10-Q 1 a5681595.htm IPARTY CORP. 10-Q a5681595.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 29, 2008

OR

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

For the Transition Period from _______________ to _______________

Commission File Number 0-25507
 

iPARTY CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
76-0547750
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)
   
270 Bridge Street, Suite 301,
  
Dedham, Massachusetts
02026
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

(781) 329-3952
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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 þ No o

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 definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o      
  
Accelerated filer o      
     
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes o No þ

As of May 2, 2008 there were 22,717,400 shares of common stock, $.001 par value, outstanding.
 

 
iPARTY CORP.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS


 
   
Page
 
     
 
 
 
 
     
     
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Ex. 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
   
Ex. 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
   
Ex. 32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
   
Ex. 32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
- 1 -

 

 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Dec 29, 2007
  
             
ASSETS
            
Current assets:
            
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 66,216     $ 71,532  
Restricted cash
     541,190       862,536  
Accounts receivable
     858,784       1,105,807  
Inventory, net
     14,568,513       13,639,531  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
     1,270,307       996,779  
Total current assets
     17,305,010       16,676,185  
Property and equipment, net
     4,331,595       4,360,123  
Intangible assets, net
     2,762,040       1,756,800  
Other assets
     221,510       183,978  
Total assets
   $ 24,620,155     $ 22,977,086  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                
Current liabilities:
                
Accounts payable
   $ 6,700,244     $ 4,723,370  
Accrued expenses
     2,568,076       2,503,752  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
     30,924       30,473  
Current notes payable
     637,852       620,706  
Borrowings under line of credit
     4,121,547       2,613,511  
Total current liabilities
     14,058,643       10,491,812  
                 
Long-term liabilities:
                
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion
     451       9,213  
Notes payable, net of discount $289,780
     3,156,314       3,271,632  
Other liabilities
     1,136,262       1,113,522  
Total long-term liabilities
     4,293,027       4,394,367  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
                
                 
Stockholders' equity:
                
Convertible preferred stock - $.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized,
                
Series B convertible preferred stock - 1,150,000 shares authorized; 464,151 and 465,401
          
shares issued and outstanding at Mar 29, 2008 and Dec 29, 2007, respectively
          
(aggregate liquidation value of $9,283,024 at Mar 29, 2008)
     6,906,570       6,925,170  
Series C convertible preferred stock - 100,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
          
(aggregate liquidation value of $2,000,000 at Mar 29, 2008)
     1,492,000       1,492,000  
Series D convertible preferred stock - 250,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
          
(aggregate liquidation value of $5,000,000 at Mar 29, 2008)
     3,652,500       3,652,500  
Series E convertible preferred stock - 296,666 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
          
(aggregate liquidation value of $1,112,497 at Mar 29, 2008)
     1,112,497       1,112,497  
Series F convertible preferred stock - 114,286 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
          
(aggregate liquidation value of $500,000 at Mar 29, 2008)
     500,000       500,000  
Total convertible preferred stock
     13,663,567       13,682,167  
                 
Common stock - $.001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 22,717,400 and 22,700,655
  
shares issued and outstanding at Mar 29, 2008 and Dec 29, 2007, respectively
     22,717       22,701  
                 
Additional paid-in capital
     51,955,171       51,894,481  
Accumulated deficit
     (59,372,970 )     (57,508,442 )
Total stockholders' equity
     6,268,485       8,090,907  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
   $ 24,620,155     $ 22,977,086  
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
- 2 -
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
  
             
             
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
Revenues
   $ 16,144,088     $ 15,599,159  
Operating costs:
                
Cost of products sold and occupancy costs
     9,983,347       9,406,774  
Marketing and sales
     5,849,752       5,586,074  
General and administrative
     1,963,165       1,882,857  
                 
Operating loss
     (1,652,176 )     (1,276,546 )
                 
Interest income
     1,676       1,734  
Interest expense
     (214,028 )     (228,044 )
                 
Net loss
   $ (1,864,528 )   $ (1,502,856 )
                 
Basic and diluted net loss per share
   $ (0.08 )   $ (0.07 )
                 
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
                
Basic and diluted
     22,708,383       22,614,544  
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
- 3 -
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
  
(unaudited)
  
             
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
Operating activities:
            
             
Net loss
   $ (1,864,528 )   $ (1,502,856 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
                
Depreciation and amortization
     501,724       414,875  
Deferred rent
     22,740       48,160  
Non cash stock based compensation expense
     42,106       10,892  
Non cash warrant expense
     51,138       51,138  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                
Accounts receivable
     247,023       284,484  
Inventory
     (928,982 )     (944,269 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
     (146,773 )     (524,621 )
Accounts payable
     1,976,874       1,130,574  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
     64,324       (771,530 )
Net cash used in operating activities
     (34,354 )     (1,803,153 )
                 
Investing activities:
                
Acquisition of retail stores and non-compete agreement
     (1,350,000 )     -  
Purchase of property and equipment
     (307,523 )     (112,046 )
Net cash used in investing activities
     (1,657,523 )     (112,046 )
                 
Financing activities:
                
                 
Net borrowings under line of credit
     1,508,036       1,295,806  
Principal payments on notes payable
     (149,310 )     (177,962 )
Decrease in restricted cash
     321,346       178,308  
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
     (8,311 )     (90,020 )
Deferred financing costs
     14,800       10,937  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
     -       1,277  
Net cash provided by financing activities
     1,686,561       1,218,346  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
     (5,316 )     (696,853 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
     71,532       760,376  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
   $ 66,216     $ 63,523  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
                
                 
Conversion of Series B convertible preferred stock to common stock
   $ 18,600     $ 14,800  
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
- 4 -
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 29, 2008
(Unaudited)

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Interim Financial Information

The interim consolidated financial statements as of March 29, 2008 have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting.  These consolidated statements are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals) necessary to present fairly the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated operating results, and consolidated cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  The consolidated balance sheet at December 29, 2007 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.  Operating results for the Company on a quarterly basis may not be indicative of the results for the entire year due, in part, to the seasonality of the party goods industry.  Historically, higher revenues and operating income have been experienced in the second and fourth fiscal quarters, while the Company has generated losses in the first and third quarters.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, and accompanying notes, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 29, 2007.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant intercompany transactions and balances.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues include the selling price of party goods sold, net of returns and discounts, and are recognized at the point of sale. The Company estimates returns based upon historical return rates and such amounts have not been significant.

Concentrations

The Company purchases its inventory from a diverse group of vendors.  Four suppliers account for approximately 48% of the Company’s purchases of merchandise for the three months ended March 29, 2008, but the Company does not believe that it is overly dependent upon any single source for its merchandise, often using more than one vendor for similar kinds of products.  The Company entered into a Supply Agreement with its largest supplier on August 7, 2006, which obligates the Company to purchase increased levels of merchandise until 2012.  The Supply Agreement provided for a ramp-up period during 2006 and 2007 and, for five years beginning with calendar year 2008, requires the Company to purchase on an annual basis merchandise equal to the total number of stores open during such calendar year, multiplied by $180,000.  The Supply Agreement provides for penalties in the event the Company fails to attain the annual purchase commitment that would require the Company to pay the difference between the purchases for that year and the annual purchase commitment for that year. The Company is not aware of any reason or circumstance that would prevent the minimum purchase amount commitments under the Supply Agreement from being met.

Accounts receivable primarily represent amounts due from credit card companies and vendors for inventory rebates.  Management does not provide for doubtful accounts as such amounts have not been significant to date; the Company does not require collateral.
 
- 5 -

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Cash equivalents consist primarily of store cash funds and daily store receipts in transit to our concentration bank and are carried at cost.

The Company uses controlled disbursement banking arrangements as part of its cash management program.  Outstanding checks, which were included in accounts payable, totaled $1,231,812 at March 29, 2008 and $329,756 at December 29, 2007.  The increase in outstanding checks as of March 29, 2008 is due to the timing of payments in March 2008 compared to the timing of payments made in December.

Restricted cash represents funds on deposit established for the benefit of and under the control of Wells Fargo Retail Finance II, LLC, the Company’s lender under its line of credit, and constitutes collateral for amounts outstanding under the Company’s line of credit.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.  The fair value of borrowings under the Company’s line of credit approximates carrying value because the debt bears interest at a variable market rate.  The fair value of the capital lease obligations approximates the carrying value.   The fair value of the notes payable approximates the carrying value.   The fair value of the warrants was determined by using the Black-Scholes model (volatility of 108%, interest of 4.73% and expected life of five years).

Inventories

Inventories consist of party supplies and are valued at the lower of moving weighted-average cost or market.  Inventory has been reduced by an allowance for obsolete and excess inventory, which is based on management’s review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future sales.  The Company records vendor rebates, discounts and certain other adjustments to inventory, including freight costs, and these amounts are recognized in the income statement as the related goods are sold.

The activity in the allowance for obsolete and excess inventory is as follows:
 
   
Three months ended
    
Twelve months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Dec 29, 2007
  
Beginning balance
   $ 969,859     $ 1,079,814  
Increases to reserve
     75,000       263,847  
Write-offs against reserve
     (27,760 )     (373,802 )
Ending balance
   $ 1,017,099     $ 969,859  
 
 
- 6 -

Income Taxes

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) on December 31, 2006. At the adoption date and as of March 29, 2008, the Company had no material unrecognized tax benefits and no adjustments to liabilities, retained earnings or operations were required.

Net Loss per Share

Net income (loss) per basic share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  The common share equivalents of Series B-F are required to be excluded in the calculation of net income (loss) per basic share in accordance with EITF Consensus 03-6, Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under SFAS No. 128, which supersedes EITF Topic D-95, Effect of Participating Convertible Securities on the Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share. Since the preferred stockholders are entitled to participate in dividends when and if declared by the Board of Directors on the same basis as if the shares of Series B-F were converted to common stock, the application of EITF 03-6 has no effect on the amount of income (loss) per basic share of common stock.  For periods with net losses, the Company does not allocate losses to Series B-F preferred stock.

Net income (loss) per diluted share under EITF 03-6 is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, plus the common share equivalents of Series B-F preferred stock on an if-converted basis, plus the common share equivalents of the “in the money” stock options and warrants as computed by the treasury method.  For the periods with net losses, the Company excludes those common share equivalents since their impact would be anti-dilutive.

As of March 29, 2008, there were 28,235,321 potential additional common share equivalents outstanding, which were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the three months then ended because their effect would be anti-dilutive.  These included 15,493,183 shares upon the conversion of immediately convertible preferred stock, 2,083,334 shares upon the exercise of a warrant with an exercise price of $0.475 per share, 528,210 shares upon the exercise of warrants with a weighted average exercise price of $3.79 per share and 10,130,594 shares upon the exercise of stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $0.59 per share.

Stock Option Compensation Expense

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payments, using the modified prospective method.  Under this method, stock based compensation expense is recognized for new grants beginning in 2006 and any unvested grants prior to the adoption of Statement No. 123(R).  Prior to fiscal 2006, the Company accounted for share-based payments to employees using the Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and the disclosure-only provisions of Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.  Because the Company granted stock options to employees at exercise prices equal to fair market value on the date of grant, no stock based compensation cost was recognized for option grants in periods prior to fiscal 2006.

Under Statement No. 123(R), the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock based compensation.  The Black-Scholes model requires the Company to make several subjective assumptions, including the estimated length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (“expected term”), and the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term, which is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over a time period equal to the expected term.  The Black-Scholes model also requires a risk-free interest rate, which is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant, and the dividend yield on the Company’s common stock, which is assumed to be zero since the Company does not pay dividends and has no current plans to do so in the future.  Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock based compensation and consequently, the related expense recognized on the consolidated statement of operations.  Under the modified prospective method, stock based compensation expense is recognized for new grants beginning in the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006 and any unvested grants prior to the adoption of Statement No. 123(R). The Company recognizes stock based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of each grant.
 
- 7 -

The stock based compensation expense recognized by the Company was:
 
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
Stock Based Compensation Expense
   $ 42,106     $ 10,892  


Stock based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense and had no impact on cash flow from operations and cash flow from financing activities for the three months ended on March 29, 2008.

On September 26, 2007, the Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, extended the expiration date on options to purchase 970,087 shares of the Company’s common stock held by a former officer for an additional six months following his termination date, making the expiration date August 15, 2008.  As a result, additional stock based compensation of $14,569, representing the change in the fair value of these options immediately before and after this modification, was recorded as of September 26, 2007 as required by Statement No. 123(R).
 
Under the Company’s Amended and Restated 1998 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”) options to acquire 11,000,000 shares of common stock may be granted to officers, directors, key employees and consultants.  The exercise price for qualified incentive options cannot be less than the fair market value of the stock on the grant date and the exercise price of nonqualified options can be fixed by the Board. Options to purchase the Company's common stock under the 1998 Plan have been granted to employees, directors and consultants of the Company at fair market value at the date of grant.  Generally, the options become exercisable over periods of up to four years, and expire ten years from the date of grant.
 
There were no options granted in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 or the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

A summary of the Company's stock options is as follows:

                                 
Weighted
        
   
Number
    
Weighted
                      
Average
        
   
of
    
Average
                      
Remaining
    
Aggregate
  
   
Stock
    
Exercise
    
Price
    
Life
    
Intrinsic
  
   
Options
    
Price
    
Range
    
(Years)
    
Value
  
Outstanding - December 29, 2007
     10,130,594     $ 0.59     $ 0.13      
-
     $ 4.25              
Granted
     -       -       -      
-
       -              
Expired/Forfeited
     -       -       -      
-
       -              
Exercised
     -       -       -      
-
       -              
                                                     
Outstanding - March 29, 2008
     10,130,594     $ 0.59     $ 0.13      
-
     $ 4.25       4.2     $ 7,428  
                                                         
Exercisable - March 29, 2008
     8,828,858     $ 0.62     $ 0.13      
-
     $ 4.25       3.4     $ 7,428  
                                                         
Available for grant - March 29, 2008
     434,145                                                  
 
 
- 8 -
 
 
The following table summarizes information for options outstanding and exercisable at March 29, 2008:
 

                 
Outstanding
    
Exercisable
  
                       
Weighted
                    
                 
Number
    
Average
    
Weighted
    
Number
    
Weighted
  
                 
of
    
Remaining
    
Average
    
of
    
Average
  
                 
Stock
    
Life
    
Exercise
    
Stock
    
Exercise
  
Price Range
    
Options
    
(Years)
    
Price
    
Options
    
Price
  
$ 0.13       -     $ 0.20       139,250       3.4     $ 0.18       139,250     $ 0.18  
  0.21       -       0.30       3,788,682       2.6       0.25       3,788,682       0.25  
  0.31       -       0.50       2,474,527       7.0       0.39       1,180,176       0.36  
  0.51       -       1.00       3,086,935       4.5       0.77       3,079,550       0.78  
  1.01       -       3.50       541,200       1.3       2.33       541,200       2.33  
  3.51       -       4.25       100,000       1.7       4.14       100,000       4.14  
Total
                       10,130,594       4.2     $ 0.59       8,828,858     $ 0.62  
 
 
The remaining unrecognized stock based compensation expense related to unvested awards at March 29, 2008, was $321,366 and the period of time over which this expense will be recognized is 3.25 years.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.  A listing of the estimated useful life of the various categories of property and equipment is as follows:
 
Asset Classification
  
Estimated Useful Life
Leasehold improvements
  
Lesser of term of lease or 10 years
Furniture and fixtures
  
7 years
Computer hardware and software
  
3 years
Equipment
  
5 years
 
Intangible Assets

On August 15, 2007, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to purchase two franchised Party City Corporation retail stores in Lincoln, Rhode Island and Warwick, Rhode Island, in exchange for aggregate consideration of $1,350,000 plus up to $400,000 for associated inventory. On January 2, 2008, the Company completed the purchase of the two stores. The aggregate consideration paid was $1,350,000 plus approximately $195,000 for associated inventory. Funding for the purchase was obtained from the Company’s existing line of credit with Wells Fargo Retail Finance. The stores were converted into iParty stores immediately following the closing of the transaction.
 
Intangible assets consist primarily of the values of two non-compete agreements acquired in conjunction with the purchase of retail stores in 2006 and 2008, and the values of retail store leases acquired in those transactions.  The values of $750,000 and $475,000 ascribed to the intangible assets for the non-compete agreement and occupancy valuations, respectively, related to the 2008 Rhode Island stores acquisition are based on preliminary valuations which are subject to revision upon finalization of these valuations.

The first non-compete agreement, from Party City Corporation and its affiliates,  covers Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Windsor and New London counties in Connecticut, and expires in 2011.  The second non-compete agreement was acquired in connection with the Company’s purchase in January 2008 of the two party supply stores in Lincoln and Warwick, Rhode Island described above. It covers Rhode Island for five years from the date of closing and the rest of New England for three years. Both non-compete agreements have an estimated life of 60 months.

- 9 -
 
The occupancy valuations related to acquired retail store leases are for stores in Peabody, Massachusetts (estimated life of 90 months), Lincoln, Rhode Island (estimated life of 156 months) and Warwick, Rhode Island (estimated life of 120 months). Intangible assets also include legal and other transaction costs incurred related to the purchase of the Peabody, Lincoln and Warwick stores.

Intangible assets as of March 29, 2008 and December 29, 2007 were:
 
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Dec 29, 2007
  
Non-compete agreement
   $ 2,369,540       1,688,346  
Occupancy valuation
     950,716       449,716  
Other
     157,855       182,048  
                 
Intangible assets
     3,478,111       2,320,110  
                 
Less: accumulated amortization
     (716,071 )     (563,310 )
                 
Intangible assets, net
   $ 2,762,040     $ 1,756,800  

Amortization expense for these intangible assets was:
 
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
Amortization expense
   $ 152,760     $ 101,586  
 
The amortization expense for the non-compete agreement and other intangible assets is included in general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  The amortization expense for occupancy valuation is included in cost of products sold and occupancy costs.

Future amortization expense related to these intangible assets as of March 29, 2008 is:
 
Year
  
Amount
  
2008
   $ 458,281  
2009
     611,041  
2010
     611,041  
2011
     470,346  
2012
     273,372  
Thereafter
     337,959  
Total
   $ 2,762,040  

Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company reviews each store for impairment indicators whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable from estimated future store cash flows.  The Company’s review considers store operating results, future sales growth and cash flows.   During the third quarter of 2007, the Company decided to close its stores in North Providence, Rhode Island and Auburn, Massachusetts at the end of their lease terms, which expired on January 31, 2008.  No material impairment costs were incurred as a result of that decision.  As of March 29, 2008, the Company does not believe that any of its remaining assets are impaired.
 
- 10 -

Notes Payable

Notes payable consist of three notes entered into in fiscal 2006.

The “Highbridge Note” is a subordinated note in the stated principal amount of $2,500,000 that bears interest at the rate of prime plus one percent.  The note matures on September 15, 2009.  Interest only is payable quarterly in arrears and the entire principal balance is due at the maturity date. The original discount associated with the warrant issued in conjunction with the Highbridge Note (original discount amount $613,651) is being amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the note payable. The note payable balance of $2,210,220 as of March 29, 2008 is presented net of the remaining unamortized discount.

The “Amscan Note” is a subordinated promissory note in the original principal amount of $1,819,373, with a balance as of March 29, 2008 of $983,946. The note bears interest at the rate of 11.0% per annum and is payable in thirty-six (36) equal monthly installments of principal and interest of $59,562 beginning on November 1, 2006, and on the first day of each month thereafter until October 1, 2009, when the entire remaining principal balance and all accrued interest are due and payable.

The “Party City Note” is a subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $600,000.   The note bears interest at the rate of 12.25% per annum and is payable by quarterly interest-only payments over four years, with the full principal amount due at the note’s maturity on August 7, 2010.

On August 7, 2006, the Company entered into a Supply Agreement with Amscan Inc. (“Amscan”), the largest supplier in the party goods industry.

The Supply Agreement with Amscan gives the Company the right to receive certain additional rebates and more favorable pricing terms over the term of the agreement than generally were available to the Company under its previous terms with Amscan.  The right to receive additional rebates, and the amount of such rebates, are subject to the Company’s achievement of increased levels of purchases and other factors provided for in the Supply Agreement.  In exchange, the Supply Agreement obligates the Company to purchase increased levels of merchandise from Amscan until 2012.  The Supply Agreement provided for a ramp-up period during 2006 and 2007 and, beginning with calendar year 2008, requires the Company to purchase on an annual basis merchandise equal to the total number of its stores open during such calendar year, multiplied by $180,000.  The Supply Agreement provides for penalties in the event the Company fails to attain the annual purchase commitment.

The Supply Agreement also provided for Amscan to extend, until October 31, 2006, approximately $1,150,000 of certain currently due Amscan payables owed by the Company to Amscan which would otherwise have been payable on August 8, 2006 (the “extended payables”) and gave the Company the right, at its option, to convert the extended payables into a subordinated promissory note. On October 24, 2006, the Company converted $1,143,896 of extended payables originally due to Amscan as of August 8, 2006 as well as an additional $675,477 of payables due to Amscan as of September 28, 2006 into a single subordinated promissory note in the total principal amount of $1,819,373 (the “Amscan Note”).

On August 7, 2006, the Company also entered into and simultaneously closed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Party City, an affiliate of Amscan, pursuant to which the Company acquired a Party City retail party goods store in Peabody, Massachusetts and received a five-year non-competition covenant from Party City, for aggregate consideration of $2,450,000, payable by a subordinated note in the principal amount of $600,000 (the “Party City Note”) and $1,850,000 in cash.

Stockholders’ Equity

During the three months ended March 29, 2008, there were no exercises of stock options; 16,745 shares of common stock were issued upon conversion of Series B convertible preferred stock.
 
- 11 -

Fair Value Measurements

Effective December 30, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 also describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure the fair value:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 – observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 3 – unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions

The adoption of SFAS No. 157 had no effect on the Company's financial statements and related disclosures since the Company does not have financial assets or liabilities on a recurring basis that are subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 157.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
 
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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007.

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, particularly statements contained in this Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend” and other similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying them.  Forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or hereafter included in other publicly available documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), reports to our stockholders and other publicly available statements issued or released by us involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause our actual results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements to differ from the future results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.  Such future results are based upon our best estimates based upon current conditions and the most recent results of operations.  Various risks, uncertainties and contingencies could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  These include, but are not limited to, those described below under the heading “Factors That May Affect Future Results” and in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” as well as under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007.

Overview

We believe we are a leading brand in the party industry in the markets we serve and a leading resource in those markets for consumers seeking party goods, party planning advice and relevant information.  We are a party goods retailer operating stores throughout New England, where 45 of our 50 retail stores are located.  We also license the name “iparty.com” (at www.iparty.com) to a third party in exchange for royalties, which to date have not been significant.

Our 50 retail stores are located predominantly in New England with 25 stores in Massachusetts, 7 in Connecticut, 6 in New Hampshire, 3 in Rhode Island, 3 in Maine and 1 in Vermont.  We also operate 5 stores in Florida.  Our stores range in size from approximately 8,000 square feet to 20,300 square feet and average approximately 10,200 square feet in size.  We lease our properties, typically for 10 years and usually with options from our landlords to renew our leases for an additional 5 or 10 years.

The following table shows the number of stores in operation:
 
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
Beginning of period
     50       50  
Openings / Acquisitions
     2       -  
Closings
     2       -  
End of period
     50       50  

Our stores feature over 20,000 products ranging from paper party goods, Halloween costumes, greeting cards and balloons to more unique merchandise such as piñatas, tiny toys, masquerade and Hawaiian Luau items.  Our sales are driven by the following holiday and party events:  Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, New Year’s, Independence Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and professional sports playoff events.  We also focus our business closely on lifetime events such as anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, and bridal or baby showers.
 
- 13 -
 
Trends and Quarterly Summary

Our business has a seasonal pattern.  In the past three years, we have realized approximately 36.5% of our annual revenues in our fourth quarter, which includes Halloween and Christmas, and approximately 23.8% of our revenues in the second quarter, which includes school graduations.  Also, during the past three years, we have had net income in our second and fourth quarters and generated losses in our first and third quarters.

For the first quarter of 2008, our consolidated revenues were $16.1 million, compared to $15.6 million for the first quarter in 2007. The increase in first quarter revenues from the year-ago period included a 2.2% increase in comparable store sales from stores open more than one year. The increase in consolidated revenue was primarily due to an extra pre-New Years Eve shopping day and increased sales around the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl. Consolidated gross profit margin was 38.2% for the first quarter of 2008 compared to a margin of 39.7% for the same period in 2007. The decline in gross margins was substantially due to one time opening expenses for our two recently acquired stores in Rhode Island, and discounts taken to clear out excess holiday inventories. Consolidated net loss for the first quarter of 2008 was $1.9 million, or $0.08 per share, compared to consolidated net loss of $1.5 million, or $0.07 per share, for the first quarter in 2007.

For the remainder of 2008, we plan to leverage our occupancy costs, marketing and sales expense and general and administrative expenses by focusing on increasing sales in our comparable stores, opening or acquiring additional retail stores, closing underperforming stores as their lease terms expire, and/or opening temporary Halloween stores.

Acquisitions

We operate in a largely un-branded market that has many small businesses.  As a result, we have considered, and may continue to consider, growing our business through acquisitions of other entities.  Any determination to make an acquisition will be based upon a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the purchase price and other financial terms of the transaction, the entities’ prospects, geographical location and the extent to which any acquisition would enhance our operating results and financial position.

On August 15, 2007, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to purchase two franchised Party City Corporation retail stores in Lincoln, Rhode Island and Warwick, Rhode Island, in exchange for aggregate consideration of $1,350,000 plus up to $400,000 for associated inventory. On January 2, 2008, we completed the purchase of the two stores. The aggregate consideration paid was $1,350,000 plus approximately $195,000 for associated inventory. The values of $750,000 and $475,000 ascribed to the intangible assets for the non-compete agreement and occupancy valuations, respectively, related to the 2008 Rhode Island stores acquisition are based on preliminary valuations which are subject to revision upon finalization of these valuations. Funding for the purchase was obtained from our existing line of credit with Wells Fargo Retail Finance. The stores were converted into iParty stores immediately following the closing of the transaction.

Results of Operations

Fiscal year 2008 has 52 weeks and ends on December 27, 2008.  Fiscal year 2007 had 52 weeks and ended on December 29, 2007.

The first quarter of fiscal year 2008 had 13 weeks and ended on March 29, 2008.  The first quarter of fiscal year 2007 had 13 weeks and ended on March 31, 2007.
 
- 14 -
 
Three Months Ended March 29, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

Revenues

Revenues include the selling price of party goods sold, net of returns and discounts, and are recognized at the point of sale.  Our consolidated revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 were $16,144,088, an increase of $544,929, or 3.5% from the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.
 
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
Revenues
   $ 16,144,088     $ 15,599,159  
                 
Increase in revenues
     3.5 %     15.2 %

Sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 included sales from 48 comparable stores (defined as stores open for at least one full year) and two stores that were acquired in January 2008. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased by 2.2%.

Cost of products sold and occupancy costs

Cost of products sold and occupancy costs consist of the cost of merchandise sold to customers and the occupancy costs for our stores.  Our cost of products sold and occupancy costs for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 were $9,983,347, or 61.8% of revenues, an increase of $576,573 and an increase of 1.5 percentage points, as a percentage of revenues, from the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
Cost of products sold and occupancy costs
   $ 9,983,347     $ 9,406,774  
                 
Percentage of revenues
     61.8 %     60.3 %

 As a percentage of revenues, the increase in cost of products sold and occupancy costs was primarily attributable to clearance markdowns of seasonal product, taken to clear out excess holiday inventories. The excess holiday inventories were caused by sluggish sales in December 2007, due in part to unusually inclement weather in New England.

 Marketing and sales expense

Marketing and sales expense consists primarily of advertising and promotional expenditures, all store payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities and other non-payroll expenses associated with operating our stores.  Our consolidated marketing and sales expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $5,849,752, or 36.2% of revenues, an increase of $263,678 and an increase of 0.4 percentage points, as a percentage of revenues, from the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.
 
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
Marketing and sales
   $ 5,849,752     $ 5,586,074  
                 
Percentage of revenues
     36.2 %     35.8 %

As a percentage of revenues, the increase in marketing and sales expense was primarily attributable to preopening expenses associated with the two Rhode Island stores that were acquired on January 2, 2008.
 
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General and administrative expense

General and administrative (“G&A”) expense consists of payroll and related expenses for executive, merchandising, finance and administrative personnel, as well as information technology, professional fees and other general corporate expenses.  Our consolidated G&A expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $1,963,165, or 12.2% of revenues, an increase of $80,308 and an increase of 0.1 percentage points, as a percentage of revenues, from the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.
 
   
For the three months ended
  
   
Mar 29, 2008
    
Mar 31, 2007
  
General and administrative
   $ 1,963,165     $ 1,882,857  
                 
Percentage of revenues
     12.2 %     12.1 %
 
As a percentage of revenues, the increase in general and administrative expense was primarily attributable to amortization of the intangible assets associated with the two Rhode Island stores that were acquired on January 2, 2008.

Operating loss

Our operating loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $1,652,176, or 10.2% of revenues, compared to an operating loss of $1,276,546, or 8.2% of revenues for the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Interest expense

Our interest expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $214,028, a decrease of $14,016 from the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was primarily due to a lower effective rate for borrowings under our line of credit in the first quarter of 2008 versus the first quarter of 2007.

Income taxes

We have not provided for income taxes for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 or fiscal 2007 due to the availability of net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards to eliminate taxable income during those periods. No benefit has been recognized with respect to NOL carryforwards due to the uncertainty of future taxable income.

At the end of fiscal 2007, we had estimated net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $21.2 million, which begin to expire in 2018.  In accordance with Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the use of these carryforwards will be subject to annual limitations based upon certain ownership changes of our stock that have occurred or that may occur.

Net Loss

Our net loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $1,864,528, or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1,502,856, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, in the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.

 
- 16 -
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary uses of cash are:

·  
purchases of inventory, including purchases under our Supply Agreement with Amscan, as described more fully below;
·  
occupancy expenses of our stores;
·  
employee salaries; and
·  
new store openings, including acquisitions.

Our primary sources of cash are:

·  
cash from operating activities; and
·  
debt, including our line of credit and notes payable.

Our prospective cash flows are subject to certain trends, events and uncertainties, including demands for capital to support growth, improve our infrastructure, respond to economic conditions, and meet contractual commitments.  We expect our capital expenditures for 2008 to include amounts related to improving existing stores and possibly amounts related to asset purchases for new stores and other expenditures related to opening new stores.  We believe, based on our current operating plan, that anticipated revenues from operations and borrowings available under our existing line of credit will be sufficient to fund our operations, working capital requirements and capital expenditures through the next twelve months.  In the event that our operating plan changes due to changes in our strategic plans, lower-than-expected revenues, unanticipated expenses, increased competition, unfavorable economic conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, our liquidity may be negatively impacted.  If so, we would be required to adjust our expenditures in 2008 to conserve working capital or raise additional capital, possibly including debt or equity financing, to fund operations and our growth strategy.  There can be no assurance, that, should we seek or require additional financing, such financing will be available, if at all, on terms and conditions acceptable to us, affecting our ability to effectuate our acquisition strategy.

Our operating activities used $34,354 in the first three months of fiscal 2008 compared to $1,803,153 used in the first three months of the prior fiscal year, a decrease of $1,768,799.  The decrease in cash used in operating activities was primarily due to higher accounts payable growth.  The higher accounts payable growth is primarily related to differences in the timing of payments to vendors at year end 2007 compared to the timing of those payments at year end 2006.

We used $1,657,523 in investing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2008 compared to $112,046 in the first three months of the prior fiscal year, an increase of $1,545,477.  The cash invested in the first three months of fiscal 2008 was primarily due to the acquisition in January 2008 of two retail stores located in Rhode Island and the related non-compete agreement (see discussion below).  The cash invested in the first three months of fiscal 2007 was primarily due to fixture and equipment improvements in our existing retail stores, plus the implementation of a new human resource information and payroll system.

Our financing activities provided $1,686,561 in the first three months of fiscal 2008 compared to providing $1,218,346 in the first three months of the prior fiscal year, an increase of $468,215.  The increase was primarily related to the borrowings in 2008 to finance the acquisition of the two retail stores located in Rhode Island and the non-compete agreement.

As mentioned above, on January 2, 2008, we completed the purchase from the franchisees of two franchised Party City Corporation (“Party City”) retail stores in Lincoln, Rhode Island and Warwick, Rhode Island.  The purchase was made pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement entered into on August 15, 2007 (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”). The aggregate consideration for the assets purchased and related non-competition covenants was $1,350,000, plus approximately $195,000 for associated inventory, paid in cash at closing, on terms and conditions specified in the Asset Purchase Agreement.  Funding for the purchase was obtained from our existing line of credit with Wells Fargo Retail Finance II, LLC (“Wells Fargo”). Both locations were converted into iParty stores immediately following the closing.
 
- 17 -
 
We have a line of credit (the “line”) with Wells Fargo, which expires on January 2, 2010.  The maximum loan amount available under the line of credit with Wells Fargo is $12,500,000, which may be increased up to a maximum level of $15,000,000, upon 15 days written notice, as long as we are in compliance with all debt covenants and the other provisions of the loan agreement.   The agreement permits us, at our option, to use the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) for certain of our borrowings rather than the bank’s base rate.  Borrowings under our line of credit are secured by our inventory and accounts receivable. We borrow against these assets at agreed upon advance rates, which vary at different times of the year.

Our inventory consists of party supplies which are valued at the lower of weighted-average cost or market and are reduced by an allowance for obsolete and excess inventory and other adjustments, including vendor rebates, discounts and freight costs.  Our line of credit availability calculation allows us to borrow against “acceptable inventory at cost”, which is based on our inventory at cost and applies adjustments that our lender has approved, which may be different than adjustments we use for valuing our inventory in our financial statements, such as the adjustment to reserve for inventory shortage.  The amount of “acceptable inventory at cost” was approximately $15,200,226 at March 29, 2008.

Our accounts receivable consist primarily of vendor rebate receivables and credit card receivables.  Our line of credit availability calculation allows us to borrow against “eligible credit card receivables”, which are the credit card receivables for the previous two to three days of business.  The amount of “eligible credit card receivables” was approximately $210,112 at March 29, 2008.

Our total borrowing base is determined by adding the “acceptable inventory at cost” times an agreed upon advance rate plus the “eligible credit card receivables” times an agreed upon advance rate but not to exceed our established credit limit, which was $12.5 million at March 29, 2008.  Under the terms of our line of credit, our $12,500,000 credit limit was further reduced by (1) a minimum availability block, (2) customer deposits, (3) gift certificates, (4) merchandise credits and (5) outstanding letters of credit. The amounts outstanding under our line were $4,121,547 at March 29, 2008 and $2,458,525 as of March 31, 2007.  Therefore, our additional availability was $3,906,743 at March 29, 2008 and $4,867,362 at March 31, 2007.

The outstanding balances under our line are classified as current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets since we are required to apply daily lock-box receipts to reduce the amount outstanding.

Our line of credit includes a number of covenants, including a financial covenant requiring us to maintain a minimum availability under the line of 5% of the credit limit.  The agreement also has a covenant that requires us to limit our capital expenditures to within 110% of those amounts included in our business plan, which may be updated from time to time.   At March 29, 2008, we were in compliance with these financial covenants.

On January 17, 2006, we amended our line to allow for a $500,000 term loan, which increased our borrowing base, but was contained within the $12.5 million credit limit.  The interest rate on the term loan was the bank’s prime rate plus 125 basis points. During the time the term loan remained outstanding, the interest rate on the line of credit was the bank’s base rate plus 75 basis points.  The term loan had an amended maturity date of October 31, 2007.  We repaid the term loan on March 2, 2007.

On August 7, 2006, we amended our agreement with Wells Fargo to permit us to enter into a Supply Agreement with Amscan and an Asset Purchase Agreement with Party City.  The amendment also allows for us to incur the indebtedness represented by the Amscan Note, defined below, and the Party City Note, defined below, and to incur other unsecured subordinated indebtedness consented to by Wells Fargo.

Our Supply Agreement with Amscan gives us the right to receive certain additional rebates and more favorable pricing terms over the term of the agreement than generally were available to us under our previous terms with Amscan.  The right to receive additional rebates, and the amount of such rebates, are subject to our achievement of increased levels of purchases and other factors provided for in the Supply Agreement.  In exchange, the Supply Agreement obligates us to purchase increased levels of merchandise from Amscan until 2012.  The Supply Agreement provided for a ramp-up period during 2006 and 2007 and, for five years beginning with calendar year 2008, requires us to purchase on an annual basis merchandise equal to the total number of our stores open during such calendar year, multiplied by $180,000.  The Supply Agreement provides for penalties in the event we fail to attain the annual purchase commitment that would require us to pay to Amscan the difference between the purchases for that year and the annual purchase commitment for that year. Although we do not expect to incur any penalties under this supply agreement, if they were to occur, there could be a material adverse effect on our uses and sources of cash.

- 18 -
 
The Supply Agreement also provided for Amscan to extend, until October 31, 2006, approximately $1,150,000 of certain currently due Amscan payables owed by us to Amscan which would otherwise have been payable by us on August 8, 2006 (the “extended payables”) and gave us the right, at our option, to convert the extended payables into a subordinated promissory note.

On October 24, 2006, we elected to convert $1,143,896 of extended payables originally due to Amscan as of August 8, 2006 as well as an additional $675,477 of payables due to Amscan as of September 28, 2006 into a single subordinated promissory note in the total principal amount of $1,819,373 (“the Amscan Note”).  The Amscan Note  bears interest at the rate of 11.0% per annum and is payable in thirty-six (36) equal monthly installments of principal and interest of $59,562.48 commencing on November 1, 2006, and on the first day of each month thereafter until October 1, 2009, when the entire remaining principal balance and all accrued interest is due and payable.

On August 7, 2006, we also entered into and simultaneously closed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Party City, an affiliate of Amscan, pursuant to which we acquired a Party City retail party goods store in Peabody, Massachusetts and received a five-year non-competition covenant from Party City, for aggregate consideration of $2,450,000, payable by a subordinated note in the principal amount of $600,000, which will bear interest at the rate of 12.25% per annum (the “Party City Note”) and $1,850,000 in cash.  The Party City Note is payable by quarterly interest-only payments over four years, with the full principal amount due at the note’s maturity on August 7, 2010.

On September 15, 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we raised $2.5 million through a combination of subordinated debt and warrants issued to Highbridge International LLC (“Highbridge”), an institutional accredited investor.

Under the terms of the financing, we issued Highbridge a three-year $2.5 million subordinated note (the “Highbridge Note”) that bears interest at an interest rate of prime plus one percent.  The Highbridge Note matures on September 15, 2009.  In addition, we issued Highbridge a warrant (the “Highbridge Warrant”) exercisable for 2,083,334 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.475 per share, or 125% of the closing price of our common stock on the day immediately prior to the closing of the transaction.  We allocated approximately $613,651 of value to the Highbridge Warrant using the Black-Scholes model with volatility of 108%, interest of 4.73% and expected life of five years.  The Highbridge Warrant is being amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the Highbridge Note.  The agreements entered into in connection with the financing provide for certain restrictions and covenants consistent with Highbridge’s status as a subordinated lender, and also grant Highbridge resale registration rights with respect to the shares of common stock underlying the Highbridge Warrant.

The issuance of the Highbridge Warrant triggered certain anti-dilution provisions of our Series B, C, and D convertible preferred stock.  As a result, the outstanding shares of these three series of preferred stock are now convertible into an aggregate of 442,354 additional shares of common stock.  The issuance of the Highbridge Warrant, however, did not trigger the anti-dilution provisions of our Series E or F convertible preferred stock or any of our other outstanding warrants.
 
- 19 -

Contractual obligations at March 29, 2008 were as follows:
 
   
Payments Due By Period
  
         
Within
    
Within
              
   
Within
    
2 - 3
    
4 - 5
    
After
        
   
1 Year
    
Years
    
Years
    
5 Years
    
Total
  
Line of credit
   $ 4,128,730     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 4,128,730  
Capital lease obligations
     35,012       511       -       -       35,523  
Notes payable
     938,250       3,627,126       -       -       4,565,376  
Supply agreement
     8,912,922       18,000,000       15,750,000       -       42,662,922  
Operating leases (including retail space leases)
     8,825,904       15,799,022       10,815,983       8,505,084       43,945,993  
Total contractual obligations
   $ 22,840,818     $ 37,426,659     $ 26,565,983     $ 8,505,084     $ 95,338,544  
 
In addition, at March 29, 2008, we had outstanding purchase orders totaling approximately $4,971,419 for the acquisition of inventory and non-inventory items that are scheduled for delivery after March 29, 2008.

Seasonality

Due to the seasonality of our business, sales and operating income are typically higher in our second and fourth quarters.  Our business is highly dependent upon sales of graduation and summer merchandise in the second quarter and sales of Halloween and Christmas merchandise in the fourth quarter.  We have historically operated at a loss during the first and third quarters.

Geographic Concentration

As of March 29, 2008, we operated a total of 50 stores, 45 of which are located in New England.  As a result, a severe or prolonged regional recession or regional changes in demographics, employment levels, population, weather patterns, real estate market conditions, consumer confidence and spending patterns or other factors specific to the New England region may adversely affect us more than a company that is more geographically diverse.

Effects of Inflation

While we do not view the effects of inflation as having a direct material effect upon our business, we believe that volatility in oil and gasoline prices impacts the cost of producing petroleum-based/plastic products, which are a key raw material in much of our merchandise, and also impacts prices to ship products made overseas in foreign countries, such as China, which includes much of our merchandise.  Volatile oil and gasoline prices also impact our freight costs, and consumer confidence and spending patterns.  These and other issues directly or indirectly affecting our vendors, our customers and us could adversely affect our business and financial performance.

Factors That May Affect Future Results

Our business is subject to certain risks that could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations, and the value of our common stock. These risks include, but are not limited to, the ones described under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007 and Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including this one.  Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we may currently deem immaterial, may become important factors that harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, or the value of our common stock.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial statements are based on the application of significant accounting policies, many of which require our management to make significant estimates and assumptions (see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements).  We believe the following accounting policies to be those most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and those that require the most subjective judgment.  If actual results differ significantly from management’s estimates and projections, there could be a material effect on our financial statements.
 
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Inventory and Related Allowance for Obsolete and Excess Inventory

Our inventory consists of party supplies and is valued at the lower of moving weighted-average cost or market.  We record vendor rebates, discounts and certain other adjustments to inventory, including freight costs, and we recognize these amounts in the income statement as the related goods are sold.

During each interim reporting period, we estimate the impact on cost of products sold associated with inventory shortage.  The actual inventory shortage is determined upon reconciliation of the annual physical inventory, which occurs shortly before and after our year end, and an adjustment to cost of products sold is recorded at the end of the fourth quarter to recognize the difference between the estimated and actual inventory shortage for the full year.  The adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2007 included an estimated reduction of $123,249 to the cost of products sold during the previous three quarters.  The adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2006 included an estimated reduction of $251,806 to the cost of products sold during the previous three quarters.  The adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2005 included an estimated reduction of $175,884 to the cost of products sold during the previous three quarters.

We also make adjustments to reduce the value of our inventory for an allowance for obsolete and excess inventory, which is based on our review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future sales. We conduct reviews periodically throughout the year on each stock keeping unit (“SKU”). As we identify obsolete and excess inventory, we take immediate measures to reduce our inventory risk on these items and we adjust our allowance accordingly. Thus, actual results could differ from our estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues include the selling price of party goods sold, net of returns and discounts, and are recognized at the point of sale. We estimate returns based upon historical return rates and such amounts have not been significant.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of the values of two non-compete agreements acquired in conjunction with the purchase of retail stores in 2006 and 2008, and the values of retail store leases acquired in those transactions.

The first non-compete agreement, from Party City Corporation and its affiliates,  covers Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Windsor and New London counties in Connecticut, and expires in 2011.  The second non-compete agreement was acquired in connection with the Company’s purchase in January 2008 of two party supply stores in Lincoln and Warwick, Rhode Island from the franchisees. The acquired Rhode Island stores had been operated as Party City franchise stores, and were converted to iParty stores immediately following the closing. The second non-compete agreement covers Rhode Island for five years from the date of closing and the rest of New England for three years. Both non-compete agreements have an estimated life of 60 months.

The occupancy valuations related to acquired retail store leases are for stores in Peabody, Massachusetts (estimated life of 90 months), Lincoln, Rhode Island (estimated life of 156 months) and Warwick, Rhode Island (estimated life of 120 months). Intangible assets also include legal and other transaction costs incurred related to the purchase of the Peabody, Lincoln and Warwick stores.
 
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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, we perform a review of each store for impairment indicators whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable from estimated future store cash flows.  Our review considers store operating results, future sales growth and cash flows.  The conclusion regarding impairment may differ from current estimates if underlying assumptions or business strategies change.  As of December 29, 2007, we planned to close two stores in early January 2008, at the end of their lease terms.  These two stores were closed as planned. No impairment charges were required for these stores, as the assets related to them have been fully amortized, except for immaterial amounts, and no liability existed for future lease costs. We are not aware of any impairment indicators for any of our remaining stores at March 29, 2008.

Income Taxes

Historically, we have not recognized an income tax benefit for our losses. Accordingly, we record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets because of the uncertainty of future taxable income and the realizability of the deferred tax assets.  In determining if a valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset is appropriate, we consider both positive and negative evidence.  The positive evidence that we considered included (1) we were profitable in 2007 and 2006, (2) we have achieved positive comparable store sales growth for the last six years and (3) we had improved merchandise margins in 2007.  The negative evidence that we considered included (1) we realized a net loss in 2005, (2) our merchandise margins decreased in 2006 and 2005, (3) our future profitability is vulnerable to certain risks, including (a) the risk that we may not be able to generate significant taxable income to fully utilize our net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $21.2 million, (b) the risk of unseasonable weather and other factors in a single geographic region, New England, where our stores are concentrated, (c) the risk of being so dependent upon a single season, Halloween, for a significant amount of annual sales and profitability and (d) the risk of fluctuating prices for petroleum products, which are a key raw material for much of our merchandise and which affect our freight costs and those of our suppliers and affect our customers’ spending levels and patterns, (4) the costs that opening or acquiring new stores will put pressure on our profit margins until these stores reach maturity, (5) the expected costs of increased regulatory compliance, including, without limitation, those associated with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, will likely have a negative impact on our profitability.

The negative evidence is strong enough for us to conclude that the level of our future profitability is uncertain at this time. We believe that it is prudent for us to maintain a valuation allowance until we have a longer track record of profitability and we can reduce our exposure to the risks described above.  Should we determine that we will be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to our deferred tax assets would increase income in the period we made such a determination.

We adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN48”) on December 31, 2006.  At the adoption date and as of March 29, 2008, we had no material unrecognized tax benefits and no adjustments to liabilities, retained earnings or operations were required.

Stock Option Compensation Expense

On January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement No. 123(R) using the modified prospective method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of Statement No. 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of Statement No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of Statement No. 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.  Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for our stock option compensation agreements with employees under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and the disclosure-only provisions of Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 123.
 
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Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Our actual results could differ from our estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

 
No new accounting pronouncements were issued during the quarter ended March 29, 2008 that are expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.


There has been no material change in our market risk exposure since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.


(a)         Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of iParty (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of March 29, 2008, the end of the fiscal quarter to which this report relates, that iParty's disclosure controls and procedures: are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by iParty in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by iParty in such reports is accumulated and communicated to iParty's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  iParty’s disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance of reaching iParty’s disclosure requirements and are effective in reaching that level of assurance.

(b)         Changes in Internal Controls.  No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
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The Company is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine matters incidental to its business, which we do not expect, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.


There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2008.


Not applicable.


Not applicable.


Not applicable.


Not applicable.


The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
iPARTY CORP.
  
       
 
By:
/s/ SAL PERISANO     
  
   
Sal Perisano
  
   
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
  
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
  
       
 
By:
/s/ DAVID ROBERTSON 
  
   
David Robertson
  
   
Chief Financial Officer
  
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  
       
       
Dated: May 9, 2008
      
 
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EXHIBIT
NUMBER 
 DESCRIPTION 
Ex. 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Ex. 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Ex. 32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Ex. 32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
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