Destination XL (DXLG) Risk Factors

Since the end of the pandemic, we have continued to experience labor shortages primarily in our distribution facility and in our stores. If such labor shortages continue, especially during peak-selling periods, it may negatively impact our ability to process inventory in a timely manner and effectively staff our stores. Because of the tight labor market our hourly rates have increased to attract candidates. If we are unable to pass on these higher costs through price increases or reduced workforce hours, our margins and profitability may be adversely impacted which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and are therefore entirely dependent on third parties to manufacture the merchandise we sell. Without adequate supplies of merchandise to sell to our customers in the merchandise styles and fashions demanded by our particular customer base, sales would decrease materially and our business would suffer. We are dependent on these third parties' ability to fulfill our merchandise orders and meet our delivery terms. In the event that manufacturers are unable or unwilling to ship products to us in a timely manner or continue to manufacture products for us, we would have to rely on other current manufacturing sources or identify and qualify new manufacturers. We might not be able to identify or qualify such manufacturers for existing or new products in a timely manner and such manufacturers might not allocate sufficient capacity to us in order to meet our requirements. Our inability to secure adequate and timely supplies of private-label merchandise would negatively impact proper inventory levels, sales and gross margin rates, and ultimately our results of operations. In addition, even if our current manufacturers continue to manufacture our products, they may not maintain adequate controls with respect to product specifications and quality and may not continue to produce products that are consistent with our standards. If we were forced to rely on manufacturers who produce products of inferior quality, then our brand and customer satisfaction would likely suffer which would negatively impact our business. These manufacturers may also increase the cost to us of the products we purchase from them. The United States Treasury Department has placed sanctions on China's Xinjiang Production and Construction Corporation ("XPCC") for serious human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region ("XUAR"). In addition, in January 2021, the US Customs Border Protection ("CBP") issued a Withhold Release Order on Products Made in Xinjiang region of China. In response to the problems in Xinjiang, we developed a Compliance Certificate of Traceability for our cotton vendors. Although we prohibit our vendors from doing business with XPCC, we could be subject to penalties, fines or sanctions and our brand could be harmed if any of the vendors from which we purchase product is found to have done business, directly or indirectly, with XPCC. We work with a third-party audit vendor to ensure a responsible and ethical supply chain. We are and will continue to pursue our corporate responsibilities and create a positive effect on human rights as well as the environment. The Company publishes a Vendor Code of Conduct, which is a part of every agreement requiring compliance by the manufacturing facilities. If, despite third-party audits, the manufacturing facilities engage in workplace or human rights violations and we are unable to identify or correct it, it may negatively affect our business and harm our brand.

Our ability to increase our share of the big & tall men's apparel market is largely dependent on effectively marketing our brand and merchandise to all of our target customers in several diverse market segments so that they will become loyal shoppers who spend a greater portion of their wallets on our product offerings. In order to grow our market share, we depend on the success of our marketing and advertising in a variety of ways, including streaming media advertising, advertising events, our loyalty program, direct mail, and digital marketing, including social media and customer prospecting. Our business is directly impacted by the success of these efforts and those of our vendors. Future marketing efforts by us, our vendors or our other licensors, may be more costly than prior years and, if not successful, may negatively affect our ability to meet our sales goals and gain market share. As part of our long-term strategy, we are planning to increase the amount that we expect to spend annually on our marketing efforts over the next few fiscal years, with marketing costs for fiscal 2024 expected to increase to 7.0%-7.5% of sales. There can be no assurance that our long-term strategy and the increased investment in marketing will grow our business or build brand awareness. If our marketing campaigns are unable to drive traffic to our stores and website, the marketing costs incurred will have a negative impact on the Company's profitability.

An increased focus by local, state, regional, national, and international regulatory bodies on GHG emissions and climate change issues increases the risk to our business if we are unable to comply with the multiple and evolving policy changes. For example, in March 2024, the SEC adopted rules to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures by public companies so that there is more consistent, comparable, and reliable information about the financial effects of climate-related risks on a public company's operations and how it manages those risks. In addition, in October 2023, California enacted the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act and the Climate Related Financial Risk Act that will require large public and private companies that do business within the state to disclose their Scopes 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions, with third-party assurance of GHG emissions information for certain entities, and issue public reports on their climate-related financial risk and related mitigation measures. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, other market participants, stockholders, and customers have focused increasingly on the ESG or sustainability practices of companies, including those associated with climate change. If our ESG practices do not meet investor or other industry stakeholder expectations and standards, which continue to evolve, our brand, reputation and employee retention may be negatively impacted based on an assessment of our ESG practices. Any disclosures we make may include our policies and practices on a variety of social and ethical matters, including corporate governance, environmental compliance, employee health and safety practices, human capital management, product quality, supply chain management, and workforce inclusion and diversity. It is possible that stakeholders may not be satisfied with our ESG practices or the speed of their adoption. We could also incur additional costs and require additional resources to monitor,

There is increasing concern that a gradual rise in global average temperatures due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases ("GHG") in the atmosphere will cause significant changes in weather patterns. This could result in an increase in the frequency, severity, and duration of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, as well as water scarcity and poor water quality. These events could adversely impact the availability and price of cotton and other raw materials, disrupt the supply chain and our ability to secure merchandise. Further, extreme weather conditions caused by climate change could negatively impact our financial results if our retail locations are unable to open, customers are unable to travel or our distribution center is unable to fulfill orders or delivery inventory. These events could also create adverse economic conditions and impact consumer confidence and discretionary spending. As a result, the effects of climate change could have a long-term adverse impact on our business and results of operations. We are working to develop policies, standards and goals to help mitigate these risks, including working closely with our vendors and business partners to help identify such risks, develop standards and improve processes.