WWW Wolverine World Wide Inc /De/ - 10-K

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

Business and Operational Risks

The Company’s operating results could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain its brands’ positive images with consumers or anticipate, understand and respond to changing footwear and apparel trends and consumer preferences.

The popularity of particular designs and categories of footwear and apparel with consumers generally changes over time. The Company’s success depends in part on its ability to anticipate, understand and respond to changing footwear and apparel trends and consumer preferences in a timely manner. If the Company is unable to maintain and improve its competitive position, maintain or enhance the images of its brands, or timely and appropriately respond to new competition, changing consumer preferences and evolving footwear and apparel trends, consumers may consider the Company's brands’ images to be outdated and associate its brands with styles that are no longer popular, which would decrease demand for its products. Such failures could result in loss of market share, reduced sales, excess inventory, trade name impairments, lower gross margin and other adverse impacts on the Company’s operating results.

Significant capacity constraints, production disruptions, inventory management, quality issues, price increases and other risks associated with foreign sourcing could increase the Company’s operating costs and adversely impact the Company’s business and reputation.

The Company sources a substantial majority of its products from third-party manufacturers in foreign countries, predominantly in the Asia Pacific region. The Company may experience difficulties with its manufacturers, including reductions in production capacity, failures to meet production deadlines, inventory management issues, failure to meet quality standards, or increases in labor and other manufacturing costs. The Company does not have long-term contracts with its third-party manufacturers and its future results depend partly on its ability to maintain its relationships with third-party manufacturers.

Foreign manufacturing is subject to a number of risks, including work stoppages, transportation delays and interruptions, political instability, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, changing economic conditions, expropriation, nationalization, the imposition of tariffs, including U.S. tariffs imposed or threatened to be imposed on other countries and any retaliatory actions taken by such countries, import and export controls and other non-tariff barriers and changes in governmental policies. Various factors could significantly impair the Company's ability to meet customer demands and produce its products in a cost-effective manner, including adverse developments in trade or political relations with China or other countries where it sources its products, or a shift in these countries' manufacturing capacities away from footwear and apparel to other industries, or other

adverse developments, such as pandemics or other health crises that could cause significant production and shipping delays. Any of these events could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position.

The Company’s ability to import products in a timely and cost-effective manner may also be affected by issues that affect transportation and warehousing providers, such as fluctuations in freight costs, port and shipping capacity, labor disputes or severe weather. These issues have in the past and may in the future delay importation of products or require the Company to locate alternative ports or warehousing providers. Alternatives may not be available on short notice or could result in higher costs, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business and financial condition.

Pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks have had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on the company's business.

The Company's business could be adversely affected by infectious disease outbreaks and actions taken in response, which may negatively affect the regional and global economy, including by disrupting consumer spending and global supply chains, and increasing the volatility of financial markets. Potential future impacts to the Company’s workforce, business and operating results related to a health crisis, include, among others:

• The inability of employees, suppliers and other business providers to carry out tasks at ordinary levels of performance due to measures taken to limit the spread of infectious diseases.

• Decreased retail traffic due to store closures, social distancing measures, reduced operating hours, and/or changes in consumer behavior.

• Wholesale and distributor customer order cancellation and decreased consumer demand for the Company's products as a result of decreased consumer spending due to general macroeconomic conditions, decreased disposable income and increased unemployment.

• Disruption to the operations of the Company’s distribution centers and its third-party manufacturers because of facility closures, reductions in operating hours, labor or material shortages, travel limitations or mass transit disruptions.

• Additional expenses related to mitigating the impact of a health crisis on regular operations.

• Supply chain disruption affecting the Company's ability to receive and distribute goods and increasing supply chain costs.

• Increased cybersecurity risk due to the increase in the number of employees working remotely.

• Volatility in the availability and prices for commodities for raw materials used in the Company's products and related inflationary pressures.

Labor disruptions could adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s business depends on its ability to source and distribute products in a timely and cost-effective manner. Labor disputes at or that affect factories that produce the Company’s goods, shipping ports, tanneries, transportation carriers, retail stores or distribution centers create significant risks for the Company’s business as they may result in work slowdowns, stoppages, lockouts, strikes or other disruptions. Any such disruption may cause inventory shortages, delayed or canceled orders and unanticipated inventory accumulation, each of which may negatively impact the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

If the Company is unable to hire qualified persons for, or retain and continue to develop, its workforce, its results of operations could be adversely affected.

The Company's success depends on its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including in its product, eCommerce, and leadership teams. Competition for such personnel in the Company's industry is intense. The Company’s ability to hire and retain qualified personnel may be affected by a number of factors, including: its ability to attract and motivate employees; competition from other companies for qualified personnel; and the Company’s ability to offer employees remote work opportunities. If the Company is unable to hire and retain employees who perform at a high level, its business, including cash flows, results of operations, employee satisfaction, and reputation, could be adversely affected.

A significant reduction in wholesale customer purchases of the Company’s products, wholesale customers negotiating more favorable terms, or wholesale customers' failure to pay for the Company’s products in a timely manner could adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s financial success depends on its wholesale customers continuing to purchase its products. Sales to the Company’s wholesale customers are generally on an order-to-order basis and are subject to wholesale customers' rights of cancellation and rescheduling. If any of the Company’s major wholesale customers experiences a significant downturn in its business, or fails to remain committed to the Company’s products, these customers may reduce or discontinue purchases from the Company, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

The Company extends credit to its wholesale customers based on an evaluation of each wholesale customer’s financial condition. A wholesale customer's financial difficulties could cause the Company to reduce or stop doing business with that customer. The Company’s inability to collect from its wholesale customers or a cessation or reduction of sales to certain wholesale customers because of credit concerns could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position.

Retail consolidation could lead to fewer wholesale customers, wholesale customers seeking more favorable price, payment or other terms from the Company and a decrease in the number of stores that carry the Company’s products. In addition, changes in distribution channels, such as the continued growth of eCommerce and related competitive pressures, and the sale of private label products by major retailers, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

The Company’s direct-to-consumer operations continue to require substantial investment and commitment of resources and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties.

The Company’s direct-to-consumer operations, including brick and mortar locations and its eCommerce and mobile channels, require substantial fixed investment in equipment and leasehold improvements, information systems, cybersecurity infrastructure, inventory and personnel. The Company also has substantial operating lease commitments for retail space. Due to the high fixed-cost structure of the Company’s brick and mortar direct-to-consumer operations, the closure or poor performance of any stores could result in significant lease termination costs, write-offs of equipment and leasehold improvements and employee-related costs. The Company has made and will continue to make significant investments in building technologies and digital capabilities. The success of its direct-to-consumer operations also depends on the Company’s ability to identify and adapt to changes in consumer spending patterns and retail shopping preferences, including the shift from brick and mortar to eCommerce and mobile channels and the continuing evolution of omni-channel retailing. The Company’s failure to respond to these factors successfully could adversely affect the Company’s direct-to-consumer business, limit the Company's ability to develop and expand the omni-channel experience for customers or damage its reputation and brands, any of which may have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

The Company’s reputation and competitive position depend on its third-party manufacturers, distributors, licensees and others complying with applicable laws and ethical standards.

The Company cannot ensure that its independent contract manufacturers, third-party distributors, third-party licensees and others with which it does business comply with all applicable laws and ethical standards. If a party with which the Company does business is found to have violated applicable laws or ethical standards, the Company could be subject to negative publicity that damages its reputation, negatively affects the value of its brands and subjects the Company to legal risks.

The Company’s attempts to protect its brands through approval rights over design, production processes, quality, packaging, merchandising, distribution, advertising and promotion of its licensed products may not be successful as the Company cannot completely control its licensees' use of its licensed brands. The misuse of a Company brand by a licensee could adversely affect the value of such brand.

Disruption of the Company’s eCommerce platform or other information technology systems, and the Company's use of artificial intelligence could adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s information technology systems, including its eCommerce platform, are critical to the operations of its business. Any material interruption, unauthorized access, impairment or loss of data integrity or malfunction of these systems could severely impact the Company’s business. For example, system failures and disruptions could prevent access to the Company's online services, preclude store transactions, and impede product manufacturing and shipping and financial reporting. The Company’s information technology systems may be disrupted by natural disasters, accidents, power disruptions, telecommunications failures, acts of terrorism or war, denial-of-service attacks, computer viruses, other cybersecurity incidents, employee error, physical or electronic break-ins, or similar events. System redundancy may be ineffective or inadequate, and the Company’s disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient for all eventualities. Costs, problems and interruptions due to the implementation of new or upgraded systems, or maintenance of existing systems, could also disrupt or reduce the efficiency of the Company's operations. Additionally, the Company may be adversely affected if it is unable to improve, upgrade, maintain, and expand its technology systems.

The Company has begun to incorporate, and may expand its use of, artificial intelligence, including generative artificial intelligence, in certain of its information technology systems and in its operations; for example, enabling the native artificial intelligence functionality of existing enterprise resource planning, human capital management, customer relationship management and other software systems. Issues in the development and use of artificial intelligence, combined with an uncertain regulatory environment, may result in reputational harm, liability, or other adverse consequences to the Company’s business and results of operations. The artificial intelligence tools that the Company incorporates into its information technology systems and operations may not generate the intended results and efficiencies and may adversely affect the

Company’s business. The rapid evolution and potential regulation of artificial intelligence could expose the Company to new risks and may require the allocation of significant resources to develop, test and maintain the Company’s artificial intelligence resources.

Problems affecting the Company's logistics and distribution systems could adversely affect its ability to deliver its products to the market.

The Company relies on owned and independently operated distribution facilities to transport, warehouse and ship products to its customers. The Company’s logistics and distribution systems include computer-controlled and automated equipment, which are subject to a number of risks related to data accuracy, security breaches or computer viruses, software or hardware malfunction, power interruptions or other system failures. Substantially all of the Company’s products are distributed from a relatively small number of locations. Distribution center operations could be interrupted by earthquakes, floods, fires or other natural disasters or other events over which the Company has no control, such as pandemics. In addition, the Company's distribution capacity depends upon the timely performance of services by third parties, including the transportation of products to and from the Company's distribution facilities. The Company’s business interruption insurance may not adequately protect the Company from the adverse effects of significant disruptions of distribution activities, such as the loss of customers or an erosion of brand image. Problems affecting the performance of the Company's distribution system could adversely affect its results of operations and its ability to meet customer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales and achieve operating efficiencies.

The Company faces risks associated with its growth strategies including acquiring and disposing of businesses.

The Company has expanded in part through strategic acquisitions, and it may continue to do so if it can identify and successfully acquire suitable acquisition candidates. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including risks inherent in entering markets in which the Company may not have prior experience; potential loss of an acquired business's significant customers or key personnel; managing geographically-remote operations; and potential diversion of management’s attention from other aspects of the Company’s business. Acquisitions may cause the Company to incur debt or result in dilutive issuances of its equity securities, write-offs of goodwill and substantial amortization expenses associated with other intangible assets. If financing for future acquisitions is not available on favorable terms, such acquisitions would be more expensive. Any such financing may have terms that restrict the Company’s operations. The Company may not be able to successfully integrate the operations of any acquired businesses and achieve the expected benefits of any acquisitions. In addition, the Company may not consummate a potential acquisition for a variety of reasons, but still incur material costs in connection with an acquisition that it cannot recover. The failure to achieve the expected benefits of strategic acquisitions in the future, or consummate a potential acquisition after incurring material costs, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position.

From time to time, the Company may seek to sell one or more businesses, or sell or license one or more brands. For example, as part of the Company’s strategy to invest in brands that offer the greatest opportu nities for growth, the Company sold the global Sperry ® business in 2024. These transactions may involve challenges and risks. There can be no assurance that future divestitures will occur, or as to the potential value created by a completed transaction. The process of exploring strategic alternatives or selling a business could cause uncertainty and negatively impact our ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees. In addition, the Company expends costs and management resources to complete divestitures and manage post-closing arrangements. Any failures or delays in completing divestitures could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial results and ability to execute its strategy.

The Company’s international operations may be affected by legal, regulatory, political and economic risks.

The Company’s ability to conduct business in new and existing international markets, and to continue to source a substantial majority of its products from foreign countries, is subject to legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. These include:

• the burdens of complying with foreign laws and regulations, including trade and labor restrictions;

• compliance with U.S. and other countries’ laws relating to foreign operations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), which prohibits U.S. companies from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business; and

• new tariffs or other barriers in international markets, including China.

The Company is also subject to general social, political and economic risks in connection with its international operations, including:

• social and political instability, war and terrorist attacks;

• differences in business culture and laws governing relationships with employees and business partners;

• changes in diplomatic and trade relationships, including with China, Canada, Mexico and other U.S. trading partners; and

• changes in general economic conditions in specific countries or markets.

Changes in regulatory, geopolitical, social or economic policies and other factors may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business or require the Company to exit a particular market or significantly modify its current business practices.

The Company is also subject to risks related to doing business in developing countries and economically volatile areas, such as nationalization by local governmental authorities of the Company’s, its distributors’, or its licensees’ assets; slower payment of invoices; and restrictions on the Company’s ability to repatriate foreign currency or receive payment of amounts owed by third-party distributors and licensees. Commercial laws in these areas may not be well developed or consistently administered, and new unfavorable laws may be retroactively applied. Any of these risks could have an adverse impact on the Company’s prospects and results of operations in these areas.

Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely impact the Company’s business.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may impact the Company’s financial results positively or negatively in any given period, which may make it difficult to compare the Company’s operating results from different periods. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations may also adversely impact third parties that manufacture the Company’s products by increasing their costs of production and raw materials and making such costs more difficult to finance, thereby raising prices for the Company, its distributors and its licensees. The Company’s hedging strategy may not successfully mitigate the Company’s foreign currency exchange rate risk. For a more detailed discussion of the risks related to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, see Item 7A: “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

The Company's foreign subsidiaries and foreign distributors purchase Company products in U.S. dollars and the cost of those products varies depending on the applicable foreign currency exchange rate. This impacts the price charged to foreign customers and in turn, the amount of royalties paid to the Company by foreign distributors in U.S. dollars. When the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to foreign currencies, the Company's revenues and profits denominated in foreign currencies are reduced when converted into U.S. dollars and the Company's margins may be negatively impacted by the increase in product costs. The Company may seek to mitigate the negative impacts of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through price increases and further actions to reduce costs, but the Company may not be able to fully offset the impact, if at all. The Company’s success depends, in part, on its ability to manage these various foreign currency impacts.

The Company’s quarterly sales and earnings may fluctuate, and the Company or securities analysts may not accurately estimate the Company’s financial results, which may result in volatility, or a decline, in the Company's stock price. Decreases in the returns provided to the Company's stockholders may ultimately adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s quarterly sales and earnings can vary due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond its control, including:

• Orders from major wholesale customers, which may change delivery schedules, change the mix of products they order or cancel orders without penalty.

• Changes to the Company's estimated annual tax rate, which is based on projections of its domestic and international operating results for the year, which the Company reviews and revises as necessary each quarter.

• Certain manufacturing and transportation costs, changes in product sales mix, geographic sales trends, weather conditions, customer demand, consumer sentiment and currency exchange rate fluctuations.

As a result of these and other factors, the Company’s operating results will vary from quarter to quarter and the results for any particular quarter may not be indicative of results for the full year. In addition, various securities analysts follow the Company’s financial results and issue reports that include the analysts’ estimates of future Company performance, which are often different from the Company’s estimates. Any shortfall in sales or earnings from the levels expected by investors or securities analysts could cause a decrease in the trading price of the Company’s common stock.

Decreases in the trading price of the Company's stock may adversely affect its stockholders' returns. Such adverse effects, as well as other factors, may cause stockholders to take actions to involve themselves in the strategic direction and governance, including through private engagement, public campaigns, stockholder proposals and proxy contests. Responding to these actions can be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of the board and senior management from managing the Company's operations.

Changes in general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer spending could adversely affect the Company’s sales, costs, operating results or financial position.

The Company’s results of operations depend on factors affecting consumer disposable income and spending patterns such as general economic conditions, inflation, employment rates, credit availability, business conditions, interest rates, consumer

confidence and tax policy in the markets and regions in which the Company or its third-party distributors and licensees operate. Customers may defer or cancel purchases of the Company’s products due to uncertainty about global, regional or local economic conditions, and how such conditions may impact them. Prior declines in disposable income and consumer spending have adversely affected demand for the Company’s products, and could further adversely affect demand and the Company's results of operations. If the Company reduces the prices of its products, offers additional promotions or increases marketing efforts due to decreases in consumer spending, the Company's profitability could decline.

The Company is subject to inflationary pressures, including increased costs of raw materials, transportation, labor and other aspects of its business, which the Company may not be able to offset with cost savings or price increases on its products. If inflationary pressures continue, and the Company is unable to pass along price increases or further reduce costs, the Company's results of operations may be negatively impacted.

The Company operates in competitive industries and markets.

The Company competes with a large number of wholesalers, and retailers of footwear and apparel, and direct-to-consumer footwear and apparel companies. Many have larger customer and consumer bases, and/or greater financial, technical or marketing resources than the Company, particularly its competitors in the apparel and direct-to-consumer businesses. The Company’s competitors may have brands with greater name recognition; implement more effective marketing campaigns; adopt more aggressive pricing policies; make more attractive offers to potential employees, distribution partners and manufacturers; incorporate artificial intelligence into their business faster or more successfully than the Company, or respond more quickly to changes in consumer preferences. The Company’s continued ability to sell its products at competitive prices and to meet shifts in consumer preferences quickly will affect its sales. If the Company is unable to respond effectively to competitive pressures, its results of operations and financial position may be adversely affected.

Unseasonable or extreme weather conditions could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company's results of operations depend on weather conditions and its ability to react to changes in weather conditions. The Company markets and sells footwear and apparel suited for specific seasons, such as sandals for the summer season and boots for the winter season. Significant variations in weather conditions from those typical for a season, such as an unusually cold and rainy summer or an unusually warm and dry winter, may adversely affect consumer demand for seasonally appropriate products. Lower demand for seasonally appropriate products may result in excess inventory, forcing the Company to sell these products at significantly discounted prices, which would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. Conversely, if weather conditions increase demand for seasonal products early in the season, this may reduce inventory levels needed to meet customers’ needs later in that same season.

Extreme weather conditions can also adversely impact the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position. If extreme weather events disrupt or close operations at distribution centers, the Company could incur higher costs and experience longer lead times to distribute its products to its retail stores, wholesale customers or eCommerce consumers. Extreme weather conditions can also decrease shopping traffic or cause the Company or its wholesale customers to close retail stores, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

Climate change, and related legislative and regulatory responses to climate change, may adversely impact the Company’s business.

There is growing concern that climate changes could cause significant changes in weather patterns around the globe and increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters. This could have a long-term adverse impact on the Company’s business and results of operations by exacerbating the effects described in the risk factor “Unseasonable or extreme weather conditions could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations” and decreasing agricultural productivity in certain regions, which may limit availability and/or increase the cost of certain raw materials, such as cotton and leather. Concern over climate change may result in new, additional or changing legal, legislative, regulatory, and compliance requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, which could result in future tax, transportation, and utility increases, which could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations. Domestic and international regulatory efforts are evolving, including the potential international alignment or divergence of such efforts, and the Company cannot determine what final regulations will be enacted, modified, or reversed or the ultimate impact on its business.

Changes in general economic conditions and/or the credit markets affecting the Company's distributors, suppliers and retailers could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

Negative trends in global economic conditions may adversely impact the Company's third-party distributors’, suppliers’ and retailers’ ability to meet their obligations to provide the Company with the materials and services it needs at the prices, terms or levels as such third-parties have historically, which could adversely impact the Company’s ability to meet consumers’ demands and, in turn, the Company's results of operations and financial position.

In addition, if the Company’s third-party distributors, suppliers and retailers are not able to obtain financing on favorable terms, or at all, they may delay or cancel orders for the Company’s products or fail to meet their obligations to the Company in a timely manner, either of which could adversely impact the Company’s sales, cash flow and operating results.

Global political and economic uncertainty could adversely impact the Company’s business.

Concerns regarding acts of terrorism or regional and international conflicts and concerns regarding public health threats, such as COVID-19, have created and may in the future create significant global economic and political uncertainties that may adversely affect consumer demand, acceptance of U.S. brands in international markets, foreign sourcing of products, shipping and transportation, product imports and exports and the sale of products in foreign markets, any of which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to source, manufacture, distribute and sell its products.

In addition, an economic downturn, whether actual or perceived, a decrease in economic growth rates or an otherwise uncertain economic outlook in markets in which the Company operates could adversely affect the Company.

Financial Risks

The Company’s operating results depend on effectively managing inventory levels.

The Company’s ability to effectively manage its inventories and accurately forecast demand are important factors in its operations. Inventory shortages can impede the Company’s ability to meet demand and, consequently, adversely affect business relationships with retail customers, diminish brand loyalty and decrease sales. Conversely, excess inventory can result in lower gross margins if the Company lowers prices in order to liquidate inventory. In addition, inventory may become obsolete as a result of changes in consumer preferences. The Company’s business, results of operations and financial position could be adversely affected if it is unable to effectively manage its inventory.

Increases or changes in duties, quotas, tariffs and other trade restrictions could adversely impact the Company’s sales and profitability.

The Company’s products manufactured overseas and imported into other countries are subject to customs duties. Review of the customs information submitted by the Company may result in the assessment of additional duties or penalties. Additional U.S. or foreign customs duties, quotas, tariffs, anti-dumping duties, safeguard measures, cargo restrictions, the loss of most favored nation trading status or other trade restrictions, including those due to changes in trade relations between the U.S. and other countries, may be imposed on the importation of the Company’s products in the future. The imposition of such costs or restrictions in countries where the Company operates, as well as in countries where its third-party distributors and licensees operate, could result in increases in the cost of the Company’s products and adversely affect its sales and profitability.

The Company is subject to risks from changes to the trade policies, tariffs and import and export regulations of the U.S. and foreign governments.

Changes in import and export policies, including trade restrictions, new or increased tariffs or quotas, embargoes, sanctions and counter sanctions, safeguards or customs restrictions by the U.S. and foreign governments, could materially adversely affect the Company’s business performance, financial condition, results of operations, and relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees. Similarly, changes in laws and policies governing foreign trade, manufacturing, development, and investment in the territories or countries where the Company currently manufactures or sells products or conducts business, and adverse changes in, or withdrawal from, trade agreements or political relationships between the U.S. and such countries and territories could materially adversely affect the Company’s business.

Substantially all of the units the Company sources are procured from third-party manufacturers in the Asia Pacific region. Restrictions on international trade, such as tariffs, can materially adversely affect the Company’s operations and supply chain and limit the Company’s ability to offer and distribute products. The impact can be particularly significant if these restrictive measures apply to countries and regions where the Company has significant supply chain operations or from which the Company derives a significant portion of revenues. These restrictive measures can substantially increase the cost to procure products and the raw materials the Company uses, and may require the Company to take various actions, including raising prices on products, changing manufacturers or suppliers, renegotiating purchase prices with suppliers and material vendors, ceasing to offer and distribute certain products, or reducing investments. Changing operations and supply chain in response to new or changed restrictions on international trade can be expensive, time-consuming and disruptive to the Company’s operations. These restrictions may be announced with little or no advance notice, which can create uncertainty, and we may not be able to effectively mitigate all resulting adverse impacts on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if the Company raises prices on products but competitors do not make similar price increases, the Company’s competitive position may be materially adversely affected.

The extent and duration of the effects on the Company’s business of recent proposed or enacted changes to U.S. tariffs, tariffs proposed or enacted by other countries in response, and the resulting impact on general economic conditions are uncertain and will depend on various factors, including future actions of the U.S. and other countries, negotiations between the U.S. and other countries, exemptions or exclusions that may be granted, availability and cost of alternative manufacturers and sources of supply, and demand for the Company’s products in affected markets.

Increases in the cost of raw materials, labor and services could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s ability to competitively price its products depends on the prices of commodities, such as cotton, leather, rubber, petroleum, cattle, pigskin hides, and other raw materials, used to make and transport its products, as well as the prices of equipment, labor, transportation and shipping, insurance and health care. The cost of commodities, equipment, services and materials is subject to change based on availability and general economic and market conditions that are difficult to predict. Various conditions, such as diseases affecting the availability of leather, affect the cost of the Company's products. Increases in costs for commodities, equipment, services and materials could have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

An increase in the Company’s effective tax rate or negative determinations by domestic or foreign tax authorities could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

A significant amount of the Company’s earnings are generated by its Canadian, European and Asia Pacific subsidiaries and, to a lesser extent, in jurisdictions that are not subject to income tax. As a result, the Company’s income tax expense has historically differed from the tax computed at the U.S. statutory income tax rate due to discrete items and because the Company did not provide for U.S. taxes on non-cash undistributed earnings that it intends to permanently reinvest in foreign operations. The Company’s future effective tax rates could be unfavorably affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in the tax rates in jurisdictions in which the Company generates income; changes in, or in the interpretation of, tax rules and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company does business; or decreases in the amount of earnings in countries with low statutory tax rates. An increase in the Company’s effective tax rate could have an adverse effect on its results of operations and financial position.

The Company’s income tax returns are subject to examination by domestic and foreign tax authorities. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes and establishes reserves for potential adjustments that may result from these examinations. The final determination of any of these examinations could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

An impairment of goodwill or other intangibles could have an adverse impact to the Company’s results of operations.

The carrying value of goodwill represents the fair value of acquired businesses in excess of identifiable assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date. The carrying value of other intangibles represents the fair value of trade names and other acquired intangibles as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and other acquired intangibles expected to contribute indefinitely to the Company’s cash flows are not amortized but must be evaluated by the Company at least annually for impairment. If the carrying amounts of one or more of these assets are not recoverable based upon discounted cash flow and market-approach analyses, the carrying amounts of such assets are impaired by the estimated difference between the carrying value and estimated fair value. An impairment charge could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, such as the impairments recorded associated with the Sweaty Betty ® trade name and goodwill in fiscal 2022.

The Company’s current level of indebtedness could adversely affect the Company by decreasing business flexibility and increasing borrowing costs.

The Company has debt outstanding under a senior secured credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) and senior notes. The Credit Agreement and the indenture governing the senior notes impose customary operating and financial restrictions on the Company, including restrictions that may limit the Company’s ability to engage in acts that may be in its best interests. These covenants restrict the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to, among other things: incur or guarantee indebtedness; incur liens; pay dividends or repurchase stock; enter into transactions with affiliates; consummate asset sales, acquisitions or mergers; prepay certain other indebtedness; or make investments. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial condition tests.

These restrictive covenants may limit the Company’s ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities. The Company’s ability to comply with any financial covenants could be materially affected by events beyond its control and the Company may be unable to satisfy any such requirements. If the Company fails to comply with these covenants, it may need to seek waivers or amendments of such covenants, seek alternative or additional sources of financing or reduce its expenditures. The Company may be unable to obtain such waivers, amendments or alternative or additional financing on favorable terms or at all.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

If the Company is unsuccessful in establishing and protecting its intellectual property, the value of its brands could be adversely affected.

The Company’s ability to remain competitive depends upon its continued ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights in the U.S. and internationally. The Company relies on a combination of trade secret, patent, trademark, copyright and other laws, license agreements and other contractual provisions and technical measures to protect its intellectual property rights; however, some countries’ laws do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as U.S. laws.

The Company’s business could be significantly harmed if it is not able to protect its intellectual property or if it was found to infringe on other persons’ intellectual property rights. Certain artificial intelligence technology used by the Company or others may give rise to increased intellectual property risks, such as compromises to proprietary intellectual property and intellectual property infringement. Any intellectual property lawsuits or threatened lawsuits in which the Company is a plaintiff or a defendant could cost the Company a significant amount of time and money and distract management’s attention from operating the Company’s business. If the Company does not prevail on any intellectual property claims, it may have to change its manufacturing processes, products or trade names, any of which could reduce its profitability.

In addition, some of the Company’s branded footwear operations are operated pursuant to licensing agreements with third-party trademark owners. As these agreements end, whether expired by their terms or terminated early for breach, the Company may be forced to stop selling the related products. Expiration or termination of any of these license agreements could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position.

Changes in employment laws and regulations and other related changes may lead to higher employment and pension costs for the Company.

Changes in employment laws and regulations and other factors could increase the Company’s employment costs. The Company’s employment costs include costs of health care and retirement benefits, including U.S.-based defined benefit pension plans. The annual cost of benefits can vary significantly depending on various factors, including changes in the assumed or actual rate of return on pension plan assets, a change in the discount rate or mortality assumptions used to determine the annual service cost related to defined benefit plans, a change in the method or timing of meeting pension funding obligations and the rate of health care cost inflation. Increases in the Company’s overall employment and pension costs could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position.

Increasing scrutiny and evolving expectations from customers, regulators, investors, and other stakeholders with respect to the Company’s sustainability practices and related legislative and regulatory responses to climate change may impose additional costs on the Company or expose it to new or additional risks.

Companies are facing increasing and frequently evolving scrutiny globally from customers, regulators, investors, employees, other stakeholders and the media, including social media, related to their sustainability practices and disclosure as expectations for, and support or criticism/skepticism of, such matters continue to evolve. Investor advocacy groups, investment funds and influential investors are also increasingly focused on these practices, especially as they relate to the environment, health and safety, board and workforce diversity, labor conditions, human rights, and cybersecurity and data privacy. Third parties have developed proprietary ratings or analyses of companies based on certain sustainability metrics. Increased sustainability related compliance costs could increase the Company’s overall operational costs. Failure to adapt to or comply with regulatory requirements or investor or other stakeholder expectations and standards, which may diverge and may not be reconcilable, could negatively impact the Company’s reputation, ability to do business with certain partners, and stock price. Concern over climate change may result in new, additional or changing legal, legislative, regulatory, and compliance requirements intended to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, which could result in increased tax, transportation, utility and other costs, which could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations. New and changing domestic and international government regulations could also result in new or more stringent forms of sustainability oversight and expanding mandatory reporting, diligence, and disclosure, including climate disclosures, and the Company cannot determine what final regulations will be enacted, modified, or reversed or the ultimate impact on its business. The Company’s sustainability initiatives and goals may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing and may not be reconcilable, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve and assumptions that are subject to change. The Company may be subject to heightened reputational and operational risk and compliance costs related to the sustainability initiatives and goals it discloses, or potential lack thereof, and may also face negative impacts from consumers who do not support its sustainability initiatives and goals. Complying with new or changing regulations could increase the Company’s costs and adversely impact results of operations. The Company’s pursuit or its failure or perceived failure to meet stakeholders’ expectations, which may diverge, as well as adverse incidents, could negatively impact the Company’s stock price, results of

operations, or reputation and increase its cost of capital, and investors, consumers and other stakeholders could lose confidence in or disparage the Company and its brands, damaging the Company's reputation and negatively impacting operations.

The Company’s and its vendors’ databases containing personal information and payment card data of the Company’s customers, employees and other third parties could be breached, which could subject the Company to adverse publicity, litigation, fines and expenses.

The protection of the Company’s customer, associate and Company data is critically important. The Company relies on its networks, databases, systems and processes, as well as those of third parties such as vendors, to protect its proprietary information and information about its customers, employees and vendors. The Company's operations have become increasingly centralized and dependent upon automated information technology processes, and a portion of the Company’s business operations is conducted electronically, increasing the risk of attack that could cause loss or misuse of data, system failures or disruption of operations. If unauthorized parties gain access to the Company's networks or databases, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify the Company’s private and sensitive third-party or employee information. Improper activities may result in compromise or breach of the Company’s networks, payment card terminals or other payment systems. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target; accordingly, the Company may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures. Any failure to maintain the security of the Company’s customers’ sensitive information, or data belonging to it or its suppliers, could put it at a competitive disadvantage, result in deterioration of its customers’ confidence in it, and subject it to potential litigation, liability, fines and penalties, resulting in a possible adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations. The Company's insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses and would not remedy damage to the Company's reputation. In addition, employees may intentionally or inadvertently cause security breaches that result in unauthorized release of personal or confidential information. In such circumstances, the Company could be held liable to its customers, other parties or employees, be subject to regulatory or other actions for breaching privacy laws or failing to adequately protect such information or respond to a breach. This could result in costly investigations and litigation, civil or criminal penalties, operational changes and negative publicity that could adversely affect the Company’s reputation and its results of operations and financial position.

The Company’s failure to comply with an evolving set of laws and industry standards relating to consumer information, could negatively impact the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company collects, maintains and uses data it receives through online activities and other consumer interactions in its business, including its marketing programs. The Company’s ability to do so is subject to certain restrictions in third party contracts and a broad array of evolving international, federal and state laws and industry standards relating to privacy, cybersecurity, data protection and consumer protection, including in response to developments in the usage of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. These requirements may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another, may conflict with other rules or may conflict with the Company’s practices. If the Company is not able to comply with any applicable requirements, the Company's reputation could be negatively impacted and the Company may be subject to proceedings or actions against it by governmental entities or others that could adversely affect its business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

As data privacy, cybersecurity and marketing laws change, including in response to artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, the Company may incur additional costs to remain in compliance. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), which applies in all European Union member states, introduced new data protection requirements in the European Union and substantial fines for breaches of the data protection rules. GDPR increased the Company’s responsibility and potential liability in relation to personal data that it collects, processes and transfers, and required the Company to implement additional controls designed to ensure compliance with the new rules. If applicable laws become more restrictive, the Company’s ability to effectively engage customers via personalized marketing may decrease, which could potentially impact growth. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) limits how the Company may collect and use personal data and other states have adopted, or are considering enacting, similar laws that may affect the Company's data processing practices and policies.

Because the Company processes and transmits payment card information, the Company is subject to card brand operating rules (“Card Rules”) requiring it to comply with the Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) Data Security Standard (the “Standard”). The Standard is a comprehensive set of requirements relating to payment account data security. The Company’s failure to comply with Card Rules or the Standard may result in fines or restrictions on, or loss of, its ability to accept payment cards. Under certain circumstances specified in the Card Rules, the Company may be required to submit to periodic audits, self-assessments or other assessments of its compliance with the Standard. The results of any audit, self-assessment or other test may require the Company to undertake remediation efforts, which may be costly or result in periods of time during which the Company cannot accept payment cards. Further, changes in technology and processing procedures may result in changes in the Card Rules that

require the Company to make significant investments in its operating systems and technology that may adversely impact its business and results of operations.

The Company’s operations are subject to environmental and workplace safety laws and regulations, and costs or claims related to these requirements could adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing the discharge of pollutants, the management and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes, employee exposure to workplace hazards, and the investigation and remediation of contamination resulting from releases of hazardous materials. Failure to comply with legal requirements could result in, among other things, revocation of required licenses, enforcement actions, fines and civil and criminal liability. Various third parties have brought, and in the future could bring, actions against the Company alleging health-related or other harm arising from non-compliance. The Company may incur investigation, remediation or other costs related to releases of hazardous materials or other environmental conditions at its currently or formerly owned or operated properties, regardless of whether such environmental conditions were created by the Company or a third party. The Company has incurred, and continues to incur, costs to address soil and groundwater contamination at some locations. If such issues become more expensive to address, or if new issues arise, they could increase the Company’s expenses, generate negative publicity, or otherwise adversely affect the Company.

The disruption, expense and potential liability associated with existing and future litigation against the Company could adversely affect its reputation, financial position or results of operations.

The Company may be named as a defendant in lawsuits and regulatory actions. For example, regulatory actions, punitive class action lawsuits and individual lawsuits have been filed against the Company alleging claims relating to property damage, remediation and human health effects, among other claims, arising from the Company’s operations, including its handling, storage, treatment, transportation and/or disposal of waste. These claims are discussed in more detail in Note 16 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings, the Company cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings. An unfavorable outcome could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial position. In addition, the Company may have to devote substantial resources and executive time to the defense of such proceedings.

Provisions of Delaware law and the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws could prevent or delay a change in control or change in management that could be beneficial to the Company’s stockholders.

Provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws could discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control of the Company that might benefit the Company's stockholders. These provisions are intended to provide the Company’s Board of Directors with continuity and to encourage negotiations between the Company’s Board and any potential acquirer. Such provisions include a classified Board of Directors under which one-third of the directors stand for election each year. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for stockholders to replace the majority of the Company's directors and take other corporate actions that may be beneficial to the Company’s stockholders.

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

The Company is a leading global designer, marketer and licensor of branded footwear, apparel and accessories. The Company’s strategic vision is to build and grow high-energy footwear, apparel and accessories brands that inspire and empower consumers to explore and enjoy their active lives. The Company seeks to fulfill this vision by offering innovative products and compelling brand propositions; complementing its footwear brands with strong apparel and accessories offerings; expanding its global direct-to-consumer footprint; and delivering supply chain excellence.

The Company’s brands are marketed in approximately 170 countries and territories at January 3, 2026, including through owned operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and certain countries in continental Europe and Asia Pacific. In other regions (Latin America, portions of Europe and Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa), the Company relies on a network of third-party distributors, licensees and joint ventures. At January 3, 2026, the Company oper ated 128 retail stores in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Italy an d 39 direct-to-consumer eCommerce sites.

Effective May 4, 2024, the Company entered into global multi-year licensing agreements of Merrell ® and Saucony ® kids footwear and Merrell ® apparel and accessories.

Effective January 10, 2024, the Company completed the sale of the Sperry ® business.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Company completed the sale of the Company’s equity interests in the Merrell ® and Saucony ® China joint venture entities.

The following discussion includes a comparison of the Company's results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for fiscal 2025 and 2024. A discussion of a comparison of the Company's results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for fiscal 2024 and 2023 has been omitted from this Form 10-K but may be found in 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 December 28, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 20, 2025.

2025 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

• Revenue was $1,874.3 million for 2025, representing a increase of 6.8% compared to the prior year of $1,755.0 million.

• Gross margin for 2025 was 47.3%, compared to 44.3% in 2024.

• The effective tax rate in 2025 was 16.9%, compared to 15.9% in 2024.

• Diluted earnings per share in 2025 was $1.14, compared to $0.55 in 2024.

• The Company declared cash dividends of $0.40 per share in 2025 and 2024.

• Cash flow provided by operating activities was $140.0 million in 2025 and $180.1 million in 2024.

• Compared to the prior year, inventory increased $26.4 million, or 10.7%.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of the Company’s results of operations and liquidity and capital resources. This section should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Fiscal Year

(In millions, except per share data)

Percent Change

Revenue

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Gain on sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets

Impairment of long-lived assets

Environmental and other related costs (income), net of recoveries

Operating profit

Interest expense, net

Other income, net

Earnings before income taxes

Income tax expense

Net earnings

Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

Net earnings attributable to Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

Diluted earnings per share

REVENUE

Revenue was $1,874.3 million for 2025, representing an increase of 6.8% compared to the prior year's revenue of $1,755.0 million. The change in revenue reflected a $161.7 million, or 13.0%, increase from the Active Group, a $33.1 million, or 7.3%, decrease from the Work Group and a $9.3 million, or 17.4%, decrease from Other. The Active Group's revenue increase was driven by an increase of $126.6 million from Saucony ® and $50.6 million from Merrell ® , partially offset by decreases of $9.4 million from Chaco ® and $6.1 million from Sweaty Betty ® . The Work Group’s revenue decrease was driven primarily by a decrease of $17.4 million from Wolverine ® , $5.2 million from Cat ® , $4.3 million from HYTEST ® , $3.5 million from Harley-Davidson ® , and $2.7 million from Bates ® . The decrease in Other revenue was primarily driven by decreases of $4.6 million from Sperry ® , $3.3 million from joint venture and royalty revenue recorded at the corporate level, and $0.9 million from Hush Puppies ® . International revenue represented 52.2%, and 49.1% of total reported revenues in 2025 and 2024, respectively. Changes in foreign exchange rates increased revenue by $14.0 million during 2025. Direct-to-consumer revenue decreased by $8.4 million, or 1.7% during 2025 compared to 2024.

GROSS MARGIN

For 2025, the Company’s gross margin was 47.3%, compared to 44.3% in 2024. The gross margin increase was primarily due to the benefit of product cost savings, a favorable mix shift toward more full-price sales, and the positive impact from recent price increases, partially offset by the impact of higher U.S. tariffs.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating expenses increased $56.0 million in 2025, to $736.5 million. The increase was primarily driven by higher advertising costs ($17.8 million), higher selling costs ($17.8 million), higher environmental and other related costs, net of recoveries ($16.9 million), higher incentive compensation costs ($13.5 million), 2024 gains on the sale of businesses, trademarks, and long-lived assets ($8.5 million), and higher general and administrative costs ($5.4 million), partially offset by lower reorganization costs ($17.0 million) and lower impairment of long-lived assets ($9.3 million). Environmental and other related costs were $6.6 million and $15.6 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. See Note 16 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of environmental remediation costs.

INTEREST, OTHER AND TAXES

Net interest expense was $32.8 million in 2025 compared to $42.7 million in 2024. Interest expense decreased in the current year due to lower average principal balances of variable rate debt and lower weighted average interest rates on variable rate debt.

Other income was $4.1 million in 2025 compared to $3.3 million in 2024.

The effective tax rate in 2025 was 16.9%, compared to 15.9% in 2024. The increase in the effective tax rate between 2025 and 2024 was primarily related to income mix between jurisdictions with differing tax rates.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

The Company’s portfolio of brands is organized into the following reportable segments.

• Active Group, consisting of Merrell ® footwear and apparel, Saucony ® footwear and apparel, Sweaty Betty ® activewear, and Chaco ® footwear; and

• Work Group, consisting of Wolverine ® footwear and apparel, Cat ® footwear, Bates ® uniform footwear, Harley-Davidson ® footwear and HYTEST ® safety footwear;

Kids' footwear offerings from Saucony ® , Sperry ® , Keds ® , Merrell ® , Hush Puppies ® and Cat ® are included with the applicable brand.

The Company also reports “Other” and “Corporate” categories. The Other category consists of Hush Puppies ® footwear, sourcing operations that include third-party commission revenues, multi-branded direct-to-consumer retail store, the Stride Rite ® licensed business, Sperry ® footwear, Keds ® footwear, and apparel and the Company’s leather marketing operations. The Corporate category consists of gains on the sale of businesses and trademarks, unallocated corporate expenses, such as corporate employee costs, corporate facility costs, IT costs, reorganization activities, impairment of long-lived assets and environmental and other related costs.

The reportable segment results for years 2025 and 2024 are as follows:

Fiscal Year

(In millions)

Change

Percent Change

REVENUE

Active Group

Work Group

Other

Total

OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)

Active Group

Work Group

Other

Corporate

Total

Further information regarding the reportable segments can be found in Note 17 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Active Group

The Active Group’s revenue increased $161.7 million, or 13.0%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The revenue increase was driven by an increase of $126.6 million from Saucony ® and $50.6 million from Merrell ® , partially offset by a decrease of $9.4 million from Chaco ® and $6.1 million from Sweaty Betty ® . The Saucony ® increase was driven primarily by strength in the US and EMEA wholesale channel and the Asia Pacific third-party distributor business. The Merrell ® increase was primarily due to growth in the core Speed franchises and new product in the lifestyle category, particularly in the wholesale and international channels. The Chaco ® decrease was primarily due to lower closeout and end of life inventory sales compared to the prior year and softer consumer demand. The Sweaty Betty ® decrease was primarily due to a decline in the U.S., partially offset by growth within the EMEA market.

The Active Group’s operating profit increased $68.3 million, or 36.9%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The operating profit increase was due to revenue increases and a 300 basis point increase in gross margin, partially offset by a $47.8 million increase in selling, general and administrative costs. The increase in gross margin in the current year period was primarily due to the benefit of product cost savings, a favorable mix shift toward more full-price sales, and the positive impact from recent price increases, partially offset by the impact of higher U.S. tariffs. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the current year period was primarily due to higher advertising costs, selling costs and employee costs.

Work Group

The Work Group’s revenue decreased $33.1 million, or 7.3%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The revenue decrease was primarily driven by a decrease of $17.4 million from Wolverine ® , $5.2 million from Cat ® , $4.3 million from HYTEST ® , $3.5 million from Harley-Davidson ® , and $2.7 million from Bates ® . The Wolverine ® decrease was primarily due to lower closeout sales compared to the prior year, lower demand in independent channels, and lower direct to consumer traffic. The Cat ® decrease was primarily due to softer consumer demand in the North American market. The HYTEST ® decrease was primarily due to lower closeout sales compared to the prior year. The Harley-Davidson ® decrease was primarily due to softer consumer demand within the U.S. wholesale channel. The Bates ® decrease was primarily due to lower closeout sales as compared to the prior year.

The Work Group’s operating profit increased $3.5 million, or 5.1%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The operating profit increase was due to a 250 basis point increase in gross margin and a $4.7 million decrease in selling, general and administrative costs partially offset by revenue decreases. The increase in gross margin in the current year period was primarily due to the benefit of product cost savings, a favorable mix shift toward more full-price sales, and the positive impact from recent price increases, partially offset by the impact of higher U.S. tariffs. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in the current year period was primarily due to lower distribution costs and selling expenses.

Other

Other revenue decreased $9.3 million, or 17.4%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The revenue decline was primarily driven by a decrease of $4.6 million from Sperry ® due to the divestiture of the business effective January 10, 2024, a $3.3 million decrease from joint venture and royalty revenue recorded at the corporate level, and a $0.9 million decrease from Hush Puppies ® .

Other operating profit decreased $2.7 million, or 8.6%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The operating profit decrease was due primarily to revenue decreases.

Corporate

Corporate expenses increased $16.4 million in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to higher environmental and other related costs ($16.9 million), higher incentive compensation costs ($12.5 million), gains on the sale of businesses, trademarks, and intangible assets in the prior year that did not reoccur ($8.5 million), business model change gain recorded in the prior year that did not reoccur ($6.5 million), partially offset by lower reorganization activities ($17.0 million) and lower impairment of long-lived and intangible assets ($9.3 million).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Fiscal Year

(In millions)

Cash and cash equivalents

Debt

Available Revolving Facility (1)

(1) Amounts are net of both borrowings, if any, and outstanding standby letters of credit issued in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Facility.

Liquidity

Cash and cash equivalents of $206.3 million as of January 3, 2026 were $54.2 million higher compared to December 28, 2024. The increase is due primarily to cash provided by operating activities of $140.0 million, proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $12.2 million, favorable foreign exchange impacts of $5.8 million and net revolver borrowings of $5.0 million, partially offset by cash dividends paid of $33.3 million, long-term debt payments of $32.5 million, additions to property, plant, and equipment of $14.5 million, purchases of common stock of $14.5 million, shares acquired related to employee stock plans of $10.7 million and payment of debt issuance costs of $3.9 million. The Company had $510.5 million of borrowing capacity available under the Revolving Facility as of January 3, 2026. Cash and cash equivalents located in foreign jurisdictions totaled $181.3 million as of January 3, 2026.

Cash flow from operating activities is expected to be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital needs for the foreseeable future. Any excess cash flow from operating activities is expected to be used to fund organic growth initiatives, reduce debt, pay dividends and for general corporate purposes.

A detailed discussion of environmental remediation costs is found in Note 16 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company has established a reserve for estimated environmental remediation costs based upon an evaluation of currently available facts with respect to each individual affected site. As of January 3, 2026, the Company has a reserve of $26.5 million, of which $12.0 million is expected to be paid in the next 12 months and is recorded as a current obligation in other accrued liabilities, with the remaining $14.5 million recorded in other liabilities and expected to be paid over the course of up to 25 years. The Company's remediation activity at its former Tannery site and sites where the Company disposed of Tannery byproducts is ongoing. It is difficult to estimate the cost of environmental compliance and remediation given the uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of applicable environmental laws and regulations, the extent of environmental contamination and the existence of alternative cleanup methods.

Note 16 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements also includes a detailed discussion of environmental litigation matters. As of January 3, 2026, the Company had recorded liabilities of $8.5 million for certain of these environmental litigation matters which are recorded as other accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Developments may occur that could materially change the Company’s current cost estimates. The Company adjusts recorded liabilities as further information develops or circumstances change.

The Company expects to meet its contractual obligations through its customary sources of liquidity in the normal course of business, such as cash from operating activities, and believes it has the financial resources to satisfy these contractual obligations. The Company had the following contractual obligations due by period at January 3, 2026:

(In millions)

Total

Less than

1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

More than

5 years

Long-term debt obligations (1)

Operating lease obligations

Purchase obligations (2)

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

Municipal water improvements (3)

Total (4)

(1) Includes principal and interest payments on the Company’s long-term debt. Estimated future interest payments on outstanding debt obligations are based on interest rates as of January 3, 2026. Actual cash outflows may differ significantly due to changes in underlying interest rates.

(2) Purchase obligations related primarily to inventory and capital expenditure commitments.

(3) Under the terms of a Consent Decree resolving certain civil and regulatory actions, the Company is obligated to contribute towards the costs of extending municipal water lines, developing a replacement wellfield and making certain improvements to Plainfield Township’s existing water treatment plant, all subject to an aggregate cap of $69.5 million. The Company has made payments of $61.3 million towards the total cap. Due to the uncertainty of the timing and amounts related to the Company's other environmental remediation costs, they have been excluded from this table. See Note 16 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(4) The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits on the consolidated balance sheet at January 3, 2026 was $1.4 million. At this time, the Company is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments in individual years beyond 12 months due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes. As a result, this amount is not included in the table above.

Financing Arrangements

On September 24 2025, the Company entered into a 2025 Replacement Facility Amendment and Reaffirmation Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) to replace the existing revolving credit facility and term loan A facility. The Company’s Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”). The maturity date of the loans under the Revolving Facility is September 24, 2030. The Credit Agreement provides for a debt capacity of up to an aggregate debt amount (including existing revolver commitment amounts in addition to permitted incremental debt) not to exceed $850.0 million. The Revolving Facility allows the Company to borrow up to an aggregate amount of $600.0 million.

The Company’s $550.0 million 4.0% senior notes issued on August 26, 2021 are due on August 15, 2029. Related interest payments are due semi-annually. The senior notes are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.

As of January 3, 2026, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and performance ratios under the Credit Agreement and senior notes.

The Company’s debt at January 3, 2026 totaled $621.7 million, compared to $648.0 million at December 28, 2024. The Company expects to use the current borrowings to fund organic growth initiatives, pay dividends and for general corporate purposes. The decreased debt position is due to repayment of the term facility resulting from operating cash inflows, partially offset by capital expenditures, cash dividends, and purchase of common stock.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes cash flow activities:

Fiscal Year Ended

(In millions)

January 3,

December 28,

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Net cash used in financing activities

Operating Activities

The principal source of the Company’s operating cash flow is net earnings, including cash receipts from the sale of the Company’s products, net of costs of goods sold.

Cash from operations during 2025 included a decrease in net working capital representing a source of cash of $8.8 million. Working capital balances were favorably impacted by a decrease in accounts receivable of $54.2 million and an increase in other operating liabilities of $23.3 million, partially offset by an increase in inventories of $20.9 million, an increase in other operating assets of $17.8 million, and a decrease in accounts payable of $30.0 million. Operating cash flows included a non-cash add back for depreciation and amortization expense adjustment of $25.9 million, a deferred income tax adjustment of $8.0 million, a stock-based compensation expense adjustment of $24.4 million, a cash outflow of $14.5 million for environmental and other related costs, net of cash payments, a pension expense adjustment of $1.0 million, and $12.6 million of other operating cash outflows.

Investing Activities

The Company made capital expenditures of $14.5 million and $20.2 million in years 2025 and 2024, respectively, for building improvements, eCommerce site enhancements, new retail stores, distribution operations improvements and information system enhancements. The current year activity also includes proceeds from company-owned life insurance policy liquidations of $2.2 million and $1.6 million of other investing cash outflows.

Financing Activities

The current year debt activity includes net borrowings under the Revolving Facility of $5.0 million, payments on long-term debt of $32.5 million, and payment of debt issuance costs of $3.9 million. The Company paid $10.7 million and $2.6 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively, in connection with shares or units withheld to pay employee taxes related to awards under stock incentive plans. The company paid $14.5 million for purchases of its own common stock and had proceeds of $12.2 million from the exercise of stock options.

The Company declared cash dividends of $0.40 per share in each of 2025 and 2024 . Dividends paid totaled $33.3 million and $32.5 million for 2025 and 2024 , respe ctively. A quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share was declared on February 11, 2026 to shareholders of record on April 1, 2026.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See Note 2 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to new accounting standards.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP"), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Historically, actual results have not been materially different from the Company’s estimates. However, actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Company has identified the following critical accounting policies used in determining estimates and assumptions in the amounts reported. Management believes that an understanding of these policies is important to an overall understanding of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition and Performance Obligations

Revenue is recognized upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration to be received in exchange for those goods or services. The Company identifies the performance obligation in the contract, determines the transaction price, allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognizes revenue upon completion of the performance obligation. Revenue is recognized net of variable consideration and any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.

Control of the Company's goods and services, and associated revenue, are transferred to customers at a point in time. The Company’s contract revenue consists of wholesale revenue and direct-to-consumer revenue. Wholesale revenue is recognized for products sourced by the Company when control transfers to the customer generally occurring upon the shipment or delivery of branded products to the customer. Direct-to-consumer includes eCommerce revenue that is recognized for products sourced by the Company when control transfers to the customer once the related goods have been shipped and retail store revenue recognized at time of sale. The point of purchase or shipment was evaluated to best represent when control transfers based on the Company’s right of payment for the goods, the customer’s legal title to the asset, the transfer of physical possession and the customer having the risks and rewards of the goods. Payment terms for the Company's revenue vary by sales channel. Standard credit terms apply to the Company's wholesale receivables, while payment is rendered at the time of sale within the direct-to-consumer channel.

Revenue is recorded at the net sales price (“transaction price”), which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established. Components of variable consideration include trade discounts and allowances, product returns, customer markdowns, customer rebates and other sales incentives relating to the sale of the Company’s products. These reserves are based on the amounts earned, or to be claimed on the related sales. These estimates take into consideration a range of possible outcomes, which are probability-weighted in accordance with the expected value method for relevant factors such as current contractual and statutory requirements, specific known market events and trends, industry data and forecasted customer buying and payment patterns. Overall, these reserves reflect the Company’s best estimates of the amount of consideration to which it is entitled based on the terms of the respective underlying contracts. Revenue recognized during the year ended January 3, 2026 related to the Company’s contract liabilities was nominal.

Inventory

The Company values its inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method for all raw materials, work-in-process and finished product inventories in foreign countries and domestic finished product inventories. The Company changed its method of accounting for certain domestic inventory valued using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method to the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) i nventory valuation method, refer to " Change in Accounting Principle ", within Note 1, for additional information regarding this change. The average cost of inventory is used for finished product inventories of the Company’s retail store business inventory. The Company has applied these inventory cost valuation methods consistently from year to year.

The Company reduces the carrying value of its inventories to the lower of cost or net realizable value for excess or obsolete inventories based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If the Company were to determine that the estimated realizable value of its inventory is less than the carrying value of such inventory, the Company would provide a

reserve for such difference as a charge to cost of sales. If actual market conditions are different from those projected, adjustments to those inventory reserves may be required. The adjustments would increase or decrease the Company’s cost of sales and net income in the period in which they were realized or recorded. Inventory quantities are verified at various times throughout the year by performing physical inventory counts and subsequently comparing those results to perpetual inventory balances. If the Company determines that adjustments to the inventory quantities are appropriate, an adjustment to the Company’s cost of goods sold and inventory is recorded in the period in which such determination was made.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized, but are subject to impairment tests at least annually. The Company reviews the carrying amounts of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets by reporting unit at least annually, or when indicators of impairment are present, to determine if such assets may be impaired. If the carrying amounts of these assets are not recoverable based upon discounted cash flow and market approach analyses, the carrying amounts of such assets are reduced by the estimated difference between the carrying values and estimated fair values. The Company includes assumptions such as a discount rate and expected future operating performance, which includes forecasted revenue growth, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") margin and cost of capital, which are derived from internal projections and operating plans, as part of a discounted cash flow analysis to estimate fair value.

For goodwill, if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no further review is required. However, if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company records an impairment charge equal to the excess of the recorded goodwill over the fair value of the goodwill.

The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying value. The Company would not be required to quantitatively determine the fair value unless the Company determines, based on the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than the carrying value.

The Company performs its annual testing for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment at the beginning of the fourth quarter of the fiscal year for all reporting units. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during 2025 and 2024 and did not recognize any impairment charges for goodwill during 2023. In the third quarter of 2023, after completion of impairment testing, the Company recorded a $38.3 million impairment charge for the Sperry ® trade name. Refer to Note 4, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” for additional discussion of the Sperry ® trade name impairment.

Environmental

The Company establishes a reserve for estimated environmental remediation costs based upon the evaluation of currently-available facts with respect to each individual affected site. The costs are recorded on an undiscounted basis when they are probable and reasonably estimable, generally no later than the completion of feasibility studies, the Company’s commitment to a plan of action, or approval by regulatory agencies. Liabilities for estimated costs of environmental remediation are based primarily upon third-party environmental studies, other internal analysis and the extent of the contamination and the nature of required remedial actions at each site. The Company records adjustments to the estimated costs if there are changes in the scope of the required remediation activity, extent of contamination, governmental regulations or remediation technologies. Environmental costs relating to existing conditions caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenues are expensed as incurred. Refer to Note 16, “Litigation and Contingencies” for additional discussion on estimated environmental remediation costs.

Assets related to potential recoveries from other responsible parties are recognized when a definitive agreement is reached and collection of cash is realizable. Recoveries of covered losses under insurance policies are recognized only when realization of the claim is deemed probable.

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims related to the environmental matters as described in Note 16 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company routinely assesses the legal and factual circumstances of each matter and the likelihood of any adverse outcomes in these matters, as well as ranges of possible losses. Assessments of lawsuits and claims can involve a series of complex judgments about future events and can rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. The Company accrues an estimated liability for legal proceeding claims that are both probable and estimable and reserves may change in future periods due to new developments in each matter. For further discussion, refer to Note 16 “Litigation and Contingencies”.

Retirement Benefits

The determination of the obligation and expense for retirement benefits depends upon the selection of certain actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include, among others, the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, mortality rates and rates of increase in compensation. These assumptions are reviewed with the Company’s actuaries and updated annually based on relevant external and internal factors and information, including, but not limited to, long-term expected asset returns, rates of termination, regulatory requirements and plan changes.

The Company utilizes a bond matching calculation to determine the discount rate used to calculate its year-end pension liability and subsequent year pension expense. A hypothetical bond portfolio is created based on a presumed purchase of individual bonds to settle the plans' expected future benefit payments. The discount rate is the resulting yield of the hypothetical bond portfolio. The bonds selected are listed as high grade by at least two recognized ratings agency and are non-callable, currently purchasable and non-prepayable. The calculated discount rate was 5.72% at January 3, 2026, compared to 5.75% at December 28, 2024. Pension expense is also impacted by the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, which the Company has determined to be 7.60% and 6.96% for fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. This rate is based on both actual historical rates of return experienced by the pension assets and the long-term rate of return of a composite portfolio of equity and fixed income securities that reflects the approximate diversification of the pension assets.

Income Taxes

The Company maintains certain strategic management and operational activities in overseas subsidiaries, and its foreign earnings are taxed at rates that have generally been lower than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate. A significant amount of the Company’s earnings are generated by its Canadian, European and Asian subsidiaries and, to a lesser extent, in jurisdictions that are not subject to income tax. Income tax audits associated with the allocation of this income and other complex issues may require an extended period of time to resolve and may result in income tax adjustments if changes to the income allocation are required between jurisdictions with different income tax rates. The Company evaluates the probability a tax position will be effectively sustained and the appropriateness of the amount recognized for uncertain tax positions based on factors including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, settled audit issues and new audit activity. Changes in the Company’s assessment may result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision in the period our assessment changes. The carrying value of the Company’s deferred tax assets assumes that the Company will be able to generate sufficient taxable income in future years to utilize these deferred tax assets. If these assumptions change, the Company may be required to record valuation allowances against its gross deferred tax assets in future years, which would cause the Company to record additional income tax expense in its consolidated statements of operations. Management evaluates the potential that the Company will be able to realize its gross deferred tax assets and assesses the need for valuation allowances on a quarterly basis.

On a periodic basis, the Company estimates the full year effective tax rate and records a quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the projected full year rate. As the year progresses, that estimate is refined based upon actual events and the distribution of earnings in each tax jurisdiction during the year. This continual estimation process periodically results in a change to the expected effective tax rate for the year. When this occurs, the Company adjusts the income tax provision during the quarter in which the change in estimate occurs so that the year-to-date provision reflects the revised anticipated annual rate.

The Company intends to repatriate cash held in foreign jurisdictions and has recorded a deferred tax liability related to estimated state taxes and foreign withholding taxes on the future dividends received in the U.S. from the foreign subsidiaries.

The Company intends to permanently reinvest all non-cash undistributed earnings outside of the U.S. and has, therefore, not established a deferred tax liability on that amount of foreign unremitted earnings. However, if these non-cash undistributed earnings were repatriated, the Company would be required to accrue and pay applicable U.S. taxes and withholding taxes payable to various countries. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of the deferred tax liability associated with these non-cash unremitted earnings due to the complexity of the hypothetical calculation.