UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
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For the fiscal year ended December 31,
2011
Or
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¨
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
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For the transition period from ________
to __________
Commission file number 033-10893
QKL STORES INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified
in Its Charter)
Delaware
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75-2180652
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(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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4 Nanreyuan Street
Dongfeng Road
Sartu District
163300 Daqing, P.R. China
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code: (011) 86-459-460-7987
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b)
of the Act:
Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
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NASDAQ Capital Market
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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
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No
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant
is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes
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No
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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
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
and posted 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 and post such files). Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of
delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated
by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions
of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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Smaller reporting company
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes
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No
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The aggregate market value of the
registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30,
2011 was approximately $24,892,451 (based on the closing sales price of the registrant’s common stock on that date
($2.03). Shares of the registrant’s common stock held by each officer and director and each person known to the
registrant to own 10% or more of the outstanding voting power of the registrant have been excluded in that such persons may
be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not a determination for other purposes.
APPLICABLE ONLY TO REGISTRANTS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS
DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all
documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution
of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes
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No
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(APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS)
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the
registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of April 6, 2012 there were
31,344,590 shares of common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions
of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the Registrant’s 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated
by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
QKL STORES INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I
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ITEM 1
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BUSINESS
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1
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ITEM 1A
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RISK FACTORS
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25
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ITEM 1B
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UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
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38
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ITEM 2
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PROPERTIES
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38
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ITEM 3
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
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46
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ITEM 4
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MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
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46
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PART II
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ITEM 5
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MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
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47
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ITEM 6
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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
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48
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ITEM 7
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
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48
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ITEM 7A
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
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58
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ITEM 8
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
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58
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ITEM 9
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CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
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58
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ITEM 9A
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CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
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59
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ITEM 9B
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OTHER INFORMATION
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60
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PART III
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ITEM 10
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DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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61
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ITEM 11
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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61
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ITEM 12
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
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61
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ITEM 13
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
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61
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ITEM 14
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PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
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61
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PART IV
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ITEM 15
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EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
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61
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
This annual report contains forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements
by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, (a) our projected sales, profitability and cash flows,
(b) our growth strategies, (c) anticipated trends in our industries, (d) our future financing plans and (e) our anticipated needs
for working capital. They are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,”
“anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “potential,” “projects,” “continuing,”
“ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend”
or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. In particular, these include statements
relating to future actions, future performance, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings,
and financial results.
Any or all of our forward-looking statements
in this annual report may turn out to be inaccurate. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or
unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Actual future results may vary materially
as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” and matters
described in this annual report generally. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking
statements contained in this filing will in fact occur and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
PART I
Item 1. Business
References to “QKL-China”
are to Daqing Qing Ke Long Chain Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd., a People’s Republic of China retail company that we control
through a series of contractual arrangements described in the section entitled “Our History and Corporate Structure.”
Unless otherwise specified or required by context, references to “we,” “our,” “us” and the
“Company” refer collectively to (i) QKL Stores Inc. (formerly known as Forme Capital, Inc.), (ii) the subsidiaries
of QKL Stores Inc., which are Speedy Brilliant Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“Speedy Brilliant (BVI)”),
which is wholly owned by QKL Stores Inc., and Speedy Brilliant Commercial Consultancy Co., Ltd. (“Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)”),
which is wholly owned by Speedy Brilliant (BVI), (iii) QKL-China, and (iv) Daqing Qinglongxin Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd. (“QC&T”),
a wholly owned subsidiary of QKL-China. For convenience, certain amounts in Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”) have been converted
to United States dollars at an exchange rate of $1 = RMB 6.3647, the exchange rate on December 31, 2011. References to “IGA”
are to the Independent Grocers Alliance, an international trade group and network of supermarkets that offers its members access
to industry information, bargaining advantages with suppliers, and other benefits of affiliation with a large trade group. IGA
reports that its member companies operate in 40 countries worldwide and have total revenues of $21 billion per year. Its website
is www.IGA.com. References in this annual report to the “PRC” or “China” are to the People’s Republic
of China.
In keeping with standard practice and
the practice of the National Bureau of Statistics of China, references to “northeastern China” are to the three northeastern
provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning.
References to QKL-China’s “registered
capital” are to the equity of QKL-China, which under PRC law is measured not in terms of shares owned but in terms of the
amount of capital that has been or will be contributed to a company by a particular shareholder or all shareholders. The portion
of a limited liability company’s total capital contributed by a particular shareholder represents that shareholder’s
ownership of the company and the total amount of capital contributed by all shareholders is the company’s total equity. Capital
contributions are made to a company by deposits into a dedicated account in the company’s name, which the company may access
in order to meet its financial needs. When a company’s accountant certifies to PRC authorities that a capital contribution
has been made and the company has received the necessary government permission to increase its contributed capital, the capital
contribution is registered with regulatory authorities and becomes a part of the company’s “registered capital.”
Summary
We are a regional supermarket chain that
currently operates 34 supermarkets, 16 hypermarkets and 4 department stores in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia. The Company’s
supermarkets and hypermarkets sell a broad selection of merchandise including groceries, fresh food and non-food items. A supermarket
offers various daily necessities on a self-service basis and averages 2,500 square meters in sales area. A hypermarket is similar
to a supermarket but has a larger operating scale, and is typically over 4,500 square meters in sales area. We currently have three
distribution centers servicing our supermarkets.
We are the first supermarket chain in northeastern
China and Inner Mongolia that is a licensee of the Independent Grocers Alliance, or IGA, a United States-based global grocery network.
As a licensee of IGA, the Company is able to engage in group bargaining with suppliers and have access to more than 2,000 private
IGA brands, including many that are exclusive IGA brands.
Our total revenues for the year ended December
31, 2011 was approximately $370.5 million, an increase of $72.1 million, or 24.2%, compared to total revenues of $298.4 million
for the year ended December 31, 2010. Our net income excluding impairment charge and changes in fair value of warrants for
the year ended December 31, 2011 was approximately $2.6 million, a decrease of $7.0 million, or 72.7%, from approximately $9.6
million for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Our Industry
We operate in the supermarket industry in
China, which is a part of the country’s retail trade sector. We believe the retail market has benefited from compelling industry
fundamentals such as rapid economic growth, urbanization and increasing disposable income.
According to a PRC government work report
for 2010 by Premier Wenjiabao, China’s economy has been experiencing consistent growth with nominal GDP growing from approximately
$2.3 trillion in 2005 to approximately $5.9 trillion in 2010, a compound annual growth rate of approximately 16.9%. As a result
of China’s rapid economic growth, the urban population has increased dramatically as people in rural and less developed areas
migrate to cities in search of better jobs and higher living standards. During the period between 2005 and 2010, the total urban
population in China increased by approximately 57.7 million. This growth has been accompanied by rising income levels of urban
households where annual per capita disposable income increased from $1,587 in 2005 to $2,950 in 2010 a compound growth rate of
13.2%. A growing middle class combined with an increasing affluence and purchasing power has driven the rapid development of the
retail sector and in turn driven a large increase in consumer spending.
Northeast China has a population of 133
million, or approximately 9% of China’s population. In December 2007, a major economic-development plan for northeastern
China, the “Plan for Revitalizing Northeast China,” was announced by an office of the PRC’s State Council. We
believe that the plan indicates a commitment by the PRC government to make economic development of northeastern China a high priority.
We also believe that this development is likely to contribute to our growth.
Company History
On March 28, 2008, QKL Stores Inc. (formerly
known as Forme Capital, Inc.) acquired control of QKL-China through a “reverse merger” transaction. Upon completion
of the reverse merger transaction, QKL Stores Inc. ceased to be a shell company (as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)).
Private Placement Transaction
At the same time as the closing of the reverse
merger transaction, we closed a private placement of securities, in which we sold to certain accredited investors for gross proceeds
to us of $15.5 million, 9,117,647 units at a purchase price of $1.70 per unit, each unit consisting of one share of Series A Preferred
Stock (each of which is convertible into one share of our common stock), a 0.625 interest in a Series A Warrant and a
0.625 interest in a Series B Warrant. The Series A Warrants have an exercise price of $3.40 per share (subject to adjustment),
the Series B Warrants have an exercise price of $4.25 per share (subject to adjustment). We received $13,523,530 as net proceeds
from this financing. The closing of the private placement was conditioned on the closing of the reverse merger transaction.
For more information about the private placement
you should read the section of this report entitled “Our History and Corporate Structure.”
Public Offering
In November 2009, we raised an aggregate
of $39.7 million in a public offering of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.75 per share.
Name Change
On June 18, 2008, we changed our name from
Forme Capital, Inc. to QKL Stores Inc. On the same date, our name change reflected on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”)
and our common stock began trading under the stock symbol QKLS.OB. On October 21, 2009, our common stock was listed on the NASDAQ
Capital Market under the symbol “QKLS.”
Executive Office
Our executive offices are located at 4 Nanreyuan Street, Dongfeng
Road, Sartu District, 163300 Daqing, P.R. China and our telephone number is (011) 86-459-460-7987. Our corporate website is
www.qklstoresinc.com
.
Information contained on, or accessed through our website is not intended to constitute and shall not be deemed to constitute part
of this report.
Overview
We are a regional supermarket chain that
currently operates 34 supermarkets, 16 hypermarkets and 4 department stores in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia. The Company’s
supermarkets and hypermarkets sell a broad selection of merchandise including groceries, fresh food and non-food items. A supermarket
offers various daily necessities on a self-service basis and averages 2,500 square meters in sales area. A hypermarket is similar
to a supermarket but has a larger operating scale, and is typically over 4,500 square meters in sales area. We currently have three
distribution centers servicing our supermarkets.
We are the first supermarket chain in northeastern
China and Inner Mongolia that is a licensee of the Independent Grocers Alliance, or IGA, a United States-based global grocery network.
As a licensee of IGA, the Company is able to engage in group bargaining with suppliers and have access to more than 2,000 private
IGA brands, including many that are exclusive IGA brands.
Our expansion strategy emphasizes growth
through geographic expansion in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, where we believe local populations can support profitable
supermarket operations, and where we believe competition from large foreign and national supermarket chains, which generally have
resources far greater than ours, is limited. Our strategies for profitable operations include buy-side initiatives to reduce supply
costs; focusing on merchandise with higher margins, such as non-food items, foods we prepare ourselves and private label merchandise;
and increasing reliance on the benefits of membership in the international trade group IGA.
We completed the initial steps in the execution
of our expansion plan in March 2008, when we raised financing through the combination of our reverse merger and private placement
and also raised additional financing in our public offering in the fourth quarter of 2009. Under our expansion plan, we opened:
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ten new stores in 2008 that have in the aggregate approximately 42,000 square meters of space,
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seven new stores in 2009 that have in the aggregate, approximately 32,000 square meters of space
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nine new stores in 2010 that have in the aggregate approximately 74,189 square meters of space
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fourteen new stores in 2011 that have in the aggregate approximately 101,000 square meters of space
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In 2012, we plan to open 5 additional hypermarkets, supermarkets
and department stores having, in the aggregate, approximately 40,600 square meters of space. We are also making improvements to
our logistics and information systems to support our supermarkets. We expect to finance our expansion plan from funds generated
from operations, bank loans and proceeds from our public offering in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Our Competitive Advantages
We believe that our competitive advantages
include our low prices, the quality of our meat and produce, our breadth of products, and the location of our stores.
The location of our stores is also essential
to our competitiveness, and our current competition strategy focuses on locating our stores within the three provinces of northeastern
China and the eastern region of Inner Mongolia. Within those areas, we try to locate our stores in small- and medium-sized cities/counties
where we expect to face limited competition from large foreign or national supermarket chains.
In addition to the competitive advantages
described above, we believe we have specific and distinct advantages over our domestic and foreign competitors.
Compared with local supermarkets, we believe
we have the following advantages:
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Strong relationships with local suppliers;
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Membership in the international trade group IGA, which provides access to purchasing discounts for packaged goods and access
to IGA’s exclusive brands;
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Superior management, especially in inventory management, information management systems, and sales and marketing programs;
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A focus on human-resource management, including formal employee training programs; and
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A management team with global experiences in the supermarket industry.
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Compared with large foreign supermarkets,
we believe we have the following advantages:
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A familiarity with Chinese and local circumstances and culture, religion and customs, and a corresponding understanding of
local customer needs and consumption patterns, which we believe are especially helpful in the areas of raw food and meat sales;
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Our supermarkets are positioned within their respective markets as stores that provide goods and services at low prices in
a manner that is convenient to our communities. By contrast, we believe that Wal-Mart and other foreign retailers are perceived
in Daqing and other medium-sized cities in northeastern China as places for higher priced and more extravagant purchases;
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Strong relationships with local suppliers; and
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Certain advantages under Chinese law, such as the right to sell cigarettes, a right foreign competitors do not enjoy.
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Business Strategy
Our strategy is to expand our current market
share and to benefit from the anticipated growth in China’s retail industry. Our operating strategy consists of the following
key elements:
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Emphasizing growth through geographic expansion in the three northeastern provinces and Inner Mongolia where there is an emerging
market for our retail operations and where competition is limited.
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Reducing cost of goods sold by (i) acquiring more merchandise directly from manufacturers, cutting out middlemen and distributors,
and otherwise reducing supply costs, and (ii) building a larger distribution center to enable us to purchase larger orders from
vendors at lower prices, and (iii) taking advantage of the purchasing power of collective ordering of supplies through IGA.
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Increasing our profit margins by (i) offering and selling more self-prepared foods, which have higher profit margins, including
baked goods made in our bakery, and cooked meats such as fried chicken legs and roast chicken, (ii) offering and selling
more private label goods, which also have higher profit margins, and (iii) increasing non-food section in newly opened stores to
increase gross margin.
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In 2011 and 2010, we
acquired approximately 40.0% and 38.0%, respectively, of our merchandise directly from manufacturers (not including private
label merchandise). We estimate that approximately 6.0% of our total revenue in 2011 and 2010 was due to sales of
self-prepared foods.
Our strategy is to increase our sales of
these cost-saving and higher-margin categories of merchandise — direct-from-manufacturer, self-prepared food, private label
and IGA-related merchandises. In addition to emphasizing sales of these categories, we also emphasize sales of other higher-margin
items, such as fashionable clothing and cosmetics, and seasonal items like gloves, coats, sun-block and swimsuits, etc.
Our Stores and Merchandise
Our stores are spread throughout northeastern
China and Inner Mongolia with a concentration in Heilongjiang Province. The map below shows the location of all of our current
locations within Northeast China and Inner Mongolia.
Map of locations —
Northeast
China and Inner Mongolia
Our Supermarkets
Our supermarkets generated approximately
98.6% and 98.8% of our revenues in 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, our supermarkets had a total area of approximately
287,865 gross square meters, which includes all rental space as opposed to 142,103 square meters of retail space. All supermarkets
share the same general format and sell from the same inventory; however, the larger stores carry a greater variety of items than
the smaller stores.
Our supermarkets are designed to provide
our customers with quality merchandise at a low price and carry a broad selection of grocery, meat, produce, liquor and tobacco,
clothing, household items, small electronics, jewelry and general merchandise.
Our supermarkets carry merchandise divided
into three major categories: grocery, fresh food, and non-food items.
The table below sets forth our total revenues
for our sales of grocery, fresh food and non-food items for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
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Percentage of Store sales for the Year
Ended December 31,
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2011
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2010
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Grocery
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34.3
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%
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35.6
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%
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Fresh food
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47.2
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%
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45.9
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%
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Non-food items
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18.5
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%
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18.5
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%
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Grocery items include:
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Prepared or packaged foods, including instant foods, canned foods, packaged rice and wheat powder, and crackers and chips;
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Bulk (unpackaged) grains including rice and ground wheat;
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Bottled water and beverages;
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Certain non-food items such as cleaning products, cosmetics, and disposable razors.
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Fresh-food items include:
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Fresh raw meat, which we cut and package;
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Fresh bakery items, including breads, buns, dumplings, and other self-prepared foods;
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Fresh noodles and pastas;
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Fresh milk, yogurt, and eggs (supplied fresh every day); and
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Packaged dumplings (supplied fresh every day).
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Non-food items include all non-food items,
except cleaning and cosmetic items included in grocery; specifically:
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Bedding and home furnishings;
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Small electronics and household use items like irons, electric shavers, hair dryers, massage machines; and
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Office supplies, toys, sporting goods and other items.
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Our target rate for loss due to spoilage
and breakage of perishable and breakable items is 0.4% of total revenue. This was also our approximate rate of loss for spoilage
and breakage in both 2011 and 2010.
Private Label
Some of the merchandise we sell in our supermarkets
is made to our specifications by manufacturers, using our QKL brand name. We refer to such merchandise as “private label”
merchandise. With private label merchandise, we entrust the manufacturer to make the product and to select the name and design.
Under our agreements with the private label manufacturers, the private label manufacturers cannot sell the product to any other
company. Average profit margins from private label products are typically 20%-30%, with certain products having a profit margin
of 30-50%, and are generally higher than profit margins for other grocery items which are typically 12-13%.
Sales of private label merchandise represented
approximately 6.0 % of our total sales revenue for 2011 and 2010. In June 2008, we established a specialized
department for designing and purchasing private label merchandise. Seven full-time employees currently work in this department.
We plan to increase the proportion of private label merchandise sold over the next several quarters. Our goal is to increase private
label sales to 20% of our total revenues in the long term.
Our Department Stores
As of the date of this report, we operate
four department stores through QKL-China’s subsidiary, Daqing Qinglongxin Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd. (“QC&T”).
Our department stores generated 1.1% and 0.80% of our total revenues in 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our department stores are
located in the same buildings as our supermarkets and are licensed to sell all of the non-food products sold by our supermarkets.
Our department stores sell brand-name and luxury clothing and accessories, cosmetics, small electronics, jewelry, books, home furnishings,
and bedding, and contain a movie theater and a traditional beauty salon.
Our first department store opened in September
2006 and is located in Ranghulu District of Daqing. It has a total area of 19,000 square meters, including approximately 3,000
square meters occupied by our supermarket on the ground floor of the building.
On September 28, 2008, we opened a new supermarket
store and a department store in Taikang, a county in Heilongjiang Province located approximately 30 kilometers from Daqing. It
is the Company’s second unit comprised of a supermarket and department store. It occupies roughly 10,000 square meters of
leased space (the supermarket is approximately 2,800 square meters and the department store is nearly 7,200 square meters) in the
commercial center of the city.
On September 29, 2010, we opened Jian Department
Store, situated in Jian County, Jilin Province. Jian County is the fourth largest port city in China and is an important goods
distribution center in Northeast China’s Changbai Mountain region. The store is located in the center of the business district
in Jian county serving over 50,000 customers within the business community. The department store occupies the first six stories
of the building and has an area of approximately 19,000 square meters. One of our supermarkets occupies the basement of the building.
The Company’s 4th department
store, situated in Shuangcheng city, Heilongjiang Province,was opened on April 24th, 2011. Shuangcheng City, with a
population of approximately 820,000 residents, is well known for its food industry,represented by Nestle, Wahaha, and Huiyuan
factories, among others. The store is located in the central business district in Shuangcheng city serving over 300,000
potential customers. The department store occupies the first four stories of the building and utilizes approximately 17,000
sq. meters of gross space.
Our department store business model is different
from our supermarket business model. The department stores operate on a concession and rent basis, with the selling space occupied
by retail partners who either sublet their space from, or pay concession fees for use of the space to, QC&T. We do not own
the merchandise sold in the department stores, yet we do receive the proceeds of the sales of merchandise in the department stores.
The merchandise is owned by our retail partners, we render the revenue we collected to them by deducting our percentage of fees.
In 2011 and 2010, approximately 78.0% and 91.2%, respectively, of our department store revenue came from concession fees and approximately
22.0% and 8.8%, respectively, came from rent.
Our department store business model also
differs from our supermarket business model, in that our retail partners conduct their own purchasing operations (in consultation
with QC&T employees) and do not use our purchasing department. Our retail partners receive their merchandise by delivery from
distributors and do not use our distribution center, delivery vehicles or logistics resources. Each of the three above-ground floors
in each of the department stores (but not the ground floor, which houses a QKL-China supermarket) is occupied by a number of stores,
each operated by a retail partner. Each floor has one floor manager who is employed by QC&T and who oversees the workings of
that floor. The employees charged with the logistical operation of the stores are employees of our retail partners. Compared to
our supermarket operations, our department store operations are simpler and are less demanding of our resources, including time,
labor and purchasing effort.
Our Distribution Centers
We currently distribute grocery products
to our supermarkets from our three distribution centers: one is located in Daqing, Harbin and Shenyang. Our Harbin distribution
center supplies almost 100% of the non-food items and 60% of the grocery items sold in our supermarkets. We opened our new Shenyang
distribution center in November, 2011. The Shenyang distribution center has approximately 9,000 square meters of space and
is approximately 650 kilometers from our headquarters in Daqing.
Size of Our Supermarkets
The table below sets forth the size of our
stores in net square meters, which includes retail space as opposed to all rental space, and the average monthly sales per square
meter of each of our supermarkets during 2010 and 2011.
Store
#
|
|
|
Store Name
|
|
Date Opened
|
|
Retail Space
Square
Meters
|
|
|
Average Monthly
Sales (In RMB)
per Square Meter,
2011
|
|
|
Average
Monthly Sales
(In RMB) per
Square Meter,
2010
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Xincun Store
|
|
01/23/99
|
|
|
4,408
|
|
|
|
2,646
|
|
|
|
2,578
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
Longfeng Store
(1)
|
|
06/18/00
|
|
|
1,499
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,521
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
Chengfeng Store
|
|
05/12/01
|
|
|
2,706
|
|
|
|
1,493
|
|
|
|
1,576
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
Hengmao Store
|
|
11/16/02
|
|
|
1,906
|
|
|
|
3,536
|
|
|
|
3,724
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
Yixi Store
|
|
01/18/03
|
|
|
1,557
|
|
|
|
3,268
|
|
|
|
3,225
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
Wanbao Store
|
|
04/26/03
|
|
|
1,290
|
|
|
|
1,860
|
|
|
|
1,861
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
Xizhai Store
(2)
|
|
06/28/03
|
|
|
3,118
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
Zhaoyuan Store
|
|
03/29/08
|
|
|
2,246
|
|
|
|
1,937
|
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
Zhaodong Store
|
|
12/07/03
|
|
|
1,669
|
|
|
|
3,284
|
|
|
|
3,168
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
Wanli Store
|
|
04/18/04
|
|
|
1,541
|
|
|
|
2,171
|
|
|
|
2,123
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
Hubin Store
|
|
12/25/04
|
|
|
1,163
|
|
|
|
2,181
|
|
|
|
2,229
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
Donghu Store
|
|
09/24/05
|
|
|
2,315
|
|
|
|
3,174
|
|
|
|
3,002
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
Yichun Store
|
|
01/23/06
|
|
|
3,160
|
|
|
|
1,673
|
|
|
|
1,546
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
Jixi Store
|
|
09/17/06
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
|
2,056
|
|
|
|
2,044
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
Acheng Store
|
|
05/20/06
|
|
|
4,035
|
|
|
|
2,297
|
|
|
|
2,153
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
Lusejiayuan Store
|
|
04/30/06
|
|
|
760
|
|
|
|
2,851
|
|
|
|
2,729
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
Jixi Store 2
(4)
|
|
03/29/07
|
|
|
1,720
|
|
|
|
1,878
|
|
|
|
1,874
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
Yixi Store 2
(3)
|
|
09/09/06
|
|
|
866
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,754
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
Harbin Store
(5)
|
|
12/27/06
|
|
|
2,370
|
|
|
|
1,940
|
|
|
|
1,779
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
Central Street Store
|
|
09/27/08
|
|
|
4,968
|
|
|
|
2,546
|
|
|
|
2,409
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
Suihua Store
|
|
07/12/08
|
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
|
2,392
|
|
|
|
2,476
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
Taikang Store
|
|
09/14/08
|
|
|
1,560
|
|
|
|
2,893
|
|
|
|
2,786
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
Zhaodong Dashijie
|
|
05/27/09
|
|
|
2,587
|
|
|
|
2,514
|
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
Lindian
|
|
04/01/09
|
|
|
2,196
|
|
|
|
2,623
|
|
|
|
2,530
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
Boli Store
|
|
12/21/08
|
|
|
4,045
|
|
|
|
1,244
|
|
|
|
1,183
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
Xinguangtiandi Store
|
|
04/28/09
|
|
|
2,066
|
|
|
|
1,960
|
|
|
|
2,122
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
Hailaer Store
|
|
12/28/08
|
|
|
4,606
|
|
|
|
1,652
|
|
|
|
1,591
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
Anda Store
|
|
11/22/08
|
|
|
1,595
|
|
|
|
3,135
|
|
|
|
2,972
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
Fuyu Store
|
|
11/29/08
|
|
|
1,630
|
|
|
|
2,359
|
|
|
|
2,332
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
Nehe Store
|
|
11/11/08
|
|
|
1,774
|
|
|
|
2,599
|
|
|
|
2,416
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
Shidai Lijing Store
(6)
|
|
06/21/03
|
|
|
101
|
|
|
|
461
|
|
|
|
706
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
Zhalaiteqi Store
|
|
12/13/09
|
|
|
1,727
|
|
|
|
1,190
|
|
|
|
1,006
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
Tongjiang Store
|
|
9/30/09
|
|
|
2,115
|
|
|
|
1,776
|
|
|
|
1,756
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
Datong Store
|
|
11/07/09
|
|
|
2,590
|
|
|
|
2,047
|
|
|
|
1,627
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
Nongan Store
|
|
12/20/09
|
|
|
4,987
|
|
|
|
543
|
|
|
|
581
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
Jian Store
|
|
09/29/10
|
|
|
2,949
|
|
|
|
720
|
|
|
|
1,054
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
Tangyuan Store
|
|
03/24/10
|
|
|
3,142
|
|
|
|
928
|
|
|
|
889
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
Hongyun Store
|
|
03/31/10
|
|
|
1,840
|
|
|
|
2,018
|
|
|
|
2,073
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
Taian Store
|
|
10/20/10
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
|
404
|
|
|
|
671
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
Yitong Store
|
|
11/10/10
|
|
|
5,067
|
|
|
|
421
|
|
|
|
815
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
Fujin Store
|
|
10/25/10
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
|
531
|
|
|
|
893
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
Changtu Store
|
|
11/15/10
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
562
|
|
|
|
985
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
Manzhouli Store
|
|
12/30/10
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
492
|
|
|
|
2,898
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
Siping Store
|
|
01/11/11
|
|
|
3,712
|
|
|
|
508
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
Muling Store
|
|
01/18/11
|
|
|
2,960
|
|
|
|
621
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
Dehui Store
|
|
01/20/11
|
|
|
4,121
|
|
|
|
628
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
Mulan Store
|
|
01/25/11
|
|
|
2,235
|
|
|
|
986
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Arongqi Store
|
|
01/26/11
|
|
|
1,540
|
|
|
|
1,147
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
Shuangcheng 1 Store
|
|
03/20/11
|
|
|
2,418
|
|
|
|
869
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
Yinlang Store
|
|
04/08/11
|
|
|
2,329
|
|
|
|
1,142
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
Hailin Store
|
|
04/15/11
|
|
|
3,436
|
|
|
|
956
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
Liaoyang Store
|
|
04/20/11
|
|
|
4,940
|
|
|
|
478
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
Shuangcheng 2 Store
|
|
04/23/11
|
|
|
2,540
|
|
|
|
774
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
Da’an Store
|
|
09/28/11
|
|
|
4,725
|
|
|
|
740
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
Zhalannuoer Store
|
|
09/30/11
|
|
|
3,598
|
|
|
|
961
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
Juxian Store
|
|
12/24/11
|
|
|
2,556
|
|
|
|
1,968
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1)
|
This store closed in April 2010.
|
|
(2)
|
This store has been temporarily closed for refurbishment and is expected to open before the end of 2012.
|
|
(3)
|
This store closed in August 2010.
|
|
(4)
|
This store closed in May 2011.
|
|
(5)
|
This store closed in May 2011.
|
|
(6)
|
This store closed in April 2011.
|
Recent Developments
Supermarket Store Openings
Siping Store
We opened a new hypermarket in Siping City, Jilin Province on
January 11, 2011. Siping City, with a population of approximately four million residents, is located on the border of the Jilin
and Liaoning Provinces. The Hypermarket is located in the center of the new development district of Siping City, serving over 400,000
potential Chinese customers. This hypermarket occupies approximately 6,700 square meters of gross space.
Muling store
We opened a new supermarket in Muling County,
Heilongjiang
Province on January 18, 2011. The Hypermarket is located in the center of the new development district of the city, serving
approximately 100,000 Chinese customers in total. This supermarket occupies approximately 7,000 sq. meters of gross space.
Mulan Store
We opened a new supermarket store in Mulan County, Heilongjiang
Province on January 25, 2011. Mulan County, with a population of approximately 250,000 residents, is known for its timber resources.
Our supermarket utilizes approximately 4,200 square meters of gross space and is located in an area of the Mulan County that can
serve up to 80,000 potential customers.
Dehui Store
We opened a new hypermarket in Dehui City, Jilin Province on
January 20, 2011
.
The hypermarket is located in the center of the new development district of the city, serving about
200,000 potential Chinese customers. This hypermarket occupies approximately 11,000 sq. meters of gross space.
Arongqi store
We opened a new supermarket in Arongqi County, Inner Mongolia
Autonomous Region on January 26, 2011. The supermarket is located in the center of the new development district of the urban area,
serving approximately 100,000 Chinese customers. This supermarket occupies approximately 3,089 square meters of gross area.
Shuangcheng store1
We opened a new supermarket in Shuangcheng City, Heilongjiang
Province on March 20, 2011. Shuangcheng City, with a population of approximately 820,000 residents, is well known for its food
industry, represented by
Nestle,
Wahaha
,
and Huiyuan factories among others. QKL’s supermarket utilizes approximately 3,300 sq. meters of gross space and is located
in a new shopping mall center in the business district which can serve over 300,000 potential customers.
Yinlang Store
We opened a new supermarket in Daqing, Heilongjiang Province
on April 11, 2011. This Yinlang Store location
utilizes
approximately 4,300 sq. meters of gross
space and is located in a small shopping center in a new developed residential area which can serve over 50,000 potential customers.
Hailin Store
We opened a new hypermarket in Hailin City, Heilongjiang Province
on April 18, 2011. Hailin is under the jurisdiction of Mudanjiang City, otherwise known as the “Snow Town of Heilongjiang”,
and derives much economic activity from its timber and tourism industries. The Hailin Store location
utilizes
approximately 7,300 sq. meters of gross space and is located in a small shopping center in a newly developed residential
area which can serve over 80,000 potential customers.
Liaoyang store
We opened a new hypermarket in Liaoyang City, Liaoning Province
on April 22, 2011. The Hypermarket is located in Liaoyang City, serving over 200,000 potential Chinese customers. This hypermarket
occupies approximately 13,100 square meters of gross space.
Shuangcheng 2 and Shuangcheng Department Store
We opened Shuangcheng 2 and Shuangcheng Department Store in
Shuangcheng city, Heilongjiang Province on April 24, 2011. Shuangcheng City, with a population of approximately 820,000 residents,
is well known for its food industry, represented by
Nestle,
Wahaha
, and Huiyuan factories, among others. The two stores are
located in the central business district in Shuangcheng city serving over 300,000 potential customers. The department store occupies
the first four stories of the building and utilizes approximately 17,000 sq. meters of gross space. The supermarket is located
at the underground level, which occupies approximately 4,800 sq. meters of gross space.
Da’an Store
We opened Da’an Store in Da’an city, Jilin Province
on September 28, 2011. Da’an Store, with a population of 400,000 residents, is located near the second largest oil field
of Jilin Province. The company’s store is located in the central business district in Da’an City and occupies approximately
15,000 sq. meters of gross space and can serve over 100,000 potential customers.
Zhalannuoer Store
We opened Zhalannuoer Store in Zhalannuoer County, Inner Mongolia
on September 30, 2011. The store is located in the new developed district, utilizing approximately 6,600 sq. meters gross space
and serving approximately 100,000 potential customers. This is company’s second store in Manzhouli City.
Juxian Store
We opened a new supermarket in Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province
on December 24, 2011.
The Company’s store is located in Daqing city and occupies
approximately
2,400 sq. meters of gross space with capacity to serve over 30,000 customers.
Renovations
Xizhai Store
We temporarily closed our Xizhai store in Daqing on June 1,
2009 due to a renovation of the building by the landlord. After the renovation the size of the store will be increased to 7,000
square meters. We anticipate that the store will be reopened before the end of` 2012.
Our Equipment
The equipment we use in operating our business
includes standard equipment for our industry, such as display cases, freezers and ovens, delivery trucks, and the computer hardware
and software used in our electronic information, inventory and logistics system. All of our equipment is owned outright by us and
was acquired by cash purchase.
Advertising and Publicity
We advertise in many ways, including direct-marketing
circulars (bi-weekly, weekly and 3 days on weekends), local newspaper advertisements and coupons, membership cards and member promotions,
and general promotions such as discounts and prize lotteries.
Our marketing and advertising activities
are conducted by our marketing department, which has ten employees. The department’s responsibility covers a wide range of
issues, including our brand strategy and brand promotion, sales promotion, design of advertising materials, design of décor
of stores, and management of our club membership. They are also engaged in market and price investigation. We base our advertising
on our analysis and observations of the market and our competitors. The head of the marketing department works closely with the
purchasing department in determining purchasing and sales patterns.
Under contracts we have with our suppliers,
our suppliers are responsible for the costs of most of the discounts and promotions.
Customers and Pricing
Our pricing strategy is to offer merchandise
of a quality comparable to that of our competitors and at a competitive price.
In general, all customers pay the same price
for our merchandise. However, the following discounts are available to some customers as part of our promotional marketing strategy.
|
§
|
We have a program where bulk buyers may receive discounts by negotiation. These discounts are typically up to 2.0% of our retail
price, depending on what our annual gross margin targets allow. Sales to these customers represented 2% of our total revenues for
2011 and 2010.
|
|
§
|
Membership card holders may receive discounts on select products during promotional periods. Sales to these customers represented
62.5% of our total revenues in 2011 and 48.2% of our total revenues in 2010.
|
The rest of our customers, including large
customers such as school cafeterias, pay our standard price.
Payment methods for customers include cash,
bank cards, and two kinds of store cards: gift cards, which can be charged in advance and used as cash, and membership cards, which
can deposit money in, accumulate points and provide discounts for membership products.
In recent years, the pricing of our merchandise
has changed as the price of our supplies has changed. For example, in 2007, the price of pork rose significantly and store prices
rose correspondingly, until they were partially offset by government subsidies. The price of imported products, primarily including
wine, beer and liquor, has changed as the RMB exchange rate has changed. We do not believe any price changes have had a significant
effect on our business to date.
Suppliers
Our 10 largest suppliers of merchandise
in 2011 were, from largest to smallest:
|
§
|
Daqing Lvlei Economic and Trade Co., Ltd;
|
|
§
|
Heilongjiang Longjiangfu Food and Oil Ltd;
|
|
§
|
Daqing Hongtaiyuan Economic and Trade Ltd;
|
|
§
|
Harbin Hongyang Economic and Trade, Ltd ;
|
|
§
|
DaqingLiangjia
Economic and Trade Company ;
|
|
§
|
Daqing Tianyi Food, Ltd;
|
|
§
|
Harbin Yiyuan Spice Distribution Company;
|
|
§
|
Daqing Xinqingxin Paper Co., Ltd;
|
|
§
|
Daqing Haobaili Economic and Trade, Ltd.; and
|
|
§
|
Daqing
Dezhongyu Economic and Trade, Ltd.
|
Customers have the right under PRC law to
return defective or spoiled products to us for a full refund. Pursuant to the same law, our suppliers are required to fully reimburse
us for these returns.
Choosing Suppliers
We typically have two or more suppliers
for each product we sell. Even for special brands, including western beverages, we have several distributors from whom we can order.
We choose among competing suppliers on the basis of price and the strategic needs of our business.
Shipping from Suppliers
We receive most of our merchandise from
suppliers, which are often large distribution companies, which deliver goods by their own trucks sent either to our distribution
center (in the case of grocery and non-food items) or directly to our stores (in the case of fresh food items).
We receive some merchandise direct from
agricultural producers or manufacturers, which arrive by train or truck and ships to a convenient location where we transfer it
to our delivery trucks. Our Harbin distribution centers also receive train shipments directly through train tracks on the premises.
Distribution to Our Supermarkets and Department
Stores
For distribution from our distribution centers
to our supermarkets, we use our own trucks to deliver merchandise in the Daqing and Harbin areas. We hire third-party shipping
companies to deliver goods to stores more distant from Daqing and Harbin. We follow a delivery schedule determined by our
electronic information, inventory and logistics system.
Distribution to our department stores is
arranged by our retail partners, as described under “Our Department Stores” above.
Pricing and Terms of Payment to Suppliers
We have three kinds of payment arrangements
with our suppliers: cash payment, pre-payment and payment in arrears. The terms of these arrangements are negotiated individually
with each supplier and formalized in written contracts.
Employees
As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately
6,864 employees, all of whom are full-time employees. Approximately 6,358 of our employees work in operations and approximately
506 work in management. We have signed standard labor employment contracts with all our employees, including our executive officers,
which have terms of 2-5 years, and we have an employee manual that sets forth relevant policies. We also hire temporary employees,
typically for a term of three months.
Under each of our employment contracts,
we are required to comply with applicable labor laws and are obligated to:
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Provide a safe and sanitary working environment;
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Provide regular breaks for employees;
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Comply with mandated limits on each employee’s weekly working hours;
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Obey applicable minimum wage standards;
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Provide necessary training for technical or specialized tasks;
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Make required payments to retirement, unemployment and medical insurance plans;
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Provide 30 days’ notice of termination to an employee, except in special circumstances; and
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Terminate an employee’s employment only for certain reasons, specifically, if the employee:
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Proves unsuitable for employment during a probation period;
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Seriously neglects employment duties, causing harm to our interests;
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Forces us to terminate or amend a labor contract against our will by means of deception, coercion or taking advantage of difficulties
experienced by us;
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Simultaneously enters an employment relationship with another employer that seriously affects the employee’s ability
to complete the tasks of the Company, or refuses to remedy the situation after we point out the problem;
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Seriously violates our disciplinary policy; or
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Is guilty of criminal acts and/or is subject to criminal prosecution.
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Employee benefits include five state-mandated insurance plans:
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Retirement insurance
: We withhold a portion of each employee’s monthly salary, which is determined
by the provincial government, and is generally 8.0%, and contribute to a pooled fund an additional amount determined by law, up
to approximately 20.0% of the employee’s monthly salary.
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Medical insurance
: We withhold approximately 2.0% of each employee’s salary and contribute to a pooled
fund an additional amount totaling approximately 8.0% of total payroll expense.
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Unemployment insurance
: We withhold approximately 1.0% of each employee’s salary and contribute to
a pooled fund an additional amount totaling approximately 2.0% of total payroll expense.
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Worker’s comp. insurance
: We pay 5% of base amount salary of RMB 1,140 for each employee and contribute
to a pooled fund. We do not withhold employees’ salary to pay for such insurance.
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Maternity insurance
: We pay 0.7% of base amount of RMB 1,140 for each employee and contribute to a pooled
fund. We do not withhold employees’ salary to pay for such insurance.
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In 2011 our average compensation per employee
per month was RMB 1,876 (approximately $290) compared to RMB 1,574 (approximately $232) in 2010. We also pay benefits in the form
of social security insurance fees for each of our employees.
We have a system of human resource performance
review and incentive policies that allow personnel reviews to be carried out monthly, quarterly or annually.
Training
We have a business school and training center
at our headquarters in Daqing, which includes a lecture hall where we provide professional advancement and management courses,
training in company policies and compliance with regulations, and lectures by outside members of the business community.
There are also monthly meetings with all
the store managers, led by our CEO or COO. There are regional training conferences once per week, which provide opportunities for
sharing experiences and improving our business performance, as well as for developing the skills and judgment of our store managers.
Intellectual Property
We have registered the name “Qingkelong”
as a trademark in the PRC, details of which are set forth below:
Trademark
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Certificate No.
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Category
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Owner
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Valid Term
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Qingkelong
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No. 1995020
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No. 35: “sales promotion (for others)”
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Qingkelong
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4/7/03 – 4/6/13
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Insurance
Vehicle Insurance
We have a standard commercial vehicle insurance
policy in place for all of our delivery trucks.
Comprehensive (“All-Risk”) Property Insurance
A number of comprehensive property insurance
policies are held by us covering losses to our retail stores and distribution center. Our “all-risk” policies range
in coverage amounts from RMB 250,732 (approximately $37,922) to RMB 28.7 million (approximately $4.3 million) at related premiums
that range between RMB28,731 (approximately $4,345) to RMB 201 (approximately $30), respectively, for the one-year periods they
cover.
Public Liability Insurance
Each of our stores carries a public liability
insurance policy, covering losses relating to claims of loss or damage due to injuries occurring on our premises. Our public liability
policies typically have a coverage amount of RMB 2 million (approximately $302,489) and a premium of RMB 3,000 (approximately $454),
with the exception of our Shidailijing store, which has a premium of RMB 2,400 (approximately $363), for the one-year periods they
cover.
Research and Development Activities
We are not presently engaged in any research
and development activities. However, for self-prepared products (e.g. baked goods), our fresh foods department and bakery department
perform continuing market investigations in order to determine how other companies are making prepared foods and whether we can
improve on those methods. Our cooking personnel and head chef work with the purchasing department to develop formulas for use in
our stores.
Government Regulation of Our Operations
Our operations are subject to a wide range
of regulations covering every aspect of our business. The most significant of these regulations are set forth below. In each case,
we have passed the most recent required inspections and have received appropriate and up-to-date licenses, certificates and authorizations,
as set forth in the next subsection of this annual report.
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Circular of State Administration of Industry and Commerce Concerning the Relevant Issues for the Administration of Registration
of Chain Stores in effect on May 30, 1997, which sets forth the conditions for the establishment for chain stores and branches,
and the procedures for applying for a business license.
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Circular Concerning the Relevant Issues on the Management of Specific Goods by Chain Stores (collectively promulgated by PRC
State Economic and Trade Commission, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication,
General Administration of Press and Publication, State Administration for Industry and Commerce and State Tobacco Monopoly Bureau)
in effect on June 25, 1997, which provides that chain stores must obtain a license from relevant government authorities for the
management of specific goods, such as tobacco, pharmaceutical products, food products and audio-video products.
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Relevant Opinions on the Promotion for the Development of Chain Stores, promulgated by PRC State Commission for Economic Restructuring
and State Economic and Trade Commission, in effect on September 27, 2002, which provides relevant opinions on the promotion for
the development of chain stores, such as simplifying the administrative approval procedures.
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Approvals, Licenses and Certificates
We require a number of approvals, licenses
and certificates in order to operate our business. We believe we are in compliance in all material respects with all laws relevant
to the operation of our business.
Competition
Competitive Environment
The supermarket industry in China is intensely
competitive, with many companies, both local and foreign, competing as retailers of food, groceries and other merchandise, using
a variety of business strategies.
Our main competitors are local, regional
and national chain supermarkets, and national and foreign chain retailers operating “big box” or hypermarket stores
of the kind made famous by Wal-Mart and Carrefour. We also face competition from traditional street markets and markets where customers
can purchase live poultry and fish, convenience stores, tobacco and liquor retailers, restaurants, specialty retailers and large
drugstore chains.
We do not believe we currently face significant
direct competition from China’s large national supermarket chains as we have decided not to compete in the areas in which
they focus their operations, which are China’s biggest cities and surrounding suburbs-Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing,
and Chongqing-all areas outside of northeastern China and Inner Mongolia. Instead, we have decided to focus on China’s less-populated
“second tier” and “third tier” cities and surrounding areas in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, which
we believe provide ample opportunity for expansion.
Among the large foreign supermarket chains
currently doing business in China, we believe that Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Tesco are currently the significant direct competitors
to several of our stores. This is also primarily due to our choice of store locations. Although Carrefour, Metro, Tesco and other
foreign companies also operate in China and compete with local supermarkets in their locations, they do not have a significant
number of stores in northeastern China or Inner Mongolia, where our stores are located. In addition, our expansion plan targets
small and medium-sized cities and counties, which we believe are not being targeted by these large international retailers. We
believe that these plans will allow us to avoid intense competition from these retailers.
Our Competitors — Domestic Supermarkets
We believe that the two supermarket companies
listed below are our most significant direct domestic competitors based in China:
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Dashang Supermarkets is a national supermarket chain consisting of approximately 125 supermarkets located in 35 cities across
China. Its headquarters are located in Dalian City, Liaoning Province. The chain is managed by Dashang Group Co., Ltd., one of
China’s largest retailers, which operates more than 180 mid- to large-sized retail outlets, including department stores,
shopping malls and specialty stores. We believe that as of the date of this report, Dashang has approximately eleven supermarkets
located near enough to our own stores to be in competition with them.
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Mankelong Supermarkets is a local supermarket chain in Jilin and Heilongjiang Province. Its headquarters are located in
Changchun City, Jilin Province. We believe that as of the date of this report, Mankelong has approximately three supermarkets located
near enough to our own stores to be in competition with them.
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Our Competitors — Foreign Supermarkets
According to
http://www.wal-martchina.com/english/index.htm,
Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer and has 189 stores in 101 cities and 50,000 employees in China as of August 5, 2010.
Of its China stores, more than 100 are in its supermarket or hypermarket format, six are in its Sam’s Club format, two are
in its neighborhood market format, and approximately 100 are operated under the name of its partially-owned PRC affiliate, Trust-Mart.
We believe that approximately six of our stores compete directly with one Wal-Mart store, which is about 200 meters from our Xincun
Store.
National and foreign retailers have greater
resources and a greater geographic range than we do, and their stores are often bigger (hypermarkets often have an area of 14,000
square meters of retail space, compared to the average 2,240 square meters of retail space of our stores), which may enable them
to offer a greater variety of products. This may give them advantages in terms of pricing, ability to expand, advertising budgets,
efficiencies in distribution, bargaining power, and other areas.
OUR HISTORY AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Organizational History of QKL Stores Inc.
Prior to June 18, 2008, QKL Stores Inc.
was known as Forme Capital, Inc.
Forme Capital, Inc. (“Forme”)
was incorporated in Delaware on December 2, 1986. Prior to 1989, Forme’s only activity was the creation and spinning off
to its stockholders of nine blind pool companies, or companies with no specified business plan. From 1989 to 1998, Forme was a
real estate company. From 1999 to 2000, Forme invested in fine art. From 2000 to 2007, Forme had no operations or substantial assets.
Accordingly, Forme was deemed to be a “blank check” or shell company, that is, a development-stage company that has
no significant non-cash assets and either has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that its business plan is to
engage in a merger or other acquisition with an unidentified company.
On November 13, 2007, Forme filed an Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to change the number of shares of stock that it was authorized to issue to 100,000,000
shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. The change
became effective on December 5, 2007.
We have no operations or substantial assets
other than those of QKL-China, over which we acquired control in the reverse merger transaction discussed below. Prior to the reverse
merger transaction, our business plan was to seek out and obtain candidates with which we could merge or whose operations or assets
could be acquired through the issuance of common stock and possibly debt.
The Reverse Merger Transaction
On March 28, 2008, we completed a number
of related transactions through which we acquired control of QKL-China: (i) a restructuring transaction which granted control of
QKL-China to another PRC entity, Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), and (ii) a share exchange transaction, which transferred ownership
and control of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) to us.
We refer to the restructuring transaction
and the share exchange transaction together as the “reverse merger transaction.” The purpose of the reverse merger
was to acquire control of QKL-China. We did not acquire QKL-China directly by either issuing stock or paying cash for QKL-China
(or for Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)) because under PRC law it is uncertain whether a share exchange would be legal, and the terms
of a cash purchase would not have been favorable. Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) did not acquire QKL-China directly, by either issuing
its own stock or paying cash for QKL-China, because under PRC law it is uncertain whether such a share exchange would be legal,
and the terms of a cash purchase would not have been favorable to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing).
We instead chose to acquire control of QKL-China
through the contractual arrangements described below because alternative methods of acquisition — specifically, the acquisition
of QKL-China outright either by share exchange or by cash payment — was not available or advisable as described above. Acquisition
of QKL-China by share exchange was not available to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) because (i) Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) is wholly owned
by Speedy Brilliant (BVI), a British Virgin Islands company, and is therefore a wholly foreign-owned entity under PRC law, (ii)
wholly foreign-owned entities are, under PRC law, treated as foreign entities for relevant regulatory purposes, and (iii) under
PRC laws that became effective on September 8, 2006, it is uncertain both what procedures must be used in order for a foreign entity
to acquire a PRC entity by share exchange and whether such an acquisition would have binding legal effect in the PRC. Acquisition
of QKL-China for cash was not advisable for Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) because the terms of such a cash acquisition, including (i)
a purchase price for QKL-China determined under PRC law and (ii) the terms of a financing transaction in which we would raise the
funds to pay the purchase price, would not have been favorable to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing).
PRC Restructuring Agreements
The PRC restructuring transaction was effected
by the execution of five agreements between Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), on the one hand, and QKL-China (and in some cases the shareholders
of QKL-China), on the other hand. Those five agreements and their consequences are described below.
Consigned Management Agreement
The Consigned Management Agreement among
Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), QKL-China and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) will provide
financial, business management and human resources management services to QKL-China that will enable Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)
to control QKL-China’s operations, assets and cash flow, and in exchange, QKL-China will pay a management fee to Speedy Brilliant
(Daqing) equal to 4.5% of QKL-China’s annual revenue. The management fee for each year is due by January 31 of the following
year. The agreement will remain effective until Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or its designees have acquired 100% of the equity interests
of QKL-China or substantially all of the assets of QKL-China.
Technology Service Agreement
The Technology Service Agreement among Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing), QKL-China and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) will provide technology
services, including the selection and maintenance of QKL-China’s computer hardware and software systems and training of QKL-China
employees in the use of those systems, and in exchange QKL-China will pay a technology service fee to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)
equal to 1.5% of QKL-China’s annual revenue. The technology service fee for each year is due by January 31 of the following
year. The agreement will remain effective until Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or its designees have acquired 100% of the equity interests
of QKL-China or substantially all of the assets of QKL-China.
Loan Agreement
The Loan Agreement among Speedy Brilliant
(Daqing) and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) will make a loan in the aggregate principal
amount of RMB 77 million (approximately $11.2 million) to the shareholders of QKL-China, each shareholder receiving a share of
the loan proceeds proportional to its shareholding in QKL-China, and in exchange each shareholder agreed (i) to contribute all
of its proceeds from the loan to the registered capital of QKL-China in order to increase the registered capital of QKL-China,
(ii) to cause QKL-China to complete the process of registering the increase in its registered capital with PRC regulatory authorities
within 30 days after receiving the loan, and (iii) to pledge their equity to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) under the Equity Pledge
Agreement described below.
The loan is repayable by the shareholders
at the option of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) either by the transfer of QKL-China’s equity to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)
or through proceeds indirectly from the transfer of QKL-China assets to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing). The loan does not bear interest,
except that if (x) Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) is able to purchase the equity or assets of QKL-China, and (y) the lowest allowable
purchase price for that equity or those assets under PRC law is greater than the principal amount of the loan, then, insofar as
it is allowable under PRC law, interest will be deemed to have accrued on the loan in an amount equal to the difference between
the lowest allowable purchase price for QKL-China and the principal amount of the loan. The effect of this interest provision is
that, if and when permitted under PRC law, Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) may acquire all of the equity or assets of QKL-China by forgiving
the loan, without making any further payment. If the principal amount of the loan is greater than the lowest allowable purchase
price for the equity or assets of QKL-China under PRC law, then Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) would exempt the shareholders from paying
the difference between the two amounts. The effect of this provision is that (insofar as allowable under PRC law) the shareholders
of QKL-China may satisfy their repayment obligations under the loan by transferring all of QKL-China’s equity or assets to
Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), without making any further payment.
The Loan Agreement also contains promises
from the shareholders of QKL-China that during the term of the agreement they will elect as directors of QKL-China only candidates
nominated by Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), and they will use their best efforts to ensure that QKL-China does not take certain actions
without the prior written consent of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), including (i) supplementing or amending the articles of association
or rules of QKL-China, or of any subsidiary controlled or wholly owned by it, (ii) increasing or decreasing its registered capital
or shareholding structure, (iii) transferring, mortgaging or disposing of any interests in its assets or income, or encumbering
its assets or income in a way that would affect Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s security interest unless required for QKL-China’s
normal business operations, (iv) incurring or succeeding to any debts and liabilities, (v) entering into any material contract
(exceeding RMB 5.0 million, or approximately $0.7 million, in value); (vi) providing any loan or guarantee to any third party;
(vii) acquiring or consolidating with any third party, or investing in any third party; and (viii) distributing any dividends to
the shareholders in any manner. In addition, the Loan Agreement provides that at Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s request, QKL-China
will promptly distribute all distributable dividends to its shareholders.
The funds that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)
used to make the loan came from the proceeds received by us, its indirect parent company, in the private placement transaction
completed in March 2008.
Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement
The Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement,
among Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), QKL-China, and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that QKL-China will grant Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing) or its designated third party an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase all or part of QKL-China’s
assets, and the shareholders of QKL-China will grant Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or its designated third party an irrevocable and
exclusive right to purchase all or part of their equity interests in QKL-China. Either right may be exercised by Speedy Brilliant
(Daqing) in its sole discretion at any time that the exercise would be permissible under PRC law, and the purchase price for Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing)’s acquisition of equity or assets will be the lowest price permissible under PRC law. QKL-China and its
shareholders are required to execute purchase agreements and related documentation within 30 days of receiving notice from Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing) that it intends to exercise its right to purchase.
The Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement
contains promises from QKL-China and its shareholders that they will refrain from taking actions, such as voting to dissolve or
declaring dividends, that could impair Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s security interest in the equity of QKL-China or reduce
its value. These promises are substantially the same as those contained in the Loan Agreement described above. The agreement
will remain effective until Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or its designees have acquired 100% of the equity interests of QKL-China
or substantially all of the assets of QKL-China. The exclusive purchase options were granted under the agreement on the closing
date.
Equity Pledge Agreement
The Equity Pledge Agreement, among Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing), QKL-China, and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that the shareholders of QKL-China will pledge
all of their equity interests in QKL-China to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) as a guarantee of the performance of the shareholders’
obligations and QKL-China’s obligations under each of the other PRC Restructuring Agreements. Under the Equity Pledge Agreement,
the shareholders of QKL-China have also agreed (i) to cause QKL-China to have the pledge recorded at the appropriate office of
the PRC Bureau of Industry and Commerce, (ii) to deliver any dividends received from QKL-China during the term of the agreement
into an escrow account under the supervision of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), and (iii) to deliver QKL-China’s official shareholder
registry and certificate of equity contribution to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing).
The Equity Pledge Agreement contains promises
from QKL-China and its shareholders that they will refrain from taking actions, such as voting to dissolve or declaring dividends,
that could impair Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s security interest in the equity of QKL-China or reduce its value. These promises
are substantially the same as those contained in the Loan Agreement described above.
Completion of the PRC Restructuring
The PRC restructuring transaction closed
on March 28, 2008 and after the closing date, Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) completed all required post-closing steps, including the
payment and verification of all the installments of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s registered capital.
The remaining portion of Speedy Brilliant
(Daqing)’s registered capital was contributed and verified by August 1, 2009, two years after the issuance of its business
license.
Share Exchange Transaction
In the share exchange transaction, Forme
acquired control of Speedy Brilliant (BVI), a British Virgin Islands holding company and the parent company of Speedy Brilliant
(Daqing), by issuing to the stockholders of Speedy Brilliant (BVI) shares of common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding
capital stock of Speedy Brilliant (BVI). The stockholders of Speedy Brilliant (BVI) with whom we completed the share exchange were
(i) the majority holder, Winning State International Limited, a British Virgin Islands holding company (“Winning State (BVI)”)
all of whose stock was acquired by our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, pursuant to a call option held by Mr. Wang and
(ii) three minority stockholders, Ms. Fang Chen, Mr. Yang Miao, and Ms. Ying Zhang. Mr. Wang has exercised his call option and
all of the shares of Winning State (BVI) were transferred from Mr. Yap to Mr. Wang on February 2, 2010.
Share Exchange Agreement
On March 28, 2008, Forme entered into a
share exchange agreement with (i) Speedy Brilliant (BVI); (ii) Speedy Brilliant (Daqing); (iii) the owners of all of the outstanding
voting stock of Speedy Brilliant (BVI), namely (a) Winning State (BVI) (a company that is wholly owned and controlled by Mr. Chin
Yoke Yap (all of whose stock was acquired by our CEO, Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, pursuant to a call option held by Mr. Wang that he exercised
on February 2, 2010), which owned approximately 98.5% of the Speedy Brilliant (BVI) stock, and (b) three individuals, Ms. Fang
Chen, Ms. Yang Miao and Ms. Ying Zhang, who collectively owned approximately 1.5% of the Speedy Brilliant (BVI) stock; and (iv)
Forme’s then controlling stockholders, Vision Opportunity China LP, Stallion Ventures, LLC, and Castle Bison, Inc. Under
the terms of the share exchange agreement, the Speedy Brilliant (BVI) stockholders exchanged all of the outstanding shares of Speedy
Brilliant (BVI) for a total of 19,382,298 newly issued shares of Forme common stock. As a result of the share exchange, Forme acquired
Speedy Brilliant (BVI) as a wholly owned subsidiary, and the Speedy Brilliant (BVI) stockholders became holders of 92.8% of our
common stock on a non-diluted basis (64.6% of our common stock assuming conversion of our newly-issued Series A Preferred Stock
and 46.3% of our common stock assuming conversion of our newly-issued Series A Preferred Stock and exercise of all of the Series
A Warrants and Series B Warrants).
In the PRC restructuring transaction described
above, Speedy Brilliant (BVI) gained control of our operating company, QKL-China. Therefore, when we acquired control of Speedy
Brilliant (BVI) in the share exchange, we acquired indirect control of QKL-China. As a result, at the time of the share exchange,
(i) we ceased to be a shell company as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, (ii) Speedy Brilliant (BVI) became
our wholly owned subsidiary, and (iii) through our newly-acquired indirect subsidiary Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) we now control,
through the contractual arrangements described above.
Our current structure, after completion
of the reverse merger transaction, is set forth in the diagram below:
Private Placement Transaction
The other transaction we completed on March
28, 2008 was a private placement in which we raised funds through a private sale of securities that was exempt from the registration
requirements under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a result of our compliance with Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under
the Securities Act. In the private placement we sold to certain accredited investors, for gross proceeds to us of $15.5 million,
9,117,647 units at a purchase price of $1.70 per unit, each unit consisting of one share of Series A Preferred Stock (each of which
is convertible (subject to adjustment) into one share of our common stock), a 0.625 interest in a Series A Warrant and a 0.625
interest in a Series B Warrant.
The agreements through which the private
placement were carried out are described in detail below, all of which were entered into on March 28, 2008 unless otherwise indicated.
Securities Purchase Agreement
The securities purchase agreement among
Vision Opportunity Master Fund Ltd. (“Vision Master”), Vision Opportunity China Fund Limited (together with Vision
Master, “Vision”) and certain other investors listed in Exhibit A thereto involved the sale of an aggregate of 9,117,647
units, each unit consisting of one share of Series A Preferred Stock, a 0.625 interest in a Series A Warrant and a 0.625 interest
in a Series B Warrant. The closing of the private placement transaction and the securities purchase agreement was contingent upon
and dependent on the closing of the reverse merger transaction. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into one
share of common stock subject to adjustment as described below. Each warrant is exercisable for one of common stock or an aggregate
of up to 11,397,058 shares of common stock. The Series A Warrants are exercisable for up to 5,698,529 shares of common stock and
have an exercise price of $3.40 per share, subject to adjustment. The Series B Warrants are exercisable for up to 5,698,529 shares
of common stock and have an exercise price of $4.25 per share, subject to adjustment. The warrants expire on March 28, 2013, which
is five years from the date of issuance.
The terms of our Series A Preferred Stock
are set forth in a Certificate of Designations, which we filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 13,
2008. For more information regarding the material terms of Series A Preferred Stock, see the section of this report entitled “Description
of our Securities” under the subheadings “Preferred Stock” and “Terms of Series A Preferred Stock.”
Securities Escrow Agreement
The securities escrow agreement among Vision,
as representative of the purchasers under the securities purchase agreement, Winning State (BVI), and Loeb & Loeb LLP, as escrow
agent, was entered into as an inducement to the purchasers to enter into the securities purchase agreement. Winning State (BVI)
agreed to deliver 18,235,294 shares of our common stock owned by Winning State (BVI) as escrow shares (the “Escrow Shares”)
to the escrow agent for the benefit of the purchasers, and to deliver some or all of those shares to the purchasers in the event
the Company fails to achieve certain financial performance thresholds for the 12-month periods ending December 31, 2008 and December
31, 2009.
The financial performance thresholds for
2008 required that the Company achieve (i) both net income and cash from operations greater than $9.4 million and (ii) fully diluted
earnings per share equal to or greater than $0.23. Under the terms of the agreement these thresholds were met if the Company achieved
at least 95% thereof. The Company reported net income of $9.0 million, cash from operations of $18.7 million and diluted earnings
per share of $0.29 for 2008, and therefore the thresholds for 2008 were met by the Company. Accordingly, all of the Escrow Shares
remain in escrow, pending the performance of the 2009 performance thresholds described below.
The financial performance thresholds for
2009 will be satisfied if the Company achieves (i) both net income and cash from operations of greater than $11.15 million and
(ii) fully diluted earnings per share of $0.27. On April 1, 2010 the securities escrow agreement was amended to exclude amounts
recorded as liabilities under ASC815. At December 31, 2009, excluding amounts recorded as liabilities under ASC815, the Company
had net income of $10.8 million, cash from operations of $10.8 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.34.
Because we achieved at least 95% of each of the 2009 performance
thresholds, all of the 2009 escrow shares have been returned to Winning State (BVI).
For purposes of determining the performance
thresholds described above, fully diluted earnings per share was calculated by (x) dividing the lesser of net income and cash from
operations, as reported in our 2009 financial statements plus any amounts that may have been recorded as charges or liabilities
on the 2009 financial statements due to the application of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-19 that are associated with
(1) any outstanding warrants issued in connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement or (2) any liabilities created as a result
of the escrow shares being released to any of our officers or directors by (y) the aggregate number of shares of our then outstanding
common stock on a fully-diluted basis which number includes, without limitation, the number of shares of common stock issuable
upon conversion of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon
the exercise of any then outstanding preferred stock, warrants or options of the Company.
Investor and Public Relations Escrow Agreement
We also entered into an investor and public
relations agreement with Vision Opportunity China LP, as representative of the purchasers under the securities purchase agreement,
and Loeb & Loeb LLP, as escrow agent. Under the agreement, $300,000 of the proceeds of the private placement was deposited
into an escrow account with Loeb & Loeb LLP for use in investor and public relations.
Settlement Agreement
On January 22, 2008, QKL terminated its
engagement agreement with Kuhns Brothers to provide QKL with investment banking services, on an exclusive basis, with respect to
the private placement transaction and the share exchange transaction, and the parties executed a settlement agreement. Under the
terms of the settlement agreement, we were required to pay Khuns Brothers (i) a cash fee equal to 8.5% of the gross proceeds invested
in the financing by investors introduced to the Company by Kuhns Brothers, Inc. (“Introduced Investors”), and (ii)
warrants to purchase up to a number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to 8.5% of the dollar amount of the shares purchased
by the Introduced Investors divided by the per-share purchase price of the common stock or preferred stock in the financing. The
warrants have the same terms as warrants received by the Introduced Investors. Accordingly, Kuhns Brothers received from us a cash
fee of $1,300,500, Series A Warrants to purchase 191,250 shares of our common stock and Series B Warrants to purchase 153,000
shares of our common stock.
Lock-Up Agreement
In connection with the private placement
we also entered into an agreement with Winning State (BVI) under which, in order to induce Forme to enter into the share exchange
agreement, certain stockholders including Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, our CEO and Mr. Xudong Wang, our former CFO, agreed that (i) they
would not sell or transfer any shares of our common stock until at least 12 months after the effective date of a registration statement
filed with the SEC registering for resale the shares of common stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock issued in the private
placement transaction and (ii) for an additional 24 months after the end of that 12 month period, would not sell or transfer more
than one-twelfth of its total shares of that common stock during any one month.
Agreements Executed in Connection with Our Public Offering
Waiver to Registration Rights Agreement
On October 16, 2009, Vision Opportunity
China LP, as representative of the purchasers listed on Schedule I to the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 28, 2008,
agreed to waive the notice and piggyback registration rights provided by the Registration Rights Agreement solely with respect
to our public offering in the fourth quarter of 2009 of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.75 per share that
raised aggregate net proceeds of $39.7 million.
Waiver to Securities Purchase Agreement
On October 16, 2009, Vision Opportunity
China LP, as representative of the purchasers listed on Schedule A to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of March 28, 2008,
agreed to waive the notice and preemption rights provided by the Securities Purchase Agreement, solely with respect to our public
offering in the fourth quarter of 2009 of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.75 per share that raised aggregate
net proceeds of $39.7 million.
Amendment to Securities Escrow Agreement
On October 15, 2009, we entered into an
Amendment to Securities Escrow Agreement, amending the Securities Escrow Agreement dated March 28, 2008, by and among the Company,
Vision Opportunity China LP as representative of the Purchasers, Winning State Investment Limited and Loeb & Loeb
LLP, as escrow agent, to revise the definition of “Net income” and “Cash from Operations” for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2009 to exclude the one-time non-recurring cash expenses incurred by us in connection with our public offering
in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the transactions contemplated by our public offering that were not contemplated by the Securities
Escrow Agreement.
Lock-Up Letters
On October 15, 2009, in connection with our public offering
and in order to induce Roth Capital Partners, LLC to act as our underwriter, each of our directors and executive officers, and
Winning State (BVI) agreed that, without the prior written consent of Roth Capital Partners, LLC, they would not, during the period
commencing on October 15, 2009 and ending 180 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to our public offering (i) either
directly or indirectly sell, pledge, lend or transfer any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable
or exchangeable for our common stock, subject to certain exclusions, or (ii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect
to the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of
common stock.
Anti-dilution Agreements
On March 24, 2010, we entered into a Warrant Amendment (“Series
A Warrant Amendment”) to the Series A Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Company (“Series A Warrant”)
with Vision Opportunity China LP, pursuant to which certain anti-dilution provisions of the Series A Warrants were removed on behalf
of the Series A Warrant holders. Pursuant to the Series A Warrant Amendment, we agreed not to issue any additional shares
of common stock or common stock equivalents, except as otherwise contemplated by the Series A Warrant, at a per share price less
than the exercise price then in effect, without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the Series A Warrants at
such time.
On March 24, 2010, we entered into a Warrant Amendment (“Series
B Warrant Amendment”) to the Series B Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Company (“Series B Warrant”)
with Vision Opportunity China LP, pursuant to which certain anti-dilution provisions of the Series A Warrants were removed on behalf
of the Series A Warrant holders. Pursuant to the Series B Warrant Amendment, we agreed not to issue any additional shares
of common stock or common stock equivalents, except as otherwise contemplated by the Series B Warrant, at a per share price less
than the exercise price then in effect, without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the Series B Warrants at
such time.
On March 25, 2010, we entered into a Waiver (“Waiver”)
to the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Certificate”)
with the holders of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, pursuant to which certain anti-dilution protections of the Certificate
were waived. We plan to amend the Certificate to state that we will not issue any additional shares of common stock or common
stock equivalents, except as otherwise contemplated by the Certificate, at a conversion price less than the conversion price then
in effect for the Series A Preferred Stock, without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the Series A Warrants
at such time.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in our common stock involves
a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information contained in this report
before deciding to invest in our common stock.
If we do not receive prompt delivery of the goods we order,
in good condition, and at the prices we expect, our ability to generate profits could be harmed.
As a retail company, our ability to keep
our shelves stocked with a wide variety of merchandise is essential to our success and is dependent on the prompt delivery of the
goods we order, in good condition, and at the prices we expect. Disruptions to our supply chain could cause us to reduce the variety
or overall amount of goods we sell; to seek alternative sources for affected supplies; or to increase our prices, decrease our
profit margins, or both. Any of these consequences could lead to our customers buying less, shopping elsewhere or criticizing our
reputation. If this occurred, our income, profitability, reputation and competitive position would all suffer.
Our supply chain and costs could be disrupted
by a wide variety of events. The most significant of these are described below:
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Problems with transportation infrastructure in and around northeastern China and Inner Mongolia
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Delivery of our supplies depends on the
smooth passage of commercial cargo through the railways, highways and waterways in and around northeastern China and Inner Mongolia.
Transportation infrastructure in and around northeastern China and Inner Mongolia may suffer more breakdowns and offer fewer alternative
routes than systems in many western countries.
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Bad harvests and severe weather could harm the agricultural production on which we depend, prevent customers from reaching
our stores and disrupt our power supply
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Severe storms could also reduce supplies
of fresh foods by destroying crops and livestock and, in extreme cases, could reduce supplies of processed foods by reducing overall
availability of the agricultural raw materials from which they are made, and cause shortages of, and price increases for, the affected
supplies.
Poor yields of crops and livestock, whether
due to bad weather, disease, errors in agricultural planning or other causes, could reduce the market supplies of fresh foods as
well as processed foods that depend on agricultural products as raw materials. Such reductions could raise the cost of our supplies
and cause the supply shortages.
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Quality control problems and operational difficulties among a small number of suppliers
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We rely on suppliers to provide sufficient
amounts of merchandise that meet our quality standards and government health and consumer-protection standards. A significant portion
of our supplies (approximately 11.6% in 2010 and14.7% in 2009) come from our top 10 suppliers, which are primarily large wholesalers
and meat processors. We usually secure a primary vendor and a secondary vendor for each category of merchandise by entering into
standard contracts with them, which typically have a term of one year and provide for payment at market prices. In case there are
merchandise shortages, we utilize the secondary vendor. If one or more of these suppliers experiences quality control failures
or is unable to secure its own supply of merchandise, whether self-produced or purchased from others, the merchandise that it delivers
to us could fail to meet our or the government’s quality standards or arrive in insufficient amounts to meet our needs. If
such risks do materialize, there is no guarantee we would succeed in securing replacement supplies meeting our and the government’s
standards from other suppliers quickly and at reasonable prices, or at all, and we could suffer the consequences of supply chain
disruption described above.
Under our supply contracts, our suppliers
are responsible for damage that occurs during shipping and, under the PRC’s consumer protection laws, our suppliers must
reimburse us for the cost of spoiled goods returned to us by customers for a refund. Nevertheless, significant spoilage could reduce
the amount of fresh food we are able to offer, which could reduce our income.
Economic conditions, in northeastern China
in particular, affect the price and availability of our supplies. Inflation in prices of agricultural products and in general is
a significant concern in China. If inflation develops and becomes a significant problem, many retailers in China, including us,
will have to choose between increasing the prices we charge our customers and reducing the profit margins on our sales. In either
case, our competitive position and operating results could be harmed, and the value of any investment in our common stock could
be reduced.
In addition, the geographic concentration
of our operations exposes us to the risks of the local economy. We operate in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, and our near-term
plans call for expansion only within the three provinces of northeastern China and the eastern region of Inner Mongolia. Our headquarters,
warehouses and distribution facilities and all of our stores are located within a relatively limited geographic area. As a result,
our business is more susceptible to regional conditions, including conditions affecting infrastructure, agriculture, inflation
and employment, than our more geographically diversified competitors.
The supermarket industry in the PRC is becoming increasingly
competitive and, unless we are able to compete effectively with domestic and foreign retailers, and restaurants and fast food chains,
our profits could suffer.
The supermarket industry in the PRC is highly
and increasingly competitive. Giant international retailers such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour have entered the market, national retailers
such as Bailian and Lianhua have expanded, and local and regional competition has grown. Some of these companies have substantially
greater financial, marketing, personnel and other resources than we do.
Our competitors could adapt more quickly
than we do to evolving consumer preferences or market trends, have more success than we do in their marketing efforts, control
supply costs and operating expenses more effectively than we do, or do a better job than we do in formulating and executing expansion
plans. Increased competition may also lead to price wars, counterfeit products or negative brand advertising, all of which may
adversely affect our market share and profit margins. Expansion of large retailers into new locations may limit the locations into
which we may profitably expand. To the extent that our competitors are able to take advantage of any of these factors, our competitive
position and operating results may suffer.
We also face heightened competition from
restaurants and fast food chains, which are capturing an increasing portion of household food expenditures in the PRC.
Because we face intense competition, we
must anticipate and quickly respond to changing consumer demands more effectively than our competitors. In order to succeed in
implementing our business plan, we must achieve and maintain favorable recognition of our private label brands, effectively market
our products to consumers, competitively price our products, and maintain and enhance a perception of value for consumers. We must
also source and distribute our merchandise efficiently. Failure to accomplish these objectives could impair our ability to compete
successfully and adversely affect our growth and profitability.
Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate
our future prospects and results of operations; our business could fail, and you could lose some or all of your investment.
We have a limited operating history and
the PRC supermarket industry is young and continually growing. Accordingly, you should consider our future prospects in light of
the risks and uncertainties experienced by early-stage companies in evolving markets. Some of these risks and uncertainties relate
to our ability to:
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Offer new products to attract and retain a larger customer base;
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Respond to competitive and changing market conditions;
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Maintain effective control of our costs and expenses;
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Attract additional customers and increase spending per customer;
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Increase awareness of our brand and continue to develop customer loyalty;
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Attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel;
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Raise sufficient capital to sustain and execute our expansion plan;
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Respond to changes in our regulatory environment;
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Manage risks associated with intellectual property rights; and
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Foresee and understand long-term trends.
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Because we are a relatively new company,
we may not be experienced enough to address all the risks in our business or in our expansion plan. If we are unsuccessful in addressing
any of these risks and uncertainties, our business may fail.
Our internal control over financial reporting and our
disclosure controls and procedures have been ineffective, and failure to improve them could lead to future errors in our financial
statements that could require a restatement or untimely filings, which could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported
financial information, and a decline in our stock price.
Our management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the company. Internal control over financial reporting
cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control
over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns
resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management
override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely
basis by internal control over financial reporting.
We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision
and with the participation of our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a15 (e) and 15d15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”) as of December 31, 2011. Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of the
end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective.
The conclusion that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective was based on material weaknesses we identified
in relation to our financial closing process and the timely filing of current reports on From 8-K.
As a result of the ineffectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting described above, current and potential stockholders
could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our stock.
Economic conditions that affect consumer spending could
limit our sales and increase our costs.
Our results of operations are sensitive
to changes in overall economic conditions that affect consumer spending, including discretionary spending. Inflation and adverse
changes to employment levels, business conditions, interest rates, energy and fuel costs and tax rates can, in addition to causing
the supply chain cost challenges described above, reduce consumer spending and change consumer purchasing habits.
As of the date of this annual report, we
have not been significantly negatively impacted by the economic downturn in the PRC. The recession in the PRC to date has mainly
impacted the export sector based in southeastern China. Northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, where our stores are located, have
not been affected to the same extent. Should the economic downturn worsen and spread to northeastern China and Inner Mongolia,
where we are based, a general reduction in the level of consumer spending in the region would likely result, which would reduce
our sales revenues and profits.
Much of our income comes from sales of perishable merchandise,
which can lose its value quickly; such losses could harm our operating results.
We could suffer spoilage if supply chain
disruptions occur, if our refrigerators and freezers malfunction or if we suffer lapses of quality control inspection and supervision.
If our inspections fail to discover spoilage in a shipment of fresh food or if we fail to routinely inspect perishable merchandise
on our shelves, we could inadvertently offer spoiled food for sale, which could harm our reputation, competitive position and operating
results. Moreover, if we fail to accurately predict future customer demand for perishable food, we would be forced to discard unsold
perishable food once it spoils, which would also negatively affect our operating results.
Consumer concerns regarding the safety and quality of
food products or health concerns could adversely affect sales of our high-margin products, which would negatively impact our profits.
Our sales results could be harmed if consumers
lose confidence in the safety and quality of our fresh food products. Consumers in the PRC are becoming increasingly conscious
of food safety and nutrition. Consumer concerns about, for example, the safety of meat, fish, or dairy products, or about the safety
of food additives used in processed food products, could discourage them from buying these relatively high-margin products and
cause our profit margins to fall and our results of operations to suffer.
We rely on the performance of our individual stores, individual
store managers, three regional managers and our operating director for our sales, and should any or all of them perform poorly
for any reason, our sales results, reputation and competitive position would suffer.
We sell all of our products through our
individual stores. Each supermarket is managed by a store manager who reports directly to one of our four regional managers. Each
regional manager manages around 10 stores and reports to our operating director, who reports to our COO, Mr. Xishuang Fan. Regional
managers spend their time in stores to work together with each individual store manager. Each region holds teleconferences every
week. Although all purchasing decisions as to vendors and costs are made by company management and not store managers, the store
manager makes the decision as to order quantities and is responsible for the daily operation of the store. If factors either in
or out of a store manager’s control reduce a store’s business — for example, disruption of customer traffic by
nearby construction or customer dissatisfaction with store employees — the individual store’s income could fall, which
would negatively impact our sales. Also, if our managers and operating director fail to adequately manage store employees and day-to-day
operations in a manner that pleases our customers, our reputation and competitive position will suffer.
We may fail to identify or anticipate trends in consumer
preferences, which could result in decreased demand for our merchandise, and lower revenues and profits.
Our continued success in the retail market
depends on our ability to anticipate the changing tastes, dietary habits and lifestyle preferences of customers. If we are not
able to anticipate and identify new consumer trends and stock our shelves accordingly, our sales may decline and our operating
results may be adversely affected. For example, we believe meat and dairy products have strong growth potential in northeastern
China and Inner Mongolia. Accordingly, we have increased our focus on sales of these products, which tend to have higher profit
margins than our other products. If the market for these products in the PRC does not grow as we expect, our income may not grow
as we expect and our operating results may suffer.
Our profit margins could narrow and as a result the value
of any investment in our common stock could be reduced.
Profit margins in the grocery retail industry
are narrow. In order to increase or maintain our profit margins, we are developing strategies to reduce costs by attempting to
increase efficiencies and increase sales of higher-margin items such as private label merchandise, prepared-in-store foods, and
meat and dairy products, but we can offer no assurance that such strategies, or our execution of such strategies, will be successful.
We also implement promotional price reductions as part of our competitive strategy that may further affect our profit margin. Thus,
there is no guarantee that our current profit margin will not decline, which would negatively impact our profitability.
We rely heavily on information technology systems, which
could fail, causing damage to our operations.
We have a large and complex information
technology system that we rely on to keep track of inventory and sales, determine our ordering of supplies, and communicate among
stores, our distribution center and our corporate headquarters. Like any electronic data management system, ours is subject to
malfunction. In such a case, our operations could be significantly disrupted as we work to fix the problem, upgrade our system
or adopt a new system.
In addition, despite our efforts to secure
our computer network, the security of our network could be compromised, confidential information could be misappropriated and other
system disruptions could occur. This could lead to loss of sales and diversion of corporate resources from operations and planning.
If we have difficulties finding and leasing new
retail space for new stores or retaining existing retail space, our operations could be disrupted and we will be unable to grow
as planned, which would negatively affect our stock price.
We currently lease the majority of our store
locations. Typically our supermarket leases have initial 10-20 year lease terms and may include renewal options for up to an additional
10 or 20 years. Our revenues and profitability would be negatively impacted if we are unable to renew these leases at reasonable
rates.
We completed the initial steps in the execution
of our expansion plan in March 2008, when we raised financing through the combination of our reverse merger and private placement
and also raised additional financing in our public offering in the fourth quarter of 2009. Under our expansion plan, we opened:
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ten new stores in 2008 that have in the aggregate approximately 42,000 square meters of space,
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seven new stores in 2009 that have in the aggregate, approximately 32,000 square meters of space
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nine new stores in 2010 that have in the aggregate approximately 74,189square meters of space
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fourteen new stores in 2011 that have in the aggregate approximately 101,000 square meters of space
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In 2012, we plan to open 5 additional hypermarkets,
supermarkets and department stores having, in the aggregate, approximately 40,600 square meters of space.
Our success in executing our expansion plan
depends on our ability to open or acquire new stores in existing and new retail areas and to operate these stores successfully.
We may also choose to continue to expand through acquisitions. We must find suitable locations for those stores and reach reasonable
terms with building owners and other interested parties, which could be difficult as we face intense competition from other retailers
for such sites. If we cannot find suitable locations at a reasonable cost, our ability to grow will be compromised, which would
negatively affect our stock price.
Our insurance coverage may be inadequate and, if any of
the products we sell causes personal injury or illness, we could be exposed to significant losses resulting from negative publicity
and harm to our reputation. This exposure could harm our business.
The sale of food products for human consumption
involves an inherent risk of injury to consumers. Such injuries may result from tampering by unauthorized third parties, contamination,
including by bacteria, insecticides, fertilizers and other substances, spoilage and mislabeling. Although we and our suppliers
are subject to governmental inspections and regulations, consumption of our products could still cause a health-related illness
in the future and we could be subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such events. Under certain circumstances, we could be required
to recall products. Unlike most supermarket companies in the United States, but in line with industry practice in the PRC, we do
not maintain product liability insurance, and we cannot predict the extent of liability we could face if such events were to occur.
Although the standard contracts we sign
with our suppliers include a provision that shifts liability to our suppliers if a consumer is injured by a supplier’s product,
the negative publicity surrounding any assertions that merchandise we carry caused personal injury or illness could adversely affect
our reputation and competitive position. In addition, our property and equipment insurance does not cover the full value of our
property and equipment, which leaves us with exposure in the event of loss or damage to our properties. Except for property, accident
and automobile insurance, we do not have other insurance such as business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations
in the PRC.
We do not maintain a reserve fund for potential
warranty or defective products claims. If we experience an increase in warranty claims or if our repair and replacement costs associated
with warranty claims increase significantly, our results of operations and financial condition would suffer.
Our company name and private label merchandise may be
subject to counterfeiting or imitation, which could damage our reputation and brand image, and lead to higher administrative costs.
We regard brand positioning as an important
element of our competitive strategy, and intend to position our private label brands to be associated with low prices, high quality,
convenience and a positive shopping experience. There have been frequent occurrences of counterfeiting and imitation of products
in the PRC in the past. Imitation of our company name or logo could occur in the future and there is no guarantee that we will
be able to detect it and deal with it effectively. Any occurrence of counterfeiting or imitation could damage our corporate and
brand image.
If we do not effectively manage our growth, our expansion
efforts could fail, which would negatively affect our stock price.
There is no guarantee that our expansion
plan will be successfully implemented. In order to fully implement these plans, we will have to hire a large number of additional
employees, secure new retail locations, and integrate new stores and distribution routes into our existing business. There is no
guarantee that we will meet all or any of these needs and therefore no guarantee that we will succeed in our efforts to expand.
Moreover, our future expansion will depend
both on the profitability of our business and our ability to raise capital from outside sources.
If our business and markets grow and develop,
it will be necessary for us to finance and manage expansion in an orderly fashion. We may not have the requisite experience to
manage and operate a larger network of stores and distribution centers. In addition, we may face challenges in integrating acquired
businesses with our own. These events would increase demands on our existing management, workforce and facilities. Failure to satisfy
these increased demands could interrupt or adversely affect our operations and cause production backlogs, longer product development
time frames and administrative inefficiencies.
If our expansion plans are not fulfilled,
our stock price will decline.
We may not be able to hire and retain qualified personnel
to support our growth and if we are unable to retain or hire such personnel in the future, our ability to implement our business
objectives could be limited. Difficulties with hiring, employee training and other labor issues could disrupt our operations.
Our operations depend on the work of more
than 6,000 employees. We may not be able to retain those employees, successfully hire and train new employees or integrate new
employees into the programs and policies of the Company. Any such difficulties would reduce our operating efficiency and increase
our costs of operations, and could harm our overall financial condition.
If one or more of our senior executives
or other key personnel are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them within
a reasonable time, and our business may be disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and
adversely affected. Competition for senior management and personnel is intense, the pool of qualified candidates is very limited,
and we may not be able to retain the services of our senior executives or senior personnel, or attract and retain high-quality
senior executives or senior personnel in the future. This failure could limit our future growth and reduce the value of our common
stock.
We may have difficulty establishing adequate management,
legal and financial controls in the PRC, which may result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial
statements.
Companies in the PRC have not historically
adopted a western style of management and financial reporting concepts and practices, or a modern western style of banking, computer
and other control systems. We may have difficulty in hiring and retaining a sufficient number of employees qualified in these areas
to work for our operating company in the PRC. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing management,
legal and financial controls, collecting financial data, preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records,
and instituting business practices relating to our PRC operations that meet western standards. Any such difficulty could result
in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements.
We could be required to pay liquidated damages to our
investors under the registration rights agreement entered into with our investors and such payment could harm our financial condition.
On March 28, 2008, as part of a $15.5 million
private placement, we entered into a registration rights agreement (as amended on May 8, 2008) with certain investors, pursuant
to which we agreed to register for resale up to an aggregate of 41,495,261 shares of common stock, including shares of common stock
underlying Series A Preferred Stock, Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants. The registration rights agreement provided that if
the initial registration statement required to be filed thereunder was not declared effective by September 24, 2008, we would be
required to pay certain liquidated damages to the investors. On March 9, 2009, the investors party to the registration rights agreement
waived their right to such liquidated damages and on August 11, 2009, the initial registration statement covering 2,070,836 shares
of the total shares registrable pursuant to the registration rights agreement was declared effective. We were not able to register
all of the 41,495,261 shares in the initial registration statement due to limits imposed by the Securities Exchange Commission’s
interpretation of Rule 415 of Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “
Securities Act
”).
There are additional deadlines we are required
to meet if the private placement investors request that we file one or more registration statements covering the remaining shares
that we are obligated to register pursuant to the registration rights agreement. In the event that we are required to file an additional
registration statement to cover securities that we have previously been unable to register, we will be required to file any such
additional registration statement within 30 days of receipt of demand notice from certain of our stockholders. We will further
be required to have any such additional registration statement declared effective within 150 days of its initial filing date, or
180 days from its initial filing date in the event that the registration statement is given a full review by the Securities and
Exchange Commission. If we fail to meet one or more of those deadlines, we would, in the absence of an additional waiver, be required
to pay the investors up to a maximum of $1,550,000 in liquidated damages. Payment of a significant amount of liquidated damages
would harm our profitability and we may not have sufficient cash to pay them.
If our lease agreements for certain stores are nullified
due to title deficiencies of our landlords, our business may be adversely affected.
The PRC real property laws and regulations
require landlord to be the legal owner of the relevant leased properties, otherwise the lease agreement may be nullified. We have
not received or confirmed documentation evidencing our landlord’s legal ownership for 10 of our stores. If any of these landlords
do not legally own the leased properties, the actual legal owners could force the affected stores to relocate and operation of
the stores concerned may be temporarily terminated until such stores are relocated.
In addition, the PRC real property laws
and regulations require landlords to obtain prior consent from the legal owner of the relevant leased properties before the execution
of any sublease agreements; otherwise the sublease agreement may be nullified if the legal owner refuses to rectify his consent.
We have not independently confirmed whether consents authorizing our subleases for our supermarkets and distribution centers have
been obtained. If the legal owners of the stores claim that the subleases were invalid, operation of the supermarkets or distribution
centers concerned may be terminated until the supermarkets or distribution centers are relocated.
Some of our stores may not be in full compliance with
legal requirement on their sector approvals and business licenses and may therefore be subject to punishment imposed by the relevant
PRC authorities.
The PRC laws and regulations require that
store operators obtain a Public Site Hygiene License and, if applicable, a Food Hygiene License if there are edible products being
processed or distributed in the store. Store operators are also required to indicate “store operation” on the Public
Site Hygiene License and to specify each category of edible product (i.e., vegetables, fresh seafood, etc.) distributed. Failure
to do so may expose the store to administrative punishments imposed by the relevant government authorities. Punishments include
administrative penalty up to RMB20, 000 (approximately US$3,000), confiscation of income generated from the excluded business items
and, in extreme cases, revocation of the business license of the violating store.
Several of our stores have either not obtained
the Public Site Hygiene License or are distributing edible products without specifying the product category on their Food Hygiene
License. Such stores may be subject to sanction as discussed above, which may be imposed at the sole discretion of PRC authorities.
In addition, several of our stores are distributing
products salt, alcohol, audio-video products and tobacco which are not permitted on their business license. While such stores have
not been sanctioned for such discrepancy, we cannot guaranty that the relevant PRC authority will not impose administrative penalties
on such stores in the future, which penalties could be up to RMB100,000 (approximately US$15,000) per store.
We are not current in our payment of social insurance
and housing accumulation fund for our employees and such shortfall may expose us to relevant administrative penalties.
The PRC laws and regulations require all
the employers in China to fully contribute their own portion of the social insurance premium and housing accumulation fund for
their employees within a certain period of time. Failure to do so may expose the employers to make rectification for the accrued
premium and fund by the relevant labour authority. Also, an administrative fine may be imposed on the employers as well as the
key management members. Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), QKL-China and QT&C have failed to fully contribute the social insurance
premium and housing accumulation fund. Therefore, they may be subject to the administrative punishment as mentioned above.
Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure
We control QKL-China through a series of contractual arrangements,
which may not be as effective in providing control over the entity as direct ownership and may be difficult to enforce.
We operate our business in the PRC through
our variable interest entity, QKL-China. QKL-China holds the licenses, approvals and assets necessary to operate our business in
the PRC. We have no equity ownership interest in QKL-China and rely on contractual arrangements with QKL-China and its shareholders
that allow us to substantially control and operate QKL-China. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct
ownership in providing control over QKL-China because QKL-China or its shareholders could breach the arrangements.
Our contractual arrangements with QKL-China
are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts
would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. If
QKL-China or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to:
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incur substantial costs to enforce such arrangements, and
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rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages.
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The legal environment in the PRC is not
as developed as in the United States and uncertainties in the Chinese legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual
arrangements. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, our business, financial condition and
results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If the PRC government determines that the contractual
arrangements through which we control QKL-China do not comply with applicable regulations, our business could be adversely affected.
Although we believe our contractual relationships
through which we control QKL-China comply with current licensing, registration and regulatory requirements of the PRC, we cannot
assure you that the PRC government would agree, or that new and burdensome regulations will not be adopted in the future. If the
PRC government determines that our structure or operating arrangements do not comply with applicable law, it could revoke our business
and operating licenses, require us to discontinue or restrict our operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, require us
to restructure our operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply, impose restrictions
on our business operations or on our customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful
to our business.
The controlling shareholders of QKL-China have potential
conflicts of interest with us, which may adversely affect our business.
The controlling shareholders of QKL-China
are also beneficial holders of our common shares. They are also directors of both QKL-China and us. These shareholders hold a larger
interest in QKL-China when compared to their beneficial ownership in our shares. Conflicts of interest between their dual roles
as shareholders and directors of both QKL-China and us may arise. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any
or all of these individuals will act in the best interests of the Company or that conflicts of interest will be resolved in our
favor. In addition, these individuals may breach or cause QKL-China to breach or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements
that allow us to receive economic benefits from QKL-China. Currently, we do not have existing arrangements to address potential
conflicts of interest between these individuals and our company. We rely on these individuals to abide by the laws of the State
of Delaware, which provide that directors owe a fiduciary duty to the Company, and which require them to act in good faith and
in the best interests of the Company, and not use their positions for personal gain. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest
or disputes between us and the shareholders of QKL-China, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption
of our business and substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Risks Related to Doing Business in the
People’s Republic of China
Our business operations are conducted entirely
in the PRC. Because China’s economy and its laws, regulations and policies are different from those typically found in western
countries and are continually changing, we will face risks including those summarized below.
The PRC is a developing nation governed by a one-party
government and may be more susceptible to political, economic, and social upheaval than other nations; any such upheaval could
cause us to temporarily or permanently cease operations.
China is a developing country governed by
a one-party government that imposes restrictions on individual liberties that are significantly stricter than those typically found
in western nations. China has an extremely large population, significant levels of poverty, widening income gaps between rich and
poor and between urban and rural residents, large minority ethnic and religious populations, and growing access to information
about the different social, economic, and political systems to be found in other countries. China has also experienced rapid economic
growth over the last decade, and its legal and regulatory systems have changed rapidly to accommodate this growth. These conditions
make China unique and may make it susceptible to major structural changes. Such changes could include a reversal of China’s
movement to encourage private economic activity, labor disruptions or other organized protests, nationalization of private businesses,
internal conflicts between the police or military and the citizenry, and international political or military conflict. If any of
these events were to occur, it could damage China’s economy and impair our business.
We are subject to comprehensive regulation by the PRC
legal system, which is uncertain. As a result, it may limit the legal protections available to you and us and we may not now be,
or remain in the future, in compliance with PRC laws and regulations.
QKL-China, our operating company, is incorporated
under and is governed by the laws of the PRC; all of our operations are conducted in the PRC; and our suppliers and the agricultural
producers on whom they depend are all located in the PRC. The PRC government exercises substantial control over virtually every
sector of the PRC economy, including the production, distribution and sale of our merchandise. In particular, we are subject to
regulation by local and national branches of the Ministries of Agriculture, Commerce and Health, as well as the General Administration
of Quality Supervision, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, and other regulatory bodies. In order to operate under PRC
law, we require valid licenses, certificates and permits, which must be renewed from time to time. If we were to fail to obtain
the necessary renewals for any reason, including sudden or unexplained changes in local regulatory practice, we could be required
to shut down all or part of our operations temporarily or permanently.
QKL-China is subject to PRC accounting laws,
which require that an annual audit be performed in accordance with PRC accounting standards. The PRC foreign-invested enterprise
laws require that our subsidiary, Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), submit periodic fiscal reports and statements to financial and tax
authorities and maintain its books of account in accordance with Chinese accounting laws. If PRC authorities were to determine
that we were in violation of these requirements, we could lose our business license and be unable to continue operations temporarily
or permanently.
The legal and judicial systems in the PRC
are still rudimentary. The laws governing our business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain and enforcement of existing
laws is inconsistent. Thus, we can offer no assurance that we are, or will remain, in compliance with PRC laws and regulations.
PRC regulations also involve complex procedures for acquisitions
conducted by foreign investors that could make it more difficult for us to grow through acquisitions.
The New M&A Rules also established additional
procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming
and complex, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction
in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, or that the approval from the MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances
where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies and special
anti-monopoly submissions for parties meeting certain reporting thresholds. We may grow our business in part by acquiring other
retail companies. Complying with the requirements of the new regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming,
and any required approval processes, including approval from MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions,
which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
The new regulations also established additional
procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming
and complex, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction
in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, or that the approval from the MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances
where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies. We may
grow our business in part by acquiring other retail companies. Complying with the requirements of the new regulations to complete
such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit
our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
In addition, on February 2, 2010, our Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Wang, acquired all of the shares of Winning State (BVI), which currently owns 19,082,299 shares (approximately
60.9%) of our common stock, through a call option. While it is the case that our PRC counsel Deheng Law Firm believes that this
arrangement was lawful under PRC laws and regulations, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application
of the current or future PRC laws and regulations, including regulations governing the validity and legality of such call options.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that PRC government authorities will not ultimately take a view contrary to the opinion of our
PRC legal counsel.
PRC laws and regulations governing our businesses and
the validity of certain of our contractual arrangements are uncertain. If we are found to be in violation, we could be subject
to sanctions. In addition, changes in such PRC laws and regulations may materially and adversely affect our business.
We do not currently have any equity interest
in QKL-China or its subsidiary, but instead enjoy economic benefits and control over these entities substantially similar to equity
ownership through contractual arrangements among our wholly owned subsidiary in China, Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), QKL-China and
their respective shareholders. Consistent with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standard Board “FASB” Interpretation
No. 46 (revised), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities — an Interpretation of ARB No. 51”, we consolidated
QKL-China from its inception.
There are substantial uncertainties
regarding the interpretation and application of the current or future PRC laws and regulations, including regulations
governing the validity and enforcement of such contractual arrangements. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that PRC
government authorities will not ultimately take a view contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel and Albert Wong &
Co. LLP that we have properly consolidated QKL-China from its inception.
The PRC government has broad discretion
in dealing with violations of laws and regulations, including levying fines, revoking business and other licenses, proscribing
remittance of profits offshore and requiring actions necessary for compliance. In particular, licenses and permits issued or granted
to us by relevant governmental bodies may be revoked at a later time by higher regulatory bodies. We cannot predict the effect
of the interpretation of existing or new PRC laws or regulations on our businesses. We cannot assure you that our current ownership
and operating structure would not be found to be in violation of any current or future PRC laws or regulations. As a result, we
may be subject to sanctions, including fines, and could be required to restructure our operations or cease to provide certain services.
Any of these or similar actions could significantly disrupt our business operations or restrict us from conducting a substantial
portion of our business operations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Anti-inflation measures could harm the economy generally
and could harm our business.
The PRC government exercises significant
control over the PRC economy. In recent years, the PRC government has instituted measures to curb the risk of inflation. These
measures have included devaluations of the RMB, restrictions on the availability of domestic credit, and limited re-centralization
of the approval process for some international transactions. These measures may not succeed in controlling inflation, or they may
slow the economy below a healthy growth rate and lead to economic stagnation or recession; in the worst-case scenario, the measures
could slow the economy without curbing inflation, causing “stagflation.” The PRC government could adopt additional
measures to further combat inflation, including the establishment of price freezes or moratoriums on certain projects or transactions.
Such measures could harm the economy generally and hurt our business by limiting the income of our customers available to purchase
our merchandise, by forcing us to lower our profit margins, and by limiting our ability to obtain credit or other financing to
pursue our expansion plan or maintain our business.
Governmental control of currency conversions could prevent
us from paying dividends.
All of our revenue is earned in RMB and
current and future restrictions on currency conversions may limit our ability to use revenue generated in RMB to make dividend
or other payments in United States dollars. Although the PRC government introduced regulations in 1996 to allow greater convertibility
of the RMB for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain, including the restriction that foreign-invested
enterprises like us may buy, sell or remit foreign currencies only after providing valid commercial documents at a PRC bank specifically
authorized to conduct foreign-exchange business.
In addition, conversion of RMB for capital
account items, including direct investment and loans, is subject to governmental approval in the PRC, and companies are required
to open and maintain separate foreign-exchange accounts for capital account items. There is no guarantee that PRC regulatory authorities
will not impose additional restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB. These restrictions could prevent us from distributing
dividends and thereby reduce the value of our stock.
Fluctuation in the exchange rate of the RMB against the
United States dollar could result in foreign currency exchange losses.
In 2005, the PRC government changed its
decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the United States dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate
within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy has resulted in an appreciation
of the RMB against the United States dollar of approximately 17.5% from July 1, 2005 through September 1, 2009. There remains significant
international pressure on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and
more significant appreciation of the RMB against the United States dollar.
The value of our common stock will be affected
by the foreign exchange rate between United States dollars and RMB. For example, to the extent that we need to convert United States
dollars we receive from an offering of our securities into RMB, appreciation of the RMB against the United States dollar could
reduce the value in RMB of our proceeds. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RMB into United States dollars for the purpose
of declaring dividends on our common stock or for other business purposes, and the United States dollar appreciates against the
RMB, the United States dollar equivalent of our earnings from our business would be reduced. In addition, the depreciation of significant
United States dollar-denominated assets could result in a charge to our income statement and a reduction in the value of these
assets.
The RMB is not a freely convertible currency, which could
limit our ability to obtain sufficient foreign currency to support our business operations in the future.
We receive all of our revenues in RMB. The
PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency
out of the PRC. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency
to pay dividends, or otherwise satisfy foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations,
payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from the transaction, can
be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval
from appropriate governmental authorities is required where RMB are to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of the
PRC to pay capital expenses, such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies.
The PRC government could restrict access
in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining
sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay certain expenses as they come due.
Our PRC stockholders are required to register with SAFE;
their failure to do so could cause us to lose our ability to remit profits out of the PRC as dividends.
SAFE has promulgated several regulations,
including Circular No. 75 (“Circular 75”), which became effective in November 2005, requiring PRC residents, including
both PRC legal person residents and PRC natural person residents, to register with the competent local SAFE branch before establishing
or controlling any company outside of the PRC for the purpose of equity financing with assets or equities of PRC companies, referred
to in the Circular 75 as an “offshore special purpose company.” PRC residents that have established or controlled an
offshore special purpose company, which has finished a round-trip investment before the implementation of Circular 75, are required
to register their ownership interests or control in such “special purpose vehicles” with the local offices of SAFE.
Under Circular 75, the term “PRC legal person residents” as used in Circular 75 refers to those entities with legal
person status or other economic organizations established within the territory of the PRC. The term “PRC natural person residents”
as used in Circular 75 includes all PRC citizens and all other natural persons, including foreigners, who habitually reside in
the PRC for economic benefit. The term “special purpose vehicle” refers to an offshore entity established or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by PRC residents or PRC entities for the purpose of seeking offshore equity financing using assets or interests
owned by such PRC residents or PRC entities in onshore companies, and the term “round-trip investment” refers to the
direct investment in PRC by PRC residents through “special purpose vehicles,” including without limitation, establishing
foreign invested enterprises and using such foreign invested enterprises to purchase or control (by way of contractual arrangements)
onshore assets.
In addition, any PRC resident that is the
shareholder of an offshore special purpose company is required to amend his/her/its SAFE registration with the local SAFE branch
upon (i) injection of equity interests or assets of an onshore enterprise to the offshore entity, or (ii) subsequent overseas equity
financing by such offshore entity. PRC residents are also required to complete amended registrations or filing with the local SAFE
branch within 30 days of any material change in the shareholding or capital of the offshore entity not involving a round-trip investment,
such as changes in share capital, share transfers and long-term equity or debt investments or, already organized or gained control
of offshore entities that have made onshore investments in the PRC before Circular 75 was promulgated must register with their
shareholdings in the offshore entities with the local SAFE branch on or before March 31, 2006.
Under Circular 75, PRC residents are further
required to repatriate into the PRC all of their dividends, profits or capital gains obtained from their shareholdings in the offshore
entity within 180 days of their receipt of such dividends, profits or capital gains. The registration and filing procedures under
the Circular 75 are prerequisites for other approval and registration procedures necessary for capital inflow from the offshore
entity, such as inbound investments or shareholders loans, or capital outflow to the offshore entity, such as the payment of profits
or dividends, liquidating distributions, equity sale proceeds, or the return of funds upon a capital reduction.
To further clarify the implementation of
Circular 75, SAFE issued Circular No. 106 (“Circular 106”) on May 9, 2007, which is a guidance that SAFE issued to
its local branches with respect to the operational process for SAFE registration that standardizing mores specific and stringent
supervision on the registration relating to the Circular 75. Under Circular 106, PRC subsidiaries of an offshore special purpose
company are required to coordinate and supervise the filing of SAFE registrations by the offshore holding company’s shareholders
who are PRC residents in a timely manner. If these shareholders and/or beneficial owners fail to comply, the PRC subsidiaries are
required to report such failure to the local SAFE authorities and, if the PRC subsidiaries do report the failure, the PRC subsidiaries
may be exempted from any potential liability to them related to the stockholders’ failure to comply. The failure of these
shareholders and/or beneficial owners to timely amend their SAFE registrations pursuant to the Circular 75 and Circular 106 or
the failure of future shareholders and/or beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration
procedures set forth in the Circular 75 and Circular 106 may subject such shareholders, beneficial owners and/or our PRC subsidiaries
to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our
PRC subsidiaries ability to distribute dividends to our company or otherwise adversely affect our business.
These regulations apply to our stockholders
who are PRC residents. In the event that our PRC-resident stockholders do not follow the procedures required by SAFE, we could
(i) be exposed to fines and legal sanctions, (ii) lose the ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries or
distribute dividends to our company, (iii) face liability for evasion of foreign-exchange regulations, and/or (iv) lose the ability
to consolidate the financial statements of our PRC subsidiaries and of QKL-China under applicable accounting principals.
Mr. Wang, our Chief Executive Officer, is
required to register with the competent SAFE branch prior to exercise of his call option, and he completed such registration on
October 10, 2009. Mr. Wang has exercised his call option and all of the shares of Winning State (BVI) were transferred from Mr.
Yap to Mr. Wang on February 2, 2010.
Enforcement against us or our directors and officers may
be difficult and you could be unable to collect amounts due to you in the event that we or any officer or director violates applicable
law.
Our operating company, QKL-China, is located
in the PRC and substantially all of our assets are located in the PRC. Most of our current officers and directors are residents
of the PRC, and most of their assets are located in the PRC. As a result, it could be difficult for investors to effect service
of process on us or those persons in the United States, or to enforce a judgment obtained in the United States against us or any
of these persons.
Health problems in the PRC could negatively affect our
operations.
A renewed outbreak of severe acute respiratory
syndrome, or SARS, or another widespread public health problem in the PRC, such as bird flu, could have an adverse effect on our
ability to receive and distribute merchandise, the ability of our employees and customers to reach our stores, and other aspects
of our operations. Public-safety measures such as quarantines or closures of some stores could disrupt our operations. Any of the
foregoing events or other unforeseen consequences of public health problems could adversely affect our business.
Risks Related to an Investment in Our
Common Stock
Our Chief Executive Officer beneficially owns a significant
portion of our common stock and will be able to exert significant influence over us through his position and stock ownership; his
interests may differ from yours, and he could cause us to take actions that are contrary to your interests and that could reduce
the value of your stock.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wang, owns
all of the shares of Winning State (BVI), which currently owns 19,082,299 shares (approximately 60.9%) of our common stock. Even
assuming conversion of all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and the exercise of all of the Series A Warrants and Series
B Warrants, Mr. Wang will own a significant portion of our outstanding common stock. As a result, Mr. Wang will be able to influence
the outcome of stockholder votes on various matters, including the election of directors and extraordinary corporate transactions
such as business combinations. In any such stockholder vote, Mr. Wang’s interests may differ from that of other stockholders,
and he could cause us to take actions that are contrary to your interests and that could reduce the value of your stock.
We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable
future; this may affect the price of our stock.
We currently intend to retain all future
earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. We do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future but will review this policy as circumstances dictate. Should we decide in the future to do so, as a holding company, our
ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from Speedy Brilliant
(Daqing). Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) may, from time to time, be subject to restrictions on its ability to make distributions to
us, including as a result of restrictions on the conversion of local currency into United States dollars or other hard currency
and other regulatory restrictions. (See “Risks related to doing business in the People’s Republic of China” above.)
In addition, under the terms of the securities purchase agreement relating to the private placement, as long as any Series A Preferred
Stock remains outstanding, the Company cannot pay any dividends on the common stock unless such dividends are also paid to the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Our common stock is illiquid and subject to price volatility
unrelated to our operations and could lose some or all of its value even if our business is strong.
The market price of our common stock could
fluctuate substantially in the future due to a variety of factors, including the market perception of our ability to achieve our
planned growth, quarterly operating results of other companies in the same industry, trading volume in our common stock, changes
in general conditions in the economy and the financial markets or other developments affecting our competitors or us. The failure
to establish and maintain an active trading market for our common stock may adversely affect our shareholders’ ability to
sell our common stock in short periods of time, or at all. Trading of our common stock has been sporadic and our common stock has
experienced, and may experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations. Future sales of substantial amounts of
our common stock in the trading market could adversely affect market prices.
The resale in the public market of the shares underlying
the Series A Preferred Stock and Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants issued in the March 2008 private placement and of the
shares acquired prior to the private placement may cause the market value of our common stock to fall.
In August 2009, we registered for resale
2,070,836 shares of our common stock by certain selling stockholders. As of April 7, 2012, there were issued and outstanding
(i) 31,344,590 shares of common stock, (ii) 5,694,549 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (convertible into 5,694,549 shares of
common stock); (iii) Series A Warrants to purchase 5,759,313 shares of common stock; and (iv) Series B Warrants to purchase 5,747,156
of common stock. Assuming conversion of all of the Series A Preferred Stock and exercise of all of the Series A Warrants and Series
B Warrants, there will be 48,545,608 shares of common stock outstanding. Many of our shares, including all of the shares underlying
the Series A Preferred Stock, are currently eligible for resale under Rule 144. As of the date of this Report the shares underlying
the Series A and Series B Warrants were eligible for resale under Rule 144.
Also, as a result of our public offering
in the fourth quarter of 2009 of 6,900,000 shares of common stock, there is a significant number of new shares of common stock
in the market. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock, or the perception that such sales could occur under Rule 144 or otherwise,
and the existence of warrants to purchase shares of common stock at prices that may be below the then current market price of the
common stock, could reduce the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale
of our equity securities.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not Applicable.
Item 2. Properties
All land in the PRC is owned by the government
and cannot be sold to any individual or entity. Instead, the government grants or allocates landholders a “land use right,”
which we sometimes refer to informally as land ownership. There are four ways of acquiring land use rights in the PRC:
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Grant of the right to use land;
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Assignment of the right to use land;
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Lease of the right to use land; and
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Allocation of the right to use land.
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Granted land use rights are provided by
the government in exchange for a grant fee, and carry the rights to pledge, mortgage, lease and transfer the land within the term
of the grant. Land is granted for a fixed term, generally 70 years for residential use, 50 years for industrial use, and 40 years
for commercial and other use. The term is renewable in theory. Unlike in western nations, granted land must be used for the specific
purpose for which it was granted.
Allocated land use rights are generally
provided by the government for an indefinite period (usually to state-owned entities) and cannot be pledged, mortgaged, leased,
or transferred by the user unless otherwise approved by the competent government authorities. Allocated land can be reclaimed by
the government at any time. Allocated land use rights may be converted into granted land use rights upon the payment of a grant
fee to the government.
We have land use rights to two of our stores;
we lease our 52 other stores locations, our headquaters and our distribution centers. Most of our lease agreements have a typical
term of 8 to 20 years, and most of our leased properties have a fixed rent based on a price per square meter, which cannot be raised
during the term of the lease.
Our land use rights are set forth below:
Land Use Rights Acquired through Grants from Land Management
Authority
Land No.
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No. 1*
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No.2*
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Land Use Right Certificate No.
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Daqing Guo Yong (2006)
No. 001485
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Daqing Guo Yong (2006)
No. 001488
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User of the Land
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Qingkelong
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Qingkelong
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Location
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North Building 3-23,
East Jing Qi Street,
Dongfeng Xincun Village
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Building 3-36A
East Jing Qi Street,
Dongfeng Xincun Village,
Sartu District
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Usage
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Commercial Use
|
|
Commercial Use
|
Area (square meters)
|
|
3193.70
|
|
34.30
|
Form of Acquisition
|
|
From related land authority
|
|
From related land authority
|
Expiration Date
|
|
2044-6-27
|
|
2044-6-27
|
Encumbrances
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Land Use Rights Acquired by Transfer
Land No.
|
|
No. 1
|
|
No.2*
|
|
No.3*
|
Land Use Right
Certificate No.
|
|
Daqing Guo Yong (2008) No. 02-31415
|
|
Daqing Guo Yong (2008) No. 02-31383
|
|
Daqing Guo Yong
(2008) No. 02-31396
|
User of the Land
|
|
Qingkelong
|
|
Qingkelong
|
|
Qingkelong
|
Location
|
|
No. 44 of Jingqi Street, Dongfeng Xincun,
Sartu District
|
|
No. 44 of Jingqi Street, Dongfeng Xincun,
Sartu District
|
|
Shangfu No.4 Building 7, Wanbao No. 2
Community Sartu District
|
Usage
|
|
Commercial Use
|
|
Commercial Use
|
|
Commercial Use
|
Area (square meters)
|
|
68.5
|
|
503.6
|
|
1,242.58
|
Form of Acquisition
|
|
Transferred Land
|
|
Transferred Land
|
|
Transferred Land
|
Expiration Date
|
|
2043-6-19
|
|
2043-6-19
|
|
2048-3-10
|
Encumbrances
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
* There are mortgages on this land, which encumber the land
use rights.
Owned Premises
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
|
3
|
|
4
|
Certificate No.
|
|
Qing Fang Quan Zheng Sartu District Zi
No. NA337278
|
|
Qing Fang Quan Zheng Sartu District Zi
No. NA337270
|
|
Qing Fang Quan Zheng Sartu District Zi
No. NA229912
|
|
Qing Fang Quan Zheng Sartu
District Zi
No. NA221332
|
Owner
|
|
Qingkelong
|
|
Qingkelong
|
|
Qingkelong
|
|
Qingkelong
|
Location
|
|
Shangfu No.4, Building 7, Wanbao No. 2 Community,
Sartu District
|
|
No. 44 of
Jing Qi Street, Dongfeng Xincun, Sartu District
|
|
No. 44 of
Jing Qi Street, Sartu District
|
|
No.5, 6, 7,
Ground Floor, 3-36A,
Dongfeng Xincun, Sartu District
|
Category
|
|
Owned by Joint Stock Company
|
|
Owned by Joint Stock Company
|
|
Owned by joint stock company
|
|
Private
|
Area (square meters)
|
|
1,872.62
|
|
1,500
|
|
6,674.43
|
|
137.57
|
Encumbrances
|
|
Mortgaged to Daqing Commercial Bank with the guaranty value of RMB 4,369,010 from December 12, 2008 to November 20, 2010.
|
|
Mortgaged to Daqing Commercial Bank with the guaranty value of RMB 4,549,545 from December 12, 2008 to November 20, 2010
|
|
Mortgaged to Daqing Commercial Bank with the guaranty value of RMB 27,600,000 from June 18, 2009 to June 18, 2011
|
|
Mortgaged to Daqing Commercial Bank with the guaranty value of RMB 481,445 from December 12, 2008 to November 20, 2010
|
Leased Premises
No.
|
|
Lessor
|
|
Location of Building
|
|
Term
|
|
Rent per Year
(Yuan)
|
1
(1)
|
|
Daqing Longfeng Shopping Center Company Limited
|
|
First Floor of Longfeng Shopping Center
|
|
5-1-2000 to
5-1-2010
|
|
200,000
|
2
(1)
|
|
Daqing Hongyun Shopping Center
|
|
Department Store of Chengxin En Cum Second Community of Chengxin, Ranghu Road
|
|
2-1-2009 to
1-31-2012
|
|
400,000
|
3
(1)
|
|
Nonggongshang Branch of Transportation Company
|
|
Xizhai Market of Longnan Qiushi Road (2,650m2 , additional 137 m2 )
|
|
2003-2-15 to
2011-2-15
|
|
700,000 for years 1-2; 750,000 for years 3-6; 800,000 for years 7-8.
|
4
(1)
|
|
Hengmao Company of Daqing Oilfield
|
|
Cheng Bei Qi Street, Rang District, Daqing
|
|
2002-12-15 to
2010-12-15
|
|
350,000
|
No.
|
|
Lessor
|
|
Location of Building
|
|
Term
|
|
Rent per Year
(Yuan)
|
5
(1)
|
|
Yixi Huayou Store
|
|
Operation Area, warehouse, three rooms for Office, West of Huayou Road, Yixi Xinghua Street, Longfeng District
|
|
2003-1-1 to
2013-1-1
|
|
283,500
|
6
|
|
Petro China Daqing Petro Chemical Company
|
|
Second and third Floor of Yixi Huayou Shopping Center (1,620 m2 )
|
|
2008-1-1 to
2018-1-1
|
|
180,000
|
7
(1)
|
|
Yigeng Property Management Company of Daqing Development Zone
|
|
Shidai Lijing Building 107# (135 m2 )
|
|
2003-4-20 to
2011-4-20
|
|
Free for first 2 years, 30,000 for last 6 years
|
8
|
|
Zhaodong Yibai Company Limited
|
|
South of Xinjian Yibai Building, Nanerdao Street, East of Zhengyang Street, Zhaodong
|
|
2004-1-1 to
2014-1-1
|
|
400,000
|
9
|
|
Haibo Zhao
|
|
Room 201, 2nd Floor, Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
20,000
|
10
|
|
Hui Hu
|
|
Room 326, 2nd Floor, Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
10,000
|
11
|
|
Yajuan Ren
|
|
No.15 (first and second floor), Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
80,000
|
12
|
|
Yajuan Ren
|
|
No.14 (first and second floor), Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
80,000
|
13
|
|
Yingtian Li
|
|
No.9 (first and second floor), Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
80,000
|
14
|
|
Shuzhi Liang
|
|
No.13 (first and second floor), Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
80,000
|
15
|
|
Runzhi Chen
|
|
No.10 (first and second floor), Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
80,000
|
16
|
|
Xiaoguang Qin
|
|
No. (first and second floor), Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
80,000
|
No.
|
|
Lessor
|
|
Location of Building
|
|
Term
|
|
Rent per Year
(Yuan)
|
17
|
|
Qing Xiao & Hong Xiao
|
|
No. (first and second floor), Building 1, Hubin Community, Sartu District
|
|
2005-1-1 to
2015-1-1
|
|
80,000
|
18
(1)
|
|
Logistics Company of Daqing Oilfield
|
|
N0.7 Qinfen East Road, Sartu District, Daqing
|
|
2006-1-1 to
2010-12-31
|
|
252,000/year, (total fee: 1,260,000)
|
19
|
|
Daqing Beichen Real Estate Development Company Limited
|
|
First Floor of Lüse Jiayuan Guild Hall, Xuewei Road, Daqing (1,450.22 m2 )
|
|
2005-12-1 to
2015-12-1
|
|
Free for first to third year and 114,300 for fourth to tenth years
|
20
|
|
Yichun Mengke Shopping Center
|
|
First Floor of Basement, Mengke Shopping Center No. 62, Tonghe Road, Yichun
|
|
2006-3-5 to
2021-3-5
|
|
Free for first year 200,000 for second year, 300,000 for third to fifth year, 400,000 for sixth to tenth years and 500,000 for eleventh to fifteenth years
|
No.
|
|
Lessor
|
|
Location of Building
|
|
Term
|
|
Rent per Year
(Yuan)
|
21
|
|
Jixi Green Sea Consuming Goods Market
|
|
Ground Floor, Jixi Green Sea Square
|
|
2006-6-11 to
2016-6-11
|
|
700,000
|
22
|
|
Mengke Real Estate Development Company Limited
|
|
Buildings and facilities at Jiyuan Culture Square, Yanchuan South Street, ACheng
|
|
2006-8-20 to
2021-8-20
|
|
350,000 for first to fifth year, and 400,000 for sixth to tenth years, and 2,100,000 for the remaining years.
|
23
|
|
Guifen Zhao
|
|
Basement 1 of Dongfeng Garden 3, Donfeng Road, Jiguan District, Jixi (2,700 m2 )
|
|
2007-1-1 to
2017-1-1
|
|
600,000
|
24
(1)
|
|
Daqing Factory for SINOFECT
|
|
Zone 8, Xinhua Village, Longfeng District (2,800 m 2 )
|
|
2006-12-14 to
2010-12-13
|
|
260,000
|
25
|
|
Heilongjiang Beidahuang Food and Oil Wholesale Company Limited
|
|
No. 41 Xiangdian Street, Xiangfang District, Harbin (2,950 m2 )
|
|
2006-10-15 to
2016-10-14
|
|
720,000 for years 1-3, 735,000 for years 4-6, and 750,000 for years 7-10
|
26
|
|
Qiquan Zhou
|
|
Songjiang Mingzhu Shopping Center, West of Zhongyang St. Zhaoyuan County, Heilong jiang
|
|
2008-4-10 to
2018-4-09
|
|
70,000 for 1st to 3rd years; 74,375 for 4th to 6th year; 78,750 for 7th to 10th years
|
No.
|
|
Lessor
|
|
Location of Building
|
|
Term
|
|
Rent per Year
(Yuan)
|
27
|
|
Suihua Fudu Construction and Installation Ltd.
|
|
Zhongxing East Road, Suihua No. 79-81 Zhongyang Blvd. Ranghu District, Daqing, China
|
|
2008-7-1 to
2018-6-30
|
|
800,000 for 1t to 3rd years, 850,000 for 4th to 6, 900,000 for 7th to 10th years.
|
28
|
|
Beiya Construction and Development Ltd. Of Qitaihe
|
|
Kanghua St. Boli County, Heilongjiang, China
|
|
2008-10-30 to
2023-10-30
|
|
1,100,000 for 1st to 5th years, 1,200,000 for 6th to 15th years.
|
29
|
|
Mo Xu
|
|
No. 78 Zhongyang Blvd. Ranghulu District, Daqing
|
|
5-20-2008 to
6-20-2016
|
|
530,000 for 1st to 3 rd years
560,000 for 4th to 8th years
|
30.
|
|
Shujun Wang
|
|
No. 78 Zhongyang Blvd. Ranghulu District, Daqing
|
|
5-20-2008 to
6-20-2016
|
|
530,000 for 1st to 3 rd years
560,000 for 4th to 8th years
|
31.
|
|
Lexi Xu
|
|
No. 78 Zhongyang Blvd. Ranghulu District, Daqing
|
|
6-20-2008 to
6-20-2016
|
|
540,000 for 1st to 3rd years
580,000 for 4th to 8th years
|
No.
|
|
Lessor
|
|
Location of Building
|
|
Term
|
|
Rent per Year
(Yuan)
|
32.
|
|
Yusheng Cheng
|
|
No. 78 Zhongyang Blvd.Ranghulu District, Daqing
|
|
5-20-2008 to
6-20-2016
|
|
74,000 per year
|
33.
|
|
Alateng Shopping Center Co. Ltd.
|
|
Alateng Shopping Center
|
|
9-1-2008 to
8-31-2023
|
|
700,000
|
34.
|
|
Zhaodong Huafu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
|
|
South of the Crossing between No. 9 Street and Zhengyang Street, Zhaodong
|
|
11-01-2008 to
10-31-2018
|
|
1,800,000 for 1st to 2nd years
900,000 since 3rd year
|
35.
|
|
Lin Dian Lianyi Commerce Co. Ltd.
|
|
The crossing between Hexiang Road and Daqi Street, Lidian County
|
|
1-1-2009 to
12-31-2024
|
|
using area x 0.4/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 5th years using area x 0.45/m 2 x 365 for 6th to 10th years using area x 0.5/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 15th years
|
36.
|
|
Daqing Wanbao Property Management Co. Ltd.
|
|
Third Community of Wanbao Zone, Sartu District, Daqing
|
|
4-10-2003 to
10-4-2013
|
|
90,000 for 1st year
110,000 for 2nd year
120,000 for 3rd year
150,000 for 4th to 10th years
|
No.
|
|
Lessor
|
|
Location of Building
|
|
Term
|
|
Rent per Year
(Yuan)
|
37
|
|
Longyuan Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
Wenxinjiayuan Community, Rang District, Daqing.
|
|
06-30-2010 to 06-29-2030
|
|
Free for the first three years; using area x 0.5/m 2 x 365 for 4th to 10th years; using area x 0.55/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 15th years; using area x 0.6/m 2 x 365 for 16th to 20th years
|
38
|
|
Peizhou Wang
|
|
Songjiang Mingzhu Shopping Center, West of Zhongyang St. Zhaoyuan County, Heilong jiang
|
|
4-10-2008 to
4-09-2018
|
|
140,000 for 1st to 3rd years; 150,000 for 4th to 6th year; 160,000 for 7th to 10th years
|
39
|
|
Daqing Hengxin Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
West of Petroleum Square, Donghu Community, Rang District, Daqing.
|
|
02-01-2008 to 02-01-2013
|
|
200,000
|
40
|
|
Daqing Hengxin Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
West of Petroleum Square, Donghu Community, Rang District, Daqing.
|
|
04-20-2009 to 02-01-2013
|
|
800,000
|
41
|
|
Heilongjiang Oriental Xitiandi Commercial Co., Ltd.
|
|
Intersection of Tonggang Road and Tongjiang Street, Tongjiang City.
|
|
04-10-2009 to 04-09-2024
|
|
650,000 for 1st to 5th years; 750,000 for 6th to 10th year; 880,000 for 11st to 15th years
|
42
|
|
Harbin Shentong Logistics Eastern Base Co., Ltd.
|
|
No.0 Xianfeng Road, Daowai District, Harbin City
|
|
03-01-2010 to 04-01-2017
|
|
4,700,000 for 1st to 3rd years; 3,700,000 for 4th to 7th year
|
43
|
|
Daqing Ningjin Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
No. 212, Chongyang Road, Datong District, Daqing City
|
|
06-30-2009 to 06-30-2024
|
|
Free for the first year,750,000 for 2nd to 5th; 800,000 for 6th to 10th year; 850,000 for 11st to 15th years
|
44
|
|
Nongan Town Longxiang Shopping Center Co., Ltd
|
|
The second floor of Longxiang Shopping Center Co., Ltd
|
|
10-01-2009 to 01-31-2030
|
|
1,600,000
|
45
|
|
Tangyuan Xintiandi Commercial Co., Ltd.
|
|
Middle of Hazhao Road, Tangyuan Town.
|
|
04-01-2010 to 01-04-2030
|
|
400,000 for 1st to 10th years; 500,000 for 11st to 20th years
|
46
|
|
Daqing Chengfeng Shopping Center Co., Ltd.
|
|
The Fifth Street, Chengfeng Community, Rang District, Daqing City.
|
|
02-20-2010 to 20-23-2020
|
|
1,000,000 for 1st year, and an annual increase of 10,000 from 2nd to 10th years.
|
47
|
|
Xinganwantia Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
Xintiandi Shopping Center, Central Street, Zhalaiteqi.
|
|
05-01-2009 to 04-30-2024
|
|
using area x 0.4/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 5th years using area x 0.45/m 2 x 365 for 6th to 10th years using area x 0.5/m 2 x 365 for 11st to 15th years
|
48
|
|
Xiangdong Zhang
|
|
1 Nanreyuan Street, Dongfeng Road, Sartu District, Daqing City.
|
|
06-28-2010 to 12-20-2018
|
|
Free from 06-28-2010 to 12-19-2010; 1,200,000/year from 12-20-2010 to 12-20-2018.
|
49
|
|
Inner Mongolia Fada Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
9 Zhongsu Street, Manzhouli City
|
|
07-01-2010 to 08-31-2030
|
|
using area x 0.5/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 20th years
|
50
|
|
Taian Jiahemei Commercial Co., Ltd.
|
|
The north of Zhenxing Road, Taian County
|
|
07-01-2010 to 08-31-2030
|
|
using area x 0.6/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 5th years using area x 0.65/m 2 x 365 for 6th to 10th years using area x 0.7/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 15th years; using area x 0.75/m 2 x 365 for 16th to 20th years
|
51
|
|
Kaiyuan Jiamei Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
The South of People’s Park, Wenhua Road, Kaiyuan City.
|
|
12-31-2010 to 02-28-2031
|
|
using area x 0.7/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 5th years using area x 0.75/m 2 x 365 for 6th to 10th years using area x 0.8/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 15th years; using area x 0.85/m 2 x 365 for 16th to 20th years.
|
52
|
|
Tonghua Greatwall Real Estate Company
|
|
Jian Greatwall Shopping Center.
|
|
08-31-2010 to 11-30-2030
|
|
4,600,000
|
53
|
|
Dehui Fengzeyuan Business Clubhouse
|
|
The intersection of Dehui Road and Xinhe Street.
|
|
09-01-2010 to 12-31-2026
|
|
2,600,000 for 1st to 3rd years; 3,000,000 for 4th to 13rd years,3,400,000 for 14th to 16th
|
54
|
|
Liyan Shan
|
|
Aimin Community, Bamiantong Town, Muling City.
|
|
04-15-2010 to 07-14-2025.
|
|
Free for first three months; using area x 0.5/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 5th years using area x 0.55/m 2 x 365 for 6th to 10th years using area x 0.6/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 15th years; using area x 0.65/m 2 x 365 for 16th to 20th years
|
55
|
|
Mudanjiang Yinbang Real Estate Company
|
|
Xinhua Road, Mudanjiang City.
|
|
06-30-2010 to 01-01-2030
|
|
Free for first six months; 33,000 x 0.55/m 2 x 365 per year
|
56
|
|
Yitong Yiren Real Estate Development Company
|
|
Yongning Street, Yitong County.
|
|
05-01-2010 to 07-31-2010
|
|
Total amount of 1,550,000 from 05-01-2010 to 07-31-2012; 1,550,000/year for the last years.
|
57
|
|
Harbin Shenghui Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
Jinrong Building, Shenghui Center.
|
|
06-01-2010 to 09-30-2025
|
|
17,568 x 0.65/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 5th years; 17,568x 0.7/m 2 x 365 for 6th to 10th years; 17,568 x 0.75/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 15th years
|
58
|
|
Arongqi Naji Town Shopping Center
|
|
Arongqi Naji Town Shopping Center
|
|
11-01-2010 to 12-31-2030
|
|
using area x 0.45/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 5th years using area x 0.5/m 2 x 365 for 6th to 10th years using area x 0.55/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 15th years; using area x 0.6/m 2 x 365 for 16th to 20th years.
|
59
|
|
Lirong Gong
|
|
Fuyu Road, Hailin
|
|
06-01-2010 to 09-30-2030
|
|
1,200,000 from 1st to 10th years; 1,280,000 from 11st to 20th years.
|
60
|
|
Lirong Gong
|
|
Fuyu Road, Hailin
|
|
09-01-2010 to 09-30-2030
|
|
50,000/year
|
61
|
|
Lu Liu
|
|
Fuyu Road, Hailin
|
|
06-01-2010 to09-30-2030
|
|
Total amount of 5,000 for first four months, 30,000 from 1st to 4th years;
|
62
|
|
Guangtong Meng
|
|
Fuyu Road, Hailin
|
|
09-01-2010 to 09-30-2030
|
|
45,000/year
|
63
|
|
Siping Sanda Eco-City Development Co., Ltd
|
|
South of Jiujing Street, Tiedong District, Siping City
|
|
11-01-2010 to 08-24-2030
|
|
1,550,000/year
|
64
|
|
Changtu Jiahemei Commercial Co., Ltd.
|
|
Binhe Community, the North street, Changtu County.
|
|
06-01-2010 to 08-31-2030
|
|
7,064 x 0.85/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 5th years; 7,064x 0.9/m 2 x 365 for 6th to 10th years; 7,064 x 0.95/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 15th years; 7,064 x 1.0/m 2 x 365 for 16th to 20th years
|
65
|
|
Liaoyang Jianda Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
No.50, West Street, Wensheng District, Siping City
|
|
11-01-2010 to 03-31-2031
|
|
using area x 0.65/m 2 x 365 per year
|
66
|
|
Tianlin Real Estate Development Co., Ltd
|
|
Jianshe Street, Mulan County.
|
|
12-01-2010 to 03-19-2031
|
|
600,000 for 1st to 5th years; 650,000 for 6th to 10th year; 700,000 for 11st to 15th years; 750,000 for 16th to 20th years;170,000 for warehouse per year.
|
67
|
|
Heilongjiang Oriental Xitiandi Commercial Co., Ltd
|
|
Xiangyang Road, Fujin City.
|
|
06-10-2010 to 09-30-2025
|
|
6,200 x 0.95/m 2 x 365 for 1st to 10th years 6,200 x 1.045/m 2 x 365 for 11th to 20th years
|
68
|
|
Wanfeng Gu
|
|
399 Zhengxing Street, Dehui
|
|
1-1-2011 to 12-31-2026
|
|
RMB 2,600,000 for years 1-3
,
RMB 3,000,000 for years 4-13, RMB 3,400,000 for years 14-16
|
69
|
|
Shufeng Huang
|
|
Cross of Tongjiang Road and Anping Street, Mulan County
|
|
3-20-2011 to 3-19-2031
|
|
RMB 600,000 for years 1-5
,
RMB 650,000 for years 6-10, RMB 700,000 for years 11-15, RMB 750,000 for years 16-20
|
70
|
|
Harbin Hanlong Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
19 Heping Street, Shuangcheng City
|
|
3-20-2011 to 3-19-2021
|
|
RMB 0.9/sqm/day
|
71
|
|
Liaoyang Jianda Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
Cross of Wusheng Road and Wudao Street, Liangyang City
|
|
4-1-2011 to 3-31-2031
|
|
RMB 0.45/sqm/day
|
72
|
|
Xiulan Yi
|
|
Youtian Road, Da'an City
|
|
5-1-2011 to 4-30-2031
|
|
RMB 1,900,000 for years 1-5
,
RMB 2,300,000 for years 5-10, RMB 2,700,000 for years 10-15, RMB 3,100,000 for years 16-20
|
73
|
|
Manzhouli Lande Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
|
|
Cross of Renmin Road and Zhongyang Street, Zhalannuoer, Manzhouli
City
|
|
12-18-2011 to 12-17-2026
|
|
RMB 1,000,000 for years 1-5
,
RMB 1,100,000 for years 5-10, RMB 1,200,000 for years 10-15
|
74
|
|
Lina Chen
|
|
2 Juxian Street, Daqing City
|
|
1-1-2012 to 12-31-2031
|
|
RMB 0.8/sqm/day
|
|
(1)
|
These lease agreements have expired.
|
Item 3. Legal
Proceedings
Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries is a party to any pending
legal proceedings.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity,
Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
On October
21, 2009, our common stock was quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “QKLS.” Prior to that
date our common stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board.
The following table sets forth the high
and low sale prices as reported by the NASDAQ Capital Market, for each fiscal quarter during the fiscal years ended December 31,
2011 and 2010 and for the first quarter of 2012.
Quarter Ended
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
2012:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
|
$
|
0.68
|
|
Second Quarter (through April 5, 2012)
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
3.73
|
|
|
$
|
2.64
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
1.97
|
|
|
|
1.17
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
1.24
|
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
7.09
|
|
|
$
|
4.68
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
6.67
|
|
|
|
4.08
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
5.50
|
|
|
|
3.82
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
6.36
|
|
|
|
3.12
|
|
As of April 6, 2012, the last reported
sale price of our common stock was $0.77 per share.
As of April 6, 2012, there were
31,344,590 shares of our common stock and 5,694,549 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding and we had
approximately 672 shareholders of record of our common stock and five holders of record of our Series A Preferred Stock. This
does not reflect the number of persons or entities who hold stock in nominee or “street” name through various
brokerage firms.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any cash
dividends on our common stock and are restricted from paying dividends by virtue of the fact that we are a holding company. We
currently intend to retain all earnings, if any, for use in business operations and we do not anticipate declaring any dividends
in the near future.
The payment of dividends is contingent on
the ability of our PRC based operating subsidiary QKL-China to obtain approval to send monies out of the PRC. The PRC’s national
currency, the Yuan or renminbi, is not a freely convertible currency. The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility
of renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of the PRC. Shortages in the availability
of foreign currency may restrict our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends.
In addition, under the terms of Series A
Preferred Stock set forth in a Certificate of Designation which was filed in the office of Secretary of State for the State of
Delaware on March 13, 2008, if we pay dividends on the common stock the holders of Series A Preferred are entitled to receive dividends
on an “as converted” basis.
Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation
plans
On September 14, 2009, we adopted the (the
“Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options and restricted stock awards (the “Awards”).
The Plan has not been approved by our stockholders.
The following table provides information as of December 31,
2011 about the Plan.
Plan category
|
|
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
|
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
|
|
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans(excluding
securities reflected in column (a))
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
2,033,000
|
|
|
$
|
4.44
|
|
|
|
1,7170,000
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2,033,000
|
|
|
$
|
4.44
|
|
|
|
1,7170,000
|
|
The total number of shares of common stock
that may be issued under the Plan may not exceed 3,750,000. The total number of shares may be increased annually based upon the
total number of shares of common stock outstanding in subsequent years. In connection with the private placement we completed in
March 2008, we agreed to limit the number of awards we grant under any stock option, restricted or other equity incentive plans
to no more than 12.5% of the sum of the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding and the number of shares of common
stock into which the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible at any time.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
Use of Proceeds from Registered Offering
On November 27, 2009, we consummated a public
offering of 6,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $5.75 per share. On December 4, 2009, we consummated
a public offering of an additional 900,000 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of the over-allotment option. Aggregate
gross proceeds were $39,675,000 and we received net proceeds of approximately $37.4 million from the offering, after deducting
underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses of $2,275,000.
We offered the shares sold in the offering
pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-162150), which was declared effective by the SEC on November 19,
2009. We used $37.4 million of the net proceeds from the offering to open new distribution center, open or acquire new stores,
store renovations and relocations.
The offering was underwritten by Roth Capital
Partners, LLC.
Item 6. Selected
Financial Data
Pursuant to Item 301(c) of Regulation S-K
(§ 229.301(c)), the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting
company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).
Item 7.
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Throughout this section, our fiscal years ended December
31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are referred to as fiscal 2011and 2010, respectively. The following management’s discussion
and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto and the other financial information
appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains certain forward-looking
information. See “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” above for certain information concerning those
forward looking statements.
Overview
We are a regional supermarket chain that currently
operates 34 supermarkets, 16 hypermarkets and 4 department stores in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia. Our
supermarkets sell a broad selection of merchandise including groceries, fresh food and non-food items. We have three
distribution centers servicing our supermarkets, one for fresh food and two for grocery and non-food
merchandise.
We believe that we are the first supermarket chain in northeastern
China and Inner Mongolia that is a licensee of the Independent Grocers Alliance, or IGA, a United States-based global grocery
network with aggregate retail sales of more than $21.0 billion per year. As a licensee of IGA, we are able to engage in group bargaining
with suppliers and have access to more than 2,000 private IGA brands, including many that are exclusive IGA brands.
Our expansion strategy emphasizes growth through geographic
expansion in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, where we believe local populations can support profitable supermarket operations,
and where we believe competition from large foreign and national supermarket chains, which generally have resources far greater
than ours, is limited. Our strategies for profitable operations include buy-side initiatives to reduce supply costs;
focusing on merchandise with higher margins, such as foods we prepare ourselves and private label merchandise; and increasing reliance
on the benefits of membership in the international trade group IGA.
We completed the initial steps in the execution
of our expansion plan in March 2008, when we raised financing through the combination of our reverse merger and private placement
and also raised additional financing in our public offering in the fourth quarter of 2009. Under our expansion plan, we opened:
|
·
|
ten new stores in 2008 that have in the aggregate approximately 42,000 square meters of space,
|
|
·
|
seven new stores in 2009 that have in the aggregate, approximately 32,000 square meters of space
|
|
·
|
nine new stores in 2010 that have in the aggregate approximately 74,189 square meters of space
|
|
·
|
fourteen new stores in 2011 that have in the aggregate approximately 101,000 square meters of space
|
In 2012, we plan to open 5 hypermarkets, supermarkets and department
stores having, in the aggregate, approximately 40,600 square meters of space. We are also making improvements to our logistics
and information systems to support our supermarkets. We expect to finance our expansion plan from funds generated from operations,
bank loans and proceeds from our public offering in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Our Operations in China
We operate our business in the PRC through
our variable interest entity (“VIE”), QKL-China. QKL, Speedy Brilliant (BVI) and Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) did not
have significant operations and their major assets are cash and pledge deposits. Total cash held by entities apart from the consolidated
VIE was $127,262 and $7,300,794 as at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Total pledge deposits held by entities
apart from the consolidated VIE was $253 and $77,205 as at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. QKL-China holds
the licenses, approvals and assets necessary to operate our business in the PRC.
Our headquarters and all of our stores are located in the provinces
of northeastern China and Inner Mongolia. The economy of this area has grown rapidly over the last four to five years and we believe
that the national government is committed to enhancing economic growth in the region. In December 2003, a major economic-development
plan for northeastern China, the “Plan for Revitalizing Northeast China,” was announced by an office of the national
government’s State Council.
Based on our own research, we believe there are approximately
200 to 300 small and medium-sized cities in northeast China without modern supermarket chains. We believe the number of supermarket
customers and the demand for supermarkets in these cities are likely to grow significantly over the next several years as the region
continues to experience urbanization.
Our Corporate Structure
We have no equity ownership interest in
QKL-China and rely on contractual arrangements with QKL-China and its shareholders that allow us to substantially control and operate
QKL-China. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing control over QKL-China because
QKL-China or its shareholders could breach the arrangements. For example, the VIE may be unwilling or unable to perform their obligations
under our contractual arrangements with it, including payments under the consigned management and technology service agreements
as they become due. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in the United States and uncertainties in the Chinese
legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event that we are unable to enforce these
contractual arrangements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our contractual arrangements with QKL-China
are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts
would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. Although
we believe our current business operations are in compliance with the current laws in China, we cannot be sure that the PRC government
would view our contractual arrangements to be in compliance with PRC regulations that may be adopted in the future. If we are determined
not to be in compliance, the PRC government could levy fines, revoke our business and operating licenses, require us to discontinue
or restrict our operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, require us to restructure our business, corporate structure
or operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on our
business operations or on our customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our
business. As a result, our business in the PRC could be materially adversely affected, which in turn may result in the deconsolidation
of the VIE.
Our Strategy for Growth and Profitability
Our strategic plan includes the following principal
components: expanding by opening stores in new strategic locations, improving profitability by decreasing the cost through
origin sourcing, setting up distribution centers and increasing the percentage of our sales attributable to private label merchandise,
membership sales and gift card sales.
Expanded Operations
As of December 31, 2011, we operated 34
supermarkets, 16 hypermarkets, 4 department stores, and three distribution centers, one in Daqing, one in Harbin and one in
Shenyang. Under our expansion plan, we opened 14 new stores in 2011 that have, in the aggregate, approximately 101,000 square
meters of space. In 2012, we plan to open additional hypermarkets, supermarkets and department stores having, in
the aggregate, approximately 92,600 square meters of retail space. Most of the stores will be opened by us and others
will be acquired by us. We are also making improvements to our logistics and information systems to support our supermarkets.
We expect to finance our expansion plan from funds generated from operations and bank loans. Based on our previous
experience, we believe it takes six to nine months for a new store to achieve profitability.
Private Label Merchandise
Some of the merchandise we sell is made to our specifications
by manufacturers using the QKL brand name. We refer to such merchandise as “private label” merchandise.
With private label merchandise, we entrust the manufacturer to make the product and to select the name and design. Under
our agreements with the private label manufacturer, the private label manufacturers cannot sell the private label merchandise to
any other party. Sales of private label merchandise accounted for approximately 6.0% and 5.8% of our total revenues in 2011 and
2010, respectively. In June 2008, we established a specialized department for designing and purchasing private label merchandise,
in which 7 full-time employees currently work. Our goal is to increase private label sales to 20% of our total revenues.
Principal Factors Affecting Our Results
The following factors have had, and we expect they will continue
to have, a significant effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Seasonality
– Our business is subject
to seasonality, with increased sales in the first quarter and fourth quarter, due to increases in shopping and consumer activity
as a result of the holidays such as New Year (January 1), Chinese Lunar New Year (January or February), Women’s Day
(March 8), the Back to School Day (March 1), National Day (October 1), Mid-Autumn Festival (September or October) and Christmas
(December 25).
Timing of New Store Openings
– Growth
through new store openings is a fundamental part of our strategy. Our new stores typically operate at a loss for approximately
three months due to start-up inventory and other costs, promotional discounts and other marketing costs and strategies associated
with new store openings, rental expenses and costs related to hiring and training new employees. Our operating results, and
in particular our gross margin, have and will continue to vary based in part on the pace of our new store openings.
Locations for
New
Stores
– Good commercial space that meets our standards, in locations that meet our needs, may be scarce in some of the
cities we wish to enter. One option for entering certain target markets within our intended timeframe may be to begin operations
in a location that is not optimal and wait for an opportunity to move to a better location. Alternatively, we may seek
to enter into a target market through acquisitions. As such, the timing and costs associated with entry into new markets can
be difficult to predict. Identifying and pursuing opportunities will be a resource-intensive challenge, and if we do not
perform or if actual costs of entering new markets exceed our expectations, our total revenues, cash flows, and liquidity
could suffer.
Logistics of
Geographic
Expansion
– Opening additional stores in cities further from our distribution centers in Daqing and Harbin will mean that
the transportation of our supplies and personnel among our stores will become more difficult and subject to disruption. To
alleviate this, we expanded our distribution capabilities by opening a new distribution center in Harbin in the 2nd quarter of
2010. We have been using our regional purchasing systems since 2008. All fresh food is ordered by individual stores based
on their needs from local vendors designated by our headquarters or regional purchasing department and is delivered directly by
the local vendors to individual stores. A portion of our non-perishable food and non-food items are distributed from our distribution
center to our different stores, and the remaining portion is purchased by our regional purchasing department or headquarters and
delivered directly to individual stores. Long-distance transportation for both food and non-food items from our distribution center
to our stores can be challenging in the winter as the roads can be covered with snow. As we expand in territories further
from our existing or planned distribution facilities, the costs of delivering food and merchandise may become less /predictable
and more volatile.
Hiring
– In our experience, it takes
approximately three months to train new employees to operate a new store. Training and supervision is organized by experienced
teachers in our training school. The management team for a new store is hired first and is trained in our training school,
where they learn our culture and operations. Employees are hired afterwards, and are trained by both our teachers and the
management team. In addition, the management team and the employees are sent to existing stores to get practical training
from the employees and management team members in those stores. Eventually, local employees must learn to perform the training
and supervisory roles themselves. If we do not perform well in response to these challenges, our operating costs will rise and
our margins will fall.
Shortages of
Trained
S
taff
in
Our
New
Locations
– Opening stores in locations with little or
no competition from other large supermarkets is a major part of our strategy. However, there are disadvantages to this approach,
which relate to hiring. Where competitors operate supermarkets nearby, their trained staff is a potential source for our own hiring
needs, especially if we offer a superior compensation package. Cities that have no large supermarkets also have no sources of trained
employees. Although we believe we have a good training school, from time to time we have to send experienced management team members
from our headquarters or other stores to new stores to provide assistance. This increases our cost of operating and decreases our
gross margin.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting estimates are included in our significant
accounting policies as described in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements,
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Those consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP. Critical
accounting estimates are those that we believe are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations.
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts
of assets, liabilities, revenue and expense. Our estimates are evaluated on an ongoing basis and drawn from historical experience,
current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are
prepared. Actual results may differ from our estimates. Management believes that the following accounting estimates reflect the
more significant judgments and estimates we use in preparing our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue by selling merchandise primarily through our
retail stores. Revenue is recognized when merchandise is purchased by and delivered to the customer and is shown net of estimated
returns during the relevant period. The allowance for sales returns is estimated based upon historical experience.
Cash received from the sale of cash card (aka “gift card”)
is recorded as a liability, and revenue is recognized upon the redemption of the cash card or when it is determined that the likelihood
of redemption is remote (“cash card breakage”) and no liability to relevant jurisdictions exists. We determine the
cash card breakage rate based upon historical redemption patterns and recognizes cash card breakage on a straight-line basis over
the estimated cash card redemption period. We recognized approximately nil in cash card breakage revenue for fiscal 2011
and 2010, respectively.
We record sales tax collected from our customers on a net basis,
and therefore excludes it from revenue as defined in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition.
Included in revenue are sales of returned merchandise to vendors
specializing in the resale of defective or used products, which accounted for less than 0.5% of net sales in each of the periods
reported.
Inventories
Inventories primarily consist of merchandise inventories and
are stated at lower of cost or market and net realizable value. Cost of inventories is calculated on the weighted average basis
which approximates cost.
Management regularly reviews inventories and records valuation
reserves for damaged and defective returns, inventories with slow-moving or obsolescence exposure and inventories with carrying
value that exceeds market value. Because of its product mix, we have not historically experienced significant occurrences of obsolescence.
Inventory shrinkage is accrued as a percentage of revenues based
on historical inventory shrinkage trends. The Company performs physical inventory counts of its stores once per quarter and cycle
counts inventories at its distribution center once per quarter. The reserve for inventory shrinkage represents an estimate for
inventory shrinkage for each store since the last physical inventory date through the reporting date.
These reserves are estimates, which could vary significantly,
either favorably or unfavorably, from actual results if future economic conditions, consumer demand and competitive environments
differ from expectations.
Long-lived Assets
We review long-lived assets for impairment annually or whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Long-lived assets are reviewed for recoverability at the lowest
level in which there are identifiable cash flows, usually at the store level. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not
considered recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. If the
asset is determined not to be recoverable, it is considered to be impaired and the impairment to be recognized is the amount by
which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, determined using discounted cash flow valuation techniques,
as defined in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment.
We determined the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected
to result from the use of the asset by projecting future revenue and operating expense for each store under consideration for impairment.
The estimates of future cash flows involve management judgment and are based upon assumptions about expected future operating performance.
The actual cash flows could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in business conditions, operating performance
and economic conditions.
Our evaluation resulted in no long-lived asset impairment charges
during fiscal 2011 and 2010.
Goodwill
We perform an annual goodwill impairment
test as of December 31 each year in accordance with ASC subtopic 350-20, Goodwill (formerly SFAS No. 142), and update the test
between annual tests if events or circumstances occur that indicate an impairment might exist. We perform the annual review for
goodwill impairments.
Reporting units are determined based on
the organizational structure at the date of the impairment test. A separate goodwill impairment test is performed for each reporting
unit on the goodwill that has been allocated to it.
Reporting units are the component business
units from our operating segment where discrete financial information exists for them. Management regularly reviews their operating
results. Also, for each reporting unit, their economic characteristics are dissimilar from each other. Currently, we have 12 reporting
units under goodwill impairment testing.
We recorded $43,863,929 in goodwill in connection with our acquisitions
of businesses in the years of 2010 and 2008.
The annual test of the potential impairment
of goodwill requires a two-step process. Step one of the impairment test involves comparing the estimated fair values of reporting
units with their aggregate carrying values, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting
unit’s fair value, step two must be performed to determine the amount, if any, of the goodwill impairment loss. If the carrying
amount is less than fair value, further testing of goodwill impairment is not performed.
Step two of the goodwill impairment test
involves comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill against the carrying value of the goodwill. Under
step two, determining the implied fair value of goodwill requires the valuation of a reporting unit’s identifiable tangible
and intangible assets and liabilities as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination on the testing date.
The difference between the fair value of the entire reporting unit as determined in step one and the net fair value of all identifiable
assets and liabilities represents the implied fair value of goodwill. The goodwill impairment charge, if any, would be the difference
between the carrying amount of goodwill and the implied fair value of goodwill upon the completion of step two.
For purposes of the step one analyses,
determination of reporting units’ fair value is based on the income approach, which estimates the fair value of our reporting
units based on discounted future cash flows.
We determined the fair value of each reporting unit using the
income approach, which utilizes a discounted cash flow model, as we believe that this approach best approximates the reporting
unit’s fair value at this time. Judgments and assumptions related to revenue, operating income, future short-term and long-term
growth rates, weighted average cost of capital, interest, capital expenditures, cash flows, and market conditions are inherent
in developing the discounted cash flow model.
In 2011, we recorded an impairment loss in the
amount $19,219,870 reducing goodwill attributed to our acquisition of business operations in 2010 and 2008 from a carrying
amount of $45,566,812 to a fair value of $26,346,942. The circumstances leading to the impairment are attributed to the
impact of changes in the competitive environment and forecasted results of our business operations. The material assumptions
used for the income approach for 2011 were a discount rate of 19.5% and a long-term growth rate of 8% for the first 5 years
and 3% hereafter. We considered historical rates and current market conditions when determining the discount and growth rates
to use in our analyses. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record
further impairment charges for goodwill.
We believe the difference between the market capitalization
and the carrying value of our net assets is to due (a) a control premium that should be applied to the market capitalization in
determining the fair value of the entire Company and (b) a temporary decline in the stock price suffered by Chinese companies that
are public in the U.S. as a result of negative press surrounding accounting practices and reverse mergers of certain Chinese companies.
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
See Note 2 to consolidated financial statements included
in Item 8, Financial Statements, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth selected items from our consolidated
statements of operations by dollar and as a percentage of our net sales for the periods indicated:
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2011
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
% of
Net Sales
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
% of
Net Sales
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
370,500,420
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
298,399,394
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
306,770,553
|
|
|
|
82.8
|
|
|
|
245,548,576
|
|
|
|
82.3
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
63,729,867
|
|
|
|
17.2
|
|
|
|
52,850,818
|
|
|
|
17.7
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
51,651,713
|
|
|
|
13.9
|
|
|
|
32,348,721
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
8,543,023
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
|
8,151,742
|
|
|
|
2.7
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
3,535,131
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
12,350,355
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Impairment of goodwill
|
|
|
19,219,870
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Decrease in fair value of warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
7,801,649
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
676,186
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
670,245
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
121,425
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
10,469
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income before income taxes
|
|
|
(15,129,978
|
)
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
|
20,811,780
|
|
|
|
7.0
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
1,453,403
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
3,381,216
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
17,430,564
|
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
Net Sales
– Net sales increased by $72.1
million, or 24.2%, to $370.5 million for fiscal 2011 from $298.4 million for fiscal 2010. The change in net sales was primarily
attributable to the following:
§
Comparable stores are stores that were opened for at least one year before the beginning of the comparison period, or by
January 1, 2010. Those 33 stores generated approximately $298.7 million sales in fiscal 2011, an increase of $25.2 million, or
9.2% compared with $273.5 million sales in fiscal 2010.
§
New store sales increased, reflecting the opening of 21 new stores since January 1, 2010. Fourteen stores opened in fiscal
2011 generated approximately $38.4 million for fiscal 2011, and seven stores opened in 2010 generated $26.9 million for fiscal
2011 and $6.1 million for fiscal 2010, respectively.
Cost of Sales
–
Our
cost of sales for fiscal 2011 was approximately $306.8 million, representing an increase of $61.3 million, or 25.0%, from approximately
$245.5 million for fiscal 2010. The increase was due to increase volume of sales. Our cost of sales primarily of the cost for our merchandises,
it also includes related costs of packaging and shipping costs and the distribution center cost.
We anticipate that our cost of sales will continue to increase
along with our expansion in the coming quarters.
Gross Profit
– Gross profit, or total
revenue minus cost of sales, was increased by $10.8 million, or 20.4%, to $63.7 million, or 17.2% of net sales, in fiscal
2011 from $52.9 million, or 17.7% of net sales, in fiscal 2010. The change in gross profit was primarily attributable to net sales
increased by $72.1 million in 2011 compared to 2010.
We believe that our gross margin is likely to be between 17.0%
and 17.5%, over the next few business quarters. New stores tend to be less profitable during their early months of operation. In
addition, China’s retail industry in general, and its supermarket industry in particular, are becoming more competitive every
year. In this competitive marketplace, it is likely that we will focus on providing our customers with low prices in order to increase
our market share and long-term sales volume.
Selling Expenses
– Selling expenses
increased by $19.4 million, or 60.1%, to $51.7 million, or 14.0% of net sales, in fiscal 2011 from $32.3 million, or 10.8% of net
sales, in fiscal 2010. The change in selling expense was mainly due to increase in labor costs, depreciation, rent expense, and
utilities and other operating costs for fiscal 2011 compared with fiscal 2010 primarily due to support of an increase in store
count. In particular, labor costs increased by $11.0 million or 101.9%, to $21.8 million in fiscal 2011 from $10.8 million in fiscal
2010. Depreciation increased by $2.2 million, or 64.7%, to $5.6 million in fiscal 2011 from $3.4 million in fiscal 2010.
Rent expenses increased by $4.5 million, or 112.5%, to $8.5 million in fiscal 2011 from $4.0 million in fiscal 2010. Utilities
increased by $2.9 million, or 65.9%, to $7.3 million in fiscal 2011 from $4.4 million in fiscal 2010.
General
and Administrative Expense
– General and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 3.7%, to $8.5 million, or 2.3% of net sales, in
fiscal 2011 from $8.2 million, or 2.7% of net sales, in fiscal 2010. The increase was mainly due to the appreciation of Chinese
Renminbi.
Impairment of goodwill
– In
fiscal 2011, we recognized non-cash impairment charge of $19,219,870 related to the goodwill of our acquired businesses in
2008 and 2010. The circumstances leading to the impairment are attributed to the impact of increasing competitive environment
and changes in the forecasted results of the acquired businesses. No impairment losses were identified in fiscal 2010.
Income Taxes
– The provision for income
taxes was $1.5 million in fiscal 2011 compared with $3.4 million in fiscal 2010. Excluding the effect of impairment of goodwill
and changes in fair value of warrants, our effective tax rate was 35.5% and 26.0% for fiscal 2011 and 2010 respectively. This
increase was primarily due to higher proportion of non-deductible expenses relating to stock based compensation in the fiscal 2011.
Net Income
We had a net loss of $16.6 million in fiscal 2011 compared with
net income of $17.4 million in fiscal 2010. Excluding the impairment of goodwill and changes in the fair value of warrants, adjusted
net income for fiscal 2011 decreased 72.7% to $2.6 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, from $9.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted
share for fiscal 2010. The number of shares used in the computation of diluted EPS (excluding the impairment of goodwill and changes
in the fair value of the warrants) decreased 22.6% to 30.5 million shares in fiscal 2011 from 40.2 million shares in fiscal 2010.
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses “adjusted net income” to provide
information about its operating trends. Investors are cautioned that adjusted net income and the decrease in adjusted net income
are not a measure of liquidity or of financial performance under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).
The Company defines adjusted net income as net income excluding non-recurring items as well as special non-cash charges. The adjusted
net income numbers presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted net income,
while providing useful information, should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income or cash flows as determined
under GAAP. The non-GAAP measures in this annual report have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure, and this reconciliation
is located under the heading “Non-GAAP Net Income Calculation” below.
Non-GAAP Net Income Calculation
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted
Net Income
(Unaudited)
Years Ended December 31
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,430,564
|
|
Add back (deduct):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment of goodwill
|
|
|
19,219,870
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(7,801,649
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income
|
|
$
|
2,636,489
|
|
|
$
|
9,628,915
|
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We are a holding company and conduct our operations through
our PRC subsidiary (Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)) and variable interest entity (QKL-China) in China. We may transfer funds to Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing) by means of shareholder's loans or capital contributions. We may also transfer funds to QKL-China by means of
Loan Agreement among Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) and all of the shareholders of QKL-China. Earnings of QKL-China may be transferred
to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) in the form of payments under the consigned management and technology service agreements, which in
turn give Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) the ability to pay dividends to our offshore company (Speedy Brilliant (BVI)).
Our principal liquidity requirements are for working capital,
capital expenditures and cash dividends. We fund our liquidity requirements primarily through cash on hand, cash flow from operations
and borrowings from our revolving credit facility. We believe our cash on hand, future funds from operations and borrowings from
our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund our cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. There is no
assurance, however, that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow or that we will be able to maintain our ability to borrow
under our revolving credit facility.
Our ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on our receiving
distributions of funds from Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), our operating subsidiary, which is restricted by certain regulatory requirements.
Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by QKL-China and Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) only out of
their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, QKL-China
and its subsidiary are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax profit, after deducting any accumulated deficit, each
year to its general reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reach 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are
not distributable as cash dividends. As investment holding companies, our off-shore subsidiaries, including QKL Stores Inc. and
Speedy Brilliant (BVI), do not have material cash obligations to third parties. Therefore, the dividend restriction does not impact
the liquidity of these companies. As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, restricted retained earnings were $7.3 million
and $6.0 million, respectively. Unrestricted retained earnings as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $24.0 million
and $39.4 million, respectively, which were the amounts ultimately available for distribution if we were to pay dividends.
In accordance with relevant PRC laws and regulations, Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing), QKL-China and its subsidiary are restricted from transferring funds to our off-shore companies in the form
of cash dividends, loans or advances, except for the unrestricted retained earnings described above. Therefore, as of December
31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, restricted net assets comprising statutory reserve funds of our PRC operating subsidiary and variable
interest entity were $7.3 million and $6.0 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, our PRC subsidiary, variable
interests entity and its subsidiary had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $8.9 million and $10.2 million, respectively
and did not have any restricted cash. Dividend distribution from our PRC subsidiaries and variable interest entity to our non-PRC
entities would be subject to a 10% PRC withholding taxes under current PRC tax laws. Currently, we do not have the intention to
transfer funds from our PRC entities to our non-PRC entities.
At December 31, 2011, we had $9.0 million of cash on hand compared
to $17.5 million at December 31, 2010. The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
Years Ended December 31
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
3,337,089
|
|
|
$
|
(9,073,830
|
)
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(23,407,890
|
)
|
|
|
(21,143,179
|
)
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
10,998,162
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Effect of foreign currency translation
|
|
|
650,155
|
|
|
|
1,764,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash
|
|
|
(8,422,484
|
)
|
|
|
(28,452,764
|
)
|
The seasonality of our business historically provides greater
cash flow from operations during the holiday and winter selling season, with the fourth fiscal quarter net sales traditionally
generating the strongest profits of our fiscal year. Typically, we use operating cash flow and borrowings under our revolving credit
facility to fund inventory increases in anticipation of the holidays and our inventory levels are at their highest in the months
leading up to Chinese Spring Festival. As holiday sales significantly reduce inventory levels, this reduction, combined with net
income, historically provides us with strong cash flow from operations at the end of our fiscal year.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.4 million for
fiscal 2011 and net cash used in operating activities was $9.1 million for fiscal 2010, respectively. The increase in cash provided
by operating activities for fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 primarily reflects the decrease in other receivables. The
decrease in other receivables resulted from repayment from loans to vendors.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2011 and 2010
was $23.4 million and $21.1 million, respectively. Capital expenditures represented substantially all of the net cash used in investing
activities for new store openings, store-related remodeling and corporate headquarters.
Cash flows From Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2011 and
2010 was $11.0 million and nil, respectively. Cash provided by financing activities was used to acquire and open new stores, and
a distribution center, store renovations and relocations.
Loan Facility –
On July 6, 2011, QKL
Chain entered into a working capital agreement with Longjiang Commercial Bank. Under this agreement, QKL Chain has a credit
line up to approximately $7.7 million (RMB50.0 million). The term of any loan under the agreement is one year after the date
the loan is issued, with the annual interest rate of 6.941%. The loan under this financing agreement is secured by land
use right and buildings with apprasial value of approximately $11.9 million (RMB 77.0 million).
On July 6, 2011, Qinglongxin Commerce also entered into a working
capital agreement with Longjiang Commercial Bank. Under this agreement, Qinglongxin Commerce has a credit line up to approximately
$7.7 million (RMB50.0 million). The term of any loan under the agreement is one year after the date the loan is issued, with the
annual interest rate of 6.941%. The loan under this financing agreement is guaranteed by QKL Chain.
Future Capital Requirements
– We had cash
on hand of $9.0 million at December 31, 2011. We expect capital expenditures for fiscal 2012 will decrease primarily
to slow down of our expansion process. We anticipate an opening of 40,600 square meters of new stores in fiscal 2012 compared
to 70,000 square meters of new stores in fiscal 2011.
We believe we will be able to fund our cash requirements, for
at least the next twelve months, from cash on hand, operating cash flows and borrowings from our revolving credit facility. However,
our ability to satisfy our cash requirements depends upon our future performance, which in turn is subject to general economic
conditions and regional risks, and to financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, including factors beyond
our control. There is no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow or that we will be able to maintain our
ability to borrow under our revolving credit facility.
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations
to meet our obligations and commitments, or if we are unable to maintain our ability to borrow sufficient amounts under our existing
revolving credit facility, or successfully negotiate and enter into a new revolving credit facility to replace our current facility, we will be required to refinance or restructure our indebtedness
or raise additional debt or equity capital. Additionally, we may be required to sell material assets or operations, suspend or
further reduce dividend payments or delay or forego expansion opportunities. We might not be able to implement successful alternative
strategies on satisfactory terms, if at all.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
– Our material off-balance sheet arrangements are operating lease obligations. We excluded these items from the balance sheet
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Information regarding
our operating leases is available in Item 2,
Properties
and Note 14,
Operating Leases
, of the notes to
consolidated financial statements included in Item 8,
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
, of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
Operating lease commitments consist principally of leases for
our retail store facilities and distribution center. These leases frequently include options which permit us to extend the terms
beyond the initial fixed lease term. With respect to most of those leases, we intend to renegotiate those leases as they expire.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into arrangements
with vendors to purchase merchandise in advance of expected delivery. Because most of these purchase orders do not contain any
termination payments or other penalties if cancelled, they are not included as outstanding contractual obligations.
Item 7A. Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)),
the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,”
as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).
Item 8. Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements and supplementary data required by
this item are included in a separate section of this Report. See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on Page
F-1.
Item 9. Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
BDO Shu Lun Pan
On February 13, 2012, we dismissed BDO China Shu Lun Pan Certified
Public Accountants LLP (“BDO Shu Lun Pan”), as our principal accountant, and engaged Albert Wong & Co LLP (“Albert
Wong”) as our new independent registered public accounting firm. The reports of BDO Shu Lun Pan on our financial statements
for the interim periods from July 8, 2011 through February13, 2012 contained no adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and
were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The decision to dismiss BDO Shu Lun Pan
and to retain Albert Wong was approved by the Company’s Audit Committee on February 9, 2012.
BDO Shu Lun Pan was engaged by us on July 8, 2011 and as a result
did not deliver an audit report on the financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2009 or 2010. In connection
with the review of our financial statements for the interim periods from July 8, 2011 through February13, 2012, there were: (i)
no disagreements between us and BDO Shu Lun Pan on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure,
or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BDO Shu Lun Pan, would have caused
BDO Shu Lun Pan to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in its reports, and (ii) no reportable events within
the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K adopted by the SEC.
BDO Shu Lun Pan has provided us with a letter dated February
13, 2012 addressed to the SEC stating that it agreed with the above statements. A copy of this letter was filed as Exhibit 16.1
to our Current Report on Form 8-K, which was filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012.
BDO Li Xin
On July 8, 2011, we dismissed BDO China Li Xin Da Hua CPA Co.,
Ltd. (“BDO Li Xin”) in Shenzhen, Guangdong, PRC as its independent registered public accountant. The Company was notified
that the personnel of Division Four of BDO Li Xin had joined BDO China Shu Lun Pan, another BDO International Member Firm headquartered
in Shanghai, PRC, effective June 30, 2011.
In order to retain its existing audit team and minimize the
disruption, the Company appointed BDO Shu Lun Pan to serve as our independent registered public accountant as of July 8, 2011 and
perform the audit for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The decision to dismiss BDO Li Xin and engage BDO Shu Lun Pan was
unanimously approved by our Board of Directors and Audit Committee.
The audit reports of BDO Li Xin regarding our financial statements
as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and
were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.
In connection with the audits of our financial statement for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 and through July 13, 2011, there were (i) no disagreements between the Company
and BDO Li Xin on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures,
which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BDO Li Xin, would have caused BDO Li Xin to make reference to the subject
matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports, and (ii) no events of the type listed in paragraphs (A) through (D)
of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K adopted by the SEC.
The Company provided BDO Li Xin with a copy of this disclosure
on July 12, 2011, providing BDO Li Xin with the opportunity to furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) containing any new information, clarification of the Company's expression of its views,
or the respect in which BDO Li Xin does not agree with the statements contained herein.
BDO Li Xin has provided us with a letter dated July 12,
2011 addressed to the SEC stating that it agreed with the above statements. A copy of this letter was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to
our Current Report on Form 8-K, which was filed with the SEC on July 13, 2011
Item 9A. Controls
and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and
with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a15 (e)
and 15d15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period
covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures are those controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance
that the information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act filings is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within
the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including our
chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our
CEO and CFO have determined that as of December 31, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. This
conclusion was based on the fact that we did not maintain effective controls over the financial reporting process due to an insufficient
complement of personnel with a level of accounting knowledge, experience and training in the application of U.S. GAAP commensurate
with the Company’s financial requirements. Also, there is an insufficient quantity of dedicated resources and experienced
personnel involved in the general controls over information technology on our new ERP system implementation. The lack of sufficient
and adequately trained personnel resulted in ineffective top level review, which in turn may affect the timeliness of our periodic
financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal
control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer
and principal financial officer, and effected by our 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 generally accepted accounting principles, and 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 our assets;
(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
our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management and directors; and
(3) Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute
assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting
is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human
failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because
of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal
control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore,
it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk. Management is responsible for
establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the company.
Management has used the framework set forth in the report entitled
Internal Control—Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission,
known as COSO, to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Based on such evaluation, our CEO
and CFO have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective due
to the material weaknesses described below.
Material Weaknesses
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies,
in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s
annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The conclusion that our internal control over financial reporting
was not effective was based on material weaknesses we identified in relation to our financial closing process and the conclusion
regarding our disclosure controls and procedures above. Management believes that it had inadequate accounting personnel, and that
it did not supply adequate training to new staff in a timely manner, which led to the delay of processing some transactions
or events.
Remediation Measures for Material Weaknesses
We have begun to take steps to remediate the material weaknesses
described above in “Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures” and plan to implement the new measures described
below in our ongoing efforts to address the internal control deficiencies described above. We plan to further develop policies
and procedures governing the hiring and training of personnel to better ensure sufficient personnel with the requisite knowledge,
experience and training in the application of generally accepted accounting principles commensurate with our financial reporting
and U.S. GAAP requirements. We plan to utilize qualified internal control consultants and supervisors to ensure that our staff
has adequate professional knowledge and to monitor the need for additional or better qualified staff. In addition, we plan to utilize
appropriate training programs on accounting principles and procedures to better ensure the adequacy of our accounting and finance
personnel. We plan to continue to develop our corporate culture toward emphasizing the importance of internal controls and to ensure
that all personnel involved in maintaining proper internal controls recognize the importance of strictly adhering to accounting
principles accepted in the United States of America. We plan to continue to provide additional training to the Company’s
internal audit staff on appropriate controls and procedures necessary to document and evaluate our internal control procedures.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other
Information
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors
, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item is included under
the captions “Election of Directors — Compensation of Non-Employee Directors,” “Election of Directors —
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” and “Compensation
Committee Report” in the 2012 Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive
Compensation
The information required by this item is included under the
captions “Equity Compensation” in the 2012 Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item is included under the
captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information”
in the 2012 Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is included under the
captions “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” and “Election of Directors — Board
Meetings and Committees” in the 2012 Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal
Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item is included under the
caption “Audit Committee Report” in the 2012 Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits,
Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as
part of this Report:
1.
Financial
Statements.
Incorporated by reference from the financial
statements and notes thereto that are included in a separate section of this Report. See “Index to Consolidated Financial
Statements” on Page F-1.
2. Financial
Statement Schedules.
Except for “Schedule II - Valuation
and Qualifying Accounts,” no schedules have been filed because they are not applicable or not required, or the information
is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
(b) Exhibits.
The exhibits listed on the accompanying
index to exhibits immediately following the financial statements are filed as part of, or hereby incorporated by reference into,
this Report.
QKL STORES INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTENTS
|
|
PAGES
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
|
F-1
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
F-2
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
F-3
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
F-4
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
F-5
|
|
|
|
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
F6 – F40
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE:
|
|
SCHEDULE
|
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
|
|
II
|
ALBERT WONG & CO. LLP
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
139 Fulton Street, Suite 818B
New York, NY 10038-2532
Tel : 1-212-226-9088
Fax: 1-212-437-2193
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
|
To:
|
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
|
QKL Stores Inc. and Subsidiaries:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets of QKL Stores Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated financial statements
and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor
were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration
of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances,
but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.
|
/s/ Albert Wong & Co. LLP
|
New York, United States of America
|
Albert Wong & Co. LLP
|
April 9, 2012
|
Certified Public Accountants
|
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
|
December
31, 2011
|
|
|
December
31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
9,037,550
|
|
|
$
|
17,460,034
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
253
|
|
|
|
77,205
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
115,163
|
|
|
|
167,509
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
54,336,501
|
|
|
|
44,467,265
|
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
11,991,134
|
|
|
|
28,236,397
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
6,085,379
|
|
|
|
5,088,825
|
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
10,160,552
|
|
|
|
3,740,327
|
|
Deferred income tax assets
|
|
|
2,972,570
|
|
|
|
508,617
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
94,699,102
|
|
|
|
99,746,179
|
|
Property, plant equipment, net
|
|
|
43,042,136
|
|
|
|
24,792,149
|
|
Land use rights, net
|
|
|
748,410
|
|
|
|
748,533
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
26,346,942
|
|
|
|
43,863,929
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
520,559
|
|
|
|
467,927
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
165,357,149
|
|
|
$
|
169,618,717
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short term bank loans
|
|
|
10,998,162
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
28,417,894
|
|
|
|
38,944,917
|
|
Cash card and coupon liabilities
|
|
|
16,024,437
|
|
|
|
10,814,546
|
|
Customer deposits received
|
|
|
931,604
|
|
|
|
1,495,059
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
|
14,328,656
|
|
|
|
9,883,282
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
227,016
|
|
|
|
2,365,931
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
70,927,769
|
|
|
|
63,503,735
|
|
Warrant liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
70,927,769
|
|
|
|
63,503,735
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.001 par value per share, authorized 100,000,000, shares, issued and outstanding 31,344,590 and 29,743,811 at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
|
|
|
31,345
|
|
|
|
29,744
|
|
Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 5,694,549 and 7,295,328 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
|
|
|
56,945
|
|
|
|
72,953
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
91,589,634
|
|
|
|
90,710,619
|
|
Retained earnings – appropriated
|
|
|
7,282,560
|
|
|
|
6,012,675
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
(15,758,416
|
)
|
|
|
2,094,850
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
11,227,312
|
|
|
|
7,194,141
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
94,429,380
|
|
|
|
106,114,982
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
|
|
$
|
165,357,149
|
|
|
$
|
169,618,717
|
|
See notes to audited consolidated financial
statements.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
370,500,420
|
|
|
$
|
298,399,394
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
306,770,553
|
|
|
|
245,548,576
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
63,729,867
|
|
|
|
52,850,818
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
51,651,713
|
|
|
|
32,348,721
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
8,543,023
|
|
|
|
8,151,742
|
|
Impairment of goodwill
|
|
|
19,219,870
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
79,414,606
|
|
|
|
40,500,463
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income from operations
|
|
|
(15,684,739
|
)
|
|
|
12,350,355
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-operating income(expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in fair value of warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
7,801,649
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
676,186
|
|
|
|
670,245
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(121,425
|
)
|
|
|
(10,469
|
)
|
Total non-operating income
|
|
|
554,761
|
|
|
|
8,461,425
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income before income tax
|
|
|
(15,129,978
|
)
|
|
|
20,811,780
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
1,453,403
|
|
|
|
3,381,216
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,430,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic (loss) earnings per share of common stock
|
|
$
|
(0.54
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.47
|
|
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
|
|
$
|
(0.54
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income (loss) per ordinary share
– basic
|
|
|
30,499,855
|
|
|
|
29,670,468
|
|
Weighted average shares used in calculating net income (loss) per
ordinary share – diluted
|
|
|
30,499,855
|
|
|
|
40,170,511
|
|
See notes to audited consolidated financial
statements.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’
Equity
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
Series A convertible
preferred stock
|
|
|
Additional
paid-in
|
|
|
Retained
Earnings –
|
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Share
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
capital
|
|
|
appropriated
|
|
|
(accumulated deficit)
|
|
|
income
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, 2010
|
|
|
29,475,983
|
|
|
$
|
29,476
|
|
|
|
7,548,346
|
|
|
$
|
75,483
|
|
|
$
|
53,191,217
|
|
|
$
|
4,913,072
|
|
|
$
|
(14,236,111
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,354,233
|
|
|
$
|
48,327,370
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
17,430,564
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
17,430,564
|
|
Reclassification of warrants from derivative liabilities to equity
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
36,502,385
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
36,502,385
|
|
Compensation expense for stock option granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,014,755
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,014,755
|
|
Warrants exercised (cashless)
|
|
|
14,810
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Preferred stock convert to common stock
|
|
|
253,018
|
|
|
|
253
|
|
|
|
(253,018
|
)
|
|
|
(2,530
|
)
|
|
|
2,277
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Appropriation to statutory reserves
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,099,603
|
|
|
|
(1,099,603
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,839,908
|
|
|
|
2,839,908
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
29,743,811
|
|
|
|
29,744
|
|
|
|
7,295,328
|
|
|
|
72,953
|
|
|
|
90,710,619
|
|
|
|
6,012,675
|
|
|
|
2,094,850
|
|
|
|
7,194,141
|
|
|
|
106,114,982
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, 2011
|
|
|
29,743,811
|
|
|
|
29,744
|
|
|
|
7,295,328
|
|
|
|
72,953
|
|
|
|
90,710,619
|
|
|
|
6,012,675
|
|
|
|
2,094,850
|
|
|
|
7,194,141
|
|
|
|
106,114,982
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
Compensation expense for stock option granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
864,608
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
864,608
|
|
Preferred stock convert to common stock
|
|
|
1,600,779
|
|
|
|
1,601
|
|
|
|
(1,600,779
|
)
|
|
|
(16,008
|
)
|
|
|
14,407
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Appropriation to statutory reserves
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,269,885
|
|
|
|
(1,269,885
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,033,171
|
|
|
|
4,033,171
|
|
December 31, 2011
|
|
|
31,344,590
|
|
|
$
|
31,345
|
|
|
|
5,694,549
|
|
|
$
|
56,945
|
|
|
$
|
91,589,634
|
|
|
$
|
7,282,560
|
|
|
$
|
(15,758,416
|
)
|
|
$
|
11,227,312
|
|
|
$
|
94,429,380
|
|
See notes to audited consolidated financial
statements
.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,430,564
|
|
Depreciation-property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
6,065,858
|
|
|
|
4,858,011
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
28,693
|
|
|
|
28,294
|
|
Deferred income tax
|
|
|
(2,403,124
|
)
|
|
|
(77,850
|
)
|
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
27,310
|
|
|
|
180,304
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
864,608
|
|
|
|
1,014,755
|
|
Impairment of goodwill
|
|
|
19,219,870
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Change in fair value of warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(7,801,649
|
)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
58,849
|
|
|
|
125,240
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(8,142,931
|
)
|
|
|
(19,009,023
|
)
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
17,341,478
|
|
|
|
(13,821,470
|
)
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
(833,463
|
)
|
|
|
(2,038,694
|
)
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
(6,275,018
|
)
|
|
|
(2,043,610
|
)
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
(12,038,941
|
)
|
|
|
8,791,436
|
|
Cash card and coupon liabilities
|
|
|
4,790,050
|
|
|
|
2,853,026
|
|
Customer deposits received
|
|
|
(621,496
|
)
|
|
|
(2,487,840
|
)
|
Accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
|
4,069,493
|
|
|
|
1,748,832
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
(2,230,766
|
)
|
|
|
1,175,844
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
|
3,337,089
|
|
|
|
(9,073,830
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(23,640,152
|
)
|
|
|
(8,618,288
|
)
|
Acquisition of business, net
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(23,984,428
|
)
|
Refund of office building purchase
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
11,343,373
|
|
Sales proceeds of fixed assets disposal
|
|
|
155,310
|
|
|
|
11,533
|
|
Decrease of restricted cash
|
|
|
76,952
|
|
|
|
104,631
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(23,407,890
|
)
|
|
|
(21,143,179
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank borrowings
|
|
|
10,998,162
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
10,998,162
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash
|
|
|
(9,072,639
|
)
|
|
|
(30,217,009
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of foreign currency translation
|
|
|
650,155
|
|
|
|
1,764,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash at beginning of period
|
|
|
17,460,034
|
|
|
|
45,912,798
|
|
Cash at end of period
|
|
$
|
9,037,550
|
|
|
$
|
17,460,034
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
|
121,425
|
|
|
|
10,469
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
$
|
5,995,442
|
|
|
$
|
2,260,343
|
|
See notes to audited consolidated financial
statements
.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
OPERATIONS
QKL Stores, Inc. (“QKL”) (formerly known as Forme
Capital, Inc.) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 2, 1986. From 1989 to 2000, Store created and
spun off to its stockholders nine blind pool companies for two years, then operated as a real estate company for eight years, then
sold substantially all of its assets and ceased operations. From 2000 until March 28, 2008, QKL was a shell company with no substantial
operations or assets. QKL currently operates through (1) itself, (2) one directly wholly-owned subsidiary in the British Virgin
Islands: Speedy Brilliant Group Ltd. (“Speedy Brilliant (BVI)”), (3) one directly wholly-owned subsidiary of Speedy
Brilliant (BVI) located in Mainland China: Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) Ltd. (“Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)” or “WFOE”),
(4) one operating company located in Mainland China: Daqing Qingkelong Chain Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd. (“QKL-China”),
which QKL controls, through contractual arrangements between WFOE and QKL-China, as if QKL-China were a wholly-owned subsidiary
of QKL, and (5) one wholly-owned operating subsidiary of QKL-China located in Mainland China: Daqing Qinglongxin Commerce
& Trade Co., Ltd (“Qinglongxin Commerce”).
Speedy Brilliant (BVI) was established in the British Virgin
Islands as a BVI business company on February 23, 2007. Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) was established in the Heilongjiang Province
of the People’s Republic of China (the PRC) as a limited company on August 1, 2007. QKL-China was established in the Heilongjiang
Province of the PRC as a limited company on November 2, 1998. Qinglongxin Commerce was established in the Heilongjiang Province
of the PRC as a limited company on July 10, 2006.
QKL and its subsidiaries (hereinafter, collectively referred
to as “the Company”) are engaged in the operation of retail chain stores in the PRC.
The Company is a regional supermarket chain that currently operates
34 supermarkets, 16 hypermarkets and 4 department stores in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia. The Company’s supermarkets
and hypermarkets sell a broad selection of merchandise including groceries, fresh food and non-food items. A supermarket offers
various daily necessities on a self-service basis and averages 2,500 square meters in sales area. A hypermarket is similar to a
supermarket but has a larger operating scale, and is typically over 4,500 square meters in sales area. The Company currently has
three distribution centers servicing its supermarkets.
The Company is the first supermarket chain in northeastern
China and Inner Mongolia that is a licensee of the Independent Grocers Alliance, or IGA, a United States-based global grocery network.
As a licensee of IGA, the Company is able to engage in group bargaining with suppliers and have access to more than 2,000 private
IGA brands, including many that are exclusive IGA brands.
The Company completed the initial steps in the execution
of its expansion plan in March 2008, when the Company raised financing through the combination of a reverse merger and private
placement, and also raised additional financing in our public offering in the fourth quarter of 2009. Under that plan, the Company
opened fourteen new stores in 2011 that have, in the aggregate, approximately 101,000 square meters of space, nine new stores in
2010 that have, in the aggregate, approximately 74,189 square meters of space, seven new stores in 2009 that have, in the aggregate,
approximately 32,000 square meters of space, and ten new stores in 2008 that have, in the aggregate, approximately 42,000 square
meters of space.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PRC Restructuring Agreements
The PRC restructuring transaction was effected by the execution
of five agreements between Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), on the one hand, and QKL-China (and in some cases the shareholders of QKL-China),
on the other hand. Those five agreements and their consequences are described below.
|
·
|
Consigned Management Agreement
|
The Consigned Management Agreement among Speedy Brilliant (Daqing),
QKL-China and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) will provide financial, business management
and human resources management services to QKL-China that will enable Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) to control QKL-China’s operations,
assets and cash flow, and in exchange, QKL-China will pay a management fee to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) equal to 4.5% of QKL-China’s
annual revenue. The management fee for each year is due by January 31 of the following year. The agreement will remain effective
until Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or its designees have acquired 100% of the equity interests of QKL-China or substantially all of
the assets of QKL-China.
|
·
|
Technology Service Agreement
|
The Technology Service Agreement among Speedy Brilliant (Daqing),
QKL-China and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) will provide technology services, including
the selection and maintenance of QKL-China’s computer hardware and software systems and training of QKL-China employees in
the use of those systems, and in exchange QKL-China will pay a technology service fee to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) equal to 1.5%
of QKL-China’s annual revenue. The technology service fee for each year is due by January 31 of the following year. The agreement
will remain effective until Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or its designees have acquired 100% of the equity interests of QKL-China
or substantially all of the assets of QKL-China.
The Loan Agreement among Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) and all of
the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) will make a loan in the aggregate principal amount of RMB
77 million (approximately $11.2 million) to the shareholders of QKL-China, each shareholder receiving a share of the loan proceeds
proportional to its shareholding in QKL-China, and in exchange each shareholder agreed (i) to contribute all of its proceeds from
the loan to the registered capital of QKL-China in order to increase the registered capital of QKL-China, (ii) to cause QKL-China
to complete the process of registering the increase in its registered capital with PRC regulatory authorities within 30 days after
receiving the loan, and (iii) to pledge their equity to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) under the Equity Pledge Agreement described below.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The loan is repayable by the shareholders at the option of Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing) either by the transfer of QKL-China’s equity to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or through proceeds indirectly
from the transfer of QKL-China assets to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing). The loan does not bear interest, except that if (x) Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing) is able to purchase the equity or assets of QKL-China, and (y) the lowest allowable purchase price for that
equity or those assets under PRC law is greater than the principal amount of the loan, then, insofar as it is allowable under PRC
law, interest will be deemed to have accrued on the loan in an amount equal to the difference between the lowest allowable purchase
price for QKL-China and the principal amount of the loan. The effect of this interest provision is that, if and when permitted
under PRC law, Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) may acquire all of the equity or assets of QKL-China by forgiving the loan, without making
any further payment. If the principal amount of the loan is greater than the lowest allowable purchase price for the equity or
assets of QKL-China under PRC law, then Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) would exempt the shareholders from paying the difference between
the two amounts. The effect of this provision is that (insofar as allowable under PRC law) the shareholders of QKL-China may satisfy
their repayment obligations under the loan by transferring all of QKL-China’s equity or assets to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing),
without making any further payment.
The Loan Agreement also contains promises from the shareholders
of QKL-China that during the term of the agreement they will elect as directors of QKL-China only candidates nominated by Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing), and they will use their best efforts to ensure that QKL-China does not take certain actions without the prior
written consent of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), including (i) supplementing or amending the articles of association or rules of QKL-China,
or of any subsidiary controlled or wholly owned by it, (ii) increasing or decreasing its registered capital or shareholding structure,
(iii) transferring, mortgaging or disposing of any interests in its assets or income, or encumbering its assets or income in a
way that would affect Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s security interest unless required for QKL-China’s normal business
operations, (iv) incurring or succeeding to any debts and liabilities, (v) entering into any material contract (exceeding RMB 5.0
million, or approximately $0.7 million, in value); (vi) providing any loan or guarantee to any third party; (vii) acquiring or
consolidating with any third party, or investing in any third party; and (viii) distributing any dividends to the shareholders
in any manner. In addition, the Loan Agreement provides that at Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s request, QKL-China will promptly
distribute all distributable dividends to its shareholders.
The funds that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) used to make the loan
came from the proceeds received by us, its indirect parent company, in the private placement transaction completed in March 2008.
|
·
|
Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement
|
The Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, among Speedy Brilliant
(Daqing), QKL-China, and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that QKL-China will grant Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or
its designated third party an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase all or part of QKL-China’s assets, and the shareholders
of QKL-China will grant Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) or its designated third party an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase
all or part of their equity interests in QKL-China. Either right may be exercised by Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) in its sole discretion
at any time that the exercise would be permissible under PRC law, and the purchase price for Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s
acquisition of equity or assets will be the lowest price permissible under PRC law. QKL-China and its shareholders are required
to execute purchase agreements and related documentation within 30 days of receiving notice from Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) that
it intends to exercise its right to purchase.
The Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement contains promises from QKL-China and its shareholders that they will refrain from taking
actions, such as voting to dissolve or declaring dividends, that could impair Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s security interest
in the equity of QKL-China or reduce its value. These promises are substantially the same as those contained in the Loan Agreement
described above.
The agreement will remain effective until Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)
or its designees have acquired 100% of the equity interests of QKL-China or substantially all of the assets of QKL-China. The exclusive
purchase options were granted under the agreement on the closing date.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
·
|
Equity Pledge Agreement
|
The Equity Pledge Agreement, among Speedy Brilliant (Daqing),
QKL-China, and all of the shareholders of QKL-China, provides that the shareholders of QKL-China will pledge all of their equity
interests in QKL-China to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) as a guarantee of the performance of the shareholders’ obligations and
QKL-China’s obligations under each of the other PRC Restructuring Agreements. Under the Equity Pledge Agreement, the shareholders
of QKL-China have also agreed (i) to cause QKL-China to have the pledge recorded at the appropriate office of the PRC Bureau of
Industry and Commerce, (ii) to deliver any dividends received from QKL-China during the term of the agreement into an escrow account
under the supervision of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), and (iii) to deliver QKL-China’s official shareholder registry and certificate
of equity contribution to Speedy Brilliant (Daqing).
The Equity Pledge Agreement contains promises from QKL-China
and its shareholders that they will refrain from taking actions, such as voting to dissolve or declaring dividends, that could
impair Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s security interest in the equity of QKL-China or reduce its value. These promises are substantially
the same as those contained in the Loan Agreement described above.
Under the advice of our PRC legal counsel, we believe each of
the significant control and economic benefits agreements is enforceable under PRC and local law. ASC 810-10-50-2AA through 50-2AC
collectively require the reporting entity to disclose the significant judgments and assumptions used in determining whether to
consolidate a variable interest entity. One of the most significant assumptions the Company applied in consolidating its VIE is
the interpretation of the provisions of applicable PRC laws and regulations. However, any changes in PRC laws and regulations that
affect our ability to control QKL-China might preclude us from consolidating QKL-China in the future.
Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, our Chairman of the board and Chief Executive
Officer owns 96% of QKL China. Through contractual arrangements between Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) and QKL-China and its respective
registered shareholders, we bear the economic risks and receive the economic benefits of QKL-China as their primary beneficiary.
The financial results of QKL-China are consolidated into our financial statements despite the lack of our equity interest in them.
We believe the consolidation is necessary to fairly present the financial position and results of operations of our company, because
of the existence of a parent-subsidiary relationship through contractual arrangements. Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) has entered into
contractual arrangements with QKL-China and its respective registered shareholders. Consigned Management Agreement and Technology
Service Agreement enable us to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from QKL-China. Loan Agreement and Equity Pledge
Agreement enable us to exercise effective control over QKL-China. And Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement enables us to have an
exclusive option to purchase all of the equity interests in QKL-China when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
QKL-China is financed by means of capital contributions from
its shareholders. Subsequent to the payment of funds under the Loan Agreement, we have provided additional financial support by
means of loan of approximately $1.2 million to QKL-China in November 2010 for the provision of working capital to our principal
business in PRC. There are no specific terms or arrangements that require the Company to provide financial support to QKL-China.
The creditors of QKL-China do not have recourse to the general credit of the QKL Stores Inc., Speedy Brilliant (BVI) or Speedy
Brilliant (Daqing).
Under PRC law, QKL-China must set aside at least 10% of its
after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital. Although
the statutory reserves can be used, among other things, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess
of retained earnings of the respective companies, companies may not distribute the reserve funds as cash dividends except upon
a liquidation of these subsidiaries.
Noncontrolling interest
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted an authoritative
pronouncement issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated
financial statements. The pronouncement requires noncontrolling interests to be separately presented as a component of equity in
the consolidated financial statements. The presentation regarding noncontrolling interest was retroactively applied for all the
presented periods. As at December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not have any noncontrolling interests.
The following consolidated financial statement balances and
amounts of the Company's VIE and its subsidiary were included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of and for the
years ended:
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
$
|
94,572,493
|
|
|
$
|
91,859,564
|
|
Total noncurrent assets
|
|
|
70,658,046
|
|
|
|
69,872,538
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
165,230,539
|
|
|
|
161,732,102
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
77,475,533
|
|
|
|
63,302,609
|
|
Total noncurrent liabilities
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$
|
77,475,533
|
|
|
$
|
63,302,609
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$
|
370,500,420
|
|
|
$
|
298,399,394
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
63,729,867
|
|
|
|
52,850,818
|
|
(Loss) income from operations
|
|
|
(13,643,245
|
)
|
|
|
13,946,829
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(15,096,648
|
)
|
|
$
|
11,225,020
|
|
As a result of the contractual arrangements above, Speedy Brilliant
(Daqing) bears the majority of economic risks and receives the economic benefits of the VIE, QKL-China, and is the primary beneficiary
of the VIE. Therefore, the Company has consolidated the financial results of the VIE and their subsidiary in its consolidated financial
statements.
The Company believes that Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)'s contractual
arrangements with the VIE are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable. The majority shareholder of the VIE, our
Chairman and CEO, Mr. Wang, is also the majority shareholder of the Company and therefore has no current interest in seeking to
act contrary to the contractual arrangements. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit the Company's ability
to enforce these contractual arrangements, which in turns, may lead to the potential of deconsolidation.
Completion of the PRC Restructuring
The PRC restructuring transaction closed on March 28, 2008 and
after the closing date, Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) completed all required post-closing steps, including the payment and verification
of all the installments of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s registered capital.
The remaining portion of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing)’s registered
capital was contributed and verified by August 1, 2009, two years after the issuance of its business license.
Share Exchange Transaction
In the share exchange transaction, Forme acquired control of
Speedy Brilliant (BVI), a British Virgin Islands holding company and the parent company of Speedy Brilliant (Daqing), by issuing
to the stockholders of Speedy Brilliant (BVI) shares of common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of Speedy
Brilliant (BVI). The stockholders of Speedy Brilliant (BVI) with whom we completed the share exchange were (i) the majority holder,
Winning State International Limited, a British Virgin Islands holding company (“Winning State (BVI)”) all of whose
stock was acquired by our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, pursuant to a call option held by Mr. Wang and (ii) three
minority stockholders, Ms. Fang Chen, Mr. Yang Miao, and Ms. Ying Zhang, Mr. Wang has exercised his call option and all of the
shares of Winning State (BVI) were transferred from Mr. Yap to Mr. Wang on February 2, 2010.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Share Exchange Agreement
On March 28, 2008, Forme entered into a share exchange agreement
with (i) Speedy Brilliant (BVI); (ii) Speedy Brilliant (Daqing); (iii) the owners of all of the outstanding voting stock of Speedy
Brilliant (BVI), namely (a) Winning State (BVI) (a company that is wholly owned and controlled by Mr. Chin Yoke Yap (all of whose
stock was acquired by our CEO, Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, pursuant to a call option held by Mr. Wang that he exercised on February 2, 2010)),
which owned approximately 98.5% of the Speedy Brilliant (BVI) stock, and (b) three individuals, Ms. Fang Chen, Ms. Yang Miao and
Ms. Ying Zhang, who collectively owned approximately 1.5% of the Speedy Brilliant (BVI) stock; and (iv) Forme’s then controlling
stockholders, Vision Opportunity China LP, Stallion Ventures, LLC, and Castle Bison, Inc. Under the terms of the share exchange
agreement, the Speedy Brilliant (BVI) stockholders exchanged all of the outstanding shares of Speedy Brilliant (BVI) for a total
of 19,382,298 newly issued shares of Forme common stock. As a result of the share exchange, Forme acquired Speedy Brilliant (BVI)
as a wholly owned subsidiary, and the Speedy Brilliant (BVI) stockholders became holders of 92.8% of our common stock on a non-diluted
basis (64.6% of our common stock assuming conversion of our newly-issued Series A Preferred Stock and 46.3% of our common stock
assuming conversion of our newly-issued Series A Preferred Stock and exercise of all of the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants).
In the PRC restructuring transaction described above, Speedy
Brilliant (BVI) gained control of our operating company, QKL-China. Therefore, when we acquired control of Speedy Brilliant (BVI)
in the share exchange, we acquired indirect control of QKL-China. As a result, at the time of the share exchange, (i) we ceased
to be a shell company as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, (ii) Speedy Brilliant (BVI) became our wholly
owned subsidiary, and (iii) through our newly-acquired indirect subsidiary Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) we now control, through the
contractual arrangements described above.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company’s current structure, after completion of the
reverse merger transaction, is set forth in the diagram below:
Private Placement Transaction
The other transaction we completed on March 28, 2008 was a private
placement in which we raised funds through a private sale of securities that was exempt from the registration requirements under
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a result of our compliance with Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities
Act. In the private placement we sold to certain accredited investors, for gross proceeds to us of $15.5 million, 9,117,647 units
at a purchase price of $1.70 per unit, each unit consisting of one share of Series A Preferred Stock (each of which is convertible
(subject to adjustment) into one share of our common stock), a 0.625 interest in a Series A Warrant and a 0.625 interest in a Series
B Warrant.
The agreements through which the private placement were carried
out are described in detail below, all of which were entered into on March 28, 2008 unless otherwise indicated.
Securities Purchase Agreement
The securities purchase agreement among Vision Opportunity Master
Fund Ltd. (“Vision Master”), Vision Opportunity China Fund Limited (together with Vision Master, “Vision”)
and certain other investors listed in Exhibit A thereto involved the sale of an aggregate of 9,117,647 units, each unit consisting
of one share of Series A Preferred Stock, a 0.625 interest in a Series A Warrant and a 0.625 interest in a Series B Warrant. The
closing of the private placement transaction and the securities purchase agreement was contingent upon and dependent on the closing
of the reverse merger transaction. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of common stock subject
to adjustment as described below. Each warrant is exercisable for one of common stock or an aggregate of up to 11,397,058 shares
of common stock. The Series A Warrants are exercisable for up to 5,698,529 shares of common stock and have an exercise price of
$3.40 per share, subject to adjustment. The Series B Warrants are exercisable for up to 5,698,529 shares of common stock and have
an exercise price of $4.25 per share, subject to adjustment. The warrants expire on March 28, 2013, which is five years from the
date of issuance.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The terms of our Series A Preferred Stock are set forth in a
Certificate of Designations, which we filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 13, 2008. For more information
regarding the material terms of Series A Preferred Stock, see the section of this report entitled “Description of our Securities”
under the subheadings “Preferred Stock” and “Terms of Series A Preferred Stock.”
Securities Escrow Agreement
The securities escrow agreement among Vision, as representative
of the purchasers under the securities purchase agreement, Winning State (BVI), and Loeb & Loeb LLP, as escrow agent, was entered
into as an inducement to the purchasers to enter into the securities purchase agreement. Winning State (BVI) agreed to deliver
18,235,294 shares of our common stock owned by Winning State (BVI) as escrow shares (the “Escrow Shares”) to the escrow
agent for the benefit of the purchasers, and to deliver some or all of those shares to the purchasers in the event the Company
fails to achieve certain financial performance thresholds for the 12-month periods ending December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009.
The financial performance thresholds for 2008 required that
the Company achieve (i) both net income and cash from operations greater than $9.4 million and (ii) fully diluted earnings per
share equal to or greater than $0.23. Under the terms of the agreement these thresholds were met if the Company achieved at least
95% thereof. The Company reported net income of $9.0 million, cash from operations of $18.7 million and diluted earnings per share
of $0.29 for 2008, and therefore the thresholds for 2008 were met by the Company. Accordingly, all of the Escrow Shares remain
in escrow, pending the performance of the 2009 performance thresholds described below.
The financial performance thresholds for 2009 will be satisfied
if the Company achieves (i) both net income and cash from operations of greater than $11.15 million and (ii) fully diluted earnings
per share of $0.27. On April 1, 2010 the securities escrow agreement was amended to exclude amounts recorded as liabilities under
ASC815. At December 31, 2009, excluding amounts recorded as liabilities under ASC815, the Company had net income of $10.8 million,
cash from operations of $10.8 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.34.
Because we achieved at least 95% of each of the 2009 performance
thresholds, all of the 2009 escrow shares have been returned to Winning State (BVI).
For purposes of determining the performance thresholds described
above, fully diluted earnings per share was calculated by (x) dividing the lesser of net income and cash from operations, as reported
in our 2009 financial statements plus any amounts that may have been recorded as charges or liabilities on the 2009 financial statements
due to the application of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-19 that are associated with (1) any outstanding warrants issued
in connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement or (2) any liabilities created as a result of the escrow shares being released
to any of our officers or directors by (y) the aggregate number of shares of our then outstanding common stock on a fully-diluted
basis which number includes, without limitation, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the then outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of any then outstanding
preferred stock, warrants or options of the Company.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Investor and Public Relations Escrow Agreement
We also entered into an investor and public relations agreement
with Vision Opportunity China LP, as representative of the purchasers under the securities purchase agreement, and Loeb & Loeb
LLP, as escrow agent. Under the agreement, $300,000 of the proceeds of the private placement was deposited into an escrow account
with Loeb & Loeb LLP for use in investor and public relations.
Settlement Agreement
On January 22, 2008, QKL terminated its engagement agreement
with Kuhns Brothers to provide QKL with investment banking services, on an exclusive basis, with respect to the private placement
transaction and the share exchange transaction, and the parties executed a settlement agreement. Under the terms of the settlement
agreement, we were required to pay Khuns Brothers (i) a cash fee equal to 8.5% of the gross proceeds invested in the financing
by investors introduced to the Company by Kuhns Brothers, Inc. (“Introduced Investors”), and (ii) warrants to purchase
up to a number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to 8.5% of the dollar amount of the shares purchased by the Introduced
Investors divided by the per-share purchase price of the common stock or preferred stock in the financing. The warrants have the
same terms as warrants received by the Introduced Investors. Accordingly, Kuhns Brothers received from us a cash fee of $1,300,500,
Series A Warrants to purchase 191,250 shares of our common stock and Series B Warrants to purchase 153,000 shares of our common
stock.
Lock-Up Agreement
In connection with the private placement we also entered into
an agreement with Winning State (BVI) under which, in order to induce Forme to enter into the share exchange agreement, certain
stockholders including Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, our CEO and Mr. Xudong Wang, our former CFO, agreed that (i) they would not sell or transfer
any shares of our common stock until at least 12 months after the effective date of a registration statement filed with the SEC
registering for resale the shares of common stock underlying the Series A Preferred Stock issued in the private placement transaction
and (ii) for an additional 24 months after the end of that 12 month period, would not sell or transfer more than one-twelfth of
its total shares of that common stock during any one month.
Agreements Executed in Connection with Our Public Offering
Waiver to Registration Rights Agreement
On October 16, 2009, Vision Opportunity China LP, as representative
of the purchasers listed on Schedule I to the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 28, 2008, agreed to waive the notice
and piggyback registration rights provided by the Registration Rights Agreement solely with respect to our public offering in the
fourth quarter of 2009 of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.75 per share that raised aggregate net proceeds
of $39.7 million.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Waiver to Securities Purchase Agreement
On October 16, 2009, Vision Opportunity China LP, as representative
of the purchasers listed on Schedule A to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of March 28, 2008, agreed to waive the notice
and preemption rights provided by the Securities Purchase Agreement, solely with respect to our public offering in the fourth quarter
of 2009 of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.75 per share that raised aggregate net proceeds of $39.7 million.
Amendment to Securities Escrow Agreement
On October 15, 2009, we entered into an Amendment to Securities
Escrow Agreement, amending the Securities Escrow Agreement dated March 28, 2008, by and among the Company, Vision Opportunity China
LP as representative of the Purchasers, Winning State Investment Limited and Loeb & Loeb LLP, as escrow agent, to
revise the definition of “Net income” and “Cash from Operations” for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2009 to exclude the one time non-recurring cash expenses incurred by us in connection with our public offering in the fourth quarter
of 2009 and the transactions contemplated by our public offering that were not contemplated by the Securities Escrow Agreement.
Lock-Up Letters
On October 15, 2009, in connection with our public offering
and in order to induce Roth Capital Partners, LLC to act as our underwriter, each of our directors and executive officers, and
Winning State (BVI) agreed that, without the prior written consent of Roth Capital Partners, LLC, they would not, during the period
commencing on October 15, 2009 and ending 180 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to our public offering (i) either
directly or indirectly sell, pledge, lend or transfer any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable
or exchangeable for our common stock, subject to certain exclusions, or (ii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect
to the registration of any shares of common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of
common stock.
Anti-dilution Agreements
On March 24, 2010, we entered into a Warrant Amendment (“Series
A Warrant Amendment”) to the Series A Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Company (“Series A Warrant”)
with Vision Opportunity China LP, pursuant to which certain anti-dilution provisions of the Series A Warrants were removed on behalf
of the Series A Warrant holders. Pursuant to the Series A Warrant Amendment, we agreed not to issue any additional shares
of common stock or common stock equivalents, except as otherwise contemplated by the Series A Warrant, at a per share price less
than the exercise price then in effect, without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the Series A Warrants at
such time.
On March 24, 2010, we entered into a Warrant Amendment (“Series
B Warrant Amendment”) to the Series B Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Company (“Series B Warrant”)
with Vision Opportunity China LP, pursuant to which certain anti-dilution provisions of the Series A Warrants were removed on behalf
of the Series A Warrant holders. Pursuant to the Series B Warrant Amendment, we agreed not to issue any additional shares
of common stock or common stock equivalents, except as otherwise contemplated by the Series B Warrant, at a per share price less
than the exercise price then in effect, without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the Series B Warrants at
such time.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On March 25, 2010, we entered into a Waiver (“Waiver”)
to the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Certificate”)
with the holders of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, pursuant to which certain anti-dilution protections of the Certificate
were waived. We plan to amend the Certificate to state that we will not issue any additional shares of common stock
or common stock equivalents, except as otherwise contemplated by the Certificate, at a conversion price less than the conversion
price then in effect for the Series A Preferred Stock, without the prior written consent of holders of a majority of the Series
A Warrants at such time.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation and Presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated financial
statements include the financial statements of QKL Stores Inc, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to herein
as the “Company”). All intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ
from those estimates.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company’s financial statements are presented in the
U.S. dollar ($), which is the Company’s reporting currency, while its functional currency is Chinese Renminbi (RMB). Transactions
in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate ruling at the date of transaction. Any differences
between the initially recorded amount and the settlement amount are recorded as a gain or loss on foreign currency transaction
in the consolidated statements of income. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated at the
functional currency rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Any differences are taken to profit or loss as a gain or
loss on foreign currency translation in the statements of income.
In accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, the Company
translated the assets and liabilities into US $ using the rate of exchange prevailing at the applicable balance sheet
date and the statements of income and cash flows are translated at an average rate during the reporting period. Adjustments
resulting from the translation are recorded in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Foreign Currency Translation (continued)
Below is a table with foreign exchange rates used for translation:
|
|
(Average Rate)
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chinese Renminbi (RMB)
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
6.4735
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
6.7788
|
|
United States dollar ($)
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.0000
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.0000
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chinese Renminbi
(RMB)
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
6.3647
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
6.6118
|
|
United States dollar ($)
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.0000
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.0000
|
|
Segment Reporting
The Company operates in one industry segment, operating retail
chain stores. ASC 280, Segment Reporting, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments.
Given the economic characteristics of the similar nature of the products sold, the type of customer and the method of distribution,
the Company operates as one reportable segment as defined by ASC 280, Segment Reporting.
Revenue Recognition
The Company earns revenue by selling merchandise primarily through
its retail stores. Revenue is recognized when merchandise is purchased by and delivered to the customer and is shown net of estimated
returns during the relevant period. The allowance for sales returns is estimated based upon historical experience.
Cash received from the sale of cash card (aka “gift card”)
is recorded as a liability, and revenue is recognized upon the redemption of the cash card or when it is determined that the likelihood
of redemption is remote (“cash card breakage”) and no liability to relevant jurisdictions exists. The Company determines
the cash card breakage rate based upon historical redemption patterns and recognizes cash card breakage on a straight-line basis
over the estimated cash card redemption period. The Company recognized approximately nil in cash card breakage revenue
for fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company records sales tax collected from its customers on
a net basis, and therefore excludes it from revenue as defined in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition.
Included in revenue are sales of returned merchandise to vendors
specializing in the resale of defective or used products, which accounted for less than 0.5% of net sales in each of the periods
reported.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise, related
cost of packaging and shipping cost and the distribution center costs.
Selling Expenses
Selling expenses include store-related expense, other than store
occupancy costs, as well as advertising, depreciation and amortization, and certain expenses associated with operating the Company’s
corporate headquarters.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense,
net of reimbursement from suppliers, amounted to $192,779 and $150,980 for fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively. Advertising expense
is included in selling expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company receives co-operative advertising
allowances from product vendors in order to subsidize qualifying advertising and similar promotional expenditures made relating
to vendors’ products. These advertising allowances are recognized as a reduction to selling expense when the Company incurs
the advertising cost eligible for the credit. Co-operative advertising allowances recognized as a reduction to selling and administrative
expense amounted to nil for fiscal 2011 and 2010 respectively.
Vendor Allowances
The Company receives allowances for co-operative advertising
and volume purchase rebates earned through programs with certain vendors. The Company records a receivable for these allowances
which are earned but not yet received when it is determined the amounts are probable and reasonably estimable, in accordance with
ASC 605. Amounts relating to the purchase of merchandise are treated as a reduction of inventory cost and reduce cost of goods
sold as the merchandise is sold. Amounts that represent a reimbursement of costs incurred, such as advertising, are recorded as
a reduction in selling and administrative expense. The Company performs detailed analyses to determine the appropriate amount of
vendor allowances to be applied as a reduction of merchandise cost and selling expenses.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Leases
The Company accounts for its leases under the provisions of
ASC 840, Leases. Certain of the Company’s operating leases provide for minimum annual payments that change over the life
of the lease. The aggregate minimum annual payments are expensed on the straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. The Company
recognizes a deferred rent liability for minimum step rents when the amount of rent expense exceeds the actual lease payments and
it reduces the deferred rent liability when the actual lease payments exceeds the amount of straight-line rent expense. Rent holidays
and tenant improvement allowances for store remodels are amortized on the straight-line basis over the initial term of the lease
and any option period that is reasonably assured of being exercised.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash are cash deposited in a trust account maintained
in the United States for the purpose of investor and public relation affairs.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist primarily of third party purchasing
card receivables, amounts due from inventory vendors for returned products or co-operative advertising and amounts due from lessors
for tenant improvement allowances. Accounts receivable have not historically resulted in any material credit losses. An allowance
for doubtful accounts is provided when accounts are determined to be uncollectible.
Inventories
Inventories primarily consist of merchandise inventories and
are stated at lower of cost or market and net realizable value. Cost of inventories is calculated on the weighted average basis
which approximates cost.
Management regularly reviews inventories and records valuation
reserves for damaged and defective returns, inventories with slow-moving or obsolescence exposure and inventories with carrying
value that exceeds market value. Because of its product mix, the Company has not historically experienced significant occurrences
of obsolescence.
Inventory shrinkage is accrued as a percentage of revenues based
on historical inventory shrinkage trends. The Company performs physical inventory count of its stores once per quarter and cycle
counts inventories at its distribution centers once per quarter throughout the year. The reserve for inventory shrinkage represents
an estimate for inventory shrinkage for each store since the last physical inventory date through the reporting date.
These reserves are estimates, which could vary significantly,
either favorably or unfavorably, from actual results if future economic conditions, consumer demand and competitive environments
differ from expectations.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Significant
additions or improvements extending useful lives of assets are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Buildings
|
|
30 to 40 years
|
Shop equipment
|
|
5 years
|
Office equipment
|
|
3 years
|
Motor vehicles
|
|
5 years
|
Car park
|
|
43 years
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
Shorter of estimated useful life or term of lease
|
Land Use Rights
According to the laws of the PRC, the government owns all the
land in the PRC. Companies or individuals are authorized to possess and use the land only through the land use rights
granted by the government. The land use rights represent cost of the rights to use the land in respect of properties located
in the PRC. Land use rights are carried at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of rights of 30 to 40 years.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value
of net assets acquired. Under ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized but evaluated for
impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value may not be recoverable.
The Company performed an annual impairment test as of the end
of fiscal 2011 and 2010, and determined that an impairment loss in the amount $19,219,870 was recorded in 2011. No impairment losses
were identified in 2010.
Long-lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment annually
or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Long-lived assets are reviewed for recoverability at the lowest
level in which there are identifiable cash flows, usually at the store level. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not
considered recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. If the
asset is determined not to be recoverable, then it is considered to be impaired and the impairment to be recognized is the amount
by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, determined using discounted cash flow valuation
techniques, as defined in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company determined the sum of the undiscounted cash flows
expected to result from the use of the asset by projecting future revenue and operating expense for each store under consideration
for impairment. The estimates of future cash flows involve management judgment and are based upon assumptions about expected future
operating performance. The actual cash flows could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in business conditions,
operating performance and economic conditions.
The Company’s evaluation resulted in no long-lived asset
impairment charges during fiscal 2011 and 2010.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains cash in bank deposit accounts in PRC,
except one restricted cash deposit account in the U.S. for the sole purpose of disbursements of investor relations expenses. The
account in the U.S. is uninsured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to nil. The Company performs
ongoing evaluations of this institution to limit its concentration risk exposure.
The Company operates retail stores located principally in the
Northeast of China. Because of this, the Company is subject to regional risks, such as the economy, regional financial conditions
and unemployment, weather conditions, power outages, and other natural disasters specific to the region in which the Company operates.
The Company relies on three distribution centers located in Daqing
and Harbin, China, which service its stores. Any natural disaster or other serious disruption to the distribution center due
to fire, earthquake or any other cause could damage a significant portion of inventory and could materially impair the Company’s
ability to adequately stock its stores.
Accrual and Disclosure of Loss Contingencies
We determine whether to disclose or accrue for loss contingencies
based on an assessment of whether the risk of loss is remote, reasonably possible or probable, and whether it can be reasonably
estimated. We analyze, if any, our litigation and regulatory matters based on available information to assess the potential liabilities.
Our assessment is developed based on an analysis of possible outcomes under various strategies. We accrue for loss contingencies
when such amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. If a contingent liability is only reasonably possible, we will disclose
the potential range of the loss, if estimable. We record losses related to contingencies in cost of operations or selling, general
and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the underlying transaction leading to the loss contingency.
Retirement Benefit Plans
Full time employees of the Company in the PRC participate in
a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund
and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require the Company to make contributions to the
government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. The Company accounts the mandated
defined contribution plan under the vested benefit obligations approach based on the guidance of ASC 715, Compensation—Retirement
Benefits.
The total amounts for such employee benefits which were expensed
were $3,370,869 and $2,487,299 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Retained Earnings - Appropriated
The income of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries is distributable
to their shareholder after transfer to reserves as required by relevant PRC laws and regulations and the subsidiary’s Articles
of Association. As stipulated by the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC, these PRC subsidiaries are required to
maintain reserves which are non-distributable to shareholders. Appropriations to the reserves are approved by the respective
boards of directors.
Reserves include statutory surplus reserves and discretionary
reserves. Statutory surplus reserves can be used to make good previous years’ losses, if any, and may be converted
into capital in proportion to the existing equity interests of shareholders, provided that the balance after such conversion is
not less than 25% of the registered capital. The appropriation to the statutory surplus reserves must not be less than
10% of net profit after taxation. Such appropriation may cease to apply if the balance of the fund is equal to 50% of
the entity’s registered capital. The annual appropriations of reserves of QKL-China and Qinglongxin Commerce are
10% and 10% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company follows ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires the
recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in
the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future
years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based
on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates, applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable
income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The Company adopted ASC 740-10-25 on January 1, 2007, which
provides criteria for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax position. The Company
must recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that 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 a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood
of being realized upon ultimate resolution. The Company did not recognize any additional liabilities for uncertain tax positions
as a result of the implementation of ASC 740-10-25.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Fair Value Measurements
ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received
from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement
date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value,
the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market
participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an
entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial
instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to
the fair value measurement. ASC 820 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
|
·
|
Level 1 – Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company holds. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
|
|
·
|
Level 2 – Valuation based on quoted prices in markets that are not active for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
|
|
·
|
Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
|
The Company adopted ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,
on January 1, 2008 for all financial assets and liabilities and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or
disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). ASC 820 defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company has
also adopted ASC 820, on January 1, 2009 for non financial assets and non financial liabilities, as these items are not recognized
at fair value on a recurring basis. The adoption of ASC 820 for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and
non-financial liabilities did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, prepayments
and other receivables, short-term borrowings from banks, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other payables. The carrying
amounts of cash, accounts receivable, prepayments and other receivables, short-term loans, accounts payable and accrued expenses
approximate their fair value due to the short term maturities of these instruments. See footnote 10 regarding the fair value of
the Company’s warrants, which are classified as Level 3 liabilities in the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model. The assumptions that were used to calculate fair value as of December 31, 2009 were as follows:
Investor Warrants:
|
|
12/31/2009
|
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
54
|
%
|
Risk free rate
|
|
|
1.82
|
%
|
Expected terms
|
|
|
3.24
|
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
-
|
|
Expected volatility is based on average peer group volatility
with comparable size and operations. The Company did not have enough historical share trade period and was thinly traded. The Company
believes this method produces an estimate that is representative of the Company’s expectations of future volatility over
the expected term of these warrants. The Company has no reason to believe future volatility over the expected remaining life of
these warrants is likely to differ materially from historical volatility. The expected life is based on the remaining term of the
warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury securities according to the remaining term of the warrants.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
In January 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-01,
“Receivables (Topic 310): Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No.
2010-20”, which temporarily delay the effective date of the disclosures about troubled debt restructurings in ASU No. 2010-20,
Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, for
public entities. The delay is intended to allow the FASB time to complete its deliberations on what constitutes a troubled debt
restructuring. The effective date of the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings for public entities and the guidance
for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring will then be coordinated. Currently, that guidance is anticipated
to be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. The deferral in ASU 2011-01 is effective January 19,
2011 (date of issuance).
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02, “A Creditor’s
Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring”, which clarifies when creditors should classify
loan modifications as troubled debt restructurings. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after
June 15, 2011, and applies retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after the beginning of the year. The guidance on measuring
the impairment of a receivable restructured in a troubled debt restructuring is effective on a prospective basis. A provision in
ASU 2011-02 also ends the FASB’s deferral of the additional disclosures about troubled debt restructurings as required by
ASU 2010-20. The adoption of ASU 2011-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or
results of operations.
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03, Consideration of
Effective Control on Repurchase Agreements, which deals with the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that
both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity. ASU 2011-03 changes the
rules for determining when these transactions should be accounted for as financings, as opposed to sales. The guidance in ASU 2011-03
is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The guidance should be applied prospectively
to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date. Early adoption is not permitted.
The adoption of ASU 2011-03 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of
operation.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement
(Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). ASU 2011-04 clarifies some existing concepts, eliminates wording differences between
U.S. GAAP and IFRS, and in some limited cases, changes some principles to achieve convergence between U.S. GAAP and IFRS. ASU 2011-04
results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between
U.S. GAAP and IFRS. ASU 2011-04 also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable
(Level 3) inputs. ASU 2011-04 will be effective for the Company beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect
the adoption of ASU 2011-04 to have a material effect on its operating results or financial position.
In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”)
issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to
present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either
in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates
the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity. ASU 2011-05 will be effective
for the Company beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-05 to have a material effect
on its operating results or financial position. However, it will impact the presentation of comprehensive income.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In July 2011, the FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update
(ASU) No. 2011-06,
Other Expenses (Topic 720): Fees Paid to the Federal Government by Health Insurers.
This ASU amends the
FASB Accounting Standards Codification
TM
(Codification) to provide guidance about how health insurers should
recognize and classify in their income statements fees mandated by the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,"
as amended by the "Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act." ASU 2011-06 represents a consensus of the EITF on Issue
No. 10-H, “Fees Paid to the Federal Government by Health Insurers.” ASU 2011-06 requires that the liability for the
fee be estimated and recorded in full once the entity provides qualifying health insurance in the applicable calendar year in which
the fee is payable with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to expense using a straight-line method of allocation unless
another method better allocates the fee over the calendar year that it is payable. ASU 2011-06 is effective for calendar years
beginning after December 31, 2013, when the fee initially becomes effective.
In September 2011, the FASB has issued Accounting Standards
Update (ASU) No. 2011-08,
Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment.
ASU 2011-08
is intended to simplify how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to
first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting
unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment
test described in Topic 350,
Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.
The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood
of more than 50%. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of
a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not
yet been issued or, for nonpublic entities, have not yet been made available for issuance.
In September 2011, the FASB has issued Accounting Standards
Update (ASU) No. 2011-09,
Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Multiemployer Plans (Subtopic 715-80): Disclosures about an Employer’s
Participation in a Multiemployer Plan.
ASU 2011-09 is intended to address concerns from various users of financial statements
on the lack of transparency about an employer’s participation in a multiemployer pension plan. Users of financial statements
have requested additional disclosure to increase awareness of the commitments and risks involved with participating in multiemployer
pension plans. The amendments in this ASU will require additional disclosures about an employer’s participation in a multiemployer
pension plan. Previously, disclosures were limited primarily to the historical contributions made to the plans. ASU 2011-09 applies
to nongovernmental entities that participate in multiemployer plans. For public entities, ASU 2011-09 is effective for annual periods
for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2011. For nonpublic entities, ASU 2011-09 is effective for annual periods for fiscal
years ending after December 15, 2012. Early adoption is permissible for both public and nonpublic entities. ASU 2011-09 should
be applied retrospectively for all prior periods presented.
In December 2011, the FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update
(ASU) No. 2011-10,
Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Derecognition of in Substance Real Estate-a Scope Clarification.
ASU No. 2011-10 is intended to resolve the diversity in practice about whether the guidance in Subtopic 360-20, Property, Plant,
and Equipment—Real Estate Sales, applies to a parent that ceases to have a controlling financial interest (as described in
Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation—Overall) in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate as a result of default on the subsidiary’s
nonrecourse debt. This Update does not address whether the guidance in Subtopic 360-20 would apply to other circumstances when
a parent ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in substance real estate. ASU 2011-10 should be
applied on a prospective basis to deconsolidation events occurring after the effective date; with prior periods not adjusted even
if the reporting entity has continuing involvement with previously derecognized in substance real estate entities. For public entities,
ASU 2011-10 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after June 15, 2012. For nonpublic
entities, ASU 2011-10 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2013, and interim and annual periods thereafter.
Early adoption is permitted.
In December 2011, the FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update
(ASU) No. 2011-11,
Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.
ASU No. 2011-11 is intended
to provide enhanced disclosures that will enable users of its financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of
netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. This includes the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff
associated with an entity’s recognized assets and recognized liabilities within the scope of this Update. The amendments
require enhanced disclosures by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are
either (1) offset in accordance with either Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting
arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with either Section 210-20-45 or Section
815-10-45. An entity is required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and
interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively
for all comparative periods presented.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In December 2011, the FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update
(ASU) No. 2011-12,
Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications
of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.
ASU No. 2011-11 is intended
to supersede certain pending paragraphs in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05,Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation
of Comprehensive Income, to effectively defer only those changes in Update 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification
adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments will be temporary to allow the Board time to redeliberate
the presentation requirements for reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for annual and interim financial
statements for public, private, and non-profit entities. All other requirements in ASU No. 2011-05 are not affected by ASU No.
2011-12, including the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate
but consecutive financial statements. Public entities should apply these requirements for fiscal years, and interim periods within
those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Nonpublic entities should begin applying these requirements for fiscal years ending
after December 15, 2012, and interim and annual periods thereafter.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 3 – OTHER RECEIVABLES
Other receivables consisted of the following:
December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposits (1)
|
|
$
|
666,207
|
|
|
$
|
2,202,590
|
|
Purchase deposits (2)
|
|
|
1,324,056
|
|
|
|
1,276,255
|
|
Input value added tax recoverable (3)
|
|
|
7,331,965
|
|
|
|
1,973,079
|
|
Loans to suppliers (4)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,119,405
|
|
Rebates receivables (5)
|
|
|
2,363,854
|
|
|
|
1,725,963
|
|
Rent deposits
|
|
|
277,841
|
|
|
|
1,994,467
|
|
Others
|
|
|
27,211
|
|
|
|
944,638
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
11,991,134
|
|
|
$
|
28,236,397
|
|
(1)
|
Deposits are cash held by cashiers of retail stores for day to day operations
|
(2)
|
Purchase deposits are cash held by employees in retail stores for the equipment purchase.
|
(3)
|
Input VAT arises when the group purchases products from suppliers and input VAT can be deducted from output VAT on sales.
|
(4)
|
Loans to unrelated vendors are used to secure the merchandise needed during the peak season at the end of the year. The loans were unsecured bearing an interest rate of 6.237% per annum. These loans were due on March 7, 2011 and September 30, 2011, respectively, and were repaid on their due date.
|
(5)
|
Rebates receivables represent promotional allowances provided by vendors for promotions incurred by the company.
|
NOTE 4 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buildings
|
|
$
|
6,861,043
|
|
|
$
|
6,397,575
|
|
Shop equipment
|
|
|
19,815,360
|
|
|
|
13,309,062
|
|
Office equipment
|
|
|
4,028,789
|
|
|
|
3,250,626
|
|
Motor vehicles
|
|
|
1,642,125
|
|
|
|
1,045,720
|
|
Car park
|
|
|
20,237
|
|
|
|
19,480
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
27,515,996
|
|
|
|
11,424,560
|
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
2,087,368
|
|
|
|
2,498,542
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
61,970,918
|
|
|
|
37,945,565
|
|
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(18,928,782
|
)
|
|
|
(13,153,416
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
$
|
43,042,136
|
|
|
$
|
24,792,149
|
|
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements
Buildings with net book value of approximately $5,550,240 were
used as collateral of short term bank loans.
The depreciation expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011
and 2010 were $6,065,858 and $4,858,011, respectively
NOTE 5 – LAND USE RIGHTS
Land use rights consisted of the following:
December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land use rights
|
|
$
|
923,016
|
|
|
$
|
888,521
|
|
Less – accumulated amortization
|
|
|
(174,606
|
)
|
|
|
(139,988
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total intangible assets, net
|
|
$
|
748,410
|
|
|
$
|
748,533
|
|
The amortization expenses of land use rights for the years ended
December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $28,693 and $28,294 respectively.
Future amortization of land use rights is as follows:
Years ending December 31,
|
|
Amount
|
|
2012
|
|
$
|
28,693
|
|
2013
|
|
|
28,693
|
|
2014
|
|
|
28,693
|
|
2015
|
|
|
28,693
|
|
2016
|
|
|
28,693
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
604,945
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
748,410
|
|
Land use rights with net book value of $748,410 were used as
collateral of short term bank loans.
NOTE 6 – GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquired business
over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination
at the date of acquisition.
Goodwill for impairment has been tested annually, or whenever
events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying
amount. The test to evaluate for impairment is a two-step process. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each of our
reporting units to its carrying value. If the fair value of any reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a second
step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds
the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment.
In 2011, we recorded an impairment loss in the
amount $19,219,870 reducing goodwill attributed to our acquisition of business operations in 2010 and 2008 from a carrying
amount of $45,566,812 to a fair value of $26,346,942. The circumstances leading to the impairment are attributed to the
impact of changes in the competitive environment and forecasted results of our business operations. The material assumptions
used for the income approach for 2011 were a discount rate of 19.5% and a long-term growth rate of 8% for the first 5 years
and 3% hereafter. We considered historical rates and current market conditions when determining the discount and growth rates
to use in our analyses. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record
further impairment charges for goodwill.
No impairment losses were identified in 2010.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A summary of changes in the Company’s goodwill is as follows:
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(USD)
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(USD)
|
|
Balance – beginning of year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
290,019,086
|
|
|
|
43,863,929
|
|
|
|
131,439,086
|
|
|
$
|
19,280,509
|
|
Accumulated impairment charges
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
290,019,086
|
|
|
$
|
43,863,929
|
|
|
|
131,439,086
|
|
|
|
19,280,509
|
|
Activity during the year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
158,580,000
|
|
|
|
23,984,428
|
|
Impairment charge
|
|
|
(122,328,706
|
)
|
|
|
(19,219,870
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other adjustments*
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,702,883
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
598,992
|
|
|
|
|
(122,328,706
|
)
|
|
|
(17,516,987
|
)
|
|
|
158,580,000
|
|
|
|
24,583,420
|
|
Balance – end of year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
290,019,086
|
|
|
|
45,566,812
|
|
|
|
290,019,086
|
|
|
|
43,863,929
|
|
Accumulated impairment charges
|
|
|
(122,328,706
|
)
|
|
|
(19,219,870
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
167,690,380
|
|
|
$
|
26,346,942
|
|
|
|
290,019,086
|
|
|
$
|
43,863,929
|
|
* Other adjustments are the exchange differences arising
during the year.
The goodwill was generated from the acquisition of a number
of businesses in Northeast China through the purchases of assets and the business operations from unrelated parties. According
to ASC 805 “business combinations”, the acquisition of these businesses should be treated as acquisition of a business.
During 2008, the Company purchased the business operations and
certain assets of stores that sell grocery, food and non-food products in the local region from five independent third parties:
(1) Heilongjiang Longmei Commerce Co., Ltd (the “Anda Store”); (2) Nehe Wanlong Commercial Building Co., Ltd. (the
“Nehe Store”); (3) Fuyu Xinshuguang Real Estate Development Co., Ltd (the “Fuyu Store”); (4) Daqing Xinguangtiandi
Shopping Center Co., Ltd (the “Xinguang tiandi Store”); and (5) Hulunbeier Huahui Department Store Co., Ltd. (the “Hailaer
Store”). The consideration for the acquisitions was settled in cash and was accounted for as follows (presented
in RMB):
No.
|
|
Store Name
|
|
Acquisition
Date
|
|
Consideration
|
|
|
The fair
value of
net assets
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(USD)*
|
|
1
|
|
Anda Store
|
|
08/31/2008
|
|
|
22,740,000
|
|
|
|
970,404
|
|
|
|
21,769,596
|
|
|
$
|
3,180,272
|
|
2
|
|
Nehe Store
|
|
09/30/2008
|
|
|
16,800,000
|
|
|
|
828,500
|
|
|
|
15,971,500
|
|
|
|
2,329,871
|
|
3
|
|
Fuyu Store
|
|
10/31/2008
|
|
|
17,400,000
|
|
|
|
1,042,010
|
|
|
|
16,357,990
|
|
|
|
2,387,324
|
|
4
|
|
Xinguangtiandi Store
|
|
09/30/2008
|
|
|
13,800,000
|
|
|
|
880,000
|
|
|
|
12,920,000
|
|
|
|
1,884,728
|
|
5
|
|
Hailaer Store
|
|
10/31/2008
|
|
|
66,000,000
|
|
|
|
1,580,000
|
|
|
|
64,420,000
|
|
|
|
9,401,607
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
136,740,000
|
|
|
|
5,300,914
|
|
|
|
131,439,086
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
converted into U.S. dollars using the date of acquisition
exchange rate
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
During 2010, the Company acquired the business operations and
certain assets of stores that sell grocery, food and non-food products in the local region from seven independent third parties:(1)
Jian County Great Wall Operating Management Co., Ltd (the “Jian Store”); (2) Inner Mongolia Fada Property
Development Group Co., Ltd (the “Manzhouli Store”); (3) Taian County Jiahemei Commercial Co., Ltd (the “Taian
Store”); (4) ARongQi Naji Town Shopping Center (the “Arongqi Store”); (5) Tianlong Shopping Mall (the “Mulan
Store”); (6) Liaoyang LeWanJia Shopping Center (the “Liaoyang Store”); and (7) Siping Wanxi Commercial Co., Ltd
(the “Siping Store”). After the closing of the acquisition, these businesses ceased their operations as retail
stores and the Company was licensed to operate in these locations. The operating results of these businesses have been included
in the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition dates. The consideration for the acquisitions was settled in cash
and was accounted for as follows (presented in RMB):
No.
|
|
Store Name
|
|
Acquisition
Date
|
|
Consideration
|
|
|
The fair
value of the
net assets
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(USD)*
|
|
1
|
|
Jian Store
|
|
08/01/10
|
|
|
31,500,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
31,500,000
|
|
|
$
|
4,647,080
|
|
2
|
|
Manzhouli Store
|
|
07/01/10
|
|
|
18,380,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
18,380,000
|
|
|
|
2,705,611
|
|
3
|
|
Taian Store
|
|
07/01/10
|
|
|
28,000,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
28,000,000
|
|
|
|
4,121,714
|
|
4
|
|
Arongqi Store
|
|
11/01/10
|
|
|
16,100,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
16,100,000
|
|
|
|
2,409,927
|
|
5
|
|
Mulan Store
|
|
12/01/10
|
|
|
14,000,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
14,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,096,923
|
|
6
|
|
Liaoyang Store
|
|
10/01/10
|
|
|
27,600,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
27,600,000
|
|
|
|
4,117,866
|
|
7
|
|
Siping Store
|
|
11/01/10
|
|
|
23,000,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
23,000,000
|
|
|
|
3,442,753
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
158,580,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
158,580,000
|
|
|
|
|
*
converted into U.S. dollars using the date of acquisition
exchange rate
No supplemental pro forma information is presented for the acquisitions
due to the immaterial effect of each acquisition on the Company’s results of operations.
Acquisition-related expenses in connection with the 2010 acquisitions
are classified within the general and administrative expenses and amounted to $117,747, which included the expenses for investigating
and researching, evaluating, coordinating and directing the acquisition transactions.
NOTE 7 – SHORT TERM BANK LOANS
Short term bank loans consisted of the following:
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
Due date
|
Interest rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
Longjiang Commercial Bank
|
|
7/15/2012
|
6.941%
|
$
|
7,855,830
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Longjiang Commercial Bank
|
|
7/5/2012
|
6.941%
|
|
3,142,332
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total short term bank loans
|
|
|
|
$
|
10,998,162
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
The loans provided by Longjiang Commercial Bank were secured
by buildings and land use rights with net book value of approximately $5,550,240 and $748,410 respectively.
NOTE 8 – ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYABLES
Other payables consisted of the following:
December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
$
|
8,184,785
|
|
|
$
|
3,652,235
|
|
VAT and other PRC tax payable
|
|
|
1,695,669
|
|
|
|
946,704
|
|
Repair, maintenance, and purchase of equipment payable
|
|
|
2,535,486
|
|
|
|
3,227,292
|
|
Employee promoters bond deposit
|
|
|
1,912,716
|
|
|
|
2,057,051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other payables
|
|
$
|
14,328,656
|
|
|
$
|
9,883,282
|
|
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 9 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
The Company calculates earnings per share in accordance
with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, which requires a dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings
per share are computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal year. Potentially dilutive
common shares consist of convertible preferred stock (using the if-converted method) and exercisable warrants and stock
options outstanding (using the treasury method). Holder of Class A convertible preferred stock participate in
dividends of the Company on the same basis as holders of the Company’s common stock and is therefore included in the
calculation of basic earnings per share using the two class method. The following table sets forth the computation of basic
and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and
diluted net income per common share:
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income to QKL Stores, Inc. for computing basic net income (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,430,564
|
|
Decrease in fair value of warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(7,801,649
|
)
|
Adjusted net income (loss) to QKL Stores, Inc. for computing diluted net income (loss) per share
|
|
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
|
9,628,915
|
|
Undistributed earnings allocated to Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,433,171
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders for computing basic net income (loss) per ordinary share
|
|
$
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
$
|
13,997,393
|
|
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding in computing net income (loss) per common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
30,499,855
|
|
|
|
29,670,468
|
|
Dilutive shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
|
|
|
6,823,956
|
|
|
|
7,362,139
|
|
Dilutive effect of stock warrants and options
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
3,137,904
|
|
Anti-dilutive effect of preferred stock
|
|
|
(6,823,956
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
30,499,855
|
|
|
|
40,170,511
|
|
Basic (loss) earnings per share of common stock
|
|
$
|
(0.54
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.47
|
|
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
|
|
$
|
(0.54
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
NOTE 10 – PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCK WARRANTS
Series A Preferred Stock
The terms of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock are
set forth in a Certificate of Designations, which we filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 13, 2008.
Set forth below are the material terms of our Series A Preferred Stock:
Conversion and Anti-Dilution: Each share of Series A Preferred
Stock is convertible at any time into one share of the Company’s common stock. A holder of Series A Preferred Stock may not
convert those shares if as a result of the conversion, that holder would beneficially own more than 4.99% of the Company’s
common stock outstanding at that time. A holder may, however, waive this provision by providing the Company with 61 days’
notice that such holder wishes to waive this restriction with regard to any or all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
of such holder’s Series A Preferred Stock.
Voting: Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock vote on an “as
converted” basis together with the common stock, as a single class, in connection with any proposal submitted to stockholders
to: (i) increase the number of authorized shares, (ii) approve the sale of any capital stock of the Company, (iii) adopt an employee
stock option plan, and (iv) effect any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or
related consolidation or combination transaction. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have a separate class vote on all matters
that impact the rights, value, or ranking of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Liquidation Preference: In the event of a liquidation, dissolution
or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of the Company, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding will be entitled
to receive, out of the Company’s assets available for distribution to the Company’s stockholders, an amount equal to
$1.70 per share before any payment is made or any assets distributed to the holders of the common stock or any other stock that
ranks junior to the Series A Preferred Stock. The holders rank (a) senior to the common stock and to any other class or series
of stock issued by the Company not designated as ranking senior to or pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock in respect of
the right to participate in distributions or payments on a liquidation event and (b) pari passu with any other class or series
of stock of the Company, the terms of which specifically provide that such class or series will rank pari passu with the Series
A Preferred Stock in respect of the right to participate in distributions or payments on a liquidation event.
Dividends : The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not entitled
to dividends unless the Company pays dividends, in cash or other property, to holders of outstanding shares of common stock. If
the Company does pay dividends, each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock will entitle its holder to receive dividends
out of available funds equal to the dividends to which the common stock into which such share was convertible on the record date
would have been entitled, had such common stock been issued.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Series A and Series B Stock Warrants
As a result of a completed sale of 9,117,647 units for cash
proceeds of $15,500,000 on March 28, 2008, the Company issued Series A stock warrants of 5,822,655 and Series B stock warrants
of 5,800,911 which can be converted on a one-for-one basis into shares of the Company’s common stock. The stock
warrants have a five year life and the Series A warrants are exercisable at an equivalent price of $3.40 per share and the Series
B are exercisable at an equivalent price of $4.25 per share. These stock warrants will expire on March 28, 2013 pursuant
to the warrant agreements.
The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine
the fair value of the Series A and B stock warrants on March 28, 2008 (assumptions used – expected life of 5 years, volatility
of 89%, risk free interest rate of 2.51%, and expected dividend yield of 0%).
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions
of FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”) (previously EITF 07-5, “Determining
Whether an Instrument (or an Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock”). As a result of adopting ASC 815,
warrants to purchase 11,623,566 of the Company’s common stock previously treated as equity pursuant to the derivative treatment
exemption were no longer afforded equity treatment as there was a down-round protection (full-ratchet down round protection). As
a result, the warrants were not considered indexed to the Company’s own stock, and as such, all future changes in the fair
value of these warrants were recognized in earnings until such time as the warrants are exercised or expire. The Company
reclassified the fair value of these warrants from equity to liability, as if these warrants were treated as a derivative liability.
On January 1, 2009, the Company recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment of decreasing additional paid-in capital of $6,020,000
and beginning retained earnings of $2,792,017 and $8,812,017 to warrant liabilities to recognize the fair value of such warrants.
The fair value of the warrants was $44,304,034 on December 31, 2009. The Company recognized $35,492,017 loss from the change in
fair value of warrants for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The Company amended Series A and Series B stock warrant agreements
deleting the down-round protection (full-ratchet down round protection) provision on March 24, 2010. As a result of this amendment,
the Company is no longer required to treat Series A and Series B warrants as a liability and was reclassified to equity as of March
24, 2010 (assumption used – expected life of 3 years, volatility of 57%, and risk free interest rate of 1.67%, and expected
dividend yield of 0%). Based on the revaluation, the Company recognized $7,801,649 of income related to this transaction
and reclassified $36,502,385 to equity.
Warrant C
On January 22, 2010, the Company issued a warrant (“Warrant
C”) to a non-related individual in exchange for consulting services relating to operational and managerial experience. Warrant
C can be converted into 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share. Warrants C
has a five year term and became exercisable 180 days from the date of issuance of Warrant C.
The Company recognized share-based compensation cost based on
the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with ASC 505-50 “equity based payments to non-employees”. The
fair value of these stock warrants on the date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes method (assumption used – expected
life of 2.75 years, volatility of 54%, and risk free interest rate of 1.25%, and expected dividend yield of 0%). The
Company recognized $558,180 of compensation expense related to this transaction.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A summary of the Company’s stock warrant activities are
as follows:
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Term
|
|
Balance – December 31, 2010
|
|
|
11,768,860
|
|
|
$
|
3.84
|
|
|
$
|
2.27
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Balance – December 31, 2011
|
|
|
11,768,860
|
|
|
$
|
3.84
|
|
|
$
|
1.27
|
|
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 11 – SHARED BASED COMPENSATION
Under the 2009 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan, on September
14, 2009, the Company entered into stock option agreements with its three independent directors, granting each director options
to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share. The options vest
in approximately equal amounts on the three subsequent anniversary dates of the grant and expire on the fifth anniversary of the
date of agreement of or the date the option is fully exercised. On January 30, 2010, the Company entered into amendment agreements
with its three directors to correct the exercise price to $7.50, which was the fair market value on the date of the grant. The
correction of this error was considered immaterial.
Under the 2009 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan, on June
26, 2010, the Company granted the its Chief Operating Officer, Alan Stewart and 20 employees options to acquire 2,070,000 shares
of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $4.40 per share. The options vest in approximately equal amounts
on the four subsequent anniversary dates of the grant and expire on the eighth anniversary of the date of agreement of or the date
the option is fully exercised.
Under the 2009 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan, on December
2, 2010, the Company granted its Chief Financial Officer, Tsz-Kit Chan options to acquire 100,000 shares of the Company's common
stock at an exercise price of $3.42 per share. The options vest in approximately equal amounts on the four subsequent
anniversary dates of the grant and expire on the eighth anniversary of the date of agreement of or the date the option is fully
exercised.
The Company accounts for its share-based compensation in accordance
with ASC 718 and recognizes compensation expense using the fair-value method on a straight-line basis over the requisite service
period for share option awards and non-vested share awards granted which vested during the period. The fair value for
these awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model on the date of grant with the following assumptions:
|
|
September 14, 2009
|
|
|
June 26, 2010
|
|
|
December 2, 2010
|
|
Expected life (years)
|
|
|
3.5
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
41.2
|
%
|
|
|
53
|
%
|
|
|
44.9
|
%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
1.69
|
%
|
|
|
1.49
|
%
|
|
|
0.96
|
%
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
The expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility
of the Company’s common stock. The observation is made on a weekly basis. The observation period covered
is consistent with the expected life of the options. The expected life of stock options is based on the minimum vesting
period required. The risk-free rate is consistent with the expected terms of the stock options and is based on the United
States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Stock-based compensation expenses recognized was $864,608 for
the year ended December 31, 2011. A summary of the Company’s stock options activities under the 2009 Omnibus Securities
and Incentive Plan are as follows:
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Term(Years)
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value
|
|
Outstanding – December 31, 2010
|
|
|
2,033,000
|
|
|
$
|
4.44
|
|
|
|
3.45
|
|
|
$
|
13,000
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding– December 31, 2011
|
|
|
2,033,000
|
|
|
$
|
4.44
|
|
|
|
2.52
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable - December 31, 2011
|
|
|
414,601
|
|
|
$
|
4.35
|
|
|
|
2.52
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted
during year of 2011 and 2010 were nil and $3,265,767, respectively.
As of December 31, 2011, there was $2,074,830 of total unrecognized
compensation cost related to non-vested share option awards granted. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average
period of 3-4 years.
NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES
The income tax provision consisted of the following:
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
|
$
|
3,856,527
|
|
|
$
|
3,459,066
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
State
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
(2,403,124
|
)
|
|
|
(77,850
|
)
|
Federal
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
State
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
$
|
1,453,403
|
|
|
$
|
3,381,216
|
|
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the net tax effects
of temporary differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used
for income tax purposes. Significant components that give rise to deferred tax as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
$
|
394,977
|
|
|
$
|
428,709
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation on property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
77,347
|
|
|
|
79,908
|
|
Net operating loss carry-forward
|
|
|
2,500,246
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred income taxes
|
|
|
2,972,570
|
|
|
|
508,617
|
|
Less: valuation allowance
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred income taxes
|
|
$
|
2,972,570
|
|
|
$
|
508,617
|
|
The difference between the effective income tax rate and the
expected federal statutory rate was as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory rate
|
|
|
34.0
|
%
|
|
|
34.0
|
%
|
Income tax rate reduction
|
|
|
(9.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(9.0
|
)%
|
Permanent differences
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
Impairment of goodwill
|
|
|
(31.8
|
)%
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
Warrant liability
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
|
|
(9.7
|
)%
|
Other
|
|
|
(2.8
|
)%
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective income tax rate
|
|
|
(9.6
|
)%
|
|
|
16.3
|
%
|
The permanent differences were related to the non-deductible
expenses under China taxation law.
Dividends paid by Speedy Brilliant (Daqing) to Speedy Brilliant
BVI are subject to the withholding tax of 10%. Distributions made out of pre January 1, 2008 retained earnings will not be subject
to the withholding tax. The Company's PRC entities historically have not declared or paid any dividends.
Aggregate undistributed earnings of the Company's subsidiary,
variable interests entity and its subsidiary located in the PRC that are available for distribution to the Company of approximately
$31.3 million at December 31, 2011 are considered to be indefinitely reinvested, and accordingly, no provision has been made for
the Chinese dividend withholding taxes that would be payable upon the distribution of those amounts to the Company.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 13 – SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company is principally engaged in the operation of retail
chain store in the PRC. Nearly all identifiable assets of the Company are located in the PRC. All revenues are derived from customers
in the PRC. Accordingly, no analysis of the Company’s sales and assets by geographical market is presented.
For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s
net revenues from external customers for products and services are as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of general merchandise
|
|
$
|
365,230,321
|
|
|
$
|
294,739,524
|
|
Department store income
|
|
|
4,060,540
|
|
|
|
2,394,424
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
1,209,559
|
|
|
|
1,265,446
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
370,500,420
|
|
|
$
|
298,399,394
|
|
For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s
net revenues from external customers for sale of general merchandise by categories of product are as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grocery
|
|
$
|
125,176,060
|
|
|
$
|
105,035,486
|
|
Fresh food
|
|
|
172,554,315
|
|
|
|
135,275,120
|
|
Non-food
|
|
|
67,499,946
|
|
|
|
54,428,918
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
365,230,321
|
|
|
$
|
294,739,524
|
|
NOTE 14 –COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Total comprehensive income includes, in addition to net income,
changes in equity that are excluded from the consolidated statements of income and are recorded directly into a separate section
of shareholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets. Comprehensive income and its components consist of
the following:
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(16,583,381
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,430,564
|
|
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
4,033,171
|
|
|
|
2,839,908
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
$
|
(12,550,210
|
)
|
|
$
|
20,270,472
|
|
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 15 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases
Certain of our real properties and equipment are operated under
lease agreements. Rental expense under operating leases was as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rent expense
|
|
$
|
9,857,879
|
|
|
$
|
5,273,472
|
|
Less: Sublease income
|
|
|
1,983,347
|
|
|
|
1,326,419
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total rent expense, net
|
|
$
|
7,874,532
|
|
|
$
|
3,947,053
|
|
Annual minimum payments under operating leases are as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
Minimum
Lease
Payment
|
|
|
Sublease
Income
|
|
|
Net
Minimum
Lease
Payment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
$
|
8,187,432
|
|
|
$
|
715,227
|
|
|
|
7,472,205
|
|
2013
|
|
|
8,195,752
|
|
|
|
1,624
|
|
|
|
8,194,128
|
|
2014
|
|
|
8,116,127
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
8,116,127
|
|
2015
|
|
|
7,959,534
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
7,959,534
|
|
2016
|
|
|
7,721,958
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
7,721,958
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
71,157,037
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
71,157,037
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
111,337,840
|
|
|
$
|
716,851
|
|
|
$
|
110,620,989
|
|
Litigation
The Company is not involved in legal proceedings and claims.
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 16 - Restatement
of Financial Statements
The Company calculates earnings per share in accordance with
ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, which requires a dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share
are computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal year. Potentially dilutive common shares
consist of convertible preferred stock (using the if-converted method) and exercisable warrants and stock options outstanding (using
the treasury method).
For basic EPS, ASC 260-10-45-60A states that “all securities
that meet the definition of a participating security, irrespective of whether the securities are convertible, nonconvertible, or
potential common stock securities, shall be included in the computation of basic EPS using the two-class method.” The company
has determined that holders of its Class A convertible preferred stock participate in dividends of the Company on the same basis
as holders of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, the Class A preferred must be included in the calculation of basic
earnings per share using the two class method to allocate earnings. Since we did not use the two class method to calculate basic
earnings per share in our originally filed financial statements, we have restated basic earnings per share using the two class
method.
For diluted earnings per share, the warrants, which were recorded
as a derivative liability on our balance sheet, were presumed to be settled in our common shares. The resulting potential common
shares are included in the denominator of our diluted earnings per share in accordance with ASC 260-10-45-45 and calculated using
the treasury stock method. Our denominator for the potential common shares outstanding remains unchanged as a result of the restatement.
However, the numerator in our prior computations did not include an adjustment for the change in fair value of the derivative liability
relating to our dilutive warrants. ASC 260-10-45-46 states that “a contract that is reported as an asset or liability for
accounting purposes may require an adjustment to the numerator for any changes in income or loss that would result if the contract
had been reported as an equity instrument for accounting purposes during the period.”
In order to correct the error in our diluted earnings per share
computation we adjusted the numerator to effectively reverse the derivative for the gains (losses) that were recorded in our statement
of operations relating to the change in the fair value of the warrants (derivative liability) to the extent such adjustments had
a dilutive effect on the computations.
The impact of the affected line items of the Company's financial
statements is set forth below:
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
|
|
As Previously Reported
|
|
As Restated
|
Basic earnings per share of common stock
|
|
|
0.59
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
QKL STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING
ACCOUNTS
|
|
Balance at
|
|
|
Charged to
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at
|
|
|
|
Beginning of
|
|
|
Costs and
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of
|
|
|
|
Period
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
Deductions
|
|
|
Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful receivables
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Allowance for sales returns
|
|
|
9,998
|
|
|
|
1,667,354
|
|
|
|
1,662,275
|
|
|
|
15,077
|
|
Inventory reserves
|
|
|
62,555
|
|
|
|
428,003
|
|
|
|
434,778
|
|
|
|
55,780
|
|
December 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful receivables
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Allowance for sales returns
|
|
|
15,077
|
|
|
|
2,379,040
|
|
|
|
2,347,160
|
|
|
|
46,957
|
|
Inventory reserves
|
|
|
55,780
|
|
|
|
372,777
|
|
|
|
97,366
|
|
|
|
331,191
|
|
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this amended report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized on March 31, 2012.
|
QKL STORES INC.
|
|
/s/ Zhuangyi Wang
i
|
|
By: Zhuangyi Wang
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(principal executive officer)
|
In accordance with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Amended Report was signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name and Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
/s/ Zhuangyi
Wang
|
|
April 9, 2012
|
Zhuangyi Wang
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
|
(principal executive officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Tsz-Kit
Chan
|
|
April 9, 2012
|
Tsz-Kit Chan
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
(principal financial officer and accounting officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Xishuang
Fan
|
|
April 9, 2012
|
Xishuang Fan
|
|
|
Chief Operating Officer and Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Tsz Fung Philip Lo
|
|
April 9, 2012
|
Tsz Fung Philip Lo
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Zhiguo
Jin
|
|
April 9, 2012
|
Zhiguo Jin
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Chaoying
Li
|
|
April 9, 2012
|
Chaoying Li
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation (2)
|
3.2
|
|
Bylaws (2)
|
3.3
|
|
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (7)
|
4.1
|
|
Specimen of Common Stock certificate (1)
|
4.2
|
|
Certificate of Designations authorizing the Series A Preferred Stock (1)
|
4.3
|
|
Form of Series A Warrant (1)
|
4.4
|
|
Form of Series B Warrant (1)
|
4.5
|
|
Warrant Amendment to the Series A Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Company, dated as of March 24, 2010, by and among the Company and Vision Opportunity China LP (9)
|
4.6
|
|
Warrant Amendment to the Series B Warrant to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of the Company, dated as of March 24, 2010, by and among the Company and Vision Opportunity China LP (9)
|
10.1
|
|
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2008 between the Company and the Purchasers (1)
|
10.2
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated March 28, 2008, by and among the Company and the Purchasers (1)
|
10.3
|
|
Lock-Up Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2008, by and among the Company, the sole stockholder of Winning State (BVI) and certain of our stockholders (7)
|
10.4
|
|
Securities Escrow Agreement, dated March 28, 2008, by and between the Company, Vision Opportunity China LP as representative of the Purchasers, Winning State (BVI) and Loeb & Loeb LLP, as escrow agent (1)
|
10.5
|
|
Investor and Public Relations Escrow Agreement dated March 28, 2008 between the Company and Vision Opportunity China LP as representative of the Purchasers and Loeb & Loeb, as escrow agent (1)
|
10.6
|
|
Share Exchange Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2008 between the Company, the controlling stockholder of the Company, Winning State (BVI), Fang Chen, Yang Miao and Ying Zhang (1)
|
10.7
|
|
Consigned Management Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2008 (1)
|
10.8
|
|
Technology Service Agreement dated as of March 28, 2008 (1)
|
10.9
|
|
Loan Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2008 (1)
|
10.10
|
|
Exclusive Purchase Option Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2008 (1)
|
10.11
|
|
The Equity Pledge Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2008 (1)
|
10.12
|
|
Engagement Letter Agreement, dated March 9, 2007, by and between QKL and Kuhns Brothers, Inc. (2)
|
10.13
|
|
Settlement Agreement, dated January 22, 2008, by and between QKL and Kuhns Brothers, Inc. (2)
|
10.14
|
|
Financial Consulting Agreement, dated March 13, 2007 between QKL and Mass Harmony Asset Management Limited (3)
|
10.15
|
|
Amendment dated May 8, 2008 to Registration Rights Agreement dated March 28, 2007, by and among the Company and the Purchasers (3)
|
10.16
|
|
Form of employment agreement (7)
|
10.17
|
|
Waiver and Release dated as of March 9, 2009. (5)
|
10.18
|
|
Agreement dated October 31, 2008 between Daqing Qingkelong Chain Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd. and Fuyu Count Xinshuguang Real Estate Development Co., Ltd (6)
|
10.19
|
|
Agreement dated October 31, 2008 between Daqing Qingkelong Chain Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd. and Hulunbeier Huahui Co., Ltd (6)
|
10.20
|
|
Agreement dated August 31, 2008 between Daqing Qingkelong Chain Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd. and Heilongjiang Longmei Commerce Co., Ltd (6)
|
10.21
|
|
Agreement dated September 30, 2008 between Daqing Qingkelong Chain Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd. and Nehe City Wanlong Co., Ltd. (6)
|
10.22
|
|
Agreement dated September 30, 2008 between Daqing Qingkelong Chain Commerce & Trade Co., Ltd. and Daqing Xinguangtiandi Shopping Center Co., Ltd. Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement of Form S-1/A (Reg. No. 333-150800) filed with the SEC on March 11, 2009. (6)
|
10.23
|
|
Waiver dated October 15, 2009 to the Registration Rights Agreement dated March 28, 2008, by and between the Company and Vision Opportunity China LP, as representative of the Purchasers (7)
|
10.24
|
|
Waiver dated October 15, 2009 to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated March 28, 2008, by and between the Company and Vision Opportunity China LP, as representative of the Preferred Shareholders (7)
|
10.25
|
|
Amendment to Securities Escrow Agreement dated October 15, 2009 to the Securities Escrow Agreement dated March 28, 2008, by and among the Company Vision Opportunity China LP, as representative of the Purchasers, Winning State Investment Limited, and Loeb & Loeb LLP, as escrow agent (7)
|
10.26
|
|
Lock-up Letter dated October 15, 2009, by and among Roth Capital Partners, LLC, the Company, our directors, executive officers and Winning State International Limited (7)
|
10.27
|
|
2009 Omnibus Securities and Incentive Plan (7)
|
10.28
|
|
Form of Independent Director Agreement (7)
|
10.29
|
|
Form of Waiver to Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, dated as of March 25, 2010, by and among the Company and the holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
|
10.30
|
|
Property Buying/Selling Contract, dated December 30, 2009 (8)
|
10.31
|
|
Amendment No. 2 to Securities Escrow Agreement dated April 1, 2010(9)
|
10.32
|
|
Lease Agreement dated June 28, 2010 between the Company and Xiangdong Zhang. (10)
|
10.33
|
|
Termination Agreement dated June 28, 2010 between the Company and Xiangdong Zhang. (10)
|
10.34
|
|
Employment Agreement of Tsz-Kit Chan, dated October 18, 2010 (11)
|
10.35
|
|
Employment Agreement of Xishuang Fan, dated June 17, 2011 (12)
|
10.36
|
|
Independent Director Agreement of Tsz Fung Philip Lo, dated November 8, 2011 (13)
|
16.1
|
|
Letter from Albert Wong & Co. to the SEC (7)
|
21.1
|
|
List of Subsidiaries (3)
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of Albert Wong & Co. LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm*
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
|
32
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
|
|
(1)
|
Incorporated by reference to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 3, 2008.
|
|
(2)
|
Incorporated by reference to our current report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on April 14, 2008.
|
|
(3)
|
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement of Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-150800) filed with the SEC on May 9, 2008.
|
|
(4)
|
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement of Form S-1/A (Reg. No. 333-150800) filed with the SEC on August 7, 2008.
|
|
(5)
|
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement of Form S-1/A (Reg. No. 333-150800) filed with the SEC on March 11, 2009.
|
|
(6)
|
Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 14, 2009.
|
|
(7)
|
Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement of Form S-1/A (Reg. No. 333-162150) filed with the SEC on October 19, 2009.
|
|
(8)
|
Incorporated by reference to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010.
|
|
(9)
|
Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2010.
|
|
(10)
|
Incorporated by reference to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2010.
|
|
(11)
|
Incorporated by reference to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2010.
|
|
(12)
|
Incorporated by reference to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 22, 2011.
|
|
(13)
|
Incorporated by reference to our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 10, 2011.
|
|
*
|
Filed herewith
|
QKL Stores (CE) (USOTC:QKLS)
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QKL Stores (CE) (USOTC:QKLS)
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