Qurate Retail, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies.
Commitments and Contingencies	(8) Commitments and Contingencies Litigation The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible Qurate Retail may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Fire at Rocky Mount Fulfillment Center On December 18, 2021, QVC experienced a fire at its Rocky Mount fulfillment center in North Carolina. Rocky Mount was QVC’s second-largest fulfillment center for the operating segment comprised of QVC U.S. and HSN (“QxH”) and QVC’s primary returns center for hard goods. QVC maintains property, general liability and business interruption insurance coverage. Based on provisions of QVC's insurance policies, the Company recorded estimated insurance recoveries for fire related costs for which recovery is deemed probable. As of December 31, 2022 QVC had an insurance receivable of $40 million recorded in trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In June 2023, QVC agreed to a final insurance settlement with its insurance company and received all remaining proceeds related to the Rocky Mount claim. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, QVC recorded cumulative fire related costs of $407 million and $434 million, respectively, of which $16 million and $27 million were recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. Cumulative costs as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, include $119 million of costs that were not reimbursable by QVC’s insurance policies. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, QVC received cumulative insurance proceeds of $380 million and $660 million, respectively, and recorded net gains, representing the proceeds received in excess of recoverable losses recognized of $132 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and $209 million and $213 million, respectively, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. Of the $280 million of insurance proceeds received during the six months ended June 30, 2023, $210 million represents recoveries for business interruption losses. The fire related costs and gains related to insurance recoveries are included in restructuring and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. In February 2023, QVC sold the Rocky Mount fulfillment center to an independent third party and received net cash proceeds of $15 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, QVC received an additional $2 million of proceeds from the sale that were released from escrow. QVC recognized gains on the sale of $2 million and $15 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the property. The gain is included in restructuring and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recorded $135 million of fire related costs including $95 million for the write-down of Rocky Mount inventory which was included in cost of goods sold. Due to the circumstances surrounding the write-downs of inventory, these write-downs have been excluded from Adjusted OIBDA (as defined in note 9). Project Athens On June 27, 2022, Qurate Retail announced a five-point turnaround plan designed to stabilize and differentiate its core QxH and QVC International businesses and expand the company's leadership in video streaming commerce (“Project Athens”). Project Athens main initiatives include: (i) improve customer experience and grow relationships; (ii) rigorously execute core processes; (iii) lower cost to serve; (iv) optimize the brand portfolio; and (v) build new high growth businesses anchored in strength. During 2022 QVC commenced the first phase of Project Athens including actions to reduce inventory and a planned workforce reduction. These initiatives are consistent with QVC’s strategy to operate more efficiently as it implements its turnaround plan. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, QVC implemented a workforce reduction and recorded restructuring charges of $13 million, in restructuring and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Zulily Restructuring In the first quarter of 2022, Zulily began to execute a series of transformation initiatives, beginning with the announcement of the closure of its fulfillment center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and reduction in corporate workforce. These initiatives were consistent with Zulily’s strategy to operate more efficiently as it implemented its turnaround plan. Zulily recorded $1 million and $3 million of restructuring charges during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $5 million and $3 million of restructuring charges during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to its reduction in corporate workforce. Zulily recorded $3 million of restructuring charges during the three months ended June 30, 2022, and $5 million of restructuring charges during the six months ended June 30, 2022, principally related to its regional office space strategy and expenses associated with the Pennsylvania facility closure. See note 1 for a discussion regarding the Company’s divestiture of Zulily on May 24, 2023. Gains on sale leaseback transactions In November 2022, QVC entered into agreements to sell two properties located in Germany and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) to an independent third party. Under the terms of the agreements, QVC received net cash proceeds of $102 million related to its German facility and $80 million related to its U.K. facility when the sale closed in January 2023. Concurrent with the sale, the Company entered into agreements to lease each of the properties back from the purchaser over an initial term of 20 years with the option to extend the terms of the property leases for up to four consecutive terms of five years. QVC recorded a gain of $69 million and $44 million related to the successful sale leaseback of the German and U.K. properties, respectively, during the first quarter of 2023 calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the properties. QVC accounted for the leases as operating at the close of the sale leaseback transaction, leases and recorded a $42 million and $32 million right-of-use asset and operating lease liability for the German and U.K. properties, respectively. On October 31, 2022, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $167 million to mitigate the foreign currency risk associated with the sale and leaseback of Germany and U.K. properties. The forwards did not qualify as cash flow hedges under GAAP. Changes in the fair value of the forwards are reflected in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The forward contracts were in a net liability position of $10 million as of December 31, 2022, which was included in other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The contracts expired in January 2023 which resulted in a net cash settlement of $12 million. As of December 31, 2022, assets of $71 million primarily related to the Germany and U.K. properties were classified as held for sale, and included in other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization in the consolidated balance sheet, as the proceeds from the sale were used to repay a portion of the Credit Facility borrowings which were classified as noncurrent as of December 31, 2022. Qurate Retail classifies obligations as current when they are contractually required to be satisfied in the next twelve months. In June 2022, QVC modified the finance lease for its distribution center in Ontario, California which reduced the term of the lease and removed QVC’s ability to take ownership of the distribution center at the end of the lease term. QVC will make annual payments over the modified lease term. Since the lease was modified and removed QVC’s ability to take ownership at the end of the lease term, the Company accounted for the modification similar to a sale and leaseback transaction, and as a result, recognized a $240 million gain on the sale of the distribution center during the second quarter of 2022 calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received (including cash of $250 million and forgiveness of the remaining financing obligation of $84 million) and the carrying value of the distribution center. The gain is included in gains on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company accounted for the modified lease as an operating lease and recorded a $37 million right-of-use asset and a $31 million operating lease liability, with the difference attributable to prepaid rent.

Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies.

Commitments and Contingencies

(8) Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible Qurate Retail may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fire at Rocky Mount Fulfillment Center

On December 18, 2021, QVC experienced a fire at its Rocky Mount fulfillment center in North Carolina. Rocky Mount was QVC’s second-largest fulfillment center for the operating segment comprised of QVC U.S. and HSN (“QxH”) and QVC’s primary returns center for hard goods. QVC maintains property, general liability and business interruption insurance coverage. Based on provisions of QVC's insurance policies, the Company recorded estimated insurance recoveries for fire related costs for which recovery is deemed probable.

As of December 31, 2022 QVC had an insurance receivable of $40 million recorded in trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In June 2023, QVC agreed to a final insurance settlement with its insurance company and received all remaining proceeds related to the Rocky Mount claim. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, QVC recorded cumulative fire related costs of $407 million and $434 million, respectively, of which $16 million and $27 million were recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. Cumulative costs as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, include $119 million of costs that were not reimbursable by QVC’s insurance policies. As of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, QVC received cumulative insurance proceeds of $380 million and $660 million, respectively, and recorded net gains, representing the proceeds received in excess of recoverable losses recognized of $132 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 and $209 million and $213 million, respectively, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. Of the $280 million of insurance proceeds received during the six months ended June 30, 2023, $210 million represents recoveries for business interruption losses. The fire related costs and gains related to insurance recoveries are included in restructuring and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

In February 2023, QVC sold the Rocky Mount fulfillment center to an independent third party and received net cash proceeds of $15 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, QVC received an additional $2 million of proceeds from the sale that were released from escrow. QVC recognized gains on the sale of $2 million and $15 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the property. The gain is included in restructuring and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company recorded $135 million of fire related costs including $95 million for the write-down of Rocky Mount inventory which was included in cost of goods sold. Due to the circumstances surrounding the write-downs of inventory, these write-downs have been excluded from Adjusted OIBDA (as defined in note 9).

Project Athens

On June 27, 2022, Qurate Retail announced a five-point turnaround plan designed to stabilize and differentiate its core QxH and QVC International businesses and expand the company's leadership in video streaming commerce (“Project Athens”). Project Athens main initiatives include: (i) improve customer experience and grow relationships; (ii) rigorously execute core processes; (iii) lower cost to serve; (iv) optimize the brand portfolio; and (v) build new high growth businesses anchored in strength.

During 2022 QVC commenced the first phase of Project Athens including actions to reduce inventory and a planned workforce reduction. These initiatives are consistent with QVC’s strategy to operate more efficiently as it implements its turnaround plan. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, QVC implemented a workforce reduction and recorded restructuring charges of $13 million, in restructuring and fire related costs, net of (recoveries) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Zulily Restructuring

In the first quarter of 2022, Zulily began to execute a series of transformation initiatives, beginning with the announcement of the closure of its fulfillment center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and reduction in corporate workforce. These initiatives were consistent with Zulily’s strategy to operate more efficiently as it implemented its turnaround plan. Zulily recorded $1 million and $3 million of restructuring charges during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $5 million and $3 million of restructuring charges during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to its reduction in corporate workforce. Zulily recorded $3 million of restructuring charges during the three months ended June 30, 2022, and $5 million of restructuring charges during the six months ended June 30, 2022, principally related to its regional office space strategy and expenses associated with the Pennsylvania facility closure. See note 1 for a discussion regarding the Company’s divestiture of Zulily on May 24, 2023.

Gains on sale leaseback transactions

In November 2022, QVC entered into agreements to sell two properties located in Germany and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) to an independent third party. Under the terms of the agreements, QVC received net cash proceeds of $102 million related to its German facility and $80 million related to its U.K. facility when the sale closed in January 2023. Concurrent with the sale, the Company entered into agreements to lease each of the properties back from the purchaser over an initial term of 20 years with the option to extend the terms of the property leases for up to four consecutive terms of five years. QVC recorded a gain of $69 million and $44 million related to the successful sale leaseback of the German and U.K. properties, respectively, during the first quarter of 2023 calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received and the carrying value of the properties. QVC accounted for the leases as operating at the close of the sale leaseback transaction, leases and recorded a $42 million and $32 million right-of-use asset and operating lease liability for the German and U.K. properties, respectively.

On October 31, 2022, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $167 million to mitigate the foreign currency risk associated with the sale and leaseback of Germany and U.K.

properties. The forwards did not qualify as cash flow hedges under GAAP. Changes in the fair value of the forwards are reflected in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The forward contracts were in a net liability position of $10 million as of December 31, 2022, which was included in other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The contracts expired in January 2023 which resulted in a net cash settlement of $12 million.

As of December 31, 2022, assets of $71 million primarily related to the Germany and U.K. properties were classified as held for sale, and included in other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization in the consolidated balance sheet, as the proceeds from the sale were used to repay a portion of the Credit Facility borrowings which were classified as noncurrent as of December 31, 2022. Qurate Retail classifies obligations as current when they are contractually required to be satisfied in the next twelve months.

In June 2022, QVC modified the finance lease for its distribution center in Ontario, California which reduced the term of the lease and removed QVC’s ability to take ownership of the distribution center at the end of the lease term. QVC will make annual payments over the modified lease term. Since the lease was modified and removed QVC’s ability to take ownership at the end of the lease term, the Company accounted for the modification similar to a sale and leaseback transaction, and as a result, recognized a $240 million gain on the sale of the distribution center during the second quarter of 2022 calculated as the difference between the aggregate consideration received (including cash of $250 million and forgiveness of the remaining financing obligation of $84 million) and the carrying value of the distribution center. The gain is included in gains on sale of intangible asset and sale leaseback transactions in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company accounted for the modified lease as an operating lease and recorded a $37 million right-of-use asset and a $31 million operating lease liability, with the difference attributable to prepaid rent.