Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending October 4, 2025 (Form 10-K)

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 together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 4, 2025.

We operate on a fiscal calendar that results in a fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to September 30th. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter contains 13 weeks of operations; in a 53-week fiscal year, each of the first, second, and third quarters includes 13 weeks of operations and the fourth quarter includes 14 weeks of operations. References to fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023 refer to the fiscal years ended October 4, 2025, September 28, 2024, and September 30, 2023. Fiscal 2025 included 53 weeks of operations and 2024 and 2023, included 52 weeks of operations.

Our Company

Founded in 1963 by Phil Leslie Jr. in Southern California, the Company today known simply as "Leslie's" has over six
decades of disruptive retail innovation in the $15 billion U.S. pool and spa care industry. Today, we are the largest and most trusted direct-to-consumer brand in our segment, serving residential consumers and pool professionals, and many of the largest commercial property operators in the country. With over 1,000 retail locations, an integrated, digitally forward omnichannel strategy, and a horizontally integrated, nationwide ecosystem under the Leslie's and In the Swim®brands, among others, we have built a market-leading share of residential aftermarket product spend, based on 2024 industry analyst reports, and a physical network larger than the sum of our 20 largest competitors. We offer an extensive assortment of professional-grade products, the majority of which are exclusive to Leslie's, manufacturer certified installation and repair services, and in some markets, weekly pool maintenance services. Our dedicated, knowledgeable team of associates, pool and spa care experts, and experienced service technicians, are passionate about empowering every single Leslie's customer with the knowledge, products, and solutions necessary to confidently maintain and thoroughly enjoy their pools and spas. The considerable scale of our integrated marketing and distribution ecosystem, which is powered by our direct-to-consumer network, uniquely enables us to efficiently reach and service nearly every pool and spa in the continental United States.

We operate primarily in the pool and spa aftermarket industry, a fundamentally attractive category in retail, given its scale, historical predictability, and growth outlook. More than 85% of our product assortment is comprised of non-discretionary products essential to the care of residential and commercial pools and spas. This includes chemicals, new and replacement parts, cleaning and maintenance equipment, safety, recreational, and fitness-related products. We also offer important essential services, such as equipment installation and repair for residential and commercial customers. We have relationships with professional pool operators from major hotel and apartment owners to municipal, county and state governments, all the way to sole proprietors. In addition to a strong consumer and commercial retail and service presence, we operate a wholesale specialty pool and spa parts distribution business, giving us unique access to hard-to-find specialty parts; an integrated manufacturing plant, giving us vertical scale and competitive cost on parts of our chemical assortment; and a regionally located, hub-and-spoke distribution system throughout the continental United States.

We offer complimentary, commercial-grade in-store water testing and analysis via our proprietary AccuBlue® system, leading to increased consumer engagement, conversion, basket size, and loyalty, resulting in higher lifetime value. Our water treatment expertise is powered by data and intelligence accumulated from the millions of water tests we have performed over the years, positioning us as the most trusted water treatment service provider in the recreational pool and spa industry. We then brought AccuBlue®direct to pool owners' backyards with AccuBlue Home®, a pioneering app-enabled water testing device. These differentiated capabilities allow us to meet the needs of any pool and spa owner, whether they care for their pool or spa themselves or rely on a professional, whenever, wherever, and however they choose to engage with us.

Key Factors and Measures We Use to Evaluate Our Business

We consider a variety of financial and operating measures in assessing the performance of our business. The key measures we use under United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") are sales, gross profit and gross margin, selling, general, and administrative expenses ("SG&A"), and operating income (loss). The key non-GAAP measures and other operating measures we use are comparable sales, comparable sales growth, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income (loss), and Adjusted diluted earnings per share.

Sales

We offer a broad range of products that consists of regularly purchased, non-discretionary pool and spa maintenance items such as chemicals, equipment, cleaning accessories and parts, as well as installation and repair services for pool and spa equipment. Our offering of proprietary, owned, and third-party brands across diverse product categories drives sales growth by attracting new consumers and encouraging repeat visits from our existing consumers. Revenue from merchandise sales at retail locations is recognized at the point of sale, revenue from services is recognized when the services are rendered, and revenue from e-commerce merchandise sales is generally recognized upon shipment of the merchandise. Revenue is recorded net of related discounts and sales tax. Payment from retail customers is generally at the point of sale and payment terms for professional pool operator customers are based on our credit requirements and generally have terms of less than 60 days. When we receive payment from a consumer before the consumer has taken possession of the merchandise or the service has been performed, the amount received is recorded as deferred revenue or as a customer deposit until the sale or service is complete. Sales are impacted by weather, seasonality, product mix and availability, promotional and competitive activities and the spending habits of our consumers, as well as inflation and interest rates. Growth of our sales is primarily driven by comparable sales growth and expansion of our locations in existing and new markets.

Comparable Sales and Comparable Sales Growth

We measure comparable sales growth as the increase or decrease in sales recorded by the comparable base in any reporting period, compared to sales recorded by the comparable base in the prior reporting period. The comparable base includes sales through our locations and through our e-commerce websites and third-party marketplaces. Comparable sales growth is a key measure used by management and our board of directors to assess our financial performance.

We consider a new or acquired location comparable in the first full month after it has completed one year of sales. Closed locations become non-comparable during their last partial month of operation. Locations that are relocated are considered comparable at the time the relocation is complete. Comparable sales is not calculated in the same manner by all companies, and accordingly, is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies and may not be an appropriate measure for performance relative to other companies.

The number of new locations reflects the number of locations opened during a particular reporting period. New locations require an initial capital investment in location buildouts, fixtures, and equipment, which we amortize over time as well as cash required for inventory.

As of October 4, 2025, we operated over 1,000 locations in 39 states across the United States. We owned 27 locations and leased the remainder of our locations. Our initial lease terms are typically five years with options to renew for multiple successive five-year periods. We evaluate new opportunities in new and existing markets based on the number of pools and spas in the market, competition, our existing locations, availability and cost of real estate, and distribution and operating costs of our locations. We review the performance of our locations on a regular basis and evaluate opportunities to strategically close locations to improve our profitability. Our limited investment costs in individual locations and our ability to transfer sales to our extensive network of remaining locations and e-commerce websites allows us to improve profitability as a result of any strategic closures.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit is equal to our sales less our cost of merchandise and services sold. Cost of merchandise and services sold reflects the direct cost of purchased merchandise, costs to package certain chemical products, including direct materials and labor, costs to provide services, including labor and materials, as well as distribution and occupancy costs. The direct cost of purchased merchandise includes vendor rebates. We recognize vendor rebates based on an estimated recognition pattern using historical data. Distribution costs include warehousing and transportation expenses, including costs associated with third-party fulfillment centers used to ship merchandise to our e-commerce consumers. Occupancy costs include the rent, common area maintenance, real estate taxes, and depreciation and amortization costs of all retail locations. These costs are significant and are expected to continue to increase proportionate to our growth.

Gross margin is gross profit as a percentage of our sales. Gross margin is impacted by merchandise costs, pricing and promotions, product mix and availability, inflation, and service costs, which can vary. Our proprietary brands, custom-formulated products, and vertical integration provide us with cost savings, as well as greater control over product availability and quality as compared to other companies in the industry. Gross margin is also impacted by the costs of distribution and occupancy costs, which can vary.

Our gross profit is variable in nature and generally follows changes in sales. The components of our cost of merchandise and services sold may not be comparable to the components of cost of sales or similar measures of other companies. As a result, our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to similar data made available by other companies.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Our SG&A includes selling and operating expenses across our retail locations and digital platform, and our corporate-level general and administrative expenses. Selling and operating expenses at retail locations include payroll, bonus and benefit costs for personnel, supplies, and credit and debit card processing costs. Corporate expenses include payroll, bonus, and benefit costs for our corporate and field support functions, equity-based compensation, marketing and advertising, insurance, utilities, occupancy costs related to our corporate office facilities, professional services, and depreciation and amortization for all assets, except those related to our retail locations and distribution operations, which are included in cost of merchandise and services sold. Selling and operating expenses generally vary proportionately with sales and the change in the number of locations. In contrast, general and administrative expenses are generally not directly proportional to sales and the change in the number of locations, but may increase over time to support our growth and public company obligations. The components of our SG&A may not be comparable to the components of similar measures of other companies.

Impairments

The impairments were non-cash charges resulting from a decline in our operating results, store performance, and market capitalization. These charges were due to (i) the carrying value of our single reporting unit's goodwill being greater than the calculated fair value in the case of goodwill impairment and (i) the carrying value of our store assets being greater than the fair value in the case of asset impairment.

Operating Income (Loss)

Operating income (loss) is gross profit less SG&A. Operating income (loss) excludes interest expense, loss on debt extinguishment, income tax expense (benefit), and other (income) expenses, net. We use operating income (loss) as an indicator of the productivity of our business and our ability to manage expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest (including amortization of debt issuance costs), taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation expense, executive transition costs, severance, strategic project costs, merger and acquisition costs, and other non-recurring, non-cash or discrete items. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by management and our board of directors to assess our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is also frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry, when considered alongside other GAAP measures. We use Adjusted EBITDA to supplement GAAP measures of performance to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies, to make budgeting decisions, and to compare our performance against that of other companies using similar measures.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measure of financial performance under GAAP but is used by some investors to determine a company's ability to service or incur indebtedness. Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated in the same manner by all companies, and accordingly, is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies and may not be an appropriate measure for performance relative to other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indicator of a company's operating performance in isolation from, or as a substitute for, net income (loss), cash flows from operations or cash flow data, all of which are prepared in accordance with GAAP. We have presented Adjusted EBITDA solely as supplemental disclosure because we believe it allows for a more complete analysis of results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent, and should not be considered more meaningful than, or as an alternative to, measures of operating performance as determined in accordance with GAAP. In the future, we may incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by these items.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted Earnings (loss) per Share

Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share are additional key measures used by management and our board of directors to assess our financial performance. Adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share are also frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry, when considered alongside other GAAP measures.

Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude equity-based compensation expense, executive transition costs, severance, strategic project costs, merger and acquisition costs, change in valuation allowance for deferred taxes, and other non-recurring, non-cash, or discrete items. Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share is defined as Adjusted net income (loss) divided by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

Factors Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations

Our reported results have been affected by, among other events, the following events, which must be understood in order to assess the comparability of our period-to-period financial performance and condition.

Impact of Macroeconomic Events and Uncertainties

Our financial performance and condition may be impacted to varying extents from period to period by macroeconomic and geopolitical developments, including public health crises, escalating global conflicts, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, labor market constraints, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, general economic slowdown, and potential failures among financial institutions. New or increased tariffs and other barriers to trade, especially in light of comments and executive orders made by the U.S. presidential administration, could further impact or exacerbate these conditions. The United States has announced tariffs on imports from most countries, including significant tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China. In response to tariffs, other countries have implemented retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. There is substantial uncertainty about the duration of existing tariffs and whether additional tariffs may be imposed, modified or suspended, and the impacts of such actions on the Company's business. Significant disruption to our supply chain for products we sell, as a result of geopolitical conflict, tariffs or trade policies or otherwise, can also have a material impact on our sales and earnings and cause unpredictable changes in results. In addition, we believe adverse macroeconomic trends and uncertainties including inflation, tariffs, and varying interest rates also increase consumers' sensitivity to price and result in cost-conscious behavior inclusive of high ticket items, which can result in corresponding declines in sales and/or gross profit.

Additional uncertainties that can impact our results of operations are consumer purchasing patterns and consumer cost-consciousness. In the past, we believe some customers stockpiled chemicals, resulting in unexpected changes in demand. As a result of such behavior, our revenue may be higher than normal during the periods of stockpiling and may be lower than normal during the periods after stockpiling has occurred.

Reverse Stock Split

On September 10, 2025, our shareholders approved a series of amendments to our Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Amendment"). On September 26, 2025, we filed a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect a reverse stock split of our comment stock at a ratio of 1-for-20 (the "Reverse Stock Split") and proportionately decrease the number of authorized shares of the Company's common stock, which became effective upon filing (the "Effective Time"). The Company's common stock began trading on a Reverse Stock Split-adjusted basis on Nasdaq as of the open of trading on September 29, 2025 under the existing ticker symbol "LESL". The Company's common stock is now represented by a new CUSIP number, 527064 208.

As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every 20 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time of the Reverse Stock Split was automatically converted into one share of common stock. No fractional shares were issued as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. The Company's transfer agent aggregated all fractional shares of common stock that would otherwise have been issuable as a result of the Reverse Stock Split and sold them at the then prevailing prices on the open market on behalf of those shareholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive such fractional shares. Shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares received their respective pro rata share of the total proceeds of such sale.

In addition, as of the Effective Time and as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, proportionate adjustments were made in accordance with the terms of the Company's 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"), with respect to the number of shares of common stock issuable under outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and performance units, and any other equity-based awards, the per-share

exercise price with respect to such awards, and the number of shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the Incentive Plan.

All share and per share amounts presented herein have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split for all years.

Results of Operations

We derived our consolidated statements of operations for fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023 from our consolidated financial statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. The following table summarizes key components of our results of operations for the years indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of our sales (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages):

Comparison of Fiscal 2025 and 2024

Sales

Sales decreased to $1,241.9 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $1,330.1 million in fiscal 2024, a decrease of $88.2 million, or 6.6%. The decrease was primarily driven by reductions in traffic and a lower number of transactions. Comparable sales decreased $91.4

million, or 6.8%, compared to fiscal 2024, primarily driven by declines in traffic and average order value. Non-comparable sales, including acquisitions and new stores, were $3.2 million in fiscal 2025.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit decreased to $439.6 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $476.8 million in fiscal 2024, a decrease of $37.1 million or 7.8%. Gross margin decreased to 35.4% compared to 35.8% in fiscal 2024, a decrease of 40 basis points. The decrease in gross margin was primarily driven by negative impacts of 100 basis points from deleverage on occupancy costs partially offset by 60 basis point benefit from product rate.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A increased to $425.7 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $419.7 million in fiscal 2024, an increase of $6.0 million or 1.4%. This increase in SG&A was primarily related to increases of $7.7 million in compensation expenses, $4.4 million in professional fees and consulting expenses, $1.9 million in direct store expenses, and $1.4 million in information and technology spend. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $3.6 million in merchant fees, and $2.9 million in marketing fees.

Impairment

Impairment charges increased to $183.8 million in fiscal 2025. The impairment was comprised of a $180.7 million impairment to goodwill and $3.1 million asset write offs for underperforming stores. No impairment charges were recorded in the prior year.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased to $62.9 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $70.4 million in fiscal 2024, a decrease of $7.5 million. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates on our Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility combined with a lower balance on the Term Loan.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $4.2 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $10.1 million in fiscal 2024, a decrease of $5.9 million. The change in income tax expense was the result of the $45.0 million increase in the non-cash valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, plus the permanent effects of the goodwill impairment recorded during fiscal 2025, partially offset by a larger pretax loss in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. Our effective tax rate was (1.8%) for fiscal 2025 compared to (76.1%) for fiscal 2024.

Net Loss and Diluted Loss per Share

Net loss was $237.0 million in fiscal 2025 compared to net loss of $23.4 million in fiscal 2024, a change of $213.6 million. The increase in net loss was primarily driven by lower sales volume during fiscal 2025, combined with impairments recorded during the year. Diluted earnings per share decreased to $(25.57) in fiscal 2025 compared to $(2.53) in fiscal 2024.

Adjusted net loss was $43.7 million in fiscal 2025 compared to a loss of $1.1 million in fiscal 2024, a change of $42.6 million. Adjusted diluted loss per share was $(4.71) in fiscal 2025 compared to $(0.12) in fiscal 2024.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $61.4 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $108.7 million in fiscal 2024, an decrease of $47.4 million. The decrease was primarily driven by lower sales volume during fiscal 2025, combined with decreases in occupancy deleverage and higher SG&A. These impacts were partially offset by higher product rate.

Comparison of Fiscal 2024 and 2023

Sales

Sales decreased to $1,330.1 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $1,451.2 million in fiscal 2023, a decrease of $121.1 million, or 8.3%, primarily driven by declines in traffic and average order value. Comparable sales decreased $127.4 million, or 8.8%, compared to fiscal 2023, Non-comparable sales including acquisitions and new stores were $7.9 million in fiscal 2024.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit decreased to $476.8 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $548.2 million in fiscal 2023, a decrease of $71.4 million or 13.0%. Gross margin decreased to 35.8% compared to 37.8% in fiscal 2023, a decrease of 200 basis points. The decrease in gross margin was primarily driven by negative impacts of 121 basis points from product rate, 94 basis points from deleverage on occupancy costs and 50 basis points from the expensing of previously capitalized distribution center costs due to significant reductions in inventory during fiscal 2024. Additionally, there was a one-time item of approximately $5.0 million related to rebates and warranties on a contract that has subsequently been revised. The impacts discussed above were partially offset by a 72 basis point reduction related to inventory adjustments and distribution costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A decreased to $419.7 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $446.0 million in fiscal 2023, a decrease of $26.3 million or 5.9%. This decrease in SG&A was primarily related to a decrease merchant fees of $6.0 million associated with lower sales, a decrease in payroll costs of $4.0 million mainly due to lower headcount, a decrease in asset write offs of $5.9 million, a decrease in equity compensation of $3.4 million, a decrease in bonus and commissions of $1.9 million, and a decrease in marketing expenses of $1.6 million.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased to $70.4 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $65.4 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $5.0 million. This increase was primarily due to higher interest rates on our Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $10.1 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $9.5 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of $0.6 million. The change in income tax expense was the result of the impact of limitations on interest expense deductibility requiring us to record a $11.2 million non-cash valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset, partially offset by pretax loss in 2024, compared to pretax income in 2023. Our effective tax rate was -76.1% for fiscal 2024 compared to 25.9% for fiscal 2023.

Net (Loss) Income and Diluted Earnings per Share

Net loss was $23.4 million in fiscal 2024 compared to net income of $27.2 million in fiscal 2023, a change of $50.6 million. Diluted earnings per share decreased to $(2.53) in fiscal 2024 compared to $2.95 in fiscal 2023.

Adjusted net loss was $1.1 million in fiscal 2024 compared to income of $51.1 million in fiscal 2023, a change of $52.2 million. Adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased to $(0.12) in fiscal 2024 compared to $5.54 in fiscal 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $108.7 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $168.1 million in fiscal 2023, a decrease of $59.4 million. The decrease was primarily driven by lower sales volume during fiscal 2024, combined with decreases in gross margin, driven by higher product rate and occupancy deleverage. These decreases were partially offset by lower SG&A and inventory adjustments.

Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

Our business is highly seasonal. Sales and earnings are highest during the third and fourth fiscal quarters, which include April through September, and represent the peak months of swimming pool use. Sales are substantially lower during our first and second fiscal quarters when we typically generate net losses and we realize negative operating cash flows. We have a long track record of investing in our business throughout the year, including in operating expenses, working capital, and capital expenditures related to new locations and other growth initiatives. While these investments drive performance during the primary selling season in our third and fourth fiscal quarters, they have a negative impact on our earnings and cash flow during our first and second fiscal quarters.

We typically experience a build-up of inventory and accounts payable during the first and second fiscal quarters in anticipation of the peak swimming pool supply selling season. We negotiate extended payment terms with certain of our primary suppliers as we receive merchandise in December through March, and we pay for merchandise in April through July.

The principal external factor affecting our business is weather. Hot weather can increase purchases of chemicals and other non-discretionary products as well as purchases of discretionary products and can drive increased purchases of installation and repair services.

Unseasonably cool weather or significant amounts of rainfall during the peak pool sales season can reduce chemical consumption in pools and spas and decrease consumer purchases of our products and services. In addition, unseasonably early or late warming trends can increase or decrease the length of the pool season and impact timing around pool openings and closings and, therefore, our total sales and timing of our sales. Further, we generally close locations after our peak selling season ends. During this year, we experienced unseasonably cold and rainy weather in the North East in May and June, which we believe delayed the start to the pool season and pool openings.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our primary sources of liquidity are net cash provided by operating activities and borrowing availability under our Revolving Credit Facility. Historically, we have funded working capital requirements, capital expenditures, payments related to acquisitions, and debt service requirements with internally generated cash on hand and through our Revolving Credit Facility.

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit with banks. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $64.3 million and $108.5 million as of October 4, 2025 and September 28, 2024. As of October 4, 2025 and September 28, 2024, we did not have any outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Our primary working capital requirements are for the purchase of inventory, payroll, rent, other facility costs, distribution costs, and general and administrative costs. Our working capital requirements fluctuate during the year, driven primarily by seasonality and the timing of inventory purchases.

Our capital expenditures are primarily related to infrastructure-related investments, including investments related to upgrading and maintaining our information technology systems, ongoing location improvements, expenditures related to our distribution centers, and new location openings. We expect to fund capital expenditures from net cash provided by operating activities.

Based on our growth plans, we believe our cash and cash equivalents position, net cash provided by operating activities and borrowing availability under our Revolving Credit Facility will be adequate to finance our working capital requirements, planned capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, share repurchases, and debt service over the next 12 months and thereafter. If cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility are not sufficient or available to meet our capital requirements, then we may need to obtain additional equity or debt financing. There can be no assurance that equity or debt financing will be available to us if we need it or, if available, whether the terms will be satisfactory to us.

As of October 4, 2025, outstanding standby letters of credit totaled $11.7 million, and after considering borrowing base restrictions we had $167.9 million of availability from cash on hand and available borrowing capacity under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility. As of October 4, 2025, we were in compliance with the covenants under the Revolving Credit Facility and our Term Loan agreements. Additionally, during the first quarter of fiscal 2025, we repaid $25.0 million on our Term Loan.

During the quarter ended October 4, 2025, the Company received downgraded credit ratings from both Moody's to (Caa3 from Caa1) and Standard and Poor's ("S&P") Global Ratings to (B- from B).

Summary of Cash Flows

A summary of our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities is presented in the following table (in thousands):

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $8.8 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $107.5 million in fiscal 2024. This decrease was driven by the higher net loss in 2025 due to lower sales during fiscal 2025 combined with higher uses of cash for net working capital.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $107.5 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $6.5 million in fiscal 2023. This increase was primarily driven by changes in working capital related to reductions in inventories of $85.9 million, increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $6.7 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $18.7 million.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $25.4 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $47.2 million in fiscal 2024. This decrease was driven by a decrease in purchases of property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities was $47.2 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $52.5 million in fiscal 2023. This decrease was driven by lower investments for business acquisitions, partially offset by increased purchases of property and equipment.

Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $27.6 million in fiscal 2025 compared to $7.2 million in fiscal 2024. This increase was primarily driven by higher repayments of long-term debt in fiscal 2025.

Net cash used in financing activities was $7.2 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $10.8 million in fiscal 2023. This decrease was primarily driven by lower payments of employee tax withholding related to restricted stock vesting.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations as of October 4, 2025 (in thousands):

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reported periods. The SEC has defined a company's critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of a company's financial condition and results of operations, and which require a company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments. Based on this definition, we have identified the critical accounting policies and judgments, which are disclosed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024. We base these estimates on historical results and various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable, all of which form the basis for making estimates concerning the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Vendor Rebates

Many of our vendor arrangements provide for us to receive specified amounts of consideration meet the criteria defined in the agreement. Generally, the criteria relate to the volume level of purchases. We calculate the amount earned based on actual purchases, recorded as a reduction of the prices of the vendor's products and therefore a reduction of inventory at the end of each period based on a detailed analysis of inventory and of the facts and circumstances of various contractual agreements with vendors. We recognize rebates based on an estimated recognition pattern using historical data, and we record this as a reduction of cost of merchandise and services sold in our consolidated statements of operations. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate our reduction of inventory.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We value inventory using the average cost method which includes costs incurred to deliver inventory to our distribution centers including transportation, warehousing and distribution costs. We evaluate inventory for excess and obsolescence and record necessary reserves. We provide provisions for losses related to inventories based on management's judgment regarding historical purchase cost, selling price, margin, and current business trends. If actual demand or market conditions are different than those projected by management, future margins may be unfavorably or favorably affected by adjustments to these estimates. When an inventory item is sold or disposed, the associated reserve is released at that time. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions used to calculate our inventory reserve.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net

Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. We review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually (in the fourth quarter) or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Goodwill can be evaluated for impairment, at our option, by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative goodwill test is necessary. If it is determined, based on qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit may be more likely than not less than the carrying amount, a quantitative goodwill impairment test would be required. Additionally, we can elect to forgo a qualitative assessment and perform a quantitative test. The quantitative test is to identify if a potential impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.

If a quantitative test is performed, we would estimate the value considering the use of various valuation techniques which may use significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as defined by the fair value hierarchy. We include assumptions about sales growth, operating margins, discount rates and valuations multiples which consider our budgets, business plans, economic projections and marketplace data, and are believed to reflect market participant views which would exist in an exit transaction. Some of the inherent estimates and assumptions used in this analysis are outside the control of management, including cost of capital, tax rates and market EBITDA comparable financial metrics.

For our indefinite life intangible assets, a qualitative assessment can also be performed to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates it is more likely than not the intangible asset is impaired. Similar to goodwill, we can also elect to forgo a qualitative test for indefinite life intangible assets and perform a quantitative test. Upon performing the quantitative test, if the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. We evaluate whether certain trade names continue to have an indefinite life annually.

We performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2025 and recorded a $180.7 million impairment. See Note 3 - Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form

10-K for further discussion.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.