the future, at least through the first half of fiscal year 2023. Elevated inventory levels, combined with the uneven flow of receipts and shipments, could cause further capacity pressures within our U.S. distribution centers, resulting in higher costs and limiting our ability to fulfill our consumers’ and
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wholesale customers' demand. In the event these supply chain disruptions continue, particularly if they are longer or are more severe than we anticipate, our business, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.
We depend on a group of key wholesale customers for a significant portion of our revenues. A significant adverse change in a customer relationship or in a customer's performance or financial position could harm our business and financial condition.
Sales to our top ten wholesale customers accounted for 31%, 32% and 29% of our total net revenues in fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. No single customer represented 10% or more of our net revenues in any of these years. While we have long-standing relationships with our wholesale customers, we do not have long-term contracts with them. As a result, purchases generally occur on an order-by-order basis, and the relationship, as well as particular orders, can generally be terminated by either party at any time. If any major wholesale customer decreases or ceases its purchases from us, cancels its orders, delays or defaults on its payment obligations to us, reduces the floor space, assortments, fixtures or advertising for our products or changes its manner of doing business with us for any reason, such as due to store closures, decreased foot traffic, inflationary pressures or recession, such actions are expected to adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, competition between our wholesale customers may impact the prices at which they sell our products, thereby impacting the prices at which they are willing to buy products from us. Furthermore, certain of our major wholesale customers may seek to distribute our products globally in a manner or at prices that impact the positioning that we seek to promote in our other channels of distribution.
A decline in the performance or financial condition of a major wholesale customer– including bankruptcy or liquidation– could result in the adverse impact on revenues and cause us to limit or discontinue business with that customer, require us to assume more credit risk relating to our receivables from that customer or limit our ability to collect amounts related to previous purchases by that customer. In addition, a decline in the performance or financial condition of a major wholesale customer– including bankruptcy or liquidation– could result in the adverse impact on revenues and cause us to limit or discontinue business with that customer, require us to assume more credit risk relating to our receivables from that customer or limit our ability to collect amounts related to previous purchases by that customer. Permanent store closures and other developments in these proceedings have adversely affected our sales to these customers. We expect additional closures and other developments in these proceedings will likely adversely affect our sales to these customers in the future, even if they continue operations. In addition, store closures, decreased foot traffic, inflationary pressures and recession will adversely affect the performance and will likely adversely affect the financial condition of many of these customers. In addition, store closures, decreased foot traffic, inflationary pressures and recession resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will adversely affect the performance and will likely adversely affect the financial condition of many of these customers. The foregoing may have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Our efforts to expand our retail business may not be successful, which could impact our operating results.
One of our key strategic priorities is our “DTC First” strategy, which includes our plan to become a leading world-class omni-channel retailer by expanding our consumer reach in brand-dedicated stores globally, including making selective investments in company-operated stores and e-commerce sites, and other brand-dedicated store models. In many locations, we face major, established retail competitors that may be able to better attract consumers and execute their retail strategies. In addition, a retail operating model involves substantial ongoing investments in equipment and property, information systems, inventory and personnel. In addition, a retail operating model involves substantial investments in equipment and property, information systems, inventory and personnel. Due to the high fixed-cost structure associated with these investments, a decline in sales or the closure of or poor performance of stores, including as a result of general declines in the macroeconomic environment, could result in significant costs and impacts to our margins. Due to the high fixed-cost structure associated with these investments, a decline in sales or the closure of or poor performance of stores, including the closure of stores and decreased foot traffic resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, could result in significant costs and impacts to our margins. Our ability to grow our retail channel also depends on the availability and cost of real estate that meets our criteria for foot traffic, square footage, demographics and other factors. Failure to identify and secure adequate new locations, or failure to effectively manage the profitability of the fleet of stores, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
In addition, our investments in consumer, digital, and omni-channel shopping initiatives may not deliver the results we anticipate. These initiatives involve significant investments in IT systems, data science and artificial intelligence initiatives, and significant operational changes. Our competitors are also investing in omni-channel initiatives, some of which may be more successful than our initiatives. If the implementation of our consumer, digital, and omni-channel initiatives is not successful, or we do not realize the return on our investments in these initiatives that we anticipate, our operating results would be adversely affected.
If the technology-based systems that give our consumers the ability to shop or interact with us online do not function effectively, our operating results, as well as our ability to grow our digital commerce business globally or to retain our customer base, could be materially adversely affected.
Many of our consumers shop with us through our digital platforms or through third party digital marketplaces on which we operate. Consumer expectations and related competitive pressures have increased and are expected to continue to increase relative to various aspects of our e-commerce business, including speed of product delivery, shipping charges, return privileges, and other evolving expectations. Increasingly, consumers are using mobile-based devices and applications to shop online with us and with our competitors, and to do comparison shopping, as well as to engage with us and our competitors through digital services and experiences that are offered on mobile platforms. We are increasingly using social media and proprietary mobile applications to interact with our consumers and as a means to enhance their shopping experience. Any failure on our part to provide attractive, effective, reliable, secure, user-friendly digital commerce platforms that offer a wide assortment of merchandise with rapid delivery options and that continually meet the changing expectations of online shoppers or any failure
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to provide attractive digital experiences to our customers could place us at a competitive disadvantage, result in the loss of digital commerce and other sales, harm our reputation with consumers, have an adverse impact on the growth of our digital commerce business globally and have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations. In addition, as use of our digital platforms continues to grow, we will need an increasing amount of technical infrastructure to continue to satisfy our consumers' needs. If we fail to continue to effectively scale and adapt our digital platforms to accommodate increased consumer demand, our business may be subject to interruptions, delays or failures and consumer demand for our products and digital experiences could decline. Risks specific to our digital commerce business also include diversion of sales from our and our retailers' brick and mortar stores, difficulty in recreating the in-store experience through direct channels and liability for online content. Our failure to successfully respond to these risks could adversely affect sales in our digital commerce business, as well as damage our reputation and brands. Our failure to successfully respond to these risks might adversely affect sales in our digital commerce business, as well as damage our reputation and brands.
We may be unable to maintain or increase our sales through our third-party distribution channels.
In addition to our brand-dedicated company-operated retail stores and e-commerce sites, our third-party distribution channels include department stores, specialty retailers, mass channel retailers, franchised or other brand-dedicated stores, and shop-in-shops.
We may be unable to maintain or increase sales of our products through these distribution channels for several reasons, including the following:
the retailers in these channels maintain– and seek to grow– substantial private-label and exclusive offerings as they strive to differentiate the brands and products they offer from those of their competitors;
the retailers change their apparel strategies in a way that shifts focus away from our typical consumer or that otherwise results in a reduction of sales of our products generally, such as a reduction of fixture spaces devoted to our products or a shift to other brands;
other channels, including vertically-integrated specialty stores and e-commerce sites, account for a substantial portion of jeanswear and casual wear sales. In some of our mature markets, these stores and sites have placed competitive pressure on our primary distribution channels, and many of these stores and sites are now looking to our developing markets to grow their business; and
shrinking points of distribution, including fewer doors at our customer locations, store closures and decreased foot traffic due to, among other things, the COVID-19 pandemic, or bankruptcy or financial difficulties of a customer.
Further success by retailer private-labels, vertically-integrated specialty stores and e-commerce sites may continue to adversely affect the sales of our products across all channels, as well as the profitability of our brand-dedicated stores. Additionally, our ability to secure or maintain retail floor space, product display prominence, market share and sales in these channels depends on our ability to offer differentiated products, to increase retailer profitability on our products and the strength of our brands, and such efforts could have an adverse impact on our margins. 21Table of ContentsAdditionally, our ability to secure or maintain retail floor space, product display prominence, market share and sales in these channels depends on our ability to offer differentiated products, to increase retailer profitability on our products and the strength of our brands, and such efforts could have an adverse impact on our margins.
In addition, the retail industry in the United States has experienced substantial consolidation over the last decade, and further consolidation may occur. Consolidation in the retail industry has typically resulted in store closures, centralized purchasing decisions and increased emphasis by retailers on inventory management and productivity, which could result in fewer stores carrying our products or reduced demand by retailers for our products. In addition, we and other suppliers may experience increased customer leverage over us and greater exposure to credit risk as a result of industry consolidation. Furthermore, consolidation may be partly due to consumers continuing to transition away from traditional wholesale retailers to large online retailers, which in turn exposes our products to increased competition and pricing pressure. Any of the foregoing results can impact, and have adversely impacted in the past, our net revenues, margins and ability to operate efficiently.
If we encounter problems with distribution, our ability to deliver our products to market could be adversely affected.
We rely on both company-owned and third-party distribution facilities to warehouse and ship products to our wholesale customers, retail stores and e-commerce consumers throughout the world. As part of the pursuit for improved organizational agility and marketplace responsiveness, we have consolidated the number of distribution facilities we rely upon and continue to look for opportunities for further consolidation in certain regions. Additionally, we are building new company-owned distribution and fulfillment facilities globally to meet our future demand, drive efficiencies and enhance our service capabilities. These new sites are highly automated utilizing industry leading technology and equipment. These actions may make our operations more vulnerable to interruptions in the event of work stoppages or disruption (including as a consequence of public health directives, quarantine policies or social distancing measures imposed by governments), labor disputes, worker shortages, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical conflict, the impacts of climate change, earthquakes, floods, fires or other natural disasters affecting these distribution centers. Such consolidation may make our operations more vulnerable to interruptions in the event of work stoppages or disruption (including as a consequence of public health directives, quarantine policies or social distancing measures imposed by governments), labor disputes, worker shortages, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), the impacts of climate change, earthquakes, floods, fires or other natural disasters affecting these distribution centers. In addition, distribution capacity is dependent on the timely performance of services by third parties, including the transportation of products to and from their distribution facilities, which also may be adversely affected by work stoppages or disruption, labor disputes, macroeconomic
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conditions, geopolitical conflict and pandemics. Moreover, our distribution system includes computer-controlled and automated equipment, which may be subject to a number of risks related to data and system security or computer viruses, the proper operation of software and hardware, power interruptions or other system failures. Additionally, construction of our new facilities may be delayed and once completed, the new sites may encounter lower than anticipated service levels or higher costs as we integrate them into our supply chain. Additionally, there may be a failure to achieve the anticipated levels of cost savings and efficiency as a result of the reduction in workforce, which could adversely impact our business and results of operations. If we encounter problems with our distribution system, whether company-owned or third-party, our ability to meet customer and consumer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales and achieve operating efficiencies could be adversely affected.
Unexpected obstacles in new markets and in our existing markets may limit our expansion opportunities and cause our business and growth to suffer.
Our future growth depends in part on our continued expansion efforts in existing markets and in new markets where we may have limited familiarity and experience with regulatory environments and market practices. In particular, one of our key strategies is to further diversify our portfolio and grow market share across geographies, categories, genders and channels. We may not be able to expand or successfully operate in those markets, categories and channels as a result of unfamiliarity or other unexpected barriers to expansion or entry. For example, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, we acquired Beyond Yoga®, a premium athletic and lifestyle apparel brand. In connection with our expansion efforts, we may encounter obstacles, including new competitors, cultural and linguistic differences, differences in regulatory environments, labor practices and market practices, economic or governmental instability, difficulties in keeping abreast of market, business and technical developments and differences in consumer tastes and preferences. Our failure to develop our business in new markets or disappointing growth in existing markets that we may experience could harm our business and results of operations.
Future acquisitions of and investments in new businesses, including the Beyond Yoga® acquisition, could harm our business and financial condition.
From time to time, we may acquire or invest in businesses or partnerships that we believe could complement our business or offer growth opportunities. For example, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, we acquired Beyond Yoga®, a premium athletic and lifestyle apparel brand. The expected synergies between Levi Strauss & Co. and Beyond Yoga®, such as those related to our entry into the activewear category, complementing our growing women’s business and enabling the allocation of global resources and infrastructure to significantly expand Beyond Yoga®, building on its largely digital ecosystem, may not materialize. Our management team has limited experience in addressing the challenges of integrating management teams, strategies, cultures and organizations of two companies. These activities are complex, costly and time-consuming and delays or issues encountered in these activities could have an adverse effect on the financial condition of the company. Additionally, the acquisition may not be well received by the customers or employees of either company, and this could hurt our brand and result in the loss of key employees. The acquisition may not be well received by the customers or employees of either company, and this could hurt our brand and result in the loss of key employees. The pursuit and integration of such acquisitions or investments may divert the attention of management and cause us to incur various expenses, regardless of whether the acquisition or investment is ultimately completed. In addition, acquisitions and investments may not perform as expected or cause us to assume unrecognized or underestimated liabilities. Further, even if we are able to successfully identify and acquire additional businesses, we may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired personnel or operations, effectively manage the combined business following the acquisition, or the acquired business may have inadequate or ineffective controls and procedures, any of which could harm our business and financial condition. Further, if we are able to successfully identify and acquire additional businesses, we may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired personnel or operations, effectively manage the combined business following the acquisition, or the acquired business may have inadequate or ineffective controls and procedures, any of which could harm our business and financial condition.
In addition, we may, from time to time, evaluate and pursue other strategic investments or acquisitions.22Table of ContentsIn addition, we may, from time to time, evaluate and pursue other strategic investments or acquisitions. These involve various inherent risks and the benefits sought may not be realized. The acquisition of Beyond Yoga® or other strategic investments or acquisitions may not create value and may harm our brand and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We face risks arising from restructuring of our operations and uncertainty with respect to our ability to achieve any anticipated cost savings associated with such restructuring.
We continuously assess opportunities to streamline operations and fuel long-term profitable growth. Future charges related to such actions may harm our profitability in the periods incurred.
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Implementation of a reduction in workforce, or similar restructuring program actions, may present a number of significant risks, including:
actual or perceived disruption of service or reduction in service levels to customers and consumers;
potential adverse effects on our internal control environment and inability to preserve adequate internal controls relating to our general and administrative functions in connection with the decision to outsource certain business service activities;
actual or perceived disruption to suppliers, distribution networks and other important operational relationships and the inability to resolve potential conflicts in a timely manner;
difficulty in obtaining timely delivery of products of acceptable quality from our contract manufacturers;
diversion of management attention from ongoing business activities and strategic objectives; and
failure to maintain employee morale and retain key employees.
Because of these and other factors, we may not fully realize the purpose and anticipated operational benefits or cost savings of any productivity actions and, if we do not, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.Because of these and other factors, we cannot predict whether we will fully realize the purpose and anticipated operational benefits or cost savings of any global productivity actions and, if we do not, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. Additionally, there may be a failure to achieve the anticipated levels of cost savings and efficiency as a result of a reduction in workforce, which could adversely impact our business and results of operations. Additionally, there may be a failure to achieve the anticipated levels of cost savings and efficiency as a result of the reduction in workforce, which could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our business is affected by seasonality and other factors that result in fluctuations in our quarterly operating results.
We experience moderate fluctuations in aggregate sales volume during the year. Historically, revenues in our fourth fiscal quarter has slightly exceeded those in our other three fiscal quarters. Historically, revenues in our third and fourth fiscal quarters have slightly exceeded those in our first and second fiscal quarters. In addition, our customers and consumers may cancel orders, change delivery schedules, or change the mix of products ordered with minimal notice. As a result, we may not be able to accurately predict our quarterly sales. Accordingly, our results of operations are likely to fluctuate significantly from period to period. These factors, along with other factors that are beyond our control, such as social or political unrest, pandemics, general economic conditions, changes in consumer preferences, weather conditions, the effects of climate change, the availability of import quotas, transportation disruptions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, could adversely affect our business and cause our quarterly results of operations to fluctuate. This seasonality, along with other factors that are beyond our control, including the COVID-19 pandemic, social or political unrest, general economic conditions, changes in consumer preferences, weather conditions, including the effects of climate change, the availability of import quotas, transportation disruptions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, could adversely affect our business and cause our results of operations to fluctuate.
We rely significantly on information technology and data to operate our business, including our supply chain and retail operations, and any failure, inadequacy, compromise or interruption of that technology or data, or those of third parties upon which we rely, could lead to adverse consequences, including but not limited to regulatory investigations or actions, litigation, fines and penalties, harm to our ability to effectively operate our business, claims that we breached our data privacy security obligations, harm to our reputation and a loss of customers or sales.
In the ordinary course of our business, we may collect, store, use, transmit, disclose or otherwise process proprietary confidential and sensitive data, including personal information, intellectual property, and trade secrets, and we rely upon third parties (such as service providers) for data processing-related activities. As a result, we and the third parties upon which we rely face a variety of evolving threats, including but not limited to ransomware attacks, which could cause security incidents.
We are heavily dependent on information technology systems and networks, including the Internet, third-party services and artificial intelligence, across our supply chain, including product design, production, forecasting, ordering, manufacturing, transportation, sales, and distribution, as well as for processing financial information for external and internal reporting purposes, retail operations and other business activities. These information technology systems are critical to many of our operating activities and our business processes and may be negatively impacted by any service interruption or shutdown.
Over the last several years, we have been and continue to implement modifications and upgrades to our systems, including making changes to legacy systems, replacing legacy systems with successor systems with new functionality and acquiring new systems with new functionality. For example, over the next several years, we plan to continue the process of implementing a new ERP system across the company with implementation in the United States scheduled for fiscal year 2023. Additionally, we are building new distribution and fulfillment facilities which are highly automated and utilize industry leading technology and equipment. Our ability to effectively manage and maintain our inventory and to ship products to customers on a timely basis depends significantly on the reliability of these systems. For example, our ability to effectively manage and maintain our inventory and to ship products to customers on a timely basis depends significantly on the reliability of these systems.
Our work to integrate, secure and enhance these systems and related processes in our global operations is ongoing and we will continue to invest in these efforts. We may expend significant resources or modify our business activities to try to protect against security incidents. Certain data privacy and security obligations may require us to implement and maintain specific security measures or industry-standard or reasonable security measures to protect our information technology systems and sensitive information. We cannot provide assurance, however, that the measures we take to secure and enhance these systems will be sufficient to prevent security incidents, cyber-attacks, system failures or data or information loss. We cannot provide assurance, however, that the measures we take to secure and enhance these systems will be sufficient to protect our information technology systems and prevent cyber-attacks, system failures or data or information loss. Cyber-attacks,
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malicious internet-based activity and online and offline fraud are prevalent and continue to increase. In addition to traditional computer “hackers,” threat actors, personnel (such as through theft or misuse), sophisticated nation-states and nation-state supported actors now engage in attacks. We may be subject to a variety of evolving threats, including but not limited to social engineering, such as phishing, malicious code (such as viruses and worms), malware (including as a result of advanced persistent threat intrusions), denial-of-service attacks (such as credential stuffing), personnel misconduct or error, supply-chain attacks, software bugs, server malfunctions and large-scale, complex automated attacks that can evade detection for long periods of time. Future or past business transactions (such as acquisitions or integrations) could expose us to additional cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, as our systems could be negatively affected by vulnerabilities present in acquired or integrated entities’ systems and technologies. Ransomware attacks, including those perpetrated by organized criminal threat actors, nation-states and nation-state supported actors, are becoming increasingly prevalent and severe and can lead to significant interruptions in our operations, loss of data and income, reputational harm and diversion of funds. Extortion payments may alleviate the negative impact of a ransomware attack, but we may be unwilling or unable to make such payments due to, for example, applicable laws or regulations prohibiting such payments.
Any unauthorized access of our or our service providers' information technology systems or networks may result in the loss of confidential business and financial data, misappropriation of our consumers', users' or employees' personal information or a disruption of our business.Any breach of our or our service providers' networks, or other vendor systems, may result in the loss of confidential business and financial data, misappropriation of our consumers', users' or employees' personal information or a disruption of our business. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, including unwanted media attention, impairment of our consumer and customer relationships, damage to our reputation, resulting in lost sales, fines, lawsuits, government enforcement actions (for example, investigations, fines, penalties, audits and inspections) or significant legal and remediation expenses. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, including unwanted media attention, impairment of our consumer and customer relationships, damage to our reputation, resulting in lost sales and consumers, fines, lawsuits, government enforcement actions (for example, investigations, fines, penalties, audits and inspections) or significant legal and remediation expenses. We also may need to expend significant resources to protect against, respond to or redress problems caused by any unauthorized access. We also may need to expend significant resources to protect against, respond to and/or redress problems caused by any breach.
The failure of our information technology systems and networks to operate effectively, including as a result of the threats described above as well as a result of natural disasters, vendor business interruptions or other causes, failure to properly maintain, protect, repair or upgrade systems, or problems with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems could cause delays in product fulfillment and reduced efficiency of our operations, could require significant capital investments to remediate the problem which may not be sufficient to cover all eventualities, and may have an adverse effect on our reputation, results of operations and financial condition.The failure of these systems to operate effectively, including as a result of the threats described above as well as a result of natural disasters, vendor business interruptions or other causes, failure to properly maintain, protect, repair or upgrade systems, or problems with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems could cause delays in product fulfillment and reduced efficiency of our operations, could require significant capital investments to remediate the problem which may not be sufficient to cover all eventualities, and may have an adverse effect on our reputation, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the increased use of employee-owned devices for communications as well as work-from-home arrangements, present additional operational risks to our information technology systems, including, but not limited to, increased risks of cyber-attacks. In addition, the increased use of employee-owned devices for communications as well as work-from-home arrangements, such as those implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, present additional operational risks to our information technology systems, including, but not limited to, increased risks of cyber-attacks. Our software or information technology systems, or that of third parties upon whom we rely to operate our business, may have material vulnerabilities and, despite our efforts to identify and remediate these vulnerabilities, our efforts may not be successful or we may experience delays in developing and deploying remedial measures designed to address any such identified vulnerabilities. Our software or information technology systems, or that of third parties upon who we rely to operate our business, may have material vulnerabilities and, despite our efforts to identify and remediate these vulnerabilities, our efforts may not be successful or we may experience delays in developing and deploying remedial measures designed to address any such identified vulnerabilities. It may be expensive and time-consuming to remediate material vulnerabilities, and our operations, reputation, sales and financial performance may be adversely impacted if we are not able to successfully and promptly remediate such vulnerabilities. Further, like other companies in the retail industry, we have in the past experienced, and we expect to continue to experience, cyber-attacks, including phishing, and other attempts to breach, or gain unauthorized access to, our systems. For example, in 2020, SolarWinds Inc., one of our third party software service providers, was subject to a data security incident and, in 2021, a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache log4j was identified as affecting large amounts of systems worldwide. We completed investigations of these incidents and concluded that they resulted in no material adverse impact to us. However, we cannot provide assurance that these and other attacks will not have an impact in the future. However, we cannot provide assurance that these and other attacks will not have an impact in the future.
We also use information technology systems to process financial information and results of operations for internal reporting purposes and to comply with regulatory financial reporting, legal and tax requirements. If these systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown and our business continuity plans, or those of our vendors, do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, we could experience delays in reporting our financial results, which could result in lost revenues and profits, as well as reputational damage. Furthermore, we depend on information technology systems and personal information collection for digital marketing, digital commerce, consumer engagement and the marketing and use of our digital products and services. We also rely on our ability to engage in electronic communications throughout the world between and among our employees as well as with other third parties, including customers, suppliers, vendors, and consumers. Any interruption in information technology systems may impede our ability to engage in the digital space and result in lost revenues, damage to our reputation, and loss of users. Any interruption in 24Table of Contentsinformation technology systems may impede our ability to engage in the digital space and result in lost revenues, damage to our reputation, and loss of users.
Our contracts may not contain limitations of liability, and even where they do, there can be no assurance that limitations of liability in our contracts are sufficient to protect us from liabilities, damages, or claims related to our data privacy and security obligations. We cannot be sure that our insurance coverage will be adequate or sufficient to protect us from or to mitigate liabilities arising out of our privacy and security practices, that such coverage will continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that such coverage will pay future claims.
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As we outsource functions, we become more dependent on the entities performing those functions. Disruptions or delays at our third-party service providers could adversely impact our operations.
As part of our long-term profitable growth strategy, we are continually looking for opportunities to provide essential business services in a more cost-effective manner. In some cases, this requires the outsourcing of functions or parts of functions that can be performed more effectively by external service providers. For example, we currently outsource a significant portion of our information technology, finance, customer relations and customer service functions to a third party. For example, we currently outsource a significant portion of our information technology, finance, customer relations and customer service functions to Wipro Limited and third-party service providers are also relied upon to design, program, maintain and service our ERP systems. Additionally, third-party service providers are also relied upon to design, program, maintain and service our ERP systems. While we believe we conduct appropriate diligence before entering into agreements with any outsourcing entity, the failure of one or more of such entities to meet our performance standards and expectations, including with respect to data security, compliance with data protection and privacy laws, providing services on a timely basis or providing services at the prices we expect, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. While we believe we conduct appropriate diligence before entering into agreements with any outsourcing entity, the failure of one or more of such entities to meet our performance standards and expectations, including with respect to data security, compliance with data protection and privacy laws, providing services on a timely basis or providing services at the prices we expect, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. For example, our outsourcing entities and other third-party service providers may experience difficulties, disruptions, delays, or failures in their ability to deliver services to us as a result of the ongoing direct and indirect impacts of geopolitical conditions, the broader macroeconomic environment and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For example, our outsourcing entities and other third-party service providers may experience difficulties, disruptions, delays, or failures in their ability to deliver services to us as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We could face increased costs or disruption associated with finding replacement vendors or hiring new employees in order to return these services in-house, which may have a significant impact on our costs, as well as impact the timing of receipt of inventory for future seasons. Any failures of these vendors to properly deliver their services could similarly have a material effect on our business. We may outsource other functions in the future, which would increase our reliance on third parties.
We currently rely on contract manufacturing of our products. Our inability to secure production sources meeting our quality, cost, social and environmental risk mitigation and other requirements, or failures by our contract manufacturers to perform, could harm our sales, service levels and reputation.
In fiscal year 2022, we sourced approximately 99% of our products from independent contract manufacturers that purchase fabric and make our products and may also provide us with design and development services. As a result, we must locate and secure production capacity. We depend on contract manufacturers to maintain adequate financial resources, including access to sufficient credit, to secure a sufficient supply of raw materials, and maintain sufficient development and manufacturing capacity in an environment characterized by continuing cost pressure and demands for product innovation and speed-to-market. In addition, we currently do not have any material long-term contracts with any of our contract manufacturers. Under our current arrangements with our contract manufacturers, these manufacturers generally may unilaterally terminate their relationship with us at any time. While we have historically worked with numerous manufacturers, in recent years we have begun consolidating the number of contract manufacturers from which we source our products. In addition, some of our contract manufacturers have merged. Reliance on a fewer number of contract manufacturers involves risk, and any difficulties or failures to perform by our contract manufacturers could cause delays in product shipments or otherwise negatively affect our results of operations. If our contract manufacturers, or any raw material vendors or suppliers on which our contract manufacturers rely, suffer prolonged manufacturing or transportation disruptions due to macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical conflict, public health conditions, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, or other unforeseen events, our ability to source product on a timely basis could be adversely impacted, which could adversely affect our results of operations. If our contract manufacturers, or any raw material vendors or suppliers on which our contract manufacturers rely, suffer prolonged manufacturing or transportation disruptions due to public health conditions, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, or other unforeseen events, our ability to source product on a timely basis could be adversely impacted, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Also, we have certain minimum inventory purchase commitments, including fabric commitments, with suppliers that secure a portion of material needs for future seasons. If we do not satisfy the minimum purchase commitments, due to conditions such as decreased demand, we may be charged for estimated adverse purchase commitments.
A contract manufacturer's failure to ship products to us in a timely manner or to meet our quality standards, or interference with our ability to receive or process shipments due to factors such as port or transportation conditions, security incidents or storage and process capacity pressures, could cause us to miss the delivery date requirements of our customers.A contract manufacturer's failure to ship products to us in a timely manner or to meet our quality standards, or interference with our ability to receive shipments due to factors such as port or transportation conditions or security incidents, could cause us to miss the delivery date requirements of our customers. Failing to make timely deliveries may cause our customers to cancel orders, refuse to accept deliveries, impose non-compliance charges, demand reduced prices, or reduce future orders, any of which could harm our sales and margins. If we need to replace any contract manufacturer, we may be unable to locate additional contract manufacturers on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, or we may be unable to locate additional contract manufacturers with sufficient capacity to meet our requirements or to fill our orders in a timely manner.
We require contract manufacturers to make progress toward our sustainability goals and meet our standards and policies in terms of working conditions, environmental protection, raw materials, facility safety, security and other matters before we are willing to place business with them. As such, we may not be able to obtain the lowest-cost production. We also may need to move our production to the extent that we determine our contract manufacturers are not in compliance with our standards or applicable government standards, sanctions or other restrictions. We may also encounter delays in production and added costs as a result of the time it takes to train our contract manufacturers in our methods, products and quality control standards. In addition, the labor and business practices of apparel manufacturers and their suppliers, including raw material suppliers, have received increased attention from the media, non-governmental organizations, consumers and governmental agencies in recent years. Any failure by our contract manufacturers or their suppliers to adhere to our code of conduct, labor or other laws,
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appropriate labor or business practices, safety, structural or environmental standards, and the potential litigation, negative publicity and political pressure relating to any of these events, could harm our business and reputation.
Our suppliers may be impacted by economic conditions and cycles and changing laws and regulatory requirements which could impact their ability to do business with us or cause us to terminate our relationship with them and require us to find replacements, which we may have difficulty doing.
Our suppliers are subject to the fluctuations in general economic cycles, and global economic conditions may impact their ability to operate their businesses. They may also be impacted by the increasing costs or availability of raw materials, including related to inflationary pressures, labor and distribution, resulting in demands for less attractive contract terms or an inability for them to meet our requirements or conduct their own businesses. The performance and financial condition of a supplier may cause us to alter our business terms or to cease doing business with a particular supplier, or change our sourcing practices generally, which could in turn adversely affect our business and financial condition.
In addition, regulatory developments such as reporting requirements on the use of "conflict" minerals mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries, or compliance with the sanctions and customs trade orders issued by the U.S. government related to raw materials, entities and individuals who are connected to a region of China, could affect the sourcing and availability of raw materials used by our suppliers in the manufacturing of certain of our products. We have been and may continue to be subject to costs associated with regulations, including for the diligence pertaining to these matters and the cost of remediation and other changes to products, processes, or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. The impact of such regulations may result in a limited pool of acceptable suppliers, and we cannot be assured that we will be able to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Also, because our supply chain is complex, we may face regulatory challenges in complying with applicable sanctions and trade regulations and reputational challenges with our consumers and other stakeholders if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for the material used in the products we sell.
The global apparel industry is subject to intense cost and pricing pressure.
The apparel industry is characterized by low barriers to entry for both suppliers and marketers, global sourcing through suppliers located throughout the world, trade liberalization, continuing movement of product sourcing to lower cost countries, regular promotional activity, and the ongoing emergence of new competitors with widely varying strategies and resources. These factors have contributed, and we expect them to continue to contribute in the future, to intense pricing pressure and uncertainty throughout the supply chain. Macroeconomic pressures around the world such as inflation, rising interest rates, energy prices, including the dramatic increases in energy prices in Europe, and recession fears are creating a complex and challenging retail environment for us and our customers as consumers reduce discretionary spending. Pricing pressure has been further exacerbated by the variability and availability of raw materials, combined with labor and cost inflation and uncertainty throughout the supply chain. Pricing pressure has been exacerbated by the variability and availability of raw materials in recent months, combined with labor and cost inflation and uncertainty throughout the supply chain. This pressure could have adverse effects on our business and financial condition, including:
reduced gross margins across our product lines and distribution channels;
increased retailer demands for allowances, incentives, and other forms of economic support;
unfavorable consumer reactions to price increases; and
increased pressure on us to reduce our production costs and operating expenses.
Increases in the price or availability of raw materials could increase our cost of goods and negatively impact our financial results.
The majority of our products are made of cotton, where the remaining balance are made of synthetics, cotton/synthetic blends, and viscose. The prices we pay our suppliers for our products are dependent in part on the market price for raw materials used to produce them, primarily cotton. The price and availability of cotton may fluctuate substantially, depending on a variety of factors, including demand, acreage devoted to cotton crops and crop yields, weather, supply conditions, transportation costs, energy prices, work stoppages, government regulation, sanctions and policy, economic climates, market speculation, compliance with our working condition, environmental protection, and other standards, and other unpredictable factors. For example, compliance with the sanctions and trade orders issued by the U.S. government related to raw materials, entities and individuals who are connected to a region of China could affect the sourcing and availability of raw materials, including cotton, used by our suppliers in the manufacturing of certain of our products. Any and all of these factors may be exacerbated by global climate change. Cotton prices have fluctuated significantly in recent months and we expect they will continue to experience unprecedented variability and uncertainty. In the event of a significant disruption or unavailability in the supply of the fabrics or raw materials used by our vendors in the manufacture of our products, our vendors might not be able to locate alternative suppliers of materials of comparable quality at an acceptable price. In addition, prices of purchased finished products also depend on wage rates and energy costs in the regions where our contract manufacturers are located, as well as freight costs from those regions that are in turn affected by crude oil prices. In addition, prices of purchased finished products also depend on wage rates in the regions where our contract manufacturers are located, as well as freight costs from those regions. Increases in raw material costs, wage rates, energy
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costs and freight costs, unless sufficiently offset by our pricing actions, may cause a decrease in our profitability, and negatively impact our sales volume. These factors may also have an adverse impact on our cash and working capital needs as well as those of our suppliers.
Our business is subject to risks associated with sourcing and manufacturing overseas, as well as risks associated with potential tariffs, transportation disruptions or a global trade war.
We import materials and finished garments into all of our operating regions. Our ability to import products in a timely and cost-effective manner may be affected by conditions at ports or issues that otherwise affect transportation and warehousing providers, such as port and shipping capacity, energy costs, labor disputes and work stoppages, political unrest, security incidents, severe weather, or security requirements in the United States and other countries. Our ability to import products in a timely and cost-effective manner may be affected by conditions at ports or issues that otherwise affect transportation and warehousing providers, such as port and shipping capacity, labor disputes and work stoppages, political unrest, security incidents, severe weather, or security requirements in the United States and other countries. These issues could delay importation of products or require us to locate alternative ports or warehousing providers to avoid disruption to our customers. These alternatives may not be available on short notice or could result in higher transportation costs, which could have an adverse impact on our business and financial condition, specifically our gross margin and overall profitability.
Substantially all of our import operations are subject to complex trade and customs la