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i212-i572-4200
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
iClass
A Common Stock, $.01 par value
iEL
iNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company
as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company i☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the
registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On August 20, 2020, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for its fiscal 2020 full year and fourth quarter. The release includes the
Company’s estimates related to its fiscal 2021 first quarter net sales and diluted net earnings per common share. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.05 Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities
On August 20, 2020, the Company announced a two-year restructuring program, Post-COVID Business Acceleration Program (the “Restructuring Program”), designed to resize the
Company’s business against the dramatic shifts to its distribution landscape and consumer behaviors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Restructuring Program will help improve efficiency and effectiveness by rebalancing resources to growth areas of prestige beauty. It will further strengthen the Company by building upon the foundational capabilities in which the Company has invested.
The Restructuring Program’s main areas of focus include accelerating the shift to online with the realignment of the Company’s distribution network reflecting freestanding store and certain department store closures, with a focus on North America and Europe, the
Middle East & Africa; the reduction in brick-and-mortar point of sale employees and related support staff; and the redesign of the Company’s regional branded marketing organizations, plus select opportunities in global brands and functions. The Company committed to this course of action on August 18, 2020. This program is expected to position the Company to better execute its long-term strategy while strengthening its financial flexibility.
In connection with the Restructuring Program, at this time the Company estimates
a net reduction in the range of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 positions globally, which is about 3% of its current workforce including temporary and part-time employees. This reduction takes into account the elimination of some positions, retraining and redeployment of certain employees and investment in new positions in key areas. The Company also estimates the closure of approximately 10% to 15% of its freestanding stores globally.
The Company plans to approve specific initiatives under the Restructuring Program through fiscal 2022 and expects to complete those initiatives through fiscal 2023. The Company expects that the Restructuring Program will
result in related restructuring and other charges totaling between $400 million and $500 million, before taxes, consisting of employee-related costs, contract terminations, asset write-offs and other costs to implement these initiatives.
Once fully implemented, the Company expects the Restructuring Program to yield annual benefits, primarily in selling, general and administrative expenses, of between $300 million and $400 million, before taxes. The Company expects to reinvest a portion behind future growth initiatives.
The
Company’s analysis is preliminary and therefore is subject to change. Further details will be announced as initiatives are finalized and approved. At this time, the Company is not able, in good faith, to make a determination of the estimated amount or range of amounts to be incurred for each major type of cost nor the charges and future cash expenditures associated therewith. The Company will file an amendment to this report upon the determination of such amounts.
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
