shoo-20211231

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number 0-23702

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware						13-3588231
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

52-16 Barnett Avenue, Long Island City, New York 11104

(Address of principal executive offices)

(718) 446-1800

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share	SHOO	The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities Registered Pursuant to 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 ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

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 past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☒

Accelerated filer

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant (assuming for these purposes, but without conceding, that all executive officers and directors are “affiliates” of the registrant) as of June 30, 2021, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $3,550,947,572 (based on the closing sale price of the registrant's common stock on that date as reported on The NASDAQ Global Select Market).

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant's common stock as of February 24, 2022 was 80,177,046 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Part III incorporates certain information by reference from the registrant's definitive proxy statement for the registrant's 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
	SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT	1
	PART I
ITEM 1	BUSINESS	3
ITEM 1A	RISK FACTORS	11
ITEM 1B	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	20
ITEM 2	PROPERTIES	20
ITEM 3	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	20
ITEM 4	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	20

	PART II
ITEM 5	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	21
ITEM 6	[R ESE RVED ].	22
ITEM 7	MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	23
ITEM 7A	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	33
ITEM 8	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	33
ITEM 9	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	34
ITEM 9A	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	34
ITEM 9B	OTHER INFORMATION	35
ITEM 9C	DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORE IGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS	35

	PART III
ITEM 10	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	35
ITEM 11	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	35
ITEM 12	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	42
ITEM 13	MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	35
ITEM 14	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	35

	PART IV
ITEM 15	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	35
ITEM 16	FORM 10-K SUMMARY	42
	SIGNATURES	43

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE U.S. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding revenue and earnings guidance, plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as: “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “should,” “anticipate,” “project,” “predict,” “plan,” “intend,” or “estimate,” and similar expressions or the negative of these expressions. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they represent our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated events and trends affecting our business and industry based on information available as of the time such statements are made. We caution investors that such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy and some of which may be outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. As such, investors should not rely upon them. Important risk factors include:

•our ability to maintain adequate liquidity when negatively impacted by unforeseen events such as an epidemic or pandemic (COVID-19), which may cause disruption to our business operations and temporary closure of Company-operated and wholesale partner retail stores, resulting in a significant reduction in revenue for an indeterminable period of time;

•our ability to accurately anticipate fashion trends and promptly respond to consumer demand;

•our ability to compete effectively in a highly competitive market;

•our ability to adapt our business model to rapid changes in the retail industry;

•our dependence on the retention and hiring of key personnel;

•our ability to successfully implement growth strategies and integrate acquired businesses;

•our ability to achieve operating results that are consistent with prior financial guidance;

•disruptions to product delivery systems and our ability to properly manage inventory;

•our reliance on independent manufacturers to produce and deliver products in a timely manner, especially when faced with adversities such as work stoppages, transportation delays, public health emergencies, social unrest, changes in local economic conditions, and political upheavals as well as their ability to meet our quality standards;

•changes in trade policies and tariffs imposed by the United States government and the governments of other nations in which we manufacture and sell products;

•legal, regulatory, political and economic risks that may affect our sales in international markets;

•additional tax liabilities resulting from audits by various taxing authorities;

•our ability to adequately protect our trademarks and other intellectual property rights;

•changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws that could have an adverse effect on our financial results; and

•other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

These risks and uncertainties, along with the risk factors discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking statements contained in this report. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, including without limitation, any guidance regarding revenue or earnings, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

PART I

ACCESS TO COMPANY REPORTS AND OTHER INFORMATION

Steven Madden, Ltd. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, "we", "our", or "us", as applicable) was incorporated in New York on July 9, 1990, reincorporated under the same name in Delaware in November 1998 and completed its initial public offering in December 1993.

We file Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports and information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These reports, any amendments to such reports, and our proxy statements for our stockholders' meetings are available free of charge on the "Investor Relations" section of our website, https://www.stevemadden.com/, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We will provide paper copies of such filings free of charge upon request. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding us, which is available at http://www.sec.gov.

We have a Code of Ethics for our Chief Executive Officer and our senior financial officers, as well as a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for members of our Board of Directors, each of which is attached as an exhibit to our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2015. We also have a Code of Conduct that is applicable to all of our employees, which is attached as an exhibit to our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019. Each of these codes is posted on our website at https://investor.stevemadden.com/corporate-governance/highlights. We will provide paper copies of these codes free of charge upon request. We intend to disclose on our website any amendments to, or waivers of, these codes that would otherwise be reportable on a current report on Form 8-K. Such disclosure would be posted within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Steven Madden, Ltd. and its subsidiaries design, source and market fashion-forward branded and private label footwear, accessories and apparel for women, men and children. We distribute our products through department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, national chains, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa and certain other international markets. In addition, our products are distributed through our retail stores within the United States, Canada, Mexico and South Africa, and our joint ventures in Israel, Taiwan and China, and under special distribution arrangements in certain European countries, the Middle East, South and Central America, and various countries in Asia, in addition to our e-commerce sites. Our product lines include a broad range of contemporary styles designed to establish or capitalize on market trends, complemented by core product offerings. We have established a reputation for design creativity and our ability to offer quality, trend-right products at accessible price points, delivered in an efficient manner and time frame.

The following is a description of our business as of December 31, 2021.

OUR SEGMENTS

Wholesale Footwear

Our Wholesale Footwear segment designs, sources and markets our brands and sells our products to department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, national chains, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, and through our joint ventures and international distributor network. Our Wholesale Footwear business consists of fashion-forward footwear for women, men, and children. Our products are designed and marketed for various lifestyles and include dress shoes, boots, booties, fashion sneakers, sandals and casual shoes. The Wholesale Footwear segment primarily consists of the following brands: Steve Madden®, Steven by Steve Madden®, Madden Girl®, BB Dakota®, Dolce Vita®, DV Dolce Vita®, Betsey Johnson®, GREATS®, Blondo®, Anne Klein®, Mad Love®, Superga, COOL Planet® and Madden NYC™. This segment also includes our private label footwear business. This segment represented 54.8% of total revenue during 2021.

Wholesale Accessories/Apparel

Our Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment designs, sources and markets our brands and sells our products to department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, and through our joint ventures and international distributor network. Our Wholesale Accessories/Apparel business primarily consists of handbags, apparel, small leather goods, belts, soft accessories, fashion scarves, wraps, gifting and other trend accessories. The Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment primarily consists of the following brands: Steve Madden®, BB Dakota®, Anne Klein®, Betsey Johnson®, Cejon®, Madden NYC™ and Dolce Vita®. This segment also includes our private label handbag and accessories business. The agreement under which we licensed the Cupcakes & Cashmere® trademark terminated in April 2021. This segment represented 18.4% of total revenue during 2021.

Direct-to-Consumer

Our Direct-to-Consumer segment, which was referred to as the Retail segment in previous filings, consists of Steve Madden® and Superga® full-price retail stores, Steve Madden® outlet stores, Steve Madden® shop-in-shops and directly-operated digital e-commerce websites. Our retail stores are located in regional malls and shopping centers, as well as high streets in major cities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Israel, Taiwan and China. Our stores play an important role in our test-and-react and omnichannel strategy, and also serve as fulfillment and return locations for our e-commerce business. Our stores also serve as a marketing tool that allows us to strengthen global brand recognition and to showcase selected items from our full line of branded and licensed products. In addition to these testing and marketing benefits, we have also been able to leverage sales information gathered at Steve Madden retail stores and our websites to assist our wholesale customers in their order placement and inventory management. We believe that our retail stores, and websites, enhance overall sales and profitability, and our ability to react quickly to changing consumer demands.

In 2021, we added eight brick-and-mortar stores and closed five brick-and-mortar stores, and one e-commerce website. As of December 31, 2021, we operated 214 brick-and-mortar retail stores, including 147 Steve Madden full-price stores, 66 Steve Madden outlet stores and one Superga store, as well as six e-commerce websites. In addition, during 2021, we closed one concession in Taiwan and opened one concession in China, ending the year with 17 company-operated concessions in international markets. In fiscal year 2022, we expect to open 10 to 12 new brick-and-mortar retail stores in international markets and close three to six locations globally.

In addition to our stores, our Direct-to-Consumer business offers products online through our Steve Madden e-commerce sites in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Israel, South Africa and Asia as well as our six e-commerce sites, which include: www.SteveMadden.com, www.DolceVita.com www.betseyjohnson.com, www.Blondo.com, www.GREATS.com and www.Superga-USA.com.

This segment represented 26.1% of total revenue during 2021.

First Cost

Our First Cost segment represents activities of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that earns commissions for serving as a buying agent for footwear products under private labels for select national chains, specialty retailers and value-priced retailers. As a buying agent, we utilize our expertise and our relationships with shoe manufacturers to facilitate the production of private label shoes to customer specifications. We believe that operating in the private label market provides us additional non-branded sales opportunities and leverages our overall sourcing and design capabilities. In addition, by leveraging the strength of our Steve Madden brands and product designs, we are able to partially recover our design, product and development costs from our suppliers.

Licensing

Our Licensing segment is engaged in the licensing of the Steve Madden® and Madden Girl® trademarks for use in connection with the manufacturing, marketing and sale of select apparel categories, outerwear, hosiery, jewelry, hair accessories, watches, eyeglasses, sunglasses, umbrellas, bedding, luggage, fragrance and men’s leather accessories. We license the Betsey Johnson® trademark for use in connection with the manufacturing, marketing and sale of women's and children’s apparel, hosiery, swimwear, slippers, fragrance and beauty, sleepwear, activewear, medical scrubs, jewelry, watches, eyeglasses, sunglasses, bedding and bath, luggage, umbrellas and self-care bath and body products. Most of our license agreements require the licensee to pay us a royalty based on actual net sales, a minimum royalty in the event the specified net sales targets are not achieved and a percentage of sales for advertising the brand.

Corporate

Our Corporate activities do not constitute a reportable segment and include costs that are not directly attributable to the segments. These costs are primarily related to our corporate executives, corporate finance, corporate social responsibility, legal, human resources, information technology, cybersecurity and other shared costs.

For additional information on our segments, refer to Note T – Segment Information in the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

OUR BRANDS

Steve Madden Women's. We design, source and market a lifestyle collection of women’s fashion-forward footwear and accessories for women ages 16 to 35 under the Steve Madden® brand. Retail channels include department stores, off-price retailers, online retailers, shoe chains, specialty retailers and independent stores worldwide as well as Steve Madden websites across the globe. Retail price points for Steve Madden Women's footwear range from $59 to $199 and accessories range from $39 to $99.

Madden Girl. We design, source and market a full collection of directional young women's footwear and accessories under the Madden Girl® brand. Madden Girl® is geared towards fashion-forward young women ages 13 to 25 and is an “opening price point” brand. Retail channels include department stores, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers and specialty retailers throughout the United States and select international markets as well as on www.stevemadden.com.. Retail price points for Madden Girl® footwear range from $39 to $89 and accessories range from $29 to $49.

Steve Madden Men's. We design, source and market a lifestyle collection of men's fashion-forward footwear for men, ages 18 to 45 under the Steve Madden® brand. Retail channels include department stores, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States and select international markets as well as on www.stevemadden.com. Retail price points for Steve Madden Men's products range from $69 to $169.

Madden. The Madden® brand is a collection of casual and business casual footwear designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of the trend-conscious young male consumer, ages 16 to 35. Retail channels include department stores, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers and independent stores throughout the United States. Retail price points for Madden® products range from $39 to $89.

Steven. We design, source and market women's fashion footwear and accessories under the Steven® trademark. Steven products are designed to appeal to fashion conscious women ages 25 to 45 who grew up wearing Steve Madden footwear and are looking for a shoe with an emphasis on comfort. Retail channels include department stores, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States as well as on www.stevemadden.com. Retail price points for Steven footwear range from $39 to $99 and accessories from $39 to $79.

Steve Madden Kids. We design, source and market our Steve Madden Kids® brand to appeal to toddlers, ages 3 to 6, young girls, ages 6 to 11, and tweens, ages 11 to 14. Retail channels include department stores, online retailers, shoe chains, off-price retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States and in select international markets as well as on www.stevemadden.com. Retail price points for Steve Madden Kids products range from $49 to $99.

Betsey Johnson. On October 5, 2010, we acquired the Betsey Johnson® trademark and substantially all other intellectual property of Betsey Johnson LLC. Betsey Johnson® footwear and accessories are designed for inclusive, punky and fiercely independent women ages 25 to 45. Retail channels include major department stores, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States as well as on www.betseyjohnson.com Retail price points for Betsey Johnson® footwear range from $79 to $149 and handbags range from $29 to $109.

Superga. On February 9, 2011, we entered into a license agreement with Basic Properties America Inc. and BasicNet S.p.A., for the use of the Superga® trademark in connection with the marketing and sale of footwear. Founded in Italy in 1911, Superga® is recognized for its fun lifestyle and vulcanized rubber sole sneakers in a wide range of colors, fabrics and prints for women, men and children. Retail channels include department stores, online retailers, shoe chains, off-price retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores as well as on www.superga-usa.com. Retail price points for Superga® products range from $65 to $129.

Mad Love. The Mad Love® brand is a beach-to-the-street lifestyle brand created to appeal to women with a young attitude and active lifestyle, and marketed exclusively to Target Corporation. As of spring 2021, Mad Love® has become a sustainable brand, designed and created with the mission to make our earth a better place. Retail price points for Mad Love® products range from $15 to $25.

Dolce Vita. In August 2014, we acquired the Dolce Vita® and DV® brands (collectively "Dolce Vita"). Dolce Vita® is a contemporary women's footwear brand with retail price points ranging from $79 to $225. Our Dolce Vita® brand products are distributed through department stores, online retailers, shoe chains, off-price retailers, specialty retailers and independent shoe stores throughout the United States. In December 2021, we acquired the Dolce Vita® handbag line. The DV® brand is a contemporary women's footwear brand with retail price points ranging from $39 to $99. DV® products are distributed through major department stores, online retailers, shoe chains, off-price retailers, specialty retailers and independent shoe stores throughout the United States.

Blondo. In January 2015, we acquired the intellectual property and related assets of Blondo®, a 100 year-old footwear brand recognized for its quality water-resistant leather boots, booties, casual shoes and sneakers. Blondo® products are distributed through department stores, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States and Canada as well as on www.dolcevita.com. Retail price points for Blondo® products range from $89 to $200.

GREATS. In August 2019, we acquired GREATS®, a Brooklyn-based digitally native footwear brand founded in 2014 which specializes in premium quality, responsibly made sneakers for men and women. GREATS® products are distributed through department stores, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores in the United States as well as on www.greats.com. Retail price points for GREATS® products range from $119 to $199.

Anne Klein. In January 2018, we entered into a license agreement with WHP Global for a license to use the Anne Klein®, AK Sport®, AK Anne Klein Sport® and Lion Head Design® (collectively "Anne Klein®") trademarks in connection with the design, marketing and sale of footwear and accessories. The Anne Klein® brand has a rich heritage going back 50 years, and is recognized for its dedication to timeless American classics. Retail channels include department stores, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States and select international markets as well as on www.anneklein.com. Retail price points for Anne Klein® footwear range from $59 to $129 and accessories range from $49 to $99.

Madden NYC™. The Madden NYC brand is a fashion forward brand marketed exclusively to Walmart, Inc. Retail price points for Madden NYC™ products range from $16 to $22.

BB Dakota Steve Madden. In August 2019, we acquired BB Dakota® and launched a co-branded apparel collection in Fall 2020. BB Dakota Steve Madden products are distributed through department stores, online retailers and independent stores in the United States and select international markets as well as on stevemadden.com. Retail price points for BB Dakota Steve Madden products range from $39 to $129. In the fourth quarter of 2021, we decided to transition BB Dakota Steve Madden products to the Steve Madden brand.

PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

We have established a reputation for our creative designs, marketing and trend-right products at affordable price points. Our future success will substantially depend on our ability to continue to anticipate and react quickly to changing consumer demands. To meet this objective, we have developed what we believe is an unparalleled design team and process. Our design team strives to create designs that are true to our DNA, reflect current or anticipated trends and can be manufactured in a timely and cost-effective manner. Most new products are tested in select Steve Madden retail stores and on www.stevemadden.com. Based on these tests, among other things, management selects products that are then offered for wholesale and retail distribution worldwide. We believe that our design and testing processes combined with our flexible sourcing model provide our brands with a significant competitive advantage and allows us to mitigate the risk of incurring costs associated with the production and distribution of less desirable designs.

PRODUCT SOURCING AND DISTRIBUTION

We source each of our product lines separately based on the individual design, style and quality specifications of the products in such product lines. We do not own or operate any foreign manufacturing facilities; rather, we use agents and our own sourcing office to source our products from independently owned manufacturers primarily in China and also in Cambodia, Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam, India, Italy and other European nations. We have established relationships with a number of manufacturers and agents in each of these countries. We have not entered into any long-term manufacturing or supply contracts. We believe that a sufficient number of alternative sources exist for the manufacture of our products.

We continually monitor the availability of the principal raw materials used in our footwear, which are currently available from a number of sources in various parts of the world. We track inventory flow on a regular basis, monitor sell-through data and incorporate input on product demand from wholesale customers.

The manufacturers of our products are required to meet quality, human rights, safety and other standard requirements. We are committed to the safety and well-being of the workers throughout our supply chain.

Our products are manufactured overseas and most of our products are shipped via ocean freight carriers to ports principally to our third-party distribution facilities in California and to a lesser extent in New Jersey, and via truck from Mexico to our third-party distribution facility in Texas. We rely to a lesser extent on air carriers for the shipping of products. Once our products arrive in the U.S., we distribute them mainly from six third-party distribution centers, four located in California, one located in Texas, and one located in New Jersey. Our products are also distributed through a Company-operated distribution center located in Canada and through our third-party distribution facility in Mexico and Europe. By utilizing distribution facilities specializing in fulfillment for certain wholesale customers and Steve Madden retail stores we believe that our consumers are served more promptly and efficiently. Suppliers of products for our businesses in Canada, Mexico, Europe and South Africa, and our joint ventures in Israel, Taiwan and China ship to ports in the respective countries, and products for our overseas distributors are shipped to freight forwarders primarily in China and Mexico where the distributor arranges for subsequent shipment. See Item 1A “Risk Factors” below for a discussion of the risk of supply chain disruptions.

DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

We distribute our products principally through department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, national chains and specialty retailers and independent stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and other international markets. In addition, we sell our products in our Company-owned retail stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South Africa, under our joint ventures Israel, Taiwan and China, and on our e-commerce websites. For the year ended December 31, 2021, our two Wholesale segments and our Retail segment generated net sales of approximately $1,365,997 and $487,906, or 73% and 26% of our total revenue, respectively. Each of these distribution channels is described below.

Department Stores. We currently sell our products to approximately 4,500 doors of 15 department store retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and other select international markets. Our major accounts include Nordstrom, Inc., Macy's, Inc., and Dillard's, Inc. We provide merchandising support to our department store customers, including in-store fixtures and signage, supervision of displays and merchandising of our various product lines. Our wholesale merchandising effort includes the creation of in-store concept shops in which we showcase a broader collection of our branded

products. These in-store concept shops create an environment that is consistent with our image and are designed to enable the retailer to display and sell a greater volume of our products per square foot. In addition, these in-store concept shops encourage longer term commitment by the retailer to our products and enhance consumer brand awareness.

In addition to merchandising support, our key account executives maintain weekly communications with their respective accounts to guide them in placing orders and to assist them in managing inventory, assortment and retail sales. We also leverage our sell-through data gathered at our retail stores to assist department stores in allocating their open-to-buy dollars to the most popular styles in the product line and phasing out styles with weaker sell-through, which, in turn, reduces markdown exposure at the end of the season.

Off-Price Retailers. We currently sell to off-price retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and other select international markets. Our major accounts include The TJX Companies, Inc., Ross Stores, Inc. and Burlington Stores, Inc.

Mass Merchants and National Chains. We currently sell to national chains and mass merchants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and other select international markets. Our major accounts include Walmart Inc., Target Corporation and Kohl's Corporation.

Shoe Chains/Specialty Retailers. We currently sell to shoe chains and specialty retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and other select international markets. Our major specialty store accounts include DSW Designer Brands, Famous Footwear and Shoe Carnival. We offer our shoe chain customers similar merchandising, sell-through and inventory tracking support offered to our department store customers.

Online Retailers. We currently sell to pure-play online retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and other select international markets. Our major accounts include Amazon.com, Inc., Zalando SE and ASOS.

E-Commerce Websites. We operate six e-commerce website stores (Steve Madden, Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, Blondo, GREATS and Superga,) where customers can purchase a variety of styles of our Steve Madden Women's, Steven, Madden Men's, Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, Blondo, GREATS and Superga products and BB Dakota x Steve Madden apparel, as well as select styles of Madden Girl and Steve Madden kids products. For additional information about our digital sales, refer to the above description of our Direct-to-Consumer segment.

Steve Madden and Superga Retail Stores. As of December 31, 2021, we operated 147 Steve Madden full-price stores within the United States, Canada, Mexico and South Africa and under our joint ventures in Israel, Taiwan and China. We also operated 66 Steve Madden outlet stores within the United States, Canada and Mexico and under our joint ventures in Israel and Taiwan as well as one Superga store in the United States. For additional information about our stores, refer to the description of our Direct-to- Consumer segment.

International Distributors. In addition to the countries and territories mentioned above, our products are available in many other countries and territories worldwide via retail selling and distribution agreements. Under the terms of these agreements, the distributors and retailers purchase product from us and are generally required to open a minimum number of stores each year and to pay a fee for each pair of footwear purchased and an additional sales royalty as a percentage of sales or a predetermined amount per unit of sale. Most of the distributors are required to purchase a minimum number of our products within specified periods. The agreements currently in place expire on various dates and include automatic renewals at the distributors' option provided certain conditions are met. These agreements are exclusive in their specific territories, which include certain European countries, the Middle East, South and Central America and various countries in Asia.

CUSTOMERS

Our wholesale customers consist principally of department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, online retailers, shoe chains, national chains, specialty retailers and independent stores. These customers, in no particular order, include: Nordstrom, Macy's, Dillard's, DSW, The TJX Companies, Ross Stores, Burlington Stores, Amazon.com, Walmart, Target and Kohls..

For the year ended December 31, 2021, two customers represented approximately 14.0% and 10.6% of total revenue. At December 31, 2020, two customers were 19.3% and 18.1% of total accounts receivable. The Company did not have any other customers who accounted for more than 10% of total revenue or any other customers who accounted for more than 10% of total accounts receivable.

COMPETITION

The fashion industry is highly competitive. We compete with specialty shoe, apparel and accessory companies as well as companies with diversified footwear product lines, such as Aldo, Sam Edelman, Dr. Martens and Vince Camuto. Our competitors may have greater financial and other resources than we do. We believe effective marketing and advertising, favorable brand image, fashionable styling, high quality, value and fast manufacturing turnaround are the most important competitive factors, and we intend to continue to employ these elements in our business. However, we cannot be certain that we will be able to compete successfully against our current and future competitors, or that competitive pressures will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

MARKETING AND SALES

We have focused on creating an integrated-brand building program to establish our Company as a leading designer of fashion footwear for style-conscious women, men and children. Principal marketing activities include social media and digital marketing efforts, influencer marketing, public relations, including product and brand placements in lifestyle and fashion magazines and digital outlets, in-store promotions, and events, as well as public and media appearances by our founder and Creative and Design Chief, Steven Madden. We continue to promote our e-commerce websites where customers can purchase Steve Madden®, Steven®, Dolce Vita®, Betsey, Johnson®, Blondo®, GREATS® and Superga® products and BB Dakota x Steve Madden® apparel, as well as select styles of Madden Girl® products.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (MIS) OPERATIONS

Sophisticated information systems are essential to our ability to maintain our competitive position and to support our growth. Our Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system is an integrated system that supports our wholesale business in the areas of finance and accounting, manufacturing-sourcing, purchase order management, customer order management and inventory control. All of our North American wholesale businesses (other than Canada, which has a separate ERP system) and our Asia first cost and sourcing operations are operated through this ERP system. Our warehouse management system is utilized by the majority of our third-party logistics providers and is fully integrated with our ERP system. A point-of-sale system for our U.S. retail stores is integrated with a retail inventory management/store replenishment system. We have transitioned our e-commerce software to a major cloud-based provider. Complementing all of these systems are ancillary systems and third-party information processing services, including, among others, supply chain, business intelligence/data warehouse, Electronic Data Interchange, credit card processing and payroll. We undertake updates of all of these management information systems on a periodic basis in order to ensure that our functionality is continuously improved. In 2019, we invested $8.2 million in a new data and recovery center, with substantially all of the project completed in 2021.

TRADEMARKS

Our strategy for the continued growth of our business includes expanding our presence beyond footwear, accessories and apparel through the selective licensing of our brands. We consider our Company-owned trademarks to be among our most valuable assets and have registered many of our marks in the United States and 149 other countries and in numerous International Classes. From time to time, we adopt new trademarks and new logos and/or stylized versions of our trademarks in connection with the marketing of new product lines. We believe that these trademarks have significant value and are important for purposes of identifying our Company, the marketing of our products and the products of our licensees, and distinguishing them from the products of others.

Trademarks we believe to be most significant to our business include: Steve Madden®, Steven®, Madden Girl®, MaddenNYC®, Betsey Johnson®, LUV BETSEY by Betsey Johnson Design®, Dolce Vita®, DV®, DV Dolce Vita®, MadLove®, Blondo®, Blondo Waterproof plus Heart®, SM Pass®, COOL Planet®, BB Dakota® and GREATS®. We license our Steve Madden® and Madden Girl® trademarks for use in connection with the manufacture, marketing and sale of select apparel categories, outerwear, hosiery, jewelry, hair accessories, watches, eyeglasses, sunglasses, umbrellas, bedding, luggage, fragrance and men’s leather accessories. We license the Betsey Johnson® trademark for use in connection with the manufacture, marketing and sale of women's and children’s apparel, hosiery, swimwear, slippers, fragrance and beauty, sleepwear, activewear, medical scrubs, jewelry, watches, eyeglasses, sunglasses, bedding and bath, luggage, umbrellas and medical scrubs, self-care bath and body. Most of our license agreements require the licensee to pay us a royalty based on actual net sales, a minimum royalty in the event that specified net sales targets are not achieved and a percentage of sales for advertising the brand.

In addition to the licensing of our trademarks, we in-license the trademarks of third parties for use in connection with certain of our product lines. Generally, these licensing arrangements require us to make advertising payments to the licensor as

well as royalty payments equal to a percentage of our net sales and/or a minimum royalty and in some cases additional payments in the event that specified net sales targets are not achieved.

For additional information on our licensing arrangements, refer to Note B – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note P – Commitments, Contingencies and Other in the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of February 1, 2022, we employed approximately 3,500 employees globally, with approximately 2,100 of these employees located in the United States and 1400 located internationally. Of these employees, approximately 2,400 work full-time and approximately 1,100 work part-time. Most of our part-time employees work in the Direct-to-Consumer segment. None of our employees are represented by a union. Our management considers relations with our employees to be good. We have never experienced a material interruption of our operations due to a labor dispute.

Culture

Steve Madden is for the bold, expressive and ambitious. Our core values – authenticity, initiative, tenacity, humility and trust are key to our competitive edge and are embedded throughout all levels of our Company. They motivate our growth, inspire our innovation, define our culture and set the standard for all of our actions.

•Authenticity: Show up to work as your true self

•Initiative: Act upon good ideas quickly and be ready to iterate

•Tenacity: Look at problems from all sides and be resourceful

•Humility: Think from the perspective of others and always be open to learning

•Trust: Build strong relationships with good will and integrity

Career Development

The fashion landscape is constantly shifting and evolving, which makes it especially important for us to invest in the ongoing career development of our employees. In service of this objective, we constantly seek out, promote and improve upon internal programs and processes that make it possible for employees to reach their full potential. Some examples of this focus include our ongoing professional development relationship with the University of Arizona Global Campus, our tuition reimbursement program, our internal employee learning opportunities, and external conference and workshop offerings around specific industry content as well as leadership, coaching, and management training in general. In addition, in 2021 we launched SM Learning Sessions, a monthly, company-wide training and development program where we invite internal and external content providers to present on various topics. Mentoring, annual performance evaluations and feedback are also key elements of our career development efforts at our Company.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that recruiting, employing and retaining people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, lifestyles and belief systems have been the cornerstones of meeting the needs of our diverse consumer base and building a global business. By embracing a diverse and inclusive workplace, we create an environment that offers all our employees opportunities to succeed. We want all our employees to be as successful as they can be and to reach their full potential no matter who they are, where they are from or what they believe. In the spirit of this core belief, we strive to build an increasingly inclusive culture where all employees feel free to express themselves and have opportunities to grow. Since 2020, we engaged in the following diversity initiatives, among others:

•we established a Diversity and Inclusion Council made up of key leaders in our Company to oversee the implementation of our detailed Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan;

•employees formed two employee resource groups - one for Black employees and allies called Black Sole and one for LGBTQ employees and allies called SM Pride;

•we signed the Open to All pledge with other major brands and retailers;

•we joined the Black in Fashion Council;

•we implemented Company-wide Diversity and Inclusion training;

•we joined Hive Diversity and are partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to establish diverse pipelines of talent and expand our recruiting; and

•we launched Adaptive Kids footwear, soon to expand to adults.

Wellness

We see personal health and fitness of our employees as key to long-term professional success, which is why we offer benefits and programs focused on physical, emotional and financial well-being. These include mindfulness and meditation training, financial wellness seminars, health fairs, discounted gym memberships, free flu shots, paid-time-off to receive COVID-19 vaccination and boosters, on-site COVID testing and on-site discounted food. We also offer an Employee Assistance Program with a range of programs, resources and tools that can help with myriad issues. To help manage work-life balance, we offer a paid membership to Care.com so employees can find childcare, senior care, special needs care and other related services.

THE STEVE MADDEN CORPORATE FOUNDATION

In December 2021, the Company formed The Steve Madden Corporate Foundation, a donor-advised fund established under Fidelity Charitable and managed by Rockefeller Capital Management. As part of the Company's charitable giving strategy, we made a $1 million contribution at the end of 2021.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

Our business is subject to various United States federal state, and local and foreign laws and regulations, including environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. In addition, we may incur liability under environmental statutes and regulations with respect to the contamination of sites that we own or operate or previously owned or operated (including contamination caused by prior owners and operators of such sites and neighboring properties, or other persons) and the off-site disposal of hazardous materials. We believe our operations are in compliance with the terms of all applicable laws and regulations and our compliance with these laws and regulations has not had, and is not expected to have, a material effect on our capital expenditures, cash flows, earnings or competitive position.

COVID-19

The health and safety of our team members is of the highest importance. Our focus on the safety of our team members is evident in our initial and ongoing response to COVID-19 starting back in March 2020. We initially closed down all stores to ensure the safety of our customers and retail associates, and then we added working from home flexibility for our corporate positions that can be accomplished remotely. The Company continues to grant flexible work options through added resources and implementation of a hybrid working environment. We increased cleaning protocols, implemented onsite temperature screening, upgraded our HVAC systems, provided personal protective equipment and related supplies as needed, established new spacing and schedules to maximize social distancing while at work, and have also provided regular communications regarding impacts of COVID-19, including health and safety protocols and procedures. We have also provided our employees with additional paid time off to receive their Covid-19 vaccines and booster, and we are also providing on-site COVID testing. For more information about the impact of COVID-19 on our business, refer to Note D – Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

SEASONALITY AND OTHER FACTORS

Our operating results are subject to some variability due to seasonality and other factors. For example, the highest percentage of our boot sales occur in the fall and winter months (our third and fourth fiscal quarters) and the highest percentage of our sandal sales occur in the spring and summer months (our first and second fiscal quarters). Historically, some of our businesses, including our Retail segment, have experienced holiday retail seasonality. Our diverse range of product offerings, however, provides some mitigation to the impact of seasonal changes in demand for certain items. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, our operating results fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of the weather, the timing of holidays and larger shipments of footwear, market acceptance of our products, pricing and presentation of the products offered and sold, the hiring and training of additional personnel, inventory write downs for obsolescence, the cost of materials, the product mix among our wholesale, retail and licensing businesses, the incurrence of other operating costs and factors beyond our control, such as general economic conditions and actions of competitors. Revenue levels in any period are also impacted by customer decisions to increase or decrease their inventory levels in response to anticipated consumer demand. Our customers may cancel orders, change delivery schedules or change the mix of products ordered with minimal notice to us.

BACKLOG

We had unfilled wholesale customer orders of approximately 839,381 and $310,198, as of February 1, 2022 and February 1, 2021, respectively. Our backlog at a particular time is affected by a number of factors, including seasonality, timing of market weeks and wholesale customer purchases of our core products through our open stock program. Accordingly, a comparison of backlog from period to period may not be indicative of eventual shipments.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties we describe below and the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K before deciding to invest in, sell or retain shares of our common stock. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Other sections of this report may discuss factors that could adversely affect our business. Our industry is highly competitive and subject to rapid change. There may be additional risks and uncertainties that we do not currently know about, that we currently believe are immaterial, or that we have not predicted, which may also harm our business or adversely affect us. If any of these risks or uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially harmed.

COVID-19 RISKS

The current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and related government, private sector, and individual consumer responsive actions have and could continue to affect our business operations, store traffic, employee availability, supply chain, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flow.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted consumer spending and global supply chains, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. COVID-19 has impacted our business and operations, and we expect this to continue and could adversely impact our financial results.

The spread of COVID-19 has caused health officials to impose restrictions and recommend precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus, especially when congregating in heavily populated areas, such as malls. Our stores have experienced temporary closures, and we have implemented precautionary measures in line with guidance from local authorities in the stores that are open. These measures include restrictions such as limitations on the number of guests allowed in our stores at any single time, minimum physical distancing requirements, and limited operating hours. We do not know how the measures recommended by local authorities or implemented by us may change over time or what the duration of these restrictions will be.

Further resurgences in COVID-19 cases, including from variants, could cause additional restrictions, including temporarily closing all or some of our stores again. An outbreak at one of our locations, could negatively impact our employees, customers and financial results. There is uncertainty over the impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. and global economies, consumer willingness to visit stores and malls, and employee willingness to staff our stores as the pandemic continues and if there are future resurgences. There is also uncertainty regarding potential long-term changes to consumer shopping behavior and preferences and whether consumer demand will recover when restrictions are lifted.

The COVID-19 pandemic also has the potential to significantly impact our supply chain if the factories that manufacture our products, the distribution centers where we manage our inventory, or the operations of our logistics and other service providers are disrupted, temporarily closed, or experience worker shortages. In particular, we have seen disruptions and delays in lead times and we may see increases in the pricing of certain components of our products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly and the extent to which COVID-19 impacts our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and its variants and the actions taken to contain it or treat its impact, including vaccinations.

INDUSTRY RISKS

The fashion footwear, accessories and apparel industry is subject to rapid changes in consumer preferences. If we do not accurately anticipate fashion trends and promptly respond to consumer demand, we could lose sales, our relationships with customers could be harmed and our brand loyalty could be diminished.

The strength of our brands and our success depends in significant part upon our ability to anticipate and promptly respond to product and fashion trends as well as to anticipate, gauge and react to changing consumer demands in a timely manner. There can be no assurance that our products will correspond to the changes in taste and demand or that we will be able to successfully advertise and market products that respond to trends and customer preferences. If we misjudge the market for our products, we may be faced with significant excess inventories for some products and missed opportunities as to others. In addition, misjudgments in merchandise selection could adversely affect our image with our customers resulting in lower sales and increased markdown allowances for customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

We face intense competition from both established companies and newer entrants into the market. Our failure to compete effectively could cause our market share to decline, which could harm our reputation and have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

The fashion footwear, accessories and apparel industry is highly competitive and barriers to entry are low. Our competitors include specialty companies as well as companies with diversified product lines. Market growth in the sales of fashion footwear, accessories and apparel has encouraged the entry of many new competitors and increased competition from established companies. Many of these competitors, including Aldo, Sam Edelman, Lucky Brand and Vince Camuto, may have significantly greater financial and other resources than we do, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully with these and other fashion footwear, accessories and apparel companies. Increased competition could result in pricing pressures, increased marketing expenditures and loss of market share and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

If we and the retailers that are our customers are unable to adapt to recent and anticipated changes in the retail industry, the sales of our products may decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

In recent years, the retail industry has experienced consolidation and other ownership changes. In the future, retailers in the United States and in foreign markets may further consolidate, undergo restructurings or reorganizations, or realign their affiliations, any of which could decrease the number of stores that carry our or our licensees’ products or increase the ownership concentration within the retail industry. Changing shopping patterns, including the rapid expansion of online retail shopping and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, have adversely affected customer traffic in mall and outlet centers, particularly in North America. We expect competition in the e-commerce market will intensify. As a greater portion of consumer expenditures with retailers occurs online and through mobile commerce applications, our brick-and-mortar retail customers who fail to successfully integrate their physical retail stores and digital retail may experience financial difficulties, including store closures, bankruptcies or liquidations. A continuation or worsening of these trends could cause financial difficulties for one or more of our major customers, which, in turn, could substantially increase our credit risk and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We have little or no control over how our customers will respond to the challenges posed by these changes in the retail industry. Our success will be determined, in part, on our and our customers’ ability to manage the impact of the rapidly changing retail environment and identify and capitalize on retail trends, including technology, e-commerce and other process efficiencies that will better service our customers. If we and our customers fail to compete successfully, our businesses, market share, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMPANY

The loss of Steve Madden, our founder and Creative and Design Chief, or members of our executive management team could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The growth and success of our Company since its inception more than a quarter century ago is attributable, to a significant degree, to the talents, skills and efforts of our founder and Creative and Design Chief, Steven Madden. An extended or permanent loss of the services of Mr. Madden could severely disrupt our business and have a material adverse effect on our Company. We also depend on the contributions of the members of our senior management team. Our senior executives have substantial experience and expertise in our business and industry and have made significant contributions to our growth and success. Competition for executive talent in the fashion footwear, accessories and apparel industries is intense. While our employment agreements with Mr. Madden and most of our senior executives include a non-compete provision in the event of the termination of employment, the non-compete periods are of limited duration and scope. Although we believe we have depth within our senior management team, if we were to lose the services of Mr. Madden or any of our senior executives, and especially if any of these individuals were to join a competitor or form a competing company, our business and financial performance could be seriously harmed. A loss of the skills, industry knowledge, contacts and expertise of Mr. Madden or any of our senior executives could cause a setback to our operating plan and strategy.

If we are not successful in implementing our growth strategy or integrating acquired businesses, we may not be able to take advantage of certain market opportunities and may become less competitive.

Our business has grown organically and as a result of business acquisitions. In order to gain from our acquisitions, we must be effective in integrating the businesses acquired into our overall operations. Further, the expansion of our operations has increased and will continue to increase the demand on our managerial, operational and administrative resources. In recent years, we have invested significant resources in, among other things, our management information systems and hiring and training of new personnel. However, in order to manage currently anticipated levels of future demand, we may be required to, among other

things, expand our distribution facilities, establish relationships with new manufacturers to produce our products and continue to expand and improve our financial, management and operating systems. We may experience difficulty integrating acquired businesses into our operations and may not achieve anticipated synergies from such integration. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage future growth effectively and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

If one or more of our significant customers were to reduce or stop purchases of our products, our sales and profits could decline.

The retailers that are our customers consist principally of department stores, specialty stores, luxury retailers, value priced retailers, national chains, mass merchants, and pure-play e-commerce retailers. Certain of our department store customers, including some under common ownership, account for significant portions of our wholesale business. We generally enter into a number of purchase order commitments with our customers for each of our lines every season and do not enter into long-term agreements with any of our customers. Therefore, a decision by a significant customer, whether motivated by competitive conditions, financial difficulties or otherwise, to decrease the amount of merchandise purchased from us or to change its manner of doing business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Our financial results are subject to quarterly fluctuations.

Our results of operations may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and are affected by a variety of factors, including:

•the timing of larger shipments of products;

•market acceptance of our products;

•the mix, pricing and presentation of the products offered and sold;

•the hiring and training of additional personnel;

•inventory write downs for obsolescence;

•the cost of materials;

•the product mix between wholesale, retail and licensing businesses;

•the incurrence of other operating costs;

•factors beyond our control, such as general economic conditions, declines in consumer confidence and actions of competitors;

•the timing of holidays; and

•weather conditions.

In addition, we expect that our sales and operating results may be significantly impacted by the opening of new retail stores and the introduction of new products. Accordingly, the results of operations in any quarter will not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year or any future quarter.

Extreme or unseasonable weather conditions in locations where we or our customers and suppliers are located could adversely affect our business.

Our corporate headquarters and principal operational locations, including retail, distribution and warehousing facilities, may be subject to natural disasters and other severe weather and geological events that could disrupt our operations. The occurrence of such natural events may result in sudden disruptions in business conditions of the local economies affected, as well as of the regional and global economies. Such disruptions may result in decreased demand for our products and disruptions in our management functions, sales channels and manufacturing and distribution networks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Extreme weather events and changes in weather patterns can also influence customer trends and shopping habits. Extended periods of unseasonably warm temperatures during the winter season or cool weather during the summer season may diminish demand for our seasonal merchandise. Heavy snowfall, hurricanes or other severe weather events where our retail stores and the retail stores of our wholesale customers are located may decrease customer traffic in those stores and reduce our sales and profitability. If severe weather events force closure of or disrupt operations at the distribution centers we use for our merchandise, we could incur higher costs and experience longer lead times to distribute our products to our retail stores, wholesale customers or e-commerce customers. If prolonged, such extreme or unseasonable weather conditions could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We extend credit to most of our customers in the United States, and their failure to pay for products shipped to them could adversely affect our financial results.

We sell our products primarily to retail stores across the United States and extend credit based on an evaluation of each customer's financial condition, usually without collateral. Various retailers, including some of our customers, have experienced financial difficulties, which has increased the risk of extending credit to such retailers. Even though we seek to mitigate the risks of extending credit by factoring most of our accounts receivable and obtaining letters of credit for others, if any of our customers were to experience a shortage of liquidity, the risk that the customer's outstanding payables to us would not be paid could cause us to curtail business with the customer or require us to assume more credit risk relating to the customer's accounts payable.

Our stock price may fluctuate substantially if our operating results are inconsistent with our forecasts or those of analysts who follow us.

The trading price of our common stock periodically may rise or fall based on the accuracy of forecasts of our future performance. One of our primary business objectives is to maximize the long-term strength, growth and profitability of our Company, rather than to achieve an earnings target in any particular fiscal quarter. We believe that this longer-term goal is in our best interests and those of our stockholders. Although we have temporarily suspended offering guidance as to our quarterly and annual forecast of net sales and earnings, we recognize that it may be helpful to our stockholders and potential investors to provide such guidance in the future. In that case, we will endeavor to provide meaningful and considered guidance at the time it is provided and generally expect to provide updates to our guidance when we report our quarterly results. However, our actual results may differ from our forecasts as the guidance is based on assumptions and expectations that may or may not come to pass. As such, we assume no responsibility to update any of our forward-looking statements at such times or otherwise. If and when we announce actual results that differ from those that we have forecast, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected. Investors who rely on these forecasts in making investment decisions with respect to our common stock do so at their own risk. We take no responsibility for any losses suffered as a result of such changes in the price of our common stock.

In addition, outside securities analysts may follow our financial results and issue reports that discuss our historical financial results and their predictions of our future performance. These analysts' predictions are based upon their own opinions and are often different from our own forecasts. Our stock price could decline if our results are below the estimates or expectations of these outside analysts.

FOREIGN SOURCING RISKS

Disruptions to our product delivery systems and failure to effectively manage inventory based on business trends across various distribution channels could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

In the year ended December 31, 2021, our supply chain was disrupted by the increase in consumer demand, pandemic related outbreaks in Asia, domestic port and warehouse delays, and container shortages. In addition to these factors, global inflation has also contributed to higher freight costs. Continued disruptions of the supply chain may require us to use more expensive methods to ship our products and may result in the loss of revenue.

Any severe and prolonged disruption to ocean freight transportation could force us to rely on alternate and more expensive transportation systems. Efficient and timely inventory deliveries and proper inventory management are important factors in our operations. Inventory shortages can adversely affect the timing of shipments to customers and diminish sales and brand loyalty. Conversely, excess inventories can result in lower gross profit due to the increased discounts and markdowns that may be necessary to reduce high inventory levels. Severe and extended delays in the delivery of our inventory or our inability to effectively manage our inventory could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Our reliance on foreign manufacturers to provide materials or produce our goods in a timely manner or to meet our quality standards could cause problems if we experience a supply chain disruption and we are unable to secure an alternative source of raw materials or end products.

The entire apparel industry, including our Company, continues to face supply chain challenges as a result of COVID-19 including reduced freight availability and increased costs, port disruption, manufacturing facility closures, and related labor shortages and other supply chain disruptions. We do not own or operate any foreign manufacturing facilities and, therefore, are dependent upon third parties to manufacture most of our products. During 2021, 79% of our total purchases were from China. We also have no long-term manufacturing or supply contracts with any of our suppliers or manufacturers for the production and supply of our raw materials and products, and we compete with other companies for raw materials and production. The risks inherent in reliance on foreign manufacturing include work stoppages, transportation delays, public health emergencies, social unrest, changes in local economic conditions, and political upheavals.

We have experienced, and may in the future experience, a significant disruption in the supply of raw materials and products and may be unable to locate alternative suppliers of comparable quality at an acceptable price, or at all. In addition, if we experience significant increased demand, or if we need to replace an existing supplier or manufacturer, we may be unable to locate additional supplies of raw materials or additional manufacturing capacity on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, or we may be unable to locate any supplier or manufacturer with sufficient capacity to meet our requirements or fill our orders in a timely manner. Identifying a suitable supplier is an involved process that requires us to become satisfied with its quality control, responsiveness and service, financial stability, and labor and other ethical practices. Even if we are able to expand existing or find new manufacturing sources, we may encounter delays in production and added costs as a result of the time it takes to train our suppliers and manufacturers in our methods, products, and quality control standards.

Our supply of raw materials or manufacture of our products could be disrupted or delayed by the impact of health pandemics, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, and the related government and private sector responsive actions such as border closures, restrictions on product shipments, and travel restrictions. Delays related to supplier changes could also arise due to an increase in shipping times if new suppliers are located farther away from our markets or from other participants in our supply chain. The receipt of inventory sourced from areas impacted by COVID-19 has been slowed or disrupted and our manufacturers may also face similar challenges in receiving raw materials and fulfilling our orders. In addition, ocean freight capacity issues continue to persist worldwide due to COVID-19 as there is much greater demand for shipping and reduced capacity and equipment. Any delays, interruption, or increased costs in the supply of raw materials or manufacture of our products could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet customer demand for our products and have a material negative effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Changes in trade policies and tariffs imposed by the United States government and the governments of other nations could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our operations are dependent upon products purchased, manufactured and sold internationally. Our sources of supply are subject to the usual risks of doing business abroad, such as the implementation of, or potential changes in, foreign and domestic trade policies, increases in import duties, anti-dumping measures, quotas, safeguard measures, trade restrictions, restrictions on the transfer of funds and, in certain parts of the world, political instability and terrorism. In 2018 and 2019, the United States government imposed significant tariffs and created the potential for significant additional changes in trade policies, including tariffs and government regulations affecting trade between the United States and countries where we purchase, manufacture and sell our products. These trends are affecting many global manufacturing and service sectors, including the footwear, accessories and apparel industries, and may cause us to face trade protectionism in many different regions of the world. These protectionist measures could result in increases in the cost of our products and adversely affect our sales and profitability.

Effective September 24, 2018, the United States government imposed additional tariffs on approximately $200 billion of goods imported from China. The additional tariffs on Chinese imports were initially set at a level of 10% and were increased to 25% in May 2019. This initial round of tariffs applied to handbags and certain other accessories that we produce. In August 2019, the United States government announced a second round of tariffs set at a level of 15% on approximately $300 billion of goods imported from China, including footwear, apparel and certain other accessories that we produce. The second round of tariffs became effective on September 1, 2019, for a portion of the covered products that we produce. Tariffs for the remaining covered products that we produce were scheduled to become effective on December 15, 2019, but were suspended indefinitely as part of the phase I trade agreement between the United States and China that was signed on January 15, 2020. In addition, as of February 14, 2020, the 15% tariff that was implemented on September 1, 2019 was reduced to 7.5%. China has already imposed retaliatory tariffs on a wide range of American products in response to these tariffs. Most of the products that we sell in the United States have been manufactured in China. The negative impact in gross margin in our wholesale business in the fourth quarter of 2018 and throughout 2019 was due, in part, to the impact of the 25% tariff on handbags and certain other

accessory categories as well as the 15% tariff on footwear, apparel, and other accessory categories. Our efforts to mitigate the impact of these tariffs may not be successful, and the continued imposition of tariffs on products that we import from China could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

On December 31, 2020, the Generalized System of Preferences ("GSP") expired. GSP is a trade program that provides nonreciprocal, duty-free treatment for certain U.S. imports (including handbags) from qualifying developing countries including Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Pakistan, among others. We currently manufacture handbags in GSP countries, primarily Cambodia. The additional tariff to be paid on such products ranges from 3.3% to 17.6%. GSP has historically been renewed, despite lapsing several times, and upon renewal has been retroactive in nature. There is a current debate in Congress as to whether reauthorize the program “as is” or revise GSP eligibility criteria to include environmental and labor conditions. If GSP is not renewed and our efforts to mitigate the impact of this additional tariff are not successful, the imposition of tariffs on handbags that we manufacture in impacted countries could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

If our manufacturers, the manufacturers used by our licensees or our licensees themselves fail to use acceptable labor practices or to otherwise comply with local laws and other standards, our business reputation could suffer.

Our products are manufactured by numerous independent manufacturers outside of the United States. We also have license agreements that permit our licensees to manufacture or contract to manufacture products using our trademarks. We impose, and require our licensees to impose, on these manufacturers environmental, health and safety standards for the benefit of their labor force. In addition, we require these manufacturers to comply with applicable standards for product safety. However, we do not control our independent manufacturers or licensing partners or their labor, product safety and other business practices. From time to time, our independent manufacturers may not comply with such standards or applicable local law or our licensees may not require their manufacturers to comply with such standards or applicable local law. The violation of such standards and laws by one of our independent manufacturers or by one of our licensing partners, or the divergence of a manufacturer's or a licensing partner's labor practices from those generally accepted as ethical in the United States, could harm our reputation, result in a product recall or require us to curtail our relationship with and locate a replacement for such manufacturer. We could also be the focus of adverse publicity and our reputation could be damaged. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

GLOBAL BUSINESS RISKS

Our global operations expose us to a variety of legal, regulatory, political and economic risks that may adversely impact our results of operations in certain regions.

As a result of our international operations, we are subject to risks associated with our operations in international markets as a result of a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These risks include, among other things:

•the challenge of managing broadly dispersed foreign operations;

•inflationary pressures and economic changes or volatility in foreign economies;

•the burdens of complying with the laws and regulations of both U.S. and foreign jurisdictions;

•additional or increased customs duties, tariffs, taxes and other charges on imports or exports;

•political corruption or instability;

•geopolitical regional conflicts, terrorist activity, political unrest, civil strife and acts of war;

•local business practices that do not conform to U.S. legal or ethical guidelines;

•anti-American sentiment in foreign countries in which we operate;

•delays in receipts of our products at our distribution centers due to labor unrest, increasing security requirements or other factors at U.S. or foreign ports;

•significant fluctuations in the value of the dollar against foreign currencies;

•increased difficulty in protecting our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions;

•restrictions on the transfer of funds between the U.S. and foreign nations; and

•natural disasters or health epidemics in areas in which our businesses, customers, suppliers and licensees are located.

All of these factors could disrupt our operations or limit the countries in which we sell or source our products, significantly increase the cost of operating in or obtaining materials originating from certain countries, result in decreased revenues, and materially and adversely affect our product sales, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits the payment of bribes to foreign officials to assist in obtaining or retaining business. We are also subject to anti-corruption laws of the foreign countries in which we operate. Although we have implemented policies and procedures that are designed to promote compliance with such laws, our employees, contractors and agents may take actions that violate our policies and procedures. Any such violation could result in sanctions or other penalties against us and have an adverse effect on our business, reputation and operating results.

Our business is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

We make most of our purchases in U.S. dollars. However, we source substantially all of our products overseas, and as such, the cost of these products may be affected by changes in the value of the relevant currencies against the U.S. dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates may also affect the relative prices at which we and our foreign competitors sell products in the same market. We use forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge material exposure to adverse changes in foreign exchange rates. However, no hedging strategy can completely insulate us from foreign exchange risk. We are also exposed to gains and losses resulting from the effect that fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have on the reported results in our financial statements due to the translation of the operating results and financial position of our foreign subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that foreign currency fluctuations will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. See Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” below for additional information regarding our foreign exchange risk.

We may be subject to additional tax liabilities as a result of audits by various taxing authorities.

We are subject to the tax laws and regulations of numerous jurisdictions as a result of our international operations. These tax laws and regulations are highly complex and significant judgment and specialized expertise is required in evaluating and estimating our worldwide provision for income taxes. We are subject to audit by the taxing authorities in each jurisdiction where we conduct our business and any one of these jurisdictions may assess additional taxes against us as a result of an audit. The final determination with respect to any tax audits, and any related litigation, could be different from our estimates or from our historical tax provisions and accruals. The outcome of any audit or audit-related litigation could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or cash flows in the periods for which that determination is made and may require a restatement of prior financial reports. In addition, future period earnings may be adversely impacted by litigation costs, settlement payments or interest or penalty assessments.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RISKS

Disruption of our information technology systems and websites could adversely affect our financial results and our business reputation.

We are heavily dependent upon our information technology systems to record and process transactions and manage and operate all aspects of our business. We also have e-commerce websites for direct retail sales.

Given the nature of our business and the significant number of transactions in which we engage annually, it is essential that we maintain constant operation of our information technology systems and websites and that they operate effectively. We depend on our in-house information technology employees and third parties, including “cloud” service providers, to maintain and periodically update and upgrade our systems and websites to support the growth of our business. We also maintain an off-site server data facility that records and processes information regarding our vendors and customers and their transactions with us. Our information technology systems and websites may, from time to time, be vulnerable to damage or interruption from events such as computer viruses, security breaches, power outages and difficulties in replacing or integrating the systems of acquired businesses. Any such problems or interruptions could result in loss of valuable business data, our customers' or employees' personal information, disruption of our operations and other adverse impacts to our business and require significant expenditures by us to remediate any such failure, problem or breach. In addition, we must comply with increasingly complex regulatory standards enacted to protect business and personal data and an inability to maintain compliance with these regulatory standards could subject us to legal risks and penalties. Although we maintain insurance coverage aimed at addressing certain of these risks, there can be no assurance that insurance coverage will be available or that the amounts of coverage will be adequate to cover a specific loss.

Our business and reputation could be adversely affected if our computer systems or the systems of our business partners or service providers, become subject to a data security or privacy breach or other disruption from a third party.

In addition to our own confidential and proprietary business information, a routine part of our business includes the gathering, processing and retention of sensitive and confidential information pertaining to our customers, employees and others. We, our business partners or our service providers may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent the rapidly evolving and complex cyber-attacks being unleashed by increasingly sophisticated hackers and data thieves.

As a result, our facilities and information technology systems, as well as those of our business partners and third-party service providers, may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks and breaches, acts of vandalism, ransomware, software viruses and other similar types of malicious activities. Any actual or threatened cyber-attack may cause us to incur unanticipated costs, including costs related to the hiring of additional computer experts, business interruption, engaging third-party cyber security consultants and upgrading our information security technologies. As a result of recent security breaches at a number of prominent companies, the media and public scrutiny of information security and privacy has become more intense and the regulatory environment has become more uncertain. Any compromise or breach of our information technology systems or those of our business partners or service providers that results in the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of a customer’s or other person’s private, confidential or proprietary information could result in:

•a loss of confidence in us by our customers and business partners;

•violate applicable privacy and other laws;

•expose us to litigation and significant potential liability; or

•require us to expend significant resources to remedy any such breach and redress any damages cause by such a breach.

We must also comply with increasingly rigorous regulatory standards for the protection of business and personal data enacted in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere. Some examples include the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") and the California Privacy Rights Act ("CPRA"). These regulations impose additional obligations on companies concerning the handling of personal data and provides certain individual privacy rights to persons whose data is stored. Our compliance with existing, proposed and recently enacted laws (including implementation of the privacy and process enhancements required by these regulations) and regulations can be costly. Any failure by us to comply with these regulatory standards could subject us to significant legal financial and reputational harm.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RISKS

Failure to adequately protect our trademarks and intellectual property rights, to prevent counterfeiting of our products or to defend claims against us related to our trademarks and intellectual property rights could reduce sales and adversely affect the value of our brands.

We believe that our trademarks and other proprietary rights are of major significance to our success and our competitive position, and we consider some of our trademarks, such as Steve Madden®, to be integral to our business and among our most valuable assets. Accordingly, we devote substantial resources to the establishment and protection of our trademarks on a worldwide basis. Nevertheless, policing unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult, expensive and time consuming. There can be no assurance that the actions we take to establish and protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products on the basis that our products violate the trademarks or other proprietary rights of others. Moreover, no assurance can be given that others will not assert rights in, or ownership of, trademarks and other proprietary rights of ours or that we will be able to successfully resolve such conflicts. We could incur substantial costs in legal actions relating to our use of intellectual property or the use of our intellectual property by others. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Our failure to establish and protect such proprietary rights from unlawful and improper use could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

A portion of our revenue is dependent on licensing our trademarks. The actions of our licensees or the loss of a significant licensee could diminish our brand integrity and adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.

We license to others the rights to produce and market certain products that are sold under our trademarks. Although we retain significant control over our licensees’ products and advertising, our licensees have operational and financial control over their businesses. If the quality, image or distribution of our licensed products diminish, customer acceptance of and demand for our brands and products could decline. This could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. In fiscal year 2021, approximately 70% of our net royalties were derived from our top five licensed product lines. A decrease in customer demand for any of these product lines could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, if we are unable to engage an adequate replacement for a terminated licensee or to engage such a replacement for an extended period, our revenues and results of operations could be adversely affected.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

Changes in economic conditions may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Our opportunities for long-term growth and profitability are accompanied by significant challenges and risks, particularly in the near term. Specifically, our business is dependent on consumer demand for our products and the purchase of our products by consumers is largely discretionary. Consumer confidence and discretionary spending could be adversely affected in response to financial market volatility, negative financial news, increases in inflation and interest rates, conditions in the real estate and mortgage markets, declines in income or asset values, changes to fuel and other energy costs, labor and healthcare costs, food costs and other economic factors. A downturn in economic conditions leading to a reduction in consumer confidence and discretionary spending could have a negative effect on our sales and results of operations during the year ending December 31, 2022 and thereafter.

Litigation or other legal proceedings could divert management resources and result in costs that adversely affect our operating results from quarter to quarter.

We are involved in various claims, litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings and governmental investigations that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and such other proceedings and investigations, we cannot predict with accuracy the ultimate outcome of any such matters. An unfavorable outcome could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and the amount of insurance coverage we maintain to address such matters may be inadequate to cover those claims. In addition, any significant litigation, investigation or proceeding, regardless of its merits, could divert financial and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit our operations. See Item 3 “Legal Proceedings,” below for additional information regarding legal proceedings in which we are involved.

Changes in tax laws could have an adverse effect upon our financial results.

We are subject to income taxation in various jurisdictions in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Tax laws and regulations, or their interpretation and application, in any jurisdiction are subject to significant changes. Legislation or other changes in the tax laws of the jurisdictions where we do business could increase our tax liability and adversely affect our after-tax profitability. Adjustments to the incremental provisional tax expense may be made in future periods as actual amounts may differ due to, among other factors, a change in interpretation of the U.S. tax code and related tax accounting guidance, changes in assumptions made in developing these estimates, regulatory guidance that may be issued with respect to the applicable revisions to the U.S. tax code and state tax implications.

Other jurisdictions are contemplating changes or have unpredictable enforcement activity. Increases in applicable tax rates, implementation of new taxes, changes in applicable tax laws and interpretations of these tax laws and actions by tax authorities in jurisdictions in which we operate could reduce our after-tax income and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

SEC rules relating to “conflict minerals” require us to incur additional expenses and could adversely affect our business.

The SEC has promulgated final rules mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requiring the disclosure of the use of tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold, known as “conflict minerals,” included in products either manufactured by public companies or as to which public companies have contracted for the manufacture. These rules, adopted in an effort to prevent inadvertent support of armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and certain adjoining countries (collectively, the “DRC”), require companies to investigate their supply chains to determine whether these minerals are present in their products and, if so, from where the minerals originate. The rules also require disclosure and annual reporting as to whether or not conflict minerals, if used in the manufacture of the products offered, originate from the DRC. We currently require our manufacturers to comply with policies addressing legal and ethical concerns relating to labor, employment, political and social matters, including restrictions on the use of conflict minerals. Violation of these policies by our manufacturers could harm our reputation, disrupt our supply chain or increase our cost of goods sold. Additionally, violation of any of these policies by our manufacturers could cause us to face disqualification as a supplier for our customers and suffer reputational challenges. Due to the complexity of our supply chain, compliance with the rules requires significant efforts from a cross-operational team diverts the attention of our management and personnel and could require us to hire additional staff. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our sales, net earnings, business and financial condition and results of operations.

Any failure to maintain effective internal control over our financial reporting could materially adversely affect us.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to include in our annual reports on Form 10-K an assessment by management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In particular, we must perform

system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management and our independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our compliance with Section 404 may require us to incur substantial accounting expense and expend significant management efforts. Our failure to maintain effective internal controls could result in a determination by our auditors that a material weakness or significant deficiency exists in our internal controls. Such a determination could result in a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and could require us to restate our quarterly or annual financial statements. These factors could, in turn, negatively affect the price of our common stock.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We lease space for our headquarters, retail stores, showrooms, warehouses, storage and office facilities in various locations in the United States, as well as overseas. All of our locations are leased, with an exception of one improved real property parcel in Long Island City, New York, which we own. We believe that our existing facilities are in good operating condition and are adequate for our present level of operations. The following table sets forth the location, use and size of the Company's principal properties as of December 31, 2021.


Location	Use	Approximate Square Feet
Dongguan, China	Offices and sample production	154,900
Long Island City, NY	Executive offices and sample factory	111,000
Montreal, Canada	Offices, warehouse	105,800
New York, NY	Offices and showroom, Schwartz & Benjamin	29,800
New York, NY	Offices and showroom, Accessories	27,200
Costa Mesa, CA	Offices, BB Dakota	10,500
New York, NY	Offices and showroom	10,000
Renton, WA	Topline Office	9,500
Putian City, China	Offices	8,700
Long Island City, NY	Storage	7,200
León, Mexico	Offices	6,400
Mexico City, Mexico	Offices, SM Mexico	5,700

In addition to the above properties, the Company occupies 214 leased retail and outlet store locations. These leases expire at various times through fiscal 2030. All of our retail stores are leased pursuant to leases that, under their original terms, extend for an average of ten years. Many of the leases contain rent escalation clauses to compensate for increases in operating costs and real estate taxes over the base year. Refer to Item 1. "Business" for further information.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of business, we have various pending cases involving contractual disputes, employee-related matters, distribution matters, product liability claims, intellectual property infringement and other matters. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, the liabilities, if any, resulting from these legal proceedings should not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

($ in thousands, except for holders of record, beneficial owners and per share data)

Market Information. Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since August 1, 2007 under the trading symbol SHOO and was previously traded on the NASDAQ National Market.

Holders. As of February 24, 2022, there were 158 holders of record and approximately 26,000 beneficial owners of our common stock.

Dividends. Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, we began paying a quarterly cash dividend on our outstanding shares of common stock. At the end of March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a precautionary measure, our Board of Directors temporarily suspended the payment of dividends. In February 2021, our Board of Directors approved the reinstatement of a quarterly dividend. A quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on our outstanding shares of common stock was paid on March 26, 2021, June 25, 2021, September 27, 2021 and December 27, 2021. The aggregate cash dividend paid for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 was $49,161. In February 2022, our Board of Directors approved the quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share payable on March 25, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 11, 2022. The payment of future dividends will be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be contingent upon future earnings, our financial condition, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors. Therefore, we can give no assurance that cash dividends of any kind will be paid to holders of our common stock in the future.

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities. Our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), effective as of January 1, 2004. The Share Repurchase Program does not have a fixed expiration or termination date and may be modified or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. On several occasions the Board of Directors has increased the amount authorized for repurchase of our common stock. On April 24, 2019, the Board of Directors approved the expansion of the Company's Share Repurchase Program for up to $200,000 in repurchases of the Company's common stock, which included the amount remaining under the prior authorization. On November 2, 2021, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company's share repurchase authorization of approximately $200,000, bringing the total authorization to $250,000, which included the amount remaining under the prior authorization. The Share Repurchase Program permits us to effect repurchases from time to time through a combination of open market repurchases or in privately negotiated transactions at such prices and times as are determined to be in our best interest. In the middle of March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a precautionary measure the Board of Directors temporarily suspended the repurchase of our common stock, which the Board of Directors reinstated on February 24, 2021. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, we repurchased an aggregate of 2,050 shares of our common stock under the Share Repurchase Program, at a weighted average price per share of $42.94, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $88,039, which includes the amount remaining under the prior authorization. As of December 31, 2021, approximately $223,551 remained available for future repurchases under the Share Repurchase Program. The following table presents the total number of shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value, purchased by us in the three months ended December 31, 2021, the average price paid per share, the amount of shares purchased pursuant to our Share Repurchase Program and the approximate dollar value of the shares that still could have been purchased at the end of the fiscal period pursuant to our Share Repurchase Program. See Note K – Share Repurchase Program to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on our share repurchase program. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, there were no sales by us of unregistered shares of common stock.


(in thousands except for per share)	Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)	Average Price Paid per Share(1)		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Dollar Amount of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
10/1/2021 - 10/31/2021	12	$	40.67	4	$	249,358
11/1/2021 - 11/30/2021	184	49.42		178	240,555
12/1/2021 - 12/31/2021	842	46.19		371	223,551
Total	1,038	46.70		553

(1) The Steven Madden, Ltd. 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan and its predecessor plan, the Steven Madden, Ltd. Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, each provide us with the right to deduct or withhold, or require employees to remit to us, an amount sufficient to satisfy all or part of the tax withholding obligations applicable to stock-based compensation awards. To the extent permitted, participants may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding obligations by tendering to us previously owned shares or by having us withhold shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory tax-withholding rate that could be imposed on the transaction. Included in this table are shares withheld during the fourth quarter of 2021 in connection with the settlement of vested restricted stock to satisfy tax-withholding requirements with an aggregate purchase price of approximately $22,517.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock during the period beginning on December 31, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2021, with the cumulative total return on the Russell 2000 Index and a peer group index. The peer group index consists of seven companies: Caleres, Inc., Crocs, Inc., Deckers Outdoor Corporation, Genesco Inc., Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Designer Brands Inc. and Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

The comparison assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2016 in our common stock and in the foregoing indices and assumes the reinvestment of dividends.


	12/31/2016		12/31/2017		12/31/2018		12/31/2019		12/31/2020		12/31/2021
Steven Madden, Ltd.	$	100.00	$	130.63	$	129.07	$	186.42	$	154.14	$	205.74
Russell 2000 Index	$	100.00	$	114.65	$	102.02	$	128.06	$	153.62	$	176.39
Peer Group	$	100.00	$	128.90	$	132.82	$	173.52	$	193.85	$	271.70

ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

($ in thousands, except for retail sales data per square foot, earnings per share and per share data)

Our business comprises five distinct segments: Wholesale Footwear, Wholesale Accessories/Apparel, Direct-to-Consumer, First Cost and Licensing. Our Wholesale Footwear segment designs, sources and markets our brands and sells our products to department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, national chains, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, and through our joint ventures and international distributor network. Our Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment designs, sources and markets our brands and sells our products to department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, and through our joint ventures and international distributor network. Our Direct-to-Consumer segment, which was referred to as the Retail segment in previous filings, consists of Steve Madden® and Superga® full-price retail stores, Steve Madden® outlet stores, Steve Madden® shop-in-shops and directly-operated digital e-commerce websites. Our retail stores are located in regional malls and shopping centers, as well as high streets in major cities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Israel, Taiwan and China. Our First Cost segment represents activities of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that earns commissions for serving as a buying agent for footwear products under private labels for select national chains, specialty retailers and value-priced retailers. Our Licensing segment is engaged in the licensing of the Steve Madden® and Madden Girl® trademarks for use in connection with the manufacturing, marketing and sale of select apparel categories, outerwear, hosiery, jewelry, hair accessories, watches, eyeglasses, sunglasses, umbrellas, bedding, luggage, fragrance and men’s leather accessories. We license the Betsey Johnson® trademark for use in connection with the manufacturing, marketing and sale of women's and children’s apparel, hosiery, swimwear, slippers, fragrance and beauty, sleepwear, activewear, medical scrubs, jewelry, watches, eyeglasses, sunglasses, bedding and bath, luggage, umbrellas and self-care bath and body products. Our Corporate activities do not constitute a reportable segment and include costs that are not directly attributable to the segments. These costs are primarily related to our corporate executives, corporate finance, corporate social responsibility, legal, human resources, information technology, cybersecurity and other shared costs.

Dividends

On February 24, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the reinstatement of a quarterly cash dividend. A quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on our outstanding shares of common stock was paid on March 26, 2021, June 25, 2021, September 27, 2021 and December 27, 2021. The aggregate cash dividends paid for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 was $49,161.

On February 23, 2022, our Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend of 40%. The quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share is payable on March 25, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 11, 2022.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to prior years' amounts to conform to the 2021 presentation.

Executive Summary

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted consumer spending and global supply chains, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. Our stores have experienced temporary closures, and we have implemented precautionary measures in line with guidance from local authorities in the stores that were open. The COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly impacted our supply chain. In particular, we have experienced disruptions and delays in shipments and increases in the pricing of certain components of our products. The receipt of inventory sourced from areas impacted by COVID-19 has been slowed or disrupted and our manufacturers have also faced similar challenges in receiving raw materials and fulfilling our orders. In addition, there is significant inflationary pressure on ocean and air freight costs as capacity issues and port congestions continue to persist due to the post pandemic demand levels.

Recent Developments

During fiscal year 2021, we acquired the remaining 49.9% non-controlling interest of our European and our South African joint ventures for the total cash consideration of $18,942. In addition, we acquired the rights for Dolce Vita Handbags for a cash consideration of $2,000. For additional information on these acquisitions, refer to Note E – Acquisitions in the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

Key Highlights

Total revenue for 2021 increased by 55.3% to $1,866,142 from $1,201,814 in 2020, with increases in all segments as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prior year results.

Net income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. was $190,678 in 2021 compared to net loss attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. of $(18,397) in 2020. Our effective tax rate for 2021 decreased to 20.5% compared to 39.0% recorded in 2020. Diluted earnings per share in 2021 was $2.34 per share on 81,628 diluted weighted average shares outstanding compared to diluted loss of $(0.23) per share on 78,635 diluted weighted average shares outstanding in the prior year.

As of December 31, 2021, we had 214 brick-and-mortar retail stores and six e-commerce websites in operation, compared to 211 brick-and-mortar retail stores and seven e-commerce websites as of December 31, 2020. This increase resulted from the opening of eight brick-and-mortar stores partially offset by the closure of five brick-and-mortar stores and one e-commerce website. We did not report same store sales or sales per square foot data in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent temporary closures of our brick-and-mortar stores from the second half of March through at least the end of May and subsequent mandated closures globally in the prior year.

Our inventory turnover (calculated on a trailing four quarter average) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was 6.4 times and 7.1 times, respectively. Our total company accounts receivable average collection days were 67 days in 2021 compared to 73 days in 2020. As of December 31, 2021, we had $263,536 in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, no debt and total stockholders’ equity of $820,538. Working capital increased to $509,470 as of December 31, 2021, compared to $462,325 on December 31, 2020. The increase in working capital was primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year.

As we look ahead, we remain focused on delivering trend-right product, deepening connections with our consumers, enhancing our digital commerce business, expanding our non-footwear categories, growing our international business and efficiently managing our inventory and expenses while continuing to make meaningful progress on our corporate social responsibility initiatives.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except for number of stores)	2021				2020				2019
CONSOLIDATED:
Net sales	$	1,853,902	99.3	%	$	1,188,943	98.9	%	$	1,768,135	98.9	%
Commission and licensing fee income	12,240		0.7	%	12,871		1.1	%	19,022		1.1	%
Total revenue	1,866,142		100.0	%	1,201,814		100.0	%	1,787,157		100.0	%
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	1,098,645		58.9	%	737,273		61.3	%	1,101,140		61.6	%
Gross profit	767,497		41.1	%	464,541		38.7	%	686,017		38.4	%
Operating expenses	519,848		27.9	%	414,978		34.5	%	503,270		28.2	%
Impairment of intangibles	2,620		0.1	%	44,273		3.7	%	4,050		0.2	%
Impairment of lease right-of-use asset and fixed assets	1,432		0.1	%	36,895		3.1	%	1,883		0.1	%
Income/(loss) from operations	243,597		13.1	%	(31,605)		(2.6)	%	176,814		9.9	%
Interest and other income – net	(1,529)		(0.1)	%	1,620		0.1	%	4,412		0.2	%
Income/(loss) before income taxes	242,068		13.0	%	(29,985)		(2.5)	%	181,226		10.1	%
Net income/(loss) attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd.	$	190,678	10.2	%	$	(18,397)	(1.5)	%	$	141,311	7.9	%

BY SEGMENT:
WHOLESALE FOOTWEAR SEGMENT:
Net sales	$	1,022,322	100.0	%	$	713,662	100.0	%	$	1,112,091	100.0	%
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	677,155		66.2	%	487,105		68.3	%	738,504		66.4	%
Gross profit	345,167		33.8	%	226,557		31.7	%	373,587		33.6	%
Operating expenses	128,004		12.5	%	118,325		16.6	%	152,620		13.7	%
Impairment of intangibles	—		—	%	16,345		2.3	%	4,050		0.4	%
Income from operations	$	217,163	21.2	%	$	91,887	12.9	%	$	216,917	19.5	%

WHOLESALE ACCESSORIES/APPAREL SEGMENT:
Net sales	$	343,675	100.0	%	$	235,892	100.0	%	$	334,862	100.0	%
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	249,000		72.5	%	164,984		69.9	%	236,731		70.7	%
Gross profit	94,675		27.5	%	70,908		30.1	%	98,131		29.3	%
Operating expenses	64,776		18.8	%	45,889		19.5	%	60,522		18.1	%
Impairment of intangibles	2,620		0.8	%	27,472		11.6	%	—		—	%
Impairment of lease right-of-use asset and fixed assets	651		0.2	%	—		—	%	—		—	%
Income/(loss) from operations	$	26,628	7.7	%	$	(2,453)	(1.0)	%	$	37,609	11.2	%

DIRECT -TO-CONSUMER SEGMENT:
Net sales	$	487,906	100.0	%	$	239,389	100.0	%	$	321,182	100.0	%
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	172,490		35.4	%	85,184		35.6	%	125,905		39.2	%
Gross profit	315,416		64.6	%	154,205		64.4	%	195,277		60.8	%
Operating expenses	240,093		49.2	%	175,743		73.4	%	191,184		59.5	%
Impairment of intangibles	—		—	%	456		0.2	%	—		—	%
Impairment of lease right-of-use asset and fixed assets	781		0.2	%	36,895		15.4	%	1,883		0.6	%
Income/(loss) from operations	$	74,542	15.3	%	$	(58,889)	(24.6)	%	$	2,210	0.7	%
Number of stores	220				218				227

FIRST COST SEGMENT:
Commission fee income	$	2,346	100.0	%	$	3,902	100.0	%	$	7,441	100.0	%
Gross profit	2,346		100.0	%	3,902		100.0	%	7,441		100.0	%
Operating expenses	375		16.0	%	1,308		33.5	%	13,943		187.4	%
Income/(loss) from operations	$	1,971	84.0	%	$	2,594	66.5	%	$	(6,502)	(87.4)	%

LICENSING SEGMENT:
Licensing fee income	$	9,893	100.0	%	$	8,969	100.0	%	$	11,581	100.0	%
Gross profit	9,893		100.0	%	8,969		100.0	%	11,581		100.0	%
Operating expenses	1,785		18.0	%	3,141		35.0	%	3,427		29.6	%
Income from operations	$	8,108	82.0	%	$	5,828	65.0	%	$	8,154	70.4	%

CORPORATE:
Operating expenses	(84,815)		—	%	$	(70,572)	—	%	$	(81,574)	—	%
Loss from operations	$	(84,815)	—	%	$	(70,572)	—	%	$	(81,574)	—	%

Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2020

Consolidated:

Total revenue in the year ended December 31, 2021 increased 55.3% to $1,866,142 compared to $1,201,814 for fiscal 2020, with increases in the Direct-to-Consumer, Wholesale Footwear and Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segments. Gross profit was $767,497, or 41.1% of total revenue, as compared to $464,541, or 38.7% of total revenue, in the prior year. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of total revenue was due to a higher penetration of our Direct-to-Consumer segment and lower promotional activity. The increase was partially offset by headwinds in connection with inbound freight costs and the non-renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences ("GSP"), which impacted imports from Cambodia in our handbag business. Operating expenses in 2021 were $519,848, or 27.9%, of total revenue, as compared to $414,978, or 34.5% of total revenue, in the prior year. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue was primarily attributable to greater leverage on higher revenue, gain on sale of a trademark for $8,000, and our expense control initiatives, partially offset by early lease termination and modification charges, and change in valuation of our contingent considerations.

In the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 impairment charges of $1,432 and $36,895, respectively, related to lease right-of-use assets and fixed assets were recorded. In the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recorded impairment charges of $2,620 and $44,273 associated with certain intangibles. In the year ended December 31, 2021, income from operations increased to $243,597, or 13.1% of total revenue, as compared to a loss from operations of ($31,605), or (2.6%) of total revenue, in the prior-year. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 20.5% compared to 39.0% last year. The primary changes between the Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are due to the year-over-year benefit resulting from the exercising and vesting of share-based awards, a decrease in tax benefit related to a 2020 net operating loss carryback claim set forth by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), a decrease in the GILTI tax and an increase in pre-tax income in jurisdictions with higher tax rates. Net income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $190,678 compared to a net loss attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. of $(18,397) for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Wholesale Footwear Segment:

Revenue from the Wholesale Footwear segment in the year ended December 31, 2021 accounted for $1,022,322, or 54.8% of total revenue, as compared to $713,662, or 59.4% of total revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2020. The 43.3% increase in revenue in the current year reflected the Company's post-pandemic recovery from COVID-19. Gross profit was $345,167, or 33.8% of Wholesale Footwear revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $226,557, or 31.7% of Wholesale Footwear revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2020. The improvement in the gross profit as percentage of revenue was driven by lower promotional activity. Operating expenses in the year ended December 31, 2021 were $128,004, or 12.5%, of Wholesale Footwear revenue, as compared to $118,325, or 16.6% of Wholesale Footwear revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of Wholesale Footwear revenue was primarily attributable to greater leverage from higher revenue, a gain on sale of a trademark for $8,000, and our expense control initiatives. For 2020, intangible impairment charges of $16,345 were recorded. Income from operations increased to $217,163, or 21.2% of Wholesale Footwear revenue in 2021 as compared to $91,887, or 12.9% of Wholesale Footwear revenue, in 2020.

Wholesale Accessories/Apparel Segment:

Revenue from the Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment in the year ended December 31, 2021 accounted for $343,675, or 18.4% of total revenue, as compared to $235,892, or 19.6% of total revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2020. The 45.7% increase in revenue in the current period reflected the Company's post-pandemic recovery from COVID-19. Gross profit was $94,675, or 27.5% of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $70,908, or 30.1% of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease of gross profit as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to the non-renewal of the GSP, which impacted imports from Cambodia in our handbag business. Operating expenses in the year ended December 31, 2021 were $64,776, or 18.8%, of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, as compared to $45,889, or 19.5%, of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue was primarily attributable to greater leverage from higher revenue and our expense control initiatives, partially offset by the change in valuation of our contingent consideration. In the year ended December 31, 2021 an impairment charge of $2,620 related to intangibles was recorded. In the year ended December 31, 2021 an impairment charge of $651 related to lease right-of-use assets and fixed assets was recorded. Income from operations for the Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment in 2021 was $26,628, or 7.7% of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, as compared to a loss from operations of $(2,453), or (1.0)% of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, in 2020.

Direct-to-Consumer Segment:

In the year ended December 31, 2021, revenue from the Direct-to-Consumer segment accounted for $487,906, or 26.1% of total revenue, as compared to $239,389, or 19.9% of total revenue, in the twelve months of 2020. The 103.8% increase in revenue was driven by the continued strength in our e-commerce business and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year, primarily in our brick-and-mortar retail store business. We opened eight full-price stores and closed five full-price stores, along with one e-commerce store during the year ended December 31, 2021 and ended the period with 214 brick-and-mortar stores and six e-commerce sites compared to 211 brick-and-mortar stores and seven e-commerce sites as of December 31, 2020. As a result of COVID-19 related closures of certain brick-and-mortar stores in 2020 and 2021, we did not report comparable store sales for the year ended December 31, 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2021, gross profit was $315,416, or 64.6% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue, compared to $154,205, or 64.4% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue, in the twelve months of 2020. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of Direct-to-Consumer revenue was primarily due to lower promotional activity, mostly offset by higher freight costs. Operating expenses in the twelve months of 2021 were $240,093, or 49.2% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue, as compared to $175,743, or 73.4% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue, in the twelve months of 2020. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of Direct-to-Consumer revenue was primarily from greater leverage from higher revenue. In the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 impairment charges of $781 and $36,895 were recorded, respectively, related to the impairment of fixed assets and lease right-of-use assets. In the year ended 2020, an impairment charge of $456 associated with certain intangibles were recorded. In the twelve months of 2021, income from operations for the Direct-to-Consumer segment was $74,542, or 15.3% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue as compared to a loss from operations of $(58,889), or (24.6)% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue in 2020.

First Cost Segment:

Commission income generated by the First Cost segment accounted for $2,346, or 0.1% of total revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $3,902, or 0.3% of total revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2020. Operating expenses decreased to $375 in the current period compared to $1,308 of last year. Income from operations was $1,971 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to income from operations of $2,594 for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Licensing Segment:

Royalty income generated by the Licensing segment accounted for $9,893, or 0.5% of total revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $8,969, or 0.7% of total revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2020. Operating expenses decreased to $1,785 in the current year compared to $3,141 to last year. Income from the Licensing segment was $8,108 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $5,828 in the same period last year.

Corporate:

Our corporate activities do not constitute as a reportable segment and include costs in operating expenses not directly attributable to the reportable segments. Corporate is primarily related to costs associated with corporate executives, corporate finance, corporate social responsibility, legal, human resources, information technology, cyber security and other shared costs. Corporate operating expenses increased 20.2% to $84,815 during the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $70,572 in the last year, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2019

Consolidated:

Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by 32.8% to $1,201,814 from $1,787,157 for fiscal 2019,with decreases in all segments as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the year ended December 31, 2020, gross profit was $464,541, or 38.7% of total revenue, as compared to $686,017, or 38.4% of total revenue, in the prior year. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of total revenue was primarily due to the shift in sales to our higher-margin e-commerce business. Operating expenses in 2020 were $414,978, or 34.5% of total revenue, as compared $503,270, or 28.2% of total revenue, in 2019. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue was primarily attributable to a deleverage on a lower sales base, but was also impacted by the impairment of lease right-of-use assets and fixed assets, early lease termination and modification charges, and restructuring and other related charges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase was partially offset by our reduction in workforce, furloughs, temporary salary reductions and reduced discretionary spending as a result of our initiatives to control expenses, along with the change in valuation of contingent considerations. In addition, for the years 2020 and 2019, impairments of intangibles of $44,273 and $4,050 were recorded, respectively. Also in 2020 and 2019, impairments for lease right-of-use assets and fixed assets of $36,895 and $1,883 were recorded, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased to 39.0% compared to 21.8% last year. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the year-over-year benefit resulting from the exercising and vesting of share-based awards, an increase in tax benefit related to a net operating loss carryback claim set forth by the CARES Act, an increase in the GILTI tax, a decrease in the state taxes incurred, and an increase in 2019 pre-tax losses in jurisdictions with higher tax rates. Net loss attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2020 was ($18,397) compared to net income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd. of $141,311 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Wholesale Footwear Segment:

Revenue from the Wholesale Footwear segment was $713,662, or 59.4%, and $1,112,091, or 62.2%, of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease of 35.8% in revenue is primarily driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including significant order cancellations. Gross profit in 2020 was $226,556, or 31.7% of Wholesale Footwear revenue, as compared to gross profit of $373,587, or 33.6% of Wholesale Footwear revenue, in 2019. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of Wholesale Footwear revenue was primarily due to close-outs of excess inventory resulting from store closures and order cancellations from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and higher sales mix of our private label business, partially offset by lower markdowns. Operating expenses were $118,325, or 16.6% of Wholesale Footwear revenue, in 2020 compared to $152,620, or 13.7% of Wholesale Footwear revenue, in 2019. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of Wholesale Footwear revenue was primarily attributable to a deleverage on a lower sales base in addition to restructuring and other related charges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by our reduction in workforce, furloughs, temporary salary reductions and reduced discretionary spending as a result of our initiatives to control expenses. For 2020 and 2019, intangible impairment charges of $16,345 and $4,050 were recorded, respectively. Income from operations decreased to $91,887 for 2020 compared to $216,917 for 2019.

Wholesale Accessories/Apparel Segment:

Revenue from the Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment accounted for $235,892, or 19.6%, and $334,862, or 18.7%, of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease of 29.6% in revenue was primarily attributable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including order cancellations. Gross profit was $70,908, or 30.1% of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, for 2020 as compared to $98,131, or 29.3% of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, in the prior year. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue was primarily due to lower markdowns and an increase penetration of the higher margin BB Dakota apparel business. Operating expenses for 2020 were $45,889, or 19.5% of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, as compared to $60,522, or 18.1% of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue, in 2019. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of Wholesale Accessories/Apparel revenue was primarily attributable to a deleverage on a lower sales base, but was also impacted by restructuring and other related charges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in expenses was partially offset by our reduction in workforce, furloughs, temporary salary reductions and reduced discretionary spending as a result of our initiatives to control expenses, along with a change in valuation of a contingent consideration. For 2020, an intangible impairment charge of $27,472 was recorded. Loss from operations for the Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment was ($2,453) in 2020 compared to income from operations of $37,609 in 2019.

Direct-to-Consumer Segment:

Revenue from the Direct-to-Consumer segment accounted for $239,389, or 19.9% of total revenue, and $321,182, or 18.0%, of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease of 25.5% in revenue is primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the temporary closure of all of our brick-and-mortar stores in the U.S. and the vast majority of our brick-and-mortar stores globally from the second half of March through at least the end of May and subsequent mandated closures. During 2020, we added five stores and closed 14 stores. As of December 31, 2020 we had 211 brick-and-mortar retail stores and seven e-commerce sites compared to 227 stores as of December 31, 2019. In addition, we operated 17 concessions in our international markets. During the year ended December 31, 2020, gross profit was $154,205, or 64.4% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue compared to $195,277, or 60.8% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue in 2019. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of Direct-to-Consumer revenue was primarily due to a shift in sales to the higher-margin e-commerce business and less discounting. In 2020, operating expenses were $175,743, or 73.4% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue, compared to $191,184, or 59.5% of Direct-to-Consumer revenue in 2019. The increase in operating expenses as a percentage of Direct-to-Consumer revenue was primarily attributable to a deleverage on a lower sales base, but was also impacted by the impairment of lease right-of-use assets and fixed assets and restructuring and related charges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in expenses was partially offset by our reduction in workforce, furloughs, temporary salary reductions, rent reductions and reduced discretionary spending as a result of our initiatives to control expenses, along with the change in valuation of a contingent consideration. Also in 2020 and 2019, impairments for lease right-of-use assets and fixed assets of $36,895 and $1,883 were recorded, respectively. For 2020, an intangible impairment charge of $456 was recorded. For the year ended December 31, 2020, loss from operations for the Direct-to-Consumer segment was ($58,889) compared to income from operations of $2,210 in the prior year.

First Cost Segment:

Commission fee income generated by the First Cost segment accounted for $3,902, or 0.3% of total revenue, and $7,441, or 0.4% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Operating expenses decreased to $1,308 in 2020 from $13,943 in 2019. Operating expenses in 2020, included a benefit associated with the recovery from the Payless ShoeSource bankruptcy of $1,081 and in 2019 included charges to bad debt expenses associated with the Payless ShoeSource bankruptcy of $10,355. Income from operations was $2,594 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to a loss from operations of ($6,502) in 2019.

Licensing Segment:

Licensing fee income generated by the Licensing segment accounted for $8,969, or 0.7% of total revenue, and $11,581, or 0.6% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which represents a $2,612, or 22.6%, decrease. Operating expenses decreased to $3,141 in 2020 from $3,427 in 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, income from operations for the Licensing segment amounted to $5,828 as compared to the prior year income of $8,154.

Corporate:

Corporate does not constitute as a reportable segment and includes costs in operating expenses not directly attributable to the reportable segments. Corporate is primarily related to costs associated with corporate executives, corporate finance, corporate social responsibility, legal, human resources, information technology, cyber security and other shared costs. Corporate operating expenses decreased 13.5% to $70,572 in the twelve months of 2020 as compared to $81,574 in the same period of 2019, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $263,536 and $287,166 at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Of the total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2021, $156,112, or approximately 59%, was held in our foreign subsidiaries, and of the total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at December 31, 2020, $158,610, or approximately 56%, was held in our foreign subsidiaries.

On July 22, 2020, we entered into a $150,000, five-year, asset-based revolving credit facility with various lenders and Citizens Bank, N.A.

As of December 31, 2021, we had working capital of $509,470, cash and cash equivalents of $219,499, and short-term investments of $44,037 and no cash borrowing and $751 letters of credit outstanding.

We believe that based on our current financial position and available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, we will meet all of our financial commitments and operating needs for at least the next twelve months. In addition, as a precautionary measure, we have a $150,000 asset-based revolving credit facility, which provides additional liquidity and flexibility.

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operations was $159,463 in 2021 compared to cash provided by operations of $44,206 in the prior year. The improvement in cash provided by operations was primarily driven by favorable changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses, and an increase in net income, partially offset by unfavorable changes in inventories and receivables.

Investing Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2021 we invested $68,471 in short-term investments offset by cash received of $63,867 from the maturities and sales of short-term investments. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we received proceeds of $8,000 for the sale of a trademark. We also made capital expenditures of $6,608, which were principally for leasehold improvements to our office space, new stores and systems enhancements.

Financing Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used in financing activities was $184,653, which consisted of share repurchases of $123,161, cash dividends paid of $49,161, the acquisition of increased ownership in our joint ventures for $18,942, partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $9,732.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:


	Payment due by period
(in thousands)	Total		2022		2023-2024		2025-2026		2027 and after
Operating lease obligations	$	122,036	$	35,894	$	46,796	$	27,462	$	11,884
Purchase obligations	262,985		262,985		—		—		—
Future minimum royalty and advertising payments	13,688		8,250		5,438		—		—
Transition tax	13,284		1,563		6,837		4,884		—
Total	$	411,993	$	308,692	$	59,071	$	32,346	$	11,884

Substantially all our products are produced by independent manufacturers at overseas locations, the majority of which are located in China, with a growing percentage located in Cambodia, Mexico, Brazil and some European nations. We have not entered into any long-term manufacturing or supply contracts with any of these foreign manufacturers. We believe that a sufficient number of alternative sources exist outside of the United States for the manufacture of our products. Purchases are made primarily in United States dollars.

We have employment agreements with our Creative and Design Chief, Steven Madden, and certain executive officers, which provide for the payment of compensation aggregating to approximately $10,525 in 2022, $9,200 in 2023 and $1,172 in 2024. In addition, some of these employment agreements provide for discretionary bonuses and some provide for incentive compensation based on various performance criteria as well as other benefits, including stock-related compensation.

Transition tax of $13,284 was the result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act"). For further information, refer to Note O – Income Taxes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Excluded from the contractual obligations table above are long-term taxes payable of $1,145 as of December 31, 2021 primarily related to uncertain tax positions, for which we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments in individual years beyond one year due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes.

Dividends

In February 2021, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on our outstanding shares of common stock. The dividend was paid on March 26, 2021, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 16, 2021. We paid total cash dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2021 of $12,425.

In April 2021, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on our outstanding shares of common stock. The dividend was paid on June 25, 2021, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 15, 2021. We paid total cash dividends for the three months ended June 30, 2021 of $12,347.

In July 2021, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on our outstanding shares of common stock. The dividend was paid on September 27, 2021, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 17, 2021. We paid total cash dividends for the three months ended September 30, 2021 of $12,218.

In November 2021, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on our outstanding shares of common stock. The dividend was paid on December 27, 2021, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 17, 2021. We paid total cash dividends for the three months ended December 31, 2021 of $12,171.

On February 23, 2022, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend. The quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share is payable on March 25, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 11, 2022.

Future quarterly cash dividend payments are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and contingent upon future earnings, our financial condition, capital requirements, general business conditions, and other factors. Therefore, we can give no assurance that cash dividends will be paid to holders of our common stock in the future.

Inflation

Inflation and cost pressures including increasing raw material, labor and freight costs have had a significant impact on our profitability in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and elevated prices are expected to continue in 2022. We have minimized the impact of product, wage and freight cost increases by raising prices, renegotiating costs, changing suppliers and improving operating efficiencies. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to offset any such inflationary cost increases in the future.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND THE USE OF ESTIMATES

Management believes the following critical accounting estimates are more significantly affected by judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements: allowance for bad debts; customer returns, chargebacks, markdowns and co-op advertising; inventory valuation; valuation of intangible assets, and impairment of long-lived assets. Our estimates are made based upon historical factors, current circumstances and the experience and judgment of management. Assumptions and estimates are evaluated on an ongoing basis, and we may employ outside experts to assist in evaluations.

Allowances for bad debts. Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may be uncollectible in the future. Estimates are used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts and are based on an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable, assessments of collectability based on historical trends, the financial condition of our customers and an evaluation of economic conditions. In general, the actual bad debt losses have historically been within our expectations and the allowances we have established. The reserve against our non-factored trade receivables also includes estimated losses that may result from customers’ inability to pay.

Markdowns, customer returns, chargebacks and co-op advertising. We provide variable consideration to our customers for chargebacks, discounts, co-op advertising, returns and other miscellaneous deductions that relate to the current period. The amount of the consideration for returns, discounts and compliance chargebacks is determined by analyzing aged receivables, current economic conditions, the prevailing retail environment and historical dilution levels for customers. We evaluate anticipated customer markdowns and chargebacks by reviewing several performance indicators for our major customers. These performance indicators (which include inventory levels on the retail floors, sell through rates and gross margin levels) are analyzed by management to estimate the amount of the anticipated customer allowance. Under our co-op advertising programs, we agree to reimburse the retailer for a portion of the costs incurred by the retailer to advertise and promote some of our products. We estimate the costs of co-op advertising programs based on the terms of the agreements with its retailer customers. Failure to correctly estimate the amount of the reserve could materially impact our results of operations and financial position.

Inventory valuation. Inventories are stated at lower of cost or net realizable value, on a first-in, first-out basis. We review inventory on a regular basis for excess and slow-moving inventory. The review is based on an analysis of inventory on hand, prior sales, and expected net realizable value through future sales. The analysis includes a review of inventory quantities on hand at period-end in relation to year-to-date sales and projections for sales in the foreseeable future as well as subsequent sales. We consider quantities on hand in excess of estimated future sales to be at risk for market impairment. The net realizable value, or market value, is determined based on the estimate of sales prices of such inventory through off-price or discount store channels. The likelihood of any material inventory write-down is dependent primarily on the expectation of future consumer demand for our products. A misinterpretation or misunderstanding of future consumer demand for our products, the economy, or other failure to estimate correctly, in addition to abnormal weather patterns, could result in inventory valuation changes, compared to the valuation determined to be appropriate as of the balance sheet date.

Valuation of intangible assets and goodwill. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we test goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives at least annually. This accounting guidance also requires that intangible assets with finite lives be amortized over their respective lives to their estimated residual values and reviewed for impairment in accordance with applicable accounting guidance.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are assessed for impairment by performing a qualitative assessment that evaluates relevant events or circumstances in order to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an intangible or a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Factors considered include historical financial performance, macroeconomic and industry conditions and legal and regulatory environment. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount, and if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an impairment is recognized equal to the amount by which the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount. We perform this annual assessment during our third quarter or if impairment indicators warrant a test.

Impairment of long-lived assets. We perform an impairment review of our long-lived assets, once events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. When such a determination has been made, management compares the carrying value of the asset groups with their estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If it is determined that an impairment has occurred, the fair value of the asset group is determined and compared to its carrying value. The excess of the carrying value over the fair value, if any, is recognized as a loss during that period. The impairment is calculated as the difference between asset carrying values and the fair value of the long-lived assets.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

($ in thousands)

Interest Rate Risk

We do not engage in the trading of market risk sensitive instruments in the normal course of business. Our financing arrangements are subject to variable interest rates, primarily based on the prime rate and LIBOR. The terms of our $150,000 asset-based revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) and our collection agency agreement with Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. can be found in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Item 7 and in Note Q and Note R, respectively, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K. Because we had no cash borrowings under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2021, a 10% change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have an immaterial effect on our reported interest expense.

As of December 31, 2021, we held short-term investments valued at $44,037, which consist of certificates of deposit. We have the ability to hold these investments until maturity.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We face market risk to the extent that our U.S. or foreign operations involve the transaction of business in foreign currencies. In addition, our inventory purchases are primarily done in foreign jurisdictions and inventory purchases may be impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies of our contract manufacturers, which could have the effect of increasing the cost of goods sold in the future. We manage these risks primarily by denominating these purchases in U.S. dollars. To mitigate the risk of purchases that are denominated in foreign currencies we may enter into forward foreign exchange contracts for terms of no more than two years. A description of our accounting policies for derivative financial instruments is included in Note B and Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2021, we entered into forward foreign exchange contracts with notional amounts totaling $30,293. We performed a sensitivity analysis based on a model that measures the impact of a hypothetical change in foreign currency exchange rates to determine the effects that market risk exposures may have on the fair values of our forward foreign exchange contracts that were outstanding as of the year-end. As of December 31, 2021, a 10% increase or decrease of the U.S. dollar against the exchange rates for foreign currencies under forward foreign exchange contracts, with all other variables held constant, would result in a net increase or decrease, respectively, in the fair value of our derivatives portfolio of approximately $2,265.

In addition, we are exposed to translation risk in connection with our foreign operations in Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, China, Taiwan and Israel because our subsidiaries and joint ventures in these countries utilize the local currency as their functional currency, and those financial results are translated into U.S. dollars. As currency exchange rates fluctuate, foreign currency exchange rate translation adjustments reflected in our financial statements with respect to our foreign operations affects the comparability of financial results between years.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the consolidated financial statements listed in response to Item 15 of Part IV of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

On March 6, 2020, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors dismissed EisnerAmper LLP (“EisnerAmper”) as our independent registered public accounting firm effective immediately and appointed Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as our independent public accounting firm, effective upon the dismissal of EisnerAmper.

In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 there were (i) no disagreements between us and EisnerAmper on any maters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of EisnerAmper, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report on the financial statements for such years and (ii) no “reportable events” as defined in Section 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K and the related instructions thereto.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of Steven Madden, Ltd. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act).

Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, and effected by the Board of Directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our 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.

With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness, as of the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has audited our consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. Their attestation report appears in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting, as identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2021, which has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this Item will be set forth in our proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this Item will be set forth in our proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this Item will be set forth in our proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this Item will be set forth in our proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this Item will be set forth in our proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Exhibits.

See the Exhibit Index included herein.

(b) Financial Statements and Financial Statements Schedules

See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

Exhibit Index


2.01			Equity Purchase Agreement, dated January 30, 2017, among the Company, Schwartz & Benjamin, Inc., B.D.S., Inc., Quinby Ridge Enterprises LLC, DANIELBARBARA Enterprises LLC, the Sellers party thereto, and Daniel Schwartz, as agent for the Sellers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 31, 2017)
2.02			First Amendment to Equity Purchase Agreement, dated November 21, 2017, to Equity Purchase Agreement, dated January 30, 2017, among the Company, Schwartz & Benjamin, Inc., B.D.S., Inc., Quinby Ridge Enterprises LLC, DANIELBARBARA Enterprises LLC, the Sellers party thereto, and Daniel Schwartz, as agent for the Sellers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018)
3.01			Certificate of Incorporation of Steven Madden, Ltd., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019 filed with the SEC on August 5, 2019)
3.02			Amended & Restated By-Laws of Steven Madden, Ltd., as further amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017 filed with the SEC on August 4, 2017)
4.01			Specimen Certificate for shares of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2013)
4.02			Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
10.01			Third Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note dated as of June 25, 2007 of Steven H. Madden to the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 9, 2012)
10.02			First Allonge to Third Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note made as of April 8, 2016 between the Company and Steven H. Madden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2016)
10.03			Collection Agency Agreement dated July 10, 2009 between Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010 filed with the SEC on November 9, 2010)
10.04			Amendment to Collection Agency Agreement dated February 16, 2010 between Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2010)
10.05			Collection Agency Agreement dated July 10, 2009 between Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. and Daniel Friedman & Associates, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 16, 2009)
10.06			Collection Agency Agreement dated July 10, 2009 between Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. and Diva Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 16, 2009)
10.07			Collection Agency Agreement dated July 10, 2009 between Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. and Steven Madden Retail, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 16, 2009)
10.08			Collection Agency Agreement dated July 10, 2009 between Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. and Stevies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 16, 2009)
10.09			Collection Agency Agreement dated July 10, 2009 between Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. and SML Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 16, 2009)
10.10			Letter Agreement dated July 10, 2009 among Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc., the Company, Daniel Friedman & Associates, Inc., Diva Acquisition Corp., Steven Madden Retail, Inc., Stevies, Inc., and SML Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 16, 2009)
10.11			Guarantee dated July 10, 2009 of the Company, Daniel Friedman & Associates, Inc., Diva Acquisition Corp., Steven Madden Retail, Inc., Stevies, Inc., and SML Acquisition Corp. in favor of Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 16, 2009)
10.12			Amendment to Collection Agency Agreement, dated May 6, 2020, between Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 28, 2020)


10.13			Credit Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2020, among Steven Madden, Ltd., the other subsidiary borrowers from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Citizens Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 28, 2020)
10.14			Amended and Restated Deferred Purchase Factoring Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2020, among Steven Madden, Ltd., certain subsidiaries of Steven Madden, Ltd. party thereto and Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 28, 2020)
10.15			Third Amended Employment Agreement dated July 15, 2005 between the Company and Steven Madden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 20, 2005)
10.16			Amendment dated December 14, 2009 to Third Amended Employment Agreement between the Company and Steven Madden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 17, 2009)
10.17			Amended and Restated Second Amendment dated as of December 31, 2011 to Third Amended Employment Agreement between the Company and Steven Madden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2012)
10.18			Third Amendment dated April 8, 2016 to Third Amended Employment Agreement between the Company and Steven Madden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2016)
10.19			Fourth Amendment dated March 25, 2019 to Third Amended Employment Agreement between the Company and Steven Madden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 2019)
10.20			Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.07 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2001)#
10.21			Amendment No. 1 dated June 29, 2001 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2001 filed August 14, 2001)#
10.22			Amendment No. 2 dated October 30, 2002 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2002 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2002)#
10.23			Amendment No. 3 dated February 1, 2006 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 3, 2006)#
10.24			Amendment No. 4 dated October 7, 2009 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 13, 2009)#
10.25			Amendment No. 5 dated February 8, 2012 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012)#
10.26			Amendment No. 6 dated February 2, 2015 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 4, 2015)#
10.27			Amendment No. 7 dated as of May 15, 2017 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 16, 2017)#
10.28			Amendment No. 8 dated as of April 20, 2018 to Employment Agreement between the Company and Arvind Dharia (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 26, 2018)#
10.29			Employment Agreement dated as of May 11, 2020 between the Company and Karla Frieders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 14, 2020)#
10.30			Employment Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2018, between the Company and Edward R. Rosenfeld (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 4, 2019)#
10.31			Employment Agreement dated December 27, 2019 between the Company and Awadhesh Sinha (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 3, 2020)#
10.32			Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement dated February 25, 2021 between the Company and Awadhesh Sinha (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2021)#


10.33			Employment Agreement dated December 27, 2019 between the Company and Amelia Newton Varela (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 3, 2020)#
10.34			Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement dated February 25, 2021 between the Company and Amelia Newton Varela (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2021)#
10.35			Employment Agreement dated December 8, 2020 between the Company and Zine Mazouzi (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 10, 2020)#
10.36			2006 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated Effective May 22, 2009), amended by the Board of Directors of the Company on April 5, 2012 and approved and adopted by the Company's stockholders on May 25, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2013)#
10.37			2019 Incentive Compensation Plan, as adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 25, 2019 and approved and adopted by the Company's stockholders on May 24, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019 filed with the SEC on August 5, 2019)#
14.01			Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.01 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2015)
14.02			Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for the Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.02 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2015)
14.03			Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.03 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019)
21.01			Subsidiaries of the Registrant†
23.01			Consent of Ernst & Young LLP†
23.02			Consent of EisnerAmper LLP†
24.01			Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)
31.01			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†
31.02			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†
32.01			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†*
32.02			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002†*
101			The following materials from Steven Madden, Ltd.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, formatted in iXBRL (Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss), (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss)/Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.*
104			Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) with applicable taxonomy extension information contained in Exhibit 101.*

† Filed herewith.

# Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be identified pursuant to Item 15(b) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

* This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filing, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

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.

DATE: March 1, 2022


STEVEN MADDEN, LTD.

/s/ EDWARD R. ROSENFELD
Edward R. Rosenfeld
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ ZINE MAZOUZI
Zine Mazouzi
Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes and appoints Edward R. Rosenfeld and Zine Mazouzi, and each of them, as attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorney-in-fact or substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature	Title	Date
/s/ EDWARD R. ROSENFELD	Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director	March 1, 2022
Edward R. Rosenfeld
/s/ ZINE MAZOUZI	Chief Financial Officer	March 1, 2022
Zine Mazouzi
/s/ AMELIA NEWTON VARELA	President and Director	March 1, 2022
Amelia Newton Varela
/s/ PETER DAVIS	Director	March 1, 2022
Pete Davis
/s/ AL FERRARA	Director	March 1, 2022
Al Ferrara
/s/ ROSE LYNCH	Director	March 1, 2022
Rose Lynch
/s/ MITCHELL S. KLIPPER	Director	March 1, 2022
Mitchell S. Klipper
/s/ MARÍA TERESA KUMAR	Director	March 1, 2022
María Teresa Kumar
/s/ PETER MIGLIORINI	Director	March 1, 2022
Peter Migliorini
/s/ RAVI SACHDEV	Director	March 1, 2022
Ravi Sachdev
/s/ ARIAN SIMONE REED	Director	March 1, 2022
Arian Simone Reed
/s/ ROBERT SMITH	Director	March 1, 2022
Robert Smith

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm [PCAO B ID No . 42]			F-1

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Fir m [PCAOB ID N o. 274]			F-4

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 202 1 and 20 20			F-5

Consolidated Statements of I ncome /(L oss) for the years ended December 31, 202 1 , 20 20 and 201 9			F-6

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income /(Loss) for the years ended December 31, 202 1 , 20 20 and 201 9			F-7

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 202 1 , 20 20 and 201 9			F-8

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 202 1 , 20 20 and 20 19			F-9

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			F-10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Steven Madden, Ltd.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Steven Madden, Ltd. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income/(loss), comprehensive income/(loss), changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 1, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

F-4


			Markdown Allowances
Description of the Matter			As described in Note B to the consolidated financial statements, revenue recognized by the Company is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods, which includes estimates for variable consideration. Variable consideration includes markdown allowances which are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period in which revenue is recognized. Estimating the amount of markdown allowances to be recorded requires management to review several performance indicators, including retailers’ inventory levels, sell-through rates and gross margin levels. Auditing management's estimate of markdown allowances reserves was complex and judgmental as reserve amounts are sensitive to changes in market or economic conditions (including the effects of the global pandemic), and have a direct, material impact on the amount of revenue recognized by the Company. There is also significant estimation required to establish markdown reserve rates by brand and customer, which are based on the Company's review of periodic negotiations with each customer and the expected performance of the products in the customers' stores.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit			We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of internal controls over the Company's process to calculate the markdown allowances, including the consideration of historical experience, actual and forecasted results, and current economic and market conditions (including the effects of the global pandemic). To test the estimate of markdown allowances, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing methodologies and testing the assumptions regarding periodic negotiations with each customer, which include the application of market and economic conditions to individual customers and the expected performance of the products in the customers' stores, that were used by the Company to calculate the projected markdown allowances to be issued upon settlement. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to current market and economic trends, historical results and other relevant factors. We also examined the historical accuracy of management's estimates and performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to substantively test the changes in the estimate that would result from reasonable changes in the assumptions.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2020.

New York, New York

March 1, 2022

F-4

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Steven Madden, Ltd.

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Steven Madden, Ltd. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Steven Madden, Ltd. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income/(loss), comprehensive income/(loss), changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and our report dated March 1, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

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 are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

March 1, 2022

F-4

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Steven Madden Ltd.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes to stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of Steven Madden Ltd. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ EisnerAmper LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor from 1995 through 2020.

Iselin, New Jersey

March 2, 2020

F-4

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets


	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	219,499	$	247,864
Short-term investments	44,037		39,302
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $12,273 and $8,943	26,546		25,044
Factor accounts receivable	364,982		252,671
Inventories	255,213		101,420
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	20,845		17,415
Income tax receivable and prepaid income taxes	13,538		14,525

Total current assets	944,660		698,241
Note receivable – related party	794		1,180
Property and equipment, net	35,790		43,268
Operating lease right-of-use asset	85,449		101,379
Deferred tax assets	4,581		5,415
Deposits and other	4,180		4,822

Goodwill – net	167,995		168,265
Intangibles – net	112,093		115,191
Total Assets	$	1,355,542	$	1,137,761
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	136,766	$	73,904
Accrued expenses	243,163		118,083
Operating leases - current portion	30,759		34,257
Income taxes payable	4,522		5,799
Contingent payment liability – current portion	5,109		—
Accrued incentive compensation	14,871		3,873
Total current liabilities	435,190		235,916
Contingent payment liability	6,960		207

Operating leases - long-term portion	80,072		98,592
Deferred tax liabilities	3,378		2,562
Other liabilities	9,404		10,115
Total Liabilities	535,004		347,392
Commitments, contingencies and other (Note P)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock – $0.0001 par value, 5,000 shares authorized; none issued; Series A Junior Participating preferred stock – $0.0001 par value, 60 shares authorized; none issued	—		—
Common stock – $0.0001 par value, 245,000 shares authorized, 134,029 and 133,247 shares issued, 80,557 and 82,616 shares outstanding	8		8
Additional paid-in capital	495,999		478,463
Retained earnings	1,421,067		1,279,550
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(29,544)		(29,164)
Treasury stock – 53,472 and 50,631 shares at cost	(1,075,432)		(952,271)
Total Steven Madden, Ltd. stockholders’ equity	812,098		776,586
Noncontrolling interest	8,440		13,783
Total stockholders’ equity	820,538		790,369
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	1,355,542	$	1,137,761

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-5

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss)


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands except share data)	2021		2020		2019
Net sales	$	1,853,902	$	1,188,943	$	1,768,135
Commission and licensing fee income	12,240		12,871		19,022
Total revenue	1,866,142		1,201,814		1,787,157
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	1,098,645		737,273		1,101,140
Gross profit	767,497		464,541		686,017
Operating expenses	519,848		414,978		503,270
Impairment of intangibles	2,620		44,273		4,050
Impairment of lease right-of-use assets and fixed assets	1,432		36,895		1,883
Income/(loss) from operations	243,597		(31,605)		176,814
Interest and other (expense) /income - net	(1,529)		1,620		4,412
Income/(loss) before provision/(benefit) for income taxes	242,068		(29,985)		181,226
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes	49,609		(11,704)		39,504
Net income/(loss)	192,459		(18,281)		141,722
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,781		116		411
Net income/(loss) attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd.	$	190,678	$	(18,397)	$	141,311


Basic net income/(loss) per share	$	2.43	$	(0.23)	$	1.78

Diluted net income/(loss) per share	$	2.34	$	(0.23)	$	1.69

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	78,442		78,635		79,577
Effect of dilutive securities – options/restricted stock	3,186		—		4,069
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	81,628		78,635		83,646

Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.60	$	0.15	$	0.57

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-6

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)


	Year Ended December 31, 2021
(in thousands)	Pre-tax amounts		Tax (expense)		After-tax amounts
Net income					$	192,459
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(991)	$	—	(991)
Gain on cash flow hedging derivatives	1,451		(375)		1,076
Total other comprehensive income	$	460	$	(375)	85

Comprehensive income					192,544
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests					2,246
Comprehensive income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd.					$	190,298

	Year Ended December 31, 2020
(in thousands)	Pre-tax amounts		Tax benefit		After-tax amounts
Net (loss)					$	(18,281)
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	2,551	$	—	2,551
(Loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	(526)		134		(392)
Total other comprehensive income	2,025		134		2,159

Comprehensive loss					(16,122)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests					999
Comprehensive loss attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd.					$	(17,121)

	Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in thousands)	Pre-tax amounts		Tax benefit/(expense)		After-tax amounts
Net income					$	141,722
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	2,885	$	—	2,885
(Loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	(1,387)		333		(1,054)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	116		(28)		88
Total other comprehensive income	1,614		305		1,919

Comprehensive income					143,641
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests					142
Comprehensive income attributable to Steven Madden, Ltd.					$	143,499

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-7

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity


	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss)		Treasury Stock			Non-Controlling Interest		Total Stockholders' Equity
(in thousands except share data)	Shares	Amount								Shares	Amount
Balance - December 31, 2018	85,715	$	6	$	424,835	$	1,217,521	$	(32,628)	46,276	$	(803,920)	$	8,868	$	814,682
Share repurchases	(2,958)	—		—		—		—		2,958	(101,768)		—		(101,768)
Exercise of stock options	273	—		6,212		—		—		—	—		—		6,212
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	490	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		23,170		—		—		—	—		—		23,170
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—		—		3,154		—	—		(269)		2,885
Unrealized gain on marketable securities (net of tax expense of $28)	—	—		—		—		88		—	—		—		88
Cash flow hedge (net of tax benefit of $375)	—	—		—		—		(1,054)		—	—		—		(1,054)
Dividends on common stock ($0.57 per share)	—	—		—		(48,426)		—		—	—		—		(48,426)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		(1,444)		(1,444)
Investment of noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		3,248		3,248
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		1,909		1,909
Net income	—	—		—		141,311		—		—	—		411		141,722
Balance - December 31, 2019	83,520	6		454,217		1,310,406		(30,440)		49,234	(905,688)		12,723		841,224
Share repurchases	(1,397)	—		—		—		—		1,397	(46,583)		—		(46,583)
Exercise of stock options	80	2		1,607		—		—		—	—		—		1,609
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	413	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		22,639		—		—		—	—		—		22,639
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—		—		1,668		—	—		883		2,551
Cash flow hedge (net of tax benefit of $134)	—	—		—		—		(392)		—	—		—		(392)
Dividends on common stock ($0.15 per share)	—	—		—		(12,459)		—		—	—		—		(12,459)
Investment of noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		359		359
Acquisition adjustment of noncontrolling interest	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		(298)		(298)
Net (loss)/income	—	—		—		(18,397)		—		—	—		116		(18,281)
Balance - December 31, 2020	82,616	8		478,463		1,279,550		(29,164)		50,631	(952,271)		13,783		790,369
Share repurchases and net settlement of awards under stock plan	(2,841)	—		—		—		—		2,841	(123,161)		—		(123,161)
Exercise of stock options	411	—		9,732		—		—		—	—		—		9,732
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	371	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		—
Stock-based compensation	—	—		22,278		—		—		—	—		—		22,278
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—	—		—		—		(1,456)		—	—		465		(991)

Cash flow hedge (net of tax expense of $375)	—	—		—		—		1,076		—	—		—		1,076
Dividends on common stock ($0.60 per share)	—	—		—		(49,161)		—		—	—		—		(49,161)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests, net	—	—		—		—		—		—	—		(3,121)		(3,121)

Acquisition of incremental ownership of joint ventures	—	—		(14,474)		—		—		—	—		(4,468)		(18,942)
Net income	—	—		—		190,678		—		—	—		1,781		192,459
Balance - December 31, 2021	80,557	$	8	$	495,999	$	1,421,067	$	(29,544)	53,472	$	(1,075,432)	$	8,440	$	820,538

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-8

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	$	192,459	$	(18,281)	$	141,722
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Stock-based compensation	22,278		22,639		23,170

Depreciation and amortization	15,208		17,360		21,337
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	526		561		920
Impairment of intangibles	2,620		44,273		4,050
Impairment of lease right-of-use asset and fixed assets	1,432		36,895		1,883
Deferred taxes	1,280		(8,353)		5,144
Accrued interest on note receivable – related party	(23)		(31)		(40)
Note receivable - related party	409		409		409
Realized loss on sale of marketable securities	—		—		5
Change in valuation of contingent liability	11,862		(8,917)		—
Gain on sale of trademark	(8,000)		—		—
Net benefit in connection with the reversal of a contingent liability partially offset by the acceleration of amortization related to the termination of the Kate Spade license agreement	—		—		(1,868)
Recovery of receivables, related to the Payless ShoeSource bankruptcy	(919)		—		8,687
Changes, net of acquisitions, in:
Accounts receivable	(583)		13,122		(17,837)
Factor accounts receivable	(112,311)		(36,200)		24,924
Inventories	(153,793)		35,476		8,436
Prepaid expenses, income tax receivables, prepaid taxes, and other current assets	(1,899)		(10,129)		9,466
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	185,741		(34,207)		11,036
Accrued incentive compensation	10,998		(7,061)		(249)
Leases and other liabilities	(7,822)		(3,350)		(7,415)
Net cash provided by operating activities	159,463		44,206		233,780

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(6,608)		(6,562)		(18,311)
Purchases of short-term investments	(68,471)		(73,792)		(67,935)

Maturity/sale of marketable securities and short-term investments	63,867		75,470		95,671
Proceeds from sale of a trademark	8,000		—		—

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—		—		(37,173)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,212)		(4,884)		(27,748)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	9,732		1,609		6,212
Investment of noncontrolling interest	—		359		3,248

Acquisition of incremental ownership of joint ventures	(18,942)		—		—
Distributions to noncontrolling interest earnings	(3,121)		—		(1,444)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(123,161)		(46,583)		(101,768)
Cash dividends paid on common stock	(49,161)		(12,459)		(48,426)
Advances from factor	—		176,784		—
Repayments of advances from factor	—		(176,784)		—
Net cash used in financing activities	(184,653)		(57,074)		(142,178)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	37		1,515		216
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents	(28,365)		(16,237)		64,070
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year	247,864		264,101		200,031
Cash and cash equivalents – end of year	$	219,499	$	247,864	$	264,101
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	$	—	$	354	$	25
Income taxes	$	46,808	$	5,147	$	29,552

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-9

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

All figures discussed in these notes to our consolidated financial statements are in thousands, except for per share amounts.

Note A – Nature of Operations

Note B – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Steven Madden, Ltd. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The accounts of BA Brand Holdings LLC, a joint venture in the United States which the Company is the majority owner, SM (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., a joint venture in China which the Company is the majority interest holder, SM Dolce Limited, a joint venture in Taiwan which the Company is the majority interest holder, SM Distribution Israel L.P., a joint venture in which the Company is the majority interest holder, and SM Distribution China Co., Ltd., a joint venture in which the Company is the majority interest holder, are included in the consolidated financial statements with the other members' interests reflected in “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest” in the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) and “Noncontrolling interest” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant areas involving management estimates include variable consideration included in revenue, allowances for bad debts, inventory valuation, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets and impairment of long-lived assets related to retail stores. The Company estimates variable consideration on trade accounts receivables and factor receivables for future customer chargebacks and markdown allowances, discounts, returns and other miscellaneous compliance-related deductions that relate to the current-period sales. The Company evaluates anticipated chargebacks by reviewing several performance indicators of its major customers. These performance indicators, which include retailers’ inventory levels, sell-through rates and gross margin levels, are analyzed by management to estimate the amount of the anticipated customer allowance.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash balances and highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Short-Term Investments:

Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit with original maturities less than or equal to one year as of the balance sheet date.

Inventories:

Inventories consist of finished goods on hand and in transit and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value.

F-10

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Property and Equipment, Net:

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and impairment. Depreciation is computed utilizing the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives ranging from three to 27.5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term. Impairment losses are recognized in income/(loss) from operations for property and equipment and other long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are not sufficient to recover the assets' carrying amount. Impairment losses are measured by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying amount. See Note G – Property and Equipment for further information.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets:

The Company's goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized; rather they are tested for impairment on an annual basis at the beginning of the third quarter, or more often if events or circumstances change that could cause these assets to become impaired.

In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill may be assessed for impairment by performing a qualitative assessment that evaluates relevant events or circumstances in order to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an intangible asset or reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The factors that are considered include, but are not limited to, historical financial performance, expected future performance, macroeconomic and industry conditions and legal and regulatory environment. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the intangible asset or reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is performed. The quantitative impairment test identifies the existence of potential impairment by comparing the fair value of the intangible asset or reporting unit to its carrying amount, and if the fair value of the intangible asset or reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an impairment is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the intangible asset or reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount. See Note H – Goodwill and Intangible Assets for further information.

The Company amortizes its intangible assets with finite useful lives over their estimated useful lives and reviews these assets for impairment when there are indicators of impairment are present. The Company is currently amortizing its acquired intangible assets with finite useful lives over periods typically from 2 to 20 years using the straight-line method.

Comprehensive Loss:

Comprehensive loss is the total of net earnings and all other non-owner changes in equity. Comprehensive loss for the Company includes net income/(loss), foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized loss/gains on cash flow hedging. The accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive loss attributable to the Company were as follows:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Currency translation adjustment	$	(29,877)	$	(28,421)	$	(29,636)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	333		(743)		(804)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(29,544)	$	(29,164)	$	(30,440)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to operating income/(loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) during 2021, 2020 and 2019 were a loss of $961, $89 and $10, respectively.

Advertising Costs:

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, including digital, print, and radio advertisements. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, advertising expenses included in operating expenses amounted to approximately $65,080, $33,068, and $30,165, respectively.

Revenue Recognition:

The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations identified under the terms of contracts with its customers are satisfied, which generally occurs upon the transfer of control in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions of the sale. Most of the Company’s revenue is recognized at a point in time when product is shipped to the customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods, which

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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

includes estimates for variable consideration. Variable consideration mainly includes markdown allowances, co-op advertising programs and product returns. The revenue recognition for the Company's segments is described below (see Note T – Segment Information for disaggregated revenue amounts by segment).

Disaggregation of Revenue

Wholesale Sales Segments. The Company generates revenue through the design, sourcing and sale of branded footwear, accessories and apparel to both domestic and international customers who, in turn, sell the products to the consumer. The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations identified under the terms of contracts with its customers are satisfied, which occurs upon the transfer of control of the merchandise in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions of the sale. The Company's revenue associated with its branded footwear, accessories and apparel products is recognized at a point in time when product is shipped to the customer. The Company also generates revenue through the design, sourcing and sale of private label footwear and accessories to both domestic and international customers who brand the products and sell them to the consumer. The Company's revenue associated with private label footwear and accessories products is recognized at a point in time when product is physically delivered to the customer's freight forwarder.

Direct-to-Consumer Segment. The Company owns and operates 220 retail stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, South Africa and China, including six e-commerce sites. The Company generates revenue through the sale of branded footwear, apparel and accessories directly to the consumer. The Company's revenue associated with brick-and-mortar store sales is recognized at the time of the point of sale when the customer takes control of the goods and payment is received. The Company's e-commerce business recognizes sales upon receipt of goods by the customer.

First Cost Segment. The Company earns commissions for serving as a buying agent for footwear products under private labels and certain owned brands for many of the large mass-market merchandisers, shoe chains and other mid-tier retailers. As a buying agent, the Company utilizes its expertise and relationships with shoe manufacturers to facilitate the production of private label shoes to customer specifications. The Company’s commission revenue also includes fees charged for its design and product development services provided to certain suppliers. The Company satisfies its performance obligation to its customers by performing the services in buyer agency agreements and thereby earning its commission fee at the point in time when the customer’s freight forwarder takes control of the goods. The Company satisfies its performance obligation with the suppliers and earns its design fee from the factory at the point in time when the customer’s freight forwarder takes control of the goods.

Licensing Segment. The Company licenses various trademarks it owns under licensing agreements for use in connection with the manufacture, marketing and sale of eyewear, outerwear, hosiery, activewear, sleepwear, jewelry, watches, hair accessories, umbrellas, bedding, luggage, fragrance, men’s leather accessories, women's and children's apparel, swimwear and household goods. The license agreements require the licensee to pay the Company a royalty and, in substantially all of the agreements, an advertising fee, both of which are based on the higher of a minimum or actual net sales percentage as defined in the various agreements. For license agreements where the sales-based percentage fee exceeds the contractual minimum fee, the Company recognizes revenues as the licensed products are sold as reported to the Company by its licensees. In substantially all of the Company’s license agreements, the minimum guaranteed royalty is earned and received on a quarterly basis. For license agreements where the sales-based percentage fee does not exceed the contractual minimum fee, the Company recognizes the contractual minimum fee as revenue ratably over the contractual period.

Variable Consideration

The Company supports retailers’ initiatives to maximize sales of the Company’s products on the retail floor by providing markdown allowances and participating in various other marketing initiatives such as subsidizing certain co-op advertising programs of such retailers. Such expenses are reflected in the consolidated financial statements as deductions to arrive at net sales.

Markdown Allowances. The Company provides markdown allowances to its retailer customers, which are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period in which the branded footwear and accessories revenues are recognized. The Company estimates its markdown allowances by reviewing several performance indicators, including retailers' inventory levels, sell-through rates and gross margin levels.

Co-op Advertising Programs. Under co-op advertising programs, the Company agrees to reimburse the retailer for a portion of the costs incurred by the retailer to advertise and promote some of the Company's products. The Company estimates the costs of co-op advertising programs based on the terms of the agreements with its retailer customers.

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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Rights of Return. The Company’s Direct-to-Consumer segment accepts returns within 30 days from the date of sale for unworn merchandise that the Company is able to re-sell through the channel. The Company does not accept returns as a normal business practice from its branded and private label wholesale customers except for its Blondo, Dolce Vita and BB Dakota product lines. The Company estimates returns based on historical experience and current market conditions. Such amounts have historically not been material. In addition, the Company's wholesale business may, from time to time, accept returns for damaged products from its wholesale customers on which the Company’s costs are normally charged back to the responsible third-party factory.

Taxes Collected from Customers:

The Company accounts for certain taxes collected from its customers in accordance with the accounting guidance that permits companies to adopt a policy of presenting taxes in the income statement on either a gross basis (included in revenues and costs) or a net basis (excluded from revenues). Taxes within the scope of this accounting guidance would include taxes that are imposed on a revenue transaction between a seller and a customer, such as sales taxes, use taxes, value-added taxes and some types of excise taxes. The Company accounts for sales taxes and other related taxes on a net basis, excluding such taxes from revenue.

Cost of Sales:

All costs incurred to bring finished products to the Company’s distribution center or to the customers’ freight forwarder and, in the Direct-to-Consumer segment, the costs to bring products to the Company’s stores (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are included in the Cost of sales line on the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss). These include the cost of finished products, purchase commissions, letter of credit fees, brokerage fees, sample expenses, custom duties, inbound freight, royalty payments on licensed products, labels and product packaging. All warehouse and distribution costs related to the Wholesale segments and freight to customers, if any, are included in the operating expenses line item of the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss). The Company’s gross margins may not be comparable to those of other companies in the industry because they may include warehouse and distribution costs, as well as other costs excluded from cost of sales by the Company, as a component of cost of sales, while other companies report those costs on the same basis as the Company and include them in operating expenses.

Warehouse and Shipping Costs:

The Company includes all warehouse and shipping costs for the Wholesale segments in the operating expenses line on the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss). For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the total warehouse and shipping costs (except costs included to ship from warehouse to retail stores) included in operating expenses were $86,367, $58,621 and $58,019, respectively. Since the Company's standard terms of sales are “FOB Steve Madden warehouse,” the Company's wholesale customers absorb most shipping costs. Shipping costs to wholesale customers incurred by the Company are not considered significant and are included in the operating expenses line item in the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss).

Employee Benefit Plan:

The Company maintains a tax-qualified 401(k) plan, which is available to each of the Company's eligible employees who elect to participate after meeting certain length-of-service requirements. The Company made discretionary matching contributions of 50% of employees' contributions up to a maximum of 6% of employees' compensation, which vest to the employees over a period of time. Total matching contributions to the plan for 2021, 2020 and 2019 were approximately $1,989, $1,809 and $2,048, respectively.

Derivative Instruments:

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to cash-flow variability from foreign currency risk. Derivatives are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and included in prepaid expenses and other current assets or accrued expenses. The Company applies cash flow hedge accounting for its derivative instruments. Net derivative gains and losses attributable to derivatives subject to cash flow hedge accounting reside in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified to earnings in future periods as the economic transactions to which the derivatives relate affect earnings. See Note M – Derivative Instruments for additional details.

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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Income Taxes:

The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. See Note O – Income Taxes for additional details.

Share-based Compensation:

The Company recognizes expense related to share-based payment transactions in which it receives employee services in exchange for equity instruments of the Company. Share-based compensation cost for restricted stock awards is measured based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Share-based compensation cost for stock options is measured at the grant date, based on the fair-value as calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option-pricing model. The BSM option-pricing model incorporates various assumptions, including expected volatility, estimated expected life and interest rates. The Company recognizes share-based compensation cost over the award’s requisite service period and is presented in operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss). See Note I – Equity-Based Compensation for additional details.

Leases:

During the first quarter 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which requires leases with durations greater than twelve months to be recognized on the balance sheet. The Company adopted the standard using the modified retrospective approach with an effective date as of January 1, 2019. Upon adoption the Company recorded $194,100 of right-of-use asset and $209,000 of lease liabilities.

The Company elected the package of three practical expedients. As such, the Company did not reassess whether expired or existing contracts are or contain a lease and did not need to reassess the lease classifications or reassess the initial direct costs associated with expired or existing leases. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient or the land easement practical expedient, neither of which are applicable to the Company. In addition, the Company has elected to take the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all asset classes.

The Company leases office space, sample production space, warehouses, showrooms, storage units and retail stores under operating leases. The Company’s portfolio of leases is primarily related to real estate. Since most of its leases does not provide a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments based on information available at lease commencement.

Some of the Company’s retail store leases provide for variable lease payments based on future sales volumes at the leased location, which are not measurable at the inception of the lease and are therefore not included in the measurement of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Under Topic 842, these variable lease costs are expensed as incurred.

Lease right-of-use assets, along with other long-lived assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. For stores with an indicator of impairment, the Company performs a recoverability test, comparing estimated undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value of the related long-lived assets. When the carrying value is more than the estimated undiscounted cash flows, the Company writes the assets down to their fair value. Fair values of the long-lived assets are estimated using an income approach based on management’s forecast of future cash flows derived from continued retail operations and the fair values of individual operating lease assets were determined using estimated market rental rates. Significant estimates are used in determining future cash flows of each store over its remaining lease term, including the Company's expectations of future projected cash flows. An impairment loss is recorded if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset group exceeds its fair value.

A majority of the retail store leases provide for contingent rental payments if gross sales exceed certain targets. In addition, many of the leases contain rent escalation clauses to compensate for increases in operating costs and real estate taxes.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Rent expense is calculated by amortizing total base rental payments (net of any rental abatements, construction allowances and other rental concessions), on a straight-line basis, over the lease term.

Reclassification:

Certain reclassifications were made to prior years' amounts to conform to the 2021 presentation.

Note C – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted and Not Yet Adopted

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope” which clarifies that derivatives affected by the discounting transition are explicitly eligible for certain optional expedients and exceptions under Topic 848. This update was effective upon issuance and can be applied to hedging relationships retrospectively or prospectively through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2021-01 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting,” (“ASU No. 2020-04”), which provides practical expedients for contract modifications and certain hedging relationships associated with the transition from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. This guidance is applicable the Company's borrowing instruments that use LIBOR as a reference rate. ASU 2020-04 was effective upon issuance and can be applied to contract modifications retrospectively or prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-04; however, at the current time the ASU did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Note D – Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, which resulted in various mandates by federal, state and local governments. These mandates included the closure of non-essential businesses, restrictions on travel and public gatherings, and stay-at-home and quarantine orders. In response, the Company temporarily closed the vast majority of its brick-and-mortar stores and offices for a portion of 2020.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company took temporary precautionary measures to maintain adequate liquidity and financial flexibility which included: suspending share repurchases and cash dividends; suspending and reducing salaries of executives and corporate employees; and significantly reducing non-essential operating expenses, capital expenditures and planned inventory purchases. Further, the Company implemented a restructuring plan that resulted in the reduction of a significant number of its corporate employees. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $7,181 related to restructuring and other related items, of which $490 was the remaining unpaid portion included in accrued expenses at December 31, 2020. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1,239 related to additional severance in connection to this restructuring plan and other related items. As of December 31, 2021, all expenses related to this COVID-19 restructuring plan had been paid.

Refer to additional discussion regarding the COVID-19 and the impact on our business during 2020 throughout this document, including Note G – Property and Equipment, Note H – Goodwill and Intangible Assets and Note N – Leases.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. Given its unprecedented nature, we cannot reasonably estimate the full impact COVID-19 will have on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Note E – Acquisitions

On April 14, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 49.9% non-controlling interest in its European joint venture in the amount of $16,682. The European joint venture was formed in 2016 and distributes Steve Madden-branded footwear and accessories/apparel to most countries throughout Europe.

On June 28, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 49.9% non-controlling interest in its South African joint venture in the amount of $2,260. The South African joint venture was formed in 2014 and distributes Steve Madden-branded footwear and accessories/apparel throughout South Africa.

On December 27, 2021, the Company acquired the rights for Dolce Vita Handbags for the total purchase price of $2,000, which include trademarks and all internet domain name registrations.

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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note F – Fair Value Measurement

The accounting guidance under Accounting Standards Codification 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820-10”), requires the Company to make disclosures about the fair value of certain of its assets and liabilities. ASC 820-10 clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. ASC 820-10 utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. A brief description of those three levels is as follows:

•Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

•Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs.

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:


	As of December 31, 2021								As of December 31, 2020
(in thousands)	Fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Forward contracts	$	494	$	—	$	494	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Total assets	$	494	$	—	$	494	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	6,960	$	—	$	—	$	6,960	$	207	$	—	$	—	$	207
Forward contracts	46		—		46		—		997		—		997		—
Total liabilities	$	7,006	$	—	$	46	$	6,960	$	1,204	$	—	$	997	$	207

Forward contracts are entered into to manage the risk associated with the volatility of future cash flows (see Note M – Derivative Instruments ). Fair value of these instruments is based on observable market transactions of spot and forward rates.

The Company's level 3 balance consists of contingent consideration related to acquisitions. The changes in the Company's level 3 liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:


(in thousands)	Balance at Beginning of the Year		Adjustments(1)(2)	Transfer out of Level 3(3)	Balance at End of the Year(4)
2021:
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	207	11,862	(5,109)	$	6,960
2020:
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	9,124	(8,917)	—	$	207

(1) In 2021, amount consists of adjustments of $11,869 and $(7) that were included as an expense in operating expenses, related to the change in valuation of the contingent consideration in connection with the acquisitions of B.B. Dakota, Inc. and GREATS Brand, Inc., respectively.

(2) In 2020, the amount consists of adjustments of $4,570 and $4,347 related to B.B. Dakota, Inc. and GREATS Brand, Inc., respectively. The adjustment of $4,570 was included as a benefit to operating expenses and related to the change in valuation of the contingent consideration in connection with acquisition of B.B. Dakota, Inc. The adjustment of $4,347, comprises an adjustment of $2,684 to the preliminary fair value, recorded during the first quarter 2020, and a benefit of $1,663 included in operating expenses related to the change in valuation of the contingent consideration in connection with the acquisition of GREATS Brand, Inc.

(3) The transfer out of level 3 amount of $5,109, represents the current portion of our contingent liabilities and is measured at the amount payable based upon actual EBITDA performance for the related performance period.

(4) Total contingent consideration liability of $6,960 is classified as noncurrent on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021.

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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At December 31, 2021, the liability for potential contingent consideration was $0 in connection with the August 9, 2019 acquisition of GREATS Brand, Inc. Pursuant to the terms of an earn-out provision contained in the equity purchase agreement, between the Company and the sellers of GREATS Brand, Inc., earn-out payments are based on EBITA performance. The fair value of the contingent payments was estimated using a risk neutral simulation model to model the probability of different financial results of GREATS Brand, Inc. during the earn-out period, utilizing a discount rate of 9.5%.

At December 31, 2021, the liability for potential contingent consideration was $6,960 in connection with the August 12, 2019 acquisition of B.B. Dakota, Inc. Pursuant to the terms of an earn-out provision contained in the equity purchase agreement, between the Company and the sellers of B.B. Dakota, Inc., earn-out payments are based on EBITDA performance. The fair value of the contingent payments was estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing method with a nonlinear payoff structure based on a set of financial metrics of B.B. Dakota, Inc. during the earn-out period, utilizing a discount rate of 9.5%.

The fair value of trademarks is measured on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs, including forecasted cash flows, discount rates and implied royalty rates (see Note H – Goodwill and Intangible Assets).

The fair values of lease right-of-use assets and fixed assets related to Company-owned retail stores are measured on a non-recurring basis and are determined using Level 3 inputs, including estimated discounted future cash flows associated with the assets using sales trends, market rents and market participant assumptions (see Note G – Property and Equipment and Note N – Leases).

The carrying value of certain financial instruments such as cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, factor accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates their fair values due to the short-term nature of their underlying terms. Fair value of the notes receivable held by the Company approximates their carrying value based upon their imputed or actual interest rate, which approximates applicable current market interest rates. Some assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances (non-recurring). These assets can include long-lived assets that have been reduced to fair value when impaired. Assets that are written down to fair value when impaired are not subsequently adjusted to fair value unless further impairment occurs.

Note G – Property and Equipment

The major classes of assets and total accumulated depreciation and amortization were as follows:


		As of December 31,
(in thousands)	Average Useful Life	2021		2020
Land and building	27.5 (Building)	$	968	$	882
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of remaining lease or asset life	85,137		88,012
Machinery and equipment	10 years	7,864		6,340
Furniture and fixtures	3 to 5 years	11,650		11,201
Computer equipment and software	3 to 10 years	72,857		71,601
Construction in progress		671		744
		179,147		178,780
Less impairment (1)		(14,701)		(14,712)
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(128,656)		(120,800)
Property and equipment - net		$	35,790	$	43,268

(1) Due to COVID-19 pandemic, impairment was recorded related to stores (see below for further explanation). In 2021, impairments are net of disposals.

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment included in operating expenses amounted to approximately $12,533, $13,350 and $15,933 in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Includes computer software amortization expense for 2021, 2020 and 2019 of $3,135, $3,007 and $2,788, respectively.

Property and equipment, along with other long-lived assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. In 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations and the decline in the retail real estate market, the Company

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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

identified indicators of impairment for long-lived assets at certain retail stores. In 2021, the Company identified indicators of impairment for long-lived assets at certain retail stores. For such stores, the Company performed a recoverability test, comparing estimated undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value of the related long-lived assets. When the carrying value was more than the estimated undiscounted cash flows, the Company determined that an impairment test was required. Fair values of the long-lived assets were estimated using an income approach based on management’s forecast of future cash flows derived from continued retail operations and the fair values of individual operating lease assets were determined using estimated market rental rates. Significant estimates are used in determining future cash flows of each store over its remaining lease term, including the Company's expectations of future projected cash flows that include revenues, operating expenses, and market conditions. An impairment loss is recorded if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset group exceeds its fair value. As a result, the Company recorded impairment charges of $409 and $14,712 related to furniture fixtures and leasehold improvements for the year ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The impairment charges were recorded in the Direct-to-Consumer segment.

Note H – Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following is a summary of the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:


	Wholesale
(in thousands)	Footwear		Accessories/Apparel		Direct-to-Consumer		Net Carrying Amount
Balance at January 1, 2020	$	91,572	$	62,688	$	17,089	$	171,349
Purchase accounting adjustment	—		—		(2,591)		(2,591)
Translation	(475)		—		(18)		(493)
Balance at December 31, 2020	91,097		62,688		14,480		168,265


Translation	(1,031)		—		761		(270)
Balance at December 31, 2021	$	90,066	$	62,688	$	15,241	$	167,995

The following table details identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:


	As of December 31, 2021
(in thousands)	Estimated Lives	Cost Basis(1)		Accumulated Amortization		Impairment and other (2) (3)		Net Carrying Amount
Trade names	1–10 years	$	18,695	$	(9,025)	$	(2,620)	$	7,050
Customer relationships	10-20 years	38,680		(23,164)		(1,491)		14,025




		57,375		(32,189)		(4,111)		21,075
Re-acquired right	indefinite	35,200		—		(7,708)		27,492
Trademarks	indefinite	63,283		—		243		63,526
		$	155,858	$	(32,189)	$	(11,576)	$	112,093

(1) During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company purchased the trademark for Dolce Vita® Handbags for $2,000 and the cash consideration was paid in 2022.

(2) Impairment charges of $2,620 in 2021 were recorded related to the Company's BB Dakota® trademark.

(3) Includes the effect of foreign currency translation related primarily to the movements of the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso in relation to the U.S. dollar.


	As of December 31, 2020
(in thousands)	Estimated Lives	Cost Basis		Accumulated Amortization		Impairment and other (1)(2)		Net Carrying Amount
Trade names	6–10 years	$	8,770	$	(8,770)	$	—	$	—
Customer relationships	10-20 years	38,980		(20,805)		(1,813)		16,362
		47,750		(29,575)		(1,813)		16,362
Re-acquired right	indefinite	35,200		—		(7,800)		27,400
Trademarks	indefinite	115,481		—		(44,052)		71,429
		$	198,431	$	(29,575)	$	(53,665)	$	115,191

(1) Impairment charges of $44,273 were recorded in 2020, of which $27,025, $16,345, $456 and $447 were related to the Company's Cejon®, Report®, GREATS® and Jocelyn® trademarks, respectively.

(2) Includes the effect of foreign currency translation related primarily to the movements of the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso in relation to the U.S. dollar.

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STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company evaluates its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for indicators of impairment at least annually in the third quarter of each year or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. A qualitative assessment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets was performed as of July 1, 2021. In conducting the qualitative impairment assessment for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, the Company concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units exceeded their carrying values and the fair values of its indefinite-lived intangibles exceeded their respective carrying values. Therefore, in 2021, as a result of the annual test, no impairment charges were recorded for goodwill and intangibles.

During the fourth quarter of 2021, certain decisions were made by the Company that resulted in the change in useful life of the BB Dakota trademark from an indefinite to a finite life. As a result, the BB Dakota trademark was assessed for impairment. The estimated fair value of this trademark was determined using an excess earnings method, incorporating the use of projected financial information and a discount rate which are developed using market participant based assumptions. As a result of this assessment, the BB Dakota trademark was written down from the carrying value of $9,670 to its fair value of $7,050, resulting in a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $2,620. This charge was recorded in impairment of intangibles in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) and recognized in the Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment. The fair value of $7,050 will be amortized over its remaining useful life of one year.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and decline in the macroeconomic environment, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s Cejon, Report, GREATS and Jocelyn trademarks were written down from an aggregate carrying value of $57,198 to their fair values of $12,925, resulting in a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $44,273. These charges were recorded in impairment of intangibles in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) and recognized in three goodwill reporting unis: $27,472 related to Wholesale Accessories/Apparel, $16,345 related to Wholesale Footwear and $456 related to the Direct-to-Consumer segments, respectively. The estimated fair values of these trademarks were determined using an excess earnings method. This method utilizes the present value of the earnings attributable to the intangible asset after providing for the proportion of the earnings that attribute to returns for contributory assets.

During the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company sold one of its internally developed trademarks for $8,000. The gain from the sale of the trademark was recorded as an offset to operating expenses in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss).

The amortization of intangible assets amounted to $2,675, $4,010 and $6,258 for 2021, 2020 and 2019 and is included in operating expenses on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss). The estimated future amortization expense for intangibles as of December 31, 2021 is as follows:


(in thousands)
2022	$	8,363
2023	1,772
2024	1,772
2025	1,772
2026	1,772
Thereafter	5,624
Total	$	21,075

F-19

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note I – Equity-Based Compensation

In February 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved the Steven Madden, Ltd. 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2019 Plan”), under which non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted stock, other stock-based awards and performance-based cash awards may be granted to employees, consultants and non-employee directors. The 2019 Plan is the successor to the Company's Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "2006 Plan"), the term of which expired on April 6, 2019. The Company's stockholders approved the 2019 Plan at the Company's annual meeting of stockholders held on May 24, 2019.

The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2019 Plan, the number of stock-based awards granted (net of expired or cancelled awards) under the 2019 Plan and the number of shares of common stock available for the grant of stock-based awards under the 2019 Plan:


(in thousands)
Common stock authorized			11,000
Stock-based awards, including restricted stock and stock options granted, net of expired or cancelled awards			(3,569)
Common stock available for grant of stock-based awards as of December 31, 2021			7,431

In addition, vested and unvested options to purchase 2,531 shares of common stock and 2,849 shares of unvested restricted stock awarded under the 2006 Plan were outstanding as of December 31, 2021.

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, total equity-based compensation were as follows:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Restricted stock	$	18,144	$	18,740	$	19,143
Stock options	4,134		3,899		4,027
Total	$	22,278	$	22,639	$	23,170

We calculate an estimated forfeiture rate annually based on historical forfeiture and expectations about future forfeitures. Equity-based compensation is included in operating expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss).

Restricted Stock

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the year ended December 31, 2021:


(in thousands)	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date








Outstanding at January 1, 2021	3,651	$	20.81
Granted	413	40.64
Vested	(1,166)	19.93
Forfeited	(49)	35.26
Outstanding at December 31, 2021	2,849	$	23.81

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $47,483 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards granted under the 2019 Plan and the 2006 Plan. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.2 years. The Company determines the fair value of its restricted stock awards based on the market price of its common stock on the date of grant.

The fair value of the restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $23,231, $23,839 and $23,263, respectively.

F-20

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Stock Options

Activity relating to stock options granted under the Company’s plans during the year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows:


(in thousands except for per share price)	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value













Outstanding at January 1, 2021	2,674	$	26.80
Granted	270	43.30
Exercised	(411)	23.67
Forfeited	(2)	31.56
Outstanding at December 31, 2021	2,531	$	29.06	2.7 years	$	44,054

Vested and Exercisable at December 31, 2021	2,070	$	28.20	2.6 years	$	37,829

At December 31, 2021, $2.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.

Additional information pertaining to the Company's stock option plan were as follows:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	$	9,732	$	1,609	$	6,212
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	8,622	$	993	$	4,268
Tax benefits realized on exercise of stock options	$	1,512	$	234	$	1,010

The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of options granted, which requires several assumptions. The expected term of the options represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is based on the historical experience of similar awards. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The dividend yield is based on the Company's annualized dividend per share amount divided by the Company's stock price. The following weighted average assumptions were used for stock options granted during 2021, 2020 and 2019:

Years Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

Volatility

40.3% to 49.6%

33.9% to 56.7%

32.0% to 39.6%

Risk free interest rate

0.1% to 1.0%

0.2% to 1.6%

1.6% to 2.5%

Expected life in years

2.0 to 4.0

3.0 to 5.0

1.0 to 5.0

Dividend yield

1.4%

1.2%

1.6%

Weighted average fair value

$13.30

$10.15

$5.38

Note J – Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 5,000 shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors has designated 60 shares of such preferred stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred”). Holders of the shares of Series A Preferred are entitled to dividends equal to 1 times dividends declared or paid on the Company's common stock. Each share of Series A Preferred entitles the holder to 1 votes on all matters submitted to the holders of common stock. The Series A Preferred has a liquidation preference of $1 per share and is not redeemable by the Company. No shares of preferred stock have been issued.

F-21

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note K – Share Repurchase Program

The Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), effective as of January 1, 2004. The Share Repurchase Program does not have a fixed expiration or termination date and may be modified or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. On several occasions the Board of Directors has increased the amount authorized for repurchase of the Company's common stock. On April 24, 2019, the Board of Directors approved the expansion of the Company's Share Repurchase Program for up to $200,000 in repurchases of the Company's common stock, which included the amount remaining under the prior authorization. On November 2, 2021, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company's share repurchase authorization of approximately $200,000, bringing the total authorization to $250,000, which included the amount remaining under the prior authorization. The Share Repurchase Program permits the Company to effect repurchases from time to time through a combination of open market repurchases, net settlements of employee stock awards or in privately negotiated transactions at such prices and times as are determined to be in the best interest of the Company. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, an aggregate of 2,050 shares of the Company's common stock, excluding net settlements of employee stock awards, were repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program, at a weighted average price per share of $42.94, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $88,039. As of December 31, 2021, approximately $223,551 remained available for future repurchases under the Share Repurchase Program.

The Steven Madden, Ltd. Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (as further amended, the "2006 Plan"), which expired on April 6, 2019, and the Steven Madden, Ltd. 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2019 Plan") both provide the Company with the right to deduct or withhold, or require employees to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable tax withholding and/or option cost obligations applicable to stock-based compensation awards. To the extent permitted, employees may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding obligations by tendering to the Company previously owned shares or by having the Company withhold shares having a fair market value equal to the employee's withholding tax obligation and/or option cost. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, an aggregate of 791 shares were withheld in connection with the settlement of vested restricted stock to satisfy tax withholding requirements and option costs, at an average price per share of $44.40, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $35,122.

Note L – Net Income/(Loss) Per Share of Common Stock

Basic net income/(loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, which does not include unvested restricted common stock subject to forfeiture of 2,849, 3,651 and 4,427 shares for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Diluted net income per share reflects: a) the potential dilution assuming shares of common stock were issued upon the exercise of outstanding in-the-money options and the assumed proceeds, which are deemed to be the proceeds from the exercise plus compensation cost not yet recognized attributable to future services using the treasury method, were used to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the average market price during the period, and b) the vesting of granted non-vested restricted stock awards for which the assumed proceeds upon vesting are deemed to be the amount of compensation cost not yet recognized attributable to future services using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive.


(in thousands)	Years Ended December 31,
	2021	2020	2019
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	78,442	78,635	79,577
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock awards and options to purchase shares of common stock	3,186	—	4,069
Diluted	81,628	78,635	83,646

The year ended December 31, 2020 resulted in a net loss; therefore, there was no difference in the weighted average number of common shares for basic and diluted loss per share as the effect of all potentially dilutive shares outstanding was anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, options to purchase approximately 5, 89 and 5 shares of common stock, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net (loss)/income per share, as the result would have been anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, 7 and 2,524 restricted shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net (loss) per share, as the result would have been anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2019, all unvested restricted stock awards were dilutive. The Company had contingently issuable performance awards outstanding that did not meet the performance conditions as of year ended December 31, 2021 and, therefore, were excluded from the

F-22

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

calculation of diluted net income/(loss) per common share for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The maximum number of potentially dilutive shares that could be issued upon vesting for these performance awards was approximately 17,000 and 300,000 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These amounts were also excluded from the computation of weighted average potentially dilutive securities.

Note M – Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments, specifically, forward foreign exchange contracts, to manage the risk associated with the volatility of future cash flows. The foreign exchange contracts are used to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on certain forecasted purchases of inventory and are designated as cash flow hedging instruments. As of December 31, 2021, the Company's entire net forward contracts hedging portfolio consisted of a notional amount of $30,293, with the fair value included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in other current assets of $494 and other current liabilities of $46. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, the Company's hedging activities were considered effective, and, thus, no ineffectiveness from hedging activities was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) during the year. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company's hedging activities were considered ineffective due to the impact of COVID-19 on the hedged transactions, and, thus, gains of $176 related to ineffectiveness from hedging activities were recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss) during the first quarter of 2020. These gains and losses recognized in Net income/(loss) on are located in Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) on the Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss).

Note N – Leases

The following table presents the lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:


		As of December 31,
(in thousands)	Classification on the Balance Sheet	2021			2020
Assets
Noncurrent (1) (2)	Operating lease right-of-use asset	$	85,449		$	101,379

Liabilities
Current	Operating leases - current portion	$	30,759		$	34,257
Noncurrent	Operating leases - long-term portion	80,072			98,592
Total operating lease liabilities		$	110,831		$	132,849

Weighted-average remaining lease term		4.6 years			5.0 years
Weighted-average discount rate		4.3		%	4.3		%

(1) During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge related to its right-of-use assets of $1,023 in its Direct-to-Consumer and the Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segments.

(2) During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge related to its lease right-of-use assets of $22,183 in its Direct-to-Consumer segment.

The following table presents the composition of lease costs during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Operating lease cost	$	36,863	$	42,368	$	48,387
Variable lease cost (1)	18,206		13,412		172
Short-term lease cost	—		238		239
Less: sublease income	321		562		644
Total lease cost	$	54,748	$	55,456	$	48,154

(1) For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred expenses related to the COVID-19 lease amendments of $9,505 and $12,064, respectively, which were included in variable lease cost.

F-23

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company recorded impairment charges of $1,023 and $22,183 related to lease right-of-use assets for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. For 2021, these impairment charges were recorded in the Direct-to-Consumer and Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segments. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,883. In 2020 and 2019, the impairment charges were recorded in the Direct-to- Consumer segment.

The following presents supplemental cash and non-cash information related to the Company's Operating leases:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows used for operating leases	$	31,870	$	43,582
Noncash transactions:
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	17,461	$	2,746
Right-of-use asset amortization expense(1)	$	32,371	$	38,228

(1) Included in "Leases and other liabilities" in our Statement of Cash Flows.

Undiscounted Cash Flows

The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the first five years and total of the remaining years to the lease liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet:


(in thousands)	As of December 31, 2021
2022	$	35,894
2023	26,659
2024	20,137
2025	16,125
2026	11,337
Thereafter	11,884
Total minimum lease payments	122,036
Less: interest	11,205
Present value of lease liabilities	$	110,831

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $47,179, $49,619 and $61,283, respectively.

F-24

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note O – Income Taxes

The components of income/(loss) before income taxes were as follows:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Domestic	$	171,297	$	(63,025)	$	119,166
Foreign	70,771		33,040		62,060
	$	242,068	$	(29,985)	$	181,226

The components of provision/(benefit) for income taxes were as follows:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Current:
Federal	$	32,983	$	(10,764)	$	18,655
State and local	3,711		(545)		3,765
Foreign	11,635		7,958		11,940
	48,329		(3,351)		34,360
Deferred:
Federal	(1,402)		(4,940)		2,309
State and local	1,888		(2,962)		1,343
Foreign	794		(451)		1,492
	1,280		(8,353)		5,144
	$	49,609	$	(11,704)	$	39,504

A reconciliation between income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate is as follows:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Income taxes at federal statutory rate	21.0	%	21.0	%	21.0	%
Effects of foreign operations	(0.8)		10.3		(0.1)
Stock-based compensation	(2.4)		11.8		(3.4)
State and local income taxes - net of federal income tax benefit	2.1		12.9		2.3
Nondeductible items	1.2		(0.4)		0.7
Impact of tax reform	—		14.0		—
Global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI")	—		(18.2)		—
Valuation allowance	(0.5)		(9.3)		0.6


Other	(0.1)		(3.1)		0.7
Effective tax rate	20.5	%	39.0	%	21.8	%

The primary changes between the Company’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are due to the year-over-year benefit resulting from the exercising and vesting of share-based awards, a decrease in tax benefit related to a net operating loss carryback claim set forth by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), a decrease in the GILTI tax and an increase in pre-tax income in jurisdictions with higher tax rates.

F-25

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:


	As of December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020
Deferred tax assets
Receivable allowances	$	8,313	$	5,226
Inventory	7,992		4,681

Accrued expenses	310		1,109
Deferred compensation	6,486		7,418

Net operating loss carryforwards	6,129		9,987
Lease liability	26,436		31,975
Other	1,169		1,345
Gross deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	56,835		61,741

Less: valuation allowance	(3,753)		(4,968)
Gross deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	53,082		56,773

Deferred tax liabilities
Depreciation and amortization	(16,144)		(13,744)
Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	(3,138)		(2,964)
Right-of-use asset	(20,365)		(24,211)
Amortization of goodwill	(7,578)		(7,665)
Indefinite-lived intangibles	(4,654)		(5,336)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(51,879)		(53,920)

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)	$	1,203	$	2,853

The Company applies the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carryback and carryforward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax‑planning strategies in making this assessment.

The Company’s decrease in valuation allowance of $1,215 is due to usage of net operating loss deferred tax assets in various foreign subsidiaries, which resulted in an aggregate valuation allowance of $3,753 for the year ended December 31, 2021.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:


	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Beginning Balance	$	2,295	$	1,150	$	1,511
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—		1,145		—

Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(1,150)		—		(361)

Ending Balance	$	1,145	$	2,295	$	1,150

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $1,145, $2,295 and $1,150, in the aggregate, respectively. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits and interest and penalty expense was immaterial to the consolidated financial

F-26

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

statements for all periods presented. The unrecognized tax benefits are not expected to materially change in the next twelve months.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S., for federal, state, and local purposes, and in certain other foreign jurisdictions. The Company's tax years 2018 through 2021 remain open to examination by most taxing authorities. During 2017, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service completed its audit of the Company's 2014 U.S. income tax return.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements provide for any related tax liability on amounts that may be repatriated from foreign operations, aside from undistributed earnings of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested in operations outside the U.S. The deferred tax liability of $3,138 at December 31, 2021 reflects the withholding tax on amounts that may be repatriated from foreign operations.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, which includes significant corporate income tax and payroll tax provisions aimed at providing economic relief. The Company received or expects to continue to receive a corporate income tax benefit on the net operating loss carryback provision set forth by the CARES act, as well as favorable cash flow benefits related to the employee retention credit, employer payroll tax deferral, and accelerated depreciation related to qualified improvement property.

Note P – Commitments, Contingencies and Other

Legal Proceedings:

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has various pending cases involving contractual disputes, employee-related matters, distribution matters, product liability claims, intellectual property infringement and other matters. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, the liabilities, if any, resulting from these legal proceedings should not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. It is the policy of management to disclose the amount or range of reasonably possible losses in excess of recorded amounts.

Letters of credit:

At December 31, 2021, the Company had $751 open letters of credit for the purchase of inventory, which expire in 2030.

License agreements:

In January 2018, the Company entered into a license agreement with Nine West Development LLC, subsequently acquired by WHP Global, for the right to manufacture, market and sell women's fashion footwear and handbags under the Anne Klein®, AK Sport®, AK Anne Klein Sport® and the Lion Head Design® trademarks. The agreement, unless extended, expires on June 30, 2023. The agreement requires that the Company pay the licensor a royalty equal to a percentage of net sales and a minimum royalty in the event that specified net sales targets are not achieved.

On February 9, 2011, the Company entered into a license agreement with Basic Properties America Inc. and BasicNet S.p.A, under which the Company has the right to use the Superga® trademark in connection with the sale and marketing of women's footwear. The agreement requires the Company to pay the licensor a royalty equal to a percentage of net sales and a minimum royalty in the event that specified net sales targets are not achieved. The agreement was amended on April 11, 2013 to extend the term of the agreement through December 31, 2022.

Future minimum royalty payments under all of the Company's license agreements are $8,250 and $5,438 for 2022 and 2023, respectively. Royalty expenses are included in the “cost of goods” section of the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income/(Loss).

Concentrations:

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various major financial institutions, which at times are in excess of the amount insured.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not purchase more than 10% of its merchandise from any single supplier. Total product purchases from vendors located in China for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, were 79%. 78%, and 88%.

F-27

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At December 31, 2021, two customers represented approximately 14.0% and 10.6% of total revenue. At December 31, 2021, two customers accounted for 19.3% and 18.1% of total accounts receivable. The Company did not have any other customers who accounted for more than 10% of total revenue or any other customers who accounted for more than 10% of total accounts receivable.

At December 31, 2020, one customer represented approximately 13.9% of total revenue. At December 31, 2020, five customers accounted for 19.0%, 14.9%, 11.8%, 11.7%, and 10.3% of total accounts receivable. The Company did not have any other customers who accounted for more than 10% of total revenue or any other customers who accounted for more than 10% of total accounts receivable.

At December 31, 2019, sales to one customer represented approximately 11.9% of total revenue. At December 31, 2019, sales to three customers. represented 17.9%, 13.6% and 10.6% of total accounts receivable. The Company did not have any other customers who accounted for more than 10% of total revenue or any other customers who accounted for more than 10% of total accounts receivable.

Purchases are made primarily in United States dollars.

Note Q – Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

On July 22, 2020, the Company entered into a $150,000, secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with various lenders and Citizens Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Agent”), which replaced the Company’s existing credit facility provided by Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. (“Rosenthal”). The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) scheduled to mature on July 22, 2025.

The initial $150,000 maximum availability under the Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base calculation consisting of certain eligible accounts receivable, credit card receivables, inventory, and in-transit inventory. Availability under the Credit Facility is reduced by outstanding letters of credit. The Company may from time-to-time increase the maximum availability under the Credit Agreement by up to $100,000 if certain conditions are satisfied.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate equal to, at the Company’s election, (i) LIBOR for the applicable interest period or (ii) the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the prime rate announced by Citizens Bank, N.A. or its parent company, (b) the sum of the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and (c) the sum of one-month LIBOR plus 1%), plus in each case a specified margin, which is based upon average availability under the Credit Facility from time to time.

Under the Credit Agreement, the Company must also pay (i) a commitment fee to the Agent, for the account of each lender, which accrues at a rate equal to 0.40% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the commitment of such lender, (ii) a letter of credit participation fee to the Agent, for the account of each lender, ranging from 2.00% to 2.50% per annum, based upon average availability under the Credit Facility from time to time, multiplied by the average daily amount available to be drawn under the applicable letter of credit, and (iii) a letter of credit fronting fee to each issuer of a letter of credit under the Credit Agreement, which will accrue at a rate per annum separately agreed upon between the Company and such issuer.

The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries. Among other requirements, availability under the Credit Facility must, at all times, (i) prior to the occurrence of the permanent borrowing base trigger (as defined in the Credit Agreement), equal or exceed the greater of $22,500 and 15% of the line cap (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and (ii) after the occurrence of the permanent borrowing base trigger, equal or exceed the greater of $15,000 and 10% of the line cap. Other than this minimum availability requirement, the Credit Agreement does not include any financial maintenance covenants.

The Credit Agreement requires the Company and various subsidiaries of the Company to guarantee each other’s obligations arising from time to time under the Credit Facility, as well as obligations arising in respect of certain cash management and hedging transactions. Subject to customary exceptions and limitations, all borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by a lien on all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and each subsidiary guarantor.

The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. If an event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs and is continuing, then the Agent may, and at the request of the required lenders shall, terminate the loan commitments

F-28

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

under the Credit Agreement, declare any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable or require the Company to adequately cash collateralize outstanding letter of credit obligations. If the Company or, with certain exceptions, a subsidiary becomes the subject of a proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, then the loan commitments under the Credit Agreement will automatically terminate, and any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement and the cash collateral required under the Credit Agreement for any outstanding letter of credit obligations will become immediately due and payable.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no cash borrowings under the Credit Facility.

Note R – Factoring Agreement

In conjunction with the Credit Agreement described in Note Q – Credit Agreement, on July 22, 2020, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Madden Entities”) entered into an Amended and Restated Deferred Purchase Factoring Agreement (the “Factoring Agreement”) with Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. ("Rosenthal"). Pursuant to the Factoring Agreement, Rosenthal serves as the collection agent with respect to certain receivables of the Madden Entities and is entitled to receive a base commission of 0.20% of the gross invoice amount of each receivable assigned for collection, plus certain additional fees and expenses, subject to certain minimum annual commissions. Rosenthal will generally assume the credit risk resulting from a customer’s financial inability to make payment of credit-approved receivables. The initial term of the Factoring Agreement is twelve months, subject to automatic renewal for additional twelve-month periods, and the Factoring Agreement may be terminated at any time by Rosenthal or the Madden Entities on 60 days' notice and upon the occurrence of certain other events. The Madden Entities pledged all of their rights under the Factoring Agreement to the Agent under the Credit Agreement to secure obligations arising under the Credit Agreement.

Note S – Note Receivable – Related Party

On June 25, 2007, the Company made a loan to Steven Madden, its Creative and Design Chief and a principal stockholder of the Company, in the amount of $3,000 in order for Mr. Madden to satisfy a personal tax obligation resulting from the exercise of stock options that were due to expire and to retain the underlying Company common stock. The loan, as amended, is secured by non-company securities held in Mr. Madden's brokerage account. The Company has agreed to forgive a portion of the note as long as Mr. Madden remains an employee of the Company through the note's maturity on December 31, 2023. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 the Company recorded a charge in the amount of $409 for each year, respectively, to write-off the required one-tenth of the principal amount of the secured promissory note, which was partially offset by imputed interest income of $23, $31 and $40, respectively.

F-29

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note T – Segment Information

The Company operates the following operating segments, which are presented as reportable segments: Wholesale Footwear, Wholesale Accessories/Apparel, Direct-to- Consumer, First Cost and Licensing. Our Wholesale Footwear segment designs, sources and markets our brands and sells our products to department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, national chains, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, and through our joint ventures and international distributor network. Our Wholesale Accessories/Apparel segment designs, sources and markets our brands and sells our products to department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, online retailers, specialty retailers and independent stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, and through our joint ventures and international distributor network. Our Direct-to-Consumer segment, which was referred to as the Retail segment in previous filings, consists of Steve Madden® and Superga® full-price retail stores, Steve Madden® outlet stores, Steve Madden® shop-in-shops and directly-operated digital e-commerce websites. Our retail stores are located in regional malls and shopping centers, as well as high streets in major cities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Israel, Taiwan and China. Our First Cost segment represents activities of one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that earns commissions for serving as a buying agent for footwear products under private labels for select national chains, specialty retailers and value-priced retailers. Our Licensing segment is engaged in the licensing of the Steve Madden® and Madden Girl® trademarks for use in connection with the manufacturing, marketing and sale of select apparel categories, outerwear, hosiery, jewelry, hair accessories, watches, eyeglasses, sunglasses, umbrellas, bedding, luggage, fragrance and men’s leather accessories.

As of 2021, the Company displayed unallocated corporate expenses separately for all periods presented. Our Corporate activities do not constitute a reportable segment and include costs not directly attributable to the segments that are primarily related to costs associated with corporate executives, corporate finance, corporate social responsibility, legal, human resources, information technology, cyber security and other shared costs. The Chief Operating Decision Maker does not review asset information by segment, therefore we do not present assets in this note.


(in thousands)	Wholesale Footwear		Wholesale Accessories/Apparel		Total Wholesale		Direct-to- Consumer		First Cost		Licensing		Corporate (1)		Consolidated
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Total revenue	$	1,022,322	$	343,675	$	1,365,997	$	487,906	$	2,346	$	9,893	$	—	$	1,866,142
Gross profit	345,167		94,675		439,842		315,416		2,346		9,893		—		767,497
Income/(loss) from operations	217,163		26,628		243,791		74,542		1,971		8,108		(84,815)		243,597
Depreciation and amortization	2,946		2,769		5,715		3,976		—		—		5,517		15,208

Capital expenditures	1,051		807		1,858		1,156		9		—		3,585		6,608
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Total revenue	$	713,662	$	235,892	$	949,554	$	239,389	$	3,902	$	8,969	$	—	$	1,201,814
Gross profit	226,557		70,908		297,465		154,205		3,902		8,969		—		464,541
Income/(loss) from operations	91,887		(2,453)		89,434		(58,889)		2,594		5,828		(70,572)		(31,605)
Depreciation and amortization	3,143		2,586		5,729		6,696		92		—		4,843		17,360

Capital expenditures	1,206		164		1,370		1,472		—		—		3,720		6,562
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Total revenue	$	1,112,091	$	334,862	$	1,446,953	$	321,182	$	7,441	$	11,581	$	—	$	1,787,157
Gross profit	373,587		98,131		471,718		195,277		7,441		11,581		—		686,017
Income/(loss) from operations	216,917		37,609		254,526		2,210		(6,502)		8,154		(81,574)		176,814
Depreciation and amortization	4,287		3,186		7,473		9,177		179		—		4,508		21,337

Capital expenditures	1,937		91		2,028		5,306		—		—		10,977		18,311

(1) Revised to present unallocated corporate expenses separately for all periods presented. Corporate does not constitute a reportable segment and includes costs not directly attributable to the segments that are primarily related to costs associated with corporate executives, corporate finance, corporate social responsibility, legal, human resources, information technology, cyber security and other shared costs.

F-30

STEVEN MADDEN, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Revenues by geographic area were as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		2019
Domestic(1)	$	1,641,090	$	1,054,348	$	1,572,224
International	225,052		147,466		214,932
Total	$	1,866,142	$	1,201,814	$	1,787,157

(1) Includes revenues of $329,934, $249,235 and $333,704 for the years ended 2021, 2020 and 2019 related to sales to U.S. customers where the title is transferred outside the U.S. and the sale is recorded by our international entities.

Note U – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts


(in thousands)	Balance at Beginning of Year		Additions		Deductions		Balance at End of Year
Year ended December 31, 2021
Markdown and chargeback allowances	$	18,832	$	58,813	$	(48,690)	$	28,955
Allowance for doubtful accounts	8,943		7,172		(3,842)		12,273
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	4,968		229		(1,444)		3,753
Total	$	32,743	$	66,214	$	(53,976)	$	44,981
Year ended December 31, 2020
Markdown and chargeback allowances	$	34,207	$	30,508	$	(45,883)	$	18,832
Allowance for doubtful accounts	11,066		1,405		(3,528)		8,943
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	2,230		2,738		—		4,968
Total	$	47,503	$	34,651	$	(49,411)	$	32,743
Year ended December 31, 2019
Markdown and chargeback allowances	$	31,357	$	90,031	$	(87,181)	$	34,207
Allowance for doubtful accounts	10,849		679		(462)		11,066
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	649		1,581		—		2,230
Total	$	42,855	$	92,291	$	(87,643)	$	47,503

F-31