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RCII > SEC Filings for RCII > Form 10-Q on 27-Jul-2012All Recent SEC Filings

Show all filings for RENT A CENTER INC DE | Request a Trial to NEW EDGAR Online Pro

Form 10-Q for RENT A CENTER INC DE


27-Jul-2012

Quarterly Report


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "would," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "should," "anticipate" or "believe." We believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are accurate. However, we cannot assure you that these expectations will occur. Our actual future performance could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to:

• uncertainties regarding the ability to open new locations;

• our ability to acquire additional stores or customer accounts on favorable terms;

• our ability to control costs and increase profitability;

• our ability to enhance the performance of acquired stores;

• our ability to retain the revenue associated with acquired customer accounts;

• our ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to our customer demographic;

• our ability to enter into new and collect on our rental or lease purchase agreements;

• the passage of legislation adversely affecting the rent-to-own industry;

• our failure to comply with applicable statutes or regulations governing our transactions;

• changes in interest rates;

• changes in the unemployment rate;

• economic pressures, such as high fuel costs, affecting the disposable income available to our current and potential customers;

• economic conditions affecting consumer spending;

• changes in our stock price, the number of shares of common stock that we may or may not repurchase, and future dividends, if any;

• changes in estimates relating to self-insurance liabilities and income tax and litigation reserves;

• changes in our effective tax rate;

• fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

• our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls;

• changes in the number of share-based compensation grants, methods used to value future share-based payments and changes in estimated forfeiture rates with respect to share-based compensation;

• the resolution of our litigation; and

• the other risks detailed from time to time in our SEC reports.


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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Additional important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are discussed under "Risk Factors" later in this report as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Our Business

We are the largest rent-to-own operator in North America, focused on improving the quality of life for our customers by providing them the opportunity to obtain ownership of high-quality durable products, such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories, under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation.

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1986. From 1993 to 2006, we pursued an aggressive growth strategy in which we opened new stores and sought to acquire underperforming rent-to-own stores to which we could apply our operating model. As a result of this strategy, the number of our locations grew from 27 to over 3,400 in 2006, primarily through acquisitions. We acquired over 3,300 stores during this period, including approximately 390 of our franchised stores. These acquisitions occurred in approximately 200 separate transactions, including ten transactions in each of which we acquired in excess of 50 locations.

Total financing requirements of a typical new Core U.S. store approximate $675,000, with roughly 60% of that amount relating to the purchase of rental merchandise inventory. A newly opened Core U.S. store is typically profitable on a monthly basis in the 8th to 12th month after its initial opening. Historically, a typical Core U.S. store has achieved cumulative break-even profitability in 24 to 28 months after its initial opening and has achieved results consistent with other Core U.S. stores that have been operating within the system for greater than two years by the end of its third year of operation. As a result, our quarterly earnings are impacted by how many new stores we opened during a particular quarter and the quarters preceding it. Historically, we achieved growth in our Core U.S. segment by opening new stores and acquiring underperforming rent-to-own stores to which we could apply our operating model. As a result, the acquired stores have generally experienced more significant revenue growth during the initial periods following their acquisition than in subsequent periods. Although we continue to believe there are attractive opportunities to expand our presence in the U.S. rent-to-own industry and we intend to continue our acquisition strategy of targeting under-performing and under-capitalized rent-to-own stores, the consolidation opportunities in the U.S. rent-to-own industry are more limited than in previous periods during which we experienced significant growth through acquisitions. Therefore, our historical results of operations and period to period comparisons of such results and other financial data, including the rate of earnings growth, may not be meaningful or indicative of future results.

In addition, we strategically open or acquire stores near market areas served by existing stores ("cannibalize") to enhance service levels, gain incremental sales and increase market penetration. This planned cannibalization may negatively impact our same store revenue and cause us to grow at a slower rate. There can be no assurance we will open or acquire any new rent-to-own stores in the future, or as to the number, location or profitability thereof.

As our U.S. store base matured, we began to focus on acquiring new customers through sources other than our existing U.S. rent-to-own store locations and to seek additional distribution channels for our products and services. One of our current growth strategies is our "RAC Acceptance" model. With this model, we operate kiosks within various traditional retailers' locations where we generally offer the rent-to-own transaction to consumers who do not qualify for financing from such retailers. We operated 811 RAC Acceptance locations at June 30, 2012, and we intend to continue growing the RAC Acceptance segment by expanding the number of our retail partners. In addition, we are expanding our rent-to-own store operations in Canada and Mexico and seeking to identify other international markets in which we believe our products and services would be in demand.


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The Rental Purchase Transaction

The rental purchase transaction is a flexible alternative for consumers to obtain use and enjoyment of brand name merchandise with no long-term obligation. Key features of the rental purchase transaction include:

Brand name merchandise. We offer well-known brands such as Sony, Philips, LG, Panasonic, Toshiba and Mitsubishi home electronics; Whirlpool appliances; Toshiba, Sony, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Acer, Compaq and Apple computers; and Ashley, England, Standard, Albany and Klaussner furniture.

Convenient payment options. Our customers may make weekly, semi-monthly or monthly payments, in our stores, kiosks, online or by telephone. We accept cash and credit or debit cards. Approximately 76% of our rental purchase agreements are on a weekly term.

No negative consequences. A customer may terminate a rental purchase agreement at any time without penalty.

No credit needed. Generally, we do not conduct a formal credit investigation of our customers. We verify a customer's residence and sources of income. References provided by the customer are also contacted to verify the information contained in the rental purchase order form.

Delivery & set-up included. We generally offer same day or 24-hour delivery and installation of our merchandise at no additional cost to the customer.

Product maintenance & replacement. We provide any required service or repair without additional charge, except for damage in excess of normal wear and tear. Repair services are provided through our network of service centers, the cost of which may be reimbursed by the vendor if the item is still under factory warranty. If the product cannot be repaired at the customer's residence, we provide a temporary replacement while the product is being repaired. If the product cannot be repaired, we will replace it with a product of comparable quality, age and condition.

Lifetime reinstatement. If a customer is temporarily unable to make payments on a piece of rental merchandise and must return the merchandise, that customer generally may later re-rent the same piece of merchandise (or if unavailable, a substitute of comparable quality, age and condition) on the terms that existed at the time the merchandise was returned, and pick up payments where they left off without losing what they previously paid.

Flexible options to obtain ownership. Ownership of the merchandise generally transfers to the customer if the customer has continuously renewed the rental purchase agreement for a period of seven to 24 months, depending upon the product type, or exercises a specified early purchase option.

Rental payments are generally made in advance on a weekly basis in our Core U.S. and International segments and monthly in our RAC Acceptance segment and, together with applicable fees, constitute our primary revenue source.

Our expenses primarily relate to merchandise costs and the operations of our stores, including salaries and benefits for our employees, occupancy expense for our leased real estate, advertising expenses, lost, damaged, or stolen merchandise, fixed asset depreciation, and corporate and other expenses.

Our Operating Segments

We report four operating segments: Core U.S., RAC Acceptance, International and ColorTyme. Additional information regarding our operating segments is provided in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

Core U.S.

Our Core U.S. segment, consisting of our company-owned stores located in the United States and Puerto Rico, is our largest operating segment, comprising approximately 87% of our consolidated net revenues and substantially all of our net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2012. We continue to believe there are attractive opportunities to expand our presence in the U.S. rent-to-own industry. We plan to continue opening new stores in targeted markets and acquiring existing rent-to-own stores and store account portfolios. We will focus new market penetration in adjacent areas or regions that we believe are


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underserved by the rent-to-own industry. In addition, we intend to pursue our acquisition strategy of targeting under-performing and under-capitalized rent-to-own stores. Periodically, we critically evaluate the markets in which we operate and will close, sell or merge underperforming stores.

Our strategy to grow further the Core U.S. segment is focused on providing compelling product values for our customers through the use of strategic merchandise purchases. In addition, we seek to expand the offering of product lines to appeal to more customers, thus growing our customer base. At June 30, 2012, we operated 2,973 company-owned stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including 40 retail installment sales stores under the names "Get It Now" and "Home Choice."

RAC Acceptance

Through our RAC Acceptance segment, we generally provide an onsite rent-to-own option at a third-party retailer's location. In the event a retail purchase credit application is declined, the customer can be introduced to an in-store RAC Acceptance representative who explains an alternative transaction for acquiring the use and ownership of the merchandise. Because we neither require nor perform a credit check for the approval of the rental purchase transaction, applicants who meet the basic criteria are generally approved. We believe our RAC Acceptance program is beneficial for both the retailer and the consumer. The retailer captures more sales because we buy the inventory item directly from it and future rental payments are generally made at the retailer's location. We believe consumers also benefit from our RAC Acceptance program because they are able to obtain the products they want and need without the necessity of credit.

Each RAC Acceptance kiosk location typically consists of an area with a computer, desk and chairs. We occupy the space without charge by agreement with each retailer. Accordingly, start-up costs with respect to a new RAC Acceptance location are minimal. Likewise, any exit costs associated with the closure of a RAC Acceptance location would also be immaterial on an individual basis.

We rely on our third-party retail partners to deliver merchandise rented by the customer. Such third-party retail partners typically charge us a fee for delivery, which we pass on to the customer. In the event the customer returns rented merchandise, we pick it up at no additional charge. Merchandise returned from a RAC Acceptance kiosk location is offered for rent at one of our Core U.S. store locations.

We intend to grow the RAC Acceptance segment by increasing the number of our retail partners and by implementing joint in-store marketing efforts with our retail partners to expand consumer awareness of the rent-to-own transaction. As of June 30, 2012, we operated 811 kiosk locations inside furniture and electronics retailers located in 35 states and Puerto Rico. We expect to add approximately 200 kiosk locations in 2012.

International

Our International segment currently consists of company-owned store locations in Canada and Mexico. We are expanding our operations in Canada and Mexico and seeking to identify other international markets in which we believe our products and services would be in demand. We believe there are numerous opportunities to extend the rent-to-own transaction internationally.

In Canada, we are focusing on improving operational efficiencies in our existing stores. At June 30, 2012, we operated 32 stores and expect to add approximately ten rent-to-own store locations in 2012.

In Mexico, our strategy includes entering complementary new market areas, while expanding our presence in currently existing market areas. At June 30, 2012, we operated 67 stores and expect to add approximately 60 rent-to-own store locations in 2012.

ColorTyme

ColorTyme is our nationwide franchisor of rent-to-own stores. At June 30, 2012, ColorTyme franchised 219 stores in 33 states. These rent-to-own stores primarily offer high quality durable products such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories.


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All of the ColorTyme franchised stores use ColorTyme's trade names, service marks, trademarks and logos. All stores operate under distinctive operating procedures and standards. ColorTyme's primary source of revenue is the sale of rental merchandise to its franchisees who, in turn, offer the merchandise to the general public for rent or purchase under a rent-to-own transaction.

As franchisor, ColorTyme receives royalties of 2.0% to 4.0% of the franchisees' monthly gross revenue and, generally, an initial fee up to $20,000 per new location.

Some of ColorTyme's franchisees may be in locations where they directly compete with our company-owned stores, which could negatively impact the business, financial condition and operating results of our company-owned stores.

Critical Accounting Policies Involving Critical Estimates, Uncertainties or Assessments in Our Financial Statements

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent losses and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In applying accounting principles, we must often make individual estimates and assumptions regarding expected outcomes or uncertainties. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe the following are areas where the degree of judgment and complexity in determining amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements make the accounting policies critical.

Self-Insurance Liabilities. We have self-insured retentions with respect to losses under our workers' compensation, general liability and vehicle liability insurance policies. We establish reserves for our liabilities associated with these losses by obtaining forecasts for the ultimate expected losses and estimating amounts needed to pay losses within our self-insured retentions.

We continually institute procedures to manage our loss exposure and increases in health care costs associated with our insurance claims through our risk management function, including a transitional duty program for injured workers, ongoing safety and accident prevention training, and various other programs designed to minimize losses and improve our loss experience in our store locations. We make assumptions on our liabilities within our self-insured retentions using actuarial loss forecasts, company-specific development factors, general industry loss development factors, and third-party claim administrator loss estimates which are based on known facts surrounding individual claims. These assumptions incorporate expected increases in health care costs. Periodically, we reevaluate our estimate of liability within our self-insured retentions. At that time, we evaluate the adequacy of our reserves by comparing amounts reserved on our balance sheet for anticipated losses to our updated actuarial loss forecasts and third party claim administrator loss estimates, and make adjustments to our reserves as needed.

As of June 30, 2012, the amount reserved for losses within our self-insured retentions with respect to workers' compensation, general liability and vehicle liability insurance was $115.5 million, as compared to $114.2 million at December 31, 2011. However, if any of the factors that contribute to the overall cost of insurance claims were to change, the actual amount incurred for our self-insurance liabilities could be more or less than the amounts currently reserved.

Litigation Reserves. We are the subject of litigation in the ordinary course of our business. Historically, our litigation has involved lawsuits alleging various regulatory violations. In preparing our financial statements at a given point in time, we reserve for loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable.

Each quarter, we make estimates of our probable losses, if reasonably estimable, and record such amounts in our consolidated financial statements. These amounts represent our best estimate, or may be the minimum range of probable loss when no single best estimate is determinable. We, together with our counsel, monitor developments related to these legal matters and, when appropriate, adjustments are made to reflect current facts and circumstances. Legal fees and expenses associated with the defense of all of our litigation are expensed as such fees and expenses are incurred. At June 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, we had no reserves relating to probable losses for our outstanding litigation. We do not expect these losses to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements if and when such losses are incurred.


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Income Taxes. Our annual tax rate is affected by many factors, including the mix of our earnings, legislation and acquisitions, and is based on our income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Tax laws are complex and subject to differing interpretations between the taxpayer and the taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining our tax expense, evaluating our tax positions and evaluating uncertainties. Deferred income tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable in future years. Such assets arise because of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as from net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We evaluate the recoverability of these future tax deductions and credits by assessing the future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income rely heavily on estimates. We use our historical experience and our short and long-range business forecasts to provide insight and assist us in determining recoverability. We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon the ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which we have recorded a liability, is audited and effectively settled. We review our tax positions quarterly and adjust our liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the period in which we determine the issue is effectively settled with the tax authorities, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing authority to examine the tax position or when more information becomes available.

Valuation of Goodwill. We perform an assessment of goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually as of December 31 of each year, or when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Factors which could necessitate an interim impairment assessment include a sustained decline in our stock price, prolonged negative industry or economic trends and significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results. Our reporting units are generally our reportable operating segments identified in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements. At June 30, 2012, the amount of goodwill allocated to the Core U.S., RAC Acceptance and International segments was approximately $1,282.7 million, $54.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, and no impairment of goodwill was indicated.

If we make changes to our reserves in accordance with the policies described above, our earnings would be impacted. Increases to our reserves would reduce earnings and, similarly, reductions to our reserves would increase our earnings. A pre-tax change of approximately $1.0 million in our estimates would result in a corresponding $0.01 change in our earnings per common share.

Based on an assessment of our accounting policies and the underlying judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies, we believe our consolidated financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of our company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report. However, we do not suggest that other general risk factors, such as those discussed later in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, as well as changes in our growth objectives or performance of new or acquired stores, could not adversely impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in future periods.

Significant Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are summarized below and in Note A to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Revenue. Merchandise is rented to customers pursuant to rental purchase agreements which provide for weekly, semi-monthly or monthly rental terms with non-refundable rental payments. Generally, the customer has the right to acquire title either through a purchase option or through payment of all required rentals. Rental revenue and fees are recognized over the rental term and merchandise sales revenue is recognized when the customer exercises the purchase option and pays the cash price due. Cash received prior to the period in which it should be recognized is deferred and recognized according to the rental term. Revenue is accrued for uncollected amounts due based on historical collection experience. However, the total amount of the rental purchase agreement is not accrued because the customer can terminate the rental agreement at any time and we cannot enforce collection for non-payment of future rents.


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Revenue from the sale of merchandise in our retail installment stores is recognized when the installment note is signed, the customer has taken possession of the merchandise and collectability is reasonably assured.

Franchise Revenue. Revenue from the sale of rental merchandise is recognized upon shipment of the merchandise to the franchisee. Franchise royalty income and fee revenue is recognized upon completion of substantially all services and satisfaction of all material conditions required under the terms of the franchise agreement.

Depreciation of Rental Merchandise. Depreciation of rental merchandise is included in the cost of rentals and fees on our statement of earnings. Generally, we depreciate our rental merchandise using the income forecasting method. Under the income forecasting method, merchandise held for rent is not depreciated and merchandise on rent is depreciated in the proportion of rents received to total rents provided in the rental contract, which is an activity-based method similar to the units of production method. We depreciate merchandise held for rent (except for computers and tablets) that is at least 270 days old and held for rent for at least 180 consecutive days using the straight-line method for a period generally not to exceed 20 months.

On computers and tablets that are 24 months old or older and which have become idle, depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method for a period of at least six months, generally not to exceed an aggregate depreciation period of 30 months. . . .

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