Lifetime Brands (LCUT) risk factors, FY2025 10-K

Lifetime Brands's FY2025 10-K, filed Mar 12, 2026, lists 40 risk factors in 2 groups. Against the prior year's 40: 3 new, 3 dropped, 16 substantially reworded.

Risk factors listed
402 groups
New this year
3vs 40 last year
Dropped
3since the prior 10-K
Substantially reworded
16of those kept
Section length
14k wordsItem 1A

What the changes say

  • Lifetime Brands faces significant earnings pressure from U.S.-China tariff volatility and shifting consumer demand, leading to a $33.2 million goodwill write-down.

What changed since the prior 10-K

New

  • NewMacroeconomic risks

    Changes in economic policies of the government of China have had a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and may continue to do so for the foreseeable future

    Uncertainty surrounding Chinese government economic policies and U.S.-China trade relations could increase costs and disrupt business operations.

  • NewMacroeconomic risks

    The carrying value of the goodwill for the U.S. reporting unit was zero as of December 31, 2025

    The company recorded a $33.2 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge after fully writing off the U.S. reporting unit's goodwill due to lower forecasts.

  • NewOperational and regulatory risks

    The rapid development and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, including AI-driven search tools, may adversely affect our product visibility, competitive position and results of operations

    The adoption of AI-driven search and recommendation tools by retailers may reduce product visibility, brand traffic, and sales volume on e-commerce platforms.

Dropped

  • DroppedMacroeconomic risks

    the latter portion of the year. Therefore, the Company’s borrowing needs fluctuate widely based upon its seasonal working capital requirements

  • DroppedMacroeconomic risks

    If the Company’s goodwill or other long-term assets become impaired, the Company will be required to record impairment charges, which may be significant

  • DroppedMacroeconomic risks

    If the Company were to lose the Farberware license for kitchen tools, cutlery, cutting boards, shears and certain other products through termination as a result of an uncured breach, its business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected

Reworded

  • 81% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    The Company’s brands are subject to reputational risks and damage to the Company’s brands or reputation could adversely affect its business

    Expanded sources of reputational harm to include specific issues such as product recalls, regulatory actions, and labor practices.

  • 55% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    The Company’s borrowings, and discount rate applied to sale of receivables, are subject to interest rate fluctuations and an increase in interest rates could adversely affect the Company’s financial results

    Updated interest expense figures, noting a decrease of $2.2 million in 2025 due to lower interest rates and borrowings.

  • 54% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    The Company has substantial indebtedness and the highly seasonal nature of the Company’s business impacts its borrowing needs

    Updated consolidated debt outstanding to $189.1 million as of December 31, 2025.

  • 53% rewrittenOperational and regulatory risks

    The Company is subject to cyber security risks and may incur increasing costs in efforts to minimize those risks and to comply with regulatory standards

    Refined cybersecurity risk language to emphasize ongoing efforts to protect against threats and security breaches.

  • 48% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    The Company’s business may be materially adversely affected by the imposition of duties and tariffs and other trade barriers and retaliatory countermeasures implemented by the U.S. and other governments

    Updated tariff discussions to reflect 2025 import policy changes and the February 2026 Supreme Court ruling striking down administration tariffs.

  • 46% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    Increases in the cost of employee benefits could materially adversely impact the Company’s financial results and cash flows

    Added healthcare cost inflation and higher utilization trends as specific drivers for increased employee benefit costs.

  • 44% rewrittenOperational and regulatory risks

    The Company’ executives and other key employees are critical to the Company’s success. The loss of and/or failure to attract and maintain its highly skilled employees could adversely affect the Company’s business

    Added increasing competition for talent in technology, digital commerce, and logistics roles.

  • 40% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    The loss of certain licenses or material changes in royalty rates could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating margin and cash flow

    Updated the percentage of gross sales from licensed brands from approximately 18% in 2024 to 20% in 2025.

  • 39% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    Cost reduction efforts may not be successful and restructuring benefits may not be realized

  • 37% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    Changes at the Company’s large customers, or actions taken by them, and consolidation in the retail industry could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results

  • 34% rewrittenOperational and regulatory risks

    The Company sells consumer products which involve an inherent risk of product liability claims

  • 30% rewrittenOperational and regulatory risks

    The Company’s international operations present special challenges that the Company may not be able to meet, and this could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial results

  • 30% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    The Company’s business may be materially adversely affected by market conditions, global and economic conditions and other factors beyond its control

    Was: The Company’s business may be materially adversely affected by market conditions and by global and economic conditions and other factors beyond its control

  • 28% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    The Company’s ability to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be materially adversely affected by macroeconomic and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers

  • 24% rewrittenOperational and regulatory risks

    A failure in or compromise of the Company’s operating systems or infrastructure or those of third parties could disrupt the Company’s business and cause losses

  • 23% rewrittenMacroeconomic risks

    The Company’s reliance on international suppliers subjects the Company to regional regulatory, man-made or natural disasters, health epidemics, political or military conflicts, economic and foreign currency exchange risk that could materially affect the Company’s operating results

    Was: The Company’s reliance on international suppliers subject the Company to regional regulatory, man-made or natural disasters, health epidemics, political or military conflicts, economic and foreign currency exchange risk that could materially and adversely affect the Company’s operating results

All 40 risk factors

Headings as the filing states them, in filing order.

Macroeconomic risks

  1. 01The Company’s business may be materially adversely affected by market conditions, global and economic conditions and other factors beyond its control30% rewritten
  2. 02The Company’s business may be materially adversely affected by the imposition of duties and tariffs and other trade barriers and retaliatory countermeasures implemented by the U.S. and other governments48% rewritten
  3. 03Changes in economic policies of the government of China have had a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and may continue to do so for the foreseeable futureNew
  4. 04The Company’s ability to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be materially adversely affected by macroeconomic and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers28% rewritten
  5. 05The Company has substantial indebtedness and the highly seasonal nature of the Company’s business impacts its borrowing needs54% rewritten
  6. 06The Company’s failure to meet certain covenants or comply with other requirements of its Debt Agreements may materially and adversely affect the Company’s assets, financial position and cash flows
  7. 07The Company’s borrowings, and discount rate applied to sale of receivables, are subject to interest rate fluctuations and an increase in interest rates could adversely affect the Company’s financial results55% rewritten
  8. 08The Company’s inability to complete future acquisitions or strategic alliances and/or integrate acquired businesses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations
  9. 09Foreign exchange variability and currency controls could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results and financial condition
  10. 10The Company’s business requires it to maintain large fixed costs that can affect its profitability
  11. 11Cost reduction efforts may not be successful and restructuring benefits may not be realized39% rewritten
  12. 12The carrying value of the goodwill for the U.S. reporting unit was zero as of December 31, 2025New
  13. 13The Company’s projections of product demand, sales and net income are highly subjective in nature and the Company’s future sales and net income could vary materially from the Company’s projections
  14. 14Increases in the cost of employee benefits could materially adversely impact the Company’s financial results and cash flows46% rewritten
  15. 15There are inherent limitations on the effectiveness of the Company’s controls
  16. 16The Company faces intense competition from other companies worldwide and if the Company is unable to compete successfully, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected
  17. 17Changes in the Company’s customer purchasing practices could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results
  18. 18Changes at the Company’s large customers, or actions taken by them, and consolidation in the retail industry could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results37% rewritten
  19. 19The rapidly changing retail environment could result in the loss of, or a material reduction in, sales to the Company’s brick-and-mortar customers, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows
  20. 20If the Company is unable to effectively manage its existing online business, the Company's reputation and operating results may be harmed
  21. 21Demand for new products and the inability to develop and introduce new competitive products at favorable profit margins could adversely affect the Company’s performance and prospects for future growth
  22. 22The Company’s reliance on international suppliers subjects the Company to regional regulatory, man-made or natural disasters, health epidemics, political or military conflicts, economic and foreign currency exchange risk that could materially affect the Company’s operating results23% rewritten
  23. 23The Company’s international trade activity subjects it to transportation risks
  24. 24With the exception of the Company’s sterling silver products, the Company sources almost all of its products from suppliers located outside the United States, primarily in China, which restricts the Company’s ability to monitor and control their manufacture of the Company’s goods
  25. 25The Company’s product costs are subject to price fluctuation
  26. 26The loss of certain licenses or material changes in royalty rates could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating margin and cash flow40% rewritten
  27. 27The Company may not be able to adequately establish or protect its intellectual property rights, and the infringement or loss of the Company’s intellectual property rights could harm its business
  28. 28If the Company is unable to protect the confidentiality of its proprietary information and know-how, the value of the Company’s technology, products and services could be materially adversely affected
  29. 29The Company’s brands are subject to reputational risks and damage to the Company’s brands or reputation could adversely affect its business81% rewritten

Operational and regulatory risks

  1. 30Interruptions in the Company’s operations caused by outside forces could cause material losses
  2. 31The Company’s international operations present special challenges that the Company may not be able to meet, and this could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial results30% rewritten
  3. 32The Company operates in a regulated environment that imposes significant compliance requirements. Non-compliance with these requirements could subject the Company to sanctions and materially adversely affect the Company’s business
  4. 33New and future laws and regulations governing the Internet and e-commerce could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition
  5. 34A failure in or compromise of the Company’s operating systems or infrastructure or those of third parties could disrupt the Company’s business and cause losses24% rewritten
  6. 35The Company is subject to cyber security risks and may incur increasing costs in efforts to minimize those risks and to comply with regulatory standards53% rewritten
  7. 36The rapid development and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, including AI-driven search tools, may adversely affect our product visibility, competitive position and results of operationsNew
  8. 37The Company sells consumer products which involve an inherent risk of product liability claims34% rewritten
  9. 38The Company may incur material costs due to environmental liabilities which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations
  10. 39The Company’ executives and other key employees are critical to the Company’s success. The loss of and/or failure to attract and maintain its highly skilled employees could adversely affect the Company’s business44% rewritten
  11. 40As a result of the Company’s prior acquisition of Filament, Taylor Parent has significant influence over the Company and its interests may conflict with the Company’s or its stockholders in the future

Other Lifetime Brands 10-Ks

  • FY2024 10-K risk factors
    40 risks

    High dependence on major retailers Walmart and Costco creates significant customer concentration risk.

    Filed Mar 13, 2025

About this page

The headings are the filing's own. The one-line readings and the overview are automated and can be wrong: read Item 1A of the 10-K for the exact wording.