10-K 1 a2202311z10-k.htm 10-K

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-K

(Mark One)    

ý

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

OR

o

 

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

For the transition period from                                to                               

Commission file number 000-49799

OVERSTOCK.COM, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  87-0634302
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

6350 South 3000 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(801) 947-3100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

         Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value   Nasdaq Global Market

         Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

         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 o    No ý

         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 ý    No o

         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 o    No o

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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. Yes ý    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 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 o   Accelerated filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

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

         The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second quarter (June 30, 2010), was approximately $150.3 million based upon the last sales price reported by NASDAQ. For purposes of this disclosure, shares of Common Stock held by persons who hold more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and shares held by officers and directors of the registrant have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination is not necessarily conclusive.

         As of February 11, 2011 there were 23,249,437 shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Certain information required by Part III of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the Registrant's proxy statement for the 2011 Annual Stockholders Meeting, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Report relates.


OVERSTOCK.COM, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
INDEX

 
   
  Page  

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    ii  

Part I

           

Item 1.

 

Business

    1  

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

    9  

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

    35  

Item 2.

 

Properties

    35  

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

    35  

Item 4.

 

Removed and Reserved

    35  

Part II

           

Item 5.

 

Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

    36  

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

    41  

Item 7.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    43  

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    74  

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

    74  

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

    74  

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

    75  

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

    77  

Part III

           

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

    78  

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

    78  

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

    78  

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

    78  

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

    78  

Part IV

           

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

    79  

Signatures

       

Financial Statements

       

        O, Overstock.com, O.com, Worldstock Fair Trade, and Worldstock are registered trademarks, and Club O, Eziba, O.biz, O.co, Main Street Revolution and Worldstock Fair Trade are trademarks of Overstock.com, Inc. The Overstock.com, O.co and Worldstock.com logos are also trademarks of Overstock.com, Inc. Other service marks, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Form 10-K are property of their respective owners.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are therefore entitled to the protection of the safe harbor provisions of these laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. The forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, all statements regarding:

    the anticipated benefits and risks of our business and plans;

    our ability to attract and retain customers in a cost-efficient manner;

    the effectiveness of our marketing;

    our future operating and financial results;

    the competition we face and will face in our business;

    the effects of government regulation;

    our future capital requirements and our ability to satisfy our capital needs;

    our expectations regarding the adequacy of our liquidity;

    our ability to repurchase or retire or refinance our publicly traded debt;

    our expansion in international markets;

    our plans for changes to our business;

    our beliefs regarding current or future litigation or regulatory actions;

    our expectations regarding existing and future tax laws and related laws and the application of those laws to our business;

    our expectations regarding the adequacy of our insurance coverages;

    the adequacy of our infrastructure, including our backup facilities and our disaster planning;

    our belief that we can meet our published product shipping standards even during periods of relatively high sales activity;

    our belief that we can maintain or improve upon customer service levels that we and our customers consider acceptable;

    our expectations regarding the adequacy of our order processing systems and our fulfillment and distribution capabilities;

    our beliefs regarding the adequacy of our customer service capabilities;

    our expectations regarding the adequacy of our office and warehouse facilities;

    our expectations regarding our auctions service, our international sales efforts, our real estate listing service, our car listing service and our community site, and the anticipated functionality and results of operations of any of them;

    our belief that we and our fulfillment partners will be able to maintain inventory levels at appropriate levels despite the seasonal nature of our business; and

    our belief that we can successfully offer and sell a constantly changing mix of products and services.

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        Furthermore, in some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, will, could, should, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential or continue, the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider the risks outlined in this Form 10-K, including those described in Item 1A under the caption "Risk Factors." These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statement. Except as otherwise required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any of our forward-looking statements are based. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

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PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

        The following description of our business contains forward-looking statements relating to future events or our future financial or operating performance that involve risks and uncertainties, as set forth above under "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth in Section 1A under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

Introduction

        We are an online retailer offering discount brand name, non-brand name and closeout merchandise, including bed-and-bath goods, home décor, kitchenware, furniture, watches and jewelry, apparel, electronics and computers, sporting goods, and designer accessories, among other products. We also sell hundreds of thousands of best seller and current run books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and video games ("BMMG"). We sell these products through our Internet websites located at www.overstock.com and www.o.co ("Website"). We also operate as part of our Website an online auctions business—a marketplace for the buying and selling of goods and services—and online sites for listing cars and real estate for sale. In October 2009, we also launched O.biz, a website where customers can shop for bulk and business related items. In August 2010, we introduced Eziba.com, a private sale website where members can shop exclusive deals on the latest home décor products, furniture, jewelry, apparel and accessories from many leading brands. Although our four websites are located at different domain addresses, the technology and equipment and processes supporting the Overstock.com Website and the process of order fulfillment described herein are the same for all four websites.

        Our company, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, was founded in 1997. We launched the Website in March 1999. Our Website offers our customers an opportunity to shop for bargains conveniently, while offering our suppliers an alternative inventory liquidation or sales channel. We continually add new, sometimes limited, inventory products to our Website in order to create an atmosphere that encourages customers to visit frequently and purchase products before our inventory sells out. We sell products primarily in the United States, with a small amount of products (less than 1% of sales) sold internationally.

        As used herein, "Overstock.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Overstock.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Our Business

        We deal primarily in discount, replenishable, and closeout merchandise and we use the Internet to aggregate both supply and demand to create an efficient marketplace for selling these products. We provide manufacturers with a one-stop liquidation channel to sell both large and small quantities of excess, closeout and replenishable inventory without disrupting sales through traditional channels, which can result in weaker pricing and decreased brand strength. The merchandise offered on our Website is from a variety of sources, including well-known, brand-name manufacturers. We have organized our shopping business (sales of product offered through the Shopping Section of our Website) into two principal segments—a "direct" business and a "fulfillment partner" business. We currently offer approximately 197,000 non-BMMG products in 19 major departments, and approximately 763,000 BMMG products. Consumers and businesses are able to access and purchase our products 24 hours a day from the convenience of a computer, Internet-enabled mobile telephone or other Internet-enabled device. Our team of customer service representatives assists customers by telephone, instant online chat and e-mail. Nearly all of our sales are to customers located in the United States. Less than 1% of our sales are made indirectly to international customers. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010, no single customer accounted for more than 1% of our total revenue.

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Direct business

        Our direct business includes sales made to individual consumers and businesses, which are fulfilled from our warehouses in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we fulfilled approximately 19% of our order volume through our warehouses. Our warehouses generally ship between 8,000 and 10,000 orders per day and up to approximately 25,000 orders per day during peak periods, using overlapping daily shifts.

Fulfillment partner business

        For our fulfillment partner business, we sell merchandise of other retailers, cataloguers or manufacturers ("fulfillment partners") through our Website. We are considered to be the primary obligor for the majority of these sales transactions and we record revenue from the majority of these sales transactions on a gross basis. Our use of the term "partner" or "fulfillment partner" does not mean that we have formed any legal partnerships with any of our fulfillment partners. We currently have relationships with approximately 1,600 third parties who supply approximately 187,000 non-BMMG products, as well as most of the BMMG products, on our Website. These third-party fulfillment partners perform essentially the same fulfillment operations as our warehouses, such as order picking and shipping; however, we handle returns and customer service related to substantially all orders placed through our Website. Revenue generated from sales on our Shopping site from both the direct and fulfillment partner businesses is recorded net of returns, coupons and other discounts.

International business

        We began selling products through our Website to customers outside the United States in late August 2008. As of December 31, 2010, we sell to customers in over 90 countries. We do not have sales operations outside the United States, and are using a U.S. based third party to provide logistics and fulfillment for all international orders. Revenue generated from our international business is included in either direct or fulfillment partner revenue, depending on whether the product is shipped from our warehouses or from a fulfillment partner.

Consignment

        In September 2009, we began offering a consignment service to suppliers where the suppliers' merchandise is stored in and shipped from our leased warehouses. We pay the consignment supplier upon sale of the consigned merchandise to our customer. Revenue from our consignment service business is less than 1% of total net revenue and is included in the fulfillment partner segment.

        Both direct and fulfillment partner revenues are seasonal, with revenues historically being the highest in the fourth quarter, which ends December 31, reflecting higher consumer holiday spending. We anticipate this will continue in the foreseeable future.

Other businesses

        We operate an online auction service, car listing service, and real estate listing service as part of our Website. Our auction service allows sellers to list items for sale, buyers to bid on items of interest, and users to browse through listed items online. We record only our listing fees and commissions for items sold as revenue. From time to time, we also sell items returned from our shopping business through our auction service, and for these sales, we record the revenue on a gross basis. The car listing service allows sellers to list vehicles for sale and allows buyers to review vehicle descriptions, post offers to purchase, and provides the means for purchasers to contact sellers for further information and negotiations on the purchase of an advertised vehicle. The real-estate listing service allows customers to search active listings across the country. Listing categories include foreclosures, live and on-line auctions, for sale by owner listings, broker/agent listings and numerous aggregated classified ad listings.

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We also earn advertisement revenue derived from our cars and real estate listing businesses. Revenue from the auctions, cars and real estate businesses is included in the fulfillment partner segment on a net basis.

        In October 2009, we introduced O.biz, a website where customers and businesses can shop for bulk and business related items, offering manufacturers, distributors and other retailers an alternative sales channel for liquidating their inventory, and in August 2010, we introduced Eziba.com, a private sale website where members can shop exclusive deals on the latest home décor products, furniture, jewelry, apparel and accessories from many leading brands. Revenue generated from our O.biz and Eziba.com websites is included in either direct or fulfillment partner revenue, depending on whether the product is shipped from our warehouses or from a fulfillment partner.

        Generally, we require verification of receipt of payment, or authorization from credit card or other payment vendors whose services we offer to our customers (such as PayPal and BillMeLater), before we ship products to consumers or business purchasers. From time to time we grant credit to our business purchasers with normal credit terms (typically 30 days). For sales in our fulfillment partner business, we generally receive payments from our customers before our payments to our suppliers are due.

Manufacturer, Supplier and Distribution Relationships

        To date, we have not entered into contracts with manufacturers or other suppliers that guarantee the availability of merchandise for a set duration. Our manufacturer and supplier relationships are based on historical experience with manufacturers and other suppliers and do not obligate or entitle us to receive merchandise on a long-term or short-term basis. In our direct business, we purchase the products from manufacturers or other suppliers using standard purchase orders. Generally, suppliers do not control the terms under which products are sold through our Website.

Products

Online Products

        Our Website is organized into five main sections: Shopping, Auctions, Cars, Real Estate, and Community. The Shopping section is organized into 19 main departments: Home & Garden, Furniture, Bedding & Bath, Clothing & Shoes, Electronics, Jewelry, Watches, Sports and Outdoors, Books Media Music & Games, Luggage, Health & Beauty, Baby, Crafts & Sewing, Office, Gifts & Flowers, Toys & Hobbies, Pets, Worldstock Fair Trade, and Main Street Revolution. Worldstock Fair Trade is our socially-responsible, online marketplace through which artisans in the United States and around the world can sell their products and gain access to a broader market. Main Street Revolution is our marketplace that enables small and minority-owned businesses to offer their products to a mass audience by selling on our websites.

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        For 2010, 2009 and 2008, the percentages of gross sales contributed by similar classes of products were as follows:

Product Class
  2010   2009   2008  

Home and garden(1)

    55 %   53 %   50 %

Jewelry, watches, clothing and accessories

    23 %   24 %   24 %

BMMG, electronics and computers

    11 %   14 %   18 %

Other

    11 %   9 %   8 %
               

Total

    100 %   100 %   100 %
               

(1)
Home and garden includes home décor, bedding, bath, furniture, housewares, garden, patio and other related products.

        As the number of products and product categories change throughout the year, we periodically reorganize our departments and/or categories to better reflect our current product offerings.

Sales and Marketing

        We use a variety of methods to target our consumer audience, including online campaigns, such as advertising through portals, keywords, search engines, affiliate marketing programs, banners, e-mail, direct mail, viral and social media campaigns, and we are able to monitor and evaluate their results. We seek to identify and eliminate campaigns that do not meet our expectations. We also do brand advertising through television, radio, and print ads. We generally develop these campaigns internally.

Customer Service

        We are committed to providing superior customer service. We staff our customer service department with dedicated in-house and outsourced professionals who respond to phone, instant online chat and e-mail inquiries on products, ordering, shipping status, returns and other areas of customer inquiry. As a result of this commitment, in each of the last five years we have ranked in the top five companies in customer service rankings among all U.S. retailers, according to rankings published in the NRF Foundation/American Express Customer Service Survey.

Technology

        We use our internally developed Websites and a combination of proprietary technologies and commercially available licensed technologies and solutions to support our operations. We use the services of multiple telecommunications companies to obtain connectivity to the Internet. Currently, our primary computer infrastructure resides at a co-location facility in Salt Lake City. We also have a second data center which we use primarily for backups, redundancy, development, testing, and our corporate systems infrastructure.

Competition

        Internet retail is intensely competitive and has relatively low barriers to entry. We believe that competition in this industry is based predominantly on:

    price;

    product quality and selection;

    shopping convenience;

    order processing and fulfillment;

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    order delivery time;

    customer service; and

    brand recognition.

        We compete with other online retailers and traditional retailers and liquidation "brokers", some of which may specifically adopt our methods and target our customers. We currently or potentially compete with a variety of companies that can be divided into several broad categories:

    liquidation e-tailers such as SmartBargains;

    online general retailers with discount departments such as Amazon.com, Inc., eBay, Inc. and Buy.com, Inc.;

    private sale sites such as Rue La La, Gilt Groupe;

    online specialty retailers such as Bluefly, Inc., Blue Nile, Inc. and Backcountry.com; and

    traditional retailers and liquidators such as Ross Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., TJX Companies, Inc., Costco Wholesale Corporation, J.C. Penney Company, Inc., Sears Holding Corporation, Target Corporation, Best Buy Co., Inc. and Barnes and Noble, Inc., all of which also have an online presence.

        Many of our current and potential competitors have greater brand recognition, longer operating histories, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. Further, any of them may enter into strategic or commercial relationships with larger, more established and well-financed companies, including exclusive distribution arrangements with our vendors that could deny us access to their products. Many of them could devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns and devote substantially more resources to their website and systems development than we do. New technologies and the continued enhancement of existing technologies also may increase competitive pressures on us. We cannot ensure that we will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors or address increased competitive pressures (see Item 1A—"Risk Factors").

Seasonality

        Our business is affected by seasonality, which historically has resulted in higher sales volume during our fourth quarter, which ends December 31. We recognized 32.0%, 36.8% and 30.6% of our annual revenue during the fourth quarter of 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.

Financial Information about Geographic Areas

        See Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements"—Note 23—"Business Segments" for more information.

Intellectual Property

        We regard our domain names and similar intellectual property as critical to our success. We rely on a combination of laws and contractual restrictions with our employees, customers, suppliers, affiliates and others to establish and protect our proprietary rights. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property without authorization. In addition, we cannot ensure that others will not independently develop similar intellectual property. Although we have registered and are pursuing the registration of our key trademarks in the United States and some other countries, some of our trade names may not be eligible to receive registered trademark protection. In addition, effective trademark protection may not

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be available or we may not seek protection in every country in which we market or sell our products and services, including in the United States.

        Third parties have in the past, and may in the future, recruit our employees who have had access to our proprietary technologies, processes and operations. These recruiting efforts expose us to the risk that such employees and those hiring them will misappropriate and exploit our intellectual property.

Legal and Regulatory Matters

        From time to time, we receive claims and become subject to regulatory investigations or actions, consumer protection, employment, intellectual property and other commercial litigation related to the conduct of our business. We also prosecute lawsuits to enforce our legal rights. Such litigation could be costly and time consuming and could divert our management and key personnel from our business operations. The uncertainty of litigation increases these risks. In connection with such litigation, we may be subject to significant damages or equitable remedies relating to the operation of our business and the sale of products on our Website. Any such litigation may materially harm our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

        These and other types of claims could result in increased costs of doing business through legal expenses, adverse judgments or settlements or require us to change our business practices in expensive and significant ways. In addition, litigation could result in interpretations of the law that require us to change our business practices or otherwise increase our costs.

        Additional litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Any litigation, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could materially harm our business (see Item 1A—"Risk Factors").

        See the information set forth under Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements—Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies, subheading Legal Proceedings," contained in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Government Regulation

        Our services are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws including laws protecting the privacy of consumer information and regulations prohibiting unfair and deceptive trade practices. In particular, under federal and state financial privacy laws and regulations, we must provide notice to consumers of our policies on sharing non-public information with third parties, advance notice of any changes to our policies and, with limited exceptions, we must give consumers the right to prevent sharing of their non-public personal information with unaffiliated third parties. Furthermore, the growth and demand for online commerce could result in more stringent consumer protection laws that impose additional compliance burdens on online companies. These consumer protection laws could result in substantial compliance costs and could interfere with the conduct of our business.

        In many states, there is currently great uncertainty whether or how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, libel and personal privacy apply to the Internet and commercial online services. These issues may take years to resolve. In addition, new state tax regulations in states where we do not now collect state and local taxes, may subject us to the obligation to collect and remit state and local taxes , or subject us to additional state and local sales and income taxes, or to requirements intended to assist states with their tax collection efforts. New legislation or regulation, the application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and commercial online services could result in significant additional taxes on our business. These taxes could have an adverse effect on our cash flows and results of operations. Furthermore, there is a possibility that we may be subject to significant fines or other payments for any past failures to comply with these requirements.

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Employees

        As of December 31, 2010, we had approximately 1,500 full-time employees. We seasonally augment our workforce with temporary employees during our fourth quarter to handle increased workload in both our warehouse and customer service operations. We have never had a work stoppage, and none of our employees are represented by a labor union. We consider our employee relationships to be good. Competition for qualified personnel in our industry has historically been intense, particularly for software engineers, computer scientists, and other technical staff.

Executive Officers

        The following persons were executive officers of Overstock.com as of December 31, 2010:

Executive Officers
  Age   Position

Patrick M. Byrne

    48   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

Jonathan E. Johnson III

    44   President and Corporate Secretary

Geoffrey R. Atkinson

    29   Senior Vice President, Analytics, Analytics Marketing & Merchandising

Stephen J. Chesnut

    51   Senior Vice President, Finance and Risk Management

Samuel J. Peterson

    35   Senior Vice President, Technology and Merchandising

Stormy D. Simon

    42   Senior Vice President, Marketing and Customer Care

Stephen P. Tryon

    49   Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Human Capital Management

        Dr. Patrick M. Byrne has served as our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and as a Director since October 1999, as Chairman of the Board from February 2001 through October 2005, and since July 2006. From September 1997 to May 1999, Dr. Byrne served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fechheimer Brothers, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of uniforms. From 1995 until its sale in September 1999, Dr. Byrne was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Centricut, LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of industrial torch parts. From 1994 to the present, Dr. Byrne has served as a Manager of the Haverford Group, an investment company and an affiliate of Overstock. Dr. Byrne has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chinese studies from Dartmouth College, a Master's Degree from Cambridge University as a Marshall Scholar, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Stanford University.

        Mr. Jonathan E. Johnson III joined Overstock.com in September 2002 and currently serves as our President and Corporate Secretary. He has served as our General Counsel and as our Vice President, Strategic Projects and Legal, and Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Legal. From May 1999 to September 2002, Mr. Johnson held various positions with TenFold Corporation, a software company, including positions as General Counsel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. From October 1997 to April 1999, Mr. Johnson practiced law in the Los Angeles offices of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy and from September 1994 to September 1997, he practiced law in the Los Angeles offices of Graham & James. From February 1994 to August 1994, Mr. Johnson served as a judicial clerk at the Utah Supreme Court for Justice Leonard H. Russon, and prior to that, from August 1993 to January 1994, Mr. Johnson served as a judicial clerk at the Utah Court of Appeals for Judge Leonard H. Russon. Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor's Degree in Japanese from Brigham Young University, studied for a year at Osaka University of Foreign Studies in Japan, and received his law degree from the J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Law School at Brigham Young University.

        Mr. Geoffrey R. Atkinson currently serves as our Senior Vice President, Analytics, Analytics Marketing & Merchandising. Since joining us in 2005, Mr. Atkinson has worked primarily on marketing and customer retention. Mr. Atkinson has previously served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Vice President of Tactical Marketing. Before joining Overstock.com, Mr. Atkinson worked in marketing

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and branding at Smith Sport Optics, a manufacturer of sunglasses and goggles for sports and leisure, in Sun Valley, Idaho. Mr. Atkinson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Dartmouth College.

        Mr. Stephen J. Chesnut was appointed Senior Vice President, Finance in January 2009. In February 2010, Mr. Chesnut was appointed Senior Vice President, Finance and Risk Management. From August 2007 to August 2008, Mr. Chesnut served as Vice President, Strategy/Market Development/Sales for HD Supply, Inc., a privately-held wholesale distribution company based in Atlanta, Georgia. From December 1998 to August 2007, Mr. Chesnut served in a variety of capacities for The Home Depot or its subsidiaries, including Director, Business Development for HD Supply (prior to its sale by Home Depot); Director, Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Home Depot Supply; Director, New Concept Development; and Director, Strategic Planning. Prior to joining The Home Depot from 1986 to 1998, Mr. Chesnut served in a variety of operational, planning and financial positions for Target Stores Inc. Mr. Chesnut holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Accounting and Business Management from Southern Utah University and a Master of Business Administration Degree, Finance and Strategic Planning, from Brigham Young University.

        Mr. Samuel J. Peterson currently serves as our Senior Vice President, Technology and Merchandising. Mr. Peterson previously served as the Vice President, Software Development from early 2005, and was appointed as Director, Network and Systems Engineering in 2003. Prior to joining Overstock.com in 1999, Mr. Peterson was involved in creating several start-up Internet ventures, including Fitnesoft, Inc.

        Ms. Stormy D. Simon currently serves as our Senior Vice President, Marketing and Customer Care. Ms. Simon previously served as our Vice President, BMMG; Travel and Off-Line Advertising; Chief of Staff and as our Director of B2B. Prior to joining Overstock.com in 2001, Ms. Simon worked in the media and travel industries.

        Mr. Stephen P. Tryon joined Overstock.com in August 2004, and serves as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Human Capital Management, with primary responsibility for logistics, supervision of our warehouse operations, and managing our training and human resources. Prior to joining Overstock.com, Mr. Tryon was the Legislative Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. During his 21 years with the Army, his assignments included director of plans for the 10th Mountain Division, Congressional Fellow for United States Senator Max Cleland, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the United States Military Academy, and commander of a company of paratroopers. Mr. Tryon received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Applied Sciences from the U.S. Military Academy and a Master's Degree of Arts in Philosophy from Stanford University.

Available Information

        Our Internet Website addresses are www.overstock.com and www.o.co. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge through our Internet Website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Internet Website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not a part of or incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        Please consider the following risk factors carefully. If any one of the following risks were to occur, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected, and the market price of our securities could decrease. These are not the only risks we face. In addition, the global economic climate amplifies many of these risks.

Risks Relating to Overstock

Existing or future government regulation could harm our business.

        We are subject to the same federal, state and local laws as other companies conducting business on the Internet or through other means. Today there are relatively few laws specifically directed towards conducting business on the Internet. However, due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet, many laws and regulations relating to the Internet are being debated at the state and federal levels. These laws and regulations could cover issues such as user privacy, behavioral advertising, auto-renewability of contract, freedom of expression, pricing, fraud, quality of products and services, taxation, advertising, intellectual property rights and information security. Applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, copyrights and other intellectual property issues, taxation, libel, obscenity and personal privacy could also harm our business. For example, United States and foreign laws regulate our ability to use customer information and to develop, buy and sell mailing lists. Many of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and do not contemplate or address the unique issues raised thereby. Consequently, laws adopted for the regulation of commerce that is not Internet based, may present difficult or impossible compliance challenges, may be applied to us in an adverse way, or the judicial interpretation of the application of these laws to our Internet-based business may be adverse to our interests. Many of those laws that do reference the Internet are still being interpreted by the courts and their applicability and reach are therefore uncertain. Moreover, Internet advances and innovations may result in new questions about the applicability and reach of these laws. Additionally, laws governing the permissible contents of products may adversely affect us, and we are subject to federal and state consumer laws, including those governing advertising, product labeling, product content requirements and product safety. The laws not only apply to future manufacture of consumer product, but also apply to existing inventories and may cause us to incur losses for any non-compliant items in our inventory, or which we may have sold which may subject us to regulatory or civil actions. Some of the products we sell or manufacture may, under statutory or common law, from time to time expose us to claims related to personal injury, death, environmental or property damage and may from time to time require product recalls or other actions which may not be covered, in whole or in part, by our liability insurance. These current and future laws and regulations could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.

General economic factors may adversely affect our financial performance.

        General economic conditions may adversely affect our financial performance. In the United States, changes in interest rates, changes in fuel and other energy costs, weakness in the housing market, inflation or deflation or expectations of either inflation or deflation, higher levels of unemployment, unavailability or limitations of consumer credit, higher consumer debt levels or efforts by consumers to reduce debt levels, higher tax rates and other changes in tax laws, overall economic slowdown, changes in consumer desires affecting demand for the products and services we sell and other economic factors could adversely affect consumer demand for the products and services we sell, change the mix of products we sell to a mix with a lower average gross margin and result in slower inventory turnover and greater markdowns on inventory. Higher interest rates, transportation costs, inflation, higher costs of labor, insurance and healthcare, foreign exchange rates fluctuations, higher tax rates and other changes in tax laws, changes in other laws and regulations and other economic factors in the United States can increase our cost of sales and operating, selling, general and administrative expenses, and otherwise

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adversely affect our operations and operating results. These factors affect not only our operations, but also the operations of suppliers from whom we purchase goods, a condition that can result in an increase in the cost to us of the goods we sell to our customers.

Decreases in discretionary consumer spending may have an adverse effect on us.

        A substantial portion of the products and services we offer are products or services that consumers may view as discretionary items rather than necessities. As a result, our results of operations are sensitive to changes in macro-economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including discretionary spending. Difficult macro-economic conditions, particularly high levels of unemployment, also impact our customers' ability to obtain consumer credit. Other factors, including consumer confidence, employment levels, interest rates, tax rates, consumer debt levels, and fuel and energy costs could reduce consumer spending or change consumer purchasing habits. A continued slowdown in the U.S. or global economy, or an uncertain economic outlook, could materially adversely affect consumer spending habits and our operating results.

We have a history of significant losses. If we do not maintain profitability, our financial condition and our stock price could suffer.

        We have a history of losses and we may incur operating and net losses in the foreseeable future. The last year we incurred a net loss was for the year ended December 31, 2008 in which the amount was a net loss of $11.0 million. As of December 31, 2010, our accumulated deficit was $242 million. We need to generate significant revenues to maintain profitability, and we may not be able to do so. Although we had net income of $13.8 million and $7.7 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the future. If our revenues grow more slowly than we anticipate or decline, or if our expenses exceed our expectations, our financial results would be harmed and our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could fall below the expectations of public market analysts and investors.

        We will continue to incur significant operating expenses and capital expenditures to:

    further enhance our distribution and order fulfillment capabilities;

    further improve our order processing systems and capabilities;

    develop enhanced technologies and features;

    continue to expand our customer service capabilities to better serve our customers' needs;

    expand or modify our product offerings;

    expand warehouse and office space;

    increase our general and administrative functions to support our operations and activities; and

    maintain or increase our sales, branding and marketing activities, including maintaining existing or entering into new online marketing or marketing analytics arrangements, and continuing or increasing our national television and radio advertising, direct mail and/or other marketing campaigns.

        Because we will incur many of these expenses before we receive any revenues from our improvement and enhancement efforts, our losses may be greater than the losses we would incur if we developed our business more slowly. Further, we base our expenses in large part on our operating plans and future revenue projections. Many of our expenses are fixed in the short term, and we may not be able to reduce spending quickly or at all if our revenues are lower than we project. Therefore, any significant shortfall in revenues would likely harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may find that these efforts are more expensive than we anticipate

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which would adversely affect our profitability. Also, the timing of these expenses may contribute to fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations.

We may need to implement additional finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls as we grow our business and organization and to satisfy new reporting requirements.

        As a public reporting company, we are required to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the SEC, including expanded disclosures and accelerated reporting requirements and more complex accounting rules. Compliance with these and other new requirements may increase our costs and require additional management time and resources. We may need to implement additional finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls to satisfy our reporting requirements. If our internal control over financial reporting is determined to be ineffective, such failure could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, negatively affect the market price of our common stock, subject us to regulatory investigations and penalties, and adversely impact our business and financial condition.

Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results.

        Generally accepted accounting principles and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our business, including but not limited to, revenue recognition, estimating valuation allowances and accrued liabilities (specifically, the allowances for returns, credit card chargebacks, doubtful accounts and obsolete and damaged inventory), internal use software and website development (acquired and developed internally), accounting for income taxes, valuation of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill, stock-based compensation, and loss contingencies are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by our management. Changes in these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by our management could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance.

Our cash, cash equivalents, investments in precious metals and short-term investments are subject to a risk of loss based upon the solvency of the financial institutions in which they are maintained and movement in the precious metals markets.

        We maintain the majority of our cash, cash equivalents, investments in precious metals and short-term investments in accounts with major financial institutions within the United States, in the form of demand deposits, money market accounts, time deposits, U.S. Treasury Bills and other short-term investments. Our deposits in these institutions may generally exceed the amounts of insurance provided, or deposits may not at all be covered by insurance. If any of these institutions becomes insolvent, or there is a significant decline in the price of precious metals, it could substantially harm our financial condition and we may lose some, or all, of such deposits.

If we fail to accurately forecast our expenses and revenues, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may suffer and the price of our securities may decline.

        Our limited operating history and the rapidly evolving nature of our industry make forecasting operating results difficult. Since 2005, we have completed several large, complex and expensive infrastructure upgrades in order to increase our ability to handle larger volumes of sales and to develop or increase our ability to perform a variety of analytical procedures relating to our business, and we are continuing the work to upgrade and further expand these and other components of our infrastructure. We have experienced difficulties with the implementation of various aspects of the upgrades of our infrastructure, and have incurred increased expenses as a result of these difficulties. As a result of these expenditures, our ability to reduce spending if our revenues are lower than we project is limited.

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Therefore, any significant shortfall in the revenues for which we have built and are continuing to build our infrastructure would likely harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cause our results of operation to fall below the expectations of public market analysts and investors.

The seasonality of our business places increased strain on our operations.

        A disproportionate amount of our sales normally occur during our fourth quarter. If we do not stock or restock popular products in sufficient amounts to meet customer demand, this could significantly affect our revenue and our future growth. If we liquidate products, as we have in the past, we may be required to take significant inventory markdowns or write-offs, which could reduce gross profits. We may experience an increase in our net shipping cost due to complimentary upgrades, split-shipments, and additional long-zone shipments necessary to ensure timely delivery for the holiday season. If too many customers access our Website within a short period of time due to increased holiday demand, we may experience system interruptions that make our Website unavailable or prevent us from efficiently fulfilling orders, which may reduce the volume of goods we sell and the attractiveness of our products and services. In addition, we may be unable to adequately staff our fulfillment and customer service centers during these peak periods and delivery and other fulfillment companies and customer service co-sourcers may be unable to meet the seasonal demand.

We depend on our relationships with independent fulfillment partners for a large portion of the products that we offer for sale on our Website. If we fail to maintain these relationships, our business will suffer.

        At December 31, 2010, we had relationships with approximately 1,600 independent fulfillment partners whose products we offer for sale on our Website. We depend on our fulfillment partners to provide a large portion of the product selection we offer, as these products accounted for 81% of our net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010. We may expand the number of fulfillment partner relationships and the number of products offered for sale by our fulfillment partners on our Website. If we do not maintain our existing relationships or build new relationships with fulfillment partners on acceptable commercial terms, we may not be able to maintain a broad selection of merchandise, and customers may not shop at or purchase from our Website. In addition, manufacturers may decide not to offer particular products for sale on the Internet or on sites like ours. If we are unable to maintain our existing or build new fulfillment partner relationships or if product manufacturers refuse or restrict sale of their products via the Internet, though sites like ours, or to us, our business and prospects would suffer severely.

        In general, we agree to offer the fulfillment partners' products on our Website and these fulfillment partners agree to conduct a number of other traditional retail operations with respect to their respective products that we offer for sale on our Website, including maintaining inventory, preparing merchandise for shipment to individual customers and timely distribution of purchased merchandise. We have no effective means to ensure that these third parties will continue to perform these services to our satisfaction or on commercially reasonable terms. In addition, because we do not take possession of these fulfillment parties' products, (other than on the return of such products), we are unable to fulfill these traditional retail operations ourselves. Our customers could become dissatisfied and cancel their orders or decline to make future purchases if these third parties are unable to deliver products on a timely basis. If our customers become dissatisfied with the services provided by these third parties, our reputation and the Overstock.com brand could suffer.

        We do not have any long-term agreements with any of these fulfillment partners. Our agreements with fulfillment partners are terminable at will by either party upon short notice.

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We rely on our relationships with manufacturers, retailers and other suppliers to obtain sufficient quantities of quality merchandise on acceptable terms. If we fail to maintain our supplier relationships on acceptable terms, our sales and profitability could suffer.

        We do not have contracts with manufacturers or liquidation wholesalers that guarantee the availability of merchandise for a set duration. Our contracts or arrangements with suppliers do not provide for the continuation of particular pricing practices and may be terminated by either party upon short notice. Our current suppliers may not continue to sell their excess inventory to us on current terms or at all and we may not be able to establish new supply relationships. For example, it is difficult for us to maintain high levels of product quality and selection because none of the manufacturers, suppliers and liquidation wholesalers from whom we purchase products on a purchase order by purchase order basis have a continuing obligation to provide us with merchandise at historical levels or at all. In most cases, our relationships with our suppliers do not restrict the suppliers from selling their respective inventory to other traditional or online merchandise liquidators or retailers, which could in turn limit the selection of products available on our Website. If we are unable to develop and maintain relationships with suppliers that will allow us to obtain sufficient quantities of merchandise on acceptable commercial terms, such inability could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.

Risks associated with the suppliers from whom our products are sourced and the safety of those products could adversely affect our financial performance.

        The products we sell are sourced from a wide variety of domestic and international suppliers. Global sourcing of many of the products we sell is an important factor in our financial performance. Our ability to find qualified suppliers who meet our standards, and to access products in a timely and efficient manner is a significant challenge, especially with respect to suppliers located and goods sourced outside the United States. Political and economic instability in the countries in which foreign suppliers are located, the financial instability of suppliers, suppliers' failure to meet our supplier standards, labor problems experienced by our suppliers, the availability of raw materials to suppliers, merchandise quality issues, currency exchange rates, transport availability and cost, transport security, inflation, and other factors relating to the suppliers and the countries in which they are located are beyond our control. In addition, the United States' foreign trade policies, tariffs and other impositions on imported goods, trade sanctions imposed on certain countries, the limitation on the importation of certain types of goods or of goods containing certain materials from other countries and other factors relating to foreign trade are beyond our control. These and other factors affecting our suppliers and our access to products could adversely affect our financial performance.

        Our customers count on us to provide them with safe products. Concerns regarding the safety of products that we source from our suppliers and then sell could cause shoppers to avoid purchasing certain products from us, or to seek alternative sources of supply for all of their needs, even if the basis for the concern is outside of our control. Any lost confidence on the part of our customers would be difficult and costly to reestablish. As such, any issue regarding the safety of any items we sell, regardless of the cause, could adversely affect our financial performance.

We depend upon third-party delivery services to deliver products to our customers on a timely and consistent basis. Deterioration in our relationship with any one of these third parties could decrease our ability to track shipments, cause shipment delays, and increase our shipping costs and the number of damaged products.

        We rely upon multiple third parties for the shipment of products to customers. We cannot be sure that these relationships will continue on terms we find acceptable, or at all. Unexpected increases in shipping costs or delivery times, particularly during the holiday season, could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. If our relationships with these third parties are

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terminated or impaired or if these third parties are unable to deliver products for us, whether through labor shortage, slow down or stoppage, deteriorating financial or business condition, responses to terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or for any other reason, we would be required to use alternative carriers for the shipment of products to our customers. In addition, conditions such as adverse weather or natural disasters can prevent any carriers from performing their delivery services, which can have an adverse effect on our customers' satisfaction with us. In any of these circumstances, we may be unable to engage alternative carriers on a timely basis, upon terms we find acceptable, or at all. Changing carriers, or absence of carrier availability, could have a negative effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Potential adverse consequences effecting customer satisfaction include:

    reduced visibility and accuracy of order status and package tracking;

    delays in order processing and product delivery;

    increased delivery costs, resulting in reduced profit margins; and

    reduced shipment quality, which may result in delivery of damaged products.

We depend upon our credit card processors and payment card associations.

        Our customers primarily use credit cards to buy from us. We are dependent upon our credit card processors to process the sales transactions and remit the proceeds to us. The credit card processors have the right to withhold funds otherwise payable to us to establish a reserve based on their assessment of the inherent risks of credit card processing and their assessment of the risks of processing our customers' credit cards, and have done so from time to time in the past. The credit card processors may establish, increase or decrease the amount of any reserve at any time. Any increase in the amounts of the reserves established by the processors would have an adverse effect on our cash flow and liquidity, and any material unexpected increase could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

        We are also subject to payment card associations' operating rules, certification requirements and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. If we fail to comply with these rules or requirements, we may be subject to fines and higher transaction fees and lose our ability to accept credit and debit card payments from our customers, process electronic funds transfers, or facilitate other types of online payments, could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

A significant number of merchandise returns could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        We generally allow our customers to return products, subject to our returns policies. If merchandise returns are significant, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. Further, we modify our policies relating to returns from time to time and any policies intended to reduce the number of product returns may result in customer dissatisfaction and fewer repeat customers.

Our pricing strategy may not meet customers' price expectations or result in net income.

        Demand for our products is generally highly sensitive to price. Our pricing strategies have had, and may continue to have, a significant impact on our net sales and net income. We often offer discounted prices, and free or discounted shipping as a means of attracting customers and encouraging repeat purchases. Such offers and discounts may reduce our margins. In addition, our competitors' pricing and marketing strategies are beyond our control and can significantly impact the results of our pricing strategies. If we fail to meet our customers' price expectations in any given period, or if our competitors decide to engage in aggressive pricing strategies, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations would suffer.

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If the products that we offer on our Website do not reflect our customers' tastes and preferences, our sales and profit margins would decrease.

        Our success depends in part on our ability to offer products that reflect consumers' tastes and preferences. Consumers' tastes are subject to frequent, significant and sometimes unpredictable changes. Because some of the products that we sell consist of manufacturers' and retailers' excess inventory, we have limited control over some of the specific products that we are able to offer for sale. If our merchandise fails to satisfy customers' tastes or respond to changes in customer preferences, our sales could suffer and we could be required to mark down unsold inventory, as we have in the past, which would depress our profit margins. In addition, any failure to offer products in line with customers' preferences could allow our competitors to gain market share. This could have an adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We face risks relating to our inventory.

        In our direct business, we sell merchandise that we have purchased and hold in inventory. We assume the risks of inventory damage, theft and obsolescence, as well as risks of price erosion for these products. These risks are especially significant because some of the merchandise we sell is characterized by seasonal trends, fashion trends, rapid technological change, obsolescence and price erosion (for example, computer hardware, software and consumer electronics) and because we sometimes make large purchases of particular types of inventory. In addition, we often do not receive warranties on the merchandise we purchase. Subject to our returns policies, we accept returns of products sold through our fulfillment partners and we have the risk of reselling the returned products.

        In the past we have recorded charges for obsolete inventory and have had to sell certain merchandise at a discount or loss. It is impossible to determine with certainty whether an item will sell for more than our cost. To the extent that we rely on purchased inventory, our success will depend on our ability to sell our inventory rapidly, the ability of our buying staff to purchase inventory at attractive prices relative to its resale value and our ability to manage customer returns and other costs. If we are unsuccessful in any of these areas, we may be forced to sell our inventory at a discount or loss.

        We purchase some of our inventory from foreign suppliers and pay for inventory with U.S. dollars. If the dollar weakens with respect to foreign currencies, foreign suppliers may require us to pay higher prices for products, which could negatively affect our profit margins.

If we do not successfully optimize and operate our warehouse and customer service operations, our business could be harmed.

        We have expanded, contracted and otherwise modified our warehouse and customer service operations in the past, and expect that we will continue to do so. If we do not successfully optimize and operate our warehouse and customer service operations, it could significantly limit our ability to meet customer demand. Because it is difficult to predict demand, we may not manage our facilities in an optimal way, which may result in excess or insufficient inventory or warehousing capacity. We may be unable to adequately staff our fulfillment and customer service centers. In addition, we rely on a limited number of companies to deliver inventory to us and to ship orders to our customers. If we are not able to negotiate acceptable terms with these companies, or they experience performance problems or other difficulties, it could negatively impact our operating results and customer experience.

The loss of key personnel or any inability to attract and retain additional personnel could affect our ability to successfully grow our business.

        Our performance is substantially dependent on the continued services and on the performance of our senior management and other key personnel, including Patrick M. Byrne, our Chief Executive

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Officer. Our performance also depends on our ability to retain and motivate other officers and key employees. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers or other key employees for any reason, including without limitation, illness or call to military service, or loss to competitors as a result of compensation differentials or other reasons, could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. We do not have employment agreements with any of our key personnel and we do not maintain "key person" life insurance policies. Our future success also depends on our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and motivate other highly-skilled technical, managerial, editorial, merchandising, marketing and customer service personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot assure that we will be able to successfully attract, assimilate or retain sufficiently qualified personnel. Our failure to retain and attract the necessary technical, managerial, editorial, merchandising, marketing and customer service personnel could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We have an evolving business model.

        Our business model has evolved and continues to do so. In the past we have added additional types of services and product offerings and, in some cases, we have modified or discontinued those offerings. We may continue to try to offer additional types of products or services and we cannot offer any assurance that any of them will be successful. From time to time we have also modified aspects of our business model relating to our product mix and the mix of direct/fulfillment partner sourcing of the products we offer. We may continue to modify this aspect of our business as well as other significant aspects of our business. We cannot offer any assurance that these or any other modifications will be successful or will not result in harm to the business. The additions and modifications to our business have increased the complexity of our business and placed significant strain on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance, financial resources, and internal financial control and reporting functions. Future additions to or modifications of our business are likely to have similar effects. We may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth and negatively affect our operating results.

Our new O.co domain name may cause customer confusion.

        We have announced the introduction of the O.co domain name as a shortcut domain designation for Overstock.com to assist us in our efforts to globally brand Overstock.com. The use of an alternative single letter name designation, with a different top level domain of .co, may cause temporary or prolonged consumer confusion, potentially reducing customer visits to our site, which could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, there is no assurance that the use of O.co as a shortcut domain will succeed domestically or internationally.

We may be unable to manage expansion into new business areas which could harm our business operations and reputation.

        Our long-term strategic plan involves expansion of our operations to offer additional types of products and services. We may not be able to expand our business in this manner. Our failure to succeed in these markets or businesses or in other product or service offerings may harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation. We cannot give any assurance that we will be able to expand our operations in a cost-effective or timely manner or that our efforts to expand will be successful. Furthermore, any new business or website we launch that is not favorably received by consumers could damage our reputation or the Overstock.com brand. We may expand the number of categories of products we carry on our Website and these and any other expansions of our operations would also require significant additional expenses and development and would strain our management, financial and operational resources. The lack of market acceptance of such efforts or our inability to

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generate satisfactory revenues from such expanded services or products to offset their cost could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We are expanding our international business, causing our business to become increasingly susceptible to numerous international business risks and challenges that could affect our profitability.

        We sell products in international markets, and in the future we may expand into these markets more aggressively. International sales and transactions are subject to inherent risks and challenges that could adversely affect our profitability, including:

    the need to develop new supplier and manufacturer relationships;

    the need to comply with additional U.S. and foreign laws and regulations to the extent applicable, including but not limited to, restrictions on advertising practices, regulations governing online services, restrictions on importation of specified or proscribed items, importation quotas, consumer protection laws, enforcement of intellectual property rights, laws dealing with consumer and data protection, privacy, encryption, and restrictions on pricing or discounts;

    unexpected changes in international regulatory requirements, taxes and tariffs; and

    geopolitical events such as war and terrorist attacks.

        To the extent we generate international sales and transactions in the future, any negative impact on our international operations could negatively impact our business. In particular, gains and losses on the conversion of foreign payments into U. S. dollars may contribute to fluctuations in our results of operations and fluctuating exchange rates could cause reduced gross revenues and/or gross profit percentages from non-dollar-denominated international sales. Additionally, penalties for non-compliance with laws applicable to international business and trade, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, could negatively impact our business.

In order to obtain future revenue growth and achieve and sustain profitability, we will have to attract and retain customers on cost-effective terms.

        Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain customers on cost-effective terms. We have relationships with online services, search engines, affiliate marketing websites, directories and other website and e-commerce businesses to provide content, advertising banners and other links that direct customers to our Website. We rely on these relationships as significant sources of traffic to our Website and to generate new customers. If we are unable to develop or maintain these relationships on acceptable terms, our ability to attract new customers and our financial condition could be harmed. If the underlying technology's development evolves in a manner that is no longer beneficial to us our financial condition could be harmed. In addition, certain of our online marketing agreements may require us to pay upfront fees and make other payments prior to the realization of the sales, if any, associated with those payments. Accordingly, if these relationships or agreements that we may enter into in the future fail to produce the sales that we anticipate, our results of operations will be adversely affected. We cannot give any assurance that we will be able to increase our revenues, if at all, in a cost-effective manner. We periodically conduct national television and radio branding and advertising campaigns. Such campaigns are expensive and may not result in the cost-effective acquisition of customers.

        Further, many of the parties with which we may have online-advertising arrangements could provide advertising services for other online or traditional retailers and merchandise liquidators. As a result, these parties may be reluctant to enter into or maintain relationships with us. Failure to achieve sufficient traffic or generate sufficient revenue from purchases originating from third parties may result in termination of these relationships by these third parties. Further, in the past we have terminated our

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relationships with third party Internet advertising affiliates in certain states as a result of efforts by those states to require us to collect sales taxes based on the presence of those third party Internet advertising affiliates in those states, and we are likely do so again in the future if necessary. Without these relationships, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

We rely upon paid and natural search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo to rank our product offerings and may at times be subject to changes in search algorithms and ranking penalties if they believe we are not in compliance with their guidelines.

        We rely on paid and natural search engines to attract consumer interest in our product offerings. Potential and existing customers use search engines provided by search engine companies, including Google, Bing, and Yahoo, which use algorithms and other devices to provide users a natural ranked listing of relevant Internet sites matching a user's search criteria and specifications. Generally, Internet sites ranked higher in the paid and natural search results lists furnished to users attract the largest visitor share among similar Internet sites. Among retail internet sites, those sites achieving the highest natural search ranking often benefit from increased sales. Natural search engine algorithms utilize information available throughout the Internet, including information available on our site. Rules and guidelines of these natural search engine companies govern our participation on their sites and how we share relevant Internet information that may be considered or incorporated into the algorithms utilized by these sites. If we fail to present, or improperly present, our site information for use by natural search engine companies, or if any of these natural search engine companies determine we have violated their rules or guidelines, or if others improperly present our site information to these search engine companies, or if natural search engine companies make changes to their search algorithms, we may fail to achieve an optimum ranking in natural search engine listing results, or we may be penalized in a way that could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to compete successfully against existing or future competitors.

        The online liquidation services market is rapidly evolving and intensely competitive. Barriers to entry are minimal, and current and new competitors can launch new websites at a relatively low cost. We currently compete with numerous competitors, including:

    liquidation e-tailers such as SmartBargains;

    online retailers with discount departments such as Amazon.com, Inc., eBay, Inc. and Buy.com, Inc.;

    private sale sites such as Rue La La, Gilt Groupe;

    online specialty retailers such as Bluefly, Inc., Blue Nile, Inc. and Backcountry.com; and

    traditional retailers and liquidators such as Ross Stores, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., TJX Companies, Inc., Costco Wholesale Corporation, J.C. Penny Company, Inc., Sears Holding Corporation, Target Corporation, Best Buy Co., Inc., and Barnes and Noble, Inc., all of which also have an online presence.

        We also compete with liquidation "brokers" and retailers and online marketplaces such as eBay, Inc.

        We expect the online liquidation services market to become even more competitive as traditional liquidators and online retailers continue to develop services that compete with our services. In addition, manufacturers and retailers may decide to create their own websites to sell their own excess inventory and the excess inventory of third parties. Competitive pressures created by any one of our competitors, or by our competitors collectively, could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

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        Further, as a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment, we may from time to time make certain pricing, service or marketing decisions or acquisitions that could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. For example, to the extent that we enter new lines of businesses such as third-party logistics, or discount brick and mortar retail, we would be competing with large established businesses such as APL Logistics, and Ltd., Ross Stores, Inc., respectively. In the past we have entered the online auctions, car listing and real estate listing businesses in which we compete with large established businesses including eBay, Inc., AutoTrader.com, Inc. and Realtor.com.

        Many of our current and potential competitors described above have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, greater brand recognition and significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. In addition, online retailers and liquidation e-tailers may be acquired by, receive investments from or enter into other commercial relationships with larger, well-established and well-financed companies. Some of our competitors may be able to secure merchandise from manufacturers on more favorable terms, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing or inventory availability policies and devote substantially more resources to website and systems development than we do. Increased competition may result in reduced operating margins, loss of market share and a diminished brand franchise. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors.

Our operating results depend on our Website, network infrastructure and transaction-processing systems. Capacity constraints or system failures would harm our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.

        Any system interruptions that result in the unavailability of our Website or reduced performance of our transaction systems would reduce our transaction volume and the attractiveness of the services that we provide to suppliers and third parties and would harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

        We use internally developed systems for our Website and certain aspects of transaction processing, including personalization databases used for internal analytics, recommendations and order verifications. We have experienced periodic systems interruptions due to server failure and power failure, which we believe will continue to occur from time to time. If the volume of traffic on our Website or the number of purchases made by customers increases substantially, we will need to further expand and upgrade our technology, transaction processing systems and network infrastructure. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience temporary capacity constraints due to sharply increased traffic during sales or other promotions and during the holiday shopping season. Capacity constraints can cause unanticipated system disruptions, slower response times, delayed page presentation, degradation in levels of customer service, impaired quality and delays in reporting accurate financial information.

        Our transaction processing systems and network infrastructure may be unable to accommodate increases in traffic in the future. We may be unable to project accurately the rate or timing of traffic increases or successfully upgrade our systems and infrastructure to accommodate future traffic levels on our Website. In addition, we may be unable to upgrade and expand our transaction processing systems in an effective and timely manner or to integrate any newly developed or purchased functionality with our existing systems. For example, in the past we have experienced difficulties with our implementation of infrastructure upgrades, which resulted in our inability to upload new products to our Website for a period of time. Any such difficulties with our transaction processing systems or other difficulties upgrading, expanding or integrating various aspects of our systems may cause unanticipated system disruptions, slower response times, and degradation in levels of customer service, additional expense, impaired quality and speed of order fulfillment or delays in reporting accurate financial information.

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If the facility where substantially all of our computer and communications hardware is located fails, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.

        If the facility where substantially all of our computer and communications hardware is located fails, or we suffer an interruption of services through the facility for any reason, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.

        Our success, and in particular, our ability to successfully receive and fulfill orders and provide high-quality customer service, largely depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications systems. Substantially all of our computer and communications hardware is located at a single co-location facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, with a partially redundant back-up system located less than six miles from the co-location facility. In the event of an earthquake or major local disaster, or any other man-made or natural cause of interruption of service, both our primary and back-up sites could be adversely affected. Although we have designed our back-up system in an effort to minimize service interruptions in the event of a failure of our main facility, our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks, acts of war, break-ins, earthquake and similar events. In the event of a failure of our primary facility, the failover to our back-up facility would take at least several hours, during which time our Website would be completely shut down. Our back-up facility is designed to support sales at a level slightly above our average daily sales, but is not adequate to support sales at a high level. The back-up facility may not process effectively during time of higher traffic to our Website and may process transactions more slowly and may not support all of the functionality of our primary site. These limitations could have an adverse effect on our conversion rate and sales. Our disaster recovery plan may be inadequate, and we do not carry business interruption insurance sufficient to compensate us for losses that could occur. Despite the implementation of network security measures, our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions, the occurrence of any of which could lead to interruptions, delays, loss of critical data or the inability to accept and fulfill customer orders. The occurrence of any of the foregoing risks could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to protect our proprietary technology or keep up with that of our competitors.

        Our success depends to a significant degree upon the protection of our software and other proprietary intellectual property rights. We may be unable to deter misappropriation of our proprietary information, detect unauthorized use and take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual property rights. In addition, our competitors could, without violating our proprietary rights, develop technologies that are as good as or better than our technology.

        Our failure to protect our software and other proprietary intellectual property rights or to develop technologies that are as good as our competitors' could put us at a disadvantage to our competitors. In addition, the failure of the third parties whose products we offer for sale on our Website to protect their intellectual property rights, including their domain names, could impair our operations. These failures could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties.

        Other parties have claimed and may claim that we infringe their intellectual property rights. We have been and are subject to, and expect to continue to be subject to, legal claims of alleged infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties. The ready availability of damages, royalties and the potential for injunctive relief has increased the defense litigation costs of patent infringement claims, especially those asserted by third parties whose sole or primary business is to assert such claims. Such claims, even if not meritorious, may result in significant expenditure of financial and managerial resources, and the payment of damages or settlement amounts. Additionally,

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we may become subject to injunctions prohibiting us from using software or business processes we currently use or may need to use in the future, or requiring us to obtain licenses from third parties when such licenses may not be available on financially feasible terms or terms acceptable to us or at all. In addition, we may not be able to obtain on favorable terms, or at all, licenses or other rights with respect to intellectual property we do not own in providing e-commerce services to other businesses and individuals under commercial agreements.

If we do not respond to rapid technological changes, our services could become obsolete and we could lose customers.

        To remain competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve the functionality and features of our e-commerce businesses. We may face material delays in introducing new services, products and enhancements. If this happens, our customers may forego the use of our Website and use those of our competitors. The Internet and the online commerce industry are rapidly changing. If competitors introduce new products and services using new technologies or if new industry standards and practices emerge, our existing Website and our proprietary technology and systems may become obsolete. Our failure to respond to technological change or to adequately maintain, upgrade and develop our computer network and the systems used to process customers' orders and payments could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to obtain trademark protection for our marks, which could impede our efforts to build brand identity.

        We have filed trademark applications with the Patent and Trademark Office seeking registration of certain service marks and trademarks. There can be no assurance that our applications will be successful or that we will be able to secure significant protection for our service marks or trademarks in the United States or elsewhere as we expand internationally. Our competitors or others could adopt product or service marks similar to our marks, or try to prevent us from using our marks, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to customer confusion. Any claim by another party against us or customer confusion related to our trademarks, or our failure to obtain trademark registration, could negatively affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to enforce protection of our intellectual property rights under the laws of other countries.

        We sell products internationally and consequently we are subject to risks of doing business internationally as related to our intellectual property, including:

    legal uncertainty regarding liability for the listings and other content provided by our users, including uncertainty as a result of less Internet-friendly legal systems, unique local laws, and lack of clear precedent or applicable law; and

    differing intellectual property laws, which may provide insufficient protection for our intellectual property.

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Use of social media may adversely impact our reputation.

        There has been a marked increase in use of social media platforms and similar devices, including weblogs (blogs), social media websites, and other forms of Internet-based communications which allow individuals access to a broad audience of consumers and other interested persons. Consumers value readily available information concerning retailers, manufacturers, and their goods and services and often act on such information without further investigation, authentication and without regard to its accuracy. The availability of information on social media platforms and devices is virtually immediate as is its impact. Social media platforms and devices immediately publish the content their subscribers and participants post, often without filters or checks on accuracy of the content posted. The opportunity for dissemination of information, including inaccurate information, is seemingly limitless and readily available. Information concerning the Company may be posted on such platforms and devices at any time. Information posted may be adverse to our interests, it may be inaccurate, and may harm our performance, prospects or business. The harm may be immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. Such platforms also could be used for dissemination of trade secret information, compromise of valuable company assets all of which could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business and reputation may be harmed by the listing or sale of pirated, counterfeit or illegal items by third parties, and by intellectual property litigation.

        We have received in the past, and we anticipate we will receive in the future, communications alleging that certain items listed or sold through our Website infringe third-party copyrights, trademarks and trade names or other intellectual property rights or that we have otherwise infringed third parties' past, current or future intellectual property rights.

        We may be unable to prevent third parties from listing unlawful goods, and we may be subject to allegations of civil or criminal liability for unlawful activities carried out by third parties through our Website. In the future, we may implement measures to protect against these potential liabilities that could require us to spend substantial resources and/or to reduce revenues by discontinuing certain service offerings. Any costs incurred as a result of liability or asserted liability relating to the sale of unlawful goods or the unlawful sale of goods could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

        Resolving litigation or claims regarding patents or other intellectual property, whether meritorious or not, could be costly, time-consuming, cause service delays, divert our management and key personnel from our business operations, require expensive or unwanted changes in our methods of doing business or require us to enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements, if available. As a result, these claims could harm our business.

        Negative publicity generated as a result of the foregoing could damage our reputation, harm our business and diminish the value of our brand name.

We are involved in substantial litigation.

        From time to time we receive claims of and become subject to consumer protection, employment, intellectual property and other commercial litigation related to the conduct and operation of our business and the sale of products on our Website. In connection with such litigation, we may be subject to significant damages or equitable remedies. In addition, we have in the past been, are now, and in the future may be, involved in substantial litigation in which we are the plaintiff, including litigation regarding the constitutionality of certain state tax laws, and the prime broker litigation described below. Any of such litigation, whether as plaintiff or defendant, could be costly and time consuming and could divert management and key personnel from our regular business operations. We do not currently believe that any of our outstanding litigation will have a material adverse effect on our business,

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prospects, financial condition or results of operations. However, due to the uncertainty of litigation and depending on the amount and the timing, an unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could materially affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our prime broker litigation may have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

        We remain involved in substantial litigation against Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co., Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing L.P.; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corporation, and Bank of America Securities LLC, and the use of management's time and attention in connection with the litigation and related matters may reduce the time management is able to spend on other aspects of our business, which may have adverse effects on other aspects of our business. To the extent that any such adverse effects exceed any benefits we may realize from the litigation, it could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.

We may be liable if third parties misappropriate our customers' personal information.

        If third parties are able to penetrate our network security or otherwise misappropriate our customers' personal information or credit card information, or if we give third parties improper access to our customers' personal information or credit card information, we could be subject to liability. This liability could include claims for unauthorized purchases with credit card information, impersonation or other similar fraud claims or damages for alleged violations of state or federal laws governing security protocols for the safekeeping of customers' personal or credit card information. This liability could also include claims for other misuses of personal information, including unauthorized marketing purposes. These claims could result in litigation. Liability for misappropriation of this information could adversely affect our business. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission and state agencies have been investigating various Internet companies regarding their use of personal information. We could incur additional expenses if new regulations regarding the use of personal information are introduced or if government agencies investigate our privacy practices.

        We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties as well internally developed technology to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect secure transmission of confidential information such as customer credit card numbers. We cannot provide assurance that advances in computer capabilities internet technology, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other events or developments will not result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms that we use to protect customer transaction data. If any such compromise of our security were to occur, it could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. A party who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against such security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. We cannot give any assurance that our security measures will prevent security breaches or that failure to prevent such security breaches will not harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be subject to product liability claims that could be costly and time consuming.

        We sell products manufactured for us by third parties, some of which may be defective. If any product that we sell were to cause physical injury or injury to property, the injured party or parties could bring claims against us as the manufacturer and/or retailer of the product. Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover every claim that could be asserted. If a successful claim were brought against us in excess of our insurance coverage, it could adversely affect our business. Even unsuccessful claims could result in the expenditure of funds and management time and could have a negative impact on our business.

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We have significant indebtedness.

        As a result of the sale of our 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes") in November 2004, we incurred $120.0 million of indebtedness, due December 1, 2011. As of December 31, 2010, a face amount of $34.6 million of the Senior Notes remained outstanding. The degree to which we are indebted could materially and adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, acquisitions or other purposes and could make us more vulnerable to industry downturns and competitive pressures. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations is dependent upon our future performance, which will be subject to financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control.

        On February 7, 2011, we retired an additional $10.1 million of our outstanding Senior Notes, reducing the balance outstanding to a face amount of $24.5 million. This principal obligation is a significant amount, and we will have to refinance any portion of the amount due December 1, 2011 that we are unable to repay with proceeds from operations. If we fail to comply with our debt covenants, we will be in default.

        Our ability to generate cash flow from operations to make interest and principal payments on our debt obligations will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by a range of economic, competitive and business factors. We cannot control many of these factors, including general economic conditions and the health of the Internet retail industry. If our operations do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our indebtedness, we may need to borrow additional funds to make these payments or undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing our debt, or reducing or delaying capital investments and acquisitions. Additional funds or alternative financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or obtain additional funds or alternative financing on acceptable terms could have a material adverse affect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Public statements we or our chief executive officer, Patrick M. Byrne, have made or may make in the future may antagonize regulatory officials or others.

        We and our chief executive officer, Patrick M. Byrne, have from time to time made public statements regarding our or his beliefs about matters of public interest, including statements regarding naked short selling. Some of those public statements have been critical of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory agencies. These public statements may have consequences for us, whether as a result of increased regulatory scrutiny or otherwise.

We remain subject to an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        As previously announced, we have received a notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission stating that the SEC is conducting an investigation concerning our previously-announced financial restatements of 2006 and 2008 and other matters. The subpoena accompanying the notice covers documents related to the restatements and also to our billings to our partners in the fourth quarter of 2008 and related collections, and our accounting for and implementation of software relating to our accounting for customer refunds and credits, including offsets to partners, and related matters. We have been cooperating and intend to continue to cooperate fully with the investigation. However, an unfavorable resolution of this matter could materially affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

California District Attorneys have sued us for alleged violations of California law.

        In April 2008, we received a letter from the Office of the District Attorney of Marin County, California, stating that the District Attorneys of Marin and four other counties in Northern California had begun an investigation into the way we advertise products for sale. In November 2010, District

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Attorneys for the California Counties of Alameda, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Santa Clara, Shasta and Sonoma filed a lawsuit seeking damages and an injunction, alleging violations of California consumer protection laws, alleging we made untrue or misleading statements concerning our pricing, price reductions, sources of products and shipping charges. The complaint asks for damages in the amount of not less than $15 million. We dispute the allegations and intend to defend ourselves vigorously. However, an unfavorable resolution of this matter could materially affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to our Auctions Service

Our auctions service is a developing business.

        Our auctions service began operation in September 2004. Our auctions service remains in development, and we cannot ensure that it will succeed. Our auctions business exposes us to additional risks, including legal and regulatory risks, and requires us to compete with established businesses having substantially greater experience in the online auctions business and substantially greater resources than we have.

Our auctions business may be subject to a variety of regulatory requirements.

        Many states and other jurisdictions, including Utah, where we are located, have regulations governing the conduct of traditional "auctions" and the liability of traditional "auctioneers" in conducting auctions. Although the vast majority of these regulations contemplated only traditional auctions, not online auctions, the potential application of these types of regulations to online auction sites is not clear. We are aware that several states and some foreign jurisdictions have attempted to impose such regulations on other companies operating online auction sites or on the users of those sites. In addition, certain states have laws or regulations that do expressly apply to online auction site services. Although we do not expect these laws to have a significant effect on our auction service, we will incur costs in complying with these laws, and we may from time to time be required to make changes in our business that may increase our costs, reduce our revenues, cause us to prohibit the listing of certain items in certain locations, or make other changes that may adversely affect our auctions business.

Current and future laws could affect our auctions business.

        Like our shopping site business, our auction site service is subject to many of the same laws and regulations that apply to other companies conducting business on and off the Internet. In addition, our auction site service may be affected by other laws and regulations, such as those that expressly apply to online auction site services. Further, because of the wide range of items that users of our auctions service may choose to list on the site, a variety of additional laws and regulations may apply to transactions between users of our site, such as those requiring a license to sell or purchase certain items or mandating particular disclosures in connection with an offer or sale of an item. Periodically, states have targeted online auction business as sites used for disposal of stolen, or past-date merchandise, like expired baby formula, and have cited these concerns in proposing legislation to broadly prohibit the sale of many types of items through Internet auction and imposing onerous recordkeeping requirements, without similar application of these laws to traditional retail establishments, online or printed classified advertising publications, or other types of sales list services. To the extent that such current or future laws or regulations prevent or inhibit users from selling items on our auction site, or to the extent these laws discriminate against Internet auctions or apply in a discriminatory fashion, they could harm our business.

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Our business may be harmed if our auctions business is used for unlawful transactions.

        The law regarding the potential liability of an online auction service for the activities of its users is not clear. We prohibit the listing of numerous categories of items in an effort to reduce the possibility that users of our auction site will engage in an unlawful transaction. However, we cannot assure that users of the site will comply with all laws and regulations applicable to them and their transactions, and we may be subject to allegations of civil or criminal liability for any unlawful activities conducted by them. Any costs we incur as a result of any such allegations, as a result of actual or alleged unlawful transactions using our site, or in our efforts to prevent any such transactions, may harm our business. In addition, any negative publicity we receive regarding any such transactions or allegations may damage our reputation, our ability to attract new customers to our main shopping site, and the Overstock.com brand name generally.

Fraudulent activities using our auctions business and disputes between users of our auctions business may harm our business.

        We have periodically received complaints from users alleging that they have not received the purchase price or the goods they expected to receive and that, in some cases, users have been arrested and convicted for engaging in fraudulent activities using those companies' auction sites. We do not have the ability to require users of our services to fulfill their obligations to make payments or to deliver items. We periodically receive complaints from buyers about the quality or authenticity of the items they purchase, requests for reimbursement of amounts paid, and communications threatening or commencing legal actions against us or our users which may negatively impact our business.

We are subject to risks associated with information transmitted through our auctions service.

        The law relating to the liability of online services companies for information carried on or disseminated through their services is currently unsettled. Claims could be made against online services companies under both U.S. and foreign law for defamation, libel, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, or other theories based on the nature and content of the materials disseminated through their services. We are aware that private lawsuits seeking to impose liability under a number of these theories have been brought against other companies operating auction sites. In addition, domestic and foreign legislation has been proposed that would prohibit or impose liability for the transmission over the Internet of certain types of information. Our auctions service permits users to make comments regarding other users. Although all such comments are generated by users and not by us, we are aware that claims of defamation or other injury have been made against other companies operating auction services in the past and could be made in the future against us for comments made by users. Recent court decisions have narrowed the scope of the immunity provided to Internet service providers like us under the Communications Decency Act. This trend, if continued, may increase our potential liability to third parties for the user-provided content on our site.

Difficulties or negative publicity associated with our auctions business could affect our main shopping site business.

        Any significant operational or other difficulties we encounter with our auctions business could damage our reputation, our ability to attract new customers to our main shopping site, and the Overstock.com brand name generally. Negative publicity resulting from actual or alleged fraudulent or deceptive conduct by users of our auctions business could also damage our reputation, our ability to attract new customers to our main shopping site, and the Overstock.com brand name generally.

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Risks Relating to our Cars Site and Real Estate Services

Our cars site and real estate services are relatively new businesses that may not succeed.

        Our car listing site and real estate listing services began operation in December 2006 and August 2008, respectively. The listing sites are listing services for automobile and real estate sellers. The online car listing service and real estate listing service are relatively new businesses for us. We cannot ensure that our expansion into these businesses will succeed. Our entry into these businesses will require us to devote substantial financial, technical, managerial and other resources to this car listing and real estate listing sites. It also exposes us to additional risks, including legal and regulatory risks, and it requires us to compete with established businesses having substantially greater experience in the online car listing and real estate listing service businesses and substantially greater resources than we have.

Our car listing and real estate listing services may be subject to a variety of regulatory requirements.

        Many states and other jurisdictions, including Utah, where we are located, have regulations governing the conduct of car sellers and real estate agents and public advertisement for car and real estate sales. Generally, these regulations govern the conduct of those sellers advertising their automobiles for sale and real estate listing for sale and are not directly applicable to those providing the medium through which the advertisement is made available to the public. Sellers are often subject to regulations in the nature of "truth in advertising laws." The application of these regulations to online car listing service and real estate listing providers is not clear. Although we do not expect these laws to have a significant effect on our listing services, we will incur costs in complying with these laws, and we may from time to time be required to make changes in our services that may increase our costs, reduce our revenues, cause us to prohibit certain listing or advertising practices, or make other changes that may adversely affect our car and real estate listing services.

Current and future laws could affect our car and real estate listing businesses.

        Like our shopping business, our car and real estate listing services are subject to most of the same laws and regulations that apply to other companies conducting business on and off the Internet. In addition, our car and real estate listing services may be affected by other laws and regulations, such as those that expressly apply to advertising automobiles and real estate for sale. To the extent that such current or future laws or regulations prevent users from selling items on our car and real estate listing sites, they could harm our business.

Our business may be harmed if our car and real estate listing sites are used for unlawful transactions.

        The law regarding the potential liability of an online listing service for automobile sales and real estate is not clear. The platforms of the listing services are accessible to subscribers who have the ability to feature their cars and real estate listings for sale and supply the descriptions of the vehicles and properties, including the general condition of the vehicle or property and other important information. We have no ability to know whether the information sellers provide is correct. While our site terms and conditions of usage prohibit unlawful acts, we cannot rule out the possibility that users of our car and real estate listing sites will engage in unlawful transactions, or fail to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to them and their transactions. We may be subject to allegations of civil or criminal liability for any unlawful activities conducted by such users. Any costs we incur as a result of any such allegations, as a result of actual or alleged unlawful transactions using our site, or in our efforts to prevent any such transactions, may harm our business. In addition, any negative publicity we receive regarding any such transactions or allegations may damage our reputation, our ability to attract new customers to our main shopping site, and the Overstock.com brand name generally.

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Fraudulent activities using our car and real estate listing sites and disputes between users of our car and real estate listing sites may harm our business.

        We are aware that other companies operating online car and real estate listing services have periodically received complaints from users alleging improprieties in connection with listings and occasionally these complaints may result in regulatory action. With any online listing service there is the possibility that sellers may attempt to employ "bait and switch" techniques, attracting consumers with advertisements of low cost, good condition vehicles in hopes of switching buyer interest to another less favorable vehicle or different property once a potential purchaser responds. Additionally, sellers may attempt to sell vehicles and real estate without accurate descriptions of the condition of the vehicles or real estate. We have occasionally received complaints of this nature regarding both our car and real estate listing services. In response to serious or repeat complaints concerning a car or real estate dealer, we may take action to prohibit such persons from listing inventory, but we do not have the ability to require users of our services to fulfill their obligations to make accurate disclosures or comply with consumer laws prohibiting "bait and switch" or other prohibited seller tactics. We are aware that other companies providing similar services periodically are threatened or by or subject to legal actions against the listing service for damages because of user conduct. We may encounter similar legal actions in connection with our cars and real estate listing services, which may harm our business or reputation among consumers.

Risks Relating to the Internet Industry

Our success is tied to the continued use of the Internet and the adequacy of the Internet infrastructure.

        Our future revenues and profits, if any, substantially depend upon the continued widespread use of the Internet as an effective medium of business and communication. Factors which could reduce the widespread use of the Internet include:

    actual or perceived lack of security of information or privacy protection;

    possible disruptions, computer viruses or other damage to the Internet servers or to users' computers;

    significant increases in the costs of transportation of goods; and

    governmental regulation.

Customers may be unwilling to use the Internet to purchase goods.

        Our long-term future depends heavily upon the general public's willingness to use the Internet as a means to purchase goods. Though e-commerce is widely accepted as a means of purchasing consumer goods and services, we cannot give any assurance that it will continue to be widely accepted. The demand for and acceptance of products sold over the Internet are still uncertain and most e-commerce businesses have a short track record. If consumers are unwilling to use the Internet to conduct business, it would materially adversely impact our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

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The security risks or perception of risks of e-commerce may discourage customers from purchasing goods from us.

        In order for the e-commerce market to continue to develop successfully, we and other market participants must be able to transmit confidential information securely over public networks. Third parties may have the technology or know-how to breach the security of customer transaction data. Any breach of our e-commerce security systems could cause customers to lose confidence in the security of our Website and choose not to purchase from our Website. Likewise, if there is a breach of e-commerce security systems operated by another large e-commerce retailer, whether or not the breach affected the systems we operate such a breach could cause could also cause our customers to lose confidence in the security of our site as well. If someone is able to circumvent our security measures, he or she could destroy or steal valuable information or disrupt our operations. Concerns about the security and privacy of transactions over the Internet could inhibit the use of the Internet and e-commerce. Our security measures may not effectively prohibit others from obtaining improper access to our information. Third parties may target our customers directly with fraudulent identity theft schemes designed to appear as legitimate communications from us. Any security breach or fraud perpetrated on our customers could expose us to increased costs and to risks of loss, litigation and liability and could seriously disrupt our operations. Similar activities targeting other large e-commerce sites, if successful, could similarly cause serious disruption to our operations and business.

Credit card fraud could adversely affect our business.

        We routinely receive orders placed with fraudulent credit card data. We do not carry insurance against the risk of credit card fraud, so the failure to adequately control fraudulent credit card transactions could reduce our net revenues and our gross profit percentage. We have implemented technology to help us detect and reject the fraudulent use of credit card information. However, we may in the future suffer losses as a result of orders placed with fraudulent credit card data even though the associated financial institution approved payment of the orders. Under current credit card practices, we may be liable for fraudulent credit card transactions because we do not obtain a cardholder's signature. If we are unable to detect or control credit card fraud, our liability for these transactions could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation. Further, to the extent that our efforts to prevent fraudulent orders result in our inadvertent refusal to fill legitimate orders, we would lose the benefit of legitimate potential sales and risk the alienation of legitimate customers.

If one or more states successfully assert that we should collect sales or other taxes on the sale of our merchandise or the merchandise of third parties that we offer for sale on our Website, or that we should pay commercial activity taxes, our business could be harmed.

        We do not currently collect sales or other similar taxes for physical shipments of goods into states where we do not have a physical presence or "nexus". One or more local, state or foreign jurisdictions may seek to impose sales tax collection obligations on us because we are engaged in online commerce, even though we have no physical presence in those jurisdictions. The future location of our fulfillment centers and customer service center networks, or any other operation of the company, establishing a physical presence in states where we are not now present, may result in additional sales and other tax obligations. We challenged the constitutionality of a New York state law which requires Internet retailers to collect and remit New York sales taxes on their New York sales who have no physical presence or "tax nexus" in New York, if the retailer uses the services of New York based Internet advertisers. The trial court dismissed our challenge, and on appeal, the appellate court has partially affirmed the trial court. We continue to appeal those decisions. As a result of the enactment of the New York law, we terminated our relationship with New York based advertising affiliates. Other states have passed similar Internet affiliate advertising statutes, and in those states we have terminated our use of locally based Internet advertisers. Moreover, there are other states that currently have similar tax

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proposals under consideration. If such laws survive constitutional challenge, we may have to elect to discontinue in those states valuable marketing through the use of affiliates based in those states, or begin in those states the collection of the taxes. In either event, our business could be harmed and our business could be adversely affected if one or more states or any foreign country successfully asserts that we should collect sales or other taxes on the sale of our merchandise in compliance with these or any other state law. At least one state, Ohio, asserts that we should pay a commercial activity tax because we sell merchandise in Ohio, even though we have no physical presence there. We challenged in Ohio state court the constitutionality of the commercial activity tax; however, the court declined the case for the reason that it was not a ripe controversy. The State of Ohio has since assessed us $612,784 in taxes, interest, and penalties as of June 30, 2009, which assessment we are now contesting through administrative procedures. The Ohio Department of Taxation issued additional estimated assessments of estimated tax, interest and penalties totaling $24,545 for the period July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 in September, 2010.We believe the assessment to be wrong and are contesting the assessment. If Ohio is successful and its assessment withstands constitutional challenge in both administratively and in court appeals, the enforcement of the assessment could harm our business. If other states similarly enact and are successful in enforcing similar commercial activity tax laws, these also could harm our business.

        The States of Colorado and Oklahoma have enacted laws requiring remote vendors to notify resident purchasers in those states of their obligation to pay a use tax on their purchases. In Colorado, the law requires vendors to notify Colorado purchasers annually by U.S. mail of all their annual purchases, and provide to the State of Colorado the same information in the first quarter of the year for previous year's purchases. On January 26, 2011, a federal court in Colorado, citing constitutional concerns and noting that a party challenging the constitutionality of the Colorado law would have a likelihood of success at trial, granted a preliminary injunction preventing the Colorado Department of Revenue from enforcing the provisions of the Colorado law. Notwithstanding, other states may enact legislation similar to these laws. Such laws could harm our business by imposing unreasonable notice burdens upon us, or by such detailed notices, or the threat of invasion of privacy, discourage customers from making purchases over the Internet.

Economic pressure on states could harm our business.

        The current economic climate has resulted in a sharp decline in state revenues, and states have projected large state budget shortfalls in the years ahead. These shortfalls require state legislatures and agencies to examine the means to increase state revenues. States may increase sales and use tax rates, create new tax laws covering previously untaxed activities, or increase existing licenses or create new fees all of which may directly or indirectly harm our business. Similarly, administrative agencies and executive agencies may apply more rigorous enforcement efforts, take inflexible, unreasonable or unprecedented positions respecting these laws they administer, especially if the laws they administer carry monetary penalties and fines which either the state or the administrative agency may use to balance their budgets. To the extent that states pass additional revenue measures, or significantly increase their enforcement efforts of existing laws, these activities could directly or indirectly harm our business.

Laws or regulations relating to privacy and data protection may adversely affect the growth of our Internet business or our marketing efforts.

        We are subject to increasing regulation at the federal, state and international levels relating to privacy, security, retention, transfer and use of personal user information. For example, we are subject to various telemarketing laws that regulate the manner in which we may solicit future suppliers and customers. Such statutes and regulations, along with increased governmental or private enforcement, may increase the cost of our business. In addition, many jurisdictions have laws that limit the uses of

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personal user information gathered online or offline or require companies to establish privacy policies. For example, Federal Trade Commission regulations restrict the collection and use of personal identifying information obtained from children under 13. Laws affecting privacy, security, retention, transfer and use of personal user information have been passed by several jurisdictions, both domestic and foreign, including laws that require us to establish procedures to notify users of privacy and security policies, obtain consent from users for collection and use of personal information, and/or provide users with the ability to access, correct and delete personal information stored by us. Compliance with new and existing privacy and security laws is difficult and costly, as interpretation and application of these laws evolves over time. Additional restrictions and requirements regarding data security and privacy are under nearly continuous consideration by foreign countries, Congress and various states. These data protection statutes, regulations and interpretations may further restrict our ability to collect demographic and personal information from users, which could be costly or harm our marketing efforts, and could require us to implement new and potentially costly processes, procedures and/or protective measures.

Risks Relating to the Securities Markets and Ownership of Our Securities

The price of our securities may be volatile and you may lose all or a part of your investment.

        The market price of our common stock historically has been subject to significant fluctuations. These fluctuations could continue. It is possible that in future periods our results of operations may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. If this occurs, the market price of our securities may decline. Some of the factors that could affect the market price of our securities are as follows:

    changes in securities analysts' recommendations or estimates of our financial performance or publication of research reports by analysts;

    changes in market valuations of similar companies;

    announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, commercial relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

    general market conditions;

    actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

    intellectual property or litigation developments;

    changes in our management team;

    economic factors unrelated to our performance; and

    our issuance of additional shares of stock or other securities.

        In addition, the securities markets have experienced significant price and trading volume fluctuations. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our securities. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company's securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against that company. Such litigation could result in substantial cost and a diversion of management's attention and resources.

Sales by our significant stockholders could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.

        Several of our stockholders own significant portions of our common stock. If one or more of stockholders were to sell all or a portion of their holdings of our common stock, the market price of our common stock could be negatively impacted. The effect of such sales, or of significant portions of our stock being offered or made available for sale, could result in strong downward pressure on our

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stock price. Investors should be aware that they could experience significant short-term volatility in our stock if such stockholders decide to sell all or a portion of their holdings of our common stock at once or within a short period of time. In addition, the transfer of ownership of 50% or more of our outstanding shares within a three year period could adversely affect our ability to use our net operating losses to offset future taxable net income.

Our quarterly operating results are volatile and may adversely affect the market price of our securities.

        Our future revenues and operating results are likely to vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, many of which are outside our control, and any of which could harm our business. As a result, we believe that quarterly comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful and that you should not rely on the results of one quarter as an indication of our future performance. In addition to the other risk factors described in this report, additional factors that have caused and/or could cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate and in turn affect the market price of our securities include:

    increases in the cost of advertising;

    our inability to retain existing customers or encourage repeat purchases;

    the extent to which our existing and future marketing agreements are successful;

    price competition that results in lower profit margins or losses;

    the amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures relating to the expansion of our business operations and infrastructure;

    the amount and timing of our purchases of inventory;

    our inability to manage distribution operations or provide adequate levels of customer service;

    increases in the cost of fuel and transportation;

    our ability to successfully integrate operations and technologies from acquisitions or other business combinations;

    offering new lines of products; and

    our ability to attract users to our auctions, car listing and real estate sites.

Our operating results may fluctuate depending on the season, and such fluctuations may affect the market price of our securities.

        We have experienced and expect to continue to experience fluctuations in our operating results because of seasonal fluctuations in traditional retail patterns. Sales in the retail and wholesale industry tend to be significantly higher in the fourth calendar quarter of each year than in the preceding three quarters due primarily to increased shopping activity during the holiday season. However, there can be no assurance that our sales in the fourth quarter will exceed those of the preceding quarters or, if the fourth quarter sales do exceed those of the preceding quarters, that we will be able to manage the increased sales effectively. Further, we generally increase our inventories substantially in anticipation of holiday season shopping activity, which has a negative effect on our cash flow. Securities analysts and investors may inaccurately estimate the effects of seasonality on our results of operations in one or more future quarters and, consequently, our operating results may fall below expectations, causing the market price of our securities to decline. We generally have payment terms with our fulfillment partners that extend beyond the amount of time necessary to collect proceeds from our customers. As a result of holiday sales, at December 31 of each year, our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable

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securities balances typically reach their highest level (other than as a result of cash flows provided by or used in investing and financing activities). This operating cycle results in a corresponding increase in accounts payable at December 31. Our accounts payable balance generally declines during the first three months of the year, resulting in a corresponding decline in our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balances.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock and you may lose the entire amount of your investment in our common stock.

        We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. We intend to invest our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth. Therefore, you will not receive any funds without selling your shares. We cannot assure that you will receive a positive return on your investment when you sell your shares or that you will not lose the entire amount of your investment.

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law contains anti-takeover provisions which could discourage or prevent a takeover, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders.

        Several provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of our company even if that change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders. For example, only one-third of our board of directors is elected at each of our annual meetings of stockholders, which will make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to change the management of our company, even after acquiring a majority of the shares of our common stock. These provisions, which cannot be amended without the approval of two-thirds of our stockholders, could diminish the opportunities for a stockholder to participate in tender offers, including tender offers at a price above the then current market value of our common stock. In addition, our board of directors, without further stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock, with such terms as the board of directors may determine, that could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company. The issuance of preferred stock could also adversely affect the voting powers of the holders of common stock, including the loss of voting control to others. We are also afforded the protections of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could delay or prevent a change in control of our company or could impede a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving our company or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.

The price of our stock may be vulnerable to manipulation.

        We filed an unfair business practice lawsuit against Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Goldman Sachs & Co., Bear Stearns Companies, Inc., Bank of America Securities LLC, Bank of New York, Citigroup Inc., Credit Suisse (USA) Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., and UBS Financial Services, Inc., and have settled the case with respect to all defendants except Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co., Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing L.P.; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corporation, and Bank of America Securities LLC.

        We believe these remaining defendants engaged in unlawful actions and have caused substantial harm to Overstock, and that certain of the defendants have made efforts to drive the market price of Overstock's common stock down. To the extent that the defendants or other persons engage in any such actions or take any other actions to interfere with or destroy or harm Overstock's existing and/or prospective business relationships with its suppliers, bankers, customers, lenders, investors, prospective investors or others, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation could be

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harmed, and the price of our common stock may be more volatile than it might otherwise be and/or may trade at prices below those that might prevail in the absence of any such efforts. The practice of "abusive naked short selling" continues to place our stock at risk for manipulative attacks by large investment pools and prime brokers.

        Abusive naked short selling is the practice by which short sellers place large short sell orders for shares without first borrowing the shares to be sold, or without having first adequately located such shares and arranged for a firm contract to borrow such shares prior to the delivery date set to close the sale. While selling broker dealers are by rule required to deliver shares to close a transaction by a certain date, and while purchasing broker-dealers are obligated by rule to purchase the sold quantity of shares when they are not delivered to close the sale, these rules are often ignored. Abusive naked short selling has a depressive effect on share prices when it is allowed to persist because the economic effect of abusive naked short selling is the oversupply of counterfeit stock to the market. We believe the regulations designed to address this abusive practice are both inadequately structured and inadequately enforced. Consequently, we believe that without the enactment of adequate regulations and the enforcement necessary to curb these abuses, the manipulations achieved through abusive naked short selling are likely to continue. We believe that our stock has been subject to these abusive practices by those attempting to manipulate its price downward. To the extent that our stock is subject to these practices in the future, our stock may be more volatile than it might otherwise be and/or may trade at prices below those that might prevail in the absence of such abuses.

In the past, our stock has consistently been on the Regulation SHO threshold list.

        Regulation SHO requires the stock exchanges to publish daily a list of companies whose stock has failures-to-deliver above a certain threshold. It also requires mandatory close-outs for open fail-to-deliver positions in threshold securities persisting for over 13 days, with the aim that no security would appear on the threshold for any extended period. Despite that aim, our common stock has frequently appeared on the Regulation SHO threshold list for extended and continuous periods and, while we do not currently appear on the Regulation SHO threshold list, in the past our stock has been on the list for more trading days than any other company.

        Any investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Investors should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described above, and all other information in this Form 10-K and in any reports we file with the SEC after we file this Form 10-K, before deciding whether to purchase or hold our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also become important factors that may harm our business. The occurrence of any of the risks described in this Form 10-K could harm our business. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks and uncertainties, and investors may lose part or all of their investment.

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ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        On June 11, 2010 we received a comment letter from the staff of the SEC issued with respect to the staff's review of, among other filings, our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. In addition to other comments, the staff's June 11, 2010 letter included comments requesting additional information and disclosures regarding our allowance for sales returns. We responded to the staff's comments, and after additional correspondence, the staff informed us by letter dated August 23, 2010 that the staff had no further comments at that time.

        On December 13, 2010 we received a comment letter from the staff issued with respect to the staff's review of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. In addition to other comments, the staff's December 13, 2010 letter included comments requesting additional information regarding our allowance for sales returns and referenced one of our responses to their letter dated June 11, 2010 about sales returns. We have responded to the staff's December 13, 2010 comments, but the staff's comments about our sales returns allowance remain unresolved at the date of this filing. We continue to work with the staff to address their open comments.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

Corporate office space

        We lease approximately 128,000 square feet in the Old Mill Corporate Center III in Salt Lake City, Utah for a term expiring in 2015.

        We lease approximately 12,000 square feet in Provo, Utah for a term expiring in 2016.

Warehouse and customer service space

        We lease a combined 1,041,000 square feet for our warehouse and customer service operations in two facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah for terms expiring in August 2012 and February 2016.

        We lease approximately 15,000 square feet for customer service operations in Tooele, Utah for a term expiring in May 2015.

        We lease approximately 400 square feet of space for our procurement staff in Shanghai, China for a term expiring in October 2012.

Co-location data center

        We lease approximately 4,000 square feet of space at Old Mill Corporate Center I for an IT data center in Salt Lake City, Utah for a term expiring in May 2017.

        We lease an additional 2,864 square feet for an offsite IT data center located in Salt Lake City, Utah for a term expiring in June 2011.

        We believe that the above listed facilities will be sufficient for our needs for at least the next twelve months, subject to seasonal requirements for additional warehouse and customer service space during the fourth quarter.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        The information set forth under Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements—Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies, subheading Legal Proceedings," contained in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference in answer to this Item.

ITEM 4.    (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

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PART II

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

Market information

        Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "OSTK." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ.

 
  Common Stock Price  
 
  High   Low  

Year Ended December 31, 2010

             
 

First Quarter

    16.23     11.10  
 

Second Quarter

    23.92     16.90  
 

Third Quarter

    20.82     13.53  
 

Fourth Quarter

    17.30     12.69  

Year Ended December 31, 2009

             
 

First Quarter

    12.12     6.71  
 

Second Quarter

    14.14     8.94  
 

Third Quarter

    15.94     10.39  
 

Fourth Quarter

    17.99     12.66  

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STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

        The following graph shows a comparison of cumulative total stockholder return, calculated on a dividend reinvested basis, from the market closing price on December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2010 for Overstock.com, Inc., NASDAQ Market Index—U.S. ("NASDAQ Market Index"), the Hemscott Internet Software and Services Index ("Hemscott Group Index") and the Morningstar Online Retail Industry Group Index ("Morningstar Group Index"). We have been informed that the Hemscott Group Index is being phased out, and we will replace it with the Morningstar Group Index because it is composed of companies in businesses similar in many ways to our business. The graph assumes that $100 was invested in our common stock and the above indices at the closing prices on December 31. Historic stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

GRAPHIC

Holders

        As of February 11, 2011, there were 325 holders of record of our common stock. Because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of shareholders, we are unable to estimate the number of beneficial shareholders.

Dividends

        We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any earnings for future growth and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial conditions, contractual and legal restrictions and other factors the board deems relevant. Our Financing Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association prohibits dividend payments and other distributions following the occurrence of a "Triggering Event," as defined in the Financing Agreement. A "Triggering Event" would include any

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failure by us to keep $30 million in certain accounts with U.S. Bank, as well as any Event of Default under the Financing Agreement.

Recent sales of unregistered securities

        In June 2009, we discovered that we had inadvertently issued 203,737 more shares of our common stock in connection with our 401(k) plan than had been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission for offer in connection with the 401(k) plan. These shares were contributed to or otherwise acquired by participants in the 401(k) plan between August 16, 2006, and June 17, 2009. As a result, certain participants in the 401(k) plan may have or have had rescission rights relating to the unregistered shares, although we believe that the federal statute of limitations applicable to any such rescission rights would be one year, and that the statute of limitations had already expired at June 30, 2009 with respect to most of the inadvertent issuances.

        On August 31, 2009, we entered into a Tolling and Standstill Agreement (the "Tolling Agreement") with the Overstock.com, Inc. Employee Benefits Committee (the "Committee") relating to the 401(k) plan. We entered into the Tolling Agreement in order to preserve certain rights, if any, of plan participants who acquired shares of Overstock common stock in the plan between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. In August 2010, we made a registered rescission offer to affected participants in the plan who acquired shares of Overstock common stock during the Purchase Period. The rescission offer applied to shares purchased during the Purchase Period at prices ranging from $6.77 per share to $21.17 per share. On October 6, 2010, our rescission offer expired. As a result of the offer, we repurchased 1,202 shares of common stock for $26,000. On October 14, 2010 we terminated the Tolling Agreement. We reclassified 17,763 shares or $260,000 of common stock from temporary to permanent equity due to the expiration of potential rescission rights. The remaining redeemable shares will be reclassified into permanent equity upon the expiration of potential rescission rights associated with those common shares. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, approximately 46,000 shares or $570,000 and 65,000 shares or $744,000 of our common stock plus interest were classified outside stockholders' equity, respectively.

        In December 2009, we implemented a Non Qualified Deferred Compensation plan for senior management. The plan allows eligible members of senior management to defer their receipt of compensation from us beginning in 2010, subject to the restrictions contained in the plan. To the extent that interests in the plan constitute securities, we believe that the issuance of the interests was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof and Rule 506 of Regulation D thereunder as a transaction not involving a public offering. The interests were not sold for cash or other consideration, and there were no proceeds to us.

Issuer purchases of equity securities

        The following table sets forth all purchases made by us or on our behalf or any "affiliated purchaser" as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act, of shares of our common stock made during each month within the fourth quarter of 2010, including all purchases made pursuant to publicly announced plans or programs and those not made pursuant to publicly announced plans or programs. Column (a) sets forth the total number of shares purchased, and the footnotes to the table disclose the number of shares purchased other than pursuant to a publicly announced plan or program and the nature of any such purchases. Column (b) sets forth the average price paid per share. Column (c) sets forth the total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced repurchase plans or

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programs. Column (d) sets forth the maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs.

Period
  (a)
Total Number of Shares
(or Units) Purchased
  (b)
Average Price Paid
per Share or Unit
  (c)
Total Number of Shares
(or Units) Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
  (d)
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value)
of Shares (or Units) that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
 

October 1, 2010 to October 31, 2010

    1,496   $ 16.80       $  

November 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010

                 

December 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010

                 
                     
 

Total

    1,496(1 )           $  
                     

(1)
Represents 294 shares withheld for minimum tax withholding purposes upon the vesting of a portion of certain restricted stock unit grants and 1,202 shares repurchased as part of our Rescission Offer.

Stock based compensation

Stock options

        Our board of directors adopted the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), in April 2005. Under this Plan, the Board of Directors may issue incentive stock options to our employees and directors and non-qualified stock options to our consultants, as well as other types of awards under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. Options granted under these Plans generally expire at the end of ten years and vest on a straight line basis in accordance with a vesting schedule determined by our Board of Directors, usually over four years from the grant date. As of December 31, 2010, 1.1 million shares of stock based awards were available for future grants under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.

        The following is a summary of stock option activity (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

 
  2010   2009   2008  
 
  Shares   Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
  Shares   Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
  Shares   Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding—beginning of year

    721   $ 20.29     974   $ 21.27     1,161   $ 20.48  
 

Granted at fair value

                    11     14.14  
 

Exercised

    (90 )   17.05     (2 )   15.82     (112 )   12.96  
 

Expired/Forfeited

    (135 )   30.41     (251 )   24.12     (86 )   20.45  
                           

Outstanding—end of year

    496   $ 18.09     721   $ 20.29     974   $ 21.27  
                           

Options exercisable at year-end

    472   $ 18.08     543   $ 21.17     609   $ 23.18  

        Stock options vest over four years at 28% at the end of the first year and 2% each month thereafter. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recorded stock based compensation related to stock options of $1.6 million, $2.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

Restricted stock units activity

        During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we granted 302,000, 366,000 and 491,000 restricted stock units, respectively. The cost of restricted stock units is determined using the

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fair value of our common stock on the date of the grant and compensation expense is recognized on a straight line basis over the three year vesting schedule. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $13.17, $10.15 and $12.64, respectively.

        The following is a summary of restricted stock unit activity (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

 
  2010   2009   2008  
 
  Units   Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Units   Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Units   Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Outstanding—beginning of year

    640   $ 11.35     449   $ 12.69       $  
 

Granted at fair value

    302     13.17     366     10.15     491     12.64  
 

Vested

    (185 )   11.52     (110 )   12.64          
 

Forfeited

    (72 )   11.50     (65 )   11.55     (42 )   12.13  
                           

Outstanding—end of year

    685   $ 12.08     640   $ 11.35     449   $ 12.69  
                           

        Restricted stock units vest over three years at 25% at the end of the first year, 25% at the end of the second year and 50% at the end of the third year. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we recorded stock based compensation related to restricted stock units of $3.5 million, $2.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

        At December 31, 2010, approximately 685,000 restricted stock units were outstanding. On January 22, 2011, we granted 225,000 additional restricted stock units.

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ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The selected consolidated financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Overstock.com, Inc. and subsidiaries and related footnotes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K and the discussion under Item 7—"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The selected consolidated financial data has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The historical financial and operating information may not be indicative of our future performance.

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009   2008   2007   2006  
 
  (in thousands, except per share data)
 

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

                               
 

Revenue, net

                               
   

Direct

  $ 209,646   $ 150,901   $ 173,687   $ 197,088   $ 301,509  
   

Fulfillment partner

    880,227     725,868     656,163     568,814     478,628  
                       
     

Total net revenue

    1,089,873     876,769     829,850     765,902     780,137  
                       
 

Cost of goods sold

                               
   

Direct

    187,124     130,890     153,967     168,008     284,774  
   

Fulfillment partner

    713,109     581,127     531,647     473,344     405,559  
                       
     

Total cost of goods sold

    900,233     712,017     685,614     641,352     690,333  
                       
 

Gross profit

    189,640     164,752     144,236     124,550     89,804  
                       
 

Operating expenses:

                               
   

Sales and marketing

    61,334     55,549     57,668     55,458     70,897  
   

Technology

    58,260     52,336     56,677     59,453     65,158  
   

General and administrative

    55,650     48,906     39,348     41,976     46,837  
   

Restructuring(1)

    (569 )   (66 )   (299 )   12,283     5,674  
                       
     

Total operating expenses

    174,675     156,725     153,394     169,170     188,566  
                       
 

Operating income (loss)

    14,965     8,027     (9,158 )   (44,620 )   (98,762 )
 

Interest income

    157     170     3,163     4,788     3,566  
 

Interest expense

    (2,962 )   (3,470 )   (3,565 )   (4,188 )   (4,765 )
 

Other income (expense), net

    2,088     3,277     (1,446 )   (92 )   81  
                       
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

    14,248     8,004     (11,006 )   (44,112 )   (99,880 )
 

Provision for income taxes

    (359 )   (257 )            
                       
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    13,889     7,747     (11,006 )   (44,112 )   (99,880 )
 

Loss from discontinued operations(2)

                (3,924 )   (6,882 )
                       
 

Net income (loss)

    13,889     7,747     (11,006 )   (48,036 )   (106,762 )
 

Deemed dividend related to redeemable common stock

    (112 )   (48 )   (77 )       (99 )
                       
 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares

  $ 13,777   $ 7,699   $ (11,083 ) $ (48,036 ) $ (106,861 )
                       
 

Net income (loss) per common share—basic:

                               
   

Income (loss) from continuing operations after dividend related to redeemable common stock

  $ 0.60   $ 0.34   $ (0.48 ) $ (1.86 ) $ (4.91 )
   

Loss from discontinued operations

  $   $   $   $ (0.17 ) $ (0.34 )
 

Net income (loss) attributable to common share—basic

  $ 0.60   $ 0.34   $ (0.48 ) $ (2.03 ) $ (5.25 )
 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

    23,019     22,821     22,901     23,704     20,332  

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  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009   2008   2007   2006  
 
  (in thousands, except per share data)
 
 

Net income (loss) per common share—diluted:

                               
   

Income (loss) from continuing operations after dividend related to redeemable common stock

  $ 0.59   $ 0.33   $ (0.48 ) $ (1.86 ) $ (4.91 )
   

Loss from discontinued operations

  $   $   $   $ (0.17 ) $ (0.34 )
 

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares—diluted

  $ 0.59   $ 0.33   $ (0.48 ) $ (2.03 ) $ (5.25 )
 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

    23,366     23,067     22,901     23,704     20,332  

Balance Sheet Data:

                               
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 124,021   $ 139,757   $ 96,457   $ 92,809   $ 114,695  
 

Restricted cash

    2,542     4,414     4,262     8,634     12,270  
 

Marketable securities

            8,989     46,000      
 

Working capital

    14,746     51,236     41,780     62,621     59,475  
 

Total assets

    217,959     216,500     181,136     231,143     264,453  
 

Total indebtedness

    52,845     61,687     67,821     78,418     84,336  
 

Redeemable common stock

    570     744     1,263          
 

Stockholders' equity (deficit)

    30,658     10,800     (2,246 )   18,212     56,367  

(1)
During the fourth quarter of 2006, we commenced implementation of a facilities consolidation and restructuring program designed to reduce the overall expense structure in an effort to improve future operating performance (see Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements"—Note 3—"Restructuring Expense").

(2)
As part of the program to reduce our expense structure and sell non-core businesses, we decided during the fourth quarter of 2006 to sell our travel subsidiary ("OTravel"). As a result, OTravel's operations have been classified as a discontinued operation and therefore are not included in the results of continuing operations. The loss from discontinued operations for OTravel was $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 (including a goodwill impairment charge of $4.5 million) and $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 (including a goodwill impairment charge of $3.8 million).

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

        This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are therefore entitled to the protection of the safe harbor provisions of these laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. The forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, all statements regarding:

    the anticipated benefits and risks of our business and plans;

    our ability to attract and retain customers in a cost-efficient manner;

    the effectiveness of our marketing;

    our future operating and financial results;

    the competition we face and will face in our business;

    the effects of government regulation;

    our future capital requirements and our ability to satisfy our capital needs;

    our expectations regarding the adequacy of our liquidity;

    our ability to repurchase or retire or refinance our publicly traded debt;

    our expansion in international markets;

    our plans for changes to our business;

    our beliefs regarding current or future litigation or regulatory actions;

    our expectations regarding existing and future tax laws and related laws and the application of those laws to our business;

    our expectations regarding the adequacy of our insurance coverages;

    the adequacy of our infrastructure, including our backup facilities and our disaster planning;

    our belief that we can meet our published product shipping standards even during periods of relatively high sales activity;

    our belief that we can maintain or improve upon customer service levels that we and our customers consider acceptable;

    our expectations regarding the adequacy of our order processing systems and our fulfillment and distribution capabilities;

    our beliefs regarding the adequacy of our customer service capabilities;

    our expectations regarding the adequacy of our office and warehouse facilities;

    our expectations regarding our auctions service, our international sales efforts, our real estate listing service, our car listing service and our community site, and the anticipated functionality and results of operations of any of them;

    our belief that we and our fulfillment partners will be able to maintain inventory levels at appropriate levels despite the seasonal nature of our business; and

    our belief that we can successfully offer and sell a constantly changing mix of products and services;

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        Furthermore, in some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, will, could, should, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential or continue, the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider the risks outlined in this Form 10-K, including those described in Item 1A under the caption "Risk Factors." These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by any forward-looking statement. Except as otherwise required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any of our forward-looking statements are based. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Introduction

        We are an online retailer offering discount brand, non-brand name and closeout merchandise, including bed-and-bath goods, home décor, kitchenware, furniture, watches and jewelry, apparel, electronics and computers, sporting goods, and designer accessories, among other products. We also sell hundreds of thousands of best seller and current run books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and video games ("BMMG"). We sell these products through our Internet websites located at www.overstock.com and www.o.co ("Website"). We also operate as part of our Website an online auctions business—a marketplace for the buying and selling of goods and services—and online sites for listing cars and real estate for sale. In October 2009, we also launched O.biz, a website where customers can shop for bulk and business related items. In August 2010, we introduced Eziba.com, a private sale website where members can shop exclusive deals on the latest home décor products, furniture, jewelry, apparel and accessories from many leading brands. Although our four websites are located at different domain addresses, the technology and equipment and processes supporting the Overstock.com Website and the process of order fulfillment described herein are the same for all four websites.

        Our company, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, was founded in 1997. We launched the Website in March 1999. Our Website offers our customers an opportunity to shop for bargains conveniently, while offering our suppliers an alternative inventory liquidation or sales channel. We continually add new, sometimes limited, inventory products to our Website in order to create an atmosphere that encourages customers to visit frequently and purchase products before our inventory sells out. We sell products primarily in the United States, with a small amount of products (less than 1% of sales) sold internationally.

Our Business

        We deal primarily in discount, replenishable, and closeout merchandise and we use the Internet to aggregate both supply and demand to create an efficient marketplace for selling these products. We provide manufacturers with a one-stop liquidation channel to sell both large and small quantities of excess, closeout and replenishable inventory without disrupting sales through traditional channels, which can result in weaker pricing and decreased brand strength. The merchandise offered on our Website is from a variety of sources including well-known, brand-name manufacturers. We have organized our shopping business (sales of product offered through the Shopping Section of our Website) into two principal segments—a "direct" business and a "fulfillment partner" business. We currently offer approximately 197,000 non-BMMG products in 19 major departments, and approximately 763,000 BMMG products. Consumers and businesses are able to access and purchase our products 24 hours a day from the convenience of a computer, Internet-enabled mobile telephone or other Internet-enabled devices. Our team of customer service representatives assists customers by telephone, instant online chat and e-mail. Nearly all of our sales are to customers located in the United States. Less than 1% of

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our sales are made indirectly to international customers. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, no single customer accounted for more than 1% of our total revenue.

Direct business

        Our direct business includes sales made to individual consumers and businesses, which are fulfilled from our warehouses in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we fulfilled approximately 19% of our order volume through our warehouses. Our warehouses generally ship between 8,000 and 10,000 orders per day and up to approximately 25,000 orders per day during peak periods, using overlapping daily shifts.

Fulfillment partner business

        For our fulfillment partner business, we sell merchandise of other retailers, cataloguers or manufacturers ("fulfillment partners") through our Website. We are considered to be the primary obligor for the majority of these sales transactions and we record revenue from the majority of these sales transactions on a gross basis. Our use of the term "partner" or "fulfillment partner" does not mean that we have formed any legal partnerships with any of our fulfillment partners. We currently have relationships with approximately 1,600 third parties who supply approximately 187,000 non-BMMG products, as well as most of the BMMG products, on our Website. These third-party fulfillment partners perform essentially the same fulfillment operations as our warehouse such as order picking and shipping; however, we handle returns and customer service related to substantially all orders placed through our Website. Revenue generated from sales on our Shopping site from both the direct and fulfillment partner businesses is recorded net of returns, coupons and other discounts.

International business

        We began selling products through our Website to customers outside the United States in late August 2008. As of December 31, 2010, we sell to customers in over 90 countries. We do not have sales operations outside the United States, and are using a U.S. based third party to provide logistics and fulfillment for all international orders. Revenue generated from our international business is included in either direct or fulfillment partner revenue, depending on whether the product is shipped from our warehouses or from a fulfillment partner.

Consignment

        In September 2009, we began offering a consignment service to suppliers where the suppliers' merchandise is stored in and shipped from our leased warehouses. We pay the consignment supplier upon sale of the consigned merchandise to our customer. Revenue from our consignment service business is less than 1% of total net revenue and is included in the fulfillment partner segment.

        Both direct and fulfillment partner revenues are seasonal, with revenues historically being the highest in the fourth quarter, which ends December 31, reflecting higher consumer holiday spending. We anticipate this will continue in the foreseeable future.

Other businesses

        We operate an online auction service, car listing service, and real estate listing service as part of our Website. Our auction service allows sellers to list items for sale, buyers to bid on items of interest, and users to browse through listed items online. We record only our listing fees and commissions for items sold as revenue. From time to time, we also sell items returned from our shopping business through our auction service, and for these sales, we record the revenue on a gross basis. The car listing service allows sellers to list vehicles for sale and allows buyers to review vehicle descriptions, post offers to purchase, and provides the means for purchasers to contact sellers for further information and

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negotiations on the purchase of an advertised vehicle. The real-estate listing service allows customers to search active listings across the country. Listing categories include foreclosures, live and on-line auctions, for sale by owner listings, broker/agent listings and numerous aggregated classified ad listings. We also earn advertisement revenue derived from our cars and real estate listing businesses. Revenue from the auctions, cars and real estate businesses is included in the fulfillment partner segment on a net basis.

        In October 2009, we introduced O.biz, a website where customers and businesses can shop for bulk and business related items, offering manufacturers, distributors and other retailers an alternative sales channel for liquidating their inventory, and in August 2010, we introduced Eziba.com, a private sale website where members can shop exclusive deals on the latest home décor products, jewelry, apparel and accessories from many leading brands. Revenue generated from our O.biz and Eziba.com websites is included in either direct or fulfillment partner revenue, depending on whether the product is shipped from our warehouses or from a fulfillment partner.

        Generally, we require verification of receipt of payment, or authorization from credit card or other payment vendors whose services we offer to our customers (such as PayPal and BillMeLater), before we ship products to consumers or business purchasers. From time to time we grant credit to our business purchasers with normal credit terms (typically 30 days). For most sales in our fulfillment partner business, we generally receive payments from our customers before our payments to our suppliers are due.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has defined a company's critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of the company's financial condition and results of operations, and which require the company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, we have identified the critical accounting policies, estimates and judgments addressed below. We also have other key accounting policies, which involve the use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions that are significant to understanding our results. For additional information, see Item 1 of Part I, "Financial Statements"—Note 2—"Accounting Policies." Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions, and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon information presently available. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates. Our critical accounting policies are as follows:

    revenue recognition;

    estimating valuation allowances and accrued liabilities (specifically, the allowances for returns, credit card chargebacks, doubtful accounts and obsolete and damaged inventory);

    internal use software and website development (acquired and developed internally);

    accounting for income taxes;

    valuation of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill; and

    loss contingencies.

Revenue recognition

        We derive our revenue primarily from two sources: direct revenue and fulfillment partner revenue, including listing fees and commissions collected from products being listed and sold through the

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Auctions tab of our Website, advertisement revenue derived from our cars and real estate listing business, and from advertising on our shopping pages. We have organized our operations into two principal segments based on the primary source of revenue: direct revenue and fulfillment partner revenue.

        Revenue is recognized when the following revenue recognition criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or the service has been provided; (3) the selling price or fee revenue earned is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Revenue related to merchandise sales is recognized upon delivery to our customers. As we ship high volumes of packages through multiple carriers, it is not practical for us to track the actual delivery date of each shipment. Therefore, we use estimates to determine which shipments are delivered and, therefore, recognized as revenue at the end of the period. Our delivery date estimates are based on average shipping transit times, which are calculated using the following factors: (i) the type of shipping carrier (as carriers have different in-transit times); (ii) the fulfillment source (either our warehouses or those of our fulfillment partners); (iii) the delivery destination; and (iv) actual transit time experience, which shows that delivery date is typically one to eight business days from the date of shipment.

        We review and update our estimates on a quarterly basis based on our actual transit time experience. However, actual shipping times may differ from our estimates.

        The following table shows the effect that hypothetical changes in the estimate of average shipping transit times would have had on the reported amount of revenue and net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 
  Year ended December 31, 2010  
Change in the Estimate of Average Transit Times (Days)
  Increase
(Decrease)
Revenue
  Increase
(Decrease)
Net Income
 

2

  $ (5,453 ) $ (828 )

1

  $ (4,345 ) $ (679 )

As reported

    As reported     As reported  

-1

  $ 4,176   $ 667  

-2

  $ 7,150   $ 1,157  

        When we are the primary obligor in a transaction, are subject to inventory risk, have latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, or have several but not all of these indicators, revenue is recorded gross. If we are not the primary obligor in the transaction and amounts earned are determined using a fixed percentage, revenue is recorded on a net basis. Currently, the majority of both direct revenue and fulfillment partner revenue is recorded on a gross basis, as we are the primary obligor. In our statements of operations, we present revenue net of sales taxes.

        We periodically provide incentive offers to our customers to encourage purchases. Such offers include discount offers, such as percentage discounts off current purchases and other similar offers, which, when used by our customers, are treated as a reduction of revenue.

Direct revenue

        Direct revenue is derived from merchandise sales to individual consumers and businesses that are fulfilled from our leased warehouses. Direct revenue comes from sales that occur primarily through our Website, but may also occur through offline channels.

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Fulfillment partner revenue

        Fulfillment partner revenue is derived from merchandise sales through our Website which fulfillment partners ship directly to consumers and businesses from warehouses maintained by our fulfillment partners.

        We operate an online auction service as a part of our Website. The Auctions business allows sellers to list items for sale, buyers to bid on items of interest, and users to browse through listed items online. With limited exceptions, we are not considered the seller of the items sold on the auction site and have no control over the pricing of those items. Therefore, for these sales, only the listing fees for items listed and commissions for items sold are recorded as revenue during the period items are listed or items are sold. Revenue from the auctions business is included in the fulfillment partner segment.

        We operate an online site for listing cars for sale as a part of our Website. The cars listing service allows dealers to list vehicles for sale and allows buyers to review vehicle descriptions, post offers to purchase, and provides the means for purchasers to contact sellers for further information and negotiations on the purchase of an advertised vehicle. Revenue from the cars listing business is included in the fulfillment partner segment.

        We operate an online site for listing real estate for sale as a part of our Website. The real estate listing service allows customers to search active listings across the country. Listing categories include foreclosures, live and on-line auctions, for sale by owner listings, broker/agent listings and numerous aggregated classified ad listings. Revenue from the real estate listing business is included in the fulfillment partner segment.

International business

        We began selling products through our website to customers outside the United States in August 2008. As of December 31, 2010, we sell to customers in over 90 countries. We do not have sales operations outside the United States, and are using a U.S.-based third party to provide logistics and fulfillment for all international orders. Revenue generated from our international business is included in either direct or fulfillment partner revenue, depending on whether the product is shipped from our leased warehouses or from a fulfillment partner.

Club O loyalty program

        We have a customer loyalty program called Club O for which we sell annual memberships. We record membership fees as deferred revenue and we recognize revenue ratably over the membership period. The Club O program allows members to earn reward dollars for qualifying purchases made on our Website. We also have a co-branded credit card program (see "Co-branded credit card program" below for more information). Co-branded cardholders are also Club O members and earn additional reward dollars for purchases made on our Website, and from other merchants. Reward dollars earned may be redeemed on future purchases made through our Website. Club O reward dollars expire 90 days after the customers Club O membership expires. We account for these transactions as multiple element arrangements and allocate value to the elements using their relative fair values. We include the value of reward dollars earned in deferred revenue and we record it as a reduction of revenue at the time the reward dollars are earned.

        We recognize revenue for Club O reward dollars when: (i) customers redeem their reward dollars as part of a purchase at our Website, (ii) reward dollars expire or (iii) the likelihood of reward dollars being redeemed by a customer is remote ("reward dollar breakage"). Due to the loyalty program's short history, currently no reward dollar breakage is recognized until the reward dollars expire. However, in the future we plan to recognize such breakage based upon historical redemption patterns.

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Co-branded credit card revenue

        During the year ended December 31, 2009, we had a co-branded credit card agreement with a commercial bank, for the issuance of credit cards bearing the Overstock brand, under which the bank paid us fees for new accounts, renewed accounts and card usage. New and renewed account fees were recognized as revenues on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the credit card relationship. Credit card usage fees were recognized as revenues as actual credit card usage occurred. Our co-branded credit card agreement with this bank terminated effective August 30, 2009.

        In March 2010, we entered into a co-branded credit card agreement with a different commercial bank for the issuance of credit cards bearing the Overstock.com brand, under which the bank pays us fees for new accounts and for customer usage of the cards. The agreement also provides for a customer loyalty program offering reward points that customers will accrue from card usage and can use to make purchases on our Website (See "Club O loyalty program" above for more information). We launched this co-branded card in September 2010. New account fees are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the credit card relationship. Credit card usage fees are recognized as revenues as actual credit card usage occurs.

Deferred revenue

        Customer orders are recorded as deferred revenue prior to delivery of products or services ordered. We record amounts received for Club O membership fees as deferred revenue and we recognize it ratably over the membership period. We record Club O reward dollars as deferred revenue at the time they are earned and we recognize it as revenue upon redemption. If reward dollars are not redeemed, we recognize revenue upon expiration. In addition, we sell gift cards and record related deferred revenue at the time of the sale. We sell gift cards without expiration dates and we recognize revenue from a gift card upon redemption of the gift card. If a gift card is not redeemed, we recognize income when the likelihood of its redemption becomes remote based on our historical redemption experience. We consider the likelihood of redemption to be remote after 36 months.

Sales returns allowance

        We inspect all returned items when they arrive at our processing facility. We refund the full cost of the merchandise returned and all original shipping charges if the returned item is defective or we or our fulfillment partners have made an error, such as shipping the wrong product.

        If the return is not a result of a product defect or our or our fulfillment partners' error and our customer initiates a return of an unopened item within 30 days of delivery, except for computers and electronics, we refund the full cost of the merchandise minus the original shipping charge and return shipping fees. However, we reduce refunds for returns initiated more than 30 days after delivery or that are received at our returns processing facility more than 45 days after initial delivery.

        If our customer returns an item that has been opened or shows signs of wear, we issue a partial refund minus the original shipping charge and return shipping fees.

        Revenue is recorded net of estimated returns. We record an allowance for returns based on current period revenues and historical returns experience. We analyze historical returns, current economic trends and changes in order volume and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns allowance in any accounting period. Our actual product returns have not differed materially from our estimates. The average actual returns as percentage of revenues for the years ended, December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 were 8.2%, 8.6% and 9.0%, respectively. The decline in actual returns as a percentage of revenues from 2008 to 2009 was largely the result of procedures implemented in 2009 including entering into a new master supplier agreement with our fulfillment partners in the fall of 2009. We do not expect future returns experience to differ significantly from the

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rates experienced in 2010. The allowance for returns was $11.5 million and $11.9 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Credit card chargeback allowance

        Revenue is recorded net of estimated credit card chargebacks. We maintain an allowance for credit card chargebacks based on current period revenues and historical chargeback experience. The allowance for chargebacks was $125,000 and $139,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

        From time to time, we grant credit to certain of our business customers on normal credit terms (typically 30 days). We perform credit evaluations of our customers' financial condition and payment history and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon our historical collection experience and expected collectability of accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable was $2.0 million and $1.7 million at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Valuation of inventories

        We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence and to lower of cost or market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Once established, the original cost of the inventory less the related inventory allowance represents the new cost basis of such products. Reversal of the allowance is recognized only when the related inventory has been sold or scrapped.

Internal-use software and website development

        Included in fixed assets is the capitalized cost of internal-use software and website development, including software used to upgrade and enhance our Website and processes supporting our business. We capitalize costs incurred during the application development stage of internal-use software and amortize these costs over the estimated useful life of two to three years. Costs incurred related to design or maintenance of internal-use software are expensed as incurred.

Accounting for income taxes

        We are subject to taxation from federal and state jurisdictions. A significant amount of judgment is involved in preparing our annual provision for income taxes and the calculation of resulting deferred tax assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2010, we were not under audit by United States income taxing authorities. Tax periods within the statutory period of limitations not previously audited are potentially open for examination by the taxing authorities. Potential liabilities associated with these years will be resolved when an event occurs to warrant closure, primarily through the completion of audits by the taxing jurisdictions and/or the expiration of the statutes of limitation. To the extent audits or other events result in a material adjustment to the accrued estimates, the effect would be recognized during the period of the event.

        We follow the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the bases differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized.

        Since inception, we determined that it was more likely than not that our historic and current year income tax benefits may not be realized and a full valuation allowance should be recorded against our deferred tax assets in excess of our deferred tax liabilities. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we have

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recorded a full valuation allowance of $77.1 million and $80.2 million, respectively, against our net deferred tax assets consisting primarily of net operating loss carryforwards. In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we considered the four sources of taxable income. Because we have no carryback ability and have not identified any viable tax planning strategies, two of the sources are not available. Reversing taxable temporary differences have been properly considered as the deferred tax liabilities reverse in the same period as existing deferred tax assets. However, reversing the deferred tax liabilities is insufficient to fully recover existing deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance is net of deferred tax liabilities and there are no deferred tax assets or liabilities that have an indefinite reversal period. Therefore, future taxable income, the most subjective of the four sources, is the remaining source available for realization of our net deferred tax assets.

        We consider future taxable income and evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a regular basis. The determination of recording or releasing tax valuation allowances is made, in part, pursuant to an assessment regarding the likelihood that we will generate future taxable income against which benefits of our deferred tax assets may be realized. This assessment requires us to exercise significant judgment and make estimates with respect to our ability to generate revenues, gross profits, operating income and taxable income in future periods. Among other factors, we must make assumptions regarding overall business and retail industry conditions, operating efficiencies, the competitive environment and changes in regulatory requirements which may impact our ability to generate taxable income and, in turn, realize the value of our deferred tax assets. Operating losses in some prior periods and significant economic uncertainties in the market have made the projection of future taxable income uncertain. Accordingly, we have a valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets as it is not "more likely than not" that the assets will be realized. A change in our assessment of the likelihood that we will generate future taxable income may result in a full or partial release of the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets in future periods.

Impairment of long-lived assets

        We review property and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the assets' carrying amount to future undiscounted net cash flows the assets are expected to generate. Cash flow forecasts are based on trends of historical performance and management's estimate of future performance, giving consideration to existing and anticipated competitive and economic conditions. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair values. There were no impairments to long-lived assets recorded during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

Valuation of goodwill

        Goodwill is not amortized, but must be tested for impairment at least annually. In accordance with this guidance, we test for impairment of goodwill in the fourth quarter or when we deem that a triggering event has occurred. Goodwill totaled $2.8 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009.There were no impairments to goodwill recorded during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

Loss contingencies

        In the normal course of business, we are involved in legal proceedings and other potential loss contingencies. We accrue a liability for such matters when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When only a range of possible loss can be estimated, the most probable amount in the range is accrued. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued. We expense legal fees as incurred.

Accounting pronouncements issued not yet adopted

        See Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements"—Note 2—"Accounting Policies" subheading "Accounting Pronouncements Issued Not Yet Adopted."

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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Executive Commentary

        This executive commentary is intended to provide investors with a view of our business through the eyes of our management. As an executive commentary, it necessarily focuses on selected aspects of our business. This executive commentary is intended as a supplement to, but not a substitute for, the more detailed discussion of our business included elsewhere herein, Investors are cautioned to read our entire "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", as well as our interim and audited financial statements, and the discussion of our business and risk factors and other information included elsewhere or incorporated in this report. This executive commentary includes forward-looking statements, and investors are cautioned to read the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" at the beginning of Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

        During the recessionary cycle, inflation has been very low or almost non-existent due to many factors, including central bank actions, global competition, the balance between supply and demand and the ability of the supply chain to pass along cost increases. We believe inflation is starting to increase and may be higher over the next several months as market economics rebalance. We also believe rising political turmoil in oil-producing countries may lead to increased energy costs near term. To protect against increased inflation, we are managing our finances conservatively and limiting investments to critical and growth areas, such as systems development and supply chain efficiencies.

        On February 22, 2011, Google Inc. notified us that it was penalizing us in our natural search results for noncompliance with some of Google's natural search guidelines. As a result, we have dropped significantly in some Google natural search result rankings. We believe this incident stemmed in part from our practice of enabling university webmasters to provide discount links to faculty and students. Google has now made clear to us that it believes these links should not factor into the Google search algorithm. We understand Google's position and have made the appropriate changes to remain within Google's guidelines. In fact, on February 10, 2011, we discontinued this program by notifying university webmasters and are working aggressively to get them either to pull-down links or make links no-follow links. Unfortunately, we cannot control how quickly university webmasters work. We believe that the Google penalty period may last between two to four weeks. We estimate that the lower Google natural search rankings may have as much as a 5% negative impact on our revenue during the penalty period.

        The key factors that affected financial results for the year ended December 31, 2010, were revenue growth, lower gross margin resulting from pricing and marketing initiatives, expense management, and general improvement in Internet commerce.

        Revenues in 2010 increased by 24% compared to 2009. Our pricing and marketing initiatives drove improvement in several key components of revenue growth, including new customer growth, visits to our Website, conversion and average order size. Growth was broadly distributed across most of our major product categories, and in both our direct and fulfillment partner business. Our direct business increased by 39%, and our fulfillment partner business increased by 21%. The direct business was 19% of total revenue in 2010 compared to 17% in 2009, while our fulfillment partner business generated 81% of our total revenue compared to 83% in 2009.

        Revenue growth slowed over 2010 from 42% in Q1 to 8% in Q4. While this is partly explained by an increasing revenue growth pattern in 2009, we also experienced softness during the holiday selling season that we believe was due in part to our decision to focus on contribution growth rather than revenue growth, (see discussion of the non-GAAP financial measure "contribution" below), particularly by not heavily promoting our BMMG and consumer electronics categories, both of which are popular holiday categories that typically have lower gross margin.

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        Gross margin fell by 140 basis points in 2010, although gross profit growth in 2010 was 15% compared to 14% in 2009. While we believe that pricing initiatives had a positive effect on our revenue growth, they had the opposite effect on gross margin. This was offset somewhat by supply chain efficiencies resulting from initiatives focused on returns and fulfillment, and from a favorable sales mix shift this year away from BMMG and consumer electronics into home and garden products.

        Sales and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue in 2010 fell 70 basis points to 5.6%. We believe that we used relatively effective advertising campaigns and maintained a disciplined approach to marketing expenditures, and that our pricing and other promotional activities were also effective in generating revenues. We believe that our primary focus of increasing contribution has been an important factor in improving our marketing efficiency.

        Although we made significant investments in 2010 through increases in IT, marketing and merchandising related personnel and through increased capital expenditures, technology and G&A expenses increased at a slower rate than contribution. Contribution growth was 17% in 2010, while combined technology and G&A expenses increased by 13%. We intend to continue managing the business by focusing on contribution growth while controlling expenses.

        Net income improved by $6.1 million in 2010 to $13.8 million, or $0.59 per fully diluted share, compared to $0.33 per diluted share in 2009.

        We retired $25.4 million face amount of our Senior Notes throughout the year, using $24.9 million of cash. As of December 31, 2010, $34.6 million face amount of the Senior Notes remained outstanding and are a current liability at year-end. As a result, working capital decreased to $14.7 million at year-end.

        On February 1, 2011 our Board of Directors approved a $10 million increase to our previously-announced debt repurchase program. With this increase we may repurchase up to $15 million of our outstanding Senior Notes. On February 7, 2011, we retired an additional $10.1 million of our outstanding Senior Notes, reducing the balance outstanding to a face amount of $24.5 million.

        We experienced a $43.0 million year over year decrease in free cash flow (See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to net cash provided by operating activities), from $38.8 million in 2009 to ($4.2) million in 2010. This was due primarily to $13.2 million of incremental capital expenditures in 2010 over 2009 and a $29.8 million decrease in operating cash flow due primarily to changes and timing differences in inventory, accounts payable and accrued liabilities that were partially offset by changes in net income, depreciation and amortization, and gains on the early retirement of our Senior Notes.

        The balance of our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations provides further information about the matters discussed above and other important matters affecting our business.

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Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth our results of operations expressed as a percentage of total revenue for 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 
  Year ended December 31  
 
  2010   2009   2008  
 
  (as a percentage
of total revenue)

 

Revenue, net

                   
 

Direct

    19.2 %   17.2 %   20.9 %
 

Fulfillment partner

    80.8     82.8     79.1  
               
   

Total net revenue

    100.0     100.0     100.0  
               

Cost of goods sold

                   
 

Direct

    17.2     14.9     18.5  
 

Fulfillment partner

    65.4     66.3     64.1  
               
   

Total cost of goods sold

    82.6     81.2     82.6  
               

Gross profit

    17.4     18.8     17.4  

Operating expenses:

                   
 

Sales and marketing

    5.6     6.3     6.9  
 

Technology

    5.4     6.0     6.9  
 

General and administrative

    5.1     5.6     4.7  
 

Restructuring

    (0.1 )        
               
   

Total operating expenses

    16.0     17.9     18.5  
               

Operating income (loss)

    1.4     0.9     (1.1 )

Interest income

            0.4  

Interest expense

    (0.3 )   (0.4 )   (0.4 )

Other income (expense), net

    0.2     0.4     (0.2 )
               

Net income (loss) before income taxes

    1.3     0.9     (1.3 )
               

Provision for income taxes

             
               

Net income (loss)

    1.3 %   0.9 %   (1.3 )%
               

Revenue

        Total net revenue increased 24% to $1,090 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, from $877 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.

        Direct revenue increased 39% to $210 million in 2010 from $151 million in 2009, and fulfillment partner revenue increased 21% million to $880 million from $726 million.

        Total net revenue increased 8% to $349 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010, from $322 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009. Direct revenue increased 26% to $69.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010, from $55.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009. Fulfillment partner revenue increased 5% to $280 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010, from $267 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009.

        The shift of business between direct to fulfillment partner (or vice versa) is an economic decision based on the economics of each particular product offering at the time and we do not have particular goals for "appropriate" mix or percentages for the size of either. We believe that the mix of the business between direct and fulfillment partner is consistent with our strategic objectives for our

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business model in the current economic environment and we do not currently foresee any material shifts in mix.

        Total revenues from Auctions, Cars and Real Estate businesses were $2.9 million and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Total revenues from International sales were $9.4 million and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        See "Executive Commentary" above for additional discussion regarding revenue and revenue growth.

Gross profit

        Our overall gross margins fluctuate based on our sales volume mix between our direct business and fulfillment partner business; changes in vendor and / or customer pricing, including competitive pricing, and inventory management decisions within the direct business; sales coupons and promotions; product mix of sales; and operational and fulfillment costs.

        Gross margins for the past eight quarterly periods and years ending December 31, 2010 and 2009 were:

 
  Q1 2010   Q2 2010   Q3 2010   Q4 2010   FY 2010   Q1 2009   Q2 2009   Q3 2009   Q4 2009   FY 2009  

Direct

    13.8 %   11.7 %   9.1 %   9.0 %   10.7 %   12.9 %   18.0 %   11.8 %   11.9 %   13.3 %

Fulfillment Partner

    18.8 %   19.4 %   18.7 %   19.0 %   19.0 %   21.0 %   21.3 %   20.7 %   18.1 %   19.9 %

Combined

    17.9 %   18.0 %   16.9 %   17.0 %   17.4 %   19.5 %   20.7 %   19.3 %   17.1 %   18.8 %

        Direct Gross Profit and Gross Margin—Gross profit for our direct business increased 12.5% to $22.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, from $20.0 million for 2009. Gross margin for the direct business decreased to 10.7% for the year ended December 31, 2010, from 13.3% 2009. The decrease in gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2010 is primarily due to pricing initiatives that were implemented beginning in the third quarter of 2009 and an increase in returns related costs, partially offset by leverage gained on fixed warehousing costs due to increased revenues. Gross profit for our direct business was essentially unchanged at $6.3 million for the three months December 31, 2010, and $6.6 million for the same period in 2009. Gross margin for the direct business decreased to 9.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2010, from 11.9% for the same period in 2009. The decrease in gross margin for three months ended December 31, 2010 is primarily due to pricing initiatives including holiday promotions and mark-downs of slow-moving inventory (primarily on apparel and shoes), partially offset by a shift in sales mix to higher margin products along with leverage gained on fixed warehousing costs due to increased revenues.

        Fulfillment Partner Gross Profit and Gross Margin—Gross profit for our fulfillment partner business increased 15.5% to $167.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, from $144.7 million for 2009. Gross margin for the fulfillment partner business decreased to 19.0% for the year ended December 31, 2010, from 19.9% for 2009. The decrease in gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2010 is primarily due to pricing initiatives that were implemented beginning in the third quarter of 2009, partially offset by a shift in sales mix to higher margin products as well as lower returns-related costs. Gross profit for our fulfillment partner business increased 9.7% to $53.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to $48.5 million for the same period in 2009. Gross margin for the fulfillment partner business increased to 19.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared to 18.1% for the same period in 2009. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to a reduction in product costs, including reductions from suppliers participating in promotions, along with a shift in sales mix to higher margin products, partially offset by pricing initiatives.

        During reviews of our partner billing system for returns, we discovered that we had underbilled our fulfillment partners for certain fees and charges related to returns of approximately $819,000 and

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$1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Since our business model is reliant on our relationships with our fulfillment partners and the problem related to an internal record keeping issue on our part, we have made the determination to not seek recovery of these amounts from our fulfillment partners and consequently have not recognized any related recoveries in our consolidated financial statements.

        The other factors described above, did not have a significant effect on the change in gross profit.

        Cost of goods sold includes stock-based compensation expense of $212,000 and $167,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        See "Executive Commentary" above for additional discussion.

Fulfillment costs

        Fulfillment costs include all warehousing costs, including fixed overhead and variable handling costs (excluding packaging costs), as well as credit card fees and customer service costs, all of which we include as costs in calculating gross margin. We believe that some companies in our industry, including some of our competitors, account for fulfillment costs within operating expenses, and therefore exclude fulfillment costs from gross margin. As a result, our gross margin may not be directly comparable to others in our industry.

        The following table has been included to provide investors additional information regarding our classification of fulfillment costs, gross profit and margin, thus enabling investors to better compare our gross margin with others in our industry (in thousands):

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009  

Total net revenue

  $ 1,089,873     100 % $ 876,769     100 %
                   

Cost of goods sold

                         
 

Product costs and other cost of goods sold

    842,064     78 %   664,537     76 %
 

Fulfillment and related costs

    58,169     5 %   47,480     5 %
                   
 

Total cost of goods sold

    900,233     83 %   712,017     81 %
                   

Gross profit

  $ 189,640     17 % $ 164,752     19 %
                   

        Fulfillment costs as a percentage of sales may vary due to several factors, such as our ability to manage costs at our warehouses, significant changes in the number of units received and fulfilled, the extent to which we use third party fulfillment services and warehouses, and our ability to effectively manage customer service costs and credit card fees. There have been no significant changes in our fulfillment costs during the year ended December 31, 2010.

        See "Gross profit" above for additional discussion.

Operating expenses

Sales and marketing expenses

        We advertise through a number of targeted online marketing channels, such as sponsored search, affiliate marketing, portal advertising, e-mail campaigns, and other initiatives. We also use nationwide television, print and radio advertising campaigns to promote sales.

        Sales and marketing expenses totaled $61.3 million and $55.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, representing 5.6% and 6.3% of total net revenue for those

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respective periods. The decrease in sales and marketing costs as a percentage of total net revenue was primarily due to more efficient marketing spending.

        Sales and marketing expenses also include stock-based compensation expense of $608,000 and $634,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        Costs associated with our discounted shipping and other promotions, such as coupons, are not included in marketing expense. Rather they are accounted for as a reduction of revenue and therefore affect sales growth and gross margin. We consider discounted shipping and other promotions as an effective marketing tool, and intend to continue to offer them as we deem appropriate as part of our overall marketing plan.

Technology expenses

        We seek to efficiently invest in technology, including web services, customer support solutions, website search, and expansion of new and existing product categories, as well as continuing to enhance the customer experience, improving our process efficiency and supporting our logistics infrastructure.

        Technology expenses totaled $58.3 million and $52.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, representing 5.4% and 6.0% of total net revenue for those respective periods. The $5.9 million increase is primarily due to a $6.5 million increase in salaries and benefits expense (primarily due to increases in staffing), and a $1.5 million increase in depreciation expense as result of investments in information technology assets in 2010, partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in bonus expense in 2010 as a result of lower than expected financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2010.

        Technology expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million and $961,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively

General and administrative expenses

        General and administrative ("G&A") expenses totaled $55.7 million and $48.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, representing approximately 5.1% and 5.6% of total net revenue for those respective periods. The $6.7 million increase is due to a $5.1 million increase in salaries and benefits expense (primarily due to increases in staffing), a $2.3 million increase in professional service fees for our external auditors and a $2.0 million increase in legal fees, partially offset by a $3.2 million decrease in bonus expense in 2010 as a result of lower than expected financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase in legal fees primarily resulted from a $2.6 million reduction in payments received from the settlement of legal matters during 2010 compared to 2009. We recognized a reduction in G&A expenses of $4.5 million and $7.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to the settlement of legal matters.

        General and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense of approximately $3.2 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Restructuring

        There were no restructuring charges during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. We reversed $569,000 of lease termination costs liability during the year ended December 31, 2010 due to changes in our estimate of sublease income, primarily as a result of our entering into agreements with a sublessee to terminate the subleases and have us re-occupy a portion of the space previously abandoned, due to our growth and need for additional space. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we reversed $66,000 of lease termination costs liability due to changes in our estimate of sublease income, primarily as a result of entering into a sublease agreement for previously vacant space (see Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements"—Note 3—"Restructuring Expense").

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Operating Expenses

        Overall, our total operating expenses increased 11.5% to $174.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 from $156.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, while total net revenues increased 24.3% and gross profit increased 15.1%.

Depreciation expense

        Depreciation expense is classified within the corresponding operating expense categories on the consolidated statements of operations as follows (in thousands):

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009  

Cost of goods sold—direct

  $ 1,179   $ 1,264  

Technology

    12,489     10,943  

General and administrative

    912     676  
           
 

Total depreciation and amortization, including internal-use software and website development

  $ 14,580   $ 12,883  
           

Non-operating income (expense)

Interest income

        Interest income is primarily derived from the investment of our cash in cash equivalents and short-term investments. Interest income for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 totaled $157,000 and $170,000, respectively.

Interest expense

        Interest expense is related to interest incurred on our Senior Notes, our finance obligations and our capital leases. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 totaled $3.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The decrease in interest expense is primarily a result of extinguishments of long-term debt.

Other income, net

        Other income, net for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 totaled $2.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to lower gains on extinguishment of long-term debt, partially offset by an increase in gift card breakage income for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Income taxes

        Our provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 of $359,000 and $257,000 is for federal alternative minimum tax and certain income tax uncertainties, including interest and penalties. As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 we had federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $166.7 million and $180.9 million, respectively, and state net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $150.7 million and $165.0 million, respectively, which may be used to offset future taxable income. We may have experienced ownership changes under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 that may limit our ability to fully use our net operating losses. Our net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2018.

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Seasonality

        Based upon our historical experience, revenue typically increases during the fourth quarter because of the holiday retail season. The actual quarterly results for each quarter could differ materially depending upon consumer preferences, availability of product and competition, among other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that seasonal variations will not materially affect our results of operations in the future. The following table reflects our total net revenues for each of the quarters in 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 
  First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
 

2010

  $ 264,330   $ 231,253   $ 245,420   $ 348,870  

2009

    185,729     174,898     193,783     322,359  

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

Executive Commentary

        This executive commentary is intended to provide investors with a view of our business through the eyes of our management. As an executive commentary, it necessarily focuses on selected aspects of our business. This executive commentary is intended as a supplement to, but not a substitute for, the more detailed discussion of our business included elsewhere herein, Investors are cautioned to read our entire "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", as well as our interim and audited financial statements, and the discussion of our business and risk factors and other information included elsewhere or incorporated in this report. This executive commentary includes forward-looking statements, and investors are cautioned to read the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" at the beginning of Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

        Revenue grew 27% in the fourth quarter of 2009 and 6% for the full year of 2009, compared to the same periods of 2008, in spite of the weakness in the overall US economy. Our business model continued to mature. Through expanding the number of partners we work with, and the number of categories and products we offer on our Website, the fulfillment partner business generated over 80% of our revenue. Our direct business, which accounted for over 40% of total revenues in 2005, has contributed a consistently smaller percentage of total revenues over the last five years as our emphasis has shifted to the fulfillment partner business. In 2009, the direct business generated 17% of total revenue.

        We have marketing and pricing initiatives that are attracting shoppers to our Website. While pricing initiatives create pressure on gross profit, we have been able to offset part of this pressure on gross profit through strong revenue growth and supply chain efficiencies. Marketing expense as a percent of revenue was the lowest it has been in our history. We believe that we have used relatively effective advertising campaigns and maintained a disciplined approach to marketing expenditures. As a result of increased gross profit and controlled spending on advertising, we saw a 26% growth in 2009 contribution (which is gross profit less marketing expense), while our operating expenses increased by only 2%. This operating leverage helped result in our first profitable year. Net income for the year was $7.7 million, or $0.33 per share on a diluted basis.

        These operational results improved our liquidity position this year as well. Net cash provided by operating activities was $46.1 million, we returned to positive book value, and our working capital increased by $9.5 million from year end last year despite our use of nearly $11.8 million for capital expenditures and the retirement of long-term debt.

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        The balance of our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations provides further information about the matters discussed above and other important matters affecting our business.

Revenue

        Total net revenue increased 6% to $876.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, from $829.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

        Direct revenue decreased 13% to $150.9 million in 2009 from $173.7 million in 2008, and fulfillment partner revenue increased 11% to $725.9 million from $656.2 million.

        Total net revenue increased 27% to $322.4 million for the three month period ended December 31, 2009, from $253.8 million for the three month period ended December 31, 2008. Direct revenue increased 14% to $55.1 million from $48.2 million. Fulfillment partner revenue increased 30% to $267.3 million for the three month period ended December 31, 2009 from $205.6 million for the three month period ended December 31, 2008.

        Total revenues from Auctions, Cars and Real Estate businesses were $2.1 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Total revenues from International sales were $5.1 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        See "Executive Commentary" above for additional discussion regarding revenue and revenue growth.

Gross profit

        Our overall gross margins fluctuate based on several factors, including our sales volume mix between our direct business and fulfillment partner business; changes in vendor and / or customer pricing, including competitive pricing, and inventory management decisions within the direct business; sales coupons and promotions; product mix of sales; operational and fulfillment costs.

        Gross margin increased 140 basis points to 18.8% in 2009 from 17.4% in 2008, and gross profit was $164.8 million and $144.2 million, respectively, a 14% increase. For the three month periods ended December 31, gross margin increased to 17.1% in 2009 from 16.5% in 2008, an increase of 60 basis points, and gross profit increased to $55.0 million from $42.0 million, respectively, a 31% increase.

        The 140 basis point improvement for the year ended December 31, 2009 was primarily due to the implementation of process improvements to our supply chain, particularly in returns, and in our customer service organization during the year, and lower return rates and net returns-related costs. These improvements were offset somewhat by an initiative we implemented in the second half of the year to lower prices on many of the products we sold on our Website. Our BMMG and Computers & Electronics categories accounted for a smaller percentage of our revenues compared to last year. These products typically generate lower gross profits compared to more profitable categories such as Home and Garden. As a result, our overall gross margin benefited from the shift in sales mix away from our BMMG and Computers & Electronics categories. The other factors described above did not have a significant impact on the change in gross profit.

        Gross margins for the past eight quarterly periods and years ending December 31, 2009 and 2008 were:

 
  Q1 2009   Q2 2009   Q3 2009   Q4 2009   FY 2009   Q1 2008   Q2 2008   Q3 2008   Q4 2008   FY 2008  

Direct

    12.9 %   18.0 %   11.8 %   11.9 %   13.3 %   13.5 %   12.5 %   10.4 %   8.8 %   11.4 %

Fulfillment Partner

    21.0 %   21.3 %   20.7 %   18.1 %   19.9 %   18.4 %   19.7 %   19.7 %   18.3 %   19.0 %

Combined

    19.5 %   20.7 %   19.3 %   17.1 %   18.8 %   17.2 %   18.2 %   18.0 %   16.5 %   17.4 %

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        During 2008, we discovered that we had underbilled our fulfillment partners for certain fees and charges related to returns during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, due to a systems issue.

        Of the total $5.5 million underbilling, $2.8 million related to the year ended December 31, 2007 and $2.7 million related to the year ended December 31, 2008.

        We contacted the affected fulfillment partners and in our negotiations with them over several months, we agreed to forgive the $2.8 million related to the 2007 amounts and to seek to recover the $2.7 million related to 2008 over time from our future sales of the fulfillment partners' products during the remainder of 2008 and 2009. As a result of the negotiations we later agreed to forgive an additional $375,000. We recovered a total of $2.3 million through December 31, 2009, including $1.8 million during the three months ended December 31, 2008 and $615,000 during the year ended December 31, 2009. We have recorded the amounts recovered related to 2008 in the period that they originated.

        During our review of our partner billing system for returns, we additionally discovered that we had underbilled our fulfillment partners for certain fees and charges related to returns during the fourth quarter of 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2009 totaling approximately $187,000 and $1.6 million, respectively. We have made the determination to not seek recovery of these amounts from our fulfillment partners and consequently have not recognized any related recoveries in our consolidated financial statements.

        Cost of goods sold includes stock-based compensation expense of $167,000 and $198,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        Direct Gross Profit—Gross profit for our direct business increased 2% to $20.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, from $19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, and gross margin increased to 13.3% from 11.4%. For the three month periods ended December 31, gross profit increased 53% to $6.6 million in 2009 from $4.3 million in 2008, and gross margin increased to 11.9% from 8.8%.

        Fulfillment Partner Gross Profit—Our fulfillment partner business generated gross profit of $144.7 million and $124.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, an increase of 16%, and gross margin increased to 19.9% from 19.0%. For the three month periods ended December 31, gross profit increased 29% to gross profit of $48.5 million in 2009 from $37.7 million in 2008, and gross margin decreased to 18.1% from 18.3%.

        See "Executive Commentary" above for additional discussion.

Fulfillment costs

        Fulfillment costs include all warehousing costs, including fixed overhead and variable handling costs (excluding packaging costs), as well as credit card fees and customer service costs, all of which we include as costs in calculating gross margin. We believe that some companies in our industry, including some of our competitors, account for fulfillment costs within operating expenses, and therefore exclude fulfillment costs from gross margin. As a result, our gross margin may not be directly comparable to others in our industry.

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        The following table has been included to provide investors additional information regarding our classification of fulfillment costs, gross profit and margin, thus enabling investors to better compare our gross margin with others in our industry (in thousands):

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2009   2008  

Total net revenue

  $ 876,769     100 % $ 829,850     100 %
                   

Cost of goods sold

                         
 

Product costs and other cost of goods sold

    664,537     76 %   638,368     77 %
 

Fulfillment and related costs

    47,480     5 %   47,246     6 %
                   
 

Total cost of goods sold

    712,017     81 %   685,614     83 %
                   

Gross profit

  $ 164,752     19 % $ 144,236     17 %
                   

        Fulfillment costs as a percentage of sales may vary due to several factors, such as our ability to manage costs at our warehouses, significant changes in the number of units received and fulfilled, the extent to which we use third party fulfillment services and warehouses, and our ability to effectively manage customer service costs and credit card fees. There have been no significant changes in our fulfillment costs during the year ended December 31, 2009.

        See "Gross profit" above for additional discussion.

Operating expenses

Sales and marketing expenses

        We direct customers to our Website primarily through a number of targeted online marketing channels, such as sponsored search, affiliate marketing, portal advertising, e-mail campaigns, and other initiatives. We also use nationwide television, print and radio advertising campaigns to promote sales.

        Sales and marketing expenses totaled $55.5 million and $57.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, representing 6.3% and 6.9% of total net revenue for those respective periods. The decrease in sales and marketing costs was primarily due to more efficient marketing spending. We were able to generate more revenue per dollar of advertising spent in 2009, particularly with online marketing campaigns. Higher compensation expense offset some of the improvement in lower advertising costs.

        Sales and marketing expenses also include stock-based compensation expense of $634,000 and $347,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        Costs associated with our discounted shipping and other promotions, such as coupons, are not included in marketing expense. Rather they are accounted for as a reduction of revenue and therefore affect sales growth and gross margin. We consider discounted shipping and other promotions as an effective marketing tool, and intend to continue to offer them as we deem appropriate as part of our overall marketing plan.

Technology expenses

        We seek to efficiently invest in our technology, including web services, customer support solutions, website search, and expansion of new and existing product categories, as well as continuing to enhance the customer experience, improving our process efficiency and supporting our logistics infrastructure.

        Technology expenses totaled $52.3 million and $56.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, representing 6.0% and 6.9% of revenue for those periods, respectively. Technology expenses decreased 8% primarily due to decreased depreciation expense of approximately $10.2 million

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for related technology equipment and software development as more items were fully depreciated. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in compensation of approximately $7.2 million related to an increase in technology staff and an increase in annual bonus expense of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 due to improved company financial performance.

        Technology expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $961,000 and $870,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

General and administrative expenses

        For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, general and administrative ("G&A") expenses totaled $48.9 million and $39.3 million, representing 5.6% and 4.7% of total revenue for those periods, respectively. The $9.6 million or 24% increase in G&A expenses, is primarily due to an increase in compensation expense of approximately $6.0 million related to an increase in general and administrative staff, an increase in annual bonus expense of $3.8 million and also $1.25 million related to the termination of a consulting arrangement with Icent LLC. Icent LLC's chief executive officer is James V. Joyce, who resigned from his position as a member of the Board of Directors on April 1, 2009. The increase in G&A expenses is also related to additional facilities costs relating to the lease of a new customer service center and an increase in legal expenses of approximately $4.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. However, the increase in legal expense for 2009 was offset by $7.1 million received from the settlement of legal matters.

        General and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense of approximately $3.0 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Restructuring

        Under the restructuring program, we recorded $12.3 million of restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2007. There were no restructuring charges during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and we reversed approximately $66,000 and $299,000 of the lease termination costs liability during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, due to changes in the estimate of sublease income. (see Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements"—Note 3—"Restructuring Expense").

Depreciation expense

        Depreciation expense is classified within the corresponding operating expense categories on the consolidated statements of operations as follows (in thousands):

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2009   2008  

Cost of goods sold—direct

  $ 1,264   $ 1,674  

Technology

    10,943     21,140  

General and administrative

    676     154  
           
 

Total depreciation and amortization, including internal-use software and website development

  $ 12,883   $ 22,968  
           

Non-operating income (expense)

Interest income and interest expense

        Interest income is primarily derived from the investment of our cash and cash equivalents. The decrease in interest income to $170,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $3.2 million for

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the year ended December 31, 2008, is due to a decrease in total cash, lower interest rates and the settlement of notes receivable related to our travel. Interest expense is largely related to interest incurred on our Senior Notes, and to a lesser extent our capital lease obligations. Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 totaled $3.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

Other income, net

        For the year ended December 31, 2009, other income was $3.3 million, which relates primarily to gains from the early extinguishment of a portion of our 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes ("Senior Notes"). For the year ended December 31, 2009, we retired a total of $7.4 million of our Senior Notes for $4.6 million in cash and recorded a $2.8 million gain, net of amortization of debt discount of $92,000.

        For the year ended December 31, 2008, other income (expense) was net expense of $(1.4) million. This included a $2.8 million gain, net of amortization of debt discount of $142,000 on the retirement of $9.5 million of the 3.75% Senior Notes (see Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements"—Note 17—"Stock and Debt Repurchase Program"), a $3.9 million loss on the settlement of notes receivable and a $300,000 other-than-temporary impairment of marketable securities.

Sale of discontinued operations

        On January 21, 2009, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement to settle both the senior and junior promissory notes related to the sale of our travel subsidiary to Castles Travel, Inc. for $1.3 million in cash and recognized a loss on the settlement of these notes and interest receivable of approximately $3.9 million which was recorded in other income (expense), net during the year ended December 31, 2008. We agreed to the reduced amount for the notes due to concern regarding the financial viability of the entity holding the notes, as a result of the impact of the economic downturn on the travel industry that began during the latter part of 2008.

Income taxes

        Our provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2009 of $257,000 is for federal alternative minimum taxes and state taxes. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $180.9 million and $182.0 million and state net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $150.7 million and $145.8 million, respectively, which may be used to offset future taxable income. We may have experienced ownership changes under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 that may limit our ability to fully use our net operating losses.

Seasonality

        Based upon our historical experience, revenue typically increases during the fourth quarter because of the holiday retail season. The actual quarterly results for each quarter could differ materially depending upon consumer preferences, availability of product and competition, among other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that seasonal variations will not materially affect our results of operations in the future. The following table reflects our total net revenues for each of the quarters for 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

 
  First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
 

2009

  $ 185,729   $ 174,898   $ 193,783   $ 322,359  

2008

    201,800     188,202     186,007     253,841  

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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Historical sources of liquidity

        Prior to the second quarter of 2002, we financed our activities primarily through a series of private sales of equity securities, warrants to purchase our common stock and promissory notes. During the second quarter of 2002, we completed our initial public offering pursuant to which we received approximately $26.1 million in cash, net of underwriting discounts, commissions, and other related expenses. Additionally, we completed follow-on offerings in February 2003, May 2004 and November 2004, pursuant to which we received approximately $24.0 million, $37.9 million and $75.2 million, respectively, in cash, net of underwriting discounts, commissions, and other related expenses. In November 2004, we also received $116.2 million in proceeds from the issuance of our convertible senior notes in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act. During 2006, we received $64.4 million from two stock offerings in May and December.

Current sources of liquidity

        While we believe that the cash and cash equivalents currently on hand, amounts available under our credit facility and expected cash flows from future operations will be sufficient to continue operations for at least the next twelve months, we may require additional financing. However, there can be no assurance that if additional financing is necessary it will be available, or, if available, that such financing can be obtained on satisfactory terms. Failure to generate sufficient revenues, profits or to raise additional capital could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue as a going concern and to achieve our intended business objectives. Any projections of future cash needs and cash flows are subject to substantial uncertainty.

        Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from operations and our existing cash, cash equivalents. At December 31, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $124.0 million.

        Cash flow information is as follows:

 
  Year ended December 31  
 
  2010   2009   2008  

Cash provided by (used in):

                   
 

Operating activities

  $ 16,322   $ 46,117   $ 6,444  
 

Investing activities

    (22,700 )   2,868     19,533  
 

Financing activities

    (9,358 )   (5,685 )   (22,327 )

Free Cash Flow

        "Free Cash Flow" (a non-GAAP measure) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, was $(4.2) million, $38.8 million and $(12.3) million. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to net cash provided by operating activities.

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

        For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, our operating activities resulted in net cash inflows of $16.3 million and $46.1 million, respectively.

        Cash received from customers generally corresponds to our net sales as our customers primarily use credit cards to buy from us causing our receivables from these sales transactions to settle quickly. We have payment terms with our fulfillment partners that generally extend beyond the amount of time necessary to collect proceeds from our customers. As a result, following our seasonally strong fourth quarter sales, at December 31 of each year, our cash, cash equivalents and accounts payable balances typically reach their highest level (other than as a result of cash flows provided by or used in investing

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and financing activities). However, our accounts payable balance normally declines during the first three months following year-end, which normally results in a decline in our cash and cash equivalents balances from the year-end balance. The seasonality of our business causes payables and accruals to grow significantly in the fourth quarter, and then decrease in the first quarter when they are paid.

        The $16.3 million of net cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2010 was primarily due to positive net income of $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Net cash was also provided by increases of deferred revenue of $3.4 million primarily due to our launch of our Club O loyalty program. The cash inflows were offset by cash outflows of $8.7 million due to an increase in inventory and $9.3 million due to a decrease in accounts payable. The increase in inventory was a result of increased purchases of inventory to meet holiday sales demand and support growth in the business. The decrease in accounts payable balance is due to increased and earlier sales and holiday shipments resulting in increased payments to suppliers prior to year-end when compared to the same period in 2009.

        The $46.1 million of net cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2009 was primarily due to positive net income of $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. Net cash was also provided by increases in accounts payable of $18.6 million due to increased unpaid purchases of inventory related to both increased fulfillment partner sales at the end of the fourth quarter and increased purchases of inventory made at the end of the fourth quarter to meet holiday sales demand and other demand. A $9.1 million increase in accrued liabilities also contributed to this increase in cash provided by operating activities and related to an increased payroll and bonus accrual.

        The increase in cash provided by operations related to the increase of accounts payable and accrued liabilities was partially offset by $4.5 million of increased accounts receivable related primarily to uncleared credit card transactions at year end and $2.1 million of increased inventory prepayments made as of December 31, 2009 to secure inventory to be delivered in the first quarter of 2010 to support sales. Prepayments for inventory at the end of the prior year were lower due to the decreased sales demand experienced by the retail industry due to generally poor economic conditions at that time.

Cash (used in) provided by investing activities

        Cash provided by investing activities corresponds with purchases, sales, and maturities of marketable securities and cash expenditures for fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development costs. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, investing activities resulted in net cash outflows of $22.7 million and net cash inflows of $2.9 million, respectively.

        The $22.7 million used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2010 resulted primarily from expenditures for fixed assets of $20.5 million, which largely consisted of software and hardware purchases for our data warehouse and other data storage infrastructure in order to support our growth, and a $1.7 million investment in precious metals in an effort to diversify our investments.

        Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 provided net cash of $2.9 million, primarily from the sale of marketable securities of $8.9 million and the collection of a $1.3 million note receivable related to a settlement of notes from the sale of our travel subsidiary to Castles Travel, partially offset by capital expenditures of $7.3 million.

Cash used in financing activities

        For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, financing activities resulted in net cash outflows of $9.4 million and $5.7 million, respectively.

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        Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2010 resulted in net cash outflows of $9.4 million primarily from $24.9 million used for retirement of long-term debt, partially offset by $16.4 million in proceeds from finance obligations (which were primarily used for retirement of long-term debt) and $1.5 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

        Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 resulted in cash outflows of $5.7 million primarily for the retirement of long-term debt.

Redeemable common stock

        In June 2009, we discovered that we had inadvertently issued 203,737 more shares of our common stock in connection with our 401(k) plan than had been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission for offer in connection with the 401(k) plan. These shares were contributed to or otherwise acquired by participants in the 401(k) plan between August 16, 2006, and June 17, 2009. As a result, certain participants in the 401(k) plan may have or have had rescission rights relating to the unregistered shares, although we believe that the federal statute of limitations applicable to any such rescission rights would be one year, and that the statute of limitations had already expired at June 30, 2009 with respect to most of the inadvertent issuances.

        On August 31, 2009, we entered into a Tolling and Standstill Agreement (the "Tolling Agreement") with the Overstock.com, Inc. Employee Benefits Committee (the "Committee") relating to the 401(k) plan. We entered into the Tolling Agreement in order to preserve certain rights, if any, of plan participants who acquired shares of Overstock common stock in the plan between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. In August 2010, we made a registered rescission offer to affected participants in the plan who acquired shares of Overstock common stock during the Purchase Period. The rescission offer applied to shares purchased during the Purchase Period at prices ranging from $6.77 per share to $21.17 per share. On October 6, 2010, our rescission offer expired. As a result of the offer, we repurchased 1,202 shares of common stock for $26,000. On October 14, 2010 we terminated the Tolling Agreement. As a result of the termination of the Tolling Agreement, we reclassified 17,763 shares or $260,000 of common stock from temporary to permanent equity due to the expiration of potential rescission rights. The remaining redeemable shares will be reclassified into permanent equity upon the expiration of potential rescission rights associated with those common shares. At December 31, 2010 and 2009 approximately 46,000 shares or $570,000 and 65,000 shares or $744,000 of our common stock plus interest were classified outside stockholders' equity, respectively.

Stock and Debt Repurchase Program

        On February 17, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a debt repurchase program that authorized us to use up to $20.0 million in cash to repurchase a portion of our 3.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2011 ("Senior Notes"). On September 21, 2010, the Board of Directors approved a $15.0 million increase to our existing debt repurchase program. Under this repurchase program, we retired $25.4 million of the Senior Notes during the year ended December 31, 2010 for $24.9 million in cash, resulting in a gain of $346,000 on early extinguishment of debt, net of $158,000 of associated unamortized discount at an approximate 5% yield to maturity. (see Item 1 of Part I, "Financial Statements"—Note 17—"Stock and Debt Repurchase Program"). We retired $7.4 million of the Senior Notes during the year ended December 31, 2009 for $4.6 million in cash, resulting in a gain of $2.8 million on early extinguishment of debt, net of $92,000 of associated unamortized discount at an approximate 23% yield to maturity. As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $34.5 million and $59.5 million of the Senior Notes, net of debt discount remained outstanding, respectively.

        On February 1, 2011 our Board of Directors approved a $10 million increase to our previously-announced debt repurchase program. With this increase we may repurchase up to $15 million of our

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outstanding Senior Notes. On February 7, 2011, we retired an additional $10.1 million of our outstanding Senior Notes reducing the balance outstanding to a face amount of $24.5 million.

        During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we withheld from vesting restricted stock awards a total of 63,404 and 36,081 shares of our common stock for $825,000 and $340,000, respectively. The shares withheld represented the minimum tax withholdings upon the vesting of those restricted stock award grants to satisfy the minimum tax withholdings owed by the grantee of the restricted stock award grant. None of these shares were repurchased in the open market.

Contractual obligations and commitments

        The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2010 and the effect such obligations and commitments are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands):

 
  Payments Due by Period  
Contractual Obligations
  2011   2012   2013   2014   2015   Thereafter   Total  

Senior Notes

  $ 34,625   $   $   $   $   $   $ 34,625  

Interest on Senior Notes

    1,298                         1,298  

Finance obligations

    3,922     4,163     4,431     3,625             16,141  

Interest on finance obligations

    873     621     353     79             1,926  

Capital lease obligations

    798     116     4                 918  

Operating leases

    8,743     8,221     7,552     7,750     6,164     1,346     39,776  

Purchase obligations

    13,921     27                     13,948  

Line of credit

                             
                               

Total contractual cash obligations

  $ 64,180   $ 13,148   $ 12,340   $ 11,454   $ 6,164   $ 1,346   $ 108,632  
                               

 

 
  Amounts of Commitment Expiration Per Period  
Other Commercial Commitments
  2011   2012   2013   2014   2015   Thereafter   Total  

Letters of credit

  $ 2,435   $   $   $   $   $   $ 2,435  
                               

Purchase Obligations

        The amount of purchase obligations shown above is based on assumptions regarding the legal enforceability against us of purchase orders we had outstanding at December 31, 2010. Under different assumptions regarding our rights to cancel our purchase orders or different assumptions regarding the enforceability of the purchase orders under applicable law, the amount of purchase obligations shown in the table above would be less.

Tax Contingencies

        Our contractual obligations presented above exclude unrecognized tax contingencies, including interest and penalties, of $244,000 for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment. For further information regarding the application of ASC 740-10-5, see the information set forth under Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements—Note 21—Income Taxes," contained in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Borrowings

Wells Fargo Credit Agreement.

        Prior to December 23, 2009, we had a credit agreement (the "Wells Fargo Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"). The Wells Fargo Credit Agreement provided a revolving line of credit to us of up to $30.0 million which we used primarily to obtain letters of credit to support inventory purchases.

        On December 23, 2009, we terminated the Wells Fargo Credit Agreement, subject to provisions relating to outstanding letters of credit issued by Wells Fargo for our account and other transitional provisions. On December 31, 2009, per the provisions relating to the outstanding letters of credit, the letters of credit issued by Wells Fargo expired on December 31, 2009, and were replaced by letters of credit issued by U.S. Bank National Association ("U.S. Bank") on behalf of the Company.

Wells Fargo Retail Finance Agreement

        On January 6, 2009 we entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated January 6, 2009 (the "WFRF Agreement") with Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC ("WFRF").

        On August 3, 2009, we terminated the WFRF Agreement.

Wells Fargo Commercial Purchasing Card Agreement

        Prior to January 1, 2010, we had a commercial purchasing card agreement (the "WF Purchasing Card") with Wells Fargo. The WF Purchasing Card expired on January 1, 2010.

U.S. Bank Financing Agreements

        We entered into (i) a Financing Agreement dated December 22, 2009 (the "Financing Agreement") with U.S. Bank, and (ii) a Security Agreement dated December 22, 2009 with U.S. Bank (the "Security Agreement") and related agreements described in the Financing Agreement and/or Security Agreement. The Financing Agreement replaced the former credit agreement with Wells Fargo.

        The Financing Agreement provides for revolving loans and other financial accommodations to or for our benefit of (i) up to $10 million for cash-collateralized advances, and (ii) up to $10 million for advances supported by the Company's non-cash collateral. The maximum credit potentially available under the revolving facility is $20 million. Our obligations under the Financing Agreement and all related agreements are secured by all or substantially all of our assets, excluding our interest in certain litigation. Subject to certain exceptions, the full amount of the revolving facility is expected to be available to us as long as $20 million is maintained on deposit with U.S. Bank. The obligation of U.S. Bank to make advances under the Financing Agreement is subject to the conditions set forth in the Financing Agreement.

        Our failure to keep at least $20 million on deposit in certain accounts with U.S. Bank would constitute a "triggering event" under the Financing Agreement. If a triggering event occurs, we would become subject to financial covenants (i) limiting our capital expenditures to $20 million annually, and (ii) requiring us to maintain a Financing Agreement defined fixed charges coverage ratio of at least 1.10 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter for the period of the prior four quarters. The occurrence of a triggering event could also result in a decrease in the amount available to us under the non cash-collateralized portion of the facility, as availability would then depend, in part, on the Borrowing Base (as defined in the Financing Agreement). The Financing Agreement and the credit facility terminate on October 2, 2011.

        Subject to certain interest rate floors and other exceptions, advances under the Financing Agreement bear interest at either (a) Libor plus 1% for cash-collateralized financing, including letters

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of credit, or (b) Libor plus 2.5% for non cash- collateralized advances. The default rate of interest is 2.0% per annum over the otherwise applicable interest rate. An unused line fee of 0.375% is payable monthly on the unused portion of the $10 million facility available for non cash-collateralized advances.

        The Financing Agreement includes affirmative covenants and negative covenants that prohibit a variety of actions without the approval of U.S. Bank, including, without limitation, covenants that (subject to certain exceptions) limit our ability to (a) incur or guarantee debt or enter into indemnity agreements, (b) create or permit liens, (c) enter into any merger or consolidation or purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another person or the assets comprising any line of business or business unit of another person, (d) except for permitted acquisitions, purchase the securities of, create, invest in, or form any subsidiary or other entity, (e) make loans or advances, (f) purchase, acquire or redeem shares of our capital stock or other securities, (g) change our capital structure or issue any new class of capital stock, (h) change our business objectives, purposes or operations in a manner which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, (i) change our fiscal year, (j) enter into transactions with affiliates, (k) sell assets except for the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business, (l) make payments except regularly scheduled interest payments on our convertible debt or, after the occurrence of a triggering event, repurchase, redeem, defease, or acquire our convertible debt, (m) permit judgments to be rendered against us in excess of certain limits or having specified effects, depending in part on whether a triggering event has occurred or would occur, (n) take certain actions regarding our receivables, and (o) take certain actions regarding our inventory.

        With certain exceptions, a termination fee of up to 0.75% of the non cash-collateralized portion of the facility is payable by us if we terminate the facility prior to its stated termination date.

        No amounts were outstanding under the Financing Agreement at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and letters of credit totaling $2.4 million and $2.6 million, respectively, were issued on our behalf and collateralized by compensating cash balances held at U.S. Bank, which are included in Restricted cash in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

        On September 17, 2010 we entered into a Master Lease Agreement and a Financial Covenants Rider (collectively, the "Master Lease Agreement") with U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finance, Inc.-Technology Finance Group ("Lessor"), an affiliate of U.S. Bank. Under the Master Lease Agreement we entered into four separate leases, pursuant to which we sold certain information technology hardware (the "IT Assets") to Lessor, which were simultaneously leased back for a period of 48 months and financed certain software licenses for a period of 48 months for proceeds totaling approximately $16.4 million. We also entered into two additional leases; whereby we leased $599,000 in IT Assets and financed certain software licenses for a period of 48 months directly from the Lessor. We have the right to repurchase the IT Assets at the end of the 48-month term for $1.00. In addition, we have the right to repurchase the IT Assets and terminate the Master lease Agreement twelve months following the initial term, or under certain situations where there is a change in control where the Lessor sells substantially all of its assets, or another entity acquires more than 25% of the ownership interests of Lessor or Lessor's parent. Payments on the Master Lease Agreement are due monthly. The weighted average effective interest rate under the Master Lease Agreement is 6.25%. We have accounted for the Master Lease Agreement as a financing transaction and amounts owed are included in Finance Obligations, current and non-current in the consolidated balance sheets. We recorded no gain or loss as a result of this transaction.

        The Master Lease Agreement requires us to maintain a minimum Total Fixed Charge Coverage annualized ratio of at least 1.20:1.00, based on operating results, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. "Total Fixed Charge Coverage" is defined as our EBITDAR (which is defined to mean earnings before interest expense, tax expense or benefit, depreciation expense, amortization expense and rent (defined as payments for real property leases and other operating leases)) less the aggregate

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amount of federal, state, local and/or foreign income taxes accrued less declared dividends less 50% of depreciation expense divided by our (rental expense plus interest expense plus required principal payments including capitalized leases on a trailing twelve-month basis).

        The Master Lease Agreement, in connection with the US Bank Financing Agreement, also requires us to maintain minimum liquidity (defined as cash plus marketable securities) of $30.0 million in the aggregate (which amount includes any minimum liquidity required under the Financing) at all times on deposit with U.S. Bank until all amounts owed under the Master Lease Agreement are paid in full, but provides that we are permitted to withdraw the funds on deposit with U.S. Bank at the our discretion, although our failure to maintain minimum liquidity of $30.0 million would be an Event of Default under the Master Lease Agreement. As of December 31, 2010, we had $30.0 million in compensating cash balances held at U.S. Bank.

U.S. Bank Purchasing Card Agreement

        We have a commercial purchasing card agreement (the "Purchasing Card") with U.S. Bank. We use the Purchasing Card for business purpose purchasing and must pay it in full each month. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $2.7 million and $0 was outstanding and $2.3 million and $5.0 million was available under the Purchasing Card, respectively.

3.75% Convertible Senior Notes

        In November 2004, we completed an offering of $120.0 million of 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes"). Proceeds to us were $116.2 million, net of $3.8 million of initial purchaser's discount and debt issuance costs. The discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized using the straight-line method which approximates the interest method. We recorded amortization of discount and debt issuance costs related to this offering totaling $228,000, $331,000 and $334,000 during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on December 1, 2011 and are unsecured and rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated debt and senior in right of payment to any existing and future subordinated indebtedness.

        The Senior Notes are convertible at any time prior to maturity into our common stock at the option of the note holders at a conversion price of $76.23 per share or approximately 454,000 shares in aggregate (subject to adjustment in certain events, including stock splits, dividends and other distributions and certain repurchases of our stock, as well as certain fundamental changes in the ownership of us). Beginning December 1, 2009, we have the right to redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, for cash at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (including the acquisition of a majority interest in us, certain changes in our board of directors or the termination of trading of our stock) meeting certain conditions, holders of the Senior Notes may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their notes at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

        At present we do not have any plan to redeem the outstanding Senior Notes in accordance with their redemption provisions but we may acquire additional Senior Notes in future open market or privately negotiated purchases. To the extent the Senior Notes remain outstanding at maturity, we intend to pay them at maturity either with proceeds from operations or from financing activities.

        The indenture governing the Senior Notes requires us to comply with certain affirmative covenants, including making principal and interest payments when due, maintaining our corporate existence and properties, and paying taxes and other claims in a timely manner. Wilmington Trust Company currently serves as Trustee under the indenture.

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        Under the repurchase program discussed above, we retired $25.4 million of the Senior Notes during year ended December 31, 2010 for $24.9 million in cash, resulting in a gain of $346,000 on early extinguishment of debt, net of $158,000 of associated unamortized discount. We retired a total $7.4 million of our Senior Notes during the year ended December 31, 2009 for $4.6 million in cash, resulting in a gain of $2.8 million, net of $92,000 amortization of debt discount (see Item 15 of Part IV, "Financial Statements"—Note 17—"Stock and Debt Repurchase Program"). As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, a face amount of $34.6 million and $60.0 million of the Senior Notes remain outstanding with a carrying amount of $34.5 million and $59.5 million and $141,000 and $528,000 of debt discount, respectively.

        On February 1, 2011 our Board of Directors approved a $10 million increase to our previously-announced debt repurchase program. With this increase we may repurchase up to $15 million of our outstanding Senior Notes. On February 7, 2011, we retired an additional $10.1 million of our outstanding Senior Notes, reducing the balance outstanding to a face amount of $24.5 million.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

        We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that would be material to investors.

Non-GAAP financial measures

        Regulation G, Conditions for Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, and other SEC regulations regulate the disclosure of certain non-GAAP financial information.

Contribution and Contribution Margin

        Contribution (a non-GAAP financial measure) (which we reconcile to "Gross profit" in our statement of operations) consists of gross profit less sales and marketing expense and reflects an additional way of viewing our results. Contribution Margin is Contribution as a percentage of revenues. When viewed with our GAAP gross profit less sales and marketing expenses, we believe Contribution and Contribution margin provides management and users of the financial statements information about our ability to cover our fixed operating costs, such as technology and general and administrative expenses. Contribution and Contribution Margin are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP financial measures. You should review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not rely on any single financial measure. The material limitation associated with the use of Contribution is that it is an incomplete measure of profitability as it does not include all operating expenses or non-operating income and expenses. Management compensates for these limitations when using this measure by looking at other GAAP measures, such as operating income (loss) and net income (loss).

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        For further details on Contribution, see the calculation of this non-GAAP measure below (in thousands):

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009   2008  

Total revenue

  $ 1,089,873   $ 876,769   $ 829,850  

Cost of goods sold

    900,233     712,017     685,614  
               

Gross profit

    189,640     164,752     144,236  

Less: Sales and marketing expense

    61,334     55,549     57,668  
               

Contribution

  $ 128,306   $ 109,203   $ 86,568  
               

Contribution margin

    11.8 %   12.5 %   10.4 %

Free Cash Flow

        Free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) reflects an additional way of viewing our cash flows and liquidity that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our cash flows and liquidity. Free cash flow, which we reconcile to "Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities", is cash flows from operations reduced by "Expenditures for fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development." We believe that cash flows from operating activities is an important measure, since it includes both the cash impact of the continuing operations of the business and changes in the balance sheet that impact cash. However, we believe free cash flow is a useful measure to evaluate our business since purchases of fixed assets are a necessary component of ongoing operations and free cash flow measures the amount of cash we have available for future investment, debt retirement or other changes to our capital structure after we have paid all of our expenses. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a complement to our entire consolidated statements of cash flows as calculated below (in thousands):

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2010   2009   2008  

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 16,322   $ 46,117   $ 6,444  

Expenditures for fixed assets, including internal-use software and website development

    (20,511 )   (7,275 )   (18,707 )
               

Free cash flow

  $ (4,189 ) $ 38,842   $ (12,263 )
               

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ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        We do not use derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio and have no foreign exchange contracts. Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade accounts and contracts receivable, accounts payable and long-term obligations. We consider investments in highly-liquid instruments with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

        Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our short-term investments and short-term obligations; thus, fluctuations in interest rates would not have a material impact on the fair value of these securities. However, the fair values of our investments may be subject to fluctuations due to volatility of the stock market in general, investment-specific circumstances, and changes in general economic conditions.

        At December 31, 2010, we had $124.0 million in cash and cash equivalents. Hypothetically, an increase or decrease in interest rates of one hundred basis points would have an estimated impact of $1.3 million on our earnings or loss, or the fair market value or cash flows of these instruments.

        At December 31, 2010, we had approximately a face amount of $34.6 million of convertible senior notes outstanding which bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.75%. At December 31, 2010, there were no borrowings outstanding under our lines of credit and letters of credit totaling $2.4 million were outstanding under our credit facilities.

        On February 1, 2011 our Board of Directors approved a $10 million increase to our previously-announced debt repurchase program. With this increase we may repurchase up to $15 million of our outstanding Senior Notes. On February 7, 2011, we retired an additional $10.1 million of our outstanding Senior Notes, reducing the balance outstanding to a face amount of $24.5 million.

        The fair value of the convertible senior notes is sensitive to interest rate changes. Interest rate changes would result in increases or decreases in the fair value of the convertible senior notes, due to differences between market interest rates and rates in effect at the inception of the obligation. Unless we elect to repurchase our convertible senior notes in the open market, changes in the fair value of convertible senior notes have no impact on our cash flows or consolidated financial statements. The estimated fair value of our 3.75% convertible senior notes at December 31, 2010 was $33.2 million. The fair value of the convertible senior notes was derived using a convertible pricing model with observable market inputs, which include stock price, dividend payments, borrowing costs, equity volatility, interest rates and interest spread.

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

        The financial statements and supplementary data required by this item are included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K and are presented beginning on page F-1.

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

        None.

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ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)   Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act" or "Exchange Act"). The term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

        We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Senior Vice President, Finance and Risk Management (principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of December 31, 2010. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Senior Vice President, Finance and Risk Management (principal financial officer) concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2010, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(b)   Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

        Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

        Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

        Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making our assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

        The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is in Item 9A(c).

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(c)   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Overstock.com, Inc.:

        We have audited Overstock.com, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Overstock.com Inc.'s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (Item 9A(b)). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

        Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

        In our opinion, Overstock.com, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

        We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Overstock.com, Inc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income , and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2010, and our report dated February 28, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Salt Lake City, Utah
February 28, 2011

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(d)   Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

        During the quarter ended December 31, 2010, we implemented the following changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting:

    Additional improvements to our information systems recommended by a consulting firm we engaged during the second quarter of 2010, as follows, 1) implementing a post-deployment review process of information system changes, and 2) enhanced the review process to assess and approve projects with financial impact.

    Additional improvements to our systems and controls to provide assurance that they appropriately capture amounts to be paid to fulfillment partners or deducted from partner payments. This included automating two manual processes.

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

        None.

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PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        Information regarding our Executive Officers required by Item 10 of Part III is set forth in Item 1 of Part I "Business—Executive Officers." Information required by Item 10 of Part III regarding our Directors and any material changes to the process by which security holders may recommend nominees to the Board of Directors will be included in our definitive proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, and is incorporated herein by reference. Information relating to compliance with Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act will be set forth in our definitive proxy statement for our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

        We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics ("Code"), which is applicable to all employees of the Company, including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. The Code includes provisions that are specifically applicable to our senior financial officers. We intend to disclose any amendments to these provisions and any waivers from any of these provisions granted to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer on our Website, www.overstock.com. We will provide a copy of the relevant portion to any person without any charge upon request in writing addressed to Overstock.com. Attn: Investor Relations, 6350 South 3000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84121.

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.

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

        The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.

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

        The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

        The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our definitive proxy statement for the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.

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PART IV

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

1.     Financial Statements

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2.     Financial Statement Schedule

        Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts listed in (1) above is included herein. Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted as they are either not required, not applicable, or the information has otherwise been shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3.     Exhibits

        The exhibits listed below are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Form 10-K.

 
  Exhibit
Number
  Description of Document
      3.1(a)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
      3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) filed on February 5, 2009).
      4.1(b)   Form of specimen common stock certificate.
      4.2(b)   Investor Right Agreement, dated March 4, 2002
      10.1(b)   Form of Indemnification Agreement between Overstock.com, Inc. and each of its directors and officers.
      10.2(b)   Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Option Plan and form of agreement thereunder.
      10.3   Form of agreements under 2002 Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-83728), which became effective on May 29, 2002).
      10.4   Lease Agreement dated January 23, 2002 between Overstock.com, Inc. and Holladay Building East L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-83728), which became effective on May 29, 2002).
      10.5   Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement with Douglas Greene dated February 28, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-83728), which became effective on May 29, 2002).
      10.6   Amendment No. 1, dated April 29, 2002 to Intellectual Property Assignment Agreement dated February 28, 2002 by and between Overstock.com, Inc. and Douglas Greene. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-83728), which became effective on May 29, 2002).

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  Exhibit
Number
  Description of Document
      10.7   Sublease Agreement by and between Overstock.com, Inc., Old Mill Technology Center, LLC, and Old Mill Building LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Report on Form 8-K/A (File No. 000-49799) filed on December 7, 2004).
      10.8   Sublease Agreement by and between Overstock.com, Inc., Document Controls Systems, Inc., and Old Mill Building LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to our Report on Form 8-K/A (File No. 000-49799) filed on December 7, 2004).
      10.9   Sublease Agreement by and between Overstock.com, Inc., Information Technology International, Inc., and Old Mill Building LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to our Report on Form 8-K/A filed on December 7, 2004).
      10.10   Old Mill Corporate Center Fourth Amendment to the Lease Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to our Report on Form 8-K/A filed on December 7, 2004).
      10.11   Co-location Center Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to our Report on Form 8-K/A (File No. 000-49799) filed on December 7, 2004).
      10.12   Indenture, dated November 23, 2004, between Overstock.com, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) filed on November 24, 2004).
      10.13   Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 23, 2004 by and among Overstock.com, Inc., Lehman Brothers., Piper Jaffray & Co., Legg Mason Wood Walker Incorporated and WR Hambrecht+ Co, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) filed on November 24, 2004).
      10.14   Purchase Agreement dated November 17, 2004 with Lehman Brothers Inc. as Representative (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 000-49799) filed on March 16, 2005).
      10.15   Underwriting Agreement dated November 17, 2004 with Lehman Brothers Inc. as Representative (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) filed on November 18, 2004)
      10.16   Underwriting Agreement dated May 13, 2004 with WR Hambrecht & Co., LLC and JMP Securities LLC. as Representatives (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to our Report on Form 8-K filed (File No. 000-49799) on May 14, 2004
      10.17   2002 Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) filed May 7, 2004)
      10.18   2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Overstock.com, Inc.'s definitive proxy statement (File No. 000-49799) filed with the SEC on March 28, 2008.
      10.19   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Agreement under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) filed on January 15, 2008)
      10.20   Lease Agreement with Natomas Meadows, LLC dated April 8, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Report on Form 8-K filed (File No. 000-49799) on April 11, 2008).
      10.21   First Amendment to Lease amending the terms of the Lease Agreement with Natomas Meadows, LLC dated December 16, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) filed on December 17, 2008).
      10.22   Offer Letter to Stephen J. Chesnut dated December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) dated January 5, 2009).

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  Exhibit
Number
  Description of Document
      10.23   Lease Termination Agreement with Landmark Building One, LLC dated March 20, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) dated March 23, 2009).
      10.24   Letter agreement dated August 3, 2009 terminating Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with Wells Fargo Retail Finance (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) filed August 3, 2009).
      10.25   Financing Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association dated as of December 22, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) dated December 23, 2009).
      10.26   Security Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association dated as of December 22, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) dated December 23, 2009).
      10.27   Revolving Note (Regular Advances) in favor of U.S. Bank National Association dated as of December 22, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) dated December 23, 2009).
      10.28   Revolving Note (Cash Secured Advances) in favor of U.S. Bank National Association dated as of December 22, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) dated December 23, 2009).
      *10.29(c)   Summary of unwritten compensation arrangements with Directors.
      10.30   Master Lease Agreement and Financial Covenants Rider with U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finance, Inc.—Technology Finance Group dated as of September 17, 2010 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) dated September 31, 2010).
      10.31   Consent and Waiver with U.S. Bank National Association dates as of September 17, 2010 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 to our Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-49799) dated September 21, 2010).
      *21   Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
      *23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
      *23.2   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
      24.1   Powers of Attorney (see signature page)
      *31.1   Exhibit 31 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
      *31.2   Exhibit 31 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
      *32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
      *32.2   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

(a)
Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the same number filed with our Form 10-Q (File No. 000-49799), filed on August 13, 2002.

(b)
Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the same number filed with our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-83728), which became effective on May 29, 2002.

(c)
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

*
Filed herewith.

81


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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on February 28, 2011.

    OVERSTOCK.COM, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ PATRICK M. BYRNE

Patrick M. Byrne
Chief Executive Officer

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


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Patrick M. Byrne, Jonathan E. Johnson III and Stephen J. Chesnut, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and conforming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ PATRICK M. BYRNE


Patrick M. Byrne
 

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Chairman of the Board

  February 28, 2011

/s/ STEPHEN J. CHESNUT


Stephen J. Chesnut
 

Senior Vice President, Finance and Risk Management (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

February 28, 2011

/s/ ALLISON H. ABRAHAM


Allison H. Abraham
 

Director

 

February 28, 2011

/s/ BARCLAY F. CORBUS


Barclay F. Corbus
 

Director

 

February 28, 2011

/s/ JOSEPH J. TABACCO, JR.


Joseph J. Tabacco, Jr.
 

Director

 

February 28, 2011

/s/ JOHN J. BYRNE


John J. Byrne
 

Director

 

February 28, 2011

/s/ SAMUEL A. MITCHELL


Samuel A. Mitchell
 

Director

 

February 28, 2011

82


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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Overstock.com, Inc.:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Overstock.com, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2010. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedule II. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. 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 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 financial position of Overstock.com, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

        We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Overstock.com, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 28, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Salt Lake City, Utah
February 28, 2011

F-2


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Overstock.com, Inc.:

        In our opinion, the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit) and comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008 present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations of Overstock.com, Inc. and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2008 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        As described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, the financial statements for 2008 have been restated for the correction of errors.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Salt Lake City, Utah
February 3, 2009, except for Note 3 included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for which the date is March 31, 2010.

F-3


Table of Contents


Overstock.com, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 
  December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

             
Assets
 

Current assets:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 124,021   $ 139,757  
 

Restricted cash

    2,542     4,414  
 

Accounts receivable, net

    13,560     11,640  
 

Inventories, net

    32,114     23,375  
 

Prepaid inventories, net

    2,082     2,879  
 

Prepaids and other assets

    11,651     10,275  
           
     

Total current assets

    185,970     192,340  

Fixed assets, net

    27,800     20,618  

Goodwill

    2,784     2,784  

Other long-term assets, net

    1,405     758  
           
     

Total assets

  $ 217,959   $ 216,500  
           

             
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 

Current liabilities:

             
 

Accounts payable

  $ 67,311   $ 76,623  
 

Accrued liabilities

    40,751     43,296  
 

Deferred revenue

    24,027     20,665  
 

Convertible senior notes, net of debt discount—$141 and $—

    34,484      
 

Finance obligations, current

    3,922      
 

Capital lease obligations, current

    729     520  
           
     

Total current liabilities

    171,224     141,104  

Capital lease obligations, non-current

    113     806  

Finance obligations, non-current

    12,219      

Other long-term liabilities

    3,175     3,580  

Convertible senior notes, net of debt discount—$—and $528

        59,466  
           
     

Total liabilities

    186,731     204,956  
           

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)

             

Redeemable common stock, $0.0001 par value:

             
   

Outstanding—46 and 65

    570     744  

Stockholders' equity:

             
 

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value:

             
   

Authorized shares—5,000

             
   

Issued and outstanding shares—none

         
 

Common stock, $0.0001 par value

             
   

Authorized shares—100,000

             
   

Issued shares—25,877 and 25,583

             
   

Outstanding shares—23,015 and 22,776

    2     2  
 

Additional paid-in capital

    349,747     343,040  
 

Accumulated deficit

    (242,327 )   (256,056 )
 

Treasury stock:

             
   

Shares at cost—2,862 and 2,807

    (76,764 )   (76,186 )
           
     

Total stockholders' equity

    30,658     10,800  
           
     

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 217,959   $ 216,500  
           

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4


Table of Contents


Overstock.com, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

 
  Year ended December 31  
 
  2010   2009   2008  

Revenue, net

                   
 

Direct

  $ 209,646   $ 150,901   $ 173,687  
 

Fulfillment partner

    880,227     725,868     656,163  
               
   

Total net revenue

    1,089,873     876,769     829,850  
               

Cost of goods sold

                   
 

Direct(1)

    187,124     130,890     153,967  
 

Fulfillment partner

    713,109     581,127     531,647  
               
   

Total cost of goods sold

    900,233     712,017     685,614  
               
 

Gross profit

    189,640     164,752     144,236  
               

Operating expenses:

                   
 

Sales and marketing(1)

    61,334     55,549     57,668  
 

Technology(1)

    58,260     52,336     56,677  
 

General and administrative(1)

    55,650     48,906     39,348  
 

Restructuring

    (569 )   (66 )   (299 )
               
   

Total operating expenses

    174,675     156,725     153,394  
               

Operating income (loss)

    14,965     8,027     (9,158 )

Interest income

    157     170     3,163  

Interest expense

    (2,962 )   (3,470 )   (3,565 )

Other income (expense), net

    2,088     3,277     (1,446 )
               
 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    14,248     8,004     (11,006 )
               

Provision for income taxes

    (359 )   (257 )    
               

Net income (loss)

    13,889     7,747     (11,006 )
               
 

Deemed dividend related to redeemable common stock

    (112 )   (48 )   (77 )
               

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares

  $ 13,777   $ 7,699   $ (11,083 )
               

Net income (loss) per common share—basic:

                   

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares—basic

  $ 0.60   $ 0.34   $ (0.48 )

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

    23,019     22,821     22,901  

Net income (loss) per common share—diluted:

                   

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares—diluted

  $ 0.59   $ 0.33   $ (0.48 )

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

    23,366     23,067     22,901  

(1)
Includes stock-based compensation as follows (Note 18):

Cost of goods sold—direct

  $ 212   $ 167   $ 198  

Sales and marketing

    608     634     347  

Technology

    1,071     961     870  

General and administrative

    3,165     3,023     2,216  
               
 

Total

  $ 5,056   $ 4,785   $ 3,631  
               

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5


Table of Contents


Overstock.com, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(in thousands)

 
  Common stock    
   
  Treasury stock   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
   
 
 
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Accumulated
Deficit
   
 
 
  Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Total  

Balances at December 31, 2007

    25,423   $ 2   $ 333,909   $ (252,327 )   1,605   $ (63,278 ) $ (94 ) $ 18,212  
                                   

Stock-based compensation to employees and directors

            4,372                     4,372  

Stock-based compensation to consultants in exchange for services

            259                     259  

Stock based compensation related to performance shares

            (1,000 )                   (1,000 )

Exercise of stock options

    113         1,471                     1,471  

Purchase of treasury stock

                    1,190     (13,452 )       (13,452 )

Treasury stock issued for 401(k) matching contributions

            (41 )       (2 )   60         19  

Issuance of redeemable common stock (Note 16)

    (155 )       (2,386 )                   (2,386 )

Lapse of rescission rights of redeemable stock (Note 16)

    57         1,200                     1,200  

Deemed dividend related to redeemable common stock (Note 16)

            (77 )                   (77 )

Comprehensive loss :

                                                 
 

Net loss

                (11,006 )               (11,006 )
 

Unrealized gain on marketable securities

                            48     48  
 

Cumulative translation adjustment

                            94     94  
                                                 

Total comprehensive loss

                                (10,864 )
                                   

Balances at December 31, 2008

    25,438   $ 2   $ 337,707   $ (263,333 )   2,793   $ (76,670 ) $ 48   $ (2,246 )
                                   

Stock-based compensation to employees and directors

            4,775                     4,775  

Stock-based compensation to consultants in exchange for services

            10                     10  

Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted stock

    110                              

Exercise of stock options

    2         29                     29  

Purchase of treasury stock

                    36     (340 )       (340 )

Treasury stock issued for 401(k) matching contributions

                (470 )   (22 )   824         354  

Issuance of redeemable common stock (Note 16)

    (39 )       (400 )                   (400 )

Lapse of rescission rights of redeemable stock (Note 16)

    72         967                     967  

Deemed dividend related to redeemable common stock (Note 16)

              (48 )                   (48 )

Comprehensive income :

                                                 
 

Net income

                7,747                 7,747  
 

Reclassification adjustment included in net income

                            (48 )   (48 )
                                                 

Total comprehensive income

                                7,699  
                                   

Balances at December 31, 2009

    25,583   $ 2   $ 343,040   $ (256,056 )   2,807   $ (76,186 ) $   $ 10,800  
                                   

Exercise of stock options

    90         1,503                       1,503  

Stock-based compensation to employees and directors

            5,056                     5,056  

Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted stock

    185                              

Purchase of treasury stock

                    63     (825 )       (825 )

Treasury stock issued for 401(k) matching contributions

                (160 )   (7 )   247         87  

Redeemable common stock repurchased under rescission offer

    1                 (1 )            

Lapse of rescission rights of redeemable common stock (Note 16)

    18         260                     260  

Deemed dividend related to redeemable common stock (Note 16)

            (112 )                   (112 )

Comprehensive income:

                                                 
 

Net income

                13,889                 13,889  
                                                 

Total comprehensive income

                                13,889  
                                   

Balance at December 31, 2010

    25,877   $ 2   $ 349,747   $ (242,327 )   2,862   $ (76,764 ) $   $ 30,658  
                                   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6


Table of Contents


Overstock.com, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 
  Year ended December 31  
 
  2010   2009   2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

                   
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 13,889   $ 7,747   $ (11,006 )
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

                   
   

Depreciation and amortization

    14,580     12,883     22,968  
   

Realized loss on marketable securities

        48     334  
   

Loss on settlement of notes receivable

            3,929  
   

Loss on disposition of fixed assets

        183     140  
   

Stock-based compensation to employees and directors

    5,056     4,775     4,372  
   

Stock-based compensation to consultants for services

        10     259  
   

Stock-based compensation relating to performance share plan

            (1,000 )
   

Amortization of debt discount

    391     331     334  
   

Gain from early extinguishment of debt

    (346 )   (2,810 )   (2,849 )
   

Restructuring reversals

    (569 )   (66 )   (299 )
   

Notes receivable accretion

            (545 )
   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                   
     

Restricted cash

    1,872     (152 )   4,372  
     

Accounts receivable, net

    (1,920 )   (4,540 )   4,654  
     

Inventories, net

    (8,739 )   1,344     3,790  
     

Prepaid inventories, net

    797     (2,118 )   2,177  
     

Prepaids and other assets

    368     (604 )   (2,027 )
     

Other long-term assets, net

    (215 )   (120 )   (516 )
     

Accounts payable

    (9,315 )   18,642     (10,774 )
     

Accrued liabilities

    (2,575 )   9,131     (7,636 )
     

Deferred revenue

    3,362     1,433     (3,733 )
     

Other long-term liabilities

    (314 )       (500 )
               
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    16,322     46,117