UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

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FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

 

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023

 

OR

 

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                    to                   

 

Commission file number 1-11692

 

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Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		06-1275288
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

25 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury, Connecticut		06811-5286
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

(203) 743-8000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Common stock $0.01 par value		ETD		New York Stock Exchange
(Title of each class)		(Trading symbol)		(Name of exchange on which registered)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.         ☐ Yes          ☒ No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.     ☐ Yes          ☒ No

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    ☒ Yes          ☐ No

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer          ☐	Accelerated filer                    ☒
Non-accelerated filer            ☐	Smaller reporting company   ☐
Emerging growth company  ☐

 

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. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

 

 

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If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b) . ☐

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on December 31, 2022, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $597,349,648. The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, as of August 17, 2023 was 25,372,098.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated.

 

 

 

 

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ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain statements which may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Generally, forward-looking statements include information concerning current expectations, projections or trends relating to results of operations, financial results, financial condition, strategic objectives and plans, expenses, dividends, share repurchases, liquidity, use of cash and cash requirements, borrowing capacity, investments, future economic performance, and our business and industry. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “short-term,” “target,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “future,” “strategy,” “opportunity,” “would,” “guidance,” “non-recurring,” “one-time,” “unusual,” “should,” “likely,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that are expected. Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) derive many of its forward-looking statements from operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While the Company believes that its assumptions are reasonable, it cautions that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors and it is impossible for the Company to anticipate all factors that could affect actual results and matters that are identified as “short term,” “non-recurring,” “unusual,” “one-time,” or other words and terms of similar meaning may in fact recur in one or more future financial reporting periods. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations, or cautionary statements, are disclosed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements, as well as other cautionary statements. A reader should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K in the context of these risks and uncertainties. Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on these statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict.

The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are made only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

Overview

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ethan Allen Global, Inc., and Ethan Allen Global, Inc.’s subsidiaries (collectively, “we,” “us,” “our,” “Ethan Allen” or the “Company”), is a Delaware corporation and a leading interior design company, manufacturer and retailer in the home furnishings marketplace. We are a global luxury home fashion brand that is vertically integrated from product design through home delivery, which offers our customers stylish product offerings, artisanal quality, and personalized service. We are known for the quality and craftsmanship of our products as well as for the exceptional personal service from design to delivery, and for our commitment to social responsibility and sustainable operations. Our strong network of entrepreneurial leaders and interior designers provide complimentary interior design service to our clients and sell a full range of home furnishing products through a retail network of design centers located throughout the United States and abroad as well as online at ethanallen.com.

Ethan Allen design centers represent a mix of locations operated by independent licensees and Company-operated locations. As of June 30, 2023, the Company operates 139 retail design centers with 135 located in the United States and four in Canada. Our independently-operated design centers are located in the United States, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. We also own and operate ten manufacturing facilities, including four manufacturing plants, one sawmill, one rough mill and one kiln dry lumberyard in the United States, two manufacturing plants in Mexico and one manufacturing plant in Honduras. Approximately 75% of our products are manufactured in our North American manufacturing plants and we also partner with various suppliers located in Europe, Asia, and other countries to produce products that support our business.

Business Strategy

We strive to deliver value to our shareholders through the execution of our strategic initiatives focused on the concept of constant reinvention. Ethan Allen has a distinct vision of American style, rooted in the kind of substance that we believe differentiates us from our competitors. Our business model is to maintain continued focus on (i) providing relevant product offerings, (ii) capitalizing on the professional and personal service offered to our customers by our interior design professionals, (iii) leveraging the benefits of our vertical integration including a strong manufacturing presence in North America, (iv) regularly investing in new technologies across key aspects of our vertically integrated business, (v) maintaining a strong logistics network, (vi) communicating our messages with strong advertising and marketing campaigns, and (vii) utilizing our website, ethanallen.com, as a key marketing tool to drive traffic to our retail design centers.

We aim to position Ethan Allen as a premier interior design destination and a preferred brand offering products of superior style, quality, and value to customers with a comprehensive solution for their home furnishing and interior design needs. We operate our business with an entrepreneurial attitude, staying focused on long-term growth, and treating our employees, vendors, and customers with dignity and respect, which we believe are important amidst the constant changes taking place in the world.

Product

By harnessing the expertise of skilled artisans within our North American facilities, we design and build 75% of the items we offer. Every product bears the distinctive quality of the Ethan Allen brand. Meticulous hand-guided stitching, dress our upholstery frames, and our case goods furniture crafted from premium lumber and veneers, individually finished and customized. Our commitment to using top-tier construction techniques is evident, including using mortise and tenon joinery and four-corner glued dovetail joinery for drawers. These elements are the bedrock of Ethan Allen's identity, solidifying our role as a premier influencer of quality and style in home furnishings.

Our vertically integrated approach empowers us to seamlessly introduce new products, oversee design specifications, and uphold consistent levels of excellence across all product lines. Alongside our seven manufacturing facilities in the United States, we possess two upholstery manufacturing plants in Mexico and a case goods manufacturing facility in Honduras. We selectively outsource the remaining 25% of our products, primarily from Asia. Our sourcing partners are chosen with the utmost care, and we insist on unwavering adherence to our quality standards, specifications, and social responsibility. If any of these suppliers experience financial or other difficulties, we believe we have alternative sources of supply to prevent temporary disruptions in our imported product flow. The prices paid for these imported products began to decrease in fiscal 2023 as our supply chain constraints relaxed and demand across the industry decreased, which helped lower costs. We believe our strategic investments in manufacturing facilities and the judicious outsourcing from foreign and domestic suppliers position us to accommodate future growth while retaining control over costs, quality, and customer service.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Projection

Our design centers have evolved into an interior design destination, with technology-driven projections and dedicated workstations that foster collaboration between designers and clients. Each workstation highlights the breadth of selection within a home furnishings category, including available custom fabrics, leathers, finishes, and options, where relevant. Clients can also use touchscreens located throughout the store to perform product research at their own pace. Upon entering our design centers clients can immediately view our design studio. The design center showcases our talented interior designers, with freestanding workstations equipped with large touch-screen flat panel displays where clients can view both before-and-after photos and 3D floor plans of single rooms or even entire homes. The large, high-resolution screens bring digital design plans to life, so clients can preview an incredibly realistic version of their designed space before placing an order. Customers are also able to view hundreds of fabrics, leathers, finishes, and other customized options on site; from room plan to furniture details, the experience is personalized.

During fiscal 2023, we relocated two design centers, Skokie, Illinois and San Jose, California, both of which project the variety of our styles, under the umbrella of Classics with a Modern Perspective, in a bright, open, modern layout that follows our best and most current interior design concepts. We plan to further expand our retail design center footprint in fiscal 2024 through the addition of new design centers located in The Villages, Florida, Manhattan, New York and Avon, Ohio.

Technology

Our unique combination of personal service and technology enhances the customers’ Ethan Allen experience including the use of virtual design appointment capabilities at ethanallen.com. We continue to leverage EA inHome®, an augmented reality mobile app, which empowers clients to preview Ethan Allen products in their homes, at scale, in a variety of fabrics and finishes. With the 3D Room Planner, our designers generate both 2D floor plans and immersive 4K, realistic 3D walk-throughs of the interior designs they create. In addition, our virtual design center showcases the timeless aesthetic of Ethan Allen’s vast product portfolio while fostering collaboration between our interior designers and our customers. Clients can access our home furnishings while either co-browsing live with an Ethan Allen interior designer or browsing on their own, at their own pace. Clients can view items in 3D, read product details, share, and save item lists, and utilize augmented reality views in their homes, either via a QR code on their desktop or directly when browsing on a mobile device. With so much of our product customizable, we encourage our customers to get personal help from our interior design professionals either in person or by chatting online. All of these technologies have been pivotal to our ability to service clients and provide even more ways for us to collaborate and create a timely and exceptional experience.

Marketing

Ethan Allen’s marketing emphasizes our core brand values of quality and craftsmanship, combining personal service with technology, and a commitment to social responsibility. We amplify those values through our dynamic brand story built around a core projection and philosophy: Classics with a Modern Perspective. By adopting a fresh, ever-evolving creative approach, using digital marketing to drive traffic to our retail locations, we continue to broaden our reach and enhance desirability and visibility. Our combination of creative and analytics-driven strategies enables us to secure both new and repeat client traffic, to our design centers worldwide and to our website at ethanallen.com. Using our customer relationship management system, we work toward creating personalized customer journeys and targeted communications. Our creative messaging is relevant and aspirational and conveyed through a variety of media, including digital marketing that includes social media and email marketing campaigns, plus direct mail and TV. Additionally, grassroots marketing is a critical initiative that is driven by our local design center teams. Taken together, these strategies help ensure that we are continuing to add to our client base while maintaining our existing relationships.

E-Commerce

We consider our website an extension of our retail design centers and not a separate segment of our business. Most clients will use the internet for inspiration and as a start to their shopping process to view products and prices. With so much of our product customizable, we encourage our website customers to get personal help from our interior design professionals either in person or by chatting online. We believe this complimentary direct contact with one of our interior design professionals, whether remotely or in-person, creates a competitive advantage through our excellent personal service. In addition, recent improvements to our ethanallen.com website include improved on-site search capabilities, expanded live chat services, online appointment booking capability, and product listing and display page enhancements. 

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Raw Materials and Supply Chain

The principal raw materials we use in manufacturing are lumber, logs, veneers, plywood, hardware, glue, finishing materials, glass, steel, fabrics, leather, frames, foam and filling material. The various types of wood used in our products include soft maple, wormy maple, red oak, prima vera, birch, rubber wood and cherry. These raw materials used for manufacturing are for cover (primarily fabrics and leather), polyester batting and polyurethane foam for cushioning and padding, lumber and plywood for frames, steel for motion mechanisms and various other metal components for fabrication of product. 

Our raw materials are purchased both domestically and outside the United States. We have no significant long-term supply contracts and believe we have sufficient alternate sources of supply to prevent significant long-term disruption to our operations. Appropriate amounts of lumber and fabric inventory are typically stocked to maintain adequate production levels. We believe that our sources of supply for these materials are sufficient and that we are not dependent on any one supplier. We have been able to minimize our exposure to any one particular country or manufacturing location through our vertical integration. This manufacturing structure leaves us with limited exposure to any one particular country on the 25% of product we import. We enter into standard purchase agreements with foreign and domestic suppliers to source selected products. The terms of these arrangements are customary for the industry and do not contain any long-term contractual obligations on our behalf. We believe we maintain good relationships with our suppliers.

During fiscal 2023, we began to see more price stabilization within our raw materials as we sourced from multiple different suppliers, modified our production to include alternatives, saw inflationary cost pressures decrease and benefited from more raw material availability within the industry. Lumber prices and availability can also fluctuate over time based on various factors, including supply and demand and new home construction.

Segments

We have strategically aligned our business into two reportable segments: wholesale and retail. Our operating segments are aligned with how the Company, including our chief executive officer (defined as our chief operating decision maker), manages the business. These two segments represent strategic business areas of our vertically integrated enterprise that operate separately and provide their own distinctive services. This vertical structure enables us to offer our complete line of home furnishings and accents while better controlling quality and cost. We evaluate performance of the respective segments based upon net sales and operating income. Intersegment transactions result, primarily, from the wholesale sale of inventory to the retail segment, including the related profit margin. Financial information, including sales, operating income and long-lived assets related to our segments are disclosed in Note 19, Segment Information, of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Seasonality

We believe that the demand for home furnishings generally reflects sensitivity to overall economic conditions, including consumer confidence, discretionary spending, housing starts, sales of new and existing homes, housing values, the level of mortgage refinancing, debt levels, retail trends and unemployment rates. In a typical year, we schedule production to maintain consistent manufacturing activity throughout the year whenever possible. We typically shut down our domestic plants for one week at the beginning of each fiscal year to perform routine maintenance. For both our segments, historically, including in fiscal 2023, no one particular fiscal quarter contributed more than 28% of annual sales volume, thus limiting our exposure to seasonality. During the last three fiscal years, our sales volume and production schedules did not follow the aforementioned typical trends due to the impact of COVID-19. As a result of the heightened demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant backlog was built in the prior years. In response, we took several actions to increase our production capacity throughout the last two fiscal years and as a result, our segments both experienced their largest sales volume in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. During fiscal 2023, our wholesale and retail business sales volumes began trending to more historical levels; therefore, we anticipate the typical seasonal trends will return to normal in fiscal 2024.

Backlog

We define backlog as any written order received that has not yet been delivered. Our wholesale backlog consists of written orders received from our retail network of independently operated design centers, Company-operated design centers, and contract business customers that have not yet been delivered. Our retail backlog is undelivered written orders associated with end retail customers. Our backlog fluctuates based on the timing of net orders booked, manufacturing production, the timing of imported product receipts, the timing and volume of shipments, and the timing of various promotional events. Historically, the size of our backlog at a given time varies and may not be indicative of our future sales, and therefore, we do not rely entirely on backlogs to predict future sales. We ended the fiscal 2023 year with wholesale backlog of $74.0 million, down 27.7% from a year ago as we were able to reduce the number of weeks of backlog. Manufacturing productivity and related shipments outpaced incoming written orders which helped reduce backlog and improve our delivery times during fiscal 2023. However, our wholesale backlog remains approximately 60% higher than pre-pandemic levels and our teams are effectively managing the business to work through this order backlog and to service our customers.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Distribution and Logistics

We distribute our products through three national distribution centers, owned by the Company, strategically located in North Carolina and Virginia. These distribution centers provide efficient cross-dock operations to receive and ship product from our manufacturing facilities and third-party suppliers to our retail network of Company and independently operated retail home delivery centers. Retail home delivery centers prepare products for delivery into customers’ homes. At June 30, 2023, our Company-operated retail design centers were supported by 17 Company-operated retail home delivery centers and 9 home delivery centers operated by third parties. We utilize independent carriers to ship our products. Our practice has been to sell our products at the same delivered cost to all Company and independently operated design centers throughout the United States, regardless of their shipping point. This policy creates pricing credibility with our wholesale customers while providing our retail segment the opportunity to achieve more consistent margins by removing fluctuations attributable to the cost of shipping.

Human Capital Management

We operate our business with an entrepreneurial attitude, staying focused on long-term growth, and treating our employees, vendors, and customers with dignity and respect. At June 30, 2023, our employee count totaled 3,748, with 2,674 employees in our wholesale segment and 1,074 in our retail segment. The majority of our employees are employed on a full-time basis and none of our employees are represented by unions or collective bargaining agreements. In managing our business, we focus on a number of key human capital objectives, which are rooted in our core values and include the following.

Culture and Values

Our employees are vital to our success and are one of the main reasons we continue to execute at a high level. Since our founding, we have aimed to build a collaborative culture that emphasizes treating people with dignity and respect while offering employees a variety of opportunities and experiences. We believe our employees have an entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for style, a drive for excellence, and endless creativity that has fostered a culture that embraces integrity, diversity, innovation and inclusion of people from all backgrounds.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity and inclusion (“DEI”) are a part of our core values, as we recognize that our employees’ unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives enable us to create and deliver the best-quality product and provide outstanding service to meet the needs of our customer base and the communities we serve. We believe in creating and fostering a workplace in which all our employees feel valued, included and empowered to do their best work and contribute their ideas and perspectives. We are committed to recruiting and retaining diverse talent so that our workforce better reflects the communities in which we live and work. Our DEI initiatives include developing impactful practices to advance our Company’s DEI policies, supporting diversity awareness across our organization, maintaining an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment of any kind, and continuing to offer our employees equal employment opportunities based solely on merit and qualifications. Ethan Allen provides multiple avenues through which to report inappropriate behavior, including a confidential whistleblower hotline. Aligning with our purpose and values, we work every day to capitalize on the talents of women, promoting them to leadership positions in both our retail network and in our corporate management. We are proud to support the advancement of women in the workplace with 70% of our retail division leaders and 65% of our Company-wide leaders women.

Health and Safety

Ethan Allen is committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees. We have safety programs in place for our employees to receive the proper training and education to ensure they are able to work in a safe environment each day. In addition, we have partnered with local communities in some of our North American manufacturing workshops to provide transportation to and from work and offer daily low-cost meals. In coordination with national healthcare systems for our manufacturing facilities outside of the United States, we provide on-site medical clinics staffed by a doctor and a team of experienced nurses, who also provide a pharmacy to prescribe over-the-counter medications. In addition to offering onsite medical care, we partner with local physicians to provide medical care for every associate’s family members. This commitment and focus enables us to continuously run our business operations without sacrificing the safety of our employees and customers.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

A Culture of Social Responsibility

Throughout our history, philanthropy has been a core value to Ethan Allen. We strive to develop exceptional programs based on partnerships where employees feel a sense of connection and pride in their communities and our mission is to enhance the quality of life in the communities in which we work and live. During fiscal 2023, and for the fourth year in a row, Ethan Allen’s upholstery workshop in Mexico was awarded the prestigious designation “Empresa Socialmente Responsable” (meaning “Socially Responsible Company,” which is based on standards of conduct on social and environmental issues) by the Mexican Center for Corporate Philanthropy and the Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility. These organizations recognize corporate policies that promote a positive social impact in Mexico and Latin America.

Compensation and Other Benefits

Our compensation programs are designed to attract, retain, and motivate team members to achieve strong results. We benchmark our compensation practices and benefits programs against those of comparable industries and in the geographic areas where our facilities are located. We believe that our compensation and employee benefits are competitive and allow us to attract and retain skilled labor throughout our enterprise. Certain of the benefits we offer include access to healthcare plans, financial and physical wellness programs, paid time off, parental leave and retirement benefits, including a 401(k) plan with Company matching contributions.

Competition

The home furnishings industry is a highly fragmented and competitive business. There has been growth from internet only retailers and those with a brick-and-mortar presence. We believe the home furnishings industry competes primarily on the basis of product styling and quality, personal service, prompt delivery, product availability and price. We compete with numerous individual retail home furnishing stores as well as national and regional chains. We further believe that we are well-positioned to compete on the basis of each of these factors and that, more specifically under our vertical integration structure, our complimentary interior design service, direct manufacturing, a logistics network including white glove delivery service and relevant product offerings create a competitive advantage, further supporting our mission of providing customers with a one-stop shopping design and furnishing solution. We also believe that we differentiate ourselves further with the quality of our interior design service through our extensive training programs, the caliber of our interior design professionals, and our investments in technology.

Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Ethan Allen’s stance on environmental issues and personal health and safety are cornerstones of our mission statement and we believe how we impact the world at large is our responsibility as an industry leader. We continue to be focused on environmental and social responsibility while incorporating uniform social, environmental, health and safety programs into our global manufacturing standards.

Our environmental (green) initiatives include but are not limited to the use of responsibly harvested Appalachian woods, and water-based finishes and measuring our carbon footprint, greenhouse gases and recycled materials from our operations. We have eliminated the use of heavy metals and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in all packaging. Our mattresses and custom upholstery use foam made without harmful chemicals and substances. Our United States manufacturing, distribution and home delivery centers strive to create and maintain a culture of conservation and environmental stewardship by integrating socio-economic policies and sustainable business practices into their operations.

Regulatory activities concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) are accelerating in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. These activities include gathering of exposure and use information, risk assessment activities, consideration of regulatory approaches, and increasingly strict restrictions on various uses of PFAS in products and on PFAS in manufacturing emissions. Ethan Allen’s approach is to convert, where and when reasonably feasible, to becoming PFAS-free throughout all businesses categories including area rugs, broadloom, draperies and fabrics. During fiscal 2023, we undertook initiatives designed to transition through our fabric inventory and, as new fabrics become available, they will be PFAS-free.

The Company requires its sourcing facilities that manufacture Ethan Allen branded products to implement a labor compliance program and meet or exceed the standards established for preventing child labor, involuntary labor, coercion and harassment, discrimination, and restrictions to freedom of association. These facilities are also required to provide a safe and healthy environment in all workspaces, compliance with all local wage and hour laws and regulations, compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, and are required to authorize Ethan Allen or its designated agents (including third-party auditing companies) to engage in monitoring activities to confirm compliance. We work to ensure our products are safe in our customers’ homes through responsible use of chemicals and manufacturing substances.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Intellectual Property

We currently hold, or have registration applications pending for, trademarks, service marks and copyrights for the Ethan Allen name, logos and designs in a broad range of classes for both products and services in the United States and in many foreign countries. In addition, we have registered, or have applications pending for certain of our slogans utilized in connection with promoting brand awareness, retail sales and other services and certain collection names. In addition, we have registered and maintain the internet domain name of ethanallen.com. We view such trademarks, logos, service marks and domain names as valuable assets and have an ongoing program to diligently monitor and defend, through appropriate action, against their unauthorized use. The Company routinely reviews the necessity for renewal as registrations expire.

Corporate Contact Information

Founded in 1932, Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. is a Delaware corporation with its principal executive office located in Danbury, Connecticut.

Available Information

Information contained in our Investor Relations section of our website at https://ir.ethanallen.com is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Information that we furnish or file with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K or exhibits included in these reports are available for download, free of charge, on our Investor Relations website soon after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our SEC filings, including exhibits filed therewith, are also available free of charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Additionally, we broadcast live our quarterly earnings calls via the News & Events section of our Investor Relations website. We also provide notifications of news or announcements regarding our financial performance, including SEC filings, press and earnings releases, and investor events as part of our Investor Relations website. The contents of this website section are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document the Company files with the SEC and any reference to this section of our website is intended to be inactive textual references only.

Additional Information

Additional information with respect to the Company’s business is included in the following pages and is incorporated herein by reference:

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and the trading price of our common stock could decline. These risk factors do not identify all risks that we face; our operations could also be affected by factors that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial to our operations. Investors should also refer to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our financial statements including the related notes. Investors should carefully consider all risks, including those disclosed, before making an investment decision.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Home Furnishings Industry Risks

Declines in certain economic conditions, which impact consumer confidence and consumer spending, could negatively impact our sales, results of operations and liquidity.

Historically, the home furnishings industry has been subject to cyclical variations in the general economy and to uncertainty regarding future economic prospects. Should current economic conditions weaken, the current rate of housing starts further decline, or elevated inflation persist, consumer confidence and demand for home furnishings could deteriorate which could adversely affect our business through its impact on the performance of our Company-operated design centers, as well as on our independent licensees and the ability of a number of them to meet their obligations to us. Our principal products are consumer goods that may be considered postponable purchases. Economic downturns and prolonged negative conditions in the economy could affect consumer spending habits by decreasing the overall demand for discretionary items, including home furnishings. Factors influencing consumer spending include general economic and financial market conditions, consumer disposable income, fuel prices, recession and fears of recession, United States government default or shutdown or the risk of such default or shutdown, unemployment, war and fears of war, availability of consumer credit, consumer debt levels, conditions in the housing market, increased interest rates, sales tax rates and rate increases, inflation, civil disturbances and terrorist activities, consumer confidence in future economic and political conditions, natural disasters and inclement weather and consumer perceptions of personal well‑being and security, including health epidemics or pandemics.

Other financial or operational difficulties due to competition may result in a decrease in our sales, earnings and liquidity.

The residential home furnishings industry is highly competitive and fragmented. We currently compete with many other manufacturers and retailers, including online retailers, some of which offer widely advertised products, and others, several of which are large retail dealers offering their own store-branded products. Competition in the residential home furnishings industry is based on quality, style of products, perceived value, price, service to the customer, promotional activities, and advertising. The highly competitive nature of the industry means we are constantly subject to the risk of losing market share, which would likely decrease our future sales, earnings and liquidity.

A significant shift in consumer preference toward purchasing products online could have a materially adverse impact on our sales and operating margin.

A majority of our business relies on physical design centers that merchandise and sell our products and a significant shift in consumer preference towards exclusively purchasing products online could have a materially adverse impact on our sales and operating margin. We are attempting to meet consumers where they prefer to shop by expanding our online capabilities and improving the user experience at ethanallen.com as well as at our Virtual Design Center to drive more sales.

Rapidly evolving technologies are altering the manner in which the Company and its competitors communicate and transact with customers. Customers adoption of new technology and related changes in customer behavior, presents a specific risk in the event we are unable to successfully execute our technology plans or adjust them over time if needed. Further, unanticipated changes in pricing and other practices of competitors, including promotional activity, such as thresholds for free shipping and rapid price fluctuation enabled by technology, may adversely affect our performance.

Risks Related to our Brand and Product Offerings

Inability to maintain and enhance our brand may materially adversely impact our business.

Maintaining and enhancing our brand is critical to our ability to expand our base of customers and may require us to make substantial investments. Our advertising campaigns utilize direct mail, digital, newspapers, magazines, television, and radio to maintain and enhance our existing brand equity. We cannot provide assurance that our marketing, advertising and other efforts to promote and maintain awareness of our brand will not require us to incur substantial costs. If these efforts are unsuccessful or we incur substantial costs in connection with these efforts, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Failure to successfully anticipate or respond to changes in consumer tastes and trends in a timely manner could materially adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

Sales of our products are dependent upon consumer acceptance of our product designs, styles, quality and price. We continuously monitor changes in home design trends through attendance at trade shows, industry events, fashion shows, internal and external marketing research, and regular communication with our retailers and design professionals who provide valuable input on consumer tendencies. However, as with many retailers, our business is susceptible to changes in consumer tastes and trends. Such tastes and trends can change rapidly and any delay or failure to anticipate or respond to changing consumer tastes and trends in a timely manner could materially adversely impact our business and operating results.

We may not be able to maintain our current design center locations at current costs. We may also fail to successfully select and secure design center locations.

Our design centers are typically located in busy urban settings as freestanding destinations or as part of suburban strip malls or shopping malls, depending upon the real estate opportunities in a particular market. Our business competes with other retailers and as a result, our success may be affected by our ability to renew current design center leases and to select and secure appropriate retail locations for existing and future design centers.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

We have potential exposure to market risk related to conditions in the commercial real estate market. As of June 30, 2023, there were 139 Company-operated retail design centers averaging approximately 14,100 square feet in size per location. Of the 139 Company-operated retail design centers, 49 of the properties are owned and 90 are leased. Our retail segment real estate holdings could suffer significant impairment in value if we are forced to close design centers and sell or lease the related properties during periods of weakness in certain markets. We are also exposed to risk related to conditions in the commercial real estate rental market with respect to the right-of-use assets we carry on our balance sheet for leased design center locations and retail service centers. At June 30, 2023, the unamortized balance of such right-of-use assets totaled $115.9 million. Should we have to close or abandon one of these leased locations, we could incur additional impairment charges if rental market conditions do not support a fair value for the right of use asset in excess of its carrying value.

Supply Chain Risks

Disruptions of our supply chain and supply chain management could have a material adverse effect on our operating and financial results.

Disruption of the Company’s supply chain capabilities due to trade restrictions, political instability, severe weather, natural disasters, public health crises, terrorism, product recalls, global unrest, war, labor supply or stoppages, the financial and/or operational instability of key suppliers and carriers, or other reasons could impair the Company’s ability to distribute its products. To the extent we are unable to mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, there could be a material adverse effect on our operating and financial results.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain challenges were faced by the entire home furnishings industry, including the Company, as a result of labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and ocean freight capacity issues which resulted in unprecedented increases in material and freight costs, as well as significant unavailability or delay of raw materials or finished goods. While the pandemic-era disruptions have diminished, further transportation delays, increases on shipping containers, more extensive travel restrictions, closures or disruptions of businesses and facilities or social, economic, political or labor instability in the affected areas, could impact either our or our suppliers’ operations and have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations.

Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and imported finished goods could result in increased costs and cause production delays which could result in a decline in sales, either of which could materially adversely impact our earnings.

In manufacturing furniture, we use various types of logs, lumber, fabrics, plywood, frames, leathers, finishing materials, foam, steel and other raw materials. Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials could result in increased costs or a delay in manufacturing our products, which in turn could result in a delay in delivering products to our customers. Although we have instituted measures to ensure our supply chain remains open to us, continued high raw material prices and costs of sourced products could have an adverse effect on our future margins. While we strive to maintain a number of sources for our raw materials, decreased availability on raw materials and increased demand on our supply chain, may create additional pricing and availability pressures. Imported finished goods represent approximately 25% of our consolidated sales. The prices paid for these imported products include inbound freight. Elevated ocean freight container rates may be impacted by container supply and elevated demand. To the extent that we experience incremental costs in any of these areas, we may increase our selling prices to offset the impact. However, increases in selling prices may not fully mitigate the impact of the cost increases which would adversely impact operating income. Furthermore, supply chain disruptions could materially adversely impact our manufacturing production and fulfillment of backlog.

Manufacturing Risks

Competition from overseas manufacturers and domestic retailers may materially adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Our wholesale business segment is involved in the development of our brand, which encompasses the design, manufacture, sourcing, sales and distribution of our home furnishings products, and competes with other United States and foreign manufacturers. Our retail network sells home furnishings to consumers through a network of independently operated and Company-operated design centers, and competes against a diverse group of retailers ranging from specialty stores to traditional home furnishings and department stores, any of which may operate locally, regionally, nationally or globally, as well as over the internet. We also compete with these and other retailers for retail locations as well as for qualified design professionals and management personnel. Such competition could adversely affect our future financial performance.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Industry globalization has led to increased competitive pressures brought about by the increasing volume of imported finished goods and components, particularly for case good products, and the development of manufacturing capabilities in other countries, specifically within Asia. In addition, because many foreign manufacturers are able to maintain lower production costs, including the cost of labor and overhead, imported product may be capable of being sold at a lower price to consumers, which, in turn, could lead to some measure of further industry‐wide price deflation.

We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to establish or maintain relationships with sufficient or appropriate manufacturers, whether foreign or domestic, to supply us with selected case goods, upholstery and home accent items to enable us to maintain our competitive advantage. In addition, the emergence of foreign manufacturers has served to broaden the competitive landscape. Some of these competitors produce products not manufactured by us and may have greater financial resources available to them or lower costs of operating. This competition could materially adversely affect our future financial performance.

Our number of manufacturing sites may increase our exposure to business disruptions and could result in higher costs.

We have a limited number of manufacturing sites in our case goods and upholstery operations. Our upholstery operations consist of three upholstery plants in North Carolina and two plants in Mexico. The Company operates two manufacturing plants in Vermont and Honduras and one sawmill, one rough mill and one kiln dry lumberyard in support of our case goods operations. If any of our manufacturing sites experience significant business interruption, our ability to manufacture or deliver our products in a timely manner would likely be impacted. Fewer locations have resulted in longer distances for delivery and could result in higher costs to transport products if fuel costs increase significantly.

Environmental, Health and Safety Risks

Our current and former manufacturing and retail operations and products are subject to increasingly stringent environmental, health and safety requirements.

We use and generate hazardous substances in our manufacturing operations. In addition, the manufacturing properties on which we currently operate and those on which we have ceased operations are and have been used for industrial purposes. Our manufacturing operations and, to a lesser extent, our retail operations involve risk of personal injury or death. We are subject to increasingly stringent environmental, health and safety laws and regulations relating to our products, current and former properties and our current operations. These laws and regulations provide for substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations and sometimes require the installation of costly pollution control or safety equipment, or costly changes in operations to limit pollution or decrease the likelihood of injuries. In addition, we may become subject to potentially material liabilities for the investigation and cleanup of contaminated properties and to claims alleging personal injury or property damage resulting from exposure to or releases of hazardous substances or personal injury because of an unsafe workplace. In addition, noncompliance with, or stricter enforcement of, existing laws and regulations, adoption of more stringent new laws and regulations, discovery of previously unknown contamination or imposition of new or increased requirements could require us to incur costs or become the basis of new or increased liabilities that could be material.

Product recalls or product safety concerns could materially adversely affect our sales and operating results.

If the Company's merchandise offerings do not meet applicable safety standards or consumers' expectations regarding safety, the Company could experience decreased sales, increased costs and/or be exposed to legal and reputational risk. Although we require that all of our vendors comply with applicable product safety laws and regulations, we are dependent on them to ensure that the products we buy comply with all safety standards. Events that give rise to actual, potential or perceived product safety concerns could expose the Company to government enforcement action and/or private litigation. Reputational damage caused by real or perceived product safety concerns or product recalls could negatively affect the Company's business and results of operations.

We may incur significant increased costs and become subject to additional potential liabilities under environmental and other laws and regulations aimed at combating climate change.

We believe it is likely that the increased focus by the United States and other governmental authorities on climate change and other environmental matters will lead to enhanced regulation in these areas, which could also result in increased compliance costs and subject us to additional potential liabilities. The extent of these costs and risks is difficult to predict and will depend in large part on the extent of new regulations and the ways in which those regulations are enforced. We operate manufacturing facilities in multiple regions across the globe, and the impact of additional regulations in this area is likely to vary by region. It is possible the costs we incur to comply with any such new regulations and implementation of our own sustainability goals could be material.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Our goals and future disclosures related to Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) matters may expose us to numerous risks, including risks to our reputation and stock price.

There has been an increased focus on ESG practices within the general markets. We plan to establish goals and objectives related to such ESG matters. These goals will reflect our plans and aspirations and are not guarantees that we will be able to achieve them. Our efforts to accomplish and accurately report on these goals and objectives present numerous operational, reputational, financial, legal, and other risks, any of which could have a material negative impact, including on our reputation, stock price, and results of operation. We could also incur additional costs and require additional resources to implement various ESG practices to make progress against our goals and to monitor and track performance with respect to such goals.

The standards for tracking and reporting on ESG matters are relatively new, have not been formalized and continue to evolve. Collecting, measuring, and reporting ESG information and metrics can be difficult and time consuming. Our selected disclosure framework or standards may need to be changed from time to time, which may result in a lack of consistent or meaningful comparative data from period to period. In addition, our interpretation of reporting frameworks or standards may differ from those of others and such frameworks or standards may change over time, any of which could result in significant revisions to our goals or reported progress in achieving such goals.

Our ability to achieve any ESG-related goal or objective is subject to numerous risks, many of which are outside of our control, including the availability and cost of low-or non-carbon-based energy sources and technologies, evolving regulatory requirements affecting ESG standards or disclosures, the availability of vendors and suppliers that can meet our sustainability, diversity and other standards, and the availability of raw materials that meet and further our sustainability goals. If our ESG practices do not meet evolving standards or our goals, then our reputation, our ability to attract or retain employees and our competitiveness, could be negatively impacted. Furthermore, if our competitors’ ESG performance is perceived to be better than ours, potential or current customers and investors may elect to do business with our competitors instead, and our ability to attract or retain employees could be negatively impacted. Our failure, or perceived failure, to pursue or fulfill our goals, targets, and objectives or to satisfy various reporting standards within the timelines we announce, or at all, could also expose us to government enforcement actions and private litigation.

Technology and Data Security Risks

We rely extensively on information technology systems to process transactions, summarize results, and manage our business and that of certain independent retailers. Disruptions in both our primary and back-up systems could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our primary and back-up information technology systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, viruses, phishing attempts, cyber-attacks, malware and ransomware attacks, security breaches, severe weather, natural disasters, and errors by employees or third-party contractors. Though losses arising from some of these issues may be covered by insurance, interruptions of our critical business information technology systems or failure of our back-up systems could result in longer production times or negatively impact customers resulting in damage to our reputation and a reduction in sales. If our critical information technology systems or back-up systems were damaged or ceased to function properly, we might have to make a significant investment to repair or replace them.

Further, information systems of our suppliers or service providers may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers and other security breaches, including computer viruses and malware, through the internet, email attachments and persons with access to these information systems. If our suppliers or service providers were to experience a system disruption, attack or security breach that impacts a critical function, it could result in disruptions in our supply chain, the loss of sales and customers, potential liability for damages to our customers, reputational damage and incremental costs, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and profitability.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Successful cyber-attacks and the failure to maintain adequate cyber-security systems and procedures could materially harm our operations.

Cyber-attacks designed to gain access to and extract sensitive information or otherwise affect or compromise the confidentially, integrity, and availability of information, including phishing attempts, denial of service attacks, and malware or ransomware incidents, have occurred over the last several years at a number of major global companies and have resulted in, among other things, the unauthorized release of confidential information, system failures including material business disruptions, and negative brand and reputational impacts. Despite widespread recognition of the cyber-attack threat and improved data protection methods, cyber-attacks on organizations continue to be sophisticated, persistent, and ever-changing, making it difficult to prevent and detect these attacks. Additionally, we rely on third-party service providers to execute certain business processes and maintain certain information technology systems and infrastructure, and we supply such third-party providers with the personal information required for those services.

Cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated, and in some cases have caused significant harm. Computer hackers and others routinely attempt to breach the security of technology products, services and systems, and to fraudulently induce employees, customers, or others to disclose information or unwittingly provide access to systems or data. We operate many aspects of our business through server and web‐based technologies, and store various types of data on such servers or with third parties who in turn store it on servers and in the cloud. Any disruption to the internet or to the Company's or its service providers' global technology infrastructure, including malware, insecure coding, “Acts of God,” attempts to penetrate networks, data theft or loss and human error, could have adverse effects on the Company's operations. A cyber-attack of our systems or networks that impairs our information technology systems could disrupt our business operations and result in loss of service to customers. We have a comprehensive cybersecurity program designed to protect and preserve the integrity of our information technology systems. We expect to continue to experience attempted cyber-attacks of our IT systems or networks; however, none of the attempted cyber-attacks had a material impact on our operations or financial condition.

While we devote significant resources to network security, data encryption and other security measures to protect our systems and data, including our own proprietary information and the confidential and personally identifiable information of our customers, employees, and business partners, these measures cannot provide absolute security. The costs to eliminate or alleviate network security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful, resulting potentially in the theft, loss, destruction or corruption of information we store electronically, as well as unexpected interruptions, delays or cessation of service, any of which could cause harm to our business operations. Moreover, if a computer security breach or cyber-attack affects our systems or results in the unauthorized release of proprietary or personally identifiable information, our reputation could be materially damaged, our customer confidence could be diminished, and our operations, including technical support for our devices, could be impaired. We would also be exposed to a risk of loss or litigation and potential liability, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Where necessary and applicable, we have enabled certain employees to arrange for a hybrid work approach. Although we continue to implement strong physical and cybersecurity measures to ensure that our business operations remain functional and to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers, our systems and our operations remain vulnerable to cyberattacks and other disruptions due to the fact that certain employees work remotely and we cannot guarantee that our mitigation efforts will be effective.

Loss, corruption and misappropriation of data and information relating to customers could materially adversely affect our operations.

We have access to sensitive customer information in the ordinary course of business. If a significant data breach occurred, the loss, disclosure or misappropriation of our business information may adversely affect our reputation, customer confidence may be diminished, or we may be subject to legal claims, or legal proceedings, including regulatory investigations and actions, which may lead to regulatory enforcement actions against us, and may materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

Global and local economic uncertainty may materially adversely affect our manufacturing operations or sources of merchandise and international operations.

Economic uncertainty, as well as other variations in global economic conditions such as fuel costs, wage and benefit inflation, and currency fluctuations, may cause inconsistent and unpredictable consumer spending habits, while increasing our own input costs. These risks resulting from global and local economic uncertainty could also severely disrupt our manufacturing operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. We import approximately 25% of our merchandise from outside of the United States as well as operate manufacturing plants in Mexico and Honduras and retail design centers in Canada. As a result, our ability to obtain adequate supplies or to control our costs may be adversely affected by events affecting international commerce and businesses located outside the United States, including natural disasters, public health crises, changes in international trade including tariffs, central bank actions, changes in the relationship of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies, labor availability and cost, and other domestic governmental policies and the countries from which we import our merchandise or in which we operate facilities.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Changes in the United States trade and tax policy could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Changes in the political environment in the United States may require us to modify our current business practices. We are subject to risks relating to increased tariffs on imports, and other changes affecting imports because we manufacture components and finished goods in Mexico and Honduras and purchase components and finished goods manufactured in foreign countries. We may not be able to substantially mitigate the impact of tariffs, pass price increases on to our customers, or secure adequate alternative sources of products or materials. The tariffs, along with any additional tariffs or retaliatory trade restrictions implemented by other countries, could negatively impact customer sales, including potential delays in product received from our vendors, our cost of goods sold and results of operations.

Our business may be materially adversely affected by changes to tax policies.

Changes in United States or international income tax laws and regulations may have a material adverse effect on our business in the future or require us to modify our current business practices. In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to tax examinations by various governmental tax authorities. The global and diverse nature of our business means that there could be additional examinations by governmental tax authorities and the resolution of ongoing and other probable audits, which could impose a future risk to the results of our business.

Human Capital Risk

Our business is dependent on certain key personnel; if we lose key personnel or are unable to hire additional qualified personnel, our business may be harmed.

The success of our business depends upon our ability to retain continued service of certain key personnel, including our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, M. Farooq Kathwari, and to attract and retain additional qualified key personnel in the future. We face risks related to loss of any key personnel and we also face risks related to any changes that may occur in key senior leadership executive positions. Any disruption in the services of our key personnel could make it more difficult to successfully operate our business and achieve our business goals and could adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition. These changes could also increase the volatility of our stock price.

The market for qualified employees and personnel in the retail and manufacturing industries is highly competitive. Our success depends upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified artisans, professional and clerical employees and upon the continued contributions of these individuals. We cannot provide assurance that we will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel. A shortage of qualified personnel may require us to enhance our wage and benefits package in order to compete effectively in the hiring and retention of qualified employees. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Labor challenges could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

In our current operating environment, due in part to macroeconomic factors, we continue to experience various labor challenges, including, for example significant competition for skilled manufacturing and production employees; pressure to increase wages as a result of inflationary pressures, and at times, a shortage of qualified full-time labor. Outside suppliers that we rely on have also experienced similar labor challenges. The future success of our operations depends on our ability, and the ability of third parties on which we rely, to identify, recruit, develop and retain qualified and talented individuals in order to supply and deliver our products. A prolonged shortage or inability to retain qualified labor could decrease our ability to effectively produce and meet customer demand and efficiently operate our facilities, which could negatively impact our business and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Higher wages to attract new and retain existing employees, as well as higher costs to purchase services from third parties, could negatively impact our results of operations.

Financial Risks

Our total assets include substantial amounts of long-lived assets. Changes to estimates or projections used to assess the fair value of these assets, financial results that are lower than current estimates at certain design center locations or determinations to close underperforming locations may cause us to incur future impairment charges, negatively affecting our financial results.

We make certain accounting estimates and projections with regard to individual design center operations as well as overall Company performance in connection with our impairment analysis for long-lived assets in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. An impairment charge may be required if the impairment analysis indicates that the carrying value of an asset exceeds the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows of the asset. The projection of future cash flows used in this analysis requires the use of judgment and a number of estimates and projections of future operating results, including sales growth rates. If actual results differ from Company estimates, additional charges for asset impairments may be required in the future. If impairment charges are significant, our financial results could be negatively affected.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Access to consumer credit could be interrupted as a result of conditions outside of our control, which could reduce sales and profitability.

Our ability to continue to access consumer credit for our customers could be negatively affected by conditions outside our control. If capital market conditions have a material negative change, there is a risk that our business partner that issues our private label credit card program may not be able to fulfill its obligations under that agreement. In addition, the tightening of credit markets as well as increased borrowing rates may restrict the ability and willingness of customers to make purchases.

We are subject to risks associated with self-insurance related to health benefits.

We are self-insured for our health benefits and maintain per employee stop loss coverage; however, we retain the insurable risk at an aggregate level. Therefore, unforeseen or significant losses in excess of our insured limits could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and operating results.

Recent events affecting the financial services industry could have an adverse impact on the Company's business operations, financial condition, and results of operations.

Closures of certain banks in 2023 created bank-specific and broader financial institution liquidity risk and concerns. Future adverse developments with respect to specific financial institutions or the broader financial services industry may lead to market-wide liquidity shortages, impair the ability of companies to access working capital needs, and create additional market and economic uncertainty. Although the Company does not have any deposits with any of the banks that have failed, closed or been placed into receivership to date, some of our customers may have deposits with them, which may expose us to potential risks that could impact our financial position and operations. This could include an adverse impact on the ability of our customers to pay amounts they owe to the Company. In addition, if any of our vendors have relationships with any of the banks that have been closed, it could negatively impact their ability to deliver goods and services to the Company.

More generally, these events have resulted in market disruption and volatility and could lead to greater instability in the credit and financial markets and a deterioration in confidence in economic conditions. Our operations may be adversely affected by any such economic downturn, liquidity shortages, volatile business environments, or unpredictable market conditions. These events could also make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult and costly.

General Risk Factors

Failure to protect our intellectual property could materially adversely affect us.

We believe that our copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, and all of our other intellectual property are important to our success. We rely on patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, and confidentiality and restricted use agreements, to protect our intellectual property and may seek licenses to intellectual property of others. Some of our intellectual property is not covered by any patent, trademark, or copyright or any applications for the same. We cannot provide assurance that agreements designed to protect our intellectual property will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any such breach, or that the efforts we take to protect our proprietary rights will be sufficient or effective. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights or failure to obtain licenses of intellectual property from third parties could harm our business or our ability to compete. Moreover, we cannot provide assurance that the use of our technology or proprietary “know‐how” or information does not infringe the intellectual property rights of others. If we have to litigate to protect or defend any of our rights, such litigation could result in significant expense.

Our operations present hazards and risks which may not be fully covered by insurance, if insured.

As protection against operational hazards and risks, we maintain business insurance against many, but not all, potential losses or liabilities arising from such risks. We may incur costs in repairing any damage beyond our applicable insurance coverage. Uninsured losses and liabilities from operating risks could reduce the funds available to us for capital and investment spending and could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

Ethan Allen’s corporate headquarters is located at 25 Lake Avenue Ext. in Danbury, Connecticut. We believe that all our properties are well maintained, in good condition, are being used productively and are adequate to meet our requirements for the foreseeable future.

As of June 30, 2023, we own and operate 10 manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Mexico and Honduras and three national distribution and fulfillment centers in the United States. There are 139 Company-operated retail design centers located in the United States and Canada, averaging approximately 14,100 square feet in size per location, of which 49 of the properties are owned and 90 are leased. We also own 3 and lease 14 retail home delivery centers. Our retail home delivery centers are located throughout the United States and Canada and serve to support our various retail design centers.

The following table sets forth the size of our properties, including both owned and leased locations:

Design center activity and geographic distribution of our retail network for fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are as follows:

For additional information regarding leases for our properties, see Note 6, Leases, of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings, claims, litigation and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Based on a review of all currently known facts and our experience with previous legal matters, we have recorded expense in respect of probable and reasonably estimable losses arising from legal matters. We currently do not believe it is probable that we will have any additional loss that would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, our results of operations or our cash flows. However, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and our view of these matters may change in the future.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

INFORMATION ABOUT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Listed below are the names, ages and current positions of our executive officers and, if they had not held those positions for the past five years, their former positions during that period with Ethan Allen or other companies. This information is presented as of August 24, 2023, the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

M. Farooq Kathwari*, age 79

Amy Franks, age 49

Matthew J. McNulty, age 44

* Mr. Kathwari is the sole executive officer of the Company who operates under a written employment agreement.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information. Ethan Allen common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under ticker symbol “ETD”. On August 16, 2021, the Company changed its ticker symbol from “ETH” to “ETD”, using the “D” for Design, which is reflective of our focus on interior design and the personal services of our design professionals throughout our global retail network of design centers.

Holders of Record. As of August 17, 2023, there were 273 shareholders of record of our common stock. However, because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of shareholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of shareholders represented by these record holders.

Dividends. In August 2022 we paid a special cash dividend of $0.50 per share. In April 2023, our Board of Directors increased the regular quarterly cash dividend by 12.5% to $0.36 per share. In addition to the special cash dividend of $0.50 per share, we paid four regular quarterly cash dividends during fiscal 2023. Total cash dividends paid to shareholders in fiscal 2023 were $1.82 per share and totaled $46.4 million. Although we expect to continue to declare and pay comparable quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future, the payment of future cash dividends is within the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our earnings, operations, financial condition, capital requirements and general business outlook, among other factors. Our credit agreement also includes covenants that includes limitations on our ability to pay dividends.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans. Refer to Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Stock Performance Graph. The annual changes for the five-year period shown in the graph below are based on the assumption that $100 had been invested in our common stock, the S&P 500® Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Furnishings Index on June 30, 2018. The total cumulative dollar returns shown on the graph represent the value that such investments would have had on June 30, 2023. Stockholder returns over the indicated period are based on historical data and should not be considered indicative of future stockholder returns.

*This performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Ethan Allen under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during fiscal 2023.

We did not repurchase any shares of our outstanding common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 under our existing Share Repurchase Program. At June 30, 2023, we had a remaining Board authorization to repurchase 2,007,364 shares of our common stock pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program. In the future we may from time to time make repurchases in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions, including pursuant to our previously announced Share Repurchase Program. There is no expiration date on the repurchase authorization.

ITEM 6.  [RESERVED]

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of our management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. 

The MD&A is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Executive Overview

Who We Are. Founded in 1932, Ethan Allen is a leading interior design company, manufacturer and retailer in the home furnishings marketplace. We are a global luxury home fashion brand that is vertically integrated from product design through home delivery, which offers our customers stylish product offerings, artisanal quality and personalized service. We are known for the quality and craftsmanship of our products as well as for the exceptional personal service from design to delivery. We provide complimentary interior design service to our clients and sell a full range of home furnishings through a retail network of design centers located throughout the United States and abroad as well as online at ethanallen.com.

Ethan Allen design centers represent a mix of locations operated by independent licensees and Company-operated locations. As of June 30, 2023, the Company operates 139 retail design centers, 135 located in the United States and four in Canada. Our independently operated design centers are located in the United States, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. We also own and operate ten manufacturing facilities, including four manufacturing plants, one sawmill, one rough mill and a kiln dry lumberyard in the United States, two upholstery manufacturing plants in Mexico and one case goods manufacturing plant in Honduras. Approximately 75% of our products are manufactured or assembled in the North American plants. We also contract with various suppliers located in Europe, Asia and other various countries to produce products that support our business.

During fiscal 2023, we reaffirmed our commitment to maintain and grow our North American workshops, strengthened our product offerings under the umbrella of Classics with a Modern Perspective, maintained our unique and efficient logistics system, invested in technology to both engage and enhance client experience, and enhanced our interior designers with development and training. We strategically relocated two design centers with a more bright, open, modern layout showcasing our best and most current interior design concepts. Our focus on constant reinvention and maintaining an entrepreneurial attitude combined with our great quality, service, and vertically integrated business, with 75% of our products made in our North American manufacturing workshops, has us well positioned as a premier interior design destination.

Business Model. Ethan Allen has a distinct vision of American style, rooted in the kind of substance that we believe differentiates us from our competitors. Our business model is to maintain continued focus on (i) providing relevant product offerings, (ii) capitalizing on the professional and personal service offered to our customers by our interior design professionals, (iii) leveraging the benefits of our vertical integration including a strong manufacturing presence in North America, (iv) regularly investing in new technologies across key aspects of our vertically integrated business, (v) maintaining a strong logistics network, (vi) communicating our messages with strong advertising and marketing campaigns, and (vii) utilizing our website, ethanallen.com, as a key marketing tool to drive traffic to our retail design centers.

We aim to position Ethan Allen as a premier interior design destination and a preferred brand offering products of superior style, quality, and value to customers with a comprehensive, one-stop shopping solution for their home furnishing and interior design needs. We seek to constantly reinvent our projection and product offerings through a broad selection of products, designed to complement one another, reflecting current fashion trends in home furnishing. Our vertical integration is a competitive advantage for us. Our North American manufacturing and logistics operations are an integral part of an overall strategy to maximize production efficiencies and maintain this competitive advantage.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Talent. As of June 30, 2023, our employee count totaled 3,748, with 2,674 employees in our wholesale segment and 1,074 in our retail segment. We are pleased with the continued strengthening of our teams and the performance of our employee base during fiscal 2023 while at the same time being able to reduce headcount through operational efficiencies. Our employee count decreased 11.6% during fiscal 2023, with 126 fewer employees in retail and 365 fewer in wholesale.

Fiscal 2023 Financial Year in Review ⁽¹⁾. Our financial results for fiscal year 2023 are highlighted by strong gross and operating margins, improving lead times from decreasing backlog, disciplined cost and expense controls, strong operating cash flow, increased cash dividends and a robust balance sheet. Our consolidated net sales of $791.4 million declined 3.2% compared to the prior year due to lower delivered unit volumes from softening incoming order demand and reduced manufacturing production from lower backlogs. Sales in the prior year set a near record pace which led to a difficult prior year comparison as we had built up a significant backlog as a result of the heightened demand driven by the impact of COVID-19. While our retail segment written orders were down 12.3% compared to fiscal 2022, retail orders were up 0.8% compared to fiscal 2019 which was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and more reflective of historical levels. Wholesale segment written orders were lower by 9.0% compared to last year, and down 2.1% when compared to fiscal 2019. We ended the fiscal 2023 year with wholesale backlog of $74.0 million, down 27.7% from a year ago as we were able to reduce the number of weeks of backlog. Consolidated gross margin was 60.7% compared to 59.3% due to favorable sales mix, disciplined promotional activity and lower input costs partially offset by lower delivered unit volume. Adjusted operating margin was 16.9% compared to 16.4% as we carefully managed expenses in a declining net sales environment. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) increased 2.5% to $4.03.

We ended fiscal 2023 with a strong balance sheet, including cash, cash equivalents and investments of $172.7 million and no outstanding debt. We generated $100.7 million of cash from operating activities, a 45.1% increase over the prior year driven by strong profit performance and a reduction in inventory carrying levels and accounts receivable partially offset by a decline in customer deposits. Our inventory levels decreased $27.3 million during fiscal 2023 as we restore our operating inventory levels to more historical levels as backlog decreases while also ensuring appropriate amounts of inventory are on hand to service our customers. Our Board increased our regular quarterly cash dividend by 12.5% and declared a special cash dividend of $0.50 per share, bringing the total amount of dividends paid to $46.4 million during fiscal 2023. As of June 30, 2023, our employee count was 3,748, down 11.6% in the past 12 months, as we continue to identify additional operational efficiencies and leverage the use of technology to streamline workflows.

Fiscal 2024 and Beyond. Ethan Allen was recently named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Retailers 2023. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., a leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The final assessment and rankings were the result of an independent survey of more than 9,000 customers who have shopped at retail stores in person in the past three years and based on the likelihood of recommendation and the evaluation of products, customer service, atmosphere, accessibility and store layout. We are pleased to be recognized as one of America’s Best Retailers 2023, including as the #1 retailer of Premium Furniture. This award is a reflection of our associates, who continue each day to uphold the Ethan Allen reputation for quality, craftsmanship, and exemplary service.

As we enter the post COVID-19 era, our focus will be to continue to strengthen the various areas of our vertically integrated structure, including developing a strong team which is entrepreneurial and disciplined, enhancing our product offerings under the umbrella of Classics with a Modern Perspective, repositioning our retail network as an interior design destination, finalizing each design center projection refresh and ongoing investments in technology to further enhance our marketing, our North American manufacturing and our logistics. While we understand the challenges of a slower economy and the reduction of consumer focus on the home, we remain cautiously optimistic that our current business model, strategy, and balance sheet will enable us to fulfill our many initiatives over the next fiscal year.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Key Operating Metrics

A summary of our key operating metrics is presented in the following table (in millions, except per share data).

Results of Operations

For an understanding of the significant factors that influenced our financial performance in fiscal 2023 compared with fiscal 2022, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes presented under Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Refer to Results of Operations under Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contained in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 29, 2022, for an analysis of the fiscal year 2022 results as compared to fiscal year 2021.

Impact of COVID-19 on our Business

We experienced significant changes in our business resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in fiscal 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented certain business continuity plans to ensure the ongoing availability of our products and services, while prioritizing health and safety of our associates and customers, including enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols. In addition, we temporarily closed our retail and manufacturing locations due to state and local restrictions. When our retail and manufacturing locations reopened during fiscal 2021, we experienced strong demand for our products as customers allocated greater amounts of discretionary spending to home furnishings than at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, our backlog increased to record levels due to the strong pace of incoming written orders outpacing production combined with logistical challenges, due to supply chain disruptions, which created additional delays in order fulfillment and increased order backlogs. We took several actions to increase our manufacturing capacity including adding headcount as well as second and weekend production shifts to our North American plants and as a result our fiscal 2022 sales set new records, with each quarter exceeding the comparable prior period quarter. During fiscal 2023 sales demand trends have slowed relative to those experienced during the peak of the pandemic but remain comparable to pre-pandemic levels as we work through our high backlog. Our backlog still remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, but we are effectively managing the business to work through this order backlog and to service our customers.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Net Sales

Consolidated net sales in fiscal 2023 decreased $26.4 million or 3.2% compared to the prior year period due to lower wholesale net sales of 7.1% and lower retail net sales of 4.0%. While the pace of demand has slowed compared to last year, we experienced a strong first half of the year as production levels were increased to deliver the significant backlog generated as a result of the heightened demand driven by the impact of COVID-19. Prior year constraints, including COVID-related delays, labor disruptions, supply chain challenges, extended shipping lead times and raw material availability, have eased, which reduced the time to convert written orders to delivered shipments. For the second half of fiscal 2023, we experienced lower delivered unit volumes from softening demand, which led to reduced manufacturing production. Sales in fiscal 2022 set a near record pace whereby each quarter consistently exceeded prior year comparable quarters leading to near historically high quarterly results for net sales. This growth led to more adverse prior year comparisons during fiscal 2023.

Wholesale Net Sales

Wholesale net sales in fiscal 2023 decreased $34.3 million or 7.1% compared to the prior year primarily due to a reduction in intersegment sales to our Company-operated design centers and lower shipments to domestic and international dealers, which was partially offset by higher contract sales. Reduced sales were primarily from lower incoming written orders combined with a decline in delivered volume as our level of backlog comes down. Excluding intersegment sales to our retail segment, wholesale net sales increased $0.9 million or 0.7% compared to the prior year period from higher contract sales offset by lower shipments to domestic and international dealers. Our international net sales were down 38.4% compared to the prior year period due to a reduction in net sales to China. Sales to international independent retailers represented 1.8% of total wholesale net sales compared to 2.6% in the prior year period.

We track and disclose wholesale written orders, which represent orders booked through all of our channels. Written orders help show the current pace or trend of customer transactions. Written orders are intended only as supplemental information and are not a substitute for net sales presented in accordance with GAAP. Wholesale written orders were down 9.0% in fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. As a result of the strong prior year comparison and a reduction of consumer focus on the home, orders from our Company-operated design centers were down 6.0%, contract orders declined 19.2%, independent North American retail network orders were down 13.3% and international orders, including orders from China, declined 33.8%. We experienced a significant increase in demand for our products as customers allocated greater amounts of discretionary spending to home furnishings at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and that demand was still relatively high during fiscal 2022 which led to a strong, but difficult prior year comparison. When compared to fiscal 2019, which is pre-pandemic and more reflective of historical levels, written orders decreased 2.1% primarily due to challenging economic factors, such as high inflation, elevated interest rates, and uncertainties in the global financial markets. Wholesale backlog was $74.0 million as of June 30, 2023, down 27.7% from a year ago as we were able to reduce the number of weeks of backlog. Manufacturing productivity and related shipments outpaced incoming written orders which helped reduce backlog and improve our delivery times during fiscal 2023. However, our wholesale backlog remains approximately 60% higher than pre-pandemic levels and our strategy remains focused on servicing our customers on a timely basis.

Retail Net Sales

Retail net sales from Company-operated design centers decreased $27.3 million or 4.0% during fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period. There was a 3.5% decrease in net sales in the United States, while sales from our Canadian design centers decreased 20.2%. The decline in retail net sales was primarily from declining written orders and lower manufacturing production levels partially offset by pricing actions taken, increased premier home delivery revenue and additional clearance sales. Canadian retail net sales were negatively impacted by one less design center in Canada combined with temporary disruptions within the local service center that impacted delivery timing during the first quarter. The disruptions were temporary and the local Canadian service center resumed full operations by the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Retail written orders declined 12.3% year over year primarily due to a strong prior year comparable and a reduction of consumer focus on the home which led to lower in-store traffic partially offset by an increase in average selling price and closure rate. When compared to fiscal 2019, retail written orders increased 0.8%. We remain focused on providing exceptional personal service through our strong network of entrepreneurial leaders and interior designers as we continue to strengthen our product offerings under the umbrella of classics with a modern perspective. As of June 30, 2023, there were 139 Company-operated design centers compared to 141 last year. Our strategic initiatives include the repositioning of our retail network as an interior design destination and we plan on completing this design center refresh project during the first half of fiscal 2024, which we believe will increase traffic.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Gross Profit and Margin

Consolidated gross profit in fiscal 2023 decreased $4.3 million or 0.9% compared with the prior year period due to sales declines within both our wholesale and retail segments, a change in the sales mix with a shift to more wholesale sales which carries lower margins, retail gross margin decline, and lower delivered unit volume. These decreases were partially offset by wholesale margin expansion from lower input costs including declining inbound freight, product pricing actions taken, disciplined promotional activity, manufacturing efficiencies, a favorable product mix, and an increase in average ticket price. Wholesale gross profit increased 320 basis points primarily due to gross margin expansion from product pricing actions taken combined with declining input costs (inbound freight and materials) partially offset by a 7.1% reduction in net sales. While production capacity remains strong, we have reduced our production levels to reflect lower weeks of backlog and the decline in incoming written orders. Retail gross profit decreased 480 basis points primarily due to the 4.0% decrease in net shipments, increased designer floor sample sales, and increased fees to offer our customers interest free financing partially offset by higher premier home delivery revenue and an increase in average ticket sale.

Consolidated gross margin was 60.7% compared with 59.3% in the prior year period due to favorable product mix and lower input costs including reduced inbound freight and raw material costs partially offset by a change in sales mix and lower delivered unit volume. The just completed fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 reported a consolidated gross margin of 61.5%, our 9^th consecutive quarter that consolidated gross margin exceeded 58%. Wholesale gross margin increased 340 basis points over the prior year period due to product pricing actions that were taken during fiscal 2022 to offset inflationary pressures. These pricing actions combined with manufacturing efficiencies, raw material and freight cost stabilization in the second half of fiscal 2023, and increased contracts sales, contributed to the growth in our wholesale gross margin. Retail sales, when expressed as a percentage of total consolidated sales, decreased to 83.7% in fiscal 2023, down from 84.4% in the prior year period, which negatively affected consolidated gross margin. Retail gross margin decreased 40 basis points compared to the prior year due to change in product mix, increased designer floor sample sales and rising consumer financing fees partially offset by higher premier home delivery revenue and an increase in average ticket sale.

SG&A Expenses

SG&A expenses for fiscal 2023 decreased $4.0 million or 1.1% compared to the prior year period due to decreased selling expenses of 1.0% combined with a 1.4% decrease in general and administrative expenses. When expressed as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses were 43.8% of net sales, a 90-basis point increase compared with the prior year, primarily due to decreased operating leverage driven by the lower sales volume relative to fixed costs. The 1.0% decrease in selling expenses was from lower selling costs associated with the 3.2% decrease in sales volume. Retail selling expenses rose 1.1% as delivery contract rates and fuel surcharges increased compared to fiscal 2022 combined with higher direct mail marketing spend partially offset by the 4.0% decrease in Retail net sales, which drove a decrease in our variable costs including delivery and designer commissions. Wholesale selling costs, which includes our logistics operation, were down 6.8% primarily from declining freight rates and a 7.1% reduction in sales volume, which led to lower variable distribution and freight costs. Our consolidated advertising spend was equal to 2.2% of net sales, up from 1.9% in the prior year period as we increased our direct mail campaigns focusing on being the premier interior design destination with new product introductions. General and administrative expenses decreased 1.4% during fiscal 2023 primarily due to lower employee compensation from reduced headcount and reduced retail occupancy costs from a smaller retail footprint partially offset by unfavorable employee benefit costs, including higher group insurance, and new product display, merchandising and sample costs incurred in connection with the refresh of our design centers.

Restructuring and Other Impairment Charges, Net of Gains

Restructuring and other impairment charges, net of gains for fiscal 2023 was a gain of $3.7 million compared to a gain of $4.5 million in the prior year. The current year gain of $3.7 million included $4.2 million from the sale-leaseback transaction completed in August 2022 as well as a gain of $0.3 million on the sale of a property partially offset by $0.7 million of severance and other lease exit costs. The prior year gain of $4.5 million primarily related to the sale of three properties for a pre-tax gain of $5.4 million partially offset by $0.9 million in severance and other lease exit costs.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Operating Income

Consolidated operating income for fiscal 2023 decreased $1.1 million or 0.8% and when expressed as a percentage of net sales was 17.3%, up from 16.9% in the prior year period. Adjusted operating income, which excludes restructuring and other charges, net of gains, was $133.5 million, or 16.9% of net sales compared with $134.2 million, or 16.4% of net sales in the prior year period. The 50-basis point improvement was driven by consolidated gross margin expansion and our ability to maintain a disciplined approach to cost savings and expense control in a declining net sales environment. Specific drivers of consolidated operating income growth were consolidated gross margin expansion, strong cost containment measures, reduced employee compensation from lower headcount, and lower retail occupancy costs primarily offset by a 3.2% decrease in consolidated net sales, higher retail delivery costs, increased marketing spend, and higher benefit costs. Compared to a year ago, our headcount is down 491 associates (365 wholesale and 126 retail) or 11.6% as we continue to identify additional operational efficiencies and leverage the use of technology to streamline workflows. Our ability to operate the business more efficiently with less headcount has helped improve our operating margin. Restructuring and other charges, net of gains, increased operating income by $3.7 million during fiscal 2023 compared to a $4.5 million increase in the prior year period.

Wholesale Operating Income

Wholesale operating income for fiscal 2023 increased $4.9 million or 7.6% and as a percentage of wholesale net sales was 15.3%, compared to 13.2% in the prior year period. Adjusted wholesale operating income was $69.0 million, or 15.3% of wholesale net sales compared with $60.7 million, or 12.6% of wholesale net sales in the prior year period. The increase is due to a significant improvement in wholesale gross margin, declining freight and raw material input costs, and lower compensation from reduced headcount partially offset by reduced fixed cost leverage from lower net sales of $34.3 million or 7.1%. When expressed as a percentage of sales, wholesale SG&A expenses were 19.4% of wholesale net sales, a 70-basis point increase, due to lower operating leverage from decreased sales relative to our fixed costs partially offset by lower expenses. Wholesale SG&A expenses were down 3.8% while wholesale net sales declined at a faster rate of 7.1%, which led to decreased operating leverage. Restructuring and other charges, net of gains, increased wholesale operating income in the prior year by $3.2 million which included a $2.0 million gain from the sale of the Atoka, Oklahoma distribution center.

Retail Operating Income

Retail operating income for fiscal 2023 decreased $13.2 million or 16.4% and as a percentage of retail net sales was 10.2%, compared to 11.7% in the prior year period. Adjusted retail operating income, which excludes restructuring and other charges, net of gains, was $63.4 million, or 9.6% of net sales compared with $79.7 million, or 11.5% of net sales in the prior year period. The decrease in retail operating income was driven by the $27.3 million or 4.0% decrease in net sales, a 40-basis point reduction in retail gross margin, higher delivery costs, increased marketing spend, higher benefit expenses and new product display, merchandising and sample costs partially offset by a decrease in incremental delivery costs and reduced designer variable compensation from lower sales, lower compensation from reduced headcount, and lower occupancy expenses. Restructuring and other charges, net of gains, increased retail operating income by $3.9 million during fiscal 2023 compared to a $1.3 million increase in the prior year period.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense for fiscal 2023 was $35.2 million compared with $34.8 million in the prior year period. Our consolidated effective tax rate was 25.0% compared with 25.2% in the prior year. Our effective tax rate of 25.0% varies from the 21% federal statutory rate primarily due to state taxes.

Net Income

Net income for fiscal 2023 increased by $2.5 million or 2.4% compared with the prior year period. Adjusted net income, which removes the after-tax impact of restructuring and other charges, net of gains, was $103.1 million an increase of 2.8% compared to $100.3 million in the prior year period due to an improved consolidated gross margin and our ability to reduce SG&A expenses through cost containment measures partially offset by the decrease in net sales.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Diluted EPS

Diluted EPS for fiscal 2023 was $4.13 compared to $4.05 per diluted share in the prior year period. Adjusted diluted EPS was $4.03, up 2.5% compared to $3.93 in the prior year period. The increase in diluted EPS was driven by an improved consolidated gross margin and our ability to reduce SG&A expenses through cost containment measures partially offset by the decrease in net sales.

Regulation G Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted operating income and margin, adjusted wholesale operating income and margin, adjusted retail operating income and margin, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. The reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are shown in the tables below.

These non-GAAP measures are derived from the consolidated financial statements but are not presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide a meaningful comparison of our results to others in our industry and our prior year results. Investors should consider these non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, our financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the items associated with the operations of the business as determined in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. Despite the limitations of these non-GAAP financial measures, we believe these adjusted financial measures and the information they provide are useful in viewing our performance using the same tools that management uses to assess progress in achieving our goals. Adjusted measures may also facilitate comparisons to our historical performance.

The following tables below show a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures used in this filing to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

* Adjustments to reported GAAP financial measures including operating income and margin, net income, and diluted EPS have been adjusted by the following:

Liquidity

We are committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet in order to weather difficult industry conditions, take advantage of short and long-term opportunities and execute our strategic initiatives. Our sources of liquidity include cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, cash generated from operations and amounts available under our credit facility. We believe these sources remain adequate to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements, finance our long-term growth plans, invest in capital expenditures and fulfill other cash requirements for day-to-day operations and contractual obligations. We continue to monitor our liquidity closely during this continued period of economic uncertainty and volatility.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had available liquidity of $293.7 million as summarized below (in thousands).

As of June 30, 2023, we had working capital of $196.4 million and a current ratio of 2.20 compared with $131.1 million and 1.61 a year ago. Our non-U.S. subsidiaries held $3.7 million in cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2023, which we have determined to be indefinitely reinvested. A year ago, our non-U.S. subsidiaries held $8.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, a higher amount than as of June 30, 2023 due to significant capital expenditures incurred during fiscal 2023.

Summary of Cash Flows

At June 30, 2023, we held cash and cash equivalents of $62.1 million compared with $109.9 million at June 30, 2022. Cash and cash equivalents aggregated to 8.3% of our total assets at June 30, 2023, compared with 15.3% a year ago. In addition to cash and cash equivalents of $62.1 million, we had short-term investments of $110.6 million at June 30, 2023, compared with $11.2 million a year ago. Our short-term investments at June 30, 2023 are within United States Treasury Bills with maturities of less than one year, and to which we expect will further enhance our returns on excess cash.

Our cash and cash equivalents decreased $47.8 million or 43.5% during fiscal 2023 due to $97.5 million in net purchases of short-term investments, $46.4 million in cash dividends paid, and capital expenditures of $13.9 million partially offset by net cash provided by operating activities of $100.7 million, $8.1 million in proceeds received from the sale-leaseback transaction completed in August 2022 and $1.8 million in proceeds received from the sale of a property in April 2023.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

The following table illustrates the main components of our cash flows for each of the last three fiscal years.

Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities.

We generated $100.7 million in cash from operating activities, an increase from $69.4 million in the prior year period primarily due to a reduction in inventory carrying levels and accounts receivable combined with higher net income partially offset by a decline in customer deposits. Our inventory decreased $27.3 million since June 30, 2022 as we restore our operating inventory levels to more historical levels as backlog declines. Inventory balances continue to decrease as we seek to reduce our inventory while also ensuring appropriate levels are maintained to service our customer base. These benefits were partially offset by a decrease in customer deposits as net shipments outpaced incoming written orders, which also helped reduce backlog, and a decrease in accounts payable. Restructuring payments made during fiscal 2023 were $1.0 million compared to $1.6 million in the prior year and related primarily to severance and lease exit costs paid.

Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities.

Cash used in investing activities was $101.5 million during fiscal 2023, an increase from $14.0 million in the prior year period due to $97.5 million of net purchases of investments (net of proceeds from sales of investments) and capital expenditures of $13.9 million, partially offset by $8.1 in proceeds received from the sale-leaseback transaction completed in August 2022 as well as the sale of a property for $1.8 million in April 2023. During fiscal 2023, we purchased $219.5 million in short-term United States Treasury Bills, with maturities ranging from 90 days to a maximum of one year, of which $109.5 million matured during fiscal 2023 for a net investment of $110.6 million as of June 30, 2023. We also liquidated our previously held investments in municipal bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposit during the first quarter of fiscal 2023, which had totaled $11.2 million as of June 30, 2022. Our short-term investments are reported within Investments in our consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2023 and 2022. Capital expenditures of $13.9 million during fiscal 2023 primarily related to efficiency and safety upgrades to our manufacturing plants, spending on design center relocations and improvements and investments in technology upgrades and infrastructure.

Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities.

Cash used in financing activities was $47.6 million during fiscal 2023, a decrease from $49.0 million in the prior year period primarily from a lower special dividend paid, which was $0.50 per share in fiscal 2023 compared with $0.75 a year ago. This decrease was partially offset by a 12.5% increase to the regular quarterly cash dividend. The Board increased the regular quarterly cash dividend to $0.36 per share on April 25, 2023, which was paid on May 25, 2023. There were no repurchases of common stock under our existing share repurchase program during fiscal 2023 or 2022.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Restricted Cash

We present restricted cash as a component of total cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated statements of cash flows and within Other Assets on our consolidated balance sheets. At June 30, 2023 and 2022, we held $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of restricted cash related to the Ethan Allen insurance captive.

Exchange Rate Changes

Due to changes in exchange rates, our cash and cash equivalents were positively impacted by $0.2 million during fiscal 2023 compared with a $0.1 million negative impact in the prior year period. These changes had an immaterial impact on our cash balances held in Canada, Mexico, and Honduras.

Capital Resources, including Material Cash Requirements

Sources of Liquidity

Capital Needs. On January 26, 2022, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and syndication agent and Capital One, National Association, as documentation agent. The Credit Agreement amended and restated the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2018, as amended. The Credit Agreement provides for a $125 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”), subject to borrowing base availability, with a maturity date of January 26, 2027. The Credit Agreement also provides us with an option to increase the size of the Facility up to an additional amount of $60 million. Availability under the Facility fluctuates according to a borrowing base calculated on eligible accounts receivable and inventory, net of customer deposits and reserves. The Facility includes covenants that apply under certain circumstances, including a fixed-charge coverage ratio requirement that applies when excess availability under the credit line is less than certain thresholds. As of June 30, 2023, we were not subject to the fixed-charge coverage ratio requirement, had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility, were in compliance with all other covenants, and had borrowing availability of $121.0 million of the $125.0 million credit commitment. We incurred financing costs of $0.5 million during fiscal 2022, which are being amortized as interest expense over the remaining life of the Facility using the effective interest method. See Note 11, Credit Agreement, to the consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a further description of the Credit Agreement.

Letters of Credit. At both June 30, 2023 and 2022 there were $4.0 million of standby letters of credit outstanding under the Facility.

Uses of Liquidity

Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2023 totaled $13.9 million compared with $13.4 million in the prior year period. The increase is primarily related to $6.2 million of spending within our Upholstery and Case Goods manufacturing facilities to further improve their capacity, safety, equipment and efficiency. The remaining spend of $7.7 million was primarily for retail design center openings, relocations and floor projection changes, as well as additional investments in technology used throughout each design center and within our corporate support services.

We have no material contractual commitments outstanding for future capital expenditures and anticipate that cash from operations will be sufficient to fund future capital expenditures. We expect our fiscal 2024 capital expenditures to be slightly above fiscal 2023 levels as we refresh the majority of our design center projections, further invest in technology, and open new or relocate multiple design centers.

Dividends. Our Board of Directors has sole authority to determine if and when we will declare future dividends and on what terms. We have a strong history of returning capital to shareholders and continued this practice during fiscal 2023 as the following actions were taken pertaining to dividends.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

During fiscal 2023 we paid a total of $1.82 per share in cash dividends for an aggregate total of $46.4 million. This included the special dividend paid in August 2022 totaling $12.7 million. In the prior year period, total dividends paid were $48.3 million. With our dividends, we have returned $206.4 million to shareholders over the past five years and $620.9 million since our initial public offering in 1993.

Ethan Allen has a long history of returning capital to shareholders and is pleased to pay a special cash dividend, which highlights the Company’s strong balance sheet and operating results. We have paid a special cash dividend each of the past three years and paid an annual cash dividend every year since 1996. Although we expect to continue to declare and pay comparable quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future, the payment of future cash dividends is within the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our earnings, operations, financial condition, capital requirements and general business outlook, among other factors. Our credit agreement also includes covenants that includes limitations on our ability to pay dividends.

Share Repurchase Program. There were no share repurchases under our existing multi-year share repurchase program during fiscal 2023 or 2022. At June 30, 2023, we had a remaining Board authorization to repurchase 2,007,364 shares of our common stock pursuant to our share repurchase program. The timing and amount of any future share repurchases in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions will be determined by the Company’s officers at their discretion and based on a number of factors, including an evaluation of market and economic conditions while also maintaining financial flexibility.

Material Cash Requirements from Contractual Obligations

Fluctuations in our operating results, levels of inventory on hand, operating lease commitments, the degree of success of our accounts receivable collection efforts, the timing of tax and other payments, the rate of written orders and net sales, levels of customer deposits on hand, as well as necessary capital expenditures to support growth of our operations will impact our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. The effect of our contractual obligations on our liquidity and capital resources in future periods should be considered in conjunction with the factors mentioned here. As of June 30, 2023, we had total contractual obligations of $199.1 million, an increase from $193.2 million a year ago due to $40.2 million in operating lease liabilities from new leases and modifications to existing leases entered into throughout fiscal 2023 partially offset by operating lease payments of $31.0 million during fiscal 2023. Except for operating leases, there were no other material changes, outside of the ordinary course of business, in our contractual obligations during the fiscal year.

Our material cash requirements for our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2023 were as follows:

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

For a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources and our cash flow activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 29, 2022.

Other Arrangements

We do not utilize or employ any other arrangements in operating our business. As such, we do not maintain any retained or contingent interests, derivative instruments or variable interests which could serve as a source of potential risk to our future liquidity, capital resources and results of operations.

Product Warranties. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, our product warranty liability totaled $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Our products, including our case goods, upholstery and home accents, generally carry explicit product warranties and are provided based on terms that are generally accepted in the industry. All our domestic independent retailers are required to enter into and perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of a warranty service agreement. We record provisions for estimated warranty and other related costs at time of sale based on historical warranty loss experience and make periodic adjustments to those provisions to reflect actual experience. On rare occasions, certain warranty and other related claims involve matters of dispute that ultimately are resolved by negotiation, arbitration or litigation. We provide for such warranty issues as they become known and are deemed to be both probable and estimable.

Government Contracts

Other than standard provisions contained in our contracts with the United States government, we do not believe that any significant portion of our business is subject to material renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts or subcontracts at the election of government entities. The Company sells to the United States government both through General Services Administration (“GSA”) Multiple Award Schedule Contracts and through competitive bids. The GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract pricing is principally based upon our commercial price list in effect when the contract is initiated. We are required to receive GSA approval to apply list price increases during the term of the Multiple Award Schedule Contract period.

Contingencies

We are involved in various claims and litigation as well as environmental matters, which arise in the normal course of business. Although the final outcome of these legal and environmental matters cannot be determined, based on the facts presently known, it is our opinion that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or future results of operations.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Critical Accounting Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. In some cases, these principles require management to make difficult and subjective judgments regarding uncertainties and, as a result, such estimates and assumptions may significantly impact our financial results and disclosures. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. We base our estimates on currently known facts and circumstances, prior experience and other assumptions we believe to be reasonable. We use our best judgment in valuing these estimates and may, as warranted, use external advice. Actual results could differ from these estimates, assumptions, and judgments and these differences could be significant. We make frequent comparisons throughout the year of actual experience to our assumptions to reduce the likelihood of significant adjustments and will record adjustments when differences are known.

The following critical accounting estimates affect our consolidated financial statements.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, including the Assessment of the Carrying Value of Retail Design Center Long-lived Assets

The recoverability of our retail design centers’ long-lived assets is evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of an asset or asset group. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in customer demand or business climate that could affect the value of an asset, change in the intended use of an asset, a product recall or an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows over the remaining life of the primary asset is less than the carrying value, we recognize a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value, usually determined by the estimated discounted cash flow analysis or independent third-party appraisal of the asset or asset group. While determining fair value requires a variety of input assumptions and judgment, we believe our estimates of fair value are reasonable. The asset group is defined as the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available and largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets, which for our retail segment is the individual design center. For retail design center level long-lived assets, expected cash flows are determined based on our estimate of future net sales, margin rates and expenses over the remaining expected terms of the leases.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

We review the carrying value of our goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives at least annually, during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change, for possible impairment. Both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assigned to our wholesale reporting unit which is principally involved in the development of the Ethan Allen brand and encompasses all aspects of design, manufacturing, sourcing, marketing, sale and distribution of the Company’s broad range of home furnishings and accents.

Goodwill. We may elect to evaluate qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or fair value of indefinite lived intangible assets is less than its carrying value. If the qualitative evaluation indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is required. Alternatively, we may bypass the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit or indefinite lived intangible asset and directly perform a quantitative assessment.

A quantitative impairment test involves estimating the fair value of each reporting unit and indefinite lived intangible asset and comparing these estimated fair values with the respective reporting unit or indefinite lived intangible asset carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to such excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. If the carrying value of an individual indefinite lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, such individual indefinite lived intangible asset is written down by an amount equal to such excess. Estimating the fair value of reporting units and indefinite lived intangible assets involves the use of significant assumptions, estimates and judgments with respect to a number of factors, including sales, gross margin, general and administrative expenses, capital expenditures, EBITDA and cash flows, the selection of an appropriate discount rate, as well as market values and multiples of earnings and revenue of comparable public companies.

To evaluate goodwill in a quantitative impairment test, the fair value of the reporting units is estimated using a combination of Market and Income approaches. The Market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). In the Market approach, the method focuses on comparing the Company’s risk profile and growth prospects to reasonably similar publicly traded companies. Key assumptions used include multiples for revenues, EBITDA and operating cash flows, as well as consideration of control premiums. The selected multiples are determined based on public companies within our peer group, and if appropriate, recent comparable transactions are also considered. Control premiums are determined using recent comparable transactions in the open market. Under the Income approach, a discounted cash flow method is used, which includes a terminal value, and is based on management’s forecasts and budgets. The long-term terminal growth rate assumptions reflect our current long-term view of the market in which we compete. Discount rates use the weighted average cost of capital for companies within our peer group, adjusted for specific company risk premium factors.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 utilizing a qualitative analysis and concluded it was more likely than not the fair value of our wholesale reporting unit was greater than its respective carrying value and no impairment charge was required. In performing the qualitative assessment, we considered such factors as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions in which we operate including the competitive environment and any significant changes in demand. We also considered our stock price both in absolute terms and in relation to peer companies.

Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets. We also annually evaluate whether our trade name continues to have an indefinite life. Our trade name is reviewed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter and may be reviewed more frequently if indicators of impairment are present. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in customer demand or business climate that could affect the value of an asset, a product recall or an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. Factors used in the valuation of intangible assets with indefinite lives include, but are not limited to, management’s plans for future operations, recent results of operations and projected future cash flows.

Similar to goodwill, we may elect to perform a qualitative assessment. If the qualitative evaluation indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of our trade name was less than its carrying value, a quantitative impairment test is required. Alternatively, we may bypass the qualitative assessment for our indefinite lived intangible asset and directly perform a quantitative assessment. To evaluate our trade name using a quantitative analysis, its fair value is calculated using the relief-from-royalty method. Significant factors used in the trade name valuation are rates for royalties, future revenue growth and a discount factor. Royalty rates are determined using an average of recent comparable values, review of the operating margins and consideration of the specific characteristics of the trade name. Future growth rates are based on the Company’s perception of the long-term values in the market in which we compete, and the discount rate is determined using the weighted average cost of capital for companies within our peer group, adjusted for specific company risk premium factors.

We performed our annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 utilizing a qualitative analysis and concluded it was more likely than not the fair value of our trade name was greater than its carrying value and no impairment charge was required. Qualitative factors reviewed included a review for significant adverse changes in customer demand or business climate that could affect the value of the asset, a product recall or an adverse action or assessment by a regulator.

Inventories

Inventories (finished goods, work in process and raw materials) are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, and net realizable value. Cost is determined based solely on those charges incurred in the acquisition and production of the related inventory (i.e. material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs). We estimate an inventory reserve for excess quantities and obsolete items based on specific identification and historical write-downs, taking into account future demand and market conditions. Our inventory reserves contain uncertainties that require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding a number of factors, including market conditions, the selling environment, historical results and current inventory trends. We adjust our inventory reserves for net realizable value and obsolescence based on trends, aging reports, specific identification and estimates of future retail sales prices. If actual demand or market conditions change from our prior estimates, we adjust our inventory reserves accordingly throughout the period. We have not made any material changes to our assumptions included in the calculations of the lower of cost or net realizable value reserves during the periods presented. At June 30, 2023 and 2022, our inventory reserves totaled $1.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions. Our tax provision is an estimate based on our understanding of laws in Federal, state and foreign tax jurisdictions. These laws can be complicated and are difficult to apply to any business, including ours. The tax laws also require us to allocate our taxable income to many jurisdictions based on subjective allocation methodologies and information collection processes.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

We use the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which we expect to recover or settle those temporary differences. When we record deferred tax assets, we are required to estimate, based on forecasts of taxable earnings in the relevant tax jurisdiction, whether we are more likely than not to recover them. In making judgments about realizing the value of our deferred tax assets, we consider historic and projected future operating results, the eligible carry-forward period, tax law changes and other relevant considerations.

The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns for recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure in its consolidated financial statements. If an income tax position exceeds a 50% probability of success upon tax audit, based solely on the technical merits of the position, the Company recognizes an income tax benefit in its financial statements. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The liability associated with an unrecognized tax benefit is classified as a long-term liability except for the amount for which a cash payment is expected to be made or tax positions settled within one year.

Business Insurance Reserves

We have insurance programs in place for workers’ compensation and health care under certain employee benefit plans provided by the Company. The insurance programs, which are funded through self-insured retention, are subject to various stop-loss limitations. We accrue estimated losses using actuarial models and assumptions based on historical loss experience. As of June 30, 2023, we had a liability of $2.4 million related to health care coverage compared to $2.0 million in the prior year period. We also carry workers’ compensation insurance subject to a deductible amount for which the Company is responsible on each claim. As of June 30, 2023, we had accrued liabilities of $4.2 million related to workers’ compensation claims, primarily for claims that do not meet the per-incident deductible, compared to $3.8 million in the prior year period. These business insurance reserves are recorded within Accrued compensation and benefits on our consolidated balance sheets.

Although we believe that the insurance reserves are adequate, the reserve estimates are based on historical experience, which may not be indicative of current and future losses. In addition, the actuarial calculations used to estimate insurance reserves are based on numerous assumptions, some of which are subjective. We adjust insurance reserves, as needed, in the event that future loss experience differs from historical loss patterns.

Significant Accounting Policies

See Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8, for a full description of our significant accounting policies.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8, for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption.

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to the following market risks, which could impact our financial position and results of operations.

Interest Rate Risk

Debt

Interest rate risk exists primarily through our borrowing activities. Short-term debt, if required, is used to meet working capital requirements and long-term debt, if required, is generally used to finance long-term investments. There is inherent rollover risk for borrowings as they mature and are renewed at current market rates. The extent of this risk is not quantifiable or predictable because of the variability of future interest rates and our future financing requirements. While we had no fixed or variable rate borrowings outstanding at June 30, 2023, we could be exposed to market risk from changes in risk-free interest rates if we incur variable rate debt in the future as interest expense will fluctuate with changes in the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). Based on our current and expected levels of exposed liabilities, we estimate that a hypothetical 100 basis point change (up or down) in interest rates based on one-month SOFR would not have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments

The fair market value of our cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2023 was $62.1 million while our short-term investments balance was $110.6 million. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less and are reported at fair value. Our short-term investments consist of United States Treasury Bills with maturities of one year or less and at fair value based on observable inputs. Our primary objective for holding available-for-sale securities is to achieve an appropriate investment return consistent with preserving principal and managing risk. Pursuant to our established investment guidelines, we try to achieve high levels of credit quality, liquidity and diversification. At any time, a sharp rise in market interest rates could have an impact on the fair value of our available-for-sale securities portfolio. Conversely, declines in interest rates, including the impact from lower credit spreads, could have an adverse impact on interest income for our investment portfolio. However, because of our investment policy and the short-term nature of our investments, our financial exposure to fluctuations in interest rates has been low and is expected to remain low. We do not believe that the value or liquidity of our cash equivalents and investments have been materially impacted by current market events. Our available-for-sale securities are held for purposes other than trading and are not leveraged as of June 30, 2023. We monitor our interest rate and credit risks of our cash equivalents and believe the overall credit quality of our portfolio is strong. It is anticipated that the fair market value of our cash equivalents and short-term investments will continue to be immaterially affected by fluctuations in interest rates.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Foreign currency exchange risk is primarily limited to our four Company-operated retail design centers located in Canada and our manufacturing plants in Mexico and Honduras, as substantially all purchases of imported parts and finished goods are denominated in U.S. dollars. As such, foreign exchange gains or losses resulting from market changes in the value of foreign currencies have not had, nor are they expected to have, a material effect on our consolidated results of operations. A decrease in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may affect the profitability of our vendors, but as we employ a balanced sourcing strategy, we believe any impact would be moderate relative to peers in our industry.

The financial statements of our foreign locations are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Translation gains and losses that arise from translating assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of foreign operations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a component of shareholders’ equity. Foreign exchange gains or losses resulting from market changes in the value of foreign currencies did not have a material impact during any of the fiscal periods presented.

A hypothetical 10% weaker United States dollar against all foreign currencies as of June 30, 2023 would have had an immaterial impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. We currently do not engage in any foreign currency hedging activity and we have no intention of doing so in the foreseeable future.

Duties and Tariffs Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk with respect to duties and tariffs assessed on raw materials, component parts, and finished goods we import. Additionally, we are exposed to duties and tariffs on our finished goods that we export from our manufacturing plants. As these tariffs and duties increase, we determine whether a price increase to our customers to offset these costs is warranted. To the extent that an increase in these costs would have a material impact on our results of operations, we believe that our competitors would experience a similar impact.

Raw Materials and other Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in the cost of raw materials used in our manufacturing processes, principally wood, fabric and foam products. The cost of foam products, which are petroleum-based, is sensitive to changes in the price of oil. We are also exposed to risk with respect to transportation costs, including fuel prices, for delivering our products. As commodity prices and transportation costs rise, we determine whether a price increase to our customers to offset these costs is warranted. To the extent that an increase in these costs would have a material impact on our results of operations, we believe that our competitors would experience a similar impact.

Inflation Risk

Our results of operations and financial condition are presented based on historical cost. While it is difficult to accurately measure the impact of inflationary pressure, we believe any inflationary impact on our product and operating costs would be offset by our ability to increase selling prices, create operational efficiencies and seek lower cost alternatives.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Commercial Real Estate Market Risk

We have potential exposure to market risk related to conditions in the commercial real estate market. As of June 30, 2023, there were 139 Company-operated retail design centers averaging approximately 14,100 square feet in size per location. Of the 139 Company-operated retail design centers, 49 of the properties are owned and 90 are leased. Our retail real estate holdings could suffer significant impairment in value if we are forced to close design centers and sell or lease the related properties during periods of weakness in certain markets. We are also exposed to risk related to conditions in the commercial real estate rental market with respect to the right-of-use assets we carry on our balance sheet for leased design center and service center locations. At June 30, 2023, the unamortized balance of such right-of-use assets totaled $115.9 million. Should we have to close or otherwise abandon one of these leased locations, we could incur additional impairment charges if rental market conditions do not support a fair value for the right of use asset in excess of its carrying value.

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management's Responsibility for Financial Information

Management is responsible for the consistency, integrity and preparation of the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated financial statements and other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include amounts based on management’s estimates and judgments. All financial information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been presented on a basis consistent with the information included in the accompanying financial statements.

To fulfill our responsibility, we maintain comprehensive accounting systems, including internal accounting controls, designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and transactions are executed in accordance with established procedures. The concept of reasonable assurance is based upon recognition that the cost of the controls should not exceed the related benefits. We believe our systems of internal control provide this reasonable assurance.

Our Board of Directors exercised its oversight role with respect to our systems of internal control primarily through its audit committee, which is comprised of independent directors. The committee oversees our systems of internal control, accounting practices, financial reporting and audits to assess whether their quality, integrity, and objectivity are sufficient to protect shareholders' investments.

In addition, our consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2023 and 2022 and for the years then ended, have been audited by CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report also appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our consolidated statements of comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the related notes have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report also appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management (with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2023 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2023 has been audited by CohnReznick LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We have also audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that responds to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

An entity’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. An entity’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the entity; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the entity are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the entity; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the entity’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Assessment of the carrying value of retail design center long-lived assets, including right-of-use lease assets (Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)

The Company reviews the carrying value of retail design center long-lived assets, which includes the right-of-use lease assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset is less than the carrying value, the Company recognizes a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, as of June 30, 2023, Property, plant and equipment, net, was $222.2 million and the Operating lease right-of-use assets were $115.9 million. During the year ended June 30, 2023, the Company did not recognize any impairment charges.

Significant judgment is exercised by the Company in performing their retail design center impairment analysis specifically surrounding the development of sales growth rates utilized in the undiscounted cash flow forecasts. The related audit effort in evaluating management’s judgments in determining the sales growth rates to be utilized was complex, subjective, and challenging, and required a high degree of auditor judgment.

How our Audit Addressed the Critical Audit Matter

Our principal audit procedures related to this critical audit matter included the following:

/s/ CohnReznick LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.

New York, New York
August 24, 2023

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) for the year ended June 30, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended June 30, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We served as the Company’s auditor from 1989 to January 2022.

Stamford, Connecticut
August 19, 2021

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except par value)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except share data)