Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 
x	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934	
For the fiscal year ended: January 29, 2011
OR
 
¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934	
Commission File Number: 000-51300

ZUMIEZ INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 
 	 	 	
Washington	 	91-1040022	
(State or other jurisdiction of	 	(IRS Employer	
incorporation or organization)	 	Identification No.)	
 	 	
6300 Merrill Creek Parkway, Suite B,	 	 	
Everett, Washington	 	98203	
(Address of principal executive offices)	 	(Zip Code)	
(425) 551-1500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock
Name of each exchange on which registered: The NASDAQ Global Select Market
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the last ninety days.    Yes   x     No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   ¨     No   ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10–K.     ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	 	¨	  	Accelerated filer	 	x	
 	 	 	 	
Non-accelerated filer	 	¨  	  	Smaller reporting company	 	¨	
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter, July 30, 2010, the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $386,823,680 using the closing sales price on that day of $18.30.
At March 15, 2011, there were 30,989,173 shares outstanding of common stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information required by Part III of this report is incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement, relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held May 25, 2011, which definitive proxy statement will be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

 

Table of Contents
ZUMIEZ INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 	
PART I
 	
Item 1.	 	Business	  	1	
Item 1A.	 	Risk Factors	  	10	
Item 1B.	 	Unresolved Staff Comments	  	22	
Item 2.	 	Properties	  	22	
Item 3.	 	Legal Proceedings	  	23	
Item 4.	 	(Removed and Reserved)	  	23	
 	
PART II
 	
Item 5.	 	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	  	24	
Item 6.	 	Selected Financial Information	  	26	
Item 7.	 	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	  	28	
Item 7A.	 	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	  	40	
Item 8.	 	Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	  	40	
Item 9.	 	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	  	41	
Item 9A.	 	Controls and Procedures	  	41	
Item 9B.	 	Other Information	  	41	
 	
PART III

Item 10.	 	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	  	42	
Item 11.	 	Executive Compensation	  	42	
Item 12.	 	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters	  	42	
Item 13.	 	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence	  	42	
Item 14.	 	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	  	42	
 	
PART IV
 	
Item 15.	 	Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statements	  	42	
Signatures	  	44	
Exhibit 21.1	  	 	
Exhibit 23.1	  	 	
Exhibit 31.1	  	 	
Exhibit 31.2	  	 	
Exhibit 32.1	  	 	

Table of Contents
ZUMIEZ INC.
FORM 10-K
PART I.
This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our expectations for future events and future financial performance. Generally, the words “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “plans,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and future events and circumstances could differ significantly from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. Factors which could affect our financial results are described in Item 1A below and in Item 7 of Part II of this Form 10-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.
We use a fiscal calendar widely used by the retail industry that results in a fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. Each fiscal year consists of four 13-week quarters, with an extra week added to the fourth quarter every five or six years. Fiscal 2010 was the 52-week period ending January 29, 2011. Fiscal 2009 was the 52-week period ended January 30, 2010. Fiscal 2008 was the 52-week period ended January 31, 2009.
“Zumiez,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “its,” “our” and similar references refer to Zumiez Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
 
ITEM 1.	BUSINESS	
Zumiez Inc., a Washington corporation, is a leading specialty retailer of action sports related apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories operating under the Zumiez brand name. At January 29, 2011, we operated 400 stores primarily located in shopping malls, giving us a presence in 37 states. Our stores cater to young men and women between the ages of 12 and 24 who seek popular brands representing a lifestyle centered on activities that include skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, bicycle motocross (or “BMX”) and motocross. We support the action sports lifestyle and promote our brand through a multi-faceted marketing approach that is designed to integrate our brand image with our customers’ activities and interests. This approach, combined with our differentiated merchandising strategy, store design, comprehensive training programs and passionate employees, allows us to provide an experience for our customers that we believe is consistent with their attitudes, fashion tastes and identities and is otherwise unavailable in most malls. In addition, we operate a website that sells merchandise online and provides content and a community for our target customers. The Company was formed in August 1978.
Our stores bring the look and feel of an independent specialty shop to the mall by emphasizing the action sports lifestyle through a distinctive store environment and high-energy sales personnel. We seek to staff our stores with store associates who are knowledgeable users of our products, which we believe provides our customers with enhanced customer service and supplements our ability to identify and react quickly to emerging trends and fashions. We design our stores to appeal to teenagers and young adults and to serve as a destination for our customers. Most of our stores, which average approximately 2,900 square feet, feature couches and action sports oriented video game stations that are intended to encourage our customers to shop for longer periods of time and to interact with each other and our store associates. To increase customer traffic, we generally locate our stores near busy areas of the mall such as food courts, movie theaters, music or game stores and other popular teen retailers. We believe that our distinctive store concept and compelling store economics will provide continued opportunities for growth in both new and existing markets.

Table of Contents
We believe that our customers desire merchandise and fashion that is rooted in the action sports lifestyle and reflects their individuality. We strive to keep our merchandising mix fresh by continuously introducing new brands and styles and categories of product. Our focus on a diverse collection of brands allows us to quickly adjust to changing fashion trends. We believe that our strategic mix of both apparel and hardgoods, including skateboards, snowboards, bindings, components and other equipment, allows us to strengthen the potential of the brands we sell and helps to affirm our credibility with our customers. In addition, we supplement our stores with a select offering of private label apparel and products as a value proposition that we believe complements our overall merchandise selection.
Over our 32-year history, we have developed a corporate culture based on a passion for the action sports lifestyle. Our management philosophy emphasizes an integrated combination of results measurement, training and incentive programs, all designed to drive sales productivity at the individual store associate level. We empower our store managers to make store-level business decisions and consistently reward their success. We seek to enhance the productivity of our employees and encourage their advancement by offering comprehensive in-store, regional and national training programs, which we refer to collectively as “Zumiez University.” We have:
 
 	•	 	increased our store count from 174 as of the end of fiscal 2005 to 400 as of the end of fiscal 2010, a compounded annual growth rate of 18.1%;	
 
 	•	 	experienced average net sales per square foot of $435 for our last five fiscal years ending with fiscal 2010, from a peak of net sales per square foot of $499 in fiscal 2006;	
 
 	•	 	increased net sales from $205.6 million in fiscal 2005 to $478.8 million in fiscal 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%;	
 
 	•	 	been profitable in every fiscal year of our 32 year history.	
Competitive Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths differentiate us from our competitors and are critical to our continuing success.
Attractive Lifestyle Retailing Concept. We target a large population of 12 to 24 year olds, many of whom we believe are attracted to the action sports lifestyle and desire to promote their personal independence and style through the apparel, shoes and accessories they wear and the equipment they use. We believe that action sports is a permanent aspect of youth culture, reaching not only consumers that actually participate in action sports, but also those who seek brands and styles that fit a desired action sports image. We believe we have developed a brand image that our customers view as consistent with their attitudes, fashion tastes and identity that should allow us to benefit in our market.
Differentiated Merchandising Strategy. We have created a highly differentiated retailing concept by offering an extensive selection of current and relevant action sports brands encompassing apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories. The breadth of merchandise offered at our stores exceeds that offered by many other action sports specialty stores and includes some brands and products that are available within many malls only at our stores. The action sports lifestyle includes activities that are popular at different times throughout the year, providing us the opportunity to shift our merchandise selection seasonally. Many of our customers desire to update their wardrobes and equipment as fashion trends evolve or the action sports season dictates. We believe that our ability to quickly recognize changing brand and style preferences and transition our merchandise offerings allows us to continually provide a compelling offering to our customers.
Deep-rooted Culture. Our culture and brand image enable us to successfully attract and retain high quality employees who are passionate and knowledgeable about the products we sell. We place great emphasis on customer service and satisfaction, and we have made this a defining feature of our corporate culture. To preserve
 
2

Table of Contents
our culture, we strive to promote store managers from within and they are given extensive responsibility for most aspects of store level management. We provide these managers with the knowledge and tools to succeed through our comprehensive training programs and the flexibility to manage their stores to meet localized customer demand. Our store leadership at the district manager level and above have all been promoted from within the Zumiez system and their leadership provides unique value and insight to our store managers and sales associates.
Distinctive Store Experience. We strive to provide a convenient shopping environment that is appealing and clearly communicates our distinct brand image. Our stores are designed to reflect an “organized chaos” that we believe is consistent with many teenagers’ and young adults’ lifestyles. We seek to attract knowledgeable store associates who identify with the action sports lifestyle and are able to offer superior customer service, advice and product expertise. To further enhance our customers’ experience, most of our stores feature areas with couches and action sports oriented video game stations that are intended to encourage our customers to shop for longer periods of time, to interact with each other and our store associates in a familiar and comfortable setting and to visit our stores more frequently. We believe that our distinctive store environment enhances our image as a leading source for apparel and equipment for the action sports lifestyle.
Disciplined Operating Philosophy. We have an experienced senior management team. Our management team has built a strong operating foundation based on sound retail principles that underlie our unique culture. Our philosophy emphasizes an integrated combination of results measurement, training and incentive programs, all designed to drive sales productivity to the individual store associate level. Our comprehensive training programs are designed to provide our home office staff, managers and store associates with enhanced product knowledge, selling skills and operational expertise. We believe that our merchandising team’s immersion in the action sports lifestyle, supplemented with feedback from our customers, store associates, store leadership and managers, allows us to consistently identify and react to emerging fashion trends. We believe that this, combined with our inventory planning and allocation processes and systems, helps us better manage markdown and fashion risk.
High-Impact, Integrated Marketing Approach. We seek to build relationships with our customers through a multi-faceted marketing approach that is designed to integrate our brand image with the action sports lifestyle. Our marketing efforts focus on reaching our customers in their environment and feature extensive grassroots marketing events, such as the Zumiez Couch Tour, which is a series of interactive sports, music and lifestyle events held at various locations throughout the United States. Our marketing efforts also incorporate local sporting and music event promotions, advertising in magazines popular with our target market, interactive contest sponsorships that actively involve our customers with our brands and products and various social network channels such as Facebook and Twitter. Events and activities such as these provide opportunities for our customers to develop a strong identity with our culture and brand. We believe that our immersion in the action sports lifestyle allows us to build credibility with our customers and gather valuable feedback on evolving customer preferences.
Growth Strategy
We intend to expand our presence as a leading action sports lifestyle retailer by:
Opening New Store Locations. We believe that the action sports lifestyle has appeal that provides store expansion opportunities throughout the country and internationally. Since January 28, 2006 through January 29, 2011, we have opened or acquired 233 new stores consisting of 62 stores in fiscal 2006, 50 stores in fiscal 2007, 58 stores in fiscal 2008, 36 stores in fiscal 2009 and 27 stores in fiscal 2010. We have successfully opened stores in diverse markets throughout the United States, which we believe demonstrates the portability and growth potential of our concept. To take advantage of what we believe to be a compelling economic store model, we plan to open approximately 44 stores in fiscal 2011, including stores in our existing markets, in new markets domestically and the planned opening of our first international stores in Canada. The number of anticipated store openings may increase or decrease due to market conditions.
 
3

Table of Contents
Continuing to Generate Sales Growth through Improved Store Level Productivity and Continued Ecommerce Sales Growth. We seek to maximize our comparable store sales, including sales from our ecommerce site, and net sales per square foot by maintaining consistent store-level execution and offering our customers a broad and relevant selection of action sports brands and products. We seek to continue to grow our ecommerce sales with a continued focus on enhancing and integrating the unique Zumiez brand experience through this channel. In fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, ecommerce sales represented 4.7%, 2.5% and 1.7% of our total net sales.
Enhancing our Brand Awareness through Continued Marketing and Promotion. We believe that a key component of our success is the brand exposure that we receive from our marketing events, promotions and activities that embody the action sports lifestyle. These are designed to assist us in increasing brand awareness in our existing markets and expanding into new markets by strengthening our connection with our target customer base. We believe that our marketing efforts have also been successful in generating and promoting interest in our product offerings. In addition, we use our ecommerce presence, designed to convey our passion for the action sports lifestyle, to increase our brand awareness. We plan to continue to expand our integrated marketing efforts by promoting more events and activities in our existing and new markets. We also benefit from branded vendors’ marketing.
Merchandising and Purchasing
Our goal is to be viewed by our customers, both young men and young women, as the definitive source of merchandise for the action sports lifestyle. We believe that the breadth of merchandise offered at our stores, which includes apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories, exceeds that offered by many other action sports specialty stores at a single location, and makes our stores a single-stop purchase destination for our target customers. Our apparel offerings include tops, bottoms, outerwear and accessories such as caps, bags and backpacks, belts, jewelry and sunglasses. Our footwear offerings primarily consist of action sports related athletic shoes and sandals. Our equipment offerings, or hardgoods, include skateboards, snowboards and ancillary gear such as boots and bindings. We also offer a selection of other items, such as miscellaneous novelties and DVDs.
We seek to identify action sports oriented fashion trends as they develop and to respond in a timely manner with a relevant in-store product assortment. We strive to keep our merchandising mix fresh by continuously introducing new brands or styles in response to the evolving desires of our customers. We also take advantage of the change in action sports seasons during the year to maintain an updated product selection. Our merchandise mix may vary by region, reflecting the specific action sports preferences and seasons in different parts of the country.
We believe that offering an extensive selection of current and relevant brands used and sometimes developed by professional action sports athletes is integral to our overall success. No single brand, including private label, accounted for more than 6.5%, 7.1% and 6.9% of our net sales in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008. We believe that our strategic mix of both apparel and hardgoods, including skateboards, snowboards, bindings, components and other equipment, allows us to strengthen the potential of the brands we sell and affirms our credibility with our customers.
We believe that our ability to maintain an image consistent with the action sports lifestyle is important to our key vendors. Given our scale and market position, we believe that many of our key vendors view us as an important retail partner. This position helps ensure our ability to procure a relevant product assortment and quickly respond to the changing fashion interests of our customers. Additionally, we believe we are presented with a greater variety of products and styles by some of our vendors, as well as certain specially designed items that are only distributed to our stores. We supplement our merchandise assortment with a select offering of private label products across many of our apparel product categories. Our private label products complement the
 
4

Table of Contents
branded products we sell, and some of our private label brands allow us to cater to the more value-oriented customer. For fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 our private label merchandise represented 18.0%, 15.7% and 15.0% of our net sales.
Our purchasing approach focuses on quality, speed and cost in order to provide timely delivery of merchandise to our stores. We have developed a disciplined approach to buying and a dynamic inventory planning and allocation process to support our merchandise strategy. We utilize a broad vendor base that allows us to shift our merchandise purchases as required to react quickly to changing market conditions. We manage the purchasing and allocation process by reviewing branded merchandise lines from new and existing vendors, identifying emerging fashion trends and selecting branded merchandise styles in quantities, colors and sizes to meet inventory levels established by management. We also coordinate inventory levels in connection with individual store sales strength, our promotions and seasonality. Our management information systems provide us with current inventory levels at each store and for our Company as a whole, as well as current selling history within each store by merchandise classification and by style. We purchase most of our branded merchandise from domestic vendors.
Our merchandising staff remains in tune with the action sports culture by participating in action sports, attending relevant events and concerts, watching action sports related programming and reading action sports publications. In order to identify evolving trends and fashion preferences, our staff spends considerable time analyzing sales data by category and brand down to the stock keeping unit, or “SKU” (an identification used for inventory tracking purposes) level, gathering feedback from our stores and customers, shopping in key markets and soliciting input from our vendors. As part of our feedback collection process, our merchandise team receives merchandise requests from both customers and store associates and meets with our store managers two to three times per year to discuss current customer trends.
We source our private label merchandise from foreign manufacturers around the world. We have cultivated our private brand sources with a view towards high quality merchandise, production reliability and consistency of fit. We believe that our knowledge of fabric and production costs combined with a flexible sourcing base enables us to source high-quality private label goods at favorable costs.
Distribution and Fulfillment
Timely and efficient distribution of merchandise to our stores is an important component of our overall business strategy. During fiscal 2010, we relocated our distribution center from Everett, Washington to Corona, California to reduce distribution costs, expand capacity and increase speed of merchandise delivery to our customers. At our Corona, California facility, merchandise is inspected, allocated to stores, ticketed when necessary and boxed for distribution to our stores. A significant percentage of our merchandise is currently pre-ticketed by our vendors, which allows us to ship merchandise more quickly, reduces labor costs and enhances our inventory management. We continue to work with our vendors to increase the percentage of pre-ticketed merchandise as well as other value added services. Each store is typically shipped merchandise five times a week, providing our stores with a steady flow of new merchandise. We currently use United Parcel Service to ship the majority of our merchandise to our stores. We believe our current distribution infrastructure is sufficient to accommodate our expected store growth and expanded product offerings over the next several years.
Stores
Store Locations. At January 29, 2011, we operated 400 stores in 37 states. All of our stores are leased and substantially all are located in shopping malls of different types.
 
5

Table of Contents
The following store list shows the number of stores we operated in each state at January 29, 2011:

State	  	Number of
Stores	 	  	Percent of
Total Stores	 	
Alaska	  	 	3	  	  	 	0.7	% 	
Arizona	  	 	13	  	  	 	3.3	% 	
California	  	 	75	  	  	 	18.7	% 	
Colorado	  	 	18	  	  	 	4.5	% 	
Connecticut	  	 	8	  	  	 	2.0	% 	
Delaware	  	 	2	  	  	 	0.5	% 	
Florida	  	 	16	  	  	 	4.0	% 	
Hawaii	  	 	1	  	  	 	0.2	% 	
Iowa	  	 	2	  	  	 	0.5	% 	
Idaho	  	 	6	  	  	 	1.5	% 	
Illinois	  	 	16	  	  	 	4.0	% 	
Indiana	  	 	7	  	  	 	1.8	% 	
Kansas	  	 	3	  	  	 	0.7	% 	
Maine	  	 	1	  	  	 	0.2	% 	
Maryland	  	 	8	  	  	 	2.0	% 	
Massachusetts	  	 	7	  	  	 	1.8	% 	
Michigan	  	 	2	  	  	 	0.5	% 	
Minnesota	  	 	11	  	  	 	2.8	% 	
Missouri	  	 	2	  	  	 	0.5	% 	
Montana	  	 	4	  	  	 	1.0	% 	
New Jersey	  	 	16	  	  	 	4.0	% 	
New Hampshire	  	 	3	  	  	 	0.7	% 	
Nevada	  	 	8	  	  	 	2.0	% 	
New Mexico	  	 	5	  	  	 	1.3	% 	
New York	  	 	30	  	  	 	7.5	% 	
North Carolina	  	 	2	  	  	 	0.5	% 	
Oklahoma	  	 	3	  	  	 	0.7	% 	
Oregon	  	 	12	  	  	 	3.0	% 	
Pennsylvania	  	 	16	  	  	 	4.0	% 	
Rhode Island	  	 	1	  	  	 	0.2	% 	
South Dakota	  	 	2	  	  	 	0.5	% 	
Texas	  	 	41	  	  	 	10.3	% 	
Utah	  	 	12	  	  	 	3.0	% 	
Virginia	  	 	5	  	  	 	1.3	% 	
Washington	  	 	24	  	  	 	6.0	% 	
Wisconsin	  	 	13	  	  	 	3.3	% 	
Wyoming	  	 	2	  	  	 	0.5	% 	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total Number of Stores	  	 	400	  	  	 	100.0	% 	

6

Table of Contents
Approximately 63% of our stores have been opened or remodeled within the previous five fiscal years. The following table shows the number of stores (excluding temporary stores that we operate from time to time for special events) opened and closed in each of our last five fiscal years including 20 stores acquired in the fiscal 2006 Fast Forward acquisition:

Fiscal Year	  	Stores
Opened	  	Stores
Acquired	  	Stores
Closed	  	Total Number of
Stores End of Year	
2010	  	27	  	—  	  	4	  	400	
2009	  	36	  	—  	  	2	  	377	
2008	  	58	  	—  	  	—  	  	343	
2007	  	50	  	—  	  	—  	  	285	
2006	  	42	  	20	  	1	  	235	
Store Design and Environment. We design our stores to create a distinctive and engaging shopping environment that we believe resonates with our customers and it reflects an “organized chaos” that is consistent with many teenagers’ and young adults’ lifestyles. Our stores feature an industrial look with concrete floors and open ceilings, dense merchandise displays, action sports focused posters and signage and popular music, all of which are consistent with the look and feel of an independent action sports specialty shop. Most of our stores have couches and action sports oriented video game stations that are intended to encourage our customers to shop for longer periods of time, to interact with each other and our store associates and to visit our stores more frequently. Our stores are constructed and finished to allow us to efficiently shift merchandise displays throughout the year as the action sports season dictates. We believe that our store atmosphere enhances our image as a leading provider of action sports lifestyle merchandise.
At January 29, 2011, our stores averaged approximately 2,900 square feet. All references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to square footage of our stores refers to gross square footage, including retail selling, storage and back-office space. In fiscal 2011, we plan on opening new stores with square footage similar to this average. New stores’ size is determined by our expected sales volume; for instance, if we project higher sales, we generally try to build larger stores and, conversely, if we believe stores will be lower volume stores we generally try to build smaller stores.
Expansion Opportunities and Site Selection. In selecting a location for a new store, we target high-traffic mall space with suitable demographics and favorable lease terms. We seek locations near busy areas of the mall such as food courts, movie theaters, music or game stores and other popular teen retailers. We generally locate our stores in malls in which other teen-oriented retailers have performed well. We also focus on evaluating the market and mall-specific competitive environment for potential new store locations. We seek to diversify our store locations regionally and by caliber of mall. We have currently identified a number of potential sites for new stores in malls with appropriate market characteristics.
We have successfully and consistently implemented our store concept across a variety of mall classifications and geographic locations. Our 36 new stores opened in fiscal 2009 generated average net sales of approximately $0.9 million per store in fiscal 2010 during their first full year of operation. In fiscal 2010, we opened 27 stores with an average net capital investment of approximately $0.2 million per store by negotiating favorable terms with our construction contractors and obtaining tenant improvement allowances from landlords. In addition to capital investments, we make working capital investments between $0.1 million and $0.2 million per store consisting primarily of merchandise inventory. However, our capital investment to open new stores and net sales generated by new stores vary significantly and depend on a number of factors, including manager and sales associate competency and tenure, the geographic location, type of mall, sales volume of the mall and square footage of those stores. Accordingly, net sales and other operating results for stores that we open or have opened subsequent to the end of fiscal 2010, as well as our net capital investment to open those stores, may differ substantially from net sales and other operating results and our net capital investment for the stores we opened in prior years.
 
7

Table of Contents
Store Management, Operations and Training. We believe that our success is dependent in part on our ability to attract, train, retain and motivate qualified employees at all levels of our organization. We have developed a corporate culture that we believe empowers the individual store managers to make store-level business decisions and consistently rewards their success. We are committed to improving the skills and careers of our workforce and providing advancement opportunities for employees, as evidenced by a significant number of our store managers that began their careers with us as store associates.
Our store operations are currently organized into divisions, regions and districts. Each division is managed by a divisional manager, responsible for approximately one third of our stores. Each region is managed by a regional manager, responsible for approximately 50 stores. We employ one district manager per district, responsible for the sales and operations of approximately 10 stores. Each of our stores is typically staffed with one store manager, one or more assistant managers and two or more store associates, depending on the season and sales volume of the store. The number of store associates we employ generally increases during peak selling seasons, particularly the back-to-school and the winter holiday seasons, and will increase to the extent that we open new stores.
We believe we provide our managers with the knowledge and tools to succeed through our comprehensive training programs and the flexibility to manage their stores to meet customer demands. While general guidelines for our merchandise assortments, store layouts and in-store visuals are provided by our home office, we give our store managers and district managers substantial discretion to tailor their stores to the individual market and empower them to make store-level business decisions. We design group training programs for our managers, such as our “Zumiez Managers Retreat,” and “Rocktober,” to improve both operational expertise and supervisory skills. Our comprehensive training programs are offered at the store, regional and national levels. Our programs allow managers from all geographic locations to interact with each other and exchange ideas to better operate stores. Our store, district, and regional managers are compensated in part based on the sales volume of the store or stores they manage.
Our store associates generally have an interest in the action sports lifestyle and are knowledgeable about our products. Through our training, evaluation and incentive programs, we seek to enhance the productivity of our store associates. Our store associates receive extensive training from their managers to improve their product expertise and selling skills. We evaluate our store associates weekly on measures such as sales per hour, units per transaction and dollars per transaction to ensure consistent productivity, to reward top performers and to identify potential training opportunities. We provide sales incentives for store associates such as sales-based commissions in addition to hourly wages and our annual “Zumiez 100K” event, which recognizes outstanding sales performance in a resort setting that combines recreation and education. These and other incentive programs are designed to promote a competitive, yet fun, corporate culture that is consistent with the action sports lifestyle we seek to promote.
Marketing and Advertising
We seek to reach our target customer audience through a multi-faceted marketing approach that is designed to integrate our brand image with the action sports lifestyle. Our marketing efforts focus on reaching our customers in their environment, and feature extensive grassroots marketing events, which give our customers an opportunity to experience and participate in the action sports lifestyle. Our grassroots marketing events are built around the demographics of our customer base and offer an opportunity for our customers to develop a strong identity with our brand and culture. For example, the Zumiez Couch Tour is a series of entertainment events that includes skateboarding demonstrations from top professionals, autograph sessions, competitions and live music, and has featured some of today’s most popular personalities in action sports and music. The Zumiez Couch Tour provides a high-impact platform where customers can interact with some of their favorite action sports athletes and vendors can showcase new products. In fiscal 2010, our Zumiez Couch Tour completed a twelve-city tour across the United States.
 
8

Table of Contents
Our marketing efforts also incorporate local sporting and music event promotions, advertising in magazines popular with our target market, interactive contest sponsorships that actively involve our customers with our brands and products and various social network channels such as Facebook and Twitter. We believe that our immersion in the action sports lifestyle allows us to build credibility with our target audience and gather valuable feedback on evolving customer preferences.
Management Information Systems
Our management information systems provide integration of store, merchandising, distribution, financial and human resources functions. The systems include applications related to point-of-sale, inventory management, supply chain, planning, sourcing, merchandising and financial reporting. We continue to invest in technology to align our systems with our business requirements and to support our continuing growth.
Competition
The teenage and young adult retail apparel, hardgoods and accessories industry is highly competitive. We compete with other retailers for vendors, teenage and young adult customers, suitable store locations and qualified store associates and management personnel. In the softgoods markets, which includes apparel, accessories and footwear, we currently compete with other teenage-focused retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Apparel, American Eagle Outfitters, Boathouse, CCS, Forever 21, Hollister, Hot Topic, Old Navy, Pacific Sunwear of California, The Buckle, The Wet Seal, Tillys, Urban Outfitters and West 49. In addition, in the softgoods markets we compete with independent specialty shops, department stores and direct marketers that sell similar lines of merchandise and target customers through catalogs and ecommerce. In the hardgoods markets, which includes skateboards, snowboards, bindings, components and other equipment, we compete directly or indirectly with the following categories of companies: other specialty retailers that compete with us across a significant portion of our merchandising categories, such as local snowboard and skate shops; large-format sporting goods stores and chains, such as Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sport Chalet and The Sports Authority and ecommerce retailers.
Competition in our sector is based on, among other things, merchandise offerings, store location, price and the ability to identify with the customer. We believe that we compete favorably with many of our competitors based on our differentiated merchandising strategy, compelling store environment and deep-rooted culture. However, some of our competitors are larger than we are and have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. See “Item 1A Risk Factors.” We may be unable to compete favorably in the highly competitive retail industry, and if we lose customers to our competitors, our sales could decrease.
Seasonality
Historically, our operations have been seasonal, with the largest portion of net sales and net income occurring in the third and fourth fiscal quarters, reflecting increased demand during the back-to-school and winter holiday selling seasons. During fiscal 2010, approximately 61% of our net sales occurred in the third and fourth quarters, similar to previous years. As a result of this seasonality, any factors negatively affecting us during the last half of the year, including unfavorable economic conditions, adverse weather or our ability to acquire seasonal merchandise inventory, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations for the entire year. Our quarterly results of operations may also fluctuate based upon such factors as the timing of certain holiday seasons, the popularity of seasonal merchandise offered, the timing and amount of markdowns, store remodels and closings, competitive influences and the number and timing of new store openings.
 
9

Table of Contents
Trademarks
The “Zumiez” trademark and certain other trademarks, have been registered, or are the subject of pending trademark applications, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and with the registries of certain foreign countries. We regard our trademarks as valuable and intend to maintain such marks and any related registrations and vigorously protect our trademarks. We also own numerous domain names, which have been registered with Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
Employees
At January 29, 2011, we employed approximately 1,380 full-time and approximately 3,460 part-time employees, of which approximately 440 were employed at our home office, distribution center and ecommerce fulfillment center and approximately 4,400 at our store locations. However, the number of part-time employees fluctuates depending on our seasonal needs and, in fiscal 2010, varied from between approximately 3,000 and 5,400 part-time employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union and we believe generally that our relationship with our employees is good.
Available Information
Our principal website address is www.zumiez.com. We make available, free of charge, our proxy statement, annual report to shareholders, annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC at http://ir.zumiez.com. Information available on our website is not incorporated by reference in and is not deemed a part of this Form 10-K.
 
Item 1A.	RISK FACTORS	
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The following risk factors, issues and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating our future prospects. In particular, keep these risk factors in mind when you read “forward-looking” statements elsewhere in this report. Forward-looking statements relate to our expectations for future events and time periods. Generally, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and future events and circumstances could differ significantly from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Any of the following risks could harm our business, operating results or financial condition and could result in a complete loss of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified or that we currently think are immaterial may also harm our business and financial condition in the future.
Significant fluctuations and volatility in the price of cotton, foreign labor costs and other raw materials used in the production of our merchandise may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
Increases in the cost of cotton, foreign labor costs or other raw materials used in the production of our merchandise can result in higher costs in the price we pay for this merchandise. The costs for cotton are affected by weather, consumer demand, speculation on the commodities market and other factors that are generally unpredictable and beyond our control. Our gross profit and earnings per share could be adversely affected to the extent that the selling prices of our products do not increase proportionately with the increases in the costs of cotton or other materials. Increasing labor costs and oil-related product costs, such as manufacturing and transportation costs, could also adversely impact gross profit. Additionally, significant changes in the relationship between carrier capacity and shipper demand could increase transportation costs, which could also adversely impact gross profit.
 
10

Table of Contents
We are aware of increasing cotton, oil and other input costs that affect our cost of goods sold. We are working with our vendors and private label manufacturers to manage these cost increases. Our current expectation is that increases in product cost will be higher in the second half of 2011 versus the first half. While we believe we have strategies in place to mitigate the increase in cost, there can be no assurance our efforts will be successful and our gross profit margins may decline.
Most of our merchandise is produced by foreign manufacturers; therefore, the availability and costs of these products may be negatively affected by risks associated with international trade and other international conditions.
Most of our merchandise is produced by manufacturers around the world. Some of these facilities are located in regions that may be affected by natural disasters, political instability or other conditions that could cause a disruption in trade. Trade restrictions such as increased tariffs or quotas, or both, could also affect the importation of merchandise generally and increase the cost and reduce the supply of merchandise available to us. Any reduction in merchandise available to us or any increase in its cost due to tariffs, quotas or local issues that disrupt trade could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Although the prices charged by vendors for the merchandise we purchase are primarily denominated in United States dollars, a continued decline in the relative value of the United States dollar to foreign currencies could lead to increased merchandise costs, which could negatively affect our competitive position and our results of operation.
Our ability to attract customers to our stores depends heavily on the success of the shopping malls in which our stores are located; any decrease in customer traffic in those malls could cause our sales to be less than expected.
In order to generate customer traffic we depend heavily on locating our stores in prominent locations within successful shopping malls. Sales at these stores are derived, in part, from the volume of traffic in those malls. Our stores benefit from the ability of a mall’s other tenants to generate consumer traffic in the vicinity of our stores and the continuing popularity of malls as shopping destinations. Our sales volume and mall traffic generally may be adversely affected by, among other things, economic downturns in a particular area, competition from ecommerce retailers, non-mall retailers and other malls, increases in gasoline prices and the closing or decline in popularity of other stores in the malls in which we are located. An uncertain economic outlook could curtail new shopping mall development, decrease shopping mall traffic, reduce the number of hours that shopping mall operators keep their shopping malls open or force them to cease operations entirely. A reduction in mall traffic as a result of these or any other factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our growth strategy depends on our ability to open and operate new stores each year, which could strain our resources and cause the performance of our existing stores to suffer.
Our growth largely depends on our ability to open and operate new stores successfully. However, our ability to open new stores is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, and we may be unable to open new stores as planned, and any failure to successfully open and operate new stores would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We intend to continue to open new stores in future years while remodeling a portion of our existing store base annually. In addition, our proposed expansion will place increased demands on our operational, managerial and administrative resources. These increased demands could cause us to operate our business less effectively, which in turn could cause deterioration in the financial performance of our individual stores and our overall business. To the extent our new store openings are in markets where we already have stores, we may experience reduced net sales in existing stores in those markets. In addition, successful execution of our growth strategy may require that we obtain additional financing, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain that financing on acceptable terms or at all.
 
11

Table of Contents
If we fail to effectively execute our expansion strategy, we may not be able to successfully open new store locations in a timely manner, if at all, which could have an adverse affect on our net sales and results of operations.
Our ability to open and operate new stores successfully depends on many factors, including, among others, our ability to:
 
 	•	 	identify suitable store locations, the availability of which is outside of our control;	
 
 	•	 	negotiate acceptable lease terms, including desired tenant improvement allowances;	
 
 	•	 	source sufficient levels of inventory at acceptable costs to meet the needs of new stores;	
 
 	•	 	hire, train and retain qualified store personnel;	
 
 	•	 	successfully integrate new stores into our existing operations; and	
 
 	•	 	identify and satisfy the merchandise preferences of new geographic areas.	
In addition, many of our planned new stores are to be opened in regions of the United States or international locations in which we currently have few, or no, stores. The expansion into these markets may present competitive, merchandising and distribution challenges that are different from those currently encountered in our existing markets. Any of these challenges could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The expansion of our store base to Canada may present increased risks due to our limited familiarity with that market.
In fiscal 2011, we plan to open store locations in Canada. The Canadian market may have different competitive conditions, consumer tastes and discretionary spending patterns than our existing markets. As a result, new stores in that market may be less successful than our stores in the United States. Additionally, consumers in the Canadian market may not be familiar with our brand, and we may need to build brand awareness in that market. Furthermore, we have limited experience with the legal and regulatory environments and market practices outside of the United States and cannot guarantee that we will be able penetrate or successfully operate in the Canadian market. We may also incur additional costs in complying with applicable Canadian laws and regulations as they pertain to both our products and our operations.
Our business is dependent upon our being able to anticipate, identify and respond to changing fashion trends, customer preferences and other fashion-related factors; failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on us.
Customer tastes and fashion trends in the action sports lifestyle market are volatile and tend to change rapidly. Our success depends on our ability to effectively anticipate, identify and respond to changing fashion tastes and consumer preferences, and to translate market trends into appropriate, saleable product offerings in a timely manner. If we are unable to successfully anticipate, identify or respond to changing styles or trends and misjudge the market for our products or any new product lines, our sales may be lower than predicted and we may be faced with a substantial amount of unsold inventory or missed opportunities. In response to such a situation, we may be forced to rely on markdowns or promotional sales to dispose of excess or slow-moving inventory, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The current uncertainty surrounding the United States economy coupled with cyclical economic trends in action sports retailing could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The action sports retail industry historically has been subject to substantial cyclicality. As economic conditions in the United States change, the trends in discretionary consumer spending become unpredictable and discretionary consumer spending could be reduced due to uncertainties about the future. When discretionary
 
12

Table of Contents
consumer spending is reduced, purchases of action sports apparel and related products may decline. The current uncertainty in the United States economy and increased government debt spending may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.
Because of this cycle, we believe the “value” message has become more important to consumers. As a retailer that sells approximately 82% branded merchandise, this trend may negatively affect our business, as we generally will have to charge more than vertically integrated private label retailers.
Our sales and inventory levels fluctuate on a seasonal basis, leaving our operating results particularly susceptible to changes in back-to-school and winter holiday shopping patterns.
Our sales and profitability are typically disproportionately higher in the third and fourth fiscal quarters of each fiscal year due to increased sales during the back-to-school and winter holiday shopping seasons. Sales during these periods cannot be used as an accurate indicator of annual results. Our sales in the first and second fiscal quarters are typically lower than in our third and fourth fiscal quarters due, in part, to the traditional retail slowdown immediately following the winter holiday season. As a result of this seasonality, any factors negatively affecting us during the last half of the year, including unfavorable economic conditions, adverse weather or our ability to acquire seasonal merchandise inventory, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations for the entire year. In addition, in order to prepare for the back-to-school and winter holiday shopping seasons, we must order and keep in stock significantly more merchandise than we carry during other times of the year. Any unanticipated decrease in demand for our products during these peak shopping seasons could require us to sell excess inventory at a substantial markdown, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our quarterly results of operations are volatile and may decline.
Our quarterly results of operations have fluctuated significantly in the past and can be expected to continue to fluctuate significantly in the future. As discussed above, our sales and operating results are typically lower in the first and second quarters of our fiscal year due, in part, to the traditional retail slowdown immediately following the winter holiday season. Our quarterly results of operations are affected by a variety of other factors, including:
 
 	•	 	the timing of new store openings and the relative proportion of our new stores to mature stores;	
 
 	•	 	whether we are able to successfully integrate any new stores that we acquire and the presence or absence of any unanticipated liabilities in connection therewith;	
 
 	•	 	fashion trends and changes in consumer preferences;	
 
 	•	 	calendar shifts of holiday or seasonal periods;	
 
 	•	 	changes in our merchandise mix;	
 
 	•	 	timing of promotional events;	
 
 	•	 	general economic conditions and, in particular, the retail sales environment;	
 
 	•	 	actions by competitors or mall anchor tenants;	
 
 	•	 	weather conditions;	
 
 	•	 	the level of pre-opening expenses associated with our new stores; and	
 
 	•	 	inventory shrinkage beyond our historical average rates.	
 
13

Table of Contents
Failure to successfully integrate any businesses or stores that we acquire could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial performance.
We may from time to time acquire other retail stores, individually or in groups, or businesses. We may experience difficulties in assimilating any stores or businesses we may acquire and any such acquisitions may also result in the diversion of our capital and our management’s attention from other business issues and opportunities. We may not be able to successfully integrate any stores or businesses that we may acquire, including their facilities, personnel, financial systems, distribution, operations and general operating procedures. If we fail to successfully integrate acquisitions or if such acquisitions fail to provide the benefits that we expect to receive, we could experience increased costs and other operating inefficiencies, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial performance.
Our business is susceptible to weather conditions that are out of our control including the potential risks of unpredictable weather patterns, including any weather patterns associated with naturally occurring global climate change, and the resultant unseasonable weather could have a negative impact on our results of operations.
Our business is susceptible to unseasonable weather conditions. For example, extended periods of unseasonably warm temperatures (including any weather patterns associated with global warming and cooling) during the winter season or cool weather during the summer season could render a portion of our inventory incompatible with those unseasonable conditions. These prolonged unseasonable weather conditions, particularly in regions of the United States where we have a concentration of stores, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We may be unable to compete favorably in the highly competitive retail industry, and if we lose customers to our competitors, our sales could decrease.
The teenage and young adult retail apparel, hardgoods and accessories industry is highly competitive. We compete with other retailers for vendors, teenage and young adult customers, suitable store locations, qualified store associates and management personnel. In the softgoods market, which includes apparel, accessories and footwear, we currently compete with other teenage-focused retailers. In addition, in the softgoods market we compete with independent specialty shops, department stores and direct marketers that sell similar lines of merchandise and target customers through catalogs and ecommerce. In the hardgoods market, which includes skateboards, snowboards, bindings, components and other equipment, we compete directly or indirectly with other specialty retailers that compete with us across a significant portion of our merchandising categories, such as local snowboard and skate shops, large-format sporting goods stores and chains and ecommerce retailers.
Some of our competitors are larger than we are and have substantially greater financial, marketing, including advanced ecommerce marketing capabilities, and other resources than we do. Direct competition with these and other retailers may increase significantly in the future, which could require us, among other things, to lower our prices and could result in the loss of our customers. Current and increased competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If we fail to maintain good relationships with vendors or if a vendor is otherwise unable or unwilling to supply us with adequate quantities of their products at acceptable prices, our business and financial performance could suffer.
Our business is dependent on continued good relations with our vendors. In particular, we believe that we generally are able to obtain attractive pricing and other terms from vendors because we are perceived as a desirable customer, and deterioration in our relationship with our vendors would likely have a material adverse effect on our business. We do not have any contractual relationships with our vendors, other than normal course of business purchase orders and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that our vendors will provide us with an
 
14

Table of Contents
adequate supply or quality of products or acceptable pricing. Our vendors could discontinue selling to us or raise the prices they charge at any time. There can be no assurance that we will be able to acquire desired merchandise in sufficient quantities on terms acceptable to us in the future. In addition, certain of our vendors sell their products directly to the retail market and therefore compete with us directly and other vendors may decide to do so in the future. There can be no assurance that such vendors will not decide to discontinue supplying their products to us, supply us only less popular or lower quality items, raise the prices they charge us or focus on selling their products directly. In addition, a number of our vendors are smaller, less capitalized companies and are more likely to be impacted by unfavorable general economic and market conditions than larger and better capitalized companies. These smaller vendors may not have sufficient liquidity during economic downturns to properly fund their businesses and their ability to supply their products to us could be negatively impacted. Any inability to acquire suitable merchandise at acceptable prices, or the loss of one or more key vendors, would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If we lose key management or are unable to attract and retain the talent required for our business, our financial performance could suffer.
Our performance depends largely on the efforts and abilities of our senior management, including our Co-Founder and Chairman, Thomas D. Campion, our Chief Executive Officer, Richard M. Brooks, our President and General Merchandising Manager, Lynn K. Kilbourne, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, Trevor S. Lang and our Executive Vice President of Stores, Ford K. Wright. None of our employees have employment agreements with us and we do not plan to obtain key person life insurance covering any of our employees. If we lose the services of one or more of our key executives, we may not be able to successfully manage our business or achieve our growth objectives. As our business grows, we will need to attract and retain additional qualified management personnel in a timely manner and we may not be able to do so.
Our failure to meet our staffing needs could adversely affect our ability to implement our growth strategy and could have a material impact on our results of operations.
Our success depends in part upon our ability to attract, motivate and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, including divisional managers, regional managers, district managers, store managers and store associates, who understand and appreciate our corporate culture based on a passion for the action sports lifestyle and are able to adequately represent this culture to our customers. Qualified individuals of the requisite caliber, skills and number needed to fill these positions may be in short supply in some areas, and the employee turnover rate in the retail industry is high. Competition for qualified employees could require us to pay higher wages to attract a sufficient number of suitable employees. If we are unable to hire and retain store managers and store associates capable of consistently providing a high level of customer service, as demonstrated by their enthusiasm for our culture and knowledge of our merchandise, our ability to open new stores may be impaired and the performance of our existing and new stores could be materially adversely affected. We are also dependent upon temporary personnel to adequately staff our stores, distribution center and ecommerce fulfillment center particularly during busy periods such as the back-to-school and winter holiday seasons. There can be no assurance that we will receive adequate assistance from our temporary personnel, or that there will be sufficient sources of temporary personnel. Although none of our employees is currently covered by collective bargaining agreements, we cannot guarantee that our employees will not elect to be represented by labor unions in the future, which could increase our labor costs and could subject us to the risk of work stoppages and strikes. Any such failure to meet our staffing needs, any material increases in employee turnover rates, any increases in labor costs or any work stoppages, interruptions or strikes could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.
Our operations, including our sole distribution center, are concentrated in the western United States, which makes us susceptible to adverse conditions in this region.
Our home office and ecommerce fulfillment center are located in Washington, our sole distribution center is located in California and a substantial number of our stores are located in the western half of the United States.
 
15

Table of Contents
We also have a substantial number of stores in the New York/New Jersey region and Texas. As a result, our business may be more susceptible to regional factors than the operations of more geographically diversified competitors. These factors include, among others, economic and weather conditions, demographic and population changes and fashion tastes. In addition, we rely on a single distribution center to receive, store and distribute the vast majority of our merchandise to all of our stores. As a result, a natural disaster or other catastrophic event, such as an earthquake affecting the West Coast, could significantly disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We have relocated our sole distribution center previously located in Everett, Washington to Corona, California to receive, store and distribute the vast majority of our merchandise to all of our retail stores. As a result, events may occur subsequent to the relocation that could significantly disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are required to make substantial rental payments under our operating leases and any failure to make these lease payments when due would likely have a material adverse effect on our business and growth plans.
We do not own any of our retail stores or our combined home office and ecommerce fulfillment center, but instead we lease these facilities under operating leases. Payments under these operating leases account for a significant portion of our operating expenses and has historically been our third largest expense behind cost of sales and our employee related costs. For example, total rental expense, including additional rental payments (or “percentage rent”) based on sales of some of the stores, common area maintenance charges and real estate taxes, under operating leases was $61.8 million, $58.0 million and $52.9 million for the fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008. At January 29, 2011, we were a party to operating leases requiring future minimum lease payments aggregating $227.8 million through fiscal 2015 and $120.0 million thereafter. In addition, substantially all of our store leases provide for additional rental payments based on sales of the respective stores, as well as common area maintenance charges, and require that we pay real estate taxes. These amounts generally escalate each year. We expect that any new stores we open will also be leased by us under operating leases, which will further increase our operating lease expenses.
Our substantial operating lease obligations could have significant negative consequences, including:
 
 	•	 	increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;	
 
 	•	 	limiting our ability to obtain additional financing;	
 
 	•	 	requiring that a substantial portion of our available cash be applied to pay our rental obligations, thus reducing cash available for other purposes; and	
 
 	•	 	limiting our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business or in the industry in which we compete, and placing us at a disadvantage with respect to some of our competitors.	
We depend on cash flow from operations to pay our lease expenses and to fulfill our other cash needs. If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities, and sufficient funds are not otherwise available to us from borrowings under bank loans or from other sources, we may not be able to service our operating lease expenses, grow our business, respond to competitive challenges or to fund our other liquidity and capital needs, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
The terms of our revolving credit facility impose operating and financial restrictions on us that may impair our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions. This impairment could have a significant adverse impact on our business.
We renewed and amended our secured credit agreement with Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank, N.A., on June 10, 2009, and the prior facility agreement was terminated. The credit agreement provides us with a secured revolving credit facility until September 1, 2011 of up to $25.0 million. The secured revolving credit facility
 
16

Table of Contents
provides for the issuance of a standby letter of credit in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million outstanding at any time and with a term not to exceed 365 days. The commercial line of credit provides for the issuance of a commercial letter of credit in an amount not to exceed $10.0 million and with terms not to exceed 120 days. The amount of borrowings available at any time under our secured revolving credit facility is reduced by the amount of standby and commercial letters of credit outstanding at that time. There were no outstanding borrowings under the secured revolving credit facility at January 29, 2011 or January 30, 2010. We had open commercial letters of credit outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility of $0.5 million and $0.6 million at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010. The secured revolving credit facility bears interest at the Daily One Month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. The credit agreement contains a number of restrictions and covenants that generally limit our ability to, among other things, (1) incur additional debt, (2) undergo a change in ownership and (3) enter into certain transactions. The credit agreement also contains financial covenants that require us to meet certain specified financial tests and ratios, including, a maximum net loss not to exceed $10.0 million after taxes on a trailing four-quarter basis provided, that, there shall be added to net income all charges for impairment of goodwill and store assets not to exceed $5.0 million in aggregate, and a minimum quick ratio of 1.25. The quick ratio is defined as our cash and near cash equivalents plus certain defined receivables divided by the outstanding borrowings. All of our personal property, including, among other things, our inventory, equipment and fixtures, has been pledged to secure our obligations under the credit agreement. We must also provide financial information and statements to our lender. We were in compliance with all such covenants at January 29, 2011.
A breach of any of these restrictive covenants or our inability to comply with the required financial tests and ratios could result in a default under the credit agreement. If a default occurs, the lender may elect to declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable. If we are unable to repay outstanding borrowings when due, whether at their maturity or if declared due and payable by the lender following a default, the lender has the right to proceed against the collateral granted to it to secure the indebtedness. As a result, any breach of these covenants or failure to comply with these tests and ratios could have a material adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance that we will not breach the covenants or fail to comply with the tests and ratios in our credit agreement or any other debt agreements we may enter into in the future and, if a breach occurs, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain necessary waivers or amendments from the lenders.
The restrictions contained in our credit agreement could: (1) limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet capital needs or otherwise restrict our activities or business plans; and (2) adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, strategic acquisitions, investments or other capital needs or to engage in other business activities that would be in our interest.
Our business could suffer if our ability to acquire financing is reduced or eliminated.
In the current economic environment, we cannot be assured that our borrowing relationship with our lender will continue or that our lender will remain able to support its commitments to us in the future. If our lender fails to do so, then we may not be able to secure alternative financing on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
Our business could suffer as a result of small parcel delivery services such as United Parcel Service or Federal Express being unable to distribute our merchandise.
We rely upon small parcel delivery services for our product shipments, including shipments to, from and between our stores. Accordingly, we are subject to risks, including employee strikes and inclement weather, which may affect their ability to meet our shipping needs. Among other things, any circumstances that require us to use other delivery services for all or a portion of our shipments could result in increased costs and delayed deliveries and could harm our business materially. In addition, although we have contracts with small parcel delivery services, we and the service providers have the right to terminate these contracts upon 30-90 days written notice. Although the contracts with these small parcel delivery services provide certain discounts from
 
17

Table of Contents
the shipment rates in effect at the time of shipment, the contracts do not limit their ability to raise the shipment rates at any time. Accordingly, we are subject to the risk that small parcel delivery services may increase the rates they charge, that they may terminate their contracts with us, that they may decrease the rate discounts provided to us when an existing contract is renewed or that we may be unable to agree on the terms of a new contract with them, any of which could materially adversely affect our operating results.
Our business could suffer if a manufacturer fails to use acceptable labor practices.
We do not control our vendors or the manufacturers that produce the products we buy from them, nor do we control the labor practices of our vendors and these manufacturers. The violation of labor or other laws by any of our vendors or these manufacturers, or the divergence of the labor practices followed by any of our vendors or these manufacturers from those generally accepted as ethical in the United States, could interrupt, or otherwise disrupt, the shipment of finished products to us or damage our reputation. Any of these, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In that regard, most of the products sold in our stores are manufactured overseas, primarily in Asia and Central America, which may increase the risk that the labor practices followed by the manufacturers of these products may differ from those considered acceptable in the United States.
Additionally, our products are subject to regulation of and regulatory standards set by various governmental authorities with respect to quality and safety. Regulations and standards in this area are currently in place. These regulations and standards may change from time to time. Our inability to comply on a timely basis with regulatory requirements could result in significant fines or penalties, which could adversely affect our reputation and sales. Issues with the quality and safety of merchandise we sell in our stores, regardless of our culpability, or customer concerns about such issues, could result in damage to our reputation, lost sales, uninsured product liability claims or losses, merchandise recalls and increased costs.
Our failure to adequately anticipate a correct mix of private label merchandise may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Sales from private label merchandise accounted for 18% of our net sales in fiscal 2010 and generally carries higher gross margins than our other merchandise. We may take steps to increase the percentage of net sales of private label merchandise in the future, although there can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve increases in private label merchandise sales as a percentage of net sales. Our failure to anticipate, identify and react in a timely manner to fashion trends with our private label merchandise, would likely have a material adverse effect on our comparable store sales, financial condition and results of operations.
If our information systems hardware or software fails to function effectively or does not scale to keep pace with our planned growth, our operations could be disrupted and our financial results could be harmed.
Over the past several years, we have made improvements to our infrastructure and existing hardware and software systems, as well as implemented new systems. If these or any other information systems and software do not work effectively, this could adversely impact the promptness and accuracy of our transaction processing, financial accounting and reporting and our ability to manage our business and properly forecast operating results and cash requirements. To manage the anticipated growth of our operations and personnel, we may need to continue to improve our operational and financial systems, transaction processing, procedures and controls, and in doing so could incur substantial additional expenses that could impact our financial results.
Our inability or failure to protect our intellectual property or our infringement of other’s intellectual property could have a negative impact on our operating results.
We believe that our trademarks and domain names are valuable assets that are critical to our success. The unauthorized use or other misappropriation of our trademarks or domain names could diminish the value of the
 
18

Table of Contents
Zumiez brand, our store concept, our private label brands or our goodwill and cause a decline in our net sales. Although we have secured or are in the process of securing protection for our trademarks and domain names in a number of countries outside of the United States, there are certain countries where we do not currently have or where we do not currently intend to apply for protection for certain trademarks or at all. Also, the efforts we have taken to protect our trademarks may not be sufficient or effective. Therefore, we may not be able to prevent other persons from using our trademarks or domain names outside of the United States, which also could adversely affect our business. We are also subject to the risk that we may infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties. Any infringement or other intellectual property claim made against us, whether or not it has merit, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, cause product delays or require us to pay royalties or license fees. As a result, any such claim could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
The effects of war or acts of terrorism could adversely affect our business.
Substantially all of our stores are located in shopping malls. Any threat of terrorist attacks or actual terrorist events, particularly in public areas, could lead to lower customer traffic in shopping malls. In addition, local authorities or mall management could close shopping malls in response to security concerns. Mall closures, as well as lower customer traffic due to security concerns, would likely result in decreased sales. Additionally, the armed conflicts in the Middle East, or the threat, escalation or commencement of war or other armed conflict elsewhere, could significantly diminish consumer spending, and result in decreased sales for us. Decreased sales would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The outcome of litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, and may result in substantial costs and could divert management’s attention.
We are involved, from time to time, in litigation incidental to our business including complaints filed by investors. This litigation could result in substantial costs, and could divert management’s attention and resources, which could harm our business. Risks associated with legal liability are often difficult to assess or quantify, and their existence and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time. While we maintain director and officer insurance for litigation surrounding investor lawsuits, the amount of insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover a claim and the continued availability of this insurance cannot be assured. We also maintain other forms of insurance that have historically been adequate to address lawsuits; however, there can be no assurance that the actual outcome of pending or future litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Our operations expose us to the risk of litigation, which could lead to significant potential liability and costs that could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We employ a substantial number of full-time and part-time employees, a majority of whom are employed at our store locations. As a result, we are subject to a large number of federal and state laws and regulations relating to employment. This creates a risk of potential claims that we have violated laws related to discrimination and harassment, health and safety, wage and hour laws, criminal activity, personal injury and other claims. We are also subject to other types of claims in the ordinary course of our business. Some or all of these claims may give rise to litigation, which could be time-consuming for our management team, costly and harmful to our business.
In addition, we are exposed to the risk of class action litigation. The costs of defense and the risk of loss in connection with class action suits are greater than in single-party litigation claims. Due to the costs of defending against such litigation, the size of judgments that may be awarded against us, and the loss of significant management time devoted to such litigation, we cannot assure you that such litigation will not disrupt our business or impact our financial results.
 
19

Table of Contents
Our failure to comply with federal, state or local laws, or changes in these laws, could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and financial performance.
Our business is subject to a wide array of laws and regulations. Changes in the regulations, the imposition of additional regulations, or the enactment of any new legislation including those related to health care, taxes, environmental issues and trade, could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.
Recent federal health care legislation could increase our expenses.
We are self-insured with respect to our health care coverage and do not purchase third party insurance for the health insurance benefits provided to employees with the exception of pre-defined stop loss, which helps limit the cost of large claims. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Act”) and the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “Reconciliation Act”) were signed into law. The Act, as modified by the Reconciliation Act, includes a large number of health care provisions to take effect over four years, including expanded dependent coverage, incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, a prohibition on the denial of coverage and denial of claims on pre-existing conditions, a prohibition on limits on essential benefits and other expansions of health care benefits and coverage. The costs of these provisions are expected to be funded by a variety of taxes and fees. Some of the taxes and fees, as well as certain health care changes required by these acts, are expected to result, directly or indirectly, in increased health care costs for us. For example, the prohibition on limits on essential benefits (whereas we currently cap health-related benefits) could result in increased costs to us. At this time, we cannot quantify the impact, if any, that the legislation may have on us due to the changing regulatory environment around this legislation and due to the government’s requirement to issue future unknown regulatory rules. There is no assurance that we will be able to absorb and/or pass through the costs of such legislation in a manner that will not adversely impact our results of operations.
Our ecommerce operations subject us to numerous risks that could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Although ecommerce sales constitute a small, but increasing portion of our overall sales, our ecommerce operations subject us to certain risks that could have an adverse effect on our operational results, including:
 
 	•	 	diversion of traffic and sales from our stores;	
 
 	•	 	liability for online content; and	
 
 	•	 	risks related to the computer systems that operate our website and related support systems, including computer viruses, electronic break-ins and similar disruptions.	
In addition, risks beyond our control, such as governmental regulation of ecommerce, entry of our vendors in the ecommerce business in competition with us, online security breaches and general economic conditions specific to ecommerce could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses as a result of being a public company, which will negatively impact our financial performance.
We completed our initial public offering in May 2005 and we have incurred and could continue to incur significant legal, accounting, insurance and other expenses as a result of being a public company. Rules and regulations implemented by Congress, the SEC and the NASDAQ Global Select Market have required changes in corporate governance practices of public companies. Compliance with these laws could cause us to incur significant costs and expenses, including legal and accounting costs, and could make some compliance activities more time-consuming and negatively impact our financial performance. Additionally, these rules and regulations may make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as officers.
 
20

Table of Contents
Failure to maintain adequate financial and management processes and controls could lead to errors in our financial reporting and could harm our ability to manage our expenses.
Reporting obligations as a public company and our anticipated growth are likely to place a considerable strain on our financial and management systems, processes and controls, as well as on our personnel. In addition, we are required to document and test our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 so that our management can certify as to the effectiveness of our internal controls and our independent registered public accounting firm can render an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis. This process requires us to document our internal controls over financial reporting and to potentially make significant changes thereto, if applicable. As a result, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur substantial expenses to test our financial controls and systems, and we have been and in the future may be required to improve our financial and managerial controls, reporting systems and procedures, to incur substantial expenses to make such improvements and to hire additional personnel. If our management is ever unable to certify the effectiveness of our internal controls or if our independent registered public accounting firm cannot render an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, or if material weaknesses in our internal controls are ever identified, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and a loss of public confidence, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and our stock price. In addition, if we do not maintain adequate financial and management personnel, processes and controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis, which could cause a decline in our stock price and adversely affect our ability to raise capital.
Changes to accounting rules or regulations could significantly affect our financial results.
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). New accounting rules or regulations and changes to existing accounting rules or regulations have occurred and may occur in the future. Future changes to accounting rules or regulations, such as changes to lease accounting guidance or a requirement to convert to international financial reporting standards, could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition through increased cost of compliance.
The security of our databases that contain personal information of our retail customers could be breached, which could subject us to adverse publicity, litigation and expenses. In addition, if we are unable to comply with security standards created by the credit card industry, our operations could be adversely affected.
Database privacy, network security and identity theft are matters of growing public concern. In an attempt to prevent unauthorized access to our network and databases containing confidential, third-party information, we have installed privacy protection systems, devices and activity monitoring on our network. Nevertheless, if unauthorized parties gain access to our networks or databases, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify our private and sensitive third-party information. In such circumstances, we could be held liable to our customers or other parties or be subject to regulatory or other actions for breaching privacy rules. This could result in costly investigations and litigation, civil or criminal penalties and adverse publicity that could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and reputation. Further, if we are unable to comply with the security standards established by banks and the credit card industry, we may be subject to fines, restrictions and expulsion from card acceptance programs, which could adversely affect our retail operations.
We may fail to meet analyst expectations, which could cause the price of our stock to decline.
Our common stock is traded publicly and various securities analysts follow our financial results and issue reports on us. These reports include information about our historical financial results as well as the analysts’ estimates of our future performance. The analysts’ estimates are based upon their own independent opinions and can be different from our estimates or expectations. If our operating results are below the estimates or expectations of public market analysts and investors, our stock price could decline. In December 2007, a
 
21

Table of Contents
securities class action litigation and associated derivative lawsuits was brought against us and such actions are frequently brought against other companies following a decline in the market price of their securities. These lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice in March 2009. If our stock price is volatile, we may become involved in this type of litigation in the future. Any litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources that are needed to successfully run our business.
The value of our investments may fluctuate.
We have our excess cash primarily invested in state and local municipal securities, U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Agency securities and variable-rate demand notes. These investments have historically been considered very safe investments with minimal default rates. At January 29, 2011, we had $114.6 million of investments in state and local government securities and variable-rate demand notes, excluding our auction rate security. These securities are not guaranteed by the United States government and are subject to additional credit risk based upon each local municipality’s tax revenues and financial stability. As a result, we may experience a reduction in value or loss of liquidity of our investments, which may have a negative adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
The uncertainties in the credit markets have prevented us and other investors from liquidating holdings of auction rate securities in recent auctions for these securities because the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. At January 29, 2011, we had $0.9 million, net of $0.1 million temporary impairment, invested in an auction rate security that is included in long-term investments on the consolidated balance sheet. We may incur impairment charges on this investment in the future.
In addition, we made a $2.0 million equity investment in a manufacturer and expect the value of this investment to increase. However, we do not have control over this investment and it may encounter unanticipated operating issues or negative financial performance that could adversely impact the value of our investment.
A decline in the market price of our stock and our performance may trigger an impairment of the goodwill recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives is required to be tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if management believes indicators of impairment exist. Any reduction in the carrying value of our goodwill as a result of our impairment analysis could result in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge to our statement of operations. A goodwill impairment charge could have a significant impact on earnings and potentially result in a violation of our financial covenants, thereby limiting our ability to secure short-term financing.
Changes to estimates related to our fixed assets, or operating results that are lower than our current estimates at certain store locations, may cause us to incur non-cash impairment charges.
We make certain estimates and projections in connection with impairment analyses for our store locations and other property and equipment. These calculations require us to make a number of estimates and projections of future results. If these estimates or projections change or prove incorrect, we may be required to record impairment charges on certain store locations and other property and equipment. If these impairment charges are significant, our operating results would be adversely affected and our bank covenants may be violated.
 
Item 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	
None.
 
Item 2.	PROPERTIES	
All of our stores, primarily located in shopping malls and encompassing approximately 1,174,000 total square feet at January 29, 2011, are occupied under operating leases.
 
22

Table of Contents
We lease an 87,350 square foot combined home office and ecommerce fulfillment center in Everett, Washington. This lease expires in 2017.
In fiscal 2010, we acquired a 168,450 square foot building in Corona, California that serves as our warehouse and distribution facility. Additionally, in fiscal 2010, we acquired approximately 253,500 square feet of land in Lynnwood, Washington, which we plan to use as the location of our new home office starting in 2012.
 
Item 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	
We are involved from time to time in litigation incidental to our business. We believe that the outcome of current litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
See Note 9 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements found in Part IV Item 15 of this Form 10-K (listed under “Litigation” under Commitments and Contingencies).
 
Item 4.	(REMOVED AND RESERVED)	
 
23

Table of Contents
PART II
 
Item 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	
Market Information
Our common stock has traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ZUMZ.” At January 29, 2011, there were 30,834,713 shares of common stock outstanding. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009.

Fiscal 2010	  	High	 	  	Low	 	
First Fiscal Quarter (January 31, 2010—May 1, 2010)	  	$	22.53	  	  	$	12.54	  	
Second Fiscal Quarter (May 2, 2010—July 31, 2010)	  	$	19.79	  	  	$	14.98	  	
Third Fiscal Quarter (August 1, 2010—October 30, 2010)	  	$	26.45	  	  	$	14.44	  	
Fourth Fiscal Quarter (October 31, 2010—January 29, 2011)	  	$	33.13	  	  	$	22.24	  	
 	 	 	
Fiscal 2009	  	High	 	  	Low	 	
First Fiscal Quarter (February 1, 2009—May 2, 2009)	  	$	13.07	  	  	$	5.70	  	
Second Fiscal Quarter (May 3, 2009—August 1, 2009)	  	$	12.86	  	  	$	7.27	  	
Third Fiscal Quarter (August 2, 2009—October 31, 2009)	  	$	17.43	  	  	$	9.25	  	
Fourth Fiscal Quarter (November 1, 2009—January 30, 2010)	  	$	15.74	  	  	$	10.68	  	
 
24

Table of Contents
Performance Measurement Comparison
The following graph shows a comparison for total cumulative returns for Zumiez Inc., The NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Retail Trade Index during the period commencing on January 28, 2006 and ending on January 29, 2011. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on January 28, 2006 in each Zumiez, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Retail Trade Index, and assumes the reinvestment of all dividends, if any. The comparison in the following graph and table is required by the SEC and is not intended to be a forecast or to be indicative of future Company common stock performance.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	  	1/28/06	 	  	2/3/07	 	  	2/2/08	 	  	1/31/09	 	  	1/30/10	 	  	1/29/11	 	
Zumiez Inc.	  	 	100.00	  	  	 	136.16	  	  	 	81.02	  	  	 	28.91	  	  	 	51.47	  	  	 	90.20	  	
NASDAQ Composite	  	 	100.00	  	  	 	109.00	  	  	 	107.45	  	  	 	66.46	  	  	 	97.13	  	  	 	123.13	  	
NASDAQ Retail Trade	  	 	100.00	  	  	 	103.41	  	  	 	111.20	  	  	 	75.42	  	  	 	127.28	  	  	 	168.13	  	
Holders of the Corporation’s Capital Stock
We had 356 shareholders of record as of March 7, 2011.
Dividends
No cash dividends have been declared on our common stock to date nor have any decisions been made to pay a dividend in the foreseeable future. Payment of dividends is evaluated on a periodic basis and if a dividend were paid, it would be subject to covenants of our lending facility, which may have the effect of restricting our ability to pay dividends.
 
25

Table of Contents
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table presents information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company made during the thirteen weeks ended January 29, 2011.

Period	  	Total Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)	 	  	Average Price
Paid per Share	 	  	Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs	 	  	Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs	 	
October 31, 2010—November 27, 2010	  	 	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
November 28, 2010—January 1, 2011	  	 	134	  	  	$	29.32	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
January 2, 2011—January 29, 2011	  	 	77	  	  	$	22.31	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	 	211	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	

(1)	During the thirteen weeks ended January 29, 2011, 211 shares were either forfeited or purchased by us in order to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock. These shares were not acquired pursuant to any publicly announced purchase plan or program.	
 
Item 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION	
The following selected consolidated financial information has been derived from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements. The data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere herein.

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29,
2011	 	 	January 30,
2010	 	  	January 31,
2009	 	  	February 2,
2008	 	  	February 3,
2007 (1)	 	
 	  	(in thousands, except per share data)	 	
Statement of Operations Data:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Net sales	  	$	478,849	  	 	$	407,603	  	  	$	408,669	  	  	$	381,416	  	  	$	298,177	  	
Cost of goods sold	  	 	308,452	  	 	 	272,865	  	  	 	274,134	  	  	 	244,429	  	  	 	189,959	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Gross profit	  	 	170,397	  	 	 	134,738	  	  	 	134,535	  	  	 	136,987	  	  	 	108,218	  	
Selling, general and administrative expenses	  	 	133,030	  	 	 	122,003	  	  	 	109,927	  	  	 	98,042	  	  	 	75,774	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	 	37,367	  	 	 	12,735	  	  	 	24,608	  	  	 	38,945	  	  	 	32,444	  	
Interest income, net	  	 	1,496	  	 	 	1,176	  	  	 	2,059	  	  	 	1,722	  	  	 	1,178	  	
Other (expense) income, net	  	 	(8	) 	 	 	96	  	  	 	36	  	  	 	3	  	  	 	(16	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Earnings before income taxes	  	 	38,855	  	 	 	14,007	  	  	 	26,703	  	  	 	40,670	  	  	 	33,606	  	
Provision for income taxes	  	 	14,652	  	 	 	4,876	  	  	 	9,499	  	  	 	15,344	  	  	 	12,750	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Net income	  	$	24,203	  	 	$	9,131	  	  	$	17,204	  	  	$	25,326	  	  	$	20,856	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Earnings per share:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Basic	  	$	0.81	  	 	$	0.31	  	  	$	0.59	  	  	$	0.89	  	  	$	0.76	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Diluted	  	$	0.79	  	 	$	0.30	  	  	$	0.58	  	  	$	0.86	  	  	$	0.73	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Weighted average shares outstanding:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Basic	  	 	29,971	  	 	 	29,499	  	  	 	29,127	  	  	 	28,609	  	  	 	27,543	  	
Diluted	  	 	30,794	  	 	 	30,133	  	  	 	29,694	  	  	 	29,322	  	  	 	28,703	  	
 
(1)	The fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 consisted of 53 weeks.	
 
26

Table of Contents
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	  	January 29,
2011	 	  	January 30,
2010	 	  	January 31,
2009	 	  	February 2,
2008	 	  	February 3,
2007	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Balance Sheet Data:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Cash, cash equivalents and current marketable securities	  	$	128,801	  	  	$	108,051	  	  	$	78,582	  	  	$	76,532	  	  	$	51,977	  	
Working capital (1)	  	 	155,400	  	  	 	133,927	  	  	 	112,092	  	  	 	92,161	  	  	 	54,929	  	
Total assets	  	 	301,631	  	  	 	260,265	  	  	 	233,349	  	  	 	216,095	  	  	 	167,294	  	
Total long-term liabilities	  	 	29,435	  	  	 	27,802	  	  	 	24,177	  	  	 	18,097	  	  	 	12,910	  	
Total shareholders’ equity	  	 	226,735	  	  	 	192,676	  	  	 	177,951	  	  	 	154,602	  	  	 	104,812	  	
 
(1)	Working capital is defined as current assets minus current liabilities. The fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 has been restated to account for the reclassification of certain assets from current assets to long-term assets. Reclassification of these assets from current assets to long-term assets is immaterial for prior periods.	

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29,
2011	 	 	January 30,
2010	 	 	January 31,
2009	 	 	February 2,
2008	 	 	February 3,
2007 (1)	 	
Other Financial Data:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross margin (2)	  	 	35.6	% 	 	 	33.1	% 	 	 	32.9	% 	 	 	35.9	% 	 	 	36.3	% 	
Capital expenditures (in thousands)	  	$	29,361	  	 	$	16,548	  	 	$	28,349	  	 	$	30,722	  	 	$	22,160	  	
Depreciation, amortization and accretion (in thousands)	  	$	17,923	  	 	$	22,092	  	 	$	19,470	  	 	$	14,762	  	 	$	10,499	  	
 
(1)	The fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 consisted of 53 weeks.	
 
(2)	Gross margin represents gross profit divided by net sales.	

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29,
2011	 	 	January 30,
2010	 	 	January 31,
2009	 	 	February 2,
2008	 	 	February 3,
2007 (1)	 	
Store Data:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Number of stores open at end of period	  	 	400	  	 	 	377	  	 	 	343	  	 	 	285	  	 	 	235	  	
Comparable store sales increase (decrease) (2)	  	 	11.9	% 	 	 	(10.0	%) 	 	 	(6.5	%) 	 	 	9.2	% 	 	 	14.5	% 	
Net sales per store (3) (in thousands)	  	$	1,162	  	 	$	1,081	  	 	$	1,240	  	 	$	1,405	  	 	$	1,389	  	
Total square footage at end of period (4) (in thousands)	  	 	1,174	  	 	 	1,107	  	 	 	1,005	  	 	 	829	  	 	 	667	  	
Average square footage per store at end of period (5)	  	 	2,935	  	 	 	2,937	  	 	 	2,930	  	 	 	2,909	  	 	 	2,840	  	
Net sales per square foot (6)	  	$	396	  	 	$	367	  	 	$	424	  	 	$	488	  	 	$	499	  	
 
(1)	The fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 consisted of 53 weeks.	
 
(2)	Comparable store sales percentage changes are calculated by comparing comparable store sales for the applicable fiscal year to comparable store sales for the prior fiscal year. Comparable store sales are based on net sales, and stores are considered comparable beginning on the first anniversary of their first day of operation. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—General” for more information about how we compute comparable store sales. Comparable store sales include our ecommerce sales.	
 
(3)	Net sales per store represents net sales for the period divided by the average number of stores open during the period. For purposes of this calculation, the average number of stores open during the period is equal to the sum of the number of stores open as of the end of each month during the period divided by the number of months in the period. Net sales per store excludes ecommerce sales.	
 
(4)	Total square footage at end of period includes retail selling, storage and back office space.	
 
27

Table of Contents
(5)	Average square footage per store at the end of a period is calculated based on the total store square footage at end of period, including retail selling, storage and back office space, of all stores open at the end of the period.	
 
(6)	Net sales per square foot represents net sales, excluding ecommerce sales, for the period divided by the average square footage of stores open during the period. For purposes of this calculation, the average square footage of stores open during the period is equal to the sum of the total square footage of the stores open as of the end of each month during the period divided by the number of months in the period.	
 
Item 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this document. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those discussed in “Item 1A Risk Factors.” See the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements set forth at the beginning of Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a mall based specialty retailer of action sports related apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories operating under the Zumiez brand name. At January 29, 2011, we operated 400 stores primarily located in shopping malls, giving us a presence in 37 states. Our stores cater to young men and women between the ages of 12 and 24 who seek popular brands representing a lifestyle centered on activities that include skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, BMX and motocross. We support the action sports lifestyle and promote our brand through a multi-faceted marketing approach that is designed to integrate our brand image with our customers’ activities and interests. This approach, combined with our differentiated merchandising strategy, store design, comprehensive training programs and passionate employees, allows us to provide an experience for our customers that we believe is consistent with their attitudes, fashion tastes and identities and is otherwise unavailable in most malls. Accordingly, our success is largely dependent upon our ability to anticipate, identify and respond to the fashion tastes of our customers and to provide merchandise that satisfies customer demands.
Fiscal 2010—A Review of This Past Year
Zumiez’ financial results in fiscal 2010 meaningfully exceeded our own projections and these results were significant, particularly when viewing against the teen retail landscape in what remained a tenuous consumer environment. In addition, while accomplishing these results, we made strategic investments that we believe will reap long-term benefits focused on enhancing the customer experience across multiple sales channels, and on our people and infrastructure aimed at improving decision making and product speed to market. The table below show net sales, operating profit and margin and diluted earnings per share growth for fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009:

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	 	January 30, 2010	 	 	% Change	 	
Net sales (in thousands)	  	$	478,849	  	 	$	407,603	  	 	 	17	% 	
Operating profit (in thousands)	  	$	37,367	  	 	$	12,735	  	 	 	193	% 	
Operating margin	  	 	7.8	% 	 	 	3.1	% 	 	 	 	 	
Diluted earnings per share	  	$	0.79	  	 	$	0.30	  	 	 	163	% 	
Our sales results were primarily driven by an increase in transactions, which is a testament to our differentiated product offering and the unique customer experience our store associates provide. The strong sales results we realized in fiscal 2010 translated to a significant increase in operating income, operating margin and diluted earnings per share compared to fiscal 2009 due to our unique business model and focus on managing our cost structure.
 
28

Table of Contents
Fiscal 2011—A Look At the Upcoming Year
While the momentum we have seen throughout fiscal 2010 would suggest that discretionary spending is increasing, unemployment, debt and housing remain concerns and the economy is still in recovery. In addition, other challenges have surfaced as we look out into fiscal 2011, most notably increases in production costs that may have an impact on our ability to maintain product margins. Considering these factors, our current outlook is cautiously optimistic, and we are planning the business conservatively for fiscal 2011.
For the year, we expect total sales to increase driven by an increase in comparable store sales, the opening of approximately 44 new stores, including our first stores in Canada, and increased sales from our ecommerce channel. If we achieve our sales projections, we expect earnings will increase in fiscal 2011. We will make further investments in people and infrastructure in fiscal 2011, building on the progress we have made through fiscal 2010, primarily focused on the development of our multi-channel sales strategies, expansion into Canada and continued progress on our product assortment planning and supply chain solutions and a capital investment related to building a new home office, planned to opening in the spring of 2011. We expect our cash, short-term investments and working capital to increase, and do not anticipate any borrowings on our credit facility. Inventory levels per square foot are expected to grow due to increased production costs and to support sales growth.
General
Net sales constitute gross sales net of actual and estimated returns and deductions for promotions. Net sales include our in-store sales and our ecommerce sales, which includes ecommerce shipping revenue. Ecommerce sales were 4.7%, 2.5% and 1.7% of total net sales for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008. Sales of gift cards are deferred and recognized when gift cards are redeemed. The amount of the gift card liability is determined taking into account our estimate of the portion of gift cards that will not be redeemed or recovered (“gift card breakage”). Gift card breakage is recognized as revenue after 24 months, at which time the likelihood of redemption is considered remote based on our historical redemption data.
We report “comparable store sales” based on net sales beginning on the first anniversary of the first day of operation of a new store. Our comparable store sales also include our ecommerce sales. Changes in our comparable store sales between two periods are based on net sales of stores which were in operation during both of the two periods being compared and, if a store is included in the calculation of comparable store sales for only a portion of one of the two periods being compared, then that store is included in the calculation for only the comparable portion of the other period. Any change in square footage of an existing comparable store, including remodels, does not eliminate that store from inclusion in the calculation of comparable store sales. There may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other apparel retailers calculate comparable or same store sales. As a result, data herein regarding our comparable store sales may not be comparable to similar data made available by our competitors or other retailers.
Cost of goods sold consists of branded merchandise costs and our private label merchandise costs including design, sourcing, importing and inbound freight costs. Our cost of goods sold also includes shrinkage and buying, occupancy, distribution and warehousing costs. This may not be comparable to the way in which our competitors or other retailers compute their cost of goods sold. We receive cash consideration from vendors, which have been reported as a reduction cost of goods sold if the inventory has sold, as a reduction of the carrying value of the inventory if the inventory is still on hand, or a reduction of selling, general and administrative expense if the amounts are reimbursements of specific, incremental and identifiable costs of selling the vendors’ products.
With respect to the freight component of our ecommerce sales, we arrange and pay the freight for our customers and bill them for this service, unless our customers have their product shipped to one of our stores or we have free shipping promotions to our customers, in which case we do not bill our customers. Such amounts billed are included in net sales and the related freight cost is charged to cost of goods sold.
 
29

Table of Contents
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of store personnel wages and benefits, administrative staff and infrastructure expenses, outbound freight, store supplies, depreciation on fixed assets at our home office and stores, facility expenses and training, advertising and marketing costs. Credit card fees, insurance, public company expenses, legal expenses and other miscellaneous operating costs are also included in selling, general and administrative expenses. This may not be comparable to the way in which our competitors or other retailers compute their selling, general and administrative expenses.
Key Performance Indicators
Our management evaluates the following items, which we consider key performance indicators, in assessing our performance:
Comparable store sales. As previously described in detail under the caption “General,” comparable store sales provide a measure of sales growth for stores open at least one year over the comparable prior year period.
We consider comparable store sales to be an important indicator of our current performance. Comparable store sales results are important to achieve leveraging of our costs, including store payroll, store supplies and rent. Comparable store sales also have a direct impact on our total net sales, cash and working capital.
Gross profit. Gross profit measures whether we are optimizing the price and inventory levels of our merchandise. Gross profit is the difference between net sales and cost of goods sold. Any inability to obtain acceptable levels of initial markups or any significant increase in our use of markdowns could have an adverse effect on our gross profit and results of operations.
Operating profit. We view operating profit as a key indicator of our success. The key drivers of operating profit are comparable store sales, gross profit, our ability to control selling, general and administrative expenses and our level of capital expenditures affecting depreciation expense.
Store productivity. We review our stores’ operating profit as a measure of their profitability.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events, and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and the related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, we review the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material.
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part IV Item 15, “Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statements,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We believe that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
 
30

Table of Contents
 	 	 	 	 	
Description	  	Judgments and Uncertainties	  	Effect If Actual Results Differ
From Assumptions	
 	 	 	
Valuation of Merchandise Inventories	  	 	  	 	
 	 	 	
We value our inventory at the lower of cost or fair market value through the establishment of write-down and inventory loss reserves.
 
Our write-down reserve represents the excess of the carrying value over the amount we expect to realize from the ultimate sales or other disposal of the inventory. Write-downs establish a new cost basis for our inventory. Subsequent changes in facts or circumstances do not result in the restoration of previously recorded write-downs or an increase in that newly established cost basis.
 
Our inventory loss reserve represents anticipated physical inventory losses (“shrinkage reserve”) that have occurred since the last physical inventory dates. Each quarter, we reserve for anticipated physical inventory losses on an aggregate basis.	  	Our write-down reserve contains uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions based on the current rate of sales, the age of inventory, the profitability of the inventory and other factors.
 
Our inventory loss reserve contains uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding a number of factors, including historical percentages that can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shrinkage trends.	  	We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to calculate our write-down and inventory loss reserves in the past three fiscal years. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate our inventory reserves. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
 
A 10% decrease in ultimate sales price at January 29, 2011 would have affected net income by $0.1 million in fiscal 2010.
 
A 10% difference in actual physical inventory shrinkage reserved at January 29, 2011 would have affected net income by $0.3 million in fiscal 2010.	
 	 	 	
Fixed Assets	  	 	  	 	
 	 	 	
We review the carrying value of our fixed assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such asset may not be recoverable.
 
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is determined by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by comparing projected individual store discounted cash flow to the asset carrying values. Declines in projected store cash flow could result in the impairment of assets.
 
The actual economic lives of our fixed assets may be different from our estimated useful lives, thereby resulting in a different carrying value. These evaluations could result in a change in the depreciable lives of these assets and therefore our depreciation expense in future periods.	  	Our impairment loss calculations contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values, including forecasting future sales, gross profit and operating expenses and selecting the discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in future cash flows.
 
Our fixed assets accounting methodology contains uncertainties because it requires management to make estimates with respect to the useful lives of our fixed assets that we believe are reasonable.	  	We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions we use to calculate long-lived asset impairment losses. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, our operating results could be adversely affected.
 
Although management believes that the current useful lives estimates assigned to our fixed assets are reasonable, factors could cause us to change our estimates, thus affecting the future calculation of depreciation.	
 
31

Table of Contents
 	 	 	 	 	
Description	  	Judgments and Uncertainties	  	Effect If Actual Results Differ
From Assumptions	
 	 	 	
Revenue Recognition	  	 	  	 	
 	 	 	
Revenue is recognized upon purchase at our retail store locations. For orders placed through our website, revenue is recognized upon estimated delivery to the customer. Revenue is recorded net of estimated and actual sales returns and deductions for promotions.
 
Revenue is not recorded on the sale of gift cards. A current liability is recorded upon sale, and revenue is recognized when the gift card is redeemed for merchandise. The amount of the gift card liability is determined taking into account our estimate of the portion of gift cards that will not be redeemed or recovered (“gift card breakage”). Gift card breakage is recognized as revenue after 24 months, at which time the likelihood of redemption is considered remote based on our historical redemption data.	  	Our revenue recognition accounting methodology contains uncertainties because it requires management to make assumptions regarding future sales returns and the amount and timing of gift cards projected to be redeemed by gift card recipients. Our estimate of the amount and timing of sales returns and gift cards to be redeemed is based primarily on historical transaction experience.	  	We have not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to measure sales returns or recognize revenue for our gift card program in the past three fiscal years. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to recognize revenue. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
 
A 10% change in our sales return reserve at January 29, 2011 would have affected net income by less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2010.
 
A 10% change in our unredeemed gift card breakage life at January 29, 2011 would have affected net income by $0.2 million in fiscal 2010.	
 	 	 	
Stock-Based Compensation	  	 	  	 	
 	 	 	
We maintain the Zumiez Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan under which non-qualified stock options and restricted stock have been granted to employees and non-employee directors.
 
In determining the fair value of our stock options, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires management to apply judgment and make assumptions to determine the fair value of our awards.
 
We determine the fair value of our restricted stock awards based on the closing market price of our stock on the grant date.	  	The calculation of stock-based compensation requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to determine the fair value of our awards. These assumptions and judgments include estimating the inputs to the Black-Scholes option pricing model, future employee turnover rates and future employee stock option exercise behaviors. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.	  	We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to determine stock-based compensation expense. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to changes in stock-based compensation expense that could be material.
 
A 10% change in our stock-based compensation expense in fiscal 2010 would have affected net income by $0.3 million in fiscal 2010.	
 	 	 	
Accounting for Income Taxes	  	 	  	 	
 	 	 	
As part of the process of preparing the financial statements, income taxes are estimated for each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included on the consolidated balance sheets.	  	Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. For example, our effective tax rates could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in jurisdictions where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in jurisdictions where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities or by changes in the relevant tax, accounting and other laws, regulations, principles and interpretations.	  	Although management believes that the income tax related judgments and estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
 
Upon income tax audit, any unfavorable tax settlement generally would require use of our cash and may result in an increase in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution. A favorable tax settlement may be recognized as a reduction in our effective income tax rate in the period of resolution.	
 
32

Table of Contents
 	 	 	 	 	
Description	  	Judgments and Uncertainties	  	Effect If Actual Results Differ
From Assumptions	
 	 	 	
Accounting for Contingencies	  	 	  	 	
 	 	 	
We are subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, insurance, regulatory and other matters arising out of the normal course of business. We accrue a liability if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is estimable. If the likelihood of an adverse outcome is only reasonably possible (as opposed to probable), or if an estimate is not determinable, we provide disclosure of a material claim or contingency in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.	  	Significant judgment is required in evaluating our claims and contingencies, including determining the probability that a liability has been incurred and whether such liability is reasonably estimable. The estimated accruals for claims and contingencies are made based on the best information available, which can be highly subjective.	  	Although management believes that the contingencies related judgments and estimates are reasonable, our accrual for claims and contingencies could fluctuate as additional information becomes known, thereby creating variability in our results of operations from period to period. Additionally, actual results could differ and we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.	
 	 	 	
Goodwill	  	 	  	 	
 	 	 	
We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change to suggest that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We complete our impairment evaluation by performing internal valuation analyses, considering other publicly available market information, and where appropriate, by use of an independent valuation firm.
We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the carrying value of net assets to the fair value of the related operations. If the fair value is determined to be less than carrying value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment. We estimate fair value using discounted cash flows.	  	Forecasts of future cash flow are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses. These types of analyses contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate economic factors and the profitability of future business operations.	  	We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to test for impairment losses on goodwill. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to an impairment charge that could be material.
 
A 10% decrease in the fair value of the Company at January 29, 2011 would have no impact on the carrying value of goodwill.	
Results of Operations
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, selected items in the consolidated statements of operations as a percent of net sales:

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29,
2011	 	 	January 30,
2010	 	 	January 31,
2009	 	
Net sales	  	 	100.0	% 	 	 	100.0	% 	 	 	100.0	% 	
Cost of goods sold	  	 	64.4	% 	 	 	66.9	% 	 	 	67.1	% 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	  	 	35.6	% 	 	 	33.1	% 	 	 	32.9	% 	
Selling, general and administrative expenses	  	 	27.8	% 	 	 	30.0	% 	 	 	26.9	% 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	 	7.8	% 	 	 	3.1	% 	 	 	6.0	% 	
Interest and other income, net	  	 	0.3	% 	 	 	0.3	% 	 	 	0.5	% 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings before income taxes	  	 	8.1	% 	 	 	3.4	% 	 	 	6.5	% 	
Provision for income taxes	  	 	3.0	% 	 	 	1.2	% 	 	 	2.3	% 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	  	 	5.1	% 	 	 	2.2	% 	 	 	4.2	% 	

33

Table of Contents
Fiscal 2010 Results Compared With Fiscal 2009
Net Income
Net income for fiscal 2010 was $24.2 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, compared with net income of $9.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for fiscal 2009. Our effective income tax rate for fiscal 2010 was 37.7% compared to 34.8% for fiscal 2009.
Net Sales
Net sales were $478.8 million for fiscal 2010 compared to $407.6 million for fiscal 2009, an increase of $71.2 million or 17.5%. The increase reflected a comparable store sales increase of 11.9% for fiscal 2010 as well as the net addition of 23 stores (27 new stores offset by four store closures) in fiscal 2010.
Geographically, our best performing region for comparable store sales was the South, increasing 12%. Our stores west of Texas, which accounted for 50% of our comparable store sales, increased by 9%, our stores in the Northeast and Midwest increased by 8% combined and the remaining increase in comparable store sales is due to increases in our ecommerce sales. The increase in comparable stores sales was primarily driven by an increase in comparable store transactions, partially offset by a decline in dollars per transaction. Comparable store sales increases in men’s apparel, accessories, footwear, boy’s apparel and junior’s apparel were partially offset by comparable store sales decreases in hardgoods. For information as to how we define comparable stores, see “General” above.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $170.4 million for fiscal 2010 compared to $134.7 million for fiscal 2009, an increase of $35.7 million, or 26.5%. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased 250 basis points for fiscal 2010 to 35.6% from 33.1% for fiscal 2009. The increase was primarily due to product margin improvement of 140 basis points and a 140 basis points decrease in store occupancy costs, partially offset by a 40 basis points increase due to distribution costs primarily associated with the exit costs and other charges of $2.4 million related to the relocation of our distribution center.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $133.0 million for fiscal 2010 compared to $122.0 million for fiscal 2009, an increase of $11.0 million, or 9.0%. SG&A expenses as a percent of sales decreased by 220 basis points for fiscal 2010 to 27.8% compared to 30.0% for fiscal 2009. The primary contributors to this decrease were 110 basis points due to store operating expense efficiencies gained by growing expenses at a slower rate than sales growth, the effect of the change in accounting estimate for the depreciable lives of our leasehold improvements of 90 basis points (as further explained in Note 2 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), 60 basis points due to impairment charges of $2.5 million on 21 stores in fiscal 2009 and a 30 basis points impact of a litigation settlement charge of $1.3 million incurred fiscal 2009, partially offset by a 70 basis points impact of a litigation settlement charge of $2.1 million incurred in fiscal 2010.
Exit or Disposal Activities
On March 2, 2010, we acquired a 168,450 square foot building in Corona, California for $11.8 million and we have relocated our distribution facility from Everett, Washington to this facility. We believe that we will be more effective distributing our products through a distribution center located in Corona, California due to the majority of our vendors being located in Southern California. Cumulatively, during fiscal 2010, we have recorded $0.9 million of employee benefit costs (severance and performance bonuses), $0.6 million of lease termination costs, $0.3 million of loss on disposal of long-lived assets and $0.8 million of other costs to exit the
 
34

Table of Contents
facility, partially offset by the $0.2 million benefit related to deferred rent liability. These amounts are included in cost of goods sold in our consolidated statements of operations. We do not expect to incur material additional costs related to the relocation.
Fiscal 2009 Results Compared With Fiscal 2008
Net Income
Net income in fiscal 2009 was $9.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared with $17.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in fiscal 2008, a decrease of 46.9%. The decrease in net income was driven by the deleveraging effect of increased selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) on a decrease in net sales, partially offset by an improvement in gross profit as a percent of sales. Our effective income tax rate in fiscal 2009 was 34.8% compared to 35.6% in fiscal 2008.
Net Sales
Net sales in fiscal 2009 decreased 0.3% to $407.6 million. The decrease reflected a comparable store sales decline of 10.0% in the 52-week period ended January 30, 2010, mostly offset by the net addition of 34 new stores in fiscal 2009 and a full year of sales from the 58 stores opened in fiscal 2008.
Geographically our stores west of Texas, which account for 54% of our comparable store sales, declined by 12.4%, while our comparable store sales in the Northeast, Midwest and South decreased 9.0% combined. The decline in comparable store sales was driven by a decrease in comparable store transactions and all merchandise categories experienced comparable store sales declines except footwear. For information as to how we define comparable stores, see “General” above.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $134.7 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $134.5 million in fiscal 2008, an increase of $0.2 million or 0.2%. As a percent of net sales, gross profit increased 0.2 percentage points in fiscal 2009 to 33.1% from 32.9% in fiscal 2008. The increase was primarily due to product margin improvement of 140 basis points and 20 basis points from supply chain efficiencies, largely offset by a store occupancy increase of 140 basis points. Store occupancy is largely a fixed cost for which we have a minimal ability to lower. Store occupancy costs increased as a percent to sales primarily due to a 10.0% same store sales decline.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A was $122.0 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $109.9 million in fiscal 2008, an increase of $12.1 million or 11.0%. SG&A as a percent of sales increased by 310 basis points in fiscal 2009 to 30.0% compared to 26.9% in fiscal 2008. The primary contributors to this increase were a 180 basis points increase for expenses associated with the opening of 36 new stores, 40 basis points related to impairment charges on 21 stores, and legal settlement costs contributing 30 basis points. New stores generally open with lower revenues than stores that have been open greater than one year, but a majority of new store operating costs are not meaningfully lower than stores greater than one year old. As a result, these stores contribute to higher SG&A as a percent to sales.
Seasonality and Quarterly Results
As is the case with many retailers of apparel and related merchandise, our business is subject to seasonal influences. As a result, we have historically experienced, and expect to continue to experience, seasonal and quarterly fluctuations in our net sales and operating results. Our net sales and operating results are typically lower in the first and second quarters of our fiscal year, while the back-to-school and winter holiday periods in our third and fourth fiscal quarters historically have accounted for the largest percentage of our annual net sales. Quarterly
 
35

Table of Contents
results of operations may also fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of store openings and the relative proportion of our new stores to mature stores, fashion trends and changes in consumer preferences, calendar shifts of holiday or seasonal periods, changes in merchandise mix, timing of promotional events, general economic conditions, competition and weather conditions.
The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of operations data for the last two recent fiscal years. The unaudited quarterly information has been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein and includes all adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of the information shown. This information should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. The operating results for any fiscal quarter are not indicative of the operating results for a full fiscal year or for any future period and there can be no assurance that any trend reflected in such results will continue in the future.

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2011	 	
 	  	First
Quarter	 	 	Second
Quarter	 	 	Third
Quarter	 	 	Fourth
Quarter	 	
 	  	(in thousands, except stores and per share data)	 	
Net sales	  	$	89,096	  	 	$	97,702	  	 	$	135,859	  	 	$	156,192	  	
Gross profit	  	$	25,752	  	 	$	30,716	  	 	$	53,048	  	 	$	60,881	  	
Operating profit (loss)	  	$	(3,254	) 	 	$	(2,368	) 	 	$	18,975	  	 	$	24,014	  	
Net income (loss)	  	$	(1,900	) 	 	$	(1,214	) 	 	$	12,312	  	 	$	15,005	  	
Basic earnings (loss) per share	  	$	(0.06	) 	 	$	(0.04	) 	 	$	0.41	  	 	$	0.50	  	
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	  	$	(0.06	) 	 	$	(0.04	) 	 	$	0.40	  	 	$	0.49	  	
Number of stores open at the end of the period	  	 	381	  	 	 	393	  	 	 	400	  	 	 	400	  	
Comparable store sales increase	  	 	9.1	% 	 	 	9.3	% 	 	 	14.4	% 	 	 	13.0	% 	

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended January 30, 2010	 	
 	  	First
Quarter	 	 	Second
Quarter	 	 	Third
Quarter	 	 	Fourth
Quarter	 	
 	  	(in thousands, except stores and per share data)	 	
Net sales	  	$	76,808	  	 	$	85,170	  	 	$	113,192	  	 	$	132,433	  	
Gross profit	  	$	21,900	  	 	$	24,644	  	 	$	40,099	  	 	$	48,095	  	
Operating profit (loss)	  	$	(3,438	) 	 	$	(5,226	) 	 	$	8,357	  	 	$	13,042	  	
Net income (loss)	  	$	(1,658	) 	 	$	(3,085	) 	 	$	5,073	  	 	$	8,801	  	
Basic earnings (loss) per share	  	$	(0.06	) 	 	$	(0.10	) 	 	$	0.17	  	 	$	0.30	  	
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	  	$	(0.06	) 	 	$	(0.10	) 	 	$	0.17	  	 	$	0.29	  	
Number of stores open at the end of the period	  	 	358	  	 	 	369	  	 	 	378	  	 	 	377	  	
Comparable store sales decrease	  	 	(15.3	%) 	 	 	(18.8	%) 	 	 	(8.0	%) 	 	 	(1.7	%) 	
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary uses of cash are for operational expenditures, capital investments, inventory purchases, store remodeling, store fixtures and ongoing infrastructure improvements such as technology enhancements and distribution capabilities. Historically, our main sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operations.
The significant components of our working capital are inventory and liquid assets such as cash, cash equivalents, current marketable securities and receivables, reduced by accounts payable and accrued expenses. Our working capital position benefits from the fact that we generally collect cash from sales to customers the same day or within several days of the related sale, while we typically have longer payment terms with our vendors.
At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, we held one $1.0 million par value auction rate security valued at $0.9 million, net of a $0.1 million temporary impairment charge. The $1.0 million security failed to sell at its
 
36

Table of Contents
scheduled auction in March 2009 and March 2010. In March 2010, the interest rate for the security reset to a prescribed tax-free rate of 0.68% from 1.16%. We previously held another $1.0 million auction rate security that was redeemed at par in May 2009. We currently do not intend to hold the security beyond the next auction date and will try to sell this security when the auction date comes up in March 2011. However, the uncertainties in the credit markets have prevented us and other investors from liquidating holdings of auction rate securities in auctions for these securities because the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. If the March 2011 auction fails, we plan to hold the security until the next auction date and the security coupon rate will reset to a prescribed “failure” rate. An unsuccessful auction could result in our holding the security beyond the next scheduled auction reset date; therefore, limiting the short-term liquidity of the investment. The security has been classified as available-for-sale marketable securities and included in long-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010.
At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, cash, cash equivalents and current marketable securities were $128.8 million and $108.1 million. Working capital, the excess of current assets over current liabilities, was $155.4 million at the end of fiscal 2010, up 16% from $133.9 million at the end of fiscal 2009. The increase in cash, cash equivalents and current marketable securities and working capital in fiscal 2010 were due primarily to the increased cash flow from operations driven primarily by an increase in net income, partially offset by the costs of opening 27 stores in fiscal 2010 and the purchase of our distribution center in Corona, California.
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for each of the past three fiscal years (in thousands):

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29,
2011	 	 	January 30,
2010	 	 	January 31,
2009	 	
Total cash provided by (used in)	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating activities	  	$	48,692	  	 	$	45,116	  	 	$	38,337	  	
Investing activities	  	 	(44,011	) 	 	 	(78,065	) 	 	 	(11,943	) 	
Financing activities	  	 	5,108	  	 	 	1,460	  	 	 	(5,282	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	  	$	9,789	  	 	$	(31,489	) 	 	$	21,112	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $3.6 million from $45.1 million in fiscal 2009 to $48.7 million in fiscal 2010. Our operating cash flows result primarily from cash received from our customers, offset by cash payments we make for inventory, employee compensation, store occupancy expenses and other operational expenditures. Cash received from our customers generally corresponds to our net sales. Because our customers primarily use credit cards or cash to buy from us, our receivables from customers settle quickly. Changes to our operating cash flows have historically been driven primarily by changes in operating income and changes to the components of working capital, as well as changes to non-cash items such as deferred taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion and excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $6.8 million from $38.3 million in fiscal 2008 to $45.1 million in fiscal 2009. The increase was primarily due to changes in working capital, partially offset by a decrease in net income in fiscal 2009 compared to 2008.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $44.0 million in fiscal 2010 primarily related to capital expenditures of $29.4 million for new store openings, existing store renovations and the purchase of our new distribution center in Corona, California and by net purchases of marketable securities of $14.7 million. Net cash used in investing activities was $78.1 million in fiscal 2009 primarily related to capital expenditures for new
 
37

Table of Contents
store openings and existing store renovations of $16.6 million and by net purchases of marketable securities of $61.5 million. Net cash used in investing activities was $11.9 million in fiscal 2008 primarily related to capital expenditures for new store openings and existing store renovations of $28.3 million partially offset by net sales of marketable securities of $16.4 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2010 was $5.1 million related to proceeds from stock option exercise and the associated tax benefits. Net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2009 was $1.5 million related to proceeds from stock option exercise and the associated tax benefits. Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2008 was $5.3 million primarily related to short-term use of bank funds partially offset by proceeds from stock option exercise and associated tax benefits.
Sources of Liquidity
Our most significant sources of liquidity continue to be funds generated by operating activities, available cash, cash equivalents and current marketable securities. We expect these sources of liquidity and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to meet our foreseeable cash requirements for operations and planned capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months. Beyond this time frame, if cash flows from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility are not sufficient to meet our capital requirements, then we will be required to obtain additional equity or debt financing in the future. However, there can be no assurance that equity or debt financing will be available to us when we need it or, if available, that the terms will be satisfactory to us and not dilutive to our then-current shareholders.
We renewed and amended our secured credit agreement with Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank, N.A., on June 10, 2009, and the prior facility agreement was terminated. The credit agreement provides us with a secured revolving credit facility until September 1, 2011 of up to $25.0 million. The secured revolving credit facility provides for the issuance of a standby letter of credit in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million outstanding at any time and with a term not to exceed 365 days. The commercial line of credit provides for the issuance of a commercial letter of credit in an amount not to exceed $10.0 million and with terms not to exceed 120 days. The amount of borrowings available at any time under our secured revolving credit facility is reduced by the amount of standby and commercial letters of credit outstanding at that time. There were no outstanding borrowings under the secured revolving credit facility at January 29, 2011 or January 30, 2010. We had open commercial letters of credit outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility of $0.5 million and $0.6 million at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010. The secured revolving credit facility bears interest at the Daily One Month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. The credit agreement contains a number of restrictions and covenants that generally limit our ability to, among other things, (1) incur additional debt, (2) undergo a change in ownership and (3) enter into certain transactions. The credit agreement also contains financial covenants that require us to meet certain specified financial tests and ratios, including, a maximum net loss not to exceed $10.0 million after taxes on a trailing four-quarter basis provided, that, there shall be added to net income all charges for impairment of goodwill and store assets not to exceed $5.0 million in aggregate, and a minimum quick ratio of 1.25. The quick ratio is defined as our cash and near cash equivalents plus certain defined receivables divided by the outstanding borrowings. All of our personal property, including, among other things, our inventory, equipment and fixtures, has been pledged to secure our obligations under the credit agreement. We must also provide financial information and statements to our lender. We were in compliance with all such covenants at January 29, 2011.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital requirements include construction and fixture costs related to the opening of new stores and remodeling expenditures for existing stores. Future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the pace of new store openings, the availability of suitable locations for new stores and the nature of arrangements negotiated with landlords. In that regard, our net investment to open a new store has varied significantly in the past due to a number of factors, including the geographic location and size of the new store, and is likely to vary significantly in the future.
 
38

Table of Contents
During fiscal 2010, we spent $29.4 million on capital expenditures, related to investment in 27 new stores and 3 remodeled stores at a cost of $10.0 million, the acquisition and build-out costs of our new distribution center in Corona, California of $12.9 million, the acquisition costs of $3.2 million for land in Lynnwood, Washington, which we plan to use as the location of our new home office and $3.3 million in information technology projects and other improvements.
During fiscal 2009, we spent $16.6 million on capital expenditures, related to investment in 36 new stores and 7 remodeled stores at a cost of $14.8 million and $1.8 million in information technology projects and other improvements.
During fiscal 2008, we spent $28.3 million on capital expenditures, related to investment in 58 new stores and 8 remodeled stores at a cost of $27.1 million and $1.2 million in information technology projects and other improvements.
In upcoming fiscal 2011, we expect to spend approximately $32 million to $34 million on capital expenditures, a majority of which will relate to leasehold improvements and fixtures for the 44 new stores we plan to open in fiscal 2011 and construction of our new home office building in Lynnwood, Washington. There can be no assurance that the number of stores that we actually open in fiscal 2011 will not be different from the number of stores we plan to open, or that actual fiscal 2011 capital expenditures will not differ from this expected amount.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
There were no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in our contractual obligations during the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011. The following table summarizes the total amount of future payments due under our contractual obligations at January 29, 2011 (in thousands):

 	  	Total	 	  	Fiscal
2011	 	  	Fiscal 2012 and
Fiscal 2013	 	  	Fiscal 2014 and
Fiscal 2015	 	  	Thereafter	 	
Operating Lease Obligations	  	$	347,801	  	  	$	46,721	  	  	$	93,763	  	  	$	87,304	  	  	$	120,013	  	
Purchase Obligations	  	 	76,474	  	  	 	76,474	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	424,275	  	  	$	123,195	  	  	$	93,763	  	  	$	87,304	  	  	$	120,013	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
We occupy our retail stores and combined home office and ecommerce fulfillment center under operating leases generally with terms of five to ten years. At January 29, 2011, we were committed to property owners for operating lease obligations for $347.8 million. A majority of our leases provide for ongoing co-tenancy requirements or early cancellation clauses that would further lower rental rates, or permit lease terminations, or both, in the event that co-tenants cease to operate for specific periods or if certain sales levels are not met in specific periods. Most of the store leases require payment of a specified minimum rent and a contingent rent based on a percentage of the store’s net sales in excess of a specified threshold. Amounts in the above table do not include percentage rent, common area maintenance charges or real estate taxes unless these costs are fixed and determinable.
At January 29, 2011, we had outstanding purchase orders to acquire merchandise from vendors for $76.5 million, including $0.5 million of letters of credit outstanding. We have an option to cancel these commitments with no notice prior to shipment, except for private label purchase orders in which we are obligated to repay certain contractual amounts upon cancellation.
Off-Balance Sheet Obligations
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements at January 29, 2011.
 
39

Table of Contents
Impact of Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our net sales or operating results for the past three fiscal years. There can be no assurance that our business will not be affected by inflation in the future.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
See discussion in Item 7A—”Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 15 of Part IV, “Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements.”
Risk Factors, Issues and Uncertainties
Please refer to the information set forth under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” above for a discussion of risk factors, issues and uncertainties that our business faces.
 
Item 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	
We are susceptible to market value fluctuations with regard to our short-term investments. However, due to the relatively short maturity period of those investments and our intention and ability to hold those investments until maturity, the risk of material market value fluctuations is not expected to be significant.
During different times of the year, due to the seasonality of our business, we may borrow under our revolving credit facility. To the extent we borrow under our revolving credit facility, which bears interest at the Daily One Month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%, we are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. At January 29, 2011, we had no borrowings outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility. At January 29, 2011, we had $0.5 million of open commercial letters of credit outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility. We are not a party to any derivative financial instruments. Fluctuations in interest rates did not have a material effect on the results of operations in fiscal 2010.
Interest Rate Risk
Our earnings are affected by changes in market interest rates as a result of our short-term and long-term investments, which are primarily invested in state and local municipal securities, U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Agency securities and variable-rate demand notes, which have long-term nominal maturity dates but feature variable interest rates that reset at short-term intervals. If our current portfolio average yield rate decreased by 10% in fiscal 2010, our net income would have decreased by $0.1 million. Our current expectation is that our investment yields will remain low in 2011 due to historically low interest rates. This amount is determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical yield rates on our cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investment balances. This analysis does not consider the effects of the reduced level of overall investments that could happen in such an environment. Further, in the event of a change of such magnitude, management would likely take actions to further mitigate its exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in our investments structure.
 
Item 8.	CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	
Information with respect to this item is set forth in “Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements,” under “Part IV, Item 15” of this report.
 
40

Table of Contents
Item 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	
None.
 
Item 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)). Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of January 29, 2011 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the quarter ended January 29, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The effectiveness of Zumiez Inc. internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011 has been audited by Moss Adams LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which appears herein.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is included in this Form 10-K under Part IV, Item 15, “Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 
Item 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION	
None.
 
41

Table of Contents
PART III
 
Item 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	
Information regarding our directors and nominees for directorship is presented under the headings “Election of Directors,” in our definitive proxy statement for use in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) that will be filed within 120 days after our fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 and is incorporated herein by this reference thereto. Information concerning our executive officers is set forth under the heading “Executive Officers” in our Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, our code of conduct and ethics and certain information related to the Company’s Audit Committee and Governance Committee is set forth under the heading “Corporate Governance” in our Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
 
Item 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	
Information regarding the compensation of our directors and executive officers and certain information related to the Company’s Compensation Committee is set forth under the headings “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
 
Item 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS	
Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is set forth under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
 
Item 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is presented under the heading “Corporate Governance” in our Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
 
Item 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	
Information concerning principal accounting fees and services is presented under the heading “Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2009” in our Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
PART IV
 
Item 15.	EXHIBITS AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	
 
 	(a)(1)	Consolidated Financial Statements:	
 
 	1.	Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.	
 
 	2.	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.	
 
 	3.	Index to Consolidated Financial Statements.	
 
 	4.	Consolidated Financial Statements.	
 
42

Table of Contents
 	(2)	Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules:	
All financial statement schedules are omitted because the required information is presented either in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto, or is not applicable, required or material.
 
 	(3)	Exhibits included or incorporated herein:	
See Exhibit Index.
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of Zumiez Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
This process includes policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements, and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Furthermore, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011. Management’s assessment was based on criteria described in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on that assessment, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 29, 2011.
The effectiveness of Zumiez Inc. internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011 has been audited by Moss Adams LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which appears herein.
 
43

Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

ZUMIEZ INC.	 	 	
/S/ RICHARD M. BROOKS	 	3/15/11	
Signature	 	Date	
By:   Richard M. Brooks Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)	 	 	
 	 	
/s/ TREVOR S. LANG	 	3/15/11	
Signature	 	Date	
By:   Trevor S. Lang, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)	 	 	
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/S/ THOMAS D. CAMPION	 	3/15/11	 	 	 	/S/ WILLIAM M. BARNUM, JR.	 	3/15/11	
Signature	 	Date	 	 	 	Signature	 	Date	
Thomas D. Campion, Chairman	 	 	 	 	 	William M. Barnum, Jr., Director	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/S/ MATTHEW L. HYDE	 	3/15/11	 	 	 	/S/ JAMES M. WEBER	 	3/15/11	
Signature	 	Date	 	 	 	Signature	 	Date	
Matthew L. Hyde, Director	 	 	 	 	 	James M. Weber, Director	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
/S/ GERALD F. RYLES	 	3/15/11	 	 	 	/S/ SARAH G. MCCOY	 	3/15/11	
Signature	 	Date	 	 	 	Signature	 	Date	
Gerald F. Ryles, Director	 	 	 	 	 	Sarah G. McCoy, Director	 	 	
 
44

Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Zumiez Inc.
We have audited Zumiez Inc.’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011, based on criteria established in  Internal Control—Integrated Framework  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Zumiez Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011, based on criteria established in  Internal Control—Integrated Framework  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Zumiez Inc. as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, and the consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the three fiscal years in the period ended January 29, 2011, and our report dated March 15, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ Moss Adams LLP
Seattle, Washington
March 15, 2011
 
45

Table of Contents
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	  	 	47	  	
Consolidated Balance Sheets	  	 	48	  	
Consolidated Statements of Operations	  	 	49	  	
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity	  	 	50	  	
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	  	 	51	  	
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	  	 	52	  	
 
46

Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Zumiez Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Zumiez Inc. (the “Company”) as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 29, 2011. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Zumiez Inc. as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 29, 2011, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Zumiez Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011 based on criteria established in  Internal Control—Integrated Framework  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 15, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Moss Adams LLP
Seattle, Washington
March 15, 2011
 
47

Table of Contents
ZUMIEZ INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

 	  	January 29,
2011	 	 	January 30,
2010	 	
Assets	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current assets	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	  	$	11,357	  	 	$	1,568	  	
Marketable securities	  	 	117,444	  	 	 	106,483	  	
Receivables	  	 	6,129	  	 	 	5,600	  	
Inventories	  	 	56,303	  	 	 	50,916	  	
Prepaid expenses and other	  	 	7,210	  	 	 	6,102	  	
Deferred tax assets	  	 	2,418	  	 	 	3,045	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total current assets	  	 	200,861	  	 	 	173,714	  	
 	 	 	
Fixed assets, net	  	 	78,248	  	 	 	66,008	  	
Goodwill and other intangibles	  	 	13,154	  	 	 	13,186	  	
Long-term deferred tax assets	  	 	5,703	  	 	 	5,537	  	
Long-term investments	  	 	2,766	  	 	 	872	  	
Long-term other assets	  	 	899	  	 	 	948	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total long-term assets	  	 	100,770	  	 	 	86,551	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	301,631	  	 	$	260,265	  	

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current liabilities	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Trade accounts payable	  	$	16,371	  	 	$	16,817	  	
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes	  	 	7,580	  	 	 	6,593	  	
Income taxes payable	  	 	4,108	  	 	 	4,006	  	
Deferred rent and tenant allowances	  	 	3,719	  	 	 	3,248	  	
Other liabilities	  	 	13,683	  	 	 	9,123	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total current liabilities	  	 	45,461	  	 	 	39,787	  	
Long-term deferred rent and tenant allowances	  	 	27,629	  	 	 	26,375	  	
Long-term other liabilities	  	 	1,806	  	 	 	1,427	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total long-term liabilities	  	 	29,435	  	 	 	27,802	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	74,896	  	 	 	67,589	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	
Shareholders’ equity	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Preferred stock, no par value, 20,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	
Common stock, no par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 30,835 shares issued and outstanding at January 29, 2011 and 30,251 shares issued and outstanding at January 30, 2010	  	 	91,373	  	 	 	81,399	  	
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	  	 	(17	) 	 	 	101	  	
Retained earnings	  	 	135,379	  	 	 	111,176	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total shareholders’ equity	  	 	226,735	  	 	 	192,676	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	  	$	301,631	  	 	$	260,265	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
48

Table of Contents
ZUMIEZ INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29,
2011	 	 	January 30,
2010	 	  	January 31,
2009	 	
Net sales	  	$	478,849	  	 	$	407,603	  	  	$	408,669	  	
Cost of goods sold	  	 	308,452	  	 	 	272,865	  	  	 	274,134	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Gross profit	  	 	170,397	  	 	 	134,738	  	  	 	134,535	  	
 	 	 	 	
Selling, general and administrative expenses	  	 	133,030	  	 	 	122,003	  	  	 	109,927	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	 	37,367	  	 	 	12,735	  	  	 	24,608	  	
 	 	 	 	
Interest income, net	  	 	1,496	  	 	 	1,176	  	  	 	2,059	  	
Other (expense) income, net	  	 	(8	) 	 	 	96	  	  	 	36	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Earnings before income taxes	  	 	38,855	  	 	 	14,007	  	  	 	26,703	  	
 	 	 	 	
Provision for income taxes	  	 	14,652	  	 	 	4,876	  	  	 	9,499	  	

Net income	  	$	24,203	  	 	$	9,131	  	  	$	17,204	  	

Basic earnings per share	  	$	0.81	  	 	$	0.31	  	  	$	0.59	  	

Diluted earnings per share	  	$	0.79	  	 	$	0.30	  	  	$	0.58	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Weighted average shares used in computation of earnings per share:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Basic	  	 	29,971	  	 	 	29,499	  	  	 	29,127	  	
 	 	 	 	
Diluted	  	 	30,794	  	 	 	30,133	  	  	 	29,694	  	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
49

Table of Contents
ZUMIEZ INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands)

 	  	Common Stock	 	  	Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive	 	 	Retained	 	  	 	 	
 	  	Shares	 	  	Amount	 	  	Income (Loss)	 	 	Earnings	 	  	Total	 	
Balance at February 2, 2008	  	 	29,003	  	  	$	69,297	  	  	$	464	  	 	$	84,841	  	  	$	154,602	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Net income	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	17,204	  	  	 	17,204	  	
Change in unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments, net of tax of $213	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	(347	) 	 	 	—  	  	  	 	(347	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Comprehensive income	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	16,857	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation, including tax benefit of $1,173	  	 	530	  	  	 	2,102	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	2,102	  	
Stock-based compensation expense	  	 	—  	  	  	 	4,390	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	4,390	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Balance at January 31, 2009	  	 	29,533	  	  	 	75,789	  	  	 	117	  	 	 	102,045	  	  	 	177,951	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Net income	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	9,131	  	  	 	9,131	  	
Change in unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments, net of tax of $7	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	(16	) 	 	 	—  	  	  	 	(16	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Comprehensive income	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	9,115	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation, including tax benefit of $707	  	 	718	  	  	 	1,461	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	1,461	  	
Stock-based compensation expense	  	 	—  	  	  	 	4,149	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	4,149	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Balance at January 30, 2010	  	 	30,251	  	  	 	81,399	  	  	 	101	  	 	 	111,176	  	  	 	192,676	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Net income	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	24,203	  	  	 	24,203	  	
Change in unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments, net of tax of $76	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	(118	) 	 	 	—  	  	  	 	(118	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Comprehensive income	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	24,085	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Issuance and exercise of stock-based compensation, including tax benefit of $3,248	  	 	584	  	  	 	5,108	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	5,108	  	
Stock-based compensation expense	  	 	—  	  	  	 	4,866	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	4,866	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Balance at January 29, 2011	  	 	30,835	  	  	 	91,373	  	  	 	(17	) 	 	 	135,379	  	  	 	226,735	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
50

Table of Contents
ZUMIEZ INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29,
2011	 	 	January 30,
2010	 	 	January 31,
2009	 	
Cash flows from operating activities:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	  	$	24,203	  	 	$	9,131	  	 	$	17,204	  	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	  	 	17,923	  	 	 	22,092	  	 	 	19,470	  	
Deferred taxes	  	 	537	  	 	 	(4,886	) 	 	 	(1,221	) 	
Stock-based compensation expense	  	 	4,866	  	 	 	4,149	  	 	 	4,390	  	
Loss on disposal of assets	  	 	283	  	 	 	141	  	 	 	271	  	
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	  	 	(3,248	) 	 	 	(707	) 	 	 	(1,173	) 	
Impairment of long-lived assets	  	 	105	  	 	 	2,538	  	 	 	812	  	
Other	  	 	70	  	 	 	(36	) 	 	 	(36	) 	
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Receivables	  	 	(92	) 	 	 	(319	) 	 	 	220	  	
Inventories	  	 	(5,387	) 	 	 	1,058	  	 	 	(3,253	) 	
Prepaid expenses and other	  	 	(1,137	) 	 	 	(656	) 	 	 	(1,174	) 	
Trade accounts payable	  	 	(446	) 	 	 	908	  	 	 	(3,763	) 	
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes	  	 	987	  	 	 	1,854	  	 	 	(358	) 	
Income taxes payable	  	 	3,350	  	 	 	4,475	  	 	 	1,364	  	
Deferred rent and tenant allowances	  	 	1,838	  	 	 	3,917	  	 	 	6,814	  	
Other liabilities	  	 	4,840	  	 	 	1,457	  	 	 	(1,230	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	  	 	48,692	  	 	 	45,116	  	 	 	38,337	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flows from investing activities:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Additions to fixed assets	  	 	(29,361	) 	 	 	(16,548	) 	 	 	(28,349	) 	
Purchases of marketable securities and other investments	  	 	(179,611	) 	 	 	(128,963	) 	 	 	(82,607	) 	
Sales and maturities of marketable securities and other investments	  	 	164,961	  	 	 	67,446	  	 	 	99,013	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash used in investing activities	  	 	(44,011	) 	 	 	(78,065	) 	 	 	(11,943	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flows from financing activities:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Change in book overdraft	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	(7,384	) 	
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation	  	 	1,860	  	 	 	753	  	 	 	929	  	
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	  	 	3,248	  	 	 	707	  	 	 	1,173	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	  	 	5,108	  	 	 	1,460	  	 	 	(5,282	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	  	 	9,789	  	 	 	(31,489	) 	 	 	21,112	  	
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	  	 	1,568	  	 	 	33,057	  	 	 	11,945	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	  	$	11,357	  	 	$	1,568	  	 	$	33,057	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Supplemental disclosure on cash flow information:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash paid during the period for interest	  	$	54	  	 	$	10	  	 	$	10	  	
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	  	 	10,789	  	 	 	5,288	  	 	 	9,422	  	
Non-cash investing activity—refundable use tax in fixed assets	  	 	359	  	 	 	(1,506	) 	 	 	—  	  	
Non-cash investing activity—asset retirement obligations in fixed assets	  	 	129	  	 	 	1,095	  	 	 	—  	  	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
51

Table of Contents
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.    Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation
Nature of Business—Zumiez Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “its” and “our”) is a leading specialty retailer of action sports related apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories operating under the Zumiez brand name. At January 29, 2011, we operated 400 stores primarily located in shopping malls, giving us a presence in 37 states. Our stores cater to young men and women between the ages of 12 and 24 who seek popular brands representing a lifestyle centered on activities that include skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, bicycle motocross (or “BMX”) and motocross. We support the action sports lifestyle and promote our brand through a multi-faceted marketing approach that is designed to integrate our brand image with our customers’ activities and interests. In addition, we operate a website that sells merchandise online and provides content and a community for our target customers. The Company was formed in August 1978, its home office and ecommerce fulfillment center are located in Everett, Washington and its distribution center is located in Corona, California. The Company operates within one reportable segment. We account for our business operation as one reportable segment based on the similar nature of products sold, production, merchandising and distribution processes involved, target customers and economic characteristics.
Fiscal Year—We use a fiscal calendar widely used by the retail industry that results in a fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. Each fiscal year consists of four 13-week quarters, with an extra week added to the fourth quarter every five or six years. Fiscal 2010 was the 52-week period ending January 29, 2011. Fiscal 2009 was the 52-week period ended January 30, 2010. Fiscal 2008 was the 52-week period ended January 31, 2009.
Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Zumiez Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassification of Previously Issued Financial Statements—Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications do not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We have reclassified $21.4 million on the consolidated balance sheet at January 30, 2010 from cash equivalents to short-term marketable securities related to variable-rate demand notes and municipal bonds, which have an embedded put option that allows the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest. While these reclassified securities are considered highly liquid, we believe they are more appropriately classified as short-term marketable securities. This reclassification increased net cash used in investing activities by $21.4 million on the consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. We have also reclassified $0.9 million on the consolidated balance sheets at January 30, 2010 related to long-term assets from receivables and prepaid expenses and other to long-term other assets. There was no impact on the consolidated statements of cash flows from this reclassification.
2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates can also affect supplemental information disclosed by us, including information about contingencies, risk and financial condition. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments—We disclose the estimated fair value of certain assets and liabilities as financial instruments. Financial instruments are generally defined as cash, evidence of ownership interest in an
 
52

Table of Contents
entity or a contractual obligation that both conveys to one entity a right to receive cash or other financial instruments from another entity and imposes on the other entity the obligation to deliver cash or other financial instruments to the first entity. Our financial instruments, other than those presented in “Note 10. Fair Value Measurements,” include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and other liabilities. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and other liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents—We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Concentration of Risk—We maintain our cash and cash equivalents in accounts with major financial institutions, in the form of demand deposits, money market accounts and state and local municipal securities. Deposits in these financial institutions may exceed the amount of federal deposit insurance provided on such deposits. We have not experienced any losses on our deposits of cash and cash equivalents.
Marketable Securities—At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, marketable securities, classified as available-for-sale, were $118.3 million and $107.4 million, and consisted primarily of state and local municipal securities, U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Agency securities and variable-rate demand notes with original maturities over 90 days. Variable-rate demand notes are considered highly liquid. Although the variable-rate demand notes have long-term nominal maturity dates, the interest rates generally reset weekly. Despite the long-term nature of the underlying securities of the variable-rate demand notes, we have the ability to quickly liquidate these securities, which have an embedded put option that allows the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest.
Generally accepted accounting principles require recording an investment impairment charge at the point we believe an investment has experienced a decline in value that is other-than-temporary. In determining whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, we review information about the underlying investment that is publicly available such as analyst reports, applicable industry data and other pertinent information and assess our intent to hold the security and whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell any investment before recovery of its amortized cost basis. The investment would be written down to its current market value at the time the impairment is deemed to have occurred. Future adverse changes in market conditions, continued poor operating results of underlying investments or other factors could result in further losses that may not be reflected in an investment’s current carrying value, possibly requiring an additional impairment charge in the future.
Inventories— Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The cost of merchandise inventories are based upon an average cost methodology. Merchandise inventories may include items that have been written down to our best estimate of their net realizable value. Our decisions to write-down our merchandise inventories are based on their current rate of sale, the age of the inventory, the profitability of the inventory and other factors. Actual final sales prices to customers may be higher or lower than our estimated sales prices and could result in a fluctuation in gross profit. Historically, any additional write-downs have not been significant. We have reserved for inventory at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 in the amounts of $3.2 million and $2.8 million. The inventory reserve includes inventory whose estimated market value is below cost and an estimate for inventory shrinkage. We estimate an inventory shrinkage reserve for anticipated losses for the period. Shrinkage refers to a reduction in inventory due to shoplifting, employee theft and other matters. The inventory related to these reserves is not marked up in subsequent periods.
 
53

Table of Contents
Fixed Assets—Fixed assets primarily consist of land, buildings, leasehold improvements, fixtures, computer equipment, software and store equipment. Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation utilizing the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. The useful lives of our major classes of fixed assets are as follows:

Leasehold improvements	  	Lesser of 10 years or the term of the lease	
Fixtures	  	3 to 7 years	
Computer equipment, software, store equipment & other	  	3 to 5 years	
Buildings and improvements	  	15 to 39 years	
The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of is removed from the accounts and the related gain or loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations.
In accordance with our fixed asset policy, we review the estimated useful lives of our fixed assets on an ongoing basis. This review indicated that the actual lives of leasehold improvements were longer than the estimated useful lives used for depreciation purposes in our consolidated financial statements. As a result, effective January 31, 2010, we changed our estimate of the useful lives of our leasehold improvements to the lesser of 10 years or the term of the lease to better reflect the estimated periods during which these assets will remain in service. The useful lives of leasehold improvements were previously estimated to be the lesser of 7 years or the term of the lease. For the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011, the effect of this change in estimate was to reduce depreciation expense by $4.2 million, increase net income by $2.7 million and increase basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.09.
Asset Retirement Obligations— An asset retirement obligation (ARO) represents a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that is incurred upon the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of that long-lived asset. Our AROs are primarily associated with leasehold improvements that, at the end of a lease, we are contractually obligated to remove in order to comply with certain lease agreements. The ARO is recorded in other liabilities and long-term other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and will be subsequently adjusted for changes in fair value. The associated estimated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and depreciated over its useful life.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets—We review the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment annually, or as indicators of impairment are present. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset or group of assets. Generally, fair value will be determined using accepted valuation techniques, such as the present value of expected future cash flows. During the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011, two stores were determined to be impaired, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $0.1 million. During the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, 21 stores were determined to be impaired, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $2.5 million. These non-cash impairment charges are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill annually based on a two-step impairment test. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value, then the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of any impairment loss. Additional impairment assessments may be performed on an interim basis if we encounter events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that, more likely than not, the carrying amount of goodwill has been impaired.
Equity Method Investments—We hold a 14.3% interest in a manufacturer of apparel and hard goods, which we acquired for $2.0 million on May 11, 2010. We have elected to apply fair value accounting for this investment, which would otherwise be accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We have elected fair value accounting, as we believe the terms of the contract are more properly reflected through the fair value
 
54

Table of Contents
method. The investment balance is reported in long-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets, with the corresponding changes in the fair value recorded in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations.
The investment agreement allows for a put option, where Zumiez has an option to sell its interest back to the investee for the greater of the initial purchase price of $2.0 million or the fair value of the investment. This put option is allowed any time following the fifth anniversary of the initial investment, but prior to the seventh anniversary of the initial investment. Additionally, the investment agreement allows for a call option, where the investee has an option to repurchase the interest from Zumiez for the fair value of the investment. This call option is allowed any time on or after the seventh anniversary of the initial investment. We have elected to apply fair value accounting for the put and call options. The put option has a nominal value and the call option has no fair value, given that the investment would be repurchased at its fair value if the call option were exercised.
Deferred Rent, Rent Expense and Tenant Allowances—We occupy our retail stores and combined home office and ecommerce fulfillment center under operating leases generally with terms of five to ten years. A majority of our leases provide for ongoing co-tenancy requirements or early cancellation clauses that would further lower rental rates, or permit lease terminations, or both, in the event that co-tenants cease to operate for specific periods or if certain sales levels are not met in specific periods. Most of the store leases require payment of a specified minimum rent and a contingent rent based on a percentage of the store’s net sales in excess of a specified threshold. Most of the lease agreements have defined escalating rent provisions, which are straight-lined over the term of the related lease, including any lease renewals deemed to be probable. We recognize rent expense over the term of the lease, plus the construction period prior to occupancy of the retail location. For certain locations, we receive tenant allowances and report these amounts as a liability, which is amortized to rent expense over the term of the lease.
Claims and Contingencies—We are subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, insurance, regulatory and other matters arising out of the normal course of business. We accrue a liability if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is estimable. If the likelihood of an adverse outcome is only reasonably possible (as opposed to probable), or if an estimate is not determinable, we provide disclosure of a material claim or contingency in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Revenue Recognition—Sales are recognized upon purchase at our retail store locations. For orders placed through our website, revenue is recognized upon estimated delivery to the customer. Taxes collected from our customers are recorded on a net basis. We record the sale of gift cards as a current liability and recognize revenue when a customer redeems a gift card. The amount of the gift card liability is determined taking into account our estimate of the portion of gift cards that will not be redeemed or recovered (“gift card breakage”). Gift card breakage is recognized as revenue after 24 months, at which time the likelihood of redemption is considered remote based on our historical redemption data. We report shipping revenues within net sales. Revenue is recorded net of estimated and actual sales returns and deductions for promotions. We accrue for estimated sales returns by customers based on historical sales return results. The allowance for sales returns at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 was $0.7 million and $0.3 million. The Company offers a return policy of 30 days.
We present our net sales by category as a percentage of net sales in the following table. “Accessories and Other” includes all other merchandise (e.g., hardgoods, accessories, footwear, etc.). The percentage of net sales for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 was as follows:

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	 	January 30, 2010	 	 	January 31, 2009	 	
Men’s Apparel	  	 	32.5	% 	 	 	31.2	% 	 	 	30.6	% 	
Junior’s Apparel	  	 	10.1	% 	 	 	11.2	% 	 	 	14.2	% 	
Accessories and Other	  	 	57.4	% 	 	 	57.6	% 	 	 	55.2	% 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total	  	 	100.0	% 	 	 	100.0	% 	 	 	100.0	% 	

55

Table of Contents
Cost of Goods Sold—Cost of goods sold consists of branded merchandise costs and our private label merchandise costs including design, sourcing, importing and inbound freight costs. Our cost of goods sold also includes shrinkage and buying, occupancy, distribution and warehousing costs. This may not be comparable to the way in which our competitors or other retailers compute their cost of goods sold. We receive cash consideration from vendors, which have been recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold if the inventory has sold, as a reduction of the carrying value of the inventory if the inventory is still on hand, or a reduction of selling, general and administrative expense if the amounts are reimbursements of specific, incremental and identifiable costs of selling the vendors’ products.
With respect to the freight component of our ecommerce sales, we arrange and pay the freight for our customers and bill them for this service, unless our customers have their product shipped to one of our stores or we have free shipping promotions to our customers, in which case we do not bill our customers. Such amounts billed are included in net sales and the related freight cost is charged to cost of goods sold. For fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009, we incurred shipping costs related to ecommerce sales of $2.6 million, $1.2 million and $0.8 million.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense—Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of store personnel wages and benefits, administrative staff and infrastructure expenses, outbound freight, store supplies, depreciation on fixed assets at the home office and stores, facility expenses and training, advertising and marketing costs. Credit card fees, insurance, public company expenses, legal expenses and other miscellaneous operating costs are also included in selling, general and administrative expenses. This may not be comparable to the way in which our competitors or other retailers compute their selling, general and administrative expenses.
Advertising—We expense advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses are net of sponsorships and vendor reimbursements. Advertising expense was $1.3 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010, and January 31, 2009.
Stock-Based Compensation—We account for stock-based compensation by which the estimated fair value of stock-based awards granted is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized using an accelerated method for stock options and a straight-line basis for restricted stock. We estimate forfeitures of stock-based awards based on historical experience and expected future activity.
The fair value of restricted stock awards is measured based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock option grants are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing method based on the following subjective assumptions:
Volatility—This is a measure of the amount by which a stock price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. We use actual daily historical changes in the market value of our stock since becoming a public company in May 2005. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation expense.
Risk-free interest rate—This is the U.S. Treasury rate as of the grant date having a term equal to the expected term of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.
Expected term—The expected term was calculated using the simplified method outlined by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment (SAB 107). Under this method, the expected term is equal to the sum of the weighted average vesting term plus the original contractual term divided by two. We have elected this method as we have concluded that we do not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term due to the limited period of time our equity shares have been publicly traded.
Dividend yield—We do not have plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease compensation expense.
 
56

Table of Contents
The following weighted-average assumptions were used for stock option grants issued during the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009:

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	 	January 30, 2010	 	 	January 31, 2009	 	
Dividend yield	  	 	0.0	% 	 	 	0.0	% 	 	 	0.0	% 	
Volatility rate	  	 	67.5	% 	 	 	66.8	% 	 	 	55.4	% 	
 	 	 	 	
Expected life (in years):	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Expected lives—four years	  	 	6.50	  	 	 	6.25	  	 	 	6.25	  	
Expected lives—five years	  	 	6.50	  	 	 	6.50	  	 	 	6.50	  	
Expected lives—eight years	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	7.25	  	
Risk-free interest rate	  	 	2.4	% 	 	 	1.7	% 	 	 	2.8	% 	
Income Taxes—Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Valuation allowances may be established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. We did not have a valuation allowance recorded at January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009.
We recognize tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions may be classified in the financial statements as either income taxes or interest and another expense classification. The Company has elected to classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. We did not have unrealized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions recorded at January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009.
Earnings per Share—Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock is applicable only in periods of net income. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalent outstanding during the period. Common share equivalents included in the computation represent shares issuable upon assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, employee stock purchase plan funds held to acquire stock and non-vested restricted stock. Potentially anti-dilutive securities not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share are options to purchase common stock where the option exercise price is greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the period reported.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on the consolidation of variable interest entities. The guidance requires a revised approach to identifying a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity and requires additional disclosures about an entity’s involvement in variable interest entities. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. We adopted the new requirements in the three months ended May 1, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance that requires reporting entities to make new disclosures about fair value measurements including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and information on purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. In addition, the guidance clarifies certain existing disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the additional Level 3 reconciliation disclosures, which are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. We adopted the new requirements in the three months ended May 1, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
57

Table of Contents
In February 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance on subsequent events. Under this amended guidance, SEC filers are no longer required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in originally issued and revised financial statements. This guidance was effective immediately and we adopted these new requirements in the three months ended May 1, 2010.
In July 2010, the FASB issued guidance that requires reporting entities to make new disclosures about the allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables. For disclosures required as of the end of a reporting period, the guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. For disclosures required about activity that occurs during a reporting period, the guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. We adopted the new requirements in the three months ended January 29, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
3.    Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
The following tables summarize the estimated fair market value of our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and the gross unrealized holding gains and losses at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 	  	January 29, 2011	 	
 	  	Amortized
Cost	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Gains	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses	 	 	Estimated
Fair Value	 	
Cash and cash equivalents:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash	  	$	7,160	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	7,160	  	
Money market funds	  	 	928	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	928	  	
State and local government securities	  	 	3,269	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	3,269	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total cash and cash equivalents	  	 	11,357	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	11,357	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Marketable securities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Treasury and agency securities	  	 	6,043	  	  	 	26	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	6,069	  	
State and local government securities	  	 	103,110	  	  	 	125	  	  	 	(195	) 	 	 	103,040	  	
Variable-rate demand notes	  	 	9,205	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	9,205	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total marketable securities	  	$	118,358	  	  	$	151	  	  	$	(195	) 	 	$	118,314	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less: Long-term marketable securities (1)	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	(870	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total current marketable securities	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	$	117,444	  	

58

Table of Contents
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	  	January 30, 2010	 	
 	  	Amortized
Cost	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Gains	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses	 	 	Estimated
Fair Value	 	
Cash and cash equivalents:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash	  	$	1,081	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	1,081	  	
Money market funds	  	 	487	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	487	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total cash and cash equivalents	  	 	1,568	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,568	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Marketable securities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Treasury and agency securities	  	 	15,268	  	  	 	48	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	15,316	  	
State and local government securities	  	 	70,538	  	  	 	255	  	  	 	(136	) 	 	 	70,657	  	
Variable-rate demand notes	  	 	21,382	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	21,382	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total marketable securities	  	$	107,188	  	  	$	303	  	  	$	(136	) 	 	$	107,355	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Less: Long-term marketable securities (1)	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	(872	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total current marketable securities	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	$	106,483	  	

(1)	At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, we held one $1.0 million par value auction rate security valued at $0.9 million net of a $0.1 million temporary impairment charge, classified as available-for-sale marketable securities and included in long-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets.	
All of our available-for-sale securities, excluding our auction rate security, have an effective maturity date of two years or less and may be liquidated, at our discretion, prior to maturity. For the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009, realized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale marketable securities were not material. We use the specific identification method to determine any realized gains or losses from the sale of our marketable securities classified as available-for-sale.
The following tables summarize the gross unrealized holding losses and fair value for investments in an unrealized loss position at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands):

 	  	January 29, 2011	 	
 	  	Less Than Twelve Months	 	 	12 Months or Greater	 	 	Total	 	
 	  	Fair Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	 	Fair Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	 	Fair Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	
Marketable securities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Treasury and agency securities	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
State and local government securities	  	 	42,761	  	  	 	(62	) 	 	 	1,907	  	  	 	(133	) 	 	 	44,668	  	  	 	(195	) 	
Variable-rate demand notes	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total marketable securities	  	$	42,761	  	  	$	(62	) 	 	$	1,907	  	  	$	(133	) 	 	$	44,668	  	  	$	(195	) 	

 	  	January 30, 2010	 	
 	  	Less Than Twelve Months	 	 	12 Months or Greater	 	 	Total	 	
 	  	Fair Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	 	Fair Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	 	Fair Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	
Marketable securities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Treasury and agency securities	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
State and local government securities	  	 	8,389	  	  	 	(8	) 	 	 	872	  	  	 	(128	) 	 	 	9,261	  	  	 	(136	) 	
Variable-rate demand notes	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total marketable securities	  	$	8,389	  	  	$	(8	) 	 	$	872	  	  	$	(128	) 	 	$	9,261	  	  	$	(136	) 	

59

Table of Contents
We did not record a realized loss for other-than-temporary impairments during the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009. At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, we had $0.9 million invested, net of temporary impairment charge of $0.1 million, in an auction rate security that is classified as available-for-sale marketable securities in long-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets. Auction rate securities are generally long-term debt instruments that provide liquidity through a Dutch auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at pre-determined calendar intervals. This mechanism generally allows existing investors to rollover their holdings and continue to own their respective securities or liquidate their holdings by selling their securities at par value. Prior to February 3, 2008, we invested in these securities for short periods of time as part of our cash management program. However, the uncertainties in the credit markets that began in early 2008 have prevented us and other investors from liquidating holdings of auction rate securities in recent auctions for these securities because the amount of securities submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. Should the auction continue to fail, we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the investment before the liquidity in the market improves. Additionally, the investment is fully collateralized by the U. S. government. Although we are uncertain as to when the liquidity issues relating to this investment will improve, we consider the issue temporary. As a result of the temporary decline in fair value for our auction rate security, we have recorded an unrealized loss of $0.1 million, which is included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income on the consolidated balance sheets at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010. We continue to monitor the market for auction rate securities and consider its impact, if any, on the fair market value of the investment. It is possible that further declines in fair value may occur, and those declines, if any, would be recognized in accordance with GAAP, and if it is later determined that the fair value of this security is other-than-temporarily impaired, we will record a loss in the consolidated statements of operations. Due to our belief that the market for this investment may take in excess of twelve months to fully recover, we have classified it as a noncurrent asset in long-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010.
4.    Receivables
At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, receivables on the consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 	  	January 29, 2011	 	  	January 30, 2010	 	
Credit cards receivable	  	$	2,468	  	  	$	2,161	  	
Interest receivable	  	 	1,220	  	  	 	894	  	
Refundable use tax	  	 	1,053	  	  	 	1,506	  	
Tenant allowances receivable	  	 	704	  	  	 	575	  	
Other receivables	  	 	684	  	  	 	464	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
 	  	$	6,129	  	  	$	5,600	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
We do not extend credit to our customers except through independent third-party credit cards, which are generally collected in several business days. The refundable use tax amounts in the table of $1.1 million and $1.5 million at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 represents an overpayment of use tax on construction costs to build and remodel stores that is expected to be collected or credited from state jurisdictions.
 
60

Table of Contents
5.    Fixed Assets
At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, fixed assets on the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following (in thousands):

 	  	January 29, 2011	 	 	January 30, 2010	 	
Leasehold improvements	  	$	93,011	  	 	$	88,892	  	
Fixtures	  	 	49,738	  	 	 	46,219	  	
Computer equipment, software, store equipment and other	  	 	15,586	  	 	 	11,807	  	
Land, building and building improvements	  	 	14,890	  	 	 	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fixed assets, at cost	  	 	173,225	  	 	 	146,918	  	
Less: accumulated depreciation	  	 	(94,977	) 	 	 	(80,910	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation	  	$	78,248	  	 	$	66,008	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
In March 2010, we acquired a 168,450 square foot building in Corona, California for $11.8 million and relocated our distribution center from Everett, Washington to this facility in the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011. Refer to “Note 16. Exit or Disposal Activities” for discussion of our exit activity related to this relocation.
Depreciation expense on fixed assets was $16.4 million, $20.3 million, and $18.8 million for fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009.
6.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We recorded $13.2 million of goodwill as the excess of the purchase price of $15.5 million over the fair value of the net amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition of Action Concepts Fast Forward, Ltd. in 2006. We will continue to assess, in accordance with our goodwill policy as stated in Note 2, whether goodwill is impaired. There was no impairment of goodwill for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009.
In 2008, we acquired the assets of an Island Snow store from Kodama Incorporated located in Honolulu, Hawaii. In connection with the purchase, the Company entered into a noncompetition agreement for which the Company paid $0.1 million and recorded an intangible asset. Under this agreement, Kodama Incorporated agreed not to compete with Zumiez for a period of two years. We amortized the non-compete agreement over the term of the agreement and at January 29, 2011, this intangible asset has been fully amortized.
7.    Other Liabilities
At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 	  	January 29, 2011	 	  	January 30, 2010	 	
Accrued sales tax	  	$	3,906	  	  	$	1,497	  	
Unredeemed gift cards	  	 	3,260	  	  	 	2,930	  	
Accrued payables	  	 	3,092	  	  	 	2,695	  	
Accrued legal	  	 	2,211	  	  	 	1,512	  	
Other current liabilities	  	 	1,214	  	  	 	489	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
 	  	$	13,683	  	  	$	9,123	  	

61

Table of Contents
8.    Revolving Credit Facility
On June 10, 2009, we renewed and amended our secured credit agreement with Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank, N.A., and the prior facility agreement was terminated. The credit agreement provides us with a secured revolving credit facility until September 1, 2011 of up to $25.0 million. The secured revolving credit facility provides for the issuance of a standby letter of credit in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million outstanding at any time and with a term not to exceed 365 days. The commercial line of credit provides for the issuance of a commercial letter of credit in an amount not to exceed $10.0 million and with terms not to exceed 120 days. The amount of borrowings available at any time under our secured revolving credit facility is reduced by the amount of standby and commercial letters of credit outstanding at that time. There were no outstanding borrowings under the secured revolving credit facility at January 29, 2011 or January 30, 2010. We had open commercial letters of credit outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility of $0.5 million at January 29, 2011 and $0.6 million at January 30, 2010. The secured revolving credit facility bears interest at the Daily One Month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. The credit agreement contains a number of restrictions and covenants that generally limit our ability to, among other things, (1) incur additional debt, (2) undergo a change in ownership and (3) enter into certain transactions. The credit agreement also contains financial covenants that require us to meet certain specified financial tests and ratios, including, a maximum net loss not to exceed $10.0 million after taxes on a trailing four-quarter basis provided, that, there shall be added to net income all charges for impairment of goodwill and store assets not to exceed $5.0 million in aggregate, and a minimum quick ratio of 1.25. The quick ratio is defined as our cash and near cash equivalents plus certain defined receivables divided by the outstanding borrowings. All of our personal property, including, among other things, our inventory, equipment and fixtures, has been pledged to secure our obligations under the credit agreement. We must also provide financial information and statements to our lender. We were in compliance with all such covenants at January 29, 2011.
9.    Commitments and Contingencies
Leases—We are committed under operating leases for all of our retail store locations and our combined home office and ecommerce fulfillment center generally with terms of five to ten years. Total rent expense, base rent expense and contingent and other rent expense for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 is as follows (in thousands). Included in other rent expense are payments of real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance costs.

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	  	January 30, 2010	 	  	January 31, 2009	 	
Base rent expense	  	$	37,140	  	  	$	35,208	  	  	$	31,772	  	
Contingent and other rent expense	  	 	24,660	  	  	 	22,774	  	  	 	21,101	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total rent expense	  	$	61,800	  	  	$	57,982	  	  	$	52,873	  	

62

Table of Contents
At January 29, 2011, we were committed to property owners for operating lease obligations for $347.8 million. A majority of our leases provide for ongoing co-tenancy requirements or early cancellation clauses that would further lower rental rates, or permit lease terminations, or both, in the event that co-tenants cease to operate for specific periods or if certain sales levels are not met in specific periods. Most of the store leases require payment of a specified minimum rent and a contingent rent based on a percentage of the store’s net sales in excess of a specified threshold. Amounts in the table below do not include percentage rent, common area maintenance charges or real estate taxes unless these costs are fixed and determinable. Future minimum commitments on all leases at January 29, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 	  	Operating Lease
Obligations	 	
Fiscal 2011	  	$	46,721	  	
Fiscal 2012	  	 	47,013	  	
Fiscal 2013	  	 	46,750	  	
Fiscal 2014	  	 	44,975	  	
Fiscal 2015	  	 	42,329	  	
Thereafter	  	 	120,013	  	
 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	347,801	  	
 	  	 	 	 	
Purchase Commitments—At January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, we had outstanding purchase orders to acquire merchandise from vendors of $76.5 million and $47.6 million, including $0.5 million and $0.6 million of letters of credit outstanding. We have an option to cancel these commitments with no notice prior to shipment, except for private label purchase orders in which we are obligated to repay certain contractual amounts upon cancellation.
Litigation—We are involved from time to time in claims, proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We have made accruals with respect to these matters, where appropriate, which are reflected in our consolidated financial statements. For some matters, the amount of liability is not probable or the amount cannot be reasonable estimated and therefore accruals have not been made. We may enter into discussions regarding settlement of these matters, and may enter into settlement agreements, if we believe settlement is in the best interest of the Company’s shareholders.
On March 5, 2008, a former employee commenced an action against the Company in California state court (Evan Johnson v. Zumiez, Inc., et al., Case No. RG08374968, Alameda County Superior Court, filed March 5, 2008) alleging that we failed to pay all overtime wages owing to him and other employees in California, failed to provide meal breaks as required by California law, failed to provide employees with proper itemized wage statements (pay stubs) as required by California law, and failed to pay terminated employees waiting time penalties under California Labor Code section 203. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on March 16, 2010, and issued an order granting final approval on July 23, 2010. No class members objected to the settlement and only four class members opted out of the settlement. The total amount of the negotiated settlement is $1.4 million. This entire amount was paid out in settlement awards to the class members, attorneys’ fees and costs, claims administration fees and other payments required by the settlement, with no reversion of unclaimed funds to the Company. This accrued charge was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, and was paid out on August 10, 2010.
A putative class action, Chandra Berg et al. v. Zumiez Inc., was filed against the Company in the Los Angeles Superior Court under case number BC408410 on February 25, 2009. The Complaint alleged causes of action for failure to pay overtime wages to present and former store managers in California, failure to provide meal periods and rest breaks to store managers, failure to reimburse retail employees for clothing required by the Company’s dress code, failure to reimburse retail employees for business expenses, failure to provide store
 
63

Table of Contents
managers with accurate itemized wage statements, failure to pay terminated store managers all wages due at the time of termination, unfair business practices and declaratory relief. Plaintiff filed a First Amended Complaint on April 2, 2010 which added an additional plaintiff/class representative and a new cause of action for penalties for alleged Labor Code violations under the Private Attorneys General Act. We filed an answer to the First Amended Complaint and conducted discovery. On February 8, 2010, we attended a mediation wherein no settlement was reached. Plaintiffs filed their motion for class certification, and we filed our opposition to class certification. Plaintiffs’ reply papers were filed on August 2, 2010. On September 1, 2010, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement to settle. The settlement agreement is $2.1 million, which includes settlement awards to class members, incentive payments to the two plaintiffs, attorneys’ fees and costs and claims administration costs. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on November 3, 2010, and granted final approval of the settlement on February 23, 2011. The claims administrator will now distribute the settlement funds pursuant to the Court’s order and the settlement agreement. The accrued charge of $2.1 million was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 and was paid out on March 10, 2011.
Insurance Reserves—We are responsible for medical and dental insurance claims up to a specified aggregate amount. We maintain a reserve for estimated medical and dental insurance claims based on historical claims experience and other estimated assumptions. The insurance reserve at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 was $0.4 million and $0.3 million.
10.    Fair Value Measurements
We apply the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:
 
 	•	 	Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;	
 
 	•	 	Level 2—Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable; and	
 
 	•	 	Level 3—Inputs that are unobservable.	
We follow the guidelines for assessing fair value measurements consistent with GAAP that requires an assessment of whether certain factors exist to indicate that the market for an instrument is not active at the measurement date. If, after evaluating those factors, the evidence indicates the market is not active, a company must determine whether recent quoted transaction prices are associated with distressed transactions.
The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 	  	January 29, 2011	 	
 	  	Level 1	 	  	Level 2	 	  	Level 3	 	
Cash equivalents:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Money market funds	  	$	928	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
State and local government securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	3,269	  	  	 	—  	  	
Marketable securities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Treasury and agency securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	6,069	  	  	 	—  	  	
State and local government securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	102,170	  	  	 	—  	  	
Variable-rate demand notes	  	 	—  	  	  	 	9,205	  	  	 	—  	  	
Long-term investments:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
State and local government securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	870	  	
Equity method investment	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	1,896	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	928	  	  	$	120,713	  	  	$	2,766	  	

64

Table of Contents
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	  	January 30, 2010	 	
 	  	Level 1	 	  	Level 2	 	  	Level 3	 	
Cash equivalents:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Money market funds	  	$	487	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
Marketable securities:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Treasury and agency securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	15,316	  	  	 	—  	  	
State and local government securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	69,785	  	  	 	—  	  	
Variable-rate demand notes	  	 	—  	  	  	 	21,382	  	  	 	—  	  	
Long-term investments:	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
State and local government securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	872	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	487	  	  	$	106,483	  	  	$	872	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Our policy is to recognize transfers into and transfers out of hierarchy levels as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.
The Level 2 marketable securities primarily include state and local municipal securities, U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Agency securities and variable-rate demand notes. Fair values are based on quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities or determined using inputs that use readily observable market data that are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including third-party pricing services, brokers and market transactions.
The Level 3 state and local government securities at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 represents a $1.0 million par value auction rate security, net of temporary impairment charge of $0.1 million. Our valuation method for the auction rate security is based on numerous assumptions including assessments of the underlying security, expected cash flows, credit ratings, liquidity and other relevant factors. The equity method investment is valued using comparative market multiples adjusted by an estimated discount factor. The assumptions, assessments and the interpretations of relevant market data are subject to uncertainties and are difficult to predict and require significant judgment. The use of different assumptions, applying different judgment to inherently subjective matters and changes in future market conditions could result in significantly different estimates of fair value.
The following tables present the changes in the Level 3 fair value category for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 	  	State and Local
Government
Securities	 	 	Equity
Investment	 	
Balance at January 31, 2009	  	$	1,767	  	 	$	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Sales	  	 	(1,000	) 	 	 	—  	  	
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income	  	 	105	  	 	 	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at January 30, 2010	  	 	872	  	 	 	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Purchases	  	 	—  	  	 	 	2,000	  	
Unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income	  	 	(2	) 	 	 	—  	  	
Unrealized loss included in other income (expense), net	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(104	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at January 29, 2011	  	$	870	  	 	$	1,896	  	

65

Table of Contents
The following table represents the fair value hierarchy for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 (in thousands):

Long-Lived Assets Held and Used	  	Fair Value (as of
period end)	 	  	Using Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3
Measurements)	 	  	Net Loss (for
the fiscal year
ended)	 	
January 29, 2011	  	$	117	  	  	$	117	  	  	$	105	  	
January 30, 2010	  	$	30	  	  	$	30	  	  	$	2,538	  	
During the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011, in accordance with the accounting for impairments of long-lived assets classified as held and used, two stores with a net fixed asset carrying amount of $0.2 million were written down to their fair value of $0.1 million, resulting in a net impairment charge of $0.1 million. During the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, 21 stores with a net fixed asset carrying amount of $2.6 million were written down to their fair value of less than $0.1 million, resulting in a net impairment charge of $2.5 million. These non-cash impairment charges are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow model at a store level. Store impairment expense was recorded net of the remaining tenant allowance. The estimation of future cash flows from operating activities requires significant judgments of factors that include future sales, gross profit and operating expenses. If our actual sales, gross profit or operating expenses differ from our estimates, the carrying value of certain store assets may prove unrecoverable and we may incur additional impairment charges in the future.
11.    Equity Awards
General Description of Equity Awards Plans—During fiscal 2004, the Company adopted the 2004 Stock Option Plan (the “2004 Plan”) to provide for the granting of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options to executive officers and key employees of the Company as determined by the 2004 Plan Committee of the Company’s board of directors. The terms of the 2004 Plan are generally the same as the 1993 Plan. The Company has authorized 7,365,586 split adjusted shares of common stock for issuance under the 2004 Plan. The Company does not plan on making any new stock option grants under the 2004 Plan.
The Company adopted the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) on January 24, 2005 and the Company’s shareholders approved it on April 27, 2005. Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the 2005 Plan will terminate on the day before the tenth anniversary of the date that the 2005 Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders. The 2005 Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock bonuses, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights, which may be granted to the Company’s employees (including officers), directors and consultants.
The aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2005 Plan will not exceed 5,850,000 plus (1) the number of shares that are subject to awards under the 2005 Plan, the 1993 Plan or the 2004 Plan that have been forfeited or repurchased by us or that have otherwise expired or terminated, (2) at our option, the number of shares that were reserved for issuance under the 2004 Plan but that were not subject to a grant under such plan at the completion of the Company’s initial public offering in May 2005, and (3) an annual increase on the first business day of each fiscal year such that the total number of shares available for issuance under the 2005 Plan shall equal 15% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on such business day; provided, that with respect to such annual increase, the board may designate a lesser number of additional shares or no additional shares during such fiscal year. In no event, however, will the aggregate number of shares available for award under the 2005 Plan exceed 8,775,000 split adjusted shares. As a result of this limitation on the aggregate number of shares available for award under the 2005 Plan, and the 6,614,594 split adjusted shares of the Company’s common stock that were reserved for issuance under our 2004 Plan but that were not subject to grants under that plan at the completion of the initial public offering, up to 2,925,000 split adjusted shares, may currently be added to the shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2005 Plan pursuant to clause (2) of the first sentence of this paragraph; however, the Company does not currently intend to add any of those shares to the 2005 Plan.
 
66

Table of Contents
Stock Options—On July 21, 2009, we completed an offer to exchange certain employee stock options issued under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (“Exchange Offer”). Certain previously granted stock options were exchanged for new, lower-priced stock options granted on a one and one half-for-one basis (1.5:1). An aggregate of 460,700 previously granted stock options were exchanged for an aggregate of 307,138 new stock options granted pursuant to the Exchange Offer with an exercise price of $8.64 per share. The new stock option grants will vest annually over a four-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date granted. The Exchange Offer resulted in a nominal increase in stock-based compensation expense.
The following table summarizes our stock option activity for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 (in thousands except weighted-average exercise price and weighted-average remaining contractual life):

 	  	Stock Options	 	 	Grant Date
Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price	 	  	Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in Years)	 	  	Intrinsic
Value (1)	 	
Outstanding at February 2, 2008	  	 	1,958	  	 	$	16.29	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Granted	  	 	160	  	 	$	14.25	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Exercised	  	 	(211	) 	 	$	2.46	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Forfeited	  	 	(114	) 	 	$	28.20	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Outstanding at January 31, 2009	  	 	1,793	  	 	$	17.13	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Granted	  	 	528	  	 	$	8.03	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Exercised	  	 	(258	) 	 	$	1.64	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Forfeited	  	 	(568	) 	 	$	29.50	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Outstanding at January 30, 2010	  	 	1,495	  	 	$	11.88	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Granted (2)	  	 	58	  	 	$	19.13	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Exercised	  	 	(392	) 	 	$	3.70	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Forfeited (3)	  	 	(43	) 	 	$	18.68	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Outstanding at January 29, 2011	  	 	1,118	  	 	$	14.86	  	  	 	6.06	  	  	$	11,512	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Exercisable at January 29, 2011	  	 	466	  	 	$	19.43	  	  	 	5.43	  	  	$	3,800	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Vested or expected to vest at January 29, 2011 (4)	  	 	1,051	  	 	$	15.04	  	  	 	6.01	  	  	$	10,735	  	

(1)	Intrinsic value for stock options is defined as the difference between the market price of the Company’s common stock on the last business day of the fiscal year and the weighted average exercise price of in-the-money options outstanding at the end of the fiscal year. The market value per share was $22.31 at January 29, 2011.	
(2)	Includes 307,138 stock options issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer.	
(3)	Includes 460,700 stock options exchanged in the Exchange Offer.	
(4)	Includes outstanding vested options as well as outstanding, non-vested options after a forfeiture rate is applied.	
 
67

Table of Contents
The following table summarizes additional information related to stock option activity for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009:

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	  	January 30, 2010	 	  	January 31, 2009	 	
Weighted-average fair value per share of stock options granted	  	$	12.24	  	  	$	4.44	  	  	$	7.89	  	
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands)	  	$	7,909	  	  	$	2,489	  	  	$	3,410	  	
Vest-date fair value of stock options vested (in thousands)	  	$	2,094	  	  	$	1,400	  	  	$	3,046	  	
The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options at January 29, 2011:

 	  	Options Outstanding	 	  	Options
Exercisable	 	
Exercise Price	  	Number of
Options
(in thousands)	 	  	Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life	 	  	Number of
Options
(in thousands)	 	
$                 1.78        	  	 	33	  	  	 	0.6	  	  	 	33	  	
                3.87        	  	 	164	  	  	 	3.6	  	  	 	81	  	
                6.88        	  	 	202	  	  	 	8.1	  	  	 	42	  	
                8.64        	  	 	250	  	  	 	5.7	  	  	 	34	  	
    14.00-19.23        	  	 	192	  	  	 	7.7	  	  	 	62	  	
    27.31-33.59        	  	 	120	  	  	 	5.2	  	  	 	99	  	
$     35.85-38.19        	  	 	157	  	  	 	6.3	  	  	 	115	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	 	1,118	  	  	 	 	 	  	 	466	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Restricted Stock—The following table summarizes our restricted stock activity for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 (in thousands except weighted-average fair value):

 	  	Restricted Stock	 	 	Grant Date
Weighted-
Average Fair
Value	 	  	Intrinsic Value (1)	 	
Outstanding at February 2, 2008	  	 	16	  	 	$	37.19	  	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Granted	  	 	333	  	 	$	14.52	  	  	 	 	 	
Vested	  	 	(5	) 	 	$	37.54	  	  	 	 	 	
Forfeited	  	 	(59	) 	 	$	14.05	  	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Outstanding at January 31, 2009	  	 	285	  	 	$	15.49	  	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Granted	  	 	450	  	 	$	7.17	  	  	 	 	 	
Vested	  	 	(81	) 	 	$	16.17	  	  	 	 	 	
Forfeited	  	 	(32	) 	 	$	9.80	  	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Outstanding at January 30, 2010	  	 	622	  	 	$	9.67	  	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Granted	  	 	196	  	 	$	19.19	  	  	 	 	 	
Vested	  	 	(195	) 	 	$	10.11	  	  	 	 	 	
Forfeited	  	 	(31	) 	 	$	11.99	  	  	 	 	 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Outstanding at January 29, 2011	  	 	592	  	 	$	12.55	  	  	$	13,213	  	

 	(1)	Intrinsic value for restricted stock is defined as the market value of the outstanding restricted stock on the last business day of the fiscal year. The market value per share was $22.31 at January 29, 2011.	 	
 
68

Table of Contents
The following table summarizes additional information related to restricted stock activity for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009:

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	  	January 30, 2010	 	  	January 31, 2009	 	
Vest-date fair value of restricted stock vested (in thousands)	  	$	3,734	  	  	$	674	  	  	$	73	  	
Stock-Based Compensation—We recorded $4.9 million, $4.1 million and $4.4 million of total stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009.
At January 29, 2011, there was $6.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and restricted stock grants. This cost has a weighted-average recognition period of 1.1 years.
 
12.	Employee Benefit Plans	
The Zumiez Investment Plan (Z.I.P.) is a qualified plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees that have been with the Company for a year, work an average of thirty hours a week and are twenty-one or older are eligible to participate in the Z.I.P. Our 401(k) matching and profit-sharing contributions are discretionary and are determined annually by management. We committed $0.4 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million to the plan for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009.
We offer an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) for eligible employees to purchase the Company’s common stock at a 15% discount of the lesser of fair market value of the stock on the first business day or the last business day of the offering period. The ESPP provides for six month offering periods commencing on October 1 and April 1 of each year. Employees can contribute up to 15% of their pay but may not exceed $25,000 of aggregate stock value in a calendar year. The maximum number of shares an employee may purchase during an offering period is 2,000 shares. Employees are eligible to participate in the ESPP if they work at least 20 hours a week and at least five months in a calendar year.
 
13.	Income Taxes	
The components of deferred income taxes at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 are (in thousands):

 	  	January 29, 2011	 	 	January 30, 2010	 	
Deferred tax assets:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deferred rent	  	$	12,172	  	 	$	11,496	  	
Employee benefits, including stock based compensation	  	 	6,001	  	 	 	5,547	  	
Accrued liabilities	  	 	1,783	  	 	 	1,158	  	
Inventory	  	 	897	  	 	 	1,945	  	
Other	  	 	333	  	 	 	167	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total deferred tax assets	  	 	21,186	  	 	 	20,313	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deferred tax liabilities:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property and equipment	  	 	(10,986	) 	 	 	(9,973	) 	
Goodwill and other intangibles	  	 	(1,714	) 	 	 	(1,422	) 	
Other	  	 	(365	) 	 	 	(336	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total deferred tax liabilities	  	 	(13,065	) 	 	 	(11,731	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net deferred tax asset	  	$	8,121	  	 	$	8,582	  	

69

Table of Contents
The components of the provision for income taxes for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 are (in thousands):

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	 	January 30, 2010	 	 	January 31, 2009	 	
Current:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal	  	$	11,813	  	 	$	7,760	  	 	$	9,164	  	
State	  	 	2,324	  	 	 	2,002	  	 	 	1,556	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total current	  	 	14,137	  	 	 	9,762	  	 	 	10,720	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deferred:	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal	  	 	662	  	 	 	(3,872	) 	 	 	(1,147	) 	
State	  	 	(147	) 	 	 	(1,014	) 	 	 	(74	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total deferred	  	 	515	  	 	 	(4,886	) 	 	 	(1,221	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Provision for income taxes	  	$	14,652	  	 	$	4,876	  	 	$	9,499	  	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The reconciliation of the income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate to our effective income tax rate is as follows for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009:

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	 	January 30, 2010	 	 	January 31, 2009	 	
Expected U.S. federal income taxes at statutory rates	  	 	35.0	% 	 	 	35.0	% 	 	 	35.0	% 	
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect	  	 	3.4	  	 	 	4.6	  	 	 	3.6	  	
Tax exempt interest	  	 	(1.2	) 	 	 	(2.9	) 	 	 	(1.9	) 	
Other	  	 	0.5	  	 	 	(1.9	) 	 	 	(1.1	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Effective tax rate	  	 	37.7	% 	 	 	34.8	% 	 	 	35.6	% 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns are no longer subject to examination for years before fiscal 2007.
 
14.	Comprehensive Income	
Comprehensive income represents all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to shareholders. Comprehensive income for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 is as follows (in thousands):

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	 	January 30, 2010	 	 	January 31, 2009	 	
Net income	  	$	24,203	  	 	$	9,131	  	 	$	17,204	  	
Net change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments, net of tax of $76, $7 and $213	  	 	(118	) 	 	 	(16	) 	 	 	(347	) 	
 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Comprehensive income	  	$	24,085	  	 	$	9,115	  	 	$	16,857	  	

70

Table of Contents
15.	Earnings per Share, Basic and Diluted	
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 	  	Fiscal Year Ended	 	
 	  	January 29, 2011	 	  	January 30, 2010	 	  	January 31, 2009	 	
Net income	  	$	24,203	  	  	$	9,131	  	  	$	17,204	  	
Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per share	  	 	29,971	  	  	 	29,499	  	  	 	29,127	  	
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock	  	 	823	  	  	 	634	  	  	 	567	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share	  	$	30,794	  	  	$	30,133	  	  	$	29,694	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Basic earnings per share	  	$	0.81	  	  	$	0.31	  	  	$	0.59	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Diluted earnings per share	  	$	0.79	  	  	$	0.30	  	  	$	0.58	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total anti-dilutive common stock options not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were 0.3 million, 0.4 million and 0.8 million for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009.
 
16.	Exit or Disposal Activities	
On March 2, 2010, we acquired a 168,450 square foot building in Corona, California for $11.8 million and we have relocated our distribution facility from Everett, Washington to this facility. We believe that we will be more effective distributing our products through a distribution center located in Corona, California due to the majority of our vendors being located in Southern California. In July 2010, we entered into an amendment of the lease for our combined home office, ecommerce fulfillment center and the exited distribution facility in Everett, Washington, which terminated our lease commitments for a portion of the leased space in exchange for additional charges to be paid over the life of the remaining lease period. The lease termination costs recorded reflect the present value of these future charges.
In conjunction with the closure of the Everett, Washington distribution facility, during the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011, we have recorded $0.9 million of employee benefit costs (severance and performance bonuses), $0.6 million of lease termination costs and $0.8 million of other costs to exit the facility. Additionally, we incurred a $0.3 million charge on disposal of long-lived assets and we recognized a $0.2 million benefit related to deferred rent liability. These amounts are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations. We do not expect to incur material additional costs related to the relocation.
Exit or disposal provisions recorded during the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 as a result of this relocation are as follows (in thousands):

 	  	January 30, 2010	 	  	Additions	 	  	Payments	 	 	Adjustments (1)	 	 	January 29, 2011 (2)	 	
Employee benefit costs	  	$	—  	  	  	$	882	  	  	$	(876	) 	 	$	9	  	 	$	15	  	
Lease termination costs	  	 	—  	  	  	 	1,051	  	  	 	(305	) 	 	 	(453	) 	 	 	293	  	
Other exit costs	  	 	—  	  	  	 	806	  	  	 	(806	) 	 	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	
 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	—  	  	  	$	2,739	  	  	$	(1,987	) 	 	$	(444	) 	 	$	308	  	

(1)	The lease termination cost adjustment primarily represents the difference between the calculated lease termination cost as a result of the amended lease and our initial estimate of lease termination costs recorded on the cease use date.	
(2)	The exit or disposal provisions are included in accrued payroll and payroll taxes, other liabilities and long-term other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.	
 
71

Table of Contents
17.	Related Party Transactions	
We committed charitable contributions to Zumiez Foundation of $0.6 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million for fiscal years ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009. We have accrued charitable contributions payable to Zumiez Foundation at January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 of $0.6 million and $0.2 million. Zumiez Foundation is a charitable based nonprofit organization focused on meeting the various needs of the under-privileged in communities where we have retail stores. The Company’s Chairman of the Board is also the President of Zumiez Foundation.
 
72

Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1	  	Articles of Incorporation. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
3.2	  	Bylaws. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2008]	
 	 	
4.1	  	Form of Common Stock Certificate of Zumiez Inc. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
10.1	  	Business Loan Agreement dated May 29, 2003 between Bank of America, N.A. and Zumiez Inc., as modified by Loan Modification Agreement dated September 30, 2004. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
10.2	  	Lease Agreement between Merrill Creek Holdings, LLC and Zumiez Inc. dated August 2, 2004. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
10.4	  	Carrier Agreement between United Parcel Service Inc. and Zumiez Inc. dated July 4, 2005. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 30, 2005 as filed on September 13, 2005]	
 	 	
10.6	  	Zumiez Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
10.7	  	Zumiez Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
10.8	  	Zumiez Inc. 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
10.9	  	Form of Indemnity Agreement between Zumiez Inc. and each of its officers and directors. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
10.10	  	Limited Liability Company Agreement of Zumiez Holdings LLC. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (file No. 333-122865)]	
 	 	
10.11	  	Modification dated May 11, 2005 to Business Loan Agreement dated May 29, 2003 between Bank of America, N.A. and Zumiez Inc., as modified by Loan Modification Agreement dated September 30, 2004. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 30, 2005 as filed on September 13, 2005]	
 	 	
10.12	  	Equity Purchase Agreement with Gerald R. Anderson, Brandon C. Batton, AC Fast Forward LLC and AC Fast Forward Mgt., LLC dated May 16, 2006. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 2006 as filed on September 12, 2006]	
 	 	
10.13	  	Lease Agreement between Merrill Creek Holdings, LLC and Zumiez Inc. dated October 2, 2006. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2006]	
 	 	
10.15	  	Zumiez Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective May 27, 2009. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.15 to the Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 1, 2009]	
 	 	
10.16	  	Credit Agreement, including Revolving Line of Credit Note, with Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank, N.A. dated June 10, 2009. [Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.16 to the Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 11, 2009]	
 	 	
10.17	  	Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions with Railroad Street Land Holdings, LLC dated February 18, 2010. [incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.17 to the Form 8-K filed by the Company on February 22, 2010]	

Table of Contents
 	 	 	
21.1	  	Subsidiaries of the Company.	
 	 	
23.1	  	Consent of Moss Adams LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.	
 	 	
31.1	  	Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	
 	 	
31.2	  	Certification of the Principal Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	
 	 	
32.1	  	Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.	
Copies of Exhibits may be obtained upon request directed to the attention of our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, 6300 Merrill Creek Parkway, Suite B, Everett, WA 98203, and are available at the SEC’s website found at www.sec.gov.

Exhibit 21.1
ZUMIEZ INC.
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

Name of Subsidiary	  	Place of Incorporation or Formation	
Zumiez Nevada, LLC	  	Nevada	
 	 	
ZIC, LLC	  	Washington	
 	 	
ZIC II, LLC	  	Washington	
 	 	
Zumiez International, LLC	  	Washington	
 	 	
Zumiez Canada Holdings Inc.	  	British Columbia	

Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement No. 333-125110 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 15, 2011, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011.
/s/ Moss Adams LLP
Seattle, Washington
March 15, 2011

Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULE 13a-14(a), AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Richard M. Brooks, certify that:
 
 	1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Zumiez Inc.;	
 
 	2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
 
 	3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;	
 
 	4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 
 	a)	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 
 	b)	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;	
 
 	c)	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;	
 
 	d)	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and	
 
 	5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):	
 
 	a)	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 
 	b)	any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.	

/s/ RICHARD M. BROOKS	 	 	 	Dated March 15, 2011	
Richard M. Brooks	 	 	 	 	
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)	 	 	 	 	

Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULE 13a-14(a), AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Trevor S. Lang, certify that:
 
 	1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Zumiez Inc.;	
 
 	2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
 
 	3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;	
 
 	4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 
 	a)	designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 
 	b)	designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;	
 
 	c)	evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;	
 
 	d)	disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and	
 
 	5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):	
 
 	a)	all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 
 	b)	any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.	

/s/ TREVOR S. LANG	 	 	 	Dated March 15, 2011	
Trevor S. Lang	 	 	 	 	
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer)	 	 	 	 	

Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)
In connection with the Annual Report of Zumiez Inc., a Washington corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending January 29, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), We, Richard M. Brooks, Principal Executive Officer of the Company, and Trevor S. Lang, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

/s/ RICHARD M. BROOKS	 	 	 	/s/ TREVOR S. LANG	
Richard M. Brooks	 	 	 	Trevor S. Lang	
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)	 	 	 	Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary	
March 15, 2011	 	 	 	(Principal Financial Officer	
 	 	 	 	and Principal Accounting Officer)	
 	 	 	 	March 15, 2011	
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Zumiez Inc. and will be retained by Zumiez Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.